Newsroom – Page 3 – Kaks Basement Finishing & Remodeling

Aug 07 2016

Basement Finishing Duxbury MA.

The neighbors have moved back into their summer home again, like they do every year. As a family, they love coming to the Duxbury seaside for the summer to spend time with friends and family, and mostly for all our kids to enjoy summertime together.

The home they have is a bit small for a family of five but they have managed, and when it rains the kids all seem to get together at our home or theirs to hang out and watch movies or play video games.

About a month ago, my neighbors talked about needing more space at the summer home, especially when stuck indoors, having to potentially move… I certainly didn’t want to see them go, and neither did my kids! My family was relieved to hear that the neighbors were going to add on to their home. Not up and out, but down… utilizing the old basement.

I had a tour with Matt and Marcia, and they showed me all the unused space and a plan for a great new family room. Although it was damp from some water that came in, Matt told me that “We could still finish the basement with basement specific materials, from a basement finishing company.” He also said, “I wanted to keep it local with a smaller South Shore basement finishing company that I found, one with great design ideas and a solid reputation, and most importantly for Marcia, real walls.”

I asked Matt what he would do about the water coming in when it rained and his quick reply was “We plan on saving thousands by not using a waterproofing company first… don’t need them.” Marcia added, “all the downspouts from the gutters on the house are the culprit. They’ll be readjusted to send water away from the foundation.”

“Even if I get a little moisture in here, it’s okay, because the company will be using waterproof, mold and mildew proof materials for the walls and floor. “ I was happy to know that Matt and his family weren’t moving.

Just some weeks later with the basement finished, now whether it’s raining or not, their house has all the extra space they were looking for. Inside summer days can be just as busy as outside, and their new finished basement is absolutely amazing, to say the least. My family is ready to remodel our basement next… stay tuned.

Aug 06 2016

Basement Flooring Options for Boston Area Basements

Waterproof flooring in the basement? It does sound like the perfect idea. When refinishing a basement, think twice about putting carpet in a new basement family room, it tends to get dirty so quickly from the basement humidity and traffic. Carpets in high humidity trap in dirt and musty odors, and can produce mold or mildew. Everything seems to stick to a slightly damp carpet, especially in the summer months. Ceramic tile floors in basements have been popular, but can be very slippery when damp or wet from humidity, and grout lines can stay wet looking for many months out of the year. Stained grout lines are very hard to clean.

Putting in a new, commercial grade 100% vinyl floor from a reputable basement finishing company is the best solution and now that the wood look is so popular, you can have it in your basement, and never have to worry about it buckling, rising up, staining or peeling from your cement foundation like real wood and laminates can. New wood-styled vinyl floors can come in individual planks, not sheets of vinyl like in the past, planks that are about 5” or 6” wide and a few feet long each. The individual pieces of vinyl make the finished product resemble a real wood floor to the point where you can’t tell that you’re not looking at wood, but at a durable, stain-resistant, scratch-resistant vinyl. They come in many colors, some noticeable favorites are Walnut brown, Birch blonde and Nantucket gray. Plank style flooring in vinyl clicks together, does not require adhesive to hold it down and is applied directly onto a smooth foundation. No sub-floor required with this application, and this will also save you money.

High quality vinyl flooring for the basement can handle water, it can pass around it, or be beneath it and as the water dissipates, the floor is unaffected. Basements with potential future water leaks would really benefit from this feature. To clean it up, all you would have to do is quickly remove any excess water directly on the floor with towels or a wet vac, place a fan at floor level to help circulate the air, and run a dehumidifier to help dry all of the floor and the air.

Remember, moisture in the foundation cement will always be present no matter what you do. The nature of your foundation is to breathe, and concrete can be like a sponge at certain times of the year, especially when humidity is very high. If you are trying to decide on what type of floor to put down for your basement refinishing project family room, think high quality vinyl floor planks in rich wood textures to give your new space a warm and inviting look, without all the trouble of real hard wood. A product that can handle the humidity and traffic should be priority. Not to mention how easy this new waterproof floor will be to take care of, and keep clean. After a family party, for example, a quick vacuum and light mop up is all it takes. When refinishing your basement, ask for vinyl wood-styled flooring planks.

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 17 2016

In Home Gym Creates Safe Space for Pembroke Teen to Work Out

“Maisie loves Zumba,” Linda said. “It is her life’s passion. She wants to certify as a Zumba instructor, and has been working very hard toward that goal.” For a moment, Linda beams with a parent’s pride. Then her expression became more serious. “If she had her way, she’d been at the gym 5 nights a week, working out. But I can’t devote that much time to going to the gym with her, and I don’t feel comfortable letting her go alone.” Maisie has Down’s Syndrome, and is, in her mother’s words, ‘extremely trusting’. “If someone said, “Come on, honey, let’s go, Maisie would go,” Linda explained. “I just can’t take that chance.”

To give Maisie the safe workout space she needs, Linda had her Pembroke basement converted into a home gym. “It was much simpler than I’d ever imagined,” Linda said. “I told the basement remodeling contractors what I was looking for, and they got right to work.”

Turning a basement into a home gym is one of the most popular basement renovations. Fitness is very important to many people, but the experience of going to the gym can be problematic. For some, it’s a safety issue, such as in Maisie’s case. Other people prefer to work out in private, where they don’t have to deal with people’s commentaries on their efforts or bodies. Scheduling is a concern for some people: if you love to work out at 4 am on a Sunday morning, your options are limited. Having a gym right in the basement of your home means 24/7 access, the ultimate in convenience.

“The best part of this renovation surprised me,” Linda said. “Maisie doesn’t just have a place to work out, she has a place to practice teaching a class. A few of her friends from school have come over and she’s had a great time teaching them the routine – they all work out together. It’s been such a positive experience. I would recommend it to anyone.”

KAKS Basement Finishing & Remodeling