Tips for Designing a Productive Office Building

Help With Designing Office Building

The principle way of increasing the productivity of your teams is by motivating and challenging them, but the work environment is also a factor that can provenly enhance the efficiency and the productivity of work processes. Here are some office building design solutions that can improve team productivity:

  • Ergonomic spaces – creating spaces that are comfortable to navigate and functional reduces the time wasted on looking for files and it also insures that the health risks related to office work, such as back problems, eye strain and headaches, are minimized. Well-designed shelving systems and filing cabinets, comfortable desk configurations, complete with armrests and footrests, layered light that can illuminate the space without hurting the eyes are all essential;
  • Properly designed HVAC systems – equipping the office building with heating and cooling systems that are able to deliver the right performance and are also maintained regularly is essential for productive office work. An office that is too cold or too hot hinders productivity and poorly maintained HVAC systems spread diseases and cause discomfort.  Pay attention to the outside impression as well, hire a Dallas roofing company to improve the exterior of the building;
  • Using the right colors – energetic colors, such as blue, orange, red, green and purple are known to boost productivity. Using the harsh colors on entire walls, however, can be disturbing and overwhelming, therefore they should be used in moderation, as accents.

Tips for Keeping the Heat Inside This Winter

Tips To Keep Warmth Inside This Winter

With the cold months approaching quickly, many homeowners wonder how they could make this winter financially easier, how they could lower their heating bills. Here are a few tips that can help you keep the heat inside this winter:

  • Get a programmable thermostat – these devices are not very expensive and they are great for making sure that your heating is on high only when you need it in the house and not 24/7. These thermostats will turn on the heating at the times you set them to and will turn off the heating when the pre-programmed temperature is reached;
  • Seal the leaks – heat can escape through any hole or crack, even through the tiniest, invisible fissures. Inspect your walls paying special attention to the areas around the windows, the doors and where pipes enter your building and seal every gap with caulk or using other suitable material;
  • Check your attic insulation – the ceiling of your rooms is the largest surface through which heat can escape. Most ceilings need insulation from above, on the attic floor, with a blanket made from fiberglass, rockwool or other suitable material. Check the integrity of your insulation and also check the thickness of the blanket – if it is too thin, address the issue by adding an extra layer before the first frosts.  Find the right Dallas roofing professionals at https://jntconstruct.com.

JNT Construction
10860 Switzer Ave #114
Dallas, TX 75238
(972) 8855053

What Are the Most Crucial Roof Maintenance Tasks for September?

Taking Care Of Roof Repairs In The Fall Season

Roof maintenance is pretty important all year round, but the most important periods are the beginning of spring and the end of summer. September is a good time to get all the maintenance requirements out of the way, especially if your roof is somewhat older and prone to easy storm damage.

 

You can start by clearing any lingering debris such as branches and leaves from your roof. Also, it’s a good idea to relocate any nests that animals may have made during the summer and ensure that your gutter system isn’t clogged and is functioning properly.

 

Another task that has to be performed by a Dallas roofing company is to check your roof for damage. Summer storms and hail can be problematic, especially in areas where the precipitation is more prevalent. So it’s a good idea to check your flashing and look for any damaged shingles along the way.

 

It’s also a good idea to complete any mild repair work that you’ve been putting off. If you noticed a few cracked shingles or areas of the roof where the structural integrity is somewhat lacking, then it’s best to address those problems before all the thunderstorms and September’s high volume of rain kicks in. Most experts agree that it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to taking these precautions.

Choosing The Best Roofing Materials

The Best Quality

“The best” is an attribute that implies a number of qualities, when we talk about roofing materials. Basically, the best materials are those that ensure several attributes of the roof.

Perfect tightness

No doubt, the best roof is waterproof, which means that it does not allow water infiltration, regardless of the amount and frequency of precipitations.

Durability

The lifespan of the roof depends on the durability of the shingles and fastening systems and how good the roofers Dallas TX has to offer do on the installation.

Mechanical strength

Soundproof

Thermo-insulation

When choosing the best roofing system for our home, we must think ahead and take into account the implications related to energy efficiency and our thermal comfort.

Ease of installation

The ease of installation of the roof should be one of your concerns, whether you are installing the roof on your own or you hire a team of specialists. In the latter case, the difficulty of mounting the roof will undoubtedly reflect the cost of the work.

Manufacturer warranties

The warranty provided by the manufacturer should be undoubtedly one of the most important criteria to take into account when we choose the best roof for our home.

Savings

In the end, each of us will surely put in balance the quality and the price and choose the most advantageous option.

How Roof Insulation Can Help Your Home

Roof Insulation In Attic

A house requires serious investments to resist over time and to eliminate as much as possible the occurrence of damages that require repairs. This principle applies from its foundation to its last component: the roof.

The lack of adequate roof insulation generates significant energy waste, and this aspect is reflected in the energy bills. In other words, adding roof insulation is the optimal solution to ensure a good level of thermal comfort in our home, during every season.

