A new bathroom remodel should be fashionable, comfortable and practical in use.  One of the big differences with a bathroom remodel is the amount of moisture that the bathroom fixtures, accessories, furniture and walls must absorb.  It is essential that a bathroom is built with durable materials that are intended to withstand the humidity of a bathroom.  Look for a design that won’t shortly be outdated and will compliment your home.

Start your plan by thinking about your new bathroom.

Start off by really thinking about who will use the bathroom and how they will use it.  Is it for guests or for you and your family?  Will more than one person be using the bathroom at the same time?  Will you want to use the bathroom to get ready in the morning?  if so what should it include?  If the bathroom is going to be used for kids think about how their use will change as they get older – n how they will get bigger.   Let the use of the bathroom help you decide how you will proceed and what to prioritize.  After you have a good idea of the uses for the bathroom, you will have to compare them with the limitation s of the cost of the bathroom remodel and the space that you have available for your new bathroom. Taking a few moments to answer these questions before you start will help you get the bathroom that you really need and want.

A good tip for getting started is to put your ideas down on paper first. Once you’ve designed your ideal bathroom, set yourself up with a budget. Make sure to include costs for contractors, electricians and plumbers.  If you know the basic cost of things, you can be sure to not get taken advantage of when the time comes for estimates and once the work begins.  The next step is to get some information from the experts.  Start with online resources like this article then request a free home improvement design and estimate from a local home improvement pro.

Picking bathroom remodel building materials

 

 

 

 

 

A great variety of finishing materials – tiles, fluid glass, marble, wood, terracotta for example offer you a dizzying variety of designing possibilities.  However your choose to design your bathroom if should compliment the overall design of the home.  A country style bathroom in a contemporary home may not mix so well.  Your new bathroom’s color palate can go a long way to achieve your design objectives.  You can make your bathroom appear wider by painting walls on the opposite side of  light colors with a hue of grey.  You can also do this for ceilings.  You can also use border laid in certain directions to create a similar effect against bright colored tiles and contrasting colors.  For smaller bathrooms, you can use light, unsaturated colors to add openness.  Bathroom walls decoration of different colors will visually diminish a big bathroom space, making it more cozy.  Beige, pink, copper and mahogany tints can create a relaxing bathroom. Brighter colors and hues tend to energize the space if you mainly use the bathroom in the morning.

Getting your bathroom fixtures

 

 

 

 

 

Before purchasing a new faucet, toilet, vanity, shower, tub etc.  Look up pictures and if possible try them out.  You will be spending years using these fixtures.  It is best to test them first and make sure that they will suit your real bathroom needs.  There is not use putting in a spa tub if you really are not going to use it, and is there anything worse then an uncomfortable toilet?

Whatever the size of your particular bathroom undertaking might be, keep in mind that there’s probably going to be some degree of a mess and stress. But try to stay focused on the result because it end up being so rewarding and something that you will enjoy for a long time to come.

 

 

The bedroom is the place we spend most of our time, yet also tends to be the most neglected when it comes to decorating. Nowadays, money may be a significant factor! Here are some great tips for brightening up your space with no money at all!

1.Rearrange! A new fresh arrangement always makes a room feel new. Don’t be afraid to try new angles for your furniture…place your bed on a diagonal, or even right in the middle of the room!

2. Search your drawers for scarves, tablecloths, or even pillowcases that compliment your color scheme. You can use things you already own to soften a dresser top or the edge of your nightstand, or perhaps lay a pretty shawl over the foot of the bed. If you already have throw pillows on your bed (if you don’t, it’s time to steal them from another room!) you can also wrap these fabrics around the pillows for a new look, and just safety pin it in back.

3. Add a plant to your room. Look around your house to see if one of your existing plants would be happier in your bedroom, then move it there! If you can’t find a plant ready for relocation, make one! Many plants can be grown from cuttings, either your existing houseplants, one a friend may let you cut, or even some outdoor plants. Ivy and many shade groundcovers are very good houseplants. You can even relive your childhood a bit and grow a cut potato, pineapple, or carrot tops in a pinch! For containers, look into your kitchen cupboards. Old teapots and cups, glass bowls, even baking dishes can make unique containers.

