Spray Foam Insulation in Crosby, MN

Spray Foam Insulation in Crosby generally takes us down the basement stairs. Crosby was, in the words of its Wikipedia history, built for the sole purpose of mining on the Cuyuna Iron Range, and many of its houses sit on full basements. In a town where the frost line is deep, that basement is a large share of the home's outside surface, and the joint at the top of the foundation wall is often the leakiest line in the whole house.

Frost depth and foundation walls

Minnesota Rule 1303.1600 puts Crow Wing County in frost Zone I, where footings must go at least five feet down. That means a lot of concrete or block in contact with cold ground. An uninsulated wall above grade loses heat fast, and the upper few feet of a below-grade wall are not much better in midwinter.

The rim joist problem

Where the floor framing sits on top of the foundation, there is a band of wood, the rim or band joist, with only siding and sheathing between it and the weather. Fiberglass batts stuffed in those bays tend to sag and let air move behind them, and frost or damp spots on the wood are a common sign. Closed-cell spray foam bonds to the wood and concrete, seals the joint and adds insulation in a single layer.

Insulating basement walls

For the walls themselves, closed-cell foam or rigid foam board keeps warm indoor air from reaching cold concrete, where it would otherwise condense. If you plan to finish the space, we coordinate with your framing so the insulation goes on first. If you have any history of water coming in, that needs to be fixed before anything covers the wall.

A small, full-time town

Crosby counted 1,217 housing units in 2020 and only 13.1% were vacant, much lower than the lake cities to the west. Most homes here are heated all winter, so savings from sealing the basement show up every month of the heating season.

We inspect the basement in person, check for moisture and write up a quote. Get a free estimate or call (218) 513-2413.