To have a place that you own and call home is a dream that everyone aspires to fulfill. Watching it take shape and form right in front of your eyes is a priceless experience. But in order to realize this dream, it is really important to plan accordingly. Many things need to be considered while planning to build your own home – the time frame which would be required for the construction to finish, the intricacies of woodwork, plumbing, electrical wiring, etc. A thorough understanding of what to expect during construction and how to go about it is crucial. Patience is one of the most important things when it comes to the home-building process. For a better sense of preparation in the form of tips and guidance, learn more about them here. In order to understand the home-building process, here are 10 basic steps that I undergo while building a house.

Step 1: Preparation of the Site of Construction

First and foremost, it is important for you to acquire all the necessary permits which are required by law in order to begin new construction on a piece of land. The permits are required for everything, be it grading and zoning to the electrical work, plumbing, installation of drainage systems, and overall home construction. It is only after the acquisition of these permits that you can begin the physical construction.

After permits, the crew begins to level the site to prepare it for the upcoming construction. After leveling the site, the crew starts setting up wooden frames to start with a basic structure that would be used as the foundational template for the home. Footings are also installed in the ground to support the wooden template.

A hole is dug to start with the basement and the required footings and the foundational walls. The area between is leveled and duly fitted with plumbing utilities and electrical chases, and finally, the concrete is poured. It takes some time for the concrete to dry and cure, after which waterproofing begins along with the installation of drainage systems and water taps. After the curing takes place, an inspection by the home inspector is expected to check whether the installation is up to code.

Step 2: Framing Phase

This phase includes the completion of all the floor, walls, and roof systems. Along with this completion, plywood or OSB sheathing is also applied to the house’s exterior parts to prevent water from infiltrating the structure. This sheath is known as a house wrap. It prevents any form of mold and rotting of wood.

Step 3: Utility Runs the Installation

This phase welcomes the plumbing and electrical contractor Singapore who starts the installation of pipes and wires through the ceilings, floors, and walls, along with water supply lines as well as sewer lines and vents.

This process is followed by installing ductwork for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, which includes the appropriate vent pipes and the required insulation.

Some common types of insulation include spray foam, foam mineral wool, cellulose, fiberglass, and rigid foam. You should hire a spray foam insulation contractor or other types of contractors to install the different pipes.

After making sure that the house is dried in the process called “roofing,” the electrical work of installing receptacles and the accompanying wiring takes place. Wiring also includes cable TV, telephones, and other utilities.

This whole installation process is met with at least three separate inspections from the local government inspectors to ensure that everything is up to code.

Step 4: Interior Fixtures

Hanging and taping of the drywall along with its texturing process is completed at this point. It is usually followed by the primer coat of paint. Exterior finishes of bricks, stucco, stone, and siding are installed.

Step 5: Interior Trims and Exterior Walkways

Wooden works like doors, window sills, cabinets, and other decorative trims are installed, and the house is met with its final coat of paint. Exterior walkways and patios and driveways are formed as soon as the foundation is completed in order to avoid inconvenience to the homeowners.

Step 6: Exterior Grading Completion

Different kinds of floorings are installed, such as wooden, ceramic-tiled, or vinyl plank floorings. Exterior grading is given a final touch to avoid the failure of drainage systems.

Step 7: Electrical Panel Completion

Electrical panels, including the fixtures, switches, and outlets, are installed. Toilet and sink equipment is installed.

Step 8: Landscaping

The yard is prepared for landscaping, after which trees and plants are planted. Other exterior landscaping requirements are also fulfilled in this stage.

Step 9: The Finishing Touch

Shower doors, bathroom mirrors, carpeting, etc., are installed, and a final clean-up of the house occurs. This is followed by the final inspection by the building code official. This final inspection is completed with the issuance of a “certificate of occupancy”.

Step 10: Pre-Settlement Walk-Through

This is the stage where you take a walk around the house and look for any discrepancies which need to be looked at by the builder. This is the stage where you check if something needs to be adjusted or corrected in one way or another. An attentive demeanor is important during this personal inspection.

