Friday 30 September 2016

Seeking Design Inspiration Around the City of Light

Recently, I've learned that sometimes it's good to break old habits. After many years — OK, decades... Read more

Benefits of Adding a Room to Your Home


Have you ever wondered if it’s worth the time and expense to take on a home addition project? While it can be a significant investment, there are many advantages to adding room to your home.

More Space

Not only will adding spaceto your home give you and your family more living areasto enjoy, but there will be room for additional family members as well. Many people are choosing to move back home following college, and it's also common to have aging parents move into your home. The right home addition can give the extra family members room to feel at home without encroaching on your personal living areas.

Rental Income

Even if you don't have family members moving in right away, adding a separate apartment space or guest suite gives you the option to rent it out for additional income.

Value

Expanding the size of your house can greatly increase your home's value as well as your equity. Even just adding a bedroom or a bathroom means you can count on a higher sales price if you choose to sell your home, and if you complete a larger project, chances are the increased equity on your home investment will offset the entire cost of the project.

There are many benefits to expanding your home and adding a room or suite. Visit this website to learn more about room additions in Carlsbad.

3 Types of Decorate Concrete That Can Spruce Up Your Backyard


If you're wondering how to add more style and pizzazz to your yard, you may want to consider decorative concrete. Concrete doesn't require any maintenance and can add style and functionality to your outdoor space. Here are three types of decorative concrete to consider.

1. Trowel on

In this option, a professional adds a textured finish to the top of regular concrete. The texture is created by using a trowel to create an artistic pattern in a thin layer of wear resistant cement on the top of the concrete. This is a traditional style that works well with old world architectural designs.

2. Acid Stain

Acid stains are quick and easy to apply to concrete and simply enhance the look of the concrete itself rather than covering it up with color or texture. An acid stain finish is colorful and glossy for a stylish industrial look.

3. Stamped Overlay

Stamped concrete is also very popular. You can either pour new concrete and stamp it as it dries, or add a thin layer of stamped concrete over an existing surface. There are several colors and patterns for stamped concrete that look like pavers, natural stone or bricks.

Adding decorative concrete to your outdoor space can increase both style and functionality. If you want to learn more about decorative concrete in San Diego, visit this website.

Creating Sitting Areas

When you’re expanding your living space into the outdoors, you need to use similar elements that you would in your family room. You can create a seating area around an outdoor fireplace on top of beautiful stamped concrete.

4 Reasons to Hire a Home Contractor


If you're thinking about a home improvement project, you may be wondering if it's worth the expense to hire a home contractor. Even if you like the though of a DIY project, there are many benefits to hiring a professional.

1. Expertise

Professional home contractors have specialized training and experience working on home improvement projects. You can benefit from that knowledge without having to learn everything yourself.

2. Time

In the vast majority of cases, DIY projects end up taking far longer than originally planned. When you hire a professional, you'll be getting his or her dedicated time. In general, it will save a significant amount of over doing the work yourself.

3. Cost

Another common myth about DIY projects is that they'll cost less when you do the labor yourself. However, this usually isn't the case. By the time you factor in paying retail prices for the materials and your own time to learn and complete the task, it’s usually less expensive to hire a professional.

4. Satisfaction

A professional contractor is relying your satisfaction with the project and many companies have guarantees in place to ensure they meet your expectations. If a DIY job doesn't go as planned, there isn't any recourse.

There are many advantages to hiring a professional for your home improvement project. To learn more about a home contractor in Poway, visit this website.

Two Signs you Need to Remodel Your Home


You love your home and have no plans of selling it or moving out. That doesn’t mean that your home should look the same as it did the day you moved in. In fact, doing some light remodeling is common as your tastes change. But did you know that there are other reasons your home may need remodeled that have nothing to do with how it looks? Read some of the top signs you may need to remodel your home to see if any sound like you.

Changing Family Size

When you moved in your home, it was you and your spouse and maybe a pet or two. Now that you’ve started a family, that cozy two bedroom is starting to feel more like a circus clown car. If your family has grown significantly since you purchased your home, you may need to consider a remodel to accommodate your need for more space.

If there is Structural Damage

If your home has suffered damage due to a natural disaster, pests or from wear over time, you may need to remodel. Assess how extensive the damage to your home is and come up with a plan to restore your home and keep your family safe. Remember, a home with severe structural damage isn’t safe for you or your family so you need to make repairs as soon as possible.

If these scenarios sound like you, it may be time to remodel your home. To find a home contractor in Poway, check out this website.

