This kitchen consisted of a stained range cabinet with over-sized drawers along with stained columns of china and stemware storage. Because of the painted upper cabinets, the stained china storage columns really popped from the wall.

A built-in desk was also fabricated and stained with a matching cork-board bulletin board. On the opposite wall a wet bar with built-in wine cooler overlooks the living room.

Consider the idea of blending stained and painted surfaces in your kitchen remodeling project for a nice contrast between different areas of your kitchen.

The second addition is for an extra sitting room for the house. We have already poured the foundation and are also done with the framing and roofing. We just completed installing hardie-plank siding on the exterior of the addition.

Next week we will post more progress updates! Subscribe to our blog or follow us on twitter for more in the field project reports!

Clear coated, glazed and distressed knotty alder cabinets provide a warm backdrop for commercial stainless steel Wolf range and Sub-Zero refrigerator. The door and drawer details are accented with wrought iron pulls. Many custom features are added throughout. The island has multiple doors and drawers as well as a built in breakfast bar and a microwave drawer. Everything is in arms reach for meal preparation.

James Hardie pre-finished siding products with ColorPlus technology are unlike anything available on the market today.

Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling, the ColorPlus technology offers the beauty and durability of James Hardie siding products factory finished in a wide range of designer colors.

ColorPlus has a mar-resistant surface that resists scratches and won’t peel, chip or crack, as well as a proprietary finishing process that bakes on color to ensure that it stays fast. The ColorPlus Collection of pre-finished siding comes with a 50-year transferable limited product warranty, and a 15-year finish warranty from the manufacture.

The ColorPlus Collection is available on specific lap siding, shingles, trim, fascia and soffit products.

 An exclusive, fiber-cement-specific paint formulation with a multi-coat, baked-on color application process ensures a consistent full-paint coverage–one that cannot be duplicated by a third-party pre-finisher or on-site painting. James Hardie’s proprietary paint also includes a special coating for mar- and abrasion-resistance, while a factory-applied protective laminate protects your home’s finish and color during shipping and installation.

ColorPlus® Palette

Colors will vary somewhat from what you see on your computer screen. Call us at 210.690.4663 to schedule an appointment for San Antonio remodeling and to see samples and to receive a free estimate.

When people first think about remodeling their kitchen, they envision many things, but the one that stands out more than others is their countertops. So it’s 2010 and you might be wondering what are the latest and greatest options for your kitchen counter. While there are many options available, granite counters are by far the most popular and remain on the top of the wish list for a large majority of homeowners.

Whether you are going for a contemporary, rustic, country, modern, or any other type of look for your kitchen, granite simply works. Its popularity is attributed to not only its good looks but also its durability and longevity. While it’s not easy to predict remodeling trends, it’s a safe bet that granite countertops will not look outdated in the near future. Since granite is a naturally occurring stone, each slab is unique, and even if you pick the same style as your neighbor’s kitchen, the counters will not have an identical look. With a vast choice of styles available, finding a style or color to accent your kitchen and home is extremely easy.

Granite is also a popular choice for kitchens because of the durability of the surface. Knives and other cutlery will not scratch or leave marks behind. Extreme heats from pots and pans will not damage the finish or blemish the surface. The surface is also easy to clean and with an under-mount sink installed, wiping down your countertops is a breeze.

Granite countertops are becoming much more affordable and usually only cost 30% more than a high quality laminate.  They can also be viewed as a green option for your kitchen due to the lack of heavy manufacturing, their longevity, and their ability to withstand changing kitchen trends.

So, are granite countertops still on top?  Well you can be the judge of that, but I believe they are and will remain that way for the near future.

Lone Star Remodeling And Renovations is a Registered Approved CPS Energy Contractor for 2010. All projects must be completed by a registered CPS Energy contractor to qualify for home improvement rebates. CPS Energy is offering rebates to their residential customers that complete projects that improve the energy efficiency of their home. The energy efficient improvements that qualify for a rebate include:

• Attic Insulation

• Cool Roof

• ENERGY STAR Windows

• Solar window shades and screens

• Spray foam insulation

• Wall insulation

Check out our Rebates & Incentives page to learn more!

via CPS Energy’s website:

Air Flow and Home Efficiency rebates are granted only for installations completed by contractors registered with CPS Energy. Work completed by other contractors or by homeowners are not eligible for a CPS Energy rebate. Contractors participating must follow all applicable local and state laws regarding building codes, permits and standards. They also must sign a CPS Energy Registered Contractor Agreement. It is up to the contractor to follow all requirements. If work violates local or state requirements, no rebates will be given to the customer.

Beginning April 22, 2010, the EPA’s new Lead-Based Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) takes effect. Contractors now have to become EPA Certified Renovators, trained in Lead-Safe Work Practices, to work on homes, child care facilities, and schools built prior to 1978, when lead-based paint was banned from residential use. The rule applies to a broad category of tradesman who might disturb lead-painted surfaces through sanding, sawing, and demolition. This trades effected by the RRP rule are remodeling, painting, window replacement, plumbing, electrical work, heating & air-conditioning, demolition, plus work performed by trades like carpenters, electricians and handymen. The rule also applies to individuals working for rental property owners, schools, and day care providers, non-profits, and governmental agencies.

