The Benefits & Weaknesses of Curbless Showers

Curbless walk-in showers are trending in bathroom design today. They are attractive, and have many other advantages, but should you get one? Below are some of the benefits and weaknesses we have identified for having a curbless walk-in shower, and some tips for making it work if your heart is set on having one.

Benefits

Clean Less

This one is our favorite benefit. Shower doors are just another thing to clean, and in a curbless shower, this can be eliminated. Scrubbing down a small corner shower can be a problematic and potentially injurious situation. Without the curb, the shower is open and therefore a lot easier to clean.

One Shower For All

Health care costs continue to rise, and aging parents living under the same roof as their children is more common for many American families, and having a bathroom that works for everybody makes life a little easier. A 4-inch tall shower curb which is a breeze for a teenager to step over can be impossible for their grandparents. Getting rid of a curb makes the shower an accessible space without sacrificing style.

Show It Off

Regular showers don't lend themselves to presenting any intricate or attractive tile or stonework in your bathroom. An open shower affords a view of the whole bathroom, which can enlarge the room, and offer an unimpeded view of any stone or tile work you may have had installed.

Use every inch

Curbless showers are a fantastic upscale option for maximizing every square inch of space in smaller bathrooms.

Weaknesses

No Privacy

This is self explanatory, but can easily be remedied by using a frosted glass barrier or a traditional shower curtain with a rod.

Limited Water Control

A challenge with a curbless shower is there is no curb to hold the water into the wet area. This makes getting your feet dry just a tad challenging.

Tips

Shower Barriers

There are a couple different types of shower barriers on the market now that can help with directing the water toward the drain:

• A curved glass shower wall – The bend in the glass will direct the water away from the rest of the bathroom.

• A pivoting shower screen – This pivoting door can be slightly turned to the inside to keep water in.

Showerheads

• A Rain Head - It keeps the water in a more concentrated spot.

• A Hand Held Shower Head - It makes cleaning easier, and also keeps water directed where you want it.

Radiant Flooring

There is no door or full cover for a walk-in shower, so heat escapes faster than with traditional showers. Heated floors, or radiant flooring, is a way to minimize this issue.

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Do you like curbless showers? Would you install one in your home? If you are looking to install one in your home, contact us today for your free consultation and estimate.

Happy New Year!

This past year has been so eventful, we can’t even begin to describe how excited we are for everything we have coming this year. There are so many things we are thankful for this year past, and looking back on it makes us reflect on how much positivity has come our way. These are some of the big ones we are really proud of.

We built more houses than we have in many years.

To us that signals a strong economy and that many families are now starting to see the extensive benefits of building a new home versus simply buying a used one. Check out our blog on what makes new home construction so great.

We added two new models to our home collection!

Acquiring the plans for one model in a year is a lot for a small home building company such as ourselves, but two?! That’s amazing in my opinion. If you haven’t already seen them, check them out here.

We added Buildertrend onto the back end of our operations.

Buildertrend is an amazing piece of software we have had the good fortune of adding onto the back end of our operations here at Porteus & Son. It has allowed us to keep better track of our projects, and allows all of our clients to see exactly what is going on with their projects all the time! Now, when you become one of our many treasured clients, you get a sign-on automatically, and you get to keep everything in one place, and see exactly what we’ve been working on all the time.

We updated our standard finishes.

The finishes are one of the most important parts of any home. We pride ourselves on having finishes like beautiful wood floors offered standard. Also, having quality, state-of-the-art appliances is a desire a lot of our clients have expressed. So, we updated what we offer standard. Check them out here.

This past year was amazing, and we are on the road to an even greater year this year thanks to all of our wonderful clients and our team. If you want to build a new home, fill out our form for your free consultation today and get started on the road to your dream home!

Six Design Trends for Kitchen & Bath Spaces

This post originally appeared on Remodeling.

Here are some of the most current and most requested trends in kitchen and bath spaces according to Remodeling that we think you should know about.

Blue Cabinets

Color blocking—pairing opposites on the color wheel to make complementary color combinations—is typical in fashion design. Now, this trend has made its way to home design in the form of colored cabinets. Several Design Award submissions incorporated bold-colored cabinets. Sharp blues were a common color used in both kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.

