Tag Archives: andy lindus

3 components to a perfect looking deck! Inspect, Clean & Stain!

Posted by Andy Lindus on May 17, 2013 – 2:48 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, WCCO Home Improvement Show, www.lindusconstruction.com
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With year round exposure to sun, rain and let’s not forget that four letter word that plagued us for the last seven months….snow, in our neck of the woods it takes a toll on your wood deck. Anyone who has a wooden deck knows that sitting on it is much more enjoyable when it is sparkling clean and properly stain and sealed. Your deck will start to look old, gray and battered when it is in need of some TLC. The appearance of your deck is not the only thing that suffers from lack of attention, but also the integrity of the wood elements can begin to breakdown losing its protection and begins to split and rot. When restoring a wooden deck it is extremely important to prep the wood correctly and also to be careful not to damage the wood due to excessive power washing or scrubbing. Here is how to inspect, clean and stain your deck the right way!

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How to test & inspect your deck

The easiest way to ensure that your deck needs to be stained again is the water test. Sprinkle water on the deck and if it soaks in immediately the deck is in need of resealing. It the water beads up and stands on the deck you may not need to reseal quite yet. If you notice that your deck is turning gray in color, has mold or mildew accumulating on it or if the boards are beginning to rot and split, your deck is in some need of care.  It is extremely important to prep the wood correctly when it comes to restoring an older deck. Failure to do so will result in premature failure of the stain no matter the brand or cost. It will not last as long as it should if it is not applied to cleaned and prepped surfaces.

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Remove furniture and inspect your deck

Preparing your deck for the next processes is imperative if you want your stain to have maximum longevity. Remove all the deck furniture, grills or any other tangible products that are resting on it. Inspect the deck for boards that need to be repaired or replaced. If you notice splintering wood use 80-grit sandpaper to smooth out its surface. Sweep all loose debris off and don’t forget in between the deck boards. Be sure to water and cover your plants.

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Deck strippers, cleaners & brighteners

The first process you should use is a deck stripper. A deck stripper’s purpose is to remove old finishes such as paint, stains, sealers and loose wood fibers. The next step is to use a deck cleaner. A deck cleaner’s purpose is to remove old grease, grime dirt, organic stains, tree sap and mineral deposits. It will kill mold and mildew that has invaded your deck. The last step is using a deck brightener. A deck brightener’s purpose is to annihilate tough tannin stains and watermarks. It reestablishes the PH balance of your wood after the stripping & cleaning process brightening old gray weathered wood.  We recommend using Penofin® Pro-Tech stripper and cleaner & brightener for the job.

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The stain

A large mistake that homeowners make in cleaning, preparing and staining a deck, is not removing all remnants of the old deck stain. Any stain on the deck that is not completely removed will block any new stain from penetrating the wood properly. Once you start applying your stain, the biggest thing to remember is two thin coats of stain is much more beneficial than one thick coat of stain. Do two to three boards at a time instead of trying to do half the deck at one time. There are a lot of ways to apply stain to your deck such as using a sprayer or roller. Remember that using a paintbrush is the most ideal method when applying stain because it works the stain deep into the wood pores.  We recommend using a wood stain such as Penofin® Verde.  This product is one of its kind being 100% sustainable, petroleum free oil finish with no heavy metal compounds, odors or offensive fumes.  Penofin® Verde is made of the highest quality Brazilian rosewood oils.

Lindus Construction is an expert when it comes to deck design & staining. If you are ready to finally have the deck you have always dreamed of give us a call at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to set up a free no-obligation estimate. Tune into WCCO AM830 every Saturday from 9am-10am for our Home Improvement Show with Andy Lindus & Denny Long.

 

 

What is Something You Can’t See, Smell or Taste In Your Home?…..Radon Gas!

Posted by Andy Lindus on May 10, 2013 – 1:40 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, WCCO Home Improvement Show, www.lindusconstruction.com
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Did you know the EPA estimates that nearly 1 out of 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated radon levels? Radon gas is responsible for about 21,000 fatalities each year and the Surgeon General has warned that it is the second leading cause of lung cancer. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, one in three homes in Minnesota has radon levels that pose a serious health risk.  Many homes in Minnesota operate under negative air pressure, especially in the winter. This means that the air pressure inside your home is lower than the surrounding air and soil creating a  vacuum that pulls soil gases, such as radon, into your home.

