“Winter is Coming” to Delaware. Are ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms) the Answer to Expensive Heating Bills?

Hello, neighbors! Winter is just around the corner here in Delaware, and that means we’re all about to see our heating bills go up quite a bit. It’s pretty easy to say where all those charges are coming from. The heater is going to be the biggest culprit, and around here, it’s going to be needed all day long. Most families can expect to see charges from leaving lights on more often to compensate for the dwindling daylight hours. It all adds up very fast and it can be very frustrating.

One of the ways that you can head off this frustration is to choose to build a home using insulated concrete forms (ICFs). ICFs are just another building material like lumber, but they come with many features that make them the perfect solution to those winter power bill blues. Here are some reasons to consider building an ICF home in Delaware…

It arrives fully, and powerfully, insulated

One of the ways that you can take action against high heating bills is by replacing the insulation in your home with higher-quality materials. In some cases however, that’s not going to make the difference it should for the cost. The cold air forcing you to keep the heater running could be coming from tiny cracks around the frame or the windows.

ICFs don’t need extra insulation, because they are insulation. As part of the construction process, the spaces between the forms are filled in with a special concrete mixture. What would be stuffed with insulation material is instead filled completely with several inches of concrete. Even in the harshest weather of Delaware, ICFs are highly resistant against outside weather. When a home made this way is heated, it stays heated.

A warm home that doesn’t generate big power bills is already going to make enjoying the winter a lot easier. But that’s not all. You’ll also enjoy that these types of homes are just as well insulated from the noise, inside and out.

It is an ideal material for Delaware beachfront homes

The shoreline is subject to some of the harshest weather in the winter (and in the hurricane season that directly precedes it, of course). For that reason, homes on or near to the beach experience even more dramatic changes in their needed heating every winter. They also have to deal with the fact new places for air to escape and create drafts are are constantly created when a home sways during a storm. ICFs are capable of surviving full hurricanes, and even the strongest winds aren’t going to create fissures in these homes.

Enjoy Your Next Delaware winter

Expensive heating bills can really be a thing of the past if you respond to the winter in Delaware by building an ICF home. Save a lot with the quality of the insulation and the quality of the home.

For more information, see: Ask Our Experts about ICFs

Want a Home that Stands Out in Maryland? ICFs are the Choice for Creatives!

Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are Maryland’s favorite answer to boring home design. This is an entirely different method of construction from traditional timber. It relies on pre-manufactured concrete blocks that can be formed and shifted to create almost any shape for your home. In the most exciting architectural capitals of the world, concrete homes are creating a big stir. Now, these inspired designs are available to everyone who has ever wanted a custom home.

Here are some ways you can unleash your creative side when you’re building a new home in Maryland with ICFs…

ICFs can be easily formed and shaped

When it comes to designing traditional homes, you’re stuck working with a lot of straight lines. That’s how most lumber is cut, and how it’s used. The same isn’t true when it comes to concrete, though. Organic shapes are easy to form with concrete, either in one specific area or across the entire home. You can make entire homes that appear to be cones, stacked blocks or even spheres. You don’t have to go that crazy, but you have the choice!

They are powerful enough to support a lot weight

There are low stress safety limits that need to be respected when you’re building a home from wood. That will restrict your designs a lot, specifically when it comes to your upper floors. When it comes to wood, you just can’t get that creative without getting into trouble. When you build a home in Maryland with ICF, the limits suddenly shoot into the sky.

ICF home builder

The concrete used for these homes is many times stronger than wood, and that really changes what you can get away with when it comes to designing your upper floors. You also have the ability to create features like stairs and balconies that appear to be ‘flying’ or don’t have visible supports.

They make creative home designs more practical

If you want to build a creative home with traditional materials, you’re going to have to make a lot of sacrifices. Some areas are likely always going to be a little draftier than others. You may have trouble predicting which areas will carry sound from the rest of the home and which won’t. You’ll have neither of these problems if you choose to go with insulated concrete forms.

ICF Home

An ICF-built structure is well sealed everywhere with solid concrete, so you don’t have to worry about drafts no matter what your home looks like. The soundproofing is excellent both inside and outside the home.

Start building a more creative home in Maryland with ICFs

By allowing you to work with new shapes and new stresses without risking a less comfortable home, ICFs unleash your creativity. Talk to Excel today if you’d like to build one for yourself.

