Old homes have character, charm, and lead paint. So?

Every contractor knows about the new regulations that have been put into effect by the U.S. EPA regarding safe work practices with lead-based paint. It has been talked about extensively in the trades for the last 3 years. It is possible, however, that consumers may not know much about it, although most have certainly heard about it in some way or another. Below are some details you as a homeowner, renter or landlord should know.

Homes built prior to 1978 may contain lead-based paint. The percentages break down to: 86% of homes built prior to 1940; 66% of homes built between 1940-1959; 25% of homes built between 1960-1978. Lead paint was banned in 1978, so theoretically it could be in homes built as late as the early 1980s, but officially the regulations only apply to homes built before 1978.

Lead poisoning is especially harmful for children and woman who are pregnant. Children can suffer from damage to the brain and central nervous system; it can cause decreased intelligence and learning disabilities, as well as behavioral problems. The damage can be irreversible. An unborn baby can suffer from birth defects.

Lead poisoning is also harmful for adults. Symptoms of lead poisoning in adults include high blood pressure, loss of sex drive and/or capability, and fatigue. Other symptoms can include headache, stomach ache, irritability, general fatigue, loss of appetite, and joint and/or muscle pain.

Lead poisoning is especially common in urban areas. The soil around a home in a major city is often contaminated with lead.

To be honest, as a contractor I’ve gone back and forth on how seriously I’ve taken this issue in the past. I’m convinced that an awful lot of what is required by some municipalities is for generating revenue. I also have a problem with the government telling people they need a permit for everything under the sun (replacing a light fixture or water heater, for example). With that said, I don’t think lead containment is pointless. I’ve read about the affects of lead poisoning, and as a parent of (how many now?)… 5 children, I take very seriously my responsibility to my family and my customers to ensure that I don’t endanger them.  The more I research how building materials and the process of building and/or remodeling can affect health, the more concerned I become about doing things in a way to limit potential dangers for everyone involved. Will it affect the price of a project? It may, even significantly at times. May it also affect a company’s bottom line? It could, certainly when you factor in licensing requirements, increased management and administrative responsibilities, etc. But either way, I’ve determined that it’s important enough to follow through and do what’s safest for everyone (including myself and those I work with).

As a consumer, you’ll have to make the same decision. Requiring a contractor to be certified and follow the law will almost certainly mean you’ll pay a little more than if you hired the uncertified contractor who is willing to ignore the law, but isn’t your health and safety worth more than that?

Built-ins

I’m a big fan of built-ins. Whatever they may be for, where ever you can find a place for them, it doesn’t matter. Below are a couple of ideas:

Under the stairs: If you have a stairway that has a closet under it, wall off the lower half or 2/3s and install built-in shelves or drawers in that area. Most of the time that little triangle of space end up a no-man’s-land of storage, where you actually try to find things you’ll never use again that can fit in there! So throw out the 12-year-old paint pots and the box of flower-printed drapes your mother-in-law bought for your wedding and start fresh! Shoe racks, a spot for the board games, or open shelving for books or other treasures you’d like to see often. You can still have the taller third of the area for a closet (with more shelves?) that will actually be useful.

Entire walls: I recently saw a living room that had one wall of nothing but book shelves. They went corner to corner, floor to the 10′ ceiling above. They were stationary and uniformly spaced. Some were loaded with books, others had tabletop pictures and keep-sakes. Some had lighting incorporated. While it certainly added a ton of potential storage, the architectural value was what really jumped out. It actually served as a sculptural element in the room, and what could have been another long, pointless wall added function and beauty.

That spot over a door: this would be especially easy to do in a hallway with doors at either end, or wherever the door is in a hall-like area. A simple shelf installed just above the door casing is a perfect spot for adding visible storage and character. It doesn’t need to be dramatic or substantial. Install a molding around the entire room at the same height to make it blend in even more.

Window seats: what could be better that a comfy window seat to enjoy a view or a great book on? Shelves or drawers below could be included, decorate the front with some raised panels or architectural moldings, or leave it open below. If it’s your reading nook, a bookshelf is nearly mandatory. Perhaps one on either side? And don’t forget the cushion- it should be firm and comfortable, covered in a fabric that coordinates with the rest of the space. (Side note- if you neglect the cushion, you’ll end up with another shelf that catches all the stuff that “needs to be put away”. Don’t ask how I know this.)

Furniture: if you’re trying to conserve floor space, built-in furniture can really help out. I’ve seen attics with very limited space retain an open feeling by installing dressers and bookshelves in a recess in the knee walls. Built-in hutches in dining rooms can display fine china or works of art, and a bench in your foyer can be a great spot for getting shoes on and off. Bunk beds are another great idea for built-ins. You can incorporate clothes storage, book shelves, reading lights, desks, and even an occasional trap-door to a secret hideout (have your kids climbing a set of stairs to the top is often more desirable than a rickety ladder as well).

