If you are dreaming of building or renovating Saskatoon Woodworks really can help you achieve your Saskatoon Kitchen and Home Renovation & improvement goals! You describe the dream, they bring it to reality! Save money ,time and stress - they will get the job done right! They have a passion and years of expertise to help your renovation dreams come true. Saskatoon Woodworks are your TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATION EXPERTS and are waiting to help you with all your home renovation projects.

Here they share a tip on How Not To Build a Deck - 5 Common deck building mistakes:

Not Sealing Your Deck

When a deck is built with pressure treated wood, it is recommended to avoid sealing it for 6 months. For some homeowners, six months can turn into a couple of years before they know it. When a deck is not sealed, it will start rotting in a hurry. Make sure to properly clean and seal your deck and check it often to make sure it doesn’t need to be sealed again. To check your deck before you wreck your deck, pour a little water on it to see if it absorbs. If the water is absorbed, it is time to seal it again. A little maintenance goes a long way. 

Incorrect Riser Heights

One of the most confusing aspects of building a deck for an aspiring carpenter, is cutting the stringer. There is a little math involved that often causes first timers to make the mistake of cutting incorrect riser heights. All of the risers should be the same length except for the bottom riser. All of the other risers will lose the depth of the tread once it is put on so the bottom riser should be a tread depth smaller than the other risers. It’s an easy mistake to make when taking everything else into account. 

Improper Drainage

This mistake is actually a series of mistakes that many budding builders make. When building your deck, you want to make sure the water drains in an efficient manner. If the deck is attached directly to your house, it is important to use the proper flashing to make sure water doesn’t accumulate on the side of your house, rotting your structure. It is also important to leave a little space between your planks to allow for drainage. Last but not least, consider sloping your deck .25 inches for every 12 inches away from your house. Doing this will help keep water from accumulating on your deck. 

Incorrect placement of Beam Splices

More often than not, beginning carpenters make the assumption that separating the distance of beam splices between the different plies is important. While it can help if done properly, It is more important to make sure your splices sit on top of posts. Some designs make it possible to stagger the splices and sit them atop separate posts but if this isn’t possible, make sure sit your splices on top of your posts, even if they are only inches apart between plies. If you avoid this warning, you could be rebuilding after inspection. 

Building a deck can be a fun and rewarding experience as long as you plan ahead and avoid these and other costly mistakes. Happy Building!

Find Saskatoon Woodworks on the Saskatoon Directory!

They are Trusted Saskatoon Renovation & Design Experts!

If you are dreaming of building or renovating Saskatoon Woodworks really can help you achieve your Saskatoon Kitchen and Home Renovation & improvement goals! You describe the dream, they bring it to reality! Save money ,time and stress - they will get the job done right! They have a passion and years of expertise to help your renovation dreams come true. Saskatoon Woodworks are your TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATION EXPERTS and Saskatoon Kitchen Experts  are waiting to help you with all your home renovation projects.

To check out all the Kitchen design tip blogs click here

Here they share a tip on How to Design a Kitchen - Kitchen Islands:

PART 5:

A kitchen island and its cousin, the peninsula, can vastly expand the design potential and convenience of just about any kitchen. Among the earliest islands were farm tables that gave cooks extra work surfaces and doubled as informal dining stations. Today, a homeowner has the option of islands made of the same materials as the base cabinets and countertop for an integral look. On the other hand, the latest trend is leaning back toward a freestanding look, with upper cabinets, base cabinets, and countertop materials in a mix of materials and colors.

In this scenario, any freestanding piece of furniture with at least one part standing at about counter height can function as an island. Most homeowners prefer a piece that offers hidden cabinets, open shelves, or a combination of the two in addition to another work surface. In a more high-tech kitchen, lower storage may also include a host of refinements such as wine racks and refrigerated drawers.
 

Kitchen islands can come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate any kitchen.

 

In many kitchens, the island is used as an extra workstation, adding to the usefulness of the work triangle or corridor kitchen. In others, it's used as a low, casual divider defining the perimeter of the kitchen where it meets the family room or breakfast room. In either case, if you add in-floor wiring, plumbing, and gas lines, the possibilities for an island's usefulness are endless. Just about any appliance can be located in an island if the plumbing and electrical wiring are planned in. A wine rack, a gourmet wine chiller, an under-cabinet refrigerator, and an ice-maker on the family room side are very nice options.

On the kitchen side, add a second dishwasher, a microwave, or even an under-cabinet wall oven. In a small or medium-size kitchen, one of the most popular uses of an island is as a place to house the sink. The option of facing toward the family room is so attractive that a kitchen island sink has replaced the classic under-the-window sink in many homes. In a larger kitchen, the island may house a second sink. When combined with easy access to the microwave and the fridge, this setup creates a secondary work triangle.

Your needs and tastes will help determine what kind of island you should have. In a smaller space, you'll get maximum storage, convenience, and a neat appearance if you specify cabinets on both sides of the kitchen island so that dishes can be stashed or removed from either side. For a stylish, freestanding-furniture look that's especially at home in traditional settings, specify an island with table legs and a low shelf for open display and storage. The common kitchen principle of extending every countertop at least an inch beyond the cabinets to prevent dribbling spills down cabinet fronts especially applies to islands. Obviously, you'll need significantly more overhang for knee room (at least 15 inches) if your island is used as a snack table or as a higher snack counter with stools (18 inches).

