A BATHROOM REMODEL ADDS FUNCTIONALITY, BEAUTY AND VALUE TO YOUR HOME – WE’LL SHOW YOU WHERE TO START

ver time rooms in your home can become worn out and dated. Rooms that have stylistic fixtures, such as a bathroom, can show signs of age faster than other rooms. If you are looking to sell your home, having a newly remodeled bathroom can help your home sell faster. You may want to create a spa-like atmosphere in your existing bathroom and a bathroom remodel can achieve that goal – but where do you start?

There are many factors to consider with a bathroom remodel – beginning with the size of your project. Are you wanting to update appliances within an existing space? Perhaps you would rather create something entirely new within your space – or even move a wall or two to expand the space. Your first step is to outline what you are hoping to achieve with your bathroom remodel.

Some popular options for bathroom remodels include making your bathroom more eco-friendly. There are many green options, like tankless water heaters, to help you save water and help conserve the earth’s resources. Comfort features like radiant floor heating, heated towel racks, and digital shower heads are also a popular option.

After you decide what you want for your remodel, then it is time to come up with a design. A good bathroom remodel should have a comfortable design flow. Functionality is key with any room, and you want to create a space that is enjoyable to use. This is also a good time to incorporate your personal style. You can choose to create something modern and sleek, or traditional and timeless. It’s up to you!

Another thing to keep in mind is the timeframe in which you want your project to be completed. A bathroom remodel can be a time-consuming project, and having your local construction contractor install your new bathroom can save time and prevent you from stumbling upon any unexpected expenses. Also remember that you will need building permits and will need to make sure your remodel is done in a safe fashion.

When your bathroom remodel is completed, you will have a room that you can appreciate and use for years to come. You can look forward to long relaxing baths, or a shower that feels like a waterfall. You may never want to leave your bathroom again! If you are looking to resell your home, you will appreciate the fact that you have added value to the house – and may even help the house sell faster!

There are a lot of steps in a successful bathroom remodel and it can seem a little overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be! By contacting your local construction contractor, you can save time, stress, and money. They will help you every step of the way. They can help with design, style, planning, building permits, and they have the professional knowledge to keep you within your time frame and budget.

What are you waiting for? Start your bathroom remodel today!

ENHANCE THE BEAUTY AND VALUE OF YOUR HOME WITH HARDIE SIDING PRODUCTS AND COLORPLUS TECHNOLOGY

For many people, their home is represents their biggest investment. Sometimes repair and remodeling work is needed to preserve and increase a home’s value. Replacement siding is a sure way to increase a home’s value while enhancing its appearance. Experienced Houston siding contractors recommend James Hardie Siding Products with their outstanding ColorPlus Technology for all their customers’ home siding needs.

To be of greatest value to a home owner, it’s not enough for the new siding to be sturdy and durable; it should also retain its appearance as long as possible. James Hardie accomplishes this feat by combining revolutionary paint technology and innovative color processes with state of the art manufacturing processes and equipment. ColorPlus Technology creates a vibrant, long lasting finish that’s designed to withstand the demands of any climate.

James Hardie siding and ColorPlus Technology create a unified composition of advanced fiber cement and baked on pigment that offers many advantages to a field applied paint job. The pigments are applied in an environmentally controlled factory that provides a smooth even finish. Over 41 quality checks are performed during the manufacturing process to ensure the quality of the substrate, the texture and the finish.

James Hardie has removed the weather and labor variables of the painting process by applying their premium, specially-designed paint in factory-controlled conditions before it’s sent to the jobsite. The specially formulated finishes used in ColorPlus technology siding are engineered to be more resistant to heat, moisture and UV fading than any field applied paint, saving you the trouble and cost of having to have your siding repainted every few years.

James Hardie offers a superior warranty on all its products – a ColorPlus Technology finish is guaranteed not to crack, chip or peel for fifteen years – yet another reason why so many Houston siding contractors recommend James Hardie siding products to their clients.

And don’t think just because ColorPlus technology utilizes a factory applied finish doesn’t mean you’ll get stuck choosing from a limited selection of boring colors. On the contrary – James Hardie has teamed up with color pro Leslie Harrington to create an incredibly rich palette featuring a wide range of vibrant color combinations that allows a homeowner to choose the siding colors that best suit both the style of their house and expresses their personal tastes.

