Businessman David Nicholson learned that its not always easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission on Wednesday, when the Rome Historic Preservation Commission voted to force him to rip out a stacked stone veneer bulkhead beneath the picture window of his tattoo shop.

It was done a little prematurely, he said during the pitch to the HPC to allow the work to remain in place at Body Canvas Tattoo, 428 Broad St.

Nicholson admitted he was not aware he had to have permission to do the work, which does not meet commission guidelines. He also said that he had not checked with the owner of the building, Carlos Naranjo, to see if the work was permitted.

I do think this is a problem, said Audrey Burton, a member of the HPC board.

Just last month the HPC approved, after considerable discussion, an awning over the patio of Moes Original Bar B Que that was constructed prior to getting approval from the HPC.

Commission Chairman Harry Wise said after the meeting that the panel had to show it was willing to make tough decisions to keep other people from doing work outside the HPC guidelines, then going in and seeking after-the-fact approval.

Back at his shop, Nicholson was trying to figure out what he was going to do.

You know what the problem is? Its what that sign says. Nicholson said, pointing to the tattoo and body piercing sign in the window of his shop. If I wasnt a tattoo shop, it would have been a totally different outcome.

The HPC also gave approval to another project that included construction that was undertaken outside the parameters of an earlier HPC Certificate of Appropriateness. Mike Schieffer was given the green light to finish construction of an upper-level bedroom to his home at 312 E. Fourth St.

Contractor Mark Long said he was not the original contractor on the project, and when he took over, thought the dormer had been included in the original approval of the work.

The panel approved the dormer because it did not dramatically change the roofline of the home and would not be visible from the street.

The HPC also refused to permit a contractor to install six vinyl windows in a home at 212 E. Ninth St. The panel was willing to allow aluminum-clad windows.

Tom Ganguzza, regional vice president of installation with Power Home Remodeling in Norcross, said aluminum-clad windows are still subject to leakage and rotting of the wooden frames, and his company could not guarantee such replacement windows.

The HPC approved replacement of windows at 202 E. Fourth Ave. and 309 E. First Ave., as long as the replacements were aluminum clad rather than vinyl.

See the original post:
HPC tells tattoo shop owner to replace facade changes - Northwest Georgia News

ELLOREE -- The town of Elloree is getting a facelift of sorts as several buildings undergo exterior and interior refurbishing.

Elloree Town Council at its meeting Tuesday was updated on improvements that have been completed at the town hall as well as the refurbishing work that is scheduled at the gymnasium and the old railroad depot.

Window replacement and improvements to the faade at Elloree Town Hall have been completed, and contractor Fred Gaskins has also completed installation of new doors and two-thirds of the renovations to the interior of the town's storage building, it was reported.

Town employees will paint the interior and exterior of the storage building to minimize expense.

Council accepted Gaskins bid to make improvements at the town gymnasium. The work will include replacing 30 windows, installing safety screens outside the windows to prevent them from being broken by vandals and replacing exterior trim with fabricated wood material that will eliminate the need for repainting in the future.

The bid also includes replacing broken glass above the doors on the Hardin Street side, emergency escape bars on the interior of doors at both ends of the building and repainting the doors and the door frame on the Lexington Street side.

Mayor Stan Busch reported a large hole had been discovered at one end of the gym's roof, through which rainwater was seeping into the restroom area. Agreeing that repairs need to be made as quickly as possible to prevent further damage, council members authorized Gaskins to complete all the work at the same time.

Busch said Gaskins is also working on a quote to put new coatings on the roof of the depot and paint the buildings exterior.

Council previously approved plans submitted by architect Gary Shaw of G3S Architecture & Design for improvements to the building next to Elloree Town Hall that will be used as the town's new police department and welcome center. The plans were approved at a special meeting of council on Jan. 30. Bids for the work are due by March 22.

Also during the meeting, the police report indicated officers responded to 20 calls for service in January. These included two arrests of subjects who were wanted in other jurisdictions; and three arrests for third-degree burglary, larceny and malicious injury in relation to an attempted break-in at the Dollar General and a burglary at the Shell station. Other incidents last month included four false alarm calls, two 911 hang-up calls that were unfounded and seven requests for assistance from other agencies. The department also issued 12 uniform traffic citations.

In addition, it was reported that Officer Buist Smith responded to the gunshot call in Santee that involved a small child. Smith assisted the Santee Police Department in securing the scene for other responding officers, it was noted.

