Lundberg Builders, Inc. A Better Building Experience Since 1977 How to Give Back During Philanthropy Month November is Philanthropy Month and one of the main philosophies at Lundberg Builders, Inc. is that it is important to give back to the communities in which you live and work. This month, we would like to encourage you to find an organization that means a lot to you and donate your time or resources to help your community. Below is a list of some of our local organizations that consistently give back to our area and need your time and support. Haven Ministries Haven Ministries is located in Queen Anne’s County and provides assistance to members of the community through two food pantries and a winter shelter. This non-profit organization is currently building two “Homes of Hope” on Kent Island that will serve individuals and families in need through the Haven Ministries Housing Assistance Program. Those who participate in this program will receive intensive case management services that include connections to healthcare and dental resources, job skills training, budgeting, and more. To help fund their programs, Haven Ministries also runs Hope Warehouse and Our Daily Thread Thrift Store as well as many different fundraisers throughout the year. Interested in helping through volunteering or donating your time? Contact Haven Ministries for more opportunities. Haven Ministries is currently collaborating with multiple community businesses and organizations to build two Homes of Hope on Kent Island. Chesapeake Charities Chesapeake Charities is a non-profit organization that works with people and organizations that desire to set up local foundations, charities, and scholarships. Additionally, Chesapeake Charities provides resources to help find grants and write grants that are a match for an organization’s mission. You can contribute to any existing fund or contact Chesapeake Charities to start a fund of your own. Rotary Club of Kent Island The Rotary Club of Kent Island is committed to “service above self.” Members of the Rotary of Kent Island organize a number of community service opportunities such as food drives, Flags for Our Heroes, Meals of Hope, and fundraisers to fund future projects. The Rotary also donates money to support causes such as “Queen Anne’s Goes Purple” and senior scholarships at local high schools. To join or volunteer, complete the contact form on the website. Rotary Club of Kent Island participates in Flags for Heroes which honors our veterans and fallen heroes while thanking our health care providers and first responders. Queen Anne’s County Rotaract Are you a young professional in the Queen Anne’s community looking to join a service organization to make a difference? Rotaract is a great way to contribute and volunteer in a variety of service projects. Through 5k fundraisers, food drives, trash pick-ups, and more. Rotaract members are committed to bettering the community of Queen Anne’s County. Visit their website to find out more about their programs and how to join. QAC Goes Purple Queen Anne’s County Goes Purple is an organization through the local sheriff’s office dedicated to helping those suffering from substance abuse. Through advertising, fundraising, and providing resources, the QAC Goes Purple initiative is working to create awareness in the community by providing education about substance abuse, how to find help, and Narcan training. If you are interested in joining the movement, visit their website. Talisman Therapeutic Riding Talisman Therapeutic Riding uses horses and the outdoors to serve both children and adults with a variety of challenges. Riding programs work with those who have autism, MS, anxiety, depression, Downs Syndrome, and more. They also have a Heroes on Horses program which serves veterans and first responders. To run these programs, Talisman needs both donations and volunteers. If you are interested in contributing to this cause or volunteering in a program, contact Talisman Therapeutic Riding for available opportunities. Wreaths Across America Wreaths Across America works to lay a wreath at the burial site of every veteran across the United States during the holiday season. To help, you can sponsor a wreath, or donate your time volunteering to lay wreaths on Wreaths Across America Day. Please visit the website for more information about how you can help this holiday season! For more ideas of places to support, please visit http://www.lundbergbuilders.com/giving-back.php for a list of additional organizations and initiatives. During this season of giving, we hope you will consider supporting one of these organizations or find one that means something to you. Donating to local schools and food pantries can also make a great impact on those in need. Remember that while donating is always needed, so is time as a volunteer. Giving back is one of Lundberg’s core values, and we hope that it is also one of yours. Posted on November 15, 2021 Categories Philanthropy Tags community, giving back, Kent Island, philanthropy, queen anne's county, service, volunteeringLeave a comment on How to Give Back During Philanthropy Month What is Universal Design – Living in Place? Why Does It Matter? We’re on a mission to make your spaces more people-friendly than ever. You in? Technically speaking, Universal Design refers to the design