Guest Post - 11 Things First Time Owners Should Consider When Designing a New Home

What can be more exciting and daunting than building a new home? The possibilities are endless when you’re starting with a blank slate. You get to create spaces that perfectly match your style, needs, preferences, and lifestyle.

But it can get very overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with a variety of options that seem too good to be true. Plus, it requires a great deal of time, patience, and determination from start to finish—from the design and site preparation to getting permits, managing construction, and all other aspects of the work. 

Despite the difficulties, designing and building a dream home can be a very positive and fulfilling experience. The good news is, you don’t have to go through the time-consuming process alone. You can seek the help of architects and other experts who can bring your visions to life and guide you in making the right home building decisions.

Features that Make an Ideal Home

The biggest advantage of designing your dream home is that you get to have full control over every detail and inch of space—from the floor plan and layout to the size and style of the closets and bedrooms, residential exterior glass, safety and security systems, and more.

And since everything about your home is brand new, you get to enjoy all the benefits of a property that comes with less maintenance and massive savings in the long run.

Here are some of the most modern and energy-efficient features you can include in your custom home.

1. Smart technology

Any new home or renovation will not be complete without turning home automation ideas into reality. 

From home security and communications systems to built-in entertainment systems, temperature control, and smart lighting options, homeowners can explore a wide range of smart home technology devices. These can bring more control and customization over their properties while saving on energy and expenses. 

2. Flexible spaces and bonus rooms

More and more homeowners are looking to make flexibility a key part of their modern homes. This involves the addition of bonus rooms that can easily accommodate changing lifestyles and needs. Bonus rooms can be converted into guest suites, nurseries, at-home gyms, entertainment and media rooms, play areas, and more. 

3. Water and energy-efficient appliances

Homeowners are prioritizing home features that empower them to live green, sustainable lifestyles. These can include solar panels, water-saving appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and bamboo flooring. 

4. Storage and open floor plans 

Today’s modern homes feature personalized built-ins and functional storage options that enhance the property's visual appeal. Examples of these built-in storage solutions and areas are shelving units, extra drawers and cabinets, huge closets, attics, and deep pantries.

Building homes with open floors is a major trend that is here to stay. With open floor plans, homeowners can maximize the square footage, play with the layout, and enjoy multifunctional spaces that add value to their homes. 

5. Outdoor living areas

What better way to make the most out of building a new home than to add outdoor living spaces for entertainment and relaxation? Outdoor living areas need not be extravagant. It’s all about choosing the right elements like an outdoor kitchen, firepits, or gardens that will take your home’s overall value to new heights. 

Factors (and Tips) to Ponder When Designing a Custom Home

Here are some important aspects and tips you need to keep in mind as you build your new home.

6. Budget and pricing

Determine how much you are willing to spend for your home and figure out how you’re going to pay for the design and construction process. Check out installment buying options that can work best for you and your finances.

Plan your budget well and stick with it. Develop a spending strategy and consider the costs of the land, materials and construction, builder fees, structural essentials, taxes, landscaping, furniture, decorating and furnishing, and other expenses that can pile up.

It’s always best to have a spending limit and prepare a contingency budget for any adjustments and unexpected problems down the road. 

7. Location and timeframe

Deciding where to build your property is a crucial first step to bringing your dream home to reality. The piece of land on which you’ll construct your home will affect what you can do with the property, both aesthetically and structurally.

Placement is everything. You’ll have to take note of the topography of the land and all its aspects, including its natural surroundings like trees, fields, and parks, the orientation of the plot, sunlight, the style of other homes in the neighborhood, and zoning and building restrictions.

As a homeowner, you would also want to look for a neighborhood that matches your lifestyle. Consider the area’s privacy and security, access to major roads, and proximity to schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and other amenities that matter most to you. 

8. The right builder

Work with the right designers, architects, and home builders who are passionate about your vision for your property. Teaming up with the right people will give you peace of mind and confidence in knowing that you’ll achieve the results you need. 

Ask for recommendations from family, friends, and real estate professionals or search online and find out more about the background and portfolios of experienced home builders. Check online reviews about their finished projects and make your decision based on reputation and track record.

A good home builder will pay close attention to your unique needs and requirements, give recommendations and options, and help you navigate all the challenges to get the most out of your investment. 

9. Size and layout

When brokers sell a house fast to you, you should already be thinking about what size your home should be.  Are you going for a single-story, two-story, or three-story property? How many bedrooms and bathrooms are you planning to include in the layout? Will you need additional rooms for recreation or study, a home office, a home gym, an entertainment area?  

You’ll also have to determine the arrangement of specific rooms and spaces because this will influence your home’s traffic flow, privacy, and how the residents and guests will interact inside the property.

Most modern homes feature outdoor and indoor spaces that flow into each other seamlessly. Still, some homeowners prefer the classic feel of individual rooms and areas tucked away in quiet corners. Keeping the layout of your home as simple as possible will help you lower costs. You can always leave open, unfinished spaces in your new home that you can work on in the future. 

10. Design, style, and quality

Figuring out the design and style aspects that you want to integrate into your home may be the most fun part of building your custom home. But the myriad of choices can still make the experience nerve-wracking. To narrow down your options, always think about how you can integrate your lifestyle into your humble abode. 

Are you leaning towards a modern theme, a more traditional architectural style, or a mix of both? What kinds of materials and accents do you wish to include? These can go anywhere from brick, wood, stone, and stucco to steel and concrete, marble, and the like. You’ll also have to choose your color palette, kitchen appliances, and finishing.

Incorporating green design features that work best with your custom home will boost your property’s energy efficiency and water conservation. Not only will it reduce your property’s carbon footprint, but it will also lower your utility bills and improve your home’s overall resale value. When in doubt, you can always consult with your architect or home builder for expert advice.

11. Home hazards 

A critical aspect that often gets overlooked in the custom home design and construction process is safety. With upfront and thorough planning, you and your home builder will be able to avoid the dangers of home hazards and keep residents safe and protected. 

Find out if the location of your home is prone to earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. If so, ask your builder to employ additional safety measures and consider these factors when choosing the construction materials. 

Install fire protection systems and similar safety mechanisms that will allow you to better protect your family and your most valuable possessions. In addition, stay on top of structural elements like plumbing, heating and cooling, and electrical systems, and make sure that these are up to code for your property’s protection.

Build Your Dream Home

Building a home is exciting, but it’s nothing like a walk in the park. Take all the time you need to explore all options and consult with experts who can help you visualize your project and smoothly guide you through the entire home building process.

Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild but always be realistic and carefully plan each component of your home. Try to strike a balance between your wants and needs and prioritize all the elements that complement your lifestyle and empower you to stay true to your goals. 

Make homebuilding a more memorable and less stressful experience. With the right attitude, mindset, and determination, you’ll be able to reap the rewards of your hard work and dwell in a home that you will love for years to come. 

Author: Diana San Diego is the VP of Marketing for SAFTI FIRST with over 15 years of experience in public relations, marketing, and the architectural glazing industry. She enjoys golf, wine, and travelling. 

Hydronic Heating Systems Are The Latest Way To Stay Warmed Up In Winters

A radiator is a type of machine or mechanical apparatus that is created to transfer thermal energy from one avenue to another to heat a certain amount of area. Here is everything you should know about hydronic heating radiators. 

The Energy Source Of Heating Radiators

Heating radiators obtain their energy from various sources like:

Steam Radiators 

The advantages of steam radiators are huge compared to other radiators. Steam has a pressure that is sufficient to pump the heat generated by the radiator to circulate it through the system. It can easily distribute heat in tall buildings and skyscrapers. But it also has one disadvantage in that there is a generous amount of heat loss that is not wanted. They also produce a loud banging sound called a steam hammer.

Hot Water

A hot water radiator comprises a hollow metal container that is sealed. It is powered with hot water from a boiler by gravity feed, pump or convection. As it releases the diffused heat, it warms the room. The heated water then cools down and settles to the base of the radiator and is gradually steered out at the other end.

Electricity

Electric radiators produce heat by using electrical energy. This heat is radiated into a fluid which is generally oil, into the radiator. Convection circulates the heat generated by the heated oil and distributes it by convection from the heating material to the surface.

What Is Hydronics

Hydronics is a branch of science that uses liquid water or gaseous water or a water solution as a medium to transfer heat into heating systems by hydronic heating radiators. It was previously used in tall buildings and highrises to heat the entire building.

In this system of heating, there is a heated water loop, which is fed with heated water from a boiler. Here the heat comes from hydronic heating radiators.

Types Of Hydronic Heating

There are three types of hydronic heating systems. But all systems have one common point of contention: hot water. Hot water is directly into hydronic heating radiators, under-floor tubes or heat exchangers. The systems are namely:

Baseboard

It is a very popular system that is often referred to as a ‘hot water baseboard.’ In this system, the painted steel housing on the unit of the baseboard has a hidden hot water pipe with surrounding metal fins to radiate heat from hydronic heating radiators.

