Posts filed under 'Home Improvement'
By Michael Purser
How many times can a wood floor be sanded? There seems to be universal agreement that the magic number is three and that could spell problems for any house built before the 1950s. After the original sanding when the house was built, many homes got their second sanding during the ’70s and ’80s when wall to wall carpet fell out of favor with homeowners. This means that any more sanding from that point on can be the final one with few options to consider. For the last 35 years, most of my work has been on old floors and I think I can provide you some insight.
What do you look for?
These tw
o pictures help explain some warning signs. Most floors are tongue and groove and fit together like a puzzle and are secured to the subfloor with hidden nails. After repeated sanding, you will begin to see the nail heads as in the photo at left. The shiny objects above t
he pencil are nail heads. Continued loss of wood will eventually lead to splitting as in the photo at right. Needless to say, this is what I call a high risk floor.
What are your alternatives?
An excellent option to avoid sanding wood floors refinished within the last 25-30 years is recoating. Recoating is basically a cosmetic procedure that involves a thorough cleaning and prep before applying finish to the surface. As long as the floor has never been waxed with paste or acrylic waxes, it should be a candidate. Many contractors offer a “screen and recoat” as an option but this has a higher risk than using safe and environmentally responsible cleaners to prep the floor prior to applying new finish. I recommend this approach along with two applications of waterborne polyurethane for the best results.
If sanding is the only option on an old floor, homeowners better check out their flooring contractor carefully. You want to make sure the contractor has extensive experience working on older, at risk floors. Turning a crew loose in an old house that is accustomed to sanding new wood floors can be an expensive and heartbreaking lesson. Experienced flooring contractors avoid excessively coarse sanding, which removes more wood than old finish, and often have secondary sanders for the fine sanding. They understand the risk of removing too much wood and know how to avoid this costly mistake. This approach will usually require more time, patience and is more costly. But compared to replacing a ruined floor, it is a bargain.
As any real estate agent will tell you, a wood floor is a very valuable asset to an old home. You want to enjoy it and benefit from its enhancing the beauty and value of your home. Treat it like the investment that it is and you avoid a lot of problems.
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(Michael Purser is owner of the Rosebud Co. and has been a wood flooring contractor in the older neighborhoods of Atlanta since 1973. For more information about Rosebud Co., visit www.rosebudfloors.com.)
December 13th, 2008
By Michael Purser
Rosebud Co.
With the economic instability we are currently experiencing, homeowners are showing an interest in alternative approaches to refurbishing and caring for their wood floors. Recoating is proving itself as a high value an economically practical option. This is an ideal way of upgrading the look and value of your home without the chaos or traditional refinishing. It is environmentally responsible, dustless and has a very rapid turn around time. Compatible with fully occupied house and families with active lifestyles recoating has proven itself to be very successful in “staging� homes for resell. It is also ideal for engineered or prefinished floors with tough original factory applied coatings that are in bad need of repair. Recoating is the perfect complement to Rosebud Co.’s services that preserve and protect floors without sacrificing excessive amounts of wood.
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Understanding Recoating: When, Why & How
Are your wood floors experiencing a bit of a mid-life crisis? Are they showing signs of “finish fatigue� after being refinished some 10-25 years ago? Is there a duller look and do you see a chalky appearance where the chairs sit around the breakfast table? Are there visual reminders of where the children and pets used to play? Is the infamous “kitchen triangle� looking more like a hiking path? Was the group of workers trudging through your house in the last remodeling project the last straw? Sound familiar? Recoating your wood floors just might be the option for you. Here are the basics of recoating to help you make an informed decision.
Recoating is exactly what it sounds like: an application of new finish over the older, ailing finish. It can be done quickly, cleanly (absolutely no dust) and is reasonably priced. My prices start at $1.65 per square foot — 55 to 75% less than my sanding and refinishing cost. You may still see water damage, deep scratches, gouges and indentations but they will blend in better and the original color and luster will be restored. Recoating is not a process that removes old paint nor is it recommended for floors maintained with either paste or acrylic waxes.
The key to successful recoating is the preparation prior to applying finish. It is critical that the floor is thoroughly cleaned before any applications of finish. Cleaning is with chemicals specifically formulated to remove the type of contaminants found on wood floors. The old finish is scrubbed with these cleaners to loosen up dirt, grime and other products that have collected on the surface. This cleaning ensures that the new finish will properly bond and adhere to the old finish.
After all the liquid cleaners have been removed, the floor is allowed to dry overnight. Next, you may use a synthetic pad to buff the floor or a chemical bonding agent for the final prep. The floors are carefully vacuumed and are now ready for an application of finish. High use areas (kitchen, hall or family room) get multiple applications for additional protection.
I work with waterborne polyurethanes finishes only. These environmentally responsible coatings are tough, durable and easy to maintain. They are expensive but worth the money. You avoid noxious vapors and get superior protection. I have dozens and dozens of satisfied clients who will vouch for these products.
