Category Archives: Home Renovation

Checklist for Planning a Renovation

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Category : Home Renovation

Regardless of size, home renovation is a huge undertaking not meant for the faint of heart. On top of that, if you choose to DIY the whole project it will be even more tiresome and grueling than one that involves hiring contractors. And hiring contractors does not mean that you can be completely hands-off. Far from it – you will have to be involved in every stage of the project.

But since these projects can improve the condition of the house, make your home safer or boost its market value, home renovations can be extremely rewarding. Additionally, with proper planning, you can save time and money and still make the remodeling totally worth the hard work. To reduce cost and make the process less daunting, we’ll walk you through the important factors you need to consider well before hammers start swinging.  

Below is a checklist that can make the remodeling project as smooth as possible and help you keep everything on track:

Step 1: Make a list.

There are several types of home renovations projects, such as:

  • Whole house restorations
  • Home additions, such as home offices or family rooms
  • Interior remodeling, such as kitchen or bathroom remodeling
  • Finished attics or basements
  • Exterior remodeling, including roof change or replacement and insulation of siding and trim
  • Porches, sunrooms, patios renovation/addition

Once you’ve decided on the type of renovation you want to get, you can start drafting a list. Draw two columns on a piece of paper or an Excel sheet. The first column will consist of the things you NEED, while the second column will contain the list of things you WANT. This will not only help you in the preparation of the budget stage, but it will also come in handy if you ever need to make tough choices. With this list in hand, you will be able to prioritize in case of budget overruns.

Step 2: Plan a budget.

A ballpark estimate will help you determine if you will need to apply for a loan as well as what you will need to cover with your contractor and architect. A word of advice: consider adding a 10% padding to your budget to err on the side of caution. This surplus will act as an added precaution in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Use the list from step 1 and prioritize the ‘needs’ above the ‘wants’. At this stage, you want to consider things you are ready to compromise on and things you want to splurge on. Using the same Excel workbook, you can create a new spreadsheet where you’ll list everything that needs to be done and its estimated cost. Remember to account for labor and materials cost, including for small things such as paintbrushes, nails, hammer or tape.  

Step 3: Set a target date.

You can’t plan for a home renovation without setting a deadline. Can you imagine planning a roofing overhaul during the winter season? Precisely. Look at the size of your project and decide by when you want it done.

But be realistic.

A complete house renovation cannot be done within 3 months. While it might not be impossible, it will be extremely challenging and costly. You will not only put a lot of pressure on the contractors but also, due to time constraints, you will inevitably have to sacrifice a lot of things and compromise on others.  

Instead, plan properly so you schedule the demolition and/or renovation at the right time. Since home renovations are meant to last for a long time, set a timeline that is feasible, affordable and that does not lead to you regretting the whole project.  

Step 4: Consider how the renovation will impact your day-to-day life

Once you know for how long the project will last, start thinking about how you and your family will cope with the noise, dirt, and the comings and goings in your home. There are two options you can choose from when finalizing household arrangement:

  1. Delimit a room or a set of rooms that will remain relatively untouched. Plan accordingly so you can stay there for the entire duration of the project. Remember to reserve storage space for furnishings,
  2. If the project won’t last long, consider booking a hotel room or renting a flat on a short-term basis. You can also book a hotel room for the days on which you will have no access to water or electricity.
  3. On the other hand, if you know the project will last for a relatively long period, consider moving in temporarily with your parents or staying at a friend’s place.  

You are now ready to start looking for contractors and/or architects. Remember to not rush this process either. Consider asking people you know for recommendations, interviewing each

Corrugated Roofing: What Is It and Why You Should Get It

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Category : Home Renovation

What is corrugated roofing?

A type of roofing, corrugated roofing is made of corrugated roof sheets that come in plastic or metal. These types are sheets differ from other sheets in the way their surface is designed. Instead of being flat, the sheet has an undulating and ridged surface. Additionally, the sheets are not haphazardly placed over one another. In fact, each sheet has a slim lap that overlaps with a flat lap and is overlapped while taking the wind direction into account.

Traditionally made of iron, copper, aluminum, and steel, corrugated roofing is mostly used in commercial, industrial, and farming settings. However, in recent years a trend has emerged to install this type of roofing for homes as well. More and more residential homeowners wanting metal corrugated roofing has increased the demand for the product. And it comes as no surprise, considering all the benefits it confers on homeowners.

