Design And Decor
Dec 3, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
When people think about the basement, they immediately imagine a scary place. Decorating the basement can be weird, but that doesn’t have to stop you from turning it into a home living space. Whatever you want and need, there are lots of choices of how to reconsider your basement’s improvement. Give it a chance and make it as stylish as your main-floor living room. With fresh paint, ambient lightning and finishing touches, you will transform it into a cozy space you will actually want to spend time in.
Basement Colors
Start by installing lights that will make the room feel bigger and make up for the lack of windows. Also, table lamps will add style to the room. A TV attached to the wall will create that home-theater effect for movie lovers.
Since many basements don’t have windows, curtains can be used to create a room divider. This is also a great idea for unfinished walls or just an idea for decorating the space. Most basements are dark spaces, so if you want to brighten yours, paint the walls white or very light shades. This will make the room look fresh and airy. To add more light and add continuity choose a flooring material that is the same color as the walls.
Make Sure Your Walls Are Insulated
The basement is one of the most important areas of your home that needs insulation. Basement insulation controls the temperature and keeps the mold out. A bad smell can be a common problem for many people and this usually happens because basements have concrete walls, which absorb moisture and create that bad smell.
Insulation products are optional, but the investment is worth it. Make sure you invest in quality products for insulating the walls and ask for advice from a professional worker. Also, there is an important thing you should know about insulation: many people are using cheap products just because they think basements don’t need that much investment. Being located under the ground, they think they are more protected and sometimes, they start the insulation by themselves. In this case, consider that the insulation really needs to be done correctly, otherwise the space where the insulation touches the wall is empty, mold and moisture will install.
Consider the benefits of closed-cell foam to insulate concrete basement walls. It has excellent moisture resistance: it can fill in all the gaps and it gives you the best protection against mold. It is true that is a lot more expensive but you will save money on energy bills.
Create Storage Solutions
Even though your basement usually serves as a general storage area, you can give it a higher value by decorating it with shelves and furniture. This can help you hide all of your unwanted stuff.
If you use your basement properly, you can add that much-needed storage space to your home. If you have multiple storage boxes, label them so you can choose what you need easily. Walls with labeled baskets are great as well, especially for storing small items that you can’t place anywhere else.
Wine lovers can transform their basement space into a winery. Build a wine rack or buy one that comes in units, each storing more bottles. You can go up to the ceiling if needed.
Add Heating
Adding heat sources to your basement is necessary, but it may not be enough. If it is the only way of keeping your basement warm, unfortunately, this source of heating will be mostly wasted. The best way to add heat to your basement is to extend your heating system already supplying heat to the rest of your house. Click here for tips on how to improve your heating systems.
Insulating the basement walls and floor will help to hold in the heat, preventing its loss through the space that is not protected. Before installing any supplemental heat, make sure you seal all the gaps and insulated the walls that could cause heat loss. Also, you can install a floor heating system and add rugs for a warmer feeling.
You can locate cold spots with a thermal camera. It is highly recommendable to invest in this tool or just rent one from a tool rental center. With a thermal camera, you can view the areas where your energy losses are occurring. There is also a cheaper version available but requires more moving around the room to detect the spots where the energy is lost.
Don’t Forget About Art
The basement has limited natural light and it often needs more attention when it comes to decorating. For the way the basement will look is up to you, but it’s important for it to be consistent with the rest of the home décor and reflect your family vibe. Give the basement space a personal touch and attach family pictures on the wall or different art that you like.
Artwork is a perfect way to add personality to your basement and create that warm and cozy feeling. It is up to you how you want your personal magic space to look like. Choose abstract paintings and hang them on the walls for a realistic look. Take photographs of things that inspire you or bring your old magazines and photos and hang them above your desk. Hang things from the ceiling like sparkly Christmas ornaments, colored lights, your childhood’s favorite tiny stuffed animals or things that have a meaning to you.
Many artists find it hard to create their own little working corners. A negative and cramped space can affect your creativity and make you less productive. Having your own art studio can be inexpensive and easy to set up. Artificial light is important because it gives you control over your studio. It is best if the light comes from the ceiling because it will illuminate more of your work.
Exploring various basement decorating ideas isn’t that hard, so don’t let that space be occupied by loads of unnecessary stuff. You can spend quality time with friends and family in a space that you’d never thought you’d get to bring to life in such a stylish way. You really are a creative person, so be creative with your space too.
Tags: basement, contemporary, decor, design, DIY, energy efficiency, home improvement
Nov 11, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
Homeownership is one of life’s greatest milestones, and owning a property is often one of the biggest financial investments we will make in our lifetimes.
Most people will pay a lot of attention to the interior spaces of their homes. Every year, millions of dollars are spent on interior design, home appliances, and features that add both conveniences and value to a property; but not enough people take the time to add some value to their gardens or yards.
Here in this quick guide, we are going to look at the three best ways to add some value and features to the outside of your home to make it one of the most desirable houses in the neighborhood and help you make a quick and profitable sale when the time comes to move on.
Use Decking to Take the Inside Outside
One of the most popular uses for a garden or yard is to use it as a cooking or dining area when the weather permits.
Having a space in your garden for dining is a great way to add value and character to a property and having a barbeque or outdoor oven nearby means you can take your mealtimes outside and enjoy good weather all day and into the night.
Use wooden decking to designate a dining space in your garden or yard, and give you a flat and even surface for a dining table or garden furniture. Decking can be incredibly good value and easy to install. Features like this are fun for you to use, and more than pay for themselves in property value.
Landscape Your Garden or Yard
You may well have a lovely garden on your property, but with a little extra work and investment, you can take a garden to the next level and give your home the ‘wow’ factor with a landscaped and themed garden or yard.
Giving a garden a theme can be a fantastic way to show off your outside space and give you more reasons to make better use of your garden or yard. A Hawaiian theme is a popular choice with a lot of homeowners as it is easy to achieve, uses hard-wearing and low-maintenance plants, and can incorporate desirable features like a hot tub or a fire pit.
Re-Lay Your Driveway
If you have a driveway in the front of your home, you have a great opportunity to increase your home’s ‘curb appeal’ by re-laying and recovering your driveway with a new surface that is easy to maintain.
Asphalt, or blacktop, has become the driveway covering of choice recently as it is inexpensive, quick to install, is easy to maintain and lasts a long time. At Richfield Blacktop, you can get a comprehensive planning service and a professionally laid surface for less than ever before. Having a blacktop surface also creates an opportunity to use your drive for sports like basketball and street hockey, which are popular with teenagers. You can even get ‘court markings’ painted on your asphalt, adding a feature to your home.
Our homes are one of our life’s biggest investments, and many of us will have our financial future tied closely to our home’s resale value. Small, high-value investments like these can make a huge and profitable difference to a home’s resale value, and our retirement.
Tags: backyard, contemporary, home improvement, landscaping, patio
Oct 13, 2019 | Design And Decor, Remodeling
Setting up a property garage door can increase curb appeal, although it is very important for property owners to optimize this type of financial investment. Here are a few of the very best methods to get the most suppress appeal when it comes time to set up brand-new garage doors.
Windows
Big new garage doors can be a bit cumbersome by themselves. The addition of windows will make a big garage door appear less extensive. It will offer some architectural style to your garage door and likewise enable a bargain of natural light inside the garage. Bigger windows will likewise make smaller sized garages seem larger than they in fact are.
Colors
You do not require to set up a garage door whose color matches that of your front door. It is usually advised to contrast those colors so that they match one another. A color that is extremely noticable will make the garage pop to those going by and can even make smaller sized garages truly stand apart.
Carriage Doors
A carriage home garage door features distinct functions that allow it to be discovered without including any additional functions. That indicates you will not need to enhance your curb appeal by equipping the outside of your house or setting up lighting to highlight the garage doors. Often times Commercial Garage Door Installation can give you best of both residential and commercial functions and strength.
Accessorize
Garage doors do not need to stay flat and dull. There is the alternative of setting up a less expensive garage door and after that including hardware that can be rather ornamental and enticing. This choice supplies more information to your garage door. There are hardware packages that you can include on after having an ordinary-looking garage door set up for a relatively affordable cost.
Insulation
Insulation might be a perk when it pertains to energy effectiveness, although it has no result on curb appeal. If curb appeal is your primary objective when setting up a brand-new property garage door, you can forget the additional expense that includes included insulation. Rather, you can focus more on the aesthetic appeals of your brand-new garage door.
Thankfully for Charlotte homeowners there is a business providing quality garage doors at some budget-friendly rates. Neighborhood Garage Door has something for every single house owner as well as Commercial Garage Door Replacement for your business, as our group sets up garage doors in Charlotte to fit every spending plan and type. Charlotte garage door setup has actually never ever been much easier as we can stroll you through the procedure from starting to end. Using garage door repair work in Charlotte, Neighborhood Garage Door can fulfill all your requirements.
