by Nisha Sharma

Home improvements are a great way to bring up the property value of your house. However, there are some hazards that you should avoid when you are making improvements to your home. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they are renovating their homes is over-expanding. When a homeowner over-expands their house, they tend to add more features than is necessary for basic living. Over-expanding and ensuring fire safety of a home not only costs a lot of money to complete, it can bring up the utility costs as well. Avoid over-expanding your home unless you plan on living there for a very long time.

Another hazard that people should avoid when making home improvements is changing the general architecture. If you have a stylized home –a rancher for instance- you should not be implementing modernized aspects such as doors or windows. When you go to sell the house, potential buyers could be turned off by this strange transformation. In the same vein as this, people should also avoid changing the function of a room in their home. Sure, turning a spare bedroom into a game room is fine, but leave your bathroom as a bathroom.

There is a major difference between a “do-it-yourselfer” and a contractor. If you have a leaky faucet or a spot on your floor, feel free to fix the issue. However, a professional should always do home improvements. If you are looking to expand a room, install a bathroom or rewire any part of your house, you should always have a professional complete the task. There are a lot of codes in residential living that you should be aware of. If not, you could be setting a fire hazard or breaking residential code.

If you do decide to make home improvements yourself or through a contractor it’s best to over budget than to under budget. One of the most frequent hazards of home improvements is under budgeting for a renovation. And under budgeting doesn’t just refer to money. Knowing the amount of time that your home is going to be in disarray is essential to keeping a schedule for your home improvement. This is why it’s best to go through a contractor. Contractors know how to keep schedules and will get your improvements done within that time frame.

Once the home improvements are done on your home, it is important to maintain them. Making sure that you are cleaning the gutters and checking for any termites in your improvement is essential to keeping your improvement in good standing. If you aren’t keeping up with your improvements, the work will be for nothing.

Home improvements are great for any home. They can expand the functionality of the house while giving you more of a return if you are thinking about selling the property. But if you are going to make improvements to your home, there are hazards you should avoid. Follow this guideline before you start your home improvements and you should see a great return on your initial investment.

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About the Contributor

My name is Nisha Sharma, I am the Editor for FireSafetyStore.co.uk. If you would like to find out more information about fire safety products, such as fire blankets, fire extinguisher, or for safety items around the home feel free to visit my site.

by Helen Davies

image copyright © Better Bathrooms

If you’re planning a bathroom remodel, you’ll be thinking about all the bathroom fittings and fixtures there are available, and maybe feeling a little overwhelmed. Unless you go into a remodelling project with a very clear idea of what you want, it can be easy to get confused.

We’ve pulled together a few key points to guide you through that tricky decision-making process.

Simple sanitaryware or bathroom cabinets?

Sanitaryware refers to the fixtures in your bathroom, like your toilet, bath, and sink. Choosing standalone sanitaryware can lend a bathroom a traditional style and can be a good route to minimalism too. However, you’ll find that without the addition of a couple of bathroom cabinets, you soon build up a lot of clutter in your bathroom, which can be fatal to your minimalist ethos!

If you opt for a fully fitted bathroom furniture suite instead, you’ll select items such as vanities or washstands, storage cabinets, WC units, and medicine cabinets. All of this brings coordination to a room, and allows for ample storage of all your hygiene products. You can select bathroom cabinets which match your preferred style, whether that monochrome chic, natural wood, or eclectic colour.

Modern or traditional?

Only you can decide this one: one style will simply appeal to you more. However, things to bear in mind as you mull it over, if the answer isn’t immediately obvious to you, are:

1. Is my home a new build, or has it been renovated in a traditional style? Your bathroom should be in keeping with your home generally.

2. What are the rest of my furnishings like? You want to maintain, if possible, a flow of style and colour between rooms so that the whole house seems to have been pulled together in a deliberate and coherent way.

Choosing specific fixtures

Once you’ve got an idea of your overall scheme for the bathroom, it’s time to get down to specifics. Choosing your bathroom cabinets or bathroom suite is something that should be done with care, as you will want your bathroom to last for a number of years – remodelling is expensive and time consuming.

