How to Finish Short Stem Walls

[nobbyv]

Plan to spend some time on finishing the garage this winter now that the new house we built is finally done. Painting, VCT floors, etc. It's a bit under 1700 sq ft. All of the stem walls are ~18" high or so, and were poured 8" thick vs 6" thick framing above, so there's a 2" lip of exposed concrete. On top of that, you can see they used some 2" EPS foam over the concrete itself. So all together about 4" of thickness I'd like to cover up on top in addition to the 18" on the face.

Any creative, cheap ideas for finishing these? We used some of that faux stone made from foam (we used GenStone, but there are a number of brands) on the exterior of the house and liked it, but I'd be looking at about $3500 in materials to go that option (and I'm not sure how well faux stone really fits in a garage).

Any thoughts?

 

[no704]

4”foam and stucco

 

[dmcintosh]

I was thinking something super simple and functional. maybe a 2x6 or 1x6 as a cap and then maybe some tin underneath. Sort of like pictured here behind the toolbox.

 

[nadogail]

Firing strips, foam, and Drywall have improved many garages.

 

[sixty4]

 

[CraigStu]

Can you remove the foam? I'd get rid of it and then just paint the concrete to match the wall. A 2 inch bump out same color as the wall will be a lot less noticeable than those odd blue ugly blocks of foam.

 

[billconner]

In my existing garage, the foam was required by building (energy) codes and would be illegal to remove. I think you're in a cold climate and, assuming you an to heat it, agree with no704 to add foam for R25 or whatever your code requires and cover. I'd look for a sheet product that's washable and could be glued on with minimal fasteners.

 

[glentre]

I had the same situation with my stem wall. Used 3/4 quarter round and painted it and the knee wall same color as the upper dry wall. Your insulation should be outside the wall to prevent heat conduction outward to the cold air or ground, not inside.

Glen

 

[Jackfre]

Make a shoe, as in a piece of 1x that can take moisture. Cut. some 1/4 or 1/2’ MDF to cover the insulation and paint it out. I would not use sheetrock as there is to much impact in that zone.