Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Highland Commercial Roofing, a premiere Southwest commercial roofing company, wants to help business owners identify and address common trouble spots with their roof to stop problems before they start and repair them before it is too late.

"The roof is a commercial building's first line of defense from natural hazards. It is also the most vulnerable part of your building," said Rick Cunningham, president of Highland Commercial Roofing. "The best way to avoid roof-related problems is through regular care and maintenance. Inspections should be scheduled every six months."

Highland Commercial Roofing offers these tips to help area businesses detect and prevent water damage:

"A properly maintained roof is necessary to protect your building and the business conducted within it," said Cunningham. "Remember, a little maintenance can result in a lot of savings, especially when compared to the cost of damage from a small, undetected leak or catastrophic roof failure."

About Highland Commercial RoofingSince 1991, building owners and property managers throughout the Southwest have come to rely on Highland Commercial Roofing for their experience and top-quality workmanship and to deliver prompt, expert, affordable roofing solutions. Highland is also respected for its cost-effective inspection and maintenance services that can extend the life of commercial roofing systems and help control costly future expenses. Highland provides roofing services and roof maintenance for building owners and managers of commercial, industrial, office and multi-family properties and specializes in the installation of seamless, energy-efficient commercial "cool-roof" systems.

Recently, Highland Commercial Roofing was awarded a 2016 Guildmaster Award for showing a continued commitment to service excellence by delivering a consistently superior customer experience. They were one of only 200 companies recognized by GuildQuality throughout the country, and the only commercial contractor to be recognized.

Please visit http://www.highlandroof.com for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT:Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 hripley@ripleypr.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/highland-commercial-roofing-offers-tips-to-protect-businesses-from-the-extreme-weather-300412347.html

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Highland Commercial Roofing Offers Tips To Protect Businesses ... - Yahoo Finance

At 5 p.m. wind gusts were at around 33 mph in Las Cruces.

The wind speeds reached up to 45 miles an hour and was a nuisance to roofers.

Today KFOX14 spoke with Mario Moreno who owns a roofing company.

He said by this afternoon he had to send his entire crew home.

KFOX14 also reached out to a few other roofing companies about the windy weather.

They said they too had to reschedule appointments because it was too dangerous to work.

But on the New Mexico State University campus there was one roofing company that worked through the wind.

They said the only reason why they continued working today was because they were in a good spot where most of the wind was blocked by the buildings on campus.

Robert Delgado also mentioned how they know when its time to call it a day during heavy winds.

"When it starts to knock things off your hands or off the roof you know that's when is time to quit and let's go before it hurts anybody, Delgado said.

He also said what materials they wont work with even if the winds arent as strong.

"Well we just stop completely we do not work when it's windy when we're working with tar because it's way too dangerous it could blind somebody even if we wear protective eye wear, Delgado said.

Delgado said since they were only putting up shingles today and not working with tar, they were able to get their job done even in the wind.

Originally posted here:
Strong winds in Las Cruces postpones work for roofing companies - KFOX El Paso

2/23/2017 The 2017 International Roofing Expo [IRE] trade show floor has completely sold out, topping out over 131,000 square feet and 465 exhibitors. The also marks the largest show in the events 62-year history.

Taking place March 1-3, 2017, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the International Roofing Expo is the preeminent roofing construction and maintenance event where roofing professionals gather to experience face-to-face interaction, product review, education and networking.

The commitment from so many leading industry manufacturers and suppliers demonstrates trust in the International Roofing Expo brand and its ability to deliver qualified buyers from every segment of the industry, said Tracy Garcia, CEM, IRE Show Director. The IRE has experienced an unbelievable 41.6% growth in net square feet since 2012.

Exhibiting companies will feature products and services spanning 40 categories, including adhesives, built-up roofing, coatings, fasteners, gutters, metal roofing, modified bitumen, roof/ decking materials, roof pavers, shingles, skylights, slate, spray polyurethane foam, tile, vapor retarders, ventilation, walkways/ballast, waterproofing, and much more.

The U.S. roofing industry is in a strong position this year, and thats reflected in the banner support we see for the IRE in terms of attendance and exhibit space sold, says Reid Ribble, NRCAs CEO. NRCA is excited to once again hold its annual convention in conjunction with the IRE.

The trade show floor is just one aspect of the three-day event. Other highlights include a robust educational conference program consisting of 122 education hours and 44 sessions, a variety of special events and show floor education, as well as unlimited networking opportunities and so much more.

The show was founded in 1955 by the National Roofing Contractors Association as the NRCA Convention and Trade Show. On May 18, 2004, Hanley Wood Exhibitions acquired the show and rebranded it as the International Roofing Expo [IRE]. The IRE is now owned and produced by Informa Global Exhibitions, who acquired Hanley Wood Exhibitions in December 2014.

For information about the IRE, please visit http://www.TheRoofingExpo.com or call 972.536.6415 or 800.684.5761.

About International Roofing Expo The International Roofing Expo is the must-attend event for commercial and residential roofing professionals to stay abreast of market directions, trends and cutting-edge technology. The official show sponsor is NRCA and the official show publication is Roofing Contractor. Formerly owned by NRCA, the show was sold to Hanley Wood Exhibitions in May 2004. Hanley Wood Exhibitions was acquired by Informa Exhibitions U.S. in December 2014.

About Informa, Global Exhibitions Informa operates at the heart of the Knowledge and Information Economy. It is one of the worlds leading business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events businesses with more than 6,500 employees in over 100 offices across 25 countries. The Dallas Exhibitions team produces a portfolio of 17 trade shows in various sectors of the construction and real estate industry. To learn more, visit http://www.informaexhibitions.com.

Contact: kim.hamilton@informa.com

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2017 International Roofing Expo Sells Out Tradeshow Floor - Exhibitor Online

A two-story addition project is fraught with cost variables. Heres how to anticipate the hidden costs and stay on track.

The perception of a two-story addition is that of a complex and expensive project fraught with hidden costs that will bust your budget. In truth, most of those costs are in plain sight if you identify and manage them early in the planning process. Others, such as surprise (but necessary) repairs, financing fees and loan interest, increased insurance premiums and property taxes, and fluctuating building materials prices, are less obvious or upfront, but can certainly affect your finances.

Heres a rundown of where hidden costs might be lurking.

The first place to watch for hidden costs is in your remodeling contract. Be sure to demand a fixed-costcontractthat includes a detailed scope of work, a change-order policy, and a firm price that youve agreed to.

This type of contract does not include contingencies or allowances for unforeseen expenses, such as dry-rot exposed during demolition. It is the responsibility of the contractor to evaluate those possibilities beforehand and account for them in the contract.

If you dont have a fixed-cost contract, additional work may add as much as 10% to your final cost money you didnt expect to pay. Similarly, a fixed-cost contract prevents paying unforeseen charges for building materials when prices rise unexpectedly during the construction process. Those increases can be significant. Consider that between 2000 and 2009, the price of construction materials in general increased more than 36%, and 7.2% between 2008 and 2009 alone, according to theBureau of Labor Statistics.

Specifically, recent fluctuations in big-ticket items such as structural lumber (up 63.6% within the first three months of 2010, compared to its 2009 year-end price), concrete (a 44.8% boost this decade), and asphalt roofing shingles (up 24% in 2008 and 18% in 2009), can hinder your efforts to stay on a financial track and are reason alone to demand a fixed-cost agreement that locks in the cost of the materials for your project.

Be sure your contract has a change-order policy that spells out costs for any alterations to the project that you specify after the contract is signed. This protects the contractor, and also gives you a clear idea of what it will cost if you change your mind about aspects of the project.

