basement walls

[woodzy]

I'm in the process of building a craft room for the wife in the new basement. I used 2x4 walls about 3/4 inch from the concrete walls. Had an insulating contractor come in and spray the wall with a closed cell foam. Half of the outside of the basement wall is exposed to the weather and the other half has 2" foam on the outside before it was backfilled.

Had them add about 2" of foam on the top half of the wall, and about 1/2 - 1" on the bottom half (since there is already insulating on the outside) just for sealing reasons.

Now, do I need a vapor barrier before the drywall?

Her are some pics.





Here is one on the outside that shows the how much is out of the ground (stone).

 

[ratdoggy]

Isn't the spray foam a vapor barrier too?

 

[ratdoggy]

When I did my basement I also sealed the saw cuts in the floor.

 

[75gmck25]

The spray foam serves as a vapor barrier up against the cement wall (where it should be) if there is at least 2" of closed cell foam. You can add unfaced fiberglass or rock-wool batts between the studs if you want more R value, but your foam may be enough if you are in a moderate climate.

Bruce

 

[woodzy]

OK - I thought I didn't need another vapor barrier but I was watching "Love it or list it" on TV and they sprayed the walls, and also put visqueen before the drywall.

Thanks,

 

[cowboyjosh]

OK - I thought I didn't need another vapor barrier but I was watching "Love it or list it" on TV and they sprayed the walls, and also put visqueen before the drywall.

Thanks,

Remember that show is filmed in Toronto (Love it or List It) and Vancouver (Love it or list it 2) and that might be a code requirement there. When Holmes on Homes was on regularly he often did things that were either way over done code wise or things that wouldn't pass inspection here in the states. You might check with your local building department or ask your insulation contractor. In my AHJ the foam would qualify as the vapor barrier.

 

[Kamn]

Spray foam acts as a vapour barrier and the last I remember we were not required by code to add any over foam (im in Ontario)

 

[Chris705]

Did your band joist get spray foamed? Looks like fiberglass stuffed up in there?

 

[woodzy]

Chris,

Just checking on an old message and see you had a comment. Yes they are all sprayed foamed and then 6" Fiberglass added to fill the hole.

Woodzy

 

[ebonyswan]

AFAIK, closed cell qualifies as vapor barrier - open cell does not....so that may explain where you saw foam and separate plastic vapor barrier. Also, seems to me that double vapor barrier is not a good thing - you've now created a space between the two in which moisture cannot readily escape.