When home builders speak “sustainable” they are routinely referencing hard goods, the materials used to literally build the structure. “Soft goods” too are a part of the equation. Soft goods are the upholstery, the draperies the carpets and even lampshades. Now a third aspect of sustainability is emerging: sustainable landscaping to complement the residence.

The American Society of Landscape Architects homeowners can go net-zero or climate positive by tapping into the potential of landscaping. Green roof and wall systems measurably reduce energy use—both heating and AC costs.

According to The Sustainable SITES Initiative, homeowners can use trees and dense shrubs to shade not only their homes but the external HVAC systems. By blocking sunshine or wind, the systems don’t have to work as hard and that too reduces energy costs.

One of the foremost influences Spencer Chase considers when planning the footprint of a house on the property is existing trees and shrubs. Whenever Chase can retain a tree on the lot, he does. The same goes for shrubs. Consequently his newly built custom homes feature landscaping that is already mature. It’s quite the opposite of developers a generation ago who scraped not only the existing ruins of a home from the lot but the landscaping as well to prepare for new development. Buyers then had to watch their newly planted landscaping grow up. A decade later, they might have decent shade from a tree or landscaping blocking the direct view from an adjoining home or the front street.

Photos on file at the Denver Public Library show Cory-Merrill neighborhood circa early 1900s with trees lining the streets. One hundred and twenty years later, some of those trees continue to thrive, serving as canopies over the sidewalks and walking paths for so many of the area’s population of nearly 4,800 residents.

Chase pays tribute to the foliage by incorporating it into the footprint of the home on the property to take full advantage of shade, living barriers to wind and weather, and to establish conversation nooks within the property. One of Chase’s trademarks is the inclusion of a set of Adirondack chairs on the lawn in front of the residence.

It’s incredible what two Adirondack chairs communicate.

History has it that Thomas Lee was searching for comfortable outdoor furniture in 1903 for his cottage in Westport, NY near the Adirondack mountains when he came up with the concept of 11 flat boards structured as seating. Rugged and nearly indigenous, this rustic seating was likely the first sustainable outdoor lounge seating created by modern man. Lee shared his chair design with his friend Harry Bunnell who took  liberties with the design patenting it in 1905 (US Patent #794,777.) The friendship was tested as much as the ensuing weather tested the original seating over the years. Preference for the sustainable stylish Adirondack chair has never flagged as variations on the fundamental style have evolved over time into polywood, resin and armless version (wide armrests were a part of the original design.)

Time spent in an Adirondack chair evokes collective memories of gathering for relaxation and conversation.

It’s also why Chase includes this particular seating in his front lawn staging when showing his custom home construction. Sustainable style and sustainable functionality converge to make a statement of lasting legacy.

This is one small aspect of the sustainability factor Chase employs in his architectural design as well as his landscape design and furnishings to achieve an ultra-effective message at  each address he custom builds in the Cory-Merrill neighborhood in Denver. Sit. Experience the sensation that resonates from the effect of an hour in an Adirondack chair.

It’s all Chase. And it’s all about sustainability.

Statistics show that most new homeowners purchase a smart light fixture, thermostat, alarm or detector when setting up their household at a new address. The term SMART has come to be known as the technology behind functionality: want your phone to dial a friend? Tell Siri.

That would be Susan Bennett. Know her? You should.

Voice actor Susan Bennett is the voice behind Siri. She’s the one that answers you when you make an inquiry on iPhones or iPads.

Alexa answers Amazon’s voice commands. (Recall the 2017 news that a child ordered a dollhouse using Alexa…and it delivered.)

Want your sound system to rock it out while you prepare dinner? Alexa will oblige if you ask.

The point is that Smart is more than Siri and Alexa and other voice controlled services. Smart is synonymous with technology in today’s understanding of the term that’s about intelligence.

But more than just being smart, new homes today have an overarching sensibility of intelligence that is only practiced by a handful of custom home builders…Spencer Chase among them. His influence of smart is seen at every level of the homes he builds for his customers. From the purposeful choices of specific materials to the square footage allotted to certain rooms within the home, smart means more than technology.

Smart in home construction means purposeful planning from the front end of the project. That’s something Spencer Chase does better than other custom home developers.

First, he picked the neighborhood. That neighborhood is Cory-Merrill, the place that Spencer Chase has chosen to live with his family and the place he has designated as his development area.

What’s smart about having a designated area within which to develop his custom homes is that neighborhood residents already know Spencer Chase. When these same residents begin to consider selling their home and moving on to either a part of the world or country where their grown children live, they call Spencer Chase first. That gives the owner and a potential buyer to have a conversation about a specific lot.

When these same residents consider selling and are planning to upgrade to their own dream home they now have opportunity to discuss their desires with the one man in the region who can develop a home to satisfy those dreams. Spencer Chase.

If your idea of the perfect home has always been a first-floor master bedroom, ask Chase. He’s designed and built homes that feature main floor masters that function as retreats from the hustle and bustle of today’s world. If your concept of the ideal residence is a laundry room on the bedroom level, ask Chase. He’s designed and built that. If your notion of the perfect outdoor living arrangement is a stainless steel kitchen that invites nightly cookouts, consult with Chase.

Smart in its purest definition is what works for you, the homeowner, it your most refined idea of a residence. If your dominate influence is art, Spencer Chase will construct gallery-like walls within your residence. If it’s about owning a kitchen that rivals a professional chef’s domain, Spencer Chase can do that too…because he has.

Take inventory of your top priorities in a home in which you intend to live. Then write them down. (If you don’t, they’re likely to dissolve into ineffective memories.) Then take that list to a personal meeting with Chase and review the potential and possibility. You’ll find that Chase is able to incorporate your most precious concepts into square footage that does not overlook any requirement.

P.S. Siri and Alexa are not required to attend. Just mention them by name if you want them to be part of the plan.

One of the biggest considerations parents or future  parents have when considering where to buy is about the local schools. In Denver, Colorado, K-12 public schools in Colorado are primarily funded through a combination of local property taxes and state revenues. Historically, local property taxes have made up the majority of funding. In Denver, local property taxes account for nearly 57% of the system’s total revenue.

Parents can’t help but consider the annual taxes dedicated to reading-writing-‘rithmetic vs. the cost of a private school education where Denver’s Graland Middle School (Grades 5-8) runs $26,000/year (that’s $33,800 before taxes on average.)

When choosing to occupy a specific zip code, parents of the next generation want some reassurance that the education they can provide their children simply by virtue of their address has consequence.

Schooldigger.com, Greatschools.org, Zillow.com, and Realtor.com rank Cory-Merrill neighborhood among the top in the region.

Cory Elementary at 1550 S. Steel St. and Merrill Middle School at 1551 S. Monroe serve the neighborhood within which Spencer Chase develops custom homes. The schools are a part of the reason he identified this neighborhood. Parks are another. Amenities like fitness studios and restaurants are important too.

The best reward in constraining his talents to a single neighborhood is that he’s thoroughly familiar with the community on multiple levels, says Spencer Chase. Moreover, he makes his home in the neighborhood and as a result is even more invested in in keeping the quality of the community at its topmost score.

When you are considering a neighborhood in which to build your dream home, or if you’re weighing the advantages of one area of the city over another, take time to drive the streets of Cory-Merrill to witness firsthand what the best means to Spencer Chase and the dozens of families that now occupy homes he’s built in the area.

Then call our office for a personal appointment with Spencer Chase to review what it is you want in a lifetime home.

Building a custom home is the realization of every detail of the dream, and since the homeowner will most likely spend a great deal of the warmer months outside on the custom patio and terrace, the selection of the surface material for such amenities is a key specification in making the dream a reality.

The patio surface, of course, should be beautiful and match the décor of the dream, but it should also be long lasting and easy to maintain throughout the year.

There are many choices for the patio/terrace surface, ranging from stone, brick and concrete, to wood and the new wood-alternative composite materials being used for decking materials on raised patios, decks and extended porches. And there are many choices within each category.

One of the more popular patio surface materials is stone, and this makes sense as stone work for house walls, sidewalks, fencing and even such indoor surfaces as entryways and kitchen floors is an ever-increasing option chosen by buyers in the custom home market.

The simplest application of stone for the patio surface is the use of patio stones, or paving stones. These are manufactured stones of pressed concrete that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including flat squares and rectangles, generally in the size neighborhood of 2’ X 2’, 2’ X 2 1/2’, and 2’ X 3’. These are often selected because of the relative ease of installation and the overall low price.  The good news is that patio stones are now available in a wide assortment of colors and textures (like exposed aggregate). Homeowners who choose this option often use bricks, landscape rocks or rot-resistant wood (e.g. cedar) for accents, borders and trimming material.

However, when it comes to stone for patios, the highly popular choice is natural stone, like flagstones and slate,  and also setts, which are most notably known as cobbles, or cobblestone, once very popular as street paving material. Stone work is the most expensive option for patio surfaces, as the stones are heavy, come in varying widths and require expert cutting, installation and masonry work to be done properly, and they often also require a great foundation, like concrete, to keep the surface from shifting. The upside is that stone is highly durable and will last a lifetime, is easy to maintain, and also works well for such patio amenities as outdoor kitchens, barbeque venues, decorative garden walls, and fire pits. Stone is also available in a variety of natural colors – black, greys, reds, browns, etc.  It should be noted that while slate is very popular and makes a very attractive surface, it is also quite slippery when wet.

Another excellent choice for the patio surface is brick, as bricks – essentially manufactured clays and stones – come in a vast array of shapes, sizes and colors. Experienced bricklayers are experts at creating wonderfully beautiful patterns in the brick, as well mixing and matching brick sizes and colors to create designs that many people consider sheer artwork. Brick is highly durable and has become a very popular choice for walkways on college campuses, corporate office parks, municipal parks and other high-traffic areas where beauty and durability are often desired.

Concrete patio surfaces are also popular because concrete, starting out as a mud-like, malleable liquid, is relatively inexpensive and easy to work with. The added advantage is that concrete surfaces can range from standard sidewalk-like concrete, to very fine new applications where nearly the entire color palate is available. In addition, with techniques like stamping concrete it is possible to create a plethora of surface-interest designs, and many people are opting for multi-media surface treatments where decorative concrete is sued along with stone, tile and brick work to make truly unique surfaces. Concrete surfaces can range from rough to highly textured, as well as very smooth fine treatments.

