Sometimes disaster destroys everything in sight, but often misfortune causes damage here and there.

A pipe bursts and water ruins a corner of your Brazilian cherry wood floor. A windstorm tears off half of the vinyl shingles on one side of the house. Or a fire burns a couple of kitchen cupboards. Home insurance generally covers partial losses such as these. But the extent to which the insurer must go to make everything look just the way you'd like is a thorny issue.

What happens, for instance, when the new siding contrasts with the older, weathered siding? Or you can't find replacement kitchen cupboards that precisely match the others?

"Most commonly we see the question come up with roofs," says Ronald Reitz, president of Quality Claims Management Corp. in San Diego and president of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA).

Sometimes insurers propose replacing only the broken shingles. That's a problem if the end result is a roof that looks like a patchwork quilt, Reitz says.

"If your claim is settled properly it should put you back to pre-loss condition," says Art Jansen Jr., CEO of Jansen International LLC in Houston and first vice president of NAPIA.

In other words, Reitz says, the new part shouldn't stick out like a sore thumb; the appearance should be uniform within the line of sight. Inside, that could mean replacing the entire floor of a room even if only a portion needs repair, or repainting all the walls even if only one was damaged.

Matching laws and making a case for full replacement

In some states you have case law or state statutes on your side. In Florida, for example, if replaced items don't match in quality, color or size, the insurance company must make "reasonable repairs or replacement of items in adjoining areas."

Other states, such as Colorado, don't have specific laws on matching. Carriers in some of these states have added non-matching language to policies and introduced endorsements to cover matching.

Read this article:

You're not Patching my Imported Cherry Wood With That!

By Julianne Dalcanton | January 14, 2013 1:58 pm

This weekend, Australian astronomy faced a horrible setback, as a large wildfire swept through the area housing the Siding Spring Observatory.

Luckily, no lives were lost, and while some support buildings were destroyed (including the fire shed, ironically enough), the damage to the telescopes initially appears to be far less than it could have been, thanks to the efforts of the fire crews. (FYI, Amanda Bauer was doing superb work live-blogging news and images as they became available. Click here and here, for the day of the fire, and the day after as the state of the observatory became clear.).

However, as bad as this was, it wasnt the first time, nor was it the worst. Almost exactly 10 years earlier, Australias Mt. Stromlo Observatory(shown below) was devastated by wildfires, as discussed in this excellent article,where Nobel Laureate Brian Schmidt discusses how at least one of the telescopes threatened at Siding Springs was built as a replacement for one that was lost at Mt. Stromlo.

If you think about it, its clear that the peril to astronomical observatories will continue indefinitely. We typically put optical observatories on mountain peaks, in isolated spots. While there are a few that are sited high enough to be above the tree line (such as Mauna Kea), the majority of smaller facilities are on lower mountains, and are typically surrounded by vegetation. The combination of droughts and fire is inevitable, and sooner or later, another observatory is going to burn.

Visit link:

Fires on the Mountain: Facing the Inevitable

Great Day Improvements, LLC, intends to manufacture and offer Stanek brand windows as part of its comprehensive line of high quality home improvement products.

Macedonia, Ohio (PRWEB) January 10, 2013

Great Day Improvements, a nationally recognized residential and commercial remodeler headquartered in Macedonia, Ohio, intends to manufacture and offer Stanek brand windows as part of its comprehensive line of high quality home improvement products.

Steve White, Managing Partner of the company, said, This is one of several initiatives weve executed to transform and expand Great Day Improvements into a one-stop home improvement company for our customers. The Stanek brand has been in existence for 60 years and in terms of quality, it is an excellent complement to our legendary Patio Enclosures brand. Mr. White added, We are excited about the continued growth of our organization and the additional product offering we will be able to extend to our customers.

Last year Great Day Improvements acquired SoftWall Finishing Systems, manufacturer of an acoustically-efficient panelized interior wall finishing system for basements, home theaters, offices, media rooms and bedrooms.

