Bought our 860 square foot bungalow three years ago. It was built in the late thirties and it sat for the longest time without a basement until 1977 when the house was raised and a basement was added by digging out until hitting bedrock at four feet. Our basement is very cold, especially during winter months. The basement floor consists of 2x6's at 22 inch centres with 3/4" plywood on top, one layer running one way the other running opposite. How can I insulate this so-called foating floor to create more warmth down there? I've already insulated and installed new 2x4 walls all around the perimeter of the basement. Will a wood fireplace do?
Answer:
The walls can be insulated just like any other sub-grade wall and the floor needs a vapour barrie because without that, the moisture migrating up through the wood will keep things cold - as you know. There will have to be some form of fanned heat down there too.
