Remodeling a Basement: Expert Advice from Start to Finish (Taunton's Build Like a Pro) [Paperback]

Roger German (Author)

Book Description

Series: Taunton's Build Like a Pro | Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Finishing a basement is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to increase living space in a home. This book helps readers visualize the vast possibilities that exist for this challenging space, and go about the remodeling process in an organized and efficient way. Roger German, a basement remodeling pro, covers every step, from the physically demanding "dirty work" to the rewarding finishing touches. He shows how to deal with a basement's special challenges, such as moisture problems and framing against concrete floors and walls, and gives instructions on pumping water up and out from basement baths and laundry rooms.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A general contractor, Roger German has worked in the home building and remodeling fields for over 30 years. German has remodeled more than 100 basements. He has also taught a basement-remodeling course at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he lives.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561586595
• ISBN-13: 978-1561586592
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Remodeling & Renovation > Basements & Attics

More About the Author

A general contractor, Roger German has worked in the home building and remodeling fields for over 30 years. German has remodeled more than 100 basements. He has also taught a basement-remodeling course at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he lives.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any review dated before Jan 5 2010 should be removed from this page, January 10, 2010

By 

cool_like_fresh "ZapBrannigan" (calgary, ab Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remodeling A Basement Revised Edition (Taunton's Build Like a Pro) (Paperback)

This is not a review of the book, but I would like to point out that the information in the "Revised Edition" is up to date as of Jan 5 2010. Amazon should not link these reviews to the new edition as many of the complaints are regarding the outdated insulation practices that have since been revamped.

102 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars good pictures and details, but out of date information, February 25, 2007

By 

zem (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remodeling a Basement: Expert Advice from Start to Finish (Taunton's Build Like a Pro) (Paperback)

It's common knowledge these days that the old practice of putting wood studs and then fiberglass batts against a foundation wall and then sealing that with a plastic vapor barrier is a recipe for mold and insulation damage from condensation through the foundation wall. (see Fine Homebuilding No. 169 March 2005 p. 78, Fine Homebuilding No. 162, May 2004 p. 52, also the buildingscience dot com publications even the Dept. of Energy and HUD guildelines.) But this author recommends doing just that on pages 99 and 100. His only discussion of foam panels is in the context of using foam panels in between already constructed studs and then he complains that it is difficult to get the panels to fit between the studs. That is a silly way to use foam panels. He doesn't discuss the current recommended practice of installing the foam panels *first*, up against the foundation wall, and then framing or furring strips against the foam. That is much better because then the wood is never in contact with the foundation wall and provides no food (i.e., damp wood) for mold to grow.

The biggest issue with finishing a basement is doing so in a way that prevents unhealthy mold and that "oh-this-smells-like-a-basement" quality of so many basements. Wood framing against a foundation wall, with fiberglass batts keeping a moist environment, and all trapped by a plastic sheet, is a sure fire recipe for just such a brew. It makes me doubt most of the other information. Tauton Press should revise the book to reflect its own current writing on the subject.

80 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for novices, but bad insulation advice, April 27, 2004

By 

Taylor (Maplewood, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remodeling a Basement: Expert Advice from Start to Finish (Taunton's Build Like a Pro) (Paperback)

First, let me say that I think Mr German is an excellent teacher, especially for idiot novices like myself. I've had difficulty with other DIY books assuming a certain vocabulary. German provides an excellent intro to DIY in framing, carpentry, plumbing, electrical etc. I now feel I can start reading more advanced DIY books on each of these topics.

My criticism, and my reason for 4 stars, is that his story on insulation flies in the face of recent thinking about the dangers of mold in basement insulation. I suggest reading "Insulate and Weatherize" by Bruce Harley, or "Renovating Old Houses" by George Nash, or look at the buildingscience.com web site, for more information. I urge Mr German to update his book with a better discussion of insulation, mold and vapor barriers, the most mind-bending aspect of home improvement that I have been able to find.

The book also talks about water-proofing on page 46-47. I haven't seen this approach elsewhere, and I'm disappointed not to see discussion of external drain mats and so on. Every book says you have to keep plants away from the house. Well I and I suspect others can't do that and stay married, so I'll probably end up building a watertight flower box above a drain mat. This might be a good project to add to a second edition of the book.