ALL DIY INFO - Home Improvement Blog » Remodeling

10 Totally Tranquil Bathrooms

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:55:38 +0000

Our contractors never cease to amaze me. The diversity these pros bring to bathroom design is simply astonishing. From modern bathrooms to eclectic and transitional bathrooms as well, they’re keeping homeowners happy with quality remodeling. Take a look at some of their recent bathroom remodels below. You can find more in our Ideas Gallery , or get in touch with CalFinder contractors directly to talk pricing and sketch out some ideas. 10 Totally Tranquil Bathrooms #1 – Contemporary yet transitional bathroom with modern cabinets and chrome-finish hardware #2 – Modern bathroom with shower tiled in soothing natural stone #3 – Uber-contemporary remodel with rich wood panel accents and glass shower wall #4 – Eclectic bathroom f eaturing elegant furniture rather than traditional elements #5 – Stylish bathroom with chic gold accents and Asian cultural influence #6 – Excellent example of transitional bathroom #7 – A Zen-minimalist and oh-so-tranquil haven #8 – Lovely modern bathroom in white tile and stone #9 – Simple but powerful minimal bathroom #10 – Zen-luxury at its finest with a round soaking tub and ornate decor – What are your favorites from this collection? Which are you most likely to pick for your own home? Let me know in the comments!

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10 Totally Tranquil Bathrooms

Eco-Friendly Roofing Cuts Your Utility Bills

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:44:03 +0000

As you may have heard, CalFinder’s all about saving you money . To that end, we’re happy to share a guest post from Herbert Norton of Roofery.com . The focus? Better-insulating roof + eco-friendly materials = money in the bank. Take it away, Herb! Greening Your Roof Going green can do more than save the environment — it can save you money in the long run. So why not start at the top? Green roofing is a thriving industry and the options now vary from recyclable shingles to rooftop gardens. Green roofs can add an aesthetic appeal to your home, maximize energy efficiency and save you the pains of high energy bills. Follow these tips to choose the best green roof for your home and environment. What Should You Look for in a Green Roof? Before delving into a new roofing project, there are several variables to consider in the search. A green roof should be: Dependable A barrier against the elements Highly insulating to cut your energy bills Aesthetically appealing The biggest consideration when choosing a green roof is environment . You’ll want a roof that performs best in your climate. For example, if you live in an area with harsh winters and cold temperatures, look for a resilient roof that can hold up under snow, and probably a roof darker in color so that it will absorb heat rather than reflect it, keeping your heating bills low. Aside from color choice, an important greening feature is roofing durability and life span. Replacing your roof every 10 years or so is a huge cost to you and to the environment, as it requires manufacturing more roofing materials regularly. Another way to green your roof (and to save a lot of shipping costs) is to buy locally. The farther the shipping distance, the worse the carbon emissions and the greater the environmental impact. With these basic guiding principles in mind, consider the different types of green roof. Natural Clay Tiles A tiled roof can be a great energy efficient option. Clay tiles are the greenest tile of them all. They are excellent energy-savers in warmer climates, since they are usually light in color to reflect the sun’s rays, and provide greater air circulation to naturally cool your home . A drawback is that clay tiles are very heavy, so before you install them consult with an engineer to evaluate whether your home will need extra structural reinforcement. Fiber-cement composite tiles are made from recyclable materials but are very durable. Since these tiles aren’t as heavy as cement tile, they don’t require any extra structure reinforcement, and can be installed as is on your home. Check out some more recycled tile options here . Recycled Synthetic Shingles This traditional roofing material can be a great green option. Although standard asphalt shingles are a cheap roofing option, they only last about 15 years, making them one of the least green roofing materials. An better option is recycled synthetic shingles, which are made from a mixture or plastic, rubber and wood waste. The synthetic shingles are much lighter than asphalt and can last up to 50 years, three times the lifespan of asphalt. The synthetic shingles also come in a variety of styles, mimicking cedar shakes, slate or even clay tiles. The synthetic shingles are also comparable in shape and size to asphalt, so it is easy to replace asphalt with synthetic. Biodiverse Green Roofs Rooftop gardens are gaining in popularity in cities, but they are also a fantastic green roof option for any suburban home. A green roof is a vegetated rooftop covering that insulates your home, while the vegetation helps absorb carbon dioxide. Although commercial green roofs often sport trees, bushes, and irrigation systems, a green roof on your home only calls for 2-5 inches of soil to support small plants, grass and shrubs. The lower-scale green roofs don’t require much maintenance. Depending on your home, you may not need any extra structural reinforcement to support the green roof. – Herbert Norton is a roofing contractor that started a website on roofing in the winter months to help educate his clients. Roofery.com has extensive information on many different types of roofing shingles, such as slate, tile, solar and metal shingles , to help consumers make an educated decision. Recently Herbert has been researching the “greening” of asphalt shingles , which are not normally eco-friendly. Photos via Flickr

