Pin It

Insulation Methods for a Basement Remodel

JasonScott | May 17, 2010 |

0 Comments | Rating: 0

Many families have chosen to stay put in their current home instead of upgrading to a larger home, so using basement space that would have previously been overlooked is a good idea. If you are considering remodeling your basement, insulation is necessary to make the space more comfortable. The method you choose for insulation depends on the type of construction you will be using.

Rigid Foam

If you will use furring strips to frame the exterior basement walls, rigid foam insulation is the best selection for insulating these walls. The furring strips are connected to the concrete walls every 24 inches using a hammer drill. Since a hammer drill is actually pounding holes in the concrete wall, it is important to wear eye protection as you are installing your outer wall framing. After the furring strips are properly installed, you can cut sections of the rigid foam board to fit between the 2x4s. After the foam board has been cut and placed against the concrete wall add a 6 mil plastic sheet to hold the insulation in place. Staple the sheets of plastic to the furring strips to form a moisture barrier to protect the drywall from any dampness that may come through the concrete.

Fiberglass Insulation

Before doing any construction in the basement, you will want to ensure that you do not have a moisture problem in your basement. Check the outer walls and the floor. If you do have a problem with excessive moisture getting into the basement, then you will want to address it before adding lumber and insulation to the area, because insulation will draw moisture up into the wall causing problems with mold and mildew and the integrity of the interior wall.

Once you are sure that your basement does not have a problem with moisture, you are ready to begin framing your internal walls. Using 2 x 4s build the top and bottom of the walls and then install the vertical supports. You can build your framework on the basement floor, and then raise the wall up to install it. Nail it into place and caulk along the edge of the top and bottom plates to seal any gaps. After your framework is up, you can use fiberglass insulation, either blankets, batting or rigid foam board. Rigid foam board is a favorite for basement installations, because it has a narrow profile, is effective, and it resists moisture. Install a single layer of fiberglass, or install a double layer of foam board. Make sure to overlap the cracks between the layers. Then just as you did for the outer walls, stable the 6 mil plastic sheeting to the frame.

Final Touches

By installing the proper insulation in your basement remodel, you will help keep the new room comfortable as well as keep your utility costs down. After installing the insulation and plastic sheeting it is time to put up the drywall or finish walls. Now all that is left to do is to screw the drywall sheets to the framework and finish the walls as you normally would: It's finally time to paint, bring in the furniture, accessories, wall art metal and personal touches, like a modern music note wall art to give the basement space color and style.