by Dave Logan

1. Pick a new thermostat that best fits your home. A programmable thermostat gives you the ability to set specific temperatures for specific times of the day. This allows you to not only have the freedom and control to dictate the most comfortable temperatures for you and your family, but also to save on your home’s energy expenses. Saving fuel and electricity are critical in today’s energy economy.

You can select a reasonably-priced, programmable thermostat that provides very accurate temperature readings for your home. Check out options online or at your local hardware store.

2. Get rid of your old thermostat. Kill the power to your furnace or air conditioner before you install the new thermostat. This will ensure you avoid any damage to your furnace’s electronics. Next, you need to disconnect all four wires from your old thermostat. Use a piece of electrical tape to secure the old wires to the wall after disconnecting. This will keep them from sliding into the wall while you are working.

3. Install your new thermostat. Installation is pretty straightforward. Each of the terminals on your new thermostat has a letter code. Each wire that connects to its respective terminal has a color code. Recognize which color-coded wire belongs to each letter-coded terminal. Ultimately, just remember to always follow the letter code and you will be fine. Next, you will install the new wall plate for the thermostat. The new thermostat may or may not line up with the screws from the old thermostat. If not, simply drill new holes (and anchors if appropriate) and install the plate. Finally, attach the wires to the terminal screws as previously mentioned. Place the batteries in the thermostat, put the cover in place, and there you have it!

4. Program your new thermostat. Depending on which thermostat you purchase for you home, you will need to closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions for programming your thermostat. Temperature settings are of course the same, but your new unit will allow you to customize specific (and multiple) times for activating heat or air conditioning. You can set specific temperatures for during the week (when you are at work) or during the weekend (when you are home); and of course temperatures for evening and nighttime hours.

5. Enjoy cost savings on your energy bill!

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

Let’s face it: winter isn’t the ideal time to take on home improvement projects. Sure, there are some indoor projects you can do, but it’s best to get the bulk of your projects done before the cold, winter months arrive. Here are five projects to get knocked out this fall:

1. Replace your windows. Old or poor quality windows could easily be the leading cause of your heating bill skyrocketing upwards this winter. Consider replacing your windows now to keep your energy costs down. You’ll realize that return on investment sooner than you think!

2. Repair or replace your roof. Get a professional roofer out to your house before the end of October. Being proactive about roof repairs will save you a lot of money (and headache) before winter gets here. A professional can teach you how to locate leaks on your own from the inside as well as provide several seasonal tips for you to be aware of down the road. And if you need an entire roof replacement, well now’s the time to get that done, too!

3. Replace your gutters. If your gutters are leaking or damaged, it can cause a lot of unwanted structural damage. Excess moisture on the interior is also a hotbed for mold and mildew. Trust me, these repairs are potentially far more costly than replacing your gutters, so get them looked at by a professional roofing contractor this fall.

4. Insulate your attic. This one’s a no-brainer. Proper insulation keeps your energy costs down and the heat inside your home.

5. Remodel your kitchen and bath. With school back in full swing, now is a quiet time to take on a kitchen or bath remodel. You will thank yourself for taking on a project like this once the holidays get here!

There are many home improvement projects you should consider before old man winter arrives. Put your trust in your own home improvement professional and get these projects knocked out this fall.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

1. Ventilate. Painting your garage floor requires paints, epoxy, and cleaners that most certainly produce toxic fumes. Make sure your garage work area is very well ventilated and you won’t have any problems. Wearing protective eyewear, gloves, and covering exposed skin is always a smart idea for projects like this.

2. Clean the concrete floor. It’s important to sweep and take a shop vac to your garage floor before you being priming and painting. You need to make sure all debris is gone in order to achieve a smooth, effective result. Before you begin painting, sweep and clean the floor thoroughly. Use a concrete cleaner to rid the flooring of old stains. After you spray on the cleaner, wait a few minutes and scrub the spots with a hard brush. When you’re done, rinse the entire floor from back to front using a hose (or better yet, a pressure washer).

3. Repair the cracks. Now that your floor is clean, use a concrete-repair compound to patch cracks in the floor’s surface. Your garage floor will need to be totally dry before applying any sort of compound.

