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By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 01 Dec, 2017
Air filtration is an important aspect of homes. Many new homes are built in such a way as to be as air tight as possible. While this sounds like a good thing because it cuts down on outside air coming into the house, it can also lead to some potential problems. Certainly, you want your home to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. And one way to improve this is to decrease the movement of air from outside to inside. But too often, this increases your indoor air pollution. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported indoor air to be as much as five times more polluted than outdoor air. And newer homes often yield test results showing poorer air quality. The reason is improved building materials and procedures that make for a tighter home envelope with fewer sources of drafts. This improvement in building techniques and materials brings about the trapping of pollutants inside your home. Pet dander, dust mites, and the release of chemical toxins from carpets and drapes are only a few of these pollutants. This makes air filtration even more important for you to consider. There are different types of air filtration devices available. One very economical air filtration product is an electrostatic recessed air cleaner. These air cleaners are designed to look like register vents. They’re installed in a return air box and are not connected to your HVAC system. Particles and gasses are trapped in the filter as air passed through the return air box. The filters must be replaced regularly every month or two. Stand alone air filtration devices are also relatively inexpensive and are mobile. They’re used to clean the air in certain spaces in your home. They’re good for taking allergens, dust mites, pet odors, cigarette odors, and paint fumes from a relatively small space. Whole house air filtration systems are more expensive and require professional installation. These systems, as the name suggests, remove pollutants from your entire home. If you or one of your family members has severe allergy problems, these air filtration systems may be your best bet to reduce those problems. A whole house air filtration system may be something for new parents to consider, also. Children, especially young children, have under-developed immune systems that makes them more susceptible to airborne illnesses. A filtration system that cleanses your whole house may reduce their illnesses. These are a few tips that can help you decide about air filtration for your home. If you have a need for professional home repair, you want Chagnon Building & Remodelingto do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today!
By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 02 Nov, 2017
If you ask a hundred people on the street what dormers are, probably only about half would have any idea. And fewer than that would be able to tell you the benefits of dormers. Dormers are relatively simple to construct and often look like miniature houses attached to the roof of a home. There are several styles, so finding one that looks good on any given house is usually fairly easy. A home owner can choose from the simple eyebrow dormer that is usually built to increase the light in a space all the way up to a shed type dormer used to add large amounts of space to an area like an attic. If you want to add space to your home, but don’t want to add another full level, this is one of the benefits of dormers. Dormers are one of the easiest ways to add space and have become more and more popular in the recent past. In homes that have attics or one and a half levels, the head room at the edges of these spaces is pretty low. Adding a dormer increases the available space at the edges of these kinds of rooms. Another of the benefits of dormers is lower cost compared to adding another level to the home. Every dormer added to a home increases the usable space of about half a room. This certainly helps when considering the budget. One of the benefits of dormers is to add light to a part of a home. They are really useful in attics or lofts for this purpose. Attics and lofts often are built without windows. Along with the additional light is the option of increasing ventilation in these spaces with a dormer. Another of the benefits of dormers is adding curb appeal to a home. They increase architectural interest, making the home easier to sell and possibly even adding to its resale value. This makes it very important to be certain any added dormers match the architecture of the home. Dormers can be a fun way to add interest to your home. These are a few tips that can help you decide about adding dormers to your home. If you have a need for professional home repair, you want Chagnon Building & Remodeling to do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today!
By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 01 Oct, 2017
Replacing your roof can be a major undertaking. Following are several reasons why fall roof replacement is best. One reason for fall roof replacement is cooler weather. If you’ve ever been on your roof on a blazing hot summer day, you know how uncomfortable it can become after a short time. The lower temperatures during the fall allow workers to stay on your job longer, reducing the time it takes to get the job completed. Often only one day is required to get finished when the temperature is lower. Plus, there is less risk to the workers of heat related problems. Another reason why fall roof replacement is better is that the shingles will have time to “settle in” and form the strong barrier that is necessary for a good roof. This barrier will be strong enough to deal with the first snow of the season when the roof is replaced in the fall. Also, fall roof replacement is better because you don’t want to go through the winter with your old roof. This increases the risk of some problems becoming prominent that could have been eliminated with fall roof replacement. Even if you have only small problems with your roof now, they can become magnified during the snows of winter and become more costly due to leaks and damage to your home. Fall roof replacement also means your home will be open to the elements for less time. With the lower temperatures and less risk of afternoon thunderstorms, your contractor can stay on the job longer and get your home covered adequately with the new roof. A new roof also can help with your home heating bills. Fall roof replacement gives you a new, stronger barrier against the elements that come with winter. No more missing shingles that allow cold air in and heated air out. No more letting your money flow out through the old and inefficient roof. Fall roof replacement is better because the asphalt shingles perform better in cool weather, also. They are more pliable and don’t stick together like they do in the heat of summer. If you have a need for professional home repair such as a new roof, you want Chagnon Building & Remodeling to do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today!
