Is it time for a new Staircase?

August 11, 2011

Stairs end up being a focal point of any two story house whether you want them to or not. While you are stuck with the existing placement of the stairs in your home (unless you are doing a major remodel), you are not stuck with the way they look.

How many times do you walk up and down your staircase each day? Do you ever bother to look at your stairs other than to make sure you don’t slip?

Maybe the stairs do not receive much of your visual attention because there is not a lot to see. Bland carpet stretched over the basic staircase combined with a standard wrought iron rail is not the most attention grabbing part of the house.

But why does it need to be that way?

A beautiful new staircase can provide just as much of a change to the decor of your home as changing other rooms.

Filed Under: Staircase, Stairs Tagged With:

Comforts of Custom Cabinetry

August 10, 2011

One of the joys of being a homeowner is the opportunity to make changes to your living space. If you view your home as the place you will live for years or even the rest of your life, it makes sense that it be as comfortable and convenient for you as possible.

The kitchen is typically a hub of activity in many homes. With so many hours spent in this space, it seems reasonable to take the time to make it as functional and efficient as possible. In addition, it should have the ideal look you have always desired. The best way to start is with custom cabinetry.

Many homes are built in cookie cutter fashion. A housing tract might have a few different layouts, but the interior design and materials are fairly basic and provide little in the way of extras. As decorating and design became more mainstream people began to notice how you can change the functionality of a space by re-designing it to meet your personal needs. Nowhere is this truer than in the kitchen.

A person who is an avid chef and creates a feast in the kitchen will have different needs than someone who prefers simple meals that take little time to prepare. On the same note, people can use the same workspace differently and might prefer to have drawers for utensils on the left side of the stove while others would prefer the right.

The beauty of taking out the tired old cabinets and putting in new custom cabinets is that you get to decide. Everything down to the smallest detail is what you want it to look like as well as how it will function. A shorter person may want overhead cabinets to sit lower for easier reach. By the same token a taller person might wish the higher so they don’t bump their head. Really the sky is the limit!

Filed Under: Custom Cabinetry, Kitchen Cabinets Tagged With:

ASA Builders Supply – A Property Managers Dream

July 7, 2011

I had just purchased a 4-plex and was excited to get into my first venture in property management. The property was located in my hometown of Detroit which I had just moved back to after graduating from college. The 4-plex was in need of some major repairs and I was ready to get going on the remodeling project.

My dad and I had a pretty limited budget and we could not get what we needed at Lowes or Home Depot. A friend of ours recommended ASA Builders Supply and said they would have everything we needed such as countertops, Masonite doors, L.J. Smith stair components, vanities, and kitchen cabinets. He said their prices were better than any big box store and that’s where the builders liked to shop. He mentioned that they have been in business in southeast Michigan for more than 50 years. I figured they must be doing something right to be in business that long and haven’t gone out of business because of Home Depot and Lowes.

Needless to say we paid a visit to their showroom in Walled Lake and liked what we saw. The staff was super friendly and very knowlegable. We talked to them about our plans to remodel a 4-plex and they gave us some good pointers about what type of Masonite doors would be the most durable as well as what types of countertops and cabinets would be best to put into a rental. They offered to send one of their employees to come out and do measurements and we took them up on the offer.

After the measurements were done we ordered our supplies and were excited about how much money we saved compared to what we would have spent at other stores. Plus their knowledge and expertise saved us from buying the wrong kind of materials which would have cost us more cutting into our profits.

I’m happy to report that we finished up with the remodeling job on the 4-plex and have had tenants living in them for a couple of months. I’m very grateful for their excellent service and prices. I highly recommend them to anyone. They have such a huge selection of doors, countertops, shelves, cabinets and mouldings that you just can’t find anywhere else.

Now that our first property is fully occupied we are going to be looking for more to purchase in the Detroit metro area. Our goal is to own several more duplexes and fourplexes and eventually buy a multi-unit apartment complex. My father and I wanted to write this letter because we owe a portion of our success to the good folks at ASA Builders Supply. Even if you’re just looking to upgrade doors or cabinets in your home there is no job too small or large they cannot get you a great deal on.

