What major advantages does Designer Basements have over other finishing
methods?
Appearance: Designer Basements offers the color choices and pattern options that have never before been available anywhere – all professionally coordinated for a designer appearance. It comes pre-finished to eliminate the time and mess of doing it yourself. Comfort: Designer Basements uses a solid-panel construction with an Expanded Polystyrene thermal core. This provides exceptional insulation over other types of insulation or standard drywall. Our Expanded Polystyrene insulator provides 100% thermal protection and is a material recommended by the US Department of Energy specifically for basement masonry walls. Mold Resistant: Since mold can be a problem in basements and mold feeds on organic materials, Designer Basements uses only 100% non-organic materials in our panels and installation method. Our panels face the foundation wall and provides a 24/7 sentry where mold is most likely to occur. As an added feature only our panels include exclusive Microban® protection, a leader in the industry, to resist mold growth on the panel back. Moisture Resistant. Moisture (dampness, humidity) can also fuel mold growth. Designer Basements uses 100% moisture-resistant materials throughout every layer of our panel and state-of-the-art materials designed specifically for spaces like your basement. Allergen and Odor Resistant. Our non-porous panel construction helps block allergens and odors from seeping into the materials. Learn more about the Features
and Benefits of Designer Basements.
Who installs Designer Basements? Designer Basements are installed by an authorized Designer Basement dealer in your area. Your local dealer has been trained and certified as a Designer Basement expert to ensure that your finished basement is completed professionally and quickly. Your Designer Basement dealer provides convenient start-to-finish project service.
How will my Designer Basement dealer help me? When you contact your Designer Basement dealer, you’ll work with a Certified Design Consultant. This is a complimentary service. Your Designer will explain everything about your new finished basement and answer your questions. He or she will work with you to understand how you want to use your basement space and help you design that space. They’ll consider how you want to use the space today and how you may want to incorporate future plans for your finished basement. (Perhaps you’ll want an extra kitchen in a few years, or a home office.) Your Designer will show you the wide range of available color and pattern choices for your walls and floor and help you make all those exciting decisions about how you want your new space to look and feel. All of this in just one short visit!
What if I don’t want to use the décor colors or patterns available? No problem. Designer Basements gives you the option to order your panels unfinished so that you can customize your décor as desired. Are you sure? Take a look at the beautiful options in colors and patterns coordinated for a professional designer appearance.
Can I create multiple rooms in my finished space? Yes! Designer Basements gives you the advantage of designing your space in many creative ways. Our solid thermal panels are perfect for the exterior foundation wall, with a solid panel option for interior partition walls. This allows you to divide your space many ways. You may want to create separate spaces for an entertainment area, a playroom, a game room, an exercise room or a home office. Or you may want to add a bathroom or kitchen. You’ll be able to include a separate space for storage or to house your mechanicals such as the water heater or furnace.
Designer Basements includes an available flooring option. Nu-Tech flooring is manufactured with all-new state-of-the-art materials that are 100% non-organic and 100% moisture-resistant, making it a perfect choice for basement spaces. It features lay-flat, stay-flat technology for a floor that looks great and stays great. Nu-Tech flooring is available in a variety of color and pattern options that coordinate perfectly with our available wall décor.
Designer Basements has been developed to allow the installation of a standard drop ceiling. Your Designer Basement dealer may offer a choice of ceiling products as well as provide the installation of your ceiling for your convenience. Dealer services may vary. Contact your local Designer Basement dealer for more information on ceilings.
How long does it take to install Designer Basements? After you and your Design Consultant meet and design your space, you’ll review and approve final plans and your installation will be scheduled. Installation is simple and clean. The hanging
rail and base track are installed, then the walls and doors. This
typically takes just
a day or two, depending on the project design. Next, the floor and
drop ceiling is installed and your basement is complete. Your Designer
Basement, with pre-finished décor, will be ready to use right
away.
My foundation walls have leaked in the past. Can I still have a Designer Basement? Yes, if the problem has been fixed. Naturally, you’ll want to be sure your foundation walls and basement floor is in good condition (no leaks or structural damage) before you finish your basement. As part of their service to you, your Designer Basement dealer will perform a comprehensive (and free) evaluation of your basement to make sure you’re good to go! If there are any issues, they’ll recommend ways to resolve them before you finish your basement.
Will Designer Basements protect my foundation wall from leaks? No. Designer Basements is a way to finish your basement, not a waterproofing system. Any existing leaks or waterproofing issues should be resolved prior to finishing your basement. As part of our total project commitment to you, your Designer Basement dealer will inspect the existing condition of your basement for your peace of mind. However, should you need to reach your foundation wall for any reason your Designer Basement panels can be removed for easy access.
Will Designer Basements protect my basement from mold? Designer Basements has carefully developed a product and installation method designed to offer the highest resistance against mold growth and limit the conditions in our control that can cause mold growth to occur. However, no means of finishing a basement can guarantee the prevention of mold in a basement under all conditions. As a homeowner, your first defense against mold in any area of your home is to inform yourself how to prevent conditions that promote mold growth. For more information on mold in your home, please read Healthy Basement Living: Mold Facts & Prevention.
