I have a customer who wants to frame walls up around the perimeter of her basement to make it appear more finished. It is completely underground with no daylight access which is unusual here in the southeast. Usually a basement here has some daylighting. It is for all intensive purposes a conditioned space since approx. 1/2 of it is already finished and has HVAC.
It will have a dropped ceiling.
If I frame the new walls 1/2″ away from the block walls do I still have to go through the trouble, as explained in a FHB a few months ago, of using foam board, air sealing, etc. etc.???
It’s winter and it feels pretty warm down there and there doesn’t appear to be any moisture issues.
I just feel like air will be able to circulate between the walls and ceiling and around the perimeter so there shouldn’t be any trapped moisture anywhere.
It just ads a bunch of cost that I’m not sure is real necessary since it will only be used as a laundry room, storage and a childrens play area occasionally.
This is the kind of thing I will not be getting a permit for.
Edited 1/21/2006 10:18 am ET by dogfish
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bump
'Nemo me impune lacesset'
No one will provoke me with impunity
Dogfish, I finished the basement in a house I lived in the same way you are suggesting. I also left the framing slightly off the wall to allow circulation: no vapor barrier, no insulation.
It worked exactly how I wanted it too. No problems.
The rim joist was already insulated and I made sure there wasn't any breaches.
Did it waste energy because heat escaped through the walls? Yes, maybe it did. I'd suspect that the same amount of heat escaped when there wasn't any drywall.
I'd probably insulate it at today's energy prices and it makes sense to do so because to insulate it later will be hard and costly but the ultimate decision might be made by the client's current pocketbook. If they can't afford the extra insulation, they shouldn't be forced to not have a finished (semi) basement.
In any event, I had concerns about moisture being trapped between the walls. Even at this stage of my career, I can't honestly say that I know what's best.
blue
Thank you for your response and I agree with your last line, hence the reason for my seeking opinions here.
Thanks again!