Challenge

In the winter/early spring of 2017, Global Home Improvement was contacted by a former customer to discuss a potential project in Brigantine, NJ. After several meetings and many emails Global, agreed to take on the project. The task at hand was to upgrade, remodel, restore, and improve the energy efficiency of an existing property on the fabled Brigantine waterfront. That seemed daunting enough, but when speaking with the homeowners, we found out that the original house had been built by the wife’s father. He built the home piece by piece and room by room and wasn’t enticed by the thought of “modernization” of this labor of love.

In addition, due to the location and weather conditions, the materials to be used on the exterior were an extremely important decision to be made. Not only were the weather conditions a concern for the materials, there would also be a physical challenge of the installation and actual work due to the location of the project. Global would be facing extreme heat, pop-up thunderstorms, windy days, and green head flies in the summer, all the while extreme winds and temperature drops would work against us in the fall and winter months. Global even had to deal with the occasional flooded backyard and streets due to incredible storm surges.

Another challenge was that this house was fully furnished and we needed to take this into consideration when accessing our work, especially the roof. We had a special tarping system made so that if we were to get caught in a pop-up thunderstorm, we had a chance to cover what was open. Thankfully, these incidents were few and far between.

There were also many unknowns with the structure as it was built by their father and there were sure to be many changes that would need to be addressed along the way.

Solution

After much research, the homeowners, along with George Loza Architects, a well-renowned architect in Brigantine and South Jersey area, and Global Home improvement came up with a design and a plan to really maximize the home’s energy efficiency. We did this with the use of superior materials while keeping the color palette in line with the traditional shore house look and feel.

We all agreed upon the design and applied for permits in anticipating a summer of 2017 commencement. Sequencing the work is very important and must be flexible due to weather conditions and unforeseen changes due to existing structure conditions.

The rough outline was to:

• Stabilize the foundation in the front and install new structural piers at the rear turret

• Remove the existing roof, redesign it with structural lumber, then install the new standing seam metal roof

• Install over 40 windows and patio doors,

• Install Hardie siding, stone, and stucco as well as foundation vents

• Install decking and railings with glass pane railings in the back for a water view

At this point, while writing this study (a year later) Global is still giving solutions for additional items that the customers want. In addition, Interior drywall removal and installation, spackle, tape, and painting for the entire interior was done. To put it in perspective, we painted over 5000 square feet of interior surfaces.

This was an extremely large project with many, many changes. Most were out of necessity; the rotted framing on many of the window areas for example. Other changes, like the drywall and painting contract, were because of the customers’ satisfaction and sense of reliability with our work.

The materials we used

• Structural foundation work: Foundation Supportworks Engineered Helical Piers

• Roofing: Drexel Charcoal Grey Standing Seam Metal Roof

• Underlayment: Henry Blueskin- A self-adhered watertight, airtight, weather-resistant barrier

• Windows and Doors: Marvin Infinity fiberglass windows, plus over 5  large sliding glass doors installed on multiple levels of the home

• Siding: James Hardie Boothbay Blue Straight Edge Fiber Cement Shingle Siding

• Stone: Glacier Falls and Spruce Mountain mix of stripes and squares- We handpicked the pieces to get the right blend and pattern the homeowner was looking for.

Actual installation

One of the greatest things that the customers appreciated was the availability and communication of the owners of Global. Tony, the Project Manager, was on site for the entire roofing installation and was there for the critical moments of the framing, “dry in”, and installation of the metal roof system. There is nothing better than having hands-on owners who really care about the entirety of the project. Paul, the other owner and initial contact person with the homeowners, was on site for all phases. He personally oversaw the window, siding, stone, and stucco installation, and was on site doing punch list work to get the project to substantial completion. That’s what separates Global Home Improvement from other companies. We really do care about your project and want you to get the best products and the best installation. Not everything went smooth or easy but with the proper communication and execution, this project has come out beautifully.

Contractor: Global Home Improvement

Architect: George Loza Architects

Project Management: Paul Kazlov and Tony Chushkov