I'm going to be renovating the basement of my 2 year old home. There is existing framing and insulation in place as follows: 2x3 studs frame the exterior concrete with a space varying between 1 to 3 inches from the wall. Batt insulation, with a big "12" stamped all over it, is filled between the studs from the floor above to about 10 inches above the concrete floor. Vapour barrier then covers this. I want 2x4 studs 16" OC. Could I just re-frame over top of everything without having to remove the 2x3 studs, insulation and vapour barrier and then drywall over the new frame? Or, should I remove the vapour barrier, add more insulation in the new cavity, and then add new vapour barrier over the new frame.
Answer:
I would remove the VB fromt he existing framing and frame with 2X4 over top of what's there. Another R-12 bat on top of the old will give you R-24 and keeping it off the floor as you see in the existing example is a good idea. VB can now be applied and then drywall. This may give you a bit of a project adjusting heating ducts, plumbing lines and electrical recepticles but it's worth it all.
