Basement Renovation to Make the Most of Your House
Those who own either a full or a partial basement could be ignoring a real estate gold mine by leaving the basement unfinished. Many surveys have ranked basement remodeling ranks third, after bathroom and kitchen renovations, in steps that may be taken to elevate a home’s value.
Why you should consider a basement renovation.
Remodeling your basement can help you get additional living space downstairs as well as free up room above ground. By moving an older child’s bedroom to the basement (a concept that teenagers find quite attractive) or creating some entertainment room there, it frees up room to alter the overall appearance of your home.
The basement also makes a fantastic area for a home office. You will get a lot more work done in an environment that’s away from the traffic of the rest and one that is specifically created for business matters.
The possibilities are actually endless. Before any work starts, most basements have structural problems that will have to be dealt with for the renovation to succeed. Generally, the number one problem to handle is moisture.
First handle problems.
Even if the basement is already ‘finished” , it is worth calling on the assistance of a professional water proofing expert. They can help you with determining where your basement is vulnerable to moisture and offer solutions. Nothing can be more distressing than spending a fantastic quantity of money to renovate your basement then to have it ruined by moisture issues and water leaks.
Moisture could be hiding.
When choosing flooring, moisture is one of the factors you need to consider. Installing a sub floor is always highly recommended but a sales clerk would advise you to use a carpet on top of the concrete, though that is not a wise idea. The warm (and perhaps somewhat moist) air in the basement may creep throughout the fibers of the carpet and result in formation of a layer of mildew beneath it, which not only causes an unappealing dump odor but it may also be harmful to your health.
Benefits of insulating material.
Your choice of heating and insulate your basement area may make a real difference to air quality and moisture level. Fiberglass is great for most rooms in the basement while polystyrene could be nearly as effective and tends to retain less moisture, which may be a bonus for the room in the basement. In terms of heating, your existing furnace might be enough but including radiant floor heating of any kind might help reduce the dust and debris that could accumulate in the area.
Lastly, in most instances, a dehumidifier in your already remodeled place can handle any lingering ,moisture problems that could be remaining.