Integrated Devices

There is a growing movement to integrate microwaves and refrigerators more seamlessly into kitchen designs. Many designers are opting to put microwaves in islands or pantries, Florida-based design consultant Karinne Heal told remodeling. Another popular choice, drawer microwaves, currently offered by manufacturers such as Sharp, Wolf, and Bosch, promote open design and open up counter space for other elements.

An appliance that’s much harder to hide completely, though, is the refrigerator. Large and bulky refrigerators clash with many visions for modern and open kitchens. One way to conceal a refrigerator is by opting for a panel-ready or integrated model with cabinet panels that match the rest of the kitchen design. Additionally, smaller refrigerators, like the 24-inch Indoor/Outdoor refrigerator drawer from Thor, allow the appliance to be fitted under standard counters and mounted flush with cabinets.

SILGRANIT Sink by Blanco

Quartz Sinks

Quartz is emerging as a potential replacement material for porcelain or stainless steel in sinks. Stainless steel has long been the most popular material for kitchen sinks, but the popularity of bowl sinks is lending itself to other materials, like quartz.

This year, Kraus released a line of single and double-bowl sinks made from 80% quartz. The Kraus sink is formulated to resist stains, scratches, impact damage, dirt, and grime, according to the manufacturer. Kohler and Elkay also have single and double-bowl quartz sinks available on the market, and Blanco has released a granite-based bowl sink to provide an additional alternative to stainless steel sinks.

Lights That Do More

Hands-free, touch-activated faucets emerged a few years ago. Now, lighting fixtures that kill bacteria may also be trending. Evolution Lighting recently introduced its Ellumi LED bacteria-killing light for under-cabinet lighting and as a shower-safe recessed retrofit. Evolution’s lights use LEDs instead of UV or chemicals, and the company claims they can combat mold, fungi, and bacteria on any surface.

Metallics on Knobs

Metallic finishes on cabinet knobs and pulls as well as faucets can create an accent for any modern design. Manufacturers like Atlas Homewares and Mockett have introduced knobs and pulls for cabinets in several metallic finishes designed to create an air of luxury in a kitchen or bathroom. Moen has a brushed-gold finish available for several kitchen and bathroom accessories, including kitchen and bathroom faucets and cabinet knobs.

Image from Aquatica

Thin Showerheads and Lights

New technology is allowing many interior amenities, like light fixtures and showerheads, to be made thinner to appeal to modern interior design. Aquatica has released the Ultra-Thin Showers, shower-heads manufactured using thin steel sheets stacked on top of one another to produce an overall thickness of just 4 millimeters. Franz Viegener Showerheads make use of similar technology. Grohe, California Faucets, and ALFI Brand all currently have thin showerheads on the market.

In the lighting-fixture market, Nora Lighting recently released a surface-mounted Surf LED fixture designed to mimic the look of the recessed light. The slim-line profile of the Surf LED is only an inch thick and can be installed over both standard and fire-rated J-boxes. Philips also has a thin LED lighting fixture available for residential applications.

Choosing the Best Floors For Your Home

Flooring is one of the most important choices you have to make when building your home. It not only impacts the look of a room it also serves a very functional purpose. Our feet come in contact with the floor every day, so the texture of it is relatively significant.

It is because of the above, so many people have a tough time choosing the flooring for their home. The suggestions below can help you narrow the selection.

Top Three Things to Consider When Choosing Flooring

Durability

Because we walk across the floors every day, strength should be factored into the decision. This is particularly important in high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, and hallways where floors suffer more wear and tear.

Flooring durability is a matter of long-term value. Carpet is typically the least expensive regarding initial price, but it has to be replaced quicker than other alternatives. Here is the average lifespan for each type of flooring:

8-10 years for carpet

10-20 years for vinyl

15-25 years for laminate

30-40 years for linoleum

20-100 years for engineered wood

25-100 years for real hardwood

50+ years for tile

100+ years for stone

Some types of flooring boost a home's value because of their durability, so even though flooring like hardwood can cost more, it can also be a good investment in the long-run.

Care

Some kinds of flooring need more attention than others. An obvious example is tile floors versus wood floors. Both are hard-surface flooring, but wood will require refinishing and resealing every 8-12 years and tile will not.

All flooring needs to be routinely cleaned, but how you go about it depends on the material. For example, carpeting is usually easy to clean, however, cleaning up spills is simpler when you have hard surface flooring.

