Did you come from other states before fully deciding to have your custom home built at Safety Harbor? What made you choose Safety Harbor over another? If that’s related to work or family, then let us give you some more reason to affirm your decision–4 historical places found at Safety Harbor. Here they are 

If you have a dog, a toddler, or kids who love nature and physical activities, you made the right decision to have your custom home built at Safety Harbor.  Why? Because Safety Harbor easily meets those needs through Marshall Street Park! This 9.5-acre park has a vast playground and two picnic shelters for kids, adults, and even animals. It also includes a nature trail alongside a beautiful creek, and for those who love sports, this Safety Harbor park also consists of tennis courts, two half-size basketball courts, and two racquetball courts! 

Isn’t that something thrilling? Now, here’s one more! This Safety Harbor park is historic because it is where a 6,000-year-old spearhead was discovered! This park must have witnessed some really relevant scenes in the past.

A historic park established by Odet Philippe, the first European settler in Pinellas County. He is also believed to be the first one who introduced grapefruit to Florida. It is said that Philippe is buried in the park, but no one knows where he is precisely located. 

If you live nearby, request your Safety Harbor custom home builder to include a balcony that allows you to enjoy the sunset, as captured from the first image shown above.

Next place on our list is equally incredible and amazing!

This park homes the oldest living Oaktree in Pinellas county, the Baranoff Oak. The tree is around 300 - 500  years old and has a trunk that is nearly 20 feet in diameter.

The tree was named after Salem Baranoff, the doctor who owned the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, the next and last historic place on our list. Do you want to know why it was historic? Even if your local custom home builder in Safety Harbor can answer that question for you, let us give you the answer instead. ;)

This spa was founded in 1925, but the site was initially discovered in 1539 by Hernando Desoto, who mistakenly thought of the natural mineral spring as the “Fountain of the youth.”  The spa has been consistently named one of the top 10 spas in the U.S. by Spa Finder magazine. 

Are you looking forward to visiting these places? Make sure you do. You’ll surely gonna love them! You may even try to ask your Safety Harbor custom home builder to back our claims. Get a feel of how historic your life can be, ONLY at Safety Harbor, Florida!

Let us give you some more reason to affirm your decision–4 historical places found at Safety Harbor.

Get to know some exciting facts about Safety Harbor before your custom home is built!

4 historical places found at Safety Harbor ONLY!

Ceilings are what elevate a room. They change the space and can make smaller rooms seem large and larger rooms seem even more significant. In comparison, most homes in Clearwater and the surrounding Tampa Bay areas have textured walls and ceilings with an orange peel textured finish. We just wanted to point out some specific differences in this post.

A vaulted ceiling slopes upward from both sides to form a peak. While their symmetry defines cathedral ceilings: they feature two equal sloping sides that meet at a higher point in the middle and often conform to the shape of the roof.

It’s pretty neat to see the before (during drywall stage) and after of our ceiling. We’ve added a wood surface finish, with a fan and potlights installed. The standard crown molding and popcorn ceiling texture around the edges.

There are a couple of ways to keep cool during these scorching days. One way is with a ceiling fan. Now in summer, you want to run your ceiling fans counterclockwise during hot weather and if you’re in the room.

Ceiling fans make you feel cooler in the summer by creating an artificial breeze that evaporates moisture from your skin. The faster the fan spins, the cooler you feel. This allows you to set your thermostat higher, saving money on air conditioning bills. But it doesn’t actually change the temperature of the air. It only makes you feel cooler. That is why you should turn the fan off when the room is empty. Otherwise, heat from the motor will actually increase the temperature in the room.

The other way to keep cool is by using air conditioning. Now in the picture below, you can see the return air vent in the hallway's ceiling (the cool air ducts are in the bedrooms). That black device on the wall is a smart thermostat that can be programmed to efficiently cool (and heat) the home when people. We’ve used an Ecobee smart thermostat, but there are other highly rated ones you can use.

Don’t worry about the white speckles on the wall. Those are just natural repairs we have to do with the texture on the walls.

Do you find these pieces of information about home ceiling helpful? Would you like your future home, perhaps in Tampa, Lutz, Dunedin, and Clearwater to have the same high-quality ceiling? If you need help, contact any trusted custom home builders, renovators, or general contractors from those areas. Doing so will definitely be worth it :).  

