remodel / restore

• Home Remodelling the Green Way

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  If you are remodelling your home, then making eco-friendly considerations is an excellent way to make sure that any additions or modifications to your home are not only long lasting, but also energy efficient and carbon friendly. Although the most commonly held conception of a green home is one that is ugly and low powered, this is actually not the case. Green home improvements have taken advanced a great deal over the last few years, and as a result most green options for home remodelling not only look great, but do a great job of lowering household energy bills, are recyclable and eco-friendly as well. So let’s have a look at what those home improvements are.

  Windows

  If you are remodelling your home, usually one of the main and most important considerations is the windows. Windows are exceptionally important for any overall home design and look and so if you are conducting major works of any kind on an area of your home with windows, then now is the time to make those windows green! Windows are responsible for the level of natural light that can come into a room. They can be a beautiful focal point, or a dark and dingy light absorber. They can either insulate a room, sending your bills skyrocketing whilst leaving you cold and shivering all winter, or they can insulate and crank up the heat notches whilst saving you money and keeping you warm. For this reason, if you are remodelling your home, and windows are part of your overall plan, then make sure you go for eco-friendly options and opt for windows that allow for plenty of natural light, save heat and insulate your home as well.

  Insulation

  If you are remodelling your home, now is a good time to add insulation to your home improvement to do list. Insulation is the adding of cold resistant foam like material into cavity walls in your home. Although many people would like to insulate their homes, the truth is that it is a lot of hard work and noise to do. But, if you are remodelling, then make sure you include insulation. In some UK areas, your local council will do this for free if you qualify, and as you are already making a mess and a noise, a little more to insulate your home will go a long way towards making your home more eco-friendly.

  Power usage

  If you are remodelling and you are using power tools, generators and external power supplies then of course you are at risk of producing more waste than necessary. Fear not. No matter how powerful the tools you are using, todays generator market has excellent, eco-friendly options for powering tools and other heavy equipment so you don’t have to feel guilty each time you switch the generator on.

  Recycle, reuse and recycle

  When remodelling it is quite amazing how many things that can be recycled or reused end up in the tip or the dumpster. Rather than throw everything you don’t need away, consider using a green company for your waste instead of a traditional skip. As well as this, send reusable items to second hand stores, or hold a yard sale to get rid of them in a green way, and use recycled materials like 100% recycled rubber cable protection, where you can to up the green points in your home.

  partnered post • CC-licensed photograph by Jeremy Levine Design

• Ways to prevent window condensation

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

  Do you find you have a build up of condensation on windows in your home? If so, then you will need to take some simple steps to keep this to a minimum as over time, it could begin to cause problems.

  What is condensation?

  Condensation forms when warm air meets colder air, such as on the colder surface of a window. The reason why this happens is there is more moisture in warm air and when it meets a cold surface, it is unable to hold on to this moisture, releasing it as condensation. Whilst you may see a large amount on the window, it may also be present on the walls too, as they tend to be cooler than warm air within a room too.

  Where is the condensation on your windows coming from?

  There are a variety of sources such as breathing (including when you are asleep), cooking, washing or showering, heating and drying clothes in the house is one of the largest culprits releasing 5.5litres or more moisture into the air. If condensation builds in your property, over time it will start to cause problems. Window condensation is an indication that damp within your property could be an issue and you will need to start taking steps to deal with condensation.

  What to do about window condensation

  1. Single paned windows or ill-fitting windows where there are draughts and cracks can make window condensation worse. You will also need to check the outside of the window unit as a sealant that was used in older style windows known as caulking, should be acting as a seal. Over time, this seal can become less effective. Fitting double glazed uPVC windows will make for an effective solution.
  2. Preventing the build up of window condensation can also be helped by ensuring there is adequate ventilation, even if you do have double glazed uPVC windows. Ventilation allows dry air to circulate around your home.
  3. Extractor fans in the kitchen and bathrooms in your property can be used to effectively expel moisture laden air, reducing the build of condensation on windows throughout your home.
  4. Do you have vents in your walls? If so, many people block then to reduce draughts but by doing so, are blocking circulating air. Just try uncovering these vents for a few days and nights and see how condensation on windows diminishes.
  5. Even though air circulation is important within your home, but insulation is important too. Having draughts in places where you should not – around window frames and exterior door frames – will cause an excess of cold air.
  6. Have you had work done on your home recently? Renovations will change how air flows around your property. If you notice a build up of window condensation, it may be that you need to take a look at how the air is now able –or unable – to circulate around your home.

