Real Wood VS Laminate Flooring: Which Is Right for Your Home?

When it comes to flooring, carpet is out and wood is in. The fact is that the people in today’s world understand just home many contaminants and allergens can get trapped in carpet and the concern for their health trumps comfort. However, there are several types of flooring to consider, including real wood floors and laminate flooring. Before making a decision, there are several factors that must be considered. Price The cost of laminate flooring is much less than real hardwood flooring. The high cost of hardwood takes into account that real trees are being cut down. Also, as it is more time consuming to install than laminate flooring, even the installation charges will be higher. When budget is a large concern, laminate flooring may be the right decision.

Durability Laminate flooring is made from composite wood that is pressed together and it is very sturdy. In fact, laminate floor is almost scratch-proof and it is moisture-resistant. On the other hand, hardwood flooring is easily scratched and will get warped if there is too much moisture. However, hardwood flooring looks beautiful in any home, while many types of laminate flooring look like the fake that it is.

Maintenance Laminate floors are simple to maintain, but if it does get damaged, it is extremely difficult to replace. You may only have one or two places that need repair, but it could require the whole floor coming up to replace those areas. Hardwood floors are extremely easy to maintain. They may need to be sanded down and refinished every so often, but the floors themselves will last for many years to come.

Regardless of your choice in laminate or real hardwood flooring, you will find that your home will feel complete when they are installed. Both types of flooring will add value to your home and give it the appeal you desire.

Re-Organize Your Garage More Easily

For garage owners, the ideal scenario is to come home from work and park your vehicle inside the garage where you know it will be safe. The more common situation, however, is that the garage is too packed full of your items to fit your vehicle in it. The solution is a simple one, but one that many people often ignore. The vertical space in your garage is perfect opportunity to get your garage organized so you can park in it. The following are some tips to assist you in utilizing the vertical space:

Ceiling Racks To get your bikes, canoes, and anything else you have on the floor out of the way, consider hanging ceiling racks. These racks can help you organize the garage and, because they can hold heavy items, store heavier and bulkier items. The key is to use heavy duty hooks and rope to hold your items secure.

Floor to Ceiling Shelving Many of the items found in the garage are not able to be placed on the ceiling racks. However, floor to ceiling shelving is perfect for items that can be packed into a box and labeled. Whether it is Christmas decorations or seasonal clothing, the boxes can be stored from the floor to ceiling and give you the space back to park your vehicle.

Wall-Mounted Cabinets Wall-mounted cabinets are not just for the kitchen anymore. Many people are repurposing kitchen cabinets and using them in the garage for storage. It is often one of the most economical ways of adding vertical space as you can get them for free or cheap from people who are remodeling homes.

Pegboard Siding Pegboard is one of the most popular items to use in the garage for a reason. Simple hooks can help you to hang up items that can take up valuable real estate in other areas of the garage, including counter space. Organizing tools is one of the main benefits you can get when you use pegboard. If your garage space has been overtaken by household items, sports equipment, and Christmas decorations take it back by creating vertical storage. By following some of the above tips, you will soon be able to park your vehicle where it rightfully belongs.

Kitchen Window Treatments for Fall and Winter

If you have just had vinyl replacement windows installed in your kitchen, the one thing you may be wondering is what type of window treatments you should use during the fall and winter months. The truth is that you don’t want to take away from your décor, but you want to take advantage of the sun in the colder months. The following are just a few ideas for kitchen window treatments that you can use in fall and winter:

Shades When many people think about shades, they think of the unsightly plain white shades from thirty years ago or more. Today, shades come in many varieties and can be a great addition to your kitchen décor. It is best to find those that come with dual fabrics as you can use the darker shade facing out in the winter to help absorb the heat from the sun. Use it in reverse, the lighter side out, during the summer months to deflect the sun.

Blinds Blinds no longer come in white or off-white. In the colder months, placing darker colored shades on your windows in the kitchen can help to absorb the heat that comes from the sun. It is also a great way to create a stream-lined décor in your kitchen. For further décor, you can add a matching valance above it.