Message centers: a permanent message center by the back door can be incredibly useful. Customize it so there’s a mail slot for every member of the house; key hooks for every need: a cork board for pinning papers to; a white board for on-the-go reminders and communiques with household members. Built-in versions can perfectly match the surrounding space and won’t fall off the wall the next time the back door gets slammed shut.

One of the great advantages of built-ins is their stability. Since they’re made to be permanent, they can depend on the existing structure. Having kids, I think that can be especially appealing when talking about bookshelves and furniture. A built-in bookshelf probably IS strong enough for them to climb to the ceiling on, and you know they’ve thought about it (don’t try that on a free-standing version of course). Another advantage is that they can complement your decor perfectly, whether by standing out as works-of-art or by blending in and adding subtle support to the rest of the furnishings. They also add tremendous value to your home in a buyer’s eyes- most homes built today are as plain as they can be, and little shots of creativity here and there can be a great selling-point.

Great summer projects

In Minnesota, getting outdoors in less than 5 layers is a special treat, so making the most of those precious warm months of the year should be a high priority. We’ve put together a list of great projects to have done in the warm months.

Decks: The most popular home feature to enjoy the warmth on. You can build it right off of the kitchen or dining room to help make outdoor dining easier, or on the west side of your home to enjoy the sunset views. Considering the range of materials you can use to finish it, this project can be very creative and original, not to mention easy to maintain with high-grade composites. Besides a place to grill, eat, and enjoy the sun, a deck can be a gateway to the rest of the yard or a patio.

Balconies: the intimate outdoor space. Imagine waking up on a Saturday morning, grabbing a cup of coffee, and stepping outside of your bedroom onto a private covered balcony to sit and take in the waking world. Include a small wood stove for warmth on those coming fall evenings when the leaves are blowing through the air and your sweater isn’t quite enough.

Patios: For homes built on-grade (at ground level), patios provide many of the benefits of a deck but without the work associated with maintaining a wood structure. Whether you decide on pavers, flagstones, or stamped and stained concrete, the possibilities are many. Incorporate a fire pit or planter-style wall to add some flair, or make it a part of your overall backyard oasis. Patios make a great spot for a hot tub as well!

Pergolas: This is a structure that can add beauty, elegance, and charm to any outdoor space (not to mention shade!). Add it to a deck or patio, or build it independently in your yard for a more natural seating area. Train vining plants to grow up the posts and soon you’ll have a living shade spot! Pergolas can be made out of many materials and with extremely creative designs as well.

Gazebos or screened-in porches: These structures add shade and protection, and on some of those truly hot days it’s nice to get out in the open air without having to put on sun screen or battle the bugs! Screened-in porches can be retrofitted into most existing covered porches, be part of a deck or they can be independent additions. Gazebos can be attached to your home or out it the yard, by a pond or stream. Do you have a hilltop lot with great views of the surrounding land? A gazebo is perfect for enjoying 360 degree views under some cover.

Retaining walls: These don’t have quite the initial excitement factor, but what you can accomplish with them can be truly exciting! Level out a portion of the yard for a play set or patio, create tiered walls for planting a garden on a sloping lot, or make a level walking path along the side of a hill. Using boulders can provide a lot of impact and keep things looking natural.

Water features and structured gardens: Koi ponds or gently running creeks can add tranquility to a yard, while waterfalls and fountains can be incorporated into swimming pools or hot tubs (or stand alone) and provide beauty and excitement. Raised gardens can be built with man-made blocks, small boulders or many other materials to provide interest and added accessibility for anyone who doesn’t want to bend down to stop and smell the roses. Incorporate water and structured gardens for a natural look and a truly enjoyable space.

These are just some of the many outdoor improvements you can make to enhance your enjoyment of your outdoor spaces. The second-most-important piece of advice I’d extend is that whatever you do, do it with creativity and some serious planning so everything will flow together. Think through your overall vision for your yard- a professional designer and builder can help immensely with that. My number-one bit of advice? Get outside and enjoy life without a parka! The opportunity won’t be here long

Green building

By now most of us regularly hear about “Green” building practices. Generally it has to do with using products that cause less pollution and waste, which are both excellent goals. This earth has been given to us to take care of and handle responsibly, so how the things we make and use impacts it should be very important to all of us. Most issues in the post-industrial era aren’t as simple as we’d like to think though, and going green is no exception.

