Choosing the Right Contractor
You’ve finally decided it’s time for a home renovation or remodel; or, maybe you manage a few properties that could use a facelift. If you’re not the DIY type, you’re going to need to find a contractor to get the job done. But how do you know who to hire? Does it really matter? Read on for Glenbrook Building Supply’s tips on how to choose a contractor.
- Get recommendations & check reviews. Ask friends, family, or co-workers who have hired a contractor in the recent past. If they had a great experience, that’s a great place to start. Research the contractors and see what customers have posted online. Look for reviews saying that they would hire this person again.
- Call and ask questions. Once you’ve selected a few potential contractors, give them a call. Ask if they are licensed, how long they’ve been in the business, and how many projects they’ve handled that are similar to yours. The contractor may have an impressive list of previous customers, but if they aren’t experienced with your project, you may want to continue calling around.
- Meet in person. You’re going to be working closely with this contractor, so it’s important that you get along. How is his or her demeanor? If the meeting goes well, verify their license and insurance. You can call the licensing authority to check that it’s still valid. This is the time to ask to see their portfolio to get a better idea of the work they’re capable of.
- Get bids. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, ask the contractors to break down their estimate: materials, labor, etc. Be careful here, as cheaper is not usually a good sign. The contractor could be cutting corners or might have missed important details of your project.
Glenbrook Building Supply has served contractors since 1988 and our customer base is mostly professional contractors. We are glad to put you in touch with a professional contractor and/or assist you and your contractor of choice with product selection. Stop in, email, or call today at 651-770-9071. Glenbrook Building Supply – “A good place to find.”
Roofing and Siding
Thinking about replacing your siding or roofing this spring? Perhaps you noticed drafts or leaks in your home this past winter, or age is taking its toll on your home’s exterior. The average lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof or vinyl siding is 20 years.
Addressing maintenance issues with your home’s exterior is a critical step in ensuring the value of your home in the future.
How can you tell when it’s time to update roofing and siding?
Siding Signs of Age:
- Fading and cracking. Quality vinyl siding should hold its integrity for 20 years. However, damage from the sun and storms can shorten this lifespan. Chips, peels, cracks, and excessive fading are all indicators your siding needs replacement.
- Energy inefficiency. Worn or old siding doesn’t insulate your home as well as it once did. If your energy bills are in flux, you may need new or updated siding.
- Your siding is starting to rot or warp. If your siding is starting to change shape or deteriorate, this is a clear sign that you need to upgrade.
- You find mold or other issues. If your siding is worn, water can seep into your home and create the perfect environment for mold growth.
Roof Signs of Age:
- Curling and stained shingles. These are common signs your asphalt shingles are losing their integrity.
- Sagging areas of roof. If you notice your normally smooth and flat roof is showing low spots, this probably means your shingles are allowing moisture to reach the sheathing and that is now starting to rot.
- Missing shingle tabs. This is not easy to see from the ground, but if you should notice tabs or pieces missing from you shingles it may be due to age, or your roof may have sustained storm damage from wind or hail. In either case, if your shingles are missing bits, it’s time to replace the roof.
- Water damage. Water leaking into the home from the roof is a clear sign there is damage. Whether it is a leak caused by condensation due to inadequate roof insulation, or shingles that have failed and have caused a way for water to reach your home’s interior, a fix is needed.
Glenbrook Building Supply, Inc. offers a variety of products and services necessary to support your roofing and siding needs. As with all the lines we carry, we believe in creating relationships with the best and most reliable manufacturers and offering those company’s products to you. We extend our services and products to contractors and DIY experts.
Our showroom, located in Oakdale, MN, is open to the public. For your next project, consider Glenbrook as an alternative to the big box building supply stores. We provide more advice and our products are exceptional.
Decks: Your Local Headquarters for Quality Materials
At Glenbrook Building Supply, Inc., we’re your one-stop shop for quality building materials. Specializing in assisting contractors, we have the decking supplies you need to meet your deadlines this season. With summer season upon us, it’s time to start building (or upgrading) decks. Luckily, we have a variety of high-quality brands for your latest project.
Check out a few of our top brands:
- Trex: Known for outperforming wood, Trex’s composite deck boards are engineered to resist fading, scratches and stains, and eliminate time-consuming maintenance so you’ll never step foot in the stain aisle again.