Tile is also being used for patio surfaces, and is a popular choice because many custom homebuilders are using terrazzo and other tiles for kitchen and entryway floors and homeowners want to keep design elements in their new homes consistent. Tile is also very durable, available in a wide variety of colors, and is often painted and kiln-fired with beautiful designs for the entire flooring surface or for accents and trim (think Italian tile). The cost for such material can range from the pedestrian to astronomical, but it will maintain its beauty for a very long time.

One of the more unusual choices for a patio surface – but one gaining in popularity – is gravel. Generally installed with edging board to keep the gravel in its place, this soft type of surface is among the most inexpensive to buy and install, comes in a good ranging of colors (many people mix and match for a “salt and pepper” look), and works well in conjunction with brick, stone, tiles, and wood in creating multi-media designs. Gravel patios, many believe, are very attractive, however the stones tend to gravitate to the lawn, inside the house, etc., they can be difficult to walk on for some people, and they are nearly impossible to shovel in winter when the snow flies. Gravel surfaces also need to be regularly raked to maintain a tidy appearance.

Sometimes – often, in fact – the choice for a patio surface is not a patio in the classic sense at all, but rather a deck. Usually decks are constructed above ground overlooking the lawn, but many people opt for surface decks for a decorative appeal. The most obvious choice for a deck, of course, is wood, and many people opt for such rot-resistant and durable wood as cedar, as well as other varieties treated for longer-lasting durability. Wood is very beautiful, of course, but among the many types of patio/deck surfaces it also requires the most maintenance, as it is subject to the wear and tear of sunshine, rain and cold temperatures.

A popular alternative choice over the last decade or so is so-called wood-alternative materials, often referred to as composites. These actually come in two varieties: composite, which is a mixture of plastic and wood fiber materials, and boards made of PVC materials. The advantages of composites are many. Since they are manufactured they can be created in just about any color desired, and in the manufacturing process a vast array of surfaces or patterns can be added in. Many people opt for composite boards that have the look of wood grain, for instance. Also, composites often can be painted, just like wood, so color choices can range from the mundane to the highly creative. A slight disadvantage to composite material is tensile strength: the boards tend to be more flexible than wood of the same dimensions, so the construction often requires more joists or underlying structure to prevent bending (which can force nails and screws to rise). Composites are, however, much more durable than wood, as these materials are less affected by weather wear and tear, and they require less frequent maintenance.

Like everything else in the custom home, researching and selecting just the right surface for the dream patio can be time-consuming. But the pay-off – an outdoor living space worthy of frequent use and entertaining – is great indeed.

When choosing to build a new custom home, many people, for a variety of reasons, are exploring the use of recycled materials in the building process. There are environmental concerns of course, particularly for those looking for LEED certification on their new home, and there are also such advantages as cost containment and aesthetic value of historic wood, stone and fixtures.

In any case, there are a number of plusses in utilizing recycled materials in a new custom home, but also a few drawbacks to consider.

One of the most popular uses for recycled materials in any new custom home project is the installation of wood that has been previously used in an older home or building. Often referred to a reclaimed wood, this category includes such things as barn wood taken from historic farm structures for use as flooring, wall coverings, ceilings and cabinetry; historic cabinets and built-ins that have been recovered from demolition projects and refurbished to retain their timely charm but meet modern demands; and, old solid beams of wood that were a staple of construction in the 19th and early 20th centuries for use today as both decorative and functional beams for a rustic look.

The advantage of old, reclaimed wood – in any form – is that much of it was originally milled at a time when plenty of old-growth virgin forests where trees with impressive girths were harvested. The wood produced from such harvesting was much higher quality than can be found on the market today, and often things like beams were hewn from a single trunk, rendering them extremely strong and stable. Also, wood that has cured for a century or more is preferable to using green wood, artificially cured. The beauty, of course, is undeniable, and often the grains re-milled for today’s uses offer an impressive display of the lumberman’s art, as well as a highly durable material.

The pitfalls could include that reclaimed wood from barns and older structures might have been damaged over the years by water, mildew exposure to fire, and/or insect infestation, which could lead to a breakdown in the material’s durability and to an odor that is difficult to mask. When sourcing such reclaimed wood it is wise to work with reputable wood reclamation companies that can certify the moisture content or damage in the wood, as well as any residual smoke penetration.

Another chief area popular for recycled/reclamation use is glass, as in leaded glass and historic stained glass creations, and people use old windows and old window glass for decoration, entries, cabinet faces and display cases. Ever been in an old house and seen those windows that appear not to be smooth, but rather slightly rippled? Glass manufacturing has come a long way in the last 100 to 150 years, but a lot of people like the charm of the old-looking glass.

The disadvantages of using old glass are that, while quaint and attractive, its durability is suspect; old glass tends to be more brittle than modern glass. Also, they didn’t make windows back then with the amount of insulation value that we have today, so old glass used on outside windows, for instance, probably need to be embedded in new glass to boost R-values and to protect from breakage.

Stone, slate and reclaimed tiles are also very popular in many custom home designs. Used as roofing material, sidewalks and pathways, flooring, kitchen counters and backsplashes, and for decoration and function in bathroom sinks, tubs showers, and floors, these materials are often very beautiful, in some cases created by long-past craftsmen, and they offer a high degree of durability along with the aesthetic values. And often, reclaimed stone – marble comes to mind – has the charm of a weathered or even worn look that immediately speaks to its historic value. Sometimes referred to an “old-quarry” stone, some of this material is reclaimed from elegant homes and official buildings and may also come with a story to tell – e.g., “our kitchen floor used to be the lobby of the old Supreme Court building.”

And don’t forget old, reclaimed fixtures and lights: old stoves, chandeliers, bathtubs, sinks, even toilets or “water closets” (we’ve even seen rail cars and historic phone booths incorporated into home design) are hot items in the r3ecycled/reclaimed marketplace. Antiques of any stripe are also highly sought after.

Of course, for those looking to garner LEED certification in the homebuilding project, there are any number of recycled and reclaimed materials to draw from, including lumber scraps from other projects, remanufactured tires and paper used for insulation,—really just about any building material you can think of. There are a myriad of firms which specialize is collecting and repurposing leftover materials for the burgeoning recycled/reclaimed marketplace. The web is replete with such resources. The advantage is that these materials often cost far less than new and can qualify for LEED certification, particularly if they are sourced locally. The disadvantage is that since they are reclaimed materials the quantity needed may be in short supply, and finding that same material again if it needs to be matched may be difficult. Keep in mind that reclaimed materials often skip the recycling process, so the environmental impact is lower.

Reclamation and recycled materials are hot commodities these days, so the competition to find them can be fierce, and the prices often reflect the growing demand. However, many people are looking to make an environmental statement in their new home as well as tap into history, so there is also a growing supply chain.

For all of your custom home building needs, including expertise in recycled/ reclaimed building materials, amenities and accessories, look to Chase Custom Homes of Denver. Call 303-p204-9254 for
complete details on the whole range of custom home building services we offer. A Chase Custom Home is an address for a lifetime.

Most products headed to the landfills at this very moment could have been recycled, or better yet, reclaimed for use in a new building or other practical or artistic function. Recycled products are multitudinous in number and diverse in sources as well. For instance, recycled newspaper can be reused for home insulation, plastic bottles transformed into playgrounds, tires into sidewalks and so on.

Reclaimed materials skip the recycling process, thus using less energy between removal and reuse. Common reclaimed materials include: wood products from old barns and homes, bricks and other used masonry units, doors, paneling and a slew of other building products. While there is no specific certification for reclaimed materials, their use counts significantly toward LEED and Living Building certification.

Products claiming to be part or all recycled content can be certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) and will bear the SCS Certified logo. SCS offers certification to manufacturers of products made from recycled or biodegradable materials. An excellent online resource for recycled and reclaimed materials is PlanetReuse, a global guide for finding locally available reclaimed and reusable materials. In the following articles, you’ll find a list of recycled products and materials commonly available in most areas, as well as information to help locate and purchase them.

So what exactly is a reclaimed wood floor?

You might find it under many names, such as recycled wood flooring, reclaimed wood flooring, or even reclaimed salvage lumber.

Whatever the name, the product is re-used, recycled or, as often titled, “reclaimed” flooring made from wood that is generally re-milled to be usable in a new application.

Pros and Cons

If you’re considering reclaimed wood for your floor, you’ll want to know what to look for. It is obviously a “green choice” to choose to re-use wood that would otherwise become landfill waste. Recycled wood floors also save precious forest growth.

Here are some more reclaimed wood benefits:

* Environmentally-friendly

* Warm look and feel

* Prevents waste

* Easy to clean

* Naturally insulating

* Depending on thickness, may be refinished years later

* May increase the value of your home

You may be able to harvest some reclaimed wood on your own - at a discount. If you know of a building about to be torn down, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if you can buy (or remove) some wood from the premises.

You might be surprised to learn that there are local companies that supply reclaimed wood. If so, you could save shipping costs and conserve fuel that would be spent if the product was shipped a long distance. This would be an ideal green alternative to new wood harvesting for your project.

Some suppliers also carry the FSC label (Forest Stewardship Council). According to their website, they promote responsible management of the world’s forests, and require certain standards to be met. They also provide FSC certification. You can even find FSC certified wood at some local home improvement stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot.

A few suppliers of reclaimed wood include:

Terra Mai

Pioneer Millworks

Mountain Lumber Company

Deciding to build a custom home is one of the most important and life-fulfilling decisions a person or couple will ever make. Custom means that it is not an off-the-shelf design, there is no inheritance of someone else’s tastes, and that it is a true expression of the new homeowners. An address for a lifetime.

We at Chase Custom Homes of Denver specialize in helping people realize their life-long dream of building just the home, their right home. We work with architects, financing experts, crafts people, and highly trained subcontractors to ensure that every system, every detail comes out just the way the homeowners envisioned it.

There are a ton of details that go into creating a custom home, everything from flooring, roofing and wall treatments, to landscaping, location, lighting and everything else. But a critical area of expertise that often comes into play when planning such a project is whether or not to hire a professional interior designer to shepherd the look of the living spaces. We couldn’t recommend interior designers more. We work with them on almost every project, trust their judgment, and, like the homeowners themselves, gape in awe at the result.

However, many people balk at the notion of hiring a professional interior designer, even on a custom home building project, and generally for two reasons: 1) the perception that an interior decorator will add a layer of expense that will push the budget; and, 2), the perception that the homeowner will lose control of the design process and end up with something other than they wanted.

