If you’ve recently shopped light bulbs, you may have noticed several different types of bulbs on the retail shelf. Not only does it take more time to wade through all these choices, but how do you know which type to choose?

America is moving toward increasing energy efficiency as outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. A popular misconception is that this act outlaws all traditional incandescent light bulbs beginning in January 2012. The facts are that any bulb that can generate the amount of light produced by a conventional 100-watt bulb, but with 30 percent less energy, will remain on the market. Over the past 4 years, there has been a rapid advancement in lighting technology, thus a plethora of new types of light bulbs to choose from.

Bulbs have always been categorized by watts – a measure of their power – but for Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL), Light Emitting Diode (LED), and halogen bulbs the industry now measures how much light they cast, known as lumens. While educating ourselves on these new standards, manufacturers will list “watt equivalents” so you have some idea on how to match the same amount of light with a new type of bulb.

But amount of light is the tip of the educational iceberg. Let’s take a broad overview of these 3 light bulbs:

CFL Light Bulbs

• Lamp life of 8,000 – 15,000 hours
• Use approximately 75% less energy than equivalent incandescent
• Casts even light over large area (lamps and exterior lighting)
• Most models are incompatible with dimmer switches
• Takes 30-45 seconds to reach full light output when switched on
• Contains mercury so must be handled carefully and disposed of properly
• Available in a wide range of light temperatures

LED Light Bulbs

• Lamp life of 30,000 – 50,000 hours
• Use approximately 90% less energy than equivalent incandescent
• Casts precise light in one direction (task and overhead lighting)
• Compatible with dimmer switches
• Starts up immediately when switched on
• No handling or disposal safety hazards
• Currently in cool light temperatures

Halogen Light Bulbs

• Lamp life of 2,000 – 5,000 hours
• Use approximately 30% less energy than equivalent incandescent
• Casts even light over large area (similar to incandescent)
• Compatible with dimmer switches
• Starts up immediately when switched on
• No disposal safety hazards
• Currently in warm light temperatures

Because each of these bulbs has different qualities, you may need to use different types for different purposes. For example, CFLs are perfect for table lamps while LEDs are perfect for specific task lighting, and for often-used rooms, it may be a combination of all 3 bulb types for different fixtures.

The best way to know which bulbs will work best for your needs and budget (both up-front cost and long-term energy savings) is to experiment. Buy one of each bulb type and try them out in the same light fixtures in your home. You will then get a clear picture of how it will work for your needs.

The energy efficiency experts at Mosby Building Arts are also available to walk you through all the new light bulb choices. To explore all your lighting possibilities, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Just as you change wardrobe from summer to fall, your home benefits from a purposeful transition into colder weather. Here is a list of things to do around your house to batten down the hatches for fall and winter.

WINDOWS & DOORS

• Remove screens right before the first threat of ice or sleet. Screenless windows also gain solar power, which can help with heating your home during the day.

• Check window seals. Fog or moisture between panes can indicate a broken seal, so now would be the time to invest in replacement windows.

• Seal air gaps around windows and doors. An energy audit from a certified energy analyst will show you exactly where these air leaks are. Caulking these gaps will bring you comfort and can reduce your heating bills.

• Inspect weather stripping around windows, doors and  thresholds. Replace them if they are damaged or rotted.

• Doors & windows have their tightest seal when they are locked, so be sure all windows are in locked position and deadbolts on your doors are engaged. This is also a safety tip!

HVAC & CIRCULATION

• Before you turn on your heat for the first time, change the furnace filter and have it serviced by HVAC specialists.

• Set thermostats and ductwork dampers to winter settings. If your furnace has a humidifier, also switch it over to the winter setting.

• Set ceiling fans to rotate clockwise, as seen from the floor when looking up at the blades. This change in direction moves warm air throughout the house. Keep it at the lowest speed to avoid the wind-chill effect.

• If you have a gas or wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney and flue inspected to assure clear passage.

