Marine Insulation

• Marine insulation is designed to be used in boats and other maritime vehicles. While this form of insulation is not traditionally used in basements, its high density and durability may help soundproof and insulate your basement. Insulation materials can vary, according to the manufacturer; however, the most common marine insulation materials include mineral wool, fiberglass and ceramic. Along with the actual insulation materials, marine insulation is typically coated with a protective outer skin made out of galvanized cladding, aluminum or PVC. Perhaps one of the most notable benefits of marine insulation is its ability to resist fire or combustion, which is ideal for fires containment. For example, mineral wool and fiberglass can withstand temperatures up to 1,157 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
  

Insulation Sizes and Installation Locations

• Marine insulation typically comes in blanket, or batt and roll, styles. The size of each blanket varies by manufacturer as some marine insulation companies only sell certain blanket sizes. For example, Thermafiber marine insulation is only available in two sizes: 24- and 36-inch widths, as well as 48- and 60-inch lengths. While insulating basement ceilings is also an option, the U.S. Department Of Energy recommends insulating basement walls as it requires less insulation, provides continuous thermal control and generally requires little to no adjustment of HVAC systems.
  
  

Insulation Amount

• To determine the amount of insulation required for your basement, measure the square footage of your wall space. Start by measuring the length and width of the basement walls. For example, two walls may measure 8 feet high by 10 feet wide while the other two walls measure 8 feet tall by 15 feet wide. To find the total square footage for the first two walls, multiply 8 by 10, which equals 80. Multiply 80 times 2 to figure out the total square footage for these two walls, which equals 160 square feet. Repeat the same formula for the other two walls by multiplying 15 by 8, which equals 120, then multiplying 120 by 2 to get 240 square feet. Add the combined square footage of all four walls together: 160 plus 240 equals 400 square feet. Therefore, to insulate all four walls in the sample basement, you would need a minimum of 400 square feet of marine insulation.
  
  

Considerations

• While insulating your home with marine insulation may help control sound and temperature, it is important to consider proper moisture control as basements are notorious for moisture accumulation. Moisture control is determined by your insulation, local climate and home construction. Examples of proper moisture control include draining rainwater away from your home, installing a protective membrane between the insulation and basement walls, as well as installing a sill gasket around the basement for air sealing.