Construction

Moving Up: 7 Tips for Your 2nd Story Addition

February 23, 2017 by derick

Planning is the key when taking on a project that involves removing your roof. Before you plan your 2nd story, research what obstacles will need to be dealt with.

When you need to add space to your home and don’t want to expand farther out onto your property, the only place to go is up. Adding a second story can double the living space and is an exciting change for you and your family, but there are a few things to consider before getting underway with this remodeling project.

Make sure it’s allowed.

Discuss with your remodeler how local zoning and health regulations may affect your plans. Rules and regulations, such as allowable “Floor Area Ratios”, “Lot Coverage”, and “B100″ are critical to know about up front before you start designing and building.

Check the foundation and structure.

Your home’s foundation and framing might have been structured to support only a certain amount of weight. Before increasing the load, have your contractor examine the foundation and current structure to determine what structural reinforcement needs to be done to support an additional structure.

Determine the size of the second story.

Some people add a full second story to their home, while others might just want a partial addition.

Here are some bullets
so that you can see
how they stick out to the left.

We recently expanded a home by adding a second story bedroom and some dormers. Your decision might be based on space needs, budget, or both. If you expect that you will need more space in the future but don’t have the budget now, consider building the second story area you need, but saving the finish work for later. It’s more cost-effective to do the structural work all at once than to go back and add to it in the future.

You don’t need to know exactly where and how large each room will be. You don’t have to have figured out where the staircase will fit best or the right placement for the bathroom plumbing. A good Design-Build remodeler can take care of drawing up the plans based on understanding what you want the second story add-on to achieve. In progress Clark Construction of Ridgefield, Inc. gambrel addition in Redding, CT.

When you add a second floor to your home, you will likely want to make changes on the main floor. You probably have one or more bedrooms that will move upstairs, so what do you want to do with those rooms once they are vacated? Do you want to create a larger space by knocking down walls?

Your Guide to Parquet Flooring

January 25, 2017 by derick

The timeless beauty of traditional Parquet flooring never ages or go’s out of fashion. It’s unique beauty and versatility means it can come in many different styles and colours.

A Kitchen Warmed by Natural Wood

Instantly recognizable for its repeating, geometric patterns, parquet flooring is a centuries-old technique historically valued for an upscale appearance. Visit an upscale chateau or villa in Europe and you’ll often find parquet floors. In the U.S., parquet floors were popular in the 1950s and 60s.

Although the term “parquet” refers to flooring made with short pieces of wood arranged in geometric patterns, such as herringbone and basket-weave, most modern parquet flooring is made up of narrow strips of wood glued to a backing and cut into 9″ x 9″, 12″ x 12″, and 18″ x 18″ square tiles.

Manufacturers offer motifs, designs, and color variations that, once installed, form visually striking patterns. Most wood parquet tiles are made from oak, ash and walnut, but you can find exotic species available at rather exotic prices. Some makers offer decorative borders and edgings that add even more visual texture to floor designs.

The thickness of wood parquet flooring varies from 5/16″ to 3/4″. The strips of wood are bonded to either a plywood backing or a mesh made from plastic, paper, or cloth. This creates lightweight tiles that are easy to install. Most parquet tiles are made with tongue-and groove edges and are designed for glue-down applications, but some thicker materials can be nailed to a subfloor.

Wood parquet comes unfinished or prefinished. Unfinished tiles can be custom stained, and prefinished tiles have tough sea …

Step-by-Step Building Guide

January 19, 2017 by derick

Building your own home is an experience you will remember forever. There is however, a right way, and a wrong way. As you build your home there are several steps that need to be taken. These steps need to be planned out so they do not create pitfalls.

The House Designers understands how exciting it is to build a new home! In an effort to make the process easier, we have put together this step-by-step home building guide to help you understand the different building phases and how it all comes together.

1 FOUNDATION: The foundation of your home is a critical element in the building process because it is what holds up the entire structure. Constructed correctly it prevents future problems that can affect your home’s safety and efficiency. After the ground is excavated, forms will be built with framing lumber (you can clean and reuse for framing) and then concrete is poured into each section. You’ll need to decide what type of foundation you want — basement, slab or crawlspace. After the foundation has set (approximately one week) and the form boards are removed, the framing of the home begins and it’s at this point you can start to see the layout of your new home take shape!

2 FRAMING: After the foundation is poured and set, the form boards are removed and framing of the house begins. Just as much as our skeleton serves as the structure for our bodies, the frame of a house is the underlying structure of the home. As the framing progresses, you will see the layout of your home unfold, and you’ll be able to identify different rooms, doorways, and windows. If your home seems smaller than you imagined at this point, don’t panic. It is simply an illusion!

3 INSPECTIONS & FRAME WALK: Inspections are a very important part of the home construction process and ensures that every element of construction is done correctly. After the initial inspections, your builder will ask you to walk through your home. At this point you can visualize what your dream home will look like since the walls and trusses will be framed and the roof sheathing will be installed. A framing inspection is next!

4 HOUSE WRAP: Certain climates offer a higher risk of moisture, which can cause mold and wood rot occurring in the home. Therefore, a protective barrier known as a house wrap is installed to prevent the structure of your home and its interior from getting wet, moldy or rotting. The house wrap ensures that all moisture will remain outside the home.

5 ENCLOSING YOUR HOME: Once framing has passed inspection, your builder will begin enclosing your home and install exterior sheathing, shingles, the roofing system and the windows and doors. Since windows and doors are one of the most visible features of your home inside and out, you’ll want to carefully select the perfect doors and windows. Make sure your windows have the performance, durability and …

See more: https://www.thehousedesigners.com/articles/homebuildingguide.asp

9 Free Bar Plans

December 29, 2016 by derick

Designing a custom cabinet bar, or other type of home bar, has to begin somewhere. The approach that works well for me when starting a project is based on a principle made famous by the author Stephen Covey: “Begin with the end in mind” is based on the principle that all things are created twice.

Print off one of these free bar plans to help you build the home bar you’ve always dreamed of. There are free bar plans for indoor bars, outdoor bars, and even tiki bars, to help you get just the style you’re looking for.

Building a home bar can be a simple project and pretty budget friendly. The free bar plans all include building directions, diagrams, material lists, tool lists, photos, and some even include videos.

After you’ve used these bar plans to build you dream bar, how about using a wine rack plan to give you even more storage space? You may also want to use some free woodworking plans to build a dining room table, farmhouse table, entertainment center, bookcase, coffee table, kitchen islands, shed, pergola, or even a picnic table.

Backyard Tiki Bar Plan from Popular Mechanics

A handmade built Tiki bar. — Popular Mechanics

Popular Mechanics has a free tiki bar plan that starts with a shed plan but uses weathered materials to create a complete tiki bar feel.

The free tiki bar plan includes a materials list, tools list, the tiki bar blueprints, and step-by-step building instructions complete with color photos. More

Rolling Bar Cart Plan from Ana White

A rolling bar cart is a great alternative to your standard home bar and this one can be used both inside and out. With a large shelf, a towel bar, and wheels you can finish it in any color you want.

These are complete building plans that include everything you need to build this basic bar project for less than $50. More

See more: https://www.thebalance.com/free-bar-plans-1357105

Checklist for a Home Construction Project

December 6, 2016 by derick

A home construction checklist is made to help you through the step-by-step process of building your dream house. If you’re doing this for the first time, it has to be confusing and frustrating.

House formed of tools

Home renovation projects frequently encompass a lot more detail and planning than many homeowners realize. From the initial planning stages to the final finishing touches, having an outline of what steps to take can help ensure that your project comes in on time and remains under budget, without missing any crucial details.

Checklist for a Home Construction Project

Every home improvement project is different. Some will be small jobs tackled by DIY homeowners, while others will be full scale renovations involving the whole home. Use this checklist as a starting point for your renovation, and modify it as necessary to suit your needs. The goal of using a checklist is to help you navigate the project smoothly and easily.

Planning Stages

□ Determine whether the project is classified as a home improvement or a home repair

□Visit your town or city hall to learn what the regulations are for what you plan on undertaking, and if permits are required.

