BENEFITS OF A SCREENED IN PORCH - DECK

Although many homeowners look to upgrade their houses with the addition of a deck or home addition, few people think of the possibility of a screened porch. Professional Remodeling Group located in Fairfax, Virginia tells homeowners about the many benefits of having a screened in porch.

Screened porches are built solely for enjoyment. They allow homeowners to enjoy the outdoors while sheltering form harsh elements like the sun on a hot day, rain, and pests. Being outdoors is wonderful, however, insects and bugs can ruin the outdoors. Spending more time outdoors is possible with an enclosed porch.

Although they offer shelter, screened porches still allow users to capture a breeze or entertain regardless of the weather. Entertaining in a screened porch environment is a great experience. Homeowners don’t have to worry about creating a mess because this isn’t a room but a porch environment. It is also cooler than simply entertaining on an outdoor porch.

Most importantly, screened porches can be built on a budget. For a low investment, homeowners can add an increased value to their home. A porch that is enclosed adds more value when the house is on the market than a porch, which is not enclosed.

Professional Remodeling Group a Northern Virginia screened porch contractor mentions some considerations when building a screened porch. To avoid the porch looking like a ghastly addition to your house, be sure to match the trim details of your house including the roof. This means deciding between aluminum or wood-framed porches which will depend on the design of your house. Secondly, to ensure that there is continual air movement through the screened porch, homeowners should consider adding a powerful ceiling fan so that the temperature in the porch area is comfortable even on a warm day with no breeze.

Another consideration by our screened porch contractor is the size of your screened porch. There are many beautiful designs that can add extra and unique living space to your home. To decide on the size of your screened porch, consider the furniture you will be putting in the room, how many people you are planning to gather in the room. Professional Remodeling Group urges homeowners to remember that screened porches can be enclosed later at a minimal cost, and this adds to the future investment.

Screened porches are definitely something to consider as opposed to a regular sunroom or deck as an addition to your home. Not only are they value adding to your home, but they also add value to your life by providing a comfortable shelter and place to pause from your hectic life and enjoy.

A Custom Deck Builder Company gives insight into various Composite Deck Materials

It is important to know the differences between composite deck materials as there are now many different options on the market. Tony Ishairzay, Vice President of Professional Remodeling Group gives insight into the various composite materials available to create the perfect deck for you.

Composites are a combination of wood fiber and plastic resin which usually has a wood grain look without being made from pure wood. Composites are more costly than wood and not as strong as wood so they require closer spacing. Composites also cannot be refinished like wood can. However, there are many benefits to using a composite material. Composites are very durable and require low maintenance. They are also moisture, pest, and rot resistant unlike wood. Finally, some can be stainable and they won’t split or warp like wood can under environmental pressure or changes.

TREX

Tony with Professional Remodeling Group from Northern Virginia begins with Trex, one of the leading brands in composite decking. Trex composite decks are created from recycled wood and plastic fibers. These recycled materials are high quality and environmentally friendly. The plastic in Trex allows the wood to be moisture, insect, and rot resistant, while the wood protects the plastic from UV damage and provides a natural look to the material.

Some of the advantages to Trex include: the excellent traction even when wet, availability in a wide range of colors, and the fact that Trex will never need to be sanded, stained, or painted.

Tony Ishairzay also mentions that TimberTech, offers a 25 year limited warranty which may transfer to a second homeowner, thereby creating a useful selling feature on your home.

EVERGRAIN

Tony with Professional Remodeling Group from Northern Virginia explains the difference between Evergrain by TAMKO and Trex, in that Evergrain is the only premium composite decking material made with the compression molding process. Compression-molding gives the material a deep wood grain texture that is much more durable than a material which is etched into the surface. Therefore, the product looks like real wood while encompassing the benefits of a composite.

Again, Evergrain doesn’t require painting or staining because it is made from plastic and wood fiber, not to mention that Evergrain is extremely easy to install. Finally, as added incentive TAMKO also offers a 25-year limited warranty against rotting, splintering, and termite damage.

FIBERON

Fiberon is another composite decking material, which is easy to install with less flaws than real wood. It is designed to install with screws or fasteners (choice is up to you!) and gives long lasting results.

Fiberon is made of a combination of polymer resins and finely ground wood flour, with a UV inhibitor and anti-oxidant additives to protect the boards from external and environmental elements. This means that your deck will never crack or deteriorate, and again will never need to be stained or sealed.

