Making the Most of the Seasons with a Gorgeous Outdoor Living Space

Here in the northeast, we know how to make the most of our seasons. Sometimes that means keeping the environment out so we can enjoy the great outdoors without pesky insects, or fear of inclement weather.

In this Project Spotlight, we take a look at a deck and porch renovation specifically designed to be used in as many weather conditions as the changeable seasons might throw at us, while still looking beautiful.

Like so many of us, our client wanted to be able to enjoy her time outside without being bothered by bugs, or rain.

We removed decking and railings from the existing deck, but the previous deck framing remained. We supplemented the deck framing, added helical piers for support, extended the existing deck, and framed a roof to create the screened porch.

For the screens, we used the ScreenEZE screening system, which works well, and offers unobtrusive clean lines that don’t detract from design elements.

The finished product is very low maintenance, and as you can see in these photos, bright, spacious, and functional.

Adding outdoor living space to your home adds square footage and ample opportunities to enjoy warm summer days, cool autumn nights, and everything in between.

If you’re interested in a screened porch, deck, or patio, call us to talk about the possibilities for your home!

 

Thank You for 20 Years, Jeremiah!

Investing in our Team Tools

We are celebrating twenty years of Jeremiah Mills lending his skills, leadership, and talents to our team at Schrader and Company Construction Services.

Jeremiah began as a carpenter and rose to the role of Project Manager, where his expert level of craftsmanship and ability to guide a team have resulted in some of our finest work.

“Jeremiah is an incredibly talented Project Manager and craftsman who often takes on some of our more complex renovations,” says Ben. “Clients quickly come to value Jeremiah’s acute attention to detail, the exceptional care he takes of their home during renovations, and his clear communication style. Jeremiah without question elevates our company. We are grateful to have him as part of our team for the past twenty years, and we look forward to many more years to come.”

He is a standout perfectionist among a whole company of perfectionists, and  a pace setter for defining the level of quality and attention to fine detail selected on any particular project. In addition to crafting beautiful spaces for clients, Jeremiah approaches his projects with extreme care and sensitivity to the clients home and possessions. Although not particularly recommended, it’s often a running joke that you can eat off the floor of Jeremiah’s work site.

Thank you for twenty years of hard work and loyalty, Jeremiah!

A Dramatic Renovation That Feels Like a New Home

A well-planned and well-executed renovation can sometimes be so dramatic, the end results feel like a completely different home!

In this Project Spotlight, we take a look behind the scenes of an extensive remodeling project, covering two floors and multiple rooms.

The goal of the renovation was to create spaces that better worked for the family and their lifestyle. The clients had outgrown the existing space, and they wanted to update the aesthetic in the kitchen especially.

We renovated a large portion of the first and second floors of the home. On the first floor, we renovated the kitchen, mudroom, dining area, and parlor. On the second floor we removed the master bedroom and master bathroom. This space was rearranged to create two bedrooms and a main bathroom. We then removed the roof from the existing garage and created a new master bedroom suite.

The kitchen/mudroom space was opened up to create a better flow. The transition of each area as well as the finishes that were chosen are spectacular.

The difference between the original and finished spaces is nothing short of amazing. It almost feels like a different house altogether.

Our clients are so happy with their renovated home, and we are beyond gratified to know the project came together in such a satisfying way for everyone involved.

 

A Beautiful Bathroom Renovation, with Future Safety In Mind

One of the best things about renovation is that it allows us to reimagine our living spaces in ways that work better for how we actually live, without leaving the homes we love.

In this Project Spotlight, we’ll go behind the scenes of a gorgeous bathroom renovation that took away unneeded elements, improved and modernized the space, set the clients up for aging-in-place, and reflects a more updated aesthetic.

The overall intent of this renovation was to update the existing bathroom. The existing bathroom’s design and materials were dated. The bathroom included a big garden tub surround that was hardly ever used, fiberglass shower unit with a bulky glass door unit, and linoleum floors. We removed the tub and reallocated that space with a custom window bench flanked by custom linen towers. The shower was a fiberglass unit that was hidden, so we re-oriented the shower location to be more of a focal piece with open glass design, tile floor, tiled walls, shower seat, all new Kohler Margaux® shower controls and rain heads in Vibrant® brushed nickel, with frameless glass walls and door. The toilet was updated to a comfort height Kohler Kelston® toilet. The color scheme went from earth tones of beige and brown to vibrant whites and blues.