One of the most dramatic, popular island designs is two-tiered, with food prep on the kitchen side and counter seating on the other. A sink can be stationed either on the same level as the eating counter or on a waist-high work counter with the dining surface on a higher plane. When the appliance you want to house in the island is a cooktop, however, safety dictates that the cooktop be on a lower plane, with the snack counter at least four to six inches higher. Specify heat-resistant material for the countertops adjoining the cooktop and at least 24 inches of counter for landing space on both sides, and provide for at least four inches of heat-resistant backsplash.

An island opposite the fridge is a logical place for the microwave. It's still within the work triangle, which makes sense because most of what goes in the microwave comes from the fridge. Alternatively, if your microwave gets more use by the kids as a snack-fixer, you may prefer to locate it outside the triangle but still near the fridge, in a combination work island/snack bar. Wall ovens are often located outside the work triangle since they're not used as much as a cooktop, and anything you bake or roast will stay in the oven for at least 15 minutes. An island may prove the most convenient landing spot for hot foods out of the oven.

In generously sized kitchens, it might be best to think along the lines of "if one island is good, two are better." A primary island may be stationed within the work triangle, housing extra storage, a mini-fridge or refrigerator drawers, a prep sink, a drop-in cooktop, and so on. Another island might serve solely as a snack bar, perhaps with a small TV perched at one end on a swivel base. If this island defines the perimeter of the kitchen, choose your island base, top, and counter stools to coordinate with the decorative scheme of the adjoining room. Whether this means elegant leather bar chairs, pretty wicker with plump cushions, or metal bistro stools with amusing cut-out motifs is up to you. Even in the kitchen, an island is for fun and adventure!

Kitchen Desks

There's been a real revolution in the definition of "homework" in the past decade, and today's kitchens have risen to the occasion beautifully. Millions of Americans telecommute from conventional jobs or work independently from home on a part-time or full-time basis. Although a dedicated home office is very popular, another option is to locate the office, or a least a workstation, within the kitchen, so that work can be performed in a common area.

Even if the home office is used simply for planning meals and ordering groceries online today, you never know what it might be used for in the future! It would probably be smart to install as sophisticated an electrical system as you can, since your family's needs will likely increase. After all, the kitchen has always been "command central" for the typical family. And, for the many children who have always preferred to do their homework at the kitchen table no matter how well outfitted their rooms, a computer in the kitchen makes it even easier.

A computer desk in the kitchen can take many forms, but don't just set the electronics onto a base cabinet counter and be done with it. If you spend any time at all at this workstation, you'll need an ergonomically sound chair, plenty of knee space, a keyboard tray that drops down to the correct height, and so on. You may want the workstation to face into the kitchen or into the family room so you can keep an eye on your crew; or you may prefer it tucked into a corner, facing the wall, for a greater sense of privacy. As long as you avoid the busy work triangle area, wherever you can fit in your computer station may work.

Power is what the computerized home is about, so make sure you have enough. You'll probably be adding electrical outlets every 36 inches or so along your backsplashes (or on power strips beneath the upper cabinets if switchplates will disturb your backsplash design), so while the electricity is being planned, plan for the desktop computer area. In addition to a computer and a phone, you may need electrical and phone outlets plus counterspace and lower-storage space for a printer, answering machine, fax machine, and any other "must-have" equipment. To conserve space, look for units that provide more than one of these functions. If this is where you'll stash the small TV, make plans for that, too. All this may mean extra new wiring, but most older homes need it to make the leap into the new electronic era.

What if you prefer the scenic byway to the electronic highway? Chances are, you'll still be more comfortable with some kind of a workstation, however informal, in the kitchen. Whether you choose a small writing table, a conventional desk to coordinate with the style of your kitchen, or a desk made of the same material as your kitchen is up to you. In a traditional, formal kitchen, you might enjoy an l8th-century "secretaire" that includes upper glassed cabinets and open shelves as well as lower drawers and a drop-down writing surface. In other cases, you'll want to plan upper storage cabinets with either glass or solid doors.

You'll need enough counterspace to hold a few desk necessities (pens, notepads, scissors, and so on); a few shallow, wide drawers to stash bills and clutter; and space for your recipe box and the cookbooks you use most. If the desk or counter is tucked into a corner near an adjacent wall or run of tall wood cabinets, you can hang a bulletin board and a good-size calendar.

The kitchen is not only a room that you use every single day, it also takes much more abuse that most of the other rooms in your house. As a result, every kitchen needs a little work eventually -- whether it's a simple face-lift or a complete overhaul. Hopefully now you know how to make the kitchen that is right for you.

Find Saskatoon Woodworks on the Saskatoon Directory!

They are Trusted Saskatoon Renovation & Design  and Saskatoon Kitchen Experts!

 

If you are dreaming of building or renovating Saskatoon Woodworks really can help you achieve your Saskatoon Kitchen and Home Renovation & improvement goals! You describe the dream, they bring it to reality! Save money ,time and stress - they will get the job done right! They have a passion and years of expertise to help your renovation dreams come true. Saskatoon Woodworks are your TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATION EXPERTS and are waiting to help you with all your home renovation projects.

Here they share a tip on How to Design a Kitchen - Eat-in Kitchens:

PART 4:

If you are dreaming of building or renovating Saskatoon Woodworks really can help you achieve your Saskatoon Kitchen and Home Renovation & improvement goals! You describe the dream, they bring it to reality! Save money ,time and stress - they will get the job done right! They have a passion and years of expertise to help your renovation dreams come true. Saskatoon Woodworks are your TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATION EXPERTS and are waiting to help you with all your home renovation projects.

Check out all the Kitchen design tip blogs here

Here they share a tip on How to Design a Kitchen - Kitchen Shape Considerations:

PART 3:

In kitchen geometry, the work triangle is the shape that connects the sink, cooktop, and refrigerator. The work triangle is the functional center of every kitchen.

