Hamilton Building Services

Cooler nights are ahead, and with that thought in mind, it's a good idea to start checking some items off your annual to-do list. Now that you've likely put away some of your summertime household items (and don't fret if you haven't yet), it's time to prepare for the winter weather. One way to do this is by sealing off areas of your home that allow cool air in and warm air out. By blocking and sealing off places like doors and windows, you can be saving over 50% of your heating bill. Aside from some of the more obvious places such as doors and windows, there are some other miscellaneous areas that are money eaters during the wintertime. Your beautiful and beloved chimney can be a HUGE source of wasted heat. Watch this video we found helpful and informative for those who are searching for the right tool to block heat from escaping through a chimney.

We are proud to share with you the excellent progress being made on a current build in Greenwich, CT. For this home, you can see pictured GAF roofing, charcoal color, along with white cedar shakes. Check back later for more updated pics, and please don't hesitate to call into our office with any questions or if you are interested in meeting with your local Dealer to attain a quote! 607-299-4838

If you've ever been in a home with board and batten wainscoting, you probably noticed how nice it looks and how much it adds to a space while remaining simple. Some houses already have this featured installed, whereas others may have been put in by previous owners. Either way, they look great at a low cost. If you have an area in your home that doesn't have much going on, consider how board and batten wainscoting would look in your home. Often, people will add this feature to the entryway of their home or a bland hallway.  Image via www.younghouselove.com Directions 1. Clean your walls thoroughly with a mild cleaner, and remove any marks the best that you can so that they are not visible after new paint is applied. Mr. Clean magic erasers do a nice job removing marks. Dry your walls thoroughly after, as well. 2. Install the trim boards. If you buy the boards pre-cut, great. If not, you'll need to break out a ruler and map out just how you plan to arran...

There are lots of ways to make your home look more expensive than it actually is without breaking open the piggy bank. This kind of thinking is especially helpful to those with children who may, over the years, have accidents around the house causing things to eventually be replaced. Image via www.lowes.com Laminate Wood Flooring - Hardwood flooring is gorgeous, but let's face it - between the kids and the dogs there's just no saving it. As an alternative to real hardwood floors, you can install laminate flooring that appears wood. Laminate wood floors not only look attractive, but they will also help you stay within your budget and last longer because they're meant to take everyday wear and tear. Laminate wood flooring can be as cheap as .25 cents per SQ FT at Lowes . Image via www.downhomeinspiration.com DIY Window Valance - Window valances are commonly used to cover up the ugly metal bars that hold up your curtains. At a low cost, you can mak...

1. Windows - The more light that can circulate throughout your small space, the better. If you don't have enough windows, or windows that are strategically placed to let in the most sun possible, your space will be dark and seem smaller than it even is, as a result. 2. Raised ceilings - If you have the leeway to customize your home, you should consider high ceilings. Although they are an "empty" space to heat, they will make your space appear bigger, especially if you paint light colors. 3. Vary ceiling heights - When you vary your ceiling heights, it gives the illusion similar to what an open entryway can have by separating sections of your home into their own sections. This allows you to make smaller rooms bigger without building out, and instead building up. 4. Customize storage - This may be an expensive tip, but it will make your home more functional, you'll definitely prefer it, and it will add resale value to your small abode. Check out Pinterest...

The more color swatches you look at, the more color combinations will come to mind. Check out some popular color schemes that are trending this year! Image via www.bloglovin.com Image via www.color.romanuke.com Image via www.colorpalettes.net Image via www.colorpalettes.net Image via www.color.raomanuke.com Image via www.bloglovin.com Sources www.pinterest.com

For this local build, we're utilizing the Extended Plate & Beam Wall System, designed for high performance. Top features include: 2x4 studs, with top and bottom plate extensions of 2x6 Continuous insulation exterior to the wall cavity, interior to the WSP More than 95% of the wall area free of thermal bridging Common methods and materials for framing, air sealing, insulation, drainage plane and siding attachment Double rim board (beam) that is also a header

Trying to go green and save on waste? Turn some old tires into new summer furniture with this budget-friendly, DIY project. You will need: An old tire Sisal rope (about 150′ of  3/8″ thick rope , or 100′ of 1″ thick rope) 50′ of  3/8″ nylon rope Hot glue gun & glue sticks Scissors (heavy duty) Sealer  & paintbrush (if it will be outside) Step #1 Image via stylemepretty.com Ensure that your tire is cleaned off and dry. Next, wrap the tire with nylon rope in a crisscross pattern, thoroughly covering each section evenly. Tie off the nylon rope tight and secure, but do not strain the rope. Step #2 Begin wrapping the sisal rope around the tire, starting on one edge. As you wrap, hot glue the rope to the tire. It works best if you put the glue directly onto the rope first and then lay it against the tire. Be sure to not only glue the sisal rope to the nylon rope, but also to itself in between the seams.  Step #3 Continue to wrap the entir...

Neglecting a chimney can be dangerous, and it can lead to a fire. To avoid this risk, clean your chimney regularly, and never use your fireplace if there is 1/4 inch or more of creosote built up. Closely watch this informative video to learn how to properly clean out your chimney.

