Tag / stained wood

by Ted

Home Improvement – Tips You Need To Know!

You might face initial difficulty with figuring out how to begin your home improvement tasks, but once you start, the results will be worth it. All you need to get started properly is knowledge and patience. Read on and learn all you can.

Adding big value to your home can be accomplished with even the smallest of improvements. If you are considering the sale of your home, think about making one or two little improvements. A new paint job, on both the interior and exterior, will freshen the look of your home. Something like this that is relatively low in cost can increase your home’s value exponentially.

Fans are great for cooling your home. Ceiling fans do an excellent job of ensuring air circulates throughout the room, and this will help to cool things down. The use of these fans can impact the use of your central heating and air system, which lowers your energy costs.

TIP! It’s a good idea to use many fans during the summer months. Ceiling fans will keep cool air circulating.

Stained Wood

Stained wood is a great product to choose for replacing baseboards. On top of their classic appeal, they also give an aura of warmth. Painted wood tends to show every mark you could ever imagine, whereas stained wood camouflages imperfections much more easily. The numerous colors of stain available ensure that you will find the right color for your home.

Figure out what your home style is prior to fixing up your residence! Narrowing down what style you will decorate in is a big step. Without a plan, you can easily end up with mixed styles. Avoid extra expenses by mapping out your style and plan before you begin your home improvement project.

TIP! Look for the style you really love before jumping into anything. Sit down before beginning and decide on a decorating style that reflects your personality.

Most rooms can be given new energy by updating the flooring. You can do the work yourself by visiting a DIY store in your area. Otherwise, the work can be completed in 24 hours or less if you find a reliable flooring company that specializes in carpet, tile, laminate and hardwood.

Which room do you want to work on first? You do not have to work on the entire home at one time. You can work room by room until the house is what you want it to be. Plan in advance and be watchful of sales. Planning ahead is an excellent way to keep money in your pocket.

A great way to lower the cost of your electric bill is to use a motion sensor light instead of a regular porch light. Depending on the brand you choose, you may be able to decide on the sensitivity and lighting time frames.

TIP! Replace your standard porch light with a motion sensor porch light, as this will reduce electricity costs. You can turn on the lights yourself or adjust how sensitive it is.

Never rush headlong into renovations or projects without first creating a plan of action. Projects without plans tend to take longer than expected and go overbudget. If you change course midstream and add new requirements, the cost and completion time will increase accordingly. If you know what you want before you begin, it will be easier to keep your contractor happy.

The kitchen is a great place to start with home improvements. If you are planning to repaint the walls, mix a solution of TSP cleaner with water (2:1 ratio) and rub down the walls. This solution will remove the grease, and also most of the paint. Neutral, tan colors work well in all kinds of kitchens. Once you’ve finished re-painting, you’ll be impressed with how dramatic the difference is.

Use a sponge to help your drywall instead of sanding. Try sponging your drywall seams, do not sand them. After you practice a little, you can get good at smoothing the seams with a sponge just as easily as with a sander. The good thing about it is that you do not create dust with the sanding.

TIP! Use a wet sponge on your drywall installation. Rather than sanding drywall seams, just sponge them.

You can dress up pillows in any room which can be a simple project. Use some old clothing, such as t-shirts or jeans and cut the fabric to make custom covers for your existing pillows. This can add personality and lighten the mood in a young teenager’s private space.

Before you start staining or painting wood, use sandpaper in order to make the surface smooth; then wipe the item using a damp rag. Using sandpaper with a fine grit helps to give it a nice smooth finish. The wet cloth will help eliminate dust.

Substituting vinyl tiles for stone or ceramic ones is a way to save a lot of money when you’re installing a new floor surface. Vinyl is very durable and strong. It is resistant to water and easy to put in. You have the option of buying vinyl flooring in tile or sheet format.

TIP! Vinyl is a cheap way of improving the look of your floor. Vinyl flooring is simple to put in, durable and water resistant.

