This Is A Great Time To Renovate!

Posted on March 20, 2012 by admin

This Is A Great Time To Renovate!
…and here are a few reasons why.

Money is affordable-
Many lenders have favorable rates right now and are looking for qualified borrowers. If the conditions are right you can get great treatment from your lender of choice. There is an effort to offset bad loans with quality loans and this can be taken advantage of.
Smaller jobs are acceptable!-
Sometime back there was a bit of ‘cherry picking’ by some contractors and larger jobs made it tough to get the attention a small project deserved. Showcase Renovation has always accepted the work that came in but the typical job size has decreased for most of us in the industry. Believe us when we say, “We want to work for you!”

Turnarounds can be quicker-
You can get the attention you deserve in the design and bid process and jobs are able to complete in shorter times due in part to better availability of sub-contractors. The suppliers are ready to go too!

Prices for materials may be better-
Demand has been lower and there can be deals on materials for your job. Turnaround times on custom orders for windows, doors, cabinets, and many other things are very good.

Many contractors will discount-
We all like to keep our employees and sub-contractors busy. They make it possible for us to do what we do and we could not succeed without them. You may be able to get some things added to the job at a discount or to get a more favorable rate on some part or the whole project.
A few ‘less desireable’ entities are no more-
When times were great it was as if contractors were a dime a dozen. Depending on the trade, all you might need was a truck and a shovel. Or so it seemed. Some of the ‘high overhead’ contractors are gone. Some of the ‘fly by night’ folks are gone as well. The marginal ones tend to go under easiest. Still, due dilligence is in order – get multiple bids, check references, and make sure they have the experience for the scope of your project. Avoid being your contractor’s last customer and work with a qualified remodeling professional.

Your taxes will rise less-
A home improvement typically won’t increase the value of your home so much that your taxes are greatly affected. If you buy a home with the improvements and renovations you’re looking for you will likely have that burden.

Energy bills can be lowered-
High efficiency appliances and mechanicals, energy efficient windows and insulation, and some of the tax credits that may be available all make this a real plus for renovating that kitchen or building that family room addition right now. Your home will be more comfortable and you’ll have a smaller carbon footprint.

This is a great time to renovate-

Remodeling and improving your home now will mean that as the market improves so will the value of your home along with the value of that remodeled bathroom, that kitchen addition, or that basement finish. Today’s renovation project will serve you well tomorrow – not just in the way that it improves your daily living but also in how it affects the appreciation of your investment in your home over time.

Please visit our corporate site and have a look at our portfolio. We think you’ll like what you see!

Posted in Why Remodel Now? | Comments Off

Aging Entry or ‘This Old Overhang’

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin

  Describing this covered entry as an ‘Aging Entry’ was perhaps a little kind. As happens so often with older homes, architectural features can become compromised. This is especially true in Minnesota with its extremes of weather. As a Minneapolis remodeling contractor we see this situation often and where repair is not possible a full replacement of the framing, fascia, trim, and roofing may be in order.

This is a beautiful older St. Paul home that is very well constructed and has stunning features inside and out. The covered entry cantilevers about five feet past the entry walls on all sides and has a thick coat of stucco on the underside of the overhang. Over time the sheer weight of MN snows and the large roof load caused it to sag quite a bit.
After meeting with the client we decided to engineer a new frame for the roof and start from scratch.
Protecting surrounding surfaces, as with the sheeting you can see over the exterior windows is a must during the demolition phase of this kind of remodeling as well as during the construction of the new entry overhang.
With the proper structure, new roofing, trim, and a lighter stucco system called ‘Dryvit’ for the underside of the overhang, this entryway overhang was repaired successfully.

Happy client, happy house, and a satisfied builder!

Many older homes in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area have exteriors that are aging and need the attention of a good remodeling contractor. Please visit our corporate site and have a look at our portfolio. We think you’ll like what you see!

Posted in Front Entry Overhang Repair | Comments Off

Picnics In January?

Posted on January 26, 2012 by admin

WARM WINTER OR PUTTING OFF THE INEVITABLE?

Experts say a La Nina weather pattern is giving us this wonderfully (for some) mild winter.

A few things of note:

  • Dec 26 hit 52 degrees in Minneapolis, Jan. 10 hit 52 degrees in St. Paul!

  • Some folks’ pets are having more than their usual amount of allergy symptoms at this time of the year – cold weather usually eliminating a lot of things that cause itching and scratching. If this is true for your animals then a trip to the vet or another flea treatment might be in order.