Look

There are countless flooring choices. Even if you narrow it down to a kind of flooring, there’s an array of finishes and colors to choose from. The flooring should flow with the style and architecture of your new home. For example, in the main living area, bright and open dark wood floors help to ground the space and add warmth. In a smaller room light, colored flooring can make the room feel more spacious. We recommend having the floorplans set to go before starting to pick out floors.

Suggestions for Picking the Best Flooring

Use these additional pointers to narrow down your flooring options.

• Go room by room when making your decisions. It's less of a project that way.

• Determine if you want to use the same flooring in similar rooms, for example, the same wood flooring in the living and dining rooms.

• Think about what the room is primarily used for and who uses it.

• If you switch up your interior decor every so often, consider a neutral palette for your flooring.

• Reflect on how long you intend to reside in the home.

• Consider your lifestyle. An active family will usually need different flooring from a retired couple.

• Have the resale price in the back of your mind if you don’t plan to be in the home for a long time.

We have a full list of all our finishes including flooring here. Discover floor plans that fit your lifestyle here, and set up your free consultation with us today!

How To Choose The Best Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen appliances are the focal points in the kitchen, so you want them to look good, but they also get a lot of use. They are significant purchases, which is why picking the most reliable option is a big decision.

How do you decide between the countless possibilities for each kitchen appliance? Below are a few questions you should ask yourself to clarify what appliances you should purchase.

What’s Your Budget?

First and foremost, you’ll want to create a realistic budget for your kitchen appliances. The prices can vary by a lot from a few hundred dollars to thousands per appliance. Write down a price point for each individual appliance and an overall budget. Next, try to get an estimated idea of the durability of a particular model to define which one offers the best value.

Also, you must consider efficiency. Energy Star appliances do cost a little more up front, but they’re less costly to run, so in the end, they could be cheaper. We offer several different appliance packages depending on how much you want to spend. By default, we provide the best allowance possible for our clients, so they are able to get the latest appliances available on the market. Our partnership with GE allows us to get some pretty significant discounts too!

Do You Cook Frequently?

Appliances aren’t just there for show. They are serious pieces of equipment, and for avid home chefs performance is a top priority. By the same token, if you rarely cook, a six-burner stovetop presumably isn’t necessary.

Evaluate your activities in your current kitchen for a week. What types of food do you prepare on a regular basis? How much storage space in the refrigerator do you use? How often do you load up the dishwasher or wash dishes? Tracking your kitchen activity will give you a better idea of the type of appliances you need to make working in the kitchen more comfortable and more enjoyable for the entire family.

How Much Space Do You Have?

Space is another crucial consideration before selecting kitchen appliances. There are standard sizes for kitchen appliances, but that doesn’t mean basic dimensions are ideal.

The arrangement of the kitchen is also crucial. This can influence how much space you have. Our kitchen design team can work with you to determine what the layout will look like and which appliances will fit best in your home.

Do You Have Electric Or Gas?

This is a big one regarding the range. Our kitchen design team will work with you on where the electrical plugs will be positioned to hook up your kitchen appliances.

What Is The Look You Are Going For In Your Kitchen?

Will your kitchen have an antique look, a modern look, a mid-century modern look? Knowing what style you want your kitchen to evoke will also help narrow down your choices. The appliances are real focal points in the kitchen and should go with the rest of your decor. It’s just one reason why working with our kitchen design team is essential before you select your appliances.

If having the appliances blend in as much as possible is a priority, then you may want to consider panel-ready dishwashers and refrigerators. They cost a bit more, but the fronts can be customized to look exactly like the rest of the cabinetry from the outside.

Find the kitchen style of your dreams with Porteus & Son! We have an excellent kitchen design team that can walk you through every step from appliances to countertops and more. Sign up to get your free consultation today.

Buying A House In 2019: What You Need To Know

Do you intend to build a house in 2019? The real estate industry is constantly changing each year, and home buyers should be prepared for this upcoming year. Here is some information we’ve compiled to get you started!

One of the most critical things you can do, particularly if you’re a first-time buyer, is to get to know the market where you intend to buy. Reviewing monthly reports and speaking with a local real estate agent can assist you in becoming familiar with what’s occurring before you buy.

