Bathroom Caulking 101

Posted on September 9, 2011 by myh0m3

Preventing water damage inside our bathrooms is just as important as directing water away from our homes. Caulking, as part of routine homeowner maintenance, prevents avoidable damage around the multiple fixtures and differing building materials located inside a bathroom. To get started all you need to know are the areas inside a bathroom that need to be regularly maintained, how to remove existing caulking, and how to apply a new bead caulk.

What Areas Need to be Maintained?

Gaps occur along joints, where a transition between materials or surfaces has occurred. These seemingly minor spaces can be a location where water could penetrate, causing much larger problems. The typical areas in a bathroom that need to be maintained exist in and around tubs, showers, and vanities. Specific locations will vary depending on the fixtures and materials installed in your home. Examples include:

  • Along the seams of a tub/shower surround.

  • Along the wall, where a tub/shower surround terminates.

  • Along the top of a tub, where the tile meets the tub.

  • Along the ceiling, where the tile meets the ceiling.

  • Along the floor, where a tub/shower meets flooring.

  • Along the top of a vanity, where a backsplash meets the vanity top.

  • Along the top of backsplash or counter, where they meet the wall.

  • Around faucets, shower heads, hot/cold knobs, and spouts.

Maintaining these areas is easier and less expensive than making the costly repairs that are caused by water damage. On an annual basis you should inspect the areas listed above. If the existing caulk is discolored or has mildew on the surface, it can be cleaned using commercially available cleaners or general household materials such as bleach, baking soda, distilled vinegar, or peroxide. If the existing caulking is dry, loose, damaged, missing, or stained, it should be removed and replaced.

How to Remove Existing Caulking

Caulking can generally be removed using caulk softener/remover, along with a utility and putty knife.

  1. Apply the softener/remover and allow it to soak into the existing caulking for a few hours.

  2. After the softner/remover has had time to soak into the caulk, score the existing caulking along the joint using a utility knife and carefully scrap it away with a putty knife. Ensure that the adjacent surfaces aren’t scratched while using the utility and/or putty knife. Depending on what type of caulk is present, a heat gun may be required. Variable temperature heat guns with a low temperature setting under 300 degrees will work just fine. Keep the heat gun moving, working your way along the joint to soften the existing caulking. Then remove it using a putty knife. Be cautious while operating the heat gun as to prevent personal injury and to protect adjacent materials from damage caused by excessive heat.

  3. Once the existing caulking is removed from the joint, clean up the debris and vacuum the joint. Using a rag with rubbing alcohol or another appropriate solvent, scrub clean the surfaces adjacent to the joint. If mildew was present, you should apply a mildew remover to the joint to kill any lingering mildew spores. Rinse with warm water and then allow enough time for the surface to completely dry.

How to Apply New Caulking

Once the joint and adjacent surfaces are completely dry, new caulk can be applied. Caulk, in general, is a non-porous, flexible material that adheres to the surface of building materials along a joint. While there are many different types of caulk, you should use a specially formulated silicone caulk for fixtures and materials in a bathroom. Kitchen/bath silicone caulk is permanent, waterproof, flexible, shrink-proof, crack-proof, and resistant to mildew. It is available in a variety of colors or in a paintable formulation. It is sold at home improvement stores in tubes that are intended to be used with a caulk gun as well as hand squeeze tubes or pressurized cans.

Prior to applying caulk, ensure the adjacent materials along the joint are fairly tight to one another, less than 1/8” gap. If the gap is larger than 1/8″, a foam backer rod should be pressed into the gap to fill the void. While it’s not entirely necessary, masking tape provides beginners with a professional appearance, ensuring a clean and straight bead. Apply masking tape to both surfaces adjacent to the joint, about an 1/8” away from the joint. After the joints are masked, you should prepare the tube of caulk.

Using a utility knife cut at a 45 degree angle to remove the tip of the caulk tube at the 1/8” bead score mark. Any less and you won’t have a bead to work with, any more and you’ll have too much. I prefer to use just the right amount, if not less, and then come back to hit an area again if necessary.  Once the tube is open, place it in the caulk gun. Ensure you have plenty of paper towels and/or rags available, along with a small pale of water.