Recoating enhances the beauty of a home, extends the life of the finish for many years and does it economically, efficiently and with environmentally responsible products. It has proven extremely effective in helping to present a home to buyers and a low cost alternative to sanding for new owners. I have a 100 percent success record with this process and will provide you references to a growing list of satisfied clients.
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(Since 1973, Michael Purser has been the owner of Rosebud Co. When people ask him how he ended up in the wood flooring business, he tells them he is a product of genetic engineering. His father, William B. Purser of Charlotte, N.C., started in the business in 1946. So, like his two brothers, he grew up around the trade. Originally from Charlotte, Michael grew up around the wood flooring trade and started his own company in Inman Park, one of Atlanta’s oldest inner city neighborhoods. These 100+ year old homes had been neglected and abused for decades and became the focal point of the rebirth of Atlanta’s old and original tree lined suburbs His interest in older homes prompted him to research and write about traditional methods and products used in refinishing wood floors over the ages. He has gone on to write articles, papers and make presentations for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Association for Preservation Technology, Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and other preservation groups. He has also become involved with contemporary wood floor products and materials and has written extensively for Fine Homebuilding and The Journal of Light Construction. He has continued to work in the preservation field and has pioneered Passive Refinishing®, a unique process that allows for the restoration of wood floors without sanding. More information is available about Michael and Rosebud Co. on the internet at www.rosebudfloors.com, or you may contact him directly at mpurser@rosebudfloors.com.)
January 31st, 2008
By Michael Purser
Rosebud Co.
Engineered wood flooring is the hottest and fastest growing segment of the wood flooring industry. Formerly called “prefinished�, this rapidly expanding selection is not only large, it can be confusing and intimidating to wade into if you don’t know what to look for. Let me highlight a few differences, point out some of the pluses/minuses and give you a sense of direction before you head into a showroom.
Categories
Engineered wood floors usually come in three varieties; solid, veneer and laminate. The solid is just that; a solid piece that has all the stain and/or finish already applied to the surface. The veneer is a thin layer (from 1/32nd of an inch all the way to 3/8 of an inch) of any one of a variety of species of wood that is over a plywood-like surface. The plywood-like surface is called the “core� and has layers of alternating direction plys that give the whole piece very good stability in terms of warping, shrinking or expanding. Laminated products are typically a photographic reproduction of wood on a high density fiber (HDF) backing. It will have the thinnest wear layer of the three categories.
Pluses
There are a multitude of pluses with engineered flooring. First and foremost is that the majority only require installation. There is no sanding or finishing involved. This eliminates the time needed to install a regular wood floor, sand and finish it and then have the coatings dry and cure. It also eliminates the collateral side effects; most notably the dust and vapors of the sanding and the finish.
Another big bonus is that products mounted on the plywood like “core� have far more stability than a solid piece of flooring material. This enhanced stability means that the wood if far less likely to expand and contract resulting in warping, cracking, splitting, cupping or buckling of the product. This would be a prime consideration where there was any moisture or heat related issue that might affect the wood. Basements, concrete slabs, kitchens and radiant heating are just a few instances where the directional stability of the wood will be critical over extended periods of time. You should also be mindful of homes that are occupied seasonally (vacation homes, second homes) as the interior environment might not be as stable as it should be.
Another factor to consider is that engineered products offer a wide variety of stains, finishes and milling options to select from. Finishes and stains applied in the controlled environment of a factory are usually very color stable, tough and very durable. This translates into very good quality control and often eliminates problems that would occur from on site sanding and finishing.
Minuses
One primary concern with engineered floors has to do with sanding or refurbishing them after extended use and wear. The number of times it can be sanded will depend on the thickness of the wear layer. Industry experts suggest that you remove 1/32nd of wood per sanding. With over 35 years experience in this work, I strongly disagree. You might remove 1/32nd under lab conditions but that is rarely how it is done in real life. If you are looking at a wood floor as a permanent fixture of the house and anticipate it will need to be refinished, I recommend no less than one sixteenth of an inch (or 1.5 mm) in thickness. You cannot assume that the floor is going to be perfectly flat or that the super hard finishes will sand off easily — they don’t. And due to height variations and a much more aggressive sanding, you can rest assured you will be losing more than you would in a lab situation.
Options
As far as refurbishing the surface, the news is very good. And by refurbishing I mean restoring luster to the surface after years of wear. Recoating an engineered product has been made easier due to a couple of manufacturers who produce bonding agents to be used in preparing the floors for recoating. These bonding agents are an absolute must for the super hard finishes that are factory applied. Conventional screening of the floors is not enough to create a good bond between the old finish and the new finish going down. What this translates into is that recoating an engineered product with a surface coating can be done but it better be done properly or it will fail. Basic Coatings and BonaKemi are the only two manufacturers of cleaners and prepping materials that include a bonding agent. Basic Coating’s product is called TyKote and BonaKemi’s product is called Prep. You would be penny wise and pound foolish to try and skip either of these company’s tried and testing recoating systems.