1. Corrugated aluminum roofing

Corrugated aluminum roofing offers both value and quality, is durable and rust resistant. It doesn’t require additional coating and can be painted a wide range of colors.

2. Corrugated steel roofing

Corrugated steel roofing has a natural gray finish to it that may look drab on a residential home. While it may work on certain designs, it is an expensive alternative that won’t necessarily blend well with others. Additionally, it is harder to change the initial color of the material.

3. Corrugated copper roofing

Corrugated copper roofing is most of the time avoided by residential homeowners because of the hefty price tag that accompanies it. While it is easy to install and is naturally resistant to rust, other options come with the same benefits but at a cheaper cost.

Why install corrugated roofing for your house?

The properties and signature shape of a corrugated metal roof can give your home added protection. Durable, resistant to extreme weather, yet lightweight, corrugated metal roofs are the perfect choice for many construction projects.

1. Corrugated roofing has a long lifespan.

Metal characteristics allow for metal roofs to last for a long time. While average quality, flat metal roofs usually last for about 30 years, corrugated metal sheets can last for over 50 years on average. This is thanks to its shape, which makes it less prone to corrosion.

Recent advances in technology, such as galvanizing, has upgraded this metal roofing from simple sheets to a corrosion-resistant and rust-resistant material that is highly sought-after.  

2. Corrugated roofing is durable.

The rippled surface of corrugated sheets creates a larger surface that has increased durability. This type of roofing can, hence, withstand impacts from large objects that fall may fall on it. These include impacts from pebbles and branches.

It may be hard to believe, but even lightweight materials that are usually considered to be flimsy, such as aluminum, can become sturdy. All thanks to the shape and positioning of the sheets!

3. Corrugated roofing offers excellent weather protection.

Corrugated metal panels are able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Whether it is hail and snow, heat waves, hurricanes, this type of metal roof is highly resistant to harsh weather.

Metal rooftops also now have fire-resistant properties that make them non-combustible.

Installing a corrugated rooftop

Installing this type of roof can be a fun Do-It-Yourself project that you can complete with a friend or family member. Below is a list of tools you will need for the installation:

  1. Gloves
  2. Safety goggles
  3. Measuring tape
  4. Hammer
  5. Cement (especially for meant for the roof)
  6. Nails
  7. Screwdriver
  8. Washers and wood screws
  9. Roofing felt
  10. Staples
  11. Staple gun
  12. Metal panels
  13. Polyurethane sealant
  14. Ridge peak

You are now ready to start installing the corrugated sheets.

1. Get all measurements right

Start by measuring the width, length, peak, and slope of the roof.  

2. Install the purlins

Install the purlins on the roof and ensure that they are equally spaced.

3. Purchase and cut the panels

You will need more panels than the dimensions you got when measuring the roof. This is simply because the sheets will overlap. Buy the corrugated roof panels and cut them to the length of the roof by using circular saws, tin snips, and angle grinders.  

4. Drill holes in the sheets

Before even placing the sheets over the roof, drill holes in them vertically and have the hole be around 6 to 8 inches apart.

5. Installation of the sheets

Place the panels on the purlins in an up and down pattern.

6. Seal the panels

Seal the panels with water-resistant sealant.

7. Screw the corrugated sheets in place

Fasten the panels to the purlins using a polycarbonate washer for the screw. Repeat until you’ve affixed all the screws. You can now add the side ridge flashing, headwall connector flashing, and ridge cap if necessary.

Designing the Perfect Entertainment Room

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Category : Home Renovation

Creating the perfect entertainment room set up for your home can be a very rewarding endeavor. To help you get started, here are a few things that you will want to consider before you start:

1. Know What You Want

Before you start planning the layout of your room, you need to ask yourself what you will be using it for. Is it going to be solely for visual entertainment, like movies and video games? Is this space also going to double up as an office? Will you be entertaining guests in here or is it going to be your private space?

Once you have answered these questions, you’ll be in a better place to planning a budget. Which leads us to tip number two:

2. Know your Budget

Knowing how much you can afford to spend on the project will affect a lot of your design choices and prioritizing. For instance, if having a sweet TV is more important to you than having a comfortable place to sit, you won’t really want to buy the sofa first. So it would be smarter to make a list of what you plan to get for your entertainment room in order of priority.

