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  • Tips For Maintaining Your Custom Home

    Building a custom home design requires a lot of planning and well-thought-out execution, but once that phase is complete, how well you maintain it will determine the continuing value of your home. As a custom homeowner, here is what your housekeeping checklist should have to ensure that your home is in top condition for a very long time.

    Custom Home Design: Home Maintenance

    HVAC

    HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning, and this system’s purpose is to improve the indoor air quality in your home and provide balanced thermal comfort. It is recommended that you change HVAC air filters every three months – more frequently during high pollen season or if the house has residents with allergies. Also, check the HVAC condenser to remove every trace of debris and leaves, and finally, hire a specialist who can do a thorough maintenance check for duct and drain lines leaks.

    Roofing

    The roof of every home is one of the often-overlooked places for home maintenance; that’s why we’re bringing it to your attention. Most people are wary of climbing onto the roof, so your best bet is to hire a professional who can clean off any debris and identify any damage.

    Remember that a leaking roof can cause damage to the interior, resulting in expensive repairs; hence, a roof inspection has to be a part of your annual maintenance tasks.

    Kitchen

    There are a few annual chores to be completed around the kitchen. During this process, vacuum the refrigerator coils, clean the oven, and clean the sink traps (curved pipe). Next, soak the filter and range hood in warm water and cleaning agents to remove the grease. This deep clean needs to be done at least once every six months to maintain the standards of the kitchen.

    Plumbing

    At least once every month, get in the habit of inspecting all the bathrooms in your custom home. During this inspection, identify leaking faucets, clogged toilets, and lots more that needs to be replaced, fixed, or cleaned out.

    Landscaping

    Ornamental features, planting trees and shrubs give a home a pleasant appeal, increases its value, and makes the land appear more attractive, but it also needs maintenance. Besides maintaining the plants with the usual weeding, pruning, planting, etc., irrigation systems are checked for leaks, and they maintain proper coverage.

    Nubuildz

    Maintaining an investment will always pay off in convenience, comfort, and monetary value. Nubuildz has experts in custom home design. Let us help you design and build your dream home.

  • Staining Vs. Painting Cabinets

    Kitchen cabinets make up a large part of any kitchen’s décor. Their style and color make a powerful impact on any visitor’s first impression. Stylish cabinetry color is the cherry on top of the overall layout of the kitchen. Customized cabinetry allows you to choose between stained cabinets or painted ones, keeping your desires and budget in mind. Both stained and painted cabinets can be an excellent choice for a custom kitchen. Although the choice of stained vs. painted is purely about one’s personal preferences, they both have positive and negative aspects.

    Custom Kitchen: Custom Cabinets

    Painted Cabinets

    Painted cabinets are appealing to the eye because of their smooth and glazed appearance. Due to the wide range of colors, painted cabinets allow you more options for customization when compared to stained wooden cabinets. Cabinets can be customized using vibrant and bright hues that go well with your kitchen’s theme, decor, or style.

    Moreover, painted cabinets are less expensive than stained ones as they can be manufactured using lower-quality wood or medium-density fiberboard. Paint has a thick coating that obscures all the wood grains and imperfections in the wood texture as it adheres firmly to the cabinet’s surface and still results in a lustrous look.

    On the negative side, painted cabinets show more dust and even minor cracks around the joints and hinges.

    Stained Cabinets

    Stained wood is the choice of many who like the look and warmth of the wood grains accentuated with staining. It presents a traditional look as the stain is thin and does not cover the grains and wooden texture. Stained cabinets are easy to touch up after scratches or nicks since the stain doesn’t peel or scratch off. While paint requires sanding and repainting, the most challenging task with stain is matching the shade exactly.

    Stain is only absorbed by natural wood. Since the grain of the wood is accentuated when stained, the quality of the wood has to be quite good, which is more costly. Fiberboard cannot be stained, and it is not recommended for cheaper types of wood (unless you’re going for a rustic look).

