Attics & Basements

Sump pumps are a vital part of your home to ensure that your basement stays dry. But if you need one installed or replaced, you may be wondering how many hours of labor you’re looking at. Let’s take at what you can expect below. On average, you can expect a sump pump installation to take …

Encapsulating a crawl space is a challenging job. Although a DIY installation is possible, it has several drawbacks. So, it would be best to hire a professional to do it for you. After much research, we have found out the pros and cons to encapsulate a crawl space yourself. The only advantage of doing a …

Have you ever wondered how far apart basement jack posts should be? Is there a standard distance between them? If so, you may be wondering what’s the best way to determine this. Our research has provided us with a great answer to this question. There is no hard and fast rule for the number of …

Water seeping on your basement floor drain can result in mold and mildew when left unattended, or it may produce a foul odor. As many homeowners commonly experience this issue, there are ways to fix this problem while not costing you too much money. The water backing up from your basement is not only dirty …

Picking the right design and paint that will match the rest of your house can be a challenge, even for the basement. What kinds of paint are suitable for your underground space? Is there a specific type of paint sheen you need to use? We’ve researched this topic and have put together answers and advice …

If you have a home with a basement, you know that it can get damp down there. To keep the basement dry, your sump pump should work properly and pump out water. But what do you do if it doesn’t pump out water and makes a humming noise? We researched what this means and what …

Windows are a common entry point for burglars, so it’s important to take the necessary steps to secure them. Basement windows are often overlooked, but they can be easy targets for thieves. Fortunately, we’ve researched a few tips on how to secure your basement windows and keep your home safe. Basement windows are often an …

It’s raining, it’s pouring, and the whole basement is flooding! When water comes up the basement floor, you’re probably thinking about what the next best solution should be. We’ve researched this topic, and in this post, we’ve gathered a lot of suggestions and tips on how you can keep the water from coming up your …

Basement poles are the foundational structure of our homes, so we often forego how they look since their function is the most important. However, when you want your basement remodeled, you can’t ignore the eyesore that it poses, especially if it goes against your style. You must be wondering what you could do to make …

Some people may not want to let other folks gain access to their attics. Hiding the attic access door is one way to hinder guests from entering that room. Now you’re wondering how you can hide an attic door in a wall. We researched the solution for you and here’s what we found. Hiding an …

Are you planning to turn your basement into a living area and wanted to know how to hide the sewer cleanout? You’ve come to the right place, for we have researched this question, and we have the answer for you. A cabinet can be built around a sewer cleanout so that it can be hidden …

If you’re in the middle of a basement renovation, you may be choosing whether to put carpet or vinyl plank on the floor? Is one better than the other for this application? We’ve researched to see why you might choose one over the other and have those answers for you here. There’s no right or …

Whether you are adding brand new flooring to an unfinished basement, or replacing an existing floor, it can be tough to work underground. Since the basement is a tricky place, it’s important to make an informed decision between carpet and laminate flooring. These two options are practically opposites. So, they will have very different advantages …

Recessed lighting can help add decorative appeal to your basement and improve the visibility in the room. If you are embarking on this project for the first time, you may be wondering what the best method is to install the lighting. We have researched the proper way to install this type of lighting in your …

Figuring out what to do with an unfinished basement can be a tricky situation. You may not need what you put in there to be very nice looking, but you want it to be as functional as possible in the space. The best example of this is probably lighting. Regardless of what you’re using this …

Many people grew up with attic spaces, and heading up to the attic could be as creepy as heading down to the basement. Full of old holiday decorations and relics from the past that just couldn’t be parted with, attics provided an additional storage space in our homes.  If you’re wondering whether new homes still …

Basements are a fun space to decorate because you can get away with almost anything in terms of the wall surface and color. Whatever your style, you can find a way to incorporate it. Many basements also have fun architectural features that you don’t see in other places that you can experiment with. Just remember …

Maybe you just signed a lease for that cute basement apartment and you’re on the hunt for ideas that will make it a great entertaining space. Perhaps you’re already moved in and are just now realizing that what works for a first or second-floor apartment doesn’t quite work for a basement-level dwelling. We’re here to …

Whether your basement is an extra bedroom or home theater, it is important to make the space feel inviting and comfortable. Sometimes basements appear dark and dreary because they have minimal to no natural lighting. Typically, the wall color impacts the ambiance. We’ve researched this topic and found some great color options for your basement. …

Are you getting ready to finish or remodel your basement? If so, you may be wondering how big your basement bathroom should be. We’ve researched typical bathroom sizes to give you an idea of how big or small to make your basement bathroom. Although there is no right or wrong answer, most basement bathrooms are …

The comfort and longevity of your finished basement will depend on the materials used in its construction. Choosing the right wood for basement framing is essential for complying with local building codes and keeping moisture from rotting the lumber. It will also ensure there’s enough space to run electrical wiring and install insulation in the …

The long and short of it is that basements often smell. You know, the musty, slightly wet kinda moldy smell. Well, if you have a basement odor, take heart. You are not alone, and we have gathered all of the best remedies to basement smell and go over them here. The best way to make …

Adding a bathroom to your basement not only adds property value but also gives functionality to that area. Whether you have an entertainment area or guest rooms on the lowest level of your home, you don’t want to be dashing upstairs whenever nature calls. While adding a bathroom can be a DIY project, be sure …

Whether you want to make a magnificent man cave or set up a special space to socialize, a bar is a great addition to a basement. It isn’t a difficult task either; with the right amount of planning and resources, it can be fun to construct your own bar. There is, however, a lot to …

Perhaps you are touring homes, or maybe you have a basement remodel in mind. Either way, you are wondering if the basement floors should match the upstairs floors. This is a great question; flooring material makes a big difference in home usability and design. In this post, we answer this inquiry using ample research and …

As you shop around for a new home, you have probably read the vague term “ranch” routinely in real-estate listings. This jargon leaves you unsure and wondering what a ranch-style home entails and whether or not they include attics and basements. Well, we have scoured the internet for the answer and bring it to you …

Perhaps you’re wondering if split-level houses have basements? It’s good to ask because they’re not your usual home design and aren’t like a typical two-story house. We’ve done the research to find out for you and have all of the information here. So let’s take a look. Split-level homes are homes that have multiple floor …

Almost all houses have a space between the ceiling of the top story and the roof’s underside. This space is commonly called the attic. Attics come in a wide range of square footage, heights, and configurations. The attics of flat-roofed houses typically span the home’s full length and width but have very low ceilings. Many …

A basement can serve many purposes in a home: extra living space, extra recreational space, and even extra workspace. You can turn your basement into a game room, a movie room, a gym, an office, or even a bedroom. Or you can design your basement as a multipurpose room–wide open and ready for anything! How …

You want to finish out your extra attic space, but can you add a bathroom to your attic? We’ve researched to find out the possibility and have answers for you in this post. Adding a finished bathroom to your attic can provide additional function and value to your home. And depending upon the size of …

Have you converted your attic into a finished room? If so, you may wonder if you can now list that attic as a bedroom when selling your home. We’ve researched it, and we have some answers for you. Whether a converted attic counts as a bedroom depends on whether it meets building codes for a …

Turning your basement into an extra living or storage space can bring up home value and the space’s overall aesthetics. Maybe you have been dying to transform your basement into a spare closet or even a game room. We have researched this topic and are going to show you our top 17 favorite basement design …

If you’re starting to feel cramped in your house, the basement might be the perfect place to expand a bit. While most basement remodels tend to showcase huge, cavernous basements, if your basement is small it can still provide enough space for you to add on a guest suite or pursue your favorite hobby. The …

Adding carpet can seem daunting yet very desirable when upgrading the basement. You may think that adding a carpet is a bad idea but would like to add character to the room with one. We’ve researched the best carpets to help you narrow down your choices for the best one in your basement. The best …

Perhaps you’re thinking about adding bedrooms in the basement, but do they count if you’re going to put your house on the market? Knowing this information can be a game-changer when you decide how much money to spend on a basement renovation. We’ve consulted with our experts and have some thoughts for you about your …

Believe it or not, the basement is a space that can add decorative value to your home. Maybe your basement is a game room, a man cave, or a home theater. Regardless, one of the most important basement aesthetic considerations is wall decor. Decorating the basement may seem like a bit of a daunting task, …

Are you looking to turn your basement into a cozy, homey retreat? Consider converting your subterranean space into a warm, rustic spot. Rustic decor, flooring, and walls can add a real sense of warmth to any space. The earthy tones don’t overwhelm the eye, and small farmhouse touches can add a quaintness that will really …