Total Basement Finishing

Fabulous Sun Solutions by Alford

cynthia — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:49:54 +0000

Do you own a home with great outdoor space that is not being used? You dream of entertaining outside, but you don’t know where to start when it comes to making the space “nicer.” Or, you have an awesome space to entertain in, however the sun beats down on it all day, making it unbearably hot.

How about adding more living space to your home during the beautiful summer months? Have you ever thought about adding an awning?

The awnings that are made today are not like your great grandmothers faded, “generic,” flimsy models. The current models are made functional, while enhancing the architecture of your home. You can expand the space of your home while enhancing the “look” of the outdoor space connected to your home!

Modern awnings are made to last! They are made of the finest, most durable materials on the market today. The frames are made of galvanized and coated steel tubing, while the fabrics come from around the world. There are so many choices from woven acrylics, vinyl laminates and mesh or rigid aluminum. The styles, colors and choices are endless! Your choice: Retractable, Waterfall or Dome? You can be the judge to decide what works best for your home.

The once wasted, dreaded space becomes the area that is most coveted by your neighbors, friends and family. Custom awnings will not only shade your interior, but they will also shade, enhance and expand the outside space of your home.

Think about it—You can actually sit on that deck, sipping a nice refreshing drink on your new outdoor furniture. You will also be reducing the heated temperatures inside! It’s truly a “no-brainer” when it comes to making this affordable “addition” to your home.

Let the experts at Alford Home Solutions help you to make that important decision. They will come out to your home, offer solutions with quality products and provide you with a free estimate on the popular “Gennius” by Durasol.

Oh, and by the way, did you also know that awnings are considered “green” and environmentally friendly, too? They will help you save money on energy costs. Don’t wait, call an expert at Alford Home Solutions today!

Use Your Basement for More than Just Storage

cynthia — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:27:31 +0000

Your basement doesn’t have to be just a dark dungeon where you store your Christmas decorations. Finishing your basement can actually give you more benefits than you may think. Not only can you add more living space and increase the market value of your home, it can also increase your home’s energy efficiency! Obstacles like low ceilings, disguising water heaters and insufficient lighting are all issues that can be dealt with when you use a basement finishing system. The Total Basement Finishing (TBF) System offers a complete basement remodeling package that can work with any design plan.

Flooring

Selecting the right flooring in your basement can be an extremely daunting task. Most unfinished basements have a concrete basement floor. While it is extremely durable, it’s also very porous and unattractive. Your floor may not feel wet when you touch it, but water vapor can still work its way through. If you just lay down carpeting or wood flooring, you can actually trap the moisture underneath, leaving your flooring susceptible to mold and mildew. The TBF system has a variety of waterproof flooring options to suit your needs.

Walls

When it comes to finishing your basement walls, The TBF wall paneling is the way to go. Unlike wooden framing that may rot or metal framing that will rust and weaken the insulative quality over time, TBF walls are made of high-density foam insulation. This system gives you a stylish look that can hold as much as 300 pounds. The TBF wall paneling is an attractive off-white and beige combination with a subtle texture that will complement any décor.

Ceilings

TBF recommends drop or suspended ceilings in a finished basement for several reasons. Installing this type of ceiling in your finished basement can also add several improvements to the rest of your home like how warm or cold the floor above your basement feels and how much noise travels to the rest of the home. A drop or suspended ceiling also allows easy access to ducts, electrical cords and cables. The TBF ceiling tiles are made from inorganic mineral fiber composition instead of wood fibers. These ceiling tiles are water resistant and come backed with a 30-year transferable warranty against mold and mildew.

Finishing Touches

With a wide variety of lighting options, you can create the perfect ambiance in your new finished basement. You can also opt to include crown molding where the walls and ceiling meet as well as a decorative baseboard molding. Basement beams can be attractively covered in a detailed custom column wrap with crown molding and base included! Adding a staircase similar to those you would find in the main area of your home and French doors give your new space a more inviting feeling.

A correctly finished basement provides added living space and value to your home as well as energy savings, with a healthier home environment overall. Take that unused space and create the room (or rooms) of your dreams. With the TBF system you can have the ultimate “man cave”, home office or theater room in no time. If you need some extra cash in today’s economy, turn that lower level into a basement apartment that you can rent out.

The possibilities are truly limitless! Contact the team at Fitch Total Basement Finishing and let us work with you on creating the space of your dreams. Our highly trained and qualified experts will provide you with a free, detailed basement remodeling estimate and inspection. Fitch Total Basement Finishing can also provide you with financing options as well as design options.