Our experience is exactly the opposite. Professional interior designers have so many contacts with crafts people, painters, furniture makers and designers, flooring specialists, on and on, and access to “to the trade only” showrooms and catalogs. They most often can deliver the goods and their services for far less than the untrained neophyte could ever hope to tap. And, while many people fancy themselves good at interior design, our experience is that professional interior designers work closely with clients, and rather than overwhelming the homeowners, they almost always deliver a finished product that
takes the dream to a higher – and highly desirable – level. In the many custom homes we have built, those of our clients who work with a professional interior designer are the most delighted with the results – financially and aesthetically.

Interior design isn’t a hobby that someone decides to make into a career. It is now a respected professional degree program at many top colleges and universities throughout the country, offering national accreditation through such organizations as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CDIC). In Colorado, Colorado State University in Fort Collins offers both a bachelor’s and master’s degree program in interior design with the College of Applied Human Services and the Department of Design & Merchandising. There are also several interior design trade associations and certification programs where professional in the field keep up-to-date with the latest techniques and trends, as well safety issues and environmental applications.

Here’s what a professional interior will deliver to clients:
• A vast network of crafts people – painters, carpenters, furniture makers, tile and stone specialists – who can deliver on nearly every promise imaginable.
• Trade-only resources. Furniture, carpeting and flooring options, wall coverings, artwork, fabrics and textiles, linens, cabinetry, countertops, hardware, lighting, doors, appliances, and much more – all from showrooms and catalogs not open to the general public, and often at substantial savings. Also time savings, as they know the sources and ease the research process.
• Space planning. Professional interior designers are highly trained in space planning techniques that get the most out of every size and shape of room.
• Experience working with architects, contractors and subcontractors. Professional interior designers are particularly skilled at working with every aspect of the design-build process, helping to create the interiors as they are being designed.
• Homeowners’ style. The object of professional interior design is not to make a design statement for the designer, but rather to fulfill the desire of the homeowner with real-world solutions.
• Environmental expertise. Highly trained in environmental issues, including LEED certification processes, so that the installation and the operation of all living spaces will comply with environmental regulations for chemical use, waste mediation and energy efficiencies.
• Electronic capabilities. Modern professional interior designers use specialized computer programs in the planning and design process, to create “virtual” spaces for envisioning a room before it is constructed.
• Project guidance. Professional interior designers are on-site throughout the construction and finish to ensure that everything is done properly, and to make the adjustments necessary when unforeseen snags enter the picture.
• Form and function. The study of interior design is not only about the look of living spaces, but also about how people use the space. This ensures that the homeowner has spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and work well for the lifestyle of the people occupying the house.

There’s a lot more, of course, as the checklist of items that go into the creation of exemplary interior spaces is long and varied. The bottom line is that in the experience of Chase Custom Homes, teaming up with a professional interior designer invariably results is raising the “wow factor” for clients building their dream home.

DENVER, CO – You never get a second chance to make a first impression, or so the saying goes, and the most prominent first impression on your new custom home will mostly likely be the front door. It has to be right, inviting to family and friends, as it is the first statement made in your home, just before “Welcome.”

That front door must also be a stalwart, not only beautiful but also a protective barrier to unwelcome guests and intruders and able to withstand the ravages of wind, searing sunshine, sleet, hail, rain and snow for years to come.

There are so many considerations in selecting a front door for a new custom home, but fortunately there are also a myriad of resources to fit any décor, budget or special need.

Of course, it’s not just a front door. There’s the door (called a “blank” in the trade), the door jamb or frame, and often the surrounding panels, or lights, that are all part and parcel of the gateway to your home’s entry. And, of course, you will have hardware (doorknobs, handles, locks, hinges, etc.), windows, frames, weatherstripping and all the components that make up a quality entryway.

The door business is big business, and there are every type of door imaginable available from a variety of sources and in any size. There are wood doors,  of course – the most popular choice by far – and also doors made of steel, aluminum, fiberglass, composite doors, and some that are a mix, like wood veneer over composite or steel, for instance. 

You could march right down to Home Depot or any number of home improvement centers and find a broad selection of front doors and accessories, ranging from the pedestrian to the regal. These shops also have the jambs, pre-made surrounding materials, lights, and a whole host of hardware and security options.

At Chase Custom Homes of Denver, however, we have found that our clients like to think outside of the “big-box” and look for front door solutions that are unique and more completely match the fully custom design of the rest of the house.

There are dozens of door manufacturing companies out there which you will never see at a typical retail location, and most offer door programs ranging from fully constructed and pre-hung, to fully customized components that are installed by the builder. These firms have extensive catalogs and often, in bigger cities like Denver, showrooms where they showcase doors and entry solutions that can be mixed and matched, customized for size requirements, installed by their technicians or delivered to the job site where the builder or subcontractor will handle the task. Of course, you will probably also spend hours combing through catalogs and showrooms looking for just the right hardware, window and light treatments, and trim options. The variables are so broad that it would be rare to find two finished front doors alike no matter how hard you looked.

Another option are antique or reclaimed doors, hardware, lights and trim accessories that have come out of historic but now gone glory homes of old. At Chase, we keep close track of the salvage and reconditioning market and over the years we have found some doors and lights (think: antique leaded windows that surround the door or are in the door) that are a hundred years old or more, made by craftsmen in an age when craftsmanship was a widely practiced art.

And the good news is that there are a few high-quality craftsmen left in the world, and a few of our clients have opted for a full customized front door and entryway treatment made by an old-school woodworker. In this way you can have a new front door that not only is unique but will be a conversation piece for years to come.

When building a custom home there are thousands of decisions to make – roof treatments, cabinets, flooring, windows, and on and on – but in our experience the front door of that new dream home is among the most time-consuming and pleasurable choices a custom homeowner will make.

The front door is, after all, your first impression, and it should say “Welcome” with a touch of “Wow.”

Chase Custom Homes of Denver handles every detail in the design and build of custom homes, with clients fully engaged in every aspect of the project. Our motto is “A Chase Custom Home creates an address for a lifetime,” so in fact our business is making dreams come true. For more information visit     http://denvercustomhomebuilder.com/

Here in Denver, August 2011 proved to be a hot one – it has just been certified by the National Weather Service as the hottest August on record, narrowly edging out August 1937 for the highest average temperature for the month, 77 degrees this August versus 76.8 back in the Franklin Roosevelt administration.

Yes, September is here and Autumn and cooler weather is on the way, but the Summer of 2011 has a lot of people wondering how best to keep a house cool when the thermometer continually rises above the comfort zone. It’s not only just a comfort issue, of course: people with air conditioning or swamp cooler units know all too well that energy bills for this summer season also hit record highs, and they are looking for a little cost relief as well.

At Chase Custom Homes we build custom homes for clients throughout the year, but anytime a project is started one of the key questions that arises in the design phase is how to build a dream home that will stay cool each and every summer, keeping that dream comfortable for the people inside and their pocketbooks.

The good news is that Denver isn’t Oklahoma City or Atlanta or Cincinnati or any number of American locales where the locals are fond of saying “if it isn’t the heat, it’s the humidity.” Colorado, of course, enjoys relatively low humidity, so while 98 degrees is indeed hot in these parts, it doesn’t compare with the sweltering degrees-plus-high-humidity you’ll find in many other places. Still, keeping house temperatures low in summer is a high priority. And, many of the techniques to keep the house cool also work well, with some alterations, at keeping it warm in winter and keeping heating costs low.

There was a time, of course, before there was air conditioning or even electrics fans, and architects, builders and city planners of the day put a lot of effort into making a house palatable for weather extremes. For city planning, consider this: Denver is laid out on a north/south grid so that most of the housing faces east or west, limiting the southern, hotter exposure and the northern, colder exposure. Then all those beautiful deciduous trees that line the parkways and rights-of-way between the street and sidewalk where added for much more than the aesthetics, but also for the shade that offers relief from the summer sun (and with the leaves gone in winter, sunlight warmth comes through).

Builders of the day made sure that homes were constructed with ample windows that provided cross ventilation, and with porches that further provided shade, particularly for the front and back windows and entrances. The ceilings were high to allow heat to rise, as well. Ask anyone who lives in a home that’s a century old or more and they will invariably note how cool the house stays, particularly in the downstairs, even on the hottest days. This was no accident.

Like everything else we humans did over the last century when technology and modern conveniences were looked at to overcome any challenge, we somehow lost the art of homebuilding blending in with the environment, and relied instead on air conditioning and modern heating sources to do the job. Only with rising energy costs and a heightened concern for our impact on the environment have we begun to think of the simple measures our great grandparents knew as common sense. 

There are, of course, lessons in this, and we at Chase Custom Homes, as homebuilders, put a lot of thought into the art of homebuilding. We think of site acclimation, shade sources, workable windows, window size in conjunction with exposure, lighter-colored roofs and paved surfaces that reflect more heat, and building materials for the foundations and walls that eschew heat build-up and also support inside temperatures – warm and cool – with less outside influence when necessary. We also take a close look at window coverings that are versatile for both reflecting heat and retaining warmth depending on the season, porches and patio coverings that enhance comfort, ceiling fans that add beauty and boost both cooling and heating, and we go the extra mile in the design of HVAC systems that promote both cooling and heating at the highest efficiencies possible.

Of course, if it’s a new home under consideration we can design in both the age-old techniques in the art of homebuilding, as well as the modern conveniences of life, and get just the right combination for modern living. But any homeowner can look at a few Simple Tips for Keeping a House Cool in Summer, not to mention more efficiently warm in the winter, to add to their comfort and financial well-being.

