Home Theater construction

[2pacalypsenow]

Today i'm starting my theater room construction, now my basement has insulation that the builder put on covered by plastic, I believe its for moisture control.

Question is can I frame over that or should I remove it all and buy new insulation?

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by 2pacalypsenow

Today i'm starting my theater room construction, now my basement has insulation that the builder put on covered by plastic, I believe its for moisture control.

Question is can I frame over that or should I remove it all and buy new insulation?

What region of the country do you live in? Is your basement dry?

Years ago it was common practice to install plastic over insulation before drywall. However, it can lead to moisture issues depending on where you are located and your conditions.

My family develops multi-family housing and we used to use plastic. Now we either use the paper face insulation or no vapor barrier. If you can remove the plastic and your insulation is not damp, then I would just go over with drywall to allow your walls to breathe.

[2pacalypsenow]

We live in Utah, they have have nailed to the wall, I can post pictures once im home from work if that helps

[2pacalypsenow]

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by 2pacalypsenow

Today i'm starting my theater room construction, now my basement has insulation that the builder put on covered by plastic, I believe its for moisture control.

Question is can I frame over that or should I remove it all and buy new insulation?

you should check with your local government's inspections department (code enforcement/ code administration/inspections) to see if a vapor barrier is required in the basement exterior walls (building code requirement) in order to pass an inspection. the contractor probably didn't put it in for nothing. if it's determined by the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) that it's legally required, then leave it and build over it.

if you don't do that and you start to develop mold in the home, your insurance company won't honor any claim you put in because you did it yourself. also, you don't get to use "but they told be to take it down at the Blu-ray.com forum", that just won't work!

I'm just saying, better safe and sure than sorry. best of luck, keep us posted.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by 2pacalypsenow

That looks pretty tough to frame over. I am not a contractor but I would guess that most would not want to mess with that. I think the plastic is there just to keep it in place on the wall. Without studs in place to wedge it in, this is the easiest way to keep it up. Nice they insulated the basement, but if you call a contractor or two they might be able to say what the best way is go from here.

[Kevinicus]

Originally Posted by gotmule

That looks pretty tough to frame over. I am not a contractor but I would guess that most would not want to mess with that. I think the plastic is there just to keep it in place on the wall. Without studs in place to wedge it in, this is the easiest way to keep it up. Nice they insulated the basement, but if you call a contractor or two they might be able to say what the best way is go from here.

It's definitely a vapor barrier and not just to hold it in place. Very normal in some places. Very easy to frame over (in front of) as well.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Kevinicus

It's definitely a vapor barrier and not just to hold it in place. Very normal in some places. Very easy to frame over (in front of) as well.

I can respect that. I understand vapor barriers and moisture barriers and the purpose behind them, but this one looked somewhat different in its application.

[slimdude]

I would take the photo, and show it to a local, professional home theater installer, and get their opinion. They will definitely know because its their profession. Personally, just the idea of a basement being underground, I could never trust having a home theater build in the basement, due to unexpected flooding and other water damages that may occurred, even though the wall is well insulated and protected. An act of God is very unpredictable, and their is nothing in the world that can stop it nor prevent it.

[Kevinicus]

Originally Posted by gotmule

I can respect that. I understand vapor barriers and moisture barriers and the purpose behind them, but this one looked somewhat different in its application.

Most of the ones I have seen have white plastic instead of clear, but otherwise looks very much the same.

[2pacalypsenow]

So Just an update we did some framing today, quick question about sound proofing what have you guys used i looked at these

http://isostore.com/shop/product/pliteq-genieclip/

But they will be around $700 not including the ceiling soundproofing

http://isostore.com/shop/product/gen...-underlayment/

Anybody else have any insight on sound proofing? Should I worry too much about the outside walls that have concrete anyways?

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Kevinicus

Most of the ones I have seen have white plastic instead of clear, but otherwise looks very much the same.

I stand corrected. Thanks!

[lpnaz480]

Originally Posted by 2pacalypsenow

So Just an update we did some framing today, quick question about sound proofing what have you guys used i looked at these

http://isostore.com/shop/product/pliteq-genieclip/

But they will be around $700 not including the ceiling soundproofing

http://isostore.com/shop/product/gen...-underlayment/

Anybody else have any insight on sound proofing? Should I worry too much about the outside walls that have concrete anyways?

a lot goes into soundproofing. its only good as your weakest link. for me, mine was french doors. this link has some quick reads on soundproofing.

