Hello my friends at AMH, I would like to help my son make good use of this cellar space, with your advice perhaps we can get it done correctly. We have a concrete floor with french drains and cinder block walls. We are planing to stud the walls with 2x4 and use pressure treated for anything in contact with the concrete floor. Green board for the walls and rock for the celling, carpet on the floor. Right now there is NOT any moisture problem however we need advice on how to install a moisture barrier and insulation. What material is best for this? And is there a guide to use on How to finish a basement?

What location does your son live in?

That is improtant for the purpose of knowing how to apply the vapor barrier, and each location has it's own code for good reasons.

What area will be he finishing? Does it have windows and heat/air conditioning etc.

How about a pic if possible. Happy to help.

I live in NY, Long island. I hate carpet so I put down pressure treated "sleeper" 2x4s 1 foot apart and then plywood and a laminate floating floor. I like it more and easier to maintain then carpet. I just left landings made with tile by the entry and in the bathroom. Those do get cold in the winter so I also think that the carpet could have been cold also... my method provides some extra insulation... I used non paper backed insulation and used clear plastic I think it was 6mil. Only on walls. I didn't do any special vapor barrier for floor or ceiling. I think I watched a hometime tape and they said not to but my memory is a bit fuzzy. I did this some 3 years ago.

Central New Jersey, one window. Cental air heating ducts and returns are all located in the ceiling and could be tapped with registers.

I would recommend leaving the 2x4 wall studs about an inch away from the block walls. Building basement walls isn't that difficult. You may want some tips on how to square a wall too.

Insulate the perimeter walls with fiberglass batts. If you live in a climate where it gets cold in the winter you should install a vapor barrier ( 6 mill plastic) on the inside or heated part of the wall.

Good job on using the treated material that contacts concrete.

Thanks, exactly what we have done so far, any recomadations for installing a floor over the concrete one that exsist? We were hoping to use some pergo flooring?

Most laminated flooring can be installed over concrete. The key here is to place a good vapor barrier under the flooring. Also make sure the manufacturer of the flooring recommends it to be installed below grade and on concrete. Some of the underlayments for laminated floor have a pad with intregal vapor barrier. Just be sure to use their tape for the joints.

It's usually best to install your doors on the finished floor. This will save you from needing to undercut the door jambs. Here are some interior door installation instructions.

If you have any other questions... I'd be happy to help if I can.