Blog | Finnteriors

May 3, 2018 by finnteriors

What to Expect with a Kitchen Remodel Design Process

So you’re thinking about having your kitchen remodeled or renovated. Perhaps you want to extend the room to enlarge it, or you want to upgrade cabinets, appliances and such. Or maybe you want to do both!

Whether it’s a small remodel or extensive renovation, it’s likely that you and your family will need to make some adjustments in your everyday life during the process. There are some things you should consider before embarking on this exciting but a bit chaotic journey.

Set a Budget

Before you even think about remodeling, you need to determine how much you can afford to spend on the renovation. And remember, there are usually unexpected expenses, so you need to allow room in the budget for that. A good rule of thumb is to expect to spend an additional 20% of what you think it will cost.

And don’t forget the “hidden” costs of surviving during the renovation process. Eating meals out can cost a lot more than cooking them at home. You’ll be buying more convenient supplies as well, like paper plates and utensils, since washing dishes will be a hardship.

There Will Be Mess

There will be strange men—and maybe women—in your home for weeks. There’s no getting around the fact that contractors will be trudging through your house and making lots of noise. You can map out a path for the contractors to walk from the entrance of your home to the kitchen. Placing old rugs or drop cloths along that path can decrease the amount of tracked dirt and debris throughout.

Another suggestion is to move any breakable or valuable items in the kitchen and adjoining rooms to a safer area. Contractors moving equipment and supplies, and causing vibrations installing kitchen amenities could cause damage to these items.

Set Up a Temporary Kitchen

Unless you’re fortunate enough to have another functional kitchen in your home, or can stay at a hotel or elsewhere during the renovation, you’ll need to set up an alternate space, preferably with a working sink, if possible. This space could be the utility room, laundry room or basement. Although your bathrooms have sinks, they aren’t great alternative kitchens, simply because you’d be competing with so many other necessary activities.

Before the contractor starts replacing all the cabinets and countertops, you may want to set aside a couple cabinets to use in your alternate kitchen.

If you have an extra “beer box” refrigerator in your home, you can use it temporarily to keep perishable items for quick breakfasts, lunches and even dinners.

Find Alternatives to Meal Preparation

Your refrigerator, stove and dishwasher may be non-functional during the remodeling process so you’ll need to make other arrangements for meals. Although occasionally eating out is an option, it can be expensive if you do so for the entire duration.

Here are some creative ways you can avoid, or at least decrease the expense of restaurants:

You can cook a lot of foods on a barbecue grill; especially of the renovation is taking place during nice weather.
If you have a camping stove, you can cook some items on there as well. If you don’t own one, maybe you can borrow one or buy one secondhand.
Clip coupons for restaurants, so that if you do eat out, it won’t cost as much.
Use the kitchen of a friend, neighbor or family member. To pay them back, make a meal for them too!
If you will have the use of a freezer during remodeling, cook meals ahead of time and freeze. You can take them out to thaw and microwave.

Have Finnteriors Remodel Your Kitchen

Finnteriors has over 30 years of experience in the home remodeling and construction business. Contact us today to find out how we can help you get that kitchen remodel or renovation started!

April 17, 2018 by finnteriors

Adding a Room to Your Home

We posted a blog a few months ago on the Types of Home Additions and briefly described some of them, which included room additions. This blog goes into more detail on the types of room additions and reasons you may want to consider them.

When we refer to a room addition, it could mean any type of new room added into or onto the home interior. Types of room additions can include any of the following or a combination thereof:

Great room
Family room
Dining room
Breakfast nook
Additional bathrooms
Dormers
Laundry rooms
Mud room/utility room
Additional bedrooms
Home office
In-law suites
Playroom
Hobby room
…and more!

5 Great Reasons to Add a Room

There are many good reasons to consider adding a room extension to your home. Your family may have grown since you purchased the home and you need more space. Or your lifestyle has changed—maybe you’d like to entertain more. Or you need to bring an elderly relative in for caretaking.

