Basement Finishing: Theater Room | Tips To Think About

Basement finishing is probably one of the most fun tasks when it comes to home improvement. Instead of constructing an additional room in your house, you can just make use of your basement to convert it into a usable and functional living space that everyone can enjoy. Almost everyone loves watching movies and turning your basement into a theater room will be a dream come true.

Seating in a darkened theater allows you to be in a different world that lets you experience action, adventure and fantasy. With the advances we have nowadays, we can enjoy our movies in crystal-clear quality right at the comfort of our own homes. Most of us would want to create a space in our home to serve a single purpose and the basement will make a great theater room.

Basement finishing has come a long way and you’ll be surprised or perhaps excited with how much you can do with the space in your basement. Yes it is possible to replicate all the sights and smells of a walk-in theater. The key in creating the right ambience is identifying the elements which make up the look and feel of a real movie theater.

You have the option to improve the actual viewing theater and the concession area by adding floor height drapes and curtains that are fastened to the walls. This will dress up the room and will provide elegant décor as well. Aside from the wall-mounted LCD or Plasma TV and home entertainment center, what else do you need? Of course you need rows of seats facing the screen. You can find stores that actually sell the same seats that are used in theaters. There are also high-end big theater seats that are readily available. I saw some of these seats and they kinda’ look like recliners. Now that’s comfort!

Before you actually start with your basement finishing project, you have to clear the room and make sure you get rid of the things that you will no longer have use for. A garage sale is not a bad idea at all. Paint the floor with a darker color or if your basement is equipped with exterior waterproofing, you can just choose a carpet with darker color. Cover your walls with easy-to-maintain fabrics that have darker colors whether you’re considering solids or patterns. Cotton, polyester and muslin fabrics are easy to hang and you can throw it in your laundry with ease.

With regard to lighting, you can install wall lamps and make sure all of them are spaced evenly around the room and they should be connected to a common dimmer switch. To complete your home theater, you can purchase a popcorn maker and make sure you have your refrigerator so that you’ll always have cold drinks available. Movie posters are also great additions to your basement theater room.

How to Pick Basement Remodeling Contractor

Sometimes hiring a basement remodeling contractor is a smarter move than pulling off a DIY project especially if you don’t have the time to learn everything at a short period of time. Basement finishing projects are one of the most cost-effective home improvement projects that you can carry out. If you do it right, you will enjoy your basement for many years to come. Not only that, you are also adding a huge value to your home. The basement used to serve only one purpose and that is to store things that we sparingly use. Now, it’s amazing how much we can do with the basement as you can convert it into pretty much whatever you please.

One of the reasons why you want to hire a basement remodeling contractor is because you want an expert to take care of your basement’s moisture problem or condition. If you don’t deal with moisture problems at first hand, you would have to worry about dealing with water damage and costly repairs in the future one way or the other. There are a lot of companies to choose from and it can be confusing for homeowners because we only want the best service. Be very careful with huge and sales-oriented basement contractors with tons of advertisements. They tend to charge higher amounts because they pass on campaign and advertising expenses to consumers. I’m not saying either that you should settle for a basement remodeling contractor who charges dirt cheap. Sometimes they do this because of the lack in trade experience.

Look for a company that is managed by experienced trade people with commendable work ethics. They’re actually in the middle. Make sure you choose one that can comply with your needs and requirements. While most basement contractors usually ask for a 30% deposit, be cautious of those who demand full payment upfront. Don’t fall for basement contractors who go knocking on each door and those who claim to offer a huge discount because of the left over materials from the last job. Observe if the contractor is rushing you to sign the contract without reading the terms and conditions or any necessary paperworks. You also have to make sure that the contractor you are hiring has a license. Check if they have workers’ compensation insurance because this will cover their damages just in case one worker is injured. If you are going to hire a basement contractor who does not have insurance proof and one of the workers suffers an accident, the property owner may be sued for financial obligations. So before hiring a contractor, make sure you do your part in making a research and a little investigation.

