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fortis — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:45:12 +0000

Exposed Aggregate Concrete

fortis — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:27:07 +0000

With an exposed aggregate finish, you can achieve spectacular effects at a reasonable cost because few additional materials (other than the decorative aggregate) and tools (beyond basic finishing tools) are required. Here are some other notable advantages of exposed aggregate finishes:

•The basic procedures are simple enough for experienced finishers to master easily.

•The surface is rugged, nonskid, and resistant to heavy traffic and weather extremes.

•Many types and sizes of decorative aggregate are available to achieve unlimited color and texture variations.

•Exposed aggregate is highly versatile and contrasts beautifully with plain concrete or other decorative treatments such as stamping, stenciling, staining, and integral coloring.

•Little maintenance is required, other than sealing and occasional cleaning.

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Why Choose Asphalt over Concrete

fortis — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:26:13 +0000

Asphalt and concrete are the most popular types of material for paving driveways. Asphalt driveways and concrete driveways both have their unique advantages. If you live in a cold climate and are considering a concrete driveway you need to make sure the base for the driveway is heavily laid with gravel and it is compacted first. Otherwise the driveway will run the risk of cracking due to frost heaves. In addition, concrete is susceptible to salt damage, a material frequently used on roads in cold weather parts of the country. On the other hand, if you live in a warm or hot climate and are considering asphalt paving, then you need to consider the fact that asphalt can become soft in the hot sun and is therefore susceptible to ruts.

Asphalt paved driveways are typically cheaper to install than concrete paved driveways. However, asphalt paved driveways need significant more care over time to protect them. Asphalt paved driveways need to be sealed at least once every 2 years. Each sealing, though easily completed by a do it yourself homeowner, costs money and time. In addition, the sealer needs typically 2-3 days to dry before you can park a vehicle on it. Also, a newly asphalt paved driveway should not be sealed for at least 9 months, as the light oils associated with the asphalt need to evaporate first. If an asphalt driveway is sealed too soon it will remain soft forever.

Asphalt driveways, if maintained can typically last 25-30 years. Concrete driveways can last even longer. However, both require a solid foundation to be laid on. If not laid on a solid foundation both will crack over time, especially in colder weather climates. Asphalt cracks are easier to repair than concrete driveway cracks.

Consideration for the slope of the driveway should also be considered when contemplating concrete driveways. Over time, concrete driveways can shear off of the foundation they are poured on which can lead to unwanted cracks.

Importance of Curb Appeal

fortis — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:25:21 +0000

This is probably one of the most important aspects in Staging and Selling a home. You must draw that person out of the car, unto the sidewalk and up to the front door. Color, landscaping, walkway, driveway, neighbors… all give a feel to the home. In order to show the home to a global buyer, it must look pristine from the street to the doorknob.

If a home is taking longer to sell than the average there may be a good reason. What is the first thing you notice when you drive up to the home? How does the home make you feel? Do you want to get out and see it? How does it look compared to the other homes in the neighborhood? These are questions you need to ask yourself when preparing your home for sale.

Well, you can’t change the neighborhood, and you probably didn’t budget for a complete front yard makeover. So what can you do?

Here is a start:

Walk across the street or as far way as you can. View your home by at least 3 angles such as the right side, front and center and left side. Now take a really good look at it.

#1. Can you see it? This sounds funny but if you can’t see your home, you can’t sell it. Trees and shrubs are great and should be trimmed so that you can still see the house. I usually suggest trimming trees up to the rain gutter line or the top of the highest window. Shrubs should follow a same line as the bottom of a window trim. If a lot of trimming needs to be done, do it several weeks before so that the plants have a chance to recover.

#2. How is the paint? Is it a neutral color? Does it flow with the rest of the homes on the street? Painting your house bright Blue will attract attention for sure, but not when you are selling. Remember, with global buyers… neutral is key here. Start with the trim if you can’t paint the whole house, especially around the front door and front porch. It can be as simple as painting the front door a different color. That can be a quick and easy fix.

#3. How is the driveway? Are there cracks, oil stains, garbage cans? The driveway is the largest hard area near the home, the material and look of the driveway and garage have a huge impact on curb appeal. Clean it up and clear everything off.

#4. Is your walkway to the front door defined? Does it lead buyers to the front door or front entry? Make sure people know where your front door is, and then work on drawing people toward the front door. If the front entry area has a patio, create an outdoor sitting area.

#5. How is the landscaping? Make sure that the grass is well watered, edged, and mowed. Flowers, flowers and more flowers. These little pops of color make us happy and cheerful. Add some pots near the garage and plant away.

Curb appeal is really part of the whole package, which means the small details are as important as the big picture. A manicured front yard means a manicured home in a buyer’s eyes.

Your Driveway Helps Sell Your Home

fortis — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:20:57 +0000

Not everyone thinks of how the appearance of a driveway affects a home’s ability to sell. Look around your neighborhood at the driveways and think about the image they project. Driveway designs have a definite effect on the choice of a home for many people. For instance they may be considering driveway ideas such as a circular driveway, thus they will look into homes that have driveways that conform to their driveway ideas.
That does not mean driveways in residential or urban areas have to be long, wide and fancy by any means. What is important is that the designs meet the needs of the home. You don’t want to choose something that will eliminate a good portion of your yard because you will reduce the future sales potential of your home. You want to choose a design that performs the job without taking away from any other features of the home.

A circular driveway is fine for a home that has a great deal of space in the front but if your space is limited you will be better off to choose a regular straight driveway that leads from the street to the end of the house. If you have a garage whether attached or detached you can extend the driveway to meet the doorway or the garage. If you need to have room for two to three cars and have limited space go for length rather than width even though it may present a minor inconvenience.