Materials Ipe Hardwood, Marine Grade Birch, Brazilian Walnut Dimensions Height: 34 Inches; Width: 49 Inches; Depth: 15 Inches Description Modern, Contemporary luxury in a sleek stylish and modern design brings a beautiful style to any outdoor entertainment space. This outdoor TV cabinet it rated for both very cold and very hot environments, complete protection from mold, mildew or insects and with a fire rating identical to that of concrete you can be sure this piece of furniture will stand the test of time. The sustainably sourced Ipe hardwood (also known as Brazilian Walnut) is hard, robust and durable. It's naturally weatherproof and survives equally well in hot or humid climates as it does in rain, frost, wind, ice or snow. It is guaranteed to not mildew or mold. In fact in tests performed by the USGA Ipe can be buried underground for over 50 years without rotting. The simple and modern design is taken to the next level by the introduction of a Nexus TV lift system which allows your TV cabinet to be wirelessly opened by the touch of a button. The TV lift system comes with a 10-year warranty. With the addition of the 360 degree swivel option the TV can be viewed from any angle. Comes with: - American-made TV Lift system w/ 10 Year Warranty - Fully waterproofed interior, power distribution box - Front panel is fully removable for safe maintenance - Universal TV Mount - HDMI cable

Inspire joy with the cheerful color of a patterned floral backsplash. Beautiful cabinetry, sleek hardware, and a solid neutral countertop give the perfect compliment to this bold backsplash. This space is sure to bring everyday smiles! Cabinetry: Tribeca Hudson straight shaker in Snow White Countertop: Q Stone, Mirano Gray Flooring: Marketplace, Pebble Path, Vinyl Tile 12 x 24 Additional job notes: Bulkhead removal, Roll-out trays, Double trash pull-out, Upper and lower lazy susans, Pots and pans drawer base, recessed lighting, LED under-cabinet lighting. Designed by Tracy West with O'Hanlon Kitchens. Call, text, or email for your free in-home design consultation: 717-755-5555 443-285-0558 info@okitchens.com www.OKitchens.com Photo Credit: Julia Transue @The Photo House

This staircase was preserved, as was the handrail, though new pickets, paint and runner updated the overall look. Wall removals at the new front entry and side entry access to the basement make the space feel more open and easier for traffic flow of a busy family. Photography by Andrew Snow.

In the early days of the global pandemic of 2021, my client decided to leave a more densely populated city environment in favor of a more suburban atmosphere with fewer people, where things are less crowded. They found a Tudor-style home built in the 1980s and set about updating it to make it their own. When my client contacted me, one of her top priorities in the home was a complete kitchen renovation for which she already had some very clear ideas. She came to the project with colors and overall feel so it was a delight to collaborate with her to bring her vision to life. The original kitchen was wedged between a large two-story entry hall at the front, and a spacious beamed family room at the rear. Dated dark red oak and heavy 1980s cabinetry weighed down the room, and my client desperately wanted light and lightness. Working with Lewis Construction, we took down the walls that closed the kitchen off from the family room and the resulting space allowed for a generous island. We worked together to refine a cabinet color and a wood stain for the custom cabinetry by Schmitz Woodworks, and a tone of countertop material that would be a perfect compliment to our cabinetry choices. And I found lighting that speaks to the Tudor style of the house while bringing a sense of airiness—the seeded glass island pendants are perfect partners to the round wrought-iron fixture with candles in the adjoining dining room. Wood, brass, and abaca kitchen stools at the island bring a sense of history and California cool. In the adjoining bland family room, my client removed an ugly river stone fireplace and replaced it with a linear gas insert. I designed built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace to give the entire wall more presence. My client fell in love with a piece of dark soapstone and I used it to design a chunky, uniquely beveled surround to ground the fire box. The entry also got a makeover. We worked with a painter to disguise the ugly 80s red oak on the stairs, and I furnished the area with contemporary pieces that speak to a Tudor sensibility: a “quilted” chest with nail heads; an occasional chair with a quatrefoil back; a wall mirror that looks as if the Wicked Queen in Snow White used it; a rug that has the appearance of a faded heirloom; and a swarm of silver goblets creating a wall art installation that echoes the nail heads on the chest. Photo: Rick Pharoah

This staircase was preserved, as was the handrail, though new pickets, paint and runner updated the overall look. Wall removals at the new front entry and side entry access to the basement make the space feel more open and easier for traffic flow of a busy family. Photography by Andrew Snow.

Our customers in Warminster, PA reached out to us for a second story deck replacement to make the switch to composite decking. One requirement was that they wanted the area underneath the deck to be waterproof which, thanks to Trex Rain Escapes, was not a problem at all. Trex created a set of products that, once installed, will divert away from the deck and will shield the area below from rain and snow. Homeowners can even opt to finish the space with an underdeck ceiling. After removing the original decking, our Trex deck install team attached the Rain Escapes troughs to the joists using Trex sealant. Trex Enhance Foggy Wharf decking was installed along with Trex Enhance Basics decking in Clamshell as a darker border on the deck. We were even able to create a small closet under the stairs using the same decking. Our gutter installation crew finished off the project by adding a new gutter system for the Rain Escapes to drain into and keep the area under the deck dry as a bone

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Removed wall between kitchen and dining area to open up space. Built large custom china cabinet for storage
Example of a large classic u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Art-Tek Construction transformed this weathered fence and deck with a complete restoration and premium staining system using Dulux WoodPride Hybrid Solid Stain. Proper preparation was the key to achieving a beautiful, long-lasting finish, beginning with a thorough pressure wash to remove dirt, mildew, weathered wood fibres, and previous coating residue. Once the wood was clean and properly prepared, we applied Dulux WoodPride Hybrid Solid Stain, a high-performance coating engineered to provide exceptional durability and protection against Alberta's harsh climate. Its advanced hybrid technology offers outstanding adhesion, excellent UV resistance, superior colour retention, and strong resistance to peeling, cracking, and moisture penetration while allowing the natural texture of the wood to remain visible. The finished project gave the fence and deck a rich, uniform appearance while providing years of protection against sun, rain, snow, and seasonal weather changes. This project reflects Art-Tek's commitment to premium products, meticulous preparation, and craftsmanship that helps homeowners protect their investment while enhancing the beauty of their outdoor living spaces.

This beautiful colonial in Marion, Massachusetts is even more gorgeous with its new GAF Timberline HD roof! There is more to a roof than shingles – in fact there are several components to a professionally installed GAF Lifetime Roofing System. Here is the anatomy of our Marion homeowner’s roof: GAF Timberline HD Shingles Marion, MAGAF Timberline HD Roof Shingles: A beautiful architectural shingle at an affordable price! This is our most popular roof shingle here at Care Free Homes! Our Marion customer selected the classic color, Charcoal. This high performance shingle features a 130 mph wind rating and highest possible fire rating. Underlayment: A felt/paper product that is installed over the entire roof deck, underlayment provides an additional layer of protection between the roof deck and the roof shingles. Ice Dam and Water Shield: After a brutal winter and unprecedented snow fall, many New England homes suffered damage from ice dams. Ice Dam and Water Shield provides added protection for eves, rakes, valleys as well as flashed areas around vent pipes, chimneys, dormers, and skylights. Whether it’s a winter wonderland or a hurricane, this homeowner will not have to worry about ice dams or driving rain. GAF Timberline HD, Marion, MA Dormers Premium Aluminum Drip Edge: Installed along the rakes, drip edge serves several purposes. It improves the efficiency of water shedding, prevents leaking from a wind-driven rain as well as movement between the deck and fascia boards. Drip edge also keeps pesky insects from infiltrating the space between the roof deck and the fascia boards. With a choice of three colors, white, brown and gray, it provides a finished look for a roof. GAF Pro-Start Eave/Rake Starter Strip: Every story has a beginning and every roof should have a starter strip. Here in New England we’ve got to have our roof be tougher than mother nature. To prevent shingle blow off, an ultra-adhered starter strip properly secures shingles in place during a storm. In contrast, the amateur roofer will often use cut-up shingles as a starter course. This weakened “starter course” lowers the wind resistance of a roof and makes it more susceptible to both wind and water damage. With straighter edges, Dura-Grip adhesive, and outstanding warranties – starter strip will provide beauty, performance and peace of mind. GAF Cobra Ridge Vent: Ridge vents provide necessary airflow to remove excess heat and moisture in an attic. It inhibits the growth of mold and protects the health of the homeowners as well as their stored possessions. A properly vented attic will also protect homes in harsh winter climates from ice damming. Why wait? Contact us today and make your house a Care Free home!

