2020 Northwest Remodeling Expo

Friday, Jan 24 – Sunday, Jan 26 | Washington State Convention Center | Halls 4EF 800 Convention Place, Seattle, WA 98101
The 2020 Northwest Remodeling Expo brings together hundreds of local and regional home improvement companies for one weekend only. Bigger and better than ever– at Seattle’s comprehensive “one stop” home improvement marketplace, you’ll discover new resources and companies to help you update and maintain your home.
 

Co-Owner Laura Elfline will be teaming up with Roy Stark McGarrah at the Expo during the seminar session Building a Carbon Neutral Backyard Cottage to talk about how Living Shelter Architects and Mighty House Construction designed and built a beautiful, industry and media acclaimed carbon neutral DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood at 11 AM on Saturday, January 25 at Center Stage. Click here to register for the seminar.

And Laura will be back at 4 pm on Saturday with Dirk Wassink of Second Use Building Materials to tell you about incorporating salvage into your remodeling project with their talk: Salvage Simplified. Click here to register for the seminar.

Come and visit us at Booth #1012!
Kitchen and Master Suite Renovations in Bryant

Kitchen and Master Suite Renovations in Bryant

Barb and Jeff were unsatisfied with their existing kitchen. It had low-functionality with super limited counter area and funky storage solutions.

They also were desperate for a comfortable master suite. There was already a attic space that included a bedroom, though the way it was laid out with an awkward sitting space just didn’t fit the bill nor did it have a bathroom – something that seemed more essential every day as they anticipated family moving in with them alongside their growing child.

Since good friends of theirs had used Mighty House in conjunction with Parker Home Design to complete their kitchen remodel – it was an easy choice for them to bring this team to their home.

The Kitchen

The original kitchen layout severely lacked functional countertops and cabinets. It also posted safety concerns with the stove installed right next to the doorway without any countertop separation. Our team developed a new layout design that created more space to reinstall the stove with countertops on both sides by pushing back the plumbing wall. The new kitchen also features stunning sustainable solutions, such as locally-made and VOC-free cabinetry, heat-resistant and non-porous quartz countertops, and a beautiful Dutch door.

The Master Suite

On the second story, an underutilized space at the top of the stairs separated the master bedroom from the bathroom. Mighty House Construction and Parker Home Design successfully collaborated to convert the entire floor into a practical, cohesive, and comfortable master suite with a master bathroom, plenty of closet space, and beautiful new wool carpet on the stairs and the redesigned connective space. The new master bathroom is tiny but mighty, fitting all the amenities into a small space without sacrificing beautiful features like tile flooring and shower surround and cabinetry to match the home’s aesthetic. The attic work also included a ductless heat pump in the master bedroom, infrared radiant heat in the master bath, and improved insulation to significantly increase both the energy efficiency and comfort to the delight of the homeowners.

Sustainable Home Makeover Tips

1. Keep it Local by actively seeking products that are ideally manufactured locally and sold by a locally owned business.
2. No- or Low-VOC Paints are produced with less harmful chemicals and won’t make you or your family sick. Any manufacturer can color match these days, allowing quality to be your guide.
3. Flooring such as bamboo, cork, FSC or reclaimed hardwoods, marmoleum (a non-toxic sheet material) and tile are easier to keep clean and don’t allow for build-up of toxins. If you must have carpet, use a super-dense, natural wool carpet.
4. Reduce Energy Consumption using Energy Star® certified appliances to save you money in the long-term through reduced energy use, and often in the short-term as well through rebates via city, state, and federal programs. Use “smart” powerstrips with master controls. Put a hot water timer on your hot water tanks. Install solar!
5. Use Water Sense® certified fixtures which reduce water consumption without compromising water pressure. It’s functional, good for the planet, and your pocketbook.
6. Clean Green homemade cleaning solutions create a healthy living space and save money.
 ·  All-purpose Cleaner — 1:1 ratio of water and vinegar, 4 drops of essential oil (optional), a drop of dish soap. It’s a great window cleaner! (You will need to use it 2-3 times before it will cut through the wax build-up from commercial products, after which you can stop using the dish soap).
·  Soft-Scrub — 1 c. baking soda, 1/4 c. liquid castile soap, 2 tsp. vegetable glycerin (as a preservative), 2-4 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, or rosemary (optional). mix and store in a sealed glass jar.
·  Natural Disinfectant Spray — 1 c. distilled water, 1/2 c. vinegar, , 2-4 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, or rosemary.
· Relevant websites:
             lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/cleaning-supplies.html

              ewg.org/research/greener-school-cleaning-supplies
7. Salvaged Building Materials are sustainable, cost-effective, and unique solutions to home improvement! Your friends and family will ooh and ahh when they learn the story of your salvaged materials.
8. Batten Down the Hatches with insulation and air sealant. Don’t forget above your can lights and behind exterior wall outlets.
9. Abide by the Three R’s: Reduce your consumption. Reuse what you can. Recycle the rest.

10. Educate Yourself and Make Mindful Decisions by using our methodology.
 · Is it healthy?
 · Is it eco-friendly?
 · Is it financially smart?
 · Is it functional?
 · Is it unique?

    Doors + Windows 101 Workshop: 5/11

    Doors + Windows 101 Workshop: 5/11

    Join us on Saturday May 11 from 11-12:30 PM at Second Use Building Materials in SODO! Doug Elfline of Mighty House Construction will guide you in assessing your window and door projects to see if using salvaged materials is an option, demonstrate how to choose appropriate salvaged windows and doors, and share tips for proper installation and maintenance.

    This event is TOTALLY FREE but we request that you RSVP. Please RSVP to maryanne@seconduse.com at your earliest convenience to reserve your spot!

    Northwest Green Home Tour: May 4-5, 2019

    Northwest Green Home Tour: May 4-5, 2019

    We are excited to announce that Mighty House Construction will be featuring TWO projects on this year’s Northwest Green Home Tour.  Join us for the  event of the year and a chance to tour sustainably built homes and businesses all over the Seattle AreaGet inspired by projects in all shades of green, from backyard cottages and kitchen remodels to new homes built with cutting-edge green features. You’ll see and learn first-hand how your neighbors are generating their own electricity with solar panels, lowering their energy bills with insulation, and creating healthier home environments for their families with better building materials and systems. Learn from experts and really understand “what makes it green” on this educational tour. Mighty House will have one project open Saturday, and one project open Sunday. Check them out below!

    Join us May 4 and 5, 2019 from 11 AM to 5 PM

    Register Here | More Sites

    West Side Second Story Addition

    OPEN SATURDAY ONLY – A typical 1940s war box home,  has gotten just a little too cramped for this family.  Designed by Leo Smith Architect, this West Side Second Story will add a dining room off the kitchen on the backside of the house with a 2nd-floor master suite above. Currently IN PROGRESS, this is a great opportunity to see behind the walls and the sheetrock stage of the addition. This project features advanced insulation, healthy materials and infrared radiant heat. See how this family is gaining just enough square footage, with minimal scope creep, plus a stellar view of tree canopy and the Puget Sound! Read more here.

    Love Your Family, Love Your Kitchen Remodel

    OPEN SUNDAY ONLY – The kitchen of this 1925 Ballard home was well-used, worn out and and in need of some serious love and upgrades. Mighty House Construction and Entero Design to the rescue! The existing kitchen layout was semi-functional but not super-functional, so Entero recommended acquiring the back porch space into the kitchen. This allows for increased storage, better all around functionality, and a space for the family to gather together.  Read more about this project here.

    Join us May 4 and 5, 2019 from 11 AM to 5 PM | Get Tickets Here!