Unfortunately, Texans can’t take a three month hiatus just to avoid the heat. Instead, many homeowners are turning to energy efficient cooling and outdoor solutions to enjoy the summer months without getting burned. Many of these options also have the benefit of increasing your home’s value when you add features that lessen its environmental footprint.

The Federal Government allows homeowners to take advantage of an Energy Tax Credit. The credit is between 10% – 30% and covers a variety of upgrades, including central air conditioning, window replacements and insulation.

HVAC

When the temperature isn’t quite right in your home, you tend to run right to the thermostat. It might be a knee-jerk reaction, but if your heating and cooling system goes out when you need it the most – you know you’re in trouble. If you even think that the air conditioner might be on the fritz, call a professional HVAC specialist before the situation worsens.

You might think you can stick it out with fans, keeping windows open, and a sputtering a/c, but you could actually be making matters worse. While it is good to air out your home every once in a while, that can also prevent your home’s insulation from retaining cool air. And, if your windows and insulation are outdated and inefficient, your efforts could be turning your home into an oven.

Windows

Your home’s windows serve so many purposes. Over time, shifts in the foundation and cracks can start a chain reaction that makes your home less efficient. There are several window replacement options that homeowners can choose from. If this is your first time upgrading or shopping for windows, consider what window types will fit your home’s style and also increase its resale value.

Radiant Barrier

If your home’s air conditioning system and windows are in perfect condition, but your home is still not retaining cool air, the problem might be your insulation. Unless you were involved in the building process of your home, or you have done remodeling in the past, the insulation process might as well be a foreign language.

Traditional attic insulation solutions protect against conduction and convection heat transfers. However, radiation is the primary way that homes lose the ability to retain cold air in the summer and heat in the winter. If your home can’t maintain the temperatures that the air conditioner and windows are working hard to keep, then you can still see spikes in your energy bill.

Radiant barrier insulation from eShield™ and Green Energy™ fills in the gaps of your old insulation. It can also be applied over existing insulation, which minimizes costs.

Pergolas

It’s great to have a home that’s cooled during the summer, but staying indoors can make you a little stir-crazy. Pergolas are popular home additions in Texas because everyone knows the value of shade. In many suburbs, the trees are not tall enough to provide the shade coverage you want. Pergolas shield you from the sun and can also be used as entertaining spaces.

Summer is here, but you don’t have to suffer through it. Contact us today to have a solution customized for your needs. For more information on the tax credit, visit http://www.energystar.gov.

The post Take Cover! The Texas Heat Wave is Coming! appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.

