You may have heard the term "customization" in your research for your new home. It's a word that's typically used to describe the process of making alterations to the floor plan or exterior appearance of a home so that it reflects your particular tastes, current lifestyle, and location.
But there's a more subtle yet equally important variation on that term that's emerging within the home design and building communities. Simply, that new homes today are — by design — better able to adapt to the changing needs of their owners after they've moved in and for years to come.
This kind of customization has its roots in areas like the Great Room and so-called "flex" spaces that many builders offer these days. But true customization requires a more thoughtful approach to the floor plan, materials choices, and future lifestyle changes than simply a room or two that allow some flexibility in their use.
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Q: What's the difference between engineered wood flooring and solid wood flooring?
A: Unlike solid wood planks, engineered wood flooring features a substrate (or main section) made from thin sections of solid wood that are set in a cross-hatched pattern and laminated together. A thin veneer of solid wood (oak, maple, etc.) on top of the substrate provides the appearance of a solid wood floor. Because of its substrate, engineered wood flooring does not react as dramatically to changes in temperature or humidity, and requires less maintenance than solid wood.
Regardless of a home's size or style, all construction follows a consistent pattern and pace. Excavation and foundation work will be followed by the framing phase, which will be followed by rough mechanical, electrical and plumbing work. As soon as those stages are complete, insulation will be installed. These steps follow each other quickly and are easy to see. The progress is exciting!
But when our crews and subcontractors begin to focus on the interior finishes of a new home, the pace seems to slow down and daily progress is more difficult to follow. To the homeowner, it might seem that we are losing focus or paying less attention to the project. In fact, the opposite is true. The apparent pace of work has slowed because finishing work is much more detailed than the previous stages. We must be more focused and pay more attention to the finishing details. Read the rest of this entry »