Home Extension: 5 Key Points for Basement Renovation

Basements are often a place where your kids play during rainy or cold days, do the laundry, parents plan a workshop, or create a man cave in a fancy room.

And when you think of renovating a basement, it will require a lot of effort. Unless you are living in a new house that is prone to a potential repair, most homes don't have basements designed for transforming into a living space.

But don’t take this as a hindrance, it is just a matter of learning how to manage the situation. And below are the key ideas for remodeling your basement into a living space.

Start the Planning

The first step that you have to do is make a plan. Begin by asking yourself a question. How are you going to use the space? For instance, you may want to transform it into a multimedia room, then projector and home theater would be an excellent addition.

And on that note, if you're planning to make that space a place where visitors can huddle and stay, then think of adding a full bathroom.

Moreover, giving the basement its dual personality might be helpful for owners who would like to utilize the space for some purposes. While some homeowners may prefer a design for their basement that is available for fitness or office space.

Maintain the Dryness Below

After careful planning, the next thing to do is check your basement for any water concerns. Visible signs are drip or pool of water coming through the walls. There are two sources of moisture or water in the basements.

One source is the water vapor that comes from the outside. Another source is the indoor humidity that contracts on cold surfaces. Inspect your foundation for possible cracks and repair the walls if needed. To determine what is causing the moisture, put aluminum foils on the walls of your basement and check it after a few days.

When the moisture is present outside of the foil, it means that the cause of wetness is indoor humidity. However, if the moisture is behind the foil, it indicates that there is water leaking from the walls.

Hire a Professional

Whether you have issues with your air conditioner, furnace, plumbing, or wirings, or you just want to get a new appliance for your basement, the chances are that you have to do the work yourself, or get an expert to get the job done.

But remember that doing work by yourself can be costly, and it can also be risky if you don’t have any idea of what you are doing. Or you are probably thinking that hiring an expert cost a lot of money. But bear in mind that money spent on worthy aspects is an excellent investment.

Consider hiring an expert in the heating, plumbing or electrical jobs to build all necessary electricity, plumbing, and ductworks. If you are planning to do the work by yourself, look for a professional who will help you with the planning and probably even with the materials.

Look for Proper Lightings

If you want to make your basement an area for living or recreation, then proper lighting is one of the essential factors to consider.

When talking about lighting the basement suitably, the required steps may vary from the other rooms of your house since the basement structure is naturally different from the rooms with few or no windows.

Begin with adding general illumination which is available in Black Mango for times when you need a bright room. And to achieve pleasant lighting, think of adding a dimmer switch to regulate the amount of light.

Right Flooring Materials

Selecting the right material for flooring in a basement is critical. You may consider using a carpet since it is warm and soft, but it is sensitive to moisture damage. Tile is nice for places that are prone to moisture, but this material is hard and is cold when you're in bare feet.

However, several options can provide a good agreement. Cork interlocking floors are easy to install and provides a warm feeling when you're walking on it with bare feet. But make sure to purchase high-quality cork flooring that has a water-resistant and durable core to avoid any moisture damage.

Takeaway

If you're thinking of extending the size of your home, then your basement might be the answer. Reconstruction of basement area is another wise way to create a living space without constructing an additional building, and it’s also a worthy investment. But before remodeling your basement, make sure to do proper planning first and look for experts that can do all the work needed.