Budget Remodeling - It Can Be Done!

Even without hiring an actual home remodeling contractor to do remodeling, there are literally millions of ways that homeowners can successfully remodel their homes. There are hundreds of thousands of other homeowners like to do several home renovation projects on their own and if you like them, then it may be completely possible to accomplish. When it comes right down to it home remodeling does not have to be that costly at all, except for the materials that are used to actually make it happen.

On the contrary, though, if you or your spouse is interested in all with home projects and do-it-yourself projects then there are thousands of ways budget remodeling can be achieved: it just takes a little bit of creativity!

We all recognize that home remodeling contractors can be some of the most expensive people to deal with. If you are looking for interesting projects to do at home and don't care about the amount of time it takes to accomplish them then here are some suggestions that will not only make your home look beautiful, but will also add value to your home:

Expanding the Bathroom or Bedroom

One home remodeling project that many people carry out each year is the expansion of specific rooms in their homes. For examplB2Ae, you may want to make your Master Bedroom or Master Bathroom a bit bigger, and there are certainly cost-effective ways to get the job done. Even though a contractor may charge thousands of dollars just to expand one room, there are solutions to every problem and expanding a room does not have to be that hard.

A couple of the things that you want to know, though, are the basics of expanding rooms. For example, will you need fiberglass insulation after you knock down a wall? Will you need extra electrical wiring? These are a couple of the questions that can easily be researched if you know enough and are confident to do the job yourself.

Adding Pizzazz to the Bathroom

The bathroom is another place that people frequently find themselves wanting to remodel. For example, there may not be sufficient space in the bathroom for everything currently there. However, is it actually necessary to expand the whole room?

You may be able to get away with building a series of corner cabinets for the bathroom in order to have extra storage space. This is definitely a remodeling project that doesn't need to be left to home remodeling companies, and is certainly something that homeowners can accomplish themselves.

Re-doing Floors and Carpets

Another area that is normally remodeled is flooring and carpets. The flooring in the kitchen is some of the most general projects that are carried out during remodeling of houses. If you want to remodel the kitchen floor or any other floor in the house then this also can be done without a contractor. While contractors may charge a few thousand dollars to replace floors, how hard would it be to lay tile yourself or replace the carpet yourself?

All of these things mentioned are budget remodeling suggestions if you are still thinking of ways that you can remodel your house by yourself. Home contractors don't always need to be called and there is certainly a lot of money to be saved if they are not called.

Did you find those tips on budget remodeling useful? You can learn a lot more about budget remodeling by visiting http://home-remodeling.homeimprovementnewbie.com/.

The author of this article is Shin who is the webmaster of the site http://www.homeimprovementnewbie.com/ where he provides tips on home improvement.

Home Remodeling Books

Is a New Roof In Your Future?

Purchasing a home is the single largest investment that most of us will make. The roof of our house plays an important role in preserving our house and maintaining its value in the resale market. The life of the roof depends on the roofing materials used, the local weather conditions, care taken during the installation process and the level of maintenance applied to it. Asphalt and wood shingle roofs can last for 30 to 40 years, respectively. Clay tile rofs have a lifespan of 20 years whereas metal roofs can last for more than 40 years.

The sun has a detrimental effect upon the roofing material, regardless of what type of roof it is. The rays cause the material to expand, contract, warp, curl, and lose strength and shape. Elements such as rain water, high winds, snow, hail, etc cause further damage to the already weakened roof resulting in leaks, damage, mildew and fungus growth.

If an inspection of a roof reveal that there is a leakage problem at several points and that the shingles are worn out, replacing the roof is a better idea than making repairs. A new roof offers the benefits of providing sturdy protection for your house preventing damage to the structural systems inside the home from leaks as well as a new roof can provide improved insulation and a change in the appearance of your home.

Types of roofing materials

There are many different types of materials that are used for the purpose of roofing.

Wood Shingles
Wood shingles are usually made from western red cedar and are popular because they are easy to manufacture, light weight and have a very distinctive appearance.

Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt is one of the most commonly used roofing materials around today. It has a lifespan of 15-25 years. Asphalt shingles have a fiberglass body that is coated with asphalt and mineral granules for added protection. When the edges of the asphalt begin to crack and warp, it indicates that age has caught up with the material, which is beginning to dry and may no longer be a good weather proofing material. Asphalt shingles are easy to install and can be used with a variety of flashing and edging products without any special accessories for roof edges, wall cuttings, and chimneys.

Tiles
Tiles can be either ceramic, clay, or concrete. Ceramic tiles are favored in warmer climates. Tiles lend style to the roof but are difficult to install because of their weight. The roofs need to be reinforced before tiles can be laid out.

Corrugated Metal
Corrugated metal is very durable and will last upwards of 50 years with periodic maintenance, they need to be painted and protected from moisture. Metal roofs are available in sheets at home improvement stores in a wide range of colors and can be crafted to give the appearance of traditional tiles. They are sturdy and durable.

Slate
Slate is another durable roofing material that is almost non-absorbent. Slate has been used for centuries. It is a naturally occurring product that is resistant to wind, sun, rain, and other forces of nature. Its gentle colors and unique textures coupled with its durability offer a great mix of utility and beauty. However, slate roofs are difficult to install and the material is expensive.

Cost comparison between roofing materials

Factors affecting the cost of the roof include the area to be covered; the material used, layers of shingles placed; effort involved in removing the existing roofing; and any work required on the gutters and siding. The cost of roofing materials is usually quoted in terms of squares. One square is equal to an area of 10 feet x 10 feet.

Costs of common roofing materials are given below. These costs are exclusive of the installation charges.

Fiberglass coated with asphalt:
It comes with a warranty of 25-35 years and costs between $30 - $35 per square foot. The weight per square can range from 200 to 300 pounds.

Wood shingles:
These carry a warranty of 20-30 years and cost between $100 - $200 per square foot. The weight per square can vary from 300 to 350 pounds.

Clay/Concrete tiles:
The warranty for tiles can range from 25 to 75 years. Tiles can cost between $150 - $500 per square foot. The weight per square can vary from 500 - 1200 pounds.

Steel and Aluminum:
These come with a warranty of up to 50 years and can cost between $150 - $250 per square foot. The weight per square is in the range of 50 - 100 pounds.

Natural Slate:
It carries a warranty of over 100 years and costs between $300 - $600 per square foot. It weighs between 600 - 2000 pounds per square.

How long does a new roof take to install?

Roofing is a seasonal business, so if you intend to get it done by a roofing contractor, it is possible that your turn may come after a week or two of your agreeing to get the work done. Other important factors include the weather conditions, area of the roof and the roofing material. An asphalt roof can be finished in 2 - 3 days. A wood shingle roof can be laid in 3 - 4 days. Metal roofing can be completed in 2 - 4 days.

Can a homeowner do the roofing by himself?

Some types of roofs lend themselves more easily as a do it yourself project than others. Roofing is a very physical job that requires a fair amount of brawn and some brains too. The work involves moving a lot of material and nailing it in place, installing the flashing requires skill. If you wish to get it first-time right, it is advisable to take the help of someone who has done it before. A roofing project requires the efforts of more than one person. An important consideration is the weather, if you get a spell of clear weather, try and finish the work, if the weather changes you must be equipped to protect the unfinished roof against the elements. Also, you need to be careful about your own safety while handling various tools, a slip from roof height is potentially fatal.

Copyright 2007 by ABCD Publishing

Dan Fritschen, the author of this article, is the founde365r of the websites http://www.remodelormove.com, http://www.remodelestimates.com and http://www.remodelingorganizer.com He is the author of three books on home remodeling.

