Remodeling and Home Improvements Atlanta

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Green Building Code and me!

Whatever your opinion is about global warming, you cannot ignore the fact that the cost of energy of every kind has gone up and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. It's also not difficult to understand how these increases filter into every aspect of the home building business and into the costs of living for the homeowner, especially the cost of heating and cooling.

In reality when the entire building process is examined there is no point at which we can afford to not pay attention to methods and practices that save energy. The almost universal terminology for these practices is "going green". As Kermit, the frog, sang: "it's not easy being green."

Last spring, it got a bit easier. The International Code Council has adopted the National Green Building Standard ICC-700. The standard's rating system allows builders, designers and communities to choose the levels of high-performance green buildings that best suit their needs. Key provisions include:

* Land conservation

* Rainwater collection

* Construction of smaller homes to conserve resources

* Energy performance starting at 15 percent above the baseline requirements of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code

* The use of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) materials and detached garages or carports to improve indoor environmental quality

Homeowner education on proper maintenance and operation to maintain its green status throughout its life cycle

Training on ICC-700 already is available. Check with the ICC to your local Home Builders Association for more information on scheduled training opportunities.

And just so the rest of the industry won't feel left out. The Code Council is finalizing its Green Building Technologies Certification program for building officials, inspectors, planners, zoning personnel, mayors, city council members, developers and other interested parties. Again check with the ICC for more info.

Also many utilities working with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have developed guidelines and green codes. Georgia Power and the Southern Companies have been leaders in this program called Energy Star.

The National Home Builders Association working through state and local chapters have created workshops and encouraged builders to work together to strengthen green practices and codes.

Now it's up to you and me. First as good business people: going green and the green codes will save money and make you money as more and more consumers understand the impact of energy conservation on almost everything. Second as responsible citizens of our planet and guardians of the future for all generations to come. The time to start is today. Doesn't it just make good sense?

To find out more about green building please visit the following links: Building Codes or Atlanta Remodeling Contractor.This article was authored by V.C Fuqua and Submitted by Joseph Vann Hamby. All editing and summaries are Authored by Joseph Vann Hamby in a collective effort to encourage publishing of V.C. Fuqua's brilliant View of Building Codes.

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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Remodeling marketing in a tough economic time

Saturday, January 9, 2010

The Residential Building Code and Me

By V. C. Fuqua

Home Builder, Architect, Inspector, Carpenter, Plumber, Electrician, HVAC Contractor, who ever you are in the business of building residential homes, the Residential Building Code touches your life daily. "Oh, I haven't looked up anything in the Code for years." Well maybe it's time you did!

In some form or other, building codes have been in existence for hundreds of years. They have evolved to protect the safety and well being of people who live in houses, which includes almost everybody. The Code is the first line of defense to prevent and stop property damage, injury, and death from fire, weather related occurrences, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods. earthquakes, and more recently from man made materials that when misused can present a danger to health and well being. As everyone recognizes, in the modern world things are forever changing. So, on a national, state and local jurisdictional level the Code is updated regularly. So not keeping up with what's in the Code cannot be considered the path of a wise man or woman who builds houses

And it can cost you! The money lost due to inspection failures adds up to millions and millions of dollars in the USA, even in these lean times, when nobody can afford it, as if we ever could. Add in the loss of time, the frustration, and the hidden costs like that interest on the construction loan for a house still on the market because you can't go to closing until all the permits and inspections are passed and we're talking real pain. And another good reason to keep up on the Codes.

The case can even be made that even do-it-yourselfers should check out the Code for major projects around the home. It's not unusual with the increasing sophistication of building suppliers and the easy access of "how to" information for the average "joe" to add a deck, an extra room, or make a reasonably significant addition or change to their residence.

Americans are a confident people, which is a good thing. It makes us move forward in a very positive way. But the over confidence that can lead us to neglect available information, even the law; (the Residential Building Code is the law of the land when it comes to building homes) should be a concern of their pocketbooks and their conscience.

For more information on Residential Building Codes please visit http://www.codecoachresidential.com.

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Flooring Ideas For the Perfect Kitchen Design

It is shrewd to use your time when deciding kitchen flooring, of course it can be exciting moving off to the DIY shops after you have studied some interior planning publications but don't procure purely on looks only. Make sure that you look about initially and obtain a few favourites in mind before you journey over to the floor covering stockroom to pay money for the merchandise.

We do the majority of our action in the kitchen while we are upright so it is clever to shop for flooring that is unproblematic on the legs. It may sound ridiculous, but while you are in the warehouse try taking off your shoes and test out the flooring in your socks or undressed feet. Do the soles of your legs find the flooring you are trying to be pleasant and snug or too unyielding to march on?

Put your shoes back on and move out for a pace and investigate how the floor sounds on the sound level. The majority of new kitchens are seen to be right next to the living room. If other individuals are playing video games or looking at the TV, they may well be bothered.

Make certain that you also pick floor covering that should last the test of time, with kitchen rooms being one of the more eventful rooms in the house it is clever to get something hard wearing. With the kids and the animals it doesn't take long to erode the floor down, not to point out all the food and spills. Strength is crucial in today's kitchens for big families and simplicity of preservation could be taken into significance too.

For a properly insulated selection you ought to take a view to acquiring a wood floor, not only does this kind of floor keep the temperature in but it is also quite quiet to move on too. The sort of wood you make use of for your floor covering does possess an effect on the safeguarding and durability of the floor so be aware. One of the doubts with wood is that it possibly will be spoiled, but wood floors can constantly be sanded and refinished.

For homeowners who desire extremely durable flooring and one that needs little looking after, laminate is a wonderful option. Even if you already have your floor covered, you can easily put laminate floor types on top making it effortless to install too. Although laminate has its advantages, it lacks the warmth and quality classically connected with untreated timber and several may perhaps find it loud.

Ceramic clay tile allows for a wonderful deal of customization in terms of colours and displays. However grout is able to be a bit of a pest when attempting to polish these tiles although not including grout, they are painless to maintain. Also ceramic tiling can be a little solid on the legs so if you suffer from some leg or feet issues you might want to steer clear of this option. Using ceramic tiling can furthermore be a little chilly especially in the winter months so make sure you have on a few thick socks while running on it.

If money is an issue then catch a browse at a number of the reasonable vinyl and peel & stick tiles accessible out there. With an innumerable quantity of customisation possibilities, vinyl is also pretty effortless to settle down in your kitchen floor as well. One of the negatives to vinyl floors is that the sides are able to curl and peel.

For the power aware linoleum may well be the right floor cover for you. Made from linseed oil, cork powder, timber flour, tree resins, pounded sandstone and pigments; this kitchen flooring is environmentally friendly. Linoleum is not the lone ecologically aware option out there, there are numerous with their particular positives and negatives. The key is to work with your individual kitchen floor cover ideas and in the lengthy run your floor will indicate your taste and suit with your standard of living.

What Should You Do Next?

If you think you could do with some help from a professional then why not try out Mayfield Interiors? They are an Edinburgh kitchen design company and have many years experience. If you are looking for more info on other aspects of your house then they can also help with painting and decorating too!

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Friday, January 8, 2010

Best Roofing Shingles You Can Put on Your Home

Best Roofing Shingles You Can Put on Your Home

By Lawrence Cunningham

Choosing the best roofing shingles for your home is important. Not only do they add to the beauty of the place, but they can also protect it against sun damage and other damage from the weather. Different materials can provide different protection, and for the best protection that is also the cheapest, you should choose asphalt ones.

Asphalt shingles are the most common type and offer the best cost per year yield to having them on your home. This also allows for a double layer of protection to be laid on your roof, which allows them to have a longevity and durable wind resistance.

Strip shingles are the most common type, and these are laid out with a tab system. The tabs are what make the roof appear to be shingled, and these are what are seen as the roof itself. They are made to fit together to minimize misplacing the seams which in turn allows the roof to let less water to the frame, and causes less damage over all.

You also can have a laminated, or architectural, type of these shingles. These asphalt shingles are made up of more then one layer to the asphalt matting, and it allows it to appear multidimensional. Currently, these are the shingles of choice for homeowners, since they look good, closely resembling slate, and are very durable. Many of thee types have a warranty of 30 years to lifetime, and can handle winds of up to 100 MPH.

Research the different brands that make these shingles. Not everyone reports having the same success with different makers, and by arming your self with these reviews you can make an educated choice. You will be able to see how they deal with warranty problems and which of them perform best in your area.

Always find a contractor in good standing whose reputation is very good if you choose not to install this yourself. Asphalt makes the best roofing shingles and should be researched to ensure you have a roof that will last for many years.

Continue to read more all about roofing at: http://www.roofing-world.com

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