About Great Day Improvements, LLC

Great Day Improvements, LLC is a residential and commercial remodeler that offers a portfolio of home improvement solutions including: Patio Enclosures brand screen rooms, sunrooms, solariums, room additions, design and build construction and EasyRoom DIY sunroom kits; SoftWall Finishing Systems acoustically-efficient interior panelized wall finishing system for basements, home theaters, offices, media rooms and bedrooms; Backyard solutions including awnings, patio covers, decks, railing and fencing; Hardscape solutions including decorative concrete, stamped concrete, patio pavers, concrete overlays, driveway and sidewalk installation and Stanek energy savings solutions including replacement windows, doors, insulation, radiant barriers, solar shades, window film, siding and roofing. Great Day Improvements operates across 28 states, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has serviced over 250,000 customers nationwide. For additional information, visit http://www.greatdayimprovements.com.

Steve White Great Day Improvements, LLC 440-663-4510 Email Information

Visit link:

Great Day Improvements, LLC Announces Acquisition of the Operating Assets of Stanek Vinyl Window Company

The town is seeking pre-applicants for a state grant that could provide families up to $30,000 for major home repairs.

We need to show that theres a need, said Marilee Kenney Hunt, chairwoman of Bridgewaters Community Preservation Committee. If nobodys completing pre-applications, then the state is likely to think that theres no need.

The Community Development Block Grant would provide up to $30,000 each for six families in town, Town Planner Greg Guimond said.

The grant money would cover repairs including but not not limited to electrical, heating and plumbing work, roof or siding repairs, lead paint and asbestos removal, insulation and window replacement, and making a home handicap accessible.

The grants are actually zero-percent loans that would be forgiven after 15 years if the homeowner still met the financial requirements.

Filling out a pre-application does not mean the family would need to follow through with the project, Guimond said, but it would move them to the top of the list if the town wins it.

Bridgewater is working with Norwood to apply for the grant, Guimond said.

There are a lot of things that theyre doing or just finished that we need to do, he said, including downtown facade redevelopment and upgrades to Norwoods water and sewer systems.

The town applied for the grant last year in partnership with Middleboro, but did not receive it, said Hunt, who added that only five or six are given each year statewide. Last year, she added, the town of Norwood received five of the six grants given.

Pre-applications are online at bridgewatercommunitypreservation.org, or in Town Hall, the Academy Building, the public library and senior center.

Here is the original post:

Bridgewater seeks pre-applicants for housing rehabilitation grant

An Alberta man is perplexed after thieves made off with a large outhouse from his farm near Edmonton but he doesn't plan to take the crime sitting down.

I think at least four to six guys had to come here to do this two guys? No way they could do this, said Randy Nemirsky, as he stood at the edge of the hole where the outhouse used to stand.

The farm near Lamont, about 60 kilometres east of Edmonton, has been in the family for nearly 90 years. Last summer Nemirsky and his son Nick tore down the original outhouse, which had been built in 1936, and rebuilt it.

We planned this summer to rebuild the old outhouse there and we dug the hole and it was a whole summer project.

The new structure was meant to be a major improvement to the farm and was finished in August. But when the family returned to the property in the fall, they found the outhouse missing, with the hole in the ground and a few scattered boards as the only sign anything had stood there.

I got a phone call [from Nick] He said, 'The outhouse is missing,'" said Nemirsky.

I said, 'What?'

He says the outhouse wasnt just a flimsy structure it was bolted to the ground and weighed between 350 and 450 kilograms. A large picnic table was also taken.

Nemirsky says while the theft may be unusual, its not a laughing matter. Between building, painting and siding the outhouse, he suspects he's out about $1,000.

You spent time building it, and where do you go now?

