Have you decided to take the necessary steps to finish your home's basement and turn it into a livable space? If so, you'll definitely want to consider the following things before you move forward with the job.
The Egress Window
One thing that is unique to a basement finishing job is adding an emergency exit, otherwise known as an egress window. These windows allow people to easily exit through them in case their other exit is blocked due to fire or some other problem. This means they have to be the proper size and height from the floor, which can involve some additional construction outside your home.
Put some thought into the placement of your egress window with your basement remodeling job. This may result in putting the livable space near the back of the home so that the egress window is not in the front of the house.
The Flooring
The type of flooring you put in your basement depends on how concerned you are with water getting into the space. It is not common for people to put hardwood floors in a basement, but they do simulate the look of wood with other materials. For example, luxury vinyl plank flooring can look just like wood flooring, but it is made out of a waterproof material that won't become damaged if you ever get water in your basement.
There are other options for flooring that are more affordable, like carpeting, but are more likely to be damaged if you have a water problem. If you have done waterproofing around your home and know that there is also a risk of water getting in, you can get the type of flooring that you're comfortable with.
The HVAC System
Remodeling a basement adds livable square footage to your home, which likely wasn't considered when your HVAC system was installed. It is sized for a specific amount of livable square footage, and that additional living space can throw things off. That's why you need to decide how to heat and cool a basement.
It's possible that cooling is not even a concern, since basements are typically cold and the cold air from your HVAC system may naturally end up in the basement. However, heating is another concern. You may want to install a heat pump that is specifically for the space, a mini-split system, or even electric wall heaters that can help give the space some needed warmth.
For more information, contact a home remodeling company near you.
