Basement Remodeling , Finishing and Solution in Chicago and Suburbs

Basement Remodeling in your Chicago home is a great way to create more living area, and unlike adding an extra space for you and family in a form of an addition, installing a new foundation and ground site work are not required. Home Improvement magazines say that basement remodeling can be an affordable, cost effective project with much higher return on investment. However before you decide on a basement conversion project, let Bart’s Remodeling suggest some exciting ideas to help you enjoy your new space and satisfy your needs completely.

It is important that you first create a basement remodeling plan.

Primary Goals of a Basement Remodeling Project

Part of a successful basement remodeling plan is listing the purposes of the finished basement. For example, will the finished basement be used for exercising, or for bedrooms? Is a bathroom or a kitchen area included? Is a home theater or wine fridge part of the ultimate plan? Realizing how the finished basement will be used will help you determining what specific engineering and mechanical needs are required in the actual design and plans for the basement remodeling project.

Also you should check the size and location of the furnace. You need to determine if the existing furnace will be enough to heat the newly remodeled basement area. If it is not, a larger furnace may be required. You also need to consider the location of the furnace and the noise it generates. If the furnace is going to be located near a finished basement area then you may need to wall off and properly insulate the furnace room from the finished basement area. You may also need to modify the furnace design such that fresh air is pulled in from the outside of the home.

How to make your basement warmer? Every homeowner should think about insulation which can make the most cold space in the home much warmer. Insulation of the exterior walls should also be pondered. During the framing construction phase, rigid Styrofoam insulation can be installed to help make the remodeled basement area warmer. You should consider insulation before starting the basement remodeling project.

Making Repairs Before You Start Construction Work and Helpful Remodeling Tips

Second major thing that should be completed before dealing with basement remodeling project is taking care of any problems that are present in the basement. If you have any cracks in the foundation then fixing those must take priority before starting the basement remodeling . Many homeowners have problem with their pipes so if there are leaking or sweating pipes they should be replaced or sweat-proofed before restoration or remodeling work begins. If the basement remodeling plans include plumbing that will require demolition in some parts of the basement floor it is critical to do this before the rest of the basement remodeling project starts.

Also you should check the size and location of the furnace. You need to determine if the existing furnace will be sufficient to heat the newly remodeled basement area, in addition to the usual living are. If it is not, a larger furnace may be required. You also need to consider the location of the furnace and the noise it generates. If the furnace is going to be located in an area of your finished basement where noise may be a nuisance, then you may need to wall off and properly insulate the furnace room from the living quarters. You may also need to modify the furnace design so that the fresh air is pulled in from the outside of the home.

How to make your basement warmer? Every homeowner should think about insulation which can make the coldest space in the home much, your basement, warmer. Insulation of the exterior walls should also be taken into account. During the framing construction phase, rigid Styrofoam insulation can be installed to help make the remodeled basement area warmer. You should consider insulation before starting the basement remodeling project.

Lighting in the basement is possibly the most important aspect in room design.

Good lighting creates a mood, reflects your style and highlights what's important to you in your living space. If the foundation has concrete knee walls, you might try framing in windows above the knee walls. If the basement has a walk out area, consider installing French doors.

In addition to adding natural light to the basement when possible, consider installing can lights in the ceiling, and sconces on the walls. They can really brighten up the basement area and make the space into a warm and pleasant living space.

Remodeling Floor Layout Tips for Your New Chicago Home Basement

It is important to have good floor in the basement. A great room, most of the time, starts from the floor up. You should considered the utility of the new basement and then decide between an array of possibilities from a tiled wet room with heated floor to the luxury of finest wood floor.

Before you decide on your final basement floor layout, you should consider putting bedrooms and recreation areas near the natural light sources so that you are be able to enjoy natural light during the day.

If you are planning to have a home theater or wine fridge in your basement, then they should be located in areas of the basement where natural lighting is not required.

If you are planning to have a bathroom or a kitchen area in the basement then you may think about locating them below upstairs pluming of the home. This will help to limit the amount of piping that is required in the precious head room area of a basement. It will also help to minimize the amount of framing work required.

If there is a furnace area that needs to be contended with in terms of noise, locate the wine cellar, or storage spaces near the furnace. These areas/rooms can help to insulate the rest of the basement rooms from the noise of the furnace.

If there are columns (support posts) that need to be content with, try to develop a basement remodeling plan that locates walls so that the columns can be buried within them. If covering them is impossible, then consider schemes for boxing them in or finishing them off so that they become less of an obstruction and eye-sore to the finished basement, and more of an accent or part of the décor.

Ceilings selection for your remodeled Chicago home

The ceiling choice is an important decision. Many homeowners decide to install dropped ceiling tiles, while others elect to install drywall ceilings. Both have their pros and cons. Dropped ceiling can cancel some of the noise coming from the floor above and allow easy access to pipes and electrical wiring, however, they do impact the ceiling height more dramatically than a drywall ceiling.

Drywall ceilings, on the other hand, can give a more finished look and provide more head room, however access to pipes and wiring is limited. If a drywall ceiling is your esthetic preference or requirement due to limited ceiling height, plan for access doors underneath first floor bathtub J-traps, valves, and key electrical junction boxes.

Who will perform the Basement Remodeling Construction?

Deciding on whether to hire a basement remodeling contractor, or do it yourself is always a big question. Yes, you can save yourself a bundle if you do it yourself. However, frequently many homeowners start a basement remodeling project and never complete it.

Finishing or remodeling a basement is not a small project. So if you truly want a finished basement, you need to be honest with yourself on the time commitment and the skills required. If you can’t dedicate your next 12-16 weekends to the project, or lack skills in framing and construction, then you should probably hire either a general contractor or act as your own general contractor. Many people start their basement remodeling by themselves and end up with remodeling company. The remodeling project is not as easy as many people may think. Large projects are always harder than they initially look.

A Basement Remodeling project is a great way to have additional living space in your home at a fraction of the cost of building an addition for your home. Additions are much more expensive than finishing of an already existing basement. With proper planning, a finished or remodeled basement can become the spot in your home where the family and friends want to spend all of their spare time. Allow Bart’s Remodeling experience in quality customized design and construction give you the very best in style that you will enjoy for years to come and distinguish your house from others.

Let us suggest some more exciting ideas to help you enjoy your new space; don't just have a wine cellar - have a feature glass wine cellar with subtle lighting; don't just have a wet-room - have a steam room to help you kick back and relax.

 

Our team will help you design and plan your future space. We offer 3D planning and designing at your home. Check our basement gallery for more ideas! We are here to serve your remodeling needs!