Eco-Friendly Basement: Makeover and Renovation Ideas

 

Making the most of your basement space can add so much to your home, both in terms of value if you decide to sell, and daily value from the enjoyment you and your family will have from this extra space for entertaining and other activities. When it comes to basement construction, it's essential to work with a firm that has a lot of expertise in creating high-quality basements. They must be up to date on the newest developments in environmentally friendly building materials and processes.

 

With proper planning, you will have a magnificent basement to enjoy which will not harm the environment and can be energy efficient to run and maintain.

 

Sustainability and environmentally friendly building practices are becoming increasingly important, and it's essential to consider the impact your basement renovation will have in terms of the materials used and the energy required to construct it to create a welcoming space for spending time with family and friends. With rising energy prices, the importance of an energy-efficient basement is even more apparent, and an innovative basement construction company will take these factors into account when working on a project.

 

Harness the power of natural light

 

A good place to start is doing an energy audit of your home and the basement area to see how energy use can be made more efficient and what measures, such as installing insulation, can be implemented to reduce energy wastage. By using the latest techniques there may be ways to harness natural light for your basement to make it brighter during sunlight hours and cut down on electricity. Consider light wells and solar tubes with mirrors as ways of directing more natural light into your basement.

 

Each basement is different, so consult your basement construction company for ideas like this that will have long term benefits. Light wells, which are usually situated at the exterior wall that gets the most vertical light during daylight hours can mean your basement is a very bright space during the day, with no extra energy required.

 

Glass doors, cleverly placed windows and skylights can all bring in more light, depending on the nature of the basement project. Many design features can be included to boost natural light. Higher ceilings may also make the space brighter and when you install lighting, choose lower energy options such as LED.

 

The materials you select for your basement also have an impact on its eco-credentials. Consider natural and sustainable materials where possible. If you are installing wood flooring or wood paneling, you may be able to use recycled or reclaimed wood, which has a lower carbon imprint and can also give your basement more character and warmth. Choosing appliances that are energy efficient will also reduce energy consumption.

 

Many other types of flooring products contain VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, that can be released into the atmosphere. This could be bad for your family's health in an enclosed space, while also damaging the environment. If you want a linoleum floor, there is now linoleum made from cork that is recycled or harvested from the cork tree itself, which is a good eco-friendly choice.

 

You can also find a range of carpeting and matting made from recycled reeds or grasses. Bamboo is another natural material that is being used increasingly in construction as it is easy to grow, extremely strong and durable. Bamboo can be used to reinforce walls and is incredibly flexible when combined with steel rods.

 

Basement construction to stand the test of time

 

Before you start building or renovating your basement, it is vital that the area is surveyed properly to ensure drainage is effective and any sources of dampness are eliminated. Consider adding insulation and damp proofing measures at the start of the project because it is much more efficient to plan and build these elements from the start, rather than incorporating them later when it is more difficult to do so properly and there may be additional costs associated with tearing up work that has already been completed.

 

Choosing the right company to take on your eco-friendly basement makeover is the most important step in the whole undertaking. The success of a project depends on how well it is planned and hiring a business with a reputable track record and extensive knowledge of the newest technology and construction processes can ensure that you receive a fantastic result that will last for years.