education | Odyssey Design Studios

What is the difference between a landscape designer, landscape architect, or a landscaper?

Each of these landscaping professionals has their own specialties and knowing who to hire for your particular project or home can be difficult if you don’t know how to differentiate between them. You want your yard to compliment your home and curb appeal is something to consider for homes and for investment properties.

A savvy homebuyer knows that the landscaping of a yard is a huge part of their property value; mature trees, a beautiful lawn, a cute patio, and well-placed shrubs can all add to your home’s value.

Here’s the lowdown on what each professional can do well and which one is right for your home’s needs.

Landscape Designer

This professional is typically one with a nursery or horticultural background and specializes in designing landscapes for renovated or new home areas. They’ll work with a computer program to provide you with a blueprint of your yard that includes the optimal placement for plants and yard features such as sculptures, paths, patios, and more.

Hiring a landscape designer is a smart move to save you money and time in the end. They typically specialize in the balance of color, size, texture, and proportion of yards to help you use the parts to make a whole picture that comes together as your garden.

Landscaper

Landscapers are the right choice for a simple job: taking out old trees, planting new ones, modifying existing plants, garden beds, or lawns. They can also offer help with regular maintenance of your lawn.

Landscape Architect

These professionals usually have a more advanced education or formal training; they often work on complex commercial or residential projects. If you’re thinking of adding a water feature, or large sculpture to your garden, this is the choice for you. They specialize in collaborating with architects, surveyors, and engineers to bring unity and complimentary features to your home and garden.

Your custom home builder probably has a unique connection with someone in each of the professions listed above, be sure to speak with them about which is the right choice for you and ask for recommendations. Often they can point you in the right direction and give you a name and number of someone that they have worked with in the past.

Pros and Cons of Concrete Countertops

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Concrete countertops are quickly becoming more popular; whether they are DYI concrete counters or you pay a professional, they can be arguably cheaper and more durable than other countertop material choices.

Pros of Concrete Countertops

Durability Concrete countertops are very durable; they are not only heat resistant but also scratch resistant as well. Cost The ability of concrete to be molded into any shape and dyed or stained almost any color as well as endlessly customizable with colors, designs, embedded objects such as fossils, tiles (whole or pieces), recycled glass, rocks, and much much more. The organic look and feel of concrete draws most people to it, when you can’t find the perfect shade of granite, or right pattern for Corian, you can create it in concrete. Whatever shape, whatever color, and whatever size you want, concrete can be that for you.

Cons of Concrete Countertops

Maintenance Applying a sealer is the key to maintaining a concrete countertop, because concrete is naturally porous and when is a lighter color, it will readily show blemishes when not properly sealed. Don’t wait until there is a problem with your counter to start taking care of it, you should be sealing the countertop regularly and caring for it in order to prevent problems from occcuring It is also important to clean concrete counters right away when there is a spill on them, this will help prevent staining. Make sure that the cleaner and sealer that you are using are made for cleaning concrete countertops as using other types of cleaning products can end up damaging your counters in the end. Imperfections It is very difficult to pour a perfect concrete countertop, stains or other imperfections are usually present in any concrete whether it is a do it yourself project or a professional job. Hairline Cracks Concrete countertops that are poured in place instead of precast may develop hairline cracks as a result of your house shifting or settling, or other issues such as your kitchen faucet being screwed in too tightly. Larger cracks are easier to fill and fix, hairline cracks are not so easy to fix and may require a professional.

Curb Appeal: Garage Doors

Curb appeal is your home’s first chance to impress your friends, neighbors, family, and potential buyers (remember that you should always consider your home to be one of your most important investments). With up to 30% of homes in the US having a garage door that is a prominent feature of the front façade for easy drive-in, your garage door will likely be seen by not only your visitors but by everyone who drives by.

Before you think that choosing a garage door is an easy matter, remember that you are not just choosing a color, but also a window pattern and design. There are literally thousands of combinations that are offered by some garage door manufacturers.

