http://www.danielsremodeling.com/ en-us Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:19 GMT Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:19 GMT http://www.danielsremodeling.com/Choosing-the-Right-Countertop-for-You.asp Giving your kitchen a new look is a great way to start the new year off right. Countertops can have a dramatic affect on the overall appearance of your kitchen, so its particularly important to pick the style and material that fits your lifestyle. Although it is tempting to choose a countertop on looks alone its essential to purchase practically and keep maintenance and material in mind. Here are a few materials to consider and most importantly have fun! Granite - Granite continues to be the top choice among homeowners. Its flexible color palette of blacks, whites, greens, corals and beiges make an impressive statement in any kitchen. Its important to note that no two counters look alike so although you may like one beige piece you may not another. There are two types of finishes that are available for granite - polished, a shiny look that often darkens the appearance of the stone, and honing, a soft and matted appearance. Cost for granite can fluctuate depending on color, finish, and the stones origin. Other stones - There are also other natural stone countertop solutions including marble, limestone, and soapstone. These materials are softer than granite and require a level of delicate use and greater care. Engineered stone countertops are also available. These countertops come in a wider variety of colors and prove to be more durable and maintainable then other natural stone solutions. Concrete - Concrete countertops are continuing to gain popularity among homeowners, yet they have their drawbacks - extensive changes in the temperature can cause the concrete to warp, sponges can cause staining or discoloration, and acid spills may etch the surface. Its important that concrete countertops are sealed and waxed on a regular basis. There is also a lot of flexibility and customization when choosing a concrete countertop. There are a variety of finishes available: stamping (a tool used to impress a pattern and texture), trowel (smooth finish) and ground (sanded to expose the sand aggregation of the piece). Laminate - Laminate is a solid surface solution that comes in a large range of colors and designs. Laminate is by far the most affordable material solution and can provide a seamless and stain resistant surface. Unfortunately, this product may not provide the durability and longevity of many other countertop materials and hot pans and other objects can easily damage them permanently. Wood - Wood or butcher-block countertops are a great alternative if you are looking to create a warm and inviting feel for you kitchen. These countertops are easy to clean and scratches can be sanded out quickly. Its important to oil wood countertops frequently to seal the surface since water stains can be a stubborn issue. If you are interested in learning more about these countertop options dont hesitate to let us know and we will try and answer any questions you may have. Good luck and have a great new year! http://www.danielsremodeling.com/Federal-Tax-Credits-for-New-Year-Improvements.asp Now that 2011 has passed, many of the Federal tax credits by the government for new windows, insulation, doors and other products for home energy efficiency remodeling have also drawn to an end. Even with many of these incentives gone, you should still consider evaluating energy efficient materials before completing any new renovation projects. Looking ahead, there are still some tax credits available for some ENERGY STAR products through 2016 that will add value to your existing home. Losing the credits from last year may curb consumers enthusiasm for green remodeling, but those interested in keeping their homes for the duration, lowering bills and increasing efficiency in consumption should consider these initiatives. Geothermal heat pumps - Yoll get up to 30% of cost tax credit for buying one of the new generation geothermal heat pumps that uses ground heat instead of electrical energy to power your HVAC system. There is no upper limit to price applied to the credit, including installations and labor costs. Wind turbines - Wind turbines can also quality for tax credits through Dec. of 2016. According to ENERGY STAR, the turbine unit must top out a capacity of 100 kilowatts. Credits include materials and labor. Solar Energy Systems - Solar water heaters must be designed to generate at least half of your total energy for residential use. Products must carry Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) certifications. Qualifying solar water heaters and solar panels bought and installed prior to Dec. 2016 will earn a tax credit on the following years income tax returns. Fuel Cells - Fuel cells can only be used on your primary residence. A qualifying residential fuel cell and microturbine system must have at least .5 kilowatt capacity and reach a 30% energy efficiency. Systems that meet the qualifications are eligible for up to 30% of cost tax credit through Dec. 2016. http://www.danielsremodeling.com/5-New-Year-Renovation-Resolutions.asp As the New Year begins, many of us focus on personal resolutions to help improve ourselves with a healthier diet or a routine exercise plan. While its important to recognize how we can improve ourselves in the new year, its also crucial to consider your homes needs. When evaluating home improvement opportunities, take a moment to think of ways to create a more efficient and healthier atmosphere for you and your family. Consider improvements that go beyond cosmetic changes and instead increase the resale value of your home for the future. 