improvement guide
Transcription
improvement guide
D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D HOME Home 1 FALL 2009 IMPROVEMENT GUIDE IN THIS ISSUE: Top 10 Ways to Save $$ On a Remodeling Project Cutting-Edge Home Makeovers by Counter Culture Of New England Published Fall 2009 Home 2 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D mA QU CHI SE ILTI NE RV NG ICE m to s s Cu ilt qu Furniture & Quilt Boulia-Gorrell Lumber Co. CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT LUMBER - PAINTS-HARDWARE-DOORS-WINDOWS Building Supplies Alton, NH • (603) 875-2781 • www.bearthepawgallery.com With Outstanding Service, Materials & Advice • Building Materials & Lumber • Devoe® Paint & Cabot® Stain Sales • Composite Decking • Doors & Windows Since 1872 • FREE Estimates, On-Site Consultation Available • Electrical, Mason & Plumbing Supplies • Professional Kitchen & Bath Design, • Computerized Color Renderings Rowan Electric Service A Locally Owned & Operated Lakes Region Business for over 135 years Always - FREE DELIVERY 958 Mount Israel Road • Center Sandwich, NH GENERATORS OFFICE & YARD 603-524-1300 (603) 284-6807 176 Fair St • Laconia www.bogolumber.com Generac Boulia-Gorrell Lumber Co. LUMBER - PAINTS-HARDWARE-DOORS-WINDOWS With Outstanding Service, Materials & Advice Building Supplies Since 1872 • Building Materials & Lumber • FREE Estimates, On-Site Consultation Available • Valspar Paint & Cabot® Stain • Electrical, Mason & Plumbing Supplies • Composite Decking • Professional Kitchen & Bath Design, • Doors & Windows • Computerized Color Renderings • Yard & Garden Supplies • Counters: Formica®, Corian®, Granite, Silestone®, Slate & Marble • Hardware & Tools A Locally Owned & Operated Lakes Region Business for over 135 years Always - FREE DELIVERY 603-524-1300 OFFICE & YARD www.bogolumber.com 176 Fair St • Laconia 10 Ways to Save on a Home Remodeling Project Sprucing Up Your Home Doesn’t Have To Wipe out Your Savings Account by Mark Donovan Contributing Writer 1) After deciding to pull the trigger on a home remodeling project, first develop a set of high level plans and a budget. The plans can be as simple as just a few hand sketches, however they should include top level dimensional information, key features and a list of the type of construction material desired. This type of information is extremely helpful for architects and builders, and will save you a bundle of money in developing blue prints and building plans. Establishing an upfront budget is also key in sav- ing money, as it sets your financial limits before construction begins. The design of the home remodeling plans can be tuned to your budget to minimize the risk of cost overruns. Also keep in mind that when undertaking a home remodeling project, budget overruns frequently happen. Therefore it is wise to include a 5-10% contingency in your budget. 2) Obtain multiple contractor quotes, never accept the first bid that you get and always check references. Make sure you thoroughly review the quote and read the fine print. Frequently there is small print for engineering change notices, material cost overruns, etc. Make sure you fully understand the cost ramifications of making late changes and that the quote is a firm, fixed quote. Also check the references. Ignorance can be very expensive so it is important that you know who you are hiring before you hand over a large deposit to them. 3) If a contractor quote includes allocation budgets for flooring, lighting or bathroom fixtures and recommends you deal with a specific home improvement store, ask the contractor and the store what type of reduced See donovan on 15 Baron’s Billiards Let us make your game room dream a reality... New slate tables starting at $1295! (not shown) The Brentwood We also carry: Shuffleboard, ping pong, foosball, air hockey, bar stools, rustic furniture, wall art, lighting and much more. Visit us today! www.baronsbilliards.com Open 7 days a week. 1127 Union Avenue, Laconia (across from Dairy Queen) 528-5001 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D Home 3 Cody James at one of his latest projects in a Meredith kitchen which now has a custom granite look. The remarkably realistic detail of the countertop can be seen in the photo inset at right. Leading A Counter Revolution New Home Renovation Product Can Take Your Living Space To Wherever Your Imagination Dares To Go by Roger Amsden News Correspondent Cody James is a creative person who is making his mark in two areas across the Lakes Region, crafting bright new looks in kitchen countertops, floors, patios and walkways at homes in the area while making a name for himself on the local music scene. James, 25, says that he enjoys the challenges he faces in both areas, and is winning rave reviews from homeowners for whom he has worked with as well as those who have watched him perform as a