homeremodeling

Maybe the outside of your house needs a face-lift. There are many different things to do outside the house to give it a face-lift and a refreshing new look.

Installing shutters is one way to make a house look more appealing. They come in many different styles and colors. There are raised panel shutter, louvered shutters, and workable shutters that can actually close to cover the window.

Shutters can be made of vinyl, wood, composite materials, and metal. Mostly what we have used in the past has been vinyl shutters. Make sure you measure your windows carefully to get the right length shutters for each window. Nothing is as sad as having a shutter that is way too short or way to long for your windows.

Maybe your whole house is kind of faded. The paint is peeling and really needs to be touched up or re-painted altogether. Vinyl siding is a great way to cover up the old siding and is fairly easily installed. Vinyl siding actually hangs on the nails instead of being nailed tightly. It is made to expand and contract with the changes in temperature throughout the seasons. It is easily cut with scissors made for cutting vinyl siding. It can also be installed most existing types of siding already installed. For best results, if you have a hardboard or prime siding, use foam board underneath, (which also raises the insulation r-value of your walls).

Roofing

Roofing comes in different styles and materials. It is up to you which one to use.
Sheet metal roofing in my opinion is the best to use. It is easily installed, though it should be done by a professional installer. The cost is higher for material but overall the cost is about the same as standard shingles. It comes in a variety of colors and some colors can be custom ordered. The reason it is best to have a professional install it is because there are so many different trim pieces needed to install it correctly. It is also best to have an installer measure your roof because they can get exact measurements for each section of roof on your house. They can also be sure and order all the different trim pieces needed for proper installation. You can also install sheet metal roofing over your existing shingles. Metal roofing also comes with a forty (40) year warranty.

Shingles come in different colors and styles also. There are tabbed shingles, architectural shingles fibergalass shingles and asphalt shingles. The basic shingles generally have a warranty period of fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years. When replacing shingles you also have to take into consideration the tearing off of the old shingles and taking them to a certified dump site. It is against the law to dump them just anywhere and is punushable by a large fine if you are caught doing so. You also should replace the shingle underlayment (felt) with new.

These are the two most popular type of roofing where I live. Mostly we install sheet metal roofing, but we still do shingles from time to time. It is up to you which you want to use.

Building a deck is a simple project for the most part. Planning is essential as with all home improvement projects. First you must decide on the size of the deck you want to build. Y9u also must decide how much time you would like to spend on it. Small decks can be finished in a weekend usually.

As always, keep the local building codes in mind. If a deck is a certain height above the ground, you have to install railing and ballisters. In the US the height is set at (28) twenty-eight inches. If you go above this height, you must install the railings. Ballisters are to be set nor more than (6) six inches center to center.

The materials you want to use for your deck is also essential. Most of the material we use where I live is treated southern yellow pine lumber. Lately we have been using more of the composite decking materials which is  fabricated from recycled materials.

Draw out your deck on a sheet of paper if you have a design you want, such as an octagonal deck. Even if building an octagonal deck. lay it out like a square deck and cut your corners off to make the extra sides.
Use safety precautions when using power tools. Eye protection is a necessity. Sawdust in your eye is nothing to laugh about. Ear protection is also good to use when cutting lumber.

Measure everything twice and write it down on a piece of paper if you must to remember it. Nothing sucks more than cutting something wrong and having to re-cut it, not to mention that you wasted a perfectly good piece of lumber.

Fireplaces are always a good investment, especially if you live in a cold winter climate. Some things you should think about before installing a fireplace is cost, (traditional wood burning fireplaces are expensive and labor intensive), mess, (traditional fireplaces are also messy), and how much will it be used. Many will have fireplaces in their homes but use them very little. Mostly for a romantic night with their loved one or just when it is needed to warm the house in case electricity or gas goes out. You also have to think about where you will get the wood to burn in your fireplace.

