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Transform Your Home With These Quick And Simple Tips!

August 07, 2023   Matt

Transform Your Home With These Quick And Simple Tips!

Home improvement might appear very complicated and involved, but if you know what you are doing, it can be a very renewing experience. If you don’t know what you are doing, you can really hurt yourself or make your home unsafe. Don’t worry, the tips listed below can help you avoid this.

Try to add a room to your house. You may already have three bedrooms and a den, but the den cannot be considered a bedroom since it doesn’t have a closet. Add a closet to make it four bedrooms. That’s a relatively easy and cheap way to add value to your house.

Xeriscaping is an landscaping option that homeowners in extremely dry climates should take advantage of. Xeriscaping replaces more typical lawns and shrubs with rock beds and plants from arid climates. These alternates require far less irrigation than traditional landscaping, and the exotic plants available for xeriscaping can be more beautiful and striking than common landscape standbys.

Building a dog house in ones backyard can provide a fun home improvement project for one to do with their family. It will also provide a place for the family dog to go when it is outside and wants to get some shade, get a drink or take a nap.

When moving into a home you should get an alarm system installed. There are people who may have been in your home when it belonged to the previous owner and who know how to easily get in and out of your home. An alarm system will protect your home from intruders.

If you don’t know where to start updating your home, give the kitchen a shot. If you update the kitchen, especially if it is outdated, old, and dark in design, you will find that the value of the home is greatly increased in this room alone. Starting with the kitchen is always a great start.

Stay aware of your budget for home improvement projects. Especially after the holidays, money is tight. If you plan and budget, you can find the best prices on the materials and labor needed for your projects. In addition, you can save time by being more prepared by having materials that you’ve purchased over time ready to go when you start your project.

One of the smallest improvements to your home with the biggest impact is a deep cleaning of the house. Spending the time to clean every section of your house will improve the overall smell, look, and environment of your home. A thorough cleaning is often overlooked as a cost effective method of home improvement.

Using a paste-form of wood filler to fill a hole in wood, that you need to screw into again, will not yield satisfactory results. The screw will cause the wood filler to disintegrate and never hold secure. Instead, break off pieces of wooden toothpicks and fill the hole with as many as it will hold. Put a drop of white or wood glue on top of the toothpicks, that you can break off so that they are flush with the surrounding wood, and allow to dry. When completely dry, replace the screw into your new real wood-filled hole and that will give the screw something to “bite” into, versus the plaster-like dust, created by typical wood fillers.

So as you can see, home improvement is not as complicated as it may appear. It is involved in terms of research and asking questions, but it is worth it in the end. With the above tips in mind, you should be smarter when it comes to improving things around your home.

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Landscaping Pictures for Your Home

July 07, 2023   Matt

Landscaping Pictures for Your Home

A picture says a thousand words and it is up to you to find out what it means. When you need ideas on how to improve your garden or backyard, you should look at landscaping pictures and then incorporate this into your project.

You can look for landscaping pictures from a variety of sources. These can be found in books and in interior design magazines. Some release a new copy monthly so there is always something new for you to anticipate.

Another source of information is through the web. Some contractors post their accomplishments while some websites give amateurs ideas.

If you go around the neighborhood and like what your neighbors have done, why not take a picture or ask them how this was done.

When you are looking at the images, pay attention to the details because in most cases, there is nothing written there on how they did it. You can probably print the images and then show this to someone knowledgeable who will be able to tell you what was done and at the same time advise you if this can work in your home.

Once you have an idea of what you want to do, draw this on paper and then try and work it out. First, you will have to buy the plants and the other accessories from the store. When they are brought home, it is time to put these all together.

If somewhere along the way you decide to change your mind, go ahead and do it. After all, plans change all the time and what you have on paper is simply a guide.

One thing you must not forget about landscaping is that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to beautifying your home. You will also realize later on that not everything you see in the pictures can be applicable because of various constraints like the weather and the plants you want may not be available from the store. When this happens, just think outside the box so you are able to overcome this obstacle.

If you suddenly run out of ideas, maybe it is time to hire someone who does this for a living. This will surely save you time and money so your dream garden will not be put on hold.

In order to keep costs down, this has to be done in phases. This will give you time to buy the right materials during the lean season. For instance, wood is much cheaper to purchase during the winter. Plants, shrubs and trees are often sold at a lower price during the latter part of the current season.

You may also check online for some of these items because it is possible to get them here than the nearest home improvement store.

There is nothing wrong with copying every single detail from the landscaping picture. However, you should remember that your neighbors and even you will be much happier when you know that the idea for your backyard or front yard also had some ideas from that brain of yours.

So use your imagination and see what happens. The only thing to do now after everything is finished is regular maintenance so all your hard work will continue to show in the coming months.

