Question:
Need some help with building a solar oven.?
I was wondering if it would be better to use Mylar sheets instead of aluminum foil? Also, it is true that the inside of wrapping paper is Mylar because the left over paper from Christmas looks like regular paper.
Answer:
I'm assuming by cold room, you mean cellar and want it cold so heat would defeat the cause and spoil your potatoesthe moisture is likely there because of some heat probably coming through the floor above, it should clear up but if it doesn't, you may want to insulate the ceiling as wellthe outside walls are fine, they wont crackif you insulate ALL the INTERIOR surfaces, it should stay a nice 50 some degrees.
The first thing you are missing is basic math 4' by 8' 32 sq ft$25/32 sq ft $0.78/sq ftThat is 40% less than your number and significantly closer to the number in the article$1600 at $1.28/sq ft 1250 sq ft of wall spaceAssuming 8' walls, that is 156 linear feet of wallsThis is equivalent to a 30' x 48' or 1440 sq ft basementThat sounds fairly largeIf you have enough moisture penetrating your basement walls to cause a mold issue, you NEED to address you moisture PROBLEM before you frame in the wallsThis will save ripping them out WHEN the moisture destroys your foundation.
Alumenium foils are better they reflect and the heat can be directed.
The enemy is the condensation or moisture coming through the concrete wallsAn air gap like you are using should take care of that problemYou might check into what a plastic vapor barrier against the concrete or against the new wall would do for you or if it might be a problemCheck out the options with a dept manager at Lowe's or Home Depot.
i have always put a 2x4 wall up 16 on center studs one inch away from the crete for air, the benefit to this is you can buy all the cheapest electrical boxes the cheapest insulation r-13 is plenty for a wall and you can attach anything for the inside like, drywall (green for the first row) i'll bet you the cost of stud wall is cheaper then styrofoam so keep going good luck
The first thing you are missing is basic math 4' by 8' 32 sq ft$25/32 sq ft $0.78/sq ftThat is 40% less than your number and significantly closer to the number in the article$1600 at $1.28/sq ft 1250 sq ft of wall spaceAssuming 8' walls, that is 156 linear feet of wallsThis is equivalent to a 30' x 48' or 1440 sq ft basementThat sounds fairly largeIf you have enough moisture penetrating your basement walls to cause a mold issue, you NEED to address you moisture PROBLEM before you frame in the wallsThis will save ripping them out WHEN the moisture destroys your foundation.
Alumenium foils are better they reflect and the heat can be directed.
The enemy is the condensation or moisture coming through the concrete wallsAn air gap like you are using should take care of that problemYou might check into what a plastic vapor barrier against the concrete or against the new wall would do for you or if it might be a problemCheck out the options with a dept manager at Lowe's or Home Depot.
i have always put a 2x4 wall up 16 on center studs one inch away from the crete for air, the benefit to this is you can buy all the cheapest electrical boxes the cheapest insulation r-13 is plenty for a wall and you can attach anything for the inside like, drywall (green for the first row) i'll bet you the cost of stud wall is cheaper then styrofoam so keep going good luck
I'm assuming by cold room, you mean cellar and want it cold so heat would defeat the cause and spoil your potatoesthe moisture is likely there because of some heat probably coming through the floor above, it should clear up but if it doesn't, you may want to insulate the ceiling as wellthe outside walls are fine, they wont crackif you insulate ALL the INTERIOR surfaces, it should stay a nice 50 some degrees.
