Renew • Colorado's Remodeling Magazine

Ask David Andrews what he thinks about the rise in popularity of Energy Efficient (green) Mortgages, and he’ll respond with a chuckle. The branch manager of Cherry Creek Mortgage Co. finds humor in the fact that no mortgage can really be green. “The mortgage itself isn’t green, but the improvements made to the home are,” Andrews points out. While one can question whether a mortgage can actually be green, it is impossible to deny the rise in popularity of Energy Efficient Mortgages and Energy Improvement Mortgages in today’s ever-changing world. As homeowners push to become more green, the lending landscape is adapting accordingly.

According to Forbes Media’s Investopedia, “a green mortgage is a mortgage that sets aside money for home improvements that will increase energy efficiency within the home. This increase in energy efficiency will lower the homeowner’s monthly energy costs, improving their chances of being able to service the mortgage.”  In other words, green mortgages are based on the premise that a more energy efficient home will result in lower monthly utility bills. Because a person will pay less in utility bills, the savings will translate into income, allowing the homeowner to qualify for a larger loan. That person can either buy a bigger home, or increase the size of the remodeling job they’ve planned.

The process for establishing an energy efficiency rating on a home is fairly simple. First, the home is appraised to determine its value. Then, as Andrews explains, an energy rating is performed on the home, typically using a blower door test. “A big fan is placed in the front door, all the other doors are shut, and air is blown out to see where it is leaking from,” he says. “Smoke sensors are used to determine where the air is leaking.” Once this process is completed, an E-Star rating is given to the home. E-Star ratings are part of a certified national program that measures efficiency on a scale of 0-100. The E-Star rating is incorporated into the loan, which increases the loan-to-value rating, raising the amount of money that the homeowner is able to borrow from the lender.

There are a number of examples of what can be incorporated into a green mortgage, says Jim Van Buskirk, Mutual of Omaha’s vice president of mortgage lending for Colorado. “Examples include straw-bale construction and using solar energy outside the power grid by installing solar panels onto the roof of the existing home,” he says. Replacing windows, reducing drafts by sealing air leaks, sealing leaky ductwork, sealing the crawl space, adding insulation and purchasing a high-efficiency water-heater, furnace or heat-pump are other examples of ways to save energy.

Green mortgages have been around since the late 1970s, but for a number of reasons have never really blossomed. One reason is that banks and lenders simply haven’t raised awareness of the product.

The green loan requires a lengthy and detailed process for underwriters.

In some cases, they do not promote energy mortgages in order to save themselves the hassle. Andrews believes that while loan originators are trained on the subject of green mortgages, they rarely use them, so they aren’t top of the mind. “An analogy is when a sales person is trained on a certain product, but doesn’t sell the product. Eventually, they will forget what the product is about,” Andrews explains.

Andrews is able to lend even more insight as to why green mortgages aren’t more popular in the remodeling world. “If a homeowner wants to replace their windows, then they think about energy savings. If they want to upgrade their kitchen, bath, etc., then they aren’t really thinking about energy savings,” he says. However, because nearly every appliance and fixture has some type of efficiency rating, there are ways to save more energy within every project.

Those interested in pursuing a green mortgage should know that all of the national secondary mortgage markets offer energy mortgage products. From Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to the FHA and VA, energy mortgages are available.

Remember, the best reason for home remodeling is to make your family more comfortable. Every home improvement project – whether or not it’s a green remodel – offers a different return on investment, based on a number of factors. So make sure to put a smile on everyone’s face when doing your part to save the environment.

Mitch Chrismer is a Denver-based freelance writer.

Photo provided by Hunter Douglas

Posted on 29 September 2008

While the modern home has all of the standard amenities, most have features that were only daydreams just a decade ago.

High-tech entertainment rooms and home offices have become the norm in many newer or recently remodeled homes. And why not?

With gas prices and time at a premium, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of utilizing the home?

The Office Space

When it comes to home offices, “Everybody needs one,” says Maureen McGuire, who is secretary of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

In fact, families are finding that they need two and many homes end up with his and hers.

As might be expected, the predominant money-maker often has a larger, more developed space, says McGuire, who owns Maureen McGuire Interiors, LLC, in Highlands Ranch.

At a minimum, McGuire says homes have a command center or communication area in which calendars keep important dates. A phone and message board are part of the center, as is space for favorite photos or school papers in some cases.

Today’s larger home offices often have built-in cabinets and book shelves. The desk might be part of a larger, permanent unit that includes file storage.

McGuire worked on a Denver-area project that included a mini-bar, television and fireplace. The room was built adjacent to the family room so mom could keep one eye on the kids and one eye on the job. Balancing career and family is still an issue, but it’s made easier by working at home.