Another alternative is a gas fireplace. They are much simpler to install and less costly than a conventional fireplace. It can be either natural gas or propane. Most will need an outlet close by to work. They also must be installed according to your local codes. A mantel can be made to surround the gas fireplace also, just as with conventional fireplaces. In fact a person can get very creative in creating a mantel for their fireplace.

Last but not least, one can get an insert that slips into a conventional fireplace or one that is free standing. You will still have to obtain the wood for the fireplace. You will still have to build the fireplace almost exactly the same with the freestanding insert as you would with a conventional.

I just had one more idea to hit me. If you are really a tightwad, but would love a fireplace, you can always purchase on of those that uses a light and is made to resemble a fireplace. Of course how romantic a dinner could you have with your girlfriend when she finds out how cheap you are.

Photo courtesy of Joe Pineapples

Tubs and showers are also commonly replaced. There are many different models of tubs. Some like tub and shower enclosures together. They are most commonly used in bathrooms which have minimal space. The normal length of these is sixty (60) inches. These will be the ones kept in stock at your home improvement warehouse. The prices will range depending on the material they are fabricated from and the design of them enclosure itself. Fiberglass units are much less costly. They are very durable though not indestructible.

If changing out a tub shower enclosure, make sure you have the clearance to allow you room to get the enclosure into your bathroom and installed correctly. Some can be bought in two pieces. The two pieces units are more easily installed and handled because of the size and weight.

If you have the space you may want to install the tub and shower separate from one another. It is more costly to do it this way, but the space will be much more user friendly and add more value to your whole house. Tubs come in a variety of models and shapes. You have corner tubs, wall tubs which are the size of the enclosure unit mentioned above. You can buy whirlpool tubs, which have become very popular lately. Big garden tubs which are good for soaking. You can also buy standalone tubs like the old claw-foot tubs.

Maybe you have an old claw-foot tub which has seen better days. You can get it refinished. It can be made to look like brand new. If you don’t have one and would like one of the older tubs, look around salvage yards and locate one. Get it refinished and then install it. Remember, the old claw-foot tubs are very heavy. They weigh around six hundred (600) pounds. Make sure you have lots of help to haul it into the house and also make sure your floor will hold the weight of it when full of water.

To change out your vanity one must have some knowledge of plumbing. It is possible that you may have to cut the lines running into the vanity. If so you can cap them off to allow your water to be turned back on. I will cover this in a later step.

With all renovations, it is necessary to know what tools to use and how to use them. Tools are easy to come by. Many places rent large power tools such as table saw, mitre saw, etc. . . The smaller tools you may have to buy or borrow if you have a friendly neighbor who does any type of work around the house.

There are many different styles of vanities. Go to your home improvement warehouse and choose the one to fit the style you want for your bathroom. Buy a new faucet also, while keeping in mind the local building and plumbing codes for your area. Most codes call for a low flow faucet.

If you are working on your floor also in the bathroom, it is best to finish it before re-installing the new vanity. Depending on the type of vanity you purchased, installation will go in the reverse order of removal. Some vanities are more like furniture these days and should be installed by a professional if at all possible. Pedestal sinks are not too difficult to install.

The main thing when doing a renovation project is to go slowly and make sure everything is how you want it to be. Many people get in too big a hurry to see the finished product and are disappointed when it doesn’t measure up to their expectations.

Bathroom renovations are another of the most popular home improvement projects. Bathrooms are these days designed to show who we are and how we want to live. The old fashioned bathrooms were created merely for a purpose. They contained a commode, a sink, a tub and a mirror. The bathrooms of today show more about the people who use them. Closets have become very popular over the last few years. You can also have a dressing area inside your bathroom closet.

The main part of a bathroom is the appeal. Each fixture in the room still has functionality, but the design of the fixtures must show the personality of the people. My next posts will deal in some way or another with bathroom projects. I haven’t written a lot of articles on bathrooms, but I do know a little about such projects.

