In the wake of the tragic Oklahoma tornado and Missouri wind damage, KMOX 1120AM asked Scott Mosby for his thoughts on how to stay safe during a tornado warning, and his thoughts on safe rooms. Listen to audio of the 2-minute on-air conversation below.

KMOX Talks to Scott Mosby about Tornado Protection

For more information on surviving tornado season – before, during and after – read this article.

If you need help with Metro St. Louis storm damage or have interest in a safe room, call the Mosby Building Arts office at 314.909.1800, or contact them here.

The roof is a major design feature of historic homes. From the mansard roof of the Second Empire style (as in St. Louis’ Lafayette Square, above), to the curved shingles of a Queen Anne to the clay tile of a Mission Revival, their style is partially defined by the look of the roof.

After decades of patching and repairing, the roof of your historic home will inevitably need to be fully replaced. This is the opportunity to inspect, repair and update the entire water management system of your home. A roof works in tandem with flashing, guttering and attic ventilation, and all of these parts are crucial to a properly functioning roof system. Learn more about the parts of a roof system.

The challenge of a whole new roof for this type of home is trying to replicate the original roofing material when it is either no longer available or potentially cost prohibitive. Along with maintaining aesthetics, some of these legacy homes may be required to maintain the appearance because they are part of a governed historic district, or to qualify for historic tax credits for a rehab.

There are modern alternatives for historic roofs. A clay tile roof can be replaced with concrete or metal tiles which can be slightly lower in cost. The tin and zinc roofs common on old farmhouses can be replaced with metal standing seam roofs that never require painting. There are several brands of synthetic slate tiles that are half the cost of the real thing and come close to the longevity of real slate if installed properly.

To replace the roof on a Painted Lady, CertainTeed has a line of shingles designed for just such a need. A hallmark of homes of this era is the sculptural shapes of the shingles, which adds dramatic shadows; there are many architectural shingle options to replicate that today.

It may also be possible to replace clay tile or slate roofs with asphalt shingles without compromising the look of the home. This is when you will need the advice of an architect and experienced roofers.

Architects understand historical period style, structural loads and water management systems. An experienced roofer who has worked on homes from the period will have practical, hands-on knowledge. Along with preserving the aesthetic of your home you need a properly-performing roof system that will protect the entire home.

The Metro St. Louis area has a large and impressive stock of historical homes. Mosby Building Arts has the architects, designers and experienced roofers to help you preserve an historic home by replacing its roof. See an historic home project they did in Webster Groves, MO. Learn more about Mosby roofing services, and call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Spring is the unofficial start of tornado season in the metropolitan St. Louis region. We’ve earned the nickname “Tornado Alley” for good reason, so this is the time to review tornado safety tips.

Prepare Your Home

• Prepare a storm safety kit and keep it in the pre-determined place you will gather during an emergency. Within the kit, include a list of services (such as repair, lodging, medical, etc.) you would need if there’s damage or injury.

• Keep the natural disaster portion of your home insurance policy up to date and document all possessions. Keep copies of these items in a safe deposit box.

• Consider installing a storm cellar in the ground around your house (similar to the photo above) or building a safe room (shown below) within your home. Learn more about FEMA Safe Rooms.

Be Alert

Every home needs a Weather Alert Radio, which warns of inclement weather and other emergencies in your area. You can also sign up for notifications on mobile devices with the Weather Channel’s www.weather.com/notify.

As bad weather happens, here are things to look for so you’re ready if and when the tornado siren sounds:

• Dark, often greenish sky

• Hail or heavy rain followed by either a dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift

• A large, dark, low-lying cloud that whirls dust or debris

• Loud roar or rumble that does not fade away like the sound of thunder

During a Tornado Warning

As you head to shelter, put on a sturdy pair of shoes (flip flops or slippers are no good in the event of broken glass and debris), bring your purse or wallet and a battery-powered radio or other communication device so you can stay atop weather warnings and urgent news.

In a house with a basement take shelter down there, away from windows. Avoid sheltering below heavy objects on the floor above like refrigerators, waterbeds, pianos, etc.

In a house with no basement take shelter in the smallest room or interior hallway in the center of the lowest floor.

In a mobile home you must leave. Learn more from this Missouri StormAware video.

Immediately After a Tornado Has Caused Damage

• Call 911 if anyone is injured.

