# Dirt cheap ways to finish basement (can't find product)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirt-cheap-ways-to-finish-basement-cant-find-product/358558>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 28, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirt-cheap-ways-to-finish-basement-cant-find-product/358558 "2006-05-28T19:03:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![widdleytinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a4c791/32.png) [@widdleytinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdleytinks)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirt-cheap-ways-to-finish-basement-cant-find-product/358558/1 "2006-05-28T19:03:43Z")

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Any ideas for finishing a basement that are dirt cheap? I saw a friends basement that wasn’t exactly “finished” but the contractor used white vinyl sheeting on the walls and for the ceiling to give it a finished appearance. It used “buttons” like those found on some upholstery. Does anyone know where to find this type of vinyl sheeting? All I can come up with is clear or black. Any ideas?

regards,  
widdley

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**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirt-cheap-ways-to-finish-basement-cant-find-product/358558/2 "2006-05-28T19:18:06Z")

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[Vinyl fabric](http://www.fabric.com/home-decor-fabric-vinyl-fabric-vinyl-hot-pink.aspx)  
Any decent fabric store should have the stuff, but it’ll run $7 to $15 or more dollars a yard.

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**Author:** ![widdleytinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a4c791/32.png) [@widdleytinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdleytinks)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirt-cheap-ways-to-finish-basement-cant-find-product/358558/3 "2006-05-28T19:27:09Z")

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> [@Squink](#):
>
> [Vinyl fabric](http://www.fabric.com/home-decor-fabric-vinyl-fabric-vinyl-hot-pink.aspx)  
> Any decent fabric store should have the stuff, but it’ll run $7 to $15 or more dollars a yard.

I don’t think that’s the same product. I’m talking about rolled sheeting. The prices online for black and clear are something like 30$ for 100 feet or more.

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**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2006, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirt-cheap-ways-to-finish-basement-cant-find-product/358558/4 "2006-05-28T23:06:42Z")

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> [@widdleytinks](#):
>
> I’m talking about rolled sheeting.

Oh, I was thinking fabric, like car seats. You want straight plastic, [like this](http://hardware.hardwarestore.com/27-112-polyethylene-film/white-plastic-sheeting-198929.aspx).  
A big garden supply store should have it, or a farm supply store. You can cover greenhouses with it, bedding plants, piles of sand or haystacks.  
There are probably firecodes associated with using it in a house. I know they make flame resistant types, but **danceswithcats** has probably got the real dope on that.

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**Author:** ![widdleytinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a4c791/32.png) [@widdleytinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdleytinks)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2006, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirt-cheap-ways-to-finish-basement-cant-find-product/358558/5 "2006-05-29T05:32:12Z")

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> [@Squink](#):
>
> Oh, I was thinking fabric, like car seats. You want straight plastic, [like this](http://hardware.hardwarestore.com/27-112-polyethylene-film/white-plastic-sheeting-198929.aspx).  
> A big garden supply store should have it, or a farm supply store. You can cover greenhouses with it, bedding plants, piles of sand or haystacks.  
> There are probably firecodes associated with using it in a house. I know they make flame resistant types, but **danceswithcats** has probably got the real dope on that.

I think that’s it! Fire codes…okay, the existing insulation is covered with clear plastic. The insulation happens to be UGLY yellow. I’ll make some calls and see what I can find out.

Thank you!

regards,  
widdley