PVC Cellular Decking: The New Composite

PVC Cellular Decking has become the new generation of decking and is the answer to customers’ demand for a long lasting, low maintenance deck.

Although Composites have been a popular choice for decking materials for years, Cellular PVC provides a long list of benefits over Composite products. In Cellular PVC boards, the wood fiber has been removed (unlike Composites) and made entirely from polyvinyl chloride creating a stronger material altogether.

PVC Cellular Deck Installed by KHI

Advantages of Cellular PVC decking include:

Mimics the Natural Beauty of Wood.Cellular PVC boards have embossed wood grain on both sides creating the look and feel of a wood deck.


Great Durability.  It can hold up to extreme weather conditions and is expected to last a lifetime. Since the boards do not have the organic filler that composites do, the boards will not mold, scratch, crack, splinter, warp or rot. In addition, Cellular PVC boards do not take in or give off moisture so they won’t shrink or swell.


Low Maintenance.  A cellular PVC deck does not ever require staining and/or sealing. The boards have a protective outer layer for easy cleaning. Just simply hose the deck down a few times a year to get rid of any spills or surface dirt and tend to accidental stains as soon as possible with household cleaners. No environmentally harmful cleaning products needed.


Better Color Retention.  Cellular PVC’s color will not fade. Though it is unlikely you will ever have to replace a board because it does not crack, warp or separate due in varying weather cycles, if you should have to replace a Cellular PVC deck board a year or two later, you will not see a difference in the color.


Improved Safety. The deep wood grain texture on Cellular PVC deck boards creates a much safer non-slip surface. The boards also maintain 20%-30% less heat retention than composites making it much cooler for your pet to walk on or walking barefoot. It also features a much higher fire resistance than wood or composites (some Cellular PVC’s have a Class A Fire rating).


Variety of Colors. Manufacturers have increased the variety of colors available to match any home and blend in with any outdoor environment.

Vinyl and Composite Railings Systems

Vinyl Deck Railings come in a variety of colors and styles and are made of PVC, making them tough, durable and virtually maintenance free. Although they are more expensive than wood railings, you can expect them to last much longer and survive harsh weather conditions. According to LP WeatherBest's Steve Weinstein, Brand Manager for outdoor living products, white PVC–capped composite railing is the fastest growing segment of the market. “It appears to be growing by about 20% to 25% a year,” Weinstein says.

Railing System Installed by KHI

Composite Deck Railings are mostly made of plastic mixed with wood fibers to create prefabricated railings that look like natural wood. Some railings have a similar density to real wood so they can be cut and finished (unlike vinyl railings). Composite Deck Railings are available in a wide variety of colors and textures.

Kitchen Cabinets: Choosing Your Door Style

If you’re considering new kitchen cabinets, it can helpful to learn some of the terms you’ll see when reading about cabinet options. Kitchen cabinet doors can be mounted in different ways which is what creates the distinct look of certain cabinet collections. The face frame is the cabinet foundation. Overlay describes how much of the face frame is visible, while the covered portion is referred to as the reveal.

Full overlay raised panel

• Partial overlay is the most common door style option. This is where the doors are mounted on the face frame, leaving one inch of reveal.
• A full overlay is designed to have the doors almost entirely cover the reveal. This is more common in frame- less or “European” kitchen cabinets but it can also be seen in framed cabinet units. With a full overlay, hinges are concealed and less than an eighth of an inch is left between doors.
• Another option for your cabinets is the flush inset. This is where the doors are attached within the rails and stiles, and lie even with the front portion of the cabinet box. If you choose this option you should be aware that a common problem with a flush inset this is that humidity and changes in temperature can cause rubbing between the stiles and the door.

