What is the Best Insulation for a Basement? (Fiberglass vs Foam Board vs Spray Foam)

When it comes to insulation, many people would agree that it provides several benefits to the house and to the family as a whole. Insulation makes our stay in the house more convenient and comfortable. It keeps us warm under cold weather and cools down when the sun is very hot. This is important especially when we are forced to stay at home due to the coronavirus and pandemic. We do not have any choice but to spend most of the time inside when doing our works, studies, and bonding time. Also, insulation keeps the moisture away, preventing the growth of mildew and molds. Mildew and molds can be a threat to your family, especially your kids, seniors, or family members that have respiratory problems like asthma. Lastly, insulation keeps the energy bill low. When you have inadequate insulation, you will need your AC 24/7 and this will also prove the unit to do more in order to be more efficient amid hot weather. Because it uses more power and energy, it will cause an increase in your energy bills. If you are looking for a good insulating company, the spray foam insulation Kansas City is always available.  

The same thing also applies to your basement. Your basement is also affected by the kind of insulation you install on your ceiling or walls. In addition, there are three different kinds of basement insulation: the fiberglass, spray foam, and the foam board.  

Foam Board Pros and cons 

• Foamboard, unlike other traditional insulation like cellulose and fiberglass, these insulation materials do not need regular maintenance or replacement over time.  

• This material is also highly resistant to water and this means that you will be preventing some water leakage, molds, and mildew which are very common on basements.  
• When this material is properly installed, it can effectively seal air.  

However, foam boards also have cons: 

• The bubbles can expand inside which leads to moisture accumulation 

• The material needs to be properly installed and fitted, otherwise, you will experience some air leakage. 

Fiberglass Glass Pros and Cons 

• The material is cheaper compared to other insulation materials 
• It is also easy to install and this is the reason why some homeowners tend to DIY its installation.  

The cons include: 

• This material is prone to molds and mildew issues 
• This also allows moisture and air leakage when used over time 
• When the fiberglass is disturbed, it can release some particulates into the air that can embed themselves in the skin and cause some irritation. These particulates can also be inhaled.  

Spray foam insulation Pros and Cons 

• This material does not retain water so it is preventive of molds and mildew 
• It can also seal air more effectively than the rest of the insulation materials  
• It is also very insulating of sound  

It also has some drawbacks: 

• This insulation materials can be more expensive than other insulating materials 
• The material needs to be installed properly because it can cause some air leakage.  

When it comes to finding the right insulation, you need to take into consideration the pros and cons of each material. Also, you need to take into consideration the kind of company or service.