According to a recent study from the Wine Institute, the average American drinks more than three gallons of wine each year. That’s a significant increase from just 20 years earlier. As a result, people who are considering building a new home (especially an upscale, luxury home), as well as those who are considering renovating an existing home, are asking for wine cellars—or, as is true in many instances, wine rooms.

Whether red or white, a hundred bottles or a thousand bottles, collector or consumer, building a wine cellar is a specialized project that requires a team of experts.

We can help create any wine cellar atmosphere and functionality an enthusiast craves.

Sure, you want to show off your collection. But you’re also protecting an investment when you build a specific area dedicated to storing your wine. Much creative and technical expertise goes into spaces tasked with the proper storage and aging of wine.

Our experts bring to life their clients’ vision through a collaborative and consultative approach.

If a wine space is something you are considering, you should give plenty of thought to how it will be used. To help meet your expectations, determine and work within your budget, and get the best out of your working relationship with your builder or contractor, that’s the number one issue that will inform planning and design. 

Will your wine room be used only for storage? Or will tastings be held inside? Perhaps you’ll use it for entertaining on a grander scale. Imagine, for example, hosting dinner parties or even casual tasting events for friends in your wine cellar or wine room.  Keep in mind that where the wine is stored is typically cool, so if you want an area for entertaining, the tasting room or area is typically not in the wine storage room itself.

While basements are still popular and strategic locations for wine cellars, homeowners aren’t limited to basements. Enthusiasts have converted closets, spaces under staircases, and areas more traditionally attached or linked to primary living spaces. No matter where you decide to locate your wine space, having a wine space will certainly increase your home’s value.

Regardless of size or style—sleek or classic, modern or traditional, stone or glass—building this type of amenity into any home requires ingenuity to incorporate the necessary mechanical equipment into a space that should also be breathtakingly beautiful.  Wine cellars and rooms with stone walls are particularly on-trend now. We are also seeing a trend toward more sleek and sophisticated styles.

We succeed in delivering world-class custom wine cellars that exceed client expectations. State-of-the-art products and materials in cooling, construction, finishes, lighting, and racking are sourced from trusted partners, and our installers offer unparalleled levels of craftsmanship and service.

It all adds up to wine storage and entertaining solutions to suit any taste.

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post Your Wine Storage Should Be As Personal As Your Wine Collection appeared first on Nelson's Construction.

Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing structure, incorporating plans for a home theater is easy and will increase the value of your home while also providing your family with a place to gather and watch the big game or binge your favorite tv shows. 

What makes for a good home theater isn’t necessarily cost, but planning. A home theater needs to be properly designed for the space available. In a renovation, the room available will dictate the type of screen, surround sound, and furniture you will be able to have in your home theater. If you are building a new home, the home theater should be designed with considerations for the type of equipment and furniture you plan to use in mind.    

Below we will discuss things you should consider when designing your home theater.  Keep in mind, we happily guide through this process as part of your renovation or new custom home.

Room Shape and Configuration

The size of your home theater is its most important design aspect. It will determine the size of the screen you can use and the configuration of the furniture. 

The shape of your home theater is also important to consider. Furniture configuration and viewing angles will be dictated by this shape and must be kept in mind when designing a new home theater or converting an existing room. Public movie theaters are rectangular for a reason, so that the audience’s attention is focused on the screen. The rectangle shape also helps the theater fit as many seats as they can in the available space. While you typically won’t be maximizing the number of seats in your home theater, you will want to be able to arrange as many seats as is necessary with the proper viewing angles for the screen.   

For a true “theater” feel, your baseline is a room that is 20′ x 15′ with high ceilings. A room this size will provide natural ambiance and true immersion in the film or sporting event being viewed. The room should be centrally located in the home and should have as few windows as possible, but preferably none to prevent sound and light issues. 

Finally, we mentioned “viewing distance” a few times. The typical rule for viewing distance is: take the length of the TV and double it and that gives you the minimum distance it should be viewed. Screens are different because they do not project light, they reflect it. The recommended viewing distance of a screen is roughly one-third larger than the size; so for a screen that is 100″ the minimum viewing distance is 133″. 

Acoustic Treatment

A common misconception about home theaters is that they need to be “soundproofed.” Ambient noise coming in is less likely in a private home than ambient noise bouncing around the theater itself. That is why your choice for walls, ceilings, and floors is important. 

The ceiling of your home theater should be high to help with its overall aesthetic. The walls and ceiling do not need to be soundproofed, but they do need acoustic treatments that will absorb sound waves and prevent sound from bouncing around the room. The floor of your home theater should be carpeted wall-to-wall for the same reason. 

Speakers should be inconspicuously placed and arranged by a professional to get the most out of the equipment and your experience. There are many options for equipment that will fit into any budget. We will cover that in the next section. 

