Finished Basement framing gap from wall
We have a nice finished basement in our 1940 one and a half story cape that has a dehumidifier, but never had any water appear despite a sump pump which works but has never turned on.
One of the many wonderful things I’ve learned about our old house is that the framing around the basement has a gap between it and the foundation walls.
There are fiberglass bats between the studs for appearance sake.
Temperature has never been an issue down there, stays decent in the winter and cool in the summer. Probably thanks to leaky ductwork.
My question is, when I get around to deciding to repaint the walls should I tear off the dry-wall and get open cell sprayed on the walls/in between the studs? Putting rigid foam against the foundation while dealing with the existing frame might be too difficult.
Thanks for any thoughts
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Replies
You would do better with closed cell over open cell. The open cell with absorb moisture, not good. It is actually a great situation to have the gap. That is what is recommended with closed cell. Then you get the thermal break from the wall.
Thanks I'll have to do more reading on closed cell for basements. Appreciate the heads up.
Be sure to read Martin's article on "How to Insulate a Basement Wall" (https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-insulate-a-basement-wall).