We are working for Pella to install new windows in four openings. The areas we are installing new windows in an office and rectory bedrooms. Each is a triple fixed window unit and we are removing only the center fixed window, 3′ x 8′ and replacing with a window that will open.

Here you can see the before windows at the Old Cathedral.

Installing new Pella windows.

Historic renovations can be tricky, and need to be handled with care. We are grateful that Pella brought thought of RIGGS Company and brought us on board to help with the renovations of this beautiful, historic cathedral.

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An important factor in the home buying processes, especially when you have a family, is the school district where you would be living. The Daily Beast recently shared an article of the 25 Best High Schools in the Midwest, and Kirkwood High School was named number 13 on the list! They have a 100% graduation rate with 93% of students’ college bound. In lieu of moving, now is the perfect time to renovate your Kirkwood home!

We’ve been a proud part of Kirkwood since 1959 and this is a great honor for our community! We are excited to see our city receive this well deserved recognition.

Kirkwood is known for their historic buildings and houses, giving the community a beautiful, old school charm. As stunning as they historic homes may be, many of them are ready for some upgrades. Love your neighborhood and not looking to move? Renovating your home is a great option!

Kirkwood is a great location to raise a family with the close knit feel, great schooling and local community events. This year is the 54^th annual Greentree Festival, located at Kirkwood Park. The mission of the Greentree Festival is to provide an event for the Kirkwood residents that will enhance community spirits and showcase the volunteer involvement of the residents and non-profit organizations. Who wouldn’t want to live in such an entertaining and community involved city?

Looking to start a remodel project of your own? RIGGS is here to help! We offer superior design, planning and remodeling solutions that are truly second to none. Drop us a line or visit us 24/7 at www.riggscompanystl.com.

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Eighteen years ago, Sheldon and Leslie Weinstein purchased their home in Clayton, Missouri. They loved the neighborhood and feel of the area, but the home did not feel like their own. They reached out to us to help customize the home, and make it truly one of a kind. We developed a long-term renovation plan, and over the years have completed nineteen projects on this spectacular Clayton home.

First we tackled the kitchen, completely gutting the room and starting fresh with new counter tops, cabinets, and tearing down a brick wall that separated the kitchen from the family room. The kitchen was small and dark, but by tearing down the wall and updating the features, the kitchen became bright, light and airy. “I love that sink,” said Leslie Weinstein. “I would take it to my grave if I could!” Now that amount of love is what we like to hear!

The original layout of the first floor was far from ideal, but together we came up with a plan to turn the spare first floor bedroom into a library with floor to ceiling custom built bookcases. The room has a grand feel, while still remaining comfortable and inviting.

The basement was a cold, empty, framed out cellar when the Weinstein family first moved in, but we transformed it into a complete basement living area. A media room, bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, and storage room were all added into the basement, helping to create a relaxing area to escape to.

As the Weinstein family grew into their home and aged, they decided to move their master bedroom to the first floor. We opened up the spare bedroom and library and created a stunning master bedroom and bathroom suite. This project took a lot of thought and imagination to create a master suite without disrupting the flow of the house. We are extremely proud of how it turned out!

After years of remodeling the inside of the home, the Weinstein family decided they wanted the outside of their plain, ordinary looking bungalow to match the custom, beautiful look of the inside of their home. During the remodel process, they had neighbors stopping them to remark on how their house looked like a brand new home!

“RIGGS gave me great faith in remodeling,” said Sheldon Weinstein. “They were able to get to the heart of your project very quickly. Anything they did was quality.”

The Weinstein family is living proof that you do not have to move to build the house of your dreams; you just need a good home remodeler who can help make your dreams a reality! We are so blessed to have customers such as the Weinstein’s who have welcomed us into their homes and allowed us to a part of their remodel process.

Looking to spruce up your home? RIGGS is here to help! We offer superior design, planning and remodeling solutions that are truly second to none. Drop us a line or visit us online 24/7 at www.riggscompanystl.com.

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I am a lifetime citizen of Kirkwood and a remodeling contractor – so RIGGS Company & Design understood both sides clearly.  I’ve been (and remain today) a member of the Landmarks Commission, and always show my love of the historic homes in Kirkwood through my business and personal deeds.  So I gained the trust of  supporters.  RIGGS Company’s 50 year history of remodeling here gained me the trust and understanding of the construction community working in the city.  So, put that whole picture together, and I became the chosen candidate to assist Mr. Griffin in mediating the debates between the two sides.

Three meetings were held in RIGGS Company’s conference room where those for and those against, had the opportunity to voice their opinion and work toward a compromise.  During those meetings, Mr. Griffin and I were able to find some common ground between both sides and an outline of the new ordinance was created and presented to the City Council.  The recommendations made by Tim Griffin to the City Council were accepted as read and the new ordinances were made law.

Since then, the economy has tanked and new home construction has reached all time lows in production and sales.  Yet, if you drive around Kirkwood, you can still see new homes popping up and remodeling projects are present all over town.  Filling out floor area ratio and total lot coverage forms took a little head scratching and it was a little tough at first figuring out just how big a house or how much addition you could build.  Some citizens have been confused and disappointed that they couldn’t build what they wanted because of the new ordinances.  But surprisingly, there has been very little outcry from them or the developers that fought so hard to keep the status quo.  The infill housing currently being built does fit better into the neighborhoods and the “McMansions” that were overwhelming the lot and the houses around them are no longer an issue.  Is everyone happy?  Probably not; but it seems the citizens and developers are both accepting of the new regulations and by in large, they have not created any undue hardship for either side.

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There is a secret to historic renovation that I learned by serving on the Landmarks Commission in Kirkwood.  First, you are restoring the home, not remaking it.  And second, any additions to the home must be built in such a way that the original structure is still recognizable.

During an historic renovation, demolition of existing moldings, architectural details and other parts and pieces must be carefully monitored and documented.  Digital photography has helped tremendously in this endeavor. From a green perspective, it is best to reuse those pieces if possible.  If they are water or termite damaged – or just plain worn out – a little footwork to the local antique shops or recycled building material shops is the next best solution.  If you can’t find what you are looking for at these places or the internet, there are many millwork shops that specialize in wood moldings and the better ones will already have the special knives it takes to make them.  There are specialty shops that can make anything you may need and in certain instances, you will find that some of the more common items will be in stock or readily available.

Restoring a home to its original architectural glory is a labor intensive project and is not suited for many remodeling companies.  It is not just the materials that need to be duplicated but the care and respect that was originally put into the home by the old world craftsmen as well.  Pride in workmanship and genuine respect for the work of years past really do show up in the final product.

It is true that we build a much better home than 100 years ago because of the structural and mechanical engineering that has improved dramatically.  The products are better, more energy efficient and do more for the homeowner than ever before.  We have improved indoor air quality and are finally beginning to lower our carbon footprint.  But in same respect, the care and quality of the building trades has lessened due to the pressure of labor costs and speed of production.  Patience is a lost virtue in the construction industry and it’s driven by the consumer wanting it sooner rather than later.

In restoring an historic home, we as Remodelers have to produce a product and be competitive in doing so.  But we must also find it within ourselves to be the patient, confident, old world craftsman that did things the right way, knowing that it may take a little longer, but it will last a lot longer.

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