Archives for July 2017

Tips for Staying Cool this Summer

July 25, 2017 by ·

Tips for Staying Cool this Summer

The long-range forecast shows that we’re going to have a lovely summer. There will be plenty of sun and a few clouds to cool things down just a touch.  There are some great ways to keep cool and have fun outdoors this summer.

Find some shade

One way to enjoy the outdoors without overheating is to stay in the shade. If you don’t have mature trees in your yard, don’t worry. There are other options.

  • A sunroom/screened porch: If you have a screened in porch or a sunroom, you can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while being protected from the sun and mosquitos. They’re a fun and safe place for your kids to play as well.
  • A pergola: A simple structure that adds shade and beauty to your yard and is great for family cookouts. While many pergolas are open at the top, you can have a roof added to it. Otherwise, there are many vining plants that will fill in the top of the pergola to provide shade.

MedicineNet.com lists several ways to keep cool during the summer. These include:

  1. Switch up your workout routine by going out early in the morning. If it’s hard for you to get out of bed extra early, you can try going in the evening. It tends to be a little warmer in the evening than the morning, but at least you won’t be in direct sunlight. MedicineNet.com also says that if you can’t workout at a cooler time of day, you should lower your level of exertion. Maybe take a brisk walk instead of a run.
  2. Wear loose fitting, light colored, cotton clothing. Cotton will often keep you cooler than synthetics, loose fitting clothes allow air flow, and light colors reflect some of that heat away from you.
  3. Put a spray bottle of water in the fridge and some bottled water in the freezer. The spray of cold water can keep you cooled down, and if you take a bottle of frozen water with you when you’re going out, you’ll have nice cool water when the weather is at its hottest.
  4. Remember that alcohol can lead to dehydration. Don’t drink alcohol when you’re out in the heat and if your friends do, make sure they drink water as well. Alcohol can leave a person feeling like they aren’t thirsty when they are getting dehydrated. That’s why it’s dangerous to drink alcohol in hot weather.
  5. Be reasonable. If it’s too hot, you should probably stay indoors. That doesn’t mean you have to stay home. There are a lot of activities around Bryan-College Station that don’t involve staying out in the heat.

I hope this was helpful for you. Our weather here in College Station is always beautiful and that’s why so many of us want to spend time outdoors. Just remember to stay hydrated and use some common sense when you’re out in the heat this summer. Have fun this summer!

Filed Under: Tips ·

How to Have an Amazing Home Renovation in College Station, TX

July 12, 2017 by ·

How to Have an Amazing Home Renovation in College Station, TX

If you’re looking to do a renovation on your house or even doing a bath and kitchen remodel, it’s good to know what steps you need to take to make it all work out perfectly. Whether your home remodel is in Brazos Valley or in the Bryan-College Station area, there are some things you need to consider before having your home remodeled.

If You Have a Strict Budget

Sometimes your eyes can be a little bigger than your bank account. You see a beautiful home in a magazine and you want your home to look like that. However, you may not be able to afford to make all of the changes at once. At the same time, there’s no point in living in a home that doesn’t make you happy. If you want to have a wonderful home, but you are on a budget, you have options.

Get a contractor to give you an estimate on everything you want to be done, but also ask the contractor how much each part of the project will cost. You may only be able to afford a kitchen remodel now, but later you may be able to add a bathroom remodel and other work around the house.

Finding the Right Contractor in Brazos Valley

If you live in Brazos Valley you should be concerned with finding a local contractor that really knows the area. While other cities may have many building contractors that will meet your expectations, Brazos Valley doesn’t have a big city like Dallas with a lot of contractors. Since your choices are limited, you need to do your research.

Questions to ask a contractor:

  • How long have you been in business?
  • Do you live around here?
  • Can I see pictures of previous jobs you’ve done?

Each of these questions is important. You don’t want to put your money in the hands of a newbie. Yes, we all want people that are just starting out to succeed, but no one wants to be one of the first customers of a construction company that hasn’t constructed anything. Don’t feel sorry for them. They can have family hire them at first. You go and find an experienced contractor.

A local contractor is important as well. If he lives and works in the area, he has connections in the community. He can get things done right, with eh right materials and people, faster than someone that isn’t from around here.

Hiring a builder to do work around your home requires trust. You have to trust them with your home and your money. Make sure to only hire someone that you know will do the best work. When you’re hiring a construction company to work for you, ask yourself one question: Do I trust this team to do the work the right way?  If you hire someone out of sympathy because their business doesn’t seem to be working well, you’ll soon see why their business isn’t working well. You need an excellent builder to work for you.

Filed Under: Renovation ·