by Dependable Construction | May 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
Well summer is final just around the corner, here in Ohio that makes us very excited! As we all start spending more time outside and make the most of the longer days, now is the time to start preparing your house for summer.
Dependable Construction has few ideas to get your summer home improvement schedule started:
Whether it’s painting inside or outside, summer is the best time to get the job done. When painting outside, summer means you don’t have to deal the cold and your paint freezing. You also don’t have to deal with all the rain that we see during the spring time. When you are doing the work inside, you have the advantage of keeping all the windows wide open for the best ventilation and drying. Small jobs can be a fun DIY family project, while large projects are better for companies like Dependable Construction.
For many homeowners, summer is the season we spend most of our time tending to the lawn. The warmer weather and longer days are conducive to outside work, planting flowers, mulching the flower beds, installing a garden. Summer is the season when you get the most reward for your efforts. A little landscaping can go a long way when it comes to beautifying your property.
With the final stretch of spring, there’s a good chance leaves, branches and other debris have accumulated in your gutters. And while it may be the least glamorous of home improvement jobs, gutter clearing is one of the most important. Without checking on a regular bases, gutters will get clogged causing poor water flow leading to roof leaks, rotted framing and mold. Clearing out the gutters and cutting back the trees and vegetation surrounding your home this summer is a great way to avoid costly problems in the long run.
- Repairing Decks and Patios
Summertime means barbecues with family and friends, baking in the sun and entertaining guest. With that in mind, maximizing your outdoor space can be the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful weather, and add value to your home. Fixing up a nice a backyard deck or patio can be one of the best home improvement projects. It allows you to have your own little relaxing oasis right in your backyard. Also provides a great place for entertaining. All this while helping increase the resale value, This area will make an impact to buyers who can see themselves hosting parties in the very same space.”
While summer is a great time to tackle those DIY jobs you’ve been putting off, it is also a great time to think about larger remodeling projects. After another harsh winter, it is common for homes to start showing signs of wear and tear in the bright summer sunshine. Now is the ideal time to think about roofing and siding upgrades. The consistent weather means you do not have to contend with rain delays, and the longer days mean contractors like Dependable Construction can deliver bigger projects in quicker time.
When it comes to outdoor remodeling projects, putting on a new roof is the hardest. As the most important part of your home’s weatherproofing and insulation system, a good roof can save on heating and cooling bills. While a bad roof installation, on the other hand, can lead to all kinds of headaches and repair bills down the road. A cheap roof is never a quality roof, a quality roof is never cheap.
by Dependable Construction | May 17, 2017 | Uncategorized
Dependable Construction has on staff window replacement specialist to help you determine whether or not your windows are over-due for replacement.
If you have recently purchased a home might not think they need to worry about replacement windows for quite some time, but that’s not necessarily always true. The age of a home isn’t the only indicator that new windows are needed. In many cases, when a new home is built, the windows aren’t a perfect fit and they are rarely the best quality. This can make even the nicest new home feel a bit drafty and it can also cause your energy costs to skyrocket. Dependable Construction is a replacement window contractor in the Dayton area. We are asked often, “How do you know when it’s time for new windows”? Below are the answers we have put together to help.
- It is difficult to regulate the temperature inside your home, because it feels drafty in winter and overly hot in the summer.
- You are concerned about the safety of your windows and how easy it would be for a burglar to break in to your home.
- Your windows are difficult to close or open.
- The existing windows on your home are in poor condition, or they make the rest of the home look dated.
- Your heating or cooling expenses are too high, and they continue to go up.
- Some of the glass in your window is cracked or the hardware is no longer working.
- You are looking to sell your home soon and want windows that will give your home “curb appeal”.
To find a quality window contractor like Dependable Construction may require you to get an estimate from several contractors, but you will learn a lot about windows in the process. Each contractor may recommend a different type of window for your project, which could result in vast differences in cost. Sometimes a bit of comparison shopping is the only way to be sure you’re getting the best window installation for your money.
Like Dependable Construction any window contractor will tell you; all vinyl windows are not the same. Before you can be sure whether a contractor’s quote is competitive, you should learn the key points of distinction between brands. With some lower-priced windows, you often get what you pay for. While wood windows are still popular in older homes, vinyl replacement windows are much more efficient and low maintenance, but choosing vinyl over wood is not the only decision you will have to make.