Anyone who is looking for what guidance or advice to follow in looking selecting an engineered flooring product need only consider this; your wood floor is one of the most permanent and valuable surfaces in your house. Treat it like the investment it is and you will rarely make any mistakes. I have worked in houses well over a hundred years old and the wood floors are often the only original surface still intact. That is a remarkable thing to consider. Don’t try and cut corners and do your homework. There are remarkable investments out there and it is just a matte doing the due diligence to get what you want.
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(Since 1973, Michael Purser has been the owner of Rosebud Co. When people ask him how he ended up in the wood flooring business, he tells them he is a product of genetic engineering. His father, William B. Purser of Charlotte, N.C., started in the business in 1946. So, like his two brothers, he grew up around the trade. Originally from Charlotte, Michael grew up around the wood flooring trade and started his own company in Inman Park, one of Atlanta’s oldest inner city neighborhoods. These 100+ year old homes had been neglected and abused for decades and became the focal point of the rebirth of Atlanta’s old and original tree lined suburbs His interest in older homes prompted him to research and write about traditional methods and products used in refinishing wood floors over the ages. He has gone on to write articles, papers and make presentations for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Association for Preservation Technology, Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and other preservation groups. He has also become involved with contemporary wood floor products and materials and has written extensively for Fine Homebuilding and The Journal of Light Construction. He has continued to work in the preservation field and has pioneered Passive Refinishing®, a unique process that allows for the restoration of wood floors without sanding. More information is available about Michael and Rosebud Co. on the internet at www.rosebudfloors.com, or you may contact him directly at mpurser@rosebudfloors.com.)
July 21st, 2007
By Michael Purser
Rosebud Co.
The last 20 years have seen some dramatic changes in products for finishing wood floors. At the top of this list are waterborne polyurethanes. These finishes provide superior performance, are easily maintained and provide homeowners better options than ever before. For these reasons, I am recommending and using waterborne urethanes over all my work. It has been on my own floors for over ten years and I wouldn’t consider any other product.
Many homeowners have either never heard of this product or have gotten mixed messages about its quality. Let me give you a little background information.
What originally caught my attention about waterborne urethanes was the performance I saw on my own kitchen floors when my daughter (now a teenager) was about 18 months old. It took everything she threw and poured on it and proved to be very easy to clean and renew. As I began using waterborne finishes in more demanding situations (kitchens, breakfast rooms, houses with young children, pets, etc.) I continued to be very impressed by the products performance. The list of benefits is long and is getting longer:
• More durability and the ability to hide abrasion.
• Specific cleaning products making maintenance and care easier.
• Color stability to reduce ambering and discoloration.
• Faster drying and curing times. Projects are completed much quicker.
• User friendly solvents to avoid the choking and annoying vapors of mineral spirits, alcohol and toluene. This not only makes for a more tolerable work site, it also eliminates environmental and physically hazardous vapors, odors and flammable products.
• The ability to recoat over itself and other coatings if necessary after extended use.
As enthusiastic as I am about waterborne urethanes, my feelings are not shared by all of my competitors. Waterbornes are difficult to work with, expensive and mistakes are difficult to correct. A lot of contractors simply don’t want to pay $90/gallon for a product they don’t feel comfortable working with. I can appreciate that but I can also identify with a homeowner who wants to gain the benefits waterborne products offer. I mentioned that I have waterborne on my own floors and I also go back and check to see how well it is holding up on older work where I used it. I have no qualms about recommending it and will be happy to put you in touch with satisfied clients who are experiencing the benefits of these superior coatings.
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(Since 1973, Michael Purser has been the owner of Rosebud Co. When people ask him how he ended up in the wood flooring business, he tells them he is a product of genetic engineering. His father, William B. Purser of Charlotte, N.C., started in the business in 1946. So, like his two brothers, he grew up around the trade. Originally from Charlotte, Michael grew up around the wood flooring trade and started his own company in Inman Park, one of Atlanta’s oldest inner city neighborhoods. These 100+ year old homes had been neglected and abused for decades and became the focal point of the rebirth of Atlanta’s old and original tree lined suburbs His interest in older homes prompted him to research and write about traditional methods and products used in refinishing wood floors over the ages. He has gone on to write articles, papers and make presentations for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Association for Preservation Technology, Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and other preservation groups. He has also become involved with contemporary wood floor products and materials and has written extensively for Fine Homebuilding and The Journal of Light Construction. He has continued to work in the preservation field and has pioneered Passive Refinishing®, a unique process that allows for the restoration of wood floors without sanding. More information is available about Michael and Rosebud Co. on the internet at www.rosebudfloors.com, or you may contact him directly at mpurser@rosebudfloors.com.)
July 1st, 2007
By Michael Purser
Rosebud Co.
If you are a wood floor contractor and working on an older home you get accu
stomed to a frequently asked question: “How many more times can my floor be sanded?� Thirty years ago, the question might not have been considered too important. That is not the case today. With the increased popularity of wood floors and how much they appreciate the value of a home, homeowners are going to greater lengths to keep their floors in top notch shape. And this is taking a toll.
