What are the Top Four Priorities of Young Homebuyers?

Don’t look now but the largest demographic group in history – those under-40-years old – is leading the charge for change in homeownership. The grandchildren of the fabled “baby boomers” are now married with children of their own and are redefining what “luxury” living is all about. For many reasons, including the effects of the pandemic, historically low mortgage interest rates, and their goal of having quality education for their young children, these young families are “so over” urban living or long commutes to sleepy suburbs.

This has encouraged suburban developers, architects, and homebuilders to rethink home designs (often reducing the square footage) and change the demands for construction materials. For companies like Acme Brick, which manufacturers a timeless building component – brick – this new normal has resulted in new relevance!

What Young Homebuyers Really Want

This change in the preferences of these young homebuyers has been chronicled by thousands of media outlets. According to this article in the Wall Street Journal, “Their choice of a close-in suburb with a short commute, willingness to trade size and space for a walkable area, and rejection of traditional sleepy suburban landscapes are classics of this age cohort. These generational habits are so pervasive that they are anointing new areas as ultra-luxury spots and sending some previously desirable locations into a downward price spiral.

“This group’s preference for move-in-ready homes is also shifting the burden of fixing up older homes on to sellers, giving rise to new business models for real-estate brokerages and home builders.”

Priority #1 – Low Maintenance 

Unlike previous generations, these new homebuyers are not big fans of “fixer-uppers.” Sorry Chip and Joanna. Real estate research strongly suggests that this under-40 group favors new home construction. Why? They don’t want to deal with the chronic maintenance of older homes.

As Brent Snyder of Acme Brick has noted, “They really want to lock-it-and-go. Instead of dealing with painting old, damaged wood, or dealing with worn-out siding, this younger homebuyer wants to spend the weekend traveling, playing with their kids, or entertaining neighbors with a cookout.

“For hundreds of years, brick has had the reputation for ‘low or no maintenance required.’ In fact, we guarantee our brick for the life of the home, up to 100 years. Like their grandparents, these young homebuyers have discovered the truth of the old adage: Everything old is new again.”

This preference for low maintenance has led to another young homebuyer priority.

Priority #2 – Smaller Square Footage

Even if they are financially capable of affording a 3,000+ square foot home, most young buyers would rather pass on a “McMansion.” As this article notes, “For veteran real estate agents, many younger buyers’ definition of a dream home runs directly counter to what they understand about luxury real estate. While real-estate value—and appeal—has long been predicated on square footage, agents say this generation of young families is unimpressed with large homes and lots.”

These young buyers have joined the “empty nesters” (often baby boomers) in their preference for smaller homes. These townhomes or garden homes even have a name: Jewel box homes. They are much smaller footprints with luxury amenities.

Snyder points out that in many cases, these smaller homes have homeowner associations and landscaping services along with other features that make them extremely low maintenance. “We have also realized the demand for these luxury amenities,” he said. Acme Brick offers new home buyers a wide range of high-end amenities, including:

• PORCELAIN AND CERAMIC TILE, LUXURY VINYL TILE, HARDWOODS AND SLATE  
• FAMILY FRIENDLY FLOORING OPTIONS 
• LUXURIOUS FIREPLACE OPTIONS
• IMPRESSIVE OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES 
• INNOVATIVE HOME ACCESSORIES 

Priority #3 – Shorter Commutes, Better Amenities, and Schools

Even before the COVID pandemic forced companies to allow employees to work from home, the younger buyer was already in the market for close-in suburban communities. They wanted less time on the highway – going to and from work – and more time to spend with families and friends. This led to what is called “master-planned” communities, where resort-like amenities (hiking/biking trails and posh entertainment areas) are complemented by highly rated suburban schools with lower student-to-teacher ratios.

The “work from home” experiment has enabled every worker – young and old – to work from any place they choose. As a result, millions are leaving the cramped apartments and duplexes in the city center and buying a new home in a less stressful suburban community.

Priority #4 – A Sense of Community

Much has been written about the goals and aspirations of this under-40 group. Some of these speculations are smart and some are silly. However, it is abundantly clear from this group’s actions that they are all about living an authentic life. Evidence of this comes from the final and perhaps most important priority of these new homebuyers. They demand a sense of community wherever they live.

Neighborhood events, state-of-the-art amenities, quality schools, and the time to enjoy life that comes from a low maintenance home are all a part of building a sense of community. The WSJ article on this group succinctly sums this up. “If they do move to the suburbs, they still want to socialize, which has given rise to a price divide within suburbs between walkable and non-walkable areas. The number one thing most of these younger buyers are looking for is a sense of community.”

If you are planning to build a home within the foreseeable future, visit your local Acme Brick to browse the latest building and home products. 

See also: 

The Hottest Trend in Homeownership: Smaller Homes with Luxury Amenities

Why Apartment Rents are Driving Millennials to Buy and Build with Brick

The 5 Reasons Millennials are Buying Brick Homes

from brick.com https://brick.com/what-are-top-four-priorities-young-homebuyers-0

What are the Top Four Priorities of Young Homebuyers?

Don’t look now but the largest demographic group in history – those under-40-years old – is leading the charge for change in homeownership. The grandchildren of the fabled “baby boomers” are now married with children of their own and are redefining what “luxury” living is all about. For many reasons, including the effects of the pandemic, historically low mortgage interest rates, and their goal of having quality education for their young children, these young families are “so over” urban living or long commutes to sleepy suburbs.

This has encouraged suburban developers, architects, and homebuilders to rethink home designs (often reducing the square footage) and change the demands for construction materials. For companies like Acme Brick, which manufacturers a timeless building component – brick – this new normal has resulted in new relevance!

What Young Homebuyers Really Want

This change in the preferences of these young homebuyers has been chronicled by thousands of media outlets. According to this article in the Wall Street Journal, “Their choice of a close-in suburb with a short commute, willingness to trade size and space for a walkable area, and rejection of traditional sleepy suburban landscapes are classics of this age cohort. These generational habits are so pervasive that they are anointing new areas as ultra-luxury spots and sending some previously desirable locations into a downward price spiral.

“This group’s preference for move-in-ready homes is also shifting the burden of fixing up older homes on to sellers, giving rise to new business models for real-estate brokerages and home builders.”

Priority #1 – Low Maintenance 

Unlike previous generations, these new homebuyers are not big fans of “fixer-uppers.” Sorry Chip and Joanna. Real estate research strongly suggests that this under-40 group favors new home construction. Why? They don’t want to deal with the chronic maintenance of older homes.

