While Quinones Design/Build homes always feature universal access design, they look like other traditional Southwest style homes and they are also much easier to enjoy. Homeowners with disabilities that live in a Quinones home don't feel as though the look of the home has been compromised or looks like a medical facility in favor of accessibility. Homeowners without disabilities feel as though a Quinones home or remodeling project is more spacious and easy to live in. These features could be as simple as adding stylish grab bars in the shower and bath areas, or as complex as building spa like no-step shower with built in shelves, wide shower bench seat, non-slip tile flooring and intricate tile work. Additional examples of universal access design in the home include: cabinets with pull-out shelves, kitchen countertops at varying heights to accommodate different tasks and postures, and elevating appliances such as the dishwasher, washer and dryer off the floor. Traditional homes that serve young healthy adults don't always take care of them when they become sick, injured or get older. As more and more New Mexicans decide to live in their existing homes for longer periods of time, they realize the need for a home that can age and accommodate them.
For years, Quinones Design/Build has been providing their clients with aesthetically pleasing living spaces that incorporate universal access design features. Some of these custom features include: no-step entries, wide doorways, bathroom area grab bars, spacious passage ways and the extensive use of natural bright lighting. While all Quinones Design/Build homes incorporate universal access design as the gold standard, they specialize in remodeling and renovating homes to incorporate these key design features. At the beginning of each home building or remodeling project, Bill and Jake Quinones of Quinones Design/Build, work with clients to get a complete understanding of their needs and living preferences. Quinones works closely with their clients to incorporate universal access design features that provide the maximum benefit without compromising style and budget. Rather than telling clients what universal access design features their home should be appointed with, Quinones makes practical suggestions that clients can choose to incorporate into their dream home or remodeling project. The end result is high-quality, stylish and functional.
Call Quinones Design/Build today to schedule a free universal access design home renovation consultation and estimate.
More than ever before, homeowners are faced with tough decisions when it comes to home improvements balancing cost, value and the environment.
When addressing flat roofing issues, homeowners should consider durability and sustainability when evaluating roofing system costs. The installation methods and materials surrounding traditional built up asphalt roofing have changed little in over a century. Advances in white solar reflective elastomeric roof coating over the past 15 years have resulted in a durable roofing system that addresses the need for energy-efficient roofing. These roof coatings provide three key benefits- durability, sustainability and energy efficient solar reflectivity. When combined, these three benefits can provide homeowners value, protection and reduced energy costs.
When evaluating roofing solutions, the homeowner should take into consideration what the roofing system will deliver in terms of real and lasting value. In other words, the roofing system chosen should be durable and not have to be replaced again and again. This principal of durability and value provides relief for the environment as well as the pocketbook. When high quality white solar reflective elastomeric roof coating products are applied correctly, they provide a protective barrier that can stand up to some of the harshest elements and last for years with proper care. When maintained properly; the service life of a coated roof can last for many years. With the proper installation and maintenance all that is required to extend the life of a white solar reflective roof coating is periodic cleaning and an additional coating application as per the manufacture’s recommendations.
When compared to white elastomeric solar reflective roofing systems, the installation of built up asphalt roofs is an energy consuming process that results in a roof that has a relatively short service life of 8-10 years. It is estimated that 7% to 10% of landfills are comprised of roofing waste due to the fact that traditional built up asphalt roofing is not sustainable and requires frequent replacement. Asphalt roofing contributes to atmospheric air pollution in the form of both toxic and green-house gases produced during installation and “out-gassing” over the life of the roof. Because solar reflective roof coating systems only require additional coats to extend their life once the initial system is in place, they help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills associated with traditional roofing tear-off.
Reflective roof coatings act like mirrors, reflecting the sun's radiant energy back into space. When first applied, solar reflective roof coatings can provide a solar reflectance of up to 80%, which means that only 20% of the sun's energy is being absorbed as heat. Conventional built up asphalt roofing typically reflect only about 25% of sunlight. This is because they are typically covered with a gray aggregate (mineral) with a rough texture and a black substrate which allows considerable heat absorption. The solar reflectivity of the white elastomeric roof coatings can reduce the surface temperatures 55 – 75 F when applied over flat built up asphalt roof surfaces. The roof surface temperature reduction associated with white elastomeric roof coatings equate to lower cooling costs to homeowners and promote the life of the roof. Pairing energy savings with durability make elastomeric solar reflective roofing systems an environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing solution.
The advances in white solar reflective elastomeric roof coating technology over the past two decades have resulted in a durable roofing solution that addresses the need for energy-efficient roofing and durable roofing solutions.
Quinones Design/Build provides an energy efficient and durable roofing solutions. Call Quinones Design/Build today to schedule a free Solar Reflective Roofing System consultation and estimate
575-524-4646 or E-mail: jake@quinoneshomes.com
Keep Cooling Costs Down - Combining Proper Attic Ventilation with Solar Reflective Rood Coatings
All too often, attic space ventilation is overlooked and often ignored as a place for potential energy savings. Air trapped in the attic can easily reach 150˚, or more, during Southern New Mexico’s peak summer months. Uncirculated hot air in the attic space radiates heat into the home’s interior; this causes the heating and cooling systems to work harder and translates into higher energy costs year round. A recent survey found that close to 90% of all existing homes in the U.S. were not equipped with proper attic space ventilation. The older the home the more likely that home was not equipped with the proper attic space ventilation. Aside from increasing cooling costs; an improperly vented attic space can lead to very costly and damaging effects. Excessive heat buildup can cause a warping or buckling of the roof sheathing, cause premature failure of roof shingles (or the asphalt roofing materials of a flat roof) and decrease the service life of the roof. Proper attic space ventilation can help to reduce moisture. Trapped moisture can cause wood rot, paint blisters, roofing bubbles, reduction of insulation R-value, and mold colonization. Attic space ventilation can be accomplished by gravity ventilators, wind assisted ventilators and/or power ventilators. Regardless of the method used to vent, the purpose is to provide uniform ventilation of the attic for temperature and moisture control. For the comparatively small investment to ventilate the attic space properly, homeowners can save on costly repairs and reduce cooling costs.
Reflective roof coatings act like mirrors, reflecting the sun's radiant energy back into space. When first applied, solar reflective roof coatings can provide a solar reflectance of up to 80%, which means that only 20% of the sun's energy is being absorbed as heat. Conventional built up asphalt roofing typically reflect only about 25% of sunlight. This is because they are typically covered with a gray aggregate (mineral) with a rough texture and a black substrate which allows considerable heat absorption. The solar reflectivity of the white elastomeric roof coatings can reduce the surface temperatures 55 – 75 F when applied over flat built up asphalt roof surfaces. The roof surface temperature reduction associated with white elastomeric roof coatings equate to lower cooling costs to homeowners and promote the life of the roof. Pairing energy savings with durability make elastomeric solar reflective roofing systems an environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing solution.
From reducing cooling costs to extending the life of the roof, the proper attic space ventilation combined with a solar reflective roof coating provides homeowners with a practical solution when dealing with Southern New Mexico’s hot summers.
Contact Quinones Design/Build for a free Attic Space Ventilation and Solar Reflective Roofing System consultation.Stay Tuned as Quinones Design/Build provides more information on energy saving home solutions.
