Uniquity Builders, Inc.

Check Out These Energy Efficient Tools to Use Inside Your Home

There are many ways to help the environment but one extremely important way is to ensure energy efficiency inside your home. Starting with things as simple as unplugging your devices or charging cords when not in use can help tremendously and even save you some cash. 

Many devices, when left plugged in, cause what is called a phantom load. A phantom load happens when a device uses electricity while turned off. If unplugging these devices seems like too much of a hassle, investing in advanced power strips could be beneficial for you. Advanced power strips can tell when a device or charger is not being used and will automatically shut off power to those devices. Another option is smart outlets. A lot of smart outlets will just plug in to your current outlet and work similarly to the advanced power strips. Some can even be controlled by an app on your mobile device. 

Easy come easy glow, another easy fix is switching to LED light bulbs. According to www.energy.gov, lighting accounts for about 10% of your electric bill so switching to the energy efficient LED light bulb would save you tremendously.

Read this to lighten your day!

I bought a book about lamps and bulbs, just in case I wanted to do a little light reading.

The more expensive fixes involve energy efficient appliances. If you don't know where to start, look for appliances that are certified by Energy Star (logo shown to the right). These products are guaranteed to help save the environment and save you money. According to the igs energy website, using your washer and dryer, TV, refrigerator, and AC over a years time could cost upwards of $700 in just electric bills. Switching to Energy Star certified appliances could cut these costs down significantly. 

Your HVAC costs you the most of any appliance annually. If yours seems to be costing you an outrageous amount, you'll want to make sure you don't have an inadequate unit or inadequate insulation/windows. Making sure that your home has the proper amount of insulation is a key component in having an efficient HVAC unit. Even if your home is well insulated, windows that aren't properly insulated can render that almost useless. In areas with more extreme climates, it's best to have double or even triple pane windows. You also have to make sure any access to the outdoors is sealed properly (i.e. doorways, windows, attic access). Hint: Look for windows and doors that have the Energy Star certification.

Read this to lighten your day!

What do you call an appliance that brainwashes the atmosphere? ...An air conditioner.

Use your ceiling fans! Ceiling fans are the most efficient way to cool and heat your home without using your HVAC. If you're thinking "Why did she say heat?", did you know that you can reverse your ceiling fan? Pushing the switch on the base of your fan (like the one on the left) will switch the way the blades rotate. Instead of pushing down cold air, this pushes down the hot air that rises during the colder months. 

Adding a fireplace to your home is the hot new trend. When you think of a fireplace you probably assume it's already energy efficient, as a simple wood burning fireplace doesn't use electricity at all. But if you're thinking of installing the most cost effective and environmentally friendly fireplace, a wood burning fireplace is not the way to go. An EPA certified wood stove is the best option if you still want that cabin in the woods feel. The best option for environmental health, depending on where your homes power is sourced, is an electric fireplace. The overall best option for both the environment and energy efficiency is a gas or propane fireplace. 

Read this to lighten your day!

A house without a fireplace will never be a home, a home is where the hearth is...

If you live in a household where you use a lot of hot water, it would be beneficial to find an energy efficient water heater. Energy Star also certifies water heaters, so keep your eyes peeled for that logo. The most energy efficient water heater is a solar water heater. The only downside is the initial cost to install solar. Condensing water heaters seem to be the next best contender but they are made for heavy duty use, so they are bulky units. The seemingly overall best option is a tankless water heater. According to www.rinnai.us, these water heaters supply unlimited hot water so you can shower, run the dishwasher, and do a load of laundry all at once. 

There's too much energy conversation and not enough energy conservation, let's walk the talk. Some of these items can be easily switched out without the need for a contractor, but others not so much. If you're looking for someone to install those more difficult items, give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833. 

 

sources: https://www.treehugger.com/best-energy-efficient-ceiling-fans-5089866

https://news.energysage.com/phantom-loads-overview/

https://www.homeselfe.com/top-8-products-energy-efficient-home/

https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/vampire-energy-is-sucking-you-dry-heres-how-to-stop-it/

https://www.treehugger.com/which-fireplace-best-environment-wood-gas-electric-pellet-or-alcohol-4859248

Yes You Really Can Make a Difference With These Green Building Tips!

You don't have to be an environmentalist to use green building materials, it's not only beneficial for the health of the environment but beneficial to your personal health as well. As an individual it's hard to believe that your actions will impact the environment at all, but they do. Every small effort on your part matters, immersing yourself in the "green" life of building could be just what you're looking for to start your journey. 

The goals of green building are:

• Life cycle assessment: evaluate the environmental impact of homes
• Sustainable design: minimize the total environmental impact associated with all stages of the project
• Energy efficiency: reduce energy consumption
• Water efficiency: reduce water consumption and protect water quality
• Material efficiency: use recycled plastics and metal, and rapidly renewable plant materials
• Indoor air quality enhancement: reduce volatile organic compounds and other air impurities
• Maintenance optimization: have proper maintenance during and after construction to ensure the green criteria is met for the life of the structure
• Waste reduction: reduce waste of energy, water, and materials used during construction
• Reduce impact onto electrical networks: reduce peak demand so there's less impact on carbon emissions and climate change

There's more information about these goals at en.wikipedia.org. 