Different Types of Equipment

Now that you have your home theater space designed properly for viewing and sound, it is time to choose your equipment. Depending on your budget and your expectations, there is a wide range of options available. 

Projectors: 

Projectors have come a long way from the early days of home theaters. Now they are available in HD and 4K and they offer a picture that is as crisp and clear as a TV. You do not need to buy the most expensive projector to get the best quality picture. Choose the projector that fits your screen and your budget. As a client, our A/V team will help you choose the projector that makes the most sense for you.

TVs:

One of the advantages of having a screen in your home theater used to be the size of the picture, but now they make televisions as large as some projection screens. An 85″ TV may be a better fit for your home theater space than a projection screen. Just remember what we said about viewing distance. Always keep the proper viewing distance and angles in mind when you are making decisions about equipment and furniture. 

Surround Sound: 

No home theater is truly wireless because each component needs a power source, but many surround sound speakers are now wireless and can be controlled with an app on your phone. We will be able to advise you on the correct speaker configuration for your home theater space and help ensure you buy equipment that fits in your space so you don’t have speakers that are too powerful for the available area because it could ruin your experience.  

Hire an Experienced Contractor

Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing structure, hiring an experienced contractor will help you get the most benefit from your home theater design. 

If you end up choosing us for your remodel/renovation or new custom home we will be able to design and build the proper home theater space with the correct equipment so you and your family will get the most enjoyment out of your investment. 

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post Your Home Theater Design Simplified appeared first on Nelson's Construction.

If you’re serious about your golf game, you can have a golf simulator added to your new custom home or an existing home, and you don’t have to be Rory McIlroy or Dustin Johnson to enjoy this technology. You can choose from various options that come with as many or few bells and whistles as you want. Most golf simulators are pricey. But for anyone really into the game, a simulator is worth the money; you’ll enjoy countless hours of practice and pleasure.

Creating the space or “studio” for your simulator and installing the gear is something with which our team has plenty of experience. Our team have worked with homeowners to build their dream homes and retrofit existing homes to achieve the same goal.

Due to increased interest and access, the market for home golf simulators is bigger than ever before, and golfers should be able to find an appropriate match at almost any budget, from $1,000 to $100,000+.

Overview

If possible, most golfers prefer to have a permanent dedicated space for their simulator set-up. Although some enjoy the flexibility, versatility, and lower costs associated with portable models. Space is the only essential that needs to be met before one begins choosing components. You will need a space that measures at least 12 feet long by 12 feet wide. The minimum ceiling height for most systems is 9 feet. A good rule of thumb is to grab your driver and take it to the room or space you’re considering using. Take a few slow backswings to see if your club hits the ceiling. If so, you’ll need to find a spot with more clearance. If not, you’re ready to research the options and start making decisions.

Your golf studio will need the following items: a golf simulator or a launch monitor with golf simulation, a computer or iPad to run your simulation software, a golf mat, a simulator screen, and a projector. Some people prefer to use a golf net rather than a screen and projector, which is a valid option. Some manufacturers offer kits that include all these items, making the buying and set-up almost effortless. The bottom line is that there is no cookie-cutter solution for choosing a simulator; yours can be custom built to suit your needs and meet your desires.

And rest assured, it’s unlikely you’ll ever get bored with or tired of the selection of courses you can play; most simulators offer more than enough famous courses to keep your interest, and several offer software updates that add new courses regularly. Some even allow you to create your courses, both from scratch and by mixing and matching holes from various courses.

Let’s take a quick look at the various elements that will make up your golf space:

Mats: Available at multiple price points, your hitting mat is something you should not cut corners on. More expensive to manufacture than you might expect, mats are truly essential to your experience. A top-quality, premium mat will last longer and help prevent injuries. Costs vary from $300 to over $1,000.

Projectors: With projectors, it’s important to recognize that you get what you pay for! Lower-priced options are likely to frustrate you with longevity, quality, and usability issues. The midtier to higher priced projectors will impress you with a bright image and vivid color. 

Golf Simulator and/or Launch Monitor: So what exactly is the difference between these, and do you need just one or both? First of all, every simulator is also a launch monitor, but the reverse is not true. With a simulator, you hit a ball, and the simulator simulates how your shot plays out on a screen, projector, or laptop. The launch monitor, either built into the simulator or separately, determines the distance of your shot, virtual or otherwise. Some might opt for a launch monitor only for the sake of convenience; launch monitors are more portable and easier to pack and store. Launch monitors are quite accurate, with high-end versions expected to be accurate within about 5 yards. Mid-range models are accurate within approximately 10 yards. Simulators will deliver similar accuracy.

