Tips to Winterize Your Home

Posted on November 12, 2011 by laurie

Winter rolls around like clock work, and it always seems to get here all of the sudden. Get ready for it. Be proactive. You’ll be happy you did. Here’s a list of items that you should check:

  • Prevent freezing
    • Garden hoses- disconnect all your garden hoses from your exterior hose bibs (faucets)
    • Install frost-free exteriors faucets (optional) – these hose bibs will drain the extra water from the inside of the faucet and prevent most freezing
    • Install faucet insulation covers over your hose bibs
    • Exposed pipes – wrap them with pipe heating cable or wrap them with pipe insulation
  • Openings – Seal around windows, doors, receptacles and vents
    • Caulk around them if it is within the temperature of the caulk
    • Use expanding spray foam sealant around pipe protrusions, doors, dryer vents and other openings leading to the exterior of the home. Remember to use this sparingly. It expands and isn’t the nicest looking sealant afterwards. Use it in less visible areas, such as under the sink or in the basement, where pipes penetrate the walls. Use caulk, weather-stripping and gaskets otherwise.
    • Gaskets – you’d be surprised how much air comes through your receptacles. Install some foam insulating kits in each receptacle. All you need is a screwdriver and a few minutes each.
    • Weather-stripping – All kinds of weather stripping is available

      Weather Stripping

      at your favorite hardware store, for sealing around doors, windows, etc.

    • Plastic storm windows – this is a very inexpensive way to improve the efficiency of your existing windows. 3M has a neat shrink wrap kit for up to five windows.
    • Replace your windows with energy efficient ones (optional of course, but this home improvement can pay back 85% in resale, save on your energy bill right away, and make you a lot more comfortable).
  • Insulation
    • Add insulation to your attic – check your attic to see if it is adequate. Many times it has settled or wasn’t up to code to begin with. Call in an expert to have it done right.
    • Insulate under the floor – let the pros do this. Believe me this is worth it, especially in crawl spaces.
    • Foam insulation – (optional) foam insulation whether open celled or closed does wonders. You can spray your attic rafters and make it a livable area instantly. You can even insulate in existing home walls.
  • Fireplace
    • Damper – be sure the damper is closed when not in use.
    • Be sure the flue is clean. Call a chimney sweeper to clean it easily with no mess.
    • Inspect the brick in the firebox – there should be no loose or missing mortar. If there is, do not build a fire. Have it repaired by a professional.
  • Roof
    • Inspect with binoculars – look for loose shingles or missing flashing around protrusions such as chimneys. Call a roofing professional to do the repairs.
  • Gutters
    • Make sure they are fastened securely. Snow and heavy rains can really put a strain on your gutters
    • Clean the gutters – make sure that the gutters are cleaned once or twice during the fall. Inspect all downspouts and French drains and verify that they are clear of leaves and obstacles.
  • Decks, patios and driveways
    • Seal your wood decks, patios and driveways with the appropriate sealers. They take a beating during the winter months and this will help preserve them.
    • Put outdoor furniture in dry storage and cover your grill.
  • Furnace/Heater
    • Programmable thermostat – install one of these. They are inexpensive and can save you up to $150 per year
    • Have the furnace inspected by a heating and air contractor before the start of winter and summer
    • Change your furnace filters monthly
    • Be sure your oil or propane tank is full
    • Set your thermostat to a minimum heat setting of 55° if you are leaving the home for an extended amount of time
    • Inspect your fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are working and have plenty of the appropriate batteries on hand.
  • Water heater
    • Install an insulating blanket kit on our water heater. You can easily do this yourself and save some money on your gas or electric bills.

