home improvement Archives - Page 20 of 31 - Bruzzese Home Improvements

Make Your Windows Contrasting With Designer Plantation Shutters

May 23, 2016adminhome improvementplantation shutters, plantation shutters pakenhamLeave a comment

The Modern world is all about customization’s and modifications. This is quite evident from the designs of several utility articles that are being used by people in their day to day lives. One such prominent combination of elegant design and utility features are Plantation Shutters that are available in the markets for windows. These shutters have gained immense popularity in the recent years, and these are gradually replacing the conventional coverings of the windows. Their higher demands in the markets are making the manufacturers bring shutters in several distinguished designs with amazing features.

Benefits of installing Plantation Shutters in homes

There are ample numbers of convincing reasons that move people to choose Plantation shutters for their windows, rather than other materials to cover. These distinguished reasons are as follows:

They are considered to be the most elegant and designer coverings for the windows, which fulfill all the basic criteria of excellent quality standards.
They provide higher standards of privacy in comparison to the normal window covers.
Their maintenance is simple and low costing.
These types of shutters are available in the markets at the most affordable and genuine prices which are much less when we compare it with the benefits which the customers receive in return.
Since these Plantation Shutters are made from excellent quality of wood, they are much more durable and long lasting.
They provide higher levels of safety and protection for the residents of the house.
They can be customized as per the individual requirements of the distinguished families, and are ideal to fit within their constraints of budget and space.
They are ideal to fit within every corner of the house such as kitchen windows, living room windows, bedroom windows etc.
Plantation Shutters are a replacement to the traditional shutters, because they have wider louvers in comparison to the conventional ones, and hence are more useful.

Guidelines to be followed while installing Plantation Shutters in the home

Although there are numerous vendors available in the markets claiming to provide amazing quality of Plantation shutters for the windows. But the outcomes are not always in favor of the customers, and often turn out to be different from the expectations. Hence, it is very important for a potential customer, to keep a few things in mind before getting the Plantation shutters installed. These key points are as follows:

It is very important to determine the exact size and dimension of the shutters in accordance to the window frames where they need to be installed.
It is equally important to make a proper selection of the hardware or the material for the shutters, which could resist air, dust particles and sun light.
The design and style of the Plantation shutter is another important fact that should be considered before making any choice. The chosen design should match with the existing designs of the window frames, and should look contrasting.
The colour of the shutter should be chosen by keeping all the internal and external factors in mind. These factors include changing weather conditions, wall colors of the interiors and exteriors of the house etc.
Finding skilled technicians for fitting the Plantation shutters is another challenging task which is often faced by the clients. It is important to choose a technician who possesses all the mandatory technical expertise of the field.
A firm market research with the reviews of customer feedbacks often helps in filtering the best quality of products and services, from the available crowds.

Hence, if chosen in the right manner these Plantation Shutters can prove to be the true investments for a family which can surely uplift their standards of living.

Author Bio: I am Molly Crowe, a professional writer and blogger share guide about home improvement ideas, interior design, and home remodelling giving expert advice, information and tips.

Home Improvement: 7 Home Renovations to Consider for this Summer

May 14, 2016adminhome improvement, home remodeling, Summer TipsDIY projects, home improvement, home remodeling, remodeling tips, summerLeave a comment

Some renovations can be completed year-round. Others are more affordable or convenient if you do them in the right season. Here are just a few ideas for great summertime home remodeling projects.

1. Light-Colored Roof

Heat is absorbed through dark colors, and this includes your roof. Warmer temperatures can travel right through your exterior walls and into your home. Replace your black tiles with white ones to reflect sunlight and keep your bricks from overheating.

2. Different Windows

If you’re tired of the morning light always hitting your windows in a blinding way, consider a shopping trip to somewhere like the Fischer Window and Door Store. New frames or glass might be just what you need to stop the glare. As a bonus, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh breezes from non-rusty, non-sticking windows.

3. New Driveway

It can be tricky to lay asphalt in the winter when everything is icy and frozen. If you want to repair or replace your driveway, do so during the summer months when the weather won’t be working against you.

4. Customized Deck

Relax in the sunshine on a brand-new, custom-built deck. It’s the season for it, so contractors and material suppliers should have plenty of deals to choose from, and you can take your time and build it right thanks to the increased number of daylight hours.

5. Sunroom

A sunroom is a great way to enjoy the outdoors without suffering all the bugs and humidity brought on by direct sunlight. Screens and windows can protect you from the worst of it without sacrificing your view outside. What’s more, you can convert your sunroom into a winter room when the weather changes!

6. Solar Power

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on home renovations to be more eco-friendly. All it takes is a few photovoltaic panels on your roof to harness the sunlight of long summer days and improve your home’s sustainability with clean energy.

7. Fresh Landscaping

This is another task that can be almost impossible in cold weather. If you’ve been itching for your yard to thaw so you can mow your grass, plant a garden or sculpt your hedges, now is the time to make your visions a reality.

These are just a few ways to breathe new life into your home during the summer months. Whether you’re planning a full-scale renovation or just a few small changes to stave off the worst of the heat, a new season is a great time for change.

Which Home Improvement Projects Require a Permit?

April 6, 2016adminhome improvement, Home Improvement Tips, home remodelinghome improvement, home remodeling, home repairs, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

So you have decided to remodel your house and have so many ideas on your mind. However, there are so many things to consider, other than money and material. One of those issues is whether or not you will need a permit for your remodeling projects? It seems difficult for homeowners to wrap their heads around the fact that even some smaller home improvement project will require some sort of permit, but in most of the cases that is true. Of course, the requirements for a permit will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but there is some common ground for all the localities.

Projects that Definitely Require a Permit

Regardless of your locality, some projects are so demanding and are changing your home so much, that you will surely need to acquire a permit, should you decide to remodel.

Demolishing a load-bearing wall: Because a load-bearing wall supports the weight of trusses for the roof or the weight of the floor above, demolishing it would imply that you need to provide some alternate method of supporting that weight.
Plumbing and electrical work: Installing or replacing electrical wiring or plumbing always requires a permit, except when it comes to smaller alterations, such as light fixture installations or some repairs.

Window installations: If you are installing windows that are bigger than the ones you previously had, you will need to get a permit for cutting holes for them. This also applies to skylights and new doors. New windows (especially energy-efficient ones) make a great upgrade if you are expecting a larger income from your investment home.
Heating systems: Replacing the water heater and altering ventilation system, ducts and fireplaces almost always requires a permit. You will not need the municipality approval for motor lubrication, equipment cleaning and changing the filters.
Roofing: Pulling a permit for roofing is always necessary, especially when you are repairing an area greater than 500 square feet. If you ever decide to sell, you will need to give that permit to the buyer along with the other documents to make the eventual wholesaling the real estate much easier.
Building an addition: When your house seem too small for you and you decide to build an additional bathroom, extra storage space, a laundry room, etc. before you start with the works, you should always pull a permit.
Garage conversion: When the conversion requires some significant changes, such as wiring, plumbing, heating, cooling and replacing the door, you should check for the permit requirements.
Other structural changes: Other structural renovations for which you should obtain a permit are changes to the porches, balconies, decks and foundation flooring.

Projects that Might Require a Permit

Now, there are some other projects that might require a permit, depending on the location and on their specifics.

Fencing installation or repair: You might need a permit for this project if there are height restrictions in the city. In New York City, for instance, fences over 6 feet high are regulated by the rules of the Department of Buildings.
Demolishing a non-load bearing wall: Even though this project will not make any kind of structural changes, you should check for additional information with your contractor or at your local permitting office.
Cutting down a tree: Although it makes little sense for the city to forbids you from cutting down a tree in your own backyard, but if you property is located at environmentally fragile place (woodlands, wetlands, etc.), you should definitely check for the needed permits.
Other projects that might require a permit are moving a sink, laying in a new roof, putting hard wood flooring, etc.

Sure, with most of these projects, you can ignore the needed permits and hope you will not get caught, but be aware that, if you do get caught, you can end up struggling with fines and penalties.

Home Improvements: An Infographic

March 21, 2016adminhome improvement, Home Improvement Tipshome improvement, home remodeling, home trends, infographic, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Choosing a home improvement project means different things for different people. Some people decide to take on a home improvement project because they feel their home is lacking in some way in terms of functionality or aesthetics and they wish to improve on that. Others don’t plan on staying in that property long term and so wish to carry out some work that will increase its value.