Studies have shown that in the most efficient kitchens, the three legs of the work triangle add up to at least 12 feet but no more than 23 feet. Of course, your kitchen's basic shape and size will influence the type of work triangle that fits best. Regardless of the perimeter shape of the room, most kitchens are organized around one of several basic kitchen layouts, each with its own type of triangle. One's right for you!

 

Peninsula dining on an angle leaves the kitchen triangle clear.

 

• U-Shape: This shape puts the stove, fridge, and sink each on a different wall and offers a very compact triangle that lets you prepare a meal while walking the shortest distance. It works best with the sink (the most-used element) in the center of the "U" and the fridge at one end of a run of counters to avoid breaking up a work surface. This shape works well in a kitchen that's nearly square or in a kitchen where you want to tightly define one end of a larger space as the basic work area, with an island set in the open end of the "U," perhaps fronting onto the family room or breakfast room.
  
  
• L-Shape: This shape uses two walls of the kitchen for the three points of the work triangle. Often, the fridge is at one end of the long leg of the "L," the sink is toward the center of the same wall, and the stove is perpendicular, on the short leg of the "L." In contrast to the U-shape kitchen, the "L" has a long, rather than a short, wall facing into the rest of the room. Room traffic does not cross into the triangle, and, since this design uses only two walls, the triangle is long and relatively narrow, allowing for a more open layout. This setup is well-suited to a large room where the kitchen shares space with a family room. Additional counterspace may further lengthen one leg of the "L."
  
  
• G-Shape: This shape features one appliance on each of two walls and the third appliance on a peninsula that separates the work area from an adjoining breakfast area or family room. If housing the cooktop in the accessible peninsula worries you (for safety reasons), you can always put the sink there instead and locate the cooktop on a full wall within the kitchen itself. Alternatively, put the cooktop on the peninsula, but create a safety margin by making the peninsula a tiered affair, with the cooktop at least six inches lower than the serving ledge.

Whatever your plan, the sink should take central position if at all possible, as it's used more often than either the refrigerator or the stove. If you locate the sink on the same wall as the stove, with the main work area in the middle, you won't drip water on the floor when you go from the sink to the cooktop. When placing the refrigerator, make sure the single-door model, when open, faces into the work triangle, not out of it.

Be sure you've allotted ample counterspace right next to any appliance: You'll want to set down heavy grocery bags near the fridge and slippery wet crystal next to the sink. It's especially important to have enough space (an absolute minimum width of 18 inches, and preferably 24 to 36 inches) right next to the cooktop, range, and oven, and on at least the opening side of the microwave and fridge. If you're using laminate countertops elsewhere in the kitchen, use heat-resistant mate-rial, such as ceramic tile, to create "landing space" near cooking appliances.

Great Little Galleys

Kitchens that work in small or narrow spaces deserve mention because they're able to fit the same essentials -- stove, sink, fridge, work surfaces, and cabinets--into what are often pretty snug situations. Named for the food preparation areas of ships, galley kitchens come in a couple of styles.

• Corridor. This shape puts two points of the triangle on one wall and the third point on the opposite wall (most often the sink and the stove are placed on the same wall, with the fridge opposite). The length of the room will determine how much space there will be for cabinets and work surfaces.
  
  Corridor kitchens are often used where there is no other pathway to the next room and the traffic flows right through the work triangle. While this configuration is a step-saving solution, for safety as well as efficiency this setup should be avoided if at all possible, as should any design that allows household traffic to break into the triangle.
  
  
• One-Wall. This shape lines up the fridge, sink, and stove on one wall. It foregoes the step-saving convenience the triangle affords, as the user needs to walk farther from one end of the kitchen to the other, especially if there is to be adequate countertop space. A popular solution is to station one or more islands opposite the wall of appliances. If wiring can be added in the floor, the island can be stationed near the refrigerator and can hold the microwave and other small appliances.
  
  A tiered island allows for some simple types of food prep on the lower, kitchen side and a snack counter on the higher side, facing into the adjoining room. A one-wall kitchen is a practical choice for tiny spaces. It also can be tucked conveniently behind closed doors in a wall alcove, so it's great for second kitchens in recreation rooms, studios, or even master suites.

Next, we will look at a popular kitchen design choice -- the eat-in kitchen. We'll explore the pros and cons in the next section.

 

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Planning a renovation in Saskatoon ? J.A.B.A. Construction Ltd. can help! They offer a wide range of General Contracting services for all aspects of both residential and commercial renovations. Their management team will work with you to ensure that you get the services you want, within the timeframe and budget that you determine. J.A.B.A. Construction is professional, reliable and skilled to transform your space into something a little more luxurious, functional or enjoyable.

J.A.B.A are your Trusted SASKATOON CONTRACTORS on the Saskatoon Directory

TrustedSaskatoon.com Talk to the Experts – Trusted Renovation & Style show Questions for Dave - JABA Construction:

PART 3:

Erica Kramer: I currently have very light coloured oak cupboards in my kitchen. The cupboards were this colour when I moved into the house. I would like to redo them in a darker shade, is there a way to do this that is not going to be very expensive and take a lot of time?

A: Erica, I have not refinished any kitchen cabinets yet to make them a darker color. I would recommend you contact a painting company or paint supplier to see if it is possible to go over the existing finish on your cabinets before you get a product to try. Some finishes may not adhere to the existing finish that you have on your cabinets.

Susan Galenzoski: Our home is old, very outdated, needs new windows, etc. Where is the best place to start when on a very limited income?
 
