Hi!
We are planning a basement renovation to eliminate as many risky constructions as possible.
It involves two rooms, both having 2 out of 4 walls as exterior walls. Currently, it is framed with wooden studs, insulated, and has wood paneling. Behind the paneling, there are both radiator pipes and electrical installations. Our intention is to keep a framed wall to maintain the installation space.
Now to my question - How do we build this in the best way to avoid moisture problems?
Moisture measurements against the concrete both at the floor and exterior wall were done about 3 years ago (when we bought the house) and it was marginally elevated, almost at the threshold, so I assume there isn't a major moisture issue.
My idea is as follows:
Framed wall with steel studs - board layer (Fermacell, drywall, or wet room drywall) - painted surface. The wall should obviously be non-insulated. Additionally, I plan to have an air gap at the bottom and top of the wall to allow air to move through the wall.
1. Which board layer should be chosen? I've looked at both Fermacell and wet room drywall, which are inorganic, but is it necessary, or would regular drywall work just as well? It seems there are many different answers to this when searching for information.
2. With steel studs, it becomes "tight" at the top and bottom where the plate and cap plate are, which goes against leaving a gap at the floor molding and ceiling list. Can small sections be cut out of the stud to allow air to flow in and out of the wall? I'm thinking of cutting away about 5cm in each "compartment" or will this make the stud too unstable? Perhaps drilling holes to allow air to pass through would work?
Currently, there is also a raised floor, with a foam board (approx. 20mm) against the concrete slab, on top of that a floor gypsum board, and a vinyl sheet on top. We plan to remove everything and just lay carpet directly on the concrete. However, I think we will have some level differences to handle, and that's why it's built as it is now. How do you best handle level differences without incorporating organic material in the construction? I believe it will involve level differences higher than what you would want to self-level.
Thanks!
We are planning a basement renovation to eliminate as many risky constructions as possible.
It involves two rooms, both having 2 out of 4 walls as exterior walls. Currently, it is framed with wooden studs, insulated, and has wood paneling. Behind the paneling, there are both radiator pipes and electrical installations. Our intention is to keep a framed wall to maintain the installation space.
Now to my question - How do we build this in the best way to avoid moisture problems?
Moisture measurements against the concrete both at the floor and exterior wall were done about 3 years ago (when we bought the house) and it was marginally elevated, almost at the threshold, so I assume there isn't a major moisture issue.
My idea is as follows:
Framed wall with steel studs - board layer (Fermacell, drywall, or wet room drywall) - painted surface. The wall should obviously be non-insulated. Additionally, I plan to have an air gap at the bottom and top of the wall to allow air to move through the wall.
1. Which board layer should be chosen? I've looked at both Fermacell and wet room drywall, which are inorganic, but is it necessary, or would regular drywall work just as well? It seems there are many different answers to this when searching for information.
2. With steel studs, it becomes "tight" at the top and bottom where the plate and cap plate are, which goes against leaving a gap at the floor molding and ceiling list. Can small sections be cut out of the stud to allow air to flow in and out of the wall? I'm thinking of cutting away about 5cm in each "compartment" or will this make the stud too unstable? Perhaps drilling holes to allow air to pass through would work?
Currently, there is also a raised floor, with a foam board (approx. 20mm) against the concrete slab, on top of that a floor gypsum board, and a vinyl sheet on top. We plan to remove everything and just lay carpet directly on the concrete. However, I think we will have some level differences to handle, and that's why it's built as it is now. How do you best handle level differences without incorporating organic material in the construction? I believe it will involve level differences higher than what you would want to self-level.
Thanks!