By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 01 Sep, 2017
Summer is a time when many people are looking to buy a home. Having an idea of things to look for when buying a home will help you in the process. Here are a few of those things. One of the things to look for when buying a home is whether the roof is sufficient. Before you go inside a home you’re considering, look up. What does the roof look like? Are there shingles that appear to be damaged? Are there spots that look caved in or drooping? Is there excessive staining? All of these things may indicate a new roof is needed. Another of the things to look for when buying a home is the condition of the inside. Not a fresh coat of paint. Look beyond that. Don’t be afraid to push on the walls or look in the cabinets. Check for frayed wires to the appliances and look at the age of the appliances. Turn lights on and off. The same for the water in several areas. Decide ahead of time on your deal breakers. These are the things to look for when buying a home that tell you absolutely not to buy the home. Come to an agreement with your spouse or partner about these deal breakers. Yet another of the things to look for when buying a home is the plumbing. Check under the kitchen cabinets to see whether there is evidence of leakage. Do the same for the bathroom cabinets, also. Look around the commodes and the bathtub to see if there are soft spots in the walls or floors there that might indicate water leaks. Look for mold problems. Checking the age of the water heater is another of the things to look for when buying a home. Look at the serial number. The first four numbers give you the month and year of production of the water heater. Usually, anything over 15 years old needs to be replaced. While you’re doing this, look for evidence of rust around the water heater. That may indicate a need for replacement, also. These are a few tips that can help you have a better summer home buying experience.. If you have a need for professional home repair, you want Chagnon Building & Remodeling to do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today!
By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 02 Aug, 2017
In the summer, more and more people are taking on do-it-yourself tasks. To help you with these tasks, here are some summer home repair tips. Number one of the summer home repair tips has to do with first aid. You need to always have a first aid kit handy. Just about everyone thinks they’ll stay safe and not get hurt when doing these diy tasks. But accidents happen. And when they do, you need first aid. Hopefully, you’ll have nothing more than bumps and scrapes. But if you do have something worse, you’ll want a way to deal with it. The second of the summer home repair tips is only take on those jobs you know you can do and do safely. If you don’t know anything about electrical repairs, don’t try to learn on the job. This can be dangerous. Some types of repairs require professionals. If you try something you don’t know how to do, you could end up making things much worse. Not to mention putting yourself at risk. Ladder safety is the subject of the third of the summer home repair tips. Most people think they know how to use a ladder safely, but many wind up finding out differently. You should always keep your body centered over the middle of the rungs on the ladder. Don’t reach out or lean out a long way; it’s much too easy to tip a ladder into falling if you do this. Don’t stand on the top two rungs. This puts too much weight on the top of the ladder and makes it easy to tip. Fourth on the list of summer home repair tips is to check the trees around your home. If you find limbs that are dead and hanging, cut them away, either by yourself or hire someone to do it. These limbs can become dangerous during summer thunderstorms and can cause a lot of damage. The fifth of the summer home repair tips is to get rid of vines that may be growing on your house. Insects and other unwanted creatures can use the vines as a means of accessing your house. They can keep moisture against your house, causing water damage, and can eat away the mortar between the bricks on your house. These are a few tips that can help you have a better summer. If you have a need for professional home repair, you want Chagnon Building & Remodeling to do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today!
