Maximize Sunlight In Your Home

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15
Apr
Maximize Sunlight In Your Home

Natural light has a powerful impact on the look and feel of your home. It can make your space feel brighter, more spacious, and more inviting. In spite of this, many homes are lacking in natural light, which can make them feel dark and gloomy. As we move into the summer months, now is a great time to let the sunshine in. Here are some ways to maximize the natural light in your home:

 

Use Lighter Colors

Lighter colors reflect more light, making your space feel brighter and more open. To achieve this, paint your walls in light colors such as white, beige, or pale gray to make the most of the natural light in your home.

 

Install Mirrors

Mirrors reflect light and can make your space feel brighter and more spacious. Consider hanging a large mirror in a room that lacks natural light to help bounce light around the space.

 

Remove Obstructions

Clutter and furniture can block natural light so we recommend removing any obstructions that are blocking windows or preventing light from entering your space.

 

Choose Sheer Curtains

Heavy curtains significantly reduce natural light from entering your home. Opt for sheer curtains that let in more light while still providing privacy.

 

Add Skylights

If you have a dark room with no windows, consider installing a skylight to bring in natural light from above.

 

Trim Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs can obstruct natural light from entering your home. Consider trimming back any overgrown trees or shrubs to allow more light to enter your home.

 

Use Light-Friendly Materials

Materials that reflect light, such as glass, metal, or glossy finishes, will allow your home to make the most of natural light.

 

Upgrade Your Windows & Doors

Updating old windows can improve the amount of natural light entering your home. Even more significant, updating doors can transition what was once fully blocking sunlight, to include some glass or almost all glass components. New styles in both windows and doors can increase the amount of light that comes in, making it brighter and more inviting.

 

By following these tips, you can maximize the natural light in your home and create a brighter, more inviting space. Not only will this make your home more pleasant to live in, but it can also have a positive impact on your mood and well-being.

How To Clean Gutters
14
Mar
How To Clean Gutters

Keeping your gutters clean is an important part of maintaining the overall health and integrity of your home. Clogged gutters can cause damage to your roof, walls, and foundation, leading to costly repairs. Here are a few tips on how to clean gutters:

Schedule Regular Cleaning

The best way to keep on top of the cleanliness of your gutters is to schedule a regular cleaning. Simply set a reminder on your phone to complete this task. It’s recommended you clean at minimum twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Depending on the number of trees around your home, you may need to clean your gutters more often. Keeping on top of it can help prevent a buildup of debris, making the task easier to accomplish.

Use The Right Tools

To clean your gutters effectively, you’ll need a few basic tools: a ladder, a pair of gloves, a trowel or scoop, and a hose. Start by removing as much debris as possible from your gutters using your trowel or scoop. Be sure to also check the downspouts for clogs, as these can prevent water from flowing properly. Next, use your hose to flush out the gutters. Be sure to check for proper water flow to ensure you got everything out.

Check For Leaks

After cleaning your gutters, look for any cracks or holes in the system, and make any necessary repairs. This step can help prevent future problems and leaks.

Consider A Gutter Guard

As an additional measure, you can install gutter guards to keep debris from building up in your gutters in the first place. They can be a little expensive but in long term, it can save you a lot of time and money.

Cleaning your gutters may not be the most glamorous task, but it’s an important part of maintaining the health and integrity of your home. If your gutters are uncomfortably high, we recommend hiring a professional cleaning service to get the job done for you. By scheduling regular cleaning and using the right tools, you can keep your gutters in good working condition and prevent costly repairs.

19
May
Amp Up Your Curb Appeal

Your home’s curb appeal is the first impression that guests and those passing by will have of your home. Whether you’re looking to sell your home or simply want to create a welcoming atmosphere, maximizing your home’s curb appeal is key. Check these off your list to amp up your curb appeal:

 

Keep Your Landscaping Well-Maintained

A well-manicured lawn and neat landscaping can make a big impact on the appearance of your home’s exterior. Make sure to regularly mow your lawn, trim bushes and trees, and add fresh flowers or plants to your landscaping.

