How To Insulate Concrete Block Walls
This can be done with pretty much any rigid insulation.
How to insulate concrete block walls. When it comes to how to insulate a concrete block house with solid walls applying the insulation material is a bit like waterproofing your home leaving your wall completely dry and resolutely resistant to moisture. Step 4 perform the proper insulation. The option for insulating concrete block walls includes spray foam insulation injection foam insulation polystyrene beads foam boards and loose fill masonry insulation. Make this layer of rigid foam as thick as possible.
While these are the options again the material available to use depends on whether the walls will be covered or the open top is exposed like in a remodel or new build. The variety of concrete masonry wall constructions provides for a number of insulating strategies including. Before insulating coat the exterior of the walls with fluid applied water control and air control layers. And there is no effective way to fill the voids in an existing concrete block wall.
Available in large three by five or four by eight sizes the panels. Your only option is to cover the inside of the exterior walls with a continuous layer of insulation as though you were insulating a basement wall. A respirator mask and safety goggles are also helpful. Fiberglass insulation may irritate exposed skin areas.
In your climate zone zone 5 code requires you to insulate concrete block and other mass walls to at least r 13 if all of the insulation is on the exterior. In fact your walls will absorb up to 95 less moisture than an untreated wall. The best way to install rigid foam on a concrete block wall is as a continuous layer. Therefore it is recommended to wear a long sleeved shirt long pants and light work gloves.
Once the foam starts to seep through the injection holes indicating a full cavity encompassing several blocks the process is repeated along the length of the wall every 4 feet and then again along the top of the wall about a foot short of its full height. The simplest and most affordable method of insulating the interior of a block wall is to install rigid foam board insulation. Place the insulation between studs joists and rafters stapling them into place as you go.