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Home Improvement Inspiration That Won’t Strip Your Sanity (2)

June 28, 2023   Matt

Home Improvement Inspiration That Won’t Strip Your Sanity

Whether you are inexperienced or you have years of experience, making home repairs will improve your way of life. Your home is part of who you are. The following information is designed to help you get an idea of what you can do improve your home, thus improve your life.

If you live in a hot climate, replace your original glass windows with low-E glass, which can make it easier and more affordable to cool your house in the boiling summertime. Although the installation can be a bit pricey if you pay someone to do it, you will recoup your costs in energy savings by the end of the summer.

If space is at a premium in your home, consider remodeling the attic or basement. These areas offer a cost-effective way to gain extra square footage without resorting to constructing an addition. If the area already has a floor, roof, and walls your project will move along quickly and you’ll be enjoying your new space in no time.

Start with the bathroom when you are looking for fast home improvement projects. Fixing up your bathroom can quickly add value to your property. You will have to spend less for a higher return on property value with the right bathroom fixtures. It is one of the key features people consider when buying property.

Think you need to re-tile your bathroom? Try cleaning the tile and re-grouting first. Using this method can save you time and money over a complete re-tile project. It’s also easier to achieve by yourself. A toothbrush is a wonderful tool to use when cleaning grout. A quality steam mop can make a huge difference as well.

Do you need to fix a hole in your wall made by a nail or screw. Create a divot in the wall with the rounded end of a screwdriver by pressing it into the screw hole. Next, use spackle or drywall compound to fill the divot. This will give you a nice smooth wall surface.

You can add a room to your home without adding to its square footage. Use existing space to create that additional room by building a wall, which will turn one area into two. Closing off a partial wall or filling in an archway will allow you to realize that extra room.

When renovating a kitchen, be sure to perform a good deep clean before applying any paint. The walls are probably covered with at least a thin layer of grease. This grease will make it difficult for the new paint to stick. It is also possible that your kitchen walls don’t need paint at all and are just dirty with grease!

Here is a home improvement tip! Update your decor and save money at the same time by changing your window treatments to energy-efficient varieties. Thermal drapes are made from heavy fabrics that act as insulation to minimize drafts, and blackout curtains block sunlight, keeping your home cooler in the summer months. Many window treatments perform double-duty, combining blackout effects with thermal fabrics.

In conclusion, fixing up your home will make you feel good about yourself. No one wants to be living in a home that is in desperate need of repairs. Hopefully, the above information can get your home back into a condition that will make you love to be living in it.

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Can Your Home Insurance Stand Up To The Weather?

June 27, 2023   Matt

Can Your Home Insurance Stand Up To The Weather?

In 2004, the insurance industry estimated that about 45% of their settled claims were for damages caused by weather. This past January, that percentage climbed as high as 60%, with a possible £300 million worth of damages being claimed by homeowners for weather related incidents.

Is your home covered against damage from high winds? Will your insurance company pay out to repair damage caused when your plumbing freezes? How much will you have to pay out of pocket for repairs if heavy snow takes out your rain gutters or damages your roof?

If you’re not sure of the answers to those questions, it might prove enlightening to pull out your home insurance policy and have a read. According to an industry spokesman, too many homeowners find out what their buildings insurance does and doesn’t cover after they have incurred a loss and submitted a claim. That’s the case for many homeowners who suffered damage to their homes during the high winds of the past January who found, to their shock, that they’d be bearing the brunt of the repair bills from their own pockets.

In fact, the most recent figures suggest that over one third of homeowners have no home insurance at all, and many more are paying out for policies that don’t adequately cover the damages that they might face from adverse weather.

Home insurance policies vary widely on precisely what weather damage they cover, and how much you’re expected to pay out before the insurance company will pay its share. That’s why it’s important to sit down with your policy or your broker – or both – to discuss precisely how much coverage you have for weather-related damages, and if there are limits and exclusions to that cover. Some of the most common exclusions and limits include:

Damage from floods

If you live in an area with a high possibility of flooding, you may need to purchase separate cover to deal with damage from flooding. It’s vital that you not neglect this, say insurance spokesmen. The cost of repairing damage after a flood can easily run to £30,000 or more. Compare that to the average weather related claim of about £500.

Water damage from burst pipes

Watch for limits on the amount of damages you can claim if your pipes freeze and burst. A burst pipe in your loft can quickly damage walls and ceilings, and result in unhealthy growth of mold and mildew if not cleaned properly. The cost of all those repairs can easily and quickly mount above typical limits on damages.

Contents cover

If you only have buildings insurance, you may find yourself out of luck when damage to your roof results in the destruction of your expensive draperies, carpets and furnishings. Even if you carry cover for your home contents, you may want to carry extra insurance if you own expensive items like Oriental rugs or fine artwork.

