Not Just Carpenters, but Local Craftsmen.

by: Allison Q Guido, CS

Craig and I were fortunate to get to take a few days off over the Fourth of July holiday. We headed to head to central Vermont. As we took our Giovanni to some of the sites like Sugarbush Farm, Simon Pearce Glass, Danforth Pewter, Long Trail and Harpoon Breweries, the Windsor Farmers market, Frozen Memories homemade ice cream and Edgewater Farms I started thinking about how great it was to spend a vacation seeking out small local companies that are making things by hand.

I was so excited to see the skills and talents of these hardworking craftsmen and to be able to support them. We were able to visit the small, local businesses everyone is so hot to talk about these days. These are the companies and people who work in the companies that Small Business Saturday was created to support. They are the Americans making things at home, and giving hope to their employees and neighbors. In a world where we hear so much in the news about outsourcing, it was awesome to be able to stand in a small factory and see things being made.

2011 Team Outing

Then I realized that in many ways my team at Almar is just like all of these fine craftsmen. The skill level and dedication that the Almar team brings to each and every project is outstanding. Just like these various artisans the carpenters and tradesman I work with everyday are building and creating something unique and special.

In remodeling every project is different. There is no “cookie cutter” package. Each renovation is specially designed to serve each homeowner’s unique needs. Every home we work in is that “small factory.” And Almar is lucky enough to have some of the most talented people on the south shore to do that for our clients.

June 2012 Educational Team Meeting

When I sat down to write this blog I didn’t intend for it to be an editorial about how great Almar is, but I did want to share my realization of how special and talented the Almar team is. In a day and age where there is so much focus on locally made, grown, support local businesses I guess I always attributed that to farmers and craft makers but I didn’t fully realize how many other professions also fit that mold.   I have always been proud of my carpenters and remodeling team, but I am just a little more proud of them today as I think about the impact they are making and the legacy they leave behind at each home Almar Building & Remodeling has renovated for the last 53 years and counting.

Making your existing space feel like your dream space:

How Almar freshened up a kitchen without a major renovation

     by: Craig H. Guido, CS

Making your existing space feel like your dream space doesn’t always have to involve a major renovation. Almar recently completed a kitchen renovation here in Hanover, MA. But this wasn’t a typical renovation where we demoed all the existing cabinets and started over.

Several years ago when this client needed more space Almar also helped the navigate thru their wants and needs to create a unquite basement space that could serve as both a play space for the kids and an entertaining area for the adults without sactificing all of their storage space. So when they were ready to tackle remodeling the kitchen Almar was glad to help again.

In this 1990’s Colonial there were some features of the kitchen that were fine, the basic layout of the cabinet placement and some of the actual cabinet units themselves were in perfectly good condition and the homeowner liked them well enough. What she didn’t like was the limited storage space and the awkward island that was not really good for cooking prep and made the kitchen hard to navigate, and the out dated Formica countertop which was in rough shape.

Almar’s solution was to leave the existing cabinets as they were, remove the existing countertop, repurpose some of the cabinets in the island to make a peninsula instead leaving space for a beverage fridge, and then adding a bank of cabinets in the eating area.

By removing the existing island and creating a new peninsula we were able to open the floor space up, and create a defined kitchen and eating area. The new peninsula also gave added cooking prep space.

We then installed a new Granite countertop. On the new peninsula we overhung the countertop to create both an extra-large prep area, and a place for stools for countertop dinning.

We were able to fill in the existing hardwood floor with new oak and refinished the whole room so it looked uniform.

For the new pantry area we installed new Black Heritage Cabinets by Huntwood Industries. The black offset the white cabinets in the main kitchen area and provided a beautiful contrast that in not obtrusive to the eating area, and coordinates well with the table.

The floor to ceiling cabinets are split to allow for extra storage and feature pull out draws and soft close hardware. We also included one cabinet unit that is not split in order to store tall items like brooms close at hand, but with all matching doors everything from the exterior looks uniform.    

So this is one example on how you can redo your existing space without taking on an overwhelming project if there are aspects of your kitchen you already like.