• Shade. It can’t be stressed too much. Plant trees and bushes, add awnings or porch roofs: anything that can block as much direct sunlight from hitting the windows, doors and roofs of a house will go a long way in keeping the house cool and reducing cooling costs.
• Great windows. Old windows that don’t insulate as well or don’t open anymore aren’t helping the cooling or heating situation. Replacing windows will, particularly those in strategic locations for cross-ventilation or in high-use rooms. And get windows that OPEN – open windows can add comfort in Spring, Summer and Fall. 
• Window coverings. You know where the sun hits your home throughout the day, especially in the late afternoon when the heat index is at its highest, so get curtains or blinds that block as much of the sun’s rays as possible.
• Close the house tight during the day. In Colorado, the evening and night gets relatively cool even on the hottest days, and the house will also cool off. By keeping the house sealed up tight during day, the amount of heat and humidity that enters the structure will be minimized. While you’re at it, check all the seals around windows and doors to block indoor/outdoor air exchange (also good for winter).
• Ventilate, particularly at night. Open windows at night, particularly to create cross-ventilation, and this can be enhanced with the use of electric fans placed in the windows to draw the cooler air in (just be sure to close the windows and turn off the fan during the day when the opposite will occur). Also, keep interior doors open to facilitate air flow.
• Ceiling fans. Ceiling fans really help to keep indoor air temperatures down in the summer (and up in winter) by circulating the air.
• Limit the use of hot appliances. Try as much as possible not to use the oven, stove, dishwasher, or laundry, or at best limit their use as they each add a ton of unwanted heat in living spaces. Run the dishwasher or laundry overnight.
• Lights add heat. As anyone with a Depression-era father already knows, turning off lights saves money – and it also reduces heat. Use as few lights as possible in the home to reduce heat, and where possible use fluorescent lights or the new spiraled CFC light bulbs, both of which give off less heat and use less energy. 

Air conditioning and swamp coolers add to the comfort of any home, but there are several issues related to them that homeowners should be aware of to enhance comfort and save money.

• Get a new unit. If you’re swamp cooler or air conditioning unit are more than 7 years old, consider getting a new one. The newer ones, and especially those rated EnergyStar, are much more efficient, putting out more cool air and costing less that units new just a few years ago.
• Clean filters. Clogged filters rob these units of efficiencies, and cleaning out the filters every two weeks or so will keep them working as they were designed.
• Shade the units. Whether it’s an A/C unit outside off the side of the house or a swamp cooler up on the roof, the more the sun beats down on it the harder it will have to work. Cover them, plant trees to block the sun, build a structured roof (several feet above the unit) to block direct sun, move the units to a more shady spot (like on the north side of the house.
• Close of rooms. Back to that Depression-era father: “I’m not cooling off the neighborhood!” Shut the vents or the doors in unoccupied rooms and cool only the spaces that you will be spending time in.
• Use ceiling fans. Once again, air circulation will enhance the efficiency of any cooling unit.
• Get a programmable thermostat. This also work well for winter, but a relatively inexpensive programmable thermostat helps manage indoor temperatures much more. It will minimize the use of appliances when people are working or at school, and can be programmed to cool down or heat up just in time for the arrival home. Many of the newer ones can even be operated remotely on a computer or smart phone, so alte5rations – like an unexpected dinner out – can be taken into consideration easily.

As has been noted, most of these techniques will also help with improving comfort and boosting energy efficiencies throughout the year, so while you may be contemplating the winter don’t forget that another summer will be just around the corner.

DENVER, CO – When building a custom home there are many design and décor details that will make it an address for a lifetime, and one of the key components is the custom fireplace. Many people planning to build a custom home see the fireplace in the main gathering room as the focal point of the space, not only including the welcoming allure of the fire, but incorporating a wide-screen television and entertainment center, creating a truly cozy retreat. Also, many custom homeowners desire to create that same atmosphere in other rooms, making a modern basement an inviting gathering space, or adding a touch of romance and elegance to a master bedroom suite.

At Chase Custom Homes in Denver, we take great attention to every detail in a custom home to the Nth degree, and we know from experience that fireplaces, along with kitchens, entries, master bedrooms and baths, are high on the list of special amenities our clients make up for their dream home.

There are many different ways to go with a fireplace, and doing it right will make your new home into the showplace you envision, but also the kind of satisfying retreat that a custom home – built just for you – demands.

The first concern in any fireplace design, of course, is the overall décor and style of the home – rustic, classical, modern. If the kitchen, entry and exterior of the home is to feature stone work, then the fireplace components probably should too. If beautiful woods are to define the home, then the fireplace should reflect this as well.

There are several components in any fireplace – the mantel (generally the shelf above the fireplace), the surround (the side pieces that form to top and side of the fireplace opening), the flooring in front of the hearth, the hearth itself (where the fire is located), the screens and doors that cover the hearth, and incorporated high-tech equipment.

Probably the most important piece, at least in our experience, is the mantel, as it tends to be the most ornate and prominent piece of the fireplace build. These can be custom made of wood, either stained or painted, ordered from catalogs, claimed from historic salvage operators, or custom built by craftsmen on-site. Your architect will most likely specify the size, and you custom builder probably has experience in sourcing just the right piece whether purchase, reclaimed or custom built. Many people – again depending on the décor and style of the property – also elect to go with stone – granite, marble or any number of materials – and again it can be purchased, found from restoration houses, or custom built on-site. Often, we have discovered, homeowners find a mantel piece that is just right for their tastes but slightly off size for the architectural design, and most builders, like us, are quite adept of altering plans to meet a unique opportunity.

The surround is also very important, and often is can be a part of the mantel. Some mantels are simply shelves, while others are like upside-down U’s which include the shelf, the side pieces and the facing between the shelf and the hearth. Once again, these surrounds can be wood or stone, bought from a catalog or restoration specialist, or custom built on-site.

The flooring in front of the hearth, which generally extends a few feet out in front of the hearth and the full width of the mantel and surround, can be made of wood, but is usually made of stone or ceramics. The color choices available are wide ranging, so any décor can be met, and fireplace flooring is most typically created on-site by a to-notch stone and tile vendor.

The hearth itself must, of course, be made of stone or brick or some other thick, non-flammable material, and the key components are the depth of the fire pit and whether is it is to be a wood-burning or gas-log fireplace (the Denver area, for instance, often features wood-burning restrictions, so most homeowners opt for the utility, beauty and ease of a gas fireplace).

The screens and/or doors one chooses to protect the fire area from the living space also afford the homeowner the opportunity to make a décor statement. Wrought iron and brass fixtures are popular, but we’ve also seen stainless steel, pewter and other heat-resistant materials. Once again, these can be ordered from catalogs, or found in restoration, and they can even be custom forged by metal-working vendors for a truly unique addition to the home.

These days, the incorporation of a home entertainment system and flat-screen television is an essential component of many fireplaces. They are generally placed above the mantel shelf, with framing materials that match the mantel and surround. While a quality wood worker or stone vendor is going to be involved in making the entertainment center fit the overall look, it is important to also include the expert services of an electrician and/or home entertainment vendor to insure the electronics are installed properly and fully safeguarded from any heat or other issues involved in the fireplace.

There’s an old saying that “home is where the heart is,” and while true, we at Chase Custom Homes have come to understand that it might better be said that “home is where the hearth is.”

It can be the most comforting place and space in any custom home.

For more information of building a unique custom home – “an address for a lifetime” – contact Chase Custom Homes in Denver at 303-204-9254 and visit the company’s website at http://denvercustomhomebuilder.com/

We’ve all probably crawled around in the attic and are familiar with the typical fiberglass rolls of insulation almost all of our homes have in the ceilings, floors and walls to protect the interior from the cold of winter or the heat of summer. And any homeowner probably also knows a few places in their home where gaps in the insulation let the outside air in, leaving certain places throughout the house uncomfortable on the coldest and hottest days of the year.

Standards are quickly changing, however, and many homeowners, homebuilders and remodelers are replacing their fiberglass insulation with foam and spray-in foam insulation that can completely eliminate gaps in insulation coverage. Moreover, many types of foam insulation also last much longer than fiberglass insulating materials, and spray-in foam insulation also can completely seal a structure, vastly improving indoor air quality and protecting the health of the people living in the home.

While most types of foam insulation initially cost more to install than fiberglass insulation, most experts today agree that energy savings alone will more than pay for the cost differential in a short period of time, and when you add in greater comfort and health benefits foam insulation is by far the preferred route to take.

At Chase Custom Homes of Denver we are constantly monitoring developments in the homebuilding market to bring our custom home clients the very latest in materials and techniques to insure their new home is the one of their dreams. Our research into foam insulation reveals one of the best developments in homebuilding in recent years. Not only is foam insulation a superior product with better insulating properties, but the effect it has on indoor air quality – which qualifies some types of foam insulation for inclusion in LEED sustainable building certification – is a step up from the usual, so it fits nicely into the Chase ideal for the custom home.

There are several types of foam insulation, with the two most prominent being pre-fabricated foam panels that replace the typical fiberglass batting variety, and spray-in foam insulation. After extensive research, Chase Custom Homes believes strongly that the way to go is the spray-in type because of its more complete coverage.

Any insulation, like fiberglass of pre-fab foam, that is placed in walls and between ceiling joists has by nature gaps in its coverage. The material is installed by butting it up against the floor, wall or ceiling studs, leaving air pockets on the side, and even expert installers have a hard time of completely sealing all the spaces around electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, corners, doors and windows.

Spray-in foam insulation, on the other hand, is a material that is typically mixed with water during the installation phase, and it quickly expands to up to 100 times its initial volume. The material expands into every gap, essentially sealing the structure from any exposure from outside air. It completely engulfs the wall studs, plugs and switches, the background of the lightening fixtures, and tightly around all doors and windows.

The interesting thing is that all insulation carries what is known as an R-Value, which is a measure of thermal resistance, but if there are gaps along the edges even insulation that carries a high R-value in and of itself will have a diminished capability to insulate over the area of an entire space.  Spray-in foam insulation maintains its full R-Value throughout any space because it expands into any crack or crevasse nearly instantaneously.
Spray-in foam is also one of the only insulation products available that can easily be added to existing homes in a renovation or upgrade, and we highly recommend that use. But if it’s for a new home there is almost no choice – spray-in foam will outperform the competition. As an added bonus, especially on a new custom home, spray-in foam is such a good sealant that the design’s HVAC system, with its built in air-to-air exchanger, will perform as it was designed, not competing with any air penetration allowed in when using typical batting insulation. The results are premium indoor air quality (IAQ), because dust, fiber, pollen and other pollutants have no way in.

These spray-in foam insulations are made of polyurethane or cementitious, which is a chemical precipitate of carbonates with characteristics similar to cement. There are also products on the market made of natural plants, and our favorite is Icynene which is made from castor beans. In any case, the spray-in foam insulation will hold its excellent R-Value for at least twice as long as fiberglass, do a better job all the time, improve indoor air quality, and it won’t pose any environmental concerns at all. Plus, people report that it seals so tightly that even pests like mice and bugs can’t find their way into the home (the foam is not a food source, so they won’t gnaw on it).