Adding a room addition has many benefits, some of which are listed below.

1. Give one of your children their own bedroom

It’s fine to put your two sons or daughters in the same room when they are younger. In fact, they may even enjoy the company of their sibling and help them sleep easier. But as they grow into teenagers, they prefer more privacy. Adding a bedroom allows your children more space for their own activities. They can do their homework with less disruption, talk to their friends on the phone, have sleepovers, etc., without their little sis or bro eavesdropping.

2. Offers a special place for hobbies

If you or a family member has a hobby or interest that requires some space, it’s always nice to have a room designated for that activity so that it doesn’t disrupt other areas of the home. For example, if you enjoy making crafts, a room with storage cupboards to hold supplies and tools, a table large enough to make your creations, and proper lighting can be conducive to pursuing your hobby. Unlike when using other areas of the home to create the crafts, like the kitchen or dining room, you won’t need to start and stop because of the disruption to other daily activities.

3. Can be used as a home office

Whether you work outside the home or not, you probably need a place for your laptop, printer and other necessities you use for running a home or business. Even though laptops offer more mobility than the older desktop computers do, carting them from one room to another isn’t always ideal. It’s better to contain your electronics in a room where everything is located in one place. It also allows you some privacy and solitude to make calls or get that presentation done for work the next day.

4. Expand your living space

As your family grows, they take up more space. What used to seem cozy is now just simply crowded. Adding a room or more can go a long way in making it more comfortable. You can add a family room to house the TV, games and such. It will become the central location for family members and friends to congregate and have fun. Or how about a breakfast nook added to the kitchen that allows the whole family to gather for breakfast before school/work? Have you always wanted a separate dining room to accommodate larger groups for holidays or special dinners? All of these and more can be accomplished through a room addition.

5. Avoid the stress and expense of moving

Adding rooms to your existing home is a practical way to expand your living space without having to move to a larger home. If you love your current home, the neighborhood and schools, it’s an alternative to the stressful process of buying and selling. It can also save you money in the short term and possibly add value to your home when you do decide to sell.

Finnteriors Can Build Your Next Room Addition

Finnteriors has over 30 years of experience in the home remodeling and construction business. Contact us today to find out how we can help you get that room addition built!

March 29, 2018 by finnteriors

Deck or Patio—Which Is Right for You?

Spring is here, and although the weather has not yet reflected it, warm days are coming to St. Louis, guaranteed! Soon you’ll be looking to barbecue and entertain outdoors. Having a place to do that is something to consider now.

There are basically two types of outdoor venues for homes—decks and patios. Choosing which one is right for you and your lifestyle depends on a number of things, and there are pros and cons for each.

Differences between a Deck and Patio

Let’s first look at what differentiates a deck from a patio.

A deck is built above the ground. Although they can be placed close to the ground, they are not place directly on it, with a support system to hold it up. Decks are typically constructed of wood or vinyl. They can be built on the lower floor of a home, or added to an upper level. Some decks are actually on the rooftop. They usually have railings that enclose them and, if on upper levels, may have steps leading to the ground or lower level.

A patio, on the other hand, is built directly onto the ground. It can be attached to the home or located separately in the yard. Patio foundations can be constructed with concrete, stone, tile, pavers, brick or other materials. They typically don’t include railings, but may have covers to protect from sun and rain. Because the foundation is resistant to heat and fire, built-in barbecues and fire pits can be featured on the patios.

Choosing between a Deck or Patio

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether a deck or patio is right for you and your home. We’ve outlined some of them here.

Location

Where the outdoor space is built is a determining factor in your choice. If you want landscaping to surround your space, a patio would be a better option. Do you have uneven terrain? Decks would typically be the right choice for this situation, although a patio could be built with a retaining wall supporting it to make it level. But if you want the space on anything but the ground level, a deck is necessary.

