Gallagher and Henry - Chicagoland Homebuilder

Fall Fitness

ghhomes — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:02:20 +0000

Fall is a great time to get into a regular fitness routine. Whether you head to the gym for rigorous work outs or just get out for a leisurely walk, there’s simply no better time of the year than the fall season to get your body moving.

Here’s a brief highlight list of villages with Gallagher and Henry communities having public fitness facilities or other accommodations for residents:

Several Gallagher and Henry communities have easily accessible walking or biking paths within the subdivision. Another fantastic resource for walkers, runners, or bicyclists is the county forest preserve system of trails in Cook, Will and DuPage Counties:

Enjoy all the fall season has to offer – and remember to get your body moving!

Thinking of House Painting?

ghhomes — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:19:09 +0000

Late summer is often a time homeowners think about applying exterior house paint. Starting in mid-to-late August in the Chicago area, outdoor temperatures begin to moderate with the humidity levels subsiding as well. The conditions around this time of year can present almost ideal conditions for outdoor painting and staining.

As with any do-it-yourself project, consider the following before beginning to brush those first strokes of house paint:

Preparation – make sure the surfaces are clean and issues like peeling or cracking are adequately addressed.

Material – purchase high-quality paints. Not only will they provide better performance over their expected life span, quality paints are typically easier to apply and provide a more attractive finished product. Make sure a sufficient quantity of paint is obtained prior to starting.

Tools – use good quality tools: ladders, drop cloths, brushes and other painting implements

The above list focuses on some of the important points, but should not be considered an exhaustive reference on house painting by any means. Do-it-yourself painters should consult with home improvement center staff for advice, tips, and assistance in product selection for their specific needs.

Here’s a brief list of some online resources to assist you:

Paint:

Home Center:

Tips for Summer Lawn Watering

ghhomes — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:27:03 +0000

Right about now, homeowners throughout the Chicagoland area are obsessing about keeping their lawns green. Every community that Gallagher and Henry builds homes in has implemented lawn watering restrictions. We’ve put together some practical advice and reference information to hopefully make the watering job less stressful.

Effective lawn watering tips:

Water in the early morning hours. The temperatures are lower and winds usually lighter earlier in the day.
Water the lawn thoroughly in one application. This allows the water to soak down to the roots of the lawn. Experts typically recommend between 1/2 inch and 1 inch of water per application.
Familiarize yourself with the watering restrictions for your local community.

Local community watering restrictions.

Homer Glen (May 15 – Sept 15)
No time of day restriction
Even – Odd days based on postal address

Lemont (May 15 – Oct 1)
6PM – 10AM
Even – Odd days based on postal address

Orland Park (May 15 – Sept 15)
7AM – 11AM; 7PM – 11PM
No day of week restrictions

Palos Heights (May – Sept)
7AM – 10AM; 7PM – 10PM
Even – Odd days based on postal address

Palos Park (May 16 – Sept 15)
Auto Irrigation 12AM – 5AM
Manual Sprinklers 7AM – 11AM; 7PM – 12AM
No day of week restrictions

Tinley Park (May 15 – Sept 15)
7AM – 11AM; 7PM – 11PM
Even – Odd days based on postal address

Woodridge (May 15 – Sept 15)
4PM – 11AM
No day of week restrictions

Celebrate the 4th of July

ghhomes — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:20:20 +0000

The weather in the Chicago area is looking promising over the upcoming three-day weekend. Outdoor activities are a must! Barbecues, back yard pools, baseball and softball games, or just simply lounging around – make sure to get outside and enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

Whether your 4th of July plans keep you close to home or traveling, we wish you a safe and happy 4th of July weekend.

Summer Festival Season

ghhomes — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:39:49 +0000

The summer festival season in the Chicago area is about to hit full stride. While Chicago itself gets much of the press attention for events like the Taste of Chicago (June 24 – July 3) and Lollapalooza (August 5 – August 7), just about every suburban community hosts some sort of local festival of their own.

