Our house is about 1 year old and the builder put up insulation in the unfinished basement:
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/wingzero94/IMG_1713.jpg

Should I take this down? If I do and go with extruded, can I use this in the stud void (cut it up)?

Thanks

I took mine down and replaced it with 1-1/2" rigid foam (all seams tucked taped/spray foamed). Framing over top with Roxul in the cavities. I don't regret my decision. Very warm downstairs even with all vents taped shut.

My builder insulated all of the exterior walls and between the ceiling joists.

I left it in place since I pretty much just used R13 and R19 paper backed fiber glass throughout the interior and it wouldn't have bought me anything to replace it with the same stuff. :)

Wing,

What is your thought about tearing it down? I would think if it is at least R13 or equivalent it should be fine. If it is very thin or is not doing the job for you then I would consider replacing it.

Yes you should be fine in cutting it up and using it to fill stud voids as long as you don't pack it too tight.

One other thing to consider is if the insulation sticks out from the studs too much it can affect how your drywall goes up.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

RTROSE

Wing,

What is your thought about tearing it down? I would think if it is at least R13 or equivalent it should be fine. If it is very thin or is not doing the job for you then I would consider replacing it.

Yes you should be fine in cutting it up and using it to fill stud voids as long as you don't pack it too tight.

One other thing to consider is if the insulation sticks out from the studs too much it can affect how your drywall goes up.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

RTROSE

Well I thought that it could possibly harbor mold if water were to run down the wall for some reason. I do have basement waterproofing (tar) though.

I'll have to also adjust for how far it sticks out to make sure my walls are straight.

If your basement walls are dry and you have not had water issues so far or you insulation has not gotten wet you should not have any mold issues to worry about to this point anyway.

Any insulation would harbor mold under the right circumstances regardless if its batting or the solid sheet type.

As for sticking out beyond your framing I just had a friend of mine use R19 when he should have used R13 or less between his framing and the drywallers put up a couple of sheets and the insulation actually pushed the drywall out and pulled/pushed it off of the screws. He had to remove all of the insulation split it and then put it back. Very time consuming and a major PITA.

Regards,

RTROSE

I'm guessing that is R11 they put up.

I had the same, except it was wrapped in aluminum paper as the VB.
but I just ripped off the VB and left the insulation part up. I framed about .5" in front of it and then added R13 with paper VB.
The added insulation really helps in the winter. My basement keeps a constant temp of 66 in the winter (well, atleast for this week anyway, as I just finished my basement. But has been in the upper 20s to low 40s this past week).
just be sure to rip out the VB as you don't want a double VB, as that will cause mold.
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