// BLOG
Things to Think of When Remodeling an Older Home!
February 24, 2011
There are a lot of things to considering when you are remodeling an older home. Some areas of you home might offer superb quality and craftsmanship that deserve to be restored rather than remodeled or replaced.
Trim – Molding and baseboards and even casing an important element that often offer intricate detail. Consider striping and staining the trim, or paint it a color to help it “pop” away from the wall and add visual appeal.
Entry and staircase have been a focal point in homes for years. most older staircases have quality craftsmanship with hand turned post and cut treads and risers. A restored staircase can offer irreplaceable appeal.
Hardwood Floors are a common staple in home and even the most beaten up floors can be restored by a professional.
Although replacement windows are a great idea for energy efficient. It is possible some careful weatherstripping and sealing your windows can improve the efficiency of your window. If replacement is necessary ensure you pick windows that will fit the character of your home.
If you are plaster walls and ceiling in your old house, keep then if you can. They offer character, as well as soundproofing modern drywall cannot.
Careful examine your doors for you home and you may not need to replace them. With some elbow grease and time you may be able to strip away the paint that have covered them for years and be able to restore them to be once again beautiful doors.
Ice Dams & What To Do!
February 1, 2011
During a snow winter many homes are plagured by ice dams.
An ice dam forms when the heat from your home escapes into your attic and melts the snow on your roof. The water will then trickle down your roof until it reaches the cold of an overhang, which it then freezes. Over time the Ice will get thicker and thicker which will form an ice dam. The ice dam is a small area that will hold water, which if it gets large enough it can back up under the shingles and into your home.
The most common method to fix ice dam is to do a little Waetherization to you attic. Sealing Air leaks between the warm interior and the attic is the first on the list. Then you will likely want to add insulation to your attic to help keep the heat in your home and not your attic. An additional step to be done it to add additional ventilation to your attic to help keep the temperature in your attic, below freezing.
For any questions on Ice Dams, Weatherilzation, or Insulation for your home, Contact Modern Homes, Inc.
Adding a Mudroom to your Home.
January 22, 2011
Usually people assume that a home addition need to be large or expensive. Thats not the case, as a mudroom can be an economical addition to your home.
Sometimes you can add a mudroom to your home within the existing space of your home, or a small addition can help create or expand it and existing area.
Ensure that you chose an ideal location for you mud room, one that will be used. You also want to have a durable floor, that will be slip resistant and walls that are easily cleanable. Your Mud Room, may or may not included your laundry. You may also want to consider hooks and some storage. It is becoming increasingly popular to add some lockers with some bins, drawer and hooks. You may want to have a bench built into the lockers or a separate bench.
A Mud Room can add alot of value to your home, and can help you get a little more organized.
For any questions on Mud Room or an addition for your home, Contact Modern Homes, Inc.
Energy Savings by Insulating Air Leaks
January 12, 2011
A homes average air leaks are equal to that lost through an open window. With gas and electrical cost continuing to increase it has became crucially important to save energy by reducing air leaks in your home.
An obvious choice in this is to add insulation to your home. This is typically done in the home’s attic and can also be added to the walls of your home. Insulating an unconditioned spaces such as crawlspaces is also a great way to add efficiency to your home. When making these types of insulation modification it is crucial to ensure the venting it proper to avoid moisture issues in the future.
Sealing the home from the exterior elements is a great way to increase efficiency of your home. Detecting and sealing leaks around windows, doors, outlets etc can improve efficiency with the proper weatherization procedures. One way to find areas that may be a significant heat loss you can check for a drafts on a cold windy day. Repair these items usually will include to add weather stripping, caulking, etc. yet it all needs to be done properly to ensure the maximum benefit and that no damage is done to the windows, doors or home.
A significant difference is possible if properly done with all the necessary steps as well as all at a reasonable cost. Other options would be re-side your home with siding and a building wrap or possible installing insulated siding. As an alternate insulated foam board can be installed on your home prior to the siding. New Energy Star Windows and Door with upgraded glass packages can also be a feasible options with substantial improvements in energy efficiency and air lose.
For any questions on weatherzation options for your home, Contact Modern Homes, Inc.
Design Ideas for Kitchens
January 5, 2011
Five Ideas to consider when remodeling your Kitchen
Typically when planning a kitchen remodel, todays homeowners want to have style as well as function. Here is five things to think of when considering your new layout.
1. Combing the Kitchen with the dining room and living room.
The kitchen has evolved into the main living space and combing them allows a more open usable space. If this is not all structurally feasible you may try to allow for dining and comfortable seating.
2. Let the light in
A great way to make a warm and comfortable kitchen is to allow more natrual light. This can be done by enlarging a window or adding a door. This also allows a closer connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
3. Design your cabinetry to resemble furniture
With the kitchen serving multiple purposes which includes entertaining guest it is popular to design your cabinets to more resemble furniture with elements such as moldings, feet bottoms and legs. Adding legs or feet to an island gives it an appearance to resemble a table. Another idea to add storage is to create a standalone cabinet that resembles an armoire.
4. Make the design functional
A kitchen should be as functional as it is beautiful. Creating a well designed work space and storage are essential to an uncluttered, efficient kitchen. A good idea to ensure that everything is designed properly for the way you use you own kitchen is to create a list of the items you normally use and ensure this is a designated area for them.
5. Include a space for everyday items
Kitchen serve as multi purpose in todays households includes as a place to organize personal items including mail, keys, calendars and more. Also to consider is a place for your chargers, small TV, computer or electronics.
Subscribe to out Blog:
![[BBB Accredited Business]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/accredited-business-blue.gif){kind=small}
![[Homebuilders Association of Greater Chicago]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/logo-hbagc.gif){kind=logo}
![[Certified Green Professional]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/Logo_CGP_2C-copy.gif){kind=logo}
![[Equal Housing Opprotunity]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/fheo50.gif){kind=small}
![[National Association of the Remodeling Industry]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/NARI-Logo-2.gif){kind=logo}
![[National Association of Home Builders]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/NAHB-Logo-1.gif){kind=logo}