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Kitchen Remodel

Learn How to Transform Your Bathroom Into a Personal Spa

At the end of a tough day at work wouldn’t it be great to sit down in a Jacuzzi or inside of a sauna. It is so decompressing and it assists to relieve the tension that is contained within our muscles. Regrettably numerous of us don’t have these conveniences in our home. Why not remodel your master bath into your own private spa.
Unless you live in a mansion the measure of space that you have accessible will be very limited. You should settle for yourself what is most essential to utilize and what you can live without. Begin by selecting what style you wish to utilize. You will be able to have contemporary, go for the modern, or find something that is in between both.
Pick out sinks, toilets, faucet fixtures, and tubs that assist to make it more relaxing and attractive to the eye. For example; numerous individuals prefer to utilize either the claw foot bathing tub or something bigger that has jaccuzi jets inside of it. Just be sure that everything you pick out works well together.
You must have plenty of lighting to see what you are doing and to get your face in the morning. However, you don’t want them to be blinding you. Try to have at least three kinds of lighting; ceiling, ambient, and task. The task is situated around the mirror and is what will assist you to put your make up on.
One of the greatest transformations to your master bathroom remodel is the type of shower you would like to utilize. You can’t have a personal spa without a showerhead that is designed with a lot of pressure. You might have to spend $100 or more for a unit that will help to massage you. These can be altered to your height, and are usually hand held.…

House Improvements

Budgeting for a Home Renovation

Budgeting for home renovations is always tough. Even when you plan for everything and even a few glitches along the way budgets often find a way to be busted. In order to keep your progress from ending in a budget stale mate here are a few things to keep in mind when renovations are planned for your home.
First decide why you are renovating your home. What do you hope to accomplish with the renovation? Are you adding space for a new addition? Are you adding space for a kids play room or do you hope that with your renovation you increase the value of your home. Knowing exactly what you hope to accomplish with your home renovations will make it easier to create a budget and stick to it. It is often when a plan is not created that we go overboard with spending. So the more you can think out ahead of time before renovations on your home begin the better your finances will look in the end.
Speaking of a budget determine how much you can afford to spend on this home renovation. If you realize that what you hope to accomplish is not possible within the funds you have allotted for the project than you can easily put it on hold at this stage of the process. Determine the cost of all materials, tools and furnishings that will be needed to complete the renovation. If you are doing a kitchen renovation make sure to take into account large items like stoves and refrigerators. If you are doing a bathroom remodel take into account a new tub, sink and vanity. A toilet and new fixtures should also be added to the budget.
Next ask yourself are you up to taking on the challenge of a remodel or is it better for you to hire a contractor to ensure a smooth renovation. If you are the handyman type simple renovations can easily be done on your own and can save your contractor fees. If you are going to hire out a residential contractor make sure to look at examples of their previous work. Ask for references and check out their website. The detail put into their work, references and website will give you a good idea of their work and work ethic. It is also important to make sure your gut tells you that the contractor you have chosen is right for you and your home renovation.
A timeline is also important in home renovations. It is important to go over this with your contractor and get in writing a plan of attack. It is important that each step is broke down into a time frame so that you and the contractor can work together to make sure progress stays on track.
Making sure that the contractor you hire is on the same page as you is one of the most important steps in home renovation. You can have this by opening the lines of communication from the start. Know that sometimes things can take an unexpected turn but that you are interested in keeping up to date with the progress and would like updates even when something goes haywire
Once you have agreed upon a plan do not keep changing things. Nothing makes a contractor bitter more than an indecisive customer. They to have a time frame to stay within so that they can continue work with other clients. Every change adds time and money to the budget so stick to the original plan of attack. It will ease the schedule and budget if you stick to the initial renovation plan.
The last thing you will need to decide is if you plan on living in your dwelling during the construction or if you plan on finding a place that is more conducive to your life. If you decide to live in your home during the renovation make sure that you do not interrupt the progress. A happy contractor makes for a happy homeowner.…

Kitchen Remodel

How To Create The ‘Oasis Factor’ With Innovative Duravit Bathroom Fixtures

If we’ve learned anything in the past few years, it’s that figuring home values, and calculating the value of home improvements is a tricky proposition. Location, market conditions, and the products used in remodeling any room are all factors in how much money one might recoup from a project. Upgrading a bathroom is no exception.
But there is an intangible involved in the remodeling of a bathroom. I like to think of it as “the oasis factor.” If the home is our castle, then the bathroom should be our oasis. That’s where Duravit products come in. Durability and practicality are an issue of course-but what is function without form? Duravit combines both.
Is it just possible that baby boomers and gen-Xers are staying put in their homes, and abandoning the concept of changing residences more often than they change their cars? If this is the case, then why upgrade a bathroom just for function? That’s only taking care of half the job. Why not upgrade not only the fixtures but the ambiance? Duravit products stand up to both challenges.
While they may not yet be a household name in the U.S., worldwide their bathroom furnishings are a standard of excellence in remodeling and new construction. Hotels, public buildings, and new homes throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East are using Duravit products. In cost, their fixtures can compete with the better-known American brands, yet there’s a step up in design and innovation in products from this German company that has been around nearly 200 years. Steam showers, tubs for two, over-size sinks, even out-door tubs and “pools” allow the homeowner or builder to create a spa or bathroom project that is out-of-the-ordinary. Why settle for a bathroom that is just the same but different?
As our needs change, so do our tastes. In college, or our first apartment, a box on the floor served not only as a bookcase, but an end table, dining table, and lamp stand. Anyone who has travelled to foreign lands has probably seen what passes for a bathroom in some older hotels. Are these rooms functional? , sometimes, they’re barely so. Are they beautiful? Rarely. And are these rooms an oasis of relaxation? Never. Why does the bathroom have to be a space that is, despite a few upgrades, simply a room for a toilet, sink, and bathing area? Duravit thinks outside the box-not only the box that confines your room, but the box that confines design and function.
Design is a big part of the appeal of their products, but Duravit just doesn’t design bathroom furnishings on the outside and slap a famous designer logo on the product. Their designers are creating products for the bathroom inside and out. In other words, it’s that design/function/innovation dynamic that is being created. Okay, maybe they’re not reinventing the wheel, but they are reinventing the idea of a bathroom. Next time you’re searching for the “oasis” in your home, check out Duravit bathroom furnishings. You may be in for a surprise.…

Kitchen Renovation

Tips for a Successful Kitchen Renovation

It is a well-known fact that the kitchen and the bathroom are the most expensive rooms in the house, so a bit of research and planning ahead of your renovation will help to keep costs and stresses down, and have the project go as smoothly as possible.

Budget. As with any project to be undertaken, the first thing you need to do is fix your budget, and please, please, please remember to allow for overruns – you do not known what will be found in the walls or the floor that will result in additional costs to the project.

Layout. Does the existing layout work for you? Are you taking out any walls to make a bigger space, or adding windows or doors? These kinds of changes need to be taken into account when considering the layout of the kitchen. Remember the triangle between sink, stove and fridge!

Electrical Outlets. A very common problem in a kitchen is an insufficient number of electrical outlets, particularly at countertop level. If your large appliances are all to be built-in, each will need a dedicated outlet. How much countertop space will you have? Do you have small appliances that live on the counter like a coffee machine, toaster or toaster oven? Do you have other appliances that live in a cupboard and are used only occasionally? Additional outlets should be provided to accommodate these appliances.

Countertop. There are numerous choices for the countertop, from tiles to granite or polished stone, to concrete, stainless steel and various molded surfaces. And the price range is equally huge, with unique custom-made surfaces costing thousands of dollars. Be careful that you don’t overspend on the finishes as you might not get it back on reselling your property. Also think about wear and tear on the counter – do you have kids? Might there be frequent spillages that might cause staining?

Cabinets. The choice of finishes for your cabinets is limitless, from natural wood to laminates, stainless steel, glass, synthetic finishes and various combinations of them all. Do you wish your upper level cabinets to go right up to the ceiling – the advantages of this include more storage space though high up, no dust can collect on the top of the cupboards, plus it gives the illusion of a higher ceiling, which is particularly good if your ceiling is a little low.

Floor. Are you installing a new floor covering? If yes, it needs to be something that is very durable to withstand the wear and tear of traffic in the busiest room in your house! Hardwood, tile, stone or even polished concrete fill this role effectively and efficiently.

Appliances. The kitchen is often described as the “heart of the home”, so you don’t want to skimp on appliances. Stainless steel is more expensive but it will last longer. Having appliances that match is also very important to the overall look of the finished kitchen. Do you want a dishwasher and where do you want it to be located? Do you want a built-in microwave or wine cooler, and where should they be located. Now is the time to think about these things.

There you have it. Lots to think about before your project gets started, but planning ahead will more than pay for itself in the successful completion of the project.…

Kitchen Remodel

What to Look for in a Home Remodeling Company

A Seattle home remodeling company should not be chosen merely because it’s the first one that appeared in the phone book or because it’s the one with the cheapest rates. Most people these days care so much about convenience and economy that they end up sacrificing quality because they don’t want to exert a bit of effort in finding a company that can do the work for them. As a result, they end up with homes that look nothing like what they envisioned.
Make sure that the renovation company that you’re getting actually specializes in remodeling. Consider for a second construction companies that have shifted towards remodeling. Because they came from a different field, their mindset about the work is radically different. For them, as long as they finish the job, then that’s it. Contrast that with remodeling companies, who know full well that there’s more to renovations than simply building things and reorganizing. They see to it that everything is considered, from beginning to end, including the cleanup.
With regards to price, certainly budget is always a factor that you will need to consider. However, it shouldn’t be the only criterion in your mind when you’re looking for a company to do the remodeling for you. If the offer sounds too good to be true, chances are, it is. You might end up either scammed or left with substandard work, since you’re getting what you actually paid for. Even if it’s slightly more expensive, a renovation company that actually gives a quote with a detailed breakdown of the costs is more reliable than one that gives a lump sum without telling you where the expenses are going.
Before you choose a company that will do the house renovations for you, make sure you consider these factors. Remember, it’s your home they’re going to be working on, so making that extra effort will be worth it in the end.…

General Article House Improvements

Struggling With Your Roof? Try These Tips!

In order to successfully manage putting a good roof on your home, you need to know the necessary knowledge about taking care of such a big task. This article contains much helpful information concerning what you need to consider so that you can move forward. Keep reading to find out more about roofing.

Never hesitate to replace your roof’s shingles. While you may believe it is okay to put off a roof repair, you will only further the damage by prolonging it. Repairing shingles immediately will save cash for you and avoid you a headache. Taking care of your roof will make it last.

While it may sound backwards, one of the best times to find a leak is when it’s completely dry out. Keep an eye out for things like mold in corners, unusually dark ceiling tiles, and damp insulation. You can use these things to guide you to the spot the leak is coming from.

Check to make sure the contractor has all the licenses he needs. If you’re unsure of what that is exactly, don’t just assume everything is okay because the contractors says it is. Contact your local building department and ask them what is needed.

If you’re looking into getting insurance on your roof, make sure replacement is covered along with repairs. You don’t want to be stuck paying for a new roof out of pocket. Repair coverage is a great thing to have, but you also want to be covered for the worst case scenario.

Before spending thousands of dollars on having your roof repairs by a contractor, see if you can do the fixes. While more complicated matters (such as needing your whole roof replaced) require the help of a roofer, you can do simpler issues on your own, like shingle repairs. You can head to the Internet for step-by-step guides on simple fixes.

Slate roofs can offer you something that a shingle roof cannot, this is an aged and sophisticated look. Slate roofs have been used for hundreds of years, as tar shingles have not been produced for as long as people have needed roofs. Some of the most famous buildings have slate roofs, all having a sophisticated and timely look.

Home Repair

Always keep safety in mind. Danger abounds in roofing work. Wait for ideal conditions. If the weather looks bad, hold off. It isn’t worth dying over! You must know what you are doing, and you must work safely.

Remodeling

Invest in the highest quality roofing tiles your money can buy. This is especially important if you are living in the house you are remodeling. The best roofing materials for your home depend on the climate of your location, so be sure to research the best roofing tiles for your climate.

How do you feel about your roofing knowledge now? You should have learned quite a bit from reading the article, so keep the advice that you’ve picked up in mind as you continue your roofing project. Now that you have all you need, you can ensure that the roof you put on your home is adequate.…

General Article Kitchen Remodel

Roofing Advice That Can Save You A Hassle

Sadly, it is not wise to place your full trust in the representations of all contractors. For quality work, you need to know enough about roofing to know what should be done. The following article will teach you everything you need to know to tackle that roof repair.

When meeting with a professional roofer, ask to see a copy of their liability insurance. Any trustworthy roofer should have copies readily available. If they have a hard time providing you with their papers, they’re probably not someone you want to work with. When you’re trusting someone with your roof, you want all your bases covered.

You should have certain expectations of your roofer. For example, any shingles that fall down to the ground should be picked up and hauled off your property. In addition, the roofer should pick up the majority of the nails that fall down as well, although it is likely that a few may be missed. In general, your yard should be clean and picked up after the work is completed.

If a roofing salesman is giving you a high pressure pitch, tell him no thank you and show him out of your home. Once the salesman locks you into a contract, you and your home are at their mercy. This makes it essential to prevent being pressured into an agreement.

Never use bleach to clean your roof. While bleach is something that is very effective at cleaning many areas of your home, it should never be used to clean your roof. This is because the chemicals found in bleach are corrosive, and they may cause a lot of damage to the roofing materials.

After a thorough inspection and cleaning of the roof, it is imperative to patch and seal any problem areas. Make sure that the weather report shows nice weather, because sealing materials may take up to two days to completely cure. A sealant or other coating should be applied after the areas are cured.

Before you install a new roof, check out your supplies. Installation is a big cause of leaks, whether it be from the wrong sized nails or cracked shingles. Be sure that the nails and shingles are in good shape before you add them to your roof.

Home Repair

Remember to be safe when it comes to roofing. Danger abounds in roofing work. Don’t be in a rush to address issues with your roof. If you’re not able to work because of bad weather, then you should wait. Don’t injure yourself or worse in the name of home repair. It’s crucial that you take all necessary precautions and have a good idea of what you’re doing up there.

Remodeling

Invest in the highest quality roofing tiles your money can buy. This is especially important if you are living in the house you are remodeling. The best roofing materials for your home depend on the climate of your location, so be sure to research the best roofing tiles for your climate.

As you can see by now, it’s imperative that you learn what you can about roofing. You have to use your head. Apply the great tips found above to make sure your roof is repaired and sealed in a cost-effective way.…