Proper backfilling of the foundation is one of the first steps in good residential construction. The method used can have long-lasting consequences on the life of a new home. This is especially true when considering basement-type foundations. Improper backfill has the potential of creating structural failures within the foundation. Good planning can help to avoid these costly failures.

Good drainage is important to ensure your home and basement stay dry. As ground water rises or excess rain comes down, a french drain will take the water away from the foundation.

A common misconception is that heat always rises. Heat is in constant motion, moving from warmer areas to colder areas until an overall equal temperature is established. To manage the movement of heat within a home, builders and homeowners are constantly looking for areas around the home to beef-up insulation. 

Fireplaces, whether they are wood-burning or gas, are both fashionable and functional additions to many homes. Families gather around decorated hearths for holiday celebrations as they build lifelong memories.

To build a wood deck or a synthetic deck, that is the question. Each has its pros and cons but which is right for you. There is a lot to be said for maintenance free. But are they really? 

Think stucco finish can stop rainwater and moisture in its tracks? Think again. Stucco finishes are actually porous, which means that water can get sucked up through the pores and enter into the walls. What's more, stucco can crack over time,

Window replacement is one of the most common home improvements people make in any type of house, but it takes special skill to blend the repairs into an existing stucco surface.

House wrap is an important feature that protects your home.  It creates an air and moisture barrier that boosts a home's energy-efficiency and creates a healthy, comfortable indoor environment.

When you are considering the type of look you want for the exterior of your home, fiber cement siding is a solid choice offering a fire-resistant, high quality, long lasting solution. Compared to wood siding, there is no decision to be made. Fiber cement siding wins every time.

No matter what the exterior of your home is (brick, stucco, etc.) you need something between the exterior and your interior walls to keep water out. That's where flashing comes in. 

Many people choose stucco for the exterior of their home because they like the idea of "low-maintenance." But stucco is made with cement as your driveway or sidewalks. With expansion and contraction due to weather and other factors, your stucco can also crack.

Home offices are becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity with more people telecommuting or running their own businesses from their house. The number of Americans who work from home is in the millions, and with the rising cost of gas and increased traffic causing longer commutes, that number is likely to grow even more every year. 

It’s official!  You’ve dropped your youngest child off at college and are returning back to an empty nest. While it is can be bittersweet to see your child leave home in search of independence and adulthood, it can also be a joyous time for you now that you finally have the house all to yourself.