1. Filter your water – whole house or point of use – many appliances and plumbing manufacturers are including filtration systems – great time to get one of these included when you have to replace a kitchen sink faucet or refrigerator!
2. Reduce toxins – volatile organic compounds (VOCs) linger in the air and can cause you to become sick – from allergic reactions to more serious health issues. When you paint next time – make sure you get a low VOC paint. Also, if you’re buying new furniture – ask your sales person how the furniture was produced!
3. Increase tub and shower safety – this is really one of the biggest safety issues in your home. If your tub is slick, anyone can fall. If you’re remodeling a shower and it is currently sunken – raise the floor, install a small or even curb-less shower. Install grab bars and I know what you’re thinking – they look too institutional – but they’ve come a long way, matching your plumbing and with decorative accents. The big thing to keep in mind here is to make sure you’ve got enough blocking in the wall to get them installed.
4. Eliminate germs with non-toxic cleaners – did you know that some of your cleaners can emit VOCs? Make sure that you choose environmentally friendly cleaners and keep in mind that if you have a septic system this is even more important! Simply using different cutting boards for meat and veggies and replacing sponges used in the kitchen can really make a difference.
5. Garden naturally – use organic insecticidal soaps and lots of mulch in the garden to help conserve water. Compost your kitchen veggie scraps. There are so many options for this tip that pretty much the sky is the limit – depending on how much work you want to go to physically, you could grow your own garden, compost your lawn clippings and leaves…
6. Protect from fire and carbon monoxide – install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but make sure to change those batteries! Also, place a fire distinguisher in the kitchen and make sure you have an escape ladder for those upper floor bedrooms.
7. Reduce humidity – keep your bath from becoming a mold and mildew haven by simply installing an exhaust fan or dehumidifier. A great time to do this of course is when you’re remodeling your bathroom!
8. Replace air filters often – okay, this is one task that many of us forget. Make sure that you purchase a good filter, you’ll have to replace it less often.
9. Purify the air – this will reduce the pollutants and allergens in your home. Are you allergic to Fido? This could possibly help clear the air for you.
10. Choose flooring wisely – this is probably one of the bigger areas in your home that you can make a difference. Are you concerned about sustainability or green products? There are many for you to choose from. Some simple thoughts to keep in mind (a later blog will go into more detail), carpet feels great, but keep it mind it can trap dust and allergens and isn’t the best answer for those with allergies whereas tile and wood floors will not trap dirt or allergens.

Check out Rev – A – Shelf’s new Lazy Shoe-Zen!

- Been thinking about replacing your windows? During the holidays is a GREAT time…great savings compared to the rest of the year AND you can take advantage of the stimulus funds if you haven’t already! Call us today to discuss your project!
- Do the doors in your home sag? Do you have that black “gunk” showing up around the hinges? We have a solution for you! Hinges with ball bearings…can get the hinges in many colors – get rid of that polished brass!
- Do your windows have a flat ledge on the bottom and you can feel air coming in? That is called the RAMP…not a good thing because that weather stripping really breaks down here in Texas with the heat and sun. We do have a solution for you!

  Energy-Saving Superstars

Everyone loves saving money.  But making energy-efficient improvements to your home also conserves our planet’s vital resources. Lowe’s has partnered with U.S. government agencies to make it easier for you to identify products that save water and energy without sacrificing performance.  Look for WaterSense and ENERGY STAR labels for products that benefit the environment as well as your wallet.

WaterSense

Sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the WaterSense program identifies water-efficient toilets and faucets.  A WaterSense-labeled toilet uses 20% less water than the current federal standard (saving about 4,000 gallons of water per year), while WaterSense-labeled bath sink faucets use 30% less water.  Along with the environmental benefits, these products reduce water bills enough to pay for themselves in just a few years.

A joint program of the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), ENERGY STAR qualifies appliances and numerous other products that meet strict energy efficiency criteria.  Many ENERGY STAR products can save 20% to 30% in energy costs each year and some even more.  Cutting energy usage also lessens harmful emissions from power plants, helping protect the environment.

