Home Remodeling Archives - Riverside Construction

How To Choose the Best Materials for your Four-Season Sunroom

February 28, 2023/0 Comments/in Home Remodeling/by Riverside Construction

You’ve decided to build a beautiful four-season sunroom for your Lafayette home. It’s a wonderful choice! You’ll get to enjoy the benefits of more natural daylight and pleasant outdoor views, even during cold or inclement weather. But before your design and build project begins, it’s important to choose the right materials that will work best for this unique type of space.

This article explores the best flooring, window, and heating options for your dream all-year-round sunroom so it remains bright, cozy, and energy-efficient long into the future.

Flooring Options for Your Four-Season Sunroom

With many flooring options available, knowing which material to choose can be tricky. Several factors might influence your selection, and these include your overall sunroom design, lifestyle, location, and any accessibility requirements you may have.

Here are some popular sunroom flooring options:

Ceramic, Porcelain, and Stone Tile: Tile flooring is a great option for a sunroom as it is moisture-resistant and easy to clean. Stone tiles are durable and provide a natural look, while ceramic and porcelain tiles offer a wide range of styles and colors from which to choose.

Carpet: Carpet is a good choice for a sunroom if you want a soft and comfortable surface to walk on. However, choose a high-quality carpet that can withstand sunlight and moisture.

Concrete: Concrete is a durable and low-maintenance option for a sunroom. It can be stained or painted to match the overall interior decor. It sounds a bit cold, but it can look amazing.

Laminate: Laminate flooring is a budget-friendly option that is easy to install and maintain. It can look nice, but unfortunately, it can also expand or contract with temperature and air humidity changes.

Luxury Vinyl: Luxury vinyl flooring – sometimes known as Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) – is highly durable, waterproof, easy to clean, and available in a variety of styles and colors. One long-term drawback is that it can fade slightly in direct sunlight, but this takes a while.

Solid Hardwood: Made from wood such as oak, maple, or cherry, solid hardwood flooring is an excellent choice for floors elsewhere in the home but not for your sunroom. It’s vulnerable to moisture and temperature changes like with laminate which can cause it to warp or shrink over time.

Engineered Hardwood: Engineered hardwood flooring is a better option for a sunroom as it is more resistant to moisture and temperature changes. It’s also easy to install and maintain and looks great.

Choosing the Right Windows for Your Four-Season Sunroom

Choosing the right windows for your seasonal sunroom is crucial for maximizing the room’s use and comfort. The right windows will provide optimal insulation, protection from the elements, and an unobstructed view of the outside, creating a cozy and inviting space for multi-seasonal use.

Here are some important things to consider:

Sunroom window types

Several different window types are suitable for sunrooms. These include:

Casement and Awning Windows: Casement windows have a crank handle that opens the window to the left or right, while awning windows are hinged at the top and open upward. Both windows open outward, providing excellent ventilation and natural light.

Double-Hung Windows: Another popular choice for four-season sunrooms are double-hung windows which are simple to operate and provide a traditional look. They feature two sashes that can be opened from the top or bottom, allowing for good ventilation and easy cleaning.

Sliding Windows: As the name suggests, sliding windows slide left or right. They come in various styles and sizes, including floor-to-ceiling formats. Sliding windows are an excellent option for sunrooms facing a deck or patio, providing an unobstructed view and easy outdoor access.

Picture or Bay Windows: Both these types of windows are ideal for sunrooms. Picture windows consist of one large pane of glass that almost looks like it’s not even there (if kept clean). They provide excellent views and natural light. Bay windows are popular as they project out from the wall and create a cozy window seat or an area for plants.

Fixed Windows: A fixed window is unopenable but provides several benefits to an interior space, including a sunroom. They welcome natural light without compromising insulation or airtightness and act in a supporting role to the above window styles.

Sunroom Glass Types

Now let’s have a look at the two most efficient window glass types:

Double-glazed windows have two panes of glass with a gap between them, often filled with air or an insulating gas such as argon. This design provides improved insulation, making them a better option for sunrooms than single-glazed windows. As a result, they are more energy-efficient, reducing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

Triple-glazed windows take insulation to the next level, with three panes of glass and two air spaces. This results in even better insulation and soundproofing, making them the most energy-efficient option for sunrooms. As you might expect, they are also the most expensive option.

Window Frame Materials

And finally, the window frames:

Wooden window frames are a traditional choice for sunrooms and provide a classic, warm appearance. They are often made from solid wood or engineered wood and can be stained or painted to match the aesthetic of the interior.

However, wooden frames require regular maintenance, such as sanding, staining, and painting, to keep them looking good and functioning well. They are also more susceptible to warping and swelling and can be less energy-efficient when compared to other frame materials.

Fiberglass frames offer a combination of durability, energy efficiency, and a modern look. They are made from a composite material that’s resistant to moisture, rot, and insect damage, and they won’t warp or swell like wooden frames.

Another benefit is their high thermal resistance, which, as we’ve seen before, helps to keep your sunroom cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Fiberglass frames are available in various colors and finishes to match the interior style.

Vinyl frames are also popular for sunrooms due to their low maintenance, durability, and energy efficiency. They are made from PVC, a robust and weather-resistant material that doesn’t require painting or staining.

They also have excellent thermal resistance qualities, which help to keep your sunroom comfortable through every season. Vinyl frames are available in a range of colors and can often be more affordable than other frame materials.

Best Ways to Heat Your Sunroom in the Colder Months

Heating your four-season sunroom during the colder months here in Indiana is vital for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment and extending its use throughout the year. Yet you want to avoid paying higher energy bills due to heat loss and inefficient heating systems.

Here are some key considerations to bear in mind:

Insulate the Walls and Ceiling

One of the most critical steps in heating a sunroom is ensuring it’s well insulated. Insulating the walls and ceiling prevents heat from escaping during colder months. You can achieve this by adding fiberglass, spray foam, or blown-in insulation.

Baseboard Heaters

Baseboard heaters are heating systems that provide warmth to a room by heating a metal element within the modular unit and then circulating hot air through the sunroom. Such heaters are easy to install along baseboards and generally operate in complete silence. There are a few different types to consider, including electric, hydronic, and fluid-based systems.

Add Weather Stripping Around Windows

Another effective way to maintain heat in a sunroom is by adding weather stripping around windows. This prevents drafts and keeps the heat inside the room. By reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of the sunroom, you’ll save energy and increase the efficiency of your heating system.

Install a Separate HVAC System

For larger sunrooms, installing a separate HVAC system may be necessary. This allows for individual climate control in the sunroom and will provide more consistent heating and energy efficiency.

That said, it might well be possible to tie into an existing home-wide system or to install what’s known as a mini split option which can be a great solution for sunrooms and older properties. This is type of air conditioning system that allows for independent temperature control in different rooms via a connection with a separate outdoor unit.

Add a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans can also be useful in heating a sunroom. By circulating the air in the room, a ceiling fan can help distribute heat more evenly and reduce the need for additional heating.

Your trusted remodeling team will advise you on the best options for heating your particular sunroom in the fall and winter.

Work with a Design Build Firm Like Riverside to Create Your Perfect Four-Season Sunroom

Riverside Construction, founded in 2008, is the go-to professional design-build team that has earned the respect and confidence of discerning homeowners in the Lafayette and West Lafayette areas.

With an award-winning team of highly skilled and experienced professionals in a range of fields, we excel at listening to client ideas and then translating those dreams into reality. We can help you decide on a direction, provide guidance on remodeling issues, and be with you every step of the way to ensure your dream home is achieved.

