Are you considering transforming your basement into an inhabitable area? A basement remodeling project can be difficult and costly. While you may want to do it yourself, hiring a remodeling company helps you complete the project successfully. If you don’t know where to begin with your project, here are tips for remodeling a basement to ease the process.
Control Moisture
Managing your basement drainage system is critical in your remodeling project. Once you manage the moisture, you can renovate it and add features such as a wall-to-wall carpet based on your preferences. To control the humidity in your basement, consider collaborating with reliable residential plumbing professionals.
The residential plumbing of your home is critical to its overall functioning.
They will guide you through the moisture process and help you resolve any underlying issues. You can fix minor moisture issues using water lock paint. Where there are cracks, you can seal them using special caulking meant for sealing. Your plumbing expert may suggest a dehumidifier to help eliminate the moisture-loaded air and collect a big percentage of the moisture before it condenses on the basement ceiling and walls.
If you live in a country where most homes have a basement, consider finding a home maintenance service provider who can help you find the right moisture control strategies. Consider raising the flooring if you notice a little water trickling across the floor to the drain. Do so with substrate specially designed for basements.
It’s worth pointing out that older basements weren’t designed to be functional living areas. However, some new homes are constructed with practical basements. If your house is old, you will face various challenges in your quest to transform the basement area into an inhabitable place fit for humans.
Determine the Purpose of the Basement
Basements are uniquely constructed, meaning they are only ideal for specific uses. Often, basements are insular, dark, and cold. Suppose you want to remodel your basement area to create the perfect fun place for sun-loving residents. You’ll need to add enough sun and hot tub accessories and windows to satisfy their needs.
Basements are ideal for various uses that don’t require lots of light. For example, you can transform your basement into an appealing movie theatre for your family. Such facilities rely on damping acoustics and low light levels for the best performance. One of the best tips for remodeling a basement is to ensure your air conditioning is working appropriately. Choose reliable air conditioning contractors to install the right system for your basement area. Yoga spaces and home gyms are also ideal in basements. However, basements usually have lower ceilings limiting the type of exercise equipment you can install in the area.
Plan the Wall System
Your remodeling contractor could install walls in your basement for various reasons. For instance, walls make the space aesthetically pleasing. They enable electricians to fit electrical wires while providing enough components to install receptacles. Still, walls don’t add structural value to finished basements.
Due to the ingrained moisture issues, you may use steel studs instead because they don’t decay. Further, each stud has the ideal dimensions. Foam insulation is also suitable for use in basements. Avoid fiberglass insulation because it could develop mold.
Create an Electrical Plan
Part of remodeling your basement involves providing sufficient electrical outlets per the electrical code. For example, if you install a bathroom in your basement, it should have all the electrical work available on your upper floors. These include a circuit to support the bathroom exhaust fan, lighting circuit, and GFCI outlets.
Think About Heating and Cooling
Managing the heating and cooling system in your basement is one of the must-do tips for remodeling a basement. In some homes, these systems operate perfectly on their own. However, conducting HVAC Service helps you identify and fix any issues before they escalate. During winter, your basement will be warm because the earth is an excellent insulator.
In summer, your basement will remain cool because it’s below ground. Even then, some basements will require some supplemental cooling and heating system. An electrical baseboard heater can help you heat your basement fast. Often, an existing HVAC ductwork could be running across the beams of the upper floor, and your ac installation service provider can leverage it for your basement area.
Define the Exit Points
Besides your basement doorway, installing an exit point is among the most crucial tips for remodeling a basement. This tip is especially critical if you want to incorporate a bedroom in your basement. Many local building codes have exit requirements for remodeled and inhabitable basements. If you lack enough exit points, add a window to fulfil the requirement.
Install Effective Lighting
Many basements only have limited lighting, and with the height challenges, homeowners may be unable to install their preferred lighting options. As a result, can or recessed lights are popularly used during basement remodels.
Recessed lights will provide considerable light. Moreover, they slip neatly into the space between the beams of the floor above. Basements can hardly rely on natural light. As a result, artificial lighting bears a big percentage of the lighting requirements. Prepare for more lighting than you require, even though you don’t have to use them all at once.
Seek Assistance With Your Basement Remodel Design
While your basement may be unsightly, you expect an aesthetically pleasing living area once the remodeling project is complete. Work with qualified interior designers or architects to maximize your space. With proper planning, you can create a functional, comfortable, and appealing space.
Think About Air Circulation
Are you looking for the ideal tips for remodeling a basement in an old house? In this case, the chances are that the basement doesn’t have any vents installed. Before remodeling the basement, you want to consider the need for proper air circulation and incorporating as many openings as possible.
