3 Remodeling Projects that Affect the Market Value of Your House

There is a definite connection between certain home improvement and remodeling projects and the market value of your home. Home improvements involve extensive ranges but some more than others can help your home become more attractive to prospective buyers. Property values are going up after lows for many years. You can capitalize on this aspect by upgrading your home’s value by investing a few well thought out changes. The first step is to research which changes can deliver worth and then start remodeling your home.

It is important to consider which area of your home can benefit through remodeling and you should not end up spending more than you can afford in the hope of increasing property value. Refurbishing should be return for investment and not extravagance. Being well informed through researching and consulting professionals and studying the neighborhood trends, can put you on the right track for remodeling work that brings dividends. Avoid projects that cut into your earnings and don’t bring any value.

Source:Google.com

Add Curb Appeal

There are many ways through which you can increase the curb appeal of your property. This can involve redoing the siding. Insulated vinyl siding can prove to be a profitable enhancement for your home which synchronizes with the rest of the house. It will improve the overall look of your home and provide valuable insulation which can help decrease energy consumption and reduce utility bills.  

You should undertake siding remodeling only if the original siding shows signs of real damage and does not provide the right amount of insulation for your home. Insulated vinyl is increasing in popularity, works well and has many benefits.

• It is available in attractive colors, designs, and sizes.
• It fits snugly and enhances the home’s overall appearance.
• It can get you tax credits.
• Insulated vinyl siding can decrease your energy bills.

Enhance Your Entrance

Front doors provide security, can be made to look attractive, and can defend your home from weather conditions. Overall enhancement of the entrance can be done by remodeling including adding columns, changing the door, and beautifying the pathway leading up to it. Homeowners can add replacement doors that are constructed from highly energy efficient material and include secure locking systems and hardware that ensures the safety of the home. Landscaping around your entrance can be beautified but should be worthwhile to add value.

Additional Versatile and Enhanced Space

Adding space to your home should be done keeping in mind that it should blend and complement the architecture of your home and not be an eyesore. You can reinvent extra space in your home, by altering it to a sunroom which should be designed to be adaptable and multipurpose. Sunrooms provide a lounge where family members can relax and unwind. Add energy efficient windows that let in the beautiful views and your sunroom can be a value added space that will increase property value due to its versatility.

Sunrooms can be used as an entertainment center, sun lounge, reading room, bedroom or even as a den, study, or dining area. These rooms can be decorated beautifully and creatively with indoor plants and décor and attract prospective buyers due to their attractive appearance and usefulness.

There are huge numbers of choices when it comes to remodeling like Champion Window. It is up to home investors and owners to decide which will bring in profits without too much of expenses.

 

Why is Ventilation in a Roofing System So Important?

The best roofing includes an efficient ventilation system which includes the attic as it is located below the roof. Roof vents should work efficiently to ensure that heat and moisture escapes and makes the home comfortable during cold and warm weather. If your roof is made up of quality material it should include ventilation system that draws air and vents it out. This means stale air is replaced with fresh air and this should be on an equal ratio. The amount of ventilation required depends on the house size and specifications that should be determined accurately to ensure optimum ventilation.

Why Ventilation Helps

Vents on roofs help to reduce temperatures and prevent dampness and moisture from increasing in the attic. If the vents are installed accurately it can provide the right ventilation and you will face less of roof related problems. Ventilation can be designed based on the house construction and the location. 

Importance of Ventilation Efficiency

If your roofing does not have proper ventilation it can cause many problems including high energy consumption costs, mold and rot, damage to structure, shingles and underlay. Poor ventilation will mean that there will be excess heat and dampness and make your home uncomfortable to live in. So it is important to have a powerful ventilation system which reduces the load on cooling and heating systems in your home.

Deterioration Due to Poor Ventilation

In fact poor ventilation can affect the entire roofing system and cause large scale deterioration and damage. Normal household activities using machines can result in increase of moisture and condensation, and this in turn can affect the roof’s shingles, underlay and other parts of the roof if the attic is not ventilated.  

When snow melts it can collect and cause leakage from under the shingles. Mold, mildew, fungi and other bacteria will increase which can result in an unhealthy environment for the residents of the house. Condensation can even damage personal items that are stored in the attic.

Vents and Details

Among the types of ventilation systems are:

• Roof fans
• Soffet and ridge vents
• Gable vents
• Whole house fans

The standards that are normally used for measuring the amount of vents for the roofs is by dividing the total space by 300 and use the result to decide how many vents are needed. Vents have to be accurately measured based on the actual opening of the vent which is done by professional vent suppliers. The two basic vents, one that takes in the outside air and the other the exhaust to let air out are what make up the ventilation system.

There are many types of vents and each has limitations and advantages. The important factor is that vents should be backed with proper insulation for effective results. A professional would be able to advise you accurately about the vents for your roof, as too little or too much of vents can have adverse effects. Vents should not allow rain or snow entering and at the same time let hot air out.

Professional advice is best for dealing with all the complications and installation of powerful ventilation systems for your roof and attic. This will ensure that a right balance is achieved for placing the intake and exhaust vents and to prevent the associated problems of poorly ventilated roofing design.For more information and suggestions for roofing contact Champion Window.

Home Improvements for Pregnant Women

There are a zillion things to be done before baby arrives in your life. Among them are home improvements that will help mom and baby. Chances are that if you already have an older child you have a somewhat baby ready home, but if it is your first baby you can pack safety and baby friendly features in your home through some valuable home improvement renovations. It is advisable to get the renovations done well ahead so that pregnant mom-to-be won’t get affected by the disturbance and hazards of home improvement. 

 

First Steps 

First you need to make a systematic list of the changes you will introduce in your home’s structure in preparation for baby. This list can include changes to be implemented, budgets, designs, and shopping lists. Then you can begin shopping for the required items and even source out contractors who can undertake heavy duty work which can help save your time and money.

Nursery Addition 

You can either change an existing spare room to a nursery or build one, using the services of building contractors. Discuss requirements with the professionals who can advise you about the best materials, designs at no obligation. Then when you get the estimate you can go ahead with creation of the nursery.

When you plan the nursery keep in mind the area, wall color, windows, and doors. Insulation is important as both mom and baby need to keep warm in the winter. Windows, and doors, can be insulated against weather and sound. Walls need to be painted in pleasing colors and the paint should be non-toxic as it will come into contact with baby’s little hands at a later stage when baby grows into a toddler.

Now with the latest technologies pregnant moms have the option of sound proofing the nursery as baby needs to be in peaceful and quiet surroundings. Acoustic insulation can be used to shield baby’s room from outside noise. The furniture that is included should be baby safe with no sharp edges or toxic paint and should match safety standards.

Baby Proof Living Areas 

Keeping the house baby safe is a big part of home improvements that a pregnant mom should ensure. It is better to include changes that focus on safety than delay it for later. The busy routine as your infant grows will leave no time for home improvements and baby will get in the way at the creeping stage.

Baby proofing list should include: 

 ·         Including baby safe electrical sockets 

 ·         Addition of baby safe gates at crucial areas 

 ·         Ensuring safety of windows 

 ·         Keeping away furniture items that can be pulled down or cause hazards 

 ·         Keeping away toxic items such as cleaning liquids and lock medicine supplies 

 ·         Replace any locks that can cause baby to accidentally lock 

Additional Changes 

Window treatments can be done to help darken the room if baby needs to sleep. Bright sunshine entering the room can disturb baby and mom so add thick curtains that can be drawn during nap times. Screen doors can be added to the nursery to allow views and keep pets out.   

If your home does not have enough space for a nursery it is a good idea to build an extension which includes a bathroom, which could serve as an additional bedroom suite later.  You can use the services of professional building contractors and they will create your nursery so you will not be burdened with the stress. You can benefit with their use of energy efficient and durable materials that will last. The changes should be made to create a baby friendly environment all around the home. It is wise to have pregnancy related renovation done thinking long term for it to be a value addition to your home.

How to Build a Window Garden

If you have a passion for gardening, building gardens on your window sills is the best way to decorate, refresh, and reap the benefits of your windows. The window box garden can be of herbs, flowering plants, foliage, or any plants you like which will add beauty to your home. For those who live in apartments in urban areas having a mini garden outside their windows will enliven and beautify living space.

Garden windows are growing in popularity and now vinyl garden windows with shelving to place plants in pots are available and these can be constructed outside windows. There are technologically advanced planters available, with arrangements for pumping water that are ready to use or which can be assembled. When you decide on adding window sill gardens to your home it is good to make use of helpful advice and tips that help in creating a beautiful mini garden outside your home windows.

Setting Up a Window Garden

The first step is to select the space for the window garden. This depends on the types of plants that will be grown as some plants need more sunlight and others can get by with less and grow in shaded spots. You can set up the mini garden outside two or more windows depending on your convenience and needs.

Select the Right Planters and Pots  

Next, choose the types of planters, window box, or pots that you would be using. You can use terra cotta, boxes made from concrete, fabricated window garden boxes, plastic, or metal depending on what fits your windows and budget best.

An important point to remember is that there should be room for the plants to grow inside these planters and windows should be able to be opened without any obstruction. The window box should be fastened strongly to the siding or masonary before plants are placed and soil is added. Drainage holes should be provided for excess water to drain out.

