When you first look at an unfinished basement it can be difficult to see the many possibilities for creating wonderful living space for your family.  At first glance, a basement offers a huge amount of undefined space that is rough and bare and empty.  On the one hand, it has unlimited possibilities, and it offers enough space for everything you can imagine.  On the other hand, however, all that unfinished space can make it hard to imagine what your basement can look like when you finish remodeling it.  The major challenges of most basement refinishing projects and plans are: 1. C eiling height.   You will probably encounter visible duct work and/or a low ceiling level. You can decide to either live with a lower ceiling or you can frame boxes around the duct work and have the rest of the ceiling higher. You can also move the duct work, but that is an expensive job. 2. Dampness.   A dampness problem in a finished basement can open the door to all kinds of problems. The dampness will make the area feel cooler or warmer. But more important, the dampness will breed mold and mildew.  So the first step in finishing a basement is to correct any dampness problems and then seal the floor and walls carefully. If your budget allows, one way to deal with this is to install radiant floor heating with a waterproofing membrane.  If your budget doesn’t support this, a de-humidifier will be a wise investment. 3. Support beams or posts.   You

may discover two or more support posts or beams in the basement.  You will need expert assistance if you decide to try to remove them, and doing so will be costly.  The better solution might be to lay out your floor plan so that the support beams are in walls or closets.  If you can’t work with them in this way and you want something more attractive, then either put a fiberglass column around them or build a square box around them with drywall. 4. Concrete floors.   Concrete floors may be hard on your back, legs or feet if you plan activities that require prolonged standing.  Choosing floor covering can take a little more time and effort than for other rooms.  First, attend to potential dampness. If your basement does not have a drain to prevent water build-up under the basement, you might want to start with a layer of plastic. Then you will probably want an extra layer of padding under carpet, and even under hardwood floors. 5. Access to plumbing.   Access to plumbing, wiring, and some appliances may begin in your basement.  Before you decide how to finish your ceiling, you will need to consider how you will achieve the look you want and still have access to these areas. You might find that a drop ceiling is the best option.  But it is also possible to place small doors in the ceiling to make these areas accessible.  

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Five Basement Finishing Challenges