If you are thinking about remodeling your basement, there’s a number of key things to consider. A basement can be a space that serves multiple purposes, but there are a number of components that you should check to make sure that you are not wasting money on a space that will cause problems further down the line. When we do it right, the basement can be an amazing space for our property, but this is why you have to consider some of the following things.
Check the Foundations
Before you start any basement work, you should assess the foundation and see if there are any cracked walls or leaks. There’s plenty of basement waterproofing services that you can contact to fix these potential issues, but if you notice any foundational problems, such as stuck windows, cracks in the flooring, or any soft concrete you’ve got to act quickly and make the necessary repairs. Get this right now, and you will save a lot of money and stress in the long run.
Assess the Light Sources
A basement is a place that doesn’t necessarily have much natural light, but it’s a good idea to plan as much as possible to let natural light in. When a basement doesn’t have any natural light, it can severely limit the quality of the space. There are many benefits to getting natural light, so even if you can squeeze in a small window somewhere, this is better than nothing. But making sure that you can increase the levels of natural light by having more reflective surfaces can also be beneficial. Of course, if this is a problem, then you need to ensure that the walls and the ceiling of your basement can take on the structural loads before you start installing more electrical fittings like lights.
Prioritize Safe Access
The stairwells are the most important component of your basement in a functional sense, and you can easily upgrade your stairwell with beautiful handrails. You need to ensure the stairwell can remain supported by the walls. A building inspector will need to check if those walls are sturdy enough to hold the stairwell, as well as any other additional items depending on what you plan on using the basement for.
Insulate the Property
Lots of people don’t bother insulating their basement for the very simple reason that they don’t spend much time down there. Even if you plan on using the basement purely as a laundry room, you could still benefit from insulating this space because it will protect the foundation of your home from the elements. The great thing is that there are a variety of options available, for example, spray foam insulation, which can be a very efficient material that fills in a variety of holes and gaps that you cannot necessarily access with standard insulation.
Do Not Forego Practicality for Design
The most important thing to remember when you are designing a basement is that safety comes first. If you get it wrong, the basement can easily crumble within a number of years because you decided you needed everything just so. Instead, make sure that you listen to those building specialists and get a number of opinions to make sure that what you are being told is correct.