Category Archives: Building Techniques

2020 Color Trends

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The color trends for 2020 have been decided and there’s a slight shift from last year’s bright pastels and muted greys or greens. Let’s take a look at some of the trends expected for the year.

Warm Pastels

Let’s start with the pastels. Gone are the Easter egg inspired purples and pinks. We’re adding warm, earthy tones to pastels. Picture a blush or dusty mauve over a bright purple or pink pastel. Instead of just spring colors, we’re mixing autumn colors in.

Earth Tones

Cool tones have been popular for years. Earth tones such as deep reds, chocolate browns, burnt orange, olive green and mustard yellow are ramping up to take over this year. Warmer, organic colors will begin to replace the abundance of gray we’ve seen in the past.

Bold Jewel Tones

As we enter 2020, the accent colors begin to lean toward bold blues, greens and other natural jewel tones. With the Pantone Color of the Year being a classic blue, we will see that bold blue show up in more places.

Black and White

As always, some trends are lasting and black and white is one of them. The contrast of the two colors remains a favorite and that’s staying through 2020.

If you’re looking to make changes this year, these are the colors and hues you’ll be seeing in all the remodels and new builds around the country. If you’re looking to build your dream home, contact us to set your plans into motion.

Design Concepts for 2020

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As we close out 2019 and approach 2020, we are reminded that we are entering a new decade. The trends in housing and design have changed greatly over the last ten years and are expected to continue to change. Here’s a handful of trends to expect as we enter 2020.

Open Concepts

It’s been proven that the kitchen is the center of activity in most homes. An open concept not only allows home owners to center their socialization toward the kitchen, but the next year may show more homes with open concepts using features like fireplaces to separate rooms or kitchen islands to separate social spaces from functional spaces.

Sustainable Lifestyles

As attention for the environment has grown the past decade, so has people’s need to make a difference. More people are looking to build sustainable homes. Everything from the materials used to build, to the appliances and décor in the home has become a source of environmental friendliness.

High-Efficiency Residences

Price-conscious homeowners are looking for ways to maximize their monthly budget, without sacrificing comfort and quality. An energy efficient home incorporates building techniques and standards that reduce energy consumption and minimize resources needed to maintain a home’s state of living (heating cooling, appliance energy consumption, etc).  P&D utilizes innovative techniques produce a high efficiency building envelope, maintaining a home’s internal living environment and keeping exterior weather elements out. This reduces heating and cooling bills and contributes to a constant internal home temperature. 2’x6’ exterior walls, blown-in insultation, and integrated weather-resistant sheathing boards are standard in every home we build, so our homeowners never have to sacrifice quality and comfort for savings.

If you’re looking to build a home, contact us to schedule your consultation.

How to Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

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P&D Builders prides ourselves in building energy efficient homes.  Our energy efficient homes consistency produce the lowest HERS scores in the industry.  The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. The 2018 average standard new home has a HERS score of 100, while P&D’s 2018 average new home HERS score was 53!  If you’re looking to improve your already existing home’s energy efficiency, try some of these energy saving tips.

Insulation

Make sure your attic and walls are properly insulated. Proper insulation slows the rate that heat flows out of the house in winter or into the house in summer requiring less energy to heat or cool the home. If your house has no wall insulation and conventional stud walls, blown-in insulation can greatly improve your comfort and save enough energy. If your attic is unfinished, it often pays to have it insulated. Be sure to have your insulation properly installed as that is what makes the difference.

Windows

If you were planning on replacing windows for any reason other than energy savings, go ahead. Choose a window with EnergyStar ratings. However, if you are not planning on replacing windows, try boosting the efficiency with weather stripping and making sure single glazed windows have storm windows.

Furnace and Water Heater

If you are not using an energy efficient furnace, your furnace could be wasting up to 35% of fuel it uses. If your furnace is nearing the end of its service life, consider replacing it with a condensing furnace.

If your hot water heater is functioning properly, don’t replace it either. Start by turning the temperature to the warm setting. Then insulate the pipes so they don’t cool off as fast between uses.

Utilize Tax Programs to Update

Federal tax incentives are available for energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes. Improvements may include improvements such as windows or insulation and heating/air-conditioning upgrades, as well as renewable energy features.