How Much Can You Save with Green Remodeling Tax Credits?

admin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:23:07 +0000

Staying on top of the latest remodeling tax info is tough, but you can still take advantage of every federal tax break available before they expire. Some federal incentives have ended for 2010, some have been extended through 2011, and certain credits last all the way to 2016. Tax Credits for Basic Home Improvements Many of these projects are also pretty standard for home upkeep. Things like installing new windows , insulation, and a better air conditioning or heating system all qualify for federal tax credits. For upgrades made in 2010, you can get $1,500 back, or 30% on the first $5,000 spent. For improvements in 2011, the credit decreases to $500, or 10% of the first $5,000 you spend. This requires IRS form 5696 and receipts from your purchases. State rebates may also be available. Find out what improvements cost in your area by clicking here . These credits will be available in most cases until 2016, and most apply to both first and second homes. In the Non-Business Energy Property Credit , the overall credit caps at $500 for approved energy-efficient improvements, but within that blanket cap, certain green remodeling projects have their own caps, such as more efficient windows and doors, better insulation, and roof improvements. Homeowners can still deduct 10% of the purchase price of materials, but the cap is set at $200 for these types of deductions. Certain appliances, however, such as an upgraded hot water heater or an energy-efficient heating and cooling system , can earn a $300 tax credit. Solar Panels, Wind Turbines and Geothermal Rebates The second green tax break for homeowners is a big one. The Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit is a 30% credit off the cost of clean energy systems, including home solar panels , wind turbines , geothermal , and fuel cell systems . There is no cap on this credit, and installation and labor charges are also included in the credit, except for fuel cell upgrades. To qualify for the credits, homeowners would be wise to get estimates quickly before they expire, and to investigate what rebate programs currently exist in their state. Important Information on Green Tax Credits Keep in mind that for any green home improvements , you should do careful research to verify a manufacturer’s tax credit certification statement before purchase and installation of certain appliances or energy technology systems. When it comes to replacement windows and HVAC , only certain Energy Star products and appliances are approved for qualification. Other eligible home improvements include certain window films, duct sealants, pigmented metal roofs, and asphalt roofs with cooling granules. New additions to the tax credit plan are biomass stoves and ground-source or geothermal heat pumps. A solid source for more information is the Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) website, and the Department of Energy offers a helpline, at 1-800-dial-DOE, for consumers with questions about green tax incentives. Most states have their own incentive programs in place, but with many states experiencing severe budget shortages, much of what was previously available in rebate programs has been reduced or cut completely. In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act was put forth to stimulate energy efficiency practices in the green economy with expansion of existing home energy credits, which directly increase refunds or reduce a total tax bill. Photos via Flickr

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How Much Can You Save with Green Remodeling Tax Credits?

