Your basement can be one of the more challenging places in your home to heat—but did you know there are a variety of options for heating a finished basement to make it a warm and cozy year-round living space for you and your family? Our team at Basement Finishing Colorado would like to offer a few expert ideas on creating a well-insulated system that will kill the chill in your finished basement.
Make it Efficient with Insulation
The first step to creating warmth in your finished basement is by making it more heat-efficient. We can look to some basic energy-saving practices
to keep the cold out and seal the warmth in. One way to do this is by installing insulation in your basement walls—and even under the floor.
Interior wall insulation options are better at waterproofing your walls, so you’ll want to explore those options for your finished basement. XPS, EPS, or mineral wool insulation don’t absorb water and are affordable, making them excellent options for basements. You can use this type of insulation in both the walls and ceiling, essentially wrapping your entire basement in a warm blanket.
Floors can also be insulated, but with different insulation materials. For floors, you will want to explore rigid foam and DRIcore insulation options. Rigid foam is best for floors that are not prone to water issues. If you choose to have rigid foam insulation installed in the floor, the floor will need to be prepared with foundations called “sleepers” that hold the insulation. DRIcore is another subfloor insulation option that is specifically used in basements, and comes in a variety of options to suit the unique needs of your basement.
Once you’ve taken steps to insulate your basement and make it more heat efficient, it’s time to look at heating options. Basement fireplaces, radiant heat, and HVAC are all wonderful ways to make your basement a warm and comfortable living space.
Add a Cozy Fireplace
Add a gorgeous fireplace to your basement for visual interest and lots of warmth. Installation of a fireplace is quick, simple, and will keep your basement cozy for years to come. Choose a masonry fireplace for a customized look, or select a prefabricated fireplace for a more cost-effective option. Choose a traditional wood-burning fireplace, a gas-heated fireplace, or an infrared fireplace—which acts more like a space-heater. Your fireplace options are plentiful, and will add beauty and warmth to your lower level.
Use Radiant Heating
Radiant heat can be added to the perimeter of your basement by attaching radiant heaters to the walls, near the baseboards. Electric-based heating panels can be installed within unfinished walls. They provide quick and efficient heat with wide coverage of the space. Floors can also be warmed by radiant heat options. Radiant heat can be installed under your basement floor by temporarily lifting the flooring for installation. Hydronic radiant floor heating uses hot water to warm floors. Electric radiant floor heating is another option that uses energy-based heating under any kind of flooring.
Install HVAC in Your Lower Level
Running heat through your basement via your HVAC system is a simple and cost-effective way to warm your lower level. Ducts can run down to the basement and throughout it, and HVAC vents can be installed through the space, providing even heat coverage and optimal temperature control. This option also allows for better air circulation in basement spaces, which is an added bonus that will keep your basement dry.
Contact Us Today!
As you can see, there are a variety of great options for heating a finished basement. Your heating system will on the specifics of your basement—style, size, and specific temperature control needs. Contact Basement Finishing Colorado today! Call us at (303) 697-1702 to discuss your basement heating options—or get your free consultation online!