Five Basement Design Issues London Architects Need To Consider
In London, retrofit basements are all the rage, providing a luxurious solution to limited space and adding serious value to a property. Whether there’s a requirement for a family room, music studio, personal gym or an office area, choosing experienced and trustworthy basement contractors can make all the difference.
Here are some of the most popular uses for London basement conversions, and the factors that architects might need to consider when tasked with a retrofit basement project.
Basement Family Room – Flooring
Though a polished laminate floor can have many benefits for a family room (think easier cleaning), this may not always be the safest solution, particularly for younger children. Soft and insulating carpet is a good option for children at play, and with some savvy interior design, style doesn’t have to be compromised.
Installing the flooring on top of a plywood subfloor is the easiest and most beneficial option. This will allow the flooring installer to correct any levelling issues and will provide the warmth and stability a family requires in the luxury basement.
If space is not available for a plywood subfloor, moisture proof underpadding formulated for finished basement applications can add more comfort to both engineered hardwood and carpet. If the family area is going to include a bathroom, impressive moisture resistance can be achieved by installing tiling directly onto the level concrete floor.
Basement Gyms & Swimming Pools – Controlling Moisture And Humidity
Building a basement swimming pool creates a wonderful space for relaxation and is a brilliant way to increase the property value. However, making sure moisture levels and humidity are controlled is crucial, as damaging condensation can build up within the basement walls – particularly in the case of basement swimming pools.
We recommend ensuring that the installation of an indoor basement swimming pool includes a dehumidifier that maintains 50 – 60 percent relative humidity (RH), and properly fitted ventilation to ensure good air quality.
Water chemistry will also need to be taken into consideration, as imbalanced chemicals can create a build-up of harmful chloramines that can cause surface corrosion. A skilled basement specialist will be able to suggest the best ways to keep the moisture and humidity emitted from a basement swimming pool to a minimum.
Basement Music Studio / Home Cinema – Soundproofing
Whether a basement music studio or a home cinema, some significant soundproofing will be required in order for these rooms to be utilised to their fullest extent.
There are many options available for soundproofing home basements, such as sound barrier technology, vibration reduction, acoustic foams and many more. Experienced basement construction companies will be able to provide the best solution based on specific requirements.
Basement Home Office – Natural Daylight
Home offices are a popular use for luxury basements and can provide the tranquillity needed to increase productivity and improve focus. An important factor to take into consideration with office-style basement design is natural daylight.
Natural daylight boosts energy levels and helps keep fatigue at bay, so maximising natural light in a basement home office is crucial.
Luckily, there are many ways to increase the light available. Solar tubes can get light into areas that windows can’t reach and teaming them with a selection of cleverly placed mirrors can make a big difference. Avoiding too many walls and sticking to an open floor plan will ensure the light’s path is not getting blocked, and including skylights and light wells into the design of the basement are other effective ways to get more natural light into the basement.
Basement Guest Rooms – Climate Control / Ventilation
To ensure a retrofit luxury basement provides guests with optimum comfort, ventilation and heating are key.
In the winter months, a basement can benefit from underfloor heating, fireplaces and radiators. During the warmer seasons, extractor fans, ceiling fans and air bricks help to reduce humidity and prevent damp and mould.
Whatever the vision for a retrofit basement, premium basement contractors, Knowles, has the technique and know-how needed to construct any basement required. To speak to an expert and find out more about the services Knowles offers, call 0207 313 4169, or click here to view recent projects.