How to Design a Backyard That Feels Like a Private Paradise

While you could invest in a vacation to the beach or the mountains, there's something to be said for creating... Read more

The Importance of Foundation Repair

In order to keep your home in good condition, you must maintain an upkeep schedule which includes painting, landscaping and routine repairs. You should also make sure your foundation is in good condition by doing routine inspections and making repairs as needed. Having a good foundation is vital to the structure of your home. Read the following benefits, which highlight the importance of foundation repair.

Minimizes Further Damage

Over time, your foundation will shift and settle with the rest of your home. It may even cause small problems like cracks and moisture damage. If you don’t catch problems in their early stages to minimize damage and keep it from spreading, you may end up with a much bigger, more expensive problem and extensive repairs.

Helps the Home’s Value

When a potential home buyer comes to look at your home, they’ll likely have it inspected before agreeing to purchase and if they find out their new dream home needs a lot of work it could scare them off the purchase. Keeping your foundation in solid shape will maintain its market value.

Prevents Secondary Damage

When foundations crack or sag, it may lead to other problems with your home like cracked walls or uneven floors. Leaving issues with your foundation to spread to the rest of your home will add up in other costly repairs. Avoid this by tacking foundation issues as soon as you notice them.

These are just a few of the benefits of keeping your foundation in good condition. To learn more about foundation repair in Poway, visit this website.

Why You Should Hire a Contractor for Your Dream Patio

If you're thinking about adding a patio to your home, there are several advantages to hiring a professional contractor to complete the work.

Perfect Planning

Adding a patio to your yard doesn't only affect the outdoor space but impacts the home as well in terms of doors and windows. There are also structural considerations such as drainage, electrical wiring for outdoor lights and potential additions to the roof. An expert contractor can help you decide on the perfect design for your new patio.

Quick Completion

Many people find that projects are completed more quickly by a contractor than in DIY situations. Especially if you live in an area with harsh winters, hiring a professional means you get to enjoy your new outdoor space before the cold weather arrives.

Affordability

While many people think that hiring a contractor is more expensive that doing the work themselves, in many cases it's simply not true. In a DIY project, you have to factor in the cost of your time, the retail prices of all your materials and the potential for mistakes. In most cases, it's actually more cost effective to hire a professional.

A new outdoor patio can add living space and make your yard more enjoyable. Hiring a contractor ensures a beautiful design and is usually more cost effective than doing the work yourself. To learn more about installing a concrete patio in Carlsbad, visit this website.


Thursday 29 September 2016

Picturesque Roof

This roof looks like something you might see out of a history book. When you want a more rustic aesthetic for your home, talk to your roofing contractor to see what material is most suitable.



4 Benefits of Duro-Last Roofing

Duro-Last roofing is a grade above other roofing materials. You need to be certain the roofers you hire are authorized to install Duro-Last. If they are, then there are some outstanding benefits you can get.

1. Simple to Install

For Duro-Last roofing, most of the material is already assembled before it even arrives on your property. This allows the roofers to install it effortlessly, and with a great installation, it will remain viable for decades.

2. Little Maintenance

There are not special treatments you need to constantly get with Duro-Last. Routine cleanings often do the job just fine. This also saves you money in the future on expensive maintenance and repair jobs.

3. Weather Resistant

This advantage is especially important if you live in an area that is prone to rainfall or high winds. Duro-Last is built to last. It will not develop leaks easily, and winds are not going to knock it off your building.

4. Custom Fabrication

There should never be one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to a roof. The roof you get should fit perfectly over your building, and with Duro-Last, the material can be fabricated in a variety of manners.

Duro-Last is a system you can trust to be durable, reliable and energy efficient. Look into getting Duro-Last roofing in San Antonio by going to this website.

Reasons to Install Shingle Roofing for Your Home

Shingles are a common roofing material. Many homeowners are concerned about getting shingles because they are worried about the shingles falling off within a couple years. Those concerns are unfounded, and there are many reasons why it is good to install shingles.

Aesthetic

The first reason is simply the fact that shingles look nice. They are a classic material, and depending on what decade your house was built, they can really make the property stand out. Additionally, shingles can come in a variety of colors, so you can get the perfect type for your house.

Long-Lasting

High winds and heavy rains are no match for shingles. This material is able to stand tough among the harshest weather conditions. They can even be exposed to extreme heat and never lose their aesthetic.

Affordable

You need to plan out your budget before agreeing to any type of roofing material. Fortunately, shingles are probably the most affordable material out there. While you want to be mindful of getting something too cheap, shingles are often priced fairly because they are a known commodity.

