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

How To Remodel Basements And Attics

Quantity estimating

In order to estimate the length of 6-ft.-wide linoleum needed to cover a floor, it is advisable to draw a scaled sketch of the floor. The sketch can be used to determine the most economical placement of the material and the total amount necessary.

VINYL

Vinyl is a flexible plastic sheet which will not crack or tear under repeated flexing. It recovers more quickly from denting than most other types of flooring, is resistant to household acids, cooking greases, oils, solvents, detergents, soap and cleaning agents. It adjusts more quickly to room temperature than linoleum—a factor to be considered for underfoot warmth. It never needs waxing, though it can be waxed if desired. It is less slippery when wet than is linoleum. The surface is nonporous so it won't hold dirt. Vinyl sheet is also significantly higher in price than linoleum. It is available in gauges of .080, 3/32 and 1/8 in., with .080-in. gauge recommended for residential use. The color on this gauge does not go all the way through, but don't consider this a disadvantage. Vinyl has such excellent wearing qualities that it is doubtful if anyone would wear through it with the normal traffic of a home. Vinyl floorings are made in a variety of widths depending upon the manufacturer. Two popular widths are 45-in. and 6-ft. Quantity estimating can be done as previously explained for linoleum.

Preparing Basement For Remodeling

AFTER YOU HAVE DEFINITELY decided on the purpose of your basement remodeling (see Chapters 2 and 5) and after you have proven to yourself that the remodeling will be worthwhile (see Chapter 3), the next logical step consists of studying the existing basement to determine what, if anything, must be done to the basement before the remodeling can be done.

In this chapter we shall discuss several typical remodeling projects which constitute preparation for the remodeling you have in mind. You should give careful attention to such possible projects before making definite working plans for the actual remodeling. In many instances such projects, as those described in this chapter, have an important bearing on your final plans. It may even be that after a study of your existing basement you may decide that the preparation costs, plus the actual remodeling costs, add up to an expense that would overshadow the remodeling benefits. While this is not very likely, it is best to be on the safe side. In any event, basements generally require one or more aspects of preparation work.