Finally, Fiberon offers a 20-year limited warranty.

AZEK

AZEK Deck prides itself on being the leading brand of stain resistant decking. It is also different than both traditional wood and composite decking. AZEK Deck is made with cellular PVC unlike other composite materials. This means that the formulation doesn’t contain any wood fibers making it especially resistant to mold, mildew and stains.
Some of the benefits associated with AZEK Decking is that it is stain resistant, scratch resistant, split resistant, mold and mildew resistant, impervious to moisture and insects and has a lifetime limited warranty with company inspection.

Tony also emphasizes, that choosing the right deck materials for your home should rely on durability and maintenance of materials over and above costs. Although the use of composite materials may be more expensive than traditional wood initially, the long-term benefits of low maintenance, strength, durability, and added value makes the initial investment worthwhile.

Are you looking for a Home Improvement Contractors in Northern Virginia, then, you should visit Professional Remodeling Group, Class A Home Remodeling Company in Northern Virginia. Also are Composite Deck Builders and Contractors in Northern Virginia

No Excuses ! Energy Efficiency Bolstered by Government Tax Incentives

Windows can cause a huge waste in your home. In fact, an average home can lose a large percentage of its heat or air conditioning through windows. Tony Ishairzay from Professional Remodeling located in Virginia, explains that vinyl energy efficient windows can save money every month by decreasing energy loss. With an increasing concern for the environment, even the government has created new ways of encouraging energy efficiency in homeowners. Although the initial cost for energy efficient windows is higher, the cost is offset by energy bill savings, the need for a smaller heating and cooling system, and the $1500 tax credit for energy efficient windows.

Windows lose and gain heat and energy through conduction, convection, radiation and air leakage. Tony Ishairzay uses the illustration of greenhouses, which are made entirely of windows to both trap sunlight and heat as well as cool the space according to the outside atmosphere.

Vinyl windows are energy efficient, durable, insect proof and weather resistant. These types of windows not only inhibit UV-degradations but it also requires no painting. Beginning in 2009 until 2011, homeowners can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost of qualified energy-efficient windows and doors up to $1500. This incentive is a great benefit in offsetting the initial cost of energy efficient windows but will provide greater benefits in the future.

Tony Ishairzay warns, that not all windows will be approved for this tax credit, so it is important to do your homework and shop smart when replacing your windows. Only the most energy-efficient windows and doors will qualify for the tax credit and old requirements such as the Energy Star certification is no longer sufficient. These old requirements are being replaced by newer standards such as meeting certain U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) ratings.

Windows must have a U-Factor of .30 to meet the new requirements. The U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping the home. The lower the U-factor, the more efficiently it keeps heat. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient must be .30 or less. The lower the SHGC, the more it blocks the heat of the sun, therefore reducing the need for air conditioning and saving energy. This very important information should be located on the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) sticker certifying the ratings. The ratings can also be verified in the product ratings at www.nfrc.org. The certification mark in the left hand corner of the label indicates that the window has been certified in accordance with the NFRC standards. In the right hand corner is a description of the window according to the manufacturer.

To claim the $1500 tax credit, you must purchase and install the replacement window, which meets the above requirements between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. By saving the receipt and window performance label (NFRC label) for each window you can claim the tax credit on your Federal filing for the 2009 or 2010 tax year. Tony Ishairzay reminds homeowners that only the sales price of the window will be included in the cost and installation costs will not be considered. Therefore, replacing windows now will save you money both now (through this tax credit available only through the 2010 tax year), and in the future.

Tips for your Home Remodeling Project

Most homeowners always think about how to update and improve their home. There could be number of ideas in one's mind, however, the best practice is to get a professional advice from the home improvement contractors in your area.

A Professional home remodeling company will help you make your dreams come true. With the assistance of an experienced home remodeling contractor, you could avoid making many mistakes while planning for your home improvement and will lead to saving you your money and making your home improvement project easier and more successful.

Here are few simple steps before beginning the home improvement project, which you could consider as a preparation for your home remodeling.

1. Note down all of your ideas about your dream home.
2. Also mention all the problems or troubles you are facing with your current home structure.
3. Take your time to find out about the latest trends and fashion in your area.
4. Make a list of all professional and experienced home improvement contractors in your area.
5. Take estimates of your home remodeling projects from no obligation remodeling companies.
6. And only then choose the best home improvement contractor.

