Houses with foundations placed too close to the ground or grade level can cause drainage problems. Houses placed too high up can ruin plans for a walkout basement. Prior to building, check with your builder or architect to make sure the plans are mathematically correct.
Stone veneer gives you the look of real stone if you can afford it. But manufactured stone veneers can be purchased that will fool even the best geologist! This artificial stone is lighter in weight, and will adhere with no foundation support. Just use mortar for stone veneer installation on many different surfaces.
Negative slope causes a majority of basement or crawlspace drainage problems. Having landscaping work done on a home can cause drainage problems around your house. Try installing a linear French drain to trap and pipe water before it gets inside your house.
The brick and mortar you pick can make your home unique in the neighborhood. There are several different ways to change the look of your brick walls. Try a colored mortar and learn about the different textures and finishes you can use in the mortar joints.
Do you have any idea how much air leaks into your home from the outdoors? If you have ill-fitting windows and doors and leaky walls, noise enters the house through these pathways. The same thing is true for interior walls and ceilings. Soundproofing starts when you stop air from passing in between spaces!
Installing a regular skylight can take some time. Sure, you can cut open the roof and pop in the skylight in several hours, but then you have to build the light shaft and finish it. Imagine piping sunlight into a room from start to finish in say two hours.
Vinyl windows can be confusing. Windows should be made with certified components, high quality vinyl, glass and window frames. Look for manufacturers of vinyl windows that have a ANSI/AAMA rating.
Asphalt driveways will lose their flexibility if not properly sealed. Flexibility helps asphalt driveways to resist cracking. Asphalt sealers need to be applied within the first year and then whenever the blacktop begins to wear.
You must clean and seal treated lumber. Oxygen bleach is a great, non-toxic cleaner. Seal with a penetrating water repellent. Make sure it has synthetic oils and resins. Algae and mildew will return to feed on a film forming sealer.
Exterior doors are made from several materials now. Fiberglass, steel, or composite exterior doors may interest you. These doors can be stained and sealed. They look like just like a wood door. New wooden doors are made of stable pieces of lumber and covered with a thin veneer of any wood species you want.
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