Question about Layout Room/Basement Prep

[Ian MacMillan]

If you are not insulating and no drywall go 24".

How long do you plan on being in this place Phil? I'd say finish the outside walls properly and any partition walls just leave studded. Believe me it is worth it.

[bobcat]

I also think you should insulate and drywall. It will make it more comfortable for you and add value to your house.

[conrail98]

Well, I've hedge myself. I got the 6mil vapor barrier to put up and the barrier for under the bottom plate so if I feel like it, have the funds, blah blah blah, to do the full thing, I'll can do it. Or I'll follow my friend's lead and just put paneling up and insulate the drop ceiling,

Phil

[SquirrelHollow]

Well, I've hedge myself. I got the 6mil vapor barrier to put up and the barrier for under the bottom plate so if I feel like it, have the funds, blah blah blah, to do the full thing, I'll can do it. Or I'll follow my friend's lead and just put paneling up and insulate the drop ceiling,

Phil

If you use a drop ceiling and paneling; plan to remove it before selling the house.  Most buyers will pay more for an unfinished or 'semi-finished' basement than something that looks "cheap".  (I've done it three times in the last 10 years, for houses being sold in the family.  The best improvement was my mother's basement.  We stripped a drop ceiling, 3 paneled walls, another entire room done with drywall; then repaired or replaced any ugly insulation.  She squeezed another $12,000 out of the house - with half the basement "roughed-in, and stubbed out" - but insulated.)

[conrail98]

Well, I've hedge myself. I got the 6mil vapor barrier to put up and the barrier for under the bottom plate so if I feel like it, have the funds, blah blah blah, to do the full thing, I'll can do it. Or I'll follow my friend's lead and just put paneling up and insulate the drop ceiling,

Phil

If you use a drop ceiling and paneling; plan to remove it before selling the house.  Most buyers will pay more for an unfinished or 'semi-finished' basement than something that looks "cheap".  (I've done it three times in the last 10 years, for houses being sold in the family.  The best improvement was my mother's basement.  We stripped a drop ceiling, 3 paneled walls, another entire room done with drywall; then repaired or replaced any ugly insulation.  She squeezed another $12,000 out of the house - with half the basement "roughed-in, and stubbed out" - but insulated.)

Not to doubt your experience, but I won't be, putting anything but a drop ceiling in my basement and would recommend against doing anything else. Too many issues with regards to accessing utility lines that are required to have access by code. There are plenty of nice ceiling tiles to purchase so it would be a matter of changing out cheaper tiles for decorative ones,

Phil

[mmyers]

Martin .. by circuit .. are you defining it as a leg coming from the breaker, or would a circuit also include a branch out of a box .. for example, 20 amp out of the pannel, then split out in a box to two or three legs, then each of those with a max of 6 outlets ..

John,
 Did I answer you on this? Had some computer problems.
Circuit is out of the main panel coming from a breaker. Normal is 6 duplex (double) outlets. I've seen 8 - 10 as long as they are in the same area. There is no maximum stated in the NEC. You need to look at the potential load. Power for a layout your size is probably pulling 2-3 amps maximum.  Plenty of room on the circuit.

Martin

[John]

yes .. that answered my question .. thanks

[mmyers]

Well, I've hedge myself. I got the 6mil vapor barrier to put up and the barrier for under the bottom plate so if I feel like it, have the funds, blah blah blah, to do the full thing, I'll can do it. Or I'll follow my friend's lead and just put paneling up and insulate the drop ceiling,

Phil

I wouldn't insulate the basement ceiling. That would be like making a cooler out of the basement. Better to get some insulation on the walls and treat it as a "conditioned" room.
BTW, in Baltimore City; at least, code requires pressure treated lumber on masonry surfaces. e.g. Bottom plate on a framed wall. Studs and top plate can be SPF lumber.

Martin Myers

[John]

my basement ceiling is insulated ..

[Ian MacMillan]

my basement ceiling is insulated ..

Same with mine. I am not finishing my ceiling with drywall or a drop though, so I used the fully enclosed insulation.

[conrail98]

Yep, already got the pressure treated ones for the bottom plates,

Phil

[John]

my basement ceiling is insulated ..

Same with mine. I am not finishing my ceiling with drywall or a drop though, so I used the fully enclosed insulation.

mine has the vapor barrier against the floor .. I don't remember if I had the drop ceiling in when you were last here .. but that works ok

[Ian MacMillan]

Yeah you had the drop ceiling when I was there in '04.

[John]

Yeah you had the drop ceiling when I was there in '04.

its been that long ??? OMG

[Ian MacMillan]

I know time to come down again. Also about time for you to come over the next time you are over in ME.