It was also reported that the police department received the third Ford Taurus it had ordered. The vehicle will be placed into service once it has been outfitted.

Town Clerk Robin Martin reported the distribution of police fines in January as follows: Total fines collected, $1,000.75; remitted to state treasurer, $527.78; retained in Victims Assistance Fund, $118.06 and revenue retained by town, $354.91, which was placed in savings.

She said the water department is continuing to work closely with Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities employees, who are in the process of installing underground gas lines in Elloree. The DPU crews are frequently causing breaks in unmapped water lines, Dantzler reported.

Whenever (DPU workers) come up with one thats not on the map, they mark it so it can be put on there, she said. "(Town water department crews) are staying right there with (DPU employees) because theyre hitting (water lines) when theyre boring and theyre also hitting (them) with the shovel.

Dantzler said the DPU workers are helping to repair the broken lines quickly.

"Theyre working real good together, she said.

The gas line installation project is expected to take a year to complete.

Elloree Town Council's next regular meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 13.

Read more:
Town buildings being refurbished - The Times and Democrat

Haven school board members learned during a meeting Monday night that a project to build a new wash bay for district buses has nearly doubled in price from original estimates, topping $200,000, but that savings from other projects in the district could cover the increase.

Superintendent Clark Wedel advised the board that the original estimate for the facility, which the district will build next to the transportation building near district offices to wash buses and other district vehicles, was $112,000, but the company managing the districts bond projects informed him new estimates upped the price by as much as $100,000.

We probably have enough saved to cover it, Wedel said.

The increase was due to both an increase in the size of the building and the fact the district would have to buy new high-pressure spray equipment, rather than using equipment the district already owns, Wedel said.

We were thinking the one we had could be adapted to the wash bay, but we found out it was not in good condition, he said.

A representative of Hutton Construction, the company awarded a construction manager at-risk contract to manage the $12 million bond project approved by voters in June 2015, is expected to be at the March board meeting to seek approval to take bids on the wash bay project.

I dont know exact numbers, Wedel said about other projects that came in under original estimates, which might fund the extra cost. Construction of the new gym is under budget, as were wall repair projects at the middle and high school.

Meanwhile, window replacement on the Haven Grade School gym and replacement of the districts phone system both improvements outside of the bond issue should also be ready for bid in March.

This is one that gets me excited, Wedel said of the gym windows. Well fill in some and new ones will be tinted. It will be a real upgrade to that facility.

Estimates to replace the ceiling in the gym, however, were around $70,000, which was much more than the district anticipated spending.

Were still looking at the ceiling, to see what we can do, Wedel advised the board.

The high school gymnasium, meanwhile, which accounted for more than a third of the bond issue, is nearing completion, with lines to be painted on the gym floors this week, Wedel said. Overall, bond improvements are 60 to 70 percent complete, he said.

The board also learned Monday, amid discussions about closing a district elementary school to save an estimated $175,000 to $200,000 a year, that it could save some $133,000 if it refinances an energy lease contract.

Wedel told the board about two options on the lease, originally initiated in 2008 at a cost of $3.6 million in an effort to save on district energy costs. The board could tell its finance advisor, George K. Baum, that it should proceed with refinancing when doing so would guarantee savings of at least 2.5 percent, or that the district would refinance but also pay a lump sum $340,000 to cut two years off the debt contract that currently extends to 2028.

The district could draw the lump sum amount from its capital outlay funding, which presently sits at nearly $1 million, Wedel said.

Can we get someone here to explain this? Board member Paul Caffrey asked. Its complicated and Id feel better if someone explained it.

Wedel said he would put the issue back on the boards March agenda.

Read the rest here:
Estimates for cost of bus wash bay for Haven schools jumps 90 percent - Hutchinson News

City leaders agreed to improve and modernize the more than 100-year-old police station building, which continues causing problems for staff members.

The police department building is frequently filled with smells of sewer gas, among other issues such as the smell of natural gas. At the Moundsville Finance Committee meeting Tuesday, Police Chief Thomas Mitchell said they had an assessment performed on the building when the police department first moved in years ago, but regular improvements revealed more problems as time went on.

Weve been doing some improvements to the building, but weve got things come up that might possibly be in the category of major expenditures, Mitchell said. Were going to be shoring up the foundation of the building. We had a bid come in from one company, that involved propping things up, installing posts, and it was a big engineering thing, and its $35,000 for that. We had another company come in (Tuesday), and they were in the process of giving us a free estimate.

