Our Guide to Basement Remodeling
/Why Remodel Your Basement?
Are you looking for a way to transform your home, increase your usable square footage, and enhance your home’s value? You may immediately look outside at a home addition, but have you considered looking down? If your home’s basement is an unfinished space used to store holiday decorations, or partially finished but not fit for your family’s needs, then a basement remodel may be the answer.
Remodeling and finishing a basement is a unique opportunity to improve your home’s functionality and add space for everything from a home gym to a teen hangout. There can also be unique challenges involved in updating your basement, so it’s important to understand your current space, the planning and work involved in a basement remodel, and the unique requirements for updating your home’s basement.
If you decide a basement remodel is right for your home, you are about to open the door to a transformation that will enhance how you live, work, and relax in your home. To help you assess whether it’s the right choice for you, let’s explore some of the key considerations involved in a basement remodel.
Assessing Your Space
Transforming your basement allows you to turn this blank canvas into usable living spaces. Before embarking on a basement remodel, you should define your goals.
Do you want to create more living space for your growing family, such as a new family room or a dedicated teen hangout space?
Do you want to set up a home theatre or a custom-designed bar to up your entertaining game?
Maybe your goals are more practical, such as a quiet space for a home office away from the hustle and bustle of your main living areas.
Or perhaps you want to set up a home gym that lets you exercise from the comfort of your home.
Determine your intended use first and target your design and layout choices around this. If you plan to use your basement for multiple purposes, think about where you will place different rooms. Prioritize an area with the most natural light for a living space, go for the quietest area for an office, and make sure you have an egress window in any bedroom design.
You must also evaluate the condition of your basement and look at the structural and legal considerations before embarking on a basement remodel. Examine your basement for signs of water damage, mold, or structural issues. Note any existing features, such as windows, support columns, or mechanical systems, as you may need to design around these features.
Decide if you will frame your space using metal or wood studs. Each has pros and cons so review this with your builder to choose the best option for your home. Measure the ceiling height and be sure to look at local building codes to see if your basement ceiling meets the minimum height requirement.
Address Moisture and Waterproofing
Basements can be prone to dampness and moisture issues, so you must check for these issues before embarking on your basement remodel. Inspect for any structural damage, rot, or excess moisture. Look for the source of the dampness so you can address these issues. An experienced remodeling team can help you through this process and make sure all issues are dealt with, and your design is future-proofed.
If your basement is prone to moisture or even flooding, you may need to install a drainage system and a sump pump, while also sealing any cracks that may be letting water into the basement. Talk to your remodeling professional about waterproofing techniques that can be employed, as well as dehumidification and ventilation strategies to make sure your basement stays dry and mold-free.
Proper Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Insulating a basement can be tricky and requires expertise to find the right materials and install them properly. An insulated basement can benefit your home’s energy efficiency. If you plan to convert your basement to create comfortable living spaces, it is essential.
Talk to your remodeling team to determine the R-value needed to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round in your basement. This measurement determines how well your insulation material resists heat flow. Insulation types for basements vary depending on your needs and can include spray foam, rigid foam, or batt insulation. You should also look at sealing your basement to prevent cold air infiltration.
Insulation is also essential to help soundproof your new basement rooms, particularly from heavily trafficked areas overhead, like the entryway, kitchen, and living room. It will also help to soundproof your space from external noises, like a nearby road or neighbors. Properly insulated walls and ceilings are an essential step toward creating a peaceful environment in your newly finished basement.
You also want to heat and cool your space to maintain a consistent temperature, particularly if you plan to use it regularly as a living space. Work with your remodeling expert to examine your existing HVAC system. If you are adding on a significant amount of new space, you may need to expand your HVAC system to accommodate this. Make sure you also examine the ventilation requirements for your basement remodel, which ensures proper air circulation to avoid stale air and condensation.
Lighting, Windows, and Ceiling Heights
Any living space in your home requires sufficient lighting to create a comfortable and safe environment. It is particularly important in a basement that may have limited access to natural light so carefully plan your room’s lighting design. Start by maximizing any available natural light and use rooms with the best natural light for living spaces. Stick to light wall colors to brighten up the space and reflect light throughout the room.
Egress windows bring aesthetic benefits to your space but are also an essential escape route. By code, townships require a minimum of two escape routes in your basement. You may need to install another egress window if you do not currently have sufficient escape routes.
Carefully choose light fixtures to fit this unique space. Layered lighting and dimmer switches help you create balance in your space, moving from bright to softer light depending on your needs and the time of day. Light fixtures for a basement can range from recessed lights to track lighting, wall sconces, or lamps. If your ceiling height is low, you may want to stick to recessed lights to save space.
Basement ceilings can be either drop ceilings or drywall ceilings. A drop ceiling may not be possible if your ceiling height is low, and it is a more costly option. However, it has the benefit of giving you access to your 1st floor electric, plumbing, and HVAC systems more easily.
Flooring Options for Basements
Choosing the right flooring for your new basement remodel is essential to creating cozy spaces that can stand up to the unique environment of a basement. Ideally, you should pick flooring materials that are moisture-resistant and well-insulated. Go for luxury vinyl plank for the look of wood in a highly moisture-resistant and easy-to-maintain surface. Porcelain tile is another top option, rated highly for its durability and wide range of options for style, color, and pattern. If you really love the look and feel of wood, consider engineered hardwood. It is still prone to moisture damage but is a more cost-effective solution compared to hardwood.
Plumbing and Electricity
You must carefully examine your key systems before embarking on a basement remodel, including plumbing, electricity, and HVAC. Your home may have sufficient systems in place to support your new basement living spaces, but your design plans must account for accessing these systems.
If your basement does not have access to plumbing or sufficient electricity, then installing and updating these systems must be accounted for in your remodeling plans. For electricity, you must have 2 – 4 lines available for outlets and lights, plus lines for your HVAC. Bear in mind that if you need to install these systems, it will impact your budget so you must understand the full scope of requirements at the planning stage of your project.
Smart Design Ideas for Creating Your Perfect Basement
Once you have a plan for your basement’s structural needs, you can start designing your spaces with a color scheme, storage, furniture, and accessories. Think about the size of your basement and whether you are going for an open-concept design or are creating room divisions. If your basement houses mechanical systems for your home, make sure to account for this in your layout, so it is accessible but separate from the living spaces.
Furniture can also be used to divide up multi-purpose rooms, such as a couch or bookcase used to separate your home office or gym from your entertainment space. Add storage, including built-in storage cabinets, shelves, and niche storage. In a room designed for entertaining, why not install a full-service bar? Make space for your pool table, air hockey, or dart board, and install a sound system to play music or host movie nights. Your basement will become your favorite retreat in your home!
A basement remodel is an opportunity to add livable space to your home without an addition. It is an ideal choice if you find yourself feeling cramped as your family grows, or if you need room for a quiet home office to work or study more productively.
Work with a reliable and experienced remodeling team who can help you understand the technical requirements for converting your basement, help you obtain all the necessary permits, and complete your basement remodel to the highest standards. Our team can help you bring your design vision to life, to create a stylish and comfortable basement where you will love to spend time!