When you have finished applying the caulk you can use a wet finger or caulk applicator tool to smooth the bead. Immediately remove the masking tape, pulling it away from the bead of caulk on a 45 degree angle. Allow the new joint time to set up — some kitchen/bath silicone caulks set up in 1 – 3 hours. While this may be the case, I prefer to wait 24 hours before taking a shower or bath.

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Couple Gets 93-Percent Return on Home Makeover

Posted on September 8, 2011 by myh0m3

From Margaret on September 8th, 2011 in General Remodel

modern-kitchen-remodel

We’ve mentioned how the right renovation gets you great returns on your investment. We’re not kidding. Lindsay and Jason Schwager will attest to the fact.

These two Sarasota residents decided to undergo a huge renovation of their tiny two-bedroom, two-bath 1959 home in Arlington Park near Sarasota, Florida, and received a beautiful home and 93-percent return in the process.

Though they were novice homeowners, Jason as a restaurant manager had studied space planning and traffic flow, and Lindsay (whose maiden name is Chapman) came from a pedigree including Chapman and Associates, a real estate appraiser founded in 1951.

Having been through enough homes evaluating what works and what doesn’t, Lindsay was confident that she and Jason could redo their outdated home to suit their more modern lifestyle.

modern-kitchen-couple

Being careful not to “overimprove” for the neighborhood, the Schwagers undertook a large home renovation overhaul. They had a vision. They drew it on paper. They hired a contractor.

Take note—and click here to get pricing from contractors best suited for your needs.

The original floorplan included a galley kitchen and several rooms cut off from each other. In the end, the great room opened up and consisted of the kitchen, two seating areas, and the dining area.

The finished space got them on a Tampa Bay episode of “Bang for Your Buck” on HGTV. The show evaluates three homeowners who spend $70,000 on a great renovation to see which candidate receives the highest return on investment.

Here is where you want to take more notes. Renovations, with a return and beautiful renovation in mind, included several areas of the house. Aside from the opening up the great room, the couple wanted a modern kitchen. They also wanted new roofing, a new bathroom, and new floors.

Upgraded appliances and countertops and materials. With all of these renovations being notoriously high on investment return (as well as improving current living enjoyment), this renovation was immediately headed in the right direction.

modern-bathroom-remodel

The couple also went for changes that gave a big bang for their buck. New dramatic light fixtures. High ceilings and beautiful window additions in the new entrance foyer.

“The foyer cost $12,000 for the 68-feet of new space, but it makes all the difference in the world,” Lindsay says. The addition changes the entire look of the exterior, creating “a sense of arrival and a formal transition from outside to inside.”

As extensive as these renovation projects seem to be, the entire project only took five months.

And out of the total $140,000 they spent on the house and yard renovations, the remodel has been appraised for a potential 93% return. Especially considering the ongoing economic slump, that number is absolutely incredible.

Photos via Herald-Tribune

About the Author:

Margaret Everton
I ran a design boutique in Beverly Hills before designing and consulting about children’s spaces privately. I also consult and write often about efficient living and green design. In this web-wide world of design, I offer virtual consulting and design packages, and love to help create successful spaces. I believe that a deliberate environment increases the happiness of families and individuals—deliberate in style and aesthetics as well as functionality. The oldest of six children, and a parent of two, I have also personally seen how good design matters. In the hustle of daily life, sometimes the greatest parental tool is a calm atmosphere in which to unwind and engage with each other. Please feel free to see me also at BonBon Living and Houzz.

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Use Video Cameras to Save you Time and Money

Posted on September 8, 2011 by myh0m3

Burst water and clogged drainage pipes are enough of a problem on their own. Many cases of damaged and blocked pipes are only minor repairs once the location of the trouble is found. Often, the break or clog condition is not out in the open where it is evident. Repairing the problem might take you into a sub floor, inside a solid brick wall or under a concrete driveway. You can spend thousands in unnecessary excavation or removal of brickwork if you’re not sure of the problems location. Consequently, detection and specific location finding can save you thousands of your hard earned pounds. Being able to locate drainage services problems without ripping open your walls, floors and ceilings to repair the plumbing is a great advantage.

