black friday ads fredericksburg va
Written by Spear Builders

2017 Black Friday Store Ads & Deals in Fredericksburg, Virginia

We know how busy the holiday season can be at Spear Builders and we wanted to put together a quick list of local stores and their Black Friday ads. We have included the name of the store, location and a downloadable link of the pdf to the black friday deal in Fredericksburg, Virginia.


BLACK FRIDAY DEALS FREDERICKSBURG, VA


Barnes & Noble Booksellers

Located in: Central Park
Address: 1220 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

 

Download PDF: 2017 Barnes & Noble Booksellers Black Friday Ad in Fredericksburg, Virginia



Bed Bath & Beyond

Located in: Waverly Village
Address: 3700 Plank Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22407


Big Lots

Address: 2000 Plank Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Download PDF: 2017 Big Lots Black Friday Ad in Fredericksburg, Virginia



Costco Wholesale  (Spotsylvania Mall)

Download PDF: 2017 Costco Wholesale Black Friday Ad in Fredericksburg, Virginia



DICKS Sporting Goods  (Spotsylvania Mall)

Address: 137 Spotsylvania Mall Dr #290, Fredericksburg, VA 22407


Five Below  (Cosner’s Corner)

Located in: Cosner’s Corner
Address: 9771 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Download PDF: 2017 Five Below Black Friday Ad in Fredericksburg, Virginia



Five Below  (Central Park)

Located in: Cosner’s Corner
Address: 9771 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Download PDF: 2017 Five Below Black Friday Ad in Fredericksburg, Virginia



Harbor Freight Tools

Located in: Westwood Center LLC
Address: 2011 Plank Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401




Kohl’s South Fredericksburg

Address: 9683 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Download PDF: 2017 Kohls Black Friday Ad in Fredericksburg, Virginia



Office Depot

Located in: Central Park
Address: 1591 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Download PDF: 2017 Office Depot Black Friday Ad in Fredericksburg, Virginia



Old Navy

Located in: Central Park
Address: 1260 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Staples

Located in: Westwood Center LLC
Address: 2003 Plank Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401


Target (Central Park)

Located in: Central Park
Address: 1180 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Departments: Target Mobile

Target (Cosner’s Corner)

Located in: Cosner’s Corner
Address: 9785 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22407


Thanks for the black friday list!

★★★★★
5 5 1
Just wanted to say thank you for this list! It is perfect for anyone living in Fredericksburg and even gives you a link to the pdf of each stores black friday ad so you can print or save to your computer or phone.

Thanks guys!

★★★★★
5 5 1
Great resource. Appreciate you taking the time to put this together for us local fredericksburg residents.
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five lots for to be built homes in spotsylvania va
Written by Spear Builders

Homes & Lots For Sale in Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Are you looking for a custom built home in Spotsylvania, Virginia?  We currently have four cul-de-sac lots available and one separate lot near the Spotsylvania Courthouse in the Courthouse Commons subdivision. Lots are located within one miles of the Spotsylvania Police Dept., Spotsylvania Courthouse, Spotsylvania Post Office and within three miles of Courtland Elementary and Courtland High School.

Please contact us at 540-368-9003 today for more information on what we have available in Spotsylvania.

Serving the following Spotsylvania zip codes

  • Spotsylvania, Virginia 22551
  • Spotsylvania, Virginia 22508
  • Spotsylvania, Virginia 23015
  • Spotsylvania, Virginia 22534
  • Spotsylvania, Virginia 23024
  • Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553
  • Spotsylvania, Virginia 22407
  • Spotsylvania, Virginia 22408
  • Spotsylvania, Virginia 22565

 

 

 

Building a new home vs buying a previously owned home
Written by Spear Builders

Building vs Buying Your First Home | Pros and Cons

 

If you want to own a new home, then you have two options: you can buy a home, or you can build a brand new one. Both of these methods for obtaining a new home are good choices. However, while both have pros, there are also a few cons associated with each option. Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of building a brand new home and of buying a home.

