Warm weather is here and now is the time to plan barbecues and other outdoor parties! Make this summer even more fun by building or redoing your deck.

Decks add to your living space during the summer. It provides a place for relaxation and entertainment. Add comfy outdoor furniture to create the perfect space to kick back and relax.

While most people think of a deck and a simple 20×20 space, there are so many design options to make sure it matches your needs. Add built in benches for additional seating or multiple deck levels for different areas for entertaining.

You can add personality to your deck by adding plants, additional lighting or an outdoor kitchen. It’s sure to be a gathering place for all your guests to enjoy the beautiful weather and time with friends.

There are also many different options for what type of products to use to build your deck. Wood is typically less expensive up front, but may require additional upkeep. Composite decking is lower maintenance but will cost more.

Fun aside, decks also have a more functional use. They can enhance the value of your home and can be a feature to help sell your home. Decks can offer up to 72.8 percent return on investment, better than many other outdoor improvements.

A deck can be a quick addition to your home, taking just a week to build, and cost significantly less than other home improvements.

Are you ready to create your summertime entertainment space? For a limited time we are offering free 2x green treated framing with purchase of select composite decking and railing packages. Purchase must be made in April or May. For details, contact us at 320-356-7342.

Winter cold spells can be very hard on your home. Avoid emergencies or uncomfortable experiences by getting your home ready for winter with these tactics.

Replace Caulking and Weather Stripping

The cracks and spaces around windows and doors create drafts and heating inefficiencies. Cracks less than 1/2” wide can be filled easily with caulk and painted over. For larger gaps and spaces between the door jams, apply weather stripping. If you can see outside through the crack, it should be sealed up.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Your heater does not have to work overtime. If you are gone for a significant time each day – say when your family is at work or school – program your thermostat to drop its temperature to the lower 60’s. You can even drop the temperature at night during the hours you sleep. A programmable thermostat installed in your home can save you enough money to pay for itself in just a couple of years.

Replace Your Furnace Filter Monthly

When it gets cold, we rely heavily on the machines that heat our home. Be sure to have your furnace checked and tuned up at the beginning of the season if you are concerned about leaks. It is wise to replace furnace filters monthly to keep airflow unhindered in your house.

Prep the Plumbing

Before the freezing temps cause an issue, be sure to drain your outdoor faucets and shut off the water supply leading to them. If you have anti-freeze outdoor faucets installed, you do not have to worry about this step. However, it is still wise to prepare the plumbing in your home by wrapping insulation sleeves over pipes to prevent heat loss.

These simple steps can ensure your home is all set for the winter cold! If you’re in the market for a new home or property, contact the experts at Lumber One.

The Stone Gate community pool is now open for the 2017 season. For more information on membership to the community pool, contact Chad Carlson at 320-356-7342.

You haven’t experienced home building until you’ve worked with an expert, custom home builder. At Lumber One, we’ve worked hard to create a full-service construction business where you can get everything you need and want for your new home without having to rely on multiple services.

Find out about all of the ways hiring an expert home builder like Lumber One can make all the difference in your new home!

Expert Full-Service Home Building

Lumber Yard

You should expect excellence. Full-service lumber yards are the place to go for expert advice and the best quality products at reasonable prices. Since 1962, we’ve been providing our extensive selection of products on-site, with the ability to special order anything you need to complete your building project!

Interior Design

Our interior design center specializes in ensuring your space provides the exceptional comfort, energy efficiency, beauty and functionality you need. Our experienced and highly skilled interior designers work closely with you to truly make your home your own.

Whether you know exactly what you want but are struggling to put together a design, we welcome you to our interior design center at our Avon location. We have the tools, team and talent to coordinate the elements of your home and create the perfect living space!

Drafting

Great homes and buildings begin with great plans. We are proud to offer in-house drafting to our customers and are dedicated to providing a full-service experience. Our drafting experts work closely with our customers and can help select a plan, redesign one, or develop a brand new blueprint to meet your expectations and match your preferences.

If you’re in need of a new home, give the experts at Lumber One a call!

