remodel / restore

• Pros & Cons of Oil-to-Gas Heating Conversion

  

  Note: this is a partnered post and consideration was received for its publication. CC-Licensed photographs by Gnomedude and Joanna Poe.

  Oil heaters store a light petroleum in a tank and use it to fire a hot water tank or a household furnace. The advantages of oil is that it can be transported by a vehicle and many oil heater can function without electricity. This is convenient in rural areas, but there might be a better option for heating and cooling Tucson city residents might want to consider.

  City homes with oil heaters can convert to natural gas. While petroleum products can vary in price, natural gas is more stable. The average cost of heating a home during the 2008 winter was $1700 with oil while heating with natural gas cost only $900.

  There is a direct relation between the price of unrefined petroleum and oil heating. Petroleum is the base price of all derived products, ranging from gasoline to plastic to kerosene and house heating oil. While petroleum prices are currently low in the United States, this might change in a decade.

  One advantage of oil is that it has a flash point of 52 degrees Celsius. This means that it does not form a combustible vapor at room temperature. While heating oil can be stored securely, it does require a storage tank. Natural gas pipes are well out of sight.

  Natural gas risks an explosion if it leaks at a high enough concentration. The good news is that new installations have many safety features that minimize leaks. If gas does leak, aeration will remove it from a home. Oil is much more damaging if it spills, because it saturates surfaces and is difficult to remove.

  Natural gas is better for the environment than burning oil, wood, or coal. It does not leave soot or a residue, and the only byproducts are carbon dioxide and water vapor. Natural gas is safe enough that gas stoves and fire places can be installed into a home without chimneys.

  Because natural gas is delivered from an external source, there is no need to have a home inspected for fire safety every year. Oil and wood burning might increase the cost of insurance, while natural gas impacts insurance costs less. It might cost $2000 to install a gas line, but savings in annual heating might repay a family in only a few years.

• The Top 5 Home Remodeling Ideas That Will Improve Your Life

  
  

  Your home is your castle, so it only makes sense that you’d want to improve the way you live your life at home. Remodeling projects can be as cheap as buying a bucket of paint, or as pricey as doing a full home makeover. Luckily, there’s an awesome project for just about every budget and lifestyle you can imagine. Here are our top five picks for remodeling projects that actually work to improve the quality of your life.

  1. Get a hot tub or Jacuzzi installed. There’s something oh, so relaxing about being able to kick back in your very own home spa. Studies have shown that regular use of a hot tub can soothe sore muscles, improve flexibility, and also lower stress. This kind of bathroom remodeling project can easily run upwards of $10,000, so it’s definitely a project that requires a higher budget.
  2. Install new appliances. This can be both a kitchen and a laundry room upgrade, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish. Though it’s not a full remodeling project, the fact is that upgraded dishwashers, stoves, and washing machines can make a huge difference in the quality of your life as well as the amount of time that you spend cleaning. This remodeling project can greatly vary in price, but in general, you can expect to spend around $500 per appliance, at the very least.
  3. Add an extra room. If you have upwards of $15,000, adding a new bedroom or living room to your house is a good way to improve your overall quality of life. Another room can make the perfect location for entertaining guests, or could be used at add a little more privacy for families that feel cramped in their current situation. It’s also worth noting that an extra room can provide a serious return on investment.
  4. Get better ventilation. Many people seriously underestimate the huge impact a well ventilated room can have on a person’s wellbeing. If you have allergies, or are prone to falling ill during certain times of year, a room with cleaner air can make all the difference. Getting a good medical grade air filter can actually be quite affordable, depending on the size of your house. Besides, a good air filter for your home also can make it easier to clear out foul odors that tend to linger.
  5. Install a pool in your back yard. Pools are often the home improvement choice of people who want to become the “fun house” of their block.
     

