(BPT) - As existing home sales continue to climb and housing prices increase, remodeling is also on the rise, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Owners of older homes are investing more in home improvement projects that add beauty and value, especially with environmentally friendly products.

Most homes, no matter how well maintained, will need some exterior trim replaced from time to time. Traditional wood trim boards can split, crack and rot over time, as a result of damage from the rain, snow, wind and sun.

Replacing old or damaged exterior trim with engineered wood composite trim is one way homeowners can preserve design integrity, while remaining committed to green building principles.

Check your exterior trim

Take a few minutes this spring to walk around your house and inspect your exterior trim. Look closely at the trim around your windows and doors, at the corners, and near the roofline. Pay special attention to peeling or blistering paint, green algae, warped boards, and spongy or soft spots. Also, check for termite damage, which creates more damage to U.S. homes than fire, floods and storms combined.

There are several options for replacing your existing trim. Although traditional wood trim often looks good when first installed, it can split and swell, and is prone to knots and defects. Other materials, like PVC and fiber cement trim, have performance limitations and may pose installation challenges.

Like many home products, exterior trim has evolved over the years, says Peggie Bolan, vice president, building products, for JELD-WEN. Today, homeowners can choose engineered products that last long and provide resistance to moisture, rot, termites and temperature extremes not found in other materials.

During extensive renovation of their 1830s Greek Revival-style farm house in Clifton Park, N.Y., Paul and Joanne Coons used more than 1,000 linear feet of MiraTEC Treated Exterior Composite Trim around windows, doors and other areas.

We reviewed several trim options, but we liked MiraTEC because it is a wood composite that doesnt contain oil or vinyl like PVC trim, and it is manufactured with less embodied energy than products like fiber cement, which also creates a lot of silica dust when its cut, says Paul Coons, who is also a retired director of environmental health and safety from the New York State Office of Mental Health.

With a clear cedar, wood grain texture on one side and a contemporary smooth finish on the other, MiraTEC trim suits any home style. It is most often used for roofline fascia, soffits, window and door trim, corner trim, dentil, gables, column wraps, trim along porches and similar architectural components.

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Make exterior trim part of home remodeling

Article posted: 4/12/2013 6:14 PM

To solve a space issue in your bathroom, a bidet seat can create a plumbing fixture that does double duty in a single space.

courtesy of Kohler

Q. I'm a single woman and recently closed on my own home. The bathroom is nice, but I want my contractor to do a little remodeling. Please note that I can only afford some easy upgrades and space is limited. My question: What do you recommend for a bathroom upgrade that will give some "bang for the buck" without turning into a major project?

A. As soon as I read "space is limited," the first thought that came to mind was a "bidet toilet seat." Bidet toilet seats combine the features of a separate bidet washing fixture with your existing or new elongated toilet.

If you have a "round front" toilet, you need to upgrade. Bidet seats can create a plumbing fixture that does double duty in a single space. That solves your space concerns, so let's move on to installation issues.

For the plumbing, your plumber can tap right into your water-supply valve for your present toilet. Most bidet seats also require electrical power. For that, a licensed electrician needs to follow local codes to install an approved GFI electrical outlet as per the instructions of your bidet seat.

Then you simply plug in the seat to power it up and you should be good to go.

Finally, let's talk about features. Some bidet toilet seats have remotes that can control the aerated washing wands, water temperatures, night light and comfort heating for the seat itself.

Master plumber Ed Del Grande is the author of "Ed Del Grande's House Call" and hosts TV and Internet shows. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande@cs.com.

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Looking for a little bathroom remodeling project

JGM Properties announces suburban Minneapolis remodeling contractor Executive Exteriors & Remodeling to offer cutting edge 3D design to select Minnesota home remodeling clients

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) April 11, 2013

Our full color 3D design combined with a cutting-edge online job collaboration tool, allows customers to log in and see all job documents and scheduling in real time. This online portal allows customers to approve change orders online, make selections, and file any punch list items they would like to see completed as well, says President Mike Sowers.

