Resistant to rot, won’t warp, won’t give people splinters and doesn’t require paint, stain or seal.  No, I’m not referring to The Donald’s hair piece.  I’m talking about composite decking material.  Perhaps not quite as entertaining, but interesting, nonetheless.

There was once a time when deck options were much more simplified.  People were able to choose between wood, or wood.  Today, however, thanks to the ingenuity of a bunch of fancy innovators who recognized the consumer need for a lower maintenance product, consumers have several more options to choose from.

Wondering what exactly composite decking is made of?  Typically, the material consists of a combination of different plastic and wood (sawdust, wood chips, wood fiber) materials which are formulated together to give a real wood-like look.

This mixture is combined with a preservative and a pigment.  It is then heated and formed into board-like shapes.  Once cooled, the pieces are heavier than wood, but not as strong.

Necessary maintenance will require a homeowner to spray their composite deck down 2 times a year with a soap and water scrub.  Because this product cannot be re-treated or re-finished like the wood product can, manufacturers also recommend that any stains or debris be immediately addressed with composite materials.

This sexy material sounds like a whole lot of fun, right?  Well, in addition to the low-maintenance angle and the sexy, chic appearance, these products are typically composed of recycled materials.  Plus, composite decking materials are definitely affordable.  You should be able price your project at around $1.75-$4.75 per square foot, uninstalled.  (A redwood or cedar deck would run you $2-$4, uninstalled).

You could’ve probably figured this out on your own – But below, you will find a before & after shot, along with a few close-ups of a composite deck install.

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Porches have the ability to expand outdoor living options and extend personal style.  Do you have one?  Do you wish you had one?  Is the one you have kind of sucky and pathetic?  I feel your pain.

Porch additions are completely customizable.  Design elements can offer distinct variables that will alter and enhance the appearance, functionality and overall appeal of a home’s front exterior.

More traditional porch additions will extend the exterior of a home with a portico addition, a well-crafted railing, a couple of sturdily erected columns and some beatuifully sculptured foliage.  Some of these more traditional looks will include the enhancement of a porch swing or patio furniture, and perhaps some potted plants.

But have you seen some of the newer, more modern porches?  Some of these homeowners are really going all out to do some awesomely creatively things with their front porch designs.

Allow me to show off some of my faves – These are a little dreamy, and pretty elaborate – All the more reason to absolutely love them!

The work of this first addition was done by a contractor out in Iowa.  Brandon manufactured this porch over the existing cement slab.  He included an outdoor fireplace and he completed the project with a wood ceiling.  His site notes that the customers wanted to be able to utilize the porch year around.  I think they definitely got what they wanted.  This is awesome work.  (Click the photo to visit his site – more project pictures available).

This next dreamy porch project I found was completed by Naylor & Breen Builders Inc. in Vermont.  The porch project was a part of The Michael’s whole house remodel.  The porch itself included a sitting and dining area, and a fireplace.  Both areas could be accessed from the living room or deck.  This is gorgeous.

Chris Jokisch in Raleigh, NC did a beatiful porch addition that included some really sexy ceiling fans.  I love those fans.

And below you can see a quick pic of some very fine porch addition work that was completed by a few boys that I know pretty well.  This is a lovely Kansas porch, complete with little white fans and porch swing.

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As a replacement window shopper, you’re expected to be somewhat of an expert in the field in order to make a qualified, appropriate decision.  But I happen to think this expectation is just a little unfair.

Have you ever talked to a salesman who promoted his product by telling you that his product was the best (fill in the blank) ever.  And although you were pleased to find out that you were learning about an awesomely (fill in the blank) product, you had no clue what relevance that (fill in the blank) rating/fact/measurement really meant?

U-Factor, for example.  This is one of those items that tends to confuse and clutter the decision making process for most consumers.

The U-Factor measures how well a window prevents heat from escaping.  It is the inverse of the R-Value (1/R Value).  U-Factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and 1.20.

The lower the U-Factor, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value will be.

In terms of energy efficiency, the U-Factor is included in the energy performance rating offered by the NFRC.

In short, the lower the U-Factor, the better.

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Pesky.  Bothersome.  Unsightly.  No, I’m not referring to your highschool wardrobe.  Well, I might be.  I’m referring to household gnats.

Although pretty well innocuous to people, these guys serve no benefit to us, either.

Fruit flies, vinegar flies or fungus gnats – they’re all very much the same.  These little guys are attracted to warm, moist environments and to rotting organic matter.  They hover around these places and then eventually lay their eggs.

While prevention is the best form of control, summertime melon rhines, garden garbage and sweet tea remnants seem to call out the gnat troops from accross the planet.

Here are some little tricks you can use to combat the presence of these little guys:

• Gnats are attracted to vinegar.  Place little jars throughout the house and fill them with vinegar.  Punch holes through the lid.
• Add dish detergent to the vinegar – evidently this is another option for potent gnat poison.
• Place apple cider or wine in small bowls near plants.
• Mix (carefully, mind you – this is a recipe for foam) vinegar and baking soda for your gnat fighting solution
• Fly paper can be used indoors or outdoors.
• Add a little dish soap to a sugary drink as a gnat trap.
• Pour a cup of ammonia down the drain of a sink to chase them away.
• Commercial sprays can be purchased for outdoor use.

