Should basement slab be insulated?
A dry basement or crawlspace is less likely to have pests and termites. If a basement is being used for storage or as living space, it needs to be kept dry to avoid mold and dust mites. Basements should be insulated on their perimeters—they should not be insulated between floors.
Can you insulate a basement floor?
Popular insulation includes modular flooring from a basement finishing system, fiberglass or foam board. When installing the insulation, consider adding an in-floor heating system to keep the space warmer in winter. These systems can also decrease utilities, since the heat rises from the floor and heats the space.
How do you insulate a basement floor before pouring concrete?
Place 2-inch thick pieces of rigid Styrofoam insulation on top of the plastic sheeting. Place the insulation edge to edge, using duct or other construction tape to hold the insulation together. When completed, the entire slab area has a cover of rigid sheets of Styrofoam.
How do I keep my basement floor warm?
The solutions most commonly recommended for warming up a basement are to insulate the below-grade walls and the floors, and to add heating—either through installing radiant heat floors or making revisions to the main HVAC ductwork system. To be usable, most basements need to have some source of active heating.
How do I make my concrete floor warmer?
A layer of dense foam padding under the laminate can help warm up the floor. In slab situations, raising the subfloor off the concrete with a layer of plywood over sleeper strips before installing the surface flooring can also make it warmer on the feet.
Should I put a vapor barrier on my basement floor?
Subfloor Material Therefore, because concrete is porous, it’s a good idea to install a vapor barrier over your concrete subfloor before installing your flooring. This way you can stop the vapor drive of water upward to your floors, protecting them from any damage (source).