7 minute read
publisher’s letter
FROM THE PUBLISHER Celebrating 20 Years of Home Improving!
August of 2001 was our very first issue. It is hard to believe, but HGTV was not even in Atlanta back then! And we had not even heard the terms “Staycation" or “Open Floor Concept." We started My Home Improvement because, as homeowners, we found it difficult to find the right professionals to get the work done. The only options were the Yellow Pages and asking friends and neighbors. Nowadays we are bombarded with ways to find information, making it both easier and harder, which is why we have worked to remain a trusted
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resource. We have deep roots in the industry, and our partners do as well, so we know a thing or two about improving homes! Thank you, Atlanta, for allowing us into your home for the last 20 years! We appreciate that you choose us for ideas, inspiration and to help you select the companies you need for your home improvement projects. I would like to thank all of our advertisers and industry partners such as NARI, NKBA, UAC and the Atlanta Home Shows for their continued support as we bring resources to Atlanta homeowners. For more resources to start your own home improvement projects, go to www.atlantahomeimprovement.com. Follow us on www.facebook.com/MyHomeImprovementATL, www.instagram.com/myhomeimprovementatl and www.twitter.com/ATLHomeImprove. Happy Home Improving! Happy Home Improving! Patti Stephens, Publisher Patti Stephens, Publisher
METRO ATLANTA’S PREMIER RENOVATIONS COMPANY
ROOFS • GUTTERS • SIDING • WINDOWS & DOORS • DECKS & MORE
2021of
myBuckhead Best Roofer
Ben Hill Renovations Inc.
MY HOME IMPROVEMENT MY HOME IMPROVEMENT
2019 HOME SERVICE PRO 2019 HOME SERVICE PRO 1 202
Home Service
SHOWER ENCLOSURES
QIs mold really less likely to grow in a shower with a frameless glass enclosure?
AA frameless shower enclosure has fewer moving parts and contact points with your tile or stone, so there are fewer hiding places for mold and mildew.
David Drexler Glass is also a nonporous surface, so mold will not grow as easily, and our silicone seal incorporates mildewcide to finish the job!
Drexler Glass Co.
Years in Business: 66
Associations: NARI, BBB A+ Rated
404.351.4141 www.drexlerglass.com
See ad on p. 3
WINDOW COVERINGS
QI love the look of shades but don’t like that they are either up or down. Are there shade options that allow a view through when they are down?
AWe offer several shade options such as Pirouette® Shades, Silhouette® Shades and Designer Banded Shades that allow you to preserve the outside views while enjoying daytime
privacy, all while providing UV protection and reflecting solar heat. Close the vanes at night to allow for nighttime privacy. Stop by our showroom to see all of the great options for yourself.
Andrea Zare Classic Blinds & Shutters Design Center
Years in Business: 25
678.822.0928 www.classicblindsandshutters.com
See ad on p. 2
FLOORING INSTALLATION
QI have chemical allergies. What carpets have little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
AFirst, you need to know exactly what chemicals you are allergic to. It is usually the latex that is used in carpet
construction that a client is allergic to. Air.o by Mohawk has no VOCs and is latex-free. The Dream Weaver® PureBac® contains no latex. SmartStrand Forever Clean carpets are made with DuPont™Sorona®, which is OEKO-TEX® –certified free from harmful substances. A wool carpet with a woven backing (Axminster) is also extremely low in VOCs. A synthetic fiber pad or a rubber waffled pad is usually your best choice for a carpet cushion when VOCs are a concern. Enhance Floors & More
Elisabeth Stubbs
Years in Business: 36
Associations: BBB A+ Rated, Mohawk Five-Star Retailer 770.565.3808 | www.enhancefloors.com See ad on p. 37
Home Service Partners Q&A
GARAGE DOORS
QWhat would make my garage door springs break?
ABroken garage door springs are a common repair and are caused by metal fatigue. A spring cycles the door hundreds of times over the course of a year and eventually it wears out.
On average, a garage door spring will last around 10,000 door cycles. Replacing a spring is extremely dangerous due to the high tension and should always be done by a trained professional garage door technician.
John Nale Overhead Door Company of Atlanta™
Years in Business: 86
Associations: GAHBA, IDA, BBB A+ Rated
404.872.3667 www.overheaddooratlanta.com
See ad on p. 4
GUTTERS
QWhat are important things to keep in mind when having gutters installed?
AThe most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a gutter system is performance. A gutter’s main purpose is to capture roof water and channel it away from the
foundation, making appearance secondary. Another concern is keeping debris out of your gutter, which can be achieved by choosing a quality gutter protection system.
Tom DiGregorio and Joe Rusk AquaGuard Foundation Solutions
Years in Business: 26
Associations: Groundworks, NARI, BHA, GREC, ACCG
770.685.7825 www.aquaguard.net
See ad on p. 30
WINDOW REPLACEMENT
QDo I have to replace all of my windows at one time?
AWe have no minimum requirements, meaning you can replace as many or as few windows at a time as you want. You can also take advantage of our “price lock guarantee.” So, if you want to replace your front windows now and come back and do
Ted Kirk and Jonathan Collum the rest of your home later, you can do so without worrying
about your window investment changing. North Georgia Replacement Windows
Years in Business: 18
Associations: BBB A+ Rated, NARI
770.888.1604 www.ngwindows.com
See ad on p. 34
MY HOME IMPROVEMENT MY HOME IMPROVEMENT
2019 HOME SERVICE PRO 2019 HOME SERVICE PRO 1 202
Home Service Partners Q&A
HVAC
QWhat can negatively affect my indoor air quality, and what can I do to protect it?
AIndoor air contaminants can originate within your home or be drawn in from the outdoors. Some examples of contaminants include pollen, Bill Mashraky dust, fungal spores, emissions from vehicles on nearby roads or parking lots, and standing water promoting
excess microbial growth. If contaminant sources are not controlled, indoor air quality problems can arise, even if the HVAC system is properly designed and well-maintained. A high-efficiency filter and ultraviolet (UV) light will improve indoor air quality. Cool Air Mechanical
Years in Business: 11
Associations: NATE, BBB A+ Rated
770.266.5247 www.770coolair.com
See ad on p. 9
SIDING
QWhat curb appeal benefits does fiber cement siding provide?
AWith the HardiePlank® line of siding, you have different options regarding design, including choosing vertical board and batten, horizontal or the shake style. You could enhance curb appeal by adding shakes to accent a peak or using vertical siding to complement a bump out of the house. Of course, you could
always add pediment tops and band detail to change the design pattern too.
Charlie Dallavalle Painting Plus
Years in Business: 22
Associations: NKBA, HBA
770.971.1577 www.paintingplus.com
See ad on p. 52
WATERPROOFING
QBesides professional waterproofing, what else can I do to control moisture in my basement?
AIf you don’t have controlled heating and air in your basement to help with moisture, then it is recommended we install a commercialgrade ENERGY STAR®-rated
dehumidifier. We will use one that is adequate to handle the square footage, pulls the excess moisture out of the air and can control the humidity levels. Engineered Solutions of Georgia
Years in Business: 14
Associations: GuildQuality®, BBB A+ Rated
678.290.1325 www.esogrepair.com
See ad on p. 15
Derek Ritchie
