Just a few things left to do to finish basement

[Mark42]

Whoo Hoo! I'm almost done! Just have to make the counter top for the cabinets where the TV will go, install the maple "caps" boards on the half-height walls around office, TV and stair case (you can see them stacked up on the office wall) and do something to hide that darned post. Since these photo's were taken, all trim is done, stair case has treads installed. That fish tank is just waiting to be moved to storage.<br /><br />TV will go on the cabines:<br />

<br /><br />The weight bench goes where the kids play table is:<br /><br />

<br /><br />Added these book cases. They are bolted to the wall. Note where the outlet was covered and had to be brought through on the right book case second shelf from bottom. Same happened to case on left. Wife polished the floor and it's looking great.<br /><br />

<br /><br />And last but not least, this is my office. You can find me here on the days I am working from home. I think this is one of the best featurs of the basement! (Chief, I still haven't stained those maple boards. Will get to it this week, I promise)<br /><br />

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

Wow. Looks great. Nice work.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

Wow Mark - looks great!

 

[ZooMbr]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

Nice job Mark! Project to be proud of!

 

[Ron G]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

Very nice mark.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

Thanks for the nice comments. I have been working on this since April 2004. Hope to be done by this Saturday (except for the post). Wife has been going full guns to get it looking as nice as you see. She picked out all the furniture and color scheme, as well as lending a hand with construction and painting when ever possable. <br /><br />I am really glad that we chose the CVT floor tile by Armstrong. They are inexpensive, and look really nice when polished. Yes, the floor is cold in bare feet!!

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

Mark42,<br />Great job! I just started framing in my basement. My project will be a long-term one as well. My first priority is outter wall framing and insulation - it's freezing down there in the winter. Sheet rock and some divider walls in spring. I wish I have the head room you do...my floor joists average about 79" above concrete floors. <br /><br />You put the tile directly on the concrete? Did you have to level floor first? <br /><br />Once again...nice work..hope mine comes out as good!<br /><br />-JMW

 

[magster65]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

That's great. It's very open and spacious looking. It makes me want to knock all the walls out of my place

 

[FSHKPR]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

excellent work mark. looks great!

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

Hey Mark - if you don't want to box that pole in, what about wrapping it in rope.. Might give it a little bit of a nautical look.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

Originally posted by jsfinn:<br /> Hey Mark - if you don't want to box that pole in, what about wrapping it in rope.. Might give it a little bit of a nautical look.

Ayuh,...........<br />And somewhat of a "Padding" Too,...............<br /><br />Nice Basement,.........It Really Looks Great,..........

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

LOL,<br />And something for the cat to climb....that is if you have a cat.<br /><br />Mark,<br />It looks Awesome. I remember when you started this. It has come a long way. I'm jus' a lil jealous.<br /><br />AK Chappy

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

GREAT GREAT JOB MARK!!!!!!!<br /><br />That is one NICE living area.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

Originally posted by JustMrWill:<br /> ... I wish I have the head room you do...my floor joists average about 79" above concrete floors. <br /><br />You put the tile directly on the concrete? Did you have to level floor first? <br /><br />-JMW

JMW,<br /><br />The joists height I had to work with was 7' 2" max. Thats why I spent the extra money on the vinyl ceiling tile grid. Screws right on to the joist, and with tiles installed, only 1.5" is lost in headroom, and yes, the tiles come out easily. I used the Armstrong Opti-grid system, and it cost about $500 (not including standard tiles). Because it only comes by the box, not by the piece I ended up with a lot more than I needed. But it's worth it to keep the headroom. Placed the order with Home Depot, they were the lowest retailer I could find.<br /><br />The tiles went directly on the concrete floor. Just vacumed and scraped bumps off floor (paint drips, concrete spatter, etc) with putty knife. Filled cracks and expansion joints with thinset morter. Used the Armstrong adhesive. Really great stuff. Sticks to EVERYTHING!!! 2 gallons covered the floor and I still have a bit left over. The floor is not perfectly level, it has its share of high and low spots. Actually some places have a real dip. That's why the CVT tiles work well. They are flexable enough to contour to the curves of the floor. If you floor was poured and smoothed, the CVT should work. Two coats of Armstrong polish gives them a low-luster gloss (A good substitute for Future on dull boats!)<br /><br />Wrapping the post in rope is somthing I'll have to think about. Neat idea.<br /><br />Another thing that was worth the money was putting 10" of insulation in the ceiling. It really cut down on the sounds from kids running upstairs and when upstairs, it really muffles the noise from the basement. Get the insulation with craft facing on one side and make that side face down so fiberglass dust doesn't constantly work it's way down throught the ceiling tiles and lighting. Insulating the outside walls was a good choice too. Now that temps are dropping, the basement is staying much warmer. <br /><br />Last night I bought the laminate to make the counter top so I have somthing to do tonight!<br /><br />If your interested, here's a link to all the pictures of the project to date: <br /><br />Basement Project <br /><br />Wish me luck!<br />Mark.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