Oct 8, 2019 | Design And Decor, Remodeling
Swimming pools, just like houses, come in all sizes and styles and you have a whole variety of models to satisfy your family with. There are lots of ideas worth trying, but finding the right one requires time and patience. Luckily for us, new technologies make it a lot easier to install and maintain a pool in your garden. If you’re planning your DIY small project there is no reason to waste your time and be unmotivated when you have so much information on how to start if you already established a budget by now. Be aware of your family needs and taste, and patiently plan your next move. A spacious landscape is essential when you decide to incorporate a swimming pool in your garden, so plan carefully. Here are a few options of plain ideas perfect not only for you two but also for the little ones:
The Average Rectangular Pool
The main purpose of having a pool in your backyard is to have fun and relax. This simple style with a symmetrical design and blue tiles is perfect for those who want to stress the importance of big spaces and important gatherings. Its concept is plain but satisfying when it comes to recreational purposes. The pluses this pool offers is that you could delight the small ones incorporating all sorts of fun ideas like tunnels, caves, crazy slides, ideal for all ages. The maintenance should not be a headache, especially with lots of necessary equipment and information at your disposal. You could pay a visit to the nearest store or do small Internet research where you’ll find plenty of helpful experts like 1st Direct Pools and lots of handy details to begin and maintain your small project.
The oval shaped pool
The oval-shaped pools maintain the cosy design and offer your back-yard a much-desired appearance. Its smooth appearance and the total lack of corners makes it ideal for late-night pool-parties and not only. Is one of the frequently used designs and the simplest choice for your garden. Thanks to it a plain style you’re allowed to decorate and designs its surroundings as you wish. You could use decorative pave stone with different patterns or build amazing travertine terraces to upgrade this beautiful place. With a bit of imagination and patience using colorful ambient lights and the right choice of plants to surround it, not only your pool but the entire garden can be entirely transformed according to your wish.
Above-ground Pool
Have always been a choice for starters. They have become more alluring in time for those who don’t have that much space available in their gardens. This style is more appealing for all types of family, are much easier to maintain when its design makes harder for natural debris to get into the pool. Its main advantage is portability, the above-ground pool is suitable for every type of land even on rocky terrains. Its shape should not impede if you wish to transform your backyard into a much-desired oasis.
The Lazy River
A charming addition to your backyard, the lazy river is ideal for people who are already bored with those plain pool ideas. Frequently seen in hotel resorts, at a high scale, the river shaped pool requires a lot of space but also can be incorporated and designed for private homes. Just imagine how many plants and decorative stones you could place along this river. Its design allows you to maintain a jungle-like aspect and play with a diversity of greenery. The lazy is one of the craziest and most wanted projects you could try in your backyard and you’ll never get bored with its complex design.
Weston Style
Ideal for couples this small oval-shaped pool offers a dramatic surrounding. Its originality consists of bluestone pavement presenting an oasis-like ambience. If possible, you can spice up its style using huge rocky stones and ferns to remind you of your last mountain trip. It requires simple maintenance, and the necessary equipment is to be found almost everywhere.
Lap pool
Perfectly designed for fitness and health purposes, this long and narrow pool has almost 45 feet in length. The lap pool has been first designed in a rectangle form by the ancient Greeks and Romans, for athletic purposes like nautical games or military exercise. They’ve gained popularity as residential terrains have become smaller. To maintain the heat in your pool during cold days and reduce the utility bills, a cover should be handy.
Natural pool
Ideal for those who love gardening this lake like style, allows you to set free your imagination stream and experiment with a variety of wild plants and moss. It can be designed in a rustic manner with waterfalls and boulders. Natural pool requires more attention especially when you have to maintain a wild aquatic landscape. This charming design is reinforced with polyethylene, so-called “regeneration zone” which functions as an organic cleaning zone. The aquatic landscape is given by the variety of wild pond plants and grass you choose to incorporate. Its maintenance could be difficult if you don’t have excellent gardening skills.
Garden Island
For those who want to maintain a tropical vibe in their backyard, this pool is brilliant. Undoubtedly, you could use a huge variety of tropical plants to decorate your island, like Anthurium, The Bird of Paradise, Ficus and Palm Trees. Tropical plants require plenty of sun and humidity, don’t forget to tend them correctly if you wish to maintain your tropical ambience. This is one of the most common styles of pools and building don’t require too much budget or time. The Island Pool can be built at any scale for any type of backyard and is enjoyable for every age. Your kids will love reaching and conquering the island every time they’ll get in the pool.
Finding the perfect swimming pool for your recreational space should not be a hassle, especially when you’ve already planned your projects and gathered what is necessary. It is an enjoyable process through which you can discover and apply your longings.
Tags: backyard, contemporary, home improvement, leasure, outdoor, patio, pool
Oct 8, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
If you’re itching to fix up your home, but don’t have the cash to pay a professional to do the work for you, fortunately, there are many projects homeowners can do themselves to improve their home’s value, look, and functionality. Don’t be afraid to get creative and get your hands dirty – these DIY projects really don’t need a pro, just a little time and effort.
Backsplash
Professionals typically charge around $60 per hour for labor costs to install a new backsplash. Although they make look very difficult to install, any homeowner can do it themselves with a little research and a few tutorial videos. The only tools and materials you need are a level, tile cutter, spacers, adhesive, grout, and of course, the tile. Intricate tiling or mosaics come with a mesh backing for easy installation, so don’t let the beautiful detailing scare you.
Outdoor Fire Pit
If you own Raleigh real estate, you might want to enjoy some evenings outdoors in the warm summer season. An outdoor fire pit is one of the easiest projects to do yourself and a fairly inexpensive way to add a spot for outdoor entertainment.
You can purchase cement pavers from any major home improvement store, such as Home Depot or Lowes. Before you buy spend some time thinking about how large and how tall you want your fire pit to be. You might even try playing around with them at the store to get a better idea of how it might look. Once you’re home, you can wrap them around an old barbeque ring or place them freestanding. Small square pavers can be used for the bottom or flooring of the pit or you can use gravel or rock. Sand, cement, or mortar can help to fill in any gaps.
Refinish Wood Floors
If you have nice wood floors under those dirty carpets, it’s time to rip those old carpets out and refinish the beautiful wood underneath. While carpeting is preferred by most homeowners in the bedrooms, the look of wood floors in common areas is a popular trend. It’s rather simple to refinish them, too. Start by renting a walk-behind sander from your hardware or home improvement store – the type of sandpaper depends on the finish you currently have. Thick finishes or painted floors initially require coarse sandpaper. Every floor should be followed with a medium and fine paper to achieve a smooth finish; be sure to thoroughly clean up the dust with a vacuum and tack cloth. Next, choose between three finishes: polyurethane, varnish, or a penetrating sealer. Each has its own distinct look and various durability. Follow the instructions closely on the finish you choose.
Tags: backyard, bathroom, cabinet ideas, cabinets, ceramic tile, contemporary, countertops, deck, flooring, home improvement, kitchen
Sep 17, 2019 | Design And Decor, Remodeling
When a plumbing crisis strikes, it’s easy to go into panic mode and call the first plumbing company you find, but this isn’t always the best course of action. Hiring a plumber is often a costly ordeal on its own, so the last thing you want to deal with is an unexpected issue in the future due to a poor repair job.
This is why it’s important to choose the right plumber. Not only will you benefit from a faster and more affordable job, but also one that will prevent further plumbing issues from happening a few months down the line. Another concern is the wellbeing and security of your family, which is something you can’t put a price on.
So, the next time your dog is swimming in the bathroom or your sink is spurting like a spring, here are 12 tips that’ll help you choose the right plumbing service.
Experience
Naturally, a plumbing company that has been around for a few years will be able to provide a much higher quality service than one that was only recently established. While it’s true that every company has to start somewhere, a more established plumber has already learned from the mistakes that an inexperienced plumber might make on your home.
Plumbing License
Confirm that the plumber you choose has valid licenses. This is required by all local authorities and states, so no plumbing service worth your money should be without one. If they don’t have a license, chances are there’s a good reason for it and you should look elsewhere.
Insurance
In a similar light, a good plumber is wise enough to take the necessary precautions in their work and insure themselves for general liability. This can also include workman’s compensation insurance, which protects the workers handling your plumbing. A good plumbing service will be able to provide evidence of their insurance or bonding upon request.
Website
These days, a website serves as the most common point of contact between a business and its potential customers. Therefore, a good plumbing service will have a well-designed website that adequately details their services. Their website should include information about their hours, areas of service, and contact details.
Additionally, a good plumbing service might be one that goes the extra mile and offers additional content on their website. This can include a blog where they provide advice on plumbing issues or a live support center that you can contact in emergencies. These elements serve as indicators of how much a company cares for its customers.
