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Boston Renovation
​Blog

Harvey Hopper Basement Windows

4/6/2020

 
Basement egress or "hopper" windows are almost always used in basements and open inwards from the top. They work this way to avoid accidental damage from the outside and to keep water out.
The Harvey Classic vinyl hopper window is custom made, delivers excellent performance and offers a variety of styles, colors and options to meet the needs of your replacement window project. 

Pros and Cons
Pros:
  • Hopper windows, like casement windows and awning windows press against the frame when closed and generally create a more effective seal. That makes them energy-efficient in any climate.
  • Though hopper windows aren’t very difficult to get open, they simply aren’t very big in most instances. That means that they aren’t a security risk like some taller windows.
  • Hopper windows are excellent at reducing humidity in areas of your home like basements and bathrooms. Even though the windows are small in size, they work very well for ventilation.
Cons:
  • Since hopper windows open up inwards from the bottom, they can allow water to enter into the home if left open during the rain.
  • It can be difficult to cover up hopper windows with blinds or a window treatments due to the way they open and close. This can cause limited privacy for the space and offers visibility into the room from the outside.
 
Features
The Harvey Classic vinyl hopper window's sleek fully welded sash and frame design provides an air-tight seal keeping water and wind outside. We automatically include the ENERGY STAR® qualified glazing upgrade with Low-E coating and Argon gas. Other features include:
  • Includes fiberglass screen
  • Double locks standard on opening widths of >= 30-1/4”
  • Option for 4 ¼” dryer vent hole
  • Comes in white and almond
  • Available in a variety of grid configurations and options including 5/8” or 1” contoured GBG (grids between the glass)
  • Lifetime limited transferable manufacturer's warranty on unit and mechanical parts with a 20-year warranty for the insulated glass
 
About Harvey Building Products
All Harvey Building Products (based in Waltham, Massachusetts) are custom made in the US and are available in a variety of colors and options. They come with industry-leading warranties and thermal performance, and are a popular choice for homeowners seeking a well-constructed windows and patio doors custom made for their home.
 
Harvey Classic Vinyl Hopper Cost
The Harvey Basement Hopper Window is typically installed for around $475. The total price may increase or decrease based on selected attributes during the planning process.
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Basement Bathroom Remodel Ideas

3/18/2020

 
​Interested in adding a bathroom to your basement? Adding a bathroom can help complete a finished basement and prove to be very convenient. Below is a comprehensive guide to basement bathroom installations including benefits, pricing details, and more.
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About Basement Bathrooms

An additional bathroom is a great way to add value to your home, especially if you are adding one on a floor that does not already have an existing bathroom. A basement bathroom is generally a less expensive project than a new ground level bathroom that requires adding square footage to the home. This is because the basement is “found space,” as opposed to an addition that would require additional flooring and roofing as well.
 
Designing a Basement Bathroom

Determine scope with design first. Knowing what kind of layout you want and what kind of fixtures are included in your new bathroom will help you constrain your budget and give your general contractor or subcontractors a cohesive vision to work with. For example, if space is tight, opt for a comfortable half bath or three quarter bath with a standing shower rather than trying to make a tub work in an uncomfortable space. Small bathrooms still add a lot of value to your home.
Part of this process will be working with a professional to understand what drainage options are compatible with your upper level sewage system and local building codes. These factors will influence the types of toilets and other plumbing aspects that you can include in your design. Some types of toilets that may work better in basement level bathrooms are pressure-assisted, composting, sewage-ejector, or up-flushing toilets, rather than traditional plumbing systems that rely on gravity to flush waste and are sometimes incompatible with basement bathroom additions.
 
Key Considerations
  • A new bathroom must at minimum be 36-40 sq ft
    • 5’ x 8’ is a common dimension
  • Determine scope with design first: this will influence the nitty gritty details of plumbing and space utilization
  • Give attention to lighting
    • Basement spaces are limited in what natural light they receive, so careful lighting choices can turn even the darkest cave into a bright and luxurious space
  • Cost: the average basement bathroom addition is $10,000-$15,000
    • Dependent on size, proximity to existing plumbing, quality of finishes, labor, among other factors
    • Building under an existing bathroom on the ground level will save time and money


Interested in learning more about basement bathrooms? Our licensed experts are here to help you navigate your project. Give us a call at 978.697.4625 or start designing your project here.
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Types of Basement Windows

3/4/2020

 
Basement level windows, also known as "hopper windows," are most commonly installed in basements, as the name suggests, and swing open from a hinge on the bottom of the frame. This window style is important for bringing light and fresh air into a space of your home where this is particularly difficult to achieve. Below you’ll find information about how hopper windows operate, pricing, pros and cons, and more.

