Irvine Construction Blog
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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…
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…
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 Tips for Choosing a Site for Your New Home Construction
When most people start their home building journey, they often overlook the importance of finding the right piece of land to build on. Selecting the perfect property can be a daunting task. Here are 4 helpful tips to keep in mind. Identify Your Needs Beginning to look for a property can be overwhelming, so one of the first things you can do to help is narrow down your options. You can do this by identifying your needs and focusing on properties that fulfill those. Some questions to ask yourself are: Is there a specific state, county, town, or zip code…
One-Story or Two-Story? 6 Things to Consider
When you’re looking to build a custom home, there are a whole host of decisions that need to be made. Among one of the first – and most important – decisions you have to make is whether to build a one-story home or to go for a two-story house. There are many pros and cons to each choice, and sorting through them all can be frustrating. To help you figure out which option is best for you, here are 6 important things to consider when deciding whether to build a one-story or a two-story home: Cost This is one of…
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