About Basement Finishing

Basement finishing can add great value and living space to your home.

• Waterproofing. Basement waterproofing contractors will tell you that a large portion of their work is on finished basements that the owners believed was waterproofed. There is nothing more disheartening than to invest your time and money into a finished basement only to have it all ruined by wetness or dampness. The unfortunate truth is that all basements will leak, it is only a question of when - it is in the nature of their existence: the are usually underground where it is damp and concrete is porous and allows the moisture to enter the basement. Consider that the average basement will let in about 18 gallons of moisture a day!
  
  Don't be discouraged - with proper care, your finished basement can be as dry and comfortable as your upstairs. Be sure that your basement is waterproof and damp-proof before you invest in a finished basement. At a minimum, you should have a dehumidifier running at all times. The BasementDepot offers a variety of dehumidifiers specifically designed for basements.
  
  
• Is it warm enough? Cooling is not generally a major problem as the basement is naturally cooled from the surrounding soils, but they can get rather chilly in the winter. Consider an optional heating source in your finished basement, preferably one that will help dry the air, like a wood stove or a floor warming system. A secondary heat source will not only keep your basement cozy, but may also help keep the moisture level low.
  
  
• Flooring. Because basement floors are generally cold, the first thought is to lay a nice plush carpet to warm the floor. Bad Idea! Regardless of how dry your basement may seem, you will always battling moisture, mold, mildew, and other things that thrive in high humidity. Avoid anything that may absorb or promote moisture and humidity. Several companies offer flooring specifically made for basement floors. Alternately, you can install wood floors, tile, and other materials that will not accumulate moisture. If you are concerned with cold floors, either install a floor made for basements or a sub-floor heating system.
  
  
• Walls
. What applies to your floor, also applies to the walls. You should avoid using and material that can attract and retain moisture. This includes drapes and other cloth materials. Several companies make special materials designed specifically for basement walls. You should also install a vapor barrier between your basement concrete wall and your finished basement wall.


• Furnishings. Like everything else, avoid any furnishings that absorb moisture and humidity. Generally speaking, cloth and paper products are not advisable. For example, you should not store clothes, books, magazines, etc. in your finished basement.
  
  

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