Filed Under: Customer Testimonials

Choosing the Right Countertops

July 6, 2011

If you’re remodeling your kitchen you now have more choices for your countertops than ever before. Al the choices are great but it can make the decision a difficult one. Many people are starting to mix styles and materials. If you want to do mix styles it’s good to know about the pros and cons of the different styles. Below we review the different types of kitchen countertops.

Wood

 

Wood was used as a countertop until stone became cheaper in the 80’s. Wood is now making a comeback. Wood costs range from $50-$200 per square foot installed.

Pros:

  • Adds warmth to the kitchen
  • Surface can be sanded if damaged
  • Won’t damage knives and other utensils

Cons:

  • Can burn very easily
  • Needs to be oiled or stained
  • May absorb food odors
  • Water can blacken the wood

 

 

Stone

 

Stone countertops will never go out of style and they bring originality to your kitchen countertops. It’s pretty hard to work with but thanks to more technologically advanced tools stone can be manipulated a lot easier. Stone costs $50-$200 per square foot installed.

Pros:

  • Timeless styling
  • Very durable and strong
  • Heat resistant
  • Original – no two stones are the same

Cons:

  • Some types of stone can scratch or stain
  • Stone needs sealing on occasion because of it porous quality
  • Can scratch or break glasses and dishware

 

 

Concrete

 

You wouldn’t think concrete would be very luxurious or even appealing looking as a kitchen countertop until you actually see it. Kitchen countertops made of concrete don’t look like your driveway because the concrete is mixed with special pigments. The cool thing about concrete is that it can be turned into any color you want. Concrete costs $75-$200 per square feet installed.

Pros:

  • Luxurious looking
  • Customizable to any shade of any color
  • Heat resistant

Cons:

  • Can cause glasses and dishes to break or scratch
  • High maintenance – needs waxing to prevent stains

 

 

Engineered stone

 

Engineered stone is virtually 100% real rock – about 90% in fact. Engineered stone is simply rock mixed with resins and pigments. Costs vary from $40-125$ per square foot installed.

Pros:

  • Very durable
  • Heat and scratch resistant
  • Easy to maintain
  • No weak points like real stone

Cons:

  • Looks less natural than real stone

 

 

Ceramic tile

 

Tile is very popular and for good reason. Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Pros:

  • Heat resistant
  • Many styles, colors and patterns to choose from
  • Easy to install – great for a do-it-yourself project
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Can scratch or chip
  • Certain liquids can stain the grout
  • Needs occasional sealing to maintain

 

Laminates

Laminates are also very popular choices for kitchen countertops. Today’s laminates are not as cheesy looking as they once were. In fact, many look very classy and are confused with marble or tile. Costs $10-$20 per square foot installed.

Pros:

  • Wide variety of styles
  • Very easy to maintain
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Susceptible to thermal burns and scratches leaving marks
  • Not as formal as other options

For more helpful tips and to check out the latest in kitchen countertops talk to the experts at ASA Cabinets.

Filed Under: Countertops Tagged With: , , , , ,

Reasons to Remodel

July 5, 2011

1. Enjoyment

Remodeling is fun. Whether you’re remodeling job is big or small it’s a lot of fun to plan, organize and execute a remodeling job. Whether you are remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or living room it is fun to select the vanities, kitchen cabinets, and doors. Remodeling is not always fun, especially in the thick of it, but a job well done brings a great sense of accomplishment and completion.

2. You get the look you want

When you remodel you get the exact home you want. Many of today’s existing homes are cookie-cutter. Remodeling means you won’t have to move or have to settle on a home that meets most of your requirements.

3. You live in a good neighborhood with nice neighbors

If you live in a neighborhood you like and get along with your neighbors then you might reconsider remodeling instead of moving. Finding the right neighborhood can be difficult.

4. No buyer’s remorse

Remodeling a home is a lengthy process that requires months to complete. Almost everyone who remodels his or her home is happy with the results. They may not have enjoyed the process or the cost or may not have been satisfied with the contractor, but the result is most often what they wanted. This is because someone who is remodeling a home is only changing one thing: the house. They are not changing the neighborhood, the yard or the schools – just the house.

Contrast this with buying a new home and moving. When the decision to buy a house is made, you have to make many compromises, including the location, size, yard, floor plan, and price. No home will meet all of your requirements perfectly. Making these important decisions quickly and under pressure frequently leads to buyer’s remorse.

5. Remodeling is a good investment

Not only do you get the home you want you also increase the value of your home which instantly increases equity. If you do the remodeling project yourself you can increase the value well above and beyond the cost it took to do the remodel. Even if you use a contractor you can still come out in the black after all is said and done.

6. Location

Real estate is all about location, location, location. Chances are your home is in a location that you find convenient. Moving to a different neighborhood and section of town means having to find new ways to get to work, different stores to shop at, and possibly different schools for your kids.

7. You are emotionally attached

Homes aren’t just structures made up of wood and concrete. They are filled with great memories such as holidays, birthday parties, laughter, and good times. Moving means you have to leave all of those things behind.

8. Floor plan

If you like your current floor plan and layout of your home, but not the look then a remodel is perfect. If your home has that perfect spot for the Christmas tree, or a tucked away section where you can read a book it may be hard to replace that in a new house.

Filed Under: Remodeling

Choosing the Right Doors for your Home

July 3, 2011

Choosing the Right Doors for your Home

Choosing the right interior and entry doors can make or break your remodeling project. Selecting a door seems like a fairly easy decision but there are several things that need to be taken into consideration. Read on to find out how to choose the right door for your remodeling or decorating project.

Interior Doors

You first want to decide if your décor calls for your interior door to be stained or painted. Masonite doors are the perfect doors for either. If you want a painted look to your interior door then any one of Masonite’s interior doors will do. The most common Masonite doors that are painted include:

  • Molded panel
  • Flush
  • MDF

If you want a door you can stain then one of Masonite’s wood doors will work perfectly. Masonite has a huge selection of wood panel and French doors that look great while providing durability, value, performance and beauty.

Masonite knows that the right door and the right design can make all the difference. That’s why they have a design to perfectly fit your new construction, decorating or remodeling plans. From traditional to contemporary, rustic or craftsman style, they have exactly what you need. Masonite doors are available in a variety of design options from the traditional 6-Panel, to their one of a kind Palazzo series. They also carry beautiful glazed hardwood French doors. Choose the Masonite door that best complements your home’s architectural style and application. For example, if your home has a southwest or rustic feel the Cheyenne or Alder 2-Panel Plank is the perfect choice to complement your home’s look. If your home has more of an elegant or contemporary look and feel, their Palazzo Bellagio is an excellent choice.

Entry Doors

Just like choosing an interior door, selecting an exterior door has several things that should be taken into consideration. Do you want a traditional door? Contemporary? Rustic? With or without glass?

Masonite has the largest variety of exterior doors to choose from than any other door manufacturer. They have one panel to eight panel doors with sidelights, glass, integrated steel, and more.

Once you’ve chosen the design you will want to select the material of the entry door. Masonite is just as concerned with your door’s performance as it is its looks. That’s why they make their doors out of fiberglass or solid steel. Fiberglass doors are known for their durability, easy maintenance, and ability to withstand challenging climates. Steel doors are also very durable. Masonite steel doors come in ready to use white or pre-primed so you can paint them the color of your choosing.

We hope that you are now better suited to select the perfect doors for your home. If you need more help and want to see the latest in Masonite doors talk to the experts at ASA Builders Supply located in the Detroit metro area in Walled Lake, MI. Call them at 248-624-7400 or visit them at asabuilderssupply.com

Filed Under: Doors Tagged With: , ,

How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets

July 1, 2011

For any do-it-yourself enthusiast choosing kitchen cabinets can be an overwhelming decision. There’s stock, custom, natural finishes, painted finishes, stainless steel, and the list goes on and on. We understand your pain so we decided to write this handy dandy guide on choosing the right kitchen cabinets for your new home or remodeling project.

Budget

Just like many decisions we make in life it all comes down to money. Kitchen cabinets run the cost gamut from inexpensive to out of control. A rule of thumb is to figure out your total budget for your kitchen remodel and then allocate half that figure to your cabinet budget. It sounds pretty extreme but purchasing kitchen cabinets is typically your biggest investment when remodeling your kitchen.

Construction Type

Selecting your budget will help you make this decision. There are three different types of cabinets – stock, semi-custom and custom made. Stock cabinets may not fit your kitchen but they are typically available in the most popular looks and finishes. Since they require no customization they are generally the least expensive option.

Semi-custom cabinets are manufactured after your place your order. You can take the measurements or have a technician come out to take the measurements for you. Since semi-custom kitchen cabinets are made to order you typically have more options than stock cabinets.