A: Suzan, I would recommend because of your limited income that you install PVC Windows. You can look at the option of window inserts but they are not that common in what we do. Either way maintenance free PVC windows are your best option.

Trish Planchot-Voldeng: What is the trends now in flooring and coloring in new homes? Should I go tile, laminate, hardwood and are browns still in or another color?
 
A: Trish, when we design projects we work with the client on products. What I find works the best is setting up meetings at our suppliers using samples and when this happens most of our suppliers have the expertise with their staff to walk through this part. We have also hired designers in some cases to work with us. I find that in what we do it is mostly personal preference with some help. This usually helps with the budgets that are set if that is the case on products. Some products that are chosen can be affordable and still look good. Keep in mind that a paint color can be changed at any time also whereas flooring, millwork, dorcorative products is a great place to focus when choosing.

 
Larry Hovdestad: I have ice build up on eaves...I suspect insulation, vapor barrier problems.....how can it be resolved and what are the procedures to stop and prevent mold issues. 
 
A: Larry, the ice buildup you have on your home is a common thing this year. I have looked at many homes in the past with this issue. As of today I really can’t pinpoint the exact cause of this. I have also looked at a few homes this year with major ice. It could be ventilation in the attic being blocked off. Ex; snow on roof vents.heat escaping into the attic. Blocked soffit vents etc. The winter element’s in Saskatchewan this year are at the extreme and I am sorry to say there is no simple reason for the ice buildup. When ice builds up on roofs it backs up under shingles as it melts and freezes. This causes water problems in some cases inside the homes or buildings. I have been recommending that the snow be removed from the roof to ensure attic /roof vents are not covered and as nature takes its course you have less snow to melt on the roof to add to this issue.

Greg Sakundiak: I have cold air coming in through my front living room window. What's the best way to fix this?
 
A: Greg, there can be multiple reasons for cold air coming in or around your windows. The first place I would start is by determining the age of the home and the age of the windows. You can also try to remove the casing and check the insulation around the window and the framing to see if it is insulated properly. Insulate this area and reinstall the casing if that is the issue. We have in some cases removed the insulation and used spray foam insulation to fill the void. In some cases we have used a sealant also at the drywall and window frame opening. This can get messy if not done properly. Negative air pressure in a home can also cause air infiltration around windows. This is common in the winter because of the heating ventilation systems in the home also. It doesn’t happen in the summer months because the air pressure is equal in most homes when windows are left open.

Robin Garder: My son started 'renovating' my house about 4 years ago; it came to a dead stop after mostly destruction; but some rooms are partially done. I do a lot of rescue work with dogs of all sizes; ages and breeds. One huge issue I am seeing in my home is materials to withstand the abuse of say a 180 lb Newfoundland dog versus a litter of starving pups with Mom. Floors not standing up; we will not discuss what puppies can do to drywall. I need HELP. LOL Have been living with just a room no kitchen for 4 years; he ripped my plumbing out and then my cupboards without having plan or leaving $$ to replace; then I rescued some special needs animals who's quality of life come before sink or cupboards! I manage; but am hoping that this year I can get kitchen installed and walls up and finished. Any suggestions on what to install or use that will withstand my life choices please!
 
A: Robin, I will say this is a first for me. There is a drywall product you can purchase that is abuse resistant. Check online for this also. I am not sure if you can make your home totally damage proof with today’s products to with stand the fun dogs have. Most trims are MDF in lieu of solid wood. It will still get abused and chewed by the dogs. I have seen homes damaged like this before but I don’t think it can all be repaired for this.

The flooring issue you mentioned is always a concern with large animals in the home. Most hardwood product will not stand up on the everyday abuse from dogs in the home. The finish will be damaged as they do what dogs do.

I have a large dog also and in my last 2 homes because of the everyday wear and tear on the floor from my dog I have installed good quality laminate flooring. The finish has never been damaged but is saying this the floor is extremely slippery for dogs when they are running etc.

The issue with not having a kitchen and renovations not completed is quite common when owners do these themselves. A lot of people don’t realize the extent of work involved in renovations and they like to think they can save money by doing them themselves. In your case you have to determine what is more important to yourself based on your questions you have submitted. This will all be determined as to the amount of money you would want to spend addressing your needs to make you home more enjoyable, cost sensitive, as well as less stressful.

Jacey Watt: How can I reduce humidity in my home. 
 
A: Jacey, the first place I would look at is purchasing a dehumidifier to remove the humidity. Then you have to find out the cause of the humidity and correct the problem. Purchase a humidity meter and see what the humidity is in your home and regulate it from that. I have been to lots homes with ice buildup on the windows and people think it is a humidity problem. In most cases it is because the curtains are closed day and night and the warm air doesn’t circulate properly to the glass. The humidity in your home should be approx. 35 percent when you read the humidity ready. Circulating the air in your home is another option with your furnace fan but the starting point is to determine why you have humidity problems. Did you do any upgrades to your heating system or any energy upgrades, Windows, wall insulation and siding, etc? This will contribute to this also.

Rod Hollinger: When doing basement Reno would lament flooring be better than hardwood flooring?
 
A: Rod, This type of question you should be able to get a correct response from the flooring supplier. A lot of products that we use in flooring we let the supplier decide on the best product for that application. The reason for this is because if you have issues later with the flooring later you might void any warranties if installed in the home. It all depends on the home, age, humidity, normal use. Also the install application you have to factor in when installing hardwood flooring in basements.

Annalee Bruce McSharbite: Is there a certain reno job in the house where you should always hire a contractor because in the end they will have to come in and take over anyway?
 
