Choosing the Right Flooring to Finish a Basement

Choosing the right flooring for your basement is a key factor in ensuring that the space is both comfortable and functional. Since basements in Toronto and the GTA face specific challenges like moisture, temperature changes, and insulation concerns, it’s essential to choose flooring materials that can withstand these conditions. Flooring choices such as vinyl, tile, and polished concrete are ideal for basements due to their moisture resistance and durability. Whether your basement is a cozy family room or a gym, the right flooring enhances both the appearance and value of your home. It’s also vital to prepare your basement by addressing potential moisture issues before installation.

If you’re working with a basement lowering company in Toronto or the GTA, ensuring proper waterproofing before choosing your flooring can save time and prevent damage in the long run. For homeowners looking to increase their home’s functionality, lowering the basement and installing moisture-resistant flooring can transform an underused space into a valuable part of the home, perfect for rentals or additional living areas.

Collaborating with an expert contractor will help ensure that your basement project is designed for both comfort and durability, elevating your home’s value and providing long-term satisfaction.

Moisture and Mold Prevention

Before selecting flooring, it’s critical to address any moisture issues, as basements are prone to dampness. Moisture can lead to mold and mildew, which can damage flooring and pose health risks. To prevent this, consider waterproofing your basement. Seal the walls and floors, use a dehumidifier, and ensure that proper drainage systems are in place. A moisture barrier, like a vapor retarder, beneath the flooring can further protect against water infiltration and provide peace of mind.

Understanding the Purpose of Your Basement

The function of your basement greatly influences your flooring choice. Are you creating a family entertainment space, a home gym, or a rentable living area? For high-traffic areas, durable and easy-to-clean options like vinyl or tile may be best. Carpeting can make a media room or playroom cozy, while water-resistant options are a must for a basement bathroom or laundry room. Tailoring your flooring to the room’s purpose ensures the space remains practical and comfortable.

Balancing Style with Functionality

Basement flooring doesn’t have to sacrifice style for practicality. Modern flooring options allow you to achieve both. For example, luxury vinyl mimics the look of hardwood while offering superior water resistance. Engineered wood provides a high-end aesthetic and handles fluctuating basement temperatures better than solid hardwood. Consider combining different materials for specific areas, such as plush carpet for comfort in seating areas and durable tile for spaces prone to moisture.

High-Traffic Areas and Durability

Basements often serve as multipurpose spaces, which means your flooring needs to withstand heavy foot traffic. Flooring like tile, vinyl, or laminate is ideal for high-traffic areas due to their durability and easy maintenance. If you expect lots of activity—whether it’s kids playing or heavy exercise equipment—select flooring that resists wear, scratching, and staining. A strong wear layer can prolong the lifespan of the material, ensuring your basement stays stylish and functional for years.

6. Adding Value to Your Home

Basement renovations, especially when done well, can significantly increase your home’s resale value. Flooring plays a key role in this, as potential buyers often look for durable, aesthetically pleasing options. If you’re finishing the basement with resale in mind, consider timeless flooring like vinyl plank or engineered hardwood, which not only looks good but can also handle moisture and temperature fluctuations. For homeowners planning to convert the basement into a rental unit, durable and easy-to-maintain floors such as tile or vinyl are ideal.

7. Types of Flooring for Basements

When it comes to basement flooring, there’s no shortage of options. Each material has its own advantages and drawbacks, depending on your needs, budget, and style preferences. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular choices, including the newly added epoxy and polished concrete.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring, especially luxury vinyl planks (LVP), is a popular choice for basements due to its water resistance, durability, and versatility. It can mimic the look of wood or stone and is available in various colors and patterns. Vinyl is easy to clean and soft underfoot, making it suitable for family rooms, playrooms, or even kitchens and bathrooms in the basement.

Pros: Water-resistant, budget-friendly, durable, and available in numerous styles.
Cons: Can feel colder underfoot without proper insulation or underlayment.

Carpet

Carpet is an excellent option for adding warmth and coziness to a basement, especially if it’s being used as a family room or home theater. It offers insulation, which helps combat the cooler temperatures often found in basements. When choosing carpet, it’s best to opt for low-pile, moisture-resistant varieties to avoid mildew growth.