When considering home improvement projects, don’t forget to include landscaping. Your lawn is seen first by people coming to your home. Keep the grass neatly mowed, and install plants and shrubs to make your property look attractive.

If you are considering the use of a conventional wood fireplace for heating your home, understand that this may not be the best route. Wood stoves are not an efficient heating source due to the fact that a good amount of heat will end up drifting up the chimney instead of going into your home. In addition to this, the fire requires plenty of fresh air, which will be provided from within your house, essentially eating up much of the oxygen inside your home.

When you are considering home improvement, be creative and decide what you want to accomplish before you start. This allows you to put your focus and effort on the actual project rather than stressing over the details. Find inspiration in magazines, friends’ homes or television shows about home improvement projects.

TIP! Creativity is one of the most important factors in home improvement. You want to steer clear of the bland and boring.

It is important to talk to everyone in your family about different emergency plans long before a disaster has a chance to strike. People generally panic when things go awry. Working out a safe way to escape from your home during a fire or disaster can ensure that you will all be safe. Make your plan, and practice it with your family.

Don’t clutter up a single room with too many furnishings. The more you have, the smaller the room appears. Buyers are looking to get the most space for their money, so keep that in mind when staging your rooms. When you make a point to pack less furniture items into a room, your space will look much larger.

Your kitchen is an excellent place to begin your home improvement projects. First, mix TSP and water half and half and scrub the walls. This solution will help you get rid of stains and remove the paint. Use shades of tan to paint the kitchen and you will be surprised at how much better the room looks.

TIP! The kitchen is a great place to start improving your home. Thorough cleaning is the right way to start.

The above article provided some knowledge on basic home renovation and specific tips you should utilize in your renovation project. If you keep these tips in mind, you will find great learn a great deal of knowledge that will stay with you forever.

by Ted

Quick Home Improvement Solutions From One Handyman To Another

The home improvement projects you do will greatly help the look and decor of your home. They also mean increased property value, efficiency and quality. In the article that follows you will learn some great home improvement ideas and learn how to see a project through.

Before you buy your home, have a licensed professional do a thorough home inspection. This way, you do not have to figure out on your own or rely on a seller let you know about things that must be repaired or replaced if you purchase the home. Hiring an inspector is a great way to keep arguments about what needs to be fixed to a minimum.

When it’s time to redo a roof, try getting tile that’s white or something that’s light colored. Lighter colors reflect the sun instead of absorbing it, which means your attic will not be so hot. It is possible to realize great savings on your energy bills in this way.

TIP! When you have to have your roof redone, use light colored substances or white tile. Light colors tend to reflect the rays of the sun while darker colors will absorb the heat and cause higher energy usage.

Shoe Boxes

Use old shoe boxes for storage. You can cover these shoe boxes with unused wallpaper or fabric to add a touch of design. This could be a good way to add drama to the rooms in your house, and it will also serve as a good storage solution.

A flooring update will immediately facelift any room. A good flooring company can give you carpet, hardwood, tile or laminate in one day; you can also do it yourself by visiting a home store and checking out what is available.

TIP! Adding new flooring is a fantastic way to upgrade and update the appearance of any room. You have a choice of coverings to chose from these days with carpet, hardwood and tile all being viable options.

When replacing baseboards, stained wood offers more appeal than painted baseboards. This wood also has a beautiful and distinct look, which can add to the design of your home. The beauty of stained wood for baseboards is its ability to show fewer scuffs and scrapes. Touch-ups to the baseboards will also blend better. There are many different tints available in stain form, making matching your decor easy.

If professional designers are out of your budget, do some research yourself. The Internet, library, home improvement store and bookstores are great tools for increasing your knowledge. You may discover an inspiration for a new look in a magazine. You can also find information about cheaper do-it-yourself projects in these resources.

Attach any bolts, nuts or screws, as well as your other hardware to the front of storage containers. Even the most organized system of supplies can be an issue when you’re searching for that one elusive piece of hardware. These labels provide better organization so that you do not have to waste time.

TIP! In order to make storage containers for small items like screws and nuts more useful, try hot-gluing an example of the contents to the outside of the container. You can tell at a glance what is inside the container and keep your shop area organized.

Cover your floors while painting. Doing so will prevent wet paint from staining your floors or carpets. A cheap way that this can be done is to employ the use of newspapers. A paint cloth works well too, as you simply need to create a barrier to prevent the paint from hitting the floor.

Ask for references from any contractor you hire. Think of it in terms of hiring an employee for your business. You should have an idea what their background is and know if the work that they’ve performed elsewhere has been satisfactory.

Padding sharp corners of furniture is a small improvement you can make that is especially important if you have young children. You can choose to purchase corner protectors from your local store, or use foam tape to lessen the effects of sharp edges on your furniture. Tape down wiring to prevent accidents such as tripping over them or even more serious issues.

TIP! An excellent method for improving the safety of your home is to pad sharp furniture. There are prefabricated corner covers available for purchase; however, foam tape can also achieve the desired effect.

Make some room on your tables and nightstands; buy a lamp that sits on the floor. Floor lamps can be moved to your desired location, while a table lamp uses table space. Choose a lamp with a unique design that you can appreciate.

When planning to do home improvement work on your house, a good homeowner will spend his money on high class materials and fixtures as opposed to buying pricey decor and furnishings. You want to invest your money in projects that will improve the value of your home, not merely its appearance. Attractive and durable fixtures remain in the house and add quite a bit to the home’s resale value.

A new goat of glaze can work wonders for bathrooms. Fresh glazing on your sink, tub and tile can give a shiny, new look to your bathroom. Buying new fixtures and flooring can be expensive, but glazing can be done for just a couple hundred dollars. Re-glazing the tile and ceramic surfaces in your bathroom is an easy, inexpensive way to increase your home’s value.

TIP! Apply a glaze to your bathroom to improve its looks. An old bathroom can look like new thanks to glaze.

If you aren’t happy with how your home looks, it may be time to consider a renovation. You can design a renovation to suit your needs instead of hunting forever for a place that has everything you want. Often times a renovation project will be less costly than moving, and may even be less stressful.

There are many purposes that can be served by installing a backyard fence. It offers good protection from stray animals who might otherwise wander into your property which can threaten you and your family as well as any pets and guests. You can also keep your pet at bay. It can be styled to fit the overall look of the yard.

When you are putting in kitchen cabinets, use a level, and not just your eyes, to ensure the cabinets are properly installed. Start from the highest point on your kitchen floor, and set a benchmark line across the length of the wall that the cabinets will be installed to be sure that your counters will be level once installed.

TIP! When you install kitchen cabinets, use a level to get accurate placement. Floors may look level, but they seldom are.

Don’t skimp on the quality of paint you use to paint your home’s exterior. The paint is going to last a lot longer if it’s of high quality. Although higher quality paint does cost more, it is going to last longer and cover your home surface easier and faster. Spending a few more bucks for great paint is a better idea than having to repaint every few years because you opted for the cheap stuff.

Anytime you undertake any major home improvement project, be honest with your contractor on how much you have budgeted for the work. Honesty will enable the contractor to purchase higher quality supplies for the project. Also, the contractors will be getting the most of out of their investment. This is a good situation to all involved.

One simple way to add fresh touch to where you live is by replacing old outlet covers. Without you even realizing it, your outlets covers grow discolored over time, giving a dingy look in some cases. These new outlet covers add a fresh look to your room with just pennies of cost.

TIP! A good way to spruce up a room is to buy new outlet covers. Your outlets will look discolored and old over time.

For larger jobs, hire a skilled and experienced worker. Construction professionals are experienced and competent. They have been trained to do the difficult work associated with major home improvements. You may be tempted to give a more difficult task a try, but letting a professional do it is the only way to ensure that it gets done right the first time.

Putting some effort into improving your home can make a big difference in so many ways, from comfort to energy efficiency. You’ve just learned some of the ways you can start to improve your home. In this article, you will find helpful hints for this pursuit. Get going right away, and the benefits will amaze you.

