Many people consider the kitchen as the most important room in their home. It’s the place where the family gathers to break bread. It’s where visitors congregate to socialize. It’s basically the hub of most home activity. If your kitchen is outdated, with old appliances, scratched or cracked countertops, lackluster cabinets, limited space for cooking and eating–it may be time to consider remodeling.
Summer is coming to an end and the more pleasant days of Autumn are almost upon us. What better time to get that deck built (or rebuilt) onto your home?
There are plenty more days left to enjoy barbecues and parties outdoors. Building or extending your deck can expand the space for your social gatherings. And here’s another great reason to have a wooden deck installed: According to Realtor.com, adding a wooden deck onto your home is Number 3 on the top 20 lists of projects that are highest in ROI (more than 80% of your costs are recouped). So if you’re thinking about putting your home on the market, a wood deck is one home improvement project you may want to consider.
A deck is a platform with decking boards or tiles, usually made of either wood or a composite material. A deck is ideal for sloped yards where you want a flat area. It’s also good for homes that sit high above the ground or atop a basement, because they can be built as high as you need. If your home sits higher than about 14 inches off the ground, a platform deck is probably for you.
A deck is basically another room added to your home. Walk out the door leading to your deck, and it’s another living space. During nice weather, you’ll be glad you have it. And if you install a hot tub on the deck, you’ll even enjoy it during the colder winter days.
Backyard decks have replaced patios and front porches as the social centers of suburbia. Decks are elevated to catch breezes and to facilitate conversations with neighbors on their decks. Large enough for a table and grill, most decks are more versatile than front porches and provide privacy from street traffic.
There are basically two types of materials that can be used to construct your home deck: natural wood and man-made materials. Those that require less ongoing maintenance tend to be more expensive. Less expensive materials can still make great decks, but they need to be cleaned and treated regularly for long-lasting use.
Wood is a traditional, popular, and high-maintenance choice for decking. The material looks warm, feels cool under foot, and smells great. The two options in this category are cedar and pressure treated woods. Cedar is deep red and looks the most natural. Pressure treated woods come in a wide range of grades; the higher the grade, the more durable, since they are often kiln dried after treatment. Both cedar and pressure treated woods are rot-resistant.
Wooden decks are more economical to build because the materials are readily available, so they are less expensive. Wood stays cool in summer, is easy on the feet, and has a rustic look and feel, which goes well with many house styles.
Wood does require regular maintenance or it will rot and develop mold and mildew. Annual cleaning, as well as restaining and re-sealing every 3-4 years is also necessary, or the deck can stain, crack, rot, and warp.
There are a few materials that can be used for deck construction that are man-made.
Composite materials are constructed using recycled plastic and wood fiber products. These materials have the look of natural wood, but doesn’t require the constant maintenance. It’s a “greener” choice over wood, since more trees aren’t cut down. It’s available in many designs, colors, and textures. Composite decking is also easier to clean (just use soap and water), and will not rot.
Composite materials are usually double the cost of natural wood. Decks made of these materials can sag and, if located in shade, can develop mold and mildew.
This material is resistant to stains and fading and is not slippery when wet. Plastic materials are low maintenance, not requiring sanding, staining, or painting.
Some brands of plastic deck materials may require a more supportive structure than wood or they will sag. The material is hotter in the summer and does not resemble the look of wood at all. The cost can be more or less than natural wood, depending on brand and style.
Decks made from anodized aluminum materials are more durable. They are great in areas near bodies of water, as they are extremely resistant to rot, mold and mildew. Their surface is cool in the heat and non-slippery.
Virtually maintenance free, they simply require sweeping and occasional rinsing with a garden hose. They offer a more contemporary look, with a wide choice of colors, which are very resistant to fading.
Aluminum is more expensive than wood. And if you want a more traditional-looking deck, it’s not your best choice.
No matter what type of deck you prefer, Finnteriors can construct it for you. Don’t wait to get that additional living space to enjoy! Contact us today to get a free estimate for your new deck!
With the hot summer soon coming to an end, the cooler fall weather will be upon us. The more pleasant days and nights will allow us to open windows and spend more time outdoors. Because of that, Fall is a great time to consider repainting both the interior and exterior of your home or business. But don’t waste those awesome days doing it yourself.
Hiring a professional painter for your home or commercial property has a lot of advantages over tackling the job yourself. We’ve listed some of the top reasons why you should hire a professional painter for your painting project.
Many non-professionals can paint. They can buy a can of paint from their local paint or home improvement store, buy some brushes or rollers, and slap on paint. But what does the end result look like?
There is a significant difference in the quality of a paint job completed by a professional painting contractor. Experienced professionals have the skill and knowledge to know how different types of paint perform. They know what types of surfaces need special paint or preparation, so the end results look much better. Professionals also have more insight into products and colors that will work best for you. It’s their trade, not just another chore, and their goal is to deliver a quality project.
