Posts Tagged Basement
4 Steps to a Great Basement Bar Design
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on January 1st, 2012
Finishing your basement and converting it into a bar does not have to be a difficult task. It is important, however, that you put some time and effort into the planning process to make sure that you are going through the steps correctly. This is a look at four steps that you absolutely must include in the planning and preparation of your basement bar. If you are serious about turning your newly finished basement into a comfortable living space with all the amenities you need, then creating a bar is an excellent idea well worth your consideration. Before you contact your Long Island Contractorsfollow the recommended steps.
Basement Bar Idea
- Take complete measurements of your finished space and draw out a mock blueprint. Use graph paper, blueprint paper, your computer or whatever works for you. Make sure that you are laying out the room properly using accurate dimensions so that you do not end up with any unwanted surprises in the future.
- Research the options available to you and layout your entire basement bar plan on paper. There isn’t a single type of bar for you to consider when putting together your own basement bar design. In fact, every single element and facet of your bar design is going to be customizable from the shape, size and length of your bar to the wood type and the bar type. There are L-shaped bars, 8 foot rectangular bars, keg box bars, mirror-back bars and all kinds of different shelving and organizing options available to you. Make sure that you consider all options before settling on the right design to meet your needs.
- Gather all of the materials and tools that you need beforehand so that you are completely prepared for the build. You do not want to end up halfway into the project only to find that you are missing something important like a piece of lumber, a screw or an essential tool. Lay everything out beforehand to make sure that you have everything you need. You will not appreciate how valuable this is until the project is completed smoothly without a hitch.
- Get started! Now that you are completely prepared to start the project, get going. Make sure that you follow all of your steps carefully and that you pace yourself to keep from making any mistakes. Building your basement bar does not have to be difficult, but it does require concentration, know-how and proper planning in order to come out the way you are hoping. If you need help, get professional assistance rather than attempting to go through the process yourself. It is always better to have some professional assistance than attempting the entire project on your own if you have not done it before.
A few basic steps can really go a long way in preparing your bar design. Turning your basement into a bar is a great way to create a living space that you can enjoy for many years. Everything can be customized when it comes to your basement bar design, so take your time and make sure that you are completely satisfied with the plans you put into place.
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4 Ways of Increasing Natural Light to Your Basement
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on December 31st, 2011
Basements are more than just a place to store things these days. For many they are an entirely separate living area used for everything from a family room to an extra bedroom. It is for this reason that you may want to bring some more natural light into the basement to bring things to life. There are several ways to accomplish this goal that will not cost you a great deal of money. Once you know your budget you will be able to select a manner that fits your situation. Listed here are a few great ways to make your space light and airy.
- If you have a basement that does not have a walk up you might consider using the current windows to the best of their ability. If you have the typical small well windows you could enlarge these windows making them longer letting in more light. If you are using the basement as another room for your family you will want an additional emergency escape route and enlarging these windows will serve that purpose. You can choose from several great types of security glass so that you do not need to compromise safety for lighting.
- If your basement is sectioned off into rooms you will want to make sure that you are bringing the light from all windows through the level. This can be done by putting in windows on the interior walls. This can be done accomplished very easily and with style by using glass brick either in clear or in colors.
- Putting in a slider door in your basement is also another great option. Not only does it provide amazing light options but it will serve as an easy access off the area to the yard. If you have this as an option because your house is on a hill and there is plenty of basement wall in the back it could be well worth the investment. This will not only let in great light but it will create a multi-function space like no other allowing you many options for the space in the future.
- For a basement that has one open space and a bulkhead you might consider creating a walkout area at the bulkhead. This may take a bit of dirt work and some re-negotiating of the space, but it is certainly a nice way to create a well lit area that can be used for almost any purpose.
- BONUS -
Long Island Basement Window
The inside sections of your windows can be made to optimize the minimal amount of natural light. Shown in the picture you can see the inner portions of the window is angled out. This allows more natural light to disperse into the living area. You can angle out the sides and bottom sections the picture shows only the bottom. Also to further this effect you can add mirrors to those inner portions. The mirrors will reflect more light into your basement. If you dont like the look of mirrors the next best thing is bright white paint with a flat finish.