A: Annalee, this is a great question. Me as a renovator I wish everyone would hire a GOOD Contractor but that doesn’t happen all the time as we all know. The response I would have to say on this is it would all depend on the capabilities of the persons doing the work. Understanding fully the complete process from start to finish. Dealing with subcontractors, delays, product choices as well as the actual physical work that has to be performed. Some people choose to do a lot of their own contracting and it shows in the end product. The comfort level as well as the stress involved is something that has to be taken into consideration.

Structural items should be done by qualified persons with proper designs and all applicable permits. I have been to many projects where owners choose to do their own work and they ask for help to finish. Naturally they don’t want to spend the money to complete the project and most choose to do it themselves. If you want to spend the time away from work, work nights and weekends to complete a renovation to save money that is a choice you would have to make. Keep in mind if you do the project yourself and someone gets hurt or an issue with a subcontractor; you are acting as your own General Contractor and have no place to turn for help. Also if a sub-contractor has no liability insurance, WCB you are responsible for anything and everything on this if something happens during the construction. 

Most persons don’t realise this but that is all part of the protection we as a company provide to clients. 

It is called peace of mind for you with protection. But in this beware because there are many companies that don’t provide this. They are 1/2ton renovators with no WCB or insurance. 

This is when you make your choice as to hiring a contractor.

I have been waiting along time for this question.

I hope I answered this one for you. It is a great question!!!!

As always, the BEST advice is to choose a TRUSTED SASKATOON CONTRACTOR / TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATIONS expert like JABA construction ..you'll be glad you did!

If you are dreaming of building or renovating Saskatoon Woodworks really can help you achieve your Saskatoon Kitchen and Home Renovation & improvement goals! You describe the dream, they bring it to reality! Save money ,time and stress - they will get the job done right! They have a passion and years of expertise to help your renovation dreams come true. Saskatoon Woodworks are your TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATION EXPERTS and are waiting to help you with all your home renovation projects.

Check out all the Kichen Design tip  blogs here

Here they share a tip on How to Design a Kitchen - Kitchen Size Considerations:

PART 2:

Kitchen Size Considerations

Picking out ingenious new appliances and beautiful new cabinets is great fun, but first you and your kitchen professional will need to figure out where those new treasures will be located. Unless your new kitchen is part of a brand-new house, you'll need to decide how much change to make in the "footprint" of your existing kitchen. For big savings, experts advise working within existing load-bearing walls and plumbing lines. And remember that whatever the shape of the kitchen itself, there's bound to be a configuration that gives you an efficient work triangle. You won't have to choose between great looks and great performance!

Whether it's mini, midsize, or massive, your kitchen can be designed to meet your needs and look beautiful, too.

Small, Medium, or Large

• Small: Cozy and Carefully Engineered. If your kitchen is tiny, try to steal some space from an adjoining pantry or closet, or even a few feet from the next room. If there's just no way to borrow extra square footage, see if you can visually open up the space: Add or enlarge a window, install a skylight, break through an interior wall into an adjacent dining or family room, or even break through the ceiling to create a cathedral that will dramatically create visual expansion.
  
  To maximize work space, consider an island on casters or a peninsula with hinged, drop-down sections. To make the most of storage space, run cabinets all the way up to the ceiling, and use pot racks and other overhead hooks that make use of ceiling space. Outfit drawers and cupboards with clever interior fittings -- dividers, lazy Susans, and so on -- to keep physical clutter at bay, and avoid visual clutter by using solid, pale colors that blend into one another. For an eat-in option, include a slender snack bar with overhanging counters that allow the stools to be tucked out of the way. And enjoy the advantages of small kitchens: They're naturally step-saving and cozily friendly.
  
  
• Midsize: Convenient and Comfortable. Most homes have midsize kitchens, which, with a modest amount of intelligent improvement, can function like big ones. In both new and older homes, opening the kitchen to an adjoining family room creates a "great room" effect that gives the spacious feeling of an expanded kitchen. Other design tactics can make your midsize kitchen seem even bigger and better. Strive for maximum-length unbroken runs of work space; for example, locate the range at the end of a counter, not in the middle.
  
  By taking advantage of every clever, in-drawer storage solution recommended for small kitchens, you may be able to save enough space for a big-kitchen option like a second sink or a desk nook. If an island takes up too much space, consider a practical, tiered peninsula with work space on the kitchen side and a snack bar/serving counter on the family room side. Other dining options include a built-in dining nook with bench seating and a peninsula table, or a table with chairs on one side and a built-in banquette on the other. When decorating, keep colors light and patterns simple to maximize visual spaciousness, but if the kitchen opens into an adjoining room, repeat some elements in both rooms for continuity.
  
  
• Large: Impressive and Entertaining. More than ever, today's kitchens are rooms for living. Space for couple or communal cooking, doing homework, enjoying hobbies, watching TV, and more are all part of many people's wish lists, and that translates into bigger-than-ever rooms. Following that trend, today's new homes typically sport generously sized kitchens. In an older home, space for a big kitchen often comes from building an addition. More space allows homeowners to indulge in more work surfaces and more kinds of them (butcher block for cutting, marble for pastry-making, granite for everyday good looks, and so on).
  
  Large kitchens have ample space for amenities such as strategically placed islands; more than one wall oven and sink; a second dishwasher; and/or a full-size, side-by-side fridge plus state-of-the-art refrigeration drawers located within cabinets anywhere in the room. A comfortable snack bar or breakfast bar, an informal dining area, and a built-in desk or computer workstation are other options. A big kitchen also allows more latitude in decoration and design, including dark cabinets and wall colors, dramatic decorative effects, and sharply contrasting colors and patterns, so you can have it your way. 