Client comfort also is important, McGuire notes, adding that the drive toward luxurious home offices has shifted into high gear in the past three years or so. “People really want efficiency, she points out. “They want the space to work hard for them and to make sure there is time savings.”

McGuire says wireless technology and the simplicity of email and Internet interaction have allowed people to work at home without missing a beat. The time saved by not commuting also can be used to be productive. And if the water-cooler chatter is missed, turn on the computer camera and go face-to-face with co-workers when necessary.

“The home office is something that people are putting a lot more money into,” she says.

Entertainment today
Home theater is as popular as ever, but McGuire says it is moving away from the isolated, darkened-room experience to the open-ended entertainment area that everyone can enjoy, even if they are not interested in a movie.

Theater, games, wet bar and dining tables provide expanded fun for all ages. The audio and visual experience remains, but there are more entertainment options.

McGuire says the closed-door theaters kept people from interacting, which wasn’t part of an enjoyable family experience. “People are looking for something that is centrally located with all of the bells and whistles,” she says. “It can be state of the art but it’s more open to other functions. It’s a multi-functional space.”

In the past few years, the Home Builders Association’s Parade of Homes has featured fewer separate home theaters. “You don’t want to isolate people, McGuire says.

New entertainment rooms include large TVs and all of the high-tech components, she says, but a pool table or card table might be adjacent, along with a wet bar where everyone can grab a drink.

After a long day at the home office, it’s great to gather with family to watch a movie or play a game, especially when the car hasn’t even left the garage.

Doug Walter Architects included a study in this award-winning Denver-area remodel
Photo provided by Doug Walter Architects

Posted on 29 September 2008

Give me one more chance and I’ll do it right. Who hasn’t uttered these words at some point in life?

Brian Rawlings of Classy Closets said many of his clients promise to do it right the second time around as it relates to their bedroom closets.

For those building new homes, it’s a no-brainer. Master closets with plenty of space are routinely installed and most have space for two people. It’s about size and accessories, he explained.

However, for those in older or smaller homes who hope to remodel with more closet space, Rawlings said it becomes a little trickier.

For empty nesters, it might be beneficial to rearrange walls so that space from an adjacent bedroom can be used for a closet in the master bedroom. Some people simply have no space left, but most are able to improve their space with the help of a professional.

When space is not an issue, the “working closet” is better than lemonade on a hot day. It’s a walk-in closet that provides plenty of space to store all of one’s clothes and to get dressed. With adequate legroom, an island might be included to sit on while dressing or putting on shoes. “We’ve taken the closet from a room that you normally don’t take anybody into, and now you want to show people,” he said.

Rawlings, who owns the Classy Closets franchises in Highlands Ranch and Colorado Springs, said working closets have become the norm in newer homes. They might include cherry wood or other dark shades, along with oil-brushed bronze or brushed-chrome handles or knobs. He said closets often follow in the footsteps of the kitchen, citing the soft-touch drawer as an example. It will close itself when it’s within an inch of being shut.

Lighting is another area that has come a long way. With LED lighting, it’s easy to illuminate the closet in any number of ways. And, the energy consumption is less than ever.

In older homes with less square footage overall, there are a few more challenges. To get started, Rawlings said he measures the space and determines the amount of clothes the client has. Then he can determine if the client’s expectations can be met.

When remodeling older closets for people who need more space, Rawlings said it’s not a deal-breaker if the closet is narrow. Those built with one rod and just one overhead shelf can easily be transformed into a two-rod set up with five shelves. The basic set up only costs about $350, Rawlings said, and the homeowner ends up with more space for shoes and shirts. At times, he is unable to help people who have already maxed out their space with multiple rods and shelves. “I lose some business,” he admitted, but said it’s better to be honest and move on to the next job, where he can make a difference.

Because tall ceilings have made a comeback in recent years, an additional rod can be installed above eye level that is easily accessed with a pull-down system that operates on a pneumatic cylinder.

When remodeling, it’s particularly important to make sure the improvements match the rest of the house when the job is completed. For some people, matching the new closet doors to the bedroom or bathroom door is important. Rawlings said there are always ways to match up stains, woods and veneers to meet the need.

And then there are extreme makeovers, even in the world of closets. Rawlings mentioned a closet that a woman had installed in her Denver condominium that topped out at $30,000. Yes, that extreme is going to include all of the expensive woods and fancy accessories: “Nationally, the closet business is over a billion dollars,” Rawlings said.

