Doug's Blog | masterstouchweb.com

Tag: Siding

Come Visit The Masters Touch Showroom For All Of Your Home Improvement Needs

2012.05.17 07:09:14

Three weeks of rain after a warm and sunny April? Well, that’s New England for you.

It’s still a great time of year for all of us here at Masters Touch. April 1 to June 20 is by far our busiest time of year in terms of leads and sales, and Saturday was no exception. Lot’s of great walk in traffic at the Masters Touch Showroom, with people browsing through all the amazing products we provide.

One family stopped in for a houseful of Fabrica carpet, the standard of the industry. Another couple hired us for a large home renovation project that will include a new kitchen featuring Diamond cabinets, a master bathroom remodel, and a new outdoor entertaining area featuring a deck and patio. Yet another family hired us on Saturday for a houseful of Earthwise Eclipse replacement windows, replacement of all the rotting boards on their home, and two full bathroom remodels.

Not to be out done, Alex Yavarow, one of our lead designers, came to an agreement for a houseful of Hunter Douglas blinds.

Yep, we love the busy season!

Be sure to check out our Facebook page for constant updates on ongoing projects, and amazing pictures of our work posted almost daily. Click here to check it out: https://www.facebook.com/#!/masterstouchweb

Doug

Hits: 1 | Read more...

admin

Schedule Your Home Improvement Projects With Masters Touch As Soon As Possible!

2012.05.08 04:35:33

Planning fall 2012 or even spring 2013 renovation projects? It’s not too early to get your deposit in and get on the schedule.

Business is on the upswing. We already have two sizeable construction projects booked for spring 2013, and this fall is looking to be a very busy time.

It’s always a good idea to plan well in advance for construction projects to allow plenty of time for design and permitting. Rushing through those phases almost always leads to problems later. Our architects and designers are ready to serve you, so call 508-359-5900 today!

Doug

Hits: 7 | Read more...

admin

Masters Touch Answers Your Questions About Home Improvement

2012.05.03 02:40:08

Dear Doug,

We’re going to have our house painted this year. It’s an antique house built in the early 1900’s. Over the years we’ve had a hard time getting a paint job to last very long. We’re considering the permanent coatings you hear about on the radio all the time. Will that be a good investment? What is the best time of year to have the work done?

Dan, Wellesley

Hi Dan,

Well, antique homes are a labor of love, that’s for sure! Exterior paint is one way to really bring out the charm of an older home, but it’s also one of the most difficult jobs to perform. There are many factors that can affect the longevity of an exterior paint job, and most of them come into play on a home that has been around for many decades.

Here are some factors to consider as you plan your project:

How much old paint has built up over the years, and how will it affect top coats of paint? As paint ages, it loses its elasticity, which is a recipe for constant chipping and peeling. This is especially true of older oil-based paints that were manufactured before 1980. On an antique home, chances are there is a significant build up of old, brittle paint. It’s not always easy to scrape and remove this paint without damaging delicate layers of old wood underneath. There should be a careful balance between aggressive paint removal with power tools versus hand scraping and sanding.

Another alternative is using chemical stripping methods to remove as much of the old paint as possible.

Finally, it could be more cost effective to simply remove and replace old siding with new pre-primed wood siding products than it would be to attempt to salvage old siding that has too many layers of old paint.

How well is your home insulated, and how much moisture is escaping from between the inner and outer walls during the spring and summer? Older homes are prone to moisture build up in the walls during the winter. Sources of moisture may include steam from cooking and taking a shower, steam from your heating system, and even moisture from breathing. During the colder months, this moisture is trapped in the walls. During hot weather, that moisture is usually drawn out through the exterior siding. On an older home with lots of old built up paint that has been covered with newer products that don’t breathe well, this moisture will literally push the paint off the home. Many times, this will exhibit at areas where old paint hasn’t peeled before but isn’t adhering well enough to hang on when pressure from moisture below builds. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to wait until at least mid July to paint an old home. This will provide ample time for your home to dry out.