Over a span of two years we completed several projects at this Tokoma Park, Maryland property. We cleaned up the backyard, renovated an existing swale, and installed water loving plants. The following year, we replaced the old pea gravel driveway with a permeable paver driveway. While doing the driveway we encountered spongey clay that was saturated from a leaking water line. We had to install concrete piers down to virgin soil to bear the weight of the walkway. The driveway excavation had to take into account the root zones of large trees. To avoid the surface roots we used a minimal excavation design. Our ultimate goal with this project was to ensure that the new walkways provided a safe and comfortable path for the homeowners and guest to get from their cars to porch whether parked along the street or in the driveway. To provide an extra layer of security, we added low-voltage lighting to accent trees and light the walkway, which were programmed to come on at dusk and turn off automatically at dawn. The new plantings are native species including River Birch, Swamp Hibiscus, Blue Flag Iris, and Common Rush, that are adapted to growing in wet soils. The permeable paver driveway will reduce runoff by storing rain in gravel base while allowing it to be absorbed into the soil below. The paver surface eliminates the tracking of pea gravel into the house while allowing heels to walk on it without sinking in. The swale handles runoff from all the uphill properties and the gravel keeps it from becoming a soggy mess. 
 During seasonal months, snow and leaf removal are greatly eased by having a hard surface to shovel or rake. The permeable pavers used are Techo-Bloc Villagio in Shale Grey and we installed a granite Belgian block border. We replaced existing broken concrete walkway with new curving flagstone walkway and connected the front steps to the driveway and side steps. All projects were consulted with the City of Takoma Park’s Urban Forest Manager, and the Montgomery County Historical Preservation Commission.

Before & After Hardscaping in Worcester, MA

Materials Ipe Hardwood, Marine Grade Birch, Brazilian Walnut Dimensions Height: 34 Inches; Width: 49 Inches; Depth: 15 Inches Description Modern, Contemporary luxury in a sleek stylish and modern design brings a beautiful style to any outdoor entertainment space. This outdoor TV cabinet it rated for both very cold and very hot environments, complete protection from mold, mildew or insects and with a fire rating identical to that of concrete you can be sure this piece of furniture will stand the test of time. The sustainably sourced Ipe hardwood (also known as Brazilian Walnut) is hard, robust and durable. It's naturally weatherproof and survives equally well in hot or humid climates as it does in rain, frost, wind, ice or snow. It is guaranteed to not mildew or mold. In fact in tests performed by the USGA Ipe can be buried underground for over 50 years without rotting. The simple and modern design is taken to the next level by the introduction of a Nexus TV lift system which allows your TV cabinet to be wirelessly opened by the touch of a button. The TV lift system comes with a 10-year warranty. With the addition of the 360 degree swivel option the TV can be viewed from any angle. Comes with: - American-made TV Lift system w/ 10 Year Warranty - Fully waterproofed interior, power distribution box - Front panel is fully removable for safe maintenance - Universal TV Mount - HDMI cable

