News

Toilet Choices – Don’t Flush Good Money Away

October 10, 2010 – 11:56 am

Toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water consumption. Older, inefficient toilets are a major source of wasted water in many homes. Replacing these toilets with WaterSense labeled toilets (products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria for water efficient usage) could save nearly 11 gallons per toilet in your home every day! EPA estimates that a family of four that replaces its home’s older toilets with WaterSense labeled models will, on average, save more than $90 per year in reduced water utility bills, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilets.

WaterSense Toilets

WaterSense Toilets

The main thing to consider from both a cost-effective and eco-friendly point of view is the actual amount of water flow. Toilets preceding 1993 use between 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) up to 8 gpf. Since 1993 high-efficiency modes have been mandated to use 1.6 gpf. Low flow toilets generally have a 1-1.5 gallons gpf. Dual flush toilets utilize two buttons (one flush for liquid waste, another for solid waste) and are widely used in Australia where droughts bring serious concerns about water usage. However, this innovative alternative is making an appearance in the United States. WaterSense labeled toilets are available at a wide variety of price points and a broad range of styles. In many areas, utilities offer rebates and vouchers that can lower the price of a WaterSense labeled toilet.

You can choose between one- (combined) and two-piece (seat and tank) toilets. One piece toilets eliminate the seam between the tank and seat and are sleeker in appearance. The most popular among these are the models that feature a low-profile design. Two piece toilets are easier to install and more economical. Both operate on a gravity system, whereby the volume of water in the tank flushes waste and require a water pressure of 15 pounds per square inch to operate properly. The vacuum-assisted flush is another type, which creates a vacuum that draws the water with more force into the bowl using the rim holes in the upper toilet bowl. Pressure assist flush technology offers twice the power of gravity type toilets while being just as quiet.

There are some variations available among toilet products. Wall-mounted toilets provide a clean floor beneath them, but require back outlets. These would not be good candidates for remodeled bathrooms if the toilets are replacing floor-mounted models.

Different bowl heights can be found. While standard bowl height is 15”, some products feature “Comfort Height” or “Chair Height” which will be 16.5” or 17”, a difference you may find significant.

Limited color choices are available, and some decorative styles among the tanks can be found. There are a few variations in the placement of the flush handles. Most tanks feature front left mounted handles; others are on the right, some on the side (especially the low profile); the dual flush feature buttons on the top. You can choose between rounded or elongated seats, again a feature that can contribute significantly to one’s comfort.

When you are making your plans to remodel your bathroom, take time to research the possibilities. Talk about them with your contractor, who may have constructive advice about your choices. Your selection can save you money, use less water, and be more comfortable!

By trendmarkinc | Posted in Bathroom Remodel, Home Remodeling | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

TrendMark Remodel Featured on HGTV

August 26, 2010 – 4:29 pm

Check out this episode of  HGTV’s Bang For Your Buck, which features a recent TrendMark kitchen remodeling project for Cammy and Fito Agraz (the first kitchen featured)! I don’t want to give away the results, but will say we are very happy.

By trendmarkinc | Posted in Design Ideas, TrendMark on HGTV, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Featured Project: Sunroom Addition Complete with Indoor Grill – Year-Round Fun!

July 27, 2010 – 2:53 am
After Sunroom Addition

After Sunroom Addition

To satisfy their need for year-round entertaining space, the homeowners wanted to convert their back porch into a room where they could grill indoors. Their new fabulous light-filled room features a brick fireplace flanked by bookcases, stone flooring, cathedral wood ceilings, recessed lighting, and most importantly, a commercial-grade grill and hood. In any weather, the host can now barbecue in the comfort of this beautiful room while visiting with guests and enjoying a fire in the fireplace.

Travertine tiles cover the terrace and the floors of the sunroom, providing both warmth and ambiance; year-round furniture invites family and guests to enjoy the setting – either inside or outside!

By trendmarkinc | Posted in Featured Remodeling Project | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Building (With) the Community… The Wrenn House Project

June 29, 2010 – 8:24 am
If ever there was a project that touched the hearts of local remodelers, it was the need for renovations at The Wrenn House – the only Triangle safe house for youth ages 10-17 who run away from home, are homeless, or are otherwise in a crisis situation. For 15 years, the Wrenn House program has been in the 90-year-old house, which was in desperate need of repairs. The project was a perfect match for our group.

TrendMark worked as part of the team put together by the Remodelers Council of Raleigh-Wake County. ALL members responded with great enthusiasm, including vendors, who were quite generous with materials! During the first week of June, the facility closed while volunteers replaced 27 windows, removed walls, painted the exterior, repaired a plumbing leak, and repaired the front porch. Volunteers also worked to replace the gutters, replace the ramp in the back, and replace the back door, as well as paint the interior and replace the light fixtures and carpet.

