Archive for the ‘Remodeling Tips’ category

Vinyl Siding – The Popular Choice

December 26th, 2011

Many people these days are reinvesting in their homes by remodeling or renovating them. A great way to add lasting beauty and gain curb appeal, is to rework or redo the exterior of the house. There are literally hundreds of options when it comes to changing the look of your home. Roofing, windows, trims, wall coverings… the list is endless. One popular option is vinyl siding.

Regardless of what you have on the exterior walls of your home, vinyl siding will not only give your house a fresh new look, it is a low maintenance option that isn’t that hard on the pocketbook compared to brick, stone, stucco, and other wood or cement based siding products. Just think, no more painting or staining that old wood siding.

Our house was built in the 50′s and had a stucco exterior embedded with colored stone and glass pieces. This was quite common in those days as there really were not many options. It served its purpose, but it looked like every other house on our block and in our neighborhood. It was time for a change and so after much research, we chose a 3 panel vinyl siding. Seeing as our home is a smaller size bungalow, we went with white siding and dark grey trims. White, being neutral, gives you the option of using almost any color of trim to accent, and also, light colors make your house appear larger and more roomy.

Not only did adding vinyl siding completely update the entire look of our house, it raised the value of our home significantly.We had a free realtor’s market evaluation done before and after the renovations just to satisfy our own curiosity. I was pleased to say the least. Many of our neighbors have followed suit and have had vinyl siding installed on their homes.

Our siding was installed over 10 years ago and still looks as good as the day it went on. Maintenance is as easy as hosing off the dust a few times a year, maybe washing it with soapy water if it is particularly dirty. People still look as they walk by. We have since installed new aluminum soffit and fascia, replaced our eavestrough and downspouts, and replaced our shingles as they were in need of attention. If you want people to take notice of your home, consider vinyl siding as one of your first options when you think of remodeling.

Posted in Remodeling Tips

Essential Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling Tips

December 18th, 2011

The real sign of a remodeled home is how well the bathroom and kitchen have been renovated. These days’ buyers will judge your home by the look of your kitchen as well as the bathroom. Some homeowners prefer an open concept where their kitchen is on the display for all visitors and guest to see. In this article we will discuss various important kitchen and bathroom renovation tips to help you with your project.

There used to be a time when homeowners did not pay much attention to these rooms. These areas were simply utilized for their function. Today the kitchen is the central gathering where all family members join one another after a hard day at work to share a meal and socialize. In the same way the bathroom is seen as a place to relax and be comfortable. Below are some tips to consider before venturing out on your home improvement project.

Clarity and Budget

You need to measure the size of your bathroom and your kitchen so that you can determine how much room you have. Knowing this information is critical as you can determine what can be added and what does not fit. You then need to determine what you are trying to gain from your kitchen renovation project or from your bathroom makeover. Are you looking to add more cabinets, perform a simple make over, or are you looking at knocking down walls and do a full renovation. How much are you willing to spend and how much can you accomplish with your budget. Being clear helps you to get to where you want to go.

Where to Find Ideas

Start looking online as there are various sites that provide you with kitchen renovation ideas and bathroom remodeling ideas. You should also flip through the pages of home improvement magazines to see what style and ideas you would like to deploy. These designs will provide you with the theme that you can use in your renovation project.

Be Honest and Be Willing to Learn

This is not a time to let your ego get the better of you. You need to be frank with yourself and asses your skills. Ask yourself what you can do on your own and when to call in a hired hand. There is certainly some work that you can take on, such as painting the walls. You can also learn other simple tasks by taking advantage of various online training videos or free training classes provided by some suppliers such as Home Depot.

These trainings can assist you on doing some of the work that is not so difficult. For instance, if you are only replacing your existing counter top or bathroom sink, you could take advantage of these DIY training to reduce the cost of your renovation project by doing some of these work yourself.

Get Your Family Involved

Bathroom renovation or kitchen updating should not be a grim task. You can turn this to a family event by giving your family members a to-do list and making it fun. Working alongside one another to improve the overall quality of your life can be a fun and fulfilling activity.

Posted in Bathroom, Kitchen, Remodeling Tips