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Home Improvement

Is Kitchen Remodeling Cost-effective?

by Jeff Dailey November 6, 2015

written by Jeff Dailey

So, you have made the decision to remodel your home. Kitchen remodeling is one of the first rooms that homeowners explore with regard to renovations. The kitchen is the main gathering place in the home for families and friends. It is the area where socialization happens frequently, so it makes perfect sense to choose to remodel this room in your home first. The project can be extremely fun and should be looked upon as such. There are so many small changes that can be made to completely transform this room that it is mind boggling. Let us talk a bit about whether this remodeling project is a sound financial decision.
First, you should look at the long-term picture. Are you remodeling the kitchen for your own preferences, or will you be selling the home at any point in the future? Either way, renovations to the kitchen can help save money in the future. If you are planning to stay in the home, you can employ some new choices that can help save on your monthly utility bills. You can opt for new energy efficient windows that can save you on your monthly electric payments. You can install low flow faucets to save on water consumption. You can also buy appliances that are more energy efficient as well. You will also experience personal satisfaction that your new kitchen is more operational and updated than it was previously.
If you are planning on selling your home in the future, you can expect a very significant return on your investment. If you ask any realtor, they will tell you that one of the first things a potential buyer is interested in is the kitchen. If your kitchen is fresh and updated with contemporary finishes (counters, cabinets, flooring) it will make your home stand out against homes that have a more dated kitchen. You can expect to get a return of at least 40% of your remodeling investment when you go to list your home. You can get a higher sales price due to the upgrades.
A home kitchen makeover is a very prudent choice, especially if you can only remodel one room. The kitchen is central to the home and you spend a lot of time there cooking, eating and socializing. The benefits of new and updated appliances and other elements far outweigh the costs you may incur. You will be surprised at how far you can get on your proposed budget. When your project is finished, you will realize it was money well spent.
articlecity.com

November 6, 2015 0 comment

Home Improvements

Types of Water Heaters

by Jeff Dailey October 30, 2015

written by Jeff Dailey

Water heaters are one of the most commonly used appliances by many householders. It’s helpful to understand the many types of water heaters when you require hot water for your household or business.
The primary function of a typical heating system is to store, heat and supply hot water in homes and commercial buildings. Usually the water is preheated and one can access it on opening the tap.
There are several types of heaters available in the market. The most commonly used type is the tank-type one. This comprises of a vertical cylindrical tank that is capable of holding any amount from 20 to 100 gallons. Such heaters can work on natural gas, propane, solar energy or electricity. Generally natural gas is used to fuel tank-type heaters. Another popular type is the combination heater. It is a tankless-type heater that is capable of providing with instant hot water. This type of heating system does not require any tank as it heats water instantly.
Water heaters typically consist of a cylindrical tank that stores a certain amount of water that is ready for use. To save up on operation and temperature costs, the tanks are usually equipped with strong insulation that is made up of superior quality polyurethane foam. There is a heating element too that is responsible for the he0ating process.
A typical heating system is usually capable of holding around 50 gallons of water. All you need to do is to get the right sized heater that meets your requirements. You must choose a model whose efficiency suits your needs the best. For instance, electric heaters have around 98% efficiency whereas gas heaters have 85% efficiency. Every type has setbacks and advantages. A few popular types of heaters are explained as follows:
Traditional heating system: This type uses a tank to store water unless it is needed. Such a water heater uses gas, oil or electricity for the warming process. Tanks are generally well insulated to prevent heat-loss.
Tankless heating system: The technology that these types of heaters incorporate is amazingly efficient. They do not need a tank as they are equipped with the capability of heating water quickly.
Solar heating system: This type of heating systems use solar energy to warm water. The heated water gets stored in strongly insulated tanks.
Water heating systems are machines and can malfunction if not treated properly. You must seek expert technical support to fix issues with your water heaters. Ventura (CA) citizens can contact Dutton Plumbing to avail professional repairing services.
articlecity.com

October 30, 2015 0 comment

Home Improvements

Adding a Little Luxury to Your Home

by Jeff Dailey October 24, 2015

written by Jeff Dailey

Seventy-two percent of homeowners plan to decorate or redecorate in the next two years, according to Houzz and Home Survey; and 86% said that improving the look and feel of the space was their most important goal.
You can find plenty of décor inspiration on sites such as Houzz or Pinterest. And with the right materials and a little creativity, you can add a little luxury to your home, too. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Paint – You can add a fresh look to a room with a fresh coat of paint. You can also add richness and depth with a specialty paint treatment. Textured paint allows you to give your walls the look of soft suede, leather, linen or even vintage plaster. Metallic paints can be used with stencils to create elegant patterns, or on textured wallpaper to create the look of antique tin ceiling tiles.
Textiles – Fabrics are a great way to add color and texture to a room. Browsing the remnant tables at a fabric store can lead you to some beautiful bargains. You can use remnants to recover pillows, add banding to drapes, or make runners for the table or buffet. Try adding a luxurious throw to the sofa or a small wool rug on top of existing carpet for a cozy, layered look.
You can also consider investing in having a quality piece of furniture reupholstered. Look for a fabric that is not only beautiful, but durable as well, so you get more bang for your buck. For example, Sensuede is easy to clean, child- and pet-friendly, yet is soft, comfortable and luxurious to the touch. Learn more, and explore the more than 200 colors available, at www.sensuede.com.
Accents – Sometimes little things can add up to a big difference. Change out some of your accent pieces to add a special touch to any room. Metallic colors and materials such as gold, silver, bronze and copper add warmth and elegance. Vases, picture and mirror frames, decorative bowls and trays are simple ways to bring beautiful metals into any room. Richly colored candles add color and scent to a room, and their soft light will make your metallic accents glow.
Flooring – Sometimes the floor can get overlooked as a design element in a room. But a beautiful floor can pull the whole look of a room together. Refinishing hardwood floors, installing laminate or stone flooring, replacing carpets, or investing in quality area rugs are all ways you can add the perfect finishing touch to a room.
There are a lot of ways you can add luxury to your living spaces, so start exploring creative ways to make your home the picture-perfect place you’ve always wanted.

October 24, 2015 0 comment

Home Improvements

Gutter Replacement to Prevent Home Water Damage

by Kimberly Johnson October 22, 2015

written by Kimberly Johnson

Gutter Replacement to Prevent Home Water Damage
Unchecked gutter leaks can wreak havoc on even the newest homes. Replacing old gutters also prevents home water damage. This relatively common issue makes properly installed and maintained gutters a vital, yet often overlooked, part of a house’s exterior. If you have damaged, clogged or low capacity gutters, overflowing water can lead to drainage issues, and ultimately water damage to the wood, siding and dry wall of your home. Gutter Replacement to Prevent Home Water Damage
Properly functioning gutters help your home hold up under harsh weather conditions. When it rains, water flows off the roof into gutters, which directs the water away from the house. This drainage system ensures that water is not able to pool on your roof and leak under shingles ultimately entering and damaging the interior of your home. There’s a variety of reasons why your current gutters may be inadequate and in need of replacement, including:

Severe blockage due to fallen leaves and other debris
Low capacity gutters, which cannot handle the volume of water that comes with heavy rainfall
Damaged gutters, which can be caused by icing over in the winter, and general wear and tear

Replacing your current gutters with a RainPro gutter system by Integrity Home Pro, can help you avoid the costly repairs that come with water damage. The uniquely designed RainPro gutter system offers two great benefits that most gutter systems do not: These custom built systems are well-built to last for years, and they come in a variety of styles to match your home.
No matter what style your home is, you’ll find a RainPro gutter system that compliments it. At Integrity Home Pro, we don’t think you should have to sacrifice looks for quality in a gutter system. The RainPro gutters have a refined look, and come in a variety of color options, that contributes to your home’s unique style. And since each RainPro system is custom configured for your home, we’ll send contract professionals to measure the perimeter of your house to ensure a perfect fit.
The RainPro gutter system by Integrity Home Pro is built to last. Manufactured to be about 18% thicker than standard gutters, RainPro gutters hold up longer, and can withstand harsher weather conditions. They’re also better at handling the heavy rains, since the gutter bottoms and downspouts are larger than in most residential gutters. And, since each system is protected by a ScratchGuard paint coating, there is very little upkeep and maintenance, just great looking gutters that are built to last. If you’re interested in a free consultation, contact Integrity Home Pro and ask about our RainPro gutter system today.
articlecity.com

October 22, 2015 0 comment

Home Improvements

Bring Your House Up To Date

by Kimberly Johnson September 6, 2015

written by Kimberly Johnson

It’s amazing how quickly our homes can start to look dated. Even if they were once the height of fashion, they can easily start to feel stuck in the past, and for many people it is enough to make them consider moving, unaware that it is simply the fact that things feel stale that is giving them such wanderlust.
There is plenty that can be done, easily and cheaply, to make a house feel more modern though. A change of paint is always a great way to start. Finding out the colours that are currently in vogue is a great way to instantly transform a room. On top that, interesting and modern artwork and contemporary knick knacks will also instantly bring a room up to date.
Home lighting is also a surprisingly date-specific kind of thing. Older light fittings will instantly date any room, and changing glaring halogens to more subtle accent lighting can instantly change the feel of a room without anything else being needed. Altering home lighting is also easy to research and cheap to achieve, making one of the perfect places to start if a house is starting to feel jaded. The more you can spend on lighting, the better.
Wooden floors are also a great way to say modern. On top of this, utilising a wooden floor gives you great scope to include underfloor heating, an investment that will almost certainly pay for itself in terms of how much money can be saved on energy bills. Underfloor heating also helps you remove what are usually unsightly radiators and give rooms more space. It’s another way to make any room feel more modern.
If you can, make as much space as possible, knocking down walls to create more space if it is appropriate. Space and lighting combined will make even the dullest room feel fresh and new.
Another way to spruce up your home is to clear the clutter. Senior.com sells a wide variety of hanging storage racks that will help you reclaim your garage. Even better, Senior.com provides very affordable installation to make it EASY. It is amazing the emotional health that comes from organizing the space you have. Perhaps your garage could be a new room for other activities if it was cleared of clutter.

September 6, 2015 0 comment

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