Merry Christmas

We at Apple Wood Construction would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, please be safe on your travels and enjoy this time with loved ones.

Lenny & Lisa

Cabinets....

Check out the great cabinets that can be purchased through us:

http://www.durasupreme.com/

The website has great storage and design ideas. 

Here is one of the many jobs we did with these cabinets.

Lenny & Lisa

Holiday Safety

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.  In our family and business we have lots to be thankful for this year and enjoyed the day with loved ones.

Now the holiday decorating will begin - so we wanted to pass along some safety tips found in Reader's Digest:

The holidays should be a magical time for children. Yet each year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 8700 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees.
Keep the season merry with this list of safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
 
Safer Trees and Decorations

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
• Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
• Use only noncombustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use nonflammable holders and place candles out of children’s reach.
• Take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food, which may tempt a child to eat them.
• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial-snow sprays. 

Bright Ideas for Lights 

• Indoors or outside, always use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory that indicates conformance with safety standards.
• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.
• Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
• Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
• Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire. 

Friendlier Fireplaces 

 

• Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result, as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
• Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.   

  Food Safety

• Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.
• Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child’s exploring hands.
• Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same.
• Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.
• Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separate, and use separate utensils when preparing them.
• Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
• Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

Snowtober.......

Well due to our wonderful Snowtober event last week I was unable to post.  So I thought it would be fitting that seeing as we have already had such a large power outage so early in the season to post some things we can all do to get ready in case (dare I say it) it happens again.....

**If you haven't already, we have found that owning a generator in NH is a must.  Once you do purchase one you will need a licensed electrician to install a generator panel and hook everything up correctly.

When you know a storm or high winds are in the forecast (like today) - take these steps to be ready:

**Make sure you have batteries and flashlights on hand.  Even with a generator we still use our flashlights quite a bit.

**Avoid the long lines at the pump once the outage hits and make sure you have enough gas to run your generator for a few days.

**Purchase a few battery operated candles to leave on overnight so if needed you & the kids can find your way around.

**Make sure your generator is easily accessible, so you don't have to shovel first to be able to get to it.

**Make sure you have a long enough generator cord that you can have the generator away from the house while it is running.

I am hopeful that we will not have to use these precautions again this winter -- but just in case and to be good New Englanders we should all be prepared for the next one which hopefully won't be today.

Stay Warm.......

Lenny & Lisa

Green Alternatives --

We wanted to share some cost effective ways to make our homes a little greener:

1. Use low VOC products:  After painting, the volatile organic compound level can be 1000 times the healthy normal.  Select low or no VOC paints and use non-toxic natural cleaners around the house or make your own green cleaning products at a fraction of the cost.

2. Put an aerator on all faucets:  This can cut water consumption by 50%.

3. Install low flow toilets:  These only use 1.6 gallons per flush compared to 3.5 gallons for pre-1994 model toilets OR if new toilets aren't in the budget right now adjust your float valve to let less water into the tank.

4. Install low flow shower heads:  This can cut water consumption by 25% - 50% per shower.  Water pressure seems to be a concern with low flow shower heads but newer models have settings so you can adjust the pressure.

5. Install a new water heater:  When its time to replace the water heater consider installing an "on demand" system that only heats the water as it is needed.

Lenny & Lisa

Top Picks for Kitchen Counters

Check out this great article from about.com on kitchen counter choices:

There are lots of options on the market for kitchen countertops. Our list of top picks gives the pros and cons of the top 10 choices so that you can make an educated choice when you remodel your kitchen.

1. Granite Counters:

Granite is the countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about - like money. It defines elegance in a kitchen. As the use of granite becomes more widespread, the price comes down. The beauty of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen.
Pros: holds up to heat; comes in a range of almost 3000 colors; looks permanent and substantial; will last a lifetime; new sealers are almost maintenance-free; 2nd highest hardness rating after diamonds; has a high value to home buyers.
Cons: expensive, but becoming more affordable; requires some maintenance; some stones absorbs stains if not sealed; knives can become dull if you cut on it; can crack if stressed or improperly installed.