guitarist with the musical group Relevation. As a contractor James is specializing in creating new looks both inside and outside of homes with his expertise in applying Granicrete, a concrete product which achieves seamless, non-porous surfaces and was honored as the most innovative product at the World of Concrete Conference two years ago. LACONIA - Counter Culture of New England Laconia 603-566-6815 www.CounterCultureNE.com “It’s really remarkable. The many design styles we create using the Granicrete system are unbelievable,’’ says James. “The design starts with the homeowner’s imagination and my job is to make it a reality.” James is affiliated with the family run company Counter Culture of New England and has many projects under his belt involving the supermodified concrete system which can be used in new construction or installed over existing laminate, Formica, tile or concrete. James says Granicrete has numerous advantages over natural stone counters or flooring, like granite which is fragile and hard to maintain. Stone has a porous surface which will harbor bacteria and stain. Some studies have proved granite may even emit radon, which can be a health hazard he notes. He says that Granicrete by contrast is USDA approved for its anti bacterial and stain proof properties. Granicrete can be installed directly over existing surfaces, says James, who claims that someone experienced in working with the overlayment system can achieve virtually any look for granite, marble, stone, or custom counter tops. The product can even be applied vertically for back splashes, custom showers, fire places or even exterior foundation walls. “I love working with the Granicrete product because it’s more than capable of achieving a real high end look. Some people request a chiseled edge for the counter tops I create for them, which is very easy for us to do and gives the piece a real custom finish. Chiseling an edge on real granite is very costly and can See Cody James on 5 oftentimes crack Home 4 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D Loon Passage Limited Edition Print W.Progressive.Dinner.ad:Layout 1 7/30/09 4:57 PM Page 3 Would you buy a new car without taking it for a test ride? We don’t think so. That’s why we’d like for you to take a new home at Wesley Woods out for a spin. When you take advantage of our “Sleep on It” offer you can stay one or two nights in our Wesley Woods model home – risk free. You’ll get to meet your new neighbors, share a meal or two with them, join in a game of bridge or poker; or go to a movie or lecture. In the morning, you can join your neighbors for a one mile walk around the community, work out in the fitness center, or simply brew a cup of hot java on your own and get moving at your leisure. $1,500 Up to Tax Credit With features such as maintenance-free living, a 100% guaranteed return of your investment and, well, a good night’s sleep, we feel confident you’ll wake up in the morning and want to make Wesley Woods your new home. Make your “Sleep on It” reservation today! Call 603-528-2555 America’s Favorite Fire just got Better! for more information! 18 Wesley Way • Gilford, NH 03249 All Lopi and Avalon wood or pellet models qualify for a Federal Tax Credit (up to a $1,500 value). Even Better, these American made stoves are green, clean and efficient - Come see Eased Edges for Details. (off Route 11A, behind the First United Methodist Church) 343 Court St Laconia, NH OFFICE HOURS: WED.-SAT. 11 AM-3 PM (call ahead) or call for an appointment 603-528-2555 WWW.WESLEYWOODSNH.ORG EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY A New Not-for-Profit 55+ Community (603) 524-8090 (across from Coldwell banker) www.EasedEdges.com D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D Home 5 roger Amsden Photos cody James from 3 the entire slab making the piece useless,” says James. James also pointed out that another advantage to this product is that it also reduces demolition costs by eliminating the need to tear out existing counters in remodeling projects and that on an average kitchen project he uses only 40 pounds of material, making it an environmenCody James created a slate stone look for the foundation of the Weirs tally friendly process too. Times building. It is actually a solid layer of Granicrete product which He recently completed a major out- will be virtually impervious to the elements. door project at The Weirs Times office building in the Weirs, applying Granicrete over the concrete foundation of the building and creating a slate stone look that greatly enhances the whole look of the building. He took on the job after completing a pair of makeover projects at the home of Weirs Times’ Managing Editor David Lawton. The first project was a kitchen counter makeover in which James transformed See Cody James on 7 $200 OFF WITH AD Resurface directly over existing