Kitchen from page 8
“It c a n r e a l l y g i v e t h e customer and the designer a big head start,” Pond said, “if they know how much they have to work with. We can show them which cabinets and fixtures give them the best bang for their buck, and a lso save t hem money by pointing out the difference between features that might look nice but aren’t really necessary and the features they will actually use.” An efficient kitchen design center t hat k nows how to move a project a long w ill encou rage prospect ive customers to set up appointments before visiting t h e c e nt e r t o e n s u r e a designer w ill be available to guide them through the process and determine what decisions st i l l have to be made before actually making 3D drawings. Pond sa id t he in it ia l appointment usually takes about an hour, and a designer will ask about the size and layout of t he c u stomer’s space, and how they would use their new kitchen, then
Customers looking for custom-designed vertical sliders as well as double-cell shades should talk to Amy at Gamach & Lessard in Auburn.
Windows from page 9 conscious market still creates the trends and determines what is most popular.
Jessica Rice of Hammond Lumber show them cabinet displays and features that seem to be the best match. “If they like our ideas and like work ing w it h us,” he said, “we’ll set up a second appointment to actually work on specif ic designs. Once we’ve agreed on a plan, we’ll go to the home and measure the space ourselves before ordering the cabinets.” If t he customer does not a lready have a n insta l ler l i ned up, Ha m mond ca n provide the names of three or more c ont r ac tor s t he
company has worked with. Once the customer chooses a n insta l ler a nd is ready, Ha m mond w i l l del iver the cabinets and fi xtures, and then the designer will follow the project through to completion, including setting up countertop templates and installation. For more i n for mat ion or to spea k w it h a k itchen designer, call 800-439-2826 or 784-4009 or v isit w w w. ha m mond lu mber.com for the location of a store near you.
According to Richard, “Many people choose the R3-rated windows.” Energy ratings aside, double-hung windows are probably the most popular style sold at Hammond Lumber Company, followed by aw nings and single hungs, where t he top window is fixed, noted Richard. As with window coverings, there are so many window options now, said Philippe Laurendeau at Hammond Lumber, that “service after the sale is [also] important.” A lt houg h qua l it y w i ndow s a nd w i ndow coverings are certainly key in many homes, energy loss occurs in other areas of the home or structure as well. “Every home has its issues,” said Paul Nadeau of Efficiency Maine. Nadeau recommends a top-
Deborah Carroll photo
Customers shopping for windows appreciate the vinyl clad option on the exterior side of windows. to-bottom assessment by an energy advisor. “A lot of heat escapes from a home and an energy assessor gives the homeowner a report which serves as a map of what needs to be done," said Nadeau. The assessment may or may not include the need to replace windows. According to Nadeau, “An energy assessment is the best place to start ... it’s absolutely the way to go.”
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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, March 8, 2013
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