1.  Energy Star – Energy Star is a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy that helps building owners save money and protect the climate through energy efficiency. If you are interested in hearing about what goes on in energy efficiency follow them, they are the authority.
2.  Home Depot – Home Depot frequently Tweets the latest tips and information on products they carry in their stores. They also Tweet great ideas that you may not have thought of.
3. The DIY Network – For how-to advice on anything home improvement, follow the DIY Network. The experts answer the questions that you may have while remodeling, building, or improving your home.
4. HGTV – HGTV stands for Home and Garden Television. Follow them for news and tips and examples on anything home and garden.
5. Ace Hardware – Ace Hardware sells helpful remodeling and home improvement products. They Tweet helpful advice that you may need, plus promotional offers to boot.
6. Better Homes And Gardens – Better Homes and Gardens provides inspiring ideas for homes, gardening, food, holidays, and living well. If you have an interest in any of those things –and who doesn’t? – follow them.
7. Green Harmony Home – Green Harmony Home Tweets news and articles on superior-designed green homes.
8. Benjamin Moore – Benjamin Moore sells paint. They Tweet about painting stories, tips and paint tricks to help you get the color you want. They also hold contests on their Twitter page.
9. Sherwin Williams – Sherwin Williams has more than 100 years of experience and 3,500 stores in the world. They Tweet paint examples to get you motivated and tips and tricks to help you out.
10. Home Builders Federation – The Home Builders Federation boasts that they are the voice of the home building industry. They post market reports on the building industry so you always have a good idea of the going rate of houses and the costs of homes.
11. Improve Your Home – Improve Your Home Tweets great information, whether you want to fix, decorate, nest, add on, remodel, or go green.
12. This Old House – This Old House is a magazine and TV show that frequently Tweets how-to guides to doing specific home improvement projects. For some great expert advice follow them on Twitter.
13. Handyguys Podcast – Handyguys Podcast posts links to their podcasts that feature home improvement advice and question and answer sessions.
14. Remodelista – Remodelista frequently Tweets pictures, contests, and great tips, ideas and articles with a San Francisco touch.
15. TheinterioRevolution – This up-and-coming blog features green interior design ideas and examples and even Tweets them on their Twitter account!
16. Apartment Therapy – Apartment Therapy has 100,266 followers on Twitter which is a great following indeed. Their motto is, “Saving the world, one room at a time.” They feature before and after photos, décor examples, living on a budget, and much more.
17. Renovation Junky – Renovation Junky is a home improvement blog. They Tweet mostly about what they are up to and ideas from their website.
18. The Stylish Nest – The Stylish Nest is an up-and-coming DIY blog that Tweets great looking examples of projects in the realm of home, garden, and life.
19. Home Decor News – Home Decor News does just what the title suggests. They provide the latest in home decorating. That’s not all, they tweet about remodeling, painting and other tips for all parts of home decorating, remodeling, and building.
20. Traditional Home – The Traditional Home features classic styles that are used in modern life today. They post many different tips and tricks for the makings of a traditional home.
21. Home Designing – Home Designing provides great visualizations of different types of home designs to help their readers visualize their own projects. Home Designing Tweets examples and pictures.
22. House Beautiful – House Beautiful gives great ideas, designs, and tips to followers. They believe that everyone has a beautiful home in them and that people should make it happen.
23. Xtreme Remodeling – Xtreme Remodeling Tweets projects that they have done on kitchens, bathrooms and other parts of the house. For an expert look follow them.
24. The Money Pit – Don’t be fooled by the name, they give expert home improvement tips. They are nationally syndicated on the radio and are experts. They Tweet contests, advice, product reviews, and tips.
25. Remodeling Show – The Remodeling Show Tweets good ideas, news and industry happenings for remodeling.
26. Remodel Crazy – Remodel Crazy is a remodeling blog for building professionals, vendors and the DIY crowd. They post articles and stories on different remodeling topics.
27. Delta Faucet – Delta Faucet sells all kinds of faucets. They Tweet many different types of their product and promotions.
28. Houzz – Houz connects home builders, architects, interior designers, builders, and more. You can find inspirational Tweets for remodeling and decorating.
29. National Association of Home Builders – NAHB Remodelers is an association of home builders. They Tweet industry news, links to find remodelers, and more.
30. Home Builders – Building Professionals posts building industry news and laws.
31. Garrison Hullinger – Garrison Hullinger is great with interior design ideas, tips, tricks, decor and more! They are dedicated to creating warm an beautiful home environments.
32. ATL Home Improvement - Atlanta home improvement features great project example and hosts contests for followers to enter into.
33. Bob Vila – Bob Vila is America’s handy man. He Tweets great ideas, tips, trick, how to guides and more.
34. Make It And Love It – This account is run by Ashley Johnston. She Tweets how-to guides on cooking, sewing, crafting, decor and remodeling. For examples, pictures, advice and tips follow her.
35. Gabriell Savoie – Gabrielle Savoie blogs and Tweets about design that features tasteful yet affordable living with a focus on interiors. For tips, links, examples and pictures follow her on Twitter.
36. Remodelaholic –  Remodelaholic is a family- run blog zeroed in on interior design and remodeling. Follow for project pictures, articles and tips.
37. Eric Ransom – Eric Ransom Tweets tips, cost estimates, events in Ohio, and home improvement tips.
38. John and Sherry – John and Sherry Tweet their projects, have conversation with many do-it-yourselfers and have a whopping 25,486 followers for one small family.
39. DIYDiva – She’s got a small addiction to power tools and a lot of great ideas that she posts on her website. She Tweets different improvement ideas, tips, and tricks as well as photos of projects.
40. Remodeling Guy – The Remodeling Guy, also known as Tim Layton, has 2,395 followers. He Tweets projects, photos, tips and tricks, product reviews and more.