Serious drainage services contractors provide their service engineers with CCTV drainage cameras for pipe inspections in full colour. These high tech cameras can be inserted at any existing access point of your sewer or storm-water drainage system. With this superior accurate inside the pipe vision, location of damage to pipes and obstructions in drains, is provided with pinpoint accuracy. This allows for only having to do the absolute minimum necessary excavation work. These CCTV in-the-pipe camera inspections provides the ability to give you a true estimate of the cost of repairs and the extent of damage, before any actual excavation work is preformed.

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Next-Generation Heavy Equipment

Posted on September 8, 2011 by myh0m3

Because I love heavy machinery, watching the massive mining equipment in “Avatar,” notably the Slash Cutter and the D-22 dozer, had me secretly thinking, “Holy cow, I wanna drive that thing!” The lingering images of the uber-heavy equipment and its seemingly boundless ability to get a lot of work done in a hurry made me think of how today’s machines might morph into these mega-machines. Although “Avatar’s” remote-controlled bull dozer may exist only on screen, Google recently announced that it had sent one of its self-driving Toyota Priuses over 140,000 miles of California roads by using their Google Maps and Street View technology. Likewise, the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford (CARS) sent a robotic self-driving Audi TTS coupe up Pikes Peak in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at racing speeds, further fueling my imagination about next-generation equipment.

Of course, we must stay grounded in the physics of the real world when we consider heavy equipment. Pushing, scooping, lifting, moving, crushing, mixing, and generally getting object A to location B will always generally involve blades, wheels, tracks, engines, and an operator, but incremental improvements are happening in the design, mobilization, and use of heavy equipment. Some improvements may go unnoticed while others may have far-reaching effects. The deployment of autonomously operated equipment will undoubtedly enhance the safety and operation of heavy machinery because their operators will be relocated into operation centers.

Incremental improvements to heavy equipment are being delivered daily. These component changes will add up to a much more efficient and productive use of heavy equipment. Improvements to engines, GPS control, fuel economy, Internet Protocol (IP) systems control, robotics, fleet management and deployment, lighter materials, greater use of electric motors, and componentry will add up to much more powerful and efficient machines.

Volvo is particularly forthcoming with images of their conceptual heavy vehicles; these images provide a clue to some of the more visible improvements that are on the way. Its “Fenix” paver concept model shows componentry at work, where a pre-filled POD is deployed systematically in front of the paver to supply asphalt. Once the POD is emptied, it automatically collapses for convenient return to the batch plant for its next load.

Volvo’s “Gryphin” wheel loader is surely named for the powerful mythical creature that is half lion and half eagle. Revolutionary innovation includes the four independently driven wheels, each with its own electric motor, that allow it to climb in unprecedented ways. This bird includes a zero-emission electric hybrid engine and a cab that has photometric glass, lightening and darkening as daily conditions change for optimum operator visual acuity.

The cool-looking “Centaur” articulated hauler improves the flexibility options available to a job site, where its tractor is able to be uncoupled quickly from its trailer component, allowing for rapid response to a variety of work application needs, where it can be a dump truck one minute and a fuel carrier the next.

Volvo's Centaur articulated hauler

Particularly notable is the next generation research coming out of Volvo CE’s Product Portfolio and Advanced Engineering Department, working with Swedish industrial design firm Prospective Design as well as Volvo Group’s Technology Centre in their development of a next-generation excavator. The “SfinX” conceptual excavator not only brings incremental improvements to basic components like the bucket and boom, it also includes some highly innovative components that (Volvo admits) may not be incorporated into product development but that otherwise are great ideas. The diesel engine is replaced by a hydrogen fuel cell system that emits only water vapor and heat. The engine moves to the rear where it also does work as an “active counterweight,” moving in and out to compensate for movement in the boom. Composite materials that have yet to be invented are shown, including high-abrasion wheel material improving traction. These lighter and stronger materials will improve the efficiency of the equipment, where energy is devoted to moving material and not heavy booms and buckets. Making operator efficiency a hallmark of the design, Volvo made the cab removable for remote operation in dangerous locations or when the excavator is needed underwater. Strategically placed cameras can broadcast a better view of what the excavator is up to than what’s typically available from behind the boom and bucket.