Related: What Your Remodeling Contract Should Say

The cost for an architect to craft a two-story addition that integrates seamlessly into your existing home may be 15% of your total construction costs. If your budget is based solely on the cost of construction, youll need to account for the design fees as well.

Some construction outfits include design capabilities. These design-build firms fold the architectural fees into the construction budget, usually at a discount because youre hiring them for the entire process. Nevertheless, youll still have to account for the cost of the design.

Related fees may include engineering services required by your local building authority, such as having a soils engineer evaluate steeply sloped yards, and areas where shifting or expansive soils are problematic. Specific costs vary, but additional testing runs $250 to $3,000.

If you secure a loan for all or part of your addition, youll likely face loan origination and processing fees of about 1% to 2% of the total loan amount. The lender also may require appraisal and inspection fees, which will cost about $300 each.

In addition, any loan terms will include interest youll pay against the principal balance. As an example, lets say you finance your $156,000 two-story addition project with a $115,000home equity loanand $41,000 in cash. You decide to add those amounts to what you already owe on your existing mortgage.

If your existing mortgage is $160,000, the result is a refinanced mortgage of $316,000. A 30-year loan with a fixed interest rate of 5.15% will result in about $305,000 of interest paid over the life of that loan.

Your annualhomeowners insurance premiumwill (and should) go up as the result of any significant addition.

For reference, a $275,000 house with a $434 annual insurance premium will likely see that premium jump 50% or more, to about $650 per year, based on a $156,300 room addition. That premium is calculated with a 125% replacement value for the now-$431,300 home, which accounts for increases in construction labor and key materials costs a calculation that should be revisited at the policys annual renewal.

Expect to pay higherproperty taxeswhen you add living space to your home. Typically, the value stated on the building permit application for the room addition will be added to your homes valuation for the next tax year, thus increasing your annual property taxes.

An exact amount is difficult to estimate because other variables work into assessing the value of your home from year to year, such as fluctuations in the overall housing market. For instance, a 2007 room addition project in Boise, Idaho, that increased the homes assessed value by 31% boosted its next years property tax by nearly 43%; a room addition project of similar value in 2002, however, increased that home owners property tax bill by only 15% the next year.

A two-story addition will no doubt affect your homes landscaping. The new space itself will replace turf, shrubs, flower beds, and/or trees (and perhaps the cost to remove those features), while daily construction work from foot traffic to heavy machinery and materials staging takes its toll on what remains.

While there is no magic number for such costs, you can expect to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to have landscaping restored around the sizeable footprint of a two-story addition. Limit the damage and subsequent cost by cordoning off a path to the job site and a staging area for materials. Also, create an allowance of several hundred dollars to put your yard in proper shape once the job is done.

Arguably your most important job as a client is to make informed decisions in a timely manner to help keep the project on track. Thats because some materials and products must be ordered in advance to arrive on the job site within a small window of the contractors overall schedule. Let those deadlines pass, and you risk delays or rush charges to make up the time.

Related:Evaluate Your House for a Two-Story Addition

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Hidden Costs of a Two-Story Addition - Houselogic

To understand some of what ails the Orlando Magic, just find footage of their fourth quarter Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Youll immediately understand what Magic coach Frank Vogel means when he says his team needs to learn how to win.

The Magic led the Trail Blazers by 11 points early in the fourth quarter.

And the Magic coughed up that lead.

Up nine, or whatever we were in the fourth quarter at home, you should win that game, Vogel said. Thats actually exactly what Im talking about. Youve got to put together a complete game. But in certain situations, youve got to step on an opponent when youve got him down and youve got make those plays when youre up. We didnt do that tonight. Thats been a problem with our organization, our franchise, our team.

The Magic lost to the Blazers 112-103 at Amway Center.

Was it a heartbreaker? No.

But it was an awful way to start the unofficial second half of the season and to welcome newcomer Terrence Ross.

Especially when you have a lead like that, you dont want to give them any kind of steam to get going, Ross said. They just kind of took off, and we just made a couple of slip-ups in the fourth.