There are synthetic coatings that can be added if you are constructing your own planters. There should be enough drainage and adding a bottom layer of crushed stones before the soil is added is helpful to prevent water draining out completely.

Choose Your Plants

You can select the type of plants, vegetables, herbs, or foliage that you wish to grow in your window garden. Flowering and leafy plants look pretty and dress up your windows to advantage. Herbs, fruits or vegetables can be used with health benefits for you and family but you need to select the types that will grow easily in window arrangements.

Some homeowners prefer to start with seeds and others like to plant cuttings or saplings bought from stores. Get all the information on how to grow the particular plants you have planted and follow instructions for growing and watering, for best results. Plants that flourish in a particular season, with similar light and water requirement and growth should be grown together, even if the mini garden is a combination of flowering and leafy variety.

Caring and Getting the Most of Your Mini Garden

Always use top quality potting mix soil and fertilizers so that your garden blooms and grows well. If there is space for pots of different sizes you need to raise the smaller ones to be in line with larger pots by using blocks of wood or other strong material. You can also add fresh new plants when the older seasonal varieties are past their prime. Always keep the soil moist and provide liquid fertilization at regular intervals.

The best aspect of window gardens is that you have a fantastic variety of choice. You can select rare types of foliage, plants that grow throughout the year, bonsai, assortment of flowering types and many others. You can even grow small radishes, peppers, carrots, chives, or cilantro among others, if kitchen garden is your choice.

Your window garden will be a source of beauty and you and the family will view this extended space with pleasure. It adds to the value of your home and you can change plants to match each season for maximum utilization of space.

3 Reasons Why You Should Take Time to Choose an Entry Door

Doors are a significant part of your home and the entry door is a statement in itself and can add value and appeal to your home. Front doors tell the world something about what to expect in the home and can focus attention from outsiders and visitors. It is an expression of the personality of the homeowner and is a major part of the security of the residence. When you return home it is among the first objects that welcome you to your haven and should be chosen and designed with care to provide security and worth.

Make the Right Choice

The front door can be a work of art that provides a sense of safety and aesthetic appeal to homeowners. There are doors and there are doors. When you browse through internet sites or home décor publications the dazzling array of choices for the entrance doors can be quite confusing. There are many designs, colors, shapes, and styles that are available for even the most discerning buyer. You can choose among paneled, glazed and pivot styles among the many design choices. There are additional features such as the door knob, door bells, side lights, decorative glass panels and entryway enhancements that can help in the visual appeal of the main doorway.

So how do you choose the main door to your home? The choice is one that needs time and care so as to add value and security to your property. Which type of door do you select among the incredible choices that are available now? There are 3 reasons that should guide you in your selection of the front door for your home. Time should be invested in considering these 3 reasons as hurried selections based on sales pitch made by sellers should not influence judgments when you choose your main door. It will make the difference of deriving many benefits of the right choice or regretting the selection due to poor quality.

Material

Among the prime considerations to making your choice for the main door is the choice of material from which it is constructed. The material used should be able withstand adverse weather conditions, provide security, and look attractive and welcoming. Contemporary doors are available in a variety of materials including fiberglass, steel, aluminum, wood veneer and wood.

If your home is geographically located in an area where harsh weather conditions prevail, the material you select should be able to withstand the local weather without damage. Durable material such as steel and fiberglass with energy efficiency ratings is a good choice under these conditions which won’t warp or rust in cold or wet weather. Some homeowners prefer classic wood doors which add beauty and aesthetic appeal. It is extremely important that the selected material should provide insulation, have energy efficiency and have warranties.

Choice of Design

The design of your front door is dictated by your personal likes and includes a number of factors. While it grabs attention of visitors practical considerations are important when you choose the design of the entry door. The main door should blend well with the rest of the house and can include useful and decorative features. Design choices should be based on functionality, styles, and aesthetic appeal and should be selected with care. It should be one that you or family members don’t regret and should have flexibility for enhancements such as adding lights on the side or a pathway leading up to the doorway.

Design includes the hardware and security factors, glass inclusions, and color among others. Color choices are based on your personal choices whether bright or sober and should be one that you can live with as time goes by. Glass can be included if your home is situated in a secure area in terms of safety and weather conditions. It is recommended that you choose designs with care and take enough time to consider the various options.

Budgetary Considerations

The expense factor though not complicated should be considered carefully before choosing the entry door from Champion Window to your home. Replacement doors are a good choice since they are energy efficient and available to match different budgets. While you may be tempted to spend a lot on the construction of your front door, it is practical if you select a cost effective and durable door it will add value to your property and enhance its appearance as well.

Finally, it is important that your main door should increase the security of your home, be durable enough not to warp, rust, resist fire and cracking and look beautifully appealing. So go about your selection by taking your time about it and you will be proud of your choice and be able to live with it.