What Is Green Remodeling And Why Is It Important

When people hear the term "green remodeling", most people don't really know what it is, except that it must be something to save the environment. The point that I would like to get across in this article, is to educate you on what green remodeling actually is and how it will benefit you and everyone around us.

First off, green remodeling has a lot of meanings and most home remodeling professionals don't know how to apply them. Their are many green remodeling certifications available to home remodeling professionals to separate the green remodeling professionals from other companies who claim to be "green", but in reality are not very educated in green remodeling. The term for companies claiming to be a "green" company (but are not qualified as a green remodeler), is "greenwashing". Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC has separated themselves from much of the "greenwashing" competition. We strive to stay ahead of the competition by educating ourselves and becoming certified green remodeling professionals. This gives us the ability to properly educate homeowners about green remodeling and remodel with minimal environmental impact, make your home more efficient, and reduce harmful emissions and improve the overall air quality.

So what actually is "green remodeling"? Green remodeling is the design and construction of projects that reduce environmental impact of remodeling, including energy, water, and materials consumption; waste generation; and harmful emissions, both indoors and out. Another term you may hear with green remodeling, is "sustainability". Sustainability goes hand and hand with green remodeling and is an important part of green remodeling. Environmental sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. An example of a green sustainable product is composite decking. This is considered a green product because composite material is made of recycled wood fibers and recycled plastic resins. That makes it friendly to the environment because it does not require the use of trees and virgin plastic. Composite material is a sustainable product because it does not warp, crack, and rot like wood. Composite decking also comes pre-finished which does not require any sealing or staining which wood requires. This is better for the environment because it lasts longer than wood, so it uses fewer resources and omitting the sealing and staining reduces the harmful emissions off-gassed from the sealant and stains used.

Green remodeling is much more than just conserving energy, using renewable resources, and being environmentally friendly. An important aspect of green remodeling is improving the indoor air quality of buildings. According to the EPA, Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. So it would make complete sense to improve the overall indoor air quality. Indoor allergens and irritants can play a great role on asthma and allergies. This is even more critical for children because they are more sensitive. Their are many contributors to poor indoor air quality, but I would be here all day if I spoke about all of them. So I just want to give you a few examples: many gas appliances are inefficient and can leak harmful gases into your home, mold development from poor ventilation, dirty carpets harbor all types of bacteria and dust mites, moisture problems in basements, radon gas exposure in basements (which contributes to lung cancer), cabinetry and furniture in a home (contain toxic VOC's and formaldehyde that off-gas over time in your home), even household cleaners can release toxic VOC's in the home. I could continue forever but you get my point. That is why it is extremely important to work with a green remodeling professional that is educated with these types of issues inside the home. A green remodeling professional uses products that are low or no VOC and formaldehyde products, install efficient gas appliances that are vented properly, install proper ventilation systems to control moisture and air quality, and much much more. A green remodeling professional can offer advice and assistance in more than just a particular remodeling project. A qualified green remodeling professional can offer assistance in other areas of your home that may be detrimental to your health.

That seems like a lot to think about, but when you think about the big picture and put it all together; it makes complete sense. I could go on forever with the different topics related to "green remodeling", but in this article I just wanted to open your eyes to green remodeling so you could see why it is extremely important.

Please stay tuned to future green remodeling articles with more detail about specific green remodeling topics.

If your eager to learn more and would like to speak to a green remodeling professional, please fill out this form.

Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC

http://www.rendonremodeling.com/

"Making Your Remodeling Dreams A Reality"

How to Survive During Your Kitchen Remodel

Once you have planned for your new kitchen remodel and have chosen the contractor to do the work, it is time to start planning for living without a kitchen for awhile. A typical kitchen remodel can last anywhere from 3-6 weeks depending on the extent of the project.

Here are some tips that you can use when you do your next kitchen remodel:

* One of the first things you must do before the project starts, is to begin packing everything from your kitchen. It's basically like moving out of your kitchen. Grab the boxes and be sure to empty the entire kitchen, so nothing gets left behind. Be sure not to box up the items you may need.