of buildings, products, and environments to make them accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability, or other factors. However, EVERYONE can benefit from Universal Design in their homes. Why is Universal Design Important in Homes? Families are sharing the responsibilities of home life. Evolution of how responsibilities are carried out. Average life expectancy continues to increase. A typical family contains members of widely varying ages, sizes, and abilities. We should not be forced to move because a house is not adaptable to family change. What Does Living in Place with Universal Design Look Like? Modernizing your home for Living in Place with Universal Design should not mean creating a clinical and cold atmosphere. Instead, it’s an inclusive approach for a better future. You can open your home to anyone and welcome them with attractive designs that WOW while gaining your own freedom to live the life you choose now, and well into the future. Here are several of the modern conveniences that you can add to your home that make large impacts: Whole-Home Modifications Include: Accessible floating sink in a powder room, installed by Lundberg Builders and designed by 314 Design Studio. Extended hand railings past the last step both at the top and bottom of the stairs. This allows you to hold your balance while getting on or off the last step. Entrances and decks with flush thresholds and no steps accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. A shorter rise on stairs is easier to climb and easier on your joints. Enlarged landings create space for setting down bags and personal belongings while opening the door. Hardware that can be used with your hand, elbow, or knee include lever doorknobs, push plates on doors, rocker light switches, loop handles, and touch latches. Video doorbells allow for added security and convenience. Interior and Exterior Motion-sense lighting Open floor plan concepts minimize hallways and tight spaces while maximizing the line of sight. Stacked Closets with knock-out floors can later become an elevator shaft. Wider doorways and hallways. Front-loading washers and dryers with front controls on raised platforms reduce bending. Bathroom Modifications Include: Multiple showerheads, a curbless shower entry, and a walk-in bath make this bathroom accessible for any visitor. Built by Lundberg Builders, Inc. and designed by 314 Design Studio. Larger curbless showers. Adjustable hand-held showerheads. Smart shower controls Temperature-balanced valves Walk-In tubs Non-slip flooring Taller toilets Extra clearance around toilets and fixtures Knee space under vanities and sinks Extra blocking in walls for future grab bars (Grab bars can also double as towel bars). Voice-lighted mirrors Pocket doors. Kitchen Modifications Include: Kitchen, built by Lundberg Builders, Inc., with pull-out drawers and easy to reach appliances. Touchless and single lever faucets make it easier to adjust water temperature and operate with a single hand or elbow. Smart appliances Hands-free voice-activated faucets Larger cabinet pulls Cabinets with adjustable and pull-down shelves, along with full-extension pull-out shelves and doors Front or side controls on stoves allow for easy reach and lessen the risk of reaching over hot burners. Wall ovens create knee space underneath and make transferring dishes from the oven to counter easier without lifting, reaching, or bending. Dishwashers can be raised on platforms to reduce bending. Multi-level kitchen countertops with open space underneath allow the cook to work while seated or for taller people to work without bending. Induction cooktops and stoves offer a safer way to cook than electric or gas. They do not emit gas into the air, and they won’t catch objects, like dishcloths, on fire. Drawer microwaves allow access without having to reach up above the counter or range like traditional microwaves. A side-by-side refrigerator with pull-out shelves makes items easy to reach. An under-counter or drawer-type refrigerator can create access to taller items. Where Should You Start to Create Your Space with Universal Design? Lundberg Builders is more than a full-service residential contractor. We are your partner for creating the home of your dreams and your future. Our goal is to help you live in your home as long as possible. Our designers plan for both looks and practical needs. We want to ensure that your house looks amazing and that it will serve your needs well into the future. Your Universal Design starts with our Home Audit Checklist. This assessment gives us the opportunity to understand your specific needs and desires. Whether it’s new construction, a complete renovation, or remodeling a few rooms. The checklist helps to empower our design team to create a space that’s what you want today and what you need in the foreseeable future. Lundberg Builders, Inc. and 314 Design Studio, LLC are your home design and renovation partners. Working together to create your dream space for now and the future. Posted on October 8, 2021 Categories Age in Place, Aging in palce, Aging In Place, Custom Builder, Home Trends, in-law suite addition, Kitchen remodel, Remodel, Safety Tags accessible bath, accessible homes, accessible kitchen, accessible stairway, ada compliant, custom bath, Custom Homes, custom kitchen, living