Your Home Doctor

Finding the Right Finish Basement Designs For You

There are many things you need to consider when deciding on finish basement designs. What room do you want and why? Here are some things you will need to think about when deciding on finish basement designs.

The first thing you need to do is know what you want to do with the basement, in terms of what kind of room you want to transform it into. There are many things you can change a basement into, and all of them will bring a great improvement to the value of your home.

You can use your basement for a home gym, a home office, a home theater, a home studio, a home bar, a family room or a guest room. Those are only some ideas.

A basement office is a fantastic area for starting your own business or doing your work at home – it’s usually away from everyone and no one will get in your way. This is an advantage that works with all the things mentioned above.

Something many other people are doing these days is using their basement for their library. The space can be used incredibly effectively with bookshelves and a nice table and reading chair in the middle. If you get proper lighting in and do a good job with the décor this would be an excellent room for this sort of thing. It can also then be used as a studying area for the kids in school.

The room could also be transformed into a play area for the younger kids, as they will then be able to make as much noise as they want without interfering with everyone else.

Once you’ve decided on the kind of room you want you obviously have to look at your budget. All of the above ideas can be done for very little cost, or they can be done at an enormous cost. The state your basement is in now will also have an effect on how much money you need to put in.

Once you know your budget you need to consider the décor of the room. Will you go for tiles or carpets? Tiles are usually better because basements can be very damp. Tiles with rugs works well, though. You might also want to consider vinyl flooring as well.

The kind of walling you need would depend on what look you want and what you want to do as well. Some walls absorb sound very well, and these would be very effective for a home studio, for instance. Others can make the basement look very much like an office and this may be what you would want for a home office.

It’s important to keep furniture in mind. Many people don’t consider the overall look and practicality of the room with regards to the furniture. For example, a home studio requires furniture that is comfortable and that would do a good job of concealing all the cabling that needs to be in the room. A lot of people don’t think about that.

Then it’s the real practicalities, such as finding a solution to getting rid of the moisture in the room and how to keep it dry. Also, you need to consider how to keep it warm. There are many solutions to this, such as heated mats or underfloor heating; plus the sub-floor and flooring you use will make a big difference with the moisture. You will need to research your options here.

You will have to do a lot of researching but it is hoped that this article serves a great way to get you started in deciding the rightfinish basement designs for you.

-article by Lee Andersons, EzineArticles.com

If you would like to speak to a basement remodeling and home theater installation specialist please contact Select Basement Waterproofing and Better Homes and Basements toll free at 877-548-3889 at your convenience.

There are a number of situations in which your basement should not be remodeled or refinished, one being if your radon levels are above recommended EPA levels. Radon levels must be reduced even if you are not finishing your basement. Radon is a colorless gas and known carcinogen that can seep into a home from the soil and rock below. Because it comes from the ground, radon levels are usually highest in basements. Health authorities like the Centers for Disease Control, the Surgeon General, the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association all agree that you should act as soon as possible to reduce the radon level if it is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more.

Radon Gas

Most basement remodeling professionals like Hamilton Basement Waterproofing and Remodeling offer free estimates and tips on how to pursue your project. If you are located in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware areas and would like a free estimate please visit Hamilton Basement Waterproofing and Remodeling online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

Mold in the basement: If you have a significant amount of mold in your basement, you will need mold remediation before the health impact on the homeowners gets any worse. The key to mold control is moisture control. Before basement finishing you must properly prepare the basement.

Basement Finishing state and town building codes: Your new finished basement plans must be in compliant with state and town building codes.

Egress: This is basically another word for exit or proper escapes in case of emergency. Under the new building codes, you will have to abide by certain requirements such as size and location of exit in reference to the finished space. We install egress opening to comply with codes and for you safety.

Ventilation: Basement Ventilation must have proper air exchange per state and town code if the basement is going to be finished for living space. Ask us about our air systems prior to finishing. Ceiling Height: A minimum ceiling height of 7.6′ is needed for basement finishing. This height may vary from city to town. We can provide you with this information.

Hamilton, NJ Basement Remodel

Most basement issues can be resolved so that your basement can be finished. Consult a professional to determine what can be done for your particular basement. You should know that there are certain basement finishing materials that you should not use, especially organic materials. Organic basement finishing materials, which are a food source for mold to grow, include wood studs, non-appropriate insulation, wood flooring and trim, and carpet without a shielded sub-floor.

These materials should be avoided at all cost.  Mold spores can impact the health in your basement and home. If you are looking for a free estimate or have basic questions for a professional please call Hamilton Basement Waterproofing and Remodeling toll free at 877-548-3889. They specialize in virtually every home remodel or renovation, both interior and exterior. To set up an appointment or view client testimonials visit them online.