Once you’ve figured out your total budget, and what parts of your set-up take precedence over everything else, you’re now ready to move on to the next step:

3. Optimizing the Space

Some entertainment spaces may not be as big as you would hope, depending on the size of your home. The distance between your furniture and your TV or projector can also make a huge difference in the way you experience your movies and games.

The optimal method of setting up your room would be to have the furniture on one side of the room and the TV on the other. Alternatively, if there is potentially going to be a lot of to and fro-ing between the furniture and TV, you may want to look at removing possible blocking of the screen by setting up in such a way to encourage movement behind the furniture or behind the TV.

Shape of the room: A square room shape typically presents the most challenges for audio systems. It may be worth building false walls on either side of the room to create a more rectangular shape for better acoustics.

Sound and Light: Entertainment rooms can get quite noisy, so you may want to consider soundproofing your space. Carpets and rugs are a better alternative to flat surfaces since tiles and hardwoods will bounce the sound around far too much.

In terms of lighting, you should aim to allow enough light in to keep the entertainment space from turning into a dark cave. However, when it comes to watching TV and movies, you may want to keep the light out. If you are building your entertainment room in the basement, you can just invest in adjustable lights. On the other hand, if your entertainment room is above ground and has sun-facing windows, investing in blackout curtains can be a sound choice.

Your entertainment room doesn’t necessarily have to be in the house though. If you have a barn or shed in your backyard that is not seeing any use, why not give it a makeover and use it as a detached entertainment center?

4. The Screen

The centerpiece of any entertainment system is no doubt the TV. Regardless of what type of TV you choose to use, the ideal position for your seats will be 1.5 times the diagonal size of the screen away. For instance, if you have a 72 inch TV, you should sit 108 inches away, or around 9 ft.

5. The Sound System

If you are looking for the most impressive sound system, you should consider a 5.1 or 7.1 surround system. This involves a setup of 5 or 7 speakers around the room, with 1 subwoofer.

Where possible, you should look to wire the whole system before installing any drywall to ensure all wires are hidden away. However, if this is not feasible, and you want to splurge a bit, there are several wireless options on the market. Whichever you choose, you should look to place your speakers in all 4 corners of the room for the best effect.

6. The Wiring

As we mentioned, keeping your wiring tangle-free and hidden away is essential. If you can’t get the wiring done before putting up your drywall, invest in some plastic wire clips to keep the wires bundled, tape them to the ground and try not to tangle them. The initial effort will save you time and prevent you from tearing your hair out in frustration for many years to come.

7. Furniture

Like we said before, your furniture and room size are key. You want to avoid cluttering the room and give yourself plenty of space to move around in. Invest in comfortable and sturdy furniture that will last, since this room is where you and maybe your family will be spending the most of your leisure time. You can also invest in some extras like a minibar or fridge so you can cut down the trips to the kitchen. If you have the space, you could even invest in installing an en-suite toilet!

8. Storage/Decor

Even if we do store a lot of our entertainment in the cloud, we do still have our collections of DVDs, vintage vinyls, books and video game consoles. You might also have collected lots of memorabilia of your favorite sports teams or from your visits to various fan conventions. Finding the right storage and display units will go a long way to giving your entertainment space an incredible look.

Your entertainment space should reflect your passions. Hopefully, this guide has helped inspire you to design a room that you will love.

Checklist for Buying Furniture for Your Office

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Category : Home Renovation

Purchasing office furniture for your company is a major responsibility because it involves getting furniture that not only fits the décor of your office but that also supports the comfort of your employees. Uncomfortable employees suffering from back pain will have decreased efficiency, inevitably leading to decreased productivity.

Even though you may be swamped with several people’s opinions and many special requests, do not abdicate the decision to finding a low-priced vendor just to simplify your task. It might alleviate the trouble of searching and meeting various requests, but you want to look for something that has long-term value. Take a careful approach to the decision process, aim for comfort and ergonomics. Skimping here will only lead too deferred costs down the line. Trust us on this. You don’t want to have to throw out bad pieces of furniture barely 1 to 2 years after getting them.