  • A friend mentioned an invasion of those little black ‘sweet ants’ that they experienced after our Christmastime warm weather. Highs in the 40′s or 50′s can awaken a lot of little creatures it would seem. We suggested using a Taro type of bait that has borax in it to take care of them. The small attachment to the vacuum cleaner is always fun but doesn’t get at the ants in the nest.

  • The warm weather has prompted some communities to put road restrictions on early in efforts to avoid undue wear and tear on the roads. And it’s still January!

  • Minnesota wineries aren’t able to manufacture Ice wine, a winter favorite. This sweet, dessert wine is made from grapes frozen on the vine. Without our normal frigid temperatures the grapes aren’t freezing. Enough reason to move north?

  • U.S. natural gas prices plummeted last week, dropping 85 percent from the 2005 all time high, due to decreased demand for heating. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, rising output has resulted in a huge surplus. If demand does not increase, storage facilities suggest they’ll have to release gas into the air in order to maintain operational integrity. Gotta watch that full tank! (There are actually structural reasons for why this is so.)

  • The coldest portion of winter has already passed us by so don’t feel guilty if you can afford to turn the thermostat up a degree or two and do so.

  • Ice fishing on some lakes hasn’t been safe and other winter activities have suffered a great deal this winter. Please do what you can to support those businesses that depend on winter fun for their livelihood. Spend a weekend up north just to hang out!

    We’d welcome hearing about how the warmer than normal winter has affected you so far!

Posted in Weather In Minnesota | The Yin and Yang | Comments Off

Ready Your Home For Winter

Posted on November 14, 2011 by admin
House Readiness Tips For Winter
A snowy street.Lower your heating bills and protect your investment!

Heating System Check and Tune

Get that furnace or heat pump checked out! It will be running hard very soon. A check up is cheap insurance for warmth and avoiding the ‘break-down-rush’.

 

Reverse Those Ceiling Fans 

Fans usually come with a reverse switch.  Use it!  This helps rooms with high ceilings to keep that warm air evenly distributed and you more comfortable.  Efficient too!

 

Protect Against Ice Dams 

If you had ice dams last year, or even lots of icicles, this is something to take seriously.  Inadequate insulation and venting can cause a multitude of problems.  Get this looked at!  There are tax credits for some of this work.

 

Give The Roof A Good Look

Check for loose or missing shingles that can cause problems.  Get a look at critical areas, flashing, valleys, etc.  Flat roofs for sure need to be checked should be free from debris.

 

Inspect Caulk and Seals

Check windows and doors for gaps and air infiltration.  Caulking is an easy way to tighten up the exterior of your home.  Also inspect the foundation for cracks that need to be filled.  New weather stripping for doors can make a big difference when the north wind blows!

 Snow Plows

A Clean Gutter Is A Happy Gutter!

This is an easy way to avoid moisture problems around your facia.  Plugged gutters can contribute to water damage.  Don’t forget to divert water from the house with properly extended downspouts to avoid potential frost and other damage. 

 

Shut Off Exterior Faucets

Turn off outside spigots and make sure they are shut-off inside and drained if you don’t have the frost-proof ones. Frozen pipes thaw at the worst times, usually when you’re not home for two days.

 

Drain The Sprinkler System

Unless your sprinkler system is mother nature this needs to be drained to manufacturer’s specs to make sure it works without leaks next summer.

 

Clean And Stow The Mower

Clean the mower deck underside and treat the fuel if you don’t run it out.  You’ll be glad you did.  If you get bored this winter you can sharpen the blade too!

 

Chimney Check Up

Before burning the Yule log make sure the flue and vents are working properly and call a Sweep if it’s time.  Look at the outside brick and flashing when you check the roof!

 

Re-Stock Winter Odds And Ends

Salt, ice-melt, gas for the snow-blower, car emergency kit, etc.  All of these should be checked and brought up to date.

 

Indoor Air Quality

Stock up on good furnace filters and make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are all working properly.

 

GET READY, IT’S SURE TO BE HERE SOON!

CALL US AT SHOWCASE AND LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BE OF SERVICE!

 

Showcase Renovation provides the finest design/build general contracting services in the Greater Minneapolis and St. Paul Metropolitan Area. Whether you need a bathroom, kitchen, addition to your home, a basement finished, whole house remodel, or new construction, Showcase Renovation can help make your dreams come true.  Visit our corporate site to learn more.
 

©2011 Showcase Renovation, Inc.
Posted in Weather In Minnesota | The Yin and Yang | Leave a comment

Sound Proof That Room!

