NEW BLOG ADDRESS

We've decided to move our blog, which is now hosted on Wordpress. Please check it out!
The address is www.mountainsiderenos.ca/blog

Look forward to seeing you there!

What to consider when renovating your kitchen

At Mountainside, we renovate plenty of kitchens. From small galley kitchens to huge, open concept entertainer's dream kitchens, We've done them all. While the renovations are different, some things are the same. Here are some things to consider when renovating your kitchen:

Dining Rooms
Many of our renovations involve an undersized (and over-used) kitchen, and an over-sized (and under-used) formal dining room. I've seen many cases where families will cram into an eating nook in the kitchen for years, because the formal dining room is just too...formal to be used on a daily basis. If you have a separated  kitchen and dining room, think about opening up the space between them, to create a seamless kitchen/dining area.

 Current Trends
As I mentioned above, it's becoming increasingly common to combine separated rooms into a more "open-concept" space. This is becoming increasingly popular, because our way of entertaining, hosting, and interacting with others is changing. It used to be that one person would be in the kitchen preparing food, while the other one was with the guests, acting as a host. Our clients continually tell us that more and more, guests are ending up in the kitchen to chat, so that everyone can be in one place. Why not make one larger, connected area to keep everyone connected?


Cabinets:

There are two main types of materials used to build cabinet boxes: Particle board or plywood. Aesthetically, you normally can't tell the difference. Then why is plywood around 15% more expensive? It will last much longer. The Particle board will slowly break down, but plywood will often last as long as the people living in the house. Do your research on the two, check them out, and make your decision based on your budget, needs, and how long you want the kitchen to last.

Looking for some great kitchen cabinet companies?
I'd recommend checking out JMV woodworks at www.jmvwoodworks.ca
Or Pilats Custom Woodworks at www.pilatscustom.com

Counter tops:
There are many types of counter tops that that can be used. Here are a few options:

          - Laminate: Arborite (Laminate) counters are the least expensive (and least durable) counter surface   available. They are functional and affordable, but be sure to use hot pads, as they can't handle hot temperatures like the other solid-surface products


            - Granite: Granite is more expensive than Arborite, but still significantly cheaper than most other solid surface counters. It is made of real rock, which is cut to size and sealed before use. Due to the fact that it is real rock, it is porous, and must be re-sealed every few years.

             -Cambria, Quartz, Silestone, Caesarstone: I know, I should not be combining these all into one category, but lets be honest, they are all pretty similar. While Silestone has microban built in, Cambria has better color selection. These are all manufactured  solid surface products that are not porous. No maintenance, beautiful colors, and all of them will be on the higher end of the price range.





 Bringing it all together:
While I touched on a few topics, it will be the help of a skilled designer that can bring it all together to look great, and add value and functionality to your home. In my opinion, if you're thinking about renovating your kitchen, take your time and do your research. It's not worth rushing into a major investment.

Here are some pictures of our projects to help inspire you:

And one office kitchen:

The Coolest Thermostat Ever.

                                                     (Picture from Business Insider)

Think thermostats can't be sexy? Think again. Check out the auto-learning "nest" thermostat. Probably the coolest home thermostat since...ever.  It was invented by the makers of the ipod, and makes me want to replace my old thermostat with one of these beauties.

Check them out online at www.nest.com

Permits

Renovating tends to be a poorly regulated industry. If you wish to build a NEW house, there are permits, home builder's warranty and regulations to follow. If you wish to renovate your existing kitchen, people seem to be far less likely to take out a permit.

Here's why: we think it will be too much of a hassle to be worth it. This way of thinking, although understandable, is missing some very key points. First, If I was house hunting, walked in to an old house, with a stunning new kitchen, I'd be very worried if I found out that it was renovated without permits. I spoke with someone earlier  today who had a very hard time selling his home, because he completed some renovations without permits, and the purchaser wanted EVERYTHING inspected and brought up to code. The $350 in permits would have saved him this entire problem.
Second, permitting a renovation means that you value your health and safety. If you rip out your drywall without knowing that it's full of aesbestos, you are putting your entire family's health at risk. Even the best electricians make mistakes. Without a mandatory inspection, some of these errors could be overlooked, which could cause blown fuses, electrical fires, etc.
Third, it's the law. If you're renovating, you should know whether a permit is required or not.