Ceilings are what elevate a room. They change the space and can make smaller rooms seem large and larger rooms seem even more significant.

We always have this notion that the room temperature is connected with one's ceiling. But the thing is, how?  

Ceilings – Union Street, Clearwater, FL

More of an update of progress than anything. Clearwater has been moving ahead steadily, even amongst COVID. Luckily with construction, we can control the trades, and we ensure one trade is in at a time. This time we have the cabinets and shelving put in.

We went with two-toned cabinets. A darker cabinet is used for the island, while the wall-attached cabinets are white. Here you see the boxes more for styling before doors are installed with a wide range of depths, widths, and lengths, each with their own purposes. You might notice a deeper set of cabinets to the left-center with boxes inside. These cabinets are intended for pantry storage. While immediately beside the cooktop area, you’ll see two narrow spaces intended for cutting boards and baking trays. Even the island cabinets facing us can be used as extra storage, even though there will be an extended countertop and bar stools in front of them in the future.

Here you can see the floating cabinets mounted and the rough-in electrical and plumbing for the master bedroom bathroom. There are his and her sinks. One on each wall with lots of space and drawers between the center cabinet left for plumbing. You’ll notice a single drawer under the window, which is the space for a built-in makeup table.

The master bedroom walk-in closet looks impressive. With lots of space for hangers and shelves, it’s important to note that each item can be flexible and adjusted to the homeowner’s tastes. Having a high-placed window and a tree specially placed will allow natural light and privacy for the room.

Please take a look at the cabinet door faces for our different bathrooms. The designs are not the same, but the stain on the wood is similar to follow the theme. Also, the countertops are installed on these cabinets as well. The sink design is slightly different to give some interest and uniqueness to each space.

While we’ve shown this fireplace wall before in on the drywall post, here it is again but with a tile finish, concrete top platform, and a couple of concrete shelves. These thick floating shelves need internal brackets mounted to the wall to be held up. You won’t be to see them. The brackets are formed out of plywood and pieces of lumber to form the shape. You can see the supports required for the platform below. The concrete is applied as a topcoat. This way, it is easier to install, configure, and be supported than a poured-in-place concrete slab or precast concrete. Another alternative is using a stone like quartz or granite to build the shelves, but it depends on the overall interior design. In this case, concrete matches the tile of the fireplace to create a modern industrial vibe.

Do you find these pieces of information helpful in ensuring that your future home, perhaps in Tampa, Lutz, and Clearwater would be ok. If you need help, get it from trusted custom home builders or general contractors from the area. You'll surely find it worthwhile! 

We know how important shelving and cabinets are. Take a look at how we construct them in different areas of our site in Clearwater. Use them to envision yours.  

Cabinets and Shelving – Union Street, Clearwater, FL

Are you planning to build your first home or buy a house, but you don't know where to have it? Let's see. 

Are you a topophile, someone who loves places? Whether the place is serene, or lively, fully developed or archaic, historic or yet to be recognized–you simply don't care. As long as they are places you can visit, explore and discover progressively.  

If you do, we have a suggestion for you, build a home or buy a house for sale in Tampa.

Tampa almost has all the places you can be fond of–historical attractions, museums, botanical garden, incredible theatre, theme parks, archaic neighborhoods, zoos, and many more, which you will find out in a little while.  

Does knowing these things make you excited to look for a house for sale in Tampa? Before you go ahead and see single-family homes for sale in Tampa, we invite you to check these statistics to help you decide. We've grouped them into three: statistics that may impact your economic well-being, statistics that may affect your physical well-being, and statistics that may impact your mental well-being. 

Statistics that may impact your economic well-being

This section will present the economic data of Tampa we collated from various sources. 

According to Sperling's Best Places, Tampa's population has grown about 10.4.% since 2020. The growing population is good and is suitable for those who want to start their businesses in Tampa, especially those who plan to sell essential goods. Based on reports, the job market in Tampa increased by 2.3%, and the future job growth in the next ten years is forecasted to be 42.7%. It is 9.2% higher than the projected growth rate for the national level. While no study directly correlates the increase in Tampa's population with employment, we can partly assume that the employment level wouldn't increase if businesses hadn't forecasted growth opportunities.

