When you hire a pro to build your deck, you gain a superior level of quality no do-it-yourself job could offer. A professional deck builder can offer you quality deck material, design and functionality for your outdoor space.

The professional deck builder will also guarantee you a unique, high quality and up-to-code deck. Here are just a few of the many benefits hiring a professional deck builder can offer you:

-        You will have a deck builder with experience in carpentry and construction codes.

-        You will receive a quote to help you keep in budget from start to finish.

-        The professional deck builder will teach you why brad nailing deck boards is not safe.

-        The professional deck builder will teach you how to maintenance your deck for the best functionality and aging.

These benefits are important because design is a major factor in how well the construction of your deck will hold up. An expert deck builder like T.W Ellis will know how to inspect and design your deck to fit the personality of your home and your preferences. The ideal deck should be long-standing and made with the best workmanship.

If you need a well-designed deck at an affordable price, hire T.W Ellis.

T.W Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Deck Builder

When you install a deck on your home property, it is considered a major addition. You can add a deck to the front of your home as a porch. You can add a deck to the back of your home as a place your family and friends can relax and enjoy time together. You can even install a deck near your pool to tan.

No matter where you place a deck, it will add curb appeal to your home.

When it comes to the materials used for a deck, real wood is the most popular choice of material but wood needs to be well taken care of or it will damage and break down quickly.

The most damage natural elements to any deck are the sun and water. Ultraviolent light from the sun makes wood age quickly. Water makes the wood a deck rot. But aging can be slowed down and water damage prevented with deck waterproofing products.

Deck waterproofing is need most for wood pool decks. It is needed for these types of decks because the pools are used often and the deck is regularly splashed with water. With waterproofing products your deck will be protected and your deck will have a long life. Waterproofing products are widely available and easy to apply.

A deck is a big investment for your home. You will want to protect this invest with waterproofing products.

If you are ready for a deck to be installed on your residential property, hire T.W Ellis.

T.W Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: Deck Waterproofing Extending The Life Your Deck

The first thing you should do when remodeling your home is prepare yourself for a long process in advance. The average remodeling project takes about four to six months to complete. Make time in advance to purchase materials and hire a professional home remodeling company.

Next, conceptualize the project. You can start to do this by defining your style. Define your style with rough sketches and clip pictures of projects you like from home remodeling magazines and websites. Once you learn what appeals to you, you can then hire an architect. An architect will help you pick a good design that will enhance the appearance, flow and function of your home. When picking a designer make sure they have a solid record of successfully accomplishing residential remodeling projects.

The thirdly, choose a decent home remodeler. There is nothing worse about starting a home remodeling project than having to do a job twice because a remodeler did a cheap job on your home. Pick a reputable firm like T.W Ellis to build your dream home than take a chance for your home remodeling project to become a nightmare.

A fourth tip you should definitely follow is evaluating both your current and future needs and functions as a homeowner. Every square foot counts and you should use it to enhance the comfort and function of your home at all times.

Last but not least, budget yourself.  You can do this by defining exactly what you want to build and looking up the average prices to complete such a project in your region. You should also look up the average return the project would bring to your home, if you were ever to sell. Be sure to reserve 15 to 20 percent to cover any unforeseen costs. Your remodeler will help you stay in budget.

If you need home remodeling services today, hire T.W Ellis LLC.

T.W Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: Home Repair: 12 Pointers from the Pro

Small Home Design Trends

In the current home market, more modestly sized homes are growing in demand rather than the gigantic mansions of the past. This trend is all about adding more value through conscious living. The sizes of homes are 10% to 15% smaller than the previous trend of bigger means better value yet they are popular. Smaller homes are popular because the high-end materials and finishes are not compromised, while increasing multi-functional capabilities at affordable pricing.

To add room value in a home find multi-functional, maximize every inch of your space. You can maximize space with integrated storage all throughout your home. The less clutter you have in the home, the more organized, spacious and enjoyable it will be.

Think Green. Think Smart.

Green homes are in high demand. They are energy efficient and reduce your carbon footprint with energy efficient windows, lighting, and appliances, tank-less water heaters, low-VOC paints, stains and sealants.

Green homes are easy to maintenance, use high quality materials and integrate smart technology to give you the best value and comfort from your home.

Add Work Spaces To Your Home

You can even add an office space to your home to enhance your work productivity. A guesthouse or garage is a great area to transform into a home office space.

Install Porches and Decks

If you want to add guaranteed value to your home, add porches and decks that naturally transition from your interior home to your exterior home living space. They are great additions to a home if you are a fan of the great outdoors.

On a deck you can add built in seating, hot tubs, and an outdoor kitchen or fire pit. Create your dream home overnight with T.W Ellis.