Countertops with No Messy Demolition! Seamless, Easy to Clean, Stain Resistant, Heat Resistant to 500˚, Non-Porous (Won’t Harbor Bacteria) FREE Interior and Exterior Flooring: Resurface over existing Tile, Linoleum & Concrete. Basement & Garage Floors, Walkways, Patios and Pool Decks Most Jobs Completed in Just 2 days! Visit our website at www.CounterCultureNE.com Home 6 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D WWW.NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERIORS.COM WWW.NEW WWW.NEWHAMPSHIRE HAMPSHIREINTERIORS.COM INTERIORS.COM EEX XXC CCL LLU UUS SSI IIV VVE EE E UP EU PT VE TO AV O S SA 300 300 $ $ OFF OFF OFF ON ONSELECT SELECTMATTRESS MATTRESSSETS SETS Resort ResortQuality Quality Save Saveup upto to $ $100 $ 100OFF OFF Save Saveup upto to 400 400OFF OFF $$ $ Backsaver Backsaver Firm or Plush Firm or Plush Posturepedic Posturepedic Posturepedic Firm or Plush Firm Firmor orPlush Plush with MemoryFoam with MemoryFoam with MemoryFoam Posturepedic PosturepedicPlush Plushor or Plush PlushEuro EuroPillowtop Pillowtop 299 299 699 699 Massive Mattress sale $$899 899 $ $ WWW.NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERIORS.COM $$ REG. $369 REG. $369 REG. $1299 REG. $1299 REG. $1299 TWIN SET TWIN SET QUEEN SET QUEEN QUEENSET SET WWW.NEW INTERIORS.COM WWW.NEWHAMPSHIRE HAMPSHIRE INTERIORS.COM REG. REG.$999 $999 FULL SETSET REG. ......$549 .....NOW $449 FULL REG. ......$549 .....NOW $449 QUEEN SETSET REG...$599 .....NOW $499 QUEEN REG...$599 .....NOW $499 KING SETSET REGREG ......$799 .....NOW $699 KING ......$799 .....NOW $699 TWIN SET REG. ....$1099 ...NOW $699 TWIN SET REG. ....$1099 ...NOW $699 TWIN SET REG. ....$1099 ...NOW $699 FULL SET REG .......$1249 ....NOW $849 FULL SET REG .......$1249 ....NOW $849 FULL SET REG .......$1249 ....NOW $849 KING SET REG ......$1699....NOW $1299 KING SET REG ......$1699....NOW $1299 KING SET REG ......$1699....NOW $1299 QUEEN QUEENSET SET WWW.NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERIORS.COM F FR RE E EE EE RE E 00 200QUEEN QUEENSETS SETSAVAILABLE! AVAILABLE! FR F yy erer liv liv De De pp tutu Se &&Se Be Be dfdf rara mm ee&& EEX XXC CCL LLU UUS SSI IIV VVE EE E Additional Savings On Every Additional Savings On Every Re Re mm ovov alalof ofofOl OlOl dddBe Be Be ddd Sealy,Sealy SealyPosturepedic, Posturepedic,Sealy SealyLatex Latex&&MemoryFoam MemoryFoamSets Sets Sealy, E X C L 20 U20 S IMeredith V E N.H. Meredith N.H.Route Route25 25 Downtown Downtownat at“The “TheLights” Lights” 603-279-8791 603-279-8791 T U UP E P603-279-8791 S V VE TO A O SA Store StoreHours: Hours: 300 300 $699 $ $ Mon.-Thurs.10am-5pm, Mon.-Thurs.10am-5pm,Fri.-Sat.10am-8pm, Fri.-Sat.10am-8pm,Sun.12pm-5pm Sun.12pm-5pm Mon.-Thurs.10am-5pm, Fri.-Sat.10am-8pm, Sun.12pm-5pm OFF OFF OFF Resort Quality Plush or Plush Euro Pillowtop ON ONSELECT SELECTMATTRESS MATTRESSSETS SETS Resort ResortQuality Quality Save Saveup upto to $ $100 $ 100OFF OFF Backsaver Backsaver Firm Firmor orPlush Plush Save up to $400 $$ $ Designed to eliminate tossing and turning caused by pressure points. 299 299 $$ $699 $ 799 REG. $369 REG. $369 TWIN TWINSET SET FULL SETSET REG. ......$549 .....NOW $449 FULL REG. ......$549 .....NOW $449 QUEEN SETSET REG...$599 .....NOW $499 QUEEN REG...$599 .....NOW $499 KING SETSET REGREG ......$799 .....NOW $699 KING ......$799 .....NOW $699 REG. $1199 QUEEN SET Posturepedic Posturepedic Posturepedic or Plush Firm Firmor orPlush Plush with MemoryFoam with MemoryFoam with MemoryFoam Save up to $600 Save up to $500 Comfort Series Posturepedic Plush Posturepedic Plushor or Latex Plush Pillowtop PlushEuro Euro Pillowtop Plush Comfort Series MemoryFoam Firm $$ Save Saveup upto to 400 400OFF OFF REG. $999 QUEEN SET TWIN SET REG. $899 ..............................................NOW $599 FULL SET REG. $949................................................NOW $649 KING SET REG. $1199 ..............................................NOW $899 899 REG. REG.$999 $999 Posturepedic Latex & MemoryFoam These before (left) and after photos of an entryway at a Meredith home show the amazing transformation with the application of Granicrete and Cody’s artistic touches. HUGE OCTOBER SALE Our low overhead keeps your prices low 899 899 Plush $$ 999 REG. $1299 REG. $1299 REG. $1299 $ REG. $1399 QUEEN SET QUEEN SET QUEEN SET STARGAZE Stoves, Fireplaces, Pools & Spas Serving the Lakes Region for 15 years! 30% Tax Credit up to $1,500 QUEEN SET QUEEN QUEENSET SET TWIN SETSET REG. ....$1099 ...NOW $699 TWIN SET REG. ....$1099 ...NOW $699 TWIN REG. ....$1099 ...NOW $699 FULL SET REG .......$1249 ....NOW $849 FULL SETSET REG .......$1249 ....NOW $849 FULL REG .......$1249 ....NOW $849 KING SET REG ......$1699....NOW $1299 KING REG ......$1699....NOW $1299 KING SETSET REG ......