MITRE CONTRACTING, INC.

Stair Tread and Railing Renovation

In this blog we show a few pictures of a small railing and stair tread replacement project we completed awhile back.

The homeowner had another contractor in to finish the basement, and you can see the final outcome of the stairway they were left with. It's really hard to believe that someone would actually finish a basement and leave anything even close to this type of workmanship behind.

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BEFORE PICTURES:

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AFTER PICTURES:

New oak stair treads & oak landing

New radiused landings with bullnose starter step & volutes

Looking down the stairway at the new oak treads and railings

New foyer oak railings

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This stairway renovation includes custom newel posts made to match the balusters. These were custom fabricated by Mike Hart owner of, IKCO Construction, Inc. in Franconia, VA.

Scope of work: demo existing iron railings, repairing stairway framing, cutting back existing marble flooring in foyer for new oak landers, supplying custom made solid 5/4" oak stair treads oak brackets and oak risers. Also we had Mike Hart, custom make the radius oak lander & risers for the landing. We also installed oak flooring at the landing and an over the post oak rail system. This railing included full volutes, over the post up easings and  "s" fittings. The oak railing is 6010 design, the oak balusters are 5040 design, newel posts custom designed to match balusters. Then we had the whole system and flooring professionally sanded, stained and finished in a golden oak color. There is still a little painting to be done around the inside and outside stair stringers and ogee mouldings.

Please call or email us anytime if you would like us to replace your old creaky stairs and outdated railings. We will come by, discuss your projects, make sugesstions, and provide a free price quote.

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Fill out our CONTACT FORM for your free quote on a new stairway, new stair treads, new railings, or any moulding, cabinetry or remodeling you may need.

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Kitchen Remodel in Manassas Virginia

In this entry we feature a small kitchen remodel / renovation we completed this spring.

This project included new cabinetry, granite counters, hardwood flooring, recessed and under-cabinet lighting, and a slightly revised layout featuring a raised counter space.

The cabinets are "Waypoint" brand, supplied by Taylor Made Kitchens out of Stafford, VA. They feature real plywood vernier cabinet boxes, 5/8" solid hardwood dovetailed drawers with full access ball bearing glides, roll-out trays in all base cabinets, square raised panel doors with six-way adjustable concealed hinges.

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Please CONTACT US if you would like us to provide a quote on your new kitchen or bath. 

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BEFORE PICTURES                                               AFTER PICTURES

     
CLICK TO ENLARGE ANY PICTURE IN A SEPERATE WINDOW 

      

Here we see a close up view of the paneled beadboard 1/2 wall with corbels supporting the raised granite countertop.

 Wall cabinet ends with raised panels. All existing 12" bulkheads were removed, 36" tall cabinets were installed along with a nice 3 piece crown molding build-up. Also note the light rail molding along the underside of each wall cabinet for the under cabinet lighting.

 
 
This homeowner chose to go with a very nice undermount copper two bowl sink, and matching bronze fixtures.

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Please call or email us anytime if you would like us to come to your home and give you a free, no pressure, no obligation consultation, for your next home improvement project. From a simple bathroom makeover up to a full fledged kitchen or bathroom renovation, let us help you design and build the space of your dreams.

Thank You, Roger Beesley, Mitre Contracting, Inc.

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Home Enhancement & Renovation Through Fine Custom Carpentry & Millwork Installation

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Some other home improvement /  finish carpentry projects include: Crown Moldings, Chair Rail mouldings, Wainscoting, Coffered Ceilings, Beamed Ceilings, Baseboard moldings, Stair railings, Stairway re-treads, renovations of old outdated railinsg & stairways, Built-In bookcases, cabinetry, entertainment centers, office spaces, mantels / mantles... and much more! 

Asbestos Hazards During Home Remodeling or Renovation

Asbestos As a Hazard During Remodeling

Asbestos was used in thermal insulation and floor tiles prior to 1980. Intact and undisturbed asbestos does not pose a health risk. Asbestos becomes a problem when, due to damage, disturbance, or deterioration over time, the material releases fibers into the air. Therefore, during remodeling and renovation activities, asbestos exposure can become a problem.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos refers to a mineral fiber, with the term describing six naturally occurring minerals found in rock formations. The compound consists of silicon, oxygen, hydrogen, and various metal components. These mineral fibers are very small and light, normally invisible to the naked eye. Their use in insulation is due to the fact that they are heat resistant and extremely durable. The presence of asbestos is not necessarily health threatening. As long as the material is not damaged and it is well sealed, not allowing mineral to escape, there is no associated health risk. When the material can be crushed or reduced to powder by hand pressure, allowing pieces to escape, a health risk may be imposed.

Why was it used?

In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. Asbestos became popular in commercial buildings until the early 1970s because it is durable, a fire retardant, corrosion resistant and a good insulator. It is estimated that there are 3,000 different types of commercial products containing some amount of asbestos.

What are the associated health effects?

Asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems if inhaled. The tiny fibers can impair normal lung functions, and increase the risk of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings), or asbestosis (irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal). Symptoms do not surface immediately but the long term risks include chest and abdominal cancers and lung diseases. Symptoms may not be present anywhere from 20 to 30 years after the first exposure. Severe health problems from exposure have been experienced by workers who held jobs in industries such as shipbuilding, mining, milling, and fabricating.