As Brent Snyder of Acme Brick has noted, “They really want to lock-it-and-go. Instead of dealing with painting old, damaged wood, or dealing with worn-out siding, this younger homebuyer wants to spend the weekend traveling, playing with their kids, or entertaining neighbors with a cookout.

“For hundreds of years, brick has had the reputation for ‘low or no maintenance required.’ In fact, we guarantee our brick for the life of the home, up to 100 years. Like their grandparents, these young homebuyers have discovered the truth of the old adage: Everything old is new again.”

This preference for low maintenance has led to another young homebuyer priority.

Priority #2 – Smaller Square Footage

Even if they are financially capable of affording a 3,000+ square foot home, most young buyers would rather pass on a “McMansion.” As this article notes, “For veteran real estate agents, many younger buyers’ definition of a dream home runs directly counter to what they understand about luxury real estate. While real-estate value—and appeal—has long been predicated on square footage, agents say this generation of young families is unimpressed with large homes and lots.”

These young buyers have joined the “empty nesters” (often baby boomers) in their preference for smaller homes. These townhomes or garden homes even have a name: Jewel box homes. They are much smaller footprints with luxury amenities.

Snyder points out that in many cases, these smaller homes have homeowner associations and landscaping services along with other features that make them extremely low maintenance. “We have also realized the demand for these luxury amenities,” he said. Acme Brick offers new home buyers a wide range of high-end amenities, including:

• PORCELAIN AND CERAMIC TILE, LUXURY VINYL TILE, HARDWOODS AND SLATE  
• FAMILY FRIENDLY FLOORING OPTIONS 
• LUXURIOUS FIREPLACE OPTIONS
• IMPRESSIVE OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES 
• INNOVATIVE HOME ACCESSORIES 

Priority #3 – Shorter Commutes, Better Amenities, and Schools

Even before the COVID pandemic forced companies to allow employees to work from home, the younger buyer was already in the market for close-in suburban communities. They wanted less time on the highway – going to and from work – and more time to spend with families and friends. This led to what is called “master-planned” communities, where resort-like amenities (hiking/biking trails and posh entertainment areas) are complemented by highly rated suburban schools with lower student-to-teacher ratios.

The “work from home” experiment has enabled every worker – young and old – to work from any place they choose. As a result, millions are leaving the cramped apartments and duplexes in the city center and buying a new home in a less stressful suburban community.

Priority #4 – A Sense of Community

Much has been written about the goals and aspirations of this under-40 group. Some of these speculations are smart and some are silly. However, it is abundantly clear from this group’s actions that they are all about living an authentic life. Evidence of this comes from the final and perhaps most important priority of these new homebuyers. They demand a sense of community wherever they live.

Neighborhood events, state-of-the-art amenities, quality schools, and the time to enjoy life that comes from a low maintenance home are all a part of building a sense of community. The WSJ article on this group succinctly sums this up. “If they do move to the suburbs, they still want to socialize, which has given rise to a price divide within suburbs between walkable and non-walkable areas. The number one thing most of these younger buyers are looking for is a sense of community.”

If you are planning to build a home within the foreseeable future, visit your local Acme Brick to browse the latest building and home products. 

from brick.com https://brick.com/what-are-top-four-priorities-young-homebuyers

Tips on Extending Your Outdoor Entertainment Space Into Fall and Winter

The weather might be chilly, but for many, the outdoor grilling must go on! 

One of the unintended consequences of social distancing, which occurred in response to concerns about the COVID virus, is decidedly positive. More people than ever before have discovered that cooking at home, rather than going out, might be a safer, healthier, and more delicious alternative. Not only that, but many of these DIY chefs have found that entertaining, cooking, and dining outside is even more fun.

The challenge comes when “Old Man Winter” takes off his sunglasses and floppy hat and puts on his coat and scarf. 

This prompts the question: What happens to outdoor entertaining when it starts to get cooler? This query was answered recently by the Wall Street Journal. “In the Covid-19 era, a private outdoor space offers both safety and freedom.” All it takes is ingenuity, some basic, weather-resilient design, and appliances. Luckily, the experts at Acme Brick have figured this out and now offer products that can extend an outdoor entertainment area’s usefulness through the autumn and even into the holidays. 

Has the chilly weather snuck up on you? Take a glimpse at some of our latest products perfect for the chilly months ahead.

Fire Changes Everything

Approaching cooler weather has encouraged home designers to include new features that make the outdoor entertainment space as cozy as an evening indoors. The foundation of this approach goes back to the dawn of civilization. Fire changes everything. 

When this most basic of elements is deployed in an outside space, wonderful things can occur. Warmth, cooking and even positive emotions – in any weather – result from being in proximity to fire. Modern-day families can choose from a vast array of red-hot products that can make a fall or winter evening outside a glorious experience!

Put Another Log on the Fire

For almost 130 years, the Acme Brick artisans have been manufacturing the most environmentally friendly and structurally sound products in the world. It’s no wonder that the company has been leading the charge of the growing trend toward outdoor cooking and entertaining. Anyone wanting to extend the “season” of outdoor entertaining would be well-served to investigate the fireplace options from Acme Brick. These include:

• Isokern  
• American Fyre Designs
• Fire Rock
• Mason Lite

Each of these fireplaces have stood the test of time and literally bring a warmth to an outdoor entertainment space.

Fabulous Fire Features

Chilly or even cold weather is no match to an outdoor space with a state-of-the-art fire feature. Acme has some of the most well-designed and carefully engineered and built fire features available anywhere. These fire features can be reviewed by clicking on the product brochure links below:

• American Fyre Design 
• Mason-Lite
• Fyre Side logs
• Real Fyre logs 

Chilly Grillin’

For outdoor entertaining, no matter what the season, the place where the rubber meets the road is where the steaks meet the grill. Some of the best meals ever cooked were completed outside on a high-quality grill. As any competitive cooker or weekend chef can attest, the more “whistles and bells” the better! Acme Brick has top-of-the-line grills that are not available at big-box retailers. Firing up the grill on a chilly fall or winter afternoon makes for perfect entertainment synergy. Here are some excellent choices:

• Saffire 
• Renaissance Cooking System (RCS)  
• American Outdoor Grills  
• FireMagic

Other Tips for Warming Up an Outdoor Entertainment Space

The cool winds of fall and winter can be mitigated with a few other tricks. Here are some to consider.

Construct a windbreaker

According to the WSJ, in his San Francisco garden, landscape architect Brian Koch erected a pergola with weighted drapes that can be drawn to block the breeze. “When you eliminate wind from any outdoor space, it drives up the warmth,” he said.