$1699....NOW $1299 REG. $1499 QUEEN SET WWW.NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERIORS.COM F FR TWIN SET REG. $999 .......NOW $799 TWIN SET REG. $1099......NOW $799 RE TWIN SET REG. $899 .......NOW $699 E E EE E E R E 00 QUEEN 200 QUEENSETS SETSAVAILABLE! AVAILABLE! FR F FULL SET REG. $1299 .......NOW $849 FULL SET REG. $1399 .......NOW $949 FULL SET REG. $1099 .......NOW $749 Includes Installation BB ed ed frfr yy er am am er liv liv De De KING SET REG. $1799 .......NOW $1399 KING SET REG. $1999.......NOW $1399 ee&& KING SET REG. $1699.......NOW $1299 Re Re mm Additional ovov AdditionalSavings SavingsOn OnEvery Every alalof pp ofofOlOl tutu Se d dBe &&Se Be dd Sealy,Sealy SealyPosturepedic, Posturepedic,Sealy SealyLatex Latex&&MemoryFoam MemoryFoamSets Sets Sealy, E X C L 20 U20 S IMeredith V E N.H. Meredith N.H.Route Route25 25 20 Meredith N.H. Route 25 Downtown Lights” Downtownat at“The “The Lights” Downtown at “The Lights” 603-279-8791 603-279-8791 603-279-8791 603-279-8791 Store StoreHours: Hours:Mon.-Thurs.10am-5pm, Mon.-Thurs.10am-5pm,Fri.-Sat.10am-8pm, Fri.-Sat.10am-8pm,Sun.12pm-5pm Sun.12pm-5pm Mon.-Thurs.10am-5pm, Fri.-Sat.10am-8pm, Sun.12pm-5pm Store Hours: Mon.-Thurs.10am-5pm, Fri.-Sat.10am-8pm, Sun.12pm-5pm By New Hampshire Interiors Resort Quality Plush or Plush 20 Meredith N.H. Route 25 Euro Pillowtop 699 Downtown at “The Lights” $603-279-8791 REG. $999 Store Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 10am - 5pm, Fri. - Sat. 10am - 6pm, Sun. 12pm - 5pm QUEEN SET TWIN SET REG. $899 ..............................................NOW $599 FULL SET REG. $949................................................NOW $649 KING SET REG. $1199 ..............................................NOW $899 Designed to eliminate tossing and turning caused by pressure points. Save up to $400 Save up to $500 Save up to $600 Comfort Series Comfort Series Posturepedic SPEND YOUR MONEY ON A STOVE...NOT A FANCY SHOWROOM! A+ Rating 1429 Lakeshore Rd. • Gilford Next to Lowe’s in the Moccasin Shop Plaza 603-528-1309 Home 7 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D For prompt, affordable professional quality service Refrigeration • Kitchen Laundry CALL CROWN APPLIANCE Service on all major appliance brands, including Sears/Kenmore! Family owned & operated since 1989. 25B • Center Harbor CROWN Route253-8778 APPLIANCE Cody James applies the final touches to a countertop remodeling design. cody james from 5 a large kitchen island, counter tops and a backsplash at Lawton’s home from beige laminate to a look of custom granite. James also remodeled the entryway and bathroom floors as well as the outdoor patio at Lawton’s house, covering over the time-worn cement and inlaid stone slate floor with Granicrete. The entryway and bathroom floors were finished as gray stone tiles with small black stone tile Watercolors are applied to the countertops to custom tint them to the customer’s specifications. See Cody James on 8 Annual Fall Clearance Sale On ALL Rugs! Entire Month of October Enjoy 15%-50% Off All New, Used & Hooked Rugs 10% Off Custom Rugs, Mats, Pillows & Padding Prior sales excluded. Country Braid House www.countrybraidhouse.com 462 West Main Street • Tilton, NH • 603-286-4511 Hours: Monday-Friday 9-5 • Saturday 9-4 • • WWW.LCHOMES.NET Home 8 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D cody james from 7 New Homes Additions Garages Decks Asphalt Shingle Roof Remodeling Wood Siding, Etc. FL Building License # CBC-1256457 • FL Roofing License # CCC 1328745 GET A $500 accents inlaid at intervals in the floor pattern while on the outside patio James created the look of inlaid slate stone bordered by what appears to be blocks of granite. Of course those blocks are just another of Counter Culture’s creations made to look like the real stone but at a fraction of the cost. Lawton praised his work, saying “we got more than we expected when we hired Cody. His work was outstanding and he involved us in every step of the process. We couldn’t be happier with the end result. It draws a lot of comments from our friends who say INSTANT REBATE This outdoor blue and red slate patio (left) was in tough shape when Cody James took on the project, giving the patio a whole new personality with the application of Granicrete. they’d like to see the same thing in their own homes,’’ said Lawton. Tracie Corbett is another very satisfied customer of Counter Culture of New England. “It started off with a small bathroom project at one of our house cottages on Paugus Bay. It looked so good that we had him do the kitchens in two other See Cody James on 9 r F anklin d a r B PA I N T I N G • Specializing in Fine Interiors • Exteriors • All Types of Spray Painting • Commercial • Residential With the purchase of a Quadra-Fire Wood Stove or Pellet Stove OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK RT 3, MEREDITH 279-7961 1-800-273-7961 • 20+ Years Experience • References Available Call for a