The Soundproofing Co

this thread is jam packed with info

AVS Soundproof Thread

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by 2pacalypsenow

Today i'm starting my theater room construction, now my basement has insulation that the builder put on covered by plastic, I believe its for moisture control.

Question is can I frame over that or should I remove it all and buy new insulation?

My recommendation, ditch the insulation, ditch the plastic, and have the entire basement spray foamed.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

you should check with your local government's inspections department (code enforcement/ code administration/inspections) to see if a vapor barrier is required in the basement exterior walls (building code requirement) in order to pass an inspection. the contractor probably didn't put it in for nothing. if it's determined by the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) that it's legally required, then leave it and build over it.

if you don't do that and you start to develop mold in the home, your insurance company won't honor any claim you put in because you did it yourself. also, you don't get to use "but they told be to take it down at the Blu-ray.com forum", that just won't work!

I'm just saying, better safe and sure than sorry. best of luck, keep us posted.

Don't just go by what's 'code' for your area. By code, they did my basement correctly, but as someone else stated that could happen, we were getting condensation on the outside facing side of the vapour barrier. Over time that would have led to mold and it was causing the acoustical sealant to smell when it got wet.

Spray foam the basement (closed cell).

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by 2pacalypsenow

...
Anybody else have any insight on sound proofing? Should I worry too much about the outside walls that have concrete anyways?...

If you're on a budget, use two layers of drywall with green glue between them. Do all walls including the ceiling. If you have the ceiling height, drop down the pot lights in a bulkhead. If not, use sconce lighting. Use regular pink insulation between the studs.

If you've got the money use Quietrock drywall and Roxul Safe 'n Sound for insulation, use the Quietrock acoustical sealant for all the drywall seams.

Don't neglect the door. Get a solid core door. Avoid having a glass door.

If you have the space use a double wall, even if separated by an inch, that inch of air gap will do more than anything else for sound. If you have ducts, replace the metal sheeting with flex tubing, or use insulation wrap around the ducts.

For flooring, use dricore panels and then carpet on top. The dricore panels will help insulate the floor and give you the base to put carpeting on top.

We have in floor heating and an epoxy floor so I ended up just using a shag rug to help with sound reflections.

Can't wait to see your progress!

[lpnaz480]

Soundproofing takes a lot of thought. Soundproof company has some very quick reads for 101 stuff. There are 4 basic elements that don't include things like vents (you'll need air circulation with a sealed room), doors, speaker holes, ect.

A quick glimpse of the 4 basic elements are:

Decouple ie : clips with channels. ned to get the drywall off the studs that are attached to any part of the house

Absorption ie: insulation

Mass ie: double layers of drywall. i used 2 layers of 3/4" drywall

Damping ie the green glue between the drywall

If you're serious about soundproofing, I'd definitely recommend doing some reading on the 2 links I posted above. Most GC guys (assuming you aren't doing it yourself) will have no clue what you're talking about, or cut corners.

[2pacalypsenow]

Looks like I might go with the QuietRock 545 Ill call them today to get a quote, another thing i will need to look into is hvac since there's no AC or heating in the basement

[2pacalypsenow]

So im about to frame the last wall but there's a problem, a window.

Idk if I should frame over it or keep the windows but then it would ruin my sound proofing, anybody have any ideas or tips on what to do with the window?

[ImPulSive]

Originally Posted by 2pacalypsenow

So im about to frame the last wall but there's a problem, a window.

Idk if I should frame over it or keep the windows but then it would ruin my sound proofing, anybody have any ideas or tips on what to do with the window?

Keep the window. You may need it later on if you decide to sell the place or if you ever do plan on having a bedroom in the basement, for egress in case of fire, etc. Check local code on that.

I would box around the window and keep it. Then you have options as to whether you want to keep it as is for natural light when not watching movies and use black out drapes when watching movies, or to build a box to insert in that space to cover up the window and fill that box with sound proofing, or to make a box to insert in that space and make extra shelving to display movies, collectables, etc. You get the idea, many options.