Insulating exterior basement concrete walls

[FlobeySolo]

Would appreciate some advice on insulating my basement concrete workshop walls. As you can see I'm badly in need of storage, and this is the perfect wall for cabinets,  so whatever direction I take needs to handle the weight of wall hanging cabinets. I also need to accommodate some wiring for extra outlets. The other problem is that I only have 3" of clearance to the door frame opening. Either I build a wall that's less than traditional thickness, say with 1" insulation and 1x2s, shift the door opening a few inches (not easy), or go with a non standard, narrower door opening (less than ideal).

I've seen a  few different methods of building walls against exterior concrete, all of which recommend rigid foam insulation:

1. Traditional studs mounted to concrete and headers / footers, with insulation in between studs
2. Foam insulation glued to concrete, then studs built and fastened through foam to concrete and to headers/footers.
3. Some other technique I'm not familiar with...

Note I live in Atlanta, with a mild climate.

Thoughts? Would appreciate any advice you've got... Thanks!

 

[Thunderchyld]

I used a product called InsoFast http://insofast.com/ to insulate a block wall in my half basement.  Of course, my wife has the digital camera that has the pics on its memory stick in her purse, at work. 

One of the things that drew me to insofast was that the studs are part of the foam panels. 

As far as holding the cabinets, the mfg states it can hold a load, and I've seen pictures of cabinets mounted on it, I just haven't done so yet myself.

Clearance-wise, Insofast would give you a good solution, 2" for the foam panel and you still have an inch of clearance for whatever wallboard you'd want.

I'll post a few pics of my insofast install when I get the camera tonight.

 

[tbellemare]

I would think that in Atlanta, having an exposed concrete basement wall would be preferable. Doesn't it make your shop cooler in the summer?

Tom

 

[FlobeySolo]

Great question, Tom. However the workshop is part of the whole basement in which we're converting to living area. It will be air conditioned.

 

[tbellemare]

Does that mean you're losing your shop space?

Tom

 

[FlobeySolo]

No, it'll just be air conditioned

 

[tbellemare]

I'm jealous!

Tom

 

[JSlovic]

I live in Sandy Springs and have a similar layout.  Part of the basement is finished and the storage area & shop are exposed poured walls- I don't have any problem with moisture and it's comfortable year round.  I would make sure you've got good exterior water management- downspouts, french drains grading etc.
Then spend your money on more tools.

 

[lumbajac]

Ecostud is a product from up my way that might work well for your situation.  Take a look at their project portfolio and product details: http://www.ecostud.com/product_details.html

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Hi Colby! For what it's worth, here's how I've been installing basement walls for the last few years:

Install 1.5" foil faced insulation sheets flush with the face of your masonry walls. Tape the seems with foil tape, caulk the bottom and seal along the top as best as you can, depending on your specific site conditions.

From there, I install a 2x4 stud wall. Treaded 2x4 bottom plate, studs stacked underneath joists if possible. I like to leave roughly 1" space between the studs and the insulation, this allows room if your foundation walls are out of plumb (likely).

I strongly advise against attaching your studs to the masonry walls, most basement walls aren't straight or plumb, and this will be amplified by a finished wall if it's attached directly.

Given your specific situation, you can probably get away with thinner foam, and frame with steel studs, perhaps 2x3's? Good luck, I hope your basement project turns out nicely!

 

[FlobeySolo]

Thanks for all the replies!

You really have me thinking about it now...IOW why insulate it in the firstplace? I'm now leaning towards painting it with a moisture blocking paint - for good measure - then hanging a french cleat system on it and go to town. Would def be easier / cheaper / faster, and would leave more $$$ for the next Festool! Will keep you posted, but thanks again.

 

[Slartibartfass]

I would not use paint on concrete walls. The moisture eventually will result in peeling paint.

I would suggest a thin coat of plaster. I did that in my ole' basement. Plaster breaths and depending on the type also acts as anti fungi agent...

You can get it colored and depending on how you apply can create all sorts of effects.

I bought mine from "http://www.paintandplasters.com/" (Ruralis Lime Intonachino 4 Gallon)

 

[FlobeySolo]

During a 90 deg day I hit the concrete wall with my infrared thermometer... 72 deg. So I decided against insulation. Despite some advice against paint, I went with SW Loxon XP in Sweet pea. Not as bright as I would have liked, but still a bit of character. Must be a bit of different formulation for that particular paint.

Next up is French cleats and some cabinets for much needed storage.