Foam Insulation Inside Block Walls

The variety of concrete masonry wall constructions provides for a number of insulating strategies including.

Foam insulation inside block walls.

The simplest and most affordable method of insulating the interior of a block wall is to install rigid foam board insulation. Available in large three by five or four by eight sizes the panels. When insulating concrete block walls pressure forces the foam from one core into adjacent cavities flowing both vertically and horizontally sealing even the smallest cracks and fissures. In these cases both sides of the wall are up and you want to get an expanding foam inside without tearing down 1 side or the other.

Foam board insulation is easy to cut with a circular saw with a masonry blade or scored with a utility knife and snapped like you would drywall. Courtesy of ben rumery. Another benefit to filling the block with foam is removes another area for insects and rodents to live or make entry to the house. Installing foam in concrete block is a great way to insulate a house where there is no room to install insulation on the exterior or interior of the concrete block.

This type of insulation can be more expensive than loose fill insulation. Leave the floor above it uninsulated vapor seal the ground below with polyethylene and a thin concrete slab insulate the walls with a foam based insulation such as 4 in. It can be sprayed or injected into walls and it expands to fill the wall cavity even the smallest crevices and eventually hardens. Then to account for the foam s additional thickness add jamb extensions to the windows and doors and fur out around their openings.

Of unfaced expanded polystyrene r 15 that allows the foundation to dry inward and condition the space with air from inside the house. To attach the insulation you can use screws with large washers a special adhesive made for adhering foam board insulation or for smaller pieces you can seal them in with caulk or spray foam. Now as you glue the panels to the exposed concrete blocks leave a inch gap at the floor and ceiling and cut holes in the panels to fit around outlets and wall switches. Here s how to do this.

Spray foam insulation is made of two chemicals that are combined to create a foam. If there s nothing in the walls read slow rise below. Remove all the trim from the exterior walls window and door casings baseboards crown molding you name it and rip the drywall and studs off the block walls.