CountryPlans Forum

General => General Forum => Topic started by: MikeT on July 19, 2009, 09:22:10 PM

Title: furring out a basment wall--some questions
Post by: MikeT on July 19, 2009, 09:22:10 PM
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.
Title: Re: furring out a basment wall--some questions
Post by: rwanders on July 19, 2009, 09:51:36 PM
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
.
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!