Below is a list of suggestions that will help you as you shop around:

Step 1: Determine Your Needs and Budget

This is, evidently, the first stage of any project. Before looking at your budget, make a list of the furniture that you will need. These can include computer desks, tables, meeting room tables, seating pieces, and cabinets, to name a few. Then, figure out your space and the number of pieces that can fit in this space. How will you fit tables, chairs, and desks for 20 employees in this room? Will the table you want for your meeting room be large enough? Or do you need something smaller?

After determining all these, you can finally start looking at your budget. Budgeting is important because every dollar spent in a business is an investment. You need to ensure that your investment is spent wisely. Using the information you’ve compiled before-hand, allocate specific amounts for chairs, desks and so on. If necessary, eschew aesthetics for superior functionality. Once you have taken note of all budgetary and space constraints you can move to the next stage.

Step 2: Find Your Style 

What you are looking for is a piece of furniture that blends seamlessly with and that complements the color of the walls, the flooring and the space available. Everything has to come together in a neat way and be in a pristine condition while also successfully making the space comfortable and attractive. As you try to create a good office atmosphere that increases productivity, try to find items of furniture that complement and reflect your company’s brand, identity, and culture.

But remember that this does not mean that all coordinating pieces have to match. If well-planned and well-displayed, even an item of custom-made furniture can add character to a room. Whether it’s the meeting room or the reception area, an uncommon piece of furniture can tie in all the other pieces in the area to create a truly unique space.

Step 3: Buy Green

Gone are the days when eco-friendly decor was tacky and just plain ugly. Chances are, like everyone else, you have become more mindful of the planet and the impact of humans on a now more vulnerable ecosystem. In line with that, you will be right to make a conscious decision of supporting sustainable production by choosing eco-friendly options that have been recycled and that will last a long time.

Not only will buying “green” make your company stand out it will also send a message to your employees that the company cares about the environment and the well-being of its employees.

Step 4: Consider the Quality of Wooden Furniture

While it is true that wooden furniture adds warmth and beauty to any space, the quality of the piece will play a major role in its durability. If the construction of the item is not done properly, the item will not last long, will not be able to retain its looks and will lose its level of comfort. Therefore, you should inspect each piece of furniture carefully.

High-quality wood furniture is sturdy and has properly aligned doors and drawers that open and shut smoothly. Even if the furniture has texture, the finish should be smooth and pleasing to the touch. Steer clear of any wooden furniture that has:

  • Rough patches on its surface
  • a cloudy surface
  • scratches
  • dents
  • splintered edges
  • dull spots

You can ignore these if the furniture you are looking at is distressed. Just ensure the distressed furniture is well constructed and is sturdy.

Step 5: Learn Your Fabrics 

Whether you are getting chairs for the meeting room and computer desks or a sofa for the reception area, examine how the fabric looks and feels. Not only must the upholstery fiber complement the style of the space, but it also has to be easy to maintain. You don’t want something that only looks good – you also want to take durability and longevity into consideration.

How to Decorate a Zen Bathroom

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Category : Home Renovation

Do you need to relax when using your bathroom? Choose a Zen decoration to transform your bathroom into a real cocoon of well-being. If Zen is a philosophy originating from China, in decoration it is characterized by simplicity and harmony. A Zen bathroom is a true haven of relaxation and peace, with soft colors, natural materials, and soft lighting.

In this post, we will go through the following:

– What materials for a Zen bathroom?

– Furniture and sanitary facilities in a Zen bathroom

– Lighting and colors for a Zen bathroom

– The right decoration in a Zen bathroom

What materials for a Zen bathroom?

Natural materials are your best allies in a Zen bathroom, whether it is for flooring, walls or furniture.

– Wood is the Zen material par excellence. It is available in many species and can be raw, painted, already varnished or oiled. It must always be treated to resist bathroom humidity unless it is an exotic wood that is naturally rotproof (teak, ipe, iroko, etc.).

– Bamboo is ideal as a floor covering, but also for furniture and decorative objects. Naturally resistant, bamboo absorbs moisture without deforming or moulding, it is also easy to maintain.

– The sea rush (aquatic plant of the grass family) is woven into a floor covering. Very resistant, insulating and perfectly adapted to humidity, it contributes to creating a zen and warm atmosphere.

