We have a 200-year-old farmhouse with wide plank hardwood floors on the 1st floor. What is the best way to insulate the basement to avoid the cold air that makes its way through the floorboards?
A. From our EXPERT Richard Ciresi – owner Aire Serv® of Louisville I’m assuming that a 200 year old farmhouse is probably on a stone foundation. These foundations are very difficult to insulate economically, but the problem may not be one of insulation. If you are feeling a draft coming up through your floor, this would indicate that the house is “negative” to the basement. Air is being exhausted somewhere on the upper level, causing the air to be “drawn” up from the basement. Cold air is heavier than warm, and will usually stay put in the basement unless acted upon by some other force. You might want to do some research to see if there isn’t a chimney open, perhaps excess attic ventilation, or maybe just too much bathroom exhaust. No matter what the cause, you should try to eliminate this condition. Your second option may be to apply one of the new thermal boards to the bottom of the floor joists to stop the airflow. This material is available in thicknesses starting at 1/8″, provides
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