Table of Contents
How to Make A Basement Livable Seal the Walls. Basements often feel damp and chilly and sometimes contain an unpleasant smell. Improve the Floor. Brighten Things Up. Put in Furniture.
How do you make a unfinished basement livable?
16 Finishing Touches for Your Unfinished Basement Better Your Basement. 1/18. Lay Down Foam Mats. 2/18. String Some Lighting. 3/18. Throw Down Area Rugs. 4/18. Install Storage. 5/18. Paint Your Cinder Block. 6/18. Hang Curtains. 7/18. Create an Art Studio. 8/18.
Is it healthy to live in a basement?
Some health risks to people who live in basements have been noted, for example mold, radon, and risk of injury/death due to fire. Presence of mold can lead to “respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma”, as well as personal belongings being contaminated by mold.
Is it safe to live in a finished basement?
Basements also provide the advantage of extra living space for a family, such as a spare bedroom or family room. However, basement living can be very hazardous to your health. Radon, lead, pollen, mold, mildew, simple house dust, and lack of sunlight, all pose health risks.
What is the cheapest way to fix a basement?
Here are nine project ideas that will make your basement livable on a budget: Focus on the ceiling, floor and walls. Improve part of the basement. Paint the ceiling and walls. Make room for storage. Light up the space. Create a space for crafts and activities. Add easy-to-install flooring. Paint or stain the floor.
What is the cheapest way to finish a basement?
You can save on the cost to finish a basement by doing things not bound by codes: installing trim or doors, painting walls and woodwork, and installing flooring, says Buckeye Basements’ Jon Smith. Beyond that, count on using some pros.
How do I clean the air in my basement?
How to Improve Basement Air Quality Clean the Air. The most simple way for how to improve basement air quality is by cleaning the air. Dry it Out. Ventilate. Keep Windows Closed. Seal Up Cracks and Gaps. Remove High VOC Contributors. Use Low-VOC Paint. Test for Radon.
Why do I feel sick in my basement?
Mold is the leading cause of poor indoor air quality in basements and can have dire effects on your health. In fact, in about 80% of “sick building syndrome” cases, where poor air quality spreads, mold infestations (black mold and other types) are the main cause of illness.
How do you ventilate a basement?
Mechanical ventilation can be accomplished in several ways: Placing a fan in front of a window and pointing it so that the indoor air is pushed outdoors. If you have a second window or door in the basement, you can crack it slightly to further improve ventilation. Installing an exhaust fan with a ventilation pipe.
How do I make my basement room livable?
The most important step when building a bedroom in a basement is to add an egress window. The egress must be large enough for a firefighter to be able to enter the space in case of an emergency. This is an imperative step to ensure safety. It also helps to bring natural light into the bedroom.
How do you build a temporary wall in a basement?
How to Build a Temporary Wall STEP 1: Apply the sill seal to those surfaces that the temporary wall will touch. STEP 2: Cut a pair of 2x4s to the length you want the temporary wall to be. STEP 3: Cut two more 2x4s to be 3 inches shy of ceiling height. STEP 7: Finish the wall however you please.
Will an air purifier help with basement smell?
You can easily improve the air quality inside your basement by investing in an air purifier. In fact, it’s one of the best ways for how to air out a basement with no windows. Air purifiers remove the airborne pollutants that cause your basement air to smell musty, stuffy, and stale.
Is it safe to sleep in unfinished basement?
Sleeping in an unfinished basement can harm your health and lead to respiratory problems and cancer due to the lack of natural light and air, and exposure to harmful things like radon gas, molds, dust, and chemicals. Therefore, it’s advised that you do not sleep in an unfinished basement as a rule.
Can living in a basement cause depression?
“There is often less natural light in basement dwellings, which can lead to feeling depressed,” says Sinclair Kruth. “A lack of natural light can also lead to difficulty sleeping and disrupted sleep-wake cycles, which can lead to feeling fatigued but not able to rest properly.
Is it worth having a basement?
With a basement, you can create an organized storage space where all of your precious items are easily located and accessed. Additionally, the basement is a perfect place to store backup food storage and other canned goods that can become cluttered if kept in your normal living space.
What can I use for basement walls instead of drywall?
Finishing Basement Walls Without Drywall: Options and Paint. Basement Panels. Wood Fiberboard. Fabric. Vinyl and Wallpaper. Stone Veneer. Pargeting. Exposed Brick.
Does finishing a basement increase home value?
While finishing the basement certainly adds to the value of a home, it’s not always as significant as you might think. According to Remodeling Magazine, the national average for recouping basement finish or remodeling cost is 79%. Resale Value done by Remodeler Magazine.
How much does it cost to frame and drywall a basement?
It costs $1,795 on average to frame a basement, not including insulation and drywall. Framing costs approximately $7 to $16 per linear foot on its own, but $20 to $30 per linear foot with drywall.