DIY Basement Remodeling – Do It Yourself Basement Remodeling Guide

Planning a do-it-yourself basement remodeling project? Want to add a family room, basement bar, or entertainment room to your basement? Perhaps an additional bedroom in your basement? Take time to read these 5 tips for the best results on your DIY basement remodeling.

The Do it Yourself Basement Remodeling Guide

There are certain basic thing to remember when you plan to do a do it yourself basement remodeling. It is good to remodel your basement according to how it is going to be used. It will also allow you to enhance the appearance of the basement itself.

1. What are you going to use the basement for?

Planning for a do it yourself basement remodeling, should always begin with deciding what you are going to turn the basement into. Is it going to be a play room for the kids or a wine cellar? Will you be adding a bathroom or a fire place?

2. Fix any existing problems.

Existing problems in your basement should be remedied at this point. Make sure that your basement is free from leaks. Check the walls and the foundation for any cracks or holes. Make sure that you seal the cracks and fill in the holes properly. If not, all your hard work will be destroyed by water or moisture that leaks in. The foundation should also be in top shape. Make sure that it is not bowed.

3. Make sure that the basement is insulated and well heated.

Check the existing furnace if it is able to heat the basement efficiently. If not, you should probably consider replacing it or adding another one. Insulating your walls will also help in keeping the basement warm. Some companies offer electric floor heating that will not only keep the room warmer but will also fight off the growth of mold and mildew. You may also add a fire place to help in maintaining a warm room temperature but make sure that it is compatible with how your basement is going to be utilized.

4. Design your basement.

Design your basement according to its use. If it will be a recreational room, bring down that home-theater system. If you will use it as a workshop, put shelves and cabinets to store your tools. A painting studio will definitely need natural light. Add windows. For a kids play room, choose bright colors and make sure that the room is kid-friendly. The visual design of your basement will depend on your personal style.

5. Don’t forget the lights.

Adding windows to a basement that is partially above ground is a good way to let natural light in. Regardless of having basement windows or not, it is important that you also put artificial lights in your basement. Strategically place the lights around the room. Choose from different kinds and sizes of lights that match your basement design.

These do it yourself basement remodeling tips will definitely turn any dark and old basement into a bright and lively room that is going to add another exceptional room to your home.

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Exterior Basement Door Addition – Should You Add One?

Adding an Exterior Basement Door to Your Home

Many modern homes are being built with walk-out basements. People have become more and more aware of how important it is to have two exits from basement living spaces, and most building codes require it. A hundred years ago people were only thinking about having access to cellars when they put in bulkhead doors. Now, however, basements aren’t just for storage any longer. People are turning to them as extra living space, and they’re well aware of the dangers of having only one exit from these basement rooms. Even if you don’t have a door leading to outdoors in your basement, you might want to consider adding one for safety reasons.

Have you seen older homes that still use the old-fashioned basement entrances in the back yard? If you have, you know that people back when the house was built were interested in being able to get things in and out of their basement and keeping out the elements. These old doors were basically stairways covered by rotting wooden doors. People weren’t as worried about security issues then (wouldn’t that be nice!), and it was all about function. Besides, who cared what it looked like? It was only in the back yard.

Now people do care about more than function. People want exterior basement doors that are secure and attractive. They want to be able to access their basement from outside without detracting from their lovely landscaping. If this sounds like you, then you’ll be happy to know that exterior basement doors can be added to any basement without destroying the look of your home or landscaping. Although they’re similar to old-fashioned bulkheads in design, these door systems are made of modern materials, virtually maintenance-free, and designed to keep intruders out while allowing your family safe egress.

These new doors are watertight, easy to access in all seasons, come in many colors, and have ventilation systems to let air into your basement. The old rickety cellar doors that let in water and varmints are now a thing of the past, and every home can have a safe, secure second exit. Your home will become a much better place to live with this outdoor access to your basement, and it will add to the value of your home.

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Basement Remodeling – Extreme Basement Makeovers

Your basement probably has more square footage than any other room in your home – why not do an extreme make over on your basement? A simple basement remodeling project can make that basement into a great family room, basement bar and entertainment area – or an office. There are loads of great ideas for that no unused basement area. Read on for some extreme basement make over ideas.

