Basement Ceiling Insulation – Is it a Good Idea?

Basement ceiling insulation will make your home more comfortable and soundproof. But, in some situations, the risks outweigh the benefits.

Insulating your basement ceiling makes the upper and lower portions of the house quieter and can prevent allergens from invading other parts of the house. It helps regulate temperatures and comfort in both rooms and makes the home more energy efficient.

Basement Ceiling Insulation - When To Do It

The International Residential Code (IRC) does not require basement ceiling insulation. But some local codes do, so check before you start. Local codes may specify R-values and even types of products. 

This article should give you enough information to help decide whether basement ceiling insulation is worth it–and what to use.


Basement Ceiling Insulation – When To Do It

Basements tend to be cool, damp, and leak air. Full basement insulation–walls and ceiling–eliminates the worst of these problems. If your basement has a ventilation system, you are free to insulate or not–subject to your local codes.

An insulated ceiling blocks the movement of heat from the upper floors to the basement, which is not ideal for living space without an HVAC system. As a result, your basement living area will be colder. Leave the ceiling uninsulated if your basement is unheated.

Note: Many northern building codes require insulated frost walls. Not all mandate insulated ceilings.

Basement Ceiling Insulation – The Good

Insulating your basement ceiling provides the following benefits:

  • Temperature Management. Warm air rises and seeks to replace cooler air. (Thermodynamics) Meaning that one way or another, you will be losing heat to other parts of the house. Insulating the basement ceiling stops both types of movement.
  • Overall Home Comfort. Insulated ceilings help maintain constant temperatures throughout the house.
  • Allergens. Basements only used as storage spaces accumulate dust, molds, and other allergens. An insulated ceiling helps keep them from migrating to living areas of the home and prevents musty basement odors from spreading.
  • Soundproofing. Insulated ceilings help isolate noise in the space where it is created. It can reduce footfall noise in the basement and keep airborne noise from the main floor areas.
  • Building Codes. Adhering to local codes makes the authorities happier and your life smoother.

Basement Ceiling Insulation – The Not So Good

As with most of life, there are good reasons not to insulate a basement ceiling.

  • Reduced Air Flow. Insulating your ceiling can produce an isolated area. Lack of airflow increases the chances of moisture and condensation forming–increasing the possibility of mold. Most HVAC experts advise against creating this situation.
  • Cost. Whether a DIY project or contractor done, insulating a basement ceiling is a pricey and time-consuming project. The national average material cost is around $1.00 per square foot. Material and labor combined average about $2.00 per square foot.
  • Loss of Height. If you insulate the ceiling, you may add foam board and drywall to the undersides of the joists–losing up to 6” of height. Not a big deal with 9’ high ceilings. A potential problem in a 6’ or 7’ basement.

Basement Ceiling Insulation – The Ugly

Many basement ceilings are filled with all types of obstructions. See the picture below. Installing insulation properly would be a challenge.

  • Cold Air Returns. Use entire joist spaces.
  • Fresh Air Intakes.
  • Warm Air Ducts. 6” diameter pipes using more joist space.
  • Warm Air Runs. Perpendicular to joists and hanging below them.
  • Electrical Wires.
  • Water Lines.
  • Water Drain Pipes.
  • Gas Lines.

All of these essential services make it difficult to do a good complete job–DIY or professional.


Types of Basement Ceiling Insulation

Whatever your basement ceiling situation, one of the following insulation options should work for you.

Blanket Insulation

Blanket insulation in rolls or batts is the first option people consider and the least expensive. Available in fiberglass, mineral wool, and cellulose, among others. Rolls can be purchased with paper backing that will act as a vapor barrier.

Both batts and rolls are available in standard construction widths and multiple thicknesses–providing different R-values. Custom widths are available at an increased cost but are challenging to find.

Spray Foam Insulation

Full-coverage spray foam is an option for insulating a basement ceiling. Spray foam will fill around the pipes, wires, bracing, and other obstacles. With an R-5 to the inch value, it provides excellent insulation value. Spray framing a basement ceiling is not a DIY project, and equipment is difficult to get.

Be aware that if you ever have to work on foamed wiring, pipes, etc., you will have to remove some insulation and spray new insulation back on. You can replace a small area with window foam in a can. Larger areas may require a professional.

Spray foam is not a good product for soundproofing. Because it dries solid and adheres to framing members, it is like an extension of the wood, and sound vibrations will pass through it unhindered.

Note: Have a can of spray foam handy even if using blanket insulation to fill places you can’t get to.

Wet Spray Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose is an excellent insulator–up to R-3.8 for wet spray. The cellulose is sprayed on the ceiling wet and then dries in place. Adding wet spray cellulose insulation to the basement ceiling isn’t a DIY project – equipment and training are hard to come by.

As with spray foam, the cellulose will have to be removed and replaced to access pipes, wires, etc. Over time the product will begin to drop off because of the flexing of the floor above. Installing six mil poly to the undersides of the floor joists will provide a vapor barrier and prevent cellulose snowflakes.

Foam Board Insulation

Foam board insulation–such as Styrofoam SM–is installed on the undersides of your ceiling joists. It has an R-value of 5 to the inch, and a two-inch shiplap product will give you an R-10. Using window and door spray foam to seal the joints turns the foam board into a vapor barrier.

Note: The foam must be at least 2” thick to qualify as a vapor barrier–One solid piece or layered.