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I love this report because it voices something other than the opinions of the salesmen, the manufacturers or the product reps.  It voices the opinion of the people who actually research, purchase, use and live with the product in their homes.

Consumer Reports did a study and produced a report in October
2007.  According to their findings, consumers believe the Marvin Window
product to be the best wood-clad window product available to consumers on the market.  The report did a side-by-side comparison of window samples from Marvin, Pella, Andersen, Peachtree, Crestline and Jeld-Wen.

I contacted Consumer Reports HQ and asked if a newer report existed other than the one from 10/07.  I was informed that the 2007 report was the most current report on file and that the windows are not reported on annually.  The representative did not disclose when the next report would be available to us.

*Although I am unable to attach the report to this blog, I am happy to share it with you.  Let me know if you would like a copy of the full window comparison report.

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One of the simplest ways to makeover the front of your house – Install a new front door.

Doors can be ordered for just about any price range; and if you haven’t taken a look into the door industry lately, you might be pleasantly surprised to see all of the beautiful ideas they’ve come up with.

The Artistic door collection by Marvin has the ability to offer individuality to each door.  All products are custom made – and this particular line takes the idea of “custom” to a whole new level.  Think: Family crest, initials, symbols or logos.  As with all Marvin entry doors, this one comes with a concealed multi-point locking system and the item can be ordered in any one of a variety of species.

The Classic line of doors will feature elaborate glass design and hand-beveled leaded art.  Various shapes and lines make these doors stand out in a very elegant, yet classic way.

The divided lites featured in the Marvin Luminary product line offer some of the most gorgeous of their kind in the industry.  A truly customizable feature, divided lites allow an individual to match the architectural style of their home to that of their entry door.

Simple.  Elegant.  Clean.  A line inspired by simpler times.  The Traditional Collection offers tasteful inspiration to any architectural style.

As with each of the customizable entry doors, this piece can be ordered in Honduran Mahogany, Cedro Macho, White Oak, Cherry or Walnut.

Yes, my photos are all Marvin product photos – What can I say…I like the creme de la creme!

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We abuse them – We clutter them – We sometimes sit on them … sometimes.

Think of countertops as little workbenches of life.  They are probably one of the most necessary items in a kitchen or bathroom – and if you don’t have an adequate amount of them, you’ll really feel it.

Standard kitchen countertops run 24″ deep and 36″ from the floor.

Bathroom counters are typically shorter.  They tend to run 18″ deep and 30″ from the floor.

Some countertops have backsplashes but some do not.  All countertops are made with (or, are supposed to be made with) durable, long-lasting materials.

Most are made of a combination of plywood, particle board, mastic, glue, mortar and grout.  This combination of materials not only provides durability, but they also keep the countertops protected from water and stains.

The most common surfaces are ceramic tile, wood, high-pressure laminate, solid surfacing and natural stone.  These surfaces range very wide in price.

Stone and Granite countertops are all the rave right now.  They’re very sexy and sleek.  But they’re also very pricey.  The going rate around my neck of the woods STARTS at about $39 /ft.  I’m not sure how up to par you are on countertop pricing – But that’s a good 3 times the price of a “regular” countertop.

Another differential to consider is edging.  Depending upon the materials used to make your countertops, you may have several options to choose from.  You will find a photo below that I stole off of another website to get a good idea of what these options look like.

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Do you suppose there is such a thing as too many estimates?  I believe the answer is an emphatic “Yes.”

Home remodeling projects – No matter how big or small – Tend to bring out some of the greatest amounts of stress in a person’s life.  A person is forced to make permanent decisions, spend hard earned money and place a decent amount of trust into the hands of an often-times perfect stranger.

Would you like to know the easiest way for that person to turn their already stressful situation into the Kingpin of all stressful situations?  Here’s how:

Seek multiple estimates, slowly mull over the information, and then attempt to  make a decision.

“Why would you argue that?” you might say.

Rule #1 in decision making – More is not necessarily better.  Research is a good thing and gaining additional information can definitely help you to make a very informed decision.  But too much information and too much time will inevitably lead to brain drain, frustration, confusion and cluttered counter tops.

I’d like to quote a blog entry from one of my favorite people, Seth Godin:

More time does not create better decisions.  In fact, it usually decreases the quality of the decision.  More information may help.  More time without more information just creates anxiety, not insight.  Deciding now frees up your most valuable asset, time, so you can go work on something else.  What happens if, starting today, you make every decision as soon as you have a reasonable amount of data?”

When you’re gathering estimates for home remodeling projects, do a little research up front.  Don’t whip out the phone book (do any of you actually still use the phone book) or hit up the Google search – and start dialing every name on the list, requesting a free brochure and an in-home estimate.  This is a waste of their time and yours.