Do you hate that old dresser in the corner of your bedroom? You don’t need a new dresser, why not makeover the one you have? Refinishing your furniture means you have to buy new furniture less often. You can stain old furniture a wide variety of colors.

TIP! Tired of your bedroom’s old dresser? You can make it look brand new by refinishing it. By refinishing a piece of furniture, it can save you a lot of money, and you will have something that looks completely different! Old furniture can be stained or painted in a number of different colors.

by Ted

Want To Make Your Home Look Stunning? Check Out These Ideas

Every successful home improvement begins with the information to make the right choices and get the job done the right way. Keep reading for great home improvement advice.

In many cases, just a small project can make a huge different to a home’s value. If you are considering the sale of your home, think about making one or two little improvements. For instance, new paint works wonders for the interior and exterior of any home. Such a simple and inexpensive upgrade on your end can add an enormous amount of value when selling.

Keep your eye out for installation sales on carpeting at both flooring stores and home improvement stores. In order to gain customers, they will install carpet for cheap prices. This would be the best time to have that new carpeting put in your home because the labor and installation costs often exceed the actual cost of the product.

TIP! If you have little cracks in the roof of your home, just get a 3 inch roll of aluminum tape to fix it up. Simply separate the tape from its backing and adhere the tape to a well cleaned roof, free from any dirt or debris.

When replacing your baseboards, try to use stained wood because it is a lot more appealing than painted baseboards. The warmth of stained wood will add value to your home. Less maintenance is involved in the upkeep of stained baseboards and touch-ups are less noticeable. As an added bonus, there are dozens of different wood stains to choose from.

New flooring is a good way to make your rooms feel new. You can choose to get it professionally installed or do it yourself. Be sure to seek advice before deciding which method is preferable.

Appliance paint can be used to update the appearance of your kitchen in just hours. You shouldn’t have to replace appliances just because they aren’t the color that you want. You can buy spray paint for your appliances in any color that you like. Your kitchen can have a whole new look with just a few hours of painting.

TIP! Make sure you have a good place for all leftover debris when you start your next big home improvement project. Getting rid of all that debris can be a big expense, so it is critical that you plan ahead in order to economize and avoid delays with regard to your project.

You can refresh the look of your kitchen appliances without breaking the bank. Stainless steel is popular right now, but that doesn’t mean you should replace all of your appliances. It is actually possible to purchase inexpensive spray paint for appliances that can transform their look. This will instantly liven up the appearance of your kitchen.

Use wallpaper to create a unique and attractive bookcase. Make sure you pick a wallpaper that is visually striking as well as different. If you attach the wallpaper on the back wall of your bookcase, it will be visible behind any books or trinkets. You will get a design boost from this and create an additional interesting piece in your room.

There are lots of various dangers to be wary of when taking on a home improvement project. Don’t buy drywall (also known as wall board or sheet rock) that was made in China. Since 2005, much of the dry wall used here has come from China. A lot of it suffers unacceptable quality control. These materials are risky because they emit corrosive gases that may damage wiring.

TIP! If you need more space or want a change, consider a renovation project. Home renovations give you the freedom to mold your home into exactly what you want.

What do you use to clear out clogs? Cleaners are made differently, some being too harsh. Crystallized types of drain cleaners may damage your plumbing and should be avoided. If you have a septic tank, be especially careful to use only products that are approved for use with it.

Interestingly, an attractive front door can add as much as 10 percent to the market value of a home. One simple way to update your front entryway is to purchase and install new hardware for your door.

Outdoor lighting emphasize’s unique garden features or your walkway. This method of lighting simulates natural light, as if the moon or fading daylight is in the sky. You can also use this to put emphasis on your lawn ornaments and furniture.

TIP! Unsightly air conditioning units may not be attractive, but in other regions it could be a necessity. Wooden trellis and latticework are great for effective camouflaging.

