Basements

For those of you who have purchased an old home with the purpose of renovating it for your long-term abode the last place you probably want to touch is the basement. However, this might be a good place to start because many of the ills of any home begin in this space.

Basement renovation is one of the most popular ways to increase living space while keeping home renovation expenditures to a minimum. Basement finishing utilizes space that is already there; for family rooms, rec rooms, additional bedrooms, or multi-use rooms.

Besides remodeling your basement, other options for the homeowner seeking more living space inside the home includes: go up; go out, or take over the garage. You can also build above the garage if you have either a separate or adjoining garage with its own roof.

Once you've decided that you want to build down and remodel your basement, you have to decide how to lay out your space. This begins with finalizing your ideas and committing them to graph paper. Visualizing is wonderful, if you can do it, but even the best minds rely on a picture to make sure everything fits. And once you've decided what you want downstairs the next step is to take your paper rendering to contractors to get quotes.

Many people have bought a home in the best location only to find that, with addition of children, their beautiful spot is becoming too small. At first many of these homeowners build storage areas in the garage, basement and attic but then these areas become clogged with sports equipment, toys and boxes of clothes. The next step for these beleaguered parents is usually to look for a larger place within an area that they have called home many years.

Basement remodeling projects takes a sharp eye, experience, and skill to complete projects that meet local building code requirements. This helpful informational tells how to properly evaluate your basement before beginning your project.

Designing a basement renovation that deals with a low ceiling can be tricky. How can you make this shallow space seem open and comfortable? Pay attention to the types of flooring and ceiling installed, and optimize the natural light as well as the lighting design. All of these things will come together to help make this space more inviting, even with a very low ceiling. Always follow local building code, and talk to your contractor if you're unsure about how to attack this problem.

Here, we'll review some ways to make your home workout space a truly useful way to get fit and stay fit. We'll include tips for getting the whole family involved, as well as some pointers for making your home gym a comfortable and pleasant place to spend time. If you can't incorporate all of these upgrades, ideas and improvements into your home workout area, there's no need to worry. They're just here as starting points to inspire you. Fitness is a huge priority for many households today. In many cases, children are enrolled in several sports programs while parents have gym memberships. This is wonderful in terms of staying healthy and fit. However, it can be tough on the budget, especially in today's economy. This is why so many households are looking into high-quality workout rooms and gyms for their homes. In the past, a workout room often consisted of a weight bench and a few dumbbells sitting in a dusty corner of a dank basement. No longer! Today's homeowners have discovered that they can enjoy all the variety and challenge of a gym in the privacy of their very own home.

Lighting plays a major role in any living space. Your finished basement needs to be comfortable and bright, with the ideal light fixtures installed in the ideal locations. Think about what time of day you will be hanging out in the basement, and what kind of activities will be take place. Design your lighting for function and aesthetics, and consider how d cor items and finishing can help to make the most of your basement lighting. Safety concerns also come into play. Be sure that all applicable electrical permits are obtained and hire a professional electrician to take care of this essential element in your finished basement.

Detection is the first stage of dealing with basement water problems. Use your senses of sight and smell to find signs of water damage, and then look for the source of water. Take the steps necessary to stop water from entering your home's interior, including re-grading, basement waterproofing and concrete sealing. Once the wet (or formerly wet) building materials have been removed, replacement can begin. Protect your new basement from the threat of water damage and enjoy a healthier, more comfortable living space.

Check out these ten tips when you are planning a basement renovation. From lighting and noise reduction to underlayments, mold issues, hiring the right contractor and wiring your electronics, these simple instructions will make your basement renovation more attractive and valuable.

Homeowners need to take it slow with basement renovations, working from the vision through research, building codes, air quality and the environment. Don't give in to impatience or rush through the project. Your finished basement will fit your dreams with careful planning and an experienced contractor.

Your basement renovation requires extensive planning and the help of a qualified contractor. Consider whether fiberglass wall panels fit your lifestyle and budget, and search for local contractors that deal with top quality product lines. If drywall better suits your project requirements, think about what parts of the project you can DIY and hire a contractor to complete the balance. Both options result in an attractive area that improves the value of your home and provides more space for the whole family.

You're bound to face challenges and difficult decisions when finishing the basement. But with the expert advice of a contractor and plenty of time to make the best decisions your basement renovation will include everything you need to be comfortable. Install framing, insulation and subfloors to avoid moisture, and be sure to paint your rooms in bright colors with plenty of lighting. Posts and heating ducts will need to be built in the room, although in certain cases a structural beam will help out. Discuss these challenges with your basement remodeling contractor and come up with practical solutions tailor-made for your family.

Basement remodels are usually major investments, but they will have a major impact on the life of your family. Think about how you can best use the space in your basement with these five ideas. From a bedroom with bath to a a home theater space or a traditional rec room, your family can have the downstairs area they have always dreamed about.

The bottom floor of your home is the ideal spot to create more living space. Think through the design by considering what you will use the space for, whether you'll need an extra bathroom and how you can maximize the lighting. Remember to figure in a small amount of unfinished space for overflow storage. With these answers your basement remodeling project will transform your home and add value.

Try these three easy ways to save money on a basement renovations contractor and still end up with more space. By working with the materials and finishings that are currently there and designing to suit your family's needs, you can save money on materials and invest only in the elements that are important to you. Allowing a contractor to show you where you can shave costs thanks to the structure of the existing house is another way to save money. In any case your family will have more space and be happier in a comfortable, roomy home.

Basement renovations can continue in much smoother fashion when you've spent the time to think through the project. Consider your family's lifestyle and overall budget then design for an open concept, low maintenance room. Finally, think about hiring a professional to get the done right and fast. Your basement renovations will add the casual living space that you need.

A basement bathroom adds an important part to a basement remodeling project. This article offers simple tips to evaluate the feasibility of adding a bathroom to a house's basement. There are also detailed tips on the most affordable way to incorporate a professional plumber into the project. The easy and difficult parts of the project are outlined.