Wall joists (studs)

[AceOfBase]

So I have yet to start my true dedicated home theatre room, and I’m getting as much information as I can absorb regarding well constructed home theatre rooms. By being proactive, I’m reading about other people’s experiences or problems that they have encountered when they should’ve done this or should not have done that.
Target destination for home theatre room is in the basement of a recently purchased old home.
Since I’m factoring in possible water moisture or leak (I don’t know if this is presently at large), just in case.
Needless to say water or moisture mixed with electronics doesn’t mix very well., so by being proactive and thinking ahead to avoid either water whether it’s a leak or moisture since I’m in a basement, and I just got this house recently, I’m not sure of the containment for preventing the above mentioned from entering my home theatre room.

The question is regarding wall joists, to avoid any potential water, moisture or water, from getting to the joists,……should I or shouldn’t I use wood in the event, instead use aluminum? My thinking is if I use aluminum joists, even if moisture did find its way, at least it wouldn’t rot the wood material. I’m sure through a construction point of view that makes sense, but then I started to get doubts about that regarding acoustics. I don’t think anything aluminum bodes very well with sound absorption. (Eg. air ducts).

So what do you think?
Would this be a calculated plan?
Would it make a difference?
Or maybe use pretreatment wood.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

IMO you should wait and see if there’s a problem. The presence of continual moisture will cause mold to grow on the drywall, despite the type of studs used.

I’d suggest buying a sheet of drywall and either attach it to the basement wall in question, or otherwise make sure it’s flush against it. Check it periodically, especially the lower quadrant, with a moisture meter – something like a General MM8. They can be had for $50 or so. Moisture levels picked up by the meter should not exceed about 17%.

If low levels are maintained for 6 months or so, I’d say you’re safe to build.

Regards,
Wayne