Home Improvement Articles

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Wednesday, 7th May 2008 @ 9:21 AM

"Don't move; improve" is the new mantra of the property sector. Mortgages are more difficult to come by and house prices may be teetering on the edge of collapse. And with high stamp duty thrown in to the bargain, it really does make sense to make the most of what you've already got. There are all sorts of improvements that can be made - loft conversions, cellar conversions, extensions and new kitchens and bathrooms. But there are smaller projects too, some of which star... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Anna Stenning @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 10:59 AM

People are becoming more eco-friendly. Local councils have instigated a recycling policy for all households in specific areas to practise and implement in the daily running of their home. One of the key elements on becoming more energy efficient is the heating system of your home. Many homes in the UK use radiant heating, which in this day and age has proven to waste more heat than conserve. More public buildings and homes have taken the initiative to approach underfloor heating speciali... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 9:36 PM

Windows are all about both appearance and function. On the outside they help define the character of a building and on the inside they let in light according to their size and aspect. So windows have a dual purpose and dual settings too. And getting it right both inside and out and in terms of what works well and what looks right is an interesting challenge. If you're considering changes to your windows then take time to assess what you'd like your window fitter to achi... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 9:13 PM

Much is written about interiors - doing up kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms to increase the value of your home. But what can a good builder do to improve the appearance of the outside? The front of your house is the first thing visitors see so it makes sense to give a good impression from the start. First and foremost deal with any structural and surface problems. If you have any concerns about damp, settlement cracks, brickwork or old render get your builder to fix these first. Simil... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Giovanni Rueda @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 8:43 PM

Earthquakes, fires, floods, tornados...all God's way of reminding us that we live on an Earth that's alive and dynamic. But for us homeowners, natural disasters can be (at the minimum) severe on our finances. This is why we always need to be aware of our surroundings, protect as much as we can, and follow the best process of damage control in case things do happen. While any natural occurance can be costly, there's perhaps none more destructive than hail damage. It'... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 8:22 PM

Fluorescent lights no longer provide just a dull flicker. Yes they are the environmental alternative to incandescent light bulbs, but they can also be funky and are a favourite of modern designers. So why are they a good environmental choice, and what's so cool about them? Any electrician will tell you that fluorescent lights tend to last four to ten times as long as incandescent (filament) light bulbs and use approximately 20% of the energy. The trouble with incandescent light bulbs... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 5:46 PM

Want to hear some great news? It's more environmentally friendly to use a dishwasher than wash dishes by hand! So throw out those marigolds, get the plumber in, install a dishwasher and get ready for more "me time". Recent research, approved by the University of Bonn in Germany claims that the average household does two to three hand washes a day. Including rinsing this uses around 60 litres of water daily. A good modern dishwasher uses only 12 litres per wash (some manufactu... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 5:01 PM

Choosing windows is no straight forward task. There are so many styles, types of frames and glass to choose from, so here's a quick guide so you know what window fitters can offer. Firstly, there are eight basic types of window. Box sash windows are common in period homes. The windows are divided vertically in two and are corded. Either both windows (top and bottom) can run along the cord and be opened, or sometimes just the bottom half can be opened. Sash windows which allow... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 4:55 PM

It's always exciting to get a craftsman in to do something special to your house. The choice is endless but one area where craftsmen can do work to stunning effect is glass. Of course most glass in your home needs to be clear and without pattern. Windows in particular need to let in light and give you a clear view. But sometimes privacy or even frivolity calls for something different. The simplest way to make a glass window more private is to have it frosted. This can be done with a ... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 4:51 PM

Isn't a new kitchen every home owner's dream? Designing a kitchen from scratch is a great opportunity, but it can be a daunting one. Where do you start? What are your priorities? Who else do you need to consider? Traditionally, kitchens were a utilitarian space where food was prepared behind closed doors before being presented in another room dedicated solely to eating. But things have changed. Now the whole gastronomic experience takes place in one setting. The kitchen is the ... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Ki Gray @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 4:22 PM

One of the most timely and costly home improvement projects any homeowner can take on is a kitchen makeover. Whether a homeowner desperately needs a kitchen revamp, or is tired of the dated look of the kitchen, there are several options to freshen up the area. The easiest fix for a sparkling new(ish) kitchen is a good thorough cleaning. Over years of use, kitchen cabinets take on food, heat, and grease that tends to build up. Though it might seem simpler to leave cabinet doors attached... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Annie Costa @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 3:42 PM

There is truly no concern for alarm about the potential of lead leaching out of artificial turf yarn fibers, either now or in the future - however - sometimes a person (or a group, association or agency), just has to know themselves, right? Available studies, reports and industry statements are available on the Association of Synthetic Grass Installers (ASGi) website and you can go there from the link below. Other industry groups and resources are also available at the site, along with se... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Annie Costa @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 3:38 PM

Reported in several east coast news providers, a school in a mature neighborhood, located next to an iron works plant, had to have their artificial turf surface removed because it appeared to have been contaminated by lead. The field's surfaces, built in the early days of artificial grass technology, were examined and fibers tested positive for high levels of surface contamination though no one can conclude where these kinds of results would come from. The specific field tha... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Annie Costa @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 3:19 PM

The report's author John Nash, Managing Director of AMI Research, says that 'Soccer and residential landscaping applications were the hot spots in 2007, but strong demand was enjoyed in most regions of the world and in most applications for artificial grass'. While many will remember the fields they played on as kids and think artificial turf is a niche market, today's reality is quite different. Gone are the hard surfaces that caused friction burns and impact injuries... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By jonathan zemeckis @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 12:21 AM

If you have ever signed a contract for a home remodel, then you know how frustrating it can be when working with a general contractor and his entire team of subcontractors. As a former contractor in the Los Angeles area, I know exactly what you are up against when you hire a builder to work on your house. The contractor ultimately wants to turn a profit while the homeowner wants his or her house built or remodeled exactly as they want. Both parties want something but ultimately the homeo... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Thomas Zoellner @ Thursday, 24th April 2008 @ 7:33 PM

If the only reason you have not had your dream kitchen installed is the cost, then continue reading as it may just be possible; the possible financial outlay worries most homeowners. This is always something that will be the prime consideration for any home improvement project, but kitchen remodeling costs usually involve more items to budget for. Even if your ideas are for all the best appliances, quality cabinets and worktops seem too high for your budget, it may still be possible for you to e... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Stephanie Foster @ Wednesday, 23rd April 2008 @ 9:27 PM

You've probably seen homes by now that have solar powered lights in their gardens or walkways. Maybe you've been impressed by them, maybe you thought they didn't provide enough light, maybe you thought they were just amazing. Solar garden lights tend to generate a wide range of reactions. Much of this has to do with the range of quality available, and how they've improved over the past several years. The early solar powered garden lights often didn't really... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Ajeet Khurana @ Saturday, 19th April 2008 @ 11:02 PM

In the '60s, '70s, and '80s and before this time the windows and doors that were installed in our homes were usually made of aluminum. This was thought to be the most economical as well as efficient material to make these items out of but as time has gone along we have learned that vinyl is actually the way to go. There are many benefits of using this material instead of aluminum and more and more homeowners are going this route when it is time to replace their old windows ... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Pius Victor Ephenus @ Friday, 18th April 2008 @ 8:53 AM

If you are someone that is interested in the ancient art and science that is feng shui, there is no need to feel overwhelmed. Many people can tell you that you need to hire a so-called feng shui expert to come to your home and give you a reading as to where the positive energy is and what should be done in each room of the house, but this is usually unnecessary. Anyone can encourage positive energy and get rid of negative energy with a few simple feng shui tips that you can apply right now, to... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By jonathan zemeckis @ Friday, 18th April 2008 @ 5:47 AM

When you decide to remodel your kitchen, you are taking on a tremendous task that could easily have disastrous results. Before you pickup that hammer and start demolishing the old cabinets and counter tops, you really need to sit down and figure out exactly what you want from your new kitchen. The kitchen is too important of a room for you to just "throw together". Thought and careful planning must be utilized prior to starting the remodel. This article will discuss a few things you shou... more...