Category: Renovation

Room Additions

Bathroom Remodeling – Choosing the Right Flooring For Your Bathroom

While many homeowners believe that flooring is more for aesthetics than anything else, your flooring services multiple purposes in the bathroom. When you’re getting ready to do bathroom remodeling you need to put careful consideration in the type of flooring that you’ll install. Very specific factors come in to play with the bathroom, from water retention and absorbency, stain resistance, safety when wet, overall durability, cost, how it fits with the design. Here’s a look into the different flooring options to consider while you prep for bathroom remodeling in your home.
Carpeting: While it might not seem like the best idea in an environment that is perpetually exposed to moisture, carpet is actually a great option for the bathroom – you just have to make the right purchase decision and do your homework on the carpet you want. You need to install carpet that is stain-resistant as well as milder-resistance. The backing of the carpet also needs to hold the water back so it won’t be absorbed by the padding. If this is in line then you have no worries about carpet installation in the bathroom.
Ceramic Tile: Ceramic tile for bathroom flooring is designed a little differently than the ceramic tile you would use on a countertop or backsplash. While those surfaces are smooth, ceramic flooring tiles are made with a textured surface to prevent slipping. It’s a favored option for floors because of the custom designs, shapes and more that are available – lending an opportunity to create a truly unique floor in your bathroom.
Laminate: Laminate is made of layers of material that have been bonded together for strength and durability, including resin and wood fibers. The final pieces are formed together into compressed planks with an image that’s imprinted on the surface. This allows a custom design in various material styles and colors, most commonly wood. It’s durable and easy to clean, making it an affordable and great option for many bathroom remodeling projects.
Hardwood: It’s an added expense, but it’s difficult to replicate the beauty and character that comes from a hardwood floor. It lends a great deal of warmth and comfort to the bathroom environment, which is beneficial if you’re the type to rely on your bathroom for relaxation after a long day. Even older wood floors can be easily refreshed and to ensure safety you can apply a no-slip finish in the bathroom.
Natural Stone: Natural stone is often cut into large tiles that are placed in various patterns across the floor in the bathroom. It’s common for tiles to be cut in 12″ squares but they can also come larger. Being natural stone it’s highly durable and easy to care for. When properly sealed the floor won’t absorb water and the surface is naturally slip-resistant making it a safe option for your bathroom flooring. The only downside here is that natural stone tends to get a little cold on the feet.
Vinyl: This has long been one of the most popular options for bathroom flooring, coming in sheets or tiles that can be easily placed and bonded to the subfloor. It comes in a variety of shapes and patterns to fit most designs and personal styles. While easy to clean, vinyl tiles have a lot of seams which creates potential for mold. The bonding glue can also give after time, causing your vinyl to release from the flooring.
Ultimately you’ll need to choose the flooring that best suits your personal preferences, your budget and the overall look of your room. If you’re not certain which type of flooring suits your bathroom, take the time to consult with a general contractor. They can help you make an informed decision on what material is best for your bathroom remodeling project.…

by Suzana Mikolova
4 Minute
Renovation Contractor

Preparing Yourself for a Bathroom Remodel

Each year, homeowners around the country consider having one or more of their bathrooms remodeled. Most start with a simple coat of paint. After they realize the amount that this paint transforms their previously boring bathroom, they start thinking about the other possibilities. There are many different aspects of a bathroom remodel, including the floor, light fixtures, the bath and shower, and more. Because of this, you will want to spend some time thinking about exactly how extensive you want your bathroom remodel to be. Although there are many simple things that you can do to update and transform your bathroom, conducting a complete overhaul is a very extensive and costly endeavor. Because of this, you will want to prepare yourself, and work closely with a company that specializes in remodeling in your area.
Choosing an Overall Look
After you have decided on the extent of your bathroom overhaul, you will want to determine the overall look that you are going for. There are endless options when it comes to toilets, baths, showers, vanities, light fixtures and tile. Your best bet is to browse online, and in your local hardware store to get some ideas for what you might want. Choose tile, fixtures and paint that goes well together and start putting together your plan. If you need help making sure that you have covered all of the bases, call a builder in your area for assistance. There are many that are more than happy to help you with your plans.
Decide on a Budget
Whenever you start a bathroom-remodeling project, you will want to keep in mind your total budget. Depending on what you have in mind, this type of undertaking can become very expensive very fast. If you do not keep an eye on all of the decisions that you are making, you could end up surprised with a very large bill when everything is said and done. When you start working with a local contractor, be up front with your budget. They can help you put together a plan, including all of the necessary supplies that will fit into your budget.
Choosing a Contractor
Because budget is so important with a big job like this, you will want to choose a contractor that fits your budget. This doesn’t mean choosing the lowest cost contractor. Take some time to do your research and choose the contractor that provides the best value for the price that they charge. You can start by calling some of your local builders and requesting estimates. As they provide estimates, get a feel for how easy each company is to work with, and ask to see examples of their work. Taking a little extra time in this department can save you a huge headache later.
When properly carried out, a bathroom remodel can make a huge change to your home. Not only can it make your bathroom more attractive, functional and appealing, it can raise your home’s value when you are reselling. Because of the importance of your plumbing and this area of your home, working with a certified contractor is very important to a successful renovation. Try not to get so excited that you rush through things, and you will thank yourself later.…

