Remodeling with Drop Ceilings: Basement Remodeling
New Drop Ceiling
There are several reasons to consider drop ceilings for your basement remodeling project. Drop ceilings, also called false ceilings or suspended ceilings, have sound dampening characteristics that vary by the style of ceiling tile that you use when remodeling. They also provide access to the plenum space for future remodeling. The plenum space is the area between the ceiling tiles and the upstairs floor. Individual tiles can also be replaced if they become damaged. Most people choose this type of ceiling for a basement remodeling project.
Basement remodeling exposes ceilings that generally have a myriad of plumbing and electrical work running through the joists. Some of the plumbing and especially heating ductwork, even hangs below the floor joists, which makes a standard sheetrock ceiling difficult, ugly, or impossible.
When installing a drop ceiling, you have the flexibility to work around existing plumbing or ductwork. Most importantly of all, you can easily access electrical, plumbing, and heating lines when you need to without tearing out the entire ceiling. Instead of remodeling again, just remove a few tiles to find what you need and place them back when you’re done.
The most important thing to remember when you get ready to install your drop ceiling, as in all remodeling work, is to plan ahead. Measure your area carefully and order the right amount of materials. Plan your ceiling grid on paper, including any light fixtures that you want. When you are installing the grid system, be sure to use a level and measure over and over again to ensure that you don’t end up with a sloping ceiling. Then get creative with your light fixtures and enjoy your finished basement remodeling project.
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Bathroom Remodeling with Glass Blocks
Glass blocks offer a variety of remodeling possibilities for use in your bathroom and elsewhere to add style and value to your home. Glass blocks can be used to create a shower wall, as a bathroom window, or even a basement window.
Anywhere that light is needed, privacy is valued, and additional ventilation (from opening a window) is not required, could be a place for glass block use. In the bathroom, remodeling could include removing a shower wall and installing a wall of glass block instead. Any window that doesn’t need to open can be replaced with glass block, but bathroom windows are especially appropriate as natural light and privacy are both desirable in bathrooms.
If you are remodeling a basement window, glass blocks could also be used there. First, make sure that building codes don’t require that the window be able to be opened. Glass blocks will allow more light into your basement, provide excellent insulation, and depending on your tastes, eliminate the need for window treatments.
Glass block windows or shower walls can be ordered and installed as a pre-assembled unit for this remodeling project. They also can be ordered in a kit that will come with assembly spacers, strips, and instructions. You can also just buy the glass blocks, spacers, and mortor and assemble the window or wall yourself.
After remodeling with glass blocks, your bathroom or basement will have more natural light and you’ll retain valued privacy.
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Fireplaces are Great Home Improvement and Remodeling Projects
Installing a fireplace is a common dream home improvement or remodeling project. If you are thinking about adding a fireplace during remodeling, there are many choices and options to be considered.
Pellet Stoves
Fireplaces that use wood or pellets as fuel sources provide the unique wood-burning smell that some people desire. In many parts of the country wood or pellets are an economical fuel choice as well. The downsides to this type of fireplace are that getting and storing the wood or pellets takes a lot of work and the heat tends to be uneven. It takes a lot of practice to know how much fuel will produce the desired amount of heat. Then maintaining that heat level also requires attention. These types of fireplaces also require more cleaning and maintenance than gas fireplaces.
Gas Fireplaces
Many people have turned to gas fireplaces due to their minimal maintenance requirements and reliable heat output. While remodeling, you can pipe the fuel directly to the fireplace. Most come with a remote control to start or turn off the flame, and built-in thermostats control the heat output to help maintain a comfortable level. Talk about convenience!
If you are adding a fireplace as part of a home improvement project and your house has more than one floor, think about placement of the fireplace and the possibility that you can use one chimney for a fireplace on each level. Less remodeling will be required if you can “stack” the fireplaces, and you will stretch your home improvement dollar. With any fuel type, fireplaces should have fans in order to distribute the heat throughout the house. A humidifier may also be needed if your fireplace becomes your main source of heat.
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After Remodeling Your Home, Cleaning the Sheetrock Dust
Sheetrock Dust gets Everywhere
During and after remodeling projects that involve installing or disturbing sheetrock, dust becomes a major problem. One of the most effective ways of dealing with sheetrock dust cleanup is, of course, to prevent the mess.
