Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

(BPT) - Moving up vacating your current, smallish home for a larger, roomier abode was the American way before the Great Recession. Now that the economy is humming again, at least some of the people who stayed put during those lean years will be looking to move into larger, nicer homes this summer. High demand and low inventory, however, may leave many with nowhere to go. Some will rediscover a time-honored space-gaining technique: attic conversion.

As home improvements go, converting an attic into usable living space has a high return on investment about 84 percent at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazines Cost vs. Value Report. Thats if you use your unfinished attic to create a 15-by-15-foot bedroom and a modest 5-by-7-foot bathroom with shower. Create a larger, more luxurious and more elaborate space and the ROI could be even greater. If your family is bursting at the seams, the value of added space will be measured in comfort, convenience and peace of mind, rather than resale dollars.

As with any renovation project, achieving an attic conversion requires you to balance numerous factors, from budget and objective to space and architectural limitations. Some of your most-desired features such as ample natural light or a full bathroom may seem out of reach. They dont have to be, though, if you rely on some time-tested techniques to maximize the space.

Lighting the natural way

Typically, attics arent built with a lot of windows, and adding them may be difficult if the ceiling is sloped. Yet natural light is a highly prized feature in virtually any room, especially if youre converting your attic into a bedroom, family room or other public area. Traditional solutions include adding dormers, which can be costly and time-consuming. Whats more, windows and dormers can eat up wall space, which is often at a premium in attics.

Skylights or roof windows can be a better option in an attic space. They require less time and cost to install than dormers and can easily live on slanted ceilings. Choose Energy Star-qualified no-leak, solar-powered fresh-air skylights like those from VELUX America utilized in the OMore College of Design Alumni House, add solar-powered blinds, and you can achieve a light-filled attic room that is both beautiful and energy efficient. The cost of the products, including installation, are eligible for a 30-percent federal tax credit. And from now until August 15, theres also a $200 cash rebate from VELUX on solar powered skylights. To learn more, visit http://www.whyskylights.com.

Roof windows, which are less expensive than dormers, are another cost-effective attic conversion option. VELUX offers both a top-hinged model and a double-sash balcony model that open at the top and bottom to create a roof balcony that admits much more light than a dormer while offering access to the outdoors. Roof windows offer maximum ventilation plus the added advantage of meeting building code requirements as points of emergency escape and egress.

Heating and cooling

Attics are often the hottest or coldest room in the house, depending on the time of year and the quality of your homes insulation. Creating a comfortable atmosphere in a converted attic requires expert planning.

You may need to increase insulation. Because insulation has such a significant impact on a homes overall comfort and energy efficiency, it makes sense to invest in the best you can afford. Spray foam is often a good option for converted attics because it can go easily between existing joists and create a tight air barrier without losing the inches of space required for thick fiberglass batt insulation.

Here is the original post:
Three success tips for converting an attic into living space

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) July 02, 2014

Conklin Bros., a company that has offered top-quality flooring and customer service for well over a century, has just announced that they are offering their clients a new and industry-leading guarantee. Called the Residential Flooring Satisfaction Guarantee, it promises to replace a customers new flooring with a comparable type and style, in the event that the home owner is not satisfied with the appearance of the new flooring after it has been installed.

Over the course of the past 134 years, the owners and employees of Conklin Bros. have learned a lot about both flooring and customers. One lesson they realized early on is that sometimes flooring that looks really great in the showroom just doesnt look quite the same once its been installed in a home. Similar to when a shirt looks terrific on a mannequin in a store but not quite as wonderful on an actual person, Conklin Bros. realizes that this can and does happen with floor coverings.

Thanks to the new Residential Flooring Satisfaction Guarantee, hardwood, vinyl, or carpet that looked beautiful in the showroom but not great in the home will be replaced with a similar style of flooring.

As a newly posted blog on the Conklin Bros. website notes, the new guarantee joins an already-impressive lineup of guarantees that have helped to keep customers happy for over 13 decades.

We take a lot of pride in having some of the strongest guarantees and warranties in the industry, the blog noted, adding that it's the attention to detail that Conklin Bros. brings to every job that keeps their clients coming back to them year after year and home after homeall while reflecting the attention in the lengths theyre willing to go to in ensuring customer satisfaction.

One of our flagship guarantees is the free do-over, something very few other companies offer. With this guarantee, if you're not happy with your floor covering within 30 days of the original installation, we'll redo the whole thing one time.

To get details and read more about these groundbreaking and innovative guarantees, please visit our website at http://www.conklinbros.com/guarantees/.

About Conklin Bros.:

Conklin Bros. is proud to offer a tremendous selection of carpet and flooring from all the top manufacturers for every living space, including high-end designer styles to quality, value-priced products for every budget. After 134 years of being in business, Conklin Bros. continues to be locally owned and managed. The commitment to quality, superior craftsmanship, attention to detail, is what separates Conklin Bros. from the rest. For more information, please visit http://www.conklinbros.com/.

Visit link:
Conklin Bros. Announces New, Industry-Leading Guarantee

ECO Friendly Basement Remodeling
Custom Professional Remodeling is a company specializing in quality home remodeling and improvement in Atlanta, GA, since 1999. We service Atlanta and surrou...

