Archive for the ‘Decks’ Category
Hudson Remodeling News
Darker colors are among trends in exterior home design
Posted 27 March 2019 by Team Hudson
Dark house paint colors are in. In recent years, more and more homeowners have been choosing darker shades for their painting projects. Dark green, brown or blue homes with bright white trim can make a beautiful statement. You needn’t stop there, though. Many new projects also are featuring both darker trim and siding, resulting in dark-on-dark color schemes. Other homes stick with the classic dark-and-light combination — but reversed, with light siding (think white, light yellow or a classic pale green) with deep black trim.
What else is hot in exterior design and remodeling? Let’s take a look.
Shake siding: This goes well with the trend of dark home exteriors, as natural cedar can create stunning curb appeal, as seen in this job we completed near Lake Whatcom. Don’t be shy about painting your shake, though. With so many gorgeous colors available, the options are practically limitless (maybe take inspiration from these colors of the year). Cedar takes paint well, but be sure to prime it first.
Painted brick: Speaking of paint, painted brick is another trend that can add fresh appeal to a home’s exterior. As a siding material, brick has staying power, and painted brick certainly does too, as it’s been done for years. If you’ve been thinking about painting yours, perhaps now’s the time. By the way, brick is being painted on new construction and remodels, too, so if your home doesn’t have any existing brick to paint, don’t fear!
A return to older styles: Shake and brick not your thing? Another fun trend of late is the re-emergence of such styles as shiplap siding and board and batten. Both styles offer classic looks that continue to stand the test of time (as opposed to, say, grooved plywood siding). Shiplap was a lot more common around here in the first part of the 20th century, before plywood became commonly used. It was often used as a substrate for flooring and roofing materials, but it works well as a siding option, too.
Outdoor living spaces: You don’t have to live in the southern U.S. to make use of outdoor living spaces. In fact, being in the PNW is all the more reason — where on earth is more beautiful than here? Homeowners today are making true use of their outdoor spaces, using such elements as high-quality furniture and built-in cooking appliances in covered spaces truly meant to be extensions of the home. Need some inspiration? Check out this gallery from House Beautiful.
Learn more: Porches, patios and sunrooms
make the most of summer living.
If you’re considering an update to your Pacific Northwest home, contact us here at Hudson, and we’d love to walk you through these options and many more.
Posted in Decks, Exterior Remodeling, Remodeling Design | No Comments »
New year, new (old) home
Posted 28 November 2018 by Team Hudson
Are you committed to loving your home more in 2019?
If so, you’ve probably already realized that your dream home might be the one you already live in. A tweak here, an upgrade there and you might find that the best place for you and your family in the new year is the place you already call home.
Here are five home remodeling projects that can provide great value — both in resale down the road and in enjoyment today.
Create new outdoor spaces: Perhaps what your home needs is a better connection to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest — spring breezes, summer heat, fall colors. Consider the benefits that a deck or porch could make and capitalize on that lovely view and/or extend your living space from the living room or master suite to the gorgeous outdoors.
Add more livable space: Speaking of more space, how about adding some on the inside of your home by converting the basement into space your whole family can treasure? Take that musty and dank basement or garage and convert it to a game room, rec room, sewing room, mother-in-law suite, wet bar or something else. If you’re lucky enough to have a basement in your home, you might as well make the most of it!
Fixing wear and tear: Over time, our homes begin to show their age. In some cases, it’s just a cosmetic issue, while in others, that age could be introducing serious problems. Take a tour of your home, inside and out, and consider whether it’s time for a new roof, remodeled garage or new siding. Peeling paint, loose siding and missing shingles can lead to big problems from water damage down the road. Are there leaky pipes in your crawl space? Poorly installed downspouts that let rainwater pool near your foundation? Don’t let small issues fester until they’ve become full-blown problems.
Modernize an older home: Depending on the era in which your home was built, it might contain one (or more!) of these outdated features: knob-and-tube wiring; electric baseboard heating; uninsulated walls, floors and/or ceilings; single-pane windows; an oil-burning heating unit; an open, wood-burning fireplace; and more. Updating these dated elements can make a big difference in safety, living comfort, energy efficiency and sellability:
- Bringing the wiring into the 21st century can be a big safety improvement.
- Installing gas piping for central air heating and gas appliances can be a huge boost in comfort.
- Replacing the wood fireplace with a gas insert, thoroughly insulating the home, and installing double-pane windows can dramatically improve energy efficiency.