When do you know?
The most often repeated answer to the “how many times� question is that a floor can be sanded three times. But that is not telling you a lot if you haven’t owned the house the whole time. What I have found gives a homeowner a better indicator to measure by is the age of the house. The younger the house, the less likely it exceeds the magic number of three. More specifically, I use 1950 as the all important time line. Anything built around 1950 or before has usually experienced multiple wood floor refinishing projects. As you would expect, as you regress in time (houses built in the 1940s, 1930s, 1920s and so on) you can almost be assured that your wood floors are at serious risk of not being able to endure any more sanding at all. Homes built in the 19th century would be even at greater risk. Homeowners whose homes are 80+ years or older should exercise extreme caution and make sure that any wood floor contractor they consider has a high level of experience working on older homes. You don’t want to find out after they start that they are lacking this experience.
What to look for?
Knowing the age of the home is a good starting point but there are other ways of double checking how much wood you have left. One of the first things you will see with most tongue and groove floors are the tips of the nails securing the flooring to 
the subfloor. In this picture, just above the pencil is a line of shiny objects. These objects are the tips of the nail used to secure the flooring to the sub-floor. Notice that the row of nail heads are at a 90 degree angle to the direction the wood is installed. At the time of the original installation, these nails were well below the surface of the floor and not visible. But the loss of wood from repeated aggressive sanding has exposed them and they are bright because of the sanding process. This floor is about 90 years old. The wood in this photo is pine and has probably been refinished a total of four times.
Another very obvious sign is when the wood splits along the parallel seams following the direction of the wood. This split happens when the wood has become so thin that even small am
ounts of pressure cause the wood to break. This pressure would come from furniture, musical instruments, high heels and simple walking patterns of the residents. In this photo you can see that the break exposes a large gaping hole. You are looking at the actual tongue and groove configuration used to fit the pieces of wood together. At this point, the damage is catastrophic and the floor is ruined. If a homeowner wants a sturdy and structurally strong floor, the owner will need to replace this floor with a new one. This project had numerous other failures like this. Homeowners often ask that these cavities be fill with a wood filler but this will not provide a permanent solution and the wood filler will eventually crack and disintegrate.
Now What?
Replacing an old wood floor is very costly and extremely invasive to your home and your lifestyle. You really want to be diligent to avoid inheriting a floor that needs to be replaced or losing one with a well intentioned refinishing project. The most important point here is to detect the warning signs before you see the wood splitting. Most old floors still have a very useful life and can provide decades of service. Most can still be refinished but not in the traditional manner. Homeowners really need to make sure they exercise caution in selecting a contractor and find one that has plenty of experience working on older wood floors. Most contractors are taught to attack a floor with aggressive and coarse sanding as this is the most time efficient way of completing the work. The excessive loss of wood always occurs as a result of aggressive sanding. Fortunately there are techniques and equipment available that dramatically reduce the amount of wood lost during the sanding process. The focus is on removing just the old finish and little, if anything, else. This approach will typically take more time and require a more skilled worker so be prepared to pay more but it beats having to install a new wood floor.
In summary, wood floors in any older home represent a significant and sizable asset. It is one of the reasons people covet these older structures and you don’t want to the owner who finds out they are at risk of losing this asset. Do your homework before you start a wood floor project. Look for the signs I have pointed out in terms of wear, erosion and damage. But your best insurance is simply finding a contractor who has the track record to take on the project in the first place. They know what to look for and have a better idea of how to handle the situation. This is no time to be betting on a lower price or cheaper work.
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(Since 1973, Michael Purser has been the owner of Rosebud Co. When people ask him how he ended up in the wood flooring business, he tells them he is a product of genetic engineering. His father, William B. Purser of Charlotte, N.C., started in the business in 1946. So, like his two brothers, he grew up around the trade. Originally from Charlotte, Michael grew up around the wood flooring trade and started his own company in Inman Park, one of Atlanta’s oldest inner city neighborhoods. These 100+ year old homes had been neglected and abused for decades and became the focal point of the rebirth of Atlanta’s old and original tree lined suburbs His interest in older homes prompted him to research and write about traditional methods and products used in refinishing wood floors over the ages. He has gone on to write articles, papers and make presentations for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Association for Preservation Technology, Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and other preservation groups. He has also become involved with contemporary wood floor products and materials and has written extensively for Fine Homebuilding and The Journal of Light Construction. He has continued to work in the preservation field and has pioneered Passive Refinishing®, a unique process that allows for the restoration of wood floors without sanding. More information is available about Michael and Rosebud Co. on the internet at www.rosebudfloors.com, or you may contact him directly at mpurser@rosebudfloors.com.)
June 18th, 2007
By Sandy Boda, Executive Officer
Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia
It may be 2006 to most people, but for the tech-savvy homeowner, the future is now. Structured wiring, advanced home security systems, and media rooms are transporting home technology, and homeowners, into the future.