Over a span of two years we completed several projects at this Tokoma Park, Maryland property. We cleaned up the backyard, renovated an existing swale, and installed water loving plants. The following year, we replaced the old pea gravel driveway with a permeable paver driveway. While doing the driveway we encountered spongey clay that was saturated from a leaking water line. We had to install concrete piers down to virgin soil to bear the weight of the walkway. The driveway excavation had to take into account the root zones of large trees. To avoid the surface roots we used a minimal excavation design. Our ultimate goal with this project was to ensure that the new walkways provided a safe and comfortable path for the homeowners and guest to get from their cars to porch whether parked along the street or in the driveway. To provide an extra layer of security, we added low-voltage lighting to accent trees and light the walkway, which were programmed to come on at dusk and turn off automatically at dawn. The new plantings are native species including River Birch, Swamp Hibiscus, Blue Flag Iris, and Common Rush, that are adapted to growing in wet soils. The permeable paver driveway will reduce runoff by storing rain in gravel base while allowing it to be absorbed into the soil below. The paver surface eliminates the tracking of pea gravel into the house while allowing heels to walk on it without sinking in. The swale handles runoff from all the uphill properties and the gravel keeps it from becoming a soggy mess. 
 During seasonal months, snow and leaf removal are greatly eased by having a hard surface to shovel or rake. The permeable pavers used are Techo-Bloc Villagio in Shale Grey and we installed a granite Belgian block border. We replaced existing broken concrete walkway with new curving flagstone walkway and connected the front steps to the driveway and side steps. All projects were consulted with the City of Takoma Park’s Urban Forest Manager, and the Montgomery County Historical Preservation Commission.

When Booth Hansen’s client obtained seven acres of virgin forest on St. Joseph Island in Ontario, Canada, to build a retreat home, they intended to be good stewards of the land. They desired a series of cabins that were organized along the shoreline of Lake Huron but also which treaded lightly on the site. The design solution incorporated three black zinc clad volumes situated parallel to the water, sited to follow the natural contours of the land, and oriented to accentuate views to the surrounding area. Their dark color allows the cabins to recede into the shoreline forest, thereby intentionally diminishing the presence of the structures when viewed from the water. The cabins utilize a raised pier foundation, respecting the site by maintaining the natural topography, allowing snow melt and rainwater to drain naturally into the lake. Passive house insulation strategies were employed to allow optimal performance of the thermal envelope. Windows are aligned with one another to promote cross ventilation through the cabins as well as to frame specific views of the exterior from the inside. Operable windows located near the peak of each gabled volume allow for natural stack effect to remove heat from the cathedral ceiling volumes as well as to allow diffuse light to enter. For thermal comfort, radiant floor heating was utilized and geothermal loops were installed into the bottom of the lake to sustainably heat and cool the home. Custom zinc clad operable shutters are recessed into the walls on a concealed track to secure the building and protect the windows when it is not in use, but recede from view and provide additional insulation to the walls when open. Programming for this 4,500-square-foot group of cabins includes 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, powder room, great room, study/library and garage. A central living cabin holds the living and dining spaces and opens onto a waterfront deck. Glass bridge connectors on either side reach to two sleeping cabins. The study comprises floor to ceiling book shelves and a view across the water to the distant lighthouse, a structure that recalls fond childhood memories for our client, a well-known fiction writer. Deeper In the woods, a 1500 sf 2 level detached garage surprises and delights by housing a private dance studio on the second floor for our client’s wife, a famous flamenco dancer. Four sides of glass allow dancing among the treetops along with a view back to the water. While our clients were intrigued by the austere black zinc cladding for the exterior, on the inside of the home, a more whimsical aesthetic was desired. The earthy interior palette was pulled directly from the surrounding landscape. Jade green cabinets emulate the pine trees, while chocolate toned wood flooring recalls the forest floor. Furniture and personal items further propagate the idea of natural moments of color in the woods.

English Dwarf Boxwoods with cotoneaster Willow leaf ground cover. Snow Ball Vibernum up against house. Trees are Zelcova and have been removed. New Trees are planned.