Pros: Warm, comfortable, and provides sound insulation.
Cons: Prone to moisture issues if the basement isn’t well-sealed; harder to clean.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is an affordable alternative to hardwood and can replicate the look of real wood at a fraction of the cost. While it’s relatively durable and scratch-resistant, laminate isn’t the best choice for basements with significant moisture issues, as it can warp over time.

Pros: Cost-effective, easy to install, and stylish.
Cons: Sensitive to moisture, especially without proper underlayment.

Tile

Tile is a highly durable and water-resistant flooring option, ideal for areas of the basement that are prone to dampness, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or entryways. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are great for adding a sleek, modern look to your basement while offering resistance to both water and stains. To avoid a cold surface, you may want to consider radiant floor heating.

Pros: Extremely durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean.
Cons: Cold and hard underfoot, higher installation cost.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood offers the beauty of traditional wood floors but with better moisture resistance, making it a potential choice for finished basements. It has a real wood veneer on top of a plywood core, which provides more stability in damp conditions than solid wood. However, it’s still important to control basement humidity to avoid damage.

Pros: Attractive, adds resale value, and tolerates some moisture.
Cons: More expensive than other options and can be susceptible to damage in extremely wet conditions.

Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy flooring is a seamless, durable, and waterproof option perfect for basements. It’s particularly useful in high-traffic or multipurpose areas. Epoxy flooring comes in various colors and finishes, including metallic and quartz, allowing you to customize the look. Its resistance to water, chemicals, and abrasions makes it a great low-maintenance option.

Pros: Highly durable, water-resistant, customizable, and easy to clean.
Cons: Can be slippery when wet and is harder to repair if damaged.

Polished Concrete

Polished concrete offers a sleek, modern finish for basements and is growing in popularity due to its durability and low maintenance. It’s naturally resistant to moisture, making it a good fit for basements that might face damp conditions. You can also add stains or dyes to create a unique aesthetic, and polished concrete works well with radiant heating systems for added comfort.

Pros: Very durable, moisture-resistant, low maintenance, and customizable.
Cons: Hard and cold underfoot unless paired with heating systems.

Basement Insulation and Comfort

Proper insulation plays a vital role in the overall comfort of your basement, especially when it comes to flooring. Basements are naturally cooler, so adding an insulated underlayment beneath your flooring can help regulate temperature and prevent cold floors. For added comfort, consider pairing your flooring choice with radiant heating systems, especially under materials like tile or polished concrete. These options ensure that your basement is not only functional but also a warm, inviting space year-round.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Options

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to homeowners, and fortunately, there are eco-friendly flooring choices available for basements. Recycled materials, such as cork and certain types of vinyl, provide a green alternative while maintaining durability. Bamboo is another environmentally friendly option, offering a hardwood-like appearance with renewable sourcing. Additionally, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) flooring options help reduce harmful emissions, making your basement healthier for your family and the environment.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right flooring for your basement is a balance between functionality, style, and budget. Whether you prioritize moisture resistance, durability, or aesthetics, there’s a flooring option out there that will meet your needs. Before making your final decision, be sure to assess your basement’s moisture levels and consider the space’s purpose. Whether you choose vinyl, carpet, polished concrete, or any other material, the right flooring can transform your basement into a comfortable, livable extension of your home.

Flooring Trends to Try for the Basement

Choosing the right flooring for a basement is a critical decision that impacts not only the appearance but also the durability and functionality of the space. Basements are often prone to moisture, temperature fluctuations, and even flooding, all of which can damage traditional flooring materials. Without proper flooring, issues like mold, mildew, and structural damage could arise, causing costly repairs. By selecting moisture-resistant, durable, and easy-to-maintain flooring, you can transform your basement into a cozy, usable space that enhances your home’s value.

Basement flooring also plays a vital role in insulation. A well-insulated floor can make the room more comfortable, especially in colder climates where basements tend to be cooler than the rest of the house. Flooring choices like vinyl, laminate, or even concrete can help regulate the room’s temperature, reducing energy costs over time. Additionally, the right flooring can set the tone for the entire basement’s design, making it a space you enjoy using for various purposes—whether as a living area, gym, office, or entertainment room.

With so many options available, from stylish laminate to industrial polished concrete, homeowners have the flexibility to choose flooring that complements both their style and functional needs. Understanding the unique challenges and possibilities of basement flooring is the first step toward making an informed decision that lasts for years to come.

