Posts Tagged Finishing
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.
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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.
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The Advantage of Basement Finishing Solution
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on May 25th, 2010
Quality is the objective of the Vista Remodeling Company. Quality and durability forms the major part of business feature in the Vista. Vista Remodeling offers a spectrum of services and one of the best services favored by the clients is the Basement finishing solution. Basement finishing solution provides the desired space area in the living environment and makes the dwelling spacious and attractive.
Vista remodeling had its start with a low profile structure organization and because of the quality services offered it had its vast expansion. Even though vista is considered as a big remodeling company, it satisfies the specification of the clients even when it is a small project. From small repairs work to big renovation work, Vista offers its quality services to the clients.
Basement finishing solution offers the client with the extra living space to be comfortable and at the same time adds value to the property. The construction of the basement finishing solution is termed as lesser than the other areas of the house. Basement finishing solution is undergone with the motive of more space in the living area. The most frequent reason for remodeling the living area is to add more space in the floor area. This space area can be achieved by moving or eliminating the walls to attain space. Basement finishing solution remodeling or renovation is a wonderful way of adding more living environment space to the house. The cost of expenditure for the basement finishing solution is low, but it gradually adds value to the property. That is the great advantage in the basement finishing solution.
Vista remodeling converts the basement space into a wonderful living area with the service of basement finishing solution. Some of the services offered in the basement finishing solution are conversion of the living space, covering of the exposed pipes, filling solution for the exposed utilities and expansion of the living tile area. Finally it provides a complete living room with more space.
The professionals of the Vista remodeling provide the customers the knowledge of the best quality materials to be used for the basement finishing solution that are available for a lesser cost. The services and consultation with the professionals are given for free to the customers and this creates a big success for the remodeling company.
Installation and replacement of the old damaged walls, ceilings and expansion of the floor area with the latest decorative titles makes the house a great place. The creation of extra space makes the enjoyment of living in an environment with maximum capacity. Basement finishing solutions offers some extra services like increasing or decreasing the size of the windows and provides more light to the living area. Installation of many windows helps in providing light to the house and removes darkness. These windows are installed by the professionals of vista without creating the lack of privacy.
Vista remodeling is considered to be a top ranked remodeling company offering many services at a lesser cost price. Basement finishing solution is considered as the greatest service offered by the remodeling company thereby enhancing the cost of the property. Enjoy extra living environment with the help of Vista remodeling.
Vista Remodeling Performs all types of Bathroom Remodeling, Basement Finishing, Flooring Solutions, Granite Countertop, Kitchen Remodeling and more. For more details visit http://www.vistaremodeling.com
Finishing your Basement in a Cost Effective Manner
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on March 9th, 2010
Tough times call for tough measures. While the ongoing fiscal downturn has put many basement finishing plans on hold, many others are looking to go ahead with their plans and are looking at economical yet good ways of turning their basements into living spaces. Given below are a few tips that should help you do just that.
The first thing you would need to do is to figure out what you want to do with the basement. While this seems like an obvious step, the options that one has are truly varied. You could choose to convert your basement into office space (thereby saving on office rental), or you could simply choose to create a play area for your children. Knowing in advance of what you exactly want will result in your saving on unnecessary irrelevant expenditure. It is also a good idea to draw a plan and itemize it at the very onset.
As part of your initial planning, also set a timeline for the project. For instance, if you do not find time during the week, you can schedule to work upon the basement during weekends and plan accordingly. Your plan should ideally tell you how much work would go into refinishing your basement and this should help you in devising an estimated timeline. In deciding when to start, try to make sure that you do not have to give the project an extended break half way through.
Decorating a refinished basement is an important aspect of the project and should not be overlooked, as this is what would help incorporate the basement into your main living space. If you intend to use your basement as a den, you could choose to set up an inexpensive mini bar with minimalist seating. Remember that you do not have to splurge in decorating your basement, as there are a number of fairly economical options that you can opt for.