    The color spectrum of stains is limited and has finite design options. In general, the labor involved in staining is less expensive when compared to painted cabinetry. Painting requires preparation – priming the wood, painting, and glossing to finish. Still, the quality of wood necessary for staining can be heavy on the pocket.

    Stained or painted cabinets are both trending these days, depending upon your home’s overall theme and design. However, choosing between the two depends upon affordability, durability, and aesthetic design. Preferences, budget, space, and lifestyle, are the deciding factors.

    Nubuildz

    When building a home, choosing the cabinets for a custom kitchen can be overwhelming. However, the design experts at Nubuildz can help. Narrowing down the choices is the first step towards your dream kitchen. Check us out and see what we can do for you.

  • Fun Ideas For Any Of Your Unused Rooms

    Unused rooms in your home should not go to waste. Instead of storing junk or letting a room sit untouched, try to transform spare rooms into something more useful. There are many fantastic home additions you can do that can increase the value of your home. Here are some fun and creative things you can do with unused space.

    Home Additions: Ways You Can Repurpose Unused Rooms

    Home Gym

    A home gym gives household members the option to work out in the comfort of their home—no more driving to the local gym. Instead, you can get your blood pumping at any time of the day with your equipment. Tailor the equipment and atmosphere to suit your needs – bold colors for pumping iron or serenity for yoga and meditation.

    Guest Room

    A guest room might seem like a bland idea. But, you can make this type of space unique and cozy, especially when you have friends or other family members staying over.

    Gaming Room

    Gaming rooms are perfect for a family. Install a few large TVs, arcade-style games, a Foosball table, or whatever the favorites are in your family. You can make memories with your family and schedule regular family game nights here.

    Home Office

    Offices are a popular home addition that many people choose now out of necessity as remote work becomes more popular. Soon, you may need to transform one of your rooms into a dedicated office space. Home offices are great because you can have a room entirely designed for your type and style of work.

    Personal Library

    People with a lot of books may want to create a library. Make the room a special place to relax and catch up on your latest reads. Comfortable chairs, proper lighting, and of course, plenty of shelving are the top features for a home library.

    Arts and Crafts Rooms

    If you or any of your family members like to get creative, you’ll love this next option. An arts and crafts room is the perfect place to let your imagination run wild. Design the closets to store all your art supplies and have a large work table to create and work on projects.

    Study Room

    Maybe you don’t work from home, but your kids are in school and need a place to study. A study room might be the perfect option for you. You and your family will have a nice quiet place to hit the books without distractions.

    Music Room

    Finally, if anyone in your family enjoys making music or jamming with their instruments, you might want to consider making a music room for your home. Family members can record and produce their tracks in this space. Or they can have their friends over to play guitar and other instruments.

    Nubuildz

    These are only a few ideas to customize your living space. Use all your home space to live your life. If you are designing a new custom home – include some of these home additions. Nubuildz is a source to find the builders for creating your dream home.

  • How To Settle On An Exterior Color For Your Home

    The foundation is laid, the walls are up, and the roof is completed – the most strenuous parts of the home construction have been accomplished. Now for the fun part – color and design selection. Easy, right? Think again. Trawling the internet for the latest in home trends regarding exterior colors will often leave many in a state of confusion. The list is endless: one color or multiple colors, light or dark, or even different shades for different areas. Are you feeling bewildered? Here are a few tips to help aid you when selecting the perfect exterior color.

    Home Trends: Exterior Home Colors

    Color Representation

    You do not need to look far to see the psychology of color at play. Whether out in nature or roaming the bustling city, you will notice a plethora of colors—each one invoking different emotions for different individuals. Jot down the various colors that speak to you from your search in the latest home trends. Then ask yourself what each color represents to you. Which colors give you a sense of warmth, comfort, and security? These may be the winners. Any color that doesn’t convey positive emotions should not make the cut.