4. Add memorabilia to your room. I keep a photo of each one of my children when they were small next to my bedside, and it always makes me smile. How about hanging your wedding veil from the headboard, or framing your wedding invitation or old love letters?

5.Add scent. If you don’t have any potpourri or incense in the house, cut up some orange peels and allow to dry, then mix with whatever sweet spices you have in your cupboard. (It only takes a pinch, try cinnamon, ginger, or allspice.) Place your potpourri in an open bowl in your room to freshen and inspire! Later in the summer, make sure to include flowers in your room, if you don’t have roses or other scented flowers in your yard, roadside daisies can smell great too!

Just a few small changes, no money involved, and a better, more positive place for you to start and end each day!

 

The kitchen countertop has to be able to take a lot of abuse including the heat of pots, cutting and knives and abrasive cleansers. The ideal countertop should be able to stand up to heat and the sharp edge of a knife.

Let us take a look at 7 of the most popular kitchen countertop materials being used today:

Granite – A natural stone, granite is a popular choice for it’s classic beauty and durability. Granite is the hardest and densest of the natural stones. It can create a kitchen countertop that is extremely scratch resistant and can keep its luster longer than most materials. granite slabs are the most expensive of all kitchen countertop surfaces, although it is still considered a very practical material in that it is virtually indestructible.

Marble Another natural stone, marble is considered to be the height of elegance and will last longer than most kitchens. It is however, is very expensive and requires some care: acidic foods such as orange juice will etch the finished surface of a marble kitchen countertop.

Slate Because of it richness and beauty slate is usually used in interior applications such as kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks or fireplace surrounds. It can be used in either modern or traditional kitchens as well as in combination with marble. Slate is durable, strong, and can withstand hard use. It is less expensive than marble

Concrete This is one of the biggest trends in kitchen countertops today. It is a good look for clean, industrial and contemporary kitchen designs. Available in pre formed sections or poured and formed on-site. Concrete is a good material for unusually shaped counters. Concrete kitchen countertopsare expensive, require a sealant and must be treated with care. The countertop can crack if the concrete should contract. Concrete can be stained any color. The most popular color is a natural gray tone. The top layer can be finished as desired.

Corian A solid surface material that first became popular in the 1990’s It is highly recommended by kitchen countertop experts. It is a totally manmade product and is not porous. As a solid surface it can easily be repaired if scratched or burned.

Stainless Steel Advantages include very hygienic, easy to clean, has ability to stand up to exteme wear and heat. Stainless steel can provide a great look for an ultra modern kitchen. Some disadvantages with stainless is that it can be noisy and that scratches can develop.

Tile Tile surfaces can be tough, hard-wearing, takes hot pans, heat and stain resistant as well as beautiful. There are many types of tiles including ceramic, porcelain, quarry, glass, natural stone and mosiac. Available in many colors, sizes and textures. It has good design flexibility. Tile can often be used for trim or backsplashes. The downside of tile is that the grouts can be easily stained. Also the tiles can become chipped or cracked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Popular Kitchen Designs

The kitchen is one of the most used areas in your house. To avoid frustration you need to spend some quality time in the design of your new kitchen to ensure it fully meets your needs.  If you are looking to install a new kitchen into your home then you will find that there is a bewildering choice of free kitchen design ideas you could choose from to feed your own design plans.

Together with the bathroom the kitchen is the most important room in the house to get right in design terms. Aside from the hall the kitchen receives the highest amount of foot traffic in the home. Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, especially families and if something is not right it will bug you every time you look at it.

I recommend you spend considerable time looking for free kitchen design ideas before you approach a kitchen design contractor or store. That way you will have a much more focused idea of what you are looking

for and are more likely to encourage the salesperson to offer you a special deal. They will see you as a serious prospect who has spent time creating a strong vision and knows what they require.  Design ideas can be found in many places such as house and home magazines, kitchen showrooms, diy stores, kitchen web sites and friends’ houses.

