Ideas for Patios, Deck and Your Backyard: Fun Modern Trends

When you are thinking about designing or upgrading your home, you have to think beyond your kitchen and your living room. Your yard might look like little more than a dirt patch with a few swaths of grass and the occasional tree or shrub.

Yet your yard can have a big impact on your curb appeal and the overall value of your home. Putting in or improving your patio, porch or an outdoor entertaining space can transform your yard and increase your home’s value.

Here are a few modern backyard ideas that you might want to consider for a patio or outdoor space for your home. Be sure to ask our Delaware Patio and deck builders if you’d like some help.

Create A Blended Area

Traditionally, patios designs have taken the form of big, concrete squares. You may also be working with a traditional wood deck. Occasionally, brick or another type of deck tile was used, but the same basic shape was maintained. Current trends blend the this area with the natural area. That means using different shapes and incorporating natural stones like river rocks and boulders. It could also mean incorporating plants in and around the perimeter.

A place just for you

Think of your patio like a secluded enclave in the great outdoors just outside your house. Make it look like a small, secret garden that includes only you and your guests. Wrap the porch around your house and your landscaping beds. Try out circular or geometric patterns. Use a variety of stones and colors for a more natural look.

Water Elements

An easy way to create a more natural look and to add some visual interest to your outdoor entertaining area is to add water elements. You can include a koi pond or a simple garden pond in the middle of your patio or just off the border.

Choose natural or polished effects

Place large rocks and plants all around it to make it look more natural. If you prefer a more polished and sophisticated look for your patio, try a water fountain. The fountain can make a showy spray or it can just let down a delicate trickle. A more modest fountain will also attract birds and butterflies.

Planting Mix

Most people think of ornamental plants when they make their landscape design. Yet including some edible plants will create some unique design options while also helping you do your part for the environment and a healthier diet.

An edible garden is a great addition

Consider including a mix of edible and ornamental plants in your outdoor entertaining space, whether you plant in pots or you plant in beds or around the the border. Plants like cabbage and broccoli create some showy displays, while strawberries and pea flower when they are ready to harvest. Choose a variety of colors and textures to make the display more interesting.

Outdoor Fireplaces and Kitchens

Your outdoor cooking and entertaining options aren’t limited to grills and fire pits. An outdoor brick fireplace is easy to include when deck building, and can provide warmth while also creating a beautiful space to gather with guests. You can even roast marshmallows over it.

Entertain guests with an outdoor kitchen

An outdoor kitchen can include all the amenities you need, including a grill, mini refrigerator and bar. You can cook up just about anything you would like, depending on how you outfit your kitchen.

An outdoor fireplace or kitchen can take your outdoor entertaining area to the next level. The space will look more sophisticated, and it will offer much more functionality than a simple patio with a grill.

Seating Areas

Simple wicker or plastic furniture will make your patio look cheap and dated. Instead, you should think about your outdoor entertaining area the same way you would your indoor entertaining area. Choose large, comfortable chairs and sofas with beautiful colors and designs.

While you will be limited by the types of materials you can put outside, you aren’t limited in your design choices. You only need to choose furniture that has water-resistant fabrics so that mold will not spread. You’ll be able to choose from the same kind of designs that would look great inside your home. An outdoor rug, beautiful lighting and some well-chosen planters will complete the look and make your guests feel right at home at your next get together.

Don’t forget the importance of landscape

Landscaping design can do a lot to make your yard look beautiful and to increase your home’s curb appeal. However, installing a patio or redesigning your home’s outdoor entertaining area can take your home design to a whole other level.

Consider giving your outdoor space a makeover with some of these design trends. Not only will your home look beautiful, but your place will become the hotspot for weekend get togethers with your friends and family. You’ll soon start creating wonderful memories.

To learn more about having owning property in Delaware, see: The Benefits of a Delaware Statutory Trust

5 Great Bathroom Trends: It Will Become Your Favorite room!

Your bathroom is arguably one of the most important rooms in your home. It is where you polish and prime yourself to start every day. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t include this room in their home improvement plans. Changing up your bathroom design or improving your use of accessories is a good start, but not the kind of thing that’s going to change how relaxed or pampered you’ll feel when you’re inside.