Here are some more statistics where Tampa performs well economically based on Sperling's Best Places: 

Unemployment rate: 5%, 1% lower than U.S. average 

Average Income: $29,704,  4% higher than the national average

Tax Rate: 7%, 0.3 lower than the national average

Income Tax: 0%. Since Tampa is part of Florida–one of the eight states that do not levy income taxes, citizens do not pay income taxes. This rate is comparably low compared to the 4.6% income tax in the U.S. overall. 

In addition to the data listed above, here is another statistic from Numbeo: 

Purchasing Power Index, 98.71 (the higher, the better, a good indication of the economy)

Those are, by far, the statistics that we think could benefit your economic well-being. How have you found them so far? Does it make sense if you're already considering buying single-family homes for sale in Tampa?

For now, let's move on to the next set of statistics that we believe is vital in considering whether Tampa is your place to be or not. Most of them came from Numbeo, which gives survey-based results. 

Statistics that may impact your physical well-being

1. Health Care Index 68.08, High. (Good) Please see the list below for the specifics

Convenience of healthcare locations 86.96 (Very high, good)

Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment 85.56, (Very high, good)

Speed in completing examinations and reports 76.09 (High, good)

Skill and competency of medical staff 67.93 (High, good)

Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports 71.59, (High, good)

Friendliness and courtesy of the staff 76.67, (High, good)  

2 Pollution Index 29.2 Low (Good)Please see the list below for the specifics

Garbage Disposal Satisfaction, 86.93 (Very high, good)

Comfortable to spend time in the city, 80.43 (Very high, good)

Health Cost Index: 4.2% cheaper than the national average. (BestPlaces)

If you want to know more about other indices, please click here.  

Statistics that could impact your mental well-being

When looking for a place where you want to put up your dream home,  don't just consider your physical and economic benefits. Make sure that your mental well-being is being taken care of as well. Without peace of mind and joy, earning a higher wage and being fit physically are not enough. So, in this article, we've also included statistics for your mental well-being.

Overall Crime rate: 20% lower than Florida's average (Areavibes)

Livability Score of 74%, excellent (Areavibes)

Tampa, like any other place, has some more weaknesses. If you're wondering what others are saying about Tampa, please view them here. 

With the current state of the pandemic, when travel restrictions between borders are implemented from time to time, there is another statistic that we would like you to consider when looking for a single-family home. That is the number of amazing activities you can do and recreation centers that you can visit.

Are you wondering how many activities can Tampa offer? 

Let's see by taking a quick look at each of those places and the activities that you can do with them: 

A. Theme Parks and other extreme activities 

B. Nature, wildlife, and historical exhibits

1. Weedon Island Preserve ( including The Cultural and Natural History Center)

2 University of South Florida Botanical Gardens

1. Museum of Science and Industry (Tampa)

Aside from those activities, if you want something different, you can look forward to the beaches in Clearwater, Pinellas County. Note that it will only take less than an hour for you to experience the beach with the whitest and softest sands in the region. You can also roam around various parks in Lutz and Safety Harbor. Try exciting rides in Tampa Bay CityPASS, watch concerts and shows (once restrictions are lifted), and of course, try exciting foods!

After knowing all the trivia and statistics about Tampa, how did a topophile like you find the city? Are you already considering this place? Have you decided to look for single-family homes for sale in Tampa City, Florida? 

Don’t wait for your retirement before starting a beautiful life in Tampa. Considering the statistics shared above plus the different amazing places, Tampa is definitely a good place to live. Take your chance, topophiles! 

Are you a topophile, someone who loves places?

Single-family homes “for sale” in Tampa? Check these statistics first.

A project built by Parasol Properties in 2018. It was a three-story that showcases an impressive staircase for such a narrow pocket.

When you buy a new home, customer service and satisfaction are very important.

​In practice, this means that the builder should make each step in the buying and building process easy and worry-free for you. And you should be treated as a valued customer long after you move into your new home.

The size of a company has little to do with service. Large or small, you should expect personalized service focused on you, your needs, and your peace of mind. 

Here’s what you can and should expect: 

Expect the builder and/or sales and site staff to be:

Open and upfront: good service begins with honesty, trust, and good communication.

Knowledgeable: good service depends on in-depth product and process knowledge.

Prompt and efficient: good service sets and respects realistic timelines.

“On your side”: customer-oriented builders and staff work for you and with you.

