Building opinions please...

[jbp-ohio]

Our youngest stepson and his wife live just north of Atlanta. With all of the recent inflation and weather causing more and more renters, plus corporations buying up the rental homes. Cost of living is rising fast. My wife has convinced them to come home for awhile to save up money to return or (hopefully) buy a home here for much less than Atlanta.

So my mission is to make a room for them in the basement. It will be 11' 6'' x 15'. This house was built in 1980 but the concrete floor in the basement isn't sealed underneath. I had plywood under the litter boxes and it molded. So I have already settled on insulating the floor with panels that have ventilation.



Then put 1/4'' 4'x8' luan on top to lock them together. The stud walls will sit on top of the panels. A wall to wall rug will go on top.

I have a lot of 2x4's for the walls. Three of the four walls will be studs. My questionable part is the outside concrete block wall. Thinking 2x2x8' furring strips vertically with foam panels between. How to attach the furring strips? I have a Powershot nailer. Used it on floors many times but not on block. Do I need plastic against the block? The block is not below grade.



The biggest question is what to use for the walls? I need a budget friendly choice but something that looks decent. Wife has ruled out 4'x8' paneling. Shiplap is pricey.

[Justsomedude]

I know nothing of the sort but I'm curious if doing a floor epoxy first would be beneficial?

[Japhy]

The biggest question is what to use for the walls? I need a budget friendly choice but something that looks decent. Wife has ruled out 4'x8' paneling. Shiplap is pricey.

If the walls have been firred out then drywall with skip trowel texture. No sanding! One step tape seams add a little texture with 30 or 90 minute compound paint in an hour done!

[CPJ 2.0]

Hahahahahahaha you can’t get away.

[CPJ 2.0]

Hahahahahahaha you can’t get away.

[jbp-ohio]

The biggest question is what to use for the walls? I need a budget friendly choice but something that looks decent. Wife has ruled out 4'x8' paneling. Shiplap is pricey.

If the walls have been firred out then drywall with skip trowel texture. No sanding! One step tape seams add a little texture with 30 or 90 minute compound paint in an hour done!

I HATEHATEHATE doing any kind of mud. i also want it to be removable/repairable in case of a water leak. The floor drain on that side of the basement is sealed off. I imagine it leaked or something. Still have a drain in garage side but it would probably get a couple inches high.

[jbp-ohio]

Hahahahahahaha you can’t get away.

I was showing our middle son how I was going to do it today. He was coming up with these grandiose plans to make it bigger and better. I said, "I don't want it too comfortable. They need some incentive to leave!"

[jbp-ohio]

I know nothing of the sort but I'm curious if doing a floor epoxy first would be beneficial?

It is already painted. You would have to sandblast that off for epoxy to stick.

[jbp-ohio]

And so it begins......

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[Freezer]

IMHO you need to seal that floor or you will have mold, the same with the walls. I've seen too many folks put insulation board on the wall only to have mold grow behind it. Black mold can cause health issues. Do your due diligence before get too far. Is your house on or below a slope? Drainage pipe and a sump pump might be in order.

I'll pass this post on to my son who has experience in this.

[jbp-ohio]

The subfloor is made to allow airflow. The only block wall getting covered is all above grade. Where the cedar wardrobes are will have a space between block wall and room wall.

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[Freezer]

IMHO you need to seal that floor or you will have mold, the same with the walls. I've seen too many folks put insulation board on the wall only to have mold grow behind it. Black mold can cause health issues. Do your due diligence before get too far. Is your house on or below a slope? Drainage pipe and a sump pump might be in order.

I'll pass this post on to my son who has experience in this.

[Freezer]

I spoke with my son and his opinion is to seal the floor with epoxy and seal the cracks. The air channels will let air through but there is still large areas with surface contact. Stop the water infiltration first.

[Freezer]

Have you considered a suspended ceiling?

[jbp-ohio]

I'm going to fur it and use luan plywood. Then put 1x2 over the joint to make it look like a grid. There are two heating ducts going to this room. The ceiling height will depend on where the vents go.

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[jbp-ohio]

Smart TV's rock. Youtubin......

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[jbp-ohio]

When installed this subfloor is supposed to be watertight again moisture thru concrete...

"The DRIcore R+ Insulated Subfloor Panel 1 in. x 2 ft. x 2 ft. Specialty Panel is a basement panel that uses patented air gap technology to protect against moisture, mold, and mildew. It has an R-value of 3.0 and can raise finished floor temperatures by up to 19° F / 10° C. The panel is designed with a layer of extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) and can support up to 3,650 pounds per square foot. It is also fast and easy to install, with a typical 500 square foot basement installing in an afternoon."

[jkp]

I'd solve the moisture problem before adding anything on top of it, whether it claims to protect against moisture or not.

[jbp-ohio]

I'd solve the moisture problem before adding anything on top of it, whether it claims to protect against moisture or not.

There is no moisture problem. There is no pooling water anywhere. If you cover a basement floor it can trap moisture. This subfloor allows air circulation so it doesn't accumulate.

[jkp]

OK. So paint or seal the floor suitable for purpose then add some rugs or what not to make it livable. There are some high end homes with finished concrete floors.

[jbp-ohio]

OK. So paint or seal the floor suitable for purpose then add some rugs or what not to make it livable. There are some high end homes with finished concrete floors.

It's already painted. You would have to sandblast that paint off for the epoxy to stick. It's not the best finished slab either, there are dog prints in it.

It has to be well insulated. Our propane bill would skyrocket trying to heat it otherwise.

[jbp-ohio]

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[jbp-ohio]

I think I'm going to drywall after all. Cheaper, cut down noise, and a bit of fireproofing.

[CPJ 2.0]

Maybe that way you won’t hear them ****.

[jbp-ohio]

Maybe that way you won’t hear them ****.

They're married. Why would they be ******?