in place, universal designLeave a comment on What is Universal Design – Living in Place? Why Does It Matter? Choosing an Open Floor Plan When designing a home, whether a new build or renovation, creating a floor plan that meets your needs is crucial. Meeting with an architect is one of the first steps in creating the home of your dreams. Lundberg Builders, Inc. architect, Andrew Peterson, works with homeowners to bring their floor plan visions to life. Andrew Peterson, architect, Lundberg Builders, Inc. Open Vs. Traditional Floor Plans A more traditional floor plan, or closed plan, has rooms with walls that define each space. One common type is the American Foursquare Colonial where the first floor has four distinct rooms, the kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room. An open floor plan removes the walls between all areas so that the kitchen, dining room, and living areas all appear to share the same large, open space. Both types of plans have their benefits, but it seems as though open-type plans are remaining popular, especially with those building custom homes. What are homeowners looking for in 2021? With people spending more time at home, Andrew has noticed that homeowners are looking to continue with the open floor plan trend to allow for a space that is flexible for both living and entertaining. Many buyers are even purchasing traditional homes and renovating them to create more open spaces. “When designing an open floor plan, we aim to develop sightlines from the foyer, through the kitchen, and to the entertaining areas of the home. We also work to create panoramic views of the property, especially for waterfront homes. Enhancing these views is one of our primary goals. Weaving living and working spaces together in a cohesive manner offers areas of solitude and privacy in the homes as well. Open kitchens and great rooms are just the start of our iterative design process,” Andrew says. Above is a sample of an open floor plan designed by Andrew Peterson, Lundberg Builders, Inc. The open floor concept, designed by Bohl Architects, allows for views from every room. Photo credit: Curtis Martin Photography. How to Extend the Open Concept Into Outdoor Spaces The open floor concept has now extended beyond the home into the outdoor space. Multi-slider doors, like those from Loewen, allow for expansive views of the outside from inside the home. Panel doors, like the ones below, that sleeve into the wall accordion-style are a genius way to bring the outside “in.” They also allow for a seamless transition into the outdoor space. Pool House with Loewen Accordion Doors, by Lundberg Builders. Photo credit: Geoff Hodgdon. “Custom decks add to the open feel of a home by stretching the entertaining spaces outdoors. The deck layout is designed specifically for each unique home, which creates a flow between the interior and exterior spaces,” Peterson explains. This Lundberg Builders’ home has expansive decks on every floor with cable railings to avoid blocking the incredible water views. “Patios with outdoor kitchens and seating are also great ways to expand the function and space of a home,” explains Peterson. Other Considerations When Designing Your “Open Home” While creating an open floor plan and combining it with an outdoor space, there are other ways to add to the open feel of a home. We asked Andrew if there were any other considerations that a homeowner should talk to an architect about when working to create this type of space. “It is important to pay attention to the details so we can make the most of how we layout the space,” he says. For example, “Consider the type of ceiling height you would like. Constructing a contemporary flat ceiling at 10 feet (or higher) can drastically update a space.” Andrew also added that there are creative ways to keep the home open. Concealing the microwave in the pantry and creating spaces to hide appliances keep counters clear so that there are fewer objects obstructing the views. Grand staircases, atriums, lofts, double-height spaces, and inviting entryways incorporated in the floor plan allow for home designs that feel unrestricted. An open foyer with vaulted ceilings, built by Lundberg Builders. Utilizing an Interior Designer While homeowners work with an architect to produce the perfect open floor plan, Andrew also encourages homeowners to work with an interior designer. This allows for an impeccable build where no detail is overlooked. Not sure where to begin? We invite you to experience how well our quality will reflect on you. Posted on September 1, 2021 Categories Home TrendsLeave a comment on Choosing an Open Floor Plan Top 5 Home Features for Pets Are you an animal lover and have pets that are members of your family? One of the latest trends in home building is to consider your pet when making the “wish list.” When building a custom home or remodeling your current home, there are fantastic ways to keep your furry friends in mind during the design process. Here are 5 of our favorites! Feeding Station What is better than a custom feeding staying for your pet? This homeowner had two dogs to accommodate and Lundberg worked with them to design a fantastic option. The dog bowls are placed at a height perfect for their breeds and are placed in holes made just for them. These lucky dogs even have a marble countertop