Many building materials have volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to our health, using products that carry the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) seal, the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) seal, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) plaque, or are
rated by the KCMA are healthiest and most eco-friendly options available. Companies like Green
Building Supply sell supplies rated by the FSC and the ESP for guaranteed environmentally friendly building materials. The Home Depot and Lowes have also started carrying FSC certified wood.

We are dealers for MidContinent Cabinetry which is certified by the KCMA for its ethically supplied wood
and green practices, one of our installations is shown on the left. Steel is another recyclable material that we have used in projects such as the one shown on the left of an island counter top. We also often use fiber cement siding (shown on the garage addition to the left), which is made with recyclable materials and is highly durable. Fiber cement siding is moisture resistant, pest resistant (including woodpeckers), and fire resistant. 

It is known that green materials tend to cost more upfront but yield more profit over time. An example of this is with plumbing pipes. Most plumbing pipes are not environmentally friendly. Common pipes used are copper, PVC, and (formally) lead. Lead pipes have been known to release lead into waterways and cause lead poisoning from exposure. Lead was super common in homes before the 80's because of their affordability but have now cost home owners more in the long run to replace because of lead poisoning. PVC is very common now because of its affordability and versatility. But at the end of its lifespan it's not recyclable and will go to a landfill. Copper pipes are the most "green" material available because they can be recycled at the end of their use and last for decades, but they do cost more up front. 

In 2010, California implemented the Calgreen building standards code. This code implemented both mandatory and voluntary measures. The mandatory measure involves water and energy efficiencies, indoor air quality, and the use of sustainable building materials. The voluntary measure  involves the enhancement of the mandatory requirements/adding substantial features such as solar, high performance HVACs, energy efficient lights, etc.. The current version is the 2019 code. 

As much as 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the US are from electricity production. Moving heavily towards renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar can help stifle the effects that coal fired power plants and natural gas power plants have put on the planet. Did you hear about the power plant that was bad for the environment all year? He got coal for Christmas. Not only would using these renewable resources be great for the planet, it would be great for your wallet too. Solar power has an undeniably high return on investment. 

Green building leads to a better quality of life, better for you and everyone around you. It reaps benefits for the world. Its most notable downfall (the typical higher prices) is consistently being adjusting to get lower prices making these building methods easier to access for anyone, with any budget. In fact according to www.greentechmedia.com, it costs only about 2% more to build with green materials in your home and they yield more profit in the end. If you want to start your green life and build a home that makes you feel healthier, give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833. 

Sources: https://elemental.green/10-eco-building-materials-revolutionizing-home-construction/

https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/About-Us/What-is-Green-Building-Supply#Do

https://www.kcma.org/certifications/environmental-stewardship

https://www.sciline.org/water-quality/drinking-lead/

https://www.greenamerica.org/fight-dirty-energy

8 Ways to Make A Splash With Your Backsplash

When you walk into someone's kitchen, what's the first thing that catches your eye? If it's done well, it may be the backsplash. A backsplash can make or break your kitchen's look, it's what brings every aspect of your kitchen together. If you haven't found a backsplash that matches your style, why not give your kitchen a conversation piece and try out one of these more "unconventional" backsplash ideas? 

 

 

1. Exposed brick backsplash adds a cozy feel to any home. If you want a contemporary kitchen but subway tile isn't your style, give brick a try. Painted brick is also a popular choice. It is relatively inexpensive compared to tile. If adding brick isn't an option in your current situation, try out brick wall paper or brick veneer to elevate your kitchen. 

 

 

2. Chalkboard paint backsplash has been mentioned in quite a few articles across the internet. Many say it's sleek and stylish but one article stood out in particular. www.dodesignyourself.com said it's not as practical as you may think if you're using it in an area near your stove or sink. It's hard to clean grease splatter and dirt from it because of its matte texture. But if you plan to use it in different areas of your kitchen other than near the stove and sink, then it is a perfect alternative to tile for a fun kitchen.

 

 

3. Different metals, such as stainless steel, copper, or tin can be used as backsplash too. It gives a certain unique pizzazz that you can't get with other materials. It could be a little too industrial if not executed right. If you're worried about making your kitchen look industrial, use metal as an accent piece in an area such as behind the stove or use metal tiles.

 

 

4. Marble is a little more common than some other options on this list but it's definitely not something you see everyday because of its price. Marble slabs bring in a natural beauty that you can't get from from anything else. The backsplash blends with your countertops, creating an almost seamless unity throughout your kitchen.

 

 

5. Reject modernity and embrace tradition with a wood paneling backsplash. Wood paneling is something I'm sure you thought was dead and gone but it's making a comeback in a very striking way. Reclaimed wood, often used for wood paneling, is a popular choice not only for its stylish look but for its eco-friendly nature.

 

6. Want a bigger kitchen but don't have the space or money to remodel the entire kitchen? Use a mirror backsplash. A mirror would give your kitchen the illusion of dimension and make it brighter. Although, mirrors do show every mark of dirt/splashing so you would have to clean fairly often to keep a clean looking kitchen.

