OUR BLOG
OUR BLOG
Check out what’s happening with Myers Constructs as well as the latest news and trends in home renovation.
A Day in the Life of a Kitchen Remodel — Step 2: Demolition
As you can see, we are now well into the demolition phase of our project house in Mt. Airy. This is when all of the "old stuff" in the room is removed, and we get prepped for construction. These images show the plastic and plywood barriers our crew has installed to help protect the rest of the house from the inevitable dust and debris that results from demolition. Because the house was built in the 1920s, the EPAs RRP/Lead Safe Remodeling Rules apply here, as they do to any house built before 1978. The plastic is 4 mm+, and we use plenty of duct tape to seal all around the doorway and the floor. All of the other doorways and A/C outlets in the kitchen will also be taped up and covered with plastic, as well. This is because all the plaster and the trim on the walls and ceiling[...]
A Day in the Life of a Kitchen Remodel: Step 1 — Planning
Our Mt. Airy kitchen remodel is in full swing this week. We began with an on-site review to discuss the existing space and the planned changes. We were able to discuss special circumstances of the project, and the crew had a chance to meet the customers for the first time. We reminded the customers about the spaces we need for work and staging, and we carefully explained how we will protect their house throughout this process. We then put together a detailed spreadsheet schedule that begins with site set up, including protections to the floors and dust control, as well as disconnects for the radiators. We then move on to RRP-certified demolition, electrical demolition, and rough framing. Once the framing is up, the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems can be roughed in and inspected. Finally, we tackle insulation, drywall, flooring, and finishes. Walking the client through this schedule allows them[...]
In the Works: Mt. Airy Kitchen Renovation
Our clients have lived in this spectacular schist stone single home, located near Fairmount Park, since the 1980s, and they have wanted to renovate since the day they moved in. They have two sons, and the first is preparing to leave for college. We often find that major life milestones like this spur projects into action. This space, which once served as a servant's kitchen and butler's pantry, was last renovated sometime during the early 1980s. In the process, a structural wall had been removed, and cabinetry boxes were installed. The homeowners would now like to completely update this kitchen, making it a modern space that they can use and enjoy on a daily basis. We will be streamlining the layout to make it more logical and easy to use, as well as installing radiant floor heating so we can eliminate the existing large steel radiators. These clients opted for[...]
Water Damage: Un-Sexy Yet Vital Repairs
Water. It's a word that strikes fear in the hearts of homeowners everywhere, and for good reason. The worst issue facing any home (besides an earthquake or fire) is a water leak. Water infiltration — which many of us experienced during the local storms this week — can cause serious damage to your home, including everything from rot and mildew to insect infestation and even building collapse. And while repairing water-damaged siding and trim, replacing rotting materials, and fixing vexing leaks are not nearly as sexy as installing a shiny new kitchen or fresh new bath, they are some of the most important projects you can undertake. Take pride in knowing you are protecting your home investment when you fix even the smallest of water problems. When we think about how water enters a home, we need to think about the house as a collection of interactive and supportive systems.[...]
This Week: Progress on Historic Master Bath
As you'll recall, we recently started a master bathroom renovation in an early 1800s-era home on a historic street in Philadelphia. At this point, the wiring, plumbing, and framing are complete, the work to this stage has been inspected, and we are in the process of closing up the floors and walls. Today, the radiant floor heating will get wired, and our carpenter, Chris, will apply the floor-leveling compound over that. Next, we'll be ready to install the 12 x 24-inch metallic porcelain tile! We can't wait to see how amazing it looks. The client can now start to visualize what the room is going to look like in the end. Stay tuned; we'll be posting "after" photos when this project is complete.
Avoid These Contractor Hiring Mistakes
How do you hire contractors when you're starting a home renovation project? Do you look for the cheapest, or the friendliest, or someone you know from your social circle? Do you hire a carpenter to act as your general contractor? Or do you assume that role yourself? In our experience, we find that these approaches are mistakes. The truth is, whether you're doing a kitchen upgrade, a bathroom update, an addition, or whole-house renovation, investing the time to find an experienced full-service general contractor with excellent project management skills is the best way to achieve your desired project results. Without project management, solid design acumen, and professional drawings, the following problems can and do occur: The carpenter doesn't know how high to set windows relative to the door height and the specified trim details, causing windows and doors to look “off” and the wrong trim to be installed. The tile[...]
Bathrooms: What’s In
We often hear from clients who are in need of help with maintaining and upgrading older, outdated bathrooms. In fact, we are currently working on one such project in a historic home in Center City Philadelphia. Recently, we've seen a surge in demand for bathroom elements that include the following: Heated bathroom floors, shower floors, and shower benches Large-scale tile Nickel finishes instead of stainless steel Streamlined, minimal cabinetry Do you or someone you know have a bathroom or other space that is in need of an upgrade? Please pass along our newsletter and contact information. We'll be happy to create a design to build plan for tackling the ongoing maintenance and remodeling jobs that face all of us as homeowners. P.S. If you missed it last week, be sure to check out our recent Narberth kitchen renovation on HGTV Remodels' blog The House Counselor With Laurie March!
Our Main Line Kitchen Project Featured on The House Counselor
This week, we are excited to have one of our recent kitchen projects featured on HGTV Remodels' blog, The House Counselor with Laurie March. The project, pictured here, is a big-feature, yet modestly sized, modern chef's kitchen created for a cottage-style home in Narberth. Here is an excerpt from our interview with Laurie: I Spy … Myers Contructs’ Design As you know, I like peeking in other people’s windows. I’m not creepy, just curious! When I spotted Myers Constructs’ tasteful kitchen remodel in Main Line Philadelphia, I had to find out more. Myers co-founders Tamara Myers and Diane Menke were kind enough to tell me more.... Q: What were the main items on the wish list for this remodel? Diane: The clients wanted to maintain the vintage charm and scale of this modest home while making big improvements. Very high-quality custom cherry cabinets and high-end Wolf appliances and finishes were[...]
New Life for a Historic Master Bath
This week, we are starting demolition on the master bathroom of a small early-1800s house on a charming, tree-lined street in Philadelphia. The homeowner is a returning customer whose kitchen we tuned up years ago. His existing master bathroom includes an array of mismatched items, including a gray toilet, a white sink in a "Big Box outlet" vanity base, a beige jacuzzi tub, and brown marble tile installed haphazardly over an array of shoulder-height walls, as well as a shower that is in need of a total update. To date, the homeowner and his partner have selected new gray Kohler fixtures, and large-scale brown iridescent tile (12 by 24 inches) running in a bond pattern on the walls and a herringbone pattern on the floors. Chrome faucets and accessories, including a wall-mounted shaving mirror, are from Grohe. Because the ceiling is vaulted, we will install 9' walls and a new[...]
Uncovering the Magic in Your Home
We often talk to new clients who come to the table with ideas about all kinds of "stuff" they want to buy and install in their homes. While this is a perfectly natural place for most people to start their renovation process, our job is to get them to back up a little and talk to us about their lives. What we really want to know is how they want to live, and how their home fits into that picture. Many times, we have to ask them to stretch a little, imagine a little "magic" in their everyday lives … and explain what that would be like. Typical questions we ask in the initial consultation include: What works and doesn’t work in your home? When you travel or visit the homes of friends and family, what do you enjoy about those places? What kind of experience do you want to[...]
