Month: July 2022

Room Additions

Practical Home Security Advice For Puzzled People

Laura

Keeping a security strategy in place is always wise, but it is not always easy to do. You need more information to help you make a better understand everything and make a good decision. Continue reading to find out more about a good home security plan.

Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Is your dog outside when you are away? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

Don’t let everyone in your social network know that you are leaving the home unprotected for your vacation trip; especially the people who you aren’t familiar with. It’s exciting going to new places and enjoying your time, but you could alert thieves to an empty home that they can easily break into.

If you have an attached garage, make sure it is secure. People often worry about people getting in through attached garages, but you have a solution. Place a C-Clamp on the door track near the roller. This will prevent the door from lifting.

Use your garage for your car, not just storage. Keep the car within the garage will make sure no one harms or steals it. Storing your car in the garage will also make it difficult for anyone casing your home to figure out when no one is going to be there.

Have lights that sense motion. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. You will be alerted to movement, but most importantly, it will deter burglars or at least make you aware of their presence. Do not forget to change a bulb when it burns out.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. Ask a friend, neighbor or relative to keep your extra keys for you.

When in the process of selecting an alarm system, you should select a system that protects more than simply the doors of your home. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. You want the best security possible for your family.

Not too many people know exactly how to make their home more secure. Studying the subject needs to be a top priority for any person that worries about their family’s safety and their items’ safety. The above article should be an excellent starting point for establishing your knowledge on …

Remodeling Contractors

Finding The Best Deal On A Professional Landscaper

Laura

A little piece of knowledge gained in advance will help you with whatever landscaping project you have in mind. Not knowing what you’ll face will ensure ruin, so read this article in full, in order to help you take over your landscaping project and do it right.

When it comes to landscaping, there’s a lot you need to consider. You need to know the differences between annuals and perennials, what plants thrive in what regions, and what will work in your climate. You must also remember your seasons when landscaping as well. It is very important that you know this information in order to get the best results from your landscaping experience.

Water your plants with a drip-style system. These types of watering systems are simple to install and help you to provide your garden with the correct amount of water. Drip style systems are advantageous as well because they actually conserve water. Sprinkler systems, in contrast, are water hogs and don’t distribute a steady flow of water to the roots of the plants.

Do you think you will be putting your house on the market soon? Landscaping can provide you with great returns on your home. Use the front yard to give your home curb appeal and the back yard for an outdoor entertaining area.

It is not necessary – or even wise – to try to landscape your entire property all at the same time. So, what you should do is split up your landscaping in phases, which will also make it better for your budget. It will also benefit you when you’re changing your design down the road.

Choosing plant life wisely to assure your landscaping project is successful. You don’t need plants that will needs tons of sun in the shade. You want to avoid planting bigger trees in small growth areas. Take time to do adequate planning to ensure that your plants do well where you plant them.

Most people haven’t considered buying landscaping materials online. There are several factors that make shopping for plants online a good idea, though. Besides its ease and convenience, shopping online gives you access to a wider variety of plants than you could find at a home improvement store or a local nursery.

Before you visit lawn or garden centers to get plants, measure your landscaping area first. You will be able to determine the amount of any item you will need. This simple step can ensure you do not end up with either a shortage or surplus of materials.

If you want your yard to be colorful but inexpensive to maintain, plant some wildflowers. All home improvement stores carry wildflower seeds, and they can be scattered on large areas that are hard to plant. You will end up with beautiful varieties of flowers. They will be great for bouquets!

Knowing what you’re doing before you start a landscaping project can mean the difference between success and costly mistakes. Take in as much information as possible and keep it …

General Article

Repairing Windows Is an Economical Alternative and Could Save You From Severe Future Home Repairs

Laura

Repairing Windows Is an Economical Alternative and Could Save You From Severe Future Home Repairs

Many homeowners spend thousands of dollars worth of home maintenance and repair expenses in a short period of time. Some of these costs can catch some over-anxious new home buyers by surprise, let alone the veteran homeowner. As I have mentioned in almost every publication, crunch the numbers on homeownership and maintenance before jumping to any conclusions. However, if you put window repairs at the top of your to-do list, you may save money for some other unexpected future home repairs.