Remodel living spaces: When we think of home upgrades, room remodeling is one of the obvious choices. Remodeling a kitchen, bathroom, living room or master suite can make enormous changes to a home — changes that you’ll love living in and, should you ever decide to sell, will make your home a lot more attractive to potential buyers.
Committing to loving the home you already own is a great choice! Take a look at these five projects and let us know if we can help you get started. We’d love to be part of helping your family fall in love with your home all over again.
Posted in Basement Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, Decks, Exterior Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling | No Comments »
Porches, patios and sunrooms make the most of summer living
Posted 23 January 2018 by Team Hudson
It’s January, and it’s cold.
We love that about the Pacific Northwest, right? We enjoy that there are four distinct seasons, and we love that juuuust about when we’re getting tired of one season, the next one dawns.
So as we sit here enjoying the last vestiges of winter, there’s no shame in dreaming for a minute about how much fun we’ll have in summer, basking in the warm sun of the great outdoors. As you snuggle into that extra pair of socks, just imagine what life could be like with a new covered porch, patio, open sunroom or sun-facing deck when summer rolls around.
Not only could a patio or sunroom help you enjoy the sun of summer, but they can even extend the seasons, allowing you to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the outdoors long into fall.
Consider this covered patio we’re finishing up right now in Ferndale. The gently sloped roof gives the homeowners almost 500 square feet of covered exterior space for barbecuing with friends, enjoying the sounds of nature and soaking up the summer warmth outdoors. It connects the house with the gorgeous landscaping surrounding it, essentially creating an outdoor living room — perfect for those endless summer days when you just can’t get enough of being outside. Need more patio inspiration? Check out these gorgeous options at This Old House.
Speaking of extending your home: Uncovered decks are a great option, too. This custom Trex deck we built in Bellingham gives the homeowner lovely outdoor space by extending the home out over the yard, right up against the trees. What a lovely spot to sit out with a cup of coffee on those warm summer mornings or to enjoy dinner with friends among the sounds of chirping birds and rustling branches. Scroll over to Houzz for some more amazing decks.
Or how about this beautiful sunroom, which extended one part of the home to create a completely enclosed space chock full of windows and skylights to flood the room with beautiful, warm sunlight.
No matter how you like to enjoy the outdoors during summer, Hudson Remodeling has the ideas and expertise to get you there. We can even come up with 3D renderings of the project, as we did with the covered patio above, to help you imagine the finished product before we even get started.
Summer will be here before you know it! If you’ve been thinking of ways that a patio, porch or sunroom might help you enjoy it even more, just give the experts at Hudson a call, and we’ll brainstorm some ideas together.
Posted in Decks, Exterior Remodeling, Flooring, Interior Remodeling, Remodeling Design | No Comments »
Design/build: Seamlessly breathes new life into your home
Posted 27 December 2017 by Team Hudson
Hudson Remodeling is a design/build contractor intent on giving our Whatcom County clients the best possible home remodeling experience.
How can we do that? One word: teamwork.
One of the reasons we use the design/build model at Hudson is because of the opportunity it affords us to work together on nearly every aspect of a home remodeling project. From the initial meeting and project estimating to the final walkthrough, teamwork and continuity are tools that create a successful project and a happy homeowner.
Simply, the home remodeling process at Hudson includes two main stages:
- In the design stage, the homeowner’s ideas for the project are translated by an experienced building designer into construction plans that show exactly what will be done on the job. On larger construction projects, 3D renderings are employed to give homeowners a clear picture of what they can look forward to.
- In the building stage, Hudson Remodeling’s team of remodeling carpenters and finishers translate those plans into the new kitchen, bath or porch that the homeowner envisioned.
The most important thing to remember about the design/build process is that with this system, both the designer and the builder are on the same team. They understand each other, they work well together and they have a vested interest in ensuring that the project proceeds as smoothly as possible. Each side works with the other to obviate any potential hiccups before they happen. 
The designer won’t make plans for things the contractor can’t build, and the contractor has direct communication with the designer in case they bump into unanticipated challenges during construction.
Here are a few reasons why Whatcom County remodeling clients love the design/build process:
- The homeowner signs just one contract and works with one team throughout the process.
- Everyone involved knows the project scope and budget. The team works hard to work within those guidelines.
- Communication is strong throughout the process, from design to demo to “done!”