Should you hire one of the fancy new “permanent coatings” companies? Well, if you are considering going that route, I’d recommend getting a quote from more than one and getting a copy of their full warranty. Usually, if something is too good to be true, it is. If your home has old layers of paint, moisture problems, or rotting wood, chances are the “permanent coatings” won’t be so permanent. As you consider the price premium you’ll be paying for a lifetime rated paint job, you’ll want to ensure it really is covered for life and that there is nothing in the warranty that will exclude your home from future service.

Again with the investment level in mind, it would be wise to have your attorney review the contract and the warranty before you proceed. Remember that your home likely has lead paint! The older a home is, the more likely it is to be covered in lead paint. The EPA and the state have strict laws in place that apply to renovations and painting on homes containing lead paint. Contractors and painters are required to be certified by the state before they may work on projects where lead paint is present. Insist on a copy of the credentials of the company AND the crew that will be working on your home. These laws are designed to protect you, your family, pets, and neighbors from lead poisoning and should be followed carefully. The law itself is 48 pages of fine print, but in a nutshell it’s really important to remember not to generate a lot of lead dust, and to contain all dust, debris, and chips while working on lead jobs. Clearly, mechanical grinding or paint shaving on the exterior of a home with lead paint is not a good idea. As you consider the cost of lead compliance PLUS the cost of mechanical or chemical stripping of old paint as mentioned above, replacement of exterior siding and trim covered with lead paint becomes a more attractive option. This is because the new paint job will last longer, and it will be safer for your family and the environment. It may even cost less in some cases.

The bottom line: Living in an antique home is a lifestyle choice, and it’s not for everyone. Routine maintenance is to be expected. Think carefully about the balance between aggressive preparation or even replacement versus a more modest approach of hand scraping and preparation. With the later, you’ll most certainly experience some routine peeling on your home. A good painting contractor will cover the routine peeling with a written warranty, and be honest with you up front about the fact that older homes usually have some problem areas that are always peeling.

Go with the flow and remember, a little bit of uneven paint or some peeling areas are part of the charm of an older home.

Doug

Hits: 9 | Read more...

admin

Come In And Check Out The New Masters Touch Showroom

2012.05.01 03:01:25

On Sunday my son Kellen came to work with me.

We spent the day stripping and waxing all the beautiful old wood floors here at Masters Touch. History does repeat itself. There were many days when I was young and I did this at my Dad’s work. We had a great day working together, and he was really excited to be joining me on the job.

The floors look terrific and our Showroom has never looked better! And perhaps we have a new star employee here at Masters Touch - of course, the last name helps!

Come in and check out all the new displays we’ve added in the last few months, including a full new carpet and area rug showroom, many new tile and wood displays, a complete reorganization of the fabric, custom window treatments, and blinds, and a whole new room dedicated to exterior home care that features windows, doors, siding, decking, railings, shutters, composite trim, and everything you need for your home.

Doug

Hits: 19 | Read more...

admin

As Economy Continues To Improve Masters Touch Is At Your Service

2012.04.26 02:58:50

The economy continues to show signs of life, especially here in Massachusetts. Most of the realtors I know have experienced a real increase in volume as of late. This should bode well for the construction industry, as most folks who are selling or buying homes usually plan on some renovations, painting, and design improvements. Here’s a recent story from the Patriot Ledger.

http://www.patriotledger.com/topstories/x643677004/Massachusetts-home-sales-surge-by-19-percent-in-March

Doug

Hits: 13 | Read more...

admin

Masters Touch Is Ready To Serve Your Painting Needs

2012.04.19 02:23:31

Our exterior painting crews are ready to serve you!

It's been 15 years of great quality and service, and we back our work with an industry best 5 year warranty. Every job worth $5000 or more includes complimentary color consulting.

Now is a great time to call us and get on the schedule so your home can look beautiful this year.

Doug

Comments 1 | Hits: 36 | Read more...

admin

Saturdays At Masters Touch

2012.04.10 01:57:17

Saturday was a great day here at Masters Touch.

The showroom was jammed all day long. After 28 years in retail I can still stay nothing beats a busy Saturday. Time flies by when you are busy, and it’s lots of fun working with great clients and helping them realize their dreams of beautiful home improvements.