     Author bio: A parenting writer and home improvement aficianado, Regina empowers women through her writing and parenting tips. If she’s not writing or walking her dog, you can catch her surfing the web for what’s new at Ventis. Note: partered post • CC-Licensed photograph by Jeremy Levine Design

   

• 7 Improvement & Remodeling Ideas to Increase Home Value

  
  

  Thinking about updating your own kitchen? Check out this Kitchen Visualizer Tool – it's a great resource!

  1. Remodeling the Kitchen

  Most people consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home, and because of this, updates in this room pay off. According to HGTV, you can expect to recoup 60%-120% of your investment on a kitchen remodel, as long as you don’t go overboard. You should never make your kitchen fancier than the rest of the house, or the neighborhood.

  2. Bathroom Addition

  If your home only has one bathroom, you can recoup a large chunk of your investment by adding another one. HGTV estimates that you can recoup 80%-130% of whatever you spend adding a bathroom.

  read the rest of these 7 remodeling ideas here

  Note: this is a partnered post and consideration was received for its publication.

• 10 De-Cluttering Tips from the Professional Space Savers

  
  content provided by One Source Process – apostille services washington dc

  Keeping your home tidy and free of clutter can seem like a challenging task in the beginning but it is important to push past your doubts and defeat the clutter bug. These simple tips will ensure that you de-clutter your home in no time.

  1. Donate to Charity

  Throw out the torn and worn clothes but give those that remain in good condition to someone in need. There are hundreds of charities that accept donated clothes such as Oxfam. You will be doing a good deed and freeing some space in the closet at the same time.

  2. Storage

  If you have a lot of items around the house that you have no room for but are reluctant to just throw out, consider keeping them in self storage. This is a convenient way to de-clutter your home and you can rent the unit for as long as you like.

  3. Only keep what you need

  According to The Guardian, the focus of de-cluttering should be on what to keep instead of deciding what to get rid of. This will give you a clearer perspective on what is expendable and what is irreplaceable.  

  4. Install Extra Shelves

  Make the most of your wall space by installing some useful shelves to store books, photo albums, toys and other things that tend to clutter the house. You can get a little more creative and paint the shelves a colour that matches the rest of the room to add a touch of personalisation.

  5. Tackle One Room at a Time

  Try not to take on such a mammoth task all at once. Instead, clean and sort out one room at a time. This will make the process so much easier. If you can’t find a place for a certain item then throw it out or donate it.

  6. Label Boxes

  Save yourself a lot of time and effort by labelling the boxes that you fill as you de-clutter your home. Labels will help to keep your things organized and will make finding them again so much easier.

  7. Use Cereal Boxes as Dividers

  For those items that are often difficult to place, use cereal boxes as drawer dividers. According to www.realsimple.com, you can keep better track of items such as candles by corralling them with a ‘grid of interlocking inserts tailored to the contents—whether that’s candles, batteries, or cosmetics.’

  8. Sort out Documents

  Homes tend to have a lot of old letters, school documents and old paperwork lying about which can make a home look messy. Decide which papers can be thrown out and then create separate files to store the important documents to help you to keep track of them.

  9. Use a Shoe Rack

  Encourage your family to store their shoes on a handy shoe rack. This will keep the shoes in one place and provide a handy storage solution for all of the many pairs of shoes in your house.

  10. Basket Storage

  Baskets can be hung behind doors, on walls or under the stairs to store smaller items such as scarves, socks, bathroom essentials and toys, etc.

  partnered post • CC-licensed photograph by Rubbermaid

• How does underfloor heating work?

  
  

  Note: this is a partnered post and consideration was received for its publication. Creative Commons-licensed photograph by Martin Pettitt.

  Whether you are buying your underfloor heating from a specialist such as The Underfloor Heating Store or picking up a budget kit from your local DIY store, all underfloor heating essentially works the same way; to ensure your home is free from cold spots, is heated efficiently and looks great because it eliminates the need for ugly radiators from your home.

  Research, conducted in 2014 by Continental Underfloor, confirmed that 75% of installers believe underfloor heating will be key in 2015 as people look for alternatives to traditional systems. There are two underfloor heating solutions available, electric and wet. Both work by using either electricity or warm water to heat your floor evenly, throughout the room.

