Many homes have unused basements that can be converted into additional living spaces, adding to the size and value of the house. Finishing a basement can be a costly investment, often requiring more funds and time than anticipated. If you’re seriously thinking about finishing your basement yourself there are a few steps you’ll need to follow in order to ensure that the results are worth your time and effort.
How to Finish a Basement Yourself: The Planning Stage
Before you do anything, ask yourself if the money that you’re going to put into finishing the basement is worth it. For people who do not plan to be in the home for very long, the costs of finishing the basement may not be offset by any gains you receive to your property value. The money would be better invested in existing rooms or on a new home altogether. If, on the other hand, you’re planning to stay in your home for a long time or if you need the extra space, finishing a basement might be a good idea. If after careful consideration you’ve decided to go through with remodeling the basement, you’ll want to think about the purpose of the room first. Ask yourself what the primary function of the new basement will be. Will it be another bedroom? Or maybe a family entertainment room? The possibilities are endless, but this critical decision will influence every other choice in your redesign.
After deciding the purpose of your room, consult with an architect and have plans drawn up to suit your needs. Once you have a plan you can easily contract out the various tasks to carpenters, electricians and plumbers, or if you’re handy you can do it yourself.
The final part of the planning stage is to prep the basement, making sure that no structural problems exist and that the area is free of mold and leaks.
Floors
Most basement floors are made of poured concrete. Before installing hardwood flooring, carpet, laminate, or tile, the concrete slab will in all likelihood have to be prepped. Often, builders are not careful when pouring concrete floors for basements, resulting in uneven or lumpy basement floors. Not only this but concrete slabs can crack over time as the house settles. As a result, you will more than likely have to have your concrete floor patched and sanded to an even level before choosing what kind of floor to lay on top of it.
Once the floor has been prepped you can decide what kind of floor to install. If the room will be a high traffic area, one good option is laminate flooring. Laminate flooring comes in a variety of finishes and is extremely durable. On the other hand, if the basement is going to be used as a bedroom, carpet or hardwood floors may be a better option.
Walls
Walls help to define spaces within the basement. Depending on your plans and purpose for the room, the number of walls may vary. When installing walls, you or your contractor will have to frame out individual walls and then install all the necessary plumbing and electric wiring. Next, insulation will need to be installed. While the mere fact that the basement is underground provides some insulation for the outside walls, interior walls will still need to be insulated. After that, sheetrock is placed onto the frame, completing the wall.
Ceilings
When remodeling a basement, there are two options for constructing a ceiling. The first is to install a suspended ceiling. In this kind of configuration, a metal frame is suspended from the ceiling from which foam tiles can be hung. The advantage to having a suspended ceiling is that they fit over existing pipes and wiring very easily. A negative to this type is that they can make the room look more like an office than a room at home.
The second option is to drywall the ceiling. Dry walling the ceiling will make the basement look like any other room of the house. However, installing drywall on a ceiling can be a tough and expensive job for an amateur. Professional help is definitely suggested here.
Lighting
Once the ceiling of your choice has been installed, the final step in your DIY basement remodeling project is to consider your lighting options. Being underground, most basements are dark and free of windows. Even in basements that have small windows near the ceiling, light levels may not be adequate to illuminate the room. Lighting is therefore extremely important. Light can change the mood of a room and even change a person’s perception about the size of a room. Well lit rooms seem warmer, more inviting, and larger than dim rooms. One of the best options for a basement is recessed lighting. Recessed lights are flush with the ceiling, which can create more space since basements typically have low ceilings. Having hanging lights can take up valuable head room and make a room seem small.
Conclusion
Finishing a basement yourself is a labor intensive and expensive process, but the end result often justifies the costs. With a little planning and by hiring good help, you will be able to enjoy the basement of your dreams in no time.
No comments yet.