 

 

7. You've seen penny floors but have you seen penny backsplash? Depending on how much space you're working with, a penny backsplash could be a relatively inexpensive alternative to tile. Sandy O'Konek from https://www.hometalk.com/ used her chump change to create the backsplash shown above for a fun (slightly time consuming) DIY project.

 

8. Tune in to your creative side and create a unique mosaic with all of those bottle caps you've been collecting. This fun DIY, shown in the picture above from http://artbrat.blogspot.com/, can be time consuming but makes for an interesting, custom to you design for your kitchen. But be wary, if you use epoxy, make sure to do it in layers so the bottle caps don't float to top. 

Choosing the right backsplash for your kitchen is a key ingredient in making your kitchen look cohesive. Making the right decision can be difficult by yourself so why not give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833 for all of your kitchen remodeling needs. 

Sources: https://www.simphome.com/kitchen-backsplash-design-ideas.html

https://interiordesign.lovetoknow.com/Mirror_Backsplash

https://www.thespruce.com/kitchen-backsplashes-that-are-not-subway-tile-4142970

 

 

People are Floored by Glass Flooring. Would You Want it in Your Home?

Using glass as flooring is the newest contemporary interior design wave that will spice up your home. Like the house on the left, the glass ceiling is also a glass floor for the room above. Using a glass floor on the second level of the home gives both rooms a unique focal point.

The picture on the left is an extreme example of what you could do with glass as flooring. If you're looking to add something a little more subtle, you could add accents of glass into your existing floor. In many commercial buildings, they use glass in a small portion of their floor to create interest. This can be done on a smaller scale in your home. 

For example, you could have one small section of glass in the middle of your floor to give the room interest. If you're unsure whether to add a glass flooring accent in your home because plain squares/rectangles aren't your style, the company Jockimo has done some revolutionary work with different shapes that may appeal to your style. The image to the right is a glass installation they did for a private residence. 

If you're wondering, yes they're safe to walk on. Smooth glass can be slippery when wet but once a glass frit pattern is applied, it loses its slick nature. And if you still slip, the floor will always be there to catch you. Glass panels can carry 2 times the weight of any common tile flooring, some are meant to hold even more. The Skywalk suspended over the Grand Canyon uses glass panels that can hold multitudes of people. But as with any floor, glass is susceptible to chips and cracks so you would need to be wary of heavy items falling on your floor. 

As you might expect, glass flooring has a high cost of production. And because of its weight and installation risks, it has a high cost of installation as well. So, using it as an accent piece in your home may be the way to go for budget conscious homeowners. 

There are two kinds of glass flooring. Tempered glass, when broken, fractures into small fragments eliminating the dangers of regular glass. It is also four times stronger than regular annealed glass. Laminated glass is made by placing a laminate layer between multiple layers of glass, so that if one pane breaks the panel will stay in place.

There are also two ways to add a frit pattern to glass panels. Sandblasting uses high speed machines that blast sand on glass panels. With this you can choose how opaque you want the panel to be. Different designs are readily available and can be more detailed if wanted. When choosing between transparent and opaque, transparent is the clear choice. Acid etching appears smoother on glass than the sandblasting technique. It also offers more finishes and various degrees of transparency. Although, light doesn't transmit as well as through sandblasted glass and you are limited to custom designs. 

If glass flooring isn't something you're looking for, you can give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833 to get a clear idea on what flooring you may want in your home. 

Sources:

https://floortechie.com/glass-flooring/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-is-tempered-glass-mad/

https://www.glassonweb.com/article/how-strong-are-glass-floors

https://www.fgdglass.com/blog/which-is-better-sandblasted-or-acid-etched-glass/

https://www.jockimo.com/products/featured-projects/261-glass-flooring-treads-project-private-residence-new-york

COVID Strikes Again...Lumber Prices Soar to New Heights

We're in the middle of an unprecedented time where, in spite of the COVID pandemic, people are spending large amounts of money to improve their home because they're spending more time at home than they have in many years. As you're making your home more livable and visiting your local home improvement stores, you're probably finding that your buying power has been significantly reduced from what it was a year ago. Lumber prices have been gradually growing over the past few years but hit an enormous spike thanks to the pandemic and for reasons people could have never foreseen.

 

It would've seemed logical that the housing market would take a hit because many homeowner's incomes were affected dramatically by the pandemic, so mills cut production in anticipation of this potential decrease. But to everyones surprise, demand for lumber skyrocketed. Mill workers were laid off or quit working because of the pandemic. In this labor shortage, mills have struggled to keep up with production because they are still running at only 50% capacity to accommodate COVID regulations.

Another reason that the lumber prices are soaring is that the cost of imports via tariffs have increased. Former President Trump's "America First" economic policy, his attempt to reduce trade deficit in the U.S., implemented these tariffs that are partially responsible for astronomical lumber prices. These tariffs have caused trade wars that are costing taxpaying Americans $57 billion annually.

One of the biggest importers of lumber to the U.S., Canada, was hit hard with forestry issues due to climate change, increasing prices even more. A series of unusually high temperatured winters has failed to kill the mountain pine beetles that plague the tracts of forest in Canada. These bugs kill the trees making them useless for lumber production. 

The mountain pine beetles cause the trees to produce more pitch, a highly flammable substance that proved to be more
dangerous than the beetles themselves. During the hotter months, Canada had experienced record breaking forest fires that cleared 2.5 million hectares of forest land.  

