Money Saving Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom remodeling doesn’t just have to be about updating the current look of your bathroom or improving the usability. It can be a great chance for you to implement some ways to conserve water and energy, while also choosing attractive yet environmentally-friendly options to remodel your bathroom. Remodeling your bathroom while being environmentally-friendly at the same time is entirely possible. We’ve put together some great green bathroom remodeling tips that you can consider when planning your bathroom remodel.
As might be expected, your bathroom uses a lot of water, mainly for the toilet and shower. However, it is possible to reduce that figure by a significant margin which can mean your water bill shrinks as a result. The major culprit in bathroom water consumption is of course the toilet, which accounts for a quarter or more of a household’s water usage. Installing a low-flow toilet probably won’t help this, since they can often end up using more water than before due to requiring multiple flushes. However, a dual-flush toilet is an excellent alternative that allows you to minimize the amount of water used per flush – it allows you to choose whether you want to use a minimal amount of water or the maximum amount of water when flushing. As a result, a dual-flush toilet can save as much as 17,000 gallons per year. If you don’t want to replace the toilet entirely, your current toilet can also be upgraded to allow dual flushing.
When it comes to the shower, it generally does not use as much water as the toilet does, but it still accounts for 15-20% of a household’s water usage. You can cut back on this by installing a low-flowing showerhead, which uses 1.5 to 2 gallons per minute, as opposed to a high-flowing showerhead that uses 2.5 gallons per minute.
Choosing environmentally-friendly materials for your bathroom remodel is another way to go green but still have a great-looking bathroom in the end. Ceramic is a very popular green material for bathroom tiles that is attractive, durable and low-maintenance, while tiles crafted from recycled glass are also very environmentally friendly and attractive as well. Replacing light fixtures with LEDs will help save on energy costs over the long run since they use a very minimal amount of energy but can still output a good deal of light.
In addition to green remodeling materials and water-efficient fixtures, you can reduce your bathroom’s energy costs to help save money and minimize environmental impact. Your water heater can be wrapped with an insulator that helps reduce the amount of energy it needs to heat water and you can also insulate any exposed pipes connected to the water heater. It can also be a big help to turn the temperature down to 120 degrees from the standard 140 degrees a water heater is usually set at – this will still provide hot water but use less energy in the the time comes to replace your water heater, you have two excellent alternatives to a standard water heater. With a condensing water heater, almost all of the energy used goes to heating water – maximizing energy-efficiency. The other option is a tankless water heater, which heats water on demand, rather than using energy to keep water hot constantly.…
A Guide to Designing a New Bathroom
A Guide to Designing a New Bathroom
Are you planning to build a new bathroom or you want to turn your old bathroom into a whole new bathroom? If this is the case, there are a variety of things to keep in mind. After all, you can design a new bathroom that will look incredible but that will be very functional as well. When you are designing your bathroom, you may well want to follow a few of the tips in this article to ensure your oasis away from the world is absolutely perfect.
First of all, you need to make sure that you make your bathroom realistic, yet flexible. When you are designing your bathroom, you need to consider going with a design that you’ll not only like now, but with a design that you will find helpful in years to come as well. While you may like something like a wet room instead of going with a bath, this may not be something that is flexible and realistic for the future. Will other buyers want to purchase a home with a wet room? Will you still like the wet room later? Keep these thoughts in mind when you are coming up with the design for your bathroom.
You need to think of the space when you are designing a new bathroom as well. If you have enough space, make use of it. Going with a nice double sink is a great idea. Make sure that you include plenty of storage in your bathroom as well. This way you don’t have to make room for the storage of bathroom items in other rooms. This helps you to keep the bathroom well organized and looking great too.
Even if you have a smaller bathroom that you are working with, there are a variety of great things you can do to make the most of the space and to make the bathroom appear bigger than it is. You can use flooring that is pale and reflective to make your bathroom look bigger. Going with mirrors is also a great way to make the room look bigger because the mirrors will reflect all of the light in the bathroom. Another trick is to use the right lighting to make your bathroom look bigger. Adding skylights and windows can also help to provide you with that feeling of more space as well.
Think of visual appeal as well when you are designing a bathroom. This is so important. Not only should your bathroom be functional for you, but you should make sure that it has great visual appeal. Use colors that go together well and add the right furniture and accessories to your bathroom so that you have a bathroom that looks incredible.
Of course, even if you do design your bathroom yourself, there is one important thing to remember. It is a good idea to have a good job done on it. Unless you are a professional electrician or you are good at plumbing, you may not be able to do the entire project on your own. You are better off to pay a bit more to have a professional take care of those types of jobs to make sure that the bathroom gets done right. The last thing you want is trouble in the future because you tried to do a job you weren’t qualified to do.…
Kitchen Renovation: One of the Best Ways to Add Value
What type of remodeling is the best bet when it comes to adding value to your home?
A kitchen renovation is one of the best ways to add value to your home (a bathroom renovation is another potentially good home remodeling investment.) In addition, a renewed kitchen also gives you something you can enjoy while you continue to live in your home.
So, what should you keep in mind when planning your kitchen renovation? Houston homes with custom kitchens sell more than homes without — and there are some specific keys to keep in mind:
1.) Your kitchen renovation should be as functional as it is beautiful. Keep this in mind when it comes to the flow of your kitchen. Where will the work space be? Will the dishwasher be close to the sink?
2.) Lighting & fixtures can go along way in making a statement — sometimes it’s the small things that make the difference.
3.) Appliances are important — especially if you are selling your home soon. In this market — nice appliances can make the difference. Nice means both appearance (stainless perhaps,) and also brand & functionality.
4.) Storage is important — this is one of the top requests when it comes to a new kitchen. Additional storage space can often be added during a remodel. When renovating, think about way to add rather than decrease storage.
The best thing about a kitchen renovation in Houston, is the joy it will bring you for years to come as you remain in your home.…
5 Things to Consider When Renovating a Bathroom
New furniture and a fresh coat of paint is all it takes to give many rooms in the house a totally new look. Yet, bathrooms are usually a completely different story. If you have plans to renovate a bathroom at home, read through this article to learn about some of the important factors of a bathroom remodel.
1. How Far do You Want to Go?: When you decide to renovate a bathroom, you will be faced with an array of choices. One of the first and most important things to consider when deciding to renovate a bathroom is how big of a change you want to make. Do you wish to scrap the entire space and start from the beginning? Possibly you love the look of the bathroom, but just want a new bath or shower system. Or you could simply want to freshen things up with a new colour of paint and updated fixtures. Whichever route you choose to take, until you know how far you want to take this renovation, you cannot move ahead with your plans.
2. Contracting the Job to a Professional: Once you know how big the renovation project is going to be, you will have to decide whether you will be taking on this project yourself or hiring a professional bathroom remodelling company. For simple things like changing hardware and re-painting, you can most likely do that yourself. However, if you are starting from scratch and install all new flooring and a new bath and shower system, you will want to hire a professional. Professionals will be able to deal with any plumbing or electrical issues that could arise in a renovation.
3. Function of the Space: Now that you know how big of a renovation you want and whether or not you are hiring a team of professionals, it is time to think about the overall function of your soon-to-be new bathroom. Now there are obvious uses that don’t need to be mentioned, but aside from those, what else do you want this space to offer? Will this be a smaller powder room for guests? Is this a larger, common bathroom that the whole family uses, therefore it needs to be more durable? Or perhaps it is your private ensuite that you wish to turn into your own personal spa-like space. Knowing what you want from your new bathroom will help you know which direction to go in terms of budget, layout and design.
4. Budgeting for Your Project: With the technical aspects out of the way, you can start to organize your budget for the renovation. If you are hiring a professional contractor and doing a full renovation, your budget will obviously be much higher. You should also be setting aside an emergency fund in the case that something should happen during the process if this is what you are planning to do. You are dealing with much more in a bathroom renovation as opposed to a bedroom or living room because plumbing gets thrown into the mix.
5. Budget Your Time: One more important thing to do when planning a bathroom renovation is to set a timeframe for the actual process. Whether it will be a long or short process, be sure to allow for some flexibility. By allowing for flexibility, you will be prepared in case there is unexpected structural or plumbing problems, delivery or manufacturing delays or other outside issues.…
How to Choose a Bathroom Remodeler
Your bathroom is perhaps the most important room of your house. But most of the time it is neglected. While you decorate your bedroom and dining space, it’s sometimes essential to remodel the bathroom too. This not only adds beauty and enjoyment to your home, but also increases the value of your home if you wish to sell it in future.
However, remodeling your bathroom is not an easy task and can be costly too. You need to consider the flooring, paint, and other essentials like the sink, mirrors, showers, bath tubs and other accessories. If you’re not careful, you could easily end up with a bathroom that’s anything but what you had wanted it to be. So, it is of extreme importance to have a good plan in place before you begin.
Hiring a reputed bathroom remodeler makes a lot of sense in this regard. Not only do you ensure a cleaner and better installation that way, but also good quality accessories and a higher level of satisfaction. Here are the facilities a good company will provide you for bathroom remodeling:
* Easy and quick installation of the Sinks and Mirrors: Perhaps you have already purchased sinks and mirrors by your own. Many companies in the market will refuse to take your project because you haven’t bought the materials from their catalogs. However that should never be a problem with reputed and honest remodeling companies. No matter where you buy the products from, they will make sure that they are installed quickly and easily in the right way.
* Constructing the floors and walls: Regular use will change the surfaces of the tiles and ceramic over time, necessitating their replacement. An experienced service provider will give you an accurate estimate on the time required to finish your project. A bathroom is an absolute necessity in the house and a competent remodeling company will make sure that you are ready to use it again as soon as possible.
* Installing the perfect showers and bath tub: In some cases, the existing bath tub is measured and a new one is fitted over it, for a very quick remodeling. In other cases, the old bath tub is professionally cleaned to make it look like new again. Make sure that your appointed remodeler is taking care of all the scratches, chips, and water stains on the bath tub and the shower area. They will also use non-harmful and non-staining chemicals that both clean and disinfect.…
A Look at the Filter Water Dispenser
A Look at the Filter Water Dispenser
If you knew what was in the water that is coming out of your tap, you would probably never drink it again. Have you ever noticed that it has a funny taste or thought that it smelled slightly odd? There have been discovered over two thousand toxins in our drinking supply, and if this is not bad enough, the municipal companies that are working to make it pure for drinking are adding more chemicals into it. Every household should own and have invested in a good filter water dispenser.
If you take the matter of your health seriously, then you will be careful what you put into your body. And one of the most important substances that are necessary for human life is water. We would die without it in a very short time; it is essential for life. And our bodies are made up mostly of it. For this reason, it is likely one of the most important substances we will ever take in. We should make sure that we are drinking it in its purest more natural form.
Unfortunately, many on this planet have abused our water system. Tons of harmful chemicals and other substances are dumped into it daily, and we are essentially poisoning ourselves. Not only bacteria and viruses are found in our water, but hundreds of chemicals, grease, oil, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and medicines, all things that are very harmful to our bodies.
And while the municipal companies work their best to purify our drinking supply, they often to not have the means to do it properly, and are using chemicals which have been linked to a number of serious illnesses and diseases, as well as some cancers.
If we do not want to be exposed to these types of things, we will have to take the matter into our own hands. There are a number of good filtration and purification systems that can properly decontaminate water and make it safe, pure, clean, and fresh so that we can enjoy it without worrying about what we are putting into our bodies.
Filter dispensers are great for storing filtered water until it is ready to be consumed. These are convenient, easy to install, and fairly inexpensive. All you have to do is purchase it and install it, and can essentially forget that it even exists while enjoying all the benefits that it provides. Every household and business should own one.…
Many Bathroom Remodeling Ideas Do Not Have to Be Expensive
Outside of the kitchen, the bathroom is the biggest selling point in a home. Why? Because when a prospective home buyer sees a bathroom that is in disrepair all they see is the money that they would have to spend to fix it up.
While there are plenty of do it yourself projects that you can do for yourself, when a prospective homeowner sees a home that they have to work on, they are deducting the amount of money that they are willing to pay for your home. You can get more value for you home if you just implement a couple of bathroom remodeling ideas
Some bathroom remodeling ideas like replacing an entire bathtub might require that you bring in a contractor to help you out. That is a project that most unskilled do it yourself homeowners cannot tackle. However some bathroom remodeling ideas such as replacing the tile in your bathroom is a do it yourself project that you can fully do yourself.
Replacing bathroom tile is going to require a lot of hard work. What you do not often see on DIY programs is the hours that the people spend ripping tile out of their bathrooms before they start installing new tile.
However, compared to the cost of paying a contractor to do it for you, a bit of elbow grease is well worth the money that you save.
While you are putting tile on the walls and flooring, you may want to go ahead and take on some inexpensive projects as well like purchasing fabric shower curtains or replacing the lighting. You can also find expensive wall cabinets and molding for the mirrors to give them a finished framed look.
Some bathroom remodeling ideas require some more work than others but that does not mean that they are not good ideas or impossible to do. Some small design changes could be getting new faucets, bathroom liners or extra long shower curtains to change the look of the bathroom.
By purchasing small designer items, you can make a bathroom look more expensive that it really is, which will help increase the value of your home.…