More often, Rawlings said people will spend $4,000 to $10,000 on a closet that will provide enough space in some cases to eliminate the need for dressers in the bedroom. “They may have a table in the bedroom, but they want everything in their closet and they want their clothes and shoes neatly organized,” he said.

Photo provided by Classy Closets

Posted on 18 September 2008

Once upon a time, in order to feel luxurious in a bathroom one would simply light some candles and settle into the bath with a good book. Oh, how the times have changed. In today’s world, luxury is expected in contemporary bathrooms. From flat screen televisions set behind mirrors to warming drawers for towels, the pampering possibilities are endless. And as modern bathrooms continue to emulate luxurious spas, the growing trend is to go green.

Energy and water savings are paramount in today’s luxury bathrooms, as the world concerns itself with the environment much more so than in years past. Bathrooms are the biggest user of water in the entire house, so any reduction helps. Modern toilets use less water per flush, shower heads mix air bubbles into the water stream to reduce water flow, and tankless water heaters are becoming increasingly commonplace, saving both energy and water. For obvious reasons, the trend toward the green side is here to stay, and manufacturers of bathroom fixtures are producing more products that reflect this change in ideology.

While the trend is apparent to most, what exactly is spurring this evolution to spa-like bathrooms? Only a few decades ago, bathrooms were as small as closets and only served a functional purpose. Now, bathrooms are tripling and quadrupling in size in order to include the myriad luxurious amenities. According to Eric Balstad, a certified kitchen designer with Parrish Construction, a cultural shift in America is inspiring this movement toward extravagance in the bathroom. “Women are driving this, because they enjoy the spa-like experience more than men. Today there are more working women with more money than in years past. Guys just spend 20 minutes, do their business, and they’re out. Women want to be pampered and have more time to themselves.”

Though women may be the motivating force behind this trend, men certainly can’t complain because they are reaping the benefits as well. What guy wouldn’t enjoy watching the Rockies beat the D-Backs on a flat screen television hidden behind a mirror? Or, who wouldn’t appreciate LED lights hidden inside the floor tile? As one heads to the bathroom in the middle of the night, the soft lights come on to illuminate the path. And is there anybody who wouldn’t enjoy having a heated towel waiting as they step out of the shower onto their hydronically heated tile?

Perhaps the best thing about updating the bathroom to more closely resemble a spa is that in doing so, it is possible to help the environment, in addition to making the bathroom experience more hygienic as a whole. A Rinnai Tankless Water Heater will deliver hot water to fixtures twice as fast as old water tanks, saving time, energy and water.

The Hansgrohe company is introducing touchless technology into the home, allowing users to turn on water from a faucet simply by placing their hands under the spout, thus making the bathroom more hygienic by reducing potential contact with nasty germs. Not to mention, as Balstad states, “it just looks cool.”

Speaking of new showers, one of the coolest features available today are rain heads coupled with body sprays. Lefty Longa, general manager of Hutter Wholesale, terms this “the full-body car wash.”  This technology makes for a completely unique shower experience with streams of water coming from all directions using multiple jets and heads. A Kohler Digital Programmable Water Controller only enhances the experience by controlling the temperature and intensity of each individual showerhead with a master panel that is programmable to fit each user’s desired specifications. As Longa points out, why not turn the bathroom “into a spa experience?”

The popularity of greener and more luxurious bathrooms is chiefly inspired by Japanese design and technology, according to Balstad. While remote-controlled toilets that talk to their “masters” have yet to make a splash in the U.S., many other aspects of the Japanese bathroom are showing up in American bathrooms. One such example is Toto’s Aquia Dual Flush Toilet. When the user selects No. 1, the toilet will flush using only 0.9 gallons of water. When the No. 2 function is selected, the toilet flushes with 1.6 gallons of water.

As Balstad states, “personal hygiene is taken more seriously in Japan, and is now catching on the United States.”   Another Japanese feature that is destined to balloon in popularity in the U.S. is a new, powerful, touchless hand dryer that dries hands in seconds. Thomas Perito, manager of Dream Home Designs in Denver, said his is “the only showroom in the United States to feature the Japanese Toto hand dryer.” The showroom features other fixtures and innovative products that would freshen up any design.

When it comes to the bathroom, there are limitless options that one can incorporate when remodeling. Doing so with an eye toward saving some of Colorado’s limited water resources and energy supplies is a great way to save some green while greening the bathroom.

Mitch Chrismer is a Denver-based freelance writer.

Photo provided by Kohler Co.

Posted on 18 September 2008

New wood flooring, smooth walls covered in your favorite color and a fireplace and mantle that you’ve always dreamed about.

