Friday, December 28, 2018

The Different Types of Custom Decks and Deck Surface Materials

If you thought deciding what type of deck you will build at your home was going to be easy guess again. As deck builders have become innovators there are now many choices in the types of deck you can add at your home. In this article we will quickly go over the most popular of these deck types and also talk a little more about the types of deck surface materials that are now being used on them. 

An Overview of Custom Deck Choices 

Here is what many consider the most popular choices in custom built decks available today: 

  • Attached deck 

This is the more traditional type of deck that is attached to your existing home to add extra outdoor living space. 

  • Island deck 

This is a stand-alone deck. The nice thing about island decks is you can locate them anyplace in your yard you have room for them. 

  • Wraparound deck 

These are mostly done on upper home floors to provide a relaxing area off a bedroom that may also give you spectacular views in some locations.  

  • Swimming pool deck 

These are a nice alternative to the drab concrete decks that are often placed around most swimming pools. They can also be tiered to add a cooking space or sunbathing area. 

  • Multi-level deck 

If you have the money and a big house, this type of deck can add lots of style and extra outdoor living space to your home. 

You Have Many Choices These Days in Deck Surface Materials 

No longer do you see only wood used on the floors of custom-built decks. Here are some of the main materials that people are using for deck surfaces: 

  • Treated wood 

Still the number one custom deck surface but others are rapidly gaining. 

  • Hardwoods 

More expensive but these make for a sturdy and beautiful looking custom deck surface. 

  • Composites 

You will pay more for this deck material but it’s virtually indestructible and maintenance free. It stays good-looking forever, too. 

  • Vinyl  

This is a slightly cheaper deck material than composites but it’s still strong. It stays nice looking with less effort than it takes to maintain wooden decks. 

  • Concrete 

That’s right you heard it here. Thin layers of concrete laid over wood are becoming a popular deck material choice these days. They can even be stamped to simulate natural stone or pavers. 

When In Doubt Consult With a Professional Deck Builder 

Are you having trouble deciding which type of deck is right for you? Then we highly suggest you talk with a local deck contractor to see if their expertise can help. Companies like Evergreen Renovations & Roofing out of Beaverton, Oregon are more than happy to sit down with you to help you come up with the best custom deck option for you. 

No matter what you decide, you can never go wrong building a custom deck that will give you some extra living space and a nice place to relax when the weather is nice outside. 

Visit the source link here: https://www.evergreenteam.com/news/the-different-types-of-custom-decks-and-deck-surface-materials.html

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

A Brief Overview of Accessory Dwellings and Their Uses

Do you have a detached garage that you don’t even store your vehicles in? Maybe your kids are grown, have moved out and your house seems too big now? It may even be a case where you are looking for a way to make a little extra income. Whatever your individual reason may be, building an accessory dwelling on your property may be a solution to many different circumstances you find yourself in. 

In this article will talk about the different types of accessory buildings and some of the most common uses for them. 

Accessory Dwelling Types 

There are three main ways that accessory buildings are usually created. Here is a brief description of them. 

  • Detached 

This is an accessory dwelling that’s completely separate from your home. It may be a structure you build from scratch on your property or something like a garage you convert into an accessory dwelling. 

  • Interior 

With this type of accessory dwelling it involves doing something to the interior of your existing home. If your home is too big you may section it in half for yourself and use half for your new accessory dwelling. A finished basement or attic can also be made into an accessory dwelling. 

  • Attached 

This is something like an addition you put on your home but it has no entrances that directly connect to the existing home itself (otherwise it would be termed an addition). That way whoever uses it has total privacy just like if they had rented a small apartment or home. 

Potential Uses for Your Accessory Building 

Here are some of the most common reasons that people decide to go ahead and create their own accessory dwellings on their property. 

  • It can be a great source for generating extra rental income. 
  • Many use them as a place for elderly parents or in-laws to live where you can keep a close eye on them. 
  • They can be used to introduce your older children to being independent without giving them total freedom. 
  • You can move into the accessory dwelling yourself thus using your oversized existing home to help you generate even larger rental income.  
  • An accessory dwelling can be used as a place to entertain guests without sacrificing much of your own privacy. 

There really is no set list of purposes that your accessory dwelling can be used for. It all depends on your own individual needs. 

How to Create Your Own Accessory Dwelling On Your Property 

So what’s the best way to convert the unused space on your property into an accessory dwelling? We recommend you start by contacting an experienced and reputable local renovations contractor. Contractors such as Evergreen Renovations & Roofing out of Beaverton, Oregon will sit down with you and go over the best way to create an accessory dwelling on your property. They will usually even come to your home for free and take a look at your individual situation too. The ideas these renovations contractors can supply you with will help you create the perfect accessory dwelling for the purpose you intend to use it for. 

