Basement Renovation; Money-Saving Tips That Help
Insure Success
When it comes to creating more space for storage or increased living
area, basement renovation immediately comes to mind.
The basement renovation plan might be as simple as drywall finishing
the wall framing, a few extra light fixtures and shelving to increase
basement storage potential. Or it can be as involved as transforming
the area using a family room design or basement game room that includes
finished walls, ceiling, carpeting, and the addition of bathroom plumbing.
Your only restraints are available floor space, basement renovation
cost, and other practical considerations. Such as whether the project
will be a DIY, if you require the services of a reliable renovation
contractor, and what you hope to accomplish by the renovation.
Basement Storage Idea
One basement renovation Toronto style idea is to make use of wasted
space under the lower end of the stairway leading into the basement.
Consider custom made roll-out bins for this project.
Simple-style bins made from ¾” plywood and mounted
on casters can be designed. Reinforce the inside corners of the
bins using ¾” square molding. Create a template for
the front, back, and filler pieces of each bin by tracing the slope
of the stairs on cardboard.
Remember to allow for the casters when determining bin height; the
back and front of the bins should clear the stairs by at least ¼”.
Attach cupboard handles to the front of the bins for ease of access.
This makes great basement storage space for sports equipment, boots
and winter wear, seasonal decorations, or even cleaning supplies.
Basement Floor Idea
If part of your basement renovation plan is to incorporate a family
room design or basement game room idea into the mix, you’ll
want to finish off the floor. If the floor of your basement is concrete,
the following is a great way to make it chill-free. Of course, concrete
floor should be level.
- Clean off the surface of the basement concrete floor.
- Apply thinned asphalt mastic (used for roof waterproofing).
- Lay high-density polyethylene sheeting; 6-mil is good. Press
flat using a weighted floor roller.
- Using 2 X 4 pressure-treated sleepers, embed them from one
end of the floor to the other in rows of mastic.
- Nail ¾” sheets of B-grade exterior plywood to
the sleepers.
- Install carpet pad.
- Install carpet.
Hide Ugly Concrete-Filled Steel Posts
A great way to hide eye-sore steel support posts in the basement
is to box them in. Shimming bottom edges off the floor use 1”
X 6” and 1” X 4” lumber. Join the pieces in a
box around the post, using same-size lumber on opposite sides.
Drill 1/8” holes through the box into the post. Attach using
concrete screws; countersink the heads so they are flush with the
wood. Trim the top and bottom of the wood box using quarter round.
Bathroom Renovation Idea
If part of your basement renovation design includes a bathroom,
time and costs can be cut if bathroom fixtures are located near
existing plumbing. This means designing the bathroom floor plan
close to the main waste-vent stack and house drain. Fixture drain
lines should maintain a downward slope of at least ¼”
per foot.
Plumbing rough-ins are a common addition during the construction
of many newer homes. If your house is older and has no drain rough-ins,
you will most probably have to cut into the slab floor to make drain
connections.
And remember, when deciding on small bathroom design it is easier
and less complicated to arrange the bathroom fixtures along a line
on one wall. Be sure to check local codes for plumbing and electrical
aspects of your project.
Hanging Drywall on Concrete Basement Walls
Another aspect of basement renovation might be hanging drywall.
If your basement walls consist of concrete instead of basement framing,
here’s a handy drywall tip. Use masonry nails to install furring
strips on concrete basement walls. Of course, you’ll want
to pre-drill holes first to make the job easier.
Start holes through the furring strips for each masonry nail so
that they just begin poking through the back of the strip. Hold
the strip firmly in place against the wall; tap the nails to mark
their locations on the walls.
Remove the strip and drill holes in the concrete using a 1/8”
masonry bit. Replace the strip and nail them in place. Pre-drilling
the holes first prevents the concrete from chipping and helps insure
that the masonry nails will go in straight and hold tight.
Now you are ready to hang drywall. Be sure and tape each drywall
corner and seam. When you are finished with drywall taping, cover
nail heads with drywall compound; sand smooth when dry. Complete
the project by painting drywall, using drywall texturing, or some
other drywall finish technique.
Handy Safety Tip
One other basement renovation idea; if you plan on the addition
of a space heater for basement use, select a model with safety features
such as automatic shut off in case the unit gets tipped over. If
basement flooring is flammable, make a brick platform to set the
heater on.
Make the platform large enough so that if the heater does get tipped
over it won’t fall on the floor.
For help completing your basement renovation project, post
your job online at HandyCanadian.com. It’s fast, easy, and
free! Get competitive bids from reliable contractors in a matter
of days. Watch your basement renovation plan become a reality, and
a huge success!
To locate a reliable basement renovation contractor in your area,
post your project online for free and receive bids from professionals
in your area, ready to compete for your business. Click
here to post your project. |
