Going Green: What to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels
Thanks to the continuous technological advances, most people are able to enjoy a convenient life. Imagine life without kitchen appliances, cars, and even the phone you are using now. Imagine how you can live without electricity that gives light and power to your home and your personal gadgets. But modern advancements also come with a price, especially in the environmental aspect. Thankfully, there have been several alternatives that aim to lessen our carbon footprints. There are also home addition companies that also offer environment-friendly home addition design and material alternatives. Solar power: An environment-friendly energy alternative Perhaps you have already heard about solar power. For starters, solar power naturally comes from the sun. Meanwhile, solar panels are becoming more and more popular these days especially for residential use. If you are planning for a home remodeling addition or outdoor remodeling project, you might want to shift to solar-powered panels instead. It will be a huge step, even expensive at first. But it will be useful in the long run, and can even save you money along the way. Solar power is not a new thing and has been around for some time now. But it was only recently when it became more accepted in many home improvement projects. As mentioned, installing a solar panel can be expensive – it can cost as a brand-new car. But despite its high costs, more and more homeowners realize the benefits of solar panels. If you are planning to install one in your home, you can hire a home additions builder who is also familiar with solar panel installation. What to consider before installing a solar panel You don’t have to be an environmental activist to have a solar panel in your home. You can think of the several benefits it can give you in terms of savings. But before that, you should think about the following first before installing solar panels. Your home should be suitable for solar installation. You should know whether your home is suitable to have solar panels installed. But how would you know if it is okay to install solar panels in your home? There should be no huge trees or any structures that block direct sunlight. The higher your energy bills (before installing solar panels), the more savings you can get with solar power. You might also consider the direction your roof is facing. Some good directions should face east-west or north. What kind of solar panel should you buy? There are several inverters and solar panel brands available nowadays. Before you buy one, make sure you: Choose a reputable solar panel supplier that has been around for years. Get quotes from a couple of suppliers and compare them in terms of price, product quality, and other important terms. Consider the long run. Are you going to live in your current home for a long time, or move elsewhere after a few years? What should you know about warranties? Most solar panels usually come with 10, 15, and 25-year warranties. The warranties will work depending on the product’s performance and usage. Also, you should have an idea of […]
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Planning for a Staircase Overhaul? Here’s What You Need to Know
The staircase is one of the most important parts of a building, whether residential or commercial. Unless you have your own elevator at home, you cannot go to one floor to another. Or opt to use a ladder instead, which is not a practical solution for home use. Staircases not only are useful but can also add an interesting touch to your home. That said, it can also be a good idea to renovate your old staircase, or add some aesthetic touch to your existing one. You can come up with a home addition design for your staircase and hire a professional home addition builder. Why you need to renovate your staircase Staircases are one of the most overly-used parts of the house. They are there not only to transport you from one floor to another. It can also add an interesting appeal to your home. Because of frequent use, your home’s stairs will eventually have signs of wear and tear. That means any signs of wear and tear can make your staircase a safety hazard, especially if you have children. Aside from safety reasons, here are other instances that should convince you to hire home remodeling architects for staircase renovation. For one, an outdated staircase can decrease home value. A lot of home sellers often take their staircases for granted. Not only should it be safe for the entire household but also look nice and appealing to potential home buyers. No one would like to buy a house with stairs that creak as they step on it. As mentioned, a staircase can also add a refreshing look to your home. You can be creative with your staircase. You can also have your staircase customized by a home remodeling addition professional. You can even add an extra room or storage area under the staircase. What to consider before renovating the staircase A staircase renovation is an important investment for your home. But before hiring a home remodel professional, you need to plan for it. You need to consider the following first before starting a staircase renovation. Space Before looking into different staircase designs, make sure you have enough space to accommodate the design you want. You don’t want to end up spending on huge banisters that won’t fit in your limited space. Budget Of course, you need to have a budget to fund your staircase renovation project. You need to factor in the materials needed and rates of home addition companies (for comparing purposes). Safety The most important thing is to ensure that the staircase is safe for everyone in your household. You also need to choose balustrades and handrails that are sturdy and can last for many years. Of course, one that looks good in your home, too. Design There are different kinds of staircases: L-shaped, curved, bifurcated, and straight. All of these staircase designs will add appeal to your home. However, you need to consider the space you have in your home before deciding on the staircase type. Staircase renovation ideas There might be some questions before starting a staircase renovation project. From the material to be used, […]
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Home Additions for Added Property Value: Which Ones to Pursue and Ones to Avoid?
