Basement Finishing – Page 3 – Kaks Basement Finishing & Remodeling

Jul 22 2016

Getting The Basement Ready For Finishing

Spring… I know we all can’t wait for it to get here every year. Goodbye snow… I love seeing it melt. Can’t wait for grass growing, flowers blooming, longer days, more sunshine, we all have so many plans for Spring. Spring cleaning is definitely on my list and after the long winter we’ve had, I’m looking forward to getting down into my basement and finally cleaning it out. Living in Norwell Massachusetts i know how important it is to keep an eye out for any cracks or leaks in a basement, especially with all the snow melting around the foundations outside, and I for one, will be moving out most of my useless storage and preparing the space for a Basement finishing.

Recently, I came across information about this basement company regarding Mold and Mildew Proof Basement Finishing Systems that are available. Because water and humidity in the basement seem pretty hard to avoid it caught my attention right away . What they were talking about was everything that i have been concerned about when thinking about finishing my basement. Wow finally someone figured it out, and i could not believe that here they are located less than 2 miles away from my home on the South Shore in Hanover Ma. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for, who wouldn’t want walls that are made specifically for the basement that are waterproof and mold and mildew proof? A nice design plan for the basement is NOW a great idea, so this Spring, I plan on moving forward with that long overdue basement remodel? The info below is from the Kaks Basement website www.impressivebasementsboston.com this is just a little sample of what they talk about, if you want to know anything about finishing a basement this is the place!

First tip: Keep an eye out for mold. Mold needs a source to grow, and there are five ingredients necessary for mold growth – food source, air, moisture, suitable temperature, and a surface to grow on. Paper, wood and other organic materials like carpet, for example, are conducive to mold and mildew growth. Drywall is lined with paper, studs are usually made of pine wood, definitely not suitable materials for the basement since mold growth in basement walls is a serious home health concern. Long-standing moisture problems can lead to decay, resulting in structural damage to the house. Have it checked by a professional, then choose a basement wall finishing company that specializes in building basements with proper materials.

Second: A good dehumidifier is recommended for the basement at all times to control moisture in the air. Keeping the humidity low is key. Air quality in the basement is important. Go with certified green, eco-friendly materials that aren’t detrimental to the basement.

Last tip: The cost of a full Basement Finishing System is about the same as a conventional drywall basement. That seems hard to believe, until you get a price from a basement refinishing company with all electrical, waterproof flooring and better quality materials than a general contractor could give. Go get a free basement evaluation, and not from the local handyman.

NOW, my basement plan is for drywall-free walls and yes, a plastered wall finish, with a relaxing, light paint color. With having the same looking walls from upstairs in the downstairs basement: strong, durable, plus mold and mildew-proof, and paintable! Once it’s finished, it will be a seamless look into my new family room, and cleaning the basement should finally be a breeze. No more dreaming about it…
Spring is reminding me that it’s time to get started and clean out the basement.

Jun 24 2016

Your Kids Are Going To Be Living With You Longer Than You Ever Expected

In May, the Pew Research Foundation reported that for the first time ever, living with parents is the most popular housing option for adults 18 to 34 years old. It’s not hard to figure out why. The Brexit vote created huge uncertainty in the global marketplace; domestically, concerns about the upcoming Presidential election and the sustained health of the economy have people worried about their financial futures at the same time great jobs are in short supply. Living at home makes sense – but having a 30 year old in the house is very, very different than having a 3 year old or even a 13 or 23 year old.

Maintaining a healthy, happy family dynamic is easier when everyone has enough space. That’s part of the reason basement remodels are so popular in Duxbury, Plymouth and surrounding communities. Converting the basement into an apartment for adult children who are living at home is a cost effective way to introduce some privacy and boundaries into the family home. When compared on an apples to apples basis with a first floor addition or adding a second story to the home, basement conversions are faster and more affordable.

Some basement conversions we’ve done have transformed the basement into a self-contained apartment, complete with a kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance. Other transformations turn the basement area into a large bedroom or studio style layout, combining sleeping and relaxing areas.

The majority of young adults who are still living with their parents are men, although this is changing as young women are choosing to live at home rather than with a romantic partner at increasing rates. The primary difference is that young women are far more likely to be single parents, which makes housing decisions slightly more complicated. Every Duxbury basement renovation we do is fully custom, individually designed and created to meet the homeowner’s unique needs and existing basement layout.

