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Thorson Goes GOLD

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Thorson Goes Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness

The Thorson Crew had the privilege of being at Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox battle the Yankees and to support Childhood Cancer Awareness. The stadium “Went Gold” and invited some small guests that are battling some large challenges out onto the field. Among the children of honor wearing gold was Stacy & Eric’s nephew Dylan who is battling brain cancer.
The Crew sported gold ribbons, bandannas and some home made signs to show their support for Dylan.

The crew enjoyed dinner in the State Street Pavilion and a behind the scenes tour of the Green monster before the game. The evening was a loss for the Sox but a huge win for Childhood Cancer Awareness and we were proud to a part of it! ​

Watch the video of the memorable evening!

2015 Magazine Feature

Posted on by Thorson Restoration
Our Newfield Street Historical Renovation was recently featured in Home Remodeling Magazine!  The article touches on the details and motivation for the project as well as some words from our very own Eric Thorson on our role in the project. 
Be sure to grab the Summer Edition in news stands now.

Click here to view other articles we’ve been featured in!

LG Art Cool heating and a/c

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Product Spotlight

LG Art Cool Gallery Mini split A/C


Ductless mini-split heating & air conditioning units are an efficient and effective way to get heating and cooling in a space that may have limited accessibility for traditional heating and cooling options. New innovations from LG have made the wall mounted unit required for the system more stylish and able to blend with any decor.

Designed to look like a photo frame this streamlined unit can be customized with personal photos or artwork. The vents are located on the sides of the unit and deliver remotely controlled hot or cool air on demand. This award winning design takes one of the few negatives about the ductless mini split system out of the equation by replacing the clunky rectangular wall unit with this lower profile photo frame design.

Learn More about the LG Art Cool Line of comfort hvac solutions

A Race for Research

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On Sunday October 26th Stacy ran 26.2 miles in support of her nephew Dylan & Dana Farber’s Pediatric Brain Cancer research.

A lot of hard work went into preparing for the race. Besides the months of physical training, Stacy with the help of all of our clients, friends and associates was able to raise nearly $10,000 for the cause-exceeding her initial goal of $5,000 by almost double!

Stacy ran the race sporting her “Run for Dana-Farber” shirt which she had custom printed with an image of her nephew Dylan. With Dylan on her mind (and shirt) she was able to cross the finish line and get Dana Farber one step closer to a cure! As the Marines that encouraged & volunteered on the sidelines throughout the entire course and the many serviceman & women that were running side by side with her that day would say: “Oorah! Mission Accomplished!”. Stacy would like to sincerely thank all who donated in support of this great cause!

More About Dylan

In 2011 our nephew Dylan Berio was diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma at the age of 3.  Dylan’s journey with Brain cancer has lead him through two surgeries and multiple rounds of chemo therapy. Currently Dylan has lost 50%  of his vision but his tumors are stable. 

Dylan travels bi‐weekly to The Dana Farber Institute with his mother for his chemotherapy treatments. He continues to be a
happy go lucky little boy with a positive attude towards life. Dylan will be entering the first grade in the fall and is also currently
learning Braille at the Perkins School for the Blind. One of Dylan’s main passions is his matchbox & hot wheel cars. He
can recognize most makes and models of cars and trucks at a glance. Dylan continues to amaze us every day as he smiles his
big smile all while he races to conquer his challenge in life, to rid the world of cancer!

We tell you our family’s story with a very heavy heart. We know that Cancer touches the lives of many families and the need for fundraising is immense but for our family this specific cause is a very personal one. Having to watch our nephew deal with the effects of the cancer & treatments for more than half of his life without the hope of a permanent cure has been a tough pill to swallow although Dylan remains happy & active despite his many trials. 

Click here to donate to Dana Farber in support of Pediatric Brain  cancer research 

Care Free PVC Decking

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High Style meets Low Maintenance

Azek PVC Decking

The trend for decking is moving away from wood and composite and towards a more durable, scratch, stain & fade resistant option ~ PVC.

Cellular PVC products have risen to a high level of style and are available for more than just decking. Trim, rails and architectural mouldings are also available in this durable, versatile material and it comes in a wide range of colors and textures to resemble stained or painted wood. The high quality, longevity and visual appeal of products Like AZEK decking, rails and trim make it the standard for most if not all of our exterior projects. Check out the list of advantages below and see how it compares to your current trim and decking material:

Advantages to PVC vs. wood or composite

  • Resists stains, fading, scratches
  • Resists rot, mildew, mold and damage due to insects
  • Lasts in excess of 25 years
  • Never requires, stain or paint
  • Available in a variety of colors and textures
  • Offers options for hidden fastening systems
  • Material is 100% recyclable With all of these advantages you may ask why anyone would select anything else?