For more information, see: Are ICFs The Answer to Expensive Heating Bills?

Building the Best Addition for Returning Family Members

As a result of the tightening economy, many families are choosing to live more closely together. This often means multiple family members living under one roof. Situations like these are always a challenge, but you can get through it a lot more easily when your home is properly prepared for it.

We build additions for all purposes, and that includes mother-in-law suites and other new constructions that are designed to help returning family members more comfortably live together. There are a lot of ways that you can make these kinds of spaces better, and we’re going to help you understand how to make the most of yours.

These are all features that should be included as part of your restoration.

A Decent Amount of Privacy

This is one of the most important things when it comes to designing a new addition for returning family members. Whether we’re talking about a younger member coming back from college, or a retired family member from the other side of the spectrum, privacy is one of the most important concerns for comfort.

When designing your new addition, try to create a space that has as much privacy as the rest of the home. That means things as simple as good interior doors, but there’s plenty more to think about. You’ll understand what we mean better when you see some of the upcoming tips.

A Personal Bathroom

A personal bathroom is one of the best ways to make a great new section for your home. Not only does this provide a lot of privacy for returning family members, it will also reduce the pressure from added family members on the rest of the home. A personal bathroom doesn’t have to be large to be effective. Even without a shower, a newly added bathroom will make the space much more functional.

A Kitchenette

If you care a lot about independence, a kitchenette is a great way to help returning family members. Our designers can crunch down the most vital cooking features into compact spaces. That means the freedom for family to prepare their own meals, and to work and leave the home at their own schedule without disturbing others.

Accessibility Options

Particularly if you’re dealing with older family members, it’s important to think ahead when it comes to accessibility. If you suspect that your family members may have physical difficulties in the future, it can be far more affordable to begin including those features now. Wheelchair access and nooks for medical equipment can be easily installed by our addition design experts.

Bathroom Ideas from Experienced Builders in Delaware

Interior decorating trends often apply to living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms. But this year has something else seizing its place as the home improvement focus—the bathroom. Finally, the interior decorating world is focusing on bathroom decorating ideas, and the results have been stunning.

This new attention brings with it ideas and excitement for newly updated and renovated styles that will stand the test of time and continue to look good for years. Our bathroom remodelers in Delaware would love to help you apply any of these impressive upgrades for your bathroom decor.

Start with the Color

First of all, the classic, clean, bathroom design that starts with all white walls is officially out of the mainstream. While off the bat, white seems like a good choice, it quickly gets dirty and doesn’t age well. It more often than not ends up looking dingy and dated. It may even turn into an off-white color that you never would have originally used to paint your bathroom. Instead, gray, blue and beige are the modern colors.

Refining Your Bathroom Colors

You can still have some white in your bathroom; it will even match with any of the three most popular upcoming bathroom colors. A white sink with a stainless steel faucet will compliment dark or light gray, blue or beige. Using gray provides a modern, sleek look, while blue is a warmer hue perfect for a guest bathroom. In addition, beige is a neutral color that compliments accent colors like red, orange and black for a more intricate design.

You can really reinforce this through applicable bathroom accessories such as towels, soaps and toothbrush holders.

Ideas for your bathroom tiles

White isn’t the most popular color for tiles lately, either. This overused wall application is entering the dark side, and more and more black tiles are being used in bathrooms. White tiles installed years ago have now faded and there’s probably dark grime between them. Many people think that white makes the room feel cleaner, but black can do that too. And black doesn’t show as much dirt and is easier to clean.

Square and circular black tiles on one wall or all four can give a bathroom texture and make the white bathtub really stand out. Or, if you like the idea of using gray, three gray walls and one black tile walls is a sleek and crisp design idea for a bathroom. A white bathtub and sink as well as white accents can really pull the whole room together. Another option is to use a black and gray backsplash behind your sink or along the wall that your bathtub sits against.

Bathroom Vanities—The classics are coming back

Speaking of sinks, those typical sinks that exist on top of your bathroom cabinets? They may not have a place in next year’s designs. More vintage and classic sink designs like under-mounted sinks with two thin legs are making a comeback.

