All homeowners know that it takes hard work and lots of money to own a home. Annual home improvements can typically cost up to 3% of the home's value. Of course, smart people will figure out how to spend less so read on to get the best bang for your buck.
When doing a DIY home improvement project, put safety first. Make sure you wear protective equipment such as a hard hat and goggles when needed. Use power tools (especially ones you are not familiar with) with extreme caution. Read the directions and ask for help when needed. Home improvement stores are a great resource of information.
Wallpapering is a quick and affordable update for any house. If you are considering hanging wallpaper in your bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen, opt for wet-look vinyl. This type of wallpaper is able to withstand sprinkles, splashes, and splatters and is also ideal for use in homes in even the most humid climate. Be sure to clean and smooth the wall surface before hanging vinyl, however, as any imperfections may show through.
A large and bulky cabinet and sink can easily take up the biggest part of a tiny bathroom and make the area seem downright claustrophobic. Free up some additional space by having the cabinet and sink removed and replacing them with a sleek and attractive pedestal sink. The look is timeless, and the narrow silhouette will free up a great deal of space.
If you have a dark colored kitchen it would be in your best interest to lighten things up. Many people do not want to buy homes that have kitchens with dark colors. If you are worried about selling you home at some point them you need to keep that in mind.
A quick home improvement job can be replacing the toilets or toilet seat covers in as many bathrooms as one chooses to do. Also, they can be replaced over time to spread out the cost of the new items. New things can freshen up the appearance of a persons bathroom.
When remodeling a bathroom, avoid overspending. Little budgets may still create a big impact that can look pricier than it is. Replacing small items such as light fixtures, mirrors, toilet paper holders and towel bars can have a great impact. Add a coat of paint to really spruce things up. This will make your bathroom look exquisite without breaking the bank.
Be mindful of weather conditions. If your climate isn't accommodating, a patio may not be a great addition. Installing a cover for the patio or wind-resistant barriers might help some, but if you're not committed to putting out for these extras, scrapping the idea of outdoor improvements all together might be in order.
After you have finished the painting part of your home improvements, it is important to clean up properly. If you used latex paint, all you need to clean up is soap and water. If your surfaces were painted with alkyd paints, you will need paint thinner to clean the brushes and gear that you used to do the job. Remember to not pour paint thinner or excess paint down the drain since it can lead to ground-water pollution. Both paint thinner and excess paint needs to be disposed at a toxic waste collection facility.
Be flexible with your time. While you may expect a project to be done in a few weeks, you may need to plan in advance for it to take a bit longer. Life can sometimes get in the way of project completion, so spare yourself from disappointment, by giving a little leeway.
You can never go wrong by increasing the storage space available in your home. Installing shelving is an excellent way to do this and is an easy beginner project any homeowner can tackle. Everything from wire shelving to complete closet makeover kits, is widely available at most home improvement stores.
Keep your water flowing during cold weather by adding heat wraps to water pipes located in crawlspaces or under mobile homes. Acting like electric blankets for your pipes, these special wraps use electricity to create just enough heat to prevent ice from forming in the pipes. Frozen pipes can burst or split, causing costly leaks and water damage.
If one is looking for a way to improve their home as well as provide themselves with a supply of fresh food then building a small chicken coop may be the thing to do. Not only will it provide one with a supply of eggs but it can even bring in money if one sells the eggs.
Choose two easy-to-remember days of the year to check and replace, if necessary, the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. New Year's Day and the Fourth of July are ideal times to perform this task. You should also make sure that your fire extinguishers work and discuss your family's exit strategy in the event of a fire.
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.
Roofing
Roll roof your floor for a practically indestructible finish! Buy roll roofing without the adhesive strip. Glue it in place either in long strips as it comes off the roll or cut up into irregular geometric shapes. Coat thickly with paint and use a brush to work the paint evenly into the surface.
Make sure to have your home inspected before starting any major renovations. Checking for roofing issues, termites, electrical issues and plumbing beforehand can save you a lot of trouble down the road. Finding issues like these when you are halfway through a renovation process can be a nightmare on your budget.
Putting on a new roof is often among a homeowner's most significant expenses. Try getting estimates from several companies and check all of their references. Also be sure to ask them to include a few different material options in their quotes since there are a number of them that are available. A good contractor that does roofing will assist you in deciding what to get.
One type of roof vent you can use with metal roofing would be one made of ABS plastic. They normally come in the same color of the metal you will be using. They are easy to install with metal screws and stand up well when you are considering the elements.
Metal roofing can be made of many different types of metals. Some of the choices you have when deciding are steel, zinc, copper, stainless steel, and alumninum. All of these have their pros and cons and you should look into each one of them to make an informed decision.
You can install your metal roofing right over top of old asphalt tiles. This will save you time and money because you will not have costs involved in the removal. But if there are more than two layers they will have to be removed first.
When hiring a roofing contractor, make sure the business is legitimate and trustworthy. You need to do your homework before you sign any contract. If you know anyone who has dealt with the contractor, talk to them. You can check the BBB or do an online search for reviews from previous customers.
Suppose you are planning to replace your roof and are considering using either shingles or metal roofing. Which is best? You need to take into account the pitch of the roof. Either material will work on a steep pitch, but for a low pitch roof you should use metal roofing. Shingles will always leak.
Once you have reviewed the advice on home improvement idea from this article, you will feel more confident that the money you invest in improvements will be money well spent. Through saving money and still making great home improvements, you can continue to enjoy your home and have some extra padding in your wallet to boot.
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