If you decide to make substantial bathroom renovations, think about making your rooms accessible for handicapped individuals. You can do this step-by-step, but it’s a good idea to be prepared, just in case you need it when you get older. These improvements will increase your home’s value.

Don’t let a contractor persuade you into paying more for a quicker job. They usually have legit reasons for wanting to finish quicker. They probably want their workers to get done as quickly as they can to save payroll and boost productivity. This can be negative as well as positive, as they may try to charge extra for a job that took too long, but should not have.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Starting at the highest point of the floor, draw a line to use as a benchmark.

TIP! If you are going to do any work outside of your home, you should get in touch with your neighbors in advance. It’s common for renovations to block parts of roads to make way for equipment and deliveries.

One way to boost your home’s security is with motion sensor lights. You can add these when you are doing other outside projects. Instead of lights staying on, motion detecting lights activate only when nearby movement occurs. Intruders will be wary of approaching your home, because they know you will be aware of their presence when the lights come on.

Think small when doing a bathroom remodel. Little budgets may still create a big impact that can look pricier than it is. Replace different parts of your bathroom like the towel holders and curtains. It will also improve things if you add a fresh coat of paint. You don’t have to go broke when making your bathroom look more modern.

You must be sure to have a finished plan prior to beginning any home improvements. You need to plan a budget, the changes you would like, and the amount of time you need to invest prior to doing any work. This will save you time, money, and problems in the long run.

TIP! Consider creating your home improvement budget and plan near the beginning of the year. This gives you a realistic idea about how much you can truly afford to spend.

Every owner of a home wants to improve it. Doing it right the first time will save a lot of headaches of either doing it over or hiring someone else to do it. Lots of homeowners do a shoddy and inadequate job with their improvements. Avoid joining the latter group. Use the advice in this article to make great, working improvements to your home.

by Ted

Tips That Make Sense Of Your Home Improvement Project

Most people that own a home have planned at least one project to improve some aspect of their home at some point. Anyone who has attempted a home improvement project can tell you that things do not always go exactly as planned. Read through the tips that follow to help you succeed in your next project.

Save money on kitchen remodeling by refinishing your current cabinets instead of replacing them. If you want a different look on your doors, paint the base and hardware. This will make your kitchen look far more modern without costing tons of money.

You can decrease energy costs and still have a well-lit exterior by switching out your always-on lighting system for one that is motion-activated. Depending on the brand you choose, you may be able to decide on the sensitivity and lighting time frames.

TIP! It is possible to expand storage capacity by using old shoe boxes. You can cover the shoe boxes with fabric or wallpaper samples for an interesting decorating touch.

It can be expensive to buy new furniture. You can add some pizzazz to your rooms with nice furniture by shopping local thrift stores and garage sales. Real treasures could be found among used items, such as furniture. Some may need a lot of work, but if you invest enough time, they can greatly improve your home.

Stained Wood

When you make improvements, think about the rest of the neighborhood too. A Victorian house is going to stand out blaringly on a block that only has saltbox cottages. A remodel that will blend to the houses in the neighborhood will have a better chance to sell when it is time to move on.

TIP! If you want to redo your floor in an inexpensive way, think about vinyl. Vinyl has several things going for it.

When baseboards are on the agenda for replacement, consider a stained wood look instead of painted. Natural wood has a look that is not only classic, but works in nearly every style of home. The beauty of stained wood for baseboards is its ability to show fewer scuffs and scrapes. Touch-ups to the baseboards will also blend better. Make sure that you choose the right color to match the style of your home.

New floor covering is a great way to update the look and feel of any room in your house. Many contractors can install new flooring in a day. Alternately, you could visit your local hardware store, pick up what you need, and do it yourself.

Painting is one of the simplest and most affordable home improvements you can do, yet it is also one of the most effective. It is amazing the difference that a little paint can make, and it doesn’t cost a lot to do. Fresh paint makes your home more attractive to buyers.

TIP! Pick out a unique coffee table as opposed to a pre-made one. An old trunk or chest look great in the center of a living room and provide storage, also.

