HomeAid is a national non-profit organization that provides housing to families in need.  The Austin chapter teamed up with several local community developers to benefit the Family Care Program at Texas Baptist Children’s Home.

The Family Care Program provides housing for single-mother families.  It gives these parents the opportunity to complete their education and develop their job skills for the future.

The Family Cottage is a 7,000 square foot residence that will house seven separate families. Construction is nearly complete, but these families need more than just a roof over their head.

The folks at HomeAid need supplies for the cottage and a drive is underway to stock the new home.  We’re helping out with the supply drive but there are several ways to contribute.  For opportunities to help with this worthwhile effort, please visit HomeAid Family Cottage.

AIA Austin just announced the homes that will be included in this year’s AIA Homes Tour and our Westlake Hills custom home made the cut!

Designed by Richard Weiss of Weiss Architecture, this stunner boasts an amazing floor plan, abundant space for entertaining, sleek modern lines, and one gorgeous spiral staircase.  This home is more than just architecturally appealing; it’s decor is comprised of guitars and collectibles, everything trendy and hip, giving it a uniquely Austin feel with incredible downtown skyline views.

The Homes Tour is scheduled for November 2-3, 2013.  If the pictures aren’t quite enough, come meet this one in person.   We’ll see you there!

Granite

Not all granite surfaces will need to be sealed as some types of granite do not absorb moisture as easily as others.  If your granite is less prone to absorption, sealing it will make it appear slightly hazy. A quick test is all you need to determine if your granite needs to be sealed:

Take a damp paper towel and lay it on a small area of your countertop.  Give it about 5-10 minutes then check underneath the towel.  If there is a darkened area, your granite is absorbent and sealing it may prolong its lifespan.

Sealing:

1. Spray the entire surface evenly with a cleaning agent, and then wipe it down so the counter is completely dry.
2. Many sealers come in spray bottles, this makes for easier application.   Spray the sealer uniformly on the countertop.
3. Let the sealer absorb into the stone for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
4. When the sealer is almost dry, apply another light layer, and then wipe down with a clean, dry rag.

Allow about 2 hours to pass, and then apply a second application using the steps listed above.  The amount of time allowed to pass may vary with the sealer used so consult your product for more specific instructions.

Marble

Unlike granite, all marble countertops should be sealed.  The steps in sealing marble are very similar to the steps listed above for granite.

Sealing:

• Wash your marble countertops with warm, soapy water and a clean rag; be sure you remove any residue left from cooking and everyday use.  Rinse with clean water, and dry thoroughly.
• Once your marble is completely dry, spray the sealer over the entire countertop.  Be sure to apply sealer to every inch and every corner for best results.
• Allow the sealer to sit on the marble for about 15-20 minutes.
• Wipe down the countertops with a clean rag after the appropriate amount of time has passed.  To maximize the protection of the sealant, a second application is recommended.

Properly and regularly maintaining the seal on your natural stone countertops is an easy way to prolong their life.  This small step can make a large difference in maintaining this beautiful part of your home.

May 4th – 12th was this year’s National Women Build week.  Women across the country took to construction sites to help local families needing assistance.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Austin (HBA) partnered with Habitat for Humanity and its sponsors to organize a women’s build in Taylor, Texas.

RisherMartin sent Office & Accounting Manager Sam Ramsey to represent the team and lend a hand to a central Texas family.  Sam mastered caulking, helped painting the trim and assisted in job site cleanup.

If you’d like to get involved too, reach out to the folks at Habitat for Humanity; it’s hard work but a lot of fun and very rewarding.

Read the full press release.

Our Architect spotlight this month features the ecologically-minded Alterstudio Architecture. Based in Austin, Texas, the firm’s name-sake, Kevin Alter, along with Partners Ernesto Cragnolino, AIA and Tim Whitehill, leads this team of talented designers.

Alterstudio’s work emphasizes the natural elements in every project.  The team combines these elements from each community they serve and using the human aspect of design, produces sustainable, responsible, and breathtaking work.  They are widely recognized for compelling designs and meticulous attention to detail.  The Alterstudio team has received national and international design awards and their work is regularly published.

