If you have an unfinished basement you could be sitting on a veritable gold mine. Renovating your basement can dramatically increase the value of your home. Framing a basement can be a difficult task but is the most important part of your renovation.

Here at framingabasement.net we are here to help you with your renovation project. Deciding to take on a task such as this it can save you hundreds possibly thousands of dollars. When you look at pictures of a finished basement it may seem like a daunting task but we give you simple step by step instructions to help you complete your do it yourself project.

Getting Started – Floor Plan Layout

Your first step to your renovation is to create a floor plan layout. You will need to measure the dimensions of your basement. Drawing a diagram may assist you with this. Mark out how much space will be designated for each room. If you are having trouble there are many home designers who can help you with this process. Next you must decide what you are looking to add with your available space. Most basic basement designs include a lounge/ den area, a bathroom, a laundry room and possibly storage space. The size of the rooms is completely variable depending on the total square footage of your basement. There is no minimum or maximum to what the space in each room can be.

Most basic basement designs include:

• Lounge/Den Area
• Bathroom
• Laundry Room
• Storage Space

Materials

When framing a basement your basic materials will be 2×2, 2×4 or 2×6 lumber. Depending on what your plans are for the basement will determine what size material you will need. If you are planning on building a family room or games room 2×2 may only be needed to support drywall or paneling. If you are planning a much more extensive project such as a home theatre 2×6 may be required for insulating and soundproofing. If you are replacing any load baring walls you must be sure they are properly supported by at least a 2×4 or 2×6 lumber because 2×2 lumber is not rigid enough to support the weight of your home.

Once you have framed your walls you will need to insulate the cavities. In most cases R20 fibreglass insulation will be acceptable but you will need to check your local building code to find the minimum requirement in your area. There are a number of different types of insulation, fiberglass, spray foam and rockwool to name a few. Fiberglass insulation is the most commonly used and can be found at most home improvement centers. Spray foam insulation is becoming more and more popular as a great form of home insulation. It is a mix of specific chemicals that is sprayed into your wall cavities and fills up any gaps or cracks that could let cold air into your home. The only drawback is it is much more expensive than fiberglass or Rockwool. Rockwool is much thicker than fiberglass so on top being a great insulator it also provides great soundproofing for your home. It is necessary to insulate all exterior walls, interior walls are optional depending on if you want to create a cold room for food storage or possibly use soundproof insulation to reduce noise in a laundry room or home theatre.

Summary

Framing a basement does not just include your walls. You will also have to put framing in to provide support for electrical appliances such as, lights or fans. Bulk head framing may need to be constructed. A bulk head is a frame you build around ventilation pipes and ductwork that could not fitted into your wall or ceiling cavities. Any windows in your basement will also need to be built into your wall frames. Depending on the size of the windows extra support may be need to hold the windows firmly in place.

There are so many creative choices you can make and an infinite number of designs and styles to choose from. Even if you do not choose to finish your basement yourself and instead decide to hire an independent contractor it is a good idea to be knowledgeable about the steps and procedures of framing a basement so you do not get swindled by poor workmanship from your contractor.