To exactly know where your home stands when it comes to energy efficiency and get specifics on which area of your house and property needs concentration, an energy audit conducted by a professional would serve as a great start. In some cases, you can avail of this professional service from your energy provider for free. If not, then calling on a qualified contractor to do the energy audit would surely prove to be worth the investment.

Maximize Heating and Cooling

About 50 to 70% of the energy consumption of an average American home is accounted to heating and cooling. And fact is, the entire amount reflected into your energy bill is not what you have entirely used as a good fraction of this goes to waste. Without you knowing, leaks are lurking at places they shouldn’t be and silently wasting precious resources that are not only costing you financially but is also preying on indoor comfort and affecting the quality of living you afford your family. To deal with this and maximize heating and cooling, here are 2 green home improvements to undertake:

• Seal It All Up

A tightly sealed home ensures that what is needed inside is kept inside and what is not, outside.  Plugging every possible source of air leak will maximize the heating and cooling effort of your HVAC system. When essential elements escape while the outdoor air seeps into the house through holes and gaps, your HVAC system is unnecessarily overworked thus energy costs shoot up. There are several areas that leaks are more common especially around the gaps of your windows and doors, attic, basement and more. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency roughly estimates that a fifth of the hot or cold air that ducts carry to various parts of your home does not end up where they should be due to leaks along the way. To get rid of the headache, fill these up with sealants.

• Insulation

A well insulated home is not only an energy efficient home but one that is comfortable all year-round.  Before getting on with the work, consider having a qualified contractor do the job for you for an efficient and fast turn around. An evaluation will be done first to know whether the insulation in your exterior and basement walls, attic, floors, ceilings, and crawl spaces meet the DOE recommended R-value for your area. Then you and your hired contractor can discuss the methods and materials suitable to use for your budget and home.

Energy Efficient Products

There are a lot of products that you can replace and add in your green home improvements to achieve better energy efficiency such as HVAC systems, lighting, programmable thermostat, water heater and a whole lot more. Other than the long-term savings on your energy bills, certain products can also qualify you for federal tax credits. So be on the look out for the Energy Star label.

One great thing about bathroom remodeling now to create an in-house spa sanctuary, is the almost endless array of products and concepts that you can choose to put together to complete the project.  The options can be overwhelming. Finding the most enjoyment in the rejuvenation that your planned haven can afford will all boil down to your personal preferences and needs.

With heated bathroom flooring, stepping into the bath or out from a relaxing shower or soak in the tub will never again be a thought to cringe at. Other than the comfort that this provides, radiant heating has also been proven to a more effective primary source of heat compared to other heating systems. Another must-have to consistently make every bathing experience one to relish at, towel-warmers makes up for a pleasant drying time in the embrace of heated fluffiness.

Spa bathroom remodeling can result to steamy delights to start or end your day, and can even be a sumptuous treat to ease the senses any time you can escape from it all. Irregardless of how small or big the bathroom you’ll be remodeling, you are sure to find the perfect bath feature that can spell all the difference. You can choose from a very wide array of steam rooms, steam showers and even home saunas to help you achieve a heavenly sanctuary that is sure to pamper the body, calm the mind and indulge the senses.

When bathroom remodeling, consider both your personal wants as well as the available space when deciding on whether to go for a tub or shower.  For tubs, you can choose to have invigorating  therapeutic massages with a power Jacuzzi or whirlpool.  But if ultimate serenity is your thing, then a deep soaking tub is more ideal. If space does not permit or if you prefer a shower, there are also lots of options to explore from large or multiple shower heads, to water jets, to vertical showers.

An escape in the safety and privacy of your very own home is a possibility that bathroom remodeling can afford. Add considerable value to your property while reaping the indulgence that enhanced quality of living brings by lavishing at your share of everyday spa experience.