    Exterior Finishes

    The type of siding or exterior finish may direct you to specific colors. Such as, vinyl siding may only be made in a determined list of colors – limiting your choices. Also, consider the texture of the exterior finish. Some colors will subdue the texture, and others will enhance it.

    Colors That Belong Together

    Looking at your palette of chosen colors, be sure to see what colors complement each other. You will need to keep in mind the colors of other exterior details, such as the trim, shutters, and door frame colors. All of these colors will need to be well-matched to avoid looking like a toddler’s art project. Avoid harsh colors that clash as this can easily distract one’s attention from the house’s beauty.

    Visualizing The Final Product

    Visualization is critical. Envision yourself walking up to your new home. Is it as warm and inviting as you had hoped? Do the color choices complement the style of the house? When you are happy with your preferences, it will be beneficial to decide the following: a primary siding color, an accent color, and a trim color. This process will help take your vision of your house and enable you to relay that image on.

    Nubuildz

    When selecting an exterior, do not hesitate to contact experts about the most recent home trends. At Nubuildz, we are experts in custom home building and always on hand to help.

  • Best Landscaping Ideas For Your New Home

    A well-organized and beautiful house isn’t just pleasing to the eye, it is also good for your health. Studies have shown that our surroundings have a significant effect on our physical and mental health. You must invest in maintaining the integrity and beauty of your home. It will help you feel good, but it will also enhance the house’s resale value when you want to sell it in the future.

    Yard Care: Invest in Landscaping

    One way to bring out the beauty of your house is to invest in landscaping. With so many excellent options available in the market, you can quickly bring your landscaping ideas to life. And you can select a design based on the amount of yard care you enjoy.

    Gathering Ideas

    Look for unique and exciting ideas around your neighborhood block and see what people have done to their lawns. Looking at various landscaping examples can help you generate ideas for your own house. You will become aware of the landscaping ideas that will ideally work for your home and other ideas that you should avoid. Here are a few general landscaping ideas that will help get you started.

    Flowers and Plants

    No landscaping idea is complete without flowers and plants. Greenery soothes the mind and enhances the beauty of your lawn. Flowers bring in that pop of color that will make you smile. Trees will bring shade and majesty to your yard. Use plants that are native to your location, so the environment is ideal for them, and you don’t have to spend a lot on maintenance.

    Water Feature

    A water feature can be a perfect addition to your lawn. A small waterfall, pond, or fountain adds elegance. The sound of flowing water soothes the mind and soul and can be meditative. Water features also attract wildlife such as birds, butterflies, squirrels, rabbits, and deer. Watching animals can be entertaining.

    Outdoor Living Space

    Invest in extending your home outside and design an outdoor living space. This feature is usually preferred in the backyard compared to the front but can be done anyplace. Building a deck or patio can give a focal point for the outdoor living space. This space will enhance the true beauty of your backyard.

    Invest In Artificial Lawn and Accessories

    Don’t shy away from investing in artificial lawn accessories. Sometimes, artificial grass can be a better option than natural grass in some areas. In arid climates, other options such as gravel or rocks can be used.

    Install an Irrigation System

    A sound irrigation system is necessary for good landscaping. Get a high-quality irrigation system for your lawn. Without an irrigation system in place, your yard will not get the amount of water necessary to thrive.

    Hire a Professional Lawn Care Company

    There are two ways you can handle your landscaping ideas. You can do the work or hire a professional lawn care company that can give a professional touch to your landscaping ideas.

    Nubuildz

    When selecting landscaping designs, be sure to keep in mind how much time you have to dedicate to yard care. Be realistic. If you don’t have a lot of spare time, a high-maintenance yard may not be for you. Nubuildz specializes in custom homes and can be a great help if you are looking for a high-quality landscaping service for your new home.

  • 10 Reasons To Build Instead Of Buy

    Are you at a time in your life that you’re ready to purchase a home? Maybe you’re young, and this is your first home purchase. Or perhaps you’re an older empty nester ready to downsize. Either way, you will have to decide whether to buy a resale or have a home built. Here are the top ten reasons why you should indulge in new home construction instead of buying.

