Have you been in and seen our new England gallery yet? If not, you probably should stop by! England is a company you might not be familiar with, but they are a La-Z-Boy company, everyone is familiar with dad's favorite recliner right?
We just keep adding new product lines and making our selection better for you! We have a huge selection of England products for you to look over and test out. England has been around since 1964, making their products right here in the United States! In 1995 they were acquired by LaZboy to operate as an independent division.
This is a great company to order your custom furniture from as well, as quoted from their website.
"With over 500 fabrics and leathers to choose from, England is known for
providing its customers a large choice of options without a long build
cycle. England delivers most orders in as few as 21 Days – so you do not have to wait long to enjoy your new furniture."
We hope you are just as excited as we are to have this great American company to work with!
The most exciting things in life usually don't go along with the plan. I'm sure each year everyone sits down and thinks, "I'm going to do X, and then X, and we will do X if the weather stays good." That all sounds great on paper, but it doesn't always work that way.
Let's take my recent experience since the beginning of January. The basement flooded because the sump pump backed up. This was something I didn't know anything about because the previous owner had put it in. We took it for granted, and one day looked in the basement to about 6" of standing water. I remember thinking..."we will have to re-do that someday" a few months before. Well, someday came rather quickly and on a weekend I wasn't really looking forward to doing that kind of work. We got it band-aided for now and put off till spring because of the frozen ground.
Now, on to the next big one. Last week, we had a chimney fire at the house. This resulted in a combination of being uneducated about the subject, and lack of upkeep. That said, this has now resulted in an unexpected fun part. Doing things you've said you wanted to, but didn't really get around to. I'm looking at building a hearth and place for a new freestanding wood stove, and fixing some issues with the room underneath in the basement. While the cost is no fun, the learning experience certainly is. Now I get to look forward to a room where the problem areas are now fixed, there's a pretty tile area where a wood stove will sit, and we can enjoy years of trouble free heating with the proper cleaning. (nothing beats being on the couch with a warm fire in front of you!)
All of this leads to home maintenance. The less you do, the more you spend in the long run. Replace a mattress/box spring that is failing, get a new recliner that doesn't recline right anymore, new filter for your furnace or AC, and the like. Clean out the chimney once a year. (it's cheap!) keep an eye on everything so you won't be surprised during a time that you'd not want to have to jump into a project.
Think of your house like a car, as it needs oil changes, air, batteries, belts, hoses, and so many more constant check ups. Your home is no different except think of it like a car you have to live in and is idling constantly. At Routzahns, not only do we want to help you have a great time remodeling, or buying for your new home, but we also want you to have the best experience in your home for years to come.
In weather like we are having, the last thing you want to do is have to shut down your primary heat source. Get it checked, and you won't have to worry later. When it comes time to replace your old furniture, bedding, cabinets, or paint something, we have the answers and expertise you need! If the pipes freeze and you need to do new drywall, we can save you money by helping you paint it without having to have someone come do it! We can help save money on a new floor if that's the case as well! There are so many options out there to save money, you just need to know who to ask!
Kitchen cabinets are everywhere. You see them at every big box store, and they are sometimes the most expensive part of fixing up your home. The problem occurs when the expense doesn't justify the product you get. Many types of cabinets are built with very cheap materials, which is just fine sometimes if it's assembled correctly. The majority use very cheap techniques to assemble and produce the whole thing, so the chances of lasting more than a few years under use is very small. Remember the cabinets at your Grandmother's house? They were older than your parents were, and still worked just fine! They were made from high quality hardware, solid materials, and correct woodworking techniques. Don't let yourself be fooled by a fancy display, look at how it's made. This article from This Old House shows a few things to look for!
Kitchen showrooms are emporiums of grand illusion. The floors always
glisten, countertops are uncluttered by coffeemakers and the cabinets —
wow! The cabinets are always perfect. No scratches, no dings, none of
the 3-year-old's favorite stickers, no dishes cramming shelves. The
cabinets are stained in the latest colors endorsed by shelter-magazines,
floated under 16-foot ceilings (so you'll never notice how tall they're
not) and lit by several thousand watts of halogen. When the doors swing
shut with resounding thumps and the drawers slide to a firm stop,
you're sold. Too bad. You think you bought furniture that will last a
lifetime, but you probably got dressed-up orange crates that will last
barely a decade.
