A basement will always seem colder than the rest of the home due to the fact that it is surrounded by concrete and below grade. There are a number of things that a professional contractor will do to reduce the potential for a cold basement.

The most important item to ensure a warm basement is proper insulation and vapour barrier. All of the exterior studded walls should be insulated with an R-12 for 2x4 walls and an R-20 for 2x6 walls. A 6 mil vapour barrier should be used with all of the seams sealed with TUCK tape. Additionally, vapour hats should be used to seal off all exterior plugs and switches. These steps will reduce the cooler air from migrating into the basement.

A proper audit should also be performed by a HVAC (heating, venting and air conditioning) professional. Air movement and exchange are critical to eliminating stagnant air. The HVAC team will ensure all of the heat runs are located correctly and the cold air returns are sufficient to keep air moving back to the furnace.

The final method used to warm a basement (if the design allows) is to incorporate a gas fireplace with a fan. This will compliment the above items to provide you with a warm and inviting living space.