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With the baby boomers aging there is a new demand in keeping homes easily accessible for the elderly and those with special needs. This can often be something that is overlooked in the initial development plans for a home or renovation. There are numerous ways you can make simple changes to your home during a renovation to make it more accessible, but here are a few key areas to keep in mind:
After the winter we have had with its sub-zero temperatures and fierce snowstorms, it is understandable that homeowners would be looking forward to warmer weather and extending their living spaces to the much missed outdoors. Outdoor rooms have become very popular in the last few years; they are no longer limited to the areas where weather is moderate. Space is a valuable commodity and you can reclaim your under-utilized yard for an extension of your own living space. Your backyard can be your new retreat or vacation spot!
With today’s hectic family schedules, gone are the days when the master bedroom was just that, a bedroom. Now, it has become a retreat—a sanctuary that one goes to find tranquility and pampering; to find that so elusive private time. Therefore, it stands to reason that while the average master bedroom may still be the biggest bedroom in the house, it does not necessarily meet the needs of today’s homeowners.
Perhaps it is the lights, the smell of fresh baked cookies, or just the sound of laughter and excitement but there is something very magical about this time of year. And at such a wonderful time, it is no wonder that we reflect with gratitude on the year that has just passed. This year was one of exciting new projects and an ever-growing client family. After all, we don’t just build houses, we build relationships and custom homes…our client’s homes –your home! And because we have gotten to know our clients so well, it seems only natural to extend our very best wishes, from our family to yours… may you have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends in your new home or newly renovated home. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your project and to get to know you!
Landscaping should be part of your custom home design from the beginning. Attractive and functional landscaping is an integral part of planning your custom home. The grounds that surround your home are an extension of your home’s design, and part of what makes your design truly “custom” is planning for a dream retreat in your very own yard. Here are four things to consider when planning your home and landscaping.
The scenery and natural light that streams in through your windows and doorways are key elements in the overall ambiance of your home. Therefore planning your landscaping along with your home design allows you to maximize those elements. Landscaping and hardscaping – the masonry and woodwork that’s part of a landscape design -- create opportunities to establish privacy, walkways, steps, decks, patios, and outdoor rooms, which all add to your home’s overall function, views, and “curb appeal.”
Landscaping should not be an afterthought; the best way to create landscaping that fits your home’s design is to incorporate it into the original plan. The result will be a harmonious transition from indoor to outdoor space. So ask yourself…what do you want from your outdoor space? Knowing what you want and where you want it to be in advance, is a key decision for the effectiveness of your overall home layout and placement of windows and doors for efficient access and aesthetics.
The benefits aren’t just aesthetic – incorporating landscaping into your overall plan creates efficiencies and cost effectiveness, including combining services such as excavation, stone and concrete work, electrical, plumbing etc.
Open communication is essential throughout your project, but make sure you talk about your dream retreat at the planning stage. While your budget or other considerations (such as ground settlement) may prevent you from completing everything in your ultimate plan all at once, it is important to incorporate the key elements into your design. Whether it is a patio with a barbeque, a gazebo, a cabana, a pool, a sunroom, an outdoor kitchen or fireplace, an out-building or barn, or just gardens with a sprinkler system; planning ahead might allow you to take the necessary rough-in steps, to minimize future costs.
Vanderzalm Construction Inc. has built a reputation for uncompromising quality, integrity and customer satisfaction in the Niagara Region. If you're planning to start a custom home build or renovation project, we'd love to tell you why Vanderzalm Construction Inc., is the right choice for you. Contact us today (905) 562-4463 or email us at info@vanderzalm.ca
In 2015, it should be no surprise that many Canadians work from home. Whether you run a household, a small business, or simply have flexibility with your employer for the location of your workday, one thing is certain, you need an organized, comfortable space to be effective. A home office needs to be more than just a stylish place that you enjoy being in; it needs to have the space to properly house all of the equipment you utilize, store supplies and have a workable desk surface.
A ‘Man Cave’ should certainly speak to the man that occupies and enjoys the space, but it doesn’t have to be a true cave. When creating a ‘Man Cave’, it is important to consider the following planning tips:
A spare room and not knowing what to do with it, now that is a problem some people would love to have. But for others, this is a real dilemma and for many something that does in fact happen at some point down the road. Children move out leaving unused bedrooms dining rooms are being abandoned for the family-friendly eat in kitchen, sunrooms just aren’t used for most of the year, and then there is the basement that is simply unused because it is a basement or undefined space.
High energy bills plague many home owners. The best way to reduce energy consumption and reduce costs is to reduce consumption habits—be conscientious about your own usage and spread the message to others.
In recent years, a common trend in custom home renovations has been to “open things up”. Homeowners are transforming their existing conventional houses into their dream homes by knocking down walls and adding structural beams to combine their kitchen, dining room, and living areas.