Bathroom mirrors are also a major player in the latest trends, and they follow the same perspective—Bulky wood furniture in bathrooms is decreasing with each year. These new sinks and vanities, while they do have less storage space, create more floor space in the bathroom. This is particularly helpful when you’re looking for small bathroom ideas.

Bathroom sinks—new exciting styles

New sinks are also a lot more creative and artistic than the cookie-cutter cabinet and sink combinations. They can be purchased in a variety of materials like marble or granite and in a plethora of styles. From vintage to modern, there is sure to be one that fits the design aesthetic of your bathroom.

In general, quartz is the most-loved material for new bathroom sinks. So if you’re in the market, be sure to check out this style for long lasting use and beauty.

Your Bathroom Shower Could Also Use an Update

Another trend: glass-encased showers are out and freestanding, artistic bathtubs are in. The glass around these showers gets grimy and full of smudges while never offering the opportunity to relax in a bubble bath. A claw-foot tub can offer both a hot shower and a hot bath, the best of both worlds. These tubs can also add a design element to your bathroom and center focal piece.

Does your bathroom need a porcelain tub?

A porcelain tub as an alternative to a standard tub with shower surround is unique and different. It adds class to any bathroom and customization. In fact, interior designers and decorators across the United States are actually predicting a decline in the purchasing of standard tubs and installations of glass-door showers.

Your trendy room is waiting for you

All of these bathroom renovations can be combined to create a brand new, on-trend room. From paint color to sink type, bathrooms are definitely a main focus of interior decorating in the upcoming year. If your bathroom doesn’t necessarily need remodeling, you can still add a few modern trends to your already existing room.

Just by repainting one wall or switching out your old, bathtub for something new and exciting you can use these trends to make your modern bathroom better.

For more information about how we can help you improve your Delaware home, see: Ideas for Patios, Deck and Your Backyard

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!).

Things To Consider When Building A Greener Home

Considering the environment when you’re building will also determine which options are best for your home. As an environmentally-conscious homeowner, you already recognize the best choices sometimes aren’t the most cost-effective initially, however they do pay dividends in the long run.

We’ve put together a list of a few considerations when building a new home from the ground up; these items may not often be the most inexpensive, but you will feel better about your home and the decreased impact it has on the environment.

Avoiding Waste

Whenever you’re doing renovations or building a house from the ground up, you will inevitably have waste that needs to be removed from the job site. Unfortunately, the large trucks that need to remove these types of waste consume a lot of gas as well as emissions that are detrimental to the environment. Speak with your contractor about finding alternate ways to reduce the waste at the job site as much as possible. Examples include having prefabricated pieces constructed at a warehouse, etc.

Recycling and Reusing

It’s important to think about reusing or recycling as much of your job site waste as possible. This way, not only are you avoiding having large transport trucks haul it away, but you are creating unique elements to your home’s decor. For instance, if you are thinking about tearing down your patio, if you have a concrete base, consider breaking up the concrete into pieces and using it to form a path in your garden or leading up to your front door. Alternatively, if your patio is made exclusively of wood, use the slats to build an uneven fence, a dog house for Fido, a bird house for Tweetie, or other DIY projects. This can be fun for the whole family as well.

Driveway Pavements

More often then not we see concrete or asphalt driveways and this isn’t the best solution for homes or for Mother Nature. Before homes were built in your neighborhood, consider that rain water used to be absorbed into the ground. Now, as a result of disrupting the area, water doesn’t get into the ground as readily as it used to. And concrete and asphalt paving doesn’t help either. By changing to flagstone with spacing in between the bricks, you are now allowing more water to get underground. It also adds a nice touch once either grass or other greenery starts to grow between the bricks, making for a more interesting design, while not compromising on the function.

Green Roof Materials

These days, there are many options for laying your roof, and they all vary significantly in terms of cost. From asphalt shingles to clay times, the shape, size, color and materials offer homeowners a myriad of options. But for those with the environment on their minds, consider natural clay tiles, particularly with cement in the mixture, as the best choice for your home. Not only do they last longer then other materials, but they won’t drain toxins as the years go by. Other things to consider when choosing roofing materials include where it was produced as shipping the materials can have a harmful impact on the environment, as well as the manufacturer and their environmental impact while producing the materials. If you are planning on installing solar panels, does the roof allow for that? How long will this material last? If you have to change your roof every 15 years, you’ll keep adding cost to your home’s maintenance as well as shipping and production.