Free Estimate 603-387-9147 603-279-7835 86 Corliss Hill Road, Meredith, NH Home 9 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D cody james from 8 cottages. He applied the material right over the pre-existing laminate on the counters and islands. It was phenomenal. Everybody stops and looks at it and comments about it,’’ said Corbett, a realtor who knows the importance of eye catching surfaces in homes. “It’s completely phenomenal. We got exactly what we wanted, down to picking out the colors, and he A Landscape Construction Company Offering Design, Build and Installation Services • Sod & Seeding • Erosion Control • Retaining Walls • Trees • Shrubs • Perennials 603-755-2124 • Patios • Walkways • Irrigation AJ Cameron Sod Farms Inc. Cameron's Home & Garden Center, Rte 11, Farmington www.AJCameronHomeAndGardenCenter.com Serving New England Since 1924 See Cody James on 12 THINK GREEN...BUY LOCALLY, WE DO! 717 NH Route 104 New Hampton, NH 2 Miles East of I-93 Exit 23 744-9333 www.NHWOOD.com Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 10am-5pm Organize your entry-way with this American made bench and coat rack. QUALITY REAL WOOD FURNITURE • Gifts & Accessories • Yankee Candles • Custom Orders Professional Finishing • Delivery Available • Friendly Atmosphere * Authorized Serta Dealer Cody James turned the plain, Formica countertops (above) into the stunning and colorful countertops below without messy demolition. Just some imagination, Granicrete and an artistic eye. GRAYSTONE MASONRY Joe Gray has been producing beautiful stonework in the Lakes Region, and across the country for over twenty years. Please call for an estimate, or a design consultation. Dry laid stonewalls, stone patios, stone fireplaces, entrance columns, etc., are our specialty. PO BOX 7381, Gilford , NH 03247 (603) 493-6065 • www.GraystoneMasonry.com Dumont Cabinet Refacing & Home Improvements Residential & Commercial • Countertops • Door Samples Brought to You • Self Closing Hinges • Self Closing Drawer Slides • Custom Closet Storage Guaranteed to Beat Big Name Competitors by 15% and Better Craftsmanship! We add Value to Your Kitchen! Free Estimates... Compare and Save! FREE Hinges with Door Order Meredith, NH • 603-279-6555 Home 10 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D Bluestone/Hardpack Driveways • Installed/Refurbished Asphalt Paving • Patchwork Walkways/Entrances Free Estimates • Fully Insured Marceau & Sons, LLC • 603-735-5232 SPENCER BROS. OIL TANKS REMOVALS • INSTALLS Basement & Underground tanks (800) 300-0550 A-1 Firewood Sales Serving Northern MA, All of NH & Southern ME Cut, Split and Delivered $375 INSTALLED Quality Firewood • Ash, Maple & Oak Seasoned $250 or Green $200* w/delivery fee in some areas while supplies lasts! Call 603-978-5012 *Big Truckload Discounts Available! Corded Wood Water Line Heaters for Mobile and Modular Homes - the only alternative to electric heat tape. Save on electricity • 100% safe. Yearly Inspections Available • Fire Marshall approved. Saf-T-Heat Call Bob Gibbs at 1-603-524-1948 or 1-603-387-1793 For Sale $ 225 520-0624 Cord Green Interested in Advertising Your Business in The Weirs Times? Call 603-366-8463 or 1-888-308-8463 or email [email protected] Deadline: Friday at Noon for the Next Week’s Issue. 1colx2 ad for as low as $15.60/week 1colx1 ad for as low as $7.80/week 2colx2 ad for as low as $31.20/week Home 11 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D Ask What Your Roof Can Do For You Replacing a roof is a major investment for any homeowner. When considering such a significant home improvement project, it makes sense that consumers will have questions. “Thoroughly researching roofing options should be a priority for any homeowner considering a new roof,” says Tim Gentry, technical director of DaVinci Roofscapes®. “Many aspects should be considered, including a product’s warranty, style and durability. A homeowner should ask the question ‘what will this roof do for me’ before making a decision.” According to Gentry, who served 20 years as a roofing installer and has been in the industry for 40 years, a roof should be carefully selected to complement a home’s design and geographic weather conditions. It should also provide longterm comfort and safety for those who live in the home. Some of the most frequent questions Gentry receives from homeowners nationwide include the following: Q: What are the pros and cons of different roofing materials? A: Three-tab asphalt shingles are relatively easy to install, inexpensive and look good on ordinary homes. However, they can be a poor are lightweight and have long-term durability. These tiles are moderately priced and a good environmental choice. While the look complements many home styles, synthetic roofing tiles are moderately priced, so they’re not affordable for everyone. Your roofing material should