Basement Finishing Do's and Don'ts
Tips from Expert Basement Finishing Contractors in Rockford, Racine, and Kenosha
Do:
Eliminate moisture problems in the basement. Moisture can really do a number on a basement. Home improvement expert Danny Lipford notes that a basement can let in an average of 18 gallons of moisture each day. Lipford suggests looking for these telltale signs of moisture problems:
- Musty odors
- Rust on metal surfaces
- Peeling paint
- Discolorations on walls and ceilings
Don't let moisture ruin your new finished basement! The TBF system can eliminate moisture problems by installing an Energy Star dehumidifier and by using an exclusive selection of basement finishing products installed by certified trained professional contractors that can't support mold or be damaged by moisture.
Double-check Building Codes. Different areas have different building codes. For example, if you build a home in Cincinnati, you don't need to waterproof the exterior of the basement walls. However, if you want to finish the basement a year later, basement walls will require a waterproofing treatment. "Ask the Builder" columnist Tim Carter recommends checking with your local building department before you begin to work on your basement.
Accentuate the positive. While your basement doesn't have as much natural light as the rest of the house, it does have a solid floor that can be used for many things such as: an ideal base for a pool table, arcade games, a treadmill and weightlifting equipment. Feeling artistic? Instead of trying to hide some of your basement's exposed joists and ductwork, you can paint these features to create an industrial, loft-like theme.
Consider all the possibilities. It's worth it to spending time collecting design ideas that can help you envision the new living space you'll be creating so that it is perfect for you. Take advantage of the free basement design consultation and quote that's available with your TBF dealer. And make sure to check out our photos of finished basements.
Don't:
Aim to finish the entire basement. Besides the added cost of finishing the entire basement, you will need to leave a utility area where tools, luggage, and seasonal items can be stored. Your money will be better spent creating a premium-quality space in a more limited area.
Overlook lighting. Since there's not much natural light coming in from outside, a finished basement needs a well-designed lighting scheme. Fluorescent lights, integrated into a finished drop ceiling, provide excellent general-purpose lighting that's also energy efficient. You may also want to add a special light fixture, such as a decorative lamp over a pool table or a small spot light aimed at a dart board.
Skimp on the details. The little things you do when designing your basement will stand out and turn it into a room that everyone wants to be in. When you add some decorative lighting around a seating area, put up some photos around your home office space, or hang a large mirror on the wall of your gym area it add to your new finished basement. You can even give the room a theme. Installing a basement bar? Put in a retro jukebox and hang old record albums on the walls. Don't neglect finishes that you'd use for the rest of your house, either. Bob Villa suggests adding things like crown molding to make the room look more complete.
Be afraid to express yourself. This new living space is yours, so go nuts! Make it whatever you want it to be. Take your basement down a funky route by adding bean bag chairs, beaded curtains and a lava lamp, or add sports memorabilia so you can host Superbowl and World Series parties for years to come. Whatever you decide to do, let us help! Our company's Total Basement Finishing is a great system to start your basement design project with. Search through our company's site for great basement finishing tips and to get a no cost, no obligation, free basement finishing quote from our experienced contractors at an affordable price in Racine, Rockford, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Waukegan, Kenosha, Fond Du Lac, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Sheboygan, Buffalo Grove, West Bend, Mchenry, Gurnee, Mundelein, Menomonee Falls, Grayslake, Lake Villa, Zion, Highland Park, Franklin, Oak Creek, Libertyville, Belvidere, Oconomowoc, Burlington, Woodstock, Deerfield, Round Lake, New Berlin, Lake Zurich, Brookfield and surrounding Wisconsin and Illinois today!