What to Expect: Visiting a sales office or model home

When you first visit the sales office or model home, expect the builder or staff to:

Be interested in knowing your housing needs and wants, such as the style, size, features, amenities, price range, location, and timing. That way they can show you the most suitable homes and options.

Take you on a tour of the model home(s), or give you detailed descriptions based on scale models, maps, drawings, and blueprints.

Explain the company’s approach to design and finishing and your opportunities to customize.

Be able to tell you about the development and the area in detail – including a profile of who has bought to date, amenities and features, schools, transportation, shopping, and so on.

Provide you with helpful information to take home.​

Once you are ready to buy, expect the builder or staff to:

Give you a clear explanation of the entire process: who is responsible for what; construction and payment milestones; what’s needed on closing; after-sales service and warranty.

Give you an idea of closing costs: what’s involved, and general cost ranges.

Provide you with a detailed written sales contract.

Respect your wish to think about it and not pressure you to sign a contract.

Appoint a contact (e.g., the builder, the sales manager, or the salesperson) who will always return your messages promptly and never be too busy to deal with you.

Make arrangements for your site visits during construction.

And, of course, deliver what they promised.

Once your home is completed, expect them to:

Give you a detailed orientation tour when you take possession of your new home, or shortly before, so you can inspect it thoroughly and they can explain how everything works.

Explain what is covered by warranties, for how long, and how to request after-sales service.

Explain what you can expect the first year and a schedule of contact and check-ups.

Ask about your experiences with their company and your satisfaction with your new home, so they know what they are doing right and where there is room for improvement.

Parasol Properties, a custom home builder/general contractor/renovator from Tampa will guide you through each step of the construction process as it applies to your custom home, from helping you establish a budget, designing your home, and creating detailed construction drawings based on your design. We understand that building your dream home from the ground up takes time and care, and we will support and guide you through every step of the process, starting from your first meeting with us.

With many combined years of custom home building experience, Parasol Properties’ team of professionals will work with you to design and build the home of your dreams on a lot of your dreams. Whether starting with a sketch on a napkin or full architectural drawings, we will help you take these ideas and turn them into a reality.

We can build your custom home on the home site of your choice:

IF YOU CAN’T FIND EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR, A CUSTOM DESIGN MIGHT BE THE RIGHT OPTION FOR YOU!

On a lot in one of our current neighborhoods
On your own lot
On a public lot available in one of many Tampa Bay & area neighborhoods ( Clearwater, Lutz, Dunedin)
On an acreage lot outside of Tampa Bay
On an infill lot in a mature neighborhood to replace an existing home
Contact us today to find out more, and book an appointment with one of our experts!

A project built by Parasol Properties in 2018. It was a three-story that showcases...

Know your homebuilder through their finished projects!

Hollow concrete blocks are perhaps the most popular of the precast concrete materials. First invented in the 1890s, they were originally so heavy they had to be lifted into place by a crane. Nowadays, they are a staple in construction, and their weight is no longer a challenge. Originally made by hand, it would take a person approximately an hour to produce 10, compared to the technology we have today, with machines producing up to thousands of blocks per hour. 

So why do Parasol Properties use concrete blocks for walls?

Concrete block is inherently strong and resistant to structural loads, impacts, mechanical damage, abrasion, forced entry, and abuse. Historically, unreinforced concrete block masonry walls have been used to resist wind and weather pressure against exterior walls. Now, with reinforced masonry, using metal rebar to tie everything together, the concrete block walls can safely resist even higher pressures. Blocks provide a rigid, straight, and continuous surface to which any cladding or finish, exterior or interior, is easily attached.

Block masonry offers long-term performance and unparalleled durability without the need for maintenance. It provides superior resistance to nearly all types of deterioration caused by moisture, chemicals, corrosion, ultraviolet radiation, mold, and mildew growth.

Masonry products are the original green products, with concrete block masonry having a carbon footprint 66% smaller than cast-in-place concrete wall systems. At manufacture, environmental impact is minimized because a concrete block is made locally from a virtually inexhaustible supply of abundant raw materials and recycled materials and is typically produced within a few hundred miles from home. During construction, block versatility helps minimize on-site waste and disposal. Once constructed, the masonry lasts for decades without deterioration and the need for maintenance. At the end of its service life, a block can be salvaged and reused or recycled in various forms.

Unlike light-frame construction materials, concrete block offers a high degree of thermal mass — up to twice that of poured concrete — helping to stabilize interior heating and cooling, in turn lowering energy costs and providing a more comfortable indoor living area. Block masonry walls can be easily insulated with various products ranging from rigid boards to loose-fill insulation. Insulation can be placed on the interior or exterior surfaces of the block to provide a continuous plane of thermal resistance without heat loss through thermal bridges. And block’s sound-insulation qualities help keep your home quiet over a wide range of sound frequencies, minimizing intrusive outdoor noise pollution.

It resists fire, termites, and severe weather.

A concrete block is a noncombustible material that neither ignites nor supplies fuel to a fire. Fire studies and laboratory tests show that no building material offers better protection against fire, smoke, and heat. For example, industry-standard fire tests show that wood and gypsum board materials burn or rapidly deteriorate, while block remains intact even after prolonged exposure to intense heat. In fact, because of its proven fire performance, concrete block is used to build firewalls in large wood-frame buildings. Block foundation walls offer these same attributes, protecting against the spread of fire, yielding no smoke or toxic gasses under heat, and ensuring structural integrity both during and after a fire. Protection from termite infestations is another benefit provided by block. Termites feed only on cellulose materials, most notably wood, and cannot feed on concrete blocks. Overall, block masonry provides superior property and personal protection. In addition to withstanding fire and insects, a block is highly resistant to strong winds and impact from wind-borne debris. Its use in basements provides refuge from severe weather such as tornadoes and hurricanes.

Concrete Blocks provide better air quality.

Concrete block walls help maintain healthy, comfortable indoor environments. Unlike many other construction materials, including wood products and gypsum boards, blocks do not provide a food source for toxic mold. Typically, moisture resulting from construction — for example, the thousands of kilograms of water contained in cast-in-place concrete walls — can contribute to mold growth, the decay of moisture-sensitive materials, and odors. Block, however, is pre-cured and pre-dried, meaning faster dry-out to facilitate interior and exterior finishing, less risk of mold growth, less drying shrinkage, and less cracking. Also, block and mortar do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a byproduct of many other construction products that can pose serious health risks. Moreover, blocks can be used as a wall finish, eliminating the need for paints and other finishes that release VOCs or promote mold growth.

Concrete Blocks are convenient and versatile.

Concrete blocks can be installed as is, with no need to wait for custom form-work and framing or pre-fabricated panels that later can’t readily be modified on-site. And with concrete block, doors, windows, and other openings and penetrations can be easily added, moved, or eliminated during construction. Similarly, when renovating or expanding, a window or door can be cut out of a block wall much more easily and cost-effectively than other wall systems. Unlike other foundation systems, concrete block masonry can be constructed in any shape to easily accommodate non-standard floor plans, lot specifications, and foundation wall heights, as well as stepped footings and foundations and last-minute changes during construction. Even complex foundations that use arcs, tees, and angled corners to construct intersecting walls, bays, bows, and fireplaces can be built efficiently.

Up to twice the thermal value of poured concrete

Reduced risk of shrinkage cracks and honeycombing

Block Walls and Pillars – Union Street, Clearwater, FL

Are you considering concrete blocks as well in your next Tampa, Lutz, Clearwater, or Dunedin project? We hope you do. If you're still wondering, seek guidance from trusted custom home builders/renovators/general contractors. It is always worth it! 

Concrete block is inherently strong and resistant to structural loads, impacts, mechanical damage, abrasion, forced entry, and abuse. 

All the materials we use are carefully chosen to ensure that they contribute effectively to making your home safe, comfortable, and secure--Concrete blocks are one of those. 

This is a photo of current material delivery to the construction site at 2888 Union Street Clearwater, Florida, constructed by Parasol Properties. Being on-site to receive materials goes a long way with placement and communication.

This is how we manage our construction materials deliveries.

Parasol tries to eliminate the duplicate handling of materials

Maximizing efficiency means reducing the time and number of steps needed to get materials from point A to point B:

As the home builder, we will need to rely on delivery personnel and our construction manager to transport materials to the right location within the site. This includes dealing with specifics and variables that occur on that particular job site. We want to prevent our crews from having to use their valuable time re-locating supplies after they’ve been dropped off, keeping costs in check and the project working on time.

