If you live in a home that has an unfinished basement, chances are good that you have thought about basement remodeling. If you have ever been in a basement that has been finished and remodeled, you know that this process can add much to your home. Many people turn their basements into dens, recreation rooms, or home theaters. Basement remodeling is also good for growing families.
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If you have space in your basement, and it is unfinished, you might consider it a waste of space. After all, the basement is part of your home, and it is usually easily accessible from the rest of your house. Having all of that space down there and being unable to use it is very frustrating. Many people do basement remodeling because they would like to be able to finally use their entire home. Basement remodeling increases the property value of a house because it gives you more livable space. The space can be used for just about anything, which means that your basement remodeling project can be tailored exactly to your needs.
Increasing the amount of livable space is perhaps the most common reason to do basement remodeling. For a husband that has a huge collection of bowling trophies, or the wife that really needs a room in which to do her scrapbooking, basement remodeling can be a great project. Many families allow their teenagers to move into basement rooms as they get older, which gives them more privacy and more independence as well. No matter what your particular reasons might be for doing basement remodeling, there are several important things for you to remember.
The first step in doing a basement remodeling project is to evaluate the flooring situation and see what should be done. Many unfinished basements come with concrete flooring. If the floor is level and stable without any cracks you can work with it. However, if the concrete in the basement is heaved at any point, cracked at any point, or crumbling at all, it will need to be replaced before you can finish the basement remodeling project. Therefore, fixing or replacing concrete flooring is the first step in a basement remodeling project. Basement remodeling costs are often very high when the flooring must be fixed or replaced.
Once you are working with a smooth concrete floor that is in good condition, you need to decide what to do with it. Flooring can be laid over concrete as long as you pay attention to the types of flooring you are using. Tile, carpet, and linoleum can all be laid over smooth concrete. Remember, however, that this process is slightly different from laying flooring over wood.
When you are putting down carpet over concrete, you will need thick padding to insure that the floor is soft and comfortable for your room. When you are laying down linoleum or tile, you will need special glues and equipment to attach it to the concrete. Be sure that you check with your hardware store when you purchase your flooring in order to be sure that you have purchased the correct flooring for concrete.
Most unfinished basements also come with concrete walls. Therefore, a basement remodeling project must also include putting up real walls that can be painted and used. Drywall is the best technique for creating real rooms and finishing your basement. Installing drywall is a job either that you must already know how to do, or that you must learn how to do as you go. It can be tricky, so it might be a good thing to turn over to the professionals. If you are doing your basement remodeling project entirely on your own, you might consider finding a book or DVD that will explain the drywall process to you before you begin.
There are other options if you do not wish to do drywall. Some people simply put up paneling over the concrete walls. This can look good temporarily, but it does not adequately finish the basement. For instance, you cannot install light switches or sockets with paneling. Also, it can be very hard to attach to the concrete. It is often used as a "quick fix" for basements that have been partially remodeled.
Remember that if you are planning on using the basement for bedrooms, it is safer to also install egress windows. If you will be renting the basement for an apartment it is your legal responsibility to make sure that there are egress windows. Egress windows will also help open the basement up and make it feel more like a real room. Therefore, you might consider installing these before you finish the walls.