Home Tips for Spring
The Guide to Trending Kitchen Countertops: Is Granite Still King?
The votes are in. For 2017, designers, tastemakers, and experts will advise you to look beyond granite and instead opt for its newer, cooler cousin: quartz.
For years, granite has reigned supreme as the be-all, end-all for kitchen countertops. It is beautiful, scratch and heat-resistant, and easy to clean and maintain, after all.
However, this tried-and-true stone is seeing competition. Learn about why quartz is the hot, new option place, plus some other kitchen design trends you might want to consider besides granite or quartz for your countertops.
Goodbye Granite, Hello Quartz: The Newest Kitchen Design Trend
So, why is quartz usurping granite for most-loved countertop material? The main reason is durability.
Quartz beats both granite and marble in this area (although the latter two have been the most popular high-end manufactured stones used in the kitchen for years).
Not only is quartz naturally stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and heat-resistant, it also doesn’t need to be sealed, unlike granite and marble, which require periodic re-sealing to maintain their integrity. On top of these pluses, quartz is also unaffected by acidic foods, which can wear down the finish on other surfaces.
As far as affordability, quartz falls squarely between granite and marble on the price scale (marble is more expensive, granite is slightly less expensive).
Finally, quartz has become more appealing to the eye in recent years due to new manufacturing techniques. All of the above facets make quartz a shoe-in for the kitchen.
More Trends to Watch: Alternatives to Granite or Quartz for Kitchen Countertops
Love the look of natural stone for your kitchen remodel, but don’t have the budget for them? Try any of these alternative kitchen countertop trends.
Butcher Block
No matter the type of kitchen design you have, butcher block will look classic and timeless. If you are wary because you think this type of counter would be high-maintenance, worry not— scratches can be sanded out easily and sealed with mineral oil.
Concrete
Although countertops made of concrete will need regular sealing, they are a modern option that will be durable in your kitchen. Plus, they can be customized for special configurations, and even have special materials, like seashells or stones, embedded in the surface.
Solid Surface
Solid surface countertops can emulate natural stone surfaces and don’t require sealing. While they are not impervious to scratches or heat, they are a low-cost way to get a high-end look.
Modern Laminate
Modern laminate countertops outdo the laminate of the past by leaps and bounds. New versions are far more durable, successfully mimic the look of natural stone, and require little maintenance and no sealing.
For your home, the right kitchen countertops will provide the look you want and the amount of durability you need. Look to kitchen trends for fresh ideas, whether you want something timeless or totally unique.
Want to get started on a kitchen renovation? Contact us to discuss all of the possibilities.
How Secure Is Your Garage Door?
When you close your overhead garage door, do you assume that your home is secure? For the most part it probably is, but there are a few ways crooks can still get through. Consider these measures to make sure your home is locked tight:
Look at the service door. The service door, or side door on your garage, is often one of the easiest points of entry for a burglar. Make sure the door has a deadbolt and a heavy-duty strike plate, as should all exterior doors in your home.
Install a garage door sensor. Sometimes your garage door security is compromised simply because someone forgot to close the door. This is where a sensor and monitor come in. Attach the sensor to the garage door and then place the monitor somewhere inside your house. If the garage door is open, the monitor will let you know.
Remove clickers from your vehicle. If you park a vehicle in the driveway, make sure you do not leave your garage door remotes in your vehicles (e.g., on the visor or center console). A thief can break into your car for entry into your house. Opt for a key-ring remote, which you can find online by typing in your garage door brand followed by “remote.”
Use an old-fashioned lock. If you are going to be away from your home for an extended period of time, you may want to lock your garage door track. Simply drill a hole in your garage door track just above one of the rollers and fasten a padlock through the hole. Even if a robber can fish the garage door lock open from the outside, he will not be able to actually roll up the door.
Install a smart home door opener. These high-tech garage door openers come with built-in security features such as monitors and lighting controls – all connected to your smartphone. This means that from anywhere, you can make sure your garage door is closed and your home is secure.
Source: The Family Handyman, Garage Security Tips
4 Reasons Why Spring is the Perfect Time to Build Your Dream Home
Spring is a time of new beginnings, fresh starts, and renewal. What better time to start building your dream home?
There are a few other great reasons to get going on your custom home in early spring. Find out what they are and get closer to breaking ground.
The Weather is Ideal
The best time to build a home is when the weather is cool and dry. Naturally, these conditions are common in fall and spring.
Building in summer or even winter is a different story. Weather extremes, from searing heat to bitter cold, will hamper the workers’ progress. Cold winter days especially equal less sunlight and less working hours, which means the job will take longer to get done. Additionally, in the summer, humidity can interfere with drying times for materials like cement, plaster, and paint.
Let’s not forget that winter comes with something that can set back plans for days, even weeks: snow.
Long story short: choose the spring to begin to build your dream home, and you will probably have less headaches due to weather.
You’ll Have Your Dream Home Enclosed Before the Summer Heat Hits
Once the main components are in place for your dream home build (footers/foundation, framing, windows, doors, and roof), workers can complete the interior of your home in any weather. Starting the main components in early spring means that, by the time summer arrives, the heat will not factor into or hinder the workers’ progress.