See original here:

Alberta man offers $500 reward for stolen outhouse

Houston Siding Experts.mp4
Save On Siding in Houston can save you a bundle on home repairs like siding replacement. Look for the warning signs and correct the problems to avoid costly repairs. 832-900-7021

By: Bob Green

Go here to see the original:

Houston Siding Experts.mp4 - Video

Construction Concern Inc. | Newhall, CA | Home Improvements
Need a one-call-does-it-all contractor? Look no further than Construction Concern Inc. Based in Newhall and serving Southern California, this contractor does it all: window replacement, kitchen and bath remodeling, roofing, siding, gutters, solar energy panels. Licensed and insured, efficient and affordable, they are ready to handle all your home improvements or repairs from start to finish. Call for a free estimate. Visit us http://www.yellowpages.com

By: yellowpages

See the original post here:

Construction Concern Inc. | Newhall, CA | Home Improvements - Video

Appearance reaffirms Thompson Creeks continual review of customer satisfaction.

Lanham, MD (PRWEB) December 06, 2012

Patrick OToole, editorial director for Professional Remodeler, said, As you peruse this list of top remodeling firms pay special attention to each companys estimate for revenue for the calendar year that will end next month. Nearly every estimate is for higher results. As a group, Americas Top Remodelers are bullish for this year and next.

Thompson Creek Window Companys president, Rick Wuest, said, We are thrilled to be honored with a top ten appearance for the 2012 Americas Top Remodelers list. Thompson Creek Window Company is completely accountable to our customers from their initial inquiry, through the manufacturing process, installation, and warranty of our products and services. Our growth is a result of satisfied customers sharing their positive experience with others. We are extremely grateful that our satisfied customers regularly recommend us to their friends and neighbors. Our focus continues to be delivering total customer satisfaction.

The Americas Top Remodelers list is determined using a number of sources, including publicly released financial information, data provided by the companies themselves and other business sources. For the complete list, click here.

About Thompson Creek Window Company

The Thompson Creek Window Company is a privately owned and family-operated manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient home improvement replacement products. Founded in 1980, Thompson Creek Window Company began as a manufacturer of energy-efficient, maintenance-free vinyl windows. Since that time, Thompson Creek Window Company has evolved into one of the leading specialty home improvement contracting companies in the nation. The companys product mix includes replacement windows and doors, vinyl siding and a clog-free gutter system. Thompson Creek Window Company is headquartered in Lanham, MD with an 80,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Landover, MD.

George Schaub Thompson Creek Windows 301.306.5290 Email Information

Read the original post:

Thompson Creek Windows Earns #7 Ranking on America’s Top Remodelers 2012

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C., Dec. 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Window World Cares(TM), the charitable foundation of Window World, Inc.(R), America's largest replacement window and home remodeling company, spent the day with the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R) on Thursday, Nov. 29. More than 110 Window World employees, families and friends attended the annual 'Window World St. Jude Day,' a holiday party filled with games, gifts and activities for patients and their families. During the festivities, Window World Cares presented the hospital with a check for more than $2.8 million representing the total amount raised to date to support continued research and treatment of childhood cancer.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=16084

Additionally, Window World's 'The Stinger' was present at the hospital and was signed by former Indianapolis 500 starter Bruno Junqueira. The Stinger is a 2011 concept Indy show car created by veteran race car driver John Andretti, Andretti Autosport and Window World that pays tribute to the first winning Indy 500 vehicle, the 1911 Marmon Wasp. It travels the country obtaining the signatures of former Indy 500 starters and for each signature received, Window World Cares makes a donation to St. Jude. To date, more than 220 drivers have signed The Stinger, raising nearly $42,000 for the hospital.

"St. Jude is truly a place of miracles," said Tammy Whitworth, Chairman and CEO of Window World and co-founder of Window World Cares. "I am continually overwhelmed by St. Jude's medical breakthroughs and stories of hope and we are honored to be a part of it."

