Renew • Colorado's Remodeling Magazine

Need a durable floor? It’s hard to beat stone and wood, particularly with the ever-growing array of options.

“Hard surface flooring will probably outlast you,” said Anita Howard of the National Wood Flooring Association.

Carpet is still the most popular flooring material, covering about 62 percent of the market. Laminate wood flooring is also popular and inexpensive, but laminates and carpet will not last as long as tile true hardwood.

Howard said homeowners typically replace laminates and carpet starting in living rooms and other highly visible areas, later moving into bedrooms as their budgets allow. Many hardwood floors are environmentally sound and may increase resale value. In a national survey, 58 percent of real estate agents said wood floors help sell a house faster and fetch a higher price.

About 50 percent of hardwood flooring is oak, with a small but growing market for more exotic species. Antique looks are also popular — either salvaged wood from old buildings or new hardwood that has been scraped and distressed to look old.

Wide Plank Flooring in Eldorado Springs sells and installs old-growth and salvaged wood. The company also hand-sands and hand-finishes wood floors to custom specifications for texture and feel. The company specializes in oak and other varieties in three- to nine-inch widths. The planks cost between $15 and $35 per square foot, said Jim O’Connor, owner and president of Wide Plank.

O’Connor recommends using a professional installer for hardwood floors because drying, affixing, finishing and treating hardwood flooring require training and experience to create perfection. For example, inexperienced contractors may underestimate the time needed to dry and acclimate wood from the eastern United States to Colorado’s dry weather. Also, as energy-saving radiant heat flooring becomes more popular, installers will need to work with plumbers to create an appropriate subfloor and ensure even heating throughout the home.

A local, sustainable hardwood option is beetle-kill pine. Green Way in Granby and other companies specialize in salvaging acres of beetle-infested Colorado trees for flooring, furniture and building materials. Colorado Forest Products lists suppliers and consumer information at www.coloradoforestproducts.org.

Exotic, fast-growing wood options include eucalyptus and bamboo, but a rapidly replenished forest isn’t the only sustainability issue. Eco-conscious homeowners should consider durability and the energy costs involved in importing the wood to Colorado. Bamboo has a unique look and texture, but often scratches easily.

Tiles and stones are another durable hard-surface option. The options are nearly endless considering the variety of materials, roughness, size, grout, thickness, color and more.

Staci Griffin of Boulder Stove and Flooring said large, rectangular tiles are the major current trend. Her company sells porcelain slabs up to two feet wide and four feet long, mostly in solid, contemporary colors. Porcelain is typically more dense and absorbs less water, making it a better choice for outdoor use.

Natural stone is also a growing option.

“It’s always in style and it’s been around for thousands of years,” Griffin said.

Source Products Group in Broomfield specializes in slate, travertine and limestone tiles and slabs. Owner Kristi Hada said natural stone is still a small flooring niche typically used for entryways, outdoor kitchens and fireplace surrounds, but natural stone bathrooms and kitchens are more popular. Another trend is mixing natural stone with glass or other elements in tile flooring for a more blended style.

Slate has a rustic look and a wide range of colors, but Hada said some slate should not be used outdoors. Limestone and Travertine feel softer and smoother, and slip-resistant finishes are available.

A green flooring option is recycled tile. TerraGreen recycled glass tile is available at Arizona Tile Supply and Design Materials in Denver. Crossville EcoCycle tile is available at Essco in Denver, Atlas Flooring in Boulder and other area stores. EcoCycle tile comes in eight colors and is certified to include at least 40 percent recycled ceramic.

Steve Graham is a Fort Collins – based freelance writer.

SIDEBAR:

It’s OK to distress your floors

Distressing floors may sound hard on your hardwood, but it is a growing trend that adds durability and antique-styled beauty. Hardwood floors can be scraped and dinged by machine or by hand. Either way, imperfections are added to replicate old, well-worn floors. Distressing can also add holes and deep grooves to help new timbers look more like salvaged wood.

Hand tools can include knives, hammers, planes, rotary tools and even bags of nuts and bolts. Experts avoid machine-distressed flooring, which typically creates a repeating pattern rather than an individual style for each plank.