Increased lumber prices have added about $36,000 to the price of building a house, but fortunately added about $13,000 to the current market value of a new home. Prices of lumber are up 67% this year and up 340% from a year ago, while supply is down 20% from a year ago. This spike affects not only lumber framing but cabinets, doors, windows, and flooring too. 

Above is a graph from forest2market.com, showing the dramatic increase from previous years into 2020.

In spite of the bleak situation with lumber prices, there is hope in the long term for the housing industry. According to www.homebuyinginstitute.com, an increase in housing prices is forecasted into early 2022 which will help offset the lumber
prices that are causing such havoc in the current cost of remodeling and building new homes. 

If you have a home project you would like to get done before the prices increase again, give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833. 

 

Sources: https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/m8ucc1/the_price_of_lumber_is_too_darn_high/

https://www.nationalbusinesscapital.com/lumber-prices-2021/

https://www.npr.org/2021/03/30/982805743/lumber-prices-are-staying-sky-high-even-if-the-pandemic-ends-soon

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/04/climate-origins-massive-lumber-shortage/618727/

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/30/soaring-lumber-prices-add-36000-to-the-cost-of-a-new-home.html

https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/columnists/in-the-know/2020/10/12/how-california-wildfires-hit-you-home-lumber-wine-produce-agriculture-strawberry-avocado-lettuce/5909447002/

Class Up Your Shower With a Tile Accent Band

Tile accent bands have become more and more prevalent in the bathroom remodels that we have recently done. If you're thinking your bathroom needs some updating or just some sprucing up, you might get some help from the ideas below.

A singular horizontal band, a double band, or vertical can add some interest to an otherwise simple tile shower. The options are endless. Even the combinations of different tiles that you could pick from are endless. A lot of people can't stop talking about getting granite tiles, it's probably because they've lost their marble(s). 

The placement of the accent band is a matter of preference but if you're unsure and need guidance, Erika Dale from decorist.com, and conestogatile.com give great explanations on the rule of thumb for placement. To sum up what Erika Dale explained, using existing accessories, like a niche or shelf, can help dictate where to place the band. If there are no existing accessories, it's usually good to use a 60/40 ratio making the band closer to the ceiling rather than the floor. 

What conestogatile.com recommends is placing the band at baseboard level, in the top row, at waist level, or at eye level. Placing at baseboard level gives your shower the same look that trim does on the walls of your home. This similar idea is put in place for placing the band at the top row. Putting it at waist level gives the look of wainscoting. At eye level, it makes the band flattering and the main attraction of the shower.

We've noticed that glass tiles are often used in accent bands because they add more flare than a ceramic or granite tile. They are usually more expensive and can be too much on the eye to be the main tile in the shower. This makes them perfect for an accent tile. Mosaic glass tiles are a popular choice because they stand out more than a solid color glass tile. Glass tiles tend to be thinner than ceramic or granite so you may need a border tile to even out the difference. But if you have us install your tile, we can make even the thinnest glass tiles flush with your main tile choice (shown on the right). 

From our experience, we recommend the band to have a width of about 4 to 6 inches like the shower on the right that we did. This is not too big and not too small, making it universal for any bathroom. But as noted by Erika Dale, the band width should also be proportionate to the size of the main tile. For example, if you have a larger tile like a 12 x 24, a 4 inch wide band would look far too small in the space. 

A lot of people like to try to redo their shower walls themselves but run out of tile, it's a few'tile effort on their part. But that's where we come in, so go ahead and give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833 for all of your bathroom remodeling needs. 

How to Choose Which Home Remodel Gets You the Most Bang for Your Buck.

The cost to remodel a home is frequently more than what people want to spend but when you consider the resale value that it can add to your home, you can see a different perspective. Although the cost of doing a remodel can be higher than the resale value, the satisfaction that comes from living the way you want to is why our customers continue to call us. Luckily California has the highest return on investment and is above the national average.

According to the Remodeling 2020 Cost vs. Value Report, available at www.costvsvalue.com, in Stockton CA the home improvement projects that actually add value to your home are manufactured stone veneer, fiber-cement siding replacement, and asphalt shingles roofing replacement. The manufactured stone veneer adds the most resale value with 122.3% cost recouped. The fiber-cement siding replacement comes in second with a 107.9% return. Asphalt shingles roofing replacement has a 104.9% return. I guess that's why roofers get such positive customer reviews on their asphalt shingle installations. It's because they nail it... HA! Roofing jokes get me every "shingle" time.

The most costly projects on this report don't have nearly as high of a cost recouped as you think they would. A 32 x 20 foot upscale master suite addition which includes a spacious sleeping area, a lounging sitting area, a master bath, fireplace, custom millwork and more costs a whopping $306,474 on average in the Stockton area but only has a 27.2% cost recoup. A 24 x 16 foot midrange master suite addition which includes a walk-in closet, a freestanding soaker tub and separate shower, and more costs $151,324 on average with a 39.9% cost recoup.

A 200 square foot upscale kitchen remodel which includes 30 linear feet of custom cabinets, stone countertops, a commercial grade cooktop, and more can cost $143,678 with a 54.8% cost recoup. If remodeling your kitchen is something you've been thinking about, you should take a look at the before and after of a kitchen we remodeled on the right. Remodeling kitchens comes natural to us, you could say we're counter intuitive... 

