The Best Basement Wall Materials

Paint

• Depending on the level of finish you require in your basement, simply painting the walls may provide the results you desire. Painting your basement walls can help brighten the rooms and reduce moisture. When painting a basement wall, use a type of masonry paint, rather than basic interior wall paint. Masonry paint adheres to rough surfaces better than other types of paint. It also contains a type of sealer that helps fill and block the tiny pores in your foundation walls that allow cool, moist air to enter your basement.

Vapor Barrier

• Moisture can seep through your basement walls, creating a damp environment in below-grade areas of your home. Installing a vapor barrier helps reduce moisture transference. Contractors usually use large sections of 4-millimeter poly sheeting to provide this type of barrier between your rough wall surfaces and the overlying materials, such as insulation, furring strips and drywall panels.

Insulation

• Although batting insulation and blown-in insulation provide a method of temperature control in other areas of your home, they are not suitable products for insulating your basement walls. Styrofoam insulation is the best product for insulating basement walls. These rigid sheets of lightweight insulation come in various ratings, allowing you to choose one that best suits your climate. Some types of Styrofoam sheeting contain a vapor barrier on one side. Cut your Styrofoam insulation to fit between the furring strips on your perimeter walls.

Drywall

• Drywall provides one of the most common materials for walls and ceilings. Using drywall to finish out your basement allows you to carry the same style of your above-grade walls throughout the basement rooms. Moisture-proof, mold-resistant drywall is the best type for below-grade walls. To apply drywall on your basement walls, you must first install furring strips to hold the panels in place. Use treated wood furring strips to help minimize the risk of moisture damage that can lead to rotting.