Picking the Best Basement Wall Products

Posted by cynthia on Jul 26, 2011 in Basement Finishing, Basement Finishing Contractors, Basement Framing and Insulation, Basement Insulation, Basement Renovations, Energy Efficient Basements, Featured, Finished Basement Ideas, Finishing Basement Walls, Green Basement Finishing, Uncategorized, Waterproof Basement Wall Panels |

By Jacques Bouchard

As the real estate slump continues to worsen and homes become more and more difficult to sell, homeowners are finding that the best option for gaining more living space for their family is to finish the basement.  In response to this ever-increasing trend, many companies are designing wall panels especially for use in a basement.

However, these companies are often providing products that are hastily researched, poorly created, or make false or misleading claims about how well they work and how appropriate they are for a basement finshing project.  Before you make a decision on the basement wall product that’s right for your home, consider these five questions:

Basement Refinishing Do’s and Don’ts

Posted by cynthia on Jul 26, 2011 in Basement Carpet, Basement Ceiling, Basement Finishing, Basement Finishing Contractors, Basement Floor Tiles, Basement Framing and Insulation, Basement Insulation, Basement Renovations, Energy Efficient Basements, Featured, Finished Basement Ideas, Finishing Basement Floors, Finishing Basement Walls, Green Basement Finishing, Uncategorized, Waterproof Basement Flooring, Waterproof Basement Wall Panels |

By Francine Maglione

Remodeling a basement can be a difficult job. How differently should you treat it compared to any other room in your house? Follow these do’s and don’ts and you’ll be well on your way to a nicely refinished basement that you’ll be pleased with for a long time.

Do:

Eliminate moisture problems in the basement. Moisture can really do a number on a basement. Home improvement expert Danny Lipford notes that a basement can let in an average of 18 gallons of moisture each day. Lipford suggests looking for these telltale signs of moisture problems:

• Musty odors
• Rust on metal surfaces
• Peeling paint
• Discolorations on walls and ceilings

Don’t let moisture ruin your basement refinishing job! The TBF system can eliminate moisture problems by installing an Energy Star dehumidifier and by using an exclusive selection of basement finishing products that can’t support mold or be damaged by moisture.

Basement Finishing Systems

Posted by cynthia on Jul 25, 2011 in Basement Carpet, Basement Finishing, Basement Finishing Contractors, Basement Floor Tiles, Basement Framing and Insulation, Basement Insulation, Basement Lighting, Basement Renovations, Basement Subfloor, Basement Windows, Finished Basement Ideas, Finishing Basement Floors, Finishing Basement Walls, Green Basement Finishing, Uncategorized, Waterproof Basement Flooring, Waterproof Basement Wall Panels |

By Elizabeth Gormley

In many homes, the basement is a cold, dark storage space with concrete floors that’s more than a little bit spooky.  But with today’s basement finishing systems, it’s possible to transform this scary area into a warm and welcoming place as bright as any room upstairs.  Basement finishing works like adding another livable level to your home—in as little as two weeks.  Think romper room, a buffered place for the kids to play, with lots of space for toys, games and musical instruments.  Or think game room, with a pool table, ping-pong, darts, and maybe a bar.  In a few easy steps, a finished basement will add massive value to your home.

Top Six Mistakes People Make in Basement Remodeling Projects

Posted by cynthia on Jun 23, 2010 in Basement Carpet, Basement Finishing, Basement Framing and Insulation, Basement Insulation, Basement Lighting, Basement Subfloor, Finishing Basement Floors, Finishing Basement Walls, Waterproof Basement Flooring, Waterproof Basement Wall Panels |

The wrong finishing choice can have disastrous consequences.

Almost everyone who owns a house with an unfinished basement, dreams of having it finished. How can you not think of it? After all, an unfinished basement is a whole floor’s worth of space that can be easily turned into any type of room your family needs.

However, basement finishing projects are hardly inexpensive and, because basements are like no other room in the house, there are special challenges when it comes to choosing the best finishes and configuration. Basements usually house utilities, plumbing, wiring. They are also quite prone to moisture and water accidents. All of which must be taken into consideration before you tackle your project. Making the wrong choices, can literally spell disaster.

The Case against Fiberglass Insulation in a Finished Basement

Posted by cynthia on Dec 21, 2009 in Basement Finishing, Basement Framing and Insulation, Basement Insulation, Finished Basement Ideas, Finishing Basement Walls, Green Basement Finishing, Home Improvement, Waterproof Basement Wall Panels |

Exposed fiberglass showingin a basement closet. Exposed fiberglass is also common in unfinished portions of basements finished with this kind of wall system.

In recent years, there has been a big influx of homeowners insulating their finished basement walls with fiberglass insulation. And some large companies have also joined the bandwagon, creating basement finishing products that are manufactured with fiberglass insulation.

The issue here is that while fiberglass insulation works well in upper floors, it’s one of the worst insulation options available for a basement remodeling project.

This article will explain why, and discuss the best alternatives for basement insulation.

Tainted Drywall Still a Problem

Posted by francine on Mar 24, 2009 in Basement Finishing, Basement Framing and Insulation, Finishing Basement Walls, Green Basement Finishing, Home Improvement, Waterproof Basement Wall Panels |

For the past couple of months, news outlets have been buzzing with stories of homeowners in southern states including Florida, Louisiana and Alabama that are feeling the negative effects of tainted drywall in their homes.

After tremendous flooding from hurricanes in 2005 and 2006 made the need for drywall in the south skyrocket, contractors began importing drywall from China to build and repair homes with. This drywall has been found to be inferior, however, and has caused a host of problems for homeowners.

CNN recently reported that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has found Chinese-made drywall in some Florida homes. This drywall has reportedly been emitting smelly, corrosive gases and ruining household systems such as air conditioners and dishwashers. The gases have also been corroding copper wires and turning them black.

Read more here: http://www.totalbasementfinishing.com/basement-finishing/basement-walls/articles/tainted-drywall-warning