There are many ways that Homeowners can reduce their Carbon Footprint and become more Energy Efficient these days.  Here at Gradison Building Corp., we have always strived to build a quality sustainable home for our clients.  And recently, we have been including some very Green features such as Tankless Water Heaters, Energy Star Appliances and Equipment, Geo-Thermal HVAC, and Foam insulation packages, to name a few.

This link, http://greenhomeguide.com/know-how/article/9-ways-to-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient, will take you to an article that will provide you 9 great ways to make your existing home more Energy Efficient.   The 10th way to be more energy efficient would be to install a Solar Water Heater system to enable you to have endless hot water off the grid.  Most people in Indiana do not realize that we have enough Solar Gain available to use the systems locally.  We do not need sunshine to heat water, we will get solar heating even in overcast conditions.  Many of these systems are aesthetically acceptable as well.

Let us know how Gradison Building Corp. can help you Green- O -Vate your home by contacting us here.

Decorative wood beams offer a distinctive way to add architectural detail to your room and/or ceiling, as well as create warmth and depth. Including wood beams in your new custom home design will add both form and function.

Thinking of remodeling? Due to the innovative construction of these beams, they can also be added to existing homes. The results will enhance your space and give it new life!

The beams come in a variety of specialty woods and styles. A custom stain can be applied to match any existing décor. For additional detail, rustic hardware (clavos, strap hinges and decorative nails) can also be incorporated.

Contact us for more detail on adding decorative wood beams to your home.

Post and beam application with brackets

Post and beam application with brackets - custom home Westfield, Indiana

Truss beams and corbels

Truss beams and corbels - custom home Fishers, Indiana

Ceiling beams

Ceiling beams - custom home Carmel, Indiana

Ceiling beams and reclaimed flooring - Midwest Living Idea Home

Ceiling beams and reclaimed flooring - Midwest Living Idea Home

Each year, Remodeling Magazine publishes an annual report on the relationship between remodeling costs and resale value. National and regional averages are compared for over 30 popular remodeling projects.

See how Indiana compares:
Remodeling 2009-10 Cost vs. Value Report (East North Central region)

To learn more about the Remodeling 2009-10 Cost vs. Value Report click on the link below.

About the 2009-10 Cost vs. Value Report

Seven of the top 10 Cost vs. Value projects involve the exterior of the home—making curb appeal a necessity in the Indianapolis, IN market. Does your home need some curb appeal? If so contact us and we can help!

Before photo of exterior remodel, Carmel IN

Before photo of exterior remodel, Carmel, IN

After the exterior remodel - curb appeal in Carmel, IN

After the exterior remodel - curb appeal in Carmel, IN

A custom fireplace can enhance any room, whether it is located in the great room, family room, hearth room or keeping room. These custom built spaces are well-situated right off the kitchen and provide a quiet comfort sometimes not offered by a formal living room.

With technology and newer products available, especially in precast man-made stone, a fireplace can be built not only cost effectively, but according to your specific color, style and design. The fireplace can also be trimmed out with natural stone tiles, such as marble or granite, to enhance and blend in with your surrounding wall color and other decor.

The fireplace can serve many purposes while creating a cozy atmosphere. Just imagine yourself beginning a cold morning with coffee and the newspaper in front of your warm fireplace. Contact us to help build or remodel your own comfortable and inviting space.

Distressed beams, stone surround fireplace and custom wood mantel

Distressed beams, stone surround fireplace and custom wood mantel in Zionsville, Indiana

Tennessee River Rock fireplace

Tennessee River Rock fireplace in Carmel, Indiana.

Midwest Living Idea Home: Two-sided, stone, full masonry fireplace

Midwest Living Idea Home: Two-sided, stone, full masonry fireplace in Westfield, Indiana.

Arkansas Field Stone (Ashlar pattern)

Arkansas Field Stone (Ashlar pattern) in Fishers, Indiana.

The scope of this remodel project in Carmel, Indiana was to open up the existing dining room, add a generous-sized island in the kitchen and stone surround to the fireplace.

The remodeled new open space offers plenty of seating on the beautiful center island with ogee edge granite tops, re-finished hardwood flooring, wood beams, new appliances (including wine refrigerator) and fresh paint. Feel free to contact us to get some ideas for your Indiana home remodeling project.

Dining room opened up and stone surround added to the fireplace.

Stone surround added to the fireplace, space opened up to sitting area. The coordinating mantel and wood beams tie the space together.

The newly remodeled space offers plenty of seating on the beautiful center island with ogee edge granite tops.

The newly remodeled space offers plenty of seating on the beautiful center island with ogee edge granite tops. The space is now open to the dining area.

This 1970s Carmel, Indiana home needed a full remodel of the kitchen, laundry area and master bathroom to create more functional space for living and entertaining, as well as update the look of the home.

The luxurious master bath includes a custom walk-in tile shower, spa tub, separate vanities with granite tops, custom built-ins and oversize walk-in closet with center island.

After the remodel - master bathroom, Carmel, IN

After the remodel - master bathroom, Carmel, IN

Before the remodel - master bathroom, Carmel, IN

Before the remodel - master bathroom, Carmel, IN

One of the strongest benefits of building a luxury custom home is that every client receives a distinctive style and design that fits their personal taste. We take great pride in working closely with clients to develop luxury custom homes in indiana that are a direct reflection of their creative vision. We have developed an exceptional design-build program, where the designer and builder work closely with the client during the custom home design process, creating a seamless transition from concept visualization to custom home completion.

The Old World European style interior (pictured below) is romantic with high ceilings, suspended truss beams and expansive windows allowing for an abundance of natural light. The wide planked, hand-scraped hardwood flooring adds to the warmth and depth of this inviting custom luxury home. On the exterior, the Arkansas Field Stone (cut in an Ashlar pattern) painted brick, copper finials, traditional cedar shutters and arched windows are memorable details with timeless styling.

With the guidance of our internal selections coordinator, this homeowner made informed decisions and thoughtful selections on finishes, colors and materials. This eliminated the need for an outside interior designer.

“Your experience and knowledge was invaluable to us throughout the entire building process. You allowed us time to make the right decisions for our new home. Your staff was incredibly helpful with our endless list of questions, and the selections coordinator steered us in the right direction every step of the way. The end result is better than our dream - more than we imagined and exactly what we wanted. We love our beautiful new home.”
Happy homeowner, I. Smith, Carmel, Indiana

Arkansas Field Stone (cut in an Ashlar pattern) & painted brick

Arkansas Field Stone (cut in an Ashlar pattern) & painted brick

High ceilings, suspended truss beams and expansive windows

High ceilings, suspended truss beams and expansive windows

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude. So to our clients, family and friends—we thank you for your confidence, support and loyalty throughout the years.

Enjoy your home this holiday season! It’s where lasting memories are created and unforgettable moments are shared.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Best regards,
Your Friends at Gradison

Posted below are some gratitude quotes to read and enjoy.

  • We have all been given the gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Use one (or two) to say “thank you.” ~Author Unknown
  • Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel. ~Author Unknown
  • Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

When compared with high-end floor coverings, such as ceramic tile or slate, stained concrete is frequently a low cost alternative. And the life expectancy of a concrete floor will surpass most floor covering materials.

The low maintenance needs of decorative or stained concrete also make it appealing to many homeowners. In most cases, just regular sweeping and damp mopping will keep the floor looking like new for many years.

Stained concrete basement floor

Stained concrete basement floor

Concrete stained a rich, earth tone warms up this room

Concrete stained in rich, earth tones will warm up a room

It’s getting colder, is your home ready for winter? Preparing now for the winter months can help you avoid costly repairs later.

Here are a few important preventative home maintenance tips:

  1. Have your furnace professionally inspected by Precision Comfort: 317/ 867-2665. Also, replace your air filter.
  2. Remove debris from gutters and downspouts.  It’s not too late to have the Raindrop Gutter Guard System installed! Right now, INDY SIDING & Exteriors is offering special pricing on the Gutter Guard System. Contact Mike Shobe for more information.
  3. Have your chimney cleaned and make any necessary repairs. Fireplaces that are used regularly need to have an annual cleaning to prevent chimney fires.  Contact The Mad Hatter for more information.

Before
Before
After
After