Basement & Rim Joist Insulation in Gaylord, MI

Basement and rim joist insulation fixes the cold coming in at the bottom of the house. The rim joist sits on top of the foundation all the way around, right at grade where snow drifts and wind hit. In most houses it is bare wood or has fiberglass shoved against it. When the outside air is below zero, warm, moist basement air meets that cold wood and condenses or frosts. Cold air comes in through the gaps at the sill.

Closed-cell on the rim

Two to three inches of closed-cell foam seals the sill and rim, insulates the wood and keeps moist air from reaching it. HomeGuide lists rim joist foam at $2,000 to $2,500 for a typical house. It is usually the fastest comfort improvement in a Gaylord home, and Consumers Energy lists a rim joist rebate for customers who insulate all accessible rim areas.

Basement walls

If you are finishing the basement, insulate the walls first. Closed-cell foam on concrete or block insulates, air seals and slows vapor, without needing a separate vapor barrier. It also keeps the framing off cold, damp concrete.

Water and frost

Water coming through the walls or floor has to be dealt with before insulating. Spring snowmelt is the usual test; if your basement takes water in April, grading, gutters or drainage come first.

Garages under living space

Homes built into hillsides often have a garage under bedrooms. The floor over that garage needs to be sealed and insulated to the R-30 floor target ENERGY STAR sets for Zone 6, or the rooms above stay cold.