Renovation Costs

Log Home Maintenance – How to Care for Your Log Home

June 2, 2022 Comments Off

Log home maintenance is different from care of a conventional home. Here are a few things to consider about staining your log home.
Like any wood sided home, a log home must be protected against the elements. How often this treatment takes place will depend on a few things.
The exposure of the home is important. A home that is out in the open, exposed to the sun and wind will need more frequent maintenance than one that is sheltered by surrounding trees and hills.
The color or pigment of the stain will make a difference. More heavily pigmented stains will last longer than lighter or clearer stains.
Finally, the quality of the previous stain job will have a lot to do with how long the stain will last. If the surface is prepared and coated properly, you will get maximum life from each stain application.
Professional log home care service begins with a visit to your home. A thorough examination of the condition of the exterior walls and any prior protective stain will determine what type of log home maintenance is needed. In some cases, the existing stain can be cleaned and renewed with additional coatings of the same or a similar product. In cases where the stain is unevenly worn, it may need to be completely removed in order to allow for a uniform coating of any new stain product.
This is also a good time to look closely at the condition of the logs themselves to be sure that the material is sound. Pay special attention to areas that water can splash onto the house as this may wear away the stain more quickly and eventually damage the integrity of the walls. Look also for discolored wall areas as this may reveal places that require additional care.
If the home has not been previously stained, the steps to protecting the new wood are as follows: Rinse the walls to remove any contaminants which may prevent good stain adhesion. Apply wood preservative, if none is pre-applied by the home manufacturer. This material can be applied by brushing or spraying. Coat the walls with the semi-transparent stain of your choice. Once again, brushing or spraying (followed by back-brushing) will work.
Fortunately, today there are many high-quality products available to preserve these homes. And these products are safe for both the applicator and the environment. Even the products used to clean the exterior walls have become far more environmentally friendly in recent years.
Log home maintenance is as unique as the home itself. Proper application of stain to repel the water and screen the sun will insure that your home is well protected for years to come.…

The Kitchen Is the Heart of Every Home

April 21, 2022 Comments Off

The living room might be the part of your house wherein you get to entertain and welcome your guests but actually, the kitchen would actually be the “heart” of every home as this is the place wherein family would bond as well as their guests. This is where they would talk about their dreams while having a breakfast, lunch or dinner. This is where they would talk about what’s happening with their lives, the new things that transpired in their individual lives.
So, for some, the kitchen is a very crucial place and it needs to look good always. Nowadays, a lot of people are trying to remodel their kitchen in order to improve its appearance and the famous design so far is what they call as the contemporary kitchens.
Contemporary kitchens should also have contemporary kitchen cabinets. The best thing about such kitchens is that it’s not only for attraction purposes but also it has functionalities which would improve the purpose of having a kitchen. It makes it more organized and neat. One would be saved from having to run around the entire place trying to find that china ware or that matching utensils. It is always to keep things organized. Such kitchens will have pull-out shelves or user-friendly drawers. Having such features will give you a clutter-free kitchen and you’ll end up doing all the kitchen chores perfectly well.
If you go for modern kitchens or custom design kitchens, you need to make a research first. You could try to go online and get more information about such kitchens. You also need to choose the perfect contemporary kitchen cabinets and you have a lot of choices to choose from: glass, metal (stainless steel) and wood. Glass cabinets give this certain elegance to your kitchen and you could either have the transparent or the frosted one. Metal are also being chosen by many as it puts this sharp look to your kitchen. Wood cabinets give this antique look and the advantage of it that should you change the look of your kitchen again, wood kitchen cabinets are far more easy to remodel than any other kitchen cabinets.
Now, once you made up your mind as to what type of kitchen design and cabinets design you’d have then it’s time to choose the design specialists. You could also make a research when it comes to choosing the right design company who would take care of your kitchen. Also, it is suggested for you to talk to those who already worked with specialists as first-hand experience is a very good review.
Once you’ve carefully followed the steps mentioned above, then, you are on the right track in fulfilling that dream of yours.…

Log Home Maintenance 101

October 2, 2021 Comments Off

Log home maintenance is very important if you want your log home to last a long time, whether you live full-time in your home or only use it for holidays and vacations.
These homes have a certain charm. They exude warmth, coziness, and laid-back comfort. They inspire a sort of lingering, as if living there somehow calms people down. To preserve its charm, it is imperative that a cabin be given the proper attention and care.
It is best to be organized when it comes to log maintenance. Keeping a schedule will allow you to maximize the care of your home, especially since it is subject to the changes of the seasons, as well as varying weather patterns throughout the year. Regularly checking your log home also allows you to keep track of its state and address problems without too much time passing by.
You can hire a professional to oversee the maintenance of your log home or you can do it yourself. Maybe in the first year or so, you can ask for assistance from a professional, if you do not feel confident about doing it by yourself. A professional company can provide services that include cleaning, and sealing, caulking, sanding, and staining. A professional can help you check for any rotting in the logs, and how to repair it. They can check if there are gaps between the wood and your windows or doors, and they can check your gutters as well. Since wood deteriorates faster under heavy exposure to water, you need to make sure that your gutters are clean and clear. You also need to make sure there are no leaks.
Professional companies can assist you with all these things. They can give you tips on what you can do yourself. You just need to find a log maintenance and repair company you can trust. You can research on which companies are reliable and dependable, most of them have websites filled with information. You can also check out blogs by other log cabin owners. If you can join a network of home owners, you can trade ideas, insights, concerns, and recommendations. The best way to find out if a company does its job well is to see proof of it. Other log home owners can help you with that. These networks are great sources of information. You can find tips, reviews, warnings and referrals among the users.
Log home repair and maintenance companies usually offer an assessment and consultation, during which they can tell you about the state your log home is in, and what repairs and maintenance measures are needed. Ask them about alternatives and options, in case your budget is a concern. Negotiate the price. If you cannot afford the full service they are offering, maybe they can tell you which repairs are most pressing and requires their services and which ones you can do yourself.
Log maintenance is hard work but it is essential. You will not regret the time, effort and resources you put into maintaining your log home.…

Hire Experts Before Renovating The Kitchen

January 1, 2021 Comments Off

It is extremely important to renovate the kitchen after every few years so as to make it look neater and prepare great meals besides ensuring quick cleaning. But remodeling a kitchen is not for people who get apprehensive easily.
Before the old word work is taken out, you must be clear about what is it that you actually intend to place now. Despite prior planning, there will be enough details to be concerned with during the project in the complex process of kitchen renovations. For a hassle free renovation project and satisfactory results, planning is required and can actually be fun.
So where does one begin from? You can begin by making a list of what you hate about your kitchen the most. Renovation will include everything that needs to be changed, starting from the floor tiles, to the wooden cabinets, the lighting and even the appliances. After you know what has to be removed, you must draw a list of things you want to add to the new kitchen such as fixtures, the ground tiles, and the set of new appliances and so on.
Dreams should be sky-high. When it comes to budget, then one should come back to earth. It has been stressed that kitchen renovation is one of the best investments and by trying to cut too many corners you can actually shoot yourself in the foot.
Designing is the next step towards fulfillment of your dreams. This usually involves assistance from a kitchen design professional. The basic requirements like an understanding of fundamental design elements such as the work triangle which is an imaginary path that connects the kitchen’s three primary work areas which are the sink, the refrigerator, and the range or cook top is quite essential in addition to sensitivity to style and finish. Efficient use of space can be achieved by keeping the triangle suited for the way you use your kitchen.
The designer will use solid design principles to make your wish list and budget work together. After hiring the designer, do remember to work out the budget. It is no longer imperative to have all ready cash to furnish your kitchen but you can even borrow or pay in installments.
Apart from the rise in property values, the new low interest rates have meant that more people can now get their dream kitchen done while only having to pay a monthly mortgage which would be equal to or lower than their existing payment rates. In order to make your dream kitchen a reality, the final yet crucial step in the kitchen renovation planning process is to choose an installation professional to pull all the details together. The installation and designing bit is mostly handled by the same set of people. The above is generally seen in the case with a design build remodeling contractor or a home center that offers optional installation when supplying products.
Any idea what are the latest trends when it comes to the kitchen remodeling? Data collected by a by a famous appliance store reveals that the creation of a spacious, inviting atmosphere while incorporating natural, sleek design elements into the kitchen decor is the general theme that American homeowners are seeking. A walk in pantry, laminated wooden cabinet, open spaces, a decent audio visual system and of course natural lighting are the most haves for a good kitchen. When asked if they’d want their dream kitchen to feature a personal chef too, many homeowners disagreed saying that they’d rather prefer to don the chef’s hat themselves.…

