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As the cold weather approaches and your furnace begins its annual duties, we often think of ways to make our homes more energy efficient. One thing that can make a big impact on energy savings at a reasonable cost is inspecting your insulation and weatherstripping. Over time, weatherstripping can become worn out and damaged which then creates drafts. Insulation can settle over time, thus reducing its R-value and becoming less effective. Below, we’ll discuss some effective ways to check your insulation and weatherstripping to see if any action is needed. Weatherstripping First, do a visual inspection around your doors and...

An ongoing challenge for contractors—especially those just starting out— is finding new customers. Generally, by doing your job well and proving your company’s dedication to quality, professionalism and reliability, you are already well on your way to cultivating future work. Word-of-mouth builds momentum as your company’s portfolio of successful, completed projects grows. The Internet Even though it’s called the “World Wide Web”, it still is a very powerful tool for a local company that serves local customers. Nowadays, establishing an online presence is crucial for getting your company’s name in front of the eyes of customers. That’s the first place...

If you want to know more about the lumber that you purchase, your search doesn’t have to stop with the lumber store. Did you ever wonder what that stamp on the side of your lumber stood for? That tiny stamp holds a wealth of information. Every piece of lumber sold in the United States, whether it’s finished lumber, framing or composite wood, must have a grade stamp upon it. These stamps can help ensure that lumber will need design expectations.  The lumber grade stamp tells you: The species of wood or the species group that it belongs to. The actual...

The biggest factor in determining the type and quality of wood that you’ll use for your next project is the project itself. That’s because certain varieties of wood are best suited for certain projects. For example, a hardwood with a closed grain such as maple would be an excellent choice for a butcher block, rather than soft porous wood such as pine. Most lumber can be described as either being either softwood or a hardwood. Generally, softwoods are much less expensive, so determining your needs can help you to decide which type of wood to buy. This, in turn can...