Property Trends to Anticipate in 2019

This past August, Freddie Mac put out a real estate market outlook that was…complicated. The economy and employment are healthy, which is good for real estate. However, there are indications that things are calming down in some areas. There should be expansion in 2019, but it will be more conservative than the years before.

Markets Will Be More Even and Consumer Beneficial

For many years now, numerous cities have been in a seller’s market. There has been limited construction, looser lending, and buyers wanted to benefit from low interest rates. Supply and demand tipped in favor of sellers. However, many real estate experts believe that in 2019 things will begin to even out a bit and may lean towards being a buyer’s market in some areas.

New Construction Starts Will Help With Supply

By mid-2018 new home sales were up 7.4%. That’s in part due to the increase in new home starts. At the end of June this year, new housing starts were up 7.8% year-over-year. Analysts predict that new home starts will increase by 8% in 2019 as well. Buyers considering a new home should have more choices than last year.

Interest Rates Will Probably Be Slightly Raised

You may have learned the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates. The U.S. weekly average mortgage rate increased from 3.99 percent in the first week of January to as high as 4.66 percent in May. Things have steadied, but prices are expected to creep up to 5.1% by the end of 2019. This trend will urge many people to purchase a home in 2019 while rates are still low. The NerdWallet 2018 Home Buyer Report found that 82% of millennials plan to make home buying a priority partially because of the rise in interest rates.

Home Values Will Appreciate Slowly

Although things seem a bit more promising for buyers for the next few years, home prices are still appreciating, and this is inspiring people to buy a home. The logic is it’s better to buy sooner rather than later to keep the cost of homeownership as low as possible.

The Home Buying Institute stated that prices rose by 8.1% from July 2017 to July 2018, and early predictions are that appreciation will slow to 6.5% from July 2018 to July 2019 nationwide.

Faster Closing Times

Data from Ellie Mae shows that from February 2017 to February 2018 the time to close has gotten four days shorter. The amount of time it takes to close is essential when you’re planning a move or have to sell another home before you can buy a new house.

Building a new home in 2019 is more comfortable with the right builder. Make the first move – contact us today for your free consultation.

The Four Very Emotional Stages of Homebuilding

Home building is quite an experience. It’s so intense it can bring couples closer or cause disagreements if communication isn’t where it must be. Even single homeowners go through the various stages throughout the building process.

Feeling the full spectrum of emotions is normal. Each step of the build process can bring on a different sentiment that wasn’t there before. Here’s a glimpse at what you can anticipate and techniques you can use to stay positive.

1. A Blend of Excitement and Fear

When you decide to build a home, you’ll probably feel a mixture of excitement and fear. You’re about to begin a fantastic adventure to design a home that is entirely yours. The possibilities can generate much enthusiasm, but all of the work ahead can create stress too.

We try to help lessen the stress by giving our clients ample time in the planning phase to make all of the necessary decisions. We know our clients feel more confident moving forward if there isn't any rushing.

2. Difficulty Making Decisions

No matter how much time you take, there are going to be times of indecisiveness – especially when it's time to sign the contract. The number of decisions to be made and the countless choices can feel overwhelming. Sometimes a decision must be made quickly, which might make you doubt if you made the right call.

It’s all about trusting yourself and your builder. If you’re uncertain about anything, ask your builder for input. The last thing you want to do is choose without entirely understanding how it affects the budget, function or feel of your home. One thing you must keep in mind for your home build budget is upgrades. When you tour a model home there may be many upgrades inside and out you might love. Ask which features are upgrades so you can decide if it’s worth adding onto your plan. We can add the estimates for each upgrade so you can understand the price difference inside of the client portal we set up for each of our clients.

3. Disappointment

It happens to everyone at some point in the process. Things don’t go exactly to plan or are delayed, and feelings of frustration bubble to the surface.

Homebuilding is an intricate process that involves a lot of people, variables and unexpected events. If the builder doesn’t set rational expectations at the beginning, it can make the disappointment worse. When things out of your control, like Mother Nature, get in the way of development it’s also frustrating.

Homebuilding takes an incredible amount of patience. Remember, no build goes perfectly. You’re bound to reach snags, but don’t be discouraged. We set up a portal for all of our clients so they can communicate with us openly on each aspect of the building process of their home to help alleviate any stress they may be feeling.