James Hardie siding is an ideal solution for the discerning homeowner looking for the look and feel of real wood siding, without the maintenance associated with wood. There’s no rotting, cracking or warping and James Hardie siding is recognized as a green and sustainable building product. Only the leading Houston siding contractors install James Hardie siding products with ColorPlus Technology. James Hardie has been a trusted name in home siding for over a century. Today, over 4 million homeowners enjoy the benefits of James Hardie siding products. James Hardie siding and ColorPlus Technology are guaranteed to increase the beauty, safety and value of your home.

IT’S A SAFE BET YOU’LL GET THE BEST CEMENT SIDING SERVICES FROM A JAMES HARDIE PREFERRED CONTRACTOR

When selecting a local siding company for a home remodeling or construction siding project, the smartest move is to contract the services of a siding company that’s a Preferred Contractor in James Hardie’s National Replacement Contractor Program.

Why? For over a century James Hardie has been providing their customers with the best siding products on the market. No other type of siding can beat James Hardie cement siding when it comes to safety, beauty, value and durability. Their unique formulation of the very best materials coupled with their commitment to quality gives you the best new siding product for your home.

When you contract the services of a local siding company that’s one of James Hardie’s Preferred Contractors you can be assured that you’re getting the best service and siding available.

Some of the fine James Hardie cement siding products designed for your home’s exterior include:

HARDIPLANK LAP SIDING

Found on over four million homes, HardiePlank lap siding is the most popular brand of siding in America because of its strength, beauty and durability. HardiePlank siding enhances and protects homes in all kinds of climates and comes in a variety of styles and textures, all of which are specially designed for the particular climates in which they’ll be installed.

HARDIESHINGLE SIDING

HardieShingle cement siding has the same warm, natural look as cedar shingles, but it doesn’t warp, rot, crack or split. It’s beautiful as a primary siding or as a complement to other styles of James Hardie siding. HardiShingle cement siding panels come in a variety of decorative edges, and widths for an authentic handcrafted look.

HARDIEPANEL VERTICAL SIDING

HardiePanel vertical siding is built to provide maximum value and long-lasting performance. As with all James Hardie exterior products, HardiePanel vertical siding is engineered to stand up against the harshest climatic conditions. Combined with HardieTrim boards, HardiePanel vertical siding will give your home a traditional board-and-batten look.

HardiePlank Lap Siding, HardieShingle Siding, and HardieVertical Siding all come with a 30-year non-prorated, transferable, limited warranty.

HARDIETRIM BOARDS

Our fiber cement trim boards are the perfect finishing touch to a beautiful, long lasting James Hardie home. HardieTrim boards allow you to create a variety of design possibilities for trim, gables, corners, windows, doors, column wraps, decorative trim and other non-structural architectural elements. HardieTrim boards come with a 15-year transferable, limited warranty.

It’s not enough for the new siding to be sturdy and durable; it should also retain its appearance as long as possible. James Hardie accomplishes this feat by combining revolutionary paint technology and innovative color processes with state of the art manufacturing processes and equipment. ColorPlus Technology creates a vibrant, long lasting finish that’s designed to withstand the demands of any climate.

James Hardie siding products combine the natural warmth and character of wood with the unsurpassed durability and low maintenance costs of fiber cement. Call your local siding company find out how America’s number one siding company can increase the beauty, safety and value of your home.

METAL, TILE, ASPHALT OR FIBERGLASS: WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT ROOFING MATERIAL FOR YOUR NEW ROOF?

Replacing a roof is one of the biggest investments a homeowner can make in their home. A roof has to be strong enough to withstand the elements while at the same time reflect the style and taste of the owner. Today’s homeowners have a wide range of options to choose from when it comes to roofing materials. Knowing the available options will help you make an informed choice. If you require more information, contact your local roofing contractor – they’ll be happy to share they’re expert advice.

ASPHALT ROOFS

Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing materials in residential buildings. Asphalt shingles are easy to install and relatively inexpensive. Three tab asphalt singles are made of a single layer of asphalt saturated fiberglass or organic mat with a layer of tiny stones adhered to the top of the shingle. Three tab asphalt singles are the lightest weight and least expensive asphalt shingles on the market.