You should be able to formulate at least two or three design ideas using these methods.

In the meantime here is a list of 5 popular kitchen styles that you can investigate to get you started:

Country Style kitchen

This style is also called early american or colonial and creates a lovely quaint farm kitchen look.  Typically the kitchen will feature open shelves, pot racks and a general feeling of being well lived in, accented by the various color schemes of the cabinetry.

 

 

 

 

 

More pictures of country kitchen style kitchen remodels.

Contemporary kitchen style

This style has clean and simple lines. Cabinets are usually futuristic in look with no carvings or particularly ornate features.  The emphasis is on style and practical sophistication.

 

 

 

 

 

More pictures of  contemporary kitchen style kitchen remodels.

Shaker kitchen style

This is a simple and utilitarian style that features flat panel doors, wooden countertops and brass hardware.

 

 

 

 

 

More pictures of  shaker style kitchen remodels.

French Country kitchen style

French Country kitchens are known to be warm inviting kitchens full of wood and soft colors. Natural materials feature strongly as do large furniture pieces with ornate carvings.

 

 

 

 

 

More pictures of French country kitchen style kitchen remodels.

Arts and Crafts style kitchen

This is becoming a popular style and features glass doors and natural wood tones that are finished in a matte sheen. This style can be very artistic. Finally, take into account the themes you have used in other rooms to ensure that the kitchen design you finally choose fits well into your overall scheme.

 

 

 

 

 

More pictures of  arts and crafts kitchen style kitchen remodels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vinyl Siding is an excellent way to spruce up your home’s exterior.

Vinyl Siding is an excellent way to spruce up your home’s exterior, and this easy home improvement can dramatically increase the value of your home.  Vinyl siding is often a great option for a variety of reasons. Exterior siding generally has a high curb appeal, does not require painting or repainting and you get a consistent color and look for your home. Siding is very durable. It is impervious to water.  Vinyl siding waterproofs the home and saves you the hassle of having to worry about water damage and checking for leaks.

Vinyl siding is a great value.

Vinyl siding is one the best investments that you can make improving your home.  According to Remodeling magazine, homeowners increase the value of their home by about 95% of the cost of the vinyl siding when they install new vinyl siding on their home.  Costs for vinyl siding can vary depending on the brand, style, and color of the siding that is chosen so that will certainly impact the value increase.

Vinyl siding is energy efficient saving you money.

Properly installed vinyl siding is an excellent insulator to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  This often means lower heating bills in the winter and lower cooling bills in the summer.  It is estimated that vinyl siding could save a homeowner hundreds of dollars in energy bills over the life of the product.  Some manufacturers even state that vinyl siding can save you up to 20 percent off your home heating and cooling costs.

Vinyl siding is easy to maintain.

Siding is basically maintenance free.  Once it is installed, you do not need to do touch ups or make any special arrangements for hot or cold weather.  Keeping your siding clean is as easy as washing it down with water at a high pressure.  While you paint may fade, vinyl siding is fade resistant, requiring less maintenance on your part and an overall better look for your home. Vinyl siding also will not rot, peel, dent, or show scratches which means that you can enjoy a bright, clean-looking exterior every day for years. If it does get a bit dirty, you can power wash it with soap and water, a very easy and inexpensive process when compared to special treatments required for some other exteriors.

Vinyl siding matches your aesthetics and enhance your home

There are a huge variety of styles and colors to choose from in vinyl siding. Some sidings are bold and modern; others can make your home look authentically original with heritage designs that emulate old-style wood paneling. Siding also comes in as wide a range of colors as you can imagine, which means that you can give your home a totally new distinctive look, or simply restore some of its old charm.