All in all, the future looks very bright for the next generation of heavy equipment. So guys (and gals), whatever you do, DON’T let your environmentally responsible daughter (or son) or wife (or husband) watch this true-to-life “Avatar”-like Komatsu machine at work.

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Next-Generation Heavy Equipment

Posted on September 8, 2011 by myh0m3

Because I love heavy machinery, watching the massive mining equipment in “Avatar,” notably the Slash Cutter and the D-22 dozer, had me secretly thinking, “Holy cow, I wanna drive that thing!” The lingering images of the uber-heavy equipment and its seemingly boundless ability to get a lot of work done in a hurry made me think of how today’s machines might morph into these mega-machines. Although “Avatar’s” remote-controlled bull dozer may exist only on screen, Google recently announced that it had sent one of its self-driving Toyota Priuses over 140,000 miles of California roads by using their Google Maps and Street View technology. Likewise, the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford (CARS) sent a robotic self-driving Audi TTS coupe up Pikes Peak in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at racing speeds, further fueling my imagination about next-generation equipment.

Of course, we must stay grounded in the physics of the real world when we consider heavy equipment. Pushing, scooping, lifting, moving, crushing, mixing, and generally getting object A to location B will always generally involve blades, wheels, tracks, engines, and an operator, but incremental improvements are happening in the design, mobilization, and use of heavy equipment. Some improvements may go unnoticed while others may have far-reaching effects. The deployment of autonomously operated equipment will undoubtedly enhance the safety and operation of heavy machinery because their operators will be relocated into operation centers.

Incremental improvements to heavy equipment are being delivered daily. These component changes will add up to a much more efficient and productive use of heavy equipment. Improvements to engines, GPS control, fuel economy, Internet Protocol (IP) systems control, robotics, fleet management and deployment, lighter materials, greater use of electric motors, and componentry will add up to much more powerful and efficient machines.

Volvo is particularly forthcoming with images of their conceptual heavy vehicles; these images provide a clue to some of the more visible improvements that are on the way. Its “Fenix” paver concept model shows componentry at work, where a pre-filled POD is deployed systematically in front of the paver to supply asphalt. Once the POD is emptied, it automatically collapses for convenient return to the batch plant for its next load.

Volvo’s “Gryphin” wheel loader is surely named for the powerful mythical creature that is half lion and half eagle. Revolutionary innovation includes the four independently driven wheels, each with its own electric motor, that allow it to climb in unprecedented ways. This bird includes a zero-emission electric hybrid engine and a cab that has photometric glass, lightening and darkening as daily conditions change for optimum operator visual acuity.

The cool-looking “Centaur” articulated hauler improves the flexibility options available to a job site, where its tractor is able to be uncoupled quickly from its trailer component, allowing for rapid response to a variety of work application needs, where it can be a dump truck one minute and a fuel carrier the next.

Volvo's Centaur articulated hauler

Particularly notable is the next generation research coming out of Volvo CE’s Product Portfolio and Advanced Engineering Department, working with Swedish industrial design firm Prospective Design as well as Volvo Group’s Technology Centre in their development of a next-generation excavator. The “SfinX” conceptual excavator not only brings incremental improvements to basic components like the bucket and boom, it also includes some highly innovative components that (Volvo admits) may not be incorporated into product development but that otherwise are great ideas. The diesel engine is replaced by a hydrogen fuel cell system that emits only water vapor and heat. The engine moves to the rear where it also does work as an “active counterweight,” moving in and out to compensate for movement in the boom. Composite materials that have yet to be invented are shown, including high-abrasion wheel material improving traction. These lighter and stronger materials will improve the efficiency of the equipment, where energy is devoted to moving material and not heavy booms and buckets. Making operator efficiency a hallmark of the design, Volvo made the cab removable for remote operation in dangerous locations or when the excavator is needed underwater. Strategically placed cameras can broadcast a better view of what the excavator is up to than what’s typically available from behind the boom and bucket.