Posted on October 10, 2011 by admin

We recently completed a project had a scope that we weren’t familiar with. It involved sound proofing a number of rooms in our client’s basement.

Being a physician means working long hours at times. Sleep and a chance for quiet time were two of the goals they wanted to achieve by having “quiet rooms”.

sound proofing insulation

some of the construction for sound proofing a room

Working together with the architect and the client enabled us to work through different scenarios and to meet the client’s expectations. Much research went into the project as we learned about STC scales and sound transfer.
STC means “sound transfer coefficient”. It measures the amount of sound that passes through an object, in our case the walls.

For example:

1. A 2”x4” stud wall with 5/8” sheetrock on both sides and filled with 3 1/2” of fiberglass insulation has a value of STC 36.

2.The same wall with RC-1 channel behind the sheetrock scores STC 46. The RC-1 channel is a metal channel about ½” in thickness that the sheetrock attaches to.

3. A double 2”x4” stud wall with 5/8” sheetrock on both sides and filled with 3 1/2” of fiberglass in each stud wall has a value of STC 56. There is a space of ½” between the walls.

behind the sheet rock for sound proofing a room

what's behind the sheet rock for sound proofing a room

The higher the STC number you wish to achieve, the greater the measures are that you have to take for success. An STC rating in the sixties is outstanding. Heck, an STC rating in the fifties is a tremendous improvement.

We discovered that sound proofing is relatively easy and economical. Sound proofing is something to consider when planning your next renovation!

If you are in the Minneapolis St. Paul greater metro area and are considering remodeling or renovating your home please give us a call! You can also see more about us at our corporate site.

Posted in Sound Proofing A Room, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Heat Wave?

Posted on July 20, 2011 by admin
Poppin' hot out there...

Poppin' hot out there...

Posted in Weather In Minnesota | The Yin and Yang | Leave a comment

Timber Framed Entry Details

Posted on October 11, 2010 by MisterShowcase


Here are a couple pictures showing some detail of the timber framed entry. You can see the bead-board finish in the ceiling of the entry. This adds quite a nice touch. As carpenters we really appreciate the opportunities to do this kind of work.

Showcase Renovation has a full compliment of craftsmen available. We use our own carpenters on our remodeling projects.

If you have a remodeling or home addition project you are considering let us know. We’ll be happy to talk with you and who knows? Maybe you’ll soon see a photograph or your project in our blog or even in our portfolio.

Posted in Timber Framed Covered Entry | Leave a comment

Timber Framed Entry

Posted on October 11, 2010 by MisterShowcase

Here are a couple front pics of the finished product. This entry adds substantial curb appeal and provides a great looking and highly functional feature to the front of the house. I protects the entry from some of the elements as well as any neighbors stopping by on a rainy (or soon to be snowy) day.

Posted in Timber Framed Covered Entry | Leave a comment

Full Window Replacement In Stucco

Posted on October 4, 2010 by MisterShowcase

Here are a few pics where we did complete window replacements in a house that had a stucco finish on the exterior.

A number of factors are critical when doing complete window replacement. This is especially true when doing full replacement of window in homes with stucco and other masonry type finishes.
It is imperative that the window manufacturer’s instructions and local codes are followed correctly. A proper installation will mean your installation will not allow moisture into the wall cavity and will make sure the windows function properly for years to come.
Proper flashing, caulking, and finishing of trim boards, is a must. When done correctly you can get results like these. Make sure you have a qualified stucco repair specialist available to give you the finished product you’re looking for

If you have any questions about replacement window feel free to give us a call! Showcase Renovation is an award winning renovator that has been doing quality window replacement and whole house remodeling for years.

Posted in Window Replacement Remodeling Project | Leave a comment

Timber Frame Covered Entry

Posted on September 9, 2010 by admin

These shots are of a timber framed covered entry to extend an existing entryway roof and add a great deal of curb appeal to this beautiful older home. We also did some stucco repair and replaced a number of windows on this job.

A straight on look at the front door that shows some of the existing trim detail above the door.

You can see our full portfolio on our corporate website at www.showcaserenovation.com and we’ll be putting some more pics of this project up over the next week or so.

At Showcase we also do ‘smaller’ jobs and have had a greater mix of project sizes this year as the economy has taken a real toll on our industry. The number of ‘smaller’ jobs we have had the good fortune of winning has increased as homeowners seem to have more cautious approach to investing in their homes. We see good things ahead so let us know if you have any questions we can help you with about projects you are considering!

Posted in Timber Framed Covered Entry | Leave a comment