From the monthly archives:

January 2009

Ranch Style Bathroom Remodels

by Debra on Friday, January 30, 2009

Ranch Style Bathroom RemodelsSuccessful remodeling of a ranch style bathroom often calls for more ingenuity, since what you can do is always more or less restricted by the existing structure.

Overcoming such difficulties offers some satisfaction in itself, but the best reason for remodeling is to gain the bathroom  that  will meet the needs of your family.

Creative Commons License photo credit: Xenith.org

Bathroom remodeling is a popular home improvement project for ranch style home owners. One of the most common reasons for undertaking a bathroom remodeling project is to update and increase the size of the bath.

The fact is a fashionable bathroom is one of the most valuable investments  you can make to your home.

Plan Your Ranch Style Bathroom Remodeling Project

The first thing need is a  plan. How your bathroom remodeling is going to look and feel is important. Never forget the saying: Fail to plan and you plan to fail.

The two most important things regarding any bathroom remodeling project are planning properly and shopping wisely in order to keep you project within your budget. Your new bathroom must be tailored to your requirements and the plan must depend on you budget and your needs.

Make sure you start by drawing a floor plan of your bathroom from above and a plan of each wall.  Keep in mind as you rearrange fixtures – it costs more to move them to a new location than it does to leave the basic fixtures plan in place.

Floorplan - New BathroomCreative Commons License photo credit: iLoveButter

A good place to start with bathroom remodeling is to think how your current bathroom is not meeting your needs and wants. Then, a smart thing to do is to tour other bathrooms to get lot’s of good ideas. Undertaking a bathroom renovation project can be daunting, but if you’ve got a plan and a budget, you are certainly on your way to success.

For instance… you may have a bathroom that’s doesn’t adjoin an outside wall. This means that you don’t have any windows. Of course, bathroom windows are suggested where the room is on an outside wall. Using artificial light and
ventilation is a recommended alternative. Modern ventilating and lighting equipment has made bathrooms without windows increasingly acceptable.

Establish An Budget With A Little Wiggle Room.

When remodeling a bathroom, a  necessary evil  involves establishing an slightly flexible budget. Your budget will help you  decide how far you co go in terms of your bathroom remodel project. The cost of any thing related to bathroom remodels can vary widely depending on your needs, your wants and your budget.

Always stay focused on costs: keep in mind that a good half of your budget is going to go towards finish materials. Bathroom remodeling can end up being very expensive …so make sure you are choosing the right bathroom contractor for your new project and make sure he keeps to your budget.

The good news is that bathroom remodeling is fun and can be done with a lot less money than other rooms. Learn about the latest trends in bathroom remodeling but don’t go to far following trends. You don’t want to have a bathroom that’s out of style in a few years… or a bath that is so “over the top” – it will hamper the sale of your home in the future.

Always Think Of Your Home As An Investment

Be a smart homeowner and always treat your home as a real estate investment. It’s important, as your home ages, to maintain and improve your largest and most valuable investment.

When it comes to recouping your remodeling investment, a ranch style home bathroom remodel almost always pays back 90% or more of their costs. It’s very possible to get a 100 % return on your bathroom remodeling investment if your careful with your budget.  Choosing to remodel a bathroom that has such a high investment return is a sure winner.

Bathroom remodeling is one of the most important improvements you can make to your home. It can be an overwhelming project for any homeowner, but if it is well planned it will be lost of fun and as budget friendly as you choose.

One of the many benefits of bathroom remodeling is the possibility to maximize the value of your home. And if you are thinking about selling, bathroom remodeling is ranked among the highest return on investment for a  home improvement.

Bathrooms: Plan, Remodel, Build

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

{ 0 comments }

Regrout Tile In Ranch Remodeling

by Debra on Friday, January 30, 2009

Regrout TileUltimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile: Select, Install, Maintain

Got a shower or floor that has missing or dirty grout? I have a shower that I will eventfully replace the tile… but it’s not in the budget yet.  I wanted to learn how to repair the grout and leave it looking fresh and new.

I have found some solutions for Regrout Tile in Ranch Remodeling:

Tile & Grout Problems and Solutions

By Elizabeth K

Tile is a popular flooring choice due to the ease of care, beauty and durability. Compared to carpet, tile is easy to keep clean and can last a lifetime but that doesn’t mean it is completely without problems.

