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Foundation Wall Exterior board insulation without above-grade wall insulation

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How to Insulate a Basement Wall

Reference

Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.

Foundation wall interior rigid insulation with framed wall

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Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

Insulate Your Basement, Part 3: Insulate the Walls and Rim Joists

Video

Video describing how to use foam insulation on masonry walls, and how to properly insulate the rim joist area with rigid foam and batt insulation.

Foundation wall interior rigid insulation with furring strips

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Rigid insulation and water control layers are installed on the exterior of a flat foundation wall; spray foam insulates the rim joist

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Exterior XPS basement insulation is correctly installed to completely cover the foundation wall

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Because the above-grade potions of the wall lack exterior insulation, condensation and even ice form during cold winter conditions

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A dimpled plastic water barrier protects the insulated concrete form basement walls and carries any ground water down the walls to the footing drain to minimize the opportunity for water intrusion and frost heave.

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Exterior surface of below-grade walls finished as follows: For poured concrete, concrete masonry, and insulated concrete forms, finish with damp-proof coating

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Spray foam insulation extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by cutting the slab to install drainage mat against the wall and a new perimeter footing drain, along with rigid foam plastic above the slab.

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Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation.

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Exterior fiberglass insulation on this new home was (incorrectly) cut to terminate below-grade after backfill, which will expose the above-grade portions of the foundation wall to cold temperatures

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Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.

Spray foam on concrete foundation wall with framed interior wall

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No Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Air-Permeable Foundation Insulation

Guide

Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls; rigid foam or spray foam should be installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.

Damp-Proof Exterior Surface of Below-Grade Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below-grade walls.

Foundation wall interior polyisocyanurate, foil-faced, exposed

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Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

Spray foam extends down the inside of the foundation wall to the uninsulated slab; because the wall lacked exterior perimeter drainage, the slab was cut and an interior footing drain was installed.

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Wrong – The insulated concrete forms at the foundation do not have a damp-proof coating

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ICF bricks are stacked to form hollow walls that are reinforced with steel rebar before the concrete is poured in

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Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.