Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

What can I use my sunroom for? There are no limits when it comes to uses for a sunroom addition. Commonly, people take advantage of the plentiful sunlight and use them as informal conservatories or a garden room. If you dont have a green thumb, you might use it as an additional indoor living space to relax and read, or create an indoor-outdoor feeling, like an enclosed patio or porch. You may also want to use the extra space as a playroom for little ones or a hangout for teens. Transform it into a separate dining area if you want to mimick al fresco dining year round. What materials are sunrooms built with? A combination of brick, cement and wood often make up the base, or knee wall, which supports the large windows. Clear insulated glass or storm windows are used for the majority of the walls they allow the maximum amount of sunlight into the space while also trapping heat. With the close relative, screened-in porches, the glass might be replaced with window screens to allow for airflow in warmer climates. Check out plenty of pictures of sunrooms and pay close attention to how they are constructed to draw inspiration for your own.

Roofing on sunroom designs can vary. Depending on the preference of the homeowner, the roof may be consistent with their conventional roofing, or could also be glass/plastic panels that let in lots of light. If youre willing to pay a bit more, these panels are available with coating designed to reflect ultraviolet rays. Flooring in sunrooms was traditionally tiled to deal with possible leaks, but improved building methods allow for all types of flooring to be installed. Browse different style sunroom ideas and see what catches your eye for each aspect of the space, since the material options are pretty wide open.

Now get out there and make your sunroom ideas a reality!

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Sunroom Design Ideas, Remodels & Photos | Houzz

SAN JOSE Despite promises of relief from frigid and stifling temperatures in some Alum Rock classrooms, students at three schools will spend another year wilting during heat waves and shivering during cold spells.

Why cant we just take care of the AC and heat instead of money going to those new projects? asked Jocelyn Merz, head of the teachers union.

In 2012, Alum Rock voters passed a $125 million bond measure to address facilities needsthatspecifically mentionedreplacing heating, ventilation and electrical systems. Last year they approved another measure, generating $140 million.

Payments to its construction projects manager have triggered two investigations of Alum Rock. A state agency that reviews troubled districts is expected to deliver its report soon. And emails released to this news organization after a Public Records Act request confirm that the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office also is looking into the district.

The lack of cooling and heatmay seem trivial, especiallyin the temperate Bay Area. But it affects teaching and learning, particularly in classrooms facing the beating afternoon sun.

Just how uncomfortable is it?

Its superhot, third-grader Victor Romero, 9, said last week Its like a barbecue and were the meat on it.

Victor and his pals at Arbuckle, which has no air-conditioning, said they sometimes wet paper towels to put on their foreheads to cool off.

In the winter, parents send their children to school bundledin layers because of the sporadically functioning heater. Some days, kids never take off their mittens.

I just take off the right hand one to write, Victor said, explaining how he does schoolwork wearing gloves.

Its very frustrating when you go in to teach and your hands are ice cold and you wear your coat all day long, said Darlene Coachman, an Arbuckle teacher. There shouldnt be days like that.

Parents, too, have complained to the school and district.

Weve said that the heat and the bathrooms are broken, said Arbuckle parent Maria Obregon. Theyve said that theres no money.

Thats not exactly the case. The district currently has $24.2 million in bond proceedsin an account with Santa Clara County, Controller Treasurer Alan Minato said.

Its more a matter of priorities.

The heating-cooling project at each of the three schools is estimated to cost $4.48 million.

Although the 2012 Measure J specified facility repairs like roofs, electrical systems, bathrooms and technology, the measure also allowed for acquiring sites and building facilities. Thats what the Alum Rock school board decided to do, when in 2015 it approved constructing new multipurpose rooms at Fischer and George middle schools and renovating a gym near Mathson Middle.

Together, those projects will cost $35.4 million, not including a new parking lot for what will be a multipurpose room for Mathson. Theprojects have drained the remaining 2012 Measure J funds and will draw on proceeds from 2016 Measure I.

Construction is expected to begin imminently on the Mathson and Fischer projects.

The heating and air conditioning projects for the three elementary schools have been bumped down in priority. Theywere approved by the board in January, construction manager Luis Rojas explained, and await state approval before being put out to bid. Rojas is CEO of the Southern California-based Del Terra group, which is earning $2.47 million as the program manager, overseeing bond spending in Alum Rock. Del Terra also manages specific construction projects, for which it earns additional fees.

These projects could not be done during the school year, Rojas said, because they are too disruptive to schools.

