Javic Homes Blog

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Javic Homes Reveals Brand New Website!

Jon Solomon — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:18:36 +0000

By Lana Bingham

Not only has Javic Homes been hard at work building new custom homes in Tampa, but we have also been implementing a new website for our customers. Our new site includes a completely renovated design and the addition of some great new features.

A few of the new website updates include:

An “About Us” section that describes the Javic Homes team, our preferred partners and our newly renovated design center
An interactive map that provides school information and photos of the communities that we build homes in
A detailed outline of our new homes and renovation building processes
An “Efficiency and Comfort” section that describes the energy-conserving benefits and features of our custom homes
A “Financing” section that lists information on loans and preferred lenders
An updated “Photo Gallery” showcasing the exterior and interior areas of our completed homes
A new blog format

We are very excited for the reveal our new website design! Please take a moment to browse around our site and be sure to check out our Tampa Bay Custom Home Planning Guide and Our South Tampa Available Lot Report. As Tampa custom home builders, we hope our new website gives viewers a greater insight into our company and the homes we build.

Javic Blog: http://www.javichomes.com/blog/

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The Dali Museum: Exceptional Architecture in St. Petersburg Florida

Jon Solomon — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:57:02 +0000

By Lana Bingham

Last Thursday, the Javic Homes team took a field trip to the renowned Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. The trip was mainly intended to give us greater insight into the building and design elements of the newly renovated museum, but we certainly got more than we bargained for.

With the largest Dali collection outside of Spain, the museum is home to art, culture and impeccable architecture. No detail was spared in the creation of the new museum, which was built to protect Dali’s masterpieces from Florida’s extreme weather conditions. Able to withstand a category 5 hurricane producing 165mph winds, the building itself rests in the heart of downtown, overlooking Tampa Bay. The 18-inch thick walls are made of cast-in-place concrete, with one side of the building resembling a large glass bubble, which symbolizes the glass burial that Dali was laid to rest in. The geodesic dome is made up of over 1,000 panes of 1.5 inch double-layered glass, with each individual pane being unique in size. This free-form structure was created using edge-clamped glass with no support columns needed.

Inside the museum, the art gallery is located on the third floor, further protected by storm shutters hovering above the room’s entrance. Dali’s many paintings adorn the walls. His best works are placed underneath UV safe skylight windows, allowing natural lighting to display the priceless paintings. From a building perspective, the cylindrical staircase located in the center of the museum was by far the most interesting design element. The metal and concrete staircase ascends up to the third floor gallery; its form was inspired by Dali’s obsession with spiral shapes and the double helix.

Now some may refer to Dali’s work as bizarre, drug-induced, or border-line psychotic, yet after an educational guided tour, we discovered there was much more to this enigmatic painter. With 96 distinctive oil paintings and a strange fixation with crutches, keys, clocks and a coastal fishing village in Cadaques, Spain, each work of art had a fascinating story to tell. From his beginning with impressionism to his ending in surrealism, Dali truly captures the hearts and minds of his curious audience.

The Dali Museum is certainly one of the most educational and unique buildings that Florida has to offer. As Tampa custom home builders, we greatly appreciated every detail of the building’s well-planned design elements, as well as the remarkable artistic works of Salvador Dali.

Javic Blog: http://www.javichomes.com/blog/

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How to Brighten Up Your Home in 5 Easy Ways

Jon Solomon — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:14:31 +0000

By Lana Bingham

Springtime leads us outdoors to breathe in fresh air and soak up abundant sunshine. However, staying indoors should also evoke feelings of transformation and renewal. Try these 5 easy steps to brighten up your home this spring season.

Clean It – Ready to finally rid your home of all those old clothes, toys, and appliances that are just sitting around gathering dust? Pack up everything that you no longer have a use for into boxes and donate to the local goodwill store. Pairing up with a few neighbors and hosting a weekend garage sale is also a great way to de-clutter your home.

Color It – To brighten up an entire room, experiment with light paint hues. An effective springtime color palette can consist of soft yellows, greens, corals and blues. Adding a bright colored loveseat or armchair can also liven up a room. For a similar effect, place multi-colored pillows on a white or neutral couch, or add a pastel colored rug over top of hardwood or tile flooring.

Plant It – Lilies, Tulips, Daisies and Snapdragons are excellent choices that will bloom a little life into your home. Rather than waiting around for April showers, place flowerpots on tables and windowsills around the house. Planting an indoor herb garden in your kitchen will enrich your home as well as add flavor to your cooking. To preserve and fortify your plants, water them with flat club soda.

Fix It – Time to transform into the handyman and fix those repairs your house has been patiently waiting all winter for. Easy home improvements include replacing old drawer handles and light switch covers, switching out your toilet seats, or repairing a leaky faucet.

Fake It – Maybe you live in a place where spring has yet to arrive and there are still traces of last week’s snowstorm on the ground. Despite Mother Nature, you can still surround yourself with the sights and smells of spring. The scents of Tangerine Zest, Rose Petals, and Fresh Linen will remind you that spring is just around the corner.

Even new homes in Tampa Florida can benefit from a little TLC. No painting or repairs needed, but why not adorn your wall with a pleasant colored painting or purchase a few spring scented candles. Brightening up your home is just that simple!

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The Tampa Bay Custom Home Planning Guide

Jon Solomon — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:06:25 +0000

By Jon Solomon

I’m not sure why it has taken us so long to develop a custom home planning guide. With every home we build and every potential customer, we are asked to explain the process and all the details about planning a custom home. Many of the 10 Steps within the guide are unique to building a custom home in the Tampa Bay area, so there is a lot of experience that goes into this 16-page guide.

The objective of the guide is to serve as tool to help you understand the many steps along the way to your custom home. If you’ve spoken with friends who have undertaken this journey, it is either filled with horror stories or pleasant experiences. Obviously our goal is to make sure it’s not a nightmare, so please allow us to send you the guide. Take your time and read it so you can know what to expect as you head down the path to your dream home.

CLICK HERE To Receive our 16-page planning guide.

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An Alfresco Addition: Building an Outdoor Kitchen for Your Home

Jon Solomon — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:01:27 +0000

By Lana Bingham, Marketing Assistant

Although kitchens vary in style, layout, color and design, they are alike in their ability to provide an essential space for meeting, mingling and mastering the culinary arts. With summer right around the corner, Tampa home builders have been busy incorporating outdoor kitchens into their design plans.

Besides pleasant weather year-round, there are many reasons Tampa Bay homeowners are opting for outdoor kitchens.

Entertainment – Hosting a dinner party or having a few friends over for beers and burgers is more entertaining if it’s held in an open space outdoors.
Convenience – As much as Floridians eat outside, an outdoor kitchen will save you from having to make numerous trips back and forth for ingredients, cocktails and clean-up.
Variety – Adding a wide variety of grilled food (steaks, fish, chicken and vegetables) to your dinner options is both a healthy and delicious alternative to indoor cooking.
Atmosphere – Open air and lush scenic views create an ideal experience for cooking and dining. A well-designed outdoor kitchen, sparking pool and tropical plants make for an appealing gathering space.

Based on one’s cooking habits and design preferences, there are many options and additions available regarding the features of your outdoor kitchen.

When planning design and layout: Include storage cabinets, power outlets, and water sources for sinks and drainage. Counter top height and area will depend on the integration of built-in grills and refrigerators, as well as an attached bar. Depending on how many guests you plan to entertain, your kitchen should include sufficient space for food preparation, cooking, serving and entertaining. Select design elements with high permanency, like stone or colored concrete.

Stock your kitchen full of useful products/appliances: Refrigerators, kegs, grills, side burners, sear burners, trash cans, warming drawers, and even a cutting board with a built-in waste chute. When making selections, quality is imperative. Choose durable products able to withstand extreme weather conditions and other outdoor nuisances. Famous Tate has a great selection of high-quality outdoor grills.

Whether you are looking to expand outdoors, refine your cooking, or just need an excuse to invite your friends and neighbors over more often, outdoor kitchens are an excellent addition for your home and lifestyle. If you are interested in learning more about building a custom home with an outdoor kitchen addition, contact us.

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How Do I Sound Insulate My Home?

Jon Solomon — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:15:13 +0000

It’s amazing how such a short, simple question requires a lengthy, complicated answer. When it comes to sound insulation, some folks are concerned about noise from the outside, but most are concerned about noise between floors and walls inside the home. So lets focus on interior sound insulation and leave the exterior for another time.