* Some items may come in handy while you are without your kitchen, so be sure to set aside the items you may need. Basic supplies include: microwave-safe dishes, utensils, paper or plastic cups, cutlery, paper towels, napkins, baggies, a can opener, plastic wrap and garbage bags.

* Once the demolition of your project begins, this can create dust and a little banging. Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC do a great job protecting the home and trying to enclose the dust and keep it from getting to the rest of the home. Unfortunately, not all the dust can always be contained in the kitchen. So sealing the doorways close to the kitchen is a good idea. Demolition also can make some noise and banging, so it is a great idea to remove all pictures and fragile items in rooms close to the kitchen. It's always safer to do this in case something does fall.

* Being without a kitchen for a few weeks can be tough, so it is a great idea to make a makeshift kitchen during the kitchen remodel. Your contractor should be able to offer advice and help you with the temporary kitchen. If you have room, you can move your fridge and microwave to the temporary kitchen. Normally a good place for the temporary kitchen is in the laundry room or close to a bathroom. Somewhere that gives you access to a sink.

* Dry foods are great to keep easily accessible, such as: cereal, granola bars, bread, noodles, microwave popcorn, tuna and soups.

* Be sure your refrigerator is stocked with foods and drinks you may need. Sandwich meats are always a good choice because they are easy to prepare foods.

* I highly recommend keeping a list of take-out and delivery restaurants with their phone numbers and coupons. Keep a list with a variety of places. It doesn't always have to be pizza! A lot of restaurants offer take-out. Sometimes coming home from a long day at work without a kitchen, take-out or delivery is your best option!

Living without a kitchen can sometimes be stressful. Planning properly can make your kitchen remodel go much smoother and help you keep your sanity. Once you can move back into your newly remodeled kitchen, it was definitely all worth it!

Talk to a kitchen remodeling professional from Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC today!

Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC

www.rendonremodeling.com

(703)444-3127

"Making Your Remodeling Dreams A Reality"

Common Mistakes When Planning A Kitchen Remodel

One of the best ways to spruce up a home is a kitchen remodel. You spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so why not make it just the way you like it. You have many options when you remodel your kitchen and the first step is the planning and designing of your new kitchen. This is a critical part of the kitchen remodel, because this is where you create the layout and design of the kitchen to fit the needs of you and your family.


Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC has over 25 years experience with kitchen remodeling and we understand how important it is to avoid these common mistakes when planning your kitchen remodel.

I would like to give you a brief overview of some of these common mistakes:

* Be sure that your kitchen remodel fits the rest of your home. Typically the cabinets used in a castle do not fit your typical suburban home. I'm sure you understand what I'm getting at! Designing a beautiful kitchen that fits the style of your home will definitely enhance the look of your house.

* Selecting the right cabinet for you is very important. Not only should you look at the style/finish of the cabinet, but you need to make sure the cabinet you select is a strong, well constructed cabinet. The cabinet could look great on the outside, but it would be no good if the doors start falling off in five years. Another thing to consider when selecting your cabinet is to select a cabinet that contains low or no V.O.C and formaldehyde chemicals. These chemicals are used in many cabinets and are very detrimental as they offgas these chemicals over the years.

* Remember to design your kitchen with enough storage for all of your kitchen accessories (plates, pots, etc.). Remodeling a kitchen is a great time to add those handy organization accessories you always wanted in the cabinets. I'm sure a lazy susan and pull out trays in the base cabinets would be a great addition to your kitchen. Drawer organizers, pantry organizers, cutting board, tray dividers, plate racks, etc. You have so many options today it's unbelievable. One of the best options to get for you new cabinets is the soft close doors. The soft close doors close on their own nice and soft without banging the cabinet. This is a great addition and improves the longevity of your cabinets. They also work great with young children (because we all know young children like to slam doors for some reason).

* I would not recommend too bizarre of a cabinet color unless you plan on living in your home for the rest of your life. You may like orange cabinets, but if you are planning on moving in the future; you may want to think about resale.