How much does Designer Basements cost? Designer Basements is very affordable and competitively priced compared to other finishing methods. Since Designer Basements is a home improvement project, cost is variable and is based on the size of your space and what you have in mind to do. Your Designer Basement dealer can provide an accurate job quote. After your Designer Basement dealer speaks with you, reviews your basement space and learns the details of your project, they will provide you a price quote the same day so that if and when you decide to go ahead with the project, you’ll know exactly what your investment will be.
What is the financial advantage of finishing my basement? Finishing your basement is a very economical way to enjoy usable new space because you’re converting space that you already have, not adding a new construction to your home.
What is the return on investment of my Designer Basement? According to the most recent Cost vs. Value Report (an annual survey from the leading reporting resource on home improvements), the return on investment for a finished basement is currently about 90%. This is based on a national average. Actual ROI varies per state, county, neighborhood, the specifics of your home and the specifics and quality of your remodeling project. Your return may be much higher. The report uses specific criteria to define a “finished” basement by size and features. The materials are based on a drywall face with insulation, doors, recessed ceiling light fixtures and a laminate flooring system.
What is the warranty for Designer Basements? Designer Basements protects you with a lifetime, transferable warranty
on the product. Your Designer Basement dealer also offers an installation
warranty. See your dealer for more details.
HEALTHY BASEMENT LIVING MOLD FACTS What is Mold? Mold is one of the oldest natural occurring living organisms on earth. Mold is a type of fungus. There are over 100,000 known living species and 200,000 unidentified fungi.
Mold is everywhere – indoors and out – even in the cleanest homes. Mold can enter a home on clothing, shoes, pets, open doorways, windows, vents and through the heating and cooling system. They can exist in dust and can be carried through air and water. Mold can grow within 24-48 hours of landing on a damp, moist base that has food and oxygen available. It is nearly impossible to create an environment that is 100 % mold free. How Does Mold Grow? When environmental conditions are right, mold will release invisible spores which develop into unwanted growth. To grow, mold needs: “Food” is any organic (living or once living) matter. Mold decomposes the organic matter and uses it as a food source. The decomposition process can also cause damage or destruction to the host material. Mold can grow in temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees when combined with high humidity. Temperatures between 68 – 80 degrees are the common range for mold growth, when other conditions are also present. Water sources can be pooled water (often caused by leaks) or damp surfaces (often caused by humidity). Humidity levels over 60% is the known threshold that enables mold growth when other conditions are present. What Does Mold Look Like? Mold can be nearly invisible or resemble spots of various colors. It may or may not smell musty. Mold may cover small patches or cover large areas. If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present and should be immediately addressed. Stachybotrys Chartarum (Black mold) Stachybotrys, commonly called “stachy,” is a greenish-black, slimy mold found only on cellulose products (such as wood or paper) that have been wet for several days or more. The mold does not grow on concrete, linoleum or tile.
Molds may cause health problems for those sensitive to allergens. They may cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing and eye or skin irritation. They may also trigger asthma attacks. Severely sensitive individuals or those with immune compromised health conditions, such as chronic lung illnesses, may be susceptible to lung infections when exposed to molds. Other serious health effects, particularly infant exposure to the Stachybotrys Chartum mold (black mold), have not yet been positively linked, but are being actively studied. Stachybotrys and some other fungi may produce several toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can be present in spores and small mold fragments released into the air. Once the mold fragments, mycotoxins and spores are in the air, individuals may breathe them into their lungs. MOLD PREVENTION The key to controlling mold is to prevent or correct the conditions that allow growth. Humidity • Keep relative humidity levels between 40% and 59%. Temperature Limit excessively warm temperatures in the home that are known to encourage mold growth. Temperatures over 68-80 degrees Fahrenheit and above can cause mold to develop when combined with high humidity. Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit will render most molds inactive, or dormant, but will not kill them. Ventilation Be sure your home is properly ventilated to control the build up of humidity and moisture in the air. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen, bathroom. Vent your clothes dryer outside your home. Air Circulation Create a living environment throughout the house that includes adequate air circulation to help prevent mold growth. Air circulation helps control moisture levels through evaporation. Open windows, when possible, but only when the humidity outdoors is lower than that inside. Set up fans to increase air circulation. Set up dehumidifiers to lower the relative humidity. Moisture & Leaks • Fix moisture or water leaks in walls, roof, windows, basement
walls and plumbing pipes.
• Regularly inspect for mold or mildew. • Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. • Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products. • Use good construction drainage practices, such as detailing, flashing, and sealing around doors, windows and penetrations. • Place or adjust outside gutters and drains so that water does not collect near the outside walls. Check gutters and drains regularly to avoid clogs. Place lawn sprinkler systems so that they do not soak outside walls. • Install the best filters you can afford for your heating and cooling vents. HEPA filters are particularly effective. When replaced regularly, they can decrease the amount of mold spores as well as dust and other materials that allow for mold growth. • Inspect ceiling tiles (if any) for visual stains which may indicate leaky ductwork and conditions for mold.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Environmental Hazards & Health Effects: Mold.” Solinet, Preservation Services Leaflet, Sandra Nyberg, Solinet, September, 2005 EPS Molders Association, “EPS Insulation Mold Resistance,” November, 2004
|
