Your basement has been sitting there unfinished and empty for years. It’s a space full of possibilities, but you just aren’t sure what to do with it.
Let’s change that. Let’s make 2024 the year that all of your basement’s potential is realized, and it becomes one of the most utilized spaces in your home. If you don’t know where to start – we have you covered.
Let’s look at some essential elements you should include in your basement renovation.
Include Heated Floors
Basement floors can be very, very cold, which can ruin any fun plans you had for that space. One way around that is to include radiant floor heating in your basement plans.
You can choose from a few types of radiant floor heating. One of the most popular types is electric radiant heating, which is where electric heating cables are built into the floors or subfloors.
Not only will your floors and basement, in general, be more comfortable, but this type of heating option can be more cost-effective and energy-efficient since you can turn them on overnight, and the heat will last throughout the day as long as the daytime temperature is higher than the overnight temperature.
Moisture Mitigation is a Basement Renovation Must
The last thing you want is to complete your basement renovation and find out that water is entering the space, potentially damaging all of your new upgrades.
Some common remedies to basement moisture are applying exterior waterproofing, installing plastic under the basement flooring to act as a moisture barrier, and ensuring the grading is properly sloped around the basement.
Soundproofing is Helpful
Will you be using your basement as a music studio? Maybe a theater room or home gym? If so, those activities can be noisy, and the sound could travel upstairs and disrupt the rest of your family members. To avoid that, you must carefully devise a soundproofing plan.
Soundproofing a basement can be done by paying attention to the ceiling, floors, windows, walls, and doors.
You’ll want to seal any cracks or gaps that may be present and then add soundproofing panels to absorb noise. Installing foam or fiberglass insulation is an excellent way to prevent sound from carrying to other parts of the home, and it will help keep the basement temperature comfortable.
Good Lighting is Another Must-Have
Since basements can be so dark, lighting can make or break the space. There are tons of basement lighting options, and choosing which is best depends on how you plan to use the space.
If natural lighting is hard to come by in your basement, you could install recessed lighting, sconces, or decorative chandeliers. Regardless of the type of lighting you include in your renovation, adding smart options like wi-fi-controlled lighting or dimmable lights will make life easier while conserving some electricity. How you decide to use your basement will be the deciding factor in how to prepare it for a renovation. We are here to help you with this exciting project from start to finish! Give us a call so we can get a plan in motion.
