Basement Build - Oakville - Update

Just had some pictures on hand of the build progress. This build has taken longer than anticipated on account of the additions to the scope of work as we progressed. Besides that, I am working alone and I think that I overestimated my own capabilities.

However it is progressing well and should be quite the basement when completed.

 All framed, insulated and vapor barrier installed. Cabling for front, rear and centre speakers were installed along with the HV wiring  

This is the build out for the Television, Electric Fireplace and Centre Channel speaker. I took care to build it out in line with the bulkheads. This way everything is streamlined. Also visible in the picture is tubing that was installed to pull cabling from the Media Cabinet that will be installed in the left hand corner of the room.

I tried to minimize the impact of the bulkheads in the room. This one in particular, I got my plumber to reverse the piping, thereby maintaining a smaller bulkhead instead of a tall one.

Looking towards the Laundry Room. 

Drywalled. The left side bulkhead is a dummy installed to maintain symmetry. The resultant look is one of a coffered ceiling. Dedicated circuits were installed for the heater and the television.

 Looking toward the rear of the basement. Double doors at the top and bottom of the visible openings will offer access to the Electrical panel as well as storage at the bottom.

Looking into the Laundry Room. This room will also house the freezer in addition to the Laundry Pair and the Laundry sink. Mike, my plumber, installed a laundry box that streamlines the inlet and outlet of the Washing Machine.  Not visible in the picture is the Utility room that houses the Furnace  and the Water Heater. I built this tight, but the entire space is accessible via 2 sets of Double Bi fold doors.

That's Peter, who's done the taping in most of the basements that I've built.

 And that's Anthony working the Bazooka. If you're into tools as I am; the woody is understandable....

Dhiraj

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Basement Build - Oakville

Today is the first real day that I've had at home alone since the beginning of December. And that's because the Tapers have taken over my build. I've not had much time to blog as I would generally make it home after 8 on most days.

So here are pictures of the basement as it was on the day that I started the build. Pictures are from my phone and hence the poor quality.

The stairwell into the basement. I built out the wall to the right to equalize both walls. The area under the stairs will be a double door closet to accommodate the Home Owner's treadmill when entertaining. The little alcove will be a small coat or storage closet.   

Looking towards the Pool Table area. The alcove at the far end will hold a 'Bar Shelf' for drinks to be set down upon. 

The Basement Washroom rough plumbing. This was in the worst place possible. We dug out the floor and removed the existing plumbing and sealed the pipes.

 Looking towards what will become the Media Wall in the Home Theater Area.

The existing laundry room and furnace room. The plan is to build a dedicated laundry room complete with concealed plumbing and ducting and a counter top above the laundry pair, thereby giving the space dual functionality when entertaining. 

Dhiraj

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Living Wall

These are all the rage in the design circles these days. I made this 'smaller scale' living wall from reclaimed PT fence boards that someone had kept out on the curb on garbage day. The inner section is lined with plastic and a lightweight potting soil was added with a coir mat to hold it all in. A frame finishes it all off.

The homeowner loves gardening... These are drought resistant succulents

Side View

Size in relation to the front door. The plants are yet to 'grow out'

Dhiraj

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Deck Build - Rear Deck

This is the rear deck and the deck that got the whole conversation started. Built using the same design principle as the front deck, I added a wrap around step that doubles up as a seating during parties....

As with the other two areas, lights come on at dusk....

This deck is 20' x 10' and like the front, spans the entire width of the house. I maintained only one wrap around on the main level as the width of the deck forced me to use staggered joints.

The additional platform makes for a fluid transition from the side deck to the rear deck.

Close up of the decking pattern on the platform

Close up of the stairs

This 'bench' came about from the homeowners need to have the basement windows left uncovered. This posed a problem as they also have a 1 year old grandson. My solution.... a bench that can be flipped over when he visits - keeping him safe.

Faux 'campaign' style made by joining two scrap 2x10's in a X pattern. Additional bracing means that the bench can actually be used.