Whatever the reasons behind a home improvement project, the thinking for the budget needs to be the same. A budget needs to be arrived at and if at all possible, it needs to be adhered to. Of course things will crop up as the project takes hold (depending on the size and nature of the work) so it might be an idea to build a 10-15% cushion contingency into your budget.

Any work that you want to carry out on the home should be done by reliable tradespeople. If you haven’t used a plumber before, ask your friends and family for their recommendations or else contact a plumber and ask for some testimonials or check his website or Facebook page. Don’t dismiss an expensive tradesperson immediately based on cost alone because in terms of this type of work, quality trumps cost (within reason of course). So if you have heard about a high quality tradesperson such as a carpenter but upon further investigation you find his prices high, you need to decide whether the cheaper alternative will do as good a job.

This infographic from HalfPrice.com.au gives some guidance on the types of home improvement projects you could be thinking about. It gives insight into those options that might increase your home’s value; it gives some ‘greener’ options and also indicates some home improvement projects that might end up being a bad choice. Check it out below.

Home Garage: Design Considerations

February 22, 2016adminhome addition, home improvement, home remodelingaddition, home improvement, home remodeling, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Many people love to imagine how their dream home will look someday. The problem is that by “home” they usually mean “living room”, “kitchen” or “bedroom”. Surely enough, the garage is rarely a place where you bring your friends to, but after some time of navigating your car through a narrow space, not having enough room to put your stuff, you will realize that not giving the garage’s design the same attention you gave to the rest of the house was a big mistake. Let us make sure this never happens by looking at some of the things you can consider while designing the garage.

Put the Things into Perspective

Today, the vast majority of families own 1-2 cars. You have to bear in mind, though, that these numbers are not set in stone, and that you may, at some point, need room for a bike, or even a company vehicle. That does not mean that you will have to build some monstrous garage and satisfy all these needs at once. As for now, you want to make it practical, with enough room to move freely when you are inside, as well as some functional storage units, but you should always leave enough space for possible expansions.

Set up the Perfect Height

While designing a garage, people usually make plans how they can use the available floor space, but fail to notice the importance of the third dimension, which can easily turn out to be a big mistake. You might, for example, start attending truck and machinery auctions and find a vehicle or a piece of equipment which you cannot possibly fit into your garage due to its excessive height. Or you may notice that the storage space is running dangerously low and decide to make a hanging bike rack or install another shelf above the existing ones. If you make your garage just a little bit higher from the get-go, all of these things will be possible.

Choose the Right Doors and Windows

Putting the looks aside, the main thing you should consider before spending any money on doors and windows is the question of the available space. Among different types of garage doors, the canopy ones may be the simplest and the most common solution, but they do need the largest clearance, too. If you are short on space, you should probably opt for sectional or even roller doors. As for the windows, they should allow a lot of natural light and be placed high enough so they are immune to the prying eyes. For increased safety, window bars are always a welcomed addition.

Try Building the Attic

It may occur that, in spite all of your efforts and upgrades, your garage is still not able to fulfill its storage duties. In that case, you should probably opt for building the attic. Not only will you finally be able to move all the seasonal items out of sight, but you’ll also get a very appealing visual upgrade. Why would you have an ordinary garage, when you can turn it into something much livelier, and, if you want to, almost barn-like?

Make the Most out of the Interior

If you want to make room for more than one vehicle, you should avoid placing robust furniture pieces in your garage as much as possible. In addition to this, you can make few inbuilt closets while you are still building the garage, as they will prove to be much less of an obstacle than the regular pieces, and you will also get a safer place to store some of your more expensive tools.

Although it is far from being the most important part of your house, the garage has its own share or perks, and the more effort you put into its design, the list of amenities it has to offer will grow. Take some time to see what upgrades you can have, try using the vertical space as much as possible and your garage will become much more than a place where you just park your car.

Comparing and Picking Roofing Types

February 17, 2016adminhome improvement, Roofinghome improvement, home remodeling, home trends, roofingLeave a comment

Whether you’re building a new home, renovating or just need to re-shingle, there are many elements to consider — such as price, durability and style — when looking at roofing types.