Curtains If you are one that prefers curtains, your kitchen windows are a great place to put them up. In fact, with the fall and winter months, you can utilize a wide variety of fabric patterns to celebrate the season. Because they are so easy to switch out, you can change curtains all of the time to change up your décor. The important thing to remember is that the thicker the fabric is, the more it will keep the heat in and the cold out. As the colder months in fall and winter approach, it may be time to think about some different window treatments in the kitchen. The above ideas will get you started on what you can do to save energy and take advantage of the heat that will come from the sun.

Keeping Your Air Fresh in Winter

As the weather gets colder, you may find yourself closing up all the windows and turning on the heater to keep the home comfortable. However, this is also the season for the sniffles, colds and flu-like symptoms. While you may associate this with normal winter illnesses, you actually may be suffering from symptoms caused by poor indoor air quality. Know The Causes Contaminants that include paint odor particles, volatile organic compounds, pet dander and radon can all accumulate inside the home. If there is no way for those contaminants to escape, they can accumulate to the point where you may physically feel ill. One indication that poor indoor air quality is the cause of illness symptoms is if they disappear when you leave your home. If your symptoms only seem to stick around while you’re at home, it might be time to look into what’s causing it.

Keep Your Home Clean Contaminant particles and dust often coat the surfaces inside the home. Using a vacuum that has a HEPA filter can help suck up the particles that accumulate in the carpet. Mopping and wiping down hard surfaces regularly can help to remove allergens and other contaminants that can make you feel ill. Putting a floor mat outside the front door can even prevent guests from bringing pollen and other allergens in on their shoes.

Maintain Your Heater As you use your air conditioning and heater, the air within your home is being recirculated in addition to being heated or cooled. Near the HVAC system, a filter catches bigger particles and prevents them from getting into the air. Over time, those filters become clogged and contaminants can escape. Filters should be replaced or cleaned every single month.

Remove Sources of Contamination Removing the sources of contamination is the best thing you can do to avoid poor indoor air quality. For example, replacing wood windows that may have been painted with lead-based paint with vinyl replacement windows can instantly improve air quality. When repainting or redecorating, avoid using materials that have strong odors or ensure that there is adequate ventilation. Avoid smoking indoors as smoke particles can accumulate and affect even those who do not smoke. Finally, be sure that your home has been tested for radon. By following these simple steps and being vigilant about what comes into your home, you can improve your health, your family’s health, and even the wellness of your guests!

Keep Your Home Safe During Renovation

A common problem among many homeowners is that their home needs renovation, but they don’t want to go through the process. The fact is that living in your home while a renovation is being done is difficult. The noise, dust, and strange people in and out of your home is enough to make anyone put off a renovation. However, the following are some tips that you can use to help you survive the home renovation: Protect Your Belongings A renovation is going to be dirty and messy. No matter what part of your home is being renovated, take the time to remove your belongings in the area being worked on as well as the rooms surrounding the area. Dirt and dust will spread and it can damage your items if left in the middle of the mess. The construction crew may put up a plastic over the doorways, but you can be guaranteed that the dust will still get through.

Move Essential Items If you are having the downstairs renovated, move all of the essentials into one room. This may involve moving the refrigerator and microwave into your bedroom, but it will allow you to have what you need close by. You may have to live out of just one room in your home until the renovation is done. You may feel crowded, but it is better than the alternative of not being able to get near your food when you are hungry.

Forget About Cleaning You may cringe when you walk through your house when you see all of the dust and debris lying around, but you must remember that it is a renovation in progress. If you spend your time trying to clean up after everyone is gone for the day, you will lose your sanity. Put your blinders on to the mess that happens during a renovation and remember that it will all be clean when the renovation is complete. The decision to renovate your home is a big one. If your hold up is worry about how you will survive during the renovation, you are not alone. However, by following the above tips, you will get through the renovation and be able to enjoy your home when it is complete.