be carefully selected to complement your home’s design and also take into consideration geographic weather conditions. environmental choice because they go to a landfill after 20 years, they perform only moderately well, and they don’t add any special design appeal to a home. Real wood shingles or shakes look good on some styles of homes and are moderately priced, however they have little or no resistance to fire or impact unless specially treated. They also attract insects, have relatively poor long-term performance and are generally considered a poor use of our natural resources. Real slate shingles also provide a good look on some styles of homes and can be considered very long-lasting when installed properly. However, they are very expensive and extremely heavy. During installation you can have a significant amount of waste from cracking and breaking of slate tiles. Metal roofs are perfect for some very specific home designs. They have a unique look to them, are lightweight and snow can easily slide off of them. Watch out when it rains or hails though … these roofs are noisy on the inside of the home during storms. Synthetic roofing tiles provide a high-perfor- mance option for homeowners. The tiles come in a variety of styles, including slate and shake, Q: What are the life spans of different roofing materials? A: Generally, real wood will wear out the fastest, followed by three-tab asphalt shingles. You can maybe get 15-20 years out of each of these. Some metal roofs can last up to 50 years, depending on their warranty. Synthetic roofing tiles last up to 50 years and require minimal maintenance attention. Real slate also lasts many years on a home … some slate can last up to 100 years! See roofs on 14 Authorized Distributor/Dealer For 50 years...Since 1959! Home 12 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D 1- Cody, left, plays guitar with the group “Relevation” which has performed at numerous venues around the area including the Vermont Roots Reggae Festival, above, this Photo courtesy tekla photography summer. cody james from 9 made sure that we were in on the project every step of the way,’’ said Corbett. Bob Cunningham of Superior Surfaces of New England, New England distributor for the Granicrete product, says that he trained Cody in how to work with the material and is pleased at the results he sees. “He’s doing an incredible job in both residential and commercial buildings. I wish there could be more like him,’’ says Cunningham. “What’s great about the product is that there’s no bacteria buildup and no color fading. Something like this should last 30 years or more,’’ says James. He said that he enjoys the work because it offers him a chance to be creative, something he enjoys in other parts of his life where he finds an outlet in music with “Relevation.’’ “It’s what we call rootsvibe music,’’ says James, who grew up in Chester, New Hampshire, where he was a well known athlete at Pinkerton Academy and was always interested in music. He says that he played drums when he was young and that his brother, who is now working in the Los Angeles entertainment industry, showed him how to play acoustic guitar. He went to the University of Connecticut on a Track and Field scholarship, where he competed as a Decathlete, and ended up forming a band and relocated to the Lakes Region where he met current band members Paul Thibeault and Kevin Borella while working at Gunstock as a snow maker. They performed together for several years in the Northeast before disbanding in 2006. “We revived the group last December at Cactus Jack’s and have performed almost 100 times together in less than a year. We’ve played many venues including the Stone Church in Newmarket, the Gas Light in Portsmouth, Vermont Roots Reggae Fest and Plymouth State University,’’ says James. He said that Relevation plays all over New England and has performed as the opening act for nationally known groups. “This is a great area for music and art in general. There’s always a challenge in making a name for yourself in the area where you have grown up. But I think we’re doing that now,’’ says James. For more information call Counter Culture of New England at 603-566-6815 or visit www.CounterCultureNE.com. D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D Bruce Thibeault CAP-IT-ALL General Carpentry, roofing, vinyl siding, decks & additions. Big jobs and small jobs. Fully Insured Brian James 630-6231 P A INT I NG Over 25 Yrs. Exp. • Staining • Urethaning • Res./Comm. • Quality Work • Interior/Exterior • Wallpaper Removal • Pressure Washing • Window Reglazing • Screens MEMBER • Free Estimates NEW HAMPSHIRE • Fully Insured 364-2435 CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION Consulting, Inspecting & Improving Additions • Deck • Roofs Painting & Siding & More 603-817-1271 Residential & Commercial STAINING LOG