□Gather ideas for what you are planning including:

Magazine photos
Color samples
Material samples

□Make a list of all areas of the home you plan on renovating

□Contact a design firm and have plans drawn up for more major improvements including:

Whole home renovations
Kitchen renovations
Bathroom renovations
New additions

□Approve and sign off on plans

□Locate a general contractor, builder or design firm to oversee the project

□Draw up and sign contracts with the GC to include an understanding of:

Total project cost
Material allowances
Time frame from ground breaking
The party responsible for pulling permits

See more: http://homeimprovement.lovetoknow.com/misc-home-improvement/checklist-home-construction-project

Spiral Staircases for Your Home

June 30, 2016 by derick

Adding a trendy and unique spiral staircase in your living area can automatically perk up your whole residence. Many homeowners look for unique ways to boost the appearance of their home by installing beautiful staircases. Setting up some spiral stairs furthermore adds value to your property and becomes a center point for your visitors. The following are the 4 tips to consider just before you install gorgeous staircases into your homes:

I. Cost - Setup cost of this kind of staircase can vary in its complexity and material. If you wish to be more cost effective, you need to go for metal spirals otherwise you can use wood spirals. The construction and installation of spiral stairs may be a bit intricate and that means you really need an expert to present you the plan or allow them to do the work. You must know the details of all so that you can have the ideal budget for it.

II. Curves - When it comes to spiral staircases, the curves are some of the crucial consideration. Spiral can certainly be crafted in a variety of dimensions to accommodate the amount of space that is available in the house. When you’ve got more room available, the curve may be spread a little more, resulting in wider treads and a wider flight. That is why spiral stairs are usually utilized in small space since you may opt for tight spirals. The appearance and design may also dictate the curves you will have to set up.

III. Material - The material for the staircase may differ from metal, wood, glass, stone and many more. The most prevalent today are definitely the woods and stones. The great thing about wooden staircase is the fact that it can conform to almost any style of interiors; be it old fashioned, modern, rustic, or any other. The most widespread wooden materials are cherry, mahogany and walnut. Whilst for the stones, widely used are granite and marble.

IV. Location - The placement of the stairs is also necessary. Spiral staircase can be positioned in an open area of the floor, against a wall, or in a corner. Final positioning of the spiral depends upon the final size of the top landing. The top landing parts are supplied much longer than necessary in the event that an obstruction isn’t evident during planning. The staircase ought to be positioned so that it doesn’t affect partitions, entrances, windows, interior trim materials, light switches, thermostats, bins etc. Recall the highly recommended clearance is 2″ beyond every part of the staircase perimeter, or 4″ overall.

By taking these things into account, you be sure that the staircase is the perfect match for your house and will last for many years. Keep in mind that it’s still the safety of the family that is the top priority.

Common Mishaps When Designing A Bathroom

February 2, 2016 by derick

“In remodeling any part of the property, you will encounter a times that property owners come up with a small or even major errors. Some might reason out that they don’t have adequate guidance or they just did what they think would work out. However everything that has planned won’t always go flawlessly. Exactly the same problem when you are renovating your bathroom. Listed here are just blunders that few goes through.”

Photo by www.houzz.com

Major glitches or even minimal mistakes are indeed bound to happen when it comes redesigning a residence. Individuals have the inclination to jump into decisions more often on things that excites them. That’s why we’re going to try to assist you to lessen these issue especially when you are remodeling your bathroom. Listed here are some practices you should avoid to come up with a very attractive bathroom.

* At times, whenever people have made a decision to renovate their residence or any part of the area, they get so thrilled that they would want to make things swiftly without proper planning. Even if the supplies are not yet ready or the concrete plan is organized, they tend to start out the demolition and building eagerly.

* Due to such negligence in pre-deciding the time frame of the project, many a times, a bathroom construction or remodelling project gets delayed indefinitely. Construction can begin only when the requisite product reaches the spot.

* While rushing in the process, the development personnel neglect to install enough wall blockings for grab bars, towel bars and toilet paper.

* One of the biggest errors when it comes to remodeling the bathroom is neglecting the plumbing areas. There are occasions when the workers only concentrate on the visual aspects of the bathroom with out looking into the more important things. They don’t give sufficient space or consideration on future plumbing related concerns .

