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The Composting Process: How to Use Your Unwanted Food Scraps to Feed the Planet

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You may think composting is a daunting and messy task you may not want to get your hands in, but the benefits of composting simply outweigh the small amount of work required to put your food scraps to a better purpose than the trash. Composting can not only feed your household plants with essential nutrients, it can also greatly benefit the planet.

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The 3 Main Household Composting Materials

Composting keeps landfills cleaner while minimizing the release of methane into the atmosphere. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) article on composting, three main types of compost come from your kitchen:

  • Vegetable waste
  • Fruit scraps
  • Coffee grounds

In addition to these, two other crucial elements generate a proper compost development: “browns” and the right amount of water. Examples of “browns” are twigs, dead leaves and branches. The combination of your kitchen waste, browns, and water encourages a healthy compost development.

The Composting Process

As recommended by the article “The Composting Process” from the University of Illinois, brown materials supply carbon, while green materials, such as fruit rinds and vegetable waste, release nitrogen. Water is the essential accelerant for those two elements to work with one another to create the perfect fertilizer for your plants.

How to Compost at Home

Not sure what to compost at home? Here is a helpful list from the EPA’s “What to Compost:”

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Eggshells
  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Tea bags
  • Nut shells
  • Shredded newspaper
  • Cardboard
  • Paper
  • Yard trimmings
  • Grass clippings
  • Houseplants
  • Hay and straw
  • Leaves
  • Sawdust
  • Wood chips
  • Cotton and wool rags
  • Hair and fur
  • Fireplace ashes

Composting is great for your plants and the environment, though there are certain things you want to avoid composting from your kitchen. Do not compost the following foods. They not only produce odor issues, they can attract pests:

  • Dairy products
  • Fats, grease, lards and oils
  • Meat or fish bones

How You Can Impact the Planet: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gases can be dangerous to the earth’s atmosphere, however, composting can help prevent the release of harmful CO2. According to the US Composting Council, although all organic discards contain carbon when they decompose “naturally under aerobic conditions,” the materials become part of a natural carbon cycle that is “removed from the atmosphere by plant photosynthesis, moved among organisms through the foodweb and released via composition.”

The Beauty of Composting

Composting brings beauty to your surroundings. Using it as fertilizer feeds your garden and can either help it flourish or bring it back to a healthy and lively state. The next time you think about throwing out your kitchen scraps, think again. You could have all the benefits of fertilizer without paying a cent!

We’re All About Green Living at Schroeder Design/Build

For more information on Green Living, read our blog post titled: “A Guide to Eco Friendly Home Design.”

If you’re thinking about remodeling, either indoors or outdoors, or are interested in eco-friendly ways to improve your home, contact us here at Schroeder Design/Build. Serving clients throughout Northern Virginia.

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kill-a-house

How to Kill a House

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Did you know that blowing insulation into an older home’s walls can create moisture problems that can rot the wood from the inside out? We’re reposting this article from Pro Remodeler that explains how trapped moisture can kill a house.

Wood has only a few enemies—termite, fire or a weekend warrior. These are almost always fatal. But there is a fourth enemy: water. Although wood is amazingly resilient, and get wet over and over again, it must be given a chance to dry.

German post-and-beam homes used to use straw as insulation, and a lime-based plaster parging as the cladding and air seal. This assembly could hold moisture without causing it to condense. And the plaster could dry very quickly. Water in the walls was rarely an issue and these buildings lasted for hundreds of years.

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The Quest for Energy Efficiency Could Kill an Older House

Homes build in the 1950s worked similarly. The walls were wrapped with overlapping paper layers with little or no flashing at openings or horizontal exterior trim elements. This allowed the sheathing and wall cavities to get wet but heating from inside the homes dried out the wood. Although this was inefficient in terms of energy use, it didn’t kill a house.

Since the 1950s, the quest for energy efficiency has become another enemy. Not only did builders begin adding insulation, but they did it in the worst possible way. They drilled holes from the outside, blew in cellulose, plugged the holes, and painted over everything.