Warranties
Reputable plumbing companies trust their workers to provide good service and their suppliers to provide high-quality products and tools. Therefore, a good plumbing company should have a warranty on the labor and products they offer. Be sure to also check whether they have a satisfaction guarantee with respect to customer service.
Customer Treatment
The way a company handles their calls and inquiries is telling of their workplace culture and how they treat their customers. A good plumbing company will answer your call in a warm, friendly manner and provide a helpful service throughout the conversation. Their behavior will extend to when they visit your home, so be sure to keep it in mind.
Transparency
Nobody likes a company that sneaks in additional fees and charges that you weren’t informed about. A reliable plumber will be transparent about exactly how much you’ll pay for their services. Avoid working with a company that isn’t willing to provide an upfront quote for fixing your plumbing problems.
Online Reviews
In this day and age, any company that is proud of its services will have a position on review websites such as Yelp and Google My Business. They should also have social media accounts where they interact with customers and follow up on reviews. A plumbing service with a load of unhappy customers and one-star reviews should probably be avoided.
References
In addition to online reviews, a good plumbing company should be able to provide a list of references. You can follow up on these references to firstly, see if they’re legitimate and secondly, to get an idea of what it’s like to work with the plumbing service in question. If they refuse to provide any references at all, look elsewhere.
Location
While not necessarily telling of the quality of their service, it would be easier to deal with a company that is located in your local area. This way, you can visit their office and get an idea of how they operate. It also makes it easier to receive a fast response in the event of a plumbing emergency in the future.
Credentials
There are three main types of credentials that a plumber can have. This includes the following:
Apprentice: An apprentice is a plumber who works alongside journeymen or master plumbers to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills required to become a qualified plumber. They usually participate in classroom instruction and paid practical work.
Journeyman: After passing training, an apprentice graduates to a journeyman and earns a license from their local state. Most don’t have established companies but can handle the majority of plumbing work.
Master Plumber: If you find a master plumber, chances are they’re the best in your area. Master plumbers have associates degrees and have tons of experience.
Additional Services
Some companies offer additional services to their customers for added value. For instance, this company offers a Home Service Back Office, which allows plumbing and home service businesses to outsource their customer support operations. If you’re interested in starting your own plumbing or home service business, this will serve as a great addition to your company.
Look out for plumbers that offer additional services like these, as it shows that they’re willing to go the extra mile to stand out from their competitors.
Conclusion
By factoring in their experience, reputation, transparency, customer service and credentials, you’ll be able to find the right plumber for your needs and have a reliable company to call in emergencies. Taking the time to do your research will inevitably pay off in the future, making it a worthwhile endeavor.
Tags: bathroom, bathroom remodeling, contemporary, faucet, home improvement, leaking faucet, plumbing
Sep 13, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
There is a definite drive from homeowners to integrate more efficient upgrades into their homes. One of the most popular home additions has been to mount solar panel arrays on the roof to help owners go off the grid.
The trend toward a more sustainable and environmentally responsible lifestyle has pushed the popularity behind making your home solar sufficient. Not only can you save a bunch of money on your energy bills, but you can also drastically reduce your carbon footprint when you decide to go solar.
Before you make the switch, there are a few things that you should consider, including getting a new Allstate Home Insurance quote to accommodate your updates. Switching over to solar is not as simple as just mounting some solar panels. Here’s what you will need to know before making the decision to run your home using solar power.
Incentives
One of the largest driving forces behind the solar trend is money savings. Once you get past the initial investment, which can be large, you can enjoy lifelong savings and even make some money back. The great thing about this initiative is that you could even get help footing the installation bill for your solar system.
Check with your municipality and talk to your accountant about available grants or tax breaks for adding solar that you can take advantage of. Making updates to your home to convert it into a more eco-friendly dwelling can actually make you money in incentives.
Warranties
Each solar dealer will have their own guarantees to cover the installation process, but it’s important to understand exactly what their warranties will cover. You don’t want to get stuck with panels that are only warrantied by the manufacturer. Standard warranties should cover your panels for up to 25 years and your inverter for up to 10 years.
Property Value Boost
If you still need more convincing that going solar is right for you, you should know that converting and adding a solar array can increase the market value of your home. Projects like adding solar, a kitchen remodel or developing a home heat recovery system are among the most popular home updates.
Along with saving money on your energy bills, you can expect an increase of up to 4% on your home’s value. This can make for an impressive return on your investment.
Inverters
When you are shopping for the elements of your solar power system you will need to choose an inverter that is best for your array. There are two different kinds of inverters; central or micro. A central inverter will be wired to draw in power from all of your panels at the same time. Microinverters are attached to each individual solar panel.
Size
The most common question that dealers get from homeowners is, “How many panels will I need to run my whole house?”. There are too many variables to answer this question to suit everyone. The number of panels that you will need will depend on the square footage of your home, how solar reliant you want to be and the wattage of your panels.
Any easy way to estimate how many solar panels you will need for your home is to follow this formula. Take your hourly household energy needs and multiply it by the number of hours of prime sunlight that you will get. Then take that number and divide it by the panel wattage.
# hourly energy needs X Peak sunlight hours
Panel Wattage
Conclusion
If you are interested in creating a more self-sufficient and greener home by adding solar, make sure to do your homework before you invest. Get help with funding, learn about the equipment and increase the value of your home with a solar power renovation.
Tags: average cost, eco-friendly, energy efficiency, home improvement, roofing, roofing materials
Sep 11, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
When you have children, change is to be expected. Not only do you have to adjust your life so it works around your children, but you will also have to adjust your home. When you make changes to your home, you need to make sure you choose wisely. Wrong decisions can reduce the value of your property and can end up costing you a lot more money than the improvement was worth, but when something is done right, not only will your property go up in value, but your family will be happier for it. To help you make the right decision, here are five home improvements you should consider if you have children.
Convert Rooms
Reinventing a room can increase the value of your home as well as make your life easier. You can convert spaces that aren’t being used, such as a garage, basement or attic space, into something that could be used. You could change them into an extra bedroom, a second living room, a games room or a room that can be used by your child if they have a particular hobby they want to excel in, such as music, craft or exercise.
Consider a Playroom
A playroom is another good idea if you have the space and they have many benefits. This can keep the rest of your house tidy and in good condition because your children will have their own area where they can play and make a mess. If you decide to move home, this feature would appeal to buyers who have or plan to start a family.
Add an Outdoor Play Area
Exercise and fresh air are essential for child development. If you have a good-sized back or front yard, then installing an outdoor play area for your children is a great way to ensure they get outside, and it will be a safe area for them to do so. If you don’t have the time or skill to create your own outdoor play area, you should contact KG Landscape to help you create a safe, fenced play area.
Increase Storage
Nowadays, people like a minimalist look when it comes to their homes. This can be a hard thing to achieve when you have children, but it isn’t impossible. Making alterations that increase the amount of storage your home has will increase the value of your property and will make it look neat, tidy, and modern while you live there. It can also make your home safer, especially if you have young, curious toddlers walking about.
Improve Your Home’s Efficiency
There is no denying that children are expensive, so making changes that help to save you money as well as increase the value of your property whilst helping the environment are always great ideas. One of these changes would be to improve how energy efficient your home is. You can do this by adding installation, adding renewable energy sources, and installing double glazed windows. These are just a handful of things you can do.
To summarize, when you decide to make changes to your family home, space, efficiency, and usefulness are the key things you need to consider. If the alterations will help you, then there is a high chance it would help someone else, which leads to a rise in property price.
Tags: backyard, contemporary, eco-friendly, energy efficiency, home improvement, landscaping
Jul 25, 2019 | Design And Decor, Remodeling
Entertaining at home is often done outdoors, on the patio, deck, verandah or in the garden. Lush greenery, floral scents, stone paving and well thought out garden beds all inspire serene feelings of calmness and joy.
Even you are an avid gardener, you have spent many happy hours outside either tending to your garden or just relaxing in the sun or breeze. If you enjoy being outdoors, perhaps now is the time to transform your piece of green heaven and introduce some new and exciting features to use outside. Think pergola.
Perfect Pergolas
The quickest and easiest way to transform your outdoor space is by placing a pergola outside. There are so many ways to use these structures, you will never be stuck for pergola ideas.
Pergolas come in a variety of makes. You can opt for the traditional timber pergolas, composite, steel frames or a combination. Add vinyl, cloth or shutters on the top and your pergola can take on many functions.
Pergolas give the sense of incorporating an extra room to an area because of the pillars and roof which mimic a room. This makes a pergola the perfect outdoor addition which will not only delight homeowners but adds value to the property.
Function And Form
Whether you want a practical outside dining area, seating area or relaxing area, you can achieve any look and feel with a pergola.
Warm winter evenings outside with a fireplace and blanket might be your taste or a functional dining area in spring where everyone can sit outside comfortably. Add a bar for that instant poolside feeling.
Perhaps you desire privacy and would like your outdoor spa to be covered, or a quiet place to lie outside and read in the hazy summer days. All these functions can be achieved by using a pergola.