Contact us now to schedule an initial conversation about your upcoming remodel. We’ll happily answer your questions, listen to your ideas, soothe your worries, and work with you to finalize your plans.

How to Pay For Your Lafayette or West Lafayette Home Remodel

February 2, 2023/0 Comments/in blog, Home Remodeling/by Riverside Construction

Whether it’s a kitchen enhancement or a complete home refurbishment, one of the biggest questions you’ll face before a new remodeling project is how to finance it. A home remodel is a significant undertaking, so it’s important to consider all the various costs and financial implications ahead of time.

There are several different ways to pay for your home improvement project. Which method you choose largely depends on your current financial status and the goals you want to achieve. This article looks at some of the main options available to you as a homeowner in Lafayette or West Lafayette.

Save Your Money and Pay with Cash

The most straightforward way to finance your home remodel is to pay using cash you have saved. Paying in cash ensures you can actually afford the improvements you’re making while at the same time avoiding getting into debt.

This method of financing might need some patience, depending on your cash reserves. With the average home remodel costing just under $47,000, paying in cash might require you to wait for a while or prioritize certain rooms.

It’s also possible to pair savings with other financing options so you can increase your remodeling budget without taking on too big a loan.

Traditional Home Improvement Loan

Home improvement loans have a fixed interest rate based mainly on your credit score. These loans are unsecured and don’t use your home as collateral.

Offered by banks, credit unions, and several online lenders, home improvement loans can be accessed quickly once terms have been agreed upon. Compared to other types of loans (mentioned later in this article), traditional home remodeling loans have shorter repayment timelines (maximum 12 years) and lower loan amounts (typically up to $100,000).

As such, these loans are best suited to small or midsize projects, such as a kitchen remodel or flooring replacement. It’s also important to note that they come with higher interest rates when compared to other loan types.

Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan is a fixed-term loan granted to a homeowner based on the equity in their home. Often referred to as second mortgages, home equity loans arrive as a lump sum which is then immediately paid back in fixed monthly payments.

Unlike traditional home improvement loans, home equity loans are secured, meaning your property is used as collateral for the loan. They also come with higher borrowing limits and repayment periods, making them ideal for medium to large remodeling projects.

A significant benefit of such loans is the fixed interest rates, meaning you’ll always pay the same monthly payment regardless of market fluctuations. They are also tax deductible if used solely for home improvement.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is similar to a home equity loan but has some key differences. It, too, comes with a fixed interest rate and is delivered in a chosen lump sum. The HELOC is also secured against the equity of your Lafayette home.

Where the two differ is that the Home Equity Line of Credit has a variable interest rate and a revolving credit, meaning you can take out what you need when you need it, up to your borrowing limit.

HELOCs are ideal for larger projects and have flexible repayment options for up to 30 years. However, variable interest rates mean they can be influenced by market fluctuations. As such, if your credit declines or market interest rates increase, your interest rate will go up.

Cash-Out Refinance

A cash-out refinance is when you turn equity into cash through refinancing your mortgage. In other words, you can replace your old mortgage with a new one and have the difference paid to you in cash. You can then use these extra dollars to finance a home remodel.

This financing strategy means you take out a new and larger loan as compared to your previous mortgage, together with a new interest rate. It’s particularly suitable for homeowners who cannot afford an additional monthly loan payment without refinancing and who might qualify for a better interest rate.

A lender will typically determine the amount of cash you can receive based on your property’s loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and your credit profile. It’s generally not recommended to go this route unless you can secure a lower interest rate than you currently have.

Credit Cards

For smaller home improvement projects, credit cards are a potential financing option. You can even pay interest-free if using a new credit card with an introductory 0% interest rate.

For more significant projects, a credit card becomes more of an expensive option, with APRs ranging from 16% to more than 24%. A large amount of home improvement debt can therefore become very costly indeed and can affect your ability to qualify for other types of loans due to low credit scores.

Credit cards are fast and easy for small improvements but are not advisable for bigger projects if you can use one of the other financing options.

Government Loan

A low-cost option for a home improvement project is a government-backed renovation loan. However, such loans are usually only available to certain people. Qualifiers include income level, age, property type, property location, and whether you have a disability.

Other loans also cover the needs of particular groups, such as military veterans, Native Americans, and rural residents.

Government loans for remodeling are usually there to primarily assist in improving health and safety standards for properties in low-income and rural areas and to add accessibility features for disabled homeowners.

Loans from the government tend to have lower interest rates and better terms than regular loans. However, they only apply to a minority of people and are not intended for ‘luxury’ home improvement.

Work with a Design Build Firm Like Riverside that Offers Unique Financing Options Specifically Geared for a Remodeling Project

Finally, there’s a specialist payment option specifically for homeowners carrying out a home remodel. It’s called a RenoFi and it’s similar to a traditional home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) but with some important differences.

RenoFi Loans allow you to borrow against the after-renovation value, or future value of your home, as opposed to the current value of your home, like with the previously mentioned loans.

The benefit of an appraisal based on the future value of your property means you increase borrowing power by more than 11x while also ensuring that the lowest possible interest rate is secured. And it’s perfect for remodeling projects of any type and scope.

Here at Riverside Construction, we offer RenoFi financing options for our customers. You can read more about these on the following page: Home renovation financing.

Work With a Qualified Design Build Firm like Riverside Construction

Riverside Construction, founded in 2008, is the go-to professional design-build team that has earned the respect and confidence of discerning homeowners in the Lafayette and West Lafayette areas.

Post-Holiday Issues With Your Home That Remodeling Can Fix

January 19, 2023/0 Comments/in Home Remodeling/by Riverside Construction

Home remodeling is an excellent way to correct imperfections in your home and make it fit your changing lifestyle. It’s also common after the holidays to reevaluate the challenges you had with your home (whether accommodating large groups, or housing guests overnight) that could be remedied with some creative remodeling solutions. In this post, we’ll discuss how to improve the functionality of your home and fix those post-holiday issues with remodeling so you can be ready for next year’s festivities.

Questions to Ask About This Year’s Post-Holiday Dilemmas

To help you remember some of the ways your home may have been inadequate for visiting family and friends, ask yourself these questions:

While hosting, how was the foot traffic through all of your home’s living spaces? Did it bottleneck or flow as you hoped?
Did you have enough storage space, and was it located in the most efficient location? How convenient was it for you to get out the entertaining glassware and silver serving set in the kitchen or dining room? Did you have enough closet room for visitors’ coats?
Does your refrigerator door open to a wall? When you have the dishwasher open, can you still walk around it, or can you open your oven door or a nearby cabinet?
Where did your guests congregate? If they gathered in the kitchen, was there enough room? Was there ample seating space?
If you have a basement, did it suit your needs for an extra living space, entertainment area, or a comfortable living arrangement for guests?

Add Storage and Seating Space in your Kitchen

If you’re looking for ways to add storage and seating space in your kitchen, there are a variety of options. One way to increase storage is to update or add cabinetry. You might install ceiling-height cabinets for extra space, add built-in cabinetry in an unused section of your kitchen, or use pull-out shelves (available in a range of options). You could also consider incorporating open shelving into your kitchen design for additional storage without taking up floor space or creating a useful pantry.

For additional counter space and an extra seating area, add an island or peninsula. Even small kitchens can accommodate a dining/seating option. By incorporating these simple ideas into your home remodeling project, you can create a functional and comfortable kitchen environment that meets your needs and expectations now and into the next holiday season.

