Tips & Resources

Winter Energy Saving Tips

January 7th, 2012

Winter is here, but that does not mean you need to sacrifice the comfort in your home, our Winter Energy Saving Tips will keep your home toasty. The average utility bill usually doubles during the winter and some may even triple. With these energy tips, you can be warm and save money during the cold months.

Winter Energy Saving Tips

Install a programmable thermostat to automatically reduce the heat while you are at work or sleeping. As much as 10 percent can be saved on heating bills by turning the thermostat back a few degrees for eight hours.
Install an insulator blanket on your water heater. This can greatly reduce the effect cold air has on a heater located in a cool basement or garage. Insulation around exposed pipes leading to the heater also will conserve heat.
Keep the furnace and water heater free of debris so air can flow efficiently, reducing the load on the systems.
Inspect your home for leaks that will let in cold air. Particularly feel for cold air coming in around doors, windows and electrical sockets, and seal off leaks or cracks.
Make sure there is insulation on every portion of the ceiling and every outer wall. Ideally, these spaces should be insulated to an R-value of 20, a measurement of insulation’s effectiveness. In most homes, that means the equivalent of about six inches of insulation to maximize protection.
Use your clothes dryer sparingly. In addition to using additional energy, dryers suck out heat from a room, causing the heating system to work harder.
Seal air leaks throughout the home including doors, windows and electrical sockets to help stop drafts.
Replace old windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows.

A small step goes a long way when it comes to maintaining an energy efficient home. Use just a few of these winter energy saving tips and you’ll keep your home warm and your wallet full during these bitter winter months.

Tags: Annapolis window replacement, window replacement, winter energy saving tips
Posted in General Remodeling, Maintenance, Window Replacement | No Comments »

Consider Plumbing Fixtures Made in America

December 22nd, 2011

A kitchen or bath remodel almost always requires installation of new plumbing fixtures. With so many to choose from, perhaps a good way to narrow things down might be to consider buying Made In America plumbing fixtures.

A great place to start is with Moen, an American company. Moen sold its first faucet back in 1947 and has since become America’s #1 faucet brand. With hundreds of fixtures in countless finishes, colors and configurations, starting your bath or kitchn remodel with plumbing fixtures made in america will be a snap. Not to mention it will help the US economy by creating more jobs.

To get inspired, begin planning your dream kitchen or bath remodeling project by researching plumbing fixtures made in America.

Tags: Annapolis bathroom remodel, bathroom contractor, bathroom remodel, kitchen remodel, made in america, plumbing fixtures
Posted in Bathrooms, General Remodeling, Kitchens | No Comments »

5 Things to Help Aging Homeowners Stay in Their Homes

May 13th, 2011

With the greying of the US population, living at home as you become less mobile is a very important consideration for families. The goal is to turn houses into homes for life with aging-in-place designs.

Here are just 5 design changes to make to a home to allow aging-in-place for yourself or your loved one:

Hallways should be a minimum of 36″ wide and feature good lighting.
Thresholds, where possible, should be flush or for an interior doorway no more than 1/4″ and for an exterior door no more than 1/2″ beveled.
Kitchens should allow for varied height counter tops and upper cabinetry that is 3″ lower than conventional heights.
Bathroom considerations are many, however besides having a full bath on the first floor, grab bars are an important safety feature.
Faucets at sinks with lever handles or pedal controls.

These are just a few of the changes that can help a homeowner age-in-place. Each home and its residents are different. We’re happy to help you identify a plan to best suit you or your loved one’s needs.

Posted in Basements, Bathrooms, General Remodeling, Kitchens, Maintenance | Comments Off

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT PAY OFF AND THOSE THAT DON’T

April 29th, 2011

Homeowners who are making improvements to their home with the hopes of increasing the sale price should consider which projects will net them the best return on investment. The annual Remodeling 2010-11 Value vs. Cost Report (costvsvalue.com) analyzes the average cost recouped for 35 home improvement projects in nine regions throughout the US. Maryland homeowners looking to make improvements while seeing those dollars come back to them in sales price should avoid several projects while embracing others.

Maryland Addition and Remodeling Projects to Reconsider:

Addition of a sunroom (Mid-Range) – only 50.2% of the average job cost of $70,099 is recouped at sale
Home Office Remodel (Mid-Range) – only 48.2% of the average job cost of $27,223 is recouped at sale

“We are consistently seeing that replacement projects such as siding, windows and doors are in great demand to keep homes energy efficient and looking their best,” remarked Curtis Clary, owner of C. Clary Contracting . “It’s all about making a good first impression and demonstrating that the home has been maintained well. Nothing says that more than a nice front door, energy efficient windows and a fresh exterior.” This trend is confirmed by the report which gives high marks for replacement projects.

Top 4 Replacement Projects for Maryland Homeowners Looking to Increase Sale Prices:

Entry Door (Mid-Range) will net 135.5% of its average cost of $1,098 at the time of sale
Garage Door (Mid-Range) reaps 91.6% of its average $1,178 replacement cost
Siding (Upscale) returns 85.4% of its $13,106 replacement cost
Windows (vinyl, both mid-range and upscale) reap about 77% of their costs to replace them.