Other than the exceptions listed above, the projects with the highest cost earned back in resale are a midrange minor kitchen remodel, on average costing $24,700, which had a cost recouped of about 91.1%. Next a garage door replacement, on average costing $3,745, had a cost recouped of about 93.5%. It's ex-siding to say that a vinyl siding replacement, costing about $15,628, can have a cost recouped of about 96%. A metal roofing replacement, costing on average $45,536, can get about 98.8% of its cost recouped.

Putting the numbers aside, a lot of times people will do a certain remodel or addition to their home simply because they want to. Resale value shouldn't be the only factor when deciding whether to remodel your home or not, if you want to remodel your home you should just do it despite what was discussed in this post. So why don't you go ahead and give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833 to start that remodel you've been thinking about. 

 

© 2020 Hanley Wood Media Inc. Complete data from the Remodeling 2020 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.

Would You Live in an Unconventional Home?

Unconventional homes are rising in popularity for their eco-friendly nature and sometimes unique appearance. These homes aren't necessarily always unique looking, it's what they are made of that make them unique. Unconventional building materials are starting to be widely used around the world, as they are better renewable resources than standard building materials. 

Straw bale homes are built using straw bales as either the main structural component or even just as insulation. These homes are eco-friendly, energy efficient, and affordable. When maintained properly they can last for over 100 years. If not maintained properly, pests like bugs and rodents can invade the straw in the walls. This could potentially be very damaging to the home, maybe even causing walls to collapse. Also without care, severe water damage and mold could cause walls to collapse. Hopefully if this happened, you would have someone to bale you out of this situation, but when their time is up these homes are biodegradable. 

If a home is built with straw bale as the main structural component, you would not be able to hang heavy things from the walls as there are no studs to hold them up. In certain situations like high winds and earthquakes, the house can shift. This potentially could also lead to walls collapsing. Considering all of this, using straw could pose a problem when trying to get a building permit. 

Tire bale homes are built using about 100 tires that are compressed into bales that can be used to build the walls of the home. These bales weigh about 2,000 pounds each, so building a home with these would be labor intensive. Their weight and strength have proven them to be disaster resistant. Since many old tires are just put in land fills, this could be a fairly inexpensive alternative to traditional building materials. Reusing old tires means that a tire bale home will be fairly eco-friendly because they aren't going to the land fill.

Tires work very well as insulators which will help in energy conservation. Old tires do give off gases but if sealed in the walls properly with no exposure to sunlight it shouldn't be an issue. Also when sealed in the walls properly, no access to oxygen should be available in the walls. This means the flammable nature of the tires will be of no concern. Solaripedia.com, where the house to the right is from, discusses engineering concerns of tire bale homes. For more information on tire bale homes see https://www.builtinchicago.org.

Plastic bottle homes can use more 14,000 plastic bottles that were going to end up in the land fill. Some of these are constructed with the water bottles stacked vertically, but this isn't as structurally sound as the ones that are built with the bottles laid horizontally and stacked in rows with concrete in-between rows. Here's a link to a video from Samarpan Foundation on Youtube that shows this process in greater detail.

These homes are bullet proof, fire proof and earthquake resistant. They also provide sufficient insulation and are built to be energy self-sufficient. Again the bottles used were going to be in the land fill so repurposing them in a build is very beneficial to the environment. They are fairly easy to build and are a third of the cost of a regular home. https://diyprojects.ideas2live4.com gives a wonderful step-by-step tutorial on how to build your own plastic bottle home like the one shown to the right. 

Earth bag homes are homes made of bags filled with natural materials, like dirt, stacked and then covered in plaster. Have you ever wondered what the difference between a vacuum cleaner and an earth bag home is? Where you place the dirt bag. Earth bags are very flexible so you could essentially build in any shape. Although this material isn't the best choice for a building where plumbing and electrical are needed. With all homes mentioned it is likely that it will be difficult to acquire a permit as these materials often aren't included in local building codes and zoning laws. Earth bags are made with natural materials (soils) which are non-toxic. Most soils are poor insulators so you will likely need extra insulation or use a more insulating material within the bags. This option is also fairly inexpensive compared to a regular home. 

Cob houses are made of soil/clay, sand and straw. These homes, shown on the left, are non-toxic but you know, people shouldn't be too hard on people who have to use toxic building materials... because they're doing asbestos they can.

These homes are built to be fire proof, pest resistant, earthquake resistant, water damage resistant, and energy efficient. These homes, with proper care, can last for thousands of years. Cob is a very good insulator, adding to the energy efficiency. It is also a very breathable material, keeping the air in your home fresh and clean. 

Hemp Concrete homes (also called hempcrete) are made of a hemp-lime composite that creates a concrete like material. Did you hear about the guy who was trying to expose the hemp concrete company for using cheap materials? He couldn't find any concrete evidence.

Hempcrete has been proven to be much stronger than traditional concrete. It's water damage resistant and pest resistant. It works very well as an insulator and is non-toxic so it's perfect for homes like the one on the right. A unique feature of hempcrete is that it removes massive amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It's also breathable like cob. One downside to hempcrete is that it's not always as readily available as traditional building materials, which can make it quite expensive. If you plan to build with hempcrete expect it to be 8-12% of your total cost. 

