Tip of the Day - Energy Saving

Someone who lives in Richmond, VA has probably noticed a big difference in temperature in the past few days. As the climate changes and you need to ensure that you are being as energy efficient as possible, for more than one reason: first you could be saving money and second it's just better for the environment. It's really just a win win for everyone. So where should you start?

Windows

This should be your first line of defense when it comes to energy deficiency. Most homes will lose a lot of their energy because of faulty or old windows. This is why it is important to consider windows that have double panes, which tend to be a bit more expensive but are able to contain both cold or hot air a lot better. Also, there could be drafts coming from faulty seals around the windows. These can deteriorate with time so it's a good idea to check these periodically.

An article found in curiosity.com estimates that someone who switches windows to energy efficient ones can save between 5-10% but probably won't save anymore than 25%.

Window frames to expand and contract as temperatures drop and rise, and eventually that change creates permanent creases and gaps. Metal ones tend to have much better resistance but still encounter problems over time. These small changes, if not addressed quickly can do some serious damage to your electric bill.

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
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New iPhone, Old Apps

The big day on which a new iPhone is being announced is upon us, but with so much attention to this little gadget that has transformed the way we interact with technology, what are some of the most useful apps out there? We at New Earth are always looking for innovative ways to conduct our business. Let's review some of our favorite apps in honor of a new iPhone being revealed.

1. PlanGrid

One of the best iPhone and iPad apps for the construction industry, it lets contractors and architects collaborate with all their project plans, specs and photos. You can upload PDF drawings to plangrid.com and they will automatically sync to all your teams in real time.

Download the App Here

2. Construction Master Pro

The app offers a range of calculators for Android smartphones and iPads, including feet-inch-fraction math calculators, and a version that can be used to estimate materials needed for stair railing and fence projects.

Download the App Here

3. iBlueprint

iBlueprint for Apple devices has a new user interface that lets users create and export custom floor plans and lets contractors access blueprints on job sites.

Download the App Here

4. BuildCalc

Voted one of the best construction calculators for iPhone and Android, BuildCalc allows for complete layout of railing and staircase balusters with less guesswork and easily adjusts to the flexibility you need for a custom job.

Download the App Here

5. Architect’s Formulator

The Apple app features more than 400 formulas for electrical, carpentry and plumbing calculations. It also includes concrete and excavation formulas for estimating the concrete and bricks required for a job.

Download the App Here

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Home Inspections, Is It Worth It?

Our friend Wanda Fears shares some very valuable insight for homeowners regarding home inspections.

From her blog:

"Are you getting ready to sell your home? If you are and don't have a real estate agent, the thought of getting a home inspection may cross your mind. So is it advisable to do one before proceeding with the selling process? 

 

If you want a smooth selling process, you may want to consider doing it. Having unexpected repairs can present major challenges when trying to close a business transaction and it can also give the buyer a sense that you are someone who is unprepared. Your real estate agent will suggest for you to get a home inspection, but it is good to have all that in order even before you contact your agent initially. 

  

Major home renovations such as: roof repairs, foundation repairs, walls with termite and rotting damage are some of the things that will be both time consuming and costly. It can prevent a seller finalizing a transaction altogether. A home inspection should be one of the first things that you do when you're trying to sell a home, it is also a very small investment in the grand scheme of things.

Repairs can be a major turn off for a buyer, they may not want to take the time to do all of the things required. Most buyers will want something that they can move in readily and are probably willing to pay a little more for that convenience. 

 

The only alternative to selling a house that has not been repaired before being put up in the market would be a house that is being sold "as it is", but this can potentially decrease the amount of money that you'll get for it. So this may not be an option after all if you're trying to maximize return.

 

Like everything else in life, it's important to plan ahead. This will be especially true with things like selling a home."

To read more about what Wanda does and get some great advice on how to sell or buy a home, please visit www.bestrvarealtor.com

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Sunday Park

What ever happened to just enjoying a beautiful day in the park? Most of us are so busy with hectic schedules that sometimes we forget to just stop and appreciate nature and beauty that surrounds us. Visiting a local park is a great way to connect with nature, the outdoor air can be good for your health, it's relaxing and best of all it's free. 

Some fun ideas to do at the park are: setting a play date for the kids, having a picnic with friends or loved ones, practice that artistic hobby that you've been wanting to pursue like photography or painting, or just simply take a nice long walk. Fortunately Richmond has some great places to take a nice Sunday park stroll. We've put together a list of some of our favorites. 

