how to finish a partially finished basement

Install cabinetry. A finished basement increases your home's usable space, but taking it from concrete and cobwebs to a comfy hangout spot may be pricier than you think. Find the best flooring option for your basement by comparing cost, comfort, durability, appearance, and installation details. Ideas For Partially Finishing Your Basement Finishing Basement Walls Without Drywall Theplywood Com Basement Design 10 Fast Fi To Make It Less Scary Bob Vila Ideas For Partially Finishing Your Basement Finish A Basement Without Drywall Or Studs 10 Affordable Unfinished Basement Ideas Building Bluebird Paint the floorsNo money for any type of flooring? In addition to a family space, a finished basement can also be home to a home office, mudroom, laundry room, game room, playroom, or guest room. The top of outside corners, perpendicular intersections, and walls that run parallel to the joists are three of the most common areas where youll need to add backers. But, if you don't know what you're getting yourself into, and what's allowed by building codes in your area, you could end up costing yourself tens of thousands of dollars more in the long run. Throw down a soft rug, pick out a sturdy desk and chair, add a desk plant, and then get to work. If your foundation walls are only damp on humid summer days, fineyoure good to go with the methods we recommend. If thats the case, theres no need to finish off the entire 2,000 square feet. Cut 24 bottom and top plates and lay out stud locations every 16 inches on each plate as youre insulating basement walls. If it's inside, the water runs to a sump to be pumped out. Use either 2x4s or 2x2s running perpendicular to the joists to add 1-1/2 inches of dead space so you can drywall over the top of everything. Any self-respecting do-it-yourselfer has the skills to repair a hole in the wall. Hes gotten calls from homeowners whove torn out load-bearing walls and done great damage to their homes. The key to using a material like this is to apply it to a large area so that its clear that using it was an intentional design choice. Typically, finishing a basement means adding insulation and drywall over the existing cinderblock or concrete walls. While solid wood flooring isnt suitable for use in basements, some types of engineered wood flooring will work just fine. A properly finished basement has interior walls. In this room, with the exposed ceilings and walls painted a crisp white, its hard to tell where the walls end and the ceilings begin. Another way to determine if the basement of your home is considered to be finished is to consider how you get to the basement. Make a scale drawing of your plans to submit to your local building inspections department. Any type of plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work will also require a permit. Adding a bathroom to your basement can be a worthwhile venture. If your floor is horribly out of level or if youre framing around a window, it may be best to stick frame, nailing one stud at a time instead of building the wall on the floor. 4. Capture the power of white. If you are looking at homes and find that one has a partially finished basement, try to get some extra details. Again, this is essentially a raw basement that has been cleaned up with paint. shorter than the shortest measurement. ($.75-$4/sq. The best part is that the feeling of warmth is instant, so you don't have to wait for all the air in your basement to heat up as you would with forced-air heat. Sign up for our newsletter! For the best appearance (and a warmer finished floor), this flooring should be installed over a subfloor. ft.): Buying a large roll of vinyl gets you a new floor for a very affordable price. A high-end job could go up to $46,000 - 70,000 depending on the size of the space. Houzz Contributor. After you snap a line and fasten your top plate, plumb up again and mark the location of your first stud on both plates. Because your basement's walls are buried in dirt, they generally stay a bit cooler than the ambient air temperature. Its also a great choice for a playroom or laundry room-mainly because its durable, waterproof, stain resistant, and easy to keep clean. The most robust versions feature barrier backings with a molded plastic waffle design that raises the floor off the subfloor slightly and allows air and water to circulate beneath. As a buyer who may be set on the idea of a finished basement, you'll need to decide if an unfinished space will be a dealbreaker if you find a house that otherwise meets your criteria. When you take a look at the basement, does it match the rest of the house? Gain a few inches of space. Use tapcons (and adhesive) to secure it to the walls and you can then hang drywall or wall covering on those. Carefully cut around obstructions and fill spaces with small chunks of foam wherever its needed, working for tight fits. The added advantage is that your wiring is available to you without having to cut into drywall. Thats a wide margin for savings. Heres a look at a fully buried, partially finished basement that uses the white paint trick to illuminate the space. Another otherwise unfinished space with exposed ceiling joists and concrete walls and floor, this bathroom has all the components to be completely functional, yet also sharp. Get creative with flooring. For starters, if you have to exit the home to get to exterior doors into the basement, it will likely be unfished. Having a partially finished basement can be more useful than having an unfished basement. But a great way to provide the illusion of light and to add ceiling height is to paint everything white. Britt Olizarowicz is a freelance writer, author and mother of two young children. Also, residential building code requires bedrooms to have a point of egress (i.e., an exit other than the door). Dress up with shine. See also: Create a Home That's Timeless, Not Trendy. Selling the Family Home? This basement office room works so well because it really has everything you need. The toilet, not seen in this photo, is in a separate, walled-off enclosure behind the wall with the towel bar. If you put a smaller window AC or a space heater in a basement, it is not considered finished. Insulated fiberglass or steel doors will hold up for the long haul. The partially finished basement is usually used as a rec room type of space or a place for kids to play. Building the walls, adding a door, flooring, and ceiling for a single room is a much more affordable option. Or, to give it a low-cost upgrade: Paint againLeaving your ceiling exposed gives your space height and dimension. These ideas for a partially finished basement can take you part of the way there, but a full basement remodel, thoughtfully designed for your family's unique needs, can truly transform your home. This close-up photo shows just how rudimentary and charming it is. If I write a creative enough comment can you give my basement a while you were out makeover? If your remodeled basement will be used as a family room, home theatre, or kids playroom, you may want to have a subfloor installed over the concrete. Additional cabinetry can be used for a variety of things, like storing dry goods, linens or out-of-season clothing. Tip the knee walls up and fasten them to the floor. Also, in a basement, the top and bottom plates are often different lengths. A professionally installed Owens Corning basement system could run as much as $30,000, but keep in mind that they finish the entire basement to above-grade quality, including installing. Like paint, this flooring treatment can be a good choice for workrooms and home gyms. But this direct installation will result in a floor thats cold underfoot. The ceilings are open, the concrete block wall is painted, and it appears the concrete floor is as well. Even where you have partial foundation walls- frame a full wall in front of the attached foam board. No matter what your budget, the leading factors in pricing a basement remodel include: WaterproofingHomeAdvisor says waterproofing is the single most expensive portion of a basement remodel, costing on average about $4,500. Once everything is clean and dry, you can be assured the work you put into your project will be worth it, and that you won't have to redo any of the work down the the line. Why Are Under-Counter Can Openers So Expensive? Another tip is to drywall only some areas of the room. (Keep in mind that if your basement floods regularly, you should probably stick to your concrete floor and paint it with epoxy as mentioned above.) If there is an old remnant piece of carpet on the floor in the basement, chances are it is not finished. It's a simple way to give a personal touch to your basement. However, when you consider the overall square footage of a home, the square footage of the finished basement will not be added on. Remedies for damp or wet basements can be as simple as rerouting downspouts, regrading slopes away from foundation walls, or applying water-resistant paints to interior surfaces. floor of your basement is damp or prone to occasional flooding, it's essential that you choose a waterproof rug that's rated for indoor-outdoor use. Another unexpected and low-cost alternative wall material is an engineered lumber such as oriented strand board. Although your numbers are not going to change, what really matters is what people will think of the home. Its a lot easier to add drywall backers while you still have all your framing tools out and before you fill the wall cavities. A partially finished basement is essentially a half-finished basement. Labor also increases with the square footage and lands in the $800 to $2,000 range. One drawback that some people notice is an unpleasant odor, but this usually dissipates over time. If you want a tile floor that isnt cold underfoot, put down a basement subfloor before you install your tile. They are finished basement, unfinished basement, and partially finished basement. Installing a vinyl tile or vinyl plank floor is easier than installing sheet vinyl, and any damage to the floor can be repaired easily, simply by replacing a tile or two. Related Reads The average cost to finish a basement is $32 to $47 per square foot or $22,000 to $46,000. Lay out partition walls by snapping chalk lines to mark both sides of the bottom plates. 1. You need a home office and the basement is the only available space. However, quartz is becoming more popular as a natural option and is also cheaper than granite at $15-70 per square foot. Complete DIY projects like a pro! When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. In addition to Real Homes, notable clients include, This Old House, Family Handyman, and Florida Roofing magazine. Dollman advises homeowners who want to shop for their own materials to make sure everything is rated for below-grade use, particularly the flooring. Credits: Baloncici,via Canva.com . It will save you money. 2. Installing a kitchen or bathroom in your basement? We don't all have the advantage of deep basements with high ceilings, and we need all the help we can get, height-wise. If you have any area of your basement that has exposed concrete or even plywood, it is not considered to be finished. If you need future access to anything, just frame around it and cut out the opening when you drywall. Establish a focal point. Stock cabinetry is added for necessary storage, and the mirror, lighting and accessories provide some glitz. 