Comments on: Insulating Basement Walls http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/insulating-basement-walls/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=insulating-basement-walls Expert Home Improvement Advice Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:33:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Laurahttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/insulating-basement-walls/#comment-62876 Laura Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:53:11 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=3917#comment-62876 Thank you for your response. Yes, it does make sense and I had been wondering if that were the way to go, but having never done a project like this I wasn't sure how to about it and it is good to get a professional's opinion. Makes my planning process so much easier! Thank you for your response. Yes, it does make sense and I had been wondering if that were the way to go, but having never done a project like this I wasn’t sure how to about it and it is good to get a professional’s opinion. Makes my planning process so much easier!

]]> By: Toddhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/insulating-basement-walls/#comment-62857 Todd Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:11:46 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=3917#comment-62857 I would highly recommend using foam. However, all is not lost. It shouldn't be very hard to slide the framing forward (or lay it down), install the foam, then move the walls back. Forgive me if you already know this but: Walls are typically framed on the floor. All the studs are nailed to the top and bottom plates, then the wall is stood up. At that point nails and/or screws are driven into the concrete on the bottom. Additional nails are installed at the top. This hold the wall in place. To move the wall you simply cut those fasteners and reverse what was previously done.If the walls are already wired than it becomes a bit more cumbersome.Make sense?Good luck! I would highly recommend using foam. However, all is not lost. It shouldn’t be very hard to slide the framing forward (or lay it down), install the foam, then move the walls back. Forgive me if you already know this but: Walls are typically framed on the floor. All the studs are nailed to the top and bottom plates, then the wall is stood up. At that point nails and/or screws are driven into the concrete on the bottom. Additional nails are installed at the top. This hold the wall in place. To move the wall you simply cut those fasteners and reverse what was previously done.

If the walls are already wired than it becomes a bit more cumbersome.

Make sense?

Good luck!

]]> By: Laurahttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/insulating-basement-walls/#comment-62856 Laura Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:43:06 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=3917#comment-62856 Hi Todd,I live in the Kansas City area--so cold winters, hot summers. We live in a 12 year old house with an unfinished basement--it is heated. We are thinking of finishing part of the basement. When we purchased the house 2 years ago, the half of the basement had already been framed out on the exterior walls. There is a thick plastic vapor barrier between the concrete and the wood studs. We have no water issues aside from humidity. In the summer I have noticed condensation on the vapor barrier--the side that faces the concrete. I bought a dehumidifier and that seemed to help. My question for you is how can we best insulate our basement for finishing if the framing is already up? Will the thick plastic barrier be sufficient since it is between the concrete and the wood framing or would we be better off to tear out the framing and start over with the foam board? Any suggestion you have are greatly appreciated.Thanks, Laura Hi Todd,

I live in the Kansas City area–so cold winters, hot summers. We live in a 12 year old house with an unfinished basement–it is heated. We are thinking of finishing part of the basement. When we purchased the house 2 years ago, the half of the basement had already been framed out on the exterior walls. There is a thick plastic vapor barrier between the concrete and the wood studs. We have no water issues aside from humidity. In the summer I have noticed condensation on the vapor barrier–the side that faces the concrete. I bought a dehumidifier and that seemed to help. My question for you is how can we best insulate our basement for finishing if the framing is already up? Will the thick plastic barrier be sufficient since it is between the concrete and the wood framing or would we be better off to tear out the framing and start over with the foam board? Any suggestion you have are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Laura

]]> By: Toddhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/insulating-basement-walls/#comment-62849 Todd Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:12:54 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=3917#comment-62849 I would HIGHLY recommend you still use foam board. That product would be great as additional insulation in the cavity after a proper insulation/vapor barrier. I would HIGHLY recommend you still use foam board. That product would be great as additional insulation in the cavity after a proper insulation/vapor barrier.

]]> By: Lorihttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/insulating-basement-walls/#comment-62846 Lori Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:06:45 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=3917#comment-62846 What do you know about CertainTeed DryRight insulation for using in basement wall studs? Is using XPS against the concrete still necessary if we go with that?Thanks! What do you know about CertainTeed DryRight insulation for using in basement wall studs? Is using XPS against the concrete still necessary if we go with that?

Thanks!

]]> By: Jackhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/insulating-basement-walls/#comment-62625 Jack Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:31:28 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=3917#comment-62625 Foam it is then.Thank you, Jack Foam it is then.

Thank you,
Jack

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