A large kitchen like this one can be a space to live in as well as simply prepare meals.

Cooking for Two

More and more couples are cooking together just for the fun of it or to feed a horde of friends. In some cases, it's a matter of cooking with, not just for, a crowd, as guests help chop, wash, and prep as well as chat. For many families, cooking is also a favorite group activity, whether they enjoy a weekly homemade-pizza night every Sunday or an annual Christmas cookie bake-a-thon. A successful multicook kitchen includes multiples of at least one basic appliance (usually the sink or cooktop) that creates several separate workstations. These stations may share one or more of the other basics elements, or, if space allows, they may be entirely independent triangles.

The classic triangles have been updated for today's two-cook needs. In an L-shape kitchen-for-two, twin triangles may be created by adding an extra sink and an extra cooktop that share access to the refrigerator. A new U-for-two might feature two cooktops with shared access to an island sink and the fridge opposite, on the enclosed leg of the "U." The new G-shape kitchen might offer dual baking and surface cooking with one work area including a sink and cooktop and the other a sink and the oven, with both sharing access to the fridge.

In a shared kitchen, several people are working with hot, wet, and sharp items in one space. Safety basics include wide-enough traffic paths (at least 36 inches) to minimize collisions; nonslip flooring; and ample, heat-resistant landing spaces on both sides of every cooking appliance. Smart upgrades, especially when youngsters will be underfoot, are rounded corners on cabinets and other kitchen furniture and well-designed knife racks or blocks to discourage chefs from leaving cutting tools on counters.

Possibly even more challenging that size considerations are shape concerns. An awkward corner or irregularity can have you tearing your hair out. In the next section, we will offer you some solutions to this problem.

Find Saskatoon Woodworks on the Saskatoon Directory!

They are Trusted Saskatoon Renovation & Design Experts!

 

Planning a renovation in Saskatoon ? J.A.B.A. Construction Ltd. can help! They offer a wide range of General Contracting services for all aspects of both residential and commercial renovations. Their management team will work with you to ensure that you get the services you want, within the timeframe and budget that you determine. J.A.B.A. Construction is professional, reliable and skilled to transform your space into something a little more luxurious, functional or enjoyable.

J.A.B.A are your Trusted SASKATOON CONTRACTORS on the Saskatoon Directory

TrustedSaskatoon.com Talk to the Experts – Trusted Renovation & Style show Questions for Dave - JABA Construction:  

PART 2:

Kori Black Whelan: My husband and I were thinking of solar panels for our house. Do you know what products are available, best rated and decently affordable at the same time?

A: Kori, this question I would have to ask you to contact some of the different companies that deal in solar panels. I would have to contact companies that would be able to advise me on products. Do your research online and there should be contacts for this.

Adele Bandet: Hello my question is about allergy and prevention,My husband and I have three son's, two of the three have cold induced urticaria, we were told that if they are sleeping and the boys bodies get too cold they could slip into a coma . My question is how do you make sure the heating is equally distributed through out your home? We have placed plug in electric fire places in their rooms- but I'm so fearful about a fire starting, so at 2am I run in and turn it off, and then at 4am I turn it back on so it doesn't over heat, every night my children are all younger -ages 9,7,5. Thank you for easing my mind, even if I don't win a prize could you possible just answer my question, an answer to this is worth far more than a prize of any kind. 

A: Adele, I am not sure if I can answer your question properly. I do ask if you have looked at consulting with a mechanical contractor if there are any settings to keep your home at the constant temperature all the time. You can also look at electric baseboard heaters. In floor heat mats that are controlled by a thermostat. These are just some suggestions but I do wish you luck in this situation.

Shawne Yona: what would you recommend for redoing the siding on a house....stucco or vinyl. It is currently vinyl but has discolored and has a couple of places with cracks. 

A: Shawne, the exterior of your home is all personal preference. We have done both applications, Vinyl or stucco with maybe some decorative stone on the front. There are also many different types of sidings that you can look at. The most affordable is vinyl siding. There are different types of stucco applications also. With any exterior renovation you can also look at upgrading your insulation, windows etc. It is a good investment to upgrade the exterior especially with an insulation upgrade also. When you decide on the products you can also upgrade your home on the front decoratively to give it street appeal.

Kyla Kuffner Pterson: Hi, what is the best way to take wallpaper off that had that special wallpaper glue from the 70's?
 
A: Kyla, I have looked at many homes with the wallpaper application you have mentioned but I have never removed any because of the glue used in the 70’s. In my conversations and research I have done on this I have only come up with removing the drywall and replacing it. I have also mentioned to go over the glue with a quality primer and skim coat the home with a drywall mud compound. I really can’t say what the proper technique would be for this but maybe someone else can offer a solution.

Tlu Vr: Our windows need to be replaced in our home, practically all the windows are starting to show some condensation between the double panes of glass, what is the best time to do this type of renovation and what type of windows should we get? 

A: Aired on Newstalk - http://www.youtube.com/embed/ywifR4MUJog

Miranda Young: Question for JABA- when buying a new home, what are the first things to consider before renovating? Are there any tell-tale signs of when it is not a good idea to renovate?
 
A: Miranda, when people look at a purchase of a new home they always think about the things they can do after they move in. The amount of the new home plus the cost of a renovation right after doesn’t work in a lot of cases for financial reasons. I would recommend that you start at the 2 most expensive areas of the home which are the kitchen and bathrooms. Windows, doors exterior are the next areas to look at. The cosmetic items like painting and flooring can be done over time at a leisurely pace. The other areas I mentioned can become expensive, stressful and can’t be left ½ done after you start.

