How to Care for Hardwood Floors

November 30, 2011

Time, Stains, Spills, and Traffic will take their toll on hardwood floors.  The correct maintenance will ensure it remains beautiful and a timeless element in your home.

Cleaners

Manufacturers of pre-finished hardwood floors recommend their specific products for the best care.  Floors with a polyurethane finish should never be waxed and require cleaners that won’t leave a film or residue.  If occasional scuffs occur use a hardwood floor cleaner and lightly rub the stained area.  Sticky spots can be cleaned with a damp towel.  Ammonia cleaners or oil soaps are not recommended because they will dull the finish.  These products will also affect the ability to refinish your floor later.

Sweeping and Mopping

Sweep your floor regularly using a quality broom.  A vacuum cleaner without a bar can be used in hard to reach areas.  Once the dirt and dust is gone you can begin mopping.

For “finish in place” hardwood floors or unfinished hardwood, use a terrycloth mop to make it easier to clean around corners and along baseboards.  You can spray a professional wood floor cleaner  to remove tough stains without dulling your finish.  Never wet-mop or use an excessive amount of water to clean your floor.  Excessive amounts of water will cause the wood to swell and may cause your wood to crack.  Hardwood will expand and contract due to moisture level changes.  It is very important to keep the moisture level in your home at the proper place during the different seasons to control this same issue.  A humidifier is very important to run in the winter months and air conditioning in the summer months to control the levels of humidity in your home.  Also, if spills occur be sure to wipe them up immedialtly.

We hope these tips help in keeping your hardwood floors beautiful for many years.  If you are interested in adding hardwood floors please contact Modern Homes Builders and Remodelers located in Lake Villa at 847.356.8886.

Tips for building a Two-Story Addition

November 23, 2011

Many people are wanting to stay in there
home and are deciding to add an addition. Second Story Addition are very common. Below are a few things to consider when looking for that second story addition design.

• Use inspiration from the existing home. A few easy ways are to match roofing, siding and windows.  The whole goal is to make it not obvious that you added on.
• Match key elements. This can be a window or bay, something to pull them together and help them blend in.
• Match the existing.  Blend the floors and ensure the windows are not mismatched.  Sometimes remodeling to the existing home is an easy way to accomplish this.
• Architectural character.  You want to ensure that you are not creating a big box and wants to keep some appeal with stepping things back or forward a few feet.  Maybe a gable or two.

Second Story additions are a large step for homeowners and Modern always works with our designers and in conjunction with the customer to ensure there projects looks right, and is what they want.

The above photo had some windows adjusted on the main floor in the existing living areas of the home and also the front door location was modified. With this and new siding to match the existing garage was completed to ensure it all blended.

For any questions on on additions in Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin, Contact Modern Homes, Inc.

Outdoor Living

May 28, 2011

Outdoor living has became very popular in the recent years.  It is an easy way to add an area to entertain without always having to add to the size of your home.

Decks and patios are the two easiest ways to add space to your outdoor living area.  Decks do not have to be conventional treated lumber anymore.  Composites and PVC materials allow for a great space with low maintenance. Don’t want a deck or have an area that you want your deck to step off too? Patios are great for this;  concrete, brick, or natrual stone are commonly chosen materials.  With Patios it is common to add retaining walls with them, for looks, a seat or functionality.

Sometimes a screened porch or gazebo is a great compliment to your new space.

For any questions on an outdoor space, let Modern Homes, Inc. in conjunction with our Landscape or Exterior division help make it a dream come true. Contact Modern Homes, Inc now.

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.

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.

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