Frost-Heave
Headaches
-NEB Staff Report
In cold climates, foundation
insulation is clearly a good
investment, even if the basement is
not fully heated. But it's not clear
which is better: interior or exterior
insulation.
Some prefer exterior insulation
because it allows you to have a
continuous layer of insulation over
the band joist and sill area. Exterior
insulation, however, has its pitfalls.
The outside of a foundation is a
rough environment for the relatively
soft plastic foams that are used. The
foam must be protected during
backfilling, and the exposed areas
must be protected permanently from
sunlight (ultraviolet degradation),
lawn mowers, and stray baseballs.
The covering, such as stucco, must be
both durable and attractive.
And Then There's Frost
And then there's frost. The house
pictured