Archives: basement

How To Insulate Basement Walls

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Foundations, Insulation

How To Insulate Basement Walls Insulating a basement properly is rather challenging in cold climates. In this article I’d like to discuss how to insulate basement walls in cold climates. Insulating basement walls in cold climates is a great way to keep your home warmer and drier. However, special care should be used when insulating…

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Basement Insulation

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Framing, Insulation

Basement Insulation – Walls Basement insulation is far more complicated than insulating regular wood framed walls. In fact, improperly insulated basement walls are one of the biggest reasons for mold in homes. If you don’t do this correctly you’ll be exposing your family to dangerous mold exposure. In this article I’ll show you How To…

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Installing Foundation Window Wells

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

Window Well Installation Installing window wells is a very good way of preventing unwanted water from entering into your basement windows. Window wells also allow the finish grade to be brought to an elevation higher than the window while still letting light into the window. How To Install Window Wells Window well installation is fairly…

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Basement Sump Pumps

By Todd Fratzel on Basements

Sump Pumps Keep Basements Dry If you live here in New England you know that sump pumps are a necessity in quite a few homes especially when spring rains come. Currently we’re experiencing some historical flooding in the area and I thought I’d share some thoughts on sump pumps (also a friend’s recent article on…

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Recessed Vs Surface Mounted – Basement Lighting

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Electrical

Last week one of my readers asked a question: Which is better? Recessed lights or surface mount ceiling lights for basement lighting? Basement Lighting Options For starters basements typically have a lower ceiling height than the main floors. Most modern construction today results in the ceiling joists (1st floor joists) being 7′-6″ above the concrete…

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Armstrong Introduces Custom Creations™

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Interior Decorating

StyleStix Moldings Suspended Ceilings Just Took A Leap Forward Over the last couple of years we’ve written quite a few articles on finishing basements to increase the livable space in your home. The articles have ranged on every topic from basement insulation to basement ceilings. So when I recently learned of a new line of…

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Basement Ceilings

By Todd Fratzel on Basements

Recommended Basement Ceiling Types Basement remodeling / finishing seems to be one of the hottest DIY projects right now. We get tons of emails about how to insulate  basement walls, how to insulate basement floors and what type of basement ceilings are best. Finishing or remodeling a basement requires lots of planning. The basement ceiling…

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Basement Flooring Options | Finished Basements

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Flooring

Finished Basement Flooring Finished basements are very popular today for a good reason. Properly finished basements can significantly increase the amount of living space in your home without the need for an addition. The key is the proper selection of techniques and materials to ensure a mold free, dry, healthy space for you and your…

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