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Basement
Remodeling
 If
your Illinois home has a finished or unfinished basement, remodeling
is likely the most affordable way to add a large
amount of additional living space to your home. In the Will, Cook &
surrounding areas, basement remodeling projects provide homeowners with year round
enjoyment.
There are a lot of things to consider when
remodeling a basement. Is a bathroom and/or bedroom desired? Would you
like additional daylight in the basement? We would be happy to visit
with you and go over your options.
6 "Must Haves" In Your New Basement
1. Solve Basement Water Problems
First
Even if your basement rarely has problems with dampness or flooding,
it's best to solve the problem completely before beginning any
remodeling work.
Permanent solutions can take time to implement however many basement wall cracks
can be remedied within a week to two weeks time frame. A good place to start
is to contact a certified technician who specializes in waterproofing foundation
walls. See Wet
Basement? If you have tried waterproofing solutions to your seepage problem
in the past and the problem persists, you may want to get a second opinion.
There is a strong possibility your first technician failed at addressing your
unique seepage issue with the correct waterproofing method. You may also consider going with a subfloor to create a barrier between the finished floor
and the concrete. New technology like DRICore's Subfloor System offers
homeowners with the latest in surety and comfort for any basement floor,
offering a vapor barrier, non-porous underlayment, and a gap large enough for
water to run under and evaporate later without damaging the finished floor.
2. Decide on the Best Use of Your Basement
Basements are now more than ever becoming an extension of a homeowner's living
space, and as result of the usually large space basements offer many design
ideas can be implemented. That being said, consider using the space for activities for which typical basement
characteristics offer natural advantages.
The lack of light is useful when setting up a home theater or a dark
room. The isolation helps create a sound break for a play area, a
teenager's hangout or a place to practice a musical instrument.
Also, in basements, there is usually ready access to things like water
lines and heating and cooling ducts. This makes adding a bath easier
than it would be elsewhere in the house.
3. Get Help with Your Basement Design
While your basement may not be much to look at now, you'll want to end
up with quality living space when the project is complete. Our design experts
can help you get the most out of the space. A
little forethought and careful planning now can help you create a space
that is attractive, comfortable and useful.
4. Pay Attention to Air Circulation
When your home was first built, the odds are that there
were few if any registers or vents installed in the basement. When you finish your basement, you need to think about the need for good air
circulation, adding openings where necessary.
You'll also have to include a return air duct, for adequate air circulation most
basement need only one return but make sure to consult with your designer to see
if additional returns are needed. To be on the safe side, install a carbon monoxide detector in your
basement so that you'll have an early warning of any problems with the
venting of the furnace or any other major appliances.
5. Maximize Your Basement's Natural Light
For many reasons, you'll probably want to add more light in your
basement. If parts of the basement extend above the ground, you can add new
windows or enlarge existing ones.
If that isn't possible, another option is to dig window wells. Window
wells can increase the odds of water problems, so it's a good idea to
build ones with waterproof covers.
Another advantage of enlarged windows is that they provide alternative
escape routes in case of fire.
One concern that some people have about basement windows is that they
provide thieves with ideal access to the home. One way to mitigate that
risk is to install glass block windows (rather than conventional windows) at
high-risk locations.
Maximize the effect of regular windows by mounting some windows in the
interior walls between rooms that open pathways for natural light to
reach interior rooms.
6. Concentrate On The Best
Insulation Plan To Mitigate The Possibility of Mold Growth
For many reasons traditional practices of insulating interior concrete walls can
lead to mold growth, decay and foul odors. We would be happy to discuss with you
the newest and safest techniques in insulating your new living space in order to
keep your family safe.
Does Your Basement Look
Like This?
We Can Turn Your 'Drab'
Basement Into A Functional New Space That Fits Your Lifestyle.
Planning Ahead
© Copyright 2005-11. Remodeling Innovation, LLC, all rights reserved. Website Created By
D. Morford
in conjunction with Entu-It Designs, LLC. Site Map
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