The work is often performed in either classic homes or newer homes designed and built with a more classic design. Jim O’Connor of Wide Plank Flooring consults with each homeowner and customizes the texture and feel for each project. The firm even cuts custom knives for individual homes. Each employee can typically carve about 100 feet per day, and charges at least $2 per square foot for distressing floors.

Others distress floors to make them more kid- and pet-friendly. With existing scratches and wear, new blemishes will be less noticeable.

“A lot of people have made their homes more homey and more livable,” said Anita Howard of the National Wood Flooring Association.

Posted on 06 September 2009

When paint from the local retail chain just isn’t good enough, homeowners can easily find greener pastures. Everyone from the largest paint manufacturers to the small neighborhood outlets have begun to sell quality “green” paint that is friendly to your family and the environment.

With the lead-paint scare still fresh in people’s minds, paints without volatile organic compounds have become popular.

“We are an environmentally friendly paint store, specializing in non-toxic, zero VOC paints,” says Laurie Hessemer of New Era Paint in Edgewater. As the name suggests, you won’t find toxic substances that threaten the health of people or animals. New Era carries Safecoat, Yolo Colorhouse and Mythic Paint products and thousands of colors.

If the brands are less than recognizable, give them time. From the Aspen Art Museum to the Guggenheimm Museum in New York, Yolo Colorhouse is making its way into the mainstream.

Hessemer says her customers are best described as the “Whole Foods” demographic. Education, health and personal development are important, as are social responsibility and a sustainable economy. Additionally, as younger people begin to raise families, they want a healthy environment for their children. Hessemer cited asthma statistics, which have shown a drastic increase in the past three decades, as one of the reasons why people are careful about what products they use when they remodel. Cancer-causing chemicals found in older products are now red-lighted. “A lot people want nontoxic paint,” she says, and “they’ve done their research.”

Hessemer notes that even in tougher economic times, people still take into account a healthier approach. She cited a home she sold in Phoenix a few years back in which she used green products to spiff up the place. “It made the house more marketable,” she said. She chose Yolo Colorhouse paint, as well as Earth-friendly hardwood floors and countertops. The house sold in three days, she pointed out, to people who care about their environment.

In addition to younger people with an eye toward the environment, Hessemer said senior citizens are also susceptible to allergies and other irritants. As one who offers seminars and speaks to various organizations, Hessemer says interest also has spiked among nursing facilities and hospitals.

Designers, architects and builders are also jumping on the green bandwagon.
From a design standpoint, Christina Kittelstad of Spiral Designs in Lakewood says most clients want to consider earth-friendly options when it comes to paint. “My clients are definitely starting to use green paints on remodeling projects, especially in nurseries, children’s bedrooms, family spaces and home offices, where both adults and children tend to spend a lot of time and air quality is important.”

Although the price of no-VOC paints was prohibitive for some people, that is changing. “As the price has become more accessible, I find that many people are making the switch and enjoying the added benefits of cleaner air quality, less toxins and no fumes,” says Kittelstad, whose company provides color consulting and staging services.

Industry giant Benjamin Moore offers its Natura zero-VOC interior paints in more than 3,500 colors. And as with most of the modern paints, there is hardly any odor, they dry quickly and they are washable. Benjamin Moore products are available at outlets throughout the metro area.

So, whether you’re painting a small bathroom or having your entire house redone by professionals, the kinder, gentler paint options are available to meet everyone’s taste.

Posted on 04 June 2009

Look at home renovation as an equation. Not a simple geometric equation or addition equation, but something more akin to what you might find on a college algebra final exam.

Many variables need to be considered when remodeling: the budget, contractors, existing space, timeline, city inspectors, appliances, interior designers, homeowners associations, local ordinances and pre-existing structural integrity to name a few. These variables then need to equal a final product that closely resembles what the residents originally envisioned.

This clichéd metaphor is not meant to detour those who fumble around with math from improving their home, but rather to encourage those who want to improve their home to speak with an architect before beginning a new project.

“The architect pulls together all of the needs and desires of the homeowner to create the home that works for them,” explains Anne Olson, A.I.A., president of Olson Architecture Inc.