Hollywood Cementery

This park can be a little under rated but if you look at different travel guides for people visiting Richmond, you'll always find it on their list of attractions. Hollywood Cementery offers breath taking views of downtown Richmond and the river, the view from there offers some of the most iconic scenes of Central Virginia. When you think of cementeries, you don't immediately associate that with a beautiful park, this Cementery manages to offer a unique view of the city, a sense of peace and different corners for added privacy when visiting the park. There are areas all over the park where one can relax, read a book and just take in some sunrays and because of the way that the park was built, there are enough hills and trees to create separate areas where people can hang out. 

Where?

412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220

Byrd Park & Maymont

Byrd Park

Even though Byrd Park and Maymont are in close proximity to each other, they serve two different purposes. Byrd park was design with people in the area in mind, it has courses where you can exercise including push up stations, monkey bars, balancing obstacles among other exercises. These are all located alongside a trail that people can run around. Other areas of the park include, a pond with a waterfountain in the middle, tennis courts and the Dogwood Dell Amphitheather were many different productions have taken place which are typically free to the public like the 4th of July Symphony and the Opera at the Park productions. 

Where?

600 Swan Lake  Dr. Richmond, VA 23221

Maymont

This park used to be a rich estate finished in 1983, over the next few years after that more attractions were added. Some of the things added to Maymont over the course of a few years were a mini zoo and petting center, an italian and japanese garden, and a nature center. Maymont is an experience on its own and it is easy to spend a few housr in this hundred acre estate if you have not been before. There are scheduled tours of the house that sits on top of the hill which offers a glimpse into everyday life over a hundred years ago. 

Where?

1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA 23220

Libby Hill Park

Probably one of the most historic parks in all of Central Virginia, Libby Hill Park offers a close up look of downtown Richmond. It sits at the top of a hill that overlooks the river and the Lucky Strike building. Richmond got its name from the view from this park that resembled that of a town in England. Libby Hill Park doesn't have all the amneties that some of the other parks offer so it is a more quiet space to meditate and relax. Because this park doesn't have a lot of traffic coming through it, it is an ideal place to bring your dog for a nice breezy walk. 

Where?

2801 E Franklin St, Richmond, VA

Joseph Bryan Park

This park is on the outskirts of downtown Richmond, closer to Hermitage Rd. This park's greatest strenght it that it is quite large which makes it ideal for joggers and bikers. They have well defined trails that are mostly closed off to through traffic. This park has a kids playground, frisbee games and a soccer field. You could say that this park is mostly aimed to families with kids and young adults. The park has a lot of trees and shade with many sections filled with flowers and assorted plants. 

Where?

4308 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA

Even though we have not covered all the parks that exist in the area, these are some of the best ones, each having its own weaknesses and strenghts. 

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A Passion for Restoration

We've often wondered what sets a construction apart from others. We basically all do the same thing, we make or fix things for customers. Simple enough, right? 

Working in this industry for twenty years we've noticed that one of the things we get complimented the most is about the quality of work. We've asked our customers why they say this since it has been brought up more than a few times. Their answers seem to be the same all the time to various degrees. 

According to our customers, New Earth doesn't take shortcuts and has a kind of experience that not everybody has. In addition to this we are truly passionate about what we do, we think of wood working as an art that requires great attention to detail.

Could we make more money by using non-natural but cheaper materials? Absolutely, but we are not interested in doing that. We want to make sure that our clients are fully satisfied with the products that we make for them, not only that but we also want these products to last. 

Some of the houses that are in downtown Richmond are a few decades old, the reason why they stood the test of time? Because the materials that they used were natural quality materials, New Earth does its best to ensure that we use some of the same building techniques. It has worked before and it will work again. 

We are one of the few companies that has their own saw mills on site. What this means to the customer is that we are able to build customer parts and pieces depending on the type of project we are working on. This is very unique to our industry since we don't have to contract that out which in turn is cheaper to our customers. This also allows us to have quality control over the product produce and ensures that it meets specifications accurately. 

We are more than just a construction company, we are a cause to the restoration and preservation of Richmond, Virginia. 

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Unique Wooden Furnishings

There are so many beautiful pieces than be created from wood, but our absolute favorites are the ones that still resemble their natural patterns that already exist in them. Most consumers think that in order for them to have a great piece of furniture they need to have the ideal piece of wood. Most often this is not the case. At New Earth we’ve found ways to incorporate the natural look of wood into timeless furniture pieces. 

We start by studying the shape and patterns of the wood, and creating something that is completely special. An irregular size or piece is of material can be manipulated and joined with other pieces. Ideally we like to preserve the integrity of the wood and make sure that it stays true to its irregularities and original shape. 

A lot of the work is done by hand, New Earth has a saw mill so we can create all sorts of custom made creations, which is not just limited to furniture. Distinct pieces like the ones we make require a lot of time and expertise. All of our products are treated after they are complete with high quality and durable finishes to withstand every day use for many years to come. 

We’ve worked with very different types of wood in the past, including some that have been found by our customers directly. We really enjoy when this happens because it offers a sense of pride to have located a piece of wood that permanently lives in one’s home as furniture. 

Some of our most popular designs include: mantels, salt & pepper grinders, dining and coffee tables and coat racks. Our expertise has very little limitations and we can fulfill most of our customers requests, even when they are a bit unorthodox. 

One of the greatest things about this approach to building furniture is that you get an entirely  new piece of furniture every time, that is processed minimally keeping the operation eco-friendly. 

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Summer Grilling Tips

Last time we covered how to be safe when working on home improvements or repairs, however during the summer we focus on many diverse activities such as grilling outdoors. We'd like to cover a few things when it comes to properly grilling outside: 

Location

This is definitely one of the most important things to consider when grilling outside, stay clear from any buildings or structures. Keep a distance of at least 10 feet between your grill and anything that could potentially be flammable such as trees or tables. Clear the area and make sure that there aren't a lot of dry leaves around. 

Food

Bring your food out until it is ready to be cooked to avoid it from going bad. If in doubt on whether the food is fully cooked or not, have a food thermometer handy so you can accurately tell if the food is done. Don't use the same plates that you use to bring the food out for the food that has already been cooked unless it has been thoroughly washed, they can carry unwanted bacteria. Eat the food shortly after is has been prepared on the grill unless you plan to store in a cooler with ice or fridge. 

Residue

Grills can build up a lot of residue so make sure you clean it before and after each use. Leaving the grill lit for a minutes after use can loosen up and burn some of the excess food or fat left on it. Depending on what kind of food you are making, it may contain a lot of fatty tissues, this can create unexpected flames so be aware of this and adjust the size of your fire accordingly. Keeping a lid on the grill can prevent the flames from becoming uncontrollable. 

Preparation

Before you start grilling, read the instructions for your equipment whether it is charcoal or gas. Make sure that all the parts are connected as instructed, the last thing you need is for you grill to fall apart in the middle of a cookout.

Charcoal grills need a special technique to be ignited, we advise from you staying away from using lighter fluids. Doing it the old way of using paper or starter wood is usually the best approach even though it may take a little longer. Once you are done with the grill, put out the the charcoals by letting them run their course and disintegrate or by adding some water which unfortunately can make things a little mushy.

Gas grills can have other things go wrong, you're exposed to flammable gases for a prolonged period of time. There is potential for gas leaks and with so many more moving parts, there is potential for more things to malfunction and in turn cause an accident. Avoid at all times using a match when possible.

In addition to preparing your grill, you should always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of the fire getting out of hand. 

As always use precaution when playing with fire, it is also easy to get distracted with friends and family so make sure to always pay attention, keep kids and pets away and watch your drinking to stay alert. 

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DIY: Safety Tips

Whether you are making home improvements that require a contractor or not, safety should always be a priority in everyone’s list. Anytime that you are dealing with tools it is important to keep the following things in mind: 

Protective Gear

Tools are made to cut through hard materials like steel and wood, our skin is made of something that is much more fragile than that. There are areas of our bodies, like that eye, that is even more flimsy than our skin. This is why we must protect them with googles and gloves. If you are working with things that produce fire like soldering materials you may want to invest in clothing that protects you from burns. 

Clean Workspace

You’ll want to make sure that the space that you are working on is clear of any obstacles that could potentially lead to an accident. More specifically don’t leave tools laying around, watch out for nails and things like furniture that you could trip on. When you’re done working, put everything away, this can prevent you or others who may wander into your area to hurt themselves. 

Ladders are one of the biggest reasons for an accident in a workspace. People often don’t clean up their workspace or they don’t secure the ladder properly causing accidents. Make sure that your ladder isn’t shaky and that it is on solid ground before starting getting on it. 