Harnessing Solar Energy

In a previous post, we discussed solar panels [LINK TO BLOG]. This is a great way to harness natural solar power and convert it into either electrical energy for your home or as a means to heating water for your home. Either way, you will be helping the environment and ultimately reducing your utilities bill each month.

Bringing Technology Into The Kitchen – Top Trends In Tech Kitchen Renovations

It is hard to imagine how people hundreds of years ago could live out their entire lives with limited technology, since spending a day without technology today is a very tall order. Technology is in every area of life you can think of, and its merger with kitchen renovations is making the kitchen one of the most efficient rooms in the house. Consider boiling water in less than two minutes, turning on your faucet by waving your hand, cooking in record time, and cleaning your dishes without getting wet, all thanks to technology.

Many technology items for the kitchen are pricey; therefore, it is very important to consider which items are a perfect fit for your kitchen. Here are the leading technology trends in the kitchen today:

Fancy faucets

Technology faucets are proving to be a great addition to the kitchen, with users excited about every type of innovation along this line of products. Many people have fallen in love with faucets that need a small tap to turn on and off, while others love faucets that can operate without the user having to touch them. People who are particular about germs especially love those that turn on by simply sweeping the hand near them.

Induction and touchscreen cooktops

Cooking is, of course, one of the most important activities that take place in the kitchen, and now thanks to technology it is possible to cook faster, more efficiently, and safer than ever before. Induction cooktops make use of electromagnetic induction technology to cook, and this translates into lower fumes, no extra heat, no possibility of burning fingers, and high speeds during cooking.

Touchscreen cooktops will soon hit the market and they will be induction cooktops with the ability to display information from a technology device onto the surface. This will enable an individual to check mail, view a recipe, make notes, and interact with friends on social media, among other things. These cooktops will only generate heat when they sense a metal, making them safer for use in homes, especially those with small children.

Anti-bacterial kitchen surfaces

Bacteria are found everywhere, but the kitchen is not supposed to provide a ground for bacteria to thrive in. With the above in mind, killing harmful microbes while in the kitchen should be a priority, and that is exactly what the anti-bacterial surface does. Within two hours, some of the latest anti-bacterial surfaces can kill 99.9% of bacteria on the countertop, thanks to the infusion of copper wires and Cupron technology on the countertop. Furthermore, other countertops prevent the growth of bacteria on them, leaving the user with the responsibility of wiping the surface and using it without fear of bacteria.

Charging stations

With people using online recipes more often than cookbooks, it’s helpful to have charging stations in the kitchen. One way of inviting these mobile gadgets into the kitchen is setting up U-sockets; these are sockets with inbuilt USB ports. These ports make it possible for users to keep using their sockets for their main kitchen gadgets. Furthermore, inductive power sources that charge devices by simply placing the devices on them and the wireless chargers for any gadget are a great addition in the kitchen.

LED kitchen lighting

Lighting is a major component of every renovation. Great lighting makes the design of the kitchen shine, it creates a beautiful glow, and it highlights different elements in the design. Great lighting also makes food preparation a safe activity because it gives kitchen users clarity in their activities within the kitchen. The advantage of having LED lights is their brightness, long life, flexibility, and production of very little heat.

The Wi-Fi enabled refrigerator

Many fridges today come with touchscreens on the door. The touchscreen has applications where users can find wonderful recipes and figure out what groceries they need to add in the fridge. This touch screen also enables the users to manage the temperature settings for the refrigerator and even set different temperatures for each compartment. With this technology, it is possible to listen to music from your refrigerator, check your calendar, and check the weather in your location. This makes every minute you spend in the kitchen worthwhile.

Top Myths about Custom Home Building

Working with a contractor to create a custom home can help you get exactly what you want in a home. You don’t have to search the market for months waiting to find your dream home. You can just tell your home builder your vision, and you can delight in watching it come to life.

Though buying a custom home has many benefits, many consumers feel hesitant to explore custom home options because they have misconceptions about what the process entails. We’re here to help dispel some of those myths.

Here are some of the top myths about custom home building and the truth behind them:

Myth #1: A Custom Home is Too Expensive

Any time you get a custom item or one that is modified to suit your tastes, you may think that it will be more expensive than the standard option. With custom homes, this myth is especially predominant.