In 2006 Anne began working with the Edwards family of Boulder to recreate the home that would work for them. The project would eventually win an award for the “whole house-luxury remodel” category in the 2008 Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence, sponsored by the Remodelors Council of Metro Denver. The Edwards’ home presented similar challenges that many other homeowners may have to face one day.

“The Edwards are a baby boomer couple, with a college age son and a mother who might need a place to live,” Olson points out. “The home was designed for this stage of their life.”

First and foremost, the family needed more space in their 824-square-foot historic bungalow to make cohabitation more manageable. Olson began drawing up plans to add onto the existing structure.

“You have to see the house and listen to the clients,” Olson says. “Figure out what their situation is and what they want with the house.”

The Edwards’ dream renovation included a second floor master suite with a scenic overview of Mount Salinas, a home office, an improved living room situation that would be more suitable for entertaining, a main level suite for their mother, and a bottom level apartment for their son. But in order to get the addition approved by the city landmark board, some concessions had to be made by Olson and her firm.

“We had to completely change our original concept to conform with the request of the landmarks board,” said Olson. “Our original desire was to maintain all of the exterior stone walls and add a second floor.”

The city landmark board requested that the historical integrity be preserved. The Edwards wanted to respect the board’s wishes and asked the architecture firm to go back to the original drawings and modify them accordingly.

Now more than ever, municipalities, neighbors and homeowners associations are playing a bigger role in the decision as to what kind of a renovation will be built. With so much power over the renovation outside of the homeowner’s grasp, the architect has to compensate by knowing all of the rules and building codes to find a plan that will work for everyone.

With considerable neighborhood acclaim, Olson’s revision was a success. The addition was built on the lot behind the family’s bungalow. Exterior materials, which matched the existing home, were added to the new section to secure a cohesive appearance between old and new. Most of the original roof, back wall and entrance remained untouched.

The bungalow that was once 824 square feet is now 3,455 square feet; perfect to accommodate the entire family.

“The new floor plan perfectly meshed with the lifestyle needs of a boomer family in 2008,” Olson explains.

The Newlands Neighborhood in Boulder, where the project was completed, is an area that often faces resistance to remodeling because the residents like to keep the historical motif intact. Olson and her team were able to recognize this. By keeping an eye on the big picture and working closely with their clients, they were able to find a solution that suited everyone.

Casey Cisneros is a Loveland-based freelance writer.

Posted on 07 March 2009

Congress has discussed banning incandescent light bulbs by 2014. While the discussion is focused on incandescent reflector lamps, it is still spurring many manufacturers and customers to switch to the newest and most energy-efficient lighting technologies. From LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, to the newest in lighting controls, options abound for a homeowner’s indoor and outdoor lighting needs.

Dan McCord of Colorado Concept Lighting knows that affordability is a customer’s biggest concern when switching to new technology.

“Technology is changing so quickly that it is difficult to budget for the newest in green products,” said McCord. “The newest technology, such as LED, is by far the most sought after, but it is usually the first to be crossed off the wish list.”

McCord added that while some eco-conscious products may be pricey, the product’s life span is far longer than the traditional incandescent bulb. Jeff Leese of Foothills Lighting & Supply agrees.

“LED is really expensive right now, but as with all things, the price will come down eventually,” Leese said. “For the time being, compact fluorescent (CFL) is a good way to go. It is a stop-over on the way to LED.”

Most homeowners are still drawn to incandescent lighting, some because it is aesthetically pleasing and others because of the warmth it creates. Leese tries to show his customers alternatives to incandescent lighting and the benefits these options can bring to a home.

“My recommendation for new lighting projects at this point would be Xenon,” Leese said. “This option is the closest in color and warmth to that of regular incandescent lighting, a personal favorite of homeowners. It is also less expensive than LED.”

Leese believes that LED lighting is good for commercial properties, but it has yet to become commonplace in homes. “LED is great for retail stores. Engineers have created strips of LED lights for underneath cabinets and shelves that are about an eighth of an inch thick,” Leese said. “This makes them virtually invisible. The only problem for using this option in a home is that the light is still not as warm as incandescent lighting.”

