Time to tap the TDR unlimited knowledge base again.

[ACoyle]

The subject is finishing off the basement.



The basement is mostly underground, maybe 18" above ground. The walls are concrete block. I have not had water in the basement to speak of. What times I have had water there, I know why and have attended to it.



When I bought the house the basement was finished, sort of. 1 X 3 furring strips were nailed to the concrete, 3" side against the concrete. Over that was tinfoil coated tarpater, over that was sheetrock. Some of that was taken down over time. It is now desired to put it back and cover the areas that are not covered.



I am thinking of finishing the areas with 1 X 3's as above, putting plastic over the 1 X 3's for a vapor barrier, sheetrocking and have a nice day.



Am I way off? Do I want / need the vapor barrier? Should I pull it all down and do something else?



Thank You in advance.



Extra bonus question, is pressure treated plywood intended to be used inside the house? I was under the impression that it was for outside use only, due to the chemicals.



Thank You again.



AC

 

[fest3er]

You don't want or need vapor barrier in the basement. The ground will, for the most part, moderate the temperature. Vapor barriers are typically used to prevent *inside* vapor from condensing on the *outside* walls - usually when the outside temperature is frigid.



I think pressure-treated lumber is OK for inside use. I believe pressure-treat vapors are dangerous only when they are a result of burning the wood; if that is happening in your basement, you probably won't be inside breathing the fumes anyway.



If you want the basement to be nicely finished and have pleasant temperatures, I would suggest ripping down all the 1x3 stuff and installing regular walls using 2x3s or 2x4s and installing decent insulation. This will do a couple things; it'll be warmer and more comfortable, and it'll be *far* easier to run electric, phone, TV and network cabling on the outside walls.



N

 

[DLausche]

It may depend on the location/climate, etc. , but here in MN the vapor barrier is mandatory and needs to be between the block wall and furring strips & insulation. Like mentioned above, 2x2 furring makes it easier to wire and they sell precut styrofoam that is 1 1/2" x 14 1/2" x 8'. This makes it really easy to insulate. Pressure treated plywood should be fine for use inside.



-Deon

 

[Royk]

I agree with fest3er. I'd frame it with 2x4s, insulate and sheetrock it. Thats what I did with mine, except for a 4x8 foot "outcropping" which is the base for my woodstove's brick foundation upstairs (overkill if you ask me, but I didn't build the house), which I did with 1x3 furring like you describe. I sacrificed being able to run wiring and flush outlet boxes, etc. to gain a little extra space.



Roy

 

[benhall]

I would put up the moisture barrier anyways to be on the safe side and put it up between the foundation and the walls you are going to build. Even if you have a dry basement, moisture can still show up with temperature differences between the room, wall cavity and outside.



Ben