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advice for basement finishing, pls and thx

Posted by Nobster <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Nobster' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 5, 2025, 7:49:32

i am planning to frame a living area in my walkout basement this winter.

does anyone have experience using metal studs instead of pressure treated lumber?

the basement is dry, so i don't think i need to use metal for moisture...just curious.

also, any advice on moisture barriers (one wall that I plan to finish is cement and 2/3rd under the ground).

I don't recall a specific moisture barrier and regular studs were used to frame our basement.

Posted by EffinIllini <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=EffinIllini' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 5, 2025, 10:49:25, in reply to "advice for basement finishing, pls and thx"

Contactor did the framing when we finished a portion of our basement (fully underground).

We have a natural drain, no sump pump, and never had water issues.

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Consider louvered doors for any closets and utility rooms

Posted by Potomac <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Potomac' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 5, 2025, 9:08:48, in reply to "advice for basement finishing, pls and thx"

I had to deal with a little mold by not keeping the humidity down (no leaks). Out went basement carpet, to be replaced by flooring. The mold guy says he recommends in most basements that all doors not in a bathroom or bedroom be louvered to help airflow, and be kept open if the rooms aren’t used much. I only had a louvered door on the furnace room.

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I don't have any particular waterproofing product in mind, but you'll want to paint

Posted by Warrin'_Illini $<iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Warrin\'_Illini' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'>$ on December 5, 2025, 8:50:37, in reply to "advice for basement finishing, pls and thx"

the walls and floor with some kind of masonry paint.

Wood is probably fine and easier to work with but is more of a fire hazard, as well as less resistant to moisture or temperature changes. Be sure to use pressure treated lumber if you go that route.

Good luck, post pics of your progress pls.

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Groyper/Groper

If the basement is dry, then why do you need a moisture barrier?

Posted by bbonb <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=bbonb' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 5, 2025, 8:47:51, in reply to "advice for basement finishing, pls and thx"

Lt. Kendrick ordered the code red, didn’t he, because that’s what you told Lt. Kendrick to do

Couple things. I used a concrete sealer for basements to help keep the dampness down.

Posted by ibdoc <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=ibdoc' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 5, 2025, 8:36:59, in reply to "advice for basement finishing, pls and thx"

I picked up one at Lowe's/Menard's
Any sump pump? If so, make sure there's a back up
Treated lumber should be good enough (i used it in my full basement) and tons cheaper than metal

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assuming the exterior wall is in good shape and doesn't leak...

Posted by IlliniSax05 <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=IlliniSax05' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 5, 2025, 8:13:15, in reply to "advice for basement finishing, pls and thx"

I don't think you'll need to install any moisture barrier. I helped finish my brother's basements a few years ago, fully below ground, and we didn't put any moisture barrier in. If the wall has any leakage issues you'll obviously want to make sure those are dealt with, but after that I would just put in insulation.

That said...maybe we just didn't do it correctly.

I've not used metal studs so I can't really speak to those, but a quick google shows people concerned about corrosion/rust when using metal studs. So you may want to use wood along the floor with metal in the walls.

Why do you hate me, Sammich?

MAJOR UPDATE: "Maybe you're not such a bad egg, Lisle-y"
-Sammich, 1/15/2011

thanks, saxy. i thought that the metal would be galvanized to avoid

Posted by Nobster <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Nobster' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 5, 2025, 8:29:29, in reply to "assuming the exterior wall is in good shape and doesn't leak..."

oxidation...but i suppose it still corrodes depending on the environmental factors. that's a good tidbit for me to look into.

i read that wood is easier to work with, but i assume with the right tools the difference would be small.

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