The basement presents many possibilities, and in a sense, it can increase the size of your home. The extra bedroom is one of the most common basement conversions. You can also decide to make it a bathroom, kitchen, entertainment room, or add an entirely new level to your home to double the square footage. Some people even convert it into an apartment to let depending on the size of the space. Some basement designs make it relatively easy renovate for other uses. In some cases, however, the existing features such as pipes and a low ceiling may slow down a remodeling project.
The Ductwork
You can’t have a beautiful new kitchen with ugly ductwork exposed overhead. Moving it will take time and money, and it is generally unnecessary. The best thing to do is to conceal the ductwork. You can just cover the sections with exposed pipes so that you won’t end up with a ceiling that is too low. You can also paint the piping so that it matches the rest of the new paintjob or create a design.
The Columns
These serve the vital purpose of providing support for the home, but you will quickly realize that you have to design around them. These can also be worked into the design elements of the space. Using the columns as decorative feature features or adding seats around them works well in some settings. There is also the option of replacing them with steel beams that meet your local building standards.
Leaks
This is almost unavoidable due to the presence of plumbing and the water heater. Before starting a basement remodeling project, check for leaks or any signs of moisture. Otherwise, you will have moisture developing underneath tiles or walls, and you will be looking at expensive repairs.
Low Ceilings
Since they are not designed as living spaces, basements tend to have low ceilings. You can consider digging down and building a new foundation to get more headroom, but this will just add to your project costs. Think about why you want to remodel, and decide whether you can live with the height of the ceiling.
When you are dealing with a basement, you know that there are features that you can expect to see. The furnace or the water heater is not something you want to be visible in your new entertainment room or bedroom. When you have committed to a remodeling project, it will be necessary to build around these features. Contact us at 860-667-8105 to discuss your basement remodeling needs and let us work with you to find ways to deal with possible limitations of this space.