According to some studies, even if more and more homeowners decide to add better insulation to their homes, the roof is one of the areas that are often neglected, although the greatest amount of heat is lost through the roof.

A roof that lacks proper insulation loses up to 30% of the heat in the house, so it is quite clear that windows and doors are not the only ones responsible for increased energy costs.  Specialists estimate that the investment in roof insulation will start to pay off in 4-5 years; after this period, you can make a small profit that you can spend for other important things.

In addition to thermal insulation, there are also waterproofing solutions, to prevent water infiltration and keep moisture away.  So with all these reasons, don’t delay in getting your local roofers Dallas TX homeowners trust on their way to your home.

 

 

JNT Construction Summer Exterior Checklist

The heat is on here in Texas, is your home ready?

Summer can be hard on your body…and your home. If you’re wondering what affects the summer heat can have on your roof, keep in mind that the temperature of your roof materials depends on the climate. A roof can become up to 50 degrees warmer than the temperature outside, making for a scolding hot surface. This causes the inside of your home to become even warmer and shingles to deteriorate more quickly than in the cooler seasons.

Maintaining your roof in the hot Texas summer is the key to keeping repair costs down and money in your wallet. So, to avoid any damage and keep your roof in shape this summer, we’ve put together a full proof summer exterior checklist:

Check your gutters: First and foremost, look for clogs. Summers can be hot, but they can also be rainy and windy. Clogged gutters can cause additional leaks and damage. Use a leaf blower or a pressure washer to clear them out. Check to see if they are loose or there are any apparent leaks while cleaning them.

Inspect your skylights: Take a good long look at your skylights and the areas around them. Make sure your seal is tight and weatherproof. If you spot a leak, do not try and repair it yourself as you could cause additional damage by not using the proper materials or sealing areas that are meant to take in air.

Check your shingles: Once you’ve followed proper roof safety measures and you’re in a good position, take a hard look at each and every shingle on your home. You want to look for any curling, discoloration, or deteriorating. Most importantly, make sure there are no visual pieces missing. If you find that your shingles are curling, repair them as soon as possible as curling could cause them to fall off during high winds, leaving gaps in your roof and the potential for leaks.

White Reflects Light: Just as you would wear a white shirt if you were out in the Texas heat to reflect the sun, your roof can too. Invest in cooling your roof to lower rooftop temperatures during a hot sunny day and maintain a cooler environment.

Cool roofs are made simply with a highly solar reflective type of paint, sheet covering, or even reflective tiles or shingles. Ask your JNT representative how to get started.

Call for your JNT inspection and tune up: So by now you’re probably thinking, “how on earth am I going to do all of that?” Well, not to worry, JNT Construction offer a complete roof inspection and tune up options (call for pricing). Simply call us at (XXX) XXX-XXXX or visit our website at jntdevelopers.com

Roof Tune Up Includes:

  • A complete inspection of your roof
  • Inspection for issues that could cause water infiltration
  • Minor resealing (if needed) around pipe collars, vents, chimney, and exhaust fans
  • Checking for any loose or missing shingles or nail pops
  • Checking for any interior leaks not detectable from the exterior of your home
  • A complete summary report

So you want to texture your ceiling

In our line of work at JNT Construction, there isn’t a lot that we don’t know how to do when it comes to construction. We handle everything from repairing Dallas roofs, home remodels to large commercial construction projects. One question that we get a lot is from people wondering, how to texture a ceiling on their own. If you don’t mind a little hard work you can texture a ceiling in no time.

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-texture-a-ceiling/How To: Texture a Ceiling – Bob Vila It all too easy to slap a coat of white paint on your ceiling and consider it done. But to really pull a room together, it ought to be stylishly topped off—and putting a textured effect on the ceiling is a great way to add impact to your décor. Another plus? Textured ceilings perfectly camouflage imperfections like cracks or evidence of water damage. There are a variety of techniques you can employ to create your texture of choice (way beyond the “popcorn” look popular in the 1970s). All it takes is a mixture of paint and drywall mud—and a little ingenuity. Read on for simple step-by-step guidance to texturing your ceiling, your way, without sending your budget through the roof.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS – Drop cloths – Painter’s tape – Ladder – Primer – Pre-mixed textured paint – Wall paint – Drywall mud

STEP 1 Since you’ll be working against gravity, you’ll want to protect your furniture, floors, and fixtures from splatters. Empty the room as much as possible, which will also give you space to move around. Cover remaining pieces of furniture and the entire floor with drop cloths. Next, take off any faceplates, vent covers, ceiling fans, and/or light fixtures. Finally, apply painter’s tape around the edges of the ceiling, right where it meets the wall, being careful to keep it stick-straight all the way across.

STEP 2 You might think that because textured paint is part drywall mud it will adhere to any surface, but for a quality job, you still want to prime first. This step will make application easier and give lasting results. Choose a primer close to the color you’ll be using to texture your ceiling—a dark primer for dark paint and a light primer for light paint. Cover the entire surface in a thin, consistent layer and let dry fully (consult the can’s drying time guidelines) before moving on.