Full overlay slab door/drawers

Choosing your new cabinet doors can be a   challenge. There are many styles and of panels and finishes you can choose. The following list will help you select your door style:

• Slab displays clean lines and simplicity.
• A recessed panel door has a picture-         frame look with a flat panel fixed within           a mounting constructed with mortise and tenon joints.
• The raised panel door has panels that measure between ½ and ¾ inch in height, which creates a bulging quality to the doors. This is then made more dramatic by a routed edge profile that gives the door a distinct elegance.
• Curved panel doors have decorative raised panels that loop upward in gentle arches.
• The cathedral panel can either be raised or recessed, with a cathedral-type arch crowning the door.
• A bead board panel is typically found in recessed panels and makes use of routed beaded details which gives a casual country look.

Flush inset flat recessed panelshaker panel

Your kitchen design and décor should be chosen to compli- ment the architectural style of your home. There are contemporary cabinets for the more modern  house as well as designs that can be used for a variety of architectures from traditional, cottage, transitional or modern kitchens like Shakerand Missiondoor styles.                                 
If you are planning on a kitchen remodel, call Kruse Home Improvement at 860-584-8784 for more information. We can help you design your dream kitchen.

KHI Quarterly V3 Q2 - Spring 2012

Enjoy the Summer in Your New Outdoor Kitchen

For entertaining friends, hosting the family, or just having more time in the fresh air, outdoor kitchens are becoming one of the hottest items in home building. Outdoor kitchens offer all the features of your indoor kitchen except the outdoor appliances, counters, and cabinets are weather proofed to withstand anything Mother Nature can throw at them. Features of most outdoor kitchens include a grill, fireplace or pit, counters and cabinets, and of course a kitchen sink.

When it comes to an outdoor grill, there are several options. Depending on your needs, you can get something that is prefab, semi-custom, or fully customized. You can purchase something extravagant like a drop-in stove with six burners and a gas kit but if you only barbeque once a week, a grill with a counter and storage cabinet, covered with tile or stucco, should do it. The cabinet will protect supplies from the weather and the countertop will provide work space when you get down to cooking. Other outdoor cooking options include a fireplace, oven or firepit. A fireplace is a great place to congregate while you cook and it really adds an outdoor room feel. A firepit can be used to cook with a rotisserie, skewers or simply grill over the open flame. An outdoor oven is like a traditional oven but can include wonderful features like a brick or stone pizza oven.

Since your family will enjoy spending time in your outdoor kitchen, you'll want storage space and a counter or table for dining, along with a sink and refrigerator. Some additional considerations include brick or stone countertops which can also be used to eat on. Storage cabinets must be made of waterproof materials or stainless steel. Stainless steel that matches your grill is a great option for cabinets.

No kitchen would be complete without a sink. Outdoor sinks are  either fed with a hose or connected to the home's water supply. Good choices for your outdoor sink would be either stainless steel or ceramic.

You might want to consider a roof to keep your kitchen sheltered from the elements but you’ll have to keep the grill exposed to  properly ventilate the smoke.

Finally, it's important to consider the proper flooring. You’ll want to avoid using flooring that is slick, which eliminates tile or marble right off the bat. Good choices for flooring include pavers, composite decking, exotic hardwoods such as Ipe’ or Teak, or cellular PVC tongue and groove porch flooring.

Designing your outdoor kitchen can be a fun experience. Once it’s complete it will provide your family with years of outdoor enjoyment. For more information or to schedule an appointment to design your outdoor kitchen, call Kruse Home Improvement at 860-584-8784.

Looking to add the perfect outdoor living space?  

You may want to consider adding a screened in porch.

Screened porches allow homeowners to enjoy the outdoors while being sheltered from the sun on a hot day. You can still relax and avoid the sun's harmful UV rays in your screened in porch. Getting drenched from the rain and avoiding those pesky insects and bugs can ruin the enjoyment of outdoor plans. Spending more time outdoors is possible with an enclosed porch. Along with offering shelter, you will be able to capture a breeze or entertain regardless of the weather. It is also cooler than entertaining on an outdoor porch and there is no need to cancel your plans if it rains.

