Tag Archives: SawHorse

FREE Green Bathroom Makeover by SawHorse

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Greenlanta

We work with many great green vendors that don’t always get the credit they deserve for having such great products so we are putting together a design + green dream bathroom contest.  So what is a green bathroom?  It uses less energy, it has a timeless design, is constructed out of durable products, and does not make your house sick.

Sounds simple, however it starts with a good design then great specifications.  For instance many bathrooms have mold on the ceilings.  We are going to use a properly sized bath fan, paperless drywall and a timer switch for the bath fan.  This will insure that the moisture leaves the bathroom and if it stays, the products are mold resistant.

Watch this video to find out more about the contest:

To see a full list of the sponsor and rules of the contest visit- SawHorse Free Bathroom Makeover
 

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Why am I not getting hot water in my shower?

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Greenlanta

There are several reasons that you are not getting hot water in your master bathroom. The most common is that the water heater is located at the opposite end of the house and it takes a long time to reach your fixtures. The best fix for this is an on demand pump that can bring the hot water to your fixtures faster. Here is a video regarding a similar question, however the hot water heater was not the issue.

This post sponsored by SawHorse, “The Sign of Renovation in Your Neighborhood ®.”

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Review of Atlanta Home Improvement Magazines’s Top 10 Eco Items

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Greenlanta

Full disclosure- I (Matt Hoots) write a monthly column for Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine in their green section. I try to give good green tips for your home and I do get comments every now and them from readers about how they would have done things differently.

I was updating our articles on our SawHorse news section and I came across a list on AHIM’s site what I was porting over an article that I was quoted in.

Their article was- Our Top 10 Eco-friendly Building Materials

Here they are with some of our comments on each of them:

1. Bamboo- this one did not make my list of top 10 mainly because of the energy it takes to get it to the US. There are many locally grown woods that are just as green if not greener since they are actually grown locally and are part of our culture. Bamboo is a fad. Oak hardwoods have been in some houses for over 100 years and still look great.

2. Reclaimed materials- I am okay with that choice. Reclaimed can look great especially if you are building new and need to add some character to the house. I personally love older furniture and distressed flooring to bring in a sense of time to a space.

3. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified wood- Would be a good choice if it was actually grown in the South. There are other green certifications for wood in the South. Again, what is the cost of fuel to transport a sustainably grown price of wood out of a managed forest? Do try to buy green wood if possible and definateley avoid wood that is exotic and cut out of rainforest un-sustainability.

4. Recycled steel- If you use steel, up to 97% is recycled. Much cheaper to recycle than mine ore and process it. Same goes for aluminum. Shame on you for now recycling any metals. Shame on those who recycle the Copper out of your house without permission.

5. Radiant barriers- According to the EPA- they are a not great ROI for your home. They recommend spray foam on the roofline before instead. Radiant barriers are just a seasonal solution, while spray foam give your year round benefits.

6. Weather-resistive barriers- absolutely- especially in the South where we have a lot of moisture to deal with. Protecting your house from the elements is a wise choice that will save you in maintenance costs down the road.

7. Bio-based spray-foam and recycled-content insulation- I am okay with any type of open cell foam when applied correctly. I do like fact that many of them including Icynene are adding bio based products to their foam to be greener. This is a benefit to the environment since these products can be grown while oil cannot.

8. Recycled-content concrete- For residential purposes, I am not sure why it is not mandatory for fly ash to be added to concrete. It is the leftover waste from burning and it does not cost more. Next time you order concrete- ask for fly ash to be added to it. You can also use ground up concrete as a substrate instead of gravel.

9. Permeable pavement- great way to reduce runoff. Just need to get the city of Atlanta on board now to recognize these and other measures to keep the water on the lot when considering permits.

10. Low-E glass windows- thank God they are code now in GA so we don’t have to up-sell them anymore. I love a level playing field. The Low-E coating blocks the UV rays which can heat up your house in the Summer and increase your cooling load on your house which cost your more on your power bill.

Top 10 by Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine, comments by Matt Hoots, CEO of SawHorse and Chair of the GAHBA Green Building Council

This post sponsored by SawHorse, “The Sign of Renovation in Your Neighborhood ®.”