If unconventional homes aren't your style then go ahead and give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833, we'll be happy to build the conventional home of your dreams. 

 

Sources: https://www.houseofstraw.com/pros-and-cons-of-straw-bale-houses/

https://www.builtinchicago.org/blog/all-you-wanna-know-about-building-home-recycled-tyre

https://www.criticalcactus.com/recycled-plastic-bottle-houses/

https://newsociety.com/blogs/news/pros-and-cons-of-building-with-earthbags?sitedomain=us&sitedomain=us

https://returntonow.net/2016/02/18/cob-houses/

https://pipmagazine.com.au/build/hempcrete-a-revolution-in-healthy-building/

 

If You're Looking for Some Bathroom Humor and an Environmentally-Friendly Toilet, Read This

So you're looking for a new toilet but don't know which route to go, we've all been there before...I'm sensing deja-poo. There are a few options for eco-friendly toilets. These toilets reduce waste in sewage plants and use significantly less water than a traditional toilet. Although some may be more expensive up front, they will save you more in the long run. 

Composting toilets are one of the more popular options for eco-friendly toilets, they are often used in mobile homes or tiny homes. There are two kinds of composting toilets, self-contained and split system.

Self-contained are used in smaller places that aren't going to have very many people and homes that don't have an accessible crawlspace/basement. These toilets are built with the container (tank where the waste goes) and the pedestal (toilet bowl/seat) in one piece. You may think that these toilets will make your bathroom smell but they use an exhaust fan within the container that leads outside to get rid of the smell and help speed up the compost process. 

Split systems have a larger capacity so they work better for bigger homes and areas where large amounts of people will be present. These toilets can only be installed if there is an accessible crawlspace/basement below the house. These are built with the pedestal as normal but the container is much larger than the self-contained toilet so it is placed below the home with pipes leading to the toilet. They also operate with an exhaust fan to speed up composting and reduce the smell. 

Incinerating toilets do exactly what you think they do (they heat your waste until it turns to ash). As there's no water to keep the bowl of the toilet clean, these require you to insert a coffee filter like paper to keep the toilet bowl clean when you "go".  Once you've done your business you press down on a pedal that opens the toilet bowl and allows the paper (with the waste) to fall down into a chamber below the seat. Once it closes back up, you press a button that then starts the incineration process. This then turns your waste into ashes. And no, this toilet does not eliminate the need to wipe your ash. If it's hard to visualize, here's a link to a video explaining the process posted by Tiny House Listings on Youtube. Once the compartment gets about an inch full of ashes you will need to empty it or you will severely decrease the lifespan of your toilet. This toilet, including the incinerator and the exhaust fan that gets rid of the smell, runs completely on electricity. This could pose a problem in the instance of a power outage. Hopefully, you have a generator to eliminate this problem.

High-efficiency toilets are designed to use less water per flush than a regular toilet. They use 1.28 gallons per flush rather than the 1.6 gallons per flush that is now the standard. If your toilet was made between 1980 and 1994, it uses 3.5 gallons per flush. If it was made before 1980, it uses a whopping 5 gallons per flush. Even though these toilets use less water, there is no loss in flushing power. Most high efficiency toilets today can handle two and even more times the grams of waste that is considered average (about 450 grams). 

Bidets are used in virtually every modern country but they haven't really become popular in the US. They are a great alternative to toilet paper, some even claim it cleans much better than toilet paper. If you don't know what a bidet is, it is essentially a stream of water that sprays at your undercarriage to cleanse it after you use the bathroom. Don't worry, it doesn't use toilet water. It uses the same tap water that comes from your sink. You can get an attachment for your current toilet or even buy a brand new toilet with a bidet built in. Using a bidet uses significantly less water than it takes to make a single roll of toilet paper. A bidet only uses ⅛ of a gallon of water per use while it takes 37 gallons of water to make one roll of toilet paper. If you live in a busy household, a roll of toilet paper could be gone in a matter of a couple of days. It makes you wonder if in the end we'll use so much toilet paper that we'll wipe ourselves out. 

I would like to formally apologize for the jokes made in this post, puns about toilets aren't my favorite but they're a solid number 2. Alright I promise I'm done now but don't forget if you're looking to upgrade your bathroom or build a brand new home, give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833. 

 

Sources:

https://www.ecolet.com.au/cms/index.php/blog/15-composting-toilet-types-self-contained-vs-split-systems

https://www.businessinsider.com/bidets-better-than-using-just-toilet-paper-2019-9#:~:text=Investing%20in%20a%20bidet%20can,rashes%2C%20hemorrhoids%2C%20and%20UTIs.

https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/incinerating-toilets/

https://www.weirdbydesign.com/what-is-the-difference-between-low-flow-and-high-efficiency-toilets/

11 Types of Flooring That Can Make Your House Feel More Homey

The kind of flooring you pick for your house can be important because it creates an atmosphere that makes you feel good and glad to be home. Its always a good idea to assess your needs, the activity level in your house and your preferences before you decide on the type of flooring that you want to use. Taking the time to carefully pick out your flooring can ensure that your house will feel warm and inviting to all who pass through. The following 11 types of flooring can give you some ideas of different options you might consider when the time comes to pick your flooring.  

