Unfinished area of basement advice for wall insulation

IUfan · 04/18/2018, 11:12 PM

So my Home has an area of unfinished basement that will be perfect as a fish room as it’s directly behind where my tank will go.

There’s fiberglass blanket insulation on the outer wall, it’s not horrible as it’s wrapped in plastic, but I just don’t like that it’s not flat against the wall and uniform. It’s my OCD I guess.

I’ve read that your can pull this out and either a) hire a company to spray foam the wall, or b) use the Rigid foam against the wall. - problem with B is that most of the foam boards have huge logos on them, be nice if they were just plane white.

Anyone got any thoughts on what I should do?

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Gorgok · 04/19/2018, 12:02 AM

A few sheets of drywall and fiberglass insulation is neatened up nicely....

Or is there nothing useful behind that stuff to attach to? (In which case i would frame it in and drywall that...)

Being able to mount junk to the walls later will be nice too.

mcgyvr · 04/19/2018, 05:03 AM

I would certainly second just putting drywall..
$100 and done..

billdogg · 04/19/2018, 06:25 AM

When I finished the basement I pulled all of that ugly crap down and then reused it after framing to fill the spaces between the studs. Drywall on top of that. Easy, warm and dry. I did drylok the block walls first justincase.

IUfan · 04/19/2018, 08:48 AM

I like the idea of pulling it out, framing it and re-using it between the framing and drywall.

Being able to use the walls to mount stuff is another good reason for sure.

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IUfan · 04/19/2018, 09:25 AM

I’m sorry, I’m not much of a diy person. Any advice for handling the fiberglass insulation? Will Rubber gloves eye-protection, dust mask be all I need? I know fiberglass can be pretty nasty stuff

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mcgyvr · 04/19/2018, 09:39 AM

Pfft.... amateurs..

Gloves is really all you need.. and you don't even need that..

I'd be bare handed in shorts and flipflops doing that little bit of work...
Worst case really is a bit of itching.. It will go away by tomorrow..

Now do it 8 hours a day every day of the week.. ok.. sure.. dust mask/gloves/coveralls..

You won't be disturbing much.. just handle the plastic and don't eat the fiberglass thinking its cotton candy and you will be just fine..

mcgyvr · 04/19/2018, 09:42 AM

And a tip on the drywall..
Run it vertically (so the 8ft sides are running vertical) and avoid as much as possible cutting down the 4ft side to keep that pressed down factory edge in place as much as possible.. Try to use whole pieces as much as possible...
It makes taping after SO much easier if its all factory edge to factory edge...

And 3 thin coats on the joint compound.. Don't go overboard...

davocean · 04/19/2018, 09:52 AM

Actually drywall should be installed horizontally, that is the correct way, it lands on more studs his way, gives more shear strength, and rides over deviations of framing better.

I would also advise wearing at least a dust mask when dealing w/ fiberglass insulation, I know I cough like crazy if I don't.

I also would drywall that area.

Dmorty217 · 04/19/2018, 09:58 AM

I have the fiberglass insulation in my unfinished part of my basement which is also my fish room (1000g of water or so). Stuff works well IMO

mcgyvr · 04/19/2018, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

Actually drywall should be installed horizontally,

yes.
I was looking at the dimensions of the room thinking they may have less seams with a vertical orientation but horizontal is the better/preferred way usually..
I absolutely hate taping/joint work so I'm always looking at the least linear feet of tape.. But looking again horizontal would be less here too..

tank o tang · 04/19/2018, 12:10 PM

Here we used to do horizontal in residential and vertical in commercial. Don't know the reason why just was the way the boss said to do it.

tank o tang · 04/19/2018, 12:12 PM

And yes very thin first coat so your not sanding paper later

davocean · 04/19/2018, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tank o tang

Here we used to do horizontal in residential and vertical in commercial. Don't know the reason why just was the way the boss said to do it.

Typically commercial is metal studs and may matter less, you don't have the deviations as you do w/ wood.
If a board bows in or out, horizontal is usually a less abrupt hump in wall this way.