My only concern with tiling directly to my concrete is condensation. I left a scrap piece of vinyl laminate on the groud for about a year (un-intentional test) and when I picked it up..there was mildew on concrete and vinyl. My basement never gets "wet"...no water leaks...no limestains etc...so it had to be from condensation. I was thinking of going with the carpet tiles (found at HD) that way I can just replace individual tiles if they get ruined.<br /><br />What are you doing for heat? Did you add on a zone to your existing heating system? I was looking into a nice gas fireplace with a heat blower...that way I dont have to modify my existing chimminey (oil furnace).<br /><br />Keep us updated on your progress.<br /><br />-JMW

 

[Mark42]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

JMW,<br /><br />The VCT (Vinyl Composite Tile) tiles are really mostly stone. About 30% vinyl, 70% crushed limestone. So they pass moisture without any problems. And because they are solid color, scratches don't look bad and can be sanded out or replace whole tile. Totally different animal than the "peel and stick" vinyl tile. Those do not pass moisture, have a thin vinyl layer on top and probably end up with the moisture yuck you wrote about. Concrete is always flashing off water vapor. You can never get rid of it.<br /><br />Those carpet tiles were my second choice. I figured it was a lot easier to replace than wall to wall if stained or damaged. But I don't know how they will pass moisture or if mold will show up. <br /><br />For heat I planned to add another hot water zone to the system. I did get a thermostat and run the thermostat wire from furnace to one wall. If it is too cold this winter, then I plumb up the zone. Notice how the right hand desk drawer unit is a few inches from the wall? That's where the the pipes will come through and feed about 14 feet of heat register and loop back. I like the new register designs that have mounts for the return pipe tucked up in the top of the register. Makes for a clean install. <br /><br />I like your fireplace idea. But be careful because burning propane (don't know about natural gas) gives off lots of water. Just something to think about.<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />Mark

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Just a few things left to do to finish basement

I'll have to look into those tiles. My house is only 26'x36' soo just shy of 1000 sqft. I have natural gas for the hotwater heater and an oil furnace for the forced hot water (baseboard) heat..so I have some choices. I was thinking of adding a second zone for the basement but I am going to wait and see. I am giving myself until sheetrok time to decide. I really wanted to put a pellet stove down there...add some vents to the first floor and probably be too hot when it's on..but there is no place to tie into the chimminy...thats why I started thinking about the gas fireplace...I've seen some with heat blowers that do a great job heating and I can direct vent outside.<br /><br />I really do hate you...since looking at your pictures, I have revised my original floor plans 3 times...and I still haven't settled one 100%. In my 1000 sqft area...I have to find a home for entertainment (tv, video games), fitness (weightbench and cycle trainer), shop (powertools etc), laundry (that pretty much has to stay where it is), storage (the more the merrier) and I want to leave the middle as open as possible for future pool table addition. I feel like I am playing tetris trying to make stuff fit and "flow" nicely . <br /><br />Thanks for the info on the tiles...I'm gonna look in to them..they sound perfect. If you have any issues...email me at justmrwill AT yahoo.com. I shouldn't be to the floor for a LONG time...I'll just use you as a geunea pig .<br /><br />-JMW