    New Home Construction Benefits

    Personalized. Everything in the house will be according to what you need and want. You can be a part of the entire building process, from creating plans to the execution. The house will fit your lifestyle and aesthetic. What more do you need?

    Stay Updated. The design world is exploding with new architecture, interior, and designs. New home construction will mean you get to decide the style of house you want according to your preferences and current trends. It will look and feel fresh.

    Updated Industry Standards. New home construction requires adherence to the latest building codes – abiding regulations of health and safety. Your new home will be up-to-date with the safest and best industry standards.

    Investment. The price of land and housing has traditionally risen over time. A new home usually costs more than a resale, but its value will increase if you plan to stay in the house for several years.

    Low Maintenance Cost. A resale house may look good from the outside, but it might have problems pop up once you settle in. Older homes generally require more upkeep than new ones. That is why new home construction means you will be saving on maintenance costs.

    Everything Is Brand New. You will not have to repair or replace anything in your home as it will be brand new. You also won’t have to worry about wear and tear. If there are any problems, the appliances are under warranty.

    Energy Efficient HVAC System. Your new home construction can include an energy-efficient HVAC system. Because of this, it will efficiently heat and cool your home while regulating optimal humidity. You will experience the best comfort and the lowest cost.

    Warranty. New home builders typically offer warranty to clients, after which the owner is responsible for the maintenance of the home. You will get a warranty of a year or more, depending on your builder. The builder will cover any problems or repairs.

    Latest Appliances. You can install the latest energy-efficient appliance to save energy costs. It will provide your home with a modern look while ensuring that the user costs stay low.

    Your Dream Home. We all have visions of a dream home. Get yours constructed by the best builders and enjoy it for your entire lifetime. From the paint to the exterior, everything will be according to your vision.

    Nubuildz

    Are you ready to create the house of your dreams and enjoy it for a long time to come? Nubuildz can help with your new home construction from start to finish. Contact us and see what we can do for you!

  • Can You Actually Make Fake Flowers Look Real?

    Summer is almost here, and the beauty of the season can’t be overemphasized. As we wait for the season, does that mean you can’t beautify your home with flowers? As you wait, how about filling your home with beautiful faux flowers or plants to add some color to your home. Here are a few pro homeowner tips on how to successfully use artificial flowers in your home décor.

    Pro Homeowner Tips: Artificial Flowers

    Artificial flowers aren’t created equal. There are so many options available. Here are pro homeowner tips to give you the most realistic and beautiful synthetic flower options.

    Alter Store Bought Flowers

    Note that most top-rated artificial flowers arrive with straight stems and closed buds. Make sure to bend some of the stems after putting them in the vase to mimic the look of real flowers. Also, open up some of the flower heads to ensure they are different and look fresh.

    Sometimes the faux flowers you purchase might be tall. If you want a shorter arrangement for your room, you can bend the stems instead of cutting them to help fit in a vase. With these, you can use the branches in a tall and short vase at different times.

    Use Opaque Vases

    An opaque vase hides bent stems or other oddities that make them look unnatural. No one has to know the stems aren’t natural unless they inspect them close up.

    Cut Stems and Remove Leaves

    The short flower arrangement can be tricky if you have long flowers and a short vase. Use a wire cutter to cut the stems and remove the lower leaves. Bending the stems can be tricky and sometimes creates a bundle too tight for the vase. Add a small ball of chicken wire to the vase to separate and hold the stems in place.

    Use Dirt With Artificial Potted Plants

    An artificial potted plant makes a great addition, especially in the living room where the corners are underutilized. Use a pot and add dirt to make the plant look realistic. No one will suspect a thing as these look amazingly natural.

    Place in Locations Where Live Plants Would Grow

    Avoid putting the plants in awkward spaces. Place them in corners and other places where living plants would grow. Put the plants next to a window or bright light to make them look even better.