Think about the way you use your existing room, and the fixtures you’d like most in your new room. Understanding what items you use most will help you to prioritise when it comes to measuring your space and drawing up a plan for your new layout.

You can draw your own scale floor plan, or use one of a number of internet sites, to try out different combinations of bathroom fittings and bathroom cabinets in the confines of your own space, before you spend any money or remove your existing bathroom suite. Run through as many versions as you need to, and only start shopping for your bathroom furniture once you’re sure not only of what you want in your bathroom but also what your bathroom can comfortably accommodate.

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About the Contributor

Helen Davies is a content writer for Better Bathrooms, a UK based supplier of a wide range of bathroom cabinets as well as freestanding and fitted bathroom furniture.

Revitalize your space with the new design trends for 2012

Love interior design? Live in Toronto? Well you’re invited to the first 2011/12 event of the Design Talk series at Urban Mode.  Guest speaker Lucy Campos-Gentile, Principal Interior Designer of TO DESIGN CO returns to share the upcoming design trends for 2012.  Lucy will be focusing on the new trends in paint, fabrics, floors, and more – providing an inside peek at what’s new for 2012 on Thursday, November 24^th, 2011 at Urban Mode at 7:00pm. So get inspired to refresh your spaces using combinations of paint, fabrics and other design elements that don’t require costly and time consuming renovations.  See what’s new, and determine the style keepers amongst the elements you already own. Learn how to find your own personal style; Lucy will be sharing tips and examples of how to turn bland spaces into unique and stylish rooms.

Tickets are available online:  http://designtrends2012.eventbrite.com

About Lucy Campos-Gentile

Lucy Campos-Gentile started working in Interior Design over fifteen years ago. In the first two years of her career, she worked in largely corporate, retail, and hospitality design. When she was hired by a builder to work in the residential field of the market, her career shifted, and she later started her own design firm, TO DESIGN CO.

TO DESIGN CO is a full-service interior design firm specializing in home renovations, additions, new construction, and remodeling. Lucy provides design services around the GTA including project planning, drawings, project management, and trade supervision. Lucy plans with her clients using a full range of samples and detailed specifications, floor plans, architectural drawings and 3D models, then manages projects, overseeing the selection and purchasing of furniture, products, and materials. TO DESIGN CO clients need only to express their design wants and needs, approve the resulting plans, then enjoy the wonders of a well-designed space that offers function, style and balance!

by Erik Braunitzer of Douglas Elliman Real Estate Company, agents for Bronx Rentals

photo by Big Dog Renovations

The two best investments homeowners can make to improve the value of their home are to renovate both the kitchen and bathroom. These rooms are the most important selling features of any house. Most of these improvements are DIY projects that do not mandate hiring a professional or using expensive materials.

Glass Tiles
Many glass tiles are available on the market today. Many are handmade from recycled glass, making unique tiles that are almost impossible to reproduce with machines. Installing these tiles is only slightly different than ceramic tiles, with much of the same types of mastic and grout. The look is luxury without the price tag.

Some glass tiles are available with glitter or other pieces allowed to stay in the glass. The look is one of sheer brilliance. Any color combination is possible with recycled glass, even soda bottles. These make beautiful sea-green tiles unlike any machine made tiles today.

Use glass tiles as accent pieces, medallions, borders, backsplashes, tub surrounds and more. The possibilities are only limited by imagination.

Tin Ceilings
These have never gone out of style. Choose antique or vintage tiles for a look of opulence. Tin tiles cover drab or stained ceilings with ease. Installing them takes no more than a screws or special cement. The tiles can be painted or stained, or even treated with faux metals and glitter paints for effect. If one cannot afford vintage tiles, PVC tiles molded to resemble tin tiles provide the same looks for a fraction of the cost.

