Choosing the Right Materials for Home Building

The Right Exterior Material for Your Custom Home

Everyone wants their home to have a nice-looking exterior. It takes a lot of work to get to that point, and one of the things you need to do is choose carefully when it comes to your custom home's architectural design, elevation design, and exterior materials. It is important that the house you end up with is one that, in terms of both its aesthetics and its functionality, can withstand the test of time.

When it comes to the materials that make up the outside of your custom house, you have an almost unlimited number of choices at your disposal, as is the case with the majority of the other decisions that you will be entrusted with selecting.

You can choose from a wide variety of colours, different types of materials, and different kinds of textures. It is my sincere hope that you are working with a skilled builder who will assist you in arriving at the most appropriate decision for your house.

When deciding which materials to use, it is important to take into account a variety of elements, such as the architectural style of your home and the surrounding neighbourhood as well as the potential impact that material may have on your homeowner's insurance rates.

Architectural Style

Your selections for exterior materials will be more limited depending on the architectural type of your home. This is because authentic and appropriate materials are exclusive to each architectural style.

For instance, if your home is designed in the Spanish Mediterranean architectural style, the exterior of your home will most likely be stucco, with some stonework thrown in for good measure.

Brick and siding are not appropriate building materials for a Spanish-Mediterranean design home; therefore, you should avoid using them. In the same vein, if you were building a home with the colonial style, which is often made of brick or wood, you wouldn't choose to clad the exterior of your house in stucco.

Energy Efficiency

Choose materials that have the necessary insulation properties if you want to reduce the amount of money you spend on your monthly energy bill. The quantity of heat that your house takes in during the day is also affected by the colour that you choose for the interior.

Weather and Environment

As was said before, the materials that make up a home's exterior serve as its primary line of defence against adverse climatic conditions such as ice and snow, persistent rain, and high winds. When it comes to selecting materials, one of the most important considerations is the surrounding surroundings.

Impact on Insurance

It's possible that insurance companies will set limitations on the kinds of materials that can be used on the roof and the exterior of a building in order to reduce the likelihood of costly repairs and replacements the following damage or to contain the spread of fire. If you choose a material that is more resistant to fire than another, you can be eligible for a discount on your homeowner's insurance premiums.

Types of Exterior Materials

Stucco

Stucco has been around for generations, and it may give your house a really unique look. The Mediterranean and Modern architectural styles are popular choices for the outside design of many residences that use stucco. Traditional stucco is a type of plaster that is made of cement and contains sand and limestone.

It is put in numerous layers on walls that are made of wood, brick, or mesh screens. The ultimate colour should be achieved in the coat that is applied last. Although stucco can be painted, doing so adds to the amount of upkeep work that must be done on the house.

Pros:

• Appealing appearance from the street
• Simple to shape in order to develop various aspects of the design
• Long-lasting given adequate care and upkeep
• resistant to both fire and insects
• Stucco has a lifespan of at least fifty years.

Cons:

• Can come at a high cost.
• Has expenditures of upkeep and repair that are higher than those of other materials
• If the product wasn't placed properly, it could be damaged by moisture.
• Cracks can be caused by the shifting of the ground and by settlement.
• wood siding home

Wood Siding

There are many different types of wood that can be used for siding, including pine, fir, spruce, cypress, redwood, and cedar. Wood siding is an attractive and time-honoured exterior material.

You also have the option of selecting engineered wood, which consists of genuine wood but is more long-lasting, comes pre-treated against termites and rot, is simple and inexpensive to instal, and has these benefits. A classic and unaltered look is achieved by cladding a building with wood.

To achieve a variety of distinct looks, siding can be put in a variety of orientations, including horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Some of the sidings might have panels.

Clapboard, shakes, board and batten, shingle, and tongue-and-groove are all examples of different types of siding. Because it can be recycled completely, using wood as an external material is an environmentally responsible decision.

Pros:

• A natural appearance and attractiveness from the street
• Simple to work with and adaptable to either painting or staining
• Durability that lasts a lifetime with the appropriate upkeep
• Wood that has been properly cared for can last for more than fifty years.

Cons:

• Not particularly resistant to catching fire.
• Easily attacked by termites and other kinds of insects
• prone to damage by rodents that gnaw on wood
• Concrete fibre outside of a home that is not properly maintained is susceptible to rotting, weathering, and solar damage.

