Our Blog Articles & Updates from Andries Builders

Through the looking glass, you’ll find a wonderful world waiting for you. Let’s talk about windows. The glorious glass portals to sunshine, fresh air, and dramatic sighs while staring out during thunderstorms. When you're building a custom home, choosing the right windows isn’t just a box to check—it’s a style statement, a light source, and, let’s be honest, your home's eye makeup. So, how do you pick the perfect peepers for your brand-new dream home? Don’t worry, Andries Builders is here to break it down for you.

It’s All About Style, Darling

Before you start panic-buying window catalogs, let’s talk types.

• Single-hung windows: The dependable classic. The top pane stays put while the bottom one does all the heavy lifting.
• Casement, hopper & awning windows: These open outward like tiny glass doors and are great for catching breezes (and your neighbor’s envy).
• Slider windows: They move horizontally along a track, smooth as butter. Perfect for modern spaces.
• Bay windows: These babies pop out from the wall like a little sunroom for your plants or your cat’s kingdom.
• Fixed windows: Purely decorative. They don’t open but they do scream elegance and sophistication.

Pro tip: Mix it up! A home filled with just one window style is like eating cereal for every meal—efficient, but kind of a snooze. Combining styles adds personality, light, and a sense of dimension to each room.

Let Your Taste Shine (Literally)

Window choice is ultimately a matter of personal taste. Want to add drama to your dining room? Slap in a bay window. Want privacy in the bathroom? Frosted awning window, please. You’ve got the freedom to get creative—just keep balance in mind. For example, a single-hung next to a casement window might look a little lopsided, like a mismatched sock situation.

This is where Andries Builders steps in. We know how to make all your window dreams come true without ending up with a Franken-house. As custom home experts we help with placement, proportion, and making sure each window gets its moment to shine—literally and figuratively.

Windows with a Side of Wisdom

Here’s the deal: designing a custom home is more than just picking paint swatches and countertop finishes. It’s about creating a space that feels perfectly you. At Andries Builders, we build more than homes—we build relationships, experiences, and, occasionally, impromptu dance parties when you realize how much natural light your new kitchen gets.

So if you're ready to let the sunshine in (but keep it classy), give us a call. We'll help you build a home that makes you smile every time you look out the window—and every time you look in.

Energy efficiency means a better environment and a fatter wallet. That’s what we at Andries Builders want for you because that means you can have more fun, more saving or simply buy more stuff for your home and family. Let’s face it—energy bills aren’t exactly the highlight of homeownership. We believe that your custom home can be a stylish, comfortable and energy-saving machine. So whether you're looking to shrink your carbon footprint or just want your utility bill to stop yelling at you, in this article your friends at Andries Builders are here with a plan to save money and the planet! Buckle up—this is going to be one efficient ride.

Insulation: The Unsung Hero of Comfort

If your home isn’t properly insulated, it’s basically just wearing a t-shirt in a snowstorm. Not cute—and definitely not cozy. Insulation is the MVP of energy efficiency, especially in spots like the attic, basement, and crawl spaces (aka the places you don’t usually want to go, but we promise they matter).

We makes sure your custom home is wrapped up like a warm burrito so that precious heat (or sweet, sweet AC) doesn’t go escaping into the wild.

LED Lighting: Tiny Bulbs, Huge Savings

If you’re still using old-school incandescent bulbs, we need to talk. Switching to LEDs is like upgrading from a flip phone to a spaceship. They use 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer. That’s a whole lot of light for a lot less cost.

Bonus: LEDs come in fun color temperatures too—warm glow for your cozy nook, bright white for your home office, and anything in between. Mood lighting, but make it efficient.

Smart Thermostats: Because It’s 2025, Not 1999

You’ve got a smartphone and maybe a smartwatch. So why not a smart thermostat? These genius little gadgets let you program your heating and cooling from your phone, adjust temps when you're away, and even learn your habits. It’s like having a tiny weather wizard living in your hallway.

Translation: more control over your climate and way fewer “Oops, I left the heat on all day” moments.

Ceiling Fans Aren’t Just for Summer BBQs

You heard us right—ceiling fans aren’t just for cooling down your Aunt Linda after spicy wings. In the winter, you can reverse the fan direction to gently push warm air back down into the room. That’s free heat circulation!

Pro tip: Combine fans with smart thermostats and watch your energy usage do the limbo (how low can it go?).

The Andries Advantage

At Andries Builders, we don’t just care about making your home look good—we want it to perform like a dream too. We believe energy efficiency isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifestyle. That’s why we build homes that are comfortable, smart, and designed to keep your energy bills low.

So if you’re dreaming of a custom home that’s equal parts fabulous and functional, give us a call. Let’s build you a home that’s warm in winter, cool in summer, and friendly to the planet (and your budget) year-round. Because with Andries Builders, comfort and conscience go hand in hand.

So, you’ve made the bold, brilliant, beautiful decision to build your very own custom home. Cue the happy dance! But before you start ordering throw pillows and naming your future houseplants, you’ll need to do one crucial thing: communicate your design vision to Andries Builders. Yep, we’re talking about turning all those Pinterest dreams and napkin doodles into a real-life, 3D, roof-and-everything kind of masterpiece. Of course, we’re here to help you get your vision out of your brain and into blueprints. Here's how to make the magic happen—with minimal stress and maximum style.

Start with a Good Old-Fashioned Pros & Cons List

Lists aren’t just for groceries and New Year’s resolutions—they're a must for designing your dream home. Sure, you know you want a chef’s kitchen and a walk-in closet big enough to host a yoga class. But don’t forget to list the stuff you don’t want too.

Hate open shelving? Say so. Love natural light but loathe skylights? Put it in the “Nope” column. The clearer your yes/no list is, the better we can nail your vision. And yes, we do want to hear about your aversion to beige.

Let the Photos Do the Talking (Seriously, Bring ‘Em All)

If a picture’s worth a thousand words, then a mood board is basically a TED Talk. Whether it’s a rustic cabin from a travel mag, a chic modern kitchen you saw on Instagram, or your grandma’s sunroom that you secretly adored—bring it.

At Andries Builders, we speak fluent "aesthetic inspiration." So don’t worry about sounding fancy or using the word “transitional-modern-farmhouse.” Just show us the pics. We’ll translate that vision into a plan that actually works.

Get Specific—Because the Details Matter

Love that brick fireplace? Tell us why. Is it the texture, the color, the cozy vibe? Add notes to your photo stash and explain what made you swoon. Even the smallest detail helps us understand the bigger picture (ahem, your dream home).

Got a favorite spot for morning coffee? A hallway that needs to feel “magical”? Let us know. The more you share, the closer we get to creating a space that feels like you—not some generic model home out of a catalog.

Why Team Up with Andries Builders?

Because we don't just build houses—we build your house. That means understanding what you love, what you loathe, and everything in between. We believe the best homes come from collaboration, imagination, and a lot of coffee-fueled brainstorming sessions.

Let’s make this process fun, fabulous, and uniquely you. Contact us today to start turning your inspiration into blueprints and your blueprints into a forever home you’ll love waking up in.