Category: Home Improvements

Home Improvements

What to Consider Before Renovating

It is a New Year, a New Decade! So let’s start the New Year right with a piece on renovating which brings my experience working in the Construction field into my blogging world!

For the last three years, I have been working for Sherhill Construction and it has been such an eye opening experience. The Construction world isn’t just a hammer and nails. It is much more complex than that and this is why I thought it would be great to share some tips for home owners looking to renovate.

Renovating can be extremely rewarding as it can add value to both your property and lifestyle. However, no matter if you’re undertaking a big or small project, there are a few factors to consider before beginning the renovation work.

Urgency of the Issue

Renovations cost money and if you have a lengthy “to-renovate list” start slow. Look at what items may need urgent action first such as a leaking shower for example. These items could cause bigger problems down the line and should be dealt with first.

Doing one project at a time is ideal financially and if you are living in the home while the renovation is being done, it will be a little less chaotic. It truly is up to you and your needs.

Financial Budgeting

Before doing any renovation, it is best to find out the costs involved in every detail of the renovation. You can speak with a contractor or you can do your own in-depth research to see how much you should be budgeting. The more detailed the budget, the better it is for you in the long-run.

Always set a realistic budget with at least 10% to 20% as a buffer for any unexpected expenses that may arise. When homes are a bit older, you may never truly know what is behind the walls or under the floors.

There are a few financial options that you can undertake if you don’t have the funds at the present time to carry out the projects. I recommend to speak with a financial advisor to see what options are available to you.

Many people would want to save on cost by doing much of the work themselves. A word of advice is to hire professionals, especially in specific trades such as plumbing and electrical. It is the safest route and can save you a lot down the road.

The Return on Investment

A good first impression of your property can dramatically increase its price.

There are many renovations that can increase the value of your home and this is something to consider before renovating. For example, upgrading kitchens and bathrooms are areas that add much more value to a home. There are also other upgrades such as painting and landscaping that can add value but not as much as a kitchen upgrade.

Therefore, look at your home goals and see which project will give you the best return on your investment. If you are planning to sell then this would be ideal to look at before renovating. Always speak with a professional realtor to see the best route for you to take.

Before any renovation it is best to consider all these factors before starting. It can save you time, money and stress by preparing yourself the best way possible. I know personally how it can be when you catch the “renovation bug” but luckily I was able to prepare ourselves slowly with the experience that I gained through work. These tips above truly helped our family keep in budget and slowly cross off our “home to-do-list.”

If you are looking to renovate and not sure how to get started and live in the Greater Toronto Area, give Sherhill Construction a call at (toll free) 1-833-597-8887. Also if you have someone handy at home but they are taking way too long to complete the simple handy tasks at home, Sherhill can help with that too through their handyman services. Just give them a call to get started! 😉

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

– Momma Braga

*This is not a paid or sponsored post. Momma Braga did not get compensated for advertising companies mentioned.

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Home Improvements

Tips and Ideas for Fireplace Mantle Decoration

Image Source: Unsplash

When revamping your living room, there are obviously many things to consider, and the fireplace mantle will require some careful thought. Very much a central feature, the fireplace feature offers many opportunities, and with that in mind, here are a few tips and ideas on mantle decoration to give you a little inspiration.

 

  • Make Good Use of Wall Art – This is a great idea, and if you place a couple of prints on either side of the mantle, this will give the fireplace some balance. This is also a chance to add a touch of bright colour into the room, in fact, some people like to make the fireplace wall an art wall, which looks ideal with the right antique overmantle mirror. Wall art also adds texture and depth to the room, and with many online suppliers, you can browse until you find something ideal. A pair of old oil paintings in ornate frames would really add that finishing touch, and with a couple of very small LED spots, you can feature the paintings.

 

  • Antique Mirrors – Regardless of style, an antique overmantle mirror could take pride of place, and with a leading UK antique dealer that has a fine selection of overmantle mirrors for sale, you can browse in the comfort of your own home. Victorian or Edwardian mantle mirrors certainly add style and character to any living room, and you might want to choose something that is wider than your mantle, which will make the room look a little larger than it actually is. It is important to select a mirror that is proportionate to the room, and by taking accurate measurements, you can browse the selection of fine antique mirrors that the online antique dealer has to offer. Make sure that the mirror is placed with an adequate spacing from the mantle, which should never be less than 4 inches.

Image Source: Pexels

  • Consider Candles – A couple of antique candelabras made from wrought iron adds that finishing touch to any mantle, and you can light them in the winter evenings for that added glow. There are established online antique dealers that are based in the UK, and they would have a large selection of antique and vintage candelabras at very affordable prices.

 

  • Unused Fireplaces – In the event you don’t use the fire, there are a number of ways to improve the feature, and that fire hearth could also be a great spot for some art, and even though they aren’t needed, some brass fireplace tools can take pride of place on either side.

