Improvements To Increase The Energy Efficiency Of Your Home ...

If you have an unfinished basement on your property, finish it. A finished basement can almost double your property value if you finish it the right way. Carefully consider the floor-plan before you begin work. If you cannot do it all at once, just build one room at a time according to the plan.

Thinking green about home improvements not only means being environmentally friendly, but it also means taking action on your lawn. If the lawn looks horrendous with bare spots and weeds, seed and fertilize it. If it is damaged beyond repair get a new sod laid to give your home a great new look.

Make the most of your laundry room by adding cabinets, shelves and other storage and stacking your machines if possible. You can also build custom pedestals to go under your machines to hold empty laundry baskets, jugs of detergent, or other items. A clutter-free laundry room not only looks nice, but gives you more room for folding, ironing and sorting clothes.

Burst the bubble in your newly applied vinyl floor covering then patch it! Vinyl floor covering will bubble up for a number of reasons. One way to fix it when it has just been applied to the floor is to pierce the bubble with a needle, let the air escape, and weight it down until it dries.

In any home with original wood floors, the homeowner considering home improvement projects, should avoid replacing the floors, at all cost. The older a wood floor is, the less likely it is that it can be replaced with an equally attractive floor. It is much better to refinish existing wood floors. Even in cases of the most extreme damage, laying a new floor over the original one is preferable to removing it.

Make sure you have a thorough understanding of your home improvement projects. This prevents you from underestimating the cost involved or the time necessary to complete a project. By making a list of the necessary steps and materials, you can ensure you are well-prepared, and you can also use the list to seek a second opinion to avoid missing any steps or overlooking any potential road blocks or complications.

To cut down your home?s energy costs, replace your current thermostat with one that can be programmed. Many families save close to $200 yearly through programmable thermostat use. A programmable thermostat can be set to change when your family is sleeping or out of the house, keeping you from paying for heating and cooling you don?t need. They?re also inexpensive, and can be picked up for less than $40.

When hiring a contractor to do home improvement, always get your quote in writing. Without a written agreement specifying the work that you expect to be done you could be asking for trouble once the work starts. This agreement should specify what work will be done, when it will be completed, and what the cost of the work will be.

Glue your wallboard in place before nailing it! A caulking gun and the right adhesive makes quick work of the job. The advantages of quicker installation are obvious. Another advantage is fewer nails. Furthermore, the glue holds the wall board tightly in place and the nails you do use are less likely to pop out in the future.

Sometimes traditional and economical methods of dealing with squeaky doors may work for you. Here is a cheap alternative that you can try: Remove the hinge pin as normal, and rub it with regular bar soap. Then replace the pin and open and close the door to let the soap disperse on the hinge parts.

Make each room in your home look expensive by adding one high-end piece of furniture. Each room needs a focal point; otherwise, everything just blurs together and the room has no sparkle. Choose one special piece of furniture; a great armoire, a trompe l?oleil chest, an oversize mirror with an ornate frame or something else special and unique to dress up each room. Your friends will think you?ve hired a designer.

Consider buying Marmoleum to make your home improvement project more Earth friendly. It?s made from linseed oil and natural pigments which are far safer for the environment. You can also choose other renewable resources like cork, bamboo, or eucalyptus, all of which come in easy to install forms.

Home improvement has to incorporate research, skill, and detail. It is an activity that takes advantage of your property with the intent of making it better. Don?t be fooled by the simple goal, because it takes work. If you are willing to put in the effort and if you follow the tips, you can do it!

Phil Diltz manages a retail store which carries Roof Repair Jacksonville

Source: http://thedaytimes.com/2012/08/improvements-to-increase-the-energy-efficiency-of-your-home-2/

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