Much has happened because of the pandemic. For one, a lot of businesses have been affected and some even have to close. While some businesses are able to bounce back and survive the impact of the ongoing pandemic, some industries are still struggling until now. One of these is the real estate industry. Being mostly at home, a lot of homeowners took the quarantine period to do something valuable. Say, planning for a home addition design for your outdated kitchen or bathroom. For your home improvement needs, better hire home remodeling architects. Home improvement in the middle of a pandemic As mentioned, the real estate industry has been affected a lot by the pandemic. Buying property may not be a priority for now. However, there are some homeowners who are considering selling their homes now. One reason is because of financial problems – some may have lost their jobs and have no means to pay for a mortgage. Unfortunately, this is the reality of many homeowners now. It will be a lucky occurrence if they are able to sell their homes during these uncertain times. But for those who are more fortunate, now is the time for a home improvement project – no matter how minor or major it is. Then again, it also depends on your long-term goals. If you are planning to live in your home for many years, it is good to invest in your home. It is also a good idea to hire a professional home additions builder to help you with your home improvement project. However, home improvement projects can also be tempting. For example, you might be considering to add a small pool or build a treehouse in your backyard. But the question is: Are they necessary? Is hiring an outdoor remodeling expert worth it? More importantly, will these add value to your home? Home improvement projects to avoid this pandemic As luxurious as it may seem, there are a lot of home improvement projects that won’t add value to your real estate property. More so, if you are planning to move to another place after a couple of years. So, which of these popular home improvement projects you should avoid? Jacuzzis/Sauna baths It may sound relaxing to have your own Jacuzzi in your bathroom. For one thing, building a Jacuzzi or sauna bath can cost you high electric bills aside from frequent maintenance costs. In-ground swimming pool Depending on the type and size of the pool you are aiming for, it can cost as much as tens of thousands of dollars. While having a pool seems like a dream come true for many homeowners, it might make your house challenging to sell. For one, families with small children may not want to buy a house with a large pool due to safety reasons. High-end kitchens Too much home addition design not only is expensive but also unnecessary. Just like when you buy expensive tiles, countertops, and appliances. Trends come and go, and so will these appliances, tiles, and other home décor. Your high-end refrigerator might already be outdated when you decide to sell […]
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Shipping Container Homes: What You Need to Know Before Building One
A lot of people dream of having their own houses with a garage area and a spacious backyard. Who doesn’t want to live in their dream homes with their own family? In fact, owning a house is one of the tell-tale signs of a person’s financial capability. For one thing, buying a house and lot or an apartment unit usually does not come cheap. Maintaining your home, especially if you will live in it for many years, is another story. You might have to contact home remodeling architects for your future home improvement projects. Don’t worry, there are a lot of home addition companies that offer affordable home additions. Do you want to live in a shipping container? Seriously, shipping containers? Those rectangular corrugated boxes used for large shipments? These are important items in transporting goods both in land and in the sea. But over the years, there has been a surge of used shipping containers awaiting a second chance. It might seem like a huge problem as it can lead to a huge amount of trash. However, several creative individuals saw a silver lining with these seemingly useless containers. One of which includes building a house using these containers. Apparently, not only shipping containers are used for cargo but also for building homes. You might have a lot of questions in mind right now. Is it hot inside? Is it even possible to have a complete home in a box-shaped shipment container? Is it sustainable in the long run? For these questions, you can consult architects builders especially if they have experience building a shipping container home. What to expect in a shipping container home For one, a shipping container house is made from, obviously, a shipment container. Shipping containers are usually available in 20 ft. by 8 ft. and 40 ft. by 8 ft. The former can provide about 160 sq. ft. of liveable space, while the latter can give you 320 sq. ft. domestic space. Some homeowners hire a home additions builder to turn a shipping container into a liveable home. On the other hand, some owners fuse several containers to make into larger houses or office spaces. The corrugated walls would usually be removed to add more space and invite more natural light inside the structure. Home designers have the opportunity to exercise their creativity in building a shipping container home. Shipment containers are usually budget- and environment-friendly. However, it is better to check the condition of the container before converting it into a liveable space. As for building permits, you might have to check your local area’s building rules and regulations. But most likely you have to make sure that the container will fit the land area and that it should meet your local area’s zoning and building restrictions. Shipping container homes: Pros and cons On the one hand, shipping container homes are budget-friendly. Building a shipment container house is a lot faster than building a concrete or wooden house from scratch. On average, a used shipping container costs around $1,400 and above. The former can be built as fast as three weeks, while traditional […]
