Why Barrington IL Remodeling Contractors Need Experience With Rainscreens

In my blog post last week on August 4, 2014, I discussed how to identify a high-quality house wrap for your home because it truly is the last line of defense against moisture problems within the outside walls of your home. In this blog, I want to take the topic of a wall assembly to another level and specifically discuss the importance of keeping a wall dry and free of moisture buildup. To accomplish this, I will I will talk about using a technique known today as a rainscreen. I will also do my best to stress the importance of why Barrington IL remodeling contractors should implement this conception a remodeling or new home construction project.

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Hinsdale IL Remodeling Contractors: Explaining the Fundamentals of House Wrap

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Today I will be talking about a subject that is critical to all new construction and remodeling projects. This topic is 10 times more important than the cabinets, counters and other finishes that are typically the main concern of many homeowners remodeling or building. If you know me or follow my blog, you will quickly find that I am passionate about what I call “building for longevity.” When I build something, I want it to last — period! To accomplish this, it is vital to have an understanding of proper building techniques as well as the ability to be on site frequently to perform quality control inspections during every phase of construction.

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12 Benefits of Synthetic Slate Roofing for Wayne IL Homes

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It’s sometimes tricky trying to tell the difference between real and costume jewelry, isn’t it? Occasionally I’ll see a necklace or ring with such brilliance and — for a moment — think they’re genuine diamonds or gemstones, only to find out they are high-end, elegant pieces of well-designed costume jewelry that were made to look real. In certain circumstances, man-made materials have a better function and purpose than the genuine article. Let me explain.

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Building or Remodeling? Consider Natural Stone for Glencoe IL Homes

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“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” -Frank Lloyd Wright

Pictured above: Custom-cut Limestone Façade

That’s a simple yet powerful quote that sets the tone for my blog post today. If you’ve been reading some of my recent blogs, you know that I build and remodel homes to last. Building for longevity is a running theme with me. In fact, it’s one of the tenets I live by and how I run my residential design/build firm. It should be no surprise then that I love talking about the timeless beauty and durability of natural stone. If you’re building a new custom home or planning to remodel, consider natural stone for Glencoe IL homes or anywhere on the North Shore and greater Chicagoland area. Continue reading →

Motorized Shades and Blinds when Home Remodeling in Barrington IL

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Remember when suitcases didn’t have wheels? Now, nearly every piece of luggage or large carry-on bag has wheels so we don’t break our backs when traveling. Well, soon enough, we’ll be saying, “Remember when we had to physically walk to each window treatment in our house and adjust them with our hands? Oh, the time and energy we wasted!” It’s true. The time will come when very few shades in our homes are NOT motorized. In this blog post, I’m going to offer you a brief introduction to motorized shades and blinds, and why this feature should be considered when home remodeling in Barrington IL or anywhere in the Chicagoland area.

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Home Remodeling in Hinsdale IL: Choose Exterior Trim that Lasts

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Extremely cold winters and hot, humid summers … that’s just what we get in the Chicago area. Whatever happened to those average 70-degree partly sunny days we’re supposed to get in the spring and fall? Well, if every day were pleasant, there would be no need for me to write this blog. But because we live in the Midwest with harsh weather conditions on both ends of the spectrum, I want to discuss the serious matter of choosing the right type of long-lasting exterior trim. Home remodeling in Hinsdale IL means taking our weather into account before embarking on any project. Continue reading →

Remodeling Homes for Seniors

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As our life expectancy increases, so must our foresight. We need to plan how we want to live in our golden years. Many of us have had the responsibility of caring for our elderly parents. If you’ve experienced this firsthand, you probably became more empathetic and wish there were things you could do to ease their living situation. Fortunately, there are. Continue reading →

How Windows and Doors Influence Home Design in Chicago

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Windows and doors play a critical role in your home’s design; that’s the crux of this short-and-sweet blog post. For those of us in the Chicagoland area, this is particularly important because the style of homes found in our city and suburban communities vary drastically and we have a lot of choices – good! It keeps things interesting. Continue reading →

Kitchen Remodel: Achieving Longevity through a Phenomenal Transformation

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Five tips to ensure your kitchen remodel is done with top quality that stands the test of time.

I recently read that the lifespan of the average house is 100 years or longer. Within this 100-year-average, there are many designs, materials and products that vary in terms of a lifespan. For example, a typical asphalt shingle roof may last 25 years but the structural steel to hold up the house NEEDS to last for the entire lifespan. Continue reading →

Kitchen Cabinetry Options

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Selections are one of the areas over which homeowners have the most control when it comes to their budget. For example, as a contractor, there’s not much wiggle room I can provide when it comes to pouring the foundation for your new home, but there are a slew of options and cost-saving measures I can share with you when it’s time to make your interior selections; cabinetry is one of them. Here’s where you, the homeowner, hold the reins. Continue reading →