Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay|Dec 21, 2016 06:42am|#1

   Ryan,
   Unless I'm missing something, these walls are already insulated with R-15 fiberglass batts and polyethylene. That raises two questions:

   1. Are you satisfied with the way this is insulated?

   2. Are you willing to pull everything out of the stud bays and start from scratch?

   Or perhaps you are asking a different question -- perhaps you are wondering how to insulate the concrete walls?

2. 
   Ryan Picha|Dec 21, 2016 09:13am|#2

   Thank you for your reply. I've done some of the concrete walls with xps and spray foam seams and will do the rest of the concrete walls the same way. Not a fan of how the above grade 2x6 stud walls were insulated, and was wondering if there was a better way seeing as the house has already been built.

3. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay|Dec 21, 2016 10:07am|#3

   Ryan,
   Of course there is a better way. (Fiberglass batts are the worst performing type of insulation you can buy.)

   Your options include:

   1. Cut-and-cobble rigid foam. For more information on this approach, seeCut-and-Cobble Insulation.

   2. Almost any kind of fluffy insulation (fiberglass, cellulose, or mineral wool), carefully installed, followed by interior rigid foam. For more information on this approach, seeWalls With Interior Rigid Foam.

   3. You can fill the stud bays with open-cell spray foam.

4. 
   Ryan Picha|Dec 23, 2016 12:15pm|#4

   Thanks so much for the help I've decided on cut and cobble!