Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 3/13/2006

Question
I live in CT and want to finish my basement.  I have a series of questions. 1) some people recommend steel studs rather than wood.  With wood the same price and easier to work with, why would I consider steel?  What material should I use? 2) I plan to insulate (fiberglass) the walls. Some authors recommend placing a vapor barrier against the poured concrete walls and then the insulation (with no vapor barrier facing the interior); some recommend nothing against the concrete, then fiberglass, and then a plastic vapor barrier; a remodeler says to use no vapor barrier at all.  Which is the correct method?  I have no water seepage and the walls are not wet.

Thank you!

Answer
Mark - thanks for your question!

Many crews prefer metal studs because they're faster to install (for an experienced crew) and because they produce a straighter wall that's easier to drywall and trim.  Metal studs also eliminate a potential food source for black mold.

The vapor barrier in a finished basement wall should go on the outside (not under the drywall as in an above-grade frame wall).  It should always be on the side where the moisture comes from.

Never put it right on the foundation wall - that won't give any condensation an opportunity to evaporate.  Do leave a 1" airspace between the foundation wall and the frame wall.  If you have an otherwise dry basement and a good dehumidifier, you can do without the vapor barrier at all.

Even the insulation is of questionable value below grade - the ground (around here, anyway) stays at about 55 deg.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtastudio.com
www.betterhomedesign.blogspot.com