3 Season or 4 Season Porch…What’s the Difference?

If you live in Maple Grove, MN  or Plymouth, MN….we want to know; what would you want?

To help you out with that, here is Advanced Home Improvements  guide to YOUR perfect porch!

Let’s talk 3 season porches…they can also be known as a “sun room”. A 3 season porch will provide you with seasonal air; keyword being SEASONAL, as in you cannot use this room year-round if you live in Minnesota. These porches can be installed quicker and are less expensive since they are not insulated, and do not have heat or air conditioning.

A 3 season porch is the ideal getaway in the spring, summer and fall seasons as they allow you an escape from bugs, and shield you from the elements; such as rain, wind, and harsh sunlight. Another bonus is the resale value for a 3 season porch can be around 50%.

You can purchase your own 3 season porch kits, however, any home construction can be tricky, and using qualified and experienced installers can assure you will receive your fullest warranty AND make sure the proper permitting and city codes are followed.

Now, if you want to add a room in your home you can use ALL year-round; then a 4 season porch is the way to go. They are fully insulated to incorporate the usage of heat and air conditioning. A resale value for a 4 season porch can be around 85% AND counts as living space; adding square footage to your home!

A 4 season porch can become a cozy winter getaway room for your home. You can add a gas or electric fireplace to really spruce it up. The possibilities are endless.

If you live in Maple Grove MN or Plymouth MN, give AHI a call to discuss what kind of porch is right for you; we will make your dreams a reality.

Posted in Maple Grove Decking Company, Maple Grove Decks, Maple Grove Remodeling Company, Maple Grove Roofing Company, Maple Grove Siding, Minnesota Decks, Minnesota Exterior Remodeling, Minnesota Remodeling Company, Minnesota Roofing Company, Osseo Decks, Osseo Remodeling Contractors, Plymouth Decking Company, Plymouth Decks, Remodeling Projects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s in Your Wood?

—Lumber is treated with preservatives for many reasons; it makes the wood stronger, holds up against insect damage, etc. This process has been used all throughout history. Olive oil was used to treat bridge wood in ancient Greece, the Romans protected the hulls of their ships with tar, and in the late 19th Century, commercial pressure treatment began with the protection of railroad crossties; they use creosote.
—It wasn’t until the 1970’s  that homeowners began building decks and backyard projects; until then, treated wood was primarily used for industrial, agricultural and utility applications.
•Pressure treated lumber was first patented in 1938, it was used for 60 years generating 40 billion annual sales.
•First formulated ingredients were CCA (Chromate Copper Arsenic).
•2002, Forest Products Journal did a study that showed in 1 year 12-13% of the chromate copper arsenate leached out on to wood chips, making this unsafe.
•2004 EPA asked voluntarily the lumber industry to change the product, it was changed to ACQ, which is not arsenic based.
•This process added more copper to the wood which makes it more metal corrosive.
•ACQ has no arsenic it, however, aluminum will start to disintegrate within 3 months of contact.
•It is very hard on all metals, which is dangerous as metal bolts hold your deck to your home.
•Most builders do not know these alarming statistics, and are still using ACQ.
At Advanced Home Improvements, we care about your home and your safety. With that in mind, we take the necessary precautions to ensure that we use the best and safest materials we can; we use AC2 treated lumber. —Midwest manufacturing is the only producer of AC2, which is much safer than ACQ. The process is done by osmosis, and requires ½ the amount of water – it takes longer, but uses less chemicals and produces the same results. In ACQ, 2-4 gallons of water or 16-32lbs of water is in a 2x12x8 ft board…this is a big reason why warping and uneven joists occur. —AC2 not only uses less water, but it is kiln dried 6-8%; most treated lumber is not kiln dried at all. AC2 has a less amount of chromium added to the wood; a greenish look occurs when there is more added.
For more information; contact us.
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Come See us at the Home Improvement & Design EXPO!!!!

MAR 23, 2013 ~ HOME Improvement and Design EXPO™
Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm
Maple Grove Community Center – 12951 Weaver Lake Road – Maple Grove, MN 55369
Attention all home improvement enthusiast! Don’t miss your opportunity to explore up to 150 exhibitors featuring the latest home improvement products and services to get your home renovation projects off to the right start. Talk with the experts and get free tips and ideas! Meet builders, remodelers, landscapers, designers, painters, architects, interior designers and more. Main Stage filled with on-going speaker presentations, demonstrations and entertainment all day long.

Admission $6 or COME SEE OUR BOOTH FOR FREE – SIMPLY PRINT FREE TICKETS AT: www.mediamaxevents.com/vip

See all the attractions on the show blog found at: http://www.MediaMaxEvents.com

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The Perks of Your City

If you live in Maple Grove, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Crystal, or New Hope…you need to know this information about windows.

These cities want you to fix your home, and windows are a huge reason. There are grants, no interest loans, or low interest loans that are just sitting in their bank accounts an no one knows about these opportunities.

Windows, siding, roofing, and any remodeling that improves your home, can get you free money in your pocket.

Living in Maple Grove, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Crystal, or New Hope give you the advantage to make your home exactly what you want. There is even a loan that is forgiven if you reside in your home for 10 years.

If you want more information, call Advanced Home Improvements and we will help you find the right loan for you!!

Posted in Maple Grove Remodeling Company, Minnesota Exterior Remodeling, Minnesota Remodeling Company, Minnesota Windows, Remodeling Projects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Kitchen could be a Death Trap!