STEP 3 Prep your product. If you’re looking for a subtle texture, you’ll get good results with pre-mixed textured paint. But if you’re aiming for more depth or special effects, mix your own by combining paint with drywall mud. The standard rule of thumb is one part drywall mud to 10 parts paint. Pour paint into a bucket, add drywall mud, and blend, aiming for the consistency of pancake or biscuit batter. Depending on the look you’re going for, you might want a somewhat thicker consistency. Do a small batch first to practice getting it just right.

STEP 4 It’s always wise to start in the least noticeable part of the ceiling when applying the texture—perhaps the darkest corner of the room, or the edge of the ceiling closest to the door. Position your ladder there and make sure you can work from a reasonable angle without arching backwards. The exact technique (and subsequent tools you’ll need) depends on your desired effect.

• For a subtle finish: Apply pre-mixed textured product as you would typically put on paint. Cut in at the edges first with a paintbrush. Then use an extended roller and paint tray, taking care to bring your roller as close to the edges as possible. To amp the look slightly, use a specialty roller with a texture of its own. Don’t be afraid to experiment; after all, if you don’t like the initial result, you can always switch gears and apply another coat.

• For a stucco finish: To mimic the look of stucco, you’ll need a damp sponge or cloth as well as a wide compound knife or, if you’ve chosen a thicker-than-average consistency for aesthetic reasons, a trowel. Working on one small section at a time, apply the mixture to the ceiling, and then dab a damp sponge or cloth into your work in a repetitive motion to create the texture you desire. Repeat this process around the room, one section at a time, being careful not to let the pattern become too uniform.

• For a popcorn finish: If you like this retro look, you’ll need to buy or rent a drywall texture sprayer. Purchase enough lightweight plastic sheeting to protect your walls from flying particles, securing it to the the perimeter of the room with painter’s tape and covering the walls like a floor-length curtain all the way around. Before spraying, choose the nozzle and air pressure setting that matches your desired result, and then follow its instructions as you move the sprayer across the ceiling. Again, allow your application to look as random as possible rather than aiming for a perfect pattern.

• For an artistic finish: Truly advanced DIYers may wish to add extra character by creating a Victorian style rose rose medallion around a central lighting fixture or ceiling fan. This dramatic effect is achieved by using drywall mud and an array of texturing combs (two or three should do the trick, anywhere from 3 to 10 inches in length apiece). Working in concentric circles, you’ll use the combs to apply drywall mud (without paint) in thick, even, decorative stripes to mimic the look of plaster. When completely dry, you’ll paint the entire ceiling. Just keep in mind that this project will require a steady hand and a solid sense of design, so study up on the process before giving it a shot.

Whichever technique you choose, the end result will lend extra punch to your space’s style. The array of colors and effects is endless, so have fun and aim for a look that captures the personality of the room and those who live in it.

 

Add a New Tree to Your Yard for Earth Day!

We, at JNT Construction of Dallas, want to remind you all that this weekend Saturday, April 22, is Earth Day! There are all sorts of ways to celebrate but perhaps the best way is to plant a tree in your yard!

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/care/the-proper-way-to-plant-a-tree/The Proper Way to Plant a Tree There’s an old gardening axiom that says the key to growing a great plant is to put a 50-cent specimen in a $5 hole. It’s no lie. Get your money’s worth from your new tree in your backyard by planting it correctly and caring for it while it grows.

Once you understand the science of planting trees, you’ll have your own in no time. Digging a wide planting hole is the key to fast growth of your new tree. Recommendations often specify a hole twice as wide as the root ball; three times as wide is even better.

To prevent settling, the depth should be no more than the height of the root ball.

First, prepare a hole two to three times as wide as the root ball of your tree. Handle the root ball carefully to keep it intact while you place it in the hole.

Once it’s in, turn it so the best side of the tree is facing the direction you want. With burlapped root balls, cut the twine and remove the burlap (or at least push it to the bottom of the hole).

Backfill around the root ball, lightly packing the soil as you go. Frequently check the trunk to ensure that it’s straight. Use leftover soil as a berm to create a watering well.

Amending backfill with organic matter is an old practice. However, several studies have shown that it produces little benefit (as long as the existing soil is of reasonable quality), so many experts no longer recommend it. The most important factor, by far, is loose soil that new roots can easily grow into. That’s why a large planting hole is so vital.

Drive the stake through the root ball into the ground underneath. The stake should be tied loosely to the trunk; do not lash it tightly.

Large trees may need two or three stakes placed several feet from the trunk.

Water the tree soon after planting and every day for several weeks afterward. By that point, the roots will have begun to grow out into the surrounding soil, and you can begin to gradually reduce the frequency of watering.

Fertilizer is of marginal benefit at planting time, and can even be harmful. Wait until the following year, then provide a moderate dose of fertilizer.

A 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree will keep weeds out and reduce water loss.

Tip: Newly planted trees should only be pruned to remove broken, dead, or diseased limbs. Otherwise, leave them be until after their first growing season. See more…