For the Ohio’s weather Dependable Construction recommends, double and triple-paned windows. These will provide the maximum level of energy efficiency, and they can eliminate common condensation problems. For even better efficiency, look for windows with argon gas between the panes. Some of the better windows will offer interior glazes and double weather-stripping to resist air and water infiltration.
Despite the obvious differences in curb appeal and aesthetics, vinyl windows are a better choice for your replacement windows. If you are searching for replacement windows for your home, then you may want to choose vinyl. It stands up better to high elevations and winter weather, and because of the way they are mechanically fastened, they also are more efficient. While wood windows naturally absorb water, vinyl windows are able to repel it. This prevents the window frames from deteriorating over time.
If you’ve never shopped for replacement windows or knew that Dependable Construction is a trusted window installer, you may be surprised to learn just how many options are available. Customers must choose the type and the color of their interior hardware; decide on grilles and whether to opt for self-cleaning glass, and then choose the level of insulation needed. Our installer will walk you through the process and help you select each of these options, and then provide you with a written order detail about the type of window you selected.
by Dependable Construction | May 12, 2017 | Uncategorized
Aside from curb appeal, what other criteria is used when choosing the right siding material? Will your choice be wood, vinyl, or another siding option? Dependable construction will do a quick run through of each.
Buying new siding isn’t something that most homeowners do very often. In fact, people who buy a new home with the right building materials are never in need of new siding.
Vinyl:
In addition to offering siding that resembles cedar boards, vinyl siding companies offer other decorative trim that mimics fish-scale shingles and replications of historic wood clapboard siding. Today’s vinyl siding looks better than ever, resists assaults from the wind, and won’t rot, dent, flake, scratch, or blister. It can become brittle in very cold weather.
Metal:
Steel and aluminum siding, offered in a variety of prefinished colors, is also available in vertical and lap styles. Many brands offer profiles and textures that are almost indistinguishable from wood. Most of today’s metal sidings are dent and wind-resistant and require little maintenance.
Solid wood:
When properly maintained, wood siding, vertical boards, shingles, and shakes are designed to stand the test of time, and there is nothing like the rustic look of real wood. However, the difficulty of protecting and maintaining wood siding has caused many homeowners to look at other siding choices. Prone to mildew in humid parts of the country, wood also expands and contracts with the seasons, which makes it prone to splitting and cracking.
What are the best woods for siding? Redwood, cedar, and cypress all stand up well to pests and rot, so they can be left to weather the climate in most cases. Just be prepared to re-stain or repaint it every few years.
Fiber cement:
This siding is made from a combination of wood fibers, cement, and sand. The resulting material is durable enough to resist termites and rotting, plus it is slow to burn. Fiber cement, such as HardieBoard, makes a lot of sense in harsh climates or near the ocean, where building materials must withstand salt air and winds. HardieBoard siding is also ideal in hot, humid climates, but it can be used anywhere. It’s available in a variety of styles and colors. Most fiber-cement products must be painted, which makes them very attractive to homeowners who want a specific color not offered in vinyl. Because they are rarely affected by expansion or contraction and they don’t hold moisture, these paint finishes last and last.
Engineered wood and hardboard:
Made up of bits of wood that have been bonded together with special resins, these products are particularly effective in moist climates. Hardboard is also treated with fungus repellents and insecticides and they resist termites better than any other wood. Engineered materials stand up well to the harmful effects of the sun, bad weather, abrasion, and chemicals. Products come in both lap and vertical siding styles and they are easy to install. Often considered the granddaddy of engineered wood products, hardboard is usually composed of pressed wood fibers. Shingles can be purchased bare, primed or finished. A knot and grain-free alternative to solid lumber, hardboard resists cracking, splitting, hail, and wind damage.
Brick and stone look-alikes:
Real brick and stone surfaces are often perceived as maintenance-free, but masonry requires occasional care. Loose mortar joints must be removed or replaced using a process called “tuck pointing.” If you like the look but not the maintenance, brick and stone veneers may be your best option. While true brick or stone walls must rest on a foundation, new thin-brick and manufactured-stone products adhere to walls with mastic or mortar and can be applied right over most existing siding.
Stucco:
Many of today’s traditional stucco products are formulated with epoxy, which practically eliminates cracking by allowing some surface movement. Stucco is usually applied in three coats, with the final coat tinted or painted.
