How to Finish Your Basem*nt From Floor to Ceiling (2024)

6

While concrete floors and walls may not scream potential right now, your basem*nt offers a lot of space that can be used for more than just storage and can add a considerable amount of value to your home. If a finished basem*nt is on your home wish list, take some time to learn about what goes into the project and find out if a DIY finished basem*nt is right for you.

The basic steps to finish your basem*nt include insulating walls, choosing flooring and adding a ceiling to transform your lower level into an additional living area. Ready to get started? We advise reviewing all the steps and calculating your budget before beginning this project.

DIY Experience Level: Advanced

What’s the biggest challenge in finishing a basem*nt?

“Typically, the biggest challenge is working around obstructions. There are heating ducts, plumbing drains, water pipes, gas lines and electrical wires that are all off and hung below the floor joist. Designing around these things is the biggest challenge, making the basem*nt look good and feel right. A professional design-build company will be able to help you achieve the results that you want, whether it is doing this in the most inexpensive way possible, or spending more money to make it look beautiful and turning those obstructions into integrated design features.”

Abe Degnan | Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

If you aren’t experienced at home renovations or if you have several obstructions in your basem*nt, hire a professional for this project.

What to Do Before You Start Renovating Your Basem*nt

Before you begin buying insulation and framing walls for your basem*nt remodel, get your basem*nt ready for the investment by cleaning it out and ensuring your basem*nt doesn’t have any active leaks and that it is up to code.

Step 1: Clean Out Your Basem*nt

Before you begin your DIY project, or bring in experts, you need to remove all the junk from your basem*nt. Clear away all the boxes, bins, trash and appliances before getting started.

Step 2: Complete a Moisture Test in the Basem*nt

It’s a great idea to perform a moisture test to find out if you need to waterproof your basem*nt before remodeling. If not, your basem*nt renovation could be ruined by sneaky leaks.

“Identify where the source of the moisture is and fix it. Do you have wet soil underneath and need drain tile? Are there cracks in the foundation? Identify the root cause by consulting with a professional remodeler or a dry basem*nt expert in order to solve your problems before finishing the basem*nt.”

Abe Degnan | Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

Here are some quick ways to waterproof your basem*nt:

• Redirect downspouts away from your foundation.
• Regrade the slope of your lawn to drain water away from the basem*nt.
• Use waterproof coating or paint on the interior walls.
• Add a drain that leads to the storm drain or a pit with a sump pump.

Once you’ve addressed the leaking walls, complete the test again to verify you’ve fixed the issue and then you’re ready to get started.

Pro Tip for Finishing Your Basem*nt: Even if you don’t have a problem with leaking walls, consider adding a coat of waterproofing membrane to exterior cement walls before you move forward. This will help prevent future issues.

See Also

What’s the Appraisal Value of An Unfinished Basem*nt? Here’s The MathThe 4 Types of Basem*nts and How to Identify ThemFinished Areas Definition | Law Insider3 Types of Basem*nt Finishing - Budget Dry Waterproofing

Step 3: Research Local Building Permits and Building Codes for Basem*nts

You will need to apply for the appropriate building permits when you start working on your basem*nt. Before you do that, research local building codes to find if there are rules about the ceiling height and the number of exits required for your basem*nt. If your basem*nt doesn’t meet these requirements, you may need to rethink a DIY approach to finishing your basem*nt.

Once you know your basem*nt meets the appropriate codes, apply for your permits and get to work finishing your basem*nt.

Step 4: Gather Materials and Tools

The Tools You’ll Need:

The Materials You’ll Need:

The amount of materials required will vary based on the size of your project and the finishes you choose to use. Measure your basem*nt before purchasing materials. Keep in mind the insulation will be needed for the walls and the floor if you build a subfloor. Drywall can be used on the ceiling as well as the walls if desired.

Steps to Finishing Your Basem*nt

How to Finish the Basem*nt Walls

If the walls of your basem*nt are nothing more than bare concrete, you need to start here. Finished basem*nt walls will not only make the space look complete, but also warm and inviting – especially once insulation is added and the drywall is painted.