Creating useful and beautiful basement space can be done with a few changes in the way you think of a basement. This space is as useful as the rest of your home and after bringing in some natural light it will be easy to see all of the possibilities. You will want to consider all of the current sources of natural light in the basement and then decide how you can highlight those to their fullest. From there you can easily see how much more light you want to bring into the room.
Long Island Contractors
How to choose the right Long Island basement Design
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on October 24th, 2011
If you live on Long Island and have a huge basement under your home which is full of clutter, cobwebs, cockroaches, mice and other
Long Island Basements
organisms then you are plainly wasting an opportunity to make your home more fun because that essentially abandoned part of your home could be transformed into something you and your family can be proud of. Many people are seeing the need to design their Long Island basements into something useful and there is no reason why you should be left behind. Here are a couple of tips to choose the right basement design so that it will be transformed into a place you will cherish.
Long Island basements are naturally more humid and cooler compared to other parts of your home and this should be taken into account when coming up with a basement design. Even though you may want to turn that part of your home into something that can help you chill out, it will be unwise if the design will cause damage to your home and that is why you should stay away from an idea such as installing a hot tub in your basement because it will only result in excessive amounts of moisture which will result in molds and rotting of wooden areas.
It’s also important to consider shortages you may be facing in your main house and incorporate that into your basement design. For instance if you receive lots of visitors and face problems accommodating them in your main house then it may be a good idea to design your basement into a guest suite with a bathroom and other essential facilities to make your visitors as comfortable as possible. However make sure you have enough room in your basement to be able to execute this to perfection and don’t forget to install ample heating to ensure your guests don’t suffer from the lower temperatures down there.
If you and your family enjoy going to theatres to watch movies then it will be a great idea to design your basement into a movie room, equipped with large screen plasma or LCD TV, DVD player as well as surround systems to generate the ultimate movie experience. It won’t be a bad idea to have a pop corn machine installed somewhere down there and this will guarantee more family time with your spouse and kids, while saving you some movie ticket costs. On the other hand if there is lack of room for your kids to play or you realize that they are always messing up your living room then transforming your basement into a game room equipped with a large TV, couches, console games, pool tables, etc. will give your kids the chance to play and have fun.
The basement under your Long Island home can also be transformed into a workout gym, office, workshop, bar, etc. depending on your preferences and whichever design you decide to opt for, you should make sure you will get the necessary permit as well as ample lighting and escape windows for unforeseeable situations.
Click here for a qualified Long Island basement contractor.
Affordable Long Island Basement Decorating
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on August 11th, 2011
Have you been thinking about refinishing your long Island basement? Are you trying not to spend a lot of money? Presented to you today are some techniques you can use to help you redesign your basement without having to spend too much.
Affordable Long Island basement decorating
- First things first. You need to figure out how you are going to use your basement. Recreation, work, living quarters, storage, entertainment, all of the above. These usage ideas will guide you through the plan and design. So figure out a plan first.
- Flooring can be a quick fix to your basement boredom. If you have a dry basement carpeting is your quickest affordable option. New carpeting can be done in a day and make your finished basement feel like new again.
- Painting is another one of those affordable interior decorating techniques. You get the biggest effect with the least amount of money. With all the colors, shades and textures you can transform your basement into something totally new and different without going to extreme in price.
- Mirrors are a great way to open up a room. Mirrors give the illusion of doubling the amount of cubic footage within any given space. Installing mirrors is relatively inexpensive and can be done rather quickly. If used correctly mirrors can give your basement that extra flair and class without you having to get another loan to pay for your finished basement project.
- Shelving is a versatile element that can be used not only to store books but to showcase your collectibles, photos, plants and any other decorative items. These items can all be based on a theme to help pull the space together nicely. Shelving is rather inexpensive depending on the quality of the units you buy. Try to get the best quality you can afford because it’s an important feature that is most noticeable. Shelving or book cases can also be used to create a wall to separate a space into different areas. Most finished basements are created as one big unified space so if you want more rooms you can use book cases to create a separation. Otherwise you’ll have to pay for a wall to be built which could drive you out of budget. Also when you outgrow the bookcases you can easily remove them and get back the bigger space.