      Water Heater Wrapped in a Blanket

    • Low flow shower heads will reduce the amount of hot water used
    • Install a tankless water heater – (optional) These are fairly expensive to install but they can supply an endless supply of hot water, and only when needed. They are different in certain ways than a hot water tank, so do your homework.
  • Trees and landscaping
    • Prune limbs that are close to the house or could fall and damage property
    • Plant spring bulbs that can withstand the winter cold. Dig up the ones that can’t withstand the winter weather
  • Equipment
    • Snow blower – be sure it is working well. Put clean gas and oil it.
    • Get your snow shovels ready, or better yet, call your neighbor’s son and put him on call.
    • Buy some ice melt or salt to melt ice off the walkways
  • Prepare for emergencies
    • Check your flashlight and have extra batteries and bulbs on hand
    • Stock up on batteries for other devices
    • Have several gallons of bottled water in a designated place
    • Have some non-perishable food (and pet food if you have a pet) in a designated place.
    • Put some blankets and sheets and cots or blow-up beds in a designated area
    • Have a radio on hand – either battery powered or hand cranked

Hope this post helps you to keep your home in good shape for the winter.  If you have a bigger project in mind like a new fireplace or remodeling a bathroom with a toasty warm heated floor Summit Design Remodeling can help.

Laurie Crum
Design Consultant – Summit Design Remodeling
 
Summit Design Remodeling is a design/build home remodeling company serving Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland.  For information and our photo gallery go to:  http://www.summitdesignremodeling.com
 
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Pros and Cons of Different Cooking Technologies for Your Next Kitchen Remodel

Posted on October 3, 2011 by laurie

When remodeling a kitchen, homeowners must make what seems like an endless number of decisions.  Some of those decisions will often include choosing new appliances.  In the old days it was pretty simple to choose your cooking appliances – electric or gas.  Now there are so many types of cooking technologies, it can be daunting to know which one to choose.  In this blog post, I will discuss many of the options and some of the pros and cons of each so Summit homeowners will be able to confidently answer many of the appliance questions with ease and know exactly what the best choice is for them.

Electric Cooking:  Electric ranges and cooktops have been around for a long time and may still be the choice for some homeowners.  Electric ranges work by sending an electric current to a heating element which eventually will glow red as the heat increases (we’ve probably all used one of these types of range at some point or another).  The main choice with electric is whether you want a sealed glass top over the element or not.  The advantage to the glass top type is ease of cleaning whereas the open elements have metal trays underneath that need to be removed for cleaning or replacement.

 

 

 

 

 

Some pros for electric cooking are:

  • The electric appliances are typically less expensive than other types
  • It doesn’t require a gas line (which may or may not be present in your home)
  • It’s a reliable, long standing technology
  • Some cooks may prefer it because they are used to it
  • The sealed glass top ranges are very easy to clean
  • No risk of gas leak or carbon monoxide

Some cons for electric cooking are:

  • The element heats up and cools down slowly compared to other technologies
  • The open element type can be a safety hazard
  • You won’t be able to cook when the power is out (due to storms, etc.) to your home
  • Electric is less efficient than other technologies because much of the heat generated goes into the room air versus toward your food – which makes for a hot kitchen.

Gas Cooking:  Like electric, gas cooking has been around for a long time and has many devotees (especially professional chefs who were schooled on the superiority of gas cooking).  Gas fuels come in either natural gas (NG) or propane (LP).  Make sure you buy the right one for your fuel source.  This is critical since the fittings are different based on the type of fuel used.  Gas ranges come in both open and sealed burner options.  The main benefit of the open type is somewhat higher temperature capacities and potentially more even heating since you can have two rings of flames versus one.  The big benefit of the sealed type is the easier clean up and maintenance when a spill happens.

 

 

 

 

Gas ranges usually still require small amounts of electricity to power the gas starters and the various LED lights on the range controls.

Some pros for gas include:

  • Instant on/off control of the heat source – there’s no waiting for an element to heat up to a certain temperature or waiting for a burner to cool down.  This is the control feature that is often very important to professional chefs.
  • Total heat adjustability – you can set the flame height to precisely what you want versus the dial stops like “high”, “medium high”, “medium”, etc.
  • You can still cook when the power is out to your home.  The starter will not work and you’ll have to use a match or lighter, but the gas should still flow when the power is out.
  • Can char cook your food when that is desired.  Sometimes there is no substitute for an open flame.

Some cons for gas include:

  • The open flame is an obvious safety and fire hazard – especially in homes with children and the very aged.
  • A gas line is required to have the gas appliance which can add to the expense
  • There is always  the potential for a gas leak and/or carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Natural gas and liquid propane are expensive fuels
  • Gas is less efficient than other technologies because much of the heat generated goes into the room air versus toward your food – which makes for a hot kitchen.
  • Gas combustion contributes to environmental pollution and increases our carbon footprint.

