Sheetrock mounting directly to basement foam insulation
FluxCapacitor
| Posted in General Questions on
Hi,
I’m getting ready to insulate and finish my basement. This video on Youtube shows wood strips attached directly on top of sheet insulation, which I find very tempting VS building a full 2×4 wall. What do you guys think of this method?
Also, what are your opinions on using the insulation in the video (polystyrene) Vs the typically GBA recommended use of polyiso or XPS?
Mark
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Replies
Can't see the video, thus can't comment on the method.
EPS is fine- it's the most common material used in insulated concrete forms.
XPS is also polystyrene, but blown with climate damaging HFC blowing agents, thus to be designed-out of the stackup where possible (which is pretty much everywhere.)
https://youtu.be/oKQdo88Ne74
You can also use tapcons and mount the drywall through the foam directly to the concrete, skipping the furring strip step completely. Some people don’t like tapcons, but I’ve used bazillions of them with very little trouble. Either way, you really don’t need a full studwall unless you want to have the cavities available to hide utilities.
Bill
Mark,
There is no reason not to use furring-strips, or as Bill suggested fasten the drywall directly to the concrete. Personally, unless space is a concern, I find it easier and faster to build the stud wall.
I've used a product called InsoFast on a few basement renovations. Its 2 to 2.5 inches of EPS foam, about 2'x4' per panel, installed with construction adhesive. It goes up pretty quick, and has a grooved back side to promote drainage behind the panel to keep your sheet rock dry. There are built-in channels to run electrical, so no monkeying around there. The sheet rock is screwed to imbedded plastic strips. You'll pay a little more than the alternatives, but the time savings easily makes up for it. First one we did with it was last, so I don't exactly have a 5 year track record on it to speak from.
Thanks all for your comments.
The InSofast panels are very interesting. I might try the InSoFast. Another option I’m considering is using ½” MGO sheet rock screwed directly to the basement wall through foam insulation.
BTW: I’m a big fan of MGO sheet rock. I did two interior walls with MGO earlier this year. Also, a couple of years ago (before discovering GBA) I constructed a basement bathroom using SIP panels made of a sandwich of 1/4" MGO - 3"EPS - 1/4" MGO (see picture). The SIP company was called Wahoo Walls but they are out of business. I really liked that product… I had one of those panels sitting outside for 6 months and it seemed totally unaffected.
Mark