where they dine! The owner also requested that the station be surrounded by built-in shelves. This allows for storage for any dog supplies, while also blending the station into the kitchen’s decor. Lundberg Builders, Wye Mills, MD Built-in Pet Beds One of the main reasons to add pet features in your home design is to reduce the “pet clutter.” Pet beds, toys, bones, and pillows can add to home clutter. Built-in pet beds give your pet a specific place to call home and keep the pet items off the floor and out of the way. Design by Stirling Mills Interior Design, Photo Source Durable Flooring Options When designing a room or home with pets in mind, flooring is a major consideration. Accidents can happen and you want to choose a flooring that can withstand those accidents as well as clean up any dirt or hair easily. Vinyl flooring is a great option for homes with pets. Luxury product lines now make vinyl both practical AND stylish. Bamboo is also an excellent alternative to hardwood floors because it is very stain-resistant and durable. Kent Island, MD Pet Shower Stations If you’ve ever tried to bathe your pet in your own bathtub, you see why pet shower stations have become so popular. Usually located in the mudroom, laundry room, or even the garage, pet showers have many design options. While some still allow you to lift the dog into a sink or tub, others are designed so the pet can walk right into the shower, not be lifted. Many have higher walls to block the splash, while others have doors. Most have a movable shower head to help make bathing your pet easier. Artistic Renovations, Ohio Built-in Pet Gates and Doors Whether your home or away, there are often rooms that are off-limits to your pets. In the past, portable pet gates were the only way to block off areas of your home. Now, with remodeling and new builds, pet gates and doors are being planned into home design. These doors and gates can be made to blend into the design of your home. Gatekeepers Pocket door dog gates are also a possible gate alternative for your furry friend. The gates “hide” in the wall when not in use. This way, they do not interrupt the design of the home but are readily available when needed. Pocket gates can be added to custom cabinets or within a wall. The homeowner below had their gate added to their custom cabinets but creating drawers in front of the gate. The gate was incorporated seamlessly and now works for both the pet and homeowner. Kim Woodward Pets are family members and with custom features, they can have their own spaces in your home, too. Pet-friendly homes can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing with creative design. Lundberg Pet Partners At Lundberg, we LOVE working with our “pet partners.” They help give us some of our best creative ideas! Here are some of our recent office visitors and advisors. “Cody” came to help draw up his renderings and “Rusty” the kangaroo even came to make sure his home was perfect for his needs! “Rhett” came to the office with our Estimator, Gary and Bailee and Aubree came to work to help mom design kitchens and baths. Ziva and Wenni also popped into Lundberg for a visit. Moving Forward with Your Pets In Mind When building a custom home or upgrading your current residence, thinking of your pets in the design process can help you create a space that works for the WHOLE family! Feel free to bring your pet when you meet with our designers and supervisors. From cats, dogs, to even kangaroos, we look forward t0 working with you in order to make your home perfect for ALL members of your family! Posted on June 11, 2021 Categories Built-ins, PetsLeave a comment on Top 5 Home Features for Pets Deck or Patio? As the weather warms up, it is natural to want to create an outdoor space to relax, entertain, and enjoy the outdoors. Patios and decks are both fantastic options for extending the home outside. So which is right for you and your home? Decks Decks are raised to be at floor level with the home. Because of this, they are great for uneven ground. They are highly customizable with a variety of shapes, designs, and materials at your disposal. While decks have traditionally been made from wood, composite decking boards are becoming increasingly popular. Composite decking does not require regular staining or maintenance, comes with warranties against rot and wear, and is offered in a variety of grain textures and colors. Companies like Azek and Trex offer deck boards in different lines for different budgets, making a composite deck an attractive option for homeowners. Along with decking material, homeowners can also customize their railings. Instead of traditional wood railing, composite decking is matched with vinyl rail systems that can be pure vinyl or include baluster styles made from vinyl or aluminum. Cable railings are also gaining popularity. The latest creation in the decking world is aluminum decking boards by Nexan Building Products. Aluminum deck boards still come in a selection of colors and have the benefits of composite decking, however, boards do not hold heat and therefore are not hot to the touch. [The deck above was built by Lundberg Builders, Inc. and includes Nexan Light gray aluminum decking, Nexan powder coated white aluminum framing, and a Nexan cable rail system with white aluminum posts.] Patios In contrast to