How do I know if asbestos is in my home? How do I get rid of it?

If you suspect a material in your home contains asbestos, treat it as if it does until you can get it tested. The only way to be sure whether or not you have asbestos in your home is to have the material tested in a laboratory. Look in your local directory under Asbestos or Laboratories for specialists that are able to perform these tests.

Typical places you may find asbestos in your home include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Insulation Roofing and siding shingles
• Textures paint or patching compounds on wall and ceiling joints
• Stove top pads
• Vinyl floor tiles Blanket or insulating tape around hot water and steam pipes in older houses
• Insulation on oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets
• Soundproofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings

Remember, asbestos that is kept intact and properly sealed will not pose a danger. If it is in good condition, leave it alone. If the material is damaged at all, do not touch or move the material yourself. Call a professional to perform this work. Before you remodel your home, find out whether or not asbestos is present in your home.

See this: Asbestos Concerns During Remodeling  for further information.

 

Stairway and Railing Renovation

Boxed Stairs to Open Stairs

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 Small foyer stairway that we remodeled from a boxed stair tread design to an open tread design.

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BEFORE PICTURES

  

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Scope Of Work:

• Modify existing treads to accept new solid 5/4" oak treads and oak risers
• Modify existing stringer to accept new stair treads, risers and brackets
• Add new outside stair stringer and mouldings
• Add oak newel posts and railings... "Over The Post" Design
• Primed 5015 balusters - balusters & newel posts are all bolted into the treads / floor joist
• Stain and polyurethane new oak stair treads, risers, newels and railing

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One side note: Please notice that the stair treads are actual treads... not hardwood flooring! Whoever you choose to have your stairway renovated with, make sure they use the proper methods and materials. I have seen far too many stairways just covered over with harwood flooring, which in the end looks like you have a stairway covered over with hardwood flooring! When we are finished with our stairway improvements and retreads, they look just like new stairs. You should not be able to tell they were ever re-done. We ONLY use real solid 5/4" thick oak treads, and real solid oak risers not plywood verniers (or hardwood flooring).

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     See more Railing and Stairway Remodels on our Before and After Pages:  HERE   under the Balustrades, Bannisters, Stairways, Stair Railings Section  Or look in our Stairways & Balustrades Album

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 If you would like us to quote you a price on renovating your stairway or railings in your home, please don't hesitate to CONTACT US anytime. We will be glad to come out, take measurements, discuss your ideas, offer some of our own, and hopefully work together to improve the quality and value of your  home.

Thank You, Roger Beesley

Please call us at  703-330-3486, or email us here ,

 

Curved Stairway Renovation

This blog posting features a curved staircase remodel project we just completed in Ashburn, VA.

The original curved staircase had carpeted treads and risers that were made from standard builder grade pine and plywood materials.

The scope of work included removing the existing carpet, removing the old treads and risers and replacing them with custom made solid oak stair treads and solid oak risers and decorative brackets.

The new oak treads, risers and brackets were then hand sanded, stained and finished to match the existing hardwood flooring.

The handrails were not replaced as the original railing were in great shape and looked fine. The bannister was disassembled as needed and rebuilt.

 Note also that the balusters were reinstalled by bolting each one into the new oak treads. Previously they had only been sitting in a drilled out hole and nailed in with brad nails.

BEFORE PICTURES:

 
 
 

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AFTER PICTURES:

 
 

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DURING INSTALLATION PICTURES

 
 

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When upgrading a carpeted stairway to oak, you need to clarify the scope of work with the contractor you choose. There are a lot of flooring companies that simply cover over the existing treads with hardwood flooring and nosings... leaving you with a set of stairs that looks like someone installed hardwood flooring up the stairs! Another thing to consider, is do you want a hardwood flooring company re-installing your handrails?

We install actual custom made solid stair treads... not hardwood flooring. We install solid risers not verniers or hardwood flooring. We have years and years of railing fabrication and installation experience in order to re-install your existing stair railings or brand new updated railings.  Quite a few of our customers update the railings at the same time as the stair-treads. Wrought iron balusters seem to be  in demand these last few years.  Your newly re-treaded stairway should look just exactly like an original stairway... not a renovated one.

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Custom Curved Stair Treads fabricated and installed by Mike Hart of IKCO Construction, Inc. Located in Alexandria, VA

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Please call us anytime 703-330-3486, or email us, and let us provide you with a free in home consultation and free no obligation price quote for your next home improvement project. We service the entire Northern Virginia area and all the surrounding counties.

Thank You, Roger Beesley, Mitre Contracting, Inc.

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Fill out our CONTACT FORM for your free quote on a new mantel, built-in or moulding installation!

Window Seat, Archway, Columns, Wainscoting

Here we show off a few pictures of a nice archway and columns with recessed panels. This archway was made to surround a window seat built-in that we also constructed

 

The arch features recessed panels, applied curved panel mouldings, a keystone detail, all wrapped in a 3 5/8" crown that continues through out the room.