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Update on green incentives for GA Power and City of Atlanta

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Greenlanta

So I heard that solar was too expensive and going green was only for the rich.  Nice try.

Here is an example of a rebate matrix for a job we are starting next week.  This is an example from a real SawHorse client that opted for a new solar thermal water heater, help fixing their ductwork and upgrading their insulation.  They are getting back 89% of the upfront cost in rebates and tax credits for the solar thermal and 67% of the cost of the insulation and air sealing.  On an $12,790 contract our clients will be getting $10,158 back in incentives.  See our custom matrix below to see what is possible.  If you are interested in getting this type of return as well, call us before the money runs out at 404-256-2567.

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Curb Appeal in Atlanta- (for your home)

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Greenlanta

If your home needs lots of attention and you have a limited budget, an exterior makeover might be the fastest way to give you house a new look for much less than most interior renovations.

For 2 seasons of “Curb Appeal- the Block,” SawHorse was the preferred contractor in Atlanta.  The lead designer on the show- John Gidding had to take houses that looked awful and work miracles on a budget.  He did a great job on all of the ones that we worked on.

The formula was pretty much the same of each show:

  • We would add a structural feature to the front of the house- usually some type of porch
  • The house would get painted
  • We would add some hardscapes and landscaping

Sounds simple, but if your house needs all three and you leave one of them out, you will not get the full benefit of the exterior makeover.  OR, if your design if not what it could be, you might be spending money on things that do not give you the desired look you are going for.

If you are looking for help with the front of your house, the SawHorse team has partnered with Curb Appeal star- John Gidding to offer you a design/ build solutions for your home.  Even if you are considering a DIY solution, we can still give you a plan that you can do yourself.  Contact us to set up your curb appeal appointment.

 

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Curb Appeal: The Block : HGTV-Recycled retaining wall

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Greenlanta

SawHorse was invited to participate on the hit show Curb Appeal.  This was our first episode with them and it turned out to be one of the more popular episodes of the season.  My favorite part is where we recycled the chunks of driveway and created a retaining with them.  This saved in landfill costs and materials needed for the retaining wall.

From HGTV’s Curb Appeal page:

Errin Haines recently bought her first house, but unfortunately it is the eyesore of the block. She works around the clock and doesn’t have time to devote to fixing up the front yard. Fortunately, the Curb Appeal team is stepping in and turning the sticks and weeds in her front yard into a gorgeous landscape. In fact, even the mailbox is getting an overhaul. Designer John Gidding’s design plan includes adding a stone patio with seating as well as white washing the existing brick to unify the property. The plan doesn’t end there as John and his team also give smaller makeovers to two of Errin’s neighbors as well. Not only will this unify and inspire the block, but property values will be raised as well, benefiting everyone.

via A First Time Homeowner Gets Much Needed Curb Appeal and the Neighbors Also Benefit : Curb Appeal: The Block : Home & Garden Television.

About the author

Matt Hoots is President of SawHorse, Atlanta’s cutting edge design build firm since 1978.  He also chairs the Green Building Council for the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association to help grow better building practices in Georgia.

My profiles: Facebook LinkedIn Twitter YouTube

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Curb Appeal: The Block : HGTV- Front Porch Addition

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Greenlanta

SawHorse was the preferred contractor for Curb Appeal- The Block in 2010 when filming in Atlanta.  Here is the episode where we showcased the new EPA rules on Lead in homes.  Jerome Quinn and Chad Curry represented SawHorse well on this episode.

From the HGTV site:

New York transplants, Joanne Hunt and Marc Brotherton moved to Georgia to be closer to family and give their son room to roam. They got the space and now they’re lost because they’ve never had a yard and don’t know where to start. The homes in the area are traditional, remodeled and well cared for, except for theirs which is simple and unkempt. They love the neighborhood, the neighbors, and the Southern lifestyle, but feel there is no way their house will ever fit in. John Gidding and the Curb Appeal: The Block team give them the home makeover and confidence they need to showcase their home and treat the neighborhood to a party with Southern hospitality.

via The Unkempt Home of Two New Atlanta Transplants From New York Is Given Southern Style and Charm : Curb Appeal: The Block : Home & Garden Television.

This post sponsored by SawHorse- “The Sign of Renovation in Your Neighborhood ®”

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Dustless, Low-VOC Sand & Finish Floors

Posted on November 6, 2010 by Greenlanta

One of our clients asked me if we were able to use a dustless sander when we refinished their floors.  Honestly, I did not know how to respond since we had been requiring our floors finishers to use dustless sanders for years now to preserve indoor air quality.  I was surprised to find out that this is not yet an industry standard.  All SawHorse jobs are sanded with dustless sanders for several reasons:

  1. Keeps the dust our of the air and out of your lungs
  2. Allows us to refinish the floors faster since the the dust can fall on the fresh coat of finish leaving an undesirable effect.

Here is a statement from our flooring partners website (Moda) talking about the benefits of green floor finishing.

Why Care About Indoor Air Quality?

The Environmental Protection Agency considers indoor air quality one of the top five environmental threats to human health.

The traditional sand and finish process without dust containment and using solvent-based finishing products creates an environment of hazardous airborne wood dust and toxic fumes in a home or business.

The Bona Environmental Choice System™ provides the cleanest, most convenient and healthiest hardwood floor finishing process available. In addition, Bona has a tradition of commitment to personal health, indoor air quality and the environment, and has led the development of lowering VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) in finishes, while maintaining industry-leading performance standards. In 1979 Bona was one of the first companies to introduce waterborne finishes for wooden floors.

Sanding hardwood floors used to be a dust nightmare. Not anymore.

With Bona’s dust containment systems, there’s no airborne dust generated to permeate a home or business. It’s a healthier environment and cleans up what used to be an extremely dusty process.

See the difference. Watch our video to see the Bona Atomic dust containment system and what you can expect from the Bona Environmental Choice System refinishing process.

Sanding floors has always been dusty business. The Bona Dust Care System has changed that with three new innovative components.

1) The first is our patented, two-step cyclonic intake system. This ultra-high vacuum device attaches right to the sander, sucking up dust before it has a chance to escape into the air or onto the floor.

2) The second is a hospital-grade HEPA filter that delivers air which is 99.996% clean.

3) The final component is our unique, anti-static sanding abrasive. Unlike traditional abrasives, the dust that’s generated is without static charge. That makes dust particles less able to cling to surfaces and therefore much easier to manage.

Waterborne Hardwood Finishes Lower VOCs (Volitile Organic Compounds) for Better Air Quality

Bona has a tradition of commitment to personal health, indoor air quality and the environment, and has led the development of lowering VOCs (Volitile Organic Compounds) in finishes, while maintaining industry-leading performance standards. In 1979 Bona was one of the first companies to introduce waterborne finishes for wooden floors.

Waterborne polyurethane coatings are increasingly gaining acceptance in the market. They emit only very small amounts of VOCs, are nearly odorless and have since achieved a property level nearly identical to that of their solvent based counterparts.

via Dustless, Low-VOC Sand & Finish Floors.


About the author

Matt Hoots is president of SawHorse- Atlanta’s leading design/ build firm since 1978.  He also is co chair of the GAHBA Green Building Council, frequently blogs and writes a monthly green Q&A for Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine.

Contact Me LinkedIn Facebook

Twitter Latest tweet: Leaky Houses in Atlanta http://networkedblogs.com/9wuLe

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Arched cased opening used as an architectural element

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Greenlanta

We are currently working on a design for a client that is considering arched openings with bookcases.  This reminded me of a project that we worked on just a few years ago with the same detail.  Here is a snapshot of the project that we completed in the past.

Scope

A small, dark family room and nondescript concrete patio were preventing the homeowners from enjoying their beautifully landscaped back yard. They also wanted the heart of their home to be open, allowing for gatherings that will better accommodate friends and family members. As a result, providing a connection to the yard as well as giving a sense of warmth and openness to the interior became major drivers in creating the new sunroom and covered porch.

