McDonald Remodeling Blog

Coming home from an adventure outside your house probably means you’re coming home with more than you left with. This can mean clutter and chaos greeting you at your doorstep. The mountain of stuff only growing higher and higher until you can barely get by.

How can you deal with all the keys, shoes, mail, jackets, and purchases you bring back every tim? This is where the concept of a “landing strip” can give you a smooth touch down back at your pad. Typically the argument for a “landing strip”, where you can dump all your stuff when you come in the door, is for the benefit of having your stuff in one spot. However, it should also help sort and manage your all of your things. Landing strips are also indispensable for purging clutter upon your return home to help things stay neat and tidy.

If we design and setup up our space properly, it can guide of through the process of immediately dealing with all the items we bring back home. When everything has its place the process becomes almost automatic. Before you know it, you’ll have less junk mail piled up, you’ll be able to find your keys, your cell phone will be charged and ready to go, you won’t forget that thing you need to return to the store, and you’ll stop tripping over the shoes by the door. Just think of the time savings you’ll have without having to hunt for stuff around the house, and the counter tops you might start discovering again because they aren’t buried under piles of paper.

Apartment Therapy video has a great video with a few pointers on creating your landing strip. Watch the video to see the process in action.

A remodeled home or space is only half finished without the decorating, furniture, and other eye candy to go along with that perfect layout and its gorgeous finishes. With bare walls and no decorations the room doesn’t come to life or speak to its owners. Decorating can be a daunting task and that’s why we have our Interior Design Studio at McDonald Remodeling to help do the heavy lifting for your new look, but there are smaller things you can do on your own to give your space that cozy feeling.

We are going to take a small step to getting that room or space on track to look and feel like your favorite place. Everyone has photos or art they want to show off, but the thought of how to do it stops many right in their tracks. The folks over at Apartment Therapy made a great little video with a magic formula to give you the little push you might need to get something onto those walls.

Check out their post for the details.

A kitchen remodel is one of the most talked about and most wanted room remodels in the home. It has the ability to really change how you function in your space because it’s such in integral part of daily life. So many activities can take place in a kitchen and that’s why we’ve come up with a few tips to consider before you start your dream kitchen remodel.

The Present & Future
You’re remodeling your kitchen not only for today, but for 15 years from now. You should consider your age and what stage of life your family is in now, as well as what it will look like in the future. You may have very young children now, which presents certain challenges immediately in terms of childproofing and cleaning, but in short order that might mean quicker meals prepared and eaten right in the kitchen before racing off to the next sports practice. On the other hand, it could be that the whole basketball team seems to keep showing up for dinner, so space is at a premium. If your family is bit older, then different transitions are on the horizon. Kids leaving for college or the working world make fewer (replace word “less”)mouths to feed and less food to prepare, so your 6-burner range isn’t getting used like it once was. Your age might also have you thinking about accessibility, which might require wider paths, varying counter heights, or appliances within easy reach. Those accessibility changes could allow you to stay in your home much longer than a typically designed kitchen.

The Swiss Army Knife
Sure, most people cook in their kitchens, but usually its use doesn’t stop there. People call it the hub of the home of for a reason. Whether it’s kids’ art projects at the kitchen table, teenagers doing homework at the island, or paying bills and catching up on email at the breakfast bar, chances are your kitchen looks a bit more like the local Starbucks than the image we typically have in our minds of what a kitchen is for. Be sure to think about all the other social happenings at your house as you plot out your dream kitchen to make it as versatile as possible.

Your favorite Appliance
One thing no one wants in their kitchen is clutter, but it can be hard to resist all those handy appliances that promise to make our kitchen routines easier and faster. Well consider “baking in” those most beloved appliances right into your kitchen remodel. A couple of your most loved appliances could have new locations in your kitchen that you might not have considered. The microwave usually has had two spots it has called home – hanging above the stove or sitting on the counter. With the newer drawer style microwave, you have the added benefits of being able to see your food easily and avoid having to reach uncomfortably to get your food out. By choosing a drawer style, it means you can have another feature in your kitchen like a beautiful hood over your range or some added cabinet space.

The coffee pot has historically been relegated to the counter as well, but not any longer. The coffee or espresso maker can now be built right into your cabinets, leaving more counter space available and transforming your morning coffee routine by delivering some of the best tasting coffee you’ve ever had, even faster than before. It might even help you get to work on time by eliminating a stop at the coffee shop, all while saving you money in the long run.

Open House
When considering your kitchen and an open floor plan, noise can be a big consideration. Whether you want to have to solitude and calm during your cooking, or you’re in the adjoining room trying to watch your favorite show but can’t hear the dialogue because of the noises emanating from the kitchen – the level of noise could be an issue. One thing to consider when looking at appliances for your new kitchen is the noise levels during operation to help minimize additional noise. There are noise ratings available for every dishwasher, which can aid in your selection process so you don’t run into the problem of the dishwasher cycle ruining the end of your favorite movie. Flooring and other finishing materials you chose can also affect the acoustics of your spaces, so choose wisely.