The insulation they placed between the studs of the pre-WWII homes became the single worst element in the wall assembly. Uninsulated, unsealed walls dry out because they can “breathe.” Adding insulation—and doing nothing else to manage bulk, vapor or ventilation—destroys this cycle.

While adding batt insulation is bad enough, drilling holes through the cladding, the drainage plan, and sheathing completely destroys a wall’s first line of defense and paves a path for bulk water to enter a wall cavity. Then filling that cavity with an absorbent material like cellulose (which holds moisture) so that leaks will go undetected, and the walls stay wet longer. In no time (sooner in stucco walls), moisture levels will rise exponentially in the wall cavities. The time depends on the integrity of the drainage layer through which the holes for the insulation were drilled.

To maximize the damage and really kill a home, add a set-back thermostat that drops the nighttime temperature to 65 degrees. This will create capillary condensation action on the sheathing, framing and insulation that will further speed the process.

In today’s construction, we don’t want a home’s enclosure to “breathe.” The only ventilation should come through mechanical means or via open windows and doors. The rest of the house should remain sealed.

Insulating an Older Home

If you want to insulate an older home, the cladding and weather barrier must be removed. Drill the sheathing and blow or inject loose fill or foam insulation, replace the windows, install flashing properly integrated with the water-resistant barrier, and replace the cladding. Ideally, add a rainscreen. On the home’s interior, you must air seal penetrations, replace window millwork and repaint with vapor-retarding primer.

According to the author, Michael Anschel or Otogawa-Anschel Design + Build in Minneapolis, all this is an expensive proposition. And there’s more. You must also perform a combustion spillage test, which will fail and require replacement of the furnace/boiler/water heater. And the home will likely not meet ventilation requirements, so a heat-recovery ventilator/energy-recovery ventilator must be added, or the house will rot from the inside.

The Bottom Line

Insulating the walls of an old house is a serious undertaking and should be an all-or-nothing proposition. If you cannot afford to do the entire process, look to air seal other parts of the home, but do not insulate the walls.

Don’t Kill Your House: Talk to Schroeder Design/Build

In our region of Northern Virginia, many homes were built prior to WWII. These homeowners love their neighborhoods and their proximity to Washington, D.C. are now turning to remodeling to update, upgrade and make their homes more energy efficient. We’d be glad to talk with you about remodeling your home. Contact Schroeder Design/Build to set up your free initial consultation.

See Pro Remodeler’s Tips for Insulating Older Homes

–This article was excerpted from “How to Kill a House” by Michael Anschel, August 2016.

 

 

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The Remodeling Emotional Roller Coaster

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At the beginning of your remodeling project, there is elation. You are excited to have made the decision to remodel, have chosen your remodeler, and the process is underway. Congratulations, you have just boarded the remodeling emotional roller coaster.

Strap yourself in because as with an amusement park ride there are going to be climbs and dips throughout the process. See the typical remodeling roller coaster graphic below.

remodeling roller coaster

There are moments of joy when you start to see the demolition, or when you make the design decisions, followed by periods of anticipation, fatigue and anxiety. Relax, it’s natural…and expected. The process can seem long and tedious, especially when your normal lifestyle is interrupted for extended period. Just remember, it’s worth it in the end.

The stages of construction you’ll experience include:
  1. Pre-construction where you and our team design the project and agree on pricing
  2. Demolition, where the existing structure is demolished and the new structure’s framing begins to take form
  3. Installation of systems like plumbing and electrical
  4. Drywall, where walls are erected and finished, along with inspections to ensure that your project is up to code
  5. Finishing, when items like cabinetry, flooring, lighting are installed and painting is completed
  6. Punch list, where you and we look for last-minute items to touch up
  7. Project completion!

Related: Effective Communication: Key to a Successful Remodeling Process

The Highs and Lows Along the Remodeling Roller Coaster

Decision Making

You’ll be expected to make lots of decisions throughout the remodeling process. For some this is easy, but others may struggle with the overwhelming number of choices. That’s why we have in-house architecture and design teams. You’ll collaborate closely with your designer who will help you make these decisions. This is one of the fun parts of your project!