- Lighting can easily transform your basement alone. Since your finished basement is usually on the darker side lighting tends to have a more dramatic effect on it’s inhabitants. Lighting can be used to brighten up the whole area or spotlight certain elements on their own. Inexpensive floor lamps and table lamps can add a sense of comfort and change the feel of your space. If you have a drop ceiling you can easily change the ceiling lights to create a totally different look.
- Paneling is an age old technique that will totally change the look and feel of your basement. There are many designs and price levels you can choose from. There is a supplier called Long Island Paneling where you’ll find a big selection of paneling to suit your needs.
- Ceiling tile can be easily changed and installed. It is a quick way to change the look and feel of your basement.
You don’t have to spend too much to refinish your basement. If you’re lucky enough to have a prefinished basement you’ll have the luxury of choosing inexpensive cosmetic changes instead of having to deal with structural walls and construction of it all. Cosmetic changes are the easiest and most inexpensive ways to transform your basement.
Click here for a Long Island basement contractor. Discover their finished basement building process. Free estimates
Sheetrock Versus Acoustic Ceilings
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on June 4th, 2011
When finishing your basement your contractor will ask you several questions about what you want your basement to look like. One of those questions will be: What kind of ceiling do you want? You might be set definitely with an answer to that before the contractor even shows up.
Some people will want either a sheet rock ceiling or acoustic ceiling for varying reasons. Some people want a Sheetrock ceiling no matter what to cost or the utilities getting hidden. They want their basement to look as much as a regular room as possible. Some people are willing to compromise the real look for the ability to access the utilities that would otherwise get hidden by sheet rock.
There are different types of Sheetrock. So if you thought you were in the clear when you decided to go with a Sheetrock ceiling there are some more variables to consider.
- Thickness – 1/2inch and 5/8inch are the two you need to consider. 1/2inch is less expensive but not as strong as the 5/8inch.
- Grades – Moisture resistant, mold resistant, fire resistant. Did you consider these options? Did your contractor bring these up?
There are different types of acoustic ceiling. The two main differences are the size of each tile used. Did you consider a 2ft x 4ft tile or a 2ft x 2ft tile. The 2 x 2 will cost more because there’s more material and labor involved. The other main variable are the tiles themselves. A sound resistant, fire resistant tile will cost more than the ordinary ceiling tile. The actual costs of the ceiling tile will vary.
Installing a Sheetrock ceiling requires much more labor than an acoustic ceiling. Generally 4ft x 8ft Sheetrock panels are lifted into place and screwed into the floor joists above. After that the seems need to be taped and plastered with three coats. Allowing enough drying time between each coat. Than it needs to be sanded, primed and painted.
An acoustic ceiling gets installed by hanging metal t-tracks from the ceiling joists above. Once the track are installed the ceiling tile are popped into place. Any can lights will need to be cut out of the tiles. That’s it no need for painting or sanding. The installation is less but the materials cost more.
You could say both Sheetrock and acoustic ceilings cost about the same. Sheetrock costs more in labor and less in material and Acoustic costs more in material and less in labor.
If you’re getting several quotes from different contractors make sure they all include the exact materials and building technique in their quotes. Otherwise a good price from an inadequate quote might not be so good after all.
Get a quote from a qualified Long Island Basement Contractor.
“Long Island Contractor Will Build Your Basement With No Worries”
Creating extra living space affordably has never been easier. This Contractor shows dozens of different uses for basement spaces, then shows their clients exactly how they will accomplish each task. Spaces include adding an extra bathroom, a family room, bedroom, home office, kitchen or game room to their homes.
A basement can be as fine a living space as any other area of the house. Basements present their own challenges, such as moisture, lack of heat and light, among other issues, but many ideas are available to remedy these.
Click here to get a reliable Long Island basement contractor.
