Features to Consider When Building Out Your Unfinished Basement

In the land of winter deep freezes and summer tornados, a below-ground retreat is as much about safety as it is about the extra square footage. So today, let’s take a look at the essential features for building a high-quality basement living space in Minnesota. This blog will cover the safety and stability measures first, then go over some of the most popular finishing concepts components among Country Joe Homes clients.

Key Takeaways:

• Radon testing is non-negotiable to ensure a safe basement in Minnesota
• Minnesota basements need some extra engineering to ensure protection against flooding, particularly during the spring thaw.
• The 5.7 sq. ft. Minnesota Egress Code standard must be met for your basement to count as safe living or sleeping space.

The Minnesota Basement: More Than Just Square Footage

In Minnesota, basements tend to do a lot more than just store christmas decorations or house your furnace. They’re prized as second living rooms, and fitted with all manner of conveniences, from big screen TVs to wet bars and in law suites. In fact, high-quality basement living is so prized in this state, that a finished basement is one of the most cost-effective ways a homeowner can add value in the Twin Cities housing market.

Climate-First Construction: Staying Warm and Dry

To turn a basement into a bonafide second living room, insulation is required to keep the space dry and comfortable, regardless of weather conditions. To insulate damp concrete floors, subfloor sleeper systems or insulated underlays can be used. And for the walls, rigid foam and spray foam work best to protect against condensation forming against the cold foundation.

Finally, because basements invariably run colder than the rooms above ground, it’s best to install some form of zoned heating to help manage your basement temperature specifically. An electric or gas fireplace feature is a particularly popular option, perfect for taking a basement from cold to cozy without impacting a main floor that’s already at temp.

The "Big Thaw" Protection Plan (Spring Prep)

Of course, it’s not just the cold that can make basement living a challenge. In Minnesota, basements also need to be robustly secured against water infiltration. Failure to do so will inevitably mean flooding at some point, usually during a spring thaw or a severe thunderstorm. 

A sump pump with a battery backup system is perhaps the single most impactful investment a homeowner can make to protect against water. The battery setup is particularly important, since flooding often coincides with severe weather and power outages right when your sump pump needs to be working overtime.

It can also be helpful to have a comprehensive dehumidification system in place. Whole-home dehumidifiers, built into the HVAC system, are ideal. They’ll both keep your basement dry year round and help ward against the extreme humidity of Minnesota's summers.

Health & Safety: The "Invisible" MN Variables

Much of Minnesota has high levels of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that can leach out of soils and bedrock, ultimately building up in basements. Over exposure to radon can lead to serious health problems, including lung cancer. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to identify with testing. If a basement’s radon levels are persistently high, they can also be remedied with a variety of mitigation techniques, including active depressurization powered by fans, and passive systems that rely on natural airflow.

Another safety consideration specific to Minnesota are the state Egress Codes, which must be followed when finishing a basement living or sleeping space. These codes require basements to have at least one egress window. That window needs to be at least 5.7 feet ft. square, and specifically designed to allow a person to easily exit during an emergency.

Layouts for the "Bold North" Lifestyle

Alright, so the features we’ve discussed so far will ensure your basement is safe and stable. But that’s just the first step. Turning these spaces into thriving extensions of the home also requires good interior design. And the direction you choose to go with your interior design is entirely up to you.

Some of the most popular layouts we help create at Country Joe Homes include:

• Fan Caves with sound proofing, wet bars, large screen projectors and party seating, perfect for taking in a game with friends and family.
• Indoor Gyms, which make it easy and comfortable for Minnesota homeowners to stay healthy even when the dead of winter makes leaving the house a chore.
• Mudrooms with backyard walkouts. These basements are the ultimate solution for donning, doffing, and storing winter and outdoor gear, allowing homeowners to indulge in all the fresh air activities they want without creating a disaster zone inside.

No matter what you want in your basement design, though, it’s important to use materials that can hold up to the natural characteristics of a subterranean space. For example, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is a Minnesota favorite for basement floors, thanks to its durability and moisture resistance. Another popular design choice is LED recessed lighting. These fixtures keep basements feeling warm and cozy, and can even help mimic natural sunlight during the darkest winter months.

Building Basements for Longevity in the Northland

At Country Joe Homes, most of our floor plans have basements that are ready for finishing. By default, they feature plumbing rough-ins for bathrooms and/or wet bars, and the necessary electrical capacity for entertainment systems. We consider this a ‘good bones’ approach, ensuring that regardless of whether a homeowner chooses to customize their basement into a living space or not, their options are always open. To see both unfinished and fully customized basement options in action, you can browse our available homes or contact our team today for more information.