Monday, March 30, 2015

Benefits of A House Addition

Home additions are a great way to transform your home and give your family the necessary amenities and space you've always dreamed of. While some people are just looking to remodel, others are looking for the benefits that a home addition can provide such as added space, potential rental income, etc.  There are many other advantages to investing in a home addition.

1. Home additions give you more space. This one's kind of obvious,  huh? One of the first things all homeowners bring up when they are updating their home is more space. A home addition can greatly add to your usable square footage, whether it be in the form of a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or family room. Sometimes, even a very small addition can yield big results.

2. House extra family members. This is actually not a benefit to me, but maybe if you like your in-laws? A recent study showed that almost 40% of young adults live at home with their parents. If you have the space, home additions can include an entire bedroom. In fact, if the plumbing allows for it, you can even add a small bathroom or extra guest bathroom. The extra bedroom and bathroom would be perfect for out of town guests as well.

3. Additional income? If you choose to add on and that includes a full bedroom and bathroom, you could also rent out the additional space.

4. Add value to your home. Now, you need to do your research before fully committing to a home addition. Fred Oakley has the experience you need to help make the decision on whether an addition will yield a profit or not.

5. Add natural sunlight! This one is a huge plus for me. Who doesn't want a sunroom to lounge in on a gorgeous Saturday morning? When property owners think of home additions, oftentimes, they think of a sunroom. They cost less than full-scale room additions and they give you just as much square footage. Sunrooms can also add some natural sunlight to the surrounding rooms.

If you're thinking of tackling the task of a home addition, call Fred Oakley Construction! For an estimate, call today at 615-975-8916!

Be sure to visit us HERE for special offers! Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Thinking Tile?

Are you thinking about remodeling your home? People generally tend to start with their kitchen and/or bathrooms first. Fred Oakley, owner of Fred Oakley Construction, has been in the business for over 40 years! He knows his stuff!

Thinking about using tile in your bathroom? Great! We have a few tips for you!

Using a large-format tile is great for barrier-free design and aging in place. If you’re looking for a large tile, look for one with a good slip-resistance rating.

Thinking about glass or mosaic tile? A little-known fact is that if you're using glass tile or any sheet mosaic tile, it is up to the manufacturer or retailer to inform you if the tile is acceptable for submersion or pool use. Your shower floor should be built like it will be submerged. It is also the responsibility of the manufacturer of glass tile to specify the type of setting materials you need.

Use smaller tiles on curves: Depending on your shower bench design, you may need smaller tiles to handle the curves. Smaller tiles handle curves much better.

Think about how it will feel: A slab feels better to sit on versus a smaller tile.

Be careful when selecting mosaic tile: Pick out a mosaic tile that offers at least 95% contact from the tile to the backer board.

Small colored glass is easier to work with than large clear glass: Glass is hard to work with in general. Some clear glass tiles can show when moisture is trapped behind them, which make your Pinterest-worthy shower look awful after just a few uses.  Choosing smaller colored glass tile is much better for the long run.

Consider universal design: Pick a large-format tile and a one-way slope for easy access to the shower if you plan to keep your home. Also, if you use one tile throughout can also make your room look much bigger.

Keep cleaning in mind: Perhaps the most important factor! If you hate cleaning your shower, like 99% of us, use larger slabs or glass panels, since they making cleaning much easier than small mosaic-type tiles.

No matter if you're looking for a highly experienced contractor to redo your bathroom or kitchen tile, install cabinets, or do a complete renovation, Fred Oakley can do it all! He services all of Middle Tennessee. Call 615-975-8916. Be sure to visit HERE and sign up for a free estimate!

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

Thinking about redoing your kitchen cabinets? Look no further than Fred Oakley Construction! He is one of the best contractors in the Middle Tennessee area, with over 30 years experience.



White (or off-white) Shaker-style doors create a light and clean look in a kitchen. Cabinets in shades of white are enduring and versatile, appearing in cottage, traditional, and even modern kitchens.

Twenty some years ago, kitchen cabinets were considered top of the line if they included a lazy Susan and a built-in spice rack. Now storage options are plentiful, including pullout trays, bread boxes, and narrow spaces that would otherwise have false cabinet fronts utilized as customized spots for pans such as cookie sheets and muffin tins.


Unique Islands instead of a standard rectangular island! Try a stand-alone table to create a cozy feel. Chairs can be pulled up for a casual meal or pushed to the side for meal prep and serving.


For all you OCD homeowners, this is heaven! Customized drawers! Where you'd expect to find swinging doors that open to reveal storage inserts, there are pullout doors attached to shelves for pots and pans, holders for recycling and garbage bins, and racks for canned and dry goods. Drawer inserts can be set up to hold dishes, silverware, or cutlery. Inserts are often customizable and help to maintain a clutter-free kitchen. 

One of my personal favorite cabinet ideas are glass cabinets! Glass-front cabinet doors give the eye a break from wall-to-wall cabinetry and create display space for collectibles, pretty dishes, and glassware. Add just a few glass doors to your current kitchen design to create a light and fresh look.

Built in appliances is also another favorite! Appliances might be more intelligent, efficient, and feature-packed than ever, but that doesn't mean they need to be the focus in your kitchen! You can conceal your fridge in your cabinets.  

Whether you're looking to remodel your kitchen cabinets are completely renovate your kitchen, Fred Oakley Construction has the experience and know-how to make your kitchen dreams come true! Call him today at 615-975-8916.