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Home Maintenance

Getting A Second Story Room Addition

When your family is starting to grow, the first thing that you would think is accommodating each member of the family in your home. That is providing each and everyone his or her owns place. There are things to consider though in house expansions. First is the area of your house, whether you expand out or expand up. If your house has a limited ground floor area, then consider the idea of getting a second story room addition. When you can’t expand out, and then just expand up. There are certain risks most especially in expanding up.
Below, we will give you a bird’s eye view on what to expect in this type of expansion and also what could be the advantages amidst the risk. In here you will find out if getting a second story room addition is all worth it.
A second story in your home can give you more privacy. In this part of the house you can situate your master’s bedroom and your children’s rooms. And as for the ground floor, it will house your living room, dining area, kitchen and entertainment area as well. You can max out your resources and not just getting a second story room addition but you can situate the other bedrooms while adding up one or two more rooms.
Why do you think it is practicable to do it this way? We have mentioned earlier about risks in adding up. Here’s the fact. In adding up, you need to open up the roof area of your house, so while doing so, and maximize the time element and the cost of opening up this area. You have to consider safety precautions in this manner because opening a certain part of your house temporarily would mean possibility of burglary.
Talk to your contractor regarding ensuring this safety. Another in getting a second story room addition or additions, the weather is of prime consideration. While making this expansion in your house, do it on a summer or when it is not a rainy or snow season. The construction should be done when weather cannot damage any fixture or appliance in the house with raindrops or the fall of snow.
Always seek professional help in materializing your ideas. These professionals will give you a better picture, a timetable and a cost effective project. You must also remember that before taking the plunge into getting a second story room addition or additions, would equate to incur cost in your budget. Although some would say that adding up is less costly than expanding out, but actually there is a small margin difference in these types of expansions. Be ready for it and you have to remind yourself over and over that the costs will be for your family’s long term comfort benefit.

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Home Maintenance

Turn Your Basement Upside Down!

Is your house a perfect example of class, style and elegance? Are you showing off your wonderful taste in art and architecture around your house but hiding the monster underneath you? Well, time to turn that torment in to something you will proudly show off too! Here are some simple yet effective ways to turn the look of your basement from dreary to dreamy!
Home remodeling offers some excellent tricks to start outlining what you want your basement to look like; after all stuffing your travel bags and junk is not what your basement was made for. Start off by deciding what direction you want your basement to go in. If you have kids then consider having a cozy family lounge along with an entertainment area and an art zone that the entire family would enjoy. With young kids it’s always best to eliminate unnecessary walls to clear up the space. This not only creates a bigger canvas to work on but it creates a sense of spaciousness. Vinyl floors are easy on the pockets and even easier to clean and they are a great option for basements. Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of different colors and its fun to contrast them with the walls and the ceiling.
You need the lounge area to be classy yet functional and cozy, and a pair of sofa’s and some armchairs would do the trick just right. In most of the basement spaces, lighting is an issue. If you don’t have any windows or openings then don’t despair. Its easy to make the room feel all lightened up with floor to ceiling mirrors on one of the four walls and a nice bright chandelier. False ceilings with bright lights installed in them are also a great alternative that will keep your entire day illuminated.
Desks and chairs will not only make the space more organized but will help your kids experience their own artistic side. Choose a spill friendly countertop for the table and stock it with art supplies, story books and whatever your kids enjoy doing. With a few art display on the walls, stocking it up with a bar fridge and accenting it with curtains, draperies and rugs will make your basement and family come together in a way that you never though imaginable.
If on the other hand you do not have a family and instead want to convert your basement in to a place where adults can hang out and have fun then consider starting with the wall paint and flooring featuring warm earthy colors. Some colors that go great together are teal, brown, tan and green. Vinyl tiles give the room elegance of real wood. Next divide your space in to an entertainment area and a TV lounge. If you play an instrument or are a health buff, then reserve a space for your equipment. A breakfast table is great near the bar/entertainment area and don’t forget the importance of a good sink.
Decorate your walls with paintings and add plenty of seating for yourself and the guests that you will entertain. A perfect backdrop to a TV unit is curtains! Add draperies in the background of your TV unit to create a sophisticated adult look. Throw in a lot of cushions and pillows, flowers and d?�cor and stock your bar well because your basement makeover inspired by the ideas of Everhart Constructions Houston home remodeling experts will attract plenty of friends and family to visit more often then usual!

