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Karen Lawes

Five Reasons Why Bamboo Flooring is a Great Choice for Your New Hardwood Floors

by Karen Lawes on February 9

Ten years ago, bamboo flooring was almost unheard of in the United States. Now it is becoming a popular alternative to traditional hardwood.

Bamboo is technically a grass that is flattened and coated with a laminate product to form a solid-surface flooring. This engineering process brings strength and durability to the material.

Bamboo is not for everyone, but it is certainly an option worth considering if you’re in the market for hardwood floors. Here are a few of the reasons so many homeowners are opting for this once-rare material. [click to continue…]

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Winterizing Your Home – the Procrastinator’s Survival Guide

by Karen Lawes on January 26

Unfortunately, many of the coldest winter days are still ahead. February and March bring some of the heaviest snow and the coldest temperatures, particularly for those of us living in harsh climates. If you haven’t taken steps to winterize your home, it is not too late to start.

Winterizing your home prevents damage and reduces your risk of costly repairs. It helps lower energy costs and eliminates safety hazards. Make the freezing days ahead as painless as possible by crossing these last-minute tasks off your to-do list.

  1. Inspect Your Furnace
    The last thing you want to deal with in the middle of winter is a faulty furnace. Change your filter and stock up on a few extras for the months ahead. If you can afford it, hire a furnace repair service to clean and inspect your furnace and duct work.Furnaces can also pose a fire hazard in the winter months. Keep the area around your furnace free from clutter and debris – particularly anything that is flammable.
  2. Protect Your Pipes
    Frozen pipes can be a nightmare. Frozen water can rapidly expand, causing pipes to burst and resulting in serious water damage to your home. Most pipes are safe, as long as your heat is working and the pipes are located inside of the home’s insulation. But make sure any pipes that are exposed to the elements are insulated with electric heat tape or foam insulation. You can hire a professional or take this on as a do-it-yourself project. [click to continue…]

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Selling Your House? Five Home Improvement Projects That Boost Resale Value

by Karen Lawes on December 22

The real estate market is tough these days. With depressed prices and so many homes on the market, buyers have the luxury of being picky.

If your house isn’t attracting much interest, it might be time to consider tackling a few projects that will make it stand out. The extra effort is especially important if you need to sell quickly.

You probably don’t want to dump a ton of money into a house you’re trying to sell, and understandably so. But even a small investment can lead to a big payoff – namely, a higher sale price and fewer days on the market.

1. Spice Up Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the most important room in the house when it comes to resale value. If you’re going to pick just one room to improve, this should be the one. The kitchen alone can make or break a sale.

Complete kitchen remodels cost tens of thousands of dollars, but you don’t have to gut the room and start from scratch to make a big impact. Have the cabinets refinished or resurfaced and change the hardware. You can alter the look and feel of the room for less than $1,000.

2. Replace Old Carpet

There are few things as unappealing as carpet that is stained or smelly. Some buyers simply won’t be able to look past it, even though replacing carpet is quick and relatively inexpensive.

Carpet is much cheaper than other types of flooring, although prices vary widely depending on quality. You can spend $1 per square foot for the cheap stuff or $10 for high-end carpeting. When you’re selling your home, you probably want to split the difference and opt for mid-grade.

3. Add A Fresh Coat of Paint

Painting is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to give your home a facelift. For a few hundred dollars, you can make the entire home look brighter and cleaner. Removing old wallpaper can also drastically improve the look of your home’s interior.

Painting can easily be a do-it-yourself project, or you can hire a professional.  Whatever method you choose, always choose neutral colors, keeping in mind that potential buyers may not share your taste.

4. Refinish Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are a great selling feature. They’re highly sought after by buyers. But if you’re not showcasing your hardwoods at their best, you might be turning away potential buyers.

Over time, hardwoods begin to show wear and tear. Refinishing them is a great way to revive the entire room. As a do-it-yourself project, expect to spend $1 to $3 per square foot. A professional might charge about $5 per square foot. Either way, it’s a quick and affordable project.

5. Hire a Professional Decorator

Your home is a reflection of your personal style. But potential buyers might not share your taste. Believe it or not, some buyers will overlook a home because they can’t picture it designed to match their style.

Most professional decorators offer staging services for a reasonable fee. They’ll offer advice on how to neutralize and de-clutter your home to appeal to a wide range of buyers. They might also be able to loan you more neutral furniture and accessories.