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What is radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all types of soil. It moves into your home through cracks, gaps and holes in your foundation as well as through your water supply. The gas becomes trapped in your home and builds up over time.

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How to test for radon in your home

It is recommended that all homeowners test for radon.  There are two basic types of radon tests available, short-term & long-term. Short-term tests measure radon levels for 2 to 7 days. This offers a quick and inexpensive way to screen your home for radon gas. Long-term tests are for a minimum of 90 days. They are the best radon tests because they will estimate the average amount of radon in your home. For the best results monitor it for one year so you can incorporate both heating and cooling seasons. The cost of an at home test is usually between $5-$25. They can be purchased at hardware or home supply stores. Make sure when purchasing your kit that it includes the price of laboratory analysis. You can also hire a professional when you need and unbiased, third party involved when purchasing real estate.  You should test your home for radon every 2 to 5 years also conduct a test after purchasing a new heating or central air system.

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How do I find a qualified radon service professional?

If you are looking to hire a professional to test your home, wish to purchase a radon test kit or have any questions about radon gas in your home, you can contact your State Radon representative to determine radon measurements in your state. If you have radon levels over 4pCi/L you may have an opportunity to receive grants for radon mitigation in your home so be sure to check with you local and state ordinances.

Lindus Construction / Midwest LeafGuard is a full service local contractor specializing in LeafGuard Gutters, GAF Asphalt Roofing, SeasonGuard Windows/Siding/Insulation, Home Remodeling & New Construction. For a free no obligation estimate call us at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com. Tune into WCCO 830 every Saturday from 9a-10a.

Home Appliance Energy Consumption

Posted by Andy Lindus on May 2, 2013 – 3:37 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, Energy Efficient Homes, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, WCCO Home Improvement Show, www.lindusconstruction.com
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In the United States, over 20% of our total energy consumption is related to our home and we are the 7th largest per capita consumer of residential energy in the world according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Lighting and appliances in your home account for 10%-50% of your residential energy use. 80% of energy consumption in your home can be directly contributed to your light bulbs, refrigerator, washer & dryer and dishwasher. Below, we are going to talk about the four biggest offenders in residential energy consumption.

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Light bulbs

Incandescent Bulbs – oldest, most common light bulb to date, but also the most wasteful in its category. The lifespan is only 1500-2000 hours. Only 10% of the energy used go to light these bulbs. The other 90% creates heat, which requires additional cooling for comfort.

Compact Fluorescents (CFLs) – these use less electrical energy than incandescent bulbs. They are approximately 3 to 4 times more efficient that incandescent using75% less energy.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) – consist of as many as 18 bulbs clustered together. They have come a long way in their innovation fitting most common household fixtures. They only use 1/30 of the energy used by incandescent bulbs and only 1/3 of the electricity consumed by CFLs. LEDs will last up to 10 times longer and hold up well to jarring and bumping because they do not have the filament like incandescent bulbs. The cost of LEDs are initially expensive, but the cost is recouped over time with your energy savings. High-quality LED recessed lighting products are the new rave today incorporating all the best features currently found on the LED lighting market: energy savings up to 80%, 50,000 hour life spans, great light output and color, low environmental impact and the ability to be installed with a dimmer switched adding ambiance to any room.

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Dishwasher

Did you know that a dishwasher consumes 1/3 less hot water than hand washing your dishes? 80-90% of the energy used for your dishwater is consumed by the water heater. Some older dishwashers require a water temperature of at least 130° F to get dishes cleaned. Newer models on the market have smaller booster heaters using less water heating energy.  Save more money while running your dishwasher by choosing an air dry vs. heated drying option.

