There was a time when homeowners had but one option when choosing how best to remodel their kitchen: complete replacement of kitchen cabinets.  Somewhere along the line a kitchen contractor created yet another option: kitchen cabinet refacing. 

There's little doubt that economics played into this introduction.  After all, if a kitchen remodeling company couldn't sell a potential client on the cost of a complete & thorough project, why not settle for a less expensive job, that while not nearly as professional, would still net the contractor a sale.

The theory was simple, but a bit off-base.  If a client's present cabinets were solid wood and in sound structural condition, why completely replace cabinets?  Instead, why not simply replace the cabinet doors and drawer-fronts anew to modernize the appearance of a kitchen cabinet.  In the cabinet refacing process, laminate is applied directly to the face-frames and sides of all existing cabinetry with an adhesive.

As with most "improvements" to traditional home remodeling, kitchen refacing leaves quite a bit to be desired.  First, it's likely that you own a cabinet which, far from being constructed of solid wood, is made of particle board.  Therefore, keeping your existing cabinet structure may frankly be less of a home improvement and more of a detriment to the quality of your kitchen remodel.

Second, we've all heard the saying, "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen."  There's a reason we're familiar with this axiom; a kitchen tends to be the hottest part of the house!  When you use your stove and oven in the summer months, temperatures rise considerably and can stay elevated for hours.  Laminates, which are simply glued onto the cabinet's exteriors, can only adhere for so long before sections begin peeling.

Consider your present kitchen or the one you grew up using when you lived with your parents.  If you're like most Americans, you have experienced Formica or another brand of laminate counter-top.  Remember how the corners would eventually part from the wood block to which the laminate was adhered?  That's the same idea behind refacing cabinetry. 

In a time when homeowners have the option to install granite or other solid surface counter-tops, it pays to ensure that your new cabinets will literally be able to support the weight of these heavier counter-tops.  Refacing means that you may be relying on a relatively weak cabinet to carry a much heavier load than was originally intended.

Finally, when you settle for refacing in lieu of new cabinets you are unable to alter the layout of your kitchen in order to make it more efficient.  New cabinetry allows your kitchen contractor to design a layout that not only suits your purposes, but that adds a modern style and convenience to a newly remodeled kitchen.  Suppose you want a double-sink and your sink-base cabinet is only 27" wide.  Well, you're out of luck and would be stuck installing another single-bowl sink.  Unless you replace your cabinets in order to adjust the kitchen layout properly to accommodate a larger sink and perhaps larger appliances.

At the end of the day, it doesn't take an expert to admire the difference between a refaced kitchen and a completely remodeled one.  The quality of materials and the creativity of a new kitchen layout will be noticed by friends and family when you choose professional cabinet replacement.

If you are interested in more information or a free estimate on our kitchen, bathroom or basement remodeling projects, please call 610-667-7775 or Click Here

Bow and bay windows are sought after by homeowners to make a bold statement. Curb appeal is often enhanced by replacing a few standard double-hung windows on the front of a house with one large "showcase" window that projects outward from the exterior wall of the home. By extending the facade in this manner, you are afforded the ability to construct an interior window sill onto which you can set vases or other floral arrangements, fine porcelain or even trophies, if your heart desires. I had a customer several years ago who purchased a large bay window for one simple reason: to allow his cat a place to comfortably lay in the sun.

As with all replacement windows, there are many factors you must take into consideration when purchasing a bow or bay window. First and foremost is the energy-efficiency of the product. Remember, these windows are much larger than traditional double-hung windows, the ones you will likely find in your bedrooms. As such, there is substantial glass surface area which will be exposed to the elements. Choose a window with poor glass and you'll be miserable for years to come.

Similarly, the frame of the window is of paramount importance. Most replacement windows are made of vinyl, which does an excellent job of resisting heat or cold. Many manufacturers will offer an option to add insulation to the interior of this frame, which is traditionally hollow and multi-chambered, similar to a honeycomb. Always demand a welded vinyl master frame. Such a large window will require a welded frame to ensure its structural integrity.