decks, patios are ground level and therefore do not require railings. They are often less expensive than decks and have a quicker install time. Patios, too, can be customized in a variety of shapes and designs. When choosing materials for a patio, the main decision is on the type of hardscapes used to create the area. Choices include gravel, pavers, concrete, stamped concrete, stone, flagstone, and even wood. Most patios also incorporate landscaping. Patios can be used as an outdoor space that is an extension of the home or can be a standalone space in the yard. Patios are also great for finishing off areas around pools as seen in this picture below. Pavers can connect the pool area to the home, deck, and pool house providing a stunning frame for the inground pool. Porcelain pavers, like selections from Belgard, are a great choice because they look like real stone but are not hot to the touch. [Patio courtesy of Lundberg Builders] Both decks and patios can incorporate added features like outdoor kitchens or fireplaces. Rain and sun cover can be added to through pergolas and roofs. Decks and patios can be custom designed by Lundberg Builders, Inc. to meet your needs and bring your vision to life. Return on Investment When creating your outdoor space, it is important to consider the return on the investment you are making. According to HomeAdvisor, decks have a return of investment between 60-80% while patios return of investment is slightly under 50%. Either choice will add some value to your home’s resale value and, most importantly, will add to your quality of life. If you are thinking of building a deck or installing a patio, contact Lundberg Builders, Inc. so we can begin the design process and get you out enjoying your custom outdoor space. Posted on May 23, 2021 Categories Decks, Home Trends, Summer Tags chesapeake bay homes, custom builder, custom decks, custom patios, decksorpatiosLeave a comment on Deck or Patio? COASTAL FIRST FLOOR REMODEL Previous clients of ours were looking to remodel their 2nd home, a Wye Riverfront property in Queenstown, Maryland. They had owned the home for 16 years, and as they were looking toward retirement and living there full time, they wanted to “spruce it up a bit”. As the homeowners began to evaluate the current state of their home, they recognized that while the kitchen had functioned perfectly well for many years, it had become outdated and didn’t reflect their current style. After talking with neighbors and flipping through home magazines for inspiration, they decided to call in the experts: Reithlingshoefer Design Studio (RDS) for the architectural and interior design; 314 Design Studio as the kitchen and bath designer, with Lundberg Builders leading the custom construction. The sprucing up that was originally planned ultimately became a much larger whole first floor remodel project after RDS recommended removing a dividing wall from the kitchen to open up the floor plan and to expand and re-orient the dining and living spaces to better support large gatherings on the first floor with the kitchen as the driving force and central hub for the homeowners love of entertaining. BEFORE PHOTO: Showing kitchen and living space dividing wall that was removed to open up the floor plan and create more space for a formal dining area in the main living space AFTER PHOTO: Showing wall removed and open floor plan concept AFTER PHOTO: Showing new formal dining area to replace eat-in kitchen The addition of horizontal v-groove paneling on the walls and inset in the new coffered ceiling adds an informal and maritime feel to the waterfront home. In addition to the demolition of the original fireplace, which was situated in the corner of the living room, a new fireplace was designed and built along with custom bookshelves and cabinets for storage. BEFORE: The original fireplace was awkwardly placed in the corner of the room. AFTER: Custom designed fireplace centered in the living room, flanked symmetrically by custom built bookcases and cabinetry. The team at 314 Design Studio worked closely and collaboratively with RDS and the client to help make selections on the countertops, custom island, cabinetry, range hood, appliances, lighting, accents and finishes, and Lundberg Builder kept the final construction moving forward with careful construction management and meticulous custom craftsmanship. BEFORE PHOTO – KITCHEN The gorgeous cobalt custom built multi-level island was designed to create a focal point, with designated prep area, eating and entertaining space. The custom range hood adds modern drama to the overarching blue, white and brass maritime look and feel of the design. AFTER PHOTO – KITCHEN The window above the sink is new, which opens up to the screened porch, and now allows a beautiful view while cleaning up, as well as more natural light into the kitchen. Plato custom cabinetry is taken ceiling height to draw the eye up. AFTER: View into screened porch from new interior kitchen window One of the client’s favorite new spaces is the sitting area that was created in the old eat in kitchen area. New swivel chairs, a large ottoman on casters and good lighting provide a comfortable area to take in the gorgeous view while enjoying a cup of coffee and the morning paper. BEFORE PHOTO – EAT IN KITCHEN AREA AFTER PHOTO – SITTING AREA FOR MORNING