Every year, the same thing happens. The first real snowfall arrives, demand for de-icing materials spikes overnight, and the businesses that waited too long find themselves scrambling for supply at the worst possible moment. Facility managers, property owners, contractors, and municipalities all depend on a steady supply of salt and ice melt to keep their properties safe and operational through winter. The ones who plan ahead sail through. The ones who don't pay more, wait longer, and take on real risk. Sourcing de-icing materials well is not complicated, but it does require thinking ahead and understanding the options. The choices you make about what to buy, how to buy it, and who to buy it from have a direct effect on your costs, your reliability, and your ability to keep people safe when conditions turn dangerous. This article lays out what matters. Why Your Choice of Supplier Matters More Than You Think It is easy to treat de-icing material as a commodity, something you grab whenever you need it without much thought about where it comes from. That works fine until the moment it doesn't, usually in the middle of a storm when everyone needs supply at once and the casual sources have run dry. At that point, the relationships you built before the season become the difference between staying stocked and being stuck. Reliable supply is the whole game in winter operations. A property that runs out of ice melt during a storm faces safety hazards, liability exposure, and disruption, none of which can wait for a back-ordered shipment. This is why establishing relationships with dependable rock salt suppliers before the season starts is one of the smartest moves a facility manager or contractor can make. It locks in supply, often locks in better pricing, and removes a major source of mid-winter stress. The lesson here is to treat sourcing as a planning decision rather than a last-minute errand. The businesses that come through winter smoothly are almost always the ones that secured their supply chain early, chose suppliers who could actually deliver when it counted, and never had to gamble on finding material during a shortage. Reliability bought in advance is far cheaper than scarcity paid for in a crisis. Bagged or Bulk: Matching the Material to the Job One of the first practical decisions is whether to buy de-icing material in bags or in bulk, and the right answer depends entirely on the operation. Each format has clear advantages, and many operations end up using both for different purposes. Bagged material offers convenience, control, and easy storage. It is simple to handle, easy to distribute to different locations or crews, straightforward to store without special equipment, and convenient for spot application by hand. It suits smaller properties, businesses without bulk storage, and situations where portion control and tidiness matter. Bulk material, on the other hand, tends to make sense for large operations that go through high volumes, where buying in quantity lowers the per-unit cost and the operation has the equipment and space to store and handle it. The tradeoff is between the convenience and flexibility of bags and the volume economics of bulk. For many operations, the right approach is a mix: bulk for the high-volume core of the work and bags for flexibility, spot treatment, and locations where bulk handling is impractical. The key is to match the format to how the material will actually be stored, moved, and applied, rather than defaulting to one or the other out of habit. Thinking this through in advance avoids both the waste of over-buying bulk you can't handle and the expense of relying entirely on bags for a large operation. Rock Salt Is Not Your Only Option Rock salt, or sodium chloride, is the workhorse of winter de-icing for good reason. It is effective, widely available, and cost-efficient, which makes it the default choice for most operations most of the time. But it has limits, and understanding the alternatives helps you choose the right material for the conditions you actually face. The most important limitation is temperature. Rock salt becomes less effective as temperatures drop, and in genuinely cold conditions it can struggle to do the job at all. This is where alternatives come in. Calcium chloride, for instance, works at much lower temperatures than rock salt and acts quickly, which makes it valuable when conditions are severe or when fast melting matters. Operations that face hard freezes or need dependable performance in extreme cold often keep calcium chloride for sale on hand for exactly those situations, using it alongside rock salt rather than instead of it. The practical approach is to understand the conditions your property faces and stock accordingly. For many operations, rock salt handles the bulk of the work while a faster, colder-rated material like calcium chloride covers the extreme days when ordinary salt falls short. Matching the material to the temperature and the urgency of the situation is what separates an operation that stays ahead of winter from one that is constantly reacting to it. Securing Your Supply Before the Season Knowing what to buy is only half the equation. The other half is making sure you can actually get it when you need it, which means securing your supply before winter arrives rather than after it has already started. Timing is one of the most underrated factors in winter operations. The logic is simple. Demand for de-icing materials is highly seasonal and spikes sharply during storms, when everyone needs supply simultaneously. Prices and availability both move against the buyer at exactly those moments. By contrast, planning ahead, estimating your needs and arranging supply before the season, puts you in a far stronger position. Working with established rock salt suppliers ahead of time means your material is accounted for before the rush, often at better pricing and with the confidence that it will be there when the first storm hits. This kind of planning also lets you think clearly rather than react under pressure. You can estimate your seasonal needs based on your property and past winters, decide on the right mix of materials and formats, and arrange storage in advance. Operations that do this consistently spend less, worry less, and never find themselves making frantic calls during a storm. The effort of planning ahead is modest, and the payoff in reliability and cost savings is substantial. Storing and Handling What You Buy Securing supply is not much use if the material degrades before you can use it, which makes proper storage and handling an important and often overlooked part of the equation. De-icing materials are sensitive to moisture, and poor storage can turn a good supply into a clumped, hardened mess that is difficult to apply. The fundamentals are straightforward. Keep material dry and protected from moisture, since salt and ice melt readily absorb water and can harden if exposed. Store it in a way that suits the format, whether that means a proper bulk storage area or a dry space for stacked bags. Keep it accessible, so crews can get to it quickly when a storm hits and time is short. And handle it with the right equipment for the format and volume, which protects both the material and the people working with it. None of this is complicated, but neglecting it can undermine even a well-planned supply. Good storage practices protect the investment you made in securing supply early. There is little point in arranging your materials ahead of the season only to have them degrade before use. Treating storage and handling as part of the overall plan, rather than an afterthought, ensures that the material you secured is actually usable when the moment comes. It is the final link in a supply chain built to perform under winter conditions. Estimating How Much You Actually Need One question trips up operations of every size: how much de-icing material to buy. Order too little and you risk running short during a storm. Order too much and you tie up money and storage space in material you may not use. Getting the estimate reasonably right is a meaningful part of sourcing well. Several factors shape the answer. The size and type of the areas you treat, sidewalks, lots, entrances, and drive lanes, set the baseline for how much material each application consumes. The local climate matters too, since colder regions and those with frequent snowfall go through far more material than milder ones. Application frequency depends on how often storms hit and how quickly surfaces need to be cleared, which varies with the kind of property and the expectations of the people who use it. And the type of material plays a role, since different products are applied at different rates. Past experience is often the best guide. Operations that track what they used in previous winters, adjusted for the size of the property and the severity of the season, can estimate their needs with reasonable confidence. For newer operations without that history, it helps to plan conservatively and to work with a supplier who can replenish stock reliably, so that a low estimate does not turn into a mid-storm shortage. The goal is not perfect precision but a sound, slightly cautious estimate paired with a dependable supply relationship. That combination lets an operation keep enough material on hand to handle the season without over-committing to volume it cannot store or use. Thinking this through before winter, rather than guessing during it, is one more way that planning ahead pays off when the snow starts to fall. The Bottom Line Sourcing de-icing materials well comes down to a few straightforward principles: plan ahead, choose reliable suppliers before the season, match your materials and formats to your actual needs and conditions, and store what you buy properly. The operations that follow these principles move through winter with confidence, while those that improvise pay more and take on needless risk. Winter is predictable in one respect: it arrives every year, and demand for de-icing material spikes the moment it does. The businesses that prepare for that reality, rather than being surprised by it, are the ones that keep their properties safe, their costs controlled, and their operations running no matter what the season throws at them. A little foresight before the first snowfall pays off through every storm that follows.

