Siding Replacement Des Moines

When replacing your siding there are many things to take into consideration.  Siding in the Des Moines area is subject to many adverse weather conditions, therefore it is a must that you chose a siding that is durable and has a good warranty period.

We have had the best experience with cement board siding products.  Most of the products have a 50 year warranty and the product holds up well with our harsh Iowa winters.  There is also some products on the market that come pre-finished with a paint color, making it nearly maintenance free.  Take a look at the color palate at the link provided.

http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/colorplus-palette.shtml

When replacing your siding, it is always a smart decision to replace your windows as well.  There are numerous brand of windows on the market.  I always urge the homeowner to go with the brand most recommended by your contractor, cause that is the brand that the company is used to working with most.

Replacing your siding and windows can be a costly project, but the return on your investment is nearly 100% or better.  Feel free to call us today for a free quote – Call Adam at (515) 669-4905.

Home Remodeling

When planning your home remodeling project you want to take into consideration the investment you are about to make.  Sometimes people get too anxious and excited for their remodel and tend to go overboard with the costs.  I always urge the homeowner to “get what you want, and go big”, but that can be done within the confines of the comparable homes in the area.  If you live in a $250k-$350k neighborhood, you don’t want to be doing $1 million dollar work on your home.  You can get the million dollar look without going that extra step and using that real stone on the front of your home, or going way overboard with the interior finish.

There are some great ways to add value to your home without making a huge investment.  Below are just a few things that you can do to enjoy your home more while adding great value.

• Adding cultured stone to the front of your house with new siding.  If you have that old masonite siding with a 12″ reveal, it’s time for a facelift.  While you are replacing the siding it is easy to add a half wall of cutface stone to dress up the front of your home.
• Remodeling your kitchen is another good way to add value to your home.  With all the new kitchen cabinets accessories out today, adding your new kitchen will increase the functionality of the space.  As far as the countertops, I believe that granite can be used in a kitchen no matter what price range your home is in.  That said, using an exotic granite that is over $100 a square foot would not be cost effective in a $200k home obviously.
• Bathroom remodel is also a great way to increase your quality of life while adding value to your home.  Walk-in showers are a fad that is here to stay, and it is a fixture that we use everyday of our lives.  Bathrooms can get expensive so be careful on the costs when remodeling your bathroom space.

• Backyard renovations are a great way to enjoy your outdoor space and add value.  Stamped patio’s are a great alternative to a treated deck.  You can add concrete seating around the patio with built-in fire pit.  Most suburbs of Des Moines do not allow real wood fire pits, so we can run a gas line and have gas fire pit you can enjoy.  If a fire-pit is not your thing, then you can always add an outdoor kitchen with grilling area.

These are just a few ways to add value to your home while being easy on your pocketbook.  With more and more people staying put in today’s economy there is more need to remodel and add the space needed.

Room Addition

When adding more space to your house, sometimes it seems impossible by the way things are laid out. I always tell my customers that anything can be done in the building business, some may cost more than others, but it can be done. In the video below, I talk about adding more space to the basement and how to cut out and open up the space through a load bearing foundation wall. Many times when adding space to a home, the homeowner just wants to do a ground level addition and not dig all the way to the basement. In this particular scenario, the customer is adding more space to the basement for added rec room space and additional storage that they do not currently have. Check out the video below for more information, and if you are wanting that room addition but just do not understand how it will fit onto your home – give us a call and we would be glad to take a look at your options.

Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Refinishing hardwood floors is a fairly straightforward process, albeit a time-consuming, messy, repetitious one. It will be hard work and will require a good amount of patience and the proper tools to do the job. If the work is a bit daunting or too time-consuming for your busy schedule (it will take at least a couple days), call Premier Construction and we can come give you and instant quote.

List of Necessary Tools

• Drum Sander
• Floor Edger
• Palm/Orbital Sander
• Sandpaper to fit machines (various grits—36, 60, 80,100)
• Broom
• Shop Vacuum
• Safety Protection (dust mask, safety goggles, ear plugs, gloves)
• Rags
• Paint brushes/foam applicators
• Stain
• Finish

Preparation

First thing’s first. You will need to completely clear the surface to be refinished. Remove all rugs, furniture, etc. To prevent the spread of dust around your house, it would be a good idea to put plastic over any openings (including doorways) and towels or rags beneath doors and over vents. Clean the area well, removing any staples, tacks, or loose nails. Be sure to set any nails that may be protruding form the hardwood, as these can damage the sandpaper or the sanders themselves.

