If you’re like many homeowners, garage flooring is probably last on your list – unless and/or until you decide to remodel. Following are three benefits of choosing tiles as garage flooring.

1. Installation

This is perhaps the biggest benefit of choosing this garage floor option. Most garage tile floors can be installed in less than 24 hours. There are simple peel-and-stick options, in addition to interlocking pieces (think of putting together a jigsaw puzzle). Yes, it really can be this simple.

Furthermore, they can be installed in all different types of climate – year round. With a minimal amount of skill, it’s something that any do-it-yourselfer can accomplish.

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Shutters add extra-special appeal to windows. They really make them stand out and add value to your home. Window shutters come in a variety of materials. Following are three of the most popular and the pros and cons of each.

Vinyl (Plastic) Window Shutters: You’ll find these in most major home improvement stores. The reason vinyl shutters are so popular is because they’re lightweight, pre-finished, easy to install and easy on the wallet.

Pro: Vinyl window shutters are sturdy and require practically no maintenance, which make them ideal for almost any climate.
Con: Because the shutters have a gap of space behind them when installed, they attract wasp and other insect nests (eg, bees, spiders). So be careful if you ever go out to clean them, for as soon as the water hits, you might just find yourself running from a host of mad bees.

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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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Many homeowners prefer hardwood flooring. It’s easy to care for, lasts a long time and most of all – it’s gorgeous. However, it’s not the most eco-friendly option. For this reason, bamboo flooring is a better choice.

Why Bamboo Flooring is a Better Option than Wood If You’re an Earth-Conscious Homeowner

• Beauty: You don’t have to sacrifice the beauty of wood when you choose bamboo flooring. Bamboo is technically a grass and it comes in a variety of shades.

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When it comes to siding, most homeowners select either vinyl or wood. There are, however, a multitude of other options available. One of these is Hardie Board siding. Following is an overview of what it is, and why it should definitely be on your list of options if you’re having a home built or having your siding replaced.

What is Hardie Board Siding?

Concrete is the foundation of Hardie Board. Although it has the look of wood, it is literally a durable, fibrous “concrete board.”

Advantages of Choosing Hardie Board Siding

• Termite Resistant: Unlike wood, because Hardie Board is made from concrete, termites and other insects don’t eat it. This is extremely important if you live in a warmer climate where termites are almost always active.

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Hardwood floors are extremely popular; and with good reason. They’re easy to clean, long-lasting and most of all – beautiful. Most consider true hardwood flooring the best. However, there are many options on the market today that only an expert can tell is not authentic wood. They are just as beautiful and some say more practical, for a number of reasons.

One of these options is engineered wood flooring.

What is Engineered Wood Flooring?

This type of flooring is a man-made, wood product. Consisting of five to nine layers, the wood is laminated together using a cross-ply construction method. The top layer of engineered wood flooring is made from a solid wood veneer. It’s known as the “wear layer.” How thick this layer is determines how much it costs. The thicker this layer, the more expensive the flooring.

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According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, a roofing trade organization, metal roofs are becoming more popular. This is especially true in areas prone to turbulent weather like hurricanes (Florida) and wildfires (California). Following are some benefits of metal roofing.

• Lightweight: Metal roofing is light compared to other popular roofing options. How much lighter? It weighs approximately 33 percent less than asphalt shingles and about 20 percent less than clay or tiles.

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When home prices fall, more homeowners choose to stay put, wait until the market rebounds and remodel, rather than sell. One of the best ways to improve the value of your home while you’re waiting for a market rebound is to remodel the bathroom.

If you don’t have to the money to do a complete bathroom remodel, replacing the largest fixture (ie, the bathtub) is an excellent way to give your bathroom a bit of a new look without spending a lot of money. The following information will help you select the best bathtub for your needs.

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With kitchen remodeling, or really any home remodeling project, the beauty is in the details. And, when it comes to kitchen backsplashes, the choices are no longer boring and staid; they are endless and gorgeous!

Kitchen Backsplashes: Types of Material

Kitchen backsplashes come in every type of material imaginable. Some of the most popular are stainless steel, stone and ceramic. Which one you select for your kitchen remodeling project depends on several factors.

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