Angie's LIST Guide to
Basement remodeling

Basement remodeling could transform this space into an entertainment area with a kitchenette, a wet bar, comfortable couches and chairs and a big-screen TV; an extra bedroom and bathroom; a crafts area; or a kid’s play room. With the help of an experienced contractor, you can explore an array of possibilities to fit your needs.

Finishing the basement increases the value of a home, and since a remodeled basement is attractive to many buyers, it may help sell the home more quickly. Depending on the location of the home and local regulations, a finished basement with the proper features can usually be included in the official square footage of a home's sale listing.

Homeowners likely to see the best return on investment are those who make the space attractive and functional, rather than highly personalized. Spending extravagant amounts of money will not expand the pool of potential buyers. Most buyers look for finished walls, ceilings and floors as well as proper wiring to accommodate televisions and computers.

Many buyers have specific plans for the basement, such as media and game rooms, and providing an impersonal, functional space will allow them to personalize the basement to their own tastes and needs.

When undertaking a basement remodel, follow these steps to ensure that you’re prepared for the process and happy with the results:

• Evaluate the space. Determine if it needs to be professionally waterproofed before spending tens of thousands of dollars to renovate it.
• Determine its use. Meet with family members to determine how you spend your time and how a remodeled basement could best fit your needs. Do you need space for your teenage daughter and her friends? Or do you need a guest bedroom for relatives?
• Set a budget. The addition of a bathroom, for example, could significantly add to the total cost. List your needs and wants. It may not be necessary to add the same type of granite countertop to a kitchenette as you did in your main kitchen.
• Interview contractors. Check affiliations, licensing and referrals and/or reviews from neighbors and friends before interviewing contractors for the final selection. Contractors who specialize in basement remodeling may be better equipped to handle your project.
• Understand the scope of the project. Although the basement may be out of sight, if you don't have a walk-out basement, anticipate workers constantly walking through your home with materials to accomplish the project. Also, the project could take four to six weeks.

Interior Walls

Partitioning your basement into separate rooms transforms it from a storage and utility area to an inviting, warm living space.  Framing the basement walls and ceilings makes a tremendous difference in the basement’s appeal.  Installing interior walls in a large basement helps to hide expanses of empty space, instantly providing a feeling of coziness.  Rooms that can be used for a media room, home office or bedroom will result in extra square footage, increasing the value of the home.

Homeowners wishing to enclose basement appliances should take note of air-supply requirements for both the furnace and water heater, which are powered by electricity or natural gas, oil or propane.  Fuel-burning appliances use room air for combustion and require an unrestricted air supply. Any enclosure requires installation of a louvered door between living areas and the furnace room to ensure an adequate air supply. Without sufficient air, a house may fill with dangerous gases, including carbon monoxide.

Beadboard panels

Beadboard looks like wood paneling but is thicker. It can be made of wood, wood veneers or medium- or high-density fiberboard. Beadboard comes in 4-by-8 panels and must be installed on furring strips attached to the basement walls. Advantages of beadboard include ease of installation, relative durability and its upscale look.

One drawback is that dirt is easily trapped in the beadboard grooves. Application of high-quality polyurethane will make cleaning easier. Leaving small spaces between the boards allows for future expansion, ensuring the continued attractiveness of the paneling.

Drywall

Drywall is the traditional material used for finishing basement walls. It gives a professional, finished look to basement rooms and maintains continuity with above-grade areas of the home. Drywall installation on walls is relatively easy, and the material is durable and easily repaired.

Drawbacks include the porous nature of drywall, which is conducive to mold growth. Drywall that has been damaged by water must be replaced.

Stucco

Stucco can be applied directly to cinderblocks, and the process is fairly easy. Since masonry walls are strong, a support system is not required. All that is needed is application of a concrete bonding agent. Traditional application requires a scratch coat, brown coat and finish coat. Advantages of stucco include the unique patterns and textures that can be created to add interest to the basement space. The material is durable and able to accept numerous colors.

Drawbacks include crumbling and improper drying if the right ratio of materials is not achieved during mixing. Any shifting in walls will cause cracks in the stucco. Painting stucco walls is not recommended because of the amount of paint required and uneven results.

Wall finishing systems

Wall finishing systems are rapidly gaining in popularity. These systems feature fiberglass panels and pieces of trim that fit into PVC framing. Panels covered in fabric offer an attractive finished appearance to the basement without the work of drywall taping and painting. Advantages include durability, moisture- and fire-resistance and the ability to remove panels for access to water pipes and electrical wiring.

Drawbacks include the higher price tag compared to drywall and the inability of many systems to fit homes with lower-than-normal basement ceilings.