It’s key that we refrain from moving materials more than once. The goal should be to get materials as close as possible to either the installation or a centralized, well-organized storage area.

Parasol has to make sure we coordinate the deliveries so the right people will be available to help unload supplies or provide direction on where materials should go. Although we outline a delivery schedule that the suppliers can adhere to set in our calendars, we still have to keep it flexible enough to accommodate special activities and shipments for which delivery times are harder to pin down.

Checking material delivery slips and performing material counts

We need to be at every material drop-off. It’s important to get the packing slip and perform a material count to ensure we receive everything sent before signing off on a material delivery. Missing product is both costly in terms of time and money. Also, damaged material will not be accepted and will be sent back.

Take the weather into account. Some supplies can be stored outside. For example, set on pallets to protect them from ground moisture and covered by a roof or tarp. Alternatively, other items, such as power tools, need to be kept inside at all times. Especially when they’re not in use.

Sort materials when they arrive, prioritizing items in the order we’ll need them to provide ready accessibility.

Make sure we have space to sort waste by type (metal, wood, drywall, etc.) before it’s removed from the job site.

Having the correct storage solutions in place will make materials easier to manage throughout the duration of the project.

Minimize the distance people need to go to get materials

Every minute counts on our job site, which is why having materials close at hand is important.

Supplies are ideally be kept as close to the installation site as possible. Therefore, we reduce the time our crews need to spend retrieving and replacing tools and equipment. We keep smaller items in dedicated, well-organized containers and replenish them from on- or off-site inventories as often as necessary.

Having the right tools – including best-in-class equipment and fully stocked inventories – makes all the difference. We typically cycle our equipment and tools to ensure we’re not stuck with depreciated assets. We also manage our inventory so that nothing surpasses its usefulness due to degradation.

We’ve implemented a tracking system that lets us monitor the flow of resources and people on our job site to identify:

Flaws are associated with the planning process.

Insufficient supplies of the necessary tools, parts, and equipment.

Ultimately, these are all factors that can influence the efficiency of the crews and the costs (both material and labor) you incur.

Having construction materials delivered on time and crews ready to go are critical to meeting timelines.

Place material in a central location where they will be used.

Inspection of material deliveries can prevent unwanted costs or time required to send back to the supplier. 

Framing (Lumber, Roof Trusses, Floor Joists).

We want you to get the most of what you've paid for so we make sure to be there once the construction materials were delivered. 

There is nothing like a home that has finally reached the drywall stage. It’s the time that turns the inside of a home to start feeling like a home, rather than a mash of sticks and wire to the untrained eye. A particular sequence needs to be followed before a painted finish coat, and I’ll explain it below.

So, after all the rough-in mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems are inspected and the insulation is put in place, it’s time for drywall. Drywall is a type of gypsum board used all across North America. It is faster than plaster (a spreadable soft cement) and much less costly than precast cement walls. Drywall is generally made of gypsum, paper, and additives such as mica, clay, and resin, produced in sheets that give it a little flex and permeability.

The two common thicknesses are a thinner 1/2″ and a thicker 5/8″ (we avoid anything thinner). The 1/2″ is typically used in sidewalls, and 5/8″ drywall is used for ceilings. While 5/8″ is heavier, it’s also stiffer and prevents sagging between the ceiling rafters. Realistically 1/2″ or 5/8″ can be used for the walls. 1/2″ is more economical and standard. 5/8″ drywall will require additional design consideration for doors jams, windows, and around bathtub/showers that could unnecessarily surprise a homeowner. The sound difference is negligible even though it might be advertised.

Drywall is available in various lengths or widths, so most walls can be covered in one or two lengths. Did you know that drywall is hung (or industry term for installed) horizontally to produce 25% fewer seams? It also helps to hide uneven studs and is easier to finish.

A home is not entirely covered in drywall on the inside, even though it may look like it. Certain areas use a different type of sheeting, like a cement board.

Moisture-resistant cement boards, along with waterproofing membranes, are used for wet areas to prevent disintegration or swelling when exposed to water. Normal household drywall will mold when it gets wet, as it acts as food for these microorganisms, while the cement board resists the growth of mold altogether.

Cement board is also approved for use by hot areas and have one or more hours of fire rating in assemblies and is UL Classified.

Drywall tape has only one purpose, to help make the seams invisible. That it!  There is no holding strength at all (that’s where the drywall screws come in). If you skipped the tape and just used joint compound (mud) to fill in the seams, the seams would become visible again after the compound dried or over time as the home expands and contracts with the moisture in the environment.

Whenever you see these kinds of drywall pictures, the tape is at every drywall edge. Long horizontal lines and the 4 feet vertical lines indicate where the tape is located on the walls. Also, tape bonded with metal is used for the corners to ensure a nice 90-degree angle is kept even when we bump into it.

The joint compound (known by pros as mud) comprises mainly of gypsum dust mixed to a cake frosting-like consistency. All the tape is covered by the joint compound to make the walls seem smooth, as mentioned above, but it’s important to note the small white patches. These are for covering drywall screws. Drywall screws are black because they have a phosphate coating that is supposed to keep the wet drywall compound from causing the screw head to rust. The nice thing about having a naturally dark screw coating is seeing if you missed covering a screw with mud.

The application of the joint compound to the ceiling is called ceiling texture. Texturing the ceiling was considered an inexpensive way to add additional acoustic treatment to a room and a way to add interest to a rather plain “plane.” Originally spray-on texture was also a way to hide a multitude of sins of inexpertly finished gypsum board ceilings. While it is still used for this purpose, we purposely take pictures at this stage for quality control and to showcase our work.

As we hinted above, the quality of the drywall work is usually found at the finishing stages. Can you see wide gaps between a straight piece of manufactured crown molding or ceiling beams? The better the workmanship, the smaller the gap. Do the corners line up when the finisher has to complete the trim around a door? These are important questions to ask and to look for in your own home.

I hope you enjoyed this little primer and viewing the work on our current job! 

This one is in Clearwater and we're open to future home projects in the following location: Tampa, Lutz, and Dunedin. Are you interested in building your projects with a trusted general contractor/renovator/custom home builder? 

We hope you do because we're here to help you :)! 

The two common thicknesses are a thinner 1/2″ and a thicker 5/8″ (we avoid anything thinner).

Stay updated with our work process. This way, you can be assured that you're considering the right home builder. 

Drywall and Finishes – Union Street, Clearwater, FL

This is a photo of the lot at 2888 Union Street Clearwater, Florida, constructed by Parasol Properties.

They say there is a home landscape locked within every soul. It is a geographic-specific bit of land and water that fully represents you. Also, your family and all the people that reside there. This place is built into your sub-conscience from your memories and influences. It’s where you return to your most profound dreams and is at the center of your mind’s eye scenery that appears when you visualize your home.

Most of us can readily identify such a location. Our primary focus towards apparent factors like convenience, safety, lifestyle, and cost. We can quickly narrow down our search. Finding that safe neighborhood, nearby work or schools, and close to the amenities we enjoy at the right price can be a treasure hunt. But that still leaves us with “what next?” questions. If you found the areas you want to live in, you’ll need to find a home that you can conform to or locate a piece of land to stake claim over.

There are enough realtors out there willing to showcase the existing homes on the market, so I won’t discuss that. And I won’t go into neighborhood assessments or walk scores since there are readily available websites that do that already. More importantly, I want to talk to you about lot selection and guide you through our process as a custom home builder.

As a top-down approach, let me first mention the sun. The sun will provide light, generate heat, and provide shade. In central Florida, the sun rises south of due East during the winter to a maximum of 38 degrees from the horizon at noon and sets South of due West. In summer, the sun rises north of due East at 86 degrees at noon and sets North of due West. While the exact numbers may be used for solar panel installers, these values will also be needed to determine energy efficiency. Such as how many windows should be in the home or what position a home should sit in to avoid excessive cooling bills.

Not to mention understanding the sun's position for comfort. For example, having a dining table on the West side of the home without long enough awnings will cause you to leave the windows blinds and drapes closed most of the time. At dinner times, the light will blind the family members who may, unfortunately, be facing the windows. To translate, your lot position should also dictate the home positioning on the lot, alter design choices of the exterior, and location of individual rooms on the interior.

The other above-ground item to consider is the weather. While we try to avoid hurricane damage, your home will undergo two strong forces: wind and rain. If your residential lot is vast and your home sits in the center of this, it will be attacked from all sides. The better the view of the water, a park, or other open areas, the stronger defenses you’re home will need to be built against that driving rain and wind pressure.

