Many homeowners want some way to enjoy the outdoors while being able to relax or entertain their friends and family. Installing a patio is a popular way to enhance a home. Typically made with concrete, brick, or stone, these outdoor structures offer three important advantages. 

Why You Should Get a Patio
1. Excellent for Entertaining
Patios are excellent for gathering with friends and family for parties, barbecues, and other fun events. Your guests will benefit from the fresh air, and you can skip the stress of cleaning your entire house before they arrive. Add a grill and outdoor dining set for your next special dinner, or put up some string lights and speakers for a memorable nighttime dance party.     

2. Relaxing While Outdoors 
concreteSpending time in nature provides a variety of health benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, and even a strengthened immune system. Patios make it easy to get outside more, especially when you add your favorite items. For example, some people bring out their fitness equipment and turn their patio into an outdoor gym, while others add a bookshelf and cozy chairs to create the perfect reading area. You can even enjoy your patio in the winter by adding a hot tub or enclosing it and installing an outdoor heater.  

3. Beautiful Scenery
Available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, patios can be designed to complement any type of home. Moreover, if you choose concrete, you can add gorgeous designs to your patio via stamping, stenciling, engraving, or exposed aggregate. Personalize the space even further with plants, lights, water fountains, and any other attractive features you can think of. 

When you’re ready to revitalize your home with a high-quality patio, turn to the team at Up North Builders, Inc. Based in International Falls, MN, these licensed general contractors have specialized in home remodeling and concrete structures for over 30 years. They’re dedicated to providing every homeowner with the patio of their dreams and offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee on all projects. Learn more about their services online, and call (218) 285-3635 to schedule a free consultation. 

Whether you’re starting a new home remodeling project or planning to build a business office, the professionals at Up North Builders, Inc. provide a wide range of construction services. With over 20 years of experience, their knowledgeable team of contractors is dedicated to providing quality service for individuals and companies in International Falls, MN, and the surrounding area.

Up North Builders employs licensed contractors who have successfully completed hundreds of construction designs for residential and commercial properties. They utilize industry-leading technology to construct buildings quickly and efficiently. They will build your dream home from the ground up with strong foundations and structural concrete work. The company has assisted families in home improvement projects such as pouring sidewalks and driveways. They’re skilled in designing custom homes, which includes lake houses and cabins.

In addition to home remodeling and building, they offer excavating, rubbish removal, and roll off containers for demolitions. If you’re searching for affordable bobcat services, they have a large selection of construction equipment rentals in stock.

At Up North Builders, their professional crew is determined to exceed their clients’ expectations by being detail oriented. They believe in the quality of their craftsmanship, which is why all their services come with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. Their builders will finish every construction job on time and budget.

When you decide to invest your money into a home remodeling or new construction project, choose the reliable general contractors at Up North Builders, Inc. to tackle the job. Call them today at (218) 285-3635 to schedule a free consultation, or visit them online to see a full list of services.

If your home features a concrete driveway, you want to keep it looking attractive and extend its life. When properly installed and cared for, your driveway might last for decades. Paying attention to these tips should help to maintain a beautiful path to your home well into the future.

Do:
Apply a sealant. One way to avoid hard-to-remove stains and protect your driveway is to apply a sealant every two to five years. Coating the driveway’s surface with a top-quality sealer limits discoloration and decay. To get started with this do-it-yourself project, purchase a silicone-based sealant from your local hardware store.

Remove oil stains and spills quickly. If liquids, such as motor oil and transmission fluid, leak from your vehicle onto the driveway, remove them quickly to avoid unsightly stains. If stains do occur, scrub the spots with WD-40® or with a mixture of 1 gallon of water and 1 cup ammonia, then rinse with your garden hose on high pressure. Spray-on oven cleaners or pressure washing also remove oil and transmission fluid stains well.

Ramblers are fantastic for homeowners that love first-floor living, but when you need more room, a home addition could create a whole second story for you to enjoy. However, before you break ground on your home remodeling project, think carefully about what it will take to add more living space. Here are a few factors you should consider before adding a second-floor addition. 
3 Factors to Think About Before Adding a Second Story

1. Space Requirements Think carefully about how much space you and your family need. Space requirements can change over time as people have children, watch kids move away to college, or have elderly family members move in for personalized care. If you foresee a need for extra space, consider how many rooms you need, and talk with your home remodeling contractor about drawing up some floorplans for your new addition.