Choosing Bamboo floors for your New Home

Choosing Bamboo floors for your New Home

Home building is a major task, but it can often be quite fun picking out the textiles you will use. All homeowners want an end result that is attractive, durable, and up to the latest trends. If you are a homeowner contemplating choice of flooring, then you should consider getting a bamboo floor.

What Bamboo Really Is

Typically, people consider bamboo to be a type of wood, but bamboo is actually a type of grass. The reason the misconception exists is because bamboo floors are very hard, strong, and durable. It is hard to imagine that could be grass but, bamboo is actually stronger than hardwood. This flooring option is popular among homeowners with pets or children because the floor can withstand abuse.

Simple Maintenance

Apart from installation, a bamboo floor is also really simple to maintain. It can be cleaned easily and since it is made of sustainable material, it does not require hard maintenance in weather changes. Unlike hardwood, bamboo floor is not vulnerable to weather conditions so cold or heat does not make it expand or contract.

Attractive

When you are building your home, you want floors that tie up the rooms together. Bamboo floors have a unique and attractive look to them. Furthermore, bamboo floors go with all sorts of interior décor, color schemes, and room themes. Whether it is the living room, den, entrance, or kitchen, bamboo floors look great.

Environmentally Friendly

If you are passionate about being green but still want the “hardwood floor” look, bamboo floors are the best green option. Unlike lamination, you are not going for simply the surface look of wood. You are actually getting all the benefits of wood with bamboo floor without having to take down trees. Bamboo grows rapidly; many even consider it the fastest growing plant.

There you have some of the major benefits of bamboo flooring, and why it is an attractive choice for your new home. Give us a call to start picking your textiles for your new Landon home.

More Moving Tips from Landon Homes

 

 

More moving tips from our family to yours. We hope these help you are on your big day!

1. If you can, show up to your new home before the move and pre-clean the bathroom and kitchen.

Chances are after a long day of moving you will want a hot shower or bath. Having a clean shower with a curtain will be an added relief.

2. Ladies! Place an extra cotton pad or ball into your powder cosmetics to keep them from breaking.

Chances are not all of your makeup will fit in to your purse and you don’t want these breaking.

3. Cover the openings of your toiletries with saran wrap and then put the tops back on.

We know you may not always have the time for something like this but if a bottle explodes during the move it gets everywhere. You know we are right!

4. Pack plates vertically, like records. They’ll be less likely to break.

When they are pack on top of each other the weight can cause more breaks than packing sideways.

5. Keep drawers intact by covering them with Press’n Seal.

Drawers are like their own boxes. As long as the contents aren’t personal or intimate than simply cover them with wrap and then you will have less to unpack!

Moving in to your newly built Landon home will be very exciting but moving and unpacking can be very draining of one’s energy. Hopefully you find our moving tips helpful for your move. More Moving Tips from Landon Homes

Staging Your Home For Sale

So you have picked out a Landon Home (yay!) but you have no idea how you will sell your current home. A good way to sell your home quickly is to stage your home, and here are some home staging secrets that you can use to help.

Secret #1: Make Personal Items Go Away

Of course, you do not want to completely get rid of your personal items because once the staging is over, you will still live in your home until a buyer comes along. Instead, purchase storage bins, boxes, and containers to put away items like family photos, religious items, distracting decorations, pet items, children’s toys, etc. You want the potential buyers to be focused on the living space and not on the items that you have added to your home for your personal preference.

Secret #2: De-clutter and Clean Your Home

Cleaning is definitely a need-to-do when you are preparing for a home staging. Even areas that you do not necessarily keep neat should be cleaned. It is typically impossible to keep your home spotless but if you schedule the showings in advance then it will be easier to maintain. Make sure storage spaces, like closets and garages are clear of clutter. This could be a good time to utilize a storage unit because you will be moving anyways. Letting your buyer see a spotless home will make them think that you have taken good care of the home.

Step 3: Redecorate Rooms to Neutralize Them

Chances are that you have decorated your home to suite your personal taste. However, staging your home will find you changing the interior decorating scheme of every room in your home. Paint your walls a neutral color and apply neutral colored decorations to match. Interior decorating also makes the home look more comfortable for any potential buyer.

