August 28th, 2009 — Bathrooms
The size of your bathroom will dictate, to a large degree, the style of shower door you select. Here we will discuss three options: one for small baths, one for mid-size baths, and one for larger bathrooms. This will make your selection much easier.
For Larger Baths: Swinging Shower Doors
Swinging shower doors are ideal for larger bathrooms. They add a breezy, sophisticated look to any bath.
Swinging shower doors range in widths from 36 to 48 inches. Secured with a magnetic latch, swinging shower doors can be made to swing in only one direction or in both directions. And, they come as one panel or two fixed panels.
One thing to keep in mind if you select this type of shower door: consider the path of the swing of the door before installing. You want to leave enough room so that it doesn’t hit sinks, tissue racks or toilets.
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July 27th, 2009 — Bathrooms
You’ve finally made the decision to move ahead with that bathroom remodeling project. And, off to the store you go to pick out your tile. Once there, the sheer array of offerings can seem overwhelming. One of the things you have to decide is should you go with the porcelain or ceramic tile.
Here’s some info about each to help you make that decision.
What Is the Difference Between Ceramic and Porcelain Tile?
Many are confused by this. Actually, the difference lies in the area of quality, not type. Porcelain tiles are made using more pure, refined clay. They have a water absorption rate of less than a half percent, making them more water resistant than clay tiles. They are also denser, which means that they tend to be more frost-resistant and less susceptible to stains than ceramic tile.
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July 10th, 2009 — Basements
With families growing and homes being harder to sell these days, one of the quickest ways to add long-term value – and get the additional family space you need – is to have your basement remodeled.
Before you start, however, it’s important to know the trends in basement remodeling. This will keep you from wasting a lot of money. This is particularly true if you plan to move soon (say within three to five years).
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July 1st, 2009 — Additions
It’s summer and the perfect time to have new home additions like a swimming pool installed. If you’re thinking about getting a pool for your family, following are two things to consider.
1. The Size of the Property
This is probably the number one thing to keep in mind when getting a pool. The size of the pool you get is going to be determined by the size of your yard. Your pool should not push the limits of your space. For example, you want to leave enough space to be able to walk around the pool comfortably.
This is for safety, as well as aesthetic reasons. Also, you may decide to put in a deck or do landscaping around your pool. You need room for all of this.
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June 30th, 2009 — Additions
Building an addition to your home can vastly increase its value. By how much is extremely important. This in part depends on your future plans. Hence, you should take the following into consideration before moving ahead with a home addition.
New Home Addition: The Importance of Value
The size of the addition will impact how much value it will add to your home. It’s important here to balance what you want with what it will bring in terms of value. For example, you can “over renovate.”
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June 23rd, 2009 — Bathrooms
While your personal style is probably the first thing that comes to mind when choosing bathroom flooring, there are other factors to consider. Following are three, as well as some popular options in bathroom flooring.
- Your lifestyle: Do you have small children? Does an elderly parent or physically challenged person live with you? Then you want your bathroom flooring to be as slip-proof as possible. A lot of slip-and-fall accidents happen in bathrooms. Many of these can be prevented by having slip-proof flooring.
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June 16th, 2009 — Bathrooms
The fun part of any bathroom remodeling project is the design part. Selecting tiles, bathroom fixtures, shower curtains, paint colors, pictures, etc. – all of this is what makes it exciting. But, there are some non-glamorous factors that must be considered also. They will help you stay within budget, while assuring that you get the bathroom of your dreams. Following are three.
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June 13th, 2009 — Kitchens
Kitchen islands are very popular. Look at almost any home improvement show that features a kitchen remodeling project, and you will often hear it mentioned as a desired feature.
Why Kitchen Islands Are So Popular
There are a couple of reasons why kitchen islands are so popular: (i) they add more storage space; and (ii) they fit the way modern families live. Whether it’s feeding hungry kids an informal lunch, or entertaining visiting friends and family, it’s easy to have everyone gather around a kitchen island.
Following are three things to consider when selecting a kitchen island.
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June 12th, 2009 — Kitchens
Remodeling a kitchen is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. It’s an exciting time filled with many beautiful design choices, eg, which types of countertops to buy; what type of cabinets to invest in; what types of flooring to choose; etc.
It’s easy to see why such practical things like the tips below can get overlooked. However, one thing to keep in mind is that when your kitchen remodeling project is done, you want a functional kitchen that suits your lifestyle. So, while the tips below may be boring, they are every bit as important as which style of granite countertops you choose.
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