Glazer Construction

Can Remodeling Your Home Boost Your Mood?

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:06:28 +0000

Depression affects over 18 million Americans, which is hard to believe. With all the tools for battling sadness – meditation, therapies, music, exercise, social lives, books, prayer – it seems possible eradicate. Yet its rate is increasing in almost every race, age and gender group in America.

Could making home improvements offset the negative effects of a depressing day? Boost your mood and make you feel more like yourself? Lauren Rottet, popular designer and architect, says yes. She sat down with Peter Mosca to give her opinions on the matter to Realty Times.

Says Rottet, “When a space feels personal, it generates positive feelings for those within – which means a lot in … trying times.”

There are certain design elements that naturally create a more open and positive space. Of course personal items and family heirlooms make your home feel more ‘like you,’ but natural light, outdoor views and window treatments that accentuate the architecture are great ways to open up a home.

Choose bright, comfortable and familiar colors of paint for the walls. Rottet states, “Style is the inherent personality and natural context for individual decorating expression.” Let your passions and personality display themselves throughout your home. From your choice of furniture cover to cabinetry, select items that reflect who you are.

Many people are choosing to make their older homes more efficient, retrofitting them with green technologies to help save money, save energy and make the home a cleaner place. Living in a sanitary, efficient home is very soothing and comfortable to many people.

Bottom line, you want your home to be a haven. A place where you’re free to be yourself – on both good and bad days. If you don’t have an eye for design and see decorating your home to match your style a challenge, many contractors can help.

In fact, 55,000 home builders showed up for the annual National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show this year. And as opposed to last year, the mood was optimistic, according to attendee Ron Cook. Home builders, many of whom have seen a decline in production and waning interest from homeowners and investors, are starting to see innovation and growth return to the market.

Sit down with a contractor in your area and discuss what you would like to see in your home. It can be an idea as simple as a bay window or as complicated as a brand new kitchen. An experienced contractor will be able to offer ideas and advice on how to make your personality shine throughout your home.

Building the Perfect In–Law Suite

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:58:00 +0000

It is becoming more and more commonplace for elderly family members – grandparents, great–grandparents, aunts and uncles – to move into the homes of younger relatives as they age. There are several senior living options ranging from in–home care and supervision to assisted living developments; however, many families prefer to live in close proximity, in the same home, as their aging relatives.

If you’re considering making adjustments to your home in order to accommodate a senior, there are several factors on which to focus. Here are some areas that deserve thought and planning, as well as some advice on building the perfect in–law suite.

What type of in–law suite will work best for you, your home and the senior moving into it?
The most often turned to solutions are finished basements, finished garages and home additions. Finishing a garage or basement can be more cost–controlled that adding additional living space to the home.

Basements should be walk–out basements and all remodeling must incorporate windows satisfying your local codes.
Functionality is paramount to the success and safety of an in–law suite.
If the senior moving in with you is wheelchair–bound, think about counters, sinks and bathroom fixtures that will be appropriate heights for use. Wider halls and doorways will also be necessary to make mobility easier.

Also, plumbing, electricity and safety monitoring features are necessary. You’ll want to ensure you have enough wiring to accommodate an intercom system or emergency alert system and ample plumbing for a separate bathroom and kitchen. Dimmer switches are easy to use and eliminate the need for lamps – which can become precariously placed on tables and nightstands.
Bathrooms are a location where safety should come first.
Many seniors develop difficulties in the bathroom – getting in and out of the tub, maneuvering in confined spaces and hunching over sinks can be challenging. Slip–resistant flooring, hand rails and supports are all safety accommodations that should be made in the bathroom.
Maintaining privacy and the security of your own home is just as important as creating a functional, safe place for your senior live–in.
If home care is an eventual prospect, you’ll want to guarantee access to the in–law suite while at the same time ensuring your home is secure. It’s best for in–law suites to have their own entrance / exit with locking system. CCTVs and monitoring systems to alert dwellers of company’s presence are a good idea for safety purposes. If you decide to also have internal access from your home to the in-law suite, coded or separate locks can be easily installed.

Deciding to have an elderly person move into your home requires plenty of planning. Hire an experienced contractor who will be able to review floor plans and safety options with you before setting a budget down for building the perfect in-law suite.

The Wonder of Windows

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:35:01 +0000

Windows serve so many purposes throughout a home – lighting, accessibility, design, energy control. A great way to revive the look of your home, or alter its appearance completely, is to change the windows. Often, you can achieve the transformation without blowing the budget.

There are several types of windows, some offering benefits above others, to consider when shopping around. Here are a few basic window types and some of the pros they offer the homeowner.

Bay Windows
Bay windows are usually constructed of three parts, connecting in a concave archway and extending outside the wall of your room. Many people utilize built – in seating and storage under bay windows, and they’re excellent for letting in abundant light.

Skylights
Skylights are an aesthetically unique way to bring light into a room – more than 30 percent more than traditional side windows. Kitchens, bathrooms, attic spaces and smaller rooms often benefit in design and function from high windows and skylights.

Entry Windows
Doors are easily made from glass creating an open, airy entrance way. Stained glass and custom windows are other excellent ways to accent your home’s doors. Transom windows can give doors an elongated, grand appearance.

Dormer Windows
Dormer windows not only let in more light, they enhance a homes exterior by creating an architectural effect. Shed, gabled, hipped, custom shaped – it’s possible to find a style of dormer to fit almost any style of home.

Other options include energy efficient windows, window dividers and window walls.

Glass has an impact on the look and feel of a home. Team up with a contractor who is familiar with the window market, custom window design and knows the products available to ensure that your home’s windows are ideal.

Is a Water Feature Right for You?

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 21:32:51 +0000

Homeowners are fond of water features for several reasons. They create tranquility in some yards while bringing elements of nature into others. Some have fish, others have luscious plants. Some are still, and in some, water moves about freely. Options for creating an aesthetically pleasing water feature are endless.

Pre–made forms can be found at hardware and home improvement stores. Simply dig a hole, drop them in and viola, a pond. Of course, there is water circulation, upkeep and safety to ponder.

Here are 5 considerations you should take before deciding whether or not a water feature is right for you.

1. Hire a contractor or do it yourself? Both options are viable; however, contractors will possess experience planning and installing other water features. They’ll likely be familiar with building permits in the area, if any are needed for your specific undertaking.

2. Think about location. Water features are typically a permanent addition to your landscape. Avoid placing it under large trees, unless you’re looking for your water feature to fill with leaves and debris. Check utility lines before digging and zoning codes regarding property line proximity.

3. Do you want idle or moving water? If you’re looking for a pleasant bubbling, you’ll have to take into consideration water pumps, plumbing and electricity. Standing water doesn’t typically require these additions.

4. Wildlife is something to consider before deciding if you want moving or still water in your feature. Moving water provides more oxygen for fish and frogs, but both still and moving water can be ideal for plant growth. Determine which types of plants you want before deciding on the location of your water feature to ensure they’ll receive ample light.

5. Safety is a water feature concern, especially for households with children. Shallow water features are safer than deeper ones, and retaining walls or high–up locations can make them inaccessible to children.

If you need design assistance, want to learn more about the versatility of water liners or just need with the construction, find a contractor in your area with experience enhancing outdoor environments.

Pet Owner’s Remodeling Guide

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:57:04 +0000

Over half of the country’s households are home to both humans and their furry companions. Pets can cause damage to your home over time – worn out furniture, chewed door frames, fur-covered bathrooms. For many pet owners, simply finding the space to store leashes, food bowls and accessories is a challenge. Here are some home improvement ideas that will help make your home more pet and pet owner friendly.

• Pet access. Existing doors can be modified to include doggie doors. If you keep a litter box in a certain room of your home, consider installing a cat door. You can shut off that room from the rest of the home when you entertain guests. If you have the space, a pet–dedicated room is an excellent way to separate the problems of pets from your personal living space. Food, bedding, litter boxes and accessories can be kept in one isolated portion of the home.

• Bathing. Bathing a pet can be messy and time consuming. Work with a contractor to install a pet-friendly bathing station with a lower–walled bathtub and extendable, detachable shower head. Be sure to include spaces for storing towels and pet shampoo.

• Storage. Custom cabinetry and prefabricated units are both great for consolidating the clutter of pet ownership. Think about hooks for leashes and collars, roll out trays to hide food bowls, a calendar center to track vet visits and medication and a deep drawer for food storage.

• Flooring and stairs. Think about your pets when putting stairs in your home. Ensure they’re lit at night if they’re in an area your pet uses frequently and pay attention to their height. Many pets have a difficult time traversing steep stairways. Use pet–friendly flooring that’s scratch and moisture resistant. Linoleum and vinyl are excellent choices, and tile is an option if your pet is housebroken.

While most of these home improvements cater to the indoor pet and owner, outdoor pets can be equally as pampered. Fencing, play space and outdoor pet housing can be integrated seamlessly into your landscape and work well with your home’s exterior. Small changes, as well as larger renovations, can help make your home more livable for pet and owner.

Master the Art of Outdoor Entertaining

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:49:42 +0000

Spring and summer in Atlanta are synonymous with outdoor fun. Your yard is an extension of your home, and with some simple changes, you can use your outdoor areas to entertain guests and accentuate your space.

Patios: Patios are versatile and add functional, open-air space to your home. They can be created from concrete slabs, ornate tile, brick and stone. Patios serve as firm foundations for setting up outdoor barbeques and create an area that’s ideal for outdoor furniture.

Porches: Unlike patios, porches are directly connected to the home’s structure. It’s easier to enclose and run electricity to a porch, rather than a patio. Porches can be connected to any floor of the house, making elevated entertaining space an option.

Décor: An excellent way to make your outdoor entertaining areas feel more like those indoors is through décor. Home improvement and garden centers feature an array of weather – friendly rugs, furniture and pillows. Umbrellas and shade covers can help you enjoy your entertaining areas in hotter temperatures and brighter sun.

Plants: Incorporating the landscape integrates your outdoor areas into nature. Use trailing plants and vines along the railings of porches and decks. Plant brightly colored annuals in planters around the edges of patios. Potted plants are also great accents for tabletops and retaining walls. If you enjoy cooking outdoors, consider planting an edible garden with vegetables and herbs.

Lighting: Be sure you have sufficient lighting to enjoy your outdoor space in both daytime and at night. Simple strands of outdoor lights, electric lanterns even electricity-connected fixtures are all options.

If you have a pond, pool or pathway outside your home, work to incorporate them into your entertaining areas. One of the greatest perks of living in the South is the temperate climate. Contact a contractor with experience creating outdoor living areas for more ideas on how you can get the most out of your yard.

Siding – Options, Pricing and What’s Best for Your Home

glazer — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:49:29 +0000

The siding dilemma is one faced by people throughout the country. Varying because of where you live, what style you prefer, your budget…it can be a daunting task choosing the appropriate siding for your home. Here are some home siding options and basic price guides to help. Remember, prices vary by location and you should always discuss your options and budget with your contractor before the project gets under way.

Fiber Cement
Fiber cement siding is extremely versatile. Benefits include durability, non-flammability, water-resistance and termite-resistance. It’s a bit more expensive than vinyl or wood but typically comes with a solid warranty. Price ranges vary from $2 to $8 per square foot depending on installation.

Wood / Engineered Wood
Wood and engineered wood siding are similar in price, around $1 to $4 per square foot depending on installation costs. Real wood poses problems with termites and gradual decay while engineered wood handles the same sans the imperfections. Both types will likely need sealing to prevent water damage and weathering.

Vinyl
Vinyl siding is one of the least expensive siding options in the short and long term. You can find it for around $1 to $5 per square foot, and it won’t flake, rot or peel. It comes in hundreds of colors, textures and styles and most companies include warranties. Some darker colored vinyl siding may fade slightly in the sun as years pass.

Stone Veneer
Fabricated stone finishes are typically lightweight, realistic-looking and durable. Slightly more costly than wood or vinyl, $3 to $6 uninstalled, stone veneers are ideal for the DIY homeowner. They require no footing or foundation and can be installed in panels. For a completely professional and hassle-free installation, however, turn to a professional. It’s fireproof, but extreme weather can affect the mortar holding everything together. It’s a good idea to have a contractor examine the project and check routinely for necessary maintenance.

Stucco
Stucco is a flexible siding solution in both recipe and use. It can be cost-controlled or more expensive based on the ingredients used to make it, anywhere from $3 to $15 per square foot. The benefits, however, are great. It comes in many colors and textures, which is ideal for achieving various architectural styles, it holds up in a wide range of weather zones and it should last for the life of your home. Check annually for cracks, which can be easily filled.

Brick
Brick siding is popular for its low maintenance and durability. Due to the varying prices of brick by region and the relatively high costs of installation, brick can be a bit more pricey – $6 to $12 per square foot. Yet, it comes in many colors, shapes and sizes and won’t fade with time. Other than the occasional pressure washing, it should last for the life of your home.

The Lowdown on Laundry Rooms

glazer — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:48:35 +0000

We’re all glad that laundry has moved from washboards in rivers to basements and mud rooms; but admittedly, laundering is still a daily task that many people dread. There are big and small adjustments, home improvements and renovations, that homeowners can tackle to take the pain out of washing clothes.

1. Storage and organization are key. Many appliances now have built in drawers where you can store detergents and dryer sheets. Use vertical shelving to get irons, stain removers and clutter off the floor. It’s easy to have custom cabinetry built to house your appliances, ironing board and laundry necessities – a great way to hide the burden from view. A wall mounted drying rack is another great feature that frees up floor space.

2. Second story laundry rooms are convenient and a relatively new design feature. Hire a contractor to work out the plumbing and wiring. Stackable washers and dryers now come in full size and are a far cry from the cramped, college washroom sets of the past. Transform a linen or broom closet into the new laundry room. You’ll be a few steps from where your clothes and towels belong, and the old laundry space can be used for something new.

3. Include a sink if you have space. Many items need to soak or require hand washing. It will make your life easier if having a sink near your laundry unit is an option.

If you’re in the market for a new addition or room renovation, you can really make over a laundry room.

Garages, walk in closets and even oversized pantry space in a renovated kitchen can be fitted as a laundry room. Include luxuries such as a pull out ironing board, folding station, designated spaces for colors, whites and delicates, a television, comfortable accessories such as chairs and easy lighting – the options are endless for a customized laundry spaces.

Your Greenhouse Guide

glazer — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:47:19 +0000

No season transforms the landscape of Atlanta like spring. Homeowners head outdoors to put new plants in the ground, trim shrubs and decide which home improvement should move to the top of the list as the weather grows warmer.

One home addition not often considered is a greenhouse, and spring is the perfect time to construct one. They’re ideal for wintering houseplants, propagating and having a year-round place to garden. Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re considering a greenhouse as your next home improvement.

Attached versus detached. Attached greenhouses make running power, gas and water simple. They’re also beneficial for avid indoor gardeners because a door can be installed to allow homeowners access from inside the house. Detached greenhouses offer more flexibility as far as placement goes and more options for surrounding paths, windows and exterior landscape.

Temperature control. To be usable throughout the year, you’ll need a cooling system for the warmer months and a heating system for fall and winter. Proper moisture is necessary to keep plants healthy; therefore, ventilation is also required to prevent too much water from accumulating in the air.

Construction. Use proper materials such as lightweight metals – aluminum or galvanized steel – for the frame. Wood is an option but must be treated to prevent rotting from the moisture. Firm, shatterproof plastics are an economical covering. Plastic films are appropriate for warmer climates and glass is ideal, but more costly. Concrete, gravel and mulch are excellent flooring solutions.

A few tips for the novice gardener and first-time greenhouse owner:

Install a sink and planting table. You’ll find not having to run multiple hoses into your greenhouse or make trips inside for water a convenience.

Build in layered benches. Shade plants grow happily under more sun-loving plants and feed fine of the runoff they receive from the tier above them.

Misters and fans are not only great for balancing heat, air flow and humidity, they make a greenhouse more pleasant for people during hot months.

Be sure you have an entryway large and packed enough for a wheelbarrow or garden cart. It will make moving plant materials much easier and save you several trips.

You can purchase greenhouse construction kits or gather the materials yourself; however, hiring a contractor with experience in home additions and improvements will ensure that every standard is met professionally and you receive the best greenhouse possible.

Fireplaces: 10 Things to Consider

glazer — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:50:04 +0000

According to an article in Realtor Magazine, ¼ of homebuyers consider an indoor fireplace important when searching for the perfect house. In 2007, over 50 percent of the homes in America had fireplaces. Is a fireplace right for your house? Like all things, there are benefits and drawbacks to having one.

Here are 10 things to consider when thinking of adding a fireplace to your home.

1. Use. Knowing the intended use of your fireplace – added heat, architectural enhancement, ambience – will help you better budget and select the type of fireplace that’s most appropriate for your needs.

2. Budget. Many homeowners see the investment of installing a fireplace returned in resale, but building within budget is important for anyone. Some fireplace units are more expensive than others and based on the level of demolition and renovation needed to install it properly, the price will vary. Discuss your concerns and aspirations with your contractor and get a quote before work begins.

3. Gas versus wood. Wood burning fireplaces require more manual labor once installed – lighting the logs, maintaining a chimney properly, cleaning. Gas fireplaces, especially direct vent fireplaces, can be installed in many places throughout the house that wood burning ones cannot. You somewhat lose the natural feel, crackling and ambience without wood.

4. Retrofitting. If you have a wood burning fireplace and are tired of the hassle, consider retrofitting it. An air recirculation system can improve the efficiency of your chimney’s draw and gas log sets can easily replace wood.

5. Codes. Most all areas have building codes to ensure that fireplace installation and remodeling is performed safely. Discuss with your contractor the building codes in your area, especially if the fireplace installation is expected to be intensive – the mantling, hearth, firebox and floor joists are involved.

6. Schedule the work in spring or summer. Homeowners typically think about fireplace installation when temperatures drop. You’ll enjoy leisurely scheduling and a fully functional fireplace once cooler months arrive by having the work done earlier in the year.

7. Kitchen and bathroom fireplaces are popular. While it’s possible to add them once the rooms are in tact, it’s easier to put the fireplace in first when plumbing / water lines, wiring and appliances are involved. It’s easier to build around an already installed fireplace in these rooms.

8. Cleanliness. This is crucial for wood burning fireplaces to prevent the build up of ash and debris. If you have glass doors, they will likely condensate with both gas and wood fireplaces. Use simple glass cleaner if the moisture doesn’t dissipate. Be sure to dust gas units before each fall / winter to remove accumulated grime before igniting.

9. New fireplaces should be used once or twice while temperatures are still warm so you can vent the room. The burning off of excess debris and the curing of paint will result in fumes and sometimes smoke that should be let out of the room.

10. Electric units. If you want flames simply for aesthetics, the portability and versatility of an electric unit can’t be beat. You can plug it into an outlet in any room and transport it easily. Affordable units are available, but don’t expect any warmth from these guys.