Increase Your House’s Value By Renovating

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:27:11 +0000

Filed under: Exteriors & Facades , Essential Skills , Know-How , Outdoors Before you list your home, try these renovation tips so you can up the asking price! Check out this piece from our partners at Fox News Home & Garden ! Want to increase your home’s value? Try landscaping. Photo: Corbis. When it comes to boosting your resale value, not all home renovations are created equal. Big-ticket items like hardwood floors, flagstones around the pool, or a water feature might be great for the homeowner, says Kris Anderson, a Re/Max agent in the Phoenix area, but these improvements do little to increase the asking price. Instead, homeowners should focus on more humble renovations and steer clear of the flashier upgrades. “The key when remodeling is to think in terms of ‘resale’ always,” Anderson said. “I find most homeowners overlook their front door and garage door and the windows. They get sucked in by the showroom at Lowe’s or Home Depot.” So which upgrades pay off the most? Curb Appeal Not all renovations need to be big, expensive undertakings. Tackling a few modest DIY projects can be a great way to add value on the cheap. Basic landscaping can cost less than a weekend’s worth of sweat and effort, but may dramatically boost your house’s curb appeal, that all-important first impression your home makes on a potential buyer. “Curb appeal is a very important thing to remember. When a potential buyer comes to see your home, the first impression is the front yard,” said Candice Cerro of Realtor.com. “Planting flowers and painting the front door can go a long way.” Similarly, a new coat of paint indoors and outside can give a house a fresh look. But before you run out to purchase a few gallons, heed a realtor’s advice: Keep it neutral. You may love lime green or pink, but that doesn’t mean your buyer will. “This is not about what you like, but what the buyer likes,” said Cheryl Bare, a realtor with Century 21 in the Washington, D.C., area. Sticking to neutral tones will allow a potential buyer to envision the space as their own, while minimizing the risk that they’ll be turned off by your color choices. Sweat the Small Stuff Many homeowners often overlook the nickel-and-dime stuff, like light fixtures, faucets and door knobs. While it won’t pay off to splurge on high-end fixtures and faucets, at the very least you want to ensure that the house has a uniform look and feel. So pick a style and stick with it throughout the home. Check out the other four ways to increase your house’s value over at Fox News or All DIY Infoup about… Finding the Right Flowers for Mom Cities Where $80,000 Buys a Real Home Or check out AOL Real Estate’s guide to increasing your house’s value through bathroom and minor kitchen renovations . All DIY Info | All DIY Info | Linking Blogs | All DIY Info

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Increase Your House’s Value By Renovating

Modular Outdoor Pizza Oven Makes Installation Easy

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:18:34 +0000

Have you ever dreamed of making pizza at home…from your back deck or patio? You might think having an outdoor pizza oven installed is a huge project that requires a landscaping or remodeling expert. Well, a little expertise never hurts, but the folks over at Forno Bravo are making it feasible to install a pizza oven on your own. Their modular kits mean the pieces can be shipped to you and assembled in your yard. No need to whip out the bricks and mortar to build an oven from scratch (though the company does have a neat guide online , if that’s something that piques your interest). The residential modular pizza oven shown below is from the Casa2G series .

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Modular Outdoor Pizza Oven Makes Installation Easy

Is HVAC Inflating Your Energy Bills? 7 Signs It Needs Help

admin — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:05:54 +0000

HVAC is such a gift. If you’ve ever doubted what an amazing invention it is, just visit relatives that don’t have central air in the middle of summer. You’ll vow to never neglect yours again. To keep your home nice and comfortable as it should be, here’s how to lower your energy bill with a better-working HVAC, as well as seven red flags that indicate a problem with your little piece of paradise. Tune it Up Studies have found that AC units lose about 5% of their efficiency every year. This can mean a huge bump in your utility bills. Spending a little money on a tune-up can help you maintain 95% of the unit’s efficiency, helping you save money on the bill and making your unit last longer. An HVAC tune-up should consist of cleaning the coils, checking the compressor, oiling belts and checking pressure levels. On your end, good filters are important. Change them regularly to keep your system running smoothly. Cut Your Energy Bill You can lower your electric bill by blocking sunlight. Keep curtains closed until the sun has passed by the window. Close off vents to unused rooms, and keep those doors shut. Cool air descends, so the vents in the lowest level of the house should be closed. Teach your kids to close the door behind them every time they go in or out of the house. Finally, invest in an automatic thermostat so you can cut your A/C costs this summer , and your bill. 7 Signs Your HVAC Needs Help 1. Ice forming on the unit or lines If you look at the lines coming from your unit into the house and see condensation or ice, call a technician. It’s not normal, and it’s not good. 2. Unit is running but not cooling The A/C is on, you hear the fan going, but the air coming out of the vent is lukewarm. The problem could be anything from a serious freon leak to a minor fuse. Either way, it’s a good time to call the specialist in . 3. HVAC unit is running for hours on end Listen to your unit, pay attention to when it’s running and when it’s not. If you realize yours has been running for three hours and the temperature in the house has only dropped one degree, it’s time for a service call and possibly a new unit. 4. Mysterious noises Take time to listen to your unit. It should sound smooth with a nice, steady hum. If yours is clanking, rattling, and rolling then you might want to call for an inspection. There should not be any grating noises or rubbing sounds. 5. Scary electric bills Most people open their electric bills and have a good idea of what it will be. If yours is suddenly much larger than expected, your HVAC unit might be the culprit. Check pricing for a new heating system here . 6. Water leaks You should never see water puddling around your exterior unit. If you check your unit and find a collection of water near it, call a service technician for an inspection. 7. System is more than 10 years old The average life span of an air conditioner is only 10 to 12 years. The industry is constantly making advancements in unit efficiency . If yours was installed more than a decade ago, the chances are good that it’s nearing the end of its life. Installing a new one will save you money on the electric bill every month. If a new unit just isn’t in the budget right now, an inspection and tune-up could help you get a few more years out of it. Regular Maintenance You probably don’t give your air conditioner a second thought. But once it dies, that’s all you can think about. Having regular maintenance done will help you keep it running in top condition. Just as your furnace should be inspected annually, your air conditioner should also be inspected. Have any good HVAC tips of your own? Let us know in the comments. Images via FriendlyElectric