4. Prime the surface. Priming is the critical element before painting. It’s the only way to be sure your paint job will last for years to come. Grab a long-handlesd paint roller and slap on a heavy coat of primer. You will need to wait 8-10 hours for the primer to dry before you apply the first coat of paint.

5. Paint the surface. There are many types of quality paints on the market today that will more than suffice for your garage floor. Follow the application instructions available with whatever paint you choose. The first coat should be applied thinly and evenly. Wait at least 24 hours and apply a second coat. Two coats is all you need. Wait about 3-5 days before driving or parking on the newly painted surface. Finally, you will want to keep an eye on the surface and perform annual touch-ups to keep your garage floor protected and looking good!

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

Tools, tools, tools. No matter how simple or complex the problem, rest assured there is a tool to fix it. Today, we’re sharing ten great tools for basic home improvement projects. These are tools you should absolutely have in your arsenal so you can tackle the common fixes you encouter around your own home.

1. Tape measure. You don’t need to drop $40 on a contractor-grade tape measure. Just grab an inexpensive tape measure, and that will be just fine for the house. We recommend at least 15’-25’.

2. Screwdrivers. Buy a quality set of screwdrivers that will last for a long time. Make sure the set has both slotted and Phillips heads in it with various sizes in length. For more specific functions, look to get hex, square, allen, and torx screwdrivers as well. We recommend purchasing a set that has all of the above so you will always be prepared. Make sure the set has a warranty guaranteeing quality and craftsmanship.

3. Hammer. Your best bet is to buy a framing hammer. It’s a hammer that will dominate any job you could possibly need it for around your house. A good hammer is used for more than just pounding in nails, so buy a good one. Cheap hammers come with problems like the head flying off while pulling nails! This is something you don’t want to happen. Both Estwing and Stanley make top-quality hammers.

4. Torpedo level. Having a torpedo level around the house is extremely useful. It’s handy for everything from hanging photographs and artwork, to checking joint alignment of newly constructed floors or walls.

5. Open-end wrenches. Go with Craftsman. You definitely need wrenches in your home collection. Their useful (if not required) for just about everything.

6. Channel lock pliers. Channel lock pliers are nice and long for good leverage and open wide for whatever they need to lock on to. Most nuts and bolts are no match for a solid pair of channel locks. And you won’t break your hands trying to use them!

7. Combination square. Need a precision cut? Of course you do! You can’t go without a combination square for the house. Great for woodworking and metalworking, you can measure angles quickly.

8. 5-in-1 painter’s tool. This is a necessary addition to your toolset. Dynamic and as useful as about any other tool, you can find one in the painting section of any reputable hardware store.

9. Pipe wrench. Big. Red. Adjustable. Pipe wrenches have a formiddable presence and will intimidate any pipe or other round metal item.

10. Safety equipment. Of course you have to be safe! Pick up eye protection, gloves, dust masks, and knee and elbow pads. You may want more safety equipment in the future, but the above will be good to get started.

Now that you have your home improvement tools list, get to the hardware store and make your purchases. Afterall, there’s work to do around the house!

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

Want to know two beautiful things about asphalt shingles? They’re cost effective and dynamic. It’s no wonder why asphalt shingles make up better than 85% of the total roofing market. At the end of the day, they’re inexpensive to buy and install. Furthermore, asphalt shingles are great for just about any type of roof and any type of pitch. You can get an almost endless range of quality and styles, and they are easy to cut and shape to any flashing product or accessory. Ultimately, you pretty much can’t go wrong with today’s asphalt shingle.

Fiberglass Dominates

There are essentially two kinds of asphalt shingles available today: Fiberglass and organic. Yes, both are made with asphalt, but the fiberglass product utilizes a fiberglass reinforcing mat; while the organic flavor uses a reinforcing mat originated from wood. Fiberglass shingles are typically easier to work with because they are thinner, lighter, and easier to carry around. They also come correct with better fire retardancy. Organic asphalt shingles used to be much more ubiquitous, but today fiberglass nearly monopolizes the roofing marketplace.

Installation Is Key

No matter which product you choose – organic or fiberglass – its overall effectiveness on your home is based on the quality of the installation. There are many factors that go into quality installation of a roofing product so do your homework. You should be actively involved in the entire process, from selecting your professional roofing contractor to installation. A few things to consider:

• Is your contractor qualified to install your roofing product? Ask for references, certifications, and examples of their work.
• How long has the contractor been in business?
• Got insurance?
• If you have unique requirements (ventilation or other), how will he/she handle it?
• How long will it take to complete the job? Make sure your contractor is willing to commit to a deadline; you don’t want them banging away on your roof for an eternity!

