Jesus Aleman
Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2008
- Messages
- 206
I've been wanted to post this project for a while. The basement in my house was completed about 2 years ago (just before my daughter was born. It was supposed to be my fortress of solitude, but in the end greater (pint-size) forces prevailed. Enjoyed. No festools were harmed, a few dewalt. I wish I had the F-sanders at that time. Sanding the drywall was a pain. The entire project took over 2 months. The most difficult part was getting the work sequence right (this was my first try).
Pic 1 shows a before picture of the unfinished basement. It was essentially a big storage room with a furnace. Originally, we wanted two separate large rooms and a washroom. After reviewing the layout and looking at some of the limitations imposed by the lack of effort from the developer (gas, electrical and duct work were routed poorly under the joists as opposed to in between) we decided to nix the washroom and the small bedroom. Instead, we would maximize the space for one large finished room, a cubicle for the computer station, and three unfinished areas (room for electronics, furnace room, and storage/cold rooms [not shown]).
The second big decision was to ceiling (dry walled or drop ceiling). We opted for drywall with some access to drain cleanouts, shut-off valves and JVs. The first task in hand was reworking duct work, water pipes, and electrical to maximize the height of the ceiling. The drain for dishwasher, for example, needed to be reworked to provide a free-discharge to avoid any clogging and eventual dripping into a drywall ceiling. I didn't want to deal with ripping the ceiling in 2 years because of a leaking pipe. See pic 2.
After the ductwork and piping got re-worked it was time for insulation vapor barriers and lots of lumber. Nothing very exciting, but it gave me a new meaning of having everything plumb, square and straight. I opted for screws (as opposed to nails). See pictures 3a and 4. Note that we also moved some of the registers lower so we could get better circulation in the room.
This picture 4b shows the framing for the 'stereo room' and the computer cubicle. Early in the project, we decided to run all the speaker wire, conduits and cable required for the entretainment system behind the drywall. This required a bit of planning as well and having to buy some fixtures and A/V cables ahead of time so we could know exactly how to lay it out. Since the beginning we wanted the room kid friendly (aka, storage rooms off limits), electronics, wires and computers easily within reach for adults, but out of reach for kids.
Before the drywall went up (picture 3b) we decided to add some sound insulation to the ceiling and one of the walls. This paid off very quickly. You can here anything in or out of the room when the stereo or TV are loud. This also makes a great room when we have multiple sets of guests sleeping over. We only have one spare bedroom upstairs.
Now we are going to jump to the finished product. I had to send out my wife on a trip while the drywall, plaster, sanding, painting, cleaning came along, and she took the camera with her. The house got really dusty, even when I shut off the ventilation and closed all the registers in the basement. Drywall dust can really travel. Days later I got introduced to Festool, and I wish I had the sander and vacuum (which I now have) to do this job.
Anyways, to the finished product.
Picture 5 shows the main room showing a built-in bookcase and TV. Woodworking wasn't in the radar screen at that time so it was built of MDF from the box store (blasphemy). You can see the TV and front speakers mounted to the front wall, and of course you can see all the toys (not mine) on the floor. You want to guess who is the king (I mean queen) of this kingdom.
Picture 6 shows the right side of the main room. From here you see the 'stereo room' where I store my e-toys and the computer niche. As discussed before all cables from/to TV are run through a conduit so that these can be replaced in the future (if needed). I bought a universal remote with radio so that we can run the electronics remotely with the door closed (kid friendly).
Picture 7 shows the you the back of the main room. We decided on carpet mainly because it would be inexpensive, toddler friendly and could be replaced in a few years. There is nothing special about the couches, except that we selected some fairly light couches. We move them around the room to accommodate different settings. Right now they are shown in the 'kids party mode'. When we want to watch a movie, we simply move them further up so they align with the rear speakers (seen in the previous picture).
Picture 8 shows the computer niche. Essentially is an over sized closet. The double doors are open must of the time. However, when we have a group of kids downstairs we simply close the doors and no danger to kids or computer. I added a grill on the side of the room to keep it cool while the doors are closed. You can actually feel a temperature gradient in the niche when you re-open the doors. The computer is always running.
Anyways, I have to run to a new year eve party. I will try to post more tomorrow. BTW, I didn't know how to post pictures in-line with the text so the most natural thing for me was to put the as an attachment.
Cheers,
JGA.
Pic 1 shows a before picture of the unfinished basement. It was essentially a big storage room with a furnace. Originally, we wanted two separate large rooms and a washroom. After reviewing the layout and looking at some of the limitations imposed by the lack of effort from the developer (gas, electrical and duct work were routed poorly under the joists as opposed to in between) we decided to nix the washroom and the small bedroom. Instead, we would maximize the space for one large finished room, a cubicle for the computer station, and three unfinished areas (room for electronics, furnace room, and storage/cold rooms [not shown]).
The second big decision was to ceiling (dry walled or drop ceiling). We opted for drywall with some access to drain cleanouts, shut-off valves and JVs. The first task in hand was reworking duct work, water pipes, and electrical to maximize the height of the ceiling. The drain for dishwasher, for example, needed to be reworked to provide a free-discharge to avoid any clogging and eventual dripping into a drywall ceiling. I didn't want to deal with ripping the ceiling in 2 years because of a leaking pipe. See pic 2.
After the ductwork and piping got re-worked it was time for insulation vapor barriers and lots of lumber. Nothing very exciting, but it gave me a new meaning of having everything plumb, square and straight. I opted for screws (as opposed to nails). See pictures 3a and 4. Note that we also moved some of the registers lower so we could get better circulation in the room.
This picture 4b shows the framing for the 'stereo room' and the computer cubicle. Early in the project, we decided to run all the speaker wire, conduits and cable required for the entretainment system behind the drywall. This required a bit of planning as well and having to buy some fixtures and A/V cables ahead of time so we could know exactly how to lay it out. Since the beginning we wanted the room kid friendly (aka, storage rooms off limits), electronics, wires and computers easily within reach for adults, but out of reach for kids.
Before the drywall went up (picture 3b) we decided to add some sound insulation to the ceiling and one of the walls. This paid off very quickly. You can here anything in or out of the room when the stereo or TV are loud. This also makes a great room when we have multiple sets of guests sleeping over. We only have one spare bedroom upstairs.
Now we are going to jump to the finished product. I had to send out my wife on a trip while the drywall, plaster, sanding, painting, cleaning came along, and she took the camera with her. The house got really dusty, even when I shut off the ventilation and closed all the registers in the basement. Drywall dust can really travel. Days later I got introduced to Festool, and I wish I had the sander and vacuum (which I now have) to do this job.
Anyways, to the finished product.
Picture 5 shows the main room showing a built-in bookcase and TV. Woodworking wasn't in the radar screen at that time so it was built of MDF from the box store (blasphemy). You can see the TV and front speakers mounted to the front wall, and of course you can see all the toys (not mine) on the floor. You want to guess who is the king (I mean queen) of this kingdom.
Picture 6 shows the right side of the main room. From here you see the 'stereo room' where I store my e-toys and the computer niche. As discussed before all cables from/to TV are run through a conduit so that these can be replaced in the future (if needed). I bought a universal remote with radio so that we can run the electronics remotely with the door closed (kid friendly).
Picture 7 shows the you the back of the main room. We decided on carpet mainly because it would be inexpensive, toddler friendly and could be replaced in a few years. There is nothing special about the couches, except that we selected some fairly light couches. We move them around the room to accommodate different settings. Right now they are shown in the 'kids party mode'. When we want to watch a movie, we simply move them further up so they align with the rear speakers (seen in the previous picture).
Picture 8 shows the computer niche. Essentially is an over sized closet. The double doors are open must of the time. However, when we have a group of kids downstairs we simply close the doors and no danger to kids or computer. I added a grill on the side of the room to keep it cool while the doors are closed. You can actually feel a temperature gradient in the niche when you re-open the doors. The computer is always running.
Anyways, I have to run to a new year eve party. I will try to post more tomorrow. BTW, I didn't know how to post pictures in-line with the text so the most natural thing for me was to put the as an attachment.
Cheers,
JGA.
