Basement Renovations, The Rage in Windsor & Barrie

Visions of basements in pop culture have not been charitable. They're usually places where monsters hide, junk accumulates, or hangouts for unsavory characters to hatch devious plots. In reality, having a below ground level in your Windsor home is a huge asset. It raises value to your property when properly maintained, it is the safest place to be in a natural disaster, it can be used as a showroom, game room, or a general sanctuary from the chaos above. Finishing the basement in a standard two story home can potentially increase your useable floor space by almost 35%. If you have an unfinished basement and are considering a move to a new home because you need more space, an upgrade to the basement will prove to be much more economical than purchasing a bigger home. A basement is something to be nurtured. If you let neglect it, or fail to maintain it, it will invariably act up - springing leaks, gathering dust, becoming a nuisance. But with the right care and attention, it can truly do wonders for your home.  Lakeside Interiors is Windsor & Barrie’s basement renovations specialists. No matter the state of things down there, we have seen it all, everything from upgrades to floods. If you have a dream vision, or even a vague idea of what you’d like in your basement, talk to one of our basement specialists about your options, we’ll work with you to perfect your vision and make your dream of what your basement could be, come true. From adding a fresh coat of paint, to creating top of the line showrooms with custom display cases and rotating platforms, we have done it all. No job is too large, small, or specialized for our basement renovations specialists. With the stress and pressure that everyday life brings, one must find peace. Whether you seek a classic "man cave," game room, sports watching paradise, gathering place for friends, art studio, music studio, rehearsal space, document storage or whatever it may be, we can create it for you. Life is too short to regret not having spent more time cultivating that perfect space. We offer the most competitive prices for basement renovation in the Windsor or Barrie areas. If you have an idea, give us a call, and we'll do the rest. We will give you a space you can always take pride in.

This article was published by:

Keith McGorlick,

Author, Blogger,

Home Improvement Expert &

President of, Lakeside Interiors

Windsor & Barrie Ontario

705-881-4456 in Barrie or,

lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

226-946-9651 in Windsor or,

lakesidewindsor@gmail.com

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DIY Basement Renovation Vs Hiring a Pro.....What's The Best Way to Go?

Homeowners have long recognized that a basement renovation can instantly deliver a slew of critical benefits to their home. A finished lower level in a home potentially offers an extensive increase in useable area. Additionally, most unfinished basements are a blank canvas which allows for ultra-flexibility throughout the renovation. Finally, having more usable living space instantly boosts the value should the owners ever decide to sell their home. 

Hiring A Remodeling Professional Can Prove A Wise Decision 

While the decision to remodel is often a "no brainer", homeowners often struggle with one very important factor; should they go it alone on a DIY level, or should they partner with a professional remodeling contractor for the job. 

While doing it yourself may seem like an appealing proposition before you start the redesign process, it's easy for a DIY project to quickly get out of hand and over budget. If you're considering your labour options for a basement remodeling venture in your home, read on. 

Understanding some key benefits that a seasoned renovation contractor can bring to the table can help streamline the decision making process and ensure you make the right choice for your home.

Key Benefits To Hiring A Professional Contractor For Your Basement Update

First and foremost, teaming with a professional for your project instantly grants you access to their extensive skills, qualifications and work experience. 

A finished basement is a moderately challenging endeavor. Unless you've actually, (and successfully!) completed interior remodel jobs, chances are you'll be spending an exorbitant amount of time trying to ramp up with the many details that surround a redesign of this magnitude. 

Working with a pro instantly eliminates time wasted spinning wheels; your chosen remodeling contractor will come prepared with knowledge of the current code requirements and the conditions necessary to begin working on your job. 

Additionally, most unfinished basements are wide open, underutilized spaces. Creating a functional, coherent design that best utilizes the available space can prove difficult for a layperson. 

A seasoned professional renovator will have the insights you need to help create a cohesive layout for your new space, maximizing the area according to your priority list.

Finally, while taking the DIY route for your basement project may seem like a great way to save money, homeowners often find that this is not always the case. Inexperienced attempts to renovate can often result in costly errors. 

