Insulating the basement ceiling is a necessary job you have to take care of to ward off cold winter days. Good insulation makes your home warm and energy-efficient.
Insulation also increases comfort throughout the year and helps save money. Just as you insulate your attic and other parts of your home, your basement or crawl space needs to be taken care of.
Weaving the material around the wires and pipes is a difficult but achievable task if you have the right material with you. So here, I have some of the best insulation for basement ceiling products.
Read on to know about the products in detail, including their pros and cons and my recommendation. The buying guide/FAQ section will help you in making an informed decision on the right choice for your basement ceiling.
Dow Froth-Pak 620 Spray Foam Sealant KitBest insulation for hard to reach spaces
Dow Froth-Pak 620 Spray Foam Sealant Kit
If you are looking for a closed-cell type of foam insulation that is easy to use and effective, the Dow Froth Pak foam sealant is a good choice to consider. The sealant effectively fills floor and wall penetrations, cavities, expansion joints, and cracks. Let us look at the main features of this product:
- Consists of two tanks with isocyanate in one and polyol in the other
- A hose of 15-feet length is provided with the sealant
- The hose is fitted with an insta-flo gun dispenser
- The nozzles are of anti-crossover type
Design And Materials
The foam sealant kit from Dow Froth consists of isocyanate and polyol packed in separate tanks. The chemical curing reaction between the two results in two-part polyurethane foam. This foam, when dispensed, expands and turns tack-free quickly.
Application is made easy by the provision of the hose and gun dispenser assembly. The nozzles of fan and cone type help spread the foam effectively. The pack includes a wrench of 5/8”, an instruction manual and a 5g petroleum jelly packet.
Performance
The foam sealant acts fast and efficiently by chemical curing action. When I tried it on the ceiling rafters in my basement, it skinned over in just 30 seconds. And curing was done in under a minute. The package can give foam cover for about 620 board feet.
The closed cover sealant is ideal for use in ceilings besides band or rim joists, cavities in walls, crawl spaces and ductwork in attic and insulation, and support for plumbing wall pipe.
Budget Benefits
The pack costs around $700, which is expensive and not ideal for budget buyers.
However, foam insulation, especially the closed cover type, has several benefits like saving energy loss by about 50%, resistance to mold formation, adding structural integrity to the roof, and also act as a barrier to moisture for wood frames.
So, considering the long-term benefits spending on the foam sealant may be worth it.
Overall Impression
Dow Froth foam sealant is a two-part polyurethane insulation product that is designed for easy application on any type of wall, roof, and frame.
Barring few hitches like the difficulty in cleaning the spilled foam and loss of pressure, the closed cover sealant is a good choice for providing energy-saving and moisture-proof insulation to your basement ceiling.
- The foam is easy to spray
- The manual instructions are easy to understand
- Hose assembly is very convenient and can be used for a larger area without any hassle
- It does not produce much odor
- Covers over 600 square feet area
- Since it contains isocyanate, a respirator is needed while using it
- The foam sticks to any surface hence disposal is difficult
- Pressure in the system is not uniform and reduces with time
- A container is very heavy
- Expensive
Johns Manville Intl 90003720 Series R19Best Budget Batt Insulation
Johns Manville Intl Series R19
If budget is your main concern, and you want an environment-friendly fiberglass type of insulation, the Johns Manville Intl 90003720 series R19 is a good choice. The product is manufactured in the United States. Let us look at the main features of this product:
- Kraft roll is 23 inches by 39’2 inches with batt thickness of 61/2 inches
- Each bag of the kraft roll can cover 75.07 square feet
- The item weight is 20.8 lb
- Dimensions of the package are 26.0″L x 19.0″W x 23.5″H
Design And Construction
The Kraft-faced roll is made of white fiberglass that is free of harmful formaldehyde. Thus, any worries you have regarding the safety of using the product can be set aside. It does not affect the air quality in any way.