If you have a home built by P&D Builders, you can be assured that your home was built with energy efficiency in mind. If you are looking to stay in your home and make improvements, contact P&D Builders to see what we can do to help your process.

Pros and Cons of Granite Countertops

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Beautiful Custom Kitchen with Island in an estate home

When choosing a countertop surface for your kitchen, there are a lot of factors to consider. If granite has made it to the top of your list, read through the article below to determine if its advantages and disadvantages make it a good choice for your family.

Heat Resistance

Granite countertops will not melt or blister when exposed to heat. They are one of the most heat-resistant countertops available. If you take a hot pan out of the oven, you can place it directly on your countertop surface without causing any damage. Experts do recommend the use of a trivet when using appliances that emit heat for long periods of time, such as crockpots. Since the material is so dense, there is a small possibility heating one area of the top and not the entire thing, could cause the countertop to crack.

Scratch Resistance

Granite scores a seven on Moh’s scale of hardness. This means that very few minerals are able to scratch it. You can cut on it, but it isn’t recommended since this will dull your knives and possibly leave a metal residue behind that can be difficult to remove.

Seams

In a typical kitchen, granite countertops will need to have 2-3 seams. Depending on the color of granite you choose, average slab size will vary. A typical expectation can be set at 9 feet by 5 feet. Large islands can typically be done without seams. If you have an L or U shaped layout, expect seams where the countertops angle in a different direction. The good news is that many fabricators will mix custom color epoxy to adhere the seams together which does a great job of disguising them. Expect the seam to be around 1/8-inch thick.

Price

The average price for granite countertops in a typical kitchen is $3,000-$4,000. There are a lot of variables such as edge profile, total square footage, backsplash, etc. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that all granite is expensive. Lower-range granites will cost less than high-range laminate. Though granite countertops are not considered “low range” in pricing, there are a lot of affordable options that will start at around $35-$55 per square foot. Do be careful when comparing pricing between different companies. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Your final quote should include material, fabrication, and installation.

Stain Resistance

Usually, darker granites are very dense and sometimes don’t even require a sealer. Lighter granites are more porous and may require multiple coats of sealer to be considered stain resistant. Either way, if properly treated, granite is a stain-resistant countertop surface.

Landscaping a new Construction Home

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Photo of elegant new design villa with backyard

When you and your family decide to build a new home, it is a blank canvas! There are so many decisions that lie ahead. When all of the decision are made about the exterior and interior of the home, it is time to turn to the outdoors. The great news about starting from scratch when it comes to landscape is it is easy to dig up new beds, weeds aren’t yet established and your landscape can only get better from here! Here are some guidelines to help you get the landscape off to a great start.

Figure out the land

Learn about the land before you waste time and money planting items that might not grow well in some areas. You need to study what areas of land get the most sunlight, what parts of the land have the most fertile, rich, loamy soil. Draw a diagram of your backyard to help you visualize areas with problems and promise! Take this opportunity to find out where any wires and pipes are so that way you don’t accidentally run into them when it is too late.

Remove unwanted existing items

If you don’t want existing trees or plants that are there now anymore, simply get rid of them. If a tree looks weak, you do not want it falling into your living room or onto your car in the years to come. If there are previously plants and bushes that won’t look good with your soon to be garden, take them out. This is your chance to start fresh, you will be able to plant trees and bushes of your own.

Think ahead

What is your ultimate goal for this space? Room for the children to play, ample of good produced in the garden or entertaining your friends? Consider what you want to do with that space now and twenty years down the road. Make sure there is some common ground so all of your hard work does not go to waste. Have the space of your dreams but make sure it will fit into the space of your dreams ten years down the road.

If you have any questions about landscape or want advice from our builders, do not be afraid to ask! We are happy to help every step of the way.

New Home Construction Trends

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New residential construction home framing against a blue sky.

When it comes to building a new home, you have a lot of questions to think about, some are larger scale and some are smaller. Trends in the interior design world seem to change by the season or year. When it comes to home construction changes, the changes occur at a slow pace, some trends even lasting decades. Home fashions take a while to build momentum, but they are happening. Here is a look at a few trends in the world of home construction.