Executive Exteriors & Remodeling is an experienced Minnesota remodeling company which specializes in roofing and siding damage restoration as well as kitchen and bathroom remodeling. They are a member of The National Kitchen and Bath Association and a member of the MN Association of Exterior Specialists. Along with the job collaboration tool, Executive Exteriors & Remodeling offers free basic design estimates, and inspections on any project and use earth friendly products.

The collaboration tool creates ease of mind and closes the communication gap that most homeowners experience when dealing with large remodeling jobs, says Sowers.

For more details, contact Executive Exteriors & Remodeling:

Address:

Executive Exteriors & Remodeling

9909 S Shore Drive, Suite 1010

Plymouth, MN 55441

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Minneapolis Commercial Real Estate Owner Announces Tenant Executive Exteriors & Remodeling to Provide 3D Designs and ...

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In the spirit of commitment, leaders from Harleysville Insurance and Nationwide Insurance companies planted a tree on the Harleysville campus, to mark the start of a $20-million renovation project.

The renovation project is an investment in Harleysville and the associates who work there, said W. Kim Austen, President & COO, Allied Group, who along with Michael Browne, President and COO of Harleysville Insurance, was on hand to commemorate the start of the project with a ceremonial tree planting.

The Harleysville renovation project, which is projected to take 18 months to complete, includes a complete remodeling of the interior space featuring:

Exterior renovations include:

It was a year ago, May 1, that we combined with Nationwide, said Browne during the event. In that year, we experienced one of our best years for growth in our recent history. We strengthened our agency relationships by bringing them new products while maintaining our commitment to service. And weve invested in our associates with tools and resources to help them do their jobs.

Nearly 600 Harleysville associates, agents, and community members joined in the celebration.

While some associates will relocate off campus during the renovations, everyone should be back on campus when construction ends near the end of 2014.

Harleysville is now a part of Nationwides Property & Casualty independent agency business unit under the Harleysville brand.

About Nationwide

Excerpt from:
Harleysville Insurance Begins Remodeling Project

A major remodeling initiative at the Marshall County Historical Society Museum, 202 E. Church St. is nearly complete.

"Big changes," is how HSMC volunteer Scott Mason of Marshalltown fittingly described the effort requiring 2.5 months of work while he looked over new lighting and exhibits on the museum's second floor Wednesday, all done

to better communicate the county's rich history to visitors.

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY Civil War era chairs from Marshalltowns Susie Sower Historical Homestead are shown Wednesday at the Historical Society of Marshall County Museum, 202 E. Church St. The chairs will be part of an exhibit in a room exclusively devoted to Marshall County Civil War artifacts. Work in the room is in progress, and is part of a major remodeling project nearing completion at the museum. The Sower Homestead, 201 E. State St. , is part of the HSMC complex.

New carpeting, wall coverings, remodeling of exhibit areas, and an interactive map display are just a few of the improvements.

Juli Hinson, administration, said not all work is done, but workers and volunteers are targeting April 30 to finish.

It is the first major remodeling undertaken at the museum in five years, according to Mason.

One key improvement delighted volunteer Susan Williams.

A room, when finished, has been dedicated to portray the role Marshall County women played in the county's development.

"Not enough has been said or recorded about the important role women had in county history," Williams said. "Women helped build this town and county."

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Remodeling nearly complete at Historical Society museum

Weirdforgood Hangout - 10 - The Heroes Journey - A Life Remodeling Project
Spend some time discussing the ugliness of the real Heroes Journey and how our life remodeling projects, involve demolition before anything beautiful can be ...

By: Aaron Nichols

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Weirdforgood Hangout - 10 - The Heroes Journey - A Life Remodeling Project - Video

by Anna Woodwick

Sun POST Newspapers

The Northwest Suburban Remodeling Fair is coming to Crystal just in time for those contemplating spring home improvement projects.

The 21st annual fair will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Crystal Community Center. For the past two decades, 11 metro cities have joined to bring homeowners access to a host of resources to help make home improvement projects easier.

Produced by the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale, the event will feature 90 local exhibitors and free workshops throughout the day.