Top-quality kitchen cabinets are made like good furniture, but even the
most devoted watchers of the Food Channel don't know what to look for.
Worse, what to look for is usually hidden. So we ordered up a finely
crafted — but unassembled — base cabinet made by a small family-owned
company that has only one line of cabinetry — the good stuff. Print out
the following pages, and take them along the next time you go kitchen
cabinet shopping.
The Well-Built Cabinet Face: All pieces visible from the front of a cabinet. The wood
used on the face of a quality cabinet shouldn't have knots, pitch
pockets, sanding scars, grain irregularities or color differences.
1. Face-frame stiles and rails are joined with long tenons (protruding
wood tongues) and deep mortises (the slots into which tenons fit). Where
two pieces of wood meet in a joint, the line between them almost
disappears.
2. Drawer fronts are cut from a single piece of solid wood.
3. Flat door panels are made from solid pieces of wood. End Panel:The side of the cabinet exposed to view.
4. Solid wood is chosen for similarity of grain and color.
5. Frame pieces have mortise-and-tenon joinery; assembled panel is
attached to the carcass (a plywood box) with screws driven from the
inside out. Drawer:All sides are made from hardwood 5/8 inch or thicker.
6. All sides are routed with a groove that supports drawer base.
7. Joints are dovetailed at all corners. Carcass: The plywood box that forms the cabinet's interior, seen here lying on side panel.
8. Side and floor panels are 1/2 inch minimum thickness.
9. Plywood shelves are at least 3/4 inch thick.
10. Cabinet floor and back fit into a routed side panel.
Details Make the Difference
Tunable Hinges:
Whether visible or hidden, a hinge should be not only strong but also
adjustable so that doors can align with the surrounding face-frame.
Floating Panels:The
frames around panels on the cabinet doors and on the exposed side of
the cabinet have deep grooves. Panels aren't glued or fastened into the
grooves, which allows them to expand and contract with changes in
temperature and humidity without cracking or pushing the frame apart.
Tiny pads keep the panels centered.
Drawer Slides: A
drawer supported by two side-mounted slides is much stronger than one
that runs over a single slide centered underneath. The quietest slides
run on nylon bearings. A good slide can carry loads of at least 75
pounds and will allow a drawer to open fully.
Frame-to-Carcass Joints: A strong connection
between the carcass and the face frame (the five narrow pieces of wood
that surround the drawer and the doors) is a mark of good craftsmanship.
At the bottom corner of the back of the face frame, the vertical piece
(the stile) has a wide groove, which locks onto the side panel of the
carcass. The narrow groove across the horizontal piece (the rail) lines
up with an identical groove in the floor of the cabinet. Biscuits glued
into these grooves join the rail to the cabinet floor.
Shelf Locks:Shelves
should be adjustable and supported by metal brackets, not plastic ones.
To keep the shelf from wandering, a locking device such as a plastic
retainer plugs into an adjustment hole above.
All of these items mark well made cabinetry of any type. Kitchen, bath, or anything else when you want craftsmanship in the construction. Check out our Wellborn cabinet selection in store or stop by their website at Wellborn.com for more information! They operate out of Alabama, and have a great reputation for building with quality! Always do your research, and buy something that is well built, and will last for your grandchildren to use it!
Many people don't realize just how fast problems can arise in the cold. Your home is no different than your car. Remember the time your battery just didn't have it when it was 5 degrees outside? When the temperature drops, there are a few things to do to avoid problems with your home, as well as with your heating/electricity costs!
INSULATE!
Exposed pipes in crawspaces, or exterior walls can be susceptible to freezing much faster than the other ones in your home. Keep a faucet dripping slowly, or even put pipe wrap or heat tape around the possible problem areas. Stopping 1 frozen pipe from happening offsets any costs of preventative materials. It's not pretty or cheap when that happens.
Prepare in the summer and spring. Grab a roll of fiberglass insulation and make sure the top and bottom of your home is covered. Insulating the floor and ceiling will keep needed heat where it needs to be, and will help you heat and cool your home more efficiently. It is definitely worth it in the long run!
