Do you need more living space and are dreading the aspect of adding on to your home? You can add more living space with the walls and floors you already have. Your basement may have the potential of making that need a reality without the hassles of adding an addition. Take the time to develop a plan for finishing your basement. If you do not develop a plan from the start, you may end up forgetting critical steps. You must plan out each step as detailed as possible to prevent any significant problems. Here are the planning stages for finishing a basement:

See Related articles: Bedroom Decorating Tips, Design a Tuscan Kitchen

Stage #1: Determine what you want to do with your basement

Will it be for recreation? Do you need an extra bedroom or bathroom? Do you want a hobby room or workshop? You could use part of the basement for one thing and another part for another.

Stage #2: Basement finishing ideas for waterproofing your basement

• The basement tends to be cool and moist. Take steps to ensure your basement is waterproof. Anything you do after this point could be ruined if you do not waterproof your basement before finishing your basement. Here are some basement finishing ideas for waterproofing your basement.
• Gutters should be installed over the house.
• Use a sump pump.
• For basement windows, use window wells.
• Plumbing should be checked for leaks.
• The walls should be covered with a waterproofing compound.

Stage #3: Create a layout plan and begin a list of materials

Make a layout of the basement and include your basement finishing ideas on this layout. Be sure to include where you want switches, outlets, doors and any built in shelves, support posts, plumbing stacks, ductwork etc. Tip: Sheetrock generally comes in 4 by 8 or 4 by 12 sections. Plan on wall framing that is 16 inches on center. When placing your studs, take this into consideration. Your sheetrock edge or drywall should break on the center of the studs.

Your layout should contain all measurements, including where your doors, switches, outlets, etc will go. Remember to measure the height of your ceilings from the floor to the bottom of the floor joists. Also, take measurements from the floor to the bottom of any ductwork or supports. Lay out the main walls first. Then make a lay out the closets and smaller rooms.

Start a list of materials for each room, such as sheetrock or drywall, tools needed, drywall nails, 2x4s. You will add to this list as you move through the planning stages.

Stage #4: Basement finishing ideas for framing

For the basement finishing planning stage of framing, measure and mark where the wall will be placed and where it will be attached. Include where you will attach at the ceiling. Measure your 2x4s and mark them for the studs. Start at the end stud and take into consideration a new stud should be added every 16 inches. You may need to cut extra pieces to put between the ceiling joists, if your wall is going to run parallel with the joists. They will need to be installed every two to three feet.

Stage #5: Plan for your plumbing and electrical work

This is the stage of finishing your basement that you may wish to contact a professional. Many things can happen when finishing a basement. An experienced professional will be able to spot any issues, such as leaking walls, insulated pipe and mold and will be able to handle these issues.

Stage #6: Planning for decorating your basement

You have gone through the details of preparing your basement to become a part of your living space, now it is time to add some personality to your basement finishing project. This is actually an article in itself. However, before you can finish a basement and actually add details, you will need to finish up the walls with paint and add some type of vinyl, laminate, linoleum flooring or some type of industrial carpeting. Have fun in this planning stage!

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Comments (2)

• |2009-07-13 13:31:35 Deep  - Basements Planning and Design
  Basements Planning and Design
  
  1. The first step toward any successful basement remodeling project is to come up with a
  plan. The decisions you make at this point will affect your entire project. You don't want to have all the walls built, sanded, and primed only to realize you don't have enough storage space!
  
  2. From getting started, to basement waterproofing and establishing a budget for this
  plan.
  
  
  3. Measure the available space. Decide how various areas will be used. Measuring most
  basements is relatively easy. With a little practice you can easily work out the total square footage of the space you have to work with. Having the square footage available is also very helpful when estimating the materials you will need.
  • 2
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

• |2009-07-13 13:33:44 Deep  - Basements Planning and Design
  Basements Planning and Design
  
  1. The first step toward any successful basement remodeling project is to come up with a
  plan. The decisions you make at this point will affect your entire project. You don't want to have all the walls built, sanded, and primed only to realize you don't have enough storage space!
  
  2. From getting started, to basement waterproofing and establishing a budget for this
  plan.
  
  
  3. Measure the available space. Decide how various areas will be used. Measuring most
  basements is relatively easy. With a little practice you can easily work out the total square footage of the space you have to work with. Having the square footage available is also very helpful when estimating the materials you will need.
  • 1
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

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