• Assume all downed power lines are live and make no contact. Be alert for the smell of gas or hissing gas lines.

• Do not use matches or lighters. Use only battery-powered light sources.

• More injuries happen immediately after a tornado due to people moving through the wreckage. Wear protective shoes and gloves, and be hyper aware of nails, debris and potentially dangerous spaces and buildings.

Inspecting the Damage

• If you smell gas, leave the home immediately. Shut off any utilities that may be damaged.

• If it’s dark when inspecting your home, only use a battery-powered light source.

• Let emergency personnel and insurance inspectors do the heavy lifting and analyzing to avoid hurting yourself after the fact.

• Take photos of the damage and any displaced contents.

• Have repairs and clean-up done only by licensed companies. Resist offers from people or companies you don’t know to avoid the scams that, unfortunately, proliferate after a natural disaster. Beware who knocks at your door.

We have covered only the basics of surviving the tornado season. For more in-depth information, we recommend the Missouri StormAware website.

For help preparing your home for tornado safety or repairing damage after one, call Mosby Building Arts at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

If it seems like you hear more news stories about collapsing decks, it’s not just your imagination. According to the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), approximately 40 million decks are over 20 years old, and this greatly increases the likelihood of the deck failing.

As you gear up for more time outdoors, now is the time to inspect your deck to ensure it’s safe for everyone to use. These are the 7 signs of a dangerous deck:

1. Loose Connections – If any part of your deck that should be stationary (such as railing) now wobbles, this is a sign of a failing connection. If you feel the deck give way or creak loudly when you step on it, step off immediately and do not use it as this is a sign of failing structure.

2. Missing Pieces – If any pieces of the stairs, railings or flooring are missing, they need to be replaced before using the deck. Analyzing why the piece failed in the first place may lead to a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. Look under the deck to ensure that all joists are still in place and all connections are still tightly intact.

3. Metal Corrosion – Metal pieces on your deck include joists, screws and flashing. If any of these shows signs of rust or corrosion, this can indicate water damage that undermines structural integrity. Before replacing the failing piece inspect the area around it for soundness, and that fasteners specifically for treated lumber are used.

4. Wood Rot & Warping – If any wood on your deck is cracking, splitting or fraying, these are notorious signs of water damage. Here’s how to spot exterior wood rot. If boards that are supposed to be straight now have a noticeable sway or curve to them, this is a sign of warping. In both cases, the wood has begun to decay and its structural integrity has been compromised and needs to be replaced.

5. Nails Instead of Screws & Fasteners – If you only see nail heads connecting the pieces of your deck, this is a deck built before codes were updated. Most deck building codes now require screws, metal joist hangers and increased connection to the house itself. If there’s any doubt about how it’s fastened, do not use the deck until it’s been inspected for structural safety.

6.  Posts Off-Center of Footings – Vertical deck posts need to rest roughly in the center of their appropriately-sized concrete footings. If the posts have moved or portions hang off the surface of the footing, this indicates a potentially dangerous structural shift. If you have no footings at all (similar to the photo above), the deck was built incorrectly and cannot be trusted to keep your family safe.

7.  Posts in Contact with Concrete or Dirt – A vertical deck post needs to end in a metal base plate that bolts onto the concrete footing. This connection prevents the deck from uplifting during strong winds, and keeps the wood from wicking up water from the concrete, which leads to wood rot. If your posts are in direct contact with concrete or dirt, this needs to be quickly remedied.

If your deck has one of these problems, it needs to be inspected. If there are two or more issues from this list, the deck is potentially dangerous and should not be used until the problems are solved. It’s better to be safe than to be a collapsed deck story on the local news.

For St. Louis deck inspection, repairs and building go with Mosby Building Arts’ deck services. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Question

We have vinyl siding that’s over 20 years old and it looks bad. I want new siding, but my husband wants to paint it instead. Can the vinyl siding be painted with a really good urethane paint?

Answer

You can paint anything, but should you?

Yes, vinyl siding can be effectively coated with a paint formulated to stick to it, but we do not recommend painting vinyl siding due to the substantial expansion and contraction movement caused by the extreme changes of temperature in the Midwest.

If you paint vinyl in cooler weather you may then see cracks or strains in the paint when the vinyl expands in the summer heat. Conversely, painting the vinyl in warm weather will create gaps that show the old color when the vinyl shrinks in cold temperatures. Vinyl moves with the temperature, so it is impossible to maintain an even and consistent appearance by re-coating it. You will put forth a lot of effort for unsatisfying results.

