Basement Remodeling

December 21, 2009

Cabinet choices for Basement Wet Bars




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The cabinetry and styles utilized for constructing basement bars often have more personality than cabinetry utilized in other rooms of the home.  The homeowner feels free to create a more dramatic space in which their personal style can be expressed without the resale fears present when designing a kitchen or other predominant space in the home.  The cabinetry style typically falls into one of the following three categories: traditional, contemporary, or transitional family friendly.

            Traditional cabinet styles and finishes are often used to create a pub style bar.  Typically a designer would suggest a door style with lots of detail and applied moldings in a darker wood species and stain for this style.  One way a homeowner can add their personal touch to this style is by ordering the cabinets with distressing or in a rustic wood species.  These options give the cabinetry an older more authentic appearance with use of sand through, worm holes, and dents.  Decorative wood overlays are another way the homeowner can add their personality to the bar.  The overlays make cabinetry appear handcrafted; their intricacy makes the cabinets appear that they are custom built by an artisan.  Homeowners should also consider the type of storage they will need in their basement bar.  Typically in a traditional bar you will find stemware holders displaying wine glasses and lighted cabinets with glass doors displaying liquor bottles. 

            A basement bar found in a contemporary home is typically thought of as very simple; design flair and personality are not added necessarily by the intricacy of the cabinets, like in the traditional bar.  These qualities are added by the accessories and cabinet finishes.  Vertical lift door cabinets are being offered by most mid-level and up cabinet companies.  This type of cabinet hinging is considered a more contemporary alternative to the typical hinging.  Integrated appliances fitted with matching cabinet panels, creates a seamless and simplistic design—the bar may house a clear ice maker and the appliance would appear to be just another cabinet.  Putting a dramatic finish on a contemporary door style will also create style and personality—cabinet manufacturers are offering bolder and a larger selection of paints and finishes.  Although, a homeowner may fall in love with Washington Red Cherry paint, she may feel apprehensive about using it in her kitchen, but in a basement bar she can use the color that she loves.

            A family friendly basement bar is possible with some of the options that cabinet manufacturers have.  Typically family friendly cabinetry serves a dual purpose: storage for adult items as well as children’s items.  The cabinets will often have roll trays and other interior accessories for games and children’s snack items.  The adult cabinet storage available consists of locked liquor cabinets, as well as a safe out of reach cabinets for glass stemware.  The most popular cabinet styles in family basement bars are simple in style so they are low maintenance and require little cleaning.

There is a great kitchen design book that can help you to design your space. Its Design Ideas for Kitchens (2nd edition) This book talks about layouts, cabinet types & styles, energy efficient appliances, hot new countertop ideas, and more. There is plenty of useful information that you can apply to the design of your new wetbar.

For more information or purchasing cabinets visit www.thecabshop.com

For more basement remodeling tips visit BasementSource

December 17, 2009

Basement Bathroom Ideas

Today’s basement bathrooms: small spaces  that can have big design

Basement Bathroom

The bathroom in your basement is one of the smallest but it typically sees the most traffic, especially when you’re entertaining guests. It is the perfect opportunity to take a risk and design a space your guests won’t soon forget.

Before you start construction on the basement  figure out the floor plan of your space. Then figure out your personal style. Do you want contemporary or traditional decor ? How will it fit in with the rest of the basement. To get great new ideas and keep current on trends, look at remodeling magazines, search for basement remodeling images on Picasa or Google images, visit a local plumbing – bath showroom, or check out home improvement websites. You can find articles on recent trends  and new bath products that can help you determine what products best fit your needs.

When working with a relatively small space every styling detail counts. Some manufacturers product sets are making it  easier for homeowners to coordinate their pieces. This way each element in the room is designed to perfectly match each other.

Lavatory Sink & Faucet

Most homeowners we deal with are trying to maximize space in their basement bathroom. Usually a pedestal sink is the best way to do that. A pedestal sink provides a clean, open look to the area. The only drawback is a loss of storage space. You can offset that by installing custom built ins or a small closet. If a pedestal sink isn’t your style you can use a sink base cabinet with a granite top and under mount sink. You can also use a  vessel sinks. This is where the bowl sits on the top of a vanity cabinet. Vessel sinks are becoming one of the latest trends in bathrooms and add a unique design to the space.

There are many different styles of bathroom faucets. Popular versions include wide-spread faucets ,vessel fillers and wall-mount faucets. The faucet and finish you choose will help pull the decor together . Many of them have matching accessories for towel bars and toilet paper holders.

Toilet

The toilet is one of the most important elements. You want to choose a model that is not only stylish but also highly reliable. Again many  toilets are now designed as part of a collection to  match your sink and the other pieces in your bathroom. Most popular choice is the elongated bowl model with a good water efficiency.

