COOLhouseplans Blog

(BPT) – Consumers today are more mindful about the environmental impact of everything they do, from driving and traveling to energy usage in their homes. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps homeowners can take to save energy and help the environment.

Boost your insulation

You may already know what areas of your home are poorly insulated, simply by how you feel when it’s cold or hot outside. You can have a professional home energy audit conducted to help pinpoint areas that need improvement. Many energy companies provide an audit free of charge.

Start with the attic: If your attic is insufficiently insulated, you could be losing a lot of heat over the winter, which means your home is wasting energy – and money. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that boosting attic insulation can save 10-50 percent on heating costs.

Continue reading “4 Home Upgrades That Are Good For the Environment”

Tips and technology for a healthier, more livable home

(BPT) – Today’s home builders, designers and innovators are working to create interiors and living experiences that take into account consumer trends toward seeking a more healthful environment, inside and out. This year’s “Whole Home Concept House,” by leading design magazine House Beautiful, places focus on design elements and appliances created to promote health, livability and sustainability, reflecting the increasing desire of American consumers for an approach to interior design that goes well beyond aesthetics.

“At House Beautiful we believe our homes should be a refuge that helps you recharge and unplug from our busy external lives – and that if you design it well, you will live a happier and healthier life,” said House Beautiful’s market director Carisha Swanson. “The Whole Home Concept House is the culmination of our year-long wellness initiative. We’ve built out a real home that embodies and showcases ideas and innovations that feed happiness and drive well-being in every facet of our lives.”

Here are some of the 2019 Whole Home Concept House’s top features that consumers can adopt in their own home designs and renovations to improve livability and enhance their home environment.

Continue reading “Inspiration and Tips From the 2019 ‘Whole Home Concept House’”

(BPT) – As the year comes to an end, many people make resolutions to start the New Year strong. This might mean ramping up your workout routine, increasing your self-care regimen or finding time to de-stress.

The EPA reports we spend 90 percent of our time indoors, but most people feel that spending time in nature has a positive effect on their mental well-being and stress level, according to a recent YouGov study commissioned by VELUX. So, if your goal is to de-stress, here are some healthy behaviors and design tips to help you bring nature’s sanctuary indoors.

Continue reading “6 Ways To Turn Your Home Into a Natural Oasis”

(BPT) – Did you know over half of Americans (59%) feel that engaging in hobbies helps relieve stress? This was one finding in a survey of over 3,000 Americans conducted in 2017 by Kelton Global on behalf of Gladiator, the nation’s leader in customizable garage and household organization solutions.

While work and family obligations may prevent many from pursuing their favorite activities, the survey revealed that another factor acting as a roadblock was having enough space to store equipment or supplies needed for hobbies. Whether you love biking, crafts or other activities, chances are you need easily accessible space to store your gear.

Here’s where your garage comes in. The same survey found that 3 out of 4 Americans prioritize storage as the leading use for their garage – but that 28% of Americans can’t even fit a car in their garage because of the clutter.

What’s the solution? Get motivated to optimize your storage space so you can easily access all the things you love to do. Once you’ve rid yourself of the clutter, you can start clearing out even more floor space for your vehicle, woodworking bench, arts and crafts or drum kit for your garage band.

Here are some smart ways to make the most of your garage.

Continue reading “How To Maximize Your Garage Space”

(BPT) – Whether you are thinking of selling your home next year, or simply looking to update certain elements, investing in your exterior will deliver a return on your investment in both resale value and enjoyment.

From siding and garage door to the landscape and patio, there are many opportunities to refresh the outside of your home for style and function. The top trends of 2020 are all about bringing fresh ideas to tired spaces, updating with the latest product innovations, and ensuring your exterior gets as much love as the interior of your home.

Indoor-outdoor living

With a strong desire to expand living space, homeowners are investing in decks and patios that have a seamless flow from indoor to outdoor. Products such as Royal(R) Building Products’ Zuri(R) Premium Decking offer all the beauty of real hardwood flooring without the maintenance. Zuri’s variety of rich colors allow homeowners to create intricate designs and inlays that add an upscale look that can be completely customized.

Screened porches with floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors are popular as well as porch/deck hybrids that can be designed to feature built-in kitchens, fireplaces and seating. To further personalize the space, homeowners are mixing textures and materials, including metal, wicker and wood, in outdoor furniture and features to create individualized style.

Continue reading “Low Maintenance, High Curb Appeal: Top Exterior Home Trends of 2020”

(BPT) – The leaves have changed, temperatures are dropping and pumpkin spice treats abound, which means winter is coming. Now is the time to winterize your home, which can mean up to a 10% savings on your energy bills, according to Energy Star.

“Winter brings unpredictable weather and dropping temperatures, which can test the limits of your home and reveal weaknesses – like drafts – you didn’t realize were there,” said Cathy McHugh, director brand management at DAP. “Taking a few simple steps now to repair, prepare and protect your home through the harsh winter weather will help save on time, energy bills and costly repairs come spring.”

Help your home fight the cold, without breaking the bank, by tackling these four DIY-friendly preventative projects.

Continue reading “4 DIY-Friendly Projects To Get Your House Ready For Winter”

(BPT) – Winter weather is difficult to predict. Use these tips to help protect your home from the costly damage winter storms can bring.

Take care of your roof

• Keep your gutters clear. This keeps ice from accumulating and backing up under the shingles.
• Trim trees year-round so branches don’t fall on your house.
• Worn-out, missing or damaged siding and roof flashing can let water and ice into your home. Be vigilant and replace them.
• If your chimney is leaning or the mortar has seen better days, get it repaired.

Continue reading “Winter Is Coming: Be Prepared For Costly, Damaging Storms”

(BPT) – After a long summer relaxing on your deck or patio, autumn is a great time to renovate your outdoor space – or build one from scratch. Home improvement expert Alison Victoria, host of HGTV’s “Windy City Rehab,” offers five tips for fabulous fall fix-ups.

Get decked out.

Fall is an ideal time to tackle a deck project, whether it be repairs, board replacement or a completely new build. In addition to offering more pleasant temperatures for working outside, fall and winter are typically slower times for contractors, meaning you won’t have to wait as long to get onto their schedules. Contractors may also be willing to offer off-season discounts on their services or materials, which tend to be cheaper after the spring and summer rush.

“Another big advantage of waiting until the off-season to tackle outdoor projects is contractor focus,” explains Victoria. “Rather than being one of many projects a contractor is juggling, you can be one of the few, which often translates into greater attention to quality and better customer service.”

Continue reading “Five Fall Fix-Ups For Your Outdoor Space”