On Saturday we booked two full kitchen remodels, a complete deck renovation, several carpet and wood flooring jobs, and also worked with clients who are considering major home renovations. Perry, Nancy, Alex, and I were all in perfect rhythm.

I love it when a plan comes together!

Doug

Comments 1 | Hits: 22 | Read more...

admin

Masters Touch Announces April Specials!

2012.04.04 02:12:34

Masters Touch Announces April Specials!

1. Masland and Fabrica Carpets – 20% Off Sale! We are celebrating the grand opening of our new designer carpet showroom. Come in to Masters Touch and see our luxurious, new lines of the best carpet goods in the country! We will discount your order by 20%. Whether you are looking for wall-to-wall carpeting or area rugs, these two lines offer the best quality and the most beautiful styling in the industry. Fantastic value! http://www.maslandcarpets.com/http://www.fabrica.com/

2. Diamond Cabinetry Sale – One of Masterbrand’s top line of cabinets is on sale for this month only! Come in and see our extensive display of door styles, learn about this great cabinet line and we’ll take 10% off of your kitchen or bath cabinetry order. Masterbrand has been making quality cabinets since 1954! Diamond is at the core of this expertise and offers every style, color and species imaginable! Start your project off right and save! http://www.diamondcabinets.com/

3. Want to know what is all the rage in children’s furniture hardware fashions? Check out Hip Handlz! These custom hand painted wooden furniture knobs can add whimsy and charm to any furniture piece. Whether you want knobs with peace signs, puppy dogs, or the Patriots' logo, Hip Handlz adds that unique personal touch. Come in to look at some samples at the showroom! Learn more here! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hip-Handlz/220246124677125

4. Looking for a pop of color to add to your master bath? Need to add some sparkle to the powder room? Well Masters Touch can help! With new colorful and creative tile options from Maniscalco Stone, Masters Touch can help with all of your tile needs. Maniscalco Stone is the home of unique stone, glass, and metal mosaics. For a limited time, take 15% off any of the fine Maniscalco tile fashions featured in our showroom. http://tiles.maniscalcostone.com/project/category/1

5. LightVue Shades and Blinds – Come in and order your new Honeycomb, Pleated, Wood Blind, Solar, Roller or Woven Wood shades and we’ll take 15% off! This is a great value – these blinds are fabricated by a company here in Massachusetts that has been around for over 100 years, and they are priced right! Styles and samples are available in our Showroom. http://lightvue.net/

6. Mullican Hardwood Flooring – 10% Off Sale! One of the finest floors money can buy, Mullican has grown to offer over 1500 hardwood flooring products! We feature many of those products in our Showroom and are extending a 10% discount this month, on your next flooring order! We offer unfinished, pre-finished and engineered styles – all of the highest quality! Come in and see! http://www.mullicanflooring.com/

7. Carole Custom Treatments – 15% off on any window treatment, bed covering or accessory, custom made by Carole’s own workroom! This discount includes the Carole fabric or trim selected for your project. We have thousands of samples in our Showroom and can help you put together the perfect look for your home! http://www.carolefabrics.com/custom/

Note: Quantity Minimums apply to all of these offers. Stop in and ask our professional staff to assist you.

Masters Touch
PO Box 171
Medfield, MA 02052
508-359-5900 ext. 201
Fax 508-359-4042

Comments 1 | Hits: 34 | Read more...

admin

Masters Touch To Open New Carpet Showroom On March 28

2012.03.27 03:36:44

Starting March 28 our new carpet showroom will be open!

Masters Touch features the entire line of Fabrica and Masland designer carpets, along with Shaw Carpets, Tuftex, Dixie Home Mills, and Key Carpets. All of our projects include complimenatry assistance with our professional design staff, free in-home measurement that includes recommendations of best seam placement, and top quality professional installation.

Whether you need a custom area rug, wall-to-wall carpet, or a beautiful hand bound runner for your foyer, Masters Touch is the place to go.

Doug

Comments 1 | Hits: 43 | Read more...

admin

Growing Old Gracefully And Still Having Fun!

2012.03.22 04:33:16

What am I going to be doing when I’m 70?

Who knows, but I bet it will be fun!

