Most Popular Housing Trends for 2017

The past few years have seen a rise in several housing trends that we predict will continue on through this year and even 2018.  Many millennials are buying and building homes and they are looking to make a smaller footprint and simplify.  The architectural features that were important to older generations are no longer needed or are out of place in the modern home.

Green Living

Energy efficient appliances and windows are a must for any new homes, long-term savings and the environmental implications are something that most people consider now.  With the onset of low-flow faucets, solar heating, tankless water heaters, and duel-flush toilets, it’s becoming easier to make every aspect of a home save time, money, and resources.

Disappearing Living Rooms

Livings rooms as a separate room are becoming less and less common, instead what homebuyers or homebuilders are looking for is a “great room”.  This is an open floor plan that combines that family, kitchen, and dining rooms into one huge common room.  This room has space for homework to be done, meals to be eaten, parties to be had, and more.

Kitchens

Walk-in pantries and huge islands are on their way out while recessed lighting and large farmhouse style sinks are becoming increasingly popular.  Resell value is a big thing with the more transient millennials, and therefore the modern sleek kitchen is making way for the cozy and comfortable kitchen which has proved itself popular through many different kitchen trends. 

Copper

Copper is the new hot metal for fixtures, and mixing copper or gold with wood is becoming even more popular, though gold and bronze are also becoming more sought after.  Grays and blacks are making their way up to the top of most desirable neutrals as well.  All of these colors work well together or separately, and also mix well in many different mediums, shades, and materials.

Raw Materials

Materials such as stone and wood are making their way back into homes in place of stainless steel and tile.  Featuring the raw organic beauty of nature (whether manufactured to look like nature or truly from nature) is the way to go; everything in its natural form.

Pros and Cons of Concrete Countertops

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.

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.

Is Vinyl Flooring a Good Option?

Why should you choose vinyl flooring for your home?  On the outside, it may appear that wood or tile would be a better choice but here are four questions to ask yourself that might lead you to deciding on vinyl.

  1. Do you need something versatile?

Vinyl is both nonporous and scratch resistant, this means that you can use it for high traffic areas such as family rooms and living spaces as well as in wet rooms such as your bathrooms, mudroom, and kitchen. Its durability means that it is able to bear up against snow, rain, sand, and dirt alike.  Though vinyl can show imperfections in your subfloor, its malleability can also help to mask problems such as the shifting foundation that we face here in South Texas.

  1. Do you need something water resistant?

Because vinyl is nonporous and doesn’t absorb moisture like laminates and woods, it is perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.  Most vinyl comes with waterproof backing which means that it is 100% resistant to water.

  1. Do you need something easy to install?

The beauty of vinyl is not only that a pro can easily install it for a much cheaper price than hardwood or tiles, but also that it makes for a DIY-friendly project.  There are typically two types of vinyl: peel & stick and click & lock.  Peel & stick will stick directly to the concrete or whatever subfloor you currently have while click & lock is a floating floor.

  1. Do you need something easy on your joints?

While wood and tile floors may seem like better choices at first, many people are beginning to choose vinyl.  This is because vinyl has a more comfortable surface that is conducive to areas where you will be standing for a long time such as bathrooms or kitchens.

If you’re looking for more information to assist you with choosing a floor material, check out a few of our other articles on the subject:

Hardwood VS Laminate

Hardwood VS Carpet

Bamboo Flooring

Have some thoughts about vinyl as a flooring option?  Comment below, we would love to hear from you.

 

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:

Tile Roofing

Metal Roofing

Shingle Roofing

Green Roofs

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.

What to Look For When Choosing a Window: Part II

Today’s post is part two of last week’s post about how to choose a window for your home; whether as a replacement window or as a window for your new custom home, window choices are vital when ensuring that your AC and heat don’t escape.

Frame

Aluminum and wooden frames are often the two most talked about frames when it comes to windows, but in actuality, there are many more choices that are not as widely known.