 

Induction Cooking:  Induction cooking is the “old” technology that is getting a lot of new attention these days.  One would think it just came on the market, when in fact, the first induction cooking appliance (according to wikispaces.com) was demonstrated in Chicago at the World’s Fair in 1933.  Induction cooking appliances require electricity as their power source and create heat by molecular friction of electrons when a magnetic field is created.  This friction provides heat directly to the magnetic pot or pan.  The great thing about induction is the high efficiency of 90% or greater because the heat is applied directly to the pot or pan and heats the food.  The induction element remains essentially cool to the touch and is one of the safest means of cooking available (see photo of boiling water in the pot next to ice cubes outside the pot).

Initial induction units had problems with low power, noise, and lack of reliability.  In the ‘70’s, European manufacturers improved the technology and, like with other products, the parts were miniaturized.  Today induction units are very powerful, reliable and quiet and Panasonic is working with the manufacturers to develop induction systems that work with any type of metal versus the magnetic metal that is required today.  If you haven’t seen one of these units in action, I strongly suggest you check them out at your local appliance showroom.

Some pros for induction cooking include:

  • Very efficient/green technology with up to 90% efficiency (versus 25-40% for gas and 60-65% for traditional electric – source: http://inductioncooking.wikispaces.com/AboutInduction.
  • Very safe – no flame, no burning fingers or hands, no products of combustion
  • It is instantly on/off and allows for precise temperature control comparable to gas
  • Doesn’t heat up the kitchen (except for the heat coming from the food itself)
  • Very easy to clean – it is a flat surface and since food doesn’t cook outside the pan, spills wipe up very easily.
  • Today’s induction units can heat up to an equivalent of 27,000 BTU’s.
  • Induction has very even cooking without hot and cool spots like traditional electric

Some cons for induction cooking include:

  • At this time, your pots and pans all have to be made of a magnetic metal (although Panasonic is working on an all-metal technology).  This may mean replacing your existing cookware and additional expense.
  • The induction appliances typically cost a little more than traditional appliances
  • It requires electricity to work so if the power is out, you can’t cook.
  • Many units require a 30amp or higher circuit (which may mean additional expense)

Convection, Trivection, Halogen & Microwave Cooking:  Convection, tri-vection, halogen and microwave cooking are all oven based technologies with electricity as the power source.  Convection is just like conventional ovens except a fan is added to move the heated air more evenly around the food.  The best convection ovens have three heating elements (top, bottom, and rear) and a fan at the rear.  Convection ovens can cut down cooking times by about 25% and cook at a temperature that’s about 25 degrees cooler.

Trivection™ is a General Electric trademarked technology that combines conventional cooking, convection cooking and microwave cooking all in one oven.  Conventional and convection cooking all provides heat at the surface of the food and microwave uses radio waves to move molecules in the food and heat it by friction on the inside.  The cook only needs to enter the standard cooking method and the desired temperature and normal cooking time and the oven determines the best combination of cooking technologies and converts the cooking settings.  The cooking time with the trivection oven is reported to be about five times faster than a conventional oven.  The main con with this oven is the price tag since the prices start at around $2000 and go up from there.  The other con is obviously the power source.  If the electricity goes out, you won’t be able to use your oven until the power is restored.

Halogen cooking started in the 1970’s and basically uses a halogen light to create radiant heat to cook the food.  The GE Advantium® oven operates on halogen and microwave cooking which allows for browning and a more conventional food consistency when paired with the speed of microwave cooking.  Halogen cooking cooks food about 50% faster and saves about 75% on energy costs.  The nice thing about halogen is, like a light bulb, it is quickly on and quickly off and doesn’t heat up the oven, just the food.  Halogen is typically more expensive and because it works on electricity, will not work if your power goes out.

Microwave cooking has been around for several decades and is very well known by most of our clients.  The one change that has happened with standard microwave ovens is the development of the under-counter microwave drawer.  The drawer option really helps with the dilemma of where to put the microwave in the kitchen design.  Most people don’t really care for it above the range as this spot limits the range hood strength and look.  Yet most don’t want valuable counter space taken either.  So the under-counter model seems to fill the bill quite nicely in many cases.  The one change that takes getting used to is that you no longer have a turntable and you reach in from the top of the drawer to put a plate of food in/out.