Only two elementary schools, Dorsa and Lucha, will get new heating-cooling systems this summer. And, portable ventilators now in those schools will be moved in July to Arbuckle, Cureton and McCollam, according to Kolvira Chheng, Alum Rocks assistant superintendent of business services.

Its not clearhow construction decisions are made and work prioritized in Alum Rock, and a recent facilities needs assessment has not been done.

Ive been asking for this for at least four years, trustee Karen Martinez said. As for deciding what to do first, she said, It should be really simple. Some things arent working, then we should work to fix them.

Currently, Rojascompiles a list of projects and presents theirstatus to a committee of residents and trustees led by board member Dolores Marquez. Its weekday noon meetings, set by Marquez, are sparsely attended.

Raymond Mueller, who heads the citizens oversight committee charged with reviewing bond expenditures, asked that the meetings be rescheduled to a time more accessible to working people.

Committee member and trustee Andres Quintero, who cannot make the meetings, also has asked that the group meet at other times. Only three of five committee members attended the May 19 meeting.

In the meantime, in response to complaints about hot classrooms, the district has provided each Arbuckle teacher with a desktop fan. Some teachers bring oscillating floor fans for their classes. They turn down the lights, ask students to bring plenty of water and cram their lessons into the early morning hours before the heat saps kids energy and attention.

On hot days, my students are like melted cheese.said one Arbuckle teacher who did not want her name used out of fear of retaliation.

You wouldnt leave a child in a hot car because youd be called out on it, she said. Yet we allow our kids to sit in these classrooms where its absolutely boiling,

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In Alum Rock classrooms, kids turn into 'melted cheese' - The Mercury News

If the popularity of home improvement programming on television is any indication, home remodeling has become a sort of American pastime.

According to HomeAdvisors 2017 Cost Report, the average homeowner spent nearly 60 percent more on home projects over the past 12 months than in the previous 12 months. This includes an increase in national expenditures on home improvement projects, such as bath and kitchen remodels.

Peter Grant, owner of Grant Homes LLC and president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa, said homeowners are opting to make the most of their current living quarters through remodeling versus uprooting and rebuilding.

(Remodeling) is a smart way to maintain the value of your home and property, particularly if people love their neighborhood, Grant said. They want to stay where they are, and so the only way to do that and to have a 21st-century floor plan or design is to remodel the space they are in.

A substantial kitchen or master bath remodel can cost $30,000-$50,000 per national industry standards but can go much higher depending on budget, said Grant.

Right now, if the project is done well I mean, thats by a professional remodeler and not a do-it-yourself project that can translate right around 65-70 percent return on investment, he said. Then over time and appreciation, you can pick up close to the entire cost of it depending on how long you hold your property.

The latest remodeling trends focus on creating more openness through compartmentalizing storage and integrating appliances and electronics into cabinetry, said Grant.

The kitchen, arguably the most challenging space to strike a balance between openness and functionality, has utilized cabinet space to foster a more unenclosed environment.

Countertop and over-the-range microwaves are being eschewed for microwaves built into the lower cabinets of the kitchen. The placement not only makes it easier to reach down for a bowl but also frees up counter and wall space.

Sinks have also evolved from a double-basin to a single design for practicality.

If you think about the history of that, the reason we have two bowls in a kitchen sink is because we didnt have dishwashers 75 years ago, Grant said. So it was necessary to have two bowls for soaking and rinsing. The nice thing about a single-basin sink is that you set your pot or skillet directly down into it and it can hold a lot more now.

One of the hottest kitchen trends right now is the backsplash. Usually positioned over the stove, the wall serves as a blank canvas for homeowners to design to their liking.

Backsplashes have really taken off wildly, Grant said. They are kind of the icing on the cake where we can really make a kitchen pop. Were seeing a tremendous amount of variety of backsplashes being offered, and it really gives the kitchen a great look.

Bathrooms have also adapted to reflect the desire for more space and functionality.

People are spending more time in their bathrooms, Grant said. So the bathrooms are becoming more sophisticated. Were putting in a lot of water jet tubs and steam chambers inside of wildly adorned showers.

Benches, steam chambers and jets with seemingly endless capabilities have become popular among master bath remodels.

Were seeing the trend moving towards clear glass (walls), because that gives the sense of space instead of tile, said Grant. Instead of crawling into a kind of cave of tiled wall, you now have glass surrounding you. So it feels much larger and then you can appreciate the design from out the outside of the shower, too.