Your Custom Home Should Be Ready by the Holiday Season
What could be better than settling into your new dream home right when the holidays are approaching?
Imagine idyllic autumn mornings spent with hot coffee and a book on your new front porch. Think about cooking soups and stews in your new kitchen, and hosting parties and family gatherings in your new dining room. As the days get shorter and festive times roll around, you’ll be doubly glad that your house is ready and you and your family are nestled inside.
Every scenario you dreamed of when you were planning your new custom-built home will be even better when you’re settling in for winter and hosting your friends and family for the first time.
Spring is Perfect for Fresh Starts
What season is more suited for fresh beginnings? Spring, with its strong symbolism related to rebirth and rejuvenation, will also feel like the perfect time to start fresh, from the ground up, on your new dwelling.
After a long winter, most people feel energized come springtime, and this attitude can help push your home-building project along to completion. Start building in the spring, and watch your new home sprout from the ground and take root.
Want a custom-built home but don’t know where to start? You don’t need to be a building expert to start your project with us. Allow us to be your experts to guide you through this process. Contact us to discuss the possibilities.
Wine Storage Solutions
Comedian W.C. Fields once said, “I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” Whether wine is part of your latest culinary creation, part of your overall cooking experience or a staple in everyday life, finding the perfect wine storage solution for your kitchen deserves more consideration than you may expect.
There are dozens of design elements to consider when installing a new kitchen. Hardware, colors, countertops, appliances and countless selections can be overwhelming. For the homeowner that pops a cork once every few weeks, wine storage may be an afterthought. For the connoisseur, however, making the wrong wine storage decisions could lead to a design flop.
What are the Advantages of Hiring Home Builders in Lancaster PA?
Building your own home is an exciting, exhilarating adventure. You get to create a house that suits you, your family, your needs, and your lifestyle.
You won’t have to compromise on what you want, nor will you have to endure a lengthy house search that results in a lot of “maybes” and “almosts” but doesn’t result in finding a home that hits every point on your checklist.
Building your own house and trusting home builders in Lancaster, PA is truly the only way to get exactly what you want. There are plenty of other great reasons to choose this option, though. Find out what they are and discover why hiring a home builder in Lancaster might be the right choice for you.
How Home Builders Can Make Your Custom Build a Dream
Hiring a custom home builder takes quite a load off your shoulders when it comes to getting your house built. There are lots of ways these professionals make the process easier on you, not to mention provide a better end product, which is a huge deal.
Your House Will Be Truly, Genuinely Custom
Sometimes, “custom” can mean different things, or the term is used loosely in the industry. Some businesses and contractors only offer one design that comes with options for you to choose from.
With the right Lancaster home builder (like us), however, “custom” means “custom.” They will work with you to build the house of your dreams according to your desires, needs, and specifications. Your house won’t be cookie-cutter; it will be uniquely yours.
Thankfully, the Headache of Renovating Won’t Be in the Cards
When you choose custom home builders in Lancaster, PA, you won’t have to renovate anything for a long, long time after you move in. The house will be built just the way you want it, so it will be move-in ready and according to your standards. You won’t have to change a thing once it’s built, because the builder will make sure your lifestyle and needs are taken into account with your home design. You will get to enjoy living in a home that was built just for you.
Pennsylvania Home Builders Have Connections and Buying Power
Were you to tackle home building on your own, you would probably get charged full price for sourcing all of the necessary materials and fixtures. Home builders in Lancaster, PA, on the other hand, will have existing relationships with suppliers from years in the industry – this means they can source everything for your home and probably cut a deal, too.
To put it simply, Lancaster home builders are who you should turn to if you want a custom home. They can make the process easier with less stress, not to mention save you money.
Learn more about our custom home building process.
The 5 Best Interior Paint Colors for Feeling Refreshed and Relaxed
Whether you want to feel serene and relaxed the second you step through your front door, are looking for a calming oasis in your bedroom or need a soothing retreat in the living room, the right paint colors can help you get there.
The best part about these interior paint colors is that they add a touch of style and sophistication to your home at the same time as they provide a calm atmosphere. Choose any of them and feel your blood pressure drop when you spend time surrounded by a beautiful color.
5 Calming Paint Colors for Any Room
Keep your interior décor a haven from the bustle of the outside world by choosing paint colors that remind you of nature. Whether you prefer to keep things warm or cool is up to you, but keep in mind that cool colors read as more refreshing, while warmer shades feel cozier.
Universal Design for the Bathroom
Regardless if homeowners plan to sell or stay for years, redesigning a bathroom is a common renovation most people will encounter. Bathroom design holds a key to making homes more usable for not only their present inhabitants and visitors, but also future owners and generations. Designing a space with that philosophy in mind is called Universal Design.
What is a Universally Designed Bathroom?
Universal design is sometimes mistaken to be solely intended for handicapped accessibility, but creating a space that will be suited for all ages or abilities is what gives Universal Design its name.