– The pebble covering, which takes the form of slabs of different sizes and thicknesses, covers the floor and walls. In addition to massaging the soles of your feet, it gives your bathroom a 100% natural look.

Note: For wood, choose furniture with an FSC label, guaranteeing that it comes from a sustainably managed forest.

Furniture and sanitary facilities in a Zen bathroom

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Here again, it’s all about sobriety! Put aside too massive furniture and favor light wooden furniture, discreet and unadorned, which will allow you to store everything. A Zen bathroom is a place where everything is smartly and neatly arranged. If necessary, choose hanging furniture that visually lightens the space, frees up floor space and makes cleaning easier.

Sanitary equipment

On the sanitary side, an Italian shower, with its shower tray flush, is ideal. It also adopts natural materials and opens onto the bathroom. And if there is enough space, the bathtub can be installed in such a way to make it feel like on an island, without curtains in the bathroom to add a touch of charm. You can have green plants near the windows in the bathrooms to allow for privacy and discretion.

Good to know: Waterfall taps, which let water flow like a waterfall in the bathtub or basin, are perfect for a Zen bathroom.

Lighting and colors for a Zen bathroom

The lighting must be soft and dimmed. Place simple wall lights or discreet recessed spots in the corners of the room, always favoring indirect lighting. The only more direct touch of light will be the mirror, which is essential for hair, make-up, and shaving. Do not hesitate to choose a bright model, while remaining simple.

Decorative advice: vanilla candles will help to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Colors to be favored in a Zen bathroom

On the one hand, the Zen bathroom favors monochrome colors in light tones: white, grey, beige. Or pastel shades reminiscent of nature, such as green or blue. On the other hand, bright colors such as red or yellow are avoided.

The right decoration in a Zen bathroom

Accessories

If you can arrange here and there some decorations reminiscent of Zen influences, avoid the overflow of bibelots or decorative elements, contrary to the Zen spirit. Towel rails, soap dishes, trash cans, and other accessories will also be adorned with natural materials: wood, bamboo, etc.

The vegetation

To bring nature into a Zen bathroom, arrange a few moisture-loving green plants, such as fern, ivy or ficus. Plants provide a calming effect with their soothing green colors while providing fresh oxygen at the same time. Bonsai trees, for example, make a good choice and are often included in zen décor. However, avoid flowers that emanate too strong scents. And, if you won’t have enough time to water your decorative plants regularly, there are still artificial plants that imitate natural ones very well. The basic idea in the Zen attitude is to make the atmosphere feel light – the interior design should reflect balance, harmony, and relaxation even if you have recourse to some artificial plants.

The floor

White or any light-colored parquets will match the décor.

But also any massive wooden flooring is the safest choice the moment it matches the rest of the room. There is no defined rule when choosing your colors; you have to keep in mind that the overall setting is Zen.

You will find everything you need to equip a Zen bathroom in DIY and decoration stores, specialty stores and on the Internet. For more information and tips, jot down your comments in the section below.

Landscape Lighting: Let There Be Light

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Category : Home Renovation

No matter how well you planned your indoors and outdoors, the whole landscape design can completely fall apart if you didn’t include lighting in the planning process. When night falls and it’s time to turn on the lights, displeasure may set in when you find out that the fixtures you had placed are not highlighting the best features of your house and garden. From a soft glow of light along a pathway to a warmly lit patio, we all want our property to look mesmerizing to any passersby. Indeed, attention to even the smallest details can help create a sense of welcome and make your property stand out from the crowd.

Outdoor lightings are also commonly used for decorative purposes during the holiday season, such as for Halloween and Christmas. Regardless of when they are used, you have to make sure that your house, family, pets, and guests are safe from any electrical hazard. From the lights, the power cords and the controls, everything has to be done with safety as a priority. And this means no skimping on equipment and installation. Whether temporary or permanent, everything has to be up to code, including your contractor. The contractor has to be adequately qualified and respect all necessary guidelines.

Doing Outdoor Lighting the Safe Way

1. Use the right type of light bulbs

For longer-lasting light bulbs and ease of replacement, it would be advisable to use only outdoor-rated light bulbs. Even if you want to use LEDs, they should be outdoor rated.

