Basement Remodel Tips

To ensure that whatever finish you have in mind for your basement remodeling project lasts, waterproofing is one crucial step to take. In this area, the most common problem includes moisture and humidity, flooding, molds and fungus and all these should be eliminated and controlled.

Depending on what your current water issues are, will be the waterproofing methods to use that can range from simply coating the walls with water-tight vapor barrier formulas to more expensive techniques such as jack hammering.

Photo Credit: That's My Room

Designing a basement poses a whole different set of challenges. The typical use and nature of the area which is mostly underground requires the homeowner and hired contractor to deal with:

• Ductwork;
• Appliances such as heat pump, water heater, washer and dryer, furnace, etc.;
• Support beams or poles;
• Entry and exit points

Though the rerouting of pipes or total renovation of these basement features is possible, these works can also be extremely complex and expensive. The cost-effective way to go about things is using your creativity in making them work with the overall design but still providing access to important amenities.

Your basement remodeling design should also ensure that there is adequate lighting (both natural and artificial), enough insulation, and comfortable levels of heating, cooling and ventilation. Adding windows or replacing current windows with larger ones help maximize use of natural light, helping you cutback on energy costs. The subterranean nature of the basement also makes it naturally warm in colder months and cooler in summer.

Photo Credit: drcorneilus at Flickr.com

Depending on yours ad your family's lifestyle and preferences, the basement can be turned into just about any room. There are also more ideal use, considering the isolation and privacy that the location provides. Some of the most common basement remodeling finishes includes: a bedroom suitable for your growing teen, home office, home theatre, music room, recreational area or game room, a playpen for kids, a studio for the artist in the family, crafts workshop, guest bedroom, and others.