 

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Washer & Dryer

Horizontal axis washers use 50-75% less energy & water than vertical axis washer, but costs a lot more. On average, it costs about 10 times more to dry a load of laundry than it does to wash it (so if you ware like many American households that “fluff” your laundry in the dryer 3 times before folding think of the energy being wasted doing that). Ways to save money while doing laundry are:

  • Use cold water whenever possible
  • Be sure to adjust the water lever to match each load size
  • Always clean your dryer lint filter
  • Use an auto sensor function if you have one to avoid longer than usual drying

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Refrigerators & Freezers

They account for 9-15% of a household’s total energy usage. If you have a refrigerator that is 20 years old or more, you should consider an upgrade you will end of saving money in the long run. When looking for a new refrigerator, you want to consider these options for optimal energy efficiency:

  • Manual defrost over automatic
  • Freezer on top/bottom instead of side-by-side
  • Chest freezer over upright freezer
  • One larger over two smaller units

An extra refrigerator or freezer can cost you an additional $100 in energy costs per year. The fuller you keep your freezer,  the less work it has to do to keep items cold because the food inside stores cold air.

Lindus Construction is proud to now be RESNET certified and would like to help you in your quest for energy efficiency in your home. Give us a call at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com  to set up a free no-obligation estimate. Make sure to tune into WCCO 830AM every Saturday from 9a-10a for the Home Improvement Show with Denny Long & Andy Lindus.

 

Increase Home Energy Efficiency with a RESNET Assessment

Posted by Andy Lindus on April 26, 2013 – 4:08 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, WCCO, WCCO Home Improvement Show, www.lindusconstruction.com
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RESNET stands for, Residential Energy Services Network, and is a nationally recognized certification and rating system in the United States for home energy efficiency. As a RESNET qualified EnergySmart Contractor, such as Lindus Construction, you can rest assured that you are working with a professional that has the knowledge from passing a RESNET administered exam as well as successfully completing approved energy efficiency training.

In today’s age, when we are all looking where to save a dollar or two, a home energy assessment could be exactly what you are looking for to improve your home’s energy efficiency and put more green back in your pockets. An energy audit will determine three things for you;

  • Where and how energy is being lost in your home
  • Which systems are operating efficiently
  • What kind of cost effective measures can be put into place to make your home more comfortable, affordable & more important more energy efficient

Did you know that a duct leaking air in your home wastes between 10-30% of heating & cooling energy and it may require as much as one ton of AC just to overcome that leak?

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Energy Weakness Areas in your Home That Will Be Checked

  • Porches
  • Roof Overhangs
  • Shafts for chimneys or pipes
  • Protruding or indented windows & doors
  • Crawlspaces & basements that are connected to the outdoors

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Blower Door Testing

Blower door testing is done by depressurizing your home, to amplify air leakage, so it can be measured and air leaks can be located. Blower door testing is one of the most practical ways to predict energy saving from air sealing methods. Some of the biggest sources of air leakage in your home are;

  • Penetration through top plates & gaps between sheetrock
  • Around electrical boxes
  • Recessed can lights
  • Open floor joists, chases & fireplaces
  • Wall cavity openings at the bottom of kneewalls
  • Open furrdowns or dropped ceilings
  • Attic access areas
  • Whole house fans

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Benefits of Having a Home Energy Assessment

  • Your energy bills will be lower increasing your energy saving
  • Consistent comfort throughout your home instead of feeling too warm or cold
  • Increased resale value for your home
  • Being informed of potential hidden problems enabling you to take action before a problem gets out of hand
  • Helping the environment from less greenhouse gases being generated from your home

Lindus Construction is proud to now be RESNET certified and would like to help you in your quest for energy efficiency in your home. Give us a call at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com  to set up a free no-obligation estimate. Make sure to tune into WCCO 830AM every Saturday from 9a-10a for the Home Improvement Show with Denny Long & Andy Lindus.

 

 

 

Decking Components 101

Posted by Andy Lindus on April 19, 2013 – 1:17 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, Decking, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, WCCO, WCCO Home Improvement Show, www.lindusconstruction.com
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Whether you have chosen to build a deck yourself, or hire your local contractor, it is important to be up-to-date on your deck-building vocabulary to understand the roles of each of your decks components. Once you have mastered the terminology of planning of your next deck, from researching building codes, obtaining permits and setting up an estimate. Being able to clearly communicate your vision of your new deck design will make it easier for everyone involved and also ensure accuracy of what you want your final product to be.

