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Drywall vs plaster
Most homes built in the past 50 years have interiors made with drywall—large, thin sheets of paper-covered gypsum nailed directly to wall studs and ceiling joists. Drywall is inexpensive to buy and install and easy to repair.
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Although durable, it is also easily damaged—doors bang into it, furniture scuffs and marks it, water damages it. Occasionally, drywall nails pop into view (most often in new homes because of settling or framing shrinkage), though drywall screws tend not to pop out. The areas between wood framing members are unsupported and therefore particularly vulnerable.
Before drywall, most homes had plaster interiors. Plaster work is still done in new construction, but it requires more skill and is more expensive, so today it is usually found only in higher priced homes. Working with plaster takes some practice. Once mixed, it has a very brief “open” time in which the material is liquid and pliable, requiring a skilled installer, but it sets quickly and becomes rock-hard in an instant. Plaster applied to wood lath is held in place by the “keys” that form when it squishes through the lath.
How to shop for kitchen cabinets
One of these kitchen is filled with cabinets that are exquisitely crafted in Europe by one of the world’s top cabinet companies. The other kitchen contains cabinets from Europe as well, but these are sold in ready-to-assemble boxes from a retail chain store based in Sweden. Can you guess which is which?
Top-quality kitchen cabinets are made like good furniture, but even the most devoted watchers of the Food Channel don’t know what to look for. Worse, what to look for is usually hidden.
Spring has sprung – give your home some TLC
It’s somewhat ironic that many people are religious about car maintenence, yet a car depreciates quickly over only a few short years. A house, however, appreciates over time, yet homeowners tend to neglect annual the maintenence necessary to keep up the home until it becomes a problem. The time to check for necessary repairs is now, not when those April showers make their way into your bedroom in the middle of the night.
So, what if you’re like so many other homeowners, and you just can’t squeeze in the time needed to inspect your home, you don’t know what to look for, or you are not physically able to climb ladders and crouch down in a crawlspace, etc…?
Airoom now offers seasonal home maintenence programs, some of which include handyman services to make any necessary repairs. We’ll inspect your roof shingles, inspect your siding, inspect your smoke detectors, and much, much more. For more information, call us at 847-763-1100 and ask about our seasonal home maintenence programs.
What do I need a permit for?
At Airoom, we pull permits for every project that we do, from finishing a basement to a large scale addition. We’ve been asked many times why we insist on getting a permit for the smaller projects – you know, the ones that your neighbors may not even notice. It can seem like an unnecessary hassle and expense.
Not only is getting the right permits for the job the legal thing to do, but without the right permits, you cannot claim the extra value that the remodel brings on a sales contract. Permits are also only issued to parties who can provide evidence that they have thought through the process and are capable of completing the remodel safely.
When a permit is issued, the city or village will give you a list of inspections that need to be done throughout the building process. The inspections can be crucial. Not only is it important that the building be done legally, ie within code, but also for the safety of the homeownwer and occupants. You wouldn’t want old uncle Ned handling the electrical work withou getting it inspected only to have fire from faulty wiring months later, right? Not only that, but if there was work done without a permit and the required inspections, your homeowner’s insurance would not cover the damanges caused by that work.
“Oh, put a cork in it!”
Cork flooring is a hot trend in home remodeling as of late. 
It’s got advantages over traditinal floor coverings such as hardwood, tile, and carpet. For more information about cork’s properties, click here.
Basements Taken to a New Level
Specialty rooms, like this basement bar, can easly be yours with a smart basement or lower-level remodel.
The basement — once a place for storage, HVAC equipment and the laundry — is rapidly becoming a functional living space that only your dreams and budget can restrain.
High tech media rooms, home movie theaters, upscale wine cellars, commercial-quality bars and extra bedrooms, baths and even secondary kitchens are all becoming realties to today’s homeowners looking to transform once underutilized space in their homes.
Don't Want to Move? Consider Remodeling: Steps to Make it Simple
Remodeling your bathroom can give you an in home spa.
Many people consider remodeling rooms in their home as a viable alternative to packing up their family and livelihood to move to a new home, although it’s possible you won’t always save money if you decide to do a remodel. Selecting an under-qualified contractor and inadequate management can lead to a number of problems including poor craftsmanship or financial stress. Having a general idea of what you want to accomplish with the remodeling — whether it’s additional living space, an updated design or a new layout — can help save money and time in the end.
Take the Stress Out of Remodeling or Home Additions
We’ve been handling large-scale remodels and home additions in the Chicago area for the last 50 years and with that experience comes a refined process that we have developed called the S.T.A.R.T. program. Today we’re going to outline some of the key questions that our clients come to us with.
Do I need to hire an architect to put together the plans and bring them to you?
At Airoom we are your one stop shop. We have a design-build philosophy that encompasses all aspects of the design and remodel project. From start to finish we handle the architecture, engineering, construction, interior design, purchasing and financing.
How To Improve Your Curb Appeal
If the exterior of your house is beginning to look dated the best place to start updating is your siding. Replacing siding has been known to payback between 82% and 87% of the money invested. It makes sense to replace your siding when it has become worn or there is visible damage.
One of the best choices in siding is fiber-cement siding such as HardiePlank® lap siding manufactured by James Hardie. They are one of the most popular siding brands that can be found on millions of homes in America and they have been in business for nearly 100 years. James Hardie siding is the perfect partner for Airoom since we only use time tested quality products in our renovations.
S.T.A.R.T. Your Remodeling Project Right
Airoom's proprietary S.T.A.R.T.™ process (System To Assure Resources and Timing) ensures that your home addition, kitchen, or renovation project runs smoothly.
Airoom’s proprietary S.T.A.R.T.™ process (System To Assure Resources and Timing) ensures that your home addition, kitchen, or renovation project runs smoothly. The first of it’s kind, Airoom established the system in order to make sure clients know exactly what is happening as their remodeling dreams unfold, and what to expect next as the process continues. After being in business for over 50 years, the process has become so fine-tuned that it’s the envy of everyone in the industry.
Step 1: Initial Consultation. At this point, you have ideas about what you want to see done. You might know every detail down to the color of wood and the length of cabinets you need, or you might only know that you want to redo your kitchen. Either way, we’re here to give you our advice and suggestions.
Step 2: Planning and Design. Watch your dreams take shape as they go from ideas to the drawing board. After we know what you’re looking for, our Designer will work their magic and come up with a preliminary design to show you.
Step 3: Specifications and Cost Approval. After you’re satisfied with your design, we present you with your color renderings and floor plans. But, don’t worry, nothing is final yet — you can still change your mind! We’ll be happy to talk you through any changes, options and recommendations. (more…)