Storage has mimicked the efficiency of the kitchen with electrical outlets and receptacles for hairstyling tools built into drawers and cabinets to maximize storage space.

Sometimes women keep their blow dryer, curling iron and whatever else in the lower drawers of their vanity, Grant said. So we can put receptacles in there so theyre not unplugging and unwrapping every time they pull it out and use it.

Bathtubs also remain a staple of master bath remodels despite not being used as often on a daily basis.

In our lifestyles, we are in a lot more of a hurry to get ready for work and get ready for our lives, and showers are kind of the trend on that, said Grant. But its nice to have both.

918-581-8480

news@tulsabusiness.com

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Home remodels: Upgrades done well can bring a return in your investment - Tulsa World

EXPO CHICAGOhas reeled in some big fish for its sixth edition, which opens at Navy Pier on September 13 (through September 17). The biggest fish on the exhibitor list? Gagosian Gallery, which has not participated in a Chicago fair for decades.

As fairs become increasingly large contributors to mega-galleries bottom lines, dealers decisions about which ones to join can signal where they see potential for market growthand which collectors, and regions, they want to cultivate.

Other notable additions to the sixth edition of EXPO CHICAGO include: Tina Kim Gallery (New York); STANDARD (Oslo); Anton Kern Gallery (New York); Ceysson &Bntire (Saint-tienne, Paris, Luxembourg, New York);galerie frank elbaz (Paris, Dallas); and Galeria Filomena Soares (Lisbon).

Notably, Gagosianhas not hesitated to try out regional fairs in the pastbut it is also not afraid to jump ship if an experiment isnt paying off. Having participated in the Seattle Art Fairs inaugural edition, the gallerydid not return for the second. (After Gagosians Lidia Andich joined the fairs selection committee, the galleryis back on board for the 2017 edition this summer.) Gagosian also participated in FOG Art + Design in San Francisco this January and the Dallas Art Fair in April.

In a statement, the fairs director, Tony Karman, said the latest lineup reflects the international partnerships, collaborations, and programming that our extraordinary staff has encouraged and fostered over the last several years.

This years edition also includes a new section, EXPO Profile, dedicated to single-artist and thematic installations. GRIMM gallery will present works by Charles Avery (and also have a second booth in the main section of the fair) and R & Company will dedicate their booth to the Italian design movement SuperDesign, among other projects.

See the complete list of 2017 exhibitors below.

AKINCI, Amsterdam Ameringer | McEnery | Yohe, New York Anglim Gilbert Gallery, San Francisco BERG Contemporary, Reykjavk Peter Blake Gallery, Laguna Beach Bortolami, New York Carpenters Workshop Gallery, London, Paris, New York CarrerasMugica, Bilbao casati gallery, Chicago David Castillo Gallery, Miami Beach Edward Cella Art & Architecture, Los Angeles Cernuda Arte, Coral Gables James Cohan, New York CONNERSMITH., Washington, DC Corbett vs. Dempsey, Chicago Galerie de Bellefeuille, Montreal Luis De Jesus Los Angeles, Los Angeles Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago galerie frank elbaz, Paris, Dallas Flowers Gallery, London, New York Forum Gallery, New York Honor Fraser, Los Angeles Gagosian, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Geneva, Hong Kong Hilario Galguera Gallery, Mexico City Galerie Gmurzynska, Zrich, St. Moritz, Zug Galerie Laurent Godin, Paris Graphicstudio, Tampa Alexander Gray Associates, New York Richard Gray Gallery, Chicago, New York Garth Greenan Gallery, New York GRIMM, Amsterdam Kavi Gupta, Chicago Hackett Mill, San Francisco HDM Gallery, Beijing, Hangzhou Richard Heller Gallery, Los Angeles Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago The Hole, New York Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York, Zrich MARIANE IBRAHIM, Seattle Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco, New York Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York Anton Kern Gallery, New York Tina Kim Gallery, New York KNIG GALERIE, Berlin Alan Koppel Gallery, Chicago Galerie Lelong, New York, Paris Library Street Collective, Detroit Jane Lombard Gallery, New York Diana Lowenstein Gallery, Miami Luhring Augustine, New York Maccarone, New York, Los Angeles Maison Gerard, New York Matthew Marks Gallery, New York, Los Angeles Maruani Mercier, Brussels, Knokke Mario Mauroner Contemporary Art, Vienna, Salzburg McCormick Gallery, Chicago moniquemeloche, Chicago THE MISSION, Chicago Gallery MOMO, Johannesburg, Cape Town Anne Mosseri-Marlio Galerie, Basel David Nolan Gallery, New York Gallery Wendi Norris, San Francisco Richard Norton Gallery, Chicago Claire Oliver Gallery, New York ONE AND J. Gallery, Seoul Karla Osorio Gallery, Braslia, So Paulo parrasch heijnen gallery, Los Angeles Peres Projects, Berlin Perrotin, New York, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo Galerija Gregor Podnar, Berlin Praz-Delavallade, Paris, Los Angeles PROYECTOSMONCLOVA, Mexico City R & Company, New York ANDREW RAFACZ, Chicago RONCHINI, London rosenfeld porcini, London Salon 94, New York Eduardo Secci Contemporary, Florence Carrie Secrist Gallery, Chicago William Shearburn Gallery, St. Louis Jessica Silverman Gallery, San Francisco SIM Galeria, Curitiba Sims Reed Gallery, London Galeria Filomena Soares, Lisbon Sous Les Etoiles Gallery, New York STANDARD (OSLO), Oslo Louis Stern Fine Arts, West Hollywood Allan Stone Projects, New York MARC STRAUS, New York Hollis Taggart Galleries, New York Sundaram Tagore Gallery, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong Tandem Press, Madison Galerie Tanit, Beirut, Munich Galerie Daniel Templon, Paris, Brussels Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco T raywick Contemporary, Berkeley Vallarino Fine Art, New York Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Los Angeles Von Lintel Gallery, Los Angeles Weinstein Gallery, Minneapolis Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, Chicago Pavel Zoubok Gallery, New York David Zwirner, New York, London