Outdoor and garden items

Many policies only cover items inside your home from weather damage, while other policies will even pay to replace plants damaged by storms in severe weather. If you’re an avid gardener, or have outdoor patio and yard equipment, consider a policy that includes garden cover.

Be sure to review your policy periodically to be certain that you’ve kept it up to date, especially when you make new purchases or add an extension to your home.

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Home Gardening

June 12, 2023   Matt

Home Gardening

Over the last few years home gardening has become an increasingly popular past-time and hobby. In fact, studies show that home gardening is at an all time high in America right now. In the United States 8 out of 10 households take part in some type of home gardening activity. Obviously from the number of people that are doing it, home gardening is one of the most popular recreational activities in nation.

Most people that try their hand at home gardening plant flowers; at least they start out planting flowers anyway. Roses will probably be the first thought into any gardeners mind, but roses will take extra time and work, and should probably be left to those who have gardened before. When planting flowers many choices are available, such as bulbs, perennials, and annuals.

Edible plants are another big thing in home gardening. Perhaps the best thing about edibles is the reward of eating them. The list of edible plants that gardeners can grow at home is endless. Some of the most common edible plants in the vegetable arena are, potatoes, peas, corn, carrots, squash, and cucumber. Many gardeners opt for fruits, such as, watermelons, tomatoes, peaches, plums, apples, pears, and apricots. Small fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries usually require less work and less space, making them much more feasible for home gardening. Herbs, most often used as spices in cooking, are growing in popularity every day; some of the most grown include basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, and cilantro. One of the most important things to watch for when planting edibles is insects and disease, after all, you don’t want to miss out on the feast you will get to enjoy from healthy plants.

Many people don’t realize it, but landscaping is a form of home gardening. Landscaping covers many different areas and forms of gardening. You can even classify mowing your lawn as landscaping! Keeping in the line of grasses, landscaping nearly always involves decorative grasses, and the great thing about them is they don’t take much work for upkeep. Types of grass include monkey grass, pampas, buffalo grass, flame grass, and ornamental millet. Landscaping is not just limited to plant life, but also includes anything done to a yard for decoration, such as adding rocks or stones, putting a small pond, statutes, or a waterfall.

There isn’t much difference between home gardening and gardening anywhere else. Plants still need to be planted in a good location. The plants still need water and they still need the same nutrients. Home gardening shouldn’t cause anyone to get nervous. If you do decide to try homing gardening and finding out that you don’t have a green thumb, don’t get discouraged. Get some information, read up on gardening, and try it again the next planting season.

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Hey Do It Yourself! Make Your Home Improvement Projects Easier! 2

June 03, 2023   Matt

Hey Do It Yourself! Make Your Home Improvement Projects Easier!

For anyone that has ever owned a house, home improvement projects are a weekend staple. Many of us are unfamiliar with the construction trade, but that doesn’t mean we cant take on even some of the most difficult home improvement projects. This article is meant to give you tips for your next home improvement project.

To improve the value of your home, you should think about remodeling it. A home that looks new can be sold for more. Adding new rooms or an outside patio can increase its value. Consider remodeling as a form of investment and make sure you know what most people want, before you start.

Installing new countertops is a great place to start with a home improvement project. There are many things to consider, though. Your kitchen layout and how you use your counter space. Do you need something professional and durable or would you prefer something that is more appealing to the eye?

If a price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Make sure you get estimates from multiple contractors before making a choice on a company. It’s tempting to go with the company that comes in thousands of dollars lower than their competitor, but often you’ll end up paying for shoddy work that could have been prevented by going with the more reasonably priced company.

Consider starting a compost bin for your leftover produce scraps. There are several simple methods available and you will be helping the environment. At the same time, you are creating fabulous nutrient rich fertilizer. Compost fertilizer can be used for your flowers and shrubs in addition to being the perfect choice for your new fruits and vegetables.

Use old toothbrushes for cleaning. Whether you are cleaning around the faucet on the kitchen sink or bathroom lavatory or cleaning up engine parts, old toothbrushes work great. Even better, they are free! Why buy a new brush and throw away something that still has a lot of usable life left in it. Save that money for something else.

Before you begin painting a room it is important to lay down drop clothes or old sheets on the floor. When painting a room it is very possible to have paint drip or spill on the floor. Regardless of what type of floor you have it can be very difficult to get paint up once it is on a surface.

For a home improvement that offers an outstanding return, replace your outdated entry door with a steel front door. According to a recent study, homeowners who invested in a steel entry door, recouped nearly 129% of the project’s cost when their house was sold. A new steel door can boost your home’s curb appeal, and it makes a home more energy efficient.

Every time you decide to do a home improvement project, you are furthering your ability to take on future projects, as well. Success is very much dependent on the information you have, and if you apply the advice and tips from this article, you will drastically improve your chances for success.

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