Category: Home Improvement

Home Remodeling / Room Addition: Building Up vs. Building Out

Home Improvement, Room Additions

Is It Less Expensive To Build Up Than Out?

The short answer is no – building up on an existing house is always more expensive than building out.  Sometimes, however, you have no choice if there is no room on your lot to build out.

Why is Building Up More Expensive?

Foundation Must Be Fortified

Usually the existing foundation has only been designed to support one story and would have to be added onto in order to support two stories.  In addition, interior load-bearing walls might need to be added necessitating demolition of parts of the existing floor for installation of additional footers.

You Must Add a Staircase

Either part of the existing house space would be lost, or real estate outside would need to be built two stories tall, to provide space for a staircase to access the second floor, and there’s the cost of the staircase itself as well.

Part of the Roof Must Go

Then there’s the cost of removing part of the existing roof and reworking electrical, mechanical, and possibly plumbing systems.

 

There’s more, but by now I think you’ve got the point.

If you have specific questions about any home improvement project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Remodeling: Hidden Gems Inside Your Walls

Home Improvement

What’s Inside Your Walls?

When we open up a wall during a remodeling project on an older home, we never really know what we will find.  It’s one of the most vexing and intriguing aspects of remodeling.

Sometimes we find a litany of unpleasantries: creative (unsafe) framing, questionable or illegal wiring, carpet over asbestos tile, and dead rodents of all types.  All of these things have to be cleaned out, and cleaned up, whether with a broom, a hammer and new studs, or an abatement company.   The expense involved varies, though it invariably involves additional cost to the homeowner.

House Age Related

Some of these problems can be generally anticipated based on the age of the home. However, there’s almost always something that surprises everyone: the rogue run of power cord buried in the wall, electrical tape covering the connections; the plumbing that would not have passed code anywhere at any time; the rock holding up three stories at the back of a home.  All of them make me shake my head and wonder: What were these people thinking?

House History

Those open walls also provide a road map to the history of the home.  It can be entirely evident from the framing where there was once a window or a door, or where stairs once ran.  All of these are clues to the home’s past, and the relative skill of those altering it – a sometimes cryptic record of remodels, both small and large.

Fascinating Finds

Inside the walls there are also sometimes amazing finds.  Sometimes it’s as simple as a scrawled number or measurement on framing lumber, or a glass soda bottle left unintentionally and plastered over before anyone noticed.

There’s also the newspaper.  At a time when insulation wasn’t commonly installed, many homeowners stuffed their walls with newspaper, or layered it on to try to keep the cold and damp out of their homes.

If Forest Gump had been a remodeling contractor he probably would have said: Opening up a wall is like a bowl of cherries – you never know what’s inside.

If you have specific questions about any home improvement project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Kitchen Ideas: Proper Planning Reduces Stress When Remodeling Your Kitchen

Home Improvement, Kitchen Ideas

You can have a brand new kitchen just like mama’s!

I recently performed a total replacement of my mother-in-law’s kitchen.  Here’s some helpful advice I gave her that you will find eases the stress when you are ready to remodel your kitchen.

Set up a separate, temporary kitchen.

If at all possible, move your current refrigerator to another room in the house, where you can still access it.. A spare microwave is also a critical appliance.Be creative with small plug-in appliances that can make life easier during construction, such as a coffee maker or electric skillet.

Find a place in your home to eat.

Most times setting up a card table in the family room does the trick, or go formal and use your dining room.

Invest in paper plates and disposable utensils.

You will end up having to wash dishes in a bathroom sink, so it’s best to keep a stockpile of disposable plates and utensil handy.

Think about your pets.

If your pets are used to having the run of the house, consider how they will be affected when sections of the house are off-limits to them. Above all, ensure their safety.

Get a sketch or design plans beforehand. 

Think about how the kitchen is going to work from a functional level. It’s also wise to think about where all your current kitchen items and appliances will fit into the new kitchen.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Don’t agonize over the smallest details like hardware and countertop edges. Keep a sense of perspective and don’t get hyperfocused and paralyzed by decisions on the smallest details, which cause delays. The point is for all of it to come together beautifully.

