Some families are lucky enough to have a basement that matches the footprint of their entire house. However, since the space is dark and unfinished, frequently the space is not put to particularly good use.
Challenges
While finishing a basement to make it habitable is a big project, it is not an impossible one. It will also increase the square footage of your home, making living easier and increasing the value of your home. However, you will run into challenges in the basement that you would not face in other parts of your home. For example, as you go to frame the space, you will have to work around support posts, ductwork and pipes. Remember to leave easy access to all valves and clean outs even after you frame out your room.
Permits and Professionals
Some municipalities require you to file a building permit if you plan to do a remodel of this size in your home, which will require inspections at the beginning of the project as well as throughout the project. If the job is above your capabilities, you may want to hire an architect or a builder. In a basement there are challenges to consider like moisture as well.
Time to Begin
Start by gluing three quarter inch extruded foam insulation to the rim joists and foundation walls. Make sure to completely cover the area with insulation filling in any gaps with small foam pieces. Then completely seal the insulation by caulking the seams and gaps.
Keep your studs one half inch away from the foam by first putting in the upper and lower 2 x 4s and cutting the studs to fit into the wall every sixteen inches. For longer walls in excess of eight feet, reduce the stud location by three quarters of an inch so that your studs are still evenly spaced throughout the wall. This way your drywall panels will always hit a center stud. Whenever you are framing a wall, you want to use pressure treated wood if it will be touching any concrete surface. Remember to box all of you ductwork and plumbing with your framework, and then you can cover it with drywall.
Inside Walls
If you are planning to erect any internal walls, you will frame them the exact same way that you frame the external walls. The top and bottom plates may not match exactly, so always keep this in mind as you are constructing your partition walls. Plan on framing your door opening about two and a half inches higher and wider than the actual opening is going to be. This way you allow ample room for the doorframe as well as the door itself. Frequently in basement spaces you may need to cut down a regular door or buy a smaller door to fit your room s proportions. Also plan to frame around any pipes or ductwork that jut out from the wall, and leave easy access to any valve shutoff, junction boxes or drain traps.
Author Resource:
Angela Glancy, is a popular contributing writer for http://www.americanartisanart.com/ , and she is a trailblazer in new design approaches for nautical wall decor and landscape wall art.
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