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Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Old and In the Way

(37,540 posts)

6. Basically unfinished concrete.

Reply to txlibdem (Reply #5)

Tue Mar 6, 2012, 01:15 AM

Mar 2012

I split my base roughly in half (2 areas 40 x 13 each). The back room has the laundry, oil tank and furnace, electrical panel, work shop, and storage racks.
Front side has a bedroom and large family room (son's man cave). We have area rugs in the bedroom and family room. Walkout basement.

If we had planed to live downstairs fulltime (like you are doing), I'd have probably run a radiant heat system in the floor - I very efficient way to heat a basement. Another option would be to run 1x3 strips (concrete nail) and using 1" x 2' x 8'strofoam on the floor than plywood or plank over. I'd probably put a watertight seal coating before applying any finish on the floor, though as a moisture barrier.

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Earth sheltered homes built on a gently sloping hillside [View all] txlibdem Mar 2012 OP

I'm in my third walk-out ranch. Smartest design ever.... Scuba Mar 2012 #1

We call it a Daylight Ranch here Viva_La_Revolution Mar 2012 #3

I've got a walkout basement for my house that's built on the side of hill. Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #2

What do you have covering the floor? txlibdem Mar 2012 #5

Basically unfinished concrete. Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #6

Thanks for the tip txlibdem Mar 2012 #8

First! Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #10

Are you a fan of incorporating insulating pellets into the concrete? txlibdem Mar 2012 #17

Don't know much about that, sorry. Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #18

Pellet to concrete ratio is critical, I agree. Precise control needed. txlibdem Mar 2012 #19

Interesting....you wouldn't think styrofoam would stand up to the weight of poured concrete Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #20

Yeah, I think you'd have to but you could txlibdem Mar 2012 #21

We didn't add pellets, but we did do foam board around the GreenPartyVoter Mar 2012 #27

That's pretty typical up heah. Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #28

I find myself siding with your wife. Curmudgeoness Mar 2012 #4

Straw bail has insane insulation values, but you really need to know what you are doing if Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #7

Interesting problem txlibdem Mar 2012 #9

RE: sewer pipe Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #11

100% agreed... did you install the plumbing inside the building? nt txlibdem Mar 2012 #12

Nope....I know my limitations! Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #13

So would you bless my P trap then vent stack then drain to sewer? txlibdem Mar 2012 #14

Let the pro's handle it. Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #15

I'm thinking about having a green roof on it as well txlibdem Mar 2012 #16

Do you live in a tornado area? MADem Mar 2012 #22

I live in Dallas txlibdem Mar 2012 #23

I'd consult a qualified person (I'm not one) but I know mine works a treat MADem Mar 2012 #26

Usually the floor is slightly tapered to the corner where the sump basin is located Old and In the Way Mar 2012 #29

Sort of like some of these examples txlibdem Mar 2012 #24

There's also the pure joy of telling your little farts to go play on the roof! nt MADem Mar 2012 #25