COFFEE, A FAVORITE SPACE FOR THE HOMEOWNERS Beyond the kitchen is a combined mudroom and laundry room, replete with a small desk area, convenient for making shopping lists, replying to emails, paying bills, or writing thank you notes. What project are you dreaming about that would help you live life to the fullest and better meet your lifestyle needs? We’d love to hear from you. Remodeling is best approached with a team of professionals, and most importantly, designers, architects and the custom craftsman that can honor your vision and bring it to life. Call us at 410-643-3334 and tell us about it! Cabinetry and custom kitchen hood: Plato Custom Cabinetry via 314 Design Studio Countertops: In Home Stone – quartz composite Refrigerator – separate unit subzero and freezer Flooring– Tuckahoe Hardwoods -European white oak – ¾ inch, sanded finished engineered hardwood Farmhouse Sink and Faucet – Kohler Posted on February 23, 2021 Categories Coastal Kitchen Remodel, Custom Builder, Custom Building, Kitchen remodel Tags 1st floor remodel, coastal kitchen design, Coastal remodel, kitchen remodel, whole house remodelLeave a comment on COASTAL FIRST FLOOR REMODEL The Home Improvement Process Jesse Goodroe, Lundberg Builders’ Project Consultant Given we are all staying home a lot more these days, you may have decided it’s time to make some home improvements. Maybe you want to expand or open up your living space, create a more functional kitchen or update a bathroom, build a dedicated office, or add a workshop, guest house or outdoor space. Whatever your project, you will likely need assistance from a professional on the design and construction. But where to start? Below we outline our system in working with a client to familiarize you with the process, help you begin to plan, and to highlight some important tips on how to ensure success: on time, on budget and on goal with the project you had imagined. The first step is to call and schedule an appointment with us to tell us about your project. Typically clients have some general ideas in mind as to style or selections that will help us understand your overall vision for the project and help us to guide you to achieve it. After our initial meeting, we will develop a rough budget for the project. Once approved, we move to our construction agreement. Lundberg Builders’ screened in porch for a client on the Eastern Shore If the project requires drawings, Lundberg Builder’s in-house designer will visit your home to take on-site measurements ‘, and then draft the design. Once the drawings are approved, we will develop a detailed 23 division estimate. Once the final estimate is approved, the permitting process begins, if required. Permitting typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete and can take longer in certain circumstances. This is why we advise to get your project started as early as possible. In other words, if you are looking forward to enjoying a new porch or deck in the spring, it’s time to get started today! Lundberg Builders’ new deck and railing for a client on the Eastern Shore Our supervisor will then provide a tentative schedule for all construction divisions. He will handle all of the scheduling of contractors, ordering of the materials and every other aspect of project management. This makes the process smooth and consistent for you to have one main point of contact with us no matter what subcontractor is onsite working. At all phases you can expect a very transparent and collaborative process. You can expect weekly on-site meetings with our supervisor for job progress reports, making selections, and addressing any changes or unforeseen issues. We have a wealth of community-based vendors we can suggest to help you source the right materials. For any kitchen and bath design needs, we suggest working with our award-winning affiliate company, 314 Design Studio. 314 Design Studio and Lundberg Builders collaborated on this stunning kitchen remodel for a client on the Eastern Shore The supervisor will tightly manage the timeline of when materials should be ordered for on-time delivery for each phase of the construction. This is important for you to keep in mind as selection choices ideally should be made in a prompt fashion. As many of the selections that can be made in advance, the better and more efficiently a project will be completed. Selections like cabinets, for instance, have to be custom built, requiring 4-10 weeks for delivery. Once your project has been completed, we will have a final review to ensure your complete satisfaction. We want you to know that our services and relationship with you extend beyond the completion of any single project. We hope to continue our relationship as part of the Lundberg family of happy customers. We’re here for you should any needs arise – from handyman work to remodels to designing and building your next custom home, we sincerely look forward to hearing from you and learning more about your next dream home project. Posted on November 25, 2020 Categories Custom Builder, Custom Building, Decks, Home additions, Kitchen remodel, Porches, RemodelLeave a comment on The Home Improvement Process Building a better world, one home at a time OCTOBER IS NATIONAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY AWARENESS MONTH There are a variety of things that you