Coming Clean
Maintaining your beautiful new kitchen will require some cleaning to keep it looking amazing. Aesthetics are not the only important thing to consider when choosing what you want in your kitchen. Many materials like counter tops, floors, and appliances can require specialized cleaning products or processes. Some materials and finishes might even help you eliminate some of those time consuming chores. It’s a good idea to learn about upkeep and durability before making your choices.

There is a lot to consider during the remodeling process and that’s why choosing a remodeler who cares about the details matters. We’d love to hear about your dream kitchen and help you make it even better than you could have imagined. Hopefully our list of less commonly mentioned ideas gets your mind going again. When you’re ready to share or have us walk you through the process with a little more guidance, please give us a call or check out our kitchen gallery. Every remodel starts with a conversation.

Historically home plans were drawn by hand and reproduced on paper. Nothing wrong with that, but it only provides the viewer a 2 dimensional look at the project. Studies show that over 90% of us do not “see” flat objects 3 dimensionally, so it’s understandable that we struggle judging whether or not we like a 2D plan.

A 3D perspective can be generated by hand, but it takes a significant amount of time and still only provides a view from that particular angle.

In the last few decades computer-aided design (CAD) has virtually taken over the creation of home plans.  But only in the last few years has the 3D capability for home design software really taken off. Our company uses software called Chief Architect and our clients consistently rave about it. Here’s how it works: We measure your home as it exists and load that information into the program. Then floor plan revisions are generated (usually one or 2 options) and details such as doors, windows, cabinetry, wall colors, floor coverings, furniture and accessories are added. Once this data is loaded, the computer quickly generates a 3D view. The viewing “camera” can easily be rotated for an image from virtually any angle. Using photos of your homesite, we can even display the view outside your home through a proposed new window! This is a huge help for our customers, but also helps us be more confident that we’re not missing something.

Watch for examples of this capability coming up on our website. Better yet, call for an appointment and let us bring your ideas to life!

A lot of people have remarked to me that remodeling must be booming because new construction has all but shut down. Don’t I wish…..

Historically home equity was how much of remodeling was financed. It’s old news now, but home equity as we knew it has simply vanished. And, in spite of ads to the contrary many banks have simply stopped lending for anything related to real estate. The cruel irony is that now is the best time in years to have work done to your home.

So how does one finance a project? Good, old Uncle Sam may be a good place to start looking. First-time homebuyer tax credits got a lot of attention in the last year or so, but there are numerous other programs for those of us not in that position. A lot of money and/or tax credits have been made available for home improvements- primarily energy related improvements – but nonetheless real money to offset remodeling costs. In addition, many communities have developed loan programs to encourage current residents to improve their homes. Some of these loans never need to be repaid, or aren’t repaid until the home sells. And, many of these programs can piggy-back on one another so it’s possible to find thousands of dollars.

One of our close business relationships is with Kate Wilson at Fairway Independent Mortgage. Kate has done a phenomenal job of compiling all of the available funding mechanisms in the Twin City area. Visit www.katewilson.com to see what you can find. I’ll bet you’ll be surprised.

It’s that time of year where the weather really tests our homes. In older homes a fairly routine event is the buildup of ice at the edge of the roof. If it builds up enough, there’s a strong chance that water finds its way inside and shows up on the ceiling.

The common reaction to this phenomenon is that there is something wrong with the roof or the shingles, but in all likelihood the real culprit is the ceiling itself. How can this be? When warm air from inside the home is allowed to seep into the attic it will warm up the roof deck and melt the snow. The water runs down the roof like it’s supposed to, but when it reaches the overhang it re-freezes because that part of the roof deck is cold.

Eventually, the ice will build up enough to hold the water and force it to seep back underneath the shingles. Then it drips into the insulation and eventually to the ceiling below making a big mess.

So what’s the solution? Insulation such as fiberglass does little to stop moving air, so it’s critical to also “seal the lid”. Typical areas of leakage are recessed lights, speakers, electrical boxes, plumbing stacks, etc.  Sometimes these leaks are easy to find, but the sure way to find them is to have a blower door test performed.

In simple terms, this test pressurizes your home while infrared photos are taken to expose air movement around doors and windows and through the roof. It’s truly amazing how leaky most homes are. This simple test will go a long way toward determining how to make your home more energy efficient and durable.

The extreme temperature difference between inside and outside during the winter months is a real challenge for your home. The battle between temperatures is usually most apparent at the windows. Are the windows are bad if there is condensation or ice buildup?  Maybe – but maybe not. Remember this about air: it always seeks to equalize in temperature, humidity level and pressure. So, if the windows (or the wall system around the windows) are allowing air to move freely between inside and out, condensation will almost always occur where those 2 temperatures collide. So condensation and ice makes sense with old, leaky windows.