* Another domestic plumbing issue is that homeowners oftentimes get captivated with modern shower furnishing, however neglect to understand their financial constraints. They give a go indication to repositioning the plumbing fixtures without estimating weight of this job on the entire funds.

* Similarly, owners forget to set up yet another electrical circuit to handle load taken by new electrical fittings in the bathroom.

* Owners do not keep funds aside for hidden damages like moulds, dry rot etc in the tub area or beneath the wet rooms.

* Improper door location, crowded toilet location, much less leg room around the toilet seats, etc. arise caused by insufficient clearance in the plan.

* Some bathrooms have poor ventilation. Some even do not have windows. Consequently moisture and smells stay trapped in resulting in an unhygienic breeding ground for mould, mildew and bacteria.

* Storage ideas are not included thus creating space issues.

* Adding oversized bath tubs consume a lot of floor area. So getting around in a bathroom gets to be difficult.

* In order to lessen expenses, quality is being neglected to save on poor materials. Yet at a later time, it is realized that quality could save you on maintenance and repair in the long run.

These blunders are pointed out for you to avoid making a similar mistakes. In each and every renovating project, preparation is the primary important. You just have to be careful in every step and aim a quality project in order that you have a good and refreshing bathroom .

Common Bathroom Construction Mistakes

January 15, 2016 by derick

“In upgrading any area of the house, there will be a times that homeowners come up with a small or even major errors. Some might reason out that they don’t have proper advice or they only did what they think would work out. However everything that has planned won’t always go perfectly. The same problem if you are remodeling your bathroom.”

Photo by www.wisemanimprovement.com

Renovation of a small bathroom is just as important as designing a master bath. But often times, home owners take many erroneous decisions that cause several bathroom design glitches. Not merely the typical bathrooms, but those constructed on current lines integrate surprising slip-ups. A couple of these problems have been pinpointed below:* Property owners at times forget a bathroom’s construction by under estimating the time needs that go behind it’s refurbishment. That is why they generally tend to start out the demolition along with begin the building process before finalising a design totally. Even worse, they give the task a head-start days before all products and materials have arrived.

* While dashing with the process, the development workers forget to install sufficient wall blockings for grab bars, towel bars and toilet paper.

* Plumbing facet is certainly one of those activities that are overlooked when it comes to renovating. So long as the bathroom seems great, then homeowners would most likely think that its nothing but good. But in the future, they’ll eventually realize the significance of replacing the old and rusty plumbing.

* Yet another domestic plumbing issue is that property owners sometimes get captivated with modern shower furnishing, however don’t understand their budget constraints. They give a go signal to repositioning the plumbing fixtures without estimating the load of this job on the overall budget.

* In the same way, owners fail to remember to install yet another electrical circuit to handle load taken by new electric furnishing in the bathroom.

* Budget is only set for new fixtures or fittings. There is no intended fund for further repairs or hidden problems of the bathroom.

* Inappropriate doorway location, cramped toilet location, much less leg room around the toilet seats, etc. arise because of insufficient clearance in the plan.

* Air flow is often overlooked which ends to unclean area because moisture has no exit point. Because of this, moulds and bacteria starts to grow.

* Small bathrooms could have space issues so storage ideas like racks or cupboards has to be installed. But this is sometimes overlooked.

* Setting up extra-large bath tubs consume a lot of floor area. So moving around in a bathroom gets difficult.

* Lowering costs on low quality fittings just like toilets sinks and shower fixtures lead to pointless costs on servicing every couple of years. In the same way shoddy flooring by saving on floor tiles results in water damage.

This kind of blunders lead to an unappealing end result. These not just take a cost on the bathroom upgrading project budget but in addition leave the homeowner unhappy. Thus a dingy bathroom could be converted to a stunning one only when the work is completed appropriately.

Septic Risers | Types and Importance

December 1, 2015 by derick

“Septic risers are essential. Whenever you need your septic tank pumped or examined you will not want to dig a hole in the ground in order to find the lid to your tank. Not forgetting, if you are not in the position to dig the hole yourself you will need to pay someone else to get it done. If you have a septic riser, life would be much simpler and much cheaper as you wouldn’t need to call plumbers from time to time.”