Greywater systems are becoming a vital option for conserving precious fresh water, but for many consumers, it’s a scary concept – or a complete unknown. That’s why Sloan’s Aqus system shines for its simplicity and accessibility. Situated under the bathroom sink, Aqus transfers lavatory drain water to the toilet for reuse. The drainage water is sanitized and filtered, then collects in a storage reservoir; upon flushing, the water is pumped to the flush tank. According to the company, a two-person bathroom can save up to 5,000 gallons of fresh water a year. The system is compatible with a range of two-piece toilet models. 800-982-5839 www.sloanvalve.com

Planning guideless
Okay – you’ve now decided which way to go – stock or custom – or have you?!
Traffic patterns – I’m sure you’ve heard about the kitchen triangle – right? Well, you really shouldn’t let anything impede that triangle – however – some of the kitchens we’ve seen recently have an island in the middle of that triangle and for what? To say it has an island? We typically hear that all you end up doing is running around the island! Another thought to keep in mind – according to code and basic good design – you should always have a minimum 36” of clearance between work surfaces or walkways. Again – many kitchens do not have this clearance.
Work aisle – according to many guidelines – you need to have a minimum of 42” for one cook and 48” for multiple cooks. This would definitely get rid of the islands in many homes!
Storage – what about those lazy susan’s? Not our favorite, but there are many options out there now for those blind corners – some more expensive than others. Storage over the frig – does the cabinet above the frig come out all the way, or do you just have that lovely frig top with all the “decorations” sitting on top? Are you a baker? Then what about lowering one of your counters so they are more ergonomically correct? And what about the great cabinetry for those heavy KitchenAid mixers? Cookie sheet cabinets? And please don’t tell me that you still have one of the walk-in pantry’s? Custom pantry cabinets will provide you better storage by far!
Professional design – if you’re planning on investing the money to update your cabinets – make sure you bring in a professional that can help you with the many options now available – I guarantee it will make the world of difference and you’ll end up having cabinetry that you’ll love for years to come!

Stock vs Custom

Okay – some will probably disagree with me on some of the specifics, but at least you’ve got some information to go on! Stock Cabinetry Stock implies that it is premade – what you would see if you went into Lowe’s or Home Depot and bought them off the shelf. Many manufacturers offer stock cabinetry – this keeps the cost low and if you want to customize the cabinets, it costs quite a bit. In stock cabinetry you normally have to buy the cabinets in 3” increments – meaning you’ll have a lot of filler in your cabinet design or blank spaces. Not a good thing in my opinion. Some will say that manufacturers of stock cabinets are competing on price – which is very true because the cabinets are cheap; however, you typically get what you pay for also. With stock cabinetry you are typically only getting wood on the doors and possibly face frame – most of the time you will see particle board interiors (it is called sponge board for a reason!) and many times laminated end panels and insides. Custom Cabinetry Many cabinet shops call themselves custom – however after having our own cabinet shop – I can tell you that the local cabinet makers simply cannot compete on price or design offerings from the big manufacturers. There are many manufacturers out in the market that do not build cabinets until they are ordered – so therefore your cabinetry is also custom! Many manufacturers use the big C&C machines to cut out the pieces used to put the cabinetry together – but from there on in the manufacturing process, it is hands on! True, the people building the cabinets are using some high tech tools, but real live humans build the cabinets. There are many cabinet manufacturers that are located here in the US – so you’re not buying cabinets made overseas! Many custom cabinet manufacturers can also match your existing stain – just like many of your local cabinetmakers. What we’ve seen makes the difference between the local guy and a national manufacturer is the options: doors, drawers, stains, trim, and the interior accessories for the cabinetry. Many of the higher end custom cabinet shops can also offer all woods at the same price – I know first hand that your local cabinet maker cannot do this. Many custom manufacturers also include soft close door and drawer hinges, undermount drawer glides, dovetail drawers, stainless steel drawers – AS STANDARD offerings! The local guy just cannot compete on this level – they’re not buying the quantity that the national manufacturers are buying. Also, the local guy typically can’t offer the same warranties that most of the big manufacturers offer – 8, 10, 12 years on the stain and limited lifetime on the cabinet construction! Yes – you will pay more for “custom” cabinetry – but if you’re updating, isn’t it worth it?

