[kpfeif]

SUPERBOWL OR BUST!!!


..or at least that's the plan.


Yes, after a somewhat long design process and even more procrastinating, I''m starting this weekend. We're finishing about 1000 feet of space, and will include a home media area, a wetbar, a music/exercise room, and a play area for the kids.


Here's a the plan...

https://flic.kr/p/3645269405 ​

I've fired up the ol' blog from when I built the house, too...

http://pfeifhouse.blogspot.com


I've already run into problems. Figuring out how to insulate wasn't easy. We're in Wisconsin. I've talked to a lot of people, and this is it:


1. We already have 1" of insulation on the outside of the exterior walls

2. I'm going to put 1" rigid foam insulation from the top of the poured 9' down to the 4' line. That should insulate the stuff that's close to grade.

3. This weekend I'll be spraying closed-foam insulation on the rim joist cavities. This, according to everybody I've talked to, is where the biggest benefit is.


Ok, photos will follow. This foam thing should be a trip.

 

[RTROSE]

Are you doing the spray foam DIY? I had my basement spray foamed, but I had a contractor do the work. Either way you will be happy with the performance of the foam. My basement is now the most comfortable area of the house.


Good Luck, and photos, photos, photos.


Regards,


RTROSE

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

That hallway looks like a huge waste of space. No alternatives?

 

[kpfeif]

Yes, I'm doing the rim joist cavities myself with the DIY foam kit. Shouldn't be that bad....I hope. Huge bang for the buck, plus it absolutely seals the outside...out. Air, bugs, etc.


Yeah, that hallway design isn't the best and it's not how it's going to look. We want to minimize it and I think it'll happen when we start building. We want to block the view of the bathroom door from the main viewing area.


Kris

 

[ctviggen]

Which DIY foam kit would that be?

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

Move the walls to the theater and put the entrance to the bathroom inside the bedroom.

 

[kpfeif]

That wall that makes the hallway may be completely dumped. I think it's going to take some visualization with the studs, etc., so we can see how it looks. Yes, moving the door into the bedroom may be the way to go.


Regarding the foam - it's the "Touch n' Seal" kit.

 

[kpfeif]

I did the foam thing today. I expected it to expand a bit more, however it's not that warm down there, so that probably hindered it a bit.


Nonetheless, it was fairly easy to do. We had a system in which two other people (my wife and father) handled moving the ladders and tanks while I just did the spraying. You don't want to stop for 30 seconds or more or else you have to switch gun tips. That worked great.


I'll be doing the rest of the insulation this weekend, so hopefully things are ready for next weekend. My brother-in-law (an electrician who knows how to do just about everything) offered to help, so I expect the framing to be done in a day or two.

 

[RTROSE]

Glad to hear the foaming went well. Did you have any time to take photos of the process? As for the expansion the heat could be the reason, however I was also under the impression that the DIY foam did not expand as much as the commercially applied type. In my basement my contractor used two types of foam, on expanded much more than the other.


Regards,


RTROSE

 

[kpfeif]

Hi.


No, I didn't really have any time to take any photos of the process. It was just me and two helpers...I thought about it but it would have been a bit of a pain to grab the camera.


I'll take a few photos of the thing this afternoon.

 

[kpfeif]

Well, I was busy over the weekend. Here's what three guys, my wife, and two nailguns accomplished.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpfeif/...7623621666122/

 

[hanesian]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kpfeif /forum/post/18246439


I've already run into problems. Figuring out how to insulate wasn't easy. We're in Wisconsin. I've talked to a lot of people, and this is it:


1. We already have 1" of insulation on the outside of the exterior walls

2. I'm going to put 1" rigid foam insulation from the top of the poured 9' down to the 4' line. That should insulate the stuff that's close to grade.

3. This weekend I'll be spraying closed-foam insulation on the rim joist cavities. This, according to everybody I've talked to, is where the biggest benefit is.

Welcome & congrats on all you've accomplished so far. That's a lot of work!


Two suggestions.


First, I'm not sure I follow your logic on insulating the basement walls. Are you saying you're not insulating the bottom 4' because you only lose 10% of the heat through there vs. 90% elsewhere? If so, that seems penny wise and pound foolish, as the additional cost to insulate all the way down to the floor now - while the walls are open - is peanuts! Or did I misunderstand you?

Second, if you really want more feedback/participation from folks here, post your photos directly into the thread. With 16 gabillion threads here many won't bother clicking on and bouncing to external links like your blog or flickr.


Good luck.

 

[kpfeif]

Yes, I'm already re-thinking my insulation plans. We were going back and forth over the weekend...it's not a lot to do the cavities. It's the only opportunity to do so, and I'd never want to regret not doing it. Also, as long as the country is broke and is throwing money at people adding insulation, I may as well increase the debt and do it this year. 30% back is pretty good.


Sure, I'll post inline photos. A long time ago on the AVSForum there was talk about conserving bandwidth...now that most people have broadband I guess it's not that big of a deal.


So, for everybody who didn't click the link, here's the framing progress...

.

 

[RTROSE]

Excellent progress. I also took advantage of the insulation credit. Great deal for all of us home owners. In March, April, and May last year I was doing a lot of my work and I would joke that I was single handedly trying to keep the economy afloat.


I would suggest you insulate EVERYTHING you can now. You WILL regret not doing it now.


Great progress and good luck.



Regards,


RTROSE

 

[cuzed2]

KPfeif,


I agree with RT completely, cheap to do it now.

I believe your current insulation status is


Foam around the sill plate

Rigid boards 1/2 way down.

and your framing is up.


I would consider filling the space between the studs (floor to ceiling) with un-faced batts, and for the lower half just make sure there is an air gap between the (inner surfaces of the batts and the concrete wall.

 

[kpfeif]

Here's a little update....


Framing is done. Electrical is very close to being done.


Here's a shot of the archways, etc.

 

[kpfeif]

PS - Yes, I'm putting in the batt insulation.

 

[cuzed2]

Looking good!


What's your target date to start drywall.

That's when you will really capture a feel for the space.

 

[kpfeif]

Thanks!


I told the drywall guys June 1. That's looking pretty accurate. Things may move quicker, depending on when my electrician (aka my brother-in-law) can get three more things done - finish roughing the central vac for upstairs, putting in two floor outlets upstairs, and an exterior outlet. Then, inspection. Hopefully that goes well, but we don't expect many problem.


They'll find something, I'm sure.


Kris

 

[kpfeif]

Well, we have drywall. The finish is starting tomorrow, followed by the knockdown texture. I may give it a rest for a month or two - summer is too precious in Wisconsin to spend it downstairs.