At TeamDaveLogan.com, you wil find only the best Denver and Boulder roofing contractors, so be sure to give one in your area a call to help you make the right choice for your home.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

Lead poisoning is serious business. From deficient physical development, to kidney problems and muscle irritations, to brain damage. None of it sounds too appealing. Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning in children and can also affect adults. In Colorado, contractors can now face extremely steep penalties and fines if they don’t actively test for lead on painted surfaces.

The challenge with lead is that you cannot see it, smell it, or taste it. You might have it in your home and not even know it. Lead also doesn’t break down naturally over time, so it will remain a health threat until you have it removed.

About 75% of all homes built before 1978 contain at least some lead-based paint. Lead paint is most common on exterior surfaces, windows, and doors. After 1978, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned all use of lead-based paint in housing.

It’s simple: if you live in an older home, you are at a higher risk of lead-based paint exposure. So how do you check for it? If your home was built before 1978, the first thing to do is purchase a test kit from your hardware or paint supply store. It’s important to remember that these kits are designed to detect only the presence of lead. The kits will not tell you if the lead levels are low or high. If necessary, ask for help in choosing a kit, and follow the instructions on the kit to test a surface.

The bottom line is that in order to completely – and safely – remove lead-based paint from your home, you will need to hire a Colorado professional painting contractor. Not only will a professional have the knowledge and skills for the task, but also a pro will likely be able to inform you of Colorado lead paint regulations. Check out our list of qualified painting and home improvement pros in Denver, Boulder, and the front range. And finally, consult the Colorado Department of Health and Environment – Air Pollution Control Divisionfor lead-based paint questions and more information.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

At last, the weekend is here. What better way to spend your time this weekend than knocking out some fast, inexpensive home improvement projects? These are small projects with big home improvement power!

Slap some new paint on the wall. Few home improvement projects create such dramatic results as fast and inexpensive as painting, especially if you do the work yourself! For the weekend, you will want to focus on walls that don’t have signifcant damage or demand any repairs. You should be able to easily knock out at least two average sized rooms, and let’s face it: you’re ready for some new colors anyway!

Install a new vanity. The bathroom is typically a smaller space with projects ranging from very serious to easy weekenders. Replacing your current vanity and faucet with a new, updated version requires some basic carpentry and plumbing skills. But even a beginner can knock this one out over the weekend! To be sure, pick a new vanity that’s the same size as your old one. This way you keep the work nice and easy while giving your bathroom a much-needed facelift.

Install a kitchen backsplash. Whether it’s paint, ceramic tile, tin, wood, or even cork, a new backslplash can add tons of life to your kitchen space. Read this post for more details. Once you pick your favorite option, you can get this one knocked out easily over the weekend.

Replace your cabinet hardware. This really makes a big difference in your kitchen, as well as bedrooms and bathrooms. I love this idea because it only takes a few hours of easy work and has such a dramatic effect on the applicable rooms.

Get new lighting. How about adding some new undercabinet lighting in your kitchen? Or installing a dimmer in the entertainment room or master bedroom? Maybe some pendant lights over your kitchen island? Whatever fits your style, updating your lighting can add lots of character to any room and can be done easily over a weekend.

The best advice is to make your plan and pick up your materials and supplies on Friday so you have the whole weekend to knock out your project. Afterall, Monday will be here sooner than you want…

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional to help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

Some high-level considerations

The shower in your bathroom should not only be aesthetically significant, but also enjoyable for you to use. If you’ve been considering a bathroom remodel, I recommend investing properly in the shower. A new enclosure, door, and accessories will do wonders for the overall perception and experience of your bathroom. Begin by carefully selecting the hardware for the new shower. Ideally, the shower pieces, frame, hinges, door color, and accessories should match your faucets and tie all the elements of the room together.

Framed doors are still a popular choice for homeowners, but frameless options like thick, frameless glass enclosures are growing rapidly in popularity. The actual glass you choose is important when selecting a new shower door. For example, is privacy important? A modern pattern or design? A balance of aesthetics and practicality? The number of choices you have is almost unlimited these days. Clear, unpatterned glass is still the most popular, however, as it shows off the shower itself and all the accessories.

