The dark, unfinished basement is becoming a thing of the past. A finished basement adds to a home’s resale value, as well as its livability.
“A lot of times when prospective buyers look at a house they are looking at the basement as a living space and not just a place for storage and utilities,” says Tony Scaletta, co-founder of Scenic WindowWells. “Generally, basements are looked upon as recreation or entertainment areas or even as a place for a spare bedroom.”
Water seepage or flooding can squelch those plans, though. Jim Norton, president of Norton & Son Inc., a paint manufacturing company, offers suggestions to avoid basement woes.
“Caulk around the windows, grade the area around windows so that it slopes away from them, and fix downspouts so that water runs down gutters and away from the foundation,” he says.
To increase the comfort level, homeowners are looking for options to upgrade a utilitarian basement.
“People tend to use their basements more when they feel like a part of the home,” says Scaletta. “So they are looking for products that create a warm, cozy feeling.”
These days, there are all sorts of options to transform the basement into a brighter, more appealing space.
“Little decorative touches are important so that when you walk down the stairs you don’t feel like you’re in a dungeon,” says Scaletta.
A variety of products to upgrade the basement are described below, along with suggested retail prices. Contact the listed manufacturers for help in finding a retailer in your area that carries a specific item.
Power play
Basements may be turned into everyday living spaces, but nature doesn’t care. Wet weather can send water rushing in to ruin everything. A sump pump can come to the rescue. The problem, however, is that the device doesn’t work when there is a power outage. Wayne Water Systems has introduced the SmartPump, which not only uses electrical power but has a battery that will take over when the electricity fails. The SmartPump is equipped with a monitor that knows when to switch it over to battery power. The system pumps up to 10,000 gallons on a single battery charge. The SmartPump has a controller that automatically tests for jams every day and clears away any debris. A text message on a display unit, which can be installed up to 50 feet away from the pump, gives updates on the system and an alarm goes off when there is a problem that needs immediate attention. Price: $994.00. Wayne Water Systems, 100 Production Dr., Harrison, OH 45030. Phone: 888-299-2963.
Waterproofing paint
Easy Living Basement Waterproofing Wall Paint, from Norton & Son, claims to have what it takes to stop water from leaking through walls. Use it to fill in cracks and crevices in walls made of poured concrete as well as cinder block. The paint, sold under the Sears label, is 100 percent acrylic. It has no strong odor and can be cleaned up with soap and water. It is also non-flammable, making it safe to use near furnaces and water heaters. It is available in White, Antique White, Autumn Wheat, Grey Mist and Devonshire Cream as well as 11 custom colors, including Dusty Rose and Caribbean Mint. Price: $17.99 per gallon. Available at Sears stores.
Room with a view
The view from many basement windows is less than spectacular. All you can see is the corrugated metal of the window wells. The aesthetics can be easily improved with the help of Scenic Window WELLiners. The line offers more than 30 scenes that can be installed inside the well. The choices are varied, ranging from mountain scenes to seascapes to palm trees. The WELLiners, which conform to the curve of the surface of the well, are weatherproof and fade resistant. Available in four sizes, they can be trimmed for a perfect fit. The company has also developed WELLight, a low-voltage lighting kit for viewing the images day or night. WELLid, frosted plastic window well covers that allow light to shine through, are also available. Prices: $139.99 to $229.00 for the WELLiner, $89.99 for the WELLight, $60-$125 for the WELLid. Scenic Window Wells, 1211 Barclay Circle, Inverness, IL 60010. Phone: 877-881-8413.
It’s a cover-up
Unattractive views can be hidden from sight with Glass Mates from the Imperial Home Decor Group. They are decorative, durable vinyl sheets that cling to windows. Glass Mates are available in six different designs. The one called Peacocks creates a frosted surface. The others create astained glass appearance. Lancaster Rose, for example, features red flowers in full bloom, while Mosaic has small squares in a multitude of colors. Glass Mates, which come in a roll that is 17.5 inches wide and 5 feet long, can be cut to fit the window. The surface of Glass Mates can be cleaned with soap and water. Imperial has also introduced Instant Stencils, which are a quick and easy way to add a unique decorative touch to walls. . No paint or artistic talent is required because these stencils come ready-made. They are multicolored lithographs that cam be rubbed off of a liner sheet onto the wall. The designs will adhere permanently and can be washed. Instant Stencils come in a variety of styles, including some that are just right if the basement is a playroom for kids. One set depicts the gang from Scooby Doo, another Winnie the Pooh characters, and still another the princesses from Disney films. Price: $9.99 per roll for Glass Mates, $9.99 to $17.99 for Instant Stencils. Imperial Home Decor Group, 23645 Mercantile Rd., Cleveland, OH 44122. Phone: 800-222-3700.
A bright idea
Even though the basement family room may not be the size of a football field or a baseball diamond, kids may think its a good place to punt and kick or hit a homer. But lamps may end up being the unintentional target. Now GE Lighting has come up with a way to avoid all those tiny shards of glass from broken light bulbs. The company has introduced a line of bulbs called Saf-T-Gard that are shatter-resistant. The incandescent ones in the series, which are coated with Teflon to keep the glass intact, are just right for family rooms as well as children’s rooms. Some of the fluorescent ones, which are wrapped in a special plastic, are meant for the kitchen while others can be used outdoors in post lights. Prices: $3 to $12. General Electric Co., 1975 Noble Rd., Nela Park, Cleveland, OH 44112. Phone: 800-GE-LIGHT.