Don’t Waste Your Space!

cynthia — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:14:04 +0000

Do you have an unfinished basement that is dying to have a makeover? Finishing your basement offers more benefits than you may think. Not only will you add more living space and increase the value of your home, but it can also make your home more energy efficient! The Total Basement Finishing System (TBF) offers a total basement remodeling package that will work with any design idea. The team at Pete Westera’s Basement Systems USA can work with you to create the perfect living space in that unfinished basement. Obstacles like low ceilings, water heaters and poor lighting are all issues that the TBF system were made to overcome.

Flooring

Choosing the right flooring in your basement can be a daunting task. An unfinished basement usually has a concrete basement floor and while it is extremely durable, it’s also porous and unattractive. While your floor may not feel wet to the touch, water vapor can still make its way through. Just laying down carpeting or wood flooring can actually trap the moisture underneath, leaving your flooring susceptible to mold and mildew. The TBF system has a variety of waterproof flooring options to suit your needs:

ThermalDry Tiled Basement Flooring – a durable matting system that combines a waterproof vapor barrier with inorganic ceramic-looking tile. Tiles are specially designed for a basement’s unique conditions such as humidity, cold or water issues like a plumbing leak.
ThermalDry Carpeted Basement Flooring – similar to the ThermalDry tiles, these carpet tiles create a thermal break in your basement floor and a vapor barrier that will help keep moisture from the concrete from reaching your carpet or humidity in the air. The carpeting tiles, like the other tiles are also inorganic and will never promote mold or rot like normal carpeting. Have a small tear, stain or rip? Simply replace the tile and you’re carpeting looks beautiful once again.
Millcreek Basement Flooring – This PVC with vinyl textured grain of hardwood will give you the look and feel of hardwood flooring without the worry of rotting, mol, expansion or buckling when wet. There is a no-maintenance finish and the flooring is treated to resist fading.

If your heart is set on wall-to-wall carpeting, it’s very important to make sure you have the correct foundation. Our ThermalDry Basement Floor Matting, like all other TBF flooring, creates a break between your finished basement and the cold basement floor. Using ThermalDry flooring makes your floor 5-10 degrees warmer than before, making your new finished basement more energy efficient thus saving you money on utilities!

Walls

When it comes to finishing your basement walls, The TBF wall paneling is the way to go. Unlike wooden framing that can rot or grow mold and metal framing that will rust and weaken the insulative quality over time, your TBF wall system is made of high-density foam insulation. Hard cement board and a decorative vinyl covering. This system gives you a stylish look that can hold as much as 300 lbs. This means you won’t need to go searching for a stud to hang that brand new LED TV on your wall! The TBF wall paneling is an attractive off-white and beige combination with a subtle texture that will complement any furnishing and décor.

Ceilings

TBF recommends drop or suspended ceilings in a finished basement for several reasons. This type of ceiling offers important advantages to a finished basement like how warm or cold the floor above your basement feels and how much noise travels to the rest of the home. A drop or suspended ceiling also allows easy access to ducts, electrical cords and cables. The TBF ceiling tiles are made from inorganic mineral fiber composition instead of wood fibers. These ceiling tiles are water resistant and come backed with a 30-year transferable warranty against mold and mildew. The TBF ceiling tiles come in two unique styles:

Linen Ceiling Tiles – These are the brightest, richest looking tiles that will give your finished basement a more attractive look. Their bright design will make your room appear larger, cleaner and well lit. This type of tile is ideal for a family room, home office or home theater setting.
Prestige Ceiling Tiles – Specifically textured tiles to be forgiving of marks and dings and an economical price tag make this the perfect tiles for a game room, children’s play room or a home gym.

Finishing Touches

Our variety of lighting options includes fluorescent, halogen, LED and compact fluorescent. We also offer an option to include crown molding where the walls and ceiling meet as well as a decorative baseboard molding. Basement beams can be attractively covered in a detailed custom column wrap with crown molding and base included! Adding a staircase similar to those you would find in the main area of your home and French doors give your new space a more inviting feeling.

A correctly finished basement provides added living space and value to your home as well as saving energy with a healthier home environment overall. Take that unused space and create the room (or rooms) of your dreams. With the TBF system you can have the ultimate “ManCave”, home office or theater room in no time. If you need some extra cash in today’s economy, turn that lower level into a basement apartment and rent it out. The possibilities are truly limitless so give us a call today at 1-800-403-8249.

