Pembroke, Ma: Garage Door Safety Tips

June is National Safety Month, so The International Door Association and the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association have designated June as Garage Door Safety Month. Your garage door is probably the single largest operating piece of machinery in the house and it is vital to your families safety, so you should make sure it is operating correctly.

The website GarageDoorSafety.com states that their mission is “To provide home owners with the most comprehensive residential garage door and opener safety risk assessment available.” This site helps homeowners identify potential dangers created by garage doors. You can also see injury statics such an estimated 7,557 Pinch/Crush Section injuries were reported in the United States in 2007. These injuries were defined as “Fingers caught between section joints, includes amputations, avulsions, etc.”

The Overhead Door Corporation is offering consumers 10 safety and security tips to ensure protection throughout the year.

·         Make sure the garage door opener control button is out of the reach of small children.

·         Do not let children play with garage door remote controls.

·         Never place fingers between door sections. Explain the dangers to children and consider pinch-resistant door panels.

·         Consult the owner's manual and learn how to use the garage door's emergency release feature.

·         Visually inspect the garage door each month. Look at springs, cables, rollers and pulleys for signs of wear. Do not attempt to remove, adjust or repair these parts or anything attached to them. These parts are under high tension, and should only be fixed by a trained door technician.
 

·         Test the garage door opener's reversing mechanism monthly by placing a 2x4 board or a roll of paper towels in the door's path. If the door does not reverse after contacting the object, call a qualified garage door professional for repair. If the opener has not been replaced since 1993, replace the garage door opener with a new one that has safety sensors and auto-reverse as a standard feature.

·         While on vacation, unplug the garage door opener unit or use a wall vacation lock console security switch, which renders remotes unusable and is an optional accessory to most openers.
 

·         Do not leave the garage door partially open. When activated again, it may travel downward and come in contact with an object in its path. This also compromises a home's security.

·         If the opener does not have rolling-code technology, be sure to change the manufacturer's standard access codes on the opener and remote control, or consider investing in a newer model with rolling-code technology which changes the access codes each time the opener is used.

·         Never leave the remote control in the car when given to a parking attendant. A stolen remote leaves you more susceptible to home invasion. Always lock your car when left unattended. It's a small inconvenience for safety and security.

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1dtU1)

So please be sure to consider these tips to protect your family. And if your unit is old and starting to fail please consider replacing it with a more energy efficient unit that will be more safe and secure.

Scituate Ma: Latest in Windows, Doors & Siding

By: Craig H. Guido, CS

As professional Remodelers it is so important that we take the time out of the office and job site to stay on top of the latest products and industry news. So our Production Manager Mark Caruso and I recently took a trip to the HarveyBuilding Products Trade Expo at Gillette Stadium to see what is new for 2012.

Annually Harvey’s holds the Northeast's largest building and remodeling trade shows designed for people in the building trade. Through demonstrations and vendor displays, these trade shows help build sales skills and productivity, informing you of the latest products and installation techniques in the marketplace today.

Mark and I came away with a lot of good information that will certainly help Almar and the clients that we work with. We got the latest updates on Harvey Windows & Sunrooms, Therma TruDoors, and many more products. But one new product really peaked our interest. Almar installs a lot of Certaineed Vinyl Siding, including their CedarImpressions. According to Certainteed’s website Cedar Impressions provides homeowners with “all the charm of cedar without the high cost and maintenance…”

But there is now a product available to those clients whose budgets might need an additional option as well. TheFoundry Vinyl Siding by the Tapco Group might be an option to consider. According to their website; “Its limited lifetime warranty and enhanced color protection mean your home’s charm can stand up to unrelenting sun, serious rainy seasons, frigid winters and blizzards...Foundry premium siding is crafted from hundreds of real cedar and stone molds, providing nature’s exact texture. The industry’s most comprehensive color palette elevates a full range of architectural styles, from Craftsman to Cape Cod and Victorian. Explore The Foundry to envision your dream exterior.”