Let’s take a look at some of your roofing material options.

Asphalt

Asphalt is the most commonly used material on roofs — probably because it’s the most cost effective, comes in many colors and makes roofing relatively easy to install.

The granules are the part of the roofing shingle that offer UV protection, and they also provide the color you want your roof to have.

The next layer is the asphalt coating, which is the portion of the shingle that provides waterproofing qualities. The thickness of this layer varies depending on the weight of the shingle.

Another valuable quality of asphalt shingles is that the majority can resist winds of more than 60 miles per hour.

On average, asphalt shingles last approximately 20 years.

Metal

The types of metal used for roofs are aluminum, copper, steel or zinc alloy. One of the advantages to a metal roof is the light but robust material doesn’t absorb the sun’s rays. Instead, it reflects the heat, and the surface cools down quickly once the sun sets. This results in low energy costs for for heating and cooling your home.

Metal roofing is more expensive than asphalt shingles. However, the lifetime for a metal roof far surpasses that of shingles — lasting anywhere from 30-50 years.

Clay Tiles

This type of roof has been around for thousands of years. They were first used in China and the Middle East starting around 10,000 BCE. They remain in use because they continue to work well, even in the present day.

Clay tiles are fire resistant and can tolerate harsh weather conditions. They also shed heat from the summer sun and insulate during the winter months. Clay tiles, however, are heavy and must have a reinforced roof frame to support them.

Clay Tiles give a home a traditional Spanish or Italian look. They can last anywhere from 50 to 70 years, but they can be quite expensive to install.

Wood

This organic material has a natural ability to help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in winter. Wood also gives an earthy look to a home, and the wood fibers create an extra layer of insulation.

This material does require some maintenance, however. For instance, the wood will need to be re-oiled periodically and cleaned to remove the growth of any moss or mildew. Another thing to keep in mind with wood roofing is that it does have good wind resistance, but it’s not very fire resistant.

Wood roofs that are properly installed and maintained can last 30+ years, but they can be expensive to put on.

Slate

This durable material makes for a wind and fire resistant roof. However, it comes with a big price tag — and weight.

A specially-trained installer must also be hired for the roof’s installation. Once it is installed, a slate roof can last 75+ years — it’s by far the longest lasting, but it’s also the most expensive.

Choosing a roof type is an important decision. If it’s done right, your roof will keep your home safe from the elements for years to come.

Home Building 101: Definite Guide For The First Time Home Builders

February 5, 2016adminArchitecture, Home Building, home improvementarchitecture, home building, home improvementLeave a comment

When it’s time to build your dream home, you want the process to go smoothly. If this is your first experience with having a new house built, then you may feel overwhelmed by everything. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to ensure that your new living space is everything you’ve been dreaming of.

The Detailed Plan

It’s important to be specific when you’re building a home. Deciding on the number of bedrooms is only the beginning. Take the time to look at different plans and options to see if you want more windows in certain areas, love the feel of window seats or really want a sunroom. Take the time to consider how much closet space you really need, where the laundry room should be and how much storage you’re looking for in the pantry. This is a major investment, and your detailed plan will ensure that it suits your needs perfectly. An inspiration board can be a great place to keep track of all the little features and ideas that you like. This way, you won’t forget to add a cool feature to your kitchen or bedroom when it’s time to develop the plans. You can also find great ideas on Pinterest where you can design your inspiration board and start pinning great finds to it!

Realistic Budgets

One of the hardest things to work with is your own budget . This starts with determining how much money you can realistically spend on your new home. Speak openly with your builder about potential hidden costs, including the final clean-up, permits and scrap materials. As you work through the process, remember that any changes you make will typically drive the cost up. Ask your builder to tell you up front when a shift in the plans will cause an upward climb in the cost. Once you’ve determined the budget for your project, add 10 percent to it to allow for unexpected expenses. Based on your price range, you can either move forward or make adjustments as necessary.

Location, Location, Location

Choosing the right location can be challenging, but it’s worth the extra work. When you’re working up the detailed plan, your location should also be at the front of your mind. Ask yourself if you want to be out in the country or closer to the metropolitan area. The school districts can have a drastic impact on future values, so you should look for a good school district even if you don’t have children. When it comes to building a home that will hold its value, location is incredible important.

Safety Considerations

Building codes are in place to ensure that homes are safe, and the inspection process is in place to ensure that the standards are being upheld at all levels. However, you can make your new home even safer by adding smoke alarms, exterior lighting and security systems. Consider a built-in nightlight for the hallway outside of the bedrooms, and have LED lights put along exterior steps for ambiance and safety.

The Professional Experience

Building a house is not a job for the average do-it-yourself. In addition to building the structure, you also need professionals to deal with the wiring, plumbing, roofing, windows, and finishing work. While you could schedule and coordinate different people on your own, you may find that it’s faster and less stressful to simply work with a general contractor. When you go with one company to handle the entire project, you can sit back and relax while someone else deals with the timeline and coordination. Before hiring a builder, take the time to do a background check, speak with references and see if they have any complaints against them.

When it’s time to build your dream home, it’s important to know where to start. Your detailed plans can be used by the designer to create the perfect floor plan. The budget plays vital role, so be upfront with the various professionals about the level that you’re trying to remain under. Finally, work with a professional to ensure that the home is safe for your family, up to the government’s sustainability standards and built to last.

Winter Renovations for a More Comfortable Spring Home

January 28, 2016adminhome improvement, home remodeling, Winter TipsDIY projects, home improvement, home remodeling, remodeling tips, winterLeave a comment

When cool winter days arrive, you don’t have to give up on making improvements to your home. There are many projects that are ideally suited to being done in cooler weather, and can provide you with a more comfortable home when spring arrives. While you may think of home renovations as being a summer project, here are a few you can tackle even when the temperatures start to dip lower.

Painting Rooms
If you’re cooped up in the house anyway, you might as well transform the walls within to different colors you love. Break out the paint chips, choose some new shades, and mix up your decorating scheme. You’ll want to crack a window to ventilate the room you’re working in, but you won’t feel too cold once you work up a sweat as you cut in the edges and fill in new shades.

New Flooring
Winter is also an excellent time to install new flooring. Most wood floors need to acclimate to the room they’ll be installed in, so stack the boxes against an interior wall a few days before you start the work. Wood floors and most laminates don’t require any adhesive, so you won’t have to worry about ventilation. Remember that tile floors may feel chilly against your feet in cold climates, but wood floors and high-end vinyl are comfortable throughout the year. They’ll also be easier to clean in every season.

Look to the Backyard
If you want to warm up in style, then consider a Sonoma Backyard heated pool or hot tub. Most companies will offer installations even when the weather is a little chilly, and you’ll love being able to relax in your own hot tub outdoors no matter the weather. You’ll also find this particular addition is a hit when entertaining. If you’ve always ignored your backyard in past winters, then this may be the year to give this space some extra attention.

Window Treatments
If you’re trying to save on energy bills, then your window treatments can make a world of difference. Thick, thermal drapes will effectively block drafts while making any space feel warmer. You can open them during the day to let the warm sunshine in, and close them tightly at night to keep the evening chill away. If you’re feeling trapped in the house by cold temperatures, then you can make this renovation a little interesting by updating your window coverings to match the room.

New Fixtures
From the faucet in your bathroom to the kitchen lights, this is an ideal time to replace old fixtures. You can give the space a fresh new look, and you’ll enjoy your home more throughout the year. Most plumbing and electrical fixtures are replaced in a matter of hours, so it’s an easy weekend project for days when you’d rather not be outside anyway.

Attic Insulation

The last place you want to be on a hot summer day is in the attic, but winter is an ideal time to do some improvements in here. Wear long sleeves and a light jacket to keep insulation off your skin, and this way you won’t have to worry about getting heat stroke. You’ll find your energy bills are lower when the attic is properly covered, and as an added bonus, the savings will continue into the spring and summer months as the insulation prevents exterior heat from migrating into your living space.

When it comes to renovations, timing is everything. One benefit of many projects is that you can get a more attractive price on the labor in the wintertime. This is because most contractors slow down during the winter months, so you may be able to ask for a little discount on professional services.

Fixer-Upper Fever: How To Finance Your Next Home Improvement Project

January 26, 2016adminhome improvement, Home Improvement Tipsfinance, home improvement, home remodeling, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Your next home improvement project might be as simple as adding flow restrictions to faucets to save water, or you may need to replace the roof or floors. Little jobs won’t require any special financing. Paying for the big ones is another matter. It can cost $20,000 or more to remodel a kitchen. Select your financing method carefully because the wrong choice can cost you thousands in interest.

Paying Cash

If you have a healthy savings fund, you might be able to pay for your renovation in cash. There’s a lot to be said for paying cash for a remodeling project. In a nutshell, you don’t pay finance charges. Being able to complete your improvement project without the burden of debt only increases the return on your investment.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are probably a poor choice for home improvement projects since they charge interest rates of fifteen percent or more. A credit card can be helpful to pay for things short-term if you can pay off the balance in a month and avoid finance charges or if you take advantage of a zero-interest offer.

Tap Your Equity

If you have enough equity, you can borrow against it to pay for remodeling. Interest rates for a home equity loan or line of credit are comparable to mortgage rates. You’ll need to have good credit and your house will be collateral for the loan as well as for the original mortgage.

The Refinance Option

Another way to use home equity to finance a remodeling job is refinancing your existing mortgage, and borrow enough extra for the home improvements. Lenders may require you to have up to twenty percent equity to refinance and take cash out in the process. However, you may get better interest rates. To learn more, you can use an Austin mortgage calculator to calculate your payment breakdown and see if refinancing is right for you. Your payments could jump since you are adding to the total amount you owe.

Personal Loans

A final option is a personal loan. These are short-term loans with terms of two to five years. Interest rates are mostly lower than for credit cards. If you have good credit, talk to your bank or credit union about this option.

The bottom line is simple. The total cost of a home improvement project includes not only what you pay for the work itself, but also all the finance charges that get added on. Keeping those finance charges low makes home remodeling more affordable.

Six Things To Consider Before Starting Your Home Remodel

January 24, 2016adminhome improvement, Home Improvement Tips, home remodelingDIY projects, home improvement, home remodeling, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Whether a family is doing a home remodel by themselves or calling in the experts, several important considerations must be made first. This way, homeowners can effectively consider costs and come up with solutions for possible problems that may occur. However, in many cases, a remodel is a great choice if undertaken carefully because it can transform the way a family uses a home.

Determine Budget

Remodeling can get out of hand without a thorough budget in place. The number and quality of selections at home improvement stores is nearly endless. A budget will help families set their priorities.

Determine Extra Costs

Families also must consider any extra costs that may creep in quickly. Hidden costs can include permits, inspections, contractors, delivery fees and rented power tools. To save money on things like waste removal, get the help of professionals like those at Ware Disposal. Remodels come with a lot of waste, and making trips to the dump yourself can cost you a lot of time and money. Hidden costs like these can be reduced my working with professionals.

Determine Priorities

Remodeling priorities will be different for every family. Some will be going for an updated look while others will want to undertake a larger remodel to improve home space and flow.

Determine Current and Future Value

Families should consider how long they will be living in the home to determine what type of remodel is right for them. Those planning to stay many years will want to make choices that appeal to their tastes while those hoping to sell will want to appeal to the majority of home buyers.

Determine a Timeline

In order to work around vacation and work schedules, families should come up with a proposed schedule before starting. They can then determine if they need help with childcare or if they will need to find another place to sleep, cook or bathe for a time.

Determine Contingency Plans

Almost every remodel has something that does not go according to plan. It could be the budget, the timeline or even a problem found during demolition. Homeowners should set aside extra money and time to cover these potential problems to decrease futures stress and frustration.

A remodel is often preferred to moving because it allows a family to enjoy the same home, neighbors and community while improving their space to work best for their needs. Many remodels can even add value to the home if they are done with the desire to sell in mind. By starting a remodel with careful considerations of the costs, timeline and overall plans, families can avoid many of the costly problems and irritating stressors that come with a home remodel.

Guest Post By:
Anita Ginsburg / Freelance Writer
anitaginsburg@gmail.com

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