Another great benefit of adding a screened porch is that it can be built on a budget. For a low investment,  homeowners can add an increased value to their home. A porch that is enclosed will add more value when the house is on the market than a porch which is not enclosed.

You will need to consider a few things when designing a screened in porch. There are many great designs that can add additional, stunning living space to your home. To decide on the size of your enclosed porch, consider the furniture you will be putting in the room and how many    people you plan to gather in the room. Be sure to match the trim details of your house including the roof. This means deciding between aluminum and 
wood-framed porches depending on the design of your house. 

A nice feature to the porch is the addition of a ceiling fan. This will allow for nice airflow on a warm summer day. Skylights are very common on screened in porches.  They are a great way to bring natural light to the room during the day and keep it warm enough to be comfortable.  You can even place glass panels over the screens to help keep the porch warmer and if you want to take an extra step to make the room useable even in the winter, you could install a heating system in the room.

Screened in porches are built solely for enjoyment and as you can see there are many benefits to having a screened in porch. An enclosed porch allows you and your family to spend quality time together playing games or eating dinner. It is also a great way to relax in a peaceful environment. You will be amazed at how much everyone enjoys it!

Choosing Flooring for Your Home

There are many things to take into consideration when choosing the appropriate flooring for your home. With so many choices available, here are some key points outlined at Home Style Choices to consider in making the right choice:

§     Consider the room. The function of the room, as well as the location of the room, is a huge factor in your decision. For example, the kitchen is the busiest room in the house and is also prone to food and liquid spills. As a result, you want to consider a floor that will stand up to heavy trafffic, grit, etc. and easy to clean. Some popular choices for a kitchen would be Linoleum Floors, Marmoleum Flooring, Vinyl Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, and Ceramic and Stone Tiles.

§      Consider your family and lifestyle. How you and your family live makes a difference in choosing a floor type. If you have children and/or pets, take this in consideration when making your decision. Children usually mean more wear and tear from running, banging and simply more traffic. Some of the laminate products might be better in this scenario than solid wood due to the favorable wear characteristics of laminate. This is also a good choice if you have pets as it is much easier to cleanup from pets that shed whereas carpeting might retain pet hair. Claws from cats and dogs can also scratch wood.

Keep in mind also that grout seams associated with tile can be frustrating or even difficult for family members with wheeled walkers or wheelchairs. The wheels could catch or "clunk" as they pass over the grout, especially wider grout lines.

§      Consider your health. People with allergies and/or respiratory issues should be aware that carpet and other floor materials can contain higher VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that might contribute to ill health effects. Carpeting can harbor allergens that are more easily cleaned up from hard surfaces. In these situations look for products that have lower VOC emissions. As an example, Armstrong® products that meet criteria for low-VOC emissions carry their FloorScore™ certification. The Carpet and Rug Institute identifies low VOC products with their Green Label designation.

§    Consider the care and maintenance you will be putting into the floor. Some materials have higher maintenance needs than others if you want them to last and maintain their appearance. No floor will last forever if the grit isn't swept on a regular basis and kept clean but some materials are better than others in this situation. You must decide on a suitable material or commit to the upkeep required to maintain more delicate surfaces in these situations.

§    Consider your budget. Do you want a high-end expensive surface or does your budget allow a more economical choice? You might be surprised to find alternatives to your choices for less money. For example, you can find a laminate which is a close match to real wood. Be sure to research for alternatives.

§      Look at samples. It is important to visit several showrooms that sell the types of flooring materials you are considering. Looking at pictures and reading about them is one thing but actually seeing them in person and standing on them can help solidify your decision on which product is right for you. This is particularly true with laminate floors, where you can really see if the appearance is close enough to the real thing or not.

It's only natural that we want our floors to look great as it can make an entire room stand out, however, be sure to keep in mind practical aspects when making your choice.

For more information on Flooring contact Kruse Home Improvement at 860-584-8784.

