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6.22.2010

Basement Stairway Ideas Part 1



Scotts Contracting Offers Basement Remodels for every budget
and also supplies free Green Estimates for every Project
Click Here to email Scotty for a Project Proposal


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  Basement stairway

Site Stairs Carefully

If the upstairs hall and basement floor are both carpeted, you'll likely want to carpet the stairs as well. If you're building new stairs or relocating the current ones, consider which areas you're connecting before you decide on placement.
Avoid connecting a noisy area to a quiet one. For example, a stairway from the basement play room or media room that leads near an upstairs home office or bedroom could prove disruptive. Build stairs parallel to ceiling joists to save on installation time and materials.

Basement stairway

Open the Stairway for an Airy Look

Removing the door to the basement and opening the enclosed stairway created a light, airy feeling in this passage to the subterranean living space. A bar area with two beverage refrigerators--one for wine and one for kids' sodas--separates the lower-level family room from the guest bedroom.
Basement stairway

Use the Staircase Wall for Storage

The staircase design you choose will depend on local building codes, your available space, and the style of your home. If you choose a U-shape design like this one, consider putting the lower staircase wall to work as display and storage space. These built-in cabinets flank a basement bar area.


Take Advantage of Space Under the Stairs

Take advantage of space under stairs to create accessible storage. Mullioned glass-pane doors make this smart understair hideaway look as if it's always been there. Baskets placed on the shelves are stylish storage solutions for miscellaneous things that make their way down to the basement.

Design for a Smooth Transition

Stairs are a transitional space, and the materials you choose for them convey a subliminal message about the character of the space they lead to. This run of carpeted stairs changes near the bottom to three steps with thick stone treads and floors of stone and dark wood. The shift in materials suits the basement's function as a wine cellar and entertaining area.

Stencil the Stairs

Personalize ordinary wood stairs with stencils. These stair treads were painted with homemade stencils using floor-and-deck enamel. For safety, avoid high-gloss paints and finishes that may be slippery.

Add Style with a Custom Stair Rail

For continuity, the same stone tile used on the stairs continues in the guest suite in this basement. The custom-crafted stair rail features stained-glass inserts and ornaments. Work with a metalsmith to design a custom stair rail for your home.

Make a Grand Descent

This sweeping staircase is more about design than function. A staircase like this makes for a comfortable descent from the upper level, but it also requires a lot of space.

Go Contemporary with Open Stair Treads

Open stair treads and railings of braided stainless-steel cable help preserve lower-level views and a feeling of openness on the staircase.

Save Space with a Spiral Staircase

Spiral stairs provide contemporary style and usually take up less room than other staircase designs. Typically 4 to 6 feet in diameter, they need little floor space.
Bear in mind, however, that you won't be able to move furniture or other large objects into the basement via spiral stairs. Building codes often prohibit spiral staircases leading to rooms larger than 400 square feet.

Scotts Contracting is available for the Construction of your basement Project. . . supplies free Green Estimates for every Project.




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Common Remodeling Mistakes


Tips for avoiding common and costly remodeling mistakes. brought to you by Scotts Contracting

A man with a hammer

Pitfalls to Avoid

With so many potential remodeling pitfalls, it's wise to learn from the mistakes of projects past. Knowing what not to do when you take on a remodel will help you make the most of your time and money, and ensure that your project doesn't end up on the trash heap. To make it easier for you, we've compiled a list of the seven most common—and costliest—remodeling mistakes.

1. Rushing into your project.
"Develop a good plan, price it, then work it, If you think through your project and you know what you're looking to do, that's half the battle.

"When we go into a project, for example, we make a site visit first to get a feel for what our client wants. Then we develop a design and plan that is revised sometimes three or four times. By the end of the revision process, we have a project that is well put together, addresses perceivable eventualities, and will accommodate the unforeseen events that are inevitable in a remodel."

2. Choosing the first contractor you interview.
Take your time. Get several bids. Check each potential contractor's references, and check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if the contractor has ever been reported as being unethical. Make sure insurance coverage is in place: Every contractor should have business liability insurance, and every subcontractor working for that contractor should be covered under workers' compensation insurance. Make sure that if the contractor is subcontracting work, those companies are insured. A contractor may carry insurance, but the company that's actually doing the work might not.

Find a contractor who fits your personality and is open to communication. Look for one who will sit down with you, lay out his or her plan of attack, write it into a contract, show you the breakdown of labor and materials (or the flat rate), then have you sign the contract before the work starts.

3. Creating an unrealistic budget.
By "unrealistic," we mean a budget that doesn't allow for wiggle room. Generally speaking, you should calculate your budget, then increase it by 20 percent. That should be your budget. The 20 percent cushion will provide some peace of mind when the demolition of your kitchen walls reveals rot in your load-bearing studs, or when it becomes clear that an entire wall needs rewiring.

