Things to do with Kids in Pittsboro NC

Posted by Travars Built Homes on June 30, 2021

An amazing local play, walk, sports and splash park is now open in Pittsboro! Knights Farm Community Park has 10 acres of fun opportunities.

Creative playgrounds!

Huge splash pad filled with water fountains to cool down summer.

Imaginative “house” and “shop” with play spaces inside and out.

Cool slides!

Wide, concrete walking paths for a casual stroll.

Picnic tables – some under a roof.

Some with grills and water sources.

There’s even a dog park and sports field.

We like Knights Farm Community Park – another great Pittsboro gathering place.

New home trends: Best hardwood flooring for pets

Posted by Travars Built Homes on March 3, 2021

You have a lot of choices for flooring in North Carolina new homes, from hardwood to tile and carpet, as well as custom options.

Travars Built Homes offer the highest quality features, finishes, materials and craftsmanship, including real oak hardwood flooring in every home. See what else comes, standard, here.

All types of flooring will see some wear and tear over time. But which types of hardwood flooring stand up best to daily traffic from people and pets? Here are 10 tips for choosing hardwood flooring in NC new homes:

North Carolina New Homes | Hardwood Flooring Trends

Hardwood flooring tip #1: Soft woods cost more — and provide less protection

If you want to avoid flooring that dents easiest, avoid American Cherry, American Walnut, and Pine. Better versions of these hardwoods for a harder surface? Brazilian Cherry and Walnut.

Hardwood flooring tip #2: Consider a Harder Hardwood

Hickory, Brazilian Cherry and other hardwoods rank high on the Janka scale. They come with a premium price, but are much harder than the 3/8 “hardwood” flooring most builders use. Travars Built Homes uses ¾ solid oak hardwood – a much higher quality wood with more resistance to wear and tear than most new homes start with.

Hardwood flooring tip #3: Strong grains can hide more scratches

Red oak has a stronger grain than white oak. Red oak, 1290 on the hardness scale, hides scratches better than Brazilian Cherry, which is 2350 on the Janka scale.

Hardwood flooring tip #4: Hand Scraped and Distressed Hardwoods provide modern rustic character that makes wear look appealing

The more wear you put on these hardwoods, the more realistic they look. Knots and other character traits also give “real hardwoods” a natural look that feels comfortable and welcoming.

Contact Travars Built Homes to get a price for your NC new home build.

Hardwood flooring tip #5: Mask imperfections with a Matte Finish

Ask your builder to use a matte finish on your site finished hardwood floors. Glossy finishes will be more reflective – and imperfections more glaring.

Hardwood flooring tip #6: Light stains hide scratches best

Another great characteristic of oak hardwood flooring is that it’s already a naturally light wood. The stain shade you choose can make a difference in how much scratches show, with lighter hues hiding more scarring than dark colors. lighter hue on the stain you choose And if you’ve chosen oak, a naturally light wood, even if the finish is scratched off the scratch is more likely to blend with the rest of the floor.

Hardwood flooring tip #7: Solid Hardwoods have long lasting qualities

Site finished solid hardwood flooring can be refinished. So if you feel like freshening up your woods in a few years, either because you’d like it to look new or want to change the color, you can simply sand it and restain it, at a much lower cost than replacing the entire floor like you’d need to do with an inexpensive laminate.

Hardwood flooring tip #8: The bamboo effect

Bamboo can be beautiful, but it’s not always the best choice for a floor that will have a lot of people and pet traffic. Stained bamboo can scratch very easily. Although it is technically stronger than oak, dents show up more easily. Strand bamboo costs more than carmelized bamboo, but can hold up better.

Hardwood flooring tip #9: Furniture Felt Pads can prevent heavy scraping

Using felt pads under furniture (even with wheels) can protect your floors. Scattered rugs can also protect areas with heavy traffic, such as doorways, hallways, kitchen aisles and gathering places.

Hardwood flooring tip #10: Leave your shoes at the door

Still love soft woods best? Create a space where shoes go as people enter your home, to avoid scarring caused by pebbles, dirt and high heels. Custom built-in shelving, drop zones or even just a corner on the floor reserved for shoes can help your floors stay cleaner and less worn.

