Tips for a Less Stressful Renovation

The renovation of your home is going to cause you a lot of stress, whether you live in your home during the renovation or not. Dealing with contractors is not always easy, especially when you do not understand the length of time that it takes to do certain projects. However, the following tips are a great way to help you to eliminate some of the stress that comes with renovating your home: Create a Budget for the Renovation Before you hire a contractor, you must determine exactly how much money you have to spend on the renovation. The money will need to be divided between materials and labor. You also need to have a small amount set aside for unplanned expenses. They will come up and, being prepared for them, will reduce your stress greatly.

Hire a Contractor You Trust Hiring the right contractor is crucial in reducing a potentially stressful remodel job. You must find one that you can trust to get the job done right while staying on budget. Before you hire anyone, be sure to interview several contractors after checking their references and work experience.

Create a Communication Plan Many homeowners get stressed when they don’t know what is happening with every little detail of the renovation. Prior to the start of renovation, create a communication plan between you and your contractor. Whether you keep a project detail book at the home or you communicate through email, it will help to keep you calm and can keep you from wasting your contractor’s valuable time.

Be Realistic and Patient The hardest part for any homeowner is being realistic and patient through the renovation process. You may not have a complete understanding how much time it takes to put in walls or flooring, but your contractor does. It may be hard to be patient during this process, but it is a must if you want to get through it with your own sanity intact.

The renovation process is not an easy one to go through, but the homeowner can take the above steps to reduce some of the stress. If you have not made any plans to move out during the renovation, it may be something you need to consider. Trying to live in your home while it is being worked on is going to add more stress. If it is possible, find another place to stay while your home is being worked on. It will benefit you and your family greatly.

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!