1. Get Green! - By updating furnaces, water heaters, installing or updating your air conditioning system and updating appliances with energy efficient options, youll save on monthly bills and add value to your home immediately. Energy assessments are a smart way to discover failing systems and design a plan to increase the efficiency of your home. 2. Be Healthy - Installing home air filtration systems to eliminate allergens and pollutions in your home can not only enhance the value of your home but improve the quality of your life. 3. Its Time to Organize - Remove the clutter from your home by adding additional closets or maximizing your closet space with closet organizing solutions. Maximizing your homes storage potential will give you peace of mind and add a rare but valuable characteristic to your home. 4. Protect Yourself - Its important to protect your home - inside and out. Protect your foundation from mold and mildew damage by ensuring that gutters, downspouts and water evacuation systems are functioning properly. Also, install a home security system to help protect you and your family from criminal invasions. 5. Get a Makeover! A well designed landscape with properly placed shrubs and trees can save on the cost to cool your home. Ornamental grasses and other perennial plantings are an easy alternative to annual flowerbeds. Remodeling your kitchen and bath with energy efficient appliances and green products can help your home stand out in the market and add future resale value. http://www.danielsremodeling.com/Planning-a-Kitchen-Remodel-in-2012.asp With the kitchen becoming the hub of family life, it only makes sense that a kitchen remodel is at the top of the list when it comes to home renovation projects. While the finished product will mean a better quality of life, a kitchen remodel is a big endeavor and requires a good amount of planning. To help make the process easier for everyone involved, wersquo;ve put together this list of things to consider. Kitchen Layout Many homes built prior to the 1990s tend to have one of three layouts: U-shaped, L-shaped, or galley style. All three layouts make use of the important ldquo;work trianglerdquo; concept (refrigerator, stove, and sink). But thatrsquo;s where the efficiency ends ndash; none allow for a gathering of people or usage of space beyond preparing food. In the past few decades, as more families rely on two incomes, the kitchen is more about social interactions and that less food is prepared from scratch. This means a greater need for storage and casual seating. Beyond just the ldquo;work trianglerdquo;, kitchen designs should consider having multiple work centers. This allows for several areas throughout the kitchen for preparing food as dictated by need or access to appliances. The easiest way to implement this concept is through an island. Finish Materials Once you have decided on your layout, the next step is selecting materials. Itrsquo;s easiest to break this into 5 groups: Cabinets, Countertops, Flooring, and Appliances. Cabinets Cabinets come in two styles: European (frameless) and face-framed. You can either custom-order your cabinet or find a stock-supplier, like a big-box store. The cabinets will be the dominate feature in the room, so make sure to choose a color amp; finish that you can live with. Thankfully manufacturers can now create a wide selection of colors, finishes, and materials. Countertops Granite, quartz, concrete, laminate, and more. The material choices for countertops range from less expensive to very expensive. Solid materials will be incredibly durable, but will cost more than laminates. If choosing a solid surface, like granite or Corian, it is unlikely that a do-it-yourself will be able to install the countertop. The cost of a countertop can quickly escalate depending on the material you choose, so make sure to find the balance of look amp; price. Flooring Almost every home seems to have rolled linoleum or vinyl flooring as the default option in the kitchen. Recently, vinyl has started to be manufactured in a number of designs, textures, colors, and prices, making it an inexpensive choice while still playing an important factor in overall design. Ceramic tiles tend to be included in higher-end kitchens can come in a wide range of textures, sizes, and colors. Wood and wood laminate flooring is gaining traction in many remodels as well Kitchen Appliances Your appliance choice will have a major impact on both look and budget of your project. The first choice is whether to have free-standing or built-in appliances, as this will factor into the design amp; layout of the kitchen. Stainless appliances are still the preference of many homeowners for appliance style, but it is still worth exploring other options, especially if itrsquo;s an easy way to save money. Besides the obvious appliances (e.g. dishwasher, range, oven, refrigerator, etc.), make sure to spend time on selecting secondary appliances like range hoods, garbage disposals, and wine coolers. When it comes down to it, the more planning that you do prior to the first swing of a hammer will mean a smoother project overall. Nothing starts to delay a timeline or increase a budget more like having to make major decisions mid-project. If you spend the time to address the details upfront, yoursquo;ll be much happier. Take time to talk with your contractor about what yoursquo;re looking for, be honest about your budget, and leverage their expertise.If you have any questions, please donrsquo;t hesitate to contact us. http://www.danielsremodeling.com/Pantone-Announces-Color-of-the-Year-for-2012.asp Pantone LLC. the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries recently announced Pantonereg; 17-1463 Tangerine Tango as the color of the year. "Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institutereg;. "Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy." The color of the year process is a very thorough process. Pantone LLC literally combs the world looking for color influences from a number of industries including fashion, home and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design. Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and customers alike which has no doubt had an influence on its selection. Tangerine Tango will have a dramatic effect on home interior design. Consumers will be able to energize interior spaces with patterned home accessories - pillows, bedspreads, tabletop accessories will surely add spice and excitement to any room. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home paint an accent wall in Tangerine Tango for a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway or hallway. Do you plan on using Tangerine Tango in your home? http://www.danielsremodeling.com/10-Easy-Steps-to-Conserve-Energy-This-Winter-.asp According to the US Department of Energy, about one third of Americans energy bills go toward heating the home. By taking steps to reducing the energy devoted to your home you can lower emissions by hundreds to thousands of pounds save some money in the process. Cold winds, winter snows, and less sunlight all present challenges to keeping warm, but there are easy ways to help ease the cost of heating your home. 1. Keep your Thermostat at 68%. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60 -70 degree range you conserve 5% of your energy . 2. Reverse the Spin. Believe it or not if you reverse the spin of your ceiling fan it will actually circulate the warm air trapped at the ceiling down to the living area. 3. Install a Programmable Thermostat. Installing a programmable thermostat allows you to set up cooler temperatures at night and to start heating before you wake up. Your home will be warm during waking hours and youll shave money off of your heating bill. According to EnergyStar, you can save as much as $180 per year on energy bills, so these things pay for themselves pretty fast. 4. Seal Up Your Windows. A quick inexpensive way to seal up a leaky window is to install clear plastic films over them. They are available at most hardware stores and are easy to install. The plastic creates insulated air pockets while still allowing the sun to shine through. 5. Adjust your hot water heater. Make sure its set to "normal" or 120 degrees. Anything hotter is a waste of energy. You may not even notice the difference and could save up to 10% on your energy bill. 6. Do a little maintenance. Forced - air HVAC systems have a simple filter integrated in the ducts near the furnace. Be sure to change these as often as possible, especially during the winter months. The filters are inexpensive and readily available so buy two at a time and mark your calendars. Its also important to replace your old elements. Hoping the old one will get your though one more season is a short-sighted approach to savings. 7. Dodge the Draft. Warm air can escape under exterior doors and through walls and windows. Roll up towels and press them under doorways and use weatherstripping and caulk around windows, doors, chimneys and anywhere two surfaces meet to stop drafts and seal up your home. 8. Take advantage of the sun! Open your curtains during the day and let the suns energy warm up your house. Pull curtains at night to help stop heat from escaping through the glass. 9. Cover your floors. If you have tile or hardwood floors through down area rugs to help keep things cozy. 10. Switch Lightbulbs. Since its darker and the days are shorter in winter its important to switch out bulbs for energy saving Energy Star products in order to reduce your carbon imprint and save money in the process. http://www.danielsremodeling.com/Home-Improvements-That-Pay-for-Themselves.asp With economic difficulties lingering homeowners are beginning to reflect a change in attitude toward their home. With home values diminishing - its becoming more and more difficult for home owners to recoup the full value of the improvements made to their homes over the years. Growing trends have indicated that homeowners are beginning to place more value on the thought of treating their homes as "investments" as opposed to "a place to live." Every home improvement decision is a critical one that needs to be evaluated carefully and with "resale value" in mind. In this article we will discuss some replacement and home remodeling improvements that can be made to the home to help retain and add value for the future.Replacement projects have always performed well in resale value - partly because they are the least expensive projects and partly because they are need-based improvements performed to protect the homeowners investment and contribute to curb appeal, which is an attractive factor to home buyers. Installing a midrange entry door is a cost effective replacement product that offers instant return for the homeowner. Not only does the investment add to the homes curb appeal but it offers energy saving incentives as well. Additionally, garage door replacements are also a very popular replacement projects that add value with very little upfront cost. Although replacement projects have consistently yielded the best returns for homeowners there are a number of remodeling projects that generate encouraging "return on investment" opportunities. These particular projects are useful for homeowners looking to improve the longevity of their investment and ensure a viable investment 5 to 10 years from now. Wood deck additions are one of the more popular and affordable improvements that a homeowner can make to increase the value of their investment. There has been a shift of importance on outdoor living space making this relatively easy and inexpensive addition critical in selling ones home. Minor kitchen remodels also tend to yield a higher return in investment. Vastly considered the most important room in the home, an inexpensive "face-lift" of the kitchen may be the difference between selling a home immediately or having it sit on the market for days/months at a time. Finally, the two remaining remodeling projects that add value to a home are attic bedroom remodel and basement remodel. Although, these are much larger projects, they represent good value within the existing footprint of the home and make good use of space that would otherwise be used only for storage. Overall, it is important to ensure