Posts Tagged Basement
Long Island Basement Remodeling
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on March 31st, 2011
When it comes to choosing a basement system for your home you need to consider all the options you have available to you. When calling a Long Island basement remodeling contractor you should have an idea of what what you are using your basement for. It could be a room for the kids and their toys, a home theater, an office, extra bed rooms, an apartment, a library or a combination.
Long Island basement remodeling contractor
Having a bathroom built in to your basement is a great way to increase value and ease of use to your home. A bathroom in the basement will always be more desirable and if you are contemplating whether or not to pay the extra now is the time to decide yes. You’ll regret it in the future when the time comes to need a bathroom. A finished basement means you will most likely be using the space for extended periods of time instead of just going down there to put the ole birthday party decorations away. That means you’ll eventually need to use the bathroom but have to go upstairs. That will leave you with the feeling that you spent all the money for a basement for nothing. Install a bathroom and never have to worry about what it might be like to have one.
A wet bar is an awesome option to have in your basement. If you are somebody who likes to entertain then a wet bar can be an ultimate attraction for your guests. The feeling a bar gives to your guests lets them know you are serious about having them over and they will feel at home as you all sit and chat at the bar. A properly placed TV some delicious bar food are the start to a great time. Your basement wet bar will always be a time and place your friends will look forward to visiting.
Do you need extra income or a place for mom? An apartment is a great way to do it. A basement apartment can give you the extra needed space for the extra needed income or homestead. Your basement apartment will always be there for the times your relatives visit or for an extra boost to your wages. An apartment in your basement can also be used as the primary kitchen and living space. Some people use a basement kitchen in the summer to escape the heat or use it as their kithen to cook the heavy duty meals while keeping the upstairs kitchen nice and pristine. Whatever you use your basement apartment for you will be glad you had it built in the first place.
There are many Long Island basement remodeling contractors that can build you these basement amenities but choosing one that’s right for you might be a challenge. Use the internet, the yellow book, word of mouth, the paper to find the basement contractors then call some or email some and ask for a price quote. Get at least three different price quotes and you’ll be able to judge out of the three you feel most comfortable with. If you can’t decide call another three until you know for sure who you want to build your Long Island finished basement.
Click here to find a Long Island basement remodeling contractor
How To Turn Your Basement Into An Office
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on June 14th, 2010
In the last 15 years or so, the office has suddenly become a common room in the modern house. Many people use their den as an office or one of their bedrooms but few people think to turn their basement into an office.
An advantage of this idea is that it separates the office from the family and the family rooms. So many people are working longer hours and with the advent of the computer they are working more in the home. Their family life and work life becomes more of a blur than it was in the past.
By turning the basement into an office, you can more easily separate your work time and family time. This is important and will aid in the health of your family unit. In order to make your basement your office, you should do a few things that will make the room more enjoyable:
Heat – If you are going to be in the basement you need to make sure it is warm. Most basements are dark and cold and this is not an environment you can work in. Make sure that you have ample heat so that you feel you are in a real room. The more comfortable you are the better work you will do.
Great Lighting – You need good lighting if you are going to turn your basement into an office. Good lighting is imperative so that your eyes are not strained when you are looking at report, paper, or you computer screen.
A neutral paint job – As I just mentioned, basements are offten dark because of the lack of windows. If you choose your paid carefully, you can create an environment that is conducive to work. You want something that reminds you a that you are there to get work done but does not depress you at the same time.
Comfortable furniture – any work environment needs comfortable furniture. Make sure you don’t skimp on cheap chairs and furniture that will make you uncomfortable when you are at work. Also, besides having your desk and chair, you might include a second more comfortable softer chair to relax in. That way, when you need a quick rest, you can move over to the softer chair to recharge your batteries.
These are just some of the things you need to do to turn that basement of yours into an office that you will enjoy working in. If you do it right, you will have the best of both worlds; your family life and your work life.
For more great basement design ideas like this one please visit my website Basement Ideas.
Basement Window Well Covers
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on June 13th, 2010
Especially if used for egress, basement window well covers must meet strict guidelines. In 2000 the IRC (International Building Code) required that a basement room, if used for sleeping, had to have at least one clear opening of 5.7 square feet for escape in an emergency. Any covering over the basement window also has to be easily opened with under 40 pounds of pressure. If a basement window cover is used, it too has to be easy to open and provide 5.7 square feet for escape room.
Many homes need protective basement window covers for a variety of reasons. Perhaps snow melt or heavy rain causes water to leak into the basement. Perhaps animals or small children must be prevented from falling into the window well. Perhaps insulation or protection from leaves and debris is needed. In any event, protective basement window covers must meet stringent safety codes.
Basement windows and egress wells come in many sizes and shapes. The covers offered in home improvement stores and hardware stores usually protect only standard sized windows, and many will collapse under a heavy snow. If you need a custom basement window cover, consider a durable, safe WINDOW BUBBLE custom fit for metal, wood and masonry window wells. These basement window covers insulate and protect your home and are guaranteed to fit and to withstand weather, sun and a wide range of temperatures in outdoor use..
The WINDOW BUBBLE is formed from 3/16” thick PLEXIGLAS® Acrylic and will be “BUILT TO YOUR WELL MEASUREMENTS” and guaranteed to fit your well. Plexiglas® Acrylic is a completely weather resistant plastic that is not affected by sunlight, temperatures or weather extremes. Even if you have pipes or wires, dryer vents, etc. extending from your well a WINDOW BUBBLE can be designed to fit and cover your well.
