Archive for ‘Renovation’

May 2nd, 2012

How to Hang Curtain Rods?

Hanging curtains is a rite of passage for the new homeowner or leaseholder. Before the knickknacks can be placed or the good china unpacked, the windows must be covered, and they must be covered in such a way that the local busybodies are impressed with the quality of the new neighbours.  Many people, having witnessed the grim results of botched curtain hanging, are afraid to take on the task themselves. Hanging window coverings is not difficult, however, and with the right tools and a few pointers, you can hang your own curtain poles as handily as an experienced carpenter.

The key to hanging curtains is careful measurement. Although a curtain rod should, ideally, be level, many homes are not geometrically perfect. The eye will compare the lines of the drapes and the pole to the lines of the window as well as those of the surrounding wall, ceiling and floor. As a result, perfectly level poles may actually appear to be crooked. It is often better to use the lines of the window as a guide. The exception is the window that is not parallel to the lines surrounding it. In that case, it is best to use oversized, opaque drapes that will match the surrounding lines and trick the eye by covering most of the window.

You will need a screwdriver that matches the screws that came with the hardware for your curtain poles. The hardware should be set at an equal distance from the upper corners of the window. You may also need an additional piece of hardware above the centre point of the window. First, measure six centimetres above each corner of the window and mark the spot. Next, align a straight edge such as a metre stick with the two marks. Draw a light pencil line across the top of the window, extending out about a hand’s-breadth past the corner of the window. Now mark a point on the line at the centre of the window, if necessary, and at three centimetres outside each corner of the window along the line.

Align the bottom screw hole in the hardware with the mark on the line and screw the bottom screw through the hardware and into the wall. Do not screw it all the way in. Now, using a washer tied to the end of a string as a plumb bob, straighten the hardware and mark where the other screws will go. Insert the screws one at a time. Do not over tighten them. Finally, tighten the first screw. Repeat this procedure with the other pieces of hardware.

Once the hardware is in place, erase any visible pencil lines. Feed the pole through the rod pocket or loops of the curtain, taking care that the finished side faces toward the room. Hang the curtains by attaching the pole to the hardware. If the pole is very long or the cloth is very heavy, you may require help with this part of the task.

April 7th, 2012

Kitchen Ventilation: You’ve got to move it!

When planning for kitchen remodeling, airflow is not the first item of business on a homeowner’s or designer’s mind. But good airflow is a vital component to a well-designed kitchen. After all, what good are beautiful kitchen cabinets and fantastic tile floors if the entire room smells like old grease?

Effective Ventilation
The first consideration in a new kitchen is cooking ventilation. Despite the excellent products on the market, too many kitchens have underpowered or ineffective ventilation systems. An effective ventilation system must vent to the outside, rather than simply recirculate the air. Recirculation systems simply move odors around, hoping the eventually dissipate – but they often don’t. Additionally, effective systems have a fan that is the right size for that particular kitchen. The power and size needed in a fan varies according to the size of the room, but many systems are underpowered. An underpowered fan does not effectively remove smoke and odors, even if it is vented to the outside. This can lead to greasy build-up on kitchen cabinets as well as a musty kitchen smell.

Efficient Operation
Ventilation needs to be efficient – moving the most air possible for the lowest cost. Both the system purchased and the installation of that system will affect the efficiency of the ventilation. Several manufacturers have “green” systems that increase efficiency through heat recovery, compact construction, and low wattage use. Also consider the length of warranties on the parts used in the ventilation system. Longer warranties may reduce overall costs. Another factor in creating an efficient kitchen ventilation system is correct installation. If installers take the most direct route to the outside, avoiding turns and angles as much as possible, it will allow the use of a smaller, more energy-efficient fan.

Design in Ventilation
Design, in both aesthetics and engineering, is another important consideration in ventilating a kitchen. When considering looks, there are a wide variety of kitchen hoods, both freestanding and attached, that add beauty as well as function to kitchen remodeling. There are also cooktops with built-in fans than can work for some kitchen designs. But don’t stop with choosing a great exterior design. Also find an electrician who understands vent design. A good installer, for example, will know how to install the fan remotely, away from the hood, for quieter operation. There are also systems that use a silencer for even quieter operation. Explore all the different options available to get the best vent design for the unique kitchen layout in your home.