As another option, this may be the time to think about a complete kitchen renovation, reconfiguring your space completely to give you exactly the storage, seating, and functionality you want and need.

Improve Workflow in the Kitchen

It’s important to have a clean and well-organized kitchen to ensure efficient workflow, so contemplate how you are going to use the kitchen. Are you a gourmet chef? Do you cook as a family? Is entertaining at the top of your priority list?

Here are some ideas to improve workflow:

Accommodate more than one cook by creating several workspaces to use as prep and cooking stations
Add a beverage/coffee bar or designate a lunch-making area to facilitate quick mornings
Install an oversized island to use as a serving and seating area when entertaining
Organize ingredients and utensils with specialized storage near areas where they will be used most often
Create a pet feeding station with built-in, hidden storage
Utilize natural light as much as possible to make kitchen tasks easier and to create a space that is bright, comfortable and inviting

Expand or Add a Bathroom(s)

Adding a bathroom to your home can be the perfect way to make your home more luxurious and functional. However, it isn’t always easy to do, as there are many factors to consider, including the style: do you prefer modern, classic, or transitional?

First, you need to decide on the size of the bathroom(s). For a small bathroom, consider renovating or enlarging the existing one. If you want your bathroom to be spacious and luxurious, consider an add-on bathroom with a bump-out or addition.

Tips for improving your existing bathroom layout can include:

Adding storage on bare walls or with new cabinetry
Downsizing to a smaller vanity to give more floor space
Floating fixtures: a wall-mounted toilet and sink or a floating vanity to open floor space
Separating functions: dedicate a separate toilet area, a shower/bath area, and a sink/prep area to help avoid congestion when preparing for a busy day
Switching out the tub and adding a shower to use 40% less floor space—or add an oversized shower and soaking tub for a more luxurious bathroom
Repositioning the bathroom door to open into the hallway or adjoining room, or changing out the door to a sliding, pocket, or barn door

To expand your bathroom, look at these options:

Stealing space from another room or an adjoining closet
Converting a guest bedroom into a luxury bath and perhaps a walk-in closet
Looking for “hidden” spaces like the unused area under a staircase
Bumping out the wall to add extra floor space—just 2 feet can add 25% more space
Building an addition

Maximize Your Basement

Think about all the ways you want to use your basement. Have you always wanted a home gym? Do the kids need their own playroom? Is a man cave with a built-in bar, entertainment center, and pool table in the plans? Remodeling the basement can enhance your home’s overall appeal by providing additional living space or play area for family members or guests, making it easier to relax and enjoy holidays (and downtime) together.

When remodeling your basement, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean and safe, with plumbing and electrical wiring updated to modern standards, and moisture and water eliminated. You may also want to consider adding soundproofing and insulation to create a comfortable living area.

Lower utility costs with energy-efficient windows and doors, and add built-in shelving, closets, and storage solutions to maximize space. Add unique lighting fixtures to both brighten and enhance the space, and ceiling fans to facilitate ventilation. And don’t forget to include dedicated space for storage. Let your remodeling contractor help design separate areas that can function for specific purposes.

Solve Tight Hallways and Doorways

If your home has hallways or doorways that are too narrow, consider reconfiguring the walls and remodeling to create extra space. Universal Design, with doorways at 31-32 inches as opposed to the standard 28 inches, helps you to accommodate people at all stages of their lives, and those with disabilities. Hallways should have a minimum width of 36 inches.

Move walls slightly to create larger passageways that can function for wheelchair or walker access. Another idea is to invest in sliding doors or barn doors to provide ample room.

Work With a Qualified Design Build Firm

If you’re looking to fix your home in time for the 2023 holiday season, it’s essential to work with a qualified remodeling firm like Riverside Construction. As a design-build firm, we will help you make informed decisions about what type of remodeling will best suit your needs, and provide valuable guidance on how to budget and manage your project.

As an award-winning design-build remodeling firm serving the Lafayette community since 2008, you’ll have the advantage of our expertise at your fingertips as you make important decisions about any type of home remodel, along with our commitment to value and service.

By working with an experienced remodeler, you can ensure that your remodeling project will go off without a hitch, resulting in a home that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing—and one that works beautifully for next year’s visits from family and friends.

Choose Riverside Construction for Home Remodeling in Lafayette or West Lafayette

When you want a remodeling project that’s guaranteed on time and on budget, choose Riverside Construction. Contact us at 765-838-1644 or complete our convenient online form to schedule your free initial consultation.

Need ideas? View our portfolio of beautiful remodels. And sign up for our newsletter.

Building a New Home vs. Remodeling an Existing One: The Pros and Cons

November 28, 2022/0 Comments/in blog, Design/Build Construction, Home Remodeling/by Riverside Construction

Build a new house or remodel an existing property? This is a common dilemma faced by homeowners across the nation who are seeking a change in their living conditions. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy choice because there’s often so much at stake.

The correct course of action depends on your unique circumstances and location. Factors such as your family size, finances, future plans, potential lifestyle changes, and how you feel about your local area all play a big part in your decision.

To help bring you some further clarity, we’ve looked at the pros and cons of both options: building a new home and remodeling an existing one.

Why Are You Considering a Change?

When making such a significant decision, it’s always important to begin with why. Why are you considering a change?

There are numerous reasons why people decide to build from scratch, remodel, or buy a new property. For example, you may need more room for a growing family, a more updated look, or a home with improved energy efficiency and smart technology.

What are your overall goals for the property? You may foresee a change in lifestyle needs for a growing family, or aging-in-place factors are becoming increasingly important. These considerations and more can influence a decision on whether to build afresh elsewhere or renovate your existing property.

Key Questions to Ask

Based on experience, we know some key questions that help Lafayette homeowners move closer to a firmer decision. They include:

Do you like your neighborhood? – If you love where you live and have a network of family and friends nearby, it can be an emotional upheaval for your family to move location.

Do you have home equity? – Home equity can be a smart way to finance a remodel that makes staying in place a preferable option.

What are the financing costs of both options? – Building a new home is usually more expensive than renovating, but a new house can sometimes be more cost-effective in the long term.

What’s the state of the current real estate market? – The real estate market is constantly changing. One year it can be more beneficial to move, and during another year, to stay put.

Do I have time to wait for a new house to be built? – A new house takes anything from five months to two years to build. A remodeling project is undoubtedly faster.

Is my family going to grow? – You can add extensions and remodel old rooms to add extra bedroom space. But sometimes, you just need a bigger place.

These are just some of the key questions to ask yourself when choosing between building a brand new house and remodeling an existing one.

Budget Considerations

What’s your budget? Before deciding one way or another, it’s essential to figure out exactly what you can realistically spend. For example, it’s usually less expensive to remodel an existing property than to purchase a lot (or demolish an existing structure) and build a new house from the ground up.

Define your budget parameters before making a final decision to avoid unpleasant financial surprises.

Pros of Remodeling Your Home

Whether it’s a single room remodel or a complete property renovation, there are many benefits to remodeling your home instead of building anew.

You get to stay in the home you may have lived in for years that contains many happy memories and emotional investment. Remaining in place also reduces the disruption associated with moving to another area, which can be especially important for children and teenagers.

A well-planned remodeling project can increase your desired livable space in ways you might not currently imagine possible. For example, basements can be transformed, bathrooms enlarged, and kitchens opened up, thereby increasing the available space and your home’s resale value.

Skilled design-build remodeling professionals with knowledge of the latest smart home technologies can also help you incorporate environmentally friendly and energy-efficient features into an existing property. You don’t always need to start again to enjoy these benefits.

