They are both a great place to find ideas for finishing your basement.  If the project is a ” Do it yourself ” remodeling job or your hiring a contractor you should really check out the following book:

” Basement Ideas That Work“

I recommend it to customers who are still looking for ideas and its a must have for anyone who is planning on finishing a basement on their own.

This book has all types of tips, tricks, plans and more about finishing a basement

Otherwise you need to hire a basement contractor or design expert to guide you through the process.

Whether its google images or the book you will be able to see what some of the latest trends in basement remodeling are along with samples of home theaters, bathrooms, wet bars, playrooms, fitness areas, built ins, basement flooring, basement remodeling plans and much more. You can find other basement remodeling books at the BasementSource.

Both are helpful tools for creating the layout of your space because you can see ideas that have  worked for others. Helping you choose style, colors, textures and much more.

If you need a basement remodeling contractor in Columbus Ohio and surrounding areas contact us.

Thanks.

Building Planning Codes
IRC Code Section R310
  

R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required. Basements and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency and rescue opening. Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Where emergency escape and rescue openings are provided they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with Section R310.3. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the emergency escape and rescue opening from the inside. Emergency escape and rescue openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2. Emergency escape 52 2006 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE® and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
  

Exception: The ladder or steps required by SectionR310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches (152 mm) into the required dimensions of the window well.
  

R310.2.1 Ladder and steps. Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be required to comply with Sections R311.5 and R311.6. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches (305 mm), shall project at least 3 inches (76 mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center vertically for the full height of the window well.
  

R310.3 Bulkhead enclosures. Bulkhead enclosures shall provide direct access to the basement. The bulkhead enclosure with the door panels in the fully open position shall provide the minimum net clear opening required by Section R310.1.1. Bulkhead enclosures shall also comply with Section R311.5.8.2.
  

R310.4 Bars, grilles, covers and screens. Bars, grilles, covers, screens or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclosures, or window wells that serve such openings, provided the minimum net clear opening size complies with Exception: Basements used only to house mechanical equipment and not exceeding total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m2).
  

R310.1.1 Minimum opening area. All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.530 m2).
  

Exception: Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet (0.465 m2).
  

R310.1.2 Minimum opening height. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches (610 mm).
  

R310.1.3 Minimum opening width. The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches (508 mm).
  

R310.1.4 Operational constraints. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge.
  

R310.2 Window wells. The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 square feet (0.9 m2), with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches (914 mm). The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.
  

Sections R310.1.1 to R310.1.3, and such devices shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool, special knowledge or force greater than that which is required for normal operation of the escape and rescue opening.
  

R310.5 Emergency escape windows under decks and porches. Emergency escape windows are allowed to be installed under decks and porches provided the location of the deck allows the emergency escape window to be fully opened and provides a path not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height to a yard or court.  

** Always be sure to check your local building department to make sure you meet the local requirements**

For basement remodeling in Ohio we normally use a R-13 insulation with vapor barrier. You can buy it at any or your local home improvement stores. Its also a good idea to check the local building codes before you get started on your basement remodel or purchasing any of the insualtion materials. Codes usually vary from city to city.

**Before installing the insulation you need to make sure you have completed the framing, rough electric & low voltage, rough plumbing, and HVAC work, and fire stopping.

When installing the insulation you will need the following.

• Dust mask  ( You’ll need these for drywall too )
• Razor knife
• Stapler or Smack Stapler
• Tape measure
• Rubber Gloves

We normally wear long pants and long sleeve shirts because it will irritate the skin. If it gets on your skin rinse and soap with cold water. This will help to avoid opening the pores on your skin.

You install the insulation in between all of the joist spaces on the framed walls. Sometimes you need to cut both the length and width to get them to fit. You never want to make the insulation packed into the space or touching the concrete wall. If it’s too tight you will lose the insulation R-value and if it touches the concrete wall it could pick up moisture and create a mold issue.

If you want to install insulation in the ceiling it will help to control noise transfer to the upstairs. This is always a good idea if your installing a home theater or media room. You will need to remove the paper vapor barrier from the insulation or buy it unfaced. That keeps from having any extra combustible materials inside the ceiling cavities.

Normally after we finish the rolled insulation we go back and fill all the corner joints on the wall framing and around windows or doors with spray foam insulation. Just make sure to buy the spray foam for doors and windows. Otherwise it can expand too much and cause you doors or windows to not open or close properly.

Once your insulation is done your ready for drywall.

 The first is make sure you follow all of the local codes to ensure everything you do is safe. This will help lower the odds of having an electrical fire due to poor or improper installation of outlets, switches, breakers or light fixtures. Electrical circuits that are overused can be a serious fire hazard. Never bypass a circuit breaker which would create a potential fire risk. If a circuit breaker keeps blowing the fuse find the problem and fix it before you move on. If the fuse blows there is likely a hazard. It is important that appliances like microwaves, air conditioners, fridges, and freezers each get their own circuit to avoid overload. For more help you can try this book Complete Guide to Wiring  it should help you with your electrical questions from start to finish.

When completing your rough electrical make sure you install Smoke Detectors in the basement and connect them to the rest of the house if possible. That way if there is a fire in the basement it will also set off the smoke alarms upstairs and in your bedrooms. The manufacturer Kidde also makes a Smoke Detector w/Voice Warning & Combination Carbon Monoxide Detector which is the model I now use when finishing basements.

You can also take advantage of this time to hardwire in a Carbon Monoxide detector. You can also install a plug in wall mount Carbon Monoxide detector after the basement is finished. Either one could be a lifesaver if for some reason your furnace was working improperly and releasing this poisonous gas into the basement. You cannot see or smell the CO-2 and by time you realize there is a problem it may be too late especially if your kids are using the basement. You can also purchase a Gas Detector for natural gas leaks.

Whether your basement is finished or not you need to make sure it is free of other common fire hazards. Usually you can find materials like papers and plastics, and other misc combustible items in the basement and sometimes even flammable liquids. You need to make sure they are stored in a safe place in your basement, garage, or outside ( best place for flammable liquids or gases ). You should always keep a fire extinguiser in the basement for added protection.

The most important areas are the furnace room ,the electric panel, and hot water tanks. Never stack items within 3 feet of all sides of any of this equipment. The furnace and hot water tanks need room to breathe. This will help keep anything form igniting if the equipment  has a malfunction. Same goes for the electric panel as a malfunction there could also cause a fire. Do not keep any flammable liquids  in the equipment areas. Most of the fumes from flammable liquids are heavier than air and will accumulate low on the floor. The fumes would build up and sudden tiny spark from your furnace or hot water tank could set the fumes off in a violent explosion. A safer place for flammables is in your garage or outside in a storage shed. Where ever they are also keep them out of children’s reach.

Remember check your electrical, add smoke detectors - CO-2 detectors, Clean utility areas from combustible materials and keep any gas cans, lawn mowers, propane tanks, or other potential risks out of the basement all together if possible. Always have a Fire Extinguiser in the basement.

Basements and the hidden danger of Radon

More and more people are turning towards finished basements especially now with the slow housing market. It’s a very cost effective way to take advantage of the extra space in your home. However there are some precautions you need to take when finishing a basement. Number one is Check for RADON. You cannot see, smell or taste it, but it could be lurking in your home.Most people don’t think at all about the danger of radon in their home. Radon is a radioactive cancer-causing gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Surgeon General’s office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If your home has high radon levels, you’re at risk for developing lung cancer. There are scientific studies of radon exposure that indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. Do you really want to expose your family or your children to this toxic hazard? You shouldn’t, it’s not worth the risk.

Testing is the only real way to know if your home has a radon problem. There are many different test kits that can be purchased online. If your homes radon levels are high there are many ways that you can fix it yourself fairly inexpensively. Here are some of the recommended test kits:

First Alert RD1 Radon Gas Test Kit
by First Alert

Professional Radon Gas Dual Canister Test Kit
by Accustar Lab

You can also purchase a radon gas detector
Safety Siren Pro Series 3 Radon Gas Detector # HS71512
by Pro Series

RADON CAN GET IN THROUGH:
Cracks in concrete floors
Crawl spaces cracks in walls
Sumpump opening gaps around service pipes
Cavities inside walls
Even the water supply

Radon is a national and global problem. The EPA estimates it in millions of home nationwide. Elevated radon level have been discovered in every state in the US. Check your state and see the results.

For more information visit the EPA or the following links 

EPA Radon Publications for Homeowners:

Consumers guide to radon

A citizens guide to radon

Health Risks

Is radon where you live

Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/

     Tankless water heaters  are small wall mounted  units that heat water only when needed by using an electric coil or natural gas to heat water passing through a network of copper pipes inside. This eliminates the risk of a tank failure and the energy lost by constantly reheating water. Two of the most popular tankless water heaters are the Bosch AquaStar 2700ES NG (natural gas) and Bosch AquaStar 2700ES LP (propane) .  Typically the gas-fired tankless water heaters will produce higher flow rates than an electric tankless which is why I use and recommend the Bosch ones you see above. Some of the smaller tankless systems you might find cheaper online or at Home Depot cannot supply enough hot water for simultaneous usage in a large household so be careful when making a selection. The Aquastar 2700ES delivers 7 gallons per minute( enough to run several fixtures at once), electronic ignition( no standing pilot light), direct vent combustion, remote thermostat, and a 12year warranty on the heat exchanger with a 2year warranty on parts

     For your installation make sure you check local building code requirements and/or have a qualified plumbing , heating, or general contractor help you with your installation. Whether you choose gas or electric they should be able to help you make sure the gas venting requirements or the electrical wiring requirements are met. Remember the proper installation/maintenance of your system can optimize the energy efficiency and help it last for decades.

  
  Guidelines for the Tax Credit can be viewed on the ENERGY STAR website. 

     The average life expectancy of a tankless system can be over 20 year where a standard tank might last 10-15 years. A tankless system can have an energy savings of up to 50% and most are energy star rated. To make things even better this item qualifies for a Federal Tax Incentive equal to 30% of the purchase and installation cost up to $1500. Theses home improvement tax credits are available for energy-saving home improvements that are placed in service in your primary residense from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.  

     You can also check   http://www.dsireusa.org/. DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. There you find information for all state and local Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency.

Click here for information on how to apply for the energy tax credit

(IRS) guidelines for consumers can be viewed here: IRS Notice 2006-26 

There are unlimited uses for a basement.  With the proper planning and design you can create a basement that is more fantastic than you ever dreamed.  Of course there are the costs of a basement remodel which can sometimes deter people from finishing their basement.  This is where many people decide on the do it yourself (DIY) method to save some money.  As long as you have a clear set budget of what you can afford then you have a good starting place for hiring a professional contractor.  Most basement contractors will give free estimates and will usually offer advice on what will work for your space.  This is always a good place to start gathering information and details on how the space will be put together and give you good ideas on what you may want to include in your basement. The best place to start is with the book Basement Ideas. It will help you with all aspects of your basement remodeling project.

The first question to ask yourself is who the space is for.  Is it for a kid’s playroom? An entertainment area for the parents? An in-law suite? or add a basement bathroom  Figure out who the space is for and from there you can start to figure out the layout and how the rooms will flow together. Most basements are cut up and have mechanical’s and  things you will have to move or design around.  Your basement contractor can help with this or you can always hire a basement design expert if you really need help.

Below is a list of basement ideas that you check and see which of them you would like to have when you finish your basement.

Home Office, Closets & storage, Sauna, Bedroom, Children’s play area  ,Bathroom, Exercise room, Home Theater  , Hobby area, Workshop, Laundry room, Wine storage, Wet Bar, Pool room, In-Law suite

This is just a fraction of the many ideas for your basement plans. 

Planning and Ideas for your Finished Basement

If you want basement remodeling done first you need to set a budget. Next you need plans or a design for the basement. You can design it yourself, have a basement remodeling contractor do it, or have an architect design the plans.  A basement remodeling job can be a diy project if you have all of the skills but most people don’t have the required construction knowledge to handle all of the different aspects of the project.  You must be able to do rough carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall and much more.  You also need to know all of the local building codes which can be difficult in some areas.

The easiest way to finish your basement if you don’t have all of the skills is to hire a basement remodeling contractor.  You can find one in the Yellow pages or join a service like Angie’s list. Just make sure whom ever you choose can show you samples of finished basements they have done and references from previous customers. It is always best to get at least two estimates before making your final decision. Ask your contractors to break down the costs items by item so you have a clear view of where the money is being spent.  I always tell my clients to call me after they have all of their quotes in and I will come back and go over the quotes with them.  This helps make sure the quotes are apples to apples and they are getting everything they want.

Before you get started with your basement remodeling project make sure you have a clear vision on what you want the space to be.  A good basement remodeling contractor will be able to help you through the process by giving you ideas and tell you what may or may not work in your space.  Decide what your requirements are for the basement.  Do you want a home theater, bathroom, bedroom, home gym or a gameroom for the kids? Do you have leaks or moisture issues and need waterproofing done?  What type of finish materials do you want for plumbing fixtures, trim, lighting, windows, flooring, etc?  A good place to start is looking at basement remodeling magazines or finding pictures of finished basements on the internet. Google Images has hundreds of pictures from basement contractors across the globe. You can check out pictures from some of our jobs at http://www.aribuilding.com/basement

Having the answers to most of these questions will help your contractor give you a more accurate quote for the final basement remodeling costs.  If your in Columbus Ohio contact us for a free estimate on your basement remodeling project. We would love to help you complete the basement of your dreams.