Basement Remodeling
Damascus Oregon
Ready To Remodel?
If you are starting to outgrow your Damascus home now might be the right time to give some thought to finishing your basement. It may be difficult to see past the restrictions of your basement, but the fact of the matter is that it can be used for more than a creepy room 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 maximize the value of your home. With that in mind, the challenging nature of basement remodeling is why so many basement remain “unfinished”.
Before you start pinning basement ideas on Pinterest you should actually assess your basement to make sure that a remodeling project is feasible. There is a huge difference between your basement and other upper level rooms in your home, and they each present a unique set of challenges. Having a clear understanding of what all the project involves will allow you to establish much more reasonable expectations.
What will be the purpose of the new space?
Once you have finished your assessment and decided that your basement can be renovated, then you must determine the best use of the space. Because of the low-light environment of a basement one of the most common uses is that of a home theater. While that is an option there are many different ways to use your basement, including a home gym, mother-in-law suite, home office, or even an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to generate extra cash.
The number of possibilities is almost limitless, and you can even incorporate two or more ideas if you have the space. When choosing how to use your basement, take into account that your design ideas may need to comply with specific building codes. Converting your basement into another bedroom is a pretty common thing, but to do so requires that you make sure there at least one more means of egress besides just thet stairs. Adding basement windows that are sufficiently big enough to crawl through will allow you to comply with the building code.
What about all the junk that’s down there?
We all know that for some reason basements tend to eventually turn into junk rooms. Which means that all this junk needs to be moved elsewhere when you renovate your basement. Taking this into consideration you will probably still need to allocate some of the square footage to storage. However, you can also find more creative ways to create storage areas in your house. 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 choices for the basement are rather limited because the room is below ground level. Carpet is obviously a standard for upper level rooms, but in a basement environment it can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. This may occur if you have a water problem, in addition to the hassle of a perpetually wet or damp carpet. If this is the situation, you should ask us about basement waterproofing options to solve that problem. That said, dry basements do actually exists. If you happen to be fortunate enough to have a dry basement then carpeting is a perfectly reasonable option. If you are sure you have a dry basement, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get carpet.
It’s well known that moisture is often times an concern with basements and this can affect your flooring choices. Thankfully there are sub-floors that are designed specifically for basements. These are manufactured to form a barrier to any moisture that might permeate the concrete slab underneath. Believe it or not, all-in-one options do exist. They consist of plastic sub-floor tiles fused to a finished floor surface. Colored or stained concrete is yet another option that ensures you never have to worry about mold, and you can use this in conjunction with in-floor heating elements for a design that is both attractive and comfortable.
Damascus Basement Finishing
It is worth mentioning again, when it comes to basement remodeling the building code is the most important aspect. Adhering to the building code has to trump all other decisions. This is where a general contractor who is aware of the many unique situations that are associated with finishing a basement can make the job much less stressful. Steve’s Home Improvement has a team of remodeling professionals that specialize in basement renovation and service all of Clackamas County, Oregon.
Call (503) 342-8234 today for all your basement finishing needs for your Damascus home.
CCB# 185266