Sanding

NOTE: Sanding is noisy and very dusty work. Wear all necessary safety gear.

1. Once you have the floor clean you are ready to sand. You can rent any of the sanders you need from your local rental shop. They will also have the sandpaper you need for each machine. Be sure to ask for a demonstration on how to properly use the sander before you leave the shop.
2. Start by putting the heaviest grit (36) sandpaper onto the Drum sander. Large, industrial sanders can be difficult to use at first, so get used to its feel in a hidden area of the room (under a sofa, etc.).
3. Once you feel comfortable, start at one end of the room and begin sanding in straight, even strokes moving WITH the grain of the wood. Keep moving. Do not let the sander sit still for even a few seconds. This can cause irremovable gouges in the wood surface.
4. Once you have finished the entire floor, replace the heavy grit sandpaper with a medium grit (50-60) paper and repeat the process. Make sure to sand any lines or scratches in the floor enough to eliminate them.
5. Next, switch to your lightest grit (80-100) and sand again.
6. The Drum sander will most likely not reach into corners and all the way to the edges of the walls. You will need to repeat the previous steps using the edge sander. The edge sander is handheld and easier to manage but you will still want to be careful. Set the sander down slowly and move it in a left-to-right, semicircular motion in order to blend the sanding.

Staining

NOTE: Be sure to ventilate the area as well as you can. Stains can emit toxic vapors. Also, be sure to wear gloves.

1. Now you need to thoroughly sweep the floor clean of all dust and debris. Use a Shop Vacuum to clean up the finer dust particles from the floor, walls, and ceiling if necessary. You want the work area to be as clean as humanly possible before applying stain. This will ensure a beautiful, satisfying look after the finish. Anything on the floor when you stain/finish will be there forever!
2. To begin, apply stain in an inconspicuous corner or a scrap piece of wood and let dry for a few minutes. If you are satisfied with the resulting look, you can move on to staining in earnest.
3. For heavier, darker coats you can use a brush or foam applicator and wipe away access with a rag. If you’d prefer a lighter coat simply use the rags to apply the stain (switching rags often). Staining is a much easier job when two people team up to do it (one applying stain, one wiping excess).
4. Apply the stain with long, even strokes going with the grain of the wood.
5. When finished, let the stain dry overnight and be careful to stay off of it.

Finish

1. There are two main types of finishes which you can choose from. There is oil-based urethane (or polyurethane) finish and water-based urethane. Polyurethane is the traditional choice. However, water-based finish has improved much over recent years. It dries faster, is clearer, more durable, cleans up with soap and water, and is the environmentally friendly choice.
2. Stir your finish well before application. DO NOT shake it. This will create air bubbles that will show up in the finished floor.
3. Apply the finish with a foam applicator or brush, cutting in from the corners/edges. When applying in open spaces, feel free to use a roller. Whatever application device you choose, make sure it is very clean and clutter free. Any dust or debris that may be in the brush or roller will end up locked into your finished floor.
4. Again, apply with long, smooth strokes. This is no time for hurrying. If your mind or muscles grow impatient, just focus on the lasting quality and beauty you will have in your new floor. Rushing now may mean repetition later!
5. Allow your finish to dry completely. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on the container for an adequate drying time.
6. Apply a second coat. Let the second coat dry AT LEAST overnight and, if you can manage it, wait up to three days before moving furniture and/or rugs back into the room.

After all your hard work and vigilance, take a deep breath, a sigh of relief, and enjoy your newly refinished floor!

Waukee Siding, Roof, and Windows

In this project the homeowner went with an entire exterior face lift.  Money invested into the exterior of your home is always money well spent, as street appeal is a major deciding factor into the value of your home.  We tore off the roof and replaced all the shingles with new Owens Corning Duration.  We removed all the old masonite siding and replaced it with Hardiplank with ColorPlus siding, using LP Smartside trim.  When replacing your siding it is always good to think about replacing your soffit/facia and windows.  So we replaced all the soffit and facia with white aluminum.  The homeowners did their own research on the windows and chose to go with Milgard brand vinyl windows.  I was skeptical at first because I was unfamiliar with the product, but they ended up being a very quality window and door.

They wanted an area in the back of their home to relax and enjoy the fresh air, so we designed a covered porch over a large deck area.  We wired a fan in the center so they can enjoy the space on a hot summer day.  This is a very nice addition to their home and they will be able to enjoy this 3 seasons out of the year.

If you are interested in new siding, windows, roof, or if you have plans for a room addition – please give us a call and we will be glad to sit down and talk about your project.

