Basement Remodeling
Molalla Oregon
Ready To Remodel?
If you are fortunate enough to have an unfinished dry basement in Molalla, you might as well be sitting on a gold mine when it comes to additional square footage. Sometimes homeowners can’t recognize their basement for anything other than a storage area. Being creative with your basement space will help you make use of the additional footage, and maximize the value of your home. With that in mind, the reason that so many basements remain “unfinished” is that basement remodeling can be quite challenging.
Although there are numerous ways to transform your basement into one of the more welcoming rooms in your home, you need to first ensure that the space is livable. There is a world of difference between your basement and other upper level rooms in your home, and they each present a unique set of challenges. Because of this, it is vitally important that you understand these potential issues if you want to be realistic about the changes you want to make.
What will be the purpose of the new space?
Once you have determined that your basement can be remodeled, then you must determine how to best use the space. There are many 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.
The number of possibilities is almost limitless, and you can even blend two or more ideas if you have enough room. When choosing what to do with your basement, keep in mind that all your ideas have to conform with local building codes. Turning the basement into an extra bedroom is a fairly common thing, but to do so involves making sure there at least one additional means of egress besides the basement stairs. Adding basement windows that are big enough to fit through will allow you to comply with the code.
What about all the stuff that’s down there?
Generally, an unfinished basement becomes the storage area for all the stuff you acquire over the years. 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. From something as simple as installing closets or adding extra shelving under the basement stairs, to more complex storage and cabinetry ideas; it is an chance to get innovative and make optimum use of every square foot.
What about basement flooring options?
Because basements are below ground level the flooring choices that available are rather limited. Carpet is obviously a standard for upper level rooms, but in a basement environment it can be a magnet for mold and mildew. This may occur if you have a water problem, in addition to the hassle of a constantly damp or wet carpet. If this is the situation, you should look for basement waterproofing options to fix the problem. Having said that, dry basements actually do exist. If you happen to be fortunate enough to have a dry basement then carpeting is a perfectly reasonable option.
Everyone knows that moisture is often times an issue with basements and this can impact your flooring choices. Luckily there are sub-floors that are designed specifically for basements. A sub-floor works by establishing 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. Stained or colored concrete is still another alternative that ensures you never have to worry about mold, and you can combine this with in-floor heating elements for a design that is both attractive and comfortable.
Molalla 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 working with a general contractor who recognizes the many unique situations that go along with finishing a basement can make your project much more enjoyable. Steve’s Home Improvement maintains a team of remodeling experts that are specialists in basement renovation and service all of Clackamas County, Oregon.
For all of your basement finishing needs in Molalla Call (503) 342-8234 today for a free quote.
CCB# 185266