Tuesday, April 16, 2013
One of the most sought-after home amenities is wood flooring. From its timeless, classic look to its durability, wood flooring has been a leader in home floor coverings for decades. It’s stylish and can be easily maintained and cared for compared to its counterpart, carpet. However, hardwood flooring may not be the right choice for every homeowner. It can be very expensive and may not work for every homeowner’s lifestyle. For homeowners who want the natural look of wood without the high costs, laminate floors can be an alternative solution. They are generally cheaper than wood floors and they achieve a similar look and feel of wood. If you’re on the fence about deciding if hardwood or laminate is right for your home, here are a few facts about laminate flooring.
Laminate wood flooring is made from composite wood pressed together at high temperatures. The top layer is a high resolution photo of wood which is super-imposed onto the planks and then topped with a clear protective layer. Most people cannot tell the difference between wood and laminate because the photos are of such high-quality.
Laminate has grown in popularity for a number of reasons.
They are very easy to install. Most laminate floors are clicked together and don’t require nails like hardwood flooring. It can be installed in virtually every room of the house, including stairs, bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Laminate floors are often called floating floors because they are not glued to the slab. They typically "float" over the sub-floor on top of a foam or film underlayment, which provides a moisture barrier and has a sound-reducing property.
They are easier to maintain than traditional hardwood flooring. Laminate floors are scratch- and impact-resistant, which means they can hold up in high-traffic areas without losing its shine or durability. Homeowners won’t see the scratch marks left by pets, children, or high heels like you might with hardwood floors. Laminate flooring is also considered a good selection for allergy sufferers because it doesn’t capture and trap dust particles like carpet does.
In terms of care and maintenance, the most important thing you need to remember is
water and laminate DO NOT mix. Sitting water can cause the planks to warp and swell, which is not covered under
warranty. Spills are not a problem if they are wiped up quickly, but it is not a good location for your pet’s water bowls. You may want to consider using area rugs underneath their bowls or move them to another location if your pets tend to be messy!
Choosing the right flooring for your new Ball home is a big decision. Many factors come into play when deciding on the type of flooring you will use. To help you decide, take a look at our
previous blog post for some questions to ask yourself when choosing flooring for your home.
As always, our dedicated team of Ball Homes Specialists and Design Consultants are here to help you make your dream home a reality!
Contact us for more information!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Pinterest is fast-becoming one of the most popular ways to find decor and design ideas for your next home. From DIY tips to architectural ideas, Pinterest has something for everyone! We've seen a lot of people come into our Design Studio with photos and blog posts highlighting exactly what they're looking for in their next Ball Homes home.
Have you joined the Pinterest craze? If you haven't, here are a few of our most popular Pinterest pins!
The formal dining room and entryway of the Hudson floor plan
"What I love most about my home..." quote from
Dwelling By Design
The kitchen of the Monroe floor plan
Attic storage options from Atticmax
The living room of the Hartford II floor plan
The Arlington II Expanded model home
Winter Berry color scheme from Design Seeds
Want to see more? Make sure to follow our boards!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
There’s no doubt that granite is one of the most popular countertop choices on the market today, but how much do you really know about this popular stone? We have compiled a short list of facts about the granite that we offer here at Ball Homes.
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Ball Homes currently offers nine different granite selections. One of the wonderful features about this popular stone is that no two pieces are alike. As they carve the stone from the mountains, the colors, veining patterns and movement will change. The samples in the design studio do not begin to show the color, movement, and variation that they will have in a large slab, so there is always the possibility that the actual color of the stone will vary up to a full shade from what is in our Design Studio. That is part of the innate beauty of the product and what enables our buyers to further personalize the look of their new home.
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Granite is an incredibly strong and durable option for kitchen countertops, but it is also a porous surface, which means that spills and stains can seep into the stone and discolor it if not treated properly. Be diligent of splashes and spills to avoid deep stains. Avoid letting citrus or alcohol products sit on the granite surface as it can etch and dull it. Granite surfaces are heat
resistant and scratch
resistant, but not heat
proof or scratch
proof. Make sure you use caution when it comes to placing hot items directly on your countertop. For tips on how to clean and maintain your granite surfaces, read our
previous blog post here.
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As added value for our homeowners, Ball Homes will install your granite countertops with a protective sealer already on it. There is no initial maintenance on the countertops in your home, but like any home, there will be upkeep down the road. Homeowners will need to reseal their granite countertops about once a year—an easy project almost anyone can do. Click
here for a tutorial video on how to properly seal your granite countertops.
What do you think about granite countertops? Do you have them in your home? Let us know on our Facebook page!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Here at
Ball Homes, our vision is to provide quality communities for the people of Kentucky and Tennessee. For us, that means that not only are we committed to providing our customers with quality-built homes at affordable prices, but we are equally dedicated to being good stewards in our community. Since our founding over 50 years ago, we have made it a priority for our company to support various charitable causes throughout the Central Kentucky, Louisville, and Knoxville communities. We actively and enthusiastically partner with organizations that work to improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work.
We believe that Ball Homes successes are closely linked with the overall success and health of the communities we serve. That is why we partner with our homeowners to donate money for each customer survey we receive back. For each customer service survey we receive from our recent clients, Ball Homes will donate $10 to the charity specified by the homeowner on the survey. Customers can choose from multiple charities in their local community. Not only does that help us improve our company, our products, and our processes with the feedback we receive, but it also ensures that local charities in our community will receive the money and support they need.
We understand the importance of supporting our local charitable causes through donations and public awareness. We encourage you to join with us in giving back to our communities and our neighborhoods.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
How much does a new home cost?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions we get when it comes to building a new home. Unfortunately, it is also one of the few questions that we can’t answer very specifically. Think of it like this:
· Can you tell me how much it costs to take a vacation? Well, are you planning a weekend getaway to a cabin in Gatlinburg or a week-long cruise to the Caribbean?
· How much should I expect to spend on a new car? Are you planning on getting a Kia, a Lamborghini, or something in between?
· What is the average cost of a dinner for two? If you plan on hitting up the local fast food place, your bill will be a lot less expensive than it would be at Malone’s Steakhouse.
The problem with asking open-ended questions like these is that there are so many variables that go along with each question that it is nearly impossible to give an accurate answer without getting more information first.
The same is true when it comes to calculating the cost to build a new home. Are you looking for a 3-bedroom home, or do you need 4 (or more) bedrooms? Are granite countertops in your kitchen a “must have”, or would laminate countertops work for you? Do you have to have hardwood floors throughout your house, or is carpet your preferred flooring choice? Because everyone’s wants, needs, and wishes for their home are so different, it’s hard to give a one-size-fits-all price for how much a
new construction home will cost.
We have found over the years that the typical amount of upgrades people choose for their home are around 15-20% of the base price of the home. That means, if the house you choose has a base price of $200,000, the typical amount of upgrades will be between$30,000- $40,000. Of course, that number could change, depending on the individual preferences of your home. If you and your family decide that a walk-out basement, an upgraded kitchen, and an elegant master suite are on your must-have list, then you can expect to pay more, possibly 25% or higher, than someone who has different desires for their home.
We know that buying a new home can be confusing. We are here to help you plan and design your new Ball Homes home within your budget. If you have questions about the costs for a home you are considering, we would be more than happy to discuss it with you. Contact a
Ball Homes Specialist today!