Hammer Realty
Danay Pelaez, P.A., Hammer RealtyPhone: (954) 599-6099
Email: [email protected]

Rec room: 3 Tips for remodeling your basement

by Danay Pelaez, P.A. 10/23/2023

When growing households experience household congestion, expanding their usable living space footprint by remodeling the basement ranks among the best solutions, especially when extra recreational and lounging space is needed.

Along with the increased quality-of-life benefits, a remodeled basement reportedly delivers upwards of a 7% return on investment. If you are considering transforming a basement into a rec room or other lounging space, these are things worth considering:

1: Safety measures

Stairs in older homes can be steeper and narrower than today's building codes permit. But there are ways to improve the safety of these older stairs. For example, you could increase safety by:

  • installing handrails for all household members, such as youths and adults alike
  • ensuring steps with rugs have landings or firm grip material
  • using augmented lighting and conveniently placed switches
  • having a second egress children can exit in the event of an emergency.

2: Moisture planning

One reason many homeowners don't take full advantage of their basement is excessive moisture. The idea of a musty basement is not necessarily a myth. Basements often trap moisture, and homeowners remedy this issue by using dehumidifiers. Draining the water from these units regularly during the hot and humid season often makes many property owners hesitant to invest in a basement upgrade.  But there are ways around the moisture issue.

When planning a remodel, connecting the space to an existing HVAC system can alleviate concerns. Adding a designated heating, cooling and ventilation zone to your system is likely to increase the value of the space and make it more comfortable. It will also nix the practice of monitoring dehumidifiers.

Other solutions to moisture involve switching out glass-only windows for products with screens to allow fresh air into the new rec room.

3: Flooring choice

A flooded basement ranks among the more common types of water damage to a home, and that's why flooring materials matter. The idea of a plush carpet's comfort and value must be weighed against the possible replacement after a flood or excessive water accumulation.

Homes in or near flood plains may be best served by upgrading an existing concrete floor. There are a wide range of coatings for sealing the floor and aesthetic enhancement.

Employing this strategy means homeowners won't need to re-carpet the newly-minted rec room. If you want floor cushioning, area rugs provide under-foot comfort and are more easily replaced.

About the Author
Author

Danay Pelaez, P.A.

During her 25 years in the South Florida non-profit sector, helping others was always at the core of Danay's professional career. As a Realtor, she now uses her extensive background in client relations, financial management, and sales to help her clients in finding their dream home. 

Whether buying or selling, what matters most to her is honest communication, extreme loyalty to her clients, and a direct, hands-on approach. 

Raised in Miami, she has a personal connection to the local community and has extensive knowledge of the various cities and neighborhoods across the local market. Whether a seller or buyer, you will appreciate her attention to detail, negotiation skills, and motivation. 

As a homeowner herself, she recognizes and values the trust clients place in realtors and she is dedicated to working tirelessly on behalf of her clients, making the process stress-free and exceeding their expectations.

Certifications:

Residential Real Estate Probate Specialist