Basement Remodeling Photos-Basement Design Photos

Scotts Contracting is available for the Building of Your Next Basement Project. Use the following links to contact scotty for a free estimate.

Entertainment Center

The space above the fireplace is becoming popular for flat-panel TVs. Before mounting a TV above your mantel, however, make sure the wall temperature doesn't exceed 90 degrees when the fire is lit. The space behind the mounting area should be hollow to accommodate necessary wiring.

Know Building Codes

Basement rooms must be at least 7X7 feet and have a minimum ceiling height of 84 inches over 50 percent of the floor area. Bathrooms, hallways, and task areas can have ceilings that dip as low as 76 inches in some spots. All bedrooms window need to be at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches high, or 5.7 square feet, and no more than 44 inches off the floor. Having a room that matches these dimensions will ensure that people can walk around comfortably and escape in case of an emergency.

Let There Be Light

Renovating a basement to include a kitchen allows you to move entertaining downstairs. This walkout makes use of the natural light available, but installing light-tone and glass-front cabinets is a good trick for brightening a windowless basement, too.

Make an Entrance

Consider your stairway location and how it leads you into the basement space. Ideally the stairs will lead to a family room or a main gathering area. Stair risers should be no more than 8 inches tall, and the treads must be at least 9 inches deep. Although regulations vary from region to region, most require that stairs have guardrails at least 34 inches high and that the guardrails must have intermediate rails or posts or other ornamental fill that will not allow objects 4 inches in diameter or larger to pass.

Bring in the Light

Bringing in natural light is one of the biggest challenges when creating a basement room. Window wells are the most common solution where the window-opening height is below ground level. In case of an emergency, you can climb out the window and up the well. Choose window well locations carefully so you can make them as wide and deep as possible. The wider and deeper the well, the greater the amount of sunlight flowing into the basement.

Have an Escape Route

Check your local building codes to determine if they require egress windows for a basement bedroom. Egress windows must be large enough for a firefighter in full gear to get into a burning house and for occupants to safely escape if the stairway is blocked. If you can't install egress windows, consider adding hinged outside access doors.

Create Zones

Manage the wide-open spaces of the lower level by breaking it up into separate, smaller areas. Create different zones for the different activities you will do there. Many basements have load-bearing beams throughout the basement. Use these beams to define the different areas.

Quiet Time

Whether your lower level is a home theater, dance studio, or just a space to relax, noise can travel up and disrupt other household activities. Keep noise where it belongs by soundproofing the area. Choose drywall that is soundproof. This type of drywall is visually indistinguishable from standard drywall, but it's engineered to dampen noise.

Make It Interesting

Since most unfinished basements are just a box beneath the home, think of adding architectural elements when remodeling, such as the built-in wall niche and angled ceiling shown here.

Finishing Touches

Suspended ceilings are great for adding a finished look. They cover ductwork, electrical components, and bare joints from the floor above. But they can lower the ceiling height by about a foot. If you don't want to lose this height, consider using furring strips to drop the ceiling only enough to hide everything but the ductwork. Then install tongue-and-groove planking or standard drywall to finish the ceiling.

Scotts Contracting is available for the Building of Your Next Basement Project. Use the following links to contact scotty for a free estimate.

Sure Footing

Most basement floors start off as a concrete slab, but they don't have to stay that way. If your floor is level and dry, considering covering it with ceramic tile, laminate, or vinyl. All are durable choices that are easy to install over concrete. Solid-wood flooring isn't recommended for basement applications because small fluctuations in moisture levels can cause buckling and splitting, but engineered wood is a suitable alternative.

Don't Forget Storage

Remodeling your basement means losing some storage space, so make sure you include built-ins wherever possible to accommodate the items you still need to store out of the way. Here, dual built-ins "frame" the bed and have niches in the side to serve as bedside tables.

Rising Temperatures

Heating a basement can be a challenge. Registers in the ceiling push warm air into the room, but that warm air rises to the ceiling. Subfloor panel systems and in-floor radiant heating are good solutions for cold feet. Subfloor panel systems provide good insulation. Radiant-heat systems provide inexpensive, even warmth throughout a room and eliminate the cold spots and drafts created by forced-air systems.