  Poorly fitting windows can present condensation problem in a property. If you have noticed more condensation than usual, take a look at your windows. Do they need upgrading to uPVC double glazed windows?

• Five Simple Ways to Improve Your Kitchen

  

  Note: this is a partnered post and consideration was received for its publication. CC-licensed image by Susan Serra, CKD.

  They say that good food is often a product of love—love for family, love for service, or love for cooking. However, without a conducive environment, this love may not translate into scrumptious meals. A conducive environment in this regard means a kitchen that you love, one that you’re completely comfortable in. If you feel that yours could use a bit of an overhaul, do so—you won’t want to compromise the place where all the magic happens, after all. With that said, there are tons of ways you can improve your kitchen. Below are some examples of how you can transform your kitchen into the perfect venue for cooking.

  Paint everything white.

  White somehow gives off the illusion of a more spacious environment. Hence, painting everything white—the walls, the cabinets, and the cupboards—can make your kitchen feel larger than it really is. For smaller kitchens, this is a very practical option since this can eliminate that cramped feeling.

  Improve the lighting.

  Dim lights should be switched out for the brighter variety. Excellent lighting goes well with the white motif of your kitchen and goes a long way in improving the atmosphere even more. And you need not spend a fortune to enhance your kitchen lighting. All that’s necessary is a lighting fixture (or a few) that can adequately illuminate the room. Also consider affixing lights under the shelves if you find these areas to be insufficiently illuminated. Beacon Lighting offers a wide selection, so you might want to check out their site.

  Add an instant boiled/chilled tap water supply.

  This is one of the finer additions that your kitchen can receive. A tap that can readily provide filtered water that’s chilled or boiled is clearly a huge convenience—both for cooking and drinking purposes. Now, you have various options for this, but your best bet would be The Water People.

  More storage couldn’t hurt.

  If you find that a lot of your kitchenware is just lying about, then you should consider adding more shelves. Build these up high so that they won’t get in your way. You can also attach under-shelf baskets to these if you require even more storage.

  Install drawer and shelf liners.

  Drawer and shelf liners are a must-have for your kitchen. For one, it protects your drawers and shelves from spills and the like. Liners with cushions can also help in safeguarding fragile kitchenware. On top of those, they’re just pretty—choose liner designs that complement the colors of your kitchen. If your kitchen is already equipped with liners, then just remember to replace them periodically. Stick with non-stick liners, though, so that changing them won’t be much of a hassle.

• Interior Design to Increase the Value of Your Home

  
  

  A lot of homeowners make the mistake of spending tens of thousands of dollars to renovate their homes before putting them on the market. While renovations are a great way to increase your home’s value, spending your budget in the right places will help you maximise your return on investment when you sell your home.

   These four interior design tips should form the foundation of the home renovation strategy. Read on and compare these ideas, courtesy of AHF, to your own pre-sale renovation plan.

  1. Focus on the kitchen and bathrooms

  Kitchens and bathrooms tend to clearly display a home’s age. Simple things like a yellowed or an outdated kitchen can quickly reveal your home’s real age, even if you’ve spent a large amount of money renovating your living room.

  Allocate most of your pre-sale renovation budget to your kitchen and bathrooms. A quick update to your bathroom – a new bathtub, tiling to replace linoleum or wood flooring and large mirrors – will produce an excellent return on your investment. To find a great installer and supplier of such materials, search for linoleum flooring near me or similar terms.

  2. Maximise natural light in living spaces

  Natural light is key to creating a comfortable living space. If your home has small windows and large interior dividers that make natural light a rarity, think about installing new windows and glass doors to maximise natural light.

  Artificial light has been scientifically proven to worsen people’s mood, while large amounts of natural light have been shown to increase energy and motivation. Give your home a large amount of natural light and you’ll help potential buyers feel at ease and relaxed when they come to visit.

  3. Stick to timeless, classic interior design

  Cutting edge design tends to age quickly – a truth that even a quick glance at last decade’s ‘cutting edge’ vehicles and fashion choices will reveal. Stick to timeless, classic interior design when you renovate your home to maximise its sale price.