Basement Walls: Do it Once, Do it Right, Make it Green.

cynthia — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:38:02 +0000

It is a common occurrence all over the US: beautifully (and expensively) finished basements turned uninhabitable by dampness, strong musty odors, and mold infestation.Sensitive people have developed unexplainable allergies and upper respiratory symptoms and millions of dollars a year spent in mold remediation, and replacement of moldy drywall, insulation and studs.Expensive flood cleanups remove tons of moldy materials and mold remediation procedures, which have doubled in price in recent years, decontaminate the whole house just to prevent the mold from growing back.
Even after years of such failures, homeowners and many contractors still insist in treating below-grade basement walls the same way they treat the above grade ones, and use the same materials to finish them, namely: wood frame, fiberglass insulation and drywall. All of which are very poor choices for a basement due to the fact that they are all extremely susceptible to water damage. None of them can withstand a basement flood and are likely to grow mold under humid conditions.

These materials will eventually deteriorate and, being hardly recyclable or bio-degradable, will eventually end up in a landfill somewhere, its chemicals polluting the ground or being washed by the rain into the nearby streams. That is bad for your pocket and even worse for the environment.

Basements are Not Like the Rooms Upstairs

Because of the way basements are built, below grade walls are chronically moist or highly susceptible to developing some level of moisture problem.

Moisture in the basement walls comes mainly as a result of the fact that the basement is basically a box shaped structure, usually made of porous concrete, concrete blocks or unevenly layered stones, buried in wet dirt.

A hole, bigger than the actual basement, had to be dug so that foundation walls could be built or poured, and then loose soil was back filled around the walls. This backfilled soil will never be as hard-packed as the unexcavated virgin soil around it. It’s looser, more porous, and much more absorbent of water.

A number of factors, including heavy rains, melting snow, clogged gutters, downspouts discharging too close to the wall, improper grading or landscaping, and even a leaky garden hose can over saturate the soil around a foundation. The result is a significant amount of hydrostatic pressure against the basement walls that causes water to seep into the basement. Heavy leakages usually happen through wall cracks and at the junction between the walls and the slab.

However, keep in mind that concrete is a porous material. Therefore, even if there is no visible leakage, the water is consistently infiltrating the walls through capillary action.

In addition to that, basements are always prone to flooding and water accidents such as plumbing leaks, holes in water heaters, bursting washing machine hoses, a power outage, or mechanical failure that puts a sump out of commission. Also, a running faucet or a toilet overflow upstairs can easily bring water into the basement.

It’s not even a matter of if the basement will ever have water problems, but of when.

Fiberglass and Drywall are Poor Choices for Basement Walls

Drywall, in any of its applications, is already considered a plague in the demolition and building industry. It is rarely recycles and, according to BNet Business network, gypsum drywall makes up as much as 25% of the weight of debris from building and constructing activities. Once dumped in a landfill, drywall will decompose when wet, adding sulfate to the water and releasing unhealthy chemicals into the water table. As it dissolves, it releases a rotten-egg-smelling gas in the atmosphere which will usually spread throughout the area. Of course, the same will happen in any place where drywall comes in contact with water, including your basement.

About 17% of drywall material is wasted during construction and about 30 million tons of wallboard manufactured in North America per year. This is such a major environmental problem that some landfills banned the dumping of drywall altogether.

In the basement, drywall will soak up water and eventually, because it is made with organic compounds, grow mold. Even mold-resistant drywall carries no specific warranty against mold or moisture, provides only a 3-month warranty against mold, and has no warranty for basement flooding. Why? Because it still has a paper face.

Fiberglass, the other popular choice for insulating basements, was reported by the Environmental Protection Agency to generate significant air pollution, spent solvents, and hazardous wastes when processed. Adhesives that are often used in fiberglass wall products are known to contribute to smog and other air pollution. Additionally, the resins used when fiberglass is created are classified as a volatile organic compound, with the process that creates them producing significant amounts of hazardous materials
In addition, fiberglass is known to soak up moisture. When in contact with humid basement walls, it will get wet and lose its R-Value. The adhesives used to hold it together are made with urea, an organic compound. Combined with humidity it will eventually support mold growth as well. If under water, such as in case of a basement flood, fiberglass will absorb so much water it will often fall apart.

Green Basement Finishing is Long -Lasting Basement Finishing.

As homeowners begin to understand the benefits of green building and remodeling – not only in terms of environmental impact but also on their budgets – they begin to move towards this trend. Truth is, going green is more than just a way to help the planet, it’s also a great way to save money and improve your quality of life.
Add to that the recent government push for energy efficiency translated in tax credits and grants for energy efficient improvements and the mortgage industry offering incentives such as “green” mortgages and you will conclude that green remodeling is more than a fad. It is the future.
The Wisconsin Environmental Initiative reports that homeowners are using green products for 40% of all remodeling work, and the Green Tech Forum reports that the number of green homes will increase by tenfold in the next five years!
That creates a huge market for anything “green”, and where there is a market, there are those who will try to harvest profits from it by misrepresenting their products and services. In the environmentally friendly bandwagon that is called “green washing”. Since the concept is relatively new, homeowners are bound to be confused by “green” offers, claims and advertising.
There are however a few basic requirements for a product or technology to be considered green. A green product or technology should feature any combination of the following:

Maximizes Nature’s Resources
Is Recyclable or Created with Recycled Materials
Is Made with Long-Lasting Materials
Improves Energy Efficiency
Preserves the Environment by Eliminating or Cutting Down Emissions or Release of Pollutants.]

