Irvine Construction Blog
Damaged plaster walls?
When to Repair and When to Replace Lath and plaster walls and ceilings were a commonplace construction technique in the United States until the 1950s, when drywall became available. Although plaster has fallen out of favor as the go-to choice for your average contractor, there are still many homes in America that utilize this material, and for good reason. Compared to drywall, plaster provides better sound dampening, insulation, fire protection, and is a more solid, thicker material. Knowing that you love your classic plaster walls, if you encounter cracks or damage, you may ask how to best deal with the…
Best Flooring Types for Historic Renovation Kitchens
Renovating any kitchen can be a major project, but creating the feel of a specific time period brings a whole new collection of challenges. Picking the right floor material can be key to pulling all of the elements of your renovation together. Here are some of the best options available for your historic kitchen renovation. Stone Stone is labor-intensive to install, but can last a long time with proper maintenance. Stone naturally provides a unique look and feel and can be assembled in a near limitless number of patterns. One thing to keep in mind: stone is porous, and it’s…
Stone Foundations – Some Things to Know
Stone foundations were standard fare in houses built before World War I. Today, they’re a source of frequent worry to buyers and owners of old homes. But are they really something to be concerned about? Stone foundations require some extra attention considering that they are the foundation of your home. If an older house suffers from sloping floors and cracked plaster, it’s reasonable to suspect foundation failure as the likely cause. A brief visual inspection will quickly disclose bulging, bowing, shifting or settlement of a stone foundation. If you find any one these conditions, you should call in the services…
How the Housing Market Is Impacting the Remodeling Market
The housing market is notorious for constantly changing. One week it’s looking up for buyers, the next it’s dominated by sellers. This contrasts with the remodeling market, which has been steadily increasing for many years now. Still, these two markets affect each other in many ways. If no one is buying new homes, they are more likely to renovate the homes they already own. And if everyone is preparing to sell, they may want to spruce up their places before they go up for sale. If you’re thinking about changing your housing situation, you may be wondering which is right…
13 Popular Architecture Styles for Homes
One of the first steps in planning and designing your own home is selecting the floor plan and architectural style you want. Because each style of home has its own unique characteristics and floor plans, choosing your style first means many of your other decisions will be dictated by the style you choose. To help you make your decision, here are 13 popular home architectural styles: Cape Cod Though most Cape Cod-style homes in the United States were built after World War II, the style originated in the 1600s. This style is characterized by its two-story layout, with the master…
Hidden Costs to Look Out for When Renovating Your Home
Home renovation projects can be pricey. That’s why it’s so important to create a realistic budget and stick to it. If you’re planning on doing some construction to your home, you’ve probably already considered the price for the designer, contractors, and materials. But there are a few hidden costs that many people forget to consider. These charges can add up, and if you don’t include them in your original estimation, you’ll end up way over budget. Here are 5 hidden costs to look out for when you’re renovating your home: The Land Surveyor A land surveyor is the person trained…
Partial Second Floor Addition
Cramped for space, need to expand, or improving your existing floor plan? One solution would be to add a partial second floor addition. This type of renovation can be done by building over a garage, family room, sun room, or raising the roof, converting an attic and / or adding dormers of several types. Often this method also includes reconfiguring some portion of the existing floor plan to improve the overall use of space and traffic pattern. As we proceed through the design phase of the process, the task is to design the second floor extension to be in harmony…
Helpful Information About Built-In Shelving
Built-in shelving units, also referred to as built-ins, can be major show-stopper for your next home remodel! They offer an element of architectural interest and aesthetic charm, but they serve a greater functional purpose: custom storage space savers. What are Built-Ins? Built-in storage units are fixed architectural elements in a home that serve the same function as standalone, mobile furniture. These elements can either be recessed in the wall or outwardly attached to a wall to save space. They come equipped with multiple shelves, drawers, or doors. Oftentimes, homeowners install built-ins between wall studs, saving external space. Built-ins are almost…
4 Ways Renovating Your Historic Home Can Be Cost-Effective
The decision to renovate your historic home may be a difficult one, especially if you’re looking solely at the price tag. However, while knowing what you can reasonably afford before you sign a contract is important, it shouldn’t be the only consideration when making your final decision. In fact, even if the cost of your renovation seems high, the benefits of your renovation may far outweigh the sticker price. Here are 4 ways that renovating your historic home can be cost-effective: Your Neighborhood Many historic homes are located in neighborhoods full of similarly historic properties, and may even be located…
6 Tips for Building & Renovating With Resale Value in Mind
Undertaking any home building project, whether you’re building new or renovating an existing home, is an expensive venture. While most homeowners make decisions on what to do and not do in their building and renovations based on what they want and need, thinking about the resale value of any design choices is a good idea. Even if you may not be planning to move any time soon, putting a bunch of money into changes that, down the line, are going to hurt your home’s resale value isn’t a sound practice. If you’re planning to build new or renovate an existing…
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