Summer is on its way out, and fall and winter are on their way in. With that in mind, you'll want to start storing away your summer items to make room for your winter stuff. Follow these helpful hacks to store away your summer stuff. Clothing Storing clothing can take up a ton of room if you're not careful. To save room and stay organized, roll your clothing or fold it neatly in piles. Next, store in plastic totes or in old comforter bags. Depending on how much clothing you have to store, consider building a shelf to store your bags or totes. Image via www.hardlyhousewives.com Lawn Mower After you mow your lawn one last time in 2016, remember to store it away properly. If you don't take heed, you may have issues with it next spring. Either siphon the gas out, or add fuel stabilizer to the tank and fill it right up. Clean off any old grass clippings from the past season, store it in a dry space, and you'll be ready for next year. Image via www.go...

Check out this custom two story home being built in Massachusetts. The house is just over 3,700 SQ FT, and it features 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, an in-law suit, a two car garage, a study, a parlor, and a huge walk-in closet!

Home projects that you can complete yourself are an excellent way to improve you home at a low cost, but sometimes they end up being a disaster. Nine times out of ten, such disasters can be easily avoided by simply planning out the project a little better and making sure you have the right tools before you start the project. Follow these tips to help your home projects move along smoothly: Image via www.hgtv.com Measure twice, cut once! Some of the biggest headaches come from inaccurate measurements. Whether you're rearranging furniture or building a coffee table, always think ahead and measure your space and materials twice. Don't skip the prep work - It can be tempting to skip the preparation stage of any project. Sometimes the directions say to try out a sample and see how it turns out. Other times it may say to tape off the area to avoid extra clean-up. No matter what it is, take the extra time to prepare for your project, and you'll always have a quicker cl...

Adding value to your existing home is always a good thing, especially if you're considering relocating and you may want to sell your house. Here are a few ways that you can add to your home's value on any budget!    Have your home inspected. If you're interested in selling your house in the near future you will definitely need to look into having a professional inspector visit your house to tell you if there are any internal issues in your home's structure. Discovering hidden problems that you may not be aware of is always best when you find it early. Paint your house colors that appear neutral and calming. Depending on how much you need to paint, this should be a relatively low cost. Look for a coupon or a sale on a neutral color paint so that you can make your home's interior more appealing to a wider array of people. Put in low-maintenance landscaping. Shrubs, simple stonework, a flowerbed or a tree can add to a home's value. When it comes to...

The more money you can save for your down payment on your house, the better. However, it can be hard to meet your goal when the normal, day-to-day expenses weight you down. Here are a few helpful tips that you can start implementing to save for your down payment faster. Image via www.eadienews.com Make coffee at home instead of buying it out every morning. This can save anywhere from $8 - $25 per week! Instead of going to the movie theater, choose a flick on Netflix . If you really want to save some cash, cancel your cable bill and make a total switch to Netflix. Hulu, Amazon Prime, and others also offer alternatives to your pricey cable bill. Plan out your grocery bill, and stick to it . If you go to the grocery store with a list in hand, you will know how much you are spending and will not waste money on things that you don't really need.  Clip coupons and shop out of the flyer . Most grocery stores have a weekly or bi-weekly flyer. If you plan your meals around the de...

Vinyl vs. Wood Hamilton Building Service's standard windows are Encompass by Pella. Pella vinyl windows include the following features: Low maintenance  Easy to clean ENERGY STAR performance Multi-chambered frame reduces sound and improves thermal performance Pella's lifetime warranty Image via www.pella.com                 Hamilton Building Services also offers an upgrade package including Integrity wood windows. Integrity wood windows include the following features: Made with Ultrex pultruded fiberglass Ultrex is 8 times stronger than vinyl Attractive, natural appearance Energy efficient -  reduces heat loss and cut costs up to 34% in cold climates, and cuts cooling costs up to 38% in warm climates Integrity' s full  20 year warranty on glass seals and 10 years on manufacturing defects  Image via www.marvin.com For more information, please contact www.hamiltonbuildingservice...

Kristie Meet Kristie , Hamilton's newest addition! As a Kitchen & Bath Design Specialist , her talents lie in kitchen and bath custom design services and in-home consultations. She coordinates projects with her vast knowledge of countertop materials, backsplash tiles, home appliances, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and lighting options. Additionally, Kristie's services include writing estimates for products and/or installation pricing. She can assist you with finding reputable local contractors and vendors, too.

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Get a jump on some home maintenance this weekend so you can enjoy the changing weather. Follow this monthly checklist for September to ensure you're right on track! If you would like to print off this checklist or a maintenance checklist for another month, please visit www.amerifirst.com . Image via www.amerifirst.com

FARRINGTON 1,820 SQ FT This 1,800 SQ FT house includes 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a two car garage. You'll feel right at home in the spacious great room with beautiful cathedral ceilings. There is also an additional 470 SQ FT in the basement area for storage, and a quaint covered porch off of the dining room.