Don’t forget, you can also follow Statewide Remodeling at @StatewideRemod!

The post 40 Authorities and Authority Figures in Home Improvement You Should Follow on Twitter appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.

Eating

No one likes to think about food coming from the bathroom, but in your home, that rule might be flexible. Now, we’re not suggesting that families host meals in their bathroom. What is more likely is that throughout the day, people take food and drinks in as they move around the house. You might have coffee and a bagel by the vanity as you do your hair and put on makeup. Or, you could be finishing up some cheesecake before you brush your teeth or drinking the wine that accompanies your bubble bath. Just make sure you wash your hands and clean the counters often – E. coli is nasty business.

Calling & Checking In

Either on purpose or by accident, the bathroom can easily turn into a phone booth. The acoustics might not be perfect for a conversation, but hanging up just because you enter the bathroom is a little drastic for some people. Not only are people chatting away, but they’re also checking the health of their social media profiles. Nearly 27 percent of people admit to visiting Facebook while in the bathroom. As long as your next bathroom status update doesn’t include your actual location, Tweet away.

Sleeping

We’re not going to get too specific on location, but falling asleep in the bathroom happens. If you’re going to take a nap here, make sure it’s clean and comfortable. Settle in a garden tub made for two that you don’t have to share. Don’t be surprised if you find the kids making campsites in your master bathroom. There’s something about a big tub that suggests pillows, covers and creating adventures. Just make sure you check for bedding items before you start your next shower.

Reading

If David Baldacci’s latest bestseller has you hooked, the bathroom can double as a reading lounge. Paperbacks, e-books, magazines or even the reports from last quarter make great reading material when you’re in need of some quiet time. Bathrooms automatically mean a level of privacy, so use it to your advantage. Just learn a lesson from George Constanza in Seinfeld and make sure you buy the book first.

Hiding

The in-laws are in town, the kids are on a rampage, and you just need to get away. If you disappear for a few minutes or hours, a closed bathroom door sends the message that you want to be left alone. Kids have utilized the crawl space under kitchen sinks, linen closets, and tubs for years in games of hide and seek. If you play your cards right, you can miss the rants from your in-laws and regain some energy before your kids need their human jungle gym back.

Your bathroom has more functionality than you think, but it should suit your needs at the basic level first. Contact Statewide Remodeling today to make the bathroom of your dreams become a space you can dream in.

The post 5 Unconventional Ways People Use Their Bathroom appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve

The truth is – remodeling is disruptive. There are plenty of horror stories about remodeling that are quick to remind you of that. However, even in the best remodeling scenarios, some adjustments are needed from homeowners in order to start and finish the project in a timely manner. That can mean rearranging your morning schedule, finding a child or pet sitter, or eating out more because your kitchen is out of service.

We reached out to three other remodeling professionals to gauge how they manage client stress levels during a remodeling project. Neil Parsons of Design Build Pros, Ed Cholfin of AK Renovations, Paul Hamtil of Hamtil Construction, and our own General Manager, Jerry Melton, all weighed in to explain what years of remodeling experience means for improving the customer experience.

Discuss Expectations

Before a single tool is lifted, your remodeling company should provide you with a timetable that includes the project’s goals. It’s important to understand that a timetable is the best-case scenario. Weather, material delays, and labor shortages are some of the problems that can stall a project and cause the contractor to have over-promised and under-delivered on time and service.  If there are any delays on a Statewide project, Jerry promptly handles rescheduling and updates clients on a regular basis.