Trex Deck with Pool Area

Composite decking has become very popular over the past 10 years.  Many people are using the product over cedar and treated decking, but it comes with a price.  Composite decking is sometime 3 times the price of its counterparts.  The advantages are that is durable and lasts much longer than cedar or treated wood, it also requires less up keep.  Some disadvantages are that it sometimes will fade in the sunlight, and it is reported as being slippery when wet.

On this particular project, the homeowner wanted to build the deck around an above ground pool.  We had to grade the area for the pool and backfill with sand under the pool.  Once the pool was in place we laid out all the support posts and beam structures.  The railing system on this deck was very expensive with over 150 lineal feet of railing.  The glass block insert in the deck was to cast light in the walkout area below the deck.  Enjoy the pictures!

West Des Moines Privacy Fence

This backyard was a complete renovation.  The homeowner wanted a cedar privacy fence, playground with sand, and a composite deck with above ground pool.  The fence was over 200′ long with 2 gates.  City codes allow fences to be no taller than 6′ in height, so keep that in mind when planning your fence design.  There are numerous ways to build a privacy fence, the more decorative, obviously the more costs involved.  This particular fence is a little cleaner looking than your typical dog ear fence, it is capped with a cedar 2×6 to top it off with a sharper look.

If you are in need of a privacy fence, we would be glad to come out and measure your space and give you a free quote, please do not hesitate to call.

Kitchen Remodel Des Moines

This kitchen needed a lot of TLC!  We turned the pantry into a half bath, moved the laundry out out of the kitchen and into the bedroom areas.  Removed all the exising cabinets, and repaired all the drywall.  In this particular kitchen, we just used stock maple cabinets from Lowes, laminate countertops, and lower end appliances.  We finished the flooring off with laminate wood.  Click on the pictures below to view the project.

Stamped Patio with Firepit Area

Stamped concrete can be found on projects dating back to the 1950′s.  Installation techniques and materials improved throughout the 1960′s and 1970′s.  By the 1980′s manufactures had developed proven materials and installation techniques.  Concrete contractors were becoming skilled at installing a variety of patterns and colors.  Stamped concrete has been recognized in the building industry as a favorable surfacing material for a variety of applications.  Today, many homeowners are using the application for patios and even driveways.  The cost is more than triple the price of regular concrete, ranging from $10-$12 per square foot.

Installation of stamed patios can be tricky, so it is recommended that you hire professional contractor to do the work.  The color is usually applied to the concrete in the cement truck, then it is poured in the formed area and finished smooth just as you would finish a regular concrete slab.  Once the area is finished and starts to harden, you begin to apply a compliment color of powdered release to the slab. The release gives the concrete a “marbled” look, which offsets the color of the concrete.  As the release is applied, you can now begin stamping the concrete.
There are many different styles and patterns of stamps available.  Most stamps are made of a rigid rubber material and are numerically or alphabetically numbered.  When you begin stamping, make sure all the stamps are correctly laid out in the desired pattern.  Typically, 3 to 4 people need to be present while stamping – one laying the stamps, one handing the correct stamps to the stamper, and one tamping the stamps.  As you are stamping, the release needs to be applied ahead of the stamper.
Once the patio is stamped, wait 24 hours and power wash all excess release off the slab.  The release should adhere in the low lying stamped areas.

After the excess release has been removed, wait 3 days and apply the sealer.  The sealer gives the slab a wet look and protects the color from fading.  Apply the sealer with a paint roller, usually 2 coats are needed, with 24 hours between coats.  For the best results, the second coat of sealer needs to be applied in the opposite direction of the first coat.  Once the second coat cures, you are free to enjoy your new stamped patio area.

As you can see, there are many steps involved in stapming a concrete slab, hence the additional costs.  The stamped patio we installed in the pictures below, the homeowner wanted a firepit area.  This application allows the homeowner to get full use of their stamped patio area.

Fire Restoration

This home was severely damaged in a fire started by the furnace. It was beyond repair, so we had to entirely demolish the home down to the foundation and rebuild it. Removing a 2,400 square foot home is quite the project and requires taking safety seriously. Once we had the house removed and cleaned up, we started the re-build. The homeowner had the opportunity to change the layout of the home, so the new house has an entirely different layout. We vaulted the living area and opened up the floor plan to create a more contemporary living environment. The master bedroom has 16′ ceilings, large walk-in closet, and a private walk-out patio. Stay tuned for a video tour of the home, which will be posted soon.

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