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

To receive this blog in your inbox,

Insert your email address at the

top of this page.

To receive our FREE newsletter click here.

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

To receive this blog in your inbox,

Insert your email address at the

top of this page.

To receive our FREE weekly,

"Home Maintenance Tips" 

newsletter click here.

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

Epoxy Floor Paint- Why Is It a Better Flooring Option For Basements in Windsor?

Basement flooring has always raised great concern in the minds of homeowners considering home improvement and renovation. One can alter anything in their home with ease but not the concrete surfaces in your basement.Not only has changing the surface been difficult but also it has been quite expensive as well. The traditional surfacing options like the granite, marble, slate etc are very difficult to maintain, while ceramic tile is somewhat difficult to install.
So such things gave rise to a new concept of flooring. It was thought that something should be developed that could alter floors just like we change wall paint colours.
The solution was epoxy floor coating paint. The epoxy resin paint completely changed the whole scene of basement improvements. Changing floors has now become exceptionally easy. You just have to apply the epoxy floor paint just like you paint your walls and you’ll see a completely transformed basement. Epoxy is a resin material that can be applied over the concrete flooring surfaces which after being dried, becomes extremely durable and gives an entirely new look to your basement or garage.
Epoxy floor paint is widely recommended due to the number of properties that it possesses. It’s easy to apply and maintain. You just have to apply it like you paint your wall. It’s resistant to water, dust, chemicals and grease, which makes it easy to maintain. Epoxy resin is a very affordable concrete flooring option. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to cover the concrete flooring as you would with traditional flooring options.
With epoxy floor paint you can alter the surfaces any time and in any way you want. The epoxy floor paint can be customized, to give it the desired durability and strength required, which makes epoxy floor paint a very nice option for home renovation. This concrete floor paint is highly durable and can withstand high pressure and weight. This property makes it ideal for concrete garage floors since it can bear the continuous movement of vehicles over it.
If you are considering home improvement and want to change the look of your basement or garage floors, but you aren’t the DIY type, but still want to save money, then you can simply hire professionals who are experienced with epoxy floor paint application. A professional can help you have the desired colors and textures using  epoxy floor paint.
They can also help you gain the customized durability with your epoxy garage flooring. Moreover the epoxy floor coating can be altered any time the homeowner desires. So if you are looking for more insight into whether epoxy floor covering would be the right choice for your home, write us at lakesidewindsor@gmail.com.


This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor, Kitchener & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-787-5835 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com
lakesidekitchener@gmail.com

My Windsor Basement Flooded! What do I do next?

The first thing you should do is call your insurance company! They will immediately assign an adjuster to your case, who will guide you through the steps required by your insurer.

A word here about coverage and how it’s determined. If you have a broken water line or water heater and it floods your basement, your insurer will usually cover the damage but not what caused it. In other words, They will pay for anything in the basement which is damaged by the water but not for repairing the broken pipe or water heater.

Contact a restoration contractor, your adjuster will likely supply you with a list of possible options with whom they normally have dealings. Remember, when you are selecting a contractor, it’s your home and you are in charge of who comes in to do work there. NOBODY has the right to tell you which contractor to use, you’re in charge. Use whichever qualified contractor you’re comfortable with.

Eventually everything damaged must be removed, but not until it’s been documented! That means a detailed inventory must be written (by your contractor) and supported with photographic evidence of damage. The thing to remember here is that if damage can’t be proven, the insurer doesn’t have to replace it. So don’t think you’re helping by throwing everything outside!

The insurance company will break your claim down into two sections:

The Emergency Response:
Your selected contractor will arrive at your home with the intent of assessing the damage which has been caused. They will determine their personnel and equipment requirements and then dispatch a crew with the required equipment.

Their intent during the emergency response is to mitigate the damage. Anything wet will be documented and removed, including carpet, flooring, doors, drywall, furniture, personal belongings etc. If possible, some items may be cleaned, dried and returned later.

During this time your contractor should spray a mouldicide / fungicide on the areas which are not being removed. This is for your protection. Since mould spores are everywhere, you just need to add water and time and you have mould growing. This could constitute a health hazard for anyone living in the home. Remember, water + time = mould.

A word to the avid do-it-yourselfers in the crowd – Bleach does NOT kill most mould, it makes it white! Don’t try to clean up by yourself with bleach, the chlorine gas released from the bleach could be more harmful than the mould, especially if inadvertently mixed with something else!

Once everything damaged has been removed, your contractor will set up drying equipment. This will usually consist of air movers (fans) and large de-humidifiers. Simply put, the objective here is to evaporate all the residual moisture into the air and then suck it out of the air with the de-humidifiers, then drain it into the sewer system of your home.

This process takes 2 – 3 days, it may look dry the next day but there is still enough moisture to nurture mould growth. Your contractor will have special meters to check for moisture content. If sufficient moisture is not removed, there will be mould later.

The Repair:
After your basement has been sufficiently dried it will be time for your contractor to put it all back together.

This will normally be the contractor from the emergency response, but not necessarily so. Since the insurance claim is split into two distinct contracts, you may have the option to switch contractors for the repair segment, your adjuster will be able to inform you if this is an option in your case.

In this phase of the operation, your contractor will make sure there is no mould beginning to grow in spite of their best efforts. Then they will begin replacing the drywall that was removed.

The new drywall will be installed, taped and coated with drywall compound (plaster). Next, it’s time for paint, the insurer will usually cover painting the entire wall area because of the difficulty matching the colour. This is the time, if you were considering changing the colour before the flood, to do so. As long as it’s not a drastic colour change requiring additional coats of paint, your contractor won’t mind changing if for you.

Once all this is completed, it will be time for your new flooring to be installed. The insurer will cover the cost of replacing it with the exact flooring that you had originally. The rule they go by is to make it exactly the way it was 1 minute before the flood.

This being said however, if you would like to pay for the difference in cost, there is not usually any problem if you would like to have your contractor upgrade your choice of flooring at this time. The insurer will pay what it would have cost to restore the floor to it’s original condition & your contractor will charge you directly for the balance.

The next step is for all the baseboards, doors and trim to be replaced and painted.

Once all this has been completed, it will be time for your contractor to bring back all your belongings that were salvageable and restore them in the room(s) as they were.

I hope that this post helps anyone who has had the misfortune of being on the receiving end of Mother Nature’s sense of humour lately. It’s been a wet year so far and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight but I’m sure the sun will come out someday!

I should add at least one shameless plug here, Lakeside Interiors has IICRC trained and certified technicians on staff to handle your flood emergency.
We are fully equipped and can be reached by any of the following methods:


This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor, Kitchener & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-787-5835 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com
lakesidekitchener@gmail.com