All of these ideas will bring new life to your bathroom, and we can help. Our bathroom remodelomg team works affordably and with the highest standards.

Love Your Bathroom Again

When was the last time you really updated your bathroom decor? When was the last time you had the walls painted? How long have you had that bathtub? Change is not always a bad thing. If you are in a situation where you dread spending any time around it, it’s time to call in for some bathroom renovations. It will be just what you need to make it a room you love.

Idea #1: Heated Ceramic Tiles

As you hire a contractor to remodel your bathroom, you should consider remodeling ideas that will make your bathroom more comfortable. How about some bathroom tile ideas? No one likes walking across an ice cold tiled floor in the morning as they start their day; and a floor mat or towel soaking up water on the floor beside the tub is not exactly sanitary.

Having a contractor install heated ceramic tiles that are waterproof and slip resistant is just what you need. The floor will be toasty warm, you will not have to worry about falling, and water damage will no longer be a concern.

Idea #2: One Large Bathroom Sink

His and her sinks are an adorable thought, but you should think about the lack of counter space that comes with them. With a big sink, with even multiple faucets comes additional counter space, which is perfect if someone in your home has a lot of cosmetic products. Don’t ever leave your bathroom vanity out of your design ideas. It’s often the “centerpiece” of the room. The bathroom cabinets and mirrors that are included will have a large impact on the feel of the entire room.

Idea #3: Curbless Walk-In Shower

Here’s a great idea for those looking for small bathroom ideas. Curbless walk-in showers are becoming more popular because they are safe, easy to clean, and stylish. If you have someone who is overweight, handicapped, or elderly living in your home, a walk-in shower without a curb is a much more convenient way for them to shower. No curb means no falling hazard as you (or anyone in your family) gets in and out of the shower every day.

Idea #4: Exhaust Fan

According to a report by the National Association of Home Builders, an exhaust fan is the most requested bathroom feature. The question is: does your bathroom have one?

Building codes require all bathrooms to have a fan or a functioning window. If you have a bathroom with a functioning window instead of a fan, do you really want to open it during the winter season to let out the extra humidity every time you shower? Have an exhaust fan installed to remove excess humidity from the bathroom during the months you do not want the window open.

An exhaust fan will make sure the moisture levels in your bathroom are always comfortable. It will also prevent mold and mildew from having enough moisture to grow.

Idea #5: Motion Activated Faucets

Go modern with your bathroom decorating ideas! Motion activated faucets are extremely popular in places of business because they are efficient. They can be just as efficient in a home. Think about the last time you brushed your teeth. Do you leave the water running the entire time or do you turn it on and off as you need it? Leaving it running the entire time is a huge waste of water and constantly turning it on and off is time consuming.

A motion activated faucet would allow you to turn the water on when you need it and turn it off when you are done with ease. It provides an opportunity for you to save tons of money on your water bill.

If you have children, you can even have a motion activated faucet installed with temperature control. This way, hot water will never scald anyone who uses the sink.

You should love every room in your home, and this includes your bathroom. If you dread going into your bathroom, it is time for a change. Hiring a contractor to make some quick modifications to your bathroom is all you need to fall in love with it again.

Excel-Ask our Experts about ICFs

Insulated Concrete Forms are a special material we use for building homes. We were one of the first businesses in the area to build homes with ICFs, and the material remains one of our favorites to this day for a variety of different reasons.

ICFs aren’t new, in fact, they’ve been popular in Western Europe for quite a long time. Part of the reason ICFs aren’t well known in the US might be that they aren’t well-understood. People have a lot of questions when it comes to this unique material, and we’re going to try to answer some of the ones we come across most often right here.

Why Build my Home with Concrete?

