Basement Insulation

Island Basement Systems specializes in basement insulation! Spray Foam insulation is the perfect solution for these cold, damp areas because it provides a high R-Value, it is not damaged by moisture and it does not support mould growth. Spray Foam Insulation also acts as a complete air barrier, making a seamless air-tight seal to keep out cold drafts and keep warm air inside where it belongs.

Before you begin
Before you renovate your basement, you need to make sure that any moisture or water seepage concerns are taken care of. If you don't take this first step, your finished basement may quickly be damaged by serious moisture-related problems such as mould, wood rot and damaged floor, carpet and walls. Island Basement Systems has a variety of systems to waterproof your foundation so call us today for an estimate! For more information about basements, including dealing with moisture, waterproofing, and structural repair, visit the official site of Island Basement Systems here.

The Right Way to Insulate your Basement - Spray Foam
Spray Foam insulation is ideal for insulating basement walls. After framing and wiring are in place, Spray Foam is applied directly to the wood framing and concrete, rock or brick foundation. Spray Foam expands upon impact to completely fill wall cavities. All nooks and crannies are filled and sealed, even around intricate framing and penetrations.

Because Spray Foam acts as a complete air barrier, there is no air space inside the wall to allow harmful condensation. Spray Foam insulation does not support mould growth and is not susceptible to moisture damage. You will not have to worry about water infiltration because you called Island Basement Systems for a foundation waterproofing inspection before you began your insulation project. If you haven't called us yet, it's not too late. Call us today and we will give you an estimate for waterproofing and insulation at the same time!

Island Basement Systems offers both Icynene .5lb open-cell Spray Foam and PolarFoam Soya 2lb closed-cell Spray Foam for basements. Call us for an inspection and estimate and we will help you find the right fit for your project.

How Not to Insulate a Basement - Batt Insulation
Basements are commonly insulated with batt insulation. While this may seem like the low cost alternative at the time, it can end up costing more in the long term. Many basement suites have to be torn apart, repaired and finished again after moisture damage is found.

Many people think that their basement is dry when in fact, their concrete walls are continually letting a small amount of moisture through. With nothing covering the interior of the walls, this moisture evaporates off the surface of the concrete and is carried throughout the house by warm air. Many people see their first signs of moisture infiltration long after the walls are framed and covered up with batt insulation, poly vapour barrier and drywall. This is because the moisture coming through the concrete is trapped in the wall cavity, no longer able to evaporate into the air. With nowhere to go, it wreaks havoc inside the walls.

Even if moisture is not coming through the concrete walls of your basement, warm moist air inside your home can travel through gaps in the drywall and vapour barrier system. Electrical sockets, fixtures and nail punctures are common areas of air leakage. Once the moist air is inside, it condenses on the cold concrete foundation, leading to the same moisture-related problems.

Batt insulation does not perform well when damp. It is susceptible to mould growth, causing musty smelling basements and health hazards for occupants. Batt insulation also loses R-Value when damp, making it ineffective at stopping the cold transferring from the concrete foundation. Over time, batt insulation slumps down inside wall cavities, leaving gaps where cold can travel through.

In the real world, batt insulation is often installed incorrectly. Because batt insulation works on the trapped air principal, it is ineffective when it is compressed, but it is difficult to avoid compressing the batts when fitting them into tight spaces around plumbing and electrical systems. Even small air gaps around the batt reduce the R-Value it can provide.

Similarly, traditional poly vapour and air barriers are difficult to install perfectly. They must be continuous and yet they rarely are. Electrical outlets, light fixtures etc. make it difficult to create a continuous seal against air and moisture. These problems can be avoided by using Spray Foam insulation! Call us for an estimate today!

How do we know?

Island Basement Systems sees mouldy, damp batt insulation all the time! Visit our photo gallery to see for yourself.