STOP DRAFTS!
Stick draft guards on exterior doors to keep cold air from entering. A small draft of freezing air can make your heating system work more than it needs to, costing you more money!
Seal your windows with caulk where you can outside, install your storm windows for an added layer of protection. Plastic window covers for the insides are also a great idea. They seal against the frame, to keep older windows from letting air in to the home.
These few simple steps can help you keep your budget in line, your pipes from freezing, and allow you and your family to be more comfortable throughout the entire year. Remember, your home is your castle, so kick the invading cold air back over the moat, and stay warm this winter!
A few points from the DIY Network! If you are considering painting a room in your home, check us out at www.routzahnsway.com, stop by in Frederick, at 100 Routzahns way, or call 301-698-2450. We carry interior and exterior paints, stains, and primers, and over 1900 color choices to find the perfect tone for your project! No project is too large, or too small for us, we even have commercial solutions!
Different paint finishes have their advantages.
Before you begin to paint, consider wall imperfections and other
factors. High-gloss paint offers greater durability and is very easy to
clean. If your wall is less than perfect, however, high-gloss paint can
enhance the imperfections. Flat paint will do a much better job of
hiding imperfections, but it's much easier to damage than high-gloss.
Eggshell is a great middle-of-the-road option.
Don't let fear of color turn your room white.
Colors
can add depth and texture to your room. Using the right colors can turn
an otherwise dull room into a beautiful, warm space. If you get a color
you don't like, just paint over it!
Small samples prevent big surprises.
It's
very difficult to tell what a color is going to look like on your wall
using a small paint swatch. Investing in a "test gallon" can get
expensive, especially if you can't make up your mind. Many paint
manufacturers are now offering small sample cans of their colors. They
cost only a few dollars and will prevent you from wasting money on a
color that just isn't right.
Square footage is only half of the equation.
When
you go to buy your paint, you have to know the square footage of your
room. There are many other factors that contribute to the amount of
paint you will need, however. Always consider the surface you're
painting, whether you're priming walls and the number of coats you are
going to need. All of these things will affect the amount of paint you
need to purchase.
Get ready to spend some time preparing.
About
80 percent of your time should be spent doing prep work. Contrary to
popular belief, paint will not hide all imperfections. Take the proper
steps to make your walls as flat as possible, and make sure you clean
them before you start to paint. Any dust or debris left on the wall
could cause your new paint to peel.
There is a reason it's called primer.
Primer
is essential in any good-quality paint job. It seals the surface of
your walls and provides a great base for the paint to grab. If you've
spackled your walls, priming is a must to prevent flashing. Unprimed
spackle holds gloss better than drywall, causing a "shiny" spot on your
wall.
Don't cut in a line.
Always
do brushwork in the corners before you begin rolling. Rolling after
brushwork will flatten any brushstrokes left in the wall, giving you an
evenly painted surface.
Rollers can put more than paint on the wall.
Use
simple masking tape to remove any extra fibers before you paint. If you
don't, those fibers will become a permanent fixture on your wall.
Avoid overextending yourself.
Extension
poles are a great way to cut time and effort out of a paint job. They
will prevent you from climbing up and down a ladder and give you more
leverage when you're painting a wall that's right in front of you. The
benefit of an extension pole far outweighs the price.
If you "box" your paint, you will never fight blotches.
It
may be connected to a computer and look high-tech, but the color mixer
can create slight variations from can to can. The last thing you want is
to have two shades of a color on the same wall. This can be remedied by
mixing all of the paint cans together before you start painting. Boxing
your paint ensures you will have consistent color throughout the room.
This week, we thought we'd put up a little help when it comes to choosing furniture. These ideas were garnered in part from a crowdsourced wikihow article. There are many different ways to pick furniture out. Different patterns, colors, sytles, brands, measurements, feng shui placement, kid / pet friendly, easy to clean, and much more are all choices to consider. This provides a great way to start shopping, and hopefully steer you in the right direction! Don't let yourself get confused and stressed trying to pick new furniture for your home, develop a plan of attack and go! See below for how other shoppers recommend you look for your furniture!