Craftsmen Network,
New York, NY

Sure you’ve been itching to spend your money on days spent lavishing at a luxurious vacation at some prime spot or buy that flashy car.  But afterwards, what will be left of it all are just memories and an easily devaluing obligation with all the financial strings attached.  Wouldn’t it be grander to enjoy the utter comfort and relaxation each and everyday, lasting even through generations?  And to make it more tempting, here are more benefits of venturing into home improvement as an investment:

• A good boost in property that can be recouped by resale time, where when planned well the home improvement project would be profitable – ending up paying for itself or more.
• Maximized comfort, beauty, and functionality with a touch of luxury.  As they say, what are intangible are those that are invaluable.  By investing in home improvement, you are upping the ante of living quality that you provide for your family.
• Answer to the current needs of the family.  As time goes, changes in the family whether in size or lifestyle will inevitably come and with these arise the need for some home improvements.  Reasons will vary but whether to child-proof the house, add a second bathroom, organize a home office, or whatever project it will all boil down to making the house efficiently cater to the requirements of the family.
• Energy and cost-efficiency.  Your energy bill makes up a huge fraction of where your monthly budget goes to.  An energy-efficient home ensures the optimal use of heating and cooling thus unnecessary overworking your HVAC system is avoided and a cutback on operational costs is enjoyed.

High ROI Home Improvements

Now that we have already covered the benefits of investing in your home, here are several of the home improvement projects that can bring in the highest return on your investment:

1. Kitchen Remodeling.  Being the hub where a lot of time is spent by each family member whether alone or together, kitchen remodeling will greatly improve everyday living experience.
2. Bathroom Renovation.  For the most enjoyable personal and grooming time, a new look and enhanced comfort and functionality for your bath would truly be the perfect way to de-stress and rejuvenate your body and senses.
3. Curb Appeal.  First impressions do last.  And keeping your surroundings and exterior clean and looking beautiful will help you achieve this.

Investing Properly

Just like any other investment, it is important that you plan your work and work your plan.  Integrate the factors that are crucial to the success of home improvements and these include: a qualified contractor, quality products and a well detailed plan.  By working with a certified contractor, you will be assured of a timely and cost-efficient project completion.  High quality and durable products will let you and your family enjoy the home improvement result in the longest possible time.  While a good plan will make the transition of work from one stage to another, going smoothly.

Craftsmen Network,
New York, NY

For smooth flow and better productivity in kitchens, more open floor plans are continually getting popular.  With this setup, less space is left to mount above the counters making pedestal cabinets a hit.  This new trend in kitchen cabinet design has provided more height options to help maximize spaces in between.  Being taller by around 40 inches or more than the standard, pedestal cabinets can hold in more items.  This style option serves as a creative and space-efficient way that you can have your New York contractor do to integrate architectural elements such as posts or columns into the room.

Furniture-Grade

In the recent decades, a primary change in kitchen cabinet designs that has been well-received by homeowners in New York and throughout the country is the transformation of standard cabinetry into custom huge furniture pieces.  Many of these types are custom-made so make sure you hire the best fitting contractor to do the job efficiently for you.  Another way to achieve this trend that creates the same feel is by having standard kitchen cabinets joined with attractive furniture pieces.  Wood-finished cabinetry remains the popular choice, completing the furniture look.

Wood and Finishes

Though not a new trend, timeless and beautiful wood will always be a favorite of homeowners, contractors and realtors alike.  Top contenders when it comes to wood material of choice include maple, mahogany, alder, cherry and oak.  To come up with a kitchen cabinet design extraordinaire out of this traditional fashion, exotic species like knotty chestnut, Canadian red birch, quarter-sawn white oak, and Old French white oak are trendy.

When it comes to finishes, glazed is definitely in.  Glazing, that creates that delightful furniture-like appeal, makes the characteristic grain and color of wood stand out by adding depth and richness into it.

Conveniently at Your Fingertips

When it comes to new trends in kitchen cabinet design, lots of customizations and add-ons have paved way to a great emphasis in function and achieving maximized storage.  Not only can these features be availed by having them laid out in your cabinets by a skilled contractor.  New solutions are also introduced to the market which you can readily buy and use.  Particularly popular customized options to homeowners are drawer organizers, pull-out waste cans, slide-out towel bars, pull-down shelves as well as systematic pullouts behind single-drawer fronts.