What about the showerhead itself?

Do not discount the importance of the showerhead. Not only does it play a huge comfort role, but also effects aesthetics and the cost of your water and heating bills! As stated above, take into consideration all of the elements of the room and make sure the accessories match and the entire bathroom is well tied together.

Another very important consideration for your new showerhead is water-efficiency and environmental impact. These are gaining in popularity right along with all “green,” environmental movements. You can increase the output efficiency of a new showerhead these days by more than 35%. Choices abound for folks who demand better water efficiency!

Accessorize!

A new shower demands new accessories for the entire bathroom! Cabinet and drawer handles, towel bars, knobs, hooks, faucets, fixtures, and frames. To make this job a bit easier, consider buying all of your accessories from a single manufacturer under one product offering. This will ensure all of your accessories match, help manage your costs more efficiently, and make it an easy process from purchase to installation.

Spend some time doing research on what’s best for you and your family. There are so many options that you should also consider contacting a contract plumbing professional and interior designer to help you with your decision.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

Green roofs have been popular in Europe for a long time now. However, here in the states the idea of green rooftops is somewhat new but becoming more attractive for two primary reasons: environmental benefits and reduced energy costs. Homeowners, businesses, and even cities are taking a closer look at the benefits of green roof systems.

In short, green roofs last longer than conventional roofs, reduce energy costs, absorb water, and create and promote relaxing green environments for people and animals. For cities as a whole, green roofs improve the air quality and reduce urban heat.

There are essentially two kinds of green roofs: intensive and extensive. An intensive green roof is basically an elevated park with bushes, trees, shrubs, flowers, and walkways for people to access and enjoy the park-like environment. Extensive green roofs focus more on native growth for the ground cover and require very little maintenance. This roof’s purpose is strictly environmental with no accessibility.

Our great state of Colorado is actively participating, researching, and embracing the green roof technology movement. On Thursday, June 17, 2010 the Green Roofs for the West Symposium will gather at Denver Botanic Gardens to discuss green roof innovations and a future of more sustainable cities in the western United States.

If you’re interested in attending this event, check out Greenprint Denver for details and registration.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

Choosing the right type of roof for your home is important. Many factors influence such a decision, and today we’re going to look at a few options. Aesthetics in color and style, insulation qualities, and durability are just a few considerations. In Colorado, weather extremes are a reality, so we need to be acutely aware of this when it’s time to take on that new roofing project.

The most common type of roof in Colorado is the asphalt shingle. They are available in virtually every color scheme and pattern. The primary reason the asphalt shingle is the most popular is because they are the most affordable for home owners. You should choose an asphalt shingle with a lifespan of at least 15 years if you go with this option, and the longer the lifespan the higher the price.

Metal roofing is a lot more popular here in Colorado primiarly because of the potential for heavy snowfall and moisture, especially in the mountains and higher altitudes. This type of roof is very easy to maintain, is totally waterproof, and you won’t have any problems with mold (which can be the case with asphalt). You will, however, be much more restricted on color choice, but the weather out here in Colorado makes metal option a sound consideration.

Slate roofs are becoming more and more popular because they are both aesthetically impressive and extremely durable. However, they are also very expensive. If budget permits, definitely look into this option.

Another impressive but less practical option for a Colorado roof is Spanish tile. Southwest styles are somewhat popular in Colorado, so you will see these roofs from time to time. In our opinion, this isn’t the ideal option for Colorado because tile isn’t as durable and is quite expensive. Further, you will obviously want to match your roof to the style of your home, so this could elimate Spanish tile altogether as one of your options.

Our final option for today is wood shingles. Ultimately, this is one you may want to simply avoid for your Colorado home. Wood shingles offer a very attractive look but not much else. They’re expensive to buy and install. Many insurance companies will charge significantly more to go this route, and there are asphalt shingles today that accomplish the look of wood right along with the lifespan and durability you need for our high-altitude climate.

Take a little time to look into your options and weigh them against your budget and geography. Make sure your choice is prioritized around leak prevention and durability. Color scheme and patterns will be an obvious consideration based on your home’s style. Finally, hire a great roofing contractor to consult and help you get the job done right.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!