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In order to create a quiet, comfortable living space below grade in basements and other lower-level living spaces, it is important for homeowners to understand the types of basement insulation available. That includes basement insulation for foundations walls, concrete floors, ceilings and partition walls.
For soundproofing the upper level of the home from noise created in the basement, acoustical and fire-rated batt insulation in the basement ceiling is recommended. The same kind of insulation inside the partition walls in the basement will also soundproof rooms such as bedrooms, bathrooms and home theatre rooms downstairs. Roxul's Safe n' Sound insulation can be used for this application and can be easily cut and installed by the homeowner.
One practical and simple way to provide basement insulation for the basement's foundation walls and concrete floors in one step is with the Barricade basement insulation system with waterproof Dow Styrofoam insulation, with an acoustical performance rating of IIC/STC 55. This is the right type of insulation for homeowners to use against cold and moist concrete surfaces in the basement.
"IIC" or Impact Isolation Class applies to acoustical vibration reduction through basement floors and "STC" or Sound Transmission Class applies to air and structural acoustical reduction through basement foundation walls and ceilings. In new and renovation construction, including basements, an IIC/STC greater than 50 is recommended by architects.
With building code-approved Dow Styrofoam closed cell insulation, that is also a Type 1 vapor barrier, bonded to modern stable and environmentally certified Oriented Strand Board (OSB) for both the 2' x 8' Barricade wall panel and a 2' x 2' Barricade subfloor panel, this basement insulation system is designed for professional results.
With the Barricade basement insulation system for foundation walls and concrete floors you not only get a barrier to excessive noise intrusion from the outside, you also get a barrier to water exposure, air infiltration, and temperature conduction.
Another benefit is that there is no need to separately frame and insulate the basement's foundation walls with 2" x 4" wood or steel studs. This basement insulation system eliminates this step because the basement insulation and wall panel are combined into one easy-to-install uni-panel design.
All concrete floors require a subfloor prior to installing a finished floor to not only reduce the echoing sound effect of empty basement spaces, but also to prevent moisture damage from the concrete floor and to make the floors warmer to touch. The insulated subfloor panel on its own will make the floor surface 6 F or 3.2 C warmer. A finished floor, such as a floating laminate floor and under pad, will make the floor surface 9 F or 5 C warmer.
When you think about basement insulation, you can achieve quiet comfort with easy-to-install products like the Barricade basement foundation wall and concrete floor insulation system by OvrX, and the Safe n' Sound ceiling and partition wall insulation by Roxul. Considering these options will help protect your home for the future.
By Dave Murray
article at HomeRenovationGuide.com