But what if the windows are fairly new and there is still condensation and/or ice buildup? Even though new windows are insulated, the typical R value is only 3 or 4 (vs. 19+ in new walls). So, on cold days the glass inside is still pretty chilly. Warm air containing too much moisture will cause condensation when it hits the glass. It’s not the window, it’s just physics. If this is occurring, chances are the humidity level in the home is too high for the temperature differential. Most experts agree that the ideal humidity level in a home is between 35% and 45%. Even at these levels you may see some minor condensation when it’s extremely cold outside. But it’s fairly common for the humidity levels to climb much higher than this because humidity is created in a number of ways: dishwashers, washing machines, aquariums, showers, baths, whirlpools, steam showers, etc. You may need to adjust your humidifier and make sure that exhaust fans are doing their jobs. Don’t be too quick to blame your windows – it may be something else altogether.

As we hit the frigid months in Minnesota you are probably talking about the cold.  Mostly likely not just the cold outside, but in your house too.  Those drafts creeping around the house that make you not want to leave the warmth of a blanket or the covers on your bed.  At some point you’ve probably compared heating bills with a neighbor or a co-worker and wished you had bragging rights with a minuscule bill.

Well the good news is that you could get rid of those drafts and lower those heating bills.  The best news is that over the long-term these solution help pay for themselves.  There are a few options for you to consider to keep cozy and warm for the next five months until we start thawing out.

The industry leading technologies like geo-thermal, wind, and solar are becoming popular option.  The question is, are they really worthwhile? It depends. Some technologies work better in Minnesota than others. Solar clearly works better in southern climates, but as technology improves it becomes more viable every day. Wind is great, but not totally reliable and while everyone likes cheap electricity most don’t like looking at towers. Geo-thermal gets lots of press and promotion. I love geo-thermal and would strongly consider it in my next home. However, if I were to put that same amount of money into the shell of the home geo-thermal system may no longer make sense.

In other words, the less energy a home consumes the less energy there is to save. That’s why I always recommend attacking the shell of an older home first. This includes air sealing, insulation, windows , siding, etc. Once the shell is performing the way it should, the mechanical needs will change dramatically. Then one can determine which mechanical systems make the most sense. No point in bringing a firetruck to put out a match.

As added incentive many of the these options have tax credits right now too.  If you’re starting to warm up to the idea of saving on you electrical and heating bills, getting some great tax credits, and enjoying your cozy home even more  send us an email or give us a call to discuss what might be right for your home.

Help Marines out on patrol connect with the communities and villages they are protecting.  By delivering humanitarian aid and handing out treats to children they can help create a level of trust with the people they are protecting.

Lcpl Trent Hawes, a Marine serving his first tour of duty, who is also nephew of Greg Alsterlund, President, at McDonald Remodeling has sent word back that his unit needs your help to carry out this important aspect of their mission.  Winning the hearts and minds of the people is critical to the success their efforts in Afghanistan.

You can help out Trent and his unit with just a small gesture.  Your act of helping to supply the troops with treats goes a long way toward creating positive change.  Not only does it help build trust and bring smiles to children’s faces in very difficult conditions, but it also lifts the morale of the troops.  They can have a moment of fun and enjoy personal interactions with the Afghan people they are protecting, which gives you two smiles for the price of one.

McDonald Remodeling is assisting Trent and his unit by collecting Dum Dum Pops and monetary donations that will be used to purchase items for them to hand out while on patrol.  If you are interested in making a donation please contact Greg Alsterlund  at galsterlund@mcdonaldremodeling.com for more information.

If you’d like to order large quantities of Dum Dum Pops you can directly from Spangler Candy online at www.spanglercandy.com/order

There seems to be a perception that green building and remodeling is impractical or expensive. Certain things can be impractical, but without a “filter” to run decisions through it can be difficult to assess.  As green remodeling becomes more mainstream, it’s important to work with a remodeler who knows and understands the opportunities and implications.  McDonald Remodeling is a Minnesota GreenStar Member.  Minnesota GreenStar is a green building standard and green certification program for both existing and new homes that promotes healthy, durable, high performance homes.  The five guiding principles of Minnesota Greenstar are:

• Energy efficiency
• Resource efficiency
• Water conservation
• Indoor air quality
• Site & community impact

Nothing impractical here at all. In fact, all of these principles are intended to save money – not cost it.

A basic example of McDonald Remodeling Practical Green approach would be, the price of a high efficiency furnace is more than the price of a lower efficiency furnace. But it’s fairly easy to demonstrate that the “price” of the high efficiency furnace plus the “cost to operate” it is less than the price of the lower efficiency furnace and its cost to operate. Therefore, the higher efficiency furnace not only “costs” less, but has a lower impact on the environment. In other words, there is a distinct difference between price and cost.

Similar mathematical and environmental dynamics are present with each part of a home, so it’s important to have a way to assess each piece. That’s the value of a legitimate 3rd party organization like Minnesota GreenStar certifying your remodeler’s projects to help provide a decision making filter.

Whether you’re interested in taking just a few steps into the green arena, or achieving the highest standards of certification, McDonald Remodeling can help you add real value to your home while making it more livable.