can do to promote healthy Indoor Air Quality in your home. Common environmental pollutants can pose potential health risks such as moisture, mold, pests, combustion gases, and garage pollutants. Take an interactive tour of the Indoor Air Quality Demo House to learn some of the most important ways to protect the air in your home. Promoting healthier Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) should also be addressed in either the remodeling or in the new construction design of your home. If you are remodeling your home, you should ensure your contractor is following the EPA’s Best Practices for Indoor Air Quality When Remodeling Your Home. If you are building a new construction home consider building an Indoor airPLUS Qualified New Home designed and built for improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Builders can use a variety of construction practices and technologies to decrease the risk of poor indoor air quality, including careful selection and installation of building materials; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; combustion venting systems; and moisture control techniques. It’s not easy for homebuyers to keep track of all the preferred construction details that lead to improved indoor air quality. That’s why EPA created the Indoor airPLUS label. Read more about what features are included in this brochure and request your contractor build to this standard. OCTOBER IS ALSO FIRE PREVENTION MONTH! Make your home safer and prevent a fire with these three simple steps: INSTALL AND TEST SMOKE ALARMS Fire is fast, hot and deadly. It only takes minutes for thick, black smoke to fill a house. A smoke alarm can give you the extra minute or two that you need to get out of your home. Have working smoke alarms on every level, including the basement. Put smoke alarms inside each bedroom and outside all sleeping areas. Push the test button until the alarm sounds. Do this each month. Interconnected smoke alarms provide the best protection. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound. PRACTICE ESCAPE PLANS Half of home fire deaths happen late at night. A working smoke alarm can wake you up. Every second counts, so know what you’ll do if you have a fire. Make an escape plan. Know two ways out of each room. Plan your escape around the abilities of children and older adults. PREVENT ELECTRICAL FIRES Electrical problems are a leading cause of home fires. Start off right in your new home. Plug major appliances like refrigerators and stoves directly into the wall outlet. Only plug one heat-producing appliance into an outlet at a time. This includes coffee makers, space heaters and microwaves. If you need additional outlets, have them installed by an electrician. HOME FIRE PROTECTION WITH RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Studies by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) indicate that the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems could have saved thousands of lives, prevented a large percentage of those injuries, and eliminated hundreds of millions of dollars in property losses. Test Your Home Sprinkler System I.Q. Here are five statements about home sprinkler systems. Are they true or false? 1. When one sprinkler goes off, all the sprinklers activate. False! Only the sprinkler over the fire will activate. The sprinkler heads react to temperatures in each room individually. Ninety percent of fires are contained by the operation of one sprinkler. 2. A sprinkler could accidentally go off, causing severe water damage to a home. False! Records compiled for well over 50 years prove the likelihood of this occurring is very remote. Furthermore, home sprinklers are designed specifically and tested rigorously to minimize such accidents. 3. Water damage from a sprinkler system will be more extensive than fire damage. False! The sprinkler system will limit a fire’s growth severely. Therefore, damage from a home sprinkler system will be much less than the smoke and fire damage if the fire had gone on unabated, or less than the water damage caused by water from firefighting hoselines. Posted on September 16, 2020 Categories indoor Air Quality Tags Fire prevention homes, Fire safety, Indoor air qualityLeave a comment on Building a better world, one home at a time Wash, Dry & Fold – Laundry Rooms as Good as Gold! Custom Home reported recently, “Laundry Rooms Rank Highest on Most Wanted Home Features List” according to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 2019 edition of What Home Buyers Want. A whopping 91% of survey respondents ranked a laundry room as a home essential. And more and more, people are investing in making their laundry room a real hub in their home. Below are some new ways to reimagining your laundry room for the way we live today. The new great room – Combine the utility closet, mudroom and laundry room into one practical space for all things dirty that need cleaning and storing. Design it into the floorplan – Design your home for accessibility and convenience to the laundry room from the garage entrance. Drop soiled towels and other dirty clothes and socks and shoes as you walk in.You can throw away trash, unload the car, store away travel items, organize and launder everyday items before entering the main house. Drop off backpacks, briefcases and purses. Relax, you’re