We see the same scenery every single day in our houses, and that's why so many homeowners decide that it's time for a little remodeling. Painting the walls, rearranging the furniture, and going with new molding -- these can seem like easy enough tasks from the start. However, many people find that they're daunting. No matter what your goals are, check out these home- improvement tips.
Every piece of real estate is subject to building codes; the savvy land buyer will research these codes well in advance of making a purchase. Without proper research, the requirements imposed by local codes and zoning regulations can present a nasty surprise to land holders who intend to build a new home or improve an existing one.
Make sure to have a contractor or electrician install a power outlet in the cabinet above where the microwave will go. If you don't do this, you will be struggling to find a place to plug it in during or after the installation of the microwave and hood vent.
Install a lazy Susan in those odd corner cabinets. It can be difficult to properly use the storage space they provide, if you have to get down on your hands and knees to search for the items in the back corners. A lazy Susan will allow you to reach your items easily every time.
A dripping sink can be an annoyance in any home. It not only wastes water, but costs money on your water bill. If a sink is dripping from the spout, the faucets central cartridge might need to be replaced. If you have a pillar tap, you might need to change the washer. A quick examination will help you determine your course of action.
Clean up the outside of your home. Sometimes all it takes to make your home look and feel better is a little TLC on the outside. Trim the shrubs and pull the weeds out of the flower bed. Add some decorative landscape lighting and make sure that all of the outside light fixtures are in proper working order.
Two-liter bottles can provide excellent storage solutions in the kitchen. They are transparent and will preserve your dry goods. You can keep them on your shelf, in the refrigerator or freezer. All you have to do when you need the contents is remove the cap and pour.
After your home improvement work is finished, do not submit your final payment until you are happy with the work that was performed. You can also make "progress payments," which involves giving the contractor small sums of money in certain increments over the course of the project. Do not pay for work that you are not satisfied with.
Planning landscaping to reduce water usage is not just for homeowners in drought-stricken areas. Between changing weather patterns, rising populations and falling water tables, water for home irrigation is only going to grow more expensive. By selecting plant species that require less water than the usual landscaping standards, a wise homeowner can save a lot of money.
An average-sized home that is poorly insulated can lose as much as 25 percent of its heat during the autumn and winter months. While updating your attic with glass fiber insulation materials may seem like a significant cost up front, you will quickly break even with the amount of money saved on your monthly heating bills.
In this tough economy, do major remodeling only if you have a reason. Selling your home, welcoming a new member to your family, or improving your living arrangements are good reasons to remodel. However, changing your home on a whim, when you don't have the budget, can put you at a real disadvantage.
For homeowners who prefer a fencing option that is more for aesthetic value than privacy, vinyl and PVC may be the best bet. These materials are more affordable than other ornamental fencing types, can be easily installed, and are available in an immense variety of colors and textures. PVC and vinyl fences are low-maintenance, as they never require painting or staining.
Few realize just how easy it is to install a new light fixture in homes that were built within the last ten years ago. Most overhead lights now include all the wires and screws needed; in most cases the only wiring required is to connect the circuit box of the new fixture to the wires in your ceiling. Look for everything-included kits, which are designed for the average homeowner and include useful resources to help you through the process.
Windows
Weather stripping is important to include around your windows for energy efficiency. This is a cheap method to make your home more energy efficient. You are certain to notice the decrease in drafts on cold evenings.
Windows and doors make a perfect home improvement project. You can add an indoor window box or change out your old patio doors for French doors. It is often possible to find good deals on these types of materials at the home improvement store. You won't have to spend a lot of money to make a dramatic change.
If your home is an older house there's a good chance you might have outdated PVC windows, which are difficult to maintain and often yellow with age. Replacing the PVC with modern plate glass can make a significant difference in the look of the house. Glass windows will also allow more natural sunlight into your home, creating a more open, inviting atmosphere.
If you are renovating a small space, and you have the ability, install larger windows. Even if you cannot expand the window size, use a style of window that has more glass than wooden frame. More glass in the window will mean it lets in more natural light, which makes a small room seem much brighter and larger.
When repainting the exterior of your home, use plastic sheeting and masking tape to avoid getting paint on unwanted surfaces, such as your windows. Use drop cloths to protect your driveway, porch, and shrubs from dripping paint. You will also want to use 3-inch masking tape to protect the trim while you are painting the siding on your house.
Hunt down drafts in your house around your windows and doors, and seal them with insulation or weather-stripping to make your home more energy-efficient. On a breezy day, hold a lit candle or a stick of burning incense around the edges of your doors and windows -- with the drapes tied back away from the edges -- to easily spot drafty areas as the flame moves or the smoke wafts.
Before rolling paint onto walls or ceilings, cut in the edges with a brush. Tape off trim, moldings, windows, ceiling edges and fixtures. By painting the few inches closest to the edges using a brush, you do not have to roll right up to these obstacles which may prove too cumbersome with a full-sized paint roller.
Use window film for small windows or windows without a curtain. There are many different types of window films to choose from, like opaque or one-way variants. During the day no one will be able to see in your home, but at night if your lights are on people will be able to see inside. Be sure to keep this in mind.
Use window coverings, such as curtains to complete your home decor look and make your windows look beautiful. You should choose curtains that are three times wider than your window and allow for enough window coverage. If you are looking to let more light in your home choose curtains that are sheer.
If you do not want to spend the money on impact resistant windows and you are in a wind borne debris zone, consider adding a laminate film to the exterior windows. This laminate has been shown to protect the home as well as impact resistant windows and acts much in the same way a car windshield does when broken.
Something that seems on the surface to be so simple can end up being incredibly complicated if you're not aware of how to handle a task. Painting can turn into a nightmare; adding more lights could leave you in the dark. The tips in this article will help you learn about home improvement, so put them to good use.
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