| Â | Michael F. Simon Builders September 2009 Newsletter Michael F Simon Builders - Quality Defined! For over 116 years, Michael F Simon Builders has been building and remodeling custom homes around the Madison Area. With our extensive building history, you're guaranteed our unparalleled attention to detail and top-notch quality. Believe it or not, now IS a great time to build or remodel that dream home. Material prices are still being held at low prices as well as low interest rates. These rates can't stay this low forever, so be sure to take advantage soon to get the best deals. If you or anyone you know is thinking of building or remodeling in the future, please have them talk to the leader in quality custom construction, Michael F Simon Builders. Best regards,
Live More ComfortablyMichael F. Simon Builders believes in making your entire home comfortable for your use. We believe no detail is too small and overlook nothing. The following are just some of the little things that make Michael F Simon homes more comfortable. Unfinished rooms- One of the little things we do when we build a new home, is paint any unfinished area(basement) walls and ceiling a nice white. This not only helps make these rooms look cleaner, but the paint we use has an added mildicide that stops mold and fungus from ever forming. The unfinished area in your basement will be bright, clean, and healthy because mildew and mold cannot grow. Garage- When you come home on a snowy night and pull your car into your garage, what happens to the snow, sand and salt? We include drains into the garage floor for convenience and safety, as wet concrete can be slippery. The slush and salt that drops off your vehicles are also corrosive to your concrete floor. We also include a faucet and wash tub in the garage as well. This is a huge convenience when doing anything from washing your car to cleaning the garage. These simple features that come standard in our homes will make sure even your garage looks good in the long run. Our Custom homes are hands down better than the competition. With our history stretching back over 116 years, you can rest assure you will get nothing but the best.
Current Project: Adding a Second Story
Michael F Simon Builders latest remodel project is currently underway. This particular home is in a great location and neighborhood that the owners have fallen in love with. They wanted more room for their family to enjoy and didn't want to move. This project had its own challenges that we were happy to solve.  We started by removing the deck that was off of the front door and beefed up its footings to hold the extra weight we would be adding to make it a covered porch with a bedroom above. Next, part of the roof, was removed as we framed up the new bedrooms. Soon, the tarps that are the temporary roof will be removed and the shingles will go on.
After this addition is complete, two new bedrooms will give this family the space they were looking for. A new bathroom and Master closet are also added as well as closets for storage. Make sure to check the upcoming months for our "Before and After" article where you'll see a variety of simple to extreme remodels. Michael F Simon Builders is known for their large homes, but there has always been a Simon Builders remodeling crew that does nothing but remodeling. That's how we can continuously deliver the same quality found in our homes, in each and every remodel.
Remodeling Q & A With Phil Simon Question: We are thinking of remodeling. Where do we start and what will it cost? Phil's response: That's easy. Just give us a call. We will come out to your home and meet with you to learn firsthand what your desires are. We will follow up that meeting with a sketch (if appropriate) of the work you desire and a budget we think it will take to complete that work. This complimentary assessment is a great way to put our experience to work for you so you can make an informed decision on your homes potential. Check back next month to read the rest of the questions and answers that are most common with remodeling.
Wauktoberfest 2009 Fall is coming fast, and so are the fall holidays and celebrations.
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A fast growing fall tradition here in Waunakee is "Wauktoberfest". This year's admission is FREE! Wauktoberfest definitely puts the FUN in fundraiser for local charities. This is the fourth annual Wauktoberfest event being held at the Endres Manufacturing (802 S. Century Avenue, Waunakee, WI 53597) grounds in Waunakee. Some of the things you will be able to do are as follows: Enjoy the dachshund dog dash, beer keg bowling, and beer tasting featuring 20 craft brewers from Wisconsin and beyond. Big screen televisions for weekend football games, polka bands and dancing under the big tent both nights. For the kids, inflatables, games, movies and pumpkin decorating both days. Sunday, a kids bike and run biathlon. For more, visit wauktoberfest.com.
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The reason Michael F. Simon Builders is involved in and promoting this community activity is because the Waunakee Community Foundation has again this year been chosen to be one of the benefactors of the event.
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As you may recall a few years ago, a little boy here in town was suffering with a rare and fatal skin disease. His family's only bathtub was on the second floor of his home. We were asked if we could add on a bedroom and bathroom addition for Andy, so his last months could be spent less painful, with eliminating the trips of being carried up the stairs daily for bathing and soaking.
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The Waunakee building community stepped up big time and presented Andy and his family with a fantastic Christmas present with the addition. Andy was able to enjoy the room for about a half a year before he passed on.
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Shortly after this, several of us who were involved in this heartwarming project decided we needed to form a foundation, so we can provide a tax deductible vehicle to contribute to other worthy projects here in Waunakee. Thus the Waunakee Community Foundation was born.
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Well, Wauktoberfest is a great time with activities for the kids and adults alike. You will need to eat that weekend anyway, so come out and spend some time (and money) at a great event for a very worthwhile cause.
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For more information on the foundation, visit their website.
Caring for Your Driveway, The Correct Way The first thing your friends and family see is the outside of your home. Attractive concrete driveways, patios and sidewalks can not only enhance the value of your property but they can drastically enhance its curb appeal. Just as you should seal and protect your wooden decks, you also should seal and protect your concrete. Don't let the elements run your concrete into the ground while the rest of your home stays protected.