  Electric underfloor heating is the simplest to install out of the two and usually consists of heating mats, packed with electric wires that heat up once connected to the mains electricity supply.

  Electric underfloor heating is best for smaller rooms that might have awkward corners. The mats (which come in tile form or on a roll) are laid beneath your flooring (which could be tiles, vinyl, laminate or even carpet, if it is not too thick), then a layer of screed and floor insulation is placed on top before the actual floor is finally laid. You will need to call in an electrician to hook the heat mat system up to the mains electric supply and thermostat but you can do most of the work yourself.

  Wet underfloor heating is a little more costly to install but cheaper to run than its electric counterpart. Wet underfloor heating works using plastic pipes, fitted beneath the floor, which are then heated using warm water from the central heating system and work better in larger spaces. These plastic pipes are carefully connected and laid in a sand and cement screed with flooring then laid on top.

  Wet underfloor heating is a little trickier to install yourself and you will need a plumber to hook up the system to either your boiler or a heat pump, so we recommend that you hire a professional to install the system so there are no issues later. Paying for professional help at this point should prevent you running into issues later and compared with having to rip up the whole floor, will be much less costly.

  Underfloor heating is much more energy efficient than a radiator central heating system, it acts essentially as a whole room radiator that runs constantly in the background (simply because it takes longer to warm up to its highest temperature) but requires a much lower boiler temperature to actually heat up the water. Most radiator systems require the water temperature to be around 80°C, whereas underfloor heating only needs the water to be 40°C – 65°C to achieve a floor temperature of between 23°C and 32°C!

  Underfloor heating is the definition of luxury but is quickly becoming a popular and affordable alternative to traditional central heating systems and with energy efficiency, even temperature throughout the room and quick installation times it’s easy to see why. 

• DIY Friday: How to Repair or Replace Cracked Tiles

  

  Note: this is a partnered post and consideration was received for its publication.

  Tiles can crack for a variety of reasons, from heavy furniture to constant foot traffic from passers-by. Whether your tiles are ceramic or made from natural stone, cracks and chips can quickly ruin the appearance of your walls or flooring.

  While cracked tiles might seem impossible to repair, it’s surprisingly easy to fix thin cracks or, in cases where your tiles are severely damaged, replace them without any damage to the rest of your floor or wall.

  In this guide written by the experts at Tile Depot we’ll share some simple tips and techniques that you can use to repair or replace cracked tiles and conceal damage with ease.

  When you’re installing tiles, keep a set spare

  No matter how carefully you care for your tiles, sudden pressure from furniture or foot traffic can cause them to crack. Keeping a set of 5-10 spare tiles around makes replacing cracked tiles easy and saves you an extra trip to the shop or online order.

  When you’re installing tiles, keep a spare 5-10 to use for repairs and replacements per room. If you’re installing tiles outside or in an area with lots of foot traffic, keep 10+ spare tiles to deal with the higher likelihood of tiles cracking over time.

  Ceramic tiles installed in sunny areas such as balconies or garden paths might fade because of sun exposure. Keep your spare tiles outside in the same area so that they match your existing tiles even after the sun’s caused their colour to lighten.

  How to repair small cracks and imperfections

  While tiles that are severely cracked need to be replaced, small cracks can be fixed (or at worst, concealed) relatively easily. By using paint that’s the same colour as a tile, you can cover cracks in its surface and return it to its original look.

  Repairing a hairline crack in a tile is surprisingly quick and easy. You’ll need some oil-based paint and primer to match the tile, a paintbrush, some marine epoxy and some soapy water.

  You’ll also need a towel to use for cleaning up, a cloth that you don’t mind throwing away afterwards and, believe it or not, a hair dryer. You’ll use the hair dryer at the end to quickly dry the paint without getting any moisture stuck in the tile.

  Let’s start by cleaning the tile. Dip your cloth in soapy water and scrub away at the tile until it’s completely clean. You’ll need to scrub quite firmly to remove any dirt that’s gotten stuck in the tile since it cracked.