New Hardware
One of the simplest ways to rejuvenate a bathroom or kitchen is to change the hardware. New hinges, drawer and cabinet pulls, new slides are all part of the hardware. Vintage glass pulls bring new life to any cabinet, or perhaps a more modern look with metals. Handmade pulls, such as horn or specialty woods bring an exotic outdoor look into the home space. In many cases, kitchens look entirely different with just hardware changes and a can of paint, usually under $100.

Improved Flooring
From floor tiles to hardwood, improved flooring often makes a selling point or focal point for visitors. Floating floors are inexpensive and easy to install, while solid hardwood floors last forever but require the installation of an expert. Maintaining a hardwood floor is not difficult if stains and spills are cleaned up quickly, and pads placed on furniture feet are used to prevent scuffs and scratches.

Use hardwood floors even in the bathroom and throughout the house to maintain the flow of the décor. Rugs and carpets protect the floor while allowing the room to change looks with the seasons without removing the hardwood.

Sustainable woods, such as ipe, bamboo and teak are making their way to the top of the flooring world. Although costing more than traditional hardwoods, they are often more durable, and allow more design and color choices. Cork is another sustainable flooring option popular among homeowners today. These woods provide flooring for homeowners, and create jobs and industries in their countries of origins. Sustainable practices also protect the environment.

Spend the time to research the options for remodeling the kitchen and bathroom today. Many projects cost far less than the finished project looks suggest. No one has to tell their guests they did not spend a fortune.

By Erie Construction

Driftwood

There is no need to settle for boring carpet or laminate flooring in your home. Why not try something a little more interesting? If you’re looking for unique and distinctive, take a look at these 10 interesting floor coverings.

Driftwood

Driftwood is wood that washes up on the beach after being tossed by winds, waves, and tides. Erosion sometimes makes it difficult to determine the origin of the wood, but it could come from trees that have fallen into the ocean, lost cargo, or even the remains of shipwrecks. It is a hassle for beach-goers everywhere, but it makes for a beautiful and interesting floor.

Liquid Lava ™

These liquid filled tiles swirl under the pressure of your feet, and are sure to make you feel like a kid again. They’re available in several color combinations and make walking around your house way more fun.

Glass

Floors made from thick cut glass are uncommonly beautiful. With a variety of textures to choose from, glass floors can fit in anywhere in your home. Its natural aqua color lends a calming ambiance to your room.

Cork

If you are looking for an Earth-friendly flooring option, consider cork. Cork is harvested from the bark of oak trees every 9 years. The trees don’t need to be cut down during the process. The harvested cork is used first for wine stoppers, the scraps go into cork flooring.

Fruit

One of the most unique floors on the market, this floor is actually made from peach pits! The edges get sanded down to show off the color and make the floors smooth.

Tye Dye ™

These tiles are heat activated. When warmed, the tiles preform a psychedelic color change.  This distinctive tile is sure to grab the attention of any house guest.

Reclaimed Wood

The things you love most in your home have a story, so why shouldn’t your floor? Reclaimed wood is salvaged from barns, factories, and even breweries. This wood lets history shine through its scars, holes, and bruises.

Antibacterial

These amazing tiles eliminate bacteria and help you breathe better, but they look like regular ceramic tiles.

Seashell

Mother of pearl is the inner layer of shell, and is the same material that makes a pearl. The material is traditionally made into jewelry, statues and lighting. The tiles are just as beautiful and iridescent.

Leather

Looks like leather isn’t just for shoes and handbags anymore. Leather tiles are an earthy way to add a bit of luxury to your home. Everything from faux-gator to saddle leather is available in tiles for richly detailed floors.

This article was written by Erie Construction. Visit our website for more information about home remodeling.

by miltteacom

In the United States and around the world, subway glass tiles have played an integral part of our underground transit history. Admired for its beauty, while recognized for its amazing durability, the classic 3×6 subway glass tiles have stood the test of time. Glass subway tiles made their entrance upon the opening of the New York City Subway in 1904.

The small white subway tiles covered all the walls of the underground transit system, giving a timeless and artistic elegance for millions of travelers and visitors to see. Their mosaic artwork gave elegance and inspired many other subway systems throughout the globe, to follow in their path. Even today, much of the original tiles and artwork remain intact, and are still the prime choice when new subway walls and floors when designed.

