Table of Contents
Introduction 8
Chapter 1 Design Basics 10
Underused Spaces 12
Gaining Attic Access
Gaining Basement Access
Gaining Garage Access
Planning Rooms 15
Planning a Kitchen
Planning a Family Room/Playroom
Planning a Bedroom
Planning a Bathroom
The New Garage
Planning a Workshop
Planning a Home Office
Planning a Home Theater
Lighting 22
Designing with Light
Design Ideas 24
Chapter 2 Sizing Up the Project 26
Surveying the Basement 28
Types of Basement Walls
Inspecting the Basement
Surveying the Attic 32
Checking for Trusses
Investigating the Attic
Surveying the Garage 35
Planning for Utilities 36
Planning the HVAC System
Planning the Electrical System
Planning the Plumbing System
Abiding by Building Codes 38
Knowing the Codes
Following the Codes
Chapter 3 Preparation Work 40
Planning the Logistics 42
Basement
Attic
Wall Removal 43
Removing Drywall
Removing Plaster and Lath
Removing Framing
Removing a Non-Bearing Wall
Removing Nails
Removing Collar Ties and Kneewalls
Joists & Rafters 47
Repairing a Joist or Rafter
Installing Attic Ceiling Joists
Moisture Problems 49
Eliminating Attic Moisture Problems
Eliminating Garage Moisture Problems
Eliminating Basement Moisture Problems
Correcting Severe Water Problems
Sump Pumps
Installing a Submersible Sump Pump
Chapter 4 Building Stairs & Framing Floors 54
Basement Stairs 56
Adding a Balustrade
Adding a Partial Wall
Attic Stairs 58
Installing a Handrail
Attic Floors 62
Understanding Floor Loading
Measuring a Floor for Loading
Reading Span Tables
Reinforcing a Floor
Checking the Subflooring
Installing Subflooring
Basement Floors 66
Repairing Cracks in a Concrete Floor
Painting a Concrete Floor
Installing an Insulated Subfloor
Garage Floors 70
Building an Elevated Subfloor
Design Ideas 72
Chapter 5 Attic Framing & Dormers 74
Building Partition Walls 76
The Tip-Up Method
Building a Wall in Place
Building a Sloped Wall
Installing Doors & Door Framing
Kneewalls 81
Installing Structural Kneewalls
Building a Nonstructural Kneewall
Insulation & Ventilation 83
Ventilating the Roof
Insulating an Attic Roof
Adding Rigid Foam
Dormers 85
Types of Dormers
Planning a Dormer
Building a Shed Dormer
Building a Gable Dormer
Chapter 6 Basement & Garage Framing 94
Fastening Objects to Masonry 96
Choosing Masonry Fasteners
Building Partition Walls 100
Insulating Masonry Walls 101
Insulating with Fiberglass
Installing Rigid Insulation
Garage Door Openings 106
Design Ideas 108
Chapter 7 Creating the Ultimate Garage 110
Rediscovering the Garage 112
Storage Systems 113
Cabinet Systems
Wall Systems
Flooring Options 116
Upgrading Concrete
Garage Mechanicals 118
Ventilation
Lighting
Chapter 8 Doors, Windows & Skylights 120
Door Styles 122
Preparing a Door Opening
Installing a Prehung Door
Building a Frame & Hanging a Door
Installing Bypass Doors
Installing Bifold Doors
Door Casing 128
Installing Mitered Door Casing
Locksets 130
Installing a Lockset
Window Installation 132
Installing Gable-End Windows
Framing the Window
Installing the New Window
Installing Flanged Windows
Installing Garage-Conversion Windows
Installing Window Trim
Installing Basement Windows
Replacing a Wood Window
Beveling the Windowsill
Installing Window Wells
Skylights & Roof Windows 143
Skylight Basics
Types of Skylights
Installing a Skylight
Chapter 9 Wiring & Plumbing 146
Wiring 148
Choosing the Right Cable
Estimating Wiring Needs
Stripping Cable & Wires
Joining Wires
Running Cable
Running Cable in Open Walls
Running Cable through Finished Walls
Installing Receptacles 155
Wiring Middle-of-Run Receptacles
End-of-Run Receptacles
Wiring Fixtures 156
Wiring a Fixture in Line
Wiring a Fixture Switched from a Loop
Wiring a Basement 158
Wiring Raceway Systems
Relocating Existing Wiring
Wiring a Garage
Plumbing 161
Getting Started
Running Copper Water Supply Tubing
Cutting Copper Pipe
Soldering Copper Pipe
Relocating Existing Supply Lines
Drainpipe Systems 166
Connecting Plastic Pipe
Using Neoprene Fittings
Cutting Cast-iron Pipe
Securing Pipes
Chapter 10 Finished Walls & Ceilings 168
Posts & Beams 170
Working with Posts
Framing around a Post
Boxing around a Post
Working with Beams
Concealing a Beam
Concealing Ducts
Concealing Soil Pipes
Finishing Walls & Ceilings 175
Painting Masonry Walls
Types of Drywall
Installing Drywall
Ceiling Drywall
Using a Deadman
Other Drywall Tools
Drywall Finishing
Preventing Joint Cracks
Painting Drywall
Acoustical Ceiling Tile
Wood Planking
Crown Molding
Design Ideas 186
Chapter 11 Flooring, Trim & Molding 188
Finish Flooring 190
Underlayment
Installing Plywood Underlayment
Installing Hardwood Flooring
Installing Wood Strip Flooring
Finishing Wood Floors
Installing Laminate Flooring
Installing Vinyl Floor Tiles
Installing Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Trim & Molding 198
Trim versus Molding
Types of Molding
Coping & installing Baseboard
Chapter 12 Gallery 202
Resource Guide 210
Glossary 212
Index 213
Photo Credits 216