By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 01 Jul, 2017
For the past several years, bricks have been the choice of outer covering for homes. And they have proven to be a good choice for many people. But now siding seems to be making a comeback. Many improvements in this product have increased the impact of siding as an outer covering for your home. Financial Impact of Siding. Good vinyl siding is less expensive to install than many other kinds of outer covering for your home. This makes it a good choice for your home. There is less need for continual upkeep, as well. This makes the long term financial impact of siding even more attractive. About the only maintenance required is an occasional washing with a hose or power washer. Energy Impact of Siding. The increased R-value of vinyl siding will help decrease your overall utility costs. You’ll no longer find the need to continually adjust your thermostat to get your heating or cooling the way you want it. Environmental Impact of Siding. Vinyl siding is “green” from beginning to disposal. Even the manufacturing process is more environmentally friendly than that of other outer coverings. The harvesting of the raw materials, the installation, and the disposal of wastes are all good for the environment. Curb Appeal Impact of Siding. Siding has character. You have many styles to choose from, depending on what your taste runs to. There is the cedar shake style, the clapboard style, or the half-round and board and batten styles. All can look wonderful on your home. You also have many choices of color and texture. Mix and match or do your home all in one, it’s your choice. Having siding on your home will help it stand out among all of the cookie cutter designs in brick in your neighborhood. The uniqueness of siding will show everyone your willingness to be different and set the standard for others to follow. Be bold! Dare to be chic! Choose to have the impact of siding for your house. To get the right siding for your house, you want someone with the kind of experience to do it right. You want Chagnon Building & Remodeling to do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today! He can help you reap the impact of siding.
By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 01 Jun, 2017
For quite some time, modern homes have been built without porches. Things may be taking a turn the other way now that people are learning the benefits of porches. Here are a few benefits of porches for your home. Added curb appeal. Curb appeal is important in making a statement with your home or in trying to sell it, and it’s one of the best benefits of porches. Having a front entry that is impressive clearly makes a statement and will cause potential buyers to stop and look. Adding a graceful front porch with unique architectural components is a wonderful way to remake the face of your home. Increased value. By adding the right kind of porch, you can add significant outdoor living space to your home. This always adds value. Adding protection. Another of the benefits of porches is this: A nice front porch will give protection from the elements to you and your guests. It will also protect the inside of your home by giving everyone a place to take off raincoats, leave umbrellas, and wipe off the bottom of shoes before going inside. Entertaining space. At one time, the front porch was the place where everyone gathered to talk, socialize, relax with a drink, and just spend time. When friends and family come over, it’s a place to gather around and catch up on how everyone’s doing. Enjoy being outdoors. A screened-in porch is a wonderful place for enjoying the outdoors without the bother of bugs and wasps. It’s a good place to share a family meal without flies. And when it’s rainy outside, the kids can gather up on the porch and be safe from the elements. One of the wonderful benefits of porches. Escape. Having a porch gives you a place to get away and take some time for yourself. Read a book, relax, take a nap, just get off by yourself for a little while and unwind. Forget the seasons. With the right kind of porch, you can enjoy being there no matter what the season. Screens in the summer, windows in the winter, and fans and heaters for comfort. Enjoy your porch all four seasons of the year. To get the right porch for your house, you want someone with the kind of experience to do it right. You want Chagnon Building & Remodeling to do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today! He can help you reap the benefits of porches.
