INTRODUCING…our newest addition to our product line, the Aristocrat® Retractable Canopy offers an alternative shade solution that can keep you out of the rain and harmful sun, and provide an intimate party atmosphere! The new Aristocrat Retractable Canopy is more than a gazebo it’s a high quality shading structure constructed of heavy duty aluminum extruded components with a retractable fabric roof and optional privacy side curtains. This unique shading system can be mounted directly to an existing patio or deck and the retractable roof and side privacy curtains are available with hundreds of fabric choices and colors to match your home décor!

A remote controlled motorized option is available for easy one touch operation of side privacy curtains and these unique structures can be installed free standing or mounted to a home, pool house, an alcove, or other outdoor structures. Ideal to cover verandas, terraces and roof gardens – retractable canopies can provide shade around your pool and give you the atmosphere you need for entertaining in all kinds of weather.

Stay out the rain by choosing a sloped waterproof roof, and adjust the ambiance by selecting from a variety of different light filtering fabrics to provide an intimate atmosphere for entertaining.

Enjoy the outdoors again, and make use of that useless deck by escaping the sun’s harmful UV rays underneath the Aristocrat Retractable Canopy. Act now and sign uo today and receive a 10% discount!

Monday 9-5

Tuesday 9-7

Wednesday 9-5

Thursday 9-7

Friday 9-5

Saturday 9-3

Sunday Closed

Stop in today and meet with Susan she will be happy to discuss your home improvement project and show you actual product samples. As you consider everything please remember choosing the right contractor for the job can mean the difference between delight and despair. Prairie Home Alliance is completely committed to making every step of the process worry free for you. After three decades and serving over 60,000 families, our experience shows we are committed to excellence!

As a Central Illinois Leading Home Improvement Specialists we are often asked “wood vs composite decking” what’s the best choice in decking material? Well, when you are doing your research on wood vs composite decking, you need to ask yourself what level of maintenance are you willing to do in order to maintain your deck. In my opinion, wood vs composite decking both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Composite Decking Material

Composite decking material also know as “plastic wood” is made from recycled wood and plastic as an environmentally friendly option that is growing in popularity. Benefits like durability, color and low-maintenance have increased the replacement of natural wood for your deck. Other benefits, composite decking doesn’t require painting and staining. The only maintenance that needs to be done is to wash it a couple of times a year. Composite decking will cost you about 25-35 % more depending on the chosen material over the cost of traditional pressure-treated wood decking. In the long run, the amount of money you save out weights the up front cost of composite decking.

Wood Decking Material

The most common building material for outdoor decks is still wood – mostly pressure treated decking and lumber (southern yellow pine). Pressure treated lumber is created by forcing chemicals into the wood under intense pressures – hence the name pressure-treated. These chemicals act as preservatives for the wood and help keep moisture out and prevent rotting, decay, and insect damage. Pressure treated wood is highly recommended in areas where the wood needs to come in contact with the ground, like in fences or posts, or concrete footings. Other popular woods for decking include redwood (which resists decay naturally), red cedar, and mahogany. Wood decks do take more work to maintain, so plan on a regular system of painting, sealing, and cleaning.

Once again, wood vs composite decking would be entirely up to your preference in deck maintenance. I never heard anyone say that a wood deck that isn’t properly maintained can’t last 20-40 years, do a little research and evaluate your maintenance requirements.

-Don’t be afraid to be fancy-Bring natural light in the front of your home with a glass door panel, transom or sidelights. Frosted, beveled and leaded stain glass patterns can add a simple touch of elegance.

-Spruce it up with hardware-You may think that handles and hinges are just functional, however they can add the finishing touches that give your door a first-class look. Ask your sales representative which color and style will work best with your home.

-Complement your home’s architecture with your style choices- Simple moldings and raised panels will complement a traditional house well, sleek lines work well with a contemporary style, and ornate carvings will match a Victorian style.

If you have been considering replacing your entry door, 2010 is a great time. Most Peoria Siding entry doors qualify for the $1,500 Federal Energy Tax Credit.

Roanoke Festival

Come join us for food, fun, and entertainment
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday!

Central Illinois Senior Celebration

Wednesday May 19th, 2010
Admission: Free
9:00 am - 2:00 pm !