In addition to the foundation problems, Mitchell also discussed issues such as the glass used in the windows. While the glass in the lobby was replaced with safety glass after an incident last January, where a belligerent woman pitched herself out of a chair during a confrontation and through the window, receiving serious injuries the glass to the left of the doors in the detectives office remains plate glass, capable of being broken into large, dangerous shards.

Thats in the neighborhood of $8,000 to replace that glass and the door, Mitchell said. Its quite dangerous. Its not on the detectives side, so its not as critical, not as much activity. Its an old building, but were fortunate to have the space. I like it.

Window replacement is also to take place, Mitchell said, on the second floor, which currently serves as an evidence room and storage room. Of somewhat higher priority was the smell of gas, both natural gas and sewer gas, which occasionally permeates the building, such as earlier in the day, when the surveyor on site reported the smell of natural gas while in the basement, prompting a response from the Moundsville Fire Department. Mitchell pointed out that several gas lines run through the building, which were disconnected several years ago. The second and third floors once served as residential apartments before the police department began using the structure.

The committee voted to approve Mitchells independent action to collect estimates for possible repair work and submit them to the city, as is required with jobs worth over $25,000.

The Brooke County Board of Education on Monday approved new three-year contracts for the superintendent and ...

Nurses at Wheeling Park High School and Ohio Countys public middle schools soon will have Narcan, an opioid ...

Circuit Judge James Mazzone will decide whether Jarvis Lorenzo Smiths alleged recorded confession to having sex ...

WHEELING POLICE DEPARTMENT Between 9:46 a.m. Sunday and 5:11 a.m. Monday, police handled two vehicle accidents, ...

Here is the original post:
Moundsville Eyes Repairs to Police Station - Wheeling Intelligencer

The first tenants in downtown's 777 Main apartment tower moved in 20 months ago, and now the building is 95 percent leased.

But the place, surrounded by scaffolding on street level, still looks like a construction zone.

The staging hasn't been removed because the developer confirmed he is replacing "hundreds" of the original 1,900 windows in the tower damaged during the $85 million conversion of the former bank building into rentals. And the troubles are tangled up in long-running legal wrangling between the apartment developer and the general contractor over who is responsible and who should pay for the new windows.

"We've left up the scaffolding as an extra precaution," Bruce Becker, the project's Fairfield-based developer, said. "I don't like having it there. But safety has to be the priority."

The scaffolding obscures the storefront of Blue State Coffee, which opened in September, 2015, just a few months after the first tenants moved into the tower.

The staging has hurt the cafe's visibility and its goal of becoming part of the community, said Carolyn Greenspan, Blue State's chief executive.

"We do think it's an issue," Greenspan said. "It's not helping to let people know that we are there. It's not welcoming the way we want to be with the scaffolding there."

And you can't see that CVS is outfitting a space in another space on the ground floor.

In the apartments above, window replacement started in November and has been done mostly as apartments have turned over to new tenants. If tenants were in the middle of a lease, they were relocated to a furnished apartment elsewhere in the tower.

The east and south faces of the 26-story building are the priority, Becker said, because that's where the scaffolding is set up. Becker hopes the staging will be removed by late spring.

"I do look forward to it being gone by the warmer months," Nick Addamo, an urban planner who has rented an apartment in the building since October, said. "It will be nice to have the block back."

The 286-unit apartment building is the largest downtown rental development tackled so far by the Capital Region Development Authority, using taxpayer-subsidized loans and equity investments. Of the $85 million development and construction costs at 777 Main, CRDA committed a $10.2 million loan and a $7.5 million equity investment.

Becker said he is close to a settlement with the contractor, Viking Construction of Bridgeport and one of its subcontractors, Armani Restoration of Hartford. The settlement will help speed up the window replacement, but it won't cover all the costs of the new windows. The settlement is expected to be paid for by insurance carriers for Viking and Armani, Becker said.

Becker declined to discuss the terms of the settlement. He said the total number of windows to be replaced must still be determined.

Attorneys for Viking and Armani declined to comment for this story.

Becker said each window cost less than $1,000, but that does not include installation.

Becker said the damage to the 9-foot high windows original to the 1967 structure occurred after Viking hired Armani to clean the building's facade. Becker said the glass became "pitted" around the edges, compromising the views from the windows and their strength.