Shower Surround, Doors & Valve

The shower can be the centerpiece of your bathroom. The latest trend is accented tile walls with borders or inlays and poured pans with  tile floors. Add a seat or built in wall niche for a little pizzazz.  The shower valve should match your faucet or you could even upgrade to a unit that has body spray jets.

The shower doors are also an important aspect to the bathroom. Our favorite and again most popular is a frameless shower door system. It has a track on the top, bottom and two sides but the glass has no frame around it. This makes it not only were appealing visually but also easy to clean. You can get the doors and the glass in several different finishes so make sure that the finish you choose compliments the rest of the bathroom.

Accessories

You’ll still have to pick out a mirror, light fixtures, cabinets and hardware along with toilet paper holders, towel bars, etc. That’s usually easily done after you get the rest of the bathroom fixtures picked out. Check out the recommended bathroom remodeling books below.

Tax Credits and Green Home Improvements




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Buying a home or making green home improvements? Don’t miss out on these tax credits

(ARA) – A wide range of tax law changes over the last year will result in considerable savings for millions of Americans on their 2009 federal tax returns. Homebuyers and homeowners have some of the most to gain from the changes.

Understanding the qualifications for home-related credits can be confusing and intimidating. Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, the makers of TaxACT, breaks them down.

“If you’ve never owned or haven’t owned a principal residence during the three years prior to the purchase date, you may qualify for the First-Time Homebuyer Credit. The purchase date must fall after April 8, 2009 and before May 1, 2010, with closing to take place before July 1, 2010. It’s equal to 10 percent of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000. You only have to repay the money if the home ceases to be your primary residence or is sold within three years of purchase,” says Dolmage.

Property cannot be acquired from a relative, and married taxpayers must both qualify as first-time homebuyers if filing jointly. The credit can be claimed on a 2009 return or an amended 2008 return.

The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extended the credit’s closing date from Nov. 30, 2009, to April 30, 2010, and added rules for homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, including:

* You must be at least 18 on the purchase date (only one spouse must be 18) and cannot be claimed as a dependent.
* Purchase price cannot exceed $800,000.
* If the sale doesn’t close by April 30, 2010, you may still qualify if there’s a binding contract to purchase by that date. The sale must close before July 1, 2010, and the credit cannot be claimed before the closing date.

Purchase date and modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) determine credit phase out. If the purchase date was before Nov. 7, 2009, full credit is available to those with an MAGI up to $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers). If you have an MAGI between $75,000 and $95,000 ($150,000 and $170,000 for joint filers), you’re eligible for reduced credit. Higher incomes do not qualify.

If the purchase date is after Nov. 6, 2009, full credit is available to those with an MAGI of up to $125,000 ($225,000 for joint filers). If your MAGI falls between $125,000 and $145,000 ($225,000 and $245,000 for joint filers), you could receive a reduced credit. Higher incomes don’t qualify.

“Current homeowners looking for a different or new home may also qualify for the First-Time Homebuyer Credit,” Dolmage says. “The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act modified the credit to allow for up to $6,500 if you purchase a replacement home before April 30, 2010. You must have lived in the same principal residence for a five-consecutive-year period during the eight-year period that ends on the purchase date of the replacement home.”

In addition:

* You must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence after Nov. 6, 2009, and before May 1, 2010, and close on it before July 1, 2010.
* The credit phases out for those with an MAGI between $125,000 and $145,000 ($225,000 and $245,000 for joint filers).
* 2009 purchases must be claimed on a 2009 return; 2010 purchases can be claimed on a 2009 or 2010 return.

All homeowners can claim tax credits for green improvements. The Residential Energy Property Credit is worth 30 percent, up to $1,500, for improvements such as adding insulation or installing energy-efficient windows, doors, or heating and air conditioning systems. Bigger improvements involving alternative energy equipment, like solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines can be claimed under the Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit. This credit is equal to 30 percent of the cost of the qualified property, with no limit on the maximum amount of the credit available.

New tax laws also include breaks for children, college expenses, new vehicles, unemployment and several other areas. Information about all 2009 tax law changes can be found at www.IRS.gov.