Performance
The fiberglass insulation is designed for application in walls of 2×6 dimensions, in crawl spaces wood framing, and on floors. Ceilings, too, can be insulated using this fiberglass batt insulation.
When used as instructed in the manual, you can definitely see the difference in the energy savings and temperature control inside your home or office.
Make sure you use the facing in the right way. For instance, I removed the facing before installation when using over already present insulation. Otherwise, you can use it with the facing.
And fiberglass insulation works in all types of climates. I can even withstand high temperatures of 350 degrees Fahrenheit without the binder losing its effectiveness. The insulation is best for moisture control and insulation besides acting as a good sound barrier.
Budget Benefits
At a price of around $60, the Kraft roll from Johns Manville is a cost-effective choice.
Although it cannot be used on all surfaces like the earlier product, it does provide effective insulation for ceilings in basements along with good moisture and sound barrier.
Overall impression
The formaldehyde-free Johns Manville fiberglass insulation is a good choice for basement ceilings as it is easy to use, has a good R-value of 19, and can be used in other areas too, including walls, floors, attics, and crawl spaces.
However, it is not ideal for use in windows, vents, 2×4 walls, doors, and ducts. The good energy star certification and vapor retardant effect are additional perks of using this sealant.
- It is easy to apply
- Dampens sound effectively
- The batt is very easy to use single-handedly
- Free of formaldehyde so no worries about itchiness and other issues
- Saves electricity
- The material thins out and even had holes in parts
- Causes itchiness in some people
Owens Corning R-19 Faced Fiberglass RollBest Insulation For Thermal And Acoustic Control
Owens Corning R-19 Faced Fiberglass Roll
If you are in search of a fix for the thermal and acoustic control in your basement, the fiberglass roll from Owens Corning is a good choice. Let us have a look at the important features of this insulation product:
- The individual faced roll has dimensions of 23 inches width x 39.2 feet length x 6.25 inches depth
- Good stiffness and recovery properties
- Available as compression packaging for ease of installation and handling
Design And Construction
The Owens Corning roll is a specially designed eco-friendly insulation that can be used in floors, attics, ceilings, and walls.
The product is made using 100% renewable energy and is a flexible blanket type of insulation that is available in a preformed package.
Made of formaldehyde-free fiberglass, the product is designed to meet the Green Guard indoor air quality standards.
Performance
The high R-value and minimal dust design of the Owens Corning insulation help resist the flow of heat. It is comfortable to handle and install.
Once set up, it provides good recovery and stiffness properties. The insulation provides good sound and heat control.
Budget Benefits
Priced at around $80, Owens Corning Fiberglass insulation has adequate certification and R-value, ensuring it provides decent value for users.
Overall impression
Owens Corning Fiberglass insulation is an affordable and apt product to buy for your basement ceiling. The good quality, ease of setup, and formaldehyde-free design make it worth its price and more.
- Simple and easy to use
- Does not itch like other insulation products
- Is good as a vapor barrier and on ceilings
- Need safety goggles and gloves even if it is formaldehyde-free
- Instructions about the panel size are not clear
- Some rolls are very thin
Best Insulation for Basement Ceiling – FAQs
How effective is spray foam?
What R-value is ideal for insulation?
Where can roll insulation be best used for?
What insulation is best for the basement ceiling?
Here you can find some more information about Insulating Basements.
Final Takeaway
Now that you have gone through my review of the best insulation for the basement ceiling and the buying guide, I hope you will find it easy to make an informed choice.
Remember that the selection is based not only on the cost and quality of the product but also on the space where you want to use it.
The spray foam Dow Froth, for instance, is best for cavities, cracks, joints, wall penetrations, and other difficult-to-reach areas.
Batt insulation like Johns Manville is a good option for basement ceilings and is cost-effective too. Choosing the insulation based on the type of ceiling you have will ensure an effective and cost-efficient process.
Did you like our Best Insulation for Basement Ceiling review? Please don’t forget to check Best Insulation for 2×4 Walls review.