by Suzana Mikolova
3 Minute
Renovation House

How to Complete a Home Renovation Project Quickly and On Time

It is rare to meet someone who has undergone a home renovation that hasn’t complained that it took too long. Having worked on home renovation projects of varying scales for homeowners getting their house ready to sell or prior to move in or even when they’re living in the home, I have found that there are certain things that help make a project move quickly and efficiently. Whenever I see projects drag on and on for months, even years, it’s because they’re lacking in one or more of these areas. Granted, there are things that come up that are out of your control, but I can promise that if you follow the tips below, you’ll reduce your project timeline significantly.

First and foremost, Have a Plan – Sounds simple enough right? I want to renovate my kitchen or bath. That’s a start, but there’s much more to it than that. Consult with your contractor about your project and find out a realistic time frame to start and complete the work. I recommend you get a calendar and use it as a project tracker. If it’s going to take 6 weeks for example, mark what the finish date is on the calendar. Then, reverse engineer or back track everything that needs to be done and assign a date to everything. For example, Day 1 Demolition, Day 2 Remove popcorn ceiling, Day 3 electrical rough-in, etc. This will also help you know what materials you need and when. For example, if you’re doing demolition on Day 1, you’ll need a dumpster on site. If you’re hiring a General Contractor to work on your project, they will handle these details, but it’s good to ask what you need to provide and what they will provide. If you are installing cabinets on Day 30, and it takes 4 weeks to order the cabinets, that means you need to get the floor plan designed immediately so that an order can be placed and delivered in time.

Have a realistic budget. How will you fund your project? Savings? Loan? Credit Cards? A gut kitchen or bath renovation is not inexpensive. Be prepared to spend several thousand dollars even on the low end. Make a list of everything you’ll need: cabinets, flooring, lighting, appliances, fixtures, sinks, disposal, toilet, tub, knobs, and more. Also, who is going to do the work. Is this a DIY project or will you be employing professionals? If you’re going with the DIY route, be realistic about your abilities and how much time you have to contribute to the renovation considering your other responsibilities – full time job, family, etc.

Know What You Want. Do you have a particular style that you like? How do you want the space to function? How do you envision using the space? What all needs to fit in the space? In the kitchen, consider storage for all the dishes, pots, bakeware, glassware and cookbooks. In the bathroom, consider the number and kind of people using the space (adults, children, pets, guests), storage needs, privacy, etc. These are important things to consider so that you can design a space that fits your lifestyle. Additionally, what kind of material do you want for flooring, countertops, cabinets, etc. Doing some research in advance will help you narrow choices to fit within your budget. If you truly don’t have any idea, I recommend looking through trade magazines and tearing out pictures of rooms that speak to you. Put together an inspiration folder which will help you and/or a designer create your dream space.

Have Your Vendors Lined Up. Whether this is a DIY project or completely outsourced, you need to have the right people to help you. Get referrals from friends and family who have had good experiences. Use online referral resources. If there are red flags, listen and turn the other way. A good friend of mine and her husband used a contractor to renovate their bathroom in their old home and had a horrible time getting him to complete the job in the time frame he promised. When they moved into a new home and was interviewing contractors, they considered him again even though their previous experience was not good. Guess what? They had a similar, if not, worse experience when they hired him to work on their gut kitchen remodel and ultimately had to hire someone to finish the work. Price for services should be a consideration, but never the determining factor.

Have all Your Materials Chosen and Purchased. This is extremely important because without material, the contractor can’t do anything. Last thing you want is a contractor showing up at the job site ready to work and not being able to. By creating the project timeline with your contractor initially, you know what the general time frame …

by Suzana Mikolova
6 Minute
General Article

Tips On Landscaping In A Dry Climate

Is your lawn looking bad? Could your bushes and shrubs use a little makeover? If so, then your home may be in need of some landscaping. A good landscaping can make your home look completely different and add a bit more attractiveness. Here are some landscaping tips that will spice up your yard.

While it may be tempting to have a solid cover installed over your out door space, it is a much better idea to install shade bars that are open. Less of the area will be covered, since there is open space, but it will allow more heat to escape so that you will be cooler.

If you fear damaging power lines or other infrastructure the next time you need to dig for your landscaping project, contact a ‘dig safe’ helpline first. The service, popularized in the northeastern United States, allows you to double check before digging to ensure that you don’t damage anything while performing your landscaping work.

If you are landscaping your yard, you should consider your lawn’s appearance during various seasons. For example, if you only have leafy trees in your hard, but experience a long winter, your yard will look awfully bare. If you instead have a few conifers, you can have green year round, not to mention how nice they look with snow on them.

A lot of people don’t think about shopping on the Internet when they think of landscaping. You not only will find online shopping more convenient, but will discover more choices if you look online. You may be able to buy rarer plants that are not native to your area at online stores.

You don’t have to pay a designer or landscaper for your projects, regardless of what many people believe. This just ends in your spending a lot of money. However, it can never hurt to speak with landscaper who can set you in the right direction as far as what you should do.

Do not forget your hardscape when it comes to your landscaping plans. A deck or patio is an important aspect in your landscape’s appearance. There are many options for decks and patios that include rock designs or woods that coordinate with the colors of your trees, shrubs and flowers. Do not forget this important aspect.

If you want to change your landscaping, consider using plants that are native to your area. These types of plants are pests immune and drought resistant. This means you will be using less water for upkeep of your landscaping and less pesticide. It will also help you with lowered fertilizer costs because these plants are adapted to the soil in your area.

Hopefully, now that you have these great landscaping tips, your home will look a little better. Your home will be seen by many people, whether it’s friends and family, or random strangers, who happen to pass by. Why not make sure it looks good? These tips will give your home a new vibe and make it look sensational.…

by Suzana Mikolova
3 Minute
Renovation House

Easy Tips On How To Go About Interior Design At Home

Have you been looking at your home lately and are contemplating giving it a whole new look through interior design, but you lack the knowledge and creativity to get started? Well you are luck because the article below offers some simple, yet effective ways that anyone who lacks creativity can give their home a wonderful new look.

If you are planning an interior design project you should decide on all of your textures and colors before you begin. If you do not plan it all out in advance you can find that you end up straying from your original plan. This is not good, as you want an organized looking outcome.

Think about mixing in different colors and patterns to your design to make the space more vibrant. The patterns and textures will draw attention to all of details you are incorporating into the space. Incorporate patterns that match the style of your room to create a beautiful appearance.

If you decide to use an interior designer, communicate your goals and budget to them. Professional designers often have ambitious plans. Sometimes those plans clash with the homeowner’s taste or their pocketbook. Don’t be timid. If what the interior designer suggests doesn’t fit your goals, tell them. You are the one who has to live with the designer’s choices.

Learn how to paint a wall before painting a wall. That may sound like common sense, but if you are not aware of the quality of your paint, how to apply it properly, and how much you need, you could make a mess or lose a lot of money. Try going to a home-improvement store for some pointers on techniques and types of paint.

Think about what your children want when designing their rooms. It could be easily forgotten that children do not see the room the way you look at it. Children need furniture and storage options that are accessible to them. Make the room safe from potential hazards by putting yourself in your child’s place.

Create some elegance in a room using sconces for lighting. The dim light that comes from a sconce is considered to be fancy and romantic. You can also get them in a variety of shapes, colors, and designs so that they will fit in perfectly with the theme of your room.

Remodeling

Remodeling your kitchen can be one of the most extensive (and expensive!) interior-design jobs in your house. Despite the hassle and expense involved, resist the temptation to save money by buying cheap cabinets. There’s an enormous difference in quality between premium and cut-rate cabinets. You’ll only end up replacing discount cabinetry a few years down the line.

As you can see from the article above, it doesn’t take a professional interior designer to create a wonderful new look to their home. By incorporating a few of the tips learned here, you too can make your home something to be proud of. Don’t be afraid to try new things and always keep learning in order to give your home an entire new look.…

by Suzana Mikolova
3 Minute
Room Additions

Things That You Need To Know When It Comes To Interior Design

If you have lived in your home for any amount of time, you are probably ready for a change. Your home is your haven, so you must make it reflect you and your personality. If you aren’t sure how to do that, this article contains some interior design tips to help you out.

