Transforming an unfinished basement into a fully functional room can go a long way in creating living space you didn't know you had. (I grew up in a house with an unfinished basement, but my parents now live in a house with a huge finished basement. It's like a second family room. Truth be told, I kinda wish I had grown up there.)
Ready to convert? First, read this helpful primer on basement renovations and brush up on local basement building codes. Then do the following:
Dry it out. Basements are hot-spots for moisture. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, approximately 60 percent of U.S. homes have wet basements. Get rid of excess moisture before beginning a basement remodel or you risk undoing all that hard work and money later on. Dry out a wet basement by routing drainage away from your home's foundation, clearing clogged gutters, sealing damp walls, plugging cracks in the foundation adding a sump pump or dehumidifer. For a more in-depth look at remedying wet basements, check out this This Old House article.
Frame and insulate. Once you've got moisture under control and are up to speed on local building codes, it's time to frame and insulate the existing structure. This Reader's Digest article will walk you through the process.
Control sound. Keep noises from traveling upstairs with a solid soundproofing system. Try sealing cracks, adding a layer of drywall (or a sound-dampening insulation) to the ceiling, and installing a solid-core door at the top of the stairs. If noisy mechanicals are to blame, read this Q&A to get the scoop on deadening sound. And if you're curious about soundproofing your basement walls, look no further than this article.
Ease your upstairs-downstairs transition. If your basement stairs, are narrow, steep, or don't logically connect to the main level, you'll want to reroute and rebuild them. If they're in decent shape, but are unfinished like the rest of your current basement, this Calfinder article explains how to finish them.
Let there be light. It's possible (and smart) to add windows to a below-ground room—you'll just need to dig window wells with waterproof covers first. If windows are out of the question, illuminate your basement with general, task, and ambient lighting. task lighting. Still stuck in the dark? Talk to a professional at your local lighting store.
Add finishing touches. To make your finished basement livable and enjoyable, finish it the way you would an upstairs room. Top the existing concrete slab with engineered wood flooring rather than solid hardwood, which tends to warp in moisture-prone areas. Use area rugs as accents—they're easier than carpet to dry out should you face water damage. Paint the walls a bright color. Get more design ideas here. If you're on a strict budget, this RemodelingCenter.com article explains how to create a cozy below-ground living space without spending much money.
Until next time,
The Home Know-it-All
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