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Home Maintenance

Homeowners Should Take Advantage of This Recession by Doing Home Remodeling Projects

Homeowners in this economy have seemed to put the brakes on doing any remodeling growth to their home. But in all essence, this is the time for homeowner’s should take charge and take advantage of the recession by implementing home improvement jobs to their home, therefore getting a substantial return on their investment, which is a sure thing.
Since World War II, the United States has never seen such a down market in the real estate business. All the while, homeowner’s are waiting patiently for some kind of sign for our economy to move upward again. Homeowner’s are scared to enter the market place and suffer a big loss. But while waiting for the economy to improve, homeowner’s should definitely take advantage of this slow time. To increase the appeal of their home, home remodeling historically guarantee’s a definite return on investment on their home. For those homeowner’s who want to eventually sell their home, there are some things that they can get done on their home now and be a step ahead of the game later.
On the Exterior of the Home: A neat and nice landscape most always is the first thing that a potential buyer will see when they come to look at your home. Why not invest in your yard? Design your landscape early and plant accordingly, this ensures your yard will be ready. This also gives the plants time to mature and establish themselves to look their best next year and every year after that. Painting the exterior of the home and painting the trim gives the home a new, polished look. New paint is a great return on your investment. Replace the siding if painting is not an option for you. Rotten siding is a noticeable eyesore to potential buyers and also welcomes into your home a number of different rodents and insects just waiting to take refuge in your home. Replace the roof with a top-quality shingle. Broken shingles, missing shingles, and miss-matched shingles take away the beauty of your home. If the roof is fairly new, but is leaking in sots, fix the roof leaks as soon as possible.
As for the Interior of you home: Painting the inside of your home will there again gives your home a brand new, fresh look and also gives you a secure continuation of return on investment. Remodeling the kitchen and bathroom(s) are essential in bringing your home’s value and beauty up to speed. Updating these most important rooms is important because these rooms are the most used by almost everyone who visits or lives in the home. Depending on the style you choose to remodel and decorate them, it will bring certain flair and add contrast to your home. Take advantage of your attic space. Many people have a lot of clutter and like to hoard items that are either out of date or things that they really do not need anymore. Clearing out rooms with clutter will give your home more space and will give your home a more impressive and roomier atmosphere. Repair and/or replace all the plumbing and electrical outlets and, if need be, wire or re-wire your home to be more energy efficient. To update your most prized investment, replace your windows with beautiful Sheffield Windows.
Now is the perfect time to do this. Hire a professional carpet cleaner to come in and clean all your carpets, or if you want to mix things up a bit, replace all carpet with hardwood floors. Hardwood flooring is beautiful, lasts a very long time, and is simple and easy to clean and take care of. Replace your light fixtures. This is a very small change, but a very positive change it is! Changing light fixtures puts a whole new spin on the room, makes light hit in all the right places, giving the room a beautiful, dimensional spectrum effect. All of these possible home remodeling jobs can add years to your home, not to mention adding incredible value to the home and giving you, the homeowner, and a substantial return on your investment. Your home is your biggest investment you will probably make in your life, make it one that not only you will love and be proud of, but for others as well to love and to call home.