Window World Cares was founded in 2008 by Whitworth and her late husband, Todd. In February 2012, Window World Cares announced the launch of its 'One More Day' campaign for St. Jude. The initiative is a fundraising plan dedicated to providing St. Jude with a full day of operating expenses, equivalent to $1.8 million. Thus far, Window World Cares has raised enough to fund one full day and has procured an additional $1.1 million to be put toward a second day. The campaign has been executed on a national level and includes all 200+ franchisees that make up the Window World family.

To honor Window World's ongoing commitment to St. Jude, the hospital announced in November that Window World would be included on its Corporate Partnerships Wall for a third consecutive year. Those added to the wall are chosen based on their dedication to support St. Jude through fundraising and donation efforts.

To learn more about Window World, please visit http://www.WindowWorld.com. To learn more about Window World Cares, please visit http://www.WindowWorldCares.com.

About Window World, Inc.(R):

Window World, Inc.(R), headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America's largest replacement window company with stores and offices in more than 200 cities nationwide. Founded in 1995 and led by CEO Tammy Whitworth, the company consistently delivers value to homeowners by combining quality windows, siding and doors with excellent service at low prices. An ENERGY STAR(R) retail partner, Window World sells and installs more than one million high-quality residential replacement windows annually and has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval five years in a row. For more information, visit http://www.WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXT WINDOW.

The Window World logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=15425

Read the original here:

Photo Release -- Window World Hosts Holiday Party for Children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

SCRANTON, Pa., Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --AZEK Building Products today announced that Architectural Products Magazine has named its AZEK Universal Skirt Board in 10-inch width as a "Top 50 Product of 2012". The product, part of the AZEK Trim product line, was selected as a Top 50 product based on reader inquiries during 2012 in a response to advertising and editorial.

Contractors find the innovative skirt board provides the perfect transition between the siding and trim, as well as assists with water management efforts. The10-inch wide profile allows more design flexibility and fits nicely into historic architectural styles that utilize wider trim. It is also an attractive alternative to a water table.

With no need for starter strips, AZEK's two-piece Universal Skirt Board saves time, labor and costs. It includes a reversible trimboard (which can be used as Traditional smooth or Frontier texture) that is routed to accept a proprietary and secure universal siding interface. It is "universal" in that it works with fiber cement siding, vinyl siding, cedar shingles or wood. A built-in drip edge helps channel water away from the foundation.

In addition to the 5/4 X 10 profile, the AZEK Universal Skirt Board is also available in 5/4 X 6 and 5/4 x 8 inall in 18 ft. lengths, with a 1 inch nailing flange and inch drip edge overhang. Like all AZEK Trim products, AZEK Universal Skirt Board is designed to last beautifully, is impervious to moisture and insects, and is covered by a 25-year Limited Warranty.

Look for Architectural Products Magazine's Top 50, featuring the 10-inch AZEK Universal Skirt Board, in the December issue. Or, for more information, visit http://www.azek.com.

About AZEK Building Products:

With more than 25 years of cellular pvc manufacturing experience, AZEK Building Products makes and markets premium, low maintenance exterior building products under the AZEK Brand such as AZEK Deck, the leading brand of low-maintenance decking, and AZEK Trim, the leading brand of low-maintenance trim. Other AZEK products include AZEK Mouldings, AZEK Porch, and AZEK Rail. All of these products offer tangible benefits as an ideal wood replacement product for a myriad of outdoor uses. For more information about AZEK Building Products, call 1-877-ASK-AZEK (275-2935) or visit the AZEK website at http://www.azek.com.

About Construction Business Media

Construction Business Media, headquartered in Chicago, is publisher of Architectural Products, Illuminate and Architectural SSL magazines. The company also operates the ArchLED Conference, markets and partners in TheContinuingArchitect.com educational platform, and maintains websites and electronic extensions of its print publications.

Read the original here:

AZEK® Universal Skirt Board Named A "Top 50 Product" by Architectural Products Magazine