WATER MANAGEMENT

• Disconnect garden hoses and sprinklers from outside spigots and store them inside.

• Before the first freeze, turn off the outside spigots at the interior shut-off valve to prevent water from freezing and cracking the pipes.

• To keep water draining properly during the rainy season, clear your gutters, downspouts, window and door wells of fallen leaves.

• Sealing your concrete driveway and sidewalks now helps protect them from the damage of freeze/thaw cycles, and makes snow and ice removal a bit easier.

For help with concrete sealing, window replacement or repair and all water management needs, work with the home improvement professionals at Mosby Building Arts. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Between record-low unemployment and massive storm damage in Missouri and Illinois, there has been a surge in homeowner’s being ripped off or misled by unqualified and unscrupulous home improvement contractors.

Now more than ever it is crucial that homeowners hire only bonded, licensed, insured and accredited tradesmen. Tough times create new conditions, requiring special attention.

Layoffs have created many new freelancers willing to take reduced rates and often work outside their field of expertise. Storm damage has created many opportunities for rip-off artists disguised as repair contractors to take advantage of those in need. It is now vitally important that you have proof of trust and competence for the people you choose to work in and on your home.

Do Your Homework

Check out a company before you hire them. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start, as it will help verify a company address, years in business and customer service record. Consumer groups such as Angie’s List are a great source of usable information, making it easy for you to research company accreditations. Reputable trades are proud of the industry organizations they belong to, and make it convenient for you to know their affiliations. Also, you can ask the company at hand for references to help your research.

If It’s Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is

An earnest sales pitch will not make up for inferior work. A rock-bottom low price on a service you know to usually cost much more can be a red flag.  To avoid falling for a false promise, ask questions until you’re satisfied with the answers. Professionals with the knowledge and experience love to talk about their work. They understand your trust and comfort is part of a good working relationship, so they are happy to fulfill any request that proves their expertise.

Get It In Writing

Knowledgeable and experienced tradespeople know exactly what it takes to do the job right. Before a project begins, there should be a contract with a written scope of work. The scope of work avoids shortcuts by detailing exactly what tasks, materials and labor will be performed for the price paid.  Professionals who take pride in their work and customer service rely on the scope of work so that expectations are met for both the homeowner and the contractor.

Accredited professionals include a written scope of work and contract as standard procedure. If a contractor you’re considering doesn’t offer this, ask for one; if they resist your request, consider this a flashing neon sign to choose another company.

Everyone prefers to save money, so it’s tempting to go with the part-time plumber your brother-in-law knows who just lost his job and is willing to work cheap. But if the work is not up to basic standards and codes, you will pay again in the future to correct it.

If your home has been damaged by a storm, the need to repair quickly is understandable. But if a fly-by-night “company” takes your money and runs, you’ll have lost the money and still be in need. Even when it’s urgent, please take a moment to protect yourself by doing your homework, verifying the truth and getting it in writing.

Be safe by hiring only proven professionals with a track record of doing it right the first time in a trustworthy manner. Mosby Building Arts can take care of all your home improvement needs in the Metro St. Louis area, or can refer you to trusted trade partners. For the assurance and quality you deserve, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Waiting till your siding is falling off or causing water to leak into your home is not usually the best time to replace it. This can put you in a situation of needing the work done right away, and sometimes it’s difficult to have quality work done on such short notice.

So how do you get a jump on replacing your siding while there’s still time for you to have it done right? First, take some time to inspect the exterior of your home, and here are some things to look for to help you determine if it’s time.

Signs That You Need New Siding

For wood siding, it may be time to replace it if you see the following:

• Peeling or curling paint
• Cracking or splitting boards
• Extensive hail damage
• Wood knots popping out (specific to cedar siding)
• Woodpeckers continually hacking at the boards

Wood siding can last from 20 -100 years, and the wide range comes from a deep list of variables. The species of wood (red wood and cedar last longer than pine), the age of the wood (old-growth vs. new growth), and the weather conditions around your home all contribute to the soundness of the boards.