Remodeling a bathroom is a process that can’t really be done in a weekend. There are a few small projects one can do and space them out over a few weekends. One of the easiest is to replace a commode. I know many won’t want to do this, but it is really not that hard to do. Of course there will be some lifting required so make sure you are able to lift at least fifty pounds of dead weight. Also make sure you wash your hands throughly when finished. I just had to say that to you.

The best way to gain cabinet space in a kitchen is to do a complete remodel. This would require the demolition of walls and pushing them back to gain a larger space, lots of hard work and a big mess. It would also cost a lot of money.) If you go this rout be sure the wall(s) you remove are not weight bearing.
Another alternative is to go up. The upper cabinets nearly always sit at least 12 inches below the ceiling. This is for a house with 8 feet high ceilings. If your house has higher ceilings then you can add even more cabinet space above the upper cabinets.
Even though there should be 12 inches above the upper cabinets, sometimes there will not be quite enough room to get an extra 12 inches above them. If this is the case, then removal of the upper cabinets is imminent. Take them down and put the upper cabinets against the ceiling, then reinstall the upper cabinets.
Another alternative is to buy portable carts which have drawers and/or shelves to put items into.

One more alternative that I can think of is to build a pantry. Keep in mind the space that you have to use. Also anytime you build anything you will make a mess. Building inside is always a messy job.

Hardwood flooring in a kitchen is another way to remodel your kitchen and give it a fresh new look. Hardwood flooring has been said to not be good for kitchens, but the flooring of today that is pre-finished is very resilient but it isn’t indestructible. You should examine how much traffic and what type of traffic and accidents that happen in your kitchen. If you have small children who spill liquids constantly, then maybe hardwood isn’t for you.

Ceramic tile is very good for kitchens, but the tile you use should be chosen with care. Some tile gets very slippery when slightly wet and a person could fall and injure them-self. You must also remember that installing ceramic tile takes at least two days time, when done properly.

Vinyl sheet flooring is the easiest and simplest way to change your floor in a kitchen. It is very resistant to spills, can be cleaned up easily, and will last for a very long time depending on the grade of flooring you purchase. Vinyl sheet flooring is easy to install. Remember to have it cut oversize by at least six inches per wall. One of the worst things to do is find out your sheet isn’t quite long enough or wide enough.

Vinyl tiles is also an easy installation and is also very water resistant. It is best to start in the center of the floor and work your way around the first tile. They are easily cut to fit around corners. The one thing I don’t like about vinyl tile is that it seems each box will have at least one tile that is not quite sized right. It would probably be good to invest in a good set of knee-pads if installing vinyl or ceramic tile.

Another way to remodel your kitchen is a complete kitchen makeover. Just imagine your kitchen with new cabinets and counter tops. New paint on the walls to give it a refreshing and updated look. Hanging kitchen cabinets is relatively easy to do if you have any experience at all working with power tools. You don’t have to be an expert to do this, but you must have the ability to use a drill and also have the strength to lift cabinets up over your head. You should also ask a friend or neighbor to help or hire someone just to help get the cabinets up on the wall.

Hanging cabinets is not as hard as what many think. Measure the height for the cabinets you purchased and mark it on each wall that will receive them. Standard for the US is eighty-four inches to the tops of the cabinets. Use a chalkline to marks a line on the walls where the cabinets are going. Find the stud in the wall. It is best to use a stud finder which can be purchased for about seven dollars at your local home improvement warehouse.

After finding the first stud it is a simple process to find the others. Depending on the centering of your studs. Most in the US are spaced at sixteen inches center to center, but some are spaced at twenty four inches. You should also have a plan to go by and always start in a corner and work cabinets both ways if they go around the corner. Screw the cabinets to the wall but first drill pilot holes in the tops of the cabinet backs to align with studs. Screw each cabinet to the next through the side face frame by drilling a 3/16 pilot hole then use a two and one half inch screw to tighten them together.