Under most weather conditions, Becker said the damage to the windows wouldn't present a safety problem. But if, say, a hurricane struck, the damage could cause a window to break, he said.

Becker said the exterior damage to the windows was separate from windows that broke during construction. Viking in court documents blamed that on the installation of interior storm windows designed to further insulate against heat and cold, a contention disputed by Becker.

Soon after the first residents started moving into 777 Main in June, 2015, a portion of the scaffolding along Main Street was removed. But days later, a shard of glass from a window on the sixth floor plunged to the sidewalk below. No one was hurt, but the staging was put back in place.

Although Addamo said he won't miss the scaffolding, it has had its benefits in bad weather this winter.

"I've actually been a little thankful for it in the rain and snow," Addamo said.

Read more:
Hundreds Of New Windows Needed At Hartford Apartment Tower - Hartford Courant

Ann Gregory and Laurie Scarborough, the sister team behind Door Store and Windows, actually started their careers crunching numbers as accountants, never thinking that they would be selling doors. It was their father, who happens to turn 85 this week, whose personal investment in a door manufacturing company set the wheels in motion for Door Stores creation and for his daughters next careers. Ann started at The Door Store first, 11years ago, and convinced Laurie to join her more than three years ago. What was meant to be a six-month job has turned into a wonderful partnership. Thesesisters are best friends and business partners, whose main goal every day is to make Louisville a better town to live in, one house at a time! You will never think about your doors or windows the same after meeting these two dynamos. Welcome Ann Gregory and Laurie Scarborough as todays FACES of Louisville.

Laurie Scarborough and Ann Gregory are the sister team behind Door Store and Windows, and today, theyre our FACES of Louisville!

Actually, the business was started 20 years ago. I would love to take credit for the idea, but it was actually our father. Dad had invested in a door manufacturing company and quickly realized that most of their dealers were window replacement companies that were not focused on doors. His idea was to open a retail establishment that sold and installed only entry doors. His partner at the time was charged with finding an owner/manager who would be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the business as they were only going to be investors. Dads only restriction was to NOT hire one of his children. He interviewed 30+ candidates and told Dad that he wanted to hire me.

Basically, I begged her. We had grown to the point that I was feeling overwhelmed. Laurie brought a set of skills and talents that I did not have. She initially said that she would help me out for six months. She wouldnt allow me to buy her a desk and worked on two folding tables for five or six years. Eventually, she cracked and decided that she would be my equal partner in the business, and we bought a real desk for her. We still laugh about that!

Ann Gregory

Ann: Laurie and I are very close in age (18 months apart), and we both have very strong personalities. But, family comes first. So prior to working together, we sat down and agreed upon some ground rules, which were basically that family trumps business. If business ever comes between us, we walk away. Its been a wonderful journey, and I couldnt ask for a better partner.

Laurie: Its actually great working together. Imagine working with someone you really trust, who believes in your business just as wholeheartedly as yourself and looks out for your best interest as well as her own.

Initially we struggled with the idea of working together. We talked about it for about three months before taking the plunge. (True story. I agreed to stay for only six months.) We knew our work gifts were uniquely different and complementary. But we also knew we were both extremely independent, inpatient, maybe even bossy and definitely competitive; and working together would be a risky proposition. We were dear friends and just about as close as sisters could be. We did not want to lose our friendship. So we made heartfelt promises to each other to keep our sister relationship first and foremost. So yes, we have had disagreements and hurt feelings, but we talk it out in a kind but direct way. Apologize, if necessary. Weve been working shoulder to shoulder now for 11 years and we are still friends.

Laurie Scarborough

Laurie: Doors and windows are a part of a larger market segment called the fenestration industry, which is built around the design, construction or presence of openings in buildings. So its a very natural progression from doors to windows. Most window and door companies in the replacement business start with windows, then add entry doors. We started in the entry door business, then added windows.

Entry doors are bit more personal to homeowners and require more design knowledge. After all, many people use their entry door daily. Their doors need to add to the exterior architecture of their home as well as enhance the beauty of their interior entry halls. As a result, many homeowners tend to have more concerns about their entry door choices. We have been selling and installing entry doors for 20 years, and we are always happy to help customers select their entry doors.

Ann: Continue making homes in Louisville beautiful.

Laurie: Our business passion is bringing beauty and comfort to homes in our community. So we are always looking for the brightest and best people to add to our team and help with this mission. Plus we are on the hunt for new products to add to our lineup.