For hardboard siding, it may be time to replace if you see the following:

• Boards swollen from water
• Finish peels or flakes off
• Doesn’t hold a new coat of finish
• Surface has delaminated

Hardboard siding is a relatively new siding material, man-made from wood fibers, wax and resin, and usually lasts as long as indicated by the factory-finish warranty. But if that finish is compromised (from scratches, scrapes or punctures), the soft material underneath immediately soaks up water and the board will fail. Hardboard is a high-maintenance siding requiring diligent cleaning and caulking.

For vinyl siding, it may be time to replace it if you see the following:

• Chalky film on your finger after sweeping it across the vinyl
• White streaks on brick or foundation below vinyl siding
• Faded color
• Cracked or brittle sections
• Becomes more difficult to wash off mold, moss and dirt

Depending on the original quality of the vinyl siding, it can last from 15-20 years. Pollution and UV exposure also breaks down the petroleum in vinyl, so vinyl siding on a rural home tends to last a bit longer than on homes in urban and suburban areas.

It is never a good idea to install new siding over existing siding. Whatever the problems that caused the old siding to fail will continue to grow unchecked behind two layers. Take the opportunity to completely remove old siding and apply a new moisture membrane (like Tyvek) and inspect window and door flashing to protect your interior from water penetration. Here are more reasons to remove old siding.

When in doubt about the condition of your siding, err on the side of caution and have it inspected. The Home Consultants at Mosby Building Arts are deeply experienced and trained in analyzing siding conditions, and will recommend which is preferable – repair or replacement. And the Mosby construction team is trained and certified in siding installation so you will have peace of mind that it’s done right the first time.

For inspection of existing siding, or installation of new siding, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

If you’re in the spring cleaning spirit and are outside washing the windows and doors, now is the perfect time to inspect their frames for water damage.

Water invading the interior of your home can many times adversely affect your health (in the form of allergies and respiratory problems) as well as damage the surfaces and structures it comes in contact with. Your window and door frames can provide clues if water is penetrating.

Wood frames can absorb water from the bottom, and that moisture can wick its way up the frame. At the bottom of door frames or on window sills, look for the following signs of water penetration:

• Wood splintering or looking “chewed up”
• Paint finish blistering or peeling
• Black or green patches of mold appearing on the finish
• Wall areas around the frame swelling and/or cracking

Aluminum, steel or vinyl door and window frames can make it more difficult to spot water damage. While steel will show rust, aluminum and vinyl are impervious to water. But in a wood frame home, these types of door and window frames are originally set inside wood. So while the water can’t damage the frames, it may find a more “friendly” material to penetrate.

Inspect your steel, aluminum or vinyl door and window frames and look for the following signs on surrounding exterior and interior walls:

• Doors or windows becoming difficult to operate
• Swelling, cracking or soft spots appearing in drywall or plaster
• Surrounding areas not holding a finish for long (blistering, flaking)
• Ants congregating or living in these areas (they are attracted to moisture)

What if you have a brick over masonry home with aluminum door and window frames? You can still detect water damage by inspecting the floors just inside the door way. Wood floors may show stains, streaks or warping, while continually loose tiles can be a sign of a wet subfloor. You can also go into the basement and look at the ceiling in the spot just below the entries and windows. If that wood is discolored or warping, it can be a sign that water has penetrated.

Water is Enemy Number One of your home. It is always seeking a way inside, and efficient water damage repair and management is the key to keeping it outside where it belongs. The Mosby Home Consultants are experienced water management experts, well-trained in spotting tricky water problems, tracing it to the cause and repairing it properly.

For water management help with your doors and window frames, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Waiting till your roof leaks is not the best time to replace it, because then it’s an emergency and rarely will someone be able to help you fast enough. Plus, it’s difficult to get a quality job done on such short notice.

