There are a plethora of reasons to use natural light into your home remodeling project. Homeowners may want to consider not only why natural light is beneficial, but also how to incorporate it into the remodeling of your kitchen, bath, bedroom, or other remodeling space.
What are the benefits of natural light?
· People suffer less from Seasonal Affective Disorder if there is ample natural light in their environment.
· Older adults find natural light easiest on the eyes for reading or moving around safely in the home.
· Studies show that students learn better in natural light.
· Natural light lifts your spirits and adds beauty to your rooms.
· The true richness of the colors you use in decorating your remodeled space can be enhanced in natural light.
· Any time you are able to light a room with light from a window or skylight, you will keep a light switch off. Considering that lighting can contribute up to one third of a home’s energy costs, the savings on the electric bill as well as on the environment can be substantial.
How can natural light be increased in remodeled spaces?
· Daylight is achieved mainly by properly designing it into your remodeled space. Consider larger replacement windows that are Energy Star rated, and you can bring in more daylight with less fading and damage to your interior décor.
· Install products such as those available from Solatube Daylighting Systems. These products capture pure daylight and channel it to virtually any interior space in your home. This will allow daylight with maintained privacy, even in densely populated areas.
· If remodeling a basement with a walk-out area or above ground area, add new windows or enlarge existing ones. To maintain security, the use of glass block will still allow natural light. Openings from your basement ceiling to floors above can add light and artistic design at the same time.
Dave’s Home Improvements can help you to design your remodeling project so that the optimum use of natural light is achieved. Located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, we serve Allegheny County and its surrounding communities. Call us today!
September 15 2008 | Basements & Gamerooms and Bathrooms and Green Remodeling and Kitchens and Uncategorized | No Comments »
If you are in the process of remodeling your kitchen and are trying to choose a countertop material, you may wish to consider PaperStone.
What is PaperStone?
PaperStone is a heavy-duty solid surface made from FSC-Certified recycled paper, water-based phenolic resin with cashew nut shell binder, and pigment/ Although that might sound like an unusual combination of materials, the resulting product is extremely hard, highly water and stain resistant, and also resists scratches. Countertops of PaperStone can also bear temperatures to 350 degrees.
What does PaperStone look like?
While all of these factors of durability sound great, anyone planning a kitchen remodel will also be concerned with their countertop’s appearance. Again, PaperStone is a top performer.
PaperStone’s color comes from the natural color of the paper and the pigments and dyes used in the manufacturing process. There are many beautiful shades from which to choose. The color is throughout the product, not just on the surface. It will develop a seasoned appearance that is an inherent characteristic of the material, causing it to appear softer and deeper in tone in a way that is similar to the aging of wood products.
How is PaperStone an environmentally responsible product?
PaperStone is available in three versions: Original PaperStone which is made from 50% post-consumer recycled content, PaperStone Certified which is made from 100% recycled materials, and PaperStone made from FSC-Certified virgin fiber. All materials used are certified by Smartwood and the Forest Stewardship Council. PaperStone has been tested under the most stringent testing protocols, has no detectable formaldehyde, and unlike some other countertop material choices, will not release dangerous levels of radon into your home.
Dave’s Home Improvements can help you to select the perfect kitchen countertop from PaperStone’s many choices. We are located in Allegheny County, and offer our full cale remodeling services to Pittsburgh’s northern communities and the surrounding area. PaperStone is just one of the many products we use that help us to beautify homes while protecting our environment. Call us today!
August 25 2008 | Green Remodeling and Kitchens and Uncategorized | No Comments »
When planning your kitchen remodeling project, you will feel most confident about your choices if you take time to read and educate yourself first. What are some of the most common options and styles available? Here are a few of the basics.
Wood Species
· Cherry has a rich and luxurious quality with unique red highlights. It may have tiny pin knots and small dark streaks to add to its beauty.
· Maple has a straight grain and might include mineral streaks or a curly grain pattern. Maple’s creamy white to light brown wood coloring make it a popular choice for painted or glazed finishes.
· Oak’s dramatic grain patterns give an interesting look that many associate with country kitchens. Oak is a popular choice for its durable and attractive qualities.
· Hickory has a heavy grain that is often desired for its rustic flavor. People choose hickory for its dramatic contrast in dark and light colors.
Styles
· A Formal look will join deep, rich colors with crisp style lines. This style may be paired with antiques to give the resulting kitchen a classic look.
· A Traditional style offers a familiar and widely appealing look. Fixtures are of high quality.
· Contemporary design balances form, shape, color, and texture. Clutter is eliminated as this style shows clean, sleek lines.
· A Country look is accomplished with warm colors to create a homey feel. Country designs echo nature, and cabinets and furniture have a simple, hand-crafted appearance.
If you live in the Pittsburgh area and are planning a remodel of your kitchen, Dave’s Home Improvements can help. Serving Allegheny County’s northern communities, we will listen to your desires in style for your kitchen. We offer many design choices and can help you find the right cabinets for your budget. Call us at 412.408.3605 today!
August 13 2008 | Kitchens and Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Making Product Choices – Choosing Flooring For Your Home Remodeling Project
When you are in the planning stages of your home remodeling project, one decision you will make is selecting your flooring material. There are so many choices on the market the process of picking one can be dizzying! Let’s look at some of the possibilities.
Cork
One product that is enjoying a surge in popularity is natural cork flooring. This is partially because cork flooring is so durable. Cork’s shock absorbing quality makes it comfortable to walk and stand on, and because it maintains an optimal temperature year round, it is comfy on bare feet. Cork floors are extremely resistant to wear and tear and repel bugs, termites, and mold. A naturally occurring substance in cork keeps it from rotting, even when exposed to moisture for long periods of time.
In addition to being durable, cork is viewed as one of the most environmentally friendly flooring choices. Cork is harvested from the bark of Mediterranean oak trees by a peeling process that does not damage the tree or require that the tree be cut down. Cork by-products from the manufacture of wine stoppers are also used in cork flooring. There are many available appearances to cork floors including wood grained looks or a marbleized look.
Bamboo
Many companies now offer a wide variety of color choices in bamboo flooring. Colors match many of the hardwoods that are commonly used for cabinetry and furniture, such as chestnut, pecan, and hickory. One feature about bamboo that makes it an attractive choice from an environmental viewpoint is that bamboo is a rapidly growing grass that is easily and quickly replenished when compared to trees.
FSC Certified Hardwoods
Forest certification is a voluntary process that ensures consumers that the wood products they buy were grown and harvested in a way that protects forests for the long term. The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-profit organization that accredits certifiers whose programs conform to their internationally applied criteria.
One of my favorite FSC hardwood choices is Hand-Scraped EcoTimber. This flooring is genuinely scraped by hand, giving it a rustic, old-world appearance. It is truly beautiful.
These are just a few of the many, many, flooring choices available to you for your home remodeling project. Dave’s Home Improvements, located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, can offer you guidance and experience in selecting from these flooring choices and more. We are committed to educating our clients about green building choices that are both attractive and within your budget. We have alliances throughout Allegheny County that help us to offer a wide range of products for your kitchen, bathroom, or other area in your home that is in need of our remodeling services. Call us to discuss your needs today.
July 30 2008 | Basements & Gamerooms and Bathrooms and Flooring and Green Remodeling and Kitchens and Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Like most reputable remodelers, Dave’s Home Improvements has heard stories from customers who used a “remodeler” without checking credentials first. Sometimes, homeowners are tired of waiting for work to be completed by someone who does remodeling “on the side”. They are frustrated that a job has begun, their house is torn apart, but they see the “remodeler” rarely if ever. Other customers complain of a shoddy end result. They end up paying far more than they should by the time a professional remodeler comes into their home, undoes the damage, and then does the job correctly.
There is a reason the “neighbor’s cousin who does some side work” is cheaper than a legitimate remodeling firm. Chances are, he is inexperienced, lacks industry backing, and is uninsured!
If you have begun the search for a home remodeler in Allegheny County, how do you find a remodeler that will give you a quality job at a fair price? How will you avoid scam artists or remodelers that are not truly qualified to work on your house?
One way to narrow the field is to rely on associations that exist to protect the consumer. Probably one of the best known associations of this type is the Better Business Bureau, of which Dave’s Home Improvements is an accredited member. All businesses that are accredited by the BBB are bound by adhering to their “Principles for Trust”. These principles include:
· Establishing and maintaining a positive record in the marketplace
· Advertising honestly by adhering to established standards
· Honoring promises made in business agreements
· Being responsive to customers by settling problems or disputes quickly, respectfully, and reasonably
· Embodying integrity in all business dealings
Specific to the remodeling industry, another national association on which you can depend for reliable referral information is the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). According to the NARI website, NARI membership means:
“. . . a professional is a full-time, dedicated remodeler. NARI membership offers this assurance through an extensive screening process and requirement of its members to follow a strict Code of Ethics. Homeowners can be assured that any time they hire a NARI member, they are hiring an individual who has made a strong commitment to the professionalism of the remodeling industry and to his or her business.”
If you want to make sure that your remodeler in the North Hills of Pittsburgh is accountable to a local association, check with the North Suburban Builders Association (NSBA). All members of this association agree to observe and be bound by their code of ethics, which includes these principles:
· High standards of health, safety and sanitation shall be built into every home.
· Research will be encourages to develop new materials, new building techniques, and new building equipment [so that] every home purchaser may get the greatest value possible for every dollar.
Dave’s Home Improvements is proud to be a duel member of NSBA and NARI. We have a strong customer base in Wexford, Fox Chapel, McCandless, and surrounding northern communities. We can offer our customers solid referrals from our many satisfied clients. Call us to discuss your remodeling needs. We look forward to hearing from you!
July 24 2008 | Basements & Gamerooms and Bathrooms and Kitchens and Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Contemporary designs for bathroom remodeling are growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. While traditional fixtures still prevail in main traffic bathrooms in a home, lower traffic areas such as powder rooms or guest bathrooms give homeowners the opportunity to show a modern flair.
If you are in the process of planning a bathroom remodeling project, think about these striking possibilities:
- Vessel sinks, which are attractive and more functional today than ever, are now available in a variety of eclectic shapes.
- Glass sink bowls can provide an element that is both a serviceable and artsy focal point in the bathroom.
- Single-lever or wall mounted faucets can create a minimalist look for the bath.
- Touchless faucets, once found only in commercial spaces, are now available for residential bathrooms. This is a popular choice when remodeling bathrooms that are mainly used by children in the house.
Consider also in your planning the many green remodeling features that are available for your bathroom. “Green” plumbing and bath fixtures are products that are environmentally responsible. Here are a few that are growing in popularity:
- Reused materials such as crushed glass or porcelain
- Cast iron, which is formulated from over 90% reclaimed or recycled materials
- Natural materials such as earthenware
- Faucets with a lower GPM (gallon per minute) aerator than the standard 2.2GPM. Many fixtures currently coming on the market have a 1.5 GPM and yet maintain high performance.
Dave’s Home Improvements of Pittsburgh, located in the North Hills of Allegheny County, is committed to helping you create a bathroom that is environmentally friendly and makes the design statement you are looking for. We work with designers and vendors such as Artemis, providers of high-quality, environmentally responsible, “green” building products, to achieve the look you want at a cost within your budget.
July 18 2008 | Bathrooms and Green Remodeling and Uncategorized | No Comments »
Soundproof technology has been around for many years. If you are like me, you can remember the music and band rooms of your youth being specially equipped to dull the musical sounds of chorus or band class from permeating the surrounding classrooms. But why might you want to consider soundproofing products for you own home?
Your indoor environment should create an oasis for you to relax or spend time with your family. Perhaps your game room or basement remodeling project includes plans for a home theater. Maybe you wish to create an environment of tranquility when building or remodeling a bedroom or office area of your house.
There are now many innovative products available for soundproofing residential spaces. Among them are products from the company Quiet Solution. The drywall line from this company is remodel-friendly and can be installed over existing drywall with no demolition. Just one layer of this 5/8” QuietRock is equal to the noise reduction of 8 layers of 5/8” standard drywall. That means noise is reduced by 70% to 97% in your home! In addition to drywall, Quiet Solution offers a full range of floor and ceiling assemblies to keep the noise in your home to a minimum.
If you are considering the use of quiet technologies and are trying to determine how these products may fit into your budget, keep the following points in mind:
- Noise is a major pollutant. It is physically and psychologically harmful. Using soundproofing technologies is one way to create a healthy environment in your home.
- The use of quiet products is universally viewed to be superior over other available products. Using quiet products increases a home’s value.
Dave’s Home Improvements, located in the northern area of Allegheny county, has experience with Quiet Solutions products. Please contact us for additional information, or other ideas for completing your kitchen, bathroom, basement, or game room remodeling project the green builder’s way.
July 11 2008 | Basements & Gamerooms and Green Remodeling and Uncategorized | No Comments »
Remodeling your kitchen often includes the purchase of new kitchen appliances. Where can you, as a homeowner, realize the best potential energy savings when planning your new kitchen? The refrigerator is a great place to start. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 14% of the average home’s electricity is used to power the refrigerator, making it the single biggest energy consumer in the house. If you are using a refrigerator that is over ten years old, you have a potential energy hog in your midst!
