As remodeling goes, a complete kitchen overhaul is one of the more expensive projects you can choose. New floors, countertops, appliances, cabinets and island workspaces can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars. If your kitchen is in pretty decent condition but you just want a fresh look, there’s no need to replace expensive items that are still functional. The following three changes can transform the look of your kitchen for a few hundred dollars.
Paint – Painting kitchens is relatively easy and makes a great weekend project [...] Continue Reading…

When homeowners start looking for ways to upgrade their kitchens, replacing an electric stove with a natural gas unit is a fairly common choice. However, this can be challenging even when you already have gas connected to your home.
Before converting your stove area to handle a model that uses gas, make sure everything will fit in the space properly and will operate without interference from any other appliance. Movement of doors and handles change the dynamics of the space requirements and not all gas units have the same standard [...] Continue Reading…

A little knowledge will help you identify the common warning signs of a roofing scam. Here are some basic ways to protect yourself:

Be wary of any company that contacts you out of the blue.
Follow up on any references and check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints.
Get a least 3 competing estimates and don’t always take the lowest bid.
Ask contractors to justify their bids listing what work/materials [...] Continue Reading…

One of the most common complaints about kitchens is that they don’t have enough storage space. If your pantry and cabinet space is limited, it may be time to consider adding a corner hutch. These classic shelving units are designed to store utensils, cutlery, china dishes, electrical appliances, and other accessories. This frees up cabinet space and allows you to get clutter organized. Since you would otherwise make little use of the corners in your kitchen, you won’t be sacrificing much in the way of floor or wall space [...] Continue Reading…

As discussed in part 1 of this series, if you spot a water leak in one of your bathrooms, it is important for you to act promptly. This means you need to know where the main water valve is located ahead of time. That way, you can shut it off as soon as possible to prevent extensive damage. The main line shut off valve is usually outside of the house near the water meter. Make sure you have access to this area in case of an emergency. Auxiliary shut [...] Continue Reading…

Common tree species used for residential siding include cedar, pine, spruce, redwood, cypress, and Douglas firs. Sometimes plywood is also used. The wood is graded for quality. Clear heartwood is considered the premium wood siding material. Below that, lesser grades include A Clear, B Clear, Select Knotty, Quality Knotty, Proprietary, and Standard. Each type of wood can be used to make various styles of siding.

Clapboard – These are long rectangular boards that are squared off. They are installed horizontally in an overlapping manner. Clapboard is one of the oldest [...] Continue Reading…

One of the reasons replacement windows are such a popular home improvement item is that they have an impact on both the exterior and interior of a house. They really set the atmosphere in each room. For rooms that could feature a lovely view, replacing small windows with single larger window can add quite a bit of value and appeal to a home.

Picture

A large picture window is one option for enhancing a room with a view. The largest possible picture window you can buy for your home may depend [...] Continue Reading…

Does one of your bathrooms have a mysterious leak? It may be difficult to figure out where the water is coming from at first. However, you need to find out as soon as possible if the leak is from a valve, drain or some other place. Otherwise, you may end up spending more money than necessary ripping stuff out and having it replaced.

Follow the water trail to its source

When you find water standing on the bathroom floor, your first though might be that it must be coming from [...] Continue Reading…

Lightning rods are most commonly installed on the roofing of high rise buildings and houses located on hill tops. These structures are most vulnerable to million volt bolts. Lightning strikes on low houses are rare enough that most homeowners don’t worry much about them. However, when a lightning bolt does connect with an unprotected house it can destroy all the electrical systems present. Phone lines and metal plumbing are potential conduits for electricity from the lightning strike to cause injury to people inside the home.

It’s good to know that [...] Continue Reading…

When homes are designed, the pantry is often simply tucked in a corner that is “leftover” and not useful as open kitchen space. However, this can mean the pantry interior features odd angles and is too cramped to turn around in.

During a remodel that involves making your kitchen larger, don’t forget to convert your pantry from a broom closet into a nice walk-in room. This kind of pantry shouldn’t make you feel like a sardine in a can, so don’t skimp on space. 30” is a comfortable walkway width [...] Continue Reading…

The main component of any screen is the mesh itself. Your choices include: solar, fiberglass/vinyl, insect control, aluminum, bronze, pet resistant, security or alarm screens. Each has its own unique properties – but screens are usually designed with multiple functions in mind. Replacement screens and their frames can sometimes be bought already assembled in one package. However, these won’t always fit older windows so you may need to make your own replacement screens.

Purchasing Replacement Materials

Window screens need to be replaced when they get torn or damage beyond repair. The [...] Continue Reading…

Slippery moisture buildup is common on all bathroom surfaces. On the floor, this creates a slip and fall hazard for children, elderly individuals, and persons with disabilities. Of course, anyone can slip on a pool of water if they aren’t paying attention – such as when they are trying to shower and rush to work in the morning. It makes sense to proactively limit the hazards created by smooth flooring in your bathrooms.
A common solution is a decorative bath mat that lies outside the tub or shower. This absorbent surface [...] Continue Reading…