Drop ceiling tiles work well in basements because they can be individually moved to access plumbing pipes or electrical hookups if needed. An installed drywall ceiling is another good option, but remember that ceiling textures can easily flake off. Regardless of the style you select, remember that the highest level of your basement ceiling is the same height as the lowest hanging pipe, duct, or wire.
Your home's heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems may have been installed based on upper-level requirements.
Make sure an HVAC contractor validates that you have the right equipment to serve the basement as well. Otherwise, you could reduce the equipment's life span. When planning to finish a basement, it is essential to test for radon. Radon is an odorless radioactive gas that seeps into basements from surrounding soils.
Uncontrolled, it can expose you and your family to the equivalent of chest x-rays annually. Test for it with charcoal-base collectors, or hire a licensed radon contractor. Local utility companies may offer radon testing.
Mitigating radon may involve sealing cracks and surfaces or installing ventilators. You should plan ahead for emergencies when finishing a basement. Local building codes may demand egress windows in order for a basement room to be considered a bedroom, and an enclosed closet may also be required. Egress windows must be large enough for a firefighter in full gear to get into a burning house and for occupants to safely escape if stairways are blocked by fire.
Another egress option is to add hinged outside access doors. By Jessica Bennett Updated March 02, How it's done: Licensed pros install a proprietary modular system that combines insulation, finished wall panels, and sometimes ceilings, floors, and finishes. Some types are attached to a level track, so they go up quickly. Owens Corning makes the best known of these systems. A high-tech printing process gives scratch-resistant floating vinyl planks a wood-like appearance that's so realistic you might do a double take.
And the year warranty will give you peace of mind. Ceiling tiles have gotten a huge face-lift in recent years, so your basement need not look like a bland boardroom. You'll need a few extra inches of headroom to hang the grid; ask the manufacturer:. A dim basement is a real turnoff, so you'll need more fixtures than you've got elsewhere. Recessed cans broadcast light in a cone shape that's wider at the base; if you're using them, space them closer together to avoid dark spots.
A good rule of thumb: Divide the ceiling height by 2 to get the maximum distance between cans. Skip the corrugated metal and go for prefab wells made from fiberglass or another faux-stone material.
Top them with grates or plastic covers so that people can't fall in, but make sure the toppers can be removed easily by a young child to ensure emergency egress.
Sometimes a finished basement floor makes the bottom stair a little too shallow, throwing off the whole run. Tom Silva's fix: Measure the rise of each step. If any are shorter than 7 inches, you can remove the treads and add spacers to pad them out as you go up.
You don't need a full kitchen. But you'll get plenty of mileage from a mini fridge for beverages, a cabinet to hold snacks, and a microwave for heating leftovers or making popcorn for movie nights.
Keep a tray handy for stacking and transporting dirty dishes upstairs. Pro2ProTip: Make sure temperatures stay toasty. Give it a separate thermostat, and put supply registers near the floor, not the ceiling. If you need supplemental heat, try electric baseboards or radiant mats. Looking for help with repairs around your home? A home warranty may help.
Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. How to Plan for a Finished Basement. By Jeanne Huber. Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard. Remember to Plan Your Layout First Put the main socializing area in a spot that gets the best natural light, to draw people in.
Bedrooms need a window for egress, so they'll need to be located at the perimeter. The TV-viewing zone can be in a darker spot, to reduce glare and create a home-theater feel. Store snacks and beverages in an area you can access without crossing in front of the TV. When your loved ones know that you have a separate space waiting for them, they are certain to visit your home more often. This easily offsets renovation costs. Once you pay off this project, you can put rent money toward mortgage payments or other expenses.
Although a home improvement project can be expensive, it is worth the initial cost in the long run. A finished basement also helps to modernize an older home; contractors can add newer features to it, drawing in more interest. When you finish your basement, you have the freedom to use this space for whatever you want.
For instance, you can dedicate the entire floor to storage; a place to put aside family keepsakes, old furniture, seasonal decorations, and unwanted belongings that you plan to donate.
Especially if you have a large family, a basement is essential for all the items you will collect over the years. Furthermore, some homeowners finish their basement and turn it into a quiet office—a peaceful retreat away from the commotion happening upstairs.
Others finish their basements to create their own convenient home gyms. Finally, numerous homeowners will use their basement for laundry because they have a generous amount of space for appliances. As you can see, the possibilities are practically endless! No matter what you want to do with your finished basement, you can relax knowing you are putting this space to good use.
To conclude, it is evident that your basement should not be the last of your priorities, so go ahead and finish it.
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