So how do you get a jump on avoiding a messy situation and replace a roof while you have time to do it right? First, take some time to inspect the exterior of your home, and here are some things to look for to help you determine if it’s time:

It May Be Time For a New Roof If You See…

• Cracked or curling shingles

• Bald spots on asphalt shingles

• Excessive amounts of asphalt granules in the gutters

• Black or rust-colored streaks running down the roof

• Vegetation growing on the roof

Because of dramatic weather conditions in the Metropolitan St. Louis area (including hail, high winds and intense heat), asphalt or fiberglass shingle roofs typically last 12-15 years, while architectural shingle roofs can go 17-20 years. Even when the manufacturer lists a long lifespan, the Midwestern climate tends to tip shingles toward the shorter end of the scale.

Improperly vented attics can also shorten the useful life of a roof.  If you’re coming up on the tail end of lifespan or see compromised conditions too early, it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected.

Some municipal codes allow for 2 layers of shingles on a roof, but it is never a good idea to lay new shingles over old ones. Completely removing old shingles is the perfect opportunity to inspect and/or repair the roof underdecking and flashing, and you don’t want to simply cover up existing problems that will eventually compromise the integrity of the new shingles.

When in doubt about the condition of your roof, err on the side of caution and have it inspected. The Home Consultants at Mosby Building Arts are deeply experienced and trained in analyzing roofing conditions (including flashing and gutters), and will recommend which is preferable – repair or replacement. And the Mosby construction team is trained and certified in roofing installation so you will have peace of mind that it’s done right the first time.

For inspection of an existing roof, or the installation of a new roof, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

As spring flowers bloom, so does the desire to spruce up the exterior of your home. A new coat of paint is the most cost-effective and easiest way to facelift a home, but before you pick up a brush be sure the intended surface is ready for a paint job.

Painting Wood Siding

Before applying a new coat of paint to wood siding, do a thorough check of its condition.  If the finish is unblemished but simply faded from years of exposure, then prep and paint away.

But if the finish is cracking, peeling or blistering that could be a sign of water damage. Meaning, the wood has been soaking up moisture, which causes the wood to warp which shatters the paint finish. If the source of water damage is not first corrected, your new paint job could suffer the same fate as the old finish.

If all other siding appears in good shape yet the siding around the attic shows a failing paint finish, this could mean there are ventilation problems inside the attic. Inadequate ventilation creates moisture which tries to push itself out through the walls. Correct any attic ventilation and insulation issues before tackling the repair and painting of its corresponding exterior siding.

Painting Vinyl Siding

You can paint anything, but the real question is should you? Vinyl siding can be painted, but it noticeably expands and contracts with temperature changes which will quickly wreck your perfect paint job. If your vinyl siding is so old that it has faded or become unsightly, it’s much more cost effective to replace it.

Painting Wood Door & Window Frames

As with wood siding, if the existing paint finish is cracking, peeling or blistering, you could have water problems. Because these frames wick up water, look to the bottom 6” of door and window frames and check the condition of the wood. If the wood has a “chewed up” or splintering appearance, that’s a sure sign it’s soaking up water because it was not properly flashed or sealed, or the protection has been compromised.

Check for Critters

Insects like termites, wasps or bees love wood siding and will take any opportunity to move in. Any visible gaps or holes in any type of siding are an open invitation to squirrels and birds. To avoid a surprise while you’re up on a ladder with a paint bucket, thoroughly check siding, eaves and fascia for critters. Once the invaders are removed and gaps repaired, you can expect to paint surprise-free.

Think Ahead

If you’re thinking of a new deck, doors or windows in the foreseeable future, wait to paint until after those projects are completed.  These types of projects affect the siding around them (for instance, where the deck connects to the back of your home), so if you paint this spring and get a new deck next year, you’ll have to paint those areas all over again.