Similarly, an outdated and seemingly shabby interior can be almost magically transformed with an intelligent remodel, allowing you to stay in your dream home while ushering in a new ambiance and character.

If you live in a historic Lafayette or West Lafayette neighborhood, you can maintain the historical features and charm while combining these with ultra-modern technology and fixtures.

Cons of Remodeling

Remodeling can also come with some disadvantages.

If a bank loan is required, it can be challenging to gain approval, especially if you’ve not lived in your current residence for a long time. However, there are loans available (up to 90% of your home value). Riverside Construction has fabulous connections with funding partners to recommend.

Another factor to consider is that remodeling projects seldom return a 100% return on investment. That said, many types of renovation projects can bring significant value and returns. These projects include kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodels.

Depending on your family and plans, remodeling projects can be highly disruptive, especially if it’s a comprehensive home transformation. It’s not recommended to remain in the property during significant refurbishments.

Pros of Building a New House

Like with staying in place and remodeling, there are also several benefits to building an entirely new house, whether on the same lot or elsewhere.

When you build a new house, you can design the structure to your desired specifications within your budget. You can choose floorplans and layouts that fit your family requirements, lifestyle goals, and interior décor dreams.

You have more freedom to design a home that aligns with your tastes and personality without needing to shoehorn designs into existing structures.

You can also go big when it comes to eco-friendly design options such as sustainable building materials and environmentally efficient energy features. Although you can also add these to a home during a remodel.

Cons of Building a New House

Building a new house from scratch also comes with drawbacks.

As previously covered, building a new house is significantly more expensive than remodeling an existing property.

There’s usually not a lot of leeway concerning the price of quality home building. While there are cheaper building options, these often come with flaws that mean more money needs to be spent in the future.

There are also landscaping costs, which are separate from the cost of the house.

And finally, existing properties are usually closer to metropolitan hubs and desirable locations. By their very nature, new homes tend to be built on the outskirts of existing neighborhoods and districts. As a result, finding a plot of land close to your dream location can sometimes be tricky.

Whether you build a new home or remodel an existing one, it’s essential to work with qualified and experienced professionals who can guide you from start to finish.

Work With a Qualified Design Build Firm like Riverside Construction

Riverside Construction, founded in 2008, is the go-to professional design-build team that has earned the respect and confidence of discerning homeowners in the Lafayette and West Lafayette areas.

Contact us now to schedule an initial conversation about your upcoming remodel. We’ll be happy to answer your questions, listen to your ideas, soothe your worries, and work with you to finalize your plans.

Must Have Kitchen Features Homeowners Request in Tippecanoe County

October 18, 2022/0 Comments/in Home Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling/by Riverside Construction

Planning for a kitchen remodel is exciting but can also feel somewhat overwhelming. There are so many different features and fixtures to consider, from the layout, lighting, and workstations to storage solutions, appliances, and décor. Knowing which key features to add to enhance your food preparation experience can seem like guesswork.

Thankfully, it’s not as difficult as you imagine. The best inspiration comes from what fellow homeowners are installing. To help you gain a better idea of what you can add, we’ve collected together some of the most popular kitchens features Tippecanoe County homeowners are requesting for their new kitchen remodels.

Kitchen Island

A kitchen island is one of the most requested kitchen features in Lafayette and throughout Indiana. This central focal point provides multiple benefits, including extra food prep space, increased storage options, and even an extra work surface on which to browse the internet. It’s also a wonderful feature for entertaining guests.

Kitchen islands come in different sizes and styles, with an endless array of customizable design options, including inbuilt sinks and cookers. Unfortunately, islands are likely to overwhelm smaller kitchens, so these are only really an option for medium and larger interiors. That said, a butcher block cart can work wonders in a galley-style kitchen.

Workstation Sink

Another increasingly popular kitchen feature is the workstation sink. This is no ordinary sink but has instead been described as the “Swiss army knife of sinks”. Designed to allow for simultaneous tasks to be completed in one area, the workstation sink typically features a chopping board, colander, drying rack, and sometimes multiple faucets.

These are different from the standard sink in that they enhance productivity and reduce unnecessary movement from one kitchen area to another. You can find workstation sinks in various configurations, styles, and sizes and with additional features, including cutting boards, strainers, serving trays, drying racks, and integrated food waste disposal systems.

More Prep Space

Many traditional kitchens were designed for one cook with preparation space primarily near the sink. Nowadays, home kitchens are multifunctional environments for multiple cooks, and as such, a lot more prep space is needed.

Some good ways to add extra countertop surface space is by adding a kitchen island or peninsula (essentially an island joined to a wall). They can also double as service stations where you can place food ready to be served to guests in the dining area.

It’s also important to consider whether certain prep surfaces in different kitchen work zones potentially need to vary in height according to usage and comfort.

Specific Storage

A lot of storage is good, but specific storage is even better. Innovative storage solutions are must-have kitchen features that improve functionality, convenience, and the visual appeal of the interior.

Narrow pull-out drawers between larger cabinets or appliances make use of often wasted space. These are perfect for storing jars, canisters, spice racks, and utensils.

Corner storage options turn potentially dead space into usable storage for all types of kitchenware and dried foods. For example, a Lazy Susan allows for easy access by simply pulling out the entire shelving frames.

Instead of stacking baking sheets, platters, cutting boards, and pizza pans, place them in their very own tray storage cupboard above or near a wall oven. Vertical dividers ensure safe storage and easy accessibility.

Create a dedicated garbage and recycling area where you can easily sort between recyclables, compost, and general kitchen waste. Separate bins or containers can fit into one pull-out drawer under or near the sink.

Compartmentalize your kitchen utensils with divided drawer storage. They provide a more finished look to your utensil drawers and help you quickly find what you need.

These are just a few of the many must-have kitchen storage features currently popular with American homeowners.

Walk-in Pantry

If space allows, consider creating a walk-in pantry. These have been around for a while and are now considered a staple of a highly functional modern kitchen. Pantries typically hold groceries, but you can also use them to store countertop appliances, extra kitchenware, service items, cleaning supplies, and even books.

There is an endless array of design choices for walk-in pantries with different shelving and cupboard options. The best pantry is easily accessible with an entrance close to the food prep areas.

Solutions for Uncluttered Counters

There’s something immensely pleasing about gazing upon the decluttered counters of a newly remodeled kitchen. However, to keep your surfaces clear, clean, and looking fabulous, it’s essential to plan ahead and ensure you incorporate organizational systems that help you keep your kitchen clutter-free.

Better in-draw solutions are key for items such as spices, knives, and other utensils. For example, spice racks can hang on the inside of the door while wooden knife blocks or specialist magnetic strips hold even the biggest of knives safely in place.

If you have many small appliances dotted about, you can create an appliance garage. This is a little cupboard space with outlets in the back wall designed specifically for appliances such as microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and more.

Consider also how you can hang things out of the way. Pot racks are functional and decorative, and can be hung from the wall or ceiling.

Flexible Lighting

Multiple sources of light are a vital part of the multifunctional and potentially hazardous space that is the kitchen. It’s important we see what we’re doing when cutting meat, slicing vegetables, stirring boiling pots, and serving food.

Flexible lighting for the kitchen considers all the different functions and uses of a modern kitchen and dining space.

Ambient lighting is the primary light source encompassing the entire interior space and ensures you can perform general tasks and move safely around the room.

Task lighting highlights specific areas, such as the main food prep area and stove.

Accent lighting is decorative and highlights attractive focal points, such as a beautiful chinaware collection in a glass-door cabinet.