Also, when working on any type of home improvement, there's always a chance of the unforeseen occurring. Formerly undetected water damage, poorly built structures and compromised structural integrity in the basement can all cause major construction glitches resulting in mounting costs if not managed quickly and efficiently. 

Partnering with a professional contractor from the start can help eliminate these risks and keep your job on track and on budget throughout the process.

The Best of Both Worlds

Some renovation contractors, Lakeside included, Will allow you to work with their crews to reduce your labour costs.

The obvious benefit of this arrangement is that you have access to the contractors expertise while at the same time, reducing the  labour required for the project. Not so obvious is the fact that you will not need to purchase or rent any major tools required to complete your project since your contractor will already have professional grade equipment.

Another subtle benefit is that you will likely learn several new skills during the process that will be of use to you in future projects.

Lakeside Interiors specializes in renovating existing basements as well as kitchens and bathrooms so, if you aren't looking for a "full contact" DIY experience, get together with us and we'll make your dream basement a reality for you!

We are now available on facebook as well as on linkedin. Like us on facebook and follow us on linkedin!

While you're on the site, feel free to download the FREE E-book there to help you with your bathroom renovation plan, more books are in the planning stages, but I started with bathrooms.

Get all the latest tips and articles delivered right to your inbox by signing up for our free newsletter. 

If you have any questions you'd like answered or you would like to see an article on a particular subject, feel free to ask in a comment window or contact us directly.

If you would like advice concerning your summer project or you would like a cost estimate for a project you are considering, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Lakeside Interiors dedicates a portion of its profits to the community we work in by using our skills to assist the elderly or disabled free of charge. If you know of someone in your area who could use our assistance, please let us know. 

This article was published by:

Keith McGorlick,

Author, Blogger,

Home Improvement Expert &

President of, Lakeside Interiors

Windsor & Barrie Ontario

705-881-4456 in Barrie or,

lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

226-946-9651 in Windsor or,

lakesidewindsor@gmail.com

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Insert your email address at the

top of this page.

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A Wet Basement May NOT Actually Be Leaking in Windsor

The basement is the heart of many a home. Most of the air that we breathe comes from this part of the house. If the air is humid, dank and dirty then this might have a negative effect on the health of people living in the home. Water damage is a major problem in many homes because it gets into the basement and begins to cause a range of troubles. In order to prevent this from occurring it might be a good idea to install a vapor barrier.

What most people might not realize is the fact that vapor can sink into the walls of your basement and cause water damage on the inside. As the vapor begins to condense inside the house, the room becomes humid and this air spreads throughout the rest of the house. If you have concrete basement walls then you might be at a loss as to what else need to be done to keep the water our. A vapor barrier is the answer.

A vapor barrier is attached to the foundation of the basement and it keeps the moisture from sinking through the walls and into the basement itself. It's important to note that the vapour barrier must ALWAYS be installed on the warm side of the basement insulation and will not function properly unless the insulation is present. 

Less moisture equals less humidity and this means a whole range of advantages. Not only will water damage be less of a concern but you will also be able to prevent mold from forming in your home. Mold usually thrives in dark, moist places and a basement is a prime suspect for harboring it. With a vapor barrier you can keep the air in your basement dry and prevent moisture from causing a variety of troubles in your home. 

It's important to take note of the reasons for the high humidity in your basement. If the moisture is coming from another source then it might not help to simply keep the moisture from outside the home out. If the moisture is coming from inside the home then you will need to sort that problem out before you can gain some relief. 

There are a range of other advantages that come with installing a vapor barrier and this is perhaps why it is so popular. The item itself is usually quite durable, so it won't have to be replaced very often but it also has the ability to keep bugs and other creepy crawlies out of the basement. These creatures are perhaps one of the main reasons that many people do not want to venture down into their own basements, and this is one way to ensure that you are not one of them. 

Water damage can end up costing you more than money; it can end up costing you the health of your family, which is why it is such an important concern. The best way to combat it is to find measures that work and a vapor barrier is one of them. This is a simple solution that any good contractor will be able to implement in your home for you. Contact us at Lakeside and we will be happy to advise you on the best options for your home.