So how does that translate in terms or basement finishing?

When considering the typical cave-like environment of a basement, and it’s potential to develop moisture-related problems, one basic conclusion surfaces. In order for any material to last within the basement, it needs to be 100% waterproof. It should not retain, absorb or trap moisture. So anything that is spongelike, such as fiberglass or absorbent materials like wood and drywall, are bad choices.

Also, basement finishes need to be completely inorganic because organic matter combined with moisture supports mold growth. “Green” finishes such as bamboo, cork and recycled wood, however compliant with some the above specifications, will not work in the basement. They will grow mold, rot, need replacement, and the debris will end up dumped in some landfill to decompose. The energy consumed in making, transporting, installing, removing and replacing these products will have been wasted.

The same goes for insulation choices for the basements. Insulating the basement walls alone can do wonders to save money in your home. A report from the US Department of Energy has revealed that insulating your basement walls can save you between $250 and $400 annually.

The recommended insulation for basements, is rigid board foam insulation, as it neither retains nor absorbs moisture but that still leaves homeowners with tough choices to make concerning wall finishes and framing, as dry wall and wood studs won’t do.

Green Basement Finishing = Waterproof, Long-Lasting, Energy Efficient.

Once again, technology comes to the rescue with innovative basement wall solutions that offer thermal and moisture protection and the quality finished look that homeowners look for in their basement finishing projects.

Products like Total Basement Finishing’s (TBF) EverLast Basement Wall Panels are, to date, the greenest wall solution available for your basement. These 100% waterproof and mold-resistant wall panels are made to remain undamaged even if your basement flooded. Tests show that compared with dry wall and competing fiberglass-based products the TBF wall panels are the only product that does not absorb moisture if immersed in water.

The 2 1/2″ of R-13 insulation installed with their wall products are created with HCFC blowing agents, making them 94% less ozone-depleting than the standard CFC blowing agents. HCFCs have little comparative ozone depletion potential and short atmospheric lifetimes, and are much less damaging to the environment than the standard alternative.
This insulation in TBF Basement Wall Panels can be reused in many applications. When combined with the 1/2″ hard-panel wall board made with 95% certified recycled materials, these two products make for a superbly green alternative to hard-to-recycle drywall and fiberglass.
Made to last a lifetime, those panels can be installed without studs and, because they have a waterproof cement core, they give homeowners usable walls. Book shelves and flat screen TVs can be safely hung on them without special hardware. Eventual holes in the wall can be easily patched and repaired.

They are prefinished, in neutral colors, and are fully washable, eliminating the need for paint, as latex paint, being made with organic compounds, is also to be avoided in the basement.

Under normal conditions, TBF EverLast Wall Panels will last for as long as your house does. If your basement floods, they will not end up moldy and rotten in some landfill, like drywall, fiberglass and many competing basement products

Before you finish your basement, do your homework. You’ll save yourself a lot of money, headaches and, as an added bonus, helping the planet.

Note: Everlast Basement Wall Panels are only available through the Total Basement Finishing Dealership Network. Click here to locate one in your area.

Not all Basement Finishing Systems are Created Equal

cynthia — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:32:22 +0000

Many homeowners are looking to finish their basements and researching the matter over the Internet. These people are bound to find their share of horrors stories concerning basement finishing projects, basement finishing systems, and the contractors who install them.Just any other industry where there’s a lot of money to be made and not much consumer awareness, the home improvement industry is also particularly attractive to some dishonest businesses. This by no means indicates that the home improvement industry in itself is crooked, and that all the business involved are dishonest.Simply put: when it comes to sales, service, and products there are both good apples and bad.

Not all basement finishing systems are created, installed, or marketed equally.

Unfortunately, in this specific area, the bad impression caused by some of these products and businesses are extended to everyone else in the industry. This happens regardless of how each product performs or how the contractors are with the customers.

In addition, the basement finishing industry faces huge competition from traditional contractors. These installers are either too used to the traditional way of doing things or are unwilling to consider different alternatives: they are simply not qualified or not knowledgeable enough to use them. Should new technologies become the norm, they would have to either invest in different products and training to use them properly or go gradually out of business.