  There’s nothing bad about being modern – quite the opposite, in fact. Just stick to modern design principles that have been around for at least a decade or two, while avoiding ultra-modern design ideas that haven’t become yet mainstream.

  4. Replace aging carpets and popcorn ceilings

  While most interior designers recommend focusing on your kitchen and bathroom for maximum ROI, there are two dated interior features that should be replaced in every home: ‘popcorn’ ceilings and dated, unfashionable carpets.

  If your living room has a popcorn ceiling – a type of spray-on ceiling treatment that was popular in the 1970s – make absolutely sure it’s replaced before you show your home to buyers.

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• Tackling Home Extensions

  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Martin Pettitt

  The home glazing specialists at Pavilion Glass help
  homeowners maximise their living space with unique window and door designs –
  both of which are an incredibly effective way to create the illusion of space. And
  the same can be said for the rooms in your house. Taking the time to extend
  certain areas and rooms in the home can pay off in more ways than one. If you
  ever find the time, the following home extensions projects can be a great way
  to make an interior living space seem twice as large.

  Out-sizing rooms

  Before you start making plans to knock walls
  through, try and think strategically about which rooms in the house will
  benefit from a larger space. A popular choice of large living space is often a
  combined kitchen and living room or dining room, leaving one or the other free
  to be converted into a study area or even an extra bathroom – which is always
  attractive to family home buyers.   

  Before attempting any extension work in the
  home, it’s advisable to ask around for registered builders as well as any friends
  or family member who will be willing to help.

  Garage extensions

  Making
  use of the space in an unused garage can provide a great deal of extra space
  and can add significant value to your home considering the ingeniously hidden
  away location. Converting your garage into a play area or office can be a very
  attractive prospect to potential buyers and the more additional room you can
  make good use of, the more you can offer them.

  Loft conversions

  Converting your loft space is another inspired
  way to extend your house. Although most homes can try and create extra space
  this way, loft conversions are generally better suited to Victorian-era houses
  due to their high roof pitches.
  Unlike the kitchen and dining room extensions, loft extensions are relatively
  straightforward to execute as they require less planning. But as ever, seek
  assistance from friends and relatives before attempting anything dangerous.

  Making extensions within the home can
  significantly improve your property.  In
  addition to creating a more spacious and versatile living space, it can potentially
  add value to your home in the long run since space is always something people
  will covet. If you’d like to achieve the same look for less, Pavilion Glass can
  arrange to install a glass door, window or conservatory and even offer a repair
  service in the event that the glass gets damaged.

• Create the Perfect Children’s Bedroom

  
  
  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Middlebury College

  Children’s bedrooms represent more than a place
  to sleep – they are a comforting safe haven with a strong identity, so taking
  the time to make your child’s room a home within a home is well worth the
  effort. Kids will undoubtedly have opinions when it comes to redesigning their
  personal space, but their ideas – however wild – needn’t break the bank. Discuss
  ideas openly with them for the best chance of reaching a practical compromise
  and create a look to please them for years to come.

   Be flexible

  Children can be notoriously temperamental, which
  is why choosing very specific themes is best avoided. Your daughter may be into
  baby pink and fairy’s now but a year or so down the line, she will have a
  change of heart. Instead of committing to a specific theme, work around it by
  making additional touches once the main overhauls such as the floor and
  wallpaper have been agreed to. For example, buy objects or toys in the room
  that reflect their favourite colours or pastimes to ensure you can always keep
  up with their changing trends.

  As for choosing a colour scheme that will last,
  you may want to consider neutral shades for the walls and carpets, or better
  yet, opt for laminate or hardwood floors
  – these will always prove easier to maintain than carpet. This way, the child
  can still infuse their personality by choosing a washable rug in their favourite
  colour.

  Make it spacious

  You’ll be surprised how quickly toys and clothes
  can amass in a child’s life before it leaves room for little else in their
  bedroom. Combat the clutter immediately with storage spaces and ask your son or
  daughter where they would prefer to keep their belongings so they can have the
  best access to them. Disguise storage boxes
  in the form of treasure chests or hollowed benches and seats at the end of
  their bed for practicality.

  Child-proofing

  Most importantly, make sure the bedroom is a
  safe place for them to be in. Fit window locks and cover any sockets and
  potential hazards with safety guards. Also, ensure heavy furniture is securely
  screwed to the wall and fit shelves as closely to their eye level as possible.
  This will give the added benefit of the illusion of higher ceilings and
  therefore, more playing space!

  Of course, the object that completes the look in
  a child’s bedroom is the bed itself. Metalbedsltd.com
  houses a versatile range of bed frame styles to satisfy the fussiest tastes!
  Whether your child is after more storage space or a stand-out design that reflects
  their personality, they’re sure to find a timeless style that ticks all boxes.

• Safety Tips for Kitchen Remodelling

  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Susan Serra

  Access equipment suppliers Globe Ladders know a
  thing or two about safety and eliminating risk when it comes to tackling large
  scale DIY jobs, and the task of redesigning the kitchen is as large as domestic
  projects come. The kitchen is one of the most central and widely used rooms in
  the home and giving it a new lease of life can be a rewarding experience, but
  it isn’t without its dangers. A kitchen can pose endless hazards – make sure
  you’re prepared for them with the right tools, a good deal of forward planning
  and proper safety equipment.

  Get to know your tools

  Even if you have used tools on a previous
  project, you will find the kitchen to be an entirely different kettle of fish.
  Make sure you know how to use them in this new context by consulting the
  official manuals and ask friends or relatives for assistance. A kitchen
  remodelling involves everything from the cabinets and tiles to the lights and flooring
  so ensure you are confident with your tools before putting your project and
  yourself at risk.

  Create a safe environment

  There are so many hazards involved with
  redecorating from wires and loose floorboards to slippery surfaces. Avoid
  catastrophe from the get go by creating a safe working environment. Cordon off
  all entrances to the kitchen and lay down old sheets on the floor and on the kitchen
  work surfaces if necessary. If you’re going to be removing or redecorating
  overhead cabinets, you’ll need non-slip material
  to provide a sturdy, even surface. Also keep all tools out of sight to protect
  others, particularly small children, from injury.

  Know your psychical limits

  With
  any big scale home project, it is vital to know your own limits, both for
  yourself and for the safety of others. Never try and push yourself too hard get
  the job completed as this is when accidents start to happen. Over-estimating
  how much you can lift for example is only going to induce back injury so make
  sure assistance is on hand. Also, never attempt to work or operate any kind of
  machinery (even the smallest tools) when tired.

  Knowledge can be half the battle when it comes
  to DIY projects so it could be worth looking into further guidance on health and safety
  in the home. As well as making and supplying safety equipment, Globe Ladders
  provides training courses which can result in a certificate stating your
  capacity and understanding of essential safety awareness.

• Design your Bathroom for Relaxation

  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Jeremy Levine Design

  Some can be under the impression that the bath itself
  is all that’s needed to feel relaxed, but if your bathroom lacks atmosphere,
  taking a long hot soak can feel more like a chore than a long-awaited pleasure.
  The bathroom light specialists Downlights.co.uk can lend a helping hand in
  creating the appropriate ambience needed to give a bathroom character, but it
  can take a few personal touches of our own to feel we can truly relax.

  Second to the bedroom, our bathroom is our
  retreat in which we can unwind and break free of the day’s stresses and strains.
  More than any other room in the house, it grants us personal ‘me time’ to sit
  and reflect, so why not decorate it in a way that inspires you! Here are just a
  few ways to make your bathroom a more serene and relaxing place.

  Candles

  Arranging some aromatherapy candles can be a
  cheap yet effective way to promote relaxation, particularly those with
  stress-busting scents such as lavender and camomile. These can suit most
  bathroom decors if decorated sensibly and tastefully – just be sure to take
  caution when arranging the candles, particularly if you line them along the
  bath or beside the sink.

  Warm colours

  The colours present in the bathroom should act
  as mood-enhancers. Nothing too gaudy or assaulting on the senses – this is your
  haven of rest and relaxation, remember? Neutral colours or simple duo tone
  shades such as deep violet and lavender inspire relaxation because we associate
  them with luxury and sunset skies.

  A Spa setting

  As with the aromatherapy candles, you will buy
  into the bathroom as a relaxing place to be with the presence of relaxation
  paraphernalia. You can imitate the surroundings of a luxury spa with little
  money or effort. Using a heated towel rail or wooden spa bench
  to display your neatly folded towels can be a great way to create a peaceful
  setting for less.