- TimberTech: Ranked #1 in Quality in the 2019 BUILDER Brand Use Study and #1 in Quality in the Railing category in the 2019 REMODELER BRAND Use Study, TimberTech combines the look and feel of real wood with innovative materials science.
- Timbertech AZEK: Thinking about what kind of color palette should define your capped polymer deck? AZEK deck color combinations to accentuate any design. Whether you prefer traditional shades or see your style embodied in more unexpected pairings, AZEK’s expansive decking portfolio has just what you need to capture your signature style.
- Dekorators: Deckorators composite decking, deck railing, balusters, post caps and decking lights make it easy to extend your living space outside. The pioneering spirit behind Dekorators keeps them on the leading edge of deck ideas and porch design innovation.
- Moistureshield: Stocked at Glenbrook Building Supply, Moistureshield is made of 95% recycled materials. Wood fibers are individually encapsulated in plastic, making it highly durable and excellent near / in water. Lengthy 30-year fade and stain warranty. What is not to like?
Plan fast by calling today! Decking materials are already flying off the shelf at Glenbrook Building Supply, with an early spring putting pressure on certain SKU’s across all brands.
Spring Construction Season Ahead
After a long harsh winter, there is nothing more satisfying than completing a project that helps get your home in gear for warmer weather and outdoor activities. No matter the spring construction project—from docks to windows—if you are sourcing building materials, Glenbrook Building Supply is here to help.
Docks
Celebrate bringing your boat out of storage this spring with an upgraded dock. At Glenbrook Building Supply, we sell custom insert dock panels in addition to dock hardware. We are your one-stop-shop for your home or cabin’s lakeside needs.
Deck Materials
Possibly the largest display in the Twin Cities, we carry many side-by-side deck boards on display at our showroom in Oakdale, Minnesota. If you are a professional deck builder, or a homeowner thinking about building a deck this season, our professional staff can guide you to the most current trends and decking materials. Did you know your deck railings could be curved? New technology in the industry can make curved rails a possibility for you. Let’s create the deck of your dreams!
Windows
Let the sunshine in this spring with new windows! At Glenbrook Building Supply, we are proud to carry two premier world-wide window manufacturers: Marvin Windows & Doors and Andersen Windows and Doors. If you are sourcing building materials for your latest window project, you can rest assured knowing you are getting the highest quality of products.
No matter your spring construction plans, Glenbrook Lumber is your source for building supplies. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find exactly what you need. Glenbrook Lumber – A good place to find.
It’s All in the Details – Millwork: Doors
A door is a door is a door right? Not so fast. There’s much to say about a home and curb appeal, and a significant portion of the curb appeal clout comes from the home’s front door. In fact, a 2014 report from Therma Tru Doors claims a new front door can add as much as $24,000 to a home’s perceived value. So, no. A door is not just a door and choosing one that is perfect for your home is a decision that should not be made lightly.
Fit and Function – It goes without saying that any exterior door needs to fit well and function to meet the needs of a homeowner. A door that leaks cold air in the winter or warm in the summer is a detriment to a homeowner’s energy bills.
Just like insulation, exterior doors have varying levels of R value that should be considered. Additionally, adding a storm door may cause higher than wanted heat levels that are not conducive to many fiberglass doors.
Style – Home style is a determining factor in the kind of door you choose. Traditional styles include elements such as raised panels or Shaker-style windows while contemporary doors may lack windows completely.
Color – Sometimes a pop of color on a home is what makes it unique. Those colors also say something about the homeowners. A few of the top door colors and their meanings are noted below:
- Red – One of the most popular choices for front doors, red means Welcome!
- Orange – Similar to a red door, orange means the homeowners are social butterflies. Outgoing and ready to welcome visitors.
- Blue – Another very popular choice in door color, blue means peaceful or tranquil.
- Green – This color for a door signifies ambition.
- Wood – Wood front doors signal the homeowners are generous and down to earth.
An expert door consultant can help you choose the right style, fit, and functional door for your home. As a place for DIYers and professional contractors, the consultants at Glenbrook Lumber can help you choose the door that is the best fit for you home.