Adding color and accessories to your pergola area is easy when you have decided on what the look and feel of your space should entail. Keeping it classy and chic is just as easy if you plan the accessories properly. Look for weather-resistant or outdoor pieces that will be easy to maintain and move around.
The great thing about having a pergola is that when you decide to update or refresh the look and design of your outdoor space, you simply bring in new elements to make the change. Remember less is more, a cluttered outdoor space is not a haven of peace and tranquillity.
Simply Add Furniture Or Plants
Attaining chic looks under your pergola can be done in so many ways. The best way to add flair and functionality to your pergola is to add furniture.
Do you want a seated area? Add weather-resistant outdoor furniture and pillows. Include small side tables and an ottoman or two to entice relaxing family gatherings outside. If your pergola is poolside, add sun loungers and potted plants with a side table or two.
If you prefer your pergola be a simple extension of your garden added creepers or plants in pots to grow against the pillars and over the roof. Perhaps you can grow a grapevine and add two chairs and a table for intimate Italy like dinners by candlelight.
Tags: backyard, contemporary, fence, home improvement, landscaping, patio
Jul 24, 2019 | Design And Decor, Remodeling
There are a number of routes you can take when choosing the right material for your driveway. If you’re confused about making the right choice, you can take the route most people take and choose the most popular material for driveways – stamped concrete. You don’t have to take our word for it, ask popular contractors like https://www.kansascityconcreteartisans.com/ about the most popular driveways people want and we’re sure you’ll get the same answer.
Why it is so popular and the various designs and styles you can get with stamped concrete will all be broken down in this handy guide to understanding why stamped concrete is such a popular choice for driveways and why you should take the leap.
Why is it so popular? The advantages of stamped concrete
There are various reasons why stamped concrete is a great choice for your driveways, and knowing all of them can help you understand why it is such a popular choice.
Durability
There is nothing quite like concrete. And by that, we mean that when it comes to sheer strength and resistance, concrete is king. For a driveway, it is important that the material used is able to hold up against things like weather, weight, spills, grease stains, and track marks.
On all those things, concrete ranks high. It holds up well against sun exposure and rain and is stain-resistant against most things. You also don’t have to worry about concrete driveways cracking under the weight of numerous cars.
Longevity
It can be a real pain to both your time and your wallet to have to constantly think about replacing and redoing your driveway over the years you’ll live in your home.
With this in mind, it is important for your driveways to have good longevity to make sure they will hold up for many years to come. Stamped concrete driveways are able to last a long time because concrete is a durable material that does not need constant maintenance. With proper care, it can last for up to 40 years.
Furthermore, you can be assured that the design imprinted on the stamped driveway will remain there and not fade away over time.
Cost
Compared to other driveway materials, concrete comes at an affordable and cost-effective rate. It is a widely available material that has a speedy installation period which helps keep the cost of it low.
And when you add a stamped design to the mix of things, the cost does not dramatically increase. Because it is a process that is neither labor-intensive nor timely, stamping concrete can be done in a single day depending on the size of your concrete.
Customizability
More than anything, the customizability of concrete elevates it from the rest of the flooring materials on the market. Concrete has the ability to be personally stamped and customized according to your wishes.
This means that for houses with unique layouts and decorations, stamped concrete driveways offer a way to customize your driveways according to what looks best with your home.
Value
Stamped concrete driveways are highly attractive features for a home that can increase the overall value of your home. Not only does it look expensive and attractive, but buyers will know that a concrete driveway is a good investment for a home that will last a long time.
The many design options for stamped concrete driveways
Driveways don’t have to look boring or standard at all, and they especially don’t have to when you choose to have concrete driveways. Stamped concrete is an option for everyone that can deliver unique design options, like:
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Border designs
If you’re hesitant to stamp the entire driveway with a pattern or design, you can get a very attractive appearance for your driveways by stamping only a portion of the area, more commonly the border of the driveway. With this technique, you choose a design for the border of the driveway like a geometric pattern or a faux stone and either apply a simpler pattern to the middle or keep it completely plain. The contrast between the border and the middle of the driveway will look elegant and not overly done.
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Faux stone designs
Stamped concrete is capable of mimicking other flooring materials for driveways, such as stone. If you want the aesthetic value of stones like slate and cobblestone but the durability, cost, and longevity of concrete, stamped concrete is capable of delivering that. For faux stone designs, you can have them laid out straight or patterned in a fan effect for a more stylish stamping.
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Unique patterns and designs
If you’re interested in stamped concrete driveways for its versatility, you may be interested in getting more unique designs on your driveway. For example, you may be more inclined to get a large-scale pattern or a large design like a specific image like a sunburst or compass. This can likewise be done with concrete stamping.
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Brick patterns
If you love the look a brick driveway but are concerned about its cost and need for constant maintenance, you can achieve a “brick” driveway with stamped concrete. Choose the kind of brick you want to emulate for your driveway and leave the rest to your contractor to get the best results possible.
Tags: concrete tiles, contemporary, flooring, home improvement, landscaping, patio
Jul 8, 2019 | Design And Decor, Remodeling
For better or for worse, your fencing will have a huge influence on how your place feels and looks. While for some, utility will be the most important factor, for others, they might prefer something that complements their house first. Factors such as climate and cost also have to be considered as well. This is why the question of which material should be used can be a tricky one. Let’s take a look at two of the most popular options, vinyl and wood, and the pros and cons of each to see which option would be the best for your needs.
Wood: The Pros
One of the best things about wood fences is the way they look. Some people just love the whole white picket fence aesthetic, and stained wood can give a rustic feel to any backyard. So, if your first goal is for it to look good, then wood is a sure bet. Wood is also one of these materials you can work with even if you’re not a professional, so it’s a good pick for those DIYers out there. Wood also gives you a wide array of colors and finishes based on the staining and the wood you pick.
Wood: The Cons
Wood fences demand a lot of maintenance. And they’re not the best suited for every climate. You have to work on them every year so they can keep their appearance, whether its repainting or treating them. They’re also vulnerable to things like insects, especially termites. And they have a tendency to warp as well, especially when they haven’t been properly treated.
Vinyl: The Pros
Vinyl is one of the most low maintenance materials you can use as far as fencing goes. And it comes in a wide variety of styles, textures, and shades as well. While you can install it yourself, it’s always better to work with professional fitters. Teams like Northland Fence will be able to set up your vinyl fence in as little as a day and all their vinyl fences come with a lifetime warranty on the material. Good luck finding that with wood.
Vinyl: The Cons
One of the issues with vinyl fencing is that it’s slightly more expensive upfront than wood. But you end up recuperating these costs with lower maintenance and higher durability. Another issue with vinyl is that repairs are a bit more complicated, but since it’s so durable, it doesn’t require repairs as much as wood.
The Verdict
At the end of the day, it’s all about your priorities and what you need in a fence. If you want something that will last a long time and require little to no maintenance, go for vinyl. If your main priority is the look and you don’t mind having to maintain it every year and replace it at the end of its lifespan, then wood might be the choice for you.
Conclusion
Whatever choice you pick, make sure that you consider how much time and money you can afford to spend on your fence. Also, consider if your climate or even the general look in your area would make either option more suitable.
Tags: fence, home improvement, landscaping, vinyl, wood
Jul 8, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
Every homeowner wants the best for their family. From cozy living rooms to serene bathrooms, we all want to improve the way we live by considering home improvement projects that help us achieve a more appealing home.
But when it comes to making a home that’s safe and healthy, we will have to look for green solutions. After all, this is the first step to achieving a healthier home.
Let’s check out a few important tips to a greener home.
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Ditch commercial materials
Whether you’re mopping up the living room floor or repainting the exterior walls of your home, the materials you use may contain chemicals that not only pollute the air but also cause a wide range of health conditions on your family. You may need to update your shopping list and get rid of brands that are known to contain high traces of cancer-causing chemicals such as glycol and benzene.
If you’re making a change for the better, you might as well look online for shops selling organic materials for your next home improvement project.
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Think of a redesign
Often the best way to build a green home is to start from scratch. Fortunately, if you’re planning to settle in a home that’s both functional and eco-friendly, there are local builders who can help you along those lines.
If you live in Baltimore, you’ll find Maryland home builders who can provide custom designs that help reduce your carbon footprint. But if you already have a home, you can always opt for a redesign by using proper insulation, as well as materials and concepts that allow for better cooling and heating.
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Upgrade your lighting
If there’s anything that passes as an eco-friendly solution, changing your light bulbs will do the trick. Especially if it has been a while since you last upgraded your lighting, swapping your bulbs with LEDs will really keep your energy consumption low along with your power bills.
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Prepare a compost pit
Managing a garden is tough work, but choosing a safe alternative to commercial fertilizers has to be tougher. Sure enough, familiar fertilizer brands could be more acidic and, in effect, harmful to your plants.