Start with the basics.Most living rooms contain a
sofa, armchair, side table, and coffee table. Look for these basic
elements before adding extra pieces such as ottomans and additional
tables.
Buy investment pieces.
Look for solid furniture with sturdy wood frames and sinuous steel
springs. High-quality pieces may cost a little more, but they tend to
hold up better and last longer. (we offer a vast variety of furniture to appeal to every budget!)
Look for high-quality, stain-resistant fabrics.
Luxurious, high-quality materials will keep you feeling more
comfortable and tend to last longer than cheaper fabrics.
Stain-resistant fabrics are especially useful if you have young
children, but they might still be a good idea even if you only plan on
using the space for guests since spills and stains can happen to anyone.
Look for cushions made of wrapped foam. Foam is comfortable and durable. Some cushions may be filled with down, but down usually breaks and wears quickly.
Test the strength of the frame.
Lift one leg of the piece about six inches (15 centimeters) off the
floor. If the adjacent leg has not risen as well, the frame is too
flexible and too flimsy.
Coordinate your pieces.Each piece of furniture in your living room should complement the
others. Otherwise, your room will look chaotic and thrown together. If
you have an interior design theme, such as modern or traditional, stick
with pieces that fit with your theme.
Know your themes.There
are a number of ways to divide up interior design themes, but the main
ones often include modern, contemporary, traditional, casual, and Old
World.
Modern and contemporary furniture has sleek, clean lines and usually
makes use of white, beige, or other neutral colors. Glass, metal, and
shiny black lacquer are used more often than traditional woods.
Traditional furniture is elegant. It tends to look a little more
formal and may include details like rolled arms and skirted bottoms.
Colors range from ivory to rich hues of red and other colors.
Casual furniture is friendly and cozy. Many pieces make use of plaid, small prints, and other patterns.
Old World furniture combines styles from French, Spanish, and
Italian designs. Rustic, antique pieces are especially appropriate, and
you should look for deep, earthy colors.
Opt for a loveseat instead of a sofa if you have a smaller space.
Loveseats typically provide seating for two individuals. If you have a
small family or only intend to use the space for entertaining an
occasional guest, a loveseat could save you space while providing you
with as much as you need.
Fill the room in with additional pieces as space allows. Chests, flat-top ottomans, and extra tables or seating can add a lot to
a large living room, but too many of these pieces will crowd out a
smaller space.
That, is the question. It's
almost like running into the bank. You use it every day in some way or another,
yet rarely sit down and think about switching because it's comfortable to keep
that way. What happens when things become....uncomfortable. The couch for
instance, is not just a combination of wood and fabric, but a central part of
your home. It's where you get together to watch TV, where you invite guests to
sit when they arrive for Thanksgiving dinner(you know the people that always
show up early) and mostly, it is a comfortable spot to enjoy relaxing after a
long day at work. The worst thing that could happen is sitting in your trusty
spot, and all of a sudden hitting the floor, or even worse, being poked by a
spring that has lost its way.
This is where we come in. We want the
furniture shopping, and purchasing experience to be different than any other
store you've been in before. We have an expansive showroom, allowing you to see
many options right in front of you, and knowledgable, caring associates to help
you figure out what will suit the needs of your family. While enjoying a seat
on what could be your next couch, pick up the tag on it and you'll notice a
price. Not the sticker price, that you'll be staring at wide-eyed while
wondering how you ended up with a car sized chunk out of your checkbook, no not
that at all. What you'll see, is our heavily discounted outlet price. We want
you to buy furniture from us for a long time, we'd like to sell it to your
children, friends, and coworkers as well. This is the reason we pride ourselves
in having the best experience, and the best price.
Bring us a picture of
your current furniture and we will offer you a trade-in value on it, and give it
to you in the form of a gift card. You can use that card at any Fitzgerald
family owned company in Frederick MD. Use it toward the purchase of new furniture,
or even for service, parts, or a down payment on a vehicle. When we deliver
your new furniture, we will take your old one away for you at no extra charge. It doesn't get
refurbished and stuck in the value corner either....no, no, no. We donate ALL
of the traded furniture to local charity organizations that help those in need.
We like to think of it as a way of giving back to the community that has so
graciously helped us grow as the #1 source for furniture in the area!
