This guy knows what's up :yes:
Prewire and conduit. Gives you what you need now and the ability to change it in the future.
Finishing a Basement: Any Extras I should add now?
- Thread starter 'Clones Fan
- Start date
This guy knows what's up :yes:
Prewire and conduit. Gives you what you need now and the ability to change it in the future.
In my first home I put insulation in the ceiling joist bays. This helped muffle some sounds a little, but as you mentioned it does not help at all with the subwoofer frequencies. The only way I know of to eliminate transmission of those frequencies is to build a room within a room so that your basement ceiling and wall framing is not attached to the foundation or framing of the rest of your home.
Just run structured cable. Comes in different configurations. You could do 2 coax and 2 eithernet to each spot or like I said, other configs.
You said running gas line for fireplace. Why not run a gas line to your grill? When we built in '06, I ran the gas line to our deck, LOVE not getting propane ever again.
As others noted, speaker wire to the right spots and HDMI as well are key. Also set yourself up for success with your switch placement, think of where you'll most commonly walk, etc. Actually walk it out - it helps.
And finally, this is a great time to run cabling upstairs anyplace you may need/want it that wasn't done originally. I did this when we finished the basement a few years ago - had a few things we didn't do when we originally built it.
You said running gas line for fireplace. Why not run a gas line to your grill? When we built in '06, I ran the gas line to our deck, LOVE not getting propane ever again.
As others noted, speaker wire to the right spots and HDMI as well are key. Also set yourself up for success with your switch placement, think of where you'll most commonly walk, etc. Actually walk it out - it helps.
And finally, this is a great time to run cabling upstairs anyplace you may need/want it that wasn't done originally. I did this when we finished the basement a few years ago - had a few things we didn't do when we originally built it.
Make sure you leave your cable accessible for dish or cable provider. I messed up bigtime and buried the area where cable comes into home. Now if I ever switch back to Mediacom (doubtful anyway), I'll have to tear out flipping drywall to get to it...
Still kicking myself 3 years later...
Still kicking myself 3 years later...
All these bells and whistles. Whoa! My budget would have never survived.
It has walls, recessed lights, laminate flooring and it's dry (Thanks to an existing Beaver System). I guess the only extras I did was pull a couple coax lines and cat5.
Ended up with a great area for the boys to go play in one half and the other half is great for company, watching movies, playing games, etc... I'll keep dreaming for now on all this extra stuff!
It has walls, recessed lights, laminate flooring and it's dry (Thanks to an existing Beaver System). I guess the only extras I did was pull a couple coax lines and cat5.
Ended up with a great area for the boys to go play in one half and the other half is great for company, watching movies, playing games, etc... I'll keep dreaming for now on all this extra stuff!
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I also recommend conduit or "flexible raceway". I used this: 1.5" Flexible Raceway. I ran it from where I'll have my equipment in a closet, up to the ceiling, out to the center of the room(or centered on where you would have a projector screen), and then to each end of the room and down those walls. That way it's in the ceiling where I can do a projector or its to the walls for the tv's. I have pictures and measurements so I can just cut a hole where I end up wanting the projector/tv. I actually ran two tubes to the center and then they went to opposite ends of the room so i can put my setup on either side if I decide to rearrange. I also ran all of my speaker wire. Make sure to label everything and plan on having extra tubing/wire at each end so equipment install is easier and your not trying to connect wires inside the wall through a tiny hole :twitcy: And, by extra, I mean 3'-6'. You don't even have to be on the ladder while making the connections then. The only other thing I can think of off the top of my head is don't skimp on the wire quality/ratings. Get the stuff that is made for in wall use and get a big enough gauge wire for the distances that it needs to run.
Electronics, electronics, electronics. Cat6 ports, speaker ports, cable ports. I don't think it needs to be overdone at each spot, amplifiers and splitters are pretty advanced nowadays.
At least two 4 receptacle outlets for your media center. I hate splitters or extension cords.
Wondering how much it cost to have an egress window put in? My basement has two exits out of the basement so it meets code, but they are kind of both on the same side of the house. I think I'd like to have an egress window installed on the other end of the house. The foundation is almost 100% buried, so it would have to be dug out and the concrete opening cut and framed. Seems like it would be pretty costly.
Wondering how much it cost to have an egress window put in? My basement has two exits out of the basement so it meets code, but they are kind of both on the same side of the house. I think I'd like to have an egress window installed on the other end of the house. The foundation is almost 100% buried, so it would have to be dug out and the concrete opening cut and framed. Seems like it would be pretty costly.
Once you think you have enough lighting in your plan, add some more.
Consider adding an extra heat vent or two.
Don't skimp on the carpet pad. Get the good thick stuff. It really makes a difference.
As you are adding drywall, be sure to run the dishwasher upstairs. One of the water pipes/drains from my dishwasher taps against a new stud or the drywall during a certain phase of the wash cycle. Now that the wall is all finished up there is no way to fix it. Pisses me off every time it runs.
Consider adding an extra heat vent or two.
Don't skimp on the carpet pad. Get the good thick stuff. It really makes a difference.
As you are adding drywall, be sure to run the dishwasher upstairs. One of the water pipes/drains from my dishwasher taps against a new stud or the drywall during a certain phase of the wash cycle. Now that the wall is all finished up there is no way to fix it. Pisses me off every time it runs.
This is pretty good stuff. I have thought of a lot of stuff and have added to the list. The nice thing about being the GC is that I can go at my own pace and it is cheaper.
i am going to need a whole new thread on how to do the surround sound and speakers. 5.1 vs 7.1 vs 9.2....yikes.
i am going to need a whole new thread on how to do the surround sound and speakers. 5.1 vs 7.1 vs 9.2....yikes.
Stair Lights - check
Heated Bathroom floor - Check
Water powered Backup Sump Pump with alarm - Check ($1000 installed)
Home automation kit - Check (texts me if my Garage Door, FIre, Water in Basement etc...All on UPS)
Get a brand new TV that is 0-0 in ISU football.
Heated Bathroom floor - Check
Water powered Backup Sump Pump with alarm - Check ($1000 installed)
Home automation kit - Check (texts me if my Garage Door, FIre, Water in Basement etc...All on UPS)
Get a brand new TV that is 0-0 in ISU football.
Run 20 amp service to each room. I also ran an empty 2" pvc pipe from home access area to home theatre and office area for any future upgrades in wiring, etc. Easy to fish wiring through these with shop vac and string, attach a sandwich bag to string at access point then go to exit area with shop vac and turn on. Bag with string will quickly show up. Leave string in pipe for future use, works great.
Carpet - consider carpet squares - you can install yourself and save money, if someone pukes you can replace one section, and if you get water in the basement you can take them up, dry, and reinstall.
Water, water, water.
Waterproof walls, install sump pump, install perimeter drainage rock and tile at interior wall and basement slab intersection if this is not already installed. Some have gone through the expense of a wood subfloor that you can buy in 2×2 sections but this gets expensive.
Waterproof walls, install sump pump, install perimeter drainage rock and tile at interior wall and basement slab intersection if this is not already installed. Some have gone through the expense of a wood subfloor that you can buy in 2×2 sections but this gets expensive.
So 6 years later, is anything missing in this thread? New developments in the basement game?
We have a walk out basement so there's plenty of natural lights and the egresses are already in place for the bedrooms... Do people actually use bar tops in their basement or do they tend to be wasted space?
We have a walk out basement so there's plenty of natural lights and the egresses are already in place for the bedrooms... Do people actually use bar tops in their basement or do they tend to be wasted space?
We have a bar with a sink underneath. It gets used a lot when company is over. Otherwise, not so much. If you have a bar, I'd definitely put a sink in. Otherwise you are carrying empties upstairs every time it's used.
Agree on the sink. Finished our basement a few years ago, wavered between a bar set up or a kitchenette area, went with the kitchenette area with sink, full size fridge, counter height table w/ chairs. Works well when we have guests staying with us with that set up, bedroom, full bath down there.
I have a 4 bedroom house. 2 of my 4 bedrooms are in my basement. Ive toyed with the idea of tearing down the 4th bedroom and making it a family room. Would that increase or decrease my homes value?
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