Cold cellar conversions

SBuddz

Member
Hey folks,

I wanted to show my new grow space. This is an approx space of 4ft x 9ft x 7ft high that is located in the basement under my front porch. As you can see I need to deal with some condensation issues. My plan is to insulate with ridgid board. I plan on running two 600w Hps with cool hoods.

A. When type of insulation should I use?
B. How can I deal with the condensation?
C. What can I use for the floor?
D. Should I use vapor barrier?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I want to get at this asap.
 

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spek9

Well-Known Member
Hey folks,

I wanted to show my new grow space. This is an approx space of 4ft x 9ft x 7ft high that is located in the basement under my front porch. As you can see I need to deal with some condensation issues. My plan is to insulate with ridgid board. I plan on running two 600w Hps with cool hoods.

A. When type of insulation should I use?
B. How can I deal with the condensation?
C. What can I use for the floor?
D. Should I use vapor barrier?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I want to get at this asap.
A: 2" rigid foam insulation (covered with mylar or other reflective surface)
B: Dehumidifier
C: 2" rigid foam, with 5/8" tongue and groove plywood on top
D. Not if you glue the rigid foam directly to the concrete, then tape the joints. If you're putting studs in first, you'll need vapour barrier because you won't have a sealed envelope.
 

SBuddz

Member
A: 2" rigid foam insulation (covered with mylar or other reflective surface)
B: Dehumidifier
C: 2" rigid foam, with 5/8" tongue and groove plywood on top
D. Not if you glue the rigid foam directly to the concrete, then tape the joints. If you're putting studs in first, you'll need vapour barrier because you won't have a sealed envelope.



Great tips. Thank you
 

jimmy1life

Well-Known Member
I just built a room in the process of upgrading 1 round at a time and Inkbird 308 exhaust and heater plug has really help dial my temps in for way less then most environment controllers. I use a small heater on half power under 10amps and a 4inch fan as exhaust with ducting.
 

thumper60

Well-Known Member
Hey folks,

I wanted to show my new grow space. This is an approx space of 4ft x 9ft x 7ft high that is located in the basement under my front porch. As you can see I need to deal with some condensation issues. My plan is to insulate with ridgid board. I plan on running two 600w Hps with cool hoods.

A. When type of insulation should I use?
B. How can I deal with the condensation?
C. What can I use for the floor?
D. Should I use vapor barrier?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I want to get at this asap.
I see that condensation that's going to be ya biggest problem. I would go 3-4 ins of spray foam on that metal
 

spek9

Well-Known Member
I hear having a floor drain can be very useful if theres a way to do that.
You'd likely have to trench into the basement floor, run a drain, and connect it to the existing drain system. That, or elevate your sub-floor about 6", and put a drain that runs into a container that you can manually empty (or pump out). Obviously you'd want a waterproof membrane covering the floor if you intend to purposely use the floor drain repeatedly.

As far as the condensation on the ceiling, if you seal the whole room (including the ceiling) with rigid insulation, you'll effectively be separating the warm side of the room from the cold side, so the condensation should be minimized or eliminated.
 

thumper60

Well-Known Member
You'd likely have to trench into the basement floor, run a drain, and connect it to the existing drain system. That, or elevate your sub-floor about 6", and put a drain that runs into a container that you can manually empty (or pump out). Obviously you'd want a waterproof membrane covering the floor if you intend to purposely use the floor drain repeatedly.

As far as the condensation on the ceiling, if you seal the whole room (including the ceiling) with rigid insulation, you'll effectively be separating the warm side of the room from the cold side, so the condensation should be minimized or eliminated.
The tricky words {should be minimized or maybe Eliminted] He needs to spray 3-4 in on that metal an never have to worry about condensation every again. not sure where you liv but up north here we no about conduction.
 

SBuddz

Member
The tricky words {should be minimized or maybe Eliminted] He needs to spray 3-4 in on that metal an never have to worry about condensation every again. not sure where you liv but up north here we no about conduction.


Ontario, Canada. I know all too much
 

thumper60

Well-Known Member
Ontario, Canada. I know all too much
Ya maine here you got snow on top of that metal? I would hit the concrete with dry loc 4in of spray foam on top.Dont bother putting in walls and trying to insulate once that concrete is warmed up good to go.
 

Rheaun

Member
In my experience spray foam is done between framing in attics or to seal hard to get holes application and is messy af. I would fill in the crevaces and do what Spek9 said with the boarding over it as well as focusing on waterproof membranes.
 

SBuddz

Member
You'd likely have to trench into the basement floor, run a drain, and connect it to the existing drain system. That, or elevate your sub-floor about 6", and put a drain that runs into a container that you can manually empty (or pump out). Obviously you'd want a waterproof membrane covering the floor if you intend to purposely use the floor drain repeatedly.

As far as the condensation on the ceiling, if you seal the whole room (including the ceiling) with rigid insulation, you'll effectively be separating the warm side of the room from the cold side, so the condensation should be minimized or eliminated.
Any sort of vapor barrier to be used between concrete and rigid insulation?
 

spek9

Well-Known Member
Any sort of vapor barrier to be used between concrete and rigid insulation?
No need if the ceiling insulation panel is taped/sealed to the wall panels. Essentially, the rigid insulation acts as the vapour barrier if the envelope is sealed.
 

spek9

Well-Known Member
Would 1inch suffice?
I don't know enough about your environment to be honest. The thinner it is, the less insulating value you'll have, which may allow condensation to form between the ceiling and the panel. Besides, I've never considered 1" for any projects I've ever done.
 
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