 

When you are ready to be the proud owner of your dream kitchen, know that Leading Edge Homes will be there to help you from start to finish so you can have a gorgeous kitchen just like “Mama’s”.

If you have specific questions about kitchen design, kitchen remodeling, or any other home improvement project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Kitchen Idea: Luxury Trends

Home Improvement, Kitchen Ideas

 

Three of the Latest “Must Have” Kitchen Upgrades

Whether you want to spruce up the kitchen you have or are planning a full kitchen makeover, consider these latest luxury trends:

POT FILLER
  
Why hurt your back filling a large pot over the sink and carrying it to the stove or cooktop when you can install a faucet directly over where the water will be boiled.
SUPER-QUIET DISHWASHER
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Bosch high end dishwashers are so quiet you may not even notice that they are running.  They have a half-load option, are Energy Star compliant, and some even have a built-in water softener and height adjustable upper shelf for convenience.  They are so cool you might even look forward to cleaning up after dinner!
INDUCTION COOKTOPS
 
I can hear the gas cooktop fans now… But 9 out of 10 professional cooks use gas and the 10th one is a sushi chef!  These new induction cooktops have precise temperature control and heat up more quickly than gas or electric.  They typically also have a bridge function to combine two cooking zones for use with wide cookware like griddles.
If you have specific questions about kitchen design, kitchen remodeling, or any other home improvement project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: Is Hard Water Driving Up Your Electric Bills?

Home Improvement

Is Your Water Increasing Your Electric Bill?

 

Not too long ago, I came across this interesting article. Who would have thought your water can be increasing your electric bill?

(BPT) – For many homeowners the biggest utility bill is electricity. Heating and cooling the home makes up nearly half of electricity costs, but the next biggest source is the water heater. Water heaters can account for up to 25 percent of total household energy use. Taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of a home with better insulation and more efficient furnaces and air conditioners can reduce energy costs significantly, as can making sure water heaters are operating properly.

Hard Water Reduces the Efficiency of Water Heaters

However, purchasing a high efficiency water heater does little good if the environment in which it operates is not right. The main culprit in reducing the efficiency of water heaters is hard water. Nearly 90 percent of American homes have hard water which contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause scaling, a buildup that clogs waterlines and plumbing forcing appliances to work harder and operate less efficiently. Hard water can reduce the efficiency of water heaters and increase electricity costs by as much as 48 percent according to the Battelle Memorial Institute.

Hard Water Damages Your Appliances

The problem can be particularly severe with electric water heaters. These can accumulate up to 30 pounds of calcium carbonate, a rock-like scale, eventually damaging the heating element which will have to be replaced. The cost of hard water is not higher just because of reduced energy efficiency and higher electric bills; hard water also damages appliances like water heaters, dish washers, shower heads and faucets. These must be repaired and replaced more often as a result.

Benefits of Soft Water

Kitchens benefit from soft water as well because soft water is up to 12 times more effective at cleaning dishes than increasing the amount of detergent used. Researchers also found that for washing machines, the most important factor in removing stains from clothing was water softness. Reduction of water hardness was up to 100 times more effective at stain removal than increasing the detergent dose or washing with hotter water. In fact, soft water can reduce soap use by as much as half.

How do I Know If I Have Hard Water?

To determine if you have hard water, look for spots and scale build-up on fixtures. “A less obvious indication is the lack of that luxury feeling of a hot shower you get at a nice hotel,” says Michael Mecca of Performance Water Products. “That feeling is not because of the nice towels and soaps. It’s because nice hotels use soft water not only for their guests’ benefit but also to protect their investments in boilers, piping and fixtures.”

Many water treatment companies offer free tests to homeowners to measure the degree of hardness in the water and offer appropriate systems that fit. “Hardness in water can vary widely in some parts of the country and pipe size, number of bathrooms, number of people in the house, types of showerheads and intended use all need to be considered for the right system,” says Mecca.

“Wells in particular are susceptible to hard water since municipal water departments often take care of the worst offenders such as iron-manganese-hydrogen sulfide. Even if you get municipal water you likely still have calcium and other hard water deposits and can benefit from a water softener. Systems for well water will cost a little more but it is well worth it,” he adds.

