Basement & Rim Joist Insulation in Mansfield, OH

Basement and rim joist insulation targets the strip of wood framing that sits on top of the foundation wall. In most Mansfield homes built before the 1980s, that rim joist is bare wood, sometimes with a loose batt stuffed against it, and the sill plate below it was laid on the masonry with no gasket. Cold air pours in through the gaps every winter, which is why the first floor feels cold and the pipes near the outside wall can freeze.

Why closed-cell foam

Closed-cell foam sticks to the wood and masonry, fills every gap and adds about R-5 to R-7 per inch, according to HomeGuide. Because it resists moisture, it is safe against a foundation that sweats in summer. Batts in a rim joist trap damp air against the wood; foam does not leave an air space for that to happen.

Basement walls

Ohio's code table lists R-10 continuous or R-13 cavity insulation for basement walls in Zone 5. If you are finishing a basement, foam on the block or poured wall before framing reaches that target, seals the wall and keeps the new studs and drywall away from cold, damp masonry. We look for active water, efflorescence and cracks first; insulation should never go over a wall that is still leaking.

Crawl spaces

Some Mansfield-area houses have a crawl space under an addition or a porch room. We seal and insulate the crawl space walls with closed-cell foam, lay a vapor barrier on the ground and close the vents, which makes the floor above warmer and the space drier.