Bathroom Remodeling
Bath Remodeling
One of the current trends in bath remodeling is the spa bathroom, the “retreat” – complete with heated floor and towel bars, saunas, and steam showers. Today, Americans are focusing on making their homes comfortable cocoons where they can escape from the hectic pressures of day to day life in tough economic times. Homeowners are spending more time at home and thus, are spending money to make their homes more comfortable and relaxing. One avenue for such comfort is the conversion of the bathroom into an in-house retreat. In your quest to turn your bathroom into a personal comfort zone, here are some other popular bath remodeling trends.
Bathroom Size
Many homeowners are expanding their bathroom footprints to accommodate features such as whirlpool tubs, steam rooms, separate showers, and other bath furniture. Either exterior or interior are moved to allow for more functionality.
Multi-functional Bath Fixtures
One major bath remodel trend involves homeowners choosing fixtures with more than one function allowing for more comfort, personal style and flair. Many homeowners are opting for a separate shower and bath. By separating these two fixtures, the number of choices available is greatly expanded. For example, if the bath is separate from the shower, options include a free-standing bath such as a claw-foot tub or a relaxing whirlpool tub. According to the American Standard Bathroom Habits Survey, a majority of Americans choose a whirlpool as the number one item they want in their bath.
Another popular trend in bath fixtures is an above counter sink which can function simultaneously as a sculpture piece as well as a sink. Just a few such sink options are fused-glass basins in jewel tones, concrete basins, and copper basins. There are many other artistic expressions available in above-counter sinks.
Bath Furniture
The modern bathroom today contains more than just the bath, shower and sink. With the increase in bathroom size, homeowners are choosing alternative forms of bath furnishings such as armories for extra storage as well as television sets and stereo equipment. Others are taking bath remodeling to a new level with the introduction of chaise lounges for reading and relaxing in their bathrooms. Vintage pieces in the form of arm chairs and vanities are also popular bath furniture pieces. The bath furniture trend continues with manufacturers creating bath fixtures that look and feel like traditional furniture you would find in the rest of the home.
Infusion of different materials in the bath
Designers and homeowners are experimenting with different materials in bath remodeling. Recycled glass, wood, rocks as well as metal can be found in today’s bath. Glass tiles are a popular trend which allows one to create artistic expression through mosaic designs. Many homeowners are combining glass tiles with porcelain tiles to allow for more affordability without sacrificing style. Another material trend emerging is the combination of stainless steel and natural stone features to create a contemporary look. Metal accents can make a room feel a bit cold or sterile so the combination of a natural stone material can soften the feel through a contrasting texture and color.
Incorporating a Splash of Color
Bath remodeling is turning toward the strategic use of color. Although white continues to be the most popular color in the bath, homeowners and bath designers are integrating other colors that still allow to bath to remain timeless rather than dated. You don’t need a lot of color accents to create bath panache. Also, when looking to introduce color in your bath remodeling, choose a color that both suits your style as well as your environment. Natural colors remain the most versatile but bolder colors such as reds, bright blues, and deep greens are becoming popular. Colors can be seen in everything from paint to decorative tiles to bath fixtures.
For homeowners who don’t feel confident in their bath remodeling abilities, hiring a professional bath designer can really prove fruitful. A professional bath designer can also assist you in budgeting for your bath remodeling project as can a quality bath remodeling contractor. To find bathroom remodeling contractors in your area, search our database at Contractorcommunity.com.
Kitchen Remodeling
Next to bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular home improvement projects. The kitchen is the hub of the house where much time is spent with family and friends. With so much focus on the kitchen, homeowners are investing more money to remodel, and even add onto their existing kitchens, than they spend on other home improvement projects. Some lenders and utility agencies offer great incentives for a “green” kitchen remodel, in which older appliances are replaced with more energy efficient ones or when recycled material is used to create unique countertops or floors. Kitchens, like bathrooms, have many components for a homeowner to choose from equipment to materials. Working with a quality contractor can help sort through the myriad of options available.
For a major kitchen remodel, in which changes to the space will occur or the entire kitchen is slated for removal, most homeowners will hire a general building contractor also referred to as a general contractor as this type of contractor can handle the multitude of trades present on a kitchen remodeling job. Some remodeling contractors specialize in kitchen remodel makeovers and will refer to themselves as kitchen remodeling contractors. A Kitchen remodel can involve the installation of new doors, windows, and the removal or addition of walls as well as new lights, cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. With so many factors involved, many homeowners look for a general contractor or remodeling contractor who understands the nature of a kitchen remodel project.
Anytime a kitchen layout changes or new appliances are installed, electrical and plumbing work will most likely be involved. Some homeowners have the time and the knowledge base to act as their own general contractors on a major kitchen remodel. They will hire and coordinate the necessary contractors to complete the project. Most others will find that working with a good kitchen remodeling contractor will be invaluable.
Some kitchen remodeling projects might build on the existing kitchen’s layout instead of removing all elements. For example, a project might involve replacing the old tile countertop with a granite slab countertop in addition to replacing the cabinetry. Smaller scale changes can completely create the feel of a new space for less monetary investment. For a project involving the scope of work outlined above, a homeowner can hire specialty contractors to complete the work. For example, a fine wood-working carpenter can handle the cabinetry as can a cabinetry contractor. A tile or stone contractor can remove an existing tile countertop and replace the surface with a granite slab.
Whether just refinishing your cabinets to update your kitchen’s look or tearing out the whole kitchen and replacing everything, make sure you hire the right contractor by doing your research before selecting him or her. Make sure your contractor understands the look and feel you desire whether your style is modern or more traditional. A good remodeling contractor will help you select materials and equipment that will complement your style as well as the look of the rest of your home.
Find a Handyman Services Company
Finding a Handyman Services Company
For relatively simple or routine jobs around the house, a good handyman services company should do the trick. Many small handyman companies are started by qualified contractors looking for more work. The best way to locate a handyman services company is to look at a service like Contractor Community. Here you will be able to review their qualifications, referrals, and pictures of their work prior to making contact. Most handyman services companies end up being able to provide just about any type of handyman jobs that need to be done.
A handyman is of course a very general term that applies to what is considered to be “unskilled” labor, a misnomer if there ever was one. Since handymen are usually called upon to fix things that the usual person can’t, they are certainly skilled, and definitely more skilled than the person making the call needing help. However, they don’t need a license and therefore can be very general in the handyman services he provides. These services can range from fixing a leaky faucet to repaving a driveway. If you happen to find a handyman service that provides a full range of these types of jobs, just make certain you are explicit when requesting someone to come out to bid.
In situations where one or two handymen have a company, they usually know many people in the business who can help with some of the jobs they are being asked to do. For instance, you may call John’s Handyman Service and find out that John and his son specialize in outdoor projects ranging from simple gardening and landscaping to designing and building decks. You also make contact with John’s competitor and receive similar estimates. John directs you to his website to review similar projects he has completed with references whereas John’s competitor draws pictures and says he has multiple references. In this case it shows that John has gone the extra mile in marketing his work by having a website and it is easy for you to view his prior work.
This type of service is what you should expect from a professional handyman service – not just the service, but the experience, the knowledge, and the referral system that is inherently built in.
When you get your estimate, make sure you understand what you are paying for, and whose services you are paying for. If the electrician shows up to put in your lighting, you don’t want to find out that John’s bid didn’t include the electrician’s fee too.
Remodeling Contractors
What is Concrete – Clear your Idea
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With the variety of finishes available, including stains and integral color, various textures, such as acid-wash or aggregate, and different stamped patterns, concrete is one of the most versatile materials available today. Concrete is used outdoors for patios, driveways, walkways, freestanding walls and retaining walls, as well as outdoor kitchen countertops. Pre-cast concrete products are also abundant from concrete block to concrete pavers. Indoors, concrete is used for floors, countertops, even sinks. Depending on the type of finish or use of color, concrete can be a more cost effective material than others on the market thus the popularity of concrete in the building community.Â
Concrete is composed of cement, and other cementitious materials like fly ash and slag cement along with a course aggregate and sand, a fine aggregate. Today, concrete is the most widely used man-made construction material. The use of concrete in building dates back to the Roman era and showcases concrete’s strength and durability as many Roman structures have survived relatively intact through present time.Â
Beyond the components listed above, concrete can contain other ingredients such as admixtures or increased percentages of the original components to improve its properties for certain building applications. The addition of other ingredients was popular even during Roman times. Romans added different materials such as horsehair to reduce cracking while drying and blood to make concrete more frost-resistant. Today, there are different additives, or chemical admixtures, added to the concrete mix depending on the application. These additions improve the concrete’s properties, such as increasing the strength or electrical conductivity of the concrete. Additionally, you might hear concrete contractors talk about a five sack mix or six sack mix which refers to the amount of cement in a concrete mix. A different mix of concrete will be used to pour a driveway versus pour a water surrounded footing for a bridge.
Due to more stringent environmental regulations, concrete is becoming a more green building material through the use of recycled products. Mentioned above, fly ash, a by-product of coal fired power plants, acts like cement thus reducing the amount of quarrying and landfill space required as well as the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. Cement production produces a large amount of carbon dioxide so the use of fly ash and other similar materials will help cut emissions.