Building Blocks

The Marling Blog

On March 30, 2018 in General by Lukas Radtke

There are countertop options in all colors, styles and materials. What goes with what? A couple of things are going to influence your ultimate decision – how long are you staying in the house? How much time do you spend in the kitchen and what do you do there? And what can you afford? A Marling HomeWorks designer can help with your decision and quote several options for you.

Tagged With: bar tops, bathroom countertops, Corian, countertop, granite, kitchen, kitchen countertops, quartz

Designing for your Pets

On February 9, 2018 in General by Lukas Radtke

Our furry friends have become an increasing consideration for both interior, as well as, exterior home design. For several years, the National Kitchen and Bath Association has included “pet friendly” as a design trend homeowner are asking about for new home builds and remodels. Recent statistics show more than 60 percent of homeowners mention their pets and pet friendly additions when they talk to a designer.Designers have used creative cabinet combinations to help make areas more pet friendly and now cabinet companies are acknowledging the trend by creating specific cabinet storage features to keep pet food and treats fresh and store dog related food and drink bowls.

Tagged With: cabinets, decoration, home design, pet friendly

Start Designing Your Deck Now

On January 11, 2018 in Decking by Derrek Hancock

A deck extends your living space from inside to the outside. Whether it’s for having a party or some quiet relaxing family time, the varieties of decking – from wood to composite - can make your outdoor space as elaborate or simple as you please. Yes, the decking season starts in Spring, but now is the time to think about deck design and ordering so it can be enjoyed from the Spring well into the Fall. Each decking company has its own colors, some have their own recommended fasteners, some let you mix colors and some let you be a little more creative with curves, stairs and inlaid designs. Now is the time to let a decking professional at Marling Lumber and HomeWorks begin your design and line up an installer, so you can start enjoying your outdoor space as soon as the weather cooperates.

Tagged With: decking, decking companies, exterior design

Trending Cabinet Colors

On December 4, 2017 in Cabinets by Jon Ballard

Here's a primer on how home cabinet colors, painted and stained, vary from region to region in the United States. Choose your cabinet colors according to the region where you live, the room where the cabinets will be installed, and (most importantly) what you like best!

Tagged With: cabinet colors, interior design trends, cabinets

Beware of Improvement in Stages

On February 14, 2017 in Cabinets, Decking, Doors, General, Windows by Kathy

Home improvement in stages may not be what you want. If you're thinking about breaking your next home improvement into stages, remember: colors and styles change for all home products, have a plan if an item becomes discontinued, be aware of trends in cabinet colors and styles, and remember, as wood ages, it develops a patina, so add those upper cabinets sooner rather than later.

Tagged With: cabinets, doors, home improvement , windows, decking

Color Your World

On May 10, 2016 in Cabinets, General by Kathy

We are constantly asked by customers - whether they are picking out siding colors or cabinet colors – what is “in.” Numerous times each year, the Pantone colors are announced. Currently, rose quartz and serenity are on top. You can try to keep up to date with the newest trends, but we stress that you pick what YOU want. You are the one living with the cabinets, siding, or shingles, so don't settle for something underwhelming. Browse the showrooms at our locations and look at your color options – we’ll help you color your world.

Tagged With: cabinets, siding, trending

Decking Decisions

On January 5, 2016 in Decking by Kathy

If you are dreaming of spending summer and fall on a great deck – there are a few things to consider before you launch yourself into the realm of outdoor living and entertaining.Where is the deck going? Are you ready for a wood deck? What kind of wood are you considering? Is a more expensive vinyl deck something you want? At Marling Lumber and HomeWorks, we can answer all these questions and more.

Tagged With: , composite decking, decking accessories, vinyl, wood, decking

Wood vs. Vinyl Windows

On October 30, 2015 in Windows by Tina Lenz

Windows come in dozens of styles; however, the two basic categories are wood or vinyl. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Both are energy efficient – the big differences are cost and maintenance.Wood windows look great when they are put in, but they need periodic maintenance to keep up that look, Vinyl windows are cleaned with soap and water and they never require painting or sealing. Wood or vinyl aside, measuring and ordering windows, in general, is complicated. That's why we recommend you get help from professionals like us for picking and measuring your windows.

Tagged With: vinyl windows, custom size windows, vinyl slider windows, vinyl window replacements, window retailers, wood windows

It’s Nearly October and Time Is Not on Your Side

On September 30, 2015 in Cabinets, DIY by Tina Lenz

It’s Nearly October and Time Is Not on Your Side

Windows, doors, cabinets – they all take weeks to get. If you want a new kitchen before the holidays, it should be designed and ordered now. When you are planning a project, get a realistic timeline in your mind and understand there may be things along the way that we can’t control and neither can you. The factory is in the middle of nowhere and it closed for two days because they had electrical problems, the truck driver miscalculated the weather and the diesel froze, one cabinet is missing and its getting put on the next truck, all the orders were on one computer drive and it crashed and it will take a week to restore the data at the factory. Yes, all these things have happened and each of them delayed someone’s project that needed to get done. Plan with a realistic timeline in mind – and then add a week for things you can’t control.

Tagged With: cabinets, diamond cabinets, DIY, fieldstone cabinets, kitchen cabinets janesville wi, kitchen cabinets madison wi, kitchen remodel, merillat cabinets

Explore These Roofing Options

On September 28, 2015 in Roofing by Tina Lenz

You’ve got to put a new roof on your house and now you’ve discovered it’s not as simple as picking out a shingle from three or four options. There are new colors, new styles – should I get metal roofing and what are the advantages or disadvantages of all these things? Questions and more questions. Luckily, there is a lot of technology out there that you can take advantage of to help educate yourself and even get design help. Take a look at these sites and you should be ready to make your roofing decision.

Tagged With: roofing, Tamko, Certainteed, Decra, roofing janesville wi, roofing madison wi, shingles

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