Vinyl Flooring: Versatility and Durability

Vinyl flooring has become a go-to option for homeowners seeking a stylish yet practical solution for their basement. One of the biggest advantages of vinyl is its exceptional water resistance. Since basements are often subject to moisture, vinyl’s ability to withstand dampness without warping or becoming damaged makes it an ideal choice. Modern vinyl flooring comes in a wide range of designs, from wood-look planks to tiles that resemble stone or ceramic, allowing homeowners to create virtually any aesthetic they desire.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, vinyl is also highly durable. It is resistant to scratches, dents, and stains, making it suitable for high-traffic areas or basements used as recreational spaces. Its cushioned backing provides comfort underfoot, which is especially useful in basements that double as playrooms or exercise areas. Additionally, vinyl flooring is relatively easy to install—many options come with a click-lock mechanism that allows for DIY installation without the need for adhesives. This also makes it a cost-effective choice, as it eliminates the need for professional installation.

Vinyl’s low-maintenance nature is another reason it’s favored for basements. A simple sweep and occasional mop are typically all that’s needed to keep it looking pristine. Its ability to resist mold and mildew further enhances its longevity, ensuring it remains in good condition even in moist environments. With such a diverse range of patterns, textures, and price points, vinyl flooring offers homeowners a perfect balance of beauty, practicality, and durability for their basements.

Laminate Flooring: Affordable and Stylish Options

Laminate flooring is another popular option for basements, offering an attractive blend of affordability and style. With advancements in technology, modern laminate flooring can now mimic the look of real hardwood, stone, or tile with stunning accuracy. It provides the visual appeal of more expensive materials without the associated maintenance or costs, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking to upgrade their basement.

One of the key benefits of laminate flooring is its enhanced moisture resistance. Many laminate products today are manufactured with water-resistant coatings, which help to prevent water from seeping into the material and causing damage. When installed with a vapor barrier and proper underlayment, laminate can perform well in a basement environment, though it’s important to address any significant moisture issues beforehand. Laminate is also resistant to stains, scratches, and fading, which makes it ideal for busy basements that might serve as home gyms, playrooms, or entertainment areas.

Installation of laminate flooring is relatively straightforward, often using a floating floor system where planks click together without the need for nails or glue. This makes it a feasible option for DIY enthusiasts. Maintenance is also easy—regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping are all that’s needed to keep the floors in great shape. Although laminate may not offer the same level of water resistance as vinyl or tile, it provides an excellent balance of cost, appearance, and ease of installation, making it a solid choice for stylish basement flooring.

Ceramic Flooring: Luxury and Longevity

Ceramic tile is often chosen for basements due to its durability and luxurious aesthetic. It’s one of the few flooring options that can handle the moisture challenges of a basement without any special treatments or coatings. Ceramic tiles are impervious to water, making them an ideal solution for damp or flood-prone areas. Additionally, ceramic is resistant to stains, scratches, and heavy foot traffic, ensuring it maintains its appearance over time even in high-use areas like a basement living room or entertainment space.

One of the major advantages of ceramic flooring is its design versatility. Tiles come in a wide range of colors, patterns, and finishes, allowing homeowners to create a custom look that complements their style. Whether you prefer the appearance of stone, wood, or bold geometric patterns, ceramic offers limitless design potential. It can be paired with underfloor heating systems, which is especially beneficial in colder climates where basement floors can feel chilly underfoot.

However, ceramic tile has a few considerations. It can be harder and colder compared to other materials like vinyl or laminate, which may be a drawback if comfort is a priority. While the material itself is quite durable, the grout between tiles may require occasional maintenance to prevent staining or mildew buildup. Still, for homeowners seeking a long-lasting, stylish flooring solution that can stand up to moisture, ceramic is a top contender for basement spaces.

Polished Concrete: A Modern and Industrial Look

Polished concrete is an increasingly popular option for basement flooring, especially for those looking to achieve a sleek, modern aesthetic. This flooring solution transforms the existing concrete foundation into a smooth, glossy surface that’s both durable and visually striking. Polished concrete is highly resistant to moisture, making it an ideal choice for basements, which are naturally prone to dampness. Its seamless finish means there are no cracks or seams where water can seep in, adding to its resilience.