Scotts Contracting is available for the Building of Your Next Basement Project. Use the following links to contact scotty for a free estimate.

--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com

Before and After Fireplace Photos

Sponsor Links: 

Posting Photos

 

Before: Bland and Bulky

This living room was stuck in the 1970s thanks to dusty whites and tired brown tones. The bulky brown-brick fireplace did little to enhance the space, as it was placed asymmetrically on a long stretch of wall.

After: Light and Lively

Painting the brick facade white started the process of bringing this fireplace back to life. A wood surround enhances the look. Classic-lined built-ins integrate the fireplace, bookshelves, and an entertainment unit. The surround, built-ins, and walls were also painted white to brighten the room and layer on the cottage charm.

Before: Cold and Cavelike

The former fireplace was part of a stacked-stone wall that left the living room feeling cold and cavelike. The homeowners wanted to update the fireplace and living room with modern, minimalist style, but still maintain a connection to the outdoors.

After: Open and Inviting

The homeowners did away with the stacked-stone fireplace and opted for one with a clean, contemporary design that complements the improved, light-filled living room. Sleek marble tiles combine with honey-color bird's-eye maple panels to create a one-of-a-kind fireplace and surround. These warm tones connect the room with nature and keep the focus on woodland views framed by a wall of windows (not shown).

Before: Muddled Media Room

With its poor design, bad acoustics, and lack of storage, this media room was more dysfunctional than family-friendly.

After: Media Room Makeover

The much-needed makeover consisted of adding a curved ceiling to balance the room and improve acoustics and relocating the fireplace to be the focal point of the room. Custom-built cabinetry flanks the fireplace, keeping media equipment organized and out of sight. Sandstone adorns the surround and blends beautifully with the built-in cabinets. The new fireplace can now be seen from the adjacent dining and living room.

Article continues here:http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/remodeling/gallery/before-and-after-fireplaces/?afterSlide=true&page=3

-- Scott's Contracting scottscontracting@gmail.com http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com

Additional Designs sponsored by Google

  

  

Roy Blunts Misleading Renewable Energy Ads-Carnahan Wind Farm Does Create Jobs

Excerpt from Article Posted at: http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/2010/10/renewable-energy-tax-credits-keeping.html

1)-Every job saved was an American job. 100% of projects that receive investment tax credits through 1603 (tax credit program) are built in the U.S. as required by the Recovery Act. The program also supports America's growing manufacturing and supply chain industries. U.S. wind turbine domestic manufacturing has grown 12-fold, with an increase in domestic content from 25% only a few years ago to over 50% now, and nearly 400 American manufacturing facilities making wind components. Contrary to recent campaign ads, data from the International Trade Commission (ITC) shows that less than 5% of the value of turbine parts used in the U.S. is imported from China.

2)-Every job saved was an American job. 100% of projects that receive investment tax credits through 1603 are built in the U.S. as required by the Recovery Act. The program also supports America's growing manufacturing and supply
chain industries. U.S. wind turbine domestic manufacturing has grown 12-fold, with an increase in domestic content from 25% only a few years ago to over 50% now, and nearly 400 American manufacturing facilities making wind components. Contrary to recent campaign ads, data from the International Trade Commission (ITC) shows that less than 5% of the value of turbine parts used in the U.S. is imported from China.

3)- The program is a more efficient use of taxpayer money because 100% of the incentive goes to the company making the investment and creating the jobs.

Taxpayers get more jobs and clean energy job creation per dollar spent in the USA . Many people have confused this program with discretionary government grants and recent news stories have suggested, for example, that the only projects that should receive the incentive are those begun after the Recovery Act was passed.

