by sub on February 12, 2009
When choosing a window, there are several questions to ask yourself:
Do I want complete maintenance free window? If yes, you may consider a variety of Vinyl window companies which offer single and double hung in white and almond being your primary choices, with or without the divided light look. These will be on the lower end of the price spectrum. If you are looking for more of a high end maintenance free window, then you will want to look a premium window manufactures like Jeld-Wen and Anderson, which offer a clad window. A clad window is where the exterior of the window is protected with an aluminum or vinyl wrap that comes in a variety of colors and the inside will remain stain grade wood to either be stained or painted. The down side of these maintence free windows is that you are limited to your color choices on the exterior with your premium companies and you are limited to your choices on the inside and exterior with the complete vinyl window (It is, what it is).
The most common choice of windows in the Atlanta Housing Market are the traditional wood double hung. These have improved drastically over the years with most companies having a no rot sill and sill nose as a standard. These will come primed on the exterior and will have a stain-grade interior to paint or stain. You still have a choice of traditional primed wood exterior trim, or more commonly used today, total composite exterior trim. These come in a wide variety of choices. You can also choice grill/mullion patterns. These are done either between the glass (GBG), in white or almond, or applied on the interior and exterior (SDL, simulated divided light) and can be painted any color to match your paint scheme. You may also choose simple clear glass.
If you are remodeling and want to replace your single pane windows to Low-E insulated panes, you may want to look at doing a sash replacement system. Companies like Stock Building Supply offer these kits in wood sashes or vinyl sashes with new tracks for your windows to slide up and down on. This is something to consider if your window frame is in good condition. By good condition, I mean, no rot on your frame or sill. If your exterior trim is rotting, you contractor can replace the trim and your sashes with ease at a lower cost than replacing the whole window unit. This can save you from having to replace siding or brick on your exterior.
Sales Representative
Stock Building Supply
by JR on January 22, 2009
Concerned your feet will be cold on that newly designed master bath or kitchen tile floor? Then heat it up with an easily installed tile floor heating system. The Warm Tiles system is easy to install and offers a programmable thermostat. Ideal for tile on a concrete slab, sub-floor over crawl-space, or sub-floor over heated space. Of course installation needs to occur prior to installing your tile floor. This is not a retroactive installation process. Plan ahead and count on warm feet in your tiled floor spaces.
by JR on January 22, 2009
When choosing an architect consider the following: Interview them to find out where their talents lie. What type of architecture do they specialize in? Do they focus mainly on residential, or are they more focused on commercial? What level of detail will they deliver in their drawings? Is the price per square foot or hourly? How many revisions are included? Will the architect visit your site to determine the best fit? Will the construction documents come engineer certified? Is the site plan included as part of the construction documents? These are all valuable questions you want to ask your architect. Understand the expectation you need to set for yourself when you begin the architectural design process. Services can add up and it is important to establish your expectations from the beginning. Investing in a good set of construction documents is the first step in building a quality custom home. Cut yourself short here, and you will cut yourself short overall.
by JR on January 13, 2009
My experience with hardwood floors has been very positive. They add warmth and appeal to any home. There are many choices of wood and finishes. Once you have hardwood floors it is important to maintain them correctly. The following tips will help keep your floors looking there best.
1)Keep pet claws trimmed. 2)Use no polishes or oil cleaning products. 3)Use a Swiffer for everyday clean-up. Wet Swiffer should be safe for spot cleaning. Remember, water and wood do not mix. Do not let water stand for an excessive amount of time. 4)Damp mop quarterly, or after that big party. Vinegar and water have come recommended, although it may not remove all the grease and soil deposits you wish it to. 5)Apply felt pads to furniture feet. 6)Heavy furniture on narrow castors will groove floors. Be smart! 7)Maintain proper humidity levels in your home. Excessive moisture will cup your floors. Not enough will shrink them. 8)Make deep scratches disappear with Min-Wax stain touch-up pens. They work great! Shake pen, mark over scratch, and quickly wipe with dry cloth. 9)Purchase hardwood friendly carpet pads. 10)Dents in floor can be filled with Min-Wax colored floor putty.
Good luck!
by JR on January 12, 2009
When people hear interior design they think big bucks. Instead they should be thinking smart move. Adding professional design services to your budget will obviously add to your bottom line, but not just the one with a dollar sign. Your finished product will certainly reflect that investment as well. The market offers vast product choice, and it is easy to miss all the items so commonplace to an interior designer. Talk with your builder before starting your project to determine what the best interior design strategy is for you.
Before your contractor begins your redesign/remodel, make sure all parties are in agreement with the timeline. It is great to dive into a project with all the anticipation of how the end product is going to turn out. But, even though you are willing to invite your contractor into your home, you do not want them treating it like an extended stay hotel. You want them to get in, get the job done, and get out! So, it is important that expectations are set regarding your timeline. Monetary penalties directed toward your contractor for timeline delay are not uncommon with a redesign/remodel project. If finish selections are made in a timely manner per your contractors request, they should not abuse the timeline they originally sold you on. The initial timeline could be eight weeks and before you know it they have taken up residence at twelve weeks. There is no excuse for a contractor to neglect a job and thus cause a multiple week delay. Be smart, and set the expectation from the beginning. A contract serves the purpose of itemizing all the details in a redesign/remodel agreement. Use this to your advantage.