Many asphalt shingles utilize a multilayered or “dimensional” approach that provides greater strength and durability. Called laminate or architectural asphalt, they consist of two or more layers bonded together by asphalt. Some of the more expensive types of premium asphalt shingles are made to mimic the appearance of traditional roofing materials like slate or wood and also incorporate substances that increase their strength and insulating properties.

FIBERGLASS ROOFS

Fiberglass roofs are one of the most cost effective roofing materials available. Fiberglass roofing material comes in a variety of forms including corrugated styles, printed styles and shingled panels. It is available is a ride spectrum of colors and prints; the fiberglass pieces can even be made so they allow outside light to illuminate the interior space. Fiberglass roofing material is light weight and easy to handle. It’s highly durable and resistant to the elements.

Not only is fiberglass less expensive than some of the other types of roofing material; because of its insulating qualities it can save a homeowner big money on their home energy costs.

TILE ROOFS

Tile roofs have been around since for thousands of years. The roofing tiles are attached in overlapping layers to keep out the water. Baked clay and concrete are the most common materials used to make roofing tiles.

Roofing tiles come in many shapes and colors. Some of the various styles include flat tiles, Roman tiles, Mission or barrel tiles and interlocking tiles. Tile roofs have a long life, great insulating properties and are fire and water proof. Installing a tile roof is definitely not a DIY project; it takes an experienced craftsman to properly install a tile roof.

METAL ROOFS

Thanks to new approached and technologies metal roofs are becoming popular in residential buildings. A metal roof, also known as a tin roof, is a roofing system made from metal pieces or tiles. Metal roofing materials include steel, aluminum, copper and zinc. Many of the roofing sheets have reflective coatings to make them more heat resistant.

Some of the main advantages of metal as a roofing material include versatility and durability. The metal pieces can be cut to various sizes and shapes; because of their high strength to weight ratio they can be used to cover large spaces. When it comes to durability, nothing beats a metal roof. They are insect, fire, wind and water resistant – even snow slides off a metal roof. A metal roof requires little maintenance and can literally last a lifetime.

MANY FACTORS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

Many factors, such as cost, appearance, and durability must be taken into account when deciding what material you want to use for your new roof. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of material. If you’re having trouble making up your mind, consult your local roofing contractor. They can help you decide which type of roofing material is best for your home.

ENERGY SAVING WINDOWS HELP HOMEOWNERS SAVE MONEY ON THEIR ELECTRIC BILLS BY REDUCING HOME ENERGY USE

Energy saving windows are one of the most effective ways for today’s energy conscious homeowners to reduce their home’s overall energy use. The installation and repair of energy efficient windows is one of the many home improvement services available from your local construction contractors.

LOWER YOUR HOME ENERGY COSTS

Did you know you that up to 30% of the energy your home uses are lost through your windows and doors? Your windows could be your worst enemy when it comes to home energy savings. Differences between inside and outside temperatures cause heat to be transferred through your windows. Heat leaks outside during the colder weather months, while just the opposite occurs during the warmer summer months as heat pours in from the outside.

A window’s thermal performance is rated with a U-factor, which refers to the window’s overall ability to resist heat flow. When shopping for energy saving windows, the most important item to look for is the window’s overall U-factor rating. The lower the overall U-factor is, the better the window’s thermal performance will be. Another important factor to consider is an energy efficient window’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC, which measures the amount of solar heat blocked by the glass and its coatings.

ADVANCED ENERGY SAVING WINDOWS

Over the past several years, energy saving windows have become increasingly efficient, utilizing new materials and designs to increase their insulating qualities. These improvements include special glass coatings, vacuum-sealed spaces between the panes, improved framing materials, better weather stripping, and warm edge spacers.

Regular single-pane glass windows are being replaced by double, triple and even quadruple panes, with the different layers being separated by special insulating materials that increase their energy efficiency. These layers create a cavity of still air between the multiple panes of glass, reducing costly heat transfer between the interior of your house and the outside environment.

An energy saving windows does more than lower your home energy bills. Since you don’t use as much energy you don’t generate as much pollution. Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car? According to the EPA, 16 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide. The energy used by your homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, a process that greatly contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming.