ICFs aren’t just typical concrete. It’s a style of building that mixes a special blend of concrete with an interior insulation layer. The end result is a home with incredible strength, durability and climate consistency. That’s not even the end of the list of benefits. There are many other advantages to enjoy, including the awesome noise insulation, the fact that you can shape it however you want.

Will It Make My House look Unattractive?

Not at all! First of all, there are so many things you can do with concrete if you want a distinctive design or look. If you aren’t interested in a concrete look at all, that’s no problem. We can put whatever finish and siding you want on your completed custom home, and the fact that it’s built with concrete at all can be completely disguised.

What are the Building Limitations?

That depends on what you have in mind, but it is far, far easier to work certain designs into concrete than it is to do the same with a stick-built home. Concrete is incredibly shapeable, so you can pull off organic shapes and forms that would be impossible with other kinds of building materials. In general, the designs you like for other homes can be easily executed with concrete.

How Long Does it Last?

Strength and durability are a given. Even buildings built with concrete using ancient standards are still standing centuries and millennia after they were first constructed. ICF homes in particular have developed a reputation for being able to withstand the force of hurricanes. You can find a picture of one still standing alone after Hurricane Katrina on our ICF page.

If you want to build a home, and be sure that it will last for future generations, you can safely choose ICFs.

How Does it Stay Warm?

Warm and cold air does not pass through concrete easily, even less easily once we’ve installed the installation into the concrete. When you warm or cool an ICF home built by us, you can expect it to retain that temperature significantly longer than a normal home. Some of our customers have reported paying only a third the energy bill that they’re used to.

For more information, see: Want a Home That Stands Out in Maryland? ICFs are the Choice for Creatives!

Ask Our Experts: About SIPs

Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs, are one of several modern building materials we offer for home construction and renovations. There are many reasons to favor this new material over others that are on the market. Of course, it’s still a relatively unknown material, so we wanted to take a moment to cover some of the most common questions we get from people who are considering making their home a SIP home.

What is a SIP!?

SIPs are formed by wood panels covering a thick, insulating foam core. If you want to imagine what this look like, just think about an ice cream sandwich. The ice cream would be the foam, and the boards would make up the chocolate wafer. When two panels are wedged together, the foam inside them seals together chemically. This is a complete seal! From the floor to the ceiling, the two pieces are now fused together as solidly as if they were the same piece.

Many panels would be needed to build a home, but the great thing is that they can all be created off-site. When we arrive to do the building, there’s almost no site waste because we arrive with everything we need.

What are the advantages of SIPs?

You may already be getting an idea of what makes SIPs so awesome. Because each section is completely sealed to the next ones on all sides, the home is incredibly sturdy, and controlling the climate inside your home is much easier than it would be with most materials. There are other advantages, too! Because of the chemical composition of the foam, it is resistant to:

Insects
Fires
Natural Disasters
Moisture
More!

How are they safe from insects?

Besides the complete seals that wouldn’t allow in any uninvited guests, SIPs are naturally resistant to insects because they offer no nutrition whatsoever to our six or eight-legged friends. An insect could not survive after burrowing inside, and there is no way for pests like ants and termites to build colonies inside the walls.

How are they safe from fires?

SIP panels are naturally fire resistant, and are not made of any materials that can be easily ignited.

How long do SIPs homes last?

The bond between SIPs panels is permanent for the lifetime of the home, and that’s as long, or longer, than homes made with most other types of materials. The sturdiness of these types of home is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. They can last longer because they’re resistant to both the most common and most extreme types of wear.

SIPs homes are incredibly storm, hurricane and earthquake resistant. The way the panels are connected keeps them from easily being separated at any point.

Energy-Saving Tips For Your Home Part 1: Appliances, Electronics and Lighting

If you own your home, or have to pay for utilities if you rent, these costs can add up. And who doesn’t want to learn to save a few dollars here and there. Because even if you only save a few bucks per initiative, it adds up by the end of the year you’ll be looking at hundreds in savings.

We will look at different things you can do around your house to save on energy and money as well. Not to mention by using them wisely, you’re also effectively extending the life of your appliances which means you won’t have to buy them as often. Here are some of our best tips.

