Finished basement accent wall with fireplace & tv.
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Written by sitecontrol

Bring The Big Screen Home: Basement Home Theaters

The Ultimate Comfort and Convenience

One of the best things about renovating your basement is the opportunities you can create. You’re essentially working on a blank canvas, so the possibilities are almost limitless. For many homeowners, a dedicated space for watching movies with the family, or a fun space to watch the big game are extremely popular items to add to the value of their home.

Everyone loves going to the movies, but having that experience in the comfort of your own home is an elevated luxury that offers complete comfort and convenience. You no longer have to worry about theater concession prices or sitting through commercials. Stream new releases or your own favorites in your very own basement home theater customized to your wishes. A basement home theater has endless value.

Here are a few things to consider when adding a home theater to your basement.

Home Theater Checklist

Basements have a lot of natural advantages for theater rooms. However, there are still many factors to consider when planning your basement home theater. Some of the first things you should ask yourself when thinking about installing a home theater are:

  • How do you plan on using/what are you looking for in your home theater?
  • Is this going to be an entertainment space for family and friends?
  • How much seating will you need?
  • Is this a dedicated room or an open concept design?

Once you have those basic points narrowed down there are more logistical elements to consider to use your space to its potential.

Some more things to consider when designing your basement home theater include...

Layout and Viewing Space

One of the first things you should consider when renovating your space into a basement home theater is space. Basement home theaters can range in size and type from a cozy living room with a projection screen to a themed home theater complete with platform seating and home concession stand! Whichever theater you are looking to create, your space needs to have some thought behind it to make sure it is as functional as possible.

When choosing where you want your basement home theater other factors come into play such as lighting, bedrooms above or nearby, wiring, wifi access and speed, and so on. If you plan your layout before jumping into a prestigious project, few expectations will be let down because you already know what will and will not work out for your space. Then, you can focus on bringing your dream plans to life.

Lighting

Good lighting is an essential part of having an immersive basement home theater. For the most part, basements have a lot of natural advantages such as fewer windows which makes it easier for light control, but this is not always the case.

Depending on what you’re going to use the home theater for, you may want to consider how much ambient light is coming into the space. The lighting conditions of your space can impact the placement and type of screen you use for your home basement. Standing in the area where the theater will be located at different times of the day is a great way to see if lighting will be an issue.

Sound Quality & Soundproofing

Audio is one of the most important aspects when it comes to a basement home theater. Good quality audio allows you to fully immerse into whatever movie, show, or game you chose, so it’s important to do your research to get the best audio equipment for your needs and budget.

As much as you want that total immersive experience, you also want to stay on the right side of the rest of your household and neighbors, so soundproofing your basement home theater is going to be a key issue to address. It may not be possible to fully soundproof your space, but optimizing it to reduce the amount of sound that escapes.

Are You Ready to Build?

If you are looking to build the perfect basement home theater, contact Basements & Bars! Our team of experts will work with you every step of the process to create your dream basement home theater setup to bring the movie magic right to your home.

For more information or to set up your free consultation, visit our website or call (314)-550-9160.

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Basement Home Theaters, Basement Remodel
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finished basement construction.
Regular Post
Written by sitecontrol

Start Strong with Basement Finishing Preparation

Start With a Strong Foundation

A basement remodel is a guaranteed way to increase your home’s value while turning an unused space into a beautiful additional living area for your family. When planning for a remodel it’s easy to jump straight to the end product of how you ultimately want to use your newly finished basement and the changes you’ll need to make to the existing space to achieve it. But when it comes to a space like a basement, there’s a lot of prep work you’ll need to complete before any major changes can be made.

Although it may not be the exciting changes you are hoping to see, the initial basement prep is necessary in order to start your remodel on a strong foundation that will hold up for many years and save you from any future pains or costs.

The Initial Steps

Basements are the most flexible room in your home and can be fit exactly to your needs and lifestyle while providing additional living space. However, it’s important to not take any shortcuts when it comes to basement finishing. The initial steps are the most important to the longevity of your space.

In order to be fully prepared for your basement remodel, be sure to cover these key areas:

Water Proofing

No one wants a wet basement. Whether you have had previous issues with flooding or leaks in the past, you will want to identify and address any existing or potential water issues before you dive into your remodel.

If water often pools in your yard when it rains, take the time now to grade your lawn away from your foundation to ensure that water can’t pool there and threaten your basement. It may also be beneficial to install a vapor barrier for your walls and floor if you haven’t already planned to do so. Vapor barriers help to keep any unwanted moisture from reaching your walls and installation as well as keeping your basement insulated and warm during chilly winter months.

Crack Repair

Another thing to look out for before you begin your remodel is cracks in your foundation. It is very common for cracks to form in your home’s foundation after it’s built due to rigidity and other various reasons. However, these aren’t something you should ignore. A small crack may seem like a minor issue, but over time these cracks can expand to cause you future headaches that can be extremely costly.

Egress Windows

If you don’t have them already, make sure your remodel includes egress windows in the itinerary. Egress windows are large openings that offer a secondary exit in case of an emergency, and basement bedrooms and living spaces such as offices, TV rooms, or workshops are required to have them.

There are a few more requirements in terms of egress windows stated by the International Residential Code that state basement windows must have:

  • An opening width of at least 20 inches.
  • An opening height of at least 24 inches.
  • A net clear opening of at least 821 square inches—or 5.7 square feet.
  • A sill no more than 44 inches off the floor

Since egress windows are a requirement, it is necessary to install them at the initial stages of your basement finishing preparation, but you will be grateful for them in the long run. Not only are they added safety measures, but they can also add more natural light and make your basement feel more inviting.

Are You Ready to Build?

If you are ready to start building the basement of your dreams, contact Basements & Bars! We offer waterproofing, crack repair, and egress window installation services which allow our team of experts to be able to work with you every step of the basement finishing process to turn your dreams into reality.

For more information or to set up your free consultation, visit our website or call (314)-550-9160.

GET YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
Basement Finishing
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