The main components of a deck

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Ledger Board – if your deck will be attached to your home, the use of a ledger board will be necessary. This is equal in size to the joists that anchor the deck to the house and supports one end of the joists. It will be bolted to the side of the house and metal flashing will be installed behind and on top of it to keep water out. The ledger board will be a treated piece of lumber that is as straight as possible avoiding any warp.

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Beams – are large horizontal boards typically made of 4x, or doubled 2x lumber. They are supportive posts that hold the weight of your decking materials and people or items that will be placed on your deck. They will be bolted to the deck beam posts. These beams provide additional support above and beyond the nails and bolts of the deck, which can weaken over time resulting in improper structure support.

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Joists – think of them as the ribcage of your skeleton. They are used to build your deck frame. Their main purpose is to maintain the shape and strength of your deck. They are usually 2x lumber that is commonly placed perpendicular to your house and across your beams. They are installed parallel to each other for ease of construction and to distribute weight evenly for the integrity of the structure.

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Posts – in the past, 4×4 pressure treated posts for deck supports were commonly used, but now 6×6 pressure treated posts are ideal because they are much stronger, more stable and offer a larger surface area for supporting beams and joists.

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Deck Boards – are the main surface boards to your deck that you are able to walk across. The easiest way to install them is horizontally. If you choose to have more of a custom look, you can place your deck planks at a 45° angle across the joists. If you choose diagonally placed decking, it will increase your strength, but your waste of materials could also increase up to 15% and the labor is also more extensive then on horizontally placed deck boards.

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Fascia Board – this board is used to cover framing and decking with a wide 2x piece of lumber. To add a more distinctive look you can add a “picture-frame” edge, which adds some visual interest by creating a shadow line.

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Railings – a general rule of thumb is that a deck any higher than 18” above the ground should have a railing installed, and check your local building codes to see what their requirements are if you are thinking of going without a deck railing. There are so many different choices on the market today for your railings from metal balusters, composite, wood, glass, cable and branch deck railings. Your deck railing is where you can express your creativity for all to see so make sure to do your research on which style will compliment your deck the most.

Lindus Construction is an expert in the industry when it comes to planning & building your next deck. Give us a call at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free no-obligation estimate. Tune into WCCO 830AM every Saturday from 9am-10am for our Home Improvement Show with Denny Long & Andy Lindus.

Protect Yourself from a Mechanic’s Lien During Your Home Improvement Project

Posted by Andy Lindus on April 12, 2013 – 2:32 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, www.lindusconstruction.com
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lien

If you have never heard about a mechanic’s lien, or you have heard the term but do not really know what a mechanic’s lien is, you are not alone. There are many things to know about when you own your own home and plan on remodeling or have improvements made on your property. Below, we are going to discuss what a Mechanic Lien is and how to properly avoid one during your home improvement process.

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What is a Mechanic’s Lien?

The legal definition of a mechanic’s lien is the right of a craftsman, laborer, supplier, architect or other person who has worked upon improvements or delivered materials to a particular parcel of real estate (either as an employee of the owner or as a sub-contractor to a general contractor) to place a lien on that real property for the value of the services and/or materials if not paid. In layman’s terms this means that the contractor and any subcontractor or material supplier for a building project can go to court and try to take possession of your property if they are not paid.

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How to protect yourself from a lien?

In order to protect yourself from having liens filed against your property, you should have the contractor list in the contract the names of all anticipated subcontractors and material suppliers. Be sure to keep track of any notices you may receive and before making a final payment; be sure you have received lien waivers signed by each of the subcontractors. At Lindus Construction we pre-lien every job ensuring the protection of our customers as well as ourselves.

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You only have to pay once if you ask for the lien waiver!

If you obtain a valid lien waiver from the subcontractor, or if you pay the general contractor in full before receiving the notice from the subcontractor, you cannot be forced to pay for the services or material a second time if the contractor fails to pay the subcontractor.