Photo by www.septicdesign.com

Septic tanks aid eliminate the dirty water from your house and cleanse it. But, for a septic tank to work efficiently, it must be maintained properly so that you need not suffer from clogged drains and a leaking plumbing system. If your property has a septic tank, you would then probably should get a septic tank riser installed. Septic tank risers can help you have easier access to the area to be able to keep a check on it when required and also locate it easily. If this is the very first time to know of this, read the post below to obtain other great ideas of septic risers.

You’ll find generally three types of septic tank risers on the market. These 3 are concrete, PVC and polyethylene. They vary substantially in price and durability. It is a good idea to select the very best septic tank riser that you can afford.

Septic tank risers that are made out of polyethylene are resistant to chemical and soil corrosion. These kinds of septic risers furthermore weigh less and so are much easier to set up. There have been some problems on getting a great seal with the polyethylene septic risers, however if you do get a good seal they are very effective at keeping in gases and water.

The PVC plastic septic risers are light and extremely easy to set up also. The lids are extremely very easy to remove. A good seal is easily obtainable, which gives maximum protection from ground water. Like with the polyethylene risers, the PVC risers may well be more resistant against corrosion.

While concrete risers are likely to be cheaper it isn’t your best option so it’s the very least popular of all. One more reason why is that they are prone to leaking, they are ugly and they are very heavy and hard to setup. People have found that the weight of the lid is also difficult to deal with.

These three several types of septic risers can vary greatly in cost, yet remember that this isn’t the time to concentrate on your pocketbook. If you purchase the cheapest septic riser you will find I can almost guarantee that you will be replacing it with a more expensive one in a few years. Concrete risers, which are the cheapest, tend to leak and erode and may be failing to do their job within a few years. When it comes to septic risers you are far better off to buy higher-quality riser and avoid expenses associated with a failing septic riser down the road.

Pointers to Keep When Renovating Home

October 10, 2015 by derick

To many people, getting a house is a lifetime investment. Well-maintained homes brings their owners a great sense of security, success and delight. Then again, just like any other investment, so as to actually make best use of its potentials and gain from it, an owner must be aware of the great deal of preservation a house calls for. Follow the following pointers that will assist you give more charm to this investment and preserve the house well.

http://modernjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/homeimprovement.jpg

Photo from http://modernjones.com/

1) Make a budget scheme. The maintenance of a property could change dependent upon the condition of the house. There may be repairs, renovation, repainting and a lot more. Unfortunately, these kinds of efforts are not totally free. Sure you could perform some DIY tasks but it will still cost much dependent upon what you’re attempting to attain. And that means you must allot money for it. Cost can also sky rocket once a professional comes into the scene. If the situation or the problem demands for it, you eventually need a professional to perform things for you.

2) Fully familiarize yourself with the main parts, and the materials that they are made of. By familiarizing yourself with your home, challenges and emergency conditions will be prevented or can be easily remedied. This is how preventive steps come in. As an example, in order to avoid termite-infestation in your wood tunnels, wall structure and ceiling, you should keep the dryness of these areas. Additionally, to maintain the wonder of the house, repainting is one of the easiest activities to do. Aside from that, it’s really a great way to preserve certain materials used to build houses.

3) Ensure to have a routine maintenance. By doing this, you will not forget and can accomplish them regularly. Some households hold back until something actually bad happens before checking the condition of their houses, this will only cause greater expenses. Regular checking, cleaning up, reconstructing, and replacing the parts of your house you will save money and your home in the end. You might want to include the regular shaping of trees to your schedule. Tree branches touching the roof and making use of too much pressure on it can damage its quality.

4) Be ready to accept the possibility of replacing certain parts. It is also factual that however you try to make things work; it is not achievable anymore because of the aged elements. Even if you carry out routine maintenance, it truly is inevitable that some parts could eventually get busted or unrepairable. Replacing the parts is the perfect way to ensure the safety of the family which means you should never force things to function or ignore the fact that they were defective. And finally, never give up quality and performance over appearance.

5) Regularly consult specialists concerning the status of your home. An expert can always give you detailed information as to what developments or fixes your house needs. Irrespective of how you strive to do things on yourself to reduce cost, it’s still best that you seek their guidance once in a while. They could see things in a different viewpoint and can stop things that might cause damage to the household.