Not all basements are finished basements, so if is the case with your home you need to read up on basement construction. If your basement just has the four concrete walls, then you have to start from scratch. It is easier to work with the existing walls than have to pour the foundation of your house. This is the best way when you put some thought into it as you can make your basement into anything your family needs. You can start your walls by using 2×4′s to frame it out. Always make these walls a little smaller than the concrete walls because the wood needs room to shrink and expand with the different seasons. If you make it exactly to measure, then you will have to force your walls into the cement when trying to erect them.

After you have all your walls framed out, then you need a good insulation to place between the spaces of the 2×4′s. This must be placed properly and covered with a vapor barrier, which will help in keeping your basement dry. After you get this done, then you should cover the walls with drywall or whatever material that suits your needs. Then comes a bit of the harder work and you have to plaster and sand the drywall that you have installed. After this is done you are ready for painting. Always use a good primer on new drywall. This will seal it for you and also help when you put on your final coat of paint.

The floor can be finished with whatever material you feel like using, such as tile or carpet but sometimes you will need to put in a sub floor before you do this. Next is your ceiling. If you have enough room in your basement the easiest way to go is put in a drop ceiling, which will cover all your pipes and things that you don’t want showing. You can use acoustic tiles or drywall it the way you did your walls.

By: Jim Poniente