One popular trend in new homes is structured wiring. Structured wiring can incorporate phone lines, Broadband Internet connections and cable television into a single outlet. According to a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) builder survey, 39 percent of new American homes built in 2005 included structured wiring. Structured wiring begins with the installation of a central distribution panel, into which all technology services, including cable TV, phone lines, and Internet connections, are tied. From this central panel, cable extends to different rooms in the house. Structured wiring allows multiple computers throughout the home to network with each other, as well as supporting multiple incoming phone lines, a great solution for larger families.
High-tech homeowners are finding thrills in the latest security systems as well. Motion detectors and glass-break monitors have been standard features for a while, but high-tech security systems do more than simply alert the homeowner to a potential break-in. Some include advanced features such as closed circuit television allowing the homeowner to monitor various areas of the property through a set of discreet cameras.
Wireless backup, in case your landline is out, is another popular new trend in home security systems. With wireless backup, emergency calls can be placed by the security system without a landline.
Other systems allow the homeowner to control everything in the house from another location. Imagine being able to turn your lights on and adjust your thermostat so your home is exactly how you like it when you arrive home from work. Some of today’s new homes allow the homeowner to do just that, and more, by predicting their routine and adapting accordingly. These “smart� homes allow the resident to control just about everything through remote controls and other wireless devices or a control panel with settings personalized for different family members’ preferences. While most homes contain a various of systems and devices—security alarms, central heating, water, television, lighting—that run in isolation from each other, in smart homes, these systems and devices are interconnected and communicate with each other.
Another room getting a high-tech makeover is the media room. According to NAHB, 10 percent of new homes are built with a designated media room. With careful planning, however, just about any home can have one. And while they generally include a television and sound system, high-tech media rooms are only limited by your imagination. Enhanced video gaming, in-home theatre systems, wireless Internet, digital sound systems and more can become part of an integrated media room with the use of high-capacity, high-grade wiring and cable.
While bringing your home into the high-tech future is really only restrained by your imagination and your budget, it is essential to consider the builder/remodeler you select for your upgrades. According to TechHomes.com, good home builders realize that home technology can be used to dramatically improve the homeowner’s lifestyle. From the latest in building materials to energy-saving green construction to home theaters and home automation, tech-savvy home builders embrace new trends in building processes and home technology.
The builder works with the homebuyer to determine their lifestyle needs and uses technologies to enhance that lifestyle. They don’t simply offer “option packages A, B or C… take it or leave it.” They ask questions like: Does your family often listen to music? What kind of home theater or media room do you envision? Are you aware of the benefits of new trends such as central vacuum systems and radiant floor heating? They use this consultative process to tailor your home to fit your family’s lifestyle.
Home technology, especially in the area of electronics, changes on a rapid basis. What was innovative or even the standard a year ago may not be so today. A good home builder knows when his expertise is stretched. Many builders create relationships with home technology integrators, installers and designers and rely on these companies to stay current on new trends. Part of being a tech-savvy builder is creating these trusted relationships and knowing when to bring in additional experts.
For more information on new home technology or to find a tech-savvy builder, visit www.nahb.org or contact your local home builders’ association at [insert contact information]. To sign up for NAHB’s free consumer e-newsletter, visit www.nahb.org/housekeys.
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(Sandra J. (Sandy) Boda is executive officer of the 650-member Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, and she is also serving as president of the Georgia Executive Council (GEOC) for the Home Builders Association of Georgia for the 2005-2006 year. As executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia since December 2001, she coordinates the association-related activities of HBA members in 10 counties , including Butts, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Jasper, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, and Upson. )
October 8th, 2006
By Sandy Boda, Executive Officer
Ho
me Builders Association of Midwest Georgia
As high school graduates head to their first year at university and college graduates leave the nest, many parents are finding a bit more breathing room in the family home. Maybe a bedroom in your home has opened up and is ready for repurposing. Imagine the possibilities: Your newly emptied bedroom could become a den, a library, or even a media room.
One of the most popular ways to keep that now-free room functional is to create a home office. With solid planning, it is possible to create a home workspace that you will actually want to work in, whether it is a comfortable, organized space to pay household bills or the headquarters for your home-based business.
In fact, many homeowners need a place to work from home occasionally. A growing number of organizations allow their workers to telecommute and, according to Gopal Ahluwalia, an economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 12 million houses nationwide have a dedicated home office space. Telecommuters can enjoy the perks of a dedicated home office too.
According to Ray Accettella, a professional remodeler and president of Jarro Building Industries in Long Island, N.Y., the majority of his home office remodeling projects are dedicated offices that cost between $24,000-$30,000. The price however, depends wholly on the office’s purpose and how extensive the renovations are. Many of Accettella’s clients want additions for an office space and include bathrooms and sound boards to keep the space quiet.
Whether you are turning that now-empty bedroom into a home office or adding on, keep the following information in mind.