Top Choices in Kitchen Countertops

If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen but not sure what material should be used for the countertop, you may want to consider one of the choices below.

According to the Home Improvement Blog, the most popular materials used for countertops are granite, tile and marble. Although these natural materials are a little pricier than laminates, they are sure to be a good investment if they are maintained well. Other popular choices include quartz and solid surface countertops.

·         If you want a stylish kitchen with a beautiful appearance, Marble Countertops may be the best choice for you. Marble is elegant, but simple. If you choose to go with marble, keep in mind that it does require constant maintenance since it is a porous stone, which means that it is not resistant to staining. If you spill something on your marble countertop, you should wipe it off immediately. The surface is prone to scratching and is NOT heat resistant. Always use a pot holder or placemat to protect the finish of the countertop. Although marble is very costly and requires a lot of care, the properties of a marble countertop make it an attractive addition to any home and the expense of purchasing the countertop may be worth the length of time that it will last. 

·        Granite, the 2nd highest hardness rating after diamonds, is heat and scratch resistant and very durable. Granite Countertops are very elegant and beautiful. You can choose from a range of almost 3000 colors as well as polished and unpolished countertops. Polish gives a “formal” appearance and can be taken off. Unpolished countertops are more popular because they are more practical. Granite is also a porous stone, so you need to keep in mind that you may have to reseal your countertops every year (this is not costly and you can do it yourself). Although granite is very expensive, it is one of the hardest materials in the world and kitchen countertops that are made out of granite are built to last for a lifetime. 

·         Quartz countertops are an alternative to natural stone such as granite. Although quartz looks very similar to granite and the cost difference between the two is minimal, quartz is a harder material than granite, making it more difficult to chip or break. The material is nonporous, requiring much less maintenance than other countertop material. Although quartz is resistant to scratches and stains, it does NOT offer the heat resistance of natural stone. Be sure to always use a pot holder or placemat to protect the finish of the countertop. Chemicals that are highly acidic or alkaline can damage the surface of the countertop. Be sure to always use a proper cleaner.

·         Solid Surface Countertops are very durable and provide years of low maintenance beauty and service. With a wide variety of colors, patterns and finishes to choose from, solid surfaces are nonporous, easy to clean and do not require resealing. One of the advantages of having solid surface countertops is that minor scratches can be sanded or easily buffed away. The material is heated to create the solid slab, which is also why excessive heat is one of the few things that can damage the countertop. Be sure to not set a hot pan on your countertop.

·         If you decide to go with Tile Countertops, you’ll have a huge variety to choose from. They are easy to clean and come in a wide range of color, texture, patterns and finishes. Ceramic or porcelain tile should be used on countertops because they are more durable and less porous. Tile countertops are a less expensive choice if you are on a budget.

There is no such thing as a bad or a good material for a countertop. When trying to determine which countertop material is the best choice for you, keep in mind cost, durability and style. Be sure to always use a proper cleaner. For homemade cleaners visit http://www.ehow.com. 

Sources: homeimprovementblog.com, eHow.com, homedepot.com

Buying Guide For Bedroom Furniture

Of all the hassles and nuances you go through while picking the right bedroom furniture and furnishings for your home, reaching a ‘stuck-up’ situation can be the worst. It can happen when you buy furniture without looking into practical details of your home, or a particular room, the bedroom, for instance. Buying bedding set, bedroom mirrors and storage furniture like an armoires and dressers may be tricky. The kind of practical problems you face while buying furniture is different from the world of modern bedroom furniture and suites that you see on online furniture stores.

It helps to have a basic guideline in place. Here are a few tips on buying furniture that fits your home,

1. Local retailers can be a source of information to help you decide. Sometimes you may end up finding a great deal unlike retail shops that spend so much on floor space and as a result, hike up furniture prices. As online furniture stores save on this part, they get to pass on some part of the savings to customers as discounts.

2. Define your style. Each one of us has his own unique liking. If Bahamian is your style statement, you can buy furniture that fits the idea; and also combine it with other traditional and modern furniture.

3. Bed sizes
Who will sleep in the bed? What is the size of your bedroom? Take into account the number of people and the size of the person/s. Master beds are the largest, followed by King-size beds (California and standard), queen beds, full beds and twin beds. The dimensions of each size are as follows:

 California king bed: 72 inches wide x 84 inches long
 King bed: 76 inches wide x 80 inches long
 Queen bed: 60 inches wide x 80 inches long
 Full bed (or double bed): 54 inches wide x 75 inches long
 Twin bed: 39 inches wide x 75 inches long (80 inches for extra long twin beds)

4. Bed Design
The construction of a basic bed is simple. It has a headboard on one end, footboard on the other. In between is the frame whereon the mattress fits. Depending on your taste, you can opt for anything from low-slung platform beds with an Oriental touch, to regular beds with much classy color and finish options. It is good to keep in touch the kind of scheming you plan to have with your bed. Then there are futons, day beds and trundle beds that make a great combo of utility and style.

5. Bed construction
Wood is the most common material used in bed construction. The advantages are sturdiness, longevity and easy maintenance. However, other material like powder-coated steel and brass are popular for its robustness and sleek features. Depending on your lifestyle, you can choose one that suits your taste and practical needs of your home. You don’t want a bulky bed when you keep shifting places more often. Something neat and handy, which can be assembled and dissembled easily, may be the best choice. So assess your need, first.

6. Night stands
Nightstands may be a tricky thing to choose. Especially if you have a designer bed, teaming up a pair of nightstand with other furniture and the overall theme may be difficult. But you can always get suites that come with complementing nightstands, armoires, dressing tables and mirrors. If you already have a bed, then you can opt for a design that is either the same color/finish as the bed or something complementing that fits with other furniture items in your bedroom.

7. Wardrobe/ Armoire
A wardrobe or armoire is one of the most important features in the bedroom. Depending on the number of people, the armoire should be combination of functionality and space, with drawers, hanging bars and other units you desire. Classic wooden armoires are popular, so are glass and wood wardrobes that look modern. Make sure you check the door dimensions of your bedroom to make moving the armoire easy.

8. Dressers, Mirrors and Chests
Well, we all know the story of cluttered drawers and closets. If you practically estimate the kind of space you need on daily basis, you can round up on a sensible dresser with spacey drawers and a complimenting mirror. Roomy drawers also allow more air and help with the uncluttered space we all so much crave for. While chests are vertical, dressers are wide and horizontally inclined. Check the dimensions carefully, for you need space to move around the bedroom. 

9. Mattresses
Beds and mattress is an inseparable pair, both complimenting each other. There are regular mattresses and box spring mattress that require a basic construction. While others are built in a manner that needs no box springs, especially platform beds.

Bed sets or suites are also great money savers. You need not hassle over too many details. You get a matching bed, night stand and dresser together, so you won't have to spend much time stewing and fretting over whether or not all your wood bedroom furniture will match. If your bedroom is large enough, also consider new chairs, a bookcase or two, maybe a new entertainment center.

With a new bed, you may want to add fresh bedding. Go for subtle serene shades that go with the curtains, wall paint and rest of the décor. With our huge discounts and low shipping, you can furnish your whole house without ever leaving it.

London builders: How to choose a shower cabin.

If you don't like to luxuriate in a warm bath and become accustomed to take a refreshing shower in the morning and to take a relaxing shower before going to bed, then a shower cabin is an optimal solution for you. Being alternative to baths, shower cabins become more and more popular nowadays. There are several reasons for such popularity. Firstly, in comparison with bath, the shower saves water approximately fivefold. Secondly, shower takes much less time, than having a bath. Thirdly, a shower cabin saves space - i.e. the bath utilizes much less space than a bath. And, besides the shower cabin is considered more hygienic in operation as bath because dirt is washed off by flowing water. Thus, advantages of this equipment are quite obvious. It is time to go to shop and to buy a shower cabin.
 

