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Rolled Insulation on basement walls exposed?

10 years ago

Hello all, new here to garden web! We are building a home and our builder has placed insulation on our (unfinished) 840 sq. foot basement walls. He said there are no plans to cover it with plastic. It's with MI Homes in Indianapolis.

When the installers were putting in these rolls of insulation they were wearing masks, I'm just wondering if it's okay to leave this exposed? Obviously it doesn't look good, but I'm concerned about any potential breathing problems like you hear about when messing with insulation.

Our builder said as long as we aren't going around beating on it we'll be fine (thought it was weird he said that!), but there still will be air flowing around in the room. Anyone have any experience with this?

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Comments (5)

User
10 years ago
You're putting drywall over it, right? That's fine.
MFatt16
10 years ago
I think she means it will stay that way since its an unfinished basement. Around here that means no drywall typically.
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Thanks so much for the feedback, I'm glad you're thinking it might be reasonable to qualify as a utility space, that gives me some hope ;). Forgive my naivete... but it seems like my local AHJ (the city building inspector is who I think we're referring to here, they have a department for this) is going to be unlikely to answer a hypothetical question about a space they've not inspected and an insulation project for which we did not get a permit...? But then again I don't know. I get the idea of asking them the hypothetical "does all insulation in utility rooms need to be covered with drywall" and "what qualifies as a utility room". It's just that I think they are most likely to tell me they can't answer any questions over the phone, and to apply for a permit, submit the plans as drawn up by a certified person, etc. Or maybe I am wrong and they do answer questions over the phone? I don't see any hotline info or online FAQs. And perhaps when I posted most people would assume we have a permit and are having this inspected, and I should have clarified right away:). Either way, thanks for your feedback, I do really appreciate it! Nicole
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Nicole Neff Don't get too freaked out about the potential lead based paint - the truth is that it's everywhere. I'ts particularly an issue if you have children putting things putting things in their mouth or if you are breathing the dust (from removal). My point was that sometimes you can have multiple reasons to do something (Lead based paint, structural, electrical, insulation) - whereas a single issue (insulation) may not justify enclosing the ceiling. If it were me, I'd need to have a better understanding of any potential structural issues (are all the beams in good shape, etc). If there's no other compelling reason to enclose it, I'd keep it open and see how it goes. I'm going to guess you don't have insulation in those walls either - that they are solid brick. The good news is that this isn't residential - the tenant doesn't have to maintain warm temps at night. If you don't insulate, you can help the tenant maintain reasonable heating costs by installing a 92% or better gas furnace with outside air intake - a setback thermostat and double pane windows (if you can do that and still keep the historic look).
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worthy
10 years ago
Not a problem for breathing. But what an ill-advised way to insulate a basement and rim area. If this is a custom home, insist on an alternative, even if though it costs more.

See link below, p. 7-28.

Here is a link that might be useful: US Department of Energy: Basement Insulation Basics

This post was edited by worthy on Fri, Dec 6, 13 at 21:27
jeding
Original Author
10 years ago
We have plans down the road to finish and drywall, but for the next year or so we'll be leaving it as-is.

It's built through MI Homes, not custom. It's just frustrating because we assumed (like we saw in many unfinished basements when we were looking at existing homes) that the walls would be cement.

Yes, the insulation is nice but it looks really unappealing. At the very least I would think they'd cover it with rolls of plastic.
david_cary
10 years ago
So you would rather have uninsulated cement?

Since you are building with MI, you really have no option. You could always remove the insulation after closing. Or alternatively cover with plastic after closing.

In my area, all custom homes have exposed fiberglass in unfinished basement walls. Including mine.

If I lived in Indianapolis, I wouldn't want fiberglass in walls probably but for a MI level home, it isn't a big deal in the basement. You have to pretty careful that moisture doesn't creep into fiberglass in a basement wall.

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