- Design/build jobs tend to be more streamlined, meaning projects sometimes start sooner.
At Hudson Remodeling, we like to sum up our design/build process this way: It’s all about working seamlessly as a team – homeowners, designer, carpenters – to breathe new life into a home.
Posted in Aging in Place, Bathroom Remodeling, Decks, Exterior Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Products and Services, Remodeling Design | No Comments »
Why Hudson Remodeling focuses so strongly on jobsite safety
Posted 25 October 2017 by Team Hudson
The crew at Hudson Remodeling aren’t only satisfied with quality home remodeling work that closely matches the homeowner’s vision. We also like the construction process itself to be as stress-free as possible.
It’s why we create accurate schedules, pay close attention to budget and communicate carefully with customers. It’s also why we do what we can to ensure that jobsites are workspaces are orderly and organized.
Fewer tripping hazards means that most accidents can be avoided, and secured construction materials means that falls are far less likely.
Simply put, a cleaner, more orderly jobsite is a safer one, and that’s what Hudson strives for on every job.
Safety is the reason that work crews engage in regular safety meetings, both on the jobsites and off. At these meetings, team leaders ensure that crews are up to date on company (and OSHA) policy regarding scaffolding, head protection, ladders, fall protection, eye safety, proper communication and more.
According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, construction workers are at a higher risk for fatal injury than are workers in other industries. It’s not surprising, given the nature of construction work. It doesn’t have to be that way, though, and Hudson Remodeling takes every possible step to ensure its workers are safe.
It’s not just worker safety that’s at stake. Naturally, homeowners often want to visit the sites to see how work on their homes is progressing. The safest place is always away from the site, of course, but when homeowners do visit, Hudson Remodeling crews want to ensure they are as safe as possible while they check out the exciting work being done to the homes they love. A clean jobsite and adherence to jobsite safety rules go a long way toward making that happen. Hudson also works with homeowners to ensure that they respect the jobsite boundaries to keep both themselves and crew members safe.
For construction and remodeling work that’s held to the highest of standards — both in the quality of work and in the safety of the jobsite — contact Hudson Remodeling in Bellingham. We are 100-percent committed to every home improvement and remodeling project we take on, and we always assure customers of our best work. It’s one reason we get reviews like this: “Thank you for all your hard work, patience and professionalism. Your responsiveness was unsurpassed by your peers in the community. I cannot thank you enough for providing quality service; more importantly, trustworthy service.” See what other Whatcom and Skagit County customers have had to say about our performance.
Tags: Safety
Posted in Bathroom Remodeling, Decks, Exterior Remodeling, Flooring, Hudson Remodeling In the News, Interior Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Products and Services, Remodeling Design | No Comments »
Ideas for improving your home’s exterior
Posted 24 May 2017 by Team Hudson
Every home could use a pick-me-up now and again, and it’s never too late to return a home to its former beauty. Here are a few tried-and-true exterior remodeling options that can help any home look its best.
New siding: Is it time to replace that old aluminum or vinyl siding with something that looks a bit more natural? Or is the old wood siding so worn that the boards are warped and nails are popping? Few things like fresh siding can restore the beauty of a home — and add to its longevity. Worn siding can very quickly lead to problems with water damage and pest infiltration.
New windows: Not only are updated vinyl windows beautiful, they’re also much more energy-efficient than the wood or aluminum windows they typically replace. New double-paned windows can add decades of energy efficiency to a home. Energy savings can be as high as 50 percent!
New doors: It’s incredible the facelift that something as simple as a new front door can provide. A fun, colorful door can add character to an otherwise plain facade, or a timeliness wood door can better match a home’s Craftsman character. There are many ways to be creative with doors, too. A set of French doors to replace the old sliding door can add loads of character, for example. And adding a new door to open access — a set of French doors leading to the side yard, for example, inst ead of that picture window — can improve the way a house flows.
New porch: What often happens in the Pacific Northwest is that, over the years, porch wood can rot and become spongy. Often, this happens without the homeowner even noticing — the change happens slowly, and the homeowner doesn’t spot the incremental changes. But taking a close look at that aging front porch might reveal that it’s time to replace it with something new and beautiful — for the sake of both looks and safety. A composite material such as Trex can provide a beautiful, long-lasting look that doesn’t even need to be painted or stained. Subtle changes to the roofline over a front porch can also add a ton of curb appeal.