* Always make sure that you are working with a kitchen remodeling professional that is licensed and insured, such as Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC. Over the years, we have seen the headaches that homeowners have gone through when working with an unlicensed contractor. Then we get called to fix other people's mess. That's always fun!

* Lighting is extremely important when planning your kitchen remodel. It will keep your kitchen safe and brighten the kitchen while performing certain tasks. The best and most cost effective lighting, is the natural light from the sun. Adding windows, enlarging windows, or even skylights are great options for bringing in natural light if it fits into your design. Unfortunately, the sun is not always out, so you must plan for electrical lighting. Task lighting is very important in a kitchen, such as over the sink area, or even under cabinet lighting.

* Remodeling a kitchen is a great time to create a kitchen layout that fits your needs. Why not change the layout to benefit you. Maybe you have always wanted that nice island or that peninsula with bar seating. This is a great time to open up the kitchen and make it more comfortable and cozy for you and your family.

* Be smart when you are demolishing the old kitchen. The cabinets, appliances, fixtures, etc. may be donateable. This is a great time to conserve the environment and donate certain products. So don't go crazy with a sledge hammer and demolish everything in the kitchen without planning on what could be reused. One person's trash, could be another person's treasure.

* Don't go crazy with your appliances. Make sure the appliances you purchase fit your families needs. Some professional appliances may pack more power than you actually need. Energy Star appliances are always recommended.

Planning is very important to a kitchen remodel. Without proper planning, a kitchen remodel can be a nightmare. That's why it pays to work with a professional remodeling company like Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC when planning your kitchen remodel. We can help plan and design your kitchen to fit you and your families needs and make sure that your kitchen remodel is a total success.

If you interested in a kitchen remodeling project and live in the Northern Virginia area, please fill out this form to talk to a kitchen remodeling professional!

Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC

http://www.rendonremodeling.com/

"Making Your Remodeling Dreams A Reality"

Popular Fall / Winter Home Remodeling Projects

Fall is finally here and the leaves are falling, it is getting colder, and it's getting darker earlier. What does this mean (besides having to rake all those leaves off your lawn)? This means that you will be spending more time inside your home. So why not improve your home just the way you would like it. Their are many projects that will make your home more comfortable and enjoyable.

Here are some fall home remodeling projects that will make your home more efficient and appealing:

1) Window / Door Replacement - This is a great way to improve the look of your home while increasing the energy efficiency of your house. New windows and doors can greatly save you money on energy bills, reduce noise, reduce cold drafts, keep the warm air inside your home in the winter, and make your home more appealing. Now is a great time to take advantage of the Energy Tax Credits (Up to $1,500) which is extended through 2010.

2) Interior Painting Projects - The color of the walls inside your home can greatly affect how you feel. If you are going to be inside more, why not brighten up your walls with a fresh paint job. This is a cost effective way to change and improve the look of your house. Adding a touch of color will make your home feel more warming and make you forget about the winter blues.

3) Kitchen Remodel -If you dread your kitchen and everything seems to be in the wrong place, it may be a great time to upgrade or even redesign your kitchen to cater to your style and needs. You can add more space and improve the functionality of your kitchen.

4) Bathroom Remodeling - The bathroom seems to be a great place to relax and reduce stress. If you are feeling stressed in you current bathroom, maybe it is time for a remodel. You can do so many things to your bathroom to make it a soothing and calming environment. How about adding a Jacuzzi tub to relax in after a long week? Or even enlarging your shower and adding a bench, and maybe even some body sprays. Sounds fun, don't you think?

5) Basement Remodeling - How about adding some extra space to your home by finishing the basement. Now that it gets dark so early and it's too cold for the kids to play outside, a finished basement is a great place for the kids to play (and maybe not bother you while you are trying to relax upstairs). A basement can also be a great place for entertaining. What about a nice wet bar, or even a home theater room. A basement gives you so many options and it can be a great place for you and your family.

The point that I am trying to get across, is that you should enjoy your home! Especially during the winter when you are indoors all the time. Winter sneaks up fast, but if you think about these projects before it gets here, you may be able to customize your home and make it more enjoyable for you and your family.