HOMES Countertops • Door Samples Brought to You Self Closing Hinges • Self Closing Drawer Slides Custom Closet Storage Natural Wood Restoration Give your house a fresh, new look EXTERIOR & INTERIOR RESTORED Free Estimates...Compare and Save! Meredith, NH 603-279-6555 45 Years Experience Contemporary, Colonial, Ranch, Custom Mildew, mold, fungus, dirt, soot, carbon. Wood balanced to proper pH level, which will brighten to new again. Then Sealed for 15 years Guaranteed Stripping old stain off to natural Sikkens is our Specialty “Our Quality Comes First” View our work at: “www.vermontstaining.com” Call Johnathan at 802-775-6086 Old Fashioned STONEWALL RESTORATION 45 Years Experience Rotten Logs Replaced Water Stains Removed Logs Cleaned, Brightened or Stripped to Natural Chinking and Caulking Then Sealed for 15 years Guaranteed “Our Quality Comes First” View our work at: “www.vermontstaining.com” Call Johnathan at 802-775-6086 Quality GARAGES & OUTBUILDINGS Specializing in Dry Fieldstone or Granite Walls New Wall Built 35 Years Experience Contact Tony Luongo 603-645-5237 by FOSSETT CUSTOM GA AGESLLC www.FOSSETTCUSTOMGARAGESLLC.net 603-540-7315 Rocks & Stumps • Moved or Removed • Lot Clean-Up & Snow Removal Site Work • Footings • Trenches • Drainage • Sand • Gravel • Topsoil POOR BOYS PAVING LAST MINUTE SEAL COATING & HOT RUBBER MELT CRACK FILLING - ASPHALT DRIVEWAYS WALKWAYS - PATCHING - DIG OUTS - SAW CUTTING MAN HOLE & DRAIN REPAIRS - CULVERTS NEW SNOW PLOWING CUSTOMERS WELCOME! EXCAVATION - DRAINAGE CALL 998-4079 OR 524-8571 • LACONIA, NH “BEST PRICES AND FAST SERVICE” R.T.T. Construction of the Lakes Region • Custom Homes • Framing / Roofing / Siding Decks / Additions / Garages R. Thomas Tester - Laconia, NH (603) 556-7458 • Cell: 1-(978) 836-7403 Interior/Exterior Remodeling Handyman Services 603-279-6998 Dave Matheny MCarpentry D & Vinyl Siding/Trim Wrap Decks & Porches Wood Floors & Cabinet Installation Home 13 Home 14 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D HomeAdditionPlus.com Helping Homeowners Every Day! Providing extensive Do-It-Yourself home improvement information and products on home remodeling and construction. Check us out today! www.HomeAdditionPlus.com B Be s B ice • t Pr v est Ad ice Custom Drapery Sale est e• rvic e S Beautiful Windows Start Here... • All Drapery Fabrics on Sale • FREE In-Home Design & Consultation • FREE Installation on all orders placed before 10/31/09. Route 3 • ¼ mile South of the Belknap Mall M-F: 9am - 5pm • Th-F: 9am - 8pm Sat: 9am - 2pm • Sun: Closed 524-5588 • 800-698-5588 www.home-beautiful.com roofs from 11 Q: Why would I consider synthetic roofing materials over traditional asphalt products? A: Aesthetics and durability. Typical asphalt shingles look ordinary. Consider this: when you look at many homes, especially those with steep roofs, almost half of what you see is the roof. When selecting a roof, think about curb appeal and resale value. Synthetic tiles make an ordinary home look extraordinary. Additionally, they give the homeowner peaceof-mind because these roofing tiles will perform exceptionally well against fire, impact, wind and other weather conditions. Q: What is the synthetic roofing material made of? A.At DaVinci, we use an engineered polymer, which is impregnated with fire retardant and state of the art advanced UV stabilizers specifically formulated for the tough conditions tiles are exposed to in all climates throughout the year. Our roof tiles use only 100% pure virgin resin in order to assure consistency, and are 100% recyclable. Q: Do roofing tiles become more brittle over time? A: That depends on the kind of roofing tiles. Asphalt and real wood roofing materials do become more brittle toward the end of their life cycles. DaVinci tiles do not have that problem. The engineered polymer used in DaVinci synthetic tiles changes very little over time or when subjected to extreme temperature and weather conditions. Third party independent extended life testing has shown minimal degradation of the material’s performance qualities. Q: Which roofing tiles are consistent with their colors and won’t fade over time? A: Most synthetic roofing tiles have their color blended completely throughout their tiles. These products won’t fade over time because UV protection has been built into each tile. When exposed to continual sunlight and UV rays, many other products, such as metal and asphalt roofing, will indeed fade over time, losing their original sharpness of color. DaVinci Roofscapes has manufactured awardwinning synthetic slate and shake roofing since 1999. The polymer roofing tiles are virtually maintenance free and far more cost effective than the natural product. DaVinci leads the industry in tile thickness, the tile width variety and the greatest selection of subtle earth-toned colors. Company products have a 50-year warranty and are 100 percent recyclable. DaVinci proudly makes its products in America and is a member of the National Association of Home Builders, the Cool Roof Rating Council and the U.S. Green Building Council. For additional information call 1-800-328-4624 or visit www.davinciroofscapes.com. TONY FALLON ARCHITECTURE COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL 501 Barn Door Gap, Strafford, New Hampshire 03884-6233 PH: 603.269.3206 • FX: 425.940.5829 • www.TonyFallon.com Home 15 D THE WEIRS TIMES 2009 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE D donovan from 2 contractor pricing rate you are receiving. If none or little is offered, then consider this in your evaluation of the contractor quote. 