 Whether you decide to search for a smaller home or to age in place at your current home, safety is a key concern. New technologies and simple changes to standard home features can improve your quality of life throughout your golden years.
Safer Mobility The CDC reports that each year, more than 3 million people age 65 and older receive treatment for falls in emergency rooms. There are preventative measures that can make your new or current home safer, including: Flooring Slip-resistant surfaces and removing rugs can help prevent tripping and sliding. If you insist on an area rug, be sure to use non-skid mats underneath the rug. Improving Stairs Single-floor living is best but sometimes there is no getting around a few steps in a new home or your current one. Helpful tips for safer stairs include:
Explore Smart Home Technologies If you’ve decided to age in place, accessibility modifications go beyond grab bars and ramps. Smart home technologies can help keep you safe and provide your loved ones with peace-of-mind. Voice-enabled devices like the Amazon Echo, the Google Assistant, or the Apple HomePod allow you to use voice commands to operate compatible devices. Simply tell the device to call your friend, to remind you of an appointment, or to control a smart home thermostat, and presto — it’s done! Other useful smart home technologies include smart light bulbs and video doorbells. Even appliances can help you stay safe, with such important features like a stove shut-off system. By using motion-sensing technology, burners on either gas or electric stoves automatically turn off after a period of no use. According to a survey conducted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), 64 percent of seniors said they feel prepared to embrace safety and smart monitoring technology. Sixty-one percent of seniors responded they are willing to adopt active aging technology in order to live more independently. The survey results demonstrate the growing interest in smart home technology for the golden years. A Sense of Community Access to activities that keep you engaged with others and active is important as you age. Isolation can lead to depression and other health risks, making socialization vital. Perhaps your neighborhood provides the right kind and the right amount of activities you need. If you are shopping for a new, smaller home, consider the community and neighborhood in terms of activities, transportation, and crime. Vibrant senior communities are out there; with a little research, you will soon find the one that you love. Stay Connected In addition to smart home technologies, social media and video services like FaceTime and Skype make staying connected to family a breeze. Go beyond the standard phone call and learn to use these communication tools to chat live with your loved ones. Video chat is more engaging due to the ability to actually see your loved ones. Using FaceTime or Skype is the next best thing to being with them — you can even show them your recent upgrades or give them a video tour of your new place! Be Open to Assistance Technology is wonderful, but it can only do so much, especially if everyday tasks have become too taxing. If this happens, don’t underestimate the benefits of assisted living. These communities offer a wealth of amenities, in addition to a guaranteed social outlet. Assisted living also gives residents the chance to maintain independence while receiving the help they need. The Atlanta area boasts a variety of communities, and sites like A Place for Mom, which has partnered with 50 local communities, can connect you with a senior advisor who will be able to guide you through the process to determine the best residential choice. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to senior living. Each person has different ideas about how they spend their golden years. Advances in technology are changing the way we interact with people and with devices in our own homes. It is an exciting time to consider which features are the best fit for you. By: Kent Elliott | Info@Athomeaging.info | Athomeaging.info
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We are pleased to share with you the list of entries and winners for the 2019 Atlanta Chapter Contractor of the Year Awards. Winners were formally announced at the CotY Awards Gala on December 10th at the W Atlanta - Midtown.
Basement Under $100,000Green Basements & Remodeling Innovative Construction Winner - Innovative Construction
Basement $100,000 to $250,000Green Basements & Remodeling Winner - Green Basements & Remodeling
Commercial InteriorConstruction Ahead, Inc. Winner - Construction Ahead, Inc.
Entire House Under $250,000Atlanta Design & Build with PMC Building Materials, LLC Winner - Atlanta Design & Build with PMC Building Materials, LLC
Entire House $250,000 to $500,0005th Generation Contracting, Inc. Alair Homes Decatur R. L. Connelly & Company, Inc. Winner - Alair Homes Decatur
Entire House $500,001 to $750,000Farm Chic Design, LLC with Expert Renovations, LLC Winner - Farm Chic Design, LLC with Expert Renovations, LLC
Entire House Over $1,000,000Keiffer J. Phillips - Patricial L. Brown, Inc. Winner - Keiffer J. Phillips - Patricial L. Brown, Inc.
Green - Entire House / AdditionDecks & More, Inc. Winner - Decks & More, Inc.