Refrigerator and Freezer

Ensure your fridge/freezer is away from heat sources, including sunlight and the oven.
Check on the door seal to make sure it hasn’t deteriorated over the years as you can lose energy that way
Use an external thermometer to check on the temperature inside. Idea temperature for the fridge is between 35F to 37F, and for your free is -0.4F.
When you clean your fridge, don’t forget the back and underneath. These areas can collect a lot of dust and debris and can affect the functionality of your fridge.
Give your fridge at least three inches between the back of the fridge and the walls.

Dishwasher

Use the energy-saving feature as often as possible.
Don’t use the heat-dry function or opt to shut off the dishwasher after the rinse cycle is finished and leave the door open so the dishes dry au naturel.
Always make sure your dishwasher is full when running it so you don’t waste water and energy.

Clothes Washer and Dryer

Use cold water instead of warm or hot.
Wash full loads of laundry instead of only doing small loads at a time.
Remember to clean the dryer lint trap after each and every cycle. Make sure to vacuum the outside vent as well.
Hang your clothes to dry instead of using your dryer whenever possible.
Use the permanent press dryer setting instead of high heat when drying your clothes to save on energy.

Electronics

Remember to turn off all your electronics, small appliances and even your home office equipment like computer and printer when you’re not using them.
Connect multiple electronics to one power bar so you can easily turn off items with one quick switch
Unplug any items not in use to reduce phantom power use.
If your TV has a power-saver mode, use it.

Lighting

Replace your old light bulbs with either CFL or LED light bulbs as they last longer and save on energy.
Don’t turn the lights on during the day – natural light can brighten up a room.
If you’re not in a room, turn off the lights. There’s no sense in wasting energy if it’s not being used.
Make sure to clean the light bulbs and fixtures regularly since dust can affect the functionality of a light bulb.
Reduce excess lighting by only focusing light where you need it with table lamps or track lighting.

Removing Lead Paint From Your Walls — Inside and Out

It’s scary to think, but by the time lead paint was completely banned in the U.S. in 1978, it was used in almost 40 million homes. So the reality is, if your home was built before then (and hasn’t had some form of renovation), it likely still contains lead paint. And this can be harmful to your health and the health of your family. When dust from the paint settles on other surfaces around your home, these particles can easily be breathed in and contain harmful chemicals.

Facts About Lead Paint

Did you know that if you do, in fact, have a home pre-1980 that is going to be renovated, U.S. federal law states you must have a copy of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (or EPA’s) lead pamphlet [http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/renovaterightbookletbwsept2011.pdf].

Because removing the lead is dangerous as well, and requires a handling these materials carefully as well as disposing of them responsibly. And if the lead paint is starting to chip, peel or crack, it is even more poisonous and dangerous.

Did you also know that the older your home is, the more likely it is to have lead paint? In fact, 87% of American homes built before 1940 contains lead paint.

Removing Lead Paint

Make sure you hire contractors who are both knowledgeable and experienced at removing lead paint. It’s important not only to safely remove and dispose of the paint, but also to bring your home up to government standards to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Potential Health Effects of Lead Paint

If inhaled, lead can get into your blood stream and have detrimental effects to your health. This can result in high blood pressure, hypertension and reproductive problems as well kidney problems in adults.

In children, this can affect their learning and behavior, slow their growth, cause hearing problems and they can develop anemia. And, though rare, in more extreme cases lead can cause seizures, or the individual to fall into a coma and/or death.

Pregnant women are also particularly at risk. Lead that has been ingested over the long-term can be stored by the body in the bones. An expecting mother releases calcium from her bones to help her fetus grow and develop bones. This can affect the baby by causing premature birth and growth defects.

To learn more about lead, its harmful effects and dealing with lead safely, visit the EPA’s website:http://www2.epa.gov/lead.

Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Consider Energy-Efficient Appliances

Not many homeowners who are shopping for new appliances will consider energy-efficient appliances for their new or renovated homes. But they should. The price tag might be a little heftier right out of the gate, however it will save them money in the long run and help with the resale value of their home as well.

