Basement/renovation advice

[jfish26]

We are in the midst of finishing our basement, and I'd appreciate a sanity check on things you might have experienced in a similar project that you would have done differently.

Money is, of course, an object, but here's an example of something we're doing on someone's similar advice: wiring the TV area for 7.1 (or .2) sound now, even if not doing the system, so that nothing would need to be torn up to do it right later.

[jhawks99]

I'd wire now.

[DCHawk1]

PM Defixione. He knows everything about everything.

Seriously.

[twocoach]

My father in law and I redid my basement ourselves. Ran cable, speaker and ethernet cable to where the TV would be. Advice? Include 10 feet extra in case your future furniture leaves your receiver further away than planned.

Also, wire your lights and your plugs on separate breakers and in zones if your breaker box has room. Nice to be able to have power to an area while being able to shut off the breaker you need. I have six different breakers just for my basement now.

[Deleted User 62]

PM Defixione. He knows everything about everything.

Seriously.

[Deleted User 62]

My advice, steel studs

[twocoach]

We did not put a toilet in the basement in our renovation because it would have cost a lot of money and required a good amount of concrete to be cut and repoured to get the drainage right.

I wish I would have done it. Every time I have to run upstairs to go to the barhroom I cuss at myself for my decision to not include it. I framed the wall behi d the drywall for where the door would be but not sure if I will ever do it. Dumb.

[jfish26]

We did not put a toilet in the basement in our renovation because it would have cost a lot of money and required a good amount of concrete to be cut and repoured to get the drainage right.

I wish I would have done it. Every time I have to run upstairs to go to the barhroom I cuss at myself for my decision to not include it. I framed the wall behi d the drywall for where the door would be but not sure if I will ever do it. Dumb.

We will have a 3/4 bathroom down there, connecting to both the guest room and the "main" part of the basement. Ideally, we'd like guests to feel as "at home" as possible.

[shindig]

We did not put a toilet in the basement in our renovation because it would have cost a lot of money and required a good amount of concrete to be cut and repoured to get the drainage right.

I wish I would have done it. Every time I have to run upstairs to go to the barhroom I cuss at myself for my decision to not include it. I framed the wall behi d the drywall for where the door would be but not sure if I will ever do it. Dumb.

I just use the floor drain...

[PhDhawk]

We did not put a toilet in the basement in our renovation because it would have cost a lot of money and required a good amount of concrete to be cut and repoured to get the drainage right.

I wish I would have done it. Every time I have to run upstairs to go to the barhroom I cuss at myself for my decision to not include it. I framed the wall behi d the drywall for where the door would be but not sure if I will ever do it. Dumb.

We will have a 3/4 bathroom down there, connecting to both the guest room and the "main" part of the basement. Ideally, we'd like guests to feel as "at home" as possible.

That sounds so much nicer than DC's basement.

[DCHawk1]

Once Lobster gets the ball-gag out of his mouth, he'll be happy to tell you how awesome my basement is.

[3rdGenJayhawk]

We are in the process of a huge renovation project; my 2 cents. If you are doing wiring, add in multiple receptacles wherever you can - more than you think you'll need. It's such an easy thing to do when the walls are open so to speak. Will give you lots of options for furniture placement or adding in additional lighting.

Lighting; if possible do recessed led cans in the ceilings, then room for floor or table lamps. Nothing worse than an overly bright or under lit space. Make sure the overhead lights are on a dimmer.

Insulation; again, if the walls / ceiling are open. Insulate. I don't care what climate you are in, a good insulated space will always be more comfortable (and energy efficient), than one that's not.

Good flooring and not tile. tile is cold and only best for bathrooms. Do a solid wood or nice engineered and then place some thick area rugs on top. I don't like carpet as it can get stained and then your left with ugly carpet. An large area rug can be replaced over time with wear and tear.

Choose a light color for the walls, or maybe even a wall of curtains. Fabric acts as both a "softener" to the space, but also will let sound travel better. Watching a movie or KU bb game in a cement box (so to speak) will kill your ambiance. It may be a "man cave" but you definitely don't want it to feel like one.

In your new bathroom, go for the nicest job you can afford. For your enjoyment (and your guests), and resale, nobody want to shower in a cheap prefab shower stall. Spend the little extra on nice tile, vanity, lighting and storage for towels, toiletries etc... It's really so easy to make a generic bathroom into something special.