I too used to do install vertical until my drywall subs taught me the right way.
Of course hating taping and mudding myself now days I just let my subs do it all!( unless it's my own place)

IUfan · 04/19/2018, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the tips and advice guys! I’ll update you once it’s done.

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04/18/2018, 11:12 PM	#1
IUfan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 841	Unfinished area of basement advice for wall insulation So my Home has an area of unfinished basement that will be perfect as a fish room as it’s directly behind where my tank will go. There’s fiberglass blanket insulation on the outer wall, it’s not horrible as it’s wrapped in plastic, but I just don’t like that it’s not flat against the wall and uniform. It’s my OCD I guess. I’ve read that your can pull this out and either a) hire a company to spray foam the wall, or b) use the Rigid foam against the wall. - problem with B is that most of the foam boards have huge logos on them, be nice if they were just plane white. Anyone got any thoughts on what I should do? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/19/2018, 05:03 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I would certainly second just putting drywall.. $100 and done.. __________________ Who me?

04/19/2018, 06:25 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	When I finished the basement I pulled all of that ugly crap down and then reused it after framing to fill the spaces between the studs. Drywall on top of that. Easy, warm and dry. I did drylok the block walls first justincase. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

04/19/2018, 09:39 AM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Pfft.... amateurs.. Gloves is really all you need.. and you don't even need that.. I'd be bare handed in shorts and flipflops doing that little bit of work... Worst case really is a bit of itching.. It will go away by tomorrow.. Now do it 8 hours a day every day of the week.. ok.. sure.. dust mask/gloves/coveralls.. You won't be disturbing much.. just handle the plastic and don't eat the fiberglass thinking its cotton candy and you will be just fine.. __________________ Who me?

04/19/2018, 09:42 AM	#8
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	And a tip on the drywall.. Run it vertically (so the 8ft sides are running vertical) and avoid as much as possible cutting down the 4ft side to keep that pressed down factory edge in place as much as possible.. Try to use whole pieces as much as possible... It makes taping after SO much easier if its all factory edge to factory edge... And 3 thin coats on the joint compound.. Don't go overboard... __________________ Who me?

04/19/2018, 12:02 AM	#2
Gorgok Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 1,904	A few sheets of drywall and fiberglass insulation is neatened up nicely.... Or is there nothing useful behind that stuff to attach to? (In which case i would frame it in and drywall that...) Being able to mount junk to the walls later will be nice too.

04/19/2018, 08:48 AM	#5
IUfan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 841	I like the idea of pulling it out, framing it and re-using it between the framing and drywall. Being able to use the walls to mount stuff is another good reason for sure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/19/2018, 09:25 AM	#6
IUfan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 841	I’m sorry, I’m not much of a diy person. Any advice for handling the fiberglass insulation? Will Rubber gloves eye-protection, dust mask be all I need? I know fiberglass can be pretty nasty stuff Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/19/2018, 09:52 AM	#9
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Actually drywall should be installed horizontally, that is the correct way, it lands on more studs his way, gives more shear strength, and rides over deviations of framing better. I would also advise wearing at least a dust mask when dealing w/ fiberglass insulation, I know I cough like crazy if I don't. I also would drywall that area. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

04/19/2018, 09:58 AM	#10
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	I have the fiberglass insulation in my unfinished part of my basement which is also my fish room (1000g of water or so). Stuff works well IMO __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

04/19/2018, 12:10 PM	#12
tank o tang Thread Lurker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CT Posts: 1,527	Here we used to do horizontal in residential and vertical in commercial. Don't know the reason why just was the way the boss said to do it. __________________ A 5 gallon bucket of water dosen't look like much till it's on your living room floor Current Tank Info: 180gal

04/19/2018, 12:12 PM	#13
tank o tang Thread Lurker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CT Posts: 1,527	And yes very thin first coat so your not sanding paper later __________________ A 5 gallon bucket of water dosen't look like much till it's on your living room floor Current Tank Info: 180gal

04/19/2018, 07:39 PM	#15
IUfan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 841	Thanks for the tips and advice guys! I’ll update you once it’s done. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk