3 Tips for Finishing Your Basement

If you have an unfinished basement, you have a wonderful opportunity in your home. Finishing your basement is a great way to boost your home’s value and expand your living space. However, you must take a few key steps to make the room a success. No matter what you plan on doing with it, here are three tips for finishing your basement.

Consider What You Want to Use It For

A finished basement offers endless possibilities. You can use it as a home office or for extra storage space. You might decorate it to be a guest room or set up an excellent entertainment center. If you want to get more creative, you might choose to turn your finished basement into a home gym or bar. Before you do anything else, figure out how you want to use your finished basement. This will let you tailor your designs and decisions to your ideal room.

Test for Moisture

Basements are notorious for sustaining water damage, so be sure to complete a moisture test before you start remodeling. This will help you identify any problem areas you’ll need to fix before you begin. Waterproofing should also be a focus during construction. You can waterproof your basement by redirecting downspouts away from your foundation, painting the interior walls with a waterproof coating, and using durable, water-resistant flooring. Many people opt for vinyl flooring in their basement, but that’s not your only option. For example, if you want the elegance of real wood floors, engineered hardwood has many advantages over solid hardwood, which is more susceptible to water damage.

Insulate

One of the most important tips for finishing your basement is to pay attention to insulation. Basements are often cold and damp, but insulation can help with temperature and moisture control. It also muffles sounds from the ceiling or pipes. A quality insulation job keeps your finished basement warmer, quieter, and nicer all-around.