Foundry siding offers options in: Shingles, Shakes, Stone, and Shapes.

            Shakes: Deep texture is the hallmark of Foundry Cedar Shake siding. With the look of hand-split cedar, its random grooves and grain demonstrate extraordinary authenticity.

            Shingles: Shingles from The Foundry showcase classic style. They provide naturally-textured surfaces and sophisticated detail.

 

            Stone Collection: Created with molds cast from real stone, Foundry Stone Collection Siding provides uncompromising detail and vibrant color that reflect the authentic, rugged qualities of hand-cut limestone.

            Shapes: Signifying attention to detail, Foundry shapes distinguish a home with exceptional dimension.

You can visit their website (http://www.foundrysiding.com/homeowners/virtual-remodelerH.aspx) for Virtual Remodel where you can upload a photo of your own home and see how new vinyl siding can enhance you homes curb appeal.

So when you are ready to review all of your options for installing new vinyl cedar shingle siding on your house give Almar Building a call. Our full service remodeling team can help you every step of the way thru any renovation project you are looking to tackle: Addition, Kitchen, Bathroom, Basement, Sunroom, Siding, Windows, Decking, and even roofing.

As a third generation family owned and operate company for over 50 years 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.

Reducing Musty Smells in Basement

Utilizing your unfinished basement can be a great idea for adding living space to your house without taking on an addition project. We have had clients finish their basements to make:

· In-Law Apartments
· Wine Cellars
· Family/Playrooms
· Gyms
· Movie Theatres

Entertainment spaces Many people don’t want to finish their basement for fear of trapping a musty smell in the carpet. When finishing your basement one product Almar often recommends is Dri-Core. Dri-Core is a subfloor system that is slightly raised off of the concrete. Because it is slightly raised off of the floor it allows for some air flow between the concrete and flooring. The Dri-Core moisture management system allows any seepage or moisture to channel freely under the Dri-Core subfloor panels to keep floors both warm and dry.

Now Dri-Core doesn’t mean you don’t still need a good foundation system. It is not intended to protect again flooding, but rather normal basement moisture. And depending on your home we might still recommend installing a dehumidifier so that the space is as comfortable as possible.

How do Dri-Core subpanels prevent moisture? Dri-Core’s website states, “DRIcore has an integrate high density polyethylene membrane bonded to the underside of the panel which
provides an excellent moisture barrier. DRIcore has also been designed with Air Gap technology that encourages constant air flow and evaporation of surface moisture emitted from your basement concrete floor.”

So if as you start planning your basement renovation give Almar Building & Remodeling in Hanover Ma a call 781-826-2577 and we can go over all your design and product options to fix your specific wants and needs.

Almar Building & Remodeling Co Inc, was started in 1959. For over 50 years our third generation family business has been serving homeowners on the South Shore Ma (Hanover, Pembroke, Scituate, Hingham, Norwell, Duxbury, Cohasset, Hanson, Abington, Rockland, Plymouth and more) For more information about on how you can work with Almar Building on your upcoming
Renovation (Addition, Kitchen, Bathroom, Basement, Sunroom) then please give
call us at 781-826-2577

http://www.dricore.com (photos utilized from the Dri-Core website)

http://www.almarbuilding.com

Plymouth Ma: Almar's Production Manager's 13th year walking for MS

On April 1, 2012 Almar’s Mark Caruso, along with his family, will join with the rest of “Team Jen” for the 15th Anniversary Plymouth’s MS Walk.

For the last thirteen years Mark, his wife Jean and children Owen (whose 6) and Emilyn (whose 9) and the rest of Team Jen have walked in honor of Jennifer Cook of Whitman Mass, to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

According to the Walk MS (multiple sclerosis) website: “The primary goal of Walk MS is to raise funds to help people who have MS, and their families, through MS education, support, advocacy, services, and research.”