Basement Makeovers

The basement is frequently the room that has the most square footage in a home. Yet, basements are frequently not always very welcoming. They can be dim and have dank and frequently they are simply treated as extra storage space. However, you can do much more with your basement than using it as a place to keep things. What is pleasant about a basement is that it can be your private space to do whatever you like. Be creative and come up with something you’d like to add to your home that can be completed in the basement.

A basement can be an exceptional location to store food. There is not much light in a basement, which is excellent for food. Having your own pantry can be very convenient. Another option is to store wine in your basement. What is enjoyable about this idea is that you can choose your favorite wines and then permit them to ferment in a spot in your home where they will not be disturbed. If you are one of the many home brew masters who like to make their own beverages, you can organize your basement to fit this purpose.

Basements can be a great escape for teenagers too, who are often happy to be in seclusion and enjoy having their own area where they can spend time with their friends and play video games. They’re also a great place for teen bashes. Being underground, they’re a lot less likely to disturb the neighbors. So why not fit out your basement appropriately with an upscale sound system and a luxury plasma television? This is a great way to make your kids content, and the envy of the neighborhood.

If you decide to go ahead and put a sound system in your basement, why not take it one step further and add a projector and perhaps some media chairs? This will convert your basement into a home cinema. You have the room you need to do a home theater right in a basement, and you also have the restricted light that is essential for this kind of room. This way you can turn your basement into a practical space that you and your friends will enjoy for years to come.

If you take pleasure in creative things like photography, a basement also works well as a darkroom. That way you can develop your own photos. You’ll have to make sure that you have an entrance that can be restricted or has some sort of system to make sure that your darkroom is not entered at the wrong moment. You may want to also add some benches to use as a workspace. You can also add lines to hang photos to dry on. One thing you will have to do is consider the best way to add ventilation to your basement to make sure you are not breathing any harmful fumes. No matter what course you take with your basement, make sure it suits you and what you enjoy doing.

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Basement Finishing Projects – Pricing, Estimates, and Research

Basement Remodeling Pricing, Cost Estimates and Research

Transforming an undecorated basement into a stylish living space is not as difficult as some may think. In fact, with a few inexpensive interior designs techniques, you can have your basements shining in no time. However, be sure to make all necessary repairs to existing problem areas (insulation, drywall, waterproofing) before tackling the interior design.

Basement Lighting

The first area of design that you want to focus on with a basement is the lighting scheme. Most basements are known for being dark, gloomy environments. Unless you plan to turn your basement into a movie theater or photography studio, light is the way to liven up the atmosphere. Certain basements are equipped with windows to the outside. Taking this natural light and letting as much of it in as possible is a great start. Use simple window treatments instead of treatments that block out light.

If natural light isn’t available in your basement, using artificial light is also a wonderful way to open up the room. Placing lights on the ceiling will create the illusion that the room is larger and more open. To keep a warm setting in your basement, consider using floor and table lights.

Finishing Your Basement

Aside from lighting, bringing color to your basement will definitely bring it back to life. You want to be sure to stay away from dull, boring colors. The best way to make your basement look inviting is to integrate bright, dramatic colors. Some ideas include blue, green, yellow, red, orange, and purple. For the best coloring scheme, you may want to hire an interior decorator that can take your favorite colors and use unique design techniques to compliment your style.

Last but not least, you want to accessorize! The basement can be made to feel like a comfortable, safe haven. Take that comfort and security and use it to your utmost benefit by incorporating your favorite things. Maybe music and movies are your cherished past times. If so, bring that entertainment system downstairs. Perhaps your family enjoys game nights, or you have children that need a play room. Try adding a pool table, card table, or miniature kid kingdom!

This is also the time to decorate walls with your favorite artwork and accessorize tables with loved pictures and collectibles. Also, try making a clear distinction between the areas of the basement where you will be entertaining, and the area where you will be storing your belongings. Separate storage rooms, closets and shelves are recommended for optimal use of space.

Looking For More Information On Basement Remodeling?

Basement remodeling is a great investment. You’ll want to make sure you are choosing the right basement remodeler for your house and your budget. We offer Free Basement Remodeling Price Quotes and Designs!

