Exposed Fiberglass Insulation In Basement Ceiling

When considering basement insulation you have two choices.

Exposed fiberglass insulation in basement ceiling.

Insulating the foundation walls may be more effective and less problematic. Basement ceiling insulation is a great way to improve your home s energy efficiency and lower your bills. Insulate your basement ceiling or your basement walls. In this case even if you don t plan on completely finishing the basement you should cover the exposed fiberglass insulation for safety reasons including.

However there are some situations where it is not advisable. Does the exposed fiberglass insulation in the ceiling pose any risk to my children who sometimes play there a o cold spring n y. Here s an overview of the pros and cons of this approach as well as the different types of basement ceiling insulation available. There can be no paper on any insulation that is not covered with wall board in case of a fire.

The concrete walls are not insulated. Generally the material is considered safe. It turns out insulating your basement ceiling is not the most effective approach and can cause several unintended problems. The fiber could become airborne if a vent is blowing on it or it is disturbed in some way.

I do not plan to finish the basement but would like to put some exercise equipment down there and am concerned by the potential health risk from inhaling fg fibers. When installing it or disturbing it you should w. In other words you re in for a lot of work. That appears to be fiberglass insulation.

Exposed fiberglass insulation shoved in a crack a closer view of the same laundry room showing the fiberglass in a crack between the wall and the beam exposed to the air. The fibers if airborne can be a mild hazard and irritant but it is not a widely recognized hazard like asbestos. Overhead objects such as hvac duct work plumbing and electrical items can make this difficult. And now that your basement is going to be cold in the winter you ll also need to insulate any ductwork and hot water pipes that are below the ceiling weatherstrip the basement door and wrap a thick layer of fiberglass around the water heater tank.

Fiberglass insulation will not degrade unless exposed to water. My house has an unfinished basement. My new house has an unheated basement typically 5 8 degrees less than living space with exposed fiberglass insulation between the ceiling i beams. This is a movie theater behind the screen with exposed fiberglass insulation hanging on the wall being used as a sound barrier.