The columns also feature recessed panels and crown molding. We also applied some panel moulding shadowboxes in the window seat area for more interest.

   

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This was just part of a whole room renovation project / makeover. This bedroom improvement project also included the removal of a stippled ceiling, a double framed paneled beadboard wainscoting, custom painting with glazed accents, new electrical outlets, switches and cover plates.

Please contact or call us anytime for a free in home consultation and estimate for your next home improvement project.

Thank You, Roger Beesley

Wainscoting with Raised Panels

Today's blog features some pictures of a room renovation project that includes an elegant wainscot with double raised panels.

The wainscoting is around 42" high and has an 8" tall raised  panel, over a 21" tall raised panel. The wainscot is then capped off with a two piece build up of mouldings.This wainscot project started with the framework. It consists of a 1x4 primed pine, glued and pocket screwed together. Each wall was made as a single unit consisting of many evenly divided spaces for the panels. These were then applied to the walls with construction adhesive and nailed into the studs and bottom plate. All the wainscotings individual 3/4" thick MDF panels were then fabricated in the shop, then applied to the walls in their appropriate spaces. Each panel was then trimmed out with a small 3/8" "sticking" molding. The wainscot was capped off with a modified sill molding and a nice small panel molding for an apron. We then caulked, puttied, primed and painted all the new woodworking.

 

CLOSE UP PICTURES... click to enlarge full size

Another phase of this room makeover was the removal of the "stippled" ceiling. It was scraped and skimmed over with several coats of easy sand 90. Also notice the nice ceiling molding treatment we installed. It consists of a single run of panel molding with stepped corners. This was then painted in a slightly different color which really sets it off nicely. There is also a one piece crown moulding... something that should never be missing in a room with wainscoting!

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SOME BEFORE PICTURES... click to enlarge

 

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Please call us anytime 703-330-3486, or email us, and let us provide you with a free in home consultation and free no obligation price quote for your next home improvement project. Whether it's wainscoting such as this, crown moulding, chair railing or built-in cabinetry, we can give your house that model home look. We service the entire Northern Virginia area and all the surrounding counties.

Thank You, Roger Beesley, Mitre Contracting, Inc.

Paneled Beadboard Wainscoting

Here we highlight some pictures of double paneled beadboard wainscoting. This was part of a home improvement that included this bedroom makeover project we just completed in June 2010.

This wainscot treatment consisted of a 1x4 framework all pocket screwed together, forming the 48" high double paneled system. This was then placed on top of 1/4" primed beadboard sheetgoods.  Each individual panel section was trimmed out in a nice basecap panel moulding. Then the wainscot was capped off with a two piece chair rail molding.

It was given a custom paint job with glazed accents. Also we rebuilt a window seat unit in the dormer niche area. This features recessed column pilasters and archway.

We also changed out all the old painted outlets, switches and cover plates with new ones.

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As always... you can click any picture to enlarge it in a separate window

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AFTER

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BEFORE PICTURES OF BEDROOM... click to enlarge

   

Notice the old stippled drywall ceilings. We had them scraped and then skim coated a few times to be smooth again.

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More Pictures

 

 

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Please call us anytime 703-330-3486, or email us, and let us provide you with a free in home consultation and free no obligation price quote for your next home improvement project. We service the entire Northern Virginia area and all the surrounding counties.

Thank You, Roger Beesley, Mitre Contracting, Inc.

EPA Lead Safe Certified Firm

The wait is over!

We have finally received our certificate from the EPA formally recognizing Mitre Contracting, Inc. as an EPA Certified - Lead Safe Renovator!

If your home was built before 1978, and you are planning to have any improvements performed, please think about the possibility of lead based paint. Don't take a chance on contaminating your home and property with toxic dust from improperly perform home renovations.

If you live in and around the Northern Virgina area... make sure the company you choose has been trained and certified to safely handle working with lead based paint.

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NAT-52747-1

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Please call or email us anytime for more information concerning safe lead based paint renovations.

Or fill out this contact form and someone will contact you to answer your questions.

Thank You, Roger Beesley

EPA's RRP Rule

Environmental Protection Agency
40 CFR Part 745 Lead;

Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program

Here is a link to the actual ruling including the amendments and preamble.

Also to note that we have completed our training on "Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair and Painting"

We have received our individual "Certified Renovator" certificates... and Mitre is waiting on the EPA to send us our "Firm Certification Certificate"

That's what I get for dragging my feet on this... now they are backlogged and will probably take the full 90 days to respond. As soon as Mitre gets the certificate, I will get it posted.

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Here are some other pertinent links:

Renovate Right Pamphlet... PDF file

EPA's Website

Check for a companies EPA certification

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In The News and Blogs:

Washington Post Article

Surprise Surprise...

RRP Predictions

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Here is a short video showing some of the procedures to be followed working under the RRP rules

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Please call or email us with any questions concerning these new regulations. I have completed the training, and we are fully capable of safely  working on your home using the guidelines and procedures of the training. If your home was built before 1978, before you hire just any company to do renovations or repairs on your home... make sure they have been certified.

Thank You, Roger Beesley