Does your home have a basement? If you want to create a new bedroom or a cinema room for the whole family, converting this space could be the ideal solution. However, it’s a meticulous job that needs to be carried out step by step. In this article, we talk about the process involved in a successful basement remodeling project.
Study feasibility and define budget and technical requirements
Before embarking on any project, you need to make sure it’s feasible, by analyzing your budget and, above all, the project’s regulatory and technical requirements. If you live in the north of France, for example, you can contact a masonry company in Essonne to check the feasibility of your basement conversion project. Our specialists will be able to advise you on the elements you need to take into account. In particular, you should be aware that below a ceiling height of 1.80 m, you’ll need to lower the floor, which will have a financial impact.
Complying with various standards
A prior declaration is required under certain conditions for basement development. For example, if the basement to be converted has a surface area of between 5 and 20 min 2 s, you’ll need to notify your local council, and apply for planning permission. You’ll then need to find out whether your project complies with the local sanitary regulations imposed by your municipality.
What’s more, in an earthquake-prone region, you’ll need to take steps to prevent damage in the event of an earthquake, by complying with standards involving the attachment of plywood to the face of the small partition in your walls. You’ll also need to connect it to the foundation and floor system above, if possible.
Identify and evaluate possible comfort features
Comfort is a central element of your furnishing project. To ensure that nothing is overlooked, you need to talk to a specialist beforehand. He or she will be able to advise you on the various possible layouts, and guarantee you the level of comfort you desire. There are a number of things to consider here:
Protecting against damp
You need to solve this problem as quickly as possible, because if the foundations or slabs are invaded by water or damp, you can only proceed with the work once the leak or leaks have been identified and repaired. Such worries expose you to the risk of infiltration and leaks in the plasterboard, not to mention damage to the floor. It’s best to avoid these kinds of risks and deal with the problem upstream. To do this, you can opt for drainage on the outside, the installation of a waterproof coating or the injection of resin into the thickness of the wall on the inside.
Thermal insulation and soundproofing
Thermal insulation is essential, and can be achieved by installing insulating panels. It can also be achieved by installing double panels on the floor and walls. When it comes to soundproofing, you can opt for hanging lights rather than wall lights, as the latter tend to let noise through.
Ventilation and heating
Ventilation is also a vital element, and can be provided by an air flow system or controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV). For heating, you can choose to install electric inertia or radiant heaters, or even simply extend your existing heating systems.
Evacuation systems
Careful consideration of drainage systems is vital. Renovating your basement may involve adding a new bathroom, which means removing some of the concrete slabs. This means that some of the concrete slabs have to be removed, and new drainage pipes for the toilet, bath and shower have to be installed. The difficulty of connecting the pipes depends on the depth at which your drainpipes lie under the concrete screed. The pipes must have a gradient, i.e. enough of a slope to allow the wastewater to flow by gravity. If this is not the case, an ejector pump will be needed to evacuate the wastewater.
Take care of the decoration: brightness
If your space has window wells, they can be enlarged both horizontally and vertically. You can also build an English-style courtyard to enlarge a window. As for artificial light, indirect lighting in the form of LED tracks or spotlights will do the trick. Also, consider light-colored flooring, such as parquet or linoleum, which will certainly add brightness to the room.
Make sure your ceiling is high enough
It’s possible that your basement wasn’t built to be habitable, and therefore has low ceilings. Specifically, the piping and electrical system may have been installed at a low height. To solve this problem, you can create a new floor below the original one. You can also install water, gas and other mechanical pipes and conduits, concealing them in the ceiling joists.
Safety and access
In case of emergency, emergency exits must be provided. Building regulations specifically require emergency exits for bedrooms. For example, building permits may require a window large enough to pass through. These windows must be close enough to the ground to serve as emergency exits. This sometimes involves reducing the foundation and building skylights. You should therefore review your home’s requirements with your local building and planning department. On the question of access, you may want to consider a practical new staircase, which may also involve enlarging the hopper.
Finally, be aware that basements can be filled with hazardous materials. It’s not uncommon to find asbestos on welding joints. Similarly, most houses built before 1948 contained lead paint. Call in the professionals to identify these hazards, and have samples analyzed in a laboratory.