    Add Color to a Plain Room

    For a neutral kitchen, the pop of colorful flowers creates a significant impact. Use the flowers to bring summer right into your kitchen as you wait to get fresh ones from the store or your garden. These are also a great addition to a laundry room to freshen up the area.

    Nubuildz

    Are you looking to build a new custom home? Nubuildz is here to help. Our experts can give you pro homeowner tips to help create your dream homes.

  • The Most Common Artwork Display Mistakes We See

    Decorating your home can be an exciting and fun process. You choose the style of your living space and express yourself with accent pieces and decorations. However, when adding art into the mix, decorating your home can become a challenge. Hanging up art is not as easy as it looks. Most people don’t know how to group multiple pieces of art for the best display. There is no perfect way to hang art, but you want your walls and home to look aesthetically pleasing and fit in with your home organization. Here are the most common mistakes made when hanging art.

    Top Mistakes People Make When Displaying Artwork

    Not Big Enough

    The most common mistake seen with artwork displays is the size of the art. You don’t want to cluster a bunch of small same-sized pieces of art together. The result can look uninteresting, cluttered, and boring. Instead, choose a variety of sizes to improve the look. Alternatively, use more significant works of art in the mix or one big piece of art to cover a wall. This way, the art display doesn’t look too busy or cluttered.

    Too Similar

    You want to avoid grouping art pieces that are overly similar. The best example of this is quotation pieces. It’s okay to have artwork that incorporates motivational or inspirational quotes. But, if all your art has words to read, it might make your living space feel a bit preachy and overwhelming.

    Try to choose artwork with various styles, coloring, and subject matter. Having good artwork in your home can make you feel calm and at peace. Choose pieces that make you smile when you see them. Don’t ever buy art that “matches” a décor or has no meaning for you.

    No Design Plan

    Finally, people’s most significant mistake when creating an art display is going in without a plan. You want to decide on your room’s colors, design, and look before hanging any art. Many people don’t think about this at all. They hang up art that doesn’t coordinate or evoke an emotional response, creating awkwardness in the room.

    To prevent this mistake, choose artwork that compliments each other but doesn’t necessarily “match.” The colors should not clash, and the composition of your art pieces should enhance one another for the best possible look.

    Nubuildz

    Are you looking to build a custom home? Nubuildz can help. Our experts can guide you through all the steps of home organization to create the home of your dreams.

  • What Is Natural Cleaning & How Do I Do It?

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “24% of global disease is caused by environmental exposures which can be averted.” One effective way of limiting harmful ‘environmental exposure’ is using cleaning methods and solutions that are healthy and good for the environment – i.e., green cleaning.

    Benefits of Green Cleaning

    Making the switch to green products and embracing natural cleaning offers many benefits.

    It’s Healthy: Most store-bought household and cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that can cause various health problems—including respiratory illnesses and cancer. Green cleaning products are characterized by their lack of toxic substances or harmful additives. (Note: Be careful of greenwashing when purchasing cleaning products. Greenwashing is the process of marketing products as “green” or “natural” when they’re laden with potentially harmful chemicals.) Read all labels before purchasing.

    Eco-Friendly: Natural cleaning products are typically recyclable, biodegradable, and sourced from sustainable practices.

    Cost Saving: The ingredients needed to make green cleaning products are often available in most people’s pantries—including lemon, vinegar, and baking soda.

    Make Green Cleaners at Home

    Achieving a healthy, sparkling space free of germs, grime, and potentially toxic chemicals is as easy as ABC. Everyday products in most kitchens or pantries can be combined to create effective cleaning solutions. Here are a few DIY “recipes” to whip up natural cleaning products that get the job done.

    All-Purpose Cleaner: Combine 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax), 1/2 cup vinegar, 4-8 cups hot water, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional) in a spray bottle. This DIY all-purpose cleaner is excellent for mild cleaning around the house.

    Kitchen Cleaner: Combine baking soda (4 tablespoons) and hot water (4 cups) to clean the refrigerator, kitchen counters, and appliances.