You need to improve your home in visible ways. Potential buyers will make their judgments based on their first impressions. If your paint is peeling or your hedges are unruly, you will have a hard time selling your home. While some home improvements are not visible to the eye, it is imperative you focus on projects that are clearly obvious and visual.

Gas Lines

Never discard doors simply due to dirt. Remove your door from the frame, and sand it down until the bare wood is exposed. Next purchase paint and a roller and get to work. For a brand new feel, opt to change your doorknobs to a fancier design.

TIP! You can create an appealing and unique bookcase by using wallpaper. Pick an interesting and unique design.

Gas lines can be dangerous, so make sure that the gas is shut off before taking on any home improvement projects near gas lines. Exercising extreme caution will keep you and your family safe. Be careful not to puncture, or otherwise penetrate the line at any point during your project, as it could lead to a leak of explosive gas.

Purchase a few sealant strips and draft excluders. Draft excluders can be placed under a door and prevent warm air from exiting and cool air from entering your home. Sealant strips fit around door frames and do the same function. You can find them at many hardware stores.

To keep heated or cooled air from leaking around your windows and doors, install sealant strips and draft excluders. Draft excluders go underneath the door and prevent air from going in and out. Sealant strips can do the same thing and easily fit around your door frames. You can find them at your local hardware store.

TIP! If you are working in a bathroom, do not forget to add in either a window or some form of ventilation. Mold takes over when a bathroom retains its moisture.

Installing insulation in the attic is a great way to cut the cost of heating and cooling a home. Because hot air inevitably rises, in the colder months poorly-insulated homes are letting huge amounts of heated air escape wastefully. You can buy quality insulation at any home improvement center, and it’s quite simple to install.

Be sure and include landscaping in your home improvement plans. The front of your home is the most noticeable thing, and you want to showcase it to impress neighbors and visitors. Keep the grass tidy and neat, and consider putting in shrubs and flowering plants to beautify your property.

If you are bored with your home or find yourself running out of space, consider a renovation before simply deciding to move. With renovation projects, you can make your home into the environment you want, without having to resort to buying someone else’s home and designs. A home improvement project is also less stressful and more affordable than buying a home.

TIP! Finishing your basement is among the greatest investments a person can make. This extra room created is great for your family right now, and it will certainly stand out as a great feature for any family wishing to purchase your home in the future.

If your gutters are clogged, there can be several drainage issues during heavy precipitation. One of the top causes of basement leaks are gutters clogged that cause run-off on the side of your home. Clean out the gutters before this happens.

When thinking about replacing the cabinets in your home, look to wood cabinets. In addition to be being durable, they are able to survive pretty much anything. Some of the more common woods for cabinetry include maple, oak and cherry. They all accept wood stains, and therefore it is quite simple to adjust their color.

Are you looking at replacing your kitchen cabinets? Have you considered wood? Wood is strong and can handle a lot of tear and wear. Some of the most popular and hardy choices include maple, rich cherry and versatile oak. All of these can be stained, so if you feel like changing the color, it is easy to do so.

TIP! You need to be flexible when you undertake home improvement projects. Although you no doubt have a schedule in mind for a particular project, delays may be unavoidable.

Before you start to paint your house’s interior, make use of a wet cloth to take away dirt and dust from the baseboards and walls. You’ll find that paint goes on smoother and more evenly when the surface is properly cleaned and prepared; your painting job will go faster and the results will last longer.

Improvement Project

When your house has built-in alcoves, paint them with a contrasting or accenting color to make them more defined. You could also consider a fun wallpaper to make the area stand out. For little areas, try using small paint containers so you can avoid buying gallon containers.

TIP! If you live in a hurricane zone, look into purchasing hurricane socks. This fabric can absorb upwards of a gallon or more of water.

As stated in the beginning of this article, an inexperienced homeowner could have great difficulty planning and executing a home improvement project. WIthout experience, education or expert help, it all comes down to pure luck. By following the tips presented here, you will be able to plan and execute your home improvement project successfully from start to finish.