Posts Tagged ‘remodeling’


Green Home Renovations

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

The word “green” is used constantly in today’s vocabulary. But how does a homeowner begin to make steps toward creating a green living space? This article in TrustyGuides helps break this concept down for us.

 

What is going green?

Green building is the term used to encompass use of design and construction materials and techniques that are:

  • environmentally responsible
  • encourage energy efficiency
  • conserve natural resources
  • create healthier interior environments for homeowners.

What are the advantages of going green?

  • Lowered ongoing operating costs
  • Improved personal health and comfort
  • Marketability at time of resale.
  • Helping the planet!

How do we make those advantages happen?

  • Your home will be more energy efficient, reducing your monthly utility bills.
  • Improved building techniques and products reduce upkeep and repairs.
  • Superior air sealing and ventilation improve air quality.
  • Foam insulation is more effective against air leakage.
  • Alternative paint and floor finishes are less toxic at application, and over time.
  • For those who are sensitive to chemical particles, dust, or other materials, a cleaner living environment not only means greater comfort, but may mean reduced medical bills.

Like any home renovations, green renovations will be a cost to eh homeowner, however in the long run they will be saving the resident, money, energy and health. If you have any questions about renovating your home, contact Allied Remodeling Corporation by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

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Roof Cleaning: Do-it-yourself Versus Hiring a Professional Roof Cleaning Service

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

Cleaning your roof will not only help improve the curb appeal and aesthetic value of your home, but it will also extend the lifespan of your shingles and roof. Of course, you can go and rent a pressure washer (also known as a power washer) and clean your roof yourself, but this will be very time-consuming and can still be relatively costly.

Hiring a professional roof cleaning service – like Advanced Roof Restoration, a division of Allied Remodeling Corporation – is the only way to go.

The top 5 reasons to have your roof professionally cleaned are:

1.    Energy Savings -Dirty roofs attract heat while clean roofs allow the roof to reflect heat

2.    Long-term savings – Clean roofs that have nothing growing on them live their full life expectancy.

3.    Higher Property Value – An aesthetically pleasing roof will keep negotiations positive when trying to sell.

4.    Health Benefits- Mold and Fungi can be harmful to you and your family. Our service eliminates that threat

5.    Water Proofing- Debris can cause cracks in your roofing system, allowing water into your home. A clean roof is a waterproof roof.

There are also dozens of benefits to choosing Advanced Roof Restoration, including:

•      Advanced Roof Restoration is the Maryland’s leader in safe algae stain removal.

•      We are not just a roof cleaning company; we are also Certified Master Roofers with over 50 years of experience in the roofing industry.

•      We are fully insured.

•      We strictly adhere to OSHA safety guidelines so you can rest assured that your roof treatment will be done safely and professionally.

•      Our algae removal solutions have been tested and approved by the nations top shingle manufacturers and The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA).

•      Every roof treatment comes with our satisfaction guarantee and a two year warranty against algae re-infestation.

If you have any questions, contact Allied Remodeling Corporation by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

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Decks: The Benefits Outweigh the Drawbacks

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

A deck can add an element to your home that you never knew was possible. Shortly after installation you will be wondering how you ever lived without one.

But for now, all you keep thinking is, “I can’t afford a deck.” Well, you’re wrong.

A deck does not have to be extremely elaborate or expensive. A simple wooden deck provides you with everything you need: a place to relax, a place to grill, and a place to entertain.

This article from About.com explains the benefits of installing a deck.

While maintenance is an annual event with decks, the ends justify the means, so to speak. Doesn’t annual staining and power washing seem worth it in order to have your very own deck? And besides, if you are really against staining, you can put out the additional money for a composite decking, giving you the look of real wood without the hassle of annual maintenance.

There are several options to give you the look, feel, and ease of ownership that you want.

Building a deck is a great way to add value, beauty, and outdoor living space to your home. When designing a deck there are many options to consider including size, style, materials and usage. Please take a moment to browse the colors and profiles available from Evergrain and Timbertech and Procell and click the “request an estimate” link to get more information or to schedule a free design consultation.