How long do these materials last?
Vinyl warranties typically range from 50 years to the lifetime of the product’s original owner. Most brands of fiber-cement siding have a warranty up to 50 years. Homeowners can expect the same guarantees for brick and stone veneer products. Engineered wood and hardboard siding products usually have 15- to 25-year warranties. Metal-siding manufacturers offer warranties that last 25 years or longer.
by Dependable Construction | May 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
Basements have a reputation for being dark, damp, cold, and dirty, but they don’t have to! There are simple steps you can take to transform your dark and damp basement into usable space for you and your family. Whether you’d like to finish your basement to create an entertainment area, or add another bedroom, there are some practical changes you can make to improve the functionality and coziness of your basement. Dependable Construction would be happy to help you turn these ideas into life.
Here are 6 ideas you can try;
- Adding light to your basement
There is a reason why basements are often subjects of horror movies, it’s hard to get good lighting, especially natural light, down there. While lighting can be a definite challenge in homes with a basement that is entirely underground, it’s not impossible. Recessed can lights can be installed between the rafters in the ceiling, giving more head room. Unlike floor lamps that provide limited light, recessed lighting can light the entire space and make your basement feel like any other room of the house.
- Reducing moisture in your basement
Basements also tend to collect moisture, which can lead to mold problems in the long run. Before taking simple steps to reduce excess moisture in your basement, it is a good idea to have someone come out and check your home’s foundation to ensure a crack isn’t the source of your moisture problem. If your foundation checks out and your going to DIY this renovation yourself, make sure to use moisture-resistant materials when finishing or refinishing your basement. At Dependable Construction, we will work closely with our customers to determine the best material and options for creating a clean, dry basement.
- Keeping your basement warm in colder months
Because basements are the lowest level of your house, many completely underground, they also tend to get very cold. During the summer months this is a good thing, giving you a place to cool off when the upper levels of your home are struggling to stay cool. In the winter months, however, your once cool and refreshing basement becomes more like a giant refrigerator. If you plan to use your basement regularly, keeping it warm in winter is just as important as keeping it well lit and dry. One option that can help with the issue is adding a fireplace or extending your primary heating system, whether it’s forced air or radiator heating in to the space.
- Cleaning and organization solutions
Now You’ll need to decide whether your going to dedicate a portion of your basement to storage or if you are willing to part some of the bulky items you no-longer bring out and use. You could also consider built-in shelving that will help keep things organized and off the floor and away from potential water damage.
- Valuable additions to your basement
If you are looking for basement remodeling ideas that also help to add value to your home, then consider adding a bathroom, spare bedroom, or a wet bar/kitchenette. These things will be practical for you to use, but will also appeal to potential buyers of your home. A bathroom in a basement, even if it’s just a sink and a toilet, is a huge convenience and a good selling point.
- Code and regulatory things to consider
Another important thing homeowners need to consider when deciding what to do with their basement are any/ building code requirements. There is often a difference between what you may consider a finished, livable space, and what your county’s codes mandate. It would be a shame to spend all this time and money on the basement remodel only to find out that the inspector won’t count it toward your home’s total square footage due to the lack of egress windows. At Dependable Construction, we are experts in county codes and regulations, and we’ll make sure they are followed to a tee.
If your basement is dark, damp, cold, and unorganized, you are not alone. Our trusted basement remodeling team will work closely with you to re-imagine and reinvent your currently useless space and transform it into the basement of your dreams! Call us today at 937.318.9572 to see how you can save.
by Dependable Construction | May 8, 2017 | Uncategorized
Have we successfully carried our passion for the environment into our home energy choices? Check out some “Green” home improvement ideas from Dependable Construction!
Over the past 10 years, Americans have made significant changes in how they view the environment. They’ve started taking recycling more seriously, stopped using plastic shopping bags and started purifying their own water. Businesses have become “Green” by reducing pollutants, making sustainable products and working with eco-friendly vendors. But what about homeowners? Have we successfully carried our passion for the environment into our home energy choices? Let’s a quick look.
If you are stuck with a traditional energy company like DP&L for your electricity, you may have a choice of energy suppliers. Find out what the options are for selecting one that uses wind power to generate energy. On the other hand, if you have the option to build a home from the ground up or retrofit an existing building, you will be able to choose “Green” energy products or install solar panels.
Selfish benefits of going “Green”
You may have heard that installing custom cabinetry and granite counter-tops are the key to adding resale value to your home. However, in today’s housing market the more practical upgrades are making the biggest difference in home prices. In fact, analysts are starting to advise homeowners to make Eco-friendly improvements first, before spending thousands on landscaping, kitchens and flooring.
Many “Green” improvements are helping homeowners save money on their monthly utility bills. For example, studies have shown that utility bills are the single largest monthly expense in most households. When a “Green” home improvement can lower those bills by as much as 30 percent, it can save the average homeowner approximately $550 per year, or even more. This is real money that can be used to buy groceries, added to the college fund or spent on a tropical getaway.
Sell your home faster
“Green” homes in the Dayton area are known to sell much faster than comparable homes that lack the latest energy efficient upgrades. When a prospective homeowners knows that a certain home will come with lower utility bills and less dependence on fossil fuels, they will often put that home on the top of their list.
“Green” home building
When you choose to move forward with solar power, it’s important to have a full understanding of how your solar energy supply will be used as this will determine the size of the system you will need to install. Knowing this ahead of time will save you from disappointment later on when you realize the panels will not produce the amount of power you need, it’s smart to plan for the future. The amount of power you generate through solar panels may depend somewhat on the weather patterns where you live, but fortunately you no longer need a string of sunny days to keep the system running.
Like any other addition to your property, solar panels must be installed in accordance to local laws. Be sure you know what these are before you meet with a contractor. Depending on where you live, the system may need to be inspected to be sure the power system is acceptable. In addition to weather-stripping and insulation, these techniques may reveal the need for new windows or doors.
Making your home more energy efficient
Another important way to make your home more “Green” is to have a Home Performance Evaluation performed. Think of it as an inspection of your home’s energy flaws, and as the first step toward improving the comfort and efficiency of your home. The main reason a homeowner gets this evaluation is to target the source of energy leakages.
Using infrared cameras that can see heat passage, inspectors can find out where additional insulation may be needed. Another method is to depressurize the inside of your home by using a large fan that causes air to rush into any gap or crack. Known as a “blower door,” it simulates a strong gust of wind in order to locate potential drafts.
Verify the results
If you ever want to prove to yourself the importance of proper insulation, the best way to do it is by comparing your utility bills. Look at a full year of energy bills after the improvements are complete and keep them in a file with the old bills. Being able to show this may enable you sell your home faster one day.
by Dependable Construction | May 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
Understanding these factors will help you make an educated decision about buying replacement windows, and Dependable Construction is ready to help.
Buying replacement windows isn’t always easy. With so many companies competing for your business and so many different types of windows. Most homeowners often end up paying too much for the wrong windows. Buying new replacement windows can add a lot of value to a home and are often one of its most attractive features from the road. Beyond that they also provide convenient ventilation, easy cleaning features and superior natural light. In older homes with inefficient windows, it’s easy to spend 30 percent more for heating and cooling than you would if the windows were replaced.
According to recent home remodeling surveys, homeowners can expect to recoup approximately 70 percent of the cost of the windows in resale value when the windows are replaced on an older home. But still some homeowners have no idea what kind of windows they need to purchase. There are several elements that go into a decision about replacement windows, that can help. Dependable Construction has an excellent reputation when it comes to helping customers with their replacement window installation project.
What are some of the factors to consider when buying replacement windows?
- IG Units are the number of panes of insulated glass that are chemically bonded with a sealant to internal spacer bars. It is important to ask about the IG units to assess the quality and performance standards of the window.
- Low-E means the window uses “low emittance” coatings, which minimize thermal radiation by applying a thin coating or metallic oxide layers to suppress the heat flow through the unit. By blocking much of the heat transfer, these windows are more energy efficient. Different types of Low-E coatings have been designed to allow for high solar gain, moderate solar gain, or low solar gain.
- Low Conductive Gas Filled – Argon or Krypton – In a sealed glass insulated window unit, air currents carry heat to the top of the unit and settle into cold pools at the bottom. Using a less conductive gas in this space reduces the transfer of heat between the inside and outside glass.
- Other factors to consider include the U-Factor, or heat loss rating, the SHGC rating or amount of heat admitted through the window, and the VT, or visible light transmission.
Understanding all of these factors will help you make an educated decision about buying the correct replacement windows for your home or office, and Dependable Construction is always here to help you.
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