All in all, the future looks very bright for the next generation of heavy equipment. So guys (and gals), whatever you do, DON’T let your environmentally responsible daughter (or son) or wife (or husband) watch this true-to-life “Avatar”-like Komatsu machine at work.

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Could a Botched Remodel Be the Homeowner’s Fault?

Posted on September 8, 2011 by myh0m3

From Brittany on September 7th, 2011 in Tools and Tips

shady-contractor-on-roof

Indirectly, yes.

We’ve all heard horror stories about a remodel gone bad. The pitfalls of home renovation have been popular subjects for books, television and film comedies.

For the homeowner caught in the middle of a remodeling disaster, however, it’s no laughing matter. Skyrocketing costs and ongoing delays from shady contractors can drive a homeowner to distraction, and can even end in financial hardship or divorce. How do unscrupulous contractors get away with it?

Unfortunately, homeowners sometimes invite it. When you aim for a home improvement project to be “fast and cheap,” you’re simply asking for trouble. Think about it this way: the best contractors are successful, and being successful means – you guessed it – they’re busy. In fact, it’s normal for an above-average contractor to schedule renovations two to four months in advance.

Even just speaking with a good contractor over the phone can be tricky. The dangers of construction sites – ladders, roofs, crawl spaces, cellars – as well as the noise of construction equipment – does not lend itself well to phone conversations. Expect a good contractor to take days (even a week or more) to return your phone calls.

Plan wisely from start to finish.

When searching for a contractor, try to get recommendations from an independent referral service like CalFinder.

For fast pricing on a project in your area, click here.

Once you’ve got a few potential contractors on the list, start making those phone calls – but give them a few days to get back to you.

A few key questions will help you narrow the list:

  • Have they done home improvements such as yours?
  • Will they provide references?
  • How many projects do they typically undertake at the same time?

Face-to-face interviews not only enable you to quiz the contractor about expectations for the project, they give you a chance to measure how well you will be able to communicate with the potential contractor. While it’s not a personality contest, you want to ensure that you understand what the contractor is telling you, and that he understands you as well.

Definitely follow-up with references, and if possible, visit a current job site. Seeing a job in action will give you the best idea of what to expect during your own home remodeling project.

A credible contractor will want to see plans and blueprints before making a bid on your project. In order to compare one bid against another, ask for a breakdown of materials and labor. Be very wary if one bid is much lower than several others. This may indicate that the contractor is so inexperienced that he doesn’t know how to properly quote the project, or that he plans to take shortcuts that may cost you money later.

In the long run, “fast and cheap” often equals a long, drawn-out and expensive nightmare. When it’s your home on the line, find a quality contractor that will go above and beyond for you. And then some.

About the Author:

Brittany Mauriss
Brittany Mauriss is the Creative Content Editor for CalFinder. When she isn’t busy scouring the web for insanely cool content to bring you, she can usually be found biking around Berkeley or fantasizing about the day she’ll own a solar-powered houseboat with a live-in organic foods chef. She is most proud of her diverse and talented freelance writers, all of whom bring a unique voice to the world of architecture and home remodeling. Brittany received her B.A. from UCLA in English & Creative Writing. Before CalFinder, she worked as a grant writer and director of grassroots marketing for the academic community. She likes long walks and sci-fi movies.

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LEED Platinum Education: The Green Schoolhouse Series

Posted on September 7, 2011 by myh0m3

Throughout the United States, thousands of students are spending the majority of the day in unhealthy and aging portable classrooms. Not only is their presence required, students are expected to thrive and flourish educationally in such environments. “The aging infrastructure of K-12 schools throughout the nation is a serious problem that is presenting unacceptable health and safety risks for our children,” said Marshall G. Zotara, co-founder and senior managing partner of Cause and Effect Evolutions. “In school districts throughout the country, budget deficits are making it very difficult to fund replacements.” Enter the Green Schoolhouse Series and their commitment to replace dangerous portables with LEED Platinum designed structures.

The Current Problem

National Education Association statistics indicate that more than $322 million in funding is currently needed for the repair of existing schools. Perhaps one of the biggest areas of concern is portable structures. As a result of student population booms that have occurred throughout the last 50 years, school districts have erected more than 300,000 trailer-like portables in K-12 schools. Today, many of these original structures that were intended for temporary use are still being utilized.