Screen: An impact screen or net is necessary to prevent damage to your walls from errant balls. You may even wish to put netting around your impact screen for the best possible coverage.

All-in-One Packages

As previously mentioned, many companies also make packages available that include all of the required elements. The absolute best of the best with a price that’s at the top of the range is the Golfzon Vision Premium, chosen by Golf Digest as Best Golf Simulator three years in a row. The Vision Premium includes the following benefits and features:

• Multi-surface hitting mats
• High definition projector
• Moving swing plate that tilts and adjusts based on the lie 
• Smart auto tee-up
• Online community where you can connect with others, so you never have to “play” alone
• Swing replay
• 190 world-class course simulations with no-added-cost updates
• Live online festivals and events
• Junior tee-box (perfect for teaching your children the game)
• Up to six players at a time
• 72-hour maximum build-out time

Golfzon makes the bestselling golf simulators in the world. And according to Golf Digest, among the package’s biggest draws is that “While most simulators have a stationary, one-surface mat, Vision Premium boasts a moving platform, which provides uphill, sidehill, and downhill lies along with three hitting surfaces fairway, rough, sand.” It’s a luxury golf experience at home.

With a home golf simulator, you can play golf regardless of the weather, improve your game, and entertain friends and family. If you’re a lover of the game, don’t you deserve the most enjoyable simulated golf experience possible?

If you’d like to learn more or chat with someone who has experience constructing and installing in-home golf spaces, remember: our team has decades of experience working on projects like this. We would love the opportunity to share our knowledge with you and ensure that the choices you make for your golf simulator are the very best ones for you and your family. 

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post You Can Golf Everyday of the Year With A Golf Simulator appeared first on Nelson's Construction.

If you’re looking to get yourself into a new home fast, a modular design may very well help you get your house built in half the time. They are an easy design that we can finish quickly because a majority of the home is built in the factory.  

The build time for a modular home is also reduced due to the less inspections required with modular designs. The factory usually completes many of the inspections before the homes are shipped to the consumer. The ease of assembly and the already pre-checked materials make modular homes an ideal choice for those looking to save time.

When Customization Isn’t As Important As Cost

Modular homes tend to be cost-effective because they don’t take long to build. Since a majority of the home is built in the factory, there is much less customization available than a new custom home.  However, some customization can still come later through the addition of exterior and interior accents that suit your aesthetic. 

Quality of Indoor Construction

Because a modular home is built in a factory, the interior portion of the home is not ever open to the elements. 

Energy Efficient

Because they are manufactured, modular homes reduce waste materials, which in turn improves energy-efficiency. Many modular homes on the market are also built from recycled materials, so waste is even further reduced. 

Modular homes are also well insulated, so your heating and ventilation won’t leak out of spaces around doors and windows and waste money. 

Selling Land

If you have a land that you are looking to sell, oftentimes your land will sell faster if a home exists on it.  Depending on the neighborhood and your architectural desire, land with a modular home could sell faster.  Buyers can also get approved easier for financing of land with a home which opens up your buyers pool.

How We Can Help

We are the premier home builder in our area.  From stick built homes to modular homes, we have a vast experience with all residential home construction.  We can help you through the entire process of getting your modular home placed, constructed, and moved into.

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post When Does A Modular Home Make Sense? appeared first on Nelson's Construction.

The fact is, there’s just something magical about outdoor movie nights. Proper planning will allow you to work with the space available at home and make the best of it.

To start with, here are the necessities you’ll need to host your own top-quality outdoor movie night.

Equipment

An integral part of your outdoor movie experience is the equipment you use. Getting the electronics in order is step one. 

Below is a list of the equipment you’re going to need:

Projector

While moving your TV outside is a possibility, it’s not the best option.  If you’re hoping for a quality experience, invest in a projector. There are options available in every budget range that will work well. The following factors are important when considering a projector for use in outdoor movie viewing:

• Lumens: The lumen rating of a projector determines its brightness output. Projector models with a lumen range between 2,500 to 4,000 work well.  The more light a projector outputs, the sooner your movie night can begin. A brighter projector makes it possible to start the movie right after sunset instead of needing to wait an additional 30 minutes for it to get darker.
• Matching Input: The projector you choose must have a connection input that fits your laptop, Apple TV, Blu-ray player, or whichever other media player you opt to use. 
• Resolution: It is vital to get a projector with a resolution well-suited for your purposes. A projector with 1080p resolution or a 4K projector is acceptable.
• Size: When buying a projector, keep in mind how big your screen is and how far away the projector will need to be to project to the size of your choice.

Media Player

You will need a disc-based system like a laptop, Apple TV, DVD, or Blu-ray player to play a movie. If you have a good Wi-Fi connection, you can use a streaming device. Whichever video source you opt for, don’t overlook sound quality. You don’t want to select a media player that will be too complex to connect with a sound system. Streaming devices, like the Fire Stick, connect directly to the HDMI input on your projector and are designed to draw power from the projector’s USB to stream movies via Wi-Fi.

Screen

Outdoor screens come in different shapes and sizes. Among the options are inflatables and stand-mounted screens. Your environment will determine the screen size and type you should get. For instance, if you are setting up in a windy area, it is advisable to get screen support anchors to keep your screen in place. You can also easily cut corners with the screen by hanging a white sheet or projecting the movie on a wall of your home. However, with this approach, you sacrifice viewing quality.

Sound System

Usually, projectors come with built-in speakers but don’t expect them to provide the deep, rich sound needed for an outdoor movie. Only an external powered speaker system can do that. And the variety of options when it comes to sound systems for outdoor movies is extensive. The key to achieving a robust and high-quality sound is to match your speaker input to your projector. The size of the speaker you will need might depend on the space you have.  In some instances, you can also have the audio play through outdoor speakers and/or your landscape speakers.

Suitable Location

Where you set up your outdoor cinema depends on how your home is built and situated and the geography of your yard or property. You should also make sure the location you choose for movie night is sheltered from the wind if possible.

Comfy Seats

An essential element of an outdoor movie night is the seating. So when you’re planning yours,  pay attention to the seating arrangement. There is a wide array of seating options from which you can choose. Lawn chairs, loungers, bean bags, sling chairs are popular options. 

If you don’t want to stress over seating, however, you can always spread a large blanket over the ground. 

Ambiance

If you’re going to be inviting people to your home for an open-air movie night, you have to make the experience as enjoyable as it can be. Make the area warm and cozy. Incorporating warm lighting if you can. Hurricane candles create an ambiance that’s perfect for watching movies. And if there are trees nearby, you can string lights through them.

Having an outdoor moving night is a great addition to your outdoor living.  As part of your existing home renovation or new custom home we can help you determine a potential location where an outdoor movie night would be best suited based on your land.

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post What’s Needed For An Outdoor Movie Night? appeared first on Nelson's Construction.

It can be tricky to choose what suits your needs best with so many options available. But each piece can add a different charming aspect to your landscape with a simple touch.

Fire Pits

A popular choice for outdoor entertaining is the ever-useful fire pit. It provides a place for leisure where you and your guests can gather around and enjoy the warmth and comfort of the fire. They also provide an interesting focal point for any parties or family gatherings you might have. 

They can be used as a place to talk and tell stories, or you can have your own campfire cookout right in your backyard. They come in a variety of forms that vary in style and shape so they will suit the aesthetic of your backyard. It can be constructed with stonework, metal, a mixture of both, or even marble. 

Fire Bowls

A fire bowl is ideal for nearby a pool as it is less of a center point for gathering and works more as a place for casual warming. Once you’ve been swimming all day and a chill starts to settle in they can be hugely beneficial. They also add a gentle, warm ambiance while you’re grilling or enjoying the pool. 

With this little added element you can change the atmosphere of your backyard entirely. Not only does it add function, but charm as well. They can be made of ceramic, stone, tile, metal, and other common materials. 

Fire Tables

The appeal of a fire table has everything to do with function. It isn’t just somewhere you gather to sit and talk, but where you can have your meals and entertain in a comfortable and unique way. These can either run on natural gas or propane and have a multitude of sleek and modern styles to suit the aesthetic needs of your landscape. 

Imagine all of the evenings you will spend with friends or family enjoying a meal around the warmth and ambiance of a proper fire. 

Woodburning

There are many options to consider if you’re wanting to go the route of a wood burning piece in your backyard. There are wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and of course the trusty fire pit that can add a rustic charm to any home. There are even portable wood burning appliances such as the SoloStove or Breo which can help your fire be virtually smokeless.  

The scent and the crackling of a wood fire can be very enticing for you, your family and guests.

How We Can Help

Regardless of what exactly you’re looking for to liven up the landscape of your backyard, we know how to help. Our expertise is making a simple house into a home by adding your creativity into the mix. We are the premier home builder, consultant, and renovator in our area.  It is our passion and our mission to provide our clients with homes that will serve them, their families, and their children for years to come. 

As part of your new custom home or existing home renovation/remodel, we are happy to guide you in selecting the fire pieces to beautify your landscape. 

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post Using Fire to Add Beauty to Your Landscape appeared first on Nelson's Construction.

The last resort you vacationed most likely had an indoor pool. So does the high-end gym or health spa in your town. Your kids’ school probably has one. And many homes throughout the United States have one. What are we talking about?

Indoor pools.

So why can’t you have one? Or can you?