Everyone who was part of this project was overwhelmed by the response of the volunteers and donating vendors.  It just goes to show you that even during a difficult economic period such as this one, people are willing to lend a helping hand for a worthwhile cause in the community, whether it’s with their time, materials, some funding, or anything they can do to chip in!

The original scope of the work grew from repairs to a whole house renovation as members saw the needs of the facility and the results of their efforts to provide an emergency shelter to these youth in crisis. The project is a perfect match for the Council’s community service goals, due to the very limited budgets that organizations like Wrenn House are experiencing during the current sluggish economy.

The project not only involved volunteers who came with hammers in hand, but also many hours of organization and planning, approaching suppliers for donations of materials, setting up schedules, and coordinating with Wrenn House. We’ve all been amazed at the response and the growth in the scope of the renovation!
Most of all, it’s a project filled with satisfaction, knowing that the lives of the staff and of the kids who stay there will be changed by the efforts our group has expended. It fills all of us in the Council with pride to simply see our donated efforts rewarded by being able to amplify the organization’s hard work to reach these young people during a very challenging time in their lives – their stays can range from one day to several weeks.

Great job, everyone!


By trendmarkinc | Posted in Community, Home Remodeling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Return of Investment for Kitchen Remodel

April 13, 2010 – 9:55 am
TrendMark on HGTV's Bang for Your Buck

HGTV’s Bang for Your Buck Raleigh Episode

Now that the February 19th episode of HGTV’s Bang For Your Buck has aired, TrendMark’s thrilled to know that its remodel entry, the Agraz kitchen, had the greatest ROI (return on investment) of the three kitchens featured on the show! After analyzing the elements of the three Raleigh area remodels, Vern Yip, HGTV’s professional interior designer, announced that the Agraz project would bring 101% return on their investment, as compared to 84% and 90% for the other two kitchens shown on the program.

What made the difference in the value of the projects? It’s all about choices! When you begin a major remodel project, there are generally several criteria: you want to update, you want to redecorate, and you may want to add elements that you currently don’t have in your kitchen. There are so many products on the market today – each with its own special appeal – that making these choices is not really easy. Here’s where a professional remodeler can provide the guidance needed to select quality products that have long-term value while coming together to create the kitchen of your dreams.

What gives the results long-term value? Regardless of whether you’re remodeling a home for your long-term stay or you want to sell it, you should still be concerned about the effect your efforts will have on the worth of the home. Nothing increases the value of a house like updated kitchens and bathrooms! However, as Vern Yip pointed out, “Don’t be too taste specific.” For instance, a kitchen with a bright red stove — maybe an element you love — might not generally appeal to other homebuyers. Your choice to save money by not putting in those granite countertops may turn away potential buyers should you try to sell the home.  Even if you stay in the home for the long run, you may still regret not investing in that granite upgrade.

Yip provided a list of other items that can maximize your remodeling investment:

  • Adding square footage is a major element; opening up a kitchen by removing walls is always a winning strategy;
  • Using neutral materials so that the décor can be altered with the use of accent colors in window treatments, cookware, towels, area rugs, or dishes is preferable;
  • Where possible, add nice custom materials. Scrimping on a faucet or range hood can ruin the overall look of the kitchen.

The value of a professional remodeler is really critical when a homeowner is trying to get the most out of their budget. By nature of the remodeler’s extensive experience in many other similar (as well as contrasting) projects, professional remodelers have concrete answers on remodeling value and which choices will bring the most bang for your buck. They have exposure to a wide range of products and sources that may be unknown to the homeowner, which can often transform a potentially mediocre remodeling effort into a WOW project!

The Raleigh Kitchen Remodel episode of Bang For Your Buck will be on again on April 14 at 2pm, May 2 at 3 pm, and May 14 at 2p; see HGTV’s Bang for Your Buck Website for complete listing!

By trendmarkinc | Posted in Kitchen Remodel, TrendMark on HGTV | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (7)

Ask the Contractor – Leaky Toilet

April 4, 2010 – 3:58 am

I have to jiggle the handle to get my toilet to stop running. How can I fix this?

Ask the Contractor

Ask the Contractor

Toilet leaks are caused for multiple reasons. The first thing to check is to see if the handle is loose. If so, it can be tightened from inside the tank. Another cause could be the chain between the handle and flapper needs to be adjusted.

Most commonly, a toilet leak is caused by a worn out flapper. Over time, the flapper deteriorates, which prevents formation of a  water-tight seal. To repair this issue, you’ll need to replace the flapper. If you decide to tackle this task, be sure to turn the water at the valve behind the toilet; then you can remove the old flapper and take it with you to the hardware store to find the proper replacement. It’s a fairly simple repair that will not only reduce your water bill, but also save you the time and hassle of standing there jiggling the handle. See the step-by-step video!

If you have a home maintenance issue you’d like to see featured here, Contact Us with your question.