Bonus; since you'll have guests at some point, a small mini fridge and counter area would be nice. You can stock with beverages for them when staying, but also have it for yourself during movie or game nights. A small bar sink and microwave would also be added features, as well as storage for a few drinking glasses, cutlery and bowls/plates.

If I think of anything else I'll add in later. Good luck with your project!

[Soklous]

On the insulation note... It also serves as sound dampening. If you are adding speakers / a place to curse at KU games, the added insulation will keep the youngsters in bed.

I would also add a motion sensor to the overhead lights if you did that home automation project. Every night I walk my dog, I see the basement lights have been left on. I finally put a stop to it.

Also, consider a hidden room. Always. Look into a Murphy Door for ideas. They cost too much IMO, but have great solutions.

[DCHawk1]

Do a solid wood or nice engineered and then place some thick area rugs on top.

Depends on the basement. Solid wood if the basement is below grade would be frowned upon by manufacturers and installers, I believe.

[ChalkRocker]

Once Lobster gets the ball-gag out of his mouth, he'll be happy to tell you how awesome my basement is.

dambit, DC.

...makin' me chuckle...

[ChalkRocker]

We are in the process of a huge renovation project; my 2 cents. If you are doing wiring, add in multiple receptacles wherever you can - more than you think you'll need. It's such an easy thing to do when the walls are open so to speak. Will give you lots of options for furniture placement or adding in additional lighting.

Lighting; if possible do recessed led cans in the ceilings, then room for floor or table lamps. Nothing worse than an overly bright or under lit space. Make sure the overhead lights are on a dimmer.

Insulation; again, if the walls / ceiling are open. Insulate. I don't care what climate you are in, a good insulated space will always be more comfortable (and energy efficient), than one that's not.

Good flooring and not tile. tile is cold and only best for bathrooms. Do a solid wood or nice engineered and then place some thick area rugs on top. I don't like carpet as it can get stained and then your left with ugly carpet. An large area rug can be replaced over time with wear and tear.

Choose a light color for the walls, or maybe even a wall of curtains. Fabric acts as both a "softener" to the space, but also will let sound travel better. Watching a movie or KU bb game in a cement box (so to speak) will kill your ambiance. It may be a "man cave" but you definitely don't want it to feel like one.

In your new bathroom, go for the nicest job you can afford. For your enjoyment (and your guests), and resale, nobody want to shower in a cheap prefab shower stall. Spend the little extra on nice tile, vanity, lighting and storage for towels, toiletries etc... It's really so easy to make a generic bathroom into something special.

Bonus; since you'll have guests at some point, a small mini fridge and counter area would be nice. You can stock with beverages for them when staying, but also have it for yourself during movie or game nights. A small bar sink and microwave would also be added features, as well as storage for a few drinking glasses, cutlery and bowls/plates.

If I think of anything else I'll add in later. Good luck with your project!

Helpful stuff, 3GJ.

Thank you --

[chiknbut]

We are in the midst of finishing our basement, and I'd appreciate a sanity check on things you might have experienced in a similar project that you would have done differently.

Money is, of course, an object, but here's an example of something we're doing on someone's similar advice: wiring the TV area for 7.1 (or .2) sound now, even if not doing the system, so that nothing would need to be torn up to do it right later.

Not sure if it makes a difference in your area, but here in Chicago it is absolutely essential to make sure you stay dry. Wiring or wireless doesn't mean shit if you have a foot of water in the basement. It's a tricky thing. We dug down three feet and installed french drains along the walls before we poured a new floor. But what fucked us was when a huge rain would come and push its way back up through floor drains.

Spend whatever money you need on a sump or trap. Water ALWAYS wins. I spent $8,500 on a trap and ejector pit and it was the best money I ever spent. The basement is dry. More than that, I no longer have PTSD every time it fucking rains.

Beyond that, if you have the opportunity to do radiant heat in a concrete floor it's pretty amazing. You don't need carpeting, throw rugs or floor tile. Just seal the concrete with an epoxy after staining it. It looks sharp and is really cozy.

[shindig]

Damn, some of you dudes make too much money....go buy a freaking Porsche or something cool.

[Soklous]

https://hiddenpassageway.com/gallery/

[jfish26]

https://hiddenpassageway.com/gallery/

We thought about doing that. We will have a heavily-locked room for guns and booze, things we don't want the kids getting into. We decided the idea of it having a "trick" door would just make it more tempting.