Hawaii is no doubt one of the top destinations if you want to have an amazing vacation surrounded by lush surroundings and the feeling of being one with the environment.
But, what if you can live here year round? It certainly is NOT the cheapest place to buy a home but owning your dream house in this slice of paradise can be the best decision you've ever made. So, how can you find the house of your dreams in Hawaii?
Purchasing a new house is a great opportunity to live the life you’ve always wanted. While the pre-purchase phase involves a lot of work, taking time to do this right will save you major headaches in the future.
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There's Wall Paint, and Then There's Floor Paint: Best Paint and Floor Coatings for Hawaii's Weather7/15/2019 Hawaii may be the paradise it is but this paradise has its share of challenges that include volcanos, earthquakes, termites, and harsh weather.
All of these factors can make it challenging to enjoy the island life you’ve always envisioned. Good thing some factors are in your control. One of which is in your choice of wall and floor coatings. First off, it’s best to leave painting and resurfacing jobs to professionals. Why? Unless you have adequate experience with home remodeling, you may overlook certain factors that could make the project take longer and become more expensive. Some things to consider include: Weather – In Hawaii, Mother Nature is a force to reckon with. There is simply no way to avoid the various weather patterns that the state experiences except for preparation and the use of the right materials. If you need to paint the exterior walls, you need to ensure that you do this during the driest weather possible for the paint to properly adhere to the surface. Weather that is around 90F also allows for faster drying. Mildew – Sometimes caused by high humidity and condensation, mildew can also appear when there are water leaks. You can avoid the growth of molds by first applying an anti-mildew solution before you even paint on the first coat of primer and making sure that all the pipes inside the walls are in good working order. Lighting and reflection – Depending on the room you want to paint or resurface, lighting and reflection play important roles in your choice of the paint or coating. The good news is you won’t have to worry too much about the interior wall paint becoming affected by the elements. Just make sure you get a good quality product in the appropriate shade for the room you want to use it in. One of the marks of good quality paint is that you only need to apply one or two coats to achieve the color you desire. Location – Where your house is situated should also be a factor in your choice of wall paint and floor coating. If you live near the beach, for example, you need to choose materials that can withstand the wind, seawater, and sand, among others. You’re likely to repaint the exterior walls more often than if you lived away from the coast, but it’s necessary that you invest in a high-quality acrylic latex paint after cleaning and smoothing out the walls. As for flooring, the most popular choices are concrete, and tile as these materials react well to scratches and stains. Rust – If there are metal surfaces on either the exterior or interior walls of your home, use paint that protects from rust, especially if you live in a humid environment or an area that gets a lot of rain throughout the year. Think you are ready to paint your walls and coat your floors? Apart from consulting a professional, you also need to find a good paint supplier. Google is a good source of info on the shops that are closest to you. You’ll also find useful reviews from previous customers. Once you’ve found a property for your home, the next step is to build the actual structure.
You probably have an idea of the intricacies involved if you have experience with building construction but if not, a contractor can help. Of course, it helps to have a vision of what your house will be like. In addition, having an idea of the legal requirements helps you plan accordingly. Style With the plantation style being the most common, other types of homes typically found in Hawaii include mission, international, and Renaissance. Plantation style homes have been the choice for many non-millionaire homeowners but in recent years, a growing number of residents are opting for custom houses. As the name suggests, custom houses are homes that reflect the unique style of the owner. Design Elements Hawaiian homes share common elements with homes in other tropical areas. Examples that you can incorporate in to your house design are:
Permits and Zoning In Hawaii, land use and safety are major concerns, which is why securing building permits can be tricky. Apart from the building permit, you’ll need to secure plumbing and electrical permits as well as a plan to control erosion and sediment. Zoning requirements vary depending on the location of the property and these requirements dictate the kind of structures you can build and where you can build them. Once you’ve factored the foregoing elements in your plan, the next step is to find a contractor, which is undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions to make when planning to construct your home. Similar to finding any professional, you need to do some research, ask for estimates, and look for referrals. You also need to ensure the contractor you choose can work in the area where your property is located. It’s worth mentioning that the lowest price is not necessarily the best because you don’t want to be spending twice on work that was poorly done the first time. At ALAKA’I, we do home construction. Give us a call and let’s work together build your dream home. Your kitchen and bath are no doubt two of the most important spaces in the home.
If you’re thinking about giving these areas a makeover, consider the following trends and see which ones you can incorporate in the re-design: Bright colors – In recent times, silver-toned appliances and all-white kitchens and baths are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Update the look of your space with bright colors like bold blue, green, or red. It’s easy to get away with these tones especially in Hawaii where the tropical island look is seen everywhere. Color combinations – If you’re not a fan of bright colors, go for a combination of tones. In Hawaii where green, blue, and gray dominate the landscape using these hues brings the outdoor environment into your home. Green-gray and blue-gray are especially popular. Reclaimed materials – While the use of reclaimed materials has been a widespread practice, it’s becoming even more common in Hawaii where leather, vintage lighting, and wood fit perfectly with the surroundings. Quartz countertops – While wood and marble countertops are still extremely popular in many homes, current trends suggest that quartz will overtake these materials for use in kitchens and bathrooms. Apart from its anti-microbial properties, quartz doesn’t require oiling or polishing. It is also long lasting, making it perfect for the Hawaiian weather. In the past, the biggest drawback with quarts is the limited design and texture but recent advances in technology have opened up an array of possibilities. Tile floors – In Hawaii, hardwood floors aren’t always the best option for the home, especially if you have children or large pets. This is where tile floors come into their own. Porcelain tiles are waterproof and immensely durable, and if you want to hide scratches or avoid discoloration, opt for dark or colorful non-glazed surfacing. Covered sinks – Covered sinks are commonly found in homes where saving space is necessary. However, it is increasingly becoming a prominent feature in many kitchens. The wonderful thing about covered sinks is that you can hide your dirty dishes while taking advantage of the extra prep or serving space. Efficient storage – Waste of space is unfortunately all too familiar in kitchens and even in bathrooms. To make better use of space, it’s a good idea to plan your renovation around storage efficiency. Cabinets specifically for recyclables and garbage, drawer dividers to sort utensils o towels more easily, and appliance garages for the stand mixer and other small appliance can all make efficient use of space. Smart space - While life seems to move at a slower pace in tropical places like Hawaii, it won’t be too long before every single home is equipped with smart technology designed to make lives easier. Fortunately, you don’t need to do a complete overhaul to integrate digital technology into your kitchen or bath. You can do this easily by installing light or motion sensors, which is good for both convenience and energy efficiency. At ALAKA’I, we can help you with your kitchen and bath remodeling needs. Give us a call today. You may be wondering whether it’s time to update the look of your pool deck.
However, refinishing your pool is no simple thing and requires a bit of investment. Thus, it’s necessary to check the following signs to help you decide:
At ALAKA’I, resurfacing is one of our specialties where you can choose from stamped concrete, epoxy resin, and rubber coating to refinish your pool deck. Which material to use depends on your specific needs as well as preference.
Not sure which material is right for you? No problem! Included in the service we offer is custom work. This means you can pick the samples, decide on the measurements, and work out the little details – all with our guidance to ensure that you get the pool of your dreams. |