Category: Home

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.…

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 …

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.…

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.…

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 …

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.…

Home Renovation

Why Cutting Electricity Costs Is A Crucial Consideration For You

Laura

By now, we all realize that we are mired in a period of stagnant growth. The economy is not going to bounce back as it almost always does after recessions and it seems as if it may take four or five years before we finally start to see some real daylight. This is why we have to make sure that we are as frugal as we can be and cutting electricity costs is crucial.
Few of us like to think that we waste any money at all and carefully balance the books each month. We might think that we’re doing everything that we can and the prospect of cutting electricity costs even more leaves us wondering what we can do. Many people are in the same boat as you and are not sure how they can make a difference.
Looking for information and doing your research is a great place to start. This is why, after all, you probably found this article. Make a short list of the steps that have already taken in your efforts when cutting electricity costs and compare your efforts to research. You’re almost guaranteed to find additional ways to move forward.
In your house, you typically use a very large number of light bulbs. You may find that many of these are still of the incandescent type rather than the new, compact fluorescent versions. They may be more costly to purchase, but they are very efficient and will last a long time.
Did you know that you can sign up for your local utility company’s energy-saving program? During peak hours when demand is at its highest, the utility company will shut down a particular appliance for short bursts of time. You probably won’t notice the difference, but your power bill probably will.
Landscaping can make a lot of difference as it tends to cut out some of the powerful effects of the sun during those summer afternoons. This is why you should have a good look at your shrubbery and put in place bushes and trees that will help.
Even though you may live in a new home, you will find that settlement has led to cracks appearing in various places. Often, you can find these around doors and windows and they can be the source of significant drafts. Not only that, but your costly air-conditioned air is frittering away. Now it’s time to put in place some of those special draft protector products to eliminate the source of wastage.
It’s all very well cutting electricity costs, but you don’t want to spend an inordinate amount of money on their remedies either. This is why flexible draft protectors are so good, as they are very efficient but truly cost effective.…

Home Renovation

How to Make a Large Room Feel Cosy

Laura

There are lots of articles and guides you can read about how to make the best of small spaces, but very little about how to make the best of a room that is very large. A lot of people have a large room in their home, especially if they live in a period property and sometimes it can be hard to make them feel warm and comfortable. Larger rooms have a tendency to feel cold and formal.
There are some structural changes you can make to a large room of course. You can divide the room into two or more small rooms. If doing this works quite naturally with the layout of the house, then this can sometimes be very useful. You gain an extra room, perhaps an office, another bathroom or bedroom, and this can often increase the value of your home.
If your room has a very high ceiling this will also make the room feel less cosy and it will be much harder to heat. You could consider putting in a suspended ceiling. This will make the room feel smaller, and it will make it easier to heat, but be careful of losing the character of your unique room.
Making sure the room is warm will help the room feel more comfortable. Check the room for draughts, make sure you have good double glazing, and if you don’t have cavity wall insulation then consider having this put in. It’s a pretty simple job which doesn’t take long, and there’s little disturbance. You may find your energy supplier will have a subsidised cavity wall insulation offer on, so you may also be able to get it a little cheaper.
A large room can be hard to heat. With a fire or a radiator in the room you will often find the heat is localised and there are cold spots around the room. Underfloor heating is a great idea for a large room as it spreads the heat evenly across the room. Thick carpet will make a large living room or bedroom feel cosier, or perhaps some rich mosaic floor tiles. Walking on warm tiles in bare feet is really lovely and looks great. Especially is a large kitchen.
Put a lot of thought into your soft furnishings. The more luxurious and rich the fabric the more cosy the room will feel. Thick velvet curtains will look sumptuous and will also help keep in the heat. A big comfortable sofa with lots of cushions and perhaps some floor cushions too.
Colour can play a big part in making a room feel more welcoming and comfortable. Pale blues and greens are likely to make the room feel cooler so avoid them. White and yellow will make the room feel even bigger than it already is, but rich reds, oranges and darker neutrals will help make the room feel smaller and more cosy. Generally speaking the darker the shade the smaller the room will feel.…

Home Improvement Contractors

Flooring: How To Make The Right Decision

Laura

When it comes to choosing flooring, there are so many options for you to choose from. When you think about what kind of floors you want, there are three things you should consider: the type of room you have, the amount of traffic you have going in and out of that room and what your budget is.
There are five basic types of flooring on the market today that you can choose from: hardwood, laminate, vinyl, ceramic tile and carpeting.
Hardwood floors are a very popular choice. Hardwood flooring will add character to most rooms in your home. Years ago, the old floor had to be taken out before installing the new hardwood floors. But with the advancements in technology, innovations have come along way since then and now hardwood can be installed over the old. Wooden floors are very easy to maintain. When considering hard wood floors, it is important to note that there are three types of wooden floor types available. There is plank, strip and long strip. You should do some research on each one to decide which one is best for your home. You also have a choice between prefinished and unfinished. If you are looking for something practical, then go with the prefinished kind. If you want a smooth surface, then you’ll want to choose the unfinished type.
Laminate floors have the look of real wood but are less expensive than hardwood floors. If your budget is not within the price range for the more expensive wooden floors, you may want to consider laminate instead. Laminate is also better for high traffic areas then the real wood is. Laminate is extremely easy to maintain, durable and is stain resistant. Laminate floors also do not fade. This type of flooring is perfect for households that have young children. Also, laminate floors snap together so it’s easy to install or reinstall them.
Vinyl floors come in a variety of colors and patterns so you can get the one that matches your room decor. With the new manufacturing processes that are being utilized, you can get vinyl floors that resemble tile, wood or stone. Vinyl is not expensive at all and is durable and very easy to clean.
Ceramic tile is durable and resistant to scratches, fire and water. There are various styles of ceramic tile flooring for you to choose from such as marble or granite. When considering tile for your home, think about the different cleaning solutions that you will need to use. Not every cleaning solution is made to be used on tile.
Carpeting has a softer and warmer feel to it. There are a variety of colors and patterns for you to choose from. Carpeting is also quieter, so it is perfect if you live in an apartment and have people that live below you. Carpeting is extremely economical. There are various carpet types that you can choose from such as shag or velvet.…

Home Remodeling

Some Quick Home Improvement Tips That Will Help You

Laura

Many people are timid about taking on any home improvement projects themselves. If you go into your project with an open mind, home improvements don’t need to be so difficult. In this article, we will provide some valuable advice that can give you the assistance you need for any home improvement project.

You should consider purchasing a combo unit if you reside in a condo, apartment, or small house that does not have the room for your washer and dryer. Many combined washer-dryer models can fit in compact spaces or under counters. These machines wash and dry clothes in the same unit.

It can be very expensive to purchase new furniture. Look around at garage sales and thrift stores for some interesting, new-to-you furniture. It is possible to find some wonderful furniture treasures in a second-hand or consignment shop. Some pieces will be in great condition, while others may require a little work and elbow grease to make them just right for you house.

Stained baseboards offer an excellent alternative to traditionally painted ones. Natural wood has a look that is not only classic, but works in nearly every style of home. Also, dings and scuffs are not as noticeable on stained baseboards as they are on the painted ones. There are a wide variety of stain colors that you can explore until you find one that is a right fit for you.

Use nails to drill some holes in your paint can’s rim. The space where the lid fits in the paint can will fill up with paint, when putting the lid on it will go down the sides. If you pound some holes in the top of the can it will prevent this problem from rearing its ugly head.

Opt for a unique coffee table rather than a generic pre-made one. An antique chest or some aged luggage can make for great storage and a great accent for your room. Display some of your books, magazine and accessories on your coffee table for definition. You could also place teacups and add a tablecloth in order to have a country look.

Chipping paint, rotting decks and ceilings which contain water damage can be easily seen when you look through a house you are thinking of buying. Things like roof defects, bad ventilation, or other hidden problems can be located by professional inspectors. Invest some money prior to purchasing a home and save a lot of money in the future on repairs.

Get exhaust fans for your bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. These rooms are susceptible to mold and mildew because of the hot, moist air that exists in these areas of your home, and an exhaust fan will vent the humid air outside. It also prevents rot by stopping condensation from forming inside your walls.

In conclusion, know that you can do home improvement projects and avoid getting overwhelmed. When making such repairs, remember to always keep an open mind. This article provides a good start for almost any …