For all EXPO Chicago exhibitors including special sections, click here.

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Gagosian Returns to the Midwest, Joining EXPO Chicago After Long Absence From the Windy City - artnet News

The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers will meet in the NBA Finals. This is not a recording. But maybe it should be. Because we'll almost certainly play it again next year.

After the Warriors added Kevin Durant last summer, many believed another meeting between the Warriors and Cavs was predestined before the season even began. And unless something crazy happens to sap the strength of either team before next season, it seems likely the cycle will repeat until their respective core players either fall off or break apart. Even with some potential blockbuster offseason moves, it's unlikely any NBA team can assemble the necessary talent to rival either the Warriors or Cavaliers. The NBA, until further notice, is a league of two teams.

In terms of win shares, the Warriors' roster has produced .194 win shares per 48 minutes in the 2017 NBA playoffs, the most this postseason. The Cavaliers are a close second (.190) before a huge drop off to the other teams making it past the first round, such as the Houston Rockets (.116), San Antonio Spurs (.109) and Washington Wizards (.106). That's roughly the same as having a roster full of First-Team All-NBA center Anthony Davis (.196 win shares per 48 minutes) playing against a team made up of Seth (not Steph) Curry clones (.109). Postseason performance is preferred here due to how lackadaisical the Cavaliers were during the regular season - their net rating of 2.9 has since exploded to plus-16.1 in the postseason, despite concerns about their depth and defense before the playoffs began. It seems reasonable to conclude that the Cavaliers' performance we're witnessing now is closer to the "true" Cavs.

Any title contender has a tough task - and there simply aren't enough players available via free agency or trade that can push a team into contention in one off season while also adhering to the salary cap.

It is even uncertain if the San Antonio Spurs - largely considered to be the closest team to joining the NBA's top two - are able to take the next step with a healthy Kawhi Leonard and some additional all-star help.

Leonard was producing a league-high .316 win shares per 48 minutes in the playoffs before getting injured, and the Spurs were still far behind the talent level of the Cavaliers and Warriors. Even adding pending unrestricted free agent point guard Chris Paul, rumored to be interested in joining the Spurs next season, might not be enough to bridge the gap.

Let's say the Spurs are able to add Paul, who would be an upgrade at the point over the injured and aging Tony Parker and Patty Mills. The team would likely have to say goodbye to Pau Gasol, who produced the second-most win shares per 48 minutes on the team last season, in an effort to create cap space.

The Celtics, who rank seventh in postseason win shares per 48 minutes (.080), are expected to make a big leap this summer, thanks in large part to owning the rights to the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft plus enough flexibility to create cap space to sign one of the prominent free agents on the market, like Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward or Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin. They could also use future draft assets, such as next year's unprotected Nets pick, which is likely to be another high lottery selection, to acquire someone like Indiana Pacers forward Paul George or Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler.