It is also a good idea if you can get some knowledge about interior design and construction as this could result in your saving money that you would have otherwise spent in seeking professional help. Besides, with a tight budget, a ‘do it yourself’ basement finishing project can be a great alternative. In looking for basement remodeling finishing ideas and tips you can go through home improvement magazines and books, and the internet is a great source for any information that you might need pertaining to finishing your basement.
Planning the expenses that you would have to bear is also important. In planning the costs at the very onset, you would have a clear idea of the options that suit your budget and the ones that do not. Also, in planning out your expenses at the very onset, you could also look to buy your required material at discounted prices.
Also, since you would have to deal pipes in finishing your basement, some knowledge about plumbing could help you avoid employing a plumber. However, with water playing havoc in many basements, it is best to take professional help if you have any apprehensions about doing the plumbing yourself.
Remember that if you can adhere to the aforementioned points about refinishing your basement, your project does not have to cost a bomb.
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Basement Finishing Ideas For DIY Enthusiasts
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on March 8th, 2010
Basements can be a major selling point when it comes to real estate. Many people like having a finished basement for many different reasons. For some it is a recreation room where they can set up a pool table or a ping-pong table.
For some it is a storage area, a great place to put things that won’t fit in the attic. For many, however, it is a wasted area that is partly storage, partly a game room, and mostly unused. But, for those of you with a little DIY heating and plumbing knowledge and the ability to get a home remodeling loan, the basement can easily be turned into the best spot in the house.
Why Remodel The Basement?
Most basements in America were not built for much of anything except extra storage space. They are usually left unfinished by the builder with nothing more than a 60-watt light in the middle of a large, open room. The biggest reason to remodel your basement is because of all the useable square footage that it will provide. There is a lot of wasted space in a basement because it was never finished enough to be able to do anything with it. All the other reasons for remodeling come in the form of what you will be able to use the space for.
I think that the best use for a basement is to convert it into an entertaining area. It is very nice to have a place to bring a lot of guests to without worrying about the whole house getting trashed. There is also a lot of benefit as far as noise goes. If the party is always in the basement, the noise will never reach the complaining neighbors! It is also a very unique entertaining experience to have a separate, slightly isolated area for entertaining. And so, the question now is, how can you make a dull, lifeless basement transform into an exciting, vibrant entertainment area? Here are a few basement-finishing ideas to help you out.
Make it warm and inviting
Basements are usually cold and inconvenient, that is why nobody ever goes down into them. Start with a heating and air conditioning upgrade. Run a few heating and air vents throughout the basement so that every section of it stays nice. A wise thing to do would be to allow the basement heat and air to be turned off when no one is using the basement in order to save money. Basement lighting is also quite inadequate most of the time. Run a few wires around and add more light. Be careful when working with electricity, as this is one of the most common causes of residential construction accidents.
Section it off
It isn’t that difficult to add a few walls here and there. Throw up a few walls for a bathroom, add some dividers to separate a kitchen area, and even put a small bedroom to accommodate guests. The addition of a few walls will make the basement much more appealing.
Put in a bathroom
When entertaining, you do not want to have to ask your guests to walk upstairs in order to use the bathroom, especially if you are serving alcoholic beverages, which increase traffic to the restroom exponentially. You also do not want to house guests in your basement and make them travel upstairs in order to brush their teeth or wash their face. A small bathroom, with or without a shower, will be a huge asset. Check out a lot of different bathroom designs in order to find the one that suits your situation. If you will not be sleeping guests in the basement, all you need is a toilet and sink. If you will have people staying in the basement, it would be nice to have a nice shower, sink, toilet, and closet space. Someone with a little DIY plumbing knowledge and an eye for bathroom design can put in a nice bathroom very easily.
Use it often
There is no point in doing anything to a basement if you are not going to do anything in the basement. Once you have put all the time and effort into remodeling, don’t let it gather any dust. But be careful, with a nice finished basement, you may never have a quiet night to yourself ever again!
Isabel Baldry is a freelance writer who writes passionately about a number of subjects. She has contributed more about home remodeling and basement finishing here.
“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.