Lumber One currently has special pricing in our Stone Gate Development in south St. Cloud.   Go to our Developments Page and enter St. Cloud to access our Stone Gate Development for more information on special lot pricing.  Or contact Lumber One for more information. 

Springtime is a great time to get your hands dirty . . . or let us do the dirty work for you! At Lumber One in central Minnesota, we have the design expertise, know-how and parts needed to freshen up your bathroom.

We have a ton of great tips for you as you work towards remodeling your bathroom!

Freshen Up Your Bathroom With A Springtime Remodel

Sink

Every sink has advantages and disadvantages based on the type of bathroom you’re creating. Pedestal sinks are great for small powder rooms, but offer no storage or deck space. Vessel sinks sit above the counter so you have more room for drawers, but it can be tougher to keep clean. A vanity with a sink takes up the most room in a bathroom, but it has a lot of storage and deck space.

Tile

Porcelain or glazed tiles make an easy floor to care for. Porous natural stone tiles are usually more expensive but can really help beautify a space. If you want a non-slip floor, choose tiles with textured surfaces, matte finishes or sand-containing glazes.

Venting

A fan is a must. For a master bath, splurge on a very quiet fan which won’t wake up your partner at night. For a family or guest bathroom, consider a mid-range model, possibly with a timer so you don’t have to rely on kids or guests to turn it on or off. For small powder rooms install a loud fan for maximum sound privacy near public areas.

Accessibility

Certain features like a hand-held shower can be added at any time, but you should plan permanent features from the start. Grab-bars should be secured to wall studs, and you may want to consider a shower which is level with the rest of the bathroom so no one has to step up into it.

Master Bath Musts

If you’re designing a master bath, you’ll definitely want to consider creating a private area for the toilet. You might also like to have a separate shower and bathtub so two people can clean-up at once. Creating a double-sink vanity is on the top of many people’s wish lists, just be sure to leave enough space between the two sinks, drain to drain.

Extras

A recessed niche in a tub or shower gives your soaps and shampoo a permanent home, rather than using a shower caddy which takes up valuable shower space.

Lumber One: Tough Bidders, Great Builders

At Lumber One, your project is our top concern. We operate based on honesty and integrity, have done so since 1962, and continue to strive to deliver an exceptional experience with every client. You can rest easy knowing that when you contract with Lumber One for your bathroom remodel, we do things right the first time and never cut corners. Contact us today, or visit one of our two convenient locations in central Minnesota: Avon and Cold Spring.

Kitchen remodels can be tricky. Our expert designers here at Lumber One in central Minnesota can help you find the right products to use, and we can help install them as well! We also have a ton of great, general kitchen remodel tips gathered here, so check them out, along with our retail store when you are ready.

Reinvent Your Kitchen This Spring With A Remodel

Floor

Flooring is a great way to give a kitchen a quick update. There are many different laminate floorings, vinyl tiles, or even ceramic tiles which can mimic the look of a real hardwood floor if that is what you are looking for.

Storage

A pantry can be made into a focus piece by painting it a sharp color, maybe a dark green or bold blue.

Drawer pulls can be replaced with wider handles, which can be used to create drawer labels.

Seating

Dining room or breakfast nook chairs can be redone with slipcovers instead of upholstered. This is more practical and makes them easy to launder.

If you have a bar or other stool area, trade in your usual counter-height stools for diner-style bar stools for a funky piece. They’re durable and easy to clean.

Decoration

A splash of color can be added by buying subway tile with a metallic sheen to it. Install it behind your range. It can pick up the shine of stainless steel appliances while softening the transition between darker counters and lighter cabinets.

Lumber One: Tough Bidders, Great Builders

At Lumber One, your project is our top concern. We operate based on honesty and integrity, have done so since 1962, and continue to strive to deliver an exceptional experience with every client. You can rest easy knowing that when you contract with Lumber One for your kitchen remodel, we do things right the first time and never cut corners. Contact us today, or visit one of our two convenient locations in central Minnesota: Avon and Cold Spring.