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There are many prefabricated options for basement bulkhead doors, but wood doors are durable and can last many years with good care. The dimensions of the door are not critical, and the construction is unsophisticated. It must only be large enough to cover the bulkhead. After the door is built, you can install it with a prefabricated base. Alternatively, frame out the top of the bulkhead with lumber, fasten the lumber frame with concrete screws or bolts and install the door hinges on the frame.
Designing a basement egress door may require removal of several feet of rocks or soil. Over time, you want to keep the door area and house foundation free from moisture. Sloping the yard a specific way to keep rain from entering the stairwell might require input from an excavation expert. Digging deeply or moving just a small amount of dirt requires extreme care to protect concrete footings and block walls. Be prepared to do some hand digging to prepare the door area in most cases, so you can avoid any cracks during construction.
Skim coating a basement floor is the first step required before you can install any further flooring, or even paint the existing surface. A skim coat is concrete-based and spreads over the floor to fill in any depressions and low spots. After the skim coat dries, the basement floor is level and ready for the final flooring application. Homeowners can skim coat a basement themselves, although the process is a bit messy.
If you’re the sort of person who sees every challenge as an opportunity to do something original, opening yourself up to practical tips for finishing your basement on the cheap is going to be quite the adventure for you. Start with a realistic budget – no pie in the sky grid that includes cash earmarked for essentials, please. Next, set reasonable deadlines for each improvement so you can celebrate mini-goals as you get to the finish line.
Noise from a basement can trickle upstairs, and noise from people walking in the house is often heard down in the basement. It's possible to soundproof basements, and some homeowners hire contractors to install soundproof installation between the drywall. Rather than spend money to soundproof and reduce noise, consider a few do-it-yourself techniques.
A finished basement can add living space to your home and can add value to the house when it is time to sell. A basement can provide an area for an additional bedroom for guests, a playroom for the kids, or an office workspace. Creative homeowners can set up a home theater, wine bar or “man cave” in the basement. If you decide to finish the basement yourself, planning is the key.
Upgrading a dirt basement is a relatively inexpensive way to add living space to a home. Typically the basement consists of a dirt floor with some kind of wall structure that prevents the basement from collapsing. The average dirt basement needs to be checked for problems such as moisture and unpleasant odors, since such problems can ruin the entire project if they are not corrected. Once the basement is clean and dry, the floor and walls are the most important parts of an upgrade. Decorative touches can be added after the room is complete.
Create separate entertainment or work spaces in your basement with a project that can be completed in just a few hours. Basements are often single rooms that run the entire length of your home without clear definition. Room dividers create temporary rooms within these areas. You can remove the dividers to suit your family's changing needs. The result is a fashionable solution that clearly defines each space in your home.
The basement can be a dark, cluttered utility space where junk accumulates, or it can be a warm and attractive area for household activities. Before you can transform your basement into a comfortable and useful area, start with a cleared and clean space to arrange and decorate. You can save a lot of money remodeling your basement when you do it yourself.
Uninsulated basement walls can make the floors above cold in the winter and allow moisture vapor to work in from the outside. Adding rigid foam insulation panels to your basement will improve the energy efficiency of your home and save energy on your power or heating bill. Best of all, adding basement panels is a good job for the do-it-yourselfer. The panels are easy to work with and can be applied to the walls quickly, and without the need for any specialized tools.
If you hate having to travel to tan, or even just paying those never-ending dues to a professional tanning salon, consider building your own private tanning room right at home. The basement is an ideal spot for a tanning room, as your tanning bed needs ample space that may not be available elsewhere in the house. Before you get to tanning, just make sure that your basement is properly prepped for your setup.
A basement, especially when fitted with a washing machine, can be greatly improved with the installation of a utility sink. Drainage from a washing machine can be siphoned off into a utility sink if a floor drain is not available. Utility sinks also give you access to running water for a basement workshop. Installation takes a lot of work and requires a fair amount of plumbing skill. Contact your local building regulations department to determine whether you need a permit to install a sink.
A practical and simple way to utilize space in an unfinished basement is to transform a section of the space into a pantry. The specific needs of a pantry space call for multiple shelves arranged in a similar pattern vertically, and thus the use of an overall shelving system is preferable to individually mounted shelves, particularly in situations involving cement or masonry walls. The installation of a basic mounting system makes the custom installation of shelving much more straightforward and allows for easy changes in shelf orientation, depending on desired use.
Luan doors are typically used in home interiors for closets and other non-essential doorways because they are relatively inexpensive and lightweight, making them easily replaceable. However, it is possible to refinish a luan door to extends its lifespan. Unlike refinishing a solid hardwood door, you can't use power tools, such as a handheld sander, to strip the old finish because it may damage the luan. This will make the project take a bit longer than refinishing hardwood surfaces.
A cigar room is a sophisticated sort of man cave, a place where a man and his friends can retire for the evening, smoke some cigars and talk. While a cigar room outside of the house is preferable, using an out of the way place inside such as the basement can be a suitable location. Design your basement cigar room as a do-it-yourself project that gives you a place to entertain friends and get away from life's stresses. Designing a basement cigar room should be a fun experience where you can entertain friends and have your own little space to…
Many new homes have unfinished basements to save the initial buyer some money. Older homes may also have these incomplete spaces that have been used primarily for storage. In either case, refinishing a basement adds value to a house because it increases usable living space. Though a handy homeowner can perform many construction tasks, a professional provides the most efficient and convenient service at a price.
Lofts turn former industrial space into modern living space. Warehouse features such as exposed brick and concrete and industrial plumbing are decorating pluses in lofts. Though the name "loft" implies a high-rise space, you can use loft decorating techniques to transform a basement into a stylish living space as well. After all, basements have many of the same features as lofts, with bare concrete floors and exposed wiring and piping.
Basements, because they're below the soil grade, naturally attract excess moisture. Cinder block and other hard materials do a good job of keeping out most moisture, but small cracks at the bottom of a basement wall can let in small amounts of water. Over time this water can lead to the development of mold in the basement or deterioration of the building materials. Sealing the cracks at the footer of the basement will prevent damage.
A common dilemma during basement remodeling projects concerns the steel poles that support the house. You can't move them and in the middle of your newly finished basement, they just look ugly. You can buy manufactured column surrounds to hide the poles, or build your own. Medium-density fiberboard, or MDF, is a sheet product with a smooth surface and is often used to manufacture pole surrounds. A wooden frame, MDF sides and outside corner molding make these pole treatments easy and fast to install.
Finishing your basement's ceiling is one of the hardest parts of a basement finishing project. This is because drywall sheets are heavy and many people find it difficult to work over their heads. To make this project easier, rent a drywall lift from your local hardware store. The lift raises and positions the drywall sheets on the ceiling joists so all you need to do is secure it in place.
To prevent the concrete from cracking, basement slabs that were poured as one continuous slab must be cut into sections. Failure to section it could result in slab failure, which could then cause further problems for the rest of the basement. You can cut a basement slab in one to two days, depending on the size and scope of the project.
Unless you are working in a commercial building, your basement stairs are likely made of wood as opposed to concrete. Rather than leaving the wood unfinished, apply a stain to the wood to bring out its natural beauty, particularly if the stairs lead to a basement rec room you use for entertaining. Staining basement stairs is a fairly simple process that mainly requires a lot of prep work before applying the staining agent. As with most staining or painting projects, a clean surface is imperative to the quality of the job.