4. Elation

On the day you move into your new home the feeling of euphoria is unmistakable. After months or even years of planning this day, it’s finally arrived, and the hard work is behind you. As you walk through the rooms that you helped design, you’ll probably feel a sense of overwhelming pride. You finished something that few people ever will!

There’s still much work ahead – unpacking boxes, hanging curtains, arranging your furniture, and a myriad of other details. However, you’ve got lots of time to become established, so savor the moment you move into your new home.

Five Simple Thanksgiving Decor Ideas

Thanksgiving can be a stressful time of year. All the menu planning and all the head-counting can leave very little time for decorating. Here are a few of quick and simple ideas to ease the pain of decorating:

1. Fall Foliage Place Cards

Assign someone with great handwriting to help.

2. Make a Thankful Tree

Here is how to do it.

3. Spice Up Some Plain Candle Holders

Get the instructions here.

4. A Big Ole’ Pile Of Seasonal Pickings

You don’t have to be an expert in decor for this holiday! Using whatever is plentiful around you to decorate your table and unused surfaces is a simple but effective way to fill your home with thankfulness.

5. Utilize Those Brown Paper Shopping Bags

marthastewart.com

Keep the kids entertained, and your tablecloth a little bit cleaner with some simple brown paper shopping bag placemats. Set out a cup of crayons and voila, you’ve got some cheap, not bad looking, and effective distractions for the little ones.

What Makes New Home Construction So Great

Locating a suitable home with every essential can be nearly impossible, which is why new home construction has become a top choice for many homebuyers. It may take longer than purchasing a resale home, but in the end, it’s worth the wait. Read on to discover why people who own a new home say it’s the best decision they made as a buyer.

It's All Yours

The primary purpose most homeowners move is housing-related. At this very moment, there are may be a dozen things you want to change about your current house. For countless homebuyers, the house they were in didn’t meet their needs adequately.

Buying an existing home can get you closer to the perfect house, but there may still be some trade-offs that have to be made. If you’re searching for something particular, you should consider new home construction.

We offer adaptable plans that can be customized in many ways to meet your exact needs. We can work with you to add rooms, a perfect patio, or hone in on the kitchen to create the perfect layout for creating culinary masterpieces. We also have realized that families age, and sometimes parents living on their own are no longer practical, so we have suite additions available on some of our select models to make bringing your parent home to live with you more convenient.

You Have Control Over the Result

When you get to make decisions about the layout, interior design, and materials you inherently have more control over the building process.

There aren't many people that get to say they helped plan their own home. It’s a lot of work, but it comes with a sense of achievement. There’s nothing better than getting to see your ideas and dreams come to life from the foundation up.

Design a beautiful new home with Porteus & Son Builders! Through our lots page, you can discover neighborhoods that are perfect for you, and on our homes page, you can find models that can be modified to meet your every need.

The Home Matches Your Style Flawlessly

It’s hopeless searching for a resale home that has all of the features you need and is built the way you would build it. When you build a new home, you don’t have to fret about whether it will fit your style because you get to choose the finishes. From the flooring to the faucets you’ll work with us to design a home that captures you.

Energy Efficiency From the Ground Up

Homeowners are paying thousands to make their homes more energy efficient. Building with us means you will get an extremely energy efficient home. From day one, you’ll get to live in a greener home that will save you a lot of money on your energy bills.

Our homes garner top energy ratings. We build only with foam insulation, install Energy Star appliances whenever we can and more.

Less Maintenance

When you buy a new home, there’s almost always less maintenance compared to a resale. However, building a new home gives you the ability to minimize the maintenance even more. The materials we use help reduce maintenance needs in the short-term and long-term.

More Privacy

There are a lot of ways you can make your home more private. It starts with the lot you choose to build on and how you position the home on it. You can also strategically arrange the windows and landscaping for optimal privacy. We also offer fences and other architectural features as upgrades to make your home into your secluded sanctuary.

How To Get Started Building A House With Us

You’ve dreamt of what your new home will be like, looked at house plans on the internet and perhaps went driving through neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle. Now the personalization and building begin!

Experience Streamlined Home Building With Porteus & Son Builders

Building a home is both thrilling and terrifying, chiefly if you’ve never done it before. It’s a huge project with many moving parts that can be hard to keep in order. If only there were a way to keep everything organized and on track.

