Creating an Outdoor Living Space

By Robert Robillard

Planning An Outdoor Living Space When entertaining the favorite hangout in my home always seemed to be the kitchen. There seems to be a magnetic pull to the kitchen. This is especially true when my wife is in there entertaining the crowd with her culinary skills and sense of humor.  A sense of humor, I…

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How To Install A Decorative Cupola

By Robert Robillard

Installing A Cupola I love Cupolas, this article will show you how to How to install a decorative cupola. In my neck of the woods all barns worthy of their salt have a functional cupola an most of them. I had the opportunity to rebuild an 80 to 100 year old cupola in historic Concord, Ma…

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Decorative Tray Ceiling

By Robert Robillard

Framing A Decorative Tray Ceiling A tray ceiling is a rectangular architectural feature that is either inverted or recessed. Tray ceilings can be plain, ornate, subtle or dramatic and almost always make a statement! When people install tray ceilings they almost always install accent or rope lighting above it.  Tray ceilings are often found in…

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Cupola Renovation

By Robert Robillard

Rebuilding A Cupola A Challenging, Exciting and Rewarding Project!  The cupola pictured in this article is located on top of 57-59 Main Street in Concord, Massachusetts.                   Time For A Paint Job? Many folks see buildings and structures looking shabby and assume a coat of paint is…

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Roof Colors that Complement Historic Structures

By Robert Robillard

Roof Colors that Complement Historic Structures My town has a department called the Historic District commission. [HDC]  The HDC  is charged with determining appropriate exterior architectural features of buildings within the HDC district. The HDC determines color, moldings, details ad other features. DaVinci Roofscapes has a many historic color combinations that can be achieved by selecting the…

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Superior Walls® Provides Foundation Systems for Three Upcoming “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Projects

By Robert Robillard

If your a follower of this blog your aware that I did some work for Extreme Home Makeover at their  Maynard, MA project.  The project was in the winter of 2008.  See 2008 Maynard’s Extreme Makeover Edition.  I’m a fan of what they do and recentl;y heard of this story: Superior Walls of America is…

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Removing a Leaking Balcony

By Robert Robillard

Balcony Removal A cantilever is a beam supported on only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and shear stress.[1] Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs. This is in contrast to a simply supported…

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Severe Weather Door And Glass

By Robert Robillard

Hurricane Windows I recently came across a relatively new product from ODL Inc, a door glass, enclosed blinds and decorative window company. ODL has a line of severe weather door glass or hurricane glass as most people call it.   It’s a great alternative to the aluminum storm shutters – photo right. The glass meets Florida…

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