Secret #4: Don’t Forget about the Outside

Exterior decorating and cleaning is just as important as interior decorating and cleaning. Make the outside of your home look attractive to buyers. That includes mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, cleaning windows, shutters, and gutters, clearing the yard of any debris, toys, pet items, etc., clearing out the driveway, and giving buyers a place to park their cars while they are viewing your home.

Selling your home quickly will help get you in your custom Landon home quicker. Staging a home isn’t always practical when you are living in it so aim for an open house instead of personal showings. If you haven’t found your dream home yet, give us a call at 904-567-3430 to schedule viewings.

More Top Green Home Building Ideas

More Top Green Home Building Ideas

A couple weeks ago we talked about green home options when designing your Landon home. Here are a few more options and you can always read this post again for more options.

Dropping costs in green technology are helping to make green housing a popular trend and available to more and more homeowners. These green building concepts are being put to work for homebuyer customers at all price levels. Read more tips about the trend today.

Use Sustainable Materials

From the frame of your home to the flooring inside it, sustainable building materials can reduce the impact of your construction on the environment. Wood is a renewable resource when you choose a supplier who follows sustainable planting practices. Flooring is one area where new products that are environmentally friendly and great for home insulation ratings and climate control efficiency are flourishing. Modern flooring of this sort includes bamboo, cork and linoleum, which is made of natural, renewable materials.

Focus on Water

Americans are becoming increasingly aware of fresh water consumption and conservation, and are taking further steps to reduce water consumption. Consider fixtures and appliances that conserve water such as low flow faucet aerators, tank-less water heaters and Energy Star rated washers. There’s even a product on the market that automatically pauses your shower once the water has warmed up so that gallons of hot water aren’t wasted in an empty shower.

“Energize” Your Windows

Energy Star windows are relatively new players in the window market, but they’ve quickly become rock stars. These aptly-named windows are government-rated as Energy Star products, and are much more energy-efficient windows than even the newer, double-pane models. Energy Star windows also greatly reduce sound transfer between outside and inside. The result is dropped costs in heating and cooling properties.

Take Thermostats to a New Level

Once only available in high-end homes, highly programmable thermostats are becoming the standard for new homes everywhere. These high-tech thermostats can be programmed to adjust heating and cooling activities that take into account time of day, times when no one is home, vacations and more. This type of thermostat reduces your heating and cooling bills and saves the environment by reducing energy production. Furthermore, your HVAC system works more efficiently, meaning less wear-and-tear on the system and a longer life.

There are many, many green products and building options out there today. Consult your Landon Representative today to start designing your green home.

Custom Homes: Classic White Kitchens

Bright, cheery and timeless, white remains the kitchen color of choice. And, it's easy to see why with these traditional, modern, cottage and contemporary white kitchens that are far from boring. When working with Landon on your custom kitchen use these beautiful kitchens below for inspiration.

A white kitchen doesn't have to be all white. Here the upper kitchen cabinets were swapped for just two small shelves so the fanciful floral wallpaper is the star. For contrast, a kitchen island with an emerald green tone was chosen.

 

If your existing white kitchen just needs a little pick-me-up, take a cue from us and replace the kitchen cabinet doors with glass and accent your dishes with a little color.  Then use a fun shade like cheery apple green on the window and a few matching pieces of green dishware to make your cabinets pop.

 

 

 

 

 

In this classic white kitchen the focus is on the function as well as form with the design. Beautiful white wall cabinets were chosen to keep the space bright but with a dark stain for the island to break things up.

 

 

 

In this historically charming kitchen the space's unique dimensions and the desire to preserve the home's original architecture made fitting a modern kitchen with all the amenities difficult. The kitchen's layout allowed for only one wall of cabinets so the solution was to create custom cabinets that stretch nearly to the ceiling. Framed, Shaker-style doors and bronze fixtures marry the white cabinets to the home's traditional style.

Would you choose white cabinets for your custom build home? View our move in homes here and get started on your dream home today.

Living in St. Augstine

CNN has recognized St. Augustine as one of the best places in the country to retire, one of several accolades the town has received for its attractiveness to retirees.

The CNN article mentioned St Augustine’s fabulous weather, gorgeous beaches, and world-class golfing facilities, its active year-round community (thanks to all that good weather) and housing options as reasons for it’s attractive nature. In the past few years, St. Augustine has been listed in at least three publications as one of the best, or most affordable, places to retire.

The St. Augustine’s appealing lifestyle includes culture, beaches, civic life, colleges, “centuries of history,” as well as public transportation and easily walkable areas. St Augustine is the Nation’s oldest city and contains great history, whether you want to stroll down George Street or check out the old cannons as the Fort.

One of St. Augustine’s major attractions is its art and entertainment scene, which is less costly to patrons than in major cities. Also, St. Augustine offers a lifestyle that is low-stress compared to major metropolitan areas.

Locals feel like they are on permanent vacation thanks to the easy living the city provides. Landon Homes provides affordable living in St. Augustine at many of our communities. For example, picture a natural preserve nestled on a point where 2 rivers meet, where beautiful marsh leads to unspoiled waterfront views and several stands of oak hammocks dot the community and the central pond. This is Old Sebastian Point. You can build a beautiful custom Landon home in communities like Old Sebastian Point for the low 200s. Call us today to pick out the perfect lot in St. Augustine for you and your family.

 

 

Contemporary and Modern Kitchens

When designing your custom Landon home you will be face with lots of choices in your kitchen. Two current trends are contemporary and modern. At face value, the words “contemporary” and “modern” have very similar meanings. Contemporary refers to belonging to or occurring in the present, while modern indicates present or recent times. So, when it comes to contemporary versus modern kitchens, you may be left wondering – are the two styles the same or different? This is an excellent question, especially since during recent years the two descriptions have been used interchangeably so often that it is easy to get them confused. However, while there are some similarities between contemporary and modern kitchen designs, there are also a number of unique features that set these two styles apart.

Traditionally speaking, contemporary style refers to the designs of the moment or the design of “right now”, while modern style typically refers to specific design touches from the early to mid-20th century that broke with the traditional styles before the Industrial Revolution. In simpler terms, many designers consider contemporary as encompassing a number of different styles that are current or en vogue and modern as a style all its own. When it comes specifically to kitchen design, contemporary and modern styles have both similarities and differences.

The characteristics that both contemporary and modern kitchens often feature are:

·        clean, linear lines;

·        sleek styles; and

·        a focus on function (i.e. extra storage space, stainless steel appliances, etc.).

The characteristics that contemporary kitchens often feature are:

·        new, trendy styles;

·        simple, monochromatic finishes;

·        brightly colored glass or metallic backsplashes;

·        a focus on art pieces, vibrant colors or unique materials that are new to the kitchen-design scene; and

·        overall design schemes that incorporate other styles such as traditional or classic.

The characteristics that modern kitchens often feature are:

·        sharp corners;

·        straight, horizontal lines;

·        classically designed lighting;

·        little or no use of decorative accessories (i.e. wainscoting, fancy hardware or crown molding); and

·        light, calming neutrals on the walls with dark hardware and countertops (or vice-versa) for an eye-catching contrast

Whether you choose a contemporary, modern or completely different style for your kitchen, Landon Homes is dedicated to providing you with the best design and hardware. Our ideas, combined with your needs result in an amazingly designed kitchen that will make you the envy of your family and friends. Below is an example of both contemporary and modern kitchens, from the description above can you tell which kitchen is which?

 

A healthy home

A healthy home

Mention the word “flu” and everyone grimaces. We like to avoid germs in public but why are we not more health-conscience in our own home? Interior design trends in 2015 will be doing just that, becoming more health-conscience. The new trends will focus more on creating a healthy home with non-touch functionality and products produced with fewer chemicals.

Nearly half of us build new or remodel to prevent potential health problems, according a major home remodeling and design website. The healthy home is the next frontier in home renovation, builders and remodelers have a critical role to play in helping people make changes to improve their home environments.

Whether it’s non-off gassing finishes, no-formaldehyde cabinets or better air filtration systems, homeowners realize a benefit to the family in creating a healthy living space. Hands-free garbage cans and soap dispensers are huge in keeping sanitation standards high, but take this notion one step further and you’ll discover many options for healthy living, including tap-touch and touch-less faucets and toilets.

With fewer chemicals and more products that function without touch there is smaller chance of harmful toxins touching the household members, giving them a stronger chance of staying healthy throughout the year. Mention these design ideas when you start designing your custom Landon Home.

Home Builder: Energy Efficient Windows

Home Builder: Energy Efficient Windows

Homes consume about 21 percent of the total energy in the U.S., and according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), windows are responsible for consuming 25 to 30 percent of residential heating and cooling. That’s a lot of energy.

Windows are an important component of a home’s energy performance. They are also one of the more costly and multifaceted building products with a wide-range of options. Over the last 20 years, window technology and building codes have advanced to the point where low-e windows are commonplace and usually required. However, optimizing window technology and related design decisions is not well understood.

A great window isn’t a great window unless it’s properly installed. No matter how advanced the glazing and frame materials, the ultimate window performance also depends on the quality of its installation. Improper installation will contribute to air leakage, unnecessary heat loss, condensation, and water leakage. This may lead to diminished energy performance as well as deterioration of walls, insulation, and the window unit. Therefore, window installations must maintain critical air and water barriers and reduce heat loss and condensation.

With Landon Homes you can be involved with the build and see our quality work and installation. Check out our extensive home selection and mark energy efficient windows off your worry list.

Designing your New Home

Designing your New Home

The kitchen is becoming known as the heart of the home and is the most frequented room in the home. Check out some awesome ideas, hints and tips on what to look for when customizing your kitchen space!

Countertops

One of the most important kitchen-design decisions you will make is choosing the right countertop for your lifestyle. A wealth of options is available, and factors like durability and appearance will most likely influence your choice. Some materials require extra care; a few are close to maintenance-free, and others become even more beautiful as they age.

Appliances

Modern appliances help to preserve and prepare your food more efficiently while giving your kitchen a clean updated style. Most importantly, modern appliances can help to improve your home's energy efficiency.

Skylights

Often overlooked skylights can drastically change the feel of a kitchen. Ample lighting is an important aspect of good room design. Skylights add valuable natural light for performing household tasks or simply enjoying a good book under soft, unfiltered light. Skylights also improve energy efficiency and ventilation, provide more and better lighting, and reduce strain on your eyes.

Floors

Durability and ease of maintenance are important factors for choosing a your kitchen floor and it's clear why: your kitchen floor needs to stand up to a lot of foot traffic and potential spills. Porcelain tile is a great choice because of its durability, versatility, availability in a range of colors textures and designs. Limestone, slate, and other natural surfaces can offer a great deal of character to a kitchen floor, but they do tend to scratch and scuff easier than porcelain tile. Hardwood floors are a timeless choice and feel soft to the foot, making them nice for chefs that spend a lot of time on their feet in the kitchen.
Cabinets

Too many cabinets, especially if they're dark, will create the illusion that the room is much smaller than it is. Instead, use light-colored cabinets, open shelves and glass-front doors.

You can speak to someone about kitchen design, and an expert in custom home design, about what the process will be like.

Happy Martin Luther King Day

"If you can't fly, then run,

if you can't run, then walk,

if you can't walk, the crawl,

but whatever you do,

you have to keep moving forward."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Happy Martin Luther King Day

Basements in Florida!

One feature Northern transplants miss about Florida houses is the basement - that space under the house where Yankees store all sorts of stuff and send the kids to play during the winter.

Florida's high water table is the main reason we don't have basements. Dig a hole deep enough for a basement, they say, and you'd hit water. And, it's true, water is close to the ground's surface in some areas most of the time and in almost all areas some of the time - ''monsoon'' season or when hurricanes strike.

However, having that extra space can be worth the extra cost in creating a comfortable living space for many residents. Check out Landon Homes newest community featuring new spacious homes with basements in St. Augustine's popular Coronado community. Coronado presents an outstanding opportunity to experience quality living in a neighborhood that emphasizes convenience and connectivity. The home designs will showcase generous interior with plenty of room to grow, couple with views of Moultrie Creek and wooded back yards that offer the ideal setting for outdoor entertaining.

Call us today to check out our other floor plans in the Coronado Community 904-900-0798

Food Inspired Paint Trends

Food Inspired Paint Trends

Designers are not only taking their cues from “hot summer” hues but they are also inspired by the foods we eat.  Keep these design trends in mind when decorating your new Landon home.

These beautiful lemon inspired stripes bring brightness to the breakfast nook while the vertical pattern brings an air of sophistication.

A great paint color completely transforms a room. The designer here uses a tangerine hue to complement the dark blue tiles of this Spanish-inspired bathroom. The contrasting colors keep the bathroom from feeling overwhelmed by the strong statement tiles.

 

With this many different angles and panels using a light color keeps it airy and bright. The pale avocado in this sophisticated walkway creates a fresh and inviting atmosphere.

The perfect paint color can accent a new home with little effort. Pick an inspiration color and give us a call today. 904-824-2166

Series Finale: New Year's Resolutions for your Home

New Year's Resolutions for Your Home Part 5

Our final post on New Year’s Resolutions for your home. Hopefully we have helped you reach obtainable goals for 2015. Let us guide you through our fifth idea for your home this New Year.

5. Get your place ready for entertaining

Each year most of us vow to spend more time with family and friends. To make you feel like inviting people in, why not give the areas you entertain in a little update?

Whether you are just moving in to your new Landon home or if you are just needing a fresh look and feel to your Landon home an easy update that makes your home seem more "finished" is the addition of plants. They bring in a fresh energy and help clean the air. It is great décor on a budget.

A couple of dramatic presentations like a large flowering agapanthus or potted palm in a bright ceramic planter that complements your existing color scheme will do the trick.

Pulling out a new accent color from your existing decor can make the whole room seem fresh. Pick an underused color in the room and add more of it in the form of a vase or colorful floor runner.

 

Lastly, take some time to rearrange your furniture so it is oriented in conversation groups and not just facing the television. That just might up the chances for real conversation and connection in the New Year.

This concludes our January Resolutions series. We are looking forward to a fabulous year with you.

 

New Year's Resolutions for Your Home Part 4

New Year's Resolutions for Your Home Part 4

We are nearing the end of our series on New Year Resolutions for your home. Every year when January rolls around we vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do we set for our home? Let us guide you through 5 ideas for your home this New Year.

4. Work out a weekly system for keeping your house clean

Are you overwhelmed with the idea of cleaning your home and up keeping it daily? Read these tips from www.flylady.net on “babysteps” and check out the site for daily and weekly schedules to keep your hours in tip top shape without spending your day cleaning.

• Establish small routines first and then work up to more items. Don’t try to do a full-blown routine the very first day. FlyLady’s routines are just an example to help you to develop your own. Pick three things for the morning and three things for the evening.
• Consistency is the key to all of this. We have to take our time with our routines. They do not happen over-night. It is the result of tiny changes over several months. BabySteps! If you try to accomplish this without taking the BabySteps, your habits will not be everlasting. BabySteps are the key. Yes, you can do your routines by looking at a list of things to do, but they have to become automatic, a part of you, for them to be life changing.
• Take your time and enjoy the process. Don’t feel pressured to do it all at once. This is worth going slow. I did, and for once I didn’t throw in the towel; I did it one habit at a time. When I did fall, I was able to pick myself up and start again at any time. It takes SHEs 28 days to establish a habit. Believe me, I have tried everything to not do this. Nothing ever worked for very long. It doesn’t matter if you miss one day; just get back on your horse and keep taking those BabySteps. It is the practice that makes it work.

 

Choosing hardware for your kitchen cabinets Pt2

The knobs and pulls for your new kitchen cabinets may not be the first thing you think about when designing your custom cabinets but they make a large impact on the overall design. Previously we discussed the styles and finishes before, now let us discuss the quality.

 

Choose the quality you want

The old adage “You get what you pay for” applies to cabinet knobs and pulls as well. A knob that is between $2-$4 is likely to have some characteristics that make that knob less expensive to manufacture, and perhaps a lesser quality that you want. Here are some of those characteristics to consider:

       Lower quality knobs and handle pulls:

•Often have open backs to reduce the amount of metal used. This may make them susceptible to denting and bending. Feel the back of the knob or pull.

•May have thinner metal. This may make them susceptible to denting and bending. Look at the edges to check the metal thickness.

•May have a rougher finish due to less finishing time. Put your hand under the knob or pull to feel what it will be like using that product.

•Are hollow and light. Higher quality knobs are solid and heavy – solid brass, steel, iron, bronze, zinc, etc. – and being solid prevents dents and bending.

•May have inconsistencies in their distance between the screw holes. Hold several up next to each other to make sure they are consistent. If they are not, then they may not all fit your pre-drilled cabinets.

•Won’t have an anti-twist pin on knobs that have to be oriented a particular way. The anti-twist pin on higher quality knobs prevents the knob from spinning. Spinning is no problem on a round knob. It’s a problem on a knob that has an oblong shape.

•May have thinner plating on the finish. This is difficult to determine by looking, but becomes more obvious in the kitchen after a year or two of use, when the finish pits or wears or oxidizes. The warranty on lower quality knobs either is non-existent, or is a year or less. Look for a Lifetime Warranty as your assurance of an enduring finish.

•Lower quality knobs don’t look and feel the same as higher quality knobs. Hold a $4 knob and a $8 knob and feel the difference

Choose the product

Every collection has many pieces, all with designs that fit the collection. This allows you to pick and choose any piece in the collection and it will be compatible with all the other pieces in the collection. It’s easy to mix and match within the collection. You can use one knob from the collection on drawers, and another style of knob from the collection on the cabinets. You can use one style of handle pull from the collection on drawers, and another style of cabinet pull from the collection on the cabinets. Or, use the same knob or pull on all cabinets and drawers.

Contact your Landon designer to check out the options for your custom kitchen hardware.

New Year's Resolutions for Your Home Part 3

New Year's Resolutions for Your Home Part 3

Every year when January rolls around we vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do we set for our home? Let us guide you through 5 ideas for your Landon home this New Year.

3. Shrink your bills

When people think of going green, they often think it takes solar panels or a hybrid car to make a difference. But in actuality it just takes a few common sense ideas to make a difference.

The best place to start is by cutting your energy usage in your home:

-Remember your mom's advice and switch off the lights when you leave a room.
-Turn off your air conditioner when you leave the house and dial your heater down to 55 degrees at night.
-Install compact fluorescent bulbs and low-flow showerheads.
-Try drying some of your clothes on the line and wait for the dishwasher or washing machine to be full before you run them.
-Turn off your power strips and/or set your home computer to revert to sleep mode when not in use.
-Water your yard less. Put in drought-tolerant landscaping if necessary.
-Give composting a try. Your garden will thank you.

Packing your Home and Moving Tips

 

Packing your Home and Moving Tips

1. Pack an overnight bag containing all the essentials.

Chances are you will be too tired to unpack your things. You will want your essentials within easy access, including a change of clothes if you’re going back to work the next day as well as all your toiletries. It’s also a great way to transport a laptop, which could run the risk of getting stolen during a move.

2. Pack the items you will need FIRST in a clear plastic bin.

This includes things like a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags, eating utensils, select cookware, power strips, phone chargers, toilet paper, tools, etc. The clear bin allows you to see inside; it also separates itself from the myriad of cardboard boxes.

3. Wrap your breakables (dishes, glasses, etc.) in clothing to save on bubble wrap.

Two birds, one stone: you’re packing your clothes and kitchenware at the same time.

4. For extra padding, pack your glasses and stemware in clean socks.

Again two birds, one stone: you’re packing your clothes and kitchenware at the same time.

5. In addition to labeling what’s in your boxes, add what room they’ll be going into, as well.

When you arrive at your new home, unpack BY ROOM. The unpacking process will feel more manageable. And remember to label the SIDES of the boxes, not the tops. This way, you’ll be able to identify them even if they’re stacked.

Moving in to your newly built Landon home will be very exciting but moving and unpacking can be very draining of one’s energy. Hopefully you find our moving tips helpful for your move. Check back often because we are always updating with new tips to help your moving day be more joyful than painful.

New Year's Resolutions for Your Home Part 2

New Year's Resolutions for Your Home Part 2

Every year when January rolls around we vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do we set for our home? Let us guide you through 5 ideas for your home this New Year.

2. Make it safe and sound

Your home may be beautiful, but is it safe? There are a few things that every homeowner should do to ensure that they're not living with a potential health hazard or fire risk or ask your home builder these questions.

First, check your house for radon. This colorless, odorless gas causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year from the radioactive particles it traps in your lungs as you breathe. One in every fifteen homes has elevated levels. There are testing kits at most local hardware stores. Another gas to check for is carbon monoxide. Install a carbon monoxide detector on every floor in addition to fire detectors. If a chimney flue or furnace vent gets blocked or leaks, carbon monoxide could back up in your house and kill you.

Watch out for dryer lint. We know you clean the little trap inside the door, but most people neglect to clean the vents and ducts behind the dryer. Lint may seem innocent, but it's highly combustible, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, accounting for more than 15,000 building fires a year.

Make sure your house can breathe. If bathrooms and attics aren't vented to the outside (or the vents are covered over with shingles) you become a prime candidate for mold.