Concrete Fiber

Concrete offers the same benefits as stucco in terms of strength, durability, and environmental management. Concrete fibre siding is a type of cladding that is supposed to seem like real wood but is really built of concrete that has been combined with wood fibre. The appearance of stucco or masonry can also be achieved with fibre cement through careful planning.

Concrete fibre siding goes by a variety of brand names, including Hardicrete, HardiPlank, and HardiBoard. In addition to contributing to sustainability by reducing the amount of forest land cleared, the material withstands the elements very well. However, it cannot be recycled to the same extent as wood can.

Pros:

• Extremely long-lasting and requires significantly less upkeep than wood
• Can be coloured any way you like any type of wood can be coloured with paint
• Fire, moisture, and pest resistant
• Possibly guaranteed for a period of 35 to 50 years.

Cons:

• Can be difficult to manoeuvre when wet.
• Installation calls for the use of specialised equipment
• Fragile and prone to chipping or breaking.
• If painted, will need to be repainted on a regular basis.

Brick

A residence that is constructed out of solid brick has an extremely classic appearance. The majority of homes constructed entirely out of brick have only one layer of brick on top of a wood frame.

Pros:

• An appearance that stands the test of time while requiring little upkeep
• Available in a wide range of hues, surface textures, and dimensions. If one so chooses, they can be painted.
• Insulates well, lasts a long time, requires little maintenance, is fireproof, and doesn't rot.
• Protection from unwanted organisms
• Can continue functioning for more than 75 years.

Cons:

• Even a solid brick wall could let some moisture in via the crevices.
• Fractures and falls apart as a result of seismic action.
• The continual movement of the ground causes it to crack over time.
• home exterior made of cast stone

Stone and Cast Stone

The addition of stone to the façade of your home provides it with substantial additional dimension and texture. Consider using chop stone to achieve a look that is more organic and natural.

Choose cut stone for an appearance that is sleeker and more up-to-date.

Cast stone is a type of imitation stone that was produced to have the appearance of real stone but at a more affordable price. Because it is easier to regulate the shape and colour of cast stone, it is sometimes a beautiful addition to stone exteriors.

This complement can be found in both residential and commercial settings. Cast stone has a lifespan of between 30 and 50 years.

Pros:

• Having an organic and natural appearance yet requiring nothing in the way of upkeep
• Insulates well, lasts a long time, requires little maintenance, is fireproof, and doesn't rot.
• Pest-resistant
• Can continue functioning for more than 75 years.

Cons:

• Because stone is a natural material, it is impossible to control the exact colour variation of different lots of stone.

Metal

Metal siding is a versatile material that can be produced to appear like any other siding material, and its popularity has been on the rise in recent years. Siding made of metal can typically be produced from steel or aluminium, and it can be purchased in a wide range of colours, textures, and shapes.

Pros:

• It is adaptable, versatile, and available in a wide variety of colours and textures.
• Extremely long-lasting, with lifespans ranging from 30 to 50 years.
• Cheaper than wood in comparison
• Protects against flames, insects, elements, and mould.
• Extremely environmentally friendly, recyclable in its whole, and constructed entirely from waste products

Cons:

• The metal will corrode if the finish is damaged in any way.
• The cost of shingle-style panels is higher than that of regular panels.
• Vulnerable to dents
• Some finishes yellow with time or develop a powdery appearance.

How to Pick the Best House Layout for Your Family

The process of purchasing a new home is an exciting time for families, but it may also be intimidating due to the numerous options that are currently available. When it comes to your new home, it is essential to avoid making any kind of compromises.

You do not want to find yourself lamenting the fact that you swiftly outgrew your living arrangement a few years down the road or lamenting the choice that you made today. If you want to choose the house layout that would work best for your family, consider the following advice:

Make Sure You Have Enough Bedrooms

How many members of your family do you anticipate will call this place home? Do you now have a family of three members and intend to increase your brood in the years to come? You should have enough bedrooms for everyone living in the house, as well as one additional bedroom for visitors, as a general rule of thumb.

When you have young children, having additional bedrooms might come in very handy. Guests' grandparents will have their own personal space when they stay with us.

In the event that the infant wakes up in the middle of the night, the second room will provide the opportunity for the second parent to continue sleeping in peace.