If your home is an infill or built between two other homes, you’ll have some protection in numbers. Aside from other structures, you can also use landscaping to help mitigate issues such as high fencing or a line of trees at the perimeter. While trees act as a deflector of the prevailing winds, you will also need to be aware of the damage of broken limbs or falling trees. Ultimately you want to be mindful of the direction of where environmental factors come in from.

We mention trees above, but we should also point out the type of soil on a piece of land that will impact site selection. The more organic content of the land, such as trees and bushes, the more the soils will retain moisture for water management and healthier landscapes. Peaty soils are entirely unsupportive. At the other end of the spectrum, bedrock is excellent for supporting foundations. In between, there are three different main soil types.

Soils are composed of sands, silts, and clay. Sandy soils allow for quick drainage and compaction. Sandy soils allow for speedier construction and concrete work because of the faster drying times and minimally site impacted when it rains. Having a desert may not be the best curb appeal. On the other hand, Silty soils have finer grains than sandy soils that promote water retention and air circulation. However, because it tends to retain moisture, silty soil is cold and drains poorly. Clay soil does an excellent job of holding onto both moisture and nutrients. However, clay is cohesive, which means it expands and exerts pressure when it is wet, significantly impacting foundations. Understanding your soils and the impacts it makes on construction will prevent drainage issues and improve foundational stability.

The grade or slope of the land also impacts site selection. First, having a flat piece of property is like having a plain white sheet to paint on. It’s simple for designing and easy for estimating costs associated with excavation and backfill. There always still needs to be some drainage to allow water to run away from the home that is mandated to avoid water issues. Having more towering slopes will open up the canvas to perform additional landscaping, swales, and retaining walls that will be unique to your future home.

We’ve seen many houses that convert retaining walls into raised planters or a private garden spot to overlook your backyard. Also, Southward facing slopes can collect a lot more heat on their surface, a potentially useful and potentially harmful item to pay attention to. Selecting a lot with a gradient can provide a secluded interest or create a commanding view.

Under the surface, you have to think about water. Our greatest enemy for homes is moisture infiltrating the home and causing damage to both drywall and spawning harmful molds and mildew. The threat of water damage from a high water table may be continuous or deceptively transient, depending on the soil type and underground geology.

If you’re by a river or stream, find out where the flood plain is. Determine if your property is beyond its reach. If it isn’t, you’ll need to build in flood mitigation techniques in basements or crawlspaces. Having a sump pump is mandatory, but also installing barriers will help you avoid these issues. Many low-lying areas in Florida have groundwater very close to the surface. As a result, instead of building down for square footage, we build up instead.

Ultimately, you want to focus on planning on how to utilize your real estate. How can you employ the land’s natural characteristics to enhance, protect, and support what you want to build?

Not only visual privacy but also privacy from noise, smells, and light pollution.

A home clustered near friends, family, and neighbors for mutual support, safety, and companionship.

Owning the title of your lot doesn’t mean you own all the rights to it and can do whatever you please. It’s common for the city or a utility company to access a corridor above for power lines. As well as below ground to lay cable, pipes, and place roadways. Also, city regulations and homeowner association bylaws may have restrictions on the placement and design of your home.

While you can manage short views by landscaping your site, as mentioned above, you can’t do much about the long views.

What was the land used for before? Was it always residential, or was it used for manufacturing or industrial? Do you need to test soils for toxins? Or is this a historical building with restrictions on what you can do and restore?

Where in Tampa Bay would you like to buy a piece of land? Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Lutz, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, or Tampa City? Once you're done with the lot, secure your property by hiring a trusted custom home builder.  

Most of the time your guts got it right for you but do you think it is enough in choosing the right lot? In this blog, we've provided some tips to make sure you got the best lot for your future home. 

How to select the right piece of land for your home

You fell in love with your new neighborhood in Tampa. Moreover, you wanted to move in after several months. However, you are undecided between new construction or buying existing. According to studies, twice as many people in America prefer new construction to existing homes. We are going to enumerate the advantages of new construction.

4 historical places found at Safety Harbor ONLY!

1. Marshall Street Park

2. Philippe Park

3. Baranoff Park

4. The Safety Harbor Resort and Spa