1. Utility Savings: An old dishwasher that is not energy-efficient will cost you an average of $35 more each year than an energy-efficient one. Though this doesn’t sound like much in the first year, think about how long dishwashers will last — 10 or 15 years at least? That works out to $350-$525 minimum. Now think about how much money you’ll save if you have an energy-efficient light bulbs, machine washer/dryer, HVAC, fireplace, refrigerator, oven and cooktop.

2. Rebates and Refunds: Most energy providers, big box stores and even the Federal and State governments offer rebate programs to help incentivize the purchase of energy-efficient appliances for your home or office. You can do the research yourself online to see what you qualify for in your area, or you can speak with your contractor who would know all the tricks of the trade.

3. Environmentally Friendly: It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway, in this day and age we all try to do our own little parts to help Mother Nature get back what we’ve taken. These energy-efficient appliances will not-only help you save money, but will put less pressure on our beloved environment. It’s an important small step we can all take to do our parts.

4. Resale value: Not only will having energy-efficient appliances help you save money, but when you eventually sell your home, the new homeowners will definitely see the extra value these appliances bring to their new house. You might have gotten your return-on-investment throughout the years of use by saving on your utilities bill, but you’ll also see it bring up the value of your home when you list it. This investment will also show the future owners that you loved and cared for your home. This is important as everyone wants to know previous owners put in the time and energy to take care of their home the way they plan on doing for years to come.

A first-time home buyers’ checklist

Buying your first home is an exciting achievement and frightening proposition at the same time. It is one of the biggest purchases you will likely ever make in your lifetime. One that will leave a lump in your throat but will make you proud and happy when you get the keys the first time!

Saving for the down payment is quite a hefty ask, and is something most first-time home buyers struggle with. Here are a few other things to consider before making that big decision.

Renting or buying?

Depending on the market, the loan rates, property taxes and more, it might not be the right time for you to purchase your first home. Use the Trulia.com rent or buy calculator to find out if buying is a sound option for you [http://www.trulia.com/rent_vs_buy/].

Debt

If you have debt, including credit cards, student loans, etc, focus your financial resources to paying down or clearing your debt altogether. As debt is a factor in securing a mortgage, the less debt you have, the more you are likely to be able to borrow from the bank, and the more they are likely to lend you as well.

Steady Income

Speaking of banks, when shopping around for a mortgage, banks require you to have a steady source of income to prove you’ll be able to pay off your monthly dues. So whether you’re self-employed or working for ‘The Man’ make sure you can show you’ll be able to stick to your financial commitments.

Study The Market

Take this pre-purchase time to study the market and learn about housing prices in your preferred neighborhoods. Remember, markets fluctuate and by knowing what houses (or condos) are going for and what is going in the market, you’ll be better equipped to jump when you find your ideal home.

Credit Scores Matter

Aside from your debt, lenders will also consider your credit score. A credit score can be elevated by paying off your bills (credit cards, phone, rent, etc) on time and in full. If you cannot afford your bills, you probably need to reconsider home-ownership at this time.

Budgets and Planning

Plan your budget and try to live within it. Play around with the “Affordability Calculator” on Zillow.com [http://www.zillow.com/mortgage-calculator/house-affordability/] to find out what you might be able to afford. Then practice for a few months to see if it’s reasonable or if you’ll be left house-poor. It’s great to say you own your home, but if you can’t afford anything else, it’s not much fun after that.

What you need to know about energy efficient doors.

Everyone spends a lot of time talking about energy efficient appliances for the kitchen like dishwashers, washers and dryers; and for bigger appliances like heat pumps and water heaters. Sometimes even about windows. But we hardly ever hear of energy efficiency as it relates to doors. Yes, in fact, doors to your home (front doors, side doors, back doors), can all be energy efficient as well.

