Spray painting the doors
When working on most projects, we are the most excited when we first start, full of energy and enthusiasm, and when we are almost done and can’t wait to see how our project will turn out. This basement was no different.
After a few weeks of hard work doing all the framing, electrical, plumbing, insulation & drywall, we were, once again, getting excited to finish it and see the end result. A break from all the work was also something I was looking forward to.
So as soon as the pros finished the drywall work, I got back to work on the rest of the project.
This included:
- Cutting and installing the window sill from a piece of plywood we had since we built our floating shelves.
- Cutting and installing all baseboards, trim and doors.
- Priming and painting all the walls and ceiling.
- Painting baseboards, trim, door frames, and doors.
- Tiling the bathroom floor and shower area.
- Installing the shower head.
- Staining the bathroom vanity.
- Installing the bathroom vanity, countertop, sink, faucet, toilet, and plumbing.
- Electrical finishes (lamps, outlets, and switches).
- Installing the bathroom mirror and hardware.
- Installing egress ladder.
- Carpet (which we hired out).
- Installing blinds in the bedroom.
- Move in!
Wow! I never realized how many steps it took to get this project completed. It was a lot of work! But well worth it if you ask me.
As far as the tools and materials, to complete a similar project you will need:
- Screwdrivers and hand tools
- Miter & Table saws
- Round over router (used it for the detail of the window sill)
- Air compressor, nail gun and finishing nails (to install baseboards, trim, doors, etc.)
- Wood shims
- Paint sprayer (optional but very nice to have)
- Painting supplies
- Caulking
- Wet saw
- Tile, thinset, grout and tiling tools
- Wood stain for vanity
- Showerhead, sink, toilet and other plumbing fixtures
- Outlets, switches and other electrical fixtures
- Egress ladder
- Bedroom blinds, bathroom mirror, and other decorative items
PRIMING AND PAINTING THE ROOMS, DOORS
Because of the size of the project, and the fact and we didn’t have to worry about making a mess, we decided to (mostly) spray paint. We figured it would make the work way easier and faster.
At first, we considered using our Wagner Power Painter Plus, however, it was not practical to use it on this project. The paint container is way too small, which would have required us to fill it up every few seconds. They do sell a hose that you can put in the paint bucket, but it still didn’t seem like a good option for us.
After doing some research, we went ahead and got a Graco Project Painter Plus Airless Sprayer. It was a great choice! As long as you don’t mind the mess (paint mist fills the whole room you are painting as you can see in the door’s picture), your paint jobs will be done in minutes.
Spray painting the doors. Note all the paint particles in the air
After painting baseboards and trim
The only drawback of using paint sprayers (and that includes the Wagner Power Painter Plus) is that it takes a long time to clean them up after using.
After priming and painting the ceilings, baseboards, and trim, I went ahead and installed the bedroom and bathroom lamps. Then, I used a roller and a brush to paint all the walls. At some point during the process, I also went ahead and hanged the doors.
While painting the walls
Painting the walls using a roller and a brush
Installing the closet doors right after painting
Working on the closet doors installation
Right after installing the closet doors
The other side of the bedroom after painting
TILING THE BATHROOM FLOOR AND SHOWER AREA
I still don’t remember why, but for some reason, I started tiling the bathroom floor before painting the bathroom walls. The only difference in this case, though, was that I had to cover the new tile when it was time to paint the walls.
To lay the floor tile, I followed the exact same procedure I’ve explained before.
Laying tile in the bathroom floor
It didn’t take too long as the area is about five by seven feet
Done setting the floor tile
To install the wall tile, the process is very similar. This was actually my first time installing wall tile (other than backsplashes). But what I realized was that other than making sure you align them properly, you have to make sure they have some support around the shower pan so they don’t slide down as you set them.
The tile in the new basement shower
We used a Moen Kingsley showerhead
THE NEW BASEMENT BATHROOM
After paint and tile, Carla wanted the privilege of staining the vanity. I haven’t done a lot of staining, and she seems to enjoy it so I was happy with it. She put three coats of stain to match our home’s main living area cabinets.
About three days later, I installed it, along with the countertop, sink, faucet, and plumbing. I also installed the toilet. This is how it looks now after Carla decorated it a bit.
The new basement bathroom after all the work was done
We can still add some cabinet hardware
It is ready for our guests (and ourselves) to use
THE NEW BASEMENT BEDROOM
The bedroom did not require working in as many details as the bathroom. After paint and carpet, I installed the blinds, hanged the wall art and moved the furniture in. That was it, the room is now ready for our guests!
The room looks way smaller now that the furniture is in
But there is still enough space to walk around the bed
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