If you have any questions, contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

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What Are The Benefits Of Using Vinyl Siding?

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Is the exterior of your home starting to deteriorate? Is your color fading, making your house look dull? If so, it may be time for a change. You want a low-maintenance, durable, yet aesthetically pleasing way to brighten up your home, but what? Well, have you ever considered vinyl siding? This article from WKBW.com lists the many benefits of vinyl siding, which include:

•     Versatility

•     Ease of Maintenance

•     Aesthetic Value

•     Non-fading Color

•     Mold and Mildew Resistant

•     Flexibility

•     Ability to withstand high winds, impact, and severe weather conditions

•     Long Lasting

•     Ease of Installation

Vinyl siding can add both versatility and attractiveness to the exterior of your home. It is easy to install, easy to maintain and it can withstand severe weather conditions, which is why professional contractors often prefer vinyl siding to other home exterior options.

Installing vinyl siding is a great way to increase the value and energy efficiency of your home while giving it a brand new look that is completely maintenance free. There are many profiles, color combinations and trim accessories designed to complement your home and your neighborhood. CertainTeed offers the widest color palette in the industry with a broad line of high-quality siding products that are backed with outstanding warranty coverage. As a certified Certainteed Vinyl Siding Applicator, Allied Remodeling assures a professional installation with attention to detail unparalleled in the industry. Please take a moment to look at the features, available styles and color combinations below and click the “request an estimate” link to get more information or to schedule a free design consultation.

If you have any questions, contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

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Throwing a Fourth of July Barbeque

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Fourth of July is a time to celebrate with friends and family. And what better way to bring everyone together than with a holiday barbeque (also spelled barbecue or BBQ). But how can you make sure your backyard cookout is the talk of the town?

This article from eHow.com provides several tips – menu ideas, recipes, game suggestions, activities for children, etc. – to make your 4th of July party stand out.

  1. Plan the day’s activities starting with the parade. As soon as the 4th of July parade is over, start the grill and fry up hamburgers and brats. The best way to keep the brats and hamburgers juicy the entire day is by soaking them in a beer and butter mixture. This adds flavor to the meats. Spread the coals out after grilling and allow the pan to stay warm on the spent coals.
  2. Side dishes can be potato salad, pasta salad and maybe a meaty taco dip. Have some chips and dips. Try to have two flavors of chips and two different dips. Fritos and Hormel chili Velveeta cheese dip is always a great idea. Simply place the Hormel chili into a crock-pot and add a package of Velveeta cheese and set on high.
  3. Plan to have some juice boxes and hot dogs for the kids. The hog dogs can be grilled on the spent coals as the brats and hamburgers are being kept warm. Place the hot dogs in a separate pan to stay warm after cooked…
  4. Games such as volleyball or croquet can be played during the afternoon while waiting for the fireworks display after dark. Make sure to have enough food to last the entire day. As a snack at night before the fireworks, make a 4th of July cake. This might be a white cake mix with red, white and blue frosting or white frosting and colored stripes.
  5. Settle in for the fireworks either in the backyard or at the beach where everyone can see the display. Take along juice boxes and chips for the kids and a few adult beverages to enjoy for the adults in the group.

So make your Fourth of July barbeque the best it can be. If you have any questions, Contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

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When Is It Time to Get Replacement Windows?

Friday, June 24th, 2011

New windows. Who needs them, right? Your windows are working perfectly. As far as you’re concerned, the only time you need to replace your windows is when they break.

Well, there are actually several other very good reasons to replace your windows, even if they aren’t broken. This article from GuideToWindows.com explains when it is beneficial to purchase new windows.

Not only will new windows improve the aesthetic appeal of your home, but they will also increase energy efficiency, saving you money every month on your cooling and heating bill.

According to Energy Star, single-pane windows allow heat to escape during the winter and enter during warm months, accounting for 25% to 50% of energy used to heat and cool homes. Replacing single-pane with energy efficient windows could save the typical home about $110 to $400 a year, and replacing double-pane windows with energy efficient ones could save about $20 to $85 a year.