When there is a new baby in the family, things like this might sometimes happen. On weekdays, the working parent can decide to sleep in another room in order to catch up on some much-needed rest.

Bedroom Location Is Also Key

Also, make sure you pay attention to where the bedrooms are located. You will want a nursery to be located next to the master bedroom if you already have a child, are expecting a child, or have plans to establish a family in the near future. Having the master suite on the first floor of a two-story home can be a nightmare for parents of young children, especially infants and toddlers.

On the other hand, if your children are older, you might decide that they need additional space between their bedrooms, or even their very own wing of the house.

In this way, parents are able to escape to their safe space without having to worry about being disturbed by other activities, even loud video games.

Don’t Overlook the Bathroom Situation

One of the most typical complaints made by house searchers is that the home does not have sufficient bathrooms. If you want to avoid waiting in line for the bathroom first thing in the morning, choose a configuration that has plenty of them.

It is recommended that there be one bathroom for every two bedrooms in the house so that the space can be utilised in the most efficient manner possible for your family.

Homeowners who have guests frequently should select a floor plan that provides either a full or a half bathroom for guests in close proximity to the living area of the house. In houses with more than one level, the guest bathroom ought to be located on the ground floor.

Try to choose master bathrooms that come with both a his and hers vanity. Both parties will be able to get ready without interfering with the preparations being made by the other.

Select an Open Floor Plan

The majority of homes that are newly built these days feature open floor designs. Due to the fact that you will need to keep a close eye on them at all times, they are perfect for families with younger children.

If you have an open floor plan, your infants will be able to play safely in their playpen even as you prepare dinner.

While you are preparing meals, older children can sit at the kitchen island to get help with their homework while you are cooking. Open floor plans are intended to encourage interaction and communication among family members.

Keep an eye out for floor plans that also have unimpeded sight lines of the backyard. When the children get older, they will be able to play outside while you perform chores inside the house without you having to worry about losing sight of them.

Have a Convenient Laundry Room

It may seem as though there is never a break in the cycle of dirty laundry when you have children. A laundry room that is conveniently located is an essential component of an optimal floor plan for a household like yours. In homes with two levels, having a laundry room on the lower level makes it simpler for parents to juggle multiple responsibilities at once.

While you are making dinner in the kitchen, you can refill the washing machine in the interim. On the other side, some families find it more convenient to have the laundry room on the second floor, close to the bedrooms, so they can move clothes easily between the two levels. However, safety measures need to be taken in case of the washing machine in the upstairs bathroom floods, which has the potential to wreak havoc on the household.

Even laundry rooms located in the garage can be less than ideal, particularly in homes with two or more stories. It is often very difficult to hear the dryer signal when it is located above. In addition, you will eventually become tired of carrying your laundry downstairs and then outside to the garage.

Have Adequate Storage Space

Even if you make an effort to live a minimalist lifestyle, the members of your family, especially if you have young children, are likely to have personal items. In order to give your family the most functional layout for your home, you should reduce the amount of clutter by providing appropriate storage in the following rooms:

• Mudrooms are the ideal places to leave belongings such as coats, backpacks, and muddy shoes after coming in from the outdoors. Installing cubbies around the room can help you get control over these items.
• Having adequate storage space in the kitchen is essential, particularly in kitchens that have an open floor plan. Check to see that all of your tiny gadgets (such as blenders), cooking utensils, spices, and food have adequate space to store them in the kitchen.
• HovHubs are the ideal workstations for sending off a few quick emails, completing some schoolwork, or searching the internet for some recipes.
• Garage - Check to see that the garage has sufficient space to accommodate the family car, as well as the golf clubs and bicycles belonging to the children. You might even turn this space into a little mudroom, where you could store things like tools, seasonal decorations, and other personal stuff.

Designate a Playroom

Your home will be less cluttered if you establish a specific location for each of your children's toys to call their own. You won't have to run back and forth as much between the bedroom and the main living space with the toys. Pick a playroom where there is a door, please.

When the room is a mess or the children are playing with loud toys, you will have the ability to shut the door using this method. Playrooms can be created out of a variety of spaces, including offices, basements, and sunrooms.

Consider Your Outdoor Space

When planning the layout of your home, you shouldn't overlook the beautiful scenery outside. Is there room for a playhouse or swing set in the backyard? Families who like activities such as football, corn hole, and other games may require a yard that is enclosed by fencing. Having an outside basketball hoop available for use may be more beneficial for older children.

Conclusion

When constructing a new home, it is important to plan out, create a budget, and hire professionals to ensure that the materials used are both environmentally friendly and able to withstand the test of time. To do this, prospective homeowners and contractors should use building materials that have a minimal effect on the surrounding environment, such as repurposed or recycled materials. This strategy can help homeowners save money by reducing the need to purchase new materials during the building process and throughout the lifetime of the home. The right exterior material for a custom home is important for both aesthetics and functionality. It is important to consider the architectural style of the home and the surrounding neighbourhood, as well as the potential impact that material may have on homeowner's insurance rates.

It is also important to choose materials that have the necessary insulation properties if you want to reduce the amount of money you spend on your monthly energy bill. The colour of a home's exterior is affected by the weather and environment. When selecting materials, it is important to consider the surrounding surroundings, the impact on insurance, and the lifespan of the material. Stucco is a type of plaster that is made of cement and contains sand and limestone. Wood siding is an attractive and time-honoured exterior material, but it can come at a high cost and can be damaged by moisture, shifting of the ground, and settlement.

Wood is an environmentally responsible material that can be used to create a classic and unaltered look. It has a natural appearance and attractiveness from the street, is easy to work with and adaptable to either painting or staining, and can last for more than fifty years. Concrete fibre siding is a type of cladding that is built of concrete that has been combined with wood fibre, and can be coloured any way you like. Brick has an extremely classic appearance and can be difficult to manoeuvre when wet. Metal siding is a versatile material that can be produced to appear like any other siding material, and its popularity has been on the rise in recent years.

It is adaptable, versatile, and available in a wide variety of colours and textures. It insulates well, lasts a long time, requires little maintenance, is fireproof, and doesn't rot. It is also environmentally friendly, recyclable in its whole, and constructed entirely from waste products. The cost of shingle-style panels is higher than that of regular panels, and some finishes yellow with time or develop a powdery appearance. Make sure you have enough bedrooms for everyone living in the house, as well as one additional bedroom for visitors, as a general rule of thumb.

Bedroom location is also key, as a nursery should be located next to the master bedroom if you already have a child, are expecting a child, or have plans to establish a family in the near future. Don't overlook the bathroom situation, as many house searchers complain that the home does not have sufficient bathrooms. It is important to select a floor plan that provides a full or a half bathroom for guests in close proximity to the living area. Open floor plans are ideal for families with younger children, while master bathrooms should have both a his and hers vanity and unimpeded sight lines of the backyard. Additionally, a convenient laundry room should be located on the lower level to make it easier for parents to juggle multiple responsibilities at once.

Safety measures need to be taken in case of the washing machine in the upstairs bathroom floods. The most important details are to provide adequate storage space in the laundry room, mudrooms, kitchen, and workstations for personal items, such as blenders, cooking utensils, spices, and food. This will help reduce the amount of clutter and make the most functional layout for the home. The most important details are that the garage should be large enough to accommodate the family car, golf clubs and bicycles, and the mudroom should be designated as a playroom. Outdoor space should also be considered, such as a playhouse or swing set in the backyard, and an outside basketball hoop for older children.

Content Summary

1. If you want to acquire excellent results from your home construction projects, you need to properly plan them out, create a budget, and hire professionals.
2. When planning the construction of a new home, one very essential aspect that must be taken into consideration is the process of acquiring the necessary building materials for the project.
3. While it is natural for homeowners to want to make sure that the materials used to construct their homes are a reflection of their own personal taste and sense of style, the primary goal that should be kept in mind when selecting materials for projects such as the construction of a home should be to ensure that the materials are both environmentally friendly and able to withstand the test of time.
4. The first thing that would need to be done is for prospective homeowners and contractors to use building materials that have a minimal effect on the surrounding environment.
5. When it comes to construction projects in general, a significant portion of the materials that are utilised typically has an adverse effect on the local ecosystem.
6. Therefore, the best way to encourage environmentally friendly building would be to obtain materials based on their influence on the environment while also taking into consideration all stages of the life cycle of the item.
7. When people incorporate specific repurposed or recycled materials into the building process, it will be much simpler to adapt, improvise, and finally remove what they have built.
8. This strategy can help homeowners save money because, if they choose to reuse materials that are durable and acceptable, they can reduce the need to purchase new materials during the building process and throughout the lifetime of the home.
9. This helps homeowners save money both during the building process and throughout the lifetime of the home.
10. It can be a pretty laborious task to choose all of the appropriate materials for a new home because people want everything to be perfect and to their satisfaction, once it is finished.
11. However, reducing the amount of space you don't need or making larger spaces a bit more cosy with designs that are efficient and well-thought-out can help to cut down on wastage or the purchase of materials that aren't necessary.
12. Everyone wants their home to have a nice-looking exterior.
13. It takes a lot of work to get to that point, and one of the things you need to do is choose carefully when it comes to your custom home's architectural design, elevation design, and exterior materials.
14. When it comes to the materials that make up the outside of your custom house, you have an almost unlimited number of choices at your disposal, as is the case with the majority of the other decisions that you will be entrusted with selecting.
15. You can choose from a wide variety of colours, different types of materials, and different kinds of textures.
16. When deciding which materials to use, it is important to take into account a variety of elements, such as the architectural style of your home and the surrounding neighbourhood as well as the potential impact that material may have on your homeowner's insurance rates.
17. Your selections for exterior materials will be more limited depending on the architectural type of your home.
18. This is because authentic and appropriate materials are exclusive to each architectural style.
19. For instance, if your home is designed in the Spanish Mediterranean architectural style, the exterior of your home will most likely be stucco, with some stonework thrown in for good measure.
20. Choose materials that have the necessary insulation properties if you want to reduce the amount of money you spend on your monthly energy bill.
21. The quantity of heat that your house takes in during the day is also affected by the colour that you choose for the interior.
22. As was said before, the materials that make up a home's exterior serve as its primary line of defence against adverse climatic conditions such as ice and snow, persistent rain, and high winds.
23. When it comes to selecting materials, one of the most important considerations is the surroundings.
24. It's possible that insurance companies will set limitations on the kinds of materials that can be used on the roof and the exterior of a building in order to reduce the likelihood of costly repairs and replacements the following damage or to contain the spread of fire.
25. If you choose a material that is more resistant to fire than another, you can be eligible for a discount on your homeowner's insurance premiums.
26. Stucco has been around for generations, and it may give your house a really unique look.
27. The Mediterranean and Modern architectural styles are popular choices for the outside design of many residences that use stucco.
28. Although stucco can be painted, doing so adds to the amount of upkeep work that must be done on the house.
29. There are many different types of wood that can be used for siding, including pine, fir, spruce, cypress, redwood, and cedar.
30. Wood siding is an attractive and time-honoured exterior material.
31. A classic and unaltered look is achieved by cladding a building with wood.
32. To achieve a variety of distinct looks, siding can be put in a variety of orientations, including horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
33. Some of the sidings might have panels.
34. Clapboard, shakes, board and batten, shingle, and tongue-and-groove are all examples of different types of siding.
35. Because it can be recycled completely, using wood as an external material is an environmentally responsible decision.
36. Concrete offers the same benefits as stucco in terms of strength, durability, and environmental management.
37. Concrete fibre siding is a type of cladding that is supposed to seem like real wood but is really built of concrete that has been combined with wood fibre.
38. The appearance of stucco or masonry can also be achieved with fibre cement through careful planning.
39. Concrete fibre siding goes by a variety of brand names, including Hardicrete, HardiPlank, and HardiBoard.
40. In addition to contributing to sustainability by reducing the amount of forest land cleared, the material withstands the elements very well.
41. However, it cannot be recycled to the same extent as wood can.
