The weather is heating up in North Texas, and now that we're quickly rolling into the summer months the time for fun outdoor activities including barbeques, cookouts, swim parties, etc is also upon us. Maybe your backyard isn’t into the entertaining shape you had envisioned for that pool party you’ve wanted to plan? Or maybe you’d just like a little relief from the blistering Texas summer sun that we all love to hate. Having a reputable local company like Brennan Enterprises install a pergola or arbor might just be the answer to your backyard woes.
One of the wonderful things about creating your own outdoor living space is the amount of versatility you have in designing what you want made specifically to fit your unique backyard. Do you already have a concrete slab for a back porch but are in serious need of some shade? No one wants to sit outside uncovered on his or her back porch in the middle of a 95-degree summer afternoon. A simple patio cover could be your summer lifesaver. We can design and create the patio cover to match your home’s original architectural aspects including shingle color. The guests at your next backyard barbeque won’t even be able to tell the difference between the new patio cover addition and what could have originally come built onto your house. We make it match that well!
Building a pergola or arbor over an existing patio slab is fine, but at Brennan Enterprises we can also help you create an outdoor living oasis for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. A new pergola or backyard arbor will become the new focal point of your home’s exterior with its open lattice beams and its distinctive architectural style. The pergola can be combined with a solid covered roof as well to give part of your outdoor living space more protection from the elements (sun rays, rain, etc). After its all said and done, throw in a little bit of landscaping, comfortable patio furniture, and a loved one or two and you have created a new addition to your home out of square feet you never knew existed.
The addition of patio covers and pergolas to your home’s backyard also greatly increases the resale value of your home. Not only does it show prospective buyers that you took great care of your home and the yard that surrounds it, but in addition you have effectively created a second (or possibly third depending on the house) living room for your family to enjoy.
For more ideas on how to create your very own outdoor living oasis right in your own backyard, please check out Brennan Enterprises’ Idea Gallery.
If you are interested in enhancing your outdoor living space with a pergola, patio cover, or arbor, please don’t hesitate to give the home remodeling experts at Brennan Enterprises a call at 817-860-9767 (Fort Worth), 972-660-3106 (Dallas), or 888-503-0044 (Toll Free). Our professional contractors will come out to your home, discuss design options with you based on your home’s unique design, grant you a fair estimate (for FREE!), and be with you through every step of your exterior remodeling process.
If you’ve found your way to our blog, there’s a good chance you are in search of replacement windows for your home (if not, we apologize). Replacing windows was named by SmartMoney magazine as one of the smartest home improvements, not only for lowering utility bills, but also increasing the resale value of your home. So if you haven’t yet used your tax refund, consider making an investment in your windows. Because replacing windows is such an important investment, it is vital that you choose a window brand of the highest quality. Cutting corners might be okay when it comes to buying cereal or toilet paper; for windows, not so much. Milgard Windows is one of the many brands you can consider when starting your window buying journey.
A brand you can trust
Milgard offers a full line of vinyl, wood clad, aluminum and fiberglass windows, all of which are backed by a lifetime warranty. The company has been named the nation’s top manufacturer of vinyl windows 6 times in a survey by Hanley-Wood, Inc. To see what kind of experience you can expect with Milgard, watch the story of Bob and Lori below. Bob and Lori had a situation similar to many homeowners. They were living in an older home and were in dire need of new windows, but kept putting it off. But as you can see, once they finally got around to it, the result was well worth it.
A pioneer in energy efficiency
When it comes to energy efficiency on Milgard Windows, there is good, better, and best. Milgard makes many windows that meet Energy Star qualifications, keeping heat out in the summer and keeping it in during the winter. However, Milgard takes energy efficiency to the next level with the 3D and 3DMax windows. With 3D (better) and 3DMax (best), you can look forward to even lower energy bills and noise reduction. In addition, they have a ‘Low-E’ coating that protects furniture and flooring from damage by ultraviolet rays. In this video from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, Jason from Milgard tells us more about Milgard's products.
If you are interested in possibly choosing Milgard Windows for your home, it is important to choose a reputable dealer to install them. Companies with high Better Business Bureau ratings and good reviews on quality review sites like Angie’s list are usually your best bet. In addition, you need to choose a company that recognizes that homes are unique and one size does not fit all when it comes to home improvement. Call Brennan Enterprises, an A+ BBB company, Angie’s List Super Service Award winner 5 years running, and one of our window experts will help you through the window installation process step-by-step. We can be reached at 817-860-9767 (Fort Worth), 972-660-3106 (Dallas), or 888-503-0044 (Toll Free).
Sources
Smart Money-Which home improvements pay off?
Official Milgard Windows YouTube page
Before we get into talking roofing and roof replacement on this week's blog, I just wanted to check in and see who was able to watch the HGTV episode of Curb Appeal entitled 'The Giveaway' which aired this past Friday evening! If you didn't hear, Brennan Enterprises was asked to be a part of the hit home-remodeling show when it came to film in the metroplex back in January. We installed beautiful new energy efficient windows with low-E glass coating into one of the three homes featured on the show. We were so honored to contribute to one of the most popular cable shows currently on TV! If you watched the episode, I'm sure you saw how many different moving parts there were doing such a large scale remodel three-times over. Although our time on camera was short, our experience was top-notch! If Curb Appeal ever comes back to our area, hopefully we can contribute again then!
All right, switching gears slightly now.
Let's talk roofing!
The spring and summer months are the best time to get your roof inspected looking for any weak spots, shingles missing, or other things that could potentially cause further damage to other parts of your home down the line. Whether you were one of the many homes affected by last month's hailstorm/high wind/tornado event or not, getting a roof inspection is always a good idea.
Here at Brennan Enterprises, we offer a variety of different styles to satisfy your individual roofing preference. Real quickly, let's run through a list of some of the characteristics of each.
Composite Roofing
Composite roofing materials are the most traditional option commonly seen on homes across North Texas. Composite materials are more affordable than most metal roofing options, but depending on which composite shingle you choose, may not have the same resistance to hail and high winds that you would find with a stone coated steel product (discussed below). With composite roofing however, you have more color options to choose from.
Slate Composite Shingles
Provides the homeowner with the beauty of slate in a composite shingle; virtually maintenance free and comes with a 50 year limited manufacturer warranty. Will fade over time to give the homeowner a truly authentic slate appearance.
Shake Composite Shingles
Gives the homeowner the look of real wood with emulated grain patterns on each shingle without the hazardous wood material. As with slate composite shingles, shake composite shingles will also fade to a more natural color over time.
Metal Roofing
Before you immediately eliminate this category because the idea of a metal roof made you run the other direction, let me clarify. No we're not talking sheets of shiny metal tiling your roof making a loud ruckus every time rains. Metal is simply the material these roofing products are made out of. Metal roofing has evolved and is now not only becoming increasingly stylish, but also its becoming a very popular alternative to the more traditional composite shingle roof.
A stone coated steel roof may be the last roof replacement you'll ever need. It comes with a 50-year warranty!! Most Texans have had their roof replaced at least once or twice due to the various trials mother nature throws our direction. No longer! A stone coated steel roof is rated at Class 4 Impact resistance and for up to 120 mph winds.
Brennan Enterprises offers many styles of steel roofing, so there's sure to be something to fit your taste.
Mediterranean Tile
Beautiful, classic style seen around the Mediterranean.
Villa Tile
Combines superior performance of steel with the classic beauty of tile seen around Italy; little to no maintenance and is walkable.
Shake
The ideal roof in that it combines the beauty of cedar shake and the durability of stone coated steel.
Shake XD
Has the same features as the regular shake but in addition, boasts a superior interlocking system where the shake is installed directly onto the deck allowing for a much quicker installation process.
Shingle
The classic look of a shingle with the reinforced strength that steel provides.
Shingle Plus
Looks like a heavy weight architectural shingle but because of the metal, only weighs a fraction of what it's non-metal counterpart does.
If you think you might need your roof inspected for recent storm damage, don't hesitate to give the home remodeling experts at Brennan Enterprises a call at 817-860-9767 (Fort Worth), 972-660-3106 (Dallas), or 888-503-0044 (Toll Free). One of our experienced roofing technicians will chat with you about material selection, style options, and be with you every step of your roof replacement.
Bay windows can add a simple touch of elegance to an average room and make those few extra square feet seem like the most important in the room. But a common problem that many homeowners face with their bay window is how to properly make use of that extra space, both in terms of furniture and window coverings.
Due to the crescent moon shape that bay windows make, furniture with circular shapes are commonly used to compliment curvature of the wall. If the bay window happens to be located in the kitchen, it becomes a fitting location for a breakfast nook with a round or oblong table. If the window happens to fall in more of a living space, then consider forming that area into a quiet reading space with a comfy chair or two, some blankets, and a few books that you just can’t seem to put down. With the combination of the natural light and the relaxing views of nature outside, this space will quickly become a favorite of the entire house.
If you aren’t sold on using the area for furniture, consider filling in the area just inside the window with a wooden bench on top of which you can place cushions and pillows. By enclosing the bottom half of the bench and adding a flip top or cabinet doors, you can create ample extra storage space. For those who are handy with tools, a DIY Window Seat Tutorial could be your answer.
This video from the Style network's YouTube channel shows just how easy it can be to transform your bay window nook into a comfortable seating area, complete with lots of hidden storage.
A window treatment is the last piece to the bay window decorating puzzle. Depending on how the space is will be utilized may determine whether you opt for a valance, full drapes, roman shades, shutters, swags, or a combination of those.
Often, when bay windows are found in a kitchen, a valance accompanies them across the top, possibly accentuated by curtains on the outer edges of the bay. Fabric “swags” are an alternative to a traditional valance and are simply draped over the curtain rod in such a way that allows for an arc of fabric to drape slightly below the rod itself.
These Hunter Douglas Duette shades also make for a great look on bay windows. They give you as the homeowner the freedom to easily adjust the shade up and down, creating many looks with ease.
Lastly, a southern favorite: old-fashioned wood shutters. This classic look can fit seamlessly into almost any home, regardless of design style. The shutters make for a great look in bay windows, especially when the room décor is already fairly busy. Curtains with a print or a color would only increase the “noise” in the room. Wood shutters on the other hand, are chic, understated, and provide just the right amount of sophistication to bring any breakfast nook, reading area, or living space to fruition.
If you currently have a bay window or are interested in getting one built into your home, don't hesitate to give the home remodeling experts at Brennan Enterprises a call at 817-860-9767 (Fort Worth), 972-660-3106 (Dallas), or 888-503-0044 (Toll Free). One of our experienced window professionals will chat with you about your style options, come out to your home, grant you a FREE estimate, and be with you every step of the remodeling process.
In a previous blog post, Brennan Enterprises mentioned that we recently installed new windows onto a home to be featured on the hit HGTV show, Curb Appeal: The Block.
What we didn't mention was how these lucky Euless residents were selected out of a nationwide search to have their home's curb appeal enhanced. The Rachael Ray show announced a contest last fall in which it was partnering up with John Gidding and the whole HGTV Curb Appeal crew to create a few special episodes for Rachael Ray viewers. Interested neighbors just had to submit video entries detailing why their block was in dire need of some curb appeal help.
A few weeks ago, there was a segment on the Rachael Ray show in which she formally announced the winners and showed behind the scene footage from the upcoming Curb Appeal episode. Curb Appeal's host, John Gidding, was there, along with the three North Texas women whose home recieved a $20,000 makeover... at no cost to them!
Here is the segment from the Rachael Ray show. (The home on which Brennan Enterprises installed replacement windows is the first to be featured in the clip.)