Craftsmen Network,
New York, NY

The walls are among the prime elements that help the bathroom capture the personality homeowners want it to emanate with.  Whether you plan to repaint, apply wallpaper, or have a combination of both; it is crucial to go through the selection carefully to get the best color scheme, textures and finishes.  Painting the walls is relatively inexpensive and you can have your contractor use various painting techniques for the walls to achieve a richer look.  With the modern array of wallpapers that come in an amazingly wide range of options, moisture would be the least of your worries if you opt for such wall covering.

Let There Be New Lights

New lighting fixtures can help enhance the ambiance, productivity and design of the bathroom.  The key to fulfill all these given benefits is choosing the right fixtures and placing them on the right places.  For optimal grooming, lights should be located near mirrors in such a way that no unflattering shadows are created.  Decorative light fixtures can also add a spark of interest to your ceiling and walls.  To manipulate lighting according to your mood, opt to add dimmers.  And to build up an atmosphere of relaxation, consider chromatherapy.

Update All-You-Can

As they say, it’s all in the details and even the smallest of detail given much thought can bring out that oomph in your minor bathroom improvement efforts.  Your cabinets, counters and vanities form part of the most visually dominant surfaces in the bathroom.  By updating the faucets, cabinet hardware and other visible fixtures on these; you are giving these surfaces a whole new look.

Reface to Revitalize

Through the years, your bathroom cabinets will eventually show signs of wear and use.  Breathe new life into them by refacing.  This is especially ideal if your cabinetry is generally in good condition.  You can either change the doors and drawer fronts or apply paint, varnish or a new stain on them.

It is very important to take note that in this time when additional finance is hard to come by, it pays to spend smartly.  These minor projects, though seemingly easy, can be messy and tricky so to enjoy the results in the least possible wait hire a contractor if you do not have any know-how and experience on the task at hand.  Sure you can do those job that are fairly easy and do not need much expertise.  Weigh carefully the skills you have versus what any job requires to ensure a budget and time efficient completion.  Other than labor, another area where you can cutback on cost is materials.  To save on these without sacrificing quality buy durable items at discounted prices and make use of salvaged supplies like wood and glass.

Craftsmen Network,
New York, NY

Granite

A favorite of homeowners and realtors alike, granite countertops boast of some of nature’s finest works with various minerals assenting to give out amazing bursts of colors to form artistic grains.  In the recent years this material has become the luxury countertop of choice that is not only famous for its beauty but unsurpassed durability as well.  The downside however is the cost and limited range of colors that it comes in.  And as no piece of granite is the same, you will not be able to achieve uniformity.  But to some, this adds to the unique attractiveness of this solid surface countertop material.

Marble

Aesthetic appeal is marble’s strongest points.  This type of solid surface countertop comes in a wide range of colors from delicate rosy tints to intense blacks.  Depending on how you fancy it, you can choose from different patterns and textures to complement with the overall design of the kitchen.  Marble, however is porous and is softer compared with other natural stone options thus requiring more care to avoid stains and scratches.  For more protection, an excellent penetrating stone sealer should be applied once every year.

With the advancements in technology, synthetic materials are joining the league of choiced natural solid surface countertops.  These alternatives offer a seamless and continuous look for your kitchen counter and can be custom-made to your every specification.

Corian

This name, the crème de la crème of the industry, started it all when it comes to synthetic solid surface countertops.  What sets Corian apart from its natural stone counterparts is the versatility that it offers homeowners.  It comes in three varying finishes—satin, semi-gloss and high gloss.  Originally manufactured in a pastel palette of colors, this kitchen counter option now comes in over a hundred colors including designs that mimic natural stones, making it impossible for you not to land with the perfect shade and pattern for your kitchen.  The disadvantage with this is that it can be easily be damaged with excessive heat and scratches.  But as the beauty of Corian goes all the way through, the kitchen counters can be sanded down to restore its original look.

Whichever among the solid surface countertops you choose will highly depend on your budget, personal style and preferences.  But before making the final decision, make sure you have done your research well.  And another thing about solid surface countertops is that installation is difficult to impossible to be completed successfully without skills and experience, so for best results hire a qualified contractor.

Craftsmen Network,
New York, NY

With this laid out all the processes and plans to take afterwards will be guided.  However yours will be used, here are top tips for converting bedroom into an effective home office:

1. DIY versus hiring a qualified contractor is among the first crucial decisions you have to make that will considerably affect how the project turns out.  Converting a bedroom into a home office entails working with electrical wiring and other jobs that will require expertise and experience.  If you don’t feel confident that you can pull the project off in the timeliest and most cost efficient manner, then your best bet would be hiring a qualified contractor.
2. Identify how much space is available.  How big or small the bedroom you will be converting will have a huge impact on the results.  With larger bedrooms, you will have enough space to accommodate the essentials including a desk, computer system and other equipments, and storage.
   But if your bedroom is fairly small, you have to get creative to make full use of the space.  It is crucial to create space literally and visually.  Make use of the closet area to add square footage to your home office.  Use lighter color for the walls to make the room seem more spacious.  Have your hired contractor make good use of the walls and innovative storage options to help clear out your work station and keep essentials close at hand.
3. Pay attention to good lighting.  Have good task lighting installed to ensure efficiency in completing tasks.  Maximize use of natural lighting by installing additional or widening existing windows.  Opting for a bay window will not only let you enjoy more light and great views, it also adds up to space.
4. When converting bedroom into your home office, you and your contractor should plan the work area well.  To work comfortably and efficiently, proper temperature should be ensured.  The flooring especially that near the desk should be hard enough to endure the constant moving around of your desk chair.  Ensure enough outlets and power supply that can support all the equipments that will be used in your home office.

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New York, NY

Limited only by how imaginative you and your contractor can get, planning for your countertop backsplashes design can be fun.  A well-designed backsplash can bring about the drama and help inject your personality into the kitchen to make it truly, your own.  Play with colors, textures and recreate the area to match the room’s overall design from modern minimalist to rustic to elegant to lavish, and everything in between.  You can opt to have it in solid color, in a plethora of delectable hues, mosaic pattern and even murals of painted tiles for an artistic touch.

Layout

Generally, you can choose to have a full backsplash where the entire exposed wall is covered or leave some portion of the wall as is, usually four-inch high style.  A full backsplash can be beneficial by giving protection to the entire length of the wall.  Precise fitting and cutting of materials is crucial to make accurate cutouts to give space for essentials such as switches and outlets—making the help of a qualified contractor invaluable.

Materials

Countertop backsplashes can be made from any material that posses the practicality of kitchen use.

• Plastic laminate or Formica backsplash, popularly used on prefabricated cabinets, is a less expensive alternative that comes in a very wide range of colors and patterns, even imitating the look of its more popular and costly counterparts.  Though stylish, this material can be hard to install especially if the intersection of your wall and counter curves.
• Stainless steel is popular in modern settings and industrial-styled kitchens.  This can be applied to the walls as is, or cut into pieces to fit together forming a pattern.  The problem with this material is that it can be noisy and easily gets stained and dirty.
• Tile backsplash may come in ceramic, porcelain, or glass.  Whichever tile surface you pick, all of them make up for a low maintenance, hygienic and economical choice.  However, the grout can be hard to clean and being porous might become breeding ground for bacteria and molds.
• Natural stone backsplash offers an unmatched luxurious look and feel.  Granite falls among the most popular choice with its inherent elegance and durability.  Coming in an extensive array of grain, colors and patterns; finding one to match your kitchen would not be difficult.  Though opting for this can cause you to squeeze out a huge budget for material and contractor labor, it can instantly boost the equity of your property.

Craftsmen Network,
New York, NY

Wood is traditionally a popular choice when it comes to house constructions of the yesteryears that remain popular today.  The huge difference however is that technology has enabled wood materials now to resist water.  But in the past a general rule of thumb when it comes to interior design is that wood and water don’t mix.