We had the privilege of collaborating with Ernesto and Tim on our recently completed Parkside project.  It was exciting to work with such a skilled team, and their technical craftsmanship was evident throughout the project.  We look forward to kicking off our next project with them, a major transformation off City Park Rd slated to start construction mid-summer.

Find out more about Alterstudio Architecture.

We’ve compiled a few tips on getting the longest life from your roof.  Regardless of the type, there are several things you want to watch for:

• Tree branches and shrubbery.  Are there any limbs or branches growing close to your roof?  Trees are frequently the cause of roof damage.  Their limbs can scratch or tear up your roof during storms. Strong gusts of wind can easily break branches, both large and small, causing them to fall on your roof.  Take a walk around your home and if you see any tree limbs or branches that could potentially harm your roof, trim them back as soon as possible.

• Monitor your roof for signs of damage.  Your roof’s job is to protect your home, to weatherproof it from the elements.  Ask any builder you know and they’ll tell you, water is the biggest threat to your home.  If your roof becomes damaged, shingles are missing, or holes form anywhere – you are susceptible to water damage.  Not only can water damage your home’s frame, weakening its structure, but water brings with it all kinds of complications – from mold, mildew and fungus to unwanted pests that can be difficult to eradicate.  It’s a good idea to periodically inspect your roof for these potential vulnerabilities.  Having a professional out to repair a few shingles is less expensive than the damage that can be caused by ignoring this problem.

• Watch for streaks or discoloration.  Any streaks or signs of discoloration could be an indicator of a problem bigger than aesthetics.  In areas of high humidity (like Austin, TX) roofs can begin to grow mold, algae or fungus.  Keeping tree limbs and branches near your roof trimmed can help promote air flow and keep your roof dry, making it less of an organism-welcoming environment.  Another option would be to use zinc control strips, installing these will keep mildew and mold from growing further.  If either of these options seems daunting, don’t hesitate to consult a professional and never forget that working up on the roof is dangerous; remember to take all safety precautions.

• Don’t forget your gutters.  Debris including twigs and leaves can collect in your gutters and stop them from draining.  The added weight can loosen your gutters attachment to your home and the sitting water can promote insect activity.  Additionally, water back-up and overflow can cause damage your roof and foundation.  Fortunately, cleaning your gutters isn’t something that has to be done very often, but be careful not to overlook it altogether.  It’s recommended you perform this maintenance item twice a year.

It’s easy to ignore your roof as it’s out of sight and easily out of mind – but it’s so important in preserving your homes integrity.  Regular maintenance can mitigate huge problems and expenses down the road, so every now and then, don’t forget to look up.

We’re so thrilled Jeremy made this exclusive list!  Check out the full article and meet the rest of Professional Builder’s 40 under 40.

• Prep the room – Be sure to protect the room’s contents before you get started – it’s easier to cover up furniture and valuable items than it is to clean up after the fact.
• Work with clean walls – Take a damp rag to your walls before you start painting.  This will help keep the paint where you want it and ensure it looks the best it possibly can.  Don’t skip this step with your trim, especially your baseboards.
• Use painters tape & caulk – The best way to avoid that DIY look is to focus on the details.  Use the painters tape to line the ceiling (so you don’t inadvertently paint that, too) and line all baseboards and trim. Painters tape by itself is not enough, paint seepage can occur below the tape.  Run a thin bead of caulk along the edge of the painters tape, using your finger wipe the caulk down creating a thin film over the edge where the tape meets the wall or trim.  Let the caulk dry for about 20 minutes.
• Paint your trim first – Using a brush, paint the edges of the walls up to the painters tape.
• Paint your wall… then repeat – A roller brush is the best way to apply an even coat.  And while you’re at it – a second coat is always necessary.
• Let it dry, completely – Give it a full night to dry and come back in the morning to remove the painters tape.

Being thorough with your interior painting can be time consuming, but any project done right can be enjoyed for years to come.  Good luck with your project and we’d love to hear about how it turns out!

The RisherMartin team took great care to ensure every aspect of the project was right, no detail overlooked – utilizing the same paint and trim color palette, we were able to blend the new with the old.  The result – a larger home with all the charm of the existing neighborhood and a very happy family.