Please visit the source: https://www.evergreenteam.com/news/a-brief-overview-of-accessory-dwellings-and-their-uses.html

Friday, December 21, 2018

Why it’s So Important Water Runs off Your Roof Properly

Many people are satisfied with the condition of their roof and gutter systems as long as they do not leak. Unfortunately, that attitude can lead to some big expenses. Why, you might ask? It’s because if water does not run off your roof properly nothing good will come from it. That’s why it’s so important that your roof and gutter system always be kept in good working order. 

What happens when this is not the case at your home? Any one of the following problems can occur with improper roof runoff: 

  • Water can puddle in uneven spots on your roof and leaves will also collect there. This will cause accelerated rotting and leaking. 
  • Gutters and downspouts can overflow and cause damage by shedding water where it’s not supposed to go. 
  • Water can be deposited too close to your foundation and cause problems with it. 
  • Sagging or un-level gutters can deposit water in areas where it can more easily cause damage. 
  • Standing water on your roof can weaken sealants around chimneys and roof vents and cause them to leak. It will also form mold and mildew which will cause roofing material and underlayment decay. 

These are all problems that if not addressed could lead to major structural damage at your home and the big expense that goes along with repairing it. 

The Three Keys to Proper Roof Water Runoff 

  • Maintain Your Roof in Good Condition 

The pitch of your roof should be constant and your roofing material should always be kept in good working order. Spots where water is ponding or leaves collecting on your roof are a sign that you will soon have water runoff problems. 

  • Pay Attention to Gutters and Downspouts 

Make sure that you clean your gutters on a periodic basis. Gutters and downspouts should not leak. Your gutters and downspouts should also be corrosion free and level. 

  • Install adequate yard drainage 

Proper yard drainage will prevent any water from ponding around your foundation or leaving soft and mushy areas that never seem to dry in your yard.  

The Best Way to Maintain Proper Roof Water Runoff  

So what steps can you take to make sure water runs off your roof properly? The first thing is to periodically inspect your roof, gutters, downspouts and yard drainage. There will be telltale signs if any of these are not doing their job when it comes to water runoff. 

What can you do if you suspect there is a problem with the water runoff from your roof? We suggest you contact a professional to come do an inspection. Roofing contractors like Evergreen Renovations & Roofing out of Beaverton, Oregon will usually offer free inspections of your roof, gutters and downspouts. A professional opinion is always better than an educated guess. 

So make sure all of your roof and other water runoff components are maintained in good working order. If you do this then there is a good chance you will never have the problems and expense that are created by improper water runoff on your home. 

Visit the source link here: https://www.evergreenteam.com/news/why-its-so-important-water-runs-off-your-roof-properly.html

Monday, December 17, 2018

The Main Reasons People Choose To Remodel Their Kitchens

Some people can remodel their kitchen more often than others because they have more discretionary income. For the rest of us we usually need some sort of reason or incentive to put the money into a kitchen remodel. Those reasons very widely so we decided to look into what are the most common reasons or types of incentive that make people want to go ahead with renovating their kitchen.

Here is what we found.

Common Incentives to Spend the Money to Do a Kitchen Renovation

Here is what recent kitchen remodelers told us were the reasons they finally decided to go ahead with that kitchen renovation they had been putting off for a while:

  • Functionality

What is the number one reason people choose to renovate their kitchen? It has everything to do with a kitchen’s functionality. Undersized kitchens and kitchens with very poor layouts are hard to cook in and hard to make preparations for entertaining guests too. Small cabinet areas and storage areas can also make your kitchen very inefficient to work in.

  • Age of Their Current Kitchen

Some older homes have kitchens that are just showing signs of advanced age and they just don’t work for a homeowner any longer. Age signs in a kitchen include deteriorating cabinet conditions, chipped and stained countertops, corroding appliances and more.

  • Energy savings

Many kitchens have appliances that are outdated and not very energy efficient to say the least. Older electric stoves, inefficient refrigerators and dishwashers that use way too much electricity may no longer be cutting it for you. By renovating your kitchen with energy-efficient appliances it will even help pay for some of the renovation expense with the savings you get on your home energy bills.

Increase Their Home’s Resale Value/Buyers Appeal

These days it’s not so easy to sell your home when you want to put it in the market. That means you need to do everything you can to help you sell it. Renovating your kitchen is an easy way to up your home’s value and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

  • Inspiration

These days things such as TV home improvement shows are on many different TV channels. Believe it or not, these shows inspire many people to take the plunge and remodel their kitchens. Some people see a kitchen style on the show they like so much they just have to have it in their home too.

  • Making Your Newly Renovated Kitchen a Reality

So once you decide to go ahead with your kitchen remodel how do you go about making it happen? The best way is to find a local kitchen remodeling contractor to help you with the process. Excellent remodeling contractors such as Evergreen Renovations & Roofing out of Beaverton, Oregon will help you with every step of the process. These expert kitchen renovation contractors will even help you with a design that stays within your specified remodeling budget.

Please visit the source link: https://www.evergreenteam.com/news/the-main-reasons-people-choose-to-remodel-their-kitchens.html