If you’ve ever attempted a major paint job yourself, you know how much time and effort clean-up requires. Professional painting contractors leave your premises looking better than before they came in! They will use protectors over your possessions and clean up any debris remaining when the job is done. What you’re left with is a brighter, cleaner room to enjoy.
How much do you have on your “honey-do” list already? Fitting all your chores into your “leisure” time can be quite a challenge. It can consume weeks, if not months, to complete this additional task on your own. And wouldn’t you rather spend your days off doing activities with family and friends that are much more enjoyable?
By hiring a professional paint contractor, you control when the job is performed. You can set a schedule and deadline for when you want the job finished. Barring any unforeseen delays or interruptions, the project will be finished when you want it.
Professional paint contractors know the ins and outs of the trade. They know how to prep walls and other surfaces so that the finished job looks, well, professional. How many times have you painted a room only to get the corners messed up or the areas around a window not quite perfect? Letting a professional painter do the job ensures whatever you decide to have painted will turn out as close to perfect as possible.
A well trained and experienced professional house painter will know exactly what products to use. They can recommend certain finishes and colors to give you options. With their guidance you will be able to choose the ideal products for your home.
Painting supplies include more than paint and brushes. Tools required to complete a painting project can vary, depending on the application, area, surface and prep needed. These can include paint applicators, spraying tools, caulking, patching and other materials. They also are equipped with ladders, protective covering to protect your furniture and carpeting, and safety gear to protect themselves.
Safety factors are another concern. All painting projects require attention to safety, some more than others. If you choose to do the job yourself, you risk injury, which can impact your health, welfare and income. Why put your personal safety at risk?
Professionals have the training and equipment needed to maintain a safe and accident-free environment. This enables them to complete the jobs with minimal risk of injury. Most, if not all, professional painting contractors maintain insurance, which covers them on the job and relieves you of any liability.
Finnteriors provides its customers with highly skilled interior and exterior home painters. The St. Louis painter who visits your home has the skill and knowledge base to work on any interior or exterior space, including spaces constructed from the following materials: wood, stucco, plaster, and masonry.
Contact us today to learn how we can make your home or business better and brighter with a professional paint job.
Remodeling your home can be an overwhelming concept. It can be less stressful if you break the projects up into rooms. You’ll need to determine which rooms need the most remodeling and the benefits derived from the process.
When it comes to remodeling priorities, bathroom projects offer the most return on investment, both financially and functionally. Here are some ways you can benefit from remodeling your bathroom.
You may not even be considering selling your home in the near future, but when you do, bathroom remodels will increase its value. Homebuyers consider remodeled bathrooms a definite plus, so your home will have more appeal and likely sell faster.
Of course, the increased value depends on the upgrades you apply. Don’t expect to get a dollar-for-dollar return on investment. Financial experts say that bathroom remodeling yields about a 62 percent return on investment (in third place, behind attic bedroom and kitchen remodeling).
Going green is not only good for the environment—it’s good for your wallet too. Updating your bathroom with energy-efficient features, like toilets, faucets, showers and lighting fixtures, can save you considerably in water and electricity usage. These, and upgrades like environmentally-friendly flooring paing, will also lessen your impact on the environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that if only 10% of homes upgraded to more energy-efficient fixtures in their bathrooms, over 70 billion gallons of water and $1.5 Billion worth of energy costs would be saved. Whether you are going green or looking to save some green, updating your bathroom with energy efficient faucets, showerheads or lighting will put you on the right path.
Is your bathroom stuck in the 50s? Or even the 80s? If so, you can get so much more out of it by remodeling it. The styles and functionality of more modern fixtures, tiles, flooring and lighting will bring your bathroom into the 21st century!
Imagine relaxing in a luxurious Jacuzzi tub while reading or even watching your favorite TV show! Or get the benefits of a shower with multi-directional heads and massage capabilities. You can even enjoy a warm toilet seat when you get up in the middle of a cold winter night. The possibilities are almost endless.
Have you outgrown your bathroom? Maybe it was just you and your spouse who moved in to the home years ago. Now your family has grown, and your need for additional space has grown with it. You may think you’re limited because of the room size, but by reconfiguring the space, you can open it up.
By remodeling your bathroom, you can also add more storage capability with shelving, cabinets and wall storage. Replace larger fixtures with more streamlined ones to open up the room. These will help organize and de-clutter the room. Store linens, towels, toiletries and more instead of crowding the tops of the vanity and other surfaces.
Take a look at your current bathroom. Does it meet the needs of your family? Are the fixtures, lighting, flooring and tiles outdated? Can you see yourself luxuriating in a more modern and comfortable atmosphere?
