Welcome back fans. The weather is indeed frightful out there. But it is not so delightful.
As will happen when a large storm like Sandy hit a specific area you will more often than not be faced with some type of damage to your home.
There are many out there who possess the time and skill to remedy fix this situations on their own, and I commend their ability to do so.
However for the rest of us, we need to call a professional to come out and do the job for us.
I know that these emergency repairs often need to get done quickly, but it still pays to take time to choose the professionals who work on your house. Please beware of price gougers, who will raise their prices after a storm because they know how desperate people can become for repairs. Get at least 2 estimates for your repair.
At the top of the list. choose a contractor who you can TRUST. The last thing you want is to have a 400 dollar repair turn into a 4 thousand dollar replacement because a shoddy contractor ruined something.
I hope everyone out there reading this is safe. This is a trying time for a lot of people on the east coast. Know this, we will move forward, and we will build up bigger and better.
Be well
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Deck.....Be not Proud. Part 3
Welcome back my inquisitive readers! I apologize for the delay in my posting, but the busy season is upon us. OK, so here we are, part 3 in our deck series. So far you have learned about the different types of decking available to you, and now we have moved on, to railings. On the surface, railings seem like a pretty boring and straightforward aspect to your project, but trust me, nothing could be further from the truth.
There are some very appealing options for the homeowner looking for the perfect rail to compliment their deck. Pressure Treated, Cedar, and Vinyl Composite are the three most widely used railing options.
So lets dive right into it.
Pressure Treated Rails
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| Basic Pressure Treated Rails |
Pressure treated railings are the most common choice for the deck buying public. PT rails are readily available, economical and customizable. In terms of railings, these are going to put the smallest dent in your wallet. Perhaps the most convenient thing about PT rails is how easily they can be customized. Any respectable lumber dealer will have at least 2 options for pre fabricated PT Spindles. Also, if you have hired a talented and experienced deck builder, chances are he will be able to fabricate a rail to suit whatever your needs may be. Always keep in mind though, that with extra fabrication time, comes a premium charge. The one drawback with PT rails is the maintenance. Much like PT decks they will need staining at least every other year. However, if correctly maintained you will still get many many years of enjoyment out of them.
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| Example of Fabricated Colonial Rails |
Cedar Rails
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| An example of Cedar Rails we recently installed |
Cedar Rails are a little bit of an upgrade from traditional PT rails. While cedar shares many of the characteristics of PT (customizable, high maintenance etc) there are some differences. Generally Cedar is priced at a mild premium, and is a very affordable upgrade. What is great about cedar is its ability to take a satin. Generally cedar takes on stain color better than PT wood and requires a little less work for upkeep.
Vinyl Composite
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| An example of Xpanse Vinyl Composite rails with colonial spindles. |
For the homeowner looking for an upgraded rail selection I have to suggest a vinyl composite rail system. These rails have all the benefits of both vinyl and composite rails, without any of the weaknesses. They are like vampires that can walk around in the daytime. (corny? probably) One of the biggest drawbacks about going with a vinyl rail in the past is that they often cracked, they couldnt support anyone leaning on them, and they were creaky and noisy. With the advent of vinyl composite, these problems are a thing of the past. The core of these rails is crafted out of composite material and that is wrapped in vinyl. This process gives us a strong rail, that doesnt crack or creek. Another added feature is that many vinyl composite rails have as much as a 25 year warranty which protects the homeowner from any defect.
Well folks....there ya have it. Im not going to lie, there are other rail options out there, but for the sake of brevity I chose to highlight the most popular.
If anyone reading this has any questions or comments, feel free to post them.
Until next time.....
Friday, July 20, 2012
Deck....Be not Proud. Part 2
Well folks, we're back with part 2. I hope you enjoyed the first installment about the wonderful world of decking. It has already been established that both pressure treated wood and composite materials are good options for decking, BUT we aren't done yet. Today we will look at Cedar Decking, and Cellular PVC decking.
Cedar Decking
For quote some time cedar decks were going down in popularity, and not a lot of people were asking for them. However, this season has bucked that trend. We have been getting steady calls for cedar decking, and our wood supplier is barely able to meet their demand for cedar. This tells me that customers are looking to get a little bit more quality for their dollar. In terms of price, a cedar deck will be more than a basic pressure treated deck, and slightly less than a composite decking system.
Cedar Decking
For quote some time cedar decks were going down in popularity, and not a lot of people were asking for them. However, this season has bucked that trend. We have been getting steady calls for cedar decking, and our wood supplier is barely able to meet their demand for cedar. This tells me that customers are looking to get a little bit more quality for their dollar. In terms of price, a cedar deck will be more than a basic pressure treated deck, and slightly less than a composite decking system.