A new deck: Consider the possibilities a deck could provide: evening barbecues with friends, relaxing in the sun while the kids frolic in the yard, and a hot cup of morning coffee on a crisp Pacific Northwest morning. Sounds amazing, right? Building a new deck or expanding an existing one just might be the best idea you’ve had in a long time.
For help with these or any other exterior remodeling ideas, contact Hudson Remodeling.
For help with these or any other exterior remodeling ideas, contact Hudson Remodeling. The Hudson team has years of experience providing stellar remodeling services to homeowners in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties. They’d be happy to consult with you on your project or stop by and take a look at your home.
Posted in Aging in Place, Decks, Exterior Remodeling, Products and Services, Remodeling Design, Resources | No Comments »
Preparing your home for winter weather events
Posted 26 October 2016 by Team Hudson
Replacing old windows is worth the investment.
In October 2016, news reports throughout the Pacific Northwest were flooded with heralds of the impending “storm of the century.”
Newscasters painted visions of siding peeling away, skylights leaking like a sieve, deck railings blowing down, uprooted trees crashing through roofs — a catastrophe was looming.
Thankfully, though the storm was indeed a beast, it was less frightening than it could have been.
We were all given a reprieve, a chance to fix various issues before the next storm rolls in. Here are a few winter home repair items for Whatcom or Skagit County homeowners to think about mending:
Leaky windows and doors: Do you notice a draft when you walk near your front door? During a typical Northwest (read: sideways) rain, do a few droplets sneak into your home? Hudson Remodeling’s handyman services can take care of this by installing a new entry door. Water leaks can cause a lot of damage, especially when allowed to persist, so it’s a good idea to take care of leaks as soon as you notice them. And if a lot of damage has already been done, Hudson — a window and door installer with years of PNW expertise — can make your home safe and looking like new again.
Worn siding: If nails are popping from your wooden siding, or if your vinyl siding makes loud noise in the wind and rain, call Hudson for help. Whether it’s a small caulk-and-paint job or a larger siding replacement, Hudson is a siding installer with the expertise to get the job done right. Not only will your home be better prepared to fend off winter, but it’ll be a lot better looking, too.
Weak insulation: Many houses in Bellingham and Whatcom County were built without insulation. And many of those who do have it don’t have enough. If you’ve been wondering whether your winter heat is escaping right through your walls and ceiling, now’s the time to get it checked out, before another storm hits.
Faulty decks and railings: Given enough time, wood rots. Especially in this wet Northwest Washington weather. Replace rotted deck boards and railings, or even have an entirely new deck made of long-lasting composite material installed.
Not only is your home a big investment, it also keeps your family safe and dry. Don’t wait until more damage is done, or until the next storm hits and the entire county is calling for help. Be ahead of the game.
For help from a Skagit or Whatcom County remodeler to get your home ready for another unpredictable Northwest winter, contact Charlie Hudson and the rest of the Hudson pros.
Tags: Deck Construction
Posted in Decks, Exterior Remodeling | No Comments »
Feature Project: Water damage repaired with style at Ferndale, WA home
Posted 26 August 2016 by Team Hudson
Remember that time you invited your friends over on a rainy night and they got soaked while standing UNDER the cover of a deck at your door?
Some recent Ferndale clients certainly do. That’s why they called us to remove their sieve of an unused balcony and replace it with something that would look good while also protecting their friends and neighbors.
We drove out to take a look. Years of rain infiltration had left the balcony in a soggy state. The railing was sagging, and the beams were exhibiting water damage.
The plan of attack was simple. They decided to have our construction crews demolish part of the old structure and, since the balcony wasn’t being used anyway, replace it with a new roof with covered soffit.
Tip: We recently did another water damage repair at a Bellingham condo. If you suspect that water is getting where it shouldn’t, give Hudson Remodeling a call! Water damage around your home can be common in Whatcom County, but it’s definitely not something you want to ignore for long.
At the core of the old brick columns was wood that had begun rotting away, so we replaced the columns with new wood wrapped in easy-to-care-for PVC. We were even able to use that same PVC to add a little detail to the trim at the tops and bottoms of the posts, as you can see in the photos.
Because the deck was going away, the old sliding glass door was now obsolete. Wanting to maximize the amount of natural light coming into the home, the door was replaced with a new window. We also took off the green shutters on all of the windows and replaced them with black shutters to match the gorgeous entry door.