Luckily, Porteus & Son Builders has integrated Buildertrend into our organization, which keeps everything organized and on track for you to see. You can view everything we do through the entire build process with our daily updates posted in your client portal, and can get in touch with us about a particular piece of the project with a few taps or clicks. We offer support and client services to keep your project moving on schedule and budget.

We've been building homes for many years, so we know where delays can occur and how to avoid them. You get access to that knowledge through Buildertrend to reduce the workload, improve communication and get a better understanding of what to expect every step of the way.

Connecting With Us

Choosing a builder is probably the most critical decision you’ll make in the home building process. You can trust we're honest professionals who can help you realize the dream of building a home for you, with everything you need.

The Porteus & Son team works with each of our clients to make our client services available to our new homebuyers.

Here’s how our process works:

• Once you’ve decided on Porteus & Son to be your builder, you submit the form on our website, email us, or call us to set up an appointment.

• You’ll talk with our Project Manager who is thoroughly acquainted with the building process, and you share with them your ideas and budget. They’ll provide all the information you need to move the home building project forward.

• Next, you’ll select your home site after viewing the available options as well as the design you would like to work on with our architect.

• After everything is finalized, you’ll sign your contract for the purchase of your new home.

• Now that the agreement has been approved, you make all of your design selections in your client portal and finalize the plans with our expert architect. All of the documents will have been uploaded into your client portal, and you will be able to see the progress through the daily updates we post on the portal!

• The exciting process of your vision becoming a reality begins! You’re still months away from moving in, but you’re on your way to building the home of your dreams.

Porteus & Son Builders is genuinely on the cutting edge of the new home construction process with next-generation technology and services that empower homebuyers. A personalized home built for you, by you with our help in your ideal neighborhood – that's the Porteus & Son experience!

What is a Specification Sheet?

Building a new home is a big project, and being an informed home buyer is essential. As you can imagine, a sizable amount of documentation occurs before the foundation is dug.

You may be accustomed to floor plans and blueprints, but what about a specification sheet? While the designs note a new home’s form, dimensions, and general appearance, the builder’s specification sheet details the materials used to build your home.

Why The Spec Sheet Matters

The specification sheet lists the materials used, giving all involved a better idea of how the finished home will look. That’s why the specification sheet is so crucial.

In general, the more detailed the specification sheet is, the better. Some commonly included in specification sheets are the materials to be used and the installation requirements for specific materials.

Another reason the specification sheet is essential is it helps resolve disagreements if the quality of the materials or work is controversial. The specification sheet acts as a safeguard that holds the contractors accountable and ensures things are done right. If items are not done to the specifications, you’re in an excellent position to get them fixed free of charge.

Tips for Reviewing a Specification Sheet

As the home buyer, you should review the specification sheet before signing off. Here are some tips on how to read through it so you know what to expect.

Compare the Spec Sheet to the Blueprints.

The spec sheet and the blueprints may contain some of the same information, but they shouldn’t contradict one another.

Look for a Spec Sheet That Lists by Trade.

The specification sheet is generally segmented by trade on a project like a new home build. For example, there will be a separate list of specifications for concrete and stonework, painting, flooring, and roofing. For this reason, certain sections of the spec sheet will be more specific than others based on complexity.

Make Sure Your Minimum Standards Are Included.

The architect or builder should note that the work and materials meet minimum standards based on specific laws, such as UL standards for fire resistance.

Establish What The “Builder-Grade” Options Are.

Builder-grade indicates materials that come standard with your home purchase. Based on your budget, these features can remain as-is, or you can select upgrade options. Whenever possible, the brand and model number should be noted so it’s clear what are the basic materials and upgrades.

If You Have Questions, Ask!

Any time you aren’t 100% sure what’s noted, ask for an explanation.

Reading through specification sheets online can help you become a more knowledgeable buyer and familiarize yourself with the documentation before your specification sheet is drafted. It will also give you an idea of how involved a spec sheet should be. Get started here! Our representative will help you find the right home for your needs and lifestyle at no cost.

