Streamlined Excellence: Seamless Kitchen Remodels

Four Things To Consider When Planning On Replacing Your Bathroom Floor

If you’re thinking of replacing your bathroom floor there are some things to consider while you’re shopping around.
Price
Along with the many different designs and styles of flooring available, there are also a wide variety of prices. The prices range from dollars to thousands of dollars per square foot depending on the material you choose to use. At the lower end of the price scale is linoleum, some tiles and woods. At the higher end of the price line there is granite, marble and some higher end tiles. When choosing your floor it is important to stay within your price range, and to choose something that you can live with for a while, since replacing bathroom floors is not something that a lot people do on a regular basis.
Strength
Many people do not take this into too much consideration when choosing a bathroom floor, but it is important to keep in mind that some of the things used in the bathroom can be heavy and when dropped may cause damage to floor. If you choose a floor that is thin and drop something onto it, the floor may be scratched or broken. When choosing a floor be sure to choose something that can stand up to the test of time and is durable.
Installation
The installation is perhaps the most important step in the whole process. You want to make sure that the floor you chose is properly installed and will not begin to lift of warp. After all a lot of time and money went into finding the perfect floor for your bathroom, you want to be able to enjoy it before problems start to arise from it not being properly installed. To prolong the life of your floor it should be installed by a professional who is experienced in installing the type of floor you are using. Most bathroom layouts are not perfectly square which can cause problems when trying to install the flooring yourself. The majority of floors require special cuts to fit correctly. That is why it is probably wise to choose a professional instead of trying to install the flooring yourself.
Maintenance
Because you are going to have your bathroom floor for years to come, it is important that you are aware of any special care that your floor requires. If, for instance, you chose tile, it is recommended that you reseal the grout every few years to prevent it from staining and cracking. Most types of floors have special instructions that you need to follow once it has been installed to prolong the beauty and longevity. If you follow the instructions for maintaining your floor, there is no reason for it to lose any of its shine or design.A bathroom floor is a choice that requires a lot of thought, you will have to look at it every day so choose something that you will enjoy and will not get tiresome after a few months.…

Renovation Tips to Ensure You Have a Safe Kitchen

Tip #1 – Provide Enough Lighting
In order to make your kitchen a safe place, make sure that you provide enough lighting in the kitchen. When you have enough lighting and some good task lighting throughout the kitchen, it can help you ensure that you don’t injure yourself while you are cooking. Make sure that the lights don’t cast shadows on counters and that there isn’t any glare.
Tip #2 – Go with Flooring that is Slip Resistant
You should go with flooring that is slip resistant in your kitchen to prevent bad accidents. Water and other liquids can end up on the floor and the last thing you need is flooring that is slippery. If you fell with a knife in your hand or while holding a hot dish of food, it could be a very bad accident. Choose flooring that is slip resistant, such as ceramic tile that is soft glazed, laminate flooring, or vinyl that is texture.
Tip #3 – Choose a Cooktop that is Safe
It is also important that you choose a cooktop that is safe when you remodel your kitchen. The last thing you want is to get scalded with the steam, so a cooktop that staggers that burners is a great idea. Avoid an option that has the controls in the back as well. Look for an option that has the controls in the front or along the side for safety’s sake.
Tip #4 – Beware of Where you Place Electrical Plugs, Switches, and More
You need to beware of where you place the electric plugs, switches, and other electrical options in the kitchen. It is important that you have the receptacles grounded and that there are circuit interrupters that will cut off the entire circuit in the room if there is any moisture or a power surge occurs. Water and electricity don’t mix, so be careful where you put electrical items.
Tip #5 – Safely Make Use of Kitchen Space
Safely make use of your kitchen space when you are remodeling as well. Consider how the traffic is going to be able to go through the kitchen and make sure there is plenty of space when you are cooking in the kitchen. Go with slide out trays to make it easy to get items in bottom cupboards, avoid any sharp corners, and place microwaves where you won’t have to reach to get out food that is very hot.…