McCord recommends using LED for landscape lighting around the home. “To replicate the light of the moon, you don’t need much,” McCord said. “LED is a good quality lighting solution for a good value.”

While LED technology is expensive, McCord argues that it is worth the money. LED lighting has up to 50,000 hours of life and produces more light per watt than incandescent bulbs. LED is also a good choice for frequent on-off cycles, such as outdoor timed lighting.

Leese has a different suggestion for those homeowners looking for a cheaper outdoor alternative – compact fluorescent. One downside to CFLs is that without proper installation the bulbs may not light in cold weather.

“With this type of bulb, it is best to create a microenvironment by using a translucent lighting fixture,” Leese explains. “This will allow heat from the bulb to circulate within the fixture, making it easier for the bulb to light in very cold weather.”

In addition to being energy efficient, the CFLs can also be used in many styles of fixtures. Fluorescent lighting doesn’t have to look fluorescent if it’s enclosed in an amber-colored glass fixture.

However, using CFLs for indoor lighting is not always the best choice, McCord points out.

“People don’t realize that fluorescent lights emit UV rays,” McCord said. “They put fluorescent lighting in their closets and wonder why their clothes have faded. This is a case where incandescent, Xenon or LED lighting would be a better choice.”

Manufacturers are picking up on the “green” trend, pouring money into research and development to find solutions that are energy efficient and still eye-catching. Another energy-efficient route to consider is lighting controls, such as dimmers and light outputs.

“Homeowners want to be green and they want to save on their energy bills,” McCord said. “With lighting controls, homeowners can regulate the output of light so slightly that the naked eye can’t even tell the difference. The only difference they’ll see is a drop in their energy bill.”

Numerous options should be considered when beginning a lighting project, but the most important aspect is to choose an option that fits your needs and lifestyle. “Lighting should always accommodate you – not the other way around. It should show off your home,” Leese explains.

Emily Jack is a Longmont-based freelance writer.

Photo by Ron Ruscio for Colorado Concept Lighting

Posted on 11 November 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

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

Why is it that the more we improve our homes, the more our garages fall into disrepair? We finish our basements, install hardwood floors, paint, put up blinds and completely reinvent the kitchen. All the while the garage collects the remnants — the old paint cans, the leftover lumber, the old foosball table from junior’s college days, the faded University of Colorado seat cushions piled in the corner.

The act of remodeling seems to inversely impact our garages. The familiar process is played out along the Front Range in every neighborhood.

Over time the garage acts more as a storage unit than a part of the house. Mike Wislinsky, one of the owners of Premier Garage in Golden, asks: “The garage typically represents a sizeable percentage of the total square footage of the house, so why not turn that square footage into a more useable and livable space?”

The lazy days of old, throwing items into heaps on the garage floor, are quickly coming to an end. Making up an excuse to get out of doing something about that atrocious garage is harder than fixing the problem once and for all.

There are stacks of literature available that can educate on the countless ways to organize and remodel the garage. One such periodical, Your Garagenous Zone written by Bill West, begins with some pragmatic advice, “When in doubt, throw it away.” Sounds simple, right? Well, that could depend on whether the “pack-rat” gene courses through your veins.

The next step might be to find organizational tools — plastic bins, cabinets and hooks — to help with the cleanup. This may enable you to squeeze at least one car into the garage.

After all the do-it-yourself tips have been exhausted, or the garage doesn’t fit personal needs, it is probably time to find a professional. The Internet is a good place to start.

Wislinsky explains, “Typically the customer will go to (our website) to research the various solutions that we offer. After that they call us or email us via our website, we set up an appointment, and one of our sales people meets with the customer in the garage.”

It is important to have an idea of what the garage’s main purpose will be after the renovation is completed. Will the garage be used mainly for parking the cars and storage, or will it be used as a shop? Consider these questions before picking cabinets, flooring, shelves and other add-ons.

With computer programs like Auto Cad, the consumer can gain a greater comprehension of what the garage will look like when finished. “After the initial meeting, we provide a CAD drawing that shows exact location and sizes of the cabinets, as well as locations of any organizers. A 3-D perspective helps the customer visualize what their garage will look like when the renovation is complete,” explains John Hettich, who along with Wislinsky, owns Premier Garage.