Vinyl siding increases your home’s curb appeal

Installing vinyl siding is a home improvement project that can really add value to your home. Because buyers need not worry about maintenance, cracking stucco, rotting wood, or any of the other hassles that come with alternative products, they are more likely to buy a home with vinyl siding. Many buyers specify that they want a home with vinyl siding when they are house-hunting, so installing vinyl siding can also give you an edge in the market.

Vinyl siding comes with valuable warranties

Not only does vinyl siding bring with it all these benefits, but many manufacturers of vinyl siding will also offer a lifetime warranty on their product. Vinyl siding is so durable and easy to maintain, and manufacturers so sure of their product, that they offer replacements for any defects over the lifetime of the siding. This is an impressive commitment that shows the level of quality and performance you can expect from your vinyl siding.

Vinyl siding creates a clean finish that works well with any style of home. You can save money, time and hassle over a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for requesting a free vinyl window estimate and design.

Why you received an updated estimate and design offer:

Thank you for requesting a vinyl window remodel quote from our local window replacement remodel pros. we contacted you because you requested another home improvement estimate request from us in the past. Visit our site to update your project info.

To cancel your free estimate and design request please send us a cancel request or call us at (800) 280-7665 ext 709.

The kitchen is one of the most used areas in your house. To avoid frustration you need to spend some quality time in the design of your new kitchen to ensure it fully meets your needs.  If you are looking to install a new kitchen into your home then you will find that there is a bewildering choice of free kitchen design ideas you could choose from to feed your own design plans.

Together with the bathroom, the kitchen is the most important room in the house to get right in design terms. Aside from the hall the kitchen receives the highest amount of foot traffic in the home. Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, especially families and if something is not right it will bug you every time you look at it.

Here is all you need to know about vinyl window replacement.

Why replace your windows?

In addition to updating the inside and outside appeal of you home, older windows start to deteriorate and leak.  At one time your windows  may have been well sealed, but over time caulking flakes away and allows water to seep in. When water gets into the wood it expands and can rot, leaving spaces though which water and air can get into the house. Basically you have an aesthetic nightmare as well as horribly inefficient insulation against the elements. Vinyl replacement windows take care of it all. They will never rot or warp. There is no paint to peel.  The only maintenance  is cleaning which is generally a lot easier with the newer window technology.

Window options

Whether you want to replace your cold, drafty windows or simply want to enhance the overall appearance of your home, replacing your windows is one of the best home improvement projects for the money.

Modern replacement windows come in many shapes, sizes, and styles to match your home.  The four main types of replacement windows are replacement windows and bay windows, skylights,  sliding doors and sliders for sunroom and enclosed decks.

One of the first things to consider is how you want to open your windows.   Choices include:

Casement windows with vertical hinges that swing in or out by winding a handle:

 

 

 

 

 

Double or single hung types made of two cases that slide up and down:

 

 

 

 

 

Sliding windows that move horizontally:

 

 

 

 

 

Plain fixed form windows that don’t open at all, but let the light come in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vinyl windows

Vinyl windows are a popular and economical alternative to aluminum, wood, and fiberglass, because they are energy efficient, easy to install, and effortless to maintain. Made from plastic they provide a superb degree of insulation. They require practically no maintenance because their durable surfaces are already stained, finished, and sealed. The exterior casing of vinyl windows doesn’t fade or wear making them far more durable than aluminum or wood.

Vinyl windows are inexpensive, durable, and remarkably energy efficient. Early vinyl windows had problems with thermal expansion. When temperatures changed, the vinyl sash would expand or contract at a very different rate from the glass. As a result, the window fit poorly, leaked, or cracked. Such problems have been on the decline, because modern vinyl is more durable and dimensionally stable than the materials that were used 15 or 20 years ago. Vinyl is also commonly used as…

Vinyl windows are inexpensive, durable, and remarkably energy efficient.

Some of the best qualities of vinyl windows are:

1. Vinyl windows are an exceptionally energy-efficient window. Replacing your home’s old wood or metal windows with new vinyl replacement windows can reduce your heating and cooling cost.  An average home may lose 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy through its windows. Energy-efficient windows save money each and every month. Plus, you’ll be more comfortable the whole while you live with them. In this day and age of saving on energy costs, you really can’t go wrong with replacing the windows in your home.

