Basements: What to consider when planning a conversion basement - Generally, the best way to extend your house is going up (in the attic), followed by the construction of (a kitchen or extension back side). Finally, the most expensive way to extend is to go down - creating a basement.
But this does not mean a conversion of the basement should be considered as the last resort. In the right area, it can be a convenient way to add valuable space and contemporary architecture and designs means that a dark basement or equal to dank. In fact, quite the contrary.
But some houses offer more opportunities than others, so it's important to do your homework and research similar projects before calling in the experts. Here's the lowdown on the benefits, options and technical challenges dig deep.
Professional advice from:
Steve McStea, director of Basements Advantage
Maggie Smith London Basement
But this does not mean a conversion of the basement should be considered as the last resort. In the right area, it can be a convenient way to add valuable space and contemporary architecture and designs means that a dark basement or equal to dank. In fact, quite the contrary.
But some houses offer more opportunities than others, so it's important to do your homework and research similar projects before calling in the experts. Here's the lowdown on the benefits, options and technical challenges dig deep.
Professional advice from:
Steve McStea, director of Basements Advantage
Maggie Smith London Basement
London Basement
Work out if it is feasible
you think you can add a basement if you already have a bit of cellar space to start? Not necessarily. "Most of our projects are in homes that do not have existing basements, 'said Steve McStea of Advantage Basements.
Even shallow foundations not to exclude a basement adds Maggie Smith London Basement. "Only modern terraces built on what is called a strike, meaning that there is no foundation between the houses are not suitable candidates.
you think you can add a basement if you already have a bit of cellar space to start? Not necessarily. "Most of our projects are in homes that do not have existing basements, 'said Steve McStea of Advantage Basements.
Even shallow foundations not to exclude a basement adds Maggie Smith London Basement. "Only modern terraces built on what is called a strike, meaning that there is no foundation between the houses are not suitable candidates.
London Basement
find an expert
Maggie Smith explains that it is essential to find a company established and reputable to do the conversion. "Find an expert with many years of experience in both art and sealing works, the two that are critical, she said. A good company should offer to show you other similar projects in your area or even put you in touch with previous clients, both deserve to be followed.
Maggie Smith explains that it is essential to find a company established and reputable to do the conversion. "Find an expert with many years of experience in both art and sealing works, the two that are critical, she said. A good company should offer to show you other similar projects in your area or even put you in touch with previous clients, both deserve to be followed.
Advantage Basements
price cost
Steve McStea said soil conditions, the existing structure and access, as well as the local authority license, can all influence on price. But as a ballpark figure, he said £ 360 per square foot is an indicative price. However, he adds, as loft conversions, it may be a wise investment in the long term. "As well as the additional area that you earn at the moment, adding space can increase the value of a home when you come to sell.
Steve McStea said soil conditions, the existing structure and access, as well as the local authority license, can all influence on price. But as a ballpark figure, he said £ 360 per square foot is an indicative price. However, he adds, as loft conversions, it may be a wise investment in the long term. "As well as the additional area that you earn at the moment, adding space can increase the value of a home when you come to sell.
Advantage Basements
Work on the best use
Longing for a family room, game room or home theater? In this conversion of London, Steve McStea encouraged customers to think beyond their immediate priority, which was a games room and utility space. "In this case, a shower room with toilet was added for guests or perhaps a nanny. In addition, we added a dividing screen which could become a stud wall in the future to create a bedroom, plus a bathroom. These all contributed extras add value.
Longing for a family room, game room or home theater? In this conversion of London, Steve McStea encouraged customers to think beyond their immediate priority, which was a games room and utility space. "In this case, a shower room with toilet was added for guests or perhaps a nanny. In addition, we added a dividing screen which could become a stud wall in the future to create a bedroom, plus a bathroom. These all contributed extras add value.
London Basement
Change your spaces
do not just think of the extra space you add below. "Also the space you can free above ground," said Maggie Smith. Creating a living space downstairs, as in this project, can be an opportunity to free a room on the ground floor. However, you will need a kitchen or bar area to accompany the new space of the basement to make it viable: you do not want to be constantly up and down for drinks and snacks.
