Basement Remodeling
Hillsboro Oregon
Time To Remodel?
If your Hillsboro home is starting to burst at the seems now might be the right time to think about finishing your basement. It may be difficult to see past the limitations of your basement, but the fact of the matter is that it can be used for more than a creepy room where you keep all your junk. A few creative basement ideas should help you take advantage of all that extra square footage and add a gorgeous addition to your home. With that said, the challenging nature of basement remodeling is why so many basement remain “unfinished”.
Although there are numerous ways to transform your basement into one of the more welcoming rooms in your home, you first need to ensure the space is actually livable. Remodeling your basement is not the same as remodeling the other rooms in your home. These unique challenges must be addressed. Having a clear understanding of what all the project involves will allow you to set much more sensible expectations.
There are a number of things you need to consider: whether the basement has a moisture issue; whether it has provisions for heating and cooling; whether it has ducts and pipes below the ceiling joists that may need relocation; whether it is radon-free, and whether your ceiling is high enough.
What will be the purpose of the new space?
Once you have determined that it is feasible to finish your basement, the next step is to determine what you want to use the room for. 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 may seem almost infinite, and you can even incorporate two or more ideas if you have the space. When choosing how to use your basement, keep in mind that all your ideas have to comply with local building codes. Converting your basement into an extra bedroom is a rather common thing, but to do so requires that you make sure there at least one additional means of egress besides just thet stairs. Adding basement windows that are big enough to crawl through will allow you to adhere to the code.
What do I do with all my junk?
Generally, an unfinished basement becomes the storage area for all the stuff you accumulate. Needless to say if you turn your basement into livable space you suddenly have to find a place for all that stuff. You may need to reserve some of the basement room for storage purposes 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. From something as simple as building extra shelving or closets under the basement stairs, to more complex cabinetry and storage ideas; it is an chance to get imaginative and make optimum use of every square foot.
What about basement flooring?
Flooring alternatives 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 damp or wet carpet. If there are moisture issues in your basement then you should consider waterproofing before you consider your flooring selections. That said, dry basements actually do exist. If you happen to be fortunate enough to have a dry basement then carpet is a perfectly sensible choice. If you are sure you have a dry basement, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t use carpet if you want.
Fortunately, even if you have minor moisture problems in your basement, there are good flooring alternatives to choose from. You could go with a sub-floor designed specifically for use in basements. A sub-floor works by establishing a barrier to block any moisture the concrete slab below it might produce. Believe it or not, all-in-one options do exist. They consist of plastic sub-floor tiles fused to a finished floor surface. Finishing the concrete floor is also an option, and you can even include stain or color options. One of concrete’s main benefits is that there’s no need to worry about mold, but with concrete it is worth considering adding in-floor radiant heat to protect against possible moisture build up and help with climate control.
Hillsboro Basement Finishing
There are many additional considerations you need to make for your basement remodeling, including your ceiling options, window and lighting options as well as all the building codes. As a result, it is always advisable to work with experts who understand all the unique challenges that come with finishing a basement. Steve’s Home Improvement has a team of remodeling experts that specialize in basement renovation and service all of Washington County, Oregon.
Call (503) 342-8234 today for all your basement finishing needs for your Hillsboro home.
CCB# 185266