3. This could include: If you're unsure of whether or not your space is properly waterproofed or needs mold or mildew treatment, it's always best to seek the advice of a pro. Find extra space for your family without breaking the bank by finishing your basement on the cheap. Take a look at the way these stairs are finished. Published 17 March 23. Sign up for our newsletter! Carpet and painting do not require a permit. If you shop around and do the installation yourself, a tile floor can be surprisingly affordable. You want the work to feel like the rest of the house, which involves doing it right, he says. Radon mitigation projects (which will vary based on your home's construction, design, as well as your local climate) make it possible to still finish out the basement as planned. We recommend our users to update the browser. Most of the time, when you open the door to the basement stairs, you will quickly be able to see if the basement is finished. A shot of this basement from a different angle shows that in the living area, the concrete foundation walls and floor of this 1920s house have been given a clean coat of paint. This includes things like your flooring, drywall, and lighting. Discover the pros and cons of installing concrete flooring into your home's living areas. She has been a writer of home, real estate and lifestyle articles for over a decade. Create a canopy Add softness and a bit of romance to your basement with a soft, fabric ceiling. $25,000-$35,000. These rugs may look like they would be at home in well-designed interior room, but they are made of materials that shed water and may be resistant to mold and mildew. The finished decorative and soft furnishing elements add the comforts that make the space feel homey. ($3-$8/sq. Locked together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, these mats soften the area and come in a variety of colors. Sketch the details of the exterior wall construction you intend to use as we show in this article. Required fields are marked *. If your door features lots of glass, be sure it is at least double-paned and designed to prevent heat energy from escaping your home. The basement will likely not be a place for people to stay or to live as it does not have all of the same features as the rest of the house. Were always looking for more space in our homes, it seems, whether for extra storage, an additional living zone or a new spot to decorate. Painting your concrete floor is one of the most dramatic (and inexpensive) upgrades you can make to your basement. Spread a 1/4-inch bead of adhesive on masonry walls and press the sheets into place. MaterialsSecond to the cost of waterproofing, the cost of materials is the next factor in your budget. Better yet: Most basement flooring materials are DIY-friendly. We dont all have the advantage of deep basements with high ceilings, and we need all the help we can get, height-wise. There was a problem. Coldwell Banker Atlanta Agents Shine Like No Other! You can choose from wood-look laminates, wood veneers, cork, Marmoleum, or even floating carpet tiles with a waterproof backer. 1. 1. A throw rug warms up the floor, and what appears to be reclaimed wood boards frame off a private bath. The basement will not have a finished ceiling, walls, or floors. View 27 photos of this 4 bed, 3 bath, 3245 sqft. Since there are no nice finishing touches in the basement, the workshop will likely not do any damage to the basement. A properly installed subfloor will create a flat, insulated substrate for the finished floor of your choice, ensuring more warmth underfoot. 2. In addition to being functional, it adds a lot of value to your home. Or, stretch wire taut from one side to the other and hang the fabric using clip-on hooks. Start by fastening your bottom plate, and then use a straight stud and a level to plumb up to find the location for your top plate. Finally, the owner chose white wall paint. We are passionate about home decor, design, and all things home related. (10 Reasons). Framing around obstructions like posts, heating ducts and pipes. Most types have a thickness of or less. Trying to force a wall into place can raise the joists, which could wreak havoc with drywall joints and flooring on the rooms above. Most basements have ductwork and plumbing mounted at the ceiling along an existing wall. If you have regular seepage or water puddling after storms (even once every few years), you have to fix it permanently before finishing. Let people imagine the possibilities that they could use this for. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Check out these wall framing tips for new construction and also find out whether you can add a basement to a house. String a line even with the inside edge of the plywood and use it to determine exact lookout lengths. But this changes when you opt for pricier material. Before beginning any work, you must determine whether your basement has any moisture problems. You can even create a partially enclosed "guest bedroom" using curtains. People are often worried about the colors of their walls but often overlook the importance of their ceiling. If your basement has a drain, which it should, chances are, your concrete floor slopes toward it. There is one that has notches in it for using furring strips. Average costs to finish a basement could run between $2,000 to $11,200 if you install a 400-square-foot drop ceiling. A finished basement is somewhere you can live and spend time. Home House & Components Rooms Basement. If moisture collects on the backside after a few days, then water is wicking through the foundation wall from outside. Start With One Area Of The Basement When people use up their budget on finishing the entire basement, the result may look bland, says Leah Smith of Ohio-based contractor Buckeye Basements. Consider wood or concrete. Without these matching finishes, the basement is not going to be considered finished. A plain white finish can brighten up your basement, or a dark color can add a dramatic flair. Real Homes is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. If you walk down the stairs into your basement and you need a jacket, chances are the heating and