The key to a lasting, quality paint job is the preparation. Mosby Building Arts has a team of paint professionals who specialize in every stage of exterior painting, from repairing to prepping, and applying coatings that perform as good as they look. Learn more tips about painting your home. And for any questions or help with your exterior painting, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

If you’ve ever gone shopping for tile, you know firsthand that there are so many colors, sizes and styles that it can many times be overwhelming. Trying to coordinate styles and patterns within one room is a major project in itself, and being so focused on this can cause you to overlook choosing the right tile for the job.

Glazed ceramic tile is a great option for kitchen and bathroom walls because they repel water, but that same slick and shiny surface would be dangerous used as flooring. Unglazed ceramic floor tile – or natural stone – is better on floors because they have a rougher texture that reduces slipping and sliding.

Colorful, transparent glass tiles have become a popular choice for bathroom and kitchen walls, but you need to pay special attention to the color of the wall behind them because they are see-through. The texture and color of the mastic behind the glass tile must be more artful.

How the tiles are applied is another major consideration. The two most common tile adhesives are mastic or thinset mortar. Which one to use is based on whether it’s a vertical or horizontal surface, or a wet or dry area.

In tandem with the choosing the proper tile and mastic are your grout considerations. Grout ties the tile together and protects it – and the adhesive – from water, moisture and dirt. There are several types of grout to choose from, and hundreds of color options. You can choose to have it blend into the area or use it as a contrasting design element.

Once all tile, adhesive and grout issues have been sorted out, it’s time to consider how to protect it from wear and tear. All non-glazed tile needs to be sealed, especially natural stones like marble and granite. Sealing prolongs the life of the tile, repels embedded dirt and keeps water from soaking in and eventually cracking the piece. Plus, sealing also protects grouting, making it easier to keep clean and helping it retain its original color.

Clearly there are many considerations when it comes to tile, and the more professional advice and help you can get the better. The designers and craftsmen at Mosby Building Arts are deeply experienced in the right products and applications for your remodeling projects that include tile, and ProTreat Sealing by Mosby is a standard feature for Mosby tiling jobs.

Answers from Mosby Designers

Protecting your investment while creating a house your happy to come home to is the goal.  Would you like to talk with a design expert about tile? E-mail your questions to designers@callmosby.com

As schedules permit, the Mosby Planning & Design team will provide the answers you need to remodel with confidence. Should your question be of interest to other homeowners, Mosby will share the question and answer on their Home Improvement Library, Twitter and Facebook pages.

If you’re handy with basic construction, a bathroom remodel seems like a project you can handle. It can be simple to replace a vanity, install a new medicine cabinet or – for the more adventurous – re-grout the shower wall tile.

But it is quite common for a seemingly simple project to snowball into a situation beyond your knowledge level. Remodeling companies commonly agree that the most urgent calls received are from homeowners needing professional help while in the middle of a Do-It-Yourself bathroom remodel.

Bathrooms are typically one of the smaller spaces in a home, but they are packed with so many different functions that are interconnected. From plumbing, to electricity to venting to sub-structure, it’s a highly-charged room with little room for error.

Down the Drain
Installing a new shower can be a straight-forward construction job, but what happens when the old wall covering has been removed and you find water damage behind it? That needs to be properly dealt with before installing any new material.

Multiple shower heads are becoming more common because it’s a great idea, and if you have basic plumbing skills, can be done in a weekend. But you also have to know when to increase the number of water lines and enlarge the drain to accommodate the extra water load. Overlooking this crucial plumbing step will lead to water damage behind the scenes.

A Lightbulb Moment

Do you want to install additional lighting in your bathroom? And a heated towel rack is a welcome feature, as are fully automatic toilets you command from a control panel. But as you increase the number of electrical features, you must have enough juice to safely power the bathroom. A room with so much water is not the place for an electrical short accident.

A Firm Foundation

If you’re tackling a major overhaul to the configuration of the bathroom requiring new walls and adding new features, much knowledge is required. Are you using the proper drywall for moist areas, and is there enough support in the floor to handle increased weight?