Be certain to ask your window contractor for the "U-factor" of his or her window. This will inform you as to the efficiency of the bow or bay window. The lower the U-factor, the better its insulation properties will be. Next, consider whether your new window will have fabric curtains or furniture nearby. If so, the large expanse of glass will allow harmful solar rays to fade these materials and colors over time. Insist on a low-emissivity or "Low-E" glass coating. This barely perceptible coating will reflect the UVA and UVB rays, keeping them from destroying your furnishings.

The interior window sill on a bay or bow window can be vinyl or wood. Often, birch is the wood chosen by manufacturers for its beautiful wood grain. Be careful if you plan to place plants on this window sill. When watering, any overflow will damage the wood before long. It may be best to opt for a vinyl sill if this is your intention. If instead you plan on placing a large vase or artificial flowers on your new sill, birch will be your most attractive option. A wood sill can be stained and a polyurethane coating applied to not only protect it, but to complement your home's interior. Often we will stain a sill to match a wood banister or hardwood flooring in a customer's home.

For More Information About Our Window, Door & Siding Installation Services OR to Schedule a Free Consultation, Please call 610-667-7775 or CLICK HERE

American housing can be divided into a few distinct groups. If you live in the Philadelphia suburbs, you likely dwell under a sloped or pitched roof. Such construction allows for the installation of fiberglass roofing shingles as the primary membrane keeping rain and snow from penetrating into the wood sheathing beneath them. Usually, shingled roofs are guaranteed by the manufacturer for 20-30 years, depending on the thickness and quality of the product.

If you reside inside of the Philadelphia city limits, you likely have a flat roof. A flat roof is exactly what you would expect…very little pitch or slope to aid in the draining process. These roofs are typically found on houses built inside Philadelphia between 1900-1950.  A Philadelphia roofing contractor should have ample experience with these roofs.

Historically, rolls of fiberglass were installed over of the older layer of roof covering with the help of hot asphalt in order to adhere a new membrane for protection against the elements. Since flat roofs are problematic with regard to proper drainage, only 8-10 year guarantees were offered by flat roofing contractors. And even then, the flat roofs needed to coated with a fresh layer of asphalt every three years to keep the warranty in force and valid!

As you can imagine, after 30-40 years of continually adding layer after layer of new roofing material over the older layers, the durability of each new layer was reduced substantially. Look at it this way: suppose you placed a piece of duck-tape over a hole in the side of a styrofoam cup filled with coffee. For a while, perhaps a long while, the tape would do its job just fine, holding the liquid inside the cup. But, after a period of time, the tape would need some help doing its job. At that point, you'd add yet another piece of tape over the old one, extending the protection. Well, once you had about six layers of tape, you might be wondering whether tearing everything off and starting from scratch might be in order.

That's exactly what homeowners need to do in many cases: remove ALL layers of roofing membrane and haul them away in a dumpster, prior to applying a new roof covering over the original roof decking which is typically constructed of wood.

Today, homeowners would be well-advised to steer away from fiberglass and hot asphalt on their flat roofs. Instead, rubber roofing material, typically modified bitumin, should be applied over the decking or existing roof. This material is warranted for 15 years if installed by a professional Philadelphia Roofing Contractor  .  He will also replace the drain-box and downspout in the rear section of a flat roof to ensure that all water will drain easily, leaving no puddles on the rooftop. Inside our city, these drain-boxes often need to be lowered by a qualified contractor familiar with flat roofing projects on 60-100 year-old housing. Only then can you be certain that your new roof will last for nearly a generation.

For More Information about our Roofing & Siding or Door & Window installation services or to schedule a free consultation, call 610-667-7775 or Click Here.

What Makes a Qualified Home Remodeling Contractor Philadelphia

Finding a qualified home remodeling contractor in Philadelphia may sound easy.  Unfortunately, the fact is that while hundreds or even thousands of contractors exist in our area, woefully few can be considered qualified.  Sadly, many are unskilled and lack what it takes to complete a project in a timely and professional manner.

Even before a project commences, the professional contractor shows his worth by directing his client to the proper materials and layout necessary for satisfying the needs of his or her customer.  The goal isn't simply to complete the job and get paid, but rather to exceed the expectations of his client.  Achieving this task requires helping with design and product selection from the outset.