Aside from project length, you should discuss daily start and end times, safety concerns, off-limit areas, and more. Try not to be discouraged if you do experience delays. Allow the professionals to do what they do best and deliver on your expectations.

Communication

Hiring a contractor gives you the right to know details about what’s going on in your home. Your project manager or point of contact should keep you updated on a regular basis. Neil sets up a communication board at every job site. Clients can leave messages and voice concerns. Weekly emails and face-to-face conversations provide the opportunity to reinforce the schedule and to discuss changes.

If you don’t see what you asked for, address it immediately. If you catch a mistake before the job is completed, it will be less inconvenient to come back and fix it. Discuss your communication preferences as well. Do you prefer phone calls over emails? Is there a service line that clients can use after work hours? Just like in any relationship, an open line of communication is important.

The Ultimate Stress Reliever

An ongoing remodeling project is not the only thing happening in your life. If your head is spinning, take a break and treat yourself to a spa day or take the family out to dinner. Allow yourself to regroup before launching forward again. Paul and Ed both recommend this for their clients, and if you’re lucky, it might just be on the house!

As a member of the remodeling contractor industry, our job is to provide you with a product that we can both take pride in. We want to spend the exact right amount of time to finish the job and exceed your expectations – no more, no less. At Statewide Remodeling, we don’t believe in inconveniencing clients, wasting resources, or leaving a project halfway complete. We won’t disappear on you, and if you’re not satisfied, our job is not done.

If you’re ready to move forward with your next home improvement project, contact us today at (800)-731-0197.

The post How to Manage A Stressful Remodeling Project appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.

Last year, we wrote a post on activities to keep your kids busy while you remodel, and we realized similar tips are equally important for your pets. Some pets just want to be helpful, but you can actually be putting them and yourself in harm’s way by letting them hang around. Consider the following suggestions before you begin your next project.

Pet Sitters

If there is anyone who is going to love your pet as much as you, it will be a professional pet sitter. Demand for pet sitters is up, and there are several local companies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that you can choose from. Before you book, do your research. Check review sites and ask friends for recommendations.  If you would rather not deal with the price tags, ask a friend or neighbor if they can fill the role.  Even if it’s only a few hours, leaving your dog in the hands of someone else can be nerve wracking, so choose carefully. However, you might be surprised how fast you can get things done with the pets and kids away.

Bad for Your Health – Bad for Theirs

The products and chemicals used in remodeling projects are not meant to be consumed. Opening windows for ventilation or wearing a mask is not a suggestion, it’s a necessity. However, there isn’t much you can do to keep your pets from breathing in harmful chemicals if you let them roam around. Put them outside or in another area of the house while you work. If renovations are specific to your pet, try to get their measurements or foot prints before you begin. The last thing you’ll need is a trip to the vet’s office after investing in a new bathroom remodel.

Your Pet isn’t That Friendly

Many people think the world of their pets, but there’s no guarantee that everyone else will. If you’re using a contractor, think of the mailman and guard dog relationship. Dogs are notorious for their curiosity, and if you’re bringing someone new into their territory – they have to know who it is. You can’t fully predict how your pet will react to any stranger. You also can’t be sure how comfortable the contractor will be with having a pet around. Avoid any altercations and any subsequent delays in the project by keeping your dog away from the work site. This is in the best interest of everyone involved.

Remodeling your home will affect your pets just as much as it does you. You don’t need to ask for their permission, but it is your job to keep them safe – no matter how curious they are. If we had a ‘Bring Your Pet to Work Day’ at Statewide, we still wouldn’t take them to a work site – and neither should you. It’s a safety issue we want to avoid so we can deliver our services accident free. Know a pet owner that can benefit from this information? Share this article and be sure to contact us for a complimentary quote on your next home remodeling project!

Image courtesy of Imgur.

The post No Paws Please – Remodeling with the Family Pet appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.