With mostly white tile in the shower, we chose to upgrade the shower door and wall glass to “low iron” glass. The low iron glass does not have the greenish tint that standard shower glass normally has, and allows the selected white tile to appear bright white as selected, not green. The eight inch shower head features Kohler’s innovative Katalyst® air-induction technology, which efficiently mixes air and water to produce large water droplets and deliver a powerful, thoroughly drenching overhead shower experience.

The clients had a desire to update while considering some aging in-place options, such as a comfort height toilet, a low shower threshold with shaving shelf, grab bars, an easily accessible shampoo niche, and blocking for future needs. The window seat was designed to have a place to sit outside the shower. All door hardware and sink and shower controls are lever type for ease of use.

Replacing the big inset tub with the built-in window seat and linen towers provides more usable and functional space for the client.  

The overall look of the finished project is classic, elegant, and updated. Our clients are very happy with their beautiful new bathroom, and can enjoy it safely for many years to come.

Who We Support And Why: Proctors Theatre and Universal Preservation Hall

Philanthropy is a Schrader and Company core value.

We have recently decided to show support to two of the most important arts venues in our region, Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, and Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, not only because they offer world-class entertainment that keeps our communities vital and fun, but because the arts need our support now more than ever.

It’s no secret that live music venues and the arts in general were extremely hard hit during the pandemic. Lockdowns and isolation kept us all indoors and away from the concerts and programs that these venues rely upon to stay open.

Both Proctors and UPH are historic buildings with long and glittering histories of attracting some of the top performers and musicians from around the world.

While we all look forward to gathering once again under their beautiful roofs to enjoy the entertainment they provide, they can count on patronage from us, and their community at large, to support their mission to bring the arts to our region for all of us to enjoy.

Aging In Place Expertise

We tend to fall in love with our homes. 

They become the places where our most important memories are made– the setting for both the everyday, as well as generations of holidays and celebrations. So it makes sense that we want to stay in our own homes as long as is safely possible.

That’s why Schrader and Company has prioritized gaining education and expertise on “Aging in Place” projects for our clients.

Home improvements that allow clients to age in place represent a huge range of projects–from simple modifications like grab bars, to entire first floor bedroom additions. 

We have four Certified Aging in Place Specialists on our staff, who earned their certification through a three day training program, which not only covers the latest and greatest in products and ideas, but emphasizes viewing an entire space through the viewpoint of a person experiencing limited mobility. 

When we begin planning a project with an eye to aging in place, we focus on client comfort, today and tomorrow. Aging in place is all about ease of use, and planning for the future. It might mean installing blocking behind a wall for grab bars that aren’t needed yet, or mounting sinks and counters with an eye to wheelchair height.

In bathrooms, we think about installing showers without thresholds. For kitchens, things like lever knobs as opposed to drawer pulls better accommodate arthritic concerns.

As with every renovation we do, aging in place projects are tailored exactly to each client’s specific needs and desires. There’s no “one size fits all” approach to customizing a home for longevity and safety.

None of these aging in place modifications mean conceding on style. There are so many options for making the best safety measures blend seamlessly into any client’s preferred aesthetic.

The CRBRA has recognized our Aging in Place projects in their “Best of Building” Awards. But the best reward of all is knowing that we are helping our clients to stay comfortably and safely in the homes that they love, throughout their lifetime.

You can read more about our perspective and experience on aging in place in this recent article in “55 + Magazine”. If you’re ready to fit your home for your future needs, please give us a call!

Schrader and Co. Wins Three 2021 CRBRA “Best in Building” Awards

We are thrilled to share that Schrader and Company has won accolades in three different categories at this year’s Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association “Best in Building” Awards. 

We took home top honors for Best Kitchen Remodel Under $75,000, Best Kitchen Remodel Over $75,000, and Best Aging-In-Place Remodel.  

It is tremendously gratifying to have our work recognized by the CRBRA and leaders in our industry. All entries are judged by impartial industry experts from other markets with no identifying information.  

While we hold these awards in high esteem, our greatest satisfaction always comes from the joy of our clients as they enjoy their new and improved homes.

Thank you to the CRBRA for their recognition of our entire team’s efforts and these beautiful projects.

 

 

Fine Food and Philanthropy

Chef dinners are back!