Choose the right home improvement contractor in Northern Virginia.

Remodeling your home can be a daunting task. However, this task becomes a little less daunting with the help of a knowledgeable and skilled professional contractor who can not only guide you in the right direction, but also be trusted to complete the job efficiently and up to your personal standards. Tony Ishairzay Vice President of the Professional Remodeling Group – a home remodeling company in Northern Virginia & himself being a residential remodeling contractor specializes in composite or wood decks, screened porches, vinyl energy efficient windows, vinyl siding, basement finishing, kitchen remodeling and other exterior remodeling. With over 15 years of experience he offers a few tips on how you can choose the right home improvement company or right company for your home improvement needs.

First, Tony mentions that it is important that you are knowledgeable about your home improvement work you would like to have done. This means doing your homework so you can provide the home remodeling contractor with the information required for them to give you an appropriate estimate based on your goals. In addition, you will be able to understand the language used by Contractors for any kind of improvement work and will be knowledgeable enough to communicate effectively. For instance finalizing purchase of quality graded energy efficient windows available in the market.
Tony emphasizes that communication is key when hiring a Home Remodeling Company or Contractor. To ensure that you have accurate estimates to compare and contrast, it is also very important to give each Contractor from whom you are collecting bids, the same information on the scope of work which needs to be completed so that each estimate is on the same playing field. Materials can adjust a bid drastically so decide on which materials prior to getting your bids so all the estimates are apples and apples. It can get very confusing when you receive bids from multiple contractors that use different materials for the same job. For example; screened porches could be made up of wood, vinyl or aluminum. Also make sure contractors initial bids are exactly what you will be paying at the end of the job, make sure that tax, clean-up, permits, and other factors are all included from the beginning.

When meeting with several Home Improvement Contractors, you should look for a Contractor who is first of all licensed with the State and in good standing. Class A licensed contractor is recommended, they usually have the most experience and reliability. Also see if they are affiliated with the Better Business Bureau, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or another local building or remodeling association. Being able to see the Contractor’s previous work on a website is important, and you should be cautious when considering a Contractor who does not have a website. Any Company who has done good work in the past will be happy to give you references as a backup. For instance he may put up pictures of certain completed projects on basement remodeling, screened porches or energy efficient windows on his website. When you finally find a Contractor you are impressed with, loyalty is important. Contractors will go out of their way for a loyal client, and this is important when dealing with your home.
If the Contractor does not prepare an estimate by the date requested, you should be warned that perhaps they are not efficient or dependable. Time is important in a remodeling job, and a rushed job will not necessarily turn out with the best quality. Therefore, it is essential to give the Home Remodeling Contractor a timeline, and to ask the Contractor what their timeline is and then see if they can stick to that. A prompt estimate is a good indication as to whether the Contractor will stick to a set schedule.

When gathering and reviewing each bid, Tony stresses that there are many things other than final cost which must be considered. Price is not the most important factor, because the age-old saying is true… “You get what you pay for.” Quality may not necessarily come at the cheapest price, so keep this in mind when reviewing bids from any Home Improvement Contractors.
The estimate should be detailed and include all the specifics regarding the work. If the estimate is too vague, you may want to reconsider hiring this company. By accepting a vague estimate you are leaving yourself susceptible to expensive “change orders". In addition, a Contractor who cannot guarantee their work will usually not stand up behind the quality of their work. A guarantee means the company will fix any problems you may have with their work, free of charge.

Tony Ishairzay says that when comparing bid prices of a home remodeling company, it is crucial to inquire about great discrepancies in price. A higher bid could be due to many reasons including a higher profit margin, omission of a part of the scope of the work, or greater overhead costs. Therefore, a higher bid may not necessarily mean you are getting better quality work.

Finally, when it is time to sign the contract make sure that certain things are included such as: a detailed payment schedule, design selections, scope of the work, explanation of the contractor’s warranty, references to architectural drawings, and construction schedule. Finally Tony Ishairzay, a home remodeling contractor in Northern Virginia warns not to hesitate to ask questions to make sure the contract is clear. The initial deposit may be paid before the work begins; however, the final payment should not be made until the work is 100% complete to ensure the work is completed in a timely and satisfactory manner.