LVP Flooring: An Alternative to Hardwood
May 20, 2020
If you’ve been in the market for new flooring, you most likely have seen a product called Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). LVP flooring has gained popularity in the last five years, and more homeowners are installing it in their homes than ever before. Most flooring companies have their own brand, and they’ve kept improving the appearance of the planks, giving them a very realistic wood or tile look. Many people prefer the look of luxury vinyl planks over sheet vinyl.
There are a large variety of planks on the market – from traditional to distressed looks. Plank widths range from 4 ½” – 9” and lengths are 48” or 72”. According to Shirley Lantz, Interior Designer at Wall-to-Wall Floor Covering in Strasburg, PA, there are many reasons this flooring is a top seller. One of the biggest reasons that homeowners choose luxury vinyl planks is the fact that it’s 100% waterproof, making it an excellent choice for homes with children and/or pets. It is easy to clean and can be used in kitchens, laundries and bathrooms without fear of getting water on the floor.
Home Tip: How to Select a Paint Color
May 6, 2020
Foundation Repairs Lead to Renovation & Addition
April 15, 2020
Andy and Lenore purchased their ranch home at an auction. The home is situated on a beautiful wooded lot, and while they loved the house, they also suspected there were some serious foundation issues. Because of this, they decided to combine the foundation repairs into one major project to make the home everything they wanted to meet the needs of their family.
Andy’s parents had a new home built by Metzler Home Builders in 2015 and were very impressed with the company, cost, employees, subcontractors and their final product. Andy and Lenore gave Metzler’s a call and began the design process with Tim. In addition to repairing the foundation issues, they added a sunroom and a deck with a screened-in porch area. They also renovated to include a new kitchen and bath and reconfigured the mudroom.
Kitchen Design Trends for 2020
April 1, 2020
Of all the rooms in your home, your kitchen is probably the one you spend the most time in—and is also the hardest working. At the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in January, more than 600 manufacturers debuted some of their latest products. The show revealed several new kitchen trends as well as those that are still popular today.
Kitchen Trends for Today & the Future
- Open Space: Because kitchens are, and continue to be, an important hub of the home, the open space design—where the kitchen flows into the family room—will continue to be popular for most consumers.
- Private Nooks: However, there is a growing segment of consumers who are pushing back from the entire common area being open. While they still want a nice flow from the kitchen to living room, they also seek a bit more privacy. Watch for more designs with a kitchen and a small sitting area or nooks that create a space for more solitude, when wanted.
- Livability: Baby Boomers want to remain in their homes and as independent as possible, and more manufacturers are focused on products that allow for folks to age-in-place, such as an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sink by Elkay. Additionally, small space living is trending, such as those found for in-law suites or accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Whirlpool has a small spaces collection of appliances that are perfectly portioned to fit this small kitchen niche.
Project Spotlight: A New Custom Home Fits the Bill
March 18, 2020
Jason and Katie were looking to move to a new home. They attended auctions that didn’t work out and walked through houses that were for sale, but they didn’t find one that was right for them. So Jason and Katie began to dream about building a home that would be perfect for their family. They were thrilled to come across a piece of land that was exactly what they were looking for.
Construction in Willow Bend Farm to be Completed by Late Summer 2020
March 4, 2020
Truly Custom
February 19, 2020
The term “custom home” is often loosely used, meaning a set style or floor plan with slightly different options or interchangeable features. The result ends up looking like many other “custom” homes. At Metzler Home Builders, we have a truly custom approach to your project. Your home should reflect your needs, your wants and your personality. We take your desires seriously, building you a home that is truly custom.
How to Use Tile in Unexpected Ways
February 5, 2020
Tile can be a creative expression of both form and function, and its advantages reward home design professionals and homeowners alike. Because tile is available in a variety of sizes, colors, shapes, styles and patterns, it’s one of the most versatile products, too. Tile is a lovely material that, because of its natural resistance to bacteria and easy-to-clean properties, performs terrifically in kitchens and baths, but it is also finding “homes” in almost any location.
Project Spotlight: A Fabulous Facelift & Year-Round Sunroom
January 22, 2020
Bris and Janet loved their home, but they were ready for a change to the home’s exterior. Specifically, it had a screened-in porch that they wanted to make more usable. They found it to be too cold, too hot or too buggy to be used most of the year. In addition, the house was covered in old aluminum siding which needed to be replaced. They also wanted to remove the shutters but weren’t sure how to make that change on an older home.
The Evolution of Laundry Rooms: Function, Design and Future
January 8, 2020
The laundry room has seen significant changes over the years. What used to be a spot that was shut away and ignored until it was time for chores is now a multifunctional space designed to be both beautiful and efficient.
According to the National Association of Home Builder’s 2019 edition of the What Home Buyers Really Want report, an overwhelming 91 percent of all buyers want a laundry room included in their home – more than any other home or community feature. Of those, 54 percent consider it to be essential. It is the highest-ranking feature in the category, and 37 percent rank them desirable.