DIY Basements

Finishing a basement can give you extra needed space

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. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Wood flooring
• Pressure-treated 2-by-4-inch boards
• 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood
• Plastic sheathing
• Dropped ceiling grid kit
• Dropped ceiling tiles
• Sewage ejection system
• Bathroom fixtures
• Lighting
• Utility room doors

Instructions

1. Make a list of key features you want to include, such as storage, seating areas and a bathroom. Measure the basement and draw it to scale on graph paper with 1 inch representing 1 foot. Check with your local building inspector to determine safety code requirements for items such as an egress window, and obtain a permit if necessary.

2. Select the type of flooring you want for the finished basement. If you choose wood flooring, install a wood subfloor over the concrete basement floor with a network of pressure-treated 2-by-4-inch boards and ¾-inch tongue-and-groove plywood. A plastic sheathing moisture barrier between the concrete floor and the subfloor will reduce moisture problems.

3. Determine where electrical lines and plumbing will be needed, and incorporate access to water heaters, meters, air conditioning units and the like. Hiding overhead vents and plumbing can sometimes be achieved by framing a box around the perimeter of the ceiling to create a tray ceiling.

4. Place rope lighting in the molding around the tray ceiling for an overall, indirect lighting effect. Add additional lighting such as can lights, lamps and sconces to ensure the basement is well lighted.

5. Install a dropped ceiling on a metal grid to provide access to plumbing, electrical wires and vents. A tray ceiling can have the suspended or dropped ceiling in the center portion.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a kit to construct the grid for a dropped ceiling. A large selection of dropped ceiling tiles is available.

• Decorate the basement to make it the inviting space you envisioned, and define separate areas with rugs and furniture placement.

• Carpeting also can be used for the basement floor.

• Check your basement for moisture before beginning your project and resolve any moisture problems before installing anything.

Resources

• Basement Decoration Ideas: Basement Room Ideas