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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.

  • The Studs of Construction: Understanding the Lumber in Your Home

    You’ve encountered the studs of construction before: You measure and mark the walls to hang a piece of artwork. The first nail goes in easy-breezy, the second one nearly jars the teeth out of your head as you pound it in. That’s a stud. Homes in Fairfield County and around the country are usually framed…

  • Adding a Sauna to Your Home is Great for Your Health

    An in-home sauna may seem like an unnecessary luxury, but in reality it can provide significant benefits to your health. A sauna’s heat works to sooth your nerve endings, relieve tension, reduce joint pain, and relax your muscles.  Spending time in a sauna also works to calm your body and relieve it of stress which promotes…

  • Create Cleverly Concealed Work Spaces in Your Home

    Have you discovered that you could benefit from additional workspaces in your home? Using creative built-in storage is an excellent way to create unique spaces designed specifically to meet your family’s needs. Contemporary Family Room by New York Architects & Designers Murdock Solon Architects via Houzz   Considering adding a: Homework center: Does your kids’ homework spill out across…

  • How to Tell if a Wall or Column is Load-Bearing

    Many homeowners seek to open up space in their home during a home renovation project by removing a wall. This can connect spaces and completely transform a home’s layout. Before a wall can be removed it must first be determined whether the wall is load-bearing. This can be determined by: Traditional Staircase by Wilton Design-Build Firms Country Club…