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Home Maintenance

Remodeling Your Kitchen Has Never Been So Easy

You could remodel your kitchen in many different ways. Before you start your kitchen remodeling process, you should know what changes you want to bring to it; because you want the best of all kitchens. You can either change the cabinet sheets or install new appliances, or you could re-structure the entire kitchen by changing the shape of the counter, or make some extra space for some dining arrangement. The most important part in kitchen remodeling is planning the layout of your kitchen. If the layout is not set up properly, then your kitchen might end up looking like a disaster. You have to plan it in such a way that it is convenient for you and the members of the house to use. The layout focuses on the kind of cabinets you would like in your kitchen, and the shape of the counter. Of course, it also includes the extra space you would like for the purpose of eating. Kitchen remodeling will definitely be a fun experience!
Cabinets Placed In a Row:
In case of a narrow kitchen, it would be best to place the cabinets on one side in a row so that the kitchen does not look messy, and it will be convenient for you to take out things and place them back conveniently without moving around much. If you want yourself in ease while cooking, then your refrigerator, sink and oven should be placed close to each other. But, because you have a narrow kitchen, you can accommodate a dining space in there; it is suitable for large kitchens.
Galley Kitchen Does Not Provide Enough Room for Family Time:
You will usually find a very small kitchen in the apartments or even in small houses; they are known as the “Galley Kitchen.” Basically, these kitchens have the cabinets placed on two walls facing each other. The Galley kitchen cannot accommodate many people at once; because it does not have much space in it. And, if you want to create room for the dining area in a Galley kitchen, then you will not be able to do that; because you will not be left with any space for yourself, and your kitchen will look very stuffy.
L Shaped Kitchen adds Fun to Cooking:
The L shaped kitchens usually have lots of space in it, and the L shape serves as a counter where you can place stools, and your family can come and have fun while you cook. This structure allows you to move about easily; because you have lots of space, and your cabinets are also placed in a very convenient position. Nowadays, most large houses have these L shaped kitchens; because it adds fun to cooking and eating!
Be Careful While Setting Up Your U Shaped Kitchen:
The “U shaped” layout can be a bit messy; because you cannot easily decide where to locate your appliances, because the structure is quite odd. You cannot place anything in between the U; otherwise, your kitchen will look like a mess. You have to be very careful while setting up your U shaped kitchen.
Install Islands for Extra Space:
Islands just add extra space to your kitchen where you can place your additional appliances or could also arrange for a dining area. If you have a large kitchen, then an island would look great there. But, if your kitchen is small, then you cannot create a large island, otherwise you will have space constraints, and it will also get very difficult to move about. It is necessary that you have enough space in your kitchen for an island; otherwise you could always install a portable island, which you can move in and out easily as per your requirements. If you keep the above points in mind, then kitchen remodeling can add an extra value to your house.

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Home Maintenance

Great Home Remodeling Ideas That Cost Less Than a TV

You’ve seen them, you love them and you really, really want one. A huge wall mountable led or plasma screen TV, with all the bells and whistles. The kind that dominates the living room and brings you every program in high definition and surround sound. They only cost about $2,500 these days, so why are other members of the household still balking at the idea of getting one? Maybe because there are some home remodeling projects that cost less than that big TV and will do a lot more to increase the home’s aesthetic appeal and its value as well.
Refinish Your Kitchen Cabinets
Never mind new TVs, how about new kitchen cabinets to replace the ones you currently have that would be right at home in an 80s sitcom but do little to make your kitchen a nice place to hang out.
Ripping out all your kitchen cabinets will probably cost over the $2,500 mark but having them refaced shouldn’t and it is a great way to breathe new life into your home.
Have a Custom Closet Built
Who couldn’t use an extra closet to get some of that clutter off the floor and neatly hidden away from sight? Instead of going for The Hulk of all TVs, why not invest the money in a custom built closet? Your home will be neater and you’ll be increasing its value as well.
Get a Solar Water Heater
You complain every time the energy bills come in, they keep going up all the time. How does an investment that helps the environment and saves you money on monthly bills sound? Having a solar hot water heater installed averages out at under the $2,500 mark and, unlike that television, it will pay for itself in energy savings in just a few years.
Have a Masonry Fireplace Built
That TV you have your eye on will undoubtedly supply you with hours of quality entertainment but it will also be all but obsolete within ten years. Having a real masonry fireplace built will really enhance your evenings at home, whether you are alone or entertaining, reduce your energy bills and add to the value of your home considerably.
Refinish Your Wood Floors
Wood floors are beautiful but, over the years and with all the traffic they have to endure, they can end up looking a little worse for wear, especially if you have been a little lax on the maintenance front. A good professional sanding and refinishing job can change all that and the price tag is a lot less than the one on that TV. Because this process actually exposes fresh wood, the results will make your floor look brand new, literally melting away all those years of abuse.
So, before you head out for the electronics store, think about the state of your home and whether all that money could be a little better spent. Then when all the improvements are finished you should still have enough cash left over to get a more modest television set to enjoy in your newly improved environment.