  Once you’ve cleaned away dirt and dust, gently rinse away extra soap. Switch on the hair dryer and point it at the crack in the tile to apply heat until the tile is completely dry.

  After the tile has dried out, apply some primer to your paintbrush and gently brush it onto the crack. You only need to paint over the crack – the rest of the tile doesn’t have any gaps and thus can’t let any water in.

  Let the primer dry naturally. This usually takes two to three hours. Once the primer is completely dry, apply some paint to your paintbrush and paint along the crack. It will take several hours for the paint to dry, so leave your tile overnight.

  After your paint has dried, it’s time to seal the crack using epoxy. Use a very small paintbrush to apply the epoxy. Keep brushing gently until the crack is exactly level with the surface of the tile.

  Epoxy takes several hours to dry, so leave your tile for two to three hours before returning. Avoid applying any pressure to the cracked tile for 24+ hours to let the epoxy completely set in place and prevent the tile from cracking again.

  How to replace severely cracked and damaged tiles

  Not all tiles can be repaired. If your tile has a large crack that goes from one end to the other, or it has several small cracks that meet and separate the tile into several parts, you’ll need to remove it and replace it with a new one.

  Removing a damaged tile is simple. The first step is to smash the tile into smaller pieces, which can then be removed one by one. Use a cloth to cover the surface of the tile and use a hammer to smash it into smaller pieces.

  For smaller tiles, a hammer often isn’t appropriate. If you’re worried about hitting the surrounding tiles, you can instead cut into the tile and split it into four triangle-shaped pieces to remove manually.

  Once you’ve smashed the tile, carefully remove each piece with your hands. Some edges could be sharp, so be extremely careful when removing the tile and ensure you don’t touch any sharp edges. You can use a chisel to remove small pieces.

  After the tile is removed, brush away any dust from the space left in the floor. You now need to apply adhesive to fix the replacement tile in place. Use a notched tile trowel to spread tile adhesive and gently insert the replacement tile into the floor.  

  If you’re worried about uneven spacing between tiles, use tile spacers to make sure your new tile is equidistant from all the surrounding tiles. The tile adhesive will take several hours to set before you can apply tile grout and finish the job.

  Once the adhesive is dry, carefully about tile grout around the edges of the tile. Give the grout plenty of time to dry before you clean the surface of the tile using a moist cloth. Let the tile’s surface dry, then brush away any remaining dust and tile grout.

  Take care of your tiles to avoid cracks, chips and imperfections

  The key to extending the lifespan of your tiles is installing them carefully. Uneven tiles, which are a common side effect of rushed installation, face different levels of pressure, which can often lead to cracks developing over time.

  Take care of your tiles, not just by keeping them clean, but by making sure they’re installed correctly. This way, you’ll deal with far fewer cracks over the life of your tiles. 

• Caesar Stone Quartz Countertops: Customized Countertops For Your Kitchen Space

  
  

  Note: this is a partnered post and consideration was received for its publication.

  A kitchen is a place where all the action happens. Countertops definitely see a lot of action in the kitchen space. Because of this specific reason, they should be properly maintained, cleaned and protected. Just like any other surface, these high traffic areas should be cleaned in a proper way depending on the kind of material you have used. Keep reading this post to learn about Caesarstone’s quartz countertops.

  Granite & Quartz: What’s The Speciality?

  A quartz granite countertop is a very popular choice among people who love the appearance of granite but are a little worried about the stones short falls. In simple words, granite is a porous natural stone which can quickly absorb liquids; it can easily soak up any kind of cooking oils and the best thing is that it can be easily etched by acids which are found in any household items i.e. hairspray.

  The reason why Caesarstone quartz countertops have gained popularity among the modern homeowners is because they are not affected by any of the hazards. When it comes to the colour or pattern of granite, it is something very unpredictable, and this sometimes will make things a little difficult for you as you won’t be able to make the right choice. They are even in their colour, pattern and texture.

  Top Benefits Of Quartz Kitchen Countertops

  One of the major benefits of quartz kitchen countertops is that they have some of the best qualities of natural stone i.e. when it comes to the durability and appearance of the countertops. The best thing is that they don’t have any as such cons and you can also get it at a very affordable price if you buy it from a reputed online store.

  Of course, you must be very well aware of the fact that they are man-made. The process of manufacturing usually involves raw quartz crystals which is one of the hardest substances available in the market. After it has been selected and the ground procedure is done, it’s the resin and crystals which are combined together along with resin and different colours.

  Once they all are mixed together, all the components are then heated and then they are vibro-compacted which creates an impenetrable surface. It’s around 95% quartz components which are used in the manufacturing process of quartz countertops or it won’t be durable. The final product is non-porous, strong and has excellent durability in comparison to granite.

  Colours: What Options Do You Have?

  If you have decided to choose engineered quartz countertops, you will be happy to know that they are available in a huge range of colours that cannot be easily found because dye is combined with crushed stone. They are very versatile and appealing. It is the appearance of the countertops which can dazzle the eyes.

  The installation process of Caesarstone’s quartz countertops is definitely a do-it-yourself project. It is advisable to hire a professional who can carry out the task for you. You should do a complete background check of the professional before hiring them for the task.

• Asilomar restored!

  

  

  Celebrated as Monterey Peninsula's "Refuge by the Sea," Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds has been restored to its former glory. Preservation architecture firm, Page & Turnbull, played an important role in the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall and the Mary Ann Crocker Dining Hall. 

  Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall

  In this building, Page & Turnbull removed alterations that were not agreeable to the original design and restored the configuration of spaces in the building to be as close as possible to Morgan’s original layout, while improving its functionality. Restoring the Registration Area and rebuilding the hall’s historic Tearoom returned a sense of harmony and order to the Social Hall. In replacing the non-original existing flooring in the Social Hall, the size and grain pattern were matched to the original oak strip floors. Highlighting the ceiling structure and illuminating the room’s beautiful redwood trusses are replicas of the original wall sconces and historical chandeliers produced with a lighting manufacturer. Stains and varnishes were tested on the new redwood boards in the walls and, where possible, many of the existing boards were reused and salvaged. 

  Crocker Dining Hall

  In this building, a visual connection was created between the historic dining hall and the servery, and the building’s commercial kitchen was completely renovated. 

  Asilomar Background

  The Pacific Grove retreat was originally designed by Julia Morgan, the first female architect to be licensed in the State of California. The grounds were founded by the YWCA as a young women’s leadership summer camp in 1913 and has been part of the California State Parks system since 1956. A National Historical Landmark, the 100-year-old site features the largest collection of buildings designed by architect Julia Morgan, who embraced the Arts and Crafts Movement. 

  You can learn more and book a room at Asilomar online.

• How Underfloor Heating Can Save You Money

  

  Note: this is a partnered post and consideration was received for its publication. Creative Commons-licensed photograph by Martin Pettitt.

  Underfloor heating provides a high spec and luxury alternative to the traditional radiator system that many households use, and its benefits are well-known throughout the industry. However, the installation of underfloor heaters equates to more than just an aesthetically pleasing finish, in fact an underfloor system could just work wonders for your bank balance too!

  Check out our essential guide to how an underfloor heating system can save you money, and even make you money in the long run, especially during the cooler months when energy costs tend to spiral out of control.

  Heat your home efficiently all year round

  In comparison to radiators, an underfloor system is a much more efficient and effective way of heating your home, whether you are looking for a consistent temperature throughout your property during the warmer months or want to maintain a warm and cosy environment during Autumn and Winter.

  Radiators operate by rapidly heating surrounding areas, however, as heat rises, the warmth is slowly distributed throughout the wider room, which can cause cold spots and inconsistent temperatures. Larger rooms in particular are more difficult to heat using a radiator system, especially if the room is not sufficiently insulated and energy is lost through walls, doors and windows. The installation of underfloor heating ensures heat is distributed evenly throughout the room so you can turn down your thermostat, cut your carbon footprint, save money on your energy bills and enjoy a constant and comfortable temperature throughout your home.

