FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Insulating interior basement walls

jjc155 | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on December 24, 2006 01:31am

I’m getting ready to finish off my basement. When it is finished it will be aprox 1000sq ft of the 1600sq basement area and will function as the primary “Hang out space” in the house, which is a 1600sqft ranch.

Areas will be: Entertainment/bar room with small office area seperated by 1/2 wall, kids play room and 1/2 bath. Other unfinished/partially finished areas will be storeage, mech room and my work shop.

I have no problems with the framing,electrical,plumbing or mechanical. My question is on the insulation for the interior fondation walls, which are 8ft poured concrete.  House is 3.5 years old.

Being that this will become the most higly used area of the house, i want to make it extremely comfortable and moisture/mold free I can.

What I am thinking of doing is to put up 2in/10R rigid on the basement walls, build and stand the stud walls, insulate the stud cavities with 13R FG insulation and then drywall. I know this may be a little overkill, with a total of 23R in insulation alone, but is there any problems with doing this?

I am not plaining on any vapor barrier in the wall so that any moisture can evaporate out. I am using an article from the 3/05 issue(#169) FHB on rigid foam for the basement walls for some guidance.

Only deviation would be that the rigid would be the Extruded Poly not the expanded kind and I would be using the extra FG in the stud bays.

Any direction/comments/advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays,

J-

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. renosteinke | Dec 24, 2006 01:57am | #1

    Concrete walls below grade are considered a "wet" location. This ought to be kept in mind as you make your walls.

    I'd first put up a layer of the plastic mesh masons use to screen walls behind brick veneer. This will allow water seepage to drain.
    Next, I'd use furring strips to attach the wall sheathing. Between the furring strips, I'd use foil-faced foam. Where moisture is an issue, foam simply cannot be beat.
    Finally, I'd cover with ordinary drywall. I'd take care to space the drywall at least 1/2" off the floor, and leave a slight gap at the top as well. The gaps are to allow water to drain, and air to circulate.

    I advise against any fiberglass insulation. It simply isn't much of an insulator when damp, and too easily becomes a nest for vermin.

    I'd also look for some way to insulate the floor. Some products, intended for garages, look promising. You know ... the knobby rubber tiles that are also raised somewhat off the floor? You could always lay carpet atop them if you wished; and, with the raised base, you could likely get away with covering the floor over the drains (making it all nice and level).

  2. experienced | Dec 24, 2006 05:18pm | #2

    Sounds like you have it nailed. This is the Building Science Corp recommended system.

    1) Make sure the wall/floor system, wiring/plumbing penetrations and main floor system perimeter are airtight with a truly continuous air barrier system- drywall, expanding foam, foam board, caulking, maybe adhesive foam tape

    2) Consider cutting a small interior drain along the interior concrete floor/wall intersection that will catch any future small nuisance foundation water leakage and let it drain down to the crushed stone under the slab. In a small city I used to work in, many foundations had this drain cast into the slab edge during the slab pour. Someone in western Canada patented a system to make this step very easy. (I have a re-usable system designed in my head but seem always too busy to put a prototype together. Maybe in retirement!)

    3) Put down dimpled plastic water drainage membrane (Platon, Delta, etc.) under any subfloor, insulated or not. (I would do an insulated floor) It comes in rolls or on 2'x2' OSB sections that are T&G'd for a seamless fit (I find these a bit overpriced though).

    These should make for a longterm dry basement. Good luck.



    Edited 12/24/2006 10:12 am ET by experienced

    1. riverdale | Dec 31, 2006 02:02am | #3

      I like the ideas presented here, particularly the mesh mason screen and perimeter floor drain. Instead of a continuous perimeter drain at the base of the mesh to take care of any incidental water, would drilling holes right through the floor into the gravel work? I am thinking 1/2" or 3/4" holes all the way around the perimeter, every few inches. This would be easy, albiet monotonous and hard on my back, to install in a retrofit situation like mine. Any problems with this because it would also hopefully adrress another issue I have?My basement walls are 100 year old stone, but nice and straight and all things considered quite dry. The basement was finished by the previous owners 8 years ago and so far so good. However, allowing water to escape through the bottom would alleviate moisture trapped in the walls (currrently FG batts, vapour barrier, and drywall) from wicking up under hydrostatic pressure into the structural brick walls and then spalling during freeze/thaw cycling.Thanks

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Listeners write in about fostering trade work and proposed changes to Canadian code and ask questions about roof and wall insulation for an old house.

Featured Video

Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data