Commercial fertilizer might give your garden the lushness it needs, but when it comes to keeping the soil healthy, preparing your own compost using kitchen scraps has to be the better option. It’s organic and it won’t pollute the ground much as synthetic fertilizers do.
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Improve your insulation
Whether there’s a blizzard or a heatwave, the thermostat has to be your best bet in keeping your home’s temperature well-regulated. Then again, you will have to pay a price for keeping your home well heated or cooled during extreme weather. By keeping your home well-insulated, you won’t have to set the thermostat high or low.
A greener home is possible, so long as you use the right approach. That way, you won’t have to worry about putting your family’s health and safety at risk.
Tags: backyard, bathroom, bathroom remodeling, eco-friendly, energy efficiency, home improvement
Mar 21, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY
Your home design is all about you, your partner and your family. Every element present at home reflects a certain aspect of life. The colors painted all over the walls remind you of peace and serenity. The decor beautifying the walls project decision-making and artistic skills. The materials used inside and outside the house, from flooring to roofing, display style and preferences. Spacing and arrangement either defies customs or depicts centuries-old traditions and beliefs.
When buying a new home, building one or making a facelift, you want to be immersed in the process, from planning the details to the finishing touches. After all, the house is your safe haven for years or even for a lifetime. It is a pleasure to flip through the color palette, the portfolio of home decor and the gallery of design ideas you want your eyes to scour. It is also no wonder if you have been making sketches or notes with design ideas for the kitchen, living room, master bedroom or even the garage.
To help you out, we have compiled a list of unique bits of design that may seem bizarre but are actually awe-inspiring ideas that will make your house stand out from the rest.
Pendant Lighting
More and more restaurants, especially intimate ones, are now adorned with pendant lighting that hangs just slightly over the heads of guests. From a style perspective, pendant lighting offers a great addition to your home. But it provides more than just a decorative accent. It also plays a major role in terms of highlighting a room, adding a different glow while incorporating a decorative style.
Now, how do you plan on adding pendant lights at home? You can try hanging them to illuminate your entryway, a kitchen counter or dining table. Although the lights are usually close, you may also opt for a design that spreads all throughout the space you want to brighten up, like a dining table with a large seating capacity.
Natural Lighting and Ventilation
Sustainability solutions start at home. Measures to lower consumption of energy and water do not just lead to lesser utility bills but also contribute less to greenhouse gas emissions. Apart from using less electricity and water, you can incorporate sustainability measures in your building design.
This means you will need less light during the day and nature’s fresh breeze will surround your home, instead of turning on air conditioning for cooling the house. Ask your home renovations and remodeling service provider or a local Excel Builders to craft a design that allows natural lighting and ventilation to come inside the house.
Big Plants
Desert plants are the usual staple for decor inside the house. But it is 2019, and trends change over time. Small plants, flowering or non-flowering, are also attractive. Nowadays, big plants are eye-catching accessories that can attract attention. Before you purchase bold plants, you need to know the relevant information such as water and sunlight requirements to keep plants healthy and green.
Floral Patterns
While people live in a modern world, everybody loves a design redux for styles that were trendy in the past. In 2019, floral patterns have risen to the occasion. You might think the floral pattern thrived during your grandma’s adolescent period. Well, yes indeed. But filling your home with floral design may be a better replacement for bland or flashy colors that dominated the previous years.
Fortunately, floral print today is redesigned with contemporary lines and is much bolder than in years past. There is a list of fresh design for your floral patterns, from orchids to cherry blossoms, to give your room an updated look.
Multi-Functional Space
Whether you’re limiting furniture to save space or just practicing less is more through minimalism, a multi-functional space can work wonders at home. You can remodel existing furniture pieces or purchase new ones that offer more than just one function, such as a bed with pull-out drawers or ottomans with added storage.
You can also design two or more rooms in one space, such as an office space in a living room or transforming kitchen counters into a workstation. Success in multi-functional space depends on layout. The design should manifest proper balance between two or more functions, and clearly indicate the division between spaces.
Bar Area
You, your partner, friends and family members can enjoy the spirits and entertainment at your home by putting up a bar. You can display your prized wines, tequila and other liquor you want to enjoy. Hang those wine glasses, put in the rotating stools and roll out those barrels to start partying without going outside.
With a bar area, it’s easy for guests to get cold drinks while the party is hot on the dance floor. The bar does not have to be limited to drinking alcoholic beverages alone. You can also have your morning coffee, brew a late-night tea or whip up a smoothie at the bar.
Biophilia
It is now that we are seeing more and more people that are interacting with nature. By installing sustainable solutions at home or in the office, everyone is more involved today than on previous years when it comes to getting closer with nature. At home, people create gardens to commune with the environment. Now though, design has brought nature closer to you through biophilia. A biophilic setting expands beyond houseplants or floral patterns. It has design and decor that bring the sight, sound and smell of nature indoors.
So, how do you create this biophilia? For one, work with water. The sound of flowing water not only relaxes our senses, it also blocks noises caused by street sounds. Another element is to breathe in the fragrant scent of nature with aromatic candles or essential oils. Aim to create a space devoid of gadgets, equipment and screens. A biophilic setting wants us to awaken our senses and technology works against it. Just have a corner where distractions are absent.
There is a Santa Claus list of eclectic home design ideas you can experiment in your new dwelling or for an upcoming renovation. As long as it speaks to your style, character and beliefs, you can never be wrong with your choices.
Tags: backyard, contemporary, eco-friendly, energy efficiency, home improvement, landscaping, lighting
Mar 21, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
Installing a new fence can be a demanding DIY project if the area to be surrounded is large enough, but it isn’t the most difficult project that you can undertake either. That being said, mistakes are quite common and, therefore, in case you have any plans to set up a few fences on your own anytime soon, it’s worth it to glance over these three tips that even experienced DIY enthusiasts can find useful at times.
Asking the All-Important Questions
Before you even start planning your fence installation project, it is of the utmost importance to ask yourself and your family a few questions first, and they should be along the lines of the following.
- What is the primary objective behind the installation of the fence?
- Is privacy more important to you or does security take precedence?
- How much are you really willing to or can afford to spend on your fencing project?
- What are the choices in material that you have?
- How much maintenance will your new fencing require and how much will that cost you?
To illustrate why all these questions are so important, let’s get to the next tip.
Understand What Your New Fencing Will Bring With It
Steel fences last for decades. In fact, the steel fencing from Northland Fence comes with a warranty of two decades! It will remain unhindered by the weather conditions as neither the sun nor the frost will be able to even scratch your steel fencing for years. While the durability of steel also makes it an excellent material of choice when security is your priority, it will not provide you with any privacy at all. When privacy is more important, then go for vinyl fencing instead of steel. Northland Fence has consciously switched over from cedar wood to vinyl because the material lasts longer than wood and provides better security than wood as well. As far as the looks are concerned, vinyl fencing can be made to look exactly like cedar, so you won’t have to sacrifice on décor. Besides, to make wooden fences last, it does require a lot of maintenance.
Checking with the Local Zoning Laws
There are limitations, rules, and regulations, alongside must-have safety precautions that every household in a US state must adhere to while putting up any kind of fencing. For example, in order to put up any fences in Minnesota that are more than 30-inches in height, you will require a building permit that will only be granted on producing a satisfactory site plan. These laws change with the state in question, so do make sure you are thorough with your understanding of what you can and can’t do in your area.
Given the time, effort, and knowledge of fine details it requires, it is recommended that you leave any big fencing project to the professionals, as they deal with them regularly and are well aware of them. Nevertheless, if you want to do it all on your own, at least now you are a bit wiser than before!
Tags: backyard, fence, home improvement, wood
Mar 20, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
Just like the shingles on your home, those on a typical 10×20 garden shed roof have are prong to get damaged over time. The constant exposure to the sun, rain, snow, and wind eventually wear down your roof shingles. Even though shingles are being designed to last longer these days, the best ones will cost you more money. While a 50-year shingle might be a good investment on your house, you most likely will use a much shorter life shingle on your garden shed and therefore you will need to fix or replace them more often. The good news is that most shed roofs are as easy fix and you can do it all by yourself. The following tips will help you fix your garden shed roof when the time comes.
Ladders
Most sheds are not built as high as your home’s roof, so a standard 10’ ladder should do the trick for a garden shed roof.
Get your ladder situated in the proper position and on ground that is flat and level, and make sure that it’s at the right angle. Experts recommend a 1:4 ratio; So if you have 8 feet of height your ladder should be two feet away from the shed. Simple math.
Take Out the Bad Shingles
To start, remove the bad shingles and the nails. If you are fixing the whole roof, begin on the uppermost area and remove the top row, before moving down to the next row, until you get to the last row. If you find a metal drip edge, you can leave that where it is. So now that everything else is gone, you should be looking at a blank sheet of plywood. If the plywood is rotted, this is the time to replace that too. There is no sense putting a new roof on bad wood sheeting.
