Earth day inspires home owners to think Green
April 23, 2009
Earth day was embraced by millions of people around the globe on Wednesday. The movement by home owners to turn their homes into green friendly eco pads are gaining momentum. There are a number of things home owners can look at such as solar energy, wind power, reclycling, water preservation.
The major components of building a green home are centered around energy preservation (proper insulation, eliminating water waste, conserving electricity), choosing the right building materials (wood, eco friendly concrete) and choosing a contractor who follows the principles of building a green home. One of the major concepts in a green home is the idea of having an infrastructure system that works with the environment and gives back to the environent for utilizing the natural resources. Many new home owners today are turning their existing homes into green friendly houses by installing solar energy pannels to convert their homes into more energy effecient dwellings, installing energy effecient hot water tanks or hot water on demand tanks to help eliminate water waste. Starting with a home improvement project typically focuses on three items for every green home owner, what is the impact to the environment, how will this change my living situation and is their a value to the home. The impact to the environment of adding a home addition could be justified if the project encompasses the plans from a contractor who is thinking green. Utilizing eco friendly building materials is a must for all contractors who follow a green building plan.
Thinking green is not only a though on earth day, but a rising philosophy of many home owners around the world. Home owners who want to work with green builders can find outlines and directories for green certified home contractors online. Begining any home improvement project involves planning and budgeting, if you have not compared a traditional remodeling estimate with a green friendly estimate, now is the perfect time to try and make a difference.
Remodeling your bathroom, their are lots of options for the bathtub
April 8, 2009
Their are a number of remodeling projects that add value to your home. One of the areas that provide the largest return is remodeling your bathroom. One easy way to start a bathroom remodeling project is to look into adding new life to your bath tub. Bathtubs are often the focal point of your bathroom and if you can’t afford to replace your existing tub with a new tub, or perhaps a jetted tub, then there are a few alternatives you can explore that can add new life to your existing tub.
One of the least expensive ways to modernize an old bath tub is to have the tub reglazed. This process involves applying a new epoxy based paint over your existing tub. This process can be done through a specialized contractor, or for those that have minimal budgets or may be more ambitious they can purchase kits at a local hardware/home improvement store. The drawbacks with this process, is that reglazing a tub is not a permament solution. Your bathtub will undergo the stress of water and temperature changes, which ultimately will have an impact on the epoxy finish. Depending on the quality of the materials used, this process can be expected to last for one to five years in most situations.
An alternative to reglazing your tub is a process referred to as having a mold created and placed over your existing bathtub. This process is definitely more expensive, and price can vary from generic home improvement kits, to fully customized bath molds that can be custom tailored to your bathroom and allow you to choose from hundreds of different color or style combinations. This process is likely to start at around $1000 and above with most companies, and their are numerous companies that are offering this service, so it is recomended to obtain a few estimates and referrals if you wish to proceed down this path.
Most bathroom remodeling projects will add value to your home. The average home owner should budget between $2,000 and $12,000 for their bathroom remodeling project, depending upon their goals and dreams. With any type of remodeling project, consulting with a professional contractor is always a good place to start.