Although municipal inspections can add an increased level of hassle, it is an inconvenience that is completely worth it.

Do yourself, your family, and the resale value of your home a favor. Get a permit.

Attack of the wet Attic.

This is the time of year that I like for some reasons (hockey season starting) and dislike for others (rain).

Every time this year, when the rain starts, we get calls from home owners who found a leak in their roof. Most of the  time they don't find it until the water makes its way through the drywall ceiling and ruins the ceiling and often the floor underneath.

I have a suggestion that will save you time and money in the long run. It's quite simple:

1. Get a step ladder
2. Grab a flashlight
3. Climb up into the attic, and look for black spots on the plywood roof sheeting, or wet spots on the insulation.

If you see any problems, call a roofing company, restoration company or renovator. You obviously have a problem here.Your roof may only be 10 years old, but if it was a lower quality product, or was installed wrong, it could be failing.

Just like cleaning out your gutters, or pressure washing, a trip to the attic once or twice a year (especially in the fall) is definitely worth the effort!

Every Renovation Has a Story

Everyone who renovates has a reason for doing so. Some people need more space. Others are tired of an outdated house. For one of our clients, they wanted to return their home to it's "former glory". We received a call last year from a lady who was looking at a house that had some history for her family. She and her husband built the house in 1978. In the mid eighties, they ended up moving away, but she always dreamed of moving back.
When we received a call from her, it had been 25 years since she left, and she wanted it back. This is what it looked like:

The inside, although not HORRIBLE, had not really been updated in years. It needed a ton of work. We ended up designing an addition above the garage, and virtually re-built the home, aside from the original framing.

Here is what it looks like today:

 

It was really cool to be able to work on  such a cool project with such an important history to the owners.

I realize that not every renovation story is dramatic, but believe me, every renovation has an interesting an very unique story. It's what makes renovating so much fun.

Crown Moulding

Crown moulding is beautiful stuff. I may be biased, but I absolutely love it. In my opinion, it will be your best visual impact for the amount of money and time spent.

I guess I should throw in a disclaimer here. Properly installed crown moulding is great.

Yes, it's harder to install than baseboard or window casing, but it's totally worth the effort.

Here are a few things to think of when considering crown moulding:


1. Ceiling height.  Yes, you may love the massive, 8" wide crown moulding that you saw in a show home, but if your house has 8' ceilings, it will make the room feel crowded. Look at a 4 or 5" moulding; it will look much better once on the wall

2. Style of Moulding (Profile): If you look at the two pictures above, they are both really nice mouldings, but each one fits a certain type of home style. Try to blend in your crown moulding with the look and feel of your house.

3. Layout:  While it may seem great to have crown moulding installed throughout the entire house, consider your layout first. Does your spare bedroom really need crown? Probably not. We often end up installing crown in the following rooms:
- foyer/hallways
-living and dining room
- master bedroom
- kitchen  (if there is not already crown on the top of the cabinets.

Keep in mind that bathrooms are really hard on mouldings. The moisture can cause expansion and contraction of the trim, so if i can avoid mdf trim in bathrooms, I will.

Deck Boards

Yes, fall (and winter) are right around the corner, but as it stands right now, it's absolutely gorgeous outside, and I want nothing more than to be sitting outside on a deck. 

I'm not the only one, as many of our clients are building new decks or renovating their existing ones. When renovating decks, there are so many options, and narrowing it down can get a bit overwhelming, so here's a start:

1. Pressure Treated decking: ( $)
essentially, this is regular lumber that is dipped in a pressurized chamber filled with a preservative, that is forced into the wood to help it last longer.


Pros: - it is the cheapest, and lowest cost deck board available.

