Design Notes
There’s nothing quite like the warm weather and smell of blooming flowers that come with springtime. While you may have grown used to cozying up indoors during the colder months, now you can start spending more time tending to your garden, playing with your kids in the yard, and kicking back on the patio while enjoying the sun.
But in order to fully enjoy your time outside (and potentially save yourself from having to pay for expensive home repairs in the future), you will need to perform some basic home maintenance. To help you get started, here are some key areas to tackle this spring, brought to you by Greenbrook Design.
Roof
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the harsh winter elements, not to mention it’s a critical part of your home’s structure. Each spring, walk around your home and thoroughly inspect the roof. Leaks and missing/broken shingles are signs that attention is required.
If you wait too long before getting your roof repaired, you risk extensive water damage and/or the need for a full replacement. If you have a leak, you might be able to temporarily patch it until the pros arrive. Take a flashlight to your attic to locate the source of the leak. Then, if you can reach the hole, use roofing tar to cover the hole with plywood or a shingle.
Gutters and Downspouts
Chances are, you have leaves, sticks, and other debris clogging your gutters and downspouts, which can lead to undetected water damage. With a heavy-duty ladder and some gardening gloves, remove any unwelcome materials from your gutters and downspouts to ensure that water will properly drain away from your house.
Lawn Care Equipment
As early as possible, bring out your power lawn equipment to clean it and make sure everything runs smoothly. Also, put fresh motor oil in and sharpen the blades on your mower. If necessary, take your mower, weed trimmer, and any other type of equipment in for repair so that it’s ready to perform well for the next few months.
HVAC System
Any time the seasons change, it’s important to replace the filters in your HVAC system. Not only does this help to keep your home healthy, but it also reduces the strain on your HVAC. And when your HVAC is working harder than it should, it can significantly shorten its life expectancy and result in a much higher utility bill.
Foundation Vents
Similar to your gutters and downspouts, your foundation vents can accumulate a lot of leaves and other debris throughout fall and winter. This can block the airflow through the vents, which can lead to several other problems, such as water damage, mold, and pests. Clear all the debris away from the vents, and if necessary, wash and vacuum the vents or replace them.
Walker WoodworkingOne of the main questions asked during the design meeting is what color the owners want for their kitchen cabinets. Were they looking to do a natural wood or a color instead? While many will opt to do the wood, many enjoy adding a splash of color to their kitchen or mixing and matching. It is a great way to break up the area and create a focal point, but with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? While it is up to you in the end, there are three colors that have stood out for some time and will most likely continue to do so. White, gray, and blue remain high on the selection chart, so let’s talk about these popular colors and why they may be the right fit for you.
Walker WoodworkingWhile the kitchen was often viewed as the place where food was merely prepped and served, it has transitioned into a command center as people gather to talk or enjoy a snack while getting some work done. Layouts have slowly shifted to accommodate this change, which has produced the open concept. This floor plan allows families to stay connected even when they are doing things in different areas of the home. While not as popular as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, many families still choose this floor plan because of their desire to stay close to their family and guests. Today, we want to discuss the open floor concept, the elements that make it up, and if it is the right fit for your family.
Greenbrook DesignYou have just waved goodbye to your last child as they head out to college. While you adjust to not having kids in the house, you also begin to realize that you now have more space, but you’re not sure what to do with it. There are many ways to reuse the space, expand existing spaces, or make room for something new. Let’s take a look at the design possibilities available to you.
In the second of our three-part series on selection tips, we want to focus on tile. Backsplash, shower walls, and flooring are just a few of the many uses for tile since it is beautiful, durable, and timeless. Sometimes considered a small part of the design, it has the potential to make a big impact on the design. Here are some helpful tips when choosing tile.
While cabinets tend to be the focal point of the main spaces, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is the details that add the final touch to the design. The selection process can be one of the highlights of the design phase, but it can also be overwhelming with multiple styles, colors, and options. In this three-part series, we want to give our best tips for the top three categories of selections and help make this as enjoyable and simple as possible. Our focus today is hardware.
Greenbrook Design
Greenbrook Design