Contact Travars Built Homes to find out more about building your new construction custom home in North Carolina.

Where can you find an EV charging station in Pittsboro, North Carolina?

Posted by Travars Built Homes on August 29, 2020 with 0 Comment

You can plug your electric car into an EV Charging Station at dozens of locations in the Pittsboro and Chapel Hill area – including your new home.

This active map from PlugShare shows where you can find public stations, designated as high power or ‘ in use’ and where they are located. ChargeHub is another great resource for EV Charge Station information, where users can also edit, add comments, and post pictures.

You can find a place to plug in while you sit outside welcoming places like this: Penguin Place – One of the Top Places to Eat in Pittsboro NC.

Nearly all of the dozens of EV Car Charging stations in the Chapel Hill/Pittsboro area are free. A typical electric car can be fully energized in about 3-6 hours, depending on the vehicle.

Talk to your builder about adding a charging station to your new home. It’s a great way to make reducing greenhouse gas emissions simple and easy, with your home as the center for your ability to have a clean alternative to conventional fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

It’s one more way that high quality custom home builders like Travars Built Homes customize your home to fit your lifestyle – along with the ability for your home to perform efficiently with lower utility bills, with your Eco-Select certificate from Southern Energy Management.

Car charging stations can be added to your new custom home during the design phase – one of the most interesting and fun parts of your home build.

Travars Built Homes can build just about anything into your new home. Just let us know what you’d like built in – and where you want your Charging Station! We also help you find a lot in Chatham County or anywhere else within about an hour of RTP.

What are the benefits of a side load garage?

Posted by Travars Built Homes on October 4, 2019

Side Load Garage Benefit #1

A side load garage can give your home a lot of benefits, including great curbside appeal. Placing the garage on the side will make way for windows on the front face of your home. A side load garage can also increase the perceived size of the home (instead of a big garage door that emphasizes vehicles).

White and Black Modern Farmhouse Exterior | Mebane NC New Homes

Side Load Garage Benefit #2

A side load garage can have a sweeping driveway into the side of the home instead of going straight in, which can give it a look of grandeur.

Benefit #3

A side load garage can be used in conjunction with a front facing carriage garage. A dual garage layout will separate vehicles from storage or shop space, and keep the rest of your home looking proportional.

Travars Built Homes can also add a third garage bay to nearly any floor plan, including carriage garages.

Benefit #4

A side load garage can be positioned so that there is a courtyard in front of the home, providing more space for play or parking.

Hands-on process to building a custom home

When you work with TBH, we create your home together – the way you want it:

Modifying your floor plan to expand, turn, tweak, or change things you’d like to do differently
Creating secret passageways, secret pantries or other hideaways
Including aging in place, accessible, or special needs features
Creating special spaces – bigger pantries, more storage, more outdoor living areas… let’s talk about how to create the elements that matter most

Contact TBH to learn more:

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Two Story Kitchen

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Second Story Overlook Railing

What is Design/Build: Working with a Custom Home Builder

Posted by Travars Built Homes on March 23, 2019

Next month, a panel discussion led by Furniture, Lighting & Decor Editor-in-Chief Diane Falvey brings together four experts to talk about leveraging expertise among architects, builders, and designers when building custom homes.

During the panel, “Common Ground: Finding Synergy Among Architects, Builders and Designers,” Phil Travars and Andrew Travars of Travars Built Homes will be talking about the ins and outs of working with a design/build custom home builder in North Carolina.

“Having a clear understanding of the thought process around building a custom home can help everything go smoothly, from design through construction,” said Phil Travars, Owner and Builder at Travars Built Homes. “It’s a great opportunity to talk directly with experts from across the industry.”

About 75,000 people from across the country and internationally are expected to attend the bi-annual Furniture Mart event represented by more than 100 countries, for architects, designers, furnishings buyers and others looking for the latest information and products for homes.

The Travars brothers were asked to participate in the event to share their thought leadership about home building and designing together with CIRCLE Design Studio, LLC Principal Architect John Dorlini and Principal/Owner Theresa A.C. Dorlini.

How to Build a Custom Home | New Home Builders

Topics about the custom home build process are expected to include:

How designers and builders work together compose a custom home.
How creativity can create excitement through different points of view.
What to look out for when choosing a custom home on a budget.
What to think about as you integrate designs for furniture, lighting, fixtures and finishes into your new home.

“This is a great opportunity to bounce around ideas for your new home, if you’re considering a custom build,” said Andrew Travars, Builder and Designer at Travars Built Homes. “We put a lot into making each home unique – this panel will help explain what it takes to create through design/build.”

Travars Built Homes builds new custom homes in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham and the surrounding region. Get information about building a custom home:

How can a lot walk save trees – and some green?

Posted by Travars Built Homes on February 27, 2019

What’s the best way to save trees when you build your new house? What roles do planning and surveying play in tree preservation? Here’s what you need to know before you clear your lot.

Never clear your lot before you talk with the county building department and your builder – especially if you will need a septic system.

Travars Built Homes provide a lot walk and assessment that includes a discussion of tree retention, before any clearing occurs. Your builder will also discuss things like the slope of the lot, possible water routes, the footprint of your home and its build site. You’ll learn a lot about the first stages of the build – as well as ways to save tree trunks and greenbacks.

Wendell North Carolina New Homes | All Brick Homes

There are also rules about how much can be cleared due to impervious limits, environmental regulations, government mandated erosion requirements, easements and other imperatives.

The amount of clearing required is based on your house footprint, based on the perimeter of your home with about 15-20′ of clearing on each side of your home, when the lot and setbacks allow for it. That amount of space provides room for sidewalks, parking pads, fences and foot traffic to get around the house.

Unless you request more tree removal – within the parameters of what is allowed for your location – it is our goal to retain every tree possible within the area that we need to safely get your home built. When your desire is to have a wooded lot, we want to preserve that natural beauty for you as much as possible.

If your home needs a septic system, the amount of trees removed in your septic field depend on specific requirements and there are areas that cannot be disturbed, to allow for that critical system to be installed and function properly.

It is not always possible to save every tree that you would like to retain. Trees have varying root systems, some of which are more extensive than others. White oak, Hickory and Walnut trees have some of the deeper root systems. Pine trees (which there are many of in North Carolina) have shallow root systems that can be less stable. For the most part roots are 12-24″ deep and extend out from the tree in a radius. You can measure tree diameter at chest height and multiple that by 12 to get a good idea of where roots end. The drip line or canopy can also be used as a rough guide, with the furthest branch as your measurement.

Contact us to schedule your lot walk where your home site determinations will be provided. We will discuss site work for the fit of your home to your lot. This pre-construction meeting on site with your builder will help you envision where your home and driveway can be placed.

3 Ways to Get a Better Bathroom for Your Guests

Posted by Travars Built Homes on January 24, 2019

Here are 3 different floor plan layout approaches for your guest suite bathroom from design build custom home builder Travars Built Homes:

White and Black Bathrooms | Mebane NC New Homes

Approach #1 The bathroom is attached to the guest bedroom and hallway.

Approach #2 The bathroom is between two bedrooms (also know as a “Jack and Jill” bath)

Approach #3 The bathroom is only accessible through the bedroom – this allows for complete privacy.

Design Build Custom Home Process

Build On Your Lot North Carolina

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #1: Bath Shared with Common Areas

One of the most common layouts for a guest suite maximizes usability while minimizing cost by including a full bath with access from both the guest bedroom and main areas.

The layout has a second door from the guest bedroom directly into the bath so guests have full privacy but homeowners are spared the expense of an additional private bath.

See more of this modern farmhouse, the Norwich here:

Modern Farmhouse Floor Plan | Pittsboro New Home Builder

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #2: Jack and Jill Bath

This floor plan illustrates a “Jack and Jill” bathroom, where two bedrooms share a bathroom. With this layout, a guest would share a bathroom with someone in another bedroom, but would have the ability to close off that bathroom.