Begin with a floor plan. Get some graph paper and draw the setup you want. On paper, you can move elements around a number of times until you find the fit that is right for you.
Remember to include the locations of electrical outlets, phone jacks and other hookups in this planning stage. There are also computer software programs available if you prefer a mouse to a pencil.
This can be a good time to list what you have and what you need to make your design a reality. Keep in mind that you may be able to find some things around the house, while others will require a purchase.
While the office can be as simple or high-tech as you like, there are several basics for every home workspace. A table or desk you can work at is a must-have. In addition, a comfortable chair that fits with your desk or table is important. Comfort is key in selecting these basics. A lamp is essential if you work at night or the lighting in the room isn’t sufficient.
Organization is important in making your office run efficiently. Desk organizers to hold pens, pencils, paper clips and other office supplies are great and help cut down on desktop clutter. Filing cabinets are helpful to keep track of important paperwork, and they come in many sizes. If you start out organized, you are more likely to stay organized.
Chances are, you own a home computer. But are you satisfied with its performance? While creating your workspace, you may want to consider a second computer specifically for the office. Employees at your local computer store can help you find a computer that fits your needs and budget. They can also help you select the best software for your office tasks.
Make sure that you can connect to the Internet from your chosen room. Most likely your local phone company as well as a wide array of other service providers offer multiple Internet options for you. Shop around until you find one that fits your needs and budget.
The addition of a second phone line may also be considered, especially if you work from home. It can be a great way to stay in contact with business colleagues.
Remember, even though it is a workspace, your office should reflect your personal taste. If there is a certain type of décor you like, use it in your office. Paintings and photographs can add a personal touch to a home work space as well. A bulletin board or a small chalkboard also can be useful for posting important information or essential telephone numbers and mail addresses.
Don’t feel pressured to buy everything for your office all at once. Get the room set up and try working in it for a while. The more time you spend in your office, the more you will realize what you need to make it function better. Creating a home office can be a great way to maximize your newly created space. Office supply stores can be a great resource, as can many furniture stores, in finding what you need to get started. With thoughtful planning, you can count on a functional and comfortable home workspace.
For more information about remodeling and reinventing rooms in your home, contact your local builders association or visit NAHB at HYPERLINK “http://www.nahb.org/forconsumers” www.nahb.org/forconsumers. To sign up for NAHB’s free consumer e-newsletter for all things home, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.nahb.org/housekeys” www.nahb.org/housekeys.
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(Sandra J. (Sandy) Boda is executive officer of the 650-member Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, and she is also serving as president of the Georgia Executive Council (GEOC) for the Home Builders Association of Georgia for the 2005-2006 year. As executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia since December 2001, she coordinates the association-related activities of HBA members in 10 counties - Butts, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Jasper, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, and Upson. Sandy has been active in the Georgia Executive Officer Council since 2002. She received the nationally certified “100 Hour Designation� in 2003 for successfully completing a proscribed course of study for HBA executive officers. She has served on three national HBA committees: seminar, sponsorship and membership services. This year, she is chairing the sponsorship committee, which will be responsible for raising $200,000 to further the education opportunities of association executive officers nationwide. A native of Ohio, Sandy has been a resident of Fayette County since 1978.)
September 7th, 2006
By Jeff Waddle,
President, Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia
As t
he temperatures rise outside, a refreshing dip in the backyard pool heightens its appeal. Homeowners nationwide have begun pulling off pool covers, checking filters and preparing for endless hours relaxing in the warm summer sun. To ensure your time spent outdoors is a splash, follow these simple tips on “summerizing” your pool.
First things first — remove the pool cover. Once it’s been removed, clean it thoroughly and allow it to fully dry before folding and storing it for the summer. This will prevent mildew from building up.
Chances are, it’s been a long time since you last took a swim. So make sure to clean the pool and pool area completely before jumping in. A net and leaf skimmer will come in handy for this task. Replace any expired chemicals before adding them to the water. Restart the circulation equipment and be sure the pool’s water chemistry is balanced. It’s a good idea to ensure the chemicals are stabilizing frequently for the first several days. At this time, a high quality algaecide also should be added to the water. Bring the water level back to normal and pump off any excess rainwater that may have built up over the dormant seasons.
Return circuit breakers and switches to their normal operating positions. Be certain that all the necessary wiring is connected and there are no leaks or drips around the electrical system. Items that have been removed, such as the filter and the pump, should be reassembled and reinstalled. Ladders and deck fittings must be reinstalled as well. Remember to lubricate any bolts in the ladders and deck fittings to prevent them from rusting during the swim season. Lubricating bolts now will make it easier to take them out when summer comes to a close.
Finally, wait at least 24 hours before going swimming. Be sure to retest the water and do not swim until the chlorine level is under 2.0 ppm (parts per million).
Before anyone gets in the pool, make sure a list of rules and emergency numbers is posted in the pool area. A small chalkboard can be a stylish and sensible way to inform your guests of how to stay safe in the water. Finally, keep necessary lifesaving equipment in the pool area, just in case.
