Teakwood Builders was recently named to the 2011 Qualified Remodeler Top 500 list, covered in the publication’s August issue. This annual listing of industry professionals is based on a CPA-audited analysis of the financial performance of remodeling firms throughout the country. Of the 50,000 businesses invited to apply for this recognition, Teakwood ranked 289th in the United States, and 15th in New York State. In this challenging housing economy, we are particularly proud to receive this recognition, and attribute our ongoing success to strong customer loyalty and a commitment to providing superior craftsmanship and service.

Read more about other Teakwood awards.

Two projects completed by Teakwood Builders appear in the March/April 2011 issue of Capital Region Building magazine, now available at local kiosks throughout the Capital Region. This popular annual “Kitchens & Baths” edition showcases recent projects by local builders and remodelers, and highlights the innovative products and unique design features of some of the area’s most distinctive homes. Teakwood-built projects were represented in both the kitchen and bath categories of this publication.

Kitchen renovation ranks among the top home improvement projects, and investment in upgrading the kitchen has historically provided homeowners with a solid financial return where resale is concerned, according to the Remodeling 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com). The owner of a Burnt Hills home reached out to Teakwood Builders with this in mind, seeking to renew, improve, and “lighten up” her kitchen. Custom cabinets with concealed task lighting help to brighten the space, while furniture-style legs at the new island and natural stone at the countertops and backsplash convey vintage farmhouse character. Read the full article on this project.

Bathroom additions and remodels also remain popular, as homeowners increasingly want to transform this functional space into more of a personal retreat with spa-like amenities and styling. Plum & Crimson Fine Interior Design and Teakwood Builders worked closely with the homeowners to modernize and open up an outmoded master bath in Saratoga Springs. Sleek finishes, colors, and fixtures were incorporated into the newly designed bath layout to create a classic yet contemporary space, whose ample attractive storage makes for a tranquil clutter-free zone that is high on style and low on maintenance. Read the full article on this project.

Copies of the Capital Region Building articles are provided with permission from RCS Publications Ltd.

Looking for ideas and inspiration for your own home? Browse our Portfolio, and learn about our process if you are interested in working with Teakwood Builders to create your custom space!

In this basement wine cellar, a unique barrel-vaulted ceiling is illuminated by low-voltage accent lighting, concealed by custom moulding. Imported wine casks were cleverly repurposed as part of a decorative wall display.

It’s been a long winter here in Upstate New York, and many of us are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring, and the fresh start the season promises! Spending time indoors over the past few months has probably caused some of us to rethink how we use various rooms in our homes, and how we can refresh, invigorate, or repurpose certain living areas for better function. And spring cleaning gives us the opportunity to declutter our spaces and reveal parts of our home that are under-used and ripe for renovation…such as the often overlooked but ever-versatile basement.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), basement remodeling is one of the top ways to add value to your home. Remodeling Magazine lists basement renovations as one of the top-returning homeowner investments when it comes to resale. And since mechanicals, foundation, and outside walls are already in place, and little to no landscaping is typically required, finished basements give homeowners a cost-effective way to create a whole floor’s worth of private space (usually 20-30% less than creating or remodeling the same amount of space at or above ground level). Added benefit? Since finished basements make it easier to heat the rest of the home in the winter and cool it in the summer, they can even provide energy savings!

This basement space was transformed into a contemporary media room. An entertainment center was custom-built to house a large-screen TV and surround-sound components. The existing steel column was wrapped with maple to incorporate it as a more decorative element in the room. Special ceiling tiles ensure maximum enjoyment of this room's acoustics.

With basement remodeling, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Over the years, Teakwood Builders has worked with homeowners and their “blank slate” spaces to create everything from recreation rooms and gyms, to entertainment centers and game rooms…even a Tuscan-styled wine cellar!

A unique project currently underway has Teakwood Builders working to transform a basement into a personal gallery space for a creative homeowner who wishes to showcase his works of art. The project began to take shape when Teakwood president/owner/”designer-in-chief” Jim Sasko interviewed the homeowner to understand more fully his wants, needs, and desired outcome for the remodel. Using what he’d learned from the owner, and from what he’d seen of the existing basement, Jim created an initial conceptual design, shown here. With additional discussion on preferred dimensions, finishes, and lighting, the design was fine-tuned and formalized, and the project got underway.

Teakwood's Jim Sasko developed this initial design concept for the client, based on the existing basement space and the client's "wish list" for layout. Only minor fine-tuning was needed to this design, and construction is now underway.

The basement makeover will include a new full bathroom, plenty of wall space and directional lighting for the art work, and a custom-designed display shelf and built-in media cabinet. Two new window well units will bring additional natural light into the space while providing a means of safe egress. Added insulation will help to buffer sound and keep the space at an ideal temperature year-round. Eco-friendly bamboo will cover the gallery floors, while special energy-efficient LED lighting will illuminate the space. In and of itself, the gallery promises to be a work of art!