Whole Room Airflow
Cooking smells are not the only reason for good kitchen ventilation. With the amount of traffic that moves through a kitchen, smells from pets, shoes and sweat build up and can create an unpleasant atmosphere without good ventilation. Make sure at least one window in the kitchen opens to provide airflow. If possible, put the window that opens opposite the main entry to the kitchen, allowing air to pass through easily. Consider an undercut or a bottom vent in the kitchen doors. They’ll ensure good airflow with the heating and cooling system in the home.

With thought and planning, a kitchen remodeling project can accommodate effective ventilation for a more enjoyable living space. While it may not be as much fun to choose a hood fan as it is to choose kitchen cabinets or new appliances, a well designed ventilation system is important to the overall enjoyment of a new kitchen.

March 15th, 2012

Benefits of home insurance

You probably wouldn’t think of going to a motorcycle insurance specialist for your home insurance, but you might end up missing out on some good deals. The Carole Nash Insurance company have been in the business for twenty-five years and have branched out into other forms of insurance including classic car. The company is ranked in the top forty insurance brokers in the UK, so you can rest assured that you will be receiving the best advice around.

It’s easy to forget what your existing policy covers you for and some homeowners are sure they are fully covered – when did you last check? Carole Nash Insurance Company policies are in the following categories:

Building and Contents

Your building and contents will be covered against fire, smoke, explosions, lightening, earthquakes and storm and flood. Pretty much everything that could possibly go wrong…

Freezer Contents Cover

This covers food that is kept in a domestic freezer that is rendered unfit (for whatever reason) for human consumption. This includes change in temperature or contamination.170

Specific Items

Covers up to a limit of £1,500 for things such as Great Grannie Maud’s pearls or that top of the range camera you saved for months to buy. This policy also covers binoculars, watches and mobile phones up to the value of £350 and other personal portable items (excluding sports equipment and guns).

Garden Cover

For loss or damage to contents in the open within the boundaries of your home up to £1000. This includes flowers, plants, shrubs and trees planted in pots or containers.

Pedal Cycles

Pedal cycles are covered up to the value of £750 per cycle for accidental loss or damage.

Cash or Credit Cards

Cover up to the value of £500 for any one loss of cash or cards belonging to you or your family.

March 5th, 2012

Common mistakes to avoid when buying wood flooring

Wood flooring is almost always a consideration for homeowners when they consider replacing an old floor. Quality wood flooring that has been sourced to match the right conditions of the property and fitted professionally may last for 100 years (or even more). Avoiding a few common mistakes during the buying process can help ensure that you will enjoy the floor for many years to come.

Not fitting an underlay – An underlay is a thin layer of material that is placed beneath wooden flooring as well as other types of floors. Its job is varied from providing thermal insulation to proving acoustic noise reduction depending on the precise brand. Not fitting an underlay may seem like an opportunity to save money, however it may cause expedited wear and tear of the boards so in the long run there is no saving.

Choosing the wrong type – Wood flooring incorporates two technologies. Solid wood, a complete natural material and on the other hand engineered wood, a varied board made from wood as well as syntactic materials. While engineered wood floors suit any type of home, solid wood floor does not suit wet or moist conditions that may occur in homes located near a water source.

Choosing the wrong finish – Each floorboard is covered in a transparent layer of protective material from Oil to Lacquered. Because each type of finish gives the floor a slightly different look, homeowners often look at the visual side alone. The practical benefits of each finish must be taken into account. For example, a Lacquered finish will not allow water to penetrate the wood so it is recommended when the floor is fitted in the kitchen, bathroom or basement area. On the other hand, oil is often easier to maintain so it is recommended for locations that may experience higher than normal levels of foot traffic.

Choosing an unqualified fitter – The level of fitting will play an important part in the durability of the floor. Even if you are handy with some tools, a qualified fitter will have the expertise and right tools to ensure that the floor is fitted correctly.

Buying too much or too less flooring – The key for buying the right amount of flooring is to measure the room and add some extra boards for waste. Each room should be measured based on width multiply by the length. Once all the rooms have been measured you should add around 8% for waste that may occur when the floor is fitted around fixings. As well, any leftovers could be used in future should one of the flooring boards damage or stain.

January 19th, 2012

Top renovating tips for a teen’s room

teen room renovation

Teens are tricky customers – they know what they like and, when it comes to decorating their rooms, they are likely to want to make their own mark. While some teenagers may have a natural flair for interior décor, it’s sensible to offer up some of your own ideas if you want to make sure your home can be sold easily in the future.