4. Being overly frugal.
"Don't get swallowed up by the penny-pinching mind-set," "Take vinyl flooring: It's cheaper than ceramic tile, but it isn't that much cheaper. And if you choose tile, the finished product will really set your house apart from the typical spec house in suburbia. That being said, don't be foolish when thinking about tackling a challenging project. If something is beyond your skill level, don't try to save money by doing it yourself; hire a professional."

5. Paying more for building materials than you need to.
There are myriad ways to trim your materials costs, says Don Payne, a builder and remodeler in Concrete, Washington. "If you're not rushed for time, it pays to keep your eyes peeled for the materials you need at garage sales, estate sales, moving sales, flea markets, etc.," he says. "You can get materials from salvage stores, friends, and business associates. I've even developed relationships with drywall companies who give me damaged drywall sheets because it's cheaper than paying a dump to take it. And it doesn't have to look cobbled together. If your contractor is at all competent, the finished product will look every bit as good as if you had bought brand-new materials."

6. Making your home clash with the neighborhood.
A sure way to sour relationships with your neighbors and potentially harm your home's resale value is to change your home's size or facade so it contrasts sharply with the character of other homes in your neighborhood. If you live in an area filled with bungalows, Cape Cods, or other traditional styles, for example, think before you transform your home into a contemporary design statement. Likewise, carefully consider any additions so they don't overwhelm the houses that border or face your home. It's a matter of context, says Michael Lander, principal of the Lander Group in Minneapolis. "If you're in an existing neighborhood that's rarely a forum for drastic statements of individual taste, do your best to make your home blend into its surroundings," he says.

7. Changing your mind. A lot.
Once your project has begun, try your best to stick with your plan, "If you don't, it can get expensive in a hurry,"  "We do walk-throughs with our clients before we hang drywall, because far too often we get people who change their minds after the drywall is up. Usually the changes require tearing out the drywall and starting over, and that's money that doesn't have to be spent."

 "We get a lot of people who let themselves be persuaded by their architect, a subcontractor, or a family member to change something that they later regret," he says. "There needs to be a certain level of sticking to one's guns."


One Story House Remodeling Photos


How To Add Curb Appeal and Save on Home Energy Needs

Power Point Presentation of how Incorporating Green Building Practices can 

Add Curb Appeal and Save on Home Energy Use

Both of which will Add Value to your Home in Comfort and Appraisal Value

This Wrap Around Porch was 

Designed and Built by Scotty, Scotts Contracting

The Final Photos will be added soon!









Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs for your Home or Business in the Greater St Louis Area and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP.


The Following Photos were supplied by: http://www.bhg.com/topics/home-improvement/windows/windows.htm

Simple Ranch Redo

Simple Ranch Redo

All it took were windows to reveal this home's sparkling soul. The old horizontal windows were replaced with vertical models that visually stretch the home, and bump-outs on each side of the entry provide dramatic vertical interest. Stucco overlay covers the bricks to complete the bland-to-grand makeover and unite the new exterior elements with the old.


Simple Ranch Redo

Simple Ranch Redo

All it took were windows to reveal this home's sparkling soul. The old horizontal windows were replaced with vertical models that visually stretch the home, and bump-outs on each side of the entry provide dramatic vertical interest. Stucco overlay covers the bricks to complete the bland-to-grand makeover and unite the new exterior elements with the old.
Fresh Exterior Renovation

Fresh Exterior Renovation

To make the home seem lighter on its feet, the homeowners painted the exterior pale yellow and accented with wine trim. The porch was transformed into an alfresco aerie enclosed only by railings. French doors carry more light into the living room, and olive green door panels camouflage the parking spaces below.
Fresh Exterior Renovation

Fresh Exterior Renovation

To make the home seem lighter on its feet, the homeowners painted the exterior pale yellow and accented with wine trim. The porch was transformed into an alfresco aerie enclosed only by railings. French doors carry more light into the living room, and olive green door panels camouflage the parking spaces below.
Exterior Overhaul

Exterior Overhaul

Black-granite siding sets off this home's new facade, and the peaks and valleys of the old rooftop gave way to a more contemporary shape. New limestone hardscape replaces poured-in-place concrete steps and finishes off the fresh look.
Exterior Overhaul

Exterior Overhaul

Black-granite siding sets off this home's new facade, and the peaks and valleys of the old rooftop gave way to a more contemporary shape. New limestone hardscape replaces poured-in-place concrete steps and finishes off the fresh look.
Shingles-Style Addition

Shingles-Style Addition

A total redo of the original home plans and the addition of a two-story wing transformed a tiny '50s ranch into an elegant, Shingle-style house. The new wing provides the home with a casual living area topped by a master bedroom suite, and the new exterior look attracts the eye.
Shingles-Style Addition

