Who Says a Wood Deck is Out?

Wood Decks? With the myriad options available for decks and porches, it’s seldom that we have a request for a pressure-treated wood deck. A family in Haddonfield, NJ opted for just that after seeing the cost difference for composites. Bad Rep & Maintenance Wood decks have a reputation for warping, splintering and generally degrading in a short amount of time. The fact is, however, that has much more to do with the time, money, and effort spent on maintenance by the homeowner than is does the materials involved. Pressure-treated yellow pine is resistant to insects and moisture damage and is a sturdy and dependable structural material. On the other hand, it is also notorious for twisting, warping, spitting, and splintering as it loses its moisture content. Those effects can be minimized by applying an oil-based stain or sealer to the wood, soon after the wood deck has been erected, and treated annually after that. In addition, bolts holding railing posts and beams together should...
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Kitchens: What’s Old is What’s New and Visa-versa

 Kitchen Design: What’s New? What’s Old? So, you want to remodel your kitchen, and you’re looking for ideas. You’ll soon find there are millions of them. Perhaps, so many that the exercise of research just makes the decisions more complicated. There are no hard and fast rules. The kitchen you want has to suit you. Well, it all looks so good! Traditional cabinetry with ultra-modern appliances and accoutrements—and visa-versa—is fast becoming a trend. The mixture of past, present, and imagined future design elements can be melded to create an eclectic whole. Stainless steel and distressed pine together—natural stone and backlit acrylics—bold-colored islands and stained perimeter cabinetry. Seemingly incompatible forms can work to create your eclectic whole. Often, this demands the eye and skills of a professional kitchen designer.                                                                                             Old world meets new: Before                                                                                                                                                  After           The kitchen work triangle of the past has given way to the new kitchen polygon. With the advent of multiple work stations, multiple sinks, pot fillers, mixer lifts,...
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DELRAN, NJ WINDOW PROJECT

DELRAN, NJ WINDOW PROJECT

WINDOWS in GENERAL When searching for a new home, windows are usually not a huge determining factor. As long as we can see through them, they open and close, and are reasonably presentable; little effort usually goes into research into their quality. Unfortunately, if a home was constructed with many others in a “development” context, the builder likely put similar effort into choosing them. It’s the cost that usually drives those decisions. Not just the cost of the window units, but the cost of their installation as well. Window and door installations, like roofing, siding, drywall, and every other facet of new home building, are often performed by “piece workers.” They are workers that are paid according to the quantity of units they install. The quality of the installation has little oversight. Since the consequences of a poor install will not be realized till long after the check clears and the warranty expires, the installation is geared toward speed rather than longevity...
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NLR Bath Makeover: A Little Style–A Big Difference!

MARLTON BATH MAKEOVER A drastic change in the appearance of your bathroom doesn’t have to break the bank or take forever. Minor swap-outs of cabinetry, fixtures, flooring, and a tasteful paint job, and it feels like a whole new space. A bath makeover doesn’t have to be all out—and it doesn’t have to empty your bank account. All it takes is a keen sense of style and a good bath remodeler. In less than a week, this client enhanced her bathroom with a few simple changes. A vanity cabinet, a matching classic medicine cabinet, a natural stone top, a new tub and surround, new faucets, and accessories. Not to mention a great paint job and a little artwork. When your bathroom is not necessarily a disaster, just in need of some updating, a full-blown bath remodel may not be what you need, want, or can afford. A bath makeover could be the answer for you, too! Call Next Level Remodeling for a...
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IPE DECKING

IPE DECKING   IPE: Like teak and redwood, Ipe is popular for exterior projects for its appearance, its resistance to decay, insects, and water damage due to its high tannin and oil content. Also known as Brazilian Walnut or Ironwood, ipe grows in tropical South America. Ipe is so dense that it will not float in water and has similar fire-resistance to concrete or steel. Exposed to the elements, an ipe deck will last at least 25 years, and if maintained properly, it can last much longer. Your ipe deck contractor can advise you on the applicable options. Choose the right IPE deck contractor: Because of its density, ipe is a difficult wood to work. For a typical deck, the Ipe deck builder is likely to go through many blades and bits. Due to the inherent difficulties associated with working the material, it is highly recommended that you hire a contractor that is knowledgeable and experienced with ipe. Beside the fact that it can be a...
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The Home Remodeling Pre-construction Meeting

The Pre-Construction Meeting   As you anticipate your new kitchen, bath, addition, or other major home remodeling project, there is a crucial step implemented by most competent remodeling contractors. While the journey from first contact to final contract can be daunting, exhausting, and somewhat confusing, by the time you signed that contract, hopefully, all of your questions and concerns have been addressed—or so you may think. A thorough home remodeling pre-construction meeting is very much in your interest. Sometime prior to the scheduled start of your project, your contractor will (or should) schedule a pre-construction meeting at your home (or site.) The attendees will be the person with whom you signed the contract, the person that will be in charge of the producing of your remodeling project, and you. It may be appropriate to include a specialist or experts in a particularly challenging aspect of your project for logistical input. The primary purpose of the remodeling pre-construction meeting is the practical hand-off of the...
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Dare to be different! Remodel to suit your needs…not anyone else’s

Resale, Resale, Resale...  I hear it all the time.  Why are we so concerned about over improving our homes or being so conscientious about how the next homeowner may or may not like how we renovated?   It is your home and it is your time!   Do what makes YOU happy.  The reality is… no home is truly move in ready.  Even if you decided to pack it up and move you and your family down the street into something newer, the odds are that you will be changing something almost immediately. In today’s economic housing market, the reasons to renovate have changed.  The days of the good ole return on investment are not as strong as in recent years, unless you have a considerable amount of equity built in your property.  The influence to do a major renovation should be hinged on your overall desire to increase your lifestyle and not solely focused in matters of return on investment or mass...
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Watch Out for Chuck in a Truck!

Who is Chuck?  Why should you be wary of Chuck? Chuck provides can’t be beat pricing because he’s got no overhead.  He also has no license, no workers’ compensation or liability insurance, no product knowledge, no clue about building code and only marginal construction skills. Your home is the biggest investment that you will most likely ever make.  Why put yourself and your family at risk by inviting a less than qualified individual to work on your most valuable asset?  Educate yourself and remember that you get what you pay for and this holds especially true in the construction industry.  Call Next Level Remodeling today and learn why we are the best choice for all of your renovation needs!...
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Getting Started – Home Improvement

-Establish how much money you have to spend Unless you are among the fortunate few, when considering a major home improvement, the number one determining factor in how much of your dream can be fulfilled is “how much money is at your disposal?” It’s likely that, some, if not most of the money will have to be financed in one form or another. That makes the number two consideration “how much money can comfortably be set aside for your project?”—or “how much of your monthly budget can be sacrificed for your dream?”   Other major considerations are the potential value of your home, and how long you plan to live in your home. The potential value is the most you can expect your home to sell for. This is dictated largely by your neighborhood and the resale value of similar homes in the Southern New Jersey area. If you’re not careful, you can invest too much in your property, with little hope...
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