Raleigh Home Builder

Exterior Painting Tips: Water Damage

2008-02-11T22:52:00.000-05:00

Before painting the exterior of your house, it is important to pay special attention to areas of possible water damage. This type of damage may not always be visually apparent, so here is what to look for and how to prevent it in the future.

Pay special attention to trim boards around the edges of siding and windows and doors. If these areas were not properly prepared and caulked by the last painting company, there could be significant unseen water damage. Where trim boards lay flat against siding, water can easily penetrate uncaulked areas and cause damage under the trim board to both the siding and the trim board itself. Many times a board may look fine but if you press with your finger the board will collapse under the pressure leaving an indentation- a sure sign of water damage.

Water damage on home exteriors is generally most significant at the seams where trim boards meet. Removal of rotted wood is necessary. When replacing trim boards, it is best to primer and paint the ENDS of the boards before nailing them in place. The paint will protect the wood even if water does penetrate. Always run a bead of caulk along any seams; this includes vertical seams, not just horizontal. Be sure to use exterior caulk. Good quality 40 year exterior caulk can be found at your local home improvement or hardware store. Trim can be caulked either before or after painting.

Maintaining Your Deck Stain

2007-12-22T01:24:00.000-05:00

Wooden decks often require yearly maintenance. It’s this yearly maintenance that make most people dread having a deck. If you have performed the right preparation and cleaning as well as chosen a high quality penetrating oil based deck stain, maintenance does not have to be an issue. The key is to understand is that maintenance is preventative. Instead of letting your deck stain fail and have the wood turn gray, simply reapply a new coat of stain every spring. Its important to make sure that you first remove any mold or dirt. If you already have a deck stain or sealer that is intact, you can mix one part household bleach to two parts water and add a squirt of dish cleaning liquid like Dawn™. Use a very soft bristled brush (a truck wash brush works well) to gently agitate the cleaner on the surface. Rinse away the dirt with a garden hose. You may notice a slight lightening of color on the existing finish.. that is nothing about which you should worry. Let the deck dry for a full day. Now simply apply your fresh coat of deck stain and voila! Your deck will be good as new.

Can replacement windows be installed during the winter

2007-12-22T01:18:00.000-05:00

Can replacement windows be installed during the winter?

Most people begin to think of replacing their windows when the cold weather sets in. Most then wonder if windows can be replaced during the winter months. The answer is yes! Most window companies offer year round service and the bulk of their business is in every season except summer. Most window companies that have your comfort in mind will try to install one room at a time with the doors closed so your house does not get cold.

Each window opening is only exposed for a short time while the old window is removed and the new window is installed. Generally this only takes about 10 minutes and then the installer can insulate the window and caulk the opening. Most professional installers have done this task 1000’s of times so rest assured, they will look out for your home.

One of the most rewarding reasons for having your windows installed during the winter is that you will begin to reap the benefits the day that they are installed. Your glass will feel warmer and your old drafty windows will be on their way to their final resting place. You should begin to notice that you heating bill is smaller which will leave some room to plan other projects.

Power Washing Contractor Report

2007-08-31T13:58:00.000-04:00

Power washing your house, deck, roof and all concrete like driveways and walkways can increase the value of your home and significantly improve the overall look or your residence.

Many people from around the country use different lingo to describe this type of exterior cleaning. Some people call it power washing and some say pressure washing. But no matter which term you use, the end result is a clean house exterior.

For home owners and business owners residing in Indiana, there is a professional power washing contractor called Midwest Pro Wash that can handle all of your pressure washing needs.

To get more information on their deck cleaning, house washing and general power washing services, visit their power washing contractor site or go directly to the request power washing estimate page to send a no obligation request for an evaluation of your property.

Rating Replacement Windows Vinyl Windows

2007-08-28T23:02:00.000-04:00

Vinyl Replacement Windows, How Do You Rate Them?

I have been answering the same question over and over again on Home Improvement web-sites, which window is the best. Most window buyers have no idea how to rate a window company. Rating windows is not as easy as saying one is better than the other one. Consider these things when rating windows:

Looks - which window looks the best to you the owner. Does the window look good viewed from both the inside and the outside?

Function - does the window meet your needs? Do you want the sashes to tilt in for easy cleaning?

Options - does the window company offer the options that you need? How about colors, windows are now sold in several different color both on the inside and the outside. Window screen are now available with several different options.

Maintenance - do you want a window that is easy to clean and does not require any painting or staining?

Warranty - how long is the warranty that they offer? Will the company be around to honor the warranty? Does the warranty cover labor? Is the warranty pro-rated? Do you have to buy replacement parts at an inflated price?