Why does it grow?

There are multiple factors that encourage mold growth, but moisture is the leading component needed for mold to thrive. Mold means that you have a leak from the outside or in the bathroom where water accumulates and is often overlooked when cleaning.

But is it mold?

Mold can often be mistaken for grime or dirt build-up and vice versa, so knowing a little about how mold grows and spreads can help you to identify and ultimately get rid of it. A good indicator if there is mold in your home can come from your immune system. Mold spreads by sending out millions of spores in to the air which are ingested and can cause allergic reactions. If you notice that you are constantly sneezing or feeling sick at home, it might me due to the presence of mold in your home.

What’s That Smell?

When mold spores are released into the air, they carry with them a strong odor. A moldy smell is an immediate red flag. Start investigating to find the source but also, cover your airways so you don’t subject yourself to breathing in more spores.

Is That What I Think It Is?

In many cases, you can see mold growing. However, there can be more than meets the eye when it comes to mold. Mold can be hidden behind walls, in air ducts, and under flooring. Certain types of mold are invisible and can only be detected with the proper equipment. If you do see mold, take measures to have it removed quickly, or have a qualified professional investigate.

Hands Off!

Do not touch or disturb what you think might be mold until you have taken the proper steps to contain it. Disturbing mold can release even more spores and help mold spread throughout your home.

Getting Rid of the Grime

There are many levels of mold infestations so it is a good idea to research before attempting to remove the mold on your own. Cases of cosmetic mold can usually be cleaned up without hiring a professional. In fact, there a few great resources with step by step guides to help you take care of the problem on your own.

Though you can deal with some of the smaller cases of mold yourself, it is a good idea to hire a professional eradicate large areas of mold. Pros Professionals have the proper equipment to efficiently and safely remove mold from homes. They can also detect the source and root causes of mold – even those unseen by the human eye.

Mold is a common household problem and we come across it often – especially in bathroom remodels. We don’t perform cover up jobs so if mold makes you cringe every time you step into your bathroom, it’s time to do something about it. Call us at 800-731-0197 for a free in-home quote.

Need ideas for your next remodel? Visit our Pinterest page!

Image courtesy of tch0n.

The post Is It Mold? appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.

More than 2 million home burglaries are reported in the United States each year. Though the number of burglarized homes is in decline, it is still a good idea to take certain precautions to deter intruders from even attempting to enter your home and steal your possessions.

The Burglar

The stereotypical burglar is a man dressed all in black, with a mask like the Lone Ranger’s or Hamburglar’s.

However, the majority of home burglaries are committed by males in their mid- to late-teens. The most common time for a home to be burglarized is between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when people are more likely to be at work. Burglars would rather not encounter someone in the home, and it usually takes only a few minutes for them to get in and out.

Once burglars have made it into a house, they typically head to the master bedroom to grab small and valuable items like jewelry, guns, and laptops.  They will try to avoid attics and basements for fear of getting stuck if someone were to come home, making these two locations perfect for hiding valuables when you know you will not be home for an extended period of time.

The Point of Entry

One of the most popular home invasion entry points is through a window.  Windows are often left open or cracked on a nice breezy day or evening. It is not uncommon for someone to forget to lock their windows when they leave the house.

Over time, windows can begin to lose their structural integrity. From constant opening and closing and foundation shifts, window channels and stiles can warp. This causes resistance that often results in gaps between the lower sash and sill, preventing the window from closing and locking properly.

It is also a good idea to remove or cut down thick shrubbery or plants in front of windows outside your home that could provide cover for someone attempting to break in. Flood lights with motion detectors are great tools for keeping scaring away criminals.

Monitor Your Neighborhood

Always be aware of what’s going on in your neighborhood. Take mental notes of strange vehicles and unfamiliar people that seem odd or out of place. Many times burglars will stake out a house before attempting to enter it. They will often watch a house to learn the daily routines of its occupants so they can get in and out of their homes undetected.