Thankfully, this is something that garage door manufacturers understand, and they have created a solution to keep you from becoming overwhelmed. We like Wayne-Dalton’s Garage Door Design Center which allows you to overlay a photo of your house with garage door designs. Overhead Door Corp offers a similar option with DoorView. If you have a particular brand of garage door in mind, it’s a good idea to get with your custom home builder or to call the brand directly to see what sort of tools they offer to assist you when choosing a garage door.

Types of Garage Door Construction

Single-layer garage doors are a lightweight and low cost option. They are made of a single outer layer of fiberglass, engineered wood, or steel and have little insulating value.

Double-layer garage doors have an outer and inner skin with an interior of polystyrene board and an insulating value of R-4 to R-7.

Premium garage doors have an outer and inner layer of wood, fiberglass, or higher quality steel and an interior of polyurethane or polystyrene with insulating values over R-15.

The next thing consideration to be made is what is the best material for a garage door. There are many from which you can choose but the pros and cons of each is important. Your house’s location and the climate is important. We will go over the types of materials for garage doors in our next post.

The Best 5 Things to Raise Home Value

Raising your home’s value, whether you are in it to stay or are looking to sell, is always a great idea. Here are our top 5 improvements that will raise the value of your home.

Insulation

One of the easiest and quickest things you can do yourself (it will probably take you a weekend or two), insulation can save you money on utilities while you’re in the home, and be a nice asset for homebuyers. Attic insulation is the best place to start and can prevent up to 30% of your cool or heated air from literally flying out the roof, but even just caulking around windows and doors will help insulate your house.

Lighting

Recessed lighting has been getting a lot of attention lately and for good reason; kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces can all benefit from good lighting. Track lighting is another good solution to really brighten up rooms and show off the home’s character. Good lighting is always a sure investment to spring for when improving your home.

Lawn Care

Updating your walkway with pavers or buying some grass seed/sod for your front yard adds great curb appeal. Opinions are formed from the second a person drives up to your home and your lawn is one of the first things that they will see. Be sure to keep up with edging and mowing your lawn and consider investing in a few large planters with some cheery flowers. A little goes a long way and you don’t have to spend very much to make a difference.

Remove popcorn from the ceilings.

This is the major thing that dates most homes, no one likes popcorn anymore and though it can be a pain to DIY or a bit pricey to have it done, this is one improvement that is worth paying to have done.

Kitchen

The number one thing to consider in your kitchen is the layout; most people refer to the most important area in your kitchen as “the triangle”. This is the place where your stove, dishwasher, and sink are located ideally allowing for a seamless workspace. Before making any surface adjustments, consider if you should make a major overhaul of your kitchen space to remove any obstacles in this area. Appliances, colors, even countertops will all go in and out of style, but the layout of a kitchen, good or bad, will last a lifetime.

Advantages of Buying a New Home

Are you trying to decide between buying a used home and a new custom built home? The choice between buying a newly built, never lived in home instead of a used home definitely has some advantages. Here are the top 5 advantages of buying a new home instead of a used home.

A Layout Just for You

A new custom built home will have a floor plan that is designed with your needs in mind. Want a master bedroom with a second living room attached? A master bath with a sauna? This is where it happens without the majoring remodeling that an existing home would require to add these perks on.

Energy Savings

The energy efficiency of new homes is phenomenal even when compared with houses built just 10 years ago. There are many new improvements in areas such as windows, roofs, and siding that are not only better but cheaper than the options available when older houses were built. This also goes for all of the new appliances that you will be buying for your new home instead of the broken down, older appliances that you often get with older homes.

Low Maintenance

Just like a new car, a new home comes with many less problems and upkeep than an older existing home. High ceilings and open floor plans mean that your home will stay cooler in the south Texas heat, not to mention that home design elements are now made to work with each other and are designed to have less care over the years.

Safety

Just as homes are now designed to better have less maintenance, they are also designed to be safer. Breathe easier in a home that has less chemicals, use a garage door that has infrared beams that will detect if your child is too close, and install a built-in security system that will work better than a system that you slap on the surface of a used home.

Warranties

Everything, absolutely everything in your new home is under warranty: your roof, appliances, water heater, counter tops. All of these and more are under warranty in a new home, and should not need to be repaired or replaced for years.