Check with your personal contacts to get any referral information that might be out there.  If you find a company (either through referral status or Google) look-up the company info online.  If their standards match up with yours, give them a call.  But limit yourself to 2-4 bids.  This is no place to be excessive.

Remember, this process is a stressful one no matter how you size it up.  Do your part to keep the anxiety levels at bay.  In other words, don’t pick at the scab – You’ll only be sorry you did.

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You may be well aware that the Guttering situation at your house is far from ideal – But do you have the first clue how to go about remedying the situation?  I read a blog entry the other day whereabouts a lady stated, “I was hoping I could just call Lowe’s and ask them to send over one of their installation guys to install new gutters for me, but I just talked to Lowe’s and they don’t do gutter installation unless they are also installing a new roof.”  This poor gal tackled this predicament completely bass-ackwards.  Calling in the little, red aprons?!?  Come on, now!

Here is a list of common homeowner questions, associated with Gutter replacement:

How do I know if my gutters are bad?

If your gutters are falling off of the house, they’re probably in need of attention.  Other suspicious signs of guttering malfunction include: leaky gutters, rusty gutters, water in the basement or a funny dirt line around house (from poor drainage/runoff).

What size guttering will I need for my house?

This depends on the pitch of your roof and the type of shingles you have.  5″ used to be the most common of the two residential sizes.  But more and more, 6″ gutters are used on homes with steeper roofs, shake shingles, slate roofs or tile roofs.  Your estimator will be able to professionally advise you on this one.

Do I need to purchase some sort of leaf cover?

Well, if you’re sick of cleaning your gutters out, then yes.  The market offers a variety of leaf barriers that can be added to your new guttering system.  Your estimator can assist you with this selection, as well.  These, I highly recommend.  (And special note, when purchasing at the time of new gutter replacement- the price is really not bad – Go for it.  You’ll thank me in the long run).

Do I have to be home for my estimate?

Nope.

Do I have to be home for my installation?

Nope.

Does it cost more money for a color other than white?

Nope.

Do I need to request a particular brand of guttering?

This is something that you do not need to worry about, either.  Gutters are made from coil material.  The coil is purchased wholesale by your installer.  Think of it like this: You go to Denny’s to eat a Denver Omelette.  You appreciate the service, the omelette tastes great and you leave a happy customer.  Whether Denny’s used eggs from Price Chopper or eggs from Hyvee - It really doesn’t matter.  What matters is that you received a great product from a great company with great service.

How often should my gutters be cleaned?

Minimum 2 times per year.   But in all reality, if your
troughs aren’t flowin’ – Then you better clear ‘em out.  I don’t care
what time of year it is.

Where do I find a good guttering company?

Well, aside from the company that backs this blog (shameless plug, I know), one of the best ways to avoid being taken by a couple of guys in a truck is to ask around.  Find out who your neighbors used – Who your sister used – Who your boss used.  Ask around.  You can also rely upon the local BBB & NARI websites.

How much will this cost?

Your job will be priced based on footage.  The guttering alone should run somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.75-$3.00 /ft (installed).  Downspouts are added to this price.  They should ballpark $2.50-$4.00 also.

Did I miss something?  Let me know.  Happy to answer any stragglers.

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Economy’s rough.  Remodeling prices are high.  What’s a homeowner to do?

Save on the little things, that’s what I say!

Next time you’re at the grocery store, pickup a tube of super cheap toothpaste.  Then, spend an afternoon at your house, running around scrubbing all sorts of fun things with this lightly-abrasive cleaner.  Really, it’s fun for the whole family!

1. Kitchen Sink Pot Marks – Cast iron skillets really know how to scuff up a sink.  There are some hi-tech cleaners out there that price out to about a dollar an ounce.  But just scrub a little Pepsodent on that sink and call it a day!
2. Running Shoes – New shoes make you run faster.  At least, that’s what I used to think as a kid.  To this day, I think I work out harder if I’m wearing nice, clean shoes.  Got scuffs?  Scrub them away with an abrasive toothbrush and toothpaste.  Then rinse.
3. Fingers & Toes – Not sure why you’d want to use this one, but here it is, anyway: fingernails and toenails are made of similar cell structure to your teeth.  So, toothpaste will work very well for polishing up your tips and taps.
4. Carpet Stains – Use an abrasive toothbrush and scrub your stain right out, then rinse.
5. Clothes Iron – You know that stuff that gunks up on iron?  You can scrub that crud right off.
6. Coffee Table Water Rings – Evidently you can rub those guys right away with a soft cloth and toothpaste.
7. Nail Hole Filler – Fill those old nail holes with a little paste.  Obviously, this works best on a wall color that matches your paste color.
8. Jewelry – Make dull jewelry shiny!  Use soft towel and toothbrush.  Scrub and rub.  Then rense.  Do not use on pearls, though.

My Disclaimer: The two I’ve ever tried are the jewelry cleaning and nail filling techniques.  So, feel free to give any of these a whirl and let me know what you think.

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