In today’s Inspector Insights article, we’re going to key in on one of these old school home features that was once ubiquitous between 1880 and the 1940s: knob and tube wiring.
An older home feature that’s seeing some resurgence lately is the transom window, also known as transom lights or the rectangular/semicircular window situated above doors or other traditional windows. These windows were originally designed to feed natural light into homes at a height that still offered privacy, and many opened and closed for increased ventilation. These two innovations were greatly appreciated at the time because homes didn’t have artificial lighting or modern ventilation solutions that we enjoy today. While transom windows are now mostly sought after for their visual appeal, some of their past benefits could make them game changers in the modern home (hint: it’s not as a ventilation solution). More and more, scientists, psychologists, and homeowners alike are realizing the value of natural lighting as people spend more and more time indoors and out of the sun. Let’s discuss some of the impacts natural lighting has on our bodies, and how home designers are working to bring more of the sunshine inside. Why is Natural Lighting so Important?Natural lighting has a powerful impact on humans, their bodies, their minds, their overall health, and even their quality of sleep. This all starts with a nutrient called vitamin D, or
As we enter into the fall, the college football and NFL seasons are finally underway. Practice is over, and the time for speculation and prognostication has ended. Now it’s time for players to make plays, and for all of the hours put in during the offseason to lead to some tangible results. In other words, it’s game time. Success at any level of football ultimately goes back to the playbook: both the team’s knowledge of the plays and whether those plays fit the team’s personnel. The right playbook really can be the difference between just another mediocre season and taking home some hardware, so you can bet that fans everywhere are hoping their teams did their homework heading into this season. In our everyday lives, we usually do not have the benefit of a playbook to help us make our decisions. We don’t have a personalized guide we can follow to file our taxes, no coaches telling us which car to buy, and no scouting report that outlines how we should raise our kids. But when it comes to buying and maintaining a home (shockingly), we sort of do. When purchasing a house, buyers order a home inspection from a
The experience of moving into a new home has an element of excitement and an element of stress. Either way you slice it, a new home is a new adventure. While adults tend to have the maturity to navigate moving with an adequate amount of grace, change is tough on a kid. Inevitably, emotions can run high. Some moves are planned, but others can be more short notice, the result of a career change or a dream home becoming available. Most families try to move during the summer, seeking a smoother transition for school-aged children, but moving during the school year can have its own benefits with the right preparation. If you’re anticipating a major move during this school year, here are a few tips to help your kids through the transition. Mid-Year Moves vs. Summertime SwitchesFirst things first, summer is a clear favorite for homebuyers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best time for kids to get a first impression of their new school or their new neighborhood. Parents that facilitate their kids’ transition to a new home, especially one in a new town or a new state, should prioritize plugging their kids into a new community. Oftentimes,
The human being is known to have five senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. While many might consider sight to be the most important sense for people in their everyday lives, scientists actually recognize smell as the “strongest sense.” This is because, as writers like Colleen Walsh at the Harvard Gazette acknowledge, smell is the sense that is most linked with emotion and memory. Have you ever smelled a favorite dish and were instantly transported to a memory of your childhood home or a trip to grandma’s house? The phenomena you’re experiencing is your olfactory senses doing what it does best by reaching through your limbic system (with a quick pit-stop by your amygdala and/or hippocampus) and tossing out one of those cozy core memories. Just as we enjoy these trips down memory lane, smells can also remind us of moments we might rather forget, whether from visiting the home of a frequent smoker, or a friend with a few too many cats. Houses can develop odor for many different reasons, so if you’ve found yours smelling a bit off lately, let’s discuss a few of the more common (and often misdiagnosed) causes. #1: Take Out the TrashThe first
If you’ve ever lived in an area that experiences above-average flooding (or just anywhere in the South), odds are you’re very familiar with crawl spaces. A foundation style different from concrete slabs or full basements, crawl spaces are a fairly common feature in homes that allow for easy access to things like plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems under the home. Their shorter excavation time also makes them a more cost-effective option for new builds. There are many advantages to buying a home with a crawl space, but with each advantage, there’s also a concern homeowners should be aware of. Let’s discuss a few of the most common — and costly — issues you may encounter in that little space under your floorboards. 1. Moisture, Musty Smells, and MoldThe first issue that homes with crawl spaces face is the unaddressed buildup of moisture beneath the home. So-called crawl spaces earn their names due to a very low clearance height, with a majority of these spaces measuring three feet or lower. It’s understandable that homeowners don’t make it a habit of exploring these areas regularly, but a lack of attention anywhere around the home tends to lead to problems down the
The Most Influential Art School For Home Design Every decade, homes seem to take on a whole new look. Is minimalism the new trend? Are we heading back to cozy cottage-core vibes? And who decides whether our living rooms are pleasantly retro or out-of-date? Interior design philosophies and architectural styles cycle in and out of fashion, but one early twentieth-century art movement has shown a staying power that separates it from the pack. Of course, we’re talking about what was probably the most impactful art school in history when it comes to the way the modern home looks: the Bauhaus. What exactly has made Bauhaus designs so impactful, and where can its influence still be seen today? Let’s take a jaunt down memory lane to find out! What Was the Bauhaus?First established in Weimar, Germany, the so-called “Bauhaus” was an art school masterminded by Walter Gropius in part to combat the unique challenges of its day. World War I had ravaged Western Europe, and people like Gropius were seeing an increasing divide between the fine arts and the applied arts. Society needed to rebuild, and for the fine arts to be part of that reconstruction, Bauhaus artists developed innovative and
By Lauren from Allied Van Lines Moving to a new city or state is an exciting adventure, but it can also be stressful. Even after the initial chaos of the move subsides, unpacking and settling in can take a while. Here are some key unpacking strategies to help you feel comfortable and at home in your new place as soon as possible. 1. Pack an Essentials Box for Easy Access One of the most important tips for both packing and unpacking is to create a designated “essentials box.” Before you move, compile a list of items you’ll need right away, including: Clothes for a week Medications and toiletries First-aid kit Chargers for electronics Snacks and drinks Having this box readily available in your car will make the first few days in your new home much smoother. 2. Prioritize Utility Connections and Major Appliances Ensure a smooth transition by scheduling utility connections (electricity, water, internet) well in advance. Ideally, have them turned on before you even arrive. This allows you to focus on unpacking essentials upon arrival. Next, prioritize unpacking and setting up major appliances like the stove, refrigerator, and coffee maker. If you work remotely, prioritize setting up internet access
There will always be new technologies and attractions that vie for our attention, but in recent years, “screen time” and other indoor distractions have become more dominant than ever in capturing our kids’ interest. All parents should want their kids to spend time outdoors for many reasons, but here are just a few benefits: With the school year coming to a close, the time is now to prepare for outdoor activities. If you don’t want your kids glued to their screens all summer, here are a few ideas that just might encourage them to spend more time out of the house. Make Your Yard a DestinationOne reason why some kids have limited enthusiasm for spending time outside is they simply haven’t found “their game” quite yet. If you’re willing to make a small investment and do a little DIY, there are a number of ways to transform your front or backyard from boring, unused space into the talk of the neighborhood. 1. Get a Basketball HoopBasketball is a great source of exercise for all ages, and a hoop can be enjoyed by many people at once or a single person at a time.Whether playing “Horse,” jumping into a one-on-one game,
Becoming a new homeowner can feel intimidating to some. Between maintaining your yard, keeping major systems in good repair, and identifying costly projects like installing new flooring or countertops, there’s certainly a learning curve that comes along with the homeownership experience. With that said, veteran homeowners will undoubtedly say the experience is worth it! Over time, new homeowners naturally have to pick up many skills to keep their property in tip-top shape. Starting with simple fixes, their knowledge of home systems tends to expand until they’re ready and confident enough to DIY a new deck, handle a moderate plumbing repair, or dive into any ambitious “handyman” job. Understandably, these types of projects can still feel far-off for most newer homeowners, but there are options for those looking to get their feet wet with a more approachable DIY job. Refinishing wooden furniture is a fabulous way to give a piece new life, and although this task requires time commitment and determination, the basic knowledge required is not very demanding. So, if you’d like to take your first steps in becoming a DIY Pro around the house, here’s a basic outline on how to refinish your furniture. Step 1: Clean Once you’ve
In today’s Inspector Insights article, we’re going to key in on one of these old school home features that was once ubiquitous between 1880 and the 1940s: knob and tube wiring.
An older home feature that’s seeing some resurgence lately is the transom window, also known as transom lights or the rectangular/semicircular window situated above doors or other traditional windows. These windows were originally designed to feed natural light into homes at a height that still offered privacy, and many opened and closed for increased ventilation. These two innovations were greatly appreciated at the time because homes didn’t have artificial lighting or modern ventilation solutions that we enjoy today. While transom windows are now mostly sought after for their visual appeal, some of their past benefits could make them game changers in the modern home (hint: it’s not as a ventilation solution). More and more, scientists, psychologists, and homeowners alike are realizing the value of natural lighting as people spend more and more time indoors and out of the sun. Let’s discuss some of the impacts natural lighting has on our bodies, and how home designers are working to bring more of the sunshine inside. Why is Natural Lighting so Important?Natural lighting has a powerful impact on humans, their bodies, their minds, their overall health, and even their quality of sleep. This all starts with a nutrient called vitamin D, or
As we enter into the fall, the college football and NFL seasons are finally underway. Practice is over, and the time for speculation and prognostication has ended. Now it’s time for players to make plays, and for all of the hours put in during the offseason to lead to some tangible results. In other words, it’s game time. Success at any level of football ultimately goes back to the playbook: both the team’s knowledge of the plays and whether those plays fit the team’s personnel. The right playbook really can be the difference between just another mediocre season and taking home some hardware, so you can bet that fans everywhere are hoping their teams did their homework heading into this season. In our everyday lives, we usually do not have the benefit of a playbook to help us make our decisions. We don’t have a personalized guide we can follow to file our taxes, no coaches telling us which car to buy, and no scouting report that outlines how we should raise our kids. But when it comes to buying and maintaining a home (shockingly), we sort of do. When purchasing a house, buyers order a home inspection from a
The experience of moving into a new home has an element of excitement and an element of stress. Either way you slice it, a new home is a new adventure. While adults tend to have the maturity to navigate moving with an adequate amount of grace, change is tough on a kid. Inevitably, emotions can run high. Some moves are planned, but others can be more short notice, the result of a career change or a dream home becoming available. Most families try to move during the summer, seeking a smoother transition for school-aged children, but moving during the school year can have its own benefits with the right preparation. If you’re anticipating a major move during this school year, here are a few tips to help your kids through the transition. Mid-Year Moves vs. Summertime SwitchesFirst things first, summer is a clear favorite for homebuyers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best time for kids to get a first impression of their new school or their new neighborhood. Parents that facilitate their kids’ transition to a new home, especially one in a new town or a new state, should prioritize plugging their kids into a new community. Oftentimes,
The human being is known to have five senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. While many might consider sight to be the most important sense for people in their everyday lives, scientists actually recognize smell as the “strongest sense.” This is because, as writers like Colleen Walsh at the Harvard Gazette acknowledge, smell is the sense that is most linked with emotion and memory. Have you ever smelled a favorite dish and were instantly transported to a memory of your childhood home or a trip to grandma’s house? The phenomena you’re experiencing is your olfactory senses doing what it does best by reaching through your limbic system (with a quick pit-stop by your amygdala and/or hippocampus) and tossing out one of those cozy core memories. Just as we enjoy these trips down memory lane, smells can also remind us of moments we might rather forget, whether from visiting the home of a frequent smoker, or a friend with a few too many cats. Houses can develop odor for many different reasons, so if you’ve found yours smelling a bit off lately, let’s discuss a few of the more common (and often misdiagnosed) causes. #1: Take Out the TrashThe first
If you’ve ever lived in an area that experiences above-average flooding (or just anywhere in the South), odds are you’re very familiar with crawl spaces. A foundation style different from concrete slabs or full basements, crawl spaces are a fairly common feature in homes that allow for easy access to things like plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems under the home. Their shorter excavation time also makes them a more cost-effective option for new builds. There are many advantages to buying a home with a crawl space, but with each advantage, there’s also a concern homeowners should be aware of. Let’s discuss a few of the most common — and costly — issues you may encounter in that little space under your floorboards. 1. Moisture, Musty Smells, and MoldThe first issue that homes with crawl spaces face is the unaddressed buildup of moisture beneath the home. So-called crawl spaces earn their names due to a very low clearance height, with a majority of these spaces measuring three feet or lower. It’s understandable that homeowners don’t make it a habit of exploring these areas regularly, but a lack of attention anywhere around the home tends to lead to problems down the