Come see our mobile sunroom!

We will be at:

Nena’s “Do It Best” Hardware
1415 West Forrest Hill Avenue
Peoria, IL 61604

Shops at Junction City
5901 N. Prospect Rd
Peoria, IL 61604

Just What is Vinyl Siding?
Simply put, vinyl siding is a material that covers the outside of your home. It is ostensibly a plastic material composed of 57% chlorine and 43% common salts and ethylene. Because vinyl siding installation is a rather inexpensive and painless process, it has become one of the most popular choices for covering the outside of a home, both among homeowners and builders. As of 2007, as many as 30 – 40% of new homes were being built with vinyl siding as the material of choice, and when one looks at all the advantages offered by this exciting new material, it’s easy to see why.

Why Should You Use Vinyl Siding?
Of course, just because something is new and exciting doesn’t mean it’s the best option. Why exactly should you choose a vinyl siding installation over another material?

Well, according to the experts at the Vinyl Siding Institute in Washington, DC, you should use vinyl siding because it essentially offers the best of all worlds as a building material. PVC is malleable enough to be sculpted and shaped with the kind of beautiful detail seen on wooden homes of old. These kinds of small architectural details tended to be overlooked in modern homes due to cost and time constraints until vinyl siding came along. In short, those who love an elegant, classical look to their homes need not worry. In fact, many users of vinyl siding claim that, from a few feet away, you can’t tell the difference between their siding and the wooden siding of their neighbors!

At the same time, however, PVC is a plastic – this means that it’s resistant to impact and is relatively non-porous, making it as sturdy and weather-resistant as a solid brick house would be. This also means that it’s easier to care for than a wooden or brick home. Accumulated dirt or debris can be easily washed off without worrying about wearing away the paint job.

The reason for that, of course, is that vinyl siding doesn’t have a paint job! Unlike wood or brick, where the outside of the material is covered in a thin layer of paint, vinyl siding is dyed during the mixing phase. This means that if it’s red, it’s not just painted red, it IS red, through and through. No more chipping, cracking, or peeling!

And if that doesn’t convince you, Remodeling Magazine reports that vinyl siding is said to have the lowest cost of installation of any construction material on the market!

Vinyl Siding Contractors – What to Look For
If you’ve decided that rather than deal with a vinyl siding installation yourself, you’re going to go with a siding contractor, you still need to make sure that you find the right person for the job. While there might be any number of qualified siding contractors out there, one way that you can be totally certain is by checking out the Better Business Bureau.

Long story short – vinyl siding is one of the best possible choices you can make when it comes to improving the look and value of your home. Easy to care for, inexpensive, and durable, vinyl siding combines all the value of other building materials in a single package that you just can’t go wrong with.

-Over time water can create mold, mildew, and stains sometimes in places you can’t see. Most molds are usually an easy thing to take care of; however it can cause people with allergies and asthma some complications.

-A gutter leak that finds its way into your home can damage wood, drywall, and even carpeting which can be costly for your family.

-A larger leak can inhibit rainwater from saturating your lawn and eventually causing a leak into your basement. This can cause foundation problems.

The important thing to remember is that as soon as you notice a leaky gutter, you should take the time to fix or replace it as soon as you can. If you need your gutters replaced, call Prairie Home Alliance at 800-209-9220 for a free consultation.

2. Check for Referrals-Ask your family and friends for recommendations. Word-of-mouth is very powerful, if a company has a history of ripping off consumers; chances are you’ll hear about it. If you know someone who has had a positive experience, most likely you’ll have the same experience.

3. Verify licenses & insurance-Licenses and insurance are a big deal in the home improvement industry. Companies who are legit will have no problem showing you their credentials. Be skeptical if a company refuses to show you. If one of their employees gets hurt at your house and they don’t have insurance, you could be responsible for their medical bills.

4. Ask for references-Quality home improvement contractors will be able to provide a list of references relatively quickly. Make sure to call these references and ask not only about the quality of work, but also the experience working with the company. For large purchases like roofing or siding stop by a home that they have completed the project to check on the quality of work.

5. Look for reviews online-Although online reviews can be manipulated by contractors, take the time to look for red flags. If multiple sites have negative reviews about a company, be very skeptical.