Add the Art of Heat

On walls behind main seating areas some intrepid outdoor aficionados center “art” with a hidden agenda: Custom infrared-heated wall panels by “Art of Heat” look like paintings and take up zero real estate.

Change the Lightbulbs

This article notes that even swapping out exterior bulbs for aesthetically “warmer” versions can make a sitting area more snug. It recommends the amber hues of bulbs with a lower Kelvin rating, between 2700K and 3000K. 

Blankets for Everyone

Never forget that simpler is better. The best way to enjoy some chilly weather on a patio or an outdoor entertainment space is to give everyone who wants one a warm quilt or blanket. 

And the Heat Goes On

The cool, crisp air of an autumn or early winter afternoon or evening can be intoxicating, especially if it is combined with smells of meat and vegetables on the grill. With a little planning and some cooking and heating technology, everyone can add a few more memorable evenings enjoying the new normal of outside entertaining.

If you’re ready to up your grilling game, contact us and speak to one of our outdoor entertaining experts.

See also: 

Post COVID: 10 New Priorities for Building a Home

Before You Add a Fireplace, Here’s What’s Hot!

Here are 12 Remodeling Mistakes That Will Cost You Money and 6 Smart Moves That Will Increase Your Resale

from brick.com https://brick.com/tips-extending-your-outdoor-entertainment-space-fall-and-winter

How Acme Brick is Meeting the Historic Demand for New Homes

The effects of the COVID pandemic have dramatically changed – perhaps forever – the building, buying, and selling of homes. When these are combined with some of the lowest mortgage interest rates in modern history, it makes the opening lines from the classic novel by Charles Dickens -“A Tale of Two Cities”- more relevant than ever before.

It is indeed the best of times for home buyers with decent credit and the cash for a down payment. Conversely, the construction industry is feeling the stress as they try to keep supply chains open, workers healthy and on the job, and the dirt flying! 

In its almost 130 years of working with architects, builders, and homebuyers, Acme Brick has successfully navigated some very tough times, including the first pandemic in 1918, the Great Depression, and two world wars. The company’s mettle has been tested and “on the other side” of these events has gotten even stronger than the hard-fired brick it has been known for!

Did you know Acme Brick sells a whole lot more than just brick? Explore our newest product lines here.

Challenges or Opportunities?

Brent Snyder is one of the Acme Brick managers who is responsible for synchronizing the “new normal.” He is charged with meeting the demands of architects, who are designing homes and specifying building materials for builders who are trying to keep inventory equal to or ahead of the demand from consumers. Fortunately, his vast experience (37 years) in the construction industry has served him well in this current state of affairs.

“The ‘social distancing’ demands of dealing with COVID has completely changed the way we communicate with our customers,“ Snyder said. “Almost no one in the construction ‘ecosystem’ wants us to schedule an in-person appointment and talk in depth about a property they are designing and building. This due to health concerns.

“This can be challenging for companies that produce construction products such as roofing, lumber, or brick because there are so many variations on these materials. With our company, we offer thousands of colors, sizes of brick, and just as many other building materials ranging from cladding to tile. Rather than having in-depth discussions with our customers about their projects, as we have always done, we must now offer options for colors, styles, and pricing in one or maybe two emails.  Our sales team now uses digital assets, such as online specification sheets, product brochures, and technical reports.

“While no one saw the pandemic coming, we have been adapting our product materials to be delivered online. 

for a couple of years. This has made a big difference in the efficiency of communication and allows designers, builders, and homebuyers an opportunity to obtain product information from our website, with no human contact. This is the new normal and we have had thousands of visits to the ‘products’ section, found on the homepage of brick.com.”

Builder Practices Have Changed 

When mortgage interest rates are below 3 percent, as they have been for the entire time of the COVID pandemic of 2020, the demand for new homes is at 30-year highs. It seems that builders can’t build these new homes fast enough! For existing homes, this demand has even led to bidding wars among potential buyers.

For builders, this means greater planning must occur to ensure that the supply chain of construction materials, appliances, heating and air conditioning and all of these other elements that go into a new home show up on time. Successful builders understand that any delays due to supply chain miscalculation can be costly. This makes the Acme Brick online resources – product brochures and information – even more critical to keeping building on schedule.

“Even with the emphasis on online communication, we are still here to ensure that products arrive on time and on budget,” Snyder said.

“Because we manufacture our brick products in plants around the U.S., we have real-time information about what colors or styles are immediately available and what our current inventory is for every product. When we execute a sales order, the builder can be confident of the arrival date and plan his other tasks around this.”

“As a side note, our plant managers and workers have diligently avoided COVID related slow downs that many other construction materials manufacturers have experienced, using recommended social distancing, masks, and aggressive hygiene practices. As a result, we have only had a couple of instances of the virus infecting our associates. This has enabled us to keep cooking brick and transporting them to job sites,” he added.

Times have certainly changed and manufacturers like Acme Brick are meeting the challenges of COVID. However, long after this current challenge is nothing but a bad memory, the technology that is helping the company improve customer satisfaction now will continue.

If you are thinking about building a new home or need more information about the many products that Acme offers, just click here for one of our product specialists to assist you.

See also: 

Browse Our Digital Brochures for A Peek Into Our Latest Products

Click Here to Find Available Brick Colors in Your Area

Post COVID: 10 New Priorities for Building a Home

from brick.com https://brick.com/how-acme-brick-meeting-historic-demand-new-homes

5 Great Reasons to Pick MAC Metal Siding for Your Home

 

While there is nothing more durable than brick for home construction, some homeowners are considering steel siding for their homes. This can be due to several factors, including the lower cost of siding versus that of brick. Acme Brick is proud to be one of the distributors of what many builders consider to be one of the best steel siding products – MAC Metals Siding .  

For 25 years, MAC Metal Architectural has offered customers top-of-the-line steel siding. MAC is constantly seeking to innovate and offer products with unique, rich colors that will add a touch of style and sophistication to homebuilding projects.

Our promise is to offer durable, high-quality products that will embellish and protect your home. With a 40-year warranty, our products bring you peace of mind for years to come. In addition to bolstering the look and value of your home, MAC products require no maintenance and provide genuine beauty that will stand the test of time.

~ MAC Metal Architectural

Shop for your home virtually! Browse our MAC Metals color selections here.

Five Reasons to Choose MAC Metal Siding Over Wood or Vinyl

#1 No Maintenance is Required

“While vinyl siding can become brittle over time, especially in below freezing conditions, and wood and fiber cement siding will require painting and caulking at least every decade, MAC Metal Siding is maintenance free,” said Gary Pearce of Acme Brick. “That’s why these products have such an outstanding warranty of 40 years. It is extremely durable. Plus, MAC is not affected by moisture, which precludes the mold and mildew problems that can occur with wood and vinyl siding in damp climates.”

