general contractor Archives - Page 10 of 16

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3 Reasons Why We Love Mudrooms

15Feb2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Any homeowner with a mudroom will tell you that it is one of the most useful and convenient rooms in the house during these incredibly busy months especially when we have no clue when all this snow and cold weather will come to an end! So let’s prepare for those late season snowstorms that love to surprise us in these last few months of winter so that we can truly optimize our household space. Here are three reasons why a mudroom addition is essential to your home.

Great for Storage: Something every homeowner seems to always need is more storage in their house. And since winter is a time where we accumulate the most stuff whether it be gifts, clothing, shoes, shovels, etc. we are in desperate need of a place to put it all. Installing a mudroom will optimize the space of your home by providing you with convenient storage space so you can be as organized and efficient as possible during these hectic months. It will also allow your family, especially if you have kids or frequent guests, storage space to put boots, jackets, and other articles of winter clothing.

Keeps the House Cleaner: When everything has its place, the entire house is much cleaner, which makes for a happy homeowner! A mudroom will guarantee you a much more pristine household since everything that is normally spewed across the floor and furniture as people trample their way in will be neatly placed in their designated spots in the mudroom. It also saves you from breaking out the mop every day to wipe up the muck, mud, and melted snow that kids and guests tend to track all across your nice floors. A mudroom will allow you to contain all of the clutter into one space as opposed to the rest of your house.

Provides More Comfort for Guests: Having a mudroom also provides an entryway where both guests and family can completely unload before settling into your home. When there is no middle ground between the outside of your home and the main living space, guests can feel overwhelmed and out of place if there is not a more informal area to drop coats, bags, shoes, etc. It’s time to please your guests and yourself by considering the storage, cleanliness, and comfort bonuses behind adding a mudroom to your home!

Let us know if you need help with designing your very own mud room!

-Thanks for reading, The McDonald Contracting Team[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Blog

Arlington EATS Dinner

27Jan2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Arlington EATS is a local organization that helps over 500 local students receive free and reduced-price lunch (FRL) when school is in session and provide access to healthy meals when school is not in session. They provide free lunches for summer and school vacation weeks, send home fresh produce and other staples for weekend meals, provide snacks for the school day and host monthly family dinners.

Needless to say, this organization is doing amazing things in the Arlington community and we wanted to help as much as we possibly could/can! We’re proud to say that we sponsored their first monthly meal; helping to serve families a great Italian meal at Thompson Elementary School. It was an amazing opportunity for us and we look forward to working with Arlington EATS again in the future!

Check out all our photos from the event –

We encourage you to learn more about this great organization! Head over to www.ArlingtonEATS.org to learn more!

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Blog

Outdoor Kitchens Designed for New England Weather

16Jan2017

New England weather can be unpredictable, which is why we often get asked if outdoor kitchens are worth the investment. So, we’re breaking down all the choices you have including materials to use, optional add-ons and how to prepare your outdoor kitchen for winter so that you can get the most out of your space for seasons to come.

Setting expectations and budgets: When working with a client who wants an outdoor kitchen, it’s important we review their expectations first. They may have a vision to use the space for all four seasons… so keeping that in mind when designing the space is very important, and will also create the need for a larger budget. We ask clients –
- How often do you plan to use the space?
- Is it worth investing in higher-end grills, cabinets, decking, stones and furniture to last through the years?
- What value will this add to your home for resale – does that matter to you?
- We also discuss all of the following topics:

Big Challenges: Weather, bugs, winterizing your outdoor kitchen (gas lines, electrical outlets, etc. will need to be protected from snow and harsh winter weather)

Placement of outdoor kitchen:
- Think about prevailing winds (shelter your grill and seating area from harsh winds)
- Sun exposure (for shading options)
- Flooding zones/areas
- Incorporation with current landscaping
- Privacy from neighbors
- Proximity to house when deciding on the placement (you don’t want to be walking super far if you plan on using the space often)

Materials to use or not use:
- Choose Azek Decking/composite over wood (last longer and easier to maintain through long winters)
- Avoid porous stones like limestone which can absorb stains easily. Sealed granite and stainless steel are good choices for materials to use in your outdoor kitchen.
- Invest in cabinets that are made from marine grade High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
  - It was engineered for direct exposure to rain, snow, and extreme temperatures, hot or cold. This cabinetry will not split, fade, crack, or chalk. And they definitely won’t absorb water and swell like wood cabinetry does.
  - HDPE is very stain resistant. Glues and adhesives won’t stick to the board, which also means dirt has a very hard time bonding to the material.
- Stainless Steel Grills seem to be the best option to avoid damage from harsh weather
- Learn more about stainless steel vs. cast iron here.
  - Add-ons:
    - Radiant heating – a very expensive option but could be worth it if you plan to grill all winter long
    - Outdoor heating lamps
    - Gas fireplaces
    - Screened in porch with glass inserts for winter
    - Awnings and grilling canvases
    - Hot tubs (I mean, why not)
    - Pizza ovens
    - Built-in brick grills
    - Pergola(s)
    - Outdoor lighting
    - Extra prep space
    - Side burners

Winterizing your outdoor kitchen:
- Shut off water to your outdoor kitchen — an indoor shutoff valve is ideal because it won’t freeze.
- Drain all water lines; residual water might freeze, expand, and crack the pipes. At risk: outdoor sinks, ice makers, refrigerators, and kegerators. Leave drain valves open.
- Switch off power to all electrically powered units — either unplug them or turn off the circuit breaker that controls the unit.
- Give your cabinets, outdoor refrigerator, and grill a thorough cleaning, inside and out, to remove any crumbs and spills. Finish things off by wiping exteriors down with a good stainless steel polish.
- Refrigerators –
  - Don’t cover outdoor refrigerators and ice makers — moisture can get trapped under the cover and damage electrical parts.
  - Remove any ice from trays and automatic ice maker bins. Wipe down interiors to remove any residual moisture.
- Sinks –
  - Close shutoff valves and disconnect hot and cold water supply lines.
  - Make sure supply lines are drained.
  - Completely remove faucets and store them indoors.
  - Cover sinks to prevent debris from settling in the basin.
- Stone countertops –
  - Seal stone countertops to prevent winter weather from damaging to surfaces. If you don’t, you could wind up with leaf stains, or worse, cracked and chipped counters caused by freezing moisture.