Today I bought a new mountain bike (new to me, anyway, it’s a 1999 Cannondale, full suspension, if you are keeping score.) I’ve had the same mountain bike since 1997, purchased at Fat Dog Bike Shop in Westwood. That bike and me have been to the end of earth and back - well, at least around the block several times. It’s heavy and strong, and has NO suspension.

For the last couple of years I’ve been meaning to get around to upgrading to a new bike. After visiting all the local shops and talking to some friends who ride, it was really looking like I was going to drop a couple thousand dollars for my new ride. That shook me up a bit, but there’s nothing like NEW, right?

Well, not exactly.

The musician part of me has gained a real affection for finding vintage gear on the website Craigslist. On a whim, I looked up bikes for sale and quickly found more than enough bikes for sale locally that would meet my needs. One jumped out at me, the Cannondale. This was the cream of the crop back in 1999! I called to inquire and an older sounding gentleman was on the line. He carefully answered all my questions and gave me his address.

"It’s a house," he said. "Just pull down the side street and you’ll see my shop."

About an hour later I arrive with my trusty sidekick Nyla (the family dog) to check out the bike. Much to my surprise, I walked into a well run used bicycle shop that also specialized in repairs. As I browsed the meticulously maintained inventory, Dick, the owner, asked me “How is business?” He saw the Masters Touch logo on my truck and knew I was a builder. We then chatted about business for 20 minutes as he told me the story of a career in building. Five years ago he retired and keeps himself occupied with the bike shop. I’ve never met a happier man, relaxed, thrilled to be recycling old bikes and helping people find a great deal on their new wheels.

Dick has a new customer, and I have a new vision of how great life can be now and in the future. What am I going to be doing when I’m 70 years old? I have no idea, but if I have anything to say about it I know I’ll be having as much fun as Dick.

Doug

Hits: 29 | Read more...

admin

Exciting New Changes Coming To Masters Touch!

2012.03.06 05:35:05

There are so many exciting changes happening here at Masters Touch.

In the next few weeks we’ll have our showroom completely updated with a new area specializing in exterior home care products. We’ll feature various brands of windows including Marvin, Andersen, Pella, Harvey, Earthwise, and Jeldwen.

Doors will include Thermatru, Andersen, Marvin, Pella, and Simpson. Our “exterior” room will also feature a full selection of Certainteed shingles on display.

In addition, you can see Kleer brand decking and replacement trim, along with Azek railings. While we’re at it, we are near completion of revamping our carpet showroom. Here you will find a comprehensive array of carpets and area rugs. You’ll see fine selections from Fabrica and Masland, two of the preeminent designer brands on the market today. We also feature a full line of carpet for every room in your home by Dixie Home, along with Tuftex of California, two of the best carpet mills in the country.

Over the winter, we’ve tripled the amount of tile and hardwood featured in our showroom, so chances are you’ll find everything you need right here. Of course, all of our products are sold with installation available, always by seasoned professionals.

Need window treatments? Masters Touch features Hunter Douglas and Light Vue brands of premium blinds, and our designers will gladly assist with the design and installation of custom window treatments for every room in your home.

So what’s the most exciting feature at the Masters Touch showroom? Our staff! Our team of professional designers are ready to serve you. Feel free to drop in, or better yet call ahead and schedule a one-on-one appointment with the designer of your choice.

Whether you are considering building your new dream home, renovating part of your existing home, or planning to spruce up a few rooms, the best place to start is Masters Touch.

Everything you need and people you can trust.

Spring showroom hours:

Monday to Wednesday - 7 Am to 5 PM

Thursday - 7 AM to 8 PM

Friday - 7 AM to 2 PM

Saturday - 8 AM to 4 PM

Off hours by appointment for preferred customers.

Hits: 36 | Read more...

admin

Masters Touch Looks To The Future With New Computer Database

2012.02.07 05:00:25

We’ve just finished upgrading our database software. It was no easy task, as we have accumulated over 10,000 contacts, tens of thousands of attachments such as excel files, word documents, and over a hundred thousand archived emails!

Amazingly, as technological innovations march onward, sometimes the old way is good enough. Our fancy new data base can do all sorts of tricks the old one couldn’t, but it’s a real memory hog and tends to run slower than the old one. As quickly as the speed and memory of computers improves, software developers gobble up all the processing power with powerful programs that do the same thing the old ones did.