We invite you to view the photo diary of this project as it unfolds, and to learn about the work done to remake this space. Check back for project updates, and look for the official “unveiling” of this gallery later this spring!

Please also share your thoughts and ideas…How do you use, or how would you like to use, your basement space?

Click an image below for a larger view, and to read more about the building process. Click again to return to the gallery.

Another bitterly cold morning greets us here in Upstate NY, along with news of a fresh round of crippling snow in the Midwest, perhaps headed our way, and we collectively wonder: When will this cold abate? Where is all the white stuff coming from, and where we are going to keep putting it? The more serious issue that is plaguing many of us, as seen on the local TV news and in newspaper headlines: The weight of snow on our roofs, and the ice damming that is causing extensive water damage in our homes and businesses.

Do you have icicles hanging from your eaves, like the ones pictured here? You could have an ice dam issue. As homeowners are frantically reacting to and coping with the water that is seeping back into their homes because of ice buildup on their roofs, they are turning to Teakwood Builders for help, and for guidance on preventing ice dams from recurring in the future.

To address this issue, it first helps to understand the anatomy of an ice dam, and how your home functions as a dynamic, interconnected system. Once you have awareness of the damage that those beautiful but not-so-benign icicles can cause, the next step is to ensure that you and your home are prepared for the elements. Key to preventing the heat loss from your home that contributes to the melt-freeze cycle is adequate and effective insulation. Teakwood Builders has long advocated for homeowners to consider upgrading their insulation when planning home improvement projects. For the technically inclined among us, this comparison of insulation types from the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association will give you an idea of the options available. But for the best guidance and assistance in ensuring a proper insulation installation, turn to Teakwood.

Teakwood president Jim Sasko provided this explanation and resolution to a client recently: “Where there is ice at the eaves, there is heat loss.  The best way to avoid heat loss is to properly seal/insulate your (second floor) ceilings. I’ve been in your attic and recognized the spotty insulation. We have and continue to suggest having all fiberglass insulation removed, build rigid insulation boxes around every ceiling penetration, spray foam approximately 2″ of open cell (or closed) to the back side of the drywall ceiling, and then add 15″ of cellulose insulation above that…I did the same application in my last home (no ice) and will be doing it in the home I’m currently building.” 

A case study in this effective insulation plan at work is in the Saratoga Springs home pictured here. This 1979 ranch was completely remodeled on the inside last winter by Teakwood Builders. (The project also included new windows, a new roof, and an upgrade/enhancement to the front entry porch.) While the homeowners were primarily concerned with improving the look, interior layout, and curb appeal of their home, Jim and Teakwood’s project planner Thad Smith encouraged them to upgrade the home’s attic insulation as part of the project. But convincing these (and many other) homeowners to put remodeling dollars toward home parts that are not as “flashy” or visible as, say, new kitchen cabinets, was–and continues to be–challenging (dare we say that we often get “frozen out” when mention of this arises?). 

Mechanical upgrades and attention to thermal and moisture protection are just as vital to a home’s beauty and value, but investing in these components is often passed over by homeowners, because they cannot be as easily seen or appreciated as the aesthetic enhancements to a home.

But in the end, investing in the attic insulation plan recommended by Teakwood has truly benefitted the owners of this residence, both in real cost savings from improved energy efficiency and reduced heat loss, and by giving them peace of mind during this snowy, icy winter. As pictured, the homeowner continues to be proactive about removing snow from the roof’s perimeter edge, to ensure that the gutters remain open. But even without this preventive step, this home has enjoyed a mostly icicle-free winter, at a time when its neighbors have been plagued by issues like the one pictured at the start of this post.

Contact Teakwood today to learn more about how we can help you to solve or prevent your own ice dam issues with an effective insulation and/or damage repair plan.

It seems like Teakwood president and owner Jim Sasko is everywhere these days. For just over a month, Teakwood has been running a new TV ad on WTEN and several cable networks–including YNN, Food Network, HGTV, and Lifetime–and Jim and his family make a guest appearance at the end of that spot. At about the same time as the Teakwood ad began its run, Hudson Valley Community College–unbeknownst to Jim or any of us at Teakwood–began running an ad campaign that also featured Jim (Jim is a 1991 graduate of HVCC’s Construction Engineering program). Part of this campaign included area billboards, like the one pictured here.  Have you seen Sasko? If so, take a picture and post it to our Facebook page. We’ll choose a participant at random to receive a free design consultation for your next Teakwood building/remodeling project!