 

Update Your Front Door

Your front door is a focal point of your home’s exterior, so consider updating it with a fresh coat of paint, a new knocker or handle, or even replacing it altogether.

 

Add Exterior Lighting

Exterior lighting can not only add a decorative touch to your home’s exterior, but it can also improve safety and security. Consider adding pathway lights, wall sconces, or even string lights to add ambiance to your home.

 

Upgrade Your Home’s Siding

If your home’s siding is looking worn or outdated, consider upgrading it to give your home a fresh, new look. There are many options and colors available to fit your home’s unique build and your personal taste.

 

Install New Windows

If your home’s windows are outdated or damaged, consider installing new ones to improve both the appearance and energy efficiency of your home.

 

Add Decorative Accents

Small touches like window boxes, shutters, or a decorative mailbox can add personality and charm to your home’s exterior.

 

Maintain Your Driveway & Walkways

Cracks and weeds in your driveway or walkways can detract from your home’s curb appeal. Make sure to keep them well-maintained and repair any damage as needed.

 

By following these tips, you can create maximum curb appeal for your home and make a lasting impression on guests and passersby. Not only will it improve the appearance of your home, but it can also increase its value and make it more enjoyable to live in.

If you’re looking to tackle siding, windows, or doors, give the team at Patriot Construction a call. Our experts are ready to discuss your project and break ground on amping up your curb appeal.

Custom Pergola
17
Apr
Upgrade Your Backyard With A Custom Pergola Or Gazebo
  • By Team Patriot
  • Comments Off on Upgrade Your Backyard With A Custom Pergola Or Gazebo

One of the best ways to extend your living space and enjoy the great outdoors is by creating a beautiful and functional outdoor living area. Pergolas and gazebos are two popular options that can add both style and functionality to your outdoor space. Here are some tips to help you create your dream outdoor living space with pergolas and gazebos:

Determine Your Needs

Consider how you plan to use your outdoor living space. Do you want a space to relax and read a book, entertain guests, or dine outdoors? This will help you determine the size and layout of your custom pergola or gazebo.

Choose The Right Style

There are many styles of pergolas and gazebos available, from traditional to modern. Choose a style that complements the architecture of your home and fits your personal taste.

Decide On Materials

Pergolas and gazebos can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, vinyl, and metal. Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks, so choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.

Add Lighting

To make your outdoor living space even more inviting, add lighting to your pergola or gazebo. String lights, lanterns, and chandeliers are all popular options.

Add Privacy

If you want to create a private outdoor oasis, consider adding curtains, blinds, or screens to your pergola or gazebo.

Incorporate Furniture Or Built Ins

To make your outdoor living space comfortable and functional, incorporate furniture based on your intended use, like loungers, tables, or outdoor couches. You may even consider built-in options like a bar, grill area, or pizza oven.

Invest In Landscaping

To create a cohesive and inviting outdoor living space, incorporate landscaping elements like potted plants, flowers, and shrubs around your pergola or gazebo.

Creating a dream outdoor living space with pergolas and gazebos is a great way to extend your living space and enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. Contact Patriot Construction to start planning your perfect outdoor living space today!

21
Jan
Color Of The Year & Your Home

Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year is “Classic Blue”.  Pantone describes it as “instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”  Luckily, this inspired color is timeless, making it so easy to incorporate into your home. Here are some great ideas:

Siding: A tried and true option for incorporating this Classic Blue is your siding!  It’s bold enough to stand out against the standard neutral-colored homes, but not so drastic to cause concern if you’re looking to sell down the road.  Add flair with white trim or stone accents.

Soft Goods:  Want to just dip your toes into the Classic Blue look?  Soft goods are always a great way to go. Think throw pillows, blankets, curtains, and rugs.  These aren’t as permanent and can be more cost-conscious if you’re simply looking to be on-trend for the year.