But, after a few false starts, it looks like we’ve finally got the new system up and running. As I was going through this process, I was constantly reminded about how important good customer service is, and how upsetting bad customer service is! Calling the technical support lines was a crap shoot. Sometimes a great person would be on the line, and then sometimes a real grouch would answer who really had no interest in helping me solve my problems. As I reflect on that, I’m more focused than ever on ensuring that every single member of the Masters Touch team loves their job, loves being part of a great company, and loves delivering nothing but the best service and quality.

I greatly appreciate the feedback, both positive and negative, that many of our clients give us. Good feedback helps us enhance areas where we’re already strong and subsequently force us to focus on areas that need improvement. Sometimes, an unvarnished opinion can be a bitter pill to swallow, but I look at every situation as a chance to learn and improve, and hopefully eliminate future mistakes.

Doug

Hits: 44 | Read more...

admin

Masters Touch Reminds You To Keep Up With Regular Home Maintenance And Repairs

2011.11.15 05:48:06

It's important to keep up with routine maintenance on your home. Whether it's the roof, a paint job, the heating system, landscaping or gutter cleaning, you should always make sure you take care of your most important investment.

On Friday I met with a potential client at a beautiful home they were purchasing in Walpole. What struck me about the property was how well maintained it was. From the exterior grounds and paint job, to the immaculate interior, it was clear that the house was owned by a family that put a lot of emphasis on proper care. The house needed nothing, save for a fresh coat of paint on the interior walls to update the colors for the new homeowners.

I look at hundreds of homes each year, and it is always very apparent when I visit a home that has not been well cared for. Generally, a home in disrepair will cost a lot more to work on, and that goes for any type of work.

It's never a good sign when a potential exterior painting client calls in and proudly exclaims, "I haven't painted my home in 12 years!" Invariably, I'll go visit homes like that and they are a wreck. We cannot make up for years of neglect with one job, and to top it off, the next paint job isn't going to last as long because the wood is usually damaged by over exposure to the elements.

While it is tempting to put off routine repairs and maintenance on your home, it is bad idea. Be sure to assess your home's needs, and make sure you have a plan in place to address them before one problem after another gets ahead of you.

Doug

Hits: 84 | Read more...

admin

Schedule Your Upcoming Winter Projects With Masters Touch Soon!

2011.10.11 03:58:18

Columbus Day.

It's been a beautiful weekend. Warm and sunny - definitely Indian Summer. And what could be better than a final brilliant weekend before the fall really sets in?

We have a few weeks left for exterior painting and then the cold weather should really hit us. However, that won't slow down exterior construction, so there's still time to sign up for various types of work. Whether you need a roof, siding, trim repairs, all new windows, or an addition, we perform those kinds of projects right through the winter.

Don't forget about interior work as well. Whether it's time for a new kitchen, a finished basement, or some interior painting, our experienced craftsmen are ready to serve you.

Take advantage of our winter seasonal pricing for painting: 20% off any project over $2000.00 or more, and 25% off any project of 25% or more scheduled for production between December 1st and April 1st.

Masters Touch remains . . . at your service!

Doug

Hits: 104 | Read more...

admin

The Masters Touch Calender Is Filling Up, So Make Your Appointments Now!

2011.09.07 04:14:35

What a great weekend in New Hampshire, celebrating my 12th anniversary with my awesome wife Michelle! It was great to get away for a few days, and it's great to be back into the fall rush.

Right now Masters Touch has one of our biggest backlogs of work ever. We have so many current projects on the horizon. These include the addition of a second floor over a breezeway and garage for a master bed and bath suite, while adding a huge mudroom to a great home in Needham, to several kitchens, bathrooms, two full homes worth of windows and siding, many flooring projects - including carpet, wood, and tile - and of course dozens of paint jobs!

So what does all that mean? We have limited availability between now and December. And our winter schedule for December, January, February and beyond is already filling up quickly! Call 508-359-5900 x 299 today if you would like to receive a complimentary proposal and reserve a place in our schedule. Sign up soon and you'll be enjoying your new and improved home before spring of 2012.