Most people know that if they ignore routine car check-ups or don’t go to their dentist for routine cleanings, they could have more serious and more expensive issues down the road. Our society mindset is, if it’s not leaking or smoking, procrastination takes over. Some routine maintenance to repair windows in your home may not cost you an arm and a leg and save you from major home repairs later in life.

What costs to expect

According to the US world News report on 5/29/12, on average, people will spend between 1 to 4 percent of a home’s value annually on maintenance and repairs. The older the home gets, the more maintenance it tends to need. Lack of home maintenance may lead to depreciation of the home’s value. Of course, you don’t have to perform major repairs on a yearly basis, but maintaining window repairs can save you from major headaches in the long run. That way you can be prepared for the unforeseen expenses, such as losing the heating element in your clothes dryer. In addition, window repairs along with other efficient home improvement maintenance can tightening up the envelope and cut monthly energy bills significantly.

I would recommend speaking to a Window Repair Expert to diagnose your window problems. That way they can and should be able to give you an idea of the potential costs you might incur to take care of these issues. Furthermore, a true expert may recommend that a simple maintenance plan of serious cleaning and very basic care could save homeowners on major window repair bills.

Let me reiterate by saying before performing any home improvement repairs, be sure to weigh the costs especially between window repairs or replacements. Even though you may think the materials used in a repair job might be economical, the cost will also depend on the time it takes to properly get the job completed. Sometimes the cost of replacing your windows might be the best alternative depending on the extent of the damage and the cost of completing the window repair job properly.…

Remodel Kitchen

Make A Change In Your Life With These Home Improvement Tips

Laura

Anyone who owns a home can benefit from home improvement projects. You can increase the overall appearance and value of your home through simple home improvements. Home improvement projects can be both valuable and very fun. Keep reading for some advice on how you can get more out of home improvement.

Many lampshades are plain and boring. You can pep up your lamp shades by getting some stencils and acrylic paint, and decorating them to your taste. Doing this will add personality to your room and take away from your boring lampshades.

If you are unable to get rid of a persistent squeak in a door, you may need to replace the hinge. You can pick up this piece of hardware in a big box retailer. Remove the current hinge and replace it with the new one that you purchased. Then, replace the pins after aligning the hinges.

Adding a second bathroom to your home can significantly increase the worth of your house. A second bathroom can be really helpful, especially when you have more than one floor in your house. There will always be times when more than one person has to use your bathroom, and additional bathrooms will make things better for everyone.

A great home improvement to undertake is installing motion-sensitive lighting on the outside of your home. This lowers your electricity costs by automatically switching off the outdoor lights when no one needs them. You can take your home’s safety up a notch by installing motion detectors that cause lights to turn on when a thief is present.

Install new knobs on your cabinets for a fresh look. Few projects are as simple and effective as replacing the knobs and pulls on kitchen cabinets and drawers. After removing the old cabinet knobs, scrub the cabinets before installing the new knobs. You can install your new cabinet accessories quickly, and enjoy the decor upgrade you get from them for years to come!

Replacing any wall boards with a water-resistant version is a great upgrade to any kitchen or bathroom make-over. Water-resistant wall board referred to as “green board” is made to resist moisture and also to prevent dangerous mold from forming.

One cost efficient way to improve a bathroom is glaze. A fresh coat of glaze will help your bathroom look new. A glaze treatment can be done at a much cheaper price than bathroom floor replacement. A great way to improve your bathroom’s appearance is with some fresh glaze.

In order to create precious floor space or clear out other much-needed space that is being take up by your television or television stand, you might want to consider getting a wall-mounted bracket to hold your television. If you follow the directions, this will take a minimal amount of time.

By starting with various small do-it-yourself projects, the homeowner can build up their confidence to the point they will be ready to tackle the more challenging project. This is always good. There is no limit for a …

Basement Remodeling

Having A Hard Time With Landscaping? Keep Reading

Laura

Whether you are looking to do a small maintenance project or a major overhaul, take the time to do some research first. If you don’t know what you’re up against, you’re highly likely to fail. Reading this article will help you get your landscaping project under control.

Fill your yard with native plants. Native plants require less maintenance as they are already in their ideal climate. Thus, they are a great choice for anyone who is unwilling or unable to spend a lot of time on maintenance. Information is readily available at any local gardening store regarding which plants may be native to your location.

Choose quality products over cheap ones. In many home improvement stores you will normally find low-quality products. Visiting a store that specializes in landscaping will net you higher quality products with the added benefit of being able to get advice on your product choices from the employees. You may pay slightly more at these stores, but in the long run the products and help you get will be worth it.

You can save money by timing purchases. For instance, winter is the best time to purchase lumber, while shrubs, mulch, and tress should be bought later on in the season. When a new species of plant is introduced, you can save money by waiting a few years before buying your specimen.

Measure the area in which you will be working before you start buying plants or other supplies. You will be able to determine the quantities of products needed much easier with proper measurements. Doing this will ensure you buy the right amount of various products.

Next time you mow the lawn, consider leaving the cut grass where it falls. This will give good nutrients to the lawn and grass and you won’t need to add as much fertilizer.

Don’t underestimate the importance of quality plants and products. There are many places to buy discount supplies, but the quality is often questionable. If you are a landscaping novice, a specialty store will cost more, but have the quality and advice that you need.

Use curved borders on your plantings when you’re landscaping your yard. Use rounded shapes to have better visual appeal as opposed to straight, squared-off borders. When people look at your yard from the curb, they will see a softer design that stands in pleasant contrast to the sharper lines of the home itself.

If you choose to landscape your property by yourself, sit down and figure out what the costs will be. Just take a bit of time to think about what additions you want to make and do some research on them. Next, figure out where you can get all of the materials. Depending on where you live, prices can vary greatly. Do your research to figure out where you can buy high quality items within your budget.

Landscaping is similar to any renovation you do in your home and just a small about of knowledge can go a long way. …

House Improvements

Unhappy With An Aspect Of Your Home? Do Something About It!

Laura

Many people assume that professionals are always needed when it comes to home improvement, but that’s not always true. The tips from this article will allow you to make any home improvements you desire. You’ll find that handling the work yourself can be a lot easier if you heed the following advice.

Go with real floors over laminate if you have the money. Although laminate might look real and be easy to clean, you cannot refinish it. Having real wood floors means that in a decade or two, you or the new home owner will have the option of refinishing instead of replacing the floor.

Lampshades all look the same. Get cheap stencils at the crafts store, an ink pad or acrylic paint, and try dabbing the designs around the shade. This will add a little personality to any room, and give your lighting source an interesting effect.

If you door still squeaks despite your best efforts to remedy the situation, it may just need a new hinge. It’s easy to buy door hinges at any home improvement center. Removing the old hinge and installing the new one is an easy project. Line up all the parts and put in new pins.

Think about installing insulation. Put in weather stripping around your windows and doors. Your heating and cooling systems will be more efficient if you can reduce the amount of outside air entering your home. That is going to mean savings on your utility bills.

Shut off your house’s water supply when your home improvement work takes you into the kitchen or the bathroom. Find the shutoff for water in your home before you begin any kind of work on rooms that use water. This will ensure a flood does not happen.

Use light colors to create a soothing atmosphere: purple, green or blue often work well. When choosing fabrics, use airy materials such as linen or cotton. A bit potpourri and a scented candle can go a long way to maintaining the peaceful aura.

If an older person lives with you, you should plan your house in a way so that it’s safe for them to live in. Showers that are easily stepped in are safer and easier for them to use and will reduce the chances of slip and fall injuries. Other things that can be incorporated include 36-inch doors and grab bars in the bathroom.

Apply a glaze to your bathroom to improve its looks. A fresh coat of glaze will help your bathroom look new. While replacing your bathroom floors or fixtures is costly, a bathroom can typically be glazed for only a few hundred dollars. This is a good way to increase your home’s value without spending very much money.

With any luck, the information you’ve just read will help you in your future projects. The fact that you have chosen this article tells us that you have big plans for your home! You can get the work done yourself and achieve your goals …

Home Contractors

Improve Your Home Security With These Awesome Tips

Laura

Just how much does home security matter to you? Do you think that most major security companies are too costly? Do you wish there were cheaper solutions available to you? Well, they could be hiding directly under your nose. Read on for home security tips, both big and small.

Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Be sure to keep your car in your garage rather than filling your garage with stored belongings. In this way, your car will be safer. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

Don’t be afraid to know the people who live near you. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You can learn of important security information, including if strangers have been lurking.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.

Even the wires inside your home are worth something. A lot of people do not know this until a thief steals them from the house. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. In order to protect yourself from this risk, make sure wires on your house are difficult to find and hard to access.

If your home isn’t new, replace the locks. Although the tenant before might have turned their key in, they might still have a duplicate key. You can install locks yourself to make sure you’re the only one who has a key.

Ask for ID before letting anyone into your home. They might not be who you think they are. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Be deliberate in preventing hazards.

Your budget will tell you which security measures you can put in place. Use the inexpensive methods of securing your home if you cannot afford the more expensive ones. …

Home Renovation

Sound And Easy Steps To Effective Home Improvements

Laura

All homeowners want to make improvements on their houses. This article has a lot of tips that can help you. Imagine the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when see the results of your home improvement efforts. Read the next few paragraphs to get more information.

A great tip for home improvement is to personalize any project you undertake. You will enjoy your home much more if it reflects who you are.

You can freshen up the look of any room by changing the flooring. You can choose to get it professionally installed or do it yourself. Be sure to seek advice before deciding which method is preferable.

Even if certain home improvement supplies look like a great deal, you should do some comparison shopping before you buy them. For example, new flooring prices can greatly vary. You can enlist the help of bargain basements and discount supply houses.

Refrain from purchasing sofas or couches with a lot of designs on them. Your whole home gets decorated around that busy pattern. Buy your furniture in solid tones such as green, brown, blue, black or beige and use your accessories to benefit your furniture. Patterns can then be easily updated at a later time, so as never to look dated and old-fashioned.

Try insulating your home for your next project. Put weather-stripping onto all of your windows and doors. Your energy bill will be more affordable as you weatherize your home. These small measures will add up to big savings in the long run.

Sealant strips and draft excluders can keep air from seeping out door cracks. Draft excluders are used under a door to stop warm air from escaping and prevent cold air from entering. Find sealant strips that go around the door frames. Just about any hardware store will have them in stock.

Things like gutters and chimneys are forgotten about when most people are making home improvements. Make sure to inspect these parts of your home so you can make necessary repairs. If your chimney is not cleaned regularly it may catch fire, and downspouts and gutters may become obstructed with debris, this can result in water damage when not addressed.

It is normal for the caning on chairs to begin to sag with time. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to restore your old caning back to its original state. Wet a sponge and apply it to the bottom of the caning that’s sagging. It’s got to be warm water. Let the caning dry overnight. Keep repeating until it’s repaired.

Use old baby food jars to add organization to your workspace. Glue the screw tops underneath some shelving. Use the jars to store small items like screws or beads. Arrange the jars under the shelf. You’ll maximize the use of the shelf and get a second use out of all those jars.

Do you want to start making some improvements to your home? If so, you are certainly not the only one out there. Clearly, the right tips and …

General Article

Replacement Windows – 12 Questions to Ask Before Investing in New Windows

Laura

Replacement Windows – 12 Questions to Ask Before Investing in New Windows

Unlike ordinary everyday purchases, consumers do not invest in home improvement projects very often. As a result, they do not really have the experience or knowledge to properly evaluate the competency and business ethics of the person or company who will be working on their home.

Major investments require major understanding. Do not let your education come from a bad experience. Investigate the following twelve questions before choosing a contractor and committing to any major home remodeling project.

How do you know you will pleased with the final outcome of your project? Find the right contractor by visiting their place of business, talking with their past and present customers, and by viewing photos and samples of their work.

Why is it necessary for all parties to be present for discussions? All concerned parties need to be present for all discussions so that all expectations can be met.

Is the contractor legally and adequately insured and bonded? Contractors need to have four types of insurance to protect themselves, as well as you and your home.

Who is the company you are investing with? Ask what affiliations the contractor belongs to, such as professional networking groups and chambers of commerce. Professional affiliations are a way for a contractor to constantly learn about their industry, keep current on industry trends, connect with other professionals in their field, and lend credibility to their business.

Does the company put an emphasis on customer satisfaction? Information such as customer satisfaction survey results and information about how a conflict was resolved, will give you a better idea about they way the contractor does business.

What options are offered to enhance the finished job? It is nice to have options to make your project even better than you imagined.

What is important to include in a contract? If it is not in writing, it is not happening!

What is involved in the right installation? Get details regarding what the contractor is responsible for and what you may be responsible for before, during, and after the installation.

What is really covered in the warranty? Ask questions regarding the warranty up front. Find out what is covered, how long it is covered, who to call if service is needed in the future, and if labor is included in the warranty.

How to evaluate long term performance? Evaluate the value, strength, durability, and long-term maintenance of the contractor’s product and installation.

How to evaluate energy saving potential? Evaluate the entire system, not the individual parts of the product. Ask about money saving tax credits and energy saving pledges.

What is the right price? Beware of unexpected add-ons at the end. Most consumer dissatisfaction involves the low bid contractor who does not provide the long-term value that a homeowner wants and needs. Look for value, not just a cheap price.

After you have asked potential contractors these important questions and received relevant answers, you should feel comfortable making an informed …

Bathroom Renovations

Brilliant Pest Control Tips You Can Start Using Today

Laura

Distress. Frustration. Both of these words aptly describe the feelings you experience when you find out that you are sharing your home with pests. Not having the slightest idea how to go about fixing the problem can be even worse. Thankfully, you have come the best place for learning how to quickly eliminate them. This article will give you some great tips for getting rid of pests that have invaded your house.

Use steel wool to plug in openings where rodents can enter. This metal is too strong for their teeth. Any opening bigger than half an inch should be plugged. Small pests can squeeze through these tiny openings.

One effective approach to control your pest problem is to vacuum every rug in the house. This will get rid of anything that you don’t see that may be contributing to the problem. You should toss the bag afterwards.

Get to the root of the problem. If pests are an issue for you, find out what is causing them. Things such as food, water and available shelter all make your home tempting to pests. Search for and eliminate leaks, exposed food and structural damage that allows pests to enter your home.

If you have a problem with mice, use mints to address the issue. Mint around your foundation of the house will help, and it’s a perennial. This will keep mice from wanting to live there. Mint leaves are a great tool when trying to ward off mice. This will get rid of the mice if you use fresh leaves.

It is wonderful to have light outside but it might bring bugs. Choose bulbs in colors of pink, orange or yellow if you want pests to be less attracted.

It can work really well to use an electronic repellent for pests in and around your home. If you plug these gadgets into a wall socket, they emit noise that rodents do not like. Even though humans can hear it, the sound does not harm people or animals at all. Rodents will leave the vicinity since the sound bothers them.

Be sure to store dry goods in sealed plastic storage canisters. Most dry foods come in bags or boxes, which means pests can get through easily. Transfer dried goods into sealed bags after every trip to the grocery store. The use of plastic containers allows you to keep food fresh for a longer time and keep pests out.

Try killing flying insects in your home with hairspray. This is entirely safe for you as well as any pets, but works to eliminate the insects. Hairspray adheres to the insects, preventing them from reaching water and food. This is particularly useful for fighting bees that fly into your home.

Your outdoor lights will attract pests. Try to keep these lights away from the entrances of your home. You can also reduce the chances of these bugs getting in your home by using yellow or orange lights that bugs are not attracted to as …