Being Sump Pump Prepared.

We have been helping customers with more Basement finishing and remodeling this past year as the economy recovers in the Minneapolis metro area. One thing to think about when finishing or remodeling a basement is the possibility of water problems. This past wet spring has sump pumps running constantly in many basements. If your pump fails or if the power goes you could have several inches of water on your basement floor very quickly.

We strongly recommend the installation of a back-up sump pump for any basement that has an existing sump. We discourage battery back-up pumps due to constant battery monitoring and maintenance. Plus, if you lose power for more than an hour or two the battery will drain, the back-up pump stops and you still have flooding. Installing a Zoeller® Home Guard Max back up pump that is powered by your city water is a great solution. The motor is turned by water flow that is connected to your city water line, which never loses pressure. The water powered pump keeps water out of your basement until you restore your electric pump. It pumps out two gallons of sump water for each gallon of city water used. This is not intended for use as a primary pump, but is the best back-up pump solution hands down. For more information on the pumping system check out: http://www.zoellerpumps.com/ProductBenefit.aspx?ProductID=65.

For all your basement finishing and remodeling needs, give us a call.

Relax and Enjoy a Porch

Building a porch addition can immediately add value and instant curb appeal to any home. Plus it gives you extra living and entertainment space to the front, side or back of your home.

A porch addition can be as simple as replacing an existing pediment with a roof over the entrance or by adding more with a "shed roof" or a gable roof complete with skylights! In addition to placing a roof over an entrance, a combination front porch and screened room is a great option by extending both the roof and the size to make it a large outdoor living space. Keep in mind, the porch style needs to match or complement the home's architecture. The materials used to build the porch determine if feels like a part of the house or an extension of the outdoor area. The new porch should match your existing home or you can design a variation that complements the original house. The columns should be the primary focus of the design to create visually interest and depth as an integral part of the home.

Don’t forget to consider your lighting needs and electrical requirements as well as design features for the columns, railings, doors, and decking for your porch.

Additional Considerations:
Unexpected elements can really add impact to your porch:
- Fireplace
- Built-in Grill
- Ceiling fans
- Speakers
- Built-in bookshelk
- Bench swing or a hammock

Home before Porch Addition













Home after Porch Addition

Deck Living

Summer is almost here in Minnesota. It’s time to enjoy the outdoors and entertain family and friends with grilling and parties. A new or remodeled deck can expand your living space to the outside with comfort, convenience and beauty. There are many decking options to make your outdoor living just right for your home. Here are some ideas:

• Enclose your deck with a roof for shade and a decorative addition.


• Get Creative - rail systems can be made from wood, metal and cable or as a combination of materials


• Add accents around your deck with: Lighting, built in seating, planters and more


• Feature metal accents as pole caps, accessories and other interesting creative ideas


• Build a store closet on your deck to hold and organize items for your deck


• Add Vinyl flooring for decks, a choice that is becoming more popular as an excellent alternative to wood

In addition to the top of the deck, you can add a water drainage system to allow you to comfortably use the space under a high deck. These systems divert water away from the deck to create a dry space below – now having double the outdoor living area.

Hail and Storm Damage

Hail and storm damage to your home can be stressful. It’s a necessary repair from the unexpected that needs to be addressed immediately to restore your home. Sometimes home owners don’t even realize they have damage from hail - small to moderately-sized hail can produce roof damage and result is not always visible. Hail can affect the life expectancy of your roof and you should have it checked out by a professional.

Damage to siding, gutters, roofing and windows from hail or structural damage from wind should be inspected with a contractor that has set processes in place to handle your storm damage insurance claim. We do at Integrity Home Projects.

The first step is a thorough inspection of your home for qualifying damage repair, next is a meeting with your insurance adjuster. At IHP, we handle the meeting and manage the paperwork, supplemental claims, depreciation recovery, and final distribution settlement. We work to make a stressful situation a process that makes it easy for you.

9 Years for IHP!

Integrity Home Projects was founded in April of 2002 with a vision of creating a remodeling services company that would stand out in the industry with notable ethics and professionalism. We started this company to help people realize their dreams for their home. Integrity Home Projects has enjoyed steady and continuous growth since the start of the company keeping us busy and happy to be working with our customers. With over half of our business based on direct referrals and repeat business, satisfied customers are the key to our success. We thank all of our customers for their business and referrals. We wouldn’t be here without them.

At IHP, we will continue to provide outstanding service for our customers through our professional approach and detailed process-based business philosophy. Thanks for a great nine years!

-Dan & Brian

Home Exteriors

Spring is here. It’s time to refresh and give your home a new look and lots of curb appeal. Changing the look of a home's exterior with a facelift can bring a new modern look to your home or just give you the style you want. Something as basic as using new paint colors can update a home. A plain exterior can be made more distinctive by adding a package of coordinated trim. Or you can go for the truly dramatic by adding porches, columns or dormers to totally change the character of your house. Some ideas for giving your home a new look are:

• New paint color(s)


• New trim packages, colors or accents


• Adding stone to exteriors


• Including columns and archways


• A new patio or front porch Switching siding to hail-proof Hardie Cement board siding http://www.jameshardie.com/

Before Exterior Remodel

After Exterior Remodel & Design

For more ideas that bring a new look to your home, call Integrity Home Projects.

Selecting Wood Species and Finishes

The selection of the cabinet wood species and finish will have a significant impact on the overall design and look of your kitchen. There are several things to consider when choosing the wood species for your home.

Maple is excellent as a durable wood that you may need to meet your lifestyle. European Country design with traditional styling may be appealing with a painted cabinet, possibly incorporating more than one finish color. The key to a successful kitchen-remodeling project is keeping all elements of the overall home and room design in mind throughout the design process. This needs to be balanced with your lifestyle and use of the space.

An Overview of Woods Species

• Maple: Light – Hard Wood - Traditional to Contemporary
• Cherry: Medium/Red - Med/Hard Wood - Traditional to Contemporary
• Oak: Medium/Golden/Red – Hard Wood - Traditional to Transitional
• Clear Alder: Medium/Red/Brown – Soft Wood - Traditional
• Knotty Alder: Medium/Red/Brown – Soft Wood - Rustic/Countr
• Hickory: Medium/Red/Brown – Hard Wood - Rustic/Countr
• Rustic Hickory: Medium/Red/Brown – Hard Wood - Rustic/Country
• Walnut: Dark/Brown/Purplish Black – Medium Wood - Traditional
• Painted: Hard Wood - Traditional to Country

Woods and the Kitchen Environment
Kitchens tend to be affected by humidity and temperature and your cabinets need to adjust to changes in temperature. Solid wood often expands and contracts when exposed to humidity, leading to warping. Hardwood veneer and laminate alternatives can be incorporated to minimize shrinking and expansion through the drastic changes in Minnesota’s climate.



Cherry cabinets, clear finish, shaker style work well with existing oak millwork. The oak floor was refinished to compliment the tone of the cherry cabinets.