Many homeowners love their home but find they need more space. One option is to move to a new home. Another option is to build an addition. A third option is to convert the basement into usable living space. Dunwoody-area residents consider hiring local contractors who know how to finish a basement to provide an economical solution for additional living space in their home.
More often than not, the basement is the last stop for unwanted household items, junk and unnecessary clutter. With a little creativity and innovative design, you can convert the basement space into a usable living area that you and your family can enjoy for many years to come. The additional space is ideal for a home office, family room, children’s playroom, extra bedroom or even a small rental apartment. Remodeling a basement offers several advantages that a traditional room addition cannot. These advantages simplify the construction process, which saves both time and your hard-earned money.
No Additional Structure Is Required
Unlike a room addition, which requires pouring footers and wall or roof construction, the main elements to begin the basement-finishing project are already in place. Although there may be unfinished walls, floors and ceilings, the fact that they are already there will save you significant money on materials. Another advantage of basement finishing is that it takes considerably less time to complete compared a room addition, and this saves you even more money in labor costs.
Easy Access to Heating and Air Conditioning
Most residential basements are essentially the home’s control room. The heating and cooling systems are located in this area. This provides a valuable advantage for your contractor to access these systems. It also saves you money in the labor and materials needed to tap into these resources to provide the conditioned air for your new living area.
There are three different options when you’re conditioning a basement. You could tap into your existing system to condition your basement, but this is not recommended. Your current system is sized for the area it’s presently serving. You can also add a whole new system for the basement, which may be a great alternative if zoning is not an option. A third option is a ductless system, which the U.S. Department of Energy notes can avoid the energy losses associated with ductwork. Ductless systems are a wonderful alternative when ductwork is hindering your design.
Additional Considerations
Basement areas are often located below ground level, which makes them prone to moisture and dampness. Before embarking on your project, you should hire a professional contractor that specializes in waterproofing and who knows how to finish a basement. Waterproofing is an essential element in the early stages of the basement finishing process. It starts your project off on the right foot by eliminating the potential for moisture and water damage.
Dunwoody-area homeowners seeking additional information can contact Reliable Heating & Air to speak to an expert. Reliable Heating & Air has served the Atlanta area since 1978 by providing a wide array of services. In addition to professional heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services, Reliable Heating & Air are experts at insulation, weatherization, attic and crawl space sealing.
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