2. Vinyl windows are extremely durable.

3. Although they cannot be painted, vinyl windows are available in a variety of colors to match the exterior of your home.

4. Vinyl windows do not corrode and are maintenance free.

5. Vinyl replacement windows are available in a wide range of styles and shapes.

6. Offered in a wide range of prices, relatively inexpensive compared to wood.

While shopping for replacement windows, visit many showrooms and make sure that the window is easy for you to open, close and clean. Compare the energy efficiency of each brand and style of window. Get a copy of the warranty before making your purchase and understand all the details.

Double glazed windows and triple

glazed windows

 

 

 

 

 

Picking the right windows and doors will drastically change the look of your house.  Should you pick glazed windows and doors?  Generally double glazed windows are energy efficient, attractive and add security to your home.  Double glazing can cut your heat loss to half.  Double glazing means two panes of glass placed very close to each other trapping air in between the two panes. Double glazing also decreases the noise level from outside and eliminates internal condensation.  For the purpose of energy efficiency, you can go in for triple-pane windows that have three pieces of glass with layers of air between them. Air absorbs heat and cold much better than glass. You can further reduce air conditioning and heating costs if you replace the air with a gas called argon.  The prices and quality for double pane windows can vary drastically. Request free window quotes from several home improvement companies and review the different options.  When deciding the best deal consider the price difference from a quality, feature, look, maintenance, warranty and service perspective.

Some of the question you should ask are:

1) What services are included with the windows?

2) Are they an authorized dealer, what is the warranty from the manufacturer and the dealer? Who services the warranty if something goes wrong?

3) Do they have a list of references and can you drive by one of their previous jobs to see their work first hand?

Get free home improvement estimates and designs from local home improvement pros.

Arts and Crafts

This is becoming a popular style and features glass doors and natural wood tones that are finished in a matte sheen. This style can be very artistic. Finally, take into account the themes you have used in other rooms to ensure that the kitchen design you finally choose fits well into your overall scheme.

 Pictures of arts and crafts kitchen style kitchen remodels

 

Thanks for requesting a free bathroom remodel estimate and design.

Why you received an updated estimate and design offer:

Thank you for requesting a free bathroom remodel quote from our local bathroom remodel pros. we contacted you because you requested another home improvement estimate request from us in the past.  Visit our site to update your project info.

To cancel your free estimate and design request please send us a cancel request or call us at (800) 280-7665 ext 709.

The kitchen is one of the most used areas in your house. To avoid frustration you need to spend some quality time in the design of your new kitchen to ensure it fully meets your needs. If you are looking to install a new kitchen into your home then you will find that there is a bewildering choice of free kitchen design ideas you could choose from to feed your own design plans.

Together with the bathroom, the kitchen is the most important room in the house to get right in design terms. Aside from the hall the kitchen receives the highest amount of foot traffic in the home. Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, especially families and if something is not right it will bug you every time you look at it.

 

A new bathroom or bathroom remodel is one of the best home improvement investments that you can make in your home.

Start your plan by thinking about your new bathroom.

French Country style kitchens

French Country kitchens are known to be warm inviting kitchens full of wood and soft colors. Natural materials feature strongly as do large furniture pieces with ornate carvings. Parlez-vous Françes? Don’t worry – you don’t need to speak French in order to enjoy the bright, comfortable and classic style of French Country in your home. From weathered walls to wide wooden tables, it is not hard to achieve the French Country look using the following guidelines.

French Country style is well-used, worn-in, imperfect but beautiful architectural, furniture and accessories. French Country style kitchens include lines of cracked wood beams, curved panels, hand-carved decorations and stone or exposed brick. Other French Country features include shutters thin window sills, and striped fabrics.  Rustic furniture is also part of French Country style.Tables are often oversized rectangle or round and wooden.

Pictures of French country kitchen style kitchen remodels