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, another range/oven decision that needs to be made is the choice of duel fuels.  This usually means a gas range top with an electric conventional or convection oven.  This gives the purist cook the gas they want for total cooking control on the range top, but the comfort of the electric oven that they are used to for baking.

Hopefully, this article will help you get acquainted with the latest choices on the appliance front and make you an informed remodeling consumer.  Of course, our clients will also have the benefit of a Summit interior designer going with you to select all of the products for your new remodeling project.

 Laurie Crum
Design Consultant, Summit Design Remodeling
 
Summit Design Remodeling is a full service design-build remodeling firm serving Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland.
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Bringing Light into Your Remodeling Project

Posted on September 1, 2011 by laurie

With summer coming to an end and fall fast approaching, we are often asked by clients how to bring more light into a home.  The easiest solution would be to add recessed lights or sconces, or even paint the interior walls a lighter color.  However, natural light is the most sought after solution because of the many benefits it brings.

Daylighting, the process of maximizing natural light in a space through window placement, is a big trend all over the world.  Using natural light in the home and work place is shown to make people happier and more productive.  It reduces eyestrain and boosts energy.  Daylighting makes rooms seem larger and even reduces electricity bills because light fixtures do not need to be turned on as much.  A few ways to increase the natural light in your home is to incorporate windows, sun tunnels and skylights.

Windows-  Windows are the number one way to allow natural light into a home.   Windows do not have to be clear glass, they can be tinted or use low-transmittance glass to reduce glare.  Even on a cloudy day, windows can fill a room with light.  This greatly reduces energy costs because electric lights are not needed as much.  It is recommended to choose low-e (low emissivity) window options, which reduce heat flow.  Low-e windows have an extremely thin, transparent metal coating on them.  Many windows are rated with the Energy Star logo meaning they are high-efficiency windows that meet Energy Star guidelines.  These windows can get homeowners a tax credit of up to $500.  Products such as the Pella 350 series have triple-pane glass for maximum efficiency and come in multiple sizes and design options.

large triple window unit

Sun Tunnels-  Sun Tunnels, such as Velux, are becoming a popular choice for easily allowing more sunlight into the home.  These are metal tubes that go through the ceiling and out the roof.  They can be angled to fit different roof pitches.  The top part of the sun tunnel is a clear dome that has a low profile and sits close to the roof.  The light goes through the tunnel and into the room.  Sun Tunnels are energy efficient and do not allow heat in or out.  They can also qualify for tax credits due to energy efficiency ratings.  These tubes even work when it is cloudy out.  The tubing is highly reflective which shines available light down into the room.

Sun Tunnel Cross Section

Hallway infused with free sun tunnel light

Since there are no shades for the sun tunnel, they should only be placed in rooms where you will always want the light to come in.  So placement in a bedroom should be avoided.  Many of our clients love the idea of a sun tunnel in their bathroom remodel and one well placed sun tunnel often allows them to use the bathroom without turning on a light at all.

Skylights-  Skylights have come a long way and current models do not have the leaking problems of the past.  They come with leak-proof flashing and can fit any type of roof pitch.  Some skylights also have optional shades and blinds that can be controlled with a remote.  In order to take maximum advantage of the benefits of skylights, we recommend opting for a double pane window vs. single pane.  This helps to reduce heat loss from the home.  Skylights can be completely sealed off, like a picture window, or they can be opened to allow for ventilation.  They also come in different shapes, but rectangular is the most popular.  Skylights can be made from plastic or glass.  The plastic can discolor over time, so glass is usually the preferred option.  The glass is usually tempered for better impact resistance.  For maximum heat gain in the winter, it is recommended that windows are placed on the south facing side of the home; however this also means that shades should be used in the summer to prevent too much heat during those months.

The Effect of Heat Transfer with Low E Coated Window Panes

 

A Room Transformed by Skylights

As you can see in the above picture, the skylights fill this studio with natural light and makes the room a cheery and inviting place to work or relax.

So this fall, make a plan to fix those dreary dark areas of your home and let the light in – Summit Design Remodeling can help.