Here are the steps to take to finish your basem*nt walls:

Step 1: Install Insulation

One of the easiest and most effective ways to insulate a basem*nt’s exterior walls is adding polystyrene foam insulation directly to your foundation walls.

1. Cut the pieces of foam to the height of your ceiling minus ¼ inch to allow some wiggle room during installation. You can cut foam insulation using a utility knife or a circular saw. If you use a saw, wear safety goggles.
2. Hold your cut insulation against the wall to ensure it is the right height. Remove again before moving to the next step.
3. Apply the adhesive in an S shape to the wall where the foam will attach. Let sit for 30 seconds or the amount of time indicated on the bottle.
4. Press the sheet into place against the adhesive.
5. Repeat the process until you have covered all walls.
6. Once all the foam is installed, seal the seams between each piece with duct tape.
7. Finally, seal any gaps between the foam and the ceiling, floor and corners with caulk or foam-filler.

Once your installation is installed, you’re ready to frame your walls and install drywall.

Step 2: Frame Your Walls

Before you begin building your walls, cut all your two-by-fours to the correct length. For the vertical wall joists, subtract the thickness of the top and bottom plates as well as an additional 1/4 inch. This will give you enough space to fit the frames easily against the foundation.

To frame a basem*nt wall:

1. For the walls that run parallel to your floor joists, install blocking between the overhead joists and the wall by screwing or nailing a fitted two-by-four to the joists. Install every 2 feet along the parallel walls. You will use these blocks to attach your frames.
2. Draw a line the length of each wall that is 4 inches from the wall. This is where you will align the outer edge of the frame.
3. Assemble the wall on the ground with the bottom plate nearest to the wall. Attach the wall joists to the top and bottom plates every 16 inches using a framing nailer. Move wall joists as needed to account for doors and windows.
4. Tip the wall up and match the outer edge of the bottom plate to the 4-inch line.
5. Attach the bottom plate to the concrete floor using a masonry drill, masonry nails and a hammer. Wear hearing protection, dusk mask and safety goggles during this step.
6. Attach top plate to the above joists or blocks using your framing nailer and a stepladder. As you move across the wall, hold a level vertically against each wall joist before nailing the top plate above to ensure the wall is sitting flat. If your wall is not level, insert a shim between the top plate and ceiling joists until the wall joists are level and then use the framing nailer to attach it.

Pro Tip for Finishing Your Basem*nt: The wall joists need to be placed every 16 inches on center, meaning the 16-inch mark must be in the middle of the joist. Most tape measures have red markings every 16 inches, indicating where studs should be placed when framing a wall. Wherever you see these marks, make a X 3/4 inches back from the mark, on both the top and bottom plates so you know right where to place the edge of your 1 1/2-inch-thick wall joist.

If your basem*nt doesn’t allow for you to build the wall on the ground and tip it up, or you are completing the project without a second pair of hands, you can always install the top plate and the bottom plates first and then secure the wall joists.

Step 3: Install Drywall

After building your walls, you can begin hanging your drywall. Take into account any outlets or valves by measuring their placement and cutting access holes into the drywall sheet using a drywall knife. For windows, measure out the dimensions and cut the appropriate shape out of the drywall only after you’ve secured the sheet to the wall.

You can choose to hang your drywall vertically or horizontally, though for most homes hanging drywall horizontally is the way to go. You’ll have fewer seams and have an easier time finishing each panel.

To get started:

1. Measure to ensure each piece of drywall will end on a stud and trim where needed using your utility knife.
2. Secure the drywall to each stud using drywall screws and a drill, making sure not to tear the drywall paper surface. You shouldn’t see any plaster around the nail head.
3. Cover seams and screw heads with caulk. Finally, cover seams with drywall tape and then repeat the caulking process.

Now your finished basem*nt walls are ready for paint.

How to Finish the Basem*nt Floor

After the basem*nt walls are finished, it’s time to turn your attention to finishing your basem*nt floors. For flooring, it’s best to use waterproof materials to prevent damage from the inevitable flood or leak that may occur in any basem*nt.