Visit: The Basement Finishing Company

About the Author: Eddie Case

Since 1992 Eddie Case the owner of the The Basement Finishing Company has remodeled hundreds of basements in the local Harrisburg PA region. Eddie is an expert in 3-D basement design work and high-end construction techniques.

Basement Bathroom Remodeling & Your Home’s Value

A simple basement bathroom remodeling can do great things to improve the value of your home. A basement bathroom puts more equity in your home and adds to the livable space of our home, too. Basement bathroom remodeling is a fairly simple and inexpensive project. Read on to find out more about this basement remodeling project.

Basement Bathroom Remodeling Improves Your Home’s Value!

Did you know that there’s a relatively simple, not terribly expensive way to increase the value of your home without expanding the exterior footprint? You can get more livable space and more equity, simply by finishing your basement. This is much less intensive than many other home improvement project, and homeowners who decide to do a basement finishing project get as much as eighty-five percent of their investment back in many cases. One important element to any finished basement is the bathroom. Basement bathroom remodeling projects are excellent for just about any home and just about any family. If you’re living in an older single family residence with just one bathroom, adding another one is one of the best choices you can make.

People love the space and comfort that a finished basement has to offer. Any basement can become a rec room, entertainment room, extra or guest bedroom, library, office, and even your own personal fitness center. You just have to decide how your finished basement will best benefit. Remember to plan with care, and don’t forget to include a basement bathroom remodeling project along with your other remodeling plans. No one wants to have to run up and down stairs whenever they need to use the bathroom, especially if there’s something going on in the basement. Making your basement bathroom friendly, usable and accessible is important and will increase convenience while adding value.

It’s not as hard as you think to add an extra room to your basement. You can even do it yourself if you happen to have the required experience and knowledge. If you know how to do part of the work, but aren’t trained as an electrician or plumber, that doesn’t mean your basement bathroom remodeling ideas have to fall by the wayside, either. Just contact a professional, talk to him or her about your plans, and have only the work you don’t know how to do done by a pro. Remember that in some areas, local codes may require you to have your work signed off on by professionals, or even to have the major work done by someone else. It’s important to know as much as you can about code in your area before you even begin to plan. That’ll help you avoid legal entanglements later.

Some of the things you’ll need to do for any basement bathroom remodeling project include using water resistant paints and materials, making sure the flooring is something that won’t attract moisture, mold, and mildew, and being certain you’re doing the plumbing and drains correctly. Installing a bathroom in a basement that’s located below the drains can be tricky, often requiring use of special fixtures or additional mechanisms. This doesn’t have to cost a lot, but you should know what you need well in advance. That way, you won’t find yourself wasting time or money by using a solution that won’t work for your situation.

A basement bathroom remodeling project should be part of any finished basement. It’ll make using the finished space much more pleasant, and it’ll add even more to your home’s value. Since this is one of the least expensive renovations you can do in your home, there’s no reason not to take on a well planned basement bathroom project. It could really make a big difference in your home.

Thomas Johnsen is the Author and Leading Expert on Basement Bathroom Remodel and the creator of the publication Basement Bathroom Remodeling. Visit the site now to find the easy-to-understand step-by-step guides on basement bathroom construction available online today.

Basement Bar Ideas – What About The Ceiling Of The Basement?

A Basement Ceiling Home Makeover

When I helped by buddy redo his basement, he wasn’t sure what the best type of ceiling to use would be. Some of the choices available were traditional drywall, tongue and groove boards, acoustic ceiling tiles, and a drop-type ceiling. We didn’t know which to choose, so we looked at each type a little closer.

A drywall ceiling would be a lot of work. Almost all of the pipes and ductwork would have to be rerouted to fit into joint cavities or out to the edges of the room. If there were still things hanging below the bottom of the ceiling joists, we’d have to build boxes around them. Wherever we needed extra strength, we’d have to nail up furring strips.

In using a drywall ceiling it’s important to use the furring and framed boxes to make a strong backing to hold the finishing materials. Although drywall was a low-cost option, we knew there was still a lot of work after the sheet rock was hung, and we weren’t real excited about it.

