Stucco No Longer Most-Used Exterior Wall Material

For the first time since 2018, vinyl siding has reclaimed its spot as the most commonly used exterior wall material for new homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 Survey of Construction. Vinyl or vinyl-covered aluminum siding was used on 26% of homes started that year, edging out stucco at 25% and fiber cement at 23%. While vinyl’s market share has hovered around a quarter for the past decade, it once dominated at 40% in 2001 before declining in the mid-2010s. Meanwhile, stucco’s popularity surged from 17% in 2010…

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A peek inside a restored craftsman home in Victorian Village

When Karla Rothan welcomes guests into her beautifully restored Victorian Village home, they step into a piece of living history. Built in 1875, the residence still carries traces of its past life as a doctor’s office—an enclosed porch that once served as a waiting room and cabinetry likely used for medical supplies remain intact. Rothan discovered through her research that many doctors in the early 1900s lived and worked in this Columbus neighborhood, often keeping their medical practices on the first floor. The home’s preservation of original details, including stained…

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A Labor of Love: Home Renovation in Frisco Historic District

North Dallas Renovations embarked on a transformative journey in the heart of Frisco’s Historic Rail District, turning a long-held dream into reality. Blending Frisco’s historic charm with modern sophistication, the team took on the challenge of renovating a home that honored the past while embracing contemporary living. Despite the hurdles of working within a historic district, collaboration, creativity and dedication drove the project to success. Every decision—from material selection to layout design—balanced elegance, practicality and budget, proving that dream homes are achievable through teamwork and passion. The completed renovation stands…

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Holiday-Ready Kitchen Remodel Ideas

The holidays in Chicago turn the kitchen into the heart of the home—a space for family gatherings, storytelling and shared meals. Yet, preparing large feasts often highlights a kitchen’s limitations: cramped layouts, lack of counter space or outdated appliances. Remodeling in the fall allows homeowners to fix these pain points before the busy holiday season. Upgrades like double ovens, expanded counters and organized pantries can transform the cooking experience from stressful to seamless, ensuring you have the space, tools and flow to host effortlessly. IRPINO Construction highlights five key updates…

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Construction Materials Market to Cross USD 3.90 Trillion by 2034

The global building and construction materials market, valued at USD 2.19 trillion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 3.90 trillion by 2034 at a compound annual growth rate of 5.95%. Growth is being propelled by accelerating urbanization and infrastructure expansion worldwide. The market encompasses traditional materials such as concrete, steel and cement alongside emerging sustainable alternatives like engineered wood, recycled composites and low-emission cement. Government initiatives promoting energy efficiency and environmental responsibility are reshaping industry standards, while digital technologies, including AI, BIM and modular construction, are improving project efficiency…

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Self-Luxury: Redefining Home Renovation

Once measured by square footage, imported finishes, and dramatic statement pieces, it has shifted toward what we are calling self-luxury, the creation of personal spaces that restore, ground and comfort us. At Chapter, a full-service design-build firm, we define self-luxury as the intersection of design and self-care — treating the home not as a backdrop but as an active participant that nurtures well-being as intentionally as one cares for body and mind. This philosophy guided a recent Westchester renovation, offering a glimpse into how this new approach to luxury is…

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Remodel of the Week: Historic Lake Geneva

Facing Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a Greek Revival facade underwent a remodel and addition to blend modern needs with its historic charm. The project, in collaboration with En Masse Architecture and Abrams Valenti Interiors completely revitalized the underused property by modernizing the layout and upgrading fixtures. While the home has underwent other remodels, the layout of the 4,000-square-foot home, did not align with the new owners’ lifestyle. The kitchen and the dining room were relocated to better connect with the outdoors and add a private terrace. The new scullery allows for separation…

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How one kitchen remodel survived a hazards stack-up

For homeowners Mary and Dave, the goal of their kitchen remodel was to create a more functional, welcoming space that worked for their family of five while still honoring the character of their 1920s home. Dana King designer Meg Blaies approached the project by reimagining inefficient closets and a disjointed bar into ample storage, improving workflow with appliance placement and adding custom elements, such as a built-in-style hutch. Historic details were preserved wherever possible, with thoughtful updates such as subway tile in a herringbone pattern, cove molding and wavy glass…

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Creating spaces that grow with you

Most remodels focus on creating the perfect space for today—a dream kitchen, a finished basement or a relaxing bathroom retreat. But the most impactful renovations are those designed to last, evolving alongside your needs and lifestyle for years to come. By planning beyond current wants, homeowners can avoid costly updates later and ensure their spaces remain both functional and timeless as life changes. Flexible layouts, like basements that can shift from playrooms to gyms or in-law suites, and multipurpose rooms that adapt over time, help homes stay relevant through every…

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Prices for home remodeling outpaced inflation in the second quarter

Home repair and remodeling costs are climbing faster than inflation, according to Verisk’s latest Repair and Remodeling Index, which showed a 3.4% annual increase in the April–June quarter compared to a 2.7% rise in consumer prices overall. The index, which tracks more than 10,000 products, also rose 0.6% from the prior quarter. Much of the increase is being driven by higher labor costs, with the most labor-intensive projects, such as tile replacement and bathroom remodels, seeing the steepest quarterly gains. While tariffs on imported goods were expected to push costs…

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