Basement Remodeling
Portland Oregon
Ready To Remodel?
If your Portland home is starting to burst at the seems now might be the right time to give some thought to finishing your basement. For many homeowners a basement is just an large place to hide junk. Being creative with your basement will help you make use of the additional footage, and increase the value of your home. Even so, you have to realize that basement remodeling is not always a simple project.
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. 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 consists of will allow you to set much more realistic expectations.
What will you use your basement for?
Once you have determined that your basement can be finished, the next thing to do is to decide what you want to use the room for. There are many things you can do with your basement, 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 good thing is that if you have the room you can incorporate multiple ideas. When choosing what to do with your basement, take into account that all your ideas have to comply with local building codes. Turning the basement into an extra bedroom is a rather 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 adhere to the code.
Do I have to have a Yard Sale?
Generally, an unfinished basement becomes the storage area for all the stuff you acquire over the years. Obviously if you turn your basement into functional space you suddenly have 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. However, you can also find more creative ways to create storage areas in your house. From something as simple as building extra shelving or closets under the basement stairs, to more complex storage and cabinetry ideas; it is an opportunity to get innovative and make optimal use of every square foot.
What flooring options are available?
Because basements are below ground level the types of flooring choices can be limited. 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 soggy carpet is annoying, but the mold that it could result in can lead to health issues for your family as well as costly remediation bills to eliminate it. If there are moisture problems in your basement then you should consider waterproofing before you consider your flooring choices. However, this does not mean that carpets are not suitable choices for all basements.
Everybody knows that moisture is often times an problem with basements and this can affect your choice of flooring. Fortunately there are sub-floors that are specifically designed for basements. A sub-floor works by creating a barrier to block any moisture the concrete slab beneath it might produce. An all-in-one floor is an alternative – it combines a finished floor surface on top of plastic sub-floor tiles. Colored or stained concrete is an additional alternative that guarantees you never have to worry about mold, and you can combine this with in-floor heating elements for a design that is both comfortable and attractive.
Portland Basement Finishing
There are many more 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 such, it is always advisable to work with experts who understand all the unique challenges that come with basement finishing. Steve’s Home Improvement is a team of remodeling professionals that specialize in basement remodeling and services all of Multnomah County, Oregon.
Call (503) 342-8234 today for all your basement finishing needs for your Portland home.
CCB# 185266