Posted in Additions, Basements, Bathrooms, General Remodeling, Kitchens, Roofs & Gutters, Window Replacement | Comments Off

Home Trends for 2011

February 17th, 2011

Remodeling trends are being impacted by changes happening around us, namely the economy. This is happening at all levels. A recent article from Remodeling magazine tells the story, but here are a few highlights of the 2011 trends:

Universal design to meet the needs of most people and uses
Multiple counter heights in the kitchen
Value engineering to get the most bang for your buck. (That’s what C. Clary Contracting is all about.)

Check out the full article here:

http://remodelingtoolbox.biz/remodeling-trends/looking-ahead.aspx

Posted in General Remodeling, Kitchens | No Comments »

Radiant Floors Make Trips to the Bathroom Like Visiting a Spa

December 9th, 2010

The weather outside is frightful and your bathroom floor is causing you to hop, skip and tip toe to the toilet each morning. Did you know that cold bathroom floors can be banished from your daily routine?

One of the fastest growing trends within the remodeling industry is the inclusion of electric radiant floor heating. It can easily be installed during a bathroom remodel, under the tile or stone floors.

Now that Annapolis’ weather is frigid, area homeowners are seeking solutions to cold feet. Radiant floor heating is a practical luxury to make stepping out of the shower much more comfortable. Radiant floor heating not only keeps the floor warm, but the entire room is toasty including all its contents. A warm bathroom floor is the ultimate offering in personal comfort. Coupled with a beautiful renovation, your utilitarian bathroom will feel like a trip to the spa, everyday.

A radiant heating system is typically controlled by a digital programmable thermostat that allows you to wake up to the luxury of heated floors in the morning but turns itself off and saves energy and money when you’re not using the room. Brilliant.

Radiant floor of varying types can also be installed under kitchen tile and even hardwood floors.

For more information on a bathroom or kitchen remodel with or without a radiant floor, give us a call or drop us a line. Put our cost conscious plans to work in your home.

Tags: Annapolis bathroom remodel, bathroom contractor, bathroom remodel, radiant floors annapolis
Posted in Bathrooms, General Remodeling, Kitchens | Comments Off

Get Ready For Game Time – Creating Your Own Game Room

September 16th, 2010

If you are anxious to entertain during the big game or just simply enjoy your surroundings while watching your favorite sport, then you’re ready for a custom designed game room.

The possibilities for your entertainment or game room are endless. We can help you design a customized room that meets your unique needs. Some ideas to consider are:

• Wine Chillers
• Wine Racks
• Bars
• Custom TV Areas
• Built-In Cabinets and Entertainment Centers
• Theatre Seating
• Stages
• Dart Board “Cubbies”
• Pool Cue Racks
• Recessed Lighting

Whether you want to play games, watch games or both – entertaining in your own game room will bring life to every party!

Posted in Basements, General Remodeling | No Comments »

5 Simple Upgrades to Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa Experience

September 16th, 2010

You start and end your day in your bathroom, shouldn’t it be an inviting space? Of course it should. Here are 5 simple upgrades you can make to your bathroom to create a spa-like experience:

1. Upgrade/update your plumbing fixtures. These are generally the first things to show wear and date your bathroom.

2. Replace that old tub with a walk-in shower, especially if you’ve got a tub in another bathroom in the house.

3. Paint the room with calming colors and add thoughtful decor to create spa-like ambiance.

4. Upgrade your cabinetry to not only enhance the look but the storage in your bathroom.

5. Lighting fixtures can dramatically change the look and feel of your bathroom; consider something unexpected like a chandelier or sconces.

Often you can achieve dramatic results with a few simple upgrades. Sometimes a full renovation of a bathroom is in order. We’d be happy to help you determine what your bathroom needs to deliver a spa-like experience.

Posted in Bathrooms | No Comments »

Can’t Afford to Buy, Consider Remodeling

September 16th, 2010

Is your home feeling small for your family’s needs? Do you want to create a more open floor plan? Is your kitchen or bathroom in need of a makeover?

In today’s challenging economy, buying a new home isn’t always the best option to solve these problems. If you need more space or just want to feel like you are living in a new home, consider remodeling or adding on to better suit your needs.

We’ve transformed hundreds of Maryland homes and helped families live happily in the neighborhoods and school districts they already love. Often it means taking down a wall or two to open up your home. And we can help revive an outdated kitchen or bathroom with a more up-to-date look.

If you just need more space, adding an extra bedroom, bath or family room is a great solution. Consult the experts today at C. Clary Contracting to find out the feasibility of your project and approximate costs.

Posted in General Remodeling | No Comments »

Cost Conscious Ideas for Renovating Your Kitchen

September 16th, 2010

Step Up the Paint

Repainting can be one way to renovate your kitchen without spending very much. A new paint job can make a dull kitchen become vibrant again.

Replace the Appliances

Outdated appliances are unappetizing. If you can only afford to replace one, consider either your sink or your refrigerator. These appliances tend to draw the most attention because they are the most used.

Change the Lighting

Fluorescent lighting can make any room unfriendly. Softer lighting will make your kitchen more inviting. Use smaller lights along the bottom and tops of cabinets, and recessed lighting or pendant lights for the main areas.

Call C. Clary Contracting today to see how we can help you with your kitchen remodeling project.

Posted in Kitchens | No Comments »

Winter Energy Saving Tips

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