Pro Tip for Finishing Your Basem*nt: “Basem*nts have different flooring needs than other rooms in the home because this room is likely the most water and flood prone. The best basem*nt floors will be waterproof or water-resistant. But another fun thing about the basem*nt compared to other rooms of the house is that it can be used for a variety of things, from home gyms to playrooms or offices. There are all kinds of things you can do with flooring in these kinds of rooms, but you’ll still want a waterproof floor no matter how you intend to use your basem*nt.”

Michelle Barichello | Flooring Inc.

Step 1: Choose a New Flooring for Your Finished Basem*nt

Here are some popular basem*nt flooring options to consider:

Once you’ve chosen the right flooring for basem*nt remodeling project, learn how to install flooring and subflooring.

What is the best flooring for a basem*nt cement floor?

While any waterproof flooring is a good option for a basem*nt, Michelle Barichello with Flooring Inc. suggests choosing vinyl flooring:

“Waterproof vinyl is one of the best floors for basem*nts that get water because it is durable and comes in beautiful, realistic wood looks. If you use your basem*nt as a living space or you have a laundry room or office down there, waterproof vinyl gives your room an upscale aesthetic while serving as a functional floor in this water-prone area.”

Step 2: Install Subflooring and Flooring

If you are using flooring that snaps together, you can install directly onto the concrete subfloor, as long as the subfloor is level and moisture-free. However, it’s a better idea to build a new subfloor using plywood and polystyrene sheets, or at the very least will require installing a moisture barrier.

Installing a new basem*nt subfloor as your first step to finishing your basem*nt floor:

1. Lay down sheets of polystryene insulation using adhesive in the same fashion you used when insulating the walls.
2. On top of the insulation, lay plywood sheets. Secure the new subfloor using your masonry drill and concrete screws.
3. After the plywood is installed, you can use it as a base for installing virtually any kind of flooring you’d like.

Next, follow the installation instructions that are specific to your type of flooring. With flooring and drywall installed, your remodeled basem*nt should start taking shape.

How to Finish Your Basem*nt Ceiling

For a finished look in your basem*nt, you’ll need to hide the wires, vents and pipes that are visible on your basem*nt ceiling, while still allowing access to them as needed. Use the steps below to choose your materials and install the ceiling of your choice.

Step 1: Choose Your Ceiling Type

While you can simply paint your basem*nt ceiling to help blend in pipes and utilities while leaving them accessible, installing a finished ceiling will give your renovated basem*nt a more complete look.

When it comes to finishing your basem*nt ceiling, there are two types that can be installed:

1. Drop-Ceiling: A drop-ceiling is the cheap and easy option that you’ll find in a lot of homes. It accomplishes the job of covering exposed pipes and floor joists while still allowing access to overhead utilities.
2. Drywall Ceiling: Drywall makes for a finished looking ceiling that is better for conserving space, but will require some additional work to allow access to pipes and ductwork.

Pro Tip for Finishing Your Basem*nt: If your ceiling already feels a little low, painting or installing drywall will help you conserve more space than installing a drop-ceiling.

Step 2: Install Your Ceiling

For a tile ceiling, installation will require a hammer, nails, wire, wire cutters and an installation kit. From there, it’s just a matter of following the instructions included with by the manufacturer. With a drop ceiling, you can replace damaged tiles as needed.

For a drywall ceiling, you will need a drywall jack or an extra set of hands. Otherwise, you’ll be following roughly the same process as finishing your basem*nt walls. You will also need to leave an access hole in the drywall for future access to pipes and ventilation. Cover it with an air grate for a finished look.

Next Step: A Finished Basem*nt

Once you’ve finished transforming your concrete basem*nt into a fully formed lower level, you simply need to decide how you’re going to use and decorate all your extra space.

For other ideas on how to use your basem*nt, check out these articles:

• Convert Your Basem*nt Into an Apartment
• Easy Basem*nt Organization Tips
• How to Build an In-Law Suite