They not only do an excellent job of protecting the people and objects inside the home, but the right ones can also protect from the elements coming in or the heat/air going out. An important distinction when trying to be energy efficient. Considering how much heat or air conditioning you are losing to a non-energy-efficient door, or how much heat or cold air is coming into your home therefore making you crank up the A/C or heat, means you’re not only spending more money on utilities, but not being very energy efficient.

Energy Star

This is a program from the government that is operated by the Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) to determine if certain items (like the dishwasher or your door) are energy efficient. There are two main things they assess in order to rate the item.

When speaking about doors, it’s all about air and heat coming in or going out. Non-solar heat (i.e. heat that doesn’t directly come from the sun so the heating inside your home). The EPA measures something called the “U Factor” which is the amount of “non-solar heat” that goes through a door. A lower the U Factor value means your door is doing an excellent job at insulating your home from non-solar heat; in other words keeping the heat out during the warm months and keeping the heat in during the cold months.

Then, of course, they consider the solar heat, or solar radiation that goes through the door. This is called the “Solar Heat Gain Coefficient” or SHGC. You want your SGHC to be low because this means it is more energy efficient and will help to keep your home cool in the summer (protecting from the sun’s heat) and warm in the winter (protecting from the cold elements outdoors).

Other Considerations

Of course, it’s hard to know if something is energy efficient just with the naked eye. What makes something energy efficient happens “behind the scenes” so it’s important to know the factors that can affect these ratings.

For instance, depending on whether your door is made of solid wood, or if there are panels of glass, these ratings can change as it adds a whole other level of consideration. Also, what is the door actually made of? Is it solid wood or steel, or is it hollow inside?

What are the benefits?

And of course, like everything else that is good for you or the environment, the price tag reflects this. But it also reflects the extra work that goes into manufacturing these doors. And in the long run, if you spend a little extra up-front, you’ll save monthly on your utilities bill because you’re not losing as much energy. You’re helping the environment by using less energy and reducing your carbon footprint. And of course, by being able to maintain a steady indoor temperature during the winter and summer, you’ll be that much more comfortable in your own home.

Making the most of your small bathroom

Not everyone can actually afford a mansion or a home that has the perfect size for every room in the house. Some of us, most of us, have to make do with what we have until such time as we can afford those remodels or to actually purchase a new, larger, home.

So what do you do in the meantime? If you have a small bathroom that needs to be more functional, consider these few hacks to make the most of your small space. Be creative and try to economize wherever you can so as to save as many inches as possible.

Lights

The most important thing in your bathroom (aside from the functional aspects) is the lighting. If you have a small bathroom space that you need to make the most of, your first priority is ensuring you have optimal lighting. Use as much natural light as possible and complement it with artificial light. The brighter the space, the bigger it will seem.

Paint

Consider painting the bathroom a light (or white) color, and keeping the ceiling the same tone as well. Consistency from the walls to the ceiling make the eyes follow in a natural path and make it all seem like one instead of having a divide that goes along with color blocking. Light or pale colors also make rooms seem bigger and brighter.

Mirrors

The bathroom is the only place where no one will judge if you have a lot of mirrors. And mirrors create the perfect optical illusion for small spaces. By using mirrors on more than one wall, your room will automatically seem to double (or quadruple) in size. Plus, you can never have enough mirrors to capture all the angles.

Glass Not Doors

If space is an issue, which it is since you’re reading this, then the ideal hack is to remove any shower doors or curtains and replace them with glass doors or walls instead. You’ll open up the room, making the shower part of the whole space, as opposed to creating a divide.

Shelves Not Cabinets

Similarly, keeping the design open means installing shelves instead of cabinets or cupboards. This will also make the room feel more open and spacious and let it all flow naturally.

Small Sinks

Most of your washing will (likely) be done in the shower. So the sink is really meant for brushing your teeth, washing your hands and perhaps your face. So do you really need an oversized (or regular sized) sink? Probably not. Make the use of every inch of space and save some of that footprint for other items that you can’t actually compromise on. Consider also saving floor space by mounting sinks on the wall instead of installing vanities. This, too, will give the illusion of more space and make a small bathroom feel like a slightly bigger one (there’s only so much we can do after all!).