_____________________________________________ Basement Remodeling Ideas & Tips Basement - remodeling Submit your remodeling project to be forwarded on to contractors Basement - finishing Submit your unfinished basement project to be forwarded to contractors. Waterproofing the basement Submit your wet or leaky basement project to be forwarded to waterproofing contractors. Basement remodeling projects Perhaps you're undecided if would like to only do part of your basement remodel, maybe some yourself, are looking to do a facelift or a whole makeover. Find related basement projects here for your convenience. For your basement remodeling projects, as with any remodel you will want to asses your own priorities and budgetary requirements prior to make and final decisions or commitments. Ceilings A typical drywall ceiling is always an option but given the special conditions of the basement you may want to consider having a T bar ceiling (also called 'drop' or 'suspended' ceilings ) installed. Sheet rocking the ceiling does involve, installed framing for backing if not already in-place. This will be needed notably around ceiling around ductwork and other obstructions, and can be work intensive. Also, since wiring and plumbing is almost always run through floor joists above, it just makes sense to have access to these areas with easily replaceable ceiling panels. In the case of a plumbing break or even if the portion of the ceiling is dampened, a ceiling panel can easily be popped back into place whereas drywall replacement involves cut-out, reinstalling, repeated patching, sanding, refinishing the drywall section and repainting usually the entire ceiling if a match is preferred. This is not to mention the dust and inconvenience factor. Multiply these disadvantages for textured surfaces, given that the texture surface can seldom if ever be the matched to original. Walls With the advent of the basement movie room, or media center, homeowners today are looking to inside their wall cavity for the purposes of deadening the ambient sound. So from a functional standpoint, when either re-opening entire existing walls, or erecting new walls for new borders this may be an ideas to consider (along with wiring for future purposes) . One of the biggest challenges for many basement remodels is the apparent ceiling height, since the framing is already fixed in place. If the ceiling height seems low, one way to combat this is aesthetically is with wallpaper borders, as a way to raise the eye level away from “lower down”. Another way is a vertical lined paint scheme, printed wall coverings, or even pre-finished or raw beadboard panels to match the existing color-scheme. The darker shades or decorative paint schemes adding more outward depth. Flooring There are so many choices of flooring given today’s selections. Hopefully this will help narrow your search. The following applies if your basement is on slab (as most are, with exception of screed flooring) The primary concern in the basement is normally the element of moisture/infiltratation of water. If it is, one option may be (as well as correcting the problem) a decorative or painting solution on the floor. Some higher grade laminates will afford some some degree of protection against wetness and moisture (to a point anyway, as will tile) and some laminates offer many options as far as appearing convincingly similar to the actual surface being mimicked, and ease of maintenance and cleanliness. However, from a perspective of acoutics, and tendencay of sound to travel across hard surfaces you may want to keep in mind the advantages of carpet over any hard surface flooring, as a sound deadener. Though again, moisture can be problem. At the minimum, you may want ty seal unfinished concrete surfaces to help keep them clean and any spills from penetrating the pores. Windows & Lighting With common poured foundation walls, choices of replacement windows may be limited indeed. (though not impossible, cutting out window openings can be done). For many new home builders, custom home builders included, this is a an item where costs may be cut. Some of the cheaper hopper style windows many of the new homes equipped with are downright flimsy, and actually are easily penetrated by a would-be intruder. Glass block usually is an alternative here. Block generally provides a stronger solution, bringing in a source of scattered light. However, if workable, casement style windows that open out can create yet another way to soften the basement wall borders, provide increased circulation (screens) and natural light. If the outer grade will allow for, there may also be the option of adding a dug out window well that could receive protection by a clear pane from the elements. Miscellaneous To reduce the levels of moisture it may help to investigate the possibilities of a dehumidier. When properly used they can help maintain the proper content in your walls, trim and furniture throughout the basement living area. In dealing with your contractor(s), taking the proactive approach of planning an organized progress schedule for the remodeling of your basement is important. Taking the time before the start of project and working in cooperation with your remodeller can make a key difference in the time to completion, the way the remodeling project progresses, finishes and completes. Maybe enjoying your basement sooner than expected.