Year: 2020

Home Maintenance

Poor Home Construction Can Cause Financial Devastation to Some Homeowners

Laura

If there’s one thing I know about new home construction, it’s the fact that some t home builders will sell their home to anyone who qualifies, even though they really can’t afford to live in the home. Here’s what happened to a homeowner who purchased a poorly constructed house and had a hard time making the payments.
The real estate professional, mortgage lender and the new home builder, got paid for providing the homeowner with their services. Even though the homeowners were going to have problems making their large house payments, it didn’t seem to matter much to the other professionals involved in the transaction. I’m not saying that it didn’t matter, it seemed like it didn’t matter to the homeowners.
Sometimes it doesn’t take much to put someone in financial devastation, especially if you’re already at your financial wits end. There weren’t any problems with the new house for about nine months, when all of a sudden they noticed a horrible smell in the garage.
They didn’t think anything of it, because they were storing their trash cans in the garage and they thought that this was where the smell was coming from. A few more months went by, before one of the homeowners noticed that the ceiling in the garage was starting to turn black.
Water had been leaking from their second-story master bathroom. They contacted the home builder who was no longer in business. That’s got to be the ultimate disappointment to anyone who purchased a home that was poorly constructed.
Luckily it wasn’t a big problem, but the homeowners couldn’t afford to make the repair. They got a couple of estimates, but it didn’t really matter, because the homeowners couldn’t even afford to make the home repair. If they made the home repair, they wouldn’t have enough money to make their house payment.
They chose to make the house payments instead of fixing the water damaged ceiling and water leak. This went on for the next three years, before they actually saved up enough money to make the home repair. This is just another wonderful example how poor house construction can cause financial devastation to some homeowners.
The moral to this story is simple, just because you qualify to purchase a home, doesn’t mean that you can’t afford to live in it. Plenty of people lose their homes every year, because they make mistakes like these. Make sure that you think twice before purchasing a home that you might not be able to afford.…

Basement Renovations

How to Come Up With Kitchen Design Ideas

Laura

Everyone who is looking for new ideas for kitchen design in their Toronto home will find many different places from which they can draw inspiration. When you have made up your mind that you need to remodel that old kitchen, consider looking in some of these places for some fresh ideas.
Magazines
Magazines can be a great source of inspiration. Find magazines that focus on home d?�cor to find great pictures of kitchens. Many of the magazines will even list the types of appliances, cabinets, and flooring that the kitchens use. However, you do not have to limit your search to home design magazines. Lifestyle magazines, travel magazines, and more will sometimes have great pictures that you can use for your ideas.
The Internet
The Internet makes it easy to look up pictures of kitchens. You can find professionally designed kitchens, do-it-yourself kitchens, and everything in between. You can see pictures of old kitchens and ultra modern, semi-automated kitchens. Expand your horizons and look at many different types of kitchens. You never know what you might be able to find.
Showrooms and Open Houses
You can often find showrooms at furniture stores that have kitchen setups that you might like. In addition, go to some open houses to see how other people have created their kitchens. You might find something that you like. Visit as many of these showrooms and open houses that time affords. Pay particular attention to the homes that have kitchens that are about the same size as yours.
Hire a Kitchen Designer
When searching for ideas for that new kitchen design in your Toronto home, you might want to consider hiring a professional designer. He or she will be able to show you many different types of styles, designs, and materials that you might never have though of, or that you have already written off. The professionals know the ins and outs of kitchen design, and they will be able to help you understand how to work with the space that you have. Together, you will be able to come up with a design that makes everyone happy.
You will find no shortage of places to get inspiration. When you are in the planning stages, it is important that you keep an open mind and that you keep your eyes open as well. You never know where you might get your next great idea!…

Bathroom Renovations

Top Three Kitchen Renovation Ideas For You

Laura

Is it time for a kitchen renovation? Are you planning on remodeling your kitchen but have no ideas or not really sure what to do? You want a kitchen that will have every furniture, appliances and accessories in its proper place with still plenty of space to work around.
You also dream of having a nice set of kitchen accessories complimenting a well-planned layout and a gorgeous design and still keeping your expenses as minimal as possible. Is this even possible? Maybe it is but not in one sitting.
What you can do is to have a kitchen renovation by portion. It all depends on your priority and budget. If you can allocate a big amount of money and just want to stick to your budget then a lot of choices are open to you. However if you cannot spare that huge amount then you will have to be imaginative and innovative. Consider the following things when planning a kitchen renovation.
1. Pots and pans storage – This is the common problem that housewives have. They want some storage where they will have an easier access on those pots and pans that they want to use. Since most people have lots of pots and pans being stored in their cabinet, organizing and storing them has become a concern.
Solution : Get some pot racks or pot hanger. Your collection of cooking vessels can be accommodated. The racks and the hanger help you save space and you won’t have a problem even if you have a mix-and-match collection. It also adds a charming accent to your kitchen.
2. Enough room for your counter space – Probably you would often hear your friends’ complaint about having the need for some extra countertop space because there isn’t any room for them to prepare food. You cannot rearrange all the things that you put on the top because they are all important appliances and you use them everyday.
Solution : Mount an island because this creates extra storage space wherein you can place your other items from your countertop to free up space for preparing food.
3. Storage has always been a major concern of anyone. As days pass by, you get to acquire more stuff when you purchase additional appliance or got it as a gift.
Solution : Sort out the things that you need and want. Consider having a garage sale for things that you find no use of or are bored to look at. Spring cleaning is still the best way to do it. You get to have less of things to worry about plus you have additional money to allocate for other priorities.…

Home Remodeling

Commercial Fitness Flooring – Various Benefits Of Rubber Flooring In Sports Centers And Arenas

Laura

When you go to the gym and work hard, you’re prone to several injuries. Now if you actually look at the chances of you falling down on the floor, you can’t even imagine the kind of risk you’re taking. This is the reason why commercial fitness flooring is quite important in sports centers and arenas.
Rubber gym flooring can definitely reduce the chances of serious injury. Apart from that, even if you drop weights on it, the ground beneath will not be affected because it can absorb the shock. This is the reason why rubber flooring for gyms is considered as the right option.
When it comes to commercial fitness flooring, there are quite a lot of options and there are a lot of advantages for each and every option that is available. Athletic flooring and sports flooring should ensure the safety of the people who involve in these kinds of activities. Recycled rubber floor tiles can actually take the wear and tear of all the activities taken up in such places.
Apart from all these advantages, you tend to make a lot of noise when you actually move, lift and drop the weights in the gym. So imagine the kind of nuisance it might create to the people around or the neighbors in that locality. So there is a high need to absorb the kind of noise that is generated in such a place and this is the reason why rolled rubber flooring is preferred.
So in order to ensure that everything is damage free, the right kind of choice for the flooring is quite important. Apart from that, in most of the sports centers or in the gyms, people tend to sweat a lot and if the flooring is completely exposed to this kind of condition, there are chances of various sweat stains or even scratches on the floor because of the equipment.
So in order to minimize this kind of damage done to the floor, it should be protected with the right kind of material on it. Recycled rubber flooring as a part of commercial fitness flooring will definitely work well when it comes to absorbing noise that is created. This way, it is a solution for quite a lot of issues and is the most suitable option.
Above all, if you actually go for the right colors and design options, this kind of flooring will definitely enhance the beauty of the whole place. And when it comes to affordability, you can definitely save a lot of money if you choose this material for the flooring. Other flooring options are quite costly and when it comes to the durability factor, they’re not a match for recycled rubber flooring.
This is the reason why, it is quite important to completely understand about all the benefits of this material in order to choose it as the primary option. May it be a gym, or a sports center, or even a children’s play area; when it comes to solving all …

Renovation Contractor

Snow Mats Are Essential For Those That Experience Heavy Snowfall

Laura

When Winter approaches, many people throughout the country begin to make preparations for the deluge of snow that will fall and not just affect the outside of the home, but also possibly the inside as well – something that can lead to stained carpets and damaged floorboards, and therefore to the expense of having to clean the whole lot up. It is heartening to know therefore that there is a product out there that can protect the home from this unwelcome invasion of snow.
Snow is something that can find its way in to the home in a huge variety of different ways, from children tramping it in on their feet all the way to pets running in after they’ve been outside. There is also the chance of car tires bringing the snow in to the garage, as well as the most devastating occurrence – snow that melts and seeps underneath the doors.
The solution to this is a snow mat – or a number snow mats – which are easily bought through many different places online, as well as through a number of shops that can be found in every town. These mats are usually made from a highly absorbent polypropylene material that will absorb all of the liquid that tries to get past them.
The other advantage to a snow mat is that the material they are made from is usually incredibly non-slip, therefore making it safe for people to walk over. This is really important for families with small children, as it means that they won’t fall over when running over it.
When placing snow mats, it is important to put them in the place that is most likely to get wet – which is normally just in front of doors or in the garage. By placing them in areas that children and pets walk over, they will have clean shoes and paws without even realizing that they do. Also, by placing them in front of doors, the mats will automatically absorb any melted snow that tries to find its way under the door when it thaws out.
One thing that is essential is that snow mats are placed before the worst of the weather arrives, due to the fact that if they are placed late then the damage could already have been done. This means that the homeowner will be faced with repair bills already and that the snow mats are therefore rendered obsolete. The main advantage of placing them early is that they can usually be bought for a much cheaper price in the summer months, as most people don’t buy them at this time.
Snow mats aren’t just useful in the winter though – they also have a multitude of uses throughout the year as well. They can be used as a barrier against any rain that falls, as well as being great to push against a door and prevent any air from flowing underneath – therefore adding to the heat of the home.…

Renovation Contractor

Kitchen Renovations – How to Pick Your Contractor

Laura

If your kitchen renovation is going to be a sizable job, unless you are a genius at DIY, and have a lot of time on your hands, your are probably going to have to hire a contractor. With the right contractor, kitchen renovation can be a wonderful experience. With the wrong contractor, you can find yourself in the middle of a nightmare. Do all you can in the beginning to make sure you know how to pick your contractor wisely, rather than live to regret you choice later on.
The first step in answer to the question ‘how to pick your contractor’ is to start by making a list of contractors in your area. Word of mouth is often the best reference, but don’t rely on it. Ask your friends and family, and check out a couple of companies online. Another good option is to enquire at your local building supply store – they will often have good suggestions. Make sure to tell them you want someone who specialises in kitchen renovation. A quick first step is to check the names of the contractors with your local Better Business Bureau – a quick and easy step to take before making your primary choices.
The next step is to contact the contractors on your list, and set up an interview. If you want to know ‘how to pick your contractor’ then pay careful attention to this. A good contractor is willing to discuss his experience in kitchen renovation, more than happy to hand of a list of references from satisfied customers, and answers your questions in a forthright manner. If the contractor is offended by your questions, or evasive, that should be a red flag, to move on to the next interview. Kitchen renovation is an expensive exercise, and you don’t want to find yourself halfway in with a disaster on your hands.
Don’t just rely on written references – the contractor’s girlfriend and brother could have written them. Anyone with experience advising you on how to pick your contractor will tell you to contact the people on the list, and while you should be polite, you should also ask them as many questions as possible. You should look for an answer to these questions in particular ‘did you use him for kitchen renovation?’, ‘did he complete the job on time and on budget?’, and ‘were you happy with the contractor’s workmanship?’ If a contractor did a great job, you should have no trouble finding people who used him and are willing to answer a couple of questions. If the responses are lukewarm – be careful. Often people don’t want to speak outright of a bad experience. Besides references, there are a couple of other things to consider when you pick your contractor for kitchen renovation. Is he qualified/licensed, and does he have insurance which is current – don’t rely on his word here, ask for proof.
When you have chosen your top 3 or 4 contractors, ask them for a …

Bathroom Remodel

Ideas for Redesigning a Kitchen

Laura

If attempting to redesign a kitchen to give it the right look and functionality, you often have to start with a well thought-out plan. A complete kitchen renovation needs to look at all aspects of the design, and not just the style or appearance. Functional aspects, such as the type of storage, cooking equipment, and available work space also need to be considered.
Here are some of the main features to look at when doing a full-scale kitchen redesign –
Floor Plan – common floor plan designs include those with the more typical U-shape or L-shape, but if you’re looking for a more unique designed kitchen you might want to look at the possibility of a circular styled kitchen. A circular floor plan is a perfect way to make the most use of the available floor space, which will mean curved work surfaces entirely surround you, and this make it super easy to reach any area in seconds.
Floor Surface – relaying the flooring in the kitchen is often seen as a quite large and expensive job, but it certainly offers a great way to renovate a kitchen, which not only improves on the aesthetics but can also make the work area so much more comfortable. If hoping to increase the comfort level, you might want to look at the various types of rubbing flooring, which comes in a wide-range of colors and is extremely easy on the feet. However, if you’re after an elegant touch, the slate or limestone floors are a popular choice. Solid wood floor can also look appealing in the kitchen; although with this floor type you would need to ensure it is well sealed and maintained.
Dining Area – if you are looking for ways to modernize the kitchen to give a more family oriented feel, you might want to look at creating space to install a nook-styled area with a table and benches or a long breakfast bar. If the existing design of the kitchen gives limit to no space for eating a meal, you might want to have a floor plan professionally designed, which is able to feature everything you desire.
Storage Options – one of the most significant features to a well-designed kitchen is to include the right size and shape of storage units to ensure all you kitchen ware has somewhere to go. Modern kitchen cabinets and cupboards are extremely versatile and come in wide-range of innovative designs. If the right kitchen layout is created, you shouldn’t have a problem in having the most important kitchen tools close to hand at all times.…

Basement Remodeling

Living Through a Kitchen Renovation

Laura

So many details need to be addressed when looking into renovating any room in your house. This is especially true when it comes to a kitchen remodel. Many people are really interested in keeping their kitchen renovations within a budget. It is very difficult to make an accurate budget without doing some research into exactly what you want to accomplish with the renovation. Make sure that at the start you have a realistic game plan on what the outcome should look like and address a budget based on the completed renovation.
Each step of the way involves a new way of thinking. As you start the planning phase of your kitchen remodel think about the little details that are going to make you fall in love with your space again. Consider the natural light coming into the space. This will help to determine how dark the cupboards can actually be without closing the room in too much. Another thing that you need to look into is how much bigger or smaller you want the space. Will you be adding or removing cupboards? Is the space going to be use for cooking, entertaining and dinning? If so make sure that you plan for adequate space to move around in and space for seating. It is also important to consider how much of the renovating you want to hire out or are you interested in getting your handyman outfit on and doing the job yourself?
In order to stick within a budget it is important to plan each detail like it is the most important piece of the puzzle for your area to come together. If you are thinking about moving the appliances in the space make sure you budget a large chunk of money for gas, plumbing and electrical to be properly installed. Moving a sink, for instance, can cost upwards of two thousand dollars alone for the correct plumbing and drainage to be installed. These are things to think about ahead of time. Consider the lighting that is in the kitchen. Are you going to change this? If you are upgrading the lighting you will want to budget again for an electrician to come out and make sure the electricity that is currently being run is what is necessary for the upgrade.
When thinking about your cabinets look into having them refaced. If you are happy with the current layout and the cabinets are in good shape this option allows you to update the look. However if you are in the market for new cabinetry the best options are to sketch out your kitchen layout how you see it and take it into a cabinet installer. They will send someone out to measure will help give you tips to make the layout flow. It is also important to consider if you will use solid hardwood for both cabinet and doors or if you will save a bit and use press wood for the cabinet and hard wood on the doors.…

Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen Flooring

Laura

Choosing the right option for kitchen flooring is essential for any homeowner looking to remodel or refurbish an outdated kitchen. Since the kitchen is one of the most highly-trafficked rooms of the house, it is essential that flooring options are durable and reliable, as well as easy to clean. The ideal flooring options can safely take a beating from drops, spills and more, as well as a constant flow of foot traffic in and out. Choosing a stylish, yet affordable option from a reputable dealer is the best option for experienced renovators and DIY home improvement aficionados alike. Wood, vinyl and tile are often the most common materials used, and all have their benefits and drawbacks that need to be considered prior to making a final purchase.
Vinyl
Vinyl is the most affordable option to homeowners on a budget, and it is available in an almost endless supply of styles, designs and colors for any desired d?�cor. Vinyl is also easy to clean and maintain. However, because vinyl is so inexpensive upfront, it is less durable than some of the other options out there, and it may need to be replaced regularly in order to avoid damage.
Tile
Ceramic tiles can be a longer-lasting alternative to vinyl while still being budget friendly. Tiles are easily maintained and easily cleaned, and are able to withstand scratches, dents or other damage commonly experienced in high-trafficked areas. However, if the structure of the house experiences movement, it is easy for ceramic tiles to break or crack and damage the floor. Tiles are also more slick when wet, and can raise some safety concerns that need to be taken into account especially if there are children in the household. Ceramic tiles do come in a variety of options though, and a textured surface can reduce the possibility of accidental falls or injuries.
Wood
Wood floors may seem a risky choice when considering flooring options for the kitchen given its susceptibility to moisture damage. But wooden floors offer a unique and pleasant feel to a very popular room of the home, and are easily maintained when installed properly. Wood is very resilient to high volume traffic and can withstand a lot of impact that would otherwise damage an alternative floor surface. If a wooden floor has been selected for your kitchen, it is imperative that it is coated with a substantial protective finish to keep out moisture and spills common in the kitchen or bathroom.
When shopping for a new flooring solution for the home, it may be tempting to peruse the selection often found in big retail chains specializing in home remodeling, but that’s not always the best option available. Local dealerships that specialize in home flooring often offer better deals as well as higher quality products than those offered in mass-production alternatives. By locating a reputable and trustworthy local dealer, customers can get higher satisfaction as well as specialized advice in purchasing their kitchen flooring, and are sure to get products that match …

Remodeling

How to Create a Classic Kitchen Design

Laura

A new kitchen renovation can vastly improve the value of your home, as well as making everyday life a bit easier and more enjoyable. It makes sense, then, to invest in a kitchen design that can stand the test of time and is guaranteed to offer full functionality. If you’re thinking of creating a new kitchen design for your home, consider using these elements of classic interiors to reach the best solution possible.

White and Wood – A classic combination that remains fresh and interesting to this day, white cabinets and wooden surfaces work well in a huge variety of different settings. White painted cabinets can make your kitchen design seem more spacious than it actually is, while wooden floorboards will introduce visual warmth and comfort to the space.

Polished Metals – Polished metal cabinet handles, hinges and plumbing fixtures are an easy choice for classic spaces. Choose a uniform look by using either dull, muted bronze for all fixtures, or high shine stainless steel.

Rustic Touches – The greatest classic space plans recognise that this space is a working room and are thus optimised for efficient cooking, as well as easy cleaning and maintenance. Instead of aiming for a spotless kitchen design, consider including rustic features such as exposed wooden beams and farm style work tables.

Vintage Hardware – If you are thinking of renovating your period home, you might want to consider creating a classic kitchen design to complement the idiosyncratic architecture and atmosphere of the space. To complete the look, try using second-hand lighting fixtures, hardware and cabinets that ensure your kitchen design is authentic to the time.

Simplicity – You don’t have to break the budget or hunt down eclectic design pieces to build your classic space. In fact, many classic spaces are all about simplicity, with muted colours, clean lines and warm, homey touches.

Modern Appliances – One of the best advantages of a classic kitchen design is that they can adapt to and work with a variety of different looks and applications. This means that there is no need to compromise on your appliance purchases, allowing you to fill your space with the latest high-tech amenities.

Light and Airy – When planning your classic interiors, remember to focus on creating an airy, spacious room with plenty of natural light. Make use of sunny windows, sun-lights and discreet under cabinet lighting, as well as pale colours and spacious walkways to create the most comfortable and soothing space possible.…