Ann: Its not so much a challenge but an awareness that your partner is more important than just a co-worker. I think both of us try to be considerate of each other, and we are both very aware of each others hot buttons. Sometimes we slip, but at the end of the day, we respect and love each other. The biggest advantage is the trust that we have in each other. There is never any doubt that Laurie has my back and I have hers.

Laurie: The biggest challenge? Of course the obvious, too much of a good thing! Trying not to talk business at family and celebratory gatherings. What are the advantages? Trust. You know your back is covered, and you know you are safe with them.

Ann: I start my day very early, typically rising around 5 a.m. I usually walk three to four miles, six days a week. I usually get to work between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Due to the retail nature of my business, I spend a good deal of time in the showroom. I do run sales calls, but we have such a wonderful sales team, so that doesnt happen as much as it used to. One thing that I still try to do is to take a minute when a customer is in the showroom to stop by and introduce myself. I love the design element of my job, and helping customers select the perfect windows and doors for the their home is the best part of what I do.

Laurie: My typical week includes a bit of everything. I have a lot of leadership responsibilities keeping the team focused on strategic, tactical and operational goals. I spend time reading and monitoring the business environment. I will send 25%-plus of my time on marketing and advertising. I also volunteer weekly as a member of two choirs and a helper with a 3- and 4-year-old choir, all at our church.

Ann: Loyal, passionate, decisive

Laurie: Overcommitted (I want to do it all), passionate, driven

Ann: I have two different answers to that. My mother always told me in order to be happy, you have to decide to be happy. It comes from within. Andwhen we opened the business, someone that I thought very highly of told me to always remember that no one will love this business as much as you love the business.

Laurie: Some early advice from our father. I remember trying to understand what my bosses wanted from me, wondering how I could be more successful and meet their expectations.Generally my supervisors were men members of the mature/silent (the Korean and Vietnam War) generations. Dad told me that a commanders wish was an order. I learned to listen for the expectation framed in wishes as well as for direct orders. His advice has been invaluable.

Ann: You will never see me without my baby shoe necklace by Aaron Basha. It was my mothers, and I wear it every day.

Laurie: My Fitbit. But truly you will often see me with my sister work, lunch and weekend dinners out. Oh, and lets not forget shopping when time allows.

Ann: By far, Jack Frys is my favorite followed closely by Lillys.

Laurie: A longtime favorite is Lillys. We will head to Germantown to eat at Eiderdown. Our neighborhood fave eat in or carry out isMojitos.

Ann: One of my favorite book series is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I have read the entire series but would like to read them again. Currently, I am reading The Virginian, by Owen Wister

Laurie: The New York Times, online news organizations and industry publications are getting most of my attention. I also enjoy daily meditation and read from a spiritual anthology. I have two books queued up: one on digital content marketing and a spiritual book written by Henri Nouwen.

Ann: By far, my favorite thing is my 3-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter Katie. Its so much fun watching her personality develop and watching my son and daughter-in-law work through the challenges of parenting. Also, this time of year we are turning a corner into my favorite season Spring! I love watching the days get longer and having those few warm days here and there to let us know that warmer weather is just around the corner.

Laurie: My new dog Mercedes (recently adopted 4-year-old Havanese), renovating our 60s house, and Sunday night TV like Masterpiece Theater or The Walking Dead.

Door Store and Windows is located at4625 Shelbyville Road, Louisville KY 40207. Learn more at (502) 896-1717.

And thank you toAdele Reding Photographyfor the wonderful photos of Ann and Laurie!

************

Read about more inspiring women in Louisville in our FACES of Louisville weekly featureshere.

Follow this link:
Ann Gregory & Laurie Scarborough from Door Store and Windows: FACES of Louisville - StyleBlueprint (blog)

The general public has been wrong before about the popularity of something. Although some critics have said Google+ is dead, we happen to see it as very much alive and kicking for Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) February 13, 2017

Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Express Glass, Fort Lauderdales expert sliding glass door repair service, is proud to announce new posts on Google+ for February, 2017. While many pundits have announced Google+ to be "dead," Express Glass is seeing growing interest in its Google+ page and social media posts on glass repair for Fort Lauderdale residents. Helpful information for sliding glass door repair has shown a steady following.

The general public has been wrong before about the popularity of something. Although some critics have said Google+ is dead, we happen to see it as very much alive and kicking for Fort Lauderdale, commented Yaniet Santos, general manager of Express Glass. Our informational posts about sliding glass door repair have recently had a lot of views. Thats why we continue to post new glass repair information to Google's proprietary social media network.

Several new posts for sliding glass door repair can be found on the Google+ site at https://plus.google.com/u/0/109417325208521643861. Fort Lauderdale residents and the surrounding Florida community can also view information for emergency sliding glass door repair and window replacement at http://www.expressglassfl.com/fort-lauderdale-glass-window-repair/, and then click 'up' to the blog to read posts in full.

Sliding Glass Door Repair in Fort Lauderdale and Alt-Smart Posting on Google+

Recent outcomes in the last election have proven pollsters may not always be correct when predicting a winner. In Fort Lauderdale, the general public may be more interested in helpful glass repair information than previously determined, including reading timely posts on Google+. Google+ has recently experienced a rise in postings for sliding glass door repair and replacement. The topics might not be exciting to pollsters, but Fort Lauderdale residents have shown an interest in reading helpful glass repair information!

Express Glass, a five-star rated sliding glass door repair service in Fort Lauderdale, has recently announced a rise in Google+ postings. Trending topics covering conservative values vs. progressive values for sliding glass door repair service have been noticed by the public. Other popular topics such as repairing vs. replacing sliding glass doors and fixing a jammed patio door have been posted and viewed. Google+ may have been counted out by critics, but Florida residents might have other priorities. Alt-smart posts for residential and commercial sliding glass door repair can be found in Google+. Interested parties are urged to visit the company's Google+ page or contact the company for interview opportunities.

About Express Glass Repair and Board Up

Express Glass and Board Up Service Inc. is a family owned and operated glass repair business with more than 20 years of experience. Professional technicians and the large variety of inventory make Express Glass the top sliding glass door repair service. If customers are looking for Fort Lauderdale sliding glass door repair as well as glass repair in Delray Beach or West Palm Beach glass repair, please reach out to the company for a free estimate. If customers need a 24/7 Sliding Glass Door repair service in Ft. Lauderdale or Boca Raton or Miramar, technicians are standing by. The company specializes in sliding glass door repair and window glass repair; technicians will handle any glass replacement situation efficiently. Home or business glass repair is the company's main priority. Express Glass Repair and Board up http://www.expressglassfl.com/

Share article on social media or email:

More:
Fort Lauderdale's Favorite Sliding Glass Door Repair Company, Express Glass Announces New Google+ Posts to Its ... - PR Web (press release)

Henri de Marne, About the House 12:46 a.m. ET Feb. 11, 2017

About the House(Photo: Getty Images)

Q. Dear Sir: May I start by remarking how we have enjoyed and learned from your articles over the years. My wife and I hope your new endeavors bring you much joy and maybe a bit of relaxation. Thank you for everything. Now onto our question.

In pondering some replacement windows soon, we recall some choices you have mentioned, especially companies that back their product and quality. Of course we are at a loss as to remembering your printed wisdom. We should have saved the info. We currently have mostly Air Tight windows and have been pleased, but our 2nd story garden window is in need of replacement (not an Air Tight product) and with so many companies out there we would appreciate your input. Thank you in advance. Respectfully submitted. Illinois via email

A. Thank you for your kind words. It is rewarding to know that I have been helpful over the years.

If you are satisfied with Air Tight windows, you may wish to contact them and replace the garden window with the appropriate Air Tight product. I have had no experience with these windows.

My many earlier comments on windows over the years made reference to Marvin Windows (and doors), which, over the years, I have found to be a quality brand with exceptional service and very competitive pricing.

Q. Can I use Kaboom with OxyClean on acrylic surfaces? Via email

A. Kaboom with OxyClean is recommended for use on ceramic tile, porcelain, plastic, but is not recommended for use on marble, fabric, carpet, brass or aluminum.

Acrylic surfaces are a form of plastic, so you should be OK.

Q. My home was built in 1937. My cellar has both a cement floor and cement walls. I call it a wet cellar because after a very heavy rainfall water appears on the floor of the cellar. I leave nothing on the floor and the moisture eventually leaves on its own. The fact that the furnace is down there helps.

Here is my question. My painter wants to paint the cellar floor. I might be selling the house in a year or two and he thinks that painting the floor will help the cause. I am afraid that the paint will slow down the ability of the cement floor to dry after taking in water. Should I paint the floor? If so, what kind of paint should be used? Thank you. Really like your column. Rutland via email

A. Painting the concrete floor is likely to turn into a disaster and make the sale of your house more difficult. The leakage you are experiencing would simply cause the paint to peel.