A 20 cubic foot refrigerator of today uses a whopping 47% less electricity than a same sized model from 1993. Select an Energy Star appliance and you will do even better. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. This program develops and promotes energy efficient products and practices to help us save money and protect the environment. In 2007, the Energy Star program helped Americans to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equal to those of 27 million cars in addition to saving $16 billion on utility bills.
When shopping for a new refrigerator, you might want to keep the following green remodeling and design ideas in mind:
· Side-by-side refrigerator/freezers use roughly 10% more energy than freezer-on-top models
· For the convenience of through-the-door water or ice dispensers, you’ll pay extra in the purchase price and have higher electric bills
Once you have your new refrigerator, being mindful of the following information can help you to run your new appliance more efficiently:
· Position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as direct sunlight or other appliances.
· Allow air to circulate around the condenser coils by leaving adequate space surrounding it.
· Keep your refrigerator between 36 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees.
Finally, when disposing of your old refrigerator, you may want to contact the Steel Recycling Institute at www.recycle-steel.org, , a Pittsburgh based institution that has partnered with Energy Star in the “Recycle My Old Fridge Campaign”. Here, you can access a database to help you find organizations or townships in Allegheny County and the surrounding Western Pennsylvania area that can recycle or safely dispose of your old appliance.
Dave’s Home Improvements can help you to plan a kitchen that is beautifully functional as well as energy efficient.
July 05 2008 | Green Remodeling and Kitchens and Uncategorized | No Comments »
Remodeling your basement or game room can greatly increase your living space, the enjoyment you get from your home, and your home’s overall value. Dave’s Home Improvements can help you to plan your project for optimal use of this space.
Consider a style. Go through design magazines for ideas. Look for elements you would like to consider for your new room. Together, we can work to give you exactly the style and functional elements you desire.
Determine your budget. Although homeowners are sometimes reluctant to discuss budget, it is necessary to consider how much you wish to spend on your new room. We can achieve your goals only after you make a decision on your investment. Remodeled basements or game rooms can range in cost from $15,000 to $150,000. Most design solutions are available at various price points. Together, we can help you to set priorities to make the design choices that are right for you.
Make a list of needs, wants, and desires. Use this checklist to pinpoint exactly what features you want for your new room.
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Who will mainly be using the space, children or adults?
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Will you be including an entertainment center?
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Will this room include a computer station with internet access?
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Will the room need to accomodate large pieces such as a pool table or ping-pong table?
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Do you want a bar in the room? If so, will it be a wet bar or a dry bar? What type of refrigeration would suit your needs?
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What are your storage needs for this room?
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Will you be adding or remodeling a bathroom or powder room as part of the space?
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Will you have a specialty area in the room such as a craft or exercise center?
Whether you want to reclaim unused space, spruce up an existing game room, or create a sanctuary for you and your family, Dave’s Home Improvements is here to help you, every step of the way.
July 01 2008 | Basements & Gamerooms and Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Bathroom remodeling is a functional and attractive investment in your home. As a premier remodeler in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, Dave’s Home Improvements can help you through all steps in the planning phase of your project.
Consider a style. Go through design magazines for ideas. Look for elements you would like to consider for your new bathroom. Together, we can work to give you exactly the style and functional elements you desire.
Determine your budget. Although homeowners are sometimes reluctant to discuss budget, it is necessary to consider how much you wish to spend on your new bathroom. We can achieve your goals only after you make a decision on your investment. Remodeled bathrooms can range in cost from $5,000 to $65,000. Most design solutions are available at various price points. Together, we can help you set priorities to make the design choices that are right for you.
Make a list of needs, wants, and desires. Use the following list of questions to pinpoint exactly what features you want for your newly remodeled bathroom:
- Do you want the bathroom to make its own design statement, or to flow to adjacent spaces from a design similarity standpoint?
- Is this a master bath, children’s bath, guest bath, or powder room?
- What colors are you considering?
- What appliances will be used in the bathroom: electric toothbrush, hairdryer (wall-mounted or handheld), hot rollers, etc.
- Do you prefer separate showering and bathing areas?
- Would you want privacy zones so that more than one person can use the room at the same time?
- What specialty features would you like: towel warmer, sauna or whirlpool, radiant heat?
- What floor finish wil you want: slate, tile, hardwoods?
- What trim and finishing touches do you desire?
- What are the storage needs for this room?
We can work with you to make your vision a reality, resulting in an investment in your home of which you will be proud.
June 25 2008 | Bathrooms and Uncategorized | No Comments »
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