Easy Exterior Home Maintenance Tips for All

December 17, 2020 Comments Off

Maintaining the exterior of your home in good condition gives you comfort and security while increasing the value of the property. How do you maintain the exterior of your house? How well do you do it? Use some simple advice on how to get and keep everything from the roof and gutter guard to the walls in perfect condition.
Inspect the roof and chimney regularly and make timely repairs. Experts recommend that you inspect the roof and chimney every year in the fall. In this way, you will have enough time to fix any damage and/or wear and tear before winter comes. Make the minor repairs yourself. Strengthen the flashing around penetrations and seal any gaps. For more serious problems and damages, you should call a professional to make the repairs.
Inspect, secure and clean the gutters annually or twice a year, if you have heavy rainfalls in your area. If there is any rust or damage on walls of the gutters, you should definitely have them replaced. All gutters should be perfectly secured in place. Make any necessary repairs to ensure this. Even if you are using a gutter guard system, clean the gutters to ensure there are not any debris inside. Remove the gutter protection, if possible and use a brush to clean the interior of the gutters. If the gutter guard panels cannot be removed, use a strong water flow to do the cleaning.
Install a gutter guard system, if you do not have one. Gutter protection did not use to be very effective in the past, but with the advancement of technology manufacturers have started making sophisticated gutter protection systems that have special angled ski slope designs and flat surface that allow for the debris to fall down on the ground naturally. In addition, the gutter guard surface is made from a thin mesh that does not allow for any debris to get inside the gutter.
Repair the exterior walls and the trim, if you notice any moisture, damage or discoloration when inspecting the house. Consider placing insulation materials to deal with moisture and small surface cracks. Call a professional for major repairs. Repaint the walls every five years or at a shorter period of time, if necessary. Reseal the area around wall penetrations, such as doors, windows and vents with silicon and repair window glazing, if required.
Now you know how to maintain your home exterior without much effort and keep your property in perfect condition.…

Bathroom Remodeling – Add Elegance With Low Cost Design Ideas

December 9, 2020 Comments Off

Do you want to build a luxurious bathroom of your own dreams? Great bathrooms are build by similar ways where the homeowners generate their own bathroom ideas and construct great bathrooms.
First you have to get the details of small bathroom remodel cost that would require for remodeling the bathroom. But you can also do the bathroom remodeling at a low cost. When I was planning to remodel my bathroom, the contractor whom I called for remodeling gave me a very high quote. Then I evaluated the quote and made some alternations in the design which he made and the materials which he was planning to buy, which saved me more than $1000. I shall explain how to do it.
First call the contractor who would be working on the bathroom remodeling and ask him to give a design drawing along with the quote for the same. Once he gives that, check if it suits to your budget. If it does not check the areas where he has quoted very high. If he has suggested some major modifications like extending the bathroom size by breaking the walls and extending the bathroom, then check if that is necessary. If not then you can avoid that step which would SAVE A LOT OF DOLLARS.
Then check the list of items he has planned to buy and the price he has quoted. Check the deals for that particular products in the internet if you can get those items at a better prices. If so you can pay for those and order the items online.
What is the next step?
Good bathroom remodeling designs at a lower cost is available online in many websites. You can collect it and give your favorite to your contractor.…

Make Your Gardening Dreams Come True With This Advice

March 29, 2020 Comments Off

There are many people who’d like to have their own organic garden, but not many take the time to actually create one. Some people think gardening is just too complicated and are intimidated by the many details. If you are interested in learning more about organic gardening methods in a simple and straightforward manner, keep reading.

It is important that you give your plants the chance to gradually adjust to the change in temperature and conditions, or you risk shocking them. Put them out in the sun for approximately one to two hours on the very first day. As time goes by, slowly increase the time they spent outdoors. Finally, after about a week, you should be able to move them outside and leave them there for the summer.

Select plant varieties capable of producing large yields. Many times, a cold-tolerant or disease-resistant hybrid can have a higher yield versus traditional ones.

Plants all need a good supply of C02 to grow properly! With a high level of CO2 plants will grow much better. The best way to get higher CO2 for your plants is to grow them in a greenhouse. A greenhouse will help maintain a high level of CO2 and cause the plants to grow faster.

Try to grow some wheat or cat grass around your cat’s favorite plants. You can put something over the soil which surrounds the plants which has a bad smell to cats to deter them.

Split up irises. You can increase the number of irises you have by splitting clumps that are overgrown. Once the foliage has died off, lift out your bulbous irises. The bulbs should split up normally in the hand, and should flower when replanted for the next year. Rhizomes may need to be divided by using a knife. Cut new pieces from the outside and discard the old center. Every piece should contain a strong offshoot. Replant each one immediately.

It is particularly important for new gardeners to read and follow instructions that come with tools, as well as chemicals. If you use your gardening chemicals wrong, you can abrade or even burn your skin. So make sure you take precautions, follow the simple directions and be safe.

Plant things that will give you color for the fall. It’s not necessary to think this way, however. The autumn season can be one of the best growing seasons and is certainly the most colorful. Maple trees, Dogwood, and Beech trees exist in lots of Fall colors that range from deep crimson to yellow. Some very good shrubs to choose are barberry, hydrangea, and cotoneaster, which is a member of the rose family.

If you have a high priority for sustainability in your organic gardening, try leaving a corner of the property undeveloped as a mini wildlife refuge. This will also benefit your cultivated gardens as it will attract more bugs and birds to pollinate your other plants.

As long as you bear these tips in mind, you should feel more confident in your ability to cultivate a lush garden. Apply the wisdom you have learned here to your home and yard, and you can enjoy pure wholesome foods in your kitchen in not time at all.…

CASTLEMANAGER

Because Care begins at Home