According the the US EPA, American’s spend 90% of our time indoors. Personally that saddens me- between working in an office and watching TV, people are missing out on the glories and beauty of this world. But reality being what it is, the materials used in our homes especially should be ones that don’t cause health problems. We’re only just beginning to understand how products affect us over time- in their manufacture, while they’re in use in our homes, and when they’re disposed of or recycled. This is a very complex issue, so over time we’ll discover more and be able to make more informed decisions. For now, making the best decisions with what is currently available is a great start. Another good course of action is for leaders in business and consumers to start requesting healthier products for the market. Companies only alter their products for two reasons- if they’re being made to do so through governmental intervention and regulation, or because they believe they can make money by doing so. I’m much more in favor of offering incentives for improvement (opportunity for business growth) rather than rules.

Right now a simple way to improve your indoor air quality is to use finishes, surfaces and products that emit low or no VOCs. According to the EPA, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are emitted by many products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions. “EPA’s Office of Research and Development’s ‘Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study’ (Volumes I through IV, completed in 1985) found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. TEAM studies indicated that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.”

Selecting products that are low- or no-VOC is a great start to improving your indoor air quality, but it can take some digging to find them. Many paint manufacturers have developed low- and no-VOC paints, although most colorants for paint aren’t. Only one company in the US currently manufactures a completely no-VOC paint product, Mythic Paint. You can drink the stuff, it’s that non-toxic (haven’t tried it, but I’m guessing the taste won’t bring you back for seconds). Other ways to improve your indoor air quality would be going with a carpet that is made with natural fibers, such as wool. Keep in mind that with more colorants used, it’s likely there will be higher levels of VOCs emitted.  It can be more difficult to find wood finishes that stand the test of time while contributing to better health- on a recent project my company completed, we flew a natural-based wood finish in from North Carolina. It was expensive (depending on the product, $60-80 a gallon, not including some hefty shipping charges), but you have to understood the value of creating a healthier space.

If you’re thinking of a home project and you’d like to incorporate green and healthier practices, do some research. You’ll find an overwelming amount of information and opinion, but take your time understanding the risks and benefits of each product used. You can also contact a remodeling firm that is putting these practices to work in their projects, such as Simply Beautiful Remodeling, LLC in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Make sure the company you work with is willing to have an open dialogue on the subject, and can provide transparency about the products and processes they use that they claim to be green.

Awesome tile

Yesterday my design assistant (my son Levi, 19 months) and I went to look at two tile suppliers I’m excited to partner with.  We went to International Market Square and talked with the staff at Fantasia Showrooms and Ceramic Tileworks. I got there when the doors opened (9:00) because I had another obligation mid-morning. I highly recommend getting there at that time if you like to look without a lot of other people around. My assistant gets distracted and excitable easily, and I needed him to pay attention. 

Fantasia was my first stop, and the selection there was very impressive. They have many upper-end products, lots of stone and tile that you don’t find at the larger stores (ironic). I was especially impressed with their mosaic selection. Lots of glass, ceramic, stone, metals, etc. Round glass tile, stained glass mosaics, etc. There’s something about textured tile that I really like, maybe the way light and shadow makes it look different from every angle, so the hand-carved tile really appealed to me. It looks like gentle waves on a lake. They also have higher-end plumbing fixtures, vanities, etc. The showroom is artistic in its layout, meaning there are shelves at all different angles, installations hiding here and there, and stuff in general all over the place. If you get stressed out with disorganization, maybe not the please to browse through. It has a very laid-back feel.

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Ceramic Tileworks was next. This store is more organized and “put away”. All of the samples are on display in racks or shelves. They seem to have about the same amount of tile to look at, but you have to pull each sample board individually so you can’t just walk around and look. The staff there is very helpful and informative. There’s also a location in Maple Grove that is much larger with more accessable displays (I haven’t been there yet). Their imitation-stone is very believable. Most generic home improvement stores that carry an imitation-stone ceramic or porcelain have only 3-4 different patterns for each tile. Sometimes they use a larger image and move it around on the tiles to give a more varied look, but you can tell if you look closely (or if the image has details that jump out). Tileworks ceramics have MANY more patterns, like 50-60, so you can tile an average kitchen floor (10×12′) and only have 2-3 of the same tile in the entire floor.

One of my favorite roles as the owner of Simply Beautiful Remodeling is the design and selection process. Assuming the craftsmanship is excellent (something we deliver on), the design and selection process is the most influential in how your project will turn out. And since my passion is for original and artistic design, it’s not possible to accomplish that using the same suppliers as everyone else. There’s only so much you can do to change the look of the same materials. So I make it a priority to find less common suppliers (like the two above) to provide materials my customers often haven’t seen before. Of course, showrooms like these are only the start. I also partner with artists and artisans to provide truly original, custom pieces that will set your space apart and inspire on a daily basis.

And now I have to go help my design assistant with a project he’s working on- breakfast.