About Replacement Basement Windows
Basement windows tilt down and can swing either into or out of the house. The downward tilt prevents dirt and dust from falling into your home. They are similar in design to awning windows but are hinged on the bottom to expedite airflow into rooms on the basement level. Hopper windows can open using the commonly employed crank mechanism or using a hinge, which makes them extremely easy to operate. The crank is controlled by using a fold down handle that glides the window open and closed. Hopper windows, as seen from the outside, are found near the foundation of the house due to their interior location near the top of basement walls. They can also be found above glass doors in older homes.
 
Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Hopper windows are an excellent way to ventilate the basement level.
  • They are also a cost-effective option for letting light into difficult to reach rooms.
  • Hopper windows are very secure.
  • They are difficult to break into from the outside due to their opening mechanism.
 
Cons
  • Hopper windows need to be cleaned more often than windows that open vertically.
  • Careful thought may need to be applied to the landscaping around your house due to the unusual placement of hopper windows.
 
Glass Types
Most windows are double pane (with two layers of glass), but can be upgraded to triple pane for increased energy efficiency. This upgrade initially makes for a more expensive window, but over time lowers energy bills. Regardless of how many panes you choose, hopper windows can also come with tempered glass and insulated glass upgrades as well. Tempered glass is stronger and can handle impact better than non-tempered glass. Insulated glass contributes to energy efficiency and can retain heat better than non-insulated glass. Energy efficient windows can be key for retaining heat in basement level areas of the home.
 
Materials
Vinyl windows are on the less expensive side of the price spectrum, whereas wood and composite frames will be more expensive. The type of hopper window that will work best for your house depends on your functional needs and budget. Wood windows are often chosen for aesthetic appeal. Vinyl and composite are generally subtle, white framed choices, and although composite fiberglass tends to be more expensive than vinyl, it is also more durable. Vinyl is the most common option for hopper window frames.
 
Basement Window Replacement Cost
The price of basement windows can vary by brand, frame material, size and additional features, but a general price range is between $400 and $500.
 
Find out if a hopper window is the right style for your project - speak to our expert at 978.697.4625 or request a free quote below.

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Top Reasons to Finish a Basement

3/4/2020

 
Feeling cramped in your home? Tired of wasting hundreds of square feet on just concrete and support beams? Want a second living room for entertaining and a fantastic sound system? Consider a finished basement and all that comes with it.

Here are five of the top reasons why homeowners everywhere are finishing basements like never before:

1. Add value to your home
If you’re selling your home or have plans to sell in the near future, a finished basement can be a major selling point. For all the reasons we list below, finishing a basement can add massive value to your home.

According to Zillow.com, a midrange basement remodel (meaning the materials used are not builder-grade or basic, yet not luxury) costs an average or $71,115 nationally and recoups $49,768 (or roughly 70 percent) at resale, a slight decrease from the previous year.

2. Adding flexible Space
So your living space is getting smaller because your family is getting bigger, having a finished basement adds a flexible new space in your home. Use it as an office, or a workout room, or a playroom for kids or teens.

Adding roughly 300 or more square feet that is now livable can truly change how you feel about your current home.
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3. Entertaining Guests
There’s no better feeling than hosting a party and walking down your carpeted basement with plenty of space for entertaining.

Inviting the neighbors over for the football game or hosting book club with chairs for everyone seems like a small thing, but if you lack space for entertaining in the main living area, the basement can really make up for that space.

4. Rental Income
With vacation rental websites growing in popularity, finishing your basement to use it as a short term rental or even a traditional apartment rental is popular. This side income can be a huge boost your finances.

With that in mind, you’ll need to finish the space in a way that’s properly up to your state and local laws. The space will most likely need a bathroom, closet, kitchen, and window to be properly zoned as a rental.

5. Fix Various Issues
You may want to upgrade your basement due to a number of possible integrity issues. From water damage to sinking floors, the perfect time to upgrade your basement is when you're already down there fixing something else.
​
Basement upgrades are a massive modern trend and you shouldn’t be hesitant to try! Contact us by phone or email to speak with your Boston Renovation basement expert today.

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Boston Renovation proudly services any town within a 40 mile radius of Boston. Some of our most popular cities and towns in the Massachusetts area:
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