When all things are equal (quality of materials, surface preparation, condition of siding, etc.), paint provides longer protection for siding than stain does. When properly applied, paint can last for seven to nine years.
Removing faucets and sinks goes much faster and is easier to do when you use a basin wrench. This odd-looking cousin to slip joint pliers is designed for the tight spaces and odd configurations of faucet-to-basin connections.
A decorative paving stone curb will deliver the perfect finishing touch to your swimming pool. Not only does it help to define its boundaries, it will keep grass from encroaching on the decking area.
If you have a large expanse of yard in which you'd like some texture, consider building stone walls in strategic locations. Not only will they define areas, they will provide additional seating.
Inspect your driveway for cracks and other signs of damage. Concrete driveways should be cleaned and cracks repaired using an epoxy patching material. Asphalt driveways require an asphalt patching material and should be sealed every two years.
For many homeowners, the kitchen isn’t just a place for preparing food. It’s also a space for social interaction. Many families consider the kitchen as a gathering area which explains why kitchen improvement projects are among the most wanted.
Copper tubing for plumbing is 5/8” in diameter, and is available in two thicknesses: M and L. M is the thinner of the two and is acceptable for interior applications well-removed from the chance of freezing. If there's even a remote possibility that the water in the pipes could freeze, choose L.
Feelings of depth and richness can be added to your cabinets by adding framed or raised panel doors. Attractive hardware, detailed carving, or contrasting inserts also add to their beauty.
A well-landscaped yard creates a warm and inviting area for your guests. For greater visual appeal, create walkways or seating areas using fieldstones, mulch, or a mixture of the two.
Before painting or staining bare wood, apply a sealer. Doing so protects the wood and prevents the growth of mold. It is also available with UV blockers to prevent sun damage.
Inspect your roof regularly. If you can see it from the ground, look for popped nails and broken, curled or missing shingles. If you must use a ladder, make sure to have someone to hold it in place when you climb up.
When planning home improvements, choose projects that not only enhance your home's appearance, but its resistance to disasters as well. For example, choose roofing materials that are rated for wind- fire- and impact-resistance.
If you notice cracks or holes in the mortar of your home's brickwork, it is time for repointing. This home improvement project involves cleaning out the distressed mortar and replacing it with fresh material.
Are you putting your home up for sale? One of the best ways to increase its value is to make improvements to the kitchen and bathroom. Not only will they make your home more appealing, they deliver an exceptional ROI.
Directing water away from the foundation of your home or building is important for its stability. Even if the site is properly graded, roof run-off can still attack it. When you're installing gutters be sure to add a splash block to the bottom of the downspout.
FYI: Drywall and sheetrock are the same product. Drywall is plaster made from gypsum (with a few additives and then processed) sandwiched between two layers of paper. Sheetrock is a brand name for the product.
After drywall has been installed, it will still need a thin coat of plaster applied to it before it can be painted. A primer coat of paint will also be needed.
Regularly inspect the caulk and grout around windows and doors, sinks, tubs, and shower stalls. If it is moldy or damaged, it needs to be removed and replaced.
If you're installing sub-flooring or roof decking, Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a great option. It performs as well as exterior grade plywood, but at a fraction of the cost.
If you will be using latex paint for the exterior of your home, there are temperature restrictions. As they rise, drying times shorten, which can lead to lap marks. If temps are less than 50⁰ F, additives are needed to keep the paint workable.
When working on a home improvement project that requires screws and screwdrivers, make sure you have the right equipment. Different screws have different applications, and their heads have different sizes and configurations. Match the tool to the fastener.
Investing in and installing good quality roof trim is a home improvement project that can extend the life of your roof by preventing rot and mold from taking hold. It can also help with maintaining the leading edges of the shingles.
Treated lumber is perfect for outdoor home improvement projects and kits of pre-cut lumber for decks, patios, furniture and play sets are available that make assembly easy and with minimal waste.
When buying brick for outdoor or exterior use, select SW (severe weather) or MW (moderate weather) materials. Those with an NW rating (no weather) are for interior use only.
Ever wonder how Portland cement got its name? It's made from material that resembles Portland stone, which is found on the Isle of Portland off the coast of England.
Make sure that your roof is properly insulated as a lack of it can lead to extremes of heat and cold over the course of a year and wreak havoc on the structure of the roof.
There is no need for you or your neighbors to keep looking at damaged or worn out siding. We can replace it with a number of different products to match what is already there or to deliver a completely new look.
Replace the filters in your HVAC system according to the recommendations of the manufacturer. A clogged filter impedes airflow, decreases efficiency, and shortens the life of the unit.
If your home was built in the forties and fifties, the plumbing may have galvanized pipes. These have a limited life and can fail suddenly. Talk to us about replacing them with better materials like copper or PEX.
Copper gutters can be both a practical and aesthetic addition to your home or building, especially if you have a copper, tile, or cedar shingle roof. Their profiles can be shaped to match the building’s architectural design, and they will gradually adopt copper’s distinctive verdigris.
Move your mancave outdoors with a handsome, well-designed, fully equipped, outdoor cooking patio. Let's talk about your ideas and what you'd like to include and then we'll take things from there.