Cost

Decks are typically more expensive to build than patios of the same size made with a concrete foundation. Of course, some of the newer materials that can be used for patios may jack up the cost, so that will need to be weighed.

Decks that are well built and maintained will retain more return on investment than do patios.

Purpose

Do you want your space surrounding a pool with built-in fireplaces, barbecues or the like? Will you be using it for entertaining large groups? Do you need overhead protection from the weather? All these would warrant a patio.

If your goal is to have a relaxing spot to read outdoors, if you want a great view or need the space built on a location that is above ground level or on a slope, a deck is your obvious choice.

Maintenance

Both decks and patios require varying degrees of maintenance depending on the building materials.

Wooden decks require periodic sealing, staining and even replacement of railings and floor planks as they age, whereas certain patios may require weeding between paving stones, filling in cracks and sealing, as in the case of concrete slabs.

Finnteriors Can Construct Both Decks and Patios

Regardless of your preferences and ultimate decision on whether you want a deck or patio, Finnteriors Construction Services can build it! We can also help you make the decision, based on a number of factors and our experience and knowledge.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you get that deck or patio construction started today so you don’t miss one beautiful day enjoying it!

March 15, 2018 by finnteriors

Planning on Refinishing Your Basement?

If you want to add more living space to your home, you have several options. You can add on or expand the main or upper levels to get that extra family room, bedroom or den. Or you could consider refinishing your basement to fulfill that need, which likely will cost much less than the other options.

What to Consider Before Refinishing the Basement

Before you even start the basement project, you need to do your homework. Otherwise, all the time, effort and money you pour into it may be for naught. Here are some things you need to know before you begin the process.

1. Make Sure It’s Dry!

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, 60% of all basements experience some type of water issues. If you don’t correct the leaking or dampness issues before you refinish, you’ll wind up having to tear out drywall, carpet and other materials the next time a heavy rain or other source of excess water occurs.

Moisture can also cause mold to form on the structures in the basement, so you’ll need to remedy that prior to the remodeling. For assistance in water cleanup and mold remediation, contact our sister company, St. Louis Cleaning and Restoration for a free appraisal and quote.

2. Know and Follow the Codes.

Don’t try to get around the requirements for permits and building codes in your area. If you get caught, your local department can mandate you to tear down everything and rebuild afterward.

Even if you don’t get caught while you live there, when you put your home on the market, potential buyers may balk at purchasing if you don’t have the proper certificate of occupancy for the project.

Hiring an expert inspector provides you with an independent party who will have your best interests at heart. He’ll let you know what permits you need, whether the electrical system is up to code, any special insulation requirements needed and any periodic inspections required during the process.

3. Plan the Layout.

You likely already have ideas for how you plan to use the basement as an extra living space. Will it be a recreation room, man cave, entertaining space? Will you build an extra bedroom? Here are some ideas for making the most of the space:

Areas used for entertaining and socializing should get the most natural light in order to be more welcoming.
Bedrooms need a window, so they need to be on the perimeter.
TV viewing areas or in-home theaters can be in a dark area, reducing glare.
Refrigerators and storage areas should be located in areas where accessing them doesn’t interfere with TV viewing.

You’ll need to determine other options, like the type of ceiling that’s best for your needs. A drop ceiling conceals electrical wires and pipes, while providing ready access if necessary, but it will also reduce the amount of overhead space available.

Recessed lighting is also a great option, especially for drop ceilings, as it doesn’t take up any additional overhead space.

Heating the basement is an area you need to plan out carefully, as you don’t want to rely on space heaters for warmth. Because heat rises, baseboard heating can be a great choice for a basement. But you need to make sure it will work within your current HVAC system.

4. Insulate the Walls and Pipes.

Adding insulation to the walls will help regulate the temperature indoors. It can also help in controlling moisture and reducing noise from the outside. You should choose insulation that includes a vapor barrier on both sides. If local building codes allow it, spray foam insulation is also a good option.

