Most homeowners rarely venture up to their attics, but as winter approaches, many will make the annual trip upstairs to put away warm-weather items and retrieve holiday decorations. While a home’s attic is ideal for storage, smart homeowners realize that their attics also represent a great opportunity to save money.
Improved resale value, more space or better use of the space you have, and a brand-new room to enjoy – it may be hard to imagine a downside to renovating a kitchen or bathroom. But you could discover a dark side to remodeling – if you decide to finance the project by borrowing before you check your credit.
As winter weather moves on, the urge to clean, unpack, unclutter, dust and polish moves in. This desire to freshen up our lives and sweep away the winter chills signals that spring cleaning season is officially here. When creating a spring cleaning to-do list, it’s important to remember the home office.
As the weather warms up and home improvement projects are at the top of many to-do lists, many people opt for do-it-yourself renovations rather than professional remodels. However, home renovations can be dangerous if you are unaware of the risks. Many older homes may contain asbestos, a harmful substance used in insulation and other building materials.
Winter may cause many homeowners to contemplate a new heating system or other major investments, but some small, smart investments can often go just as far toward protecting your home and saving you cash. Through the proper home maintenance techniques, you can keep typical damage caused by snow, ice and rain at bay and avoid major home repairs.
“Season creep” is a meteorological fact – spring arrives earlier than it used to, making homeowners scramble to protect tender new plantings when a sudden but short-lived frost arrives. So like farmers, homeowners need to figure out how to adapt to extreme weather conditions in order to get the long-lasting and beautiful flower beds, yards and gardens they want.
Falls are a leading cause of hospitalization among aging Americans, and most at-home falls occur in the bathroom. By upgrading their bath with some products designed to facilitate aging in place, baby boomers and mature homeowners can continue to enjoy their bathrooms, with less concern over possible safety risks.
Are you afraid to turn up the heat in your house this winter because you consider your electric bill – and your carbon footprint – to be big enough? Saving money and reducing your carbon and water footprints are worthy goals you can spend many years striving to achieve. But here are a few ideas to help you get started reducing your energy bill and being eco-friendly.
The roof is one of the most critical ways a family can protect the investment and comfort of a cherished home. Innovative composite technology is delivering the best of all worlds: beauty, durability, sustainability and maintenance-free living.
A beautiful bathroom can help potential buyers overlook other flaws in a home. And the bath is one room where homeowners can be confident their renovation dollars will yield not only improved home value, but enhanced enjoyment as well. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend lavishly to elevate the luxury quotient of your home’s bathroom. Here are five “luxury” upgrades that can be done on a moderate – or even modest – budget.
There’s more to home insulation than just that layer of pink stuff in the attic. From weather stripping around doors and windows to the type of blinds you choose, your home’s insulation has many components, all of which can help you save energy when heating and cooling your home.
More and more, people are taking up gardening to supplement their groceries with healthful, homegrown produce, but yard space sometimes is a problem. However, a raised-bed planter can be tucked into just about any corner of your yard.
Bathroom remodeling remains America’s most popular – and profitable – home improvement. Recession aside, homeowners – and prospective buyers – still want stylish bathrooms that offer a relaxing, comfortable place to recharge and rejuvenate.
Most Americans say they have foot pain at least some of the time, and more of us have pain in our feet than in any other part of our bodies we consider vital to health, such as skin, teeth or even the heart, according to a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Yet feet rank lowest on the list of body parts and functions that Americans consider important to their health, the APMA study shows.
Been to the grocery store lately? Filled up your vehicle with gas in the last week? It’s not your imagination – many of the items you use most often are getting more expensive. And near the top of the list of price increases are the building materials that go into remodeling projects and new home construction.
For many homeowners, the return of warm weather signals that time of year to launch the long-awaited home remodeling or backyard patio project. Doing your homework upfront and being crystal clear in your dealings with a home remodeling or landscaping contractor will reduce miscommunication, frustration and expensive errors.
Ask any woman what essentials she always carries with her, and you’re likely to get a long and varied list: cellphone, keys, makeup, wallet; those are just the basics. But comedienne, talk show host and mother Joy Behar has recently added a new item to her list of “must-haves.” It’s a small silver-colored tote and key chain that’s slightly smaller than a lipstick, and its contents could one day help save her life.
Do-it-yourselfers range from experts to novices, ambitious renovators to weekend handypersons, but one thing they all share is the drive to find products and tools that can make their home improvement projects easy, successful and fast. Here are 10 innovative products for DIYers in 2011.
Taking care of your skin undoubtedly has its cosmetic benefits, but more significantly, it also plays a large role in overall health – particularly for seniors. Keeping aging skin healthy allows it to offer protection from environmental harms and infections as well as produce important vitamins.
Energy costs, burst pipes, ice dams, chimney fires, and power outages are all potential hazards during the winter months as a result of severe weather. It is important to minimize the inconvenience and damage that ensues.
It pays to have an optimistic attitude when you go to the airport. Everyone knows that the frustrations passengers face today are quite different than in the past, but some of discomforts have been around since air travel started. Whether you’re dealing with long security lines or uncomfortable seats, a little preparation and a positive attitude can make the skies a little bit friendlier.
In today’s challenging economy, homeowners are looking for a few extra bucks to help pay their monthly utility bills and other household expenses, but there’s no need to resort to searching for spare change in the sofa cushions. You can find plenty of extra cash throughout the house by making some simple and smart energy-efficient home improvements.
Major home renovations can be overwhelming, but there are a few fundamental repairs that can update your home’s appearance and increase its value. If you’re planning to sell your home in 2011, take advantage of the colder winter months to prepare your home for a spring sale by focusing on a few key projects.
Winter is the season for being cozy, while spending long days and nights inside the comfort of our tightly closed homes. It’s also an infamous time for feeling dry and under-the-weather. With people spending more time indoors, air circulation is compromised, and the level of contaminants increases. Fleeting freshness and moisture take a toll on our skin, throats, noses and overall health, and can be especially harmful to those suffering from allergies and asthma.
The patio season is winding down, but it doesn’t mean it’s time to neglect your outdoor space. While the season for outdoor decorating and hosting is about to take a break, you can do a number of things to make sure your deck or patio stays in good shape for next year. Winter also presents a great time to work on some projects that can make your outdoor space look even better once the warm weather comes back.
A lawn is an extension of our living space, a place where we can enjoy outdoor activities with family and friends. When pests invade our yards and threaten our comfort and safety, it’s important to take action to control insects and weeds by choosing and using lawn and garden products carefully.
A new home: It’s your chance to personalize your living space with details that suit your taste and personality. Or, so you think. Many builders only allow you to choose colors; and offer limited options beyond their builders’ grade materials. Or, if you’ve purchased a previously owned home, it too is most likely equipped with many basic options. Luckily, it’s easy to bust out of builder basics and add a few easy and inexpensive updates to make your cookie-cutter home stand out from the rest.
If you’re reaching for bottled water thinking it’s cleaner or healthier than tap water, think again. While bottled water labels depict clear streams and glaciers, the labels fail to provide basic information about the source and purification of the water inside.
If you’re a homeowner, you probably consider your home to be a long-term investment. But have you thought about future-proofing your house to maximize its value?