Little preparation is needed to have the garage renovated. A few garage companies will help homeowners clean up and find suitable storage during the upgrade.

“We try and make the process as easy as possible for our clients.” says Scott Denton, owner of Custom Garages in Loveland. “We just need a clean garage, and we can help facilitate that even if it means renting a storage unit and we fill it for them.”

Compared with most other home renovations the garage is quick, easy and inexpensive. Besides being practical, remodeling the garage also serves as a sound investment for the house.

“Upgrading the garage adds value to the home at a very reasonable investment. On a per square foot basis, upgrading the garage is usually much less expensive than upgrading other parts of the home,” says Wislinsky.

On average a two-car garage with flooring, cabinets and organizers will cost between $2,500 and $4,000. If the cash flow in the house is temporarily down to a trickle, the garage renovation could take place in stages, starting with the flooring. Cabinets can be installed later when more money is available.

In recent years, garage flooring and cabinets have been manufactured to be more durable. A floor coating that is spread over concrete protects against car fluids and abrasive liquids that end up on garage floors.

“(To clean the floor) a water hose and a mop are all that’s required,” says Hettich. “Premier Garage’s cabinets are specifically designed for the garage – thicker shelves, mounted off the floor to eliminate potential for moisture damage, and fully finished inside and out.”

There are also companies that can completely customize the garage to almost any personal desire. Denton says, “I like having the flexibility of helping our customers achieve their ultimate garage, whatever that may look like in their eyes.”

The ultimate garage might include track lighting, a car lift, custom colored cabinets, a dog bath and a flat screen television. Those amenities will cost more. Denton said, “We have finished garages that are well over $50,000 in flooring, cabinets and accessories.”

One doesn’t have to go overboard, but before another summer slips by, pay some attention to the garage. Who knows? There could be valuable CU memorabilia piled in the corner. Or at least room might be made to park a car.

Casey Cisneros is a Loveland-based freelance writer.

Posted on 01 June 2008

Project meets cultural needs of family

The purpose of many remodeling jobs is simply to improve an area of the home. But for other projects, the meaning is much deeper.

Such was the case with a Boulder home that Parrish Construction remodeled. A Japanese family needed an addition to accommodate the owner’s mom who had moved from Japan to live with them. Cultural considerations needed to play an integral part in the plans.

Three generations had needs: An aging grandmother, the owners and their daughter. “The three-generation household needed more privacy and more space, plus accommodation for their hectic professional lives and for their aging grandmother,” said Loraine Masterton, customer relations specialist with Parrish Construction.

The grandmother’s bedroom was small and crowded and “she could not enjoy her personal cultural belongings,” Masterton said. “The husband wished his aging mother to feel as comfortable in his home as possible and wanted to add Japanese amenities and cultural touches to the addition.”

With decades of experience behind them, Parrish set out to meet the family’s needs with the help of Terra Verde Architects, also of Boulder.

When it was all over, the family had a home that was functional and culturally comforting.

For Parrish and Terra Verde, a job well done also turned into bragging rights when the National Association of the Remodeling Industry honored them with a regional award.

Of course awards mean nothing unless the client is satisfied. That goal involved an extensive game plan to meet some very specific needs. Among them: a 628-square-foot addition and remodel of the entryway, a master bedroom and master bath built to the Certified Aging in Place Standards; and a walk-in cedar closet. The remodeling of the existing entrance included an additional guest bathroom and the re-positioning of five doors, Masterton said.

The grandmother’s bathroom included a programmable bidet that was set for her specific needs. A feature that is becoming common in Japan, a control panel is programmed to know who is using the bidet based on weight and its controls make it easier for people to wash up, especially as they grow older. The design included a bench and movable water fixtures in the walk-in shower, as well as a heated floor. With the use of the aging-in-place standards, there is room for a walker or wheelchair if it becomes necessary.

Additional consideration was given to the wife, who has a music studio in the basement. She instructs students who are constantly visiting the house, making privacy an issue for the rest of the family. “There is now a powder room in the home’s entrance, which the students can use without disturbing the family,” Masterton said.