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Is HVAC Inflating Your Energy Bills? 7 Signs It Needs Help

TO Design’s Lucy Campos-Gentile at Urban Mode: Design Talks

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:35:17 +0000

TO Design Basement Reno Are you planning a kitchen or bathroom reno? Guest speaker Lucy Campos-Gentile, principle designer at TO Design and contributor to HomeRenovationGuide.com and HomeInteriorGuide.com ‘s Makeover and Reno of the Month series is guesting at Urban Mode ‘s “Design Talks” event. It’s happening tomorrow April 14, 7pm at 145 Tecumseh St., Toronto. See recent TO Design project galleries: Gorgeous Basement Reno , Classic Living Room , and Chic Bathroom . More info from the event website http://www.designtalks.ca : “Design Talks: Planning for Your Home – Kitchen and Bathroom Design A beautiful kitchen and bathrooms can make or break the sale of your home; in fact, real estate experts estimate that approximately 80-90 percent of the money spent making improvements to the kitchen and bathrooms can be earned back in resale value. … Our April Design Talk is all about making the most of your kitchen and bathrooms. Lucy Campos-Gentile , Principal Interior Designer of TO DESIGN CO , will lead our discussion, helping us to learn what changes make the most impact, how to plan for an effective remodel/redesign (no matter what your budget), and giving us plenty of ideas and examples from her own beautiful kitchen and bathroom transformations! Join us on April 14, 2011 at Urban Mode at 7:00pm for this next event in our series of Design Talks. Tickets are going fast, so purchase yours today at http://kitchenbathroomdesign.eventbrite.com/ ! About the Speaker: Lucy Campos-Gentile started working in Interior Design over fifteen years ago. In the first two years of her career, she worked in largely corporate, retail, and hospitality design. When she was hired by a builder to work in the residential field of the market, her career shifted, and she later started her own design firm, TO DESIGN CO . Today, eight in ten of Lucy’s design projects include bathroom and/or kitchen remodelling. TO DESIGN CO is a full-service interior design firm specializing in home renovations, additions, new construction, and remodeling. Lucy provides design services around the GTA including project planning, drawings, project management, and trade supervision. Lucy plans with her clients using a full range of samples and detailed specifications, floor plans, architectural drawings and 3D models, then manages projects, overseeing the selection and purchasing of furniture, products, and materials. TO DESIGN CO clients need only to express their design wants and needs, approve the resulting plans, then enjoy the wonders of a well-designed space that offers function, style and balance!”

