Exteriors Galore

Enjoying a nice summer party at one of our projects. The pizza kitchen was a huge hit!

Sometimes years take on a name.  I remember one year a while back that we called the “year of the bathroom” and another was “the year of the kitchen”.  Well, 2011 was the “year of the exterior projects”!  We started off the year completing a wonderful outdoor living area with an 800 square foot deck.  The space included an outdoor pizza kitchen, cozy covered seating area, hot tub area with trellis, and an outdoor shower.

Later in 2011 we completed two more exterior projects.  One incorporated new fencing, new walkways, and some major landscape removal and replacement. The other was a wonderful waterfront project that involved redoing almost every part of the exterior living spaces.  In our project section you can see more pictures of all these projects .

 

Of course we know why we ended up with so many exterior projects.  With Jennie producing wonderful designs for her landscape clients, it is a natural transition to build these projects for them.  I think this process exemplifies the strengths of design build.  You can gain the trust of your client and develop a good relationship during the design process that allows for an easy transition into the building process.

A new inviting entry was just one of the many improvements we made to this waterfront home.

Lifespan is now an EZ Access Dealer

We are pleased to announce that we are now dealer of EZ Access Products.  We are now able to offer modular ramp systems, pathway ramps, suitcase ramps, and metal thresholds.  These products are design for residential us and are excellent choices for accessibility when compared to traditional wood ramps.  Installation of  modular ramp systems are quick and require no permenant modification to the home such as concrete footings. 

A residential modular ramp system installed.

Call us for all your ramp needs including wood.  We are happy to provide you with a free estimate.

Test for Accessibility

Have you ever spent time in a wheel chair?  Well we hadn’t and we thought we should.  What better way to understand, even if for a short time, the complexities of navigating a walking world in a wheeled chair.  We set out to test a few spaces and here is what we found.

Jennie entering our home.

For starters, our front entry system is not accessible at all.  The three steps on the front of the home and the front door threshold do not welcome wheel chair access.  We also do not have railings on our front steps which would be a welcome aid for several of our family members.  Let’s see what we find on the inside.

Downstairs Guest Bath

Although we have a nice main floor guest bath, Jennie was not able to get into the space and if she could enter the space, she probably could not have closed the door and used the facilities.  Interior doors need to be 32-36″ wide and a 60″ floor space is ideal once you get in.  A pocket door may also be helpful for these spaces.

How does our range fair?

 Our cooktop/range in the kitchen worked well.  The controls for the appliance are all located on the front and the downdraft removes the need to reach way up to the vent hood to turn it on.

Our back patio is also not very accessible.  For starters, the threshold is too tall to easily navigate.  The steps, of course, are not wheel chair friendly.  If you could make it to the patio, it would also be nice to have a poured walk way around to the side of the home for more viewing and access.

Back Patio Door

All in all, our house is not so accessible.  It’s important to plan your accessibility not only for yourself, but for any guest that may visit the house during its lifespan.  That is where Universal Design principles can help guide your design needs.  Tune in again for our report on visiting a public park in wheelchairs!

Welcome to Lifespan Home Modifications!

Lifespan is a full service contractor capable of designing and constructing minor and major home improvements such as complete accessibility modifications, kitchen and bath modifications, whole house safety analysis, grab bar installations, exterior access ramps, self opening doors, personal safety alert systems, elevators, stair lift systems, etc.

We look forward to puting our 23 years of experience to work for you.

Servicing the greater Olympia WA area.

360-584-3833

WA State Contractors License # LIFESHM905J2