The pandemic necessitated a long pause since the last time we were able to host (and share with you!) one of our private chef dinners, as donated by our company and auctioned off at local charity events.

In September, we were finally able to welcome the winners of our chef dinner from the 2019 Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady Fall Fling. Valued at $2,000, this particular event was catered by the fabulous PDT Catering Company.

The dinner for ten attendees was prepared by Chef Adam Foti, and inspired by French wine.

PDT provided everything, from the delicious food to the thoughtful wine pairings, the table settings, and flowers.

It was a magical evening, made better by the knowledge that the winning bid for the dinner was going to support The Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady. 

Their mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. They provide services to nearly 13,000 children per year, right here in our area.

We are so thankful to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady for their tremendous work in our community, to PDT Catering for putting on such a splendid event here in our showroom, and to our guests for the evening who bid on our auction item.

 

Seamless Updates to a Historic Charmer

Schrader and Company is a construction firm comprised of history lovers. We take pleasure in the beautiful details of older homes, and relish in the challenge of updating them for our clients in a way that makes modern living more effective and enjoyable, while paying homage to the aesthetics of yesteryear.

In this Project Spotlight, we return to a gorgeous 200 year-old home owned by repeat clients for an extensive, multi-room renovation. 

Last time, we renovated an upstairs bathroom to better suit our clients’  lifestyle and modern needs. 

For this project, we removed a large deck, removed the old mud room, and took off two exterior walls and framing for the back part of the house. We then built a new mudroom, enlarged and renovated the kitchen, and opened the connections to the rest of the house. On the second floor, we enlarged the hall, added a second story laundry closet, and replaced the small existing craft room with a large, light-filled room to be used as a craft room, guestroom, and office.

The goal was to add onto the home in thoughtful ways that would enhance our clients’ lifestyle. We created a larger kitchen so that the whole family could be involved in their daily meal time activities. The spacious and organized mudroom replaces an unheated porch, providing designated space for boots and backpacks, and more comfortable comings and goings for people and pets. The new screened porch allows the homeowners to more easily enjoy their property, and entertain. The craft room updates enhance a needed at-home work space, and provides a comfortable space for guests as well.

As with any historic renovation, attention must be paid to the smallest of details to create a cohesive look between the original parts of the house, and the new. Choices like wide plank wood flooring and porcelain, brick tiles help achieve this goal, as do many of the other thoughtful design selections.

At the end of this extensive project, we were able to design, specify, and build an addition to this historic home that looks as though it was a part of the original build, and it is as functional as it is beautiful.

Our clients had this to say about their newly-renovated home:

“From the structural design down to the smallest details of cabinetry and trim, our Schrader team took time and care to do their best work at each step. We chose them for our project because it was clear that they understood the construction in our 200-year-old home, and our project planner excelled at looking at both the big picture goals and the smallest details during the planning phase. What we learned through the construction process is that the whole Schrader team is not only hardworking and talented, they are also kind, trustworthy, and easy to be around, which makes a huge difference when you have people coming in and out of your home every day. At the end of a months-long project, we are left with a new section of our home that is beautiful, functional, and will last for generations. We are also left with positive feelings about the process and the people. It is clear that the Schrader crew keeps their motto at the core of their business. It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with a talented team and know that we were getting the very best for our home and our family, both in terms of product and process.” 

Creating Major Curb Appeal

A beautiful front porch is the stuff homeowner dreams are made of…

We love to picture ourselves enjoying a hot cup of coffee and the morning paper from a comfortable chair, surveying the neighborhood and greeting friends, or decorating for the seasons with flowers, pumpkins, or twinkling lights. Your front porch is your home’s first impression, and we all want to maximize our curb appeal.

That’s what we did for our clients in this Project Spotlight, who wanted just the right front porch to blend seamlessly with their lovely log home.

The clients wanted an update for both aesthetic and functional reasons. They wanted to make sure that the new structure did not take away from the look of their log home, but needed a front porch they could enjoy with ample room for seating.

Integrating the new finishes with the log siding was important in this project. The home featured a relatively new brick sidewalk that the clients also wanted to keep. We recessed the stair tread to allow the brick walk to remain, while making sure the porch floor was deep enough to allow for the usable space the homeowners needed.

The combination of the stone column bases, wood trim and ceiling, and the tongue and grooved composite flooring all work together beautifully.

The end result looks like a part of the original design, and is allowing our clients to enjoy their home in a brand new way.