2. Engineered Stone:

Engineered stone is composed of 93% quartz particles. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It's easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Some brands on the market include DuPont Zodiaq®, LG Viatera®, Cambria Quartz, and Silestone®.
Pros: Resistant to stain and acid; easy care.
Cons: Expensive.

3. Solid Surface:

Because solid surface counters are just what they're called, solid, any scratches can be sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to your specifications by companies such as Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.
Pros: comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns; seamless; stain resistant.
Cons vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can damage the surface; can be moderately expensive.

4. Ceramic Tile:

Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add to that inexpensive and you've got a really good choice for countertops for the average home. Because it's installed a section at a time, it can be done by most resourceful homeowners.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean; wide range of price, color, texture and design.
Cons: counter surface is uneven; tiles can easily chip or crack; grout lines become stained; custom-designed tiles are very expensive.

5. Laminates:

Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. They're made of plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean. The pieces are cut to size and finished on the ends.
Pros: you can buy laminates in lots of colors; easy to maintain; durable; inexpensive.
Cons: scratches and chips are almost impossible to repair; seans show; end finishing and front edge choices can be pricey.

6. Wood or Butcher Block:

Wood countertops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. Hardwoods such as maple and oak are most often used as countertop woods.
Pros: easy to clean; smooth; can be sanded and resealed as needed.
Cons: can be damaged by water and stains over time; scratches must be oiled or sealed according to manufacturer's instructions.

7. Stainless Steel Counters:

For a really contemporary and industrial look for your kitchen, stainless steel is a good choice. They are heat resistant and durable. Because they're constructed to your specifications, you can have a seamless countertop.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean.
Cons: Expensive; noisy; may dent; fabrication is expensive; you can't cut on it.

8. Soapstone Counters:

Soapstone is generally dark gray in color and has a smooth feel. It is often seen in historic homes but is also used in modern homes as both a countertop and sink material.
Pros: rich, deep color; smooth feel; somewhat stain resistant.
Cons: requires regular maintenance with applications of mineral oil; may crack and darken over time.
9. Marble:

Because of it's extremely high price tag, marble is not often seen on the countertops of whole kitchens. To get the luxurious look, use it on an island or inset at a baking center. Marble requires constant maintenance, as it easily stains. Some new sealers retard staining.
Pros: waterproof; heatproof; beautiful.
Cons: expensive; porous; stains easily unless professionally sealed; can scratch; may need resealing periodically as per manufacturer.

 10. Concrete Counters:

If you have countertops in unusual shapes, concrete may be a good choice, as they're often cast right in your kitchen. The high price tag may be beyond most people's budget.

Pros: heat and scratch resistant; can be color-tinted; looks exotic and unusual; new treatments eliminate cracking; additives reduce porosity; new finishes are more decorative.
Cons: mid to high range on cost due to custom work; cracking is possible; can look somewhat industrial; porous but can be sealed.

Replacement Windows vs. New Construction Windows

New construction windows provide access to the open space in wall studs around window openings, making it easier to add insulation to improve the energy efficiency of the windows.  New construction windows also offer the ability to replace wooden sills which may have deteriorated.  If you have any issues with the wood moldings surrounding your existing windows then new construction windows are the way to go.  With this option you could also make your windows larger if wanted.

Since replacement windows utilize the wooden sills from prior windows, the conditions of the wood will determine the efficiency and longevity of replacement windows.  While they do probably provide better insulation value than your existing old windows – there is no way to add any insulation around the window. Replacement windows also offer the benefit of faster installation.

The reason most homeowners put in new windows is for better insulation value.  If you are looking for better insulation value, a great window and new woodwork then new construction windows are the way to go. 

If your existing woodwork is in great condition and you are happy with your current insulation then a replacement window is an easy way to get new, more efficient windows.

Lenny & Lisa