All custom basement window covers come with complete instructions and hardware for easy installation. Write or call now for our brochure and complete do-it-yourself measuring instructions.
HONEY BROOK,? P.O. BOX 158 ?DILWORTH MFG. CO. PA 19344-0158
PHONE: FAX: 717-355-0511?717-354-8956
www.windowbubble.com
For more information about it please visit at www.windowbubble.com
Steps to Adding a Bedroom to Your Basement
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on June 12th, 2010
If you have a growing family, you may want to add a new bedroom to your house. Adding a bedroom can also add more value to your house. If you have space in your basement, then you should first consider adding the bedroom there. Adding a bedroom to the basement is much less expensive and time consuming than adding a bedroom on to the house. Still, as in any other remodeling project, adding a bedroom to the basement takes some time and planning. Properly planned, a basement bedroom can be a comfortable, and inviting place.
What Are The Important Steps To Adding A Bedroom To My Basement?
1. When planning a bedroom, you will want to take into consideration some safety factors. Among these factors include an alternate exit from the bedroom, in case the stairway is blocked by fire. With this in mind, it is very wise to have a window that opens (an egress window) or other means of escape from the basement room.
2. You will also want to consider dampness of the basement itself. This dampness can cause all sorts of problems if you are not careful so it is wise to make sure your basement is dried out before proceeding to the next step. You can read more about drying out a basement on our website fixmyownbasement.com.
3. Make sure to clear out the area of the basement where you are planning to add your your room. Remove all items such as sporting equipment, boxes and furniture to give you space to work with.
4. If any new floor covering will be applied, be sure to sweep the existing floor and mop the floor surface with a commercial or consumer floor cleaner.
5. Plan your walls. Some people add paneling for the walls while others add drywall. With a little extra effort, drywall provides a thicker wall that offers extra protection as well as holding picture frames and other wall art that paneling might not hold up.
6. If you plan on hanging drywall, frame in the bedroom with 2×4s. Be sure to cut holes for outlets and telephone connections in the drywall. Make sure to insulate the walls and the ceiling according to construction standards.
7. Since lighting is an important issue in basements due to the lack of natural light, you’ll need to choose a lighting fixture or scheme for the space.
8. Apply paint to the newly formed walls by putting on a primer coat first followed by two coats of paint. Make sure you let each coat of paint dry thoroughly (preferably overnight), before adding the next coat of paint.
9. Since basements in general have a cold cement floor, adding flooring or perhaps carpeting would be preferable and much more comfortable. Even though natural wood floorings are popular, modular carpeting and throw rugs are just as popular for that comfortable and homey feel.
10. Move bedroom furniture inside your new room and arrange to your liking
11. Enjoy your new room for years to come.
Visit Your Home Improvement Place for more resources on home remodeling projects.
Waterproofing Techniques for Basement Floors
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on June 11th, 2010
Why is basement floor waterproofing so often overlooked, when if it was done when the basement was built, there would be fewer problems with seepage and flooding? Many people think basements are just concrete storage spaces for things you don’t use very often. Now, people realize the potential of this space for something much more such as extra living space, family rooms and bedrooms.
Water situation was not encountered in the beginning by homeowners, but it later appeared because sub-floor and sub-surface drains clogged with mud.
The soil will become too wet and saturated if water from the roof isn’t directed far away enough from the foundation. As the home settles, walls crack, protective coatings applied to the exterior biodegrades and drainage systems fill up with silt. Leakage in the basement can be caused by all of these problems. Natural pressure from the soil against the foundation will cause flowing ground water to enter through any cracks or crevices in your foundation. The level of pressure is positively correlated with the height of the water level. In turn this water, under increased pressure, seeks entry through cracks and crevices in the walls and floors, and concrete is no match for water pressure. The end results are a water filled crawlspace or basement.
A pressure relief system can eliminate water that leaks into your basement. Whenever there happens to be a power outage due to a rainstorm, it is very likely that the primary pumps will not work, and that may cause somewhat of an inconvenience. Over time this pressure increases until the moisture is literally pushed through the floor or wall (usually called bleeding). Corners and joints that connect the floor and the wall are the most likely candidates for seepage.
If you think that water is comming out of an isolated area, you can lower the water table and the underground hydrostatic pressure by using an easy-to-install sump pump below your floor table. However, concrete is porous and allows water vapor to pass through. Because of moisture it feels even more cold, and rots carpet and other floor coverings. Even the mold starts to grow and basement smeels musty.
One fix for this problem is to use some of the quality sealants now available to the average home owner. It is often possible to paint them with either the roller or spray method. Here are some examples of what a regular project might entail:
- First the floor of the area being worked on must be prepared to make it smooth and remove any excess material
- making sure the basement floor is as dry as possible, hiring large fans or heaters if necessary.
- making sure wall/floor junctions are sealed.
- Filling in all crevices and bends which are especially visible.
- Priming the floor when the product calls for the use of a primer.
Spread two or three coats which is just right top-coating of the final product.
A high quality product will result in basement floor waterproofing that can last for years and years. Permaflex is one type of sealant that will give a complete and permanent waterproofing for a basement floor. This indoor waterproofing system claims to permanently seal you lower level floor at considerably less cost than other systems.
Make it easier to start waterproofing basement floors, quickly & easily. Lee Walder helps you learn the essential steps and get a problem-free environment with minimal outlay on the waterproofing basement floors website.
“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.