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Refreshing Makeover: What to Consider Before Painting Your House
Painting your home may be easier said than done. You need to plan for it carefully. You also have to choose the right paint color that you won’t regret later on. Or whether you need to paint your house walls in the first place. You might have to hire a professional for a home remodel. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to refresh your home every now and then. It doesn’t matter whether you decide to repaint your room, replace your bathroom tiles, or renovate your kitchen. What’s important that whatever these home improvements will benefit your entire household in terms of aesthetic appeal and safety. Painting: A cheap but effective home improvement White walls sure can look boring. So, the easiest and most inexpensive solution to brighten up your walls is by repainting it. Its difficulty level depends on how big the wall area you are going to paint. It can be only one side of the room or all of the walls of the house. This is one reason why a lot of homeowners dread house painting but should be done nonetheless. Aside from time, you also have to take into consideration what specific color to choose. There are several factors that you should consider when choosing a paint color. Home remodeling architects might help you choose the right paint shade for your home. It can be a tedious chore, but you will love the end result. If you are hiring a home additions builder, make sure you let them know what you want if they will also paint your walls. Otherwise, you can do your own thing – or even let your family decide on the colors! What to do before painting your house walls As mentioned, there are several things you need to consider before painting your house’s walls. It is important that you know these to prevent regrets later on unless you are willing to repaint over again. Getting the area to be painted ready Painting the walls with the furniture and desks around can be quite a hassle. That is why you should clear the area first before doing the paint job. If it’s a home remodeling addition, you have to take them out first so you can finish the paint job faster. If it’s a simple paint job, you can just move them to the center of the room and cover the items using old bedsheets or blankets. Wiping off any debris It may seem unnecessary, but cleaning the walls of any dirt and debris is important. Doing so will make the paint stick to the walls a lot better. Also, make sure to fill in any cracks or holes present on the walls. Add tape on window trims, outlet covers, and light switches before painting. Don’t forget to put old newspapers so that the paint won’t drip off on the floor. Checking the paint color If you have a specific color that you want, make sure to get a sample first. Sometimes, the actual color when applied on the wall may look different from what you imagine it to be. You can […]
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Being an Indoor Plant Parent: A Basic Guide to First-Time House Plant Owners
There are two types of people in this world: those who are natural green thumbs, and those who aren’t. For one thing, taking care of a plant is pretty much like taking care of a precious child. To keep your baby healthy and strong, you need to give the right nutrition, care, and love. The same goes for the plants in your home. You can create your own backyard garden or house your plants in a greenhouse. If you are considering the latter, you can plan for a home addition design for your plants. You can build one by yourself, or hire a home additions builder to help you with your gardening project. How about having indoor plants? A lot of people would love to have their own backyard gardens where they can plant fruits, vegetables, or even lovely flowers. However, not everyone has a backyard, to begin with. These are mostly those who are living in condos and apartments. But for gardening enthusiasts, there is good news! You can consider having indoor plants instead. If you are planning for a condo remodeling soon, you might want to include indoor plants in your renovation plan. Like outdoor plants, indoor plants also need proper care so it will stay alive. Indoor plants aren’t simple home decors unless they are made of plastic. Actually, indoor plants need special kinds of care as compared to the usual outdoor plants. Indoor plants are also prone to wilting and browning if not given enough sunshine and water. What to consider before buying indoor plants There are a lot of indoor plants you can choose from. This includes succulents, ferns, and cactuses among a few. You can add indoor plants if you are planning on building a home addition project. The thing is that taking care of indoor plants is not as easy as it seems. You should also consider the following before buying indoor plants for your home. What type of indoor plant should you buy? First of all, you need to think about what kind of indoor plant will suit your home. Experts say that it is better to buy indoor plants, preferably from a family-owned garden nursery, especially if it’s your first time. On the other hand, a large home and gardening stores are also great places to buy indoor plants for your home remodeling addition project. However, most of these gardening tools are mostly not beginner-friendly. So, if you are a first-timer, you can opt to go to a local plant nursery instead. Where will you put the indoor plant? Make sure to choose a plant that is suitable for an indoor environment. Some plants need to be put in a spot with ample sunlight. Others have to be watered religiously according to schedule. If you want to try taking care of an indoor plant, you can start with a cactus or succulent. If you like being hands-on to your plants, you can try buying ferns or orchids instead. How will I know if the indoor plant is in trouble? Here are some signs that your indoor plant needs urgent help. Rotted […]