Shingle roofing can give your home a classic appearance that is certain to boost the property’s curb appeal and resale value. Visit this website if you are interested in installing shingle roofing in Robstown.

Wednesday 28 September 2016

10 All-Natural Homemade Cleaning Products You Can Make in Your Kitchen

All week long, we've been sharing our best cleaning tips, tricks, confessions and even songs for a week-long event... Read more

How to Choose the Perfect Color Scheme for Your Home

There are so many paint colors out there that it can be difficult to find the perfect shade for your home. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to narrow down your options. Here’s some tips to help you find the right palette for your house.

Think About Style

First of all, take the style of the home into consideration. If you live in an ultramodern home, then you can stick with sleek black and white or choose bold colors. On the other hand, a rustic cabin or farm home will probably be better off with earthy colors such as browns, red, and gentle greens.

Choose Accent Pieces

Be sure to consider if there are any items you want to coordinate with. If you have a couch or set of curtains that you love, try to choose a paint color that won’t clash. And if you want to make the piece really stand out, try to choose a color that will highlight it without being overpowering.

Consider Complementary Colors

Remember to use color theory to help you pick hues that match. Generally, colors close to each other on the color wheel will go better together than ones that are opposite.

Choosing the correct color scheme for you home doesn’t have to be difficult if you follow these tips. Click here to learn more about choosing a color before you hire a painting and licensed contractor in Hampstead.


Reasons to Hire a Contractor for Your New Deck

If you’re installing a new deck, then youmight be tempted to do it yourself, but it’s a much more complicated process than you might think. Getting a new deck built is a job that’s best left to the professionals—here’s why you should hire a reputable contractor.

Compliance

First of all, a professional contractor knows exactly what laws and regulations are necessary to meet in order to get a deck built. They can ensure that all necessary safety requirements are met, so you’ll be able to enjoy your deck without worrying about risks or rules.

Simplicity

Next, a deck contractor will help you save time and effort. While building a deck might look easy, it’s actually a fairly complicated process that can take a lot of work to do right. If you hire a contractor to build the deck for you, you can sit back and relax on your weekends rather than constantly trying to finish the project.

Quality

Lastly, an expert contractor can ensure that your deck is built to the highest quality. Unless you’re a carpenter or construction worker, you might not have the know-how to make your deck the best it can be. A good contractor will have the experience and expertise needed to do the job right. If you want to learn more about professional deck installation and kitchen remodel in Leland, check out this link.

Tuesday 27 September 2016

Reinforcing Bars

The right construction materials need to be used any time a new structure is being put in. An expert will be able to remove worn out, rusted reinforcing bars and install durable, new ones. 

Reasons to Choose a Precast Septic Tank

When it comes time to get a new septic tank for your property, you should review all the options in front of you. Precast tanks, in particular, are a great choice, and there are many benefits you can receive.

Low Likelihood of Damage

Precast concrete is exceptionally durable. It is able to see a lot of use and still perform excellently. Therefore, when you get your new precast septic tank put in, you will not have to worry about it breaking for quite a while.

No Chance of Floating

Some septic tanks are made out of materials that are able to rise in the soil. You may start to see it pop out in your lawn after a few years. Since concrete is so heavy, that is not a concern you need to have.

Incredibly Low Chance of Leaking

It is highly unlikely precast concrete is going to develop cracks or chips any time soon. This means there is virtually no chance of water leaking out and rising to the surface. Other materials cannot promise those same results.

Lastly, it is very easy to install a new precast septic tank. This is one installation you will enjoy the benefits of for a long time. Visit this website to learn more about getting a precast septic tank and precast seawalls in Southport.

The Benefits of Using Concrete Pilings for Your Construction


When you are undertaking a new construction project, you want to be certain the best materials are used. This will ensure the new structure will last for a very long time. One such item you should implement is concrete pilings, which come with a variety of advantages.

More Affordable

Pilings are essential for any new building. When you are trying to manage costs, concrete pilings are certainly the way to go. They are often much more affordable than alternatives, and they still provide you with an outstanding level of quality.

Great for Underwater Jobs

If part of your building’s foundation will be in a body of water, then concrete is the way to go. It is not going to rust or wear down due to the constant exposure to moisture. Concrete is really your only option with these circumstances.

Easy to Install

No matter where you are putting the pilings, concrete is easier to install in general. You can put these structures in, and right away, you will be able to use them.

You should know exactly what you are getting with your new building, so schedule a time to meet with a professional to discuss pilings in greater detail. If you are looking for home concrete pilings and concrete ready-mix in Southport, go to this website.