 

Pros of Building a Home

 

Customization

 

One of the best pros of building your own home is that you will be able to customize your home to your needs. For example, if you would really like your home to have a deck with multiple levels, you can have the builders build you a home with this feature. If you would like to have three fireplaces, then you can have the builders include 3 fire places when they build the home.

customized kitchen in a new home

Energy Efficiency

 

Many newly built homes are significantly more efficient than homes built years or even decades in the past. This is due to improvements in both insulation and HVAC. In fact, if your newly made home is 30 percent larger than an older home, then it will consume roughly the same amount of energy. This means that newer homes are roughly 30 percent more energy efficient than older homes.

 

Cons of Building a Home

 

 

Less Convenient

 

If you are going to build your own home, then you will have to first find the land, then go through the process of buying the land. Then you will have to find an architect, then find a builder. The whole building will have to be built, powerlines will have to be set up, etc. This can all take a while.

 

More Expensive

 

It can be significantly more expensive to build a home than to buy one. In fact, it costs an average of $66,415 more to build a single family home than to buy one that has already been constructed.

 


 

Pros of Buying a home

 

More Convenient

 

Buying a home is more convenient in many cases because you do not have to find a plot of land, and deal with the other difficulties of building a home. You can simply hire a real estate agent, take some tours of properties, and choose your home. It is a much faster process.

 

Cheaper

 

As mentioned above, it costs roughly $66,415 less on average to buy a single family home than to build it. For most families in America, this is extremely significant, and represents a large amount of money.

 

 

Cons of Buying a Home

 

No Customization

 

If you buy a pre-constructed home, then you will not be able to put your say in about the design. For many people, this is a very important downside of buying a home. This is because having a custom design can be very appealing to people who are thinking about obtaining a new home.

 

Less Energy Efficient

 

If you buy a pre-constructed home, then unless it was built in the last few years, you will be unlikely to benefit from the breakthroughs in insulation and energy efficiency that have happened in recent years. This means that you will almost certainly end up paying more in energy costs while you live in the home. This is especially true if the home is older than twenty years.

 

Essentially, there are both great benefits as well as a few cons to both buying a home and to building a brand new one. So, which option is best for you really depends on what your priorities are. If you want to customize your home and save on energy costs, then building a home many be better. If you want to save money on the home purchase, and get your home quicker, then buying an existing one may be better. It’s up to you!

green home builders in fredericksburg va
Written by Spear Builders

Choosing a Green Home Builder in Fredericksburg, Va.

If you are thinking of building a new home in Fredericksburg, VA, then a green home could be an excellent choice for you. Green homes provide a wide range of benefits. Here is a list of some of the top reasons why you should consider a green home.

  1. Increased energy efficiency

 

Increased energy is one of the most well-known and important benefits of green homes. Green homes have increased energy efficiency because they are specifically constructed to have better insulation, and to use the most efficient energy methods available on the market. It is estimated that the U.S. could save $20 billion on energy costs if non-green buildings were converted to green buildings.

  1. Better air quality

 

Green homes are typically made with non-toxic materials, and have more fresh air circulation than non-green alternatives. This means that the air quality can be significantly better in green homes than other options. Having better air quality in your living space is a tremendous benefit of living in a green home.

  1. Environmental benefits

 

Green homes tend to be made with materials that are more environmentally friendly. That combined with the fact that they have improved energy efficiency means that green benefits are typically much better for the environment overall compared to non-green alternatives. Considering the warnings about global warming from the scientific community, it is good for anyone to help the environment where they can. Green homes can help you do this.

  1. Savings

 

Living in a green building can be a very wise financial decision. This is because the long-term energy costs of a green building are far lower than a non-green building. In fact, it is estimated that LEED certified green buildings in America saved a total of $1.2 billion dollars in energy costs between 2015 and 2018. These buildings also saved a dramatic amount of money in water, maintenance, and waste costs for the same period.

How to select the right green home builder

 

After you make the decision to build a green home, the next step will be for you to choose a home builder to construct your green home. Here are some things to look for when you are making this decision.

  • Reasonable Price

 

The green home builder that you choose should offer a reasonable price and should not be unnecessarily expensive. It is also important to make sure that the particular home builder will be able to build your home for a price that is within your budget.

