December 2018 - High Quality Contracting Inc

Common Winter Roofing Blues

Winter roof damage can get you down. Humans are not the only ones who become blue in the winter, your roof can too. The pressure of the hard, cold days and nights, piling up on top of it, as well as the wind blowing across every shingle. No wonder your roof responds poorly. Here are some of the signs that your roof has the winter blues, and could use a little love from the folks at High Quality Contracting Inc.

Condensation

When the heat from your home reaches the cold service of the roof it results in condensation. The condensation moistens the existing insulation and wood causing mold and mildew to grow resulting in the interior structure of your home being damaged. To check for this you can go into. your attack space and look for moisture, wet marks, and mold. To prevent this from happening you must eliminate the amount of air leakage into your attic as well as improve the insulation & ventilation which will allow moist air to escape the roof.

Icicles

Although those icicles are beautiful to look at, they are dangerous, furthermore, they are a sign that your roof may have a problem. Icicles are the result from heat melting the snow on your roof and then the water forming around the gutter system. The problem with icicles is that they are dangerous and can fall on someone or damage property, as well as, the weight from several well-formed icicles is daunting on the structure of your roof and existing gutter system. To prevent icicles from forming, clean out gutters during the fall, and sweep the snow off your roof and from your gutters.

Ice dams

The most dangerous of winter roof hazards are ic dams. These nasty structures form when the snow melts on the warm roof, resulting in the accumulation of ice and water on the roof and under the shingles. The fact is that an ice dam does not need to be thick to cause a problem. They can be as thin as one inch and severely damage the integrity of your roof. They can become very heavy and often result in roofing leaks and damage. Most often by the time you find the leak inside of your home, the damage has been there quite a while because often the water from the ice dam pushes into the home and travels around the wall and ceiling cavities until it finds an escape.

So what do you do if you think you have an ice dam situation? Winter roof damage gets worse the longer the damage is not taken care of. We would strongly suggest contacting a licensed and insured roofing specialist like High Quality Contracting, Inc. We will investigate the problem and develop a solution based on your specific home structure and needs. It is not always an insulation problem that needs to be addressed, sometimes, missing shingles, air leaks in gaps, or aging roofing is the cause.

Remember as the winter cold hits your face, it is also hitting your home. Keep your home happy this winter and chase the winter blues away by keeping your roof strong and sound.

December 28, 2018/by admin

Fabulous Basement Remodeling Ideas

Are you looking for excellent basement remodeling ideas? If your basement could use a makeover and you are not sure where to start, we have compiled some impressive designs. Convert a gloomy storage space into a terrific family space. There is no limit to the ideas we can come up with to help your renovation to be it’s absolute best. First thing is first, what do you want to do with this space? Here are a few ideas:

Guest Suite

Are you the entertaining type that enjoys having friends and family over to visit? Do you have family that lives out of town or possibly the country and would love to give them a comfy place to stay when visiting? Consider a guest suite in your basement. Add new flooring, walls, lighting, door and paint with some bright or neutral colors to keep a welcoming look. The addition will create value to the home and give an overnight guest a private place to stay.

Additional Bathroom

Adding a bathroom is always a good idea, especially if you currently only have one bathroom in the house. The basement is a great space for an additional bathroom as usually the access to pipes and the septic system is nearby. Enclose walls, add some warm and inviting tiles, vanity, and toilet. This would also be an excellent space to add those luxury bathroom features such as a hot tub, or a large walk-in shower with “rain like” shower fixtures.

Gaming Area

If your family and friends are into games, be it pool or video games, a gaming area in the basement is the perfect use for space. Framed in walls that are freshly painted to a neutral color, padded or even heated flooring, updated ceiling with bright light fixtures can turn the drab to fab. Add the pool table, fuse ball table, video gaming system, and more to the area to finish the look. Now your family is ready for long winters, and rainy days or even hot evenings in the summer when you don’t want to be outside.

Work Out Area

Why spend money on a gym membership only to fight the traffic and the crowds once you get there. Work out in the privacy of your own home. A vast array of ideas exists for home gyms. For instance, a weight space to a dance/yoga area, the sky is the limit. Don’t forget to add in a first-rate sound system to get you motivated as well as heated flooring for your toes to stay warm if aerobics or yoga is your thing.

Family Room

Creating a family room for movies, cuddles and good times is always an excellent use for a basement space. Make the room special by adding some fun luxuries into the room. Consider a small refrigerator for drinks, built-in shelving for books, or padded cushy carpeting for tiny toes. The goal of this space is a getaway for the family. Provides some extras that the rest of the house does not. Maybe a large theater wall with a giant screen and surround sound?

Bar

If you are the type that wants to entertain your friends for some adult fun, consider a home bar in your basement. Consider granite or wood countertops, beautiful wood exterior, and shelving with lights galore. Custom bars can be made to fit just about any size area from big to small and have an unlimited number of ideas to install. Tv, sink area, lights and more can be installed. Also don’t forget to upgrade the floor with custom tiles laid out in a pattern to finish off the look, making your home bar a place for fun for years to come.

Creative basement remodeling ideas can change the fuction and look of your basement. Even better, combine two or three ideas and make the space amazing. Whatever your decision, when it is time to remodel your basement, contact High Quality Contracting Inc. We are the experts in basement remodels.