Emily Miner, ASID, GAC, CLC
Interior Designer, Summit Design Remodeling
 
Summit Design Remodeling is a design/build remodeling company serving all of Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland.  To see our remodeling galleries, go to www.summitdesignremodeling.com
 

 

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Design Tip – Hiding Cords & Cables with an AV Cabinet

Posted on July 26, 2011 by laurie
When you are planning your next remodeling project, it’s a great time to look at your existing space and decide what can be done to have more organization and a cleaner, neater look. One of our recent clients in Reston, VA hired us to frame and install a new fireplace and to create a TV niche above the fireplace. During the design phase, the homeowner asked what we could do to hide all the cords, cables, and electronic equipment like her cable box and DVD player. See photo below:

Before photo

Fortunately on either side of this TV alcove were framed walls with unused space inside. This allowed us the design flexibility to create a recessed AV cabinet. For our design, we decided to frame in the alcove, stack the fireplace and TV niche and build a stone veneer wall to join the two. See 3D design photo below:

3d design concept

We also designed the AV cabinet to go in the wall on the end to the left of the fireplace. One of our design priorities was to make the AV cabinet very understated, almost unnoticeable. So we recessed it into the wall and painted it the same color as the wall. Another requirement was providing for adequate ventilation since the electronic components would be generating heat. We decided to order a pre-made wood screen and built the cabinet on site. See picture below:

Outside of AV Cabinet

While the openings in the screen are rather small, we wanted to make sure that you couldn’t see anything inside the cabinet. So we painted the inside of the cabinet black. See photo below:

Inside of AV Cabinet

All of the cords and connections are fed from the back of the TV niche to the back of the cabinet so all the cords and cables are not visible at all. You may be wondering how the components are going to work with a remote control. We thought of that too. Right under the TV there is a small RF repeater that sends the signal from the remote control to the electronic components in the cabinet. So the homeowners only have to point the remote to the bottom of the TV. Since the fireplace is a Heat-n-Glo Escape 36 Direct Vent gas fireplace, we were able to install the fireplace starter components in the AV cabinet as well. The finished look is stylish and clutter free. See photo below:

Finished project

The homeowners were very pleased with the results and other than a remote control, they don’t have to see any AV equipment at all. If you don’t have an alcove just like this home, there are other ways to hide AV equipment too. Hire a professional remodeling company such as Summit Design Remodeling to design and build your clean, sleek new look.
Laurie Crum – Design Consultant
Summit Design Remodeling, LLC
 
Summit Design Remodeling is a design-build remodeling company serving all of Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland. 
www.summitdesignremodeling.com
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Olney, MD Students Repair Homes in Appalachia

Posted on July 24, 2011 by summitdr

Olney, MD — High school students recently packed their bags and headed to a once-bustling coal town, Chavies, Kentucky, for a week of community service, mending homes and lifting hearts.

The forty students and thirteen adults from Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church raised money to participate in a program called Appalachian Service Project (ASP). They worked with families to repair homes “warmer, safer, and drier homes”: strengthening foundations, patching leaks, building walls, repairing stairs, digging ditches, painting exteriors, and connecting with residents. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJheAV8J-Uk

The Director of Design at Summit Design Remodeling, Chris Hambrecht, joined the students as an adult mentor. He noted that some families could barely live in houses they owned because the buildings were literally collapsing around them, and they lacked the funds or the ability to fix them.

Others had become trapped by their houses, such as one elderly woman who couldn’t safely leave her home due to unsafe and unstable stairs outside the door of her trailer. One of the Oakdale teams built her a brand new porch and set of stairs.

Chris’s group worked on a house that was ravaged by termites: “We took down two exterior walls and rebuilt the floor system. Then we put in new footings and rebuilt the walls. The families were willing to lend a helping hand with the ASP teams, and those that were able came out to work with us.”

Through the service, students saw the harsh reality of depressed economies in Appalachia after the coal and logging booms. As of the 2009 Census, Chavies, KY, had a poverty level of 27.7%, which is nearly double the national average of 14.3%. From hundreds of applications from families in need, ASP is only able to help about one in ten.

“Seeing this kind of poverty was really eye-opening for the kids and for myself, seeing how much we have in this area in wealth and jobs compared to other parts of the country,” Chris explained. “The kids learned that not everyone lives in affluence, and not every kid has an iPhone, Xbox, or HDTV in their room. They have very little in Chavies by our standards, but they are happy and grateful for what they do have. We are very blessed in this area and sometimes we need to be reminded just how much.”

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Summit Design Remodeling is a full-service design/build remodeler centered in Old Town Fairfax, VA. In Metro DC, we serve all of Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland. Services include kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement remodeling, room additions, carports, garages, porches, sunrooms, decks, custom cabinets, built-ins, bars, universal design, and more!

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Come See Summit at the Capital Home Show!

Posted on July 18, 2011 by summitdr

Capital Home Show in Chantilly, Virginia -- Home Remodeling Show

Front Porch Arch, Design by Chris HambrechtMark your calendars! Summit Design Remodeling will be exhibiting at the Capital Home Show on the weekend of
September 23th – 25th, 2011 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet us and discuss your remodeling project.  A large variety of home-related vendors will be there for you to get more ideas and inspiration.

Children 5 and under are free, and if you purchase tickets now online you can save $3 per ticket. To purchase the tickets you can go to www.capitalhomeshow.com. See you at
the show!!

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Fairfax City Celebrates the July 4th Holiday in Grand Style

Posted on July 4, 2011 by summitdr

Today I want to pause from remodeling for a minute and celebrate our nation’s birthday.  We at Summit Design Remodeling had the perfect location in Old Towne Fairfax, VA to view the Fairfax City Independence Day Parade and Celebration.  I was totally amazed at how big the parade was and how many participating marching bands, floats, civic clubs, clowns, classic cars, community leaders and police and fire departments there were.  If you think about it, school is out of session, but the students of the Fairfax High School Marching Rebels were in their full parade uniforms and filling the streets with their patriotic sounds.   What is even more amazing is that we were honored to have the Washington Redskins Marching Band in attendance!!!   Way to go Fairfax!!!!

Here are some pictures I was able to shoot through the throngs of people:

Fairfax High School Flag Corp & Marching Band

Drum & Fife Corp

Fairfax City Band

Seventeenth Virginia Infantry -Company D Fairfax Rifles

Washington Redskins Marching Band

Happy Birthday America!!

Laurie Crum – Design Consultant
Summit Design Remodeling – a design/build residential remodeling company serving Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland.
www.SummitDesignRemodeling.com
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Virginia Home Efficiency Rebate Program, Opened June 20

Posted on June 21, 2011 by summitdr

Good news for Virginia homeowners looking to purchase replacement windows and exterior doors, insulation, and air sealing! The Commonwealth of Virginia is offering up to total rebates of up to $595 towards energy improvements on your home. Act now! The $5M funding for this program likely will be claimed in just a few days. See complete info below.

Home Efficiency Rebate Program To Open on June 20, 2011
From http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/HomeEfficiency.shtml

“Summary: Because of unclaimed and unreserved funds remaining from the first two rounds of the Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, approximately $5 million will be available for a new Virginia Home Efficiency Rebate Program to make existing homes more energy efficient. Energy efficiency improvements include upgrading certain heating equipment, adding insulation, replacing leaky windows, and making other improvements to existing homes that reduce energy consumption and utility costs. Under this new program, homeowners will be eligible to reserve funds for rebates for 20 percent of the costs of qualifying energy conserving products and services, up to $595. Energy audits will be rebated for the cost of the audit, up to $250.

The application process for the home efficiency rebates will be opened at 12 noon on June 20, 2011. We will accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding has been reserved. A waiting list will also be created, and applicants will be placed on that list in the order in which they are received. As approved rebates are redeemed and paid, additional funds from unclaimed rebates will allow us to approve requests on the wait list over the next few months.

Energy efficient equipment and items purchased and installed on or after March 26, 2010 will be eligible for the rebate if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

If you received a rebate for specific equipment and items under the previous Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, you cannot apply for a rebate for the same equipment or item under the new Home Efficiency Rebate Program. However, if for example, you previously received a rebate for 10 windows, and want to install 4 more windows purchased after March 26, 2010, you can apply for a rebate for the additional windows that were not included in the previous rebate.