Let's assume the Celtics take University of Washington guard Markelle Fultz with the top pick overall in the 2017 draft. In the lottery era, four guards have been selected No. 1 overall: Allen Iverson, John Wall, Kyrie Irving and Derrick Rose. That group produced .072 win shares per 48 minutes during their rookie season and .111 during their first year of postseason play. Let's also look at the best-case scenario for Boston this offseason, which would include it acquiring both Hayward and Butler for next year's playoff run. And finally, let's assume point guard Isaiah Thomas is completely healthy and available for the entire second round of these past playoffs, increasing the baseline of their win shares per 48 before adding the new players. Even with all that, the Celtics' postseason roster would produce .088 wins shares per 48 minutes, leaving them seventh overall, just by a smaller margin.

One caveat, because adding those players would make the Celtics undeniably better: Their win shares this postseason could be skewed because they suffered some completely lopsided losses when they dropped games. Much as we used postseason win shares per 48 because it better identifies the Cavaliers' true ability, using the regular season win shares per 48 for the Celtics gives them a starting point of .117, which would be boosted to .131 by the additions of Butler, Hayward and Fultz. That would certainly push the Celtics closer to competitive territory with the Cavs and Warriors in the win shares category, but they're still a distant third.

Maybe advanced stats like win shares aren't your thing, but we can see the same trend in terms of shooting talent. The Warriors are producing an effective field goal percentage of 57.3 percent, while holding their opponents to a below-average rate of 46.7 percent, giving them the highest net eFG% differential since 1983, the first year data is available. The Cavaliers have the second-highest differential in that span (59.8 and 50.8 percent, respectively). This postseason, no other team comes close with only three others, Houston, Boston and the Milwaukee Bucks, shooting better than their opponents.

It's quite possible it takes a miracle (or significant injury) for a team to dethrone one of the two NBA powerhouses. Or at least a player (or two) that decides winning a title is more important than money, offering a discount to a contender for a chance at winning an elusive NBA championship. Until that scenario materializes however, the NBA can probably get a jump on printing up some Cavaliers-Warriors 2018 NBA Finals gear.

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The Cavaliers will face the Warriors in the 2017 NBA finals. And 2018. And 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Friday, May 26, 9:03 AM EDT

By David Cawton,Staff Writer

Owner Barnett Tower LLC, led by developer Stephen Atkins, and Danis Builders LLC filed three permit applications with the city Tuesday for interior and structural work and window replacement on the 18-story structure.

The work is a sign that Atkins and The Molasky Group of Companies want to bring the 155,000-square-foot structure, built in 1926, back to life.

The Molasky Group and Atkins SouthEast Development Group propose turning the 112 W. Adams St. building into a mixed-use development with apartments, retail and office space.

Atkins is principal and managing director of SouthEast Development Group.

The three applications totaling $936,051 in construction work comprise:

$399,250 for structural infill

$258,700 for non-structural interior demolition

$278,101 for the removal and re-installation of windows on the third through 18th floors

New windows were installed about 11 years ago during developer Cameron Kuhns failed attempt to refurbish the building.

Atkins said that while most of the windows are in good shape and will be put back in, some of them do need to be replaced.

Most of the work, he said, speaks to the overall restoration, where we may need to remove some of the windows temporarily.

In 2006, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission awarded Kuhn, CEO of The Kuhn Companies, a $900,000 grant from the Downtown Historic Preservation Trust Fund to replace the original windows.

The grant cut the preservation fund by half, which worried some JEDC members.

Ultimately, Kuhns proposed $29 million redevelopment of the Barnett Bank building and the Laura Street Trio across the street failed and he declared bankruptcy, leaving the buildings vacant.

Atkins has been involved with the buildings since about 2010.

He borrowed $3 million from Jaguars owner Shad Khans Stache Investments Corp. in 2013 to buy the Barnett building after previous deals fell through with other developers.

However, a Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of Khans company in a foreclosure action after Atkins didnt make payments.

The Las Vegas-based Molasky Group bought the Barnett Bank building from Stache in February for $4 million.

With SouthEast Development Group, which owns the Laura Street Trio, Molasky wants to complete a development agreement with the city that would award $9.8 million in local incentives to launch the project.

Ordinance 2017-403 was introduced last week to council.

Were pleased with the efforts from the city, Atkins said. Were hoping this gets moving through the City Council process by June so we can move ahead.

