The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

How To Remodel Basements And Attics

NOTES

If an existing concrete floor does not have a slope, the furring strips can be fastened directly to the concrete without the need of such blocks as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

If a concrete floor is likely to be damp at various times of the year, it can be given a heavy coat of asphaltum prior to the time furring strips are fastened to it (see part B of Fig. 3).

If basement water pipes sweat during hot weather, they can be insulated by any one of several special insulation materials available at lumberyards.

Materials For Basement Remodeling

CAREFUL AND COMPLETE preliminary and final planning constitute two of the most important aspects of any basement-remodeling project. Preliminary planning includes: Establishing a definite purpose for the remodeling (see Chapter 2); making sure that the remodeling will be worthwhile (see Chapter 3), and avoiding details or items that would add excessive cost to the project (see Chapter 5). Final planning includes the directions, or exactly what is to be done, to make the project a reality (see Chapters 9, 10 and 11). The great value of careful planning cannot be overemphasized! In order to avoid possible troubles, undue expense and disappointment, your preliminary and final planning must be careful and complete.

One aspect of preliminary planning, not mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, consists of selecting the various materials needed for walls, ceilings, floors and other details of a remodeling project. Today, there is an almost bewildering but exciting range of new and fascinating materials from which to choose. One big problem will be to decide which surface material to use for walls and ceilings, which type of floor covering will serve you to the best advantage, etc. In many cases, the materials finally decided upon will have some influence on the structural details. For example, if you decide to use acoustical tile on the ceiling, you will have to include furring strips in your structural plans.