Decorative lighting is lighting that is the focal point itself. It’s a statement piece and a conversation starter.

Glass Doors for Upper Cabinets

As already mentioned, glass cabinet doors are an excellent way to show off your beautiful dishware and other attractive kitchenware. But, instead of hiding your best china behind wooden cabinet doors, the glass panels give you plenty of creative opportunities to enhance the overall appeal of your kitchen interior.

There are different types of glass cabinets, including clear glass and seeded glass, as well as a variety of pane designs such as stained glass, mullion fronts, diamond panels, and arched fronts, to name a few.

Smart Appliances

Smart home technology is growing rapidly. To truly future-proof your home and minimize the future costs of living expenses, investing in smart appliances is a good idea. Connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, you can control smart appliances from your favorite device, whether you’re at home or elsewhere.

Connected appliances make home life easier for you and your family. For example, you can remotely start the oven, be ultra-precise with temperature changes, modify dishwasher cycles, turn the heating on from the car, and even check the refrigerator door has been closed.

There are too many exciting smart appliances to list in just one article, but a great place to start is seeking advice from a local remodeling firm like Riverside Construction which can advise you on the best-performing models to consider.

Docking Drawer

Eliminate countertop clutter with a docking drawer, which is a very popular addition. As the name suggests, this is a specially designed drawer with power outlets inside that provides a designated space for all your electronic devices.

It’s the perfect place to store and charge smartphones, laptops, and tablets, as well as house dongles, notepads, pens, and other miscellaneous items.

You can also use the docking drawer when open to power general kitchen appliances such as blenders, toasters, and coffee makers.

Work With a Qualified Design Build Firm like Riverside Construction

With so many fantastic kitchen design options, it’s always important to work with a qualified design-build firm to ensure your new kitchen meets its full potential.

Riverside Construction, founded in 2008, is the go-to professional design-build team that has earned the respect and confidence of discerning homeowners in the Lafayette and West Lafayette areas.

Contact us now to schedule an initial conversation about your upcoming kitchen to remodel. We’ll be happy to answer your questions, listen to your ideas, soothe your worries, and work with you to finalize your plans.

2 Ways to Design and Build a Beautiful Home Office

July 1, 2022/0 Comments/in Home Remodeling, Remodeling Design, Room Additions/by Riverside Construction

Working from home has never been so popular. It had been a growing trend before the Covid-19 pandemic, but when physical distancing became mandatory, many people quickly realized there was no going back to the conventional office routine.

Productivity among employees working from home increased, as did health and happiness levels. People found it easier to focus and stay organized, and there were more opportunities to exercise and engage in outdoor hobbies.

With modern communication and cloud-based technology, the need to commute to an office every weekday is, for many industries, seen as less and less of a requirement. And this in itself changes how we now interact with our homes.

Designing Your Beautiful Home Offices

If you’re settling for a makeshift home workstation, consider the advantages of creating your ideal permanent home office instead.

Whether you’re enjoying a hybrid work model – where you work partly at the office and partly at home – or you’re working from home every day, now’s a great time to design a comfortable and efficient home office for the long term.

Here are two potential ways to go about it.

Ideal Home Office Option #1: Repurpose an Existing Space

Before redesigning an existing space, it’s important to ask a few basic questions about your office’s intended use. How many people will it need to accommodate? Will the workload be heavy or light? Will you need complete silence for concentration? Will you need a lot of natural daylight?

The simplest, quickest, and most affordable beautiful home offices are using what you already have.

Bring a “Dead Space” Back to Life

Throughout our homes, there are spaces we hardly, if ever, use. These “dead spaces” include hallway alcoves, spaces under stairs, empty closets, and various nooks and crannies leading from one room into the next.

Depending on your remodeling budget and your requirements for a work area, you can convert these empty spaces into lovely little home offices. It’s incredible how functional, comfortable, and aesthetically appealing these spaces can be with the right furniture and décor combination.

Change An Area You Already Have

As well as using unused space, you can also transform an area you already use. Examples of this might include a loft space, a basement, a former nursery, or a teen bedroom that’s rarely occupied anymore.

Evolving these spaces into a dream office often requires creativity and flexibility. Renovating above or below all the family commotion, as with a loft or basement, can give you the privacy and quiet needed to get work done.

Create a Partition

You may not have the luxury of a spare room or a functional nook. In this case, you might consider partitioning off a home office area in an existing larger space. For example, attractive room dividers can create a temporary home office environment in a spacious living room or open-plan kitchen.

The dividers can then be folded back at the end of the day or used to hide a computer station.

Create a Hybrid Space

An alternative to separate spaces and partitions is to actively embrace a multi-functional interior. This hybrid approach is where you design a room to be used in two or more ways without necessarily needing to hide anything. In fact, the flexible design becomes a celebrated feature in itself.

You could, for example, incorporate a stylish home office space in your living room, kitchen, or even in the main bedroom, and it would tie in with the rest of the interior design scheme.

Ideal Home Office Option #2: Build an Entirely New Addition

Depending on your needs and budget, now might be the time to take things to a whole new level and create your ideal home office as a stand-alone addition to your home.

The advantages of designing and building from the ground up are many, including having free reign over the layout, style, and functional basics such as workstation comfort, storage, electronics, and even multi-functional use.

Long-term, the most significant benefit could come from your home’s resale value. If current work trends persist, as they likely will, a dedicated home office will be a highly desirable feature for home buyers in the future.

Here are some things to consider:

Choose the Best Spot

The perfect location for a home office addition is where your needs and your home’s existing architecture come together. For example, a home office could be built off a great room in the backyard or as an extension of the kitchen or dining area.

Consider a Multi-Functional Extension

If you decide to add a home office extension, you might want to consider the benefits of an extra floor. The excavation and roofing costs for a two-story extension are similar to those of a single-story.

The additional upper floor can feature a bathroom, a client meeting area, or extra storage and workspace, depending on your work. If more than one family member also works from home, you can even create a second home office above the first.

Build Your Beautiful Home Offices

If you’re committed enough to build a room addition for your home office, then demand nothing less than the desk, chair, and monitor set up just right for your body. Make sure you physically test each component alone and in combination to ensure optimal comfort in terms of position, orientation, storage, and lighting.

Make it Gorgeous and Efficient

Home offices in the post-pandemic world are more than just places to work. With the barrier between our professional and personal lives becoming less distinct, making the space warm, welcoming, and conducive to a healthy body and mind is essential.

Make your new area not only ergonomic and efficient but also comfortable, fun, and engaging. Add art, family photos, plants, gadgets, and other items you enjoy. With video conferencing a likely feature of your workday, also consider how you can show off your personality in the area behind your chair.

Work With a Qualified Design Build Firm like Riverside Construction

Working from home makes more sense now than ever before, as does the opportunity to create your very own ideal home office.

Family owned and operated, Riverside Construction is eager to responsibly and safely work with you to bring your dreams to life. Now’s a great time to remodel. Riverside is pleased to conduct most preparatory work remotely and effectively; we also help protect your family by conducting all work according to strict EPA lead-safe-certification regulations.

Riverside Construction is Lafayette’s first choice in design-build remodeling. Since 2008, we have provided loyal clients personalized and enjoyable remodeling services, delivered on time and on budget. By listening intently to your needs, we provide the region’s best work.

Take a look at our portfolio, and let’s build your perfect home office!