You will also need to incorporate a return air duct located away from the furnace. If you install it too close, it may draw up harmful exhaust fumes from the furnace to the house. To guarantee safety consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in the basement area so that you can detect any venting issues with the furnace and other core appliances. Conduct furnace maintenance regularly to protect your loved ones from harmful fumes.
Make the Most out of the Basement’s Natural Light
One of the tips for remodeling a basement that you may already know is that you will need to incorporate artificial light. Suppose sections of the basement stick above the ground. You can either install new windows or enlarge the existing ones. Assuming that is not possible, you may consider digging window wells. However, window wells increase the risk of water issues. As a result, ensure they have waterproof covers.
Enlarged windows offer alternative exit routes in the event of a fire. Some homeowners worry that basement windows provide burglars with easy access to the home. To mitigate that risk, install glass bricks instead of traditional windows at exposed locations. Leverage the impact of regular windows by installing some in the interior walls between spaces that create pathways to allow natural light inside the basement.
Leverage Artificial Light Creatively
Basement ceilings are low-lying, giving them a cave-like appearance. You can counter this by using indirect lighting that dashes generous amounts of light on the ceiling. Doing so will open the rooms, making the spaces appear higher. Combining conventional lighting and up-lighting allows you the flexibility to create a wide range of lighting moods. Mirrors fixed on the ceilings or walls can reinforce and amplify lighting effects.
Insulate the Basement Well
Proper insulation helps create a dry and comfortable basement area. Insulation prevents condensation while controlling the cold. The ground and the walls remain cool all year long. When warm air inside the room encounters the cool walls, it releases some moisture in the form of condensation.
Condensation is the critical source of the dampness that triggers mildew and mold issues in basements. Proper insulation separates the warm air inside a room from the cool walls, preventing dampness issues that emanate from condensation.
Choose Practical Furnishings
Use drapes and carpets sparingly. You want to ensure that your surface doesn’t absorb water. Avoid keeping books, linens, and clothes in a basement. Area rugs are perfect for your floors because you can easily remove, clean, and dry them. If you choose wall-to-wall carpeting, pick an outdoor/indoor or low pile commercial type.
Create a Recreation or Family Room
Basements are perfect for accommodating casual social events for the entire family or friends. It’s the ideal spot for a huge pool table or TV screen. You can even stash your craft supplies and board games in your basement. Good tips for remodeling a basement to make it inviting include decorating it as you would on any other room on your upper floors.
Pick appropriate furnishings that you can easily rearrange to accommodate a minimum number of people in the basement. Other tips for remodeling a basement include; installing internet connections, sound systems, and proper lighting to make the basement design practical.
Add a Laundry Room or Kitchen
A mini kitchen bar in the basement converts it into an entertainment area. If the basement has a bed and bath, a mini kitchen makes it a complete guest suite. The kitchen will need easy access to cold and hot water and electrical outlets for a microwave oven, small dishwasher, small countertop appliances, and a mini-refrigerator. While you can include a laundry room in the basement, it should have a functional floor drain and access to an exterior wall to facilitate venting the dryer.
Create a Storage Area
The basement is where many families store everything from out-of-season garments, garden equipment, memorabilia, and holiday decorations. As you practice the best tips for remodeling a basement to maximize the space, plan for well-structured and attractive storage. Install ceiling height closets to create an illusion of a polished white wall while providing massive space for seasonal decor.
Transform the Basement Into a Fun Space
Preparing for a basement conversion is an excellent way of adding fun spaces in your home that you can’t fit on the upper floors. Remember, sometimes, you will need to make way for extra head height for your basement remodel project to succeed.
Benefits of Remodeling a Basement
Renovating the basement is a complex process, so you should work with a professional home improvement firm to achieve better results. If you are wondering why you should remodel your basement, read on to understand what you stand to gain.
Remodeling Your Basement Increases the Value of Your Building
The actual value of a property or home depends on the renovated square footage. Having an aesthetically appealing basement increases the value of your building rapidly. In the end, you will get high returns on the money you spend to remodel the basement.
You Get More Space
The size of your basement is similar to that of your main floor. As a result, remodeling doubles the inhabitable space. While this is one of the most effective tips for remodeling a basement, it should encourage you to launch the renovation process.
Boosts Energy Efficiency
A remodeled basement improves energy efficiency. If your basement lacks sufficient insulation, air will escape. However, a remodeled basement adds layers of insulation to reduce the energy you need to cool or heat your home.
These tips for remodeling a basement should help you complete your home renovation project easily. Renovating your basement has various benefits as seen above. Caring for your basement creates an inhabitable location where your friends and family members can relax and have fun while bonding. Working with a professional home improvement contractor for your basement remodeling project is critical. Contact us today, and our experts will help you actualize your vision.
