Basement Walls: Doing More Harm Than Good?

You may have thought that all of your wet basement problems were resolved. You made sure any standing water and basements leaks were taken care of, so what else would you need to do? Unfortunately your basement walls could be preventing you from having the dry, comfortable and “homey” basement you want.

The problem here is that basement walls and water vapor don’t mix. Poured concrete walls are most common today, although concrete block walls and stone walls are common in most older homes. Block and stone walls allow air, water and water vapor to pass through them easily, which is a problem if you are trying to achieve an ideal living space.

Depending on what you are trying to do with your basement, there are five great options that will suit your every need.

ZenWall Paneling

If you want a finished basement look without fully finishing your basement, ZenWall is just what you’re looking for. This panel adds a great look to your basement while preventing water vapor from entering your home. The front has a vinyl finish and the back has a foil vapor barrier to stop water vapor from coming in through the wall. The plus side of this specific paneling is that it gives your basement a finished look for a much cheaper price than if you were to fully finish the space.

BrightWall Paneling

If you are not planning to finish your basement, BrightWall is the perfect paneling to spruce up the space and keep your basement dry. This paneling is made from a white plastic material that prevents water vapor from entering the space and it also complements the WaterGuard system perfectly. Any water from the wall behind the paneling will drain down into the WaterGuard system and exit your home through discharge lines so you will never have to worry about a wet basement. This paneling costs less than the ZenWall and still provides a semi-finished look to your unfinished basement.

ThermalDry Wall System

If you are planning to finish your basement, the ThermalDry wall system will be the cherry on top. This system has a plastic vapor barrier to prevent water vapor from entering your basement and bubbles on the back side that make it easy for water leaks to drain down the wall and into your drainage system. Cold basement walls tend to soak up the heat from your home, but this wall paneling reflects over 90% of your basement heat back into the space. This keeps your basement warm and allows you to save on your energy bills!

CleanSpace Wall System

Does your home have a stone wall basement? Due to the uneven surface on this type of wall, ZenWall and BrightWall cannot be used. Thankfully, CleanSpace can be used to stop water vapor from entering the space and drains any water leaks from the wall into the drainage system just like the other two wall paneling systems. CleanSpace is a durable, white plastic liner so you won’t need to worry about damaging it and it will certainly brighten up the space.

EverLast Finished Wall Restoration System

If your finished basement walls have been damaged by water, the Everlast Finished Wall Restoration System is just what you need. This paneling not only fixes the current condition of your damaged walls but it also ensures your basement is safe from any type of water leak in the future. The paneling replaces the bottom 32” of your drywall and is extremely durable. It is also inorganic, meaning you will not have to worry about mold growth. Just like the other panels mentioned, EverLast works well with your drainage system to ensure water can efficiently exit your home. Not to mention, this paneling looks great and ties in well with your already finished basement!