Home Improvement with Andy Lindus

It’s no secret that more and more homeowners are choosing to stay put and upgrade their home rather than seek out a new one.  While each homeowner is as unique as the circumstances that lead them to call a contractor for assistance, there are some commonalities that stand out.  Below, we invite you to read about them.

Home Upgrades:

Curb Appeal: Home owners are embracing the fact that their home’s exterior is its first impression.  More attention is being paid to things such as siding, roofing, gutters windows & entry doors.

Reallocating Space: Because most home owners are upgrading their homes, rather than selling, there is a greater emphasis on the use of space and transformation of areas that reflect their personal taste & hobbies.  Specialty rooms for crafting, movies, gaming & entertaining are gaining popularity, as the home becomes an expression of what one values.

Embracing Nature:

Paint: According to the Benjamin Moore website, today’s most frequently searched colors are earth tones.  Earth Tone colors come from nature (brown soil, green leaves, blue clouds, etc.)  Earth tones give off a vibe of warmth & stability.  While neutral tones tend to be the most popular selections when it comes to wall colors, homeowners are adding splashes of color with their accessories.

Decking: Homeowners are embracing extending enjoyment of their home to the outdoors by building decks & 3 season porches.

Going Green:

Energy Efficiency: Going green is a trend that’s here to stay!  Homeowners are embracingenergy efficient lighting, appliances, windows and insulation now more than ever.  In addition to helping the planet, environmentally conscious decisions tend to affect one’s bottom line in a positive way.

Viable Building Materials: Homeowners are starting to put more thought behind the types of materials they choose & whether or not old materials will be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.  According to the National Asphalt Paving Association, asphalt is America’s most recycled material, as 92% of our nation’s roads are made of this material.  Oftentimes, the asphalt used to construct our roads is made from recycled roofing.

Rain Barrels & Water Harvesters:  Besides helping the environment, an obvious reason for harvesting rainwater is to save money.  Water collected from rain barrels can be used to water plants or wash your car.  Some homeowners take rain harvesting a step further and install water harvesting systems which bring collected “gray water” into the home and be used for laundry or toilet water.

Upcycling: Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value. You are able to upcycle all different kinds of items during a home renovation such as wood siding, doors, windows, metal roofing and shutters.  Want to know more?  Read our upcycling blog by clicking here.

Home Furnishings: Homeowners take pride in locally & domestically made goods.  Fleamarkets, thrift stores & consignment shops are also gaining popularity because they make the old new again.

Utilizing Technology

Smart Homes: Homeowners are embracing technology & are willing to budget foritems that make home life easier.  (Think Roomba vacuums, home theatre systems, programmable thermostats, etc.)

Apps: Apps are available that can give you design ideas, assist you with budgeting your construction project & even find out what type of wood something is just by scrolling through a library.  Want to know more?  Read our app recommendations by clicking here.

Tune into AM 830 WCCO on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am hosted by Denny Long and Andy Lindus to ask questions regarding your home improvement projects. Call us now at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free in-home estimate for your home improvement needs today!