Q
rets
insider sec
ement edition
bas
I recently purchased my first home and I would like to finish the
basement so we have room for holiday guests, entertaining and extra
storage. Are there any special considerations I should be aware of
before I begin? - Sam
Hello Sam,
Basements offer a fantastic
opportunity to increase your
living space, but there are a
few steps and considerations
to go over before you begin.
INSPECT AND FIX Look
for moisture or inspect
for damage, signs of rot,
cracks in the foundation,
sagging floor joists
and other issues.
Have a professional
check fuel-burning
equipment and
ventilation systems
for carbon monoxide
buildup that is below
grade.
PERMITS Check
with your local
city office well in
advance to find out
what permits w ill be
required for your
project.
WINDOWS Basement bedrooms must have Egress
windows. This is a window that meets specific
requirements in order to be used as an emergency
exit. These requirements can vary so check with your
local zoning office for Egress window requirements in
your area.
SUBFLOOR Before installing your subfloor, make
sure that the concrete floor doesn’t have a slope
greater than ¼” over every five to six feet and level if
needed. Invest in a quality subfloor like the DRIcore
Subfloor system to ensure a warm, clean and safe
living space. Unlike traditional subfloor systems, the
DRIcore system offers a raised moisture barrier that covers cold, damp concrete to
prevent moisture damage, improve air quality and cushions the floor.
CONSTRUCTION Traditional construction includes framing, insulation, vapour
barrier, drywall, electrical, taping, mudding, sanding and priming. DRIcore offers
a SmartWall tongue and groove system that combines framing, insulation, drywall
and vapour barrier into one simple step. The primed panels require no taping, very
minimal sanding and include integrated wiring channels. This will allow you to finish
the job up to five times faster so you can move on to painting and decorating before
your guests arrive! - Dan Sudnik, Renovation Expert, DRIcore
DRIcore,
www.
dricore.
com