Basement Renovation Ideas

POPULAR USES Family room, home office, gym, guest bedroom, playroom, or a secondary suite (which has its own permit requirements). START WITH MOISTURE Fix leaks, grading and downspouts before finishing. Consider a backwater valve and sump pump — Toronto's Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy may help with the cost. COMFORT • Insulated walls and a subfloor make the space warmer. • Plan lighting carefully — basements have little daylight. • Plan HVAC so the space is properly heated and ventilated. SAFETY Bedrooms need proper egress windows. Smoke and CO alarms are required. Structural changes, new plumbing or a new unit require permits.