42. Pros: Extremely long-lasting and requires significantly less upkeep than wood Can be coloured any way you like any type of wood can be coloured with paint Fire, moisture, and pest resistant Possibly guaranteed for a period of 35 to 50 years.
43. Can continue functioning for more than 75 years.
44. Cons: Even a solid brick wall could let some moisture in via the crevices.
45. The continual movement of the ground causes it to crack over time.
46. The addition of stone to the façade of your home provides it with substantial additional dimension and texture.
47. Consider using chop stone to achieve a look that is more organic and natural.
48. Choose cut stone for an appearance that is sleeker and more up-to-date.
49. Because it is easier to regulate the shape and colour of cast stone, it is sometimes a beautiful addition to stone exteriors.
50. Cast stone has a lifespan of between 30 and 50 years.
51. Pest-resistant Can continue functioning for more than 75 years.
52. Metal siding is a versatile material that can be produced to appear like any other siding material, and its popularity has been on the rise in recent years.
53. The cost of shingle-style panels is higher than that of regular panels.
54. You should have enough bedrooms for everyone living in the house, as well as one additional bedroom for visitors, as a general rule of thumb.
55. When you have young children, having additional bedrooms might come in very handy.
56. Guests' grandparents will have their own personal space when they stay with us.
57. In the event that the infant wakes up in the middle of the night, the second room will provide the opportunity for the second parent to continue sleeping in peace.
58. When there is a new baby in the family, things like this might sometimes happen.
59. Also, make sure you pay attention to where the bedrooms are located.
60. You will want a nursery to be located next to the master bedroom if you already have a child, are expecting a child, or have plans to establish a family in the near future.
61. Having the master suite on the first floor of a two-story home can be a nightmare for parents of young children, especially infants and toddlers.
62. On the other hand, if your children are older, you might decide that they need additional space between their bedrooms, or even their very own wing of the house.
63. One of the most typical complaints made by house searchers is that the home does not have sufficient bathrooms.
64. If you want to avoid waiting in line for the bathroom first thing in the morning, choose a configuration that has plenty of them.
65. It is recommended that there be one bathroom for every two bedrooms in the house so that the space can be utilised in the most efficient manner possible for your family.
66. Homeowners who have guests frequently should select a floor plan that provides either a full or a half bathroom for guests in close proximity to the living area of the house.
67. In houses with more than one level, the guest bathroom ought to be located on the ground floor.
68. Try to choose master bathrooms that come with both a his and hers vanity.
69. The majority of homes that are newly built these days feature open floor designs.
70. Due to the fact that you will need to keep a close eye on them at all times, they are perfect for families with younger children.
71. If you have an open floor plan, your infants will be able to play safely in their playpen even as you prepare dinner.
72. Open floor plans are intended to encourage interaction and communication among family members.
73. Keep an eye out for floor plans that also have unimpeded sight lines of the backyard.
74. It may seem as though there is never a break in the cycle of dirty laundry when you have children.
75. A laundry room that is conveniently located is an essential component of an optimal floor plan for a household like yours.
76. In homes with two levels, having a laundry room on the lower level makes it simpler for parents to juggle multiple responsibilities at once.
77. While you are making dinner in the kitchen, you can refill the washing machine in the interim.
78. On the other hand, some families find it more convenient to have the laundry room on the second floor, close to the bedrooms, so they can move clothes easily between the two levels.
79. However, safety measures need to be taken in case of the washing machine in the upstairs bathroom floods, which has the potential to wreak havoc on the household.
80. Even laundry rooms located in the garage can be less than ideal, particularly in homes with two or more stories.
81. It is often very difficult to hear the dryer signal when it is located above.
82. In addition, you will eventually become tired of carrying your laundry downstairs and then outside to the garage.
83. Even if you make an effort to live a minimalist lifestyle, the members of your family, especially if you have young children, are likely to have personal items.
84. In order to give your family the most functional layout for your home, you should reduce the amount of clutter by providing appropriate storage in the following rooms: Mudrooms are the ideal places to leave belongings such as coats, backpacks, and muddy shoes after coming in from the outdoors.
85. Installing cubbies around the room can help you get control over these items.
86. Having adequate storage space in the kitchen is essential, particularly in kitchens that have an open floor plan.
87. Check to see that all of your tiny gadgets (such as blenders), cooking utensils, spices, and food have adequate space to store them in the kitchen.
88. Check to see that the garage has sufficient space to accommodate the family car, as well as the golf clubs and bicycles belonging to the children.
89. You might even turn this space into a little mudroom, where you could store things like tools, seasonal decorations, and other personal stuff.
90. Your home will be less cluttered if you establish a specific location for each of your children's toys to call their own.
91. You won't have to run back and forth as much between the bedroom and the main living space with the toys.
92. Pick a playroom where there is a door, please.
93. When the room is a mess or the children are playing with loud toys, you will have the ability to shut the door using this method.
94. Playrooms can be created out of a variety of spaces, including offices, basements, and sunrooms.