What is the best way to install 5" of XPS rigid foam on interior basement walls?

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Sean MacDonald
Updated: June 16, 2021

I have found a great deal on some used Roofmate XPS insulation that I would like to use to insulate my basement. I want to acheive R25 so I will be using 4" thick R-20 with a second layer staggered of 1" R5. I have a few questions around placement of this on the wall. Some suggestions are to place the XPS directly against concrete using adhesives/furring strips for drywall attachment. I have been unable to find any sort of fastener that would be 7" long to go through strapping and 5" of foam into the concrete wall. 

Another concern that I have is allowing for the assembly to dry to the interior. If I used thick XPS directly against the concrete, this would prevent any drying to the interior - would I have moisture buildup against the concrete, but is this not a problem since the concrete is porous and may be damp regardless?

One option that seems like a good idea would be to install 1" strapping directly to the concrete first, serving as a nailing surface for securing the 5" foam with long nails/screws. This would also provide a channel for air movement and prevent moisture buildup - which would then just seep back through the porous concrete? 

The basement does not have any serious water problems but there are a few cracks that I will first fill with hydraulic cement as a precaution. 

Look forward to hearing some thoughts!

Responses (8)

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Sean MacDonald 3 years ago

Thanks for the information Mike! Glad I was on the right track. So just to clarify - adhering the foam directly to the concrete wall is fine, there is no need for a "breathing space" between wall and foam. My plan was actually to forego a stud wall and directly fasten the wallboard to furring strips - is there an adhesive that would be strong enough for a furring strip to foam connection? Some sort of PL product that would eliminate the need for any sort of physical fasteners? 

Mike Reynolds 3 years ago

Hey Sean, glad it helped! To be honest I'd be reticent to do it all with adhesives and no mechanical fasteners at all. It may hold, but frankly who knows how foam glued to concrete then wood glued to foam will last. 

The stud wall can be screwed to the ceiling and the floor, which makes the foam adhesive obsolete once the studs are there. To forgo that you would probably be wise to put a few Tapcons through the strapping and into the wall behind. Otherwise, while it may all  hold together it may also crack a lot more. 

Is that strapping only idea born of wanting to save lumber or save room in the basement ? I would pitch you instead the idea of maybe using 2x3's and install them wide edge on the foam, that way you could still fasten them to the floor with Tapcons and to the floor joists above, and maybe at least 2 or 3 tapcons screwed through to the concrete would make it more solid. That way you only lose 1.5 inches of wall space if that was your concern, you also save a bit on lumber, and you could install them at 24 inch centers too. Just a thought, I'd hate to see the whole project go sideways because you were trying to save an inch or save a few bucks on lumber (yeah, more than a few lately, I know... :) ) 

And yes, install the rigid foam directly against the concrete, no air space. That will help keep the moisture in the concrete where it does no harm. 

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Sean MacDonald 3 years ago

Thanks for the help Mike. You are correct I was just trying to save the expense of a stud wall since I dont need the extra insulation space. I love the idea of vertical 2x3s fastened to the joists and floor though I hadn't thought of that. Thanks again. 

Mike Reynolds 3 years ago

My pleasure Sean, I love it when a plan works out! 

Extra tip - for wiring I'd probably pre-drill some holes sideways in the 2x3's, at 1.5 inches there's enough room for some low profile electrical boxes. 

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Sean MacDonald 3 years ago
Mike Reynolds 3 years ago

Hi Sean, it wouldn't be my first choice unless you came across a good load of used polyiso for cheap, in which case I probably would. It does fall off on performance the colder it gets, but that's not a catastrophic drop in R value, it's just worth considering when making your insulation choices. It's not the best at handling moisture either, so be sure to keep it dry, don't sit it on the concrete floor make sure its up a bit and be sure to keep humidity low down there. But, that's advice I'd give for any basement reno job. 

About that assembly you mention, why not switch the order? I'd put the membrane against the  concrete THEN the strapping and that way you'll keep the strapping dry. And rather than house wrap you could save some dough and use normal 6-mil poly vapor barrier against the concrete wall. House wraps are more moisture permeable (which is neither needed nor advantageous) and more expensve.

 

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Sean MacDonald 3 years ago