Category: Basement

Basement Renovations

Save Some Money With Some DIY Home Improvements.

Laura

If you already have the desire to improve your home but are coming up short on ideas, you’re in the right place. This piece is meant to teach you great ways to make home improvements. Use the following information as a jumping-off point for your own home improvement journey; this is just the beginning of your education on the subject!

Repainting a porch may be necessary. Be sure the paint you use is of the best quality. You want to make sure you use paint that will work over the old paint. Use oil paints over oil paints and water-based paints over old water-based paints. Since oil-based paint generally lasts longer, it is great for trim. However, since snow and water make it extremely slippery, you should not use oil-based paint on any outside surface that is walked on.

Put old things in shoe boxes for extra storage space. Use fabric or old wallpaper to cover the boxes. This can be a great way to add some drama to your rooms, as well as a nice storage solution.

Stained wood baseboards are more appealing than painted ones. The warmth of stained wood will add value to your home. Painted wood tends to show every mark you could ever imagine, whereas stained wood camouflages imperfections much more easily. There is a wide selection of colors in wood stain that can match most looks.

Having fun is very important and it an big part of any type of home improvement project. While you do need to take the work seriously, it should still be fun. If you aren’t finding it enjoyable, you may be more apt to make mistakes along the way. Under these circumstances, it is probably best to consider hiring an actual professional.

While you might be courting the prospect of installing a traditional fireplace to help heat your home, this could be a bad decision. Aside from the looks, the heat created by a wood fire mostly escapes through the chimney. Also, a wood fire needs a lot of oxygen to burn, depleting your home of fresh air.

Home improvement doesn’t have to be aesthetic only. You should work on home safety measures as well, like plotting escape routes in case of a fire or other disaster. There is every likelihood that someone will panic when confronted with a tragic situation. You can also have a burglar system installed. These simple improvements can increase your homes value, as well as help protect your family.

When doing home improvements on your own, consider purchasing high quality supplies and tools. It may cost a bit more up-front, but it will cost you much less over the long haul. If you purchase high quality products, they will wear better and last longer. Tools can be expensive and you don’t want to have to replace them regularly.

Hopefully, with the information you acquired from this article, you’re feeling like you have a better idea of what it is you need to do to …

Bathroom Remodel

A Few Simple Tips Can Save You Time And Money On Your Home Improvement Project

Laura

Home improvement is a huge project, even if you are experienced. The shows on television make it look much easier than it is. Not all home improvement jobs are massive and entail hiring expensive crews. Read along with the tips above and apply the choices that seem beneficial to your individual needs.

Fix bubbling vinyl flooring with a slit and a shot. It’s simple to slice into these bubbles to let the air out. This will temporarily flatten the bubble. You’ll need to inject some fresh glue, however, to hold the repaired section to the floor. Purchase the type of glue that fills a syringe to complete your project.

If you want just a small improvement, go and buy a gallon of paint. A house that is newly painted looks brand new, and does not require a lot of cash or time. A fresh paint job can boost the appeal of your house to potential homebuyers, in case you are thinking of selling.

Purchase transparent plastic bins with lids to help organize your garage properly. Label each box, and stack them up. The project is inexpensive and keeps pests out of your belongings.

Use something unique as a coffee table instead of buying one made for the purpose. An old trunk or chest look great in the center of a living room and provide storage, also. To give definition to you coffee table, place books, magazines and accessories on the top. A country look can be created with the addition of teacups and tablecloths.

Fix any faucets that might be leaking, this is an easy fix. You will lessen your water usage if you fix them right away. The savings you get from this will add up since your water bill will go down.

You can greatly enhance your home’s value by adding another bathroom. An additional bathroom is definitely desirable, especially if each bathroom is on a different floor. There will always be times when more than one person has to use your bathroom, and additional bathrooms will make things better for everyone.

It’s very easy to dress pillows for a teenager’s room. Old jeans, concert t-shirts or anything else with cool designs can be cut to size and sewn together to make decorative pillowcases. These are great additions to any teen’s room and offer a boost of personality.