Aside from its water resistance, polished concrete is exceptionally durable and low maintenance. It can handle heavy foot traffic, furniture, and equipment without showing wear and tear, making it perfect for basements used as gyms, workshops, or entertainment spaces. Unlike other flooring materials, polished concrete doesn’t require periodic sealing or refinishing, saving homeowners time and money on upkeep. It’s also hypoallergenic and resistant to mold and mildew, improving indoor air quality.

One of the standout features of polished concrete is its customizability. Homeowners can choose from different levels of sheen—from matte to high gloss—and even add stains or dyes to achieve a unique look. Whether you’re going for an industrial vibe or a polished, contemporary finish, concrete can be tailored to suit your design preferences. While polished concrete may feel cooler underfoot, this can be mitigated by pairing it with area rugs or radiant floor heating for added comfort.

Epoxy Flooring: Durable and Customizable

Epoxy flooring is a popular option for basements where durability is a primary concern. This flooring type is created by applying a mixture of resin and hardeners over a concrete base, resulting in a strong, glossy finish. Epoxy’s seamless surface is highly resistant to water, stains, and impacts, making it a practical choice for basements that are used as workshops, storage areas, or home gyms. Its impermeable surface ensures that moisture and spills won’t penetrate the floor, reducing the risk of mold or mildew growth.

One of the key advantages of epoxy flooring is its high level of customization. Epoxy can be mixed with different pigments and flakes to create a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures. This allows homeowners to achieve a unique look that fits the aesthetic of their basement, whether they want a bold, decorative finish or a more neutral, polished appearance. Epoxy is also available in slip-resistant finishes, providing added safety for basements that might see wet conditions or heavy foot traffic.

In terms of maintenance, epoxy floors are relatively easy to care for. The seamless, non-porous surface can be quickly wiped clean, and it doesn’t require frequent reapplications or treatments. However, proper installation is key to its longevity, as poor preparation of the concrete base can lead to peeling or cracking. When professionally installed, epoxy floors can last for years without showing signs of wear, making it one of the most durable options available for basement spaces.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Basement

When choosing basement flooring, it’s essential to consider the unique environmental challenges that come with below-ground spaces, such as moisture and fluctuating temperatures. Each flooring option offers distinct benefits, from the water resistance of vinyl and laminate to the durability of ceramic, polished concrete, and epoxy. The right choice ultimately depends on the function of the space, your budget, and the overall aesthetic you wish to achieve.

For homeowners seeking warmth and style, laminate and vinyl provide affordable, moisture-resistant options. If durability and longevity are top priorities, ceramic, polished concrete, or epoxy flooring will stand up to heavy use while maintaining their look over time. Whether you prefer the cozy look of laminate or the industrial appeal of polished concrete, there’s a basement flooring solution for every style and need. By choosing wisely, you can transform your basement into a functional, beautiful space that adds value to your home for years to come.

How Much Value Can a Finished Basement Add to Your Home

Finished Basement in Etobocoke Ontario

For homeowners looking to increase their living space, finishing a basement can be a cost-efficient and practical way to do so. If moving or building onto your home is not an option, turning your unfinished basement into a comfortable living space is a great way to add room and increase the value of your home.

There are some precautions that need to be taken to protect your valuables and newly created living space from damage due to water leaks, mold or mildew. This article will walk you through the “do’s and don’ts” of basement remodeling, as well as offer some sound reasons as to why this is the most cost-efficient way to add to your habitable square footage.

 

Make Sure to Waterproof your basement. Your home might not be susceptible to flooding, but basements tend to be dark and damp places. Whether you have water leaks, noticed small areas of moisture on the walls, or smelled a musty odor, it’s important to waterproof your foundation walls before doing any sort of the remodeling construction. There are many professional waterproofing companies for hire, as well as ways to do it yourself.

 

Planning the Design. Once you have your basement protected from possible water damage-either by a professional company or by doing it yourself-the next step is to have a plan of how you want the new space to function for your family. Adding a bedroom, bathroom, and living/family area seems to be the most popular division of basement space. If your home is on a grade, a walkout basement can create a totally new dynamic for your home.  Leaving storage and utility space is also a good idea when designing your new space. Once you have that drawn out, deciding who should do the work is the next step.

 

The Actual Construction: to hire or not? Whatever you decide, researching contractors, plumbers, and carpenters is essential. A do-it-yourself project can quickly become overwhelming, and seeking out a professional quickly can be difficult. The time spent researching before starting the project will be time well spent when you have a finished basement completed in a timely fashion.

 

Enjoy Your New Space and Your New Investment. Once the construction is done and you are enjoying your new living space, sit back and take some satisfaction in knowing you have just added substantially to the value of your home.

Final Precautions: Your finished space is worth more to an appraiser than your empty basement was before the remodel. However, to be officially recognized as living space it needs to be heated, have the required permits, and proper inspections completed. If the homeowner fails to do these requirements it could end up costing more in fines and permits after the fact. If done properly, when you do think about selling, having that finished living space downstairs will increase your chances of selling quickly as well as having that added value placed on your assessment.

 

How much value will your finished basement add your home?

A 2010 study completed by Remodeling Online found that, on average, 74% of the cost of remodeling a finished basement is recovered when the homeowner sold the home.  That was as we were in a downward slide of housing prices throughout most of North America.  The return on investment may be much higher, depending on your part of the country.  Additionally, energy savings from a remodeled basement can pile up to around $400 dollars a year.  Overall, these factors make remodeling your basement a very sound investment, even in a rebounding housing market.

Nusite Group is a Toronto based speciality trades group, specializing in basement waterproofing, foundation repair and other basement based projects.  Contact us today to learn more.

Basement Kitchens: Turning A Dungeon Into A Family Space

In the past home improvement has usually focused on converting lofts and attics in order to create office space or to add another needed bedroom to a house. However, the new trend is to look below the stairs and think about converting a basement into another kitchen come lounge area – making what was once a dead space, one that really does work for you and your family.

Home owners are now up to scratch when it comes to wasted space in their homes. A dusty old and leaky basement, when expertly converted into an extra room, can add thousands of dollars to the value of a property which makes it definitely worth considering.

Basement conversions don’t have to be dark and gloomy

The Benefits of Converting a Basement

There are many benefits to converting a basement into a kitchen come lounge area and the trend is gaining momentum. The reason is that basements usually offer much easier access to them, unlike lofts. They become more versatile living areas that suit the modern way of life unlike loft conversions which end up being extra bathrooms, bedrooms or even studies.  Unlike and attic or loft, plumbing usually already exists in a basement, giving it extra versatility.

Finding Out if a Basement is Suitable for Conversion

Older properties and this includes Victorian houses normally boast timber-suspended floors which make for ideal basement conversions. The only thing to watch out for and to have checked is whether the property has shallow foundations or not. If your property does, then you will have to get the property underpinned before the conversion can begin.

The easiest route to take is to discuss the project with a specialist underpinning company who will be able to advise you not only of the cost for the work, but how long it would take to do the job as well. This way you get to incorporate the extra cost into a budget and work out a realistic time scale for the work.

Stylish basement conversions add another dimension to a home

What about Planning Permission for Basement Conversions?

The great advantage in basement conversions as opposed to loft conversions, is that because you are only altering the interior of a property, you usually don’t have to apply for planning permission, though you should always double check. But with this said, if you add a basement window and an exterior door to the basement – then you would need to apply for planning permission from a local council. You need to check the planning permission limits too because you may want to extend your basement in the future.

Should your property be a listed building, you need to get permission for any renovations before the work can begin and this includes if the work is out of sight. The reason you need permission is that any listed building is protected for historical and/or any other important architectural reasons.

You will also have to abide by all the current building regulations, even if you don’t need to get planning permission to convert a basement. These are legal requirements for any area that is built for people to use and live in and they exist as a safety measure.

Building Regulations Explained

Extensions and any other building work that involves areas of a house or other property that people will use or live in are covered by strict building regulations. These regulations are set in place to protect the people who live in properties and cover anything from health and safety to fire escapes. When it comes to basement conversions basic regulations cover ventilation, electrical wiring, safe access, damp proofing, fire escape methods and safe access.

What Is a Walkout Basement?

Thinking about renovating your basement?  Does your home sit on a sloped lot?  Maybe you should consider creating a walkout basement for your home.