There are so many choices when it comes to upgrading and modernizing your bathroom. From stylish and updated plumbing fixtures, spa-style bathtubs and showers, and beautiful natural stone or tile, you’ll be amazed at the possibilities. Imagine enjoying your newly-remodeled bathroom for hours on end!
Change the color of the paint, resurface your cabinets, install new lights and upgrade the hardware in your space. Change out your shower heads, tubs, faucets, lighting and more. By changing the theme in your bathroom, you can refresh and rejuvenate your space in no time.
There may also be situations when your bathroom needs certain accommodations. Perhaps you have a family member that needs wheelchair accessibility or handicap-equipped showers or toilets. Or you may need a bathtub installed in a shower-only bathroom for kids.
Why wait any longer to enjoy the possibilities that your remodeled bathroom can offer? Contact Finnteriors Construction to get a free estimate on upgrading your bathroom.
Regardless of your budget, we can create a bathroom you’ll love and enjoy for years to come.
Commercial flooring is very different than that chosen for residential use. Because of the high traffic volume, it must withstand a lot more wear and tear than what a family causes in a home. That means the materials must be more heavy duty. It doesn’t mean, however, that it needs to be drab or unattractive. There are many types and grades of flooring options suited for commercial and industrial use. We’ve listed some here for you.
You may have heard homeowners raving about their new laminate floors that closely resembles real hardwood flooring, but is easy to maintain, scratch-resistant and durable. Well, you can get that same quality and appearance in a commercial-grade laminate flooring. Commercial laminate comes in a variety of wood types, textures, finishes and colors to complement your office decor. You can specify plank sizes, as well.
This type of floor offers a high resistance to wear-through, dents, stains, fading and damage from alcohol-based hand sanitizers. It’s quick to install and is an affordable solution.
Concrete flooring is suitable for industrial environments like warehouses, factories, garages and such, where there is heavy machinery and tools in use. Its durability and low cost makes it ideal for these types of work spaces.
Plain concrete floors are not very attractive. However, they can be stained or finished, which adds visual appeal. They can be polished where they look more like marble, but are virtually maintenance-free. Stains, dyes, and textures can also be added to enhance the surface’s look.
They do not require waxing or sealing; a daily swipe with a dust mop, and frequent wet mopping with a neutral-pH floor cleaner keeps them beautiful and functional for many years.
Vinyl flooring offers many options and designs. There are three distinct types of tile flooring: Vinyl Sheet Flooring, Vinyl Composite Tile (VCT) and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). While all three are durable materials well-suited for high-traffic commercial applications, they’re differentiated by maintenance requirements, lifetime price and design versatility.
Vinyl Sheet Flooring comes in large rolls, minimizing the number of seams and making it ideal for healthcare facilities where fall prevention is a key concern. Conversely, the lack of seams makes maintenance more difficult: If a section of vinyl sheet flooring gets damaged, you’ll need to cut and replace the entire section rather than just swap a tile.
VCT is a mixture of natural limestone, filler materials, thermoplastic binder and color pigments. Made by fusing chips into solid sheets and cutting them into tiles, VCT requires layers of polish to protect its porous surface. Because of this, VCT is not a low-maintenance flooring product. It requires regular stripping, waxing and polishing, while LVT and sheet vinyl can get by with routine sweeping and mopping.
LVT is made of a predominately limestone-based material mixed with composites. A graphic film covers the composite material, making it possible to create nearly any look, sealed beneath an outer wear layer. While LVT costs the most out of the three types initially, its lifetime costs tend to be lower due to its superior durability and minimal maintenance requirements. And due to the versatility of its graphic layer, LVT provides superior design capabilities to VCT.
Commercial grade carpeting and carpet tiles offer warmth and noise insulation, thereby making this type of flooring ideal for hotels or offices. Carpet tiles are more versatile, allowing you to create patterns, as well as replace stained or worn tiles without having to install an entire new carpet.
Carpeting can be higher maintenance than other types of commercial flooring options, since it stains more easily, is more difficult to clean and less hygienic. If carpeting is used, it’s best to choose a color and design that doesn’t show stains or dirt and to have it cleaned regularly.
Rubber flooring is common in high-traffic areas like airports and restaurants. They are easy to maintain, waterproof and resistant to heat. Because rubber floors can be cleaned easily, they are more hygienic than other materials. The material reduces risks of slipping and absorbs noise. Its cushioned feel makes it comfortable to walk on. Rubber floors come in a variety of textures and colors to suit your preferences.
Finnteriors installs all types of commercial flooring for your business. We can suggest the types of flooring that’s right for your business at the best prices. We will make sure the project runs smoothly, from project planning, procurement, installation, logistics and maintenance planning.
Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation!