green home Archives - Page 2 of 2 - McDonald Contracting

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thinking of remodeling your kitchen? While the majority of our clients renovating these days opt-in for an open kitchen concept, there are also benefits to having a closed kitchen design. Are you looking for a more private room or a multi-functioning space for hosting? Check out the benefits of having an open and closed kitchen to help you decide which would be better utilized in your home.

Here are the top 3 reasons why you should consider an open kitchen –

McDonald Contracting Arlington

1. Great for hosting – An open floor plan is ideal for homeowners who love to host frequent parties or gatherings. If you’re hosting Christmas Dinner and want to interact with your guests while you’re whipping up appetizers, this is a good option so you won’t miss any of the fun. An open floor plan also allows for more seating and encourages guests to move around.

2. Makes home feel larger – An open kitchen allows for more natural sunlight in turn reducing your energy bill. By having less walls, you have more open space giving off the feel of bigger rooms and higher ceilings.

 3. Optimizes Multitasking – Planning on having a family soon? Open kitchens can be great for young kids as you can keep your eyes on multiple rooms at a time! Check on the kids doing homework in the living room, while you’re preparing dinner at your kitchen island.

The more individual rooms there are in your home, the more opportunity you have to get creative with paint colors and wall space to decorate. Check out the top reasons why a closed kitchen design may be better for you –

McDonald Contracting

1. Cost-Friendly – Knocking down walls can create unforeseen problems and can cost serious renovation dollars. If things like high end appliances and countertops are more important to you, you may want to leave the structure as is and allocate your budget to the priorities on your wish list.

2. More storage – The more wall space, the more room for shelving, cabinetry and hidden closets. If you’re looking for a functional, secluded room with lots of storage, this could be a good option for your home.

3. More privacy – More walls also mean more privacy. Having a closed kitchen design hides a messy room full of dirty dishes – Some hosts want to prep, cook and clean without interruption so that they can provide a more formal dining experience for their guests.

The final decision is up to you, the homeowner. It’s not all black and white and you can meet in the middle somewhere by considering a cutout in your kitchen wall (as long as it’s a non-load bearing wall).   There’s always going to be a new trend… Don’t succumb to what’s in, but rather decide based upon which option works best for lifestyle and personal preference. Want to start the conversation? We’d love to sit and talk with you about which kitchen layout works best in your home ===> [email protected]

Save

Save[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”blue” el_width=”60″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

We hope you found this blog post helpful when it comes to designing your next kitchen!

Thanks for reading,
– The Team at McDonald Contracting

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”blue” el_width=”60″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

According to Energy.gov, homes and commercial buildings consume 40% of the energy used in the United States; the majority of which comes from fossil fuels! It’s time to make your home more energy efficient! Here are some simple ways to save energy without breaking the bank.

Energy Efficient Windows: Windows provide our homes with light and warmth, but they can also negatively impact a home’s energy efficiency. You can reduce energy costs by installing energy-efficient windows in your home. If your budget is tight, energy efficiency improvements to existing windows can also be a huge money-saver. Adding storm windows can reduce air leakage and improve comfort. Weatherstripping around your windows can reduce air leakage. Thick window treatments and coverings can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

Energy Efficient Lighting: Electric lighting burns up to 25% of the average home energy budget.The electricity used over the lifetime of a single incandescent bulb costs 5 to 10 times the original purchase price of the bulb itself! Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) bulbs have revolutionized energy-efficient lighting.

– CFLs are a smaller version of a full-sized fluorescent bulb. They screw into standard lamp sockets and give off light that looks similar to the common incandescent bulbs.
– LEDs are small, very efficient solid bulbs! LED bulbs are grouped in clusters with diffuser lenses which have broadened the applications for LED use in the home. LED technology is advancing rapidly, with many new bulb styles available. They are typically more expensive than CFLs, but bring more value since they last longer.

Eco-Friendly Appliances: An easy way to save money on your utility bill (and help the environment) is by installing energy efficient appliances. Washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers and air conditioners can all be purchased today as eco-friendly appliances, just look for appliances that have a Energy Star Rating.
– An appliance receives the Energy Star rating if it is significantly more energy efficient than the minimum government standards, as determined by standard testing procedures! The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run!

Thanks for reading,
-The Team at McDonald Contracting | www.McDonaldContractingMA.com