Image Source: Pixabay

If your decor is modern or contemporary, an antique overmantle mirror would be an excellent addition, and it will make a room look and feel more spacious. Another thing to consider is lighting, as this will have an effect on how the room looks in the evenings. LED offers you far more choices that the traditional incandescent bulbs, and your lighting should focus on the fireplace, which is, after all, the centrepiece of the room.

Home Improvements, Parents

Keep The House Tidier By Making A Garden Play Area

Okay, you’ve gotten sick of looking around your house and seeing how untidy it is. The children’s toys are everywhere, you can’t take one step without hitting a racing car or princess doll with your foot. You’ve probably already designated one particular room where the kids can play but still it’s not enough. Maybe you don’t have such a room and the living room is always looking like a bomb site. It’s time to make an area for the kids where they can play and not make you so worried over the mess they create. The garden comes to the rescue in many situations and this time is no different. We so often don’t think of the garden as useful space in our home. We tend to just keep it tidy and maybe sit outside every once in a while. All that space and nobody’s is really using it. It could be where there kids have their own play area, keeping the inside of the house tidier.

Start digging away

First thing’s first, you need to dig away the soil. You don’t need to make the entire garden into a play area, so select one corner or half. From then on you need to buy some soil bags or rather, just some large garden bags. These are made from strong synthetic fibers allowing them to bear a lot of weight. All the grass, leaves and soil should be placed inside these. Alternatively, if you have a large amount of earth to move you can use a skip bin. These can be hired in many different sizes. The truck will drive up to your house to drop it off and also pick it up when you’re finished with it. This is a very practical option as you might need to buy multiple bags as the job gets broader and tougher. So instead an open top container like a skip comes in handy.

Flatten and compact

The soil should then be flattened by either using a rake if it’s not that bad or a soil flattener. You can use your feet and hands to press the soil down evenly but this isn’t as consistent as the former option. These aren’t like tar flatteners which require a powered motor, soil flatterners are pushed by hand. Lawn rollers are also useful in this regard as they operate in much the same manner. Compactors are the last option as some soils are very tough, dense and perhaps have a lot of stones making the soil and lawn flatteners skip over the area.

Border and cover

Next you need to create a border around the area, which can be easily done using cylindrical wooden logs. These can be picked up in any garden and home improvement store. Fit them around the area by first digging into the soil as much as you need to. Keep the logs up at around waist height of the children. You can then cover the area with rubber chips and make the area safe to play on.

The garden is the most versatile part of our homes yet we never think of using what we have. A garden play area for the kids will keep the inside of your house tidier and give them somewhere to have fun.

 

Home Improvements

7 Ways To Design Your Windows

Ask any homeowner what is the number one thing that they love about their home, and they may just say location and views. Many homeowners prefer a great view and pretty much every room in your home can benefit from lovely windows. Best of all, there are plenty of designs to choose from.

Here are some ways the design of your windows can influence your home.

  1. Natural Light

As human beings, we are just like green plants. When we have natural light, we feel inspired and prosperous. It’s the source for body and mind and a connectivity to the outside world. So, make sure your home has natural light in every room.

  1. Windows That Complement A Room

If you are lucky enough to be involved with designing your home, consider the spaces where windows will be placed.  Large rooms and tall ceilings can benefit from clearstory windows that sit high above the ground, whereas smaller rooms can take advantage of views and sunlight with windows that have lower windowsill heights.

  1. Framing The View

There’s nothing like waking up to a beautiful view right through floor-to-ceiling windows or marvelling at city lights through curtain wall windows. Figure out what perfect views you want to capture and then choose windows to match. Don’t forget to look at those pretty made to measure blinds to finish the look.

  1. Different Opacities

Is there a room in your house where natural light streams in, but you also need your privacy? Bathrooms are the perfect example. For such rooms, consider a range of opacity levels. For instance, transparent glass is completely see-through, whereas translucent glass is more common in bathrooms.

  1. Light And Space

In most homes, wall space is important. Whether you like to display art or just prefer privacy, having clearstory windows is a great solution. These windows can be located high off floor level and close to your roofline, but still allow natural light to flow in while freeing up wall space.

  1. The Right Design For Your Property

If you are just planning your home, do consider the location and how your house will be situated in terms of sunshine. You may not want to put a window wall of glass in your bedroom where early sunshine will wake you if you prefer to sleep late. Also consider climatic and seasonal changes so you can effectively maximise hot and cold temperature changes when picking the perfect windows.

  1. Use Different Sizes And Shapes

When it comes to picking window sizes and shapes, there are no design rules set. So, get creative and play around with solid spaces and voids and come up with interesting ways and configurations for your home’s windows that are aesthetically appealing and that take advantage of your beautiful views.

From curvilinear to rectilinear varieties of windows, to custom shapes and sizes, there are so many creative and functional options available for your home.

Home Improvements

3 Non-Toxic Flooring Options for Your Home

With society’s rising concerns on health and wellness, the choice to go for non-toxic substances comes as no surprise. This is clearly shown in what articles we have at home, from ensuring that our floors are safe up to the bits and pieces on our cupboards. These choices are especially highlighted when you have children at home.