T.W Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: Home Design – What’s Hot For 2011

When you have a deck, you can enjoy the nice, warm weather while enjoying time with family and friends. Here are seven elements a good deck should have in attributes:

Place Your Deck At A Great View

A perfect location for a deck is in your backyard where you have a spectacular view. You can create a beautiful garden near your deck. Add a tree close by to provide your deck a shade area. Add walls, fences, or shrubbery near your deck, if privacy is a concern. Whatever feature you think will make your deck a place you will enjoy, add them.

Place Your Deck Away From High Foot Traffic Areas

If you prefer your deck to be connected to your home, you want to put it away from areas that have high foot traffic. Why? You should do this because your deck is an outdoor area that could make people bring soil onto the carpets and other flooring of your home. An area to avoid connecting your deck to your home is your living room. This is a frequently visit area of your home and you want to keep it as clean as possible.

A better location for your deck-home connection is the kitchen. Connecting your deck to your kitchen will help you transport food and dishes back and forth during outdoor eating and entertainment events on deck. It is recommended to have sliding glass doors to make the transition from home to deck more convenient.  Two doors having access to the deck will be the most effective way to control foot traffic flow.

Stand Alone Deck Destination

If you prefer your deck to be a destination all on its own, it does not have to be built connected to your house. You can have your deck standing alone in the woods, if your backyard allows it. If your property has a pond of lake, you can have your deck reach out into the water for a beautiful view and relaxing environment.

Have A Purpose For Your Deck

One of the most important factors you will need to consider about your deck is its purpose. For example, if you want to entertain large groups of people on your deck, you will need a large deck. You don’t want a deck to be overwhelming in size. You want a deck that is a moderate size between your household and property size. You want your home, property and deck to be proportional.

Section Out Your Deck

A great way to keep your deck in order is to section out different areas for different activities. You can do this by making a list with your family of all the activities you would like to do on your deck. You can designate a play area for the kids, a lounging area for the family, and an area for family meals and entertainment. It’s your deck. You make the decision. Just make sure you know how you will flow traffic to and from your deck when designating areas.

If you are ready to design your deck today, hire T.W. Ellis.

T.W. Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: Outdoor Decks – Understanding Seven Elements of Good Deck Design

When you hire a professional deck builder you tremendously improve your chances of having a quality deck of design and functionality for your outdoor space. Why does this improvement happen? It happens because a professional deck builder has the experience in carpentry and construction codes to get the job done well.

For example, a professional deck build will know not to brad nail deck boards down to the frame because it is not a safe choice. Wood naturally shrinks, expands, and moves. This means brad nailing will never hold up against it. Most do-it-yourself jobs often forget about this natural science.

A professional deck builder will never nail a deck, if need be polyurethane glue would be used to do any necessary nailing. This is why it is so important to hire a professional deck builder because the deck builder will take in account an design that is long-standing and fits your unique style.

A professional will guide you through design, excel in workmanship, teach you how to maintenance your deck and give you an affordable business deal.

If you need to install a quality deck today or do any other home remodeling projects, hire T.W Ellis.

T.W Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Deck Builder

When creating your dream outdoor living space, it should be very personal. To make your outdoor space personal, you need to be sure you do not overlook the level of privacy, the level of maintenance, the amount of sunlight you want for your deck and how much wind you want direct to your deck The following are a few ways to address these deck structural concerns:

Deck Privacy

When you have a deck, you want it to be a place to relax not an area of your home where the entire neighborhood can examine you and your property.  You can enhance the privacy of your deck with railing, fencing or place landscaping décor around your deck design.

Deck Maintenance

If you want a low maintenance deck, you will need to choose the appropriate material to make cleaning and refinishing easy. For example PVC coated composite decking, does not require high maintenance while pressure treated decking will need to be cleaned, brightened, and recoated every two years. A high maintenance material would be a cedar deck because it requires annual cleaning and sealing because of deck stain being used.

Degree of Sunlight On Deck

When picking the amounts of direct sunlight and shade you want for your deck, the decision should not be taken lightly.  It will greatly impact your outdoor living space because sunlight or lack of sunlight can affect the level of maintenance you need to keep your deck in mint condition and also when you can use it to relax.

If your deck is hit constantly with sunlight, you may want to consider installing a pergola to shade the deck. This will help you stay comfortable and keep your deck and your skin from being severely damaged by direct sunlight.

Know The Direction Of The Prevailing Winds

Feeling a nice summer breeze is one of the pleasures of having a backyard deck but too much wind can be uncomfortable. You can create a nice breeze pattern for your deck by creating a windbreak in your deck design.

A professional builder like T.W Ellis can help build a wonderful Deck for your backyard today.