The mere idea of it feels dreamy. You can easily envision yourself doing laps early in the morning before the rest of the family has woken. Or late in the evening after a long, stressful day of work. So relaxing. The kids could have private swim lessons right at home. And can you imagine a better birthday party venue for your little ones?

It turns out that if you want an indoor pool, you can have one. It isn’t the easiest, nor is it inexpensive to add a private indoor pool to your custom home plans or existing home. But it can be done, and there are plenty of reasons why you might want to. There’s also a lot to consider and really think about before pulling the trigger.

If you are seriously considering adding an indoor pool, the first thing to do is discuss this option with us.   With our experience we can share in greater detail the process, the pitfalls, and so much more that you’d likely never think to ask on your own. Our team have years of experience building, renovating, and remodeling homes—many with pools—throughout the our region.

What to Consider

The ability to control every aspect of the pool’s environment is one of the biggest draws of the indoor pool. You can swim 365 days a year without having to clean up leaves or other outdoor debris. You can swim when it’s dark outside, and you can even include skylights, lots of sliding glass doors and panels, or even a retractable roof if you want to. Perhaps you want your indoor pool area to have amenities such as changing rooms, exercise facilities, a sauna or steam room, showers, or a wet bar. Your imagination and your budget are the only limits.

But it’s also many of these same features that add cost and potential maintenance issues later on. First and foremost, you cannot have an indoor pool without its own HVAC system. Consistent humidity and temperature levels are critical to comfort, air quality, and maintenance and upkeep costs. These systems are so crucial that, in many cases, they are the most expensive aspects of the entire pool-building process. An appropriate HVAC set-up also helps control evaporation.

Indoor pool owners should also invest in the best quality automatic pool cover they can afford, as this is the most effective means of reducing monthly energy costs.

Deck drainage is another consideration not to be overlooked, since puddling and wet decking can cause evaporation and increase humidity. Radiant flooring is also recommended as another way to address standing water and increase comfort.

And don’t forget about a pool heater and lighting.

Indoor pools also have the potential to cause mold growth and freeze/thaw damage behind walls if structural framing isn’t adequately addressed.

And then there is the matter of space? Do you have enough? For the pool, decking, and amenities you choose, and an equipment room? The most common sizes for indoor pools are 8’ x 15’, 12’ by 24’, and 30’ by 50’. Additional space for decking, amenities, and equipment and mechanicals needs to be added to those size estimates.

It should also be noted that while an outdoor in-ground pool can be built and then enclosed and/or attached to a home at a future point, this is not recommended. For the cost, it would be better to start all over with new, indoor pool construction. Doing it right the first time and ensuring your plan includes all you want it to is more efficient and less costly in the long run.

Once you’ve considered the above factors and their costs, it’s time to begin thinking about the kind of pool you want.

Types of Indoor Pools

Like outdoor pools, indoor pools are made of three types of materials: fiberglass, concrete or gunite, or vinyl liner.

Fiberglass: Fiberglass pools are a popular option. They are low maintenance and easy to clean, and manufacturers estimate owners spend as much as 75% less time and money maintaining fiberglass pools than other pool types. Since they are manufactured shells, they are easy to install, and installation can be completed in a matter of a few days. They are also durable and attractive.

They do cost more, however, than vinyl liner pools, and they are not customizable in size or shape.

Concrete/Gunite: On the other hand, concrete pools are entirely customizable, which is their most significant advantage. They are also durable, and many consider them to be the most attractive option. But they require more hands-on maintenance; algae and mold growth can be a terrible problem because of the porous nature of concrete. Because of this concern, more chemicals are necessary to maintain concrete, which adds to both short- and long-term costs. Concrete pools also have longer-term maintenance requirements, including periodic acid washing and replastering. Due to the custom nature of every concrete pool, installation can take quite a bit of time. Also, a concrete pool’s surface is abrasive and can be uncomfortable underfoot.

Vinyl Liner: This is the most affordable pool option, which makes it quite popular. Shapes and sizes can be customized (although customization adds to the cost). The biggest drawback to a vinyl liner pool is the frequency with which the liner needs to be replaced—once every 5 to 9 years. Over a lifetime, liner replacement costs can mean owners pay more than they would have if they had gone with a different option. While easy to clean and more comfortable underfoot than a concrete pool, this pool type does require more cleaning and maintenance than a fiberglass pool.

That’s your basic indoor pool primer in a nutshell.  If you imagine an indoor pool as a part of your lifestyle and you have the budget for it but want to talk it over a little more or have questions, remember: Our team have years of experience working on projects like this. We would love the opportunity to share their knowledge with you and ensure the pool choices you make are the very best ones for you and your family. 

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post The Case For an Indoor Pool appeared first on Nelson's Construction.

Features of Sonos:

Limitless Music Library

One of the most impressive features of Sonos as a whole-house audio system is its expensive streaming library. With Sonos, there is no limit to the songs you can listen to. You not only get to play songs from your playlist, but you can also stream music online and do it from any room in your home.

Simultaneous Playing

Another fantastic feature of Sonos is that it lets you play different music from different rooms. Imagine enjoying your favorite country music uninterrupted while your teen daughter rocks to pop music in her room and your teenage son listens to his favorite rap album. Different premium sounds can be streamed around your home. Nobody has to disturb the other.

Ease of Control

Sonos provides a way to manage your home audio with zero hassle. Once you install Sonos as your full home sound system, the rest is easy. You don’t really need technical know-how to operate it. This audio system is designed with an intuitive app that lets you play—or stream—and control your music from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Easy peasy, right?

Merging of Old and New Systems

You don’t have to discard your existing audio system. You can integrate your new setup into your existing home automation system. A Sonos connect amp lets you convert your speakers into a music streaming device. It doesn’t require much. Just attach the amplifier, and you can start streaming music to your room.

No Call Disturbance

Most wireless speaker systems are designed to stream music through Bluetooth connection. This means that your music gets to pause whenever a text or phone call comes into your phone. Not with Sonos. With Sonos, you can enjoy an uninterrupted music experience. Because it is designed to stream music through a wireless internet connection, the music keeps playing regardless of the notifications your phone receives.  

Wireless System

Most full-home sound systems are set up with a lot of wires. Imagine how messy the display of wires can be. Not to think of the stress of dealing with so many wires and making sure they are plugged correctly. Sonos, on the other hand, has a wireless control system. It is controlled through an app that allows you to play music from your phone. This means considerably fewer wires and, subsequently, less mess.

Customizable For Any Home

Whether your home is very big or small, you can get a Sonos system that suits it. From Play:1 to Play:5, Sonos comes in a wide array of options that can fit into your needs. Our team are well equipped to size up your home and determine what Sonos system is the right fit for your space. And if in the future you wish to expand the system, you can get it done.

Is It Worth The Money?

Maybe you’re considering Sonos as an audio solution for your home, but you’ve checked online, and the price seems to scare you off. You doubt it’s going to be worth it. Let’s go on a short trip to revisit history. Sonos came about as a brand in 2005 at a time when home audio was wired systems with separate amplifiers, loudspeakers, and of course, cables. There were three major problems with the pre-existing systems:

• Audio can’t stream across multiple rooms simultaneously – even if it’s the same stream.
• They came in large components that occupied space
• They were designed with many cables that can be messy

Sonos as a company sought to solve these problems, and with every product release, they did. Following its success in the market, other brands such as Apple have developed their own multi-room audio systems. Most of them have actually priced their products higher than Sonos. Compared to its competitors, Sonos multi-room audio is designed to match every home’s listening requirements, no matter how out of the box it might seem. But at the same time, it is not the most expensive on the market. There are even newly introduced speakers like the Play 1 that are more affordable.

Sonos as a brand offers a distinguishing level of usability, sound quality, and longevity. These three qualities make any Sonos system you get for your home worth every penny. Sonos might not be suitable for people who are after cheap bluetooth speakers. But if you’re looking for a blend of quality sound, convenience, and wireless functionality, Sonos is just for you.

How to Choose The Right Sonos Speakers for You

There is a wide variety of Sonos speakers, from the Move to the Beam. And recently, the company has introduced more updated sets of speakers. Our team of A/V experts are equipped to help you determine which Sonos set best suits your lifestyle needs. 

With the right set of professionals, there is so much you can achieve with Sonos. There are a ton of ways you can configure your Sonos system. For example, you can configure yours to fill every room with music once you press a button. Sonos offers a distinguished level of full home audio system. Get the right pick, and you’ll be glad you did.

If you’re looking to install whole home audio or upgrade your existing audio system to Sonos, please consider talking with our experienced team. Having been in the business of building custom homes and renovating and remodeling existing homes all around our region, we are undoubtedly your best go-to.

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post Sonos For Your Full Home Sound System? appeared first on Nelson's Construction.

We’ve all done it at least once and probably several times. You’re in the car on the way to work. Or, even worse, on the way to the airport for a flight for a business trip or a long-awaited vacation. And you get that little tickle in your brain.

Did I lock the front door? Did I close the garage door? Did I turn the coffeemaker off? Did my daughter unplug her flat iron?

It’s always something, right? But what do you do? Do you turn around and go home to deal with the what-ifs? Do you try to forget about it and assume your home is safe and secure? Do you call a neighbor to check it out? And wait, does that neighbor even have a key?

It doesn’t have to be stressful. You can be assured your home is safe, you can save time, and you can save money. With smart home automation.

Our team of experts have helped families in our area automate their homes, whether as a part of new home construction or the remodeling or renovation of an existing home.

Do you own a robotic vacuum? Or Amazon’s Alexa device? If so, you’re a part of the 90% of Americans who are already on the home automation bandwagon. But did you know that aside from simplifying your day, installing smart home systems and technology can save you upward of 30 minutes a day and as much as $2,000 a year in household bills? If such facts sound appealing to you and you haven’t yet put much thought into automating your home, perhaps now is the time to do so.

According to the team, the absolute best smart home technologies to include in your new build or renovation project are systems that address energy management, home security, and lighting. Such systems are generally internet-connected, making it easy to control essential features of your home (and, by extension, your life) from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Energy Management

Heating and cooling, especially while you are away from home, can be vexing and expensive. Maybe you’ve tried one of those thermostats you can schedule? Those buggy, complicated, and decidedly non-intuitive devices that hooked into your existing HVAC system and that you controlled through a panel on your wall? Those devices that were so difficult to use that they were barely worth your time or energy? Yeah. Today’s smart technology energy management systems are nothing like that. With installation by us, today’s advanced (and easy to use) systems ensure your home will always be comfortable and that you’ll save money.

From smart thermostats to temperature sensors to even smart vents which open and close to help regulate temperature by room, we can guide you when it comes to automating your heating and cooling.

Home Security

More families than ever are opting in for automated security systems, which allow you to both manage and monitor alarms, cameras, door locks, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors right from your phone. No longer will you have to turn your car around or cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Lighting

Automating your lighting is another avenue to saving money—and your sanity. Do you have family members who turn lights on in every room they enter? And yet it never occurs to them to turn them off? A smart home lighting system allows you to turn them off with a click of a virtual switch on your phone or if there is no activity for a certain period of time, the light can be programmed to turn off by itself.  You can also easily program lights to turn on or off 45 minutes before or after sunrise/sunset respectively.  

Or perhaps you like to turn on outdoor lights at night for an added layer of security. No need to go back downstairs to flip the switches. Now you can do so from your tablet—in bed or have them programmed automatically. 

We can install a system for you that allows you to set lighting timers and control motion detectors as well.

Additional Home Automation Options

As the market for such systems and devices grows, so do the innovations. Today you can buy smart appliances—including washers and dryers that connect to your wireless network and alert you to maintenance or repair needs and refrigerators that can help you keep on top of your shopping list.

Smart outlets also connect to your wireless network and are a favorite of our team. Turn off that coffeemaker or hair appliance by shutting off the outlet, again, right from your phone.

Voice-controlled assistants (like Alexa or Google Assistant) and whole-home entertainment systems make life easy and streamline our daily schedules. They can also connect to our other automation systems and provide another means for controlling, for example, our thermostats and lights.

Clearly, the benefits of home automation are significant, from savings and safety to comfort and peace of mind. Whether you just want to dip your toes into automation or you’re ready to do all the automation, you’ll need an experienced, professional partner to lead the way. We would be happy to help discuss your home automation options for your new custom home or existing home renovation.

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post Simplify Your Life with Home Automation appeared first on Nelson's Construction.

If you are a basketball player or fan or want to instill a love for the game in your children, you can have your own hoop or court at home, and it can be as simple or elaborate as you want. At-home basketball is just a part of a growing trend toward bringing fitness and recreation home. Our experienced team have plenty of experience in constructing pools, tennis courts, golf simulators, and more for their custom home clients. The team also works with clients who are renovating or remodeling existing homes in our region.

If a basketball hoop or court is something you’re interested in, read on to learn about the available space you’ll need, the decisions that need to be made concerning products and quality, and more.

Outdoor Hoops and Courts

The considerations for playing basketball outdoors at home include court surfacing, hoop, rim, and backboard types, and backboard supports.

Space is perhaps the most critical element to consider if you‘re thinking about adding a court to your home. While a regulation NBA court is 50 feet by 94 feet, the average backyard court is 60 feet by 90 feet. A half-court is also an option and would measure 30 feet by 50 feet. Of course, if you’re looking just to shoot around, a driveway hoop is a simple option.

Several playing surfaces are available and chosen based on the location of the court and personal preference.

Asphalt, for example, is the No.1 most common outdoor surface. It is inexpensive and stands up well to potentially harsh weather conditions. It will, however, break down over time. Asphalt is prone to chipping and cracking and may require repair or resurfacing occasionally. It can also be hard to fall on, contributing to cuts, scrapes, and other injuries.