#2 MAC Metal is Color-Fast

Unlike wood, vinyl or other synthetic sidings, the colors of MAC Metal siding will NEVER fade. The exclusive MAC TEXTURAL Color System includes a six-coat painting process (unlike others that use three coats) that is twice as resistant to UV rays and three times more resistant to corrosion, offering increased performance against bad weather and extreme climatic conditions.

The wide range of colors offers an unmatched depth of hues and textures, which perfectly mimic materials such as copper, zinc and bronze. The matte finish process of MAC Metals eliminates all undesirable glimmer effects from the sun. This process also increases the resistance to scratching and delamination.

#3 It’s Fire Resistant

Wildfires are a serious consideration for homes in the far West, Mountains, and Southwest and synthetic siding such as vinyl can cause extreme damage and harm to the individuals inside the home. According to this article, “Even if a home is struck by lightning, a metal-clad dwelling is almost impervious to fire. This can be a tremendous advantage in high fire areas or areas prone to frequent lightning storms. Such protection might also translate into lower monthly homeowner insurance premiums, you can check with local homeowner’s insurance agents regarding any potential savings on premiums.”

#4 The MAC Metal Warranty is One of the Best in the Industry

“As long as the MAC Metal Siding is installed to the manufacturer’s specifications, it has a 40-year warranty,” Pearce said. “When this is compared to wood siding which must be re-painted and caulked every 10 years, this is a huge saving for the homeowner.”

#5 It’s Environmentally Friendly

More and more homeowners are wanting to reduce their carbon footprint and demanding GREEN products for their home. MAC Metal Siding is made from 100% recycled materials. This means homes and buildings can earn points toward LEED certification with this GREEN metal siding.

Homeowners Can Choose from Two Types of MAC Metal Siding

1. Harrywood

The Harrywood is a refined, European-inspired siding that perfectly reproduces the look of wood, thanks to its wide range of hues, tones, and wood veins. Strong and durable, the Harrywood is available in 15 colors that will suit contemporary and classic architecture designs.

2. Norwood

With a beveled edge creating a natural space between the panels, the Norwood is adding depth to the design. The wide range of hues, tones, and wood veins perfectly reproduce the warm and welcoming look of wood that will bring style to your house for the years to come. This type of siding in also available in a “mini” version making it very versatile for any design. 

“Both of the MAC products have received rave reviews from builders,” Pearce said. “Homeowners can come to any Acme Brick Tile & Stone and get expert information from our product specialists.”

For more information on MAC Metals available in your area, visit brick.com/mac for a full list of colors, designs and details. 

See also: 

Shop Our MAC Metals Collection Virtually

Compliment Your Home with the Hottest Brick Colors of the Year

10 New Priorities for Building a Home

from brick.com https://brick.com/5-great-reasons-pick-mac-metal-siding-your-home

Why RCS Grills are America’s Best Value in Outdoor Cooking Equipment

While there are no known records of this, it is entirely possible that arguments about grilling have been ongoing since the time of cavemen and women. Everyone, it seems, had an opinion on how to grill the perfect brontosaurus burger! These spirited discussions continue today. 

One fact is indisputable: there is nothing better than a well-cooked, delicious cut of meat and vegetables prepared on a top-quality grill. Some of the best grilling equipment comes from the Renaissance Cooking Systems (RCS) grills. The RCS grills are some of the best made grills in the world and they are not sold at big-box retailers. They are only available from highly respected distributors such as Acme Brick Tile & Stone. 

The trend toward staying home for dining and entertaining has introduced the grilling lifestyle to millions of novice and accomplished cookers. With all of these new “grill masters,” there are bound to be some misconceptions about the best way to guarantee a mouth-watering outdoor meal experience.

Gas or Charcoal?

Meat and vegetables cooked on a gas-powered or charcoal grill taste a little different; however, both are excellent in their own way. According to this grilling guide, charcoal gives a smokier taste, while gas leads to a more bacon-like taste. With charcoal, when the meat drippings meet the flame, they become vaporized, and a portion penetrates the food. But a propane gas grill has ceramic or metal slabs covering the flame. Any food drippings or spices hit this surface and do not touch the meat. An advantage of a gas grill is that it produces more steam than its charcoal counterpart, giving the meat more moisture.

There are other important differences in the two grill types.

• Cooking Time – A propane powered grill heats immediately and maintains a constant temperature. Whereas a charcoal grill takes longer to heat up and requires constant monitoring.
• Control – The temperature is constant with a gas-powered grill making the cooking process more predictable.
• Safety – Wind can cause charcoal to flare up, which can lead to burns. The wind does not affect a gas-powered grill.
• Cleanup – Wood pieces from charcoal often make for a nasty cleanup, which is a problem you won’t face with propane grills.

The RCS grills are all gas-powered and have a wide-range of state-of-the-grilling-art features.

Tips for Choosing a Grill That Will Last

Jeff Cunningham is the third generation of his family to lead RCS and his passion for grilling burns as hot as his products. He offered a few suggestions on choosing an outdoor grill.

“First, think about how you want to use your outdoor kitchen,” he said. “Is it just for family use or will it be used for LOTS of entertainment? The primary use requirements will help decide what appliances you will need to incorporate. 

“There are so many brands and sizes of gas grills, side burners, door/drawers, refrigeration products and so forth to choose from. Remember, an outdoor kitchen is a project you only want to do once at this house, so do it right the first time so you do not have to do it over.” 

The company website notes that not all stainless steel is high quality. In some high humidity climates some grades of stainless steel will rust out in a short period of time, leaving the owner with a gaping hole in his or her new kitchen, and one that will usually only accommodate the same grill again. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the grill chosen will last and has a lifetime warranty from a reputable company that has been around a while to back it up!

RCS has one of the industry’s most comprehensive warranty. All RCS Cutlass Pro Series grills, side burners, sinks, as well as all doors and drawers are warranted to be free from manufacturer defects for the lifetime of the original owner. All RCS Premier Series grills are warranted to be free from manufacturer defects for 15 years of the original owner. All RCS refrigeration products are warrantied to be free from manufacturer defects for five years to the original owner.

Simple is Good

“At RCS we believe in simple, easy to use outdoor cooking appliances,” Cunningham said. “We’ve designed our grills with common-sense BTU levels. BTU’s refer to the amount of heat a grill produces. Some manufacturers sell BTU’s like they are horsepower when in effect, they are just a larger hole in the orifice. The problem with grills that have too high of BTUs is that it is more difficult to operate the grill – the opposite of simple. Anyone can use an RCS grill and create beautiful meals without being a professional chef.”