THE PERFECT WAY TO REDUCE YOUR ENERGY COSTS

An energy efficient window replacement by an experienced construction contractor is the perfect way to lower your energy costs while improving the value of your home. Their knowledge and expertise will ensure you receive the energy saving windows increase the energy efficiency of your home while enhancing its beauty.

Call your local construction contractor to find out how we can increase the beauty of your home and reduce your energy costs with energy efficient windows.

DECORATIVE CONCRETE SERVICES – YOUR HOME’S CONCRETE SURFACES DON’T HAVE TO BE DULL AND GRAY ANYMORE

Decorative concrete

is quickly becoming one of the hottest trends for concrete floors and patios, entryways, pool decks and more. Your concrete surfaces don’t have to be dull and boring anymore. Local concrete construction contractors offer many types of decorative concrete services to their customers. Homeowners have a wide range of options to choose from, including stamped, acid/stained, saw-cut and exposed aggregate.

STAMPED

Stamped concrete, also known as patterned concrete or imprinted concrete, is concrete that is stamped to resemble the high-end look of brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile and even wood. Colors and patterns for stamped cement can be chosen to blend with the other stone, tile or patterned concrete elements of your home.

ACID STAINED/COLORED

With colored or acid stained concrete, the creative options and color choices are almost endless, making it possible to achieve the perfect look and mood.
Acid based chemical stains can achieve beautiful, earth-toned color effects that resemble natural stone, marble, wood, or even leather, allowing you to achieve a highly unique look to any concrete surface in or around your home.
Most acid stains are a mixture of water, hydrochloric acid, and acid-soluble metallic salts and work by penetrating the surface where they reacting chemically with the hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in the concrete. Unlike paint, the stain becomes a permanent part of the concrete and won’t fade, chip off, or peel away.

SAW-CUT

This is one of the more elaborate kinds of decorative concrete services available from your local concrete construction company. Saw-cut concrete, also known as scored concrete, can prevent driveway and walkways from cracking while allowing you to add various designs and patterns. Saw cut patterns can be as simple as a geometric grid cut into the floor to complex designs and images that require a true artistic touch.

EXPOSED AGGREGATE

Aggregate is a component of concrete that can consist of everything from fine materials like silt and sand to coarse materials such as gravel or crushed rocks. Recycled materials like broken glass and pavement can also be used as aggregate. An exposed-aggregate surface is obtained by placing the concrete and then removing the outer ‘skin’ of cement paste, uncovering the coarse aggregate beneath to achieve an artistic effect. Durable and skid resistant, an exposed aggregate finish is ideal for most flat concrete surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, patios and pool decks.

The recent advancements in concrete tools, concrete stains and dyes, textures, and patterns have made concrete one of the most versatile, durable and cost-effective construction materials on the market. More and more cement construction companies are offering decorative concrete services to their customers.

Decorative concrete is a colorful, tasteful alternative to drab gray cement surfaces. Many of these beautiful effects can be quickly and easily achieved. Make your “hardscape” – the cement surfaces in and around your home as gorgeous and attractive as your landscape. Consult with your local concrete construction company to learn about the many types of decorative concrete services available. They can show you how decorative concrete surfaces can enhance the beauty and value of your home.

LOOKS, FUNCTION, AND COST – MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS WHEN YOU’RE INSTALLING NEW WINDOWS IN YOUR HOME

Houston home construction companies offer a fine selection of windows for new construction projects as well as replacement windows for your home and window repair services. They’ll help you make the right decisions when installing new windows in your home.

A window is a pretty simple thing – a pane of glass held inside a sash set inside a frame. However, windows come in all sizes and shapes and are designed for many different purposes. Many different details need to be taken into account when deciding on what type of window is best for your home.

The three most important things to consider when deciding what type of window to install in your home are: looks, function and cost.

LOOKS

Looks are important when it comes to installing new windows in your home , since they have such an important impact on the value and appearance of your home. You’ll want to pick a style that matches and enhances your home’s design. Think carefully about what the window’s appearance should be, choosing the right size and shape as well as the right type of glass.

FUNCTIONS

What is the window’s function? A window can serve many functions – they provide a view of the exterior surroundings, save energy, illuminate a room with sunlight and provide ventilation, to name a few examples.