Disturbances

It’s a hassle to clear out of the space you’re remodeling, and there will be workers in your space throughout the day and the noise of construction. But we’ll do everything we can to try to prevent too much disruption. To curtail dust and debris, we’ll hang temporary walls of plastic sheeting around the areas we’re working in. And we’ll clean up the jobsite daily.

Unforeseen Issues

We never know what lies behind the walls or beneath the floors until we open up the project. There are times we find code violations, health issues like mold, or structural deficiencies. These must be remedied before we can continue, and they may add to the cost of your job. If such a problem is discovered, you will be presented with the issue and the evidence. Then we’ll need to create a change order where all parties agree to add this new element of construction into your contract. This can be one of the low points in the remodeling emotional roller coaster.

Delays

Delays are inevitable, especially with delivery impacts due to the recent pandemic. Cabinets, appliances and other items have been delayed by several weeks. If the chosen items cannot be acquired, your production manager and design team will help you to make alternate selections that are more readily available. Open communication is key.

Project Completion

Once your project is complete, you get to move back in the enjoy your beautiful new space, and show it off to your family, friends and neighbors. We’ll schedule a formal walk-through to review the work to your satisfaction. If there are minor issues to be addressed, we’ll get right out there to fix them. Otherwise, we’ll check back in six months as a follow-up to tweak anything else you may have noticed.

Reviews

We hope that you’ll be SO excited about your project and your journey with Schroeder Design/Build that you’ll leave us a five-star review! Your review helps to encourage others to remodel their own home, and we always love hearing great feedback!

For Northern Virginia Remodeling, Contact Schroeder Design/Build

Let us help you enjoy the ride along the remodeling roller coaster. Considering remodeling with an addition, kitchen renovation, or a whole house makeover. Contact us for a no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation to get started.

Schroeder Design/Build is a family owned and operated remodeling company serving Northern Virginia since 1986.

right-roof-remodelingSchroederDesign/Build, Inc.

What is the Right Roof for Your Home?

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When remodeling your home with an addition, second floor bump-up or whole-house remodel, one of the decisions you have to make is on the type of roofing material. Considerations include matching the existing roof, style, color, materials, durability, and weather conditions. So what is the right roof for your home?

right-roof-remodeling

Questions to consider include:

  • Do I want to match my existing roof or get a new roof altogether?
  • Will I stay in my house for a long time?
  • What is allowed or not allowed by my homeowner’s association?
  • What is my roofing budget?
  • What color roof works for my home?

Roofing Types

Asphalt Shingle Roof

An asphalt shingle roof is the most common choice, covering more than 80% of homes in our area. It is attractive, comes in various colors, and is easy to install. You can expect your asphalt shingle roof to last approximately 20-30 years.

Wood Shingle or Cedar Shake Roof

Wood roofs can be attractive and can last about 30-40 years, but they must be maintained regularly to avoid mold, mildew, moss or debris from building up and damaging the shingles.

Related: How long do roofs last?

Metal Roof

There is a certain old-fashioned charm accompanying a metal roof, and benefits that include reflective qualities of heat and UV rays that can result in lower cooling and heating costs. Modern metal roofing can be styled to resemble other types of roofing, like slate, tile or shingles and can last up to 50 years. Being lightweight and malleable, it is a right roof choice for homes with a steep pitch or intricate angles. It is also recyclable, making it an environmentally-friendly option.

Tile Roof

If you have a Mediterranean or Spanish-styled home, it was likely designed with a tile roof to give it that European influence. Tile can be the right roof choice if you are looking for durability and longevity. A tile roof can last up to 100 years! Keep in mind that a home or an addition must be constructed properly to support the extra weight of the tile.

Slate Roof

If you really want to make a statement, a slate roof may be the right roof option. It is one of the longest-lasting roof types—up to 150 years! However, it is expensive and difficult to install. You will need to find a qualified installer, especially if your roof has unique angles or a steep pitch. A slate roof is also heavy and will require the correct support in the remodeling construction.

Think about the Right Roof When Remodeling, with Help from Schroeder Design/Build

Most people think about the interior of their home when they consider remodeling. But there are outside selections to make too—like your roofing materials. The right roof is the one that serves your needs for aesthetics, longevity and budget.

Our design team here at Schroeder Design/Build will help you make decisions like “What is the right roof for my home?” When you’re considering remodeling your home or business in Northern Virginia, contact us at 703-449-1700 to schedule a free consultation.

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Why Referrals are Important to Remodeling

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A huge portion of our business as a Northern Virginia design/build remodeling company comes from referrals. They are the lifeblood of our business and an invaluable source for new clients. But why are they so necessary? It’s all based on trust. Let’s look at why referrals are important to remodeling.

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What is a Referral?

A referral occurs when a client, partner, vendor, team member or friend tells a home or business owner to give us a call to talk about remodeling their property. Or when one of these same people contacts us directly to offer the contact information for someone they know who use remodeling, and asks us to reach out.

Why is a Referral Important to Remodeling?

When we receive a referral, the connection is much easier. The person who is referred to us has already heard something about our company, and likely, about one or more of our clients’ experiences remodeling with us. They already trust that we can do the job and offer a great customer journey, so they are half sold already! All they really need to do is discover whether we are a good fit for each other.

During our initial consultation, we also evaluating the referral. When our capabilities match with their vision, we an ensure a successful project.

Related: 10 Reasons Why Customer Referrals Matter

Where do Referrals Come From?

Our best referrals come from our happy clients. They have had a great experience during the remodeling process and are thrilled with the results. They are proud to show off their project to their friends, family and neighbors, who inevitably ask, “Who did you use for your remodeling?” That offers them a perfect opportunity to refer the inquirer to our company for a free initial consultation. Very often, the same clients refer numerous people to our company.

Other referrals come from the people we work with, like our vendors and suppliers. They are familiar with our work and trust our company, and by referring to a company they believe in, they put their reputation on the line as well. Our partners know that referrals are important to remodeling and are glad to refer their customers, clients and neighbors to us.

Our team members are also a source of referrals. They are proud of the work we do and don’t hesitate to ask someone to consider us when they’re thinking about remodeling their home or business.

What is a Good Referral?

What we refer to as a “good referral” is a project that fits both us and our potential client. At Schroeder Design/Build, we specialize in larger remodeling projects like whole house remodels, additions, kitchens, and master suites. We’ll even build a new home from the ground up. If a job is too small, we can refer the job to one of our trusted remodeler associates…and they likewise refer a job that is too big to us.

We Reward Referrals

We like to let those who refer a potential client to us know that we appreciate them, and offer a referral program that includes items like a thank you note, gift cards, and referral-based appreciation events. Their best reward, of course, is when the person they referred comes back after their remodeling project and says, “Thank you for referring us to that company. We love our new project.” Win-Win!

It’s Easy to Refer to Schroeder Design/Build

We try to make the referral process easy. Just give us a call to tell us about someone you know who’s looking for a top remodeling firm or have them contact us—and make sure they tell us that you referred them. We’ll take it from there.

Schroeder Design/Build is a family owned and operated, award-winning remodeling firm bringing dreams to life throughout Northern Virginia. We’d certainly appreciate your referrals.

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Chefs’ Tips for Cooking in Your Newly-Remodeled Kitchen

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Now that you’ve remodeled your kitchen (or if you’re looking forward to remodeling it), you’re bound to be excited about cooking in it! Shiny new appliances, gleaming countertops and ample cabinet space make it a pleasure to be in the kitchen. And no matter where you are in your cooking prowess, there’s always something to learn. Here are some chefs’ tips to enjoying your newly-remodeled kitchen.

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Employ Mise en Place

Mise en place is a French term meaning “putting in place.” Gather your recipe, ingredients, cooking utensils in one place prior to cooking and prepare any items in advance, like chopping vegetables or measuring flour. Think about where you will be using each item and plan out accordingly. This is how chefs create a meal quickly.