When choosing colors for your interior design, avoid going with fads. Olive green walls may have been popular once upon a time, but it can make your home look dated. Go for neutral colors that can withstand the test of time. That way, you would not feel like you have to repaint every year.

Use your own photos as artwork. As a cheaper and more personal way to adorn your walls, use photos that you’ve taken. Either have prints made and frame them or use one of the many photo-to-canvas providers to have your photo made into a gallery canvas. If you are more tech-savvy, you can alter your photos in software to make them look even more like artwork.

Try to incorporate a “warm haven” in one of the rooms in your house. This is an important area for you to have so that you can relax after a long day of work or school. Use tranquil colors in this room and try to include a fireplace in this area.

For quick and easy inspiration, it helps to stay abreast of interior design trends and themes. You wouldn’t want to appear to be stuck in the 1970’s with outdated decor. Look around, especially when in other people’s home’s to get a good idea of the latest decorating styles today.

When redecorating a bedroom, adding a little color can help. Paint one accent wall or add some extra bold pillows to the bed. Place an accent chair in the corner or use lampshades with a bold pop of color. This adds visual interest to the room, and it is an inexpensive way to change the space.

Use wallpaper on 50 percent of your wall. When trying to redecorate walls it can be very expensive. Cover half of the wall with wallpaper to save money. Give your wallpaper a nice border and paint the remaining wall. This is one good way to have your home look stylish without spending too much money.

Use many levels of lighting. By utilizing lighting in your design you can accomplish multiple looks in one room. An overhead light is typically necessary, but try installing a dimmer switch so you can vary the level and create ambiance in the evening. Install accent lighting to bring focus to art pieces. Task lighting is also important for reading nooks or kitchen prep areas. Multi-level lighting will allow you to create many vibes with one design.

Remodeling

Remodeling your kitchen can be one of the most extensive (and expensive!) interior-design jobs in your house. Despite the hassle and expense involved, resist the temptation to save money by buying cheap cabinets. There’s an enormous difference in quality between premium and cut-rate cabinets. You’ll only end up replacing discount cabinetry a few years down the line.

Now that you have some ideas, it’s important to get started. It is really easy to get distracted by your responsibilities, but you have to make time for you! You will feel much more relaxed when you finally have some time to transform your spaced and feel more at home in your house.…

by Suzana Mikolova
3 Minute
Renovation Costs

How To Keep Your Roof In Great Shape

No homeowner is excited at the prospect of a large roof repair project. Because of this, you need to be proactive about your roof maintenance, addressing small issues immediately. Maintaining your roof means you’ll put a little effort in now to prevent a lot more work later on down the road. Look to these tips to help you know how to proceed.

If you need to walk on your roof, it is important that you do it at a time when it is not too cold or hot. Extreme weather tends to make shingles very brittle, so walking on them during this time can cause a lot of damage. Morning is the best time during summer months, and afternoon is best in the winter.

When working on the roof yourself, make sure that the weather conditions are clear for your own safety. Hose off the shingles so you can have a clean workplace without a mess of leaves or other debris. You can also use the hose to find a leak in your roof.

Before entering a contract with a roofer, consult the Better Business Bureau. They’ll be able to tell you if complaints have been entered against this roofer in the past, and may be able to give you insight that the roofer’s own references won’t. The integrity of your roof is important, and you don’t want to get scammed.

When a storm blows through your area, beware of roofers who knock on your door. They often follow a storm and offer their services to everyone on the block, then they put up a cheap, inadequate roof while taking all the money your insurer will offer on your claim, ripping you off.

Since replacing your roof can be one of the most expensive projects besides the cost of the home itself, make sure you know who you’re hiring. Avoid the temptation to hire a friend of a friend, or inexpensive “handymen.” Look for a licensed contractor who guarantees his work and comes with many good reviews and recommendations.

If your home needs a new roof but you are short on funds, consider the relatively inexpensive composite shingle. This type of shingle is rated from 15 to 25 years, and the more you pay the longer the life of the shingle. Consider how long you will own your home before you invest in a new roof.

Home Repair

Remember to be safe when it comes to roofing. Roofing is dangerous work. Do not rush things. When the weather is bad, wait until tomorrow. It isn’t anything that is worth hurting yourself over. It is important that you make sure you know what you’re doing and that you are cautious.

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.

You can’t ignore your roof. This could lead to very serious problems down the road. Use what you’ve learned here to take good care of your roof. This can save future headaches.…

by Suzana Mikolova
3 Minute