Insulating an earth shelter
by
Lori
We live in an earth shelter and need to insulate the interior outside walls, they are made of cement. What material should I use?
2 answers
-
Need more details construction wise first before one can really answer that especially are there any water or other issues Off the cuff answer is it probably will have to be closed cell foam sprayed on & then covered
SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC
on Feb 16, 2015
-
You have mold, you have water issues & it starts with the plastic / the order things were built. The styrofoam (please tell me it isn't the white poufy type) should actually be between the concrete & the studs. There is no such thing as to tight of a house, just an under-ventilated one: http://thehtrc.com/2013/building-science-house-needs-to-breathe Generally how I do it & recommend others is to frame up the walls staying an inch out - closed cell spray foam is then sprayed behind the studs & used to fill the cavities. On top of that goes your finish material of choice. http://thehtrc.com/2011/insulating-basement-maryland Poor mans version - I install sheets of foam (pink or blue works fine) followed by the studs, then fiberglass / cellulose, then your finish material (no plastic). So why no plastic - the answer is simple if water finds a way in, it needs to have a way out - it can't head back outside as there is ground right against it (at least by how I read "earth shelter") which essentially is considered always saturated so it gets trapped against the plastic. But wait isn't closed cell foam a vapor barrier just like plastic? Why yes it is, but adhered to the exterior wall it won't allow water in - thus any moisture that gets in the cavity is from inside the structure (or maybe some that gets past the foam) it can dry back out to the interior.
SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC
on Feb 16, 2015
Sign Up to Answer
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