Replacing a roof is one of the most expensive projects a homeowner can do. Get at least three estimates from roofing companies, and carefully check all their references. There are quite a few different things to consider with roofing like getting tile, metal or just a traditional wooden roof. A knowledgeable roofing contractor can help you make the best decision.

Install new knobs on your cabinets for a fresh look. Cabinet knobs are both easy to install as well as inexpensive. They can be used to instantly update a kitchen or bathroom. Remember to clean your cabinet doors, both on the exterior and interior, after you remove the old cabinet …

Basement Remodeling

Tips For Beginners For Any Home Improvement Project

Laura

Home improvement offers something for everyone, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned contractor. Television is meant to be entertaining and the same is true for home improvement programs. Home improvement is more than those really big jobs. The following tips will teach you how to improve your home while having fun at the same time.

The amount of money that you are going to get as a return of the investment must be compared to how much you value the personal touches you are considering adding to your home. By nature, a design feature that is personal to you is less likely to feel personal for someone else, and therefore, it may deter interested parties from buying your home.

Look at what you want to accomplish, this is a great tip to assist you on your journey towards home improvement. Add your own unique style for your home improvement ideas, giving your personal touch can go a long way.

A good way to save on money and heating costs in the winter is to insulate your attic. Heat naturally rises, which means tons of heat will escape from a poorly-insulated attic, especially during the colder months. You can purchase this insulation at a hardware shop and you will be able to install it yourself.

If you have a handyman working for you, get your contract in writing. A written contract keeps both sides honest and protects you, the homeowner, from exploitation. You’re in a dangerous position if you don’t have a contract.

Make a point of installing motion detectors on your porch or entrance to your house. You can save some money on electric bills if your exterior lights switch off automatically. They are also a great tool to scare of any potential thieves, as the lights turn on as they approach the house.

When you are thinking about tackling a paint job project in your house, it is crucial that you know how much paint will be needed to get everything done. Do not guess how much the job is going to cost as you could be way off. You should always carefully measure and know how much paint you will need.

The wall-to-wall carpeting found in some older homes can be stained and outdated. You get a classic look with wooden floors, they’ll last longer then most plush carpets, as well.

When considering a bathroom upgrade, think about making the room handicap-accessible. This is a good tip to use in case you plan to grow old and live in your house. Even if you eventually sell the property, the improvements you make will enhance the value of the home.

If possible, you should perform renovations immediately whenever a problem arises. Sometimes it seems much easier to turn a blind eye to the issue. You need to resist the urge to ignore it. Because all of your home’s systems are connected closely, it can take no time for damage to spread. A tiny problem can eventually become a …

Bathroom Remodel

Home Improvement Advice That Can Save You Time And Money

Laura

There are as many justifications for home improvements as there are homes and homeowners. There are projects to suit every budget and skill-set, going from major season-long additions down to simple repair jobs that can be handled in an afternoon. No matter what you are planning to undertake, however, giving it careful thought and planning can save you money in the long term. You will learn some great things about home improvements if you keep reading.

If you are considering a substantial home renovation, consult with a professional designer or architect to help with your plans. You can work closely with the professional to make sure you get the look you want. However, having a professionally put together the plans will help avoid problems with safety regulations and codes later on. That saves money and time.

Think about adding a microwave above your range if you have limited kitchen counter space. These units take the place of a range hood and are available at a variety of price points. Some even have features such as built-in convection cooking. Because most units have only a recirculating filter instead of a vent, they’re best suited for cooks who don’t require a strong venting solution.

Do not allow contractors to start the work prior to signing a contract. If you have the time and the funds available, have the contract legally reviewed. Your contract should contain specifics that pertain to all work being performed, costs, warranties and beginning and ending dates.

Paint the gaps where paneling will meet. Regardless of how precisely you install the paneling, there is usually a spot where the wall shows through. To minimize this issue, measure and mark where each panel will meet before installing. Use a color that will match the paneling and paint the areas where the paneling will meet.