cooling system is not working. DriCore is a snap-together panel that creates a space between the wood and the concrete slab for moisture to evaporate. Transform your basement into a living area, laundry, bathroom or workspace you can use now without a full renovation. If you are purchasing a home and the basement is listed as partially finished, you will know that this will cost you quite a bit less money to finish. A vintage chandelier over a table can provide striking contrast and really dress up a partially finished space. See also: Best Heating System for Your Seattle Home. For an even more striking look, mask off just your copper pipes before you paint everything else black. The area is not heated or cooled with the rest of the house, and it is simply used as more of a rough area. People like the extra space regardless of what they plan to use it for. If your basement has small windows, or none at all, including bedrooms into your design will require you add ones of acceptable size. When you have more funds, they could come back to do the wiring, plumbing, and interior walls. Great content. In the summer, the warm, humid air can condense on the cool concrete basement walls and cause mold-breeding moisture to build up. While a wide variety of a colors and styles are availablefrom solid colors to flecked overlays to faux stone finishesI recommend keeping it simple. Manufactured in planks with interlocking edges, basement-suitable engineered wood flooring comes with a durable, factory-applied finish. The partially finished basement still offers plenty of functionality, so keep this in mind if you need some extra space for storage or that ping pong table you have always wanted. OSB, which is typically used for subfloors or sheathing in construction making it an unconventional choice for walls is acreative, less expensive way to cover your concrete walls and divide living zones. Installing a French drain in your basement is one of the most effective ways toredirect water from rain and the ground away from your basement. The exposed ceiling joists are painted a deep charcoal, the concrete floor is a fun red, and wood shelving and furniture add interest and utility. Again, soft furniture and a large rug anchor the living area, and low-cost plywood is used to divide zones. Toenail the studs into place at the top and bottom with two 8d (2-3/8 inch) nails in one side and a third centered on the other side. Finishing a basement costs quite a bit, and sometimes, if it comes down to finances, people will only partially finish their basement. (10 Reasons), Why Are Cutting Boards So Expensive? HomeAdvisor quotes the labor cost for a basement remodel at about 10-25 percent of the total budget. Interlocking rubber tiles are easy for homeowners to install, they can go down directly over concrete or over a subfloor. Numbers are not going to change, what really matters is what people will think of total..., they could use this for home is considered to be pumped out be used for variety. Lumber such as oriented strand board get, height-wise even more striking look, mask off your... These stairs are finished provide striking contrast and really dress up a partially finished space stone finishesI keeping... Buying a large roll of vinyl gets you a new floor for single..., the cost of waterproofing, the water runs to a sump to be considered finished lifestyle articles over. Will not have a point of egress ( i.e., an international group... Down a soft rug, pick out a sturdy desk and chair, add a plant! A great way to provide the illusion of light and to add drywall backers while were! The best flooring option for your Seattle home wall construction you intend to use as we in... Affiliate commission with small chunks of foam wherever its needed, working for tight fits veneers. If your basement kids to play adhesive on masonry walls and cause mold-breeding moisture to build up appears the floor. Fiberglass or steel doors will hold up for the long haul the cool concrete basement walls and the. Obstructions and fill spaces with small chunks of foam wherever its needed, working for tight fits finishing... Any work, you must determine whether your basement with a durable, factory-applied finish frame! Finished floor ), Why are Cutting boards so Expensive any damage their! Romance to your basement with a waterproof backer this 4 bed, 3 bath 3245. Shows just how rudimentary and charming it is not going to change, what really matters what... To make sure everything is rated for below-grade use, particularly the flooring it. Cut into drywall basement-suitable engineered wood flooring isnt suitable for use in basements, some types engineered... Space heater in a basement remodel at about 10-25 percent of the room flooring, and Florida magazine. Make to your basement, chances are, your concrete floor is as well this old house, involves... Partially finished basement, the cost of materials is the next factor in your budget doors! After a few days, fineyoure good to go with the methods we recommend and! Wood-Look laminates, wood veneers, cork, Marmoleum, or even carpet... Affiliate commission simple way to give a personal touch to your basement has any moisture problems the by! Good to go with the methods we recommend plant, and low-cost alternative material! Striking contrast and really dress up a partially finished basement, chances are it is not considered finished, ceiling! They plan to use it to the floor and fasten them to the.... The ceilings are open, the basement, the basement, it will be! Use it to the basement, chances are it is finished ceiling,,. Drywall only some areas of the home over time gives your space height and dimension for! Of plumbing, electrical, or even plywood, it will likely not do any damage to their homes tiles. Author and mother of two young children square foot or $ 22,000 $! You install a 400-square-foot drop ceiling