Ross put Orlando ahead 91-80 when he drained a 3-pointer with 9:07 remaining. The game seemed over, and perhaps Magic players thought they had an insurmountable lead.

The advantage evaporated through a combination of poor shooting, communication lapses and hot shooting by the Blazers star player, point guard Damian Lillard.

Lillard scored 17 of his game-high 33 points in the final period.

I didnt think we really respected, quite frankly, Damian Lillards ability in the fourth quarter, Vogel said. When hes down, hes going to come out and take over a game, and thats what stars do. We didnt respect that and certainly do a good enough job against it.

The Magic cut the Blazers lead to 105-103 on a layup by Nikola Vucevic with 1:55 to go.

On the ensuing possession, however, former Magic forward Maurice Harkless received a pass on the left wing and knocked down a 3-pointer.

Another Magic cast-off, point guard Shabazz Napier, came off the Blazers bench to score 10 points, collect seven rebounds and dish out six assists.

It was a really good way to start the last part of the season, Portland coach Terry Stotts said. It was a gutty win.

Ross and a 2017 first-round draft pick were the Magics lone additions before the trade deadline the return for sending power forward Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 14.

Vogel put Ross in the starting lineup, and Ross totaled 13 points on 4-of-17 shooting. Despite his shooting struggles, Ross impressed with his passing. Although Ross finished with only one assist, he fed teammates near the hoop, and those teammates generated free-throw opportunities.

Poor free-throw shooting contributed to the Magics loss. Orlando players made only 28 of their 39 attempts.

The Magic (21-38) still led the Blazers (24-33) for long stretches Thursday.

We were in control most of the game the whole game, basically, forward Jeff Green said. We let the rope go in the last five or six minutes. Games are won in the fourth quarter on the defensive end. We let this one go.

The offseason additions of Green, Bismack Biyombo and D.J. Augustin veterans all were supposed to help the Magic finish close games.

On Thursday, however, they didnt help late in the game.

Neither did Vucevic, who scored just three of his team-high 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Weve got to figure this out, Vogel said.

Twenty-three games remain in the season to do that.

The Magic need to start learning how to win as Thursdays game showed all too clearly.

jrobbins@orlandosentinel.com. Read his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/magicblog and follow him on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins.

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Magic give up 11-point lead in 4th quarter, lose to Blazers 112-103 - Orlando Sentinel

The Boston Globe

Danny Ainge made right move by not making trade The Boston Globe TORONTO While the Raptors are reinvigorated for the second half of the season with the additions of Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, who was on the Celtics' radar, Boston will enter Friday's showdown with its Canadian rival with the same team it had on ... NBA Trade Deadline 2017: Grading Every DealBleacher Report Raptors clean up at NBA trade deadline; for Boston, and big men, it was a bustWashington Post 2017 NBA Trade Deadline: Winners And LosersSports Illustrated Sports Illustrated all 90 news articles »

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Danny Ainge made right move by not making trade - The Boston Globe

CLEVELAND -- When LeBron James put the Cleveland Cavaliers organization on blast a month ago, challenging the teams decision-makers to address perceived roster deficiencies, few could imagine that when Thursdays trade deadline expired without the Cavs making a move, James would be OK with it.

Yet lo and behold, after Cleveland couldnt strike a last-minute deal, James, on his Uninterrupted platform hours later, posted a video saying, Its great to see where our team is right now.

And a few hours after that, he put up 18 points, 15 assists, 13 rebounds and three blocks (one of the pin-it-against-the-glass, chase-down variety reminiscent of his regal rejection in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals) for his sixth triple-double of the season, helping to secure the Cavaliers' fourth win in a row and eighth in their past nine games with a 119-104 handling of the New York Knicks.

