Has “Stain The Deck” been on your To-Do List all Summer? Now that Fall is here, are you urgently trying to find time to stain your deck? Although time is slipping away here in Des Moines, if you are looking to stain your deck before the snow flies, now is the time to plan, prepare, and execute this outdoor project! Staining a deck [...]
Let’s talk home lawn care. Whether it’s effectively bringing your lawn out of dormancy in the spring, maintaining a healthy lawn in the heat of summer, or preparing everything for the cold winter, properly feeding your lawn will insure a healthy lawn. This is especially important with the wild weather we enjoy in the Midwest. A healthy lawn has a strong root system [...]
Drake Homes builds a wide variety of different home styles throughout the Des Moines area, so we thought it would be interesting to write about the endless debate between the two most common, ranch and two story homes. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and you may be limited by the type of lot you have, but as an experienced home [...]
When you love your home, you want it to look great inside and out. Even during dry summer months that can pose major lawn care challenges, many home owners still want plush green lawns to enjoy with family and friends. Watering your lawn is the most basic way to nourish your lawn, so let’s take a look at our favorite lawn watering tips. [...]
High performance homes use the best materials, advanced science, cutting-edge technology and proven building techniques that go beyond other new homes to provide you a lifetime of value. Lower cost of ownership Improved indoor environment Maximize energy efficiency Prime building materials Healthier air quality Less maintenance Increased resale value Along with a variety of benefits you can see throughout a house, high performance [...]
Wood siding is a cool trend and looks great on the exterior of your home. One common type of wood used for the exterior on new houses, is cedar siding. This terrific look is also durable, but proper care is required. Cleaning, sealing and staining this natural building material will keep things looking sharp forever. Here are a few photos that highlight this exterior [...]
The foundation (excuse the pun) of any home's overall layout is determined by the lot on which the home is built upon. Lower level basements may be hard to find in some regions, but they are an important element in almost all of the homes around Iowa. Even if a basement is not finished at the time of the build, an additional lower [...]
Snow is a funny thing. It ushers in feelings of happiness and holiday cheer, while causing mayhem on the roads and adding chores for you around your home. While children eagerly await the next chance to create forts and snowmen, adults dread the back-breaking task of shoveling the driveway. As we tackle the primary task of clearing driveways and sidewalks, many of us have [...]
It's easy to like any new home on the day you move in, but a builder's methods of construction and the building materials used throughout a home can be the difference between a house that looks great and a home that stands the test of time. The new homes built by Drake Homes always look great when they're finished, but it's important to also [...]
