Insulating your basement is something that needs to be done correctly the first time and shouldn't be attempted by novices. If something goes wrong you will not only be out the money you spent but you may also encounter mold, rot, and other issues that can become dangerous. Done wrong, insulation of any kind can become one big mess!
First, to get a good idea of what you are in store for, you might first pick up a copy of Insulate and Weatherize: Expert Advice from Start to Finish (Build Like A Pro)
When it comes to hiring a contractor for insulation help, Angie's List is the place to go to get reliable help that you can trust. Angie's List now has more than 1 million members in America and those members are leaving their feedback on contractors they have used to make it easier for you to pick the right ones. Hiring a reliable insulation contractor would be the advisable route for most homeowners as doing it yourself is quite difficult. Basement insulation is not a weekend project!
Finally, if you are interested in learning more about basement insulation online, this website is a great place to go. Trying to find reliable information on insulation basement ideas online is hard as most of the websites you encounter are incomplete. That Do It Yourself website is the most complete source of insulation information I could find on the Internet.
BASEMENT INSULATION OPTIONS
BASEMENT HUMIDITY CONTROL IDEAS
Basements can be large and therefore you may need a dehumidifier that has a larger capacity. It's not how physically big the machine is that is important but how many pints of water it can take out of the air per day. The bigger your basement, the higher capacity you should get when buying a dehumidifier.
) Reading reviews of each machine that are made by people who have bought them is a good way to narrow down your choices. BASEMENT FIREPLACE IDEAS
We all know that basements are probably the coldest room in the house. They are often built in the ground which makes them cold and the insulation in basements is not always the best. Additionally, heat rises making a basement a very hard place to keep warm in the winter.
One of the basement ideas you might have for adding warmth is to install a Pic-A-Watt heater or another type of heating unit in the wall. Something with it's own thermostat would be ideal so that you can heat the basement independently of the house. Another option is to install a fireplace in your basement that can be turned on and off when needed.
Basement fireplace ideas include real fireplaces that burn wood, gas fireplaces, electric fireplaces and ventless fireplaces.
Vent free gas logs are relatively new and are now available but you need to be sure there is enough air in the room or keep a window cracked for safety. While these do generate some heat, they are mainly for looks and so probably not the best choice for any basement needing heat. You can find a selection of Vent Free Fireplaces
Both wood burning fireplaces and gas fireplaces require the proper ventilation so it is best to have a professional install them. It is never a good idea to cut corners with a fireplace and you really need to make sure it is installed properly. For maximum heat, these two choices are the way to go. If you have a gas fireplace you might think of getting one with a fan that blows the hot air out.
The last option is electric fireplaces that have come become more and more popular. While they do create less heat than gas or real log fireplaces, they don't require a vent and are much easier to install. All you need is a electricity outlet and they look almost like the real thing. If you have a small basement, an electric fireplace might be useful for adding some heat and a great look. You can find electric fireplaces