“We as a nation are placing a huge emphasis on student achievement… yet in many places throughout this country, the school building itself is holding the student back.” Sue Pierce, director of facility planning and energy for the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix, Arizona

“Portables were supposed to be a temporary solution for overcrowding and weren’t made to still be standing 40 years later,” said Zotara. “They are well beyond their expected lifespan, and as a result of mold, poor ventilation, and other hazards, they are unsafe and hindering students’ ability to learn.”

It is estimated that American children miss more than 14 million school days each year as a result of asthma and respiratory issues that are attributable to poor indoor air quality. And according to the National Education Association, 25 percent of existing portable classrooms are substandard or dangerous.

“We as a nation are placing a huge emphasis on student achievement in America,” said Sue Pierce, director of facility planning and energy for the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix, Arizona. “And yet in many places throughout this country, the school building itself is holding the student back.”

The Green Schoolhouse Series

The Green Schoolhouse Series is a collaboration of corporations, foundations, school districts, municipalities, media outlets, and volunteers who are committed to replacing dangerous portables with LEED Platinum designed structures. Solely through volunteer efforts, the collaborative plans to build environmentally-and technologically-advanced schoolhouses on Title 1, low-income K-12 school campuses in 18 U.S. markets throughout the next three years.

The inaugural Green Schoolhouse was designed by Stantec, Inc., a leading global architectural firm, and is being donated to students at Roadrunner Elementary School in Phoenix, AZ. Designated as the first ever LEED-Platinum designed school in the world to be built entirely by volunteers, groundbreaking is expected to begin December 1, 2011. Three additional Green Schoolhouses are scheduled to be built in the Phoenix area, followed by schools in San Diego and Los Angeles.

The Green Schoolhouse Series is a strategic partnership between Brighten A Life, a nonprofit organization that helps identify schools most in need, and Cause and Effect Evolutions, a cause development firm. Each of the schools is being funded through corporate partnerships, in-kind donations, and charitable contributions. Major corporate sponsors include American Express, Kraft, and IGA (Independent Grocers Alliance), and building partners include Armstrong Flooring, Hager, Owens Corning, and Pella.

Every Green Schoolhouse is designed to replace four to 10 aging portables with sustainable multi-purpose facilities that will range in size from 6,000 to 15,000 square feet. In addition to serving as classroom space, these structures will also be utilized for after-school programs and community use on nights and weekends. Each schoolhouse will feature a central multipurpose room, an outdoor learning space, a library, a computer lab, and a lounge.

The Loft School

“Not only will the students benefit from learning in a healthier classroom setting, the Green Schoolhouses will also serve as integral, hands-on teaching tools.” Marshall G. Zotara, co-founder and senior managing partner of Cause and Effect Evolutions

Studio SchoolSafari School

Environmental features include displacement ventilation that will help with indoor air quality, solar panels for renewable energy, and an energy management system. Goals include net zero energy use, net zero water use, and non-toxic interior environments.

In addition to adhering to LEED Platinum requirements, the Green Schoolhouses are being designed according to Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) standards. These standards go beyond health and safety and require the incorporation of the most technologically advanced learning equipment available, such as interactive whiteboards, student response systems, and overhead document cameras. CHPS standards also mandate that the schools become teaching tools in and of themselves, helping students learn about sustainability.

“The Green Schoolhouses will be built using donated top-of-the-line, green, sustainable products and state-of-the-art technologies,” said Zotara. “Not only will the students benefit from learning in a healthier classroom setting, the Green Schoolhouses will also serve as integral, hands-on teaching tools.” To donate time, services, or assist with the coordination and development of a Green Schoolhouse in your area, please visit the Green Schoolhouse Series website for more information.

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The Time for Insulation, Window Replacement is Now

Posted on September 7, 2011 by myh0m3

From Brittany on September 6th, 2011 in Window Replacement

window-replacement-interior

The deadline is fast approaching for homeowners to save money by spending it.

Many homeowners are realizing the benefits that come with home improvements like adding insulation and replacing old windows. These upgrades boost the value of your property, and can immediately make your home more comfortable by filtering sunlight, providing insulation against winter cold and eliminating drafts.

