Hello!
We need to arrange an additional bedroom for us parents. It will be used from when the boys no longer want to share a room, until the oldest child moves out, so approximately 8-10 years.
In the basement, we have a room we are considering. The conditions are:
* House built in the 1960s.
* Basement walls of concrete blocks. Floor and floor structures are concrete.
* Dimensions 440 x 220 cm. Ceiling height 210.
* There is an openable window.
* 175 cm wide radiator present.
* Two escape routes.
* We will install FTX ventilation throughout the dwelling, including the basement.
* Drained in 2005.
Is everything okay then?
Or are there factors we need to investigate to know if it's okay to have a bedroom there or not?
The only thing I've thought about and want to ask about is insulation and heat in the room.
We're going to tear down the wooden studs as you shouldn't have organic materials in the basement. When it becomes a bedroom, we plan to have painted concrete walls (or plastered). Will it be warm enough in the room during winter? Or do we need to insulate?
Since 150 cm of the wall is below ground and 60 cm is above, I wonder if the ground insulates the room... But if we need to insulate, I understand that it's recommended to insulate externally. Can it be done oneself or is it an extensive job?
Note: Whether we put a bedroom there affects how the FTX ventilation is installed, and I must inform them by Monday, so I am extremely grateful for quick input on this!
We need to arrange an additional bedroom for us parents. It will be used from when the boys no longer want to share a room, until the oldest child moves out, so approximately 8-10 years.
In the basement, we have a room we are considering. The conditions are:
* House built in the 1960s.
* Basement walls of concrete blocks. Floor and floor structures are concrete.
* Dimensions 440 x 220 cm. Ceiling height 210.
* There is an openable window.
* 175 cm wide radiator present.
* Two escape routes.
* We will install FTX ventilation throughout the dwelling, including the basement.
* Drained in 2005.
Is everything okay then?
Or are there factors we need to investigate to know if it's okay to have a bedroom there or not?
The only thing I've thought about and want to ask about is insulation and heat in the room.
We're going to tear down the wooden studs as you shouldn't have organic materials in the basement. When it becomes a bedroom, we plan to have painted concrete walls (or plastered). Will it be warm enough in the room during winter? Or do we need to insulate?
Since 150 cm of the wall is below ground and 60 cm is above, I wonder if the ground insulates the room... But if we need to insulate, I understand that it's recommended to insulate externally. Can it be done oneself or is it an extensive job?
Note: Whether we put a bedroom there affects how the FTX ventilation is installed, and I must inform them by Monday, so I am extremely grateful for quick input on this!
It doesn't sound like any issues to furnish a bedroom there, but I would complement it by measuring radon.
Regarding external insulation, it's often done in conjunction with drainage using something like isodrän or similar, how is your drainage done?
Regarding external insulation, it's often done in conjunction with drainage using something like isodrän or similar, how is your drainage done?
Great!
Radon measurement done. In the basement, it was at 90 Bq, so that's good. As mentioned, we will install FTX ventilation, so if we're going to have a bedroom in that room, they should be able to extend a supply air duct there, ensuring good air and even lower radon levels.
Drainage was done by the previous owner, but I know it's isodrän. Does that say anything about exterior insulation?
Radon measurement done. In the basement, it was at 90 Bq, so that's good. As mentioned, we will install FTX ventilation, so if we're going to have a bedroom in that room, they should be able to extend a supply air duct there, ensuring good air and even lower radon levels.
Drainage was done by the previous owner, but I know it's isodrän. Does that say anything about exterior insulation?
With the radon!Yes, there are various ways to insulate externally. In the past, they used to use regular mineral wool insulation (silly), but it can also be foam boards or Isodrän/pordrän.
If you have Isodrän, you already have external insulation.
Fantastic! That was a nice piece of news for me!
We sleep in the basement during the summer when it's 30 degrees or more in our regular bedroom. We have about 19 degrees in the basement year-round, a bit colder right now since we're being frugal with heating and the basement has worse heating (fewer radiators) than the living area. The house is a bit older than yours, but I think it may still be comparable.
It gets humid overnight when we sleep there, so we usually run a dehumidifier during the day. It's too noisy to keep it on at night. Before we started using a dehumidifier, the sheets were slightly damp after a couple of nights. We don't have active ventilation in the basement. It's possible that FTX could solve the humidity problem; otherwise, it's just a matter of getting a dehumidifier if needed.
Consider installing triple-glazed windows if you don't already have them. They make a big difference against cold drafts in the winter.
Check if you can lay out a carpet intended for a basement. Basement floors are cold when you're barefoot. We have a needle felt carpet, probably 40 years old, and it makes a big difference.
It gets humid overnight when we sleep there, so we usually run a dehumidifier during the day. It's too noisy to keep it on at night. Before we started using a dehumidifier, the sheets were slightly damp after a couple of nights. We don't have active ventilation in the basement. It's possible that FTX could solve the humidity problem; otherwise, it's just a matter of getting a dehumidifier if needed.
Consider installing triple-glazed windows if you don't already have them. They make a big difference against cold drafts in the winter.
Check if you can lay out a carpet intended for a basement. Basement floors are cold when you're barefoot. We have a needle felt carpet, probably 40 years old, and it makes a big difference.
Thanks for your description!mrsnhp said: