Month: October 2020

Home Contractors

Unfinished Wood Cabinets

Laura

When picking up a type of cabinet to furnish the house’s kitchen, it is best to recognize the finest design, style and properties that may play an important role on the outcome of the proposed kitchen cabinet plan. Unfinished kitchen cabinets are perfect for the construction of your kitchen design. They can be painted, stained, covered, etched or just left undone. Either way, unfinished kitchen cabinets are very flexible.
Choosing the right cabinet wood will also take part in finishing the cabinets. The natural properties of wood can affect design decisions. In addition, some woods are hard, and others are soft, as different wood vary in hardness. Some kitchen cabinet wood differs in color by nature, there are those that are dark and some are light. This offers someone the flexibility of choosing the best stain for the desired cabinet wood color. If light-colored cabinet is preferable the unfinished kitchen cabinet can be finished with varnish or other clear stain. If dark suits the current kitchen d?�cor, then any dark paint available can be used to finish the cabinets. When it comes to stain absorption, not all woods have the same properties, and it’s tougher to lighten wood than to darken it. It is best to choose cleverly what type of unfinished wood cabinet to buy in order to avoid inconvenience.
Any knowledge about wood cabinets is applicable to the project. Choosing the most excellent type of wood will give you the chance to maximize your ideas on how to make your unfinished cabinet look dashing and fashionable.
Unfinished wood cabinet decorations include knobs and pulls; this will give you a chance to pick the perfect decoration that will suit your personal taste. Knobs and pulls can take any cabinet and add color and style. With hundreds of great styles and finishes to choose from, it is easy to add the perfect finishing touch to the kitchen cabinets.
There are also chic add-ons available make the perfect kitchen cabinets. This includes lighting which is more of a necessity than an option. Lighting increases the aesthetic value, sets the right mood and provides necessary task lighting for daily work.
In addition to the artistic way of picking decorations for the unfinished cabinets, you can also save money for it is cheaper than those that completely concluded stained and sealed. This is an alternative way of getting the cheapest but perfect designed kitchen cabinets.…

Home Repair

Find New Remodeling Kitchen Ideas

Laura

So you are sick of your old kitchen? Tired of those boring countertops, old cabinets and scratched up floors? Need some new remodeling kitchen ideas? We’ve got plenty of ways to spruce up your kitchen, from a total redesign to a small facelift that remodels.
Kitchen designs can be simple, yet effective. The kitchen is no longer just serves a purpose, it is a room to be lived in and enjoyed by the whole family and by friends. It is a place to entertain and to provide the comfort and warmth that will spread through the entire household.
A great place to begin with remodeling kitchen ideas is to think of what you are attempting to accomplish. Do you want to bring color into your kitchen, do you need new appliances, are your floors in good condition and what about your counters and cabinets? If you just want to add a little style to your existing floor plan you can cut costs with cabinet refacing instead of brand new built cabinets or laminate countertops versus granite.
You can cut costs with flooring as well with laminate wood veneers versus real hardwood or tile. These options all look remarkably like the real deal but are much less pricey, leaving room for adding some stylish color with paint or tile back splashes, cushions, curtains and more accessories. These all give a new look that remodels. Kitchen headquarters is now the central hub of the home.
On a bigger budget, a complete renovation can really spark excitement. Creating a cooking island in the middle of the kitchen with a fireplace on one wall, a flat screen television mounted on the wall or in a new refrigerator, a couch, and a computer station can make for a grand kitchen design. Granite or marble countertops against dark oak cabinets and flooring with stainless steel appliances add to your remodeling. Kitchen ideas such as bringing in more light with floor to ceiling windows or bay windows work great and totally remodels.
Kitchen flooring can be heated with the new electric heating systems and are a must have for homes in the cooler climates, especially in winter. A cozy atmosphere where while someone is cooking they can be watching television with a loved one, while another family member is surfing the net on the computer or reading a book in the kitchen nook by the bay window. Everyone together in the same room creates a unity. And with today’s open floor plans, the design of the kitchen is ever more important.
If you want something in your home that really pops and completely remodels, kitchen updating is the way to go. Nothing says love more than cookies in the oven, hot chocolate on the stove, a fire burning and a nice comfy couch. Remodeling kitchen ideas abound and if you do a little research you are sure to find the kitchen of your dreams. Make it your mission to bring your family together in your new kitchen.…

Home Repair

Install Hardwood Floor The Easy Way

Laura

Discover The secret You Need To Install Hardwood Floor The Easy Way
If you are looking to install hardwood floor, you have many options. You may be looking to remodel your house or maybe you are planning new construction. Regardless, adding a new floor will make your home look great and add equity.
Natural woods of oak, pecan or maple are very fashionable in today’s homes. Tongue and groove is a great form of hardwood that could be used in areas of your home where a hardwood surface is needed.
You have so many options when it comes to flooring surfaces, you can do the work yourself or you may want to hire a hardwood floor installation team. If you want to do it yourself these tips will be of great help to you. This is how you install hardwood floor:
Once you get the hardwood planks delivered, allow them to sit in your house for at least seventy two hours. This allows the wood to adjust to the humidity. Next make sure that the sub flooring is even. After you have the sub flooring all squared up, find the center of the room. Start at the wall and measure outward. Mark the center with a chalk line.
Next you will want to strike a parallel chalk line. This one should be 1/4″ from the wall where you measured. You will run your first floor planks along this. This method will allow you to have room for humidity expansion with out having to try and re-adjust everything.
Allow the chalk line to guide your work. When you nail the flooring down keep the nails in close to the wall. This will allow you to adjust a shoe base after you are done. Just keep nailing down the planks. The tongue of one will fit into the groove on the next and so on. A�Now you know the secret used to installing a wonderful floor.
If the floor is unfinished your final step would be to sand it, and add the protective coat. After you are done with this step you will want to add your shoe base, molding or baseboard.…

Remodeling Contractors

Kitchen Renovations: Kitchen Makeover For Less Than You Think

Laura

They say: “Nothing sells homes like kitchens and bathrooms”. That is true: old kitchen cabinets with chipping paint, dated backsplash and appliances, last-century tiles and vanities – this all could be a major turn-off for potential buyers. On the contrary, updated fresh comfortable kitchen or bathroom can make a totally different impression of the house, even if other rooms need some improvements. And there is no wonder to that: kitchens and bathrooms are the most costly rooms to make renovations, especially the kitchen. But here are some ideas on how to freshen up the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank.
1. Cabinets. Sometimes there is no need to change the cabinets at all. If your cabinets are in a pretty good condition from inside, putting a coat of fresh paint of a modern color would be enough, just strip and sand the cabinets well before painting them. Don’t forget to update the hardware with a new one – you’ll be amazed how it changes the entire look of your kitchen.
2. Backsplash. Backsplash could be one of the most expensive parts of renovations. Tip: tilting only the area directly behind the stove creates a focal point and helps to save on materials and labour. Instead of tilting the entire backsplash, which would cost around $3000, you can paint the remaining area with a durable, scrubbable paint of color that would complement your cabinets.
3. Appliances. The selection of appliances at big-box stores has grown to include professional-looking models without the hefty price tags. Big-box stores often work closely with national manufacturers, so you can find a great product line at a comparatively fair price.
4. Countertops. Instead of buying expensive granite or concrete countertops you can tile the countertop area either with tile granite or ceramic tile. Local tile stores, like Home Depot or Lowes usually have a pretty good selection of tiles. A little bit more expensive option is to install modular granite or solid-surface. Modular granite is bigger than tile, but smaller than slab, meaning that slices of modular granite can be even installed by you. Solid-surface is the term for man-made, polymer-based countertop materials. It is relatively durable and strong. If you decide to opt for an expensive granite countertop, try to save on finding models that are on sale or the store is discontinuing them.
5. Accessories. Beautiful strategically placed accessories is an inexpensive way to complete the look of your kitchen. Couple of pictures on the wall and original vases or knick-knacks on the table or window would create a finished high-end look of your kitchen.…

Home Improvement Contractors

Decorating and Maintenance Tips for Travertine Tiles

Laura

Travertine tiles have quickly become a favorite of homeowners and decorators alike. These versatile flooring tiles can be used both indoors and out, and come in styles that can easily mimic more expensive cuts, like marble. They do require some special care and maintenance but even so, their unique look more than makes up for any special considerations that have to be taken.
A Stone with a Long History
Travertine tiles can be a bit expensive to obtain, but the look that they can give to any home more than makes up for the cost of having them installed. The history of their use dates back several hundred years and the best examples can still be found in the ruins dotting the countryside of Italy, Mexico, Peru and Turkey. The largest producer today for these unique flooring tiles is Italy, though domestic United States producers still do a fine business quarrying and aging travertine for sale in this country.
Styles and Finishes
Travertine can be order in one of two finishes: natural and filled. The natural stone look is one of the most popular choices when it comes to installing these tiles in an outdoor setting. The appearance of the stone is exactly how it looks once it is quarried and cut into tiles, resembling limestone in appearance. The overall look once it is installed is of an ancient walkway or floor section, where the stones within it are pitted and worn by the ages. If used around an outdoor area that sees a lot of traffic, like around a pool, they act as a natural safety barrier, as their composition and pitting offers a slip-proof surface, no matter how wet they get.
Inside the home, the preference tends to run towards the filled travertine. Highly polished to a glossy shine, these tiles can resemble marble and mosaic tile, depending on the composition of the stone when it was filled and polished. This makes them perfect for areas of the home that need to be showcased, but will experience little heavy traffic. Entryways and hallways are perfect for them, or larger rooms that will not see a lot of children or animals running through them. The filled and polished stones can be a bit slippery and are a bit more fragile than the natural stone.
Maintenance Tips
Using travertine outside of the home requires very little maintenance, just a quick washing with a hose occasionally. It is the tile used inside of the home that may require a bit more care than usual. The first thing to remember about using this natural stone in your home, especially in areas like the kitchen or bathroom, is that any spills will need to be wiped up, immediately. One reason that they are not often used in these rooms is because of the chance that an acidic juice or carbonated drink will be spilled on them, which can quickly ruin the polished finish if not taken care of.
Using commercial cleaners on travertine …

Basement Remodeling

Green Products

Laura

As more and more environmentally friendly products are coming to market, it seems only fair to mention the role of a few construction material products that are doing their part in helping to clean up the environment. Known as green construction or sustainable building methods, some of these innovations are quite interesting if not amazing. Goals of green building include being health conscious by decreasing pollution and toxins thereby limiting the impact on our environment. Also designed to conserve energy and valuable natural resources, many of these materials are quickly renewable such as fast growing bamboo used to manufacture flooring and paneling. Some products indirectly offer environmental benefits by conserving the water that would normally be an ingredient used to complete the final product such as cement used to mud-float showers and bath tubs in preparation for the installation of ceramic tile.
Although many building contractors and tradesmen are very negative when it comes to new products and techniques, these are usually old school veterans who are very set in their ways. You know the ones who live by the motto: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But in keeping an open mind, one will understand and soon admit that there may very well be superior products and techniques available today that were not available yesterday.
One product that comes to mind is a waterproof backer board designed to be applied directly to a tub or shower wall prior to the installation of ceramic tile. While there are several different manufacturers, the benefits are primarily the same and include:
A� Lightweight and easy to install over existing drywall or open studs.
A� Water conservation. Minimal water usage required.
A� No need to for a sand/cement mixture which can release toxins as bags are opened and mixed.
A� Minimal gray water or cement debris generated thereby making clean up easier both in the staging area as well as in the work area.
A� Installation options include flush surface or simulated mud-float.
A� Designs and specifications allow for soap and shampoo niches, shelves and seats, and even tub decks and bases.
If you are considering the installation of a new shower or tub ceramic tile surround and based on the benefits mentioned above, I think it would be prudent to at least investigate using a new product such as this. Not only will you be environmentally conscious and socially responsible but it just might save time and money.…

Renovation Costs

Hand Scraped Hardwoods Making a Splash in Spring of 2010

Laura

As winter comes to an end, and spring emerges, we think, ‘out with the old, in with the new!’ As new flowers bloom where snow once fell, homeowners are looking to give their homes the same vibrancy as a fragrant patch of lilies. In the hardwood flooring industry, this can be seen with hand scraped hardwood floors – the ‘it’ item for Spring 2010.
Hand scraped hardwood floors are a stunning addition to homes because of their classic, timeworn appearance. They exude artistry, craftsmanship, and most of all – character. The delicate accents can transform a widely-used, familiar species such as Oak into a rare masterpiece.
Two popular lines this Spring both come from Versini Hardwood Flooring – Versini Potenza Hand scraped and Versini Milano Hand scraped.
Versini Potenza features the classically beautiful, engineered maple and oak wood, with maple’s fine spores providing the perfect canvas for the smooth brushstrokes of the hand scraping. With the maple wood’s natural luster, the lines on the wood radiate throughout. The oak in this collection is softer than the strong character lines we’re used to seeing from oak, but it works with the softer palate of this collection.
The colors are vibrant golds and reds, but they’re not distracting. The most eye-catching hue in this collection, although there are several head-turners, would be the rich Maple Tavern or the fiery Oak Honeytone. All woods in this collection come in 5-inch planks and feature a 25-year warranty.
Versini Milano is a collection of golden, reddish-hued engineered floors, and features hickory or the exotic Brazilian cherry. These floors exude warmth and charisma, with the Milano Hickory Burnished arguably the front-runner, although Brazilian Cherry Natural is quite a showstopper itself. Woods in this collection also come in 5-inch planks and are backed by a 25-year warranty. This collection would be most comparable to LM Flooring’s Heritage Plank, but for a fraction of the price.
If you’re interested in upgrading your home this spring, talk to an authorized Versini Hardwood Floors retailer. You can learn more about the company and get a feel for Versini’s other product lines – all guaranteed to make a splash in your home this spring.…

Kitchen Renovation

11 Ways to Protect Yourself From Getting Hammered by a General Contractor

Laura

The smell of sawdust wafting through the air, the sounds of hammers and saws, stacks of building supplies, and workers in , it looks like someone is having some construction work done! And while all of the pieces and players are in place and all appears to be in order, looks can be deceiving. In fact, if you have hired a contractor that you know very little about then until the project is completed and proven acceptable, there is likely a certain amount of trepidation…unless, you have done your homework.

Before having any home or office remodel done, it is an absolute must that you take the time to protect yourself and your investments by doing all you can to make sure that your contractor is everything they should be. Sad to say, just because you have spent the time getting an assortment of bids, contacting the Better Business Bureau, checking with state and local consumer protection agencies, the local authorities in regard to any licensing or banding requirements and a host of other background related details, you still need to go a few steps farther to protect yourself from getting hammered at the end of the job.

Write It Down!

Once you have found the contractor for your job, you need more than a gentleman’s agreement. You are making a choice to spend a great deal of money and you need to make sure you understand what the cost will cover. Consequently, you need to get all agreements and promises in writing, before anything else is done. In addition, there is no crime in asking for clarification of any part of the contract you don’t understand. If you don’t understand something or are not in agreement, don’t sign the contract! A general construction contract should include:

The contractor’s name, address, phone number and fax number

A detailed description of all the work to be done

A description of materials-this includes brand names, size, weight, color, etc…

Beginning and finishing dates

Payment schedule. You want to pay as little up front as possible and make payments throughout the course of the project, with the right to withhold payment if at any time the work does not meet your satisfaction. Don’t agree to financing arrangements you cannot afford.

Any guarantees that the contractor is making or warranties regarding the workmanship

A statement allowing you to cancel the contract based on the laws of your state.

A statement allowing you to cancel the contract after work has begun if you find unexpected or hidden problems once the job has been started.

The contractor’s responsibility to secure permits; if you have to get the permit, do not sign!

The bonding and licensing numbers of the contractor

The contractor is responsible for paying any subcontractors, supply costs, equipment rentals, etc. before you make the final payment. If this is not done, you become liable for the charges!

Don’t be pressured into signing a contract that you have not read through or don’t understand!…

Room Additions

The Four Greatest Myths About Eco-Friendly Timber and Bamboo Flooring!

Laura

Myth 1
“All timber is environmentally friendly”
Not true! Tradition hardwood flooring taken from oak, bluegum, brushbox and other varieties, takes between 40 to 80 years to reach harvest maturity yet most will happily live-on for hundreds of years. Because these trees take so long to grow, animals, insects and plant life all have plenty of time to use the trees for homes and shelter and become well established. This means that harvesting of these trees is very destructive to the established life in, on and around the trees.
This destruction is also a lot worse than it could be due to traditional timber being from such large and heavy trees. This means that powerful, heavy and polluting machinery and equipment are needed to harvest the trees, compounding the damage and destruction.
Myth 2
“Bamboo is not as eco-friendly as traditional hardwood timber”
Again not true! Bamboo timber (technically from the grass family), is often described as an inferior flooring product by those who don’t understand it yet it has all the properties of hardwood and takes just five years to reach harvest maturity. It is also more than double the hardness of most hardwood timbers. Due to its light weight and prolific growth it is easily harvested with far less damage done to the ecosystem and environment.
It also doesn’t require re-planting as bamboo shoots will happily sprout again, fully replacing the harvest. This means that bamboo produces about 25 times more wood per acre per year than hardwood forests and it absorbs up to four times the amount of carbon as hardwood timber (Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting).
Myth 3
“If timber or bamboo is certified as eco-friendly then it must be”
Not true! Because of the lack of enforced and other standards in many large timber and bamboo producing nations, this means that quality systems are not in place to ensure that only the best or most “eco-friendly” products are shipped. Much of the time it’s nearly impossible to assess just how eco-friendly timber and bamboo flooring is without the company selling the product clearly spelling-out the international standards their products comply with.
Myth 4
Environmentally friendly finishes are much better than traditional finishes
Not true! Many of the “environmentally friendly” finishes used on timber products such as stains and oils are great for their small environmental benefits but often are not practical when used on timber and bamboo floors. This is particularly true when they are used in high-traffic areas where they won’t tend to last more than two years. This means that they will need to be reapplied multiple times which just isn’t practical in most homes when you have to shift all your furniture out of each room that’s being treated. They are also quite a bit more expensive, costing between 30 and 40% more on average over standard finishes, so it’s another catch that you need to be aware of.…

Room Additions

Working With Kitchen Contractors

Laura

If you are going to remodel your kitchen and you are not a do-it-yourself type of person, you will probably want to hire professional kitchen contractors who will be able to take care of all of the work for you. Before you hire a contractor though, you will need to do some preliminary work.
The first thing that you will want to do is decide on the style of kitchen that you want. If you are doing a full remodel and have no idea where you should begin, you can always hire a kitchen designer who will be able to help. Write down all of the things that you want to change in your kitchen and come up with an overall idea of how you want the kitchen to look. Take your ideas, listen to what the designer has to say, and then come up with a solid plan for the kitchen. If you have no ideas of your own, see what the designer has to offer.
Once you have your plan for the kitchen, you will be able to hire the kitchen contractors you need to finish the job. You can interview different contractors and get estimates from them. Ask them any questions that you might have, such as how long the remodel should take, if they have experience with the types of flooring, counters, cabinets, and fixtures that you want, and anything else that comes to mind. Choose the contractor with whom you feel the most comfortable and offers the most experience. You want to have a good working relationship with the contractor.
Before the kitchen contractors come to start work, you will want to prepare your home. It is a good idea to lay down a pathway on which they can walk without getting the rest of the house dirty. You can use plastic, although cheap strips of carpet are a better idea because there is less of a chance that someone could slip and fall. This protects the flooring underneath as well.
Because remodeling can cause dust, you might want to have covers for any furniture that might be nearby. Move any breakables out of their path. In general, you want to make it as easy as possible for the workers to be able to do their job without worrying about damaging your home.
Remodeling a kitchen can take some time as well as effort, but if you plan early and choose a great contractor, it isn’t that hard!…

Remodel Kitchen

Easy to Implement Kitchen Renovation Ideas

Laura

Is it time for you to renovate your kitchen? Are you tired of looking at the same dingy floor and the cabinets with mismatched hardware? Remodeling the kitchen is popular, and there are many options and kitchen renovation ideas that you can employ that do not take much time or effort.
Consider what type of kitchen you might want to have before you start calling around to contractors though. Do you want to have an ultra modern kitchen, or would you prefer a quaint country style kitchen. You should also consider the amount of space that you have. Knowing what you want ahead of time will make choosing the various pieces of the kitchen as well as the contractor much easier.
To give your kitchen a modern feel, you might want to replace your appliances with stainless steel versions. You can even have stainless steel countertops. They are easy to clean, sleek, and they look great. For a modern kitchen, you might want to have a flat screen TV mounted to the wall. You can watch your favorite cooking shows while you are preparing a meal, or watch the news while you have your coffee in the morning.
You will be able to find many different types of countertops, cabinets, hardware, and fixtures for your kitchen. If you like the cabinets you have and only want to replace other elements of your kitchen, you might still want to replace the hardware. Replacing the handles and knobs on cabinets and drawers is easy, something that you will be able to do on your own in less than an hour. Other easy kitchen renovation ideas are to strip the cabinets and the drawers and then paint them a different color. This is something that most people will be able to do in an afternoon.
You may find that you would rather hire a kitchen designer who will be able to come to your home and help you with the kitchen renovation ideas. He or she will have knowledge of the various types of flooring and cabinets that will look great in your house. You can listen to what the designer has to say, but make sure that you provide some ideas of your own so that the kitchen has some of your unique style. A new kitchen will make you feel great, and it will give your home a brand new feeling.…

Basement Renovations

3 Types of Floors to Choose for Your House

Laura

There are several factors that you need to consider before you decide the type of floor you want for your home. Whether you are building a new house or redesigning your old house, remember that a well-designed place is usually a very pleasant house to stay in as it will have the decor you needed. Once you understand just what it means to have great flooring, you will have a much clearer picture of why it is important to design and select flooring carefully. So what exactly are the types of floors that are available and what are some of their advantages and disadvantages?
• Tiled Floors: Tiles are one of the most popular flooring materials throughout the world. Many people go for these because they are, first of all, some of the cheapest materials available for flooring these days. The tile industry over the years has made remarkable progress in terms of quality and designing of the tiles. Another thing that makes tiles so appealing is the fact that they are very easy to maintain with regards to cleaning and repair work. Tiles are also very popular because they have a way of blending in with almost any type of walls in the house, and they enhance the beauty of the house without much effort being put into the whole project.
• Hardwood: Hardwood flooring is another type of flooring method that is widely used by homeowners from all over the world. This is because of the multiple advantages that it has. The main advantage is that hardwood flooring looks beautiful and adds a certain charm to the house that no other flooring can, and not to mention the hike it gives to the real estate value of the house. However, hardwood flooring is not cheap and you will also need to hire skilled professionals to lay down the floor. Another point to be kept in mind about this type of flooring is that it is not easy to maintain. It requires careful cleaning, polishing and, of course, let’s not forget the dangers of termites. If you do not take care, you just might find your floor eaten right out from under your feet.
• Vinyl: If practicality is your thing when it comes to flooring, then vinyl is certainly the best material for you. Vinyl floorings are the cheapest of the lot and also the easiest to maintain. They are also available in various designs, so if you want that wooden flooring look and cannot afford real wood flooring then vinyl is certainly the way to go. The other thing that makes this a great option for flooring material is the fact that it is very durable. This material can also be used in almost any type of climatic condition that exists in a given area.
These are just a few and most basic of flooring techniques that you can use to make your house a great place to live. The choice however, is dependent on many factors …

Kitchen Renovation

Small Changes Can Work Wonders In Kitchen Remodeling

Laura

The choice to kitchen remodel must include allowing time for the project to be completed properly. Some planning should be incorporated into the preparation for a kitchen renovation, like decisions as to what needs replacing and the products, brands and types of materials to be used. Such planning should happen before the project gets underway. When the assignment to kitchen remodel has been clearly stated and understood, work can begin. Of course, kitchens can be remodeled for many reasons and any of the individual elements in the kitchen can be changed singly or in addition to other alterations made in the room at that time.
For instance, maybe the sink basin and faucet needs to be updated. The homeowner should consider the decor desired in the completed project. If the look is to be modern, one of the popular stainless steel sinks might work well. For a more French provincial appearance, a deep stone basin with a rustic brushed brass faucet might be both attractive and practical, enhancing the entire ambiance of the kitchen.
For a facelift, new lighting and wall color may be all that is needed, so the project will not take long to be finished. Brighter and strategically placed lights can really improve the place where food is prepared. Also, thought should be given to the balancing of color and light. Changing the paint color on one wall to match better with the appliances or in contrast to the cabinetry can make a profound difference.
Actually, color is mood altering. No matter what the transformation elements in the room are undergoing, the colors chosen are always significant. Darker colors can make the atmosphere more intimate. Neutral colors are more calming as are pastels. Light, as well as bright, colors can be exciting and add cheer.
Another thing to keep in mind when improving the kitchen, is that one modification can lead to another. It is important to stick closely to the budget established from the beginning, but that budget should allow for some additions that are needed as the work progresses. For instance, after new cabinetry is installed, it may become obvious that the window treatment originally in place no longer fits.
So, to kitchen remodel, all that is needed is to have one component changed out, but additional renovation may be more affordable and easier to achieve than the homeowner believes. Facelifts can be amazing. Still, even small projects can do wonders and greatly improve the appearance and functionality of the kitchen space.…

Remodeling

Historic Facts About Tiles

Laura

Tiles can be defined as the decor elements that have really faced up all the challenges of time. Their history is indeed impressive, and the ultimate evidence in this sense is any piece of art decorated by tiles. Unlike other pieces of decor, the tiles are considered an international value. As a matter of fact each culture has explored the aesthetic benefits of tiles in so many ways. The evolution of these items can be taken for the reflection of the cultural transformation throughout the entire world, to a certain extent.
The earthenware pottery has witnessed the medieval events. Later on, the tiles have undergone the major transformation of the industrial era. Irrespective of the historical stage, the earthenware pottery is uniquely adjusting. For the time being, the never-ending spectrum of designs, colors and surfaces seems to successfully serve the requirements of the modern technology-oriented era. Considering this undeniable adjustability, we may say that tiles have been standing for a fundamental stage in the decor art ever since the medieval stage.
However, we need to highlight the fact that each historical stage had its favorite. One or few types of tiles have been the shining stars over a certain stage in time. For instance, the applestone limestone is particularly adored by the latest trends in interior decorating.
This exquisite kind of tile is widely appreciated for the natural-looking appearance. Since simple and non-lavish domestic settings are now very popular, the applestone limestone is gaining more and more ground.
Even though the past centuries were dominated by opulence and the tiles of that era are a replica of that particular taste in fashion, now, things are on a different track, in terms of home decor. Along with the decor-oriented advantages both indoors and outdoors, the tiles have kept their value unaltered over the centuries due to various benefits that usually come along with their installation. The primary role of the tile is beyond any shadow of a doubt, the coverage. Thereof, insulation and protection are some of the best reasons people still prefer the tiles to other options launched by the modern technologies.…

Kitchen Remodel

Coordinate a Home Upgrade With Different Rooms and Contractors

Laura

In a time where the housing market is slow, it is easier and more practical to upgrade the home one already has, rather than buy a new one when things start appearing worn and tired. This can be done by combining the projects with several reliable contractors that work well together. They can coordinate the work so that one does not step on the toes of the others or has to rip up work that has already been completed to start their own portion of a project.
Kitchen
Often the focal point of families, the kitchen sees a lot of activity. A kitchen renovation in Northern Virginia can give the entire room a facelift in functionality and decor. A kitchen sink and its surrounding countertop areas should be a clean and functional set-up. A small sink with turning faucets can be replaced with a sink made from one, two or three sturdy basins made from natural stone, stainless steel or ceramics with multiple features added to the faucet area. Replacement counters should complement the sink and cabinets. They should cater to the routines and purpose of the person using them the most. Some surfaces are better for cutting and preparing meats and vegetables. For the baker, rolling dough is easy on some surfaces and not others. One of the more popular changes in kitchen home remodeling is the increase in cabinet space.
Natural Stone Surfaces
Marble, soapstone and granite flooring add a touch of elegance and can upgrade the look and feel of any room in the home. For example, natural stone flooring is easy to maintain, providing a clean finish to hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and even stairwells. It is a practical replacement for damaged wood floors, burnt Formica countertops or cracked ceramic bathroom tiles. Using a reliable granite or marble Northern Virginia contractor to perform the installation assures proper handling of the materials and creation of a level surface. The floor surface can also be coordinated with other natural stone products in the home, particularly in the bathroom or kitchen. This might include countertops, end tables and fixtures.
Home Waterproofing Services
When considering the long-term durability of a home, its foundation and infrastructure are crucial. The telltale signs of water damage are slow to appear. Leaks accumulate and grow over time. Multiple turns of water and moisture affect a home’s roof basement, creating damage more to he walls and foundation. A quality waterproofing Northern Virginia contractor can prevent or repair the bows, buckles and wood rot. Water enters a basement five different ways. Whether practicing preventive maintenance or shoring up an existing problem, a qualified waterproofing contractor can extend the longevity of a home.…

Home Renovation

The Kitchen As a Selling Point

Laura

The kitchen is a top selling feature in most homes. It’s one of the central rooms in the house, and some families spend a lot of time in the kitchen, cooking together and entertaining. So how do you make sure your kitchen is up to date and ready for presenting to sellers?
The answer is to take inventory of what your kitchen has and what it needs. Odds are if you’ve been living in the house for a number of years, your kitchen will probably at least need some updating. The best way to decide what needs renovating is to hire a kitchen designer.
Someone who specializes in the area of kitchen remodeling and improvements can be of great assistance in making these decisions. They may lead you through a kitchen sales showroom so you can get an idea of what a modern kitchen looks like. You may not even realize that your kitchen is out of date, but seeing these examples can really open your eyes and help you choose what improvements need to be made.
Your kitchen should be modern and meet the needs of the average family. It should also have a neutral color scheme. This is important for buyers to be able to imagine how the room will fit in with their own tastes. Having deep red walls may make the kitchen feel warm to you, but it may be off-putting to some buyers.
Make sure you have ample cabinets and counter space. A kitchen with little storage or preparation surface will not be very attractive to a lot of buyers. Appliances may also be a selling point. Modern, convenient, and energy-efficient appliances are important to a lot of people. Fixtures and lighting are also simple changes that can be made to update a kitchen.
When selling your home, keep in mind that your tastes are not the most important thing in a kitchen renovation. Hire a designer to help you keep things neutral and functional, and the improvements you make may end up acting as a great investment.…

Kitchen Renovation

Epoxy Flooring: An Introduction

Laura

Epoxy flooring is a way of sealing and protecting concrete floors. An epoxy coating can prolong the life of your floor, and also achieve a great look. An epoxy floor is created when a protective resin is applied over the top of an existing concrete slab. This epoxy resin is clear, and will create a glossy but non-slip surface. These kinds of resins are often used over specialist flooring like terrazzo or marble.
Epoxy is a hard and durable material, which is why it is well suited to flooring applications. A floor sealed with epoxy will have a long life dealing with a large amount of traffic. Epoxy is also waterproof and dust proof, meaning that cleaning a sealed floor is quick and easy.
For many years epoxy was used in industrial settings for its affordability and durability. Recently, the designer appeal of epoxy has increased. With a wide range of concrete finishes available, as well as choices in resin, epoxy is being used to create great looking floor finishes in shops, offices, and private homes.
Epoxy Floors in the Home
Epoxy is used in many domestic settings. If you are considering a polished concrete floor, a coloured aggregate floor, or other specialised surface, then chances are it will be sealed with an epoxy resin. Many people with allergies or asthma choose epoxy floors because of the low levels of dust and other allergens. Because it’s easy to clean and doesn’t attract dust and dirt, epoxy is also a hygienic choice of floor covering. Many young families are electing for this type of flooring in traffic areas and living zones.
Industrial and Commercial Settings
Their high level of hardness, durability, and economic viability make epoxy sealants a sensible choice for workplaces. For factories and workshops, epoxy flooring can be strong enough to hold a truck without cracking, but also functional for storage, as well as staff. There is no problems with concrete dust, and cleaning is also easy. Epoxy is a good option for hygienic areas such as kitchens and toilets, as it is waterproof and repels dust, it’s well suited to these kinds of areas.
Retail Spaces
Hard-wearing, durable, and affordable epoxy floors are a popular choice among restaurants, cafes, shops, shopping centers, and other retail spaces. It looks great, can take a high amount of traffic, and is also easy to clean up when things go wrong. While practical, epoxy flooring can also be stylish. Choosing a coloured aggregate mix or other designer flooring options can create a wide variety of different finishes.
The Benefits
The cost of an epoxy floor is comparable to that of other flooring types. The real advantage is the durability that these kinds of floors have, along with their good looks. This ind of flooring is also ideal if you have damaged flooring currently. Epoxy can be used to level out problem areas and ensure and even surface. Epoxy flooring is a true low maintenance option.…

Home Renovation

A Compact Kitchen Can Be Efficient, Elegant and Inviting

Laura

Utilize Space Function is first.

Every kitchen requires room for food preparation, while some may also serve as dining areas. Whatever your needs may be, these tips can help.

Fill your space with mobile furniture that will not interfere with cooking.

A folding drop table and wheeled serving cart will stay out of the way until

you choose to use them.

Take advantage of vertical space by installing wall cabinets that extend

towards the ceiling. Using consistent colors will prevent you from a closed-in

look.

Keep pots and pans on a hanging rack instead of inside cabinets. You will

open storage for other items while creating a professional restaurant look.

Store less commonly used appliances (such as fondue pots and bread makers)

outside of the kitchen.

Consider a compact all-in-one pre-manufactured kitchen. These come as one

unit prebuilt. They include the most common kitchen elements such as a sink,

cooktop, refrigerator and counter top. Some will have options for storage area

such as shelving for peripheral appliances (microwave ovens).

Create an Illusion

Now that you have made the most of your space, the next step is to make it seem like you have more.

Recessed lighting will make a space appear larger than it is.

Keep the floor color similar to cabinets and appliances to make space seem

wider.

Make sure the flooring and wall design smoothly transition into the next

room to avoid a choppy look.

Choose sleek furniture that lets light shine through and brighten the kitchen.

Celebrate Your Style

There is no place like home, and no place that feels more like home than your kitchen. No matter how tight your space may be, there is always room for personal refinement.

Match your oven mitts and towels to your kitchen design for style that serves

a purpose.

Hang decorative mugs on a rack for a display that frees cabinet space for

other items.

Use matching utensils for a cleaner look that does not feel cluttered.…

Renovation House

10 Questions to Ask Your Hardwood Flooring Supplier

Laura

10 Questions to Ask Your Hardwood Flooring Supplier Before Purchasing
1. If there are any problems, who do I call?
Most flooring stores will be buying the flooring they are selling to you from a distributor who purchases the flooring from the manufacturer. Sometime, especially with products coming from overseas there is more than one distributor involved. In many cases if you have an issue with your flooring and complain to the retailer they will call the distributor and let them know there is a complaint, the distributor will tell the manufacturer there has been a complaint. In most cases the manufacturer will deny the complaint and if you are lucky they will even send a representative to deny your claim in person. Most retailers would correct a manufacturing problem to make their customers happy because they are the ones dealing with the customers face to face but in reality they do not have the final say unless they want to replace the flooring out of their own pocket. The manufacturer is so far removed from the actual client that they know it is better for their bottom line to deny the claims and assume they will never have to deal with the issue because they are so protected by their warranties. Picture a person at a desk with a pile of hardwood flooring claims on their desk with a big stamp that says “denied”.
2. How durable is the finish?
Durability is probably the most important things to consider when purchasing a prefinished hardwood floor. The finish is what you are actually walking on and must be very durable to have a beautiful lasting floor for years to come. Many imported prefinished floors have very little durability and the finish can be taken off with a few swipes of 150 grit sandpaper. When buying hardwood there are a few ways to test the finish: one would be to take 150 grit sandpaper and rub the finish to see if the finish will come off and two would be to firmly press the edge of a coin against the finish, a quality finish will dent but not come off. Quality manufacturers will have aluminum oxide or better yet titanium oxide hardeners in the finish. Many offshore manufactured products will say they have aluminum oxide in them but actually do not. To test if a hardwood floor has aluminum oxide in the finish simply put the sample in your microwave and if it sparks, it does indeed have aluminum oxide in the finish. I know that may seem a little strange but it’s something worth checking because hardwood flooring is a big investment and you want to know the durability of the finish.
3. What is the structural and surface warranty?
This is a very important part of choosing a hardwood floor. Anyone can put a 25, 30, or 40 year warranty on the finish of their product but the real question is; will they stand behind their warranty. Many large …

Renovation Costs

Tow-Behind Chipper Shredders

Laura

Tow-behind chipper shredders are intended to be attached behind a lawn mower or a large tractor. Chipper shredders can be subdivided into four classifications, there’s the PTO or power take off type, there’s a self-powered shredder, vacuum shredders and the wood chippers. For the PTO chipper, they don’t have their own motor so they’re not able to work as a stand alone shredder. However, this type is most advisable for those who are mowing a larger garden or a commercial farm. The vacuum shredders are towed behind garden tractors. A discharge adaptor vacuum is one of its distinguishing parts. The vacuum transports the shredded organic materials into a large container or a storage bin. The wood chipper, as the name implies, is built for the shredding or chipping pieces of wood. And lastly, the self-powered tow-behind chippers shredders are heavyweight machines for larger pieces of land. They have more specialized feature and are able to grind bigger organic waste materials.
You can check out websites that offer tow-behind chipper shredders. Most of these sites will provide you with all the necessary information that you need regarding a certain brand or model. Comparisons and reviews can also be of help. You can also check out the best models or types that are being widely-used, so you are assured that your pick is the best in terms of performance. But for those who would want o see and feel the product before buying, visiting your local stores or shops is recommended. This way you can compare instantly and most sales persons are well-trained and are equipped with all the information that you need. Compatibility with your lawn mower or tractor is very important, so you know that the chipper shredder works well. To help you choose which one to pick, you can also consider the model or the brand that has spare parts which are sold separately in case one specific part breaks down you won’t need to purchase the whole machine.
The introduction of this gardening tool is probably one of the biggest innovations in the field of gardening, landscaping or composting. You are also able to help the environment if you use such machines. Not only that you can also save money, because you are not obliged to buy commercial fertilizers just to make your garden soil or farm soil healthy. The organic wastes, when properly cultured and turned into mulch or compost can work as an effective fertilizer. However, there are certain things that you need to know so you can be able to produce quality compost out of your farm or garden waste.
Proper maintenance and care are also provided in the machine’s manual. It is best to follow them so you can be sure that your gardening equipment will last longer and function well. Be responsible for the things that make your life and your work easier. That way you are able to save time and most especially money. You can then allocate these savings for more …

House Improvements

Laminate Floor

Laura

A laminate floor offers more options than any other type of flooring. It’s often seen as the best choice for flooring needs, regardless of price, mainly because of its superior selection and the ease of installing laminate flooring. You can be sure that laminate floor will give you the look you want for your home, and probably at a considerably lower cost than what it emulates. With options like walnut, cherry, beech, maple, merbau, and oak laminate flooring, there’s sure to be something you’ll want. Laminate wood floors are a lot more durable than the so called real thing, and are very easy to clean as laminate floor cleaner can be found nearly anywhere and is not terribly expensive.
Introduced to the US market around ten years ago, laminate floor is still fairly new to us. Even so, it has already become one of the most popular types of floor in the US today. Durability, low prices, and ease of installation are among the reasons that laminate floors are so popular. Homeowners throughout the country have purchased billions of square feet of laminate, and even more has been sold worldwide. Wood laminate floor is often placed in new homes in many new subdivisions, but it can also be used as a replacement floor in older homes to modernize their interiors.
Flooring manufacturers have picked up on the wood laminate floor trend quite quickly, and are already producing laminated planks and tiles in a dizzying array of textures, styles, and colors. Installation formats also vary, including click lock, glue down, and floating, just to name a few. With there being so many options as far as installation formats, pretty much anyone can install their own laminate floor, should they so choose.
The companies Armstrong and Pergo have become household names through their laminate floors. Lots of other manufacturers are also making names for themselves by bringing to market surprisingly high quality discount laminate flooring and finishes that would delight any customer.
Armstrong likes to tout their SwiftLock laminate flooring which, like Quick Step laminate flooring, is marketed on ease of installation. Both companies seem to be betting on lots of people peforming their own laminate floor installation. Pergo is quite proud of their walnut laminate flooring, though their maple laminate flooring is also quite popular.
Because of the myriad of choices available to them, buyers often become confused when trying to pick the correct laminate floor for their needs. AC Ratings and various groove and tongue systems make decisions even harder. As laminate floors have not been around for all that long, the options will surely expand and become even more confusing as time goes by. No matter how complicated it gets, though, there will always be someone willing to attempt their own laminate flooring installation.
Wood laminate flooring is available both from the Internet and from your local hardware store. It would be wise to check around so you can see just how affordable it can be, and the hardware …

Kitchen Renovation

Kitchen Hardwood Flooring – Is It a Really a Great Idea to Have Hardwood Flooring in Your Kitchen?

Laura

It is common to have hardwood flooring in most rooms but not in kitchen because of regular wetting on the floor that can possibly affect the durability of the wood material. Most homeowners like this particular type of flooring because it provides warm and pleasant feel that can create additional value to their houses. It seems that bad things would happen to the floor if you insist to install such flooring in your kitchen – for instance, unnecessary cracks and warps on the floor due to the overly exposure to the water.
Should you abandon the idea of having a wooden floor in your kitchen or go ahead with the idea of installing it and neglect the unwanted consequences when it is exposed to water?
The ideal answer is – you can actually install hardwood flooring in your kitchen but you need to take note of few things below:
1. Choose such flooring with polyurethane finish – Be sure that you choose flooring which contains polyurethane finish, which has water resistant properties and it provides long-lasting effect. In addition, such flooring requires little waxing – perhaps 1-2 times per year. Therefore, do not choose unfinished flooring as unexpected wetting of kitchen floor can affect the lifespan of the flooring materials over a long period of time.
2. Choose the right hardwood material – Kitchen is a place where inhabitants would regularly visit especially when someone wants to prepare meal, washing dishes and other daily activities that you can do in the kitchen. Therefore, you need to choose certain species of wood floors such as ash, maple or oak which is more durable than cheery, fir and pine wood floors.
3. Fix any possible holes, dings and dents on the floor – Whenever you have found any holes, dings and dents on it, you need to mend the deformities of the floor before the condition gets worse when it is exposed to high amount of water. It is wisely that you contact a flooring repair service to deal with this issue.
4. Choose engineered hardwood flooring – It is basically made of sandwich of several laminations of wood which includes both finish wood (on the surface) and unfinished plywood (underneath. Furthermore, it is capable to tolerate high moisture conditions which are suitable to be installed in kitchen and bathroom. Apart from that, it can be sanded in order to remove unwanted ding and dents, and scratches on it but it can only be done 1-2 times.
5. Ask help from flooring experts – Before you start installing it in your kitchen, you need to seek professional advice from flooring experts so that you can have a perfect flooring kitchen without worrying about the unwanted effects that could possibly spoil the whole flooring materials.
Hope that you would be able to have your own favorite hardwood flooring in your kitchen by considering these few things mentioned earlier. It is a better option than tile flooring, which is much harder to maintain on …

Remodeling

Floor Damage Creates Financial Problems For Homeowner

Laura

If you’re a homeowner who has a wood floor in their home, I’ve got a story that you definitely need to read. It’s about a family who didn’t listen to my advice and ended up with one of the largest home repair bills that I ever seen. All of this could have been avoided but it wasn’t.
It was probably around 20 years ago, when I was giving an estimate to a homeowner for room addition and I noticed that a small area of their wood floor was damaged and buckling. I told them that this was a sign of moisture and that it should be fixed as soon as possible, even before you build the room addition.
After I gave the homeowner a price for the room addition, he decided not to do it, but I reminded him about the wood floor damage and he told me that he didn’t have the money right now, but would call me when he did. I hear things like this on a regular basis and realize that some things aren’t a priority to some people. Obviously this wasn’t a priority to this man and he wasn’t planning on making any home repairs at this time.
The homeowner said that he didn’t have the money at this time, but you need to think about, what it will cost in the future. The home damage repair bill was just under $10,000 it could have been fixed for under $1000 at the time I gave him an estimate on his room addition.
This homeowner chose to wait until his daughter fell through the damaged wood floor and got stuck. The young girl was fine, but the parents weren’t. They now had medical expenses added on to their home repair bill.
Stuff like this happens every day and it happens to a lot of people every day. If you don’t want to become part of the statistics and you’re not interested in spending a lot of money, you should make any home repairs you can as soon as possible. Especially the ones that create safety problems for your family like floor damage.…

Basement Remodeling

Great Ways to Shop at a Kitchen Store

Laura

If you love your kitchen, you could probably wander through a kitchen store for days. In your mind, you’ll be trying out tile, countertops, and cabinets in your own kitchen, preparing for yet another remodel. This isn’t always a healthy or smart way to shop, though, especially if you ever want to actually get that remodel done. Before you head to the kitchen store the next time around, try one of these shopping methods to help you complete your trip more quickly and get to the remodeling part even faster.
On some trips, you really do just need to look around. This is true if you’re getting ready to do a kitchen remodel but aren’t quite sure what you want to do. In this case, take a notebook. If the store manager will let you, take a camera to snap some pictures, as well. If you’re going to paint your kitchen, grab some paint chips from the hardware store to take along, as well. On this trip, all you’re doing is gathering ideas and taking notes on the colors, textures, and particular items that you like best. Make sure you’re descriptive enough that you can actually remember what you were looking at when you wrote down your notes!
Once you know what you need, it’s time to start making lists before your next trip to the kitchen store. If you’re like a lot of people, your remodel will go in stages. You’ll probably head to the store more than a couple of times during a full remodeling session. Think through all the things you need to do and the order in which you need to do them. If, for instance, you’re painting your cabinets and replacing countertops, you’ll probably need to rip out the old countertops and then paint the cabinets before replacing the countertops again.
Either way, at this point, you should be going into the kitchen store armed with a detailed list of everything you need. Write down measurements, quantities, and as much other information as you can. This way, you get just what you need, and you don’t have to come back to the store when you aren’t ready to be back there quite yet. This will make the remodeling process work more quickly so that you can get your kitchen function and beautiful before you know it.…

Remodeling Contractors

What Type of Wood Is Best for Replacing Kitchen Cabinets?

Laura

Once you have decided to remodel your kitchen, the biggest question you are going to face is what type of new cabinets to install. Today, there are many more options available than when your old kitchen cabinets were made. There are hundreds of door styles to choose from, a myriad of stain options and finishes plus different types of wood which each have their own unique features.
There are five basic types of wood used in cabinet construction. Cherry, Oak, Soft Maple, Hard Maple and Hickory. Oak is the type of wood that you probably most associate with cabinetry, it is very durable and abundant. The grain in oak is a little more pronounced than the other woods and the color will range from a light tan to dark brown. Cherry has also been used for years in producing high end cabinets and furniture. It isn’t as hard as oak but is still strong and stiff and easy to work with. The grain in cherry wood is finer than oak and it can range in color from almost white to reddish brown.
As homeowners looked for new options to get away from Oak or Cherry, Maple and Hickory have become increasingly popular in recent years. Maple comes in two varieties soft and hard. The soft maple from the Red Maple tree or Silver Maple has the consistency and weight of cherry while hard maple from the Sugar Maple or Black Maple tree is harder and stronger like oak. Both of the maples have a very fine grain and tend to be lighter in color than oak or cherry. The hard maple will be a little bit darker than the soft maple.
Hickory is also growing in popularity in the kitchen. Cabinets made of this wood are very strong and durable. The hickory wood comes from the Shagbark and Butternut trees and provides a great deal of color options ranging from almost white to dark brown. Hickory takes to staining very well which will show off the grain patterns and texture. With Hickory you are also getting the sturdiest wood in America, the stuff that the pioneers built their wagons out of.
When choosing the type of wood for your cabinets, remember that even with each individual type there can be a great deal of variation in color and grain pattern. If you have a large kitchen, you might want to go with a darker wood or stain but if it is a small room then a lighter color of cabinets will make the area seem more open. The great thing about choosing wood cabinets is that they are very easy to maintain. Simply wipe them down occasionally with a damp cloth and dry. Do not use too much water because the moisture can damage the wood. Ask your manufacturer for an extra quart of the stain that was used on the cabinets in case you have to do some touch up work later on.…

Remodeling Contractors

Vinyl Flooring Prices – How to Estimate Cost

Laura

When it comes to computing for vinyl flooring prices, it is important to remember that the cost of vinyl tiles or sheets is not the only thing that you need to consider. There are other costs involved in laying vinyl flooring.
For instance, you need to take into consideration labor expenses just in case you do not want to do your own vinyl floor or you need to hire someone to remove your old tiles, carpets or other flooring materials before you can start laying vinyl flooring. Read on to learn important tips on how you can estimate the costs when you change your flooring to vinyl.
The first thing that you need to consider, when thinking of the cost of your vinyl flooring is the price of tiles or sheets. The price of each tile will depend on its size as well as design and quality. Most common vinyl tiles are 18 by 18 and 12 by 12 inches. If you plan to change a huge area, you can also opt to use vinyl sheets, which can either be 12 or 6 feet wide. If you are really on a tight budget, there are $1 vinyl tiles.
However, if you want to make sure that the quality and design will last a long time, you might want to invest in vinyl sheets or tiles that cost around $2 to $5 per square foot. So, if you plan to renovate your 10-by-20-foot kitchen, for example, you will have to shell out $400 to $1,000 for vinyl tiles or sheets.
Aside from the tiles or sheets, you also need to include the cost of labor when estimating your vinyl flooring prices. For simple projects, the cost of vinyl installation can be about $1 per square foot. There are also vinyl flooring suppliers who offer free installation, so you might want to inquire about that.
However, if your sub-floor surface has problems and needs to be smoothed out before the installation of vinyl materials, you should expect higher fees. Be sure to ask several installers so you can compare their fees.
Another thing that you need to consider when computing for vinyl flooring expense is the price of vinyl adhesives.
Although there are vinyl tiles or sheets that are self-adhesive, you may still buy special vinyl adhesives to ensure that the vinyl tiles in areas that have high foot traffic will not easily peel off. The prices of vinyl adhesives can range from $9 to $30.…

Home Remodeling

Repairing Your Home and Keeping the Price Low

Laura

When it comes to home repairs keeping the price low while still achieving your goals can become very difficult. Many times it necessary to use a home repair contractor because the repair is too much or too detailed of a job for you to complete on your own. However it can be very cost efficient if you can find a way to do some of your home repairs on your own. There are many information outlets to help guide you to a successful end of your project. If you have the right tools, the time, and a general knowledge of repair it can be the difference of hundreds of dollars in expense.
There are many small home repairs that must be done every once and awhile around the house that is very beneficial to be able to fix on you own. Most sink drains especially bathroom sinks are gonna clog from time to time. With all the hair that goes down those drains and the general small size of the piping it is almost a given that it will clog up on you. While unclogging those drains may be a very dirty job it can save you a lot of money in the long run to roll up your sleeves and take the pipe apart.
Some other reoccurring home repairs that you will probably want to attempt on your own are: painting, gutter cleaning, wallpapering, tiling, repaving a driveway, and other modern inconveniences. It is very important that before you attempt your repair or remodel on your own you make sure that you have a good idea of how to get the job done. It may end up costing you more in the long run if you start a repair and have to call in outside help in the middle of the project, or if you damage something else in the home.
There might be times when the work that a job takes seems to overwhelming or you may not have the right tooling for the job. This is when you might have to think about bringing in outside help to assist you in your repair. When searching for the right home improvement contractor you are gonna want to access exactly what you want done and how much you are willing to spend on the project. Then you will have to call in different contractors to give you an estimate on the project. Most home improvement companies will give you a free estimate.
It is a very good idea to get more than one estimate to try to find the best price you can. Also if you think you might be able to attempt the project on your own you may be able to get some free tips from the contractor by asking them questions about what steps they will take if you chose them to do the job. They might give you enough information to do the job. If you do end up calling in a contractor you might …

Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen Design Tips – 5 Ideas You Can Do In A Weekend

Laura

Looking for kitchen design tips that will add character and charm, but won’t break the bank? The secret to innovative yet inexpensive kitchen renovation ideas is in the finishing touches. Try these 5 kitchen design tips and see what a lift attention to small details can bring.
1. Open your uppers – Remove the doors on your upper cabinets to give a more contemporary and a more spacious and sand down holes left from the hinge paint or finish natural.
Paint or finish the interiors to match the lower , paint the cabinet interiors an accent color for some extra flair.
2. Splashy Seconds – Transform the look of your kitchen with a new full height tile back-splash. By full height, I mean the space between the top of your lower cabinets to the bottom of your uppers–usually about 18 inches (45 – 46 cm).
Because the area is relatively small, material costs for your back-splash will normally be , you can really cash in on some high-end savings by buying seconds. These are tiles with imperfections–most of them barely noticeable, if at all. I have found great deals on some of the more expensive tiles. Many outfits sell these tiles by the pound…usually 50% to 80% off.
Some clients even request seconds because they feel the flaws and blemishes bring character.
3. Vintage-look Flooring – Add some pizazz with a new floor made of old-school material: linoleum.
Linoleum tiles are easy to to , naturally anti-microbial.
Take a look at what Marmoleum has to offer. Their tiles come in a ton of different shades – including brights like greens, reds and blues. They average about $4.99 US per square foot. Also check out tiles by Mannington and TrafficMaster.
4. Hardware Heaven – Update your cabinets by changing out the knobs or pulls as we call them.
If your cabinets have a natural wood finish, you’ll probably want to find new hardware with the same “footprint” as your old stuff, so that the new pulls cover the old screw holes. If your cabinets are painted, you can fill and touch up any old holes or marks. If there are no pulls currently on your cabinets then the world’s your oyster.
You’ll be amazed at how this simple kitchen design idea can update things. It’s like putting on the right jewelry. Check out your local Home Improvement Center, most have good try an online store like Restoration Hardware for a truly impressive selection of cabinet pulls.
5. Rack Em Up – Install a pot rack and save on valuable cabinet space.
This design idea takes a couple hours. It adds a touch of class to any , I love them because I can always find the pot I’m looking for instantly. Also at Restoration Hardware and available too through Crate and Barrel where they start at $120.00 US.
I hope these kitchen design tips inspire you. I want you all to realize that you can work on your own spaces even …

Bathroom Remodel

Two Reasons to Buy Brazilian Hardwood Flooring – Beauty and Durability

Laura

Anyone who wants to install beautiful hardwood floors in their home needs to take a look at exotic Brazilian Cherry flooring materials. Not only does this wood have beautiful graining and natural color, but it also is one of the most durable woods available. It is especially desirable, because even though it doesn’t dent easily, if a time comes when you want or need to refinish it, it sands easily and takes stain well. These are all characteristics that make Brazilian cherry hardwood one of the most recommended solid wood floors on the market.
Everyone who installs hardwood floors wants them to be durable. You may have seen floors in some homes that are scratched and pitted and thought you’d never want to trade in your carpets for wood. Some woods using for flooring are soft, though, and become damaged much easier than others do. Brazilian cherry is the ideal material to use, because it is so hard. On the Janka Hardwood Hardness Scale, it has a rating of 2820 out of a possible 4000 which makes it one of the hardest woods around. In fact, you really wouldn’t want anything much harder, because even this hard cherry requires some extra effort in cutting and nailing.
Problems with cutting and nailing are obstacles that aren’t difficult to get around, though, so don’t worry. Special saw blades and pre-drilling of nail holes will help your cherry floors become a reality. Although this will create a bit more work in laying the floor, the beauty and durability of the finished product will make the extra effort well worth your while. After all, what’s the point of laying a floor that’s going to start looking tacky after a few months of family use?
Brazilian cherry flooring is available either pre-finished or unfinished. The wood itself can range from a dark orange to a reddish-brown in its natural state. When choosing a floor, you need to realize that the color will probably darken over time. In addition, exposure to direct sunlight can lighten it. Prefinished floors are finished with multiple coats of scratch resistant polyurethane varnish to increase the floor’s durability. After all, any floor will only be as tough as the top surface. Inferior varnishes will become badly scratched making your floor look dull, so make sure that your flooring has the best possible varnish, whether you purchase it prefinished or do the job yourself.…

Home Renovation

Find Ideas in Kitchen Showrooms

Laura

Kitchen showrooms are really fun places for creative home remodelers to be. They’re like an artists’ colony for a budding artist, a film festival for a new director, or a gourmet restaurant for a chef. They are the place where ideas are born, transformed, and turned into something wholly unique. If you’re in the process of remodeling, it’s essential that you head to a showroom to get the latest ideas for your kitchen. It might seem like a silly thing to do, especially if you already have a ton of ideas, but it can actually help you out in a lot of ways.
For one thing, in a showroom, things are already put together for you. This gives you a chance to juxtapose certain popular new items. Maybe you really love dark cabinets, and you really love a particular type of backsplash tile. You might find in a the showroom that those two things are never paired for good reason, or you might see them in kitchen showrooms together and decide that they’re exactly what you want for your remodel. Either way, being able to see things in one place can really help you get your ideas hashed out so that you know what you want in your kitchen.
Plus, kitchen showrooms will have lots of different combination available, so there might be options around that you never thought of before. Many designers, whether first-time homeowners or old-time designers, are stuck in mental ruts. They assume that x and y go together without even considering throwing a or b in the equation. Instead of just assuming that a traditional kitchen must have all traditional elements or a modern kitchen must have all modern elements, creative showrooms can help designers break out of their ruts and into new ideas and unique pairings.
Kitchen showrooms are also great places to check out the absolute latest styles in kitchens. Like other things, kitchens change styles from time to time. For the most part, the basic concept of the kitchen has been the same for a long, long time. The elements that go into a kitchen, though, change dramatically from one year to the next. Colors, textures, and appliances come in and go out of style just like clothes. If you’re determined to have a totally up-to-date kitchen, you should definitely check out some show rooms to see what is in the other “latest” kitchens.…