Effortless use and accessibility for family members of any size or condition will create bathroom designs that minimize lifting, reaching and other movements that could have a potential to cause bodily injury or difficulty.
Even if disabilities are temporary, a Universal Bathroom Design will ensure your family, future residents or visitors will be able to powder their nose with ease.
8 Universal Design Features for Bathrooms
Before falling in love with sink styles, faucet features or other visually stunning choices, consider how your decisions can address universal concerns while still creating a one-of-a-kind space you’ll love. Give thought to these 8 features:
1) Location: Including a bathroom on the first level of a home ensures that the challenge of stairs isn’t an issue. Larger pantries, closets, areas under stairs or portions of ground-floor rooms may provide the ideal spot for your new powder room.
2) Lighting: If possible, installing windows or skylights in bathrooms can provide increased natural visibility. Motion-sensing light switches eliminate the challenge of hunting for switches in the dark. Well-lit showers are a must – limiting the potential for slips in wet areas. Soft lighting that decreases glares and shadows will help people of all ages and mobility to navigate the bathroom with ease.
3) Clearance: Using 34”-36” entrance doors will also allow better access for mobility devices. Small bathrooms may be your only option, but when possible, provide ample clearance for turning and movement for canes, crutches and wheelchairs.
Bathrooms should be at least 60” x 60”, but ideally larger for those requiring transfer assistance from a wheelchair to a toilet or a shower. Whenever possible, install walk-in showers so the hurdle of a tub’s side is removed.
4) Flooring: Non-slip materials are a must for bathrooms, as falls in these areas can be potentially life threatening. Ceramic tiles aren’t an ideal choice, but if elected should be smaller tiles to allow for more non-slip grout areas. Use textured ceramics that are safer than highly glazed products.
Other great options for safer bathroom surfaces include non-slip vinyl, cork and bamboo flooring.
5) Counter & Sink Heights: Consider knee space at sinks for those in wheelchairs. There are beautifully designed wall-mount and pedestal sinks that could allow a wheelchair user to conveniently move closer to wash their hands and face or brush their teeth.
Certain sink designs with bowls above counters may also not be good choices for small hands and arms trying to reach above them to operate faucets.
6) Faucets & Hardware: Imagine someone trying to use sinks, toilets, doors and other access points with a closed fist. Choose hardware that can be easily used by small hands, those with arthritis or operated easily with one hand.
Likewise, touchless faucets, automatic flush toilets and lever door knobs will ensure challenges are minimized. Pay careful attention to position access points on faucets, toilets and showers to ensure that they can be reached standing or sitting, regardless of age.
7) Toilets: Comfort-height toilets are typically 2” taller than regular toilets and make the transition from a wheelchair easier. Be sure there is 30”-48” of floor space on at least one side of toilets for wheelchair transfers. The higher seat surface will also make it easier to access and exit for those with back or leg pain, or those who could be temporarily injured and using crutches.
8) Storage: For frequently needed items such as bathroom tissue, linens or toiletries, provide storage areas below your waist. Make it easy to find these items under or on top of vanities, or in adjacent cabinetry.
In the shower, include ample shelving for soaps, shampoos and razors. These shelves and compartments should hold these items securely.
Understanding and implementing smart Universal Design features will ensure that your home is easier to resell, and that its bathrooms are perfect for you, your family and friends, regardless of what life throws at them.
*Photos used in this article are stock.
Project Spotlight: A Country Farmhouse Kitchen
We were recently honored to have one of our kitchens featured as “Kitchen of the Week” on Houzz.com. We built a beautiful country farmhouse style home in southern Lancaster County. Photos of the kitchen caught the eye of an editor at Houzz, who in turn did a feature story on the kitchen. The homeowners worked with Phil Clemmer of Swartz Kitchens and Baths on the design of the kitchen. The end result was a breathtakingly beautiful kitchen that will serve the owners well for years to come.
Classic white cabinets with glass insets, soapstone countertops and reclaimed hardwood floors give this kitchen the feel of an old farmhouse. The custom cabinetry with finished interiors includes specialized drawers and cabinets, including built-in trash cans next to the sink. A soapstone sink sits under a bank of extra tall windows that overlook a patio and backyard. The tall, clean-lined cabinets and walls of windows give the kitchen a bright and airy feel.
The large island seats four, includes plenty of storage and incorporates built-in shelves at the end to hold cookbooks. The soapstone surface creates an ideal space for prepping and serving. Three pendant lights provide additional illumination to the recessed can lights.
Kitchen Trends to Watch in 2017
The kitchen is the center of our homes. The smells from something delicious baking in the oven or simmering on the stove are comforting, and the conversations that happen there can be the most memorable ones from our day. It’s no wonder the kitchen continues to be the top renovated space in homes, according to the 2016 Houzz & Home Report.
As we move into a new year, 2017 brings with it many new kitchen looks that homeowners are eager to try out. Their primary goal? To keep their kitchens functional but cozy, ready to host a gathering of loved ones.
Here are just a few of the latest trends. Which one will take your kitchen to the next level?