Nathan Chesebro - Tips For Building A Deck

Nathan Chesebro is capable of building many projects and structures and decks are his specialty. He has built decks for many clients in his community and is always proud of the work he does. If you are planning to build a deck these tips can help.

Choose The Decking Materials
You have many options when it comes to choosing decking materials. There are many types of woods, concrete or even plastic. Make sure you consider each type of material and understand the cost and the durability each one offers. Certain materials work best for certain decks and their uses so consider how the deck with be used and your personal preferences when choosing the right material.

Choose The Stain Or Color
You may have a plan for the color or stain of your deck. You first need to decide if you plan to paint it or stain it and then decide on the type of paint or stain you will buy and the color. There are many paints and stains that can be used to add texture to the deck and protect it was weather and aging.

Get The Good Screws
The screws used for the deck may seem like a little thing, but they can make a big difference. Don’t skimp on the screws. The screws are what will keep the deck together and if you don’t use the right ones, you could notice loose boards, a sinking frame, and other problems within a few months of the deck being built.

Add Levels If Needed
If you don't have enough space to build a flat deck, consider building your deck with levels. You can start on the ground and build up or start at an elevated level and build the deck both ways. This will give you more space and allow you to make the most out of the building area.

Remember The Rails
When you are building your deck, don’t forget to add rails. The rails will make the deck safe for everyone and add a finished and decorative touch to the design. There are several different rail designs and styles to choose from but you should choose a type that will match the rest of your deck. There are also many things you can add to your rails to decorate them and make the deck for attractive.

Nathan Chesebro has built many decks and always listens to his customer's ideas when building. He knows that every customer is different and most have different ideas for how their decks should look. If you are hoping to design your own deck and hire someone else to build it, make sure you consider the above points.
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Nathan Chesebro - How To Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Nathan Chesebro believes that all homes should be affordable and attractive. When he builds a home he tries to find the best quality materials so the homeowner will not only be able to enjoy their home a lifetime but will be proud of its appearance as well. One of the ways he helps homeowners live more affordably is by making the homes he builds energy efficient. If you have recently built a home, are getting ready to build one or own a home and just want to make it more energy efficient, these tips can help.


Solar Panels

Many homeowners are choosing to install solar panels on their roofs. The solar panels absorb light from the sun and turn it into energy that can power the lights and appliances in your home. This reduces energy costs and can significantly reduce a homeowner's bills and increase the value of their homes.


Energy Efficient Appliances

Almost all appliance manufacturers make energy efficient appliances. These appliances use less water and electric but can still get the job done. You can also find energy efficient light bulbs, that use less energy to provide your home with the same or sometimes better lighting.


Curtains

You may not think that the curtains you choose can have an effect on how much energy you use, but they can. You can find curtains that are designed to help keep air from escaping through your windows. They are typically thicker than your average curtain.


Flooring

When you put flooring in your home, always look for the types that are insulated or help absorb heat and release it back into the room. This will make your floors warm to the touch and more comfortable, but will also recycle the heat into your home to be used for another purpose. This means you are making the most out of the energy you do use.


Windows

If you sit or sleep next to a window, you know how much air can be lost there. Even windows that are sealed well can lose energy from inside a home. If you want to keep your home warmer in the cold weather and cooler in the hot weather for the most affordable price, consider investing in energy-efficient windows for your home.


There are many ways to make a home more energy efficient. Nathan Chesebro knows that the less money you spend on energy costs, the more affordable your home can be. There are even tax credits for many energy efficient upgrades. When it comes time to build or remodel your home, consider making it more energy efficient.

Nathan Chesebro - Environmentally-Friendly Home Improvement

When most people come to Nathan B. Chesebro, a Maine home builder, for renovation, they would like to renovate problem areas of their home. Occasionally, these problem areas are obvious issues like a leaky roof or an unsafe deck, but sometimes the problem areas are also troublesome because they're not environmentally-friendly. Modifying a home to be more eco-friendly can help home owners feel better about their property and it can help them increase their efforts to combat global warming. If you'd like to work with a contractor like Nathan B. Chesebro to renovate your house in an eco-friendly direction, consider redoing something that already needs it and using environmentally-friendly materials.

If you're hiring a contractor to install a new deck or patio, consider using composite decking boards, made from renewable materials like recycled plastic and wood waste. Not only is composite decking material better for the environment, it won't rot, splinter, crack or warp like wood does. For kitchens that require new countertops, instead of going with the usual granite options, consider paper-based countertops. These countertops are made from wood waste and they're sustainable, stain-resistant, scratch-resistant and heat-resistant. If you'd rather go for a showier countertop, consider using recycled glass materials, which are often colorful and made from shattered windshields, stemware and bottles fused together. While you're re-doing your counters, consider using bamboo plywood instead of the usual, less-sustainable options – bamboo is sturdy, striking and it's a sustainable wood resource that grows quickly. Eco-friendly builders like Nathan Chesebro will also have custom suggestions that fit with your particular project, so don't hesitate to ask for their input in addition to your ideas.
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Nathan Chesebro - Creative Home Renovation Ideas

If home renovation is on your to-do list and you plan to work with a contractor like Nathan B. Chesebro, owner of Chesebro Construction, Inc. Inc., consider additional, more creative renovation ideas in addition to your existing plans. Contractors usually enjoy installing creative renovations and they can make your home much more enjoyable to live in. If your first thought is under-staircase storage or something similar, you're on the right track, but there are even more creative ideas available to you.

