13 Design Trends for 2013

Home owners needs and style preferences are influential in today's design. Energy efficiency, outdoor kitchens and multimedia entertainment are just a few of the emerging trends to consider if you're building in 2013.

http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/architecture-coach/article/2012/12/13-hot-home-trends-for-2013

How Hard Can it Be?

We know you love to save money by tackling that remodeling project on your own, but some things should be left to the pros.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/tips/5-home-repairs-you-should-never-do-yourself.htm

Five New Trends in Commercial Flooring

Building Design & Construction covers what's hot and what's not in commercial flooring.

http://www.bdcnetwork.com/5-new-trends-commercial-flooring

What's the Best Material to Build an Outdoor Deck With?

Canton Contractor Mike Olivieri answers the question, "What's the Best Material to Build an Outdoor Deck With?"

The best material to build an outdoor deck with is really a multi-layered question. First, you need to have the substructure, consisting of the posts and joists.

For the substructure, the best material to use is a pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated lumber comes in different sizes, like lengths, widths, thicknesses. You also want to be sure to use nails and/or screws that are rated for outdoor use.

Secondly, you would need to choose a material for the actual decking boards themselves. There are really two different types of decking that I recommend to use, and it’s totally up to the person that wants this deck. There’s a traditional five-quarter board and there are composite decking boards. The difference between the two is that five-quarter boards will need to be maintained at least once a year with a Thompson’s water seal or a water sealing stain of some sort. If this is not done on a regular basis, then you can probably expect your deck will eventually need boards to be replaced.

With the composite decking, there is virtually no maintenance other than the occasional power washing. Composite decking is made up of wood and polymers mixed giving it a real wood look, but the durability of polymers. You can expect a composite deck to last for years and years with very little maintenance. But with that being said, there also comes added cost. Composite decking is about double the cost of traditional five-quarter treated lumber. I guess it’s all in the amount of effort someone wants to put into maintaining their deck.

Lastly, you would need to make a decision on the railing material for your new deck. Again, you have choices. There is traditional wood railing and with that comes maintenance again. Second, there are composite railings, which again—maintenance-free, but hefty cost wise. Lastly, there are vinyl railings. The vinyl railings nowadays are much better quality then they were even as little as 10 years ago. Ten years ago, I would have never recommended a vinyl railing due to the poor quality that they were constructed with. They were just cheap and flimsy, but now they’re a good quality product with a decent price point and are as maintenance-free as composite materials. That’s my advice for someone who wants to build a deck or have a deck built.

Construction Industry Gets Low Marks for Green Framing

Author Tim Garrison questions the construction industry's unwillingness to take up the practice of green framing though using less wood, concrete and steel saves material, manpower and mother nature.

http://www.buildersengineer.com/assets/images/blog/GreenFramingPublished2-14-13.pdf

Kitchen Flooring: Classic and Innovative Options

When homeowners are building their dream kitchen, most look for the best flooring material they can afford. Money is an important consideration when shopping for flooring, but durability, maintenance and sustainability also matter. Because there are multiple factors to consider and increasingly more kitchen flooring options, your contractor will use information about your family makeup and lifestyle to help you make the right choice for your taste and décor.

At one time, tile and linoleum were the only two options in kitchen flooring, but nowadays, contractors offer a wide variety of alternatives for one of the busiest rooms in the house.  

Here’s a look at both traditional and innovative flooring choices that will make the heart of your home a welcome, yet functional masterpiece.

The Classics

Ceramic Tile

Perhaps the quintessential option for kitchen flooring, ceramic tile is durable, cost-effective and versatile. With a wide variety of colors, sizes, shapes and patterns, it’s easy to find a ceramic tile that fits your décor.
 

Pros: Durable, Resistant to dents, water and stains. Easy to clean. Affordable. DIY-friendly.

Cons: Tile may crack as floor settles, and low quality tiles may chip. Dropped dishes will almost certainly break. Can be cold and hard on the feet. Grout needs to be sealed periodically.

Cost:  $3 to $8 per square foot.

Linoleum

Wildly popular in kitchen flooring during the first half of the 20^th century, linoleum seemed to peak in the 1950s. Thanks to environmentally conscious homeowners, however, it’s making a comeback. Great for old-fashioned cottages and midcentury interiors, this all-natural material will give your kitchen that retro-chic look.

Pros: Style and color versatility. Affordable. Durable. Easy to clean.  Comfortable to stand on. Can last 40 years or more.

Cons: Can wear and fade with time and use. Requires professional installation. Requires periodic waxing and polishing. Not appropriate for luxury décor.

Cost: $2 to $7 per square foot.

 

The Avant Garde

Wood

Since modern floor plans are more open, wood floors are becoming more popular in kitchens. Wood is naturally warm and inviting, so it fits with almost any décor and makes a great flooring choice if you want to complement both a living and cooking space.
 
Pros: Never goes out of style. Can be sanded and refinished to maintain a fresh look. Renewable and recyclable. Is warm underfoot and easy on the legs.

Cons: Liquid can damage wood if not cleaned up immediately. Dents and scratches easily. 

Cost: $4 to $12 per square foot.

Bamboo

One of the hottest trends in kitchen flooring, bamboo has the look of wood, but is even more eco-friendly. Bamboo is perfect for a warm, tropical or Asian vibe, but be sure to look for bamboo that has been treated with natural-based adhesives, rather than the toxic substance, formaldehyde.  

Pros: Low maintenance. Highly sustainable. Naturally anti-bacterial. DIY-friendly.

Cons: Narrower range of color choices. Can warp in high-humidity climates. Can be more expensive than laminate.

Cost: $4 to $9 per square foot.

Concrete

Once found only in basements and under carpets, concrete has come a long way in recent years as an out and proud flooring option. No longer limited to the dullest shade of gray, concrete can now be stained, stamped, scored and acid-etched to create visual interest  in your industrial-chic, edgy kitchen.

Pros: Slow to heat up, helps kitchen stay at a comfortable temperature. Easy clean up. Resistant to chipping and fading. Acid-staining can mimic tile, marble, slate and hardwood.

Cons: Requires professional installation. Cold and hard on the feet.

Cost: $2 to $15 per square foot.

Sources: “Top Five Flooring Types” by Juan Rodriguez, “Solid and Engineered Wood Flooring” by Bob Formisano, “Kitchen Flooring 101: Find Your Material Match” by Lisa Frederick, “Kitchen Flooring Essentials” by Alicia Garceau, “Fresh Flooring Options for Kitchens” by Katie Allison Granju, HGTV.com, “Kitchen Flooring Buying Guide”  by Allegra Muzzillo, DIY Life

 

Construction Continues to Bounce Back from Recession

Government data shows increased spending and employment in the construction industry for the eighth consecutive month.

http://news.agc.org/2013/02/01/construction-employment-and-spending-levels-hit-three-year-high/