I have a small basement (house is 24 x36) and want to finish half of my walk-out basement. The back wall is half foundation and half frame. The other three walls are cement foundation. Right now I can't afford to finish it. But I do have my computer down here in the summer because it is cooler. My question is -- would painting the cement walls be an option that would work? I am thinking that would cut down the dust and provide a thin layer of insulation while not requiring a permit or anything (which i assume is expensive). pros and cons of doing that? Also, would it be a violation to use 4x8 paneling to creat a ceiling (the insulation above the walls either has no vapor barrier or it is turned toward the outside of the house and I'd like to cut down on the fibers being able to become airborne. Would using cardboard create a fire hazard? how about plastic? Any cheap barebones techniques or advice would be appreciated. I know trying to do things on the cheap usually doesn't pay off, but for now I need any tips to hold me over before I fund a real finish (I recently underwent a layoff). One other question. I heard from a neighbor that the person I bought the house from let the foundation sit for a while before he finally had the house built. The house is 8 years old. The metal support I-Beam has two support poles. The I-Beam itself has a rust-line where the top and bottom of the "I" join with the larger (vertical) portion of the "I". Is that a problem and should I paint it? Thanks for your time.

For those of you that have either finished or are in the process f finishing, what did you do about the concrete floor? Did you just put carpeting on top of the concreate? Did you put a subfloor in?