Finishing a concrete or basement wall begins converting the area into a living space. There are two recommended ways to approach this project. Space is saved when a 2×2 foam filled wall is installed but a 2×4 fiberglass-insulated wall is simpler to assemble and insulate. Both feature a ¾-inch foam moisture barrier between the foundation wall and the framing. This protects the wall from exterior moisture and prevents condensation resulting from interior humidity. Consider which method is most suitable and begin creating an extra room in your home.
You will need:
- 2×4 green treated lumber
- 2×2 or 2×4 lumber
- Rigid insulation
- Fiberglass insulation
- Cable or conduit (for the electrical boxes)
- Circular saw
- Utility knife
- Tape measure
- Screws (3-inch drywall, 3-inch concrete,1 ¼-inch drywall, 1 ½-inch concrete, based on method used)
- Hammer drill or hammer (depending on method used)
Step 1: Identify whether the basement has moisture issues. If so, address the situation. You may need to repair or add downspouts and gutters or adjust grading to direct water runoff away from your home. If the issue is more serious, exterior waterproofing or drain tiling may be required. Be sure that any water issues are resolved or moisture could become boxed in behind the finished wall, destroying it.
Step 2: The easiest approach is to frame 2×4 stud walls with bottom plates that are pressure treated and fill each wall with fiberglass insulation. Installation is quick and leaves enough room for electrical work. There is no need to fasten any furring strips to the concrete and fiberglass insulation is easy to cut. The wall should be pushed against the insulation and anchored to the concrete slab using concrete screws. Three-inch drywall screws are used to anchor it to the ceiling. A vapor barrier is not installed because the moisture is trapped in the wall. On the negative side, each wall consumes about six inches of floor space.
Step 3: The other approach saves floor space by creating a thinner wall from foam insulation and 2x2s attached directly to your basement wall. Screw or nail one 2×2 board to the top of this wall and the bottom of the floor joists. Screw one treated 2×4 flat against the bottom of the wall, screwing 3-inch concrete screws through the foam insulation into the concrete. Lay out each stud position on the bottom plates. Use three evenly spaced screws to screw treated 2x2s to the basement wall. Rip the foam insulation to fit between them and use this to fill in the area. The drywall can then be hung with 1 ¼-inch drywall screws. Use steel electrical boxes that are 1 ¼ inches deep and run the electrical cable through electrical metallic tubing between furring strips to these boxes. Conduit straps and boxes should be screwed through the insulation and into the concrete using 1 ½-inch concrete screws.
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