The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Page SPRING HOME GARDEN v March 1991 Basements can provide extra living space This article provided by local Realtor and the Ontario Real Estate Association for the benefit of consumers In the real estate market As people continue to seek out additional living space in their homes the basement remains a popular area for renovation Us ed as a convenient storage cat chall for years in many homes the basement has taken on new significance more recently as a great place for a family room ex tra bedroom extra bathroom ex erdse room sauna room hobby room playroom office and so on If youre thinking of utilizing the extra living space that your basement affords take the time to fully explore all the options available to you A finished base ment will also improve your homes marketability should you ever decide to sell it Before you make any plans identify your needs and budget limitations Do you want to make it a purpose area such as a family room playroom exercise room and office alt rolled into one Or do you just want a quiet place to relax or entertain A cozy room in the basement can provide a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of the average household Installation of special sound proofing material can enhance this cocoon like effect If you have children you may want to create a large functional recreation area that gives them the freedom to play and relax Some homeowners also finish their basements as inlaw apart for senior family members The installation of a second bath alone can greatly improve the marketability of your home However its essen tial to check local zoning and building bylaws before establishing such a unit Whatever you decide make sure the area you choose to finish is dry and not prone to dampness If dampness is or could be a pro blem you may want to install vapor barriers or treat the area with special moisture repellents depending on the source of moisture Insulating pipes can cut down on condensation a major source of dampness You can also have your basement waterproofed from the outside Consult the ex at your local building cen for more information Left un checked dampness can often lead to many types of problems in a finished area such as mildew and rot the last things youll want in your nicely finished base ment HOW MUCH SPACE Once youve determined your needs and have figured out your budget its time to decide just how much space youll require Do you want to finish of f the en tire basement or just a portion of it Will you be using it to enter tain or will it be strictly for fami Measure your space accurately and draw up a floor plan to give you a precise picture of the area you have to work with While planning your finishing project also keep your electrical and plumbing requirements in mind For example if youre a photography buff and intend to Install a darkroom in your base ment youll want to access ex isting plumbing and will need at least one electrical outlet in your new room As a result youll pro- want to consult with an electrician and a plumber to make sure the job is done proper ly Youll also have to consider how youre going to heat these anas If you have forced air beating ducts in your house you should be able to access them and install new heating outlets for those rooms You may also want to me electric baseboard heating If height is a problem In your basement you may want to lower your basement floor by ex cavating it This can be a costly procedure that must be done cor rectly so make sure you con template all your options careful before taking this route OTHER CONSIDERATIONS What types of flooring and wall materials do you want to install In the past floor tile and dark wooden panelling were fairly common features of rooms Today the choices are endless materials are available in a wide range of textures and durability Many people opt for wall towall carpeting as a good way of retaining warmth because basement rooms tend to be somewhat cooler than the rest of the house Tiles are another op tion In some cases you may simply want to paint the concrete floor Before installing your flooring you might want to put down a vapor barrier some insulation and a This will help keep dampness from the concrete floor from seeping Into the floor ing and will also help keep the floor warmer For walls many homeowners choose to install instead of more traditional panelling This allows for a more finished look that can be painted any col or Stucco is another option but it can be more difficult to clean As with the floor its a good idea to insulate your basement walls before finishing them If you dont have specific ideas about the type of finished base ment youd like try looting at some decorating or home provement magazines You may even want to talk to a design con sultant Whatever route you choose remember to keep your needs and a realistic budget in mind used lawn tractors Quality used lawn tractors from Lawn Mower Servicing Spring tuneup Includes Lawn Mt I Spring Oil I FREE PICK UP AND DELIVERY GREENLODGE Georgetown LAWN Wed Rather Sell It Than Count It wssums HEATERS EXHAUST FANS CENTRAL VACUUM STEREO INTERCOMS DOOR CHIMES FOOD CENTRE RANGE HOODS AND MORE BROAN CHANDELIERS BEDROOM LIGHT FIXTURES AS LOW AS REDUCED PRICE CLEARANCE RED PINK GREY BLUES YELLOW HURRY IN FOR BEST SELECTION SELECTED MOUNTED LIGHTS UP TO OFF lOrJDECDI BATHROOM VANITY STRIPS 50 OFF AIL INSTOCK TABLE LAMPS 35 OFF HOUSINGS TRIM hoi QUARTZ HALOGEN FLOODLIGHT Super Special on all Compact Fluorescent Lamps plus from Ontario Hydro GERRIE ELECTRIC JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST MARCH Compllmwitary Sousqg HOURS Mori Saturday 317 ARMSTRONG AVE GEORGETOWN 8772264