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Need basement design ideas? We have loads of them featuring all kinds of rooms, colors, materials and layouts. Check out this epic basement design gallery for your basement reno project. I love basements.
Mark Matcho. Put the main socializing area in a spot that gets the best natural light, to draw people in. Bedrooms need a window for egress, so they'll need to be located at the perimeter. The TV-viewing zone can be in a darker spot, to reduce glare and create a home-theater feel. Store snacks and beverages in an area you can access without crossing in front of the TV.What to Inspect and Fix Before You Start. Test for moisture by taping 2-foot squares of plastic sheeting to the floor and walls.
Wait a couple of weeks. If condensation forms underneath, your foundation's not sealed. If droplets form on top, your basement needs dehumidifying. Use an awl to probe for rot and insect damage in floor joists, rim and header joists, the sill plate, and wood-framed windows. Check floor joists for sagging by climbing a ladder until you're nearly eye level with the underside of the joists. Look across them (perpendicular to their direction) to see if any are out of line. Have a pro check fuel-burning equipment and your house's ventilation system to ensure that you won't have carbon monoxide buildup below grade.Key Elements to Factor Into Your Plans Will You Need More Headroom?Many codes call for 7 to 7½ feet of clearance.
If you don't have that height, you may be able to dig out and lower the concrete floor, but it's a complex, pricey job. Ask your contractor if moving ducts and pipes might solve the problem. Double Up on Sump Pumps. Mark MatchoIt's best to have both a battery backup for your main pump, in case of a power outage, and a second pump, in case the first one gives out. If your house is hooked up to a municipal water supply, invest in a water-powered backup pump that's juiced by pressure in the supply line. DIY WaterproofingMinor leaks may not need the attention of a pro. 'Often a few simple fixes will solve a moisture problem,' says This Old House general contractor Tom Silva.
His tips:. Install diverters to send gutter water at least 10 feet from the foundation. Slope soil away from the foundation. Seal small cracks or gaps around pipes with concrete-patching compound. Fill larger cracks inside and out with hydraulic cement, which expands as it cures. A structural engineer should inspect any cracks that are wider than a pencil.Insulate Pipes Before Boxing Them InWhile they're exposed, slip foam insulation sleeves over hot-water pipes to prevent heat loss and over cold-water ones to prevent condensation from dripping on the inside of the drywall or ceiling.
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Leave Space Around MechanicalsWhether you’re moving equipment or boxing it in, heed the advice of TOH plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey: “Make sure a real human being can fit around mechanicals for upkeep.” Plan on 2 to 3 feet of clearance. Banish mold—ban standard drywall. Mark MatchoFix moisture problems first, then follow our pro tips on finishing basement walls.It just doesn’t belong below grade; mold can grow on the paper coating, and the gypsum core can crumble. Try USG’s Sheetrock Brand Mold Tough Gypsum Panels or Georgia-Pacific’s nonpaper-faced DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panels. Both got the highest scores on a standard lab test for mold resistance.
3 Options for Finishing Basement Walls 1. Insulated Stud WallsBest for: Avid DIYers on tight budgetsHow it's done: It's the tried-and-true traditional method: A vapor barrier and rigid-foam insulation are laid over foundation walls, followed by a stud frame and drywall. Watch a of Tom Silva using this method to finish foundation walls. Interlocking Panel SystemsBest for: DIYers who want to save labor and floor spaceHow it's done: Notched insulation panels are fitted together and glued, clipped, or screwed to foundation walls. Then drywall is attached to integrated strips, resulting in a thinner wall. Panels have labor-saving chases for wiring and back-side channels for drainage.
Professional Basement RefinishersBest for: Non-DIYersHow it's done: Licensed pros install a proprietary modular system that combines insulation, finished wall panels, and sometimes ceilings, floors, and finishes. Some types are attached to a level track, so they go up quickly. Makes the best known of these systems. Bonus: If You Want to Add Partition Walls. Put them in sparingly. Too many below-grade rooms will feel like a rabbit warren.
Place them between columns to turn support posts into design elements. Build half-wall dividers or walls with window cutouts so that light can penetrate the interior. Make them mobile. Sliding doors and movable screens can be closed for privacy as needed.Finished Basement Ideas You Can Work into Your Space Best Basement Flooring to Use If You're Worried About MoistureA high-tech printing process gives scratch-resistant floating vinyl planks a wood-like appearance that's so realistic you might do a double take. And the 20-year warranty will give you peace of mind.Adura Plank with LockSolid Technology in Timber Ridge; A Wall Hung Ceiling for Plumbing AccessCeiling tiles have gotten a huge face-lift in recent years, so your basement need not look like a bland boardroom.
You'll need a few extra inches of headroom to hang the grid; ask the manufacturer:.Soundproof your Basement Ceiling.
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