Acoustic ceiling tiles are another great option. They are small enough to be easy to handle and cut. Ceiling tiles are installed by stapling them onto furring strips. In order to do that, once again, we’d need to move everything in order to have a flat surface to staple them to.

The next option we considered was T1-11 tongue and groove boards. This project would once again entail moving pipes and ducts, and it was also the most expensive option we looked at. My friend decided that this just wasn’t the look he wanted for his ceiling, so we moved on.

Last on our list was a standard drop ceiling. This is one of the easiest ways to cover ceiling joists, but you still have to cut and hang rails for the ceiling framework, and my friend didn’t like the fact that this type of ceiling looked like it belonged in an old office building, not his newly-decorated basement. Besides, drop ceilings were one of the more expensive options we’d looked at.

We’d worked our way completely through our list, and we still hadn’t come up with a solution. Then, while shopping one day, he noticed the ceiling of the store he were in. It looked just like his basement ceiling, but a whole lot better. He had to ask the owner what they had done to achieve the look. The owner said all they’d done is clean the pipes and ductwork thoroughly, gave them a coat of primer, and used a sprayer to paint the whole works the same color. It looked amazing, and my friend knew he had found his ceiling.

Once we got started our one concern was whether or not we could paint electrical and gas lines. We solved the problem by calling a professional electrician to ask for his opinion. You know, this ceiling was easier to do than any of the other options, and it cost far less, but it looked super. Before trying this option in your own home, make sure to call a professional electrician like we did, just to make sure it’s safe. So I guess the moral of the story is, if you don’t like standard ways of doing things, start thinking outside the box.

Before you start your basement projects, learn more about waterproofing basement products and basement sealing paints.

Small Basement Remodeling Ideas and Tips

Small Basement Remodeling Ideas and Tips

Space is a common housing issue especially in big city living. As the song popularized by Frank Sinatra goes, I want to be a part of it… New York, New York. Most everybody still wants to experience and live through the action of the never-sleeping city. So if you do live in New York, there is still another option to consider other than just learning to live with how things are. The answer to your space crunch lies through looking into the possibilities unused areas has to offer. This makes small basement remodeling one of the best home improvement projects to undertake.

Why small basement remodeling?

O When thinking of adding square footage to your home’s living area, this is a more cost-effective alternative than having a home addition where you would need to extend. This would cost you only a fraction of what you will be spending on the later with most or all of the same features. One of the reasons for the great savings is that the structural necessities are already there like the ceiling, flooring, and walls.

O Another benefit for undertaking a small basement remodeling is the ideal location of the area that promotes fewer hassles posed by home improvement works to the family’s daily living.

O Since the nature of the space is underground; it is typically warm during colder months and cooler on summer. This factor helps you enjoy the small basement remodeling project results with less energy costs.

There are many ways that you could come up with a finish your small basement remodeling and this depends on your personal needs and preferences. The isolation and originally compact masonry of the place makes it ideal to be turned into a home office, playroom for the younger children, game or recreational room, home theatre or an exercise area. Because plumbing is readily available and easily accessible, the area can also excellently make up for a sauna, additional bathroom, or large custom shower. Other popular small basement remodeling ideas include: a wet bar, kitchenette, and additional room for guests.

When we think about our small basements, the most natural thing to come into out minds is their dungeon-like features. To bring out the most in our remodeling project, you can play with certain elements to make the space as inviting, comfortable and more spacious to look at.

O This area would naturally require heavy lighting compared to most areas in the house. You can provide fixtures promoting intense light as well as maximize the use of windows to let in more natural light.

O Carpets have been a popular choice but are you aware that tiles could do better as flooring? Aside from the durability that it offers, it is also low maintenance. As your small basement is prone to moisture and water problems, this would serve as the better alternative. To make up for the hardness and help with the over-all room design, you can also put beautiful area rugs.

O Light paint colors, horizontal designs and diagonal patterns are great in making the small basement remodeling finish seem much wider.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Basement Contractor New York. For more, visit New York Contractors