The February issue of Capital Region Living Magazine highlights locally owned businesses, and features a Q&A with Teakwood Builders’ own Jim Sasko. Be sure to pick up your copy of CRL, available free at local area businesses and supermarkets.

Owner(s): Jim Sasko

Describe your business with a brief history: I founded Teakwood Builders in 1996 based on my vision to create beautiful buildings of high-quality construction and detailed craftsmanship. I started out by subcontracting for several residential builders, and increasingly saw a need for a builder/remodeler who would more fully understand and interpret clients’ unique design needs as part of the construction process. Building on my education in construction technology and management, and my forte in design, I decided to form my own company. I hired slowly, built strong relationships with clients and my own team of craftspeople, and grew the business into a full-service design/build company that today employs 14 full-time professionals. The name “Teakwood” comes from a street name in the neighborhood where I grew up in Clifton Park. Coincidentally, it is also among the most beautiful and durable of the tropical hardwoods!   

How have you weathered this economy? Have you made any changes to your business to adapt to the changing times? We have maintained great relationships with our clients over the years, and been fortunate to be asked back by many to do new and different projects. We have also grown our outreach through advertising and marketing campaigns, and now social media. To adapt to the growing competition for business in this economic climate, we have had to invest a lot more time and resources in the design and planning phases of our work, helping to educate prospective clients in the value of working with an experienced, professional design/build team that can ensure a successful project.

What makes you optimistic about the future for your business? We have developed a strong pipeline of sales leads, and are seeing an enduring interest in our company.

How did you become involved in this industry and what advice do you give to those interested? I worked at my father’s building supply store in Cohoes when I was younger, and always had an interest in construction. I earned an associate’s degree in construction technology from HVCC, and a bachelor of arts in construction management from Utica College. My advice to others: Find a mentor, and follow his or her lead.

Who are your role models? I look to leaders who have managed to win the trust, respect, and support of others, despite adverse circumstances. As a fan of military history, I would cite generals Stonewall Jackson, George S. Patton, and Norman Schwarzkopf as people who have been successful in this.

What are you most proud of? I am most proud of creating a brand that is recognized and well-respected in this area, and forging a positive company culture. I am privileged to work with great people who possess amazing skills and depth of knowledge, and who share my goal in creating distinctive and architecturally beautiful projects.

Hours: M-F 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

When a Teakwood client recently reached out to us for a reference to asssit him with resolving a serious ice damming issue on his home, Team Teak jumped into action. Kind words from our client to president/owner Jim Sasko:

“Jim: I can’t thank you enough for responding so quickly to our ice issues. I never expected you to use Teakwood’s time and resources to fix the problem. Ken and Thad were very helpful. In fact I think Ken risked his life on my roof.  Thad is going to look into possible ways to avoid these types of issues in the future…I am always impressed with Teakwood’s professionalism.” -Kyle P., Saratoga Springs

The latest lingering deep-freeze here in New York’s Capital Region has us thinking about fireplaces, and about the unequaled warmth of cozying up to a homey hearth on the coldest of winter nights. Fireplaces of all sorts can add value and charm to any type of home. Technology is now merging with high style, resulting in an almost endless array of options and design features, while helping to create more energy-efficient fireplaces. And when a fireplace sports a striking mantel, it can even transform an entire room, providing grandeur in an otherwise humdrum setting, or furnishing a visual focal point in a larger space. Mantels can be crafted to blend seamlessly with your home’s architecture for continuity of historic character, or unusual old elements–such as reclaimed timbers, salvaged materials, and unique stone or tile–can be used in newer homes for a compelling blend of modern and aged. Teakwood has helped to create many distinctive custom mantels over the years, and invites you to explore them. And please share your comments and ideas for firing up your home’s decor by transforming a mundane mantel!

Waking up to a beautiful, wintry world blanketed in white, my thoughts turn to the power of color. Color in nature (which, in the Capital Region, will likely be limited to shades of gray for the next few weeks); color in food (nothing quite like a vibrant yellow Indian curry for warming a mid-winter chill); and color in home decor and paint.

As I look around my home space–which was beautifully reborn last year with help from Teakwood–I reflect on all the colors that surround me, and recall the design inspiration for the chosen hues (which number no fewer than 10 paint colors on our walls, in a modest home of six rooms). During our whole-home renovation, we were intent on using this new blank slate of a space to make fresh design decisions, including departing from the safe whites and off-whites we’d had on our walls for years.

But choosing a new palette of paint colors ended up being an exercise in soul-searching. For years, I’d torn pages from magazines that depicted homes decorated in styles and colors that appealed to me. These pictures ranged from coastal cottages painted in whites and serene seafoam pastels, to Craftsman bungalows dressed in darker woodsy tones. I’d carry my bundle of pictures with me everywhere during the renovation, trying to recreate these spaces, trying to decide “dark” versus “light”, “neutral” versus “colorful”. Countless consecutive Sundays would find me at the local Sherwin-Williams store, poring over all the options, always leaving with stacks of color swatch cards, but making little progress in finding my favorites. It was daunting.

