| A finished basement can be a great place where you | | | | the basement stairwell you remove some of the |
| can entertain your family and friends by putting in a | | | | basement like atmosphere. Some designers would like |
| recreation room which includes a pool table, ping pong | | | | to see the doorways of the basement widened and |
| table, pinball machine, and/or dartboard.Before a | | | | employ arches and columns to dress them up. |
| basement renovation you should:1. Look for basement | | | | Examples include French Doors for privacy or a partial |
| foundation cracks. Hairline cracks in the basement can | | | | separator using decorative glass to add elegance to |
| be the fault of improper curing where as large cracks | | | | the basement room.When looking at windows, if |
| are most likely caused by settling. Both can be | | | | applicable, add as many as you can. Basements tend |
| repaired with hydraulic cement if the crack is not | | | | to be dark and gloomy but with more natural light it |
| active i.e. whatever caused the crack is no longer an | | | | becomes a better and well lit area. If windows are |
| existing problem. If the basement crack is still active | | | | very limited, look into security and use glass block |
| then the crack patching may be re-opened later.2. | | | | windows. When it comes to artificial lighting, the |
| Look for basement moisture problems. Moisture | | | | choices are fluorescent lights, table lights, floor lamps |
| problems may be tough to fix. Water is persistent and | | | | and ceiling lights. If your budget allows, stay away from |
| can make its way through the basement walls that | | | | the fluorescent lighting since it is not the most appealing |
| are considered permeable. An easy way to test | | | | in design.When installing the ceiling, stay away from |
| water problems is to tape a piece of aluminum foil to | | | | suspended ceilings because they make the basement |
| various places on the basement walls and floors. Seal | | | | look like a basement. Consider using tray ceilings. |
| the edges of the foil tightly and leave in place for | | | | When choosing the color for painting, use a light, bright, |
| several days. After several days, if moisture droplets | | | | or dramatic color scheme. With these colors, you can |
| appear beneath the foil then moisture is going through | | | | turn that dark gloomy basement into a room that |
| the basement masonry. If the moisture appears on top | | | | opens and brightens.The basement floor is always cold |
| of the foil, the problem is condensation from basement | | | | since it is in direct contact with the ground. Look at |
| humidity. Look for other water problems by looking in | | | | having a subfloor between the concrete and flooring |
| the underside of the basement's first subflooring for | | | | space. This will make it a warmer and dryer living area |
| signs of leaks. Fix any faulty pipes and fixtures. Look | | | | and a smooth surface for your carpet or flooring of |
| for brownish stains on the basement subfloor and | | | | your choosing. If a subfloor is not in your plans and you |
| sides of the basement joists. This will indicate active or | | | | are using carpet, get plenty of padding to put under the |
| an old leak that has been repaired. If the stain is | | | | carpet. Try to have a storage room added, maybe |
| spongy, an active leak exists.Basement renovation | | | | around the sump and furnace area. This would be |
| planning is key to the success of your basement. For | | | | convenient for all those things that can't be thrown out. |
| instance, if you decide you want a wetbar and/or | | | | Think about adding shelves to this room to keep it |
| bathroom, you will need to have the plumbing done | | | | fairly organized.To control noise, have thick wall to wall |
| first. This would be a top priority because the plumbing | | | | carpeting and a high quality pad can absorb much of |
| usually goes beneath the cement floor. After the | | | | the sound. You can use sound deadening material |
| plumbing is completed, you need to plan and install the | | | | below any underlayment or subfloor. This is nice |
| electric which may include hiring a certified electrician. | | | | especially if the basement is used for a bedroom or |
| Your plans should include enough electrical outlets, | | | | office. An easy way to reduce noise is by installation |
| telephone lines and cable hook-ups. These will be used | | | | of thick insulation between ceiling joists.In below-ground |
| for your television(s), lamp(s), computer(s), electronic | | | | basement renovations, should you want to add a |
| games, and a computer modem. Once installed, you | | | | kitchen or bath you can tie into the plumbing system |
| must decide on paneling, dry walling, or painting to | | | | that is in place above. You can buy toilets and |
| cover your cement walls. Although paneling might be | | | | lavatories that are specifically designed for below |
| cheaper, the refined look of drywall makes it the | | | | grade applications.After your basement renovation are |
| material of choice for finished spaces. Paneling can | | | | complete, start adding the "toys" that will make it an |
| look dated and does not always last long.The next | | | | enjoyable area where you get away from it all.Keith |
| phase in your plans should be the stairwell. Some | | | | Hoyng is the web master and operator of which is a |
| professionals suggest you should open up the stairwell | | | | good |
| and install a banister because a basement typically | | | | source of information for remodeling and much more |
| features stairwells that are enclosed. By opening up | | | | information. |