Click here to reserve, check status or modify, or redeem a rebate:
https://epm.virginiainteractive.org/HERebate“

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Factors to Consider When Buying Cabinets – Part 3

Posted on June 16, 2011 by summitdr

 

It’s a common sentiment with many of our remodeling clients that they think they don’t have enough storage space in their kitchen.  I hear it all the time.  In some cases this is very true.  But sometimes the problem is not the quantity of space available, but the accessibility of what is being stored and how it’s organized.  Homeowners pay a lot of attention to the cabinetry finish, but what’s inside the cabinet should be just as important as the finish.  In today’s market there are numerous innovative storage options available to the consumer through cabinet manufacturers and retrofit companies.  So how do you decide how much storage space will be sufficient for you?  Does your kitchen ever look like this one?

cluttered kitchen

cluttered kitchen

Hiring an expert kitchen designer (such as those at Summit Design Remodeling) can solve your kitchen organization problems as well as giving you a beautiful newly remodeled kitchen.  Providing efficient storage requires focus on it from the very beginning of the design process.  Storage space needs vary for each client and at Summit Design Remodeling, kitchen organization is designed to suit a cook’s work methods, storage needs, lifestyle, and budget.  Organizing the storage space by zones helps to determine the way the kitchen can be used.

The three main workstations in a kitchen include the stove, the refrigerator, and the sink.  This is commonly referred to as the “Work Triangle” which is the walking pattern that the cook makes in the kitchen while preparing a meal.  The diagram below gives you an example of the work triangle in this U-shaped kitchen:

Work Triangle Example

Work Triangle Example

You can see that the triangle is not even on all sides (which is most often the case) and shows you that the walk to and from the sink will be less efficient than moving from the frig to the stove.  Kitchens these days are even more complicated than the gold work triangle standard because many kitchens have cooktops and wall ovens split up and we have microwaves and other small appliances involved in food preparation.  This makes the work triangle even more variable.  Kitchens have grown in scope and size over the past few decades as homeowners view the kitchen as the central spot for gathering and entertaining.

Food Storage: Adequate food storage depends on your shopping and eating habits as well as your family size.  Some questions a kitchen designer may ask you can include:

  • Do you go food shopping once a week (or less often) or do you shop every few days?
  • Are your food preferences simple or do you prepare meals with many pantry ingredients?
  • Do you cook with more perishable ingredients or more shelf stable ingredients?
  • Do you buy food in bulk and if your storage capacity increased would you purchase more bulk items?

If you store in bulk, shop less frequently, or use a lot of pantry ingredients, then your kitchen design will call for a large pantry or food storage space.  I have seen some Summit clients, especially more empty-nesters moving away from the big pantry closet or big pantry cabinet and choosing to store food in regular wall and base cabinets.  For those with large food storage needs, I still recommend some type of pantry-type storage.  Other than a framed closet, here are some other pantry cabinet options:

As  you can see above there are simple pantry cabinets with doors that open up with shelving on the doors and pull-out trays.  Then there are the more complicated pantry cabinets with shelving units that swing aside to reveal further shelving.  Then there are pantry cabinets that open up like a drawer with interior shelves that allow you to see everything – even what’s in the back.  Some pantry units are full height and some are base cabinet options.

Tableware Storage:

This zone should be close to the dishwasher and sink.  These cabinets should house everyday dishes, bowls, mugs, glasses, and flatware.  Having these items stored near the dishwasher and sink allows for easy cleanup after a meal with few steps needed to move from the sink to the cabinetry or from the dishwasher to the cabinetry.

Food Preparation:

For this zone, use the longest uninterrupted counter space between the sink and the refrigerator or between the sink and the oven.  In this zone, place the cutting boards, knives, colanders, strainers, mixing bowls, mixers, blenders, measuring cups and spoons and other food prep utensils.  Some people also prefer the spice storage to be in this zone.  For me, I add a lot of spices at the stove while cooking and prefer to have them in the cooking zone.  For you, maybe the food prep. zone is better for spice storage.

Cooking:

This zone is around the oven and stove top, which in these days are often two separate appliances.  In these zones you should place your pots, pans, cooking utensils, potholders, and bake-ware.