Also announced on this episode of Rachael Ray was the airdate for this particular 'Curb Appeal: The Block' episode... MAY 4th!!!! We are still unsure of an exact time for a local airing in DFW, so be sure to like Brennan Enterprises on Facebook so we can alert you to the time once we know. So mark it down on your calendars now! We'll be watching with you!
It was such an interesting and wonderful experience to be involved in the production of a hit HGTV show. We hope that HGTV comes back to North Texas sometime soon because we'd love to work with y'all again!
If you are interested in having replacement windows installed on your home and would like to talk to our exterior home remodeling experts about what we could do for you, don’t hesitate to give Brennan Enterprises a call at 817-860-9767 (Fort Worth), 972-660-3106 (Dallas), or 888-503-0044 (Toll Free). Our professional contractors will come out to your home, inspect your windows, grant you a fair estimate (for FREE!), and be with you through every step of your exterior remodeling process.
James Hardie fiber cement siding is becoming an increasingly popular choice for many homeowners due to the siding's extreme resistance to intense heat and fire. But how much resistance are we actually talking here?... Just watch this amazing video and see for yourself.
As you can see, the average, run-of-the-mill vinyl siding melted within seconds of the fire heating it up. The wood siding, while it took it a little longer for the fire to ignite and consume it, burned longer and more intense than the vinyl siding. Obviously, that should be of no surprise because wood only adds fuel to fires.
But the James Hardie fiber cement siding passed the fire test with flying colors. While the fire appeared to be covering the bottom half the hardieboard sample, the hardieboard siding wasn't melting or warping at all. In fact, the fire basically burned itself out trying to eat away at the durable James Hardie siding.
Real-Life Testimonials
Here are several personal accounts of how the fire resistance of James Hardie fiber cement siding saved homes from what have been almost certain destruction.
"Three years ago I installed HardiePlank siding on my cabin in Tahoe. My cabin happened to be in the center of the hottest part of the fire but it survived. All 22 houses and cabins on the West side of my street were totally destroyed along with all cabins on the streets above and below me. The cabin next door burned completely. The firefighters said because the fire was so hot, if the Hardie siding had not been there I would not have a cabin." — Homeowner, Utah
"I want to thank your company for producing a truly fine product which saved our house from destruction. We were located in the worst part on the Angora Fire, all of the surrounding homes burned to the ground and my house is the only one standing on the block. We installed your cement siding about five years ago and it was the best investment we ever made. Thank you again." — Homeowner, South Lake Tahoe, Utah
"One well prepared house with hardieplank and boxed eaves that survived, and houses on either side that didn't. That tells you something about your product. I'm surprised anything survived this inferno. We're going to be requiring fire-resistant construction, will be listing James Hardie siding." — Kevin Dubler, Julian Fire Chief, San Diego Area
If you have been in the market for new siding installation and would like to talk to our exterior home remodeling experts about how James Hardie fiber cement siding could be a good fit for your home, don’t hesitate to give Brennan Enterprises a call at 817-860-9767 (Fort Worth), 972-660-3106 (Dallas), or 888-503-0044 (Toll Free). Our professional contractors will come out to your home, inspect your siding, grant you a fair estimate (for FREE!), and be with you through every step of your exterior remodeling process.
Sourced From:
James Hardie
James Hardie YouTube
Brennan Enterprises
Recently, Brennan Enterprises was contacted by the producers of HGTV's hit show "Curb Appeal" and asked if we were interested in helping them film a special episode in Euless, TX. Of course we were interested! It's not everyday a major television crew comes calling to film shows in the Dallas area. We figured it would be a great way to help out a deserving family while also promoting Brennan and our great line of replacement windows on the air.
The show was shot over a month long period in January. During that time, the show and its crew of esteemed designers remodeled the front exterior of 3 homes in one Euless neighborhood.
Over that short month, the home that Brennan worked on went from normal and ordinary...
...to modern, flashy, and most importantly, more energy efficient!
What a transformation!!