How do I Soften My Water?

The only way to truly remove the calcium and magnesium from household water systems is with a salt-based water softener. These remove the scaling in the pipes entirely by running the incoming hard water through a resin filter that traps the calcium and magnesium in the water – as well as any iron, manganese or radium ions. It then replaces them with sodium ions.

A salt-based water softener is one home improvement that will not only pay for itself but add value to a home. A properly sized quality water softener appliance can save a homeowner thousands of dollars over its life in reduced soap and detergent costs, electricity, efficiency and extended life for expensive appliances.

Questions?

If you have questions about about any home improvement or remodeling project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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HELP! There is a Water Stain on My Ceiling

Home Improvement

Air Vent StainingWhy Is There A Water Stain On My Ceiling Next To An A/C Vent?

Now that summer is in full swing, the temperature inside your attic can be well over 100 degrees.  The temperature inside your air conditioned house is probably between 72 and 80 degrees.

Construction Details Count

If there is an air gap between the register “can” and the ceiling drywall, condensation (water) will form on the warm side because of the extreme temperature differential and drip onto the drywall leaving a stain when the drywall dries out.  Do not fear.  There is a solution for this problem.

How To Solve The Problem

First, remove the grill from the ceiling.  Then, carefully spray expandable foam between the register “can” and the drywall that surrounds it.  I say carefully because the foam can drip, or if too much is applied, it can get over everything and it’s difficult to clean up.

Once the foam is completely dry, tear off any excess foam and spray the water-stained ceiling drywall with oil-based Kilz (white pigmented shellac).  Once the Kilz dries, touch up the ceiling with matching paint and reinstall the grill.

Problem solved!

Questions?

If you have questions about about any home improvement or remodeling project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: Taking the Heat – Spray Foam VS Batt Insulation

Home Improvement

Spray Foam VS Fiberglass Batt Insulation: Which Is Better?

Virtually every room addition and home remodeling project I have completed over the last 24 years has needed wall and ceiling insulation.  I understand the trouble homeowners are faced with when making the decision of which type of insulation to use due to the long term consequences.  While both types of insulation have their own unique pros and cons, this article will explain enough of the benefits and drawbacks of each type so you can decide for yourself which is best for your situation.

The Difference Between Price and Cost

Before getting into each type of insulation, it would be helpful to review the difference between price and cost.  Price is the amount of money you need to take out of your pocket to initially buy a product.  Cost is the amount of money you need to take out of your pocket over the lifetime of owning a product.  If you are remodeling a bathroom and just need to insulate the ceiling, the low price option (fiberglass batts) makes the most sense.  If you are adding 1000 s.f. of living space to your house, the low cost option (spray foam) probably makes the most sense if you have no intentions of moving.

Fiberglass Insulation Pros/Cons

The upside of fiberglass insulation is its low cost, availability in small quantities, and ease of installation by almost anyone.  The downside is that it allows a lot of air movement because it does not seal tightly to itself or structural members, it gets installed above the ceiling still allowing the attic above it to get very hot in the summer, and it is not as efficient of an insulator on an inch by inch basis.

Spray Foam Insulation Pros/Cons

The upside of spray foam insulation is many:  more efficient than fiberglass bath (inch per inch), near 100% air sealing, soffit and ridge vents are not needed, applied to the underside of the roof deck so attic is kept cool and a smaller size HVAC system can be used, and it won’t get stepped on and have its R-value reduced due to its application location.  It’s downsides include it must be applied by an approved application company and set-up/minimum charges start at about $1,500.

 

Questions?

If you have questions about  about any home improvement or remodeling project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: Staying Home While Adding On

Home Improvement, Room Additions

Will We Be Able To Stay In Our House While The Addition Or Remodel Is Being Built?

construction-webBefore hiring any home improvement contractor, think about the answer you get to this question.  While every room addition is different, I have never needed the homeowners to move out during construction of their project. Sure, if the entire interior had to be redesigned for wheelchair access or a second floor is to be built over existing living area, you will probably have to move out.