Atkins said that when finished, the Barnett Bank building will again house a bank, along with office and retail space.

Plans also call for about 100 market-rate apartments.

The Laura Street Trio is slated to become a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, with a bodega market, caf, restaurant, and rooftop bar in addition to other retail space.

Atkins said there will be announcements soon about a few prospective tenants.

The plan also includes an $11 million, 550-space parking garage to be built on city property.

The city will operate the garage, lease 250 spots to the developers and leave 300 for other customers.

Together, the four buildings make up about 320,000 square feet in the heart of the urban core and would represent a significant step forward for Downtown redevelopment.

Its been a number of years for me, Atkins said. Im looking forward to getting into the sticks and the bricks finally.

dcawton@jaxdailyrecord.com

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Barnett Bank building takes step toward revival - Jacksonville Daily Record

Published: Sat, May 27, 2017 @ 12:00 a.m.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Two churches are among the winners of the 2017 Historic Preservation Awards, which are given out annually by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.

The awards honor the projects and people in Mahoning and Trumbull counties who take an active role in preserving historic buildings, sites, and districts.

The winners will be honored at the MVHSs annual meeting June 20 at the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center, 325 W. Federal St., downtown. The public is invited to attend. The cost is $32 ($28 for MVHS members). For information or to make reservations for the dinner, call 330-743-2589 or go to mahoninghistory.org.

The 2017 categories and winners are as follows:

Community Revitalization Award

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, Youngstown

The construction of the church building began in 1908 and was completed in 1913. The project included repairs and refinishing of the original exterior wood, brick, limestone, granite and terra cotta to allow for the building to stand for another 100 years. The basilica has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

Lewis House, Poland Preservation Society

In 1996, the Poland branch of Home Savings and Loan wanted to demolish a small vacant house on College Street. A concerned group of citizens worked together to save the 1860s home, keeping it part of the historic fabric of the village.

The citizens group formed the Poland Preservation Society and undertook a renovation of the home which included a new roof, replacement of exterior siding with historically accurate hardy board, and removal of a modern east side porch returning its doorway to a window for the dining room.

Interior work included new plumbing, upgraded wiring, a new furnace, plaster repair and painting. Rental of the home paid off the construction project loan, and the preservation society continues its periodic maintenance.

The project was important because it illustrates how grass-roots concern and initiative can change an outcome, said Mark Peyko, one of the panel judges.

St. Patrick Church stained-glass windows, Youngstown

Beginning in 2008, St. Patrick Church, 1410 Oak Hill Ave., undertook an eight-year project to repair and restore the stained-glass windows of the church built in 1924.

The project included all the windows from the small 1-by-3-foot side windows to the large window over the front door which covers half of the facade.

The windows were removed and taken to Studio Arts & Glass in North Canton for repair and re-leading. While the windows were out, all the frames were repainted and any rotted wood replaced. After the restored windows were re-set, new protective coverings with vents were installed to equalize the temperature between the storm windows and the glass, enhancing and lengthening the life of the windows.

Commercial Revitalization Award

Peter Allen Inn, Kinsman

Built by Willis Smith, a significant architect in the Connecticut Western Reserve, the Peter Allen House was completed in 1821. The three-year restoration project included leveling the building, replacing the sill-beam and re-laying the exposed foundation stones above ground.

The original 12-over-12 pane windows were restored; all fireplaces were rebuilt to current code; the interior and exterior woodwork was stripped of paint and refinished; and the interior plaster was removed to allow for re-wiring, installation of a geothermal HVAC system, fire-suppression system, and foam insulation.

The sub roof was rebuilt and re-shingled using historically accurate slate-like material.

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Winners announced for MVHS preservation awards - Youngstown Vindicator

Plans for a new climbing wall in the Northwest College Johnson Fitness Center are moving forward, but slowly. Other improvements to the fitness center are also in the works.

The $122,000 climbing wall was approved by the NWC Board of Trustees in April 2015, paid for with funding from the Wyoming Community College Commissions recapture and redistribution funding formula for that year.

However, the project has been on hold because of structural and other improvements needed to make the Trapper Gym in the Johnson Fitness Center ready for the climbing wall, and a delay in availability of the wall itself.

NWC Plant Manager Dave Plute said the needed preparatory work includes strengthening the wall of the gymnasium where the climbing wall will be installed, adding a heating and air conditioning system and refinishing the gym floor.