We are now available on facebook as well as on linkedin. Like us on facebook and follow us on linkedin!

While you're on the site, feel free to download the FREE E-book there to help you with your bathroom renovation plan, more books are in the planning stages, but I started with bathrooms.

Get all the latest tips and articles delivered right to your inbox by signing up for our free newsletter. 

If you have any questions you'd like answered or you would like to see an article on a particular subject, there are comment windows for you as well as a form for you to fill out to send a message directly to my personal inbox.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback you may have, especially any ideas you may have concerning future articles you would like to see.

If you would like advice concerning your summer project or you would like a cost estimate for a project you are considering, please dont hesitate to contact us.

Lakeside Interiors dedicates a portion of its profits to the community we work in by using our skills to assist the elderly or underpriviledged free of charge. If you know of someone in your area who could use our assistance, please let us know. 
 

This article was published by:

Keith McGorlick,

Author, Blogger,

Home Improvement Expert &

President of, Lakeside Interiors

Windsor & Barrie Ontario

705-881-4456 in Barrie or,

lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

226-946-9651 in Windsor or,

lakesidewindsor@gmail.com

5 Ideas to Transform Your Basement in Windsor

If your basement has become the home's default storage room, what you need are some basement remodeling ideas.  Fortunately, we're here to help. Every day many homeowners try to think of ways they can transform their boring basements into something new. The first thing you must do as a homeowner is throw away any preconceived notion that a basement is just a dark, cool place to use as storage. Think of it as extra space with the potential to become something amazing. 

There are many ideas for transforming your basement depending on the needs and wants of your family. Some of these ideas include:

Game Room: Turn your basement into a space that the whole family will love. A great game room will first need some fun colors for the walls to give the room some extra life. This room will be all about fun and will need to look like a happy exciting place. This type of remodel will need the most comfortable furniture you can find that will also be durable. How about a refrigerator? A pool table, foosball table, video games, and pinball machines are the most popular types of entertainment. Include a bar area and you won't be able to drive away your guests. This idea will bring the family and friends together and be a positive experience for everyone.

Guest Room: Decorating a guest room or in-law suite is a great way to utilize your finished basement.  It adds extra space as well as provides an area for out of town family and guests to relax while visiting your home. This type of room should be filled with tranquil, comfortable furnishings.  It should provide all of the conveniences of a home away from home. It should also provide a place for your guests to retreat after a long day.

Gym or Workout Room: This is ideal for those who would like a dedicated room for exercise equipment without losing the space in their home. It is amazing to know that when you want to work out you don’t have to get in the car or leave the comforts of your own home.  A place to exercise in your home will pay for itself in more ways than just the value of your home; it will pay in added years to your life.  For the health-conscious, this just might be the greatest of the basement remodeling ideas. 

Office or Study Area: Turning your basement into a home office is a great way to provide a quiet, tucked away workspace in your home. A basement turned home office provides a perfect “work away from work” space when you need to be at home or just need a change of scenery.

Children Play Room: If you have a house with small children, a play room might be the perfect remodel for your basement. Because a basement often provides a blank canvas with which to work, a play room could easily be made with any style and any budget depending on the needs of your family. This is the perfect time to get more creative with paint-polka dots or stripes on the walls, hiring someone to paint a mural, etc. Bean bag chairs for reading, or small tables for tea parties will provide hours of entertainment for years to come. 

There are many basement remodeling ideas besides these, there are also many basement finishing ideas and basement ceiling ideas.  The key is to consider what would benefit the entire household--and go with that.

This article was published by:

Keith McGorlick,

Author, Blogger,

Home Improvement Expert &

President of, Lakeside Interiors

Windsor, Kitchener & Barrie Ontario

226-787-5835 or,

lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

lakesidekitchener@gmail.com

lakesidewindsor@gmail.com

Basement Renovation Money-Saving Tips in Windsor, Ontario

Summer has arrived here in Windsor, or as we call it here…..construction season! Many families here are considering a variety of DIY projects around the house, one of the most common is to expand useable floor space by renovating an unfinished or partially finished basement area. Here are some money saving tips that we use in the industry to reduce cost, increase useable space or improve appearance of the finished product. I hope you can make use of one or more of them in planning your project.