Now consider this: why is there such a thing as a basement finishing industry to begin with? Well, after many years of failures and disasters, and millions of dollars spent replacing moldy drywall, carpet, insulation and studs from traditionally finished basements, some companies concluded the obvious: finishing materials used in above-grade structures don’t work in the typically moist and dark conditions of a basement.

Homeowners should beware of self proclaimed “consumer advocates” as many of them are contractors who are either misinformed or just fearing competition.

Let’s address and debunk some of the myths raised by those who criticize basement finishing systems.

1. Wooden studs, drywall, fiberglass have been used in basements for years with success.

Every year millions of dollars are spent, and thousands of insurance claims are filed, to clean up and replace rotten, mold-infested basement finishes. A basement is basically a concrete or stone box buried in wet dirt.
Even the driest basement will have some level of moisture seeping through the walls and floor, usually aggravated by rains and snow meslt. Traditional finishes like drywall, fiberglass, wood, and carpet, will soak that moisture creating suitable conditions for mold growth.
New products were created to withstand the cavelike conditions of a typical basement and to work more efficiently around other common basement features, like the presence of pipes, cables, ducts, HVAC systems, and appliances that need to be serviced.

2. Basement Finishing Systems are too expensive.

Homeowners have to consider, determine and decide between what is inexpensive and what is cost-effective. Indeed, using regular drywall, fiberglass, and wood studs might save you a buck on the project, but the moisture is likely to ruin it soon enough. Then you face the cost of replacing the finishing materials along with possible expensive mold remediation treatments.

3. Basement Finishing Systems are shabby looking and not suitable for classy, stylish basement finishing projects

There are, indeed, low-end products out there, and because some companies compensate product deficiencies with advertising, people are sometimes more familiar with these products and tend to think that all basement finishing systems behave, function, and look the same.

High-end basement finishing systems not only provide all the moisture and thermal protection needed to transform a basement into a living area, they are also designed to be a beautiful asset to your home. These systems include not only impeccably built wall panels, ceiling and flooring tiles, but trims, accents and fixtures that will give your basement the stylish look you expect.

4. Basement Finishing Systems aren’t really waterproof.

Some wall panels marketed as waterproof have a bit of a design flaw, indeed!
They’re made out of lightweight fiberglass board and are often lined with fabric. Although the material itself is inorganic and waterproof, the fiberglass core absorbs water like a sponge. They might withstand typical basement conditions, but if the basement ever floods, those panels tend to literally disintegrate just like fiberglass batches do when you soak them in water.
The same goes for some basement subflooring tiles that are lined with wooden boards and also soak up water, grow mold, and rot. High-end basement finishing systems are 100% inorganic, waterproof, and, most importantly, non-absorbent.

5. Basement wall panels are frail and the walls are unusable.

Once again, the frequently advertised products cause people to think all basement finishing systems are the same. There are indeed very soft and very frail wall panels out there that can’t bear any weight. Should you want to hang anything, even as small as a picture, you will need special hardware and tools. High-end basement wall panels are more than a lined foam board. The best panels have a sturdy cement core, which can support up to 300lbs of weight per panel making them far sturdier than conventional drywall. You can hang pictures, shelves, clocks and big screen TVs without the need to look for studs. Should you move fixtures around, small holes can be easily patched, even with a dab of toothpaste!

6. Basement finishing companies use shoddy and pushy sales tactics.

A good basement finishing company will not push you into buying anything. They will show you all your options and tailor a project that suits your taste, needs and budget. They will help you design your dream basement room, and give you all the tools and knowledge you need to make an informed decision. They will give a honest, detailed, written estimate and the best value for your money. They will back their products and services with a good written warranty and be available to answer all your questions.

Basement finishing, even in this complicated housing market and economy, is still one of the few improvements that pay off in terms of increased property value, energy efficiency and comfort. Don’t keep yourself from protecting your investment and finishing your basement with the best products and technologies available. Shop around, do your homework, don’t settle for anything that has the potential to soon become ruined.. You want your new basement room to be used and enjoyed for many years to come.

The High-end products featured in this article are made by Total Basement Finishing and only available through their dealership network. Click here to locate a dealer in your area.

