Basement Finishing in New Jersey
When you first look at an unfinished basement it can be difficult to see the many possibilities for creating wonderful living space for your family and your New Jersey home. At first glance, a basement offers a huge amount of indeterminate space that is rough, bare, and empty. On the one hand, it has limitless potential, and it offers enough space for everything you can imagine. On the other hand, however, all that unfinished space can make it hard to envision what your basement can look like when you finish remodeling it. There are many ways to approach a basement remodeling project. The entire area can be left open, or it can be divided into rooms. It can be elegantly finished or it can be given a rustic design. The only limits are the boundaries of your imagination.
Our basement remodeling contractors will help you with the design and building procedures of your project. With years of experience we have finished hundreds of basements in New Jersey and look forward to helping you with your basement remodeling project. Some things to consider before finishing your basement include:
Ceiling height. You will probably encounter visible duct work and/or a low ceiling level. You can decide to either live with a lower ceiling or you can frame boxes around the duct work and have the rest of the ceiling higher. You can also move the duct work, but that is an expensive job.
Dampness. A dampness problem in a finished basement can open the door to all kinds of problems. The dampness will make the area feel cooler or warmer. But more important, the dampness will breed mold and mildew. So the first step in finishing a basement is to correct any dampness problems and then seal the floor and walls carefully.
Concrete floors. Concrete floors may be hard on your back, legs or feet if you plan activities that require prolonged standing. Choosing floor covering can take a little more time and effort than for other rooms. First, attend to potential dampness.
Lighting. If you have a "sunlight basement" (meaning that at least one wall is above ground and has windows to let in sunlight), providing light for part of the area will be much easier. In areas without windows, you will need to really pay attention to lighting. Choosing energy-efficient fixtures and light bulbs will help to protect the environment and save you money.
