The other day on Twitter I came across the words "affordable luxury."   That idea seems like a stretch to me, sort of like "free shipping", so I did a Google search to see what I could find out about affordable luxury.

First, I found that most things that are sold as affordable luxuries are automobiles and vacation resorts, but the concept fits everything else, too.  (Apparently that's a big selling point in those two markets.)

Second, I found that the difference between luxury and affordable luxury is simply a lot of money and perhaps no difference in quality.

That definition really makes sense to me, and it's easy to apply it to building a new home.  For every luxury product available for new homes,  there are a dozen similar products with equal quality for less money.  It's true about flooring, windows, doors, exterior finishes, counter tops, cabinetry, bathroom fixtures... the list is endless.

The trick is to know how to find affordable luxuries.

Real luxuries are known to us through advertising.  The big name brands spend a bundle to make sure we recognize their brands and that we also recognize their quality.  But how do we shop for affordable luxuries?

Here are 3 tips:

1. Know your budget.  How will you know if it's affordable for YOU if you don't know your budget?  Write out your price range, take it with you when you shop, and stick to it.
2. Know your values. Write out the qualities you want before you go shopping.  Do you want super durable or something with lots of WOW?  Know before you go.
3. Simply ask.  Most people ask salespeople about price, but salespeople (and vendors) know their products and can give you some great insights.  Ask them about best value instead of best price.

Affordable luxury really means trading a big-name brand for a lesser-known brand of equal quality.  It's the quality that will give you the luxury feeling that you're looking for, not the brand.

Missouri Land Company understands affordable luxuries.  Matt and his team can show you ways you can save money and still have the home of your dreams.

What about you?  What luxury items would you like in your new home?  Have you found an affordable luxury that you love?  Share it with us!

Homebuilders looking for a wider range of environmentally responsible products are starting to discover the benefits of green flooring.

Ask the following questions to be sure that products qualify as green or environmentally friendly building materials.

1. Do the products have low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to reduce harmful off-gassing after installation?

Watch out for carpet backings and adhesives.  Recent studies have linked poor indoor air quality to health issues and have pushed the carpet industry to find alternative and healthier adhesives and backing materials. The Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Program (CRI) has established a rating system that sets standards for low VOCs. Looking for the "CRI Green Label Plus" logo is an important place to start.

2. Are the products made from rapidly renewable and sustainable materials?

Carpeting: A green, economical carpeting choice is recycled carpet.  Though still a limited market, recycled carpet is growing in favor and availability.

Recycled content carpet fiber is made from used carpet, soda bottles and other plastics; manufacturers say it is more colorfast and durable than virgin fiber carpet.

Priced about the same as first-run carpet, recycled carpet helps keep the landfills free of the estimated 5 billion pounds of carpet replaced each year.

Wood:  Hardwood floors are a favorite of homeowners, and fortunately finding environmentally favorable options is easier than ever before.  Even if you want to stick with traditional wood flooring, getting sustainable flooring materials is possible if you know where to look and what to look for.

Sustainable timber harvesting and processing, which often involves woods such as bamboo and eucalyptus, means that trees and the forest environment are managed in such a way as to not permanently damage the local eco-system.  Even hardwoods that have a long growth period are now finding their way into the sustainable wood market.

Linoleum:  Often confused with its ugly cousin vinyl flooring, linoleum is one of the most environmentally responsible flooring materials.

Made from rosin (tree sap), wood flour (reclaimed from lumber mills), cork flour (from sustainable cork tree bark), and linseed oil (pressed from flax plants), linoleum will bio-degrade in landfills without off-gassing, or it can be burned in power-generating furnaces.  Innovative styles in linoleum have made installation easier.

3. Where were the products were made?

Were large amounts of natural resources consumed in shipping them to the final job site?

4. Will the materials be durable enough to last at least as long as traditional flooring materials?

Durability is a consideration in all of our building choices.  It's obviously cost-inhibitive to replace flooring products every couple of years.

Want more information about economical green flooring? Missouri Land Companyhas excellent resources and references to make sure you get high-quality flooring products at the best prices.

Energy efficiency is a top priority in new homes and remodeling, and windows play a huge part in that.

Missouri Land Company is committed to providing energy efficient windows and doors and on bringing you the most current trending information as you build your new home.

Check out this YouTube video from Pella Windows about today's window trends.