By trendmarkinc | Posted in Ask the Contractor | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

TrendMark Portfolio now on Flickr

March 27, 2010 – 10:29 pm

We have added many of our project photos to Flickr.  You can now view projects to help you get ideas for you next project. http://www.flickr.com/photos/trendmarkinc/collections/

Whole House

Additions

Kitchen Remodels

Bathrooms

Outdoor Living

Custom Homes

Whole House

Additions

Kitchen Remodels

Bathrooms

Outdoor Living

Custom Homes

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/cols/72157622926374970_7c7b19a736_l.jpg

Whole House

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/cols/72157622396714364_d6fdb31818_l.jpg

Additions

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/cols/72157622115848183_3526cd28bb_l.jpg

Kitchen Remodels

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/cols/72157622396701956_3ee02f9fd3_l.jpg

Bathrooms

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/cols/72157622425437394_21c38e5b56_l.jpg

Outdoor Living

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/cols/72157622271686083_fb7dc9f959_l.jpg

Custom Homes
By trendmarkinc | Posted in Design Ideas, Home Remodeling | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Time to Plan Your Outdoor Living Area

March 17, 2010 – 9:34 am

As spring approaches, thoughts turn to outdoor living for many homeowners. Sunrooms and screened porches have traditionally been specialAfter Screen Porch Addition spaces for family activities where they can enjoy the benefits of the outdoors without putting up with insects. The light-filled retreats add casual space for relaxation and entertaining to the home and often include a view that enhances the room’s appeal.

A million dollar view of a lake surrounded by trees with a golf course running beside it convinced some Triangle homeowners to purchase a mundane 1970′s residence. They then turned to TrendMark to transform the house into their dream home and to maximize the exposure to the view behind it. They wanted an area above grade that would have unobstructed views of the panorama around them. The sunroom and terrace that resulted from this desire certainly epitomize the requirements of most families for this kind of addition.

Replacing the existing carport with a three car garage provided the platform for a stunning screened sunroom surrounded by a terrace bordered by stone columns separated by heavy plate glass. Travertine tiles cover the terrace and the floors of the sunroom, providing both warmth and ambiance. Year-round furniture invites family and guests to enjoy the setting either inside or outside.   The screened sunroom is filled with light, its wide openings offering tempting views of the lake, and a ceiling fan stirs the air when lake breezes don’t. The wide expanses of the large window-like openings are covered by custom screening tinted to diminish the sun’s glare and reinforced with fiberglass to withstand wind damage.and golf course. The vaulted ceiling is pierced by two skylights.

Not every home has a vista like these homeowners did. If you are contemplating adding on or remodeling your existing space for a sunroom, consider first the primary needs you will have for this area. Do you want all the space enclosed or some of it an open deck? Do the needs of your family require that you have storage for toys or sports equipment? Are you going to use the space mainly for entertaining? Do you want to have a totally casual room or do you want to include stone, exotic woods, formal lighting, a fireplace, a built-in grill or a wet bar?   Whatever view you may have behind your home—a garden, a pool, beautiful landscaping, an extended vista–, you can maximize its advantages with this space for family relaxation and entertaining. Converting your existing porch to a sunroom or building an addition to the back of your home can add hours of pleasure to your lifestyle while increasing the value of your home exponentially.

By trendmarkinc | Posted in Home Remodeling, Outdoor Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Annandale – Blaze to Breathtaking

March 15, 2010 – 5:35 pm

To create curb appeal, update the interior of the home, and increase the square footage, TrendMark, Inc. took on the task of transforming this 1978 transitional home into a home with French Country charm. The exterior of the home was completely redesigned with dry stack stone featuring quoins and keystones, Hardiplank siding, working shutters, and a flagstone front entry porch and sidewalk. The existing two-car garage was converted into a first floor master suite, which includes amenities such as a spacious dressing area and a large custom-tiled shower with dual showerheads and a polished glass door. Above the three-car garage added to the rear of the home is an 800 square foot home office with a full bath. A new sunroom now adjoins the kitchen area.

By trendmarkinc | Posted in Featured Remodeling Project, Home Remodeling | Comments (0)

Featured Project: Screen Porch – A Room With A View!

March 4, 2010 – 11:21 am

When homeowners purchased a drab 1970s residence with a vision of turning it into their dream home, they turned to TrendMark for the transformation! They wanted an area above grade that would have unobstructed views of the panorama around them. This resulted in a beautiful, spacious sunroom and terrace that replaced an existing carport with the platform for a stunning view – with a new three-car garage underneath!

Travertine tiles cover the terrace and the floors of the sunroom, providing both warmth and ambiance; year-round furniture invites family and guests to enjoy the setting either inside or outside.

The screened sunroom has wide openings that offer tempting views of the lake and golf course. The vaulted ceiling is pierced by skylights, and a ceiling fan stirs the air when lake breezes don’t. The wide expanses of the large window-like openings are covered by custom screening tinted to diminish the sun’s glare. They are also reinforced with fiberglass to withstand wind damage.

By trendmarkinc | Posted in Featured Remodeling Project | Comments (0)