  • Vinyl frames are less expensive than wood or aluminum but that doesn’t make it a bad choice.  When a vinyl frame window is made well and installed correctly, it is a viable contender with other frame materials.
  • Wood-clad windows are a window frame that is typically vinyl or aluminum exterior and wooden interior, this comes with the benefits of a low-maintenance exterior and temperature transfer resistant interior.  Unfortunately, they are also somewhat prone to water leaks which can lead to water pooling and eventually sills and jambs rotting. When these are properly installed with a sill pan, it will drain any pooling water away and minimize any wood deterioration.
  • Composite frames are usually made from recycled plastic resins and wood shavings, these can be made to look like wood but are practically maintenance free.  Fiberglass is also a type of composite frame made of polyester resin and glass fibers; this type of composite frame is more expensive than the first type discussed but they are extremely energy efficient and an excellent choice for durability and strength.
  • Wood frames are the best when it comes to insulation, but the upkeep required is much more than any other type of frame.  They also don’t work well for wet or humid climates.
  • Aluminum frames are practical choices, especially for wet and humid climates.  They do not perform well with heat loss and transfer but their superior strength means that they are often used in hurricane-prone regions.

Installation

It doesn’t matter how much you pay for your window if it is not installed properly.  Incorrect installation means that your window is not able to perform its job as an effective barrier for heat, cold, air, water, etc.  Pre-installing and waterproofing should be completed before your windows are actually installed, this will start your window installation off on the right foot.

Keep an eye out for sealants and expanding foams being used to seal your window in place, they aren’t waterproof and can lead to air leakage or worse over time.  Flashing and caulking are both areas which are often ignored or quickly done, these should be done carefully as they are a final barrier to air and water leakage.

What to Look For When Choosing a Window

Last week we touched on four factors to know about when choosing new windows for your home – either as replacements or for your custom home.  These four factors are: Glass, Design, Frame, and Installation.  Let’s take a closer look at what to know about these four essential parts of a window.

Glass

When it comes to window glass, there are a lot of buzzwords that get tossed around, what is really necessary for a good window that is going to last and be worth the money that you put into it without breaking the bank?  Double-pane windows with a vacuum-sealed argon fill and low-E glass.  It will probably cost you an additional $30-50 per window but you will see a difference reflected in your energy bill.  We have talked in depth about the differences in single, double, and triple pane glass in previous posts.

When looking at windows, you can usually find a sticker directly on the glass that will tell you exactly what the window’s efficiency features are.  If the window has an Energy Star sticker on it then it means that it has met the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)’s standards.  These standards are measured in two ways: Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) – measuring the amount of heat entering a house through the glass, and U-Value – measuring a window’s ability to resist heat loss.  For each of these factors, the lower the number, the better energy rating it will receive.

South Texas home owners often choose UV-repellent film as a tint for their windows, it’s practically invisible but it will preserve textiles and paint as well as keeping the interior of a house cooler and save money on utility bills.

Design

The design of a window can have huge effects when it comes to energy efficiency, but that doesn’t mean that you have to settle for something utilitarian or boring.  In the past, custom home builders focused on aesthetics rather than function, but now the modern approach is functionality and beauty in one.  A window can be both décor and an inlet for fresh air, this is especially applicable for transoms (the window above a door or another window).

Decorative windows that are also functional require a deeper casing which can contribute a lot to the aesthetics of your house as “active” transoms.  If you’re looking for further benefits to be reflected in your utility bill, don’t choose a semi-circle or half-moon window as these are not as energy efficient.

Come back next week as we explore the last two of our four important window factors: Frame and Installation.

Should I Replace My Home’s Windows: Part II

A few weeks ago, we discussed questions to ask when you are considering replacing your home’s windows.  We’ll continue that discussion in today’s post; these situations and questions may help you figure out if your house’s windows should be replaced even if you have a historical home where you would normally want to preserve the original windows.

Here are a few situations to consider:

Windows in poor condition.  When your house’s windows are not in good condition: cracked window panes, rotting sashes, sills, or frames, pests coming into your house, inability to open or shut the windows, leaking water, humidity problems in your home are all indicators that you should replace your windows completely.

Windows with safety problems.  If your windows are loose, don’t open or shut, or are weak because they haven’t been maintained properly or are damaged, should be replaced.

Windows with single-pane glass.  If your house’s windows have single-pane glass or temperature conductive sashes or frames, it is typically wise to replace them as much of your heating and cooling will be escaping through these exits.  These windows are usually poorly installed, and or cheap windows that were not well made.

Things to keep in mind when choosing a window:

There are generally four factors to consider when choosing a new window.  These factors are: glass, design, frame, and installation.  We’re going to discuss these factors in more depth in our post next week but here’s a brief overview.

Glass

Double-pane windows with a vacuum-sealed argon fill and low-E glass are probably among the best window options for your money.

Design

This area is fairly subjective to what the home owners want, but keep in mind that half-moon shapes, or semi-circles will decrease the energy efficiency of that window.

Frame

At first glance, wood may seem the best choice: it doesn’t transfer heat or cold as readily as an aluminum frame but these aren’t your only material choices.

Installation

It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on a window if it’s not installed correctly.  Keep an eye out for sealants and expanding foams being used to seal your window in place, they aren’t waterproof and can lead to air leakage or worse over time.

See you next week when we delve deeper into these four factors!

Replacement vs Storm Windows

Last week, we discussed some of the differences between replacement windows and storm windows and how to make the choice between them.  Today, we’ll continue to talk about replacement windows and storm windows and help you better decide what is the right decision for your home.

Pros of Replacement Windows

  1. This is a permanent solution to your window problems because with a quality choice comes the assurance that you won’t have to replace your windows in the coming years just because of their age.
  2. Better climate control, energy efficiency, and insulation.
  3. Better and more design choices.
  4. Increases the value of your home
  5. Outside noise reduction.
  6. Allows for more light.

Cons of Replacement Windows

  1. May cause your home’s value to decrease if you have an older or historic home.
  2. May change the look of your home.
  3. Must be installed by an expert and takes more time for installation.
  4. More expensive than storm windows.

Pros of Storm Windows

  1. Allows for the aesthetic of an older or historic property to remain the same.
  2. Less expensive than replacement windows.
  3. Reduces airflow which leads to better insulation.
  4. Since the installation process is simple they can be installed by yourself or a professional.
  5. Protects the primary window from outside damage and helps to reduce outside noise.

Cons of Storm Windows

  1. May be less attractive.
  2. Should be replaced every 2-4 years.
  3. Moisture can become trapped on interior window.
  4. Less light will be able to come through the windows.
  5. Maintenance once every 12 months is required or oxidation and pitting may occur.
  6. Cleaning and maintenance may require removal of the storm windows.
  7. Regular lubrication and cleaning of tracks is required.
  8. Not as energy efficient as replacement windows.

For those on a budget, storm windows are the easiest and cheapest option, this will effectively solve your air leakage and UV ray problems.  That said, if you are not on a tight budget, the best way for energy efficiency improvement is to replace all of your home’s windows with energy efficient windows.  The newer technology is of course the best for your home, but for those that don’t have that option (whether due to budget constraints or historical properties) storm windows are a good alternative.

What is Glass Block?

Over the last few weeks, we’ve talking about single, double and triple hung windows, double hung windows, the U-factor, and the R-value.  Continuing in the same vein, today, we’ll talk about glass block windows.

What is glass block?

Glass block windows are a unique option for homeowners in that they offer benefits such as security, design, and privacy that more traditional windows can’t provide.  These are literally blocks of glass that require installation that is more similar to masonry than window installation; they cannot be opened and are permanently closed.   They are available as custom made for whatever size window opening that you may need, or as prefabricated pieces in vinyl frames.  They are typically used in bathrooms or basements, but can be installed anywhere.

Energy Efficient

Glass block windows are equivalent to double pane windows as insulation.  They have little to no air infiltration as they are sealed with mortar and caulk, and as they admit natural light, there is less need for the usage of artificial light during the day.

Security and Privacy

Because of the way glass block windows are designed, they are the perfect solution for areas of your house where you want natural light but do not want people to be able to see into that part of your house.  Ideal for bathrooms, glass block windows are available in many designs that can be made to fit perfectly with your preferred décor.  You can also choose to replace a few of the blocks with a ventilation opening that will help bring in fresh air from outside or expel moisture.

Homeowners generally loved glass block windows as a security precaution in more vulnerable areas such as windows in the basement.  Glass block windows are usually about 3 inches thick and are difficult to remove because of the way in which they are installed.

Where to install glass block

Besides basement and bathroom windows, glass block can also be used as:

  • Showers
  • Water features such as ponds, pools, and water fountains
  • Kitchen islands
  • Walls
  • Deck privacy walls

Have you used glass block in your custom home design?  Where and how did you use it?  Drop us a comment below, we’d love to hear from you.