home! Courtesy of Plato Woodwork, Inc Create a pet station – Animal friendly laundry rooms can play double-duty as a fantastic space for your pet. House food bowls, leashes, toys, treats, pet beds in one area. Add a pet-friendly farmhouse or utility sink or even a shower station big enough for washing your fur baby. Below features the BLANCO DIAMOND™ Single Bowl in Metallic Gray, the SONOMA™ Pull-Down faucet, and SONOMA Soap Dispenser. Photo credit to Lavin Label. Elevate with countertops – Countertops say laundry “room” instead of laundry “closet”. Whether you choose wood, metal, or marble, countertops give your laundry room that modern, designer look you’ve been craving. The second runner-up functionality-wise to your washer and dryer, countertops give you room to not only neatly fold and corral frequently used items, it also gives you that decorator space to add vases, jars and other decorative items that make it another wow moment in your home instead of a cluttered, ho-hum room you dread. Make it light and bright Ever noticed the areas you use the most – kitchen counters, office desks, laundry folding stations, work benches – have the least amount of light? The cabinet itself casts a shadow, making these spaces with the most detailed activities less functional. Cabinet lighting is designed to illuminate these high-use surfaces, and a whole lot more. Consider these uses when designing your space to get the most out of your lighting plan. Featured below is Kichler’s 4U 22″ 3000K LED Cabinet Light in Textured White. Photo Courtesy of Kichler Build custom cabinets – These can be customized to suit your unique needs and the items you want to store. Laundry built-ins have endless possibilities. House your dirty laundry hamper along with hanging rods for freshly ironed clothes. Include fold-out hanging rods for drying. Store laundry detergent, dryer sheets, cleaning products and paper goods. What makes a home look really special is keeping things neat, organized and dare we say it, hidden out of sight! Hook you up – Top Knobs launched a collection of decorative hooks at KBIS this year that are perfect for laundry/mud rooms. Decorative hooks have a ton of great added value to these spaces, serving as additional storage and a method for staying organized and clutter free. Reeded Hook Courtesy of Top Knobs Need more help designing and building that perfectly functional and beautiful laundry room of your dreams? Bringing your unique vision to life is our specialty! Whatever you dream, we can build it. Call us or stop by and tell us about your next home project! Posted on June 17, 2020 Categories Built-ins, Home Trends, Laundry room, Mudroom, Remodel, Uncategorized Tags Pet stationLeave a comment on Wash, Dry & Fold – Laundry Rooms as Good as Gold! Small Projects to Improve Life at Home Though we are known for our full custom homes, you may be surprised to learn that we do quite a lot of smaller projects as well. Small projects are often the ones that make the biggest impact on the measure of joy we experience living at home. Some of the most popular small projects right now increase the practical use of our home. Perhaps you want an outdoor shower for when you return from trips to the pool, boat or beach, or a garage addition to keep your car out of the weather? What about a shed to corale yard equipment? Or maybe with the mountains of laundry you have to tackle, you dream of expanding your laundry room? How about a dedicated home office so you can take conference calls in peace! Other small projects may increase the enjoyment of relaxing at home such as a sunroom or family room addition, or creating an porch or patio for outdoor entertaining. Now that we are spending more time at home, your needs have likely changed somewhat. Below are some photos to get your home improvement juices flowing. Just imagine what your home could be and let us do the rest! Your custom built outdoor shower awaits you. Ahhhh! Screened in porch to capture amazing water views. How about a screened in patio that’s perfect to enjoy a summer rain and some evening cocktails around the fire! What about a guest bedroom oasis or in-law suite? And don’t forget about a home spa. I know a lot of you are missing going to the salon and spa right now. Create one at home! Home office with custom built-in shelving. And, also windows galore to capture those Bay views Maybe your deck railings are spoiling the view because they are in need of repair? Don’t despair! Lundberg Builders to the rescue and we care! What project are you dreaming about that would make your life at home even better? We’d love to hear from you. No project is too big or too small. Call us at 410-643-3334 and tell us about it! Posted on April 21, 2020 Categories Additions, Age in Place, Built-ins, Decks, Finished basements, Handyman repairs, Home additions, Home office, in-law suite addition, Laundry room, Mudroom, Porches, Remodel, Sunroom, Uncategorized, Walk-in-closetLeave a comment on Small Projects to Improve Life at Home Posts navigation PAGE 1 PAGE 2 … PAGE 7 NEXT PAGE Search for: SEARCH RECENT POSTS How to Give Back During Philanthropy Month What is Universal Design – Living in Place? Why Does It Matter? Choosing an Open Floor Plan Top 5 Home Features for Pets Deck or Patio? 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