Ideas For Basement Remodel

Secrets to Success for Construction Basement Walls

Fix moisture problems first, then follow our expert tips on procedures and materials.

Make Double Duty Rooms Work Hard

2. Elect for easy-care flooring.

Better-Looking, Safer Window Wells

Skip the corrugated metal and go for prefab wells made from fiberglass or another faux-stone material. Top them with grates or plastic covers that people can't fall in, but be certain that the toppers can be removed by a kid to guarantee emergency egress.

Finishing Foundation Walls: Professional Basement Refinishers

Best for: Non-DIYers

How to Create the fantastic Bonus Room

Even if it's currently cold concrete and crammed with boxes of off-season duds, the bottom floor of your home probably has loads of potential. Treat it as you would aboveground, and it might turn into the most popular place in the house than adding on. Here's our advice for turning this space you'll be eager to spend some time in.

Keep the Racket Down Below

C) Minimize connections between ducts in the basement and upper floors to reduce noise transmission.

Need a Hung Ceiling for Plumbing Accessibility?

3. The Tin Man

Finishing Foundation Walls: Interlocking Panel Systems

Best for: DIYers who wish to save labor and floor space

Catch Space Around Mechanicals

Whether you're moving equipment or boxing it in, heed the advice of TOH pipes and heating expert Richard Trethewey: "Make sure a real human being can match around mechanicals for maintenance." Plan on two to three feet.

Five Smart Ideas to Steal from this Basement

3. Layer on lighting.

Fix a Staircase That is Out of Code

Occasionally a finished basement floor makes the bottom stair somewhat too shallow, throwing off the entire run. The mend: Measure the development of each measure of Tom Silva. If any are shorter than 7 inches, then you can remove the treads and include spacers to pad them out as you go up. Simply keep heights below code max, and make certain they don't differ by more than 3/8 inch in height.