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TO Design’s Lucy Campos-Gentile at Urban Mode: Design Talks

Sunshiny Window Pictures and Inspiration

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:24:43 +0000

In honor of spring sunshine, longer daylight hours and the official start of remodeling season , I’d like to share a round-up of beautiful window replacement pictures and inspiration. Check them out, and if you’d like more where that came from, visit our Window Gallery . Window Replacement Pictures Replacement windows in a recently remodeled kitchen Living room sliding doors and picture windows Double Hung Window Ideas Newly installed double hung windows with white trim Arched Windows Arched top , aka “rounded top” windows Sunroom Windows New windows and doors for the sunroom To learn more about getting replacement windows, click here .

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Sunshiny Window Pictures and Inspiration

5 Reasons to Remodel Your Ugly Old Bathroom Now

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:00:40 +0000

Your friends know it, you know it, your mother knows it: the bathroom needs work. So let’s help you kick spring remodeling season into gear. Here are 5 reasons to remodel your ugly old bathroom now . 1. You love a good bargain With the construction industry in yet another slump, contractor fees have been significantly reduced. If ever there was a time to remodel, this is it. Find out how much you can get away with by clicking here . 2. Your spouse owes you one If you haven’t been pampered since your honeymoon, it’s probably time to cash in on a few promises. We’ve got your spa bathroom ideas right here , as well as master bath pictures and an ultra sexy design to inspire you. Don’t forget to request your soaking tub with jets, heated flooring and a skylight for stargazing. Ahhh, now we’re relaxed. 3. Your flooring is carpet… and it’s starting to smell Never mind why you have carpet in the bathroom—let’s just get that cleared out for you. Flooring installation jobs start at a couple hundred or less. At the very least, take care of mold and ventilation problems by installing new flooring . Tile and vinyl are excellent (and funk-free) choices. 4. You engage in bathroom wars every morning If getting to work or school on time involves an epic battle for the shower every morning, consider adding another bathroom . Think of all the time you’ll save (and feelings you’ll spare). For bigger families, check out bathroom plans that feature separate shower and toilet areas. This is a fantastic way to maximize efficiency in the home, and our contractors are plenty skilled in spatial planning and design. 5. Your bathroom somewhat resembles a drippy cave OK, here’s worst-case scenario: leaky faucets, mildew in the corners, creatures purring under the floorboards, etc. This is a sign that your bathroom has fallen victim to the swamp look, a problem not as uncommon as you might think. Even if yours isn’t a total loss, here’s what you can do: find out how much a remodel would cost you , replace the essentials and get back to sweet bathroom bliss. We have faith in you. Did I miss any important reasons to remodel? Let me know in the comments! Photos via Houzz

How to Find a Contractor: The Number-One Secret You Need to Know

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:00:55 +0000

Are contractors competing for your business? Are they going above and beyond, offering detailed estimates, glowing references and phenomenal customer service to win you over? If not, you should probably learn the #1 homeowner’s secret to a successful remodel. This trick gets you remodeling contractors like no other. Not just regular old workers, but experienced craftsmen with an eye for quality yet affordable home renovations. Think of it as a one-step stairway to remodeling heaven. Brace yourself — the super-sneaky trick to pain-free home improvement is to . . . . . . click here . Yes, it really is that simple. The Best Contractors are CalFinder Contractors What’s in it for you? Besides the aforementioned wonderfulness, if you grab your free contractor referrals here , you’ll get remodeling pros that are also : Licensed and Insured — this may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at the number of scam contractors out there. Local to you — a shorter commute means fewer costs passed on to you. Quality Certified — CalFinder Certification is the blue ribbon of contractor inspection. Personally, I’ve read a lot of horror stories about kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels and whole-home renovations that stretched on for months — sometimes even years — because the contractors couldn’t pull themselves together. They were overbooked, under-skilled, or worse . . . they had fled the job. Your best protection is a network of certified contractors . A point and click, grab your estimates and be on your merry way referral service. And that’s exactly what we provide at CalFinder . No hassle, no fuss, no delay. Just Look at These Beauties But hey, I’ll let our recent remodeling pictures do the talking. Check out a few projects completed by CalFinder Contractors below: Home renovation with multiple replacement windows Kitchen remodel with new kitchen island Modern bathroom remodel in warm, soothing earth tones And another with light-colored tile and spa-quality stone – – – Ready to get started? Here’s that link again , and happy remodeling!

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How to Find a Contractor: The Number-One Secret You Need to Know