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Home Improvement Projects You Should Avoid While COVID-19 is Still Here
It has been a while since COVID-19 flipped our lives upside down. The world did not expect the devastating impact of the virus on mankind in general. It also created a huge impact on the global economy and overwhelmed the healthcare sector. This pandemic also claimed hundreds of thousands of lives around the world, so far. People are reminded to stay at home as much as possible. Avoid outdoor activities or going outside for long periods of time. You may also have to skip hiring a home additions builder or any other home addition companies near you due to physical distancing. Being productive at home On the other hand, being on quarantine has pushed a lot of people to be productive. To make the most of their idle time and do something worthwhile. It may not be the right time to hire home remodeling architects right now because of social distancing. But this doesn’t mean you cannot improve your home while on quarantine. For one thing, there are a lot of things you can do while at home. Bond with your family, learn new recipes or revisit your past favorite songs online. This quarantine period is also the time to accomplish home improvement projects at home. Home improvement does not have to be expensive and need not hire a home addition builder. Then again, it will be a good help to avail of affordable home additions for your home improvement projects. But in the meantime, it might be better to be productive and practical during these uncertain times. DIY home improvement projects you should NOT do When you are cooped up inside your home for a long time, you tend to notice the small things more. Some can be as simple as reorganizing your clothes cabinet. Or it can be as tedious as building a home addition in your property. However, there are some home improvement projects that you should shelf for now. You should already know why. It can also be hard to find someone now in case you need one to help you finish the job. So, what are these specific home improvement projects that you should not do while there’s still COVID-19? Noisy home improvement projects Being mostly at home means your neighbors are more likely to be in the same situation. This also means having to tolerate each other’s noise every day. Or not at all. In such cases, you should be mindful of the right timing when doing noisy chores like mowing the lawn or using the power washer. Perhaps you can do these after 5 PM or during weekends when really needed. Home improvement projects that require a team We are often advised to do physical distancing that is why we are at home right now. But what is the sense of physical distancing if you let a team of strangers come into your house? Avoid home improvement projects that would require a lot of people to go to your home. Home improvement projects that use a ladder It may be a good time to clean your gutter. However, you should avoid this in […]
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Staying Fit During COVID-19: Tips on Building Your Own Home Gym
COVID-19 forced people to stay indoors, whether they like it or not. A lot of businesses closed in the meantime, including gyms and health and wellness centers. Even planning on building a home addition needs to take a back seat for now. In other words, this pandemic has already affected much of our usual routines and it seems that we have to get used to it. Staying fit in the middle of a pandemic We all know how important it is to keep ourselves healthy and fit. That is why there are a lot of health and fitness centers in every neighborhood corner. Others go for a morning or evening run or pedal their bikes around town as part of their fitness routines. However, all of these changed when COVID-19 appeared out of nowhere and spread like wildfire. People’s daily routines have been drastically disrupted due to the virus. Weekend parties and out of town travels were prohibited, and people have to shelter in place. Running outdoors is strongly discouraged as well, although there are some people who still do. Nevertheless, staying fit and healthy is a lot of challenging these days. People can only dream of having a home gym built by professional home addition companies. Having a home gym is possible Then again, having your own home gym is possible. It doesn’t have to be full-scale and fancy like in many popular gyms and health and fitness centers. On a side note, there are a lot of households that already have home gyms before the COVID-19 outbreak. There are good reasons why you should have your own home gym. For one, it can save you time and money from going to another gym. You also get to have and use all of the fitness equipment all by yourself. Most of all, it is a good idea to invest in your health in the long run. You can hire a home addition builder to help build your dream home gym. There are affordable home additions that can cater to homeowners and their home addition needs. Before that, you need to consider some things before building a home gym. What to consider before building a home gym Having a home gym should not only be something to show off your guests. Rather, it should be useful for you and your family. What you will include in your home gym largely depends on your fitness goals. Setting up a gym at home may not be an easy task. As mentioned, there are some things that you will need to consider. These include the following. Space First of all, you need to decide where you will set up your home gym. Some prefer putting up their gyms in the garage or in a spare room. Some even hire home remodeling architects for a customized home gym area. Budget Setting up your gym also depends on your budget. You would have to shell out a large amount of money if you want a bigger home gym or more sophisticated fitness equipment. Type of workout It is also important to consider the location depending […]