  • Experience/Proven Quality

 

A home is one of the most expensive and important things that most people ever buy. This means that you should really make sure that you choose a builder who can show you great green homes that he or she has already constructed which match the quality that you are looking for.

  • Good Communication

 

While your green home is being constructed, you will have to communicate with your home builder a lot about design, details, updates, and questions you may have. This means that you need to make sure that your green home builder is reliable and effective in terms of communication.

 

Spear Builders: an Excellent Option for Green Home Building

 

Spear Builders is great home building company that has expertise and experience building high quality green homes. Not only are green homes from Spear Builders reasonably priced, but they are also guaranteed to reduce energy costs and be better for the environment than non-green alternatives.

Spear Builders also has a reputation for being reliable communicators, and for building strong and beautiful homes. If you are looking for a great green and custom home builder in Fredericksburg VA, then please feel free to contact Spear Builders today.

 

 

 

Custom built home by Spear Builders of Virginia
Written by Spear Builders

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Custom Home

A custom home is a home that is not pre-designed by a professional architect or a custom home builder, but which is instead, largely designed by you. Of course, in most cases you will have to work with a professional in order to get your designs up to scratch. However, the hallmark of a custom home is that the homeowner takes part in the design, and that the home is built specifically for the needs and preferences of the owner.

 

There are many benefits to building a custom home. For example:

 

Sentimental Value Of A Custom Built Home

 

If you can design your own home, then you not only will feel more pride considering that you envisioned it, but the home is also more likely to satisfy you. This is because you will have designed it according to your style, needs, and desires. So, there can be enhanced sentimental value for custom homes.

 

Customize Your Privacy

custom built cabinet lockers in home

custom built cabinet lockers in home

 

If you are designing your own home or helping to design it, then you can optimize the privacy of your home. This is because you can prioritize this as a feature, whereas if you go with a pre-designed home, then you may not get the amount of privacy that you would like.

 

Custom Appliances That Fit Your Needs

 

With pre-designed homes, sometimes custom appliances simply are not compatible. So if you really want custom appliances, then a custom home can help you get them included.

 

Cost Of Custom Homes

 

Custom homes are typically more expensive than personalized production homes. The cost of a custom home is usually around $200 - $400 per square foot. However, the cost of a personalized production home is usually around $75 - $115 per square foot. So, this is a fairly significant difference.

 

The average amount of square feet in a new home in the modern economy is about 2,687. This means that you can expect the average custom home to cost about $500,000 to $900,000. You can expect the average personalized production home to cost about $200,000 - $315,000.

 

So, what this means is that custom homes are usually at least double the cost of personalized production homes. These costs can be even higher if you hire an architect to do a lot of the design work for you.

Weighing Your Options With A Custom Home

 

If you are choosing between a custom home and a personalized production home for your new property, then there are several things that you need to consider. First, you need to consider whether or not you have the budget for a custom home. Unless you have a minimum of $200,000 - $500,000 to spend on a custom home, then you may be better off with a personalized production home.

 

You also need to consider how important it is for you to be able to make your own design for your home. For many people, designing their own and living in a home that they had the vision for is a dream come true. So, if you are one of these people, then it may be more important for you to have a custom home.

 

If you don’t really care about the design of your home, and will be satisfied with a generic design, then a personalized production home may be the better option for you. It all depends on what your needs are.

custom concrete kitchen sink

custom concrete kitchen sink

Conclusion of understanding the cost of custom home building in todays housing market

 

Both custom homes and personalized production homes can make for great options when it comes to building a new home. Before you make your decision, be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option, and also get a quote for the full project cost. Both of these things can help you a lot in the long run.

New Home Construction in Ladysmith Village Community
Written by Spear Builders

10 Important Questions to Ask When Making an Offer on New Home Construction

You’ve envisioned the perfect home for you and your family. You know just how you want the kitchen laid out. You have all of the finishes saved on a Pinterest board. There’s just one little technicality–you haven’t actually talked to the builder yet.

 

While many of us go into a new home construction project with the end result in mind, it’s important to think ahead to the construction process itself. If you are preparing to discuss your new home construction process with a home builder, here are some questions to ask before you sign on the dotted line.