We removed the existing roof and installed a new 30 year GAF Timberline Charcoal Black Shingle roof. We also installed a new ridge vent, ice and snow shield to roof, and new flashings on this home in Norristown.

Materials Ipe Hardwood, Marine Grade Birch, Brazilian Walnut Dimensions Height: 34 Inches; Width: 49 Inches; Depth: 15 Inches Description Modern, Contemporary luxury in a sleek stylish and modern design brings a beautiful style to any outdoor entertainment space. This outdoor TV cabinet it rated for both very cold and very hot environments, complete protection from mold, mildew or insects and with a fire rating identical to that of concrete you can be sure this piece of furniture will stand the test of time. The sustainably sourced Ipe hardwood (also known as Brazilian Walnut) is hard, robust and durable. It's naturally weatherproof and survives equally well in hot or humid climates as it does in rain, frost, wind, ice or snow. It is guaranteed to not mildew or mold. In fact in tests performed by the USGA Ipe can be buried underground for over 50 years without rotting. The simple and modern design is taken to the next level by the introduction of a Nexus TV lift system which allows your TV cabinet to be wirelessly opened by the touch of a button. The TV lift system comes with a 10-year warranty. With the addition of the 360 degree swivel option the TV can be viewed from any angle. Comes with: - American-made TV Lift system w/ 10 Year Warranty - Fully waterproofed interior, power distribution box - Front panel is fully removable for safe maintenance - Universal TV Mount - HDMI cable