A Little Shade Can Go a Long Way

The hot days of summer are upon us. If you’re thinking of ways to reduce your summer energy bills, you might consider investing in a home improvement that will keep your home cool, stylish and comfortable: shade awnings.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, window awnings can reduce solar heat gain in the summer by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows. You can use awnings to shade individual windows, or you can order an awning custom-made to shade the entire side of your house. If you don’t want an awning all year around, you can order models that retract or roll up when you don’t need them.

 

Types of Awnings

A small, horizontal awning will completely shade a south-facing window during the summer. An east- or west-facing window needs an awning that extends down to cover a larger part of the window. Sideless awnings, called Venetian awnings, can be adjusted as the angle of the sun changes. Venetian awnings, however, are usually not effective at blocking direct sunlight on south-facing windows. Hood awnings are more effective because they come with sides that block out additional sun. Hip awnings project out and down to accommodate casement windows that open outward.

Fabric Choices

In the past, most awnings were made of metal or canvas, which need to be re-covered every five to seven years. Exposure to sun, wind and water wore them out over time. Today, awnings are made from synthetic fabrics, such as acrylic and polyvinyl laminates, that are water-repellent and treated to resist mildew and fading. No matter which fabric you choose, you should select one that is opaque and tightly woven. Also, opt for a light-colored awning that will reflect instead of absorb more sunlight.

Adequate Ventilation
Awnings require ventilation to keep hot air from becoming trapped around the window. Grommets or other openings along the tops and sides of an awning can provide ventilation. The awning may also open to the sides or top to vent hot air.


Almar Building & Remodeling Co is a third generation family owned and operate company for over 50 years. As a fulls ervice general constrution company, we have all the benefits of a small company with the options of a larger company including financing. We service the entire South Shore of Massachusetts including: Hanover, Hingham, Pembroke, Norwell, Scituate, Cohassett, Avon, Hanson, Abington, Rockland, Holbrook, Braintree, Weymouth, Milton, and many more towns.

Swans are not the only partners for life

5 Reasons Why Inspiring Windows and Hunter Douglas Are Strong Partners, Too.
     -    By: Tina Sousa-Vieira (Inspiring Windows)

Hunter Douglas

As a business that designs window fashions and advises individual and business clients on all things related to design, we knew that finding the right partners to work with is key to business success. That’s why we partnered with Hunter Douglas for window fashions back when we first opened in 1997.

We made our selection to be an exclusive partner with Hunter Douglas in much the same way that you might interview and select companies you wish to work with in your home or business. Here’s what was important to us and what we pass along to you:

• Form and Function go hand in hand: It’s not enough to be a beautiful window treatment, it must also serve a purpose to our clients and we recognize that Hunter Douglas marries these qualities with perfection
• Energy Efficiency is Paramount: Hunter Douglas has made a commitment to lowering the carbon footprint by 20% with their Hunter Douglas green program and we have always been committed to helping our clients channeling and exploiting the natural power of sunlight wherever possible.
• American Design and Craftsmanship: We feel there is no explanation necessary. Wherever possible, we advocate for American made.
• Child Safety: We know that your children and pets are the most important dwellers in your home. That’s why we felt it important to have a variety of lifting systems that are cordless or designed to prevent potential hazards
• Lifetime Guarantee: Who wouldn’t want a product they purchased to have a lifetime guarantee? We feel the replacement policy Hunter stands behind is second to none.

We welcome you to use these 5 steps next time you are choosing a company to work with or a partner for your business.

Inspiring Windows is owned and operated by Tina Sousa-Vieira and Teresa Tavares, sisters and business partners. Better known as your Design Guides, Tina and Teresa bring complementary skills and backgrounds to Inspiring Windows. Their mission is to provide a quality design and seamless implementation to clients; always on budget, on time, and with a friendly and thoughtful approach. You’ll remember working with Tina and Teresa and seek them out time and again for each and every design project.

We are ready, willing, and able to help you with all your business and home décor needs: everything from preliminary design, window treatments, color, light, kitchens, and so much more.

Visit our showroom at: 1112 Washington Street
Hanover, MA 02339
781-924-5399, email us at: info@inspiringwindows.com

Hours of Operation:Monday: 10am to 5pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Thursday: 10am to 7pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm