Building an Outdoor Fireplace: A Great Home Addition In Time for the Winter Season
It’s that time of the year again. Time to decorate the house with Christmas décor, sport that “ugly sweater”, cook for the family, and spend the holidays with loved ones. However, the much-awaited Holiday season might take a different turn this year due to the ongoing pandemic. Nonetheless, there should be no reason not to celebrate Christmas even if it means spending it at home. Cozy up, cuddle with a loved one, and gather everyone in front of the warm fireplace. Or if you have a budget and extra outdoor space at home, why not create your own outdoor fireplace? Hire a trusted home additions builder for your home improvement needs, including adding an outdoor fireplace. Getting started Having an outdoor fireplace is a good idea especially if you live in a cold climate area. An outdoor fireplace is a great place to chill (pun intended) with friends and family on a cold evening. There are DIY outdoor fireplace kits you can buy in home improvement centers near you. Or hire outdoor remodeling personnel for building a home addition such as an outdoor fireplace. But before building an outdoor fireplace, you should consider a lot of things. For one, you need to check any local ordinances that can affect your outdoor fireplace project. Determine what kind of permits will you need and the amount of money you need to shell out. What to consider before building an outdoor fireplace Aside from the paperwork, you should also look for a trusted home addition builder. Also, you should check out the following. Will the outdoor home addition design affect your home insurance? It is a good idea to check with your home insurance agent if building an outdoor fireplace will affect your premium payments. Knowing these can help you save money and get rid of unnecessary stress and frustration. Where should you build your outdoor fireplace? If you have a large backyard space, you should not have a problem building that outdoor fireplace. However, you should also consider your home’s safety and ensure a safe distance from your house, shed, or garage. Also, check for any overhanging branches or any vegetation that could be prone to catching fire. What will you need to build an outdoor fireplace? As mentioned, there are DIY outdoor fireplace building kits you can assemble by yourself. Or you can also hire home addition companies to help you build a customized outdoor fireplace according to your budget and preference. Printed plans are also available to guide you on the fireplace construction. The materials will also depend on the type of outdoor fireplace you are planning to build. What type of outdoor fireplace do you want? Outdoor fireplaces come in different designs and styles. It can also be powered by gas or wood. For the former, you should consider hiring a contractor as they need to install gas lines in the fireplace system. There are poolside fireplaces, outdoor kitchens with a built-in fireplace, an outdoor deck with a fireplace, and so on. Why you should have your own outdoor fireplace When it comes to home improvement projects, it’s […]
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Planning to Sell Your Home? Do These Improvements to Increase Home Value
Home improvement – such a big word, but a must for every home. Especially if you are planning to sell your house soon. Home improvement should not necessarily be something extravagant or expensive. It can be as simple as rearranging furniture or adding a fresh coat of paint on the interior and exterior walls. But before starting a home improvement project, you should consider a lot of things. Do you need a simple home improvement or home addition? If it is the latter, make sure to hire a reputable home additions builder for your home addition needs. Getting started Are you ready to put your house on sale? For one thing, preparing your home for sale can be an overwhelming task. You need to know specific home improvement tasks that can increase your house’s value. Then again, home improvement should not only enhance your house’s look but also improve the home buyer’s quality of living. Before selling your home, determine what kind of improvement your home needs. Take note that not all home improvement projects can increase your house’s value. For example, repainting chipped walls or replacing broken tiles won’t increase your home’s value. After all, it is necessary to do repairs before you sell anything. On the other hand, some home improvements can increase home value. This includes installing a solar panel, a home remodel (ex. kitchen or bathroom remodeling), or an outdoor remodeling project (ex. adding a patio area or converting your garage into an additional living space). Nonetheless, a home improvement project should not only be for aesthetic purposes. It should also help in improving the homeowner’s quality of life. Not to mention it will also help sell the property faster with a higher value. Easy home improvement tasks before selling your home Want to sell your home faster? You can hire home remodeling architects for a home remodeling or addition project. Or you can do these easy home improvement tips before putting your house in the real estate market. Paint your home. A nice, fresh coat of paint is a cheap but effective way to improve the overall look of your home. Popular paint colors you can use in your interior and exterior walls include beige, gray, pale yellow, light blue, among a few. Avoid trendy wallpaper as it may go out of style soon quickly, or any paint colors that could turn off potential home buyers. Improve your bathroom. A lot of people are very particular when it comes to bathrooms. That is why you should consider making improvements in your bathroom area before putting it up for sale. It could be as simple as updating the tiles, re-caulking the shower or tub area, replacing broken shower heads, or replacing the countertop. There is no need to create a luxury bathroom (with the Jacuzzi and all), those are unnecessary and expensive. Make your home energy-efficient. This includes adding insulation, installing solar panels, and replacing appliances with energy-efficient ones. Not only can these reduce your electric bills but also increase your house’s resale value. A home addition, renovation, or remodel? These terms are often used interchangeably […]
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How to Make Your Home Safe and Secure
Apart from aesthetic and functionality, safety should also be among homeowners’ priorities when it comes to maintaining their real estate property. We cannot be certain of the present times, so it won’t hurt to be extra careful these days. Not only with our health (due to the threat of COVID-19) but also your and your family’s safety at home. If you are also planning to build a home addition, you should also include safety and security measures. Of course, you should also contact the best home addition companies if you want to add a new room to your current home. Home remodeling architects can also help you plan a home addition design that will ensure your household’s safety and make it aesthetic and functional as well. Keeping your home safe and secured Safety is one of the most important things that a lot of homeowners tend to forget in a home improvement project. If you look around, there are some houses in several neighborhoods that don’t have a fence or some kind of protective gate in front of their properties. As mentioned, times are uncertain nowadays. Some things might happen unexpectedly that can compromise you and your loved ones’ safety. Not to mention you might not realize that your home’s safety is already compromised because of an open window and other household habits and things that can potentially attract burglars. And then Christmas is already coming which means we need to secure our real estate properties. Burglaries and other similar things also don’t only happen at night. It can even happen in broad daylight. That is why you should always keep your home well-guarded and secured no matter the time of the day. Tips on securing your home Like how you plan a home remodeling addition, you should also consider how you will keep your home safe and secured. Here are important tips to keep your home safe and secured. Pay attention to your lighting. Not only can it highlight your beautiful home especially at night but also deter burglars from intruding on your property. Because burglars wouldn’t want the limelight (literally and figuratively) and see what they are about to do. Make sure to invest in a high-quality night-time lighting system installed outside your home. You can also install motion sensor security lights as well as adding a gravel driveway to catch attention. Make sure not to forget locking windows and doors. This is surely the easiest thing to do, but so often almost always forgotten. That is why you should keep your windows and doors locked all the time, even when you are at home. You can also invest in coded locks if there is one available. Don’t post on social media. People cannot help but be constantly connected to social media, posting things about their everyday lives. However, doing so can potentially compromise your, your family, and your home’s safety. Best not to mention any out-of-town plans on your social media accounts. Not even posting that you are having coffee in a downtown coffee shop as of this moment. Decide how high your hedges/fences will be. This […]
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How to Let Natural Light Come Into Your Home
Most homeowners often take natural light for granted. Instead, they would often splurge on expensive lighting fixtures to enhance the beauty of their interiors. However, most people often do not realize how natural light can do wonders to their house interiors. If you are planning a home remodeling addition, you might want to include ways to let natural light into the home addition design. Why your home should embrace natural light A survey conducted by Origin Global found that about 26 percent of homeowners would love to have natural light in their homes. Other “must-haves”, according to the survey, include having a large garden area and dining area/kitchen. No wonder people still prefer natural over artificial light. For one thing, daylight exposure can help improve our mood. Likewise, it can make your interiors look bigger, brighter, lighter, and more welcoming. Letting natural light can also save you electricity as you don’t have to turn on the lights during the day. Natural light can also freshen the air circulating inside the house. There are also studies stating that natural lighting lessens the tendency to overeat and oversleep and improves energy levels. Natural light can even improve your work productivity and lessen the risk of depression and other mental health issues. In other words, natural light can do wonders to our health and our usual daily routines. How to let natural light in your home If you are in a process of building a home addition, it is better to consider how you are going to let natural light into your home. A home addition design that includes natural light can help you save electricity and uplift your mood. Here are tips you should consider if you want to bathe your home with nature-given light. Use light-colored paint on your walls. Ditch the flowery, Grandma-style wallpaper and opt for lighter shades of paint. Home improvement experts suggest using white as the safest bet if you want natural light to come into your home. Lighter shades of paint will make the room look bigger and brighter. On the contrary, dark paint can make a room look constricting and hotter. When using white paint, you can opt to use off-white hues for a warmer and calmer effect. Avoid using pure white or brilliant white as it can make the room look cold and boring. Also, consider using paint with a satin finish so that light will bounce better in the room. Place mirrors or any shiny tiles. Make your kitchen or dining area look bigger by installing reflective tiles or backsplashes. Mirrors can also do wonders in your room, hallway, or living room areas. These can make your room look more spacious and brighter as well. Relocate your furniture. Your bulky furniture might be blocking your windows, so make sure not to block them with any furniture or décor. Use sheer or light-colored curtains, or opt for blinds so you can also control the amount of light coming into the house (not to mention add privacy as well). Turning green to brighten your home Did you know that plants can also brighten up your […]
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Winter is Coming: How to Prepare Your Home for the Winter Season
Our homes are like our bodies: we need to take care of it. Or else, it will deteriorate if we do not take care of it well enough. More so, homeowners should be preparing their homes for the upcoming winter. It might also be a good idea to have a home remodel in time for the winter season. Planning a home addition design is a good investment for your home. More so, a home addition project should be planned well. Whether it’s a bathroom remodel or a living space addition, make sure to hire home additional companies offering affordable home additions. Getting started Preparing your home for the upcoming winter is important if you don’t want to be shivering under the comforters. In fact, you should already know this if you lived in a snowy area for a long time. If you are planning for a home addition project, make sure it is winter-proof as well. By winter-proofing your home, which means you don’t have to wait before the snow starts to fall. The best time to winterize your home is now. Winterizing your home would need a lot of things aside from protecting the house from the cold. This also includes preparing your pipes and gutters, trees in your backyard, and other nook and cranny of your home. Keep your indoors warm and cozy Here are the necessary steps that you should do to keep you and your loved one warm and cozy this winter season. Check the airconditioning and heating system of your house. Your heating system should be working its best, especially during the cold winter weather. Usually, heating and air conditioning systems should last you up to 15 years. Even more than that, if you regularly maintain the systems. Make sure to do the maintenance and repairs (as needed) in time for the cold season. Best to hire a trusted professional HVAC contractor to do the job. Check your pipes. The best thing to do is to insulate your pipes before winter arrives. Otherwise, the water flowing in the pipes might freeze and result in pipe burst when it gets too cold. There are pipe insulations available in most hardware stores. Then, cut the insulation to fit on the pipe and secure using duct tape. Prevent your door locks from getting frozen. This can also be a problem if you live in a cold climate area. So to prevent your locks from being frozen, spray some lubricant into the lock where you insert the keys into. Schedule cleaning for the fireplace. If you have a wood-burning fireplace that you use often, make sure to have it cleaned and inspected. Even if you use a gas-powered fireplace, you still need to clean and have it inspected once every three years according to experts. Keep your outdoors safe and sound Aside from indoors, you should also check your house exteriors and see if it’s winter-ready. Whether it’s a condo remodeling or a home remodel, you should make sure that your home is ready for the winter, inside and out. Check your trees for falling branches, twigs, etc. If […]
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Planning to Build an Outdoor Deck? Here’s What You Need to Know
Being inside the house all the time can be boring eventually. At some point, we would miss the beauty of the outdoors. But because of the pandemic, there are certain travel restrictions in most countries. It can be frustrating not to go to different places anytime we want to, unlike before. But this doesn’t mean we have to be cooped up inside our rooms until the pandemic goes away for good. There are ways that we can still enjoy the beautiful outdoors without stepping out of your residential property. One way is by building an outdoor deck in your home. Building an outdoor deck area can be one of the best decisions you could make. So if you are planning to build one soon, make sure to hire the best home addition companies out there. Why you should have an outdoor deck A lot of people often consider renovating their bedrooms or expanding their bathroom or kitchen areas. However, it is also a good idea to hire a professional home additions builder to build your outdoor deck. Also, you need to determine whether you want a deck and not a patio (which are two different things). There are several reasons why you should consider building an outdoor deck. It can add value to your home especially if you are planning to put it in the real estate market. Not to mention adding aesthetic appeal to your current home. It is up to you to think about the home addition design you want and has it given to live by professional architects builders. You can use your outdoor deck for several purposes. This is where you can relax in the mornings or late afternoons and enjoy the outdoors. It can also serve as a receiving or hangout area for your guests and host barbecue parties. You can also use the deck area to grow and tend to your plants. It will also be a good resting spot if you have a pool or spa in your backyard. That said, deck areas are both aesthetic and functional. You can add potted plants, bring out some furniture, and even hang hanging lights. You can also design the deck area any way you want depending on how you want it to look. What to consider before building an outdoor deck There are also several things you need to consider before building a deck in your home. For one, you need to hire a home remodeling addition professional to make your dream deck come to life. Here are other things you should consider as well. Budget Well, of course, you need to have a budget to build an outdoor deck. When coming up with a deck building project, you should factor in the following: Deck design and size Features (ex. seating, railings, powerboxes, etc.) Material costs (ex. lumber, metal or steel, bricks, etc.) Labor cost (if you are going to hire a home addition builder) Location The size of your deck area will depend on the location you have. You would also want your deck to be steps away from your house. More importantly, it […]
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Bathroom Addition: Should You Choose Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles?
When it comes to bathrooms, a lot of people would think of getting tiles for the bathroom flooring. Regardless of a planned home addition design or a bathroom renovation, having a nice bathroom should be planned accordingly. There are a lot of things to consider when building or renovating a bathroom – from the countertop material to the shape of the bathtub that will suit the bathroom. You might even want to consider whether to put indoor plants in your bathroom area. But for now, we have to think about which type of flooring to put in the bathroom. All about bathroom flooring Two of the most popular bathroom flooring are ceramic and porcelain tiles. They may seem like the same thing. A lot of people wouldn’t even think about a specific floor tile as long as it looks nice and is specifically meant for bathrooms. It is understandable, though. Not everyone knows the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles. They are both used usually for bathrooms and the same installation process. Perhaps one type of tile is a little expensive than the other. But just how do they differ from each other? For one thing, ceramic and porcelain belong to the same type of tiles called ceramics. This type of tile is made from organic earthen clays and then hardened using heat. But lately, porcelain tiles had their own flooring category as it is said to have different specs from other bathroom tiles. Nonetheless, you should consider the type of bathroom material to use when planning on building a home addition. One factor to consider aside from color and design is its water absorption level. What’s with ceramic tiles? Ceramic tiles are usually made from coarse clay mixed with a small amount of fine kaolin clay. Likewise, it does not have the same additives as those in porcelain clay. Ceramic tiles also tend to be a little porous than porcelain tiles, though it may not be a big deal especially if the former is treated with glaze. Ceramic tiles are also less expensive than porcelain tiles (starts at $.50 per square foot) and used indoors only. Ceramic tiles usually come in monochromatic colors. You can ask professional home remodeling architects whether ceramic tiles will suit your budget and bathroom design. As mentioned, ceramic tiles are more porous than porcelain bathroom tiles. On the upside, ceramic tiles can resist heat better than porcelain, which is why the former can be a good countertop material. As for care and maintenance, ceramic tiles are not that difficult to clean. As bathroom tile material, it needs regular mopping and period sealing. Glazed ceramic tiles also have less tendency to absorb water. But if you have unglazed tiles, you might have to apply sealers on the whole tiles. What’s with porcelain tiles? Meanwhile, porcelain tiles have a lower water absorption rate. Like ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles also use kaolin clay but with a mix of feldspar and quartz. Unlike ceramic tiles, porcelain can mimic different materials like marble and wood grains. That is why porcelain tiles are a good choice if you want that […]
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What to Consider Before Building a Backyard Shed
Storage is one of the most important rooms in any home. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners tend to overlook the importance of having a decent storage area in the house. Often, homeowners use the garage as their storage area. But garages are supposed to be used to park the family car, not to store paint cans and old and broken furniture. There are many ways to have an additional storage area in your home. You can use your garage (as long as it is organized), or build a shed in your backyard. This can be considered a home addition. In such a case, you should contact the best home addition builder in your area. Getting started A shed is a great way to add storage space for your home. Instead of putting all of your painting and gardening stuff in the garage or elsewhere exposed to the outdoor elements, you can store them all in the shed. But take note that building a shed may not be as easy as you think. For one thing, you might need to hire a professional home additions builder to help build your shed. Or you can build your own if you want. But the decision depends on how big the shed is, or what type of building materials to be used. Your shed need not look like a dilapidated shack but something like a small structure that will add aesthetic to your home. Building a shed will require several factors. For one, you might need the help of professional home addition companies to build a backyard shed. You also need to consider your storage needs, your household’s lifestyle, and your property’s landscape. What to consider before building a backyard shed Thinking about building a backyard shed as additional storage space? Here are some factors you have to consider before building one. Budget Before starting a home remodel or any home addition design, make sure you have the budget to build a shed. If you want to build one, make it the best shed you will ever have. Aside from building materials, you also have to include the labor and other utilities such as electricity, heating, or insulation system in your expenses. Amount of shed space There are two kinds of spaces you need to consider: the amount of space you need to build the shed, and the amount of space you need inside the shed. Is the shed simply for storage purposes? Or are you going to include a workstation inside (ex. for your carpentry or crafts hobby). Also, you need to determine how big the shed you want to build and make sure you have enough space in your yard. Design The next consideration is the shed design. Do you want a rustic design or a modern-looking one? You can check out some shed designs here for inspiration. Take note that your building materials depend on the shed design that you want to build. How to build a shed Building a shed can take time depending on the home addition design and the size you want. Here are the steps to remember […]
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What to Consider Before Insulating Your Home
A review from the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA revealed that homeowners can save as much as 20 percent on heating and cooling expenses at home through proper sealing and insulation. Home insulation is important especially if you are living in areas that have the four seasons of the year. Proper insulation is also a great way to lessen energy expenses. Home improvement can drain your budget depending on the extent of the said home project. You can avail affordable home additions or find a home additions builder who can offer an affordable home addition design. One of the most important parts of building a house is installing a proper insulation system. Here are things that you should know first before insulating your home. All about insulation For starters, insulation is a type of material used to reduce the heat or cold getting into a house or building. There are different uses for insulation such as thermal, soundproofing, and electrical insulations. When it comes to homes, it is the thermal insulation that is often used. Among popular insulation materials include fiberglass and cellulose. These can be used both for thermal and soundproofing insulation. Insulation is a big help especially during the winter months by keeping your house warm and lessens the household’s dependency on heaters. This means proper insulation systems can also improve your house’s energy efficiency and lower your utility bills. As mentioned, there are different types of insulation aside from fiberglass and cellulose. These include others such as radiant barrier insulations (usually installed under the roof or the attic), rigid foam insulation, and Rockwool insulation (made of minerals and rocks turned into temperature-proof fibers). Common insulation mistakes If you are planning for a home remodeling addition, make sure to include a good insulation system in your plan. It can regulate the temperature in your home, especially during the cold season. The key here is to install the insulation system properly. However, there are still a lot of people who commit these common insulation mistakes. Here are some of them that you should avoid as much as possible. Forgetting air sealing As mentioned, insulation helps regulate temperature going in and out of your house. However, this should not block air movement, either. Otherwise, your insulation system will be in vain. Using old insulation systems Installing insulation systems can cost a fortune. That is why a lot of homeowners would find a way to save money on home improvement or a home addition design. One thing DIYers do is pulling out old insulation. However, it can cost you more unlike when you hire experts to do so. Old homes like the ones built in the 50’s or 60’s used asbestos as insulation. On the one hand, asbestos is generally safe when left unbothered. But when you disturb the material like removing it or moving it somewhere, that is where the problem starts. The same goes for vermiculite, which is somewhat linked to asbestos. Overstuffing insulation So you think the more you stuff insulation in your home makes it already better? Unfortunately, not so. When using fiberglass insulation, it’s the air […]
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What to Consider Before Choosing Paint for Your Home
Improving your home is a major project to partake as a homeowner. It can be an expensive affair, even tedious, depending on how big your planned home improvement project is. Planning for a home addition design is another story. You can avail affordable home additions from professional home remodeling architects that will suit your budget. But sometimes, home improvement can be as cheap and simple as buying good quality paint. Instead of tearing up the walls or replacing old cabinets, you can opt to repaint them for a fresher, more renewed look. Applying a fresh coat of paint is also a good idea if you are planning to sell your home. But first, you need to consider several things when choosing paint. Types of paint For starters, paint comes in different sheens. Two of the most popular ones are latex and oil-based paints. Latex paints This one is more common and more preferred to use because it is easier to clean up. Plus, it can last for many years as well. Latex paint is also less susceptible to premature fading and bubbling, hence the durability. It is also said to be more eco-friendly than its oil-based counterpart. You can use this type of paint to work on various surfaces including wood and concrete. Oil paints Meanwhile, oil-based paints came earlier than latex paint, existing for more than 50 years. But it is still being used until now mostly wood trims and moldings, as suggested by most architects builders. Oil paints also tend to dry longer than latex paint, so make sure to allow drying time. Some use an oil-based primer and use latex paint as a top coat, but it depends on your paint preference and requirement. Types of paint sheens And then there are different types of paint sheens, popular of which the glossy, semi-glossy, are and matte finishes. When to use glossy paint? Home remodeling architects recommend using glossy paint in high-traffic areas such as the living room, kitchen, or the playroom. You can easily clean and wipe walls and other surfaces with glossy paint. On the downside, glossy paint can highlight surface imperfections including bumps and other blemishes. When to use semi-glossy paint? Home improvement experts suggest using semi-gloss paint for bathroom and kitchen areas. Semi-glossy paint is also a little cheaper than glossy paint, making it a good alternative to the latter if you are aiming for the glossiness of paint. When to use matte paint? Matte or flat paint, although can hide imperfections more effectively, may not be recommended in high-traffic areas. This is because it may not be easily cleaned unlike using glossy paint. But if you want to use matte, you can opt for eggshell sheen. It also resembles matte paint but easier to maintain and wash, smoother, and more long-lasting. What to consider when choosing the paint color It can be overwhelming to choose the right paint color for your home, as there are a lot of colors to choose from. Well, it depends on your objectives. For example, experts suggest using white or off-white paint for walls if you are planning […]
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