Wall Color: If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to make a bold statement, try using Classic Blue when painting your home.  Go full room for a bold look, or create interest in your space with an accent wall.

Flooring:  From rugs to woods to tile, flooring can be a unique way to incorporate Classic Blue into your home.   For comfort in your family room, opt for plush carpet. Does your home have a shabby chic look? Opt for blue stained wood.  Obsessed with modern casual luxury? Go for a pattern tile that features Classic Blue!

Appliances:  If you’re absolutely head over heels for Classic Blue, opt for the luxurious appliances.  Typically colored appliances come with an increased price tag, but can certainly make a striking look in your home.  Think about pairing a Classic Blue oven and fridge with white cabinets and light grey, stainless steel accents in your kitchen.  It will certainly have a one of a kind look without being too obscure.

10
Apr
Five Great Uses For A Sunroom

Are you looking to add value to your home?  Are you looking for a space to kick start your day feeling rejuvenated and refreshed?  Do you want a space to unwind and relax from a long work day?  Then a bright and airy sunroom may be just what you’re looking for!

Sunrooms are such a great additional space to have in your home.  They can be that zen space, bringing in light and the natural outdoor surroundings, without having to deal with the elements of being outside.

If you’re considering adding a sunroom to your home, here are five great ways to use one:

1. FAMILY OR LIVING ROOM

If your family is growing or you simply need more space for entertaining and relaxing, using a sunroom can be a great option.  You can even tailor the space to become a more formal living room or a more casual family room, depending on your family’s needs.

2. DINING SPACE

Maybe you only have a kitchen with a small dining area and need a larger space for entertaining.  Or maybe your home is fully equipped with a dining room, but the kitchen is too small to include a casual eating setup.  A sunroom can be a great extension of your dining space needs.  A larger space can accommodate more formal dining with beautiful scenic views, while a small sunroom can be the perfect breakfast nook for simple day-to-day eating.

3. HOME OFFICE

Whether you’re working from home full time, part-time, or on occasion, a sunroom can make a perfect spot for a home office.  The change in scenery, from walls to open windows, can shift your mind into work mode.  In fact, research shows that daylight can increase productivity.  Depending on the size and frequency of use for work, this can also double as a study for the kiddo’s homework time.

4. CRAFT OR HOBBY ROOM

If your looking to really dive into your favorite craft or hobby, but don’t have a dedicated space to do so, a sunroom can be a great option.  You can add cabinetry to store your supplies, and easily transform it into an extended entertaining space when not in use.  Think how perfect it will be to paint a landscape, have a morning yoga session, or tackle that woodwork project in your brand new sunroom!

5. PLAYROOM

Are the kiddos taking over the house?  A sunroom is a perfect option to use as a playroom.  All the toys, games, craft supplies, and any other items your kids play with can all be kept in one space.  And with sliding glass doors, the kids can move from indoor to outdoor play seamlessly.

The great thing about a sunroom is that the space can be made uniquely yours to fit your family’s needs.  You can also consider having the space used for multiple purposes, such as a laundry room and office, or a craft room and entertaining space.  We’d love the opportunity to work with you to create the perfect sunroom for your home.  Give the experts at Patriot Construction a call today for your free sunroom estimate.

12
Mar
Six Popular Countertops You Should Consider For Your Next Kitchen Remodel
  • By Team Patriot
  • Comments Off on Six Popular Countertops You Should Consider For Your Next Kitchen Remodel

We know that visualizing new materials in your future kitchen can be overwhelming and challenging.  But it doesn’t have to be!  And our experts here at Patriot Construction are ready to help.

 

Kitchen countertops not only take center stage in the home but are also a statement piece.  Your home is your sanctuary and your kitchen is the heart of it.  It is more than just a place where you cook, it is a place where you gather with your friends and family.