The truth is that price is influenced by a lot of variables, and a custom home is not necessarily more expensive than an existing home with comparable features.

Builders that have long-standing relationships with suppliers can often get better pricing on materials. Builders that are dedicated to managing their costs and cutting overhead and waste will also bring in a lower project price. A hard-working team of builders will also finish the job in less time, which will bring down costs.

More important to the final cost of the project than whether you are building a custom home or shopping for an existing home, is the quality and professional practices of the company that built the home.

Myth #2: It Takes Too Long to Build a Custom Home

You may have heard horror stories about custom homes taking a year to two to build – or sometimes even longer. However, these are rare cases that are brought about by working with the wrong company or by miscommunication problems that lead to work having to be redone or new supplies ordered.

If you work with the right company and are communicating well right from the start, you can expect your custom home to be built in about six months. Of course, larger homes and those with more complicated design features may take a little longer.

Myth #3: The Custom Home Building Process is a Big Hassle

Common misconceptions about the custom home building process include ideas about how complicated or stressful the process is. You may have heard stories of numerous builder delays, problems getting materials, time-consuming meetings with the designer, problems getting permits, and so on.

Again, working with the right custom home builder is key to having a good experience. Experienced, professional home builders will make the process an easy one. Meetings will be productive, and they will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for you. A plan will be put in place to get all supplies, permits and inspections on time so that the build is not delayed. Strong communication will ensure that you get exactly what you envision in the home.

Myth #4: Custom Home Builders Will Only Steer Me toward Expensive Upgrades and Features

Sure, custom home builders make their profits based on the total cost of your home. But they also make their profits on a good reputation and referrals from their clients. If they continue to push homebuyers into expensive upgrades that they don’t actually want or can’t afford, they won’t earn a reputation for good service, and they will quickly lose business.

Again, finding the right custom home builder to work with is key. Research each home builder you are considering working with, including reading online review from previous customers or calling referrals. You should not only look at examples of other homes the contractor has built but should also talk to former customers about the type of experiences they had. You should work with a builder who has a beautiful portfolio as well as a reputation for providing exceptional service.

Building a custom home can be the answer to getting the home of your dreams. However, hiring the wrong home builder could turn that dream experience into a nightmare.

Find the right home builder and then enjoy the process of creating your dream home. Once you move into your new home, you will never want to live anywhere else. Start dreaming up the vision for your new home today and then reach out to custom home builders who can make it possible.

Think You Can’t Afford a Custom Home? Here’s Why You Can

Building a custom home is a dream for many. After all, it allows you to create exactly the design you want. You don’t have to search for months for a new home, only to reject each one because you wish it had a bigger kitchen or because the closets were a bit too small or because you really wanted a garden tub but it only had a shower. A custom home can even offer features you won’t find in most existing houses on the market, such as a personal sauna, specialized craft room with built-in shelves and cabinets, or an extensive wine cellar under a clear glass door in your kitchen floor.

Though you might lust after a custom home, you might think it’s just too expensive to fit into your budget. However, you might be surprised to learn that a custom home can be more affordable than you think.

Here are a few ways that a custom home can be more affordable than you think:

Choosing Your Own Site

A big part of the cost of a custom home can be the location of the site and the impact fees involved. However, if you are a smart shopper, you can find an affordable piece of land that also helps you avoid many of the impact fees.

Shop around to find the best bargains on land for your new home. One of the best ways to save is to find a piece of land that already has a home on it — including your own land if you currently own a home. You can avoid a lot of the cost of prepping the site since the land has already been graded and sewer and utility connections are already in place. You’ll just have to pay to have the house bulldozed. If you are shopping for condemned homes, you can get a steal on the house and the land that comes with it, which suits your purchases.

Start with a Finished Floor Plan

Most homes contain many of the same features, so there isn’t a whole lot of variation in the floor plan. The placement of a room may be different, or the shape or size may vary.

If what you are most concerned with in your custom home are surface features, you can start with a finished floor plan and make a few modifications. This can help you save money on working with an architect to build your home from scratch.

Be Judicious in Your Selections

When you first start putting together your plan for your custom home, you may get over excited by the possibilities and put everything on your list of “must haves.” However, if you take a step back, you may realize that the dedicated yoga room may be a bit extravagant or that you can’t really afford the professional-grade kitchen.