Before covering them up, put foam insulation sleeves over water pipes. This will reduce heat loss from the hot water pipes and prevent condensation from forming on cold water pipes and dripping inside the drywall or ceiling.

Finnteriors Is the Expert on Basement Refinishing

Finnteriors Construction Services has been in the home construction business in St. Louis for over 20 years. We will help you plan your basement refinishing project and create a welcoming and functional space for you that meets your needs and is built to code.

February 19, 2018 by finnteriors

Is Your Home Addition Always Cold?

So you’ve added an addition to your home—great room, bathroom, kitchen expansion, etc.—with the intent of having more space and amenities for you and your family to enjoy. But it turns out that the room you were looking so forward to spending time in is always cold!

Causes of a Cold Room

There are a number of reasons why the added space is always cold, including:

The HVAC is not large enough to accommodate the extra space.
The thermostat is not ideally located.
The flooring is of a material that is typically cold (ceramic tile).
Air is not circulating well.
Air ducts are not sufficiently reaching the cold room.
Poor insulation.
…and more.

5 Ways to Warm Up a Home Addition

There are a number of ways to make a room warmer; some can be pretty expensive, others are simple, lower cost solutions. We’ve listed some simple DIY remedies here for your consideration before shelling out the big bucks.

1. Install Retrofit Light Kits

If it’s been a few years since your home addition has been built, it likely has the incandescent recessed lighting installed. Replacing them with energy-efficient LED retrofit kits can prove to be quite beneficial. They are ICAT rated (insulation contact/air-tight), which means the light fixture’s ventilation system is directly connected to your roof’s ventilation system, and the two systems work together to pull warm air from your living spaces during cold winter months.

The LED bulbs give out much less heat than the incandescent bulbs and don’t need the same amount of ventilation. The LED kits are a solid, one-piece housing that includes the bulb and surrounding casing unit. They form an air barrier that prevents warm air from escaping from the indoor room to the outside through the roof.

2. Hang Ceiling Fans

Many consider ceiling fans as a means to cool a room, but they are also advantageous in increasing the warmth, as well. Simply switching the direction of the fan blades will push the warm air that rises to the ceiling down to circulate around the rest of the room will increase the comfort level.

3. Insulate

Oftentimes, home additions are built over concrete or dirt crawlspaces. These areas usually have minimal insulation, if any. To compound the situation, vents in crawlspaces are located on the exterior, so the cold and damp outside air blows into the living space. Vapor barriers can control moisture and insulation can improve the comfort level of rooms that are over crawl spaces.

Another area that would benefit by installing additional insulation is the attic. This is especially true for extra rooms added to upper levels of the home, or for room additions with cathedral ceilings. Retrofitting with dense-packed cellulose or spray foam insulation will dramatically improve insulation performance in these areas.

4. Check for Drafts

Improperly sealed windows and exterior doors can be a factor in the warm air escaping. To check for drafts, hold a lit candle and run your hand along the window trim. If the flame flickers, that indicates that there is an air leak. You can then caulk or add weather-stripping to the window. If that doesn’t completely eliminate the draft, take off the window trim and spray foam sealant between the wall and window frame, then put the trim back on the window.

5. Get an Energy Audit

If you’ve tried all these tips and your room addition is still cold, you can hire an expert to perform an energy audit. The audit involves inspecting the HVAC systems, water system, ductwork, insulation, ventilation, doors and windows. They will also probably look at your appliances and lighting as well. These audits can cost a few hundred dollars, but they will pinpoint areas where you need to concentrate to improve the comfort of your home addition.

Finnteriors Can Answer Your Questions

Finnteriors Construction Services installs home additions with energy efficiency built in. We are the experts in home remodeling, as a locally owned and operated general contracting business based in the St. Louis area for over 20 years. We offer exceptional general contracting services at fair and competitive prices.