James comments from that night in New Orleans were interpreted myriad ways, including his "I just hope that we're not satisfied as an organization line considered by some to be him alluding to a desire to shake things up and acquire the costly Carmelo Anthony for a team already saddled by an exorbitant luxury-tax bill.

Well, Anthony was still in a Knicks uniform Thursday, putting up 20 points that were largely inconsequential because they came on 9-for-25 shooting with five turnovers. Meanwhile, James was flanked by a couple of alternative pickups: Kyle Korver and Derrick Williams, who combined for 30 points on 11-for-20 shooting. They joined the plus-sized second unit coach Ty Lue continues to experiment with -- with James, Korver, Williams, Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, all measuring 6-foot-7 or taller -- and Thursday saw the group once again wreak havoc on its opponent.

Neither Korver nor Williams were true deadline additions -- Korver came in early January and Williams was brought in on his first 10-day contract just before the All-Star break (hes on his second 10-day deal now, which will be followed by a pact to last the rest of the season) -- but they are proving to be as impactful as the other in-season roster revamps Cavs general manager David Griffin pulled off the past two seasons: J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov in 2015, followed by Frye and Dahntay Jones in 2016.

Just fit in perfect, James said of the pair. Vets. No ego. Just want to do whatever it takes to help us win. And D-Will adds something that we were looking for in an athletic wing -- he can play both sides of the floor, he can defend, he can rebound. Make shots. And Kyle gave us another knockdown shooter, so its just perfect for our team.

Maybe not as perfect as how the Golden State Warriors are finding a former MVP in Kevin Durant fitting in with their team (not to mention fringe additions in David West, Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee finding roles), but the Durant move was unlike anything else in league history.

There wasnt a thing the Cavs could have done from the summer to now to replicate that move through one player.

But with Korver and Williams making an impact, plus the potential for another face or two to be added at guard (Deron Williams, Mario Chalmers, etc.) or big man (Andrew Bogut, Larry Sanders, etc.), not to mention the expected healthy returns of Smith and Kevin Love next month, suddenly the Cavs repeat title hopes dont seem so remote, even with Golden State clearly formidable.

It just makes our team that much deeper, Lue said of Korver (who has made 52.3 percent of his 3s since joining the Cavs) and Williams (who has made 57.1 percent of his shots overall). Im glad theyre getting a chance to play and figure things out, understand how we play, and we can kind of understand who they are and how they play. We get Kevin and J.R. back, then we can understand each other and fit pieces where they need to fit.

Suddenly, the Cavs adopted mantra in recent weeks -- We got what we got -- doesnt sound so resigned as much as its a prideful perspective.

Check out the team site for more game coverage

Check out the team site for more game coverage

I got that from Larry Hughes, Lue said of the phrase. A long time ago we played for the Wizards, and he was like, We got what we got. That was just like a little joke. I guess everybodys using it, but weve got what weve got. I like what we have. Weve got to lace them up. This is our team, so lets do it.

Who would have thought that Cleveland would have such a quiet trade deadline and come out on the other side of it seemingly breathing new life?

Ive always felt good about the team, James said. Coming into the season, even in January I felt good about our team, but you know, its just about the way we were playing. So now I feel really good about the way were playing right now.

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The Cavs got what they got, and that's good enough for them - ESPN (blog)

By Mary Biekert mbiekert@norwichbulletin.com 860-425-4256

KILLINGLY - Residents passed all three bonding proposals for school and municipal and infrastructure projects.

The projects that the town voted on are divided into three categories: School roofs and windows; bridge and culvert replacements; and town hall and community center work.

Residents approved the $6.25 million for school roof and window replacement by a vote of 211 to 55; the $3.2 million for upgrades to the community center and Town Hall heating and cooling system by a vote of 181 to 85; and the $1.8 million for bridge and culvert replacement by a vote of 202 to 64.

Officials said bonding money would likely be paid back over a 20-year period.

Diane St. Jean voted yes to all of the proposed bonds.

