GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

XPS vs professional spray foam for basement rim joists

Patrick B| Posted inEnergy Efficiency and Durabilityon

I live in SE Michigan and recently had an energy audit done on our home we purchased 6 months ago; And have since discovered a whole bunch of issues.

The house was built in 1978 with a poured concrete foundation, and the rim joists were insulated with paper backer fiberglass insulation. After removing several of the panels mold and moisture were discovered

My question is: is there a difference in performance between DIY XPS/great stuff vs professional installed spray foam? We are trying to keep costs down and I am an average DIY’er

And second, should the joists be given time to dry out longer then when moisture is visible?

Thanks!
Patrick

Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay||#1

    Patrick,
    1.最好是如果你能等待天气有限公司nditions to change, and for the rim joist to dry out, before you insulate the rim joists.

    2. A do-it-yourself job with rigid foam can be just as effective as a spray foam job. But the quality of the job depends (in either case) on the conscientiousness of the installer.

    Here are links to two articles you may want to read:

    Insulating rim joists

    Basement Insulation — Part 2

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |