Basement Finishing Ideas With Bars

Room Dimensions

• Installing a bar can be a lengthy process, especially if you have an unfinished basement with concrete floors and no insulation. The first thing you want to do is take down some dimensions and get an idea as to where you're going to construct your bar. Keep in mind that most city codes require at least 7½ feet from the floor to the ceiling post construction, so if you plan to lay floor or insulate the ceiling with drywall, you're going to have to plan accordingly. Typically a proper basement floor will raise the floor 2 inches with insulation and plywood subfloor, and the ceiling will be another 1½ to 2 inches, depending on how you finish it.

Plumbing/Electrical

• Consider whether you're going to want downstairs plumbing before you begin hanging any wall or ceiling drywall. If you plan on putting in a downstairs sink for the bar, you'll want to have that taken care of before you begin putting up walls; otherwise, you'll just have to rip holes in them. Likewise, you'll want to ask yourself if you need any additional electrical outlets or light fixtures.

Ceiling Insulation

• Whether you're just putting in a bar or a full gameroom, you're likely going to be making some noise down there when all is said and done. This might pose a problem if you don't want to wake up any family members sleeping upstairs late night. The best way to insulate a ceiling is using a material called mass loaded vinyl. Mass loaded vinyl comes in sheets that simply roll out and can be nailed or stapled to the ceiling trusses. It weighs about 2 pounds per square foot, so you'll likely need at least two people to hang it. You'll also want to overlap it, use a soundproofing caulk and tape the edges. You can simply hang your drywall right under it, screwing directly in to the ceiling.