Window replacement saves you up to 40% on heating and cooling costs. Insulation saves you 30% or more. The benefits, however, don’t stop there.

To get pricing on a home upgrade in your area, click here.

When considering home improvements, some fail to take into the account the savings from available rebate and incentive programs. The federal government offers a tax credit for a variety of home improvements that increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Many states offer incentive programs as well, as do a number of cities throughout the country. Utility companies may also offer programs. Most incentive programs are for tax credits. Some offer home loans for energy-efficient home improvements. But you may need to act fast.

Time is running out to apply for the federal tax credit for purchasing insulation or energy-efficient windows. The popular tax credit program expires at the end of 2011. The credit applies to materials only. For insulation, the credit is 10% of the materials cost, up to $500. For Energy Star windows, the credit is 10% of the cost of materials, up to $200. Read the window tax credit details here.

Developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Star program has a set of criteria that products must meet to earn the Energy Star label. Windows are required to be 15% to 40% more energy-efficient than those typically used in construction. In addition, climate-specific criteria must be met.

The criteria are determined by assessing how much heat and light the window allows through, and by how much insulation it provides. Variations of these values allow window brands to produce energy-efficient windows for any climate. The Energy Star label makes it simple for you to make sure that the windows you buy will save you energy – and money – over the long run.

Rebate and credit programs are often scheduled to last a single year. States and municipalities want to review the success of programs, as well as examine annual budgets, before extending incentives. In today’s economy, it’s hard to predict which programs will be continued and which will not. Some rebate programs are simply so popular that they run out of funds before they expire.

To get the full benefits from all available programs, the sooner you check price information, the better.

A window contractor is often your best source for information about incentive programs in your area, as contractors realize that saving you money is in their best interest, too. Your local contractor can also tell you how much you’ll save on an ongoing basis through energy savings in your particular area.

Photo via Flickr CC

About the Author:

Brittany Mauriss
Brittany Mauriss is the Creative Content Editor for CalFinder. When she isn’t busy scouring the web for insanely cool content to bring you, she can usually be found biking around Berkeley or fantasizing about the day she’ll own a solar-powered houseboat with a live-in organic foods chef. She is most proud of her diverse and talented freelance writers, all of whom bring a unique voice to the world of architecture and home remodeling. Brittany received her B.A. from UCLA in English & Creative Writing. Before CalFinder, she worked as a grant writer and director of grassroots marketing for the academic community. She likes long walks and sci-fi movies.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ecopolis Plaza by Ecosistema Urbano

Posted on September 6, 2011 by myh0m3

Constructing children’s playgrounds in antiquated industrial parks may not seem like the best idea. But this is Madrid — and taking advantage of any and every available square meter has become an art form in the Spanish capital. Ecopolis Plaza is yet another example of creative urban reusability, but its focus on education makes it truly unique. A public nursery school is located at the heart of the plaza, which is designed to bring together community, sustainability, and education in one very brightly colored building.

The Spanish architect firm Ecosistema Urbano has once again managed to transform an unlikely area into a sustainable family-friendly community center, much like its Air Tree project in Vallecas. This time, however, the project is designed to be an “open environmental classroom” teaching children about the benefits of reduced energy consumption.

Ecopolis Plaza ExteriorEcopolis Plaza Exterior and GardenEcopolis Plaza GardenEcopolis Plaza

Built in 2009, Ecopolis Plaza is a childcare center in Rivas Vaciamadrid. Located about 20 kilometres outside Madrid Centro, this is currently one of the fastest growing municipalities in Spain. Previously known more for its industrial areas, Rivas Vaciamadrid has recently seen an abundance of renovation and revitalization with new urbanisation projects.

While it certainly isn’t one of the most obvious tourist destinations, a map, directions or even a street name won’t be necessary when setting out to find the Ecopolis Plaza. Its bright yellow color and geometric design make this building virtually impossible to miss.