Like All Home Improvement Projects, A Room Addition May Cause Some Inconveniences

There may, however, be inconveniences like the following:

  • If existing bedrooms are being expanded into the addition, the occupants may need to move their furniture to another part of the house and sleep in the family room or bunk-in with someone else once the existing separation wall must be removed
  • If the garage is being converted into living space, the car(s) may need to be kept outside and a new place found for all your stuff.
  • If the HVAC system has to be relocated or the ductwork added to, there may be a period of time when you have no air conditioning.
  • If your outdoor shed has to be demolished and it currently houses your water heater, washer, and dryer, you may be without hot water and/or laundry facilities for a while.

With Proper Planning You Home Remodeling Experience will be Stress Free

And… ultimately the project will be completed and after a few weeks of enjoying your new space, any inconveniences will soon be forgotten.

Questions?

If you have questions about adding on to your home or questions about any home improvement or remodeling project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Kitchen Ideas: Bermuda Triangle or Perfect Triangle?

Home Improvement, Kitchen Ideas, Uncategorized

Making Your Kitchen Easier to Work In

The kitchen is the most used room in the house.  At parties, guests seem almost magnetically drawn to the kitchen.  That’s where the food and drinks are, so this makes sense.  But when you’re cooking before they arrive, is your work triangle like the Bermuda Triangle?

Leading Edge Homes Inc. - Kitchen with Work Triangle

The work triangle refers to the triangle created between your stove, refrigerator, and the sink.  These three “areas” are some of the most important components.  If you have a small kitchen – and as a result, a small work triangle – you almost don’t have enough space to maneuver.  On the other hand, if your work triangle is too big, you not only run yourself to death, but you also have to carry heavy dishes long distances.

Work Triangle Basics

Long ago, when designers started paying attention to how kitchens function day-to-day, they realized there was a natural triangle of traffic for whomever was doing the cooking.  Through years of research they discovered some figures and principles of sound kitchen design.

  • No one side of the triangle should be greater than nine feet or less than four feet.  If you slightly exceed or don’t meet these measurements, this doesn’t mean that your kitchen is dysfunctional.  However, you should measure the distance to each triangle component to see exactly how your kitchen measures up.  If you notice that you feel cramped on one side or can barely make it to the sink with a pot of boiling water on the other, then you might benefit from a kitchen remodel.

 

  • The triangle should not be interrupted by traffic or cabinetry.  If your work triangle dimensions are correct, but they don’t include walking around the island to get to the stove, or that people are always moving to the trashcan or standing by the refrigerator, then maybe kitchen traffic needs to be detoured.

 

  • The perimeter of the triangle should measure no more than 26 feet and no less than 12 feet.  If you have a small kitchen and each component is four feet away from the other, there’s not much you can do.  But consider how easy it is to work in your kitchen.  If something always feels a bit off when you are preparing a big meal, interior designers can help to restructure your kitchen.

If your kitchen doesn’t measure up and is not working for you, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 so we can collaborate with you to create your dream kitchen that functions properly.

Questions?

If you have specific questions about kitchen design, kitchen remodeling, or any other home improvement project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Kitchen Ideas: Home Improvement Lighting Options

Home Improvement, Kitchen Ideas

Kitchen Lighting Options

Kitchen lighting options have come a long way since the days of one surface-mounted fixture in the center of the room.  The ‘70s and ‘80s trend of cove lighting was an improvement but still far from optimal.

Palm Beach County Popular Home Improvement Lighting Ideas

Today there are many choices a kitchen remodeling contractor might suggest, but the following are the most popular in Palm Beach County:

Leading Edge Homes-Inc. Kitchen Remodel Lighting

Kitchen Idea: Add pendant lighting to dress-up your kitchen and provide better lighting above an island.

 

  • Recessed spot lights – usually four spread evenly around the kitchen and one over the sink
  • Pendant lights – usually three over an island or peninsula
  • Under cabinet – can be florescent or xenon type but LED is used most
  • Above wall cabinet – again usually LED and illuminates the rest of the wall and part of ceiling

Don’t Forget

Regardless of which type of lights you select, make sure you will have plenty of general light and task light.  Also remember that the higher the ceiling, the less light that makes it down to countertop level so adjust the quantity, type, and bulbs used accordingly.

Questions?

If you have specific questions or need a home inspection, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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