Brands/Products That I'd Use Again 2017

Natalie H.

7 years ago

I found an old thread from 2007!!! Thought it is time for a new round.

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mushcreek

7 years ago

ICF construction- Strong, quiet, tight. Like living in a giant cooler.

Marvin Integrity windows

Mitsubishi Hyperheat mini-splits. Unbelievably efficient, and nearly silent, indoors and out.

Kohler memoirs toilet. Looks great; works well.

Reclaimed pine flooring. Milled from old beams from a textile mill, it has a look and patina that can't be beat.

GW advice and input- priceless!

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Comments (9)

just_janni
7 years ago
Good timing. We built in 1997 and here we are again...

Grohe - We installed Grohe centerset faucets in the kitchen and all the bathrooms. (and shower fixtures...) Knock on wood - but they are all still functioning flawlessly (ha - almost typo'd "flowlessly" he he). We've had to replace the sprayer on the pullout in the kitchen and the hose 1-2 times (and replaced the handle to change the color) but not only do they all still work - they look brand new (chrome finish is perfect) and still look "current". New house will have same branded faucets.

Asko - dishwasher - still going strong but will get another one! We've replaced some parts, but it's awesome.

Geothermal heat pumps - doing it again - but I am skeptical that it's the "right" answer since our house will be so efficient. However, after having no outdoor unit, I am pretty sure that a noisy outdoor condensing unit / fan would drive me insane.

Granite/ real stone - just can't get into the quartz thing - love the look of something natural with a bunch of movement. I know it's "out" - but I don't care. Might even use slate again - have slate counters in the bathroom (slabs, not tiles) and they have a wonderful feel with their cleft finish and have not been problematic with makeup or toothpaste, etc.

SS appliances - again - maybe "out" - but they are a real neutral in a kitchen and my 20 year old appliances still look new and have withstood the test of time.

A lot of the other things just won't "fit" with the construction techniques we're using this time, and advancements in materials have changed the standards. IF I were using batt insulation, I would use the recycled blue jean material again - no settling, soft and easy to breathe, and fire retardant. Love that product. Also - quite good at sound deadening.
worthy
7 years ago
Brands: Emtek, American Standard, Kohler

Materials: quartzite, cast stone, polished slate, closed cell spray polyurethane, extruded polystyrene (XPS).

"Yeah, Pops, you told us that already!"
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nini804
7 years ago
Brands: Emtek (hardware), Kohler (bath fixtures,) Elkay (kitchen sink,) Moen (bath faucets.) All of these have performed beautifully for us. I know these aren't the most glamorous brands, but we purchased really attractive fixtures & hardware for a reasonable price. This left us with more budget for our custom built-ins and trim.
gthigpen
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
We did a complete gut and renovation of our current home 10 years ago.

Things I'd buy again...

Kohler - faucets and toilets

Shaws farmhouse sink

Solid red oak flooring (with 2 large dogs)

Granite countertops in kitchen

Marble countertops in bathroom

Lennox AC and furnace

Blown in bats/batting insulation - We chose this 10 years ago because spray foam wasn't in our budget then. For the very economical price, this has performed very efficiently for us (3600 sq. foot home in Texas with $225/month electric bill in summer as the highest ever). We'll likely do spray foam this time around for added efficiency because our budget is bigger but for those looking for a cheaper alternative, this was great.

Edited to add:

LG Microwave

GE Profile wall oven
Asylum_Point
7 years ago
Delta faucets - 10 years later and if any parts fail, a quick phone call to customer service and the replacement is in the mail

Hansgrohe rain shower head - mine came with white gloves to handle the shower head!! Never experienced that before. Talk about fancy.
housequester
7 years ago
As an owner of an old house for which every update has been made as cheaply as possible for the last 100 years, I have nothing to add except to say I'm glad mushcreek likes his Marvin Integrity Windows, as our builder ordered ours yesterday!
PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
Marvin windows, white Corian (put in 32 years ago and still going strong!), KA refrig and dishwasher, Perrin Rowe kitchen faucet, anything Rev-a-shelf makes, site-finished hardwood floors, Farrow & Ball paint and wallpaper.
User
7 years ago
Formica solid surface and Caesarstone Quartz countertops, Delta faucets, Kohler sinks and toilets, recessed Envirolite Led lighting, Schoolhouse Electric wall sconces/flushmount lighting, Mitzibushi mini splits, GE Electric hybrid water heater, James Hardie siding, Fiberfab showers, Franciscan porcelain floor tile, Broan range hood, Kwikset door hardware, Emtek & Baldwin hardware, GE Profile appliances and IKEA cabinetry.

Brands/Products That I'd Use Again 2017

mushcreek

Comments (9)

just_janni

worthy

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nini804

gthigpen

Asylum_Point

housequester

Anglophilia

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