Solar roofing

Recent improvements in solar tech have moved solar panels from an expensive niche technology to a reality for many homeowners. One of the main factors that has really made solar panels popular is the amount of support it has received from power companies, state and local governments and eco-conscious investors. The support means leasing options, subsidies and tax breaks for solar customers. If you are redoing or getting a new roof for your home, that is a great time to consider solar panels as well.

Smart Homes

Smart phones, smart cars, it seems everything these days are upping their technology to become smarter for their end users. Every year, companies are rolling out some type of new technology to help people better manage their homes. Many things in the home can now be controlled by an app whether you are in the home or across the country. Some items that can be controlled by your phone include doorbells, portable cameras, two-way speakers, television devices, thermostats and more. Homes are being retrofitted with these devices and it is believed they will come standard in new home construction moving forward.

Barn Doors

Yes, this does pertain to the interior design of the house, it also has to deal with the construction of the home. Most interior barn doors slide on a bar mounted above the frame, which presents a smaller profile for interior thresholds. Because these sliding doors offer a rustic charm while remaining functional, the use cases for barn doors are myriad. From closet doors to room dividers, barn doors are quickly becoming the solution to dozens of interior design dilemmas.

Electric car charging stations

The continued growth of the electric car industry is having a lasting impact on at least one aspect of home building: the garage. As more homeowners make the switch to fully electric cars, charging stations are being a more common fixture in garages. The most expensive stations can be around $3,000 but a small self-installed unit can be as little as $300.

The ever-changing world of technology has greatly impacted home construction. There has been an increased focus on green home and home automation, which these trends do not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Changes in technology will continue to drive home construction with a renewed focus on flexibility, automation and energy efficiency.

Home Building and Renovation Trends for 2016

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rising arrow

Is building or remodeling a home on your to do list for 2016? Here is a look into the home construction and renovation trends for 2016:

Natural selection: People are stepping away from the super-dark, hand scraped floors. Consider engineered woods with a lighter, more natural finish. Experts believe that white, gray and washed-wood finishes are making a comeback. Think about bleached, limed or fumed woods with matte finishes or sealed-only floors. Engineered products aren’t necessarily cheaper, but you can achieve a more exotic look this way. Stone floors are also showing up in more unexpected places, like master bedrooms.

Clean lines, more open spaces: Experts believe that new construction is going more contemporary. Even those who choose to stick with more traditional exteriors are going with modern, open concepts on the inside. That means fewer hallways and tiny rooms that aren’t being used. Open floor plans mean more usable space; these usually include kitchens that open to the den and possibly dining areas. Homeowners are better understanding that 100% of the space in their home should be completely usable.

Formal reformed: There has been a lot of talk about how the formal living room and dining rooms have been eradicated from the new home, but that is simply not true. These rooms still exist, they just function differently. Many people are choosing to make these rooms multi-functional, they are using them are libraries, offices or even places to entertain. The designated dining room still exists; it is just more open and casual therefore making it more livable.

Go Green: Just like every other trend for the New Year, the home building industry is going green. Energy saving appliances can help you save money and use less energy in your home. P&D Builders can even take it a step further by offering an energy efficient home which makes your home more comfortable and reduces your utility bills.

2016 is going to be a great year, if you are interested in speaking with P&D Builders about building your dream home contact us today! We look forward to hearing from you.

P&D Pushes for more ‘Pantry Power’

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P&D is leading the way in a new trend for larger and more useful pantry space. In a recent article by the Columbus Dispatch P&D was recognized for their progressive use of traditional pantry space in one of their Sunbury homes featured in this year’s Parade of Homes. Dubbed a ‘super pantry’ these spaces are still attached to the kitchen for easy access, but unlike traditional pantries they have more space for storage and include areas for additional food preparation. These spacious offshoots are perfect for adjustable shelving to store items like bottled water, bulk food, snacks, paper towels and other sundries. Some spaces are being fitted with sinks for extra prep room, or lightweight appliances like blenders, toasters and microwaves. This keeps the devices available for quick use, but prevents them from cluttering up the main kitchen space. P&D’s latest design includes a unique quarter size door which connects the pantry to the garage for easy grocery delivery.