Purchasing A Home: Tips For Making A Decision

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions humans can make. Deciding whether to purchase a pre-existing home or to build a new one is part of this decision. We think building a new home is the best choice, but don’t take our word for it, we’re just home builders! We’ve outlined some things we think are basic to get you started on making your decision:

Five Interior Design Trends For Fall

This fall, there are a few new distinctive design trends that have become popular pins, and are being featured in magazines across the world. Here are some of the best ones and how to incorporate them into your new home!

1. Rich Colors

Photo by KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock / Getty Images

According to Pinterest, there has been a 45% increase in searches for mustard in the interior design section in recent weeks. According to Houzz, more people are using rich, dark colors as a focal point in their designs. As you can see above, we recommend incorporating it as an accent in the form of a chair, an accent wall in a room, or perhaps an accent tile in a bathroom.

2. Antibacterial Elements

Imagine a countertop that will disinfect itself, or a light that will disinfect your shower or your countertops! There’s no need to imagine anymore. This pas year, two companies have introduced two revolutionary products that have raised eyebrows throughout the global design community.

The first is the new K-Life technology incorporated into Porcelanosa’s Krion solid surface. Not only is this surface antibacterial, but also eliminates chemicals that come into contact with it, as well as purifies the surrounding air. 

How does it accomplish this? Through a process called photocatalysis, which uses a semiconductor in the surface to enhance a reaction to light, killing bacteria and breaking up pollutants.

The next is Evolution Lighting. They recently introduced their Ellumi LED bacteria-killing light for under-cabinet lighting and as a shower-safe recessed retrofit. Evolution’s lights use LEDs instead of UV or chemicals, and the company claims they can combat mold, fungi, and bacteria on any surface.

3. Mosaic Tiling

We have seen a huge turn toward mosaic tiling as a trend this year, ranging from the uber modern and geometric to classic and Scandinavian as you see above. From backsplashes to bathroom walls, mosaic tiling is all the rage. There are so many options that can be incorporated into your kitchen and bathroom design.

4. Millwork Walls and Detailing

All hail Chip and Joanna Gaines and their famous support of all things shiplap. In addition to shiplap, we are seeing a trend toward all kinds of millwork walls and detailing in all rooms of the house.

5. Matte Black Everything

The new GE Cafe Edition Refrigerator, one of our standard finishes.

Matte black finishes seem to be a very integral part of current interior design, and are quickly replacing the stainless steel appliances in popularity. Above is one of our standard finishes, the newest GE Cafe edition refrigerator, which in addition to being super stylish is also hooked up to Amazon Alexa, and can dispense hot water as well as ice water and ice! Check out the specs here.

We love posting about the newest trends in home building and interior design, and look forward to putting up all the newest innovations in technology! As always, we are available anytime, Monday through Friday for a free consultation to get you started on making your dream home a reality!

Why Is Technology Important In Home Building?

I will be the first to admit that I am a gigantic nerd. Technology has always fascinated me, and I’ve always been eager to incorporate it however I can in my daily life. I have ever had the latest iPhone, the newest laptop, tried out a wireless SD card for my camera, and the list goes on and on. The one thing I had not done was to incorporate technology into my work as project manager for Porteus & Son.

When Porteus & Son Builders started back in 2013, project management software for construction was not where it is now. Spreadsheets, Word Docs, and the occasional PowerPoint were the tools project managers used to track all of the expenses. As I’m typing this I’m remembering a change order I have to put into one of our client’s accounts. This past year, I came on full-time as project manager and marketer for Porteus & Son Builders, and when I did, I immediately began researching project management software that could help us with managing all of our clients, our leads, etc.

This is where I found Buildertrend. As a project manager, my goal is to keep everyone on task, so the entire project goes as planned. Keeping track of all the details for a project is difficult, and time-consuming. Buildertrend has made this a lot simpler. Now, when we get a new client, all of the details of the project from the plans to the client selections are in one place. Also, for example, we can update the client with our progress each day and report any weather conditions that may have negatively impacted the development of the project. It has made everything much, much more comfortable.

So, to make my point, Fortune Magazine recently published an article talking about just how massive the incorporation of technology is into the construction industry, and how much it has changed and will change the industry. It cites the need for technology in the industry because of the profound amount of material waste that is generated through construction.

So, if you are looking to build a new home, be conscious of how the building company you choose manages their projects. Do they use software? Do you have a place you can go to see your project’s progress, the payments you’ve made, and the selections you’ve made? If not, I would seriously question whether this company is right for you.