You Only Need 5 Knives

Professional chefs usually purchase their own knives and take great care of them. Their knife packet includes a paring (2-4” blade), boning (5-7” firm blade), fillet (5-8” pliable blade), French chef’s (8-14” blade), and serrated (12-14” jagged blade) knife.

How to Cook with Oil

  1. Heat the pan before adding oil for charring, searing, stir-frying or sautéing. If the oil is put in too early, its chemical bonds break down and it loses its lubricating quality. Pan-frying and deep-frying are exceptions due to the greater oil volume.
  2. Add the right oil with the appropriate smoke point.
  3. If the oil smokes or changes color before adding the food, it’s too hot. Throw it out, wipe out the pan, and start over. If the oil gets too hot it releases carcinogens and can reach the flash point where it combusts into flames.
  4. Use dry, room-temperature food.
  5. Don’t crowd the pan.
  6. Don’t flip proteins (meats, eggs, fish) early. When it is properly seared, it will naturally release from the pan.
Oil Smoke Points

The oil smoke point is the temperature at which an oil begins to break down and burn. Going past its smoke point can ruin a dish. Different oils are appropriate for different types of cooking, and it’s important to know which type works best.

  • 400°F = Sesame oil; refined canola oil; extra virgin olive oil; vegetable shortening; regular butter
  • 450°F = Extra light (refined) olive oil; refined soybean, sunflower, corn or peanut oil; clarified butter
  • 500°F = Refined avocado oil; refined safflower oil

When to Add Salt

You may be tempted to pick up the salt shaker when you begin cooking, but professional chefs know that the optimal times to add salt can vary.

  • Tenderizing meat: salt 1-4 hours ahead of cooking
  • Boiling liquids in aluminum or cast iron: Add the salt after boiling begins to avoid pitting the pot. Salt the water when cooking vegetables or pasta.
  • Deep-frying: salt after frying
  • Making stock or reducing: don’t add salt during cooking or reduction, the result will be too salty
  • Baking: salt not only adds taste, it activates rising; add according to recipe directions
  • Finishing: salt that is added just before serving or consuming food; varieties include Fleur de Sel, Maldon, Himalayan Pink Salt, or Grinding Salt. See How to Use Finishing Salts.
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Types of Salt

There are generally four types of salt, and each can be used for different applications in the kitchen.

  • Table salt: fine granules generally used in a salt shaker; highly refined; easily measured for recipes; additives can lend a metallic taste
  • Kosher salt: varying-sized coarse granules; easy to pinch and sprinkle; no additives; a chef’s favorite for cooking
  • Sea salt: coarse or fine grains; evaporated from sea water; strongest flavor; most costly; comes in gray, pink, brown and black varieties
  • Rock salt: large unrefined crystals; not suitable for eating, normally used to presenting shellfish; grayish hue

Chefs Say: Remodel Your Kitchen for How You Will Use it

Remodeling your kitchen isn’t just about making selections of countertops or cabinet colors. It’s about HOW you will use your kitchen for a long time to come. Work with a design/build remodeling firm that will review your current and future needs, your lifestyle, and your dreams for your kitchen, and then design and build it to match your vision. Then enjoy it using these chefs’ tips.

For Kitchen Remodeling in NOVA, Contact Schroeder Design/Build

If you’d like to explore remodeling your residential or commercial kitchen in Northern Virginia, contact Schroeder Design/Build.

–excerpted from 101 Things I learned in Culinary School, by Louis Eguaras with Matthew Frederick

live-in-home-during-remodelSchroeder Design/Build, Inc.

Six Adaptable Ways to Live in Your House During Your Remodel

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There’s no doubt that remodeling can disrupt the household…no matter what size the remodel. If moving out isn’t a necessity or an option during your remodel, there are manageable ways to mitigate the impact the remodel can have on your family. Consider these six methods:

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Plan Ahead

Work with your design/build remodeler to develop a strategic plan. There are lots of little details and decisions, so open and honest communication is definitely the key to making it all come together. Knowing what to expect is also part of the planning process. Since your remodeler has worked in clients’ homes hundreds (if not more) times, they have helpful hints to managing the coordination. Let them help you plan alternative strategies to using your family rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen during the remodeling process.

