Chilling in Your Basement
By Angelique Gervais
angelique.gervais@homeremodelingguide.org
Home Remodeling Guide Columnist
For those of us who don't have air conditioning, the summer heat can quickly become unbearable. One great way to keep your cool is to retreat to your basement. It really doesn't make a lot of difference if it is a finished basement or not. All you really need is a sense of adventure and some basic supplies.
Night Time is the Right Time to go Subterranean
During the day it is a simple enough matter to escape the heat. Malls, theaters, and pools are all easily available. It's at night when escaping the heat of your home becomes a problem. Night time is also the time when cooling off is almost essential. Sleep researchers have found that body temperature is closely linked to our ability to fall asleep. That is why hot summer nights can result in sleeplessness. If you don't have a finished basement or your basement design doesn't include a bedroom you will have to be a little more creative. Assuming the basement is cemented in, all you have to do is adopt a roughing it attitude. Haul out inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags, and some board games. Before and you know it, you're on your way to family fun and heat relief.
Finished Basements can also Provide Cool Cash
The value of your home can be positively affected by including a finished basement. A lot depends on the homes around yours. If yours is one of the few with a finished basement, you can expect to sell for more. Conversely, if you are one of the few who lack a finished basement, that will adversely affect your resale value. Another monetary argument for a basement renovation is that increasing your usable space through basement design is much less expensive than building an above ground addition.
Cooling Down
Whatever your motivation, looking for a good renovation option or just a temporary escape from the heat, "getting down" can have things "looking up" in short order.
About the Author
Angelique Gervais owns and operates a graphic design business serving rural areas in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. She recently completed editing and compiling an anthology for her local Writers' Group, of which she is an active member. Angelique holds a degree in Biblical Studies, and she is currently expanding her education in the areas of psychology and human development at the Masters level.
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