Finishing a basement in Minneapolis

[Tom7227]

Past discussions on the subject of finishing walls in a basement lead me to think that what is required is somewhat a function of what city you're in.

Does anyone know what the standards are in Minneapolis?

Thanks for your time.

Tom

[delcecchi]

The great and powerful Google knows.... (actually took a couple steps from a google link to get to

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/search/index.htm

And searching for "finishing a basement" got to

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mdr/interior/mdr_interior_basement

among others.

Hope this helps.

Merry Christmas to all

[Tom7227]

Looking at this diagram it seems that the specs call for 2 inches of foam, a 2X wall and then drywall. http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/www/groups/public/@regservices/documents/webcontent/convert_270212.pdf

That gives you an R-10 with the foam. I am wondering if it makes sense to put in 3.5 inch kraft faced fiberglass with an R-13 in the wall before rocking it. That would add about $350 to the project. What I don't know is whether that would make enough of a difference to matter. I tried using a on-line calculator to try and figure it out but the result didn't make sense. It showed a payback of 7 months for the foam project and 9 months with the fiberglass added. Those numbers seem incredibly low to me for a basement. I have the materials at $1400 for the foam, 2x4 and the drywall.

Any thoughts on this?

Again, thanks for your time.

Tom

[PurpleFloyd]

In a basement I would absolutely go with foam over fiberglass.

What is the condition of the foundation and what type of foundation is it?

[CAMAN]

If you use the foam against the wall your going to want to use that as your vapor barrier. Tape all the seams and use acoustical sealant or spray foam around the edges and protrusions.

I don't think you'll notice a big enough difference if you add fiberglass to that. Though I would add it as a sound barrier in the ceiling if you like.

[BoxMN]

If you use the foam against the wall your going to want to use that as your vapor barrier. Tape all the seams and use acoustical sealant or spray foam around the edges and protrusions.

I don't think you'll notice a big enough difference if you add fiberglass to that. Though I would add it as a sound barrier in the ceiling if you like.

When we built in 08 this is how our contractor said it should be done. It wasnt' in Mlps but he said he had built there as well. Rigid foam, taped, then 2x walls withOUT glass batts, and spray foam the rim joists. As you don't want to trap anything (temp) in between. We did not finish right away so used foil foam and foil tape.