Create New Storage/Access Areas

You will likely need to remove everything from spaces that are being remodeled, but you may still need the items stored in those rooms…like kitchen appliances, food, entertainment or bathroom supplies. Allocate temporary areas in your home where these items can be safely stored yet still accessible when needed. This can be a great time to get rid of or donate items you no longer need or use.

Related: Live In or Move Out: The Remodeling Dilemma

Designate Living Spaces

Clearly identify the spaces where you will be functioning during your remodel. Set up a family and entertainment area away from the remodeling area and don’t be afraid to use rooms not traditionally set up for these purposes. Make a spare bedroom a kitchen/dining space with a microwave oven and table, for example. Remember, it’s temporary—and it can be fun to try something new.

Think about noise and dust. You may want to relocate beds to quieter walls or other rooms, or have kids bunk in together to save space.

Consider Pets, Kids and Older Family Members

While the change in your lifestyle may be easier for you, it may be stressful for your family pets, children or older members of your family. Set up access points for remodeling workers that isolate them from the rest of the home. Create play areas for kids and stock them with toys, games and electronics. Have a quiet sitting area for elderly members. Erect barriers to protect pets.

Kitchen Renovation Strategies

Since your home has only one kitchen, remodeling this area may be the biggest disruption to your family’s lifestyle. Plan ahead by filling the temporary pantry with items that don’t require extensive cooking, or with nonperishable foods. Stock up on disposable plates, utensils and cups. Purchase or borrow cooking equipment like a mini fridge, hot plate, microwave, or electric skillet to help prepare meals. Or indulge yourself with take-out meals as part of the adventure. If the weather’s nice enough, use the outdoor areas as your grilling and eating areas.

Bathroom Renovation Strategies

Other than the kitchen, temporarily losing one or more bathrooms to remodeling can create the most disruption. Address this by scheduling one bathroom renovation at a time if possible. Create areas outside the bathroom where functions like hair drying and styling or makeup application can be done. Give each family member a tote or caddy where their personal items can be consolidated and transported easily. Set up shower schedules to help everyone get ready in the morning. Shower at the gym.

Minimal Disruption During Your Remodel

Your design/build remodeler understands that your lifestyle will not be the same during your remodel and will do their part by trying to contain the noise, dust and disruption as much as possible. Expect vinyl barriers and safety protocols that help protect both you and the workers.

It’s Worth It

Remember that all throughout the noise, dust, endless stream of workers and decisions of your remodel that the end product is worth it. It’s merely an uncomfortable and inconvenient process to the desired result that does have a thrilling conclusion. Kind of like childbirth! Use this time to make the transitional changes fun.

Northern Virginia Remodeling by Schroeder Design/Build

In 2021, Schroeder Design/Build reached the milestone of serving our 1000th client and would love to work with you to remodel the home of your dreams. We thrive on open and honest communication and will do our best to help you maneuver through your remodeling project as easily as possible. Talk to us about remodeling your home. We promise you’ll love the result.

 

master-bathroom-remodel-Schroeder

Results from the 2021 Houzz Bathroom Trends Study

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The two most important rooms in your home would probably be the kitchen and the bathroom. Am I right?  We read a lot about what’s important in a kitchen remodel, but not a lot about the bathrooms, so we pulled the latest takeaways from the 2021 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study to pass along to you.

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Bathroom Pet Peeves

One of the biggest reasons people choose to remodel their bathrooms is frustration with its current style or function. They “can’t stand the old bathroom,” the Bathroom Trends Study reports. Most annoying was an old and outdated space, followed by insufficient storage.

 

Addressing Special Needs

Aging in place is a big issue when remodeling a bathroom, and homeowners are looking to make those changes now for their future. More than 25% of homeowners claim this as a big reason to remodel.

