Basement

Are White Walls Efficient?

December 3, 2021 Comments Off

When you think of efficiency, everything depends on the purpose you have in mind. Speaking of white walls, they may be efficient in hospitals where by their neutrality and coldness they may extinguish intense, burning pain or help one find peace, objectivity and power before being released. But when we replace the setting and move back home, everything changes for the worst: what was there perceived as soothing coolness becomes here stark indifference, and the support of reflection ‘helps’ one here just to stare as it were at utter nothingness, leaving one in despair. Therefore, no, white walls by themselves are not efficient at home.
But if you are a resourceful person, you will know what to do. White walls have an advantage by being neutral; you should not leave them to be just boring. By being neutral, they form a kind of inert material that you can work wonders on. Depending on the style you choose for your home, you may enliven them by colorful furniture, or if your furniture too is in neutral colors as it is usually the case, intensely colored accessories are the right answer. And now you turned the drabness of your white walls into your advantage: if you want to redecorate again, all you have to do is to replace the accessories, and that’s the most inexpensive thing to do, while there are still flea markets or garage sales around.
So let’s see what you can do to spice up your home. Though your furniture is in cold colors, you may always find a sofa in vivid colors. Make it the center piece of your living room, and there you have your first touch of color. Then add brightly colored pillows everywhere: they will do the job and besides are easily replaceable. Then come with colorful lamps, vases and light fittings. The draperies do not have to be white or even pastel; you may choose them too in gay nuances. Place then some nicely matched rugs here and there and if even so you still feel the need of more color and sun in you home go to the next step.
Who said that draperies were meant just for windows? You can hang them up or just cover an entire wall with them. Or if you do not want to be so radical, you can cover your walls with some large colorful pictures of plain fabric.
So, as you see, there are many ways to counterbalance white walls without paint. Paint stinks, makes a mess of your home and then if you change your mind it’s hard to remove. The same holds true for colored furniture items. They may be heavy, expensive and not so easily disposable. Therefore, just accessorize and your white walls will allow you most flexibility and dynamism in trying on your creative color palette.…

Make Maple Flooring Part of Your Home

November 28, 2021 Comments Off

Maple flooring has numerous benefits for homeowners looking for a new floor – not least its sturdiness and aesthetic appeal.
The maple tree comes in many different types with varying wood grain patterns and is perhaps best known for being the source of that Canadian favourite, maple syrup.
However, it is the maple wood itself that tends to attract attention from those looking to update their homes.
Maple is usually relatively light in colour, but its markings can be significantly darker – making for a particularly striking appearance.
The wood is also very strong, meaning that homeowners can be confident they are investing in flooring that will last for years.
So what are the different types of flooring that are available? As well as being able to choose from various types of wood grain, buyers can select from solid maple flooring, engineered wood maple flooring and laminate maple flooring.
Homeowners wanting a truly authentic floor should opt for the solid flooring. While this requires regular maintenance, there is little doubt that having a genuine wood floor can be a great asset to any home.
You choose from different types of solid maple flooring, such as nature, select and rustic with surfaces ranging from oiled and lacquered to unfinished.
Meanwhile, engineered wood flooring is a great option for homeowners wanting an especially sturdy floor. This product is made from several layers fused together for extra strength and also benefits from being less vulnerable to shrinking and expanding than hardwood flooring.
Lastly, laminate flooring could be the perfect choice for those who love the look of maple wood but do not have the budget to pay for solid flooring or engineered wood flooring.
This type of flooring can be both practical and relatively cheap, as you are unlikely to be as concerned about sustaining damage to a laminate floor as you would if it was a solid wooden floor.
As you can see, there’s much to think about when choosing flooring for your home – but with so many options available, it’s likely you’ll be able to find the right product for you.…

Great Bathroom Lighting Tips

November 15, 2021 Comments Off

When many people are planning a bathroom remodel the most overlooked part of the project is the way the new bathroom will be lit. Yet good lighting is essential if the new bathroom is going to be as functional and attractive as possible. The new sink, toilet and luxury spa shower are all great but, if you cannot see to put your make up on in the morning, the remodeled bathroom will end up annoying you as much as the old one did.
Ideally there should be more than one kind of lighting in the bathroom. Task lighting is essential. Mirrors should be well lit but not with a light that is too artificial or glaring. Vertical fixtures or sconces mounted on either side of the mirror are best for makeup and shaving. Be sure to position sconces to shed equal amounts of light on both sides of the face, and use “natural light” bulbs to impart a less artificial looking glow.
For ambient lighting pendant lamps, recessed ceiling lights or even a small chandelier can all work well in the bathroom. If your remodeled bathroom is going to include one of the wonderful garden bathtubs that are so popular these days why not a chandelier with dimmer switch so that you can soak your cares away in ultimate luxury.
One area that is often not lit – but should be – is the shower. Light the shower’s interior with waterproof fixtures. The light does not have to be too bright but you will appreciate the difference right away.…

