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The Key to Choosing an Exterior Door

Knock, knock. We have some big news for you. When completing a home addition or major remodel, the type of door you select is just as important as what lies behind it. Exterior doors are an opportunity to reinforce the style of your home. It’s best to work with your exterior in order to find a complementary look.

When considering the right door, style plays a major role in the decision-making process. However, before making any selections, you need to consider what will work best with the architecture of your home. With this in mind, there are an endless amount of door types and style variations to choose from.

A few popular choices include the traditional look of a six-panel door, the classic lines of a shaker-style door, or the combination of glass and clean lines in a prairie-style door. Another route to take is creating a customized design. This gives you more freedom to be creative and specifically tailor your door to your home. A few examples include adding stained glass, wrought iron detailing, or unique designs within the woodwork.

Choosing the right style door can add to the personality of your home, but curb appeal isn’t the only factor. The right materials are just as important as the design. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, a front door needs to withstand all of the elements (rain, sun, snow) and keep out intruders. Choosing the right material can ensure long-lasting durability and security. Three common selections include wood, composite, and steel and each has its merits.

Prairie style exterior door

Exterior door

Solid wood is a popular choice, however, wood doors typically work best in covered entryways. The protection from the elements typically leads to less maintenance. If your entryway is not covered, a composite is a viable option. This material can mimic the look of natural wood, and it is extremely durable and requires very little maintenance. Another durable entry door material is steel. Steel is frequently the most economical choice but has limited style options. It is an extremely sturdy door, but it will be more prone to dents, dings, and rust over time.

Small details like hardware can also make a big impact. Selecting unique door knockers and handles can make a world of difference and adding glass panels is another way to add visual interest.

Not all doors are created equal, so if you are contemplating an addition or a whole home renovation project, you can set up a time with one of our Designers to talk about the possibilities. Check out the photo gallery or follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram for even more home tips and inspiration.

Making the Case for a Handheld Shower

Two different styles of handheld shower heads. On the left, silver handheld shower head, a double set-up. On the right, gold handheld shower head. also a double set-up.A great showering experience is high on everyone’s priority list when remodeling the primary bathroom. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then, that people who do their homework frequently opt to include a handheld shower in their new space.

Flexible and versatile, handheld showers are often installed near a shower seat or bench as a secondary water source in the shower.  Many people tend to underestimate how often they will use a seat in their shower, but the truth is we all have the same potential to get sick or injured, or even simply fatigued. Placing a handheld shower next to a bench allows you to still enjoy your shower even if you can’t stand for long periods of time, or if you just want to relax and enjoy a water massage.

Handheld showers can work in tandem with a traditional, fixed shower head, giving you the opportunity to concentrate the spray on two different areas of your body at once.  They also tend to have several different spray options that allow you to customize your bathing experience.

They can either be mounted in a single location or can be attached to a slide bar.  The bar gives you greater flexibility for height and positioning during use and allows for hands-free operation. You may be able to use a handheld shower on a slide bar as your primary showerhead and omit the fixed-position showerhead. That gives you the benefits of hands-free showering as well as the ability to move around the spray as needed, and depending on your selections, may allow you to save some money on your remodel.

One of the most practical, and frequently overlooked benefits of a handheld shower, is that it makes cleaning the shower itself much easier.  By having the ability to simply spray down the walls after cleaning, you save time and frustration.

Determining the right mix of sprays and water sources for your shower is just one piece of the puzzle when creating a remarkable primary bathroom. Have a conversation with a Normandy Designer about your primary suite remodel, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook to find more inspiration for your home.

Shower with dark band of mosaic tileShower with small subway tilestand alone shower

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