Some Ideas to Consider …

  • Stay Warm and Cozy This Winter with Heated Floors

    Heated floors are such a fabulous addition to any home, especially now that winter is fast approaching. The two most popular methods of installation are electric radiant heat and hydronic heat. Here are some ways to distinguish between these two methods:

    Electric Radiant Heat

    This is a less expensive and easier to install version, in which thin electrical heating cables are interlaced on mesh mats and then pressed between sheets of thinset before the primary flooring material is installed. Porcelain or ceramic tile, stone or concrete are the best conduits; wood (unless engineered flooring) is discouraged. A separate thermostat controls the temperature settings and programmable units are available and often used in bathrooms and kitchens. This type of radiant heat is typically supplemental to another heating system.

    Heated Tile Flooring
    Source: Houzz

    Hydronic Heat

    Hydronic Heat uses a network of closed loop tubing running under the flooring and then back to a water source. Generally, a dedicated boiler or hot water heater, is the basis of a hydronic heating system which pushes water heated to a temperature of 100 to 120 degrees through the tubing. This heavy duty tubing is held in place by a thin layer of concrete and then covered with the flooring material of your choice. Hydronic floor heat is also controlled by a separate thermostat and is considered the most energy efficient of the two choices.  This type of radiant heat is often designed to be the sole source of heat in a home, although it can also be used as a supplement in a master bedroom suite, as an example.

    Warm Up your Dining Room with Heated Floors
    Source: Jean Longpré (via Houzz)

    For more information on the latest trends in flooring and radiant heat systems please contact the professionals at Country Club Homes, Inc. today.

  • When to Put Vaulted Ceilings in Your Home Design

    Vaulted ceilings are a beautiful addition to a home. They help create an airy space that can make a home seem bigger than it actually is. If you’re considering adding a vaulted ceiling to your home renovation project consider the many benefits including: Exposing Rafters A vaulted ceiling provides the opportunity to put your rafters on…

  • Meet Drywall’s New Contender: Foreverboard

    Drywall has been a standard building construction material for years. It is installed easily and provides a consistent surface throughout homes on ceilings and walls. However, drywall may have met its match in Foreverboard, a innovative new building material. This new material is revolutionizing the commercial and residential building industry. It can be used in a…

  • Round It Out: Using Curvilinear Architecture in Your Home Design

    Take a quick look at your home’s architecture. Do you see mostly box-like forms and strong, straight lines? Most homes in our country are dominated by straight line architecture even though rounded lines and curvilinear architecture provide visual interest and create interesting spaces. How can curvilinear architecture be used successfully in your home? Outdoor living spaces When you’re…

  • Keeping a Consistent and Well-Constructed Roof Design in Your Home Addition

    A home addition presents a range of challenges to designers and homeowners, such as: “How can we make the design cohesive while creating a beautiful home exterior?” or “How will the new roof line impact the home’s overall design?” Understanding the issues surrounding the addition’s roof is crucial to making sure the building project is a success. Things…