If you are considering a Landon home these issues won't exist. Just another perk of building your dream home with us. 

Choosing Hardware for your Kitchen Cabinets

Choosing Hardware for your Kitchen Cabinets 

The knobs and pulls for your new kitchen cabinets may not be the first thing you think about when designing your custom cabinets but they make a large impact on the overall design. Whether you prefer aesthetics or functionality below are a few tips to help you choose as you build your Landon Home.

Work with your kitchen cabinet designer
Working with your home designer you can select not only the style of cabinet, but also the style of the cabinet doors and the finish. Your designer will be very helpful in suggesting options for knobs and pulls to match the cabinets you select.

Match the hinges
Most new cabinet designs don’t have visible hinges. If your new cabinets will have hinges that show from the outside when the cabinet doors are closed, you will probably want to select knobs and pulls that match the color and style of the hinges. It’s highly likely that your kitchen cabinet designer can get hinges that match your knob selection rather than having to match your knobs to the hinges.

Choose a knob or a handle pull for your drawers and cabinets
You can use either a knob or a handle pull for your drawers and cabinets. Both are functional, so the decision to use a knob or pull is an aesthetic decision, not a use decision.

A recent trend is to use larger knobs on drawers. Handle pulls are great on wider drawers. Another recent trend is using longer pull handles on tall cabinets. The longer line of the pull looks great with the longer line of the cabinet edge.

Choose a style
Designers classify kitchen cabinet hardware into three broad categories: Traditional, contemporary or transitional.

Choose a finish
Every collection has multiple finishes for the knobs and handle pulls. Options for choosing a finish include matching the cabinet finish, choosing a finish that is compatible with that finish, matching the kitchen faucet finish, matching the finish on the appliances, etc.

Visit our blog soon to learn more about the quality of your kitchen cabinet knobs and pulls.

 

New Year's Resolutions for your Home

New Year's Resolutions for Your Home Part 1.

Every year when January rolls around we vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do we set for our home? Let us guide you through 5 ideas for your home this New Year.

1. Streamline

One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter.

-Each year most of us acquire a mountain of stuff. Without some regular purging, cabinets and drawers get jam-packed and it becomes hard to find the things you use and enjoy the most.

-This year resolve to go room-by-room periodically clearing anything that you don't use, wear or love and donate it to charity.
-Stash useful (but not beautiful) items such as DVDs, remotes and those kicked-off shoes in simple woven baskets.
-Clear your counters of everything you don't use on a daily basis. And get ready to breathe a little easier in your own home. 
Some beautiful but functional storage ideas below.

Top Green Home Building Ideas

Top Green Home Building Ideas

Green homes have come a long way in the last few decades, and green housing is quickly shifting from an optional way of building to the mainstream. According to a survey conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction, green builds in the residential sector made up 17% of construction in 2011, totaling $17 billion in economic activity, and the residential green building market is expected to grow five-fold by 2016. If you are building with us, talk to your design team about our Green options.

Dropping costs in green technology are helping to make green housing a popular trend and available to more and more homeowners. These green building concepts are being put to work for homebuyer customers at all price levels. Read more tips about the trend here.

Build Smaller

No matter how green you build a large home; a smaller home with the same energy-efficient and eco-friendly construction techniques will have a smaller environmental impact. That doesn’t mean that you need to restrict yourself to building a tiny home instead of an expansive dream home, but be thoughtful about how you use your space. Plan your home around your lifestyle, and keep the space manageable and cost effective. Quality over quantity, you can still build with higher end materials just in a smaller more efficient way.

Go Solar

The sun is the ultimate source of clean, low-cost energy. When you build, you have a unique opportunity to plan for solar power use in a way that owners of older homes cannot. By making solar power native technology in your new home, you can take advantage of light and geography to get the most efficiency and energy for your investment. How you position your home on its lot and where you place solar panels can have a significant impact on the power you collect.

Cool Your Roof

The material used on your roof can make a dramatic difference in your home’s energy efficiency.  You may want to consider a product that reflects the sun’s energy away from the roof, cools faster at night and holds less heat for less time in order to help reduce energy costs and usage related to heat. There are many roofing options, and though the green options typically are more expensive they will save you money in the long run.

Building your home allows you to discuss more custom options than buying an older home. Contact a Landon Home representative today to discuss the options for your new green home.