“You can see exactly how the changes will affect your 2009 taxes with TaxACT Free Federal Edition,” Dolmage adds.” With TaxACT, all taxpayers can prepare, print and e-file their IRS return for free. Go to www.TaxACT.com to get started.”
Courtesy of ARAcontent

For more basement remodeling tips visit BasementSource




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December 16, 2009

Basement Ideas – Insulation Materials and Installation

Its a good idea to insulate your basement. This will help keep it at a stable temperature and  also help your home be more energy efficient saving you money. There are many different varieties of insulation materials. For example Fiberglass, Cellulose, Foam ,or Radiant Barrier Foil. The most popular for basement remodeling is fiberglass insulation. It’s usually purchased in bat’s or rolls. The Fiberglass bats come in bags that usually have pre cut lengths of about 8 feet. You can also buy it in 30 or 40 foot rolls and cut it yourself which is sometimes cheaper.

For basement remodeling in Ohio we normally use a R-13 insulation with vapor barrier. You can buy it at any or your local home improvement stores. Its also a good idea to check the local building codes before you get started on your basement remodel or purchasing any of the insualtion materials. Codes usually vary from city to city.

**Before installing the insulation you need to make sure you have completed the framing, rough electric & low voltage, rough plumbing, and HVAC work, and fire stopping.

When installing the insulation you will need the following.

  • Dust mask  ( You’ll need these for drywall too )
  • Razor knife
  • Stapler or Smack Stapler
  • Tape measure
  • Rubber Gloves

We normally wear long pants and long sleeve shirts because it will irritate the skin. If it gets on your skin rinse and soap with cold water. This will help to avoid opening the pores on your skin.

You install the insulation in between all of the joist spaces on the framed walls. Sometimes you need to cut both the length and width to get them to fit. You never want to make the insulation packed into the space or touching the concrete wall. If it’s too tight you will lose the insulation R-value and if it touches the concrete wall it could pick up moisture and create a mold issue.

If you want to install insulation in the ceiling it will help to control noise transfer to the upstairs. This is always a good idea if your installing a home theater or media room. You will need to remove the paper vapor barrier from the insulation or buy it unfaced. That keeps from having any extra combustible materials inside the ceiling cavities.

Normally after we finish the rolled insulation we go back and fill all the corner joints on the wall framing and around windows or doors with spray foam insulation. Just make sure to buy the spray foam for doors and windows. Otherwise it can expand too much and cause you doors or windows to not open or close properly.

Once your insulation is done your ready for drywall.

December 15, 2009

Basement Safety and Fire Prevention

Just like your kitchen and garage basements can also be a place for dangerous  fire hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning, and gas leaks. When you remodel your basement there are some things you can do to help make it safer.

 The first is make sure you follow all of the local codes to ensure everything you do is safe. This will help lower the odds of having an electrical fire due to poor or improper installation of outlets, switches, breakers or light fixtures. Electrical circuits that are overused can be a serious fire hazard. Never bypass a circuit breaker which would create a potential fire risk. If a circuit breaker keeps blowing the fuse find the problem and fix it before you move on. If the fuse blows there is likely a hazard. It is important that appliances like microwaves, air conditioners, fridges, and freezers each get their own circuit to avoid overload. For more help you can try this book Complete Guide to Wiring  it should help you with your electrical questions from start to finish.

When completing your rough electrical make sure you install Smoke Detectors in the basement and connect them to the rest of the house if possible. That way if there is a fire in the basement it will also set off the smoke alarms upstairs and in your bedrooms. The manufacturer Kidde also makes a Smoke Detector w/Voice Warning & Combination Carbon Monoxide Detector which is the model I now use when finishing basements.

You can also take advantage of this time to hardwire in a Carbon Monoxide detector. You can also install a plug in wall mount Carbon Monoxide detector after the basement is finished. Either one could be a lifesaver if for some reason your furnace was working improperly and releasing this poisonous gas into the basement. You cannot see or smell the CO-2 and by time you realize there is a problem it may be too late especially if your kids are using the basement. You can also purchase a Gas Detector for natural gas leaks.

Whether your basement is finished or not you need to make sure it is free of other common fire hazards. Usually you can find materials like papers and plastics, and other misc combustible items in the basement and sometimes even flammable liquids. You need to make sure they are stored in a safe place in your basement, garage, or outside ( best place for flammable liquids or gases ). You should always keep a fire extinguiser in the basement for added protection.

The most important areas are the furnace room ,the electric panel, and hot water tanks. Never stack items within 3 feet of all sides of any of this equipment. The furnace and hot water tanks need room to breathe. This will help keep anything form igniting if the equipment  has a malfunction. Same goes for the electric panel as a malfunction there could also cause a fire. Do not keep any flammable liquids  in the equipment areas. Most of the fumes from flammable liquids are heavier than air and will accumulate low on the floor. The fumes would build up and sudden tiny spark from your furnace or hot water tank could set the fumes off in a violent explosion. A safer place for flammables is in your garage or outside in a storage shed. Where ever they are also keep them out of children’s reach.