Roof Felt
Start placing your roofing felt on the bottom corner and move sideways, making sure to keep the felt flush. Sink in a nail every few feet. Working your way up, continue to secure the felt with nails. You don’t have to go crazy hammering in nails, as it will also be kept down by the shingle nails; you just want to ensure that it lies flat and stays in place as you work your way to the top edge.
The next roll of felt will be done the same way. Overlap the second roll of felt onto the first length of felt by a couple of inches. Again, work your way from the bottom to the top. Continue working left to right until you are done.
Starter Shingles
Starter shingles are the first row of shingles that you lay. Then you lay a second layer over the starters. To install starter shingles, remove any tabs from your sheet of shingles and place them so that it overhangs on the edge by about ¼ an inch.
Shingling the Rest of Your Roof
Now that the starter shingles are in place, you can lay your 3-tab shingle on the left bottom corner of the roof. Ensure that it is covering your starters and nail it so that it is in place. You will probably need about four nails for every shingle. Work left to right, one layer at a time. The second layer should start with about a six-inch overlap on the shingle underneath it and approximately five inches off the edge. Remember you are creating a staggered, layered, and neat shingle roof. Make sure that it is all neat so that water won’t get to the wood sheeting. Continue layering, staggering, and nailing until you get to the top. Once you are done, cut off the excess overhang on each side.
A small garden shed roof can easily be completed in a day. Take your time and make sure everything is lined up correctly. The end results will be a new roof on your garden shed that you can take pride in; you did it yourself!
Do you have an even bigger shed job? Like a shed that is so in disrepair that it’s better to build a new shed? No worries there either. Building an entire shed is just as easy as fixing the roof these days. All you need is a 3D shed building guide: “How to build a shed in a week or less?” From 3DSHEDPLANS.COM. You will be amazed at how easy it is to start your project.
Feb 14, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
There are various reasons why you may decide that you want to make some home improvements. It could be because you have lived there a while and want to mix up your living environment. But it could also be because you are thinking of selling your home in the next few years and want to make it as profitable as possible. Either way, there are different ways you can improve your home no matter what your budget is.
Some home improvements may require saving up, whereas some are a lot more affordable but can make massive differences to your home. Here are five ideas for home improvement that you may want to consider.
Organize as Much as You Can
Often homeowners don’t consider organization as a form of home improvement, but being more organized can make your home life a lot less stressful while also making your home appeal more to friends and viewers (and potential buyers).
This is a more affordable idea for home improvement and will require more time than money. You should focus on organizing the rooms that you spend the most time in first and then move on to the other rooms. Find permanent homes for things as this will help you to locate things quicker.
Improve Your Outdoor Space
Improving the outside space of your home can seem like a tiring process, but it can be enjoyable as well as costing little money. By giving improving your home’s curb appeal, it will be more appealing to both yourself and potential buyers. Small changes you can make include changing your mailbox or adding some flower boxes. It is also a good idea to install a vinyl picket fence to make your garden look more stylish as well as making your outdoor space more secure.
Update Your Bedroom
Your bedroom should be a peaceful and relaxing room as getting rest is essential to your health and well-being. Updating your bedroom can involve small changes such as redecorating, or bigger changes like adding built-in wardrobes or under floor heating. No matter what the size of your bedroom, there are ways you can improve it.
If you are planning to sell your home, then you will want to wow and impress potential buyers when they see the master bedroom. This could seal the deal!
Loft Aspirations
This is a more expensive way to improve your home, but loft conversions are a great way to make unused space in your home functional. This is an ideal way to add both storage space as well as potentially adding an extra bedroom or bathroom to your home, increasing the house’s value. A loft conversion can completely revamp your home and make you fall back in love with where you live. While they are not a cheap way to improve your home, they make for a great investment that will benefit you in the long term.
Home improvements can seem like time-consuming and expensive challenges to undertake, but they are great ways to transform your living environment. If you are unsure of how to improve your home, these ideas are a good place to start and offer you options that vary in financial cost.
Jan 29, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
The market for uPVC-based double-glazing is a growing one. Frames can be colored to suit the color scheme of the home, which is a good option when you wish to avoid the use of aluminum or timber. It can handle the harsh British winters and doesn’t fade during the occasional long, hot summers either.
Here are some of the benefit of getting uPVC windows fitted in your home.
Durability over the Years
uPVC windows are highly durable. They are not susceptible to mold, pollution impact, moisture or mildew build up which would otherwise hurt their ability to hold a seal. They don’t blister in the sun or flake away, and they don’t rust or rot either. This makes them superior to other window framing materials like aluminum and wood.
Soundproofing
When uPVC is matched with reliable double-glazing, it provides a soundproofing ability that often reduces discernible noise to 40 decibels. Up to 75-80 percent of outdoor noise factors are reduced to make the indoor sound far more pleasant, even when the home sits on a noisy main road.
Limited Maintenance Required
Cleaning uPVC frames is as easy as getting a bucket of water, adding some soap to create suds, and then washing the windows with a sponge. They do not peel or flake, so there’s never a need to repaint them, touch them up, sand them down or add varnish either. While it should be done carefully, stains that appear on the frame can be delicately scrubbed away too.
Optional Ventilation
Ventilation with uPVC window designs is a useful added feature. Depending on the design, some window frames can open at a fan-like angle to let breezes inside. Also, some windows can open out and around to effectively reverse their direction to permit even more air inside. Windows can often open in either direction, making them more flexible with a greater degree of control on the direction of the air flow too.
For cleaning, the ability to gain access to the other side of the window panes and window frames, from within the property stops window washing needing to be completed in two stages.
Good Security Options
uPVC windows are designed to incorporate a number of window locks to make them more secure. Either laminated or otherwise toughened glass can be installed along with uPVC to make the window even more secure.
Fire Resistant
uPVC windows are designed to be fire resistant as well as able to handle excessive winds and heavy storms without difficulty. Good news for your homeowner’s insurance policy too.
Environmentally Friendly
uPVC is a fully recyclable product. It’s also not resource-hungry during its production phase either; it requires less metal to complete a similarly sized window frame. uPVC can last over four decades, so other frames are likely to need replacing before it does. As a recycled material, it’s used in piping, tiles, and other areas of building work.
As you can tell, uPVC is an excellent material for use with window frames. It makes homes warmer, safer, and much more livable too.
Jan 29, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Uncategorized
No matter what kind of money you pump into your home — whether you dig a swimming pool, design a state-of-the-art kitchen or even build an addition that doubles your square footage — your property will only ever be worth so much. That’s because real estate agents and buyers use home values in your neighborhood to determine the best price for your home; the improvements you make to your lot have a relatively minor effect on your home’s value.
It follows, then, that to boost your property value, you need to be sure your neighborhood is increasing in quality alongside your own home. Here are a few tips to help you (and your neighbors) improve your neighborhood, so everyone can enjoy higher property values.
Develop Community Pride
If you aren’t happy to live where you live — indeed, proud of your surroundings and the people around you — your efforts to improve your neighborhood won’t have much of an impact. However, it is important that you not only enhance your own feelings toward your community but strive to grow pride all other community members, as well. In areas with high levels of community pride, residents are more likely to voluntarily keep their properties nice and comply with governing documents like HOA regulations. You can foster community pride through frequent, positive communication with your neighbors.
Keep Everything Clean
Trash blows out of garbage cans and is littered by inconsiderate passers-by, even in the most expensive neighborhoods. However, if you and your neighbors don’t commit to picking it up, no one else will. That means fast food wrappers, plastic grocery bags and other unsightly bits of debris could float around your neighborhood, catching the eye of visitors and potential buyers. Whenever you see a bit of trash, you should grab it and dispose of it properly to create a clean neighborhood for everyone.
Focus on Landscaping
Visitors to your neighborhood can’t see inside your home, so they won’t know about your expensive and impeccable interior design. Instead, they will judge neighborhood value based on exterior style, which means you need to focus much of your home improvement efforts on your landscaping. Most importantly, you should avoid allowing your flora to fall into disrepair. If you lack the tools and knowledge to keep your trees and grass in perfect health, you can hire a yard and lawn care service to maintain your outside spaces and increase the value of your home.
Push for Infrastructure
If your neighborhood is riddled with potholes and cracked sidewalks, you need to ensure those get fixed. You might also want to add features like bike paths or a dog park. If you can get a number of neighbors together to lobby the city council for street repair in your area, you can get the funding for infrastructure maintenance you need to boost your neighborhood’s value. You might need to practice persistence as nothing in the government moves fast.
Get Involved in Schools
For one reason or another, neighborhoods with good schools are also those with high-priced houses. That means you need to invest in your area’s schools if you want to attract buyers with deep pockets. Even if you don’t yet have school-aged children, you can take an interest in the upkeep, progress and politics of nearby schools. For instance, you can attend school board meetings, donate your money and volunteer at events and generally help the school earn more funding for better programs. Then, whether or not you have kids who use those schools, buyers will be attracted to the district’s reputation.
