Why not insulate?

[Jobo123]

Hi,

I'm in the process of renovating a room in the basement. I've laid a new floor with a Platon membrane against the slab!

Now to the walls. There's a 2cm air gap between the metal studs and the concrete wall. I currently have a radiator on the concrete wall. I'm planning to build the wall in line with the outside of the radiator, meaning most of the radiator will be inside the new drywall!

The radiator is waterborne, so I won't be moving it... and I want a higher temperature against the basement wall to minimize moisture!

This will result in the basement wall always being warmer on the inside than the outside and there will be a "large" circulation hole around the radiator since it won't be sealed off as I'll build with some type of grille!

Should I still not put insulation in the new drywall? Of course, I will have vented moldings at the floor and ceiling!

 

[Noseone]

Why can't you just move it because it's waterborne?

 

[eviljava]

But why do you want to insulate? You're still sending the heat out behind the insulation with your solution, so I don't understand what you gain by insulating.

My personal opinion when it comes to basements and insulation is that you either insulate from the outside, or you don't bother with it.

 

[possum77]

Exactly. Drain the system and install pipe fittings so that the radiator extends a bit from the wall. It doesn't look right to build the radiator into the wall.

 

[Jobo123]

There shouldn't be any problem with moving.
However, I want heat against the outer wall to minimize moisture formation.
I also want a straight line (the wall) as the room will be used for a home theater. It will look much nicer if I "hide" the radiator. Of course, I will get less heat in the room, but at the same time, maybe I can avoid moisture and possible mold!

 

[Jobo123]

I want to insulate to get better sound in the room as well as to remove the worst cold from the exterior wall towards the new wall.

 

[eviljava]

You want to get rid of the cold, but at the same time, you're leading a very large portion of the heat away behind the insulated wall? I think it seems a bit confusing...

There are acoustic panels you can buy if it's the sound you want to improve.

 

[Jobo123]

So you think it's better to risk getting moisture behind the new wall? As the radiator generates a lot of heat, the air will circulate more and eventually dry out any moisture on the basement wall.
Acoustic panels are placed on the other side of the wall...
Try tapping on an insulated wall then on an uninsulated wall, do you hear any difference?

 

[possum77]

Steel framework and gypsum board is a so-called "moisture-safe" construction. The idea is that you should have adequate drainage and insulation on the exterior. Moisture should then migrate up through the floor, under the dimpled membrane, and out through the walls. The basement wall can therefore be somewhat moist; since you have an air gap, this does not matter. If you insulate from the inside, you set this out of play. Additionally, there may be a risk of condensation on the exterior of the gypsum wall if you heat it from the "backside."

If you are worried about rattling walls, you can install double gypsum, which will be sturdier.

http://www.sp.se/sv/index/services/moist/constr/Sidor/default.aspx

 

[eviljava]

So you think it's better to risk getting moisture behind the new wall? Since the radiator generates a lot of heat, the air will circulate more and dry out any moisture on the basement wall.
Acoustic panels should be placed on the other side of the wall.
Try tapping on a wall that is insulated then on a wall that is uninsulated, do you hear any difference?

Well, then it's decided! You seem to have made up your mind that this is a good solution. Go ahead...

(Regarding the acoustic panels, I have never written anywhere that they should be placed against the concrete wall)

 

[Jobo123]

Steel framing and drywall are considered "moisture-resistant" constructions. The idea is that you should have adequate drainage and insulation on the outside. The moisture will then migrate up through the floor, under the Platon mat, and out through the walls. The basement wall can therefore be somewhat damp, because as you have an air gap, this doesn't matter. If you insulate on the inside, you disrupt this system. Additionally, there may be a risk of condensation on the outside of the drywall if you heat it from the "backside."

If you're worried about rattling walls, you can double-up the drywall, which will make it sturdier.

[link]

Thanks for your reply!
Now I know I should move the heat source and attach it to the new wall instead and not insulate!

I will frame cc40 to make the walls a bit more "stable."

 

[Jobo123]

what do you think about insulating walls that are not exterior walls? These walls are concrete (brick) so they probably contain some moisture. Should one always avoid insulation in the basement or is it only against the exterior walls?

 

[AndersS]

what do you think about insulating walls that are not exterior walls? These walls are made of concrete (brick) so they probably contain some moisture. Should you always avoid insulation in the basement level or is it only against the exterior walls?

Why do you want to insulate interior walls?
But sure, it's possible. I would go with metal studs and an air gap against the wall. I also usually lay a sill gasket under the metal stud.

 

[Jobo123]

To reduce sound transmission to adjacent rooms!
It will be påt and air gap!