Kitchens are terrific places to begin a home improvement journey. Start by cleaning your walls. This may remove stains but it will also strip paint. Use shades of tan to paint the kitchen and you will be surprised at how much better the room looks.

One way to prevent bugs from coming into your house, and to save money on heating and cooling costs, is to seal any cracks or openings in your house. This can be done by applying caulk around windows and to baseboards. Caulking these areas helps to keep cool air and heat from getting out.

To prevent heated or cooled air from leaking under and around your doors, install sealant strips and draft excluders. For example, draft excluders sit under a door to keep it air-tight. Sealant strips can be fitted around a door frame and they have the same functionality. Just about any hardware store will have them in stock.

Get started with your home improvement jobs today by using some of the tips that you read in this article. Home improvement projects can be rather addicting. Using this advice can create an appetite for properly done home improvement. With a …

Basement Remodeling

Quick Tips For Being Your Own Handyman

Laura

If you improve your home it can change how you are feeling about it. You can incorporate simple ideas into your daily remodeling and decorating. There is great advice here of you are looking to improve your house without spending a lot of money.

Keep your air conditioning filters clean. A dirty AC filter causes your air conditioner to work inefficiently and consume more energy. It also means that the unit runs longer than it really needs to. To prevent a buildup of dust and debris, change the AC or furnace filter monthly.

A beginner’s tip for home improvement is to think about what you personally want to accomplish. Add your own tastes to any improvement project.

Stained baseboards offer an excellent alternative to traditionally painted ones. On top of their classic appeal, they also give an aura of warmth. Stained backboards also serve the benefit of defending against stains and marks, which can increase its longevity. You can choose from many different colors of wood stain to match any decor.

Pour bleach into the toilet bowl to keep it clean. Bleach has a strong smell, but it is terribly effective at killing germs. Scented bleach can also help keep the odor at bay.

If you have sharp furniture, you should put down some padding, which will keep children safe and make your home look nicer. You can protect sharp furniture edges by using foam tape or buying specific child safety corner protectors. Make sure, too, that you remove a potential tripping and strangling hazard for your children by taping down all loose wires.

Keep any small jars (like baby food jars) for use in organizing your space. Secure the lids to the undersides of wall shelves with screws or glue. You should put small items inside the jars like screws, beads nails and more. The jars can be twisted into place in the lids secured under the shelf. This is a very innovative way to store small items.

When choosing a contractor for home improvement, be sure you’re assessing estimates that are based on comparable specifications. Make a list that you give to each of the contractors of the things you want done. If your project keeps changing, none of the estimates you get will be comparable, so you will not know who is offering the best price.

When you are going to remodel your bathroom, go small at first. Little budgets may still create a big impact that can look pricier than it is. Get new toilet paper holders, light fixtures, mirrors, and towel bars. Painting is an instant refresher. These are cheap and easy ways to update your bathroom.

Before you hang blinds, you’ll need to take careful measurements rather than approximating your window size. Without measuring properly, you may have trouble installing the blinds correctly. There are many different sizes for blinds and some are made to be installed on the interior frame of the window and some on the outside of the frame.

As stated …

Basement Renovations

Tips For Being Your Own Home Improvement Handyman

Laura

You want your home to be comfortable as well as beautiful. To make sure your home looks great, you should learn all that regarding home improvement to do it by yourself. This article will guide you through improving your home.

Hire a professional to do a inspection of your new home. This will give you an objective evaluation and allow you to see things from different perspective. An extra set of eyes could spot things you may not have thought of.

There are many boring lampshades with no zest. Brighten up a lamp shade by using stencils and acrylic paint. This helps add personality to your rooms and really enhances a plain lamp shade.

When improving your home, give the most visible areas the most attention. If you are trying to sell your home you do not want people to be put off by unattractive features. It is very true that a lot of home improvments cannot be seen but you need to take care of the ones that can be seen first.

Do your research if you can’t afford an interior designer. Look everywhere you can for ideas, from books and magazines to blogs and websites. Magazines can be a great way to figure out what you’d like a room to look like. You could also find some helpful home improvement information that saves you money.

Use a couple two-liter bottles for storage in your kitchen. They are see-through and will protect practically any kind of dry goods such as corn meal, flour, or sugar. You can keep them in the freezer, on your shelf or in the refrigerator. Simply take of the top and pour it when you need it.

Buy yourself a tool called a drain snake for do-it-yourself clearing of plumbing pipes. You will not need to use drain cleaners as often. Because drain snakes can be complicated to use, it is a good idea to ask an experienced plumber to demonstrate the correct procedure. Snakes come in different sizes and lengths so measure your drain before buying one.

Many building supplies for use in home improvement jobs are targets for theft. Whenever they are not in use, building supplies and tools should be kept safe. If a property is secure–all entries and windows are able to be locked–storing supplies inside is a good idea. A lockable storage unit can prevent theft in an open house.

If your new house is in the suburbs surrounded by a wooded area, think about installing a chain-link or wooden fence along your backyard. When your neighbors are deer, coyotes, and rabbits, you want to take steps to keep them out of your yard. This is particularly important if you want to do any gardening.

Hire an electrician to install the outlet above the microwave cabinet. This can make plugging your microwave in really easy, and the cord won’t be easily visible. A simple fix like this prevents a needless cord hanging around in your kitchen air.

Take the information …

Bathroom Renovations

A Home You Can Relax In: Finishing Your Home Improvement Projects

Laura

It’s not always clear how to begin when making a home improvement. Like with many other things, knowing the basics allows any project to run much more smoothly. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find pointers that will allow you to get off to good start, no matter what sort of project you’re planning on tackling.

If you are purchasing a home, hire an inspector. By doing this, you will know exactly what needs to be replaced or fixed. A third party professional who offers a completely objective view will ensure that everything that needs to be fixed is found.

Keep your eyes peeled for major carpet sales at local home improvement stores. Often, they will reduce the cost of installation to extremely low levels to help sell the actual carpet. Since the installation is so cheap during these times, this is when you should have it done.

When baseboards are on the agenda for replacement, consider a stained wood look instead of painted. Warm, natural wood brings classic style to any decor. The stained baseboards will not make scuffs and dust as apparent as the painted would, and can easily be touched up. There are several colors to choose from so you can match any decor.

If you’re trying to cut down on counter space within the kitchen, you may want to purchase an over-the-range microwave. Microwaves that replace the range hood come in different prices, and some of them have special features, like convection cooking. Most of these have a filter that recirculates air as opposed to having a vent. This means they are better for people who do not need a vent.

Adding texture to your walls with drywall mud can create some visual variety to your walls and even hide some of those common wall blemishes. It is quite easy to do. Apply drywall mud and, using a brush or a sponge, add some texture to the mud.

Before painting, cover outlet covers with some aluminum foil. It is far easier to use aluminum foil than tape, and your covers will be shielded from possible splatters. Cleanup is so easy! Just make sure the paint is completely dry before you take the foil off for recycling.

Kitchens are terrific places to begin a home improvement journey. A great place to start is by cleaning any grease stains off the walls. A water and TSP solution will usually remove these stains. Eliminate the grease and any excess paint on the walls. Re-painting your kitchen with tan colors will amaze you, since it will have a totally different look when the painting is completed.

Replacing an old roof can prove to be expensive for any homeowner. Get more than one estimate and don’t forget to look at references. There are lots of different options when it comes to new roofs. A knowledgeable roofer or contractor can help you find the right choice for your home.

Home improvement is not as hard as it seems, and you will get great …

Basement Remodeling

Advice And Tips For Successful Home Improvement

Laura

You have finally decided to take the big step. You have decided to take the plunge into home improvement projects. This is the absolute perfect time to start making improvements to your home. You, no doubt, have many questions, and this article will cover them. The following tips can show you how to start improving your home today.

If you are renovating your home, consider whether the cost of adding your personal touch will be recouped when you sell it. If your renovation is done to your uniquely personal taste, you may find that nobody is interested in buying the home at the price you think it is worth.

Whenever your roof needs redoing, you should insert white tile. If not white, then ensure it is light colored. This lighter color deflects the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them, and this reduces heat in your attic. This alone can make a big difference in your bills.

Regular dusting of your home accessories should occur weekly. Just a few days could allow for quite a bit of dust to build up and cause allergy issues in the home. Not only does cleaning eliminate dirt and dust, but it reduces the possibility that spiders, fleas, ants or other insects will settle into your home.

Pop the bubbles in an old vinyl covering on your floor if you can. The air in a vinyl floor bubble can be released by slicing it. This gets the floor flat again. You’ll have to put glue in place to hold it flat, though. Syringe glue is a great choice for this task.

If you are switching out your floor tiles, look to purchase radiant heat tiles. These tiles provide heat through your electricity and are a real show stopper. These can even be a do-it-yourself project, providing you are able to read and follow directions. The end result is a project that you can continually add upon in the future or inform the next tenants so that they may achieve some of the work themselves. You will be happy you did when you go into your bathroom on that first day of winter.

Install exhaust fans in all of your bathrooms, your laundry room and above any cooking surfaces. You can reduce the occurance of mildew and mold in your house by keeping moist air out. Venting the humid air can also help prevent condensation from building up inside the walls of your home, which could potentially cause the walls to rot.

Dramatically increase the odds of your family staying safe in emergencies by having a family meeting to discuss your home’s escape routes. When there is a tragic accident or something beyond your control, people can tend to panic. To help lessen the chance of a fatality or injury, come up with escape plans for home intrusions, fire or dangerous weather. Have a catch up and think of the best way to get out in case this happens.

Now that you’ve reached the end of …

Bathroom Renovations

How You Can Make Your Home An Oasis With Some Improvements

Laura

Most people have an interest in home improvement work, but they sometimes find it is too difficult and give up before it is completed. Home improvement isn’t hard when you know the right things. Read on to find some suggestions that will help you with home improvement projects.

Stained wood is more aesthetically pleasing than painted whenever you’re replacing baseboards. Natural wood has a look that is not only classic, but works in nearly every style of home. Stained baseboards also hide imperfections better. Scratches and scuffs don’t stand out as much as they would on painted baseboards. There are a wide variety of stain colors that you can explore until you find one that is a right fit for you.

There are two ways to replace or change a lock: replacing the assembly itself, or only the cylinder. The cylinder being the lock’s mechanism that completes the lock action. If you wish to replace a lock for security, you can simply replace the cylinder. Replace the full unit if you want to improve the security or the appearance of your door.

Write down all the items that you need prior to shopping from a home improvement project. When you make a list, it will be easier for you to ensure that you don’t forget anything and have to go back to the store.

Planning ahead of time always improves the success of home improvement projects. Failure to plan ahead of time can be disastrous due to poor and impulsive decision-making. By planning ahead of time, it will be easier to do the work and accomplish the result you are looking for.

Understand what products you use to clean clogs from your drains. Some types of drain cleaners are very harsh and dangerous. Drain cleaners with active ingredients that are crystallized, for instance, may adhere to the interior of pipes, causing long-term damage. Your drain cleaner should be safe to use for your particular type of septic tank.

When you can afford to, stick to natural supplies. Materials such as stone, ceramic and wood are much better than their synthetic equivalents. They are more appealing to they eye, and also last longer. While natural materials may cost more up-front, they will cost less in the grand scheme of things since you won’t have to replace them as often.

Turning a basement into a usable room is a great idea. When you finish the basement, you are making extra space for your family. The essential materials can be bought from discount stores. Finishing your home’s basement can increase your home’s resale value by over 30%.

It can be very expensive to replace your flooring, no matter what material you use. An optional approach might be to take up any current flooring and stain the stripped concrete underneath. This adds to the contemporary look of your home while adding versatility too.

As previously mentioned, many people give home improvement a try, only to give up when they find that it is more …