Jack and Jill Floor Plan | Pittsboro New Home Builder

This floor plan, the Blackstone also has a powder room on the main floor, so the designation of this layout would be that the Jack and Jill bathroom would typically be limited to use by people in those two bedrooms, with semi-private usage.

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #3: Full, Private Bath

In this floor plan, there is already a full bath beside the mudroom and guest bedroom. With a small expansion to the exterior wall of the bathroom, we can change the functionality of the space.

Take a look at the redline modifications. By expanding the bathroom slightly, it can be accessed en-suite, providing total privacy for the guest suite:

The redline modification at the foyer illustrates how to add a separate powder room on the main floor.

Get in touch with the team at Travars Built Homes for more floor plans and details about building a new home in Chapel Hill, Durham, Pittsboro, or another area in central North Carolina.

Tag: Pittsboro New Home Builder

An amazing local play, walk, sports and splash park is now open in Pittsboro! Knights Farm Community Park has 10 acres of fun opportunities.

Creative playgrounds!

Huge splash pad filled with water fountains to cool down summer.

Imaginative “house” and “shop” with play spaces inside and out.

Cool slides!

Wide, concrete walking paths for a casual stroll.

Picnic tables – some under a roof.

Some with grills and water sources.

There’s even a dog park and sports field.

We like Knights Farm Community Park – another great Pittsboro gathering place.

You have a lot of choices for flooring in North Carolina new homes, from hardwood to tile and carpet, as well as custom options.

Travars Built Homes offer the highest quality features, finishes, materials and craftsmanship, including real oak hardwood flooring in every home. See what else comes, standard, here.

All types of flooring will see some wear and tear over time. But which types of hardwood flooring stand up best to daily traffic from people and pets? Here are 10 tips for choosing hardwood flooring in NC new homes:

Hardwood flooring tip #1: Soft woods cost more — and provide less protection

If you want to avoid flooring that dents easiest, avoid American Cherry, American Walnut, and Pine. Better versions of these hardwoods for a harder surface? Brazilian Cherry and Walnut.

Hardwood flooring tip #2: Consider a Harder Hardwood

Hardwood flooring tip #3: Strong grains can hide more scratches

Red oak has a stronger grain than white oak. Red oak, 1290 on the hardness scale, hides scratches better than Brazilian Cherry, which is 2350 on the Janka scale.

Hardwood flooring tip #4: Hand Scraped and Distressed Hardwoods provide modern rustic character that makes wear look appealing

The more wear you put on these hardwoods, the more realistic they look. Knots and other character traits also give “real hardwoods” a natural look that feels comfortable and welcoming.

Hardwood flooring tip #5: Mask imperfections with a Matte Finish

Ask your builder to use a matte finish on your site finished hardwood floors. Glossy finishes will be more reflective – and imperfections more glaring.

Hardwood flooring tip #6: Light stains hide scratches best

Hardwood flooring tip #7: Solid Hardwoods have long lasting qualities

Hardwood flooring tip #8: The bamboo effect

Hardwood flooring tip #9: Furniture Felt Pads can prevent heavy scraping

Using felt pads under furniture (even with wheels) can protect your floors. Scattered rugs can also protect areas with heavy traffic, such as doorways, hallways, kitchen aisles and gathering places.

Hardwood flooring tip #10: Leave your shoes at the door

Still love soft woods best? Create a space where shoes go as people enter your home, to avoid scarring caused by pebbles, dirt and high heels. Custom built-in shelving, drop zones or even just a corner on the floor reserved for shoes can help your floors stay cleaner and less worn.

You can plug your electric car into an EV Charging Station at dozens of locations in the Pittsboro and Chapel Hill area – including your new home.

This active map from PlugShare shows where you can find public stations, designated as high power or ‘ in use’ and where they are located. ChargeHub is another great resource for EV Charge Station information, where users can also edit, add comments, and post pictures.

You can find a place to plug in while you sit outside welcoming places like this: Penguin Place – One of the Top Places to Eat in Pittsboro NC.

Nearly all of the dozens of EV Car Charging stations in the Chapel Hill/Pittsboro area are free. A typical electric car can be fully energized in about 3-6 hours, depending on the vehicle.