 

Who is the builder and what is their background?

Knowing the builder and their reputation is an important first step in determining whether they are the right fit for you. It is also important to understand their background so that you can determine if their experience matches your desired outcome. For example, if your builder primarily builds smaller, entry-level homes, they are probably not the right choice for a large luxury home. If you are looking to build on a waterfront lot, you might want to choose someone with extensive experience with the particulars of waterfront home building.

Dan and Debbie Spear ( Owners of Spear Builders of Virginia)

Dan and Debbie Spear ( Owners of Spear Builders of Virginia)

 

Can they build on my property or only in their communities?

Not all builders are true custom builders. They may primarily work in their own communities or with standardized floor plans that don’t fit the specifics of your property. If you want a custom home on your land, it is important to ensure that the home builder you choose either designs the home from scratch or can customize existing designs to fit the specifics of your lot and its requirements.

 

 

What level of customization can I expect?

There are a number of areas that you might want to customize, both for their appearance and functionality. Elements such as kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms should be fairly easy to customize. However, if you are looking for specific outdoor areas, smart home or eco-friendly features, and other highly specific elements, you will want to discuss these early in the design process to ensure that you have the options you want.

 

 

What current and past projects can I look at? Can I talk to former clients?

Your builder should be open to allowing you to talk to previous clients and to allow you to visit completed home sites. In addition, some builders may be willing to let you check out sites currently under construction. This will help you get a good idea of what your process will be like. In addition, you may want to check for online reviews to see what the experience of prior clients was like. There are many websites and apps that offer the opportunity to check out ratings and reviews before you decide.

 

 

What type of financing is available? Are there special financing incentives available?

Financing on new construction works somewhat differently than a traditional mortgage process on a home resale. Incentives are sometimes available, but you may not be offered these if you don’t ask. In addition, lower interest rates and extended rate locks are often offered in order to allow you to carry a great rate all the way through the construction process.

Home loan financing officer and customer shaking hands after signing a contract: real estate home loan

Home loan financing officer and customer shaking hands after signing a contract: real estate home loan

 

Who will I communicate with during the process? How will communication be handled?

It is good for you to have someone to call or email when you have questions during the process. This may be a real estate agent or a building supervisor who you will be directed to communicate through. If you would like to set up a consistent schedule of communication throughout the process, see if that is a possibility. Perhaps a once-a-week check-in would be a good way to help ensure you stay informed and up-to-date on the progress of your build.

 

 

What are the extras and upgrades available? At what point do we need to finalize a design?

The builder should have a list of standard features and finishes as well as upgrades. Ensure you have thoroughly thought through these elements early in the process. You will also want to find out at what point the plan must be finalized since some builders will not allow you to make changes or upgrades once construction has begun. Unless you have a very clear idea of exactly what you want up front, you may need to look for someone who offers you some flexibility during the process.

 

 

When do upgrades need to be paid for?

Because they are not covered by the standard contract and because they often have to be special ordered, upgraded materials or processes may need to be paid for at the time they are purchased or installed. Make sure when you are choosing your upgrades that you also ask whether they will be looped into the total cost or whether they will be charged separately up front.

 

 

How long will the home take to build? What if there are delays?

Of course you will have some idea of how long the home will take to build, but you also have to be flexible, to a certain extent. Delays in material delivery, weather delays, and other unexpected elements can change the projected completion date. If you are selling a home based on a projected completion date, a significant delay can find you scrambling for a short-term rental, storage of your possessions and more. Know your home builder’s reputation for on-time delivery, but always keep in mind what type of backup plan you can create if the need arises.

 

 

Does the builder offer a warranty? What are its terms? Is a home inspection possible?

A builders warranty can provide peace of mind in ensuring that major systems will be covered in the event of a malfunction. Most builder warranties have one-year terms from date of completion. Knowing what the builder warranty covers and how long it lasts will help give you some reassurance. In addition, you may want to ask if your builder will allow you to bring in a home inspector at the end of the process to ensure that everything is as it should be. Just know that you will not be able to make the purchase contingent on a home inspection–the inspection will be for informational purposes only.

