Very few people will invite strangers into their home without knowing, at a minimum, who they are and if they can be trusted; hiring a remodeling contractor should be no different. Home remodeling projects take a lot of time and investment, which means that you’ll most likely be interacting with your contractor a lot, and you would want someone you can get along with and rely on completely. Here are some things to check off your list before making a final decision: Continue reading
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Let Fifty Shades Inspire Your New Bathroom Design
The popular adult-fiction novel written by E.L. James will be hitting cinemas on February 2015, and already, a lot of fans are excited to glimpse Jamie Dornan play the illustrious Mr. Christian Grey on the big screen. Even before the much awaited flick becomes a box office hit, though, homeowners and interior designers are already coming up with their own interpretations of what fifty shades of gray, as in the color, will literally look like when used as inspiration for sophisticated bathroom designs. Continue reading
Porch Protection: How to Keep It in Top Form
Your porch is exposed to the elements on a daily basis and this exposure can lead to the need for constant repairs on your porch. This can be avoided by regular maintenance. Here are a few tips on how you can properly care of your porch:
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Regularly check for termites. A lot of porches are made of wood, so it can be a tempting meal for termites. This is especially so with the porch being easily accessible. This is why regular checks for termites can be useful so that early treatment can halt the problem in its tracks.
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Wind damage. Strong winds can ruin a perfectly good porch. After a strong blow, you’ll want to clean up the mess that’s been made. Replace any damaged fixtures and take a look if any damage has been done to the roof or flooring.
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Do Regular Cleaning. An unwashed deck can invite rot and mildew into the wooden floor. Regular cleaning helps prevent this and can help identify any emerging problems. You can remove debris that’s stuck to the porch’s flooring with a putty knife. Use the appropriate cleaners for the type of flooring you have; wooden floors need standard cleaners, while composite and vinyl decks need some special formulas and applications.
Considerations before Finishing your Basement
No basement renovation idea would be complete without first addressing the issue of finishing. There are plenty of options when it comes to turning a plain basement into a cozy and comfortable living space, but before you start copying decoration designs from magazines, you first need to ensure that the space under your main floor is worthy structurally, and capable of being transformed. To determine how livable your basement will be, consider these points: Continue reading
Remodeling Contractors: Did You Hire the Right One?
Remodeling a house involves more than your money and resources; it also entails emotions. Having to deal with a remodeling project that is failing to meet your expectations can be exhausting and stressful, as for the most part, you’d be spending more money to make the needed adjustments, or to fix the mess. How can you tell if you have, indeed, hired the right contractor for the job? How do you make sure you get the best? Here are a few tips that will help you arrive at the right choice. Continue reading
Brighten Up a Bathroom Remodel by Using Glass Tile
When it comes to the aesthetics of any room in the home, one of the most desired look is for more space. Not everyone has a large home, but, thankfully, a few design and decorating tricks can magically create the illusion of space.
One of these tricks is the effective use of light to make a place seem roomier. Apart from better light fixtures, this is commonly achieved by using brighter colors that reflect light a little bit better than darker hues. Continue reading
Choosing the Right Materials for Outdoor Areas
Outdoor living areas are considered one of the better investments one can make for his or her home. The obvious benefit is how it, when executed properly, can substantially increase the overall curb appeal and monetary value of a property.
From a resident’s standpoint, the presence of an outdoor living space like a porch or deck allows them to comfortably enjoy the outdoors. It serves as a place beyond the living room and kitchen where everyone can come together and bond while doing some recreational activity (e.g. parties, playing card games, etc.). Continue reading
Remarkable Basement Finishing: The Lowdown
Is your , basement remodeling project about to be completed? You should be very proud of yourself for transforming a dull space in your house into something that is functional and exciting at the same time. Before you celebrate though, make sure that that you also covered basement finishing, which is essential in having a remarkable space upgrade. Continue reading
Budget-Friendly Bathroom Renovations: Half Bath
It’s no surprise—what with the current state of the world economy—that multitudes look for affordable alternatives to just about anything. While many opted to completely do away with renovation projects, some chose to be smart about it instead: adding a half bath instead of a complete bathroom, for one. Continue reading
Good Bathroom Remodel Ideas and Habits
In a home remodeling project, it’s wise to keep in mind that the results shouldn’t only be pleasing to the eye and kinder to your energy budget, but should also have added value to your home at resale. Here are several bathroom remodeling ideas (and habits) that will help through the process without having to regret a thing.
Setting up a contingency
Hidden water damage is a common problem in bathrooms—whether from a running toilet or leaking shower pipe. Visible leaks are fairly easy to fix; hidden problems are more troublesome as they often require reserve funds, given that such problems have already gotten worse over time.
Hiding the toilet
A truly stylish master bath can also be discreet. It’s still much nicer to hide this fixture away; say, behind a half wall or in its own “room-within-the-room” space. Pieces of furniture like armoires or dressers can also do the trick.
Being precise with dimension measurements
Never just estimate the measurements of the fixtures you need to replace, especially when it comes to sections that involve plumbing. There’s nothing worse than pre-buying all the pieces for your bathroom renovation project only to find out that the pieces don’t fit. Even a few centimeters can spell the difference between the right and wrong fit.
Creating and sticking to a plan
Making up your design as you go will likely get you ending up with something like the Winchester Mystery House—full of pseudo-rooms, staircases, and doors which are merely aesthetic, and not functional at all.