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Renovating Your Basement
Basement Renovation
  • Basement Renovations Give you new options
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  • In many homes, the basement represents great, untapped potential for more living space. It may offer the most cost-effective approach to adding a new family room, an extra bedroom or a home office. According to the Home Builders' Association, with careful planning and the assistance of a professional renovator, most basements can be turned into attractive, comfortable living space.
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    1. Energy Efficiency and Comfort
      Renovating your basement offers an ideal opportunity to increase the energy efficiency of your home. An experienced renovator will inspect your basement and make appropriate recommendations for insulation, caulking and air-sealing that can make your entire home more comfortable.
    2. Bring in the Light
      Consult with your renovator on ways to brighten up your basement. Often you can enlarge existing windows or add new ones, depending on the above-ground height of the foundation, what's around the house and the intended use of the new space. Or, the renovator may recommend glass blocks -- you get the extra light while preserving privacy. Keep in mind that if you are building a bedroom in the basement, the building code specifies a minimum window size for safety reasons.
    3. Special Construction Considerations
      Some basements may be more challenging to renovate than others because of (for instance) supporting posts in the middle of an open area, or floors that are too low for proper connection of bathroom fixtures to municipal sewer lines. Sometimes it may even be necessary to break open the concrete floor to get at the plumbing. An experienced renovator can identify these challenges and provide suggestions for overcoming them.
    4. The Heating System
      In undeveloped basements, the heat is often supplied by registers that are set right in the ductwork running along the basement ceiling. Your renovator may recommend relocating the heat outlets or registers and adding a cold-air return. This will create the air circulation needed for even heat distribution and a much more pleasant living environment.
    5. Air Quality
      You should pay particular attention to moisture and air quality in the basement. Professional renovators will conduct a thorough assessment of the area, looking for signs of dampness or mustiness, which may be the result of water entering the basement. It is important to correct all moisture problems before renovating the basement. Your renovator may suggest exterior drainage work or repairing the outside of the foundation wall. If mold is present, it can be eliminated by washing the area with a bleach solution. Proper ventilation will improve indoor air quality. Your renovator may recommend a separate exhaust fan or a heat recovery ventilator (a whole house fresh-air system). Equipment in the basement such as the furnace and dryer should be vented directly to the outside and may require a separate air intake. A dehumidifier may be required during summer months.
    6. Sound-proofing
      Planning a family entertainment centre and a bedroom in the basement? Sound-proofing will minimize the noise travelling from one area to another. Your renovator may also recommend the installation of an intercom system connected to the upstairs for easy communication between levels.
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  • Other Things To Think About...
    There are lots of good ideas and products available that will add extra comfort and value to your basement renovation. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started:
    • * Make sure you set aside enough room for storage space somewhere in the basement. Have the renovator build a simple floor-to-ceiling shelving system in the storage area to maximize space.
    • * Update your laundry room at the same time, with cabinets or shelving, and a counter.
    • * Consider installing at least a two-piece bathroom. You'll enjoy the convenience!
    • * Rough in all the connections now for later installations, such as a fireplace.
    • * Install the wiring now for any anticipated future needs-cable television, alarm system, dedicated telephone lines, etc.
    • * Make sure you have all the information and advice you need. Contact your local Home Builders Association (HBA) for a list of professional renovators.
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  • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers valuable renovation information. Order your free copy of Before You Renovate by calling 1-800-668-2642 or visit CMHC's website.