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Starting a DIY Furniture Making Project: What You Need to Know
It can be boring at home due to the ongoing lockdown, quarantine, or whatever it is called in your place. But instead of bumming all day, you can use this time to be productive at home. Some may already be productive since they are working remotely. Otherwise, you can improve your home little by little during this time. Hiring a home additions builder may not be the best decision for now. However, you can plan for a home remodeling addition or condo remodeling (if you live in a condo unit). A home addition can be a simple tile replacement or a major one like building a living extension in your home. DIY furniture, anyone? It’s nice to imagine living in your dream home. With your own backyard pool, a landscaped garden, and majestic walk-in closet. You’ll feel like a celebrity having these amenities. There are home addition companies that can help transform your house into your dream home. Then again, it may not be the right time to hire home remodeling architects while there’s a lockdown/quarantine ongoing. For now, you can focus on other things that you can improve at home. Say, change your current bed and pillow sheets or add a carpet to your bedroom. Or why not make your own furniture? Making your own furniture may seem intimidating. However, you don’t have to be a professional carpenter or craftsman to make your own furniture. More so, it’s not complicated to maintain your home and keep it in style. DIY furniture ideas Want to make your own furniture? It can actually be not that as hard as you think. You can use your old furniture and recreate it into a creative and useful one. You can use an old bench and turn it into an extra space to place your home décor. You can just repaint it if there is no damage to the bench. It won’t spend a lot of your time refurbishing the old bench, table, or chair. Not only is it a resourceful way to reuse old furniture but can look good in your home, too. Why not add an indoor swing? You and your kids will surely love this DIY swing right in the comfort of your own home. You can make a hanging chair made from canvas, leather, or any other durable fabric available. With some knots, drills, and couple of stitches, you can create your DIY indoor swing. Make sure there are no vases and other fragile items nearby or else it might be knocked down accidentally. If you have an old drawer, you can revamp it into a kitchen island. You can repaint, repair, and modify some parts if you want. For example, you can add a slab of wood on top so it can be a countertop as well. Plus, this DIY kitchen island can be your extra storage space and a kitchen attraction, too. Old road signs can be converted into stylish stool seatings at home. Secure the metal signs on wooden stools, bend it if necessary, and you will now have eye-catching trendy seats at home. Tips in crafting […]
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Stuck at Home? Home Improvement Projects You Can Do While in Quarantine
As the world is struggling to fight COVID-19, people are also encouraged to stay at home. While it can be boring at home, it is for everyone’s health and safety. This ongoing health crisis can greatly affect the global economy. A lot of businesses may close down for good, a lot of people will be left jobless, and hospitals overwhelmed (which is happening in many countries now). In the meantime, we need to stay at home and keep ourselves safe and healthy. This is also a great time to clean and pay attention to your home. Home addition companies may help you with your home improvement project. But not now, since there’s an ongoing stay-at-home directive from the national government. Being productive at home There are a lot of people who are able to keep their jobs despite the ongoing quarantine. Working at home can be a lot of people’s dream job. However, it may not be as easy as you think. For one, there will be lots of distractions while working at home. The TV and fridge are just within a few steps away from your home office. There are also household chores you need to juggle with your office responsibilities. Your time management skills will be challenged during these trying times. This is also a good opportunity to refresh your home through a home remodel project. Condo remodeling is also a good idea if you are living in a condo unit. A home addition design does not necessarily mean using expensive materials to improve your house. Then again, now is not the right time to call home remodeling architects for a home improvement project due to COVID-19. However, there are ways to start a home improvement project without stepping outdoors. Likewise, you can do so using the things you already have at home. DIY home improvement projects There are many ways to freshen up your home while on quarantine. A lot of people will be working remotely in the meantime. But when you are not working, you should make time to improve your home. Here are some DIY home improvement project ideas you can try. Create a bed canopy Ever wanted a bed canopy but the quarantine happened and haven’t had the opportunity to buy one? Don’t worry, you can make your own. A bed canopy will make you feel relaxed and comfortable while stuck at home. You can check out this bed canopy tutorial and make your own. Create a flower wall This is a great way to make your room look more alive and bright. It’s okay if you use fake flowers – it can still add up to your room’s aesthetic value. Plus, it will last for a lifetime as long as you want it to be displayed there. You can create a flower wall above your bed or on your windows. Make use of an unused room corner. You can utilize an unused corner of your room by creating floating shelves. You don’t have to buy drawers or shelves. Instead, you can find some old and unused wood slabs and turn them into useful shelving […]
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