Why Wintertime is the Best Time of Year to Replace Your Flooring

Remodeling the kitchen and bathroom returns anywhere from two-thirds to three-quarters of the money invested into the project, Remodeling Magazine reports. With each of these projects, old and outdated flooring can be a major portion of the remodeling, as can replacing appliances and fixtures in the room. Remodel now to enjoy the positive changes and make more money when you go to sell your home. While it may not seem like winter offers many advantages over other seasons, especially in snowy areas like Vermont and Virginia, it’s actually a wonderful time to replace flooring: The drier air prevents the boards from gapping while the lack of humidity wards off water damage during the installation.

Winter works well for floorboard replacement

In the winter, contractors are limited in what they can do. Many cannot complete exterior projects, like adding on a new deck. Replacing flooring is one job they can do year round, because it happens inside the home. For you, this means a faster job completion time because contractors aren’t trying to satisfy as many jobs as during the peak season. Additionally, stores are more likely to stock all needed items so your project won’t hit a supplier-side snafu. Picking out the right shade of stain and discussing the advantages of maple, bamboo and walnut flooring can help prevent some of the winter weariness that sets in when you have long winters.

Because hardwood is so easy to clean and also hypoallergenic, it can make your daily life easier in a season when taking the dog out for a simple walk can mean tracking in wet and dirty snow. A new hardwood floor also increases your home resale value and makes your everyday life more enjoyable. If your old floor squeaked, replacing the floor can reduce the noise level in the home as well.

Planning a floor replacement

While winter is an ideal time to replace your floor, this project comes with a lot of debris. You’ll have your old floorboards that have been ripped out, plus any under layers that need replaced. You’ll also have the trim ends of anything you are installing, plus all of the equipment needed to clean and prepare your floors. In the summertime, it’s easy enough for you or your contractor to run all materials to the dump at the end of the day. In the winter, the dump may have limited hours or a winter storm can make driving unpleasant. If your city has laws that regulate the storage of garbage and debris or that specify that all garbage must fit in your garbage can, you might want to consider renting a dumpster for this project. You can find short term dumpster rentals by the day, week or month. At the end of the rental time frame, the Richmond dumpster rental company will haul away the dumpster and debris.

Additionally, polyurethane sealants have a strong odor. While the sealant will dry faster in the winter, there is a greater chance that you’ll be housebound for much of the day. If you are susceptible to odors, consider using pre-sealed floorboards. These won’t need to be stained and sealed post-installation.

Step by Step Guide to Refinishing your Bathtub

Whether you love do-it-yourself projects or are on a budget and need to do some refurbishing on your own, it`s not hard to refinish a bathtub and you`ll be surprised that you can get it done in a reasonable amount of time. Pretty soon you`ll have a beautiful new tub that will bring new life to your bathroom. It can be a focal point, or you can blend the tub with paint, tile, linens and d?cor that tie the entire room together seamlessly.

Materials:

Abrasive tub cleaner
Paint
Epoxy
Abrasive cleaning pad
Paintbrush
Paint roller
400 to 600 grit wet sandpaper

Step 1

Before doing anything else, you need to clean your tub. Remove any non-slip materials with degreaser. Use a scrubber to thoroughly wash the tub and remove all debris, dirt and other items. Don`t worry about scratching the tub because you won`t be able to tell once your refurbishing project is finished. Rinse the cleaning fluids from the tub once you`re finished so that your paint has a prime surface to adhere to.

Step 2

Sand the tub using 400 to 600 grit wet sandpaper. This serves a couple of purposes. It gets rid of any leftover cleaner on the surface and it gives the new coating a solid place to stick. Make sure you get wet sandpaper because it`s much easier to wash away as you work.

Step 3

Mix the new paint for the tub with epoxy. Make sure the two are very well combined. Look for a kit that makes it easy to combine the correct ratio of paint to epoxy so you don`t damage your tub or have to start the project over. A kit is also a great way to make sure you buy the proper type of paint so you don`t mistakenly end up with something that doesn’t hold up well to contact with water. These kits come in several sizes, allowing you to get just as much product as you need to get the job done.

Step 4

Use a paintbrush to apply the paint to the surface of the tub. Paint in one direction only and apply several thin coats rather than one thick one. Allow an hour or so of drying time between each coat.

Step 5

Use a coordinating color of caulk and apply an even line around the tub, making sure to get the corners. Smooth the caulk as you go to get an even looking appearance. Wait a day or two before using the tub to be sure the paint and caulk is completely dried.

Tips and Tricks

Before getting started with your bathtub refinishing project, it`s a good idea to protect the other surfaces in your bathroom so you don`t have damage or costly repairs to deal with. Put a drop cloth over the toilet and the floor surrounding your tub. That way, if caulk or cleaner splashes or drips, clean-up is easy and you won`t mistakenly ruin something else. Remove all towels, rugs and wall art from the bathroom as well. This will keep them out of the way and protect them from damage.

Once you`re done with the tub refinishing, replace the bathroom essentials, or shop for new items to go with your new and beautiful bathtub. Shop online or in stores for new linens, wall art and decor items that will make your bathroom look stunning in no time. Consider a new color combination, such as gray and yellow, blue and coral or white and gray to give your bathroom an elegant and classy look. All of these choices look great with a bright white bathtub.

Tips for Increasing Property and Home Value for Resale

Quick Improvement Tips for Increasing Property and Home Value for Resale

Your house is not free from the hazards of everyday life. From my work in Hamptons Real Estate, I’ve seen it all: Water damage, chipping paint, mold, decay, pests and more. And as seasons change from warm to cold and vice versa, many aspects of your home are affected congruently. For those looking to move and/or upgrade, it’s become cumbersome to attempt to make everything more appealing, yet deal with the hassle of finding new real estate.

As you prepare to leave your humble home for a new house you need to spruce up the old place to make it appealing to buyers. What can you do to quickly and affordably improve your home for resale?

First off, you need to remember that focusing on the outside is just as important as focusing on the inside. First impressions are everything, so if you can impress someone the instant they see the outside, you’ll already have a good start. You may not believe it, but a new coat of paint can do wonders for a home. It’s as if that fresh coat of paint revitalizes the house and really grabs the eye from the outside. Having a freshly cut, healthy lawn can also greatly improve your standing with buyers. If you have the means, landscaping is even better. Some lovely plants, shrubs, trees and even a garden can really liven up your yard and add some personality and color.

A more costly option, but a great one, is a carport. Carports are cheaper to install than garages, but serve the same general purpose. Carports can greatly increase the value of your home as long as the carport is permanently installed.

The interior is the place many sellers dread to fix up for resale. Many homeowners can walk through their house and list off everything they either need or want to do to whatever room they see. Fixing up the interior of your home doesn’t need to be a nightmare. It just requires some cleaning and some key improvements.

To start off, we’ll go back to an old favorite. Painting the interior of your home can have just as big of an impact as it does on the outside. It makes every room seem fresh and new and appeals very well to new buyers.

Another very simple trick is to replace all your old wall outlets. If the old ones are two-prong, buy three-prong outlets, and try to gather a handful that will match the style of your current wallpaper and/or paint. You can always buy regular wood grain and paint them later on! When you’re doing a walk through with a potential buyer, you can point this out.

If you have carpet that is old, stained, torn or worn out, consider getting new carpeting. Remember, though, if you do decide to get new carpets get them after you have painted and the paint has dried. There is no point in getting new carpeting if it’s only going to get marred by paint stains.

As for any tiled or hardwood floors, if the tiling is dingy, stained, or discolored, you should also consider replacing that as well. Where carpeting might have to be installed by professionals, tiling can be done on your own. If you don’t feel comfortable doing any of the cutting or measurements, you may need to call professionals. As for hardwood floors, you’re probably better off giving them a good cleaning instead of trying to replace them.

You’d be amazed what some cleaning, a good coat of paint and some elbow grease can do for the resale value of your home. Remember that you’re not only fixing up your home to sell it, you’re fixing it up so someone else can enjoy your home just as much as you have.

Article provided by Hamptons Real Estate

Stainless Steel Fixtures for Your Bathroom

When people think of remodeling their bathroom, they need to a wise decision regarding fixtures as it can alter the entire look of the room. Generally, a bathroom has sink and bathtub, which does not add to the style of the room; however with the help of elegant and stylish fixtures one can add to the aesthetic look. While choosing the fixtures, one needs to keep various things in perspective, such as finish, function, design, and installation. Certain changes to the fixtures can give bathroom a whole new look, without any need of changing or replacing every installation. Among the various options available in the market, stainless steel bathroom fixtures have become quite popular among homeowners.

Stainless steel fixtures can breathe new life into any bathroom by giving it a contemporary look. These fixtures are simple and stylish, which blend beautifully with any kind of decor. It especially looks great with traditional decor, amalgamating best of both. Lending a modern look to the room, these are strong and durable, particularly those with seamless welding and one piece construction. The heavy gauge stainless steel metal fixtures do not tarnish, spot or chip easily; instead these are moisture and heat resistant.

In case you are planning to renew your bathroom, you should choose amongst the various stainless steel fixtures available in the market. You can select stainless steel sink, countertops, bathtubs, faucets, shower-heads Quartz Linear drains, Ebbe Square drains, Shampoo baskets and many more. Additionally, you can also go for stainless steel door hook, towel bar, door knobs, and trash to remodel your bathroom. It is important to wisely choose amongst these fixtures because using just stainless steel fixtures in the bathroom can be overwhelming. If you use a stainless steel tub with a porcelain sink, then it may look a little weird. Hence, it is important to appropriately select the bathroom fixtures so that it adds to the look of the place, rather than making it unappealing.

Though these do not require much maintenance, over time, these bathroom fixtures tend to attract dust and scum that leave the bathroom in an unsightly mess. This can readily be dealt with the help of cleaning products, which are easily available in the market. Besides cleaners, there are home remedies that are also effective in cleaning stainless steel fixtures. For example, one can spray club soda on the fixtures and wipe it clean with the help of cloth or sponge. However, one must ensure not to use SOS pads as these are made of steel wool that can leave scratch on the surface of the fixtures or remove the finish. Some people may argue that these fixtures are expensive, but they do not realize that it is a smart investment; not only is it aesthetically appealing but also durable, strong, and long lasting.

Hence, if you plan to make your bathroom look sleek and appealing, stainless steel fixtures must be your foremost choice. These fixtures can even make a bland and normal white bathroom look more attractive. However, striking a balance and not going overboard is essential in remodeling your bathroom with these fixtures.

Things to Consider for Remodeling Your Bathroom

Bathroom, is the most integral part of every home, and thus, you should give due importance to its remodeling. Bathrooms can be redefined with new colors, designs, looks and styles. These days, you can find a number of themes for bathrooms, which are especially designed to address the contemporary demands of the people.

People pay special attention while getting their bathrooms constructed and make sure that their aesthetic and luxurious appeal is enhanced. On the other hand, when it comes to offices or work places, bathrooms are designed in such a way that they present a contemporary look. The designing, colors, accessories, fittings and themes incorporated in the bathroom depends on the space available and the budget.

There are lot of areas where one should focus on while going for a bathroom remodeling. Right from cabinets, fixtures and hardware to mirror, flooring, tub, shower and lighting, every aspect of the bathroom is equally important and needs to be highlighted accordingly.

The first thing that comes into notice in any bathroom is the cabinet. Any change made in the cabinets transforms the entire interior of the bathroom. For giving an illusion of space in the bathroom, you should go in for subtle colors like beige and mauve. You can also go in for cabinets in themes like rain forest and ocean blue.

Fixtures are the next important things which require a conscious decision before getting a bathroom remodeled. Faucets and sinks should be selected in synchronization with the style of cabinetry and the overall décor of the bathroom. One can go for trendy styles or can stick to the old elegant & sophisticated look.

Hardware that one wants to use inside the bathroom should be cautiously selected as these enhance or deteriorate the overall appeal of the bathroom. Lighting is another focus area that you should pay attention to, as it makes the room look brighter and gives depth to it. You would find a plethora of options in types and shapes of lighting options.

If you have a small bathroom, then you can make it spacious looking by altering the size of the mirror used. Mirror is a major point to concentrate on, while going for remodeling. These days people prefer to have large mirrors in bathrooms, majorly because they make the bathroom look larger.

While going in for remodeling of bathroom, you should also focus on the type of tub or shower to be used. These are available in different shapes, sizes and colors to enhance the overall interiors. Make sure that the bath tub blends with the color of the tiles & flooring, or is in contrast to them. You can also opt for flooring and tiling, which has a similar shower counterpart available. This would add finishing to your bathroom and make it look more elegant.

Keeping in mind these important points, you can completely transform the looks of your bathroom and give it a fresh appeal.

Tag: bathroom remodeling

Why Wintertime is the Best Time of Year to Replace Your Flooring

Winter works well for floorboard replacement

Planning a floor replacement

Step by Step Guide to Refinishing your Bathtub

Step by Step Guide to Refinishing your Bathtub

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Tips and Tricks

Tips for Increasing Property and Home Value for Resale

Quick Improvement Tips for Increasing Property and Home Value for Resale

Stainless Steel Fixtures for Your Bathroom

Stainless Steel Fixtures for Your Bathroom

Things to Consider for Remodeling Your Bathroom

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