Farmhouse Style Tips

With the rise in popularity of shows such as Fixer Upper with Joanna and Chip Gaines, and more people realizing the value of antiques and styles of days past, so the farmhouse has begun to see a comeback as the preferred architectural style of many people. This style of house is an all-American classic which can be found sitting alone upon acres and acres of land, or in the suburbs surrounded by other houses, cars, and people.

Curb appeal is an important aspect of every home. If you’re trying to sell a house, this is the first thing that potential home buyers will notice about the property. If you have no plans to go anywhere, this is what your neighbors and friends see, a first impression of your home, style, and life.

Here are a few of our favorite tips for maximizing the curb appeal of your farmhouse:

Classic doorknobs and hardware.

Dark, heavy, quality hardware is something that all farmhouses usually have for their doors, mailboxes, and other odd bits of metal.

Front porch seating area.

Rocking chairs are a staple of farmhouse front porches, a porch swing can also be used in lieu of or in addition to rockers.

Front porch.

Speaking of front porch seating options, does your house have a front porch, or does that front porch need a bit of repair? Adding on a porch to your home isn’t as difficult as it may sound. A wraparound porch is an especially classic look.

Consider a fresh coat of paint in a gorgeous farmhouse appropriate shade.

Paint can dress up any home and some of the best colors that we’ve found are: barn red, or buttermilk both of which are classic with white trim. Or try classic white with a dark trim.

Standing-seam metal roof.

This will give you a classic but modern look for your farmhouse and will last quite a bit longer than the traditional shingle.

New fence.

Consider adding or updating your house with a new fence. A white picket or split-rail fence are both appropriate for a farmhouse.

Is the Cost of Gutter Guards Worth the Money?

Practically every home is now built with gutters; these gutters must be cleaned out frequently in order to be sure that they are functioning properly. Most homeowners clean out their gutters twice each year: once in the spring to clear out debris such as flower petals, flower buds, seed pods, animal feces, and small leaves, and once in the fall to clear out larger dead leaves, animal feces, and other debris. If you live in a place with a lot of trees or debris, you’ll need to clean out your gutters even more often.

Many homeowners either don’t know or forget about regularly cleaning their gutters (whether they do it themselves or hire a professional) and that’s why the option of a gutter guard is so attractive.

What is a gutter guard?

A gutter guard is metal or plastic mesh that is designed to fit over your gutter in order to keep it free of debris.

How much does a gutter guard cost?

The cost of a gutter guard and installation depends largely on your house. The more curves in your roofline, the area in which your house is located, the types of trees on your property, and your personal tastes will all determine the cost of a gutter guard. On average, a homeowner can expect to pay between $7-$10 for every lineal foot (including installation); with the average home having 200 feet of gutter and this would mean that the project would cost about $1500-$2000.

Are gutter guards worth the cost?

Though the upfront cost of gutter guards seems like a large investment, remember that they are actually saving you money if you hire a professional twice a year which usually runs about $200-400 per cleaning, or can save you time if you are cleaning the gutters yourself. It should be noted that even with gutter guards, your home’s gutters should still be cleaned once every two or three years and the gutter guards will need to be removed in order to clean them properly. Because of this, be sure to choose gutter guards that are easy to remove, most designs will click in and out of place.

House Siding 101

The siding that you choose for your house is not often talking about but is an important element in your dream home’s design. Your siding choice should take into account your home’s curb appeal, your budget, and much more and once you make the choice, it’s not something that can be easily replaced so it’s important to choose something timeless and durable. This guide to house siding choices will help explain house siding options.

Shingles

This siding option can be found in wood and fiber cement, vinyl, and shakes. Shingles are great for traditional style homes but be prepared for quite a bit of upkeep as well as a larger upfront cost.

Horizontal Lap Siding

Made from aluminum, vinyl, fiber cement, or wood, this siding option can be almost any color. It works well with a traditional or colonial style home with symmetrical forms. The cost is about $3-7 per square foot.

Wood Strip Siding

This type of siding is made from wood and typically has a tongue-in-groove formation. A continuous waterproof membrane is crucial for this type of siding because if water gets behind the siding it will damage your home’s interior. This is an expensive choice for siding and the cost will depend upon the type of wood.