3 Ways to Let the Sun Shine In: Differences Between a Screened-In Porch, Three-Season Room, and a Sunroom

May 24, 2022/0 Comments/in blog, Exterior Remodel, Home improvement, Home Remodeling, Room Additions/by Riverside Construction

Spending time in nature reduces stress, promotes healing, and supports peaceful living. But when uncomfortable temperatures or precipitation prevents you from venturing outdoors, you need a protected space that includes natural elements. What better way than with a seasonal room? Three types of seasonal room additions allow you to enjoy the outdoors without going outside. Depending on your needs and your budget, let’s see which one is right for you.

Things to Consider

If you want a space bathed in natural sunlight and cool breezes but are unsure which option to choose, it helps to explore a couple of questions.

How will you use the space?

Do you want a place for you alone to curl up with a good book or movie? Or, do you enjoy hosting the entire family for an afternoon barbeque? And what kind of creature comforts do you need? Running water, power, or heat? Do you want a space to use only during the warmest parts of the year or year-round? Knowing the answers to these questions will help guide you in your design and budget.

Will you add on or repurpose it?

Perhaps you have an existing deck or patio you’d like to enclose. Alternatively, maybe you want to build an addition to your home. Either way, a professional design-build firm experienced in home additions will ask you targeted questions to gather enough information to make recommendations suitable for your home and proposed use. Then, knowing how you want to use the space, how much room you have to work with, and your budget, they can suggest the right plan of action. Not only that, their expertise includes designing the space to fit your lifestyle and personality, so you feel as comfortable in the new space as you do in the rest of your home.

Three Ways to Let the Sun Shine In

Once you’ve decided on a size and purpose and know whether you’ll add on or cover an existing space, it’s time to determine what your new sunny spot will look like. Typically, sunrooms come in three different styles, each suitable for various reasons. But, again, your design-build team will help you choose the option right for you.

Screened-in porch

A screened-in porch is a porch or patio area enclosed with screening. While giving you a clear view of your backyard and allowing for a gentle breeze, screens keep the bugs outside. While a screened-in porch is limited to fair-weather use, the pros of adding one are numerous. A screened-in enclosure is:

The quickest and easiest addition project to build
Your most affordable option for extending your protected outdoor living space
The perfect space to enjoy warm weather protected by the sun’s rays
A great place to eat al fresco
A protected area to house a hot tub or game table

Depending on the amount of sun and rain exposure, your home’s design, and the square footage, you can furnish a screened-in porch with weather-resistant furniture for dining or relaxing. Additional options include:

Added lighting for evening use
Electronics to increase the use of the space
A gas or electric heater to keep the chill off on cool evenings
A television for game day viewing
A wet bar for entertaining friends

For a seamless result, keep the overall design of your home in mind when creating the new space. Work with a professional to ensure any changes to the existing deck or patio are fully functional and structurally sound.

Three season room

A three-season room provides more use than a screened-in porch because you have solid windows to protect you from the rain. Choose between vinyl screen covers or single-pane or double-pane windows, depending on your location, intended use, and budget. And while impractical to use the whole year, the pros of adding one abound. A three-season room:

Provides more use than a screened-in enclosure
Protects from the rain so you can upscale your furnishings
Offers more options for locating electronic devices
More budget-friendly than a sunroom
Can be insulated

A three-season room makes the perfect playroom for small children or spill-over for company. Fill it with plants and other natural elements, and you’ll barely notice the transition to the outdoors. When designing your three-season room, position it for the best views and sun exposure. Also, work with a design-build team to ensure a seamless design that matches the rest of your home.

Sunroom

The final option for letting more sunshine in your home is the sunroom. Also called a four-season room, a sunroom is an addition that includes an expansive view of the outside. One design option for the sunroom consists of a knee wall that allows for baseboard heaters, electrical outlets, and other utilities with continuous, wrap-around glass in the upper portion.

Or, for a more sophisticated style, a sunroom includes a centrally-located picture window surrounded by other large windows and French doors leading to an outdoor living area. Both options give you maximum visibility to the outside while keeping the room comfortable for four-season use. Sunrooms may hit the high end of the budget as a complex renovation project, but the following benefits make it worth every penny.

Includes all the creature comforts like HVAC, electricity, and plumbing
Fully insulated as any room addition
Unlimited options for furnishings, floor and wall coverings, and other design elements
Provides a transitional space to the outdoors, with access inside and out

A sunroom can be anything you and your family desire. Taking advantage of the sunlight, filling the room with plants creates a natural habitat for your family to relax, play games, or entertain friends. Confidently choose furnishings that reflect your personality and design style because the space is as protected as the rest of your home.

When you partner with a design-build professional with experience in building sunrooms, they help ensure the best location and position of the room for both sun exposure and the most beautiful views possible. They will also be equipped to advise you on the best options for heating and cooling, floor coverings, windows, and more.

Work With a Qualified Design-Build Firm Like Riverside Construction

If you know you want to include more natural elements in your home but need some guidance, Riverside Construction is ready to help. The award-winning team at Riverside Construction has served discerning homeowners in the Lafayette, West Lafayette, and all of Tippecanoe County since 2008.

Riverside’s go-to professional design-build team specializes in seasonal rooms, kitchen and bathroom remodel, room additions, and basement finishes. They excel at listening to your dreams and making them come true. They can help direct and guide you and will walk with you every step of the way to ensure your seasonal room is everything you imagined.

View their extensive portfolio of stunning home additions, then schedule a consultation with an expert design-build professional. In the meantime, subscribe to their monthly “Designed for Life” newsletter. It’s full of current remodeling trends and home addition design inspiration.

10 Common Kitchen Design Issues and How to Fix Them

March 31, 2022/0 Comments/in Home Design, Home Remodeling, Kitchen/by Riverside Construction

Designing a new kitchen before a remodel is an exciting process. So much so that it can be all too easy to skip ahead and miss some important design decisions. From fixtures and fittings to layouts and storage, there are many different kitchen design issues to fix before remodeling work begins.

In this article, we look at the most common design dilemmas to consider when designing your new dream kitchen. With some careful planning, you can enjoy a kitchen space perfect for all the family, which will, in the long term, add significant value to your property.

10 Common Kitchen Design Issues and Solutions

1. Think About the Flow

The key to any successful kitchen design is the flow of the layout. In other words, how people typically move about in space. The traditional flow in 20th Century home kitchens was triangular, where we moved primarily between the sink, range, and fridge. Nowadays, kitchens have expanded in both size and function.

During the design stage, it’s essential to consider how you, your family, and guests will use the kitchen. For example, certain foods and utensils may need to be positioned closer to particular fixtures than others. If you’re a family of enthusiastic bakers, then your kitchen’s layout and flow might be somewhat different than if you’re not.

2. Envision Your Kitchen with More Than One Cook

Related to flow is how many people are involved in food preparation at any one time. If you love to cook or bake together, then your kitchen will need more space so people can move about without injury or obstacles. Consider also whether you often have guests to join you as you cook. Will you need an area for guests or family to be comfortably seated so you can chat and entertain at the same time?

Another design consideration is accessibility for disabled or elderly family members who might join you in food prep. In this case, a second sink placed at a lower level might be a requirement, as will wider access to specific appliances and surfaces.

3. Consider Cabinet Clearance

A common kitchen design mistake is failing to leave enough room to open cabinet doors and drawers. Misplacing cabinets is an easy error to make without careful measuring. For optimal usage and the most fulfilling kitchen experience, it’s crucial to ensure cabinets have plenty of clearance.

Consider how far out a door needs to swing and whether this movement will impact other doors, cabinets, appliances, and fixtures. You don’t want to have to force people to wait before being able to get past you.