Entire Article Posted at: http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/2010/10/renewable-energy-tax-credits-keeping.html

[Scotty-this article was also emailed to the Rob(y) Blunt Campaign. ]

Build Green Scotty
--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com 

scottscontracting.wordpress.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Renewable Energy Tax Credits: Keeping America at Work

Attention Missouri Voters: Roy Blunts Ads are mis-leading about Wind Farms and Missouri Jobs. Excerpt: Every job saved was an American job. 100% of projects that receive investment tax credits through 1603 are built in the U.S. as required by the Recovery Act. The program also supports America's growing manufacturing and supply chain industries. U.S. wind turbine domestic manufacturing has grown 12-fold, with an increase in domestic content from 25% only a few years ago to over 50% now, and nearly 400 American manufacturing facilities making wind components. Contrary to recent campaign ads, data from the International Trade Commission (ITC) shows that less than 5% of the value of turbine parts used in the U.S. is imported from China. [Scotty-this article was also emailed to the Rob(y) Blunt Campaign.]
Renewable Energy Tax Credits: Keeping America at Work

By Rob Gramlich, AWEA   |   October 21, 2010  

 

Recent stories and campaign ads have challenged renewable energy tax credits. Representing 85,000 people working in the American wind industry, we can say unequivocally that this tax credit has been one of the most effective public policies in existence for saving American jobs.

At a time when the recession threatened at least 40,000 American wind construction, manufacturing and other jobs, the 1603 tax credit program restarted stalled projects and saved all 40,000 jobs at risk. This year, a study by Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (LBNL) found that the 1603 tax credit supported shovel-ready projects and over 50,000 American jobs. The 1603 program actually led to a record-breaking year of 10,000 megawatts (MW) of new wind in 2009, compared to the 4,000 MW feared prior to the Recovery Act.

Tax credits for renewable energy begin to level the playing field with oil, gas, coal, and nuclear energy.  As a matter of fact fossil fuels have received permanent taxpayer money since 1920s, costing taxpayers well over $500 billion.  Even in recent years, after maturing for a century, fossil energy still receives 5 times the subsidies as renewables, according to the Government Accountability Office. Even more, Americans pay for fossil fuel in the form of an additional $60 billion in healthcare costs according to the Bush Administration report on hidden costs of energy. We have a choice between a balanced energy plan that includes wind and renewable America energy or plan that continues our increasing dependence on fossil fuels for our electricity which is now over 60 percent.

In the recession, project development and financing was difficult to obtain and costly. Many wind projects in mid-development could not complete financing. As a result, wind investment stalled with some projects stopping mid-construction; laying off construction workers and leaving wind towers and blades on the ground.

Every job saved was an American job. 100% of projects that receive investment tax credits through 1603 are built in the U.S. as required by the Recovery Act. The program also supports America's growing manufacturing and supply chain industries. U.S. wind turbine domestic manufacturing has grown 12-fold, with an increase in domestic content from 25% only a few years ago to over 50% now, and nearly 400 American manufacturing facilities making wind components. Contrary to recent campaign ads, data from the International Trade Commission (ITC) shows that less than 5% of the value of turbine parts used in the U.S. is imported from China.

The 1603 program continues and modifies the Production Tax Credit, which was first passed in 1992. In most respects the program operates exactly like all other tax credits in the tax code:  all eligible projects receive the credit and it applies to all projects completed in a given year. However Congress tweaked the program in one respect to make the tax credit useable during a recession. While the oil and gas industries are allowed to use "Master-Limited Partnerships" (MLPs) enabling companies to use tax credits, MLPs are not available to renewable energy industries. Instead, Congress provided for a reimbursement of the eligible tax credit which made the program successful even in the deep recession. The program is a more efficient use of taxpayer money because 100% of the incentive goes to the company making the investment and creating the jobs. Taxpayers get more jobs and clean energy per dollar spent. Many people have confused this program with discretionary government grants and recent news stories have suggested, for example, that the only projects that should receive the incentive are those begun after the Recovery Act was passed. In this case a key part of the program's success was to complete many projects that had begun but were completely stalled, keeping Americans at work.

The 1603 tax credit program has been extremely effective at keeping Americans at work. Unfortunately the program is set to expire at the end of 2010. Unlike the oil, gas, coal, and nuclear industries that have permanent incentives, renewable energy industries will be stalled again unless Congress acts soon to extend the program into 2011 and 2012.

