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Fundamentals On How To Finish A Basement
Posted on June 22nd, 2009 No commentsThere are several reasons why you may want to finish a basement in your home. The majority of basements are dark spaces where old and unused items are stored on a regular basis. We hardly even go down to the basement, but we know it is there. When we talk abut basements, we usually imagine a dark, murky place that is damp, flooding and invaded by moldy substances. So what can we do about that musky old basement and turn it into a place that is more livable and attractive rather than leave it without any purpose? Read on through this article to learn more about the fundamentals of finishing a basement.
Water Problems - If you want to finish a basement the basic rule of thumb is to deal with water problems first. Even if you notice only a very tiny amount of dampness or flooding in your basement, it would be a better idea to fix the problem completely prior to working on any remodeling project. Permanent solutions can take time, but the results will be rewarding for several years to come.
Untreated concrete in the basement sucks in water and dampness via a process referred to as wicking. The water and dampness negatively affects the integrity of the cement. When you seal your cement, dampness and water are no longer able to get into the cement and ruin it. You can use caulk or hydraulic cement to seal cracks and holes that are causing leakages in the basement. You may also install a drywall.
Planning Board - Now that you have identified the problems and what should be done to solve these problems in your basement, its time to plan. Consider what you want to utilize the basement for. Do you want a recreational area? A workshop? How about an additional bathroom, bedroom or living area? There are so many other creative possibilities such as a bar and childrens playroom.
Considering Lighting - Your next step is to decide on your lighting. The majority of the time basements have inadequate lighting. Depending on what you want to do with your existing basement, the basement may call for some improvements in lighting. For instance, if you were a photographer, then you dont have to focus so much on lighting. Other than that, you may have to incorporate new fixtures and wires, for instance, if you were to make your basement into a home office. When incorporating new wires, you should always speak with a qualified electrician.
Insulating the Basement - Its time to think about getting proper insulation for your basement. If your basement is not already insulated, know that insulation is essential. Insulation helps keep weather temperatures out. It also can cut down your heating and cooling bills.
Basement Flooring - Consider your flooring. You would not want to just settle for the porous cement flooring already sitting in your basement. A carpet may be something you want to incorporate, as it can keep dampness out and is easy to clean and maintain.
Working on Walls - Finally, work on your walls. You may have to conceal your insulation board with something to safeguard it as well as make it look fantastic. You may use sheetrock, but you could go the extra mile by incorporating some type of paneling. These are just the basics if you want to finish a basement. More tips can be found online.
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How To Finish A Basement Within Your Budget
Posted on February 21st, 2009 No commentsIf you’re planning to finish your basement, you may have to save up for it. It’s definitely easier to plan things if you have the budget. It’s not really that difficult. First off is to draft a plan and you will be on your way. Here are a few practical tips on how to finish a basement effectively.
- Identify your basement’s purposes. There are so many options. You can use it as your home office. You can put in a small space for kids to play. Perhaps a mini bar would be nice or an entertainment corner. You can put one or all of them in depending on the available space you have. In studying how to finish a basement, it is a basic necessity to itemize your plan well and draw it. This way you will save time and money.
- It’s good to have a time frame. Your basement is a home project and requires a schedule. If you’re a busy person, you can do it during weekends. Your plan should tell you how much work you need to do for your basement. Consider this in your planning on how to finish a basement outline. It always pays to organize this project in details especially the schedule. Then decide when you want to start. And for how long depends highly on you.
- Decorations are a must. If you hope to have a beautiful den, include the decorating your basement walls. Many of those furnished basements are accentuated with decorations. Add this to your list in your to have a better perspective in how to finish a basement. Just remember not to overdo it.
- Research a little about interior design and construction. A little knowledge about it won’t hurt and this helps a lot. If your money is just enough, you might want to take the do-it-yourself option. Learn about electrical wirings, insulation, and materials. Contractors can be expensive. More so if you had planned out hiring one, you wouldn’t be taking the time to know how to finish a basement. Read magazines, look at finished basement photos to give you some design ideas.
- Enumerate and list down the possible costs and expenses. This is a very important part in this project. Of course you won’t be able to do this without the plan or drawing. Decisions are to be made especially the cost. Analyzing your plan against your savings will help you decide what materials to use, where to buy them, and how to use or put them together.
- Learn a bit about plumbing. Whether you like it or not, you will be dealing with pipes. The basement is the lowest point in your home. Water flows down to this level. Therefore moisture can be a problem. You don’t have to know be an expert in this field though. Just learn enough about plumbing to know how to prevent excessive moisture from happening.
You now have the basic outline in knowing how to finish a basement. Just like any other project, you start from an idea. Then it moves to putting it into a plan. The plan helps a lot especially with cost and in finding ways to realize it. When all of this is laid out, get your tools ready and work on it.
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