Yesterday I spent the afternoon with Jim Kosloski talking about roofs and roofing. Jim was visiting homeowner’s in St Paul who had requested a quote from Craftsmen Home Improvements to install a new roof on their house. Jim is a big, warm-hearted guy. He has been with C.H.I for 5 years, and in the home improvement business a lot longer. Jim knows roofs. We talked about gable, gambrel and hip. We talked about flashing. (Do you know how many types of flashing there are?) We talked overhangs, valleys, ice and water shield, and decking. We climbed up on a roof with the wind blowing 30 mph and the ladder nearly blowing over and me in my dress shoes. Go figure. Did I mention Jim is a big warm-hearted guy? Well, he is. And as we talked about what he liked best about working at Craftsmen Home Improvements he said, “The main thing is the people. I like meeting new people, helping them fix the problems they are having with their homes.” While it is essential to hire a contractor that knows its stuff when it comes to roofing, it sure is great to know that with Jim and Craftsmen Home Improvements  you get a of wealth industry knowledge and a love for the people we serve.

Craftsmen Home Improvements has been awarded a 2010 Guildmaster Award for exceptional customer satisfaction. Craftsmen Home Improvements was one of 139 home builders, remodelers, developers and contractors throughout North America recognized for their superlative performance.

About GuildQuality

North America’s best builders, remodelers, contractors and real estate developers rely on GuildQuality’s customer satisfaction surveying to help them monitor and improve the quality of their service.

About the Guildmaster Awards

Once a year, GuildQuality recognizes exceptional customer service with the Guildmaster Awards. Visit the Guildmaster section of the GuildQuality website to see information about all 2010 Award Winners and read about the award qualifications.

Teresa and Dean have 14 children, ranging in age from 6-21, 13 of whom joined their family through the blessing of adoption and from the foster care system. Teresa and Dean are passionate about parenting children who so desperately need a family and home to call their own. They also realize the importance of keeping sibling groups together. They welcomed their first child by adoption when he was just 2 months old. They had a biological child a couple of years later. In 2001, they adopted a sibling group of 4 children who had been in foster care for 7 years. In 2003, they adopted a sibling group of 3 children who had been in foster care for 3 years. In 2005, they adopted another sibling group of 5 children. who had also been in foster care. While all of these sibling groups were in foster care, they were separated from each other. The family lives in an old farmhouse which desperately needs better windows and doors. money is pretty tight with so many children to provide for, so they have not been able to put in good windows and doors. I would like to nominate this family for the Windows for the Holidays program. The family lives in Mora, MN.

Many families are struggling more than ever this holiday season. The economic downturn has left many unemployed. Even with a job, rising prices can make it difficult to raise a family. With food and other necessities first on the list of expenses, it’s easy for families to forgo much-needed home improvements. But families should be able to rest assured about their own homes. Having new and energy-efficient windows and doors will not only help a home to look better, it will also bring much needed energy savings.

The winning family will have Pella® windows and doors installed in their home. Pella has a great reputation in the window replacement industry. J. D. Power and Associates has awarded them with its “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Window and Door Manufacturers” award two years in a row.

Daniel Bydlon, owner of Craftsmen Home Improvements, Inc., said, “We want to do something that will alleviate the struggle for one deserving family. It’s our way of giving back to the community and providing one family with a brighter holiday season.”

For more than 15 years, Craftsmen Home Improvements, Inc. has provided award-winning service to homeowners throughout the Minneapolis metro area. Craftsmen combines excellent service with a strong commitment to detail. Whether it’s a new roof, new siding or window replacement, Craftsmen treats your project with the care and attention to detail from which their name derives.

Applications for “Windows for the Holidays” can be submitted through the Craftsmen website: www.craftsmenhomeimprovements.com. Simply complete a short form identifying why a nominee deserves to be awarded “Windows for the Holidays”. The deadline is December 15, 2009. The winning family will be announced on the website on December 22, 2009.

We just talked about some general DIY tips for winterizing your home. One of these tips, of course, is to check your windows for drafts – gaps in the seals, etc. If you did find some problems with your windows, now is the perfect time to get them replaced before the snow starts to fly.
When you’re ready to begin your Twin Cities window replacement project, there are a variety of windows to choose from.

Where to begin?
With our how to choose replacement windows tips, of course.

Determining why you want new windows

One of the first things to consider when choosing replacement windows is why you want them. Do you want to change the appearance of your home or are you looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency – cutting back on those pricey MN heating bills that come every winter?

Choosing your window frame

You’ll also want to put some thought into your windows’ frames, which impact both insulation and the appearance.

• Wood windows have a classic look. Wood is a less durable option for the moisture and other elements than can impact MN replacement windows. However, while sometimes costly initially, wood frames offer good insulation, which can decrease your energy bills.
• Aluminum frames are the most durable. However, these frames offer the least amount of insulation. To help increase how well aluminum frames insulate, you can add a thermal break to them. If you’re interested in aluminum frames, ask your contractor about this option.
• Vinyl frames are the middle of the road for durability. They are often a good option to keep your MN replacement window project affordable, while still getting a durable frame that provides insulation.

Choosing panes

Most new windows can be purchased with one, two, or three panes of glass.
Like the durability of the frame you choose, the number of panes in your new windows will impact how much insulation they offer.

Double and triple pane windows insulate well, but they’re more expensive and more difficult to repair than single pane windows.

This choice might depend on your budget. Remember, though, windows that insulate better will cut down on your heating costs long after your new windows have been installed.

Planning to actually use your windows

A certain type of window might look nice, but will it be functional in your home? Don’t forget to think about how your window will function.

Think about the needs for each room. If you need ventilation in a small room, be sure to choose a window that will be easy for you to open and that will allow air in.

But there are also some quick, affordable updates you can do yourself. Best of all, spending a little on these improvements adds up to big energy savings.

• Maintain your heating system.
  Change your furnace filters. Vacuum your heating vents. Clean your chimney.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  A fire in the fireplace or cozy candles are comforting during the winter, but they also make a fire more likely. Be sure to test your detectors and fill them with new batteries
• Check your attic.
  Add proper insulation to your attic. Check for openings that might allow animals into your home – they like a warm place in the winter, too!
• Install programmable thermostats.
  A thermostat that automatically lowers the temperature while you’re asleep or away and turns it up again while you’re awake and home can really add up to energy savings.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
  Shorter days mean more time with your lights on. Compact fluorescent bulbs cost a bit more, but you’ll save in the end.
• Maintain your water heater.
  Flushing your water heater can ensure it performs at its best. Also consider a water heater blanket. These can cost as little as $10 and take under an hour to apply. The blanket will keep your heater warmer in between heating cycles.

Have bigger improvements to take care of before winter sets in? Contact the professionals at Craftsmen Home Improvements to winterize your home today.

• Have a professional inspector review your home.
  A professional inspector can help you catch small problems early, before they worsen during cold Minnesota winters.
• Test your furnace.
• Check your chimney for debris.
  Make sure it’s clear, allowing smoke to escape and preventing anything unwanted from making its way inside.
• Fix problems with your windows and doors.
  Drafts from windows and doors that haven’t been maintained can drastically increase your heating bills over colder months. Damaged seals can allow moisture into your home and the areas surrounding your windows or doors.
• Prepare your pipes for winter.
  To prevent freezing pipes, add insulation yourself or work with a professional.
• Clean your gutters.
  Removing debris from your gutters prevents bigger roof problems in the future, ensuring proper drainage and keeping damaging moisture off your roof.

Looking for help to complete any of these projects? Contact the professionals at Craftsmen Home Improvements today!

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