Some of the reasons why AZEK isn’t covering everyone’s deck …yet:

1.) Education -many people are still of the mind that “plastic” means “cheap” or low quality -these products are far from low quality -in fact they are quite the opposite. Others aren’t aware that these products even exist.

2) Higher initial cost -being that the product is technologically advanced and has such a long life the initial price is higher -but the smart consumer knows that cost difference will be recouped over the life of the product. The savings will come in the form of lack of maintenance bills to repair, replace, stain or paint the product.

3.) Some prefer the feel of real wood and may choose wood products like Ipe or mahogany for their aesthetics and these woods do have a higher tolerance to moisture but do still require regular maintenance and upkeep to ensure their longevity.

So if you are a fan of high quality, low maintenance, durable finishes that will stand the test of time and ultimately save you money then this design trend may be one to follow.

Want to make PVC decking part of your next renovation project? Contact us and let’s start planning!

Solar Attic Ventilation Fans

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Product Spotlight

Solar Attic Ventilation Fans

Have you ever had to run up to your attic to grab something in the middle of a hot day in summer? Do you ever notice how stifling hot it can get up there? Believe it or not that heat can transfer into your main living space and cause your cooling system to work overtime, even more so if your cooling components are located in the attic. A system that has to work harder is much less efficient and ultimately could be costing you a lot more money. Increased temperatures in your attic can also cause added wear & tear on your roof shingles and reduce their longevity. The solution? Active Attic ventilation.

Why do you need an Attic Fan?

In summer, temperatures in an unventilated attic can exceed 160 degrees. A properly sized attic ventilation
system will reduce attic temperature to 5-10 degrees F above the outdoor temperature. Ventilating
the attic reduces the amount of heat transferred from the attic to the home, decreases the load on the air
conditioning system (reducing your electric bill), and extends the life of your roof shingles.
In winter, heat trapped in the attic may melt snow on the roof, which trickles down and creates destructive
ice dams in the colder eaves.
Everyday home activities such as cooking and showering create moisture which collects in the attic and
promotes mold and mildew growth, reduces the effectiveness of insulation, and attacks the wooden attic
structure. Year round fresh air circulation from an Attic Fan removes this moisture and helps prevent
moisture related problems.

Attic fans offer an environmentally friendly and economical solution to summer time cooling problems
resulting from attic heat penetrating your home’s insulation. . The higher the temperature of your attic,
the less effective your attic insulation will be at stopping heat from entering your home.
Installation of an Attic Fan on your home minimizes the amount of heat entering through the attic by
reducing your attic temperature. By minimizing the amount heat entering your home, you will save
money on your summer cooling bill and make your house feel more comfortable (see diagrams below).

Things to Consider

• The cost savings due to reduced air conditioner load depends on the price of electricity in your area, and can be
even greater when installing a solar unit. Other factors include: the amount of attic space in your home, the efficiency
of your attic insulation, and the amount of ventilation your attic vent is able to provide. A typical installation
will usually pay for itself in savings within 1-2 summers of use.

• An Attic Fan should not be used when air from the living areas of the home can freely enter the attic. This would
result in conditioned air being removed from the home. Any openings between the attic and the home should be
sealed before an Attic Fan is installed.

Want to make an attic fan installation part of your next renovation project? Contact us and let’s start planning!

Switchable LCD Smart glass

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Switchable LCD Smart Glass

New innovations in glass technology allow for glass to go from clear to opaque at the flick of a switch. A layer of electrically charged LCD film is laminated between pieces of glass and allows for a clear view in “on mode” and for privacy when turned off. The product has been used largely in the commercial sector to create instant privacy in offices, conference rooms and hotels and is now popping up all over the residential building & remodeling industry.

Some companies that offer this technology also have it available in film form that can be retro-fitted and applied to existing glass almost anywhere. Smart Glass can also be used as a projection surface and can have touch-screen film added as well, making the possibilities almost endless.

Wondering how you can incorporate Switchable Smart Glass in your next remodel?

Shower Doors
Room Dividers
Walls
Windows
Interior & Exterior Doors
Cabinetry
Projection Surfaces
Anywhere glass is installed!