2. Be careful when using decorative lights

Whether you are hanging some lighted pumpkins or icicles on your eaves, make sure that they are labeled for outdoor use. Ensure that nothing damages the wires of the temporary lighting strings and ornaments. You might want to avoid any ornament made with metal since metal is a conductor of electricity.

3. Weather-resistant receptacles are the way to go

Despite the special outdoors covers, the outdoor receptacles you have installed must be weather-resistant. They need to be able impervious to dampness, freezing, and heat for them to be truly safe.

4. Consider getting covers for damp and wet locations

Whether the outdoor receptacle is on your porch or your screened-in patio or in the open, you want to make sure it’s protected. If it’s covered by a roof you can choose to get a “trap door” cover that is suitable for damp locations, and if it isn’t under a roof get an “in-use” cover that will keep the receptacle​ and the plug dry.

Things to Take into Consideration When Planning

Outdoor spot or accent lighting fixtures are most commonly used to highlight the landscape design of homes. Whether you want to accent gorgeous towering trees, classical statuary or other striking elements in your garden, the perfect fixture, and bulb placed in just the right place can create the perfect effect. In addition to considering in-ground or well lights for trees, you can also take the following into account:

1. Creating safer walkways

Using outdoor lighting, you can not only make the walkways safer but can also make your guests feel very welcome. As with everything else associated with interior and exterior décor, there is a wide range of pathway lighting you can choose from. Whatever you choose, you want to make sure that they fit the style of your house and that they are not placed too close to each other.

2. Saving energy

In addition to protecting the environment, you may want to lower your energy bills. And what better way than to get solar lights? Solar path lights installed into the ground alongside a walkway or solar string lights hung over an outdoor area can gently illuminate the path or provide a warm ambient glow without heavily impacting your monthly bills.

3. Concealing unsightly fixtures

Although outdoor lights are meant to amp the look of your house, unattractive fixtures can easily mar the whole style. You can try using landscaping rocks to hide the fixtures so the lighting blends seamlessly with your outdoor environment.

Designs You Might Want to Consider

There are a lot of designs you can choose from:

1. Floodlights

Floodlights are perfect for large areas. Versatile, they can illuminate an entire area with just a flick of a button.

2. Star Floors

These are essentially lighting that run inconspicuously through the wooden floors of decks and patios. The flexible cables can be installed in the floor and will create a unique floor that has subdued, but mesmerizing, light.

3. String Lights

String lights are an easy, affordable way of enhancing the ambiance of your patio or courtyard. Draped from the ceiling or to the railings, string lights can easily complement your garden furniture and turn it into an enchanting oasis.

4. Twinkling Lighting

Twinkling lights can add mystery to an area or create a playful mystery. You can also get them installed around your pool if you have one.

Ways to Decorate an Attic Bedroom

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Category : Home Renovation

Attics are so much more than dusty old rooms that we forget that exist. After converting an attic into one of the most livable places in your house, there is the need to decorate it. As cozy as it can be, an attic bedroom does need some decoration to make it more lively and more interesting. If you have successfully turned your attic into a bedroom, then here are some ways to level up the decor and surprise people with something worth all the efforts.

1. Assess your space – Remember to measure every available nook and cranny in your attic space. Consider the measurements downstairs to your main living space and compare the numbers to the furniture so that you can get a clue to what might fit. Decide whether you want to have a queen bed or just a twin bed.

2. Embrace the beauty of the bedroom – Regarded as the coziest room that can be, an attic bedroom has a charm of its own. To make the room look more appealing, decorate it with something that represents you making it more personal and the ideal magical place to hang out.

3. Choose the colors – Various colors could help make the room look larger. If you had always believed that you must keep your smaller rooms painted white, then here is some interesting news for you. You can have color and still make the attic room feel larger by using colors which reflect equal brightness, or choosing a monochromatic color palette. So you can paint with all pale blue, or stick to high-intensity colors in the same range such as red and orange. Go for wallpapers for interest; it makes the room look more captivating.

4. Have storage with a built-in bed – Look for a bed that has storage for all the things you have. Such beds are comfortable and functional. Go for bigger beds for teens and grown-ups and place it under the highest part of the ceiling rather than under the eaves. It is better that you focus on the functionality of the room.

5. Let there be more light – Do not hesitate to use more white on the ceiling, walls, and floors. White paint helps the attic to look more lively and open. Make use of your creativity and imagination to make the room look good.