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Steps to avoiding a lien on your property

  • Hire a reliable, reputable contractor who has been in business for a number of years.
  • Use a written contract that lists the subcontractors and suppliers for each stage of work you are requesting and outlines progress payments on completion of each stage.
  • Actively supervise the project and ensure any changes to the original contract are noted.

Lindus Construction has been in business for over the last 30 years and have over 50,000 happy customers. It is no secret that we are doing something right with over 30% of our new customers coming from referrals. Call us at 1-800-873-1451 for a free no-obligation estimate or check us out at www.lindusconstruction.com. Tune into WCCO 830AM every Saturday from 9a-10a for our Home Improvement Show with Andy Lindus & Denny Long.

Why You Should Install Double Hung Windows!

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Posted by Andy Lindus on April 5, 2013 – 1:44 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, Double Hung, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, SeasonGuard, WCCO, WCCO Home Improvement Show, Windows, www.lindusconstruction.com
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You look through them every day and how often do you think about what impact your existing windows have on the beauty, value, and inside comfort of your home? Replacing your windows can help improve the look of your home and add long lasting value, plus save on energy bills. If you are ready for unmistakable window elegance with striking curb appeal, then SeasonGuard double hung windows are your answer. This high caliber window has a double contoured narrow-line with exclusive mortised locks and wood style coved trim around the glass that creates beauty and defines the craftsmanship you have desired in a window.

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Features & Benefits of SeasonGuard Double Hung Windows

  • The signature narrow line window design provides maximum glass view areas.
  • UltraCore® polyurethane window frame insulation provides added comfort and ultimate energy efficiency.
  • Lift out sliders, with dual brass rollers featuring a stainless steel axle for years of worry free performance.
  • In-swing sashes offer added efficiency being able to easily clean the window from inside your home.
  • Provides minimal maintenance and easy operation with tilt-in feature, contoured lift-rails and pre-tensioned, dual pulley Block & Tackle balance system.
  • Advanced, triple weather-stripping seals for top efficiency performance.
  • Polyurethane window frame insulation provides added comfort and the ultimate in energy efficiency.
  • Coved interior glazing bead for added elegance and traditional design lines.
  • Enjoy added peace of mind with recessed pick resistant locks and night latches for venting.
  • Extruded aluminum screen frame with heavy-duty aluminum corner reinforcements for years of worry free performance.

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How to operate your double hung windows

  • Unlock sash locks.
  • Raise lower sash at least 2-3 inches.
  • Release both tilt latches and pull top of sash toward you.
  • To tilt-in top sash ,first tilt-in lower sash. Then repeat steps 2 & 3 for top sash

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Federal Tax Credit

Did you know that if you have new energy efficient windows installed in your home this year, or even had them installed last year in 2012, that you are eligible for a Federal Credit up to $200. Check out the Energy Star website for more information. At http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index.

Lindus Construction is proud to provide Minnesota & Western Wisconsin with SeasonGuard Windows. .Call us now at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free in-home estimate. Tune into AM 830 WCCO on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am hosted by Denny Long and Andy Lindus to ask questions regarding your home improvement projects

LP SmartSide – Pioneers in Sustainable Siding For Your Home!

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Posted by Andy Lindus on March 29, 2013 – 1:58 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, LP, LP SmartSide, WCCO, WCCO Home Improvement Show, www.lindusconstruction.com
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Picking the right siding for your home is a delicate balancing act between good looks, durability, maintenance & affordability. LP SmartSide siding is a resilient mix of wood strands & fibers, zinc borate, and superior exterior-grade resins that are proven to withstand extreme heat, cold, humidity & rainfall.

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LP SmartSide works and cuts just like traditional wood, taking nails and screw with ease for easy installation. It does not require special safety training and special gear to protect against airborne silica, like fiber cement. Their warranty is unmatched with their 5/50-year limited warranty providing a 5-year 100% labor and replacement feature and a 5/50-year prorated limited warranty on the product.