Glenbrook Building Supply, Inc provides professional contractors and remodelers with doors from some of the finest door manufacturers in the country. Whether you are looking for real wood, fiberglass, or steel, we can supply all of your building and remodeling needs. We also carry a variety of glass light options for your new door.
Come visit us and easily pick out your style and preference of interior and/or exterior doors at our new bigger and better showroom located in Oakdale, MN.
Ready to start? Click the links below for ideas for your new front door.
The Building Season 2021
The home improvement industry took off like a rocket in 2020 due to COVID-19 stay-at-home mandates and boredom. It made finding construction materials and a good contractor harder than finding a needle in a haystack.
For contractors need to source materials and homeowners thinking about adding a deck in 2021, right now is the time to start getting your 2021 projects lined up.
In December 2020, industry experts and bloggers were predicting lumber shortages and higher prices for materials extending into Q2 of 2021. Read more here.
Contractors are reporting non-binding reservation deposits, a precursor to contracts, were up 48% compared to a year earlier.
Glenbrook Building Supply has been at the forefront of planning and reinforcing our supply chain for the past several months. A full-service lumber yard serving contractors and DIYers, our services and product selections are second to none.
Your One-Stop Shop!
- Commercial & residential building supplies
- Composite, PVC, wood, and aluminum decking & railing materials
- Doors and windows (Anderson Windows and Marvin Windows)
- Interior millwork and molding
- Roofing and siding materials
- Docks and dock accessories
- Interior and exterior doors
- EdgeBuilder Panelized Permanent Wood Foundations
- Panelized wall systems
Our expert sales associates have the resources contractors need to find the best and most innovation solutions on the market. One of these tools is DeckToolsR Deck Sales and Design Software. This is just one of the many examples of tools available to help independent contractors with efficiency and navigating building codes.
Another resource for contractors and DIYers alike, is our monthly Closeouts & Bargains list. Find what you are looking for at the most affordable price available. Learn more here.
Glenbrook Building Supply, Inc. A good place to find. Contact us today for a consultation.
2021 Remodeling Trends
If we can say one thing about 2020 and the building supply industry it was unexpected. From the initial pullback reaction across the supply chain when COVID became reality, to the incredible boom in demand from the DIY market, the twists and turns of 2020 have been quite a ride.
In 2021 most expect to see a continuation of home purchasing and DIY remodeling. At the forefront of the remodeling wave are kitchens and baths. Given the use patterns of most families and the rate of return-on-investment for kitchen and bath remodeling, it’s no wonder these rooms are leading the remodeling trends forecast in 2021.
In a November 2020 article from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), they reference a recent trends study suggesting the COVID-19 pandemic will have a substantial lasting impact on kitchen and bath design.
Some of the key takeaways from this study suggest L-shaped kitchen islands will dominate layouts. Organic/natural styles for both kitchens and baths will be the trend as traditional falls to the wayside. Light color quartz continues to be in style for both kitchen and bath countertops and dedicated areas for device charging are in high demand.
In bathroom design, radiant heated floors (especially in Minnesota) are a welcome and highly sought-after design feature for 2021. Motion sensor lighting and leak detection mobile alerts are other key convenience features many are adding to their bathroom remodeling project wish list.
No matter your style of your plans, Glenbrook Lumber is your source for building supplies. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find exactly what you need. Glenbrook Lumber – A good place to find.
Basement & Lower Level Remodeling Trends
As outdoor construction and remodeling slows down for the winter, interior remodeling is just getting started for many contractors. To stand out among the rest, contractors should be using high-quality materials and designs for their clients. Additionally, they should know the trends so they can become a trusted source to homeowners that ask for recommendations on their remodels. Here are some of the most popular remodeling trends for lower levels and their benefits in the home:
Home Gym
Instead of braving the cold weather, homeowners can stay at home to get their routine exercise. A home gym will also allow them to customize the equipment to their needs, so they won’t have to worry about using the same machines as hundreds of other people.
Wine Cellar
If they’ve always wanted a large wine collection, having a wine cellar will help them safely store and display the bottles. The cellar can also be customized to fit a variety of styles that will match the home whether that includes rustic, Italian, or modern. Additionally, depending on how much wine they plan to store, they can have a dedicated room for the wine or request it be turned into a combined bar area.
