Planning a basement for an RTM home requires both lifestyle, function and budget considerations. What is the space going to be used for? Home office, kids play room, bar, home theater? Once the purpose of the space is decided, it’s time to start planning the layout. Maybe you don’t need a basement and a crawl space is suffice. The possibilities in this process allow you to customize your home based on your individual requirements. Knowing the size you want to have, materials to use and your personal style help navigate this planning process.
Crawl Space or Full Basement?
An RTM Home can be placed on a crawl space or on a full basement. Depending on your budget and needs, a crawl space may be an appropriate choice for you. Consider the soil and lot size. There are a lot of options when it comes to planning a basement. You can decide if you want an additional guest room, laundry facilities or another bathroom downstairs. If you are a DIY family, you can plan renovations in the future, yourself. Otherwise, you’ll be wanting to research on what to do, as well as what you’re able to do with your local plumbing, electrical, and construction contractors, etc.
ICF, Wood or Concrete?
The choice is yours. Insulated concrete forms (ICF) homes are becoming more common in energy-saving and green building homes. It does cost slightly more than a traditional wood-frame but the long term return on investment outperforms both concrete and wood in value. ICF material provides good insulation and does not rot or decay with strong resistance to water.
Style and Features
Once you have decided the size, materials and function of the basement, it is time for the fun part of picking your own style and features for the space. Whether you want to plan for a comfy home theater or additional closets and storage space, the possibilities are endless. You can dress up anything however you wish! If you have windows and don’t fancy the usual curtains, why not try shutters or blinds?
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