Green - Residential ExteriorsDecks & More, Inc. with Bin There Dump That Winner - Decks & More, Inc. with Bin There Dump That
Residential Addition Under $100,000R&R Build and Design Winner - R&R Build and Design
Residential Addition $100,000 to $250,000Decks & More, Inc. with Bin There Dump That Small Carpenters at Large, Inc. Winner - Small Carpenters at Large, Inc.
Residential Addition Over $250,000Alair Homes Decatur Artisans of Atlanta, Inc. Innovative Construction, Inc. Keiffer J. Phillips - Patricia L. Brown, Inc. Winner - Artisans of Atlanta, Inc.
Residential Bath Under $25,000Alair Homes Decatur Level One Construction with Designs by BSB Professional Home Improvement, Inc. Winner - Professional Home Improvement, Inc.
Residential Bath $25,000 to $50,0005th Generation Contracting, Inc. Innovative Construction, Inc. R&R Build and Design Winner - 5th Generation Contracting, Inc.
Residential Bath $50,001 to $75,000Alair Homes Decatur Atlanta Design & Build Innovative Construction, Inc. Professional Home Improvement, Inc. Winner - Professional Home Improvement, Inc.
Residential Bath $75,001 to $100,000Atlanta Design & Build with Moda Floors and Interiors Boyce Design & Contracting Innovative Construction, Inc. Level One Construction with Designs by BSB Winner - Atlanta Design & Build with Moda Floors and Interiors
Residential Bath Over $100,000Innovative Construction, Inc. Winner - Innovative Construction, Inc.
Residential Detached StructureConstruction Ahead, Inc. Decks & More, Inc. Keiffer J. Phillips - Patricia L. Brown, Inc. R&R Build and Design Winner - Keiffer J. Phillips - Patricia L. Brown, Inc.
Residential Exterior Under $50,000Construction Ahead, Inc. Decks & More, Inc. with Bin There Dump That Winner - Decks & More, Inc. with Bin There Dump That
Residential Exterior $50,000 to $100,000Boyce Design & Contracting Decks & More, Inc. with Southeastern Underdeck Systems, LLC Oneida Builders, Inc. Winner - Decks & More, Inc. with Southeastern Underdeck Systems, LLC
Residential Exterior $100,001 to $200,000Farm Chic Design, LLC Winner - Farm Chic Design, LLC
Residential Exterior Over $200,000Boyce Design & Contracting R. L. Connelly & Company, Inc. Winner - Boyce Design & Contracting
Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration $250,000 and OverAlair Homes Decatur Winner - Alair Homes Decatur
Residential Interior Under $100,000Construction Ahead, Inc. (2 entries) Innovative Construction, Inc. Small Carpenters at Large, Inc. Winner - Construction Ahead, Inc.
Residential Interior $100,000 to $250,000Alair Homes Decatur Boyce Design & Contracting Construction Ahead, Inc. Farm Chic Design, LLC Winner - Alair Homes Decatur
Residential Interior $250,001 to $500,000Innovative Construction, Inc. Winner - Innovative Construction, Inc.
Residential Interior Over $500,000Innovative Construction, Inc. Weidmann & Associates, Inc. Winner - Weidmann & Associates, Inc.
Residential Interior Element Under $30,000Alair Homes Decatur Master Home Remodelers, Inc. with Traditions in Tile and Stone Winner - Master Home Remodelers, Inc. with Traditions in Tile and Stone
Residential Interior Element $30,000 and OverR&R Build and Design Winner - R&R Build and Design
Residential Kitchen $30,000 to $60,000Innovative Construction, Inc. Winner - Innovative Construction, Inc.
Residential Kitchen $60,001 to $100,0005th Generation Contracting, Inc. Alair Homes Decatur Dream Weaver Building & Remodeling with Dove Studio Kitchen & Bath Harbour Towne Construction, Inc. with Dove Studio Kitchen & Bath Innovative Construction, Inc. R&R Build and Design Small Carpenters at Large, Inc. Winner - Dream Weaver Building & Remodeling with Dove Studio Kitchen & Bath
Residential Kitchen $100,001 to $150,000Boyce Design & Contracting Innovative Construction, Inc. Keiffer J. Phillips - Patricia L. Brown, Inc. Oneida Builders, Inc. Small Carpenters at Large, Inc. Winner - Keiffer J. Phillips - Patricia L. Brown, Inc.
