Home ownership is still part of the American dream according to a recent study by Merrill Lynch. The entire team at Echelon Home Builders is dedicated to helping you build the home of your dreams.

Here are seven ways to celebrate Independence Day in Southeast Michigan.


​Brighton Independence Day Parade is proudly sponsored by the Livingston Sunrise Rotary Club. This year’s theme is, ‘America, Land That I Love.’ Join in to see who wins the trophy for float themes—most patriotic, most musical and most creative. The parade begins at the BECC (old Scranton School) at the corner of Main and Church Streets at 10:00 AM on July 4th.

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You’ve built your dream home and now it’s time to design your dream deck! Here are four tips to check before designing and building your dream deck.

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Design options are limitless! More decking choices are available than ever before. Popular options include timeless real wood, pressure-treated cedar, and redwood. Hardwoods such as ipe and jarrah exude a luxurious appearance. Although relatively more expensive than other options, hardwoods have become trendy because their longevity qualifies them for the category of composites.

Your dream home deck is the perfect spot for a pop of color, although be sure to choose a hue that complements your exterior color scheme. The days of boring brown are over. Today’s selection of stains and decking enable you to choose a shade that will create a natural extension of your home vs. appearing as though it was simply stuck-on to the back of it.

Material innovations in railings include glass, metal, vinyl, composites, and cabling. These alternatives to traditional wood railing can have an immense impact on the look of your deck. Metal, glass and cabling options are ideal for a contemporary style home while vinyl and composites complement homes with a traditional exterior. If your goal is to create a sleek design, consider using hidden fasteners instead of exposed screw-heads because they exude a clean, simple appearance.

Evaluate materials based on maintenance frequency and Southeast Michigan weather. Today, the most popular deck materials are composites, PVC, and Aluminum because you will never have to stain your deck again. These materials will withstand harsh winters and are as maintenance-free as possible. While they cost more than real wood, they last for decades. When selecting the materials, research the product features, color pallet, warranties and installation instructions.

Avoid opting for low-quality screws to save money because you will end up paying for it later. Their corrosion is inevitable which will not only discolor your deck, but shorten its life. Most likely you have seen old, rickety decks which appear that way most often due to failing fasteners instead of corroding wood. Choosing stainless-steel or coated screws will resist corrosion, thereby extending the life of your deck.

Consider layout and multiple levels to maximize space. For example, if your backyard is on an incline, constructing two or three levels may increase total square footage thereby increasing the total space for your family and friends to congregate. Multiple levels also add aesthetic appeal to what was once a very unattractive and long flight of stairs found on most elevated decks. Incorporating angles and curves require more labor, however they add an aesthetic element of interest to transform your deck into a unique architectural feature.

Keep in mind safety needs vs. aesthetic appeal. Railing is usually not required if your deck remains below a specified height, however it does keep children and adults of all ages safe. Be sure to check your city’s codes before selecting the railing height to ensure it will be in compliance.

Article by: Jennifer Elkow

​Door wall designs have improved in many ways in the last decade. The current trend to create a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors is by using expansive areas of glass. The inherent visible seams of traditional doors and windows impede a seamless transition. Instead, many homeowners are choosing glass folding, lift or sliding doors and panels.

In the past, large glass patio doors were reserved for luxurious homes because they were usually custom designed and extremely costly. Modern manufacturing techniques have enabled door manufactures to design the same style door at a much lower cost. Additionally, there is a large variety of styles available depending on the aesthetics of your home—from contemporary and sleek to traditional and charming.

Most Southeast Michigan children have been counting down to the last day of school, and this week it arrives. Here are ten fun activities to do with your children for less than $10.

1. Obstacle courses are ideal for children because their design requires children to use their critical thinking skills, available resources and imagination. Let them choose sporting equipment and age-appropriate tools to design the course. Invite neighborhood friends over to compete.

2. Colored tape can be used indoors on carpet or floors to create a race track or roads. Help children determine the flow of the track and them let them lay the tape. Encourage them to set up a city scene with popular toys such as Legos or matchbox cars.

Having survived the polar vortex of winter and a super-soaked spring, Michiganders covet and cherish summer. Regardless of the size of your outdoor living space, you can transform it into an open-air retreat for your entire family to enjoy from late spring until early fall.

This All Things Cedar Porch Swing available from Wayfair.com transforms an ordinary deck into a relaxing respite.
This All Things Cedar Porch Swing available from Wayfair.com transforms an ordinary deck into a relaxing respite.

Here are four ways to add convenience, comfort and closure to your Southeast Michigan deck, porch or patio.

1. Walk on the soft side. Outdoor furniture, rugs, pillows, etc. have exploded category-wise in the last decade. Today’s outdoor furniture looks nothing like heavy wrought-iron pieces of yesteryear and instead, resembles popular interior furniture. Placing an appropriately-sized outdoor rug is a great way to add color to your outdoor living space, and to define it. The durable fabric options available all withstand Mother Nature’s elements without compromising style and comfort—most are extremely soft.There is also an abundance of outdoor pillow and cushion options which incorporate elements of comfort and decoration. Coordinating rugs, cushions, umbrellas, etc. with the colors of plant and flower containers work in tandem to create a cohesive yet cushy feel. Try to work all elements around a focal point, for example, a fire pit or water feature, to optimize your outdoor living space’s aesthetic appeal.