The System
Basement Difficulties
Traditional basement finishing is much like the construction one would find in a home above ground. Wooden studs, drywall, wallpaper or paint and wooden molding. However, a fundamental difference in basements can make typical construction materials and procedures impractical.
- Basements are located beneath the ground, usually incorporating the foundation of a house as its walls.
- In states whose temperature dips below freezing, regulations dictate that a space be kept beneath the home within the foundation that is filled with air.
- This space must extend below the freezing mark in the soil.
- Throughout most of the country which receives below-freezing temperatures, this is about 3 feet.
- A crawlspace of that height is acceptable, but most home builders opt for a full basement to give more room to the newly built home.
- Pay special attention to the basement doors when insulating.
While this gives some houses almost as much room downstairs as upstairs, it creates a problem: concrete, which most foundations are made out of, is porous. The extra moisture in the soil around the basement is able to penetrate most foundations and create a buildup of humidity in your basement. While you might be able to remove some of the mugginess with a dehumidifier or air conditioner, water that is trapped between the concrete foundation and your walls can cause significant damage.
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When you are ready, we offer a Fast Free Quote Service that will get you the pricing you need for your Finished Basement project.
Points of Interest
If you have a portion of your basement that will remain strictly functional, learn more about how to decorate it and make it easier to use.
