styrofoam insulation

[M]

I am putting foam insulation around the perimeter of a house on a sono tube foundation. I am enclosing the day light basement. Are there any pros or cons to doing this?

Thanks in advance

M

[Bill]

Keep the foam off of the ground. Maybe 2" up. Termites love the free ride.

[clintonG]

2" up? If there's snow in the region water will wick up into the bottom edge of the foam during freeze thaw cycles and condensation will destroy the finish. Look at the specifications for EIFS to learn more about using foam on exterior walls near grade.

Keep the foam off of the ground. Maybe 2" up. Termites love the free ride.

[carolyn]

I don't know what the codes say, however in the house I grew up in, built in the '78, we insulated the exterior of the foundation from the footing up to the siding with 2" of rigid insulation. (Located just North of Ottawa, Ontario.) There was then a black rubbery layer that was applied on top of the insulation. This layer effectively sealed the seams between the insulation.

I am sure there is at least something similar available today, if not better.

Carolyn

cl> 2" up? If there's snow in the region water will wick up into the bottom

[M]

I am not sure what the EIFS product is exactly. But I am using blue foam and covering with tar paper for a temporary situation but did consider covering the foam next summer with stucco. I do not want to cause rot, mold or attract wood eating bugs. The foam is fastened to either pt lumber or cedar. I will eventually build a frost wall but not for a few years as I have bigger fish to fry in the other part of this project. The daylight basement is part of a "camp" that I added on to in a big way. The addition has a full basement/garage and is much bigger than the "camp" on piers. well, the plan is to live in the camp and work on the other half. The "camp" is closer to being completed. The camp is in Maine, so insulation on the daylight basement area is important at least temporarily. Any suggestions are appreciated. I am looking to get about 2-3 years out of the skirt... but if fastening the foam to the bottom of the floor system is better then perhaps I will do that instead.?????????

[clintonG]

EIFS (exterior insulation finish system) search google: exterior insulation finish system and look for detail drawings and read product specifications and so on. You'll learn everything you need to know for your locale.