Who could ask for more in the great room? Everyone! Now the fun begins. Couches, pillows, lamps, artwork, window treatments, tables and candles will turn the basic remodeling affair into a love affair for the eyes.

Design Adventures owner Carolyn Deardorff has served people in their homes and in the classroom at Colorado State University and Arapahoe Community College. Using a master’s degree in interior design, she has assisted Front Range clients for more than 20 years.

Deardorff said she considers several elements when helping clients define their approach to finishing a room.

Once the furniture, tables and lighting are in place, she “puts the icing on the cake.”
Elements include:
• something that grabs the eye
• an antique item, possibly something personal like an old photo
• something with texture that contrasts with its immediate surroundings
• a plant or flowers
• candles – a type that fits the rest of the furnishings
• use odd numbers (decorative pillows and table-top items)

Such embellishments are meant to enhance a new look in a way that is unique to your personality, your family or your lifestyle. “It’s like clothing or art,” Deardorff explains. “You don’t buy a piece of art if it doesn’t speak to you. You do it for emotional reasons.”

Here’s where you set yourself apart from your neighbors or the latest television expert who’s pushing the trend de jour.

If the goal is to help your child find beauty in classical music, maybe it’s time to make room for that grand piano you’ve always wanted. Then rush down to that gallery in the Denver ArtDistrict on Santa Fe and buy that piece you’ve had your eye on – even if it is a touch above the budget.

Although major works of art, large furniture pieces and lighting won’t change much over short periods of time, accessories can and should.

Deardorff views it as an ongoing investment. By spending less money on small items, they can be replaced more often. “You don’t have to spend a fortune on accessories,” she says.

Sometimes, people will move smaller pieces to different rooms or to the closet when change is needed, she said. Or, sometimes the old candles sticks head directly to the thrift store.

Deardorff said the challenges that face 30-somethings are different than those faced by retirement-aged people. The young couple will likely need a bevy of options when furnishing their newly remodeled home. Older folks — with a lifetime of purchases — might have to pick and choose what gets displayed.

Photos provided by Arhaus Furniture

Posted on 18 September 2008

While the modern home has all of the standard amenities, most have features that were only daydreams just a decade ago.

High-tech entertainment rooms and home offices have become the norm in many newer or recently remodeled homes. And why not?

With gas prices and time at a premium, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of utilizing the home?

The office space

When it comes to home offices, “Everybody needs one,” says Maureen McGuire, who is secretary of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

In fact, families are finding that they need two and many homes end up with his and hers.

As might be expected, the predominant money-maker often has a larger, more developed space, says McGuire, who owns Maureen McGuire Interiors, LLC, in Highlands Ranch.

At a minimum, McGuire says homes have a command center or communication area in which calendars keep important dates. A phone and message board are part of the center, as is space for favorite photos or school papers in some cases.

Today’s larger home offices often have built-in cabinets and book shelves. The desk might be part of a larger, permanent unit that includes file storage.

McGuire worked on a Denver-area project that included a mini-bar, television and fireplace. The room was built adjacent to the family room so mom could keep one eye on the kids and one eye on the job. Balancing career and family is still an issue, but it’s made easier by working at home.

Client comfort also is important, McGuire notes, adding that the drive toward luxurious home offices has shifted into high gear in the past three years or so. “People really want efficiency, she points out. “They want the space to work hard for them and to make sure there is time savings.”

McGuire says wireless technology and the simplicity of email and Internet interaction have allowed people to work at home without missing a beat. The time saved by not commuting also can be used to be productive. And if the water-cooler chatter is missed, turn on the computer camera and go face-to-face with co-workers when necessary.

“The home office is something that people are putting a lot more money into,” she says.

Entertainment today

Home theater is as popular as ever, but McGuire says it is moving away from the isolated, darkened-room experience to the open-ended entertainment area that everyone can enjoy, even if they are not interested in a movie.

Theater, games, wet bar and dining tables provide expanded fun for all ages. The audio and visual experience remains, but there are more entertainment options.

McGuire says the closed-door theaters kept people from interacting, which wasn’t part of an enjoyable family experience. “People are looking for something that is centrally located with all of the bells and whistles,” she says. “It can be state of the art but it’s more open to other functions. It’s a multi-functional space.”

In the past few years, the Home Builders Association’s Parade of Homes has featured fewer separate home theaters. “You don’t want to isolate people, McGuire says.

New entertainment rooms include large TVs and all of the high-tech components, she says, but a pool table or card table might be adjacent, along with a wet bar where everyone can grab a drink.

After a long day at the home office, it’s great to gather with family to watch a movie or play a game, especially when the car hasn’t even left the garage.

Posted on 05 September 2008