Your basic utilitarian basement is a handy place for the furnace, the breaker box, and clusters of surplus or seasonal items. But that dingy and often-forgotten lower level is a hidden treasure of unused space. It might look like a dungeon right now, but a professional makeover can transform it from a gloomy hideout for cobwebs and mold spores to a warm, inviting living space.

You're paying for the real estate anyway. You might as well put it to work for you. A consultation with a knowledgeable professional will show you how, with the right design and process, you DO have the room for an additional bedroom, home gym, in-law apartment, or that home office you've always wanted.

Just make sure you select a builder who's not only reputable, but expert in this particular area of remodeling! There's no point in going through all that trouble and expense to wind up with an area that still looks – and feels – like a basement. And these days you'll greatly upgrade your home's value, as well as upgrading your quality of life, by seeking the additional qualifications of a Green Certified Builder, such as Innovation Construction Co. Design & Build, which offers the expertise and commitment for creating a living space that is more

• energy efficient

• mold & moisture resistant and

• environmentally friendly

Local builder and remodeling expert Keith Dmytryck is a Certified Green Building Professional who is committed to using such cutting-edge green products as Mold Defense® by Lafarge – a gypsum for interior walls that is GREENGUARD certified and provides superior protection against mold and moisture while having the advantages of containing low-emission and recycled materials.

As an environmentally conscious remodeling contracting company, Innovation Construction Co. uses this product exclusively in all their basement renovations. In addition to its superiority in achieving a green building result, Lafarge Mold Defense® is formulated to be used in building applications that require direct mechanical attachment to wood or metal wall and ceiling frames – your basement project in a nutshell! Keith also likes the low installation cost, as he takes pride in being able to give his clients excellent quality work at the best value possible.

There are many details that go into making a building project green. The Mold Defense® gypsum is a core remodeling material, and a detailed look at its qualities should provide some insight into the impact a builder makes in the selection of each product.

General Description:

Mold Defense® gypsum for interior wall and ceiling applications features a moisture-resistant core and treated paper facings on the front, back, and long edges.

The product, which is made from synthetic gypsum, can be used as tile backer in dry applications or in areas where some moisture is expected, like bathrooms and laundry rooms. This product will accommodate a variety of decorative treatments after proper surface preparation.

Advantages:

Low installation cost: Mold Defense® can be installed easily and quickly. It cuts and snaps like standard drywall.

Mold resistance: Mold Defense® provides enhanced protection against the growth of mold and mildew.

Physical Characteristics:

Core: Noncombustible, dimensionally stable, inert gypsum, enhanced with moisture-resistant wax emulsion, and chemically treated to resist mold and mildew in the core.

Paper: 100 percent recycled; chemically treated to resist mold and mildew on the surface; front and edges are green; back is gray.

Emissions: Asbestos free; GREENGUARD certified; listed as a low-emitting material.

Sustainability:

LEED Credit: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (rating system; US Green Building Council).

Mold Defense® can contribute to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Credit Qualification in several credit categories to assist in obtaining LEED certification. Visit www.lafargenorthamerica.com for more details on specific credit contributions and documentation.

You can find out more about this product at http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/green-products/lafarge.aspx

For a free consultation on finished basements or any other home improvement projects, please visit Innovation Construction Company, a trusted A+ BBB rated local building professional, on the website www.innovationconst.com. You may also call 508-291-4907, or email Keith at sales@innovationconst.com.

Keith is a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and a Certified Green Building Professional.

Chuckle of the Week

(This time the blonds are men!)

Two blond carpenters were working on a house. The one who was nailing down siding would reach into his nail pouch, pull out a nail and either toss it over his shoulder or nail it in.

The other, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, "Why are you throwing those nails away?"

The first explained, "If I pull a nail out of my pouch and it's pointed toward me, I throw it away 'cause it's defective. If it's pointed toward the house, then I nail it in!"

The second blond got completely upset and yelled, "You idiot! The nails pointed toward you aren't defective! They're for the other side of the house!"