RyanBruner
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- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
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Hello, everyone. I'm new here. I've browsed around a bit, and some nice information. So, hopefully I can get some useful advice.
Right now, we have an unfinished basement that I'm hoping to start finishing work on next month or so. Earlier this spring I already framed out a section that serves as a utility/storage room. The remainder is poured concrete walls and floor.
During the winter it is downright freezing, but the primary use of the basement will be for the kids to play. With the exception of the utility room and one additional small craft room (one wall and door), all walls will simply be along the outside perimeter.
The basement is dry. In fact, in the past week, with all the rain, I never even heard the sump pump running once. They did a lot of waterproofing during construction. So, I plan to do pad and carpet. But the walls is my concern, first. And the ceiling is something I won't even tackle this year. I'll leave it open for now, and probably a year from now add in a drop ceiling. (Wall height is only about 7' 4", however, so I might change my mind on that.)
Anyhow, for the walls, here is my plan, and I'm hoping you can tell me if this all makes sense:
1. Rather than frame walls, I was planning on doing furring strips (2x2s), mounted with tapcons. Question here: Do I need to have a bottom plate, or should I mount furring strips horizontally along the bottom and leave a gap above the floor out of concern of possible moisture issues?
2. Install electrical outlets. (Not too many..I already have 3 outlets installed using conduit. So, I'll probably have to install about 4 or 5 more total.)
4. I'm not sure about insulation. What would be the most cost-effective choice for insulating the walls with furring strips? I'm trying to keep project costs down right now, but do enough to make sure the kids don't freeze!
5. Lighting and ceiling, as mentioned, will be tackled in a future project. However, there is a fresh-air intake pipe on the opposite side of the basement from where the furnace/utility room is. I presume I'll have to cut holes the utility room walls and add some vents between the rooms to ensure the fresh air moves freely. But the pipe that comes down from outside (as well as some of the plumping piping)...would it be best to frame around these, or simply leave them exposed and drywall around them?
6. Carpet and pad I'll install myself, but do you recommend doing anything to the concrete floor first? I can't afford, nor have the basement height to really put in a subfloor. I was wondering about rolling out that same plastic/foam sheeting used under Pergo floors as both a moisture barrier as well as added insulation value. Does this make sense to do?
Thanks, all. Sorry for the long post. Trying to give a complete picture. Any/all suggestions greatly appreciated.
Right now, we have an unfinished basement that I'm hoping to start finishing work on next month or so. Earlier this spring I already framed out a section that serves as a utility/storage room. The remainder is poured concrete walls and floor.
During the winter it is downright freezing, but the primary use of the basement will be for the kids to play. With the exception of the utility room and one additional small craft room (one wall and door), all walls will simply be along the outside perimeter.
The basement is dry. In fact, in the past week, with all the rain, I never even heard the sump pump running once. They did a lot of waterproofing during construction. So, I plan to do pad and carpet. But the walls is my concern, first. And the ceiling is something I won't even tackle this year. I'll leave it open for now, and probably a year from now add in a drop ceiling. (Wall height is only about 7' 4", however, so I might change my mind on that.)
Anyhow, for the walls, here is my plan, and I'm hoping you can tell me if this all makes sense:
1. Rather than frame walls, I was planning on doing furring strips (2x2s), mounted with tapcons. Question here: Do I need to have a bottom plate, or should I mount furring strips horizontally along the bottom and leave a gap above the floor out of concern of possible moisture issues?
2. Install electrical outlets. (Not too many..I already have 3 outlets installed using conduit. So, I'll probably have to install about 4 or 5 more total.)
4. I'm not sure about insulation. What would be the most cost-effective choice for insulating the walls with furring strips? I'm trying to keep project costs down right now, but do enough to make sure the kids don't freeze!
5. Lighting and ceiling, as mentioned, will be tackled in a future project. However, there is a fresh-air intake pipe on the opposite side of the basement from where the furnace/utility room is. I presume I'll have to cut holes the utility room walls and add some vents between the rooms to ensure the fresh air moves freely. But the pipe that comes down from outside (as well as some of the plumping piping)...would it be best to frame around these, or simply leave them exposed and drywall around them?
6. Carpet and pad I'll install myself, but do you recommend doing anything to the concrete floor first? I can't afford, nor have the basement height to really put in a subfloor. I was wondering about rolling out that same plastic/foam sheeting used under Pergo floors as both a moisture barrier as well as added insulation value. Does this make sense to do?
Thanks, all. Sorry for the long post. Trying to give a complete picture. Any/all suggestions greatly appreciated.