Timeline of the renewable energy tax credit: 

1. 1992:  Congress passes first renewable energy tax credit.
2. 1999, 2001, 2003:  Congress allows tax credit to expire.
3. October 2008:  President Bush Extends Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit for the year 2009.
4. Late 2008:  Credit Crisis Hits the Economy and the Wind Industry:
   • Renewable energy project financing was difficult to obtain and costly, many wind projects in mid-development could not complete their financing due inaccessibility.
   • Wind investment slowed; projects were halted mid-construction; construction workers were laid off; wind tower and blades lying on the ground at construction sites.
5. Late 2008:  Wind Industry fears 50% Drop in Investment and Loss of 40,000 Jobs:
   • With lack of financing and new projects held in the balance, the wind industry feared that up to a 50% drop would occur in new wind projects in 2009, dropping the industry to 4,000 MW of new projects, compared to 2008 at 8,500 MW.
   • This drop put at least 40,000 of existing wind industry jobs at risk.   
6. 2009:  Recovery Act Puts Tax Credits Back to Work with the 1603 Program: 
   • The American Reinvestment & Recovery Act included a simple but critical reform to the Production Tax Credit converting the tax credit into a usable form.   
   • 1603 Program meant companies could take the tax credit in the form of a reimbursement, with the law stating the program would "reimburse such person for a portion of the expense of such property" as long as the property is "placed in service during 2009 or 2010".[1] 
7. 2009:  Confidence is improved in the marketplace and financing is re-activated:
   • The 1603 program led to a record-breaking year of 10,000 MW of new wind in 2009, compared to the 4,000 MW feared prior to the Recovery Act.
   • Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (LBNL) found that ARRA's 1603 program supported more shovel-ready projects and over 50,000 American jobs.[2] 
8. 2009-10:  100% of projects that receive investment tax credits through Section 1603 of the Recovery Act (ARRA) are built in the U.S.:
   • Over 150 small and large wind projects have moved forward by taking the tax credit through 1603 program, creating local construction, engineering, transportation, operations and other jobs to build their wind projects.
   • These wind projects have led to millions in local tax payments to towns & cities, as well as lease payments to local landowners hosting the projects.
9. The U.S. Wind Industry is able to Continue to Grow Domestic Manufacturing: The U.S. wind industry currently employs 85,000 people. Beginning with major growth in 2005, the U.S. now has nearly 400 wind manufacturing facilities.
   • According to data from the International Trade Commission (ITC) China currently represents less than 5% of the imported value of turbine components for the U.S. market.
   • Today, only 3 out of 33,000 (0.009%) wind turbines installed across the U.S. were sourced from China while there are American wind turbine manufacturing facilities coming online including brand new facilities in Jonesboro, Arkansas and Hutchinson, Kansas. Beginning with major growth in 2005, the U.S. now has nearly 400 wind manufacturing facilities.
   • "The growth in wind turbine installations and a period of stability in government policy led to significant investment in U.S. manufacturing by both U.S. and foreign companies from 2005 to 2008, along with a rapid increase in domestic production." [3] - U.S. ITC
   • "The overall import fraction is found to have declined significantly from more than 80% in 2006 to roughly 40% in 2009." [4] – U.S. DOE
   • U.S. International Trade Commission states: "Overall, imports peaked as a share of the market in 2006 and U.S. production in 2008 and 2009 was significantly higher than in 2005, indicating a growing role for domestic producers. If planned U.S. manufacturing plants come online in the next few years, U.S. production capacity will continue to expand." [5]
   • The United Steelworkers, BlueGreen Alliance and AWEA found that "the wind industry has increased its domestic content since 2005, the first year in which a strong market for turbines existed, to approximately 50 percent in 2009. From 2005 to 2009 annual installations quadrupled, representing even greater growth in domestic manufacturing for wind." [6]

[1] http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1enr.txt.pdf

[2] http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/emp/reports/lbnl-3188e.pdf

[3] http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/working_papers/ID-25.pdf

[4] http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/pdfs/2009_wind_technologies_market_report.pdf

[5] http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/working_papers/ID-25.pdf

[6] http://assets.usw.org/releases/misc/bga-report-062510.pdf

 

--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com