New Basement Flooring Options

cynthia — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:12:08 +0000

When finishing a basement, many homeowners have a hard time finding effective and long lasting flooring options. Because basements are humid by nature and prone to water problems, most materials that would work just fine upstairs will simply not work below grade. Let’s examine the common options:

Hardwood, bamboo, or cork floors are a bad choice because they soak up moisture, and being organic, they favor mold growth and rot.
Carpets might work if they’re made with 100% inorganic fibers, but they tend to soak up water and need to be installed over a vapor barrier or inorganic sub floor. Unfortunately, many homeowners use wooden sub floors. Again, we have the combination of moisture and organic material, raising a nice mold farm right under your feet.
Ceramic tiles are quite popular for this application but are very expensive. The installation is messy and time consuming, and they are terribly cold to the touch. In addition, they do not seal off moisture that can still seep in through grout Again, we will have a mold problem. Mold loves to grow in grout.
Vinyl is relatively inexpensive and, being made of plastic, you’d imagine it acts as a vapor barrier. However, it cannot be installed right over concrete, because water will still seep underneath and cause problems. Not to mention that your floors will also be very cold! You need a sub floor or a raised air space under the vinyl.

Laminates and the so-called “engineered wood” floors are currently being used for basements. Many of the options sold in hardware stores are made with organic compounds, (mold food). Many laminate flooring are also not 100% waterproof and will soak in water, causing them to rot.

Stained concrete finishes have the advantage of being resilient and versatile. The installation is usually messy and it takes a long time to cure. As beautiful as the final result can be, it will be just as cold as the tile, and the naturally porous concrete will soak up water. You also need to be sure that the sealant or varnish finish applied over stained concrete is able to handle hydrostatic pressure. Otherwise, it will peel off.

Additional consideration should be given to the installation and removal process in the event your basement has a water problem or accident in the future. The ideal flooring solution for a basement needs to be 100% inorganic, completely waterproof, easy to install, easy to remove for water seepage, and easy to repair if any damage occurs. Of course, it needs also to seal off moisture and provide some level of warmth, comfort and beauty.

Given all the above considerations, homeowners might think they are left with almost no options, and even less cost-effective ones. The general conception is that they will either have to invest big bucks or count on flooring replacements repeatedly over the years.

Technology to the rescue.

Today, you can find state-of-the-art flooring options specifically designed for basements that will give you the look and feel of the most popular flooring materials but with none of the potential problems. They are all 100% inorganic and waterproof interlocking floating flooring systems that are mold proof, long-lasting, and easy to install.

Total Basement Finishing offers the ThermalDry Basement Floor Matting system, which is designed to be used as sub floor for carpeting keeping it dry and away from the concrete slab.

They also offer appealing, cost effective “all-in-one” solutions (such as ThermalDry Carpeted Basement Flooring and ThermalDry Tiled Basement Flooring), that can be installed directly over the concrete with no need to spend money on sub floors.

The incredibly versatile and beautiful MillCreek Flooring reproduces the look and feel of real hardwood floors with no organic compounds to breed mold.

Additional advantages of using Total Basement Finishing specially designed basement flooring options:

>They can be applied directly over concrete as a floating floor with no need for adhesives. You can also walk over it and use the area immediately after installation. No drying or curing time. No mess.
They can be easily removed should you need to check the slab underneath for seepages
You can easily lift, switch, and replace individual damaged or worn tiles without ever having to disturb the surrounding ones.
Water accidents will not ruin your flooring. Just dry it up!
Because they isolate the walking surface from the concrete, they act as a thermal barrier as well. The finished surface is at least 10 degrees warmer than the concrete slab.
All flooring solutions are easy to clean an maintain. Should you move, you can just take your flooring system with you and install it in your new home. This makes them perfect for those who rent houses with unfinished basements.

As far as costs go, think that all-in-one solutions will save you money because you will not need additional subfloor. Add to that the savings in cooling and heating bills. Consider that your finished basement will add extra living space to your home without the cost and hassle of building an addition. Then compute the peace of mind of having floors that will not rot or breed mold for the years to come. You’ll realize that the investment will pay for itself in many ways.

Note: All the TBF products mentioned in this article are only available through the Total Basement Finishing Dealership Network.

From Basement to Beautiful with Total Basement Finishing

cynthia — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:18:45 +0000

In a matter of days, you can create a beautiful, comfortable, healthy, dry, and mold free basement your family will enjoy for many years to come!

Winterizing Your Basement

cynthia — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:10:53 +0000

by Jacques Bouchard

A Harsh Winter Is On The Way — Is Your Basement Ready?

No matter where you lived in the United States last year, the 2010-2011 winter was one for the history books. And with this year’s winter kicking off with a harsh Northeaster that left more than three million homes without power, you can be sure that more wintry blasts are on the way this time around.

While many homeowners are bracing their homes for the coming winter by insulating their attic, installing energy efficient windows, and by upgrading their utilities, many homeowners overlook their basement entirely when winterizing.