A Natural Transition

Are you looking for an economical and cost-effective choice when doing renovations for the home? Then let us introduce you to the subway glass tile. With an endless selection of colors, textures and finishes, the subway glass tile’s versatility, eloquence, and durable surface, make it an irresistible choice for any home. Glass tiles have a depth of beauty that is simply unmatched by the finest ceramic tiles. Incorporating these tiles into your home is comparable to enhancing every area with a unique beauty, a showcase of artwork all on its own.

A Wise Choice

There are so many advantages when choosing this beautiful tile to install in your home. They are impervious to moisture and heat, making them an ideal, economical, and practical choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and even swimming pools. Whether you are considering subway glass tiles for a kitchen backsplash or a beveled edge subway tile for your bathroom or shower walls, you will never be disappointed. When you bring this timeless classic tile design into your home, you join and share in the echoes of its rich historical past.

With the combination of fresh and vivid colors of glass, and the traditional design of ceramic subway tiles, a new design has been created catching the eyes of high-end designers, especially in trendy restaurants. Restaurant owners know how important it is that their image and structures reflect just the right ambiance, while preserving its beauty. Subway glass tiles withstand heavy traffic, while easily holding up to the splatters of food and wine. With its popularity rising, whether in high-rise apartments, or in the most fashionable homes, these small subway tiles remain affordable to all.

The Green Effect:  Subway glass tiles are not only visually appealing, but they are eco-friendly. For all of you environmentalists out there who are serious about not using non-recyclable materials, all subway tile glass is recycled and considered safe for the environment.

Subway glass tiles are perfect for any renovation project, whether you need a modern or present-day design.  They are beautiful, durable, and best of all – easy to keep clean, and hard to damage.  Glass subway tiles keep it simple, while remaining the most economical and practical alternative – for any room – anytime and anywhere.

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This Article was provided by Glass Tile Oasis. At Glass Tile Oasis we carry glass tiles in a wide range of colors and styles at  low prices visit our website today at wwww.glasstileoasis.com

by Level One Contracting

As a homeowner, you are not legally permitted to perform your own renovation work, with the exception of the electrical, but it is strongly recommended amateurs not do this as disastrous results can occur.

You are legally responsible for obtaining any building permits required. However, your renovator should look after this on your behalf, specifying which permits are required and who will get them. You will need to provide a letter of authorization before your renovator can apply for a permit for your renovation.

A reputable contractor hires licensed trades to do your work.

Any structural, heating, plumbing, electrical, gas or sprinkler changes require a building permit from the City. Avoid any contractors or designers who tell you otherwise. They must have a Building Code Identification Number to apply for a building permit.

A permit is for your protection. Permits are based on building codes to promote health and safety, and structural integrity.  Some minor cosmetic changes may not require a permit. Confirm with your renovator or check with your municipal building permit office to be sure.

When do I need a permit?

Generally, a building permit is required for renovations that involve changes to the structure or systems of your home.

Types of Permits

Whether you are building or renovating your home, there are basically five types of permits that may be required.

Building Permits

Permits may be required for many repair, renovation and addition projects in existing homes.

Renovating a Strata Lot

If you own a condominium or a townhouse, you may be subject to your strata bylaws and restrictions.

This article was provided by Level One – Renovations Experts. For more details on the topics above and others such as: Who should get the permit – Me or my renovator? What happens if I don’t get a permit? – visit Level One’s Blog.

About the Contributor

Level One Renovations Experts is a full service renovation company with over 12 years in the market. Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations from demolition to finish, our goal is to continue exceeding our client’s expectations and building to the highest standards possible.

by George Rollins

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that, on average, 45% of a household utility bill can be attributed to heating or cooling the home. In addition to the cost to homeowners, traditional approaches to cooling a house create byproducts that contribute to global warming and other environmental hazards. Particularly in areas of the country that have warmer climates, utilizing some green building techniques can help reduce energy costs and the harmful effects on the environment. So, as temperatures rise as we head toward the summer months, consider these ideas for your next construction project, or think about how some of these strategies could be incorporated into your existing home.