Even when adding new surfaces, will the existing floors and walls be able to support a heavier surface? And it’s important to have the right materials to install new surfaces; if you use the wrong mastic or grout, that new tile will eventually fail, creating a mess.

There are so many details to bathroom remodeling that lie below the surface, and it’s these less glamorous details that can lead to unintended problems. Simply covering up existing conditions with new features can be a waste of time and money, so it’s important to make sure it’s done right the first time. Also keep in mind that professionals can complete a bathroom remodel much quicker than you can carve out spare time to do it, and who wants a bathroom out of service for any longer than it needs to?

The bathroom experts at Mosby Building Arts have remodeled thousands of Metro St. Louis bathrooms, so they know about the surprises that pop up during construction, and how to ensure that all functions are coordinated to work properly. Mosby bathroom designers understand the installation requirements of the selections you’ve made to create the perfect bathroom and work with their carpenters to ensure a successful outcome.

If you’re caught in the middle of a D.I.Y. bathroom remodel and need professional help, or would prefer to work with experts from the start, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Answers from Mosby Designers

Would you like to talk about bathroom remodeling with a design expert? E-mail your questions about bathroom remodeling to designers@callmosby.com.

As schedules permit, the Mosby Planning & Design team will provide the answers you need to remodel with confidence. Should your question be of interest to other homeowners, Mosby will share the question and answer on their Home Improvement Library, Twitter and Facebook pages.

At the start of each New Year, the paint and design industry offer their predictions on what will be the popular colors in the home. They often take their cues from Pantone, the leading color forecasting company, who was responsible for the popularity of the color turquoise in 2010, and are predicting that honeysuckle is the color for 2011.

Each of the major paint manufacturers promotes their own collection of color themes for the year, and they tend to pick an emotional theme so you can choose colors to match the intended mood of the room.

Reoccurring themes for 2011 include:

• Farm and back-to-nature – think fruit and vegetable colors

• Tribal and organic – earth colors with an added vibrancy

• Tudor and Gothic – picture ancient royalty and European castles

• Modern energy – the return of neons and paler versions of colors little kids love

Color trends are meant to inspire, and know that you will always be most satisfied with the colors that make you happy and compliment the intended space, regardless of its popularity.

How to Use Color

Changing wall colors is a cost-effective way to transform a space, and if your choice doesn’t work out, it’s easy to remedy with another coat of paint. This gives you a level of confidence to experiment.

If, for example, you love the Pantone honeysuckle color but are intimidated by the thought of an entire room of it, pick one or two walls for it and use a soft neutral for the other walls. This trick creates drama and warmth without overwhelming the space.

Another good tip is to use a dark shade of your color on the darkest wall in the room (usually the wall with the most windows), and a lighter shade of the same color on the other walls.

The temperature of the natural light in the room can guide you to what colors to use. Northern and eastern light is cool, while southern and western light is warm. If your living room is bathed in afternoon southern exposure, choose a warm color from the red, orange or yellow family. If your kitchen has a steady northern exposure all day long, choose cool colors from the blue, green and gray family.

Rooms where food is prepared or eaten benefit from food-related colors like greens, reds and yellows. Relaxing colors for bedrooms and lively colors for a family room are examples of choosing a hue to match the intent of the space.

Choosing paint colors is the fun part. Prepping the walls and painting them is the hard work. If you would like to talk with a designer about color and have painting experts do the work for you, you can rely on the Mosby Building Arts team to take care of all your painting needs.

Answers From Mosby Designers

Would you like to talk paint colors with a design expert? E-mail your questions about interior design and remodeling to designers@callmosby.com.

Learn more about Mosby Building Arts design & remodeling services here.

As their schedules permit, the Mosby Planning & Design team will provide the answers you need to remodel with confidence. Should your question be one of interest to many homeowners, Mosby will share the Q & A on their Home Improvement Library and on their Twitter and Facebook pages. Or if you need a quicker response, please call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800.