Many of us have memories of our childhood in basements. Whether this was a place to escape from the outside world and hang out, or a place to play with our friends, they are as American as hot dogs and baseball. Now that we are adults, we have the opportunity to create this experience for ourselves in the way that we see fit. If we decide to do a basement remodel, there are a lot of factors we have to keep in mind in order to make sure that it is up to code, and provides the level of safety and comfort that we have come to expect from most ideal basements.
Advantages of Basement Renovation
The primary advantage of basement finishing is to add more space and value to your property, without having to build a new addition. By adding an extra room like abasement man cave, a basement home theater, fitness area, home office, game room, or a bedroom, you are adding something of significant value to your home. The average remodel offers a 70% ROI, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2017 “Cost vs. Value” analysis. However, more immediately, you’ll be adding something to your home that provides entertainment or utility, something we can all use more of.
Necessities In Any Basement Remodel
However, when you decide to do this, there are some factors you have to keep in mind. First thing to do is to determine what you want. Will it be a space that includes many facilities, like a mother-in-law suite, with a kitchen, new bathroom bedroom, living room, and a laundry room? Or will it have a more centralized purpose, like a home theater, entertainment room, or home gym? Do you want a private office so you can be more productive at home? Depending on what you want, you need to take different factors into consideration. These are some of the many elements that you may want to consider.
Basement Windows
If you don’t have any windows, your subterranean layer can feel very confined, dark, and dull. Therefore, adding an egress window or two is a must. Not only will it make the place feel better, most building codes require one as an emergency exit. Make sure to use double or even triple pane windows as lower levels get colder than other parts of the house due to cold air sinking.
Lighting
Since you’re underground, there won’t be much, if any, natural light. You could have some windows that let in a degree of light, however that is usually not enough. Some easy additions could be track lighting, recessed lighting such as can lights, pot lights, or high hat lights, or auxiliary lamps.
Flooring Options in a Basement Remodel
You can stick with your concrete floor, however, this is rather dull, and doesn’t provide the best level of insulation, leaving the ground chilled. If you’re planning on turning your cellar into a recreation area, it’s a good option, but otherwise, it may be best to explore other options. A good option is carpet. It’s easy to maintain, and provides a solid level of insulation. If anything happens, it can be replaced in sections for a relatively low price. Professionals recommend that you don’t install hardwood in your basement remodel, since it won’t add too much of a return on your investment. If you are planning on adding carpet to your new room, see our post on carpet cleaning.
Insulation
Basements are naturally cold, due to heat rising and cold air sinking. The best way to solve this is with proper insulation. Proper insulation will reduce your energy bills by over 40%. Another good reason to use insulation is if anything was to flood, insulation absorbs a good amount of the damage and can be inexpensively replaced compared to, let’s say, a wall. The best option is spray foam, as it’s the best at moderating temperature. However, it is also the most expensive. Whichever option you choose, there are proper and improper ways of installing it so that it meets code designations.
Waterproofing the Basement
This is one of the most crucial steps in any basement remodel. Since basements are typically the final resting place of most water, over 90% of homes with basements will have water problems at one point or another. You will need to waterproof the walls, the basement, and the ceiling with a combination of plastics, insulation, tarps, and cauks. It’s not about the aesthetics here, it’s about the longevity of your investment. While expensive, it’s not nearly as expensive as having to remediate mold, and then redo the whole thing. This is why it’s required in most codes.
Plumbing
This is only necessary if you are adding something that requires it such as a laundry room, kitchen, or bathroom. Doing this in a basement creates its own set of hurdles, so it’s best to consult a plumber in this situation.