Master Brian
DIY Senior Member
I am in the process of trying to finish off my basement in my 1915 Bungalow.
My foundation walls are cinder block and about the top 2' of the wall is above grade. I am keeping the wood studs about 1-2" off the block walls. Originally, I though about using fiberglass batting with mold resistant sheet rock, but am a bit worried about the batting taking on moisture. The blocks have been painted, I am thinking it is paintd with a masonry paint, but can't think of the name of paint.
I called one of the cellulose companies and asked if it was ok to use in the basement and they said if I had a vapor(?) barrier against the block wall it was ok. The lady said heavy mill plastic, special paint or even rigid foam would be fine.
Does anyone have any experience with this? I have had moisture in my basement during heavy, heavy rains, but I am making progress on eliminating the moisture as most of it is from poor drainage.
I looked at a lumber yard and they had 3/4" white foam sheets for about $3-4 a sheet, which wasn't too bad. The problem is I don't know enough about the difference in the rigid foams. Do I need a special type? What do I "tape" the seems with. Would something else be better?
I just feel the cellulose and foam would provide a very draft free basement with pretty consistant temps all year round.
A contractor friend of mine said all he thinks I need is the rigid foam and thinks I'd be wasteing my money on the cellulose. I figure total cost of foam and cellulose would be max $200 for the area in question.
My foundation walls are cinder block and about the top 2' of the wall is above grade. I am keeping the wood studs about 1-2" off the block walls. Originally, I though about using fiberglass batting with mold resistant sheet rock, but am a bit worried about the batting taking on moisture. The blocks have been painted, I am thinking it is paintd with a masonry paint, but can't think of the name of paint.
I called one of the cellulose companies and asked if it was ok to use in the basement and they said if I had a vapor(?) barrier against the block wall it was ok. The lady said heavy mill plastic, special paint or even rigid foam would be fine.
Does anyone have any experience with this? I have had moisture in my basement during heavy, heavy rains, but I am making progress on eliminating the moisture as most of it is from poor drainage.
I looked at a lumber yard and they had 3/4" white foam sheets for about $3-4 a sheet, which wasn't too bad. The problem is I don't know enough about the difference in the rigid foams. Do I need a special type? What do I "tape" the seems with. Would something else be better?
I just feel the cellulose and foam would provide a very draft free basement with pretty consistant temps all year round.
A contractor friend of mine said all he thinks I need is the rigid foam and thinks I'd be wasteing my money on the cellulose. I figure total cost of foam and cellulose would be max $200 for the area in question.