Here’s a sampling of some of the local events in the communities served by Gallagher and Henry that will be held over the next few months:

Homer Glen
June 23 – June 26 – Homer Community Anniversary Festival

Lemont
July 9 – Heritage Fest 21st Annual Celebration

Palos Heights
July 3 – Independence Day Celebration

Palos Park
July 17 – Taste of Palos

Orland Park
Aug 5 – Aug 7 – Taste of Orland Park

Tinley Park
July 4 – Stars & Stripes 5K and Fourth of July Events

Woodridge
June 15 – June 19 – Woodridge Jubilee

It’s sure to be another hot summer in Chicagoland this year – make the most of it by visiting a local festival in one of these great communities.

Enjoying the View

ghhomes — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:23:20 +0000

The early Romans are believed to be the first people to have used glass in windows – prior to that a window was nothing more than an opening in the wall that required some sort of cover to keep out the elements. While serving their primary purpose of providing natural light to the interior living spaces, windows also create living picture frames of scenes outside the home.

The industrial revolution brought about some significant improvements in window manufacture, broadened their availability, and made them affordable to every home owner. More recently, window technology has been pushed by demands in the marketplace for greater energy efficiency.

As part of it’s commitment to build energy efficient homes, Gallagher and Henry uses only windows meeting the stringent requirements of ENERGY STAR® for new single family homes. The following attributes characterize an energy efficient window:

Multiple-pane glass: two panes of glass with air, or gas-filled space in the middle, insulate better than a single pane of glass. Gas-fills, such as argon, have better insulation properties than regular air.
Insulating frame materials: quality frames and edge spacers reduce heat transfer around the window and provide more effective insulation.
Low-E glass: coatings on the surface of the glass reflect ultraviolet and infrared light – keeping the heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer.

Gallagher and Henry uses Andersen® Windows in all new single-family homes. Andersen, a company that has been in business for over 100 years, is a brand name that many home buyers immediately recognize and respect.

The next time you look out your window – take a moment and consider how the window serves your home. Enjoy the view.

Memorial Day 2011

ghhomes — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:46:01 +0000

Summer in Chicago is widely considered to be the days between Memorial Day at the end of May, and Labor Day at the beginning of September. Summer … the 3 months we attempt to fill with back yard barbecues, graduation parties, trips to the beach and summer vacation.

As we wrap up spring and get ready to enter the summer “fun months” let’s remember what Memorial Day means to Americans.

Memorial Day commemorates U. S. soldiers that died while in military service. On this Memorial Day, make sure and take time out of your busy day to remember those that have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we often take for granted. Remember too, the current members of our military that are scattered across the world putting it on the line every day.

Be sure to celebrate in your own way – otherwise the sacrifices of our service men and women will have been in vain. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day.

Colorful Annuals

ghhomes — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:45:28 +0000

Springtime in Chicago is the time of the year to plant annuals around the home. Bedding plants mark their arrival in a strong way; large varieties can easily be found at home centers, grocery and drug store chains. Annuals, also referred to as bedding plants, can brighten up many areas around your house.

Annuals may be planted as part of your landscaping design to create accent to trees and shrubs that otherwise lack color, or they can be situated in planters or pots alongside walks or on decks.

There are a number of sources on the internet that explain in great detail how to select and plant annuals. Check out these sites for additional information:

Visit our valued partner Jim Melka Landscaping and Garden Center at 11606 W. 179th St., Mokena, IL for a great selection of annuals and everything you may need for your next gardening project.

Happy planting!

About Our Blog

ghhomes — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:23:14 +0000

Welcome to the blog for Gallagher and Henry – one of Chicagoland’s leading new home builders.

We’ll be posting general interest articles of interest to existing home owners – and those that may be looking for a new home. Some of the areas of interest we intend to cover on our weekly posts are:

Home maintenance
Landscaping
Housing trends
Do-It-Yourself advice

Make it a point to stop by from time-to-time and review our articles.

For more information about Gallagher and Henry, our communities and homes, visit our webisite at www.GallagherandHenry.com.