Watch this video to find out the advantages of plastic synthetic roofing for your home.
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Anyone tackling a major project wants his home to look and work better — and to get a reasonable return on investment. But renovations are packed with so much stress and emotion that it’s easy to go wrong.
Here’s how to keep from falling into four common remodeling traps:
1. Being a Slave to Fashion
The more up-to-the-minute your project is today, the more out-of-date it will seem in five or 10 years.
Skip trends such as glass tiles, wire-hung track lighting, and vessel sinks (the kind that sit on the countertop like a salad bowl).
Instead, go with classic choices that match the house’s original style.
For a bathroom in a 1920s colonial, for example, that might mean a white pedestal sink and subway-tile wainscoting, but those choices wouldn’t look so timeless in a 1980s contemporary.
2. Skimping on the Design
The payoff you’ll get on a redo will diminish if the project isn’t well thought out.
If you’re building an addition or moving interior walls, it’s worth spending $1,000 to $3,000 to hire an architect (to draw a plan, not project-manage).
Many contractors and showroom salespeople/designers can provide plans, but they don’t have an architect’s specialized training.
3. Over Investing in the Kitchen
Yes, great kitchens sell houses. But there’s a limit to what you can recoup for granite countertops and commercial-grade appliances. Because the kitchen generally represents 5% to 15% of a home’s value, limit your kitchen renovation budget to that range — and do the work only if your kitchen is in really bad shape.
4. Counting on a Big Pay-Back for Going Green
Greater energy efficiency alone rarely justifies a pricey project.
Take windows. Window companies may tell you that replacing old ones ($300 to $1,200 each) will knock 50% off your energy bills. But windows really account for only about 15% of a house’s heat loss, according to Jerry Thatcher of Energy Diagnostics, a green-building certifier in Valparaiso, Ind., so you’d save just $50 to $175 a year.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t go ahead with new windows. As long as they match your home’s style, new windows will add value. They’ll open and shut easier, tilt in for cleaning, and reduce draftiness — they just won’t pay for themselves too.
Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid home remodeling mistakes made by many people every year.
One part of the housing market experiencing a rebound that will probably continue even if the rest of the market remains sluggish is remodeling.
A recent report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University predicted that remodeling would rebound strongly this year after a three-year downturn. Annual growth in remodeling is expected to be around 8 percent.
In fact, the study found, the remodeling market held up far better than housing construction during the recession, with annual spending still close to $300 billion. But as the market for renovations picks up, it may be a good time to consider the problems that could arise.
A group of leading insurers said renovations are a constant source of large claims on homeowners’ policies. And among claims, fire is the most common cause.
Whether the homeowner wants to add a new kitchen or repair years of neglect, the cause of renovation problems is the same. Homeowners are concentrating on the outcome, not on managing the process. Any homeowner planning a sizable renovation should hire a contractor, for efficiency and safety, insurers say.
The one constant bit of advice from insurers is to tell them about your renovation before you begin it so they can tell you what to look out for and, of course, increase your coverage.
But the best policy is still vigilance. The top thing to monitor is oily rags, which strike fear into the hearts of risk assessors. These rags catch fire easily if they are not disposed of properly. The solution is to make sure the rags are put in a locked, fireproof box at the end of each day.
Second on the risk list is the debris from the welding and soldering equipment used on roofs or for installing plumbing and electrical wiring. A common disaster, Mr. Raphael said, happens when a pipe is welded but no one checks to see if any solder has fallen onto the debris below. It can smolder for hours and catch fire later that night.
Thinking about the disasters that can befall your home for the sake of a nicer, updated bathroom may put a damper on some people’s enthusiasm. It can be scary, but if certain things are done, it can be fun and successful.
Do-it-Yourself friendly products made from plastic are easy to install, durable, quiet, and soft underfoot. Home Improvement expert Danny Lipford explains…
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In many areas of the country, Spring has sprung, and with the warmer weather outside comes a desire (and a need) to do some things around your home that may have taken a beating while keeping you warm through the winter.
Protect Against Germs
Germ Warfare: Replace your air filter! Taking in all your exhaled germs, pet-hair, and anything else floating around your home in microscopic particles, your furnace has been diligently keeping you and your family from turning into icesicles all winter long. Treat it (and yourself) to a new filter. Check out the size you need and take a stroll to your local hardware store. Your furnace will thank you, your immune system will like you as well.
Bug and Pest Removal
Battle the Bugs: It’s time to put away the heavy quilts, blankets and bear-skin rugs for the spring. Be sure to wash and thoroughly dry all bedding before storing. Dirty bedding is a great way to attract moths and insects. Utilize zippered or vacuum-seal storage bags, it’ll save space and also protect you from the aforementioned bug friends.
Protect Against Mold in Your House
Marauding Mold: Sticking with keeping you and your home healthy and happy, this is the perfect time to snoop around the house for mold and mildew. With the warm weather bringing rain and humidity, attics and basements could become tenants for this nastiness, causing health problems and structural damage to your home. Find and seal any moisture leaks immediately and use your air-conditioning system and a dehumidifier in your basement to keep the humidity levels steady.
Get a head start with these 3 simple tips to remove bugs and pests, and protect your home against germs and mold. Prepare your home for warmer temperatures and your eventual spring cleaning date with the power washer. This will especially help you get jumpstarted for the upcoming home buying season!
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