The dryer vent. Who is thinking about cleaning the dryer vent when we clean them every time we do laundry, right? Let me share with you what I discovered this weekend. I spent some time outside this weekend trying to do two things at one time. 1. Enjoy some of the sunshine 2. Spring Clean. Spring Cleaning As Spring cleaning is well underway, it seems like the leaves never went away from the Fall. In every corner of the home, there’s a pile of leaves wet and stuck to the ground. However, on the back side of the home, the leaves made its way from one side to the other. I knew this was going to take a while. As I reached the half way mark, I remembered that a family member was inside washing a load of laundry. I could hear the low sound of the dryer running. But wait…the flap is barely moving. Dryer Vent Cleaning #1 Benefit Let’s first discuss the #1 benefit of a dryer vent sweep. You get done with your laundry faster and your dryer unit lasts longer. If the dryer vent isn’t cleaned once per year, the hot moist air remains in the dryer and venting system. It takes longer for the dryer to complete its job. And…not very good for the life of your dryer unit either. Infrequent dryer vent service shortens the life of your dryer unit as it needs to work harder and longer to dry your clothes. The moist air can also get trapped in your clothes and leave a musty smell. All that work, and you’re right back where you started. Dryer Vent #1 Problem to Solve The issue of dryer vents is a real one. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 13,000 home dryer fires are reported each year. 34% of those fires are caused by lint. Now that’s not to say that you don’t clean your dryer vent. You do. But lint has a mind of its own. Some light and fluffy lint gets past the lint trap and accumulates in the duct that leads to the outside. More Problems with Dryer Vents Because we want you to be fully armed with information, here are some additional problematic signs that can cause a dryer vent fire. Clothes are too hot to touch. Remember, there’s a cool down before you take the clothes out. When that’s still too hot, that’s a sign the dryer vent is clogged. The room with the washer and dryer, it’s also too hot. The dryer vent flap or slats outside isn’t working properly. If you also notice in the picture, lint and debris begin to make its way out of the slats or flap. That’s pretty full. Smell the dryer sheet. If you notice it doesn’t smell like the dryer sheet, there’s a clog. What Can a Homeowner Do? To begin, to check your dryer vent outside. Is it working properly? Is there anything overflowing outside? Next, throw in a load of laundry. Does it smell musty? A little or a lot? Is the dryer overly hot in the cool down? Is it running longer than it used to? If you get a slight yes to a full blown yes, then it’s time to get it cleaned by Superior Chimney. Give us a call at 877-244-6349 to schedule up your spring dryer vent cleaning. Smell like fresh spring!

Located on the Knife River just outside Mora, MN this family hunting cabin has year round functionality. In the winter, this home benefits from our insulated 16″ Hand Hewn EverLogs for an energy efficient performance that can outlast the long harsh Midwest winters. Energy efficiency is a key benefit in all of our projects. For this fishing and hunting cabin, the owner is guaranteed a warm and dry cabin to return to after a day of duck hunting or snowmobiling. Saddle notch corners with wide chink lines also add a rustic look and feel. Howard Homes Inc. designed and built this cabin.

“It has been an enormous weight off our shoulders to finally live in a space we're excited about. There is obviously a physical, visual benefit but there is also a tremendous emotional and mental benefit to living in a well organized space…" -Julia

This driveway design is inspired by our Blu 80 Smooth paver. Smooth and sleek, Blu 80 mm Smooth is the perfect driveway paver to fit any modern home's exterior. Due to its 80 mm height, Blu is optimal for driveway use and paving any surface exposed to vehicular traffic.Now available in our HD2 technology for an ultra-tight poreless finish with anti-aging technology; this paver is offered in vibrant and neutral colors. If you're looking to add contrast around this subtle and clean paving stone, the Blu 6 × 13 mm can be added to create contrasting patterns or banding along the Blu 80 modular pattern. Blu 80's versatility doesn't end there. It can also be installed in a permeable application by swapping polymeric sand for stone and it benefits from all the de-icing salt resistance necessary for harsh winters. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/pavers/blu-80-smooth/

Located on the Knife River just outside Mora, MN this family hunting cabin has year round functionality. In the winter, this home benefits from our insulated 16″ Hand Hewn EverLogs for an energy efficient performance that can outlast the long harsh Midwest winters. Energy efficiency is a key benefit in all of our projects. For this fishing and hunting cabin, the owner is guaranteed a warm and dry cabin to return to after a day of duck hunting or snowmobiling. Saddle notch corners with wide chink lines also add a rustic look and feel. Howard Homes Inc. designed and built this cabin.