There are really two types of sound that we need to tackle. First, there is air-born sound like music. Second, there is the impact sound like shoes on tile and wood. Each requires different solutions.

Sound Insulation for Air-born Noise

Adding Mass Between Spaces – This can be done with extra layers of drywall or subfloor decking. A thicker wall or floor will reduce air-born noise.
Putting Gaps In The Structure – This can be done by using two sets of framing studs in a wall. This creates a cavity in the wall that will reduce noise.
Closing Air Holes Between Spaces – Air-born sound can travel through key-holes, around pipes and through outlets. Make sure these gaps are caulked and sealed.
Putting Dampening Elements In The Voids – Fiberglass and cellulose insulation absorbs air-born noise. It’s like putting a sock inside a guitar. The air between two sheets of drywall can’t transmit noise efficiently when it’s filled with fluff.
Using Special Materials – There are membranes that can be placed in walls (Accoustiblock), multi-layer drywall (QuietRock) and other products that can reduce air-born noise, but pay attention to the costs of these materials.

Sound Insulation for Impact Noise

Stopping the Source – Apartment leases used to require tenants to cover a percentage of their flooring with rugs. The idea was to lessen the impact directly to the floors. Similarly, putting pads under washers and dryers can lessen vibration.
Separating Surfaces – This can be done by adding a layer between the sub-floor and the flooring. There are a variety of products such as Gypcrete, Homasote and materials made of recycled rubber or cork.
Reduce Retransmission – Add an element that doesn’t allow the ceiling drywall to directly contact the floor trusses. This can be done with resilient channels. The impact vibration will travel from the floors to the trusses, but is dampened in these channels and not transmitted through the drywall into the room below.

As I mentioned at the beginning, this short and simple question doesn’t have a brief answer, but it does have a solution. If you are concerned about sound insulation in your custom Tampa home, contact us to discuss it.

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Bring On the Spring Cleaning! Best Household Cleaning Products

Jon Solomon — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:32:06 +0000

By Lana Bingham, Marketing Assistant

Flowers blossoming, bird’s chirping, and dust bunnies multiplying: Spring is in the air! Now that we have embraced the time change, it’s time to tackle the next challenge of the season: spring cleaning.

So, which household cleaning products are going to get the job done?

Walls and Windows That Wow: Dust off your ceiling, crown molding and walls with an extendable Lambs-wool Duster. With 11 feet of reaching power, Windex’s Outdoor All-in-one Glass Cleaning Tool is perfect for making hard to reach windows sparkle.

Battling the Bathroom: Bar Keeper’s Friend is great for cleaning and polishing tubs and toilets and it can even remove rust and hard water stains. To clean and unclog your shower head, soak it in a mixture of hot water and vinegar.

For Floors That Shine: Bissell lift-off steam mop cleans hardwood, grout and tile flooring. It also comes with a detachable steam pod for cleaning counters and other nooks and crannies. For carpets, the Spot Bot Pet Deep Cleaner lifts and penetrates pet accidents and other odor-causing stains.

Dealing with Dust, Dirt, and Grime: Currently, spring cleaners are favoring natural cleaning solutions which contain no harsh chemicals. On counters and surfaces use Method all-purpose natural surface cleaner, it will leave your home smelling like Clementine or Lime and Sea Salt. For a non-scented approach, Seventh Generation disinfecting spray does the trick. Try using microfiber cleaning cloths or all-natural Pop-up Sponges rather than paper towels.

The Magic of Mr. Clean: These Magic Erasers work wonders on just about any surface in your home. Their water activated micro-scrubbers cut down on germs and soap scum, leaving you singing, “Mr. Clean gets rid of dirt, grime and grease in just a minute. Mr. Clean will clean your whole house and everything that’s in it. Mr. Clean, Mr. Clean, Mr. Clean…”

Need to Be All-Natural? Combine vinegar, water and citrus scented oil to make your own household cleaner. Lemon juice and olive oil can also be mixed together to create a wood polish for furniture.

After you have extensively cleaned your house from top to bottom, keep a pack of Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena surface wipes handy to preserve your home’s cleanliness.

As home builders in Tampa Florida, we know that a clean house is a happy home. Despite our mild winters, Tampa Bay homeowners can still partake in this deep-cleaning ritual. So grab your rubber gloves and get going!