Residential Kitchen Over $150,000Artisans of Atlanta, Inc. R. L. Connelly & Company, Inc. Winner - Artisans of Atlanta, Inc.
Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living $100,000 to $250,000Boyce Design & Contracting Decks & More, Inc. with Bin There Dump That Winner - Boyce Design & Contracting
Universal Design - BathWeidmann & Associates, Inc. Winner - Weidmann & Associates, Inc.
*All entries are judged and must achieve a minimum score to be declared the winner, even if there are no other entries in that category.
2019 Membership AwardsVolunteer of the Year - Stephanie Elder Supplier of the Year - Kurt Anderson, Bin There Dump That Rookie of the Year - Rob Bennett Brad Cruickshank Leadership Award - Michael Rothman, MCR, UDCP President's Award - Tyra Jones President's Award - Kathryn Stempler The performance of floor coverings depends on many variables and not just one. I
teach this to anybody and everybody willing to learn more about the science of floors. This is always an ongoing topic of conversation in the Hodges Wood Products Lab at NC State University. We are constantly evaluating multiple properties of both domestic and international products to help the industry understand the differences between product categories and performance levels. A few years ago, the topic of “water-resistant” came into the mix as one of the properties to be evaluated. Since then, we have worked on different methods to assess this property and to properly understand what this means for in-service applications. Whole plank test Walking around DOMOTEX USA, we will find whole products submerged in fish tanks. The display presents how a product in its manufacturing configuration can be subjected to any amounts of water without changing its dimensions or properties. This display is commonly used for products where no components absorb water. In a laboratory setting, this test could measure dimensional changes like thickness and squareness as well as change in weight. The downside of this test is that no single plank is installed on its own and, in many cases, planks are cut for layout dimensions. This test can also be time dependent. While some products can withstand these conditions for a short period, others can handle much longer. As an alternative to a submerge test, products can also be placed in a high humidity conditioning chamber. Less-than-whole plank test This type of test evaluates the performance of a section of the flooring product. For this reason, the manufactured product receives at least one cut in order to expose the core of the product and show the effect of water or moisture on the properties of the material. This test can evaluate the same properties as a whole plank test except the manufacturing tolerances on the cut edge. The cut on the product also removes any protection that may be present on the joints of the product. Variants of the test include different numbers of cuts. The simplest version involves one cut edge while more complicated tests include the cutting and exposing of all sides and even parts of the top or bottom of the planks. When subjecting the product to water the floor can be fully submerged or partially submerged. Partially submerged methods allow us to determine capillary moisture movement, rate of absorption inwards and differences between the edges and middle of a product. Assembled product test An assembled product test derives from the understanding that a single piece of flooring is not put in service by itself. These types of tests try to replicate in-service conditions to understand the performance level of a product. Settings can be as large as 9’ x 6’, like international methods under different environmental conditions, to multiple T-joints, like the North American Laminate Floor Association’s (NALFA) topical moisture resistance test. This last test looks at the ability of an assembled product to withstand the effects of surface water while holding the water on the surface. While this methodology was developed for floating floors, modifications can be made for other installation methods. Understanding how a flooring system performs versus a single flooring element is of great importance. Products need to perform under service conditions and not in isolation. Floor coverings within the building envelope An important final consideration is to remember that our products live within a larger structure. In both residential and commercial settings, flooring systems have to properly handle moisture and water interactions. Our products are not only exposed to the living/work/recreational environment but are also in contact with subfloor structure, membranes, padding, barriers, heating systems and a variety of elements on top, beneath and around the flooring covering. Different flooring products use different methods to limit the effect of water, but all of these methods have to be in harmony with the building envelope. The whole system must withstand the effect of water or we may be exposing ourselves to unforeseen water problems instead of preventing them. About the Author Guillermo Velarde is the Manager of the Hodges Wood Products Lab within the Department of Forest Biomaterials at NC State University. He is a leader in University-Industry collaborations serving the domestic and international flooring industry. The Hodges Lab holds memberships to NALFA, NWFA, DHA, as well as other suppliers and user associations. Guillermo currently engages with installers and inspectors through trainings and seminars hosted by multiple wood industry associations. Guillermo was recently recognized by Hardwood Floors Magazine as one of the forty under 40 in the Industry (2019). He has partnered with DOMOTEX USA since the inception of the event. |
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