Refinishing stairs is basically the same process as refinishing a floor. You need to take off the old gloss and stain and replace it with new gloss and stain. The problem is, in many homes, that stairway is the only path between the upper and lower floors. If you don't want to be cut off completely from your upper floor while the stain and gloss is drying, you need to get creative while you're refinishing, so that you can still use the stairs during the process. Working out a system of alternating steps as the stain and gloss dries is…
Refinishing a basement is almost like adding an entire new floor to your home, making use of space you already have but do not put to good use. Most homeowners opt to drywall their basements and install carpet or new flooring. The additions require several materials and supplies in order to complete the job professionally.
An unfinished basement can serve as more than storage space and the location of your home's water heater and furnace. It's space inside your home that can be converted for other uses, including a spare bedroom, media room, game room or home office. Finishing and converting your basement can provide you and your family with a new living space and also help raise the value of your home.
A basement renovation is an ambitious home improvement project. Taking an unfinished basement and converting it into a usable space can add a spare bedroom, a game room, a home office or a media room to your home. A well-planned and executed basement renovation can increase the value of your home and provide you with a room you can enjoy for many years.
Basement escape windows, also called egress windows, are for buildings with basement apartments or living spaces below street level. The windows are wide enough for a person of average size to get through and escape the building in case of an emergency, such as a fire. Basement escape windows swing outward and to the right on hinges like a door. The metal latch at the bottom opens swiftly so the window can swing out of the way for a fast exit.
In many homes, the basement is an unfinished room that contains appliances such as your furnace and water heater, while also being used for storage. Finishing the basement can provide you with an extra room to use without going through the expensive process of building an addition to your home. Although you may have to hire licensed contractors to do some of the work, such as electrical and plumbing, a do-it-yourself homeowner can complete much of the work himself.
Basement drains typically are installed during home construction because they allow rain and water to drain from the basement floor before roof installation. It's best to install a basement drain before the flooring and basement are finished, because once they have been installed, installing a drainage system is more difficult and expensive. Luckily, you won't have to worry about installing a drainage system if your contractor installed one during construction. You can then build your shower around the existing basement drain. Before you can install the drain, an excavator must dig a trench that leads away from the foundation.
Many homeowners find that over the years, the house that once seemed so large has become cramped. If this is your situation, you might be considering an addition. But this can be a costly and invasive process. Another option is remodeling your unfinished basement. This project is smaller and more manageable, and if you're handy, you can complete much of the work yourself.
Every sink, bathtub and toilet in your house connects to the main drain pipe via a series of connecting pipes. The main drain takes waste and sends it to the septic system or city sewer system. Every main drain as an access point called a "drain cleanout." You can use this access point to gain a visual aid of what is going on inside your pipe.
As families grow and change, a once-spacious home can start to feel cramped. If you're in that situation, and moving or building an addition aren't options, consider making your basement usable space. Converting a basement often involves less muss and fuss than building an addition, and you can do much of the work yourself.
You can finish your home's basement to create more space for your family to live and play. A few simple additions and some fun décor can turn your basement from a dingy, boring space to one your family can enjoy. A few construction touches and the right color paint can go a long way toward changing the appearance of a typical basement.
Floor drains help keep water damage at bay by diverting flowing water down a drain and out of the room. Although engineers use a complicated equation to determine the best size of drain for a room, you can use a basic chart provided by manufacturers to help you determine your needs. Most indoor requirements suggest that the grate free areas should be one and a half times greater than the transverse area of the connecting pipes.
There are a variety of ways to waterproof your home, whether it be in your bathroom, basement or laundry room. Some techniques are simpler than others, but all will keep your home dry and safe from unexpected leaks. Do-it-yourself waterproofing can go smoothly if you know the proper techniques and have the materials necessary to complete a successful project.
Because basement walls are underground, they must be more resistant to moisture than other walls of your home. All exterior walls of your home get wet from time to time, but basement walls constantly sit in moisture created by surrounding soil. If you have a damp interior wall in a basement, this probably is the result of a leak through the wall from the outside. However, you can fix your interior moisture problem from inside the basement.