Many older homes don’t have the flexible floor plan to allow for the expansion/addition of a new pantry area, but new homes don’t have that limitation. All of the P&D homes have excellent options for large pantries, or have the potential to add them to existing floor plans. Please contact Ed Snodgrass or call (740) 201-8079 for more information about new home construction and integrating a ‘super pantry’ into your dream home designs.

Click Here to read the full article in the Columbus Dispatch by Melissa Kossler Dutton.

Benefits of an Open-Concept Home Design

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open-concept home design

In today’s market, it seems as though more and more people are opting for an open-concept home design when looking for a new home. Gone are the days of having each room separated from one another. In home design, both production and custom, we are seeing this trend move towards an open concept.

We are now seeing less formal dining areas and more kitchenettes and dining areas in the kitchen. The traditional dining style is moving towards more of a relaxed atmosphere in the kitchen. This new style also makes for easier entertaining. Here are a few other great reasons for the open-concept home design.

  1. More functional Entertaining Space – As we mentioned above, the open-concept home design eliminates the walls and doors dividing up space. This concept allows the host and the guests to feel more connected and enjoy the time together without feeling left out or separated.
  2. Maximize the Flow of Natural Light – With the open-concept design, it allows for large windows to let the natural light flow throughout the home more easily. Imagine large transom windows in a great room bringing in enough light to brighten the whole home.
  3. Added Visibility – If you have small children or pets, you will appreciate this one. Without several walls and doors dividing each room, you are able to keep an eye on your small children and pets easier. Even though you may be in the kitchen, you can still see them in the living room or dining area.
  4. Maximize the Square Footage –  By de-compartmentalizing your home and opening up the space, your home will feel a little larger. The less walls you have and the more open space, the bigger it will feel.
  5. Your Kitchen Becomes the Focal Point – As mentioned previously, with the open-concept design you not only have a larger area to entertain but your guests feel more welcome and comfortable sitting in the kitchen. Your kitchen becomes more of the focal point, or the heart, of the home. This is one main reason why many clients prefer to add the extra bells and whistles to the kitchen. This will become the highlight of the home.

As more people enter into the home market, the more we are noticing a rise in demand for these open-concept floor plans. This change in home design is adding more space for growing families and more opportunity for entertaining. If you are interested in speaking with P&D Builders about building your dream home contact us today! We look forward to hearing from you.

 

How Floor Heating Can Add Value to Your Home

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floor heating Summer is in full swing and the heat is turning up, however, it may not be a bad idea to start making plans for a more comfortable winter. After the “Polar Vortex” that hit Ohio, many people are looking for new ways to face the cold weather head on. One of these ways is by installing under floor heating. This new technology has been around for years but with the harsh winters that Ohio brings, this technology is steadily growing.

Heated Bathroom Floors

Nothing is worse than getting out of a warm bed in the middle of January only to walk onto the cold bathroom floor. The mad dash to the shower is one that gets more uncomfortable with every step. The inside of your home should be a safe haven from the cold and not something that adds to its effects. Fortunately, heating your bathroom floor can be a great solution for the bitter cold temps just below your feet. What is great about this technology is the ability to set a timer so the floors are warm right as you wake up!

Heated Patio Floors

Do you ever wish that your sunroom or enclosed patio could be used to entertain guests year round instead of just in the spring and summer months? By applying heated floor technology to your sunroom or enclosed patio they now become a place to entertain for your next holiday party. Despite the snow falling outside, you can comfortably heat these rooms by simply “turning on the floor”. It’s so effective that you can walk around barefoot without even realizing that just outside the windows are below freezing temps.

Heated Driveways

Unless you are one of those people who really enjoy the cold, then you will appreciate another innovative way that will help with the pesky shoveling that comes with those mid-winter months. By simply flipping a switch when you wake, up your driveway becomes a warm bed of concrete melting away the snow and ice. This will ensure safety and make it easier to get onto the street. This heated technology can help to save you time in the mornings allowing you to focus on other things besides clearing the driveway.

These pioneering technologies may seem expensive but as a one-time investment to install, they can save time and are relatively inexpensive to operate. Whether it is more time in the mornings or more time to entertain guests, this heated floor technology can add great value to your home and to your lives.If you have any questions on this technology and how P&D Builders can customize your home for the winter months give us a call at (740) 201-8079!