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Apex Design Build

Residential Remodeling

Delivering Great Client Experiences...

...One Project At A Time

Outdoor Living Spaces

Simple 3-Season Solution

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When Nancy bought her St. Paul home last fall the three-season porch with its old storm windows was rotting away.  She loved the natural light and the natural plank ceiling, and the roof was fine. But she knew she needed to do something about the vertical surfaces.  APEX replaced the walls, windows and door this spring, and she recruited her brother to repaint the floor. Now it is her favorite space in the house.

The AZEK difference

The key to the project’s success was the choice of  materials, windows and doors. APEX finished the porch with AZEK panels and trim. The cellular PVC material contains no wood fibers so it can’t absorb moisture, rot or suffer insect damage like the old porch. The shell provides UV and scratch resistance. It will never need to be painted.

Versatile Eze-Breeze

The windows are triple hung units from Eze-Breeze. The Cabana door also is from Eze-Breeze. They use clear, 10-mil memory vinyl in place of glass. The three panels nest so two-thirds of the the space can be opened for ventilation. Meanwhile, integral screens keep insects out.

After the project, Nancy wrote APEX, “I’m just so pleased. I walked out on the porch on a 37-degree morning after you finished.  What a difference the new windows and a door make. I could have a cup of coffee and read the paper with just a tiny electric heater. Unbelievable!  Of course, I had to send pictures to my 10 brothers and sisters and got nothing but favorable responses. Matt was so skilled!”  Summer was even better. 

Small project, big improvement

It is not common for APEX to take on small projects like this, but it made a big impression on this very nice client. At APEX, it’s all about improving your quality of life at home. Contact APEX if we can enlarge or improve your home to help you get through Covid more comfortably. 

APEX is sensitive to Covid protocols. Initial consults typically are via video conference after receiving phone photos of the existing space.

Forward Progress during COVID-19 Stay Home

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Hello friends,
 
How are you doing? I pray that you and your loved ones are spared COVID-19. As someone who has been through cancer and collapsed lungs, I know firsthand the pain and anxiety of struggling to breathe. We can’t be too careful as Minnesota battles this personal health and financial challenge.
 
At this point, construction is considered an essential service in Minnesota. So APEX and its trade partners continue to work with appropriate safeguards. But I’m afraid it will not business as usual for a while. For us this means shifting from interior remodels to projects we can accomplish without entering your living space.
 
With everyone home, this may not be a good time to renovate a kitchen or bathroom. But we can replace deteriorated siding and roofing, dangerously old decks, undersized garages and finish basements with direct access to increase your living space. We also can design and build side additions because 90 percent of the work would be completed outside before we break through the wall to the existing living space.
 
When times are tough, as they are right now, we all need to envision better days to have hope  (another cancer lesson). Consider embarking on a dream kitchen journey over video chats and email with our award-winning designer Lisa Stoll.  Who needs HGTV when you can collaborate on a 3D plan with virtual Lisa! If you have been thinking about doing a project, this is a great time to get that dream built on paper.
 
Let’s get through this together and be ready when the COVID-19 crisis passes and the economy recovers. Until then, be well.  APEX’s mantra is to improve your quality of life at home. Please contact me when you are ready for our help with that.
 
Take care and stay well,
JB
 

John Biancini photo

 
 

Let APEX Replace Deck Now for Best Summer Ever

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Deck featuring Trex decking and Wentworth Railing

Whether we consider our Minnesota summer to begin on Memorial Day (May 30), the Solstice (June 20), or an approaching graduation party, we already are drawn to spend more time outdoors on our decks or porches Have you ever seen a greener May 1?

Long-time APEX Construction Management (APEX Design Build) clients know to lock down their outdoor living projects early in the busy construction season. This gives them  time to enjoy the remodeled decks and porches before hockey returns. Contact JB  for priority scheduling if you are thinking of  remodeling or adding a deck or porch. And don’t overlook the opportunity to improve deck access and view from indoors by upgrading doors and windows. Integration of indoor and outdoor living areas is a leading trend in home design.

Deck and porch projects offer high style, low maintenance

As shown at this recent North Oaks project, APEX often uses Trex or AZEK decking and the Westbury aluminum railing system for the decks and porches it designs and builds. Trex is a composite of wood fiber and plastic with a protective shell. AZEK is solid PVC plastic. Both offer colors and deep grain that resemble wood but require no sanding or staining. Westbury Railings feature a powder-coated factory finish for superior durability. They come in a variety of handsome, maintenance-free profiles from curved balusters to tempered glass.

John Biancini photo

John “JB” Biancini

Be sure to ask JB about energy-efficient LED lighting, phone-controlled Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, and  weather-worthy entertainment components for your deck or porch.  Warming devices such as heaters and fireplaces enhance both comfort and  ambiance. If it helps, think of the space as an open-air room addition. With the right design and features, get ready to extend your outdoor enjoyment into the evening and fall this year.

Decks, Patios, and Outdoor Living Spaces in Minnesota

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Deck photo - before

                                                Before

Summer in Minnesota is a short-lived luxury in our cool and ever-changing climate, but when it’s nice we want to be outside enjoying it.
Outdoor living spaces have evolved into much more than a simple deck or patio space with a grill and table. Even in this unpredictable climate, homeowners are creating spaces to include outdoor TVs, kitchens, fireplaces and more. So how do you begin to plan and build your dream outdoor space?

The most elementary and foundational element of most outdoor living space projects is the construction of either a deck or a patio. When considering your options in decking you’ll first need to choose between a wood or composite deck. There are benefits to both depending on your budget and your ability to do ongoing maintenance.

Wood decks have long been a standard in this industry. If maintained, a wood deck can last many years in both its function and its beauty. A traditional wood deck is a less expensive option initially, but when considering that you’ll need to stain a wood deck every other year it likely is not the least expensive option over the long haul.

Composite decking made its way into the market a bit more than 10 years ago. The biggest benefit of a composite deck is low maintenance. However, early composite decking products had durability issues. First generation composite decking was prone to sun fading, mold/mildew build-up, cracking, and scratches. We recommend Trex decking for our deck projects. Trex is a leader in the marketplace and has made exceptional progress in the development of second generation composite decking. Virtually fade, crack, and scratch-free Trex carries multiple colors and grain styles to accommodate design preferences.

When designing your outdoor space beyond the patio or deck there are five key
environmental factors. It’s important to have a good sense of things like;

  1. Sun/shade exposure.
    What are the prevailing winds in your chosen area?
    How close is your planned cooking area to the main house for ease of preparation?
    Are you close to an outdoor water source where you may have insect concerns?
  2. Next you will want to think about traffic flow and who will be using the space. For example, if you plan to retire or are retired, how accessible will your new outdoor space be in ten years? Have you considered having a space for children to play that is in close proximity to where the adults will be relaxing? How will the overall flow of traffic need to be arranged to be the most functional? Having sections for specific purposes will help you start to plan.
  3. Just like you would plan an indoor space, your outdoor living area should match the style of your home. An ultra-modern outdoor fireplace will look odd with your traditional home. Try to pull through your homes architecture as well as your decorating style to your outdoor space to make the flow from indoor to outdoor simple.
  4. Create a focal point for your space. Having a view is half the reason you want to be outside. A water feature or a garden make beautiful items to enhance your space.
  5. Plan for a heating source. To enjoy your new outdoor space as much as possible, we suggest adding a heating source to help you get a few more months of enjoyable time in both the spring and fall.  In addition to an outdoor fireplace, other heating sources include overhead heaters made specifically for a patio or deck areas.

Are you ready to build your dream outdoor space? Call APEX Construction Management today for your free initial consultation.