How A Basement Costs You Money In The Winter
A basement is where many homeowners keep the utilities in their home — including their furnace, water heater, HVAC system, air ducts, hot water pipes, and more. These utilities use energy to make heat, and they will need more energy if they’re in a cold environment.

Additionally, a cold, drafty basement means a cold floor and drafty environment in the floor above. Along with being uncomfortable underfoot, this will bring cold into the main area of the home, increasing demands on your heating system.

Addressing Critical Energy Loss Points In The Basement
One major area of heat loss in a basement is through the windows. While a homeowner may pay a bundle for high-efficiency windows in every other part of the building, the basement windows typically remain single-paned, steel-framed, drafty, and rusty.

Replacing these windows with durable windows designed with vinyl and two panes of Low-E glass will do wonders to reversing the energy drain caused by these windows. Replacing the window wells with new, covered ones will hold back winter winds, adding even more efficiency.

When the windows are closed and outside air is sealed out, your next goal should be to insulate those cold, concrete basement walls. Basement wall insulation can save you hundreds on your utility bills, while also adding value and comfort to your home. We recommend a waterproof wall board — one that will not be damaged in the sometimes damp or humid environment.

While insulating your floor is not as important as the walls, you may want a warmer surface underfoot for comfort’s sake alone (not to mention the aesthetic appeal of a new floor). Simply installing a basement floor system that creates an airspace between the cold concrete and the surface above may be sufficient, adding comfort and efficiency to your home.

Using fiberglass bats on the ceiling won't keep the air and moisture from the basement from infiltrating the insulation creating conditions for mold to develop.

What We Do NOT Recommend
Insulating your basement ceiling with fiberglass is a big mistake when it comes to energy efficiency. While it may make your floor more comfortable, you will still have a cold basement space, and cold utilities inside. By insulating the walls and floor, you avoid this problem, and make your basement more comfortable in the process.

Finally, it is in your best interests to find a basement dehumidifier that is both energy efficient AND rated for below-grade spaces. Basement dehumidifiers made for living space are most effective when drying air that is room temperature.

In a basement, it’s not uncommon for the temperatures to be 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Put a home dehumidifier in that space, and it will only be able to function at a small fraction of its capacity.

We Make Basements More Energy Efficient!
Total Basement Finishing dealers specialize in products that not only dry a basement, but also make it warmer and more energy efficient. Our exclusive line of basement products is the ideal way to upgrade your space for added beauty, utility, and comfort.

We offer homeowners within our service area free, no-obligation quotes! To sign up for your free quote, contact us today! We look forward to serving you!

Creating a Kitchen in the Basement

cynthia — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:04:31 +0000

By Elizabeth Gormley

A kitchen, or kitchenette, in a finished basement has some great advantages. Maybe you are housing guests, in-laws, a nanny, or you have a tenant living in your finished basement.

A kitchen downstairs allows privacy as well as extraordinary functionality in your home.

Also, a new modern kitchen is one of the most effective ways to add value to your home, and looking to the finished basement is a great way to go at a fraction of the cost an addition would be.

A new kitchen is a tall task for even the most accomplished do-it-yourself homeowner. Much of the design and execution of the kitchen should be handled by a contractor. This is particularly true when it comes to installing cabinetry, counters, and new appliances.

Because a kitchen of any sort poses some challenges such as plumbing, grease, smells, noise and cooking fumes, as well as some hazards concerning fire safety, consult your local building and fire codes to see what they recommend and what kind of permits you will need to build your basement kitchen safely and up to code.

One of the reasons homeowners are wary of a kitchen basement is the possibility of flooding. The appliances are expensive, and the right amount of water can ruin your refrigerator, oven or dishwasher. It is imperative to seal and waterproof your basement before getting started. Also, consider that a kitchen is the most common place for a house fire. There should be an easy escape route, aside from the main stairway. If there is not, you will need to create one.

The proper ventilation is key in a basement kitchen. Think about how cooking odors can linger in your upstairs kitchen, and realize the basement is below ground level. It will be much more susceptible to trapping smells. Plan on installing a ventilation hole in the side of the basement. This will be effective against cooking scents and also condensation. For ventilation and safety, the kitchen should not be tucked into an interior corner of the basement. It should have at least one wall with open air behind it.

Even if you do not have a tenant or live-in downstairs, a kitchen basement is ultra-convenient in today’s modern home. Particularly if you have a basement home theater, have friends over for movie night or Sunday football games. You can fetch snacks and beverages in seconds, with the fridge and oven just a few steps away.

For help with your basement finishing project, enlist the help of one of our skilled Total Basement Finishing contractors! They offer free design consultation, offer full-service basement remodeling and will help you obtain the necessary permits.