What to consider when planning a loft
do not just think of the extra space you add below. "Also the space you can free above ground," said Maggie Smith. Creating a living space downstairs, as in this project, can be an opportunity to free a room on the ground floor. However, you will need a kitchen or bar area to accompany the new space of the basement to make it viable: you do not want to be constantly up and down for drinks and snacks.
What to consider when planning a loft
Advantage Basements
Integrating input
Purpose for a basement that runs the ground floor, rather than feeling like a clumsy add-on. Ask your architect or basement business how they integrate the stairs in the existing design. This uses the glass and the LED next to and above the stairs to make her feel like a bright area that is part of the rest of the line since the beginning of the house.
Purpose for a basement that runs the ground floor, rather than feeling like a clumsy add-on. Ask your architect or basement business how they integrate the stairs in the existing design. This uses the glass and the LED next to and above the stairs to make her feel like a bright area that is part of the rest of the line since the beginning of the house.
London Basement
hide a utility area
Creation of a dedicated, spacious below utility room ground level means you can design for your specific needs. So you can embed a walk-in shower for when you or other family members to come directly to do sports, or a boot room and dedicated area for dogs to sleep and eat. This will also improve your kitchen and upstairs hallway, carefully keeping garbage out of sight.
10 ways to clear the clutter in your hallway
Creation of a dedicated, spacious below utility room ground level means you can design for your specific needs. So you can embed a walk-in shower for when you or other family members to come directly to do sports, or a boot room and dedicated area for dogs to sleep and eat. This will also improve your kitchen and upstairs hallway, carefully keeping garbage out of sight.
10 ways to clear the clutter in your hallway
London Basement
Create a dedicated play area
'using the popular for a new basement is a games / playroom, "says Maggie Smith. The benefits include the fact that it can be silenced (also good news for music or media room) and it will keep the jumble of kids out of the adult spaces. Other options include additional bedrooms, a wine room, a gym or a home office. At the luxury end of the spectrum, a swimming pool, spa area - often combined with a gym -. Or home cinema are better choices
The Dos and Don'ts of perfect Baby
'using the popular for a new basement is a games / playroom, "says Maggie Smith. The benefits include the fact that it can be silenced (also good news for music or media room) and it will keep the jumble of kids out of the adult spaces. Other options include additional bedrooms, a wine room, a gym or a home office. At the luxury end of the spectrum, a swimming pool, spa area - often combined with a gym -. Or home cinema are better choices
The Dos and Don'ts of perfect Baby
Kelly Hoppen London
work in your skylight
glass skylights, the skylights and deep Velux windows are all gathering means as much light as possible in your new space. It is a major consideration, solved here by extending the excavation so that a larger area outside the window acts as a skylight. glass walls can also help the luminous flux and integrate rooms that are necessarily unusual shapes and sizes they meet around the existing house.
glass skylights, the skylights and deep Velux windows are all gathering means as much light as possible in your new space. It is a major consideration, solved here by extending the excavation so that a larger area outside the window acts as a skylight. glass walls can also help the luminous flux and integrate rooms that are necessarily unusual shapes and sizes they meet around the existing house.
PAD studio
look for bright ideas
Even in underground areas without direct access to the sun, lighting designers can work to illuminate your new parts, such as creating fake skylight with a washing the artificial light. It is hard to overstate how light is important in a project basement, so ask your architect or company about their plans - which would seem much more exciting and interesting than assembly lines simply projectors.
Even in underground areas without direct access to the sun, lighting designers can work to illuminate your new parts, such as creating fake skylight with a washing the artificial light. It is hard to overstate how light is important in a project basement, so ask your architect or company about their plans - which would seem much more exciting and interesting than assembly lines simply projectors.
Urban Cape
Keep on top of the work
an advantage of converting the basement is that you can usually stay live in your home while building work is made. This makes life easier for a family. This also means that you can keep an eye on how the project progresses. Even if you are not a building expert, you are on hand to check things like the lights and power points should be - especially important if you are going for lighting or specialized storage.
Tell us ...
Was it useful? Share your basement conversions knowledge in the comments below.
an advantage of converting the basement is that you can usually stay live in your home while building work is made. This makes life easier for a family. This also means that you can keep an eye on how the project progresses. Even if you are not a building expert, you are on hand to check things like the lights and power points should be - especially important if you are going for lighting or specialized storage.
Tell us ...
Was it useful? Share your basement conversions knowledge in the comments below.