 · Make use of wasted space under the lower end of the stairway leading into the basement. Consider roll-out bins or shelves to hold laundry or other supplies.

 · Finish off the floor if your plan is to incorporate a family room or home office. If the floor in your basement is concrete, decide on the flooring you will use; laminate or engineered flooring, or carpet.

 · If you decide on carpet, and your floor is smooth, carpet and padding can be easily tacked down and stretched directly on top of the concrete. It’s important to know that once the carpet is stretched that it will lay flat across the entire floor. An uneven floor will cause the carpet to be unsupported underneath any low spots. If you prefer not to go to the expense of leveling the floor properly, then glue the carpet down, otherwise the carpet will wear much quicker in the unsupported areas.

 · If you decide on laminate or engineered flooring, you will have a great looking basement. The material and installation is more expensive than carpeting a floor, but usually cheaper than using a ceramic tile. Laminate is essentially saw dust and glue, made under great pressure and a lot of heat. The finishes on laminate are very tough; the floor is sturdy and wears very well – and good for high-traffic areas. Engineered flooring is essentially made by laminating a thin layer of hardwood flooring to the top of thin plywood and will wear similar to actual hardwood flooring of the same wood, however since it is plywood, it will resist warping under the high humidity conditions generally found in basements.

 · If part of your basement renovation includes a bathroom, time and costs can be cut if bathroom fixtures are located near existing plumbing. This means designing the bathroom floor plan close to the main waste-vent stack and house drain – with reduced cost involved in the installation of underground pipes.

 · When deciding on small bathroom design, it is easier and less complicated to arrange the bathroom fixtures along a line on one wall. Check local codes for plumbing and electrical requirements for your project.

 · Always remember when planning for ANY basement project that wood must NEVER touch concrete, under ANY circumstances! Concrete is inherently porous and absorbs small amounts of moisture directly from the ground under itself and will eventually rot any wood touching it. Any wood product which must be touching concrete, such as the base of a wall, should be installed with a gasket under it.

If you would like advice concerning your summer project or you would like a cost estimate for a project you are considering, please dont hesitate to contact us.

 Lakeside Interiors dedicates a portion of its profits to the community we work in by using our skills to assist the elderly or underpriviledged free of charge. If you know of someone in your area who could use our assistance, please let us know.

This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-946-9651 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

Basement Renovations in Windsor

If you’re afraid to go down your steps and into the dungeon, you may want to start thinking about basement remodeling. There are a many different options that can be adapted to basement construction with today’s building technology. It’s up to you to decide what will work for your family and what type of activities you would like to use the area for. You should have a reasonably good idea of what you want before you call someone to help you to get it the way you want it. Remember though, a professional contractor will be able to explain options to you that you may not have considered. Contractors who are “in the know” are aware of technology and product upgrades before they even hit the market.

Before you do any type of basement remodeling you need to know what’s already there. A number of different things can be done as long as the structure and room size will allow it. Basically you need to make sure all that you want to do will fit in the area you have. Also, you need to look at the layout and make plans according to what you want to put in and what existing structure is supporting the building.

You need to know what you want before beginning work on your basement. Would you like a game room, or are you looking to create a new place that you can use to increase your living space? Do you want to make another bedroom, or are you simply trying to find the best way to use the space and take full advantage of your home? There are many things you can do but you need to decide before you call someone in. A good contractor can help you with planning and ideas but you should at least know what type of space you’d like to end up with.

As with any major improvement to your home, the first thing you need to consider is the budget, how much can you afford to spend on this project and will it create the space that you need? Your contractor can help with this a great deal by guiding you toward selecting items which will be within your budget and still allow for the finished product that you wish. Remember that you drive the cost of the renovation with the selections that you make in regards to finishes and fixtures etc.

Most of all you need to be able to trust the contractor doing your basement remodeling. This means you will need to be comfortable with them and to enjoy having them around, remember you will be working closely with your contractor for an extended period and you should at least like having them around!

This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor & Barrie Ontario
705-627-4909 or,
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com
226-946-9651
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com