Multi-purpose plastic flooring has also become popular for outdoor basketball (and indoor basketball, too) and delivers excellent traction and safety as well as reliable bounce. It’s a perfect option if you have room in your backyard for your playing area, as such flooring adapts easily for soccer, street hockey, tennis, and volleyball as well. Multi-purpose flooring consists of a smooth concrete slab topped with modular snap-together polypropylene plastic tiles. The tiles come in numerous colors, stand up well against the elements, and are less hard on the body.

High-end advanced multi-purpose flooring is another option. Such options typically consist of a layer of rubber sandwiched between the concrete slab and plastic tiles. This system offers better shock absorption, increased sound dampening, and enhanced durability and moisture resistance.

As for the hoop itself, three main options exist—in-ground, portable, and wall-mounted. If you plan to live in your home for the foreseeable future, an in-ground hoop, one that is set in concrete and properly leveled, might be the right choice for you. It’s more stable and secure and recommended for players who are serious about the game.

Portable hoops are currently the most popular option, and they are easy to transport and install. They typically require that the base of the hoop be filled with sand or water to ensure stability. The primary drawback to portables is that they are more prone to movement and vibrations (both of which can negatively impact performance) than in-ground or wall-mounted hoops.

Portables have also taken a bite out of the market for wall-mounted hoops due to their ease and convenience. But don’t count wall-mounted hoops out. They are more stable (since they are attached to a building) and are an excellent choice for driveway-based courts.

Rims are another critical element of your outdoor basketball court. Most include a breakaway mechanism to relieve tension and minimize the risk of breaking the backboard when the ball is dunked. Rim options include standard, exposed spring breakaway rims, and enclosed spring breakaway rims.

Standard rims have fallen somewhat out of favor with the introduction to the market of breakaway rims. Unfortunately, standard rims tend to bend, break, or warp over time, especially with dunking. If you anticipate a lot of training or playing with only lay-ups and regular shots, a standard rim may be an option to consider.

Most of the rims sold today are of the exposed spring variety. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best option for everyone, though. In humid climates, the exposed springs may rust, and this rim style frequently results in play that is too bouncy. Repeated dunking will still wear down the mechanism.

Enclosed spring rims are the top shelf of basketball rims. At the higher-end, you’ll have a set-up similar to those in professional arenas because of the design and quality materials that go into these rims. And the enclosed springs are much less exposed to the elements, thus extending this style of rim’s overall lifespan.

There are also three main options for backboards: acrylic, polycarbonate, and tempered glass.

A quality, durable acrylic backboard is a middle-tier product that delivers more bounce than polycarbonate, which is an appropriate choice for a simple recreational driveway hoop. Polycarbonate backboards are constructed of rigid plastic. While polycarbonates hold up well against the elements, play performance is less impressive, with less bounce and less forceful returns.

Tempered glass is the choice for serious players, used in gyms throughout the country, and contributes to the best possible gameplay. Still, tempered glass is glass, and a glass backboard is more likely to break than one made of polycarbonate or acrylic plastic.

Backboards come in multiple sizes and shapes, too. While most are square, fan-shaped backboards are also available. Square-shaped blackboards are available in sizes between 42 inches and 72 inches (which is regulation).

Regardless of the materials a backboard is made of, choosing one that includes padding is the safest option.

You might also consider a hoop that is easily adjustable for height (handle and crank models are a breeze to adjust). Most hoops adjust from 7.5 to 10 feet (which is regulation).

Indoor Hoops and Courts

If you can swing an indoor court, it’s an option worth considering. An indoor court can grow and adapt to the needs of your family, allow you to control myriad aspects of the basketball-playing environment, and allow for play 365 days a year.

Generally speaking, you have all the same options as an outdoor hoop, with one exception: flooring.

Hardwood is an excellent option, but not for outdoor playing. Most hardwood basketball courts are made of maple and are easily damaged by exposure to sun, rain, and other weather conditions.

It seems that most indoor hoops are wall-mounted. If you opt to go with an indoor court and wall-mounted hoops, you should add edge padding to your backboard. Padding protects against injuries, including sprains and fractures, that could otherwise result from forceful confrontations with the backboard.

With a home basketball hoop or court, you can provide your family with an excellent option for exercise and fitness and teach your children the ins and out of not only the game but sportsmanship in general. If you’re a lover of the game, don’t you deserve the best b-ball experience possible?

If you’d like to learn more or chat with someone who has experience constructing and installing home basketball courts, remember: Our team have years of experience working on projects like this. They’d love the opportunity to share their knowledge with you and ensure that, whether indoor or outdoor, the choices you make for your home basketball court are the very best ones for you and your family. 

For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

The post Serious Players and Fans Deserve to Have Their Own At-Home Basketball Court appeared first on Nelson's Construction.