I'm beginning to plan to finish a basement. Currently I have bare concrete block walls, which I obviously want to insulate and finish with wallboard, probably greenboard (though some will recommend a concrete board). Basement is cool and humid but has no active water entering it. Exterior of the bas ement wall has dimpleboard, with weeping tiles at the footings, but no insu lation. Wall is below grade to about a foot from the ceiling joists.
I'm looking at advice like this:
Two big questions:
(1) Vapor barrier on the concrete *behind* insulation? They have to be kidd ing. That wall stays cool year round; moisture is going to go through the w allboard and insulation and then condense right there on the back of the in sulation. Can't be good. I'm thinking the vapour barrier has to go on the w arm side of the insulation, just behind the wallboard.
(2) Where do I run electrical cables for outlets? I could cut channels in t he foamboard but that puts the cables right close behind the drywall. Obvio usly they could be armored or in flex conduit; is that the deal? Even then, there isn't enough thickness to handle a standard device box. Does electri cal have to be run surface-mount on such a wall?
Or should I plan to put (steel) 2x4 studs against the concrete wall and fil l them with batt insulation like an above-grade wall?
All advice appreciated,
Chip C Toronto