Talk to your neighbors and keep up with the local news to see if they have seen anything suspicious. Let them know if you have plans to go out of town or if you will be out of the house for an extended period of time. See if they can pick up your mail and newspapers to give the illusion that someone is home. Your house is less likely to be targeted if criminals believe the house is occupied.

Tips to prevent your home from being burglarized:

1. Lock all windows and doors when going to bed or leaving the house.
2. Report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, e.g. strange vehicles or unknown people who seem out of place.
3. Set your alarm.
4. When out of town, be sure to hide your valuables in the attic or basement of your home.
5.  Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and newspapers when you are out of town.
6. Leave a few lights and/or the television on while you are gone. The cost of electricity used will be far less than the cost of replacing stolen valuables.
7. Equip the outside of your house with motion sensor flood lights.
8. Try not to advertise what valuables you may have in your home by leaving the empty boxes to luxury goods and electronics out on the curb or in your trash can.
9. Keep expensive items away from windows with a clear view from the alley or street.
10. Get a dog. Burglars hate dogs. Even if you don’t have a dog, place a “beware of dog” sign on your fence gates.
11. Call the police to report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Go with your gut.

We make it easy to protect your family with window replacement in Austin Texas. Take a look at our current specials and contact us today!

The post Why Window Replacement is Important for Safety appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.

Have you ever stopped to think about how your favorite TV characters … take care of business? Some shows will include Bathroom scenes for character development or to add suspense to the plot. But, script writers most often assume we just don’t want to know – and they might be right. The sanitation habits of characters in popular TV shows, when they’re addressed at all, vary depending on their personalities, where they live, who they live with, and what time period they live in. Even if you’ve never noticed these habits, the bathroom is just as important to some of these characters as it is for us.

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

In ancient Rome, taking care of personal business in the bathroom was not considered a private task. Unlike today, bathroom privacy was not a common practice or privilege.

In the STARZ original series, Spartacus, public toilets in ancient Rome were places for socializing. Bathroom goers could sit on the bench-like toilets, use the bathroom, and carry on conversations with people sitting across from them.  There were no stall doors or walls to give a person any privacy. Picture yourself in a conference room sitting at a table surrounded by your colleagues. Now picture you and your colleagues sitting around the same table, but this time everyone is having a bowel movement and you will have some idea of what it was like to use a public toilet in ancient Rome. Yeesh.

The Walking Dead

Have you noticed that the characters in The Walking Dead are rarely filmed in the bathroom?  The characters don’t seem at worried enough about their personal hygiene when living in a world with an infectious virus turning people into zombies.  After killing a zombie, you might expect to see characters at least wash the blood off their hands to keep from being infected.  When and where do they take care of their personal business? One could speculate that each character holds it until they go off on journeys alone. One thing for sure is that using the bathroom in a post-apocalyptic world can’t be pleasant.

The Big Bang Theory

On the hit show The Big Bang Theory, the two nerdy characters, Leonard and Sheldon, live together in an apartment in Pasadena, Calif. When it comes to the best bathroom sanitation efforts on TV, Sheldon takes the cake.

Sheldon keeps a UV sterilization box in the bathroom to keep his toothbrush germ-free as various bathroom activities ensue. He controls mirror splatter from brushing and flossing by marking the appropriate distance one should stand from the sink with a strip of tape on the floor, and he keeps a squeegee close, just in case some mirror wiping is necessary.  He also marks a standing spot in front of the toilet to prevent urine from ending up on the floor. While keeping a clean bathroom is definitely important, his rituals go above and beyond.

Game of Thrones

Bathrooms in Game of Thrones are among the most elegant on TV today. Who wouldn’t love a bathroom with high ceilings, marble columns, and pool-sized bathtubs? Having a few servants around to bring grapes to you while you soak in the tub is not a bad idea, either. Now you can actually buy a sword throne toilet decal to make you feel like you’re sitting on a throne from the show.