Moreover, concrete is a somewhat porous material, its porosity depending on how it was finished.

It is most likely that, in a house built in 1937, when technology was not as advanced as it is today, the concrete was poured directly on the soil without the proper stone bed and plastic vapor retarder.

Capillary attraction, not broken by stones and plastic (or XPS foam, used today as a vapor retarder), is causing moisture to travel through the concrete and evaporate in the cellar, which would cause the paint to peel.

My advice is to leave the slab alone.

The leakage after a heavy rainfall may be the result of deficiencies in grading and water disposal around your house.

Most houses suffer from flat or negative grade around the foundation. In heavy or long-lasting rainfall, and when snow melts, water percolates down to the footings and finds a way inside.

Final grade should slope gently away from the foundation to drain water away from it, and be covered with a healthy stand of grass. Flowerbeds and shrubbery are best planted a few feet away from the foundation, as they encourage water retention.

Downspouts need to discharge on splashblocks that follow the grades gentle slope. Patios, walks, driveways, etc. must slope away from the foundation as well.

If all those elements are properly done, the chance is great that leakage will be eliminated unless you are experiencing an underground spring or rising water table after a deluge.

Q. I sent you an e-mail last year about the icicles hanging from my gutter on my attached garage which is unheated. There were also icicles on the gutter near the front door and above the back door from the heated laundry room. Your reply indicated that the icicles were forming due to the heat escape from the house.

In the fall we removed the gutter guards (white plastic with screening and another layer of plastic with 3/8-inch diameter holes). We then cleaned whatever garbage was left in the gutters that the gutter guards did not filter out and left them uncovered for the winter.

Interestingly, this winter after heavy snow and below freezing temperatures here in Illinois in December, nary an icicle had formed on these gutters. It appears that the gutter guards were the problem although I dont know why. I wonder if this icicle problem occurs with any type of gutter guard.

Thought youd be interested to know what I discovered. Illinois via email

A. Icicles form when the snow cover on a roof begins to melt, either from natural causes (warming temperatures or the suns action) or from an attic in which the temperature is above freezing.

In the case of icicles forming at your unheated garage, they are the result of natural causes.

As the melting snow travels toward the eaves and meets colder surfaces, it freezes and turns into icicles. If there are gutter covers, it freezes on top of them and continues outside the gutters.

If there are no gutter covers, the gutters and the downspouts fill up and icicles will form as the subsequent water overflows.

If you havent yet seen any icicles this winter, it is either likely that the conditions have not yet been met for their formation or that the gutters are not yet full of ice. Time will tell.

Send questions via email tohenridemarne@gmavt.net or mail your questions to Henri de Marne, c/o Dennis Redmond, Burlington Free Press, 100 Bank St., Suite 7, Burlington, Vt. 05401. Henri de Marnes book, About the House, is available at http://www.upperaccess.com and in bookstores.

Read or Share this story: http://bfpne.ws/2kZuMLR

See more here:
It's time to find replacement windows - BurlingtonFreePress.com

Indianapolis, IN - No matter where you live or the season, theres no bigger energy user in your home than your heating and cooling system.

Todays angies list report focuses on an efficiency investment you can barely see. The best part, it save you some green every time you pay a power bill.

Angie Hicks, Angies List founder, says Installing high-efficiency windows can be a great investment but its also expensive and costs thousands of dollars. If youre looking for a more affordable option, window film is a great alternative.

Solar window film is a thin material applied to window glass. Without it, most of the solar energy that hits the glass comes right on through into your home. With the film, most of that energy stays out. How much depends on the type of film you use.

Kevin Koval, owner of SOLARIS window film company, says Window film will be a much better option in terms of improving the performance and matching the performance of a new replacement window, typically a fifth the cost of going through the replacement of those windows.

Jay Dunbar said he earned his investment in window film back in energy savings within three years and resolved an issue of uneven temperature in his house right away.

Jay Dunbar, homeowner, says First thing that we noticed, because we had it applied I think it was in late fall, we noticed that when it got cold, all of a sudden our bedroom wasnt 10 degrees colder than the rest of the house, which was very nice.

You can install window film yourself, but doing that could void your window warranty. Reputable pros will replace your warranty with their own. Theyll also install the film without bubbles, which will prevent cracks or peeling later on. Some will even let you transfer the warranty if you sell your house.

