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How To Remodel Basements And Attics

Basement Insulation

WHEN BASEMENTS ARE BEING REMODELED, especially for the purpose of creating recreation rooms or entertainment areas, some form of insulation is generally required for the foundations and floors. This is especially true when basements are not entirely below the surface of the ground. Any one of several troublesome conditions may be encountered. For example, in climates where freezing temperatures are common, both the foundations and floors may be cold. This constitutes a serious source of heat loss and causes the radiation of cold drafts. If the interior air is warm and humid, condensation may occur at the surfaces of both the foundations and floors. In climates where a great deal of rain occurs, the surfaces of foundations and floors may be slightly damp. During summer weather, when the air is warm and humid, condensation may occur on the foundations or floors, or on both. All of the troublesome conditions mentioned can be remedied, or entirely corrected, by means of insulation.

Recreation rooms and entertainment areas are likely to be the source of sound (or just plain noise) which might be objectionable so far as other rooms in the house are concerned. And, strange as it may seem, objectionable sound is carried (transmitted) by wood structural details. There are several ways of controlling or reducing the transmission of sound by means of insulation.

WHAT IS INSULATION?

Any material that possesses such special qualities that it can resist, or tend to resist, the flow of heat or the transmission of sound through its bulk is called insulation. No known material is able to stop the flow of heat or the transmission of sound completely. But, the insulation materials now available are certainly worth your most careful consideration and use.