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St Paddy Green in Your Tampa Bay Custom Home

Jon Solomon — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:43:12 +0000

This is the only time of year that I like using the term “Green”. It’s usually with my clothing and beer. Rarely is it about our homes. It is a term that just rubs me the wrong way since we’ve always designed and built the most energy-efficient, environment-friendly, water-saving and healthy homes in the area.

So in honor of St. Paddy’s Day, I’ll curb my disdain for the term. Here is a sampling of the “Green” features in our Tampa custom homes:

Material Recycling – Concrete products are separated from other construction debris so it can be recycled.
Mold Prevention – Mold is a problem for young and old homes. It is on many products delivered to construction sites and it grows easily. We kill it and apply an antimicrobial to prevent future growth.
Extreme Insulation – Our homes go above and beyond. We inject foam into the hollow cells of the block walls and apply a radiant barrier to all exterior walls and the wall sheathing. Bottom line, much lower electric bills.
Hurricane Impact Windows – We use double pane windows with an energy efficient LOW-E film. These windows are hurricane impact so you don’t need to install panels during a storm.
Low VOC Products – Many new building materials, like paint, cabinets and flooring, contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that can be unhealthy, so we minimize or eliminate them.
CFL Bulbs – You may not like the color of light it gives off, but it’s tough to argue with the longer life and lower energy use.
PEX Plumbing – The material used is much more environmentally friendly than PVC products, plus it provides hot water quicker, which will save you money.
Gas – Whether it’s natural or propane, we provide gas to 5 locations in our homes. The most energy efficient locations are the water heater and dryer.
Tankless Water Heater – When you aren’t heating 50 gallons of water constantly, you can expect some savings on your utility bills.
HVAC System – The SEER rating on our systems is 14, compared to other builders at 13. We also have variable speed air handlers, dual stage condensers with humidistats. Bottom line, more energy efficiency and a healthier environment.
Plumbing Fixtures – Toilets, faucets and shower heads – Oh My! Not the most exciting items, but the low flow fixtures have greatly improved, so there is not a loss in pressure. Similarly, the low gallon flush toilets have become very effective.
Appliances – This is another area where selecting EnergyStar rated appliances can be very effective on water and energy.

As you can see, it isn’t the “Luck of the Irish” that allows us to say we have “Green” homes, but we do have incredibly efficient, smartly built homes. And on this St. Paddy Day, we might just throw in a green beer and party hat to emphasize the point. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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What Does the Future Hold for New Homes in Tampa Bay?

Jon Solomon — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:33:12 +0000

By Lana Bingham, Marketing Assistant

We may be light years away from “The Jetsons” style of living, yet personalities and products are constantly progressing to meet the needs of our evolving society. With each generation, we notice new trends emerge. In the next few years, we will continue to see cars, clothing, and electronics undergo rapid development, but what about homes?

Tampa custom home builders have noticed that technology and design elements are beginning to reflect a new era, and Generation Y is responsible. Soon, this generation will be accountable for a large portion of America’s homeownership. How will this affect home development?

Based on the key characteristics of this innovative generation, we can begin to discover what they value in a home.

Family-oriented: Generation Y values their families and maintains close relationships with their parents. It is predicted that many will want to renovate or build a new home that includes the addition of an in-law suite, for the purpose of family visits or to care for parents in their later years.

Connected: This generation is all about staying linked-in via smart phones, iPods, iPads, and laptops. The new concept of a “drop zone” or “docking station” is beginning to show up in homes, providing a convenient area to plug-in and easily access their many electronic devices.

Sociable: Thriving on “being where the action is,” the majority of Generation Y favors living downtown, but hopes to settle in an urban neighborhood within the next few years. Close proximity to bars, restaurants and other places that encourage social gatherings is ideal. New homes in Tampa Bay can also expect to see open gathering spaces, including large outdoor patios with fire pits and grilling stations.

Environmental: Believe it or not, they care about the environment and value energy efficiency. Generation Y is attracted to newer, well-designed homes that are built to conserve energy.

Modernized: Considering themselves to be innovative trendsetters, they are always looking for the latest products. We can expect smart technology to exist within their homes, perhaps even Smart Windows?

Generation Y is not just looking for a home, they are looking to build a life. They desire to live in a well-connected community that will be a great place to raise a family. Despite a threatening economy, they are focused on a successful future and envision a home that is built to reflect their character and values.