Tag Archives: general contractor in Newtown MA

From Bamboo to Recycled Glass, There is a Green Countertop for Every Green Home

If you have a kitchen construction or renovation project in your future, consider using green or recycled materials for the countertops. The following recycled countertops and materials can provide a sturdy yet beautiful surface for your kitchen counters while helping sustain the status of your green home.
  • Bamboo: Bamboo, a type of fast-growing grass, is a popular material for kitchen countertops. In addition to being a sustainable and quickly renewable material source, it is also stronger and sturdier than many other sorts of hardwoods.
  • Recycled glass: Recycled glass countertops can be very attractive with color and character that matches the material. From small, fine particles of glass to larger pieces of glass embedded in concrete, recycled glass works well in most kitchen applications. Sometimes porous glass surfaces will need to be resealed once or twice a year.
  • Salvaged wood: Wood salvaged from sources such as construction and remodeling projects can make outstanding kitchen countertops. In some cases, you may be able to find excellent hardwoods or costly wood types for a very reasonable price. Remember that wood can be affected by moisture and heat, so use it most on islands away from sinks and stoves.
  • Recycled paper: Recycled paper countertops are usually made from 100 percent recycled post-consumer paper items, mixed with a petroleum-free resin and pigments for coloration. These countertops provide an appealing appearance and a relatively sturdy surface.
  • Concrete: Concrete countertops are very strong and generally long-lasting green options for a kitchen. Locally sourced or poured-in-place countertops are the best for most applications since they don’t require long-range transportation.
Sage Builders LLC is a general contractor in Newton, MA, specializing in residential design, construction, and renovation, including kitchens. Contact us today for more information on recycled countertops and materials that can help you sustain a green kitchen.

Universal Design: 7 Principles That Ensure Elements Accommodate All Ages and Functions

By applying concepts of universal design to your home renovation or construction project, you can ensure that the residence will be usable for most family members for the longest period of time. Here are seven principles of universal design that can help keep a home functional for years.
  1. Equitable: Universal design features should be usable and beneficial to all residents, not just some–older parents or grandparents, for example.
  2. Flexible: Universal design elements should be flexible to use. For example, right-handed or left-handed persons should be able to use the same feature. A home’s spaces should be usable by individuals in wheelchairs, on crutches, or with normal mobility.
  3. Simple: Universal design features should be easy to use without causing confusion or unnecessary complexity.
  4. Error-resistant: Features should have as little potential for hazards or errors as possible. The more frequently used a feature is, the safer, more accessible, and error-tolerant it should be.
  5. Physically easy to use: Universal design features should require little physical effort to use. Residents should be able to activate or use these features from a neutral, unstressed body position.
  6. Perceptible: It should be easy to tell when a task has been completed or when a universal design feature has done its job. Information about the feature should be easily identified and distinct from its surroundings.
  7. Easy to approach and use: There should be plenty of space to approach, reach, and use any universal design features. Line of sight should be clear and reach comfortable. Personal assistive devices or assistance should be accommodated.
Sage Builders LLC, a general contractor in Newton, MA, provides professional design/build services, renovation work, and residential design and construction consulting. Contact us today for more information on how incorporating universal design concepts into your home can be beneficial now and years into the future. Photo via Sage Builders LLC