When purchasing new windows, you should look for energy efficient windows with the Energy Star label. This ensures that your new windows have passed the standards put forth by the National Fenestration Rating Council.

And in order to guarantee that these new windows are installed properly, it is best to leave all the work to a professional, like Allied Remodeling.

Allied Remodeling proudly offers Ideal Majestic Signature Series Vinyl Windows.

Majestic Windows are designed to express the way you live your life. Majestic windows can help you create a home that is as unique as you are. There are many reasons to replace your old windows with new vinyl ones and Majestic windows make it easy. Our vinyl windows are strong, durable, energy efficient and are all designed for performance, beauty, and dependability. Choose from a variety of sizes and styles including double-hung, casement, awning, bay, bow, and picture windows.

If you have any questions, Contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

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Home Improvement Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Father’s Day is right around the corner and if you are like most people out there, you will be scrambling this week to find the perfect gift. But what does your dad want? In a recent poll done by Harris Interactive, 80% of fathers admitted they wanted gifts related to home improvement. So instead of buying dad another tie or some socks, get him something he really wants, like a brand new deck.

Building a deck is a great way to add value, beauty, and outdoor living space to your home. When designing a deck there are many options to consider including size, style, materials and usage.

Of course, the final home improvement project is up to you. So brainstorm and find out what your father (or husband) would really want. What is that one project that he has always talked about, but has just not had the time to get around to? Maybe a new roof? The possibilities are endless.

What you need to do first is figure out your budget. Once you have set that, you will have a better idea of what home improvement project you can afford to tackle. Consider contacting a professional remodeling service to help plan everything out. Or maybe you would rather have them complete the job for you.

And if you are looking for a company that is both well-qualified and customer fiendly, look no further than Allied Remodeling. Upon contacting Allied they will schedule a convenient time to meet and discuss your project. During this meeting their representative will discuss the many options available to you and show you product samples, pictures, and references. Then Allied provides you with a firm written proposal.

Once you decide to move forward, they will assign you a project coordinator who will visit your home to review the project, schedule delivery and start dates, and be your personal contact during the manufacture and installation process. During the installation your project foremen will be on site to answer any questions and walk you through the finished project.

Allied’s service department is always available. In fact, they guarantee to have your service scheduled within 24 hrs of your call. Allied’s technicians are available evenings and weekends for your convenience.

If you have any questions, Contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

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Planning a Father’s Day Barbeque

Friday, June 10th, 2011

Isn’t it time to do something your dad will really like this Father’s Day? So instead of taking him to some fancy restaurant, why not grill him up a barbeque fit for a king? A real man’s feast.  So let your dad lounge in his lawn chair, drink his beer and just relax, while you grill up some of the most mouthwatering food any man could ever want.

This article from eHow.com beaks the process down step by step.

1.   A few days before father’s day, take time to plan out what you want to serve at the barbeque. Will you barbeque Japanese chicken skewers, or vegetable skewers? Consider what your father’s tastes are and cater to him. If he loves potato salad, it might be in your best interest to serve potato salad.

2.   Once you have everything planned for food, go shopping for all of the ingredients you will need. This might also be the best time to buy a father’s day card or a gift. Make a day out of purchasing all you will need for the father’s day. You might consider buying some wine or beer for your father if they enjoy drinking.

3.   Since you most likely will be grilling on an outdoor barbeque, keep in mind the types of supplies you need for a barbeque. If you have a coal barbeque, make certain that you have enough lighter fluid and coals. If you use a propane grill, check to make sure that there’s enough propane in the tank.

4.   The day before father’s day, check your recipe list to see if any foods would benefit being made a day early. Some examples of foods that deepens their flavors: potato or macaroni salad, baked beans, marinating meat and homemade barbeque sauce. If you are planning on serving anything that should be made the day before, do so.

5.   If the barbeque is a father’s day surprise, lead your father out to his new grill in the morning just after he wakes up. This will be a pleasant morning gift that will be sure to make his day brighter.

