Families who buy houses from sellers deal sometimes deal with the issue of house extension. This is so because the house they have bought was not made according to their needs but of the family who previously owned the house. Whether you require another bedroom or you would like an extra room to be used as an office, adding an extension to your house is dependent on the available land adjacent to your property.
Extending your house could mean additional disturbance to your family as there would be a time when you cannot do just everything that you want to do because people are there – renovating your house. But still this is still a better idea than moving to a larger property. Just imagine the hassle of moving from one property to another plus the stress in looking for that perfect buyer!
The average pricing of house extension in the UK is £1,000 per square meter for a single storey house. There are several factors affecting this price, your location, your preferred materials, the plumbing, electrical, and finishing work should also be considered. You have to talk this costing issue with the planner that you have chosen to work on the project. Just note that their schedule can also affect the price of their services. So better find someone who can do the job best but still within the budget and time frame.
Upon knowing how much the average cost is, work may now begin. Star the project by drawing some designs yourself, this way the architect will have the general picture already and he’ll just be preparing the detailed drawings. Fix the necessary papers or permissions from your local engineering office and agree with the builder. Those with experience working with professional builders suggest that it’s better to break down the payments into different sections based upon completion of each job.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
TILING
Economics especially in low and middle-income households matter a lot. So instead of hiring professionals to do the tedious tasks, doing certain tasks on our own becomes a great idea. Now that you have decided to do the tiling on your own, the challenge of choosing the appropriate tile comes next.
This article will definitely help you choose the right tile type for your project. To start with, there are three types of tiles, the Porcelain tile, Natural Stone tile and Vinyl tile. The subsequent individual description will help you understand and choose the right tile for you.
Porcelain Tile
This is the most popular among the three because of its versatility. This type of tile is not just used for kitchens and bathrooms but to entryways as well. The best quality of Porcelain tiles is its durability. It defies stains hence being recommended for use in bathrooms and outdoor spaces. There are an awful lot of designs that you can imagine so it’s such a good choice.
Natural Stone Tile
This one is a great flooring choice but the price may hurt your pockets. A wide selection of marble, slate, granite is available in natural stone. The problem with this high-end floor tile are installation issues, mostly needing hard, firm surfaces or special cement and often needs professional installation. Another thing, you cannot consider this type of tile when you’re working on older homes for it may not withstand the weight of the stone.
Vinyl Tile
This type is used when you’re on a budget. It’s easier to install, too! Vinyl tiles are self-adhesive thus requiring no additional installation issue. It’s the perfect choice when a heavier tile isn’t an option. Vinyl tiles are quite durable because they’re able to resists scuffs, dents and grease but require considerable amount of heavy duty cleaning as their design may also trap dirt.
To wrap it up, the choice which one to use depends on your budget and the type of surface that you’re working with. Make the type choice first because choosing the colors or style.
This article will definitely help you choose the right tile type for your project. To start with, there are three types of tiles, the Porcelain tile, Natural Stone tile and Vinyl tile. The subsequent individual description will help you understand and choose the right tile for you.
Porcelain Tile
This is the most popular among the three because of its versatility. This type of tile is not just used for kitchens and bathrooms but to entryways as well. The best quality of Porcelain tiles is its durability. It defies stains hence being recommended for use in bathrooms and outdoor spaces. There are an awful lot of designs that you can imagine so it’s such a good choice.
Natural Stone Tile
This one is a great flooring choice but the price may hurt your pockets. A wide selection of marble, slate, granite is available in natural stone. The problem with this high-end floor tile are installation issues, mostly needing hard, firm surfaces or special cement and often needs professional installation. Another thing, you cannot consider this type of tile when you’re working on older homes for it may not withstand the weight of the stone.
Vinyl Tile
This type is used when you’re on a budget. It’s easier to install, too! Vinyl tiles are self-adhesive thus requiring no additional installation issue. It’s the perfect choice when a heavier tile isn’t an option. Vinyl tiles are quite durable because they’re able to resists scuffs, dents and grease but require considerable amount of heavy duty cleaning as their design may also trap dirt.
To wrap it up, the choice which one to use depends on your budget and the type of surface that you’re working with. Make the type choice first because choosing the colors or style.
PLASTERING
The renovation of your house is almost finished, the doors and windows have been latched, and furniture is now installed at its rightful places. But husband has assigned you to do the plastering of the walls and you have zero ideas on what plastering is. Fret no more because this article will discuss the basics in wall plastering.
Plastering itself is not a tiresome task. With the right materials and knowledge, you’re on your way to polishing that plaster wall.
Plastering Tools
1. A large flexible mixing bucket is essential for mixing plaster or dry wall adhesive.
2. A featheredge to be used in the direct bond method of plaster boarding. This is also used to achieve straight plasterboard application.
3. Plasterers Darby to be used in applying a backing coat of plaster such as bonding or browning.
4. A plasterer’s trowel to be used in applying all types of plaster and Dry wall adhesive.
5. A hawk to be used alongside the float.
6. A plasterer’s float made of polycarbonate to be used in rendering.
Now that you have the tools, let’s move on to the plastering process itself.
1. Mixing the plaster can be done by hand using a suitable bucket and a piece of wood. A mixing machine with a suitable drill with matching paddle can do the job easier, though. Put the water in the bucket before adding the plaster, doing it in reverse could make the mixture lumpy and unusable. Mix the plaster until the right consistency is met and it’s completely lump-free.
2. Ensure that the room is kept cool or else the plaster will dry off too quickly making it difficult to apply and may crack upon application. Load the hawk with plaster and use the float to load the hawk. Spread the plaster onto the wall using the float ensuring that it is on a correct angle otherwise it will not work. The smaller the angle between the hawk and the wall, the better. Allow the plaster to dry a little but not too much, 20 minutes on a bright day will do. Now use your float to fix problems on the wall. Give it another 30 minutes to completely dry off then you can now polish the wall. Polishing is done by wetting the wall using a brush and water. After that you can now polish the wall by trowelling the surface.
3. Leave the wall to dry in a day or so for it to dry out fully.
There, now you can tell your husband that you can do the job!
Plastering itself is not a tiresome task. With the right materials and knowledge, you’re on your way to polishing that plaster wall.
Plastering Tools
1. A large flexible mixing bucket is essential for mixing plaster or dry wall adhesive.
2. A featheredge to be used in the direct bond method of plaster boarding. This is also used to achieve straight plasterboard application.
3. Plasterers Darby to be used in applying a backing coat of plaster such as bonding or browning.
4. A plasterer’s trowel to be used in applying all types of plaster and Dry wall adhesive.
5. A hawk to be used alongside the float.
6. A plasterer’s float made of polycarbonate to be used in rendering.
Now that you have the tools, let’s move on to the plastering process itself.
1. Mixing the plaster can be done by hand using a suitable bucket and a piece of wood. A mixing machine with a suitable drill with matching paddle can do the job easier, though. Put the water in the bucket before adding the plaster, doing it in reverse could make the mixture lumpy and unusable. Mix the plaster until the right consistency is met and it’s completely lump-free.
2. Ensure that the room is kept cool or else the plaster will dry off too quickly making it difficult to apply and may crack upon application. Load the hawk with plaster and use the float to load the hawk. Spread the plaster onto the wall using the float ensuring that it is on a correct angle otherwise it will not work. The smaller the angle between the hawk and the wall, the better. Allow the plaster to dry a little but not too much, 20 minutes on a bright day will do. Now use your float to fix problems on the wall. Give it another 30 minutes to completely dry off then you can now polish the wall. Polishing is done by wetting the wall using a brush and water. After that you can now polish the wall by trowelling the surface.
3. Leave the wall to dry in a day or so for it to dry out fully.
There, now you can tell your husband that you can do the job!
MOMMY: THE HANDYMAN
You’re alone and the pipes on your kitchen sink broke, worst your husband won’t be home until dinner. So what will a stay at home do? Call the neighborhood repairman, of course! There goes your hard earned cash. To avoid this incident in the future, moms should learn the ropes in basic in home repair especially plumbing.
Plumbing is one simple problem that we can address if we know what to do and how to do it. A lot of companies offer seminars and work shops for the technical know-how’s, one good investment, don’t you think so?
The leaky faucet problem can be very intimidating but if we just know hot to identify the problem and take into actions the following steps, then good. This would help you save much from your water bill and the environment from water wastage.
1. First is to look closely where the leak is centralized, is it on the faucet itself or just in the handle?
2. Find out first which type of faucet you have before dismantling the faucet for repair or replacement.
3. Turn off the water valve so you can start working on the pipes without water flowing through them.
4. Check the washer or O-ring if it’s already wearing out, common faucet leaks are often due to this. To replace the washer, remove the decorative cap by screwing it off or pulling it depending on the design.
5. Unscrew the packing nut that holds the valve in place by turning it counterclockwise. These valve washers come in many various sizes and shapes so a trip to the hardware store is needed to get the exact washer size.
So there, in case another booboo comes up, you know what to do. No need to panic as you now know how to.
Plumbing is one simple problem that we can address if we know what to do and how to do it. A lot of companies offer seminars and work shops for the technical know-how’s, one good investment, don’t you think so?
The leaky faucet problem can be very intimidating but if we just know hot to identify the problem and take into actions the following steps, then good. This would help you save much from your water bill and the environment from water wastage.
1. First is to look closely where the leak is centralized, is it on the faucet itself or just in the handle?
2. Find out first which type of faucet you have before dismantling the faucet for repair or replacement.
3. Turn off the water valve so you can start working on the pipes without water flowing through them.
4. Check the washer or O-ring if it’s already wearing out, common faucet leaks are often due to this. To replace the washer, remove the decorative cap by screwing it off or pulling it depending on the design.
5. Unscrew the packing nut that holds the valve in place by turning it counterclockwise. These valve washers come in many various sizes and shapes so a trip to the hardware store is needed to get the exact washer size.
So there, in case another booboo comes up, you know what to do. No need to panic as you now know how to.
LANDSCAPE GARDENING
Landscaping your front yard and your back yard are two different things. If you think that you can do what you just did to your front on your back yard, think again. The front yard is the façade of your beautiful home where aesthetics matter above everything else but the back yard? It’s the place where you want to relax so it should be cozy and comfort should be highly considered.
So how should you start beautifying your back yard? Start with a theme first, you can choose from beach, Zen, etcetera. The list is endless depending on your type. The web will offer you several ideas to choose from. Just for example you have chosen Zen and have that little sanctuary in your back yard. You might want to wall it with bamboo or Japanese shrubs to enclose your space, to give your privacy from the rest of the world.
If it is a huge back yard that you’re renovating, you might want to sectionalize it into smaller rooms so different activities can be done simultaneously at different sections. You can use Hokongo-in, a Japanese shrub to divide the sections. A tiny pond can also be installed in the area where you can put Koi fishes. Make sure that the Japanese varieties I’ve mentioned are available in your area before laying-out the plans. If the tiny pond is not possible, opt to install an outdoor Zen fountain which is readily available in stores. These fountains are said to create a feeling of well being and peace. Aside from its decorative features, these are believed to help balance energy and foster harmony in the area. With a properly sectionalized back yard, a few Japanese shrubs and a tiny pond or Zen fountain, you’re on your way to relaxation sanctuary.
Who wouldn’t want a back yard like this? But then again don’t stress out yourself too much. These are just mere suggestions to beautify your back yard. Enjoy your back yard as you beautify it.
So how should you start beautifying your back yard? Start with a theme first, you can choose from beach, Zen, etcetera. The list is endless depending on your type. The web will offer you several ideas to choose from. Just for example you have chosen Zen and have that little sanctuary in your back yard. You might want to wall it with bamboo or Japanese shrubs to enclose your space, to give your privacy from the rest of the world.
If it is a huge back yard that you’re renovating, you might want to sectionalize it into smaller rooms so different activities can be done simultaneously at different sections. You can use Hokongo-in, a Japanese shrub to divide the sections. A tiny pond can also be installed in the area where you can put Koi fishes. Make sure that the Japanese varieties I’ve mentioned are available in your area before laying-out the plans. If the tiny pond is not possible, opt to install an outdoor Zen fountain which is readily available in stores. These fountains are said to create a feeling of well being and peace. Aside from its decorative features, these are believed to help balance energy and foster harmony in the area. With a properly sectionalized back yard, a few Japanese shrubs and a tiny pond or Zen fountain, you’re on your way to relaxation sanctuary.
Who wouldn’t want a back yard like this? But then again don’t stress out yourself too much. These are just mere suggestions to beautify your back yard. Enjoy your back yard as you beautify it.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
ROOFING CHOICES
Every family who plans to build or renovate their houses has thought of changing their roofs to keep up with the current standards. Roofs need to be changed or repaired at least every 10 years adhering to the safety standards issued by the government. Homeowners desire a roof that’s inexpensive, maintenance-free, and something that would last a long time. So one has to choose a roof with materials that would save them cost of replacement.
By choosing the right roof for your house, you’ll also save more in the long run. One good example is choosing a light-colored roof that doesn’t absorb heat from the sun – this kind will keep your attic cooler and therefore electricity bills will go down.
Here’s a list of the most popular types of roofing. Carefully read each description and see which one answers the needs of your home. Always remember that cost doesn’t guarantee quality so choose the right material, have it installed, and cautiously maintain it to ensure life-long functional roofing.
Composition Shingles are today’s hottest choice. Being the most popular and trendy one, these shingles are made of substances like tar, thick felt, crushed rock and other suitable materials formed together into a 2 – 3 feet slate. Higher quality of these is made up of asphalt or fiberglass which is more durable.
Wood Shakes are made of Western red cedar – a long lasting, straight-grained wood which gives the wood surprising strength regardless of the cut. Wood resists heat transmission twice as well as composition shingles, too.
Downside of wood shakes is that it requires more maintenance especially if you live in places with harsh climate. The best option here is to perform preventive maintenance and cleaning every 5 years or so. Another thing, wood shakes are not fire-resistant and may be required to be pressure-treated.
Clay Tile is the roofing solution if you want your house to spell elegance. These provide the house elegant architectural designs and the thickest textures. They are one of the most decorative historic roofing materials since they come with a variety of shapes, colors, patterns, and textures.
If properly installed, tiles will last for years. These will resist fire, hail and strong winds and considered as environment-friendly due to its heat-reflectivity and overall durability making it a popular choice world-wide.
Slate is one expensive choice. Its benefits include very long life-span, excellent fire protection, low maintenance and invulnerability to rots and insects.
Concrete Tile like shakes, shingles and light-weight tiles are manufactured from a variety of fiber-reinforced cement products. Like slate, you will also benefit a very long life-span, excellent fire protection, low maintenance and invulnerability to rots and insects when you choose concrete tile as your roofing preference.
Aside from the choices above, metal roofs and hot mops can also be considered a roofing option. There are a lot of options but your decision will depend on your budget and the needs of your home.
By choosing the right roof for your house, you’ll also save more in the long run. One good example is choosing a light-colored roof that doesn’t absorb heat from the sun – this kind will keep your attic cooler and therefore electricity bills will go down.
Here’s a list of the most popular types of roofing. Carefully read each description and see which one answers the needs of your home. Always remember that cost doesn’t guarantee quality so choose the right material, have it installed, and cautiously maintain it to ensure life-long functional roofing.