T.W Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: Deck Design for Comfort, Convenience, Privacy and Longevity

A deck can enhance the exterior look of your home by providing you additional space to relax. Before you build a deck, you need to decide on the location, size and purpose of your deck.

Once you finalize these decisions will you be able to determine the material you should use to build your deck.

You can choose from four types of materials to build a deck. The types of material are pressure treated, exotic hardwood, composite and vinyl.

Each material has its unique advantage. Here are ways you can use each type of material to build a long lasting and beautiful deck for your home:

Pressure Treated Deck Material

Decks made of pressure treated material are long lasting and economically sound. Yes, these types of decks require regular maintenance to keep its appearance looking good.

Exotic Hardwood Deck Material

If you prefer a deck with the look of natural wood, this material is made for you. The exotic hardwood material is a rich dark brown that perfectly blends with landscaped patios.

This type of deck is low in maintenance, durable, and has a great appearance. It is also a deck that requires little care to preserve its color.

Composite Deck Material

If you prefer a material that mixes wood fibers and plastic resins together, this material is for you. It is a very popular deck material because it is low maintenance with a wide range of color grain patterns.

When considering a composite material deck you need to take in account the amount of traffic that the deck will have to bear, children, pets, and the level of entertainment you will use for this deck because the soft material can get scratched very easily.

Vinyl Deck Material

Vinyl is becoming a very popular deck material for its wide range of dark, rich, color options. It requires the least amount of maintenance out of all the other deck material. The vinyl material also has a wonderful appearance and quality.

No matter you choose in deck material, T.W Ellis is here to help you build the perfect deck for your home.

T.W Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: Different Types Of Decking You Can Use To Build Your Deck

If you ever plan to sell your home, you want it to be worth more than you paid for it originally. If you plan to permanently live in your home, you want it to be a place that is comfortable and welcoming to you.

The following are remodeling ideas you should consider:

Storage Space

If your family is growing or your home seems to be increasing in clutter, it is time to increase your storage space. Use the space to store your children’s items. Use the space to add an elderly relative to your home. Use the space to entertain your guests. The choice is yours.

Add Dormers

These types of additions let you add space on a higher level in your home, while adding aesthetic appeal, better air circulation and natural lighting to your interiors.

Add A New Bathroom

You can always use a bathroom. Bathrooms add guaranteed value to your home. They are convenient and have the availability to add many luxurious features such as spacious closets, corner showers, whirlpool tubs and double vanities.

Add a Kitchen Extension

If your kitchen is too small for comfort, you can always add a kitchen extension. Give the family more room to bake and cook. Add more counter space and equipment.

Add A New Family Room

When you get the family together, you want your meeting room to be large and comfortable. Purchase a flat screen TV and install a small bar in your family room to add entertainment and comfort to your new family room.

If you are ready to install affordable home additions to your home today, hire T.W Ellis.

T.W Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: How Affordable Home Additions Can Boost Your Home Value

When people say they want home additions this home improvement pertains to building additional features to your home or expanding the area of an existing home space. Home Remodeling can be literally building a new space to your home or tearing down walls of a present room to redecorate your home.

Out of the two home improvement projects, home additions are more challenging than home remodeling. When doing home remodeling a homeowner decides on the interior design and hires a remodeling contractor to start and finish the job. Home additions take more effort because they are more about constructions and you will need to take in account how the additions will transform the entire home. Here are just a few home additions you can try in your next home improvement project:

• Bathroom Additions. A bathroom can go anywhere necessary. If you do not have a bathroom near your living room. This would be a perfect spot to locate a new bathroom addition so guests can be close to entertainment such as a TV. Perfect for Superbowl Parties. Add a bathroom to a bedroom far away from an original bathroom in your home. This will improve your living arrangement.
• Bedroom Additions. A Bedroom addition can be perfect anywhere in the home. You can locate it near other bedrooms or locate it to areas of the home you prefer closer access to such as a living room, bathroom, or kitchen.
• Living Room Additions. If you want a living room for all your expensive furniture and then a living room for the kids to play whenever they please, a living room addition can benefit your home lifestyle. Be sure the rooms are far enough from each other to give you peace and relaxation and your children the space necessary to have fun.
• Kitchen Additions. Most homes already have a kitchen, so you should not add another kitchen unless it is needed on the other side of your home. Never put a new kitchen addition right next to a pre-existing kitchen (you can do home remodeling if you want to expand a kitchen). That doesn’t make sense.

Let T.W Ellis help you with your home improvement projects today!

T.W Ellis can get the job done well and tremendously improve your home value. We continually provide quality craftsmanship to all our projects. Our projects are built with quality, pride, on schedule and budget.

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: Understand the Difference Between Home Additions and Remodeling