Hydronic radiant floor

The entire floor is used as the heating system. It acts as a gigantic hydronic heating radiator. Plastic tubes are positioned underneath the finished floors through which hot water is pumped by the radiator. It can be stationed underneath tiles or wood, implanted in poured concrete slabs. But it is advised against being used with wall-to-wall carpets.

Hydro-air heating

In this method of heating ductwork and one air handler are required. Hot water is pumped into the hydronic heating radiator in the air handler, which in turn warms the air before distributing it. It is a very affordable method of heating.

Advantages Of Hydronic Heating System

Installing a hydronic heating system has many benefits over other systems of heating. The benefits are:

• People with allergies and respiratory disorders suffer less because this method does not blow air around like forced-air heating.

• The heating comes from beneath the floor and, as such heat comes from below and goes upward, making it more congenial and efficacious.

• It is energy efficient. It becomes more energy efficient when solar thermal systems are installed.

• It can employ extensive sources of energy to heat the liquid

• It annihilates duct loss

Conclusion

When winters are round the bend, it becomes imperative that the heating system of your house is in top order, so if it already is not, then what are you waiting for? Go get your hydronic heating system winter-ready to fight it off in style and grandeur. 

In-Ground Pools vs. Above-Ground Pools

While you can always head to a local pool to cool off on a hot summer day, nothing beats having your own pool to swim in and lounge around with friends and family. If you've decided to get your own pool, you're now trying to decide whether you should get an in-ground pool or one that is above-ground. Since both have advantages and disadvantages, here are some tips that might make your decision easier.

Cost Variations

As you would expect, there are wide cost variations between in-ground and above-ground pools. For an in-ground pool that's 12x24 and includes a safety fence, retractable cover, and concrete apron, you can plan on spending about $32,000. Should you opt for other features like diving boards and sloped entries, costs could go as high as $70,000. If this is too much for your budget, an above-ground pool of similar size and amenities may only cost about $10,000.

Installation

Typically, for above-ground pools, transporting the pool and getting it installed where you want it is going to get handled by experts. However, if you are a seasoned DIY person who likes tackling home projects, chances are you and some family members or friends can install an above-ground pool yourself in about three days. If you have questions or don't have the experience and tools needed for such a job, leave above ground pool installation to the experts. That way all of the equipment and needed hardware are installed properly. 

Should you want an in-ground pool for your home, this will require extensive excavation and likely take weeks to finish and you should turn this job over to professional installers. In addition to the excavation, the cement, sealing, and tiles is an extensive job that needs to be done perfectly for it to last. This makes it incredibly important to work with a company that specializes in pools with a record of successful installations.

Adding Value to Your Home

Like most home improvement projects you've had done over the years, one of your goals was to add value to your home, which can be important should you decide at some point to sell. An in-ground pool can be a great way to add value. Often viewed by prospective buyers as a status symbol, an in-ground pool will add several thousand dollars of value to your home, especially if your pool has an elaborate design and has numerous features. Unfortunately, if you get an above-ground pool, this generally adds little to no extra value to your home. There are some ways to make the above pool seem more luxurious and attractive to help drive value but even the most elite features won’t compare to an in-ground pool when it comes to selling your home.

Pool Maintenance

Ensuring that your pool is properly maintained is essential. Filtering, cleaning, and maintaining your pool’s chemical balance are all tasks you’ll have to perform no matter which type of pool you choose. The time and frequency of needing to complete maintenance tasks are also similar between in-ground and above-ground pools. In terms of maintaining the structure of the pool itself, in-ground pools have the advantage of generally being more durable and longer-lasting. That being said, both pools will eventually require these kinds of repairs. In addition, the repairs of both the in-ground and above-ground repairs will eventually lead to the pool being replaced so consider that when considering how long you intend to live in your home with the pool. 

Safety Issues to Consider

In-ground pools are usually not a great option for people with small children and pets. Unless your pool has a fence with a locked gate around it, you run the risk of your kids or animals falling into the pool and potentially drowning. In fact, well more than half of all accidental drownings occur in in-ground pools. Of course, drownings can also occur in an above-ground pool. Nonetheless, above-ground pools are statistically far safer, which is definitely something you’ll want to keep in mind when making your decision.

No matter which type of pool you choose for your home, it will be a source of fun and relaxation on the hottest of summer days.

