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When the coronavirus first began to be noticed by physicians and public health experts in early 2020, few were concerned. Unfortunately, it was to become a once-in-a-century pandemic and, in the process, heightened the awareness of the potential dangers of all air and surface borne microbes. The partnership between science and business began working on ways to prevent this virus and the other highly contagious germs, such as those from bacteria, from spreading. 

The pandemic has caused hundreds of millions of people to spend almost every waking hour at home. As this relates to earning a paycheck, this phenomenon has even earned its own acronym: WFH. 

Why can’t I free your doubtful mind, and melt your cold, cold heart.

~ Hank Williams

In Texas, on Valentine’s day, 2021, there were many cold, cold hearts, not to mention more than a few cold, cold fingers and toes. Unfortunately, the next day it would be worse. A serious electrical failure was coming fast. An epic winter storm would turn the “Lone Star State” into a dangerous deep freeze that would leave residents in their homes for more than a week.

Home renovation projects are an important part of the “new normal” that we’ve all been hearing about in the year of the pandemic. For example, recent research notes that appliance sales and aesthetic upgrades to both indoor and outdoor kitchens have never been this robust. Why? This is because cooking, dining, and entertaining at home haven’t been this popular since President Franklin Roosevelt offered his “Fireside Chats” during the Great Depression. 

Homeowners who have decided that 2021 is a great year for a new look in their residence have an abundance of opportunities, especially as they relate to new designs for both floors and walls. While these two categories may not receive the kind of attention that is given to the most popular paint colors, furnishings, kitchens, and other frequently changed elements of a home, product innovations for these two areas are pushing them to the forefront for both interior designers, homebuilders, and owners. 

While there has always been an influx of seasonal products,  the pandemic has dramatically inspired a new trend that has affected demand like never before: Cooking and entertaining at home and outside has never been as popular as it is now.

As it was in the latter part of 2020, working, learning, entertaining and living will be laser-focused on our homes in the coming year. The “once-in-a-hundred-years” health and economic explosion has assured this. As many may have predicted, all the design trends in 2021 will be based on this reality.

Don’t look now but the largest demographic group in history - those under-40-years old - is leading the charge for change in homeownership. The grandchildren of the fabled “baby boomers” are now married with children of their own and are redefining what “luxury” living is all about. For many reasons, including the effects of the pandemic, historically low mortgage interest rates, and their goal of having quality education for their young children, these young families are “so over” urban living or long commutes to sleepy suburbs.

The weather might be chilly, but for many, the outdoor grilling must go on! 

One of the unintended consequences of social distancing, which occurred in response to concerns about the COVID virus, is decidedly positive. More people than ever before have discovered that cooking at home, rather than going out, might be a safer, healthier, and more delicious alternative. Not only that, but many of these DIY chefs have found that entertaining, cooking, and dining outside is even more fun.

The effects of the COVID pandemic have dramatically changed - perhaps forever - the building, buying, and selling of homes. When these are combined with some of the lowest mortgage interest rates in modern history, it makes the opening lines from the classic novel by Charles Dickens -“A Tale of Two Cities”- more relevant than ever before.

While there is nothing more durable than brick for home construction, some homeowners are considering steel siding for their homes. This can be due to several factors, including the lower cost of siding versus that of brick. Acme Brick is proud to be one of the distributors of what many builders consider to be one of the best steel siding products - MAC Metals Siding.  

While there are no known records of this, it is entirely possible that arguments about grilling have been ongoing since the time of cavemen and women. Everyone, it seems, had an opinion on how to grill the perfect brontosaurus burger! These spirited discussions continue today. 

Although no one could have predicted the COVID pandemic, many think that it will have long-term effects in future decisions, including buying or building a home. The “new normal” has led potential home buyers to rethink their priorities for future homes. As a trusted partner for architects, builders and homeowners across the nation for more than a century, Acme Brick has been considered a reliable predictor when it comes to changes within the housing market.

Is there anything better than fresh grilled meat and vegetables, served outside on a calm evening? Outdoor entertainment spaces are one of the most popular places in American homes for many reasons and the need for recent social distancing has further enhanced this trend. 

If remodeling or building projects are on the drawing board for the future, this is a good time to put the new tools found on the Acme Brick website to work. With many new products being added to the company’s offerings over the past few months, consumers and building tradesmen needed a convenient way to access the specifications, colors, styles of these products.

It has been well-documented that over the past few years, homeowners have decided to stay in their current residence for longer than they used to. Because the ages, lifestyles and even the number of people (with multiple generations) living under the same roof can change over time, many homeowners have begun to update or renovate their homes to keep them functional. 

There is no part of a home or commercial building that receives more wear and tear than the floor. While it is the foundation of a room’s design, it must also be durable enough to withstand constant foot traffic, exposure to water, pets and the day-to-day-play of young children. 

Fortunately, advances in technology in the form of luxury vinyl products have come to the floor and demand is going through the ceiling! 

Nature’s color palette is a wonder to behold and this has never been truer than with brick. The finished colors of the clay - mined from the ground and then fired in kilns to become brick - have delighted builders and home designers for centuries. Over its 128 years of manufacturing these rich hued building units, Acme Brick has consistently added new colors to this most natural construction material - brick.

The role of a fireplace in the home has evolved from being the sole source of heat for warmth and cooking, to the focal design piece that adds a special feeling of unparalleled comfort. After thousands of years in use, fireplaces are still as popular and evolving in home design and function.

Many homeowners are deciding that less is more when it comes to the size of their residence. This trend is being driven by demographic changes in homeownership and has led to a rise in the demand for “jewel box” homes.

The explosion of online shopping has made life easier for people who don’t like to go out to shop! This has led to a dramatic increase in home deliveries, especially around the holidays such as Christmas. According to this report, the U.S. Postal Service will deliver more than 28 million packages per day between December 16 - 21, nearly 40% more than the remainder of the year.

With a new year and decade just around the corner, it’s time for the annual gaze into the Acme Brick home design crystal ball.

In 1966, the groundskeepers of the one-year old Houston Astrodome - known at the time as “The Eighth Wonder of the World” - were having difficulty getting grass to grow in the domed stadium. They made a decision that would spawn an entire industry: installing artificial turf, which became known as “AstroTurf.” Sports fields would never be the same again.