Since you feel your siding is looking bad at 20 years, that’s a good sign it may well be at the end of its useful life. Here’s how to tell if you need new siding.

When you want a new color and new look to the exterior of your home, we highly recommend installing new siding rather than painting vinyl. It is more cost-effective to spend your money on a one-time, long-lasting quality solution rather than repeatedly spend money and time on questionable work-arounds that only delay the inevitable need.

For help with your siding in the Metro St. Louis area, we offer these exterior siding services. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

A successful remodeling project begins with understanding the scope of work. When you and your remodeler have a shared understanding of goals the project should meet or exceed your expectations.

Along with a contract for the job, your contractor should also have a work scope, which is a detailed outline of exactly what will be done to your home. Every project is a series of details and even something as seemingly straightforward as replacement windows needs a work scope. Here’s an example of what a replacement windows work scope can include:

While it may be tempting to focus on price and schedules, receiving and understanding your scope of work will ensure your finished project matches the agreed upon details and pricing. It also serves as your map of what will happen, and also reminds you of what product selections you made during the design phase of the project.

Once construction begins, any type of change to the work scope can cause delays or become a change order that alters the project budget. You should have the flexibility to make changes once work has begun, and you should be kept apprised of how it will affect the overall plan. Understanding your work scope contents in advance can save you from costly and frustrating misunderstandings before and during the construction phase.

The St. Louis home remodeling professionals at Mosby Building Arts will provide a line item review of your project scope of work before requesting signatures. Clear communication is just one reason Mosby is the right choice for your home. Learn more about their design-build remodeling services. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

A Bay Window

A bay window is two angled windows flanking a picture window parallel with the wall of the house. It is square, hexagonal or octagonal in shape and can look like an addition or alcove on the home. Typically, the front window is fixed window while the side windows are operable, letting in air. They can protrude far from the face of the building so can extend your views.

A bay window is a good solution when you’d like a little more space in a room, increased natural light and expanded views.

A Bow Window

A bow window is typically 4 or more casement windows that create a curve; an odd number of windows tends to create a more graceful bow. It gives the effect of one large window rather than an architectural element on the building, like a bay window. All or some of the windows can be operable for ventilation. Bow windows tend to let in more light and can project out far enough to include a window seat.

Bay or Bow – Why Does It Matter?

The difference between these two types of windows are important to builders and designers because it helps them determine the cost of your project and how long it will take to complete it.

Builders need to know how it will be constructed. Because a bay window can protrude deeply outside of the building they can add floor space to a room. When they are used like an addition, typical building practices for walls and roofs are required. This can substantially increase the cost of the project as it becomes a small room rather than a window.

Bows have more windows than a bay, which can raise the price, but they can be bought as a per-fabricated unit that bolts to the house, which makes it closer in price to a window installation than new construction.

For designers, the architectural style of the rest of the home and the purpose of the window helps determine if a bow or bay is more appropriate. Bow windows work well in large openings of 7’ or wider where the multiple windows can create a sleek curve, so they can blend well with more contemporary or modern homes. Bows can also provide shallow bench seating with storage.

If you want a little more space in a room, the bay window may be the better choice as it can be designed like a small room addition (like above). Its angled geometry and historic connotations make it a better choice for more traditional architectural styles. Let your designer know what your needs and desires are for the room and they will help you determine which type of window will work best.

To explore your bay or bow window options in the metropolitan St. Louis area, call the designers and builders at Mosby Building Arts at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

We gave this question to our trusted trade partner, Classic Carpet & Flooring. Here are the recommendations of flooring expert Michael Rose.

My first choice for a pet friendly floor is ceramic or porcelain tile because they are scratch proof and water proof.  If the tile look isn’t your thing, there are now porcelain tiles that realistically mimic hardwood, so you can have your durable floor with the warm look of wood.

One good idea, when using tile is to use a stain-resistant grout, and have both the tiles and the grout sealed. This will help keep the floor looking like new as it stands up to the dirt that paws bring in from outside.

Higher end vinyl is also a good alternative in flooring for the pet owner.  Vinyl sheet, planks or tiles are water proof on the surface and will hold up well to traffic, while coming in any style you desire.   Base grade vinyl products will not do as well with scratches as better vinyl floors, so this is a case where spending a little more for quality will help stand up to the pet wear-and-tear.

