DIYbanter - View Single Post

wrote:

I am in the process of finishing our basement. Our home is 2 years old
with poured basement walls. We have started to put up 2x4 framing
against the walls, and planned to insulate with faced R-13 fiberglass
insulation, and put up 1/2 drywall. Recently a friend suggested that
we put plastic sheeting between the framing and the concrete walls to
keep out moisture, and use unfaced insulation.

My question is, what is the best way to do this? Our basement has had
a very small amount mildew appear in the summer, in the past. And, if
the plastic sheeting is put up between the concrete and the framing,
should the insulation used be faced or unfaced?

IIRC, you don't see moisture migrating through poured concrete unless there are
substantial cracks. Any mildew would be caused by moisture in the warm air
condensing on the colder concrete. That's why the moisture barrier should be
facing the source of moisture, which is usually the living area.

Poly sheeting is cheap though and can't hurt. When I framed in a basement in a
home a number of years ago, I put poly sheeting between the studs and the
concrete, and then used standard faced insulation with the moisture barrier
facing the living area. You wouldn't want unfaced insulation as that would let
moisture condense in between the studs.

I am also interested in insulating the concrete floor as well, and am
open to suggestions on what to use for that as well.
Thank you very much for all feedback and suggestions!

Heat rises and the earth is a pretty good insulator, so insulating the floor
won't be a money saver or comfort improver. A good pad and carpet is all you
really need. That said...

Headroom is usually an issue in basements, so you typically can't put joists on
the concrete.You could do this: Seal the floor with a two part epoxy paint. Use
1x2 lathing strips spaced at two foot intervals with sheet styro in between.
Particle board flooring over the lot.