Talk to your builder about adding a charging station to your new home. It’s a great way to make reducing greenhouse gas emissions simple and easy, with your home as the center for your ability to have a clean alternative to conventional fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

It’s one more way that high quality custom home builders like Travars Built Homes customize your home to fit your lifestyle – along with the ability for your home to perform efficiently with lower utility bills, with your Eco-Select certificate from Southern Energy Management.

Car charging stations can be added to your new custom home during the design phase – one of the most interesting and fun parts of your home build.

Travars Built Homes can build just about anything into your new home. Just let us know what you’d like built in – and where you want your Charging Station! We also help you find a lot in Chatham County or anywhere else within about an hour of RTP.

Side Load Garage Benefit #1

Side Load Garage Benefit #2

Benefit #3

Benefit #4

Hands-on process to building a custom home

Contact TBH to learn more:

Next month, a panel discussion led by Furniture, Lighting & Decor Editor-in-Chief Diane Falvey brings together four experts to talk about leveraging expertise among architects, builders, and designers when building custom homes.

During the panel, “Common Ground: Finding Synergy Among Architects, Builders and Designers,” Phil Travars and Andrew Travars of Travars Built Homes will be talking about the ins and outs of working with a design/build custom home builder in North Carolina.

About 75,000 people from across the country and internationally are expected to attend the bi-annual Furniture Mart event represented by more than 100 countries, for architects, designers, furnishings buyers and others looking for the latest information and products for homes.

The Travars brothers were asked to participate in the event to share their thought leadership about home building and designing together with CIRCLE Design Studio, LLC Principal Architect John Dorlini and Principal/Owner Theresa A.C. Dorlini.

Topics about the custom home build process are expected to include:

What’s the best way to save trees when you build your new house? What roles do planning and surveying play in tree preservation? Here’s what you need to know before you clear your lot.

Never clear your lot before you talk with the county building department and your builder – especially if you will need a septic system.

There are also rules about how much can be cleared due to impervious limits, environmental regulations, government mandated erosion requirements, easements and other imperatives.

If your home needs a septic system, the amount of trees removed in your septic field depend on specific requirements and there are areas that cannot be disturbed, to allow for that critical system to be installed and function properly.

Contact us to schedule your lot walk where your home site determinations will be provided. We will discuss site work for the fit of your home to your lot. This pre-construction meeting on site with your builder will help you envision where your home and driveway can be placed.

Here are 3 different floor plan layout approaches for your guest suite bathroom from design build custom home builder Travars Built Homes:

Approach #1 The bathroom is attached to the guest bedroom and hallway.

Approach #2 The bathroom is between two bedrooms (also know as a “Jack and Jill” bath)

Approach #3 The bathroom is only accessible through the bedroom – this allows for complete privacy.

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #1: Bath Shared with Common Areas

One of the most common layouts for a guest suite maximizes usability while minimizing cost by including a full bath with access from both the guest bedroom and main areas.

The layout has a second door from the guest bedroom directly into the bath so guests have full privacy but homeowners are spared the expense of an additional private bath.

See more of this modern farmhouse, the Norwich here:

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #2: Jack and Jill Bath

This floor plan illustrates a “Jack and Jill” bathroom, where two bedrooms share a bathroom. With this layout, a guest would share a bathroom with someone in another bedroom, but would have the ability to close off that bathroom.

This floor plan, the Blackstone also has a powder room on the main floor, so the designation of this layout would be that the Jack and Jill bathroom would typically be limited to use by people in those two bedrooms, with semi-private usage.

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #3: Full, Private Bath

In this floor plan, there is already a full bath beside the mudroom and guest bedroom. With a small expansion to the exterior wall of the bathroom, we can change the functionality of the space.

Take a look at the redline modifications. By expanding the bathroom slightly, it can be accessed en-suite, providing total privacy for the guest suite:

The redline modification at the foyer illustrates how to add a separate powder room on the main floor.

Get in touch with the team at Travars Built Homes for more floor plans and details about building a new home in Chapel Hill, Durham, Pittsboro, or another area in central North Carolina.