Cons:
        - it can "bleed" the preservative resin out for up to two years, making it hard to stain or paint

        - it is prone to cracking over time.
         - The chemicals injected in the wood are artificially created, and aren't great for the environment.




2. Cedar:  ($$)
Cedar has a naturally occuring protective resin which allows the wood to last a very long time.


Pros: - It looks beautiful, is long lasting, and natural.

Cons:
- around twice as expensive as pressure treated
- can give some nasty slivers
- fades to a dull grey over time (which isn't a bad thing if you like the look).




3. Trex, Timbertech, or other composite deck boards. ($$$-$$$$)
Trex and Timbertech (which I prefer) both offer composite decking boards which range from a wood-composite material to a pvc deck board.

Pros:
- incredibly low maintenence
- fire resistant
- 25 year warranty on most products
- easy to install



Cons:
- to get a true, wood-looking composite, you'll need to buy the higher end, pvc wrapped products.
- still doesnt look exactly like real wood.






4. Brazilian Ipe "Ironwood":  ($$$$$)


Pictured at the top of this article, this Brazilian hardwood is dense, durable and gorgeous.


Pros:
- will literally last a lifetime if cared for properly. It is dense and very tough.
-beautiful, rich grain
- rarely causes slivers, or cracks.

Cons:
- one of the more expensive decking options
- timely (costly) to install
- made of a foreign wood; not the most local or environmentally friendly product possible.



When looking at what deck boards for your decking project, consider the initial investment, but also look at the care, maintenance and longevity of the product. A pressure treated deck may be the cheapest option right now, but in 10 years, when it's time to be replaced, or requires plenty of maintenance, will you be wishing you had invested a bit more in cedar, Timbertech, or even Ironwood?
There are plenty of other types of decking out there, but I thought I'd review some of the more popular choices.

Check back later this week for tile/rock and vinyl decking options.

 
 

Why the Design/Build Process?

As a homeowner, or business owner, when you're looking to start a renovation, it's hard to know where to start. Do you first find a contractor, then search for an architect/designer? Or do you work with a designer, then a contractor? In my opinion, the most efficient system is to find one company that does both.

In the industry, there are many examples of each kind of system. At Mountainside, we typically use the design/build system. We have trained designers on staff, who work directly with our project manager or lead carpenters to ensure the project runs smoothly, and problems that arise are dealt with head-on, and effectively. Why do we like this system?

1. Accountability. So many times, clients who hire separate designers and contractors complain that if (when) a problem arises, it becomes nothing but finger pointing. The designer doesn't need to take the blame, if he or she can blame the contractor. Contractors love blaming bad designers too.

2. Cost Effectiveness. I've been to so many meetings where homeowners want me to provide an estimate to complete their addition or renovation. They have the drawings in hand (that they have spent thousands of dollars on). When they start getting the pricing feedback, they are shocked. Many times, they've designed something that they can not possibly afford. With design/build, budget is as much of a design factor as the condition of the existing foundation of the house. You won't be paying to have a designer draw up a beautiful, but completely unattainable plan.


3. Streamlined Communication. Because our designers work with our construction team on a daily basis, we know how to read and understand the drawings, our carpenter can call the designer to site whenever needed, and we all know how to work well with each other. This saves time, and money.

Basements

Most homes have basements. Not all, but many of them do. It seems as though most of these basements are either left completely unfinished (and money is lost heating them) or are poorly finished rec rooms or storage areas. People will spend thousands of dollars renovating every area of their home, but ignore the huge, ready-to-use space and potential beneath their main floor.

This doesn't have to be the case!

Basements can be made beautiful. Windows can be cut in. Floors can be dry. Bathrooms and kitchens can be bright. Take advantage of the concrete insulated walls, and the cost effective use of space. 

My wife and I bought a 1960's rancher with a dark, poorly finished basement a year ago. We decided to completely gut the basement and re-do it. We cut in larger windows, added an exit to the outside (which involved some excavating and retaining walls) and developed a cute little 600 square foot basement suite, and kept 600 square feet for ourselves (1 bedroom, storage room, bathroom, laundry room and rec room).