Lower gloss laminate flooring will do well with traffic and scratches, but can show swelling at the seams if subjected to repeated moisture. So don’t use it for floors under the food and water bowls or where pets come and go from the outside.

If you really want a wood floor, look for distressed hardwood.   These will better mask the inevitable scratches that come with larger pets.  Also, lower gloss finishes will show fewer scratches in reflected light.  Denser hardwood such as Hickory, Brazilian Cherry, or Tigerwood are less susceptible to denting than softer hardwood floors.

There are plenty of wood-like choices, though, like the vinyl sheet flooring by Armstrong shown above. You can have the look of wood without the worry.

For carpet that stands up to pets parading across it, we recommend a non-looped, continuous filament fiber. Mohawk’s Smartstrand carpet is one line to consider.  This carpet offers incredible stain resistance, and comes with a lifetime stain & soil warranty.  Even bleach won’t discolor the carpet.

Also, the best carpet padding for pet owners  is Stainmaster’s Visco  padding.  This padding has a breathable vapor barrier, an environmentally friendly enzyme treatment and helps with the inevitable pet odors.

We’d be happy to tailor your flooring to your pets. Here’s how to reach us.

Many homes built from 1930 to 1960 have had their attached single-car garage turned into a big storage closet. But there is so much more that can be done with that space if it is converted to livable space.  Here’s what to consider for this type of remodeling project:

Form Follows Function

First, decide what the new function of the room will be. This will determine how it will look on the exterior and what will need to be added to the room. For instance, if you simply “white box” (add insulation, flooring and drywall) the space and later decide to add plumbing, you will have to tear out portions of what you did to add it. Have a clear plan of how the room will be used before designing and building it.

The type of room you want helps determine how to handle the large garage door opening.  If it will become a dining area or craft room, a wall of floor to ceiling glass would be a bright and inviting idea. But if it’s to be a bedroom or home office, the opening can convert to wall with a window in it.

The Floor

Most garage floors are a concrete slab on a lower level than your house floor. From decades of use it may also be cracked and sloped, so it is not a good idea to simply place new flooring directly over the concrete.

Building up a wood framed floor that’s level with the rest of the home is your best bet for two reasons.  First, it will give you a level floor which helps with framing in new walls and windows.  Second, the crawl space created between the original concrete slab and the new floor is where new utilities – like plumbing lines – are placed.

Point of Entry

Attached garages tend to open into the home at or near the kitchen.  If you’re remodeling the garage to become a dining or family room, that original doorway can be an ideal point of entry. If the room will be more private in nature – like a yoga studio or bedroom – moving the entrance to a less public part of the home will be part of the design phase.

Heating & Cooling

Even a single-car garage is quite a bit of square footage that now needs conditioned air. Have your current HVAC system analyzed to see if it can handle heating and cooling an additional room. If it cannot, your options are to either up the size of your unit or add a separate HVAC system just for this room.

Extending your current HVAC line will also dictate where air vents and returns need to be placed in the room. This in turn influences the layout of the room.

There are hundreds of other details that go into remodeling a garage into livable space, and there are so many great options for what to turn the space into. See more photos of the project above, a single-car attached garage that was converted to a quilting studio. For garage remodeling help in the metro St. Louis area, call the design-build company Mosby Building Arts at 314.909.1800, or contact them here.

Question
I have a 22 year old steel door that is beginning to rust. What can I do repair it and how soon should I plan on replacing this door?

Answer
Steel doors have typical life of 20 to 30 years if you keep them dry and out of the weather. When you see rust it shows that this door is getting wet fairly often.

To repair the door, thoroughly sand off the rust and apply a good metal primer on the raw metal. Then repaint the entire door for maximum life.

We suspect you are near the last 5 years of life with your steel door. Now would be a good time to explore your options for a replacement door. We suggest staying away from a wood door, as the same moisture problem that’s causing the steel to rust will degrade the wood, too.

A fiberglass door would be a wise choice if you like the appearance. Fiberglass delivers the insulated quality of the steel door but does not rust like steel or warp like wood. You can choose from a simulated wood grain texture or flat surface, depending on your tastes, and it paints up nicely. The front door on this project is painted fiberglass.

For help with door repair or replacement in the Metro St. Louis area, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.