Time to start planning.
Now that most of the new basement is empty of boxes, it is time to start planning what to do with the walk out basement. It is already plumbed for a third bath, but everything else is a blank slate. I started by insulating between the top of the block wall and the floor of the house towards the exterior plate. That helped with the cold seeping into the basement and through the uninsulated floor of the house. Next is to get some ideas of the layout to begin construction.
After looking at everything it make sense to add a master suite near the back wall of the basement that is fully exposed, that way I can add a few bigger windows by removing the existing smaller ones. I also want to remove the eight foot slider that someone put in backwards and replace it with some nice patio doors. The layout can be made to where you have a nice sized master bedroom, with attached laundry and bath, and the remaining area one large den with only a small area walled off for utility access.
Well I suppose it is time to put it on paper and start finding out what materials cost in this area. One of the things that interests me though is making some upgrades while I finish the basement. For example since there is no insulation in the floor of the house it makes perfect sense to install a radiant heat system while the area is exposed. The new bathroom can well be made in a “green” manner with upscale materials.
I guess it is just time to make a few more choices and see if the pocket book can support them. I am really dreaming now about alternative energy since this is an all electric home….
Sean @ February 23, 2008