Abilities 

Do you know how to properly and safely work your power tools? Do you also know yourself well enough to know how much strength you’ll apply when using these tools? These are two questions that you need to ask yourself before you start any major DIY project. Knowing and respecting your power tools is extremely important, you need to know how much damage they can cause if not used properly. Also giving them routine maintenance is important, a tool that is not properly greased or that has loose parts can have catastrophic consequences. 

The strength applied to a tool can also cause unwanted mistakes, apply too much pressure or strength and a project can be ruined. You can also lose grip on a tool if you put in too much strength into it leading to a potential risk of injury for yourself and/or others. 

Capability

Out of all the previous reasons why there are accidents when working on DIY projects, this the one that causes the most issues. People tend to be over confident on their ability to execute a project. We’ve talked about before how it is important to know one’s boundaries when working on a home improvement project, so don’t bit more than you can chew. If you’re not confident on a project then don’t be scared to ask for help or hire a professional like New Earth.

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Outdoor Decks Explained

It's no secret that we're big fans of the outdoors, here in Richmond we get at least six to nine months of weather that can be spent outdoors. Some months might be hotter than others, and some are chillier. Either way, we think Virginia homes that have outdoor spaces are very enjoyable. Our customers will sometimes come to us asking questions about what is the best way to go when building an outdoor deck. We are partial to natural materials but we'd like to explain the different kinds that you can get your deck made out of.

Timber
This is by far the most popular option. We really like it because it tends to blend with the outdoors well and it is naturally water resistant. If you decide to use timber as your primary material make sure that it is treated against termites, ants and other unwanted pests. Timber also tends to last for a long time and because it does need to be put together in sections, it can be easily replaced if part of your deck becomes damaged. You can get this material in different colors and finishes so you can configure it to match the rest of your home and furniture. This is the option that we would recommend most.

Polyethylene
This is a bit of a toss up, literally. It's a mixture of both natural materials and synthetic ones, so it is a blend. The blend consists of recycled plastic and wood components. This is a cost effective option as an alternative from timber, it is slip resistant and will endure against the elements. The only downside is that it tends to fade overtime, so what you see in the store is not what you will get as a final product. It is also fairly environmentally friendly since it does used recycled plastics as a source material.

Aluminum
This is by far the most cost effective option but it's longevity is questionable. The look of aluminum is not the most attractive and you have limited color options. Aluminum is easy to install since it typically comes in interlocking pieces that can be easily assembled. It does not expand and contract like it's other counterparts so it might get damaged easier. New Earth recommends to use this type of material as your last option.

So there you have it, when building an outside deck or patio keep in mind that you have different options for materials. Your first option should be timber, which is long lasting and looks the best. Polyethylene should be your second because it is still friendly to the environment and preserves a natural look. We'd tell you hold off on building a deck if you're thinking of using aluminum until you can afford one of the latter options.

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6 Reasons to Get a Brick Sidewalk

Thinking of building a sidewalk? Consider building one made from bricks, here are the top seven reason's New Earth Virginia thinks you should! 

1. Brick sidewalks are more durable than concrete. It is not one single unit so it is easy to fix, you just replace one two bricks at a time! 

1. Shifts and changes in the soil underneath won't ruin your sidewalk. Extreme heat, heavy rain, freezing temperatures can ruin a sidewalk, brick however allows room for: expansion, shrinkage and movement.

1. It will save money in the long run. You'll find the need to replace and fix your sidewalk very seldom, it might be a bigger investment upfront but it will be worth it!

1. Room for error. Laying the brick down might be a little more time consuming than just pouring cement out in a designated area, however making a mistake is a lot easier to fix with brick. 

1. Even if you don't make a mistake, a concrete sidewalk could get ruined during construction over climate, pets, kids, etc. These are things that are out of our control!

1. Think of the environment. The upkeep and the recycling of a brick sidewalk leaves a much smaller footprint than its counterparts. In addition to sustainability, it allows water to flow much naturally. This means less puddles or standing water and the soil is getting a constant flow of air and water. 

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Historic Home Restorations

There has been a great appeal for newly renovated history homes. Home buyers gravitate more and more to houses that have an antique exterior with historic moldings and accents but modern appliances and bathrooms. Young professionals with families are more prone to be interested in this type of property. Richmond is the perfect location for those who have interested in that specific type of architectural style. Areas like the Fan, Churchill and Northside have an increasing number of homes that are being renovated and resuscitated to new life with kitchen and bathroom additions. Part of the renovations also include opening the space, making common living room spaces larger to give the illusion that one sits in one large room. This wasn’t very typical of old homes since they were separated into small rooms. 