Dhiraj

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Living Space - Outdoor Kitchen

In it's original configuration, the side passage housed the BBQ and potting accouterments (the homeowner is an avid cook and gardener). I sought to bring together both of these endeavors by creating an outdoor kitchen and potting bench that flanked the BBQ. I took the 'outdoor kitchen' one step further by adding a sink with running water and shelves that would in normal circumstance hold utensils. Here, they hold plants. The final touch were the lights that come on automatically at dusk.

If the look seems industrial, it's because the wood is Pressure Treated, the hardware is galvanized and the counter tops are Stainless Steel. All materials that were chosen to withstand the vagaries of Canadian weather.

The plumbing is simple, and can be disconnected before the first frost. The drain has no P Trap as there are no sewer gases to hold back. The drain pipe runs to the rear of the garden and is perforated along it's entire length to irrigate the garden as it drains.

Outdoor Kitchen

Close Up

Kitchen Sink with running Water - Stainless Steel countertops were custom fabricated by a local plate shop

Simple plumbing allowing disconnection in winter

Garden irrigation

Night shot with lights

Another dusk shot

Dhiraj

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Deck Build - Side Passage - A/C Cover

This is a cover that I built for the A/C. It also hides the existing plumbing that I moved down to the unit's height. The cover is removable and can be moved should the A/C require servicing.

Before - Old and oxidised A/C unit

After - All covered up... 

Adequate venting from the side allows the unit to breathe

From Below - Louvered section allows for air to blow through

Dhiraj

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Deck Build - Side Passage

This deck was initially not planned for. I convinced the homeowners to allow me to remove the steps from the garage and the back door and install a single platform step that would allow easier access to the garage from the back door without having to step down and then up again. The homeowner then asked if I could build a surface deck to cover the aged patio stones. Sure I could.... and I did!!!

Here are some before and after pictures.

Before - Uneven concrete pavers - some broken, most cracked down the center.

Before - 2 mismatched sets of stairs. One wood and the other concrete. Heights did not match. The wooden one was loose, causing a trip hazard.

After - A larger platform step at the rear make entry and exit into the Garage or House, a Hands-Free affair. The A/C unit has since been covered and the hose relocated.

A Before and After View of the space

Details - Top Left, Gas BBQ hookup - Top Right, Window well wrap - Bottom Left, Power Ingress - Bottom Right, Gas shut off

More to follow on this space......

Dhiraj

If you are looking for solutions for your home, contact us about our design, build & decorate services.

Deck Build - Front Porch

Just had the time and the inclination to blog one of the projects that I had completed a while ago. This is a low deck that I built for a customer. We went with a lower height that removed the need for stairs and had just one step up to the main door. Concept, design and execution by myself (non-shameless plug!!!) I'l let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

Looking from the driveway towards the main door. This Deck has a width of 18 feet and a depth of 8 feet. The extra deep and wide stair at the top allows for easy entry and exit into the house.

 Looking from the front. The Power Auger that was used to bore the holes for the footings, tore up the lawn. This has since been remedied by the homeowner.

Closeup of the step.

 I wrapped the first three courses of Deck boards around the outside perimeter of the deck. I did this for two reasons. The first is to ensure that no raw edges or board ends are visible. The second is so that I could used full 16' lengths thereby removing the need to have butt joints on the entire deck. The real other reason is that it just looks damn good!!!! All board edges were routed with a 1/2" round-over bit to match the existing profile on the deck boards.

A few days later, the homeowner had already planted trees, mulched, composted, reseeded and decorated the deck.

At dusk, recessed LED lights illuminate the deck around the step......

and the perimeter....

Dhiraj

If you are looking for solutions for your home, contact us about our design, build & decorate services.

Basement Build - Drywalled, Mudded, Taped & Primered

I keep forgetting to carry my camera along and did not get pictures of the basement being drywalled and the separate taping and mudding sequences. I drywalled all by myself, but got in the pros for the taping and mudding. My carpal would not look too kindly on the pressure on my wrist. It took almost a week for the  basement to be completely taped, but the result is nothing short of amazing.

I primed soon after, and these are the pictures after the first coat.

West wall and television alcove 

South wall 

East Wall 

North Wall and looking towards the passage and entrance  

Looking into the passage

The passage

Dhiraj

If you are looking for solutions for your home, contact us about our design, build & decorate services.