The Winter Project

Doing my part to support America's GDP......amazing how much room there is in my garage when the cars sleep outside.....(click to enlarge)



Pink stuff is rigid foam insulation (Extruded Polystyrene to be exact). Allows the concrete to breathe (which it needs to do) but keeps the moist basement air from coming in contact with the cool concrete wall (especially in summer) and condensing to water droplets, thus causing mold and rot inside the walls.

http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0202-basement-insulation-systems

It goes up first against the concrete wall, then the studs. Non-face batt insulation then goes in the walls, and are then covered by drywall.

I also ordered a few sheets of drywall - not for the walls, but for fireblocking within the walls. Not sure if it is required by code, but if not, I'll be one step better.

I guess there is no turning back now.

Oh, and the basment is all sealed up. In three years of storms we've yet to see a drop in the basement, but this will help ensure against future problems. Only did the lower half so the upper half can breathe (see above link).

Thanks Mike C. for the sealant!