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Durability, functionality and safety are important considerations of a remodeling plan especially when your household includes children. Knowing that your flooring can handle the daily activities without scratching or that you actually have a place for all the kids to store their book bags and sports equipment can really provide some peace of mind. If your home could use some improvements to better suit your family’s lifestyle, here are several suggestions on projects you might want to consider.

When it comes to a house, its hard not to judge a book by its cover. That first glance you get when you drive up to a home is heavily influenced by the type and condition of your siding and when its not looking good the curb appeal score goes way down. Besides looking nice, your siding has another important job to do and that’s protecting your home. Next to the roof, it’s your main defense against the outside elements so it’s important to know the pros and cons of popular siding options when you are ready to upgrade. Let’s take a look at your options.

Composite decking materials have been around since the 1990s, but let’s face it; many of them don’t look like real wood. The biggest benefit of using a composite material has always been the easy care and low maintenance, but improvement in finish, tone and texture have made it much more aesthetically appealing. Homeowners who have shied away from composite decking because of its appearance should give it a second look.

The selections you make for your remodeling project have a direct impact on your overall budget for the project. Two bathroom remodels of the same exact size and layout can vary in cost by the thousands or tens of thousands based on the selections and finishes that are used. This is why making selections within your budget is so important, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or luxury. There are some great budget-friendly alternatives out there today that mimic the look of more expensive finishes. If you are looking for ways to keep your budget in-line consider some of these options when making your remodeling selections.

Making the selections for your project is an exciting part of the renovation process. Flooring, cabinets, countertops, windows, and doors are just a few. For most of these, you must consider both functionality and aesthetics, and for some items one may be more significant than the other. When selecting a faucet however, both of these are equally important. The faucet plays the critical role of bringing water access into the room and its style and finish is a key component of establishing the design aesthetic for a space.

The use of reclaimed and recycled materials has become extremely popular in remodeling. Although it may have started as a trend, it has now become more mainstream to look for ways to incorporate salvaged materials into remodeling designs. It’s really a win-win decision. Not only can homeowners and remodelers feel good about using environmentally friendly materials, but they can also enjoy the unique character that reclaimed items bring to a remodeled space. If you love the concept but don’t know where to start, here are some ideas on how you can reuse, recycle or upcycle in a kitchen remodel.

After months of planning and construction your remodel is finally complete. The production crew and all their tools are gone, the house is quiet again…you finally get to enjoy your improved spaces. This is cause for celebration! We encourage you to invite your friends and family over to show them your newly improved home, after all they will be anxious to see how things turned out. After you’ve hosted your party, or even before, here are few things we suggest that you do after your remodel is complete.

Would you be surprised to know that you can get a countertop made of natural volcanic rock? Lava stone is exactly that, pieces of volcanic rock that have been quarried from ancient eruption sites in France and Italy. It’s a great option for homeowners who want a natural stone material, but prefer it in a vibrant color that granite or marble cannot offer.

The results are in! Every year the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) surveys its members to learn the current and emerging trends they see in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. The questions aim to find out what the professionals are specifying in terms of design style, colors, materials, and products. Last year, they heard from 562 professionals who work directly with homeowners throughout North America. Here’s a look at what they reported for trends in kitchen remodeling.

Are you curious to hear about what’s trending in bathroom remodeling? We are! Recently, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) released the results of their annual Kitchen & Bath Design Trend Report, which is based on a survey of its members throughout North American. The survey asks for input on the design style, colors, materials, and products they are commonly specifying for their kitchen and bath remodeling clients. Here’s a look at what they reported for this year’s trends in bathroom remodeling, as well as what we can expect to see in the near future.

I’m excited to share the news that Thompson Remodeling has won a Best of Design award from Houzz! This marks our second year in a row for this particular honor, which makes this award even more significant. Our design build firm was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

Every year when Remodeling Magazine releases its newest Cost Vs. Value Report we study it to see which projects have the top recoup value in the Grand Rapids area. This annual report compares how popular remodeling projects are retaining their value at re-sale throughout the country. The studies are broken down by geographic area and are based on professional remodelers completing the renovation.