How to Find Advice For Home Improvement Jobs

November 3, 2021 Comments Off

Finding good advice when it comes to home improvement jobs can often become a very arduous task. One tends to go around in circles for a reasonably long time before you eventually come out at the information which you have been looking for.
The internet has become one of the favoured sources to be able to find information on home improvement jobs but since this topic has become a very popular search on the internet a lot of similar web sites have been created, making it ever more increasingly difficult to simply find the actual information which one is looking for.
Rest assured, no matter what aspect of improvements you wish to find information on, you will be able to find the answer on the internet, but to save one self a lot of time and frustration, it is necessary for you to know how to look for it.
To find this advice in the shortest possible time one needs to refine your search. Firstly decide which jobs it is which you want to search for, be it a contractor to do a job in your area, the tools you will require or how to tips to assist you should you want to do the job yourself.
Now you have a beginning point but say you are looking for a contractor to repair your roof, it doesn’t help to simply search for roof repair contractors, you will now have to be able to specify your approximate location, never specify your address, rather just the country and area in general.
This principle will save a lot of time no matter what advice you are looking for about home improvement jobs. The more specific you are able to make the search, the easier it becomes to get the result you are looking for.
Home improvement is one field where you will greatly be able to reduce the cost to yourself should you simply look for the right advice.…

Is a Green Bathroom Remodel in Your Future? It’s Easier Than You Think!

October 2, 2021 Comments Off

If you’re planning a bathroom remodel in the near future, why not explore the new products and materials designed and produced to save money and save the environment? No longer in the expensive category of only a few years ago, these new products and materials compete very well with everything else out there. And when you compare the cost advantages over time, the allowances offered by manufacturers and the government, its crazy not to at least consider a green bathroom remodel.
Toilets, for instance, have come a long way, baby! Today you can’t even buy one that uses 3-plus gallons of water to flush. And, if you recall the buzz about the inefficiency of the newer “low flow” models of a couple of years ago, you’re operating on a false premise. A green bathroom remodel wouldn’t be complete without looking into a new toilet! New designs, larger discharge and smarter manufacturing provides toilets with operations that match their older counterparts flush by flush. In fact, you probably won’t even notice you’re doing your part for the planet when you flip the lever!
Your bathroom vanity countertop can also now be made to be both beautiful and Earth loving with the use of recycled materials. These include recycled glass, scrap aluminum, concrete and (if you can believe it) old recycled paper. Some very attractive countertops today are made by combining paper, fly ash-a by-product of coal combustion-and an eco-binder, such as epoxy. You may have even had a morning cup of coffee at a favorite bistro on a paper countertop and not know it! Some are made entirely of recycled glass, with a new unique look and are comparable in cost, strength, heat resistance and durability to granite.
The bathroom floor is getting some attention, too. Linoleum, invented in 1863 (think Civil War) now has some real competition. New types are so healthy for us and our environment that they cover the floors of many large Health Care facilities and hospitals. There are even floors made by using a pressed combination of burlap, canvas, linseed oil and flour! Almost makes me hungry. Laminate flooring can be manufactured to look like almost anything and tiles are made in a wild array of planet friendly styles and textures. Even the rugs have gone green!
What about the walls? Your green bathroom remodel could even mean painting the walls… er… green. How about soy based paint? Clay paint, which can look like adobe is a natural choice and one that will give the room a rustic or Tuscan feel. You can have your milk and paint it too… by using all natural organic milk paint. Not only do these paints look beautiful, but they last as long or longer than regular latexes. Also, new paints are coming on the scene all the time to not only make your home brilliant, but many are made to fight germs and reduce mold and mildew!
Low flow, water saving faucets and shower heads are designed now to feel just like the old kind, but use much less water. This is due to atomizers and pulsators that mix air and H2O and reduce the actual amount being delivered. This not only saves water, but the energy to heat the water as well. And, the new designs are very cool, with new materials and finishes to match anything!
So, before you start in on that bathroom remodel, think about making it a green bathroom remodel. Take a look around your bath and see what you can do to bring that room into the twenty first century! Then go spend some time in a big box retailer or plumbing or bath fixture store. See what they have to offer and how you can save some money and the planet while you’re there.…