You can always tell that a basement is wet by the smell -- a musty, overwhelming aroma that may cause asthma attacks and sneezing. Black mold or mildew may appear on the wall as well. Moisture in the basement can damage goods stored there and may make heating units and other household equipment less effective. The best way to keep the basement dry is to build the basement correctly. Foot drains at the basement walls are hard to fit retroactively. There are a few things you can do to seal your basement.
If you live in New Jersey and have a basement that isn't finished, it might be wise to consider finishing the basement. A finished basement will allow you to expand your living space, increase the resale price of your home, and allow for more enjoyment out of unused living space. You can turn an unfinished basement into anything you desire, from a media space or home office to extra bedrooms. It's a way to express yourself while adding to the enjoyment you already get from your house.
Basement escape windows are called egress windows. These windows, which are large enough for an adult to crawl through with ease, come in three basic styles: sliding glass windows, compact bi-pane windows and in-swing windows. These windows are installed below the ground level and have a tunnel or walkway dug to the window. Installing an egress window will provide an excellent fire escape route.
Refinishing a stone basement into a comfortable living space involves several tasks and some major decisions. Stone basements require maintenance, which can be impossible if the stone walls are enclosed. Also, any basement project should only be attempted if the basement is consistently free of water and humidity. For a stone basement refinish project, do-it-yourselfers need capabilities in carpentry, electricals, and possibly even plumbing.
Laminate floors are easy to clean and durable. They also come in a variety of colors and styles. However, you are limited in refinishing choices when it comes to laminate. You cannot sand and re-varnish laminate like you can hardwood. The recommended option is to replace the laminate with another surface. Laminate manufacturers, such as Armstrong, do not recommend that you paint laminate. If you decide to proceed with the paint job, use the correct technique to create the most durable flooring. You can even mimic the appearance of tile by painting the floors in a checkerboard pattern.
Finishing your basement is an easy way to drastically increase the size of your home, and there are almost limitless strategies you can employ to do it. After you clean and de-clutter your basement, the range of possibilities is staggering. Before you hit the hardware store and start slapping paint on the walls, though, you need a good game plan for your redecoration project.
Especially as a family grows, refinishing a basement adds more space to a home. A refinished basement can provide a rec room, a home gym, a family gathering place, even an extra bedroom. Though not an easy task, refinishing your basement yourself can save money on contractors---and it can make you much more appreciative of the finished product.
Many homes around the United States feature basements, but they're often used as storage or forgotten when decorating the rest of the house. If you have a basement, doing a quick refinish on it increases usable square footage and also creates an additional living space for you to enjoy with family. Updating the basement does not have to take long, and, by adding paint and accessories, you are able to take your space and transform it easily.
Wet basements are a serious problem. Depending on the severity of the water level, a wet basement can range from simply annoying to disastrous. Even when a problem seems minor, it can often get worse or at the very least result in mold and mildew--which are very bad for allergy sufferers. However, a number of do-it-yourself tricks for fixing a wet basement can be employed.
Cracks and holes in basement walls lead to leaks and water damage. Basement walls in areas with high groundwater levels content require quick repairs and waterproofing to avoid further damage. Water leaks through traditional cinder block walls by the process of hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is the process by which water is forced through tiny areas of the block and makes its way to the interior of the wall. During cold winters the water freezes, causing cracks in the wall. An excess of hydrostatic pressure causes the cinder block to give way and crack.
After all the work and disruption of refinishing the basement, it's time to make it part of the house. Decorating the basement, even a refinished basement, presents challenges. In most cases, the ceiling feels low, light barely comes in through small windows, existing light fixtures don't cast enough light to reach the walls--and there may be unsightly features such as a furnace, laundry area or exposed pipes. Learn interior decorating choices to play up the best features of the basement to make it a cozy and useful room and downplay the space's weaknesses via camouflage and optical illusions.