Home Bar
They can skip the noisy bars and gather family and friends at their own home bar. These have become a popular addition in homes that love to host—it’s easy to pull up some bar stools and hang out while enjoying homemade cocktails. A custom bar will allow them to choose the size so that even smaller homes can have this luxurious addition.
Extra Bathroom
To add value to your home and ease for the family, an extra bathroom in the lower level can be a welcome addition in the morning or when they’re hosting others. In the long run, it will also add value to the home when they eventually end up selling it. If there’s no tub in the other bathrooms, a custom bathroom is the perfect opportunity to include a soaking tub for relaxation.
Home Theater
Family movie nights get a major upgrade when a home theater is added. These can be as simples or complex as the client wants; however, reclining chairs, surround sound, and a retractable projection screen are always a plus. A snack bar with a popcorn machine will add the finishing touch.
Overall, these remodeling projects can be extensive and require high-quality lumber and wall panels depending on the home’s current layout. Glenbrook Lumber specializes in providing excellent building materials for professional contractors, and we serve Oakdale, Maplewood, Woodbury, Stillwater, Western Wisconsin and St. Paul, MN.
The Search for Building Supplies in 2020
Fall is here and with it comes the annual scramble to get projects buttoned up before winter sets in. As par for the course in 2020, this fall may be challenging as material shortages, in all species of lumber and composite deck boards, still loom.
Lumber and sheet good (OSB, plywood) prices rose sharply in 2020 due to a supply and demand shortage. Just when we thought lumber prices could not go any higher, they did and to sometimes astonishing levels. Why is did this happen in the first place? Here is our take on how COVID-19 is affecting the building supply industry.
Early in the year, when the pandemic was new and uncertainly high, many manufacturers made the inaccurate prediction that demand for materials would be low due to nationwide shutdowns. The decision to make and stock less material was the wrong call because manufacturers did not accurately assess what DIY’ers in quarantine would do. With time on their hands and nowhere to go but home, DIY projects exploded.
Examples of this surge were notably seen in the decking market. The price of southern yellow pine treated wood rose to record highs and thus inventory to record lows. Trying to source treated decking, was like looking for a needle in a haystack. The demand for composite and cedar deck boards was equally voracious. All the DIY’ers, in addition to relatively strong single-family construction and remodeling, pushed the limits of what a fully operationally supply chain could produce much less one that was mostly shut down. Yikes!
Unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, we see little relief in sight in terms of product availability. As mills and suppliers struggle to catch up, backorders on decking, siding, and lumber are now commonplace. Additionally, we are seeing extended lead time on trusses, windows, and many other building supply items.
Like many others, you might be dreaming about replacing your deck, swapping out windows, doors, or taking on a winter project by finishing your basement. Whatever building project you may be contemplating, Glenbrook Building Supply is here to help you bring your quarantine induced dream to reality. However, please plan accordingly. It seems many are dreaming similar dreams!
Our thanks to all of you for your patience throughout 2020. Winter always slows things in our industry down a bit. Maybe, with a little luck, it will be enough to get the supply chain back on track. Glenbrook Building Supply, “A Good Place to Find!”
Introducing MoistureShield Composite Decking
Glenbrook Building Supply now carries MoistureShield brand composite decking!
MoistureShield differs from other types of composite decking because it can be not only installed traditionally on a deck frame, but also in the ground, or even underwater. Their innovative products are made of wood fibers that are individually encapsulated in plastic, to protect the decking material from water, insects, and environmental damage. Moistureshield calls this Sold Core technology.
MoistureShield has a variety of uses. Even in our harsh winters, Moistureshield is tough enough to withstand the elements and de-icing salt on your deck is no problem! Installing a pool? Certain Moistureshield styles meet or exceed OSHA’s recommended slip resistance. Slip resistance geared for high-traffic commercial spaces and composite technology designed tough enough for marinas and docks.
If durability doesn’t have you sold, here are some other great features of MoistureShield Composite Decking:
• 95% recycled materials
• 30-year fade and stain warranty
• 50-year transferable structural warranty
• CoolDeck® Technology with 35% less heat absorption than other brands
Visit Glenbrook Building Supply today for samples and pricing. When you work with MoistureShield and Glenbrook, you know that you are working with a winning team!
Brands We Carry