By taking the necessary steps to prepare your pool for the summer, you can count on a fun-filled time in the sun all season long!
For more information on summer home maintenance and other consumer information, contact your local home builders association or visit www.NAHB.org/forconsumers.
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(Jeff Waddle, who is with David Weekley Homes, is 2005-’06 president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 650 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Meriwether, Heard, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper Counties. The Midwest Georgia association can be contacted by calling 770-716-7109 or at hbamwg@bellsouth.net. Formerly Southeast project manager for David Weekley Homes, Jeff became the company’s senior manager for Hilton Head/Savannah in February of this year.)
July 6th, 2006
By Jeff Waddle, President
Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia
With the great weather we’ve been having, there are plenty of reasons to gather together with friends and family to enjoy the great outdoors. A new deck or patio can be the perfect gathering place, adding a new dimension to your yard and creating space that you didn’t even know you had. A well-planned outdoor living space can become a homeowner’s backyard getaway, but the wrong deck or patio can end up as unused dead space. Keep the following in mind and in no time you’ll find yourself enjoying the sunshine from your outdoor retreat.
When deciding on whether you’d like your new outdoor haven to be a patio or deck, first do some research. Some areas have building codes or terrains that dictate one or the other. Your local home builders association can be a good source of information. What kind of budget are you looking at? Decks can be a more affordable option than patios, but concrete, while more expensive, tends to be the sturdiest material with the lowest maintenance needs.
Several factors can determine whether a deck or patio is best for you. How much weight does your space need to hold? If you are considering a huge Jacuzzi tub, a patio might support its weight better. What about climate? Will the surface become too hot to walk on during summer’s peak? Does rain or snow create runoff problems on a flat patio surface? If you have a rough backyard terrain, a raised deck may end up your best choice instead of expensive excavation for patios. Through books and magazines, determine what kind of space and design you want.
Once you’ve determined whether a deck or patio is best for your home, the possibilities are endless. For homeowners on a budget, Tim Taylor, owner of Landscape Creations in Johnson City, Tenn., suggests a sand and stone or brick patio. Stone, brick and concrete pavers are available in a range of styles and colors and are durable. Remember that site preparation is important for drainage, grade and proper placement, and it can be a lot of work for the Do-It-Yourselfer. Weeds also can pose more of a problem with patios. When in doubt, leave it to a professional with the experience, not to mention equipment, you need.
“Flagstone and concrete patios also are popular among homeowners,” Taylor said. “Remember to allow for expansion, however, in order to prevent cracking.” Cracking in concrete is inevitable, but it can be minimized with the proper installation. If you dislike dirt or have pets, consider a raised deck. Remnants from sand and stone patios easily find their ways into clean houses. A raised deck also may work as a better option for low-lying yards that tend to become soggy when it rains.
Most decks are made of wood, ranging from pressure-treated pine and fir to more durable - and pricey - woods such as red cedar, redwoods and tropical hardwoods. No matter what the type, wood decks require maintenance and even then, with less expensive woods, swelling and warping will still occur over time. To reduce the amount of maintenance required, consider composite and vinyl decking. These materials are less susceptible to swelling and also are more resistant to insects. The cost, however, can be significantly higher, particularly if coordinating railing and balustrade systems. Concrete decks, while much more expensive than wood or composite, are the most durable and require only the occasional pressure wash and periodic re-sealing. And no longer just drab grey, concrete is now available in a nearly limitless variety of styles, colors and patterns.
Before beginning your outdoor project, assess your space. Where do you have the best sunlight? Do you want to use your space for dining or grilling? If so, do you have a large enough area for tables and chairs? Is there one area of the yard that is quieter and has more privacy from neighbors? A good home builder, remodeler or landscape architect can help you design a master plan that’s right for your space and your ideas.
Once your patio or deck is built, only your imagination limits the extent of your retreat. Plants, flowers, trellises, decorative screens, garden sculptures, fountains and furnishings can all enhance your backyard haven. For more information on building a deck or patio, or to talk with a professional about designing your outdoor retreat, contact your local builders association at 770-716-7109.
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(Jeff Waddle, who is with David Weekley Homes, is 2005-’06 president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 650 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Meriwether, Heard, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper Counties. The Midwest Georgia association can be contacted by calling 770-716-7109 or at hbamwg@bellsouth.net. Formerly Southeast project manager for David Weekley Homes, Jeff became the company’s senior manager for Hilton Head/Savannah in February of this year.)
June 19th, 2006
By Jeff Waddle, President
Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia
“In like a lion, out like a lamb.” As the old adage says, the month of March can be blustery. And while it may be a great time to bring the kites out of the attic, extreme winds can damage your home if it’s not properly protected.
With a few preventive modifications, however, you can combat strong winds and minimize damage to your house and landscaping during future windy seasons.