Remember check your electrical, add smoke detectors - CO-2 detectors, Clean utility areas from combustible materials and keep any gas cans, lawn mowers, propane tanks, or other potential risks out of the basement all together if possible. Always have a Fire Extinguiser in the basement.

December 8, 2009

Waterproofing Basement Walls

Waterproofing a basement is important to keep your home dry and mold free especially if you plan on remodeling your basement. There are many different basement waterproofing systems and methods. The requirements on every home vary depending on if you have a wet or dry basement. The moisture issues most commonly found in older homes are on the inside of the foundation walls or floor. Most new construction uses some type of exterior foundation waterproofing that usually keeps the basements fairly dry. If your building a new home I would definitely recommend some type of foundation wall moisture barrier.  Before you begin with you interior fix make sure you check that your gutters & downspouts are clear all the way out to the curb. If you downspouts stop at the foundation you’ll need to get an extension to divert the water away from the foundation. Make sure the grade around the foundation slopes away from the house. Check for more tips at The National Association of Waterproofing.  When fixing interior walls one cheap and easy solution is a paint product called DRYLOCK made by UGL. You can just use a brush and heavy nap roller to apply the product to the masonry walls. They have many different products available depending on your situation.  You can see if this product is right for you by taping a 12inx12in piece of aluminum foil to the suspected wall. leave it for a few days. When you come back if there is moisture on the room side you have a condensation problem. If its wet on the inside that was facing the wall you have a seepage problem. Remember both problems can occur at the same time. If you have a condensation problem a dehumidifier should help.  If your basement is fairly dry and you just have a few damp spots or walls you might get by with the latex Drylock masonry waterproofer. You can buy it by the quart or the gallon. This formula is for waterproofing all interior, exterior, above or below grade masonry walls, cinder and concrete blocks, stucco, brick, retaining walls, basements, concrete swimming pools and foundations. No pre-mixing or pre-wetting necessary. You can even tint it to colors if you’d like.  If your basement walls are moist or leaky you might want to consider the Drylock Extreme Masonry Paint. This contains synthetic rubber and Portland cement which helps give the walls a much tougher barrier. It is a little more expensive and the fumes are much more intense. You’ll want to wear a respirator when using this stuff.  Both products can be applied to damp surfaces. First you want to make sure the walls are clean from rust, dirt, grease, or oil. Then make sure there are no Efflorescence, a (white, powdery, crystal-like deposit on the masonry surface). This must be removed with a wire brush and sometimes an acid wash. You will also need to patch any cracks or holes in the wall joints or floor. For this you can use DRYLOK® FAST PLUG a fast setting hydraulic cement. Make sure you dampen the area before applying the fast plug for a stronger patch. After thats all done your ready to paint. The coverage of the Drylock is about 50-75 sq ft per gallon. Ex. An eight foot tall wall that is 10 ft long is 80sq ft and would likely use more than one gallon. Find all of the tools you’ll need below. 


December 2, 2009

Basements and the hidden danger of Radon

Filed under: Basement, Radon in your Basement — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Basements @ 5:59 pm

Basements and the hidden danger of Radon

More and more people are turning towards finished basements especially now with the slow housing market. It’s a very cost effective way to take advantage of the extra space in your home. However there are some precautions you need to take when finishing a basement. Number one is Check for RADON. You cannot see, smell or taste it, but it could be lurking in your home.Most people don’t think at all about the danger of radon in their home. Radon is a radioactive cancer-causing gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Surgeon General’s office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If your home has high radon levels, you’re at risk for developing lung cancer. There are scientific studies of radon exposure that indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. Do you really want to expose your family or your children to this toxic hazard? You shouldn’t, it’s not worth the risk.

Testing is the only real way to know if your home has a radon problem. There are many different test kits that can be purchased online. If your homes radon levels are high there are many ways that you can fix it yourself fairly inexpensively. Here are some of the recommended test kits:

First Alert RD1 Radon Gas Test Kit
by First Alert

Professional Radon Gas Dual Canister Test Kit
by Accustar Lab

You can also purchase a radon gas detector
Safety Siren Pro Series 3 Radon Gas Detector # HS71512
by Pro Series

RADON CAN GET IN THROUGH:
Cracks in concrete floors
Crawl spaces cracks in walls
Sumpump opening gaps around service pipes
Cavities inside walls
Even the water supply

Radon is a national and global problem. The EPA estimates it in millions of home nationwide. Elevated radon level have been discovered in every state in the US. Check your state and see the results.

For more information visit the EPA or the following links 

EPA Radon Publications for Homeowners:

Consumers guide to radon

A citizens guide to radon

Health Risks

Is radon where you live

Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/

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