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood. Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit. These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees. Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership. Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality. The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months. The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design. Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family. Project Goals Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs. Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs. Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts. Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive. Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm. Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable. Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting. Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes. Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes. Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

The modern feel of this master bathroom designed by Stoneunlimited Kitchen and Bath Remodeling has the perfect balance of warm and cool tones that create a space that is striking. While the walls, flooring and finishes are all cool toned, the custom made vanity, wardrobe and full length mirror add a visual component that makes the space both warm and welcoming. This master bathroom has all the spa-like benefits that one could ever desire. The 68” acrylic soaking tub sits upon wood plank porcelain tiles that extend into the shower and provide the look of wood without the maintenance. The floor is heated and controlled by a programmable thermostat. A heated towel rack provides the benefit of having warm towels whenever needed. The shower enclosure showcases the aesthetics of the tile, tile work, modern fixtures and 36” Effendi Linear Shower Drain that adds another touch of modern appeal. This spacious master bathroom features: Tile: Floor to Ceiling and Tub Surround: 13x39 Laja Blanco Floor: Wood Plank Porcelain Tiles Vanity, Wardrobe & Mirror: Custom designed to accommodate the client’s needs Modern Design to conceal hidden storage in all 3 units Vanity Top: Quartz Fixtures: Kohler Tub: Gena Acrylic Slipper Tub Towel Warmer: Brenton 20” Extra Tall Hard Wired Heated Floors: Warmly Yours with Touch Programmable Thermostat

Located on the Knife River just outside Mora, MN this family hunting cabin has year round functionality. In the winter, this home benefits from our insulated 16″ Hand Hewn EverLogs for an energy efficient performance that can outlast the long harsh Midwest winters. Energy efficiency is a key benefit in all of our projects. For this fishing and hunting cabin, the owner is guaranteed a warm and dry cabin to return to after a day of duck hunting or snowmobiling. Saddle notch corners with wide chink lines also add a rustic look and feel. Howard Homes Inc. designed and built this cabin.

This exciting kids upper-level bathroom is one of our favorites! Our High-Pressure Laminate Gem Stone cabinets feel like they were made for this space! We love the pop of fun in the tile used to accent the bathroom! Did you know that one of the benefits of Cabinet Express is that we have the opportunity to chose from literally 100's of cabinet finishes when we work with our Parent Company, Zen-Living! This is one great example of the benefits of that partnership!

The modern feel of this master bathroom designed by Stoneunlimited Kitchen and Bath Remodeling has the perfect balance of warm and cool tones that create a space that is striking. While the walls, flooring and finishes are all cool toned, the custom made vanity, wardrobe and full length mirror add a visual component that makes the space both warm and welcoming. This master bathroom has all the spa-like benefits that one could ever desire. The 68” acrylic soaking tub sits upon wood plank porcelain tiles that extend into the shower and provide the look of wood without the maintenance. The floor is heated and controlled by a programmable thermostat. A heated towel rack provides the benefit of having warm towels whenever needed. The shower enclosure showcases the aesthetics of the tile, tile work, modern fixtures and 36” Effendi Linear Shower Drain that adds another touch of modern appeal. This spacious master bathroom features: Tile: Floor to Ceiling and Tub Surround: 13x39 Laja Blanco Floor: Wood Plank Porcelain Tiles Vanity, Wardrobe & Mirror: Custom designed to accommodate the client’s needs Modern Design to conceal hidden storage in all 3 units Vanity Top: Quartz Fixtures: Kohler Tub: Gena Acrylic Slipper Tub Towel Warmer: Brenton 20” Extra Tall Hard Wired Heated Floors: Warmly Yours with Touch Programmable Thermostat

The modern feel of this master bathroom designed by Stoneunlimited Kitchen and Bath Remodeling has the perfect balance of warm and cool tones that create a space that is striking. While the walls, flooring and finishes are all cool toned, the custom made vanity, wardrobe and full length mirror add a visual component that makes the space both warm and welcoming. This master bathroom has all the spa-like benefits that one could ever desire. The 68” acrylic soaking tub sits upon wood plank porcelain tiles that extend into the shower and provide the look of wood without the maintenance. The floor is heated and controlled by a programmable thermostat. A heated towel rack provides the benefit of having warm towels whenever needed. The shower enclosure showcases the aesthetics of the tile, tile work, modern fixtures and 36” Effendi Linear Shower Drain that adds another touch of modern appeal. This spacious master bathroom features: Tile: Floor to Ceiling and Tub Surround: 13x39 Laja Blanco Floor: Wood Plank Porcelain Tiles Vanity, Wardrobe & Mirror: Custom designed to accommodate the client’s needs Modern Design to conceal hidden storage in all 3 units Vanity Top: Quartz Fixtures: Kohler Tub: Gena Acrylic Slipper Tub Towel Warmer: Brenton 20” Extra Tall Hard Wired Heated Floors: Warmly Yours with Touch Programmable Thermostat