Throughout the years, the exposure of wood to water and moisture will take its toll resulting to rot, molds and mildew, warping, cracks and even failure of the foundation.  To avoid aggravating damages, problems should be attended to as soon as spotted.  To prevent water and moisture damages to wood and your home in general, here are top tips to follow:

• 90% of water and moisture problems start on the roof.  Have your roof inspected for leaks and damages and have it repaired or replaced as needed.
• A properly installed drainage system is a must to direct water away from your home and its foundations.
• To avoid moisture build up, ensure sufficient ventilation and insulation especially in areas prone to such problems like the attic, crawl spaces, and basements.

Old Piping

Typically, old homes still have water supply lines of galvanized iron which throughout the years eventually clog up with deposits.  This build up will then result to pinhole leaks, a decrease in water flow and even fluctuation in temperature.  So when remodeling your old homes, it is crucial to give ample attention to your outdated and inefficient piping and plumbing.  Though repair or replace of leaking pipe portions can temporarily solve the problem, a full system repipe is still best—refraining any other piping issues in the future.  A qualified plumbing contractor can save you money and can give you insights on efficient piping material alternatives.

Lead Hazards

Not until 1978 has the U.S. prohibited the use of lead-based paint.  This has caused many old houses to become probable breeding ground for lead hazards that can endanger the entire household.  When swallowed or inhaled, lead in the form of chips or dust can be dangerous.  Though there are immediate steps that can be taken to reduce the risks, giving a permanent solution to this problem takes the expertise of a certified lead abatement contractor.  Not knowing how to safely remove old lead-based paint on walls may lead to the spread of contaminants that may cause lead poisoning.

These are just the most essential things to consider when remodeling old homes.  But as no two houses are ever built entirely the same, the help of a qualified contractor will prove invaluable.  While planning for the renovation, the expertise of your hired contractor will help you in creating a more accurate checklist on possible structural damages.  He will then lay out your options on how to go about things, achieving quality remodeling results without busting the budget.

Craftsmen Network,
New York, NY

• Hardwood- adds that exquisite touch of unsurpassed luxury and beauty with some of the most common hardwoods including oak, cherry, hickory, maple, mahogany, alder and ash.
• Softwood- though less expensive, this material will require more care and time to install and finish.
• MDF- is a composite material made of synthetic resin and wood fibers.  It is cheaper than other molding alternatives but can be hard to install.
• Polyurethanes are popular alternatives to other common home improvement materials such as wood, metal, plastic and rubber for a good reason.  Style-wise, polyurethane molding offers more choices with the very wide range of products it comes in.

Flexible molding is one type of polyurethane that has been engineered to bend without breaking.  This serves ideal to use when installing around curves and other uniquely shaped corners and edges.

Moldings come in a variety of types, each holding its own ideal use and set of advantages over others.  Here are some of the most common types that you can use to spruce up any room in your home:

1. Crown moldings are made distinct by their elaborate nature and provide a stylish transition from the walls to the ceiling.  These can also be used as a finishing touch to fireplaces, cabinets and built-ins.  With crown moldings, it is important to carefully choose the design and size.  Avoid overwhelming the overall design by installing something that’s too ornate for the room’s function or too big for its size.
2. Chair rail moldings originally lined the walls of yesteryears to simply provide protection from the impacts of chairs being moved.  Now, they solely serve as pretty additions to your interior.  They are installed partway up the wall in a horizontal manner, extending homeowners’ options when it comes to decorating.
3. Baseboards also known as skirting boards or base moldings are installed at an interior junction where the wall meets the floor.  When shopping for baseboards, make sure that what you buy harmoniously matches with the style of your door and window casings.
4. Casings are moldings that lie flat on the wall to conceal the visible gap between the doors and windows and the frames that hold them.  Other than boosting interior appeal, these moldings also help avoid wasting energy by maximizing insulation.  This makes it crucial that proper installation is ensured.

Craftsmen Network,
New York, NY