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How LP SmartSide is manufactured

LP SmartSide is manufactured in Tomahawk, WI. All the wood that is used at their facility is SFI® (sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified, which is the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. SFI® certification helps insure that the wood being used only comes from well-managed forests. By having LP SmartSide installed on your home, you are helping builders reduce waste on the jobsite. This is because without knots, fewer siding needs to be discarded.  Fewer knots also mean that the siding can be produced in longer lengths, which cuts back on the number of pieces used.  Because the siding is so durable, you may even qualify for certification points in current leading green building programs now available. Here is the manufacturing process of LP SmartSide:

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  • When the logs arrive on site, they go through a conditioning process so it comes in at the right moisture content for the bark to be removed off the log.
  • They reuse the bark and any other byproducts of the log for heating their facility so nothing is wasted.
  • After the bark is removed, the log itself is turned into precisely shaped strands of wood that are now ready to be dried.
  • The size of the wood strands is very precise; that is what gives their product such strength & durability, allowing it to lay flat and true to your home.
  • After the strands are cut, they still contain 50% moisture content and the product is tumbled in large steel drums that force the moisture out of the product to between 5%-10%.
  • Once the strands of wood are dried they go through the SmartGuard process, which is the blending of the strands with an exterior rated binder, which acts as industrial strength glue.
  • In addition to the SmartGuard process, they add a wood preservative treatment that is environmentally safe and EPA registered. The American Wood Preservatives Association recognizes it because it’s proven effective against termites, wood decay and rot. That is why LP SmartSide has an industry leading 50-year warranty.
  • After the SmartGuard and wood preservative process, the strands of the product have been mixed thoroughly together and are formed into a woven mat that is overlaid with a resin impregnated paper.
  • It then travels into a heated press, and under intense heated pressure, the mat that is 6-8 inches thick is compacted down to as small as 3/8 inch.
  • The realistic wood grain finish is pressed into the product from plates during the heated pressure process allowing for the look of wood without having to deal the natural defects of it.
  • The wood grain finish is very realistic and doesn’t have the natural defects of natural wood. When the product is being pressed under the heat and pressure, there are plates that push the wood grain texture into the product.
  • Once pressed, it comes out in a sheet that is about 16 feet long that is cut down into 4’x16’ sheet products.
  • They further cut these sheets down into the specific sizing that is needed.

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Lindus Construction is proud to be a Platinum member of LP’s Build Smart Preferred Remodeler Program. We have gone through extensive training with LP through jobsite audits and LP University to make sure that every job is done to the specifications that the manufacturer entails. We also offer a visual remodeler program that allows you to view LP® SmartSide® on your current home. LP® SmartSide® comes in 100 different profiles so the possibilities are endless!!

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Tune into AM 830 WCCO on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am hosted by Denny Long and Andy Lindus to ask questions regarding your home improvement projects. Call us now at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free in-home estimate.

 

“Fresh Air” Skylights & Why You Can’t Go Another Day Without One in Your Home

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Posted by Andy Lindus on March 20, 2013 – 8:09 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, VELUX, WCCO, WCCO Home Improvement Show, www.lindusconstruction.com
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I don’t think there is a single person in the Twin Cities area that is not ready for spring to arrive in a big way. We are ready to put gloomy cloudy, days behind us and open the windows to let the fresh air and sunshine in.  If you are in the mood to maximize the combination of fresh air and sunshine into your living area, we have just the home improvement product for you. It is called the Solar Powered “Fresh Air” skylight by VELUX. You will see the features and benefits below by adding skylights to you home and how it will not only increase your mood, but put money back in your pocketbook as well.

 

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Artificial lighting is one of the largest sources of energy consumption in the United States, accounting for up to 40% of a structure’s total energy use. By installing a skylight properly in your home, you will recoup your money in less than two years. By adding natural light to your living area with skylights, you will be reducing your use of artificial light in those areas on average up to 70%-80%.  The best thing about exposing yourself to natural light more often is that you can expect a 24% increase in energy according to scientific experts!