• Magnetic walls will avoid the necessity of putting holes in your walls ever again. If you're re-doing your walls anyway, why not make sure that they'll stay nice for years to come by installing magnetic panels behind them. These magnets can be strong enough to hang anything from, including that flat-screen TV you've been eying.
• Trash and recycling chutes in your kitchen will make cleaning the counters and picking up while you cook much easier. They can be installed in the space between your cabinets and counters, so if you're having the area re-done, trash and recycling chutes will make it even better than before.
• If you're having hardwood or stone floors installed, consider making cleanup even easier than a broom and dustpan. With vacuum baseboards, you'll only need a broom and the flip of a switch to remove debris from your new floors. You simply slide open the cover, sweep the debris in front of it and turn on the vacuum function.

Contractors like Nathan Chesebro can make these renovations happen and they can make sure that you're happy with the results. Browse around and pick a creative home renovation that the whole family agrees on and then talk it over with your contractor to see what they think.
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Nathan Chesebro - Working With Your Contractor

Contractors like Nathan B. Chesebro are hired to do a number of construction tasks, ranging from building new homes to completing simple home renovation projects. When you hire a contractor, it becomes both of your responsibilities to make sure that the working relationship is pleasant and ends well. It is not entirely the contractor's job to keep things running smoothly and it helps if you are proactively trying to work with, rather than against, whoever you have hired. Nathan B. Chesebro and other contractors greatly appreciate the right amount of help from their clients and they have an easier time making sure their clients are satisfied with this assistance.

The most important aspect of working with your contractor is defining what you want and need early in the process. Ideally, you should make a list of your wants and needs before ever consulting with a contractor like Nathan Chesebro. Let your contractor copy your notes or, better yet, make a spare copy yourself. Additionally, you should address any concerns that you have as they arise. This will allow your contractor to amend issues as he works and to keep you happy. Failure to address a concern could cause the entire project to turn out wrong, leaving you unhappy and causing arguments between you and the contractor. Proactive avoidance is the best way to keep both parties happy – contractors and construction companies want to make you happy so that they have a larger base of satisfied customers, so they prefer it if you address issues when you find them. Also, if you have ideas for additional renovation projects, tell your contracting company early on so that they can potentially combine purchases and labor to save both of you time and money.

Nathan Chesebro - Home Resale Renovation Mistakes

Nathan B. Chesebro is a Maine-based home builder and renovation contractor who helps his clients build their dream homes and increase their existing homes' values. Even when using an experienced contractor, though, it's easy to make renovation mistakes that sabotage your efforts to increase your home's resale value. For example, many clients come to contractors like Nathan B. Chesebro and they make their home renovation sound like it is just for them when they're actually looking to increase its value on the market. In cases like these, contractors will build an elaborate shower or turn a spare bedroom into a pricey theater room without question. If, however, the client would have told the contractor that they were renovating for resale, the contractor might have recommended something more reasonable and more likely to interest buyers.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when renovating their home for resale is to insist on stone countertops. Yes, stone countertops are desirable, but if they tack on an extra $12,000 cost to selling a $200,000 home, they're not worth it. New, cheaper countertops, on the other hand, can be worth every penny. Another issue that contractors like Nathan Chesebro frequently encounter is people who underestimate their budget. Unexpected costs pop up and, if you're not prepared, they can cause problems. Once you decide what a project will cost, re-evaluate it considering construction fees, and then add an extra 15 percent to allow for unexpected costs – the worst that can happen is that you'll have money left over after the renovation. Of course, there are many other mistakes that renovators see all of the time. These can include skimping on the necessities, making a home too modern, sticking with stagnant floor plans or assuming that everyone wants hardwood floors throughout the house.

Nathan Chesebro: Eating Organically On A Budget

Eating organic food, those which are grown or produced without pesticides, hormones or other additives, is great for your health and the environment. But getting back to the basics of growing food can be costly. Organic foods are more expensive since the producers need to use labor not chemicals. But many people are willing to pay a higher cost for these foods because of the benefits they offer. Nathan B Chesebro tries to eat organically whenever possible.

1.      Use coupons and specials. Checking coupon websites and even the brand of your favorite cereal can help you save at the grocery store. You can also check your local grocery store for weekly specials and sales.

2.      Compromise. Not everyone will have the budget to eat 100% organic. Choose which foods to spend the extra money on. Use the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists, found in the link below, to determine where you should splurge and buy organic and where it’s not necessary.

3.      Grow your own food. This may seem like an extreme way to eat on a budget but it will save you money and you will know 100% where your food is coming from and what was used in the process. Start small with a backyard or even kitchen garden with herbs and your favorite vegetables.

4.      Buy local. Not only is local food cheaper because it costs less to ship, it can help your local community grow by supporting farmers that live nearby. You can ask the farmer directly about their growing methods to ensure they fit with your beliefs. Many local farmers won’t seek USDA certification even though they grow organically because of the high cost associated with the organic seal. 

Nathan Chesebro enjoys growing and eating organic food. 

Sources:

http://foodbabe.com/2013/05/20/how-to-eat-organic-on-a-budget/