In addition, cellulose insulation will be removed from the gym ceiling. The insulation is nonflammable, but will ignite if touched by an open flame, Plute said. In addition, the insulation comes loose when hit with a ball, floating into the buildings ventilation system.

The cellulose insulation will be replaced with insulation that is nonflammable and noncombustible, and it will be covered by a suspended ceiling and new lighting installed, Plute said.

The Johnson Fitness Center projects have been approved for funding through major maintenance money from the state of Wyoming. The HVAC system, insulation, ceiling and structural work is estimated to cost $450,000, with another $100,000 for work on the gym floor.

Work on the heating and cooling system has already begun. It will be completed during the summer, Plute said.

Plute noted that the Trapper Gym and offices in the Johnson Fitness Center havent had air conditioning.

The only thing you could do was open the window and hope for a breeze, he said.

The new HVAC system will make the building more comfortable and usable during warm-weather months, well into the future, he said.

The new climbing wall wont be available for installation until next summer.

The company told NWC officials that they would not be able to provide the wall until November or December 2017.

So phase two of the work on the Trapper Gym/Johnson Fitness Center strengthening the wall, removing the old insulation and installing new insulation, adding a suspended ceiling and new lighting will be completed in spring and summer 2018 in conjunction with installing the climbing wall.

The project is complex and requires detailed sequencing, coordination and scheduling, Lisa Watson, NWC vice president for administration and finance, told the NWC Board of Trustees earlier this month.

The cost to install the climbing wall is estimated at $60,000.

Keith McCallister, an assistant professor of health, outdoor and physical education, said there is an increasing interest in climbing, both among NWC students and the general public. The old climbing wall in the Cabre Gym is outdated and difficult to manage, he said.

Plute added, It turns what is a great thing into an attractive nuisance sometimes.

He said a couple of 10-year-olds escaped their parents during the NWC graduation earlier this month and started free-climbing the wall without any safeguards.

I was able to intercept them and tell them to go back to their parents, Plute said.

Other projects

Additional major maintenance projects planned at Northwest College over the summer include:

Roof replacement for the DeWitt Student Center. Although plans to replace that building are beginning, that wont happen for at least another 10 years, and the roof must be replaced to prevent problems, NWC President Stefani Hicswa told the board at a previous meeting.

The roof replacement was bid out to McGs Roofing of Cody for $73,300, with an August completion. Another $22,500 was budgeted for the design.

Equine arena work, including painting, insulation, lighting, heating and ventilating and replacement of a fence in the riding area at a total estimated cost of $197,000.

Trapper Rodeo Arena improvements, at an estimated cost of $100,000.

Weve already finished the heater piece and made drainage improvements, and now were working on the electrical system, Plute said. Were taking it and making it as safe as we can make it.

Installation of Big Voice emergency notification system and strobes in the Fagerberg Building and the Fagerberg Annex (formerly the nursing building), at a cost of $169,000. Those are the only NWC classroom buildings currently without the Big Voice emergency system and strobes.

Exterior access and drainage improvements to Colter Hall.

Excerpt from:
New NWC climbing wall delayed - Powell Tribune

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Tex-Perts Cooling & Heating, a San Antonio HVAC contractor, launched an updated range of AC repair and installation services. The company offers 24/7 AC repair, AC installation and maintenance for commercial and residential clients in San Antonio and the surrounding area.

San Antonio, United States May 26, 2017 /PressCable/

Tex-Perts Cooling & Heating, a HVAC company based in San Antonio, Texas, announced a variety of updated services for residential and commercial clients. The company provides 24/7 AC repair and full system installation for all brands and models, working with licensed and certified professionals to ensure safe and reliable services.

More information can be found at http://www.texpertsac.com.

HVAC systems are essential to maintain a comfortable interior temperature, especially during the hot summer months. While for residential homeowners a small AC system is typically enough, commercial locations need larger central systems to ensure proper cooling, especially for larger buildings such as hotels, banks and various others.

Tex-Perts Cooling & Heating is a professional HVAC company offering a wide range of services for commercial and residential clients in San Antonio and the surrounding area.

The company provides 24/7 professional AC repair services, working with licensed and certified professionals to ensure quick, safe and effective services. The San Antonio AC contractor offers immediate assistance with a wide range of issues such as duct leaks, uneven interior temperatures, broken thermostats, dirty coils, draining problems, condenser issues and many others.