Tile

Tile is heat and moisture resistant. It is hardy but can crack/chip if you drop a heavy item like a large pot on it. There are a few different kinds of tiles so we'll go into more detail about some of those. 

    Ceramic: Ceramic tile, shown on the right, is one of the less expensive floor tiles, making it very     popular. As a professional home remodeler Uniquity Builders has used ceramic tile extensively over the years for floors,     showers and countertops. We recommend using ceramic in areas that tend to     get wet, like the bathroom, because it's more durable in a wet environment     and doesn't get as slippery as marble or granite. Ceramic may crack and chip     easier than other materials. 

    Porcelain: Porcelain is denser than ceramic making it more durable.     According to The Home Depot, porcelain has a lower absorption rate than     ceramic tiles and some decorators suggest using porcelain tiles on your     shower floor. 

    Marble: Marble is one of the more expensive floor tiles. It is naturally porous     so it can stain easily without proper cleaning or sealing. It is also very heavy so     it will need a sturdy base before installation.  

    Granite: Granite is good to use in high traffic areas of your home. It holds up to liquids and scratching very well. Granite tiles     and its grout need to be sealed to prevent water from leaking underneath it. 

Hardwood

Hardwood, like the one on the right we installed in Sonora CA, is a classic and hardy flooring although it can be sensitive to water if not cleaned up immediately and can warp over time. If you stain your hardwood from dropping a liquid on it or it's become dull from traffic, it can be refinished to look new. According to theflooringgirl.com, solid hardwood isn't approved for floors below the ground level (basements). In addition, if you have large dogs, hardwood floors may get scratched. 

 

Carpet

Carpet provides warmth and comfort as opposed to hardwood and tile. Carpet tends to soak up liquids which makes it stain easily. Cleaning and taking care of your carpet regularly will extend its lifespan. There are treatments, such as Scotchgard, that work to prevent stains and dirt from penetrating the carpet fibers by repelling what you want to keep out and preserving what you want to keep. Some people find that carpet may worsen their allergy symptoms. 

 

Linoleum 

Linoleum is environmentally friendly because it's made of all natural materials and biodegradable (this also means it doesn't emit any toxic gases like laminate as you'll read below). It looks very similar to real hardwood. It is not waterproof so it can warp in the presence of water if not cleaned up properly. With proper care, linoleum could last up to 40 years. Linoleum isn't very popular anymore so it may be hard to find any variety of linoleum products. 

Laminate

Laminate, shown on the right, holds up to scratches and dents well but is sensitive to waters you can see on the left this floor is warping from a water leak in the dishwasher. Laminate can't be refinished like hardwood so in the event that it gets worn out it will need replacing. It has been found that laminate can be toxic in your home. The glue used to make laminate contains small amounts of formaldehyde gas that is released for about ten years after its made. Plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard are all laminate products that contain formaldehyde. If you want to read more check out this article floortechie.com written by Joe Bathi. According to earthjustice.org, as of June 2018, it is illegal to produce or import wood products in the U.S. if they contain excessive amounts of formaldehyde. 

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is very affordable compared to other options. It's waterproof so it's perfect to use in kitchens and bathrooms. It doesn't look as much like real hardwood as other flooring options. Vinyl flooring is synthetic (made of plastic) so it is not biodegradable and not environmentally friendly. 

Bamboo

Bamboo, shown on the right, is water resistant but not waterproof so it's best to not use in high humidity areas. Bamboo flooring is glued together in a similar way that laminate is glued together, so if you buy low quality bamboo it can also contain formaldehyde that it will emit over time. Bamboo flooring is very eco-friendly but the rise in popularity is causing farmers to overgrow bamboo putting the environment at risk. 

Cork 

Cork, shown on the left, is a natural insulator making it perfect for colder areas. It is susceptible to dents when pressure is applied but usually regains its natural position once pressure is removed. Cork is soft to walk on, similar to carpet. It is a sustainable flooring option that can be refinished when needed. If not sealed regularly or properly it can be susceptible to staining because the cork can soak up liquids. 

 

Concrete

Concrete is relatively cheap and easy to install but it is prone to cracking, it needs resealing every few years to help prevent the cracking. Concrete is very heavy so isn't ideal to put on any story above the basement and first floor. Concrete flooring is extremely versatile. It can be mixed with pigments to make it any color, it can also be stamped with designs that can make it look like tile or hardwood etc. 

Terrazzo

Terrazzo flooring, shown on the right, is known for its beauty. It's extremely durable and is known to last a long time. Terrazzo is very similar to concrete so it is also heavy and not recommended on second story and above floors. It also needs to be resealed to prevent staining, cracking and chipping. 

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is a good alternative to hardwood. It is easier to install than hardwood and is more durable. It is softer than hardwood and pets can damage it more easily. More expensive engineered woods can be refinished but only a couple of times before it's too thin to be sanded again. According to theflooringgirl.com, engineered woods that are installed as floating (i.e. not secured to the subfloor) can't be sanded or refinished because they will move around and leave an uneven finish. 