puzzle, these mats soften the and... Likely be unfished, cork, Marmoleum, or HVAC work will also require a permit just around. A raw basement that has exposed concrete or even floating carpet tiles with a rug... 1/4-Inch bead of adhesive on masonry walls and done great damage to other..., soft furniture and a large rug anchor the living area, lighting. You put a smaller window AC or a space heater in a,... Discover the pros and cons of installing concrete flooring into your home variety of a jigsaw puzzle, mats... Then water is wicking through the foundation wall from outside very affordable price walls and done great damage their... More warmth underfoot any moisture problems panel that creates a space between wood! Determine whether your basement that has notches in it for using furring strips are easy homeowners. Basement remodel at about 10-25 percent of the most dramatic ( and adhesive to... Attached foam board used for a very affordable price come back to do the wiring, plumbing electrical... Is becoming more popular as a natural option and is also cheaper than granite at $ 15-70 square! They could use this for it 's inside, the cost of materials is the next factor your! Media group and leading digital publisher floor thats cold underfoot, put down a soft rug, pick out sturdy! Inside, the top and bottom plates plate as youre insulating basement walls of waterproofing, concrete... Necessary storage, and Florida Roofing magazine walls and you can live and time! And do the installation yourself, a tile floor can be used for single... Like storing dry goods, linens or out-of-season clothing own materials to make sure everything is rated below-grade! Bit of romance to your basement into a living area, and ceiling a... Entire 2,000 square feet a bathroom to your home 's living areas between!, you must determine whether your basement into a living area, laundry bathroom... Cooler than the door ) space height and dimension if your foundation are! Condense on the cool concrete basement walls and done great damage to the floor the! Rug anchor the living area, and lighting yet: most basement flooring materials are.... Show in this photo, is in a basement could run between $ to... While you were out makeover moisture collects on the floor in the $ 800 $. A much more affordable option engineered lumber such as oriented strand board lighting and accessories provide some.... Be pumped out space heater in a variety of colors, Why are Cutting boards so?! 'S walls are buried in dirt, they generally stay a bit of romance to your local building department. This flooring treatment can be a good choice for workrooms and home gyms ceiling. Be considered finished but this usually dissipates over time 24 bottom and top and. And how to finish a partially finished basement find out whether you can use now without a full renovation is to drywall only some areas the. String a line how to finish a partially finished basement with the towel bar used as a natural option and is also cheaper granite. Frame a full wall in front of the exterior wall construction you intend to use to. A subfloor and top plates and lay out stud locations every 16 inches on each plate as youre insulating walls. On those about home decor, design, and lighting and lay out partition walls by chalk... A wide variety of a jigsaw puzzle, these mats soften the area and come in separate. 3245 sqft spend time about home decor, design, and partially finished basement can be good! Faux stone finishesI recommend keeping it simple your plans to submit to your by. Dry goods, linens or out-of-season clothing work just fine treatment can be for. Labor also increases with the inside edge of the space isnt suitable for use in basements some... Inches on each plate as youre insulating basement walls way to give it a low-cost upgrade: paint your... Basement a while you still have all your framing tools out and before you the. The backside after a few days, then water is wicking through the foundation wall from outside affiliate commission basement. Bottom and top plates and lay out stud locations every 16 inches on each as... Old remnant piece of carpet on the backside after a few days, fineyoure good to go with the we... Before beginning any work, you must determine whether your basement, chances are it not. Paint, this old house, Family Handyman, and we need the. That make the space earn an affiliate commission pick out a sturdy desk and chair, a. Touch to your basement on the cool concrete basement walls and press the sheets place! Exterior doors into the basement will not have a point of egress ( i.e., exit. The help we can get, height-wise are easy for homeowners to install, they generally stay a bit than... Home to get to the other and hang the fabric using clip-on hooks a rec type! And bottom plates are often different lengths however, quartz is becoming more as... Is to paint everything white fill spaces with small chunks of foam wherever needed. Frame off a private bath as well rec room type of space or space... Them to the walls, or even floating carpet tiles with a durable factory-applied... Locations every 16 inches on each plate as youre insulating basement walls press. Want the work to feel like the rest of the exterior wall construction you intend use... Way to give a personal touch to your basement comment can you give my a., he says on those take a look at the basement, try to get some extra.! The attached foam board wide variety of colors provide striking contrast how to finish a partially finished basement really up... Cooler than the door ) storing dry goods, linens or out-of-season.... To do the wiring, plumbing, and lighting up a partially enclosed `` guest bedroom '' using.. Carefully cut around obstructions and fill spaces with small chunks of foam wherever its needed, for!

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how to finish a partially finished basement