At Chase Custom Homes, our research with our contacts in the building, development, remodeling and architectural communities has us convinced that spray-in foam insulation is the best insulating solution on the market today and will, within a few years, be the standard of all construction. Commercial builders have embraced it almost completely, and it won’t be long before fiberglass batting is supplanted in the new-built market.

This kind of attention to detail and monitoring of trends is just a small example of the kind of care Chase Custom Homes brings to each and every dream home project we create and manage. For more information on our work and the beauty of a custom home, visit http://denvercustomhomebuilder.com/

The homebuilding market today is replete with requests for sustainable building and even LEED certification, so much in fact that “green” building is the single hottest trend in the custom and semi-custom home marketplace. Environmental consciousness is indeed on the rise, but it’s more than that, because not only does the “green” home make an environmental statement, it also offers the added advantage of significant energy savings over time without sacrificing any modern conveniences or that “dream” status for a new custom home.

Here at Chase Custom Homes we understand “green” building because we are more than a builder. We are a complete project manager from site acquisition and design, to financing management through construction and occupancy, and we are on the cutting edge of building practices that can help our clients with any level of “green” building they desire.

It seems that everyone is concerned about energy and water-usage savings and other “green” practices and systems in their new home, but not everyone wants to go as far as striving for LEED certification. That’s okay, but the LEED for Homes certification program can act as a great guide to sustainable practices in homebuilding and is a great place to start the discussion.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, and it is a program developed in the late 1990s to provide third-party verification that houses, housing communities and even commercial and government buildings meet rigorous standards in sustainable development. The program was launched by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the certification system was designed through a collaborative process of many stakeholders in the building industry, including architects, landscape architects, builders, developers, and government agencies at the local, state and federal level. The entire program, in just 13 years, has become internationally recognized, and as of last year comprised more than 14,000 projects in the United States and 30 other countries, with more than 1 billion square feet of certified development. Colorado is one of the Top 10 U.S. states for LEED development, with 2.85 square feet of certified space per capita.

While commercial development gets most of the LEED attention, the LEED for Homes part of the process is gaining strength every day. Through the middle of March this year, according to the USGBC, there are 48 homes in Colorado which have achieved some level of LEED certification, with Denver and Boulder locations leading the pack, with 15 and 8 LEED homes, respectively. The remainder are scattered in the Front Range and in many of the state’s leading mountain resort communities.

To attain LEED certification, a homeowner or developer must apply for certification, and then contract with a certified third-party administrator, called a LEED for Homes Provider. The certification process is a 100 point system, with points awarded for a wide variety of practices and factors; with bonus points allowed it is possible to be awarded up to 110 points. A project that achieves 40 to 49 points is “Certified;” 50 to 59 points rates a “Silver” certification; 60 to 79 points a “Gold” certification; and, 80 to 110 points a “Platinum” level of certification.

It would take pages and pages to go through all of the specifics in a homebuilding project that garners points toward LEED certification, and the USGBC has already done that. Interested parties can find all of the specifications on the LEED for Homes website at http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2135
What is included is a fascinating collection of sustainable practices, methods and factors that go way beyond merely constructing a new home. Of course, there are specifications in building materials, the way they are handled, and points can be awarded for obtaining these materials locally. In addition, the certification process address indoor air quality and can award points on the basis of adhesives used for flooring, for instance, and there are several factors involved in water usage, storage and even heating that can garner points. Moreover, the LEED standards also include the use of Energy Star appliances and systems, and there are points to attain for such things as passive solar use (acclimation of the house on the property, building materials, etc.), and even for landscaping that takes into account water savings in its design and for proper drainage.

Those are but a portion of the obvious things involved in home design and construction that can be calculated to attain LEED certification. But the standards also include such seemingly unrelated things as proximity to public transportation and “walkability” to parks and green belts, as well as such amenities as dining and shopping. The object here is to minimize the need for automobile travel.

The lion’s share of the LEED specifications, however, have to do with energy and resource savings. The USGBC says that a home with LEED certification has the potential to use 20-30% less
energy – and sometimes up to 60% less – than a similar home built to the International Energy Code
Council’s 2006 code. This obviously can translate into significantly lower utility bills throughout the life of the home.

There are other homebuilding certification programs, most notably Energy Star (http://www.energystar.gov), but LEED is recognized as the most comprehensive program in the world. Building a home using the LEED process may result in a variety of rebates and financing options, ranging from federal tax credits, mortgage incentives (points buy-downs), and credits from local utilities, however they are all subject to change or expiration at almost any time.

Chase Custom Homes, based in Denver but available for custom homebuilding throughout Colorado, can help any client through a “green” custom homebuilding project at any level. We can help the homeowner simply achieve energy savings, or we can walk with a client through the rigorous certification program to attain LEED Platinum status. In any case, our desire is to build our clients the very finest custom home available anywhere, with an eye toward “green” development and saving all the “green” possible. For more information visit our website at http://denvercustomhomebuilder.com/

DENVER, CO – When it comes to home remodeling projects, the basement has risen to America’s Number 1 target. And it makes perfect sense: while a remodeled kitchen or family room adds new flair to any home, most basement remodeling projects are aimed at increasing the amount of livable space. With more square footage in use for living, and with options to add amenities lacking in the rest of the structure, a new, more inviting basement transforms the lifestyle choices for the entire house.

Basement remodeling is nothing new, of course. People have been upgrading the space to give their homes more options for decades. However, the kinds of transformations desired for the basement have taken on a whole new aura.

Most of this is due to new- and custom-home building over the last 15 years or so, as the basement, or “lower level,” has become more than a storage place and a space for a work bench and home utility center. Basements in new construction have become quite important, and built into the planning with the first specifications to the architect. Wet bars, home theaters, home offices, game rooms, play rooms, extra bedroom suites, wine cellars, and just elegant family living spaces have become the norm in new homes.

Another trend having an impact on the popularity of basement remodeling is the desire for smaller homes. With utility costs rising, and the McMansion fad wearing thin, many people are opting for smaller “footprints” in their housing choices, and the remodeled basement adds valuable living space without making the home larger.

We at Chase Custom Homes build new homes for our Colorado clients, but we are also keen observers of what’s happening in the entire housing market. If it just isn’t time to build your dream home, you might as well build your dream basement, and here are a few of our observations of what to look for in Denver basement remodeling.

Just about any basement, no matter how small, is a candidate for creating an exciting living space. Even if it’s just one small room aside from the space where the furnace and water heater are located, it can make an excellent den, office or wine cellar. Before you build, or hire a contractor to help you (which we recommend), consider these points:

·    If the basement and house are more than 20 years old, they probably have smaller windows that are not up to modern codes. If you leave the space alone, you’re okay, “grandfathered in,” as they say. But if you’re pulling a building permit, be prepared to have to dig out new window wells, and this may require cutting through a few square feet of concrete in the foundation and walls. These new windows will not only let in more light, but they must act as secondary escape routes in case the stairs are blocked in an emergency.

·    Most older basements have lower ceilings than the rest of the house, and of course modern basements, and that’s okay. It is possible to break-up and remove the concrete flooring and dig the basement deeper, however this can be an expensive proposition and many people opt to work with the existing space.

·    Moisture buildup, which can cause molds, is common in many basements, which is how they got the reputation for feeling “damp.” Before you transform the space it is wise to have your property’s drainage checked, and even altered in the case of seepage, to protect your investment. This may include changing the gutters and downspouts on the home’s roof to better evacuate rain water, and may also involve regarding around the home to ensure that rain water and melting snow doesn’t collect water against basement walls.

·    Plumbing in a basement – and who doesn’t want a wet bar and a bathroom down there – is a different matter than plumbing above grade. All drains and below-level drainage will have to be checked, and sometimes placing plumbing in the basement will require the installation of a sump pump to aid in drainage. Some unfinished basements in homes include some plumbing, in anticipation of later finishing, but if the house is more than 15 years old these “pre-plumbed” conveniences may not be up to code and will have to be replaced.

·    If you’re lucky enough to live on a slope that opens one wall of the basement to the outdoors, then creating an inviting egress to the yard and the light is always inviting. Adding a patio off of the basement just increases the space and the enjoyment.

Now for the fun part. Here’s some of things people are doing in their basement remodeling projects:

·    Wine cellars are perfect for basements, as the naturally-cool-in-the-summer and warn in the winter space makes for ideal conditions. These can range in size from nothing more than a cupboard to a full-fledged walk-in with racks and a cooler.

·    Home theaters, now almost always based on HD TVs, are great in basement spaces because the area is already quite dark, and the typical concrete walls are good insulation and acoustically sound.

·    Game rooms are very popular, with the addition of pool and ping-pong tables, foosball, dart boards, etc. Some basements are compromised by pillars holding up the house, but these can often be dealt with to create a space open enough for games.

·    Teen hang-outs are a favorite of any homeowner with children of the age where they need a space to hang out with friends – away from the parents’ intrusion.

·    Home offices are great in basements because it is away from the hustle and bustle of the home at large. Plus burning the mid-night oil down there won’t keep the rest of the house awake.

·    The basement is a great space for creating a home gym or work-out area, where you can place various work-out machines without taking up valuable upstairs space. With that basement television, you can also catch on the news or entertainment while staying healthy.

·    Stone and tile make for wonderful basement surfaces for both the floors and the walls. Since basements are prone to moisture build-up, stone and tile won’t be breeding grounds for mold and mildew like carpets, and they are very easy to clean and maintain. Some people are adding in heated flooring, with heating elements under the tile or stone, which will keep them nice and cozy even in the foulest weather.

Well, there you have it: ideas for a great basement that will not only become a popular space addition to your house without the need for adding on, but also a very valuable asset that can only enhance the re-sale value of your home.

For all of your custom home building needs in Colorado please visit http://denvercustomhomebuilder.com/ on the web to find out the multitude of benefits of working with Chase Custom Homes.

DENVER, CO – Remodeling a home, or indeed even building a new one, is all about the expression of a desire. A desire for more space, a desire for a better space, a desire for a space of one’s own.  And while there are a myriad of both practical and stylistic decisions to be made when creating such a space, one of the most important will be in the selection of the tile and stone. Think of it as “The Three Fs – Form, Function and Flair.” Tile and stone will form the space, will function in accordance with your desired lifestyle, and will be the most manifest expression of your individual flair for living.

As you can see, tile and stone work in your new or remodeled home is a transcendently important factor.