    Sanitizing Solution: Mix 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach with one quart of water. Place mixture in a spray bottle. To use, spray the solution on cleaned surfaces and allow it to air dry.

    Glass Cleaner: Mix water (2 cups), vinegar (1/2 cup), 70% rubbing alcohol, and a few drops of natural essential oil in a spray bottle. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe windows or mirrors.

    Grease Cleaner: Remove tough grime from grills, oven racks, and other surfaces with a solution of water (1 gallon) and sudsy ammonia (1/2 cup).

    Heavy-Duty Scrub: For hard-to-clean rust stains, use borax powder (1/2 cup) and 1/2 lemon. Dip the lemon in powder and scrub the surface, then rinse. (Note: This method is too harsh for marble or granite surfaces.)

    Toilet: Pour a mixture of vinegar (1 cup) and baking soda (1/4 cup) into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing with a toilet brush and flushing.

    Drains: Clean drains the ‘green way’ using baking soda (1/4 cup) and then vinegar (1/2 cup). Finish a few minutes later by pouring some boiling water down the drain. For the garbage disposal, toss in some citrus peels for a pleasant aroma and some ice cubes to sharpen the blades.

    Dangerous Ingredient Combination

    Please Note! Combining bleach and ammonia releases a deadly gas. NEVER mix two products containing these two ingredients, no matter how small the concentration.

    Labeling

    Always label all DIY green cleaning products—highlighting the ingredients used.

    Nubuildz

    Green cleaning is a great way to keep your custom home clean and safe. For more tips on promoting an eco-friendly and healthy home, contact Nubuildz for all your custom home needs.

  • Tips For Keeping Your Kitchen As Clean As Possible

    Whether small or large, the kitchen is the heart of every home. It’s where meals are made, family times are molded, and sometimes the center of the party. A custom kitchen is a luxurious addition to a home. Its distinction is in its details, designed to reflect the homeowner’s preferences, taste, and sometimes personality.

    Keeping a clean kitchen can be a daunting task, especially when it’s spacious, and we know that. Hence, after consulting with professional cleaners, we arrived at the best tips for a kitchen cleaning guide.

    Custom Kitchen Cleaning Tips

    Stone Counters

    When you observe a spill on your countertop, wipe it off immediately. It’s advisable to avoid using harsh cleaning agents like acid-based solutions or vinegar, which can etch the surface. Keep a dry cloth handy; after cleaning the countertop’s surface with water, dry it. Mix some water with hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from juice or coffee.

    If you have a granite countertop, you can mix between one teaspoon to four cups of water(depending on the need) with dishwashing detergent and apply it to the surface.

    Stone counters add an expensive touch to your custom kitchen, and with these tips, you will be able to keep its surface clean and protect its delicate finish.

    Kitchen Walls

    The kitchen wall is likely to retain oil stains, but they aren’t difficult to remove. Use a mix of dishwashing liquid and water to clean. If the grease stains are tough to clean, use a degreaser. For minor waterborne stains, use a clean rag to restore the surface.

    Appliances

    Your appliances should be cleaned thoroughly every three to four months. You may already be in the habit of cleaning the outer part of your stove, fridge, and so on – which is good, but this time, you may need to get a little bit ‘dirty.’ Check inside your oven, look behind your fridge, and underneath it for unwanted stains and dirt. You can also move your appliances aside to allow cleaning the kitchen walls with dishwashing soap and water.

    After cleaning the fridge and oven (for tougher stains, use an oven cleaner for 15-20mins), an open box of baking soda can help you absorb the moisture and reduce the odor in your appliances.

    Nubuildz

    A kitchen is the part of your home where all your meals are prepared, and a healthy and clean kitchen reflects the homeowner’s standards. Your custom kitchen will stay looking good as new using these cleaning guidelines. If you are interested in a new custom kitchen or custom home, Nubuildz can help. Our experts can create the kitchen or home of your dreams.