Basement concrete wall finishing questions

[MarkXIX]

I have an unfinished room downstairs that I want to turn into an exercise room. One of the walls is a below grade, poured concrete foundation wall. Home is new construction (2012) if that matters.

What finishing options to do I have that will meet code and look nice? Would like to avoid drywall since it will take up square footage to frame out a wall.

I have searched and most results seem to reference concrete block walls, not poured concrete.

I would like to consider tiling the wall with ceramic tile, but not sure what prep work needs done on the bare concrete, if any.

 

[Pulsar]

Considering using a waterproof epoxy paint. It will look nice (think the way school walls look) and is easy to change.

 

[Humpy]

I think the idea of tile is really good, especially if it's just one wall. Since it is just decorative there would be little prep other than a quick wash, knock off the boogers, and fill any holes. I think you could get away with the simplicity of pre-mixed latex mastic.

A million different possibilities but I like a 3"x6" subway tile, maybe as a wainscot up to ~3' and then switch to a different color/pattern/sheen for the top 5'. An Arnold mural out of bits of tile would be fucking awesome too.

 

[twinrider1]

Plan on free weights? If so, I'm not sure I'd want tile.

I think Humpy is on the right track. Go for the mural.

 

[Humpy]

Plan on free weights? If so, I'm not sure I'd want tile.

That's a really good point. If it's a wall near where plates or bars, etc. will be used/stored then sooner or later the tile will get nicked up. I wonder sometimes about all the small home gyms I see lined with mirrors.

 

[Blain]

Monstaliner (sprayed on), or with plenty of extra rollers.

 

[shabby]

What finishing options to do I have that will meet code and look nice?

R20 insulation, 2x4, drywall, that meets code. Your tile idea does not.

 

[ControlD]

Only one of the walls is below grade? Is this a walkout basement?

Depending on how much is above / below grade will generally determine what meets code, if indeed you even need to meet code for this project. If you have less than 20% above grade then you can get by without insulated walls. At least that was the rule of thumb we were told for our basement (which is pretty much 100% below grade).

 

[Humpy]

It's quite a stretch to consider exercising in an unfinished basement as something that would require applying building codes related to a habitable room.

 

[edro]

It's quite a stretch to consider exercising in an unfinished basement as something that would require applying building codes related to a habitable room.

That's what I was thinking.
Why would putting tile on a basement wall not be to code?
What code?

 

[ControlD]

That's what I was thinking.
Why would putting tile on a basement wall not be to code?
What code?

I think most people are referring to whatever the local habitable room code is (if indeed there even is one). For an exercise room that doesn't really apply unless you also have a bed in there.

I think putting tile directly on a concrete wall requires putting some type of waterproofing compound on first, but otherwise that should work.

 

[MarkXIX]

Concrete wall is floor to almost ceiling (probably about 6-8" below ceiling joists.

There are no windows in this room. The room houses the electrical panel and on that wall the concrete wall is half height. Yes, the house has a walkout basement and this room is on the front side of the house. Approximately 1-1.5 feet of the concrete wall I want to tile is above ground at the front of the house.

So far I'm getting that I should waterproof and seal the concrete wall and then put tile over it. The wall has never been so much as damp on the inside, but I know it should be sealed anyway. I am considering putting a bathroom type vent fan in the ceiling though for moisture control.

I need to clean it out so I can get started doing prep work (electrical, audio, etc.). Once I get it cleared out, I will post a picture of the room.

 

[Blain]

The wall has never been so much as damp on the inside, but I know it should be sealed anyway. I am considering putting a bathroom type vent fan in the ceiling though for moisture control.

I think a better use for your time, funds and for your needs, would be to simply buy a good dehumidifier. A fan would be moving air from your main floor, down the stairway and out. A bathroom fan works because it's installed in very a limited space.

 

[MarkXIX]

I think a better use for your time, funds and for your needs, would be to simply buy a good dehumidifier. A fan would be moving air from your main floor, down the stairway and out. A bathroom fan works because it's installed in very a limited space.

Was mostly considering for sweat and smell control from intense workouts. Wife and I are training for half marathon in the spring and I intend to put on some muscle mass from weight lifting.

At minimum I'm planning ceiling fans to keep the area cool during workouts.

 

[Humpy]

The wall has never been so much as damp on the inside, but I know it should be sealed anyway.

Being a new house the wall is all but guaranteed to be sufficiently sealed on the exterior. Additional sealing will accomplish nothing.

 

[Scarpozzi]

1. You should do some moisture testing before putting anything downstairs. It helps if you know about the construction method used when the walls were poured. Water will penetrate concrete, so if they used 6 mil plastic outside of the wall, gravel, and a proper drain tile, you should be good to go.

2. If the above isn't done properly, waterproofing paint will not solve a moisture problem. It will only trap water that will eventually seep through the wall. In some cases, you may want to create a drain channel on the inside of the wall to handle water that comes through the wall. (research hydrostatic pressure)

Just be aware of that if you put expensive weights downstairs....most of that stuff is made of steel/iron and will rust in a moist environment. Invest in a dehumidifier no matter what just to be safe.

One test you can do that would only take a few weeks is to place a piece of plastic on the floor and up the wall held with duct tape...then simply check it every few days after a hard rain. If the floor is damp under the plastic, you'll know you have moisture coming up through the floor and/or wall.

It may not damage your gear, but it's good to know where you stand. Moisture can attract bugs and promote mold growth. I know my crawl space isn't sealed well and has had moisture problems since my house was built...it's a pain.

 

[WHAMPOM]

I have an unfinished room downstairs that I want to turn into an exercise room. One of the walls is a below grade, poured concrete foundation wall. Home is new construction (2012) if that matters.

What finishing options to do I have that will meet code and look nice? Would like to avoid drywall since it will take up square footage to frame out a wall.

I have searched and most results seem to reference concrete block walls, not poured concrete.

I would like to consider tiling the wall with ceramic tile, but not sure what prep work needs done on the bare concrete, if any.

On a dry concrete wall I would go with a texture paint/void filling concrete type. Use a light color to brighten the basement up.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

On a dry concrete wall I would go with a texture paint/void filling concrete type. Use a light color to brighten the basement up.

+1. Just paint it and get to working out. Drywall is the worst in an underground basement. It just invites moisture and mold problems. Tile is nice if you are going to put a mud room and slop sink in the basement anyways. Walk in basements benefit from this.

Mostly I've never understood why people insist on making a mechanical space into something it isn't.