Color Preferences

Remember the harvest gold or baby blue bathroom trends of years gone past? Those color choices have been replaced by homeowners choosing a white palette for their bathroom remodels. White was the top color choice for vanities, countertops, shower walls and non-shower walls due to its sense of cleanliness. It also enhances light, giving the bathroom an airy feel–especially important when the bathroom is small.

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Making Major Bathroom Remodeling Changes

Bathroom trends show that the majority of homeowners chose to keep the same basic footprint when remodeling their bathroom (77%) since enlarging a bathroom would add significant cost or wasn’t really feasible within the home’s layout. Commonly, most bathrooms are smaller than 100 square feet, with an additional 36% coming in at 100-199 square feet. Only 21% of homeowners have a bathroom sized 200 or more square feet.

The most common changes are reconfiguring the layout (42%), including relocating the shower and modifying existing walls.

Bathroom Tub Trends

Surprisingly, 1 in 4 homeowners are removing the bathtub during their bathroom remodel, although the majority choose to keep the existing tub or upgrade to a newer model. The most popular bathtub style are the freestanding acrylic soaking tubs, followed by alcove tubs, like the common shower/tub combination, which are rising in popularity–up from 22% in 2020 to 26% in 2021.

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About the 2021 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study

This study gathered information from just under 3,000 Houzz users who were homeowners ages 18 or older who had completed a master bathroom remodel or addition in the past 12 months, were currently working on one, or were planning the remodel in the next three months. The survey took place between July 21 and July 27, 2021. Read the original study here.

 

View our Bathrooms Portfolio for inspiration on remodeling your master bathroom!

Choose Schroeder Design/Build for Northern Virginia Remodeling

Whether you want to follow the latest bathroom trends or choose your own style, Schroeder Design/Build can help. We have a team of architects and designers to help you bring your dream bathroom to reality. Contact us at info@SchroederDesignBuild.com, or give us a call at 703-449-1700. We’ll be glad to discuss your project and answer any questions you may have on remodeling your master or hall bathrooms, or any remodeling project. We work with homeowners in the Northern Virginia region.

master-bathroom-remodelSchroeder Design/Build

7 Ways to Increase your Home’s Value

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Homeowners are always concerned with ‘what’s their house worth.’ Other than normal appreciation, there are ways you can increase your home’s value. Here are seven options to consider.

master-bathroom-remodel

Add Square Footage

There are a number of ways to increase your home’s value by adding living space. You can build an addition onto the side or back of your home, or add a second or even third level to your existing home. Consider unfinished spaces that can be converted into extra living areas, like the attic, basement or garage.

Remodel High-Value Rooms

Kitchens and bathrooms are always high-priority items on any homebuyer’s list and remodeling them can increase your home’s value by approximately 27%, according to Jeremy Sicklick, CEO and co-founder of HouseCanary. Invest in upgrading, expanding or renovating these rooms for the biggest bang for the buck.

Related: Home remodeling projects that will bring you the most return on investment

Choose Quality Finishes

When you choose high-quality items for your home, like granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, you not only get to enjoy them for yourself, you’ll increase your home’s value for when you’re ready to sell. In addition, higher-quality products last longer and look more beautiful.

Even smaller items can increase your home’s value. Switch out doorknobs from brass to brushed nickel, or upgrade lighting to LED. This bright lighting will make your house feel lighter and more inviting. Choose items that are popular and you’ll see a return on your investment.

Go Green

Today’s home buyers are more concerned about the environment and looking for homes with eco-friendly features. When remodeling, invest in energy efficient appliances and equipment, from your kitchen appliances to your heating and cooling systems. Switch out windows for more energy efficient ones. As an added benefit, you’ll enjoy lower utility bills.

Add Technology

Smart home products are popular options in today’s marketplace and can help increase your home’s value. You might consider installing a smart thermostat, camera system, lighting system, locks, and a fire/carbon monoxide system.

Improve Landscaping

The outside of your home is just as important as the inside, so don’t overlook the value of great landscaping. There’s something to be said for curb appeal. Think of the landscaping as the first impression. You hopefully won’t show up at job interview wearing torn blue jeans. Invite visitors into your home from the moment they arrive with plants, flowers, walkways and interesting hardscape features.