Don't the new windows look nice?! Before HGTV came to their rescue, the homeowner had recently purchased a set of solar screens for the entire front of the house. Unfortunately, their house faces due west, and as all my fellow Texans know... a house that faces due west in the middle of July and August can get mighty hot no matter how low you crank the A/C. While the solar screens definitely helped keep the house cooler, they certainly weren't doing any favors to the overall appearence of the home.
That's why we installed some great Energy Efficient windows with a low-E glass coating to keep the solar energy from heating up the inside of their home too much. These windows have a bronze trim that greatly compliments the slight tinting of the glass (from the UV-protection). The best part of these new windows? They'll protect this family's home over 50% BETTER than the solar screens that they had previously! That is a serious upgrade in the both the cost savings and the looks department.
Want to see more from our HGTV experience? Check out this short video we made below highlighting our favorite parts of the process.
Be sure to like Brennan Enterprises on Facebook so we can alert you as to the episode's airdate sometime later this Spring.
If you are interested in having replacement windows installed on your home and would like to talk to our exterior home remodeling experts about what we could do for you, don’t hesitate to give Brennan Enterprises a call at 817-860-9767 (Fort Worth), 972-660-3106 (Dallas), or 888-503-0044 (Toll Free). Our professional contractors will come out to your home, inspect your windows, grant you a fair estimate (for FREE!), and be with you through every step of your exterior remodeling process.
Last week, we wrote a blog that highlighted the benefits of James Hardie Siding with ColorPlus Technology. This week, Brennan Enterprises wanted to highlight Hardieboard siding, specifically the benefits of James Hardie PrimePlus technology.
Who says you have to pick from a predetermined list of colors when choosing siding for your home? James Hardie developed their PrimePlus sealer and primer so you as the customer will not only have extremely durable siding for your home, but freedom of color choice as well. The colors of your home should be a representation of who you are, and James Hardie understands that.
The PrimePlus paint primer and sealer feature can be found on many James Hardie products. Applied in the factory, this durable paint primer and sealant is top of the line in durability. PrimePlus allows for a completely uniform primer application and gives a smooth, consistent surface for most acrylic, laytex, and oil-based field finishes. James Hardie siding with PrimePlus primer and sealer is offered on their Hardieplank lap siding, Hardiepanel vertical siding, Harditrim planks, and Hardisoffit panels.
Still not sold on using James Hardie for your Dallas-Fort Worth home? The durability of James Hardie fiber cement siding is so proven, even sporting venues are using James Hardie to beautify their stadium. The video below shows our local Dr. Pepper Ballpark, home of the Texas Rangers Double-AA ballclub, the Frisco RoughRiders, and how their organization has incorporated Hardieboard products to enhance the look of their stadium.
If you have been in the market for new siding installation and would like to talk to our exterior home remodeling experts about how James Hardie fiber cement siding could be a good fit for your home, don’t hesitate to give Brennan Enterprises a call at 817-860-9767 (Fort Worth), 972-660-3106 (Dallas), or 888-503-0044 (Toll Free). Our professional contractors will come out to your home, inspect your siding, grant you a fair estimate (for FREE!), and be with you through every step of your exterior remodeling process.
Sourced From:
Brennan Enterprises
Weyerhaueser
YouTube- James Hardie
One of the most popular siding brands in the construction market today is James Hardie. Known for its extreme durability and fade resistant ColorPlus technology, it’s no wonder that James Hardie products have risen to the top of the siding market.
Locally in Dallas-Fort Worth, many of our customers are showing great interest in James Hardie products and requesting information about what makes James Hardie siding and the James Hardie ColorPlus technology a cut above the rest.
We thought we’d take the liberty of gathering up helpful information and expert reviews covering the James Hardie product line and publish the information in one quick and easy read here on our blog. We will be highlighting several James Hardie products in the coming weeks, starting off with this week’s topic: James Hardie Siding with ColorPlus Technology.