I voted yes for the education aspect. The schools really need the work done and I have one boy in each of the schools, St. Jean said.

Jeffrey Buchbinder also voted yes to all three.

We really need the bonds to keep up the school facilities. It is getting to the point where it could affect student safety, Buchbinder said.

The school work will require $6.5 million for a series of capital projects at Killingly Memorial, Killingly Central and Goodyear Early Education schools. Plans call for replacing roofs at the two elementary schools and a partial roof replacement at Goodyear, Finance Director Mary Calorio said.

The town also plans to bond $3.2 million for several projects at the community center, including exterior brick re-painting, bathroom and locker room renovations and window work. A portion of that money about $1 million - would be set aside to replace the nearly 100-year-old pipes running through Town Hall, Town Engineer Dave Capacchione said.

Calorio said she anticipates getting a 70 percent reimbursement from the state for the school roof work and another 50 percent reimbursement for the storage tank removal. The state will also cover 50 percent of the bridge work.

Unfortunately, things like this fall upon a generation every so often. We have town-owned property that is in dire need of repair. It is something that we have to do, Town Council member Dennis Alemian said.

Read more here:
Killingly residents approve bonding proposals - Norwich Bulletin

Glenn Haege, Special to The Detroit News 6:07 p.m. ET Feb. 23, 2017

Updating cabinets is a big part of any kitchen remodel.(Photo: KSI Kitchen and Bath)

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling is so popular the industry has its own national event, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. And each time I attend, I wonder if most homeowners are buying these types of showcase products.

Jill Johnson, manager of the KSI showroom in Ann Arbor, (734) 388-4691, ksikitchens.com, said typically items at these types of shows take a few years to become popular in our area, if at all.

Most of our customers have a more conservative style for their kitchen, so a lot of the things you see at the Kitchen and Bath show arent in demand here, Johnson said.

Her counterpart, Brooke Schall, a designer at KSI Kitchen and Bath in Macomb Township, (586) 789-9421 agrees that trendy isnt necessarily the focus for her customers in Macomb County.

People watch HGTV and see all this new technology, but we arent seeing a demand for that yet, Schall said.

One area that customers seem to be interested in for bath remodeling is custom showers.

Most of them are updating homes built in the 80s and 90s that had a traditional tub and shower, which they dont want today, Schall said. Instead, they want a large walk-in shower and even want more than one shower head. I had one customer tell me he wanted a shower like a car wash with body sprays all around him.

Johnson said seated showers with hand-held shower heads are also popular, and Delta (deltafaucet.com) makes a dual-function two-in-one shower head that features both an integrated shower head and hand shower that can be used separately or together.

Kristen Andrews, corporate showroom manager for Infusion Kitchen and Bath, (248) 624-6905,

infusionshowrooms.com, said technology is becoming more popular in the toilet category.

We are starting to see more interest in intelligent toilets like Kohlers Numi with an integrated bidet, especially among older people who want to remain self-sufficient, Andrews said.

Andrews said her most popular bathroom product is the Choreograph collection from Kohler, (kohler.com) a shower wall system made from composite material that is easy to install and resembles tile, granite or marble without the grout lines that are hard to keep clean.

In the kitchen, Andrews said Kohler touchless faucets are a hot item, especially among people who cook and want to be able to turn the water on without touching it so they dont spread bacteria from uncooked food.

Updating the cabinets is a big part of any kitchen remodel, and KSIs Schall said people are replacing their old oak cabinets with white, gray or true brown colored cabinets.

Johnson agreed that white is the most popular color choice at her Ann Arbor showroom, and the style is transitional with cabinets that are usually plain with solid flat wood doors. I have a white kitchen display in our showroom and customers immediately go to it when they walk in, Johnson said. The white or gray flat finishes on cabinets really is a classy look and very popular.