Returning home, I’d scatter the swatches on the living room rug, waiting for an epiphany while pacing, squinting, head-tilting, turning more lights on, then off, leaving the room and walking back in, even hoping one of the cats would paw at a swatch…waiting for the right mix of colors to choose me, from the many samples staring up from the rug.

And then it clicked: The rug. The area rug. A colorful Persian-style piece whose rich reds, greens, and blues on a warm golden background I had fallen in love with a decade ago, for its inviting colors, subtle pattern, and timeless style. Why not take color cues for paint colors from this beloved rug? After all, the rug would be in our living room, the home’s heart, open to and viewable from the kitchen, the dining area, and the master suite. Taking inspiration from this multi-colored rug made it much simpler to rule in certain colors and color families, while others–like those serene seafoam pastels–needed to be relegated to the reject pile, or put aside for other projects. Once the colors for the living room were chosen, it helped to drive decisions on complementary colors for the neighboring rooms, to unify and visually enlarge our home’s open spaces.

Creating your home’s or a single room’s palette from an inspiration piece–like an area rug–is just one of several ways to make choosing paint colors less puzzling. Why not turn to your wardrobe for clues on your preferences? Chances are, the colors you wear are those you enjoy, feel comforted by, and that reflect your personality and sense of style, as has been the case for many Teakwood clients in rooms like their kitchens. Do you have particularly fond memories of a travel destination? Then recreate that place in your own home with paint color and design accents, as these Teakwood clients did with their Tuscan wine cellar.

Using white to emphasize architectural elements–such as built-in cabinetry, mouldings, and millwork–is a great way to bring attention to these details in your home. Using white on your walls instead of color also creates a sense of calm in a space, or serves as an effective backdrop for colorful artwork, furnishings, or other decor.

Have fun finding your colors. Many paint manufacturer and decorating websites have easy-to-use tools to help you visualize interiors or exteriors in certain colors before you commit. Pittsburgh Paints has even created a fun and revealing interactive game to help you find your “inner color”.

Be inspired by color, and share with us your tips and tricks for bringing color into your home!

“Thanks for your e-mail and for the affirmation that the choice of paint and overall look is garnering some approval from the community. We, too, have been hearing some pretty nice things about our selections and your work. Indeed, we hope the end result, besides an amazingly beautiful building, will be an increased interest in our firm. At a visitation on Tuesday evening, we really needed to step outside, every now and again, so that our swelling heads would not explode from all the positive comments we were receiving. Very, very nice.” -Vince Fronzek, Bowen & Parker Brothers Funeral Home, Latham NY

“Thanks so much for everything! We love our new space! Everyone on the team was terrific!  It’s really a combination of expertise/workmanship coupled with superior customer interaction that sets you guys apart. Special thanks for your support and patience as we worked through budget and uncertain economic times to get this project off the ground!” -Gail S., Albany NY

Over the summer, Teakwood Builders was approached by the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York with a compelling request: Local fourth grader Jacob Shell was battling cancer and had wished for a new tree fort, and Teakwood was asked to help make the wish come true. Joining forces with Curtis Lumber–who donated all the materials to the project–Team Teak mobilized, and over the course of several weekends in July and August built Fort Shell in Burnt Hills. In mid-September, with Jacob recently declared cancer-free after a tough 2-year battle with neuroblastoma, Fort Shell was officially unveiled.  Members of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Curtis Lumber, and Jacob’s family joined Teakwood president Jim Sasko in celebrating.

Teakwood Builders was recently named to Remodeling Magazine’s Top 550 list. As one of only two local companies to be named nationally among full-service remodelers, this designation highlights Teakwood’s ongoing excellence in the building and remodeling industry. Thanks to all our friends and clients for your continued support of our work!

Teakwood Builders received word yesterday from Qualified Remodeler Magazine that we have won two awards in the publication’s national 2010 QR Master Design Awards contest. The winning projects–which can be viewed within our website’s Portfolio of work–are Charming Revival and Changing History.

Teakwood Builders is proud to be recognized by Remodeling Magazine as one of the top 550 remodelers in the United States. The Remodeling 550 is Remodeling Magazine’s annual list of the biggest home improvement companies in the country.

Teakwood Builders was recently recognized as a 2007 Top 500 Remodeler by Qualified Remodeler magazine. This prestigious recognition, the longest ongoing recognition program in the remodeling industry, recognizes companies for significant and sustained success in the areas of remodeling dollar volume, years in business, industry association, certification, membership, awards and achievements, and community service. See 2007′s top 500 remodelers nationwide.