By: HouseCPR

More:
ECO Friendly Basement Remodeling - Video

BASEMENT REMODELING NAPERVILLE IL
630-888-2211 HOME REMODELING SERVICE INCLUDING BASEMENT REMODELING NAPERVILLE IL LICENSED INSURED SHOWROOM OPEN.

By: Bobs Homes

Read more from the original source:
BASEMENT REMODELING NAPERVILLE IL - Video

Architects - The Distant Blue Extended Version [Lyric Video]
This is my first and only lyric video that I personal extended. I really like this song and seen a horrible lyric video to it that didnt do it enough justice...

By: King Kobra

Read the original:
Architects - The Distant Blue Extended Version [Lyric Video] - Video

Architects - Gravedigger - Live@Bingo, Kiev [30.06.2014]
http://www.neformat.com.ua http://www.facebook.com/neformat http://vk.com/neformatcomua http://twitter.com/neformatcomua You can also watch my other live videos here: http://www.youtube.com/n4eed2...

By: neformatcomua

Read more from the original source:
Architects - Gravedigger - Live@Bingo, Kiev [30.06.2014] - Video

Architects - C.A.N.C.E.R - Live@Bingo, Kiev [30.06.2014]
http://www.neformat.com.ua http://www.facebook.com/neformat http://vk.com/neformatcomua http://twitter.com/neformatcomua You can also watch my other live videos here: http://www.youtube.com/n4eed2...

By: neformatcomua

Read more from the original source:
Architects - C.A.N.C.E.R - Live@Bingo, Kiev [30.06.2014] - Video

Akron, Ohio (PRWEB) July 02, 2014

Scott Radcliff, AIA, ACHA, NCARB, LEED AP, project architect for Hasenstab Architects, has received the American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA) Board Certification in healthcare architecture. This certification is earned by architects specializing in healthcare design.

Radcliff, who has been with Hasenstab Architects since 2009, has more than 12 years of healthcare design experience specializing in simulation design, pediatric and neonatal environments, and facility planning. ACHA certification has always been a professional goal of his, Radcliff said.

Throughout my career, Ive had the privilege to work alongside multiple members of the ACHA, Radcliff said. Through my interactions with each of them and their mentoring, I developed a great respect for their high level of expertise and passion for healthcare design. I consider it an honor to join them in their pursuit to improve healthcare environments.

Radcliff has served as project architect for a variety of healthcare projects including Ashland University College of Nursing Simulation Design Center and the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare Campus Expansion. Most recently, Radcliff worked on the $180 million Critical Care Tower for Akron Childrens Hospital.

My experiences working on projects at Akron Childrens have allowed me to refine my planning, design, detailing, and operational understanding of these types of facilities, Radcliff said. As both a parent and a healthcare architect, I empathize with the customers and bring a unique perspective to the design of neonatal and pediatric spaces.

The ACHA provides Board Certification for architects who practice as healthcare specialists. In order to become ACHA certified, candidates must provide extensive documentation outlining their experience, multiple peer and client references, as well as pass a computer-based examination to demonstrate their skills and knowledge level.

About Hasenstab Architects

Since 1982, Hasenstab Architects has provided professional design services for the healthcare, educational, science/technology, and commercial industries in Northeast Ohio. Past projects include Akron Childrens Hospital Critical Care Tower, Akron Zoos Grizzly Ridge, The University of Akrons National Polymer Innovation Center, the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM School, and the Summa Health Systems Jean B. and Milton N. Cooper Cancer Center. http://www.hasenstabinc.com

See more here:
Hasenstab Architects Scott Radcliff Attains ACHA Certification

POPOV Bass Architects has taken out the award for the best new house in NSW with a home in Griffith.

BEST OF THE BEST: This Griffith home took out the award for best new house in NSW. Picture: Sharrin Rees.

POPOV Bass Architects has taken out the award for the best new house in NSW with a home in Griffith.

Alex Popov and Brian Bass' design, which was built by Forlico Builders, won the state's annual Wilkinson Award.

Judge and jury chair Virginia Kerridge said the planning for the house was calm and rational.

"The overriding sense within is of tranquility," she said.

Mr Popov and Mr Bass needed to build a home that could accommodate visiting children and grandchildren, along with the owners' art collection on a rural farm on the south eastern fringe of the city.

There were challenges in coming up with the perfect design.

"This was a tough, hard environment," Mr Bass said.

The 11.3 hectare site was flood-zoned and almost dead flat on a red soil plain.

Continue reading here:
Top gong for gifted architects

POPOV Bass Architects has taken out the award for the best new house in NSW with a home in Griffith.

BEST OF THE BEST: This Griffith home took out the award for best new house in NSW. Picture: Sharrin Rees.

POPOV Bass Architects has taken out the award for the best new house in NSW with a home in Griffith.

Alex Popov and Brian Bass' design, which was built by Forlico Builders, won the state's annual Wilkinson Award.

Judge and jury chair Virginia Kerridge said the planning for the house was calm and rational.

"The overriding sense within is of tranquility," she said.

Mr Popov and Mr Bass needed to build a home that could accommodate visiting children and grandchildren, along with the owners' art collection on a rural farm on the south eastern fringe of the city.

There were challenges in coming up with the perfect design.

"This was a tough, hard environment," Mr Bass said.

The 11.3 hectare site was flood-zoned and almost dead flat on a red soil plain.

Read the original here:
Top for gifted Griffith architects