HOW TO GET RID OF A COLD ROOM & TURN INTO A FINISHED SPACE?
9/21/2021 at 9:15:51 PM
My parents bought a home (that was built in 2004) that has a finished basement but two unfinished cold rooms that we want to get rid of and turn into finished spaces.
We know that this is a tricky thing to do - and that it absolutely has to be done correctly. My whole family is mold sensitive, which is the the whole reason we want to get rid of them in the first place - to avoid any possible potential for mold issues, which these types of rooms are notorious for. My parents could also use the storage space, so converting these rooms into a closet would be ideal.
We are hearing different advice on this: The Waterproofing experts say you can't ever truly finish a cold room, and that it's a bad idea. Meanwhile, the contractors say it can be done as long as you know how to do it with sealing up any ventilation to the outdoors, vapor barrier, spray foam insulation, and making sure the room is at the same temp as the rest of the basement.
Thoughts on this issue and the best way to get it done? Appreciate any advice to help give us clarity on this! Thank you.
9/22/2021 at 6:08:28 AM
You can check the R-value needed for the walls insulation based on the location you're living. Probably you need R22. We usually use R24 as it's better and the difference of cost is not that much. The rest is the regular things should be done step by step to finish a wall.
Good luck
Mayyar
9/24/2021 at 1:14:54 AM
Its just a unfinished space likely with exterior air or not. If any venting just remove and seal up, all you have to do is install 2x4 frost walls with at least a 1/2" from the concrete wall, install electrical and if no existing heat vents tap into one of the runs elsewhere in basement and run into ceilings of new rooms, insulate with Roxul, vapor barrier on warm side of the now insulated walls, drywall/tape walls & ceiling or put in a T-bar ceiling, install fixtures, paint, flooring and voila a usable room. There is nothing complicated, you do not have to do half the pointless stuff you are being told and mold will not start in any room unless you have a moisture problem.
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