Doug

Hits: 129 | Read more...

admin

Masters Touch Looks Forward To Serving All Your Needs On Your Fall Home Improvement Projects

2011.08.23 05:42:59

It's hard to believe summer is already winding down. It never lasts quite long enough, but the crisp air of September always brings about exciting change. All the kids will be back in school, football and fall festivals abound, and everybody gets back in gear with home improvement ideas.

Here at Masters Touch we've been busy all summer working on our showroom. This fall we will be unveiling our new and improved "Exterior Showroom." This will feature everything you need for exterior projects including windows, doors, siding, roofing, trim, and decking materials.

We're also revamping several other areas of The Masters Touch Showroom to feature the latest designer products. You'll see great new products in the tile Showroom, wood flooring area, carpet and fabric and window treatments area.

As always, our respected design team is ready to serve you. We're busier than we have been in years, so plan your fall projects and holiday fix-ups early so you'll be able to enjoy them with your family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We're looking forward to working with you soon.

Sincerely,

Doug Masters and the Masters Touch Team of Designers

Hits: 124 | Read more...

admin

Masters Touch Answers Questions About House Painting

2010.11.21 04:36:08

Hi Doug, I enjoy the articles. My house needs to be painted every 3 to 5 years, and it has always been that way since I moved in almost 20 years ago. Help!

Joe

Walpole

Hey Joe, thank you for the compliment. Now about that peeling house. Without a bit more information it will be hard to make an accurate diagnosis, but we can review what some of the main reasons are that paint peels.

Houses that peel almost always have an underlying defect that is causing the problem. While most people are likely to blame the last painter or the paint itself, it is usually not the case.

There are three main causes of peeling on siding (clap boards and shingles). There are actually more, but 90% of these problems are caused by these top three reasons, so we’ll focus on them for now.

1. Build up and failure of old paint: If your house was built before 1975 it probably has many old layers of paint. Older paint systems included mostly oil paints until the 1970s, and those old primers and paints become thick and brittle over time. With changes in temperature and humidity comes expansion and contraction and the old brittle layers simply cannot handle the pressure so they crack and peel. Putting more paint on top of this old paint will not help – you’ll still end up with a peeling mess.

2. Mill glaze: Many homes built or resided between 1980 and 2000 were covered with bare smooth cedar clap boards. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but these boards caused major headaches. As the boards were manufactured the natural oils in the wood were drawn to the surface and created a thin coating that would prevent paints and stains from penetrating. After installation they may have sat unprotected from the weather for a time before primer or stain was applied. This combination causes the film or “glaze” to become even slicker. Then, when coatings were applied they would only adhere to the glaze, not the wood itself. Add in moisture, sun, heat and cold and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. It is almost impossible to get any coating to adhere to a home with mill glaze unless all of the old coatings and the mill glaze are completely removed. This is not practical, and many paint jobs have failed over the years because of mill glaze.

3. Moisture: Moisture is almost always a factor in peeling. Moisture contributes to peeling of old coatings as mentioned above and to mill glaze peeling. Moisture can also be a problem on its own. In many old homes built prior to 1995 there are major amounts of moisture behind the siding and in between the outer and inner walls of a building. This moisture can be caused by leaks near the roof or trim boards or it can come from inside your home. As you breathe, take a shower, cook or run your heating system moisture is created and tends to accumulate between the inside and outside walls. Then spring arrives and on the first hot day the moisture is rapidly drawn outside. Many coatings, including paint and stain, cannot handle the pressure this creates and they form bubbles and eventually peel. This is a very hard problem to solve and in some cases the only solution is to strip and reside your home while adding a proper moisture barrier.

Joe, you may have one or a combination of these problems. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet paint that will solve this problem. Call a few professional painters with years of experience and ask them for an assessment. A good honest painter will be frank with you and tell you what to expect in terms of performance of a paint job. Ultimately, you may have to reside your home in which case you will spend more in the short-term, but end up with a job that will look great and last a long time.

Doug

Hits: 262 | Read more...

masterstouchweb.com

Tag: Siding

Login

Menu Options