Most basements are not put to use.  Either they weren’t created for living use (low ceiling height, unfinished floors, etc), and other times the conditions down there don’t lend themselves to human habitation (leaky walls, mold, lots of spiders, etc)

Basements, as the name suggests, are areas beneath the main structure that you can walk in and out of without using stairs. Ideally, they have windows and allow access on level ground. In this case, some people also call them daylight basements. If you are fortunate enough to have one (and there is sufficient head height) you can legally use it as living space and benefit from these other advantages:

  • Added value to your home at far less than the cost of a room upstairs
  • A more attractive proposition should you decide to sell some day

A walkout basement is usually only achievable when the property has sufficient slope to allow for it. Unless constructed at the same time as the house, part of it may end up below ground with concomitant damp problems. Ideally there should be sufficient slope on the rear side of the home to accommodate it. This obviates the risk of the approach-side of the house appearing architecturally awkward.

While it’s ideal to create a walkout basement when originally constructing the home, often times it didn’t fit the budget, or just wasn’t in the plans with the original construction.  When creating a walkout basement on an existing home, you’ll want to make sure:

  •  Waterproofing protection is incorporated during the construction process
  •   Foundation support are maintained to accoodate the new design
  •   The new design is in harmony with your existing home

While creating a walkout basement can be expensive, the value from the added living space will add value to your home that wasn’t there before.  In Toronto, there is a lack of available property, so homeowners are looking to make the most of the property they already have.  A walkout basement is a perfect fit to add an entire floor of living space to your home.

While this sort of renovation can be costly, it is often possible to stagger these costs on a site that slopes away from the access point. In this case, it may be feasible to leave the raw walkout basement structure unfinished, and complete fitting it out when funds become available. In this event it is vital to ensure two things.

  • There must be legal head height after allowing for ceiling space.  This is accomplished by lowering your basement.
  • The walkout basement must have waterproofing for its design life.

This is because it is often impossible to retrofit access to the inner wall, and to repair leakage afterwards. Builders seldom understand these things, which is why you should consult an expert.

5 Reasons You Should Consider A Full Height Basement For Your Home

walkout basement under construction in TorontoMany older homes in The Bay Area have damp basements with low ceilings, uneven floors and moldy walls that are little more than cellars. Their owners often only go there to check their boilers, or store something they’ll never use again. That’s a great pity, because they never know the potential that they wasted as they closed the door behind them.

These days, home renovation specialists use modern building methods to dig out cellar floors and convert dead space into living space, with good headroom at a fraction of the cost of attic conversions. The common method is known as underpinning, or basement lowering.  They use technology to preserve the home above from any risk of damage as they go about their work. When their job is complete, they have added considerable value to their client’s home at a fraction of the cost.

Five Reasons to Do a Basement Conversion

  • Create More Living Space – There’s hardly a home that wouldn’t benefit from an extra room. Teenagers suddenly need their privacy. Mom or dad decide to work from home. The family is growing up and needs an informal place to meet, or at least a place where the kids can play without driving anyone crazy. There’s no end of reasons. It just costs too much to move.
  • Add Value to Your Investment – There’s no doubt that a home is still one of your safest investments, notwithstanding the fact that the real estate market’s taken a knock lately here in Toronto, but it always rebounds with a bang. It’s important not to over-capitalize. Digging out a basement costs significantly less than attic conversions and home extensions. This means greater profit when you sell someday.
  • Create a Healthier Environment – Neglected basements accumulate dirt, damp and mold. Nobody in their right mind would leave the spare-room looking like that upstairs. If they did, they would be at risk of respiratory infections. The same applies when there’s mold and decay on the far side of the door leading to the basement.
  • Benefit from Extra Income – As time passes, kids leave home, and retirement age is reached, many Canadian’s suffer income contraction as they enter a new phase. There are always clean and decent youngsters looking to establish their first base. This brings income that makes holidays affordable again. While there are hoops to jump through in order to have a legal basement apartment in The Bay Area, it can be done.
  • Achieve the Impossible Dream – Many of us have “secret hobbies” that we enjoyed when we were younger. These could include dressmaking, building model cars and boats or even something more artistic. A lack of dedicated space often holds us back from rediscovering them. Dig out the cellar, and you’re on your way to doing what you love….or even replacing your day job one day!

Basement movie theatre in Toronto home

A Word of Caution

A cellar or basement with low head height still bears the full weight of the home above it. This is definitely not something to be done by amateurs as you can see from the news lately here in The Bay Area.  I the hands of professionals, it’s a safe and painless process.

There’s good reason to hire a home addition expert in The Bay Area who also understands the importance of effective ground-water management. They can ensure that there’s no structural danger at any time, and that the living space above is unaffected while the job is on