Home remodeling trends enhance health, comfort

You like the neighbors you have. The local school. The beauty of your neighborhood. No matter the reason, you're not leaving any time soon. But remodeling can keep your home livable and enjoyable for your family.

Paul Kane, CEO and executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa, has said previously that homeowners are remodeling to make homes healthier, more convenient, more luxurious and more secure.

In addition to the high-efficiency models, some can also be a benefit to asthma and allergy sufferers. And forget about the noise your washer and dryer generate. New technologies dampen vibration and reduce the noise you've grown accustomed to hearing.

As more people take efforts to improve the environment, as well as their health, they're paying attention to their indoor environment, too. Find more low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and other building materials with fewer, if any, harsh chemicals and toxins.

Window replacement is not the prettiest project, but it will save your household money and energy. Local window professionals recommend low-E, argon-filled, dual-pane windows. Such windows are designed to help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

If homeowners aren't interested in replacing all of their windows, Justin Liogghio, regional manager of Woodbridge Home Exteriors, said some will opt to have at least the windows in the biggest rooms replaced or in spaces such as the main living room and the bedrooms that are used most.

Hardwood floors offer elegance and value. It's no wonder that people continue to request this flooring be put in or their carpets ripped out to reveal it. To get the most aesthetic value out of hardwood flooring over time, find engineered and prefinished flooring. It can be more durable and low-maintenance. Look for bamboo or porcelain tiles that are meant to look like hardwood.

Look for more outdoor kitchens, waterfalls, pools, bar areas and fire pits. If such an expenditure is too much, consider at least putting in pavers, one local remodeler recommended.

Patrick O'Neal of Bullfrog Pest and Lawn management said clients come to the full-service landscaper for a host of improvements. But pavers give a more "closed-in" feeling.

The bottom-line, O'Neal said, is about what you want to invest in: "Would you rather spend $3,000 on a cruise or something you can walk out and enjoy every Friday night?"

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Home remodeling trends enhance health, comfort