Home inspector inspecting exterior window

Home inspector inspecting exterior window

Building a home is an exciting undertaking, but it is important to keep your eye on some of the nuts and bolts rather than getting caught up in the more fun aspects of design and decor. Working with a knowledgeable, reliable, and experienced builder like Spear Builders of Virginia ensures that you can relax knowing that these important questions have been considered and that your satisfaction is at the forefront of the process.  Contact us today to discuss how we can help make your custom build process a pleasure.

hop harvest festival fredericksburg va
Written by Spear Builders

Events in Fredericksburg VA This Month

Events in Fredericksburg VA This Month

What’s going on in Fredericksburg, VA this month? Events. Family Fun. More!

 

If you live in Fredericksburg, Virginia and if you are looking for fun things to do this summer, you are in luck! That is because there are a wide range of events and great things to do with your friends and family that are happening in Fredericksburg, VA this summer. Here is a closer look at some of these events. If you are looking for events near Fredericksburg, click here.

 

Concert Events in Fredericksburg, Va

 

Sounds of Summer 2017

 

The Sounds of Summer is a free concert that is put on by the Fredericksburg Area Museum. This concert will feature the music of family friendly local bands. There is also arts and crafts available for the kids. It is a great, free event that you can bring the whole family to.

 

Where – 907 Princess Anne Street Market Square Fredericksburg, VA 22401

When – August 4th, 2017 7:00 PM

 

The Charlie Daniels Band

 

The Charlie Daniels Band plays a wide variety of music. Everything from southern rock, to gospel, to country are ably performed by this exciting band. Get your tickets now before they sell out in order to see this great band.

 

Where – 8030 Gordon W. Shelton Blvd. Marks and Harrison Amphitheater Fredericksburg, VA 22401

When – August 12th, 2017 7:00 PM

 

 

Live Music at Spencer Devon

 

This event features great local bands playing excellent live music. There is also high quality beer and great food. It is a great place for a date, or just to hang out with friends and family. It is a wonderful way to spend a summer night.

 

Where – Fredericksburgs Brewery; Spencer Devon – 106 George Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401

When – August 12, 2017 9:00 PM

 

Wine, Food, and Spirits Events in Fredericksburg, Va

 

City Vino Wine Tasting

 

This event is an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to samples a wide variety of delicious wines. Whether you are a seasoned wine tasting veteran, or whether this would be your first-ever wine tasting, it is sure to be quite the experience.

 

Where – 810 Caroline St Suite 101 Fredericksburg, VA 22401

When – August 12th, 2017 12:00 PM

 

Hop Harvest Festival

 

While this event is not exactly in Fredericksburg, Virginia it is pretty darn close and is going to be a lot of fun. It is hosted by Spencor Deon Brewing of Fredericksburg, Va. and Northern Neck Hop Farm in King George. There will be great local beer, live music from local bands, local bbq, and games for all to enjoy.

Tickets are available here

 

Where – 16639 Ellerslie Farm Lane King George, VA 22485

When – August 5th, 2017 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM EDT

 

 

Public Hop Tour at Noon

 

This event is a bar hop that includes stops at three fantastic local breweries. If you love drinking craft beer and having fun with your friends and fellow beer enthusiasts, then this is an excellent way to spend a summer afternoon. You can also learn about different types of great quality local beers.

 

Where – 503 Sophia Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401

 

When – August 13th  2017 – Noon

 

 

Family & Fun Events in Fredericksburg, Va

 

Sweat Rewards

 

Sweat rewards is an excellent workout that can be done by the whole family. Each workout can be adapted to many different fitness levels. Sweat rewards is a great option for people of many different ages. If you are looking to get in shape and have fun in Fredericksburg, this is a great choice for you!

 

Where – 907 Princess Anne St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401

 

When – August 9, 2017 8:00 AM

Unlocking Autism Car, Truck, and Bike Show

 

If you love cars, trucks, and bikes, then this is the perfect event for you. The Unlocking Autism Car, Truck, and Bike Show is a show that displays cars, trucks, and bikes of all different kinds. Rewards will be given out for various categories. All proceeds of the Unlocking Autism Car, Truck, and Bike Show go directly toward research for Autism. So, this event is a great opportunity to have fun, and to participate in something that is extremely important.

 

 

Where – 4907 Jefferson Davis Hwy @ Classic Iron Fredericksburg, VA 22408

 

When – September 16th, 2017 9:00 AM

 

Summer Fundamentals

 

Summer fundamentals is a great workshop that is available for students who are in high school or college. These workshops provide instruction about some important things in life. Everything from transitioning from school to what’s next, to turning 18, to healthy living is discussed. Essentially, these workshops are a great way for young people to learn about how to live a better and healthier life. They are a great preparation tool for some of the challenges that they will face as they become adults. For parents who have high-school and college aged children, this is a great opportunity to have your kids learn some important information before they are living on their own.

 

Where – 409 Progress Street DRC Fredericksburg, VA 22401

 

When – August 10th, 2017 9:00 am

what to do near fredericksburg virginia
Written by Spear Builders

Events Near Fredericksburg, Virginia

Events Near Fredericksburg, Virginia this month? Events. Family Fun. More!

Serving Fredericksburg Zip Codes:

Fredericksburg, Va.
22401 22405 22406 22407 22408 22412
Fredericksburg, Virginia – PO Box Addresses
22402 22403 22404

If you live in Fredericksburg, Virginia and if you are looking for fun things to do this summer, you are in luck! That is because there are a wide range of events and great things to do with your friends and family that are happening in or near Fredericksburg, VA this summer. Here is a closer look at some of these events. If you are looking for events in Fredericksburg, Va., click here

 

Concerts

 

Whether you like rock and roll, hip hop, or country, there are many great acts that are coming to the Fredericksburg area this summer. Here are some concerts that will take place.

 

The Roots with special guests Michael Che and Rare Essence in Oxon Hill

 

This concert is great for people who like hip hop music. The roots are an excellent live act with top quality musicianship. In addition to being a world famous touring act, they also are the house band for the Jimmy Fallon Show. Don’t miss this excellent concert!

 

Where – The Theater, at MGM National Harbor

 

When – Sunday, August 13th, 2017 8:00 PM

 

 

Coldplay

 

Coldplay is currently one of the biggest bands in the world. Coldplay features Chris Martin on lead vocals, guitar, and piano, Johnny Buckland on lead guitar, Guy Berryman on bass guitar, and Will Champion on drums. They are sure to put on an amazing show and will be one of the biggest acts to visit the Fredericksburg areas this summer.

 

Where – FedExField

 

When – Sunday, August 6th, 2017 7:00 PM

 

 

Florida Georgia Line

 

Florida Georgia line is one of the hottest American country acts right now. The band is a duo that is made up of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. Florida Georgia Line’s hit song cruise is the best-selling digital country single of all time in America. It sold over 10 million copies.

 

Where – Jiffy Lube Live

 

When – Saturday, August 5th, 2017 1:00 PM

 

 

 

Sports

 

There are a number of excellent sports teams and sporting events in the Fredericksburg, VA area. Here is are some of the exciting sporting events that will take place in the rest of the summer.

 

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Vs. Potomac Nationals (Minor League Baseball)

 

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a great minor league baseball team, and their games provide a great sporting environment. They are a Class A Advanced affiliate of the MLB team, the Chicago Cubs. If you like baseball, then going to a Pelicans game is a great way to spend a nice summer night.

 

Where – G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium

 

When – Wednesday, August 9th, 2017 7:05 PM

 

 

16th Annual War On Wheels II in Mechanicsville

 

The Annual War on Wheels is a racing spectacle involving many different types and sizes of vehicles. If you like motors and fast vehicles, this is the event for you.

 

Where – Maryland International Raceway

 

When – Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017 5:00 PM

 

 

Goalkeeping Clinic with Travis Worra – Opening Week in Potomac

 

This event is a training session with professional soccer goalie Travis Worra. Worra currently plays for the MLS team DC United. This event is perfect for anyone who loves soccer or who wants to become a better soccer goalie.