As well as providing complete repair services, Tex-Perts Cooling & Heating also offers new HVAC system installation for all brands and models, including Trane, Lennox, Honeywell, Carrier, General Electrics and many others. The company undertakes an extensive inspection of each property to suggest an adequate HVAC system, providing professional installation services protected by satisfaction guarantees.

The San Antonio HVAC contractor also offers heater installation and repair services, offering 24/7 assistance with various heater problems. The company has extensive experience helping commercial and residential clients with issues including excessively high energy bills, draining problems, loud ventilation, faulty condensers, uneven interior temperatures, leaky refrigerants, faulty thermostats and many others. These services are available for all heater brands and models.

Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website.

Contact Info: Name: Shane Petty Email: results@revved.biz Organization: Tex-Perts Cooling & Heating Address: 6345 Walzem Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78239, United States Phone: +1-210-599-1200

For more information, please visit http://www.texpertsac.com/

Source: PressCable

Release ID: 202986

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Remodeling or completely renovating a kitchen can be a big task, but it also has the best return on investment of any home improvement.

But these improvements dont come cheap. A 2013 U.S. Census Bureau report noted the cost of an average kitchen remodel was $5,000, with the price tag for complete renovation at $27,353.

Given these costs, remodeling experts say there are ways to save in order to have money to splurge on key items.

Begin with a detailed floor plan, said Ariel Darmoni, managing partner at 123 Remodeling, a general contractor firm featured in Houzz and on HGTV.

Its going to be so much more if you dont have a floor plan that works for you, because making changes later costs more. You can also save money if you dont have to move plumbing and electric, even if youre taking down walls, he said.

Dont skimp on important life-safety improvements like mold remediation and ventilation, said Beverley Kruskol, owner of M.Y. Pacific Building, a general contractor who has worked with high-end renovations, including for Mario Batalis restaurants in Los Angeles.

Tile, flooring and lighting can be both economical and beautiful, Kruskol said.

Tile is a great place to save money. There are thousands of styles, and theyre so amazing, she said.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles can be used on both floor and in kitchen backsplashes, said Suzanne Falk, of Suzanne Falk Interior Design and a ghost designer on HGTVs Kitchen Crashers.

Tile is cheaper than hardwood flooring, and Darmoni prefers tile floors in kitchens because wood floors can be easily damaged by water leaks from dishwashers.

Big-box retailers sell attractive tiles for a fraction of the cost versus whats sold at designer showrooms, Falk said. For people who have their heart set on high-end tile, she recommended highlighting it in a specific area, such as a backsplash around the range, and then framing it with subway tiles, which Falk said are her go-to tiles.

Distinctive, affordable lighting options are available at retail stores versus paying up at a showroom, they said.

Compared to what was available four or five years ago, you can get beautiful lamps at a fraction of the cost, Kruskol said.

Choose a nicer faucet over a sink, Darmoni said, but look at the faucet construction. Better-made faucets have durable metal cartridges inside, which are the valves that turn on the water and mix temperatures.

High-end appliances might be a worthy splurge; however, Kruskol said homeowners should think about how they use them and how long theyll be in the home.

If youre in a condo, I dont think you need to spend the money to get a Wolf range, but it depends on your lifestyle, she said.

Homeowners who arent doing a gut rehab and really are scrimping can get new doors and hardware for their existing cabinets, Kruskol said, which can quickly update the look. Even refinishing existing doors can refresh a tired kitchen.

The two areas worth a splurge are cabinets and countertops, they said. Consider stepping up to semi-custom cabinets from a local cabinet supplier and avoiding the big-box retailer.

Working with a local cabinet supplier to design creative storage can help eliminate a lot of the wasted space in kitchens, Kruskol said. Upgrades such as pull-out shelves and Lazy Susans are useful, but Falk warned about getting carried away with other costly upgrades like appliance garages and built-in spice drawers. These can look nice but may not be practical, she added.

Another benefit to using semi-custom cabinets is they can be designed to fit a homes inevitable imperfections in a way prefabricated cabinets cant, said Darmoni and Falk.

All three said consider upgrading to natural stone countertops versus manufactured styles. Not only do they look beautiful, but they will last for years. Granite has always been popular, but high-end materials such as quartz and quartzite are becoming affordable.

The one stone they dont recommend for kitchens is marble.

Its porous and stains easily. For instance, if you put a coffee cup on it, it gets a ring that doesnt go away, Kruskol said.

See original here:
At Home: Where to save, splurge in kitchen remodel - Topeka Capital Journal