Once a contractor has been awarded the contract by a homeowner is when the "heavy-lifting" begins.  It becomes readily apparent whether the installer is indeed qualified or just another "jack-of-all-trades".  Homeowners can only guaranty they have chosen wisely by doing their homework beforehand.  The more experienced a service provider is, the better the project will turn out upon completion.  Often, something unforeseen arises in the middle of a contracting job.  An experienced technician will know at once how best to overcome such obstacles.  Checking a company's references and licensing will go a long way to determining how long an enterprise has been in business.  Many states require licenses and almost all cities do as well.

Your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) will also prove helpful.  Simply being a member of the BBB isn't enough for the discerning homeowner.  Today, you'll want to ensure that he or she has an A+ rating at the BBB.  Only then can you be certain that the contractor will satisfy any concerns that you will have both during and after the project has been completed.

For More Information about our Home Remodeling and Window & Door Installation services or to schedule a free consultation, call 610-667-7775 or click here.

Contractor EPA Lead-Safe Certification

Effective April 22, 2010, all contractors and renovators who perform improvements to homes built prior to 1978 are required to be lead-safe certified by the EPA.  How can you know for certain if your contractor is certified?  For one thing, they will display the following logo provided by the EPA:

A certified contractor will also be able to provide you with a certificate bearing the seal of the EPA along with the company's unique certification number.  This is proof to you, the homeowner, that your remodeling contractor has been trained in the containment of lead, which could be present if your home was built prior to 1978.  Don't allow a remodeling contractor to perform work on your home unless they can provide a valid EPA certificate.

According to the EPA, lead paint that is in good condition is not a health hazard.  But once you start your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project, you'll feel more comfortable knowing that your contractor is lead-safe certified by the EPA and has been trained in proper lead containment.  Similarly, window & door replacement can potentially disturb lead paint.  A remodeler using lead-safe practices will take the precautions necessary to contain any lead, should it be present.

When searching for a contractor in the greater Philadelphia area, make sure that you include EPA lead-safe certification as one of your criteria.  As a lead-safe certified firm, American Home Concepts, Inc. sincerely hopes that you will consider us for your remodeling needs.

For More Information about our lead-safe certified home remodeling services or to schedule a free consultation, call 610-667-7775 or click here.

I am often asked which replacement entry door will insulate a home the best.  Usually, the answer has as much to do with the installation of the door as the insulation inside the door.

An entry door is only as good as the contractor who installs it.  Make certain that you’re dealing with a contractor who understands that only a custom-made door installed securely against your door frame will keep out the elements.  An installer who purchases a door from a home-center or big-box retailer and merely “makes the door fit” should be avoided at all costs. 

Similarly, check the contractor’s record at the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) in order to obtain their grade rating.  This independent source of information is priceless, as it might save you quite a bit of heartache.  Check also that the contractor has been in business for more than 15 years.  Sadly, most contractors are out of business within the first five years.  One who has at least a 15-year track record has most likely made a commitment to servicing customer problems and performing excellent work.

As for the door itself, it is worth noting that high quality steel and fiberglass replacement doors are typically filled with the same insulating material in their interior cavity.  Specifically, good quality doors contain polyurethane foam and possess a thermal-break which both help to keep the cold temperatures which contact the exterior of the door from infiltrating the interior surface of the door. 

Aside from drafts coming in through the sides and top of a replacement entry door, problems with cheaper, inferior-quality doors often come from drafting underneath the door.  Insist on a door with an adjustable threshold and rubber “fins” at the bottom of the entry door and you’ll be happy with your purchase for years to come.  The adjustable threshold literally hugs the rubber “fins” for a secure seal to eliminate air penetration.  Likewise, a magnetic rubber seal around the door frame will ensure an air-tight fit on both the sides and top of your new door.

Unfortunately, the big-box retailers are more interested in attaining a low price-point than in supplying a good high quality replacement entry door.  Search for a professional, local door installation contractor whose door possesses the elements above and you’ll avoid the headaches associated these mass marketers of mediocrity.

We hope you’ll consider American Home Concepts, Inc. for your door replacement and for all of your other home remodeling needs. 

For More Information about our Door Replacement & Installation services or to schedule a free consultation, call 610-667-7775 or click here.

For More Information about our Window Replacement & Installation services or to schedule a free consultation, call 610-667-7775 or click here.

For More Information about our Kitchen Remodeling Services or to schedule a free consultation, call 610-667-7775 or  click here.