Basements are sometimes the most under-utilized living areas in homes. Refinishing a basement can add significant usable space to a house and improve its overall value. The reasons basements often go unfinished are varied, but they include moisture issues, obstacle issues and a homeowner's sense that transforming a basement into a living area is too big a job. However, tackling one problem at a time, basements can be refinished and enjoyed as dry and comfortable added living space.
A bathtub can be a place of relaxation and cleansing in the home, but damage or grime can instantly ruin that atmosphere of calm and rest. Instead of complicated refinishing projects or full bathroom replacements, some homeowners decide to install bathtub inserts to upgrade the appearance of the tubs. These inserts are made of the same materials as traditional bathtubs, including fiberglass, acrylic or plastic. In general, refinishing these inserts takes little more than a thorough cleaning and repairing any damage.
Well-made wood cabinets can be structurally sound while looking worn down on the outside. After years of use, the finish on your wood cabinets begins to fade. Scratches and scuffs begin to wear away the protective coating and can damage the integrity of the wood itself unless you refinish the cabinet surfaces. Refinishing wood cabinets correctly can be a long and laborious process. Removal of the existing finish is necessary before new finish is applied, and the work requires that you remove the cabinets from their current locations. Done well however, the refinishing process restores the look of your cabinetry,…
Most basements have poured concrete walls and floors. Concrete is strong and relatively inexpensive as a building material, which makes it an excellent choice for foundations. However, because concrete is a porous material, it will develop cracks from time to time, especially in regions that see a dramatic temperature swing. Fixing these cracks does not need to be a difficult procedure. With the right tools and some know-how, just about anyone can tackle this job.
Many basements have ceilings with drop-in ceiling tiles. Over time, many of these tiles become stained, dented and discolored. If your ceiling tiles are still structurally sound, you can update their appearance by refinishing the tiles. One interesting way to achieve a very different look is to apply anaglypta wallcovering to the tiles before priming and painting them. The reason you can paint over anaglypta is because the product is embossed (raised) so the pattern will show through the paint. The improvement can be dramatic.
A DIY basement drain installation can be undertaken for any number of projects, including a toilet, shower or laundry tub. Often, a basement drain job is necessary to put in place critical protection against basement flooding or at least minimize any potential damage. Basement drainpipes and fittings are made from a variety of materials, including PVC, cast iron and stainless steel.
Installing a bathroom in the basement of your home can give you more convenience, expand the possible uses of the space, and help increase the value of your home. Since the basement is most often below the sewer level, certain adaptations will need to be made. This will include the installation of a pumping system to remove waste water from the basement.
While installing water pipes in the basement is not much different than installing them in the rest of the house, waste pipes are another story. Unless your sewer lines are buried very deep, you will probably not have enough drop from the floor of the basement for the waste lines to drain properly, unless you raise toilets and showers on tall pedestals. A relatively simple solution is to install a sewage ejector system. This handles all the basement waste lines and pumps the waste into the house drain line.
As with most any surface, the key to creating a lasting, durable finish when painting fieldstone is adequate preparation. If you plan to refinish a fieldstone basement, though, you'll have to commit yourself to extensive preparation or you will see chipping and peeling in a short time. Because fieldstone attracts dirt and tends to chip, you can expect to spend a full day or two preparing it before you touch a brush.
Nearly all basements begin their lives with two drawbacks: the surfaces are hard and cold, and the environment is dark and dank. Our mission is to counteract those tendencies, which can render a basement too clammy and uncomfortable to inhabit for any length of time. Here are some ideas for making a basement a place that's welcoming and cozy.
Refinishing a basement can add living space to your house without major construction. Repurposing unused space is also a good way to add value to your property. Finding ways to do it without spending a lot of money require a bit of research and a lot of creativity. Fortunately most of these things has already been done for you and is easy to use if you know where to start.
