Install Foam Board Insulation In A Basement Ceiling

Cutting foam panels is easy with a utility knife.

An uninsulated basement ceiling is almost certainly going to cause a cold floor above, with the attendant increase in energy consumption during the cold winter months. Use one of several methods to insulate the ceiling in your basement; one of the simplest and easiest is to install foam board insulation. The foam boards are light, can be cut easily and installation only requires some cutting and adhesive.

Instructions

1. Measure the distance between your ceiling joists, from inside edge to inside edge. This distance should not vary between the joists.

2. Measure and mark a piece of foam board insulation the width of the ceiling joist and 3 feet long to make handling easier during installation.

3. Place a straightedge onto the lines you've drawn and cut along the lines, using the utility knife. Snap off the foam board insulation with your hands after making the cuts.

4. Apply construction adhesive to the back of the panel and push it against the bottom of the subfloor between the joists. Hold until it sticks.

5. Cut more panels and apply them until you've covered the distance from one end of the ceiling to the other. Cut the last piece to fit.

6. Continue onto the next set of ceiling joists and apply panels until the entire basement ceiling is covered.

Tags: foam board, foam board insulation, basement ceiling, between joists, board insulation, ceiling joists, inside edge