Above are Photos of an Expansive Cedar Deck we just completed
Cedar is an appealing choice for a consumer for 2 reasons. Firstly, It has a really classic rustic look, that will set your backyard haven apart from all the same plain old decks in your neighborhood. Your neighbors will truly be jealous of the distinctive look you can only get with cedar. Secondly, in comparison to pressure treated wood, cedar is much easier to maintain. Generally cedar takes a stain better than PT pine, and the stain will last longer. Please note that you do have to purchase a special stain that is designed to be put on cedar. Also, and I cant stress this enough, please make sure that your contractor knows the proper way to order cedar, and that he is purchasing it from a reputable lumber supply source. Make sure you are given cedar that does not have a "wane". A wane is a defect in the wood that diminishes both structural integrity, and the overall aesthetics. The wane is caused when the cedar is cut from the edge of the log. This is not a proper option for decking.
If you have been listening to my advice and hired a qualified and insured contractor, then he will most assuredly know to take this step.
Cellular PVC Decking
Cellular PVC decking is essentially the Taj Mahal of decks. With brands like Azek, Veka Deck, Royal Decking, and Dekorators, the consumer has the pick of the litter when finding a brand to go with. I really cant talk enough about the fine quality of cellular PVC decking. This product carries the best warranties, that last for the longest periods. This material is also completely warrantied against mold growth. Yes, you read that right, a cellular PVC deck will not grow mold. The reason for this is that there are no organic materials in the deck boards for mold to cultivate. There are a few drawbacks to this product, however. The first one being that you really wont be able to get a natural look out of this product. It will always look manufactured.
Some Examples of Cellular PVC decking.
The other fact to consider is cost. On average a cell PVC deck will cost anywhere from 25-50% more than a typical composite deck. Of course you are getting the added warranties, but that stark price difference is certainly worth noting. In my case the only time I build a cellular PVC deck for someone is if they ask for it specifically, and have been made aware of all other options.
Well fans, I have covered for common types of decking. I hope you got some valuable info from these last 2 posts. I encourage you to post comments with any questions, and they will be answered very quickly.
Next week will be part 3......RAILINGS.
Until next time.......
shameless plug : Schuster Construction Custom Decks
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Deck, Be not proud. Part 1
Happy Wednesday readers, and welcome to our next post. A 3 part series on..... DECKS. Sure we may be a little late in the season, but I'm sure some of you are looking to save some money by putting in a new deck during a down time in deck building.
The thing about decks is that the options are almost endless. There are so many different types of wood to use; cedar, pressure treated pine, dimensional pine, tropical woods, redwood, etc. If you are looking for a low maintenance deck you will choose between brands like Trex, Timbertech, Dekorators, and Moisture Shield. For those of you who want to go a step further with a cellular PVC maintenance free decking surface you can choose between AZEK, Aeratis, Veck-a-Deck, Royal, and countless other brands. And rails.....well there are even more rail choices then decking choices.
Because of this I'm going to narrow it down to 4 practical choices for someone who wants to build a solid long lasting deck.
1. Traditional Pressure Treated Deck.
2. Composite Deck with Vinyl Composite Rails.
3. Red Cedar Deck.
4. Cellular PVC Deck with Vinyl Composite Rails.
I will also highlight some new rail options that have been all the rage in decking this summer.
This is an example of a traditional Pressure Treated Pine Deck we recently built
That being said, If you are looking to save some up front money in building your deck then pressure treated wood is the way to go. However, there will be a yearly cost to maintain the deck with staining. Multiple years of this do add up. There is also a benefit in going with wooden rails in this application. By using Pine rails you can basically design any rail pattern you want. You are not restricted by available railing styles like you would find in Vinyl Rails.
This particular deck has a mission style rail with an incorporated lattice work top. That lattice is made from plastic, and is a very minimal upgrade, which gives a unique look. The flooring itself is laid in a diagonal pattern to give it a little character. You, of course can choose any pattern you wish for the floor, but know this, there will be an up-charge for labor if you choose an intricate floor design.
This is an example of an intricate Moisture Shield Composite Deck
A rising trend in the decking market has been composite decking. The lure of composite decking is the low maintenance aspect of the product. You never have to paint or stain a composite surface, and cleaning is a simple as hosing it down once a week or so. There are several composite brands on the market. Most people have heard of Trex. Trex is the oldest and most widely known maker of composite decking materiel. You may also be familiar with Timbertech. For my money, I always suggest installing Moisture shield decking. Moisture Shield is kind of new in the decking market but is quickly making a name for itself. Starting off, Moisture shield has a nice array of colors to choose from.
Moisture Shield Colors.
The thing about decks is that the options are almost endless. There are so many different types of wood to use; cedar, pressure treated pine, dimensional pine, tropical woods, redwood, etc. If you are looking for a low maintenance deck you will choose between brands like Trex, Timbertech, Dekorators, and Moisture Shield. For those of you who want to go a step further with a cellular PVC maintenance free decking surface you can choose between AZEK, Aeratis, Veck-a-Deck, Royal, and countless other brands. And rails.....well there are even more rail choices then decking choices.
