Trudi’s Blog

Skylights have improved immensely over the years and there are many types to choose from. The most common and least expensive is the 2‘x4’ acrylic dome or sun tunnel (basically a metal duct pipe to the roof with a glass cap).  There are also flat panel (single slope) skylights that … Read the full article “Look up! ….. Skylights”

How did you get into the self-storage business?

Our primary business is building residential homes for sale. One day a broker showed us a residential piece of land in Buellton for housing. It turned out the City of Buellton would not allow residential on the site due to access issues, … Read the full article “Hope Ranch Sponsor Spotlight Interview with Trudi Carey, Founder”

Since most of us don’t install or redo our driveways very often, we probably don’t know much about asphalt. Asphalt is a material that is made of a semi-solid form of petroleum that binds aggregate particles together to create asphalt concrete.

We rely on Gordon Miller owner of GPM (General … Read the full article “Not Sexy, but Good Nickel Knowledge About Asphalt Paving…”

First of all, let’s clear something up – concrete is made up of cement, sand, and coarse aggregate mixed with water which hardens over time.  The architectural exam always has a trick question referring to a ‘cement’ patio… which is incorrect as cement is an ingredient of concrete.

Locally, our … Read the full article “Yearning for a new concrete patio or drive?”

Quartz countertop colors, textures, and finishes are changing so quickly, it is well worth an update.  

When quartz tops were first introduced to the market the trend was to simulate a marble stone look.  Marble is easily stained with wine and acids like lemon juice and is much more expensive … Read the full article “Looking for a quartz refresh?”

With many of us staying home during Covid, there has been a huge jump in sales of fireplaces, outdoor heaters, fire pits, and barbecues.

With new engineering, it is now so much easier to add a fireplace to an existing room such as your kitchen, master bedroom, or even your … Read the full article “Want to add a little warmth?”

When it comes to securing your home, it can be hard to know where to begin. I had the pleasure of interviewing Josh Smith from Smith’s Alarms & Electronics (recommended by the Towbes Group) to gain insight on the best security strategies to implement in your new or existing home.  … Read the full article “Security… It’s not what you think”

The adage “You get what you pay for” has certainly turned out to be true with faucets. Considering the sink is often the most used area in any kitchen or bathroom, your faucets get a lot of use and aesthetically are a big part of your home’s interior design. After … Read the full article “Guess which fixture is one of the hardest working in your home … Your faucets!”

Radio switch systems have recently become less expensive and more user-friendly.  So what are they? 

To give you a little background, radio switches can communicate with a wide variety of wireless switches to control lighting both inside and outside your home. They also sync with mobile phones and smart devices … Read the full article “Radio ‘Smart’ Light Switches – Less Wiring, More Convenience”

When it comes to painting the interior of your home, the finish choices can be daunting. Do you go with flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss finish and where?  Paint type for drywall, metal, plastic or wood?  Interior vs. exterior… yikes.  On top of all that, not all paints are … Read the full article “There is paint, and then there is paint…”