Prior to purchase of the shower cabin, it is necessary to determine its design. There are open and closed shower cabins. Open shower cabins border the shower zone partially - there is a shower partition or a door between existing walls. Closed shower cabins are bordered completely along the perimeter of shower zone and have a roof which prevents steam outflow and hampers condensation. Certainly, the closed cabin is more comfortable, but it is much more expensive.

The doors of shower cabins are usually made of glass which may be transparent, matte or rough. Single or double swing doors usually require the greater area of bathroom. Sliding doors utilize much less space. The more leaves, the less space is inside of a cabin, but the frame, at the same time, becomes steadier.

When choosing the shower cabin it is necessary to consider that its size must not be less than 80 x 80 cm, otherwise you will be essentially limited in space.

Shower cabins pallets may be made of pig-iron, steel, ceramics, artificial marble (pallet is made of pressed marble chips and polymeric pitches), as well as of synthetic materials: acrylic and its more modern derivative - quaryl. All these materials have their own peculiarities of maintenance. For example, pig-iron enameled pallets are steady, but get warm too long, steel pallets rattle under a jet of water, and pallets made of ceramics (faience) may crack up. Marble pallets are quite expensive, but they worth it: durable, convenient and having perfect appearance. Each of such pallets is unique, as each piece of marble is unique on its color, shades and structure. Acrylic pallet is nice too but it's not durable and needs a special frame, and its surface is not jam-proof. However, scratches on acrylic are easily removed and special skills for that purpose are not required. Quaryl is one of acrylic's derivatives (for its manufacturing marble chips are used) and its surface is much more jam-proof.

In general, the following requirements are specified to pallets: durability, immunity of surface to mechanical damages (scratches, chipping), rapid warming up, external decorative effect and not least, the presence of fluting on a pallet's surface which hampers sliding.

Functionality of shower cabins goes beyond the ability of shower. Modern shower cabin not just replaces a bath, but may combine functions of Turkish bath, massage and therapeutic salons.

For example, vertical massage is provided by jets of water supplied from injectors. Number of apertures in injectors may vary from 3 and more. Some shower cabins are equipped with feet massage function. The pressure necessary for normal functioning of vertical massage system is 3-5 atms. You'll have to make a point of these peculiarities as in many houses not having the special equipment all these amenities will be unclaimed. The reason is common - absence of needed water pressure in water pipe. If the pressure is low you'll have to choose only those shower cabins which work at water pressure of 1.5 atms.

The transition douche effect is achieved by alternate action of contrast temperatures water alternating within short time-periods. Cold water is supplied from water supply system and hot water temperature may be chosen by you. This function may be applied both when using a hand spray and with vertical massage system. Hydro massage is the function of vertical massage system. It is represented by alternate bottom-up injection of horizontal groups of injectors. Chromotherapy in shower cabin is represented by special source of illumination placed in cabin which periodically lights up with various colors.

Turkish bath function is generation of steam by steam generator. That steam goes to a cabin from a steam blower. The temperature of steam makes 45-60C. Almost all shower cabins have function of steam aromatization with phytocosmetic substances.

Possible connection of radio and audio belongs to group of audio functions. As a rule, they are built in shower cabin. Cabins having such functions are equipped with switchboard which enables adjustment of functioning parameters; such cabins also have built in speaker system.

Combined multifunction shower cabins have all advantages of hydro massage baths and shower cabins. Their size is usually quite impressive, but, nevertheless, they save a lot of space.

Shower cabin installation does not require of any structural works such as tile and stone works or field painting. You'll have to connect the shower cabin with water supply pipe and with discharge stack. These operations are to be performed by experts.

The prices on different shower cabins may vary, but generally the price determines both quality and volume of "services" "provided" by a cabin.