Because of this I'm going to narrow it down to 4 practical choices for someone who wants to build a solid long lasting deck.
1. Traditional Pressure Treated Deck.
2. Composite Deck with Vinyl Composite Rails.
3. Red Cedar Deck.
4. Cellular PVC Deck with Vinyl Composite Rails.
I will also highlight some new rail options that have been all the rage in decking this summer.
We start with the old standard. Pressure treated Pine deck, with custom milled wooden rails. This particular option is the most traditional, and economical option for those looking to build a new deck. As of late there has been a large outcry against pressure treated lumber because it is treated with an arsenic solution. This particular concern is very over blown. The only time the arsenic could really be a problem is if your burned the deck, then rolled around in, while also inhaling the ashes. Something tells me you aren't planning on doing that.
That being said, If you are looking to save some up front money in building your deck then pressure treated wood is the way to go. However, there will be a yearly cost to maintain the deck with staining. Multiple years of this do add up. There is also a benefit in going with wooden rails in this application. By using Pine rails you can basically design any rail pattern you want. You are not restricted by available railing styles like you would find in Vinyl Rails.
This particular deck has a mission style rail with an incorporated lattice work top. That lattice is made from plastic, and is a very minimal upgrade, which gives a unique look. The flooring itself is laid in a diagonal pattern to give it a little character. You, of course can choose any pattern you wish for the floor, but know this, there will be an up-charge for labor if you choose an intricate floor design.
A rising trend in the decking market has been composite decking. The lure of composite decking is the low maintenance aspect of the product. You never have to paint or stain a composite surface, and cleaning is a simple as hosing it down once a week or so. There are several composite brands on the market. Most people have heard of Trex. Trex is the oldest and most widely known maker of composite decking materiel. You may also be familiar with Timbertech. For my money, I always suggest installing Moisture shield decking. Moisture Shield is kind of new in the decking market but is quickly making a name for itself. Starting off, Moisture shield has a nice array of colors to choose from.
The colors are very attractive, I must say. But I'm sure you're asking "Adam, why is moisture shield a better product?" Well fine reader I can answer that swiftly for you. Moisture Shield decking has a 25 year warranty against manufacturer defects (which is, of course, industry standard) What makes Moisture Shield special is its manufacturing process. In which the wood fibers which make up the composite material are heating to a flashing point which kill any organic organisms living inside of it. This prevents the decking from growing mold from within. With other products (yes, even Trex) mold will often form black spots on the decking surface. These spots are easily cleaned away, but they will always return because the spores live WITHIN the organic material in the deck. Another added feature is that Moisture Shield decking protects against ground moisture. Which means any moisture that could seep into boards from underneath, will not penetrate the surface. This feature is unique to Moisture Shield.
Application options are also endless. You have the same freedom that you would have with pressure treated wood, but with none of the maintenance. This convenience does come with a cost though. Composite decks can cost upwards of two times the amount of pressure treated decks. It is also important to make sure that your contractor is using proper installation techniques. Many manufacturers have standards that must be met with installation to ensure that the warranty goes into effect. If your contractor installs it wrong then you have no warranty. So remember to ASK QUESTIONS.
Well folks that's it for now. Be sure to tune in to part 2.
Monday, July 2, 2012
James Hardie Siding.....is it worth the expense?
Ive been dealing a lot with siding lately. It seems to me that an extraordinary amount of people have recently decided that the exteriors of their homes just don't look good anymore. Because of this I have been thrust into the ever confusing world of.......SIDING, and what product is best for my customers. There is no shortage of options. You have your vinyl siding, stucco siding, cedar shake siding, vinyl shake, clapboard, AND fiber cement (James Hardie). This begs me to ask the question: Which one is the best? In my opinion a nice cure all for the everymans siding woes would be some nice vinyl siding. However, if you want to take it to the next level, and ,make the best bet for your wallet, I have to rest my vote on James Hardie fiber cement siding.
Now I know what your thinking: "Gee Adam, that's a bold statement, why do you feel this way?" Well, Ill tell you why.
First of all James Hardie was just voted for the 7th year in a row, the #1 return on investment for your home based on 2011 fiscal numbers. James Hardie # 1
Another factor that is extremely important to a homeowner is the durability of the product. Is it going to last? You dont want to spend your hard earned money installing something on your home only to have to replace it again only 10 years later.
Hardie board is second to none in terms of durability and the scope of its warranty. Its 30 year warranty is an industry leader. It is impervious to both rot AND termites. And in terms of aesthetics it gives you that very elegant and classic natural wood look that is all the trend these days. But, as they say the proof is in the pudding......so please view the warranty and features for yourself: Hardie Features.