Custom kitchen cabinets are at the top of the food chain in the cabinet world. They are typically made at a local kitchen cabinets manufacturer. You can choose the look, material, and size. Of course these are the most expensive to choose from.

Style

Kitchen cabinets are typically categorized into three styles describing the door design – slab door, raised panel, and recessed panel. Slab door is a single smooth door that creates a clean look. Raised panel look good in formal kitchens while recessed have a more country feel.

Material

This is where the choices can be overwhelming. Cabinets are generally made out of wood, laminate and metal. If you decide on wood, there are several different types including:

  • Alder – accepts stains easy
  • Birch – most common wood used for stock cabinets
  • Cherry – uniform grain. Used in upscale kitchens
  • Hickory – very hard wood, durable. Used in many country kitchens
  • Maple – number one choice for kitchen cabinets. Smooth grain accepts colors well
  • Mahogany – very dark wood so works best in formal and upscale kitchens
  • Oak – very durable wood. Very popular for use in kitchen cabinets. Accepts stain very well so can be made lighter or darker

Wood can warp over time and you may want to consider a different material if you live in a very high humidity area. Steel works best for modern and contemporary kitchens with stainless steel appliances. Laminate is the least expensive of the three. It is actually made up of several layers of paper pressed together meaning it is not very durable and can chip.

For more tips and to see a great selection of kitchen cabinets at prices that the box stores like Lowes and Home Depot can’t beat visit ASA Builders Supply in the Detroit Metro Area.

Filed Under: Kitchen Cabinets Tagged With: ,

Masonite Doors – Quality, Style, and Affordability

June 30, 2011

History

Masonite was founded in 1924 by William H. Mason. Mason was a researcher, inventor and engineer. During his research he made a revolutionary discovery by changing the way wood was used resulting in much more effective building products. The same spirit of innovation still drives the company to create better doors that offer style and value. The company’s focus has, and still remains, doors. This singular focus has allowed them to be the experts in the industry and that is why they Masonite doors are the number one choice by homeowners and builders everywhere.

Environmentally Friendly Company

At Masonite, they believe that safety and health are as important as profitability, quality and productivity. They believe that those qualities are an integral part of any business or operating decision.

Masonite doors company is  committed to minimizing any potentially adverse impacts of their operations on their employees, the public and the natural environment in the communities of which they are part of. At Masonite, they work with their suppliers, customers and employees to continuously raise their environmental and safety standards while building value.

Their goal is to operate in compliance with all environmental regulations, through diligent application of technically proven and economically feasible, environmental protection measures in their operations.

Masonite employees believe a healthy environment and a healthy business go hand in hand. They are committed to good stewardship in the protection of human health and the environment.

Why Masonite?

Masonite believes that doors not only add beauty to your home but they add value by being energy efficient, durable, and built to withstand a variety of climates found in the United States. Masonite doors are also built to quiet any ambient noise making your home even more peaceful.

The company spends effortless hours testing and trying to find materials that will enhance your door’s performance. They are constantly researching new materials, designs, and ideas to bring innovation to the industry. For the good people at Masonite doors improvement and innovation is a way of life and making the perfect door is a passion. They currently carry:

  • Entry Doors
  • Patio Doors
  • Interior Doors

Masonite understands that choosing the right door for your new home or remodeling project is critically important. That is why they offer the largest selection of colors, designs, and functions. Many of their great designs and materials are patented meaning that Masonite doors are one of a kind that cannot be copied or found anywhere else. There is no substitute.

They also offer several materials designed to increase the ambiance of any room. Materials include:

  • Molded panel
  • Wood panel
  • MDF panel
  • Wood flush
  • Wood louver
  • MDF French
  • Steel
  • Fiberglass

For more information about purchasing and installing Masonite doors for your remodeling project or new home contact the door experts at ASA Builders Supply located in the Detroit metro area. Visit them on Facebook at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASA-BUILDERS-SUPPLY-AND-CABINET-CORPORATION/163775595216

or the web at: http://www.asabuilderssupply.com/

Filed Under: Doors Tagged With:

ASA Builders Supply Saved Us Hundreds!

