Building Envelope

Best Practices for Basement Insulation (or Not?)

• 

  Patrick Huelman

  Cold Climate Housing Coordinator
  University of Minnesota
  St. Paul, Minnesota

A session devoted to insulation challenges and choices for basements , especially in colder climates. It will be heavily focused on options for existing basements. For most homes, insulating the basement is a risk management and cost control problem. The old adage of "pay me now or pay me later" comes to mind. Come and see which options are simply too risky and which ones can deliver long-term performance for you and your client.

Learning Objectives:

• Upon completion, session attendees will recognize the unique building science challenges when insulating below grade, especially in colder climates.
• Upon completion, session attendees will be able to articulate the risks of basement insulation, especially interior insulation on existing homes.
• Upon completion, session attendees will be able to identify a liquid active basement wall and how that impacts the insulation options that might be used.