Flair After Flaw With Before And After Kitchen Tales

If one is brave enough to write in to a reality show paying homage to ugly kitchens, there is a high possibility of scoring a free kitchen renovation in the event one’s nook is able to boost ratings for the show. Man’s obsession with the unappealing and unattractive never fails to draw in the crowds despite the gloominess of the subject. Perhaps the sight of others worse off than oneself brings a skip to one’s step. Whether it is due to one’s ominous nature or just bad taste, before and after kitchen tales never fail in the home network.
Able to portray comedy and tragedy within the same script, this certainly makes the producer’s life much easier as he or she gets double value for one price. Many a time, the core question going through the minds of the crew and audiences is why or how a household can subject its kitchen to such a state. Mismatch of colors and patterns are the norm, easily fixed with a fresh coat or tiles so as not to add further visual torment to its residents and visitors. Fixtures, on the other hand, pose more a challenge as it may not be a simple matter of shifting things around. As pieces on a chess board have a place, so do appliances in a kitchen. Those plugged into permanent spots test the designer in finishing the project within the span of time allowed by the show. Whether it is a makeover within a day or a week, the expert never fails to literally flip the kitchen around without breaking a sweat.
Other than the entertainment arena, real-life situations are overflowing with before and after kitchen makeovers. These tend to focus on the more serious nature of things by detailing work done as well as materials and tools used. Coupled with actual timelines, this allows interested individuals to count the costs before embarking on such a project. Many an expert advises that kitchen renovation works need to be carefully worked out as some take on more than they can handle. Contractors of the less scrupulous nature are ever willing to make promises in hopes of securing jobs. When the truth is revealed, the home owner is left with ashes of promises.
If the kitchen only needs a mini makeover, perhaps a fresh coat of paint suffices. Recruit willing family and friends to help out. By having more hands to make work lighter, savings can be channeled to a party to celebrate a new beginning.…

Residential Plumbing – Don’t Forget the Plunger!

While a toilet plunger may not be the sexiest of purchases, there are only a few things more frustrating than a clogged toilet with no plunger on hand. So, go out and buy that plunger. And, when you do, keep the following in mind:
1. Plunger type. While the plunger is one of the most familiar plumbing tools, not all are the same. What most people don’t know is that there are actually two standard types – the “cup plunger” and the “flange plunger.” The more familiar “cup plunger” (commonly referred to as the “sink plunger”) consists of a rubber cup with a flat rim attached to a plastic, metal or wooden handle, and is designed to create a seal against flat surfaces, making it best suited for unclogging sinks, showers, bathtubs, floor drains. While this type of plunger is sometimes used on toilet clots, what every plumber knows (and you should too) is that there is a specific type of plunger that is more effective for toilets.
Given a toilet bowl’s shape, toilets are better served with a bowl shaped plunger, with an additional protruding ring or “flange,” known as the “flange plunger,” or “toilet plunger.” This type of plunger is specifically designed to seal the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl and to snake down into the actual toilet drain, allowing for greater pressure to be applied to the clogged pipe. In the event that your toilet is of the low flow variety, you should also be aware that some toilet plungers are designed specifically for use with these types of toilets and feature a long, funneled nose allowing for a tighter seal and prevention of backsplash. Note: Toilet plungers are found wherever sink plungers are sold.
2. Size. In addition to the type of plunger (a “cup” versus a “sink”), one other item to consider is the plunger size, both the size of the rubber cup and the handle. In general, the longer the handle and the larger the cup, the more “powerful” the plunge. In addition, a longer handles ensures a farther distance between your hands and the dirty water.
3. Storage. While many people simply keep their toilet plunger on the bathroom floor next to the toilet, a plunger is not the most pleasant item to look at. More importantly, these bacteria-ridden tools are unsanitary and can lead to disease and illness in both people and animals. Thus, it is important to always store it safely, and when purchasing it, you should also purchase something to keep it in. Whether it be a bucket, a custom plunger holder, a plastic sack or even a flower pot, it is important that the plunger be stored properly. For total storage and concealment, on the market today there are also sanitary storage cabinets and other devices which are discrete and allow you to hide it safely inside the bathroom wall.
So, go out and buy that plunger, otherwise known as the “plumber’s friend,” and a nice container to keep it in. And, then learn how to use it! With a plunger on hand, a clogged toilet can be cleared in a few simple steps – no licensed plumber required.…

Change The Look Of Your Kitchen With Under Cabinet Lighting

A kitchen renovation is a beautiful renovation if done properly. Of course, it’s also a very costly one. Certainly, there are benefits because it will increase the market value of the home. However, if you can’t afford or aren’t willing to make such a huge investment, you can do other things. For instance, you can change the look of your kitchen with under cabinet lighting.
Far too often, people are guilty of neglecting the benefits that come with lighting. Instead, they will think of the light fixture and how it looks only. The problem with that is that there is so much more to lighting but it can really change the way a room looks with the flip of a switch.
With regards to the kitchen, when such lights are installed, many changes occur. Left on on their own at night, they provide very soft and subtle lighting to help anyone get to where they need to go. But at the same time, they can create a certain atmosphere. And they’ll change the way your cabinets and counters look in an instant.
But more than that, they’re also extremely useful. Any cook can tell you how crucial they are when it comes to preparing their meals. Any job no matter how large or small can be simplified with all this extra light that is focused on a certain area.
As a consumer, you’ll have lots of choices when it comes to purchasing these items. There are different models available. So, if there aren’t available sockets in the vicinity, you simply choose models better battery operated. Like this, you get the benefit without the high cost that would normally come with an electrician installing them professionally.
Because there are so many choices, it’s good to get acquainted with them all. Like that, you’ll be able to make a good decision with all your lighting needs being addressed.…

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.…