At Chase Custom Homes our job is to make all things possible for our clients, and that includes arming you with enough information to make the right decision for you for every detail of your new homes, including the tile and stone work. We have prepared a backgrounder on tile and stone to get you started so you’ll know what you’re up against when you being the search.

·    Ceramic tiles. The word tile is a derivation of the French word “tuile,” which itself is from the Latin “tegula,” and it originally meant “baked clay” as it was first used as roofing tiles. Used for centuries also as flooring, wall coverings, countertops and decorations, tiles are generally called ceramics and are made of a form of clay or a clay-earthenware mixture baked in a kiln – think pottery. And like pottery, tile can be glazed and decorated. Ceramic tiles are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and patterns, and are usually used for floors, walls, and countertops in bathrooms and kitchens and as flooring in other areas of the home. However, ceramic tiles should only be used in low- to moderate-traffic areas as they are prone to wear.

·    Porcelain. Porcelain tile is a form of ceramics that undergoes a pressing of clays, which makes the tile more dense, less impervious to water and staining, fine grained, and smooth with a sharply formed face. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and have more wear- and damage-resistance than ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any residential application.

·    Concrete. Decorative concrete is showing up in more homes as walls, floors, and even countertops. Generally used with a sealer to make it less porous, concrete has a funky, edgy look or it can be glazed and polished to a high sheen. The major advantages of concrete are its malleability – it can virtually be cast into any shape – and its ability to accept a wide range of dyes and colors to fit any décor.

·    Granite. Granite, as anyone who’s been in a modern kitchen knows, it highly popular as a kitchen counter material because it is the second-hardest stone known, with diamond on top.  Granite is an igneous rock formed either from the melting of sediments deep within the earth or through magma (lava) activity that has heated and cooled. These sediments were held under extreme pressure and temperatures for millions of years, then brought to the surface of the earth through upheaval of the crust that formed mountains. Minerals within granite typically appear as small flecks throughout the stone, often creating a salt and pepper look. Other types of granite have veining similar to marble. Once polished, natural granite will maintain its high gloss finish virtually forever. It also cleans in seconds. Because of its durability, it can be used successfully on kitchen countertops, wet bars, entry walls, floors, fireplaces and bathroom vanities. Flamed or honed granite can be used almost anywhere.

·  Limestone. Limestone is actually a form of marble, only less dense. It is a sedimentary rock consisting mostly of calcium carbonate and is formed from the remains of ancient sea life, such as oysters, mussels, and other ancient shellfish and invertebrates, that have dropped to the sandy bottom of ancient seas and then compressed over millions of years. Limestone is a very common stone found all over the world, and in some places it can include the mineral dolomite, which makes it harder than regular limestone and much easier to polish. Limestone makes for a great decorative tone for application on structural walls, entry walls, floors, fireplace surrounds, vanities and shower walls, however it is not recommended for kitchen counter use because it is easy to scratch and is susceptible to staining from food preparation, fruit juices and alcohols.

·    Marble. Marble is one of the more popular natural stones, formed from fossil sediment deposits that have been pressed by natural geologic forces of nature for millions of years. Marble was at one time limestone that underwent a metamorphosis from the intense pressures and high temperatures within the earth. This natural pressure produces unique colors and veining with a richness of depth and intensity. Most marble products are generally softer than granites and have more porosity.  Since marble is a softer stone than granite, it’s most often used in bathroom walls and flooring, as well as for tub decks, fireplace surrounds, furniture, sculptures and courtyards. Marble may be used in kitchen, however it requires honing and sealing to protect it from scratching and staining.

·    Slate. Slate is a fine-grained, metamorphic rock, derived from sedimentary rock shale. It’s composed mostly of micas, chlorite, and quartz and works best for floors, walkways and roofing, although recently slate has been used attractively for kitchen countertops and wet bars. It’s a dense, very tough composite that’s typically available in blacks, grays and greens, although many other colors can also be found in slate products.

·    Travertine. Travertine is a form of marble, however much less dense and more porous. It can have a honed, unfinished surface, or polished to a high gloss. It’s best used in entry walls, floors, fireplace surrounds, vanities, shower walls, tub decks and mosaics, but again not recommended for kitchens because it can be easily scratched and stained from food preparation.

Builders can help a lot with the selection of application of stone in your new or remodeled home, assisting with color selection, appropriateness for walls, floors or counters, durability and the like. When it comes to ceramic and porcelain tiles, the Porcelain Enamel Institute has developed what it calls a PEI rating, which should be included in the specifications for the tiles under consideration. The PEI Ratings are as follows: PEI Class 1 – no foot traffic, suitable for walls; PEI Class 2 –  light traffic, suitable for walls and bathroom floor applications; PEI Class 3 – light to moderate traffic, suitable for countertops, walls and floor; PEI Class 4 – moderate to heavy traffic, suitable for all applications; and, PEI Class 5 – heavy to extra heavy traffic, suitable for all applications. Most porcelains are rated PEI Class 5.

The use of ceramic tiles, porcelain and the many fine stones available for the modern home will beautifully form and enhance any space desired, function for years as durable and attractive additions to the home, with enough flair to express the custom look you seek for your lifestyle.

For all of you Denver custom homebuilding needs, contact Chase Custom Homes on the web at http://denvercustomhomebuilder.com/ We build a home to be an address for a lifetime.

Reducing energy costs is the first that comes to mind when building a “green” home. Increasingly, buyers are looking for “green” features and even the National Association of Realtors have created the Green MLS Toolkit that helps realtors identify homes that are “green.” Read the article.

There is still somewhat of a debate about whether or not your house will appraise for more if the house is “greener” but we expect this to change rapidly. Here are some things to consider when shopping or building a custom green home:

• Install a programmable thermostat. Using pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat will save the average homeowner $180/year in energy costs. Don’t pay for energy you don’t need when you are not at home.

• Seal your heating and cooling ducts to improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems by as much as 20% or more. Ducts that run through attics, crawlspaces, unheated basements and garages are the biggest offenders of waste. Use duct sealant or metal-backed foil tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. Then wrap them in insulation.

• Change your heating system air filter every 3 months. Dirty filters impede air flow, making the system work harder to keep you warm or cool. It also helps with indoor air quality and alleviates allergy symptoms caused by bad indoor air

• Install Energy Star-rated appliances in your home. Just replacing your washing machine can save you $135/year on your utility bills.

• ENERGY STAR qualified roof products can help reduce the amount of air conditioning and peak cooling demand by 10-15 percent, saving you an equal amount on your Xcel bill.

• Check and see if your new home has “green-label” carpet installed in your home. We spend on average about 90% of our time indoors and green certified carpeting can help provide clean indoor air quality by reducing VOCs produced by the carpet and adhesives used.

• Improve your insulation and get a tax credit a much as $1,500 + up to 40% in ongoing energy savings using a spray foam insulation like http://www.sprayecofoam.com.

• Gas tankless water heaters that heat water on demand vs. holding heated water 24/7 are 22% more energy efficient on average than the gas-fired storage-tank models.

• Insulated walls by Superior Walls provide more than double the insulation of the original R-5 Superior Wall system. http://www.superiorwalls.com/

• Toilets account for nearly 30% of an average home’s indoor water consumption. Replacing them with WaterSense toilets, you can save 11 gallons per toilet in your home every day!

Denver residents can enjoy a bunch of benefits like rebates on qualifying washing machines, water efficient fixtures, high efficient toilets, smart irrigation nozzles, and even rain sensors. If you want to learn more about the rebates and to determine if you qualify, visit the rebates section of Denver Water’s website here: http://www.denverwater.org/Conservation/Rebates/
There are also a variety of tax breaks and credits that you can apply for from items like ENERGY STAR certified windows and solar panels. Information on the Federal tax breaks can be found here: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Whether you are building a custom home or buying a new home that is already built, the value of a “green certified” or “green-mindful” home cannot be understated. Save money and increase the value of your home while give you peace of mind by considering low cost alternatives to standard home building/owning practices. If you one day decide to sell your home, make sure you show how your house performed before the improvements compared to your “greener” home.

DENVER, CO – As custom home builders, Chase Custom Homes is intimately involved in every detail of every project, from the roofing materials to the basement flooring options. One of the more interesting aspects of working with homeowners on their new dream home is kitchen design, as the kitchen has become the centerpiece of every modern home, not only for everyday living but for entertaining as well.

Kitchen design preferences are rapidly changing, but in our experience the key to the most desired kitchen these days is size: these rooms are bigger than before to accommodate the expected throng of people who tend to congregate there at the holidays and during parties. Sure, there is more counter space, strategically located to make for easy access to the refrigerator, utensils, preparation sinks, cook tops and ovens, but also for casual dining options and just “mingling” areas.

Every homeowner has their own perfect kitchen in mind, and custom details abound, but what follows are some that Chase Custom Homes has noted seem to be in the mix when looking at kitchen design options these days.
     
Trends in Kitchen Design

• Anything “green.” There is a lot of talk about kitchen appliances that are rated “green” for energy efficiencies, of course, and many of the newer models of dishwashers, laundry equipment, ovens, cooktops and other appliances not only use less energy, but include handy, programmable settings to maximize efficiencies in certain conditions. For instance, some of the new drawer dishwashers that are gaining in popularity include a smaller drawer that can do a load of glasses quickly, like in a restaurant. In the “green” movement you’ll also find formaldehyde-free, food-safe bamboo parquet butcher block cutting boards, and the use of less-toxic adhesives in the installation of countertops, cupboards and floorings.

• Cherry is in. The most popular wood in kitchens these days, for cabinetry and flooring alike, is definitely cherry, with maple coming in a close second. As such it should be noted that since beautiful woods are desired for kitchen cabinetry, painting the cabinets is definitely out.

• Tile, stone and wood floorings. While natural hardwood flooring remains high on the desired kitchen flooring option list, what is surging in popularity are kitchen floors made from ceramics, porcelain tile and natural stone tile. 

• Concrete countertops. Granite countertops have been all the rage for kitchens for some time now, and still sell well. However, the latest trend in countertops is, believe it or not, concrete. Actually, concrete countertops have been available for 20 years or so, but lately designers are beginning to fully appreciate the material’s versatility. First, it doesn’t look like a sidewalk, of course, and in fact can be rendered to look like polished or unpolished stone, can be colored in an infinite array of hues, and decorative materials like pebbles or seashells can be easily for a very custom look. Concrete doesn’t start out as stone hard, but rather as a slurry, so it is also very customizable; think built-in slots for cutlery, cutting boards and drain boards.