Board and Batten

Made from fiber or wood cement, this type of siding creates vertical lines and can help your house appear taller. It was first used on farm buildings and is a low-cost siding choice that would be beautiful for a farm-style or country home

Fiber Cement Panels

This type of siding is made of cement fibers and comes in panels of 4×8 feet. The cost (including installation) is about $6-$10 per square foot.

Stone & Brick

One of the most durable materials to choose for your home’s siding, both materials come in an array of textures, sizes, and colors. But when something is built to last, the price tag is much higher. Brick costs about $16-$22 per square foot while stone will cost about $30-$55 per square foot.

Stucco

This material is available in a synthetic or natural form. It works well for large surfaces with a simple design. If you choose to use synthetic stucco, you will need to have a vapor barrier installed to avoid moisture buildup within the walls. It costs about $10-$14 per square foot.

Are Ceiling Fans Energy Efficient?

Can having a ceiling fan cut down on electric bills? Many ceiling fan companies say that they can, but let’s take a look at the facts and see what they show us.

AC is the largest consumer of energy in your house, it can represent up to or more than 25% of your home’s energy usage, and costs an average of $0.36 per hour. A ceiling fan, costs about $0.01 per hour of usage and so if using the ceiling fan to cut down your AC usage works, it would save you quite a bit of money per year.

Ceiling Fans Can and Cannot

First of all, let’s examine what a ceiling fan cannot do: a fan will not cool your room, they will make your room feel cooler, but the temperature will remain the same. This only works if you are actually in the room, if you have a ceiling fan on in another room that you aren’t actually using, this will only cost you electricity and has no cooling benefits.

That said, if you are in a room, the US Department of Energy states that combining a ceiling fan with AC results in being about to raise the temperature 4 degrees without your comfort level changing.

Fans will work best when:

They are larger fans, because they can move air more effectively.
They have a great Energy Star rating, the box that the fan comes in will typically have this rating posted on it.
They are installed on an eight foot or taller ceiling and are about 1 foot away from the ceiling.
Your windows have curtains and blinds to cover them to allow less sun in during the summer months. During the winter, you can open the window coverings during the day to allow the warmth in and shut them at night to keep out the cold.

To wrap up, here are a few tips for cutting energy usage with the help of ceiling fans:

Raise your AC thermostat by 4 degrees
When you’re home, keep your fans on but only in rooms that you are currently using. Switch the fan off when you leave the room (if this is difficult for you, then you might consider home automation solutions)
For winter, use the switch typically located on the side of the fan motor to reverse the ceiling fan rotation. This will move cooler air up and push warmer air down.

The Average Cost of Replacing a Roof

As a homeowner, replacing the roof on your home can be one of the most expensive upgrades that you will make over the course of your owning a home.

What determines the price of a roof?

The type of roofing material is a large part of the cost of your roof, but the size, accessibility, pitch, roof height, removal of the old roof, as well as other factors are also used when calculating the cost.

On average, the price of a new roof can run anywhere from $4500 all the way up to $50,000 or more for high end roofs.

Most roofers charge by the roofing square, this is equal to 100 square feet (a 10 by 10 foot area).

Why does the roof pitch affect the price of a new roof?

The slope or pitch of your roof affects the price because this dictates how easy it is for the roofers to work on your roof. Will they need a harness because of the steep pitch? Or does your roof have a gentle slope which allows for them stack materials directly on the roof and work without a lot of safety equipment.

Why does accessibility matter?

This is a part of labor costs that many people don’t think about, if roofers can drive a truck loaded with materials directly beside the house, then loading and unloading just got a lot easier. But if a lot of their time is spent carrying materials, supplies, and tools back and forth from the truck, you will see this reflected in the cost of the roof.

Roofing materials also determine the price

We have a couple of articles that you might want to read about the different types of roofs to consider:

Other costs to keep in mind

If you’re replacing a roof with damage from hail, water, or other things, remember that the damage might go further than you think. After the old roof has come off, the roofers might find other damage that will need to be addressed before the new roof can go on. Plan your budget accordingly.