What to Do With Your Basement Ceiling
We recently decided that it would be a good idea to remodel one of our rental basements, to bring it up to date with the rest of the home and to add some new living space. We knew exactly what we wanted to do with most of the basement, but when it came to the ceiling, we were coming up short (ahem). After a long discussion with our contractor, we actually decided on using bamboo flooring from BuildDirect of our ceiling, because we wanted to go with a modern slightly zen-influenced style that would help make the basement a great relaxation room, bamboo is eco-friendly, and BuildDirect was incredibly helpful. But the choice was close, because these other great options also have some special advantages. Lets run through your options now, just in case you're trying to decide for yourself what you should do.
Bamboo:
As I said, this was our choice, because we absolutely loved the effect it created. We actually cheated a little bit (my wife calls it 'creative') and used bamboo flooring from BuildDirect, which turned out absolutely beautifully. Be sure to check out their site, they'll send you 5 free samples you can try out - you don't even have to pay for shipping. This is also a very eco-friendly option, as bamboo grows so incredibly fast that it's an easily renewable resource.
Drop Ceilings:
Also known as a suspended ceiling, you probably remember these from college or high school - they're a series of tiles supported by a simple metal grid. The real advantage to this type of ceiling is that you can easily lift up the drop ceiling tiles if there's a pipe or wire that needs attention.
Ceiling Tiles:
That's right, they're not just for the bathroom. Ceiling tiles are a great way to add some style to your ceiling, although this is definitely not a DIY project, as tile grouting is tough to manage even on the floor, let along on upside-down on the ceiling.
Tin Ceilings:
Originally popular in the Victorian era, tin ceilings can help create a distinguished air in your basement, and would be a great match if you're planning on installing a home bar in your basement (tin ceilings are often still seen around British-style pubs and restaurants).
Drywall ceilings:
This is easily the most traditional type of ceiling in western houses, because it's possible to create a smooth and seamless surface that is easily painted. Very frustrating if you have to do any kind of repair work though, because you basically have to bash a hole in your ceiling to get at the pipes and wires above.
Painting:
If you're just interested in a way to spruce things up cheaply, and you still want easy access to your pipes and wiring, slapping a nice coat of paint on everything is definitely a great option. Just make sure you lay down drop cloths so you don't ruin your new flooring or carpeting!
There are a lot of benefits to making your basement a more liveable space. This is why it’s a good idea to educate yourself regarding a few basic basement ceiling options that you might want to consider investing in. Here are a few basic basement options that are commonly found in a lot of homes.
The first of the common basement ceiling options is the suspended ceiling. These require a lightweight metallic frame that hangs from the ceiling joints. This is probably the easiest to put up because it does not weigh much. The procedure is pretty simple arrange the tiles in a metal grid on the frame and you’re as good as done. All that’s left is to install plumbing and electrical wiring. Among the options listed it’s also the quickest to set up. Plus it’s convenient to set up ventilation systems using this method.
A second basement ceiling option is a stretch ceiling. This option is a tad bit more expensive than the suspended ceiling but it does usually come of looking great. They can be installed either as a flat or a “3D” stretch formation. The material used here can be stretched and clipped into a perimeter that acts as a frame. The suspended panels end up looking like 3-dimensional or curved panels. They are available in many colors. If you’re looking to give your basement an artistic feel, then you might want to go with this.
Another option that is commonly available for basements are acoustic ceiling tiles. This allows you to effectively limit the noise coming in or out of your basement. Installation is pretty similar to a suspended ceiling. The tiles go into an already existing grid. This is great for blocking off noise coming from above the ceiling, making the place an ideal entertainment center where you can enjoy the benefits of a home theatre system or something similar.
When it comes to improving your basement, there are a lot of possibilities. It doesn’t have to be extremely complicated. It’s simply a matter of picking out the most ideal among the basement ceiling options available to you and starting work on it. Before you know it you’ll have the basement you’ve always dreamed of.
Ceilings are some of those things that are under appreciated. A lot of people don’t really value their ceilings and putting on ceiling paint will be the only thing they’ll do as decoration for it. For anyone who is one of those particular people this really is to help you get imaginative with each of your ideas on kitchen ceilings. The whole thing varies according to the structure of your kitchen and in what ways you’ve planned (or have already) to brighten your kitchen.
The very first thing make sure you arrange for is lighting. What’s popular at this time will possibly not suit the design of your home, check out other alternatives: have a chandelier to fancy up the kitchen, purchase some pot lighting, or track lighting should you prefer. There are millions of choices to be made with lighting, you can opt to spotlight specific architectural points inside of your kitchen or you might wish to dim regions of it and keep the less used areas out of sight. But once you determine lighting you can proceed to the finishing of your ceiling.
Tin ceilings are extremely popular today and also post and beam architecture, if you want to feature tin tiles or sheets in your kitchen although the architecture within your kitchen doesn’t permit it on the ceiling I recommend using tin tiles as a back splash. You should work with whatever you have making it interesting. If you’re seriously stuck for solutions the more you know, the better idea you’ll get as to what to do with your kitchen ceiling. Look at photographs online, or catalogues, visit hardware stores, style and design showrooms to give you some ideas. The final touch for your dream kitchen has to be your ceiling, so have fun!
Insulating your house is a very important task in northern countries, and selecting the proper sort of insulating material that matches all your requirements can sometimes be tricky. In the past most homes were insulated with Asbestos; the employment of Asbestos has been suspended in the majority of first world countries globally due to the side effects. Many things have been constructed using asbestos, due to the many physical and chemical attributes. Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate materials, made up from thin fibrous crystals, it is a very strong material resistant to fire and heat, it has average tensile strength and it in addition is resistant to chemical damage and doesn’t transmit electrical current, additionally, it works well as a noise barrier, every one of these features make it the perfect choice for insulation purposes and also other items like patio furniture, car braking systems, etc. The application of Asbestos for insulation become popular in the late 1800s in bloom with the industrial revolution. Only until just a few decades ago, in the late 70’s more research was done over the health side effects asbestos have on the human body and we realized it really is such a significant threat.
The commonest way of coming in contact with asbestos is actually by being surrounded by these and moving them or disturbing them, this way you breathe the air with flowing fibers. The fibers make their way to your lungs and after a few months, years, decades irritating your throat and lungs eventually causing inflammation and scarring within the bronchioles or throat, which will subsequently bring on serious respiratory system complications.
Asbestos is a labeled carcinogenic in numerous developed countries ever since the late 70’s. Research indicates that contact with asbestos could potentially cause lung cancer as well as a fairly rare cancer in the membranes that line the chest area and abdominal area. Exposure to asbestos might additionally add to the risk of a health problem called “Asbestosis”, that is an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs which could cause breathlessness, coughing and permanent lung damage. All of these diseases from asbestos particle exposure are highly not likely, unless you are continuously exposed to asbestos fibres in the air. It is considered smart to get rid of asbestos out of your home, but have it carried out by a specialist. A professional will have all of the equipment required and is an authority who wouldn’t put in danger his/her own life or those of the individuals residing in your home.
For some people, the weekend is a time to rest and enjoy the company of good friends, nevertheless for most property owners weekends are for improving your house and embarking on D.I.Y. jobs that appear almost endless. If you are a home owner, then chances are you probably have tried being handy so that you can avoid the cost of paying out a specialist the outrageous quotes you pay. But to take on the smallest of tasks all by yourself may appear mind-boggling, so here’s a list of some tips I usually do when plunging right into a new project.
Approach:
You will find it helpful to write all of the ideas or thoughts on how you will want the task to develop, begin by finding inspiration if it’s a decoration task, take snap shots, check out decorating websites, magazines, ask friends and family. If it’s more difficult than simply painting a wall and you’ve got to do some electrical work or plumbing and you are comfortable doing the work yourself, then you’ll definitely need to make sure you’ve all of the gear needed and that you know precisely what you are doing, because if you mess up there’s a chance you’re in a lot of danger and it might cost you more to hire a specialist afterwards to clean up after you. I have found an itemized list of resources to be used, will come in very useful no matter the severity of the task. You might also want to make a list of worst-case-scenarios, so you might be ready. So here it is: having all you need for that project handy, knowing exactly how you want the project to develop and being aware what you wish as the end result is really what you actuallyneed to achieve with all the planning.
Issues of safety:
Sound judgment is a big one here, be sure you understand how to utilize the tools properly make certain the place you’re getting work done in is cleared so you don’t trip over something. Shut off the water source if you’re doing any improvements to plumbing and shut down the electricity if the work requires touching wires. Dress suitably to do the job and naturally wear footwear that are comfortable with no open toes. In case you have young children make sure they are out of the way, so you don’t bump them over or worse, same is true of pets. And have your first aid kit handy in the instance of a crisis.
Happy D.I.Ying!
Sometimes it seems sensible to employ a professional. If you are redesigning your cellar and you’ve not a clue what to do with the vents as soon as you remove the ceiling panels, it will be a good idea to hire a professional to sort the whole thing out. If you are updating the floor in the great room and you have little idea of exactly what a hammer looks like, I’d personally say it’s a fantastic thought to hire a specialist. It is important to evaluate the time you will be spending on the job, if it’s something you’ll require a saturday and sunday to accomplish then I’d say go ahead and do it yourself. However, if it’s something that needs considerable preparing and sketching out plans and changes, would likely not desire to dedicate your weekends for the remainder of your life to make your property attractive.
Any time you hire someone you usually run the risk of being overcharged, particularly with something like decorating or remodeling. You’ll need to research prices a great deal to get the best value and even after you stumble upon an individual, the wait can be quite a lengthy one. One of the advantages you’ll get when getting a skilled decorator in your house is that the decorator can look at the space like a clean slate. He/She hasn’t been looking at the very same layout for the last Two decades or so, to enable them to come in having a clear mind as to what will work for the home. An expert designer has the benefit of (ideally) many years of expertise in redecorating bearing in mind the owner’s style as well as the house’s architectural crutches. Chances are you are in all likelihood not living in your dream home, layout wise, so a competent decorator may help you overcome those crummy old kitchen cabinets. The designer can help take on the area in such a way you’d probably not have imagined, an established decorator will provide you with several refreshing ideas.
It could be nice to hire an expert designer in case you have no time, however, if you’re tight on spending budget you can also ask you close friends to be truthful with you and get them to let you know what they really think of your space. Considering the variety of websites, there’s very little need to find specialist advice. You can find YouTube videos for almost anything, and online websites in abundance that will help match textile styles. If you devote a weekend or two for the challenge and also you recruit several buddies to help out (with the promise of beer) you can do it. And you can make it so much fun.
Living with the same old color scheme and the exact same home furnishings can sometimes appear mundane. Some of the simplest ways to find creative ideas are over the internet. If you are wanting for a little something to improve your place, no matter whether is redesigning your restroom, family area or perhaps adding a couple of stylish highlites in some places one of the very best possibilities may be the web. You’ll find a variety of resources on the net, there are existing web-sites aimed to assist you to map out your room. On the net you will discover webpages that allow you to enter your layout they usually help you combine designs and/or furnishings.
If you’re battling for ideas on tips on how to spruce up your space don’t pay a lot of cash on magazines. You can find just about everything on the net; just about all mags have a internet site for you to look up inspiration and ideas. Lots of web based style and design magazines have got practical resources to help you map out your new décor. There are various personal blogs around with strategies and D.I.Y. assistance and are generally so readily available with the click of a mouse, there really isn’t a better spot to hunt for tips in comparison to the world-wide-web. Several online issues of design magazines also include hyperlinks for getting the piece of furniture used in their articles and reviews, that I find very helpful from time to time.
Think of the internet like a huge treasure hunt, sites like Etsy and Ebay are loaded with with cool stuff. The key is to do research. I begin by measuring the space or perhaps the space I want to redecorate and then use an online system to experiment with. After I figure out where all things are going I start looking at textiles. Now, textiles are a difficult thing to get on the net due to the fact even though you like the brief description for the cotton print, it does not necessarily mean as soon as you have it in the postal mail it truly is whatever you were hoping for. So what I do is: I seek out all the various fabrics on the net I would like to make use of and pick out a handful of I wish to basically literally really feel using my fingers, compare prices from numerous dealers, then I set out and get them. You may want to obtain samples, however, if you aren’t an important name in the style and design business often it’s likely you have to pay extra for them.
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There are a lot of benefits to making your basement a more liveable space. This is why it’s a good idea to educate yourself regarding a few basic basement ceiling options that you might want to consider investing in. Here are a few basic basement options that are commonly found in a lot of homes.