Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Useful Advice When Planning A Home Improvement Project

By Steve Ian


Whether you only have a hundred dollars to spend on a home improvement project or thousands at your disposal, the prospect of enhancing and adding value to your home is very exciting for most people. These carefully selected home improvement tips and tricks are just the thing to get you inspired and ready for your next project.

Strategically placed mirrors, can add visual interest to any room and make the area feel more spacious. This is especially useful in small bathrooms. Use adhesive-backed mirrors from any home improvement center, to create a distinctive design, that adds impact and an illusion of more space. This project can be easily achieved in under an hour and with, as little as, fifty dollars.

Give the bubble in your old vinyl floor covering a shot! If a bubble exists in an old vinyl floor, it is easy to slice into it and release the air. This will temporarily flatten the bubble. You'll need to inject some fresh glue, however, to hold the repaired section to the floor. Use glue that you buy in syringes to do the job.

Consider installing eavestrough covers to keep leaves and other guck out of your water drainage system, preventing damage and flooding. A great product approved by Mike Holmes is Smart Screen Gutter Protection, which fits over existing eavestroughs so you don't have to pay to have your entire drainage system replaced.

When it comes to home improvement, be sure to weigh the cost of purchasing CFL bulbs for your home. While they do save energy because of lower wattage usage, the upfront cost is higher than regular bulbs. Also, they may pose a health hazard to you if ever broken due to the amount of mercury used inside the bulb.

Are you planning on painting the trim around your windows as a part of your home improvements? Here is a trick that will save you some time. If you have a steady hand, you do not need to mask off the glass when you are painting the trim. If you get a small lap of paint on the glass, simply remove the wet paint from the glass with a damp cloth wrapped around the blade of a putty knife. If the paint has already dried, you can use a razor blade to remove it.

If you have a lot of home improvement projects on your list, remember to pace yourself through it all. If you are trying to do everything all at once, you could become very overwhelmed and even slack up on the quality that is given to each project. Taking each project one at a time will ensure that you complete each perfectly and without too much stress on you.

You should not hesitate and go and have your hot water tank insulated. This is a good idea because a lack of proper insulation means that a lot of heat is lost. You can save yourself a good amount of money by having insulation installed on the heater.

Make the plans for your home improvement project measure up to the standard sizes of supplies available at the store. For example, you'll be buying wood that comes in even lengths measured by feet (4, 6, or 8). Try to make your project fit those measurements so you don't have to do a lot of cutting.

Another very simple but easy to complete improvement is painting your home with a fresh coat of paint. By buying high quality paint with eye catching colors, you will improve the general look and mood of your place. Retouch the original color or possibly try a new, lively color in your rooms.

If you want to make your house shine then look to the curb appeal. First impressions are important with people, and they are just as important to your home. Consider repainting if your color is fading or is dated, and choose colors and other details that fit into the era of your house.

Installing hand railings can improve the safety and beauty of your home. Key areas for railing are entrance ways, decks, platforms, sidewalks, balconies and stairways. Railings are especially helpful for children or the elderly. Various styles and materials can be found including steel, copper, bronze, aluminum, wrought iron, cables, rods, various woods and even glass. So, install useful and stylish railing to make your home safer and more appealing.

Updating your home can be an expensive and lengthy process. However, if you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of engaging in any home improvement project, no matter how large or small, you can save both time and money. By following the advice in this article, you can avoid common pitfalls and learn the best ways to make the most of your investment in your home.




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