It is time on the project to make some decisions on the basement walls. I want to fur them out but I have some questions. First let me tell you that the main wall I am wanting to fur out is a bit less than 28 feet long and is poured concrete. On each perpendicular side, the walls are partially concrete then 2x6 on top. The concrete wall is also a retaining wall and has dimpled drainage plastic on the backside that is then filled with compacted drainage rock.
Here are my questions:
1. Should I put a vapor barrier on the concrete (like plastic or tar paper) before I put on the furring strips?
2. Is it okay to go with 2x4s, face nailed (shooting the nails into the concrete)? That would give me 1 1/2" for polystyrene insulation...
3.Should my furring strips be nailed at 24" o.c.?
4. On the sides where I have an 8" concrete wall 4' high then 2x6 framed wall on top, should I go ahead and just fur the whole wall so it is one thickness and the just fill the space with insulation?
Thanks,
mt
PS: i decided against trying steel studs as a first time effort--I have the wood, so I might as well use it.
1. I think 6 mil plastic against the concrete would be cheap insurance. It may not be advisable for the 2x6 framed portion if that would result in a double vapor barrier and moisture trap. (I assume you would use a VB there under the sheetrock if that portion of the wall is exposed to the outdoors).
2. Flat 2x4's would work fine with your 1 1/2 poly board or you could use 2x2's
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3. 24" OC should work if you use rigid insulation----otherwise I would go for 16" OC to avoid wavy sheetrock.
4. Matter of taste----I would fur it out overall to avoid the little shelf at the 4' level.
Many others here may have different (and better) suggestions!