Wisconsin winters are brutal, but the spring brings a new set of problems. Deicers are used all winter in order to make our roads drivable, and sidewalks walkable. The effects deicing chemicals have on concrete is a frequently misunderstood issue. The common deicers don't chemically attack your concrete, but by lowering the freezing point of water, deicers can increase the number of freeze/thaw cycles. The expansion pressure from water freezing causes concrete to spall and pop.
Once concrete has been cured it is essential to prevent moisture from entering the concrete and potentially damaging the surface. This can be accomplished with a film forming sealer.
Acrylic Film Forming Sealers form a glossy, water repellant film on the surface, improve appearance and protect from dusting and concrete staining. Acrylic sealers will darken and leave a satin or glossy shine. These sealers are affected by the environment and traffic and will generally begin to show wear patters after a year or two and will completely wear away in three to four years. The wear patterns are identified by the concrete returning to its original unsealed color.
You can seal you concrete flat work yourself or you can hire a professional. We highly recommend Sierra Concepts for this. SIERRA CONCEPTS, LLC. offers professional concrete sealing solutions to improve the cosmetic appearance of your patios, driveways and sidewalks, while protecting them from environmental damage such as deicers, salt and acid rain degradation. Their environmentally friendly sealant tightens surface pores and strengthens concrete making it less absorbent and less susceptible to surface cracking, flaking and other serious surface disintegration. The result is a protected, water repellant driveway that is worry free and easier to maintain! Let them protect and beautify one of the largest visible sections of your homes landscape. Take action and protect rather than replace. | Â | Â | Green Tip: Cook with a slow cooker or a toaster oven to reduce electrical use from kitchen appliances. For a meal that requires one hour to cook in an electric oven, and which uses 2.7 pounds of C02, a Crockpot uses 0.9 pounds of C02 for seven hours, a toaster oven takes 1.3 pounds of C02 for 50 minutes, and a microwave only 0.5 pounds of C02 for 15 minutes of cooking.
Featured Lot for Sale:
Lot 10, Deering Trail Click for Printable Lot Map Fieldstone Estates is a Madison subdivision located 2 1/2 miles west of the Beltline off Airport Road. Bordering the south side of Whispering Winds subdivision, this cul-de-sac contains eleven lots (9 are sold), which are approximately 1 acre in size. All eleven lots have mature trees along their rear lot lines. Only two lots remain available for sale, so act quickly! This large (40,000 sq. ft.) lot is located on a quiet cul-de-sac with the front facing west. Sloping elevation would allow for a full exposure to the rear yard. Rear property line is heavily wooded. Priced at $195,000.00.
Service for Your Home
The following is a short list of trusted professionals we use every day on our projects that would be more than happy to assist you with any problems that come up.
Whether you have a strange noise coming from your furnace or a drippy faucet, trust the companies Michael F. Simon Builders trusts to get the job done right. Hill Electric
608-256-2983 (24 hr service) RG Heating & Air Conditioning
608-849-6728 (24 hr service) Russ' Plumbing - 608-849-5571
Tips from Bob & Terry:
Bob Clemens (remodeling expert) and Terry Dowell (Project Manager) from Simon Builders, have picked up a few tips and tricks over their 50 plus combined years here at Simon Builders. This month, they would like to remind you to inspect and care for your wood entry doors. Each spring and fall, your exterior wood doors should be inspected and cared for. Bob says "You should check the door for proper operation and smooth performance. If necessary, adjust hinges, hardware and thresholds."
We recommend the use of 100% silicone spray on the hinges, lock mechanisms and the top of the threshold where the bottom rubber seal of the door touches.
Terry prefers to use KEL brand 100% silicone spray. "KEL 100% silicone has little or no odor or visible residue and does not contain graphite like WD40. WD40 is great for use as a penetrating lubricant but it dries out quick leaving the graphite behind which ends up as a pile of black dust on the floor." -Terry
Seasonally inspect your wood door. We recommend every 12-18 months that if the finish appears to be worn or cracked, add a new coat of sealant or a finishing coat to help keep it protected. This will not only keep your wood door looking good, but it will be protected from the summer's sun and severe winter cold.
"If you can see daylight from the inside, when the door is closed, or feel a draft, make sure to check the seals. They may need to be adjusted or replaced so you're not throwing money out door (pun intended) this winter when the heats on." -TerryIf you'd like Bob & Terry to answer any specific home related questions, feel free to email them to
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Cheers to You: Our New Referral Program  The greatest compliment we can receive is a referral from you! If you know of anyone looking for a lot, a new home or a refresh or remodel in their current home, please have them give us a call.
As a token of our appreciation, we will treat you to a wine or brew of the month club, if your referral builds with us. Please contact us for more details. Cheers & thank you!
New Product: Suspended Seating A Place to Gather No matter where you plan to entertain in your home, everyone always seems to migrate to the kitchen. Give your guests plenty of room to gather with suspended seating. 
This simple innovation is really nice because the design makes it easier to clean around the area, and there's no need to move chairs in and out (possibly scratching floors). Pictured here:
Ladderback Suspended Seating
Available from Seating Innovations
In the next issue: » Available Lots
» New Products » Green Tips » Before and After - Past Remodels » Tips from Bob & Terry » More Remodeling Q & A
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