DIY Network

Basement Finish: Pre-hung Doors and Laminate Flooring From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-105

Dave and Anne Husted added comfort to their basement by improving the electrical situation and adding quality insulation. They save a lot of time, but spend extra to hire out drywall installation to skilled professionals. Later, with the help of general contractor Adam Berlin, the Husteds add desirability to their basement by hanging new doors and installing new flooring.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H
	Figure I
	Figure J
	Figure K

Materials:

Door

pneumatic nailer
level
wood shims

Flooring

utility knife
hammer
beater board
table saw
jig saw
pry bar
sledgehammer
pry bar

Doors and Flooring Tips:

• Just like hardwood flooring, laminate needs to acclimate to your home's environment for five to seven days.

• Laminate flooring expands and contracts just like hardwood. Make sure to allow a 1/2-inch of space around the floor perimeter.

• Solid hardwood flooring is not recommended for below grade use (basements), but most engineered wood products (like laminate) can be installed below grade.

• Even in historically dry basements it is a good idea to plan for the possibility of floods and choose flooring accordingly. It only takes one flood to ruin very expensive wall-to-wall carpeting.

• Standard doorjambs are milled thinking that you will use 2x4s with 1/2-inch drywall on each side. If you are using a different size, plan to get different sized doorjambs.

Safety Alert: Always wear protective eyewear when using power tools.

Doors and Flooring

• With their basement framed and insulated, the Husteds hire out the job of hanging drywall. These professionals cut, form and attach drywall paneling to the basement framework starting with the ceiling and then moving down to the walls (figure A).

• Once the panels are attached, they cut around outlets, switches and can lights (figure B). With the drywall complete, they mud each seam and corner to create a flush surface. From there, another crew arrives to apply a knockdown texture by spraying the walls with a thick, liquid plaster (figure C) and then flattening the bumps using large rubber floats (figure D). Total cost of the drywall service is $2200.

• Two days later, the Husteds resume work on their basement. Adam guides Dave through installing one of four pre-hung doors, which arrives hinged and set within its own jambs and header. The cost per door is $69.

• After setting the door flush into the framed opening (figure E), they start attaching on the top of the hinge-side jamb. Inserting wood shims as necessary, Dave shoots a finishing nail through the jamb, shims and through to the framework (figure F). Checking frequently with a level, they work their way down in segments. (figure G).

• With the door attached along one side, Dave and Adam work their way down the opposite jamb. After checking that the door opens and closes properly, Dave cuts the shims flush and installs doorknobs.

• A few days later, having painted their basement walls, Dave invites Adam to help install a new floating laminate floor. This highly affordable material not only creates the look and feel of hardwood, but because it calls for no nails it's also easy to put together.

• Dave and Adam create an underlayment by spreading out and smoothing down a plastic vapor barrier across the entire floor (figure H). They top this with foam padding (figure I). Both materials are included with the laminate flooring.

• With the underlayment in place, they begin installing the tongue and groove laminate flooring by connecting several planks in a long row. To prevent damage, Dave uses a scrap piece of lumber as a beater board as he taps the planks together with a hammer (figure J). As additional planks snap into place, the overall rigidity of the flooring increases.

• As they continue connecting planks across the floor, Dave makes sure to stagger the seams for added strength (figure K).
  
  
  

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  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Basement Finish: Framing
  	Basement Finish: Rough Electrical and Insulation
  	Basement Finish: Pre-hung Doors and Laminate Flooring
  	Basement Finish: Value Boosts and Final Tally