4 Must-Have Customizations to Add to Your Home

Whether you are building a new home or planning for a major remodeling project, there are many things that you may want to add to your home to make the projects much more meaningful. Often, adding customizations to your home is preferred as it brings a unique touch of personality and satisfaction. In this post, we have compiled a list of 4 must-have customizations to add to your home to make it a one-of-a-kind place.

1. Window Treatments

As we all know, windows are one of the things that connect your home's interior with the outside. Adding window treatments can add a lot of character, and your home will become more pleasurable to live in. You can choose different types of window treatments, ranging from curtains and blinds to sun shades and shutters. For further customization, you can combine all these types to get the best look possible.

2. Flooring

Flooring improves your home look and helps you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. You can go with different types of floors, such as carpet, vinyl, tile, and hardwood. Going with all of them will not only change the look of your space but will also give you different options in terms of comfort. Pick flooring that suits your preferences and complements the design of the house. Your local flooring business should specialize in custom residential architecture, therefore, will help you get the best flooring options for your home.

3. Countertops

Countertops can give your home a different look, feel and touch. It is important that you choose a countertop that suits your cooking style and the overall design of your kitchen. Granite or quartz countertops will add sophistication to your kitchen and increase the value of your home. Placing these kinds of countertops in the kitchen area can have a significant impact on the price of homes in the future.

4. Fireplace

Fireplaces not only add warmth and charm to your home but are also great conversation starters. There are many ways you can add a fireplace to your home. You can opt for a gas or wood-burning installation depending on your budget and the look you want to achieve. A fireplace will increase the value of your property, especially if it is built out of brick. Choose one that compliments the design of your home and creates a marvel in the minds of the people visiting your place with its beauty and usefulness.

Final Thoughts

With these four customizations, your home will not only look beautiful, but it will also bring a great deal of uniqueness, value, and comfort to your space. But before you do the customizations, it is important that you choose the elements that match your preference and taste.

Why a Fireplace Can Be a Benefit to Your Home

If your home doesn't already have a fireplace, it could certainly use one. A fireplace can be an excellent home addition for different reasons, and you can choose a fireplace design that can blend in well with your home's interior. Once you've experienced all the benefits that a fireplace can provide, you likely won't be able to imagine life without a fireplace again.

Extra Warmth

No matter how high you turn your heat up on the coldest days, a fireplace can still make your home feel warmer and more inviting. You might not even have to rely on your heater as much if you can generate enough warmth from the fire inside your fireplace, and this can save you money on utilities.

A Backup Energy Source

If the power inside your home ever fails, you can use your fireplace as an alternative energy source. You won't have to worry about freezing if your power goes out during the winter and you have a fireplace to provide warmth. The fire inside your fireplace can also create more light so that you'll be able to see better when your main light sources aren't working.

More Romance

You can turn your home into a more romantic setting with a fireplace. You and your significant other can sit in front of the fireplace and watch the flames dance and undulate while the two of you spend some special alone time together. The crackling and popping sounds from the fire inside your fireplace can make the setting seem even more relaxing and romantic. If you're eager to create a romantic setting, a gas fireplace will allow you to do so quickly.

A Different Way to Cook

If your fireplace is also designed to be a wood-burning stove, you can prepare many of your meals and also heat your coffee and cocoa on top of it. Even if your fireplace doesn't come with a stove, you can still roast hot dogs and marshmallows over the open flames as long as you do so safely. By using your fireplace to do some of your cooking, you can save money by reducing the energy use that you would normally need to prepare your meals.

A fireplace in your home can be the perfect addition that offers you several advantages. You can choose a fireplace from a reputable seller and have it installed and ready to use whenever you want to light a fire.

5 Tips for Maintaining Your Fireplace

With unseasonable weather occurring more frequently,  the air outside can go from pleasant to freezing overnight. But before you crank up your fireplace, you'll want to make sure everything is in working order. Here are a few maintenance tips you should implement to make sure that you and your loved ones can stay safe and warm. 

1. Call A Certified Chimney Sweep

If you're like most people, you haven't had a professional come out to clean the chimney since…well, it’s been a while. Now is the time to have an expert check the chimney for cracks, missing mortar, creosote buildup, and loose bricks. It's best to call a professional in early fall because winter is the busiest season for chimney sweep companies. Be sure to hire chimney sweeps who have been certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America or who are Fire Certified. Chimney sweep professionals check the chimney stack on the exterior and interior. For the inside, they'll use a camera with a light to make sure there aren't any unsafe conditions inside the chimney, and they’ll clean out all of the soot and debris. While inside the chimney, the chimney sweep will check the damper and chimney cap to ensure rain, animals like birds or bats, and debris can't enter the home. 