Angie Hicks says, Only a few states actually require trade licenses for window film installers, so you want to do some additional homework to see their affiliations with different trade associations and also what kind of guarantee they have behind their work.

Window film offers more than energy efficiency. It shields you from the glare of sunlight, filters out potentially dangerous ultra violet light and even helps protect your furniture from fading from prolonged exposure to the sun.

Installing film on a typical sliding glass door will cost between $300 to $500. An average double-pane window costs between $100-$150. Window experts say you can expect energy savings of five to 10 percent.

More Information:

Read the original here:
Using Window Film to Lower Energy Bills - IllinoisHomePage.net

NORWALK The cost for the window and door replacement project at West Rocks Middle School has more than doubled since it was approved and included in the Board of Educations 2016-17 capital budget.

The discovery of PCBs, an existing steel window wall system and the need to include a vestibule at the main entry due to new regulatory safety and environmental standards are all unexpected factors that drove up the cost from an estimated $1.38 million to $3.12 million, according to a memo sent to school officials by John Ireland, the project manager from architectural firm Silver/Petrucelli and Associates.

The scope of work can be a long wish list paired with a guestimate, Ireland said in the memo. While I believe this project is better defined than that, it remains a blind process. No testing, no uncovering of existing conditions, no as built drawings at the start ... and no analysis followed by no design. In short, the scope of work and grant estimate was underestimated.

Though the original plans were already approved, under the states school construction grant procedures the Board of Education must approve the final plans and cost estimates prior to submitting the plans to the State Department of Administrative Services Office of School Construction Grants.

Several concerns were brought up by Board of Education members over the magnitude of the cost increase as the plans were discussed at the boards Tuesday evening meeting.

Board member Erik Anderson questioned when the original cost estimates for the project were made and expressed concerns as to why the architecture firm couldnt have known about the cost-driving issues earlier on in the process.

Tom Hamilton, chief financial officer for the school district, said original estimations were made in late 2015 and that the issue of not identifying the unforeseen obstacles comes down to how much should be invested early on in the project planning process.

Hed to go here

Original Estimated Project Cost $1,375,000

Phase 1 Phase 2 Total

Original Estimated Project Cost: $1,375,000

Revised Estimated Project Cost: $1,338,254 $1,785,773 $3,124,027

Projected State Reimbursement (24%): $321,181 $428,586 $749,766

Local Cost: $1,017,073 $1,357,187 $2,374,261

The cost-driving issues came to light over the past several months as the plans for the project moved forward.

PCBs organic chlorine compounds used as insulators until the 1970s when they were found to have harmful health effects on humans were discovered in the window material at West Rocks Middle School leading to the largest increase in costs. Testing for PCBs and remediation increased the project cost by roughly $370,000 for abatement and $76,000 for additional testing and monitoring during construction.

The second largest increase in project costs stems from the discovery of an existing steel window wall system. Ireland called that a surprising and unusual unforeseen condition.

The discovery of that system requires the addition of steel plates, new supports and other details. Those changes added approximately $350,000 to the total costs.

The third largest increase centers on a secure and energy efficient main entry. The Connecticut building code now includes the requirement for a vestibule at the schools main entry, Ireland said. That change has increased the project cost by $200,000.

The additional scope of work and details, for items such as counters, window surrounds, blinds and AC panels added roughly $150,000, Ireland said.

Because of the new discoveries, the project has been separated into two phases, Hamilton said. Half of the project will be undertaken during the summer of 2017 and the second half will be undertaken during the following summer.

The architects determined that the now larger scope of the window replacement would run the risk of not completing the entire project during summer break. They said it would be advisable to divide the work into two phases as to ensure no interference with the opening of school in August.

The architecture firms fees increased by $15,000 to administer two bid packages and two separate summer construction periods.

Officials said the districts current appropriation of $1.1 million for the project is sufficient to cover Phase 1 of the project. School officials said they are currently working with city officials to identify potential ways to finance the remaining balance of Phase 2, and will bring forward a formal recommendation at a later date.

The board approved an updated Phase 1 of the plans Tuesday in a 5-2 vote.

Hamilton said a meeting is scheduled with the state Feb. 14 to review the final plans for the project.

KSchultz@thehour.com; 203- 354-1049; @kevinedschultz

Original post:
Cost to replace windows, doors at West Rocks more than double - Thehour.com