Make a list of everything you would want in your custom home. Then take a step back and start crossing off things that you don’t really need or can’t really afford. Allow yourself some of the things you really want, but make sure you are prioritizing your list. Most people don’t have an unlimited budget and so can’t afford every last thing they’d like in their custom home. Just be realistic in your choices.

Work with an Established Builder

An established custom home builder can help you save more money than perhaps any other thing on this list. An established builder will have relationships with materials suppliers and laborers, which can help bring costs down. An established builder may also have a number of projects at any given time, which can allow the builder to order materials in bulk and save money.

A builder who has been able to spend many years in the industry and become established is also one that has put good systems in place for managing costs and minimizing overhead. That is a builder who knows how to minimize waste and get the most efficient work out of the laboring team.

Don’t let misconceptions about the custom home building process scare you away from having the home of your dreams. You can likely afford much more than you think you can when building your custom home. Find the right builder to work with and guide you through the process. Then use these tips to help you bring down costs wherever possible. You can use those savings to bring your project under budget, or you can channel those savings into other perks you want to add to your custom home.

Modern Vintage: Updates You can Make to Get a Classic Look for Your Home

You don’t have to move into a historic home to get a vintage look. Working with a contractor can help you make upgrades to your home that will make it look older than it is to give it some vintage charm.

You can make minor cosmetic changes, or you can work with your contractor to undergo an entire remodel. Here are a few things you can do to give your home amore vintage feel:

Wooden Windows

Aluminum and vinyl windows were only introduced within the last century, so older homes all have wooden windows. Wood creates a certain rustic charm for a home, but it does have its downsides. For example, wood is prone to rotting and warping, so it needs a lot of care. Wooden windows may also need to be replaced more quickly.

You can get the look of wood without having to deal with the drawbacks of wood by choosing vinyl windows. Some vinyl window designs are created to mimic the look of wood. However, the vinyl will not warp or rot, so the windows require less maintenance and will last longer.

Entry Door

A carved, wooden entry door creates a classic look for your home. You can makeover your entire entryway by rebuilding the stoop or creating a new wooden or stone facade. However, if you are on a more limited budget, simply choosing the right entry door can be enough to create the look you want.

You can choose aluminum or steel for your door that is painted and designed to look like wood. The metal is more durable and provides more protection for your home. You can also get an insulated door that will improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Roof

Wooden shake tiles create a gorgeous rustic look for your home. You can re-roof your home with wooden shake tiles and create a vintage appearance.

Again, if you don’t want to deal with the upkeep of wood, you can choose materials like vinyl or even clay that are designed to look like wood.

If you have the budget for a bigger renovation, you can work with your contractor to create additional gables or other roofing accents that will mimic a vintage facade.

Siding

Wooden shake is also a popular choice for siding on vintage-inspired homes. It can create a dated and more rustic look that is perfect for restoration projects or for creating a more vintage look for your home.

Of course, the right siding choice depends on what style and period you are trying to emulate. In some cases, stone or stucco siding would be the better choice. If you want to resurface with these materials, you’ll need to work closely with a contractor versed in this style to reshape your exterior and install the right support structures.

Hardwood Floors

You can do a lot with furniture and home decor to give the interior of your home a more vintage look. However, if you want to update the interior structure, the best thing you can do is install hardwood floors.

These days, “hardwood” floors are very popular. However, they usually aren’t real hardwoods, but rather are pressed particle board with a laminate top. The boards are created to look like hardwood, but they do not have the longevity or the natural beauty.

Installing natural hardwood floors will give your home a more vintage look and will raise the value of your home. Plus, hardwood floors will suit any interior design you choose. If you get tired of the vintage look down the line, you can just change out the interior decor but can leave the hardwood floors intact.

Working with a good interior designer or a home builder is key to creating an authentic vintage look for your home. If you have the budget, you can completely remodel your home’s exterior, including the shape of the structure, the siding, and the roof. However, if you are on a limited budget, you can make minor cosmetic changes that will have a big impact, such as replacing the windows or choosing new siding.

You don’t have to have the budget to buy an authentic historic home. You can get the same look by working with a custom home builder to remodel even the most modern of homes.