Currently undergoing a complete renovation of the basement (externally drained and insulated). The floor is being broken up + insulated, and hydronic underfloor heating is cast into the new slab. My thoughts are now turning to the planned bathroom: Leaning towards framing out (metal studs) and putting drywall on the walls followed by tiles. This creates an air gap between the exterior wall and the drywall, which can also be used for pipes & electricity. Should this be ventilated into the room? Is it sufficient to put a moisture barrier on the floor and walls only in the shower corner? The underfloor heating should keep the floor dry, but with a ventilated air gap, maybe all drywall walls would benefit from a moisture barrier behind the tiles? Should one install vapor-proof plastic in the ceiling to prevent humid air from rising into the house? Of course, with an exhaust vent (and possibly a fan) in the bathroom. Or does anyone have suggestions for completely different constructions?
Hello!
I probably can't help you with the walls but I'm curious about how you did with the floor? I am currently in the process of fixing my basement bathroom. What method did you use, how much did it cost, and how much did you do yourself?
Best regards
I probably can't help you with the walls but I'm curious about how you did with the floor? I am currently in the process of fixing my basement bathroom. What method did you use, how much did it cost, and how much did you do yourself?
Best regards
The floor is not finished yet. Current status: Broken up the old slab. It consisted of 5-10 cm of concrete without reinforcement, which was an easy task with a rented Hilti. Below that was a thick layer of crushed stone mixed with blasted rock, which I also lifted out (a hell of a job..). I have now reached about 50 cm below the old floor surface. I have then replaced the old iron drainage pipes and am now in the process of laying new pipes for floor drains, toilet, sink, etc.droppen said:
Then it will be refilled with a thick layer of gravel. On top of this, some type of cellular plastic, at least 100 mm is the plan. Here I am leaning towards using Isodrän panels or similar, which are admittedly more expensive than "ordinary" cellular plastic but have the advantage of being capillary-breaking and allowing the slab to "breathe."
Does anyone have tips on retailers of Isodrän/Pordrän at reasonable prices in the Stockholm area?
I also suspect that there should be some form of fabric on top of the panels as protection before casting? If anyone has experience with this, I am grateful for tips!
On top of this, reinforcement mesh and underfloor heating pipes will be embedded in 8-10 mm concrete.
I plan to do everything except mix the concrete myself. For that, I will order a truck and get some help from an experienced friend for the actual casting.
I’ll have to get back to you on the cost, but I expect to manage with 6-7 thousand SEK for 10 square meters of floor. However, this does not include various equipment for the underfloor heating system that I haven't accounted for.
I doubt that you need any fabric on the insulation. I guess you wanted the fabric to prevent the concrete from seeping down and ruining the boards' drainage ability. My experience is that the concrete is too thick/coarse to seep down into the boards. But if you want peace of mind 
go with regular fiber fabric.
Best regards, Tommy
go with regular fiber fabric.Best regards, Tommy
Not in a bathroom, right? Then steam creeps into the gap and condenses there :'(fremag said:
I would not moisture barrier outer walls but the small wall section in the shower should probably have a moisture barrier even if it is against the outer wall...
gaia