2. Clean The Fireplace Box Inside Your Home 

After your chimney has been cleaned and re-fortified inside and out, it's time to focus on the fireplace. Look for any soot or dirt inside your firebox and vacuum or sweep it out. To do this, remove your grates and andirons to gain access. Use a wire brush to remove soot buildup and rust from the grates. Next, you'll want to scrub the interior walls of the fireplace to remove excess debris. Once the interior is free of debris and soot, use a cleaning solution to wash the fireplace walls. 

If you see any gaps in the firebox brick mortar, patch them up with a water-based, sand-filled sealant to provide the right amount of adhesion. After sealing all cracks, replace the fireplace screen and clean the glass with an ammonia-free fireplace glass cleaner. Lastly, take a step back and see how you can spruce up your mantel. Your family and loved ones will appreciate the extra effort you put into creating a cozy atmosphere. 

3. Use The Right Type of Firewood 

Most people think that any wood will suffice for a good burn. However, trimming trees around the property or using green or unseasoned wood will cause creosote to build upon the walls of your chimney. This is a special kind carbon build-up that can cause smoke and even catch fire if left unattended. You’ll therefore want to use dry and seasoned wood that burns cleanly and efficiently without all of the popping and cracking sounds. If you're burning wood and hearing these sounds, you're more likely to build a smoldering fire and fill your home with smoke.

When preparing your fire, do not overload your fireplace with wood. It's much better to have a small, hotter fire than a raging inferno that could easily turn dangerous. If you have a gas fireplace, check to see that your fireplace has the proper ventilation and that no carbon monoxide is escaping into your home. We highly recommend purchasing a carbon monoxide detector to monitor potentially dangerous levels. 

4. Protect The Interior of Your Home 

When it comes to your family and loved ones, safety is first and foremost. As a homeowner, you should already know that you need fire extinguishers throughout the home, but you must know where your fire extinguishers are before lighting your gas or wood-burning fireplace. Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher in easy reach when building a fire, and you'll be prepared to handle any potential danger within seconds. 

To fortify your fireplace, incorporate further measures such as damper ballons and blowers. Damper balloons prevent cold air from entering the home while the chimney is dormant. They are inflatable and rest against the damper to keep cold air out and can save you tons of money on your monthly utility bills. Blowers help circulate the heat generated from the fire and up and out to your living room. To maximize the protection of your home, get a fire screen to prevent embers from jumping out and causing a potential fire. 

5. Ensure the Exterior Of Your Home Is Safe

To ensure you have a streamlined experience when setting a fire in your fireplace, take a look at the exterior of your home for potential barriers. If you see trees overhanging the chimney stack, trim them back before setting a fire. If the screens on your chimney stack show signs of wear, replace them to keep birds, squirrels, and bats out before they wreak havoc or cause a potential fire hazard. And lastly, store your supply of firewood outside in a rack to keep it dry and prevent insects and vermin from infesting your wood.

With these tips, you are well on your way to confidently kicking your feet up and putting a smile on the face of everyone who enters your home. Feel confident that your friends, family, and loved ones will feel safe and enjoy the moment every time they set foot in your house.

How to Clean and Maintain Your Gas Fireplace

The most popular type of fireplace is the gas fireplace. Families use them to stay warm and spend quality time together. If you follow a few logical steps, it will be easy to use safely, clean, and maintain.

Safety

Keeping your family safe is as simple as following three simple precautions. First, make sure you always have a gas fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency. Next, everyone should understand how to light the pilot light in the fireplace. Finally, a burning fire should never be left unattended.

Cleaning

You can keep your gas fireplace clean by following these five steps.

* Turn the gas off. Before cleaning the fireplace, disconnect the gas lines. After you have turned it off, close the pilot valve.

* Sweep it with a broom. Clean the fireplace by carefully sweeping out any loose ashes.

* Wipe the surfaces with a cloth. You can use a damp cloth on a dry cloth to remove any remaining dust or debris from inside the fireplace. If it's particularly dirty, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

* Vacuum all surfaces to remove visible dust and debris. Electric vacuums are the most efficient way to clean a gas fireplace. Since it has multiple attachments, it can be used to clean every nook and cranny. You should use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove dust, dirt, and debris.

* Remove any residue. Make sure that you clean your surfaces with an oven cleaner or baking soda after you are finished.

Cosmetics

Here are some tips for maintaining your gas fireplace and keep it looking its best:

* Keep the chimney clean by sweeping it out every month.

* Do not place anything that could block the burner's air intake.

* Use a spark screen. When you light your fireplace, it will prevent sparks from flying out.

* Avoid painting the firebox for a fresh look. If there is any peeling paint, remove it with a heat gun, a wire brush, or steel wool.

* If you notice that there are cracks in the glass, replace it with a new one.

* Look out for rust in your fireplace's metal parts and replace them.

Conclusion

Gas fireplaces are extremely popular. Since they can be used without a chimney, they are easy to use, inexpensive, and emit heat. If you follow the recommended routines outlined here, they are also easy to clean, maintain, and use safely.