Shingles-Style Addition

A total redo of the original home plans and the addition of a two-story wing transformed a tiny '50s ranch into an elegant, Shingle-style house. The new wing provides the home with a casual living area topped by a master bedroom suite, and the new exterior look attracts the eye.
Entryway Overhaul

Entryway Overhaul

A new double gable draws the eye to the mahogany front door, and natural materials—stacked Tennessee fieldstone, cedar shingles, and wood siding—complement the home's wooded surroundings. The stacked fieldstone, in particular, defines the entry, and elegant windows echo its curve.
Entryway Overhaul

Entryway Overhaul

A new double gable draws the eye to the mahogany front door, and natural materials—stacked Tennessee fieldstone, cedar shingles, and wood siding—complement the home's wooded surroundings. The stacked fieldstone, in particular, defines the entry, and elegant windows echo its curve.


Scotts Contracting is available to assist in all your Green Building Projects
Email: Scotty, scottscontracting@gmail.com to schedule your
"FREE GREEN" Estimates


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Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com



Green vs. Sustainable

What’s In A Word? Green vs. Sustainable posted by Ronnie Citron-Fink Jun 18, 2010 1:02 pm Hello, I saw this on Care2 and thought you'd like it as well. Care2 is the largest and most trusted information and action site for people who care to make a difference in their lives and the world. Care2.com send Do words matter? If you answered yes, then what do these terms mean? What does green mean? What does sustainable mean? Well, your guess is as good as mine. No, really…we are all exposed to so many green labels (products, homes, cars, technology, etc.) that it is no surprise that we each come to the party with different variations on the theme. We could debate until the cows come home whether or not the overuse of these two words still hold any value. Or, even how far we need to go to get there. I would like to believe green and sustainable do have value. It seems even more important, as the grim realizations of our dependency on oil in the Gulf has become a painful indication that we need to get our act together and change our ways for the survival of our planet. It seems like the right time to revisit theses two concepts. That’s why I’m getting out my magnifying glass and taking a closer look at the process of living a green or more sustainable life. On a surface level, green means environmentally-friendly. Which is to say that whatever the origin of the product, home, clothing company, etc. is, it places less of a burden on our declining natural resources of land, air and water. Green also encompasses less waste. How much less? Well, that seems be on a spectrum that can become the basis for wonderful new ways to live. But, it can also open us up to the ugly, gray world of greenwashing. Sustainability carries both a broader and narrower meaning. On the broader sense, it references how we are all inter-connected and how we work together towards our collective future. All of our economic, political and social gains in this area thus far, have come from a heightened awareness of what is sustainable for the future. On a narrow level, sustainability is far more encompassing than green. It addresses the individual environmental choices, and the process of discovery that include the health and wellbeing of our selves as individuals, and our planet. Knowing this, we must be aware that our decisions towards what will make us sustainable right now just may determine how our children, our grandchildren, and beyond will live. We learn very simple new ways of addressing and discovering new ways to become greener (or more sustainable) on an individual level everyday. In fact, last night I was preparing whole wheat pasta for dinner and thought, “Couldn’t I cook the pasta with less water, saving energy and water?” Not being the most accomplished cook, I generally follow rock star cooks. What would Mario Butali, and all those others wonderful Italian cooks think? Butali says for every pound of pasta, we need to boil six quarts of water. I checked around online and found a New York Times article that outlined experiments that addressed the question of cooking pasta with less water. Here’s what it found: “Americans cook something like a billion pounds of pasta a year, so those minutes could add up…rough figuring indicates an energy savings at the stovetop of several trillion B.T.U.s. At the power plant, that would mean saving 250,000 to 500,000 barrels of oil, or $10 million to $20 million at current prices.” Wow, those are significant numbers for such a small individual act. Oh yeah, the pasta was just as tasty with less water. We discover zillions of stories like this each day. Is there a lesson in the pasta story? Maybe becoming sustainable is the part of the process of living a green lifestyle. Or, maybe sustainability is finding answers to those questions that will guild us towards a new eco-enlightenment. I don’t have the ultimate answer, but I sure hope we figure it out for our future generations. As we continue to move towards making collective, ethical choices about the condition of our planet that we want to leave our children, should we be taking these two words to heart? What does green and sustainable mean to you? Are they mutually exclusive? Do you have a personal story of eco-enlightenment? Ronnie Citron-Fink is a writer and educator. Ronnie regularly writes about sustainable living for online sites and magazines. Along with being the creator of www.econesting.com, Ronnie has contributed to numerous books about green home design, DIY, children, and humor. Ronnie lives the Hudson Valley of New York with her family.

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