6.   In mid-afternoon, start heating the barbeque up for the upcoming food.

7.   Continue cooking any foods that require additional cooking. Since many traditional barbeque foods taste better a day later, you might not have much cooking to do the day of until the barbeque is fully heated.

8.   Once the barbeque heats up, start cooking any vegetables or meat you wish. Keep a set of barbeque utensils on hand to keep you or your father from burning yourselves.

9.   A handy utensil to have at the barbeque is a kitchen thermometer. This way you can easily determine if the meat is fully cooked to proper temperatures.

10. Once all of the food is cooked on the barbeque, serve everything on nice tableware.

11. Remember to thank your father for being himself and helping you be the way you are today.

12. If you plan on serving a special dessert, such as tempura-fried ice cream, after everyone is finished with their main meal, determine when everyone wants to eat dessert.

13. Once everyone is ready for dessert, take the time to finish cooking the dessert and serve it while it is fresh and hot.

Now that’s a Father’s Day!

_________________________________________________________________

Contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

Making Your Memorial Day Barbeque Memorable

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Memorial Day is just a few short days away, which means one thing; it’s time to barbeque. But with so many cookouts going on this holiday weekend, how can you make sure your barbeque is the envy of the neighborhood?

Well, the key to any great barbeque is great food. So while your competition is grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, you will be cooking up a culinary concoction of unequaled status. But if you are stumped on how to accomplish such a feat of barbequing bliss, this article from eHow.com can help.

Styles

There are actually 3 different ways to cook on a grill: Barbequing, Grilling and Hot Smoking. Barbequing is a method in which you slow cook over indirect heat (180-240 F). Grilling is for a more direct method in which you cook over the flame at a high temperature for a short period of time. And finally, hot smoking uses indirect heat at a slightly lower temperature than barbequing and adds wet wood chips, which produce smoke that flavors the meat as it cooks.

So while all those other cookouts will have grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, you will tantalize your guests’ taste buds with a myriad of meats that have been slowly cooked to perfection. But there is more to great grilling than simply cooking the meat. How you prepare food is just as important as how you cook it.

Marinades

Marinating your meat will give it a unique flavor that will help to set your barbeque apart from the rest. If you are really adventurous, you can create your own unique marinade, putting a truly special twist on what should already be a great barbeque. But if you are inexperienced, a nice marinade out of a cookbook will still work wonders.

Vegetables

While your competition has sides like chips and potato salad, you will have vegetables that, like your meat, have been cooked to perfection on the grill. Corn, squash, artichokes, asparagus and onions all work extremely well on the grill.

Stuffing

Another great way to set your barbeque apart from your neighbor’s is to stuff your meat. Pork chops, steaks, fish, chicken and even some vegetables cook well on the grill when stuffed. Slice a pocket into your desired meat or vegetable and use complementary flavors for your stuffing. You can use cheeses, nuts, fruits, other meats and other vegetables in your stuffing. The sky is the limit.

Now that you have a few ideas to work with, it is time to go and make your Memorial Day barbeque the best it can be. And of course, the final key to any great barbeque is a great venue. So if you are thinking of installing a brand new deck on your home, contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Flooding in Mississippi Will Affect the Roofing Industry in Maryland

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

As the water level continues to rise in the Mississippi River, so will the costs of crude oil, goods and shipping. With Mississippi companies unable to ship or even produce goods, prices are expected to rise sharply, negatively affecting out of state industry like the Maryland roofing, remodeling and home construction industries.

This means that if you were planning on having that brand new roof installed, now is the time to act before the cost rises too much.

Allied Remodeling specializes in asphalt and rubber roofing systems for residential and commercial applications. They install Certainteed roofing products, a company who has been manufacturing the highest quality shingles with the strongest warranties for over 100 years. Certainteed has certified Allied Remodeling as a Master Shingle Applicator which guarantees your roof is installed to manufacturer’s specifications. They are able to complete most residential roofing projects in just one day with little disturbance to your daily routine. During the installation Allied Remodeling adheres strictly to OSHA safety regulations. Their clean up procedure is unsurpassed leaving your home and yard free from debris once the project is completed.

If you have any questions, contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!