December 10, 2018/by admin

Hot Ideas for 2019 Kitchen Remodels.

Kitchen Remodeling, Remodeling

Hot Ideas for 2019 kitchen remodels. The new trends for kitchens in 2019 is nothing short of spectacular with an array of ideas to love and make your life easier. Designers have developed some creative ways to incorporate voice-activated technology with functionality and style. Homeowners are focused on reducing stress in the kitchen and promoting health. Here are High Quality Contracting Inc’s top picks for the 2019 Kitchen Trends:

Stress Relieving Color Pallets

Families are feeling the pressure from the news, social media, work, school and more. Reducing stress in any way possible is key to a healthy lifestyle. Many top designers are now looking to incorporate that idea of stress-reducing color pallets into the hub of the home. According to Shape Magazine’s article “Paint Colors that Relieve Stress and Help you Relax” by Rebecca Soskin, some of the top stress relieving colors are blues, aqua, light shades of grey and greens mixed with natural tones. These shades have been proven to help to change your feelings and calm your anxiety.

Clean Lines for an Uncluttered Look

Another way to keep the kitchen stress free is to offer a clean line to your design with ample kitchen storage and counter space. Because of this, designers are considering the importance of keeping it simple for the homeowner. Therefore reducing clutter, which can increase stress levels. Achieve a chaos-free workspace by using bottom cabinetry in islands, long clear countertops, and a variety of upper cabinets.

Relocate small appliances into space specific appliance cabinets. Reduce the amount of countertop decor by only keeping the essentials out such as a cutting board or fruit bowl. Put cooking books up on a shelf neatly away. Many homeowners have a one in one out rule for clutter reduction as well. Meaning, if you bring something into the kitchen ( new small appliance for example) you take something out ( perhaps that old fondue set from Aunt Helen.) Keeping the clutter down and the visual look of our kitchen clutter free can improve moods by reducing stress.

AJ Madison’s Column Refrigeration, Freezer, and Wine cooler

Column Refrigerators and Freezers

The luxury world of column refrigerators and freezers is making a big splash in 2019 for many reasons. Primarily, health-conscious homeowners are looking for ways to store more fresh foods in convenient and beautiful ways. A “Column” unit can be a refrigerator, freezer, or even a wine or beverage cooling unit. As a result, companies such as AJ Madison offer a variety of column units. High Quality Contracting contractors install these fabulous units. Consider a neatly, stylish cabinet system that offers the cooling and freezing abilities that you crave for all of those fresh smoothy mixes, lean meats, and fresh vegetables.

Voice-Activated Technology

Welcome to the world of Alexa, Google, and a variety of other voice-activated systems that can now connect with everything from a smart tv or iPad in the kitchen, to the lights, speaker system, smart oven, or smart refrigerator. However, modern kitchen technology is now ready to make your life much simpler assisting in everything from making of shopping lists, and dimming lights. There is little that smart technology cannot do.

Change In Counter Tops

Recent years the rage has been to install marble, granite and stainless steel countertops. Although this is not gone yet, new design trends are looking for ways to make life a little more comfortable. Contractors install countertops made of quartz and black stainless steel. As a result, countertops are easier to clean and maintain.

December 10, 2018/by admin

Customizing a Closet to Declutter Your Home

Remodeling

Customizing a closet can help you declutter your home. Just because your closet doesn’t hold all of your stuff, does not mean it has to stay that way. An updated custom closet can make all the difference for any room. A closet remodel is a fast way to declutter your space and improve your life. It will add value, create a welcoming space that allows you to organize your day and your clothing, streamline your routine, and maximize your storage space. Here are some great custom closet remodeling ideas.

Consider increasing the closet space.

Many homes have hidden space or misused space in them. Consider having an expert help you reclaim this space by framing out a new closet with the increased square footage.

Customize it to your wardrobe

By designing the closet space to meet your needs. Do you have a lot of shoes? Build in shoe shelves. If you have a lot of jewelry, decide on a special jewelry drawer which holds your pieces. Custom designed shelving, drawers, baskets, belt racks, hidden hampers, or even a fold-out ironing board or hat spaces.

Streamline your routine

By customizing racks and rods. Design with a flow in mind giving each item a place and where it will make sense while dressing each day. Giving everything their specific space, pants, shirts, dresses, coats, belts, hats, and more. Line up the items as they make the most sense according to how you dress. Be sure to include a nice full-length mirror as well.

Welcoming colors and hardware

Features can create a space that is enjoyable to be in while getting ready. Consider the colors, dark or light wood, polished chrome or matte nickel features. Be mindful of the handles on drawers and nobs so that they are not the type that catches clothing easily. Decide on dividers for your drawers that make sense for your wardrobe. Spend the money for quality hangers that will not make your shirts pucker or your pants hold unwanted seams.

Brighten and increase the lighting

So that you can easily find items. If your closet is a nice sized walk in, you can opt for some wonder stylish fixtures.

Customizing a closet can make a big difference in how your room functions. Let us help you design the perfect space for your wardrobe. Contact us today for your free custom quote.

December 4, 2018/by admin