Hi

I have a ski chalet in the French Alps. In winter, the basement level is often well below freezing and is not insulated. The ceiling is just raw concrete building bricks, no wooden joists or anything that insulation batts could be inserted into. The floor above does not have underfloor heating and is tiled. For this reason, the floor is extremely cold regardless of how warm the first floor room temperature is. I was considering applying insulation to the basement ceiling hoping to stop the heat escaping from the first floor into the basement (which I can't heat) and therefore make the first floor more comfortable to walk on. There are no damp problems in the building. Although I would ordinarily like to install insulation batts, as the ceiling is just raw concrete, there is no wooden framework on the ceiling that would be suitable for insulation batts. I was however thinking about installing foam boards or potentially building a wooden frame to then install the foam batts. I am a novice when it comes to insulation, so would appreciate any advice you can give. If you look at the attached photo, you will see the ceiling in the basement area. Thanks, Ben.

Ben, I would glue 2" or 4" of blue foam boards to those block. You would have to support the foam for a few hours until the glue starts to set. Is that pipe to the left of the lights a furnace air duct?

Ballengerb1, thanks very much for your advice. The pipe is not a furnace. Is there a special type of glue that you can recommend? Also, is there any additional sealing that needs to be done, or is it really just as simple as gluing the boards to the concrete? Many thanks, Ben.

Liquid Nails and others make a glue for foam board Projects & Foamboard Adhesive (LN-604) - LIQUID NAILS Adhesive (http://www.liquidnails.com/products/product.jsp?productId=34) I would also tape all seams and edges. Energy Savers: Foam Board Insulation (http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11620) You could also caulk the seams instead iof tape