Kansas City Basement Insulation FAQs | Koala Insulation

Answers To Your Questions About Basement Insulation in Kansas City, KS

There are plenty of unfinished or partly finished basements in Kansas City, especially in older buildings. And we all know that the earth is a poor insulator unless you’re escaping into your basement on a hot summer day to cool down. Overall, it’s not really an energy efficient solution in the long term. In fact, without any other form of insulation, there could be air leakage in your basement. Insulation in any Kansas City, KS home is essential for energy efficiency and homeowners’ comfort.

 

But are Kansas City basement insulation services really necessary? Our expert team at Koala Insulation has answered some of your frequently asked questions. Whether your home is old or new, there’s usually always room for improvement in the basement. Our team of Kansas City insulation experts brings many years of experience working in construction and is familiar with common issues that homeowners face when it comes to poor insulation, heat loss, and air leakage. 

 

If you have an unfinished basement with failing insulation, we’ll give you good reasons to consider basement insulation in Kansas City, KS by providing excellent products and services. From increased ROI to personal comfort, we’ll help you reach your home goals with ease.

What Is Basement Insulation?

Kansas City, KS homeowners who merely use their basements for storage and utilities may not have thought about improving the overall space. Older homes might have pipes, water heaters, and HVAC systems exposed, but that doesn’t mean that space can’t be improved with insulation. In fact, pipe and water heater insulation might even be necessary to prevent freezing. But there is a lot less to worry about once you have hired Koala Insulation for efficient basement insulation in Kansas City KS.

 

Your plumbers might have waterproofed your basement walls, windows, plug holes, and ensured that your French drains are intact. These are essentially a type of basement insulation in Kansas City that helps protect your lower ground from exterior moisture, especially on rainy days. If exterior drainage systems are working fine, the foundation behind your concrete wall is also protected. But simply waterproofing your basement won’t help regulate your indoor temperature and air quality.

Why You Should Get Kansas City Basement Insulation

We mentioned earlier that earth is not a good insulator unless you have a geothermal heat pump. But even as an alternative heating method, it can only perform optimally with efficient basement insulation in place.

 

Furthermore, your basement likely feels cold because there is undetected air leakage that requires air sealing. You may not be aware, but your basement could account for 20% of your home’s total heat loss.

 

With professional Kansas City basement insulation services, you can minimize moisture that would otherwise lead to musty smells and mold growth. We’ll also take the necessary measures to locate areas responsible for air leaks and other problems. Once we have completed air sealing and insulation installation, you’ll also be able to take better control of your energy consumption, which means saving on your monthly energy costs. 

What Types of Insulation Are Used For Basement Insulation In Kansas City, And Which Is Best?

Our Kansas City basement insulation team views basement insulation projects as an energy retrofit that improves your interior living space from the ground up. But treating an uninsulated basement is slightly different than installing attic insulation.

 

Once your basement is already waterproofed, you want to use a basement insulation product that provides the best vapor barrier and highest R-value. The common types of insulation used for basements include:

Fiberglass Batts: 

Fiberglass batts are popular for attic and wall insulation. They come as pre-cut sheets that are fairly easy to install. Providing an R-value of 3.1 to 3.4 per inch, they are a good choice for Kansas City basement insulation, as long as your space is not always damp. 

 

While fiberglass insulation is moisture resistant, it cannot consistently handle excess moisture. In fact, it can be prone to mold growth and could easily lure pests like rodents into your home. That said, it may not pose all too much of a problem if you already have a fully finished basement, where all the walls and floors are properly secured and you have proper air circulation. But if you experience decreased air flow and indoor air quality or a rise in moisture levels, our Kansas City basement insulation pros are happy to inspect it for you and provide you with the necessary solutions.

Spray Foam: 

Spray foam insulation is by far the best insulation product to date. Whether you need to block air infiltration, create a vapor barrier, or prevent heat loss, SPF adds structural strength to the spaces you spray on and provides an exceptional airtight seal. 

 

While you can buy spray foam cans from the hardware store, it’s easy to opt for the wrong brand for the wrong application. At Koala Insulation, we create our own high-quality mixture, which is certified and even tested by FEMA, who praised our SPF product for its water-resistant qualities. 

 

We’d like to highlight that the installation process is not DIY-friendly. In fact, it can be a health hazard in a closed space like your basement. Our local experts are familiar with safety guidelines and will ensure the Kansas City basement insulation installation is carried out safely and efficiently. Depending on open-cell or closed-cell spray foam, the R-value ranges between 3.6 and 7 per inch.

Other Insulation Options: 

Depending on your basement’s purpose, some people may simply use insulating bubble foils, which are easy to roll out and install. Though they are more effective in warm climates, they won’t do much in cold climates where heat loss from convection is a huge problem and require stronger insulation materials. 

 

Another option is installing rigid foam insulation, which is cost-effective and DIY-friendly. Despite the good thermal resistance of foam boards, they don’t provide long-term benefits and can easily deteriorate in the event of high moisture.