By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 02 May, 2017
Homeowners who have no place to park their cars can be faced with the question: Attached or detached garage? Building a garage, either attached or detached, requires some questions to be answered in order to determine which one best fits your needs. When cars were first starting to become available, the only place for owners to park them was in what was called the carriage house. The place where carriages pulled by horse would be stored out of the weather. These were structures detached from the home. The 1940s saw more garages being built as an attached structure to the home. More cars meant more need for garages. No questions at that time about an attached or detached garage. Everybody wanted an attached garage. This attached garage became the main entry point for families into the house in the 1950s. Many families had two cars, and an attached garage was needed. More recently, people are converting their attached garages into more living space and building a detached garage for the cars. Now people are discussing benefits of either an attached or detached garage. Some of the benefits for detached garages include: Removing the sometimes dominant attached garage from the façade of your house. A detached garage is easier to build more space above than an attached one. Detaching the garage can open up space for a patio or garden. A landscaped walkway to the detached garage can add to curb appeal. Adding an attached garage to a small house can overwhelm it. An attached garage may lead to smells entering your home from things stored there. Some benefits of an attached garage include: Detached garages can use up a lot of your land that could be used as yard space. Weather can make a significant difference when going from a detached garage to the house. Most neighborhoods have attached garages. Building a detached one could cause problems with your neighbors. An attached garage may be less costly to build because your contractor can make use of at least one existing wall. There are many things to consider when thinking about an attached or detached garage. If you’re interested in an attached or detached garage, you want someone with the kind of experience to do it right. You want Chagnon Building & Remodeling to do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today
By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 01 Apr, 2017
Do you need more room in your home? If so, consider a home addition. They’re a good investment. If you decide to add to your home, you have choices. You can build on, build up, or dig down. But whichever one you choose for your home addition, there are some things to consider. Is there room for an addition? Be sure you check you local land-use codes to see if there’s any restriction. You may not want to give up the yard you worked so hard to nurture. But if you have no restriction from local codes, you can build around your outdoor space and improve your home. Will your home addition make your home complete? Consider your plans for the addition, do they make sense for what you want? Will they solve whatever problem you’re trying to address? Consider cost. In general, building an addition will be cheaper than moving. But you do have to consider some issues that may increase the cost of your home addition. If you have a steep slope or even less of a grade, you’re probably adding cost to your project. If your access is difficult for contractors to use, you may be adding cost. Matching your existing house. If you decide on a home addition, you may run into a problem matching the exterior of your existing house. Wood siding on your existing home may be weathered and not able to be matched. The brick or siding on your home may no longer be manufactured, and you can’t match it. In this case, you have to decide if you want to replace the siding on your entire house. Will the addition increase the value of your home? Certainly, it will increase the value to you, but what about for future potential buyers? Will they want the same things you want in your home addition? If you plan well, you can increase the value of your home. Consider the kind of addition. Building up, building out, or building down are your options. Choosing building out is possibly the best option as far as convenience for you is concerned. The ground work will take time, giving you extra time to prepare for the rest of the project. You also may be able to stay in the majority of your home during the construction of your home addition. Cheaper than moving. In general, building a home addition is cheaper than moving. You don’t have to worry about packing your entire house, working with realtors, or looking around for the house you want. If you’re interested in a home addition, you want someone with the kind of experience to do it right. You want Chagnon Building & Remodeling to do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today
By CHAGNON BUILDING & REMODELING LLC 01 Mar, 2017
When most people think about a basement, they see in their minds a dark, dank, smelly place where you keep things you may need some day. But most people don’t think about the benefits of a remodeled basement. Certainly, added storage is a plus for a remodeled basement, but that’s only one of many. And the kind of storage you can have is the kind where you can put any keepsake you can think of and be assured it will continue to be just as beautiful and useful as the day you stored it. Another benefit of a remodeled basement is the functional and beautiful room you can make there. In essence, when you add a room in your basement, it can look just like the best room in your home upstairs. This can add more bedroom space, a man cave, a theater room, or even an in-law apartment. Adding another room in your remodeled basement can add to the value of your home, also. Even though you may not be thinking about selling your home now, in the future an additional room downstairs will add to the square footage of your home. Many people who are looking to buy will appreciate the added space. When you remodel your basement and add a room, it will be less expensive to build another bath there. Usually, you’ll have access to the plumbing and electrical wiring in the basement. This means less time spent hooking up these utilities and lower overall cost. You will also get the benefit of more energy savings with a remodeled basement. You’ll have more insulation, more carpeting, more drywall. All these will decrease your cost to heat or cool your home. Remodeling your basement will lead to sealing up cracks and small holes that before had sapped the heated and cooled air out of your house. A remodeled basement is less expensive to do than a remodeled kitchen or bathroom. It’s not unusual to see a significant return on this investment when you sell your home, sometimes as much as 50% — or more. Another major benefit of a remodeled basement is the fact that it’s less intrusive for your family. You get to continue living in the rest of your home upstairs while the basement is being remodeled. If you’re interested in remodeling your basement, you want someone with the kind of experience to do it right. You want Chagnon Building & Remodeling to do the work for you. Gary Chagnon has been constructing and remodeling custom homes since 1992. Call today for the best in quality workmanship and exceptional standards. Call 413-259-6785 today
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