When building a New Home, or Remodeling your existing home, a big part of the design process should focus on the heating and cooling systems.  New building and energy efficiency codes are requiring performance of both the mechanical systems and the building envelope that are far exceed anything seen in the past. The Department of Energy recently held the Building America Technical Update meeting in Denver and discussed current issues and future trends in building mechanical systems. It looks like there will be systems available in the future that could reduce overall heating and cooling energy requirements by as much as 90%. They also discussed innovative ideas like radiant floor cooling? Sounds interesting, and it is definitely something we here at REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder will continue to investigate.

Here is the full article from builderonline.com: Energy Efficiency Update

Universal design is a popular concept in home planning.  It was known over the years as "aging in place" or "accessible" design.  The Universal Design program takes a more broad approach to dealing with issues associated with an aging population. Considerations range from hallway and door widths, to kitchen layouts and appliance selections. The bottom line is this: with some smart planning for your new home, or renovation project, you can have a space that will be liveable for every stage of your life.  Here is an article from housingzone.com that discusses the new trends and ideas in universal design: Universal Design

If you want to find out how Universal Design ideas might work in your new home contact us by clicking below:

Stainless Steel kitchen appliances have been a popular trend for at least 25 years.  Most of the kitchen projects we do here at REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder have stainless appliances, but recently we have seen a move towards other colors. Black and white appliances are becoming popular again, and some manufacturers are even attempting finishes like aluminum, copper and oil rubbed bronze.  Here is an article from MSN Real Estate that discusses these new trends.  Some of these finishes might be a little wild for your taste, but the article does shed light on what the kitchens of the future will look like.

Here is the full article: Death of Stainless Appliances?

   Kitchen Cabinets are always a featured item in a New Home, or Remodeling Project. There are hundreds of styles, colors, and wood species available to homeowners from hundreds of suppliers, both nationally and internationally. Here are some ideas with a modern twist that might help you when designing your next Kitchen.  Builderonline.com has compiled a slidshow of some modern and traditional kitchens that demonstrate a great blend of style and function. 

Click here to see the slide show: Kitchen Design

    We do a lot of work with local realtors on Cape Cod, consulting on projects of all types ranging from New Construction, Custom Homes, and Renovations.  Often times, when a buyer is looking at a lot for sale, we will get involved early in the process to determine design and permitting requirements for the lots.  One of the firms we do a lot of work with is Oldcape/Sotheby's.  Oldcape has offices in Harwich, Orleans and Brewster and has a great team of realtors that can help in both the buying and selling process. If you are thinking of buying a lot, or building a new home on Cape Cod, Oldcape / Southeby's and REEF are a great team.

Here is a link showing their current listings on Cape Cod: What's For Sale on Cape Cod?

   Fall is by far the best season on Cape Cod. Warm days, cool evenings, and even a few afternoons at the beach are just some of the things we enjoy here in the fall. One of the best ways to enjoy this season is with an outdoor living space.  If you are building a New Home, Renovation, or Remodeling, you should consider some type of outdoor living space, such as a screened porch, patio, or covered pergola.  There are hundreds of options which range from a basic covered deck to elaborate spaces with fireplaces and full kitchens.  Here is a slideshow from Builderonline.com that talks about the benefits of an outdoor living space: Outdoor Living Spaces

  Closet space and storage solutions don't have to be large or expensive, they just have to be part of the design process from the beginning.  Living spaces, kitchens, baths and master bedrooms always are at the forefront of home design, but if you consider the storage requirements for all of these spaces, your might end up with a better overall design.  There are hundreds of options for closet storage, from basic to custom, but there are several options available which are modular, easy to install, and make a huge difference in your New Home or Renovation.  Here is an article from Decoist.com that talk about smart master closet designs. Some great ideas here that you should consider for your next project!: Closet Storage Solutions

Windows are a key feature in any New Home, Renovation or Remodeling project. However, balancing the curb appeal, desire for natural light, and the need for energy efficiency can be difficult.  Many of the leading national window manufacturers are working hard to achieve all of these features in their new lines of windows for 2012-2013.  Features such as higher insulation values, coatings that allow light to penetrate, but block the summertime heat gain, and custom colors, grilles, and materials are all becoming standard offerings.  Also, here on Cape Cod, we have to contend with the requirements for impact-rated glass or "hurricane" windows for any new home or addition within 1 mile of the beach.  Andersen offers their StormWatch series of windows which meet this requirement, and still offer all of the style and performance of standard windows.

Here is an article from Housingzone.com that discusses the new trends in windows:Window Trends

  Many of our projects for New Homes and Remodeling, involve tearing down all or a portion of the existing home.  With the changes in structural, energy and mechanical codes that have come into existence over the last few years, it is often times less expensive to tear down a house instead of remodeling.  The major factor in this decision is labor.  Labor continues to be one of the largest expenses in construction, and when you figure the labor involved in disassembling an existing home, and then re-building it to the new standards, the costs just don't make sense.  Tearing down an average home takes less than a day, and can cost as little as $7,000.  Once the tear down is complete, the project starts from a clean slate, guaranteeing a predictable, high quality result.  Oh yeah, and it is kind of fun to watch as well. Here is a video of a house we tore down yesterday in Dennis

   Once the sawdust has settled, and you are getting ready to move in to your New Home, or Addition, the big question becomes "how do we decorate this space?" Witnessing the transition of your project from a lines on a page into a three dimensional space is exciting, however, for the homeowner, the work has just begun.  Decoist.com has provided some guidlines for decorating your new living space, with 5 simple steps that can help point you in the right direction.  You should first decide on a color scheme, the use and needs for the space, then furnishings and decorative elements.  Also, there is no need to have to purchase all new furnishings for your New Home, if you have planned properly, much of the furniture you already own, may be able to work in the new space. Often times, when REEF designs a New Space, we will take the time to measure an owner's existing furnishings and make sure they work in the space, long before construction has begun.  Then, to tie it all together, don't forget those little decorative elements such as lamps and other accessories that can make the space yours! 

Here is the article from Decoist.com: How to Decorate a Living Room