Clean-up:

This area includes the main sink, dishwasher, trash and recycle bins, cleaning products, dish towels, paper towels, garbage bags and food storage materials.

Additional Zones:

Whether on the outskirts of the kitchen or integrated into the work triangle, additional storage zones can include:

  • Message or Charging Center – this area corrals a combination of mail, messages, reminders, coupons, bills, calendar, grocery list, phone, cell phone chargers, and keys.
  • Meal Plannning – If you have everything else covered, it is nice to have a meal planning zone (which can be combined with a message center) which allows for storage of recipes, cookbooks, shopping lists, writing instruments, and ideally a writing surface and seating.  Having computer access in this zone can be a nice feature as well.
  • Beverage Center – A popular addition to today’s kitchen is a separate refrigerated unit to store cold beverages and ice making units.  This may be a feature to consider if you have a large family or like to entertain.
  • Medicine Storage – If you or anyone in your household takes daily medications, designating a medicine storage area can be a real convenience and help with medication compliance.  Medicines can be stored in a wall cabinet, out of a child’s reach.

There are numerous items available in cabinetry to organize your storage.  Improvements have been made on blind corner cabinet storage, spice storage, and waste can storage.  Below are pictures of some of the many products available:

As you can see in the pictures above, there are several good options for organized spice storage, waste cans no longer have to be out in the open or crammed under the sink, pull out shelves make for easy reach for items in the back of base cabinets, blind corner cabinets now have special racks that can bring the items hidden in the inaccessible blind area to you, and there are many options for wine storage.  There are many more cabinet accessories, too numerous to show here.  One thing that I always caution my clients about though is to watch the quantity of accessory items that are put in your kitchen design.  The accessories are usually expensive and can quickly bump up your cabinetry cost in no time.  That doesn’t mean that you should decline all the accessories either.  Think about the ones that would be the most useful to you and choose them wisely.  I hope that this blog article gives you some ideas to maximize the kitchen storage space that you have.  When it comes time to remodel your kitchen, hire a qualified kitchen designer so we can help you sort out your storage and use needs and help you have the beautiful kitchen you’ve always wanted.  Below are some photos of some beautiful kitchen projects we’ve done:

Laurie Crum,
Design Consultant – Summit Design Remodeling, LLC
Special recognition goes to Laura Hessler, a design intern who contributed greatly to this blog article.
Summit Design Remodeling is a full service design-build remodeling firm serving Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland.
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Interior Trim – A Missed Opportunity

Posted on April 7, 2011 by summitdr

In home remodeling, homeowners have a great opportunity to really change the feel of a room.  Many times the person with an untrained eye will look at a room and know they like it, but can’t put a finger on why they like it.  Most often it’s the fine details.  Detail sets things apart.  Detail can add value and change a mood.  It is subtle, but very powerful.   Interior trim when it is done well can add that detail that makes the difference between an average room and a truly spectacular room.  Take a look at the before and after of this foyer/stairwell remodeling job:     

Before Image

Dramatic improvement with enhanced trim

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
From a practical standpoint, interior trim serves a purpose by bridging a transition from one building material to another.  Typically we find interior trim around doors and windows (casing) or at the floor (baseboard.)  In many homes the interior trim is a very small profile and adds very little visual interest or value to a home.    This is a missed opportunity.   If your next project has you modifying interior trim I would encourage you to explore some of the wonderful profiles of interior trim available before you re-install that 2” cove molding around a new door or windows.   Typically the labor is about the same to install a larger trim so the cost of this modification is the cost of the new trim profile.  You will be amazed at the difference this can make in a space.  I have people tell me that my house feels different, cozy, warm and bright.  They have painted their homes and cannot quite put their finger on why mine feels different.  I live in the same house they do but have upgraded my interior trim.  My windows and door openings are highlighted with a wider trim and I have a taller base board.  With a contrasting wall color the white interior trim, doors and windows are now architectural elements.   Painting a room is like changing your clothes, but adding an upgraded interior trim is like getting a great haircut or losing weight.  It is a physical change that adds value and lasts.   When you remodel your home, don’t miss your opportunity.
Chris Hambrecht
Director of Design – Summit Design Remodeling
Summit Design Remodeling is a design-build remodeling company serving the greater D.C. metro area.
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