Jul

29

NEW AIP Showers + Pans: Well Priced + Pretty

Filed Under Aging In Place / Aging At Home, Designer's Corner | Leave a Comment 

Got a note from my bath distributors the other day to tell me about some new options for pre-made shower surronds, easily available to me through distribution. (Other people can pay retail off the rack!) But we know HB Building + Design is all about getting you the most beautiful results and saving you the most money.

Lauren said as she knew I worked on Aging in Place, I should make their brochure available to you. I will, in our next newsletter! In the meantime, I’ll just say that they are working on the warmth of the bather issue that I contend is not the best for anyone to have to sit in cooling air, wet, while the tub empties!  They DO have amazing barrier free design shower bases, and beautiful glass doors. Following are some examples of their new hardware and design samples.                                                                   

Prior to the last few years, if you desired a premium-looking shower enclosure, you would have to go to a “custom glass house” for the design, fabrication and installation of your enclosure. Very upscale, and also very pricey. MTI offers a great alternative with its line of enclosures, making it easy for you to have the beauty and fit of custom-made enclosures, without the custom price.  

Shower enclosures from MTI are the perfect complement to MTI’s fine line of high-quality showerbases and tubs. MTI shower enclosures are designed specifically to fit MTI shower bases in the various sizes and configurations. Two Series are available: the Nordic Series and the Teutonic Serie The Nordic Series of shower enclosures features true frameless design, with no old-fashioned headers. Glass doors and panels are constructed of substantial 10mm-thick tempered safety glass, whose corners have finely beveled edges for upscale appearance. Hinges and handles are made of cast brass, and hinges are attached through the glass to ensure security and long-term proper alignment. Incorporating magnetic door closures and the newest plastics technology in co-extruded seals, these shower enclosures are designed for years of trouble-free, watertight performance.

Installation is made easy with adjustable mounting extrusions that allow for +/- ¾” adjustment in the width of the enclosures for both sides. This flexibility compensates for variances in tile thickness and walls that are out of plumb. The Nordic Series provides the beauty and fit of custom-made enclosures, without the custom price, saving thousands of dollars. The Nordic Series also offers tub enclosures for tub / shower combination applications, such as the Tub Shield shown to the left.

The second series of frameless shower enclosures from MTI is the Teutonic Series, which suggests motion even while stationary. Rugged, industrial-looking rollers glide along a rock-solid stainless steel track, allowing the 12mm (1/2″) -thick, 200-pound sheet of tempered safety glass to effortlessly slide. Available in two finishes, natural and high-polished, all hardware is constructed of premium, solid stainless steel. This formidable combination of design and construction makes a definite statement and helps create a spa experience like no other. The Teutonic Series also includes enclosures for tubs.

Shower enclosures from MTI are characterized by clean designs, unsurpassed quality, extreme durability, smart engineering and value. Whether the bath construction is a new-build or a remodel, these enclosures are the perfect complement to MTI’s wide range of shower bases and tubs in acrylic or Engineered Solid-Surface materials

So before you commit to a custom glass house, look at MTI’s selection of Tub and Shower Enclosures and see how you can have the beauty and fit of custom-made enclosures, without the custom price. Cool!

(some parts taken from the article “Open Confinement” from MTI Whirlpools web 7-22-10)

Jul

10

Financing Your Remodel? Head to City Hall!

Filed Under Contractor's Corner | Leave a Comment 

We were so suprised when we got the call. A family in South San Francisco wanted us to design and install a new bathroom, then told us their budget. We met, showed them a few of our Bath Pack designs, they chose one, selected finish colors, and off we went.  We sent the estimate the next day, and they submitted it to the City. Within days, their loan was approved, and after a brief trip to the Building Department, we had the Permit (and the city pays for that too!)

How easy is that? Well, the Federal Government has made loans available to people based on (1) the size of the family; and (2) the gross income of the family. Finally, middle to lower income people will be able to get a low interest loan to fix up their homes! In the middle of this financial crisis hitting the entire world, we have work! People are able to get new, safe, clean, custom kitchens and baths, kitchens, laundry room remdels, all financed through a loan from their own home town. Click here for more info.

About the SSF Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program

This Program assists low- and moderate-income homeowners with housing repairs to bring their unit up to current building code. The maximum loan amount is $25,000. Eligible repairs include new roofs, dry-rot repairs, plumbing and electrical repairs, and other types of code violation repairs.

Income Eligibility

Household Size Maximum Yearly Income
One $63,350
Two $72,400
Three $81,450
Four $90,500
Five $97,700
Six $104,950
Seven $112,200
Eight $119,450

 

In your community, go to the town website and search for “Loans.” It should lead you to a page that looks like one you can find on the South San Francisco web site. This Document lists all the cities on the Peninsula and who to contact in your area. In San Mateo County, you can contact their FHA Loan programs at: (650) 366-6597

In San Francisco, you can start here to find out more info about what type of personal, home and business loans are available.

However you do it, getting necessary remodeling done now doesn’t have to be put off – you can get practically interest free loans right from your own town or city! Call them, and call HB Building + Design so we can help you with the plans you need for quick  approval and to get the work done!

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