For starters, let’s look into the flooring of your house, which occupies a significant area of your living space. It is important to ensure that your flooring is free from toxic materials, as the presence of harmful chemicals can be a source of indoor air pollution. So, in order to avoid the largest environmental health risk in the world, learning about the proper flooring to use can prove to be advantageous. In fact, while carpeting is a popular choice, carpet installations are to be avoided as they are a large contributor to indoor air pollution.

Here are some useful information about alternative choices for flooring materials and how they could impact indoor air quality that you should look into:

  1. Ceramic Tile Flooring

Generally, a safe, non-toxic flooring option that is also easy to maintain are ceramic tiles. Glazed ceramic flooring tiles are resistant to water, humidity and stain penetration, which makes them an ideal flooring for moist areas in the house such as bathrooms or kitchens. However, unglazed ceramic tiles have to be sealed in order to protect their surfaces from water.

Ceramic flooring is also very durable, they are difficult to crack. A quality ceramic tile installation can last for as long as twenty years or even longer if it is well-maintained. Also, if a single tile succumbs to severe impact and cracks, then you can easily replace the cracked tile.

  1. Vinyl Flooring

Opting for vinyl flooring is a popular choice among consumers because they are durable, versatile, and economical options. Vinyl flooring can come in large, continuous, flexible sheets or as modern tiles or vinyl planks. Unlike vinyl floor tiles, a vinyl sheet floor is completely water-resistant. Aside from being impermeable, vinyl flooring is also easy to install, fairly durable, and resilient. They are also available in a variety of appearances and are affordable flooring materials.

For those looking for vinyl flooring in Melbourne at Market Timbers, check out their assortment of non-toxic flooring materials. They offer a hybrid vinyl/cork flooring system that replicates the natural look of timber flooring.

  1. Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is the best option for anyone with allergies because it improves air quality. The surface allows for easy removal of dust, pollens, dander, and other allergens. Aside from enhancing the look of your home, there are a lot of major benefits of hardwood flooring. These include being low maintenance, versatile, durable, and cost effective. Not only do wooden floors save you money, but they are also natural, eco-friendly, and more sustainable. Instead of replacing hardwood floors, they can be refinished so it costs less than getting new flooring.

Wooden floors are timeless, and if you want, you can sand and stain them to make them darker.

Indeed, picking flooring can be a daunting task with the variety of materials to choose from and each of the flooring types has an assortment of options too. Other factors such as moisture retention, wear resistance, maintenance, durability, and costs should also be taken into consideration. Plus, the impact of toxic substances on health and wellness should be a significant influence on your choices for flooring materials, so you can look into these three flooring type options.

 

Home Improvements

4 Top Pests That Can Harm The Home

One of the biggest things many homeowners worry about is discovering mysterious holes burrowed in their wooden floorboards or hearing scurrying in the attic. It can only mean one thing: pests have gotten into your home.

There are a number of common pests you should keep an eye out for as they can do a great deal of damage to your home.

  1. Termites

Termites eat on wood. In fact, they are one of the biggest pest threats to homeowners. They mostly feed on wood and can cause significant damage to the structure of your home. The damage that termites can cause may be so extensive that your home could become unliveable until repairs are made.

Sadly, many homeowners don’t find the damage until it is too late. Even if your property is not made of wood, take note that termites may still pose a threat. They can happily travel through plaster and even metal siding to get to wooden structures like floors and wardrobes.

  1. Mice and Rats

Rodents can, at times, be unassuming animals, but over time they can cause a great deal of damage to your home. Mice and rats get to work chewing through just about anything – wiring, thermal insulation and even wood. By chewing through wiring and insulation, the rodents could cause electrical damage and, worse, fires. Their droppings are also a serious danger as they hold several problems. For instance, the smell of the droppings may attract more rodents and the dropping could carry infections and diseases such as tapeworm and salmonella. Pest Free USA has electronic pest control to keep these pesky mice and rats at bay.

  1. Bedbugs

While bedbugs may seem rather harmless, they can be a massive nuisance in your home. What’s more, if the situation escalates, it can render your property unliveable. While bedbugs don’t normally carry disease, they do soil your furniture and bedding. They are a highly unattractive problem that must be dealt with right away, before they get the chance to spread to any other part of your home.

  1. Carpenter Ants

There are a number of different kinds of carpenter ants that can be found in homes. The worker carpenter ants are black with just a hint of red. The ants feed on organic materials containing sugar or protect as well as on other insects. They don’t eat wood, but they can remove wood to hollow out tunnels for the purpose of nesting.

Once the ants create tunnels in your wooden structures, they won’t leave sawdust or debris. The damage they cause can vary, too, depending on how long the pests have lived in that colony. While the damage may not compare to the destruction that termites create, they can still do a great deal of harm to your home, and ant issues should always be dealt with immediately.

Conclusion

Having annoying, destructive pests in your home can be a potentially massive financial burden. But, if you deal with an infestation quickly and professionally, you can successfully rid your home of pests and save your structure.