Spray Foam Insulation Photo Album: Spray Foam Insulation with DC315 Thermal Barrier Paint - Blenheim, ON

In this Blenheim home, we removed fiberglass insulation and upgraded the basement with spray foam. The old pink fiberglass batts installed between the floor joists were not stopping air leakage or heat loss, since they were placed in the wrong location (the floor joists). To properly seal and protect the basement, we applied 3 inches of spray foam insulation directly to the foundation walls and headers. Spray foam is an air and vapour barrier in one, preventing outside air from entering the home and significantly improving energy efficiency. We finished the job with a coat of DC315 thermal barrier paint, a fire-resistant coating that meets code requirement for when there is a combustible appliance in the space. This project demonstrates why fiberglass batts in the joists in basements and crawl spaces ceilings is entirely ineffective. It doesn't addresses the real problem area, the exterior foundation walls. Spraying the walls and headers will keep the home warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and more comfortable year-round. If you’re in Blenheim or anywhere in Southwestern Ontario and struggling with a cold, drafty basement or falling fiberglass insulation, our expert team can help you!

Insulation in the Ceiling

The idea behind this is that the upstairs floors are cold- so insulate the immediate underside of the floors. But, why are the floors cold? 1) There's no thermal break. Outside air is entering the structure (basement) and then affecting the ambient temperature. 2) Lack of conditioned air (no or not enough vents blowing heat or cool air.

Gravity

This is where most pink fiberglass insulation ends up after it's been installed in the ceiling. Gravity comes in to play especially when the insulation absorbs some moisture and increases in weight. Other than to help with sound dampening, there's no real reason to put insulation in the ceiling of your basements or crawl space.

3" Spray Foam

The spray foam and DC315 has been applied to all exterior walls and headers. This stops outside air from leaking in!

Insulate the Headers

The headers, more than any other space, are the main cause of poor energy performance in the sub-grade level. It's vital they are insulated and insulated with spray foam. When done with fiberglass, it's common to see the pink material go black, smell awful and support mould growth.