The Most Influential Art School For Home Design Every decade, homes seem to take on a whole new look. Is minimalism the new trend? Are we heading back to cozy cottage-core vibes? And who decides whether our living rooms are pleasantly retro or out-of-date? Interior design philosophies and architectural styles cycle in and out of fashion, but one early twentieth-century art movement has shown a staying power that separates it from the pack. Of course, we’re talking about what was probably the most impactful art school in history when it comes to the way the modern home looks: the Bauhaus. What exactly has made Bauhaus designs so impactful, and where can its influence still be seen today? Let’s take a jaunt down memory lane to find out! What Was the Bauhaus?First established in Weimar, Germany, the so-called “Bauhaus” was an art school masterminded by Walter Gropius in part to combat the unique challenges of its day. World War I had ravaged Western Europe, and people like Gropius were seeing an increasing divide between the fine arts and the applied arts. Society needed to rebuild, and for the fine arts to be part of that reconstruction, Bauhaus artists developed innovative and
By Lauren from Allied Van Lines Moving to a new city or state is an exciting adventure, but it can also be stressful. Even after the initial chaos of the move subsides, unpacking and settling in can take a while. Here are some key unpacking strategies to help you feel comfortable and at home in your new place as soon as possible. 1. Pack an Essentials Box for Easy Access One of the most important tips for both packing and unpacking is to create a designated “essentials box.” Before you move, compile a list of items you’ll need right away, including: Clothes for a week Medications and toiletries First-aid kit Chargers for electronics Snacks and drinks Having this box readily available in your car will make the first few days in your new home much smoother. 2. Prioritize Utility Connections and Major Appliances Ensure a smooth transition by scheduling utility connections (electricity, water, internet) well in advance. Ideally, have them turned on before you even arrive. This allows you to focus on unpacking essentials upon arrival. Next, prioritize unpacking and setting up major appliances like the stove, refrigerator, and coffee maker. If you work remotely, prioritize setting up internet access
There will always be new technologies and attractions that vie for our attention, but in recent years, “screen time” and other indoor distractions have become more dominant than ever in capturing our kids’ interest. All parents should want their kids to spend time outdoors for many reasons, but here are just a few benefits: With the school year coming to a close, the time is now to prepare for outdoor activities. If you don’t want your kids glued to their screens all summer, here are a few ideas that just might encourage them to spend more time out of the house. Make Your Yard a DestinationOne reason why some kids have limited enthusiasm for spending time outside is they simply haven’t found “their game” quite yet. If you’re willing to make a small investment and do a little DIY, there are a number of ways to transform your front or backyard from boring, unused space into the talk of the neighborhood. 1. Get a Basketball HoopBasketball is a great source of exercise for all ages, and a hoop can be enjoyed by many people at once or a single person at a time.Whether playing “Horse,” jumping into a one-on-one game,
Becoming a new homeowner can feel intimidating to some. Between maintaining your yard, keeping major systems in good repair, and identifying costly projects like installing new flooring or countertops, there’s certainly a learning curve that comes along with the homeownership experience. With that said, veteran homeowners will undoubtedly say the experience is worth it! Over time, new homeowners naturally have to pick up many skills to keep their property in tip-top shape. Starting with simple fixes, their knowledge of home systems tends to expand until they’re ready and confident enough to DIY a new deck, handle a moderate plumbing repair, or dive into any ambitious “handyman” job. Understandably, these types of projects can still feel far-off for most newer homeowners, but there are options for those looking to get their feet wet with a more approachable DIY job. Refinishing wooden furniture is a fabulous way to give a piece new life, and although this task requires time commitment and determination, the basic knowledge required is not very demanding. So, if you’d like to take your first steps in becoming a DIY Pro around the house, here’s a basic outline on how to refinish your furniture. Step 1: Clean Once you’ve