  A stand-alone bath

  If it’s possible to, install a traditional free standing bath.
  Not only does it look gorgeous, but it creates the illusion of a wider space
  since the bath is the focal point. A free standing bath creates a sense of
  solitude and tranquillity and it completely defies the typical bathroom layout
  – acting like a working art installation in your own home.    

  Complete the look with soft and subtle bathroom
  light fittings by Downlights.co.uk. With a wide range of brands and fixtures to
  choose from, you can be sure to find a style that compliments any bathroom
  concept.

• Essential Tools and their Uses

  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Sean Vadilfari

  If you have ever wondered how certain tools operate or how to get the best use out of them when tackling odd repair and remodelling jobs around the home, then this quick summary is for you. These are the tools that allow all the tedious jobs to be carried out so quickly and efficiently. Presenting the top home maintenance tools no budding DIY expert should be without.   

  Sledge/Club Hammer

  The only non-electrical tool on the checklist but an unmistakably powerful toolkit essential all the same. Heavy duty demolition hammers such as the sledgehammer and club hammer are quintessential home improvement tools, primarily because of their ability to knock clean through concrete, stone and masonry work. They can also be used to secure floorboards, panels and decking.

  Sander

  Available in varying shapes and sizes, sanders can be used on domestic projects great and small. Handheld mouse sanders for example can be used on small pieces of furniture such as coffee tables, chairs and skirting boards while disc and belt sanders can be used to smooth uneven surfaces on large planks of wood and other materials for use on bigger jobs.

  Joiner

  Joiners are a worthwhile investment and a great piece of equipment – particularly if you have a penchant for carpentry and various woodwork crafts. Joiners create jigsaw pieces out of ordinary wood by cutting slots that fit together with adhesive. Perfect for making everything from bookcases and table and chair sets to your child’s very first cot – the possibilities are endless!

  Power drill

  Aside from its primary function of drilling clean-cut holes into most wall types, the classic cordless power drill can be fitted with adapters that allow you to drive through screws and bolts and even sand with ease, rendering them the Swiss army knife of the power tool family. If you choose to start with any domestic tool, make this your first purchase.

  There you have it – the handyman’s guide to essential tools. Now you’re familiar with their incredible range of functions, you’ll no doubt want to sink your teeth into a new home project – but where to start? A great place to begin is with quality and reliable equipment. Tool supplier Elcocks have been providing all manner of quality tools and safety equipment to trades men and women for over 40 years. Ensure you’re cut out for the next big home maintenance job and stock up on the right supplies.

• How to Properly Lay Tiles in Your Bathroom and Kitchen

  
  

  When decorating your home, there are two areas in which you will want to use tiles: in the kitchen and in any of the bathrooms. You may want to have some tiling elsewhere in the house as well, but it is these two spaces that are most likely. Tiles are great in kitchens and bathrooms mainly because it makes them very easy to keep clean, something which is of course very important in these spaces. As well as this, tiles can also look great too and particularly when you consider just how many different styles, materials, colours and designs you can opt for. Whatever decorative style you decide on you can be sure that there will be a tile design and type which will compliment the room well and create a complete and well designed feel.

  The difficult part is not picking out the tiles, unfortunately, but instead in the laying of them. Whether you do it regularly or it is your first time, it is important to be aware of the fact that this is a tricky job which may take you some time to do. In my experience the difficulty does not come in the setting of the tiles, but instead it is the drilling of any holes that you need. You will need to drill holes for a variety of different reasons, and when this is not done properly it can crack and break the tiles which can be a real nightmare, so how do you make sure that you get the job done properly?

  Getting the Right Tools for the Job

  Before you do anything you need to ensure that you have all the right tools for the job, and this will include special drill bits for drilling through tiles. Many tile companies, like www.suretile.co.uk and www.mosaictileoutlet.com, will provide suitable drill bits along with tiles, and this makes it easy to get everything you need in one place. You will be able to get a kit which will give you all the drill bits you need, and this will help you to drill holes for service pipes, fixtures and fittings, and this is for both the kitchen and bathroom. This will be for any radiators, wash basins, hot and cold taps, shower heads, mirrors and other similar items you have in these rooms.

  partnered post • cc-licensed image by Wonderlane