Ladders

A ladder is a collective set of steps, linked vertically via two horizontal rods. These steps are called rungs and the rods supporting them are called stiles. A ladder is commonly used for climbing at home or at work. There are two types of ladders -- rigid or hard material ladders and rope ladders. Rigid ladders are generally portable, but are sometimes fixed permanently to buildings or structures.1C86

Ladders come in variety of styles and heights. They can either be rented or purchased. Styles include stool, foldable and single length ladders. Each ladder has a defined weight that it can support and come in a choice of materials like aluminum, fiberglass, steel, wood and iron. Fiberglass ladders are the strongest and most durable. Although a bit heavier than aluminum, they do not present any risk while doing electrical work.

Rigid ladders serve a lot of purposes. They are used for attics, pools, docks, libraries, shops, etc. They are available in many styles. Besides the simple and straight fixed ladder, an extension ladder is also useful. It is divided into parts that are easily foldable or expandable to provide double the height. The stepladder is an inverted v shape and fixed from the center. Platform stepladders are a refinement of stepladders, since they have a comfortable horizontal platform at the top. Telescopic ladders are a great invention. The stiles of this type of ladder can slide inside each other for minimum storage. Ladders with a hook at the top provided for better grip are called roof ladders and hook ladders. Rope ladders are useful where storage space is very limited, or the weight has to be kept to a minimum. Rope ladders come with rigid or flexible rungs. It requires specialized skill to climb a rope ladder, since it tends to swing freely like a pendulum and is not stationary.

It is advisable to take precautions while climbing a ladder. The ladder should be placed at a calculated distance from the wall on which it is leaning. It is recommended that for best stability, this distance from the bottom of the ladder should be one quarter of the height of the ladder. It is a good practice to use ladder stabilizers. They enhance the ladder's grip on the ground surface. To avoid unnecessary falls from the ladders, one must place it properly and wear clothes that will not get in the way of stepping. Ladders can be found in hardware shops or on the Internet.

Ladders provides detailed information about ladders, pool ladders, boat ladders, step ladders and more. Ladders is the sister site of School Playground Equipment.

Structural Repair
Water Damage

Building a House In Vista Ideas

Things To Consider When Building A House

By: Brandon Langlois
It is everyone's dream to own their own home. For most people, purchasing a home is likely the biggest single investment they will make in their lifetime. With new housing starts at an all-time high, it may be time for you to consider getting into the market. If you are looking for a home that is different from every other house on your street, you should consider building your own house.
There are a number of things to keep in mind when considering a new home. The first thing to look at is your financial status. Can you really afford your new house? Take some time and do a proper budget, and meet with a financial adviser. Your adviser will help you evaluate the maximum amount of money you can afford to spend each month. Be sure to allow for some flexibility, as there are likely unexpected expenses on the horizon.
The next step is to properly identify the needs of your family. Make a list of your needs, and a secondary list of your wants. Once you have decided on the elements you want included in your new home, it is time to locate a good piece of property. Do you want to live in the city or in the country? In a newer neighborhood or an older, established one? Take your time and shop around. Don't feel pressured to buy right away. You will be much happier in the end, if you purchase a property that your family will love.
Once you have secured a parcel of land, it is time to decide on a house plan. Most respectable building contractors will want to see a detailed plan. These plans can be prepared through an architectural firm, or they can be purchased through various building centers and websites. Your local government will likely require a copy of your house plans before they will provide you with the proper permits and authorizations. Upon receiving your building permit, you should hire a buildig inspector to ensure that your home complies with all of the laws and regulations in your region. Your buildig inspector can be a very valuable resource during the construction of your new home.
Be sure to have proper insurance in place before you break ground. It would be an awful shame to have your project held up due to an injury on the job site. You might want to hire a construction manager, too. This way you will have somebody in place to oversee the project, and ensure that everything is done as it should be. After the surveying has been completed, you will be ready to begin excavating. At this time, your new home is officially under construction. Don't forget your hardhat.
About The Author
Brandon Langlois is an independent building contractor with over 20 years experience in the construction industry. When he is not busy on the job site, he writes for homeplaninfo.com – an informative website where readers can find and compare home plans online (http://www.homeplaninfo.com/), discover custom plans for a new house (www.homeplaninfo.com/bestsellers.asp), or explore the latest dream houses (www.homeplaninfo.com/featured/featured_plans.asp).