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How it works

The Solar Powered “Fresh Air” skylight features a solar panel that captures any available daylight and uses it to recharge a highly efficient, fully concealed, battery powered operator and control system. The battery-powered operator is the power source that opens and closes the skylight, and the solar panel serves as the charging source for the system

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Benefits of adding a Solar Powered “Fresh Air” skylight in your home

  • 30% federal tax credit is eligible the Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylight.
  • The no leak warranty carries a 10-year installation warranty, plus 20-years on glass. 10-years on the product & 5-years on blinds & controls.
  • Adding fresh air and ventilation to your home is essential to your health & well-being.
  • The solar panel works even on cloudy days with indirect sunlight. It does not have to be exposed to direct sunlight to function.
  • In case of inclement weather, it has an integrated rain sensor that will close the automatically.
  • The skylight requires no wiring, which makes for easy and cost effective installation.
  • It is remote controlled for extreme ease of use.
  • The inner pane is laminated for additional safety so if the glass accidentally broke it will not shatter. Laminated glass meets codes for products installed out of reach.
  • There are eight different choices of blinds to choose from. If you order the skylight & the blind at the same time VELUX will pre-program your remote to control both the window and the blind.

Lindus Construction is a proud 5-star dealer of VELUX Skylights. Give us a call now at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free no-obligation estimate on a Solar “Fresh Air” skylight so you can enjoy it all summer. Tune into WCCO 830AM on Saturday’s from 9-10am for our Home Improvement show with Andy Lindus & Denny Long.

Why High Quality Siding Underlayment Is Important For Your Home

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Posted by Andy Lindus on March 15, 2013 – 8:27 pm
Filed under Andy Lindus, LeafGuard, Lindus Construction, WCCO Home Improvement Show, www.lindusconstruction.com
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greenguard

When you think of protecting your home from the elements and increasing energy efficiency, the first thought that comes to your mind is probably not your siding underlayment. This protective barrier around your home, called underlayment, has a very important purpose. It provides protection from air or water that can be forced through your exterior siding by wind, or something as simple as a small crack. If air & water are allowed inside the walls of your home significant damage can occur in the form of mold or rot. Underlayment prevents the penetration of air & water from entering any unsealed openings. This is why using the highest quality siding underlayment on your home is important.

greenguard 2

The walls in your home are 40% wood framing, which offer little insulation, and the other 60% could possibly not be filled with insulation or lack in significant quantity Think of underlayment around your home as wrapping a protective blanket around it protecting it from cold winters and hot humid summers. Underlayment helps reduce air infiltration that can account for 30% of the heating and cooling loss from your home. It is waterproofing that prevents rain damage from getting trapped in your wall cavities. The three main factors in having inadequate underlayment on your home are condensation, water damage and rotting. You should only consider underlayments that have a permeance of 5.0 or higher.

raindrop wrap

We only use the highest quality rated underlayment. GreenGuard RainDrop 3D building wrap is what we use on every home that we install siding, because it manages moisture better than any other product on the market. RainDrop 3D drains 50% more water than its underlayment competitors, helping keep your walls safe and dry. The way RainDrop 3D underlayment outperforms its typical counterparts is because it is truly three products in one. It exceeds all building code requirements of an air barrier, water-resistant barrier and a drainage wrap. By combining all three of these features eliminates the need for installing multiple products.

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RainDrop 3D provides your home superior protection by;

  • Providing advanced moisture management
  • Enhanced drainage channels facilitate water movement out of wall
  • Channels won’t crimp, collapse, or flatten, ensuring water will drain no matter how tightly cladding is nailed to the wall
  • Qualified Air Barrier Material – recognized by the Air Barrier Assoc of America
  • Code compliant Air Barrier Material and Water-resistive Barrier (ICC-ES ESR-2906)
  • Qualified for Drainage Efficiency (IAPMO-ES Report No. 0187)
  • Superior strength properties
  • Not perforated
  • Translucent design with high tear resistance
  • UV stable for up to 6 months

When it comes to protecting your home’s exterior barrier you need to think of the 3 D’s deflection, drainage and drying. If you master these basic elements your home will have the best defense it could have.

Call us now at 1-800-873-1451 Lindus Construction offers free no obligation estimates or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com.Tune into AM 830 WCCO on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am hosted by Denny Long and Andy Lindus to ask questions regarding your home improvement projects.