Renovations 101: How To Replace A Toilet

Whether you've decided to give your bathroom a big makeover or just happen to have a toilet that is no longer working properly, replacing it may feel like a daunting task. However, it's actually one of the easier DIY plumbing projects you can undertake. If you're willing to give it a try, here's how to replace your toilet.

Get Rid of the Water

To start, turn off the water to the toilet and flush the tank. If your tank is full, then this process may require a few flushes before you get to the point that flushing doesn’t get rid of water. At this point, you’ll need to soak up the remaining water. Many people choose to use towels and sponges but professionals may use a water pump to go from the tank directly to the toilet bowl, at which point one last flush should do the trick.

After you've soaked up any remaining water in the tank, you will likely want to clean the toilet. That way as you are removing it, you don’t have to worry about handling a dirty toilet. 

Disconnect All of The Water Lines and Nuts

After you’re done cleaning it, then you can disconnect the water lines. Additionally, you can prep to move the old toilet by loosening the nuts and bolts holding the toilet bowl to the floor. Sometimes there will be a build-up of gunk on the bolts so you may need to clean the nuts and bolts before being able to unscrew them.

Remove the Old Toilet

This is the part of the process that often results in a damaged flang, which is needed for your new toilet. With that in mind, it may be ideal to recruit someone to help you lift it so you can lift it straight up and off of the hardware in the ground. When getting rid of your old toilet, look at your local regulations for how to dispose of it properly.

If you didn’t remove the tank beforehand, you should ask for assistance because it might be too heavy. Don’t put too much pressure on the tank bolts when lifting the toilet because excessive force can cause the toilet porcelain to crack. A pro tip after lifting the toilet is to put it inside a durable trash bag so that the remaining water will not drip on the floor. You can also opt to replace your old one with a compact toilet, which is perfect for small and cramped spaces.

Remove the Wax Ring and Old Wax

Now that the old toilet is set aside, remove the wax ring and old wax on the flange. Since wax rings can't be reused, you can take a putty knife to scrape off the old wax. To keep your tools or anything from falling in the drain, stuff a rag or towel inside. As an added bonus, this will also prevent foul-smelling sewer gases from filling your bathroom.

Fix the Flange

Once you remove your old toilet, chances are the flange may need some repair work. Fortunately, repair kits are readily available, and it's somewhat simple to do. Remember, the flange should be slightly higher than your floor. Otherwise, there may be rocking issues after the toilet is installed. 

If, for any reason, you aren't comfortable doing this repair or run into unexpected problems, contact a local professional for plumbing services and assistance. Though professionals can handle the entire toilet replacement, they may also be willing to answer any questions you may have as you are already going through the process.

Install New Closet Bolts and Wax Ring

When you're ready to install your new toilet, begin by installing new closet bolts on the ground around the flange where the slots are. These bolts are what will hold the toilet in place. At this step, you’ll also be adding the wax ring to the bottom of the toilet. The wax ring will be what seals the toilet plumbing to the piping. To make sure the wax ring seals properly to the toilet, run it under warm water for several minutes before placing it on the toilet.

Install and Secure the Toilet

Now that it's time to install the toilet. If you placed a towel in the drainpipe, then make sure you remove it before placing the toilet. Place the new toilet straight down on the flange and secure it by tightening a nut over each closet bolt. When placing it on the flange, set it down straight instead of rocking it into place. This part may require two people, so consider recruiting someone to help you lower the toilet in a controlled manner. 

Connect the Tank and Lines

Next, check the tank's valve assembly and connect the rubber gasket to the base of the toilet. You will set the tank on the bowl and secure it with its nuts and bolts. Once the tank is in place, you can connect the water lines and secure the valves.

Review the Connection Points and Check for Leaks

After everything is connected, make sure that you check all of the connection points for leaks. You can do this by slowly turning the water on. In addition to looking for leaks, you can feel for leaks with your fingers and listen for leaks with your ears. If you installed everything correctly, then you shouldn’t need to make any adjustments. However, it is worth checking every 5-10 minutes as the tank is filling to make sure it isn’t leaking and thus flooding your bathroom.

Install the Toilet Seat

Once the toilet and tank have been installed and the tank is full of water, then you can add the final touch - the toilet seat. Most seats have a screw that goes directly into the toilet base and then a plastic cover goes over the screws for a nice clean look.

While it may take some time, replacing your toilet may be easier than you anticipated. However, after you’ve done it once, it seems even easier to do for the rest of the bathrooms in your home.