The teen years are when kids get passionate about their interests and heroes, whether your youngster is male or female, they may want posters to make up part of the decorating scheme. Pins and Blu-Tack can be awful news for painted or papered walls, so compromise and provide a big pin board for posters.

If you want to choose a theme for the room, you might want to take some inspiration from the posters or prints they choose. For example, a teenage girl may like a themed room based on a classic Hollywood film, such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, using a photo still from the film as a starting point. The walls can be painted in a Tiffany-esque blue and a vintage style single bed can be adorned with a luxury bed spread. When deciding on an appropriate bed it is important to keep in mind the size of the room. For most situations a single bed will be adequate for teenagers. The children’s single bed range from Time4Sleep will provide some useful ideas to get you started. To complete the look add a stand-alone dressing table and retro accessories, like an old telephone or luggage cases. Speak to your youngster about any ideas they may have to see if you can incorporate them to at least some degree, as they are more likely to keep a room tidy and take pride in it if they feel like it’s a product of their own efforts.

As well as considering a theme, you will need to ponder practicality. By their teenage years children tend to come complete with a certain amount of ’stuff’ and this stuff needs storing. If you are limited for space, you may want to consider incorporating multi-function furniture into the room, such as a storage bed or even a bed and desk combo. As well as providing places to tuck away books, DVDs and game consoles, this clever use of furniture can also free up valuable floor space, which can be a key consideration in smaller rooms or in those where clothes and shoes can frequently adorn the carpets!

January 6th, 2012

Add warmth to your home this new year

Interior design 2012

If you’re looking to change things up a bit this New Year, consider making some changes to your home. A new decorating scheme can add flair and warmth to your house, making it a space that relatives and friends can’t wait to spend time in. A few touches here and there will transform a home with little effort, letting you kick back and relax in your new space.

A warm and cosy home is an ideal way to make your living space inviting for both family and friends, particularly in the cold winter months following the New Year. You can add warmth to your home in a number of ways, from new accessories to appliances designed to insulate and heat.

For accessories, choose textiles in warm colours. Drapes are an instant way to give a room a face lift, and curtains in fabrics like velvet or faux suede add depth and a comfy feeling. Rugs, throw pillows and a soft blanket on the back of a sofa will add warmth without costing too much. Make sure to pay attention to the colours you choose, however. Look for reds, browns and deep purples. These shades are modern and stylish and create a warm vibe instantly.

For even more heat, choose appliances that bring a bit of summer climates indoors. Electric heating systems used to be archaic pieces that stood out when placed in a room. This isn’t the case today, though. Electric heating systems come in a variety of chic designs that are meant to work with your décor and blend into a space. You can find these appliances in modern styles, traditional styles or contemporary styles. Make sure to describe to your local shop what you’re looking for to ensure you get the piece that’s right for your home.

When combining warming accessories and appliances, make sure to spread the design throughout the home. Living rooms, bedrooms, even kitchens and bathrooms can all benefit from these tips. Start by layering elements throughout the home, like a pop of colour here and there that you want to incorporate. By working a little at a time, you can transform the entire house without putting forward too much time or effort.

Don’t forget lighting to add a soft touch to any space. Table lamps, chandeliers and other overhead lighting create an inviting feeling throughout the day, creating bright light in the morning and a dim glow in the evening. You can add small table lamps to any spot to warm it up, like on a console table or a countertop in a hall bathroom.

Whatever your design plan, make sure your home reflects your personal tastes and style. A home should show off your personality and be a welcoming place for you to come back to. With a bit of forethought and planning, you can use some simple tips to create a warm and inviting glow in your home. It’s the perfect way to kick off the New Year with a bit of design flair.

September 15th, 2011

How To Create The Perfect Conservatory

Screened-in porches and conservatories have a strong appeal, especially when the surrounding landscape is beautiful. They provide a place of solace for you to sit in the mornings, enjoying the pink hues of the rising sun. Eat lunch as if you’re outside, or read a book. Entertain an entire party in the relaxing comfort of a conservatory. Keep in mind, however, that a conservatory is a major addition to a home, so if you have high mortgage rates or another expense staring you down, it would be best to sit down and figure out a budget. If you are able to afford it though, a conservatory will add value, both financially and aesthetically, to your home.

However, a conservatory provides an extra level of serenity which a porch cannot. Because conservatories are solid structures, crafted from wood or steel frames and set with glass windows, you can enjoy them in the blazing heat or bitter cold. Air conditioning and heating further insulate against the elements. The weather is no problem since snow, rain, and wind are blocked. In the heat of summer, bugs are trapped outside, leaving you and your guests to enjoy the room in peace.