Previously having our own cabinet shop and now being a dealer for a worldwide cabinet company, we have become intimate with how cabinets are built. Cabinets may look good on the outside, but once you closely inspect them, the differences are quickly noted. But do you know the difference between cabinet styles? European Style This construction was originally developed in Europe. The cabinet is constructed using panels to build the box. Better construction uses ¾” marine grade plywood. The cabinet door is hinged to the interior side of the panel and the better cabinets include slow close doors and drawers. The drawers for the European style are typically bigger because there are no face frames to deal with. Also, better cabinets will have full extension under mount hardware and offer wood and stainless steel drawer box construction. The cabinet door and drawer fronts fully overlay the box with a very small reveal between the doors and drawers. The installation is easy – but the installer does have to know what they’re doing since it is very different from face-frame and inset cabinetry. Faceframe style: This is what we typically have in our homes here in Texas. With faceframe cabinetry, you have solid wood stock that is used to build the front or faceframe of the cabinetry. The manufacturer attaches the sides and back of the cabinet to the faceframe. The cabinet door is hinged on the faceframe – this is called an overlay. Again, depending on the manufacturer, European style hinges are typically standard, but some manufacturers will also offer the slow close hinges as standard or charge for these types of hinges. The actual door/drawer fronts will vary in size depending on how much or how little it overlays the face frame. This style is also the least expensive in cabinetry construction. Inset style: This type of cabinet looks much like furniture you probably have in your home. The doors are actually inset in the frame. Your manufacturer has to be very good at how they build these cabinets because the reveal is miniscule. If you are in an area with high humidity – say the coast – you probably want to consider either a very stable wood or going with the overlay faceframe style. These hinges are also set on the style of the frame – but your manufacturer will either expose the hinges, or they will be concealed – most often as slow close or European hinges. The drawers in this style are typically the smallest.

We just started a new kitchen remodel and the first day our crew finds that a critter has been up to bigtime chewing!  The hungry critter is now dead, they found that too!  Please make sure that you inspect your attic periodically (especially during cooler months since it is easier for you to be up there and they look for a “new home” since it gets cooler outside!) to make sure you don’t have any critters in your home!

Clean and classic styling is the hottest trend in kitchen cabinetry right now, as value-conscious consumers seek simple yet elegant designs that will stand the test of time. Eco-friendly wood species are garnering attention, while custom options become increasingly available at multiple price points. Additionally, cabinet interior design is moving to the forefront as aging baby boomers seek greater accessibility and a more efficient use of space.

Below are some of the dominant trends in kitchen cabinetry:
• Clean lines and classic styles dominate today’s kitchen cabinet choices, with value, sustainability and organization key priorities among consumers.
• Maple and alder are popular wood choices, while bamboo and lyptus appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. For the more budget-minded shopper, laminates in wood grain patterns offer an appealing option.
• Interior storage accessories are more relevant than ever as they maximize cabinet space and accessibility – particularly critical as consumers increasingly decide to remodel within their kitchen’s existing footprint rather than expanding the space.
• Custom components are becoming more affordable, allowing consumers at all price points to create a more personalized look for their cabinetry. However, excessive ornamentation has fallen out of vogue, with cleaner styles that minimize clutter reflecting the new consumer mindset.
• Painted finishes are gaining in popularity, while contrasting paint and stained finishes in one kitchen is a great way to add visual interest and character.
• Consumers are showing greater awareness of green issues as the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s Environmental Stewardship Program grows in scope, yet the added cost to “going green” presents an obstacle that is difficult to overcome in a challenging economy.

Ducts with built-in gaskets solve one of the most common energy loss issues in homes-improperly sealed ducts.

Did you know that HVAC ducts can cost you a loss of 30% of household heating and cooling energy? One way to combat this problem is during your mechanical rough-in. One of the problems is that there are many shortcuts such as running them through unconditioned spaces such as attics and crawl spaces.

So, even if your ducts have been tightly sealed they combat against outdoor temperatures and here in Texas our attics can get to temperatures exceeding 120 degrees if not properly insulated.

Studies have shown that as much as 95% of homes have ducts that leak.

New products on the market include low-VOC or water based mastic and they have even come out with “no mastic” products.

These are all good ideas to keep in mind when upgrading, building or remodeling a home.