4 Ways to Insulate Cold Walls

One final summer project you should consider is checking your basement’s insulation, particularly if you want to cut down on your heating bill this winter.  

Uninsulated walls make your HVAC system work harder all year round, causing your energy bills to go up in the short term and causing your HVAC system to wear out faster in the long run.  

If you’re looking to retrofit your basement walls with insulation, there are a few options to consider.  

Injection Foam

Many people like injection foam because it’s easy and non-disruptive to install. The foam is injected into wall’s recess and it rapidly expands to fill the gaps.  

The foam is mold and mildew resistant, and it’s easier to get the foam around electrical boxes behind the drywall. While this method is easy to use, it does require filling and painting over the holes you must make in your drywall.  

You can install injection foam yourself or professionally, but we recommend getting it professionally installed.

Roll Fiberglass

Installing roll fiberglass is a bit messier. It requires tearing down the drywall, installing the roll fiberglass, and re-installing the drywalls.

The benefits of this method include you’ll get maximum wall coverage at the lowest cost. It’s also an easy, albeit messy, project for an amateur DIY-er.

Loose-Fill Blown-In Insulation

This type of insulation is made of boric acid treaded recycled paper products like shredded newspapers and phone books. The insulation is blown in through cavities in the walls and is best done by a professional.

If you are looking for an affordable way to retrofit your basement’s insulation, contact us for a quote. Keep in mind the paper cellulose will settle over time, causing gaps to form above the cellulose.

Blow-In-Blanket System

A Blow-In-Blanket System is a proprietary technology which involves stripping away the dry wall and installing fabric sheath “cages” to contain the insulation material. The BIB pellets are made of fiberglass wood and form a dense blanket which does not settle over time.

While you don’t need to worry about refilling your insulation with BIB, it is a highly specialized product which is not offered in all areas.