that whatever home improvement project you decide to take on is done with a mindful eye on its marketability now and in the future. Also, be sure to hire a quality contractor - its important that remodeling projects like these last and ensure a good return on your investment. http://www.danielsremodeling.com/Kitchen-Upgrades-that-Give-the-Most-Return.asp According to an annual survey by Remodeling Magazine, kitchen remodels consistently give the biggest bang for the buck in terms of return on investment. For every dollar you spend on a kitchen remodeling project, you can expect to get back 70-80 cents at resale. While there are a number of factors that will determine how much you return you see, there are some key areas that will help you out when its time to sell. Choose a Look that Sells Just like with fashion, home design has cycles - remember when wood paneling and avocado yellow were the rage? In general, the longer you hold onto the home after a remodel project, the less of a return youll see. The best way to get the most from your project is to go with classic, timeless looks. If youre doing a remodel to help sell a house quickly, ask your contractor about current trends. If youre doing the project to improve your quality of life, make some personal choices that you prefer, but stay away from ultra-modern looks, as they are the most likely to fall out of favor in a few years. Buy Brand Names Whether its Sub-Zero or Viking, there are brand names that get attention in a kitchen. But, dont just buy the biggest amp; most expensive as it may not match the "local taste". Talk to a real estate agent about what are the preferred brands in the area. You may not need to need to spend $4,500 on a Viking range when a $2,500 GE model will work just fine. Keep It in Perspective Despite the fact that you may want all stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and every other amenity, it may not make sense in your home. If your home is worth $175,000, it doesnt make sense to spend $30,000 on a kitchen remodel. Even though brand names help sell a kitchen, it doesnt make sense to install a 6 burner stovetop with 2 in-wall ovens in the kitchen of a starter home. Likewise, if the rest of your house has the finer things, dont skimp on the kitchen. As with any design choice, you want consistency throughout the house to keep anything from awkwardly sticking-out. Sometimes Its the Little Things While many people tend to focus on the big-ticket items like cabinets, appliances, and counter tops, it is sometimes the little items that really make a kitchen "pop". Faucets, sinks, cabinet handles, and even cabinet hinges can easily change the look of the room. Dont overlook the details, as these are what quickly let a potential buyer know that there werent any corners cut in a kitchen remodel project. When it comes down to it, you need to balance your personal desires with the wants of a buyer. Dont create a kitchen that you dont like using, and dont create a room that only appeals to your tastes. By doing this, you can get the most from your kitchen remodel. http://www.danielsremodeling.com/When-should-I-buy-from-on-line-suppliers-and-when-should-I-buy-from-a-local-source.asp 5 Tips to remember when buying products online: If you want a specialty fixture, buy it online. Examples: A really small sink for a powder room or unique lighting fixtures. Prices can be great on specialty items (+). Selections are unbeatable (+). (What isnrsquo;t on the internet?) Wait times can be long amp; unpredictable on-line (-) If a source is a small company it is easy to overwhelm their production capacity. If itrsquo;s handmadehellip;it has to be made by hand which takes time and proper planning. If yoursquo;re worried about wait times or need a light fixture to get an occupancy permit, then get a cheap, temporary fixture to make wait bearable. Hard to return items and accountability for customer service can be low (-). Bigger online retailers are better ndash; like Amazon or a brick amp; mortar store that has online ordering. Here is a sampling of some of the items we have bought for our projects online: Soaking Tubs Tons of Light Fixtures ndash; pendant, handmade glass, unique metal Range hood vent Safe Doors (think bank vault) Staircase parts Spiral staircases Library ladder hardware Pull down attic ladders Knobs Hardware Door knobs Electronics TVs Faucets Sinks 5 Tips for when to buy fixtures from a distributor or retailer: If itrsquo;s moderately heavy then it probably should come from a traditional distribution center. If warranty is of critical importance to you, buy it face to face. If being assured of the highest quality, buy from a trusted brick amp; mortar store. 4. If low quality at a great price will do, buy from a big box. 5. If you need it now, buy it off the shelf and know that yoursquo;ll be able to get another if you need it. http://www.danielsremodeling.com/Renovate-your-home-with-a-HUD-203(k)-loan.asp A 203(k) loan may be just what you need to get the funding for your renovation, and it may be easier to get than other home improvement loans. A 203(k) provides access to large loan amounts and, although there are limits, you can borrow enough to finance 110% of your homes projected value after improvement. You can turn your house into the home you want...and you can do it NOW. If you have questions about the 203(K) program or are interested in getting a 203(k) insured loan for your project, contact us at 703-239-2700 and we will put you in touch with an FHA approved lender. http://www.danielsremodeling.com/Get-Tips-on-Making-Your-Lifestyle-Greener.asp I found this site which can help you better understand what ldquo;Greenrdquo; is and how you can apply it to your home; U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys website. You can click on a room in a home graphic to get great suggestions on how to reduce energy use, bring in sustainable products, reduce waste and conserve water. This is a great resource with a lot of relevant information.