Hardwood flooring is available as wide planks, thin strips, or as parquet squares. With that, you are not limited to one or the other and can mix and match as you choose – whatever fits the look you are trying to achieve.
After storms, check your roof for signs of damage or call your insurance agent. If roofing repairs are in order, we can take care of the project, whether it’s just to patch a bad spot, replace a few shingles, or completely replace the roofing system.
If desired, cabinets and cupboards can be fitted with childproof latches to help protect young children from accidentally getting into things that could be harmful or that they may inadvertently damage.
If you have a multi-story residence, you can add to its appeal, and your personal enjoyment, by adding a balcony. We can also install access doors that match your home's architectural style.
If you're arranging for new window installation, consider being orientation-specific with them. Put those with the greatest insulating capabilities on the sides of the house that receive the greatest sunlight exposure to help manage energy costs.
Before cold weather arrives, look around your home and look for any exposed water pipes. If you find any, they will need to be insulated to help prevent against freezing and bursting. Call us to take care of the issue.
Did you have a few damaged tiles replaced and now the new ones outshine the old? Correct the problem by having the tiles resurfaced for uniformity and a consistent look.
Double-pane windows with argon or krypton gas between the panes provide exceptional insulating properties. The gas inhibits heat loss through the air space between the panes by reducing convection, keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Shutters have both a practical and an aesthetic purpose. If left able to close, they can protect your windows in times of bad weather, and they can also help keep energy costs down by blocking early morning or late afternoon sun.
Each project is different, and the prep work you need to do before we arrive may be different from that required by another homeowner. When you call, we will ask general questions about the work you want performed and let you know what to expect.
If your basement is only used to house appliances or to store things, let us show you how we can turn it into a fabulous living space that will be the talk of the neighborhood.
Installing new shutters? Vinyl coated shutters have the light weight and durability of wood but they need less maintenance – especially painting. Simply spray them off periodically to remove loose dirt and dust.
If you're ready to make repairs and improvements to the balcony on your home and your homeowners’ association requires approval, we will review their requirements and submit proposed repair plans to the review committee.
As your family grows, available space becomes scarce. Cabinets specifically designed and built to fit the layout of your home will provide much needed storage and a place to keep things out of sight but still handy.
Thinking about buying new furniture for your master bedroom? Why not go all in with a complete remodel to turn it into a place you've dreamed of owning.
Want to add value to your home? Year in and year out, the home improvement that delivers the greatest ROI is replacing an old or damaged garage door with a new one.
When it’s raining or snowing and the cold winds are blowing, few things beat the ease and comfort of a dry garage for entering or exiting your vehicle or home. A good garage door not only contributes to the coziness, it also provides a strong degree of security.
For wall-to-wall carpeting, most products are manufactured from four basic materials: nylon, olefin (polypropylene), PET polyester, and PTT polyester. Though each has its pluses and minuses, any well-made carpet, regardless of material, will perform well.
If you have a fireplace, an inexpensive upgrade that will improve its appearance is replacing the old surround with a new one made from brick. If you have a wooden mantelpiece, it can be incorporated into the design.
Thinking about upgrading your bathroom to accommodate aging-in-place? We can help. We can install attractive and functional toilets, sinks, tubs and other fixtures that meet your requirements.
Do not let the size of a room deter you from having a fireplace. Models are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes to fit into almost any available space. We will match the right model to what you have available.
Thinking about upgrading your bathroom to accommodate aging-in-place? We can help. We can install attractive and functional toilets, sinks, tubs and other fixtures that meet your requirements.
For warm and humid areas, shingles that have been treated to resist algae growth are a good investment. Not only will algae and fungus shorten the life of the shingles, their runoff will also discolor the sides of buildings and require frequent painting or upkeep.
Inspect your driveway for cracks and other signs of damage. Concrete driveways should be cleaned and cracks professionally repaired using an epoxy patching material. Asphalt driveways require asphalt patching material, and should be sealed every other year.
Do not let the size of a room deter you from having a fireplace. Models are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes to fit into almost any available space. We will match the right model to what you have available.
Thinking about upgrading your bathroom to accommodate aging-in-place? We can help. We can install attractive and functional toilets, sinks, tubs and other fixtures that meet your requirements.
Engineered stone countertops are composed primarily of quartz, or other stone, and bonded with a resin and pigment to create a smooth, hard, durable surface. They are stain, as well as mold and bacteria, resistant.
Copper gutters can be both a practical and aesthetic addition to your home or building, especially if you have a copper, tile, or cedar shingle roof. Their profiles can be shaped to match the building’s architectural design, and they will gradually adopt copper’s distinctive green patina.
For warm and humid areas, shingles that have been treated to resist algae growth are a good investment. Not only will algae and fungus shorten the life of the shingles, their runoff will also discolor the sides of buildings and require frequent painting or upkeep.
Inspect your driveway for cracks and other signs of damage. Concrete driveways should be cleaned and cracks professionally repaired using an epoxy patching material. Asphalt driveways require asphalt patching material, and should be sealed every other year.
Do not let the size of a room deter you from having a fireplace. Models are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes to fit into almost any available space. We will match the right model to what you have available.