James Hardie ColorPlus Collection
James Hardie siding has long been one of the most durable and reliable siding brands on the market. James Hardie products are made of fiber cement (90% cement, 10% cellulose fiber) making the material highly durable and impact resistant. For all you North Texas out there, yes that means this siding is resistant to the impact of hailstones, unlike most vinyl siding that is on homes in North Texas. That could be something to keep in mind as spring rolls around.
However, what really makes the James Hardie product line stand alone from their competition is their ColorPlus technology. Available on lap siding, shingles, trim, fascia, and soffit Hardie siding, The ColorPlus Collection comes pre-finished in a variety of colors (many of which can be seen in the photograph below). The factory-applied color is baked on and provides the homeowner with up to 30% better fade resistance than other competitive siding products.
The color is computer matched with a higher accuracy than the auto-refinishing industry to ensure that every individual board of siding looks the same. This consistent full-paint coverage cannot be duplicated by an outside third party that does on-site painting of existing wood or vinyl siding.
Another great benefit of James Hardie siding is their warranties. They offer a 50-year transferrable limited product warranty and a 15-year finish warranty from the manufacture itself. The 15-year warranty is good for everything as small as chips or cracks in the paint… they are that confident in their product’s ability to withstand everything from heat to cold, rain to hail, and everything in between.
For a couple of great videos referencing the benefits of James Hardie siding in the Texas climate, please visit this link.
If you have been in the market for new siding installation and would like to talk to our exterior home remodeling experts about how James Hardie fiber cement siding could be a good fit for your home, don’t hesitate to give Brennan Enterprises a call at 817-860-9767 (Fort Worth), 972-660-3106 (Dallas), or 888-503-0044 (Toll Free). Our professional contractors will come out to your home, inspect your siding, grant you a fair estimate (for FREE!), and be with you through every step of your exterior remodeling process.
Sourced from:
Home Show Online
Lone Star Remodeling
James Hardie
Brennan Enterprises
FERRIS, TX --- Jackie Kimbrell’s Ferris home used to be a dilapidated, run-down house built in the early 1900’s. Its condition was so poor, the City of Ferris recommended the home be condemned and bulldozed in the summer of 2010.
After hearing of Kimbrell, a 71 year-old single grandmother, and her plight with the city through a CBS 11 news story, Duane and Cheryl Tippit, wanted to help. They offered their services and vowed to get other businesses to volunteer their aide as well.
Brennan Enterprises heard Kimbrell’s story, felt her heartache, and immediately wanted to help. In association with the newly formed non-profit, Responding In Kindness, an organization aimed at helping the elderly and underprivileged with home repairs, Brennan Enterprises donated an entire set of Brennan Executive Series vinyl replacement windows supplied by NT Window for Kimbrell’s home… all completely free of charge!
Through various generous contractors that donated their supplies, time, and labor, Jackie Kimbrell’s house underwent a dramatic transformation.
“We were happy to help Jackie improve her home,” said Kerry Brennan, owner of Brennan Enterprises. “We got to know her through the process and she is such a kind, loveable woman. Brennan was honored to assist in this project.”
“The Responding In Kindness organization is wonderful. It was great to collaborate with their organization and ours, Windows of Opportunity,” stated Ryon Ray, founder of Windows of Opportunity.
“It was our first time working with them and we had the best experience. It’s always nice to give back to the community and those who are just a little down on their luck. The way companies and contractors came from all over North Texas to assist Jackie was amazing. We hope to help Responding In Kindness with other projects in the future,” said Ray.
For more information on Responding In Kindness including nominating someone in your community for aid from the organization, please visit their website or email respondinginkindness@yahoo.com.
Windows of Opportunity is a joint effort between NT Window, a Fort Worth-based window manufacturer, and Brennan Enterprises, an Arlington-based remodeling company, to give back to our local community by donating and installing new windows to families who are in need.
Established in 1979, Brennan Enterprises has been proudly serving the home improvement needs of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for over 30 years. Brennan provides services including window replacement, siding replacement, patio door installation, rustic garage door installation, roofing, and various others. For a comprehensive look at what Brennan can do for your home, please visit www.brennancorp.com.