When building a new home an important consideration is whether or not to spend the additional money to have a basement included in the plans. Today more and more people are opting for a walkout basement that is built into the lot in a way that allows natural light to be abundant due to the window placements and the French doors or sliding glass door access to the outside.
These kinds of basement set-ups lend themselves well to game room furniture often consisting of ping pong or pool tables. Racks lining the walls can hold equipment needed to play giving instant access to paddles for ping pong and billiard balls for pool. When arranging for this type of family entertainment it is wise to plan ahead and anticipate how the area will be used in order to furnish it in the best way possible for easy functioning. Some things to consider are:
o Lighting: Is there ample light for everyone to be able to enjoy their chosen activity? From needlework to intense competition playing ping pong or pool, good lighting is necessary to provide the best atmosphere and to make the basement as inviting as possible.
o Heat Source: Is the basement adequately heated in winter for maximum comfort and that homey feeling that is so necessary when having family activities? Some families enjoy having a fireplace in the basement to provide a cozy ambience to the area. Another good option is to employ baseboard heating that can be turned on when needed but use no extra energy when it is not necessary.
o Bar or snack area: When planning for a basement retreat, it is a good idea to consider the kinds of snacks or refreshments your family enjoys the most. Many people choose to have a bar that is well stocked and that also provides an area for serving dishes. Another useful piece of equipment is a small refrigerator that can hold foods that need to be kept at a cool temperature. It is much more convenient to have these foods within easy reach rather than running upstairs each time someone would like a snack.
o Storage space: Having a designated space to store games, sports equipment and puzzles is a must and it is usually best to have this built-in when designing and building a basement. Good quality shelving or bookshelves are good alternative choices when storage is needed and it must be provided after the basement is already built.
o Comfortable furnishings: It is important to have very inviting furnishings to complete the look in the basement. Couches and chairs that are of good quality material and easy to keep clean are the key to a good functioning family room atmosphere. Throws or comfortable quilts or blankets not only add to the décor of a basement but also provide cozy warmth while watching television on reading a favorite book.
o Bright Paint: The colors in a basement set the stage for family enjoyment. This is where a family can express its personality by choosing the colors that best fit them. Many times different sections of the basement can be painted to define areas once it has been determined what those sections will be used for.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
How to Build a Basement
Even if you're not interested in learning how to build a basement yourself, the knowledge can still come in handy when it comes time to deal with contractors. A basement serves as the foundation for your home, so it is crucial that the job be down correctly.
How To Build A Basement That Lasts
A basement can provide plenty of extra space at only an incremental cost over a traditional foundation or slab. On an appropriately sloped lot, a basement can even have full-sized windows and doors on one or more sides. Although you may not want to tackle the entire job yourself, the following overview will help you get started:
Check first.
You'll need to contact your local building inspector to find out what permits and inspections are required to build a basement in your area. You may also need to consult an engineer to find out if the water table is low enough to allow for this type of construction. Although it is possible to build a basement in a high water table area, the costs will be significantly higher.
Basement types.
Although a vast majority of basements are built with concrete, there are a number of methods for creating a basement. Concrete block, poured concrete and pre-cast basement panels are the most common methods for basement construction.
Blockhead.
Concrete block walls are built using pre-cast blocks that resemble oversized bricks. Although concrete block construction is least expensive, it is the most prone to future leaking due to the numerous joints and seams.
Solid construction.
Poured concrete basements are constructed using forms, which are then filled with solid concrete. A poured concrete basement has superior water and fire resistance, but cost significantly more than concrete block construction.
A modular approach.
Pre-cast basement panels are poured from concrete, transported to the site and lifted into place by crane. Pre-cast basement panels are built with insulation, wiring channels and concrete studs already in place, making basement finishing simple and cost effective. Although pre-cast panels are the most expensive building method, they have the best insulation and can be installed in just a few days.
A hole in the ground.
Once you've decided on a basement type, you'll need to excavate the area where you'll be building. Earthmoving equipment can make short work of this job, but be sure the hole is deep enough to account for the footing, foundation and wall height of the basement you've designed.
Starting firm.
Regardless of the type of basement you'll be building, you'll need to have a floor slab poured. This slab should be thick enough to withstand the weight of the walls and the finished house and should rest on a well-drained bed of gravel or crushed stone. For a concrete block basement, be sure to include reinforcement bar around the perimeter of the foundation to give the block an anchor point.
Water hazard.
The area around your basement will have to be treated and graded to direct ground water away from the walls. Typically, this involves perforated plastic pipe and gravel trenches to direct ground water and runoff away from the basement.
Topping it off.
Once the walls of your basement are in place, they'll need to be covered with a system that will allow your home's walls to be securely attached. For wood-frame homes, this means a sill-masonry homes will require metal ties to anchor bricks. The top of your basement walls should also have a sill for the first floor joists to rest on.
How To Build A Basement That Lasts
A basement can provide plenty of extra space at only an incremental cost over a traditional foundation or slab. On an appropriately sloped lot, a basement can even have full-sized windows and doors on one or more sides. Although you may not want to tackle the entire job yourself, the following overview will help you get started:
Check first.
You'll need to contact your local building inspector to find out what permits and inspections are required to build a basement in your area. You may also need to consult an engineer to find out if the water table is low enough to allow for this type of construction. Although it is possible to build a basement in a high water table area, the costs will be significantly higher.
Basement types.
Although a vast majority of basements are built with concrete, there are a number of methods for creating a basement. Concrete block, poured concrete and pre-cast basement panels are the most common methods for basement construction.
Blockhead.
Concrete block walls are built using pre-cast blocks that resemble oversized bricks. Although concrete block construction is least expensive, it is the most prone to future leaking due to the numerous joints and seams.
Solid construction.
Poured concrete basements are constructed using forms, which are then filled with solid concrete. A poured concrete basement has superior water and fire resistance, but cost significantly more than concrete block construction.
A modular approach.
Pre-cast basement panels are poured from concrete, transported to the site and lifted into place by crane. Pre-cast basement panels are built with insulation, wiring channels and concrete studs already in place, making basement finishing simple and cost effective. Although pre-cast panels are the most expensive building method, they have the best insulation and can be installed in just a few days.
A hole in the ground.
Once you've decided on a basement type, you'll need to excavate the area where you'll be building. Earthmoving equipment can make short work of this job, but be sure the hole is deep enough to account for the footing, foundation and wall height of the basement you've designed.
Starting firm.
Regardless of the type of basement you'll be building, you'll need to have a floor slab poured. This slab should be thick enough to withstand the weight of the walls and the finished house and should rest on a well-drained bed of gravel or crushed stone. For a concrete block basement, be sure to include reinforcement bar around the perimeter of the foundation to give the block an anchor point.
Water hazard.
The area around your basement will have to be treated and graded to direct ground water away from the walls. Typically, this involves perforated plastic pipe and gravel trenches to direct ground water and runoff away from the basement.
Topping it off.
Once the walls of your basement are in place, they'll need to be covered with a system that will allow your home's walls to be securely attached. For wood-frame homes, this means a sill-masonry homes will require metal ties to anchor bricks. The top of your basement walls should also have a sill for the first floor joists to rest on.
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