Rachel Wollf: My husband and I are doing major renovations throughout our 1970s home - We're currently working on replacing the flooring, although this leads to many other questions about the layout of the home in general. We have a wall between the dining room and the living room and were wondering on whether or not it would be a good idea to remove it entirely. My question to you is: when is it a good option to look at removing a wall to make the floor-plan more open?

A: Aired on Newstalk - http://www.youtube.com/embed/ywifR4MUJog

Neils Thor: What is the cost of putting in geothermal heating after you have built your house?
 
A: Neils, I have geothermal in my home when I built 3 years ago and I do like it. The cost difference for geothermal was one thing I looked at when I built. It was substantially more than a natural gas system (furnace). In saying that I do like my system.

I would recommend that you contact companies that install geothermal systems in homes and get pricing.

Bruce Volden: When renovating an older house, where is the best place to spend your money if you are on a limited budget?(Wiring, plumbing are all good.)

A: Bruce, Depending on the age of the home and if the electrical and plumbing are all good then I would recommend planning to upgrade the exterior envelope .windows, doors, Insulation. I would then if those areas are ok look at kitchens bathrooms and cosmetic upgrades to the home.

As always, the BEST advice is to choose a TRUSTED SASKATOON CONTRACTOR / TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATIONS expert like JABA construction ..you'll be glad you did!

If you are dreaming of building or renovating Saskatoon Woodworks really can help you achieve your Saskatoon Kitchen and Home Renovation & improvement goals! You describe the dream, they bring it to reality! Save money ,time and stress - they will get the job done right! They have a passion and years of expertise to help your renovation dreams come true. Saskatoon Woodworks are your TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATION EXPERTS and Saskatoon Kitchen Experts and they are waiting to help you with all your home renovation projects.

Here they share a tip on How to Design a Kitchen:

PART 1:

Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, which accounts for a lot of their challenge -- and a lot of their appeal. The same cabinets, appliances, and surfacing materials can look entirely different in someone else's home than in yours. Stock cabinets can be given a unique look with virtually unlimited specialty finishes and a change of hardware. If your budget can accommodate custom cabinets, your choices are even greater. Countertop materials already come in a great array of choices, but they can be customized even further with special routing or inset bands of another color or material. The same goes for flooring, walls, and in-kitchen dining furniture. So even if your kitchen is small and ordinary, it's not hopeless!

You can transform it into a remarkable space unlike anybody else's. Manufacturers and designers have seen it all, and the end result is that you can have all the amenities you want and need, even in a tiny kitchen. Savvy, space-saving products are available for the owner of the apartment-size condo, co-op, or townhouse kitchen. You'll find that convenience doesn't have to come only in the large economy size.

 

These large windows are the focal point of this kitchen.

 

To create a distinctive space, your first move is to look at your kitchen with an eye to what might serve as a focal point. A large window, alcove, or long wall can be the start. Take advantage of a bank of beautiful windows with an eye-catching counter that runs the length of the window wall. If you love to entertain and are lucky enough to have ample space, consider setting your room up to include two back-to-back kitchens; one with a full-size range, a fridge, ovens, and a sink, and the other with an ice-maker, a wine chiller, a second sink, a mini-fridge, and a microwave, plus an abundance of storage. Pretty much anything you dream up can be executed with the help of a talented design team. It's up to you!

Whether your space is large or small, and whether the end result you want is pretty or pretty wild, you'll do best if you stick close to the following basic recommendations.

• Try to keep the straight-line distance between the sink, fridge, and cooktop between 12 and 23 feet.
  
  
• Position the sink between the other two appliances, since it's used most often. (The sink's location may depend on pre-existing plumbing lines.)
  
  
• Allow for 36 inches of counterspace to the right and 30 inches to the left of the range and sink if at all possible; if not, allow a minimum of 24 inches and 18 inches.
  
  
• It's tempting to place a tall fridge and built-in wall oven next to each other, but try not to; each needs its own landing space on both sides of the appliance for safety.
  
  
• Try to include a minimum of 10 linear feet of both base cabinets and upper cabinets.
  
  
• Utilize lazy Susans to make potentially wasted corners fully functional.
  
  
• Use pull-out drawers rather than reach-in, conventional cabinets for greatest convenience. If you're retro-fitting existing cabinets, have pull-out trays installed.
  
  
• Consider barrier-free design and products. They make life easier for children, pregnant women, and seniors as well as individuals with disabilities. They'll also add to the longevity of your kitchen.

The biggest factor influencing what type of kitchen you come up with will be the shape of the room itself. In the next section, we will explore some kitchen-shape considerations.

 

 

Find Saskatoon Woodworks on the Saskatoon Directory!

They are Trusted Saskatoon Renovation & Design and Saskatoon Kitchen Experts!

Planning a renovation in Saskatoon ? J.A.B.A. Construction Ltd. can help! They offer a wide range of General Contracting services for all aspects of both residential and commercial renovations. Their management team will work with you to ensure that you get the services you want, within the timeframe and budget that you determine. J.A.B.A. Construction is professional, reliable and skilled to transform your space into something a little more luxurious, functional or enjoyable.

J.A.B.A are your Trusted SASKATOON CONTRACTORS on the Saskatoon Directory

TrustedSaskatoon.com Talk to the Experts – Trusted Renovation & Style show Questions for Dave - JABA Construction:

PART 1:

Leanne Rollheiser: We are going to be redoing our bathroom on main floor. Is there a benefit to use the waterproof drywall for the entire bathroom ? There are five of us so many showers and baths. We do have a fan and a window. Just wondering for moisture.

