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organick · 10-30-2009, 01:29 AM

I have been doing alot of reasearch on insulating my basement befor finishing. It seems the DOE is recommending xps on the block wall and then fiberglass batts in the framing? The info is a liitle hard to decipher http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings...s/db/35017.pdf

can anyone way in on this or point me in the direction of additional legit info??

Bob Mariani · 10-30-2009, 04:43 AM

this is one way to go. A better but more costly method is to use closed-cell spray foam insulation. What is important is to control moisture and build the wall so that it is allowed to dry when a wet condition occurs. Check out the articles at http://www.buildingscience.com and do a search on this site since many topics on this subject have been covered well.

concretemasonry · 10-30-2009, 10:14 AM

Thoroseal on the walls followed by XPS on the block/Thoroseal walls. The thickness of the XPS is up to you and your climate, but the temperature of the soil behind the wall is always much higher than the outside air temperature in the heating season and cooler in the cooling season (it is a great and valuable temperature moderator).

If you choose to build a frame wall in front, that is OK. Use a pressure treated plate, but you can use untreated for the studs. The studs should be attached to the plate with nails capable of surviving the plate wood treatment chemicals. The space between the studs and the XPS is up to you, depending what you might be running in the wall.

I would never use fiberglass in a basement wall because of the ability to hold moisture and never dry out. I have seen too many "accidents" (slab leaks, plumbing leaks, floods, etc.) that will require removal of the fiberglass before the mold starts.

Consider what you are going to do about the floor, especially if you are in a cool climate, since it has a very large area (maybe more than the wall area) and the soil temperature of the floor is about the same as the temperature of the lower part of the wall.

Dick

organick · 10-30-2009, 10:18 AM

Thanks guys,

what do you think about the xps sytem of attaching the drywall to the xps?? Sound alot easier than framing walls too?? any comments about that??

thanks

ccarlisle · 10-30-2009, 11:56 AM

I have seen both the separate xps sheets in 2'x8' sheets where you use furring strips in between each sheet and the ready-made panels already incorporate the xps and the furring strips - but in both case, I'm pretty sure the drywall needs the furring strips to hold on to.

You don't need 2'x3' or 2'x4' walls to put up xps...but you do need some sort of support to put up walls with drywall.

organick · 10-30-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccarlisle

I have seen both the separate xps sheets in 2'x8' sheets where you use furring strips in between each sheet and the ready-made panels already incorporate the xps and the furring strips - but in both case, I'm pretty sure the drywall needs the furring strips to hold on to.

You don't need 2'x3' or 2'x4' walls to put up xps...but you do need some sort of support to put up walls with drywall.

yeah i know you need the furring was just curious if anyone had used this system and if they liked it.

ccarlisle · 10-30-2009, 01:04 PM

Look at a product called "InsoFast"; same idea.

organick · 10-30-2009, 03:35 PM

I actually can't find the xps panels that use the furring strips.....anyone have the link??? there are no insofast dealers by me and i dont want to order a product like that with no dealer to deal with.

concretemasonry · 10-30-2009, 03:55 PM

Do you plan on putting in any outlets or cable in the walls? If so, the separate wall (2x3 or 2x4 framing) could be very handy.

Dick

organick · 10-30-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretemasonry

Do you plan on putting in any outlets or cable in the walls? If so, the separate wall (2x3 or 2x4 framing) could be very handy.

Dick

There are already outlest and switches mounted to the block wall. I can just cut around them. I know they will stick out a little but its not the deceiding factor.

ccarlisle · 10-31-2009, 08:46 AM

Owens-Corning are the makers of the furring strip xps sheets. Use the link at the top of this page...

organick · 10-31-2009, 01:54 PM

thanks, much appreciated.