Watch this video demo to see how it works:

Leave Room for Growth

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Leave room for growth

Any one who gardens knows that a plant should be placed in a pot that will leave a little room for growth. You would be forced to re-pot pretty often if the subsequent pots were only a fraction larger than the last. With that in mind think of your next remodeling project…Why you ask? Because the same principle applies.

When planning for a project, particularly a large one, you want to be farsighted and “leave room for growth” as it were. It always makes sense to plan ahead… sometimes way ahead.

Think about how your life might change over the course of the next several years (or as long as you expect this renovation to last). For instance if you are approaching retirement and plan to spend your elder years in your current home, you may want incorporate some features that would make those years a bit easier. Or if you know you will be out growing your current home due to a growing family or changing needs you should consider what would appeal to the next potential home buyer.

Leaving room for growth also means planning for styles & finishes that will endure the test of time. I’m sure we all know someone who had to pull out a full “avocado” bathroom suite circa 1972…and it probably probably lost it’s appeal sometime in the 1980’s. The lesson? Sometimes the latest design trend can be a little too trendy, meaning it will quickly fade and be replaced by the next big trend.  To avoid renovating too often…leave room for growth!  

Velux Solar Powered Skylight

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Velux Solar Powered Skylight

The new Solar powered skylight by Velux was one of many products we had the pleasure of learning about at our latest visit to the JLC Live industry trade show. Skylights  have the ability to bring light into a space that may not allow for a window.

In the case of this bathroom from our Lincoln Master Suite Renovation, the client did not want a window in the shower for privacy concerns but desired natural light in their updated master bath. The need for ventilation in the bathroom was also a factor and made the velux solar powered skylight the logical choice. 

 

The skylight caught our attention… and here’s why:

  • Remote controlled solar powered skylight requires no wiring, which makes for easy and cost effective installation.
  • The included touch screen remote is intuitive and convenient eliminating the need for long cranks or devices to open or close the unit. 
  • The solar panel will work on cloudy days and with indirect light. It does not have to be exposed to direct sunlight to function.
  • With the integrated rain sensor the solar powered skylight will close automatically in case of inclement weather.
  • 10 year “No leak” warranty
  • 30% Tax Credit available for product & installation
  • Another 30% tax credit available with the purchase of the integral solar blinds available for the skylight in a variety of colors.

Want to incorporate the Velux Solar powered skylight into your next project? Contact us to start planning!

Why Replace Your Windows?

Posted on by Thorson Restoration

 

When assessing whether you should replace your windows, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do my windows get condensation or a frost buildup?
• If you touch the interior pane of glass is it cold to the touch in the winter? How about in the summer;
is the interior window pane warm to the touch?
• When sitting next to your window in the winter does it feel colder than the rest of the house?
• From inside your home, take a lighted candle and hold it so the flame is in line with the window
frame and slowly trace the entire frame of your closed window. Does the flame flicker anywhere
around the frame?
• Take a look at your windows outside; is the trim rotting, cracking or missing?
• Is the glass broken or cracked anywhere?
• Do your windows ever get stuck closed or open or won’t stay closed or opened?
• Are you unhappy with the way your windows look?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, it is time to replace your windows and here’s why…

• Utility bills are significantly lower when older windows are replaced with energy efficient windows.
The amount of money saved in energy costs adds up quickly and the windows often pay for
themselves.
• If your windows get a condensation or frost buildup it means that they are not insulating your
home well enough. This extra moisture can cause serious problems from rotting frames and increased
heating costs to dangerous mold growth that can harm your family’s health.
• If your window is cold to the touch in the winter and hot to the touch in the summer it means that
your window is not insulating your home correctly and is putting an extra work load on your
HVAC system and costing you money.
• If sitting by your window in the winter feels colder than the rest of the house it means that there is
either a draft, your window is not insulating properly, or both. This means more money spent on
your heating bill.
• If a flame flickers next to your closed window it means there is a draft. This can lead to water infiltration
causing mold growth, water damage to carpet and furniture, rotting window frames and
extra heating and cooling costs.
• If the glass is cracked or broken anywhere it is extremely dangerous for your family and can cause
accidents or injury. In addition, cracked windows put an extra burden on heating and cooling costs.
• If your windows don’t operate correctly it is a sign that they are too old and are beginning to fail.
The frame is most likely warped, which can create multiple problems.
• New windows allow you an opportunity to update the aesthetics of your home, with various finishes,  grid patterns and window styles, windows are becoming an important design element. 
• Newer windows provide better UV protection and can prevent fading and home damage as well as
keep your family safe from the sun’s harmful radiation.

If you would like to incorporate new windows into your next project call 508-279-0656 or inquire online