As much as possible, control the spread of sheetrock dust by covering flooring, tile, and window treatments. Try to contain the dust to the remodeling area by hanging plastic sheeting and removing shoes before walking in the “clean area” of your home. Cleaning during and after remodeling projects is always difficult, but sheetrock dust is especially hard to clean up.
Sheetrock dust is so fine that it can by-pass filters and ruin both vacuum cleaners by getting into the motor. The best home cleaning tip for getting rid of sheetrock dust is to use wet cleaning methods. Because of the fineness of the particles, sweeping and dusting move the dust around rather than pick it up.
While remodeling with sheetrock, experts recommend that your forced air furnace or air conditioning be run at a minimum. The dust particles not only get spread throughout the entire house, making home cleaning more difficult, but they also can get into the fan motors and cause mechanical problems. It is also important to change the furnace filter after your remodeling project is complete as this will help with your home cleaning.
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Remodeling Your Electrical Outlets During Home Remodeling
It’s really frustrating to dream up a new furniture arrangement and realize that there are no power outlets where you need them. That is why you should think of possible future uses of a room and install plenty of outlets when you are remodeling. In fact, if your home remodeling project includes exposing the studs, you may want to think about running phone, cable, power, and internet wires throughout your home.
Wireless phones are commonplace, but during remodeling the location of the base may need to be reconsidered. Wireless internet is also more common, but experts agree that activities such as online banking are more secure using a wired connection in your home. Remodeling gives you a chance to think about more than paint colors, but also about how the house could better serve your needs.
While remodeling, running cable lines and power lines to the same box is just the right thing to do. Where ever you need cable, you also need power. Think about all of the potential furniture arrangements for your room and run cable and power to each spot that a television might be located. Be sure to label the cable runs back at the source so you can easily tell which one(s) to activate.
Most states allow homeowners to do their own electrical work when remodeling. Check with your local building inspectors to find out if this applies to in your area. Usually electrical codes are made at the state level. Remember, electricity wired wrong can damage electronics and cause fires, so if you are unsure of your abilities, this is one home remodeling project that you should leave up to a professional.
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Bathroom Remodeling, Start in the Shower
Shower Idea!
Remodeling your bathroom can easily include shower remodeling. New surrounds and tile are obvious places to start your shower remodeling, but don’t forget the showerhead. Showerheads don’t have to be merely functional. They can also be attractive and add to the comfort of your bathroom and the value of your home. This is one simple and inexpensive improvement that makes sense.
There are a variety of showerheads to choose from which can compliment the style of any bathroom and shower remodeling project. Most new showerheads require minimal plumbing work, however in order to install some of the high-end fixtures, pipes may need to be extended or moved and a professional plumber may be required.
One popular new showerhead model is often either placed higher on the wall than a standard showerhead, or is mounted on the ceiling. This showerhead is large and gives a soothing rain-like effect. Another high-end showerhead includes multiple jets of water placed at different heights to surround your body in water. Nearly all new showerheads include low-flow technology to conserve water. Of course, for shower remodeling, you want to choose fixtures with the same finish as the rest of your bathroom fixtures.
Whichever new showerhead is chosen for your bathroom and shower remodeling project, be sure to choose high quality fixtures that you can enjoy for years to come.
Vinyl Replacement Windows
Replacement Window Installation
Replacement windows will save you money on heating and cooling, and are an economical remodeling choice. There are several reasons to replace your home’s windows. Older homes may have inefficient windows that provide little insulation. Some double paned windows may have cracked seals and have “fogged up”. Hinges or slides may no longer work. Also, avoiding the yearly painting of window trim may also be a reason to consider replacement windows, especially vinyl windows.
Vinyl replacement windows are sold at most home improvement stores. They come in standard sizes, but odd sizes can be special ordered. Be sure to measure your current window as instructed by the replacement window manufacturer. Windows are generally sized by the “rough opening”, not by the size of the window frame. If the correct size is ordered, they are easy to install.
- Remove the old trim (carefully if you are planning to reuse it).
- Remove the old window.
- Place the replacement window in the rough opening and nail it to the house using the vinyl phlange.
- Insulate around the replacement window.
- Re-install the trim.
Homes with stucco exteriors or plaster interior walls present the biggest challenge in home remodeling. If the old window is not a standard size, then additional trim-work must be done to cover the old non-standard size hole. You could also choose a larger replacement window and remove extra plaster and stucco. Enjoy your new energy efficient and easy to maintain replacement windows.
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