After renovating your attic to a bedroom, it is essential that you go for decorating it even though it does require some skill and vision to pull it off.

Steps into Converting an Attic into a Room

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Category : Home Renovation

Over the years, the unused attic has accumulated all dust possible, still a spooky place where you would not want to set feet, especially in the scorching summer heat. Well, what if I tell that you can turn that attic of yours into something so wonderful and livable that you will spend most of your time there! Intrigued! Good, then let’s get to business and give you the idea of how to turn your attic into a room for any guest or yourself. Get ready because here are the steps in doing so!

  1. Clear out the clutter – The first thing to do is to clear all the clutter that has been gathered over the years. Clutter is not appealing and can be quite risky when it comes with serious health risks. Ensure that you clean from wall to wall and from top to bottom. It depends on the amount of sterilization you would need in order to adjust the cleaning solution task. Do use some home cleaning remedies in attics that requires heavy-duty cleaning or better hire a professional cleaning company. Do check the insulation if it’s still in a usable state, then install a sub-flooring over it. If you find that the insulation loose or blown-in, then use an industrial vacuum to remove it.
  2. Check all the wiring – Once all the de-cluttering is done, time to check for the wires! Hire a licensed electrician to ensure that all wiring meets the code requirements. By hiring a professional, you can avoid many common problems that DIY homeowners come across most of the times.
  3. Make a plan – After cleaning and checking all the wires, the next thing to do is to make a layout of how you want the room to be, and you are going to decorate it, and the list is never-ending! It is important that you know the sizes and locations of everything you want to include before you start so you can plan accordingly. Do make sure that there is enough space in the attic to install the bed that you want up there. Measure the headroom in your attic, an attic room should measure 10.5 foot at the ridge line, and at least 50% of the finished space must be 7.5 foot tall or more.
  4. The furniture – Do consider the furniture that you are going to need in the room and decide what is taking too much space. As easy it is to get caught in over-accessorizing the room, you might want to do a ‘need and do not need’ list!
  5. Which color? – Choose a neutral color paint to update the look of the room so that it won’t look unappealing to the eyes. Go for neutral colors as it gives the room a universal appeal!
  6. Replace the stairs – If the stairs leading to the attic are a fold-down ladder or just old creaky stairs, then do change it.

Making A Statement with A Stylish Ceiling

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Category : Home Renovation

If like us, you had to borrow from the bank to purchase a house, you know how mortgage repayments take a considerable chunk out of your salary. What with moving in and furnishing, it can be years before you can truly have a home that’s to your taste. After spending a decade only repainting walls and ceiling, we’ve decided that is was high time to invest time and money to revive every room in our house. Well… Easier said than done.

We did want to start right away and get rid of those things we could barely stand but had to keep due to lack of funds. But renovating a house isn’t something that can be done haphazardly, especially not when you are on a budget! So, of course, we started with the living room. It’s the first thing people see when they walk in the door and it’s where we spend most of our time. And it’s not like there were no hiccups along the way! But we learned from our mistakes and we are ready to share a few tips with you. Since we were tired of changing only the wall color, we decided the overhaul the whole room. Keep on reading if you want more details.

The house we bought came with an atrocious popcorn ceiling. Not only is it hard to clean, but it is also difficult to paint over and even more difficult to repair if broken. So, it was the first thing I had gone when we first moved in. The worst part though was that our popcorn ceiling was painted over. I cannot overstate how long it took us to get rid of that and paint it over! And when we finally had the budget to change the ceiling? Well, suffice to say we went to various contractors and spent hours looking at and debating over the many types of ceiling more than was really necessary. From suspended ceilings to tray ceilings and coffered ceilings, we saw everything! And although we initially wanted a tray ceiling, we just had to come to grips with the reality that it just didn’t fit the layout of our living room and would unnecessarily complicate matters for us.

So, we settled for what we considered to be the next best thing: stretch ceiling. We wanted something that would bring a certain flair to the living room, would be durable and that would also be flexible. We could pick from 3D patterned shapes to glossy colors, add in lighting, backlight surfaces and acoustic solutions. What’s not to like! Since we knew that not everything always goes exactly according to plan, we chose not to take another gamble with the ceiling. Hence, we didn’t skimp on quality and chose not to just go for the lowest bid. Ceilings are meant to be a long-term investment after all! After doing some digging around, we chose Melbourne Ceilings to help us out with our project. And my opinion on the finished product? Loved it! It visually enlarged the space and was completed within a few hours with absolutely no mess left for us to clean up!

