5 Historic Green Homes

Owning an historic home from a past era is an honor, but many owners of preserved structures are unaware that these buildings are capable of being environmentally friendly as well. The construction and renovation experts at Tiefenthaler have experience with preservation, and are familiar with the features of the best historic green homes.

Source: Wikimedia

Source: Wikimedia

1. Ardestie Earth House. This home in Scotland was built long before green initiatives were popular, but it boasts outstanding eco-friendly qualities regardless. The chain of underground huts, passageways and cellars shows that the builders knew something about the Earth’s insulating properties.

2. Underground Homes of Australia. These dugout structures are proof that mankind is capable of adapting suitable alternatives when traditional building materials aren’t available. The homes are fully or partially underground, and are comprised of abandoned mine caverns.

3. Fallingwater. This Frank Lloyd Wright creation in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, both overlook and is part of a flowing waterfall. It appears as if it was carved out of the rock formations that surround it. The home was one of the first to harness solar power for household use.

4. Philip Johnson Glass House. This Connecticut home’s striking appearance is surpassed only by its eco-friendly qualities. The glass panes are high-efficiency, and the solar panels fuel the structure’s geo-thermal systems for almost complete self-sustainability.

5. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. One of our nation’s founders is credited with utilizing the sun’s rays for both heat and light. The first floor is illuminated by second floor skylights, which channel the sun to the rooms below.

For more information on historic green homes, please give us a call at Tiefenthaler. We have extensive experience with new construction, additions, and large scale renovation work. We maintain direct partnerships with the best architects and interior design professionals in Fairfield County and beyond.

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Adding a Carriage House to Your Property Will Provide Room for Your Guest

Whether you have occasional guests or frequently invite people over for the weekend, it’s always nice to be able to offer a space that gives them room and privacy.

Source: Jon R. Sayler, Architect AIA PS via Houzz.com

Source: Jon R. Sayler, Architect AIA PS via Houzz.com

A carriage house is the perfect option when you have visitors as it’s a smaller building separate from the main house. Our Tiefenthaler experts have been designing and constructing these types of guest houses for over 25 years, so we can provide some insight on the benefits of these structures.

The origin of the carriage house traces back to the time of horse-drawn carts, where stately homes of the well-to-do needed a space for storage of their horses and other equipment. These structures were often transformed into guest quarters when carriages became obsolete, though the name stuck. In modern times, carriage houses add visual interest to an estate as an outbuilding or miniature version of the larger home.

Because they’re separate structures, carriage houses are perfect for guests who might need the privacy of their own quarters. Typically, they include a bedroom or two, as well as a bathroom and sitting area. They’re especially useful if they include a kitchen or kitchenette, as the occupants can fix their own meals without imposing on the meals or family time of the members of the main household.

In addition to overnight guests, carriage houses are perfect for college-aged kids, or even aging relatives who need assistance from time to time. They can also be used as an income property for homeowners who want to take on tenants.

Would you like more information on carriage house structures and other outbuilding projects that can provide more room for overnight guests? Please give us a call.  We can tell you more about our custom construction, outdoor space designs and major home renovations.

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House Raising After a Major Storm

Everyone in the coastal Fairfield County area knows someone who suffered from major water damage to their home from Super Storm Hurricane Sandy.

While some homeowners were able to patch up a move on, many residents are starting the process of raising their homes to heights House Raising Fairfield Countythat meet the new standards, reduce their insurance costs and most importantly reduce the possibility that they will be flooded again, should another mighty storm hit the area.

Tiefenthaler Construction is very knowledgeable in home raising, home restoration and home improvement after a home has been severely flooded by a hurricane. If you or someone you know was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy and is looking at raising their home or renovating after the storm, please contact and expert at Tiefenthaler for a free consultation.
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Add a Recreation Room to Your Connecticut Home

Parents with children of any age know that keeping the kids occupied with fun activities is essential to their social and educational development. However, it’s just as important to celebrate togetherness as a family, so you don’t want to just send them off to play games at the other end of the house. More and more owners of Connecticut homes are finding that establishing a recreation room is a great way to keep the fun nearby for everyone to enjoy.

Source: IHJ.com

Source: IHJ.com

The professionals at Tiefenthaler have extensive experience with designing recreation room spaces– whether you’re looking to renovate an existing room or add on to your home. We find that these rooms become as heavily used as family rooms, TV rooms, or dens, as they bring families together for a common purpose: entertainment and fun. These are multipurpose spaces that can even be used as media rooms or quiet spaces to finish homework.

Many homeowners envision a recreation room where adults have just as much fun as the kids. It’s not uncommon to install a pool or ping pong table that all ages can enjoy. A large screen TV is perfect for watching the big game, or it can serve as the showcase of a movie night sleepover for teens. With plenty of comfortable seating, a table for playing board games, and space for toys, the recreation room can be the center of the household. It can also be prime entertaining space with the addition of a kitchenette.

At Tiefenthaler, we’ve been building recreation spaces and other major additions for Connecticut homes for over 25 years. Our professionals also specialize in outdoor areas, such as renovating carriage houses and transforming barn structures into usable space. Please contact our office to find out more on our areas of expertise and custom handiwork.

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