A: Leanne, Great question! When you renovate a bathroom you want to ensure that the products are suitable for a high moisture area. We use behind our tubs different products when there is a ceramic tile application. We usually ask the tile contractor which products they recommend in that area. You don’t have to use moisture resistant drywall on the remaining portion of the washroom but I like to recommend that we do. The difference in the cost is so minor compared to regular drywall but the peace of mind is what you will get. With that many people using the washroom I would recommend it.

Caleigh Kimber: I have an extremely small basement bathroom, I am looking for suggestions to make it look as spacious as possible while still maintaining functionality. Any suggestions?

A: Caleigh, when you look into making a basement bathroom bigger you have to also remember that you will lose space from another area. It a lot of homes the basement bathroom walls are determined by the location of the main plumbing vent stack. This item goes from the basement floor right out the roof of the home. If you determine it is one of the walls that you want to relocate to give you a larger space then we remove the concrete floor as required to relocate this item and bring it back into the ceiling area and hook it back up to the existing. You can then enlarge your washroom. There are also other items that come into this but unless it is looked at there could be other restrictions or ideas that come to mind.

Julia Herperger: How can I budget for renovations? Any secrets? Many people under-estimate, and then are stuck with money issues.

A: Julia, when you think about renovations naturally the financing comes into the equation. Budgeting is always a factor. When we work with clients we try to discuss all options for their renovation. The budgets we set in our quotes are because in most cases the client has not determined the type or quality of the finish products. This will make for a peace of mind factor for pricing purposes. The main reason the clients go over their budget is because of changes in the contract. The items that are chosen for finish products will have a bearing on the final cost. Unknowns on the project will increase the final cost also but in most cases the contractor should be able to pre-determine the cost and explain the steps to ensure that the renovation goes smoothly. In some cases we explain to the client that they should allow in their budget for themselves after we submit a quote the amount of 10-15 % for unknowns and product change.

Becky Panter Myers: What is better and more cost effective? shingles or tin?

A: Becky, the cost difference between shingles and tin/metal is quite different. Shingles are cheaper and last 20-25 years based on the product. Tin/Metal if it is good quality will last many more years than shingles. In my area and in all the years I have been renovating homes I have never installed a metal roof on a home because of the cost difference. We have done metal roofs on commercial buildings.

Dawn Starblanet: I would like to put in a deck in the summer, What are the costs for lumber? for a few bundles or however you say it?

A: Dawn, when designing a deck you have to think about the different types of decking materials, handrails, etc. All of these items come into effect when looking for prices. We have built decks over the years using all products but we always use treated lumber for the main framing components. The decking and railings that are fastened to the framing is what the cost will be based on as well as the style of the deck you choose to build. Most decking products can be seen at lumber yards.

Laura Ellis: One question for all three experts: In each of your businesses, within the various product lines you carry, is there any focus on eco-friendly and/or Canadian sourced and manufactured materials? As a consumer I am trying to "buy Canadian" and eco-friendly as often as possible, in all aspects of my purchases, and am curious as to whether your product lines offer many options in this regard?

A: Laura, Eco friendly products are available in numerous building products. We as a company don’t carry any line of products for this. We have done projects where it has been requested so we usually ask the client to do their research and specify which products they would like us to use in their new home or renovation. It is cost effective if the client does their research for this.

Larry Hovdestad: How do i determine the size of high efficient furnace....everyone i ask has a different answer....now after many questions and many different answers i am more confused than ever and am ready to leave my 30 year old furnace in my 100 year old house...

A: Larry, we always contact a mechanical contractor to determine the size of the furnace when we design projects. A mechanical contractor should have people on staff that works with you for the new furnace. They have to look into the size of the home, amount of windows; some will look at the age of the home, as well as the ducts in a home of that age. Being 100 years old the home was never designed for today’s ventilation systems or the cost of energy. You might even get recommendations to relocate some of the existing ductwork to other areas of the home.

It doesn’t hurt to get a couple quotes from reputable contractors on this item and ask questions because of the age of the home. 

As always, the BEST advice is to choose a TRUSTED SASKATOON CONTRACTOR / TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATIONS expert like JABA construction ..you'll be glad you did!

Why should you choose a Trusted Saskatoon Business?

WHY can Trusted Partners  be Trusted and what kind of businesses do the Trusted team promote and endorse on our directories?

Since Trustedsaskatoon.com launched May 31st 2011 we have heard many many horror stories of people being mislead, treated poorly,  ripped off and scammed. It seems that no categories are exempt..we have heard stories about movers, roofers, realtors,  caterers, insurance brokers, lawyers and everthing in between. It's clear that all industries have the bad, the good and the downright ugly,  and when you are choosing randomly it really does pay to make sure you do your due dilligence and check the businesess out thoroughly. We definitely guarantee that Trusted Saskatoon.com is a great place to start your search!       

Some of the stories we hear are really bad and we get to hear them first hand, in the video below you will bear witness to one such story here in Saskatoon . 

Pams story was brought to the attention of Sara the Trusted founder , by Alex Sipko, the owner of a Trusted Saskatoon Renovation company Saskatoon Woodworks

Alex met Pam and was extremely touched by her story. He felt compelled to do something to help. Alex is a fine example of the caliber of businesses we feature on the Saskatoon Directory , Trusted really is the real deal and together we ARE Trusted!  

Watch and listen to Pams story, and share it with those you care about..so we can use Pams terrible experience to hopefully stop it happening again to others.  

We wish Pam all the best , she is a lovely lady!

Stay Trusted my friends

Sara the Trusted Founder