Do it Yourself Home Improvements

Basement Remodeling

Do it yourself home improvements often times include finishing the basement or basement remodeling. If you are starting from scratch a project like this will give you experience with many building trades. These trades may include rough framing, electrical, plumbing, insulating, sheet rocking, taping and of course finish carpentry.

Be careful and do some research before just jumping into each one of these trades as some may need inspections. It is important to get the necessary inspections because if a catastrophe like a fire happens due to electrical wiring that was not inspected, this can void the house insurance.



Do it yourself home improvements do not have to be expensive. Here I would like to offer some ideas and alternatives for some inexpensive ways for the finish carpentry part of the project. The trim work is important because finish carpentry is part of the project that is highly visible by you as well as your visitors and in a certain kind of way represents who you are.

Doors

Let's start with the doors. There is nothing wrong with hollow core doors and they are relatively cheap depending on the type of wood species you choose. One of the cheaper wood species is Mahogany although it doesn't matter what type of wood species you choose a nice color stain and a good varnish with a nice finish will make any type of wood really beautiful.

Casing

For the trim or casing that goes around the doors and windows consider using just plain 1x4 spf or pine. This type of trim work has a certain appeal and I have seen it used in Million dollar homes and cabins. If it seems a bit clunky rip it down to a 1x3. If you have a router with a few simple bits you can even put your own decoration to the wood by Routering out a certain design. Pine is a soft wood and is very easy to work with and routering wood and putting your own design to the wood is enjoyable and fun. Also when the project is finished it gives you a much greater feeling of pride and accomplishment.

Baseboard

For the baseboard again consider using the same spf or pine 1x4. One way to dress up the 1x4 baseboard is to build it up with another piece of trim such as a shoe molding or quarter round or even some type of more decorative piece added to the top. This was very popular in the old days and much of the time the bigger baseboard in older homes is built up in this manner.

Being creative can bring some unique and great looking trim work without costing an arm and a leg. Always hand pick your own lumber for these projects to be sure it is straight and of the best quality you can get for the money. Any and every species of wood has a unique kind of style whether its cheap or expensive. I have seen a lot of unique and inexpensive things done in basement remodeling that turned out extraordinarily nice.

Do it yourself home improvements are all about saving money and having fun doing the projects. At the same time you are bettering your life and your future and will enjoy the pride and knowledge which comes with every project you take on.

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