NFRC Ratings - Do you care about how good the glass is? Do you understand the benefits of triple pane glass? Do you know the differences between the different spacers? Do you know about Argon gas or Kyrpton Gas?

Customer Service - will the company handle your window issues in a timely manner. If one of your sashes (glass) breaks how long will it take to get you a new one.

You should check the BBB reports, and several of the other on-line complaint databases to get a feel for what people are saying about a company.

Floor Register - Grates - Air Vents

2007-05-08T15:05:00.000-04:00

Decorating your home is easy when you select the right products to complement fixed items like flooring, cabinetry and wall paper. Starting at floor level is one of the best ideas since everyone must look where they are going.

Start your decorating in the most obvious place, the floor. Most people seem to overlook the benefits of adding decorations to their floor. Mainly because they see flooring as a fixed item and until it gets worn-out, it basically keeps the same look for years.

It is true that flooring is not easily replaced and can cost thousands of dollars. That is why adding decorations or eye candy to your floor is such a great idea. Adding color coordinated flooring accessories will accent a room and won’t get outdated for as long as the flooring stays in tact.

A perfect accessory to use that will add value and give an enchanting appeal to any room is decorative floor registers. They are called many things; floor registers, grates, air vents, grilles and so forth. But regardless of what you call them, they are built to serve the same purpose and add beauty.

Quality Flooring

2007-04-06T16:56:00.000-04:00

As a home builder, we are always faced with the challenges of choosing quality flooring products and professional flooring contractors to install them correctly. After years of trial and error, we have come to the conclusion the FloorsToGo Flooring Center of Raeford NC is by far the best choice possible.

Their staff is always great to work with and their flooring installers do the best work of any crews we have ever hired. From hardwood floors to ceramic tile and vinyl, no other flooring company has offered this level of professionalism and workmanship.

We now use their flooring services for other work including remodeling and commercial jobs. Other builders and home owners give good reports on their work and they always finish on schedule.

Another benefit is the use of the FloorsToGo Flooring Store, where customers can view large selections of carpet, laminate flooring, ceramic tile and even marble.

In summary, it is our suggestion that anyone planning to have a floor replaced or needs professional advice on flooring or choosing the right flooring products should contact FloorsToGo, either through their website or by calling 1-866-NEW-FLOR.

Residential General Contractor - North Carolina Home Builder - NC General Contractor Hutch Construction

2006-11-17T16:14:00.000-05:00

Residential General Contractor - North Carolina Home Builder - NC General Contractor Hutch Construction: "LICENSED RESIDENTIAL GENERAL CONTRACTOR-NORTH CAROLINA HOME BUILDER

Welcome To Hutch Construction, Inc. Our commitment is quality work on all our projects. As a commercial and residential general contractor and North Carolina home builder, we ensure this commitment by personally overseeing each and every project we undertake.

BUILDING QUALITY; SAFELY, EFFICIENTLY AND ON SCHEDULE.

We are a general contractor in North Carolina based out of the City of Wilson NC, and serving the entire North Carolina area. We are just 30 minutes from Raleigh and Greenville in a growing community of nearly 50,000 people, at the crossroads of I-95 and US 264; halfway between New York and Miami.

Wilson is only 3 hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains and 2 hours from the inviting North Carolina beaches. The average temperature is 60 degrees, and the changing of the seasons are beautiful. Wilson is a relaxed, family-oriented town, and we value our history."

North Carolina Home Builder & General Contractor

2006-10-12T18:59:00.000-04:00

LICENSED RALEIGH GENERAL CONTRACTOR-NORTH CAROLINA HOME BUILDER

Welcome To Hutch Construction, Inc. Our commitment is quality work on all our projects. As a commercial and residential general contractor and North Carolina home builder, we ensure this commitment by personally overseeing each and every project we undertake.

ABOUT OUR BUILDING COMPANY

I, Harry (Hutch) Hutchins, a licensed general contractor in North Carolina, am the owner and President of Hutch Construction, Inc. with my beautiful wife Angela Hutchins, as Vice President. My brother Thomas and his wife, Tammy Hutchins are my Executive Superintendent and Office Manager, respectively.

Hutch Construction has been in business since 1989 in the NC area, and is a top home builder in North Carolina, building custom homes, renovating, remodeling and working with insurance repairs. Hutch Construction started in Charleston, South Carolina after hurricane Hugo, working and repairing for 2 years after the devastating storm. We have worked from the beaches to the mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Based here in the city of Wilson NC since 1994, vinyl windows and vinyl siding are about 40% of our business, new homes make up about 55%, leaving around 5% in the commercial field. At this time, we are expanding the commercial side of our company with flex space and office town homes. We are capable of handling small office and warehouse projects. The last project was the addition to the Wilson County Farm Supply warehouse.