Making Some Small Adjustments

There are a thousand ways you could enjoy a conservatory, but many owners simply build them and leave it at that. However, some small adjustments can help you create the perfect conservatory. A ceiling fan will help to circulate the air, helping to regulate the temperature in the summer. While the room shouldn’t get too warm to begin with, sunlight can still feel hot against your skin.

Potted plants can increase your connection to nature. Conservatories are perfect for vegetation since they’re wide open and provide plenty of sunlight. Candles and light dimmers can create an atmosphere of intimacy, allowing you to enjoy a romantic evening with your significant other.

Whilst a more time consuming investment, conservatory blinds ensure that you can use the room at any time of the day and on any day of the year. You don’t need conservatory blinds to sit out there; they simply make the room more comfortable in a number of scenarios.

Consider a bright, sunny day without a cloud in the sky. With the sun hanging directly overhead, the glare is almost overwhelming as you try to read a book. A little shade would go a long way, and blinds on the ceiling windows would cut the worst of the sun’s rays out.

You might also try to relax and have an intimate dinner with your loved one out beneath the stars. Because it’s wide open, you lack a sense of privacy. Putting blinds up along the walls will afford you that needed privacy while allowing you to watch the stars in the sky above.

Depending on the size of the room, conservatory blinds can run from about £500 to £3,500. More complex designs typically increase the price. A convenient alternative to manual blinds (which you have to open and close by hand) is a set of remote control blinds, allowing you to open and close the blinds effortlessly.

August 18th, 2011

10 Easy Garage Renovation Tips

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you start looking into a garage renovation project, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 10 things you can do to increase the impact of your efforts!

1 – Paint
This is the fastest and cheapest way to give your tired garage a facelift. No professionals required and something that you can easily do yourself over the course of a weekend. Depending what type of garage flooring you currently have you could even paint that surface, though its durability will be a future issue. (Don’t worry, more on that later!)

2 – Drywall
If you have a “true” garage, meaning unfinished walls, you might want to consider putting in drywall to give it a more finished look. There are a ton of online tutorials about installing drywall, however, if your space is relatively small, you might want to consider calling in a pro for this one.

3 – Shelving and Storage
Since the garage usually ends up being our go-to storage spot for everything, setting it up to function well is a cheap and fast way to save space and tidy those piles of boxes or sports equipment. There are all manner of storage systems available these days; everything from ceiling mounted racks for large items to easily installed shelving units.

4 – Garage floor coating
Depending on how you intend to use the space, replacing or covering your existing garage flooring can make a huge difference. There are DYI interlocking foam tiles, indoor/outdoor carpets, and textured paints or if durability is important, a polyaspartic coating may be worth a few extra dollars for a long lasting finish.

5 – Space dividers

If you have a large garage that needs to serve several different functions, consider splitting up the space with room dividers. These come in several different formats from ceiling mount pieces that can slide on tracks to simple foldable frames that can be re-configured on a whim.

6 – Let in the light
If you would like to utilize your garage more than you currently are but don’t because it’s a dark and dingy space, think about replacing your garage door. Getting one with windows will let in natural light and brighten up the space. They can be easily installed and purchased at almost any home improvement store.

7 – Heating

If your garage’s subzero temperatures keep you from using it in the winter, consider some of the many heating options available. Though not necessarily a DYI option, hard wired base boards or even a wood burning stove will let you enjoy the space year round.

8 – Creative use of square footage

Your garage doesn’t have to just be used for storage or a winter space for your car. Installing a workbench or table can easily turn it into a craft or hobby room or even a home gym!

9 – Kid friendly
If your house lacks sufficient square footage and you’ve got active kids you can easily cover your existing garage floor with thick mats for a kid friendly horse around or gymnastic area.


10 – Planning

No matter what you do to your garage, planning is essential. Take the time to really think about how you want and need the space to function and go from there. There is no point in doing a reno if it turns out later that it’s inefficient and doesn’t get used.

August 8th, 2011

What automatic door for my garage?

The choice of a particular type of automatic garage door depends on several parameters: the space available inside and outside the garage, the size of your car and your budget. A short guide to help you choose.

The overhead garage door
The overhead garage door is made of one large panel (the deck) that switches to be placed parallel to the ceiling. The deck is made of wood (oak or exotic wood, usually), Ribbed steel with anti corrosion (sometimes including thermal insulation) or sometimes PVC reinforced with a metal structure. This type of door is usually sold without engine and single-walled. There are two kinds of garage doors.

