Once upon a time…a long time ago…I had a bathroom remodeled. I returned home to find an enormous oak threshold as a transition from my new bathroom tile to my hardwood floors. It was so big the contractor had to cut a half inch off the bottom of the bathroom door! Ouch.

So how do you transition from one floor material to another? Done correctly and it can define spaces, and compliment the flow of your floor plan. Done poorly, and it chops up the house, and can be a dangerous tripping hazard.

Learn from the pro’s, and not from your own mistakes. Here are some great examples of how to transition from one floor material to another, comfortably, attractively:

How to transition from Tile to Hardwood Floor in your Cape Cod Home

How to transition from Tile to Hardwood Floor in your Cape Cod Home

Staying current with new products is one of the really fun parts of building custom homes. There are constant innovations in our business. Everything from roof shingle materials, to HVAC system refinements, to insulation, countertop materials, window and door advances…you name it, there is no end to developments and improvements in building materials.

The annual Kitchen & Bath Show is the premier venue for introduction of new ideas, designs and materials. Copper and stainless steel infused sinks, French door ovens, in-wall wine coolers, and alligator-patterned cabinets. This a great roundup of new ideas, textures, and creations for your Cape Cod kitchen and bath:

Standouts from the 2014 Kitchen & Bath Show

Standouts from the 2014 Kitchen & Bath Show

Its winter, and my tile floors are COLD! Floors of any material can be quite cold this time of year. Building a new home presents a great opportunity to move past cold floors …forever. More and more of the homes we build include radiant heating, especially in the floors. It’s a great idea, and makes for a very comfortable home.

Gas-fired forced hot air systems are great for heating spaces, and accommodating central air conditioning. Add to that a radiant floor system, and you’ve got the best of both worlds. As with any system, there are caveats. Here’s a comprehensive review of considerations when evaluating a radiant system for your new home:

Is Radiant Heating right for your Cape Cod Home?

Is Radiant Heating right for your Cape Cod Home?

Snowed in? Bummed out? February is often the depths of the winter blahs. You’ve made it through Valentine’s Day...now what? As you ponder the merits of the huge snow pile outside your window, consider some spruce-ups to get your home through the winter and ready for spring.

Keep your home running smoothly with this list of easy fixes for some common challenges:

Snowday February Checklist for a Smooth Running Cape Cod Home

Snowday February Checklist for a Smooth Running Cape Cod Home

FEMA’s new Flood Insurance Rate Maps have caused a lot of confusion and questions. Their impact on real estate values on Cape Cod is huge. Sales and refinances are being lost, and most people aren’t quite sure what will happen next.

Congressman Bill Keating has proposed legislation requiring FEMA to reevaluate their flood maps, and better analyze the maps’ economic impact. This may slow down their implementation for several years.

What exactly is the situation? Will flood insurance rates increase right away? Should home owners near flood zones be concerned? How will home repairs and improvements affect my insurance rates? Must homes in flood zones now be built above the flood plain?

Get answers directly from Congressman Keating next week, February 20. Here’s more information on his presentation in Bourne:

Congressman Keating announces FEMA Flood Insurance Information Session

 Congressman Keating announces FEMA Flood Insurance Information Session

Here on Cape Cod we’re surrounded by the ocean. Many of the homes we build have wonderful, if not commanding, ocean and bay views. Our designs are often focused on the water, taking advantage of the ever-changing natural scene that is the ocean.

Here’s a beautiful kitchen which maximizes all sorts of important considerations: view, storage, cooking space…It reminds me of the kitchen we built which will be featured in Cape Cod Life magazine this summer. Take a walk around this space and get energized. We’d love to build this kitchen for you!

Ocean Inspired Kitchen for your Cape Cod Home (CLICK HERE)

Ocean Inspired Kitchen for your Cape Cod Home (CLICK HERE)

Many times we are asked to maximize living space with very efficient design. Often our Customers are replacing a beach cottage with a home that will better serve their current lifestyle, and almost always space is at a premium.

Small spaces don’t have to be cramped. Modern materials and smart design allow us to pack lots of utility into comfortable, efficient, fun spaces. Special sinks, wall-mounted storage, and pull-out pantries are great ways to increase the utility, and non-conformity, of smaller kitchens.

Click the link for 10 Big Ideas for Smaller Kitchens, and you may get inspired! 

Big ideas for your small Cape Cod kitchen

Big ideas for your small Cape Cod kitchen

Here at REEF we build houses to last for generations. With decades of experience with the Cape Cod climate, including hurricanes and blizzards, we know what our homes must withstand. We are constantly researching and employing advances in building materials and application technologies.

Still, Mother Nature takes her toll. Sun, wind, rain, sleet, snow…you name it, weather is constantly challenging your home. That’s OK. It is expected. But sometimes Homeowners aren’t aware, or just don’t pay attention to routine maintenance.

Here are 5 “Ticking Time Bombs” that affect every household on Cape Cod. Sometimes an ounce of prevention IS worth a pound of cure. Let us know if you need help with any of these common Homeowner challenges: (click the link below)

Are these Ticking Time Bombs in your Cape Cod Home?

Are these Ticking Time Bombs in your Cape Cod Home?

So what’s it like to build a house on Cape Cod? You’ve found the perfect spot, and waited for a long time. Now the house of your dreams is designed around your desires, and built before your eyes.

Stressful? Anxious? Sleepless nights worrying about the outcome? What is the experience like?

This brief video tells all. Listen to Pat and Mary describe their experience working with REEF Builders on Cape Cod. See their beautiful home decorated for the holidays.

Life’s too short to trust your dream to a bad design/build company…

Harwich Homeowners describe their experience with REEF

Harwich Homeowners describe their experience with REEF

The kitchen – the heart of your Cape Cod Home. Where family and friends gather.  When you’re designing your new or remodeled kitchen, you’ll want efficiency, comfort, and perhaps a touch of luxury.

Many of our Customers rely on us to ensure that their new kitchen design considers innovative products while maximizing space and utility. Here are some great “must-haves” to make sure your new space is functional, inviting, eco-friendly, and fun. Enjoy!

10 Must-haves for your luxury Cape Cod Kitchen

10 Must-haves for your luxury Cape Cod Kitchen