Do basement walls need to breathe?

Nowadays, houses are sealed up tight as a drum. It’s great for energy efficiency and your heating bill. But it’s bad for any moisture hiding in your home that can’t find its way out. That is why your walls need to breathe.

Is it possible to finish an old basement?

Some basements are natural candidates for finishing. Others will require structural work before walls and plumbing can be installed. If the structure is old or poorly built, there may be issues with the foundation, ceiling height, electrical, plumbing, or other fundamental features.

How can I improve my old basement?

1. 10 Ideas for your Unfinished Basement.
2. 1 | Hide Mechanicals.
3. 2 | Install Electrical Outlets.
4. 3 | Deep Clean the Basement.
5. 4 | Add Overhead Lighting.
6. 5 | Paint the Exposed Ceiling.
7. 6 | Paint the Basement Walls.
8. 7 | Paint the Basement Concrete Floors.

Is it worth remodeling a basement?

Finishing Your Basement Adds Value to Your Home According to Zillow, homeowners can expect to see an average of 70 percent return on their investment with a basement finish/remodel.

What is the cheapest way to remodel 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.

What is the hardest part of finishing a basement?

What’s the biggest challenge in finishing a basement? “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.

What can I use instead of drywall in my basement?

• Wood Planks. Wood planks are an age-old drywall alternative that has certainly stood the test of time well.
• Veneer Plaster.
• Lath & Plaster.
• Plywood and Sheet Wood.
• Texture Wall Panels.
• Brick & Masonry.
• Exposed Concrete Block.
• Cement Board.

How can I cover my basement walls cheaply?

Fortunately, you can cover basement foundation walls quickly and inexpensively. Attach wood furring strips, Z-shape channels, or 2×4 studs to flat, dry masonry walls, then add insulation and cover the strips or studs with drywall.

Is it OK to paint basement walls?

Painting your basement walls can do more than just improve the look of your home; it can protect your foundation from water damage and moisture. Basement walls that are made out of finished drywall can be painted the same way that you would paint a standard wall in your home.

What should I put on my basement ceiling?

A super easy DIY option for your basement ceiling is glue-on tiles. Typically made of polystyrene or fiberboard, these tiles come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles, and are also paintable. You’ll need to install a foundation, like plywood, to glue them to. But after that, it’s as simple as glue and stick.

What adds the most value when finishing a basement?

1. Additional Bedroom.
2. Additional Bathroom.
3. Great Return on Investment.
4. Way to Add Space if Zoning Codes Don’t Allow Other Additions.
5. Income Property.
6. Add Recreation/Storage/Guest Space to Home.
7. Sweat Equity.
8. Don’t Have to Use High End Materials.

Why do people not finish basement?

Use As Storage Some families prefer using the basement as a storage space for unused devices or nostalgic items that can’t be thrown away just yet. A basement used as a storage space does not need to be complete as the space won’t have as much traffic as other areas.

Does adding a bathroom in the basement add value?

Adding a basement bathroom can increase your home’s resale value by 10%-20%. It also can turn a wasted space into an enjoyable addition to your home. The average basement bathroom will cost $3,000-$25,000, depending on the existing plumbing and condition of your basement.

How much does it cost to drywall a basement ceiling?

Drywall: It costs around $1.50 per square foot to hang drywall in your basement. Ceiling: Basic ceiling installation can cost as little as $1-2 per square foot. But, if the project is complex, it can cost around $6 per square foot.

How much does it cost to put drywall in a basement?

Cost to Drywall a Basement Installing drywall costs an average of $1,850 or about $2 per square foot. Finishing basement walls in a 400 square foot space may run you $800, while 1,500 square feet is closer to $3,000.

How can I make my concrete basement walls look better?

1. using drywall and paint to cover concrete walls.
2. painting the concrete or block wall.
3. Brick veneer panels for basement walls.
4. cover your walls with real barnboards.
5. combination weathered wood and painted drywall.
6. use wallpaper to finish your basement walls.

Do you need to insulate basement walls?

Walls. Basement walls should be insulated with non-water sensitive insulation that prevents interior air from contacting cold basement surfaces—the concrete structural elements and the rim joist framing.

What is a Yankee basement?

What Is A Yankee Basement? A Yankee basement is a root cellar. The name for the space comes from the dugout in baseball, which is the area where teams have their benches located in foul territory.

What is the cheapest way to cover a basement ceiling?

Thin wood paneling — typically 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick — can cover an exposed ceiling, and it’s available in a variety of designs. Fir plywood, hardboard, even oriented-strand-board (OSB) are even more affordable, but these less-expensive options typically require paint or sealant.

What is the best material for basement walls?

• It is also possible to use wood paneling to make foam or fiberglass insulation look great.
• The best material to use for basement walls would have to be precast panels.

How can I cover my basement walls without framing?

1. Painting the Concrete. The simplest way of treating those concrete or concrete block walls is to simply paint them.
2. Fabric.
3. Veneer Plaster.
4. Lath and Plaster.
5. Exposed Concrete Blocks or Cement Board.
6. Brick or Stone Masonry.
7. Pegboard.
8. Cork Board.

How do you cover concrete walls in a basement without drywall?

1. Paint.
2. Basement Panels.
3. Wood Fiberboard.
4. Fabric.
5. Vinyl and Wallpaper.
6. Stone Veneer.
7. Pargeting.
8. Exposed Brick.

What can I cover my concrete basement walls with?

Drywall. The most common way to cover concrete walls in a basement is drywall, a.k.a. sheetrock. Drywall comes in panels panels made from calcium sulfate dihydrate or “gypsum.” Panels come in different thicknesses and sizes, the most common being 4′ x 8′ x 1/2″ thick.

Do you need to insulate basement walls below grade?

Your best bang for the dollar in this instance is to insulate the coldest part of the wall, again typically to 2-feet below grade. However, there are many instances where insulating the full wall is the best option, such as if your walls are stone, or the floor is earth or crushed stone with no vapor barrier.

Do you have to clean basement walls before painting?

Clean Concrete Walls Prior To Painting Get all the dust out of the air too. it’s very important to paint dry, clean concrete walls. If the walls have dust, residue or dirt on them, the primer and paint may not stick.