The other major things left to tackle were flooring and windows. Considering the commitment that windows represent, we believe it deserves a blog post of its own. When it came to flooring though, it was an easy choice. The house came with carpets, and while we managed to keep them clean and as stain-free as possible, we wanted something that doesn’t require constant attention. Carpets are just too hard to maintain – without constant vacuuming they quickly start to look dingy and dirty. We all know that! And despite tiles being easier to clean, we knew the installation process would be above our budget and very time-consuming. Which means we were left with floorboards. Although the hardwood floor we had installed does not absorb noise like carpet did and is more scratch-prone, it is easier to clean and is relatively easy to repair.

Once these were sorted out, we were left with choosing the wall color. Obviously, we couldn’t just go for a color we both liked. We had to pick a color that would not only work in that specific room and but one that wouldn’t clash with our existing furniture and the new items we planned on adding to the living room. Keeping a few old furniture facilitated this stage to some extent as it meant that the first step to picking a color would involve working around those items. Since some of our focal pieces were shades of yellow, we wanted a more neutral color to contrast with the bold color of the accent pieces. We also wanted the room to look larger and brighter while also having a relaxed atmosphere. And there’s one color that can suit just about any room, mood, and setting while also lending a sense of trendiness to a room. Yep, you guessed it! We went grey and we don’t regret it.

Residential and Commercial Roofing

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Category : Home Renovation

It can be quite difficult to choose the perfect type of roofing for your retrofitting, new house or commercial buildings.

We have so many choices out there nowadays that you might be wondering as to which is the right one for home or commercial buildings! The roofing options that are available will certainly help you find an effective way to cover your home or commercial buildings.

For residential roofs, Ceramic Tiles, Asphalt, Wood, Slates and so on, have proven to be appropriate with Asphalt being the most common one. As for commercial buildings, the most appropriate roofing can be Built-Up Roofing (BUR) Membrane, Modified Bitumen Roofing, Thermoset (EPDM) Roof Membrane, Thermoplastic (PVC & TPO) Roof Membrane, among others.

Below are some of the most common roofing types along with their advantages:

Asphalt Shingles

  • Fiberglass Shingles–They are made of a fiberglass-base mat, layered with a waterproof coating, and topped with ceramic granules reflecting UV rays.
  • Organic Shingles–Organic shingles are initially made of wood chips, rags, recycled cardboard, or paper. They also have a layer of asphalt to make them waterproof.
  • Three-Tab Shingles–These are shingles with cutouts running along the bottom edge and they are less expensive.
  • Architectural Shingles–They aren’t made with cutouts and aren’t recommended for low slope roofs.
Architectural Shingles

Tiles

  • Tile Shingles–Perfect if you are looking for stylish roofing. Often used on colonial Spanish or Mediterranean style properties.
  • Ceramic Tiles–Generally durable, fireproof, fade resistant and can last up to 50+ years.
  • Slate Tiles–Most appropriate if you wish to have sophisticated roofing material for an upscale home (Fire resistant with an expected life of 100 years)

Wood Shakes/Shingles or Cedar Shingles

Wood Shakes

Wood Shakes

• The price is more affordable than other shingles and expensive tiles.
• Durable and more green-friendly, if constructed from recycled or harvested wood.
• The materials produce a minimal impact on the quality of water runoff with a lifetime of 30+ years.

Cedar Shingles

  • Cedar shingles are well grounded and ideal for homeowners wishing for long-lasting roofs.
  • Recommended for sunny and hot regions as they are UV damage resistant.
  • These shingles can easily tolerate extreme weather conditions.

Metal Roofing

  •  This is becoming more achievable nowadays, as they are more environmentally friendly and less costly.
  •  One important factor to be considered about Metal Roofing is that it can at times be quite noisy whenever it is raining. If you don’t take good care of the metal roof, inconveniences such as loose nails, rusted patches, leaks, and moisture may arise.

However, on an ending note, out of the several roofing methods mentioned above, Metal Roofing is said to be appropriate for both residential and commercial building roofs.

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