The Caruso's 2012

Walk MS is the signature fundraising event of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Walkers who participate in the Walk share a remarkable achievement with over 250,000 other walkers in more than 700 cities across the country. They truly And make a difference by raising essential funds for research and services for people with MS.

Through his participation, Mark helped Walk MS reach their goal is to raise $2.9 million and to have 15,000 walkers in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. According to Caruso, “It’s important to me because Jen Cook is a dear friend who was diagnosed with this disease years ago. Fundraising for MS is a big part of her life and we want to support her and help her in any way we can. Maybe someday it will lead to a cure.”

Jen's Team 2012

Jennifer has been dealing with MS for 15 years with relapsing-remitting MS. According to the 3.22.12 edition of the Whitman-Hanson Express Jennifer’s diagnosis was recently updated to secondary-progressing MS. The paper also mentioned that “Jen’s Team is now a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, boasting 150 volunteer walkers from Whitman…, Plymouth and several northeastern states.”

Almar is proud to support Team Jen. And Congratulations to Mark Caruso for his 13 years of support to this important cause. We know that with Almar’s help, his participation will make huge strides to the $25,000 team fundraising goal for this year’s event.

*For more information on MS and the efforts of Jen’s Team please visit www.msnewengland.org
* To make a donation to Mark Caruso click here

Remodeling Misconception #2: Doing It Yourself Saves Money. (Hanover)

The following is an excerpt from out FREE Report: Six “Secrets” To The Perfect Custom Remodel Of Your Home (To Request your copy of the full report please visit our website http://www.almarbuilding.com/)


Misconception #2: Doing It Yourself Saves Money.

Not Always! Sometimes the "weekend warrior" can undertake small projects like painting, hanging wallpaper, routine repairs, etc. But beware of undertaking larger, more complicated projects. What starts out as an attempt to save money can turn into a costly folly. All too often the job is botched and it costs more to have a professional come in and fix what's been done.

According to an article in the Baltimore Sun, less than 20% of these do-it-yourself jobs work out, mostly due to a lack of experience on the part of the homeowner. If you want to be assured your project will turn out the way you want it, call a qualified professional.

Here are some tips one when you should call in a professional:

1. If the job had plumbing or electrical (if you aren't experienced it is risky and potentially dangerous to take this on yourself)

2. When you don't have the experience required.
Even though there are lots of books and online videos a certain amount of experience is required to do remodeling properly & safely.

3. Time Constraints - Neither you nor your spouse wants to be living in upheaval longer than necessary. And even when working with a professional it can take longer than you initially anticipate, and we aren't trying to do it nights and weekends for you.

4. You don't have the right tools.
We find people often spend too much money in tools they'll never use (or don't know how to use) to get started doing it on their own. Its safer and easier to hire a professional.

So be realistic when choosing to do a project on your own and when you are comparing Remodeling Professionals make sure you are comparing similar companies, a professional company will look and feel much different to you then a fly-by-night "guy in truck" and although a much lower price might look attractive on paper consider what you are really getting and who you are allowing into your home.

For more tips or a copy of this complete article please visit our website: http://www.almarbuilding.com/

2010 Customer Appreication Cookout

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2010 Customer Appreciation Cookout held at our offices at 1130 Washington St this year so special. We were honored to have many of our past clients and freind stop by to say hello and have a bite to eat with us. It is always great to catch up and hear how people are using and loving their homes since the remodeling has ended.





Craig was busy grilling most the day, we honored Mark Caruso's 20th Anniversary with Almar, and Paulette Lilla the Custom Decorator did a short presentation on decorating a room ar ound a theme.





All the guests were sent home with ALmar Goodie goodie bags with small gifts donated by our freinds at Certainteed, Matthews Electric, Rockland Trust, The Cleaner Spot and of course Almar.



And the Kids Zone was well stocked with their own "construction site" sand boxes, Bubbles, Construction Sticker projects, Bob the Builder Dvds and Corn Holes games. Alongw ith Almar "hard hats".

You can see more photos on our facebookpage: