There is a lot to occupy our thoughts while initiating a home renovation. One of the things that, unfortunately, tends to get lost in the shuffle while these plans are put into action is pet safety. This article shares some easy tips to keep your pets safe while the renovation is ongoing. It may seem […]
Pushing the Envelope
In this article, Paul Raymer joins CustomHomeOnline.com to speak about the information available about energy efficiency and the people providing it. The topics range from the Passive House concept, which began in the ‘70’s with Passive Solar Homes, whose technology and experience laid the foundation for modern implementation, to the Beadwall window from Zomeworks which […]
The Ventilation Omission That Can Make You Sweat
A lot of factors go into the design of a ventilation system, from determining how much outdoor air is required for the house with either the ASHRAE 62.2 or BSC-01 standards to choosing which type of ventilation system to use. In green homes, the balanced system is becoming quite popular, but many balanced installations are […]
How to Easily and Inexpensively Add Value to a Home
As the housing market recovers, many homeowners are finding that now is a pretty good time to sell their houses. SecuritySystemReviews.com has put together a list of easy things a homeowner can do to increase the value of their home. The first is to create a home office, to take advantage of the fact that […]
Move ‘Trust’ to Top of List When Hiring Contractors
Those who have ever needed to hire a contractor for their home, whether it was to replace an AC system or add a room onto the house, may have realized how important trust is to the relationship with a contractor. A homeowner’s typical search for a contractor focuses first on price, second on schedule, and […]
HomeWork: Latest Trends in Remodeling Include High-Tech Touches
As it becomes more affordable to implement automated controls for residential energy and more realistic for the average homeowner to be able to control their home systems more efficiently through a tablet or smartphone, there has been a corresponding increase in the popularity of automated home controls in new renovations. According to the Master Builders […]
New Housing & Building Standards Are Increasing the Demand for Green Jobs
The housing market is beginning to stabilize and state legislatures are taking the opportunity to implement new energy efficiency standards, particularly for large residential buildings and for commercial buildings. Local Law 87 in New York, for example, sets a date for all buildings of a specific type to meet a specific energy standard. These laws […]
What Do Home Buyers Buy after Moving?
New homebuyers are the biggest spenders following their big move. Compared to buyers of existing homes and non-moving homeowners, new homeowners significantly outpaced the spending on furnishings and window treatments. Interestingly, new homeowners even buy more appliances, though appliance suites usually accompany new construction. Similarly, other items, like computers, refrigerators, and televisions, drive new home […]
Consumers Are Looking for Sustainable Green Building Products
Mainstream U.S. awareness regarding the environmental importance of green living, as well as the economic importance of American-made product lines, has made a significant impact on buyer demand for sustainable building materials. Sustainability expert Ron Jones of Green Builder Media recommended several products on a segment of “The Daily Buzz,” a nationally syndicated morning show. […]
Homeowners Plan Swanky Kitchen Remodels but Have Yet to Begin
Autumn seems to usher in cozy kitchen daydreams and grand renovation fantasies. Surprisingly, only 32 percent of 7,000 dreamers surveyed in a recent Houzz study are actually contacting contractors and demolishing walls. Such a small amount of go-getting may be due to the fact that most would-be kitchen remodelers desire a full kitchen gut-job, complete […]