 

If considering re-modeling your kitchen, here are six of the most popular countertops to consider:

 

1. QUARTZ

This option is in popular demand when it comes to choosing kitchen countertops.  Not only is Quartz easy to clean, but it is also heat, scratch, and stain-resistant.  This is a durable option with an endless choice of colors and patterns.

 

2. GRANITE

Granite pieces are each unique as they are slabs of stone cut from the earth.  Granite does require a bit more maintenance, as it is more porous.  You can order with a polished, shiny finish, a matte finish, or even a specialty finish such as flamed or leather.  Design flexibility is a significant advantage when choosing granite because of the many choices in color and finish.

 

3. MARBLE

Marble is very popular and has a beautiful look however, it is softer and even more porous than granite.  The fact that this stone is more susceptible to stains and scratches, is something to keep in mind when choosing it.

 

4. QUARTZITE

If you love Marble, you’ll probably love Quartzite as it is a natural stone with similar beauty.  It is harder than marble and granite.  This countertop is also more resistant than marble, but can also be prone to etching.

 

5. PORCELAIN

Porcelain countertops appear to be on the rise in popularity.  It is absolutely beautiful, durable, and low maintenance.  They are even rated for exterior use.

 

6. WOOD

Wood countertops are a durable surface for hard-working kitchens.  You can find these countertops in cherry, maple, hickory, walnut, teak, sapele, or mahogany.  Be willing to accept cuts and scratches on the surface if you are wanting to use your countertop for cutting or chopping.

 

Now that we’ve flooded your mind with the most popular countertops, we’d love to help you bring your kitchen re-model visions to life.  Our experts here at Patriot Construction can help you with all your remodeling needs.  Give us a call at 585.720.0990 to discuss your needs and get a free estimate!

11
Feb
Garage Additions Ideas

Has cold weather left you wishing you had a garage or additional indoor parking space in your home?  Adding this space will obviously be a huge convenience for your vehicles, but also can add value to your property! Here are some other great benefits of adding a garage to your home:

Seasonal Storage:  One can never seem to have enough storage for all their things.  A garage can offer this additional storage space for seasonal items, such as holiday decorations or playground items for the kiddos.  Build out shelves to fit clear Rubbermaid bins. Label bins for ease and organization!

More Living Space:  In addition to creating an awesome space for your vehicles, you can also add a second story to your garage.  Use this space as another bedroom or living space. From a playroom to a man cave to a home office, the possibilities for above garage rooms are endless!

Workshop Space: The garage is a perfect home for all of your tools.  Add a workbench to complete your projects and find an organization system to store all of your tools.  

Shed Alternative:  Need a place to store all those lawn care items?  Your garage can be the ideal home. Store everything from your lawn mover to gardening tools.  Add hooks onto the garage wall for easy storage.

Food Storage: If you have a big family, one fridge and freezer never seems to be enough.  Add additional food storage spaces into your garage. Store items you won’t use day to day, but still need.

If you’re ready to enhance your home with a garage, give the experts at Patriot Construction a call at 585.720.0990!

15
Jan
Why A Metal Roof?

If you’re looking for a product that adds major value to your home, consider a metal roof.  While metal roofs can be a much greater investment, the following benefits can far outweigh the disadvantages, especially if you plan on being in your home for many years to come.

Long-Lasting: When installed properly, metal roofs can last over 50 years.  This is certainly unlike traditional asphalt that only lasts somewhere between 12 – 20 years.

Wind Resistant: The structure of metal roofs are installed with interlocking panels.  This allows for maximum wind resistance. With this, other than the occasional inspection, metal roofs require minimal maintenance.

Energy Efficiency: Metal roofs help to keep homes cool by reflecting solar radiant heat.  You can find homes with metal roofs typically have a cooling savings of 10 – 25%.  In the long term, the additional cost spent on a metal roof can be recuperated by the savings of cooling and heating costs.

