How Open Floor Plans Affect Energy Efficiency

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Open floor plans are the most popular type of new home floorplan when people buy custom homes in Greensboro and the demand for them isn’t letting up. Modern families like open concept floor plans because it makes it easier to enjoy family time together. Open floor plans are also great for parents who have things to do but also want to keep an eye on their kids. They’re also fantastic for entertaining. But did you know that open floor plans are also energy efficient and can help homeowners save money on heating and cooling costs?

Open floor plans reduce the energy needed to cool and heat a room because there are no walls or barriers breaking up the flow of the air through the room. That means it costs less to heat and cool your home when you have an open concept floor plan. As long as the outside walls are sealed and insulated properly, an open concept floorplan is the best way to heat and cool your home efficiently. There are a few other things that you can do to increase your energy savings as well like:

Place Large, Custom Windows Carefully

Large windows and skylights can brighten up your home and flood your open concept first floor with natural sunlight. New windows and skylights that are installed properly will be energy efficient and all that extra sunlight can help keep your home warm in the winter. Shades can help keep the sun from making it too warm during the hot North Carolina summers. The extra lighting and warmth can cut your energy costs over the course of the year.

Find Light Fixtures That Do Double Duty

Energy-efficient light fixtures are a must in a custom home. Installing light fixtures that have fans built into them will help circulate the air throughout the space and increase the energy efficiency of your home. Some people dislike the look of ceiling fans but light fixtures with modern designs, unique materials, and designer finishes will look great in your open concept kitchen and family room. Your home can have the style and look that you want while maintaining energy efficiency. Keeping the air circulating throughout the open-concept space will help regulate the temperature when there are a lot of people in the space as well.

Make Your Home A Smart Home

Another way to you can maximize the energy efficiency of a custom-built home is to make your home a smart home. Using smart home devices like the Amazon Echo and installing smart plugs throughout the house means that you can easily turn off lights and appliances from anywhere in the home or even when you’re away from home using a smartphone app. Smart appliances are energy efficient and easy to manage, so consider choosing smart appliances when you are putting the finishing touches on your custom home.

Make Good Use of Your Fireplace

Many people who build custom homes opt to have a gas insert or electric fireplace put into the family area. This makes the family area of the open concept home a very inviting place to gather and it also will help to heat the entire first floor of the home. With no walls or barricades to keep the heat from moving throughout the space, the heat from the fireplace can be circulated through the room with ease. That will make your home a relaxing and energy-efficient space where you can enjoy quality time with friends and family.

Custom homes in Greensboro that are built around the needs of today’s families are energy efficient and have a flexible space that will make your home function the way you want. Start planning your custom home in Greensboro today with the experts at Don Mills.

7 Flooring Materials to Consider for your Living Room

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Many new homebuyers are going with custom homes in Greensboro. And why not? When you work with a custom home builder you have complete and total freedom to choose every detail in your home from floor to ceiling. One of the biggest decisions is flooring material, and one of the biggest rooms in your home is the living room. Consider these 7 flooring materials for your living room to achieve the look and feel you want.  

  1. Hardwood. Still one of the most popular choices, hardwood stands the test of time from a style and beauty standpoint. Now available in more hues/stains than ever before, you can find a hardwood that will be unique and expertly match the rest of your décor.  
  2. Carpet. Another popular choice for comfort and availability of colors, carpet is still being chosen for living rooms on a regular basis. For those who prefer to go barefoot inside and for families with babies and young children, carpet provides a soft floor for the main living area. Available in nearly every color you could imagine, you’ll easily find one that matches your interior color scheme.  
  3. Laminate. A version of hardwood, laminate flooring is more durable than hardwood and more affordable, but it is not solid wood. Laminate flooring comes in panels that snap together to cover the surface. They offer a hardwood look at a lower price but may not look as polished as hardwood. 
  4. Vinyl. Another affordable option that looks similar to hardwood, vinyl has some great benefits. Softer than hardwood, it’s easier on the feet, though not as soft as carpet. It is durable, water resistant, and cleans up easily. 
  5. Bamboo. Lately it seems that bamboo is quickly gaining popularity. A green choice, bamboo is a highly renewable resource, making it an eco-friendly material. The key here is to make sure you get good quality bamboo that won’t scratch easily.  
  6. Marble. If you’re going for luxury, marble will certainly achieve a luxurious look. Shiny when polished and available in a variety of colors, marble floors are beautiful in formal living rooms and foyers. Marble does require maintenance and its porous surface is prone to staining, just another reason marble is best for formal areas of your home. But it will make your home stand out among custom homes in Greensboro.  
  7. Ceramic or Porcelain Tile. Tile is another luxurious flooring material, available in ceramic or porcelain. Both are durable and clean up easily. The subtle difference between the two is that porcelain is manufactured in a way that makes it more durable. 

Many Custom Homes in Greensboro Have Beautiful Flooring in the Living Room 

Choosing to work with a custom home builder opens up an array of options for interior décor. You can have the living room floor that will achieve the look you want for the main room of your home. Don Mills Builders designs and constructs custom homes in Greensboro that meet the needs of the family buying the home. Whether you need the ultra-soft comfort of carpet, the luxurious sheen of marble, or anything in between, the choice is yours. Call Don Mills today about building your dream home: (336) 362-1777.