Putting in a cedar closet is not too much different from any other type of closet, except, of course, for your inside wall covering -- which will consist of cedar boards instead of wallboard or paneling. Cedar (make sure it is freshly-cut Eastern red cedar) is often used to line a closet because it is highly aromatic and keeps the space free of unwanted insects. Follow a few strategies that will simplify putting in a basement closet.
Brass is an alloy created by combining zinc and copper. There is a range of brasses that can be created by mixing together different proportions of those metals. These different brasses also all feature different properties. Brass is typically a muted yellow and its similarity in color to gold makes it commonly used for decorative purposes. It is also relatively tarnish-resistant, which makes it durable. Brass is often used to make fireplace screens, which sometimes require refinishing.
Refinishing a basement is a great choice for homeowners who need additional living area and want to make it a new space. Many people refinish their basements for additional bedrooms, game rooms and theaters. Basement refinishing can vary widely in cost depending on what is going to be accomplished and the cost of supplies, but is sure to add value to your home.
Basements are a traditional place to store excess household goods. Dampness and unfinished walls are the biggest obstacles to hanging shelves in basements. Dampness is a problem because high moisture levels will warp untreated wood. Cinderblock, exposed brick or unfinished walls present challenges to securing shelves to the walls. Overcome these problems with a little planning and effort. In a short time, you can build functional and attractive basement shelves.
Bathroom fixtures often incorporate fiberglass. Resurface your bathroom fiberglass as you notice small cracks or dullness on the surface; regardless of the application, you'll always use the same refinishing technique. Typical refinishing involves a bathtub or shower insert; you can accomplish it without having extensive repair knowledge.
It is a less daunting task to refinish a dry basement---a basement without the worry of moisture or possible water damage. Over time, basements can become outdated, dull and dreary. The paint may be cracking, the floors may have cracks or dents and the walls could maybe use an aesthetic makeover. Follow these steps to refinish your basement with the supplies, tools and hard work to get the job done.
There are many basement waterproofing systems that can be implemented to prevent water from entering your basement. Some of them are simple, and some are more complicated, but all of them, either in conjunction or separately, will help keep your basement dry. If you are planning on installing your own waterproofing system, then you should know about the materials and techniques available for a successful project completion.
Interested in converting a dark, damp, dingy basement into a bright, comfortable and clean living space? If so, it can be done if the room is properly finished, illuminated and equipped with dehumidifying equipment. The basement is the best place for noisy activities, but if the basement is under a bedroom, you should think about the volume of noise and the time of day most people will be in it.
If your cupboards are starting to look a little worn, save your money and do your own cupboard refinishing. This is a do it yourself project that can make your cupboards look brand new. Refinishing your cupboard or cupboards will revitalize your entire kitchen. The work is a bit tedious, but not difficult.
Your basement is probably the most underutilized space in your house. Perhaps you use it as a laundry room, or for storage, or maybe it is even a cluttered play room for the kids. The best way to liven up your basement may be to install a basement bar. With easier access to electrical and plumbing hookups, your basement is the ideal place to add a bar, without tearing apart your upstairs living area.
Basements can be difficult rooms to renovate, with low ceilings, little natural light and awkwardly located furnaces and pipes. However, don't let a few obstacles get in the way of creating a cozy, comfortable addition to your home. The uniqueness of basement structures makes them great contenders for innovative, fun design ideas.
A basement, usually the largest room in a home, is also frequently underutilized because it's dark and uninviting. Refinishing your basement can provide extra living or recreational space to your home. A finished basement can be a play room for children, a spacious home office or a home theater. You can turn your basement into a comfortable suite for aging parents or to rent out for additional income. A contractor would charge $25 or more per square foot, so refinishing your basement yourself can save a great deal of money.
Refinishing a basement represents a large task for any homeowner to take on. A basement can have any number of uses, and refinishing it can help you to re-purpose the space. Whether you do the work yourself or hire someone to do it for you, having a basement refinishing plan can keep you organized and in the know. Planning also helps to avoid nasty surprises in the process of refinishing your basement.