  Increase your home’s value

  According to a recent study conducted by Nationwide Building Society, inefficient central heating is a major issue for buyers and can actually decrease a home’s value by around 9%. The installation of underfloor heating is becoming an increasingly popular feature on the average buyer’s most wanted list and is an excellent selling point if you are looking to sell your home in the near future.

  Teamed with good quality insulation, the luxury that consistent temperatures offer and the prospect of lower energy bills can in fact push your resale value up and ensure you get the best possible price for your home. Whilst underfloor heating can be an expensive addition, this eco-friendly home improvement is certain to pay dividends when you put your home on the property market.

  The ultimate energy saver

  As we’ve mentioned the use of radiator-based central heating systems can result in rooms taking much longer to warm up and lead you to cranking up the temperature on your thermostat to create the warm home environment you are looking for.

  Radiators require water to be heated to at least 70˚C, whilst an underfloor system is heated to between 30˚C to 50˚C. The large surface area covered by underfloor heating and consistently low operating temperatures ensure you, your household and your purse strings benefit from lower and more manageable heating bills. The installation of underfloor heating can actually reduce your heating bills by up to 30%, offering the ultimate energy and money saving solution for properties of all shapes and sizes.

• Things You Have to Know About Demolition

  infographic courtesy of DuroVac – OSHA compliant vacuum

  There is absolutely no way to deny the fact that demolition is exciting and a really fast part of the construction places. The home can be removed entirely even in 2 days when working with a professional and in thorough remodeling jobs, everything will usually last for around 7 days.

  While demolition is usually messy and fast, it is something that is a lot more complicated than what many think at first glance. You cannot simply put some explosives and expect the building to come down properly. You need a strategy or you would end up with so many different problems.

  In order to help you make a correct decision, let us share some things that need to be known about all demolitions.

  1. Never Do It Alone!

  While many of the home remodeling jobs can be done alone, whenever referring to a demolition, it is something that you should never try alone. It would be as if going into a heart surgery and playing the doctor. You need the help of experienced professionals that would keep the entire process safe. Most people do not know anything about demolitions so it should come as no surprise that help is necessary.

  2. Always Get The Permits

  Even if you just plan to demolish one wall in your home, obtain the permits that are necessary. Neighbors will surely notice that there is a part of the house missing and if you end up inspected by a building inspector, you can even end up in jail. Permits show when it is safe to do some demolitions so you have to be careful.

  3. Talk With The Neighbors Before The Demolition

  Everyone in the neighborhood should know when you plan something like this. A lot of noise will be heard and the mess will most likely be disturbing for a few days. You do need patience and understanding from the neighbors.

  4. Never Live In The Home During Demolition

  It is quite surprising to see that some people actually do this. Make sure that you have a place to live in during the demolitions. A lot of dust will be present and this can definitely be hazardous and dangerous for your health.

  5. Asbestos Removal – Be Extremely Cautious

  Nothing ends up shutting down projects like asbestos related violations. You need to do your homework. Make sure that you understand the many different regulations that need to be respected. You need to go through removal inspection and it is vital that you obtain extra security permits.

  One way to go around the difficulties is to basically hire a company that is specialized in asbestos removal. They will know everything that needs to be done.

  6. Always Consider What Demolition Workers Tell You

  Let’s face it! You do not know everything about demolition. The person that you call, at least for inspection purposes, will tell you some things. Make sure that you listen. You might receive some helpful pointers that you never actually knew anything about.

  And if you’re anywhere near London, whether clearing waste yourself or cleaning up after a large demo project, you’ll need a reliable skip hire, such as Mackers Skip Hire in Essex, who have done this sort of thing for many years.

  article written for Hewn And Hammered by Focus Demolition, professionals in safe demolition work and asbestos removal • partnered post