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.

Fireplace Cap, Yes it can rust!

July 28, 2011

Do you have a fireplace?  Have you lived in your home for 10 years or more?  If you answered yes to both of these questions then now is the time to check your chimney cap. Typically installed with galvanized metal, they can and usually will rust and if not caught in time can cause serious damage to the chase or attic without you ever knowing.

Other roof vents, such at furnace vents, can rust on the top or the flashing and should also be inspected as well.

Call us before the next rain and let Modern Homes, Inc. in conjunction with our Exterior Division help with any questions. Contact Modern Homes, Inc now or call 847.356.8886.

Skylights & Sun Tunnels

June 5, 2011

Skylights have always been a great addition to a home to allow more light into rooms that dont have alot of light, the downfall being the sometimes long tunnels.  Then came along the reflective tunnel skylight which they are great for adding light into a bath room, laundry room or other room you can’t install a normal skylight.  The room has a round cover on the ceiling and then a small dome on the roof.  The downfall was you would typically not want the dome on the front of a home for appearance.  Now comes Velux with their introduction a new sun tunnel with the same great interior appearanceand still allow natural light in an interior room but no dome on the outside, it can now look like a skylight!

Now the options are endless.  Want a simply skylight, maybe a 2′x2′ or 2′x4′.  You can go big with a 4′x4′ or get into venting or shaded skylights too.  When you don’t want the long ceiling tunnel you can go to a sun tunnel.  Dependant on your choice and options, tax credit may be eligible.

For any questions on skylights or windows, let Modern Homes, Inc. in conjunction with our Exterior division help with any questions. Contact Modern Homes, Inc now.

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.

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