Here is a scary, but very real problem that is of great concern to Maple Grove and Plymouth residents.

If you have an industrial size gas burner with a hood in your kitchen, it is crucial to know that your kitchen could literally kill you!

A few years ago, a family died because an incompetent contractor did not install a makeup air system properly. The oxygen was literally sucked out of their home by the fan which was left on for a long period of time.

Homes today are built so air tight that the exhaust hood can pull out oxygen at an alarming rate and cause the home to be a dangerous environment that may lead to death.

Don’t let this happen to your family. People living in Maple Grove or Plymouth that are considering upgrading their kitchen and using a makeup air system, consider these alarming facts and make sure you have Advanced Home Improvements out to your home to educate you and make your home safe.

Posted in Kitchen Remodeling in Mn, Maple Grove Remodeling Company, Minnesota Remodeling Company, Osseo Remodeling Contractors, Remodeling Projects, Safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our Solutions to Your Home Problems!

Have you ever had water in your bathroom or kitchen fan? All residents in Maple Grove, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, or Champlin that have experienced this problem need to know that this will happen again. If your bathroom or kitchen has exhaust fans, then you have what is called a Broan vent on your roof. This Broan vent is black and has a damper in it that lifts and closes when you turn the fan on. Sometimes in the winter these fans do not open. And in the summer, driving winds with rain open them because the damper is either stuck up or is not properly closing.

People that live in Maple Grove, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, or Champlin that have had this issue, here are the solutions:

- Your fan motor is too weak to open the damper. A new fan is very easy to replace; 2 screws and a universal plug in is all you need to take out and replace it.

- Install hard pipe to fan area up to the roof from the bathroom or kitchen.

- Get on your roof and look inside the damper to see if it is stuck up or if it’s not closing properly (it will be obvious).

- Make sure the connection between the vent and the house is tight, look at the bathroom and kitchen connection up to the Broan connection.

- If all else fails, call Advanced Home Improvements, we will fix it!

 

Posted in Kitchen Remodeling in Mn, Maple Grove Remodeling Company, Minnesota Remodeling Company, Minnesota Roofing Company, Osseo Bathroom Remodel, Osseo Remodeling Contractors, Remodeling Projects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s That Sound??? Oh, it’s Just Your Siding, Maple Grove & Plymouth Residents!!!

Have you heard that Maple Grove MN and Plymouth MN are two cities that lead the state in seamless siding. When we have temperatures that go from 0-30 degrees in one day (which lets face, is happening more and more in Minnesota), seamless steel siding sounds like firecrackers going off.

Maple Grove and Plymouth residents – don’t be alarmed….those crack and pops that you hear coming from your siding will NEVER go away! When the steel expands and contracts at such rapids levels how can it??

Seamless companies are NOT going to tell you these things…we feel that Maple Grove and Plymouth residents have a right to know and be educated about their siding.

Posted in Maple Grove Siding, Minnesota Exterior Remodeling, Minnesota Remodeling Company, Mn Siding Installation, Plymouth Siding, Plymouth Siding Company | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Maple Grove MN and Plymouth MN! Keep an Eye on Your Deck Footings!!!

Maple Grove MN and Plymouth MN are MN Cities in which the ground is 90% clay. Every year Maple Grove and Plymouth lead the state in deck footing complaints.

If you have a level and you live in Maple Grove or Plymouth MN, dig it out of your garage and place it on your deck to see if your deck has heaved. When a deck moves even a 1/2 an inch, this will loosen the nails that support your deck and it can lead to many problems.

Maple Grove MN and Plymouth MN, along with a few other cities in Minnesota, are very concerned because deck collapses across the country are at an all time high!!

Please look at your deck with a critical eye during the springtime; we can help!

Posted in Decks, Minnesota Decks, Minnesota Exterior Remodeling, Minnesota Remodeling Company, Osseo Decks, Plymouth Decking Company, Plymouth Decks, Safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Maple Grove and Plymouth Residents…Your Siding’s in Danger!!!

Maple Grove and Plymouth MN got hit hard with snow, wind, and ice this year.

Siding in Maple Grove and Plymouth will be EXTREMELY vulnerable this year. The cold winter we have been having is causing your siding to expand and contract. Maple Grove and Plymouth had record snow falls in December that started the winter off early and has kept the temperatures very cold this season.

If you live in Maple Grove or Plymouth, keep a close eye on your siding this winter. Hardi, Vinyl, Steel, and Wood siding move much more in the cold air…when our first 50 degree day hits, gaps and areas for water to seep in will be created.

Wake up Maple Grove and Plymouth homeowners!!! Keep water from intruding into your home and have us out to inspect your siding for FREE!!

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Potential Roof Leaks for Maple Grove, MN and Plymouth, MN Residents!!!!

Roofing projects are right around the corner. Did you know that hard snow and cold winters will take YEARS off your roof??

Maple Grove and Plymouth area’s got hit hard with that early storm; and the thawing and melting process started early.

If you live in Maple Grove or Plymouth, be sure to inspect your roof and keep a close eye on valley areas and where walls merge together for small drips coming from the roof.

The snow storms that hit Maple Grove and Plymouth were the biggest in many years, and this type of storm will make your roof susceptible to leaks.

Call us out to your Maple Grove or Plymouth home to inspect your roof for FREE!!

Posted in Maple Grove Roofing Company, Minnesota Remodeling Company, Minnesota Roofing Company | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment