Basement Remodeling
Forest Grove Oregon
Ready To Remodel?
If you are lucky to have a dry basement in your Forest Grove home that is unfinished, you might as well be sitting on a gold mine when it comes to additional square footage. You might have trouble seeing past the limitations of your basement, but the fact of the matter is that it does not have to be limited to a dungeon where you hide all your storage boxes and utilities. Getting creative with your basement will allow you to make use of the extra 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 start creating a basement dream board on Pinterest you should actually assess your basement to make sure that a remodeling project is realistic. Remodeling your basement is not the same as renovating other rooms in your home. These unique challenges must be addressed. Having a clear understanding of what all the project consists of will allow you to establish much more realistic expectations.
What will be the purpose of the new space?
Once you have determined that your basement can be remodeled, then you must decide how to best use the space. There are several 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 implement more than one idea. Unfortunately there are certain limits to what you are allowed to use your basement for, so you must check that your ideas will comply with the local building codes. For instance, if you choose to convert the area into a bedroom, you may need several means of egress, so you would need to install windows that are big enough to fit through in case of a fire.
What do I do with all my junk?
Everybody knows that for some reason or another basements have a tendency to turn into junk rooms. Obviously if you convert your basement into livable space you soon realize you need to find a new spot to store your stuff. You may need to still commit some of the basement room for storage reasons rather than using it all for living space. 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 options?
Flooring alternatives for the basement are limited simply 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. Constantly wet carpet is frustrating, but the mold that it could result in can lead to health problems for your family as well as costly remediation costs to remove it. If there are moisture concerns in your basement then you should consider waterproofing prior to considering your flooring options. Having said that, this does not mean that carpets are not suitable options for all basements.
We all know that moisture is often times an problem with basements and this can affect your choice of flooring. Luckily there are sub-floors that are designed specifically for basements. A sub-floor works by creating a barrier to block any moisture the concrete slab beneath it might generate. 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 radiant heat for a design that is both comfortable and attractive.
Forest Grove Basement Finishing
There are many additional things to consider for your basement remodeling, including your ceiling options, window and lighting options as well as all the building codes you need to adhere to. This is where working with a general contractor who is aware of the many unique situations that are associated with finishing a basement can make the job much more enjoyable. Our expert team of remodeling professionals know all the intricacies of basement remodeling as well the building code unique to Washington County, Oregon.
For all of your basement finishing needs in Forest Grove Call (503) 342-8234 today for a free consultation.
CCB# 185266