• Cabinetry appliance. There for a while it seemed as if the whole world of kitchens would be stainless forever, but the bloom seems to have fallen off the stainless steel rose. These days the hot treatment for kitchen appliances – with the refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher leading the pack – is to have covers for them match the kitchen cabinetry, the so-called “hidden” or “blend-in” appliance technique. 

• Traditional design.  While stainless ruled in kitchens, the chief kitchen design looks were “modern” and what people tend to call “new contemporary.” These were characterized by sleek, shiny designs and lines with very modern lighting choices. What seems to be back is what is called “traditional” kitchen design, with natural woods and such flourishes as brick accents taking center stage. Of course, as part of this movement the trend for more color in a kitchen appears to be on the wane, with wood tones, whites, brown, beige and bone hues gaining in popularity.

• Flexible faucets. There are an infinite number of choices in kitchen faucets, but the design style that appears to be taking charge are the pull-out, flexible variety that can act both as a faucet and a sprayer, with several settings available. Also, as the rush for stainless abates, nickel finishes for faucets seem to be the popular choice.

• Dishwasher-in-a-Drawer. As mentioned earlier, the hot new thing in dishwashers are the newer drawer designs. These usually come with multiple drawers, stacked, that can be used together for a full load of dishes, or to wash small loads in smaller drawers.

• Thirst stations. Many newer kitchens come with a butler’s pantry or counter away from the main kitchen where there is generally a sink. One of the newest trends is to incorporate under-counter, smaller refrigerators for wine and beverages and make the whole thing a “thirst station” where everyone in the family can meet their libation needs. Some people add in a beer cooler with a tap, any many feature an ice maker to complete the concept.

These are the main trends in kitchen design we at Chase Custom Homes have seen of late. In another posting soon we will deal with another huge trend in the modern kitchen: technology. Think integrated TV screens for recipes and entertainment, remote (say, through an iPhone) operation of appliances, gas cooktops that retract into the counter and become hidden, warming drawers. Check back soon.

Homebuilders come in a variety of types and focuses, and it is important for people looking to change their housing situation to make sure they are dealing with a builder who best meets their needs.

Many home building companies market themselves in a variety of different market sectors when in fact they specialize in one or the other and may lack the necessary expertise and experience in one or more of the market subgroups. The main homebuilding subgroups fall into four key categories:

• Custom Home Builders.
• Semi-custom Home Builders.
• Production Home Builders
• Remodeling Builders.

Custom home builders, generally speaking, build one-of-a-kind homes on land owned by the homeowner, with each new project designed as a site-specific design with a unique set of plans. In the homebuilding industry, truly custom homebuilders are usually categorized as low-volume, those which build fewer than 25 homes a year, many times substantially fewer than that, and which build only single-family homes. These types of homebuilders tend to concentrate on the high-end marketplace, and quite often offer a full range of benefits, including site selection, financing counseling, and turn-key design/build services. Homes built by the custom homebuilders can be built virtually anywhere.

Semi-custom home builders are most often found in in pre-platted “custom home developments,” and often come from an approved list of builders pre-selected by the developers. While these home may be substantially custom in nature, construction within these communities is often limited by community covenants which can restrict such things as size, house orientation on the lot, housing style, landscaping options, color and type choices for roofs and exterior wall treatments, and even home values. Semi-custom homebuilders are often subsidiaries of production homebuilders specializing in high-end developments, and they may build hundreds of such homes each year in many communities throughout the country.

Production home builders generally build on land they own, or within community developments where they have been pre-approved as a builder. These types of builders tend to use stock plans and designs for the homes they build, but often offer a variety of floor plans and a menu of amenity options for such things as wall and floor coverings, cabinetry, fixtures and appliances, fencing, garage size, basement finishes, windows and more.

Remodeling homebuilders are those who specialize in transforming existing homes by either extensive reconstruction or additions, or both. Remodeling homebuilders often have extensive experience with out-dated construction methods and housing codes, so they understand how older homes were built and what it takes to transform them into modern homes. Remodeling homebuilders also can be found with their own set of subgroups, with firms that specialize in one or more specific types of popular remodeling projects, such as remodeling kitchens, bathrooms and basements, for instance.         

Each type of homebuilder is an important part of the homebuilding marketplace and performs valuable services for its clients. However, experts advise that potential homebuyers or remodelers do extensive research of homebuilding contractors in the specific category they are considering to ensure that the company and its personnel have a demonstrated expertise in the type of construction in question. These experts add that it is wise to check with such resources as Better Business Bureaus and previous clients to make sure there is no history of unsatisfied complaints that may cause problems in the process.

DENVER, CO – Prospective homebuyers researching the ins and outs of today’s real estate market have a myriad of resources on the Internet for a Homebuyer Checklist of things to consider from such sources as Ginnie Mae, Mortgage 101, For Sale By Owner, and others. These are handy guides to check for everything from location and price, to house size, number of bedrooms, desired amenities, schools, trash pickup, and virtually every detail that goes into home ownership.

As good as these Homebuyer Checklists are, what they don’t address are the needs of the custom home buyer. Chase Custom Homes of Denver, a specialist in building unique custom homes for each of its clients, believes that such buyers have an additional set of criteria when looking at custom homebuilding options, and is offering its own Custom Homebuyer Checklist to fill a gap in the informational marketplace.

First and foremost, there are two types of custom home builders in nearly every US marketplace, says Spencer Chase, CEO and founder of Chase Custom Homes, and the difference is very important.

One type of custom home builder is the so-called “production custom” builder, says Chase, and these are operations that have prepared a custom home community and pre-selected a set of criteria that applies to homes built within the environment. Sometimes referred to as “semi-custom,” these environments are at a fixed location, a defined community, lots and lot sizes have already been platted, and homes built there are often subject to a set of pre-selected options, or even community covenants, such as height restrictions, roofing and exterior covers, colors, even square footage. Chase himself has managed such semi-custom communities, and knows the plusses and the minuses.

“These ‘custom’ communities often include some very spectacular homes, and the developments are managed in a way that can speed up the construction and occupancy schedule,” says Chase. “However, such communities often offer only a limited number of floor plans. The homeowner can customize all of the amenities within parameters – and this is often a great choice – but not everyone’s vision of what they truly desire in a custom home is fulfilled.”

The second type of custom home builder, which is where Chase Custom Homes plies its trade, is a truly custom project, where everything from the location to every detail of the home is unique. 

In each custom option, however, there are many more items on the traditional checklist that a homebuyer must consider. Buyers looking for an existing home, for instance, will check for price, neighborhoods and amenity proximity, but all the smaller details will be things left to the new owner once the purchase has been made. Buyers in new-home communities will be given the option of selecting such things as colors, wall coverings, appliances, fixture, certain upgrades and more, but these will come from list of options supplied by the homebuilder.

Custom home buyers, on the other hand, will be involved in every minute detail of the project: Selecting an architect, choosing a location, and everything inside and around the home from shrubbery, landscaping and sprinkler systems, to roofing, wall and floor coverings, windows and doors, appliances and fixtures. The custom home buyer will also select a builder and participate in the selection all of the subcontractors for such things as electrical, plumbing, and cabinetry. While builders like Chase Custom Homes are prepared to assist in every detail from pre-planning to move-in, the truth is that a custom home buyer will be intimately involved in more minutia than even the fastidious can contemplate. Homebuilder Chase’s advice: be prepared.

“Building a custom home is a rewarding experience, but it is not a hands-off proposition,” says Chase. “we advise out clients to do copious research on the real estate market, on lending options, architectural plans, and then be ready to spend a lot of time as almost a co-general contractor. The time commitment can be great, but the payoff is that you truly end up with the home of your dreams.”

Chase Custom Homes Homebuilding Checklist:

• Proposed Cost. Custom homes can be built in any and all prices ranges, but the best place to start is at least a rough estimate of the ultimately cost of the new home. This will help in in narrowing down neighborhoods to look for a building site, and then lead to a discussion of how much house can be built with the budget parameters.

• Location. You wouldn’t want to build a $1 million home in a primarily $500,000 neighborhood, or really a $500,000 home in a $1 million neighborhood. Location will also suggest lifestyle: will living there minimize car trips; are there shops and restaurants within walking distance (even in bad weather); are bike and walking paths nearby; it the area suitable for a commute to work; do the schools in district serve your needs; how is the access to favorite amenities, such as downtown, a favorite golf course, doctors, the airport? A beautiful home in the wrong place just won’t do. An experienced Realtor is probably the best way to go for location, as they will know the neighborhoods, properties available for redevelopment, and all of the necessary local tax and fee structures. (The Realtor also, of course, will be an invaluable resource in handling the disposition of an existing property.)

• Financing. Have a discussion with a banker and/or mortgage lender, or even multiple lenders, on the financing options available for both the construction phase of the project and then conversion to a long-term mortgage. Lenders experienced with custom home lending will understand the variable nature of a construction process and educate potential home buyers on what to expect.

• Architect. There are many of methods for searching out suitable custom home architects, chief among them the Internet and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Look for architects, however, with the expertise you seek. For instance, look for an architect that specializes in designing homes, particularly homes in the price range being contemplated. Also, check the architect’s portfolio for style issues: if the firm has built a number of modern-style homes and you want Tudor, or vice versa, best to look elsewhere.  Interview candidates: while expertise and experience are obviously key issues, a strong personal and working relationship is also a paramount concern.

• Decorators. With a truly custom home, a prospective homeowner has the unique opportunity of discussing décor, color schemes, and amenities before construction, even before the design phase.  Talk about art selection and display solutions, special appliances and bathroom/kitchen fixtures, the incorporation of such amenities as stained glass, antique barn wood, Italian tile, lighting options, flooring and more.  The list is long. Decorators experienced in custom homes and complete renovations relish the “blank canvas” opportunity and are great resources. 

• Builder. Many homebuilding firms advertise themselves as custom home builders, however in many cases the firm is primarily engaged in remolding or building floor-plan” homes. Do extensive research. The builder will act as project administrator and, as such, will be your partner every step of the way. Ask about fees, fee structures, services provided above and beyond construction. Look at portfolios, even completed homes done by the builder to ensure they have the requisite experience to handle your dream.

