Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Finishing Basements: Projects and Practical Solutions for Converting Basements into Livable Space

by Cool Springs Press

Overview

A fact-filled, 240-page manual that covers every aspect of designing and planning a basement conversion/remodeling project. With more than 600 color photographs, this book goes into thorough detail on crucial subjects like moisture and climate control, egress, ventilation, lighting, and many other issues. It deals comprehensively with adapting home mechanical systems to basement conditions. The many featured projects include finishing a bathroom stub-out, installing an all-new basement bathroom, insulating, repairing foundation walls, installing sump pumps, dehumidification strategies, as well as many other projects designed for livability. A special focus new to this edition presents information and projects for aging in place, including home elevators and chair lifts, monitoring and communication systems, and creating an accessible basement apartment. You will also find projects that show how to upgrade with luxury amenities, including a fireplace, sauna, home spa, exercise room, basement club/lounge and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591865889
Publisher:	Cool Springs Press
Publication date:	09/01/2013
Series:	Black & Decker Complete Guide Series
Edition description:	Second
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

The editors of Creative Publishing international have created dozens of the best-selling books on home improvement, landscaping, home decorating, sewing, crafting, hunting and fishing, and photography. All books are exhaustively researched, written, photographed, and edited by veteran staff members with years of experience in their areas of expertise.

Table of Contents

Introduction 

REMODELING BASICS   
Evaluating & Planning         
Basement Possibilities         
Evaluating Your Basement 
Remodeling Codes & Practices       
Planning Your Project         

IMPROVING BASEMENT ENVIRONMENTS         
Controlling Moisture
Controlling Pests      
Insulating Basements          
Improving Heating & Cooling         
Upgrading Ventilation         
Adding Electrical Circuits    

BASEMENT STAIRS       
Stairways      
Renovating Stairs     
Stairlifts         

FLOORS 
Preparing Basement Floors
Creating Decorative Concrete Finishes      
Installing Radiant Floors     
Laying Tile Floors     
Installing Laminate Plank Floors    
Laying Resilient Tile Floors 
Installing Rubber Roll Floors          

WALLS & CEILINGS        
Wall & Ceiling Options         
Framing Furred-Out Walls  
Building Partition Walls      
Framing Walls with Steel Studs      
Framing Soffits         
Installing Drywall     
Finishing Drywall     
Installing a Suspended Ceiling       
Installing an Acoustic Tile Ceiling   

WINDOWS, DOORS & TRIM      
Installing an Egress Window          
Replacing Basement Windows       
Trimming Basement Windows       
Installing Prehung Interior Doors  
Installing Pocket Doors        
Installing Bifold Doors         
Installing Walkout Patio Doors       
Installing Molding    

BASEMENT ROOMS 
Basement Room Projects     
An Efficiency Apartment     
            Bedroom       
            Bathroom      
            Kitchen          
Family Room 
Home Theater          
Laundry Center        
Wine Cellar   
Home Office  

Conversion Charts   
Resources & Photo Credits  
Index     

Editorial Reviews

A basement can be as fine a living space as any other area of the house. The Complete Guide to Finishing Basements is a home improvement guide for those who want to turn their utility room basement into a room to be enjoyed by the entire family, or just one person. Basements present their own challenges, such as moisture, lack of heat and light, among other issues, but many ideas are presented to remedy these. With extra advice on morphing one's basement into many types of more useful rooms, The Complete Guide to Finishing Basements is a fine choice for anyone who wants to make their bottom level something special.” - Midwest Book Review

“This is a fat, 250+ page guide that takes you from inspiration to completion. I am not exaggerating when I say "complete," either. For instance, the guide not only presents you with at least six different basement flooring options, but goes into intricate detail about how to install each type of flooring. How do these Creative Publishing guides excel? The images. The images are what make these Black and Decker guides. As with previous guides, we still have the same elaborately constructed sets populated by a diverse set of people—everything well-lit and professionally photographed. Younger readers may be startled by the professionalism of these images. To these readers, the images may not seem ‘real’ enough. If you want ‘real,’ spend a day or two searching for user-generated content online and see what kind of basement you'll be able to finish from that advice. After squinting at grainy, darkly-lit photos (accompanied by little or no text narrative) taken by irritable DIY homeowners, you'll be praying for a crisp and clean view of the project at hand.” - About.com (5 star rating)

From the Publisher