 

To ensure you make the best choice for your basement insulation in Kansas City, the technicians at Koala Insulation are more than happy to be of service. With the right team to complete an energy audit and inspect your existing insulation, you’ll get peace of mind knowing that experienced insulation professionals have taken care of every detail.

What R-Value Do I Need For Basement Walls?

Since a basement is generally cooler and damper than other areas of a home, it’s essential that you protect it from moisture and make it airtight. If building constructors have done a proper job, they would have installed basement insulation for you because basement walls are technically below-grade walls. 

 

To control heat transfer in your basement, you want an R-value of at least 11. Colder areas may benefit more from an R-value of 15. So in terms of how thick your insulation should be, our Kansas City basement insulation service technicians will be able to help you calculate the required thickness or how many continuous layers of insulation are required.

What Are The Steps of Kansas City Basement Insulation Service?

First, we will schedule an in-house inspection and consultation, during which we will answer any questions that you may have, followed by mapping out the jobs you want done. In some cases, moisture damage repairs have to be completed first, as well as air sealing. It may be necessary to build stud walls, which serve as a frame and help support your walls. 

 

Once all preparations are taken care of, we can begin with your proper basement insulation project. We will go ahead with insulating your walls using your preferred type of insulation, such as blanket insulation (i.e., fiberglass) or spray foam. (DIY professionals may also opt for rigid foam boards.)

 

Next, we’ll insulate the rim joists, which are usually located on top of your basement walls, serving as a huge component to your upstairs’ subfloor and also helping bear the weight of your basement walls. After applying a vapor barrier and covering your basement wall insulation with drywall, we’re done!

 

Not quite. 

 

There is also floor insulation to consider, which will also require a stud system prior to insulation. Studs need to be vertically installed and properly spaced before installing your floor insulation. However, when it comes to Kansas City basement insulation services on your ceiling and floors, further inspections need to be done to determine the best course of action. In many homes, ductwork and pipework run across the ceiling and could interrupt the whole process. You’ll need to be careful with how you apply the insulation material.

 

Building codes require insulation materials to be covered, so we use pressure-treated wood boards that we install along your walls and other insulated surfaces to finish the installation process. Additional frames may have to be made to fit around windows as well. 

Will Kansas City Basement Insulation Services Increase My Home Value?

It certainly will! Not only are you increasing the comfort inside your home, but when you take measures to improve your energy efficiency, it’s also a huge return on investment because of the impact that proper insulation has on the costs associated with heating or cooling your home.

Do I Need To Insulate Crawl Spaces and Other Uninhabited Areas?

That’s a tricky question and can best be answered after an inspection from our team. Sometimes, crawl spaces are designed to enable ventilation. However, they can also pose a risk of air leakage. While it’s important for the surrounding areas to be adequately insulated, crawl space vents must remain unsealed to ventilate and prevent moisture buildup. 

 

That said, you will also find unvented crawl spaces that are completely air sealed and insulated. Those are designed to reduce risks of humid air entering homes through the vents. Since the crawl space situation is different from property to property, we highly recommend scheduling a Kansas City basement insulation specialist to inspect it for you before determining if you need crawl space insulation. This includes other uninhabited areas, such as storage spaces.

What Is The Cost Of Installing Basement Insulation In Kansas City?

We may be able to give you a cost range once we know the exact square footage of your basement, but in order to be as transparent as possible, we highly recommend that you book a no-obligation, in-house consultation and inspection with our local professionals. 

 

This way, we’ll be able to assess your foundation walls, basement ceiling, and exterior insulation in greater detail. And we will be able to tell if any important preparation work needs to be addressed prior to the installation service. In many cases, we can also help you with most of the prep work, including vapor barrier and air sealing services. Once we know all the exact details, we’ll be able to write up a cost estimate for you with no unexpected fees.

Why Should I Choose Koala Insulation?

Our expert team is made up of a group of passionate technicians who bring many years of experience working in home service and construction. Not only are we familiar with common types of problems that many Kansas City homeowners face, but we also have the right solutions to quickly recover their comfort. All of our certified technicians are highly trained, efficient, and courteous, approaching each assigned job with a positive attitude. 

 

Working with insulation products is a messy job and requires trust, accountability, clear communication, and, of course, someone who knows how to clean up the mess so it poses no health and safety hazards. This is what you can expect from our highly-rated local pros!

Need Kansas City Basement Insulation Services?

Not only do basements add to your home’s square footage and give you more storage space, but they can also be turned into a livable space once it’s properly insulated. Whether you’re planning a basement remodel or simply need help in making it more energy efficient and less cold, our local Kansas City basement insulation experts are at your disposal!

 

We serve our local neighbors in Kansas City and surrounding areas, including Olathe, Parkville, and Blue Springs. Give our friendly customer service team a call today at 913-348-7789 to schedule an in-house inspection and consultation. 

 

While you’re here, why not learn about our solar attic fan installation and insulation removal services?