PERFECT BASEMENT
1
PROPER PREPARATION
BEFORE
Proper preparation will help you avoid costly repairs once the
basement is complete. Inspect all wood components for rot and
insect damage. This may include joists, window frames and more.
Look for sagging floor joists that indicate possible weaknesses. You
should also inspect concrete walls and floors for cracks and leaks in
need of repair. Finally, have all fuel-burning equipment and the home
ventilation system inspected to ensure there isn’t a buildup of carbon
dioxide in the basement.
What will the intended function of the finished basement be?
Whether you are looking to add extra bedrooms, create a space for
entertaining or provide a safe place for kids to play, it’s important to
have a clear idea of how the space will be used. Start by planning
the layout of your finished basement on paper and play around with
the location of the rooms. Bedrooms are required to have windows
as an emergency exit and areas that will be used for socializing will
feel more inviting and open if there is natural light available. You
also need to ensure that you leave plenty of space for access to
mechanical equipment.
2
AFTER
BUILD TO AVOID ISSUES
Traditional stud-framed walls with carpet/underlay on concrete
floors can be prone to hidden mold and mildew. This can leave the
basement feeling cold and damp, decrease energy efficiency and
lower air quality throughout the home. Moisture and condensation
can also cause damage to furniture and electronics in the
basement. While these problems may not arise in every basement,
it is better to build using construction methods that will help avoid
these issues rather than face costly updates and repairs in the
future.
Start your basement renovation with a DRIcore Subfloor system.
This creates a vapour barrier between the concrete and flooring
materials thus eliminating mold and mildew problems while
providing a cushioned floor surface that is both warm and healthy.
The Subfloor system uses a tongue and groove interlocking system
which installs quickly - in fact in most cases, a 500 sq. ft. room can
be installed in one afternoon!
Once the subfloor is installed, the next step is the walls. Instead of
building traditional stud-framed walls, consider an engineered wall
panel like DRIcore’s SMARTWALL System. This prefabricated wall
system will install up to five times faster than traditional walls and
makes finishing much simpler. The SMARTWALL System installs
directly to the subfloor and floor joists, creating a vapour barrier
between the finished wall and concrete. It will help protect your
walls from mold and moisture damage.
The last step is to finish the ceiling. Traditional drywall or
suspended ceilings are the most common options. The best
choice for your basement will depend on the available space and
access requirements. Suspended ceilings offer easy access to
pipes and ducts in the floor joists but they may hang lower than
traditional drywall ceilings. You will also want to consider insulation
and soundproofing options depending on the intended use of the
basement space. For example, soundproofing the ceiling area may
be important if you are putting a bedroom under a main living area
or if you are creating a basement rental suite.
Photos by DRIcore
www.dricore.ca
3
FINISHING FACTS
Colours, décor choices and lighting will need to work together
to create a cosy, welcoming basement space. There is nothing
inviting about a dark, dingy basement. Start by planning for
adequate lighting in each room in the basement. This should
include a combination of lamps and permanent light fixtures
on dimmers to allow better control of the lighting. This will give
you the ability to adjust the lighting as needed. Lighting in
mechanical areas, hallways and staircases is also important
for added safety. For areas that don’t have access to natural
light, choose a colour palette that is light and airy. Dark or
bold colours will overwhelm an already dark basement space.
Mirrored wall décor or furniture can also help reflect light,
making the space look and feel brighter.