4. Maximize Vertical Wall Space

Walls are an often underutilized space, especially in smaller kitchens. And that’s a shame because they offer valuable storage real estate that can improve both the function and the aesthetics of a kitchen interior. You can mix and match cabinets and open shelving to create a beautiful look perfect for your desired kitchen style.

Kitchen walls make excellent showcase spaces as well where you can highlight your unique tastes and personalities. You can present anything from cookbooks, photographs, and decorative art to cookware collections, lamps, dried food canisters, and more, to enhance the aesthetics of your cooking and dining areas.

5. Accommodate Needed Storage

Another mistake many homeowners make when designing a new kitchen is underestimating just how much storage space they’ll need. It’s important to plan ahead in great detail and determine what exactly will be stored in your kitchen and where. Doing so will ensure you have enough space for everything that can be stored away to avoid too much surface clutter.

There are countless easily-accessible storage options for kitchens that allow for the storage of more items in a single space. In addition, the floor space can also be included as a storage feature with the inclusion of a multifunctional trolley, for example.

6. Measure Appliances

You may have your eye on some fantastic new appliances, but will they fit in your dream kitchen? The dimensions of all kitchen appliances need to be carefully measured and considered. For example, you might select a large, deep refrigerator in your kitchen only to find out that it grates on your nerves because it curtails your movement and looks oversized compared to its surroundings.

Choose your appliances in conjunction with your design so you and your professional designer can incorporate them seamlessly into the final design. As well as refrigerators, think about the dimensions of dishwashers, microwaves, food processors, toaster ovens, espresso machines, and any other appliances you need.

7. Room for an Island

Kitchen islands make lovely visual and functional additions to the center of a kitchen. But they don’t suit all kitchens, especially smaller ones. Simply adding an island for the sake of it can lead to circulation difficulties and an aesthetic mismatch. The same applies to placing an island in the wrong location or at the wrong angle.

It’s important to measure out the space where you potentially want an island to go. Consider how the structure might influence how you move about your kitchen and access cupboards and drawers. An excellent alternative to an island is a peninsula, depending on your kitchen shape. A peninsula is very similar to an island, except one end is attached to the wall.

8. Proper Lighting and Lighting Placement

It’s not a lot of fun cooking or baking in a dark environment. As one of the most practical rooms in the home, it’s crucial your kitchen lighting supports your food preparation and cooking activities.

Your food prepping area will require brighter and stronger lighting when compared to the dining space, while more localized lighting can help you quickly identify items in cupboards and drawers. Dimmable ceiling lights will also influence your home’s ambiance.

9. Install Enough Outlets in the Proper Places

It’s easy to forget just how many electrical appliances the typical home kitchen features. During the design stage, think about the appliances you have – or will purchase – and how these will influence your workflow within the kitchen.

For example, consider where you will make coffee, where the toaster will go, and even whether your laptop or tablet will be a regular feature on a particular countertop. If in doubt, it’s better to install too many electrical outlets than too few. There are also several clever ways to hide outlets these days, including in drawers for charging smartphones and other electronic devices.

10. Choose the Right Paint Finish for Your Cabinets

The common dilemma homeowners face when designing a kitchen is whether to choose natural wood or a painted finish for the cabinets. As the cabinet doors collectively take up a large surface area, they make quite a visual impact on the overall design scheme.

There are pros and cons to both choices, but the decision usually comes down to how much you like natural wood features and how messy the surfaces of your kitchen might get, especially if you have children.

Painted surfaces allow for a clean and powerful color feature. On the other hand, natural stained wood finishes allow the beauty of the natural wood grains to show through and tend to hide dirt and grime better than a painted wood surface.

Work With a Qualified Design-Build Firm

With so many kitchen design dilemmas to figure out, it’s always important to work with a qualified design-build firm to ensure your new kitchen meets its full potential.

Riverside Construction, founded in 2008, is the go-to professional design-build team that has earned the respect and confidence of discerning homeowners in the Lafayette and West Lafayette areas.

With an award-winning team of highly skilled and experienced professionals in various fields, we excel at listening to client ideas and then translating those dreams into reality. We can help you decide on a direction, guide you on pandemic-related remodeling issues, and be with you every step of the way to ensure your dream home is achieved.

Contact us now to schedule an initial conversation about your upcoming home remodel. We’ll be happy to answer your questions, listen to your ideas, soothe your worries, and work with you to finalize your plans.

Home Remodeling Guide: How to Choose a Remodeling Contractor that Is Right for You

March 7, 2022/0 Comments/in Design/Build Construction, Home Remodeling/by Riverside Construction

Your home is an intensely personal space. If you’ve made the exciting decision to remodel your house, one of the most important decisions you will make is how to choose a remodeling contractor. You don’t want just anyone working on your home. In fact, you want a highly qualified, trustworthy and conscientious team of professionals who are committed to helping you remodel a living space that fits your functional needs and design style. Taking the time upfront to research and ask the right questions is not only time well spent, but will ensure you select the right remodeling contractor for you.

The Ultimate Checklist for Vetting Potential Remodeling Contractors

#1 Research and Assemble a List of Remodeling Contenders

A simple Google search is an excellent place to start assembling names of local home remodeling contractors in your area. Use words that describe what you’re looking for and your location. For example, search for “home remodeling contractor Lafayette” or “kitchen and bath remodeling West Lafayette”.

Websites like Houzz or online communities like Nextdoor can also be helpful resources to search for local contractors.

A safe and reliable way to assemble remodeling contractors is to reach out to your friends, family, and co-workers for any recommendations they may have. Do you have a neighbor who just had some remodeling done? Ask them about their experience and if they would recommend them. Your local hardware store may also have some good suggestions as well.

#2 Conduct a Thorough Website Review

Once you’ve assembled your preliminary list of home remodeling contractors, review each company’s website. This is an easy way to find critical information that will help shape your decision. You should be able to find answers to important questions like:

Are they bonded and insured?
Do they have a physical office location?
How long have they been in business?
Do they have staff, or only use subcontractors? What is the longevity of their staff?
What special certifications or qualifications does the company have in performing a similar remodeling project as yours?

Qualified home remodeling contractors should also feature a project portfolio or sampling of their work. Take some time to peruse past projects and see what speaks to you. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then look at the finished project photos as an informative way to get a sense of the type of work they do. Moreover, some remodeling firms only specialize in kitchens and baths, for example, and may not remodel other areas of the home, like basements or additions. This should help you rule out some contenders depending on the type of work you want to have done.

Another important distinction is the type of remodeling contractor you want to work with. Are they a full-service design build firm or a general contractor? What’s the difference? The quick answer is that a general contractor works independently from an architect. As a homeowner, you would be responsible for finding an architect first—someone who produces a set of architectural design plans for you. Then, you would hire a general contractor independently to build the remodel from the set of drawings provided by the architect.

On the other hand, a design build company takes care of all the remodeling and design under one roof to make the integration of your project easier. From the very beginning, you work with a personal designer to produce a set of plans that fit your budget, design style, functional needs and time frame. In contrast, you work with one company who handles every detail for you.

Click here for more information on the design build difference or request a consultation form.

#3 Conduct a Phone Interview

Once you’ve narrowed down your list, it’s time to call on the companies directly to fine tune your decision even further. Ask pertinent questions like, “How many projects do you currently have on-going?”, “Do you take on remodeling projects of similar size?” and “Can you provide a list of references?”. This will help you decide with whom to set up an in-person meeting.

