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Key Elements for Your Basement Remodel
from:Finishing a basement is an exciting project that can add a lot of living space to your home. It can also be an expensive and time consuming adventure. The best way to avoid unwanted expense and wasting of time is to thoroughly plan your basement remodel. By taking into consideration several key elements, planning your remodel will be a snap.
The first and most crucial step in your basement remodel is determining the purpose of the room. Will it be one large space to be used as an additional living room or play area for your children or will it be developed into a sort of efficiency apartment complete with kitchenette and bathroom? Making these choices right from the beginning and mapping out the dimensions of the room will allow you to accurately budget for the project as well as develop a construction timeline that is feasible.
Probably one of the biggest expenses is heating and cooling and determining which of the various methods you will use is critical. Many heating and cooling elements will have to be put into place prior to building the walls, so it is important to plan this step carefully. Some of the options that are available for heating and cooling a basement are: radiant heat, forced air, hot water and baseboard heat.
If you plan to utilize part of the space for a bathroom or kitchenette, drains and water lines will need to be installed. You will want to make sure that your current water tank is capable of handling the additional load. If it is not, you will need to look into installing a larger tank or possibly an additional one.
If your basement space is going to include a kitchenette or bathroom, additional ventilation will be required. Also, if you plan on using the space for entertaining, ventilation for smoke is an excellent idea.
When remodelling a basement, it is important to include safety features. You will want to have the basement tested for Radon, a possible carcinogen. Installing smoke detectors as well as carbon monoxide sensors is also important.
When designing your new basement, it is important to take into consideration the amount of additional electricity that will be needed. It may be necessary to update the electrical system. At the very least, planning where to drop electrical outlets, light switches, cable and internet hook-ups. If you basement will include appliances such as microwaves and stoves, remember these will draw an especially large amount of electricity, so plan accordingly.
Have you encountered any moisture problems in your basement space? If you have determining the source and correcting it is of paramount importance. If the problem is not resolved all of your hard work and money may be for naught the first time it rains.
By taking the above items into question and carefully planning your remodel, you will be able to create a functional living space suited to whatever your purpose.
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