The decor of these houses is usually a combination of antique looking furniture with modern art pieces, chrome lighting fixtures, chandeliers and neutral wall colors. The flooring typically remains made out of wood unless it is a bathroom or kitchen were tile is being used. Different kinds of rugs and curtains are used to create multidimensional textures. Accent pillows and blankets are also used all over the property to create a sense of homeyness. Windows are expanded and exposed to enable as much natural light as possible in every room. 

We’d like to see more of these homes preserved, because even though they might not be in all of their original glory they can be transformed into livable and upgraded houses that retain some of their original charm.  

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DIY Friday

Home improvements can be very costly and a lot of them don't have to be done by a hired professional. There are small hacks that you can do around your home that can result in increased productivity or efficiency of space. 

Below we outline some projects that can be completed with some simple tools, a little bit of patience and some basic building skills. If you're good with your hands then you'll really enjoy these projects!

Wall mounted standing desk

This project is fairly easy to do as long as you have the right tools. There has been much debate on whether or not a standing desk is actually better for you or not. Whatever your personal belief is on the matter you can throw this together over the weekend.

Click on the link below for instructions for this project - Image Credit: Lifehacker

http://lifehacker.com/this-wall-mounted-standing-desk-offers-storage-and-flex-1577707816

Shallow pegboard cabinet

Need a little more room storage room in your house or apartment but don't really see where you can get the extra storage space? Consider a shallow pegboard cabinet for your home, it installs pretty easily and can fit in pretty much any closet. This is a great way to add additional space without taking up any of your floor space.

Click on the link below for instructions for this project - Image Credit: Handyman

http://lifehacker.com/build-a-shallow-pegboard-cabinet-for-extra-storage-1578478873

Bar Shelf

Bar equipment is usually considered a specialty item which can lead to an elevated price tag. This particular project is great because it repurposes pallets which are disregarded after being used to transport goods. You can get them free from any large local retailer if you ask nicely. It might take you a couple of hours max and you won't need to purchase much for it. 

Click on the link below for instructions for this project - Image Credit: Lifehacker

http://lifehacker.com/this-diy-bar-shelf-is-made-from-reclaimed-pallet-wood-1577147127

There are countless projects that you can do yourself and if you'd like to check out more home improvement ideas make sure to visit http://lifehacker.com/tag/diy

Having said that, it is important to know which tasks are too ambitious to do on your own. They can be very time consuming and even if you have the time, one mistake can result on unspecified damages to your home. If you are in doubt call a professional such as New Earth. We provide consultations for all kinds of home improvements. For more information please visit: www.newearthva.com

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Tips for Spring

Spring is here and soon it will be summer, before this wonderful weather runs out there are a few projects that you should consider doing that our friends at Forbes Magazine suggest. 

1. Gutter Check

This one seems simple enough  but most people overlook it. The reason why you should check your gutters is because a lot has accumulated over the Fall and Winter. Having a backed up gutter can cause all kinds of problems to your home including leaky roofs and fire hazards. This is a project that will not take very long but can save you a lot of money. 

2. Chimney Sweep 

A lot of older home in Richmond, VA have fireplaces. Again, they could be heavily backed up from use over the winter to all kinds of debris coming in from the outside. If a chimney is not properly kept it can be a major fire hazard. Do it now so you don't have to worry about it later on! 

3. Water Pipes

This one is definitely one that can be easily missed. Water pipes can freeze over the winter, especially in Virginia. Water freezes and expands in the pipes, sometimes rupturing them. This can be a very costly problem if it is not address immediately. Broken pipes can cause floods in unexpected areas of the house costing thousands of dollars in repairs.

4. Air Conditioning

Summer will be here before you know it and with that you'll have a vey expensive AC bill. Optimizing your home for climate control is a good idea for saving money down the long run. Make sure that you don't have any leaks in windows, doors, attic, etc. Also ensure that your AC unit has all the properly maintenance done: filters, cooling liquids, etc. You can find different set on AC maintenance by visiting different resource sites on the web. 

5. Roofing

Your roof has taken a beating over these couple of seasons so it is smart to check to make sure everything is in order. This is something that if you suspect could be a problem, you might want to call a professional to inspect your roof. It can be a dangerous spot to check yourself so if you have any doubts we recommend to leave it to the professionals. 

To read this article in full please visit Forbes.com

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