Paint

Nothing refreshes a home more than a coat of paint—both on the inside and the outside. If you’re looking to sell soon, stick to neutral colors. Other than that, let the paint color set the tone for your design style. Paint can add drama or create a soothing surrounding. Paint can also help restore worn or dirty areas of your home. Work with your designer to select the right paint colors for your home remodel.

Increase Your Home’s Value with a Remodel by Schroeder Design/Build

At Schroeder Design/Build, we have professional architects and designers on staff to help you design, build and outfit your home remodel. Or we can build you a custom home from the ground up! Talk to us about how to increase your home’s value in Northern Virginia.

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5 Remodeling Project Trends Expected in 2022

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People are always curious about what’s coming next. And in remodeling, we like to look at what consumers are asking for. What the industry is seeing are five remodeling project trends expected to boom in 2022.

Remodeling Project Trends for 2022

Trend 1: Better mudroom functionality

Families are well familiar with the frantic searches for keys, backpacks, gloves, hats, and other essentials, especially during the morning rush to get out the door. Remodelers can help alleviate the confusion with a mudroom constructed to a family’s individual needs.

Those designing a mudroom, or an “all-purpose drop zone,” can build from scratch or convert an underutilized space such as an area in or near the garage or laundry room. Other areas that function well include drop-off areas for package and grocery deliveries; pet washing stations with an oversized sink or shower pan; specified storage for each family member; laundry equipment area with shelving, a folding counter and a sink; a central charging station; and even something fun like a boot dryer. A waterproof, easy-to-clean luxury vinyl tile floor helps.

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Trend 2: Specialized Outdoor Rooms

Homeowners are asking remodelers to build spaces to suit their favorite interests. Landscape architect Ryan Kettelkamp of the Chicago-based Kettelkamp & Kettelkamp found that “more clients wanted an outdoor kitchen this past season.” This included a grill, water source and a pizza oven!

Remodeling project trends indicated that other families may want a firepit or outdoor fireplace; a lawn or terrace area where a large screen can be put up to watch movies; an edible garden; and raised wood planters and trellises.

Trend 3: Larger Windows

Homeowners want to feel like they’re connecting with the outdoors even when they’re stuck inside and are changing out windows and doors to fit larger glass options. Windows installed higher, as in a clerestory; garage-style glass doors that roll up; and smaller framework for a thinner window profile are being requested. Durability and energy efficiency remain at the top of the list.

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Trend 4: Flexible Home Offices

Having a place to work or study from home became a need during the pandemic. According to the 2021 Houzz Emerging Home Design Trends Report, searches for home offices were up 108%. Designing a room or area with privacy, light and quiet was important.

Connecticut-based designer Sharon McCormick suggests asking yourself these questions:

  • Do you need a door?
  • Do you want natural light?
  • Do you need or want to share space?
  • Do you have an extra room or space, like a large walk-in closet, landing, attic or basement?
  • What furnishings and accessories do you need?

Trend 5: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Those with space on their property may opt for the remodeling project trend of building an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU. Similar to a tiny house, these structures are “generally detached from the main house and range in size between 500 and 800 square feet, but as large as 1,200 square feet,” said Caitlin Bigelow, an ADU advocate who runs Maxable, an educational resource on ADUs.

Increased approval from planning and building departments has boosted the popularity of ADUs, which can be used as a housing solution for returning grown children, renters, or older parents (granny flat).

Bigelow recommends installing doorways that accommodate a wheelchair, and removing thresholds between areas when designing your ADU, and including natural light, insulation, key appliances and universal design features overall.

Related: Did you miss our July 2021 design seminar on ADUS? Watch it here!

For Expert Remodeling, Contact Schroeder Design/Build

You too, can add function, value and joy to your home, both inside and out with these remodeling project trends. Contact Schroeder Design/Build to talk about your remodeling dreams in Northern Virginia.

 

–Excerpted from “5 Remodeling Projects Expected to Boom in 2022” by Barbara Ballinger, published in Pro Remodeler, September 20, 2021.