Alternatives to Traditional Wood Frames

Today, residential construction is dominated by the stick-frame method, which uses wood beams to form the side and roof frames of a house. While various strategies can be employed to improve the energy efficiency of this conventional wood frame approach, several alternatives have emerged in recent years. One popular alternative is insulated concrete forms, which uses foam forms that are filled with concrete to create the frame of a house. By today’s construction standards, you likely can’t find a more structurally sound frame, but homes built in this way also have the potential for huge energy savings as well. Rather than having a layer of siding, plywood, wood beams and drywall between you and the outdoors, as with traditional construction methods, insulated concrete form construction creates a thick barrier of concrete and insulated foam. Outdoor heat is much less likely to penetrate a home constructed in this way, thus making interior temperature regulation much easier and less costly.

Windows Selection, Positioning and Shading

Most window manufacturers offer various product models, some of which contain more insulating potential and are therefore more energy efficient. Selecting the more energy efficient options, even though they may be more expensive, can contribute to a long-term savings in your energy bills. In addition, during the design phase of your home, avoiding placing numerous windows in areas of the home that have maximum sun exposure can help avoid solar heat absorption into the house. Installing functional shutters can also enable homeowners to add another layer of protection against the hot summer sun.

Caulking and Painting

Contractors must finish off a home’s thermal envelope with thorough caulking around the house to seal off areas where cool interior air could escape or hot outside air could enter. In addition, selecting lighter exterior colors can result in a more energy efficient home, as lighter colors tend to reflect solar heat while darker hues tend to absorb it.

Fans, Fans and More Fans

Whole house fans, typically installed in a home’s attic space, function like an exhaust system by forcing hot air from the building. Though whole house fans work best when the outdoor temperature is mild, rather than hot, they can rapidly ventilate and regulate a home’s temperature. In addition, generous installation of ceiling fans throughout the home can allow homeowners to take temperature regulation in their own hands. Indeed, running fans uses much less energy than operating an air conditioner.

Radiant Barrier

Because solar heat can penetrate the roof covering of a home, radiant barriers can reflect that heat away from the house so it does not infiltrate the living space. Radiant barriers are typically placed directly underneath the roof sheathing, thereby blocking further transfer of warm air into the house. Some studies suggest that radiant barriers can save 10% to 15% in energy costs.

Landscaping

Strategically using landscaping to make your home more energy efficient is perhaps the greenest of all green building concepts. Positioning lush trees and shrubs so they shade areas of the house prone to intense sunlight can help maintain a comfortable interior temperature.

Air Conditioners

If these alternative methods to cool your house are insufficient to help you maintain a comfortable temperature within, using the air conditioner is not necessarily completely off limits. Unfortunately, most Americans rely solely on the air conditioner and use it when other, less expensive methods that pose less risk to the environment are readily available. When used wisely, the air conditioner can be part of a responsible approach to cooling a home. For example, regularly change filters, and turn down (or off) units in areas of the house that aren’t being used can reduce costs and unnecessary harm to the environment. In addition, installing programmable thermostats, which are designed to automatically adjust temperatures according to specified settings, can help avoid overuse and waste.

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About the Author

George Rollins is a home enthusiast at FurnaceCompare.com, a site that has extensive information on brands and models of furnaces, boilers, air conditioners and heat pumps. FurnaceCompare also publishes consumer reviews and tips on choosing HVAC contractors. George has a passion for educating consumers on home improvements, as he feels that the right information can help consumers choose more wisely.

by Robert Wright

There are always things that need to be worked on or required on your home. This is the time of year when you really see what happens to your home when you have not taken care of certain things.

It’s all about home maintenance.

After the winter has had its way with your home, it always looks dirty and you always find damaged things.

This is also the time of year when most people take an inventory of what needs to be done and also start to plan larger projects and renovations. This is when you see damaged roof shingles, or split fence boards, or the deck boards are broken, and now you see why the cold wind was blowing around the windows and doors.