A counterweight: overhead door with a counterweight system integrated into the chassis without the need for guide rails. This system requires the volume inside the garage. The other balance arm called “overwhelming” the panel switches with guide rails. It extends to the outside of the garage when opening or closing, making it a very suitable system along public roads.

This is a solid door and cheaper than others this is the biggest advantage of this door. While the disadvantage is they are available in a limited choice of sizes, designs and finishes.

The sectional garage door.

This door consists of several hinged panels. It works like a large roller shutter, sliding closer to the wall or ceiling. It is quite suitable for the installation of an external engine. It is made of wood or steel associated with fiberglass or PVC. It usually has a double steel wall filled with polyurethane foam. There are two types of sectional garage doors, One moves to the ceiling through vertical and horizontal rails. While in other, Lateral: the panels are suspended from a ceiling track and slide down a slide on the ground). The side doors need to release one of the walls of the garage.

Advantages: They are ideal for small spaces. They come in all sizes, even larger. They are resistant to forced entry and easy to be motorized. Can sometimes attach to its sectional garage door to his front door by choosing from the same manufacturer. Joints between deck panels help prevent heat loss and pinching. While the only disadvantages is that it is necessary to choose a good quality of materials and workmanship. They are more expensive than overhead doors.

The roll-up garage door
The roll-up garage door is made of aluminum strips stapled together. She rolled in a box at the top. It can easily be motorized.
Advantages: it is the system that offers the best space saving. It is quiet inside the garage. Cons: You can not integrate gate. Its price is high. They exist only in aluminum.

The security requirements of automatic garage doors.
Automatic garage doors must meet the essential safety requirements to avoid accidents such as pinching or crushing of a person. Automatic garage doors can not be sold unless they bear the CE mark. It establishes a presumption of conformity with the requirements of standard NF EN 13241-1 and an independent body has verified the manufacturer’s compliance.
In addition, when installed, automatic doors garage must meet the safety requirements set by the building code and housing, particularly in regard to the system shutdown and routine maintenance.

Additional Tip for garage renovation.
While Renovation, it is possible to fit a garage door manually powered by a solar energy. This energy is recovered by a photovoltaic cell located above the garage door, and is stored in batteries to operate. We can equip any garage door of a solar powered but is especially designed for garages that are not connected to the grid.

May 29th, 2011

Why should you insulate your home for the summer?

Did you know that your cooling and heating bill is up 70% of your energy costs? Of course, you will save money by not running too support appliances and lights off when not in use but a fraction of total energy savings. That’s why you need a well insulated house, even in summer. Insulation is easy to forget as it is out of sight, but it is a very important document for the home. In summer, insulation will not fail to keep your house cooler and your air conditioning will not need to engage as often. In addition, it acts as a great sound. You can add insulation in almost every house where the development is open, as under floors and roofs. In addition, most insulation can be installed by yourself, thus eliminating the need to hire a contractor.

It can get hot in summer and if you do not have adequate insulation in the attic can heat coming through your ceiling in the living room. Most attic spaces require insulation R-value of 30 and up to an R-49, depending on the area you live in. Your attic can be isolated by adding fiberglass insulation Batts on that you already have. You, or if want you can go at your home store, and buying bulk isolation. Many of these companies you can rent an insulation blowing machine for free, depending on the amount of insulation material that you purchase. Especially in older homes, many of the floors do not have a bit of insulation. This is important in the summer and winter as heat and cold transfer through the floor. I have isolated many stories in my time and I can tell you it is bad, but it is the long-term value.

Another factor to take into account the leakage of air is coming into force and outside of your home. You do not want all your air conditioning leak outside. Make sure you check the chimney flue if you have one and close it. If your windows leak badly, you may want to consider leaving the cons-windows during the summer. What about your doors? Are climate-stripped? It is a very simple process that will save you money. The easiest way to check for air leaks in your home is to wait for a windy day, light an incense stick and check the areas that may leak into the air around and see if the Smoke is blowing in or out of the house.

Finally, remember ventilation. This is one of the most neglected aspects of ensuring that your home is ready for the summer. Check the foundation ventilation and make sure they are open. The attic ventilation shall also because it can retain heat and moisture build and potentially cause dry rot of wood. Check the eaves or soffit air and make sure they are not blocked with insulation or debris. Most people prepare for the home before winter hits weatherization but believe me, it is equally important during the hot summer months.