The company has also included features that can enhance the grilling experience. For example, some RCS grills have optional smoking boxes for more outdoor smoked taste. Plus, several models offer rear burners that when used in conjunction with a rotisserie can create beautiful “slow-rotiss” meats and veggies. Finally, if the grill master wants to sear meat quickly, there is an optional infra-red burner available that replaces one of the original burners and is easy to switch back and forth. 

Some of the Best Grills in the World

Acme Brick offers the perfect complements to any outdoor cooking space with a wide range of all types of grills. Whether you love to cook steaks, ribs, fish, vegetables or even brontosaurus burgers, click here for more information about the RCS grills. 

See also: 

Grilling Tips from Two Outdoor Entertaining Experts

Everything You Need to Know When Designing Your outdoor Entertainment Spaces

15 Great Design Ideas to Put Your Backyard Front and Center for Entertainment

from brick.com https://brick.com/why-rcs-grills-are-america%E2%80%99s-best-value-outdoor-cooking-equipment

Post COVID: 10 New Priorities for Building a Home

Although no one could have predicted the COVID pandemic, many think that it will have long-term effects in future decisions, including buying or building a home. The “new normal” has led potential home buyers to rethink their priorities for future homes. As a trusted partner for architects, builders and homeowners across the nation for more than a century, Acme Brick has been considered a reliable predictor when it comes to changes within the housing market.

Although housing trends and priorities are consistently evolving, there are 10 that will likely drive future home searches and construction. 

#1 Light and Space Will be Prized

Residents have new-found appreciation for the ancient phrase: “Let there be light and more space.” This reality is especially true for those who live in high-density urban apartments, lofts, townhomes and other small spaces. Living space and light have become a new priority. As this article notes, “It wouldn’t be surprising to see a lot of studio apartment dwellers hoping to upgrade to larger abodes in the months following the pandemic. In general, expect a trend toward light-filled, airy homes with views of something other than the neighboring alley.  

#2 Keeping Germs at the Front Door Will be Important

Architects and interior designers are rethinking functional, yet stylish ways to keep future homes safe from the germs that might be lurking outside. According to Brooklyn architect Frederick Tang, there will be a heightened response to clothes and hygiene. “We will see more mudrooms that elide (join together) with laundry functions,” he said. “The utility sink for washing will also enjoy a second life as a hand-wash station, perhaps with motion sensor plumbing fixtures for touch less use. He can even envision storage outside the front door. Inside, the washers and dryers could be made suitable for small loads cleaned in short cycles.”

#3 The Importance of the Kitchen Will Become Even Greater

Many homeowners have gotten re-acquainted with their kitchens during this extra time spent at home. In recent years, the kitchen has become the “heart” of the home. Now that families have grown accustomed to cooking several meals a day, expect a continued trend toward large open kitchens where families can gather to cook together. “Brick has been an integral part of the trend toward the kitchen being the focal point of the home,” said Logan Moss of Acme Brick. “With our thinBRIK and tile for walls and backsplashes, and our luxury vinyl flooring for durability and warmth, our products can greatly enhance the experience of cooking, eating and all family time in the kitchen.”

#4 Privacy is at a Premium

Years before families were asked to stay at home, homeowners had made the decision to stay in their homes longer than previous generations. There was also a trend toward multi-generational homes with younger adult children and older parents coming to live with their relatives. That trend has exploded with the pandemic making privacy a premium. Never has “future proofing” been more important to homeowners. Exterior and interior walls that are built from brick, keep the day-to-day noise such as business conference calls and other family activities at a minimum.

#5 The Demand for Energy Efficiency Will Increase

Homebuyers who have been working and living at home 24/7 have a renewed appreciation for the cost of keeping the lights on, the computers running and the AC cooling! Energy efficiency is at the top of most wish lists. “Because of its mass and the air space behind it, brick is one of the best performing walls for residential structures,” Jay Cox of Acme Brick noted. “Because of the mass of brick, the heat on the outside of the building during a hot summer day takes a substantial amount of time to work its way into the building. By the time this has happened, it is typically the evening and the air is cooling down. It acts as an insulating barrier due to the nature of the product itself. When the weather turns colder, this insulation barrier of brick works the opposite way. When the sunshine hits a brick wall, the mass of the brick stores the heat from the sunlight, which helps keep the building warm.”

#6 A Home Workout Space is No Longer a Luxury

Social distancing has precluded many otherwise active people from going to the gym for their workouts. According to this article, “For many in quarantine, a significant decrease in activity is more than a vanity issue – it’s a mental health issue. While a home gym fully stocked with the latest equipment is a dream-home scenario, a small space with a TV, floor mats and weights can still provide a much-needed break during tense times.”

#7 Entertaining at Home is the New Normal

Because fewer friends and family are going out to eat, an outdoor entertainment space has become one of the most popular “rooms” in the home and new homebuyers will be looking for this amenity. “Because of the safety of brick in a cooking environment, we have begun to offer other outdoor entertainment products for building and homeowners,” said, Logan Moss of Acme Brick. Our grills – American Outdoor Grills and Saffire Grills, fire features and our GrassTex synthetic turf are all designed to enhance outdoor entertaining.” 

#8 Taking Work Home Will Continue

Business publications have noted this trend has been coming for some time. “Well before COVID-19, the American workforce had been leaning toward freelance work and jobs that can be done, at least part-time, from home. Now that pandemic related restrictions have made long-term working from home a necessity for many, homeowners will be on the lookout for properties that effortlessly accommodate business needs. This will usually start with a private, quiet space for an office or dedicated work area. Technology is also crucial, so homes with ample electrical outlets and high-speed Wi-Fi equipment or hardwired ethernet connections will earn high marks.”

#9 A Secure Home Delivery Portal Has Become a “Must-Have”

The trend toward home deliveries of everything from food to critical business documents, which was already growing, has been kicked up several notches by the COVID pandemic. This has led to an urgent need for a secure way to prevent “porch pirates” from practicing their mayhem. The Ore Mailboxes from Acme feature faceplate designs that are made of aluminum and cast in hand carved wood artistry for an authentic look and feel. According to Andrea Milner of Acme Brick, Tile & Stone “The body consists of high-quality galvanized metal for long lasting, consistent, aggravation-free performance. Furniture grade pulls, stainless steel hinges and parts enhance their performance.” 

#10 Media Rooms Offer Some Much-Needed R&R

When the movie theatres closed, sporting events stopped and music and performance venues shuttered, homeowners realized that there’s no place like home for entertainment.  Today’s media room has a dazzling array of high technology that can challenge the sensory experience of any commercial movie theatre. For example, multiple flat screen panels are now a part of many home theatre rooms. When an additional large, ceiling-installed screen is included in this system, it can be pulled down to cover the flat screens and movies can be projected on it. “Brick walls also enhance high-tech media rooms in two ways,” said Jacob Emery of Acme Brick. “From an aesthetic standpoint, there is nothing quite like the richness of color and warmth found in brick. In some home theatre rooms, thinBrik is used as an accent wall to give the room a unique look. As a practical matter, brick can also help with the acoustics of the home theatre. With brick construction, outside noise is kept out, and the inside volume of loud movies and shows are kept inside the room.”

How have your priorities changed? If we can help you with your decisions, don’t hesitate to visit any of the Acme Brick showrooms, call us or click here to reach one of our many experts.

See also: 

Acme Brick Introduces New (Digital) Tools to Help Build Almost Any Project

15 Great Design Ideas to Put Your Backyard Front and Center for Entertainment

Everything You Need To Know When Designing Your Outdoor Entertainment Spaces

from brick.com https://brick.com/post-covid-10-new-priorities-building-home

Grilling Tips from Two Outdoor Entertaining Experts

Is there anything better than fresh grilled meat and vegetables, served outside on a calm evening? Outdoor entertainment spaces are one of the most popular places in American homes for many reasons and the need for recent social distancing has further enhanced this trend. 

And what better way to compliment an outdoor space than with the addition of a premium grill. Experts at Acme Brick understood the importance of this feature piece leading to a recent expansion in their product line including numerous elite grills. 

Great Grilling Starts with the Grill Itself 

Curious how much the grill plays a role in the flavor and cooking of meat and vegetables? According to Acme Brick experts, it is more than you would think!

With its unsurpassed, high-tech features and lifetime warranty, The American Outdoor Grill is the state-of-the-art for outdoor cooking. Unlike many grills that are available from “big box” retailers, this system will enable “grill-masters” of every level of expertise to consistently produce “four-star” quality.

The Saffire Grill combines the ancient art of “kamado,” or ceramic cooking with modern technology. Its thick ceramic walls provide efficiency that is far superior to standard metal grills. It allows for grilling and smoking meats and vegetables and can serve as an excellent pizza oven.

The RCS Cutlass Pro Series grills are designed for the weekend cook, as well as the professional chef. With cast stainless steel burners, solid, stainless steel cooking grids and the 304 stainless steel housing, these grills will provide many years of quality grilling. Other features include the rear infrared rotisserie burner with motor, spit rod with forks, heat zone separators, dual-interior halogen lights, LED illuminated control knobs and a full width slide-out drip tray.

Meet the Brickhouse Cookers 

With almost 130 years of brick-making history, Acme Brick knows a thing or two about the benefits of a hot fire. The company’s kilns can reach temperatures of 2,000 degrees during the manufacturing process! It’s only fitting that a company whose products are forged in fire should attract a couple of guys who are award-winning grill masters. Brad Montgomery and Bill James are Acme Brick product specialists during the week, but on the weekends, they morph into “grillin’ gunslingers” known among other outdoor cooking contestants as “The Brickhouse Cookers.”

“We’ve placed in pretty much every category over the last 12 years including chicken, ribs, open category, red salsa, green salsa, red chili and green chili,” Montgomery and James said. 

The Secret Sauce

The Brickhouse Cookers have many great tips for any home grill master. For example, what makes a mouthwatering barbeque sauce?

Montgomery’s approach:

“I usually start with a good, balanced neutral BBQ sauce like “Head Country” or “War Pig” and dress it up. For ribs, I’ll combine “FUBAR” sauce from War Pig with a pineapple habanero jelly to use as a glaze for the last hour of the cook. For chicken, I’ll mix Head Country sauce with black cherry preserves and a little bourbon. I’ve made my own sauce, but if you find a good neutral sauce, and customize it, it will usually turn out pretty good. It’s what most of the competition cooks do. Regarding beef, if you need sauce, you’re doing it wrong.”

The James secret sauce:

“I use the KISS approach. I combine ketchup, brown sugar, salt & pepper, cumin, apple cider vinegar and white vinegar. This sauce is really good for basting ribs!”

What’s Cooking? 

The Brickhouse Cookers have won many awards because they understand that different dishes – steaks, chicken, fish, ribs and vegetables – require different prep and grilling techniques.

Montgomery and James offer their approach to each category.

Steaks:  I like to reverse-sear my steaks. I’ll cook them at a low temperature over indirect heat until the internal temperature reaches about 120 F. I then take them off to rest while cranking up the temp on the grill (or cast-iron skillet) as high as it will go! Sear for about one minute per side, take it off the heat, put a pat of butter on top, cover with foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it.

Chicken: I like to use skin on chicken thighs because they are a little more forgiving due to the higher moisture / fat content. Also, you should cook them at a little higher temperature (300 degrees), so that the skin will get crispier. I smoke them in a pan of butter for the first hour, take them out of the butter, and smoke on the rack for another hour, and then baste them with sauce for the last half hour or so. I usually pull them off when the internal temp reaches around 185 F.

Fish:  Redfish on the half shell is pretty hard to beat for easy and delicious. You leave the skin on the filet, which protects the flesh, and keeps it from burning. I usually use mayonnaise on the skin which helps the seasonings to stick. I’ve also used olive oil. You can pretty much use whatever flavor profile you like. It’s good with your favorite Cajun seasoning, parmesan, or thinly sliced lemons.

Ribs:  I usually smoke them at around 275 degrees F for 2 hours, wrap in foil and smoke for one hour with honey, margarine and brown sugar, then unwrap and glaze with your favorite sauce for another hour. I like to use fruit woods like apples, cherries and peaches for pork. My rub also usually has dehydrated cherries in it. 

Veggies:  I like to grill them over super high heat very quickly. Try to avoid overcooking them. Just get good grill marks.

Favorite Recipes of the Brickhouse Cookers

These two masters of the fire have their own favorites to grill. CAUTION: If you’re not hungry after reading this, you should check your temperature and self-quarantine for another few weeks!

For Bill James, his favorite dish is grilled skirt steak, AKA “fajitas”

Grilled Skirt Steak: “Marinate the skirt steak in Zesty Italian dressing for at least 24 hours. The longer it marinates, the more tender the meat will be. Add salt and pepper. Cook over mesquite or a sizzling hot grill.

“Pinto Beans is my second favorite. I make them by combining salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic and onion powder.  I then add onions sautéed in bacon grease and one-half a can of drained “Rotel” tomatoes. I rinse the beans and let them soak overnight in water and spices. 

Brad Montgomery has a couple of favorites too.

Reverse Seared Prime Ribeye: “I like to keep it pretty simple, but you have to have a great cut of meat. I heavily season the steak with kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder, cook it over indirect heat at 250 until the interior temperature is about 120 degrees F, take it off the heat, crank up the heat on the grill to high, and sear for about a minute per side. I then add a pat of butter on top, cover with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before you cut into it.”

Grilled Bruschetta Bianca: “Get the best loaf of white bread or heavy baguettes you can find and cut them into 1” diagonal slices. Get a clove of garlic and peel it. Crank up the grill to high heat. Lay out the slices of bread over high heat until they get grill marks on both sides. Immediately take the bread off and rub both sides with the raw garlic clove. Drizzle olive oil over the bread, sprinkle with kosher salt, black pepper and good Parmesan cheese. It’s great on its own, or with shaved Tri-Tip steak served on top.”  

Feeling Inspired? First You Need the Perfect Grill

It’s not surprising that the Brickhouse Cookers enjoy working their magic on both the American Outdoor Grill and the Saffire Grill.

“I have an American Outdoor Grill and really like it,” James said. “It is easy to maintain, gets really HOT and has a large cooking area. It’s a perfect all-around grill.”

“Saffire has taken the ceramic cooker model to the next level,” Montgomery adds. “Ceramic cookers like the Saffire are awesome for slow cooking as well as cooking over super high heat. I like the larger dome which allows quite a bit more room when cooking a taller piece of meat like a beer can chicken. It also allows you to add more wood to the fire for smoke without having to take everything out of the cooker which is a big hassle with the “Big Green Egg” or the “Kamado Joe.” The best thing about them is how little fuel you need with each cook. After each cook, you can snuff out the fire, and whatever charcoal is left is reusable.”

To get prepared for your next outdoor BBQ, the first step is choosing a grill that is right for you. For more information, visit brick.com/grills-and-kitchens or call your nearest Acme Brick location for pricing and details. 

See also: 

Everything You Need To Know When Designing Your Outdoor Entertainment Spaces

15 Great Design Ideas To Put Your Backyard Front and Center for Entertainment

2020 Vision for Home Design: 10 Trends That Are Hot and 10 That Are Not!

from brick.com https://brick.com/grilling-tips-two-outdoor-entertaining-experts

Acme Brick Introduces New (Digital) Tools to Help Build Almost Any Project

If remodeling or building projects are on the drawing board for the future, this is a good time to put the new tools found on the Acme Brick website to work. With many new products being added to the company’s offerings over the past few months, consumers and building tradesmen needed a convenient way to access the specifications, colors, styles of these products. Digital product brochures, catalogs, case studies, and other building and design resources have now been added to the site dramatically increasing the accessibility of all product offerings. 

While this process of digitizing the Acme product information has been in progress for over 6 months, the pandemic has encouraged an acceleration in the completion of this project. Acme Brick director of marketing, Britt Stokes explained: “With our showrooms temporarily closed, it made sense to step up the pace of improvements on our customer-facing website, adding brochures, new products, and updating technical brochures and information on continuing education courses that architects can request. We are always trying to make it easier for our customers to access information about our products and we believe these new ‘tools’ accomplish this goal.”

By simply hovering the mouse of your computer on the “brochures” navigation tab at the top of the home page of brick.com, a drop-down menu, with all categories will appear. This allows consumers and building trade specialists to access a vast digital storehouse of information, including:

• Commercial brick offerings by plant
• Residential brick offerings by plant
• Information on thinBRIK products
• Flooring products
• Architectural case studies
• Technical digests
• The pocket guide to brick construction
• Product catalogs for many other Acme products

For a quick look at the new product information section, just hover your computer mouse over the “brochures” tab.

The Digital Products Section “Keeps it Simple”

The design of this new section is intuitive and therefore easy to use by anyone with any level of digital expertise. However, this elegant simplicity required a great deal of thought, planning and execution in order to better serve customers.

“Acme has a diverse product line offering,” Stokes said. “Although it was challenging to make a large number of catalogs and brochures available with as little searching as possible, we felt this was the perfect time to do this. We also created PDF brochures for all the standard products at our brick plants.”

Because Acme serves the commercial building sector – architects, designers, engineers, builders, and contractors – as well as homeowners, the new digital product information section has been designed with each target market in mind. 

Stokes added, “I think all users of the page will benefit, including our sales representatives who can now direct their clients to the product catalogs and brochures. 

“For those who prefer to discuss projects with a knowledgeable product specialist, Acme’s sales representatives are still out in the field, looking at home and buildings for match jobs, and speaking with customers on the phones to answer any questions and take orders. Whether they are field reps or inside sales reps, these folks can provide tons of information.” 

Digital Brochures Save Time, Money and the Environment

One of the best aspects of a digital product information guide is its capacity to evolve and expand quickly. Plus, Acme has a well-earned reputation as a “green” company and presenting information in a digital format saves an enormous amount of natural resources. 

It is estimated that paper accounts for 25 percent of waste in the landfill and 33 percent of municipal waste. About 68 million trees are cut down each year to produce paper and if it is not recycled, the paper ends up in the landfill. In previous times, when ink-on-paper product brochures were the only option, updates, price changes, new variations and anything else related to products took much longer to prepare. Now, these updates take minutes, rather than weeks and they are much easier for consumers to access. Customers benefit from this timely information and our planet has less waste to manage.

“We’ll be continuing to add digital brochures and other materials,” Stokes said. “For example, we added a brand new case study recently of a “Brick In Architecture” award winner where we spotlight exemplary designs. 

“We’ve also recently incorporated our flooring selections into this resource. This makes it simple for homeowners, designers, and contractors to pick out their flooring without any project timeline delays. Once they know which flooring they are interested in, customers can leverage our flooring calculator.

“These are very exciting times for our company and for our customers. For the first time in our almost 130 years of business, all our product information is digitally available in one spot. This makes it a very sweet spot, especially during these times!”

If you are planning a home improvement project or you need more information on any Acme product, check out the new product information section of Acme Brick.

See also: 

Browse Acme Brick Online Catalogs

Browse Commercial Product Catalogs

Browse Residential Brick Catalogs

from brick.com https://brick.com/acme-brick-introduces-new-digital-tools-help-build-almost-any-project

Thinking About Home Renovation? Here are 10 Questions to Ask a Contractor

It has been well-documented that over the past few years, homeowners have decided to stay in their current residence for longer than they used to. Because the ages, lifestyles and even the number of people (with multiple generations) living under the same roof can change over time, many homeowners have begun to update or renovate their homes to keep them functional. 

Having supplied materials and expertise to the home construction industry for nearly 130 years, the experts at Acme Brick have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of home renovations. They know the “smart way” and also the common pitfalls to renovating a home.

Here are 10 “smart” questions homeowners should consider when hiring a contractor to complete a renovation project.

 

Before the Contract is Signed and Work Begins

#1 How will external factors, such as effects from the coronavirus, affect the project?

Unfortunately, the “new normal” must include ramifications of the COVID – 19 pandemic. Renovation and new-build projects are no exception. According to this building trades article,”Delays and disruptions are occurring due to a shortage of materials and equipment, craftworkers, government workers to issue permits, perform inspections, and award contracts. Almost 10 percent of contractors responded that they had disruptions due to an infected individual entering a jobsite and possible infecting it.”

As of early April 2020, most states deemed home construction projects as “essential.” However, before beginning a renovation project, it is critical to determine and itemize in the builder’s contract how all factors – delays, worker infections and mitigations – related to this epidemic should be treated. Using a construction material such as thinBRIK which is made in the United States, can help to reduce these effects.

#2 What is the Reputation of the Contractor Being Considered?

As a Regional Manager in Little Rock, Arkansas, Logan Moss of Acme Brick brings a unique perspective given his extensive experience in the home construction industry.

“One of the first questions to ask concerns the reputation of the contractor,” he said. “Homeowners should always ask for references from other projects and follow-up with each reference. It sounds simple, but many people, who might be spending six figures on a renovation project fail to do this.

“Get the addresses of homes that the contractor has completed and ask if it is possible to speak with the homeowner. If there is any hesitation on the part of the contractor, he or she is probably not the right person for the job.”

#3 Does the contractor have the appropriate licenses and bonding for the job?

Ask to see this documentation. If there is any push-back, this is a “red-flag” and additional interviews with other companies should take place.

There are times where a homeowner may be looking for the most cost-effective contractor however, compromising on the contractor’s qualifications can lead to expensive fixes and maintenance down the road.

#4 Does the contractor have experience with the type of project being considered?

Some homes have novel challenges. For example, homes that are designated as “historical” have unique characteristics that must be maintained and adhered to with any renovations. If this is not done, the homeowner will be liable for bringing back the historical elements that were disturbed. This tear-down and reconstruction can be extremely expensive.

Another example is a renovation project that involving a particular building material. “Some contractors do not have experience with brick and stone construction,” Moss said. “This is especially true when the project involves adding an outdoor entertainment area to the home. In all the communities that Acme Brick serves, we have databases of reputable contractors with brick and stone expertise and we are eager to share them with homeowners considering this type of job.”  

#5 Has the permitting been properly executed for the job?

Every city and often individual neighborhoods within the city have different permitting regulations. According to this article, “A homeowner could run into an issue where a property has an open permit and this precludes them from obtaining financing. Before committing to a contractor, a homeowner should double-check that the property is using space in a way that is permitted, which could affect its value. It is also advisable to have it inspected by a professional building inspector.”

#6 What will be the cost of materials and labor?
Choosing to use thinBRIK in a renovation, instead of other materials such as high-end ceramic and porcelain tile options, could be much cheaper per square foot. This will allow for a greater return on investment, less maintenance and better resale.

#7 How disruptive will this renovation be?

Building a new closet or expanding a media room are usually minor inconveniences. However, renovation of an entire kitchen or great room is a much bigger project and might require the family to plan a little vacation or visit to grandma’s place

#8 Can the same contractor be used for indoor and outdoor projects?

Although this depends on the versatility of your contractor, adding an outside entertainment area is a very different job and can be one of the most challenging projects for contractors who have little or no experience with these additions. 

“Brick is by far the most popular construction material for outside kitchens and entertainment areas and we have found the biggest challenge for homeowners is finding the right contractor,” Moss said. “Many contractors have no experience with this type of build and make mistakes, such as framing with wood, which is highly flammable and can cause dangerous fires. Plus, appliances such as grills and fire pits, which can come from big-box discount stores, are often unsafe and unreliable.

 

Once the Work is Completed, But Before the Final Approval is Given

#9 Has the completed project been inspected thoroughly?

According to this article on avoiding shoddy renovations, “When it comes to inspecting the home, a good way for buyers to ensure they’ll spot potential defects or shoddy workmanship is to visit more than once. A person should see a space three times before final approval.”

It is often the small details where buyers will be able to identify the problems that indicate a less-than-thorough renovation. Hiring a professional inspector is critical.

“With remodeling projects, the most common (and potentially most expensive) problem has to do with water leaking in and collecting in the walls,” Moss noted. “If the flashing is not done properly or waterproofing wrap improperly installed, water will seep behind the insulation and can cause mold. A reputable contractor is always looking for this problem and a professional inspection will show if this is likely to occur.” 

Look for:

• Cracks in the walls and ceiling. 
• Doors that don’t easily open or close
• Plumbing issues such as water heaters and leaks
• Poor installation of cabinets or fixtures

#10 Is the project future-proof?

An earlier post highlighted the advantages of a home renovation being “future proof.” This includes such factors as:

• Floorplans that are nimble–both in real-time and over time. This means they can adjust accommodations for guests or revenue potential for either short-term stays, or for a lengthy “sandwich generation” experience of hosting parents or adult children for an extended stay.
• The renovation can be updated and upgraded as technology improves, without extensive structural work.
• There is durability where the enclosures stand up to climate and conditions, retaining aesthetic appeal throughout more extended homeownership tenure periods.  If the home is in an area where tornadoes, hail and wind frequently occur, this can easily cause damage to vinyl siding and wood cladding. Not so with brick. It is also virtually immune to fire damage, resulting in lower annual insurance premiums for the homeowner.

If you are considering a renovation project, let us help. We have a vast number of construction materials experts and they are as close as your digital device. Just click here to find the Acme Brick expert near you.

See also: 

New Design Trends are Cooking in the Kitchen: How to Choose What is Right for You?

Here are 12 Remodeling Mistakes That Will Cost You Money and 6 Smart Moves That Will Increase Your Resale Value

The Hottest Trend in Homeownership: Smaller Homes with Luxury Amenities

from brick.com https://brick.com/thinking-about-home-renovation-here-are-10-questions-ask-contractor