Jun 03 2016

Money Magazine’s Tips for Smart Basement Remodels

We were thrilled to see this article in Money Magazine that calls finishing the basement the cure for an undersized home. The fact that renovating the basement costs about half of what a comparably sized addition does is the reason many Hingham homeowners choose to improve underground.

Money Magazine mentions many people’s top concern about refinishing the basement: moisture. If your current basement gets damp or even wet, there are steps that can be taken so you can have a finished basement without worrying about mold or mildew. Every home’s basement issue is unique: in some cases, cracks in the foundation or poorly maintained gutters can be responsible for moisture. New drainage or a sump pump may need to be installed. The key is to eliminate, as much as possible, the source of moisture and then choose a basement remodeling system that’s robustly mold-resistant.

Another issue we were glad to see Money Magazine discuss is soundproofing. It’s a smart investment to protect the downstairs from all the sounds of activity upstairs, and vice-versa. Sound proofing helps maintain privacy in the household, a vital consideration if you’re converting the basement into a downstairs apartment. Sound control and quality are very important for the basement home theater as well.

In Massachusetts, habitable spaces are required to have a ceiling height of no less than seven feet. Basements that were not intended to be habitable spaces can be much lower. As your Hingham basement specialist, we can advise you on what needs to be done to bring your home into compliance; the answer varies depending on how the basement was originally built.

Finally, the Money Magazine article touches on something we don’t often talk about: the tax implications of having your basement refinished. A basement renovation doesn’t add to the footprint of your home, and generally tax assessors don’t count finished basements as living spaces, so the impact on your property tax bill is minimal.

It’s really a great read so we recommend everyone check it out!

May 28 2016

Make 2016 The Year of the Awesome Basement

Memorial Day signals the beginning of summer. For many Scituate homeowners, the long weekend is also the start to home renovation season. One of the most popular home improvements, and one that Realtor.com definitely delivers in terms of customer satisfaction and resale value, is finishing the basement.

Many houses are built without much attention being paid to the basement. Instead of being viewed as a useful living space, basements are often relegated to being strictly utility and storage areas. Home heating systems, plumbing pipes and electrical panels often reside in the basement, but not much else.

Finishing the basement means transforming that underused space into a fun, functional area. Here in the Scituate region, we’ve transformed basic basements into home recording studios, office spaces, private gyms, and even apartments for the family’s older child.

One of the reasons basement renovations in Scituate are so popular is that they’re a much more cost effective way to add space to the home than adding an addition or second story. The permitting process is often much faster and simpler, and the entire job takes a fraction of the time of new construction. When you’ve got a growing family or are trying to make the most of your budget, finishing the basement often makes good financial sense.

2016 is the year to make your home renovation dreams come true. If you’ve been trying to make due with a home office squeezed into the dining room or it turns out that a child’s bedroom isn’t quite as suitable now that that child is 20+, talk to your Scituate basement renovation specialists. Your basement can be transformed into exactly what you need!

May 20 2016

How Do Bathrooms in the Basement Work?

“We’ve been considering converting the basement in our Hingham home into an apartment for our oldest daughter,” Jeffrey said, “but I’m not sure how that would work out from a plumbing perspective. If she needs to come upstairs into the house every time she has to use the bathroom, that’s really going to take away from the sense of a separate space we’re trying to create.”

If you’re familiar with traditional bathroom plumbing systems, you know that a toilet’s drain pipe runs downward, generally into the basement where it is then connected to a municipal sewer system or the home’s septic tank. Gravity plays a pivotal role in keeping everything running smoothly. So what happens when you’re already at the home’s lowest point and there’s no further down to go?

Enter the upflush toilet. These specially designed toilets can be installed on any flat, finished surface. Upflush toilets contain a macerator, which breaks waste products down into tiny pieces, and a pump that quietly and efficiently lifts the waste materials up to the home’s existing sewer infrastructure when the toilet is flushed. Upflush toilets were first introduced in the early 1990’s, and have been functioning reliably in basement bathrooms ever since.

Having your basement finished to serve as living space can involve creating several different functional areas. In the bathroom, in addition to the toilet, you’ll need a bathing option as well as a space for washing up. Shower units are the most common option, but free standing tubs can also be installed. Talk to your Hingham basement renovation specialists for details.

The bathroom in a basement remodel doesn’t have to be bare-bones or utilitarian. Working with skilled basement renovation contractors, you have a wide range of options, from family friendly to spa-like elegance. Choosing the right flooring, lighting, and wall finishes in addition to your plumbing fixtures can result in a gorgeous bathroom in the basement that you love!

KAKS Basement Finishing & Remodeling