New Girl

In the sitcom series The New Girl, Jess is caught in a modern-day living situation with three single men. The four roommates have to share one bathroom in the four-bedroom loft. This public-style bathroom is equipped with two sinks, urinals, and toilet stalls.

Sharing a bathroom with three men is virtually every girl’s worst nightmare. Men are not always the cleanest of bathroom users, but Jess gets some help from clean-freak Schmidt. Even still, privacy, scheduling and upkeep are a constant issue. There are real women dealing with this situation every day, so kudos to all of the Jess’s.

Regardless of what your bathroom situation may be, we can work with your Bathroom Interior Design needs. Contact us today to see how we’re making a difference in homes across Texas.

The post Bathroom Interior Design, the TV Star You Haven’t Noticed appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.

Your home is vulnerable to expensive energy loss if your current windows have any these problems:

• Leaks or gaps in the frame
• Condensation on the window sill
• Foggy panes of glass
• Warped or rotten wooden frames
• Glass lights without glazing or insulation
• Windows that were not customized for your home

There are plenty of window options to choose from, and it’s important to choose the right style for your home. Consider the following factors when making your decision:

• Does the style of the window match your home?
• Does the window match the character of the room?
• Do the windows fit in your budget?
• Are the windows energy efficiency?

Knowing the types of windows will help you make an informed decision when choosing the perfect windows for your home.

Types of Windows
Double hung windows are perfect for any room in your home. If you’re looking for a unique style, double hung windows may be the option for you. The unique style allows for easy access to open either the top or bottom panels, which is great for cleaning purposes.

Picture windows are great when you have an amazing view to show off! This style allows for unobstructed views of the outdoors. They’re perfect for creating a “wall of windows” illustrated in the photo below. Picture windows also let in plenty of natural light, creating a more welcoming feeling in your home.

Bay windows are perfect for creating an open and peaceful feel indoors. Many people place bay windows in an area where they can see into the backyard – allowing for easy supervision of the children playing outside. The sides of the window can be opened for better air circulation, and if the occasion occurs, to yell at the dog to stop digging in the flower bed. Although bay windows are primarily seen in kitchens, they can also add unique character and extra light to living rooms and master bedrooms.

To see even more window styles to choose from, take a look at Statewide Remodeling’s Replacement Windows page.

The post Give Your Home a Facelift with New Windows appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.

Pergolas are a beautiful addition to any outdoor space and these Mediterranean like wooden structures can be fashioned to fit any budget and any homeowner’s unique style. Resembling a gazebo, pergolas are supported by crossbeams that provide shade while allowing for any breeze to pass through. It can be built over sitting areas or walkways.

Pergolas at times can be a better addition to an outdoor space than a patio because they don’t have to blend it perfectly with the structure of the house. This new structure can be used as a statement or a new spin on the architecture of a home. They can even be used to bring the outdoors in.

Big or small, modern or country; there are lots of different ways these structures can be built and used for any life style.

Entertainment:

Pergolas can be used as upscale patios, and just like patios pergolas look great covering  a sitting area along with a couple of cushioned chairs, or Adirondacks.  Build your pergola next to your house for convenience or far away for intimacy.

Open Court Yard:

Depending on how you choose for the pergola to be built, they can border the perimeter of an outdoor space leaving lots of sunshine to light up a play area, or to provide more vitamin D for special plants. For big statements build a pergola around the perimeter of a pool.

Covering for Pool Chairs:

Use these unattached patios to cover pool chairs as they provide just enough shade from the hot day but not so much that they inhibit a good tan.

Garden Feature:

Pergolas are a great way for gardeners to display beautiful climbing vines. Plant strong climbing vines along the wooden beams and allow the plants to wrap up and around. Eventually each plant will bloom and hanging flowers will create a breathtaking landscape.

If you are looking for Pergola Austin, Houston, or Dallas work, we would love to help you out!

The post Why Texans Love Pergola House Additions appeared first on Statewide Remodeling.