Unfortunately, tile can build up unsightly dirt and grime over time that makes the flooring look aged and unattractive. Worse, dirty tile and grout is almost impossible to hide making it an eye-sore for homeowners and guests. Learn how to prevent common problem with these quick easy solutions designed to keep your Atlanta home looking its best.

Common Tile and Grout Problems


Broken or Cracked Tile.
Heavy items dropped at a distance or even air-pockets that developed during installation can sometimes cause a tile to form a hair-line crack or sharp edge. In many cases the crack is fine and barely visible to the naked eye but still requires attention to stabilize.

Dull Flat Tile. The finish on any flooring can become dull and tile is no exception. Whether glossy or flat finished, dirt and scratches can leave your tile looking old and dull instead of the clean fresh look it had when newly installed.

Dirty Grout. Unsightly stains and dirty grout are one of the worst problems associated with tile. In former years the remedy was to remove the old grout and re-work new grout; an expensive, dirty and time consuming process. Today, innovations in grout care make it easier than ever to restore your grout to its former clean fresh appearance.


How to Re-Grout & Reseal Ceramic Tile — powered by ExpertVillage.com

Routine Maintenance

Regularly cleaning your tile floors will ensure that they last longer, as well as look good longer. Sweeping and mopping tile floors on a weekly basis will keep dirt, stains, and grime from building up on the tiles themselves and in the grout between them.

Regular floor cleaning will also help keep your home healthier by cutting back tremendously on the amount of irritants, such as mold, mildew, and bacteria, which also allows for cleaner, fresher air quality within the home. Using cleaning products on your floors will rid your home of these irritants.

Be sure to properly read the labels on all cleaning products you use in your home, for certain combinations of chemicals can be hazardous to your health. For example, you can clean your floors with bleach or ammonia, but combing the two chemicals can be extremely dangerous, and should never be used together.

***************

How to Find a Professional

Unlike casual carpet cleaning, few homeowners are anxious to tackle a tile and grout cleaning job…and with good reason, it’s hard work! But when it comes to selecting an Atlanta tile and grout cleaning company, it can be difficult to know where to turn.

Not all companies are equal; make sure the job is done right by searching for a company like Kiwi Services with a nationwide reputation, Licensed, bonded and insured staff and reliable guarantee. Kiwi Services provides complete tile and grout cleaning to the Atlanta market with one quick call.

About the Author: Elizabeth is a professional content writer for Kiwiservices: http://www.kiwiservices.com/atlanta-tile-grout-cleaning.htm

Source: www.isnare.com

Vitrex Grout Sealer Applicator Bottle (AO9807)

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

{ 0 comments }

Replace Windows In Old Ranch Style House

by Debra on Thursday, January 29, 2009

If your thinking about how to replace windows in a old Ranch Style House… you have some choices to make. Plus… you need to learn the basics of measuring for replacement windows. It’s all easy – the video shows you in less than 2 minutes how to measure windows so you can replace those old windows with brand new – simple:


How to Measure for New Windows — powered by ExpertVillage.com

Quick Tips For Window Replacement
By Billings Farnsworth

Replacement windows can be a money saver, but before you go out and make a purchase that likely will cost thousands of dollars, be sure to do your homework. Some advertisements from manufacturers warn “Stop throwing money out your old windows.” New and replacement windows will reduce energy consumption by 10 to 25 percent, but the payback is not instantaneous.

The cost for replacement windows in an average home can range between $7,000 and $20,000 or more. Custom sizes can add an additional 15 percent to this cost. Replacing decent single-pane windows/storm windows with new energy efficient windows will not show a net savings for an average of 20 years or more.

There are many factors that affect the price, including insulating features such as Low-E coatings, heat reflection properties, argon gas between panes of glass, and such nuances as double-paned or triple paned windows. Some custom windows have shades built into the glass!

Finding energy efficient replacement windows has become easier, however.

Which Style Of Ranch Replacement Window Is Best?

The least expensive is vinyl; however wood and fiberglass have been steadily coming down in price in the past decade. Vinyl replacement windows encompass about half of the replacement window market, mainly due to price and being maintenance-free.

Vinyl windows do not have to be painted or stained. The drawback to vinyl replacement windows is vinyl windows tend to leak air a bit more than the more expensive choices, especially in colder climates.

Vinyl replacement windows don’t have the same visual appeal as wood, and they can’t be painted or stained. So they might not be appropriate for older homes.

********************

Window World of Utah (http://windowworldutah.com) offers high quality windows and window replacement in Utah. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

{ 0 comments }