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Storm doors and security storm doors aren’t the same as the aluminum ones you may recall from 20-30 years ago.  Decorative styles can not only secure your property and protect your family, but also add beauty to your residence.

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

In the last decade, bathroom remodeling companies have started offering alternatives when providing bathroom designs; often for the sake of saving money and increasing their own profit.  The bath-liner is one product, in particular, which has reduced bathroom improvement costs, but has also reduced the quality of completed bathroom projects.

Quite simply, a bath-liner, or bath-fitter as they are often called, is a molded fiberglass or vinyl sheet which is installed over a homeowner's existing tiles.  No plumbing beneath the bathtub or shower is replaced.  Many times in an older home the ceramic tiles have mold growth on and underneath the grout lines between tiles.  Unfortunately, once the liner is installed over the tiles homeowners don't see the conditions that exist behind it.  While on the surface things look all right, no one can be certain what's lurking beneath the surface.  Of the many bathroom ideas contractors have come up with, the bath-liner is among the worst.

At American Home Concepts, Inc. we recommend complete replacement of the shower walls and installation of new ceramic tiles.  Whether yours is a small bathroom or a large one, a custom-designed ceramic tile scheme will add beauty to your new bathroom and value to your home.  Instead of simply installing a white or almond-colored sheet over the shower walls, we can design an attractive pattern of angled tiles with interesting borders and glass mosaics.

Very often, the cost for the services of a professional bathroom contractor is not much more than taking the cheaper route and installing a bath-liner.  Let us show you how we can make your dream bathroom a reality.

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

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

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

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.

Let's remember, you have enough to worry about.  Providing you with the components and features available on replacement windows in Philadelphia is a contractor's job!  Frames may be made of several materials, insulated-glass can contain Argon gas for additional insulation and frames offer the option of insulation as well.  The only true way to make certain you buy the "right" window for you is to see a physical sample of a contractor's window right there, in the middle of your living room.

A professional will always bring a scaled-down version of his window when he visits your home.  If he doesn't have one available, you need to find another contractor.  You wouldn't purchase a car or even a barbeque without seeing it first!  Why on Earth would you not do the same with windows.

Replacement of rotted woodwork and installation of exterior capping is necessary on most homes.  Make sure your window contractor has the equipment required to perform these important tasks.  An uncapped window will need to be painted, otherwise it will rot, causing you more maintenance headaches in the coming years.  And headaches are exactly what you're trying to put an end to.

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

So, how do you do this?  How do you ensure that the skills necessary to properly complete your project are possessed by the company you choose?

State Registrations – Qualified home remodeling contractors in Philadelphia will be registered with the Office of the Attorney General's Office in Harrisburg.  Check the website online for proof of state registration.

Work Experience – Find out which homes in your neighborhood or even on your street have been improved by the contractor you are considering.  If they don't have references which you can walk to, they simply haven't completed enough projects on homes similar to yours.

Innovation & Style – Nearly anyone can install a store-bought cabinet or front door.  But when you are interested in a "look" that is entirely your own, you may want to hire a contractor who offers a unique selection and options you may have never thought of before.  Don't settle for a firm with limited experience, find a remodeler with a sense of style who has ample experience employing creative ideas.

When you hire a remodeling contractor in Philadelphia, you need to find a company whose employees are willing to work with you.  They must understand the problems you need solved, as well as your time-frame.  Finally, while you must ensure that you are not overcharged, make sure that you don't choose the cheapest contractor either, as you will likely get what you pay for.

If you are interested in more information or a free estimate on our line of replacement windows, vinyl siding & doors or our kitchen, bathroom or basement remodeling projects, please call 610-667-7775 or click here.