Basement Bathroom Tips: Shower Heads

cynthia — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:48:14 +0000

By Jacques Bouchard

When it comes to a quality basement finishing, it’s all about the details. A basement bathroom is a fantastic way to improve on your home, and it pays back for itself by 80% or more when the home is sold. If you could greatly improve the quality of your space by adding another $50 on to the final cost of the job, wouldn’t you do so?

There are few ways to improve on your home that are more effective than choosing the best shower head possible for your basement bathroom. You spend a lot of time in front of your shower head, and the way the water is released makes all the difference. Enjoying a soothing, comfortable shower is a guiltless pleasure. And if your family is growing, it may be the only valuable moment of privacy and quiet you’re guaranteed every day.

To help you make the most out of your basement bathroom, Total Basement Finishing offers these shower head shopping tips:

1. Choose a handheld shower head.

Fixed shower heads give a sleek designer look to a shower, but they’re much more difficult to repair and often fall short of the quality of their handheld counterparts. A handheld shower head is able to be mounted in a cradle that allows for all the advantages of a fixed shower head, but they also are able to be removed to aid in bathing with children and seniors. Additionally, a detachable shower head allows for ease of use when cleaning the tub, cleaning objects placed in the tub, and bathing pets. When selecting a handheld shower head, be sure to select one with a high-quality, durable hose that can stand high water pressures without blowing out and can endure daily use without wearing down or forming kinks. If a handheld shower head is definitely not your thing, remember that you can also install multiple fixed shower heads in a single shower-including one on both ends.

2. Find flow options on your shower head that fit your preference.

Shower heads are made to suit any preference a homeowner might have in water flow and pressure. If you love the feel of pounding water in your shower but have a basement bathroom with very low water pressure, there are models on the market that can adjust the water pressure to increase the volume of the water coursing through. More expensive models can even adjust the pressure to a gentle mist, champagne drops (the standard setting), a deep and relaxing massage, or even to a strong and vigorous jet of water.

If you’re interested in saving water for your home, low-flow shower heads are on the market that can save as much as a half gallon of water per minute (10 gallons of water during a single 20-minute shower). These shower heads can also come with cutoff valves that will allow you to shut the water off while you’re soaping up for increased savings of natural resources.

Many homeowners find themselves scalded by hot water or shocked by freezing cold water whenever a toilet is flushed or a faucet is turned on in the home. If you’re experiencing these problems, you’d probably appreciate the benefits of an anti-scald adapter or pressure balance valve in your shower. These products can cost as little as $15 and installs between the shower arm and shower head, shutting the water off if it becomes too hot.

3. Pick a shower head that’s built to last.

Shower heads come in an enormous variety of pricing- anywhere between $6 and $500. However, you won’t need to spend excessively to find a top-quality and comfortable one. For $30-$80, a high-quality shower head will be available for the remodeled basement bathroom that can give you the best value for your investment.

Brass shower will generally provide a reliable, long-lasting option for a remodeled basement bathroom, but they’re also much more expensive than other models. Whether the shower head is made from brass or some other metal, be sure that the materials are easy to upkeep and will not tarnish.

If you opt for a plastic shower head, find one that can resist lime buildup so it is unlikely to clog your shower head. All shower heads, however, will eventually develop lime accumulation if it’s present in the water. If your basement bathroom’s shower head is showing signs of this lime buildup, remove it by wiping the accumulations on the tip of the nozzle away, then use a lime-away solution or a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water to help soak the other deposits away.

4. Use a shower head water filter on in your finished basement bathroom.

The water that you bathe in comes from the same source as your tap water. During every shower, you bring about one cup of unfiltered water into your body, and you soak every surface of your body in this heated tap water. Any dirt, chemicals, lime, or impurities existing in your well water will also be present in the shower. If the water contains chlorine, then this chemical will dry out and chance the color of nails, skin, and hair. Chlorine also strops the natural oils from your skin and can possibhly also cause mild skin and eye irritation. Heavy minerals present in the water can weigh down hair, and a variety of other cosmetic disadvantages can come into play. However, with a high-quality shower filter, as much as 98% of these materials can be removed. The filter will need replacement only every 6 months or 10,000 gallons, and they need minimal personal maintenance.

Adding a basement bathroom is a beautiful addition to any basement finishing plan. A company like Klein Bath Systems can help you through that process. However, there are a great many other important steps in creating an exciting basement makeover. If you’re interested in creating a basement finishing plan, Total Basement Finishing is ready to help. They have the best finished basement wall products, basement floor products, and basement ceiling products available for all your basement remodeling needs. Total Basement Finishing provides free, no-obligation consultations and written estimates, and they’re ready to help you with this exciting and important home improvement.