Basement Insulation Continuity

[@erickessler6094]

Amen Steve, This is no small deal. So many neighbors have moist basements & even wet batt insulation just after construction! Keep preaching the Science! Your super important design CONTINUITY for our Water, Air, Vapor, and Insulation control layers are KEY! Yup, BIG RED was in top form, thx! I'm almost going to miss having a basement in the new NC home... when our VA home sells. Man, I did enjoy this great video! Well done... "Bldg Science Preacher Steve" ... up 7 times. Haha! Cheers, Eric

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Got it! Under slab Continuity is Key insulation: #1-Slab edge, no thermal break so put rigid foam so slap edge does not touch concrete wall, #2-minimum 24 inches of rigid foam extended from the wall under the slab if on a tight budget,but to alleast have the slab edge have rigid foam to break the thermal break and....drum rolll...... #3- Continuous rigid foam all the way to the other side, if the budget and priority allows. Noted with tons of thanks. Saved this vid to discuss with builder.💯 🙏🇨🇦

[@rogerhodges7656]

I am so happy that I live in a warm climate.

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Steve, another bookmarked vid to add to my doc in prep for discussions with the builder. To be able to show the continuity building materials used is important for clarity. I bookedmarked another vid you did that showed how the 10mil poly came up the wall and was taped to the interior basement wall. Getting that poly up into the interior of the basement and taped for continuity and to be able to seal it to minimize thermal loss. Great stuff Steve. Still waiting for a client you will work with that will like to have insulation on the outside of a concrete foundation and the details of that. Lots of time to wait....patient here in Atlantic Canada 👍☺ 🇨🇦🍁

[@b_lumenkraft]

Steven, i have a question. Why did you do closed cell foam at the joists but not below the slab? Was it a cost consideration?

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

No, client aversion to using foam

[@b_lumenkraft]

@@stevenbaczekarchitect9431 i see. Thanks! :)

[@b_lumenkraft]

I am of the opinion that insulation must be on the outside of a wall. Even more so when we talk about concrete walls because that's a whole bunch of thermal mass you are losing if you insulate from the inside.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

It is exponentially harder to detail successfully on the outside of the wall. Yes maybe a little thermal mass advantage lost, but in a high efficiency home I will take the trade off everyday

[@b_lumenkraft]

@@stevenbaczekarchitect9431 That is interesting. Maybe this would be a topic for a video? Pros and cons of inside and outside insulation? ;)

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Hi Jo, I always soak up anything Steve shows us and adds the building science and counter reasoning due to "trade offs" of a variety of circumstances. i am also of the opinion that insulation is best done on the outside. I emailed Steve last week on one of his vids asking him if he ever shows a concrete basement where the client uses outside insulation to please post it so we can see the details. Thanks for your comment. There is enjoyably so much to learn from Steve on this helpful "onnnnn The Build Show" channel.☺ 🇨🇦 In a few years 2025-26 a passive build inspired 2.5 storey high extension will hopefully get started. It will be added to an existing 4 bedroom home built in 1983, concrete basement. I am saving more money so that while the rigs are here for the new build the exterior basement foundation work for exterior insulation can take place as well. Have you read and seen the diagrams for cold climate frost protection on foundations using the "Wing Insulation" practice? Very cool stuff. 5% angle of XPS laid down from the concrete foundation, captures the heat from the ground from below, keeps the soil dry underneath the "XPS long wings" which means minimizes moisture content of the soil next to the concrete foundation, which keeps exterior concrete foundation dry and warm. Alaska, fairbanks, has the building science used in the homes up there. Being here in Canada, climate zone 6-7, I am hoping to apply it here on Prince Edward Island. Good to read your comment and have Steve reply! So much to learn, so little time......eh!🍁☺🇨🇦

[@b_lumenkraft]

@@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs I think the further north you go, the more useful it is to insulate from the outside. I'm in Germany and it's like 95% outside wall insulation here. All the best wishes for your build, Meg! :)

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

@@b_lumenkraft OH, cool! 95% outside insulation in Germany builds! Briefly, do you have the time to list the layers starting from the concrete wall and outward? I have a few references and diagrams off the internet build channels but nothing that references Europe or Germany considerations. Great to hear from you....and nice you suggested to Steve this topic could be a good one for pros and cons in insulating concrete foundation on the outside. So interesting to hear what he has to say and the building science. Thank you for your best wishes Jo🙏☺🇨🇦