June 29, 2011

My wife Brenda and I had just purchased our first starter home in the Detroit metro area in the small town of Walled Lake. Anyway, we had been living in our home for a few months and began to visit the local big box home improvement stores around the Detroit area. We had a pretty shoe string budget and found that Lowes nor Home Depot could not meet our needs in terms of price and the look we were going for.

We were getting pretty frustrated and in an act of desperation I opened up the phone book and found a builder supply company called ASA Builders Supply. Before calling them I talked to a co-worker of mine who seems like a pretty handy guy to see if he ever heard of them. He said he had purchased some Masonite doors from them and got a great deal. That was all I needed to hear so I decided to give them a call.

I called them up first thing in the morning and talked to Margie and told her my frustrations about going to Lowes and Home Depot. After the impromptu counseling session she reassured me that they would be able to help out with our remodeling project. Told her we were looking to remodel our kitchen cabinets, get new doors, new countertops, and remodel out bathroom vanities. Margie said I had called the right place and said they were able to beat Lowes and Home Depot prices. I thanked her for the information and the free counseling session and decided my wife and I would make the short drive to Walled Lake and visit their showroom.

I’m a pretty detailed and anal retentive person so before visiting ASA Builders Supply I looked up their website and Facebook page and found nothing but positive reviews from their customers, which was very reassuring.

So we made the trip to ASA Builders showroom to check out what they had to offer. We chose to go with some Masonite doors and L.J. stair railings as well as some ASA custom cabinets. Steve and the rest of the staff were great and came out to the house to do some measuring and gave us an estimate that was well below our shoe string budget! My wife and I were elated and finally realized our home improvement dreams were going to come true.

Anyway, I am happy to report that six months later our new kitchen cabinets, vanities, masonite doors and countertops look great. Our starter home looks completely different. Even though we only invested a few thousand it looks like we spent tens of thousands of dollars. I just wanted to take the time to write this letter thanking the friendly and knowledgeable staff  at ASA for their help with our remodeling project. You won’t find a better place in the Detroit metro area. Just skip the major home improvement stores and call up ASA Builders Supply for your remodeling needs.

Filed Under: Customer Testimonials

My Home Remodeling Experience with ASA Builders Supply

June 28, 2011

How it all started…

My wife and I were finally able to take our ten year anniversary trip, albeit three years later, to the location of our dreams: Italy. We dropped the kids off at the in-laws and were ready to go. Our experience in Italy was beyond belief. The sites, the history, the culture were everything we imagined and more. We are both really into architecture and loved seeing the intricate detail and craftsmanship put into every square inch of the buildings in that country.

Anyway, after getting back home from our fabulous vacation we got right back into the groove of raising a family, working, and living a great life. About two weeks later we starting talking about how great it would be to do some remodeling of our kitchen cabinets, countertops, etc. We both were inspired by our trip to Italy and were ready to bring that look to our home.

I talked with a builder buddy of mine who and told him what we were thinking. He said that Lowes and Home Depot wouldn’t meet our needs and recommended a place called ASA Builders Supply. He said that is where he buys all of his supplies. He said they have a great selection of shelves, mouldings, doors, and L.J. Smith stairs.

I live in the metro Detroit area and their company is just a few miles away in Walled Lake in nearby Oakland County. My wife and I made the short drive and visited ASA cabinets showroom. When we got there the staff was very friendly, which is something you really don’t find at the big home improvement stores. Steve and Margie were ready and willing to answer all of our questions and were very knowledgeable, which helps because I’m a newbie when it comes to kitchen cabinets.

I told Steve we wanted to remodel out vanities, kitchen cabinets, doors, and countertops. He gave us some great tips on where to start first and recommended we go with Masonite doors and L.J. Smith stair railings.

We started with the kitchen cabinets and that project actually went a lot smoother than I anticipated. The kitchen cabinets were semi-custom designed by one of ASA builders manufactures and they fit perfectly and were just the rich, dark look that we were hoping for. The price was unbelievable too. We did some comparison shopping and found that by taking advantage of ASA builders direct purchasing power we saved hundreds compared to if we would have purchased retail.

After the kitchen was done we finished up remodeling our vanities, got brand new Masonite doors, and new L.J. Smith stairs. We couldn’t be happier with how the project turned out and owe a great big thank you to the folks as ASA Builders Supply!

Filed Under: Customer Testimonials, Remodeling Tagged With: ,