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Top 10 Steps to Redoing a Basement

Feb06
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

remodelbasement

If you’re looking to add living space to your existing home or to add a selling point to your home for sale, consider finishing your basement. Not sure if this is the right choice for you? Read our past blog about what to consider when making that decision: Should You Finish Your Basement?”. If you decide that you can and want create a finished basement, here are the top 10 areas to focus on:

1. Decide what you want to transform your basement into. Are you looking to create a rec room, a game room, a toy room, a spare bedroom, an office? Once you decide, this will help you choose flooring, wall coloring, lighting, etc. Deciding this first will help bring quicker results down the road.
2. Waterproof the basement as best you can so that your new creation isn’t ever ruined. Fill in visible cracks with cement or insulation foam. Surround your exterior with drain tiles that catch the water and drain it away from the foundation.
3. This space needs to be comfortably ventilated. With a furnace, extend your heat distribution pipe to where you want it to flow from and install a boot and then install a register after constructing the ceiling. Also keep a dehumidifier around to release some of the moisture in the air. Insulate wherever you feel a draft!
4. Whether for natural light, fresh air or an extra fire escape, you can never go wrong by adding windows. It’s easy to dig wells deeper and larger to accommodate wider windows. You could even add a staircase that leads down to the window for an easy emergency exit. If you own a walk-out basement, fill the outer wall with windows and provide sliding or French doors.
5. When choosing flooring, consider what the room will be used for. Vinyl and ceramic tiling are good choices for moist areas or rooms that many people will gather in, because they are easy to keep clean and dry. Carpeting adds warmth and comfort. Area rugs are the ideal way to go. Concrete floors are easy too as long as they are smooth and painted.
6. With the walls, fill in visible cracks, drywall, then decide whether to use paint, wallpaper, murals or panels. In areas where the ceiling is lower because of plumbing, incorporate built-in features or closets.
7. Drywall the ceilings and add insulation for heating or for sound proofing. Insert recessed lighting or get crafty with light coverings to cover what you already have. This is a darker area that most rooms in your house, so don’t skimp on the lighting!
8. Adding a bathroom to the basement is almost necessary if you want to use it as a place for guests to stay or a place to host parties. Usually bathrooms are easily added with your current plumbing. If not, you’ll probably want to hire a professional to do the job.
9. When completing all this work, remember where vital electric and plumbing items are located. Don’t permanently block off valves, wires, drains or anything you may need to find in the future.
10. The staircase is the first part of the basement that you will view. Don’t forget to spruce up these walls and stairs as much as the rest! Make the décor flow and match the rest of the basement. Consider adding a French door so that you block the noise but can still see what’s going on.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged basement, basement finishing, finishing a basement, home add-ons, Home Improvement, remodeling, top 10
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Do You Know about the Untapped Potential in Your Home?

Aug29
2008
Leave a Comment Written by Allegra

attic

The Essentials
Did you know that your attic offers you the opportunity to add livable space to your home without going through all the hassle (and expenses) of an addition? It’s true! With a little hard work and elbow grease, you can turn your currently unused attic into a new master suite, a game room, a rec room, a home office or anything you wish!

You will need a permit for this project. You’ll also need a zoning check and a site plan. You may also want to hire a building inspector or a structural engineer to check things out and make sure your attic can actually be converted.

The Plan
Some adjustments will need to be in order for the attic transformation to take place.

First, does your attic have a floor? The framework will most likely need to be reinforced to make sure it can hold up against walking and everyday furniture. You may also need to reinforce the roof to make sure it can hold up insulation. Speaking of which, you’ll need to insulate and ventilate this space. A separate system can be installed in the attic for heating and air-conditioning if your current one won’t work.

Building codes require the room to be seven-and-a-half feet over 50 percent of the living area. Cramped does not mean cozy, and if you have to crouch in your new living space, you probably won’t be using it much. Make sure the ceiling height is tall enough. This can be altered. You can switch out a hipped roof with a gabled roof (like the roof of a shed) or dormers. Not only do these alternations add height, but usually windows as well.

You will need to make sure your attic gets enough light so it doesn’t feel dark and tiny. Dormers allow you to add windows. You can also install skylights and/or artificial lighting.

If you are going to be using the attic, you’re, of course, going to want to have it easily accessible. For this, you can use an existing staircase or install a new one. If there’s already a staircase leading to the attic, make sure it’s structurally sound. If not, you can install a traditional staircase. You can also install a spiral staircase. Whichever you choose, there are certain requirements you’ll need to meet to make the staircase up to code.

The Work

All of this work can be done yourself, or you can hire a contractor to do the heavy lifting. It all depends on your budget and how much you have to spend. Don’t forget to figure out a budget before you start this project, and try your best to stick to it! Also, make a plan before you start anything so you can figure out if what you want is feasible.

As long as it’s possible to convert your attic, then there’s no reason to ignore the potential living space up there, just collecting dust. Turn it into something great and enjoy!

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Posted in Tips and Ideas - Tagged add-ons to home, adding space, adding value to your home, expanding living areas, expansions, home, home remodeling, home renovations, how to improve your home, real estate, untapped potential
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