Contact Real Estate Agents
To improve your neighborhood value, you need the right kind of neighbors. Generally, renters are bad for home prices; because they have little concern for property values, they’ll do the minimum with regards to upkeep and improvements. That’s why you want real estate agents in your area to focus on pushing properties onto owners instead of investors. If you and your neighbors are on the same page, those who sell their homes might be willing to tell their agents that they’ll only entertain offers from potential owners. While many agents usually try to sell properties to the highest bidder, regardless of who that entity might be, agents will honor a direct request from a client.
Work Together
No matter how spirited you are about improving your neighborhood’s value, you can’t do it alone. You need the help of your neighbors to make real change in your area, and that means you need to be willing to not just meet your neighbors but foster relationships with them.
Fortunately, you will likely find most of your neighbors amenable to positive change. When you work together, you will see property prices rise en masse, and you’ll all reap the rewards of a more valuable neighborhood as a group.
Jan 24, 2019 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
There are many features that entice the best, most reliable tenants to rent a property, such as modern features, a fair price, ability to bring pets, good location and more. However one thing that you should consider to help attract and keep quality renters is the security of the property you own. Read on for some ways you can go about providing your tenants with a more secure property this year.
Install Outdoor Lighting
It’s important to have outdoor lighting installed on rental premises as this works to help prevent crime. Thieves and other people with not-so-good intentions are less likely to try anything nefarious if an area is well lit.
If your property is a unit in a complex of apartments, there should be lighting in stairwells, hallways and entranceways. For houses, outdoor lighting needs to be installed at both the front and back of the property. It pays to make these motion-activated; plus you can opt for solar-powered lighting where possible.
Have Secure Doors
As you’d imagine it’s necessary to have secure doors on all entry and exit points. Start by choosing quality doors constructed of solid, heavy-duty materials. Good options include steel and wood; however choose solid wood rather than hollow doors as these are easy to break.
Steer clear of doors made of glass or with glass panels, particularly near the locking mechanism, as these panes can be broken. Doors with peepholes built into them are helpful too, as they enable tenants to look out and see who is outside without having to open the door. Security screens or chain locks provide another layer of security, allowing tenants to open their door yet still have some protection.
For optimum security, add deadbolt locks onto doors on top of having standard locks. These are much more difficult for criminals to break into. Double-cylinder deadbolts are the most secure option. These are particularly helpful when a door is located near a window, as they work to stop thieves from reaching through windows to open doors.
Secure the Windows
Similarly, it’s important to secure the windows on properties. Criminals often enter homes this way, even when windows can seem too small to provide access. Windows should have working locks, even if they’re on higher floors, as sometimes people enter through fire escapes or other access points.
For units near the ground, or for houses, particularly those in areas where crime is more of a problem, it pays to add security bars or screens to windows. While this can affect the aesthetic look of a property, it definitely increases safety and deters criminals. If security is a big issue, you can even, or instead, install window sensors. These are designed to sound an alarm if anyone tries to tamper with the locking mechanisms.
Provide Security Cameras and Alarms
Another way to increase security at properties is to provide security cameras and alarms. These are traditionally utilized more in high-end homes that receive big rents or for multi-family homes where the additional costs are justified by combined deposits.
Cameras should be installed at the front and back entrances of houses or in hallways, stairwells or other spaces you might deem necessary if you own an entire building of apartments. Security alarm systems can be wired in and either paid for by you as the landlord or charged at an additional fee for tenants who want access to the monitoring option.
There are many different types of cameras and alarms available these days, so search for providers in your area to get quotes. For example, check out these Phoenix home security services if your property is located in the Phoenix area.
Keep Properties Visible and Open
To help make tenants feel safe and to deter thieves, it’s also a good idea to make properties clearly open to view from the road. That is, don’t give criminals places to lurk or hide around your properties, where they won’t be seen from the street. To make spaces safe, remove obstructions from entrances to the property (both front and back) such as large shrubs or high, unruly hedges.
Put Managers or Guards on Site
If you own a large complex of properties, such as unit blocks of 25-plus apartments, retirement villages or the like, you may want to consider putting managers on site or arranging for security guards to patrol each day. You need to have enough properties to make this kind of expense worthwhile, and/or have your properties located in exclusive, high-value areas where your rental fees are high. These options do certainly help to make tenants feel much safer though and deter criminal activities because it’s obvious someone is always monitoring the premises.
Dec 21, 2018 | Design And Decor, DIY
Finding the perfect location to build your new home can result in a difficult decision-making process, especially when considering building in a historic district. A historic district can be considered a historic site or location that has been deemed official due to its location, cultural heritage, regional significance or national implementation.
What is a historic district?
A historic district can be any group of homes, landscape, sites or structures that is of local, regional, or national significance. They can be recognized as a group of buildings, or properties. Government and state officials place regulations on design concepts and renovations in these areas, in order to maintain historical integrity and original construction to the property.
With these traditional concepts in place there are rules and home restrictions that regulate the amount of renovation or remodeling that can be done to a home in such a given area. The goal of a historic district renovation rules is to preserve a home’s true nature. Listed below is the most common restrictions or things you may need to know about before building a home in a historic district.
- Exterior: House exteriors such as windows and roofs portray the original architecture and design style of the historical home, and they have to be preserved. The preservation construction materials may be costly and require additional resources that will add on to your budget.
- Tax Incentives: Investing in a home in a historic district has its perks, the government may offer inducements that may offer tax benefits. Which means money in your pocket for keeping your home original.
- Utility Costs: Another key factor when deciding if a historic home is right for you, is to consider the seasons in your area, there is some potential for higher utility costs due to the build of the living structure.
Guidelines are expertly written and meticulous, especially if the district contains preserved and uniform architecture. Hiring a builder familiar with the rules and regulations will be essential. SEDA New Homes is an example of an experienced builder who has a track record of successful home builds in St. Augustine, Fl. The oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in America.
Consider every detail when planning this home building process as there may be fees associated with building or designing outside of the specific guidelines. Keep in mind that design regulations are less demanding when it pertains to interior design, therefore you will be free to design as you please inside your new home.
Once you’ve developed plans for your new home, a meeting with the historical commissions and the planning or zoning board, in your area, will provide you with the best instructions so that your project won’t be rejected indefinitely or end up costing far more than you anticipated.
However, adding newer properties with historic charm is likely to increase the economic essence and appeal of the particular area. Owning a home in a historic district has very significant benefits and establishes prestige,so be sure to do your research before deciding if you would like to own a piece of history.
Dec 20, 2018 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
The world seems to become more stressful. However, there is one trend that is creating a sanctuary in homes all around the world. That trend, Nordic Minimalism, is highlighted by the use of stress-less furniture featuring Scandinavian Design.
What is Scandinavian design?
Scandinavian design emerged in the middle of the 20th century by the Scandinavian countries. This type of furniture was known for its minimalist, functional and simple design. This type of design was featured mostly with residential furniture including chairs, recliners, sofas and tables. While this trend has existed for the last 70 years, it is only recently that Scandinavian design has taken the world by storm.
Stress-less Furniture at the centerpiece of Nordic Minimalism
People seem to be overwhelmed with the number of products and purchases that they have in their life. Nordic Minimalism is an answer to the hoarding of the material. With Nordic Minimalism, people are taught to only own the things that they use every day. And that includes simple stress-less furniture that is designed to make people feel good while taking up a minimal amount of space.
Examples of Stress-less Furniture
There are currently a number of companies that make and sale stress-less furniture. European Leather Gallery being one of the largest in the United Sates. The prices of these stress-less furniture pieces cost about $2,600 for leather recliners, $3,000 for sofas and about $800 for chairs. Stress-less furniture can be made from fabric or leather with wood gain accents. Stress-less furniture is designed and styled in Scandinavian countries and available for sale all around the world.
Stress-less Furniture is Growing
While many people have not heard of stress-less furniture, there has been enough of a growth in this trend to have large investors take notice. Recently, a top Chinese investment company put a $630 million dollar bid for Scandinavian furniture maker Ekornes. That is on top of the fact that the biggest seller of Scandinavian furniture, IKEA, has been selling stress-less furniture for decades.
How to Get Started with Nordic Minimalism
The best way to get started with Nordic Minimalism is to begin to de-clutter unnecessary things in your life. Once you have gotten rid of the things you do not use every day, you can begin to introduce stress-less furniture into your life. One thing to consider is how you will use the furniture every day. For instance, if you like to have guest over, consider a Scandinavian sofa. If your life to read or watch TV, then consider a recliner. As the world become more crowded and complicated, Nordic Minimalism will seek to bring clarity and simplicity to those who seek it.
