A quick look at one of Red Door’s more recent Chestertown projects–a cedar fence.

Built with #2 grade cedar, 2 x 4 rails and 4 x 4 posts, we custom-made the pickets and dog-eared the top to add more character.

The fence was constructed in a classic Mt. Vernon dip style.

And, because it wouldn’t be a Red Door project without some wildly cool -wow- factor, we added an arbor.

Everyone has one: that spot in our house that’s carefully hidden from guests when they visit.  It’s the place that no matter how hard you try, you can never quite keep it clean.  For some, that place is the grout between our tiled showers or bathroom floors.

My house is no different.  My wife and I have bought brushes and cleaners and bleach pens hoping to get rid of the crud. When the products didn’t work, we believed without a doubt that elbow grease would do the trick.  It all ended as an exercise in futility.  We just gave up and lived with the grime until we could replace the tile.  That’s part of the reason why I’m especially excited about my latest product find- grout colorant.

When I first stumbled upon the colorant, I was hesitant; I asked the sales person if the product really worked.  He swore by it, so I decided to give it a go.  The bottle said it not only would change the color of the grout, but it would also protect it from further staining.  Just like paint, you can change your grout to any of the 48 colors they offer.  Do you have unsightly pink grout?  Turn it white.  Tired of white grout?  Make it charcoal.  Anything is possible.

The brand I used was called Polyblend Grout Renew; I found it at Home Depot, but it’s also available at distributors nationwide.  I found the colorant easy to use in a few simple steps.  Anyone could try this at home as a DIY project.

Step 1:  Clean the tile.  Make sure you’re in a well-vented area and clean the tile with an acidic tile cleaner.  After allowing the cleaner to sit for a minute, rinse it with water and let the tile dry thoroughly.

Step 2: Apply the grout colorant.  Brush on the product using an an old toothbrush; be careful not to apply too much colorant on the tile.  Allow the product to dry and decide if you need to apply another coat.

Step 3: Remove excess colorant.  Once the product has dried, use a scruby sponge to remove any colorant that remains on the tile.  There is no need to seal the grout since the colorant has it built in.

Step 4: Voila!  Step back and admire your clean, fancy grout!  It might just look brand-new!

It may take some elbow grease, but the results are well worth the time and money, and it can give your room a whole new feel.  Your guests might even marvel over your “new” tile work!

Want to try your hand at this?  Send us pictures and stories of your experience working with grout colorant.  We’d love to see your DIY project!

If you’re thinking about alternative energy sources for your home, here’s a new system allowing you to harnass the power of the wind. You can get your foot in the door of renewable energy without a huge investment of money.  With winds at just 2 mph, you can start producing energy… not much…but something. Read More »

Thanks to Bill Dugan Design/Illustration, Red Door Remodeling has a brand new web look!  On the new site, visitors can see photos of our past projects in our online portfolio, read about our company and faqs, and check out our latest news stories.  If you haven’t yet seen the new, sleek design and easy-to-navigate menu, check us out on the web:

RedDoorRemodeling.com

After relocating to Chestertown, Maryland earlier this year, I expanded Red Door Remodeling’s services to include Maryland’s Mid-Shore area- Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.  I moved the business because  because of personal and family ties my wife and I have to Chestertown.  Having enjoyed working in the area years ago, I am excited to return to the shore. Read More »

Spring showers bring beautiful spring flowers, but they may also bring wet basements! Water in your basement not only creates a huge mess for you to clean, but flooding can also cause mold and mildew to build-up in your home. To keep your home dry, to protect your family’s health, and to save you money from having to perform expensive repairs, consider taking some of the preventative measures listed below. Read More »

It’s that time of year when you feel that familiar chill in your bones. No, I’m not talking about the cold weather kind of chill; I’m talking about the fear you experience when the utility bill arrives. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to counter winter’s bite. From the easy and inexpensive to the more involved, see my advice on how you can save money this winter. Read More »

Red Door Remodeling has a brand new logo! Jen Lockard, Principal and Creative of Aria Creative, created this unique retro craftsman logo, finding her inspiration for the design from our work on historic homes, artistic design services, and the old-school, detailed attention we give to our craft. Read More »

Saturday, October 20th, we auctioned off our remodeling services to support Tails of Hope Sanctuary’s Art Auction and Fundraising Event. The lucky winner was awarded a half-day of handyman services from Red Door Remodeling; all of the money raised went directly to support Tails of Hope’s mission. Read More »