Environmentally Friendly: Many metal roofs can contain somewhere between 25% – 95% of recycled content.  When the roof needs to be replaced, after many years of use, metal roofs are still 100% recyclable.  This is vastly different from traditional asphalt roofing, which leaves about 20 billion pounds in US landfills every year.

Unique Style: With endless colors, finishes, and shapes in a variety of materials, like tin, zinc, aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel, you are sure to find a metal roof to coordinate with your home.  Yet, unlike traditional asphalt roofing, there are significantly more choices in metal roofing, allowing you to make it as simplistic or striking as your taste desires.

Maybe you’d like to learn more, or maybe you’re ready to upgrade to a beautiful metal roof!  Either way, the experts at Patriot Construction would love to assist. Give us a call at 585.720.0990!

26
Dec
Attic Renovation Inspiration

Attic’s are often illustrated as scary spaces with old creepy toys and spider webs.  But in reality, attics are truly uncharted real estate in your home that with a small investment, can offer huge benefits.  Here are just some of the directions you can go in with an attic renovation:

 

  1. HOME OFFICE: With the rise of small businesses, many homeowners need an office in their home.  Converting an attic space to your home office is a great option. Fill the space with your workstation, file storage, and even a conference table if you choose to bring clients into your home.  The best part? You can totally unplug and leave everything on the top floor when the workday is done!
  2. STUDY ROOM: Wouldn’t it be nice if the kiddos had a designated space to do homework each day?  Rather than sprawling out on the dining room table, your attic space can be transformed into a study room.  Think desk spaces, a large project table, and even a reading nook. You can get your work done downstairs, while the kids are getting their work done upstairs.
  3. ENTERTAINMENT AREA: If you have a large family or large group of friends, entertainment space is essential in your home.  Expand your entertaining opportunities by converting your attic. Turn it into an additional living room with a bar for cocktails and conversation.  Or consider a theatre set up for movie nights, with a big screen and comfortable seating. The possibilities are endless!
  4. PLAYROOM: Give the toys a home!  A playroom gives you a designated space for your kids to play.  It can help them keep their room orderly and stands as a home for all their stuff.  Just think, it’s tucked neatly behind a door, anytime you want – for your sanity of course.  Consider features like a chalkboard wall, a movie viewing corner, and even a large crafting table.  The kids will love it!
  5. BEDROOM: Perhaps the family is growing, or maybe your current bedrooms are rather small.  Converting your attic space could give you that additional bedroom area you’ve been looking for!  Maybe your teen needs to move out of their sibling’s bedroom. Or it could be the perfect opportunity to create that grand, master bedroom!  We know, you’re already picking out new bedding for it!
  6. LIBRARY: If your house is filled with bookworms, a library is an obvious choice for your attic renovation.  Use wall space to create endless bookshelves and create a cozy reading area next to a window. It will be the perfect space to get lost in a good book.
  7. CRAFT ROOM: If your hot glue gun needs a permanent home, a craft room could be the perfect choice for an attic renovation.  This open space is a blank slate for you to include craft storage, crafting tables, and home for all your gadgets. Think of everything you can create in this new space!
  8. CLOSET: Is your resident fashionista taking up all the closet space?  Opt to transform your unused attic space into a luxe walk-in closet. You will surely have enough room for clothes, as well as other high-end features like a jewelry island, lounge area, and accessory display.  Just make sure you leave enough room for those future shopping trips!
  9. MAN CAVE: If the guys need a haven away from the rest of the house, a man cave is surely the way to go for your attic renovation.  From big-screen TVs for sports to a souped-up computer station for gaming, this men’s only space can cater to personal preferences and interests.  Just make sure you include that fridge for beer storage!

 

Now that we’ve filled your head with attic renovation possibilities, we’d love to help bring that vision to life.  The experts at Patriot Construction have vast knowledge in all renovation projects, including attics. If you’re looking to get the most out of the space in your home, we’d love for you to give us a call at 585.720.0990!

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