The home now has a discreet entryway, part of the Japanese culture, which separates the rest of the world from the privacy of the home, “all designed in a distinctly modern and Japanese style,” Masterton added. “Our cabinet shop made custom entranceway furniture reminiscent of the centuries-old style of a traditional Japanese home. The elegance and usefulness of the new entranceway provides harmony and grace where once there was chaos.”

Overall, “the family has a new level of ease with each other, as everyone’s privacy is assured,” Masterton said.

More awards in the fall

The Boulder project was feted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry in its regional Contractor of the Year competition. The award is highly sought after among remodeling professionals. NARI’s local awards ceremony for its Front Range Chapter is scheduled this fall. Renew, Colorado’s Remodeling Magazine, will provide photos and information on award winners at that time.

Posted on 01 June 2008

Ultimately, a home serves one underlying purpose: to provide shelter. If that were all we wanted homes to do — protect us from the elements — we would all live underground or in concrete bunkers. However, our insistence on “luxuries” like sunlight, fresh air and easy access to the outdoors complicates home design, necessitating more creative barriers like windows and doors. Their function makes them the weak points in the battle to stay warm and dry.

These days, simply staying out of the wind and rain isn’t enough. We expect to do so without also getting soaked by the utility company. Combine rising oil prices with a growing awareness of the consequences of indiscriminate energy consumption, and all of a sudden the term “green building” appears in every contractor’s brochure. The goal of an energy efficient window is to minimize its inherent insulation weaknesses and in some cases transform them into strengths that can actually improve your home’s energy efficiency, which is why you should take exceptional care when choosing the next set.

Coloradans ask a lot of our windows. Let in light, but not the ultraviolet rays. Open easily, but keep the warm air inside and the wind at bay. Furthermore, do it all with materials that will last for decades despite exposure to a uniquely harsh environment. “Our state’s climate is challenging for windows,” says Brett Ortengren, General Manager for Renewal by Anderson’s Denver and Colorado Springs locations. “While other states might have 20 or 25 degree swings, here in Colorado we see surfaces that warm or cool as much as 50 degrees inside of 24 hours, usually accompanied by a huge amount of UV radiation.” Those warm spring mornings that melt away the evening snowfall are invigorating for people, but they are brutal on traditional building materials like metal, vinyl and wood.

This is why Renewal by Anderson uses a composite thermal plastic blended with wood fibers for its window frames and sashes. The Fibrex material resists the expansion and contraction of vinyl, doesn’t need a waterproof layer of paint like wood, and doesn’t conduct heat like aluminum. But green building should also mean working with renewable products, right? How does thermal plastic fit that requirement? It doesn’t, but the company has streamlined its manufacturing process to the point that it recycles nearly all of its scraps back into raw material. Less waste at the plant means lower costs for the company and ultimately, the homeowner as well.

Synthetic materials are improving more than just the frames. While you won’t find anything replacing old-fashioned glass anytime soon, companies have found ways of enhancing it. Accent Windows, a 26 year-old Westminster company, offers “Heat Mirror” technology in its windows. The company coats a clear film with a microscopic ceramic layer and places it between dual panes of glass. Dividing the air chamber improves the window’s insulating properties without the weight and cost of a third pane. Combine the Heat Mirror with argon gas that fills the spaces between the panes and the window’s R-value, a measure of its insulating capability, skyrockets.

Yet even the best-designed window won’t help keep your house warm if it isn’t installed properly. Professional installation ensures that edges seal tight, sashes move smoothly and, depending on the season, the warm air and the cold air stay wherever you would prefer. One technique does not fit all: the installation process will depend on your home’s wall material. Nearly all high-end window companies include installation in the purchase price.

Despite the overwhelming buzz, green building and green remodeling aren’t just the latest trends, they are an investment in your home and in your community. Styles may change, but a house that holds heat in the winter and stays cool in the summer is always in demand. The more gas and electricity costs increase, the faster you’ll recover whatever additional expense you incurred by going green in the first place. And even if you could afford to run the heat or air conditioner full blast, would you want to?

Posted on 02 May 2008