Probably the major performance issue to consider when installing new windows in your home is energy efficiency. Windows are the largest points of heat transfer in your house. To get the maximum energy efficiency from your windows, you’ll need to carefully consider what type of frame and glass will achieve the desired savings. There are many Houston Home Construction companies that specialize in the installation of energy efficient windows.

Energy efficient windows have become more sophisticated over the past few years, utilizing new materials and technologies to produce windows with more advanced and effective energy saving properties. Special coatings on the glass itself help to reflect heat.

There are double, triple and even quadruple paned windows, with insulating materials separating the layers.

Remember, different combinations of frame style, frame material, and glazing all have a major impact on energy efficiency and cost.

COST

Cost is the next important thing to consider when deciding what type of window to get. Not only the costs of installation, but also the cost of maintenance. How long will the window last before you need to replace it? How will it impact your energy costs? Will you have to purchase any exterior window treatments like awnings or blinds? How does the impact the resale value of your home?

Also, choosing the right contractor to install your windows will have a major impact on overall costs. Even the best windows won’t deliver the look, comfort, or savings you expect if they’re installed poorly.

All these details can make selecting the right type of window a daunting task. Thankfully, there are a number of reputable Houston home construction companies that specialize in the installation, repair and replacement of windows. They’ll be happy to assist you in making the right decisions to fit your needs. The best Houston home construction companies have the skills and expertise to install virtually any style of window that you can imagine, from single and double-hung slider windows, to casement, picture and bay windows, as well as specialty windows. These are the people you want installing your new windows.

NEED A NEW DRIVEWAY? YOUR LOCAL HOUSTON CONCRETE CONTRACTOR HAS THE SKILLS TO DO THE JOB DONE RIGHT

Your local Houston concrete contractor offers a wide range of concrete repair, renovation and replacement services. One of the more common types of cement projects involves the installation of a new concrete driveway or adding an extension to an existing driveway.

Installing a new driveway is a costly, labor intensive process. It’s a project best left to skilled and trained professionals.

Since the process of installing a concrete driveway usually takes a few weeks, you need to find a trusted Houston concrete contractor that will work with you to schedule the project when it’s most convenient for you. First the concrete from the existing driveway must be cut out, broken up, and removed for disposal or recycling in an eco-friendly fashion. Once the debris from the old driveway has been cleared, the ground will be inspected for soil compaction, drainage issues and re-graded to insure the correct gradients.

When the site is ready, a base is then constructed with reinforced steel framework into which the concrete will be poured. Special care is taking to make sure the surface is properly leveled or inclined. Standard concrete with a 3000 PSI compressive strength at 28 days is then poured into the base, normally at a 4 inch thickness. Control and expansion joints are also added at this time.

A highly experienced Houston concrete contractor will offer the option of installing steel reinforced concrete support beams on the outer edges of the driveway since this is where the greatest weight-stress occurs.

Once the concrete has been poured it must be allowed to dry or “cure” for one to two weeks.

Pouring a new concrete slab to extend an existing driveway is an easy way to expand the total surface area of your driveway. If the new slab is not attached to the old one, over time a wide crack will form in between them as they shrink and expand with changing temperatures. To address this problem, the new concrete driveway may be tied into existing, surrounding concrete by drilling steel “dowels” into the existing concrete.

Some driveway installation projects require that a culvert pipe be installed to allow drainage down the county right of way ditch. You’ll need to check with the local regulatory agencies to determine what the engineering requirements are or what permits are needed. In addition, since a portion of the driveway built on municipal or county right-of-way, you will have to take buried utilities, storm water run off and other existing conditions into consideration.

Concrete literally forms the foundation of many of today’s construction projects. It’s a strong, durable, and relatively inexpensive material that can be formed into many shapes and sizes.

Concrete is a sturdy material, but when a concrete driveway begins to show signs of wear and tear such as cracking, sinking, dusting, or heaving, it may be time to get the driveway replaced. Because of concrete’s composition, “patching” up a driveway isn’t always a viable option. There are many concrete contractors in Houston who can address any issues you may have concerning your concrete driveway or other home concrete surfaces and offer effective solutions.