Lead is a health hazard to both children and adults. Lead poisoning is a serious health condition that may cause effects on the brain, nervous system, cardiovascular, muscular, skeletal, and reproduction. It is especially serious with pregnant women and small children impacting both their physical and mental development. Children are at a greater risk than adults because their bodies are still developing. In children lead can cause decreased intelligence, attention deficit disorder, and other learning disabilities. Pregnant women are especially at risk from exposure to lead because it is easily passed from the mother to the fetus.

Leaded-dust particles are often so small that you cannot see them, yet you can breathe or swallow them. These smaller inhaled or swallowed dust particles are more easily absorbed by the body than larger particles, and can therefore more easily cause poisoning. A few micrograms of lead is enough to poison an adult or child. A microgram is one millionth of a gram. To give some perspective, a sugar packet is approximately one gram. Divide that sugar packet into a million parts, and that is one microgram.

Lead was used as a paint additive for added durability and color until it was banned in the United States in 1978. Lead wasn’t only added to paint but also some other surface coatings, such as varnishes and stains. It’s estimated that 83 million households in the US were built prior to 1979, therefore the amount of people that are potentially exposed to lead paint is a serious issue. During typical home maintenance and certainly during a renovation or remodeling project, lead painted surfaces could be disturbed.

The RRP rule establishes required lead-safe work practices, including: posting warning signs for occupants and visitors by the certified renovator; establishing a containment area; using disposable plastic drop cloths; and cleaning the work area with HEPA vacuuming and wet washing. The rule also requires a cleaning inspection after the work is completed and grants the remodeler flexibility in determining the size of the work area, which can reduce the size of the area subject to containment. In addition, the EPA rule also lists prohibited work practices ― including open-torch burning and using high-heat guns that exceed 1100 F and high-speed equipment such as grinders and sanders unless equipped with a HEPA filter.

After clean-up is completed, the certified renovator will be required to verify the cleaning by matching a cleaning cloth with an EPA verification card. If the cloth appears dirtier or darker than the card, the cleaning must be repeated. In addition, the certified renovator will be required to keep a complete file of records on the project for three years. These records will include, but will not be limited to: verification that the owner or occupant of the home has received a copy of the “Renovate Right” pamphlet, or an attempt has been made to inform them of the pamphlet and its contents; documentation of work practices used during the project; and the certified renovator’s certification and proof of worker training.

If you have further comments or questions, check out the EPA website or contact them at 800-424-LEAD.

Lone Star Remodeling and Renovations is one of the few companies in San Antonio with multiple employees that are Lead Certified Renovators through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA only requires that one member of a company be a Lead Certified Renovator; however, we decided to take it a step further and make sure all of our project managers received the certification.

So what are those remodeling projects? The number one remodeling project that holds its value and offers many money saving incentives is energy-efficient improvements such as siding, windows, and doors.

Replacing old rotten wood siding with James Hardie® fiber cement siding will protect your home from the elements better and provide you with value tax rebates. Hardie® fiber cement siding can withstand the brutal humid heat of South Texas better than any other product on the market. Hardie® boards also resist cracking, splitting, rotting and swelling.

Installing Sundefense Low-E Insulating Glass with Argon windows from Pella® can have a dramatic effect on your electric bills and add a lot of beauty to your home. Their windows have insulated glass with a Low-E coating made from two layers of thermal protection PLUS a third pane of Low-E glass to maximize comfort year-round. They also block up to 97% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays to help protect furniture, window treatments, and flooring from fade damage – yet they still allow natural light in. Argon gas is inserted in the space between the insulated glass to further reduce heat transfer, making your home even more energy-efficient.

So how can you save money while improving the look of your home? The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 gives homeowners the ability to receive a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost for qualifying energy-efficient upgrades, to a maximum of $1,500. Between the tax credits, local rebates, and the money you will be saving from choosing energy-efficient remodeling projects, you won’t feel guilty for indulging in a face-lift for your home.

Most importantly selective placement of the grab bars is essential for safety.  Good placement of grab bars is anywhere you need to change your elevation slowly, steadily and under control. If the grab bar will be used when seated, mount the bar on a slant starting low and close to toilet or other seated location at a maximum of 24″ above the finished flooring. The bar should be slanting upward away from the toilet. This will ensure that the person using the bar for support can reach it comfortably and get the most help possible from the grab bar.

When most people hear the term grab bar, they envision the stainless steel institutional handrails that are commonly found in public restrooms.  The reality is that there are many styles and finishes available to install in your bathroom to allow blending with your plumbing accessories.  Some of the finishes available are in polished brass, polished chrome, polished nickel, oil rubbed bronze, matte oil rubbed bronze, wrought iron, satin nickel and custom color finishes.

Each bathroom project is different and peoples’ tastes in bathroom accessories differ. Considering the wide collection of grab bar choices now available and the safety and stability they provide, these accessories would be a wise addition to your bathroom-remodeling project.