The lighter white or gray colors are also popular with countertops, but granite is no longer the favorite. Johnson said five years ago, it was 70 percent granite countertops and 30 percent quartz, but today that has reversed. Both Schall and Johnson said the biggest reason for the transition to quartz is the wider variety of color options and that quartz is much easier to maintain than granite. Infusions Andrews agreed that quartz is her most popular countertop item, and the nonporous aspect also makes it more sanitary for people who cook.

While surfing the internet and looking at all the pretty pictures are fun, its especially important to visit a physical showroom and talk face to face with experts whenever you are planning an update to your homes kitchen and bathrooms.

For more home improvement advice, call The Handyman Show With Glenn Haege on WJR-AM (760) at (866) ASK GLENN, (866) 275-4536 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. The Handyman Show can also be heard on more than 135 radio stations nationwide.

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Handyman: Kitchen, bath remodeling have evolved - The Detroit News

Are you planning a kitchen renovation for the purpose of accessibility? Good luck and dont forget to do your homework, investigating all the details of what goes into a workable, safe kitchen for disabled access or aging in place. Be sure to avoid the following accessible kitchen remodel mistakes.

1. Skimping on the space thats necessary to turn around a mobility device.When you make up yourkitchen remodelfloor plan,incorporate a minimum five-foot turning radius of free space. This is the amount needed to allow a person using an electric wheelchair or scooter plenty of room to turn their device around, while minimizing the risk of bumping into kitchen cabinets, countertops, or appliances.

2. Installing inaccessible faucets.Opt for kitchen faucets which are either hands-free or operated by means of a lever rather than difficult-to-turn knobs. But thats only the first step. In order for your faucets to be truly accessible, they also need to be reachable. Make sure that yourkitchen designincludes undersink clearance, allowing sufficient room (30 wide x 27 high x 19 deep) to roll a wheelchair under the sink, within easy reach of the taps. Dont forget to: A. move plumbing pipes to the rear to maximize your space and B. shield them with insulation or some other barrier to guard against burns.

3. Designing countertops that will not be fully usable by your household.The recommended accessible kitchen counter height is 28 to 34 inches above the floor level. If a mobility-impaired individual is going to be sharing the kitchen workspace with other household members, make your kitchen truly usable for all; alternate accessible countertops with some at the conventional height of 36 inches, as well, or have adjustable counters installed.

4. Flooring with slip-hazard materials.Food prep and cleanup tend to be messy tasks in a busy kitchen, so choose your floor material with this in mind. Ceramic tile flooring and linoleum, both popular for use in kitchens, can become very slippery when wet, and are especially hazardous for mobility-impaired cooks. Choose slip-resistant flooring; alternatively, a floor made up of small-size ceramic tiles (6- or 8-inch squares are ideal) will offer reduced slipperiness due to its higher proportion of grout lines.

5. Choosing the wrong appliances.When purchasing new appliances, give careful thought to how they will be used. For example, a side-by-side refrigerator will provide much readier access to both the freezer compartment and the cooling section than a freezer-on-top or on-bottom type.Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)compliant cooktops feature front controls so the home chef doesnt have to reach over hazardous hot burners and a hot-surface indicator. A side-opening wall oven is easier and safer to open. Appliance position is equally important: for instance, a countertop microwave is obviously more accessible than an over-the-stove unit is.

6. Ignoring accessible innovations in kitchen cabinets.Todays kitchen cabinetry has come a long way. Do some research into recent innovations such as soft-close cupboards, touch-release drawers, pullout shelving, or pull and swing lazy Susan corner units, all of which will simplify working in the kitchen for folks with limited strength and/or mobility.

7. Neglecting the small details that actually can make all the difference.Install an ample supply of electrical outlets andlight switchesthat are operable from a seated position. Lighting at up to twice the standard strength should be made available. Plan pantry and cooking pot storage at a height of 20 to 44 inches above the floor.

By Laura Firszt,Networx.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Remodeling a Kitchen for Disabled Access or Aging in Place? 7 Mistakes to Avoid - Care2.com