Insulating A Basement Ceiling and Why It's Important To The Health Of Your Home

2/25/2019 (Permalink)

A lot goes into to keep your home comfortable for you and your family. From ensuring your HVAC system is in working order for warm and cool weather to keeping your air quality strong through air duct cleanings, and everything in between. When it comes to regulating the temperature in your home, one of the most important components lying throughout your house is insulation. While there are places in your house where insulation is a no brainer, many are unsure of whether or not to add insulation to their basement ceiling. So, what are the insulation options for how to insulate a basement ceiling, and how much does it cost to insulate basement ceilings? It turns out that insulating a basement ceiling should be on your to-do list, as it will not only keep you comfortable but can also save you money on energy bills.

What is Basement Ceiling Insulation?

Simply put, basement ceiling insulation is any material that is specifically designed to prevent heat loss in addition to heat gain. During cold winter months properly installed insulation will hold in the heat coming from your HVAC system and, during balmy summer days, will make sure excess heat doesn’t get into your home. There are a variety of types of 

Types of Insulation

There are a variety of types of basement ceiling insulation available on the market for those asking what type of insulation for the basement ceiling to use. What type of insulation for the basement ceiling to use will depend on factors including budget, home layout, and whether you want to attempt to install the installation yourself versus hiring a professional company. Each basement ceiling insulation option for how to insulate a basement ceiling comes with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types of household basement ceiling insulations used for hanging insulation in basements include batts and blankets, loose-fill insulation, insulated panels, and spray foams.

Batts and blankets: The most common type of basement ceiling insulation and option for how to insulate a basement ceiling is to use batts and blankets and is the most accessible form of insulation for the average homeowner looking to do the job themselves. Batts and blankets come in roll form, making them easy to transport as needed. This type of basement ceiling insulation must be carefully stuffed into spaces around pipes, wires, and other fixtures in order to increase efficiency. Unfortunately, with this form of insulation, it’s easy to miss spots that need insulation, losing its overall effectiveness. Some of the pros of batts and blankets include easy installation, transportability, and ability to fit in and around studs, rafters, and other fixtures. Cons of batts and blankets include needing to be cut by hand, some types retain moisture, and some types are itchy during installation.

Loose-fill insulation: Another option for how to insulate a basement ceiling is to use loose fill insulation, which is made up of fluffy fibrous strands that are blown into small nooks and crannies. Loose-fill insulation is primarily used in spaces such as attics and walls, though can also be used effectively in ceilings as well. Some of the pros to loose-fill basement ceiling insulation is that some forms like loose-fill fiberglass are very lightweight, can be installed by almost anyone, and loose-fill cellulose is highly effective in all temperatures. On the other hand, some loose-fill insulation is so fluffy it can lose effectiveness in very cold temperatures.

Structural Insulated Panels: Next on the list of options for how to insulate a basement ceiling is to use structural insulated panels (SIPs), which are used to insulate the entire surface of a wall. SIPs are primarily used for new ceilings, walls, floors, and roofs in areas including basements and crawl spaces. Some of the pros of SIPs include that they are lightweight, highly energy efficient, and relatively easy to install. The primary con of SIPs is that they are more expensive than most types of insulation.

Spray foam insulation: Finally, another common type of household insulation for how to insulate a basement ceiling is spray foam insulation. As the name tells, spray foam is adhered in liquid form and then expands to fill cracks and gaps, thereby preventing air leaks. The main pros of spray foam insulation is that it is very effective in stopping the movement of air and moisture because it so securely fills cracks and gaps. Cons of spray foam is that for this type, hanging insulation in basement typically requires professional installation, which raises the price.

Why is Insulation Important

Because adding insulation is an investment, before figuring out the steps and options for how to insulate a basement ceiling you might be asking yourself, why is insulating a basement ceiling important? The answer is that an uninsulated basement inevitably leads to some level of heat loss. When heat is lost out of your home, especially when your heat is turned on to keep your home warm, you’re wasting energy and increasing pricey energy bills. This happens because warm air seeks out cooler spaces, so the warm air pumping into your living spaces above will begin to flow into the basement where it is cooler. The air then in turns seeks out even cooler spots, heading towards outside where it is colder. When insulation is in place, the warm air is not able to escape and will circulate back throughout desired areas.

The cost to Insulate Basement Ceiling

Once of the most important factors in how to insulate a basement ceiling is the actual cost to insulate basement ceilings. When making the decisions, homeowners need to compare how much they’d spend on energy bills without insulation with the cost to insulate basement ceilings and the expected benefits that will result. While the exact dollar amounts for energy bills with and without basement ceiling insulation vary from house to house, in general, most homeowners have found a decrease in their energy bills following the installation of basement ceiling insulation, making the initial investment cost to insulate basement ceiling worth it.