For a complete list of questions to ask of a remodeling contractor, read 8 Essential Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Remodeling Contractor.

Checking client references is another crucial step in your selection process. Reputable remodeling firms should be happy to provide you with a list of current and past clients. Taking the time to call a sampling of customers and asking questions like “What was your overall experience working with the remodeling firm?”, “What did they do well?”, “What did they do poorly?”, “Did they keep the job site neat and clean?”, “Did you have cost overages? If so, why?”, and “Was the project completed on time?” will give you tremendous insight on who you want to hire and work on your home. And, if you can visit a current or past job site, even better!

#4 Request an In-Person Consultation

An in-person consultation is a perfect opportunity to meet with the remodeling contractor to get a feel for the company, their process, and the people you will be working with. This face-to-face meeting is also where you’ll discuss the entire scope of work with the contractor. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions!

Once you’ve discussed your renovation goals, an established professional remodeling company will offer to provide a detailed scope of work and price estimate for you to review. If you work with a design build company, you will have the added benefit of exploring concept designs for your project as well (this may include a fee, as it requires a lot of work to put together).

#5 What Does Your Gut Tell You?

Finally, do you feel comfortable and see yourself communicating well with the remodeling firm that you’re considering? Remember, these folks will be in and out of your home for weeks or months. You’ll be interacting with various carpenters, designers and office staff throughout the project and you want to feel that your home and family are in good hands.

Overwhelmed yet? Don’t be! Taking the time to do your homework and due diligence, before you approve your construction agreement, will help guarantee you end up with the ideal living space you dreamed of, with the least amount of headache as possible.

Ready to take the first step towards remodeling your home?

Give us a call today at 765-838-1644 or fill out our Request a Consultation form to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation. We are ready to help you get started and answer any questions you may have about your unique home remodeling project.

Why It’s Important to Create a Healthy Home Lighting Plan for Your Lafayette or West Lafayette Home Remodel

January 28, 2022/0 Comments/in Home Design, Home Remodeling/by Riverside Construction

When designing a home lighting plan, designers will often focus first on the important functional and aesthetic qualities of light. While these are vital considerations, another often neglected factor is how light affects our health. The interchange of bright daytime light and night-time darkness influences the quality of our sleep and, thereby, our physical health and mood.

This interchange is known as the circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock that regulates when to be alert and when it’s time to sleep. So before your next home remodels, consider some of the ways your lighting choices might have an impact on your daily sleep-wake cycle.

The Science Behind the Need for Proper Lighting

Our circadian rhythm is set by the light we see via specialized light sensors within the eye. The rhythm is adjusted according to the light and dark cycle in our environment, both natural and artificial. These circadian cycles influence our sleep but also a lot more. The related physiological processes can affect our metabolism, body temperature, cardiac function, and even our hormones, as well as aging.

While our diet and level of exercise also influence our circadian rhythm, it’s light that has the most significant impact. Without exposure to the natural day-night cycle, our sleep patterns get disrupted, and we begin to feel tired, moody, and susceptible to physical ailments. Unfortunately, our modern technological lifestyles don’t help, especially when it comes to home lighting and screens.

The Benefits of Natural Light

The best way to positively influence our internal body clock is by accessing as much natural light as possible during the day and softening artificial light before sleep. This is because natural daylight regulates our circadian rhythm the most and also brings with it a number of its own direct benefits.

Studies of the workplace have shown natural light in an interior leads to higher productivity. We naturally feel more energized in a room bathed in daylight, which can be particularly beneficial if you work from home, like increasing numbers of people are doing.

Natural light is also beneficial for our eyesight, especially when viewing screens for extended periods. Daylight helps the eye produce dopamine that contributes to healthy eye development in children and young adults.

Plus, perhaps the most well-known benefit of natural light is its mood-enhancing qualities. In daylight, especially when sunny, we tend to feel increased levels of wellbeing. The more we allow natural light into our homes, the better we feel.

Renovations That Add More Natural Light

Increase the size of windows
The most obvious way to add light is to increase the size of your existing windows wherever possible. In older homes, windows tend to be smaller to conserve heat. But these can be enlarged thanks to modern advances in window technology, without any negative repercussions on your energy bills.

Window location
Consider also where you can add windows. Even creating a small window at the side of the house can bring in a sizeable amount of much-needed daylight to a too-dark space.

Skylights
Skylights and sun tubes bring natural light from above, allowing you to increase the daylight in an interior even if you can’t further modify the windows. A sun tube channels natural light via a highly reflective tube and can look light artificial ceiling lighting when you first see them – except they are healthier and cost nothing to run.

Doors
Doors are another feature that you can modify to allow more natural light into a dark hallway or kitchen. Choose a door with a window or with sidelights. Modern windows are highly energy-efficient, and windowed doors come in a wide variety of styles.

What Are the Healthiest Types of In-Home Lighting?

Artificial lighting considerations are every bit as important as those of natural lighting. The two need to work together through the day-night cycle. In the evenings, at night, and during the winter months, we rely on good indoor lighting to safely navigate our homes, prepare food, host guests, take a bath, socialize with our families, work, and relax.

Indoor lighting is essential for our daily functional requirements and emotional wellbeing, with light influencing how we feel within our environment. But it’s all too easy to choose the wrong type of lighting, especially when it comes to the bulb.

The best indoor lighting mimics the light we find in the natural environment – from the sun. Incandescent and halogen light bulbs are the closest thing to sunlight and are a healthy bulb choice. That said, they are losing appeal in the United States because they use too much energy to produce the light they emit. Government restrictions will likely be further tightened in the years to come.

LED lights are increasingly the bulb of choice and for good reason. They are more energy-efficient, longer-lasting, emission-free, durable, and diverse in scope and design. Because of this last reason, it’s essential to choose your LED bulbs carefully. Not all are created equal, especially when it comes to health.

Select LED lights that come close to resembling daylight. Healthy LED bulbs have a warm color temperature of about 2700 kelvins (k) or less and a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 95 or more, indicating color accuracy.

Create a Healthy Home Lighting Plan

Developing a healthy lighting plan for your Lafayette or West Lafayette home is more than simply adding a few suitable bulbs and nice lamps. In order to help the human body and mind transition from day to night, it’s important to consider how lighting needs to change over the hours and the localized tasks for which light is required.

As noted, adding as much daylight as possible during the daytime helps our mood. Adding daylight-like bulbs also brings health benefits when indoor lighting is required. Plus, there are the transition stages, especially in the hours before bed when too many bright lights can reduce our ability to wind down.

A healthy lighting plan developed in conjunction with your trusted remodeling partner can help you determine the best lighting options for different stages of the day and for each room and area.

A good lighting design plan includes consideration of three distinct layers: Ambient, Task, and Accent Lighting.

Ambient lighting is the light cast across the entire room, usually located on our ceilings, in some form or another.
Task lighting, as the name suggests, is a more concentrated beam of light used to illuminate a small surface used for tasks, such as a food preparation surface in a kitchen.
Accent lighting lies somewhere in the middle. It highlights features within a space such as artwork, a cabinet, or even simply a room corner.

The different layers of indoor lighting allow you to modify the amount of light in a room at different times of the day. As bedtime approaches, some lights can be turned off as other forms of lighting gently guide you into a frame of mind conducive to sleep.

And this is what we can help you achieve.

Your Home Remodeling Team in Lafayette, Indiana

Riverside Construction, founded in 2008, is the go-to professional design-build team that has earned the respect and confidence of discerning homeowners in the Lafayette and West Lafayette areas.