Ecopolis Plaza Exterior and Play AreaEcopolis Plaza Play AreasEcopolis Plaza Play Areas

Its structure has been described as “a canvas-like shell stretched on to a sculptural steel frame” and it has all of the makings of a modern nursery school and family center. While the color is its most notable feature aesthetically, the building is abundantly equipped with practical green features. The strategy behind its shading is designed to control temperatures inside the multi-level building, and provide shade in the outdoor play areas. The retractable shades also allow for optimal organic gardening that is incorporated into the children’s’ many activities. In addition to strategic structural designs, the center also includes multiple solar panels, and a large play area that surrounds a natural water purification system.

While these ideas are not unheard of in many of today’s urban design trends, here these elements offer more than just a pleasant ambience of “greenness” – they show the children the full cycle of energy consumption and the importance of conservation.

Ecopolis Plaza GardenEcopolis Plaza Solar House

Adjacent to the school are two smaller structures; the “solar house” and the “energy agency”. Thanks to their open access, children (and residents) can actually see the benefits of incorporating sustainable solar and landscaping strategy within the architectural design process. It’s first-hand sustainability education at its best.

Ecopolis Plaza highlights the city’s dedication to sustainable design education within the community. It is a highly commendable project for an area that might not otherwise be noticed for its design features. The plaza was built on the idea that it’s never too early to educate children on the benefits of conservation. Certainly, with the implementation of Ecosistema Urbano’s design, the area has become a standout example of successfully blending urban planning with education.

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How to Find Your All-Star Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Posted on September 2, 2011 by myh0m3

From admin on September 2nd, 2011 in Bathroom Remodel

bathroom-remodel-contractors

As popular as bathroom remodels are, renovating a bathroom is one of the hardest projects to get right. It’s a challenge to fit everything you want into a small bathroom, especially when that can involve complex construction, plumbing and electrical work.

As a homeowner, you want assurance that your bathroom contractor is knowledgeable, professional, trustworthy and creative. How do you find a contractor with all-star qualifications?

Start with contractor referrals

The best starting point is an independent contractor referral service. At CalFinder.com, you can search contractors that are triple-vetted for licensing, insurance and quality control.

To get pricing from bathroom contractors near you, click here.

Contractor rates are also notoriously low in the fall. Now’s a great time to compare bids.

Why are these standards important?

In most states – Florida and Utah are notable exceptions – general contractors are only required to pass a written licensing exam to legally operate their business.

While most start out as construction workers, working themselves up by gaining experience in different aspects of the trade, some may not acquire the specific knowledge and experience needed to master bathroom design and construction.

Before hiring a bathroom remodeling contractor, make you sure you understand what qualifications indicate true all-star qualities.

Check their trade affiliations

Belonging to trade associations keeps professional contractors abreast of advances in technology, regulations and education. Your small bathroom contractor should be listed with one or more of the leading industry associations.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only national association that is dedicated solely to the remodeling industry, making NARI certifications good indicators of quality contractors. NARI offers a variety of certifications, including assessments of several levels of remodeling skills, with Master Certified Remodeler being the highest achievement.

NARI also offers Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler certification that ensures that, in addition to successfully completing written evaluations and tests, the contractor has had five years continuous experience and completes at least four kitchen/bathroom remodels per year. NARI also recognizes contractors who use green practices with their Green Certified Professional certification.

When a bathroom remodel involves extensive or complex plumbing configurations or designs, look for a certification association such as the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, which provides certifications in plumbing and engineering design.

Any contractor that will be doing plumbing work in your home should be associated with plumbing trade industry groups, such as the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, a leading association with 4,000 members.

Proof of insurance and permits

Another indicator of a quality, professional bathroom remodel contractor is exhibited by a knowledge of all required building permits for your renovation project, and a willingness to obtain those permits for you as part of the contract.

The contractor should offer a certificate of insurance with your name listed as the holder. A professional contractor should be able to provide you with proof of workers’ compensation and minimum levels of liability insurance for workers.

Before hiring a bathroom remodeling contractor, be sure to check references, including visiting and inspecting similar projects that the contractor has completed.

Assessing the satisfaction of other clients with the bathroom remodeling contractor’s workmanship, integrity, as well as the materials and equipment used, can help ensure that your bathroom remodel will meet all your expectations.

Photo via Houzz

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