Theres everything from windows and siding, to closet ideas and landscaping, Beth Nelson, manager of the show, said. There is a whole host of vendors to talk to and 15 do-it-yourself workshops for hands-on learning experience.

Fair exhibitors will showcase items for renovation projects including the latest in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, cabinets, closet organization, flooring, additions, sunrooms, basement refinishing, energy efficient windows, gutters, siding and finance.

Nelson said the fair will also have in attendance master gardeners and architects that will look over yard or home plans and offer free advice.

I like to wander throughout the trade show and resource room and pop in and out of the work shops, Nelson said on her favorite part of the free event. Theres so much going on that its fun to walk around and take it all in.

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Northwest Suburban Remodeling Fair is April 6

The project involves adding over 1,000 square feet to an existing 4,000 square foot home, expanding the garage and laundry room, remodeling the kitchen, enlarging the living room and incorporating several new features.

Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) April 04, 2013

The property is situated within an area of natural desert habitat. One of the challenges during construction is to ensure no wildlife is disturbed.

The project entails doubling the size of the living room. New features in this space include a fireplace, book shelves and tall windows to enhance the view of the natural landscape.

In addition, a three-car garage will be expanded to a five-car garage. Republic West will add space to the laundry room, as well as remodel the existing kitchen.

Were excited to begin work on such a massive remodeling project, said Jim Weisman, owner of Republic West Remodeling, a leading Phoenix home remodeling company. This property is being transformed into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind desert home.

The project is expected to take three months to complete.

Interested homeowners can request a complimentary design consultation by calling 480-428-2695 or visiting the companys website at http://www.republicwestremodeling.com/.

About Republic West Remodeling

Republic West Remodeling is a leading specialist of home improvement in Phoenix, offers the highest quality home remodeling services including kitchens, bathrooms, room additions and outdoor living spaces. Jim Weisman founded the company in 2011 after co-founding Republic West in 1995. The belief from the beginning was that ethical standards, honest communication, quality work performed by company employees and a low key education and design driven sales approach was what the customer yearned for.

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Phoenix Home Remodeling Company, Republic West Remodeling , Starts Major North Scottsdale Home Renovation

MATTOON The owners of the McDonalds location in front of the Mattoon Walmart plan to bring a fresh, modern look to this restaurant with a remodeling project that is underway.

We are changing with the times, and we never stop looking for ways to improve, said owner/operator Jeanne Foley in a press release.

We anticipate the project to take nine-12 weeks from beginning to end. There will be minimal interruptions to our business, and the restaurant will continue to be open for the most part during the remodel project.

Foley this McDonalds restaurant, 103 Dettro Drive, opened in 1994.

She said the finished remodeling project will result in inviting changes to the outside appearance of the building and to the interior, where there will be a brand new PlayPlace for children.

The two McDonalds restaurants in Mattoon, as well as the restaurant in Charleston, are locally owned and operated by Ralph and Jeanne Foley.

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Remodeling starts at McDonald’s near Walmart

Several Baltimore-area workers have lost their jobs after a home remodeling company abruptly shut down.

Welsh Construction Remodeling company workers didn't expect that they'd be leaving their jobs for the last time on Thursday, but that's exactly what happened.

The Welsh website described the company as "one of the oldest and most well respected remodeling companies" in the Baltimore area that had been in business for more than 50 years. The website was abruptly taken down Thursday.

Adrian Rowe worked for the home remodeling company for 18 years.

"They just laid us off. They just laid us off," he said.

Rowe said he and his co-workers reported to work as normal when the owner broke surprising news.

"We really weren't told too much. He basically showed up, had a meeting and he told us it was over," Rowe said. "They told us that the business is shutting down, he accounts are frozen. That's basically what we got."

The well-known company has been around since 1961. Joseph Meyerhoff II bought the business two years ago, changing the name from Welsh Construction Remodeling Co. to Welsh Construction Remodeling LLC.

Meyerhoff did not return numerous calls from 11 News placed Thursday and Friday seeking comment.

A second long-time employee contacted 11 News by phone, saying there was no warning of a shut down and claiming that the company had $2.1 million in remodeling projects in progress.

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Well-known remodeling company shuts down