Basement Remodeling
Clackamas Oregon
Ready To Remodel?
If you are lucky to have an unfinished dry basement in Clackamas, you have hit the jackpot when it comes to additional square footage. It may be difficult to see past the limitations of your basement, but the truth is that it can be used for more than a dungeon where you hide all your storage boxes and utilities. Being creative with your basement space will help you make use of the additional square footage, and enhance your home’s value. With that in mind, the reason that so many basements remain “unfinished” is that basement remodeling can be quite challenging.
Before you begin creating a basement dream board on Pinterest you should assess your basement to see if a remodeling project is feasible. There is a world of difference between the other rooms in your home and your basement, and they come with their own unique challenges. Having a clear understanding of what all the project consists of will allow you to set much more sensible expectations.
What will be the purpose of the new space?
Once you have decided that your basement can be finished, the next step is to determine what you want to use the room for. There are numerous things you can use your basement for, including turning it into a family room, children’s playroom, additional bedroom, game room, home office, music or art studio, home gym or anything else that may tickle your fancy, as long as it’s practical.
The possibilities are limited only by your budget and imagination. The best part is that if you have enough space you can incorporate multiple ideas. When choosing how to use your basement, keep in mind that all your ideas have to comply with local building codes. For instance, if you choose to convert the space into a bedroom, you will need several means of egress, so you would need windows that are big enough to fit through in case of a fire.
What about all the stuff that’s down there?
We all know that for one reason or another basements have a tendency to wind up being junk rooms. Which means that all this stuff needs to be moved elsewhere when you remodel your basement. Taking this into consideration you will probably still need to allocate some of the square footage to storage. The good news is that during the remolding process you can design better ways to organize your storage area so that it takes up less space. For instance, you could build shelving or small closets under the stairwell, have shelves along the walls enclosed behind small doors, or use stock cabinetry as storage chests and bench seats.
What about basement flooring?
Flooring options for the basement are rather limited because the room is below ground level. While carpeting may be your first preference for covering the floor of your basement, you do not want to have to deal with mold and mildew. Perpetually damp carpet is irritating, but the mold that it could result in can lead to medical conditions for your family as well as costly remediation expenses to eliminate it. If there is any kind of moisture concerns in your basement then you should research waterproofing before you consider your flooring choices. Having said that, this does not mean that carpets are not appropriate choices for all basements. If you basement doesn’t have moisture issues, theres no reason at all why you shouldn’t get carpet.
Fortunately, even with a basement floor that is sure to get wet, there are smart flooring options to choose from. You could go with a sub-floor specifically designed for basements. These are manufactured to form a barrier to any moisture that might permeate the concrete slab below. An all-in-one floor is another option – it combines a plastic sub-floor tiles with a finished floor surface covering. Stained or colored concrete is yet another option that guarantees you never have to worry about mold, and you can combine this with in-floor heating elements for a design and style that is both comfortable and attractive.
Clackamas Basement Finishing
It is worth mentioning again, when it comes to basement remodeling the building code is the most important aspect. Making sure your basement is up to code has to trump all other decisions. This is where working with a general contractor who understands the many unique situations that go along with finishing a basement can make your project much less stressful. Our expert team of remodeling contractors know all the the inner workings of basement remodeling as well the building code unique to Clackamas County, Oregon.
For all of your basement finishing needs in Clackamas Call (503) 342-8234 today for a free assessment.
CCB# 185266