Basement Insulation

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Basement walls can account for up to 25% of a home's heat loss. This is due to the large surface area of uninsulated basement walls and the fact that earth is a poor insulator. Closed Cell spray foam sprayed at greater than 1.5" creates a vapor barrier.  By spray foaming and insulating basement walls , you are preventing water vapor from entering your basement.  This allows your A/C and dehumidifier to run less often, decreasing your energy costs.

Rim joists can be a major source of heat loss in a home. Rim joists are the pieces of lumber that run around the perimeter of a home, above the foundation, and in contact with the subfloor and sill plate. They can be leaky and under-insulated, allowing air to enter the home through gaps in the siding. 

Insulating rim joists can help reduce heat loss, air leaks, and moisture infiltration. It can also help maintain a consistent temperature and lower energy bills. The recommended R-value for rim joists depends on the climate zone:

Climate zones 1–4: Minimum R-value of R13

Climate zones 5–8: Minimum R-value of R20 

To check if your rim joists are insulated, you can look up into your basement or crawl space. If you see the wood framing without insulation, that means you're losing heat. 

When selecting an insulation product, it's important to consider how it will interact with moisture in the assembly. Proper assembly design and construction is also key to long-term durability.