 

Where – Avenel Local Park # 3

 

When – Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017, 6:00 PM

 

 

 

Kids and Family

 

The summertime can be a lot of fun for kids. No homework, no school, and plenty of things to do! Here are some of the best things for your kids, or your entire family to do in the near future.

 

Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream in Fairfax

 

This event is a wonderful and entertaining performance that is done entirely on ice. It features many familiar Disney characters that your children already love. If you are looking for a nice cool way to spend a morning with your children while beating the heat, this is a great option.

 

Where – Eaglebank arena (Formerly Patriot Center)

 

When – Friday, September 29th, 2017 10:30 AM

 

Strategy Gaming Night in Arlington

 

This event features many strategy games such as Risk, Chess, Stratego and other similar events. If you love board games and are looking for a great place to play them, this is for you.

 

Where – Arlington Public Library – Shirlington branch

 

When – Sunday, August 6th, 2017 6:00 PM

 

 

BABY TIME in Alexandria

 

Need a nice cool place to bring your baby in the summer to get out of the heat? This event is a great place for babies to play and for parents to interact with one another.

 

Where – James M. Duncan Branch Library

 

When – Wednesday, August 7th, 2017 11:00 AM

home insulation types
Written by Deborah Hawkins

Understanding Home Insulation Types: Pro and Cons

Home insulation is crucial for making sure that your home stays warm in the winter and that enough heat stays within the structure. However, not all home insulation methods are equal. Some insulation methods are better than others.

 

Many homes in America do not have enough insulation. In fact, there is the equivalent of a window’s worth of openings an average home through cracks and holes, where air can get in and out. All of this air flow during the colder months can result in significantly higher energy costs. Here is a look at the pros and cons of some of the top home insulation types. Knowing these pros and cons can help you select the insulation type that is best for your home.

 

Spray Foam

 spray foam insulation in ceiling

Spray foam is a type of insulation in which liquid polyurethane is sprayed against a wall. After a small period of time, the spray will harden and become a foam that is solid. Spray foam costs $.44 to $1.50 per board foot.

 

Pros

 

  • It takes up less room than other types of insulation.
  • It can save you up to $500 in energy costs per year.
  • It has the highest r value.

 

Cons

 

  • It may require professional help to install.
  • It is not the cheapest option on the market

 

 

 

Blown-in Insulation

 blown attic insulation

 

 

 

 

 

Blown-in insulation involves a material called “loose fill,” which is usually just recycled and ground up newspapers and cardboard being attached to a special blower, and blown into the parts of the house where insulation is desired. If you do it entirely yourself, the cost of blown-in insulation is about $500 for a 1500 square foot home.

 

Pros

 

  • It is moisture resistant
  • Can be done yourself
  • If the loose-fill has borate in it, it is vermin resistant.

 

Cons

 

  • Can lose effectiveness over time
  • Heavier than other materials which makes it unsuitable for certain spaces

 

 

 

Mineral Wool

 mineral wool insulation

Mineral wool is a material that is made from minerals from rocks or molten glass. This material is turned into a thick insulating substance that has a lot of fibers. 1000 square feet of insulation for mineral wool costs about $1,500.

 

Pros

 

  • It has incredible thermal properties
  • It is largely made from recyclable materials
  • It is more fire resistant than other materials

 

Cons

 

  • It can be dangerous and hazardous for your health to inhale mineral wool fibers
  • It can grow mold if it is exposed to water

 

 

 

How to select the right choice?

 

If you are thinking about putting insulation in your home, then you may be considering all three of these options plus even more. So, before you make your decision, you should consider what is the most important variable for your situation. If you simply want a cheap option that you can do yourself, then loose fill may be the best option.

 

However, if you want insulation that saves you a ton on energy costs, and is made almost entirely from recycled materials, then mineral wool may be the best option. But, if you do not like the chances of mineral wool growing mold, then spray foam could be best for you. It all comes down to what your top priorities are for your home.

 

But, no matter which options that you choose, you will most likely have to spend at least a thousand dollars to install insulation in your entire home. The cost will be significantly higher if you decide to have an expert put in the insulation. However, even though experts cost more, they are more likely to do the job better than you, if you have never put in insulation before. So, that is also definitely something to consider

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