Beautiful home built in the growing area of Messina Hof Estates. A place where it feels like country living but your still close to town and all the necessities of everyday life. There are many benefits to living here! You will become a VIP at Messina Hof wineries. Call us today to discuss the many perks and benefits. 979-704-5471

Distributed by Timspec, Accoya was used chosen as the ideal material to clad a show home in Auckland. Accoya was selected for the black coated weatherboards on the front section of the house, due to its durability and stability benefits. Because of Accoya’s modification technique it is the ideal wood for external cladding such as this. Generally, problems can occur with darker coatings on cladding, due to shrink and swell being exasperated by the solar gain. But, Accoya wood’s superior dimensional stability negates this problem and maintenance intervals are dramatically extended. The cladding needed to be aesthetically pleasing as well as highly durable in order to withstand the extreme climates in New Zealand. Accoya was also chosen due to its rot resistant benefits and its ability to deter insects in these types of environments.

This lovely couple was initially thinking of just refacing their cabinets and replacing their countertops and backsplash. After assessing all that was going on with those cabinets, rotted out sink base, false drawer fronts, lots of filler boards between cabinets, blind corner cabinet they could not reach back into, cabinet and drawer under the peninsula overhang, a small island, and an odd cubby hole in the wall, we suggested going all new to add so much more functionality with just a little bit more added to their budget. Seeing all the added benefits with only a slight change to the footprint of their existing cabinetry and all the added benefits and features, it was not a difficult decision for them. Then they decided to add matching cabinet doors to their existing shelving which was painted to match with an accent color! One of the unique features we were able to add to this space was taking the odd cubby hole in the wall which could not be extended any higher due to the bonus room floor just above that space was the make it into a pet feeding station and extra storage for their small appliances! By adding matching tile and countertop material it can handle even the messiest of doggie drinkers. Aside from the fresh paint in the whole space, a gorgeous accent color added to the living room shelves and doors, and soft white upper cabinets allowed for the wood base cabinets to create a warm and open feeling while the under and above cabinet task lighting brightens and lifts the space to looking like it even has taller ceilings. Selecting just the right light fixtures give is just the right light in just the right places for a much more updated look that now matches the rest of their house!

Located on the Knife River just outside Mora, MN this family hunting cabin has year round functionality. In the winter, this home benefits from our insulated 16″ Hand Hewn EverLogs for an energy efficient performance that can outlast the long harsh Midwest winters. Energy efficiency is a key benefit in all of our projects. For this fishing and hunting cabin, the owner is guaranteed a warm and dry cabin to return to after a day of duck hunting or snowmobiling. Saddle notch corners with wide chink lines also add a rustic look and feel. Howard Homes Inc. designed and built this cabin.

What are the main benefits of installing engineered hardwood floors? 1. Enhanced durability 2. Stability 3. Moisture resistance In addition to these benefits, engineered hardwood is suitable for various installation settings, including basements and areas with fluctuating humidity levels. Floors: Hawthorne Oak, Novella Collection

In this primary bathroom, the lighting scheme was key to achieve the client’s goals and create a space where the client would enjoy being. The bathroom felt cramped, dark, visually heavy. The client was also claustrophobic, making the use of the space uncomfortable. The goal was to transform this space into a relaxed modern spa-like atmosphere, rethink and simplify the floorplan avoiding visual clutter, access natural light, add efficient lighting, and create more visual space. The lighting plan was crucial to increase visual space. My first thought was to add a skylight to access natural light that is so effective in enlarging the feel of a space. After looking at the attic and roof lines it became clear that this was not an option. After some research I found the perfect solution: a smart light fixture that mimics a window. It is installed between studs or ceiling joists. The fixture replicates the light of the sun during the day. It goes from soft morning light - to bright noon - to soft dawn light. By recessing the fixture into the ceiling, the skylight-look and extra height was achieved. The benefits of this light go beyond beautiful design. The fixture is sustainable, energy efficient, and made to last for decades. It regulates the body’s circadian rhythm, helping against sleeping problems and seasonal affective disorder. It also integrates biophilic design, creating connections to nature and benefiting people that spend hours indoors. The use of mood lighting was also key, creating a cozy, welcoming feel to this home-spa. All the lights are dimmable, and plenty of indirect light sources, like the gorgeous vanity pendants and LED mirrors, create the perfect setting. Not forgetting to mention the soft curves of the bathtub chandelier. This is the perfect place to relax in the bubbly bathtub!

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood. Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit. These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees. Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership. Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality. The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months. The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design. Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family. Project Goals Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs. Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs. Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts. Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive. Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm. Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable. Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting. Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes. Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes. Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).