Avoid Excessive Moisture

Steam cleaners, wet mops, and standing water can cause irreparable damage to laminate floors. Water causes swelling, warping, and separation — which can even void your warranty! It’s important to wipe up all spills as soon as they happen. We also recommend that all pet dishes have a waterproof mat underneath to prevent spillage.

Spot Clean

Laminate flooring is low maintenance. It doesn’t require a heavy-duty cleaning if you tend to wipe up small messes and stains as soon as possible. For stains such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick or ink, use acetone on a clean cloth. Then wipe the area down with a damp cloth to remove any leftover residue.

Avoid Anything Abrasive

Steel wool and strong cleaners with harsh chemicals can scratch and damage laminate flooring, so it’s best just to stick to soft cloth materials when cleaning. If you need to scrape away a stain, like candle wax or chewing gum, try a plastic credit card and gently scrape with care.

Remove Your Shoes

It’s not advised to wear your shoes inside, especially on laminate flooring as shoes can leave scratches and create the need for more frequent cleaning. Another great tip is to keep your pets’ nails short and put pads on the bottom of your furniture to help protect your floor.

Use Gentle Cleaning Products

We recommend that you use a gentle cleaner like the Shaw Floors cleaner for hard surfaces. You can spray this cleaner directly onto your floor and lightly wipe it away with a terry cloth mop or soft cloth.

We understand that it may be tempting to create a DIY household cleaner using products like baking soda, lemon, or essential oils, but we deter all of our homeowners from doing that in order to prolong the life of their laminate floors.

Repair Kits Can Work

Scratches are likely to happen over time in a busy household. If you need to repair a small scratch, you can pick up a repair kit at your local home centre, like Home Hardware or Canadian Tire. Repair kits will work well and are available in a range of colours.

At Sinclair Homes, we build our homes as if they were our own. Our homes include high-end materials like laminate flooring, stone counters, and added sound-proofing. If you are in the market for a new home, take a look at our current communities or reach out to us here.

The post How To Care For Laminate Flooring appeared first on Sinclair Homes.

Use LED Lights

If you’ve been digging out the same old decorative lights every year, maybe it’s time for a more efficient upgrade. When purchasing lights for your home, opt for LED bulbs rather than the standard incandescent bulbs of the past. LEDs consume much less energy, are cooler to the touch, and are longer-lasting. You can even buy LED string lights that operate on a timer to ensure they shut off automatically when you’re not home.

Break Bread

Get in the spirit of the holidays by organizing communal dinners with friends and family to reduce the amount of energy consumed by cooking. Ovens use a lot of energy, and being mindful of this can make a difference — and it’s a lot of fun to celebrate the holidays together. Where possible, avoid preheating your oven for longer than is necessary and repeatedly checking on your food, which lets heat out.

Combine Errands

The lead up to the holidays can be chaotic. We recommend creating a plan of attack in advance of your commitments and making a list of what you need to buy. That way, you can make fewer trips to pick up what you need and you’ll also conserve gas.

Unplug

If you’re going to be away for a few days, unplug any devices or appliances that don’t need to be plugged in. Things like cell phone chargers, computers, modems, coffee makers, and cable tv boxes are some examples. The energy that is consumed by these devices, even while they are not in use, is referred to as “phantom power” and can cost approximately $150 a year in wasted electricity.

Reduce Waste

During the gift-giving season, if you’re committed to easing your environmental impact, you may also want to reconsider your purchases. Each Christmas, Canadians throw away 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper and gift bags. Where possible, wrap gifts in recycled fabric or newspapers and flyers to reduce waste.

Check HVAC Efficiency

Ensuring that your home’s HVAC equipment is in excellent running condition will keep your home comfortable and prevent wasted energy. We recommend that you routinely check your home’s exterior vents to ensure that they are clean and free from debris and obstructions. Be diligent in replacing your furnace filter every 3-6 months to prevent your furnace from working overtime.

At Sinclair Homes, we are passionate about energy conservation. That’s why all our homes surpass standards of energy efficiency. As an owner of a Sinclair home, your furnace will be equipped with an energy-efficient ECM motor, which means you get to enjoy the benefits of reduced energy usage and a smaller carbon footprint. 

If you’d like more information about Sinclair Homes communities, get in touch with us here.

The post How Can I Save Energy During The Holidays? appeared first on Sinclair Homes.

Maximized Kitchen Storage

The kitchen is the heart of every home. The kitchen is also where most people struggle with organization and complain of not having enough space. When designing your kitchen, consider lower cabinets with slide out drawers for pots and pans. We also recommend installing taller and deeper cabinets with accessible corner cabinets for extra storage, and built-in recycling and composting waste bins.

Inspired Lighting

Incorporate task lighting, like pot lights, in functional areas of your home. Consider installing task lighting above a kitchen island, in a rec. room, or where ceilings are vaulted. Installing lighting underneath overhanging cabinets is both a functional and high-end touch that everyone appreciates. Consider taking it a step further by installing occupancy or motion sensors. These motion activated lights are convenient and provide additional safety in the evenings. Last, but certainly not least, add dimmers for ambiance. This will ensure that you’re able to control the mood of your home’s lighting.

Upgraded Bath

For many, the bathroom is synonymous with relaxation. Investing in your bathroom is the ultimate in self care. For you, this could be the addition of luxurious stone counter tops, and upgraded bathtub or shower in your en suite. Consider heated tile flooring and a beautiful his-and-her vanity with upgraded faucets. Splurging on at least one room in your home where you spend a lot of quality time is money well spent.

Add-ons to Covet

In addition to the elements above, the Sinclair Design Team has a few extra items that you’ll want to add to your wish list.

• Solid oak staircases are one of our must-haves because they’re beautiful, they stand the test of time, and can be sanded and stained to exactly your preference.
• High-quality engineered wood floors are another must-have because they’re more durable and offer many chic options to choose from.
• If you prefer tile, we recommend considering large format tile flooring. This style is offers a more modern style that all your house guests will surely admire.

Stone counter tops are the ultimate in luxury and are a standard install in all Sinclair Homes’ kitchens. We highly recommend investing in a quality counter top like granite or quartz in your bathroom as well and opting for an under mount sink. Just as it sounds, under mounted sinks are installed from below your cabinets, creating a smooth and streamlined look.

If you’re in the market for a new home, contact us to set up a viewing of the townhomes in our Westwood Trails community. We’ll work with you to make all your custom must-haves for your new home come true!

The post Must-Haves For Your New Home appeared first on Sinclair Homes.

However, building a new home involves many aspects that tend to go overlooked. Make sure to avoid these common home building mistakes so you can be sure you’re getting the house you’re dreaming of:

1. Not paying attention to the details

Many details and decisions go into building your new home, even if you’re purchasing your home from a selection of pre-designed layouts. Choosing the layout is just the first step. You may need to consider larger details, all the way down to the smallest items like the hardware on your kitchen cupboards. No detail should be overlooked, otherwise you risk regretting some of your decisions when it comes to move-in day.

2. Being passive about your decisions

While some decisions may come more easily to you than others (like the colour of the kitchen cabinets or the type of flooring in your bathroom), others may require a little more thought. You may not have previously considered what type of handles you want on your home’s interior doors, but it’s important that you don’t just choose the first thing you see — take some time to think about what you really like and what will function well for you and your family.

3. Cutting corners to save money

Your home could be the biggest investment you make in your lifetime, so you want it to last and maintain its value. Cutting corners during the initial build process could mean that certain features and areas of your home begin to break down prematurely. Be sure to do your research when it comes to your building company and choose a reputable home builder with a proven record of high-quality homes, not the cheapest option you can find.

4. Not establishing a budget with a buffer

In any construction project, it’s important to be prepared for unforeseen issues and circumstances that may require extra expenses from the homeowner. Some contractors don’t include this buffer in the total cost of your home, which means you will have to ensure that you have some money left over in your budget to cover these potential issues.

5. Not choosing the right builder

Choosing the right builder is more than just how much your home will cost. Reliable and reputable builders will be able to provide you with important information, whether on their website or in-person, that will help you decide if they’re the right builder for you.

Consider asking your builder:

• How long have they been in business?
• Do they have referrals?
• What are your options when it comes to adding to existing floor plans?
• Does your home come with a warranty?
• Can some of the rooms in your home be left unfinished (like the basement)?
• Is there any landscaping included in the cost?
• Are they insured and licensed?

You may also want to consider driving through their previously-built subdivisions and communities to see what their work looks like.

Could Sinclair Construction’s Westwood Trails community be your new home? Learn more about this exciting new development of luxury bungaloft townhomes in Simcoe.

The post Mistakes To Avoid When Building A Home appeared first on Sinclair Homes.

For many retirees, this phase of life can mean moving somewhere new and exciting. If you are planning to downsize and relocate we have three tips to help you make this a success:

Consider a location that fits with your ideal lifestyle

Before moving, consider where you want to be and how you want to spend your time in retirement. We suggest asking yourself the following questions:

• Do you want to be close to family?
• Are you looking to be in a large city centre, or a smaller town?
• Do you want to have access to activities, privacy, or the best of both?
• Do you want to be surrounded by people your own age, or a mix of retirees and families?

Considering these types of questions will help you narrow down your options. Downsizing and relocating can be an emotional process, so you want to make your move rewarding.

Calculate the cost of selling and buying

Remember, even if you plan to purchase a smaller home, it does not necessarily mean it will cost less than your current place. The location of your new home will have a huge impact on price.

For example, a small apartment in a large city could cost millions, while a larger home in a smaller town could cost half the price. One of the benefits of relocating is that you can remain close to your current city but spend less on a new home. This can be especially important in retirement when you have a set income coming in.

If you are hoping to make money by selling your current home and then downsizing, make sure to ask your realtor how much it will cost to sell your home. Costs include closing fees, legal fees, moving costs, and more. Keeping these selling costs in mind, you will want to consider buying a property that the profits will cover, or at least help you come in under budget.

Review your floor plan

Whether you have decided on a new home or are in the consideration stages, we suggest that you review the floor plan. By studying the floor plan you can determine if you have the space you desire, and map out where your personal items will go. By pre-arranging your personal items and furniture, you will be able to determine what you will not need to move from your old home — this will help with a smoother cleanout of your old home and make for an easier move to your new home.

If you are considering a new build home, you will typically have the option to choose from a few floor plans and the ability to customize some design elements. When working directly with a builder, you can express particular lifestyle elements you want incorporated, like low and wide doorways, or a single-level floor plan. If you are planning to make this move your final home, make sure you get exactly what you want — you deserve it.

As one of Ontario’s leading home builders, we understand that planning for retirement is an overwhelming but exciting time. We are committed to supporting people in each new stage of life, and will create a home that is customized for your lifestyle.

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The post Tips For Downsizing & Relocating In Retirement appeared first on Sinclair Homes.