                                                                         BEFORE

                                                 
                                                                      AFTER

                           

Instead of throwing together an illegal, dark and unsafe suite, we did it properly: new walkway and parking, in-suite laundry, new electrical and plumbing and sound insulation between floors. We've had it rented out for a year, and love it.

Don't ignore the bottom half (or third) of your house. If you're thinking about renovating, think about your basement. Here are a few common projects for basements:

- Media/ TV room
- Basement suite
- Kids play room/ Rec Room

- Wine cellar
- Fitness room or home gym
- spare bedrooms
- home office.

Where To Start

 I am starting this blog, slightly daunted by the task of consistently providing information worth sharing. But to be honest, this pales in comparison to the daunting task many homeowners have of how to renovate their homes.
Perhaps you just bought your first place, or maybe you've been in your home for years. Regardless, the thought of ripping it apart in hopes that you can have a more functional, beautiful, efficient and perhaps larger home is a scary thought.

What will you find? Will you live in the house, or move out? What will it cost? How long will it take?

Just like the research you did before buying your home, do the same (or greater) diligence when working on your renovation plans. Here are some guidelines that should get you started:



1. make a list of your wants and needs, and note the difference between the two. You may be surprised by the cost of renovating, so a prioritized list isn't a bad idea.

2. Talk to some reputable contractors to get a rough ballpark price for what you're planning.

3. Using the ballpark prices as a rough estimate, figure out how you will afford the renovation, or what changes need to be made to the scope of the project in order for it to work financially. Always be aware of the prices in the neighborhood, and be conscious of whether or not your renovation prices your house far above the rest.


4. compete the design for your renovation. Mountainside, as well as many other companies, operate on a "design/build" system, where both design and construction services are offered in-house.  In my opinion, this is a superior system, as everyone is on the same page throughout the entire project. We find that projects run smoother, cost less, and are FAR less stressful.

5. Ensure that before you start your renovation, you have the following details finalized:
- A written, clear and concise contract. Handshakes don't cut it.
- A detailed set of specifications. This is essentially a list of what products are being used, who does what work, and any fine details.
- Drawings
- A realistic budget with breakdowns of costs
- Schedule. Whether it's detailed, or an agreed upon project completion date, don't start without this.

- And don't forget...PERMITS! This is a valuable aspect of your renovation. Not only does it give you reassurance that work is being done according to the local building code, but it also tells any future potential buyers that you did it right.

If you're thinking about investing your hard earned money into your home, ensure that you're doing proper diligence. You won't regret it!

Inhabit?

Inhabit, simply put, means "To live or reside in". And that's exactly what I love about renovating. We're changing someone's home for the better; whether it's a kitchen renovation, a new bathroom, or an entire second storey being added. To most people, a home is their single largest financial investment, and rather than move every few years, more and more families are restoring, repairing and renovating so that they can enjoy the place they inhabit or reside in for a long time.

Everyone who calls us to get work done has a home. Maybe they are just buying it, or perhaps its been in the family for 90 years. Regardless, they want to make it better.

Some of our clients choose to invest in newer, energy efficient windows, while others want a new kitchen with granite or quartz counters, but in the end, renovating is about reusing what we can, and adding value to our homes.

Before

After

Welcome to the new blog

Thanks for taking the time to check out the new blog! I'm glad you did. Mountainside Renovations is based in Abbotsford, BC (Canada) and specializes in design and construction services for residential (and commercial) renovations. You can check out our website here.

My name is Jake Kostelyk, and with my dad, Ed, we run the company. I am passionate about renovating, and helping people add functionality, value and aesthetic appeal to their homes. This blog will cover current trends in the industry, how-to advice, cool projects we're working on, and anything else that seems useful or interesting.


Have any great blog ideas? Advice? Email me any time at jake@mountainsiderenos.ca.