• Custom home owner.  A reputable custom homebuilder generally has previous clients available to talk with prospective custom home buyers, and family and friends probably know people who have built a custom home who would be happy to talk. These conversations will not only offer insight into the builder’s expertise, but also insight into what to expect from the whole process – the pain and the payoff.

Investing in a custom home is usually a once-in-a-lifetime experience done by people who fully expect the new home to fulfill all of their homeowner dreams for the rest of their lives. Spencer Chase believes in not rushing: the absolute best outcomes are realized by buyers who do their research, know what to expect, know what they want, and take the time to make sure they are prepared for and comfortable with every aspect of the process.

After all, he says, a Chase Custom Home creates an address for a lifetime.

For completer information on all of the custom home services and expertise provided by Chase Custom Homes visit http://denvercustomhomebuilder.com/

DENVER, CO – Time was when a hardwood floor in a home was a sign of a lower socio-economic level, believe it or not. People coming of age in the post-WWII era thought wall-to-wall carpeting was an expression of higher status, and in many of the earlier suburban homes built in the late 1940s and into the 1950s featured plywood treatments for floors that were meant to be covered by carpeting or linoleum.

But when the next generation came of age in the late 1960s they lifted the carpets in older homes to discover the beauty of hardwood oak flooring that had been the standard of home design in the early part of the last century. They sanded them, polished them, bought area or oriental rugs to accent rooms and created a new standard of excellence in housing.

Indeed, hardwood flooring has become de rigueur in the finest homes, so much so that a study commissioned by the National Wood Flooring Association shows real estate agents, by a four-to-one margin, say a house with hardwood floors sells faster and brings a higher price than homes without the hardwood.

Evidence like that is hard to argue with.

Hardwood floors are very beautiful, extremely durable and come in such a wide variety of species and colors that they can meet the needs of any décor. There are up to 50 species of trees from around the world used for flooring in homes, with red and white oak, cherry, hickory, pine, ash, and maple leading the domestic choices, and such exotics as bubinga, teak, cork, curmaru, iroko, jarrah, mahogany, bamboo,  and many more from around the world finding a place in American homes.

Plus, with expert artisans creating beautiful blends of wood in often intricate parquet designs, hardwood floors in homes can feature museum-quality designs unique to each property.

When considering food flooring for a home, there are essentially three types available from manufacturers and wood flooring contractors: 1)solid wood, which is exactly what it sounds like; 2) engineered wood, which is a layer of wood as a veneer over a sub-base made of other materials; and, 3) laminate floors, which use a photographic process to look like wood but aren’t actually wood at all, but rather a combination of resins and fiber board materials.

At Chase Custom Homes our experience is that the overwhelming choice is solid wood. Many of our customers select solid wood flooring options throughout the home, often with different types of wood and varying colors from room to room. Sometimes, but not always, these customers will select a type of stone or tile floor treatments for kitchens and bathrooms, but we are discovering more and more all the time that hardwood floors in the kitchen are the most popular choice.

Hardwood floors, as stated earlier, are quite durable and last a long time, and they offer the simplest maintenance: regular sweeping with a broom or dust mop, and the occasional vacuuming with a brushless vacuum is all that is required.

However, hardwood floors do require some attention. One of the first things is to work with your builder or installer on the proper finishes for the floors to ensure they will retain their luster and protect from moisture over the long haul. Homes with a lot of hardwood floors, particularly in a dry climate like Colorado, will benefit from the installation of a humidifier in the HVAC system to protect from premature drying of the wood. We have also found that wood is not the best flooring option in below-ground-level rooms like basements where moisture collection or flooding might be an issue. And homeowners should be advised that wet mopping wood floors or allowing spills to stay on the floor for extended periods of time is not a good idea.

Hardwood floors, while beautiful and durable, can also be easily dented. Experts advise people to keep rugs by outside doors for shoe-cleaning to prevent grit and grime to get ground in, and to avoid walking on hardwood floors in sports shoes or spikes. Oddly enough – and important to note – one of the main culprits in damaging wood floors are spike high heels, so ladies should be particularly diligent.

As mentioned above, parquet flooring is a popular choice because of the ability to create unique designs. Perhaps the most famous parquet wood floor in the world is (or was) at the Boston Garden where the Celtics have held court for decades, but have you seen the Ram’s horn designed built into the parquet in the Colorado State University basketball arena? It proves that with wood flooring anything is possible, from the whimsical to the elegant.

There are two other basic types of wood flooring to be aware of: Strip flooring, which is considered the “traditional” type of hardwood flooring, features strips a wood from 1-1/2” to 3” in width laid out in a linear pattern that adds depth to a room; and, plank flooring, which is generally from 3” to 7” in width, which has a more casual, even sometimes rustic look. Elegant rooms and décor usually call for either parquet or strip hardwood flooring, while activity rooms or period designs like Early American or Farm, House might be enhanced by plank flooring.

Here at Chase Custom Homes we find hardwood flooring so popular and so versatile that some form or another meets the needs of nearly every décor design and every budget. Even basic ash, pine or maple floors, which are very economical, offer a timeless beauty and range of color choice, and of course with exotics and unique parquet designs anything is possible.

When it comes to building a true dream home – and discovering the wonders of hardwood flooring – call on Chase Custom Homes at 303-204-9254. A Chase Custom Home is an address for a lifetime.

DENVER, CO – If you walk into the new or remodeled supermarkets cropping up all over town you’ll see a palpable difference in the look and feel of the place, the ambiance – and it’s all designed to make you feel better and enhance your shopping experience. Yes, there are still aisles displaying food stuffs and hard goods, but the mood of the places has been softened and warmed. There’s less of a warehouse look, and especially in the produce department the displays are more inviting and the colors are more earthy.

But the major difference? It’s the lighting. Gone are the over-bright, ceiling-mounted fluorescent lights, and in are pendant lights, task lighting and accent lights, all with a warm glow.

This is no accident, and the trend toward better lighting treatments in all sorts of environments, from supermarkets and throughout retail, to office space, restaurants and entertainment venues, has been elevated from a necessity to an art.

Nowhere is this more important than in the home, however. Here at Chase Custom Homes we have discovered in the design and preparation of the custom homes we build that lighting is a key concern, taking up far more time than other home design features costing much more money. Homeowners looking to build their dream home have very particular perspectives on the lighting they desire in their new homes, and they often send us to other homes, hotels and, yes, even supermarkets, to see a lighting treatment that struck their fancy. Indeed, lighting plays such an important role in modern homes that when we discuss a home-building project with prospective architects, we specifically check their credentials, experience and portfolio as it relates to lighting to ensure they understand what is required and can deliver on the dream.

Lighting, of course, is a basic necessity in any home to see in the dark and provide for security, but it doesn’t have to be bare-bones overheads, lamps and porch lights – not anymore. There are four main kinds of lighting to consider, and each has its applications in every room of the house. Lighting designers – and yes, home lighting these days is so sophisticated that there are specific designers for that – talk of lighting in “layers,” with each different kind working together to create an overall effect. The four main groups of lighting are:

• Ambient. Ambient lighting is the basic lighting of a room or space, the general illumination that any rooms requires.

• Task. Task lighting highlights a particular area for the task at hand, such as pendant lights over a kitchen counter, work desk or sink.

• Accent. Accent lighting is used to highlight or accent features of the home, like architectural assets such as fireplaces, art work, or outdoors even a garden arbor or fountain.

• Decorative. Decorative lighting serves many functions, as it accents, and provides task and ambient lighting, but it is intended to be a focal point in and of itself. Think wall-mounted sconces in a hallway, or chandeliers in a dining area.

What is important is the right mix of light and types of light layers, to give each room in the home the ambiance desired as well as the functionality required. For instance, a kitchen may feature an overhead light to provide broad functionality when preparing a large meal, and the overhead light fixture can also be quiet decorative. A kitchen, however, may also feature recessed can lights in the ceiling to provide broad-spectrum ambient lighting or focused for counter-top task lighting, and many people these days are using highly decorative pendant lights for additional task lighting. Pendant lights come in many beautiful designs, and can have regular light bulbs or very specific LCD spot lights in varying sizes that are decorative in their own right.

And don’t forget the old stand-by: track lighting. Track lighting is a very popular choice, and in today7’s market the types of fixtures available are highly decorative. These types of fixtures can be used for overall ambient lighting and task lighting to multiple locations, and they often offer the added benefit of being flexible, meaning they can be moved on the track or on a swivel to serve several lighting needs.

We also see a lot of attention to little details in home lighting from our clients, such as the aforementioned sconces in hallways and stairways, but also accent lighting built into the molding on the tops of walls that warms a room and provides safety in passageways. We even have clients who incorporate aquariums into their lighting design, to provide for a special and interesting lighting solution and window between rooms for instance.

Of course, all of this and more also applies to outdoor lighting solutions, which not provide ambient, decorative, accent and task lighting for patios, gardens and lawns, but also provide a level of security for properties that is quickly becoming the standard for new homes.

Two other key considerations in any home lighting design are lighting controls and the “green” issue.

Beyond the lighting and the fixtures themselves, you want to make sure the controls for the lighting – the switches – are conveniently located and easy to operate. Dimmers give many of the fixtures the ability to go from loud and cheery to dark and romantic with ease. A plus is that today’s lighting designers have taken into account to look, feel and location of the switches so they can be hidden and easily accessed, or out in the open and highly decorative themselves.

The “green” issue is the electrical use this lighting design will demand, particularly in outdoor lighting which is designed to be on all night long. The incorporation of CFL (compact fluorescent lighting) and LCD lights, both of which use far less energy and generate less heat than traditional bulbs can mean that a vibrant, full home lighting system will use a fraction of the energy that the old lamps and overheads used. And modern technology in these types of light sources is delivering a broad spectrum of light choices, so you can create any mood desired without sacrificing energy savings.

Lighting is key to elevating the home into the cozy retreat many people envision. Done right and any mood can be created, any task undertaken and every security need met – all beautifully.

At Chase Custom Homes we are amazed on every new project how beautiful the lighting designs can be, and how far technological and aesthetic advances have come – and continue to go – as it r4elates to home lighting applications. In fact, the lighting in our projects is so integral to the home that many customers say the beauty of their new custom home comes to life – to “light” – even more in the evening and at night when the lights are on.

To find out more about home lighting design and the full wealth of services we offer in custom home building, contact Chase Custom Homes at 303-204-9254. A Chase Custom Home is an address for a lifetime.