Your basement has been left unused for a number of years and now you are dying to have it renovated. Renovating this space provides more benefits than you ever think. At the outset, not only will you be adding more working, living or playing space, you will also make your home more energy efficient and increase its value. A good basement renovation contractor will recommend a total basement remodeling package that works great with your design idea. He will work with you to create a magnificent living or working space in your unused or unfinished basement area.

Renovating an unused basement area

With the many flooring options today, deciding on the right type for your basement can be a difficult task. Most basements normally have a concrete surface. While this flooring material is extremely durable, it is both unattractive and porous. While it may not feel wet to bare feet, it is usually wet due to water vapor making its way through it. You can decide to lay down a carpet on the floor but this normally end up trapping moisture underneath leaving the flooring vulnerable to mold and mildew.

Which are some of the best waterproof basement flooring types?

The flooring

•    Thermal dry tiled basement flooring: This is one of the most durable types of flooring a homeowner can use in basement renovation. It is a tough durable flooring system that combines an inorganic ceramic-looking tile with a waterproof vapor barrier. It is designed to suit unique conditions, for example humid or cold environments, such as those found in basements where water issues like plumbing leakages are prevalent.

•    Thermal dry carpeted basement flooring: This material is designed to create a vapor barrier and a thermal break in the basement. This help to keep dampness from a bare concrete surface from reaching the carpet laid on it or even humidity in the air.  Like other inorganic flooring types, these do not promote rot or mold like standard carpeting.  So if your basement flooring has a tiny rip, stain or tear, simply replace the torn tile with a thermal dry carpeting tile and in no time, it will be looking like new.

•    Millcreek basement flooring:  In this system, a PVC type of flooring material with a vinyl textured grain of hardwood that feel and look like a hardwood flooring without the worry of buckling, expansion, or rotting when wet is used. The flooring material come treated to resist fading and require no maintenance once installed.

The above mentioned list of flooring materials for basement improvements is not all inclusive; however, they are some of the best you can ever opt for. This is because they create a break between the renovated basement floor and the surface they are installed on. So if you want wall-to-wall carpeting in your basement, it is crucial to ensure you have the right foundation. Using thermal dry flooring materials makes the surface warmer than ever before, making the newly renovated basement more energy efficient thus saving the homeowner money on utilities.

The ceiling

Professionals recommend you opt for a suspended or drop ceiling in a basement for a number of reasons.  This kind of ceiling offers a lot of advantages to a renovated basement such as temperature regulation and noise reduction. Not only this, a suspended ceiling also allows easy access to ducts, electrical cables and cords. Instead of wood fibers, ceiling tiles made from inorganic mineral fiber are recommended in this case. They are water resistant and come backed with a long warranty against mildew and mold.

Which are some of the best inorganic mineral ceiling tiles you can opt for?

•    Linen ceiling tiles:  These are some of the richest and brightest looking tiles you can ever select for your basement. They will give it a more attractive and unique look you can ever hope for.  Their bright design will make your basement appear well lit, cleaner and larger. They are ideal for a home theater, office, or family room setting.

•    Prestige ceiling tiles: These are specially textured tiles that are very forgiving where dings and marks are concerned. Their pocket-friendly price tag makes them the perfect tiles for a children’s play room, game room or a home gym.

The wall

•    Wall paneling: The most recommended basement walls are the paneled varieties. Unlike wooden framing that is susceptible to rotting and mildew and mold growth, and metal framing that normally rust due to moisture over time, wall paneling materials are made of high-density foam that perfectly insulates the room.

•    Hard cement board and decorative vinyl covering: These types of wall covering give your room an elegant look while enhancing the décor. They can hold as much as 300 lbs, meaning that you won’t need to go searching for studs for hanging your LED TV.

All in all, a correctly renovated basement provides an added living room, workspace and even value to your home. Not only this, the home also becomes more energy efficient, saving you tons of money in utility bills.