Oct 12, 2018 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
There are many reasons why a renovation is exactly what you need. The right improvement and changes made around the house can greatly affect the property’s comfort level, ambiance, and even value. In many cases, a major renovation is also needed because of structural damage or problems that need to be solved.
Unlike smaller remodeling projects, a major renovation is trickier to deal with. There are more factors to consider and things to prepare in order to have a smooth and efficient renovation project. To help you get started, we are going to focus on how you can plan better for a major renovation in this article.
List the Necessary Changes
You should always do a thorough inspection – well, have professionals do the inspection – before planning a major renovation project. The inspection will reveal issues around the house, giving you the opportunity to add fixing those issues to the plan.
The inspection should cover everything from top to bottom. You need to know if there are leaks and moisture affecting the walls, whether you have roofing problems to deal with, and even if there is wirings or fixtures that need to be replaced around the house.
After the inspection, compile a list of all the things you need to do. The list is your guideline when you are trying to plan for the project. Divide them based on areas and start working on a renovation plan. Prioritize tasks and organize them accordingly.
Prepare for the Worst
Even when you have a complete list of things to do, there are still additional things to prepare before you can have a truly smooth and uninterrupted project. At this point, you want to start interviewing contractors and finding a good one to work with for the renovation project.
Depending on the size of the contractor and the tasks in hand, you may need to schedule the renovation to be done in stages, tackling one room or area of the house at a time. This will allow you to keep the house usable for the duration of the project.
You also need to tackle details such as preparing additional restrooms for the workers or replacement restrooms for when your main bathroom is being renovated. You can now have Satellite handle everything from setting up portable restrooms all the way to keeping them clean using Satelite Industries deodorizers for maximum convenience.
Plan Your Deliveries
One last challenge to tackle is the delivery of materials. Essential materials must be available on the site for the renovation project to continue smoothly. This is often easier said than done, especially when you have multiple suppliers to work with.
Worry not because careful planning is how you overcome this challenge. Work with your contractor and create estimates on when each set of materials is needed. Schedule the delivery of the materials early by one or two days. You can keep the project running smoothly without filling your house with piles of materials this way.
Careful planning is how you have a smooth renovation project. Don’t hesitate to go into detail and to anticipate everything as you plan for your own major renovation. The better you plan, the easier it will be to manage the project.
Oct 10, 2018 | Design And Decor, Remodeling
Flooring has to endure continuous punishment, exposed to just about everything under the sun and while there are numerous materials we can use, they all have their weakness. Hardwood flooring ticks just about every box, yet the cost makes it prohibitive for most people, plus it takes some tender loving care to keep its lustre, stone is nice, although it has than inert coldness and again, is expensive. We’ve had vinyl for many years, which does give you an incredibly durable floor and let’s not forget laminate – a cost effective alternative to timber or stone – but if you would like the ultimate in flooring, look no further that hybrid flooring.
Laminate and Vinyl Combined
These two materials can now be combined to provide a flooring surface that is 100% waterproof – you can soak it in water and it will not swell – add to that the fact that hybrid flooring is easy to clean and can be laid on any substrate. The union of the durability of laminate and the appeal of luxury vinyl creates a durable, scratch resistant surface that does not warp or bend and with stunning timber and stone finishes in just about every shade, you have the perfect low-cost flooring that gives you everything you need and will always remain in tip-top condition.
Silent Underfoot
Hybrid flooring is silent underfoot and has a warm feeling to it, similar to hardwood, yet it does not move regardless of the temperature. There is a thin layer of cork on the underside of the plank, hence the silence and warmth. The extruded core is made from bamboo dust and recycled wood, with added limestone and PVC, giving the very best properties, and the low cost makes it extremely attractive to Australian homeowners.
Professional Application
Installing hybrid flooring demands a professional approach and you are best advised to buy from an established supplier who would specialise in hybrid flooring. You might be wondering how to source such a company, yet Google comes to the rescue yet again by taking you to the market leader in composite flooring, who can quote you for your needs.
A Waterproof Surface
Ideal for kitchens, hybrid flooring is 100% resistant to water and is easy to keep clean, which is why this unique flooring will very soon become the most popular flooring solution. When you factor in the amazing durability and low cost, it really does wipe the floor with any other flooring material and with so many different finishes, timber grain and marble are both possible.
Hybrid Properties
The quality of the timber grain finishes is stunning – in fact, they are high resolution digital images that are laid under the protective membrane, with exquisite marble and granite finishes also on offer. If you are planning to refloor your property or are about to build, you really should look into hybrid flooring, as it offers a multitude of benefits for a very low cost.
Oct 4, 2018 | Design And Decor, Remodeling
Upgrading your home? Start it with professional roofing services. There are a lot of factors to consider when remodeling your home with a roof contractor such as the coverage and cost of service. Trusted roof contractors can help you assess which roofing services need to be done and will guide you through the entire process.
Remodeling your home is a complicated task, but with the help of the right roofing contractors, your roof will can maintain its sturdiness and lasting value, even be up to date in style. It doesn’t have to cost much when you know you have the right figures in your mind and you’ve had enough time to save up for it. In order for you to achieve this, it is recommended to follow these guidelines in remodeling your home starting with your roof:
1. Call a Good Roof Contractor
Hiring a licensed professional is very important. There are instances in which homeowners may want to do it by themselves in order to save money, but roof remodeling is too critical to be done by someone who is not an expert. Call a roof good contractor who provides an honest quote on roofing services, so you can determine the cost beforehand.
2. Select a Practical Roof Look and Style
Keeping up with the latest trends in terms of architectural designs can be quite daunting. It is necessary to be practical in pursuing a certain remodeling idea. You must think through that an average roof makes up 40% of a home’s exterior, if you want it to look good.
3. Consider the Size of Your House
The size of your house will play a big role in the overall pricing of your roof remodeling. If you’re following a strict budget, you may negotiate with your roof contractor on the most crucial items that need to be done and save upgrading to a modern design for later when you have sufficient funds. You may also ask to pay in installments.
4. Choose the Best Period to Remodel Your Home
Temperature affects pricing, so choose the best period which would be in early spring or fall to remodel your home. Make sure to book ahead as these are usually peak seasons for roofing services to be executed.
5. Pick Good Quality Materials
Aside from considering the look and style of your house, you need good quality raw materials to begin roof replacement. Ask your roof contractor about this and set a budget for cost of materials, so you don’t go overboard on spending.
Moreover, the materials chosen would depend on the style of your roof, so you need to be careful.
The condition of your roof all depends on the performance of your roof contractor and the decisions you make as a homeowner. Make a wise decision in home remodeling today by setting a budget and choosing an approved and preferred roof contractor.
Oct 2, 2018 | Design And Decor, DIY, Remodeling
They say that the average amount of time to sell a home is ten weeks, but for many of us this goes on for a lot longer. Unfortunately, statistics seldom help us when it comes to the property market and what happens for one seller, certainly isn’t guaranteed to occur for another. There are simply too many variables.
Following on from the above, we cannot claim to have all of the answers when it comes to selling your new home. What we do have are some tried-and-tested methods to help you along your way and through the course of today’s post, we will take a look at some of these methods in further detail.
Inflate the size (artificially, of course)
Don’t worry, this first tip isn’t about paying for a brand-new extension. This guide is all about quick hacks after all, and this first one involves making your room at least appear larger than it really is to the naked eye.
There are various ways to trick the eye, and one of these involves manipulating light. For example, mirrors can make a room immediately appear significantly bigger than it is, and the effect is multiplied in a smaller room.
Lights have the same effect. If you have any dark corners of a room, try some Pagazzi lighting to brighten things up. In a flash, the area will appear more spacious.
The small fixes all add up
A broken door handle here, a bit of peeling plaster there. In isolation, they really don’t mean much. However, as soon as a prospective buyer wanders around your property, they start to set eyes on them and the dollar signs start to add up. They will look for more problems, regardless of their severity, and they’ll quickly realize that your home isn’t quite as spruced up as it might have appeared in the real estate brochure.
The solution? Make all of these little fixes. They won’t cost you a small fortune, but they will save potential buyers a lot of time and make them more inclined to make an offer.
Work on the curb appeal
Curb appeal is perhaps the biggest buzz phrase in real estate now, but it’s for good reason. As we have been taught for a number of years, first impressions are made within the first few seconds. As such, if the front of your home doesn’t look inviting, you’ve just ruined someone’s first impression and made them less likely to pursue the property.
As such, work on the front door, garden and anything else you can spot from the outside. It will make a monumental difference to opinions.
Let the estate agent do their job
One common mistake that eager sellers make is trying to jump in and run proceedings as soon as someone comes to visit their property. Instead, take a step back, and let the estate agent do their job. Chances are, some tricky questions might come their way, and they know exactly how to handle them. Just remember, if you say the wrong thing, you can turn a “maybe” into a “no” quite quickly in the property game.
