Are you putting your home up for sale? One of the best ways to increase its value is to make improvements to the kitchen and bathroom. Not only will they make your home more appealing, they deliver an exceptional ROI.
A well-landscaped yard creates a warm and inviting area for your guests. For greater visual appeal, create walkways or seating areas using fieldstones, mulch, or a mixture of the two.
If you're installing sub-flooring or roof decking, Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a great option. It performs as well as exterior grade plywood, but at a fraction of the cost.
FYI: Drywall and sheetrock are the same product. Drywall is plaster made from gypsum (with a few additives and then processed) sandwiched between two layers of paper. Sheetrock is a brand name for the product.
Directing water away from the foundation of your home or building is important for its stability. Even if the site is properly graded, roof run-off can still attack it. When you're installing gutters be sure to add a splash block to the bottom of the downspout.
Treated lumber is perfect for outdoor home improvement projects and kits of pre-cut lumber for decks, patios, furniture and play sets are available that make assembly easy and with minimal waste.
Copper tubing for plumbing is 5/8” in diameter, and is available in two thicknesses: M and L. M is the thinner of the two and is acceptable for interior applications well-removed from the chance of freezing. If there's even a remote possibility that the water in the pipes could freeze, choose L.
When all things are equal (quality of materials, surface preparation, condition of siding, etc.), paint provides longer protection for siding than stain does. When properly applied, paint can last for seven to nine years.
When working on a home improvement project that requires screws and screwdrivers, make sure you have the right equipment. Different screws have different applications, and their heads have different sizes and configurations. Match the tool to the fastener.
Inspect your driveway for cracks and other signs of damage. Concrete driveways should be cleaned and cracks repaired using an epoxy patching material. Asphalt driveways require an asphalt patching material and should be sealed every two years.
Make sure that your roof is properly insulated as a lack of it can lead to extremes of heat and cold over the course of a year and wreak havoc on the structure of the roof.
When buying brick for outdoor or exterior use, select SW (severe weather) or MW (moderate weather) materials. Those with an NW rating (no weather) are for interior use only.
A decorative paving stone curb will deliver the perfect finishing touch to your swimming pool. Not only does it help to define its boundaries, it will keep grass from encroaching on the decking area.
Removing faucets and sinks goes much faster and is easier to do when you use a basin wrench. This odd-looking cousin to slip joint pliers is designed for the tight spaces and odd configurations of faucet-to-basin connections.
When planning home improvements, choose projects that not only enhance your home's appearance, but its resistance to disasters as well. For example, choose roofing materials that are rated for wind- fire- and impact-resistance.
Inspect your roof regularly. If you can see it from the ground, look for popped nails and broken, curled or missing shingles. If you must use a ladder, make sure to have someone to hold it in place when you climb up.
Installing new shutters? Vinyl coated shutters have the light weight and durability of wood but they need less maintenance – especially painting. Simply spray them off periodically to remove loose dirt and dust.
If you're arranging for new window installation, consider being orientation-specific with them. Put those with the greatest insulating capabilities on the sides of the house that receive the greatest sunlight exposure to help manage energy costs.
Double-pane windows with argon or krypton gas between the panes provide exceptional insulating properties. The gas inhibits heat loss through the air space between the panes by reducing convection, keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
If you're concerned about security, many models of storm doors and windows are fitted with protective grills. To hide their utilitarian nature, they are available in a number of decorative designs, colors, and materials.
Before cold weather arrives, look around your home and look for any exposed water pipes. If you find any, they will need to be insulated to help prevent against freezing and bursting. Call us to take care of the issue.
For wall-to-wall carpeting, most products are manufactured from four basic materials: nylon, olefin (polypropylene), PET polyester, and PTT polyester. Though each has its pluses and minuses, any well-made carpet, regardless of material, will perform well.