If you would like to enjoy your home during the winter and would like to meet with a Home Remodeling Professional on how to make this possible, please fill out this Contact Form.

Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC
http://www.rendonremodeling.com/
(703)444-3127

Home Insurance Project

Home insurance losses can be a real headache. We are moving right along on the insurance project in Lucketts, VA. I wanted to give you an update on the project. This project started with a frozen pipe in the garage. The first mistake the builder did was put a bathroom directly above the garage with no insulation. If you ever put a bathroom above a garage, you must be sure to insulate the pipes to prevent them from freezing. If you don't, you might have us at your house tearing out drywall and repairing water damaged areas. The project in Lucketts, VA is approximately 5,000 square. Unfortunately the homeowner was out of the country for awhile and this leak continued for a long time causing extensive damage. Basically the whole basement ceiling and flooring had to be torn out and the majority of the first floor ceiling and hardwood floors. We have now exposed all of the water damage and replaced any damaged wood. Then we installed the drywall which we blocked, skimmed, and sanded ready for painting. We are now in the process of painting the project and things are moving right along. Water damage is the enemy and can cause many problems, so stay tuned to my future blog about frozen pipes and how to prevent them. Also be sure to check the blog because I will be posting pictures of this project and how it is progressing.


"Making Remodeling Dreams A Reality"

Current Home Remodeling Projects

Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC has recently completed a painting project in Fairfax, VA and is in the design process of preparing plans for a front portico in Vienna, VA. We are also starting a large insurance job in Lucketts, VA which involves extensive water damage. We look forward to the nice weather and the outdoor remodeling projects soon to come!

"Making Remodeling Dreams A Reality"

Training Seminar

Last week, Rendon Remodeling & Design attended a training seminar in Richmond, VA. As in most professions, remodeling is constantly changing: new ideas, new products, new technology, etc. To be the best company we can be, we keep up to date with the new ideas and technology to better ourselves as a company. The training seminar we attended went over a wide range of topics that many contractors just can't seem to get right. The seminar consisted of properly waterproofing windows and doors, building better decks, and exterior trim.One of the most important topics was the waterproofing of windows and doors. Many contractors improperly install windows and doors everyday, which lead to water leaks, air infiltration, etc. When a window or door is improperly installed, this can lead to devastating effects in the future. When you install an exterior window or door, you must ensure that it is properly installed while maintaining a weather resistive barrier system. This class taught us the correct ways to properly flash a window to prevent water leakage, using the proper sill pan to ensure extra protection from water damage, and properly install the window an.d door. Be sure that your contractor is well educated when it comes to installing your exterior windows and doors. It will pay in the long run.Building better decks was an interesting topics as will. Anybody can build a basic deck, but who is qualified to install unique decks with fancy trim, unique designs, and a more classy look. Installing a round deck is a nice design, but not many contractors have the skills to successfully do this type of deck. This course gave us new innovative ideas and tips to successfully install a deck with style and class.One of the most important topics during this seminar was actually the proper installation of the deck attachment to the house. The connection to the house is one of the most critical aspects in deck building because this is what is most prone to failure. It may be hard to believe, but decks collapse all the time, and it is mainly due to inadequate fastening to the home. This why it is extremely important to hire a licensed professional who is obtaining permits for the work to ensure that the construction is inspected and meets the local county building code. This course showed us the proper tecniques to take when fastening and mounting a deck to the existing home to ensure durability and strength. Another important topic when building decks is using the proper fasteners. Many contractors don't keep up to date with constant changes in the remodeling field and neglect to make the necessary changes during construction. When building decks, you must use the latest ACQ compatible fasteners and hardware with pressure treated lumber. If the wrong fasteners are used with pressure treated lumber, the chemicals can react with the fastener or hardware and cause it to deteriorate over time which can lead to a faulty deck. It is very important to keep up with these changes to ensure you are properly building a safe deck.Here at Rendon Remodeling & Design, LLC, we take our craft and profession very seriously! We pride ourselves in staying up to date with the latest ideas in the remodeling field to ensure we are serving our customers as best as we possibly can.

"Making Remodeling Dreams A Reality"