Now, there’s no more water leaking at the entry or birds nesting in the floor joists of the old deck!
If you’re tired of leaky decks — leaky anything, really — giving your guests a bad impression, consider hiring a licensed and experienced remodeling contractor like Hudson Remodeling. We’ll make sure the job is done well, safely and on time. Here’s a little info on what you can expect from us when you give us a call. And to see what we can do, check out this gallery of other home remodeling jobs we’ve done.
Posted in Decks, Exterior Remodeling, Interior Remodeling | No Comments »
Choosing the right type of deck for your home
Posted 26 May 2015 by Team Hudson
Trex is the world’s #1 decking brand and the inventor of wood-alternative composite decking. Trex is known for being a low-maintenance, high-performance building material that can easily handle outdoor elements for decades.
Photo Credit: Trex.com
Hudson Remodeling has worked with composite decking material like Trex in residential projects (sample here)—it’s definitely a decking material of choice, especially for use around Whatcom and Skagit County homes.
Composite decking imitates the natural beauty of wood, but leaves behind all rotting and splintering—and the surface is comfy to walk on with bare feet. These long-lasting building products offer superior durability and performance that homeowners just can’t get from wood.
Composite decking may cost a bit more upfront, but it is more cost-effective in the long run because of its low maintenance costs—composite decks never needs staining or painting. Maintenance can be as easy as an annual pressure wash treatment.
What’s more, Trex decking is made from 95% recycled materials, making it an environmentally-friendly choice many homeowners feel great about.
Photo Credit: Hudson Remodeling
Want to try building a Trex deck on your own? Know there some challenges to be aware of. One of the most common problems that DIY-ers encounter when building their own deck is that they forget composite decking expands and contracts with heat and cold. The right amount of space should be allowed between each board. Experience working with the product, or taking time to educate yourself before starting a DIY deck project, will reduce waste and the headache of having to repair/redo a deck down the road.
Contact Hudson Remodeling if you’d prefer to spend weekends relaxing on your custom deck instead of building one—know it will be built to last and built right the first time.
Tags: Composite Decking, Deck Construction, Trex Decking
Posted in Decks, Exterior Remodeling, Products and Services | No Comments »
Custom decks for outdoor entertaining
Posted 1 June 2014 by Team Hudson
Whatcom County summers bring eternal daylight – long, sunny days that last long into the night are the perfect occasion for outdoor entertaining.
Having a deck to celebrate these summer nights on is a great way to bring together friends, family and neighbors…and to enjoy this wonderful place we call home.
There are many beautiful and customizable deck designs out there. If you want to make your home a go-to place for summer entertaining, here are some points to consider before calling a contractor to build your new custom deck.
(photo credit: Hudson Remodeling)
Decks and large porches can increase a home’s curb appeal. Having a space outside where homeowners can sit and enjoy the beautiful views of Mount Baker, Lake Whatcom, or even territorial property views can be a great selling point for a home.
Even a simple expanded entry porch where you can sit and enjoy a cup of morning coffee while reading the newspaper can be a perfect addition to your home.
By adding a custom deck, you can also increase the living and entertaining areas of your home. Some deck designs, like shown above and below, combine indoor and outdoor living spaces to improve function and flow.
(photo credit: Houzz.com)
If your home has an older deck, it may be time to make updates to ensure it is safe for family and guests. Many older decks are unsafe due to rotting wood or staircase and railing designs that no longer fit current safety standards. A licensed contractor can design and build your new deck so it is in line with the most current safety standards.
Modern day deck manufacturers, such as Trex, offer wood-alternative composite decking that is longer lasting and lower maintenance (see sample below). The material looks like wood and comes in various styles and colors to meet anyone’s tastes. They will cost more to install but in the long run, these decks are more cost-effective because they require less repairs and upkeep.
(photo credit: Hudson Remodeling)
Decks are also completely customizable for things such as seating, grills and hot tubs. At Hudson Remodeling, we will design and build custom decks that match your vision and needs whether you want to use it for large group entertaining or as a private space.
The options for custom deck design are nearly infinite – you can check out many ideas for inspiring decks, such as the one below, on Houzz.com.
(photo credit: Houzz.com)
Contact Charlie Hudson today to discuss updating your current deck or having a new one added to your Whatcom or Skagit County home.
Tags: Deck Construction
Posted in Decks, Exterior Remodeling, Products and Services | No Comments »