Challenges

The existing family room was too small which created a cramped feeling for the multiple functions for which it served. Another high priority was creating the sunroom addition without decreasing the natural light flowing into the kitchen area.

Solutions

The rear exterior wall of the family room was eliminated, creating an arched opening to the new vaulted sunroom. A new covered porch with 10’ bead board ceilings and decorative columns created an inviting outdoor space bridging the living area and kitchen with the rear yard. The new sunroom and porch balanced the functional living space, natural light and a usable outdoor entertaining area that the homeowners desired. The design solutions provide the necessary functionality while simultaneously improving both the interior and exterior spaces.

via SawHorse, Inc. – Atlanta, GA – Web Snapshots.


About the author

Matt Hoots is president of SawHorse- Atlanta’s leading design/ build firm since 1978.  He also is co chair of the GAHBA Green Building Council, frequently blogs and writes a monthly green Q&A for Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine.

Contact Me LinkedIn Facebook

Twitter Latest tweet: Leaky Houses in Atlanta http://networkedblogs.com/9wuLe

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SawHorse, Inc. – Atlanta, GA – SnapShot of an Avondale Estates bathroom

Posted on October 24, 2010 by Greenlanta

Scope

Within a 1930’s home, our client wanted to convert an existing bath into a one-of-a-kind master bath. Among the requirements for the bath were a large soaking tub, separate shower, toilet, two lavatories, decorative furniture and linen storage.

Challenges

The primary challenge was to include the client’s wish list within such a small space – 85 square feet! In addition, our client was highly artistic, so the space needed to be unique and within a reasonable budget.

Solutions

First, the door opening was shifted to the corner of the space to improve the efficiency of circulation. Custom furniture pieces were designed to combine storage with bath functions; the lavatories are within the hutch and the armoire stores linens and toiletries. The armoire also provides some privacy between the doorway and the toilet.

In order to design within the owner’s budget, the cost of the lavatory piece took precedence over a frame-less shower and real stone tile. Using relatively inexpensive tiles, a unique pattern gives the room the required pizazz. In the end, the client gained a beautifully furnished room packed with style and function.

via SawHorse, Inc. – Atlanta, GA – SnapShot Joseph Bath.


About the author

Matt Hoots is president of SawHorse- Atlanta’s leading design/ build firm since 1978.  He also is co chair of the GAHBA Green Building Council, frequently blogs and writes a monthly green Q&A for Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine.

Contact Me LinkedIn Facebook

Twitter Latest tweet: Getting newsletter ready to send out tomorrow. http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001UtC3yXGV8FSQyqyIIxHG4A%3D%3D

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Kitchen design tips by Atlanta Experts

Posted on May 18, 2010 by Greenlanta

SawHorse, the renovation division of The Hoots Group, was invited to participate in a column in Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine in the latest issue. They asked us a series of questions about what to consider at different budgets when remodeling your kitchen. Here are some of the quotes that made it into the article:

“Durability counts. Many kitchen cabinets may only last a few years, forcing you to start from scratch once they start to fall apart. Use solid-surface countertops and a good cabinet line if you want a kitchen that will not only look nice, but also last a long time.” -Matt Hoots, CEO, The Hoots Group, Inc.

“Come up with a design that looks nice and will stand the test of time,” adds Matt Hoots, CEO of The Hoots Group Inc. “If the kitchen blends well with the period that the house was built in or has a good, clean design, then it will add value to the home. If it is too cutting edge, you risk not being able to sell your house or get the full value out of the new kitchen.”

Find out more about us here, check out our videos, and become a fan of us on Facebook!

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SawHorse featured in HGTV’s hit Show Curb Appeal

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Greenlanta

SawHorse- “The Sign of Renovation in Your Neighborhood” is currently filming several episodes of Curb Appeal- The Block for Season 2.

For each episode- we tried to incorporate a green element to since we are a green renovator.  In this episode we introduced a new type of exterior product called thermally modified wood.  It is heated to extreme temperatures which cooks out the sugars which attract insects.  It does not have harmful chemical or warps like pressure treated wood.

To sign up for your own curb appeal makeover- visit SawHorse

Find out more about us here, check out our videos, and become a fan of us on Facebook!

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