Conclusion

And voila! This is what you should expect while starting the journey of watching your home take shape right in front of you. An open and honest relationship with your builder and patience while the whole process goes on are two essential things that you need to have in order to make full use of this journey of watching your home getting built from the ground up.

Discover More:–

• How to Manage Your Home Building Project: A Comprehensive Guide
• 5 Lessons For Your Next Home Building Project

As a homeowner, there are many choices for your window furnishings. Still, if you’re interested in window treatment options best known for practical and the finest aesthetical benefits, plantation shutters are the best choice you’ve got. Vinyl roller shades for sale are ideal for controlling light, and airflow thus making your indoor and outdoor surroundings alluring by offering incredible relaxing experiences you and your guests or family wouldn’t help but love. However, while almost everyone applauds them, plantation shutters come in different types; therefore, understanding which types of plantation shutters precisely fit your needs is paramount.

Different Types of Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters usually come measuring about three and a half to four and a half inches. Ideal for most homes’ elegant looks and aesthetic designs, they are classified based on wood, vinyl, and composite materials.

However, when it comes to the best kind of plantation shutters for your home, you’ve got a lot of factors to consider, including your desired style, color, size, and the shutter material that excellently blends with your home décor. Below are the different types of shutters and why some are more excellent choices for your home than others:

Wooden Shutters

Wooden shutters come in three types: basswood, faux wood, and hybrid with wood and faux combination.  Among the three, basswood takes the lead as the best wooden plantation shutters and the best option for your home, especially if you’re looking for shutters with exceptional durability and can easily paint or stain.

Thanks to their perfect uniform color selection, basswood shutters are ideal for interior window treatment considering their accomplishing abilities to offer elegance in and outside of your house. Likewise, basswood plantation shutters are lighter and have stunning natural beauty. You can easily blend it with your interior décor combine it with other upholstery designs and styles.

Moreover, to get the finest type of basswood plantation shutters, be sure to choose furniture-grade wooden shutters over cabinet wooden plantation shutter designs. Furniture-grade basswood shutters are the types that come with tighter and stunning wood grains, thus more durable.

Additionally, some of the reasons for making basswood shutters your best options are fashionability, blemish-free, and resistance to splintering and warping.  Other better wooden plantation shutters choices you can go for include:

Faux Wood

If you fascinate by plantation shutters that are both excellent options for your home’s window treatment aesthetics and easy to install, faux wood shutters are a good choice for you.

They are designed from lightweight hollow wood and composite materials, making them worthwhile for DIY installation and maintenance. Also, their modern version looks like natural wood, thus excellent choices for blending with your wooden arts designs.

They are also superb insulators and highly affordable. Moreover, faux wood plantation shutters will be your to-go choice if you are interested in shutters ideal for rooms with high moisture and humidity, like kitchens and washrooms.

Likewise, if your home is near an ocean, you’ll probably need plantation shutters ideal for intense rays and able to withstand the effects of saltwater. As such, faux wooden shutters will still be your priority option.

The Combined Hybrid Wood and Faux Plantation Shutters

If you’re passionate about shutters that give you both classy and premium value for your home’s fantastic looks, hybrid wood, and faux wood combine shutters are your best options.

They are sturdy and designed with energy-efficient abilities, thus ideal for impressive looks and reducing your energy bills, especially for your HVAC unit’s cooling and heating. The best types of hybrid and faux combined wooden shutters are those made from dense synthetic wood materials.

Vinyl Shutters

According to your budget, vinyl shutters will be your best option, especially when looking for the most affordable and highly resistant to moisture and other weather conditions. Aside from being the cheapest, Vinyl shutters are good, especially since they hardly peel, crack or fade like wooden shutters.

They are also scratch-resistant, thus ideal if you’ve pets and kids around.  Additionally, you won’t struggle to look for painting shutters, staining, or sanding with Vinyl shutters, considering they come excellently furnished and identical to finely painted wooden shutters.

However, before settling for Vinyl shutters, understand they are easily prone to structural damages, easily sag over time, and are not ideal if you’ve big windows.

Composite Shutters

These shutters are ideal if you’re interested in affordable window treatments.  However, while they are economical, composite shutters are not durable and wear and tear out easily. They also design from glue and sawdust material combinations making them less resistant to adverse weather conditions hence poor choices, especially if your home is located in humid areas.

While you’ve many types of plantation shutters to pick from, your budget, size, material, and aesthetic needs determine the best option for your home. However, wooden shutters, specifically basswood shutters, are the overall best choice for your home, considering their undeniable benefits like fashionability.

To get more information:

• Home Repairs: Which Ones Increase The Value of Your Home?
• How Beneficial Are Fire Rated Windows and Shutters

Our homes aren’t simply static structures in which we live. Instead, they blend aspects of our personalities with aspects of the surrounding environment, so it’s only fitting that we think seasonally about them. When anticipating the sunny days ahead and wondering about some summer renovations, there are a few simple ways for bringing summer home. These can range from the smallest of changes to something a bit more substantial. 

It doesn’t necessarily mean tearing the whole thing down, but can sometimes involve fairly big alterations. It all depends on the type of changes you want to make, as well as the costs and all other considerations too. 

Consider Those Bigger Changes

Most of us have walked into a room at some point and realized that it would be vastly improved if we could move this or that wall or open a door through here or there. The thing is, it’s possible.

Knowing which parts of your home are load-bearing and which aren’t can mean a lot. Placing a doorway in the right place, or making two separate rooms into a larger open-plan, may seem like a gigantic undertaking, but it needn’t be. 

Getting some advice about the structural side of things can be a cinch, and with the removal of brick or two, you can find yourself transported to a completely altered living space. It’s not as big a deal as you might think at first. 

That’s the thing, really. You want to have as much impact as you can with the most economical approach, and this requires some detailed planning. If you have your ideas in mind, you can apply solid plans to maximize the outcome. 

Little Things Can Make an Impact Too

Those with experience in interior design will tell you how much impact your room’s layout can have. To bring a summery feel into your home, it could take as little effort as rethinking where your furniture goes. 

Just a minor tweak here, a slight shuffle there, and you could suddenly find yourself in a brand new space. This instantly changes the layout and how the people in your home use the space that’s there. 

Freshening up our spaces freshens up our thinking, and we immediately feel the difference when even those smaller changes take place in a familiar room. It need not quite be Feng Shui to make the room seem new to the users of the space. 

Sometimes we have ideas ourselves, but forget to get the input of others while we come up with them. You never know, a suggestion from someone else could be the very thing you’re searching for, so don’t be afraid to ask for other people’s ideas too. 

It’s All About Wavelengths

Light is one-way summer makes itself known to the senses, and color is reducible to wavelengths of light. So choosing those lighter, fresher colors for your next room makeover can mean all the difference.

By simply picking your palette from the lighter range, you instantly create a more spacious and summery feel to any room. Of course, opening all the windows and removing clutter will also flood the interior with sunshine. 

Now, choosing from the lighter side of things doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself at all. Splashes of the darker shades will accentuate the lighter palette anyway, so feel altogether free to bring in the reds and purples if you want. 

The appropriate use of darker colors can actually heighten the effect of those brightening lighter tones, so let your artistic side come out while you try variations on the theme you have in mind.

It’s a good idea to keep your overall theme in mind as a background concept, while you chop and change your details until the best combination stands out to you. Being too dead set on one idea can actually hamper your progress in the end. 

To put it basically, have fun with it! Don’t be afraid to try anything that pops into your head, and go for it. You may find that your ideas adapt and change during the process itself, becoming increasingly narrowed until you hit the right feel for you and yours. 

Some Final Thoughts

It’s an adventure when you think about it. Changing up your living spaces is one way to keep things in your life fresh and invigorating. Straightforward approaches can take you on a whole journey of possibilities. 

Our surroundings ought to change with time, just as we do. The passage of the seasons is one overt way of conceptualizing this movement but by no means the only one. It’s just one of the ways in which to think about ourselves and our spaces together. 

It’s also the way we can include others in our lives, both in spatial terms and in more spiritual and emotional terms too. Most importantly of all, it’s just good fun. 

Keep reading:

• Amazing Ideas to Get Your Home Ready for Summer This Year
• Outdoor Upgrades: Mistakes You Want to Avoid With Your Outdoor Living Space
• Ideas to Get Your Garden Summer Ready
• Garden Building: Set Up a Summer House in 5 Steps
• How To Bring The Wow Factor Back To Your House

Knowing the basics of what kind of plumbing pipes your home has can make it much easier to find the right type of plumbing services in your area, and it is a must-needed first step for any DIY plumbing fix. If you want to hire a professional plumbing service, Angi (formerly known as Angie’s List) will get you pointed in the right direction. They provide reliable information about different types of plumbing pipes and make accurate estimates for pricing and timelines.

Galvanized Steel Pipes

Zinc-coated or galvanized steel pipes are usually a grey or metallic color. They are often thick and heavy. This material generally not use in newer construction; you may find these pipes in your home if it was built between 1930 and 1980.

Plumbing services in your area might be more expensive if you have galvanized pipes because it is naturally heavier than common alternatives. As a result, it is harder to maneuver.

While these pipes are durable, the zinc coating will eventually break down, causing the pipes to rust from the inside out. That build-up can lead to lower water pressure and, ultimately, clogged water lines.

Benefits

• Galvanized pipes are designed to avoid rust and corrosion.
• They help in keeping other external buildups away from the coating on the pipe.
• It is extremely durable for years-long if maintain properly.

Copper Pipes

Copper pipes are very common in homes of all ages. Most people recognize the reddish color of copper pipes. However, oxidation can also change the pipes to a dark brown, or even greenish color.

These pipes are thinner, but they also have a long life span. Copper pipes are well known to be durable and heat tolerant. However, copper pipes are more expensive than other options. Some of the joints might also have fittings that include a lead-based solder.

Benefits

• Copper pipes are durable which means they are not prone to any sort of corrosion or leakage.
• Copper pipes are safe as they won’t pollute the water with any of the bacteria.
• Coppers are prove to be one of the longest-using plumbing pipes. They can last for more than 25 long years.

PVC Pipes

The term PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. PVC is a hard plastic that is usually white. It will generally have to identify markings down the side that explains the type of PVC, temperature rating, and diameter. Homes built from the 1950s forward will often have PVC pipes.

PVC does not corrode, rust, or degrade. However, it does not hold up well with hot water. As a result, it can only use for cold water lines, such as in the kitchen sink pipes, toilet, and bathtub drain. You might also see it in vent stacks.

Benefits

• PVC pipes are not prone to rust and corrosion, thus they can last for a long time unless they have any technical problem.
• PVC handles weight and pressure accurately, which lets you adjust the force of the water according to your requirement.
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is way too low-cost in comparison to Copper pipes.

PEX Pipes

PEX is short for polyethylene cross-linked pipe. PEX pipes have been the standard for in-home water supply lines since about the 1990s.

While a PEX pipe is similar to a PVC pipe, it is actually more flexible and easier to maneuver. It is even color-coded, which makes plumbing services and troubleshooting even easier—blue is cold water, red is hot water, and white could be either hot or cold.

Benefits

• PEX is extremely flexible when it comes to bending or folding them to fit in different angles. You can twist them up to 90 degrees.
• PEX is easy to use. You can easily fold or twist them to install and thus they are easy to use.

ABS Pipes 

Pipes made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS pipes are similar to PVC, and they even come in the same sizes as PVC pipes. They are a bit more durable, but they cannot expose to direct sunlight.

These pipes are black and often find connecting to a sink, tub, or toilet. ABS pipes are actually pretty easy to repair as a quick DIY project, and the components are cost-effective as well.

Knowing your pipes is the first step in any DIY plumbing project, and it can be very helpful information to have when talking to a pro about the type of plumbing services you might need.

Benefits

• ABS pipes are less expensive in comparison to other pipes.
• They are light in weight, which makes them easy to handle and install by one single person.
• They are specially design for underground usage where moist can be a great hustle.

Find out more:

• 7 Reasons For Prioritizing Plumbing During Renovation
• Buying An Older House? Typical Plumbing Concerns!
• All You Need to Know When Designing a Commercial Plumbing Systems

It is no secret that the view and the location are amongst the top coveted features for home and workplace. Hence, windows providing an aesthetic appeal with stellar views with functional benefits have become an integral part of modern architecture. More importantly, modern windows can complement homes of any size, and there are a plethora of design types to choose from. Here are some of the trending modern window designs that can dramatically enhance the visual appeal of your home.

Trending Modern Window Designs

Stylish Corner Windows for Living Room

As the name suggests, corner windows are a type of aluminum section windows that can install in a living room or any other place, offering privacy with spectacular views of the outdoors.

Also known as glass-to-glass, corner windows look breathtaking, and they give your living room an alluring vibrancy. More importantly, it is a favorite among designers because the windows can be installed to create a separate compartment for an office.

The large-sized glass windows allow plenty of natural light and fresh air into space, which helps to create a positive atmosphere. These windows are also perfect as bedroom windows if you like to draw the curtains to the side for basking in the glory of early morning sunshine.

Say Bonjour to Your Patios

You cannot go wrong with classic French window designs for your modern home patios and balconies, especially when they are an architectural trend.

These extra-large aluminum section window types are attached to the patio/ balcony door sides, which blends in seamlessly with the rest of the design. French windows illuminate the room with light and air and provide amazing unobstructed views.

Goodbye Boring Office Windows

Given that the world is working from home due to the pandemic, there could not be a better time than now to install modern window designs. The best way to go about remodeling office windows is by using large windows.

Aluminum sliding windows as home office windows can be instrumental in increasing your work productivity while making you feel more connected to the outside world. For instance, quality aluminum windows provide insulation against sound and heat, which can help maintain a serene ambiance indoors.

At the same time, large sliding windows can provide stellar aesthetic values. For instance, TOSTEM windows sport a sleek profile, offering an isometric view. Such a view gives windows an asymmetric and stylish look and allows space for maximum glass area.

Moreover, you can experiment with other similar window designs such as stacking windows, lift and fold windows. Using different types of handles can also help customize the windows. You can install L-fit handles, push locks, levers, etc.

Stellar Kitchen Ambience

You may be familiar with awning windows sitting over the kitchen sinks. They open outwards, which saves a lot of space inside. No doubt, it is an ideal option for traditional kitchen windows.

However, another design that has been prevailing among designers and architects in 2023 is bay windows. Bay windows are basically four casement windows in a custom form accommodate by a wide frame.

Aside from providing aesthetic appeal, such a window door design also allows plenty of light and air into your kitchen, which helps maintain the air circulation in critical areas like the kitchen.

Bathroom That Breathes

Apart from the areas like the kitchen, bathrooms need the most ventilation. Installing contemporary aluminum awning windows in your bathrooms will allow ample light and air to keep the space smelling fresh. These windows have hinges on the frame’s topside, and the bottom of the sash opens away from the frame.

Another style to take your bathroom windows to the next level is the double-hung window style. The window sashes slide up and down, which balances the volume of light and air. In addition to these attractive window options, you can even install aluminum ventilation doors to maintain air circulation.

Only TOSTEM India provides such a unique ventilation door, which is liked by designers and architects across the globe. Finally, you can also install a submerged sill, which prevents water ingress and can kick over for ensuring safe passage.

Conclusion

This post laid down some of the most trending modern window designs. Each window design has its unique benefits and usage, but it should complement your home and workplace. There are also myriad other designs available, so it is also crucial to speak to a window consultant before making a decision.

Explore further:

• Window Designs: Interior and Exterior
• Ultra Modern House Window Design
• Refurbishing Sash Windows: a How-To Guide

Are you trying to sell your home faster but having a hard time? Well, everybody knows that selling a home isn’t a walk in the park. The market itself is challenging and dynamic. There’s an abundance of properties listed on the market, which actively compete with each other. So, how can you enter the scene and stand out? How can you put your residential property in a position where buyers will queue for? Following the latest design trends could help you easily upscale your home.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to spend millions of dollars on this project. As a matter of fact, you can achieve it by simply adding, tweaking, and changing a few things in your home. 

If you need a little help, these five design trends can kickstart your way to selling your home faster:

1. Minimalist Design

Minimalism is big these days. People don’t like it when they enter a home with ‘busy’ features, especially the bedroom ideas. If you keep your home with an open floor plan and unified theme, you’re on the right track.

Try to add more cabinets and storage to reduce the clutter and keep all things that used to be exposed on tables or consoles out of sight. Using neutral or earth-toned colors will also help in keeping the ambiance of your home cozy, light, and relaxing. If your room is bombarded with overbearing sheets or heavy paintings, it’s best to change them with minimalist paintings and light sheets.

Potential buyers would envision themselves living in your house if it’s clean, quiet, and visually appealing. You would want them to feel that your home is like a blanket that wraps around them on a cold day. That it’s a place of comfort and peace. If it looks cluttered and too busy, you might not get any potential buyers at all!

2. Lifestyle Essentials

An ideal home should be functional enough to support the activities or lifestyle of a prospective homeowner. If you’re working from home, you know that creating a multi-functional, and best of all, quiet workspace in your house is essential.

Another example—suppose you stopped hitting the gym and preferred doing exercises or new hobbies at home. You need to reimagine your home’s potential to make space for a home gym or recreational area. According to Gaines ville FL Homes, it’s always ideal to maximize the area of your home and make it adaptable to lifestyle changes to make it more sustainable and functional for users.

3. Stainless Steel

If you’re one of those people who enjoy their time in the kitchen, you know how important keeping this place neat and organized is. So, to make your kitchen clean, efficient, and well-put-together, using stainless steel material may be the way to go. It’s a kind of material built to last and make your kitchen look brighter and aesthetically pleasing. 

You can go for stainless steel countertops, kitchenware, and other appliances. These can be a solid investment in which you can put your money, not to mention that it’s easy to manage and maintain.

4. Freestanding Tubs

If you want to upscale your bathroom, make it look cozier and fancier, a freestanding tub will deliver good results! Well, of course, it’s not a bathroom necessity but a piece of luxury. However, believe it or not, it can interest many buyers. The freestanding ones won’t just add a touch of class to your bathroom, they’re also functionally flexible.

Typically, built-in tubs are placed against bathroom walls, but these freestanding tubs can be placed anywhere in the bathroom. They’re also easy to remove, giving the new homeowners a chance to replace them with the design they prefer in the future. Moreover, it works as a sign that the home was recently remodeled, adding more value to your property.

5. Smart Home Technology

These days, people are crazy about having a ‘smart home. Why? Simply because this technology can protect and maintain your home and belongings in a convenient manner. You could also save money on insurance, and of course, make your home awesome. People prefer a house with access to security systems, cooling and heating systems, and other devices around the home via an app. It’s all about convenience, and if you want to sell your house faster, this is another way to achieve it!

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your home to sell it faster can be pretty tricky. However, there’s no need for you to spend thousands of bucks to make it look ‘expensive.’ These design trends mentioned above can be your ticket to begin planning out! To make your home more appealing, it’s always important to research what’s trending, what people are interested in, and what spaces or furniture would work for their lifestyles.

Discover More: 

• Unveiling Innovative Interior Design Trends
• 11 Interior Design Trends for a Modern Home