How to Heat Your Cold Basement Floors and Walls
You may have reached your limit on how cold your basement floor and walls are. They're so frigid that you're beginning to avoid walking downstairs to load laundry, move items into storage, or spend valuable family time in your recreational space. Not only that, you may recognize that you're losing heat every year, and it's raising your utility bill.
To heat your basement efficiently, start by checking its current condition. Skip any steps that don't fit your situation.
1. Are you finding water or moisture in the basement?
If you find water or moisture in your basement, you'll want to get rid of it by waterproofing the space. When your basement has moisture, it can lead to damp carpet, condensation on the upper floors, and it forces your heating system to work overtime. Not only that, a wet basement can lead to mold and health issues. Simply put, a wet basement is not usable!
2. Do you have gaps and cracks in your windows or doors?
This could be allowing cold air to enter your basement and again, making your heating system work harder. Even if you don't have water in your basement, gaps and cracks leading to the outside can allow moisture in, leading to the same issues. Waterproofing, enclosing your window wells, and replacing your doors and windows with the help of a professional are all ways to fix this. Remember to always keep your basement windows closed.
3. Is your basement wall insulated well?
It may not be, and there are several ways you can fix that. We offer basement wall options that include insulation:
Basement to Beautiful Panels - These custom-engineered foam panels are fastened directly to your foundation walls and eliminate the need for fiberglass insulation. We use SilverGlo foam insulation infused with graphite, which is like a thermal protective blanket on your walls. Plus, the metal studs are thermally conductive, or what some people may call "warm" studs.
Foamax - This is an advanced polyisocyanurate foam insulation panel that provides comfort and brightens your walls.
4. Are your basement floors insulated?
You may even have carpet in your basement, and it's still cold. What you want to get is a warm, dry subfloor installed. We call these ThermaDry Floor systems, and they're designed for basements. They use all inorganic materials, so mold can't grow on them. ThermalDry Insulated Floor Decking combines foam insulation and inorganic magnesium oxide to keep your floor warm the entire year. We offer both tile, carpeted tile, and even plank options in various colors, based on the look and feel you'd like to have in your space.
Now that you know what's possible for heating your basement, you may be left imagining a warm, dry, and inviting living space. It's certainly attainable with the right experts on your side. Give us a call for a free estimate, and we'll help you get started.