Composition Shingles are today’s hottest choice. Being the most popular and trendy one, these shingles are made of substances like tar, thick felt, crushed rock and other suitable materials formed together into a 2 – 3 feet slate. Higher quality of these is made up of asphalt or fiberglass which is more durable.
Wood Shakes are made of Western red cedar – a long lasting, straight-grained wood which gives the wood surprising strength regardless of the cut. Wood resists heat transmission twice as well as composition shingles, too.
Downside of wood shakes is that it requires more maintenance especially if you live in places with harsh climate. The best option here is to perform preventive maintenance and cleaning every 5 years or so. Another thing, wood shakes are not fire-resistant and may be required to be pressure-treated.
Clay Tile is the roofing solution if you want your house to spell elegance. These provide the house elegant architectural designs and the thickest textures. They are one of the most decorative historic roofing materials since they come with a variety of shapes, colors, patterns, and textures.
If properly installed, tiles will last for years. These will resist fire, hail and strong winds and considered as environment-friendly due to its heat-reflectivity and overall durability making it a popular choice world-wide.
Slate is one expensive choice. Its benefits include very long life-span, excellent fire protection, low maintenance and invulnerability to rots and insects.
Concrete Tile like shakes, shingles and light-weight tiles are manufactured from a variety of fiber-reinforced cement products. Like slate, you will also benefit a very long life-span, excellent fire protection, low maintenance and invulnerability to rots and insects when you choose concrete tile as your roofing preference.
Aside from the choices above, metal roofs and hot mops can also be considered a roofing option. There are a lot of options but your decision will depend on your budget and the needs of your home.
BASEMENT CONVERSION
Have you been in a situation when there is a need for another room and yet all you have is a dusty basement? We just did so we converted the basement or cellar into a cozy and stay-worthy entertainment room for the entire family. Since our house is a semi-detached property, we thought of investing a considerable amount not just for the aesthetics and functionality of the house itself but we also put into consideration the home value which could increase by 30 – 50%.
With the help of my husband’s colleague, they were able to come up with a floor plan within a week. The thorough planning saved us from a lot of unnecessary expenses such as overspending on materials. So make sure to have that plan before starting the project. Include in the plans the doorways, staircases and walls that you want to add to the existing space. It wasn’t easy though as we still need planning permission and approval of the city engineer in our locality and there was also a need to pay construction bonds though we were only renovating the cellar.
One challenge we have cited was the heat and air ventilation, probably the most crucial in the entire project. Air bricks and extractor fans were installed to ensure adequate ventilation in the entertainment room. There was also a need to waterproof the walls by lining the basement with waterproof membranes. It’s not as expensive as you might think. The hired professionals used cavity drain membranes. These created an envelope within the walls allowing the natural drainage of the ground water to enter and be collected behind the system. Cavity membranes are lightweight, quick to install, non-destructive to the structure, insulative and sound absorbing and conducive to a dry, high quality environment. This is probably the best solution to basement conversion.
With the help of my husband’s colleague, they were able to come up with a floor plan within a week. The thorough planning saved us from a lot of unnecessary expenses such as overspending on materials. So make sure to have that plan before starting the project. Include in the plans the doorways, staircases and walls that you want to add to the existing space. It wasn’t easy though as we still need planning permission and approval of the city engineer in our locality and there was also a need to pay construction bonds though we were only renovating the cellar.
One challenge we have cited was the heat and air ventilation, probably the most crucial in the entire project. Air bricks and extractor fans were installed to ensure adequate ventilation in the entertainment room. There was also a need to waterproof the walls by lining the basement with waterproof membranes. It’s not as expensive as you might think. The hired professionals used cavity drain membranes. These created an envelope within the walls allowing the natural drainage of the ground water to enter and be collected behind the system. Cavity membranes are lightweight, quick to install, non-destructive to the structure, insulative and sound absorbing and conducive to a dry, high quality environment. This is probably the best solution to basement conversion.
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