Should I DIY basement drywall and insulation?
You need insulation between basement concrete and drywall to regulate temperature, prevent mold, and manage heat from electric heaters. Because beginners do not know the most cost-effective methods or if they need materials like stone insulation, they get stuck deciding whether to attempt the project themselves or hire a professional.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- People have been saying this in most months since September 2026.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
Should I DIY basement drywall and insulation?
- 1Insulating rim joists with rigid foam board and expanding foamDid this help you?
- 2Running a dehumidifier constantly to mitigate moistureDid this help you?
- 3Gluing XPS foam board directly to the concrete before framingDid this help you?
- 4Consulting local pros or building science resources to override the contractor's planDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Is it crazy to put in insulation and drywall ourselves if we have never done this before? What’s the most cost effective method for a beginner? Or do we just hire someone?”source ↗
“He’s just going to put up the drywall, but does he need to put in know insulation in between the drywall and the concrete?”source ↗
“I want the basement to be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer and I don’t want any mold. He’s saying that I don’t need any insulation, but I feel like I should have some.”source ↗
“I’m worried about the warm air once I start using electric heaters down here. What’s gonna happen on the other side of the drywall when the heat goes through?”source ↗
“My parents did something like this and they had to get stone insulation.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Temporary ways to cover exposed basement insulation
- 3Is spray foam insulation bad for a roof deck?
- 4Can you use fiberglass insulation in a basement after flooding?
- 2Should I fill unknown holes in my basement wall?
- 2How to insulate a drafty floor over a basement or porch
- 6Do I need a moisture barrier under basement LVP flooring?