November 2022 - McNeill Palm

2023 Design Trends for Window Coverings and More

November 28, 2022 by McNeill Palm Team

Homeowners everywhere are looking for new looks for their houses for their resolutions, and these projected design trends for 2023 are here to inspire. From adding metal and natural materials to finishing your patio or deck with outdoor retractable insect screens, here are the projected design trends for 2023:

Add Metal – An interesting contrast to all the organic materials will be metal accents. Metal finished on furniture legs, light fixtures and artwork add industrial, modern interest to a space and helps balance out a potential excess of natural materials and textures.
Natural Light – To match the organic materials, homes are going to be filled with natural light in 2023. This is because natural light creates an open, airy feeling that’s impossible to duplicate with electric light. Plus, natural light helps highlight the finishes and colors in a space. To let in more light, you can expect a shift in the number of replacement windows homes will have as well as an increase in more versatile window treatments that make light control simple.
Functional Outdoor Retractable Insect Screens – You want to make the most of your yard, patio, or deck, but pesky bugs always get in the way. Why suffer through pests if you don’t have to? 2023 is all about function, including the ultimate function of keeping insects away from your outdoor space. Outdoor retractable insect screens are the perfect solution as they keep the bugs away when you want, but also retract so you have a completely open space when you want.
Organic Materials – Organic materials like wood, bamboo, wicker, hemp, rattan, jute and more are going to be big in 2023. You can expect them to appear in furniture, finishes, decorations and even replacement windows. Organic materials are easy to incorporate into any room of your home, like accents and accessories to add texture or window treatments to serve as centerpieces.
Splashes of Color – Neutral hues will still keep the spotlight, but in 2023 they will begin to be accented by splashes of soft colors, like earthy greens, pastel pinks, soft blues, light mints, and cool terracotta. There are also rumors that black or darkly colored kitchens might make a comeback.
Intimate Spaces – Even though open floor plans aren’t going anywhere; many people will be adding intimate spaces into their designs come 2023. This trend will pop up in the form of zones that create multiple gathering spots in one large room. Push furniture closer together or add an armchair or a pouf in a nook or corner.

A new year is a perfect chance for a fresh start. But New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be about going to the gym or drinking less, they can also be about making your home the best it can be. We are here to help if you want to learn more about home design or outdoor retractable insect screens from top brands like Corradi and Equinox. Call or visit us to learn more.

Hardwood or Softwood for Outdoor Motorized Screens?

November 21, 2022 by McNeill Palm Team

Outdoor motorized screens can go a long way to adding style, energy efficiency and value to your home and outdoor space. But what kind should you choose? If you’re thinking about wood, you also need to think about if you want hardwood screens or softwood screens. Hardwood and softwood are two different kinds of wood variations that are commonly used for outdoor motorized screens. While you might think that they are different because of wood hardness, their names are misleading.

The difference between hardwood and softwood is whether or not the tree that the wood comes from has seeds that to the ground in a hard shell or a fruit. Hardwood trees have seeds that fall in hard shells or fruits, while softwood trees have seeds that fall without any covering, like coniferous trees with cones and needles. The terms “hardwood” and “softwood” have nothing to do with the quality or hardness of a wood. Take Balsa wood as an example. Balsa is one of the softest woods around, but it’s classified as a hardwood. On the other hand, Yew is a very tough, strong wood but it’s a softwood.

So, should you get hardwood or softwood screens? It all depends on what kind of wood you want for your outdoor motorized screens! There are many different kinds of softwoods that make for great screens. Some of the most common softwoods used in screens are:

Pine – Pine is a great softwood for when you want a woodsy feel. It’s very affordable and has a pleasant knotty look that will give a space a rustic vibe.
Fir – Similar to pine, fir is another rustic-looking wood with a knotty, weathered look.

Here are some of the most common hardwoods used in screens:

Mahogany – Mahogany is a dark hardwood with a straight grain. Its lustrous and accepts stains very well. Choose a dark brown with red undertones to stain mahogany as this color best complements the wood’s natural tone.
Cherry – Cherry is another dark hardwood that is often stained to match antique furniture or interior design elements. With its smooth, compact grain and natural pigment variation, cherry is best used with a clear stain.
Walnut – This darker wood usually ranges from dark chocolate brown to a lighter, grayish brown, making it ideal for use with a clear finish that will let the natural color variation to show. However, you can also stain walnut for a more uniform look.
Oak – Oak comes in both red and white varieties and has a large, coarse grain that is best emphasized with a stain.
Maple – On the lighter wood side is maple with a smooth, closed grain. This wood is strong in the face of dents and dings and accepts a paint finish very well, making it a great choice for outdoor motorized screens.

We are here to help if you want to learn more about outdoor motorized screens from brands including Equinox, Corradi, and more. Stop by and visit us today or give us a call for more information on what we can do for you and your outdoor space.

Before You Renovate

November 14, 2022 by McNeill Palm Team

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Your home is your biggest investment. But still, many people often launch into a home renovation or improvement project without taking the time to properly think, plan and budget. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a pro, there are steps you must take in advance of any project, including installing outdoor retractable screens and other outdoor enhancements:

Plan the Time – Time is money, so it’s important to budget your time as well. Plus, you’ll do a better job in the long run if you’ve given yourself plenty of time for the project and don’t rush it. Plan out the time to complete each step and then add 20% for unforeseen issues.
Budget – Its vital to create an itemized, detailed budget because even the smallest projects can have hidden costs that add up fast. Like refinishing your kitchen cabinets. Seems easy, right? But do you need drop cloths? Is your sander in the garage still working? These things add up fast.
Look at the Blueprints – While many contractors can work without your home’s original blueprints, it’s always better if they have them. They will be able to get you a more accurate estimate and will be able to do better work if they look at the blueprints.
Think About Resale Value – Since your home is an investment, you need to be aware of its value. Don’t start a renovation until you’ve thought about how it will affect your home’s resale value. For example, outdoor retractable screens can only increase your home’s value over time.
Get Ready for the Mess – Renovations get messy, so the cleanup always takes time. Don’t go over your schedule or budget by adding in money and time for cleanup like rags, trash pickups, touch up paint, vacuum bags and more.
Account for Weather – Outdoor projects, like outdoor retractable screens, depend a lot on the weather. Know the local weather and account for it in your plan.
Ask for and Check References – No matter how nice or professional a contractor seems, always ask for and check their references. This person will be working in your home, so you need to make sure that they are in line with your values and preferences.
Get Three Estimates – If you’re hiring a contractor to do the work, always get at least three estimates. It may seem easier to just go with the first person, but you never know if you can get a better deal or better work by shopping around a bit more.
Ask Questions – Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor lots of questions about the project. Be prepared to question the value of certain products, why decisions are being made, and even the long-term worth of their choices or recommendations.

We are here for you if you want more tips on home renovations or outdoor retractable screens from top brands like Corradi and Equinox. You can call or visit us today for more information about what we can do for you and your outdoor space.