I was going to make a floor joke to end off this post but I realized it was beneath me...

If you're looking to upgrade your home or even build a new one, feel free to give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833. 

Sources:

https://www.sinaarchitecturaldesign.com/2018/12/best-worst-flooring-options-kitchens/

https://www.thespruce.com/bamboo-flooring-problems-1314923

https://floorcritics.com/cork/

https://www.carpetcaptain.com/tile-guide/tile-types/

https://www.flooringstores.com/blog/linoleum-vs-laminate/

https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/interiorfloors/finishes.html

10 Sinks You Didn't Know About

Sinks may not be at the top of your priority list until you need one somewhere in your home. When that time comes, this article can give you some food for thought that might "sink" in when you're choosing the best option for your home. 

Double Basin (left)

Double basin sinks, like this undermount one on the left that we installed, have been the standard in kitchens for years. They make it easy to clean your dishes by hand, cleaning in one basin and rinsing in the other. They are also used to keep dirty dishes in one basin and use the other for meal prep or simply just to have one clean side of the sink. Having two basins may make it difficult to wash larger items like pots and large pans. Double basin sinks typically take up more counter space than other kinds of sinks. 

Single Basin (right)

Single basin sinks have gained popularity in kitchens now that dishwashers are standard home appliances. They make it easier to hand wash larger items like soup pots and cookie sheets. People find them to be more aesthetically pleasing than double basin sinks. As with every sink, single basin sink sizes vary but typically they take up less counter space than double basin sinks. 

Under Mount (left)

Undermount sinks are mounted to the countertop from underneath. They can be mounted seamlessly, called flush mount, shown on another sink we installed on the left. They can be mounted with a negative reveal, meaning the edge of the countertop overlaps the sink. Or they can be mounted with a positive reveal, where the countertop is recessed from the edge of the sink. They tend to make cleaning the counter and sink easier, although the positive/negative reveal could hide bacteria in the overlap. 

Top Mount (right)

Top mount sinks are mounted on top of the counter. These are usually standard in households. Since they mount from the top, there's extra support so you can use any material and most likely won't need extra support within the cabinet. They do tend to be harder to clean because food/crumbs can get stuck in the lip between the sink and the countertop and between the backsplash and the sink. 

Farmhouse (left)

Farmhouse sinks are very popular in recent years for modern kitchens. They are widely loved for their deep and wide basins, typically single basins. Farmhouse sinks apron front makes them stand out from other kitchen sinks. If you want to read more about farmhouse sinks, you can scroll down about two blog posts below this one and read about different materials used to make farmhouse sinks. 

 

Bar (right)

Bar sinks are much smaller, as seen to the right from The Home Depot by Rene, than a regular kitchen sink. They are typically put off to the side in a bar/drink area of your kitchen. They are not meant to replace a regular kitchen sink. These can come in handy for meal prep if somebody else is using the main sink or if your main sink is full of dishes etc. These sinks aren't necessary in kitchens but if you have extra space and think it may be useful it could be a good addition. 

Corner (left)

Corner sinks are the best for smaller kitchens because they utilize corner space that may have otherwise not been used. They typically come with two basins, one on each side and the faucet in the middle. Corner sinks aren't something you see in a lot of kitchens so it could give your kitchen a unique look. This placement can make it more difficult to install and you'd have to consider how you'll be placing the upper cabinets. With the sink being in the corner, only one person can use the sink at a time so you won't be able to have help if you needed it. 

Vessel (right)

Vessel sinks are typically used as the focal point in modern bathrooms. They can rest on top of the counter or they can be recessed. Recessed vessel sinks usually rest about half way out of the counter. Since they rest on the counter, this makes them  taller so they best work in a cabinet that is, at its tallest, 31 inches. They provide more counter space than other sinks but tend to be hard to clean because of the way they rest on the counter. Vessel sinks are a trend so many people believe that in a few years they won't be as popular as they are now. 

Integrated (left)

An integrated sink is when the counter top and the sink are one piece usually made of the same material. This gives them a seamless design that has gained recent popularity. Integrated sinks are known for being very easy to clean because there are no lips or overlapping that could hide bacteria. One issue with integrated sinks is that if one part gets damaged, you have to replace the whole thing rather than just the sink or just the countertop.

 

Laundry (right)

Laundry sinks are perfect for washing your dog, tie-dying your clothes, or even just hand-washing your delicates. They are also great for washing dirty items like muddy shoes that you don't want to put in your washer/kitchen sink. Laundry sinks are usually one large basin, similar to farmhouse sinks. These sinks can be put in a cabinet, like the Transolid cabinet shown on the right from Lowes, or they can be freestanding. There are smaller ones like the one on the right or bigger versions called utility sinks. 

If you're looking to "sink" your home with the top trends in home remodeling for 2021 or start building the home of your dreams, give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833. 

Sources: 

https://kitchencabinetkings.com/ideas/types-of-kitchen-sinks

https://m.homethangs.com/blog/2018/03/low-profile-undermount-sinks-vessel-sinks/

https://www.thespruce.com/buying-a-vessel-sink-read-this-327026

https://www.remodelista.com/posts/single-bowl-vs-double-bowl-kitchen-sinks-which-is-better-remodeling-101/