“There are lots of things you can do to make your home more wind-resistant,” said Devin Rutkowski, Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and president/CEO of Laurel Park Ventures in Sarasota, Fla. “But homeowners should remember that nothing replaces authentic materials and good, old-fashioned craftsmanship.” Here are a few ideas to consider:
Improve Your Roofing’s Performance
Your roof, and the deck beneath it, forms one of your home’s most critical shields to wind and rain. Unfortunately, during high wind storms, it is often the first to be damaged. Loss of roof covering such as shingles, tiles or metal panes can make your home more susceptible to water damage. Loose roofing becomes wind-borne projectiles that can cause further damage to other structures.
Luckily, roofing products with high wind resistance are available and a variety of installation techniques can be used on both new and existing homes to help protect against wind damage. Roofing underlayments, high performance shingles, even effective attic ventilation can all increase wind resistance.
To withstand occasional or sustained high winds, it is critical that all shingles are properly installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Recently enacted high-wind performance standards for asphalt shingles have raised wind performance. “These wind standards are important not only for preventing hurricane damage, but also to protect homes everywhere from more common high-wind situations like storms and winter weather,” said Russell Snyder, executive vice president of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) in Washington, D.C.
Protect Your Home’s Exterior
The exterior doors and windows of your home act as its protective shell. If broken, high winds can enter, putting pressure on your roof and walls.
Windows and glass doors should be fitted with impact-resistant laminated windows or covered storm shutters to reduce potential damage or injury, particularly if you live in hurricane-prone areas. In the case of an emergency, temporary plywood shutters can be installed relatively quickly, but don’t wait until a severe windstorm to make them. Constructing them now will facilitate quick action when a storm comes.
Solid wood or hollow metal doors better resist wind pressure and flying debris. Resistance is also increased by doors with at least three hinges and a deadbolt security lock with a minimum bolt throw of one inch. If you have double entry doors, install head and foot bolts on the inactive door. And since double-entry doors fail when surface bolts break at the header trim or threshold, check connections at both places. Surface bolts should extend through the door head and the threshold into the sub floor.
Research shows that new advances in vinyl siding can also protect your home’s exterior. Products on the market now include siding that resists winds up to 250 miles per hour. A house will blow off its foundation at 160 miles per hour. “Your house may blow over Kansas,” said one siding company. “But your siding will stay on.”
Brace Garage Doors
Garage doors can be especially at risk during high winds. Unless you have a tested hurricane-resistant door, winds may force it out of its roller track, especially if the track is light weight or some of the anchor bolts are not in place. This occurs because the door deflects too much under excessive wind pressure and fails.
If you are building a new home, consider installing horizontally-braced, singlewide garage doors as an alternative to double overhead doors. Check with your garage door manufacturer about retrofit bracing kits for existing homes. Some door panels, particularly those that are doublewide, may require both horizontal and vertical bracing for best stability.
Make Manufactured Homes Wind-Resistant
For homeowners looking for attractive alternatives to traditional homes, manufactured homes may offer the solution. Non-permanent foundations can make these homes more vulnerable to wind damage, however, so extra precautions during windy seasons is necessary.
“Most importantly, make sure your home is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,” said Bruce Savage, vice president of public affairs for the Manufactured Housing Institute in Arlington, Va. “It is imperative to properly anchor down your home, and in the case of severe high winds, follow official evacuation orders.”
To clarify, manufactured homes such as mobile homes and trailers are different than systems-built housing, which often exceed local building codes. Practice safety measures regarding concrete, log, modular and panelized homes as you would for traditional homes.
Landscape to Shield Your Home from High Winds
Properly selected and placed landscaping can provide excellent wind protection for your home. Evergreen trees and shrubs planted to the north and northwest of your home are common windbreaks and can reduce wind speed for a distance of as much as 30 times the windbreak’s height. For maximum protection, plant your windbreaks at a distance from your house two-to-five times the height of the trees at maturity.
To prevent landscaping damage during fierce winds, monitor broken branches. Large broken branches should be cut all the way back to the main branch to impede further destruction. Your best bet, however, is to select landscaping species that can withstand strong winds. Good examples include ashes, dogwoods, hickory, most maples, oaks, sycamores and virtually all evergreens. You can also check the crotch angles (the angle between the branch and the trunk). Those with angles between 45 and 60 degrees have a good chance of surviving strong winds.
Remember, all wind isn’t bad when it comes to your landscaping. Mild to moderate winds can make trees grow stronger, promote better air circulation around your plants, help minimize fungal diseases and of course, pollinate many of your plants.
For more information on protecting your home from wind damage, contact your local home builders association or visit the National Association of Home Builders website at www.nahb.org/forconsumers.
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(Jeff Waddle, who is with David Weekley Homes, is 2005-’06 president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 650 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Meriwether, Heard, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper Counties. The Midwest Georgia association can be contacted by calling 770-716-7109 or at hbamwg@bellsouth.net. Formerly Southeast project manager for David Weekley Homes, Jeff became the company’s senior manager for Hilton Head/Savannah in February of this year.)
April 12th, 2006
