4 Components of Finishing Your Basement

Do you have dreams of transforming your unfinished basement into a beautiful theater room or a fun playroom for your kids? Have you been hesitant to make the move for fear of hiring an inexperienced contractor? What design or materials should you use to get the most use out of your space? Are you worried about moisture ruining the flooring or the drywall?

These questions, among many others, are common concerns for homeowners who are interested in finishing their basement. Below are four components to consider before finishing your basement.

What Wall Materials Should You Choose?

In this HGTV article, the author discusses what type of materials to choose when finishing your basement. One of the first things it discusses is avoiding woods and other materials that easily absorb water. And one of the most common choices among remodeling contractors is pressured treated wood studs, plywood, and dry wall, all of which can still absorb water and become mold candy.

The materials we use are completely inorganic, waterproof, and mold resistant, and will not suffer the same damage as traditional building materials in the case of a leak or flood.

Framed Drywall Ceiling or Dropped Ceiling Tiles?

Using drywall to finish the ceiling has a few drawbacks. As previously mentioned, drywall is not a good idea for any basement due to naturally occurring moisture. Another issue is that it does not allow for easy access to pipes and electrical wires. Lastly, the drywall may begin to sag over time.

Our drop ceiling tile options safeguard against all three of these issues: they are waterproof and mold-resistant, provide easy access to pipes and wires, and have a 30 year limited “No-Sag” warranty.

Should You Use Carpet or Laminate?

Flooring is perhaps one of the most important choices you will make when finishing your basement. Many homeowners choose laminated flooring because it is waterproof; carpeting can absorb moisture and mold very easily. However, in the case of a water leak or flood, it will have to be ripped up. Another common option is installing a subfloor of plywood, which again is not the greatest option when considering the generally moist nature of basements.

We offer many different flooring options, from Wood-Look Laminate to Pro Comfort Carpeting to ThermalDry flooring, all of which are mold resistant, made of completely inorganic materials, and easily snap into place should they need to be temporarily removed and reinstalled.

Waterproof. Waterproof. Waterproof.

It is a fact of life: basements are notoriously damp, humid spaces. Water will push its way through any opening including walls, floors, joints, cracks, and even the concrete itself. We cannot stress enough just how important it is to waterproof your basement before finishing it. And we don’t mean just sealing some cracks; we can customize a waterproofing solution for your basement to keep it dry all the time.

So, make sure you select an appropriate waterproofing solution before finishing your basement, and make sure you choose inorganic materials that are waterproof and mold resistant. If you are interested in transforming your basement into a beautiful new living space, call us for a free, no obligation estimate today.