Basement Finishing Wall

Basement finishing wall projects are one of the fundamental tasks of creating a basement that's inviting, attractive and livable throughout the year. Whether you intend to use your refinished room for storage, entertainment or full-time habitation, the walls must be secure, strong and dry. Basement finishing wall ideas should also focus on insulating this underground area, which has a natural tendency to be cooler than the rest of the house.

Before you launch a basement finishing wall effort, have the area inspected by a professional contractor. In order for a properly finished basement, you have to make sure the room can be kept dry in all seasons. Once you've established that the walls can be protected against mold and mildew, you'll know that it's safe to apply insulation. Insulation will make your heating and cooling systems more effective and prevent the loss of energy. An energy efficient, comfortable, finished basement is an asset to any home.

Waterproofing Your Basement

Finishing projects for this subterranean space must begin with making the area waterproof. Most unfinished basements have concrete or cinderblock walls, which resist the effects of water. However, once you've installed insulation and you've covered the exposed surfaces with drywall, wood panels or another finishing material, water damage can quickly destroy your basement finishing wall project unless you've taken care to waterproof the area.

Some of the moisture that keeps homeowners from finishing an exposed basement wall comes from outside the house. Before you begin your finishing project, check the property around your house for sources of moisture. Leaky faucets, poor drainage in your yard and broken gutter spouts can cause water to pool around your home, eventually making its way down to the lowest level of the house. Other sources of water may include leaking pipes inside your home. Make sure your plumbing is in good shape before you consider finishing a wall.

A damp room can eventually lead to dry rot, mold and mildew, which can cause a wall to collapse. Adequate ventilation is another important factor to consider when you're planning a basement finishing wall project. Many basements have no windows, or only one small window. A painted wall will peel and crack under the effects of continuous moisture. If installing another window is not possible, talk with your contractor about setting up an exhaust fan as part of your basement finishing wall efforts.

Finishing and Insulation

Insulation is another important phase of completing a wall. This region of the house is typically much cooler than the rest of the residence. Heating the space will be expensive and wasteful unless the room is adequately insulated against energy loss. Insulation may be installed in the exterior or interior walls of your home. Insulating the interior wall may be less expensive, and homeowners can choose from a variety of insulation materials. In addition, insulation materials may be less prone to pest invasion if they are installed in the interior of the room.

Loose fill, spray foam insulation, fiberglass batting or rigid polystyrene, a form of plastic, are common choices for basement finishing wall projects. When you're choosing an insulating material, look for a product with a fire-rated covering. Some insulation products release toxic fumes when they burn. Drainage around the perimeter of the house must be adequate to keep moisture from leaking under the foundation and saturating the insulation materials.

Framing the Walls

Framing is a crucial step in many basement finishing wall projects. A frame is a wooden structure that provides a foundation for the walls and ceilings of your underground living area. In order for the framework to be accurate, the floors must be level and the ceiling must be secure. Framing must be done strategically to avoid obstacles like pipes, valves and electrical outlets. In the planning stages of your project, talk with a professional contractor about the safest, most effective approach to framing your room.

To turn a cold, damp, cinderblock room into an entertainment area, kids' room or rental unit, you must invest a lot of time in planning the project and determining your goals. When you're remodeling this area of your home, each phase of the project relies on a secure, stable, dry environment. To get the most satisfying results, compare estimates from several local professionals who have extensive experience at basement remodeling.

If your basement finishing wall results are sturdy, secure and waterproof, you can use these new surfaces to hang shelves, cabinets, speakers or any number of other functional accessories. The most rewarding phase of this remodeling effort will be seeing your underground storage area transformed into a livable space with attractive paint, cabinets and art work or a big screen TV. Use the free features on our site to request estimates from local contractors from the comfort of your home.