All of this info about return on investment, and product features is all well and good....BUT, how does it look?
Honestly, it looks great you have a great color pallet to choose from. Once you have chosen your color you can really turn your home into a beautiful work of art. The examples above show how easily you can get that classic look for the exterior of your home.
So you have chosen your product. How do you go about choosing the contractor to do this job for you? Well, first you find one that actually installs Hardie Board. Because this is a very difficult product to work with, not every company out there has the capabilities to install it.
First thing. Go ahead and check with the BBB, they can give you a good gauge as to whether a contractor is even worth calling.
Once you have narrowed it down to a list of contractors with nothing lower than an A+ rating you then begin calling to receive your "estimates"
Personally, I hate the word estimate, I think a customer should expect to get the correct price out of a contractor, not a "ballpark guess"
When meeting with contractors make sure the act in a professional manner, and ask you pertinent questions. Be clear about what you want, and dont let someone push you into something else before you have made an informed decision.
The professional contractor will do more listening then talking. He will bend over backwards to make sure that he delivers the product that you expect. Be sure to read customer testimonials to gauge how they treat customers during the post sale process.
Most importantly, make sure that the contractor is someone you feel comfortable working with. If you have a bad feeling about them, then it is probably the right feeling.
Well, I hope this helped. Untill next time.......
shameless plug: Schuster Construction LLC
Now I know what your thinking: "Gee Adam, that's a bold statement, why do you feel this way?" Well, Ill tell you why.
First of all James Hardie was just voted for the 7th year in a row, the #1 return on investment for your home based on 2011 fiscal numbers. James Hardie # 1
Another factor that is extremely important to a homeowner is the durability of the product. Is it going to last? You dont want to spend your hard earned money installing something on your home only to have to replace it again only 10 years later.
Hardie board is second to none in terms of durability and the scope of its warranty. Its 30 year warranty is an industry leader. It is impervious to both rot AND termites. And in terms of aesthetics it gives you that very elegant and classic natural wood look that is all the trend these days. But, as they say the proof is in the pudding......so please view the warranty and features for yourself: Hardie Features.
All of this info about return on investment, and product features is all well and good....BUT, how does it look?
So you have chosen your product. How do you go about choosing the contractor to do this job for you? Well, first you find one that actually installs Hardie Board. Because this is a very difficult product to work with, not every company out there has the capabilities to install it.
First thing. Go ahead and check with the BBB, they can give you a good gauge as to whether a contractor is even worth calling.
Once you have narrowed it down to a list of contractors with nothing lower than an A+ rating you then begin calling to receive your "estimates"
Personally, I hate the word estimate, I think a customer should expect to get the correct price out of a contractor, not a "ballpark guess"
When meeting with contractors make sure the act in a professional manner, and ask you pertinent questions. Be clear about what you want, and dont let someone push you into something else before you have made an informed decision.
The professional contractor will do more listening then talking. He will bend over backwards to make sure that he delivers the product that you expect. Be sure to read customer testimonials to gauge how they treat customers during the post sale process.
Most importantly, make sure that the contractor is someone you feel comfortable working with. If you have a bad feeling about them, then it is probably the right feeling.
Well, I hope this helped. Untill next time.......
shameless plug: Schuster Construction LLC
Friday, June 29, 2012
It Begins.....
I have put some major thought into this blog before starting it. There are tons of "home improvement" blogs all over the web. The thing about all these blogs is that almost all of them are dedicated to the "do it yourself" crowd. What about all the rest of us who lack the skill or the desire to undertake a project on our own?. What about the person who wants to find the right contractor to undertake their project? Where do they go? Sure they can go to the BBB, but they wont find any product info there, just an arbitrary rating system for various businesses.
My goal for this blog is simple. I want to discuss seasonal projects, trendy projects, or just plan old boring projects, and the best way to go about getting them done right for you, the customer.
I will discuss various products and there benefits/drawbacks.
I will also go into various installation methods as well as the pros and cons for each.
I will admit that I am not an unbiased source. i do in fact work as a sales manager for a construction company. I however did not grow up in this industry and am in many ways still learning about it. In terms of that, I hope we can learn together.
Enjoy the ride.
Shameless plug alert!
check out my company's website Schuster Construction LLC.
My goal for this blog is simple. I want to discuss seasonal projects, trendy projects, or just plan old boring projects, and the best way to go about getting them done right for you, the customer.
I will discuss various products and there benefits/drawbacks.
I will also go into various installation methods as well as the pros and cons for each.
I will admit that I am not an unbiased source. i do in fact work as a sales manager for a construction company. I however did not grow up in this industry and am in many ways still learning about it. In terms of that, I hope we can learn together.
Enjoy the ride.
Shameless plug alert!
check out my company's website Schuster Construction LLC.
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