4) Develop a schedule for your home remodeling project and stick to it. This may mean having to occasionally be on your general contractor’s case, or his subcontractors. However, a project that is poorly managed can cost you in terms of lost time or inefficient use of labor, which always translates into higher expenses. Delays can also result in loss of project slated sub-contractors or higher fees from them. 5) When developing your high level remodeling plans consider what tasks you personally might be up for tackling. Interior painting and trim work can cost a small fortune. With the right commitment level and a few basic painting and carpentry tools, e.g. a paint brush, ladder, miter saw and a coping saw, you can save yourself a bundle on labor costs. 6) Most contractors want to order the construction material for you in a home remodeling project. The reason for this is that they charge a fee for their effort. That fee can be 10-20% of the material costs. Negotiate with the contractor to purchase the material yourself and have it delivered directly from the home improvement store. You can save a small fortune in project costs by purchasing the construction material yourself. This effort can be time consuming, however if you have a good and clear bill of materials (BOM), you can frequently leave it with the contractor organization within the home improvement store and they will work up the costs for you. In addition, they can pallet the material and deliver it to your job site. 7) Always obtain multiple BOM proposals, and if necessary break up the BOM into a few different sections. For example if you are building a home addition, doors and windows may be cheaper at home improvement store 1, whereas lumber material may be cheaper at home improvement store 2. 8) Monitor the status of the home remodeling project daily. This way you can be on top of any deviations from the plans or poor workmanship. By catching a problem early you can minimize the cost impact to the project. In addition, if you see a change that you want to make, you can possibly identify the change earlier rather than later. Note that making an engineering change after the work has already been completed has a cost impact of 3X what it would have cost if you had specified the requirement correct the first time. 9) Keep your future sub-contractors apprised of the remodeling project status. By keeping your sub-contractors in the know, you remind them that they will be imminently required on your job site. In addition, if your project gets delayed or pulled in, the sub-contractor may be able to tweak his or her schedule to match your home remodeling projects schedule. 10) Finally, always try to maintain a healthy working relationship with your general contractors and sub-contractors. This does not mean that you have to bow to their every need or timeline. It simply means show them the same respect that you desire, even though they are working for you. Remember that a happy employee will, more often than not, work harder and longer, and produce a better quality project than a disgruntled one. Mark Donovan is the owner and operator of www.HomeAdditionPlus. com, a website focused on providing home improvement and remodeling information to homeowners. He resides in Derry, New Hampshire and can be contacted at mark@homeadditionplus. com. Kevin Getty GETTY CONSTRUCTION INC. General Contractor: New Homes & Additions Excavating: Demolition, Foundations, Septic Systems & More! 22 Years In Business Meredith, NH 03253 603-279-7929 • www.gettyconstruction.com Are you prepared for the Next Power Failure? Morin Electric LLC 603-744-2341 MorinElectric @Hughes.Net Morin Electric is Factory Trained and Authorized by Generac/Guardian Power Products for Sales, Installation and Service...Our maintenance program is designed to maintain your existing Home Standby Generator. Call today to schedule an appointment! 70% off INSULATING CELLULAR SHADES Warm in the Winter - Cool in Summer FABRIC WORKROOM 293-7682 • Design Source • Ask for Nancy See Us to Prepare Your Yard and Home for Fall! WE HAVE IT ALL! 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