Carpets – Bring Your Home to Life

August 19, 2021 Comments Off

Do you love the warm and soft feeling you get when you dig your toes into a comfy carpet? Everyone likes the plush feel of carpets because they are just so comforting. And not only that, they make your home look more sophisticated along with furnishing it stylishly.
Nothing is quite like a lush carpet reaching from wall-to-wall. Its incredibly soothing feeling gives your house a classic look. Moreover, they keep your body temperature low, keeping you warm and cozy. It gives you a cooler sensation, and superior thermal comfort, while being gentle on your skin.
Heavier carpets are usually more luxurious and with their velvety texture they feel so good to touch. As these are woven from rich yarn, they have the ability to make you feel like you are walking on petals. Good carpeting has an irresistible charm to it. It not only gives your house a comfortable look, but also makes you want to lie down and even sleep on it.
For people living in colder regions carpets can be a source of great comfort as they keep the rooms warm. Carpets are known as natural insulators, and for that reason they are always preferred by children and pets especially, who love playing on the floor.
Carpets can also help you in energy savings by keeping the rooms warm in cold weather and driving your electricity bills down. Thus, they help in cost savings through their insulation properties, while giving the homeowners comfort as well.
Additionally, research has proven carpets to be healthier than other surfaces because they act as traps for dirt and allergens. Since they are made of fibers, dust can easily settle down in them, keeping the air clean and consequentially, lowering disease rates. However, proper cleaning of your carpets is required.
To sum up, carpeting offers great value by safeguarding your family’s health and also lowering your energy bills. The icing on the cake is the fact that carpets are more durable; they last for years if well-tended to.
To add to the attraction of carpeting is the research-backed fact that it doesn’t allow dust and allergens to be airborne. Carpets have the capacity to hold considerable amounts of dust and allergens without looking dirty for a long time.
They come in myriad beautiful designs, styles and types. So that you can outfit your floors with the carpeting of your choice and revamp the whole look of your house. The only thing to be kept in mind while carpeting your house is that you should absolutely like the one you have chosen because it is going to stay with you for years to come.
If you are looking for unparalleled comfort and style then carpeting is the best way to accessorize your house. They are ever inviting and soft, and can be chosen to complement your taste and home furniture. They are ideal for medium-traffic and large family homes.
There is a wide variety of materials available for carpeting your floors, like woolen, polyester, acrylic, nylon, polypropylene, and velvet, Flooring America carpet so that you can pick whatever appeals to you. Besides that they have a fair assortment of textures as well, including, cut piles, Saxony, Frieze, cut and loop pile, level loop pile, multi-level loop pile, and Berber.…

Vinyl Tile Flooring – The Challenge

June 2, 2021 Comments Off

If you’ve ever tried to install vinyl tile, you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say, “It’s not as easy as it looks”. While vinyl tile is a very good flooring choice, it’s good looking, very sturdy, warmer on the feet then regular tile (ceramic), and can be installed without a rigid subfloor (unlike ceramic). When installed and sealed properly, it can last for years, giving a warm welcoming look to any mudroom, basement, or laundry room.
Now let’s talk about the installation process. First of all, you must have the floor perfectly flat, no exceptions. The vinyl floor melds itself to the existing floor, whether that floor is flat, or bumpy and uneven. Once you have the floor perfect, then you’ve got to make sure you’re able to put all the glue down, only to have to leave the job for a few hours, so you can come back and finally install the tile. After the vinyl tile has been installed, you need to rent a roller to press it tight to the floor, than clean all the dirt and grime that may have accumulated during the installation process. Now you’re ready to seal the tile. Going over it twice is recommended. Mop the solution on, wait for it to dry, mop the solution on again; finished.
I remember my first experience with vinyl floor tile. I had just purchased a house with some other family members with the intention of fixing it up and selling it, in other words “a quick flip”. The laundry room in my basement of my house really needed some sprucing up, so we decided to install vinyl tile. Good idea, poor execution. First off, we didn’t realize that by just mixing the floor leveler to a wet/soupy consistency, instead of a hard paste consistency, that we could save a lot of head and back ache. As well, I’m sure the floor would have come out a lot smoother in the end.
Now the installation; we had purchased the house on October 15th and we were planning on a three and a half month time frame to flip it. This left us to finish the job right in the middle of Christmas holidays, not a good decision. It ended up that we had to start the flooring on Christmas Eve morning and finish up Christmas afternoon. Not a great way to spend your Christmas holidays. The good news is that it turned out great, at first.
Unfortunately with time, we found out where we hadn’t leveled the floor as well as we should have, the water softeners salt didn’t help matters either. But our biggest problem was when I was away the next winter (yes, I decided to keep it in the end), there was a flood in the backyard that found its way into the back door, and down the steps into the laundry room. Did that ever make a mess! After that, the tiles were never the same and a lot of the glue now does not stick properly to the floor. Fortunately the floor still looks good; it just pops and crackles in certain spots when you walk on it.
So the moral of this story is, always look before you leap. Or, make sure you know a products limits, strengths and weaknesses before you install it. Not that the vinyl tile is necessary a bad choice for that application, I just think that there are better products for that room. I guess I’ll chalk it up to another lesson learned.…

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