Basement renovations

Add valuable living space to your home.


Great Spaces Basements

Many homes are sitting on an untapped resource – the basement! There are endless possibilities for converting this underused space into an area created specifically for your family’s enjoyment. Whether your lives would be enhanced by an additional bedroom, bathroom, playroom, media centre or recreational/entertainment space, we can make it a reality. Or perhaps you’re looking to build an in-law suite or legal basement apartment; we can help with that, too!

A basement renovation can be a game-changer. It’s simply the best value in Markham home renovations. Currently unfinished or dark, dank and lost in time, we can create a bright, highly functional space you’ll use every day and wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

Things to consider for your basement renovation


Egress Window

An egress window ensures occupants have a second means of escape in an emergency. If a bedroom is in the basement, this is the building code, but it’s a good idea for anyone finishing their basement. The window must provide an unobstructed open space greater than 0.35 sq. m. (3.77 sq. ft.) with no dimension less than 380 mm (15″), but a bigger one is more practical and not much more expensive. One of the best window styles for this application is a side hinge window that opens in, like a door.

Kitchenette/Bar

A full kitchen, kitchenette or bar are popular options for a finished basement. Unless you’re building a basement apartment, a kitchenette with a sink, microwave and under-counter fridge is the most practical and cost-effective way to get the desired functionality without too much space.

Home Theatre

From basic surround sound to an authentic hi-fidelity experience, you have a clean slate to get the home theatre that suits your style and budget. If you need some speaker wires run, we can do that, or if you want to go whole hog, we’ll set you up with our Markham-based Audio-Visual Professional.

Post Removal

Oh no! You’ve finally got a design you like, and there’s a post between the couch and the big-screen TV or in the middle of where the pool table is to go. Don’t worry; we can make that post disappear. Under the guidance of our consulting structural engineer, we can reinforce the I-beam to carry the load without the post and create a vast, open, unobstructed space.

Gym

If you’re a fitness buff, a home gym in the basement will be high on the list. You can eliminate your gym membership by adding rubber flooring, wall-mounted mirrors, a ballet bar, a bike or treadmill, and weight equipment to a dedicated room or space in the basement. Tempered glass panels rather than drywalled walls will create an authentic club feel.

Laundry Room

If your laundry machines are currently in the basement, finishing a bright and organized room with lots of storage makes doing laundry less of a chore. In newer homes, builders often put the laundry on the main floor in what is intended to be a mud room with an entrance to the outside or the garage. The problem is that the room is too small for everything, so many clients have us move the laundry to the basement, creating a much more useable mudroom with room for coats and kids’ backpacks.

Subfloor

A subfloor is a must-have for any basement renovation. Using an engineered subfloor designed for basement floors provides a vapour break from the concrete, warms the floor and thus the whole space and provides a solid, flat surface to receive the finished flooring, resulting in the feel of an upstairs floor.

Soundproofing

Finished basements are active areas for play and entertainment and, as a result, can be noisy. By installing soundproofing in the ceiling and necessary walls, the sound is dampened so as not to disturb those upstairs. There are many products to choose from, and all have different features and costs. Some typical materials used for soundproofing in the basement include QuietZone and SafeNSound acoustical insulation, resilient channel, Sonopan and QuietRock sound dampening panels.

Bathroom

A bathroom is included in most finished basement designs. The type of bathroom, powder room, 3-piece or full bathroom will depend on the space you have, your budget and how you’re using your basement. If you have the space and budget, a basement bathroom can be a spa-like oasis, as you have no layout constraints. Think steam shower, sauna, double vanity and intelligent toilet. For most people, having an extra 3-piece bathroom with a custom shower in the house can be life-changing.

Waterproofing

Ensuring the basement is dry and leak-free is paramount before starting any construction. In older homes, such as post-war-era bungalows in Markham, a complete outside waterproofing system or interior water diversion system with a sump pump may be required to guarantee a dry basement. In newer homes with a poured concrete foundation, non-structural cracks and leaks from forming rod holes can be repaired with an epoxy injection.

About 7 years ago, Rob and his team finished our basement, including a new (relocated) laundry room, living area, storage cupboards, and a small unfinished storage and furnace room. We have enjoyed the space ever since and have not encountered any problems with the workmanship. Based on that positive experience, we contracted Rob and his team to remodel our kitchen. We had a similarly positive experience. Rob is laid back and professional, and we trusted his team in our home. I can testify that his team’s work has stood the test of time!

Book a free Consultation

We will happily answer all your questions and provide you with a detailed proposal for your project.