I've received a quote for insulating my basement walls with R14 rigid foam insulation, and for my 1282 sqft space, they're asking for $10,000. That seems a bit steep, so I'm considering taking on the project myself. Since my basement is unfinished and mainly used as a machine/wood shop, I'm wondering if I can install the rigid foam insulation directly on the concrete walls without framing new walls. I'd prefer to avoid framing with 2x4s, as that would take away precious floor space. Can rigid foam insulation work for my situation, especially regarding mounting shelves and equipment?
2 Answers
If the R14 is quite thick for you, consider framing a simple 2x4 wall with 1/4 paneling. This would only extend about 3.75 inches out from the wall, allowing you to insulate and still comfortably mount whatever tools or shelving you need. Plus, it gives you the option to add electrical outlets for your shop!
You can definitely use something like DOW Thermax, which is R13 at 2 inches thick. You can glue it directly to the concrete with PL300 adhesive, or secure it using tapcon screws or ramset anchors with washers. It should only cost you around $80 per sheet, making it a more budget-friendly DIY option than hiring out. This way, you could probably do the whole thing for under $5,000!
Just keep in mind that most rigid foam isn’t fire rated, so it usually needs to be covered with something like 5/8 drywall or plywood for safety regulations.
That's awesome! If I want to mount shelves after, can I just drill through the insulation and into the concrete using longer anchors?