All of these little items need to be addressed and looked after, because if you don’t repair them, they can become much larger problems. If you don’t repair and/or paint the window, you will need to replace it when it rots. Or the small opening in the siding will let rain into the wall and you will get water damage and mold problems. Does the eaves- trough still flow in one direction? Is the down spout clogged with last years leaves?

One area that most people miss is the HVAC equipment. Does the air filter need cleaning and/or replacement? When was the last time the HRV was serviced? Does the furnace and fan motor still run smoothly? Is the a/c unit ready to go for another summer? It can be very expensive to replace these pieces of equipment; and also you can greatly extend their service life with regular check ups and cleanings.

One thing to consider is to ask your renovation contractor to do a condition survey of your home. That way you can have a professional look at things to ensure you have not missed something. You can also discuss your immediate needs, future wishes and then plan for the completion of the various repair and renovation items in a systematic fashion.

Some of the rules of thumb I have heard are that you should invest between 2% and 5% of your homes value a year in your home for maintenance. That way you know your home will be in good condition and you will protect your investment in your home. If you don’t spend some time and/or money in your home, you could be in for a nasty surprise one day. As it was said in the commercial “you can pay me now, or you can pay me later”.

About the Author

Rob Wright has grown up around construction and in the mid 1990’s, Rob joined and took over Citadel Renovations in Ottawa. Rob has presented seminars at the local home shows on various renovations subjects and is a contributor to the Home Renovation Guide. Rob has been active in the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association for many years and previously served as the Renovation Council Chair. For more information, visit CitadelRenovations.com.

Looking for a local contractor? Visit the Home Renovation Guide’s Complete Directory or Get a Free Quote.

TO Design Basement Reno

Are you planning a kitchen or bathroom reno? Guest speaker Lucy Campos-Gentile, principle designer at TO Design and contributor to HomeRenovationGuide.com and HomeInteriorGuide.com‘s Makeover and Reno of the Month series is guesting at Urban Mode‘s “Design Talks” event. It’s happening tomorrow April 14, 7pm at 145 Tecumseh St., Toronto.

See recent TO Design project galleries: Gorgeous Basement Reno, Classic Living Room, and Chic Bathroom.

More info from the event website http://www.designtalks.ca:

“Design Talks: Planning for Your Home – Kitchen and Bathroom Design

A beautiful kitchen and bathrooms can make or break the sale of your home; in fact, real estate experts estimate that approximately 80-90 percent of the money spent making improvements to the kitchen and bathrooms can be earned back in resale value. …

Our April Design Talk is all about making the most of your kitchen and bathrooms. Lucy Campos-Gentile, Principal Interior Designer of TO DESIGN CO, will lead our discussion, helping us to learn what changes make the most impact, how to plan for an effective remodel/redesign (no matter what your budget), and giving us plenty of ideas and examples from her own beautiful kitchen and bathroom transformations! Join us on April 14, 2011 at Urban Mode at 7:00pm for this next event in our series of Design Talks. Tickets are going fast, so purchase yours today at http://kitchenbathroomdesign.eventbrite.com/!

About the Speaker:

Lucy Campos-Gentile started working in Interior Design over fifteen years ago. In the first two years of her career, she worked in largely corporate, retail, and hospitality design. When she was hired by a builder to work in the residential field of the market, her career shifted, and she later started her own design firm, TO DESIGN CO. Today, eight in ten of Lucy’s design projects include bathroom and/or kitchen remodelling.

TO DESIGN CO is a full-service interior design firm specializing in home renovations, additions, new construction, and remodeling. Lucy provides design services around the GTA including project planning, drawings, project management, and trade supervision. Lucy plans with her clients using a full range of samples and detailed specifications, floor plans, architectural drawings and 3D models, then manages projects, overseeing the selection and purchasing of furniture, products, and materials. TO DESIGN CO clients need only to express their design wants and needs, approve the resulting plans, then enjoy the wonders of a well-designed space that offers function, style and balance!”