If you can’t afford to hire a professional decorator, do some research and try to do the staging on your own. You can start by removing family photos and other personal items. Or, ask your real estate agent for staging advice.

Karen Lawes is owner of WinterisHere.com, a site dedicated to helping with winter home improvement projects including roof snow removal and furnace repair.

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Energy Bills Through the Roof? 7 Projects That Will Help You Cut Costs

by Karen Lawes on December 8

We’re all familiar with the quick and easy ways to cut down on energy costs. Dial back the thermostat you’re not home. Unplug your computer when it’s not in use. And for the last time, turn off the lights when you leave a room!

These are great strategies, but they might not be enough. Below are seven home improvement projects that will permanently make a dent in your energy bills. Some are simple and cheap; others require a commitment of time and money. It’s up to you how far you want to go.

Install a storm door

If your existing door is old but in relatively good condition, consider adding a storm door to prevent heat loss. Many metal-framed storm doors have foam insulation built right into the frame. If your door is relatively new, however, adding a storm door won’t save you much in energy costs. [click to continue…]

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How to Save 125 Gallons of Water a Day or More!

by Karen Lawes on November 24

Leaky Faucet

There are many water-saving appliances that you can purchase and install in your home to automatically start saving on your water bill and conserve water, however you can start saving on water today, without spending a dime. Saving conservation will start to come naturally to your household members when everyone is aware of its importance and are taught just few of these simple techniques.

Never leave your water running while brushing your teeth. Simply fill a glass with water and use that water to rinse your brush in. This conserves about 7 gallons of water a day.

Only run your dishwasher or washing machine when it is as full as possible. If you must wash a smaller load of laundry, be very careful to adjust the water level settings. Running the dishwasher just once a day instead of two times will save 15 gallons of water per day. Same goes for the washing machine except you will save 20 gallons or more water per day. [click to continue…]

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Project of the Week: Do I Need to Replace My Windows?

by Karen Lawes on November 10

So your windows are rotting, leaking and creating a draft. Time to replace them, right? Well, not necessarily.

There are lots of good reasons to replace your windows. But there are plenty of bad ones, too. Many homeowners rush into expensive window replacement without considering all of their options.

In many cases, old and drafty windows can be repaired or restored. You can hire a contractor to replace certain components of the window and add energy efficient features. Or, you can add storm windows to provide an extra layer of protection from the elements.

How Do I Know If My Windows Are Energy Efficient?

Inefficient windows are one of biggest contributors to high energy bills. If you answer yes to two or more of the following questions, chances are your windows are not energy efficient:

  • Are the windows more than 20 years old?
  • Are the wood frames rotting or peeling?
  • Do the windows consist of a single pane, as opposed to a double or triple pane?
  • Are the window frames warped?
  • Do condensation and frost collect on your windows?
  • Are the windows difficult to open?

Repair or Replace?

There’s no one-fits-all answer to this common question. The right choice for your home depends on the condition of the windows and what you’re looking to accomplish.

In general, it’s time for a replacement if the windows themselves are falling apart. If the sash is breaking, for example, it may be more expensive to repair the windows than to replace them. If you’re unsure, seek estimates for both repair and replacement. Replacing all of the windows in a home usually costs $10,000 or more, so if repairs are going to cost just as much, you might want to go with the full replacement.

If you’re looking for an unbiased opinion, consider hiring an energy auditor to assess the pros and cons of window replacement and repair. Energy auditors don’t sell windows or offer restoration services, so they are likely to give you an honest assessment.

For many homeowners, however, the decision comes down to personal preference. If you own a historic home and want to preserve the old-world character and charm, restoration is probably a better choice. If you’re less interested in preserving a certain look and more concerned about having air-tight windows that are easy to clean, replacement might be a better choice.

The Benefits of Storm Windows

Installing storm windows is a solution that’s often overlooked. In many cases, pairing quality storm windows with your existing single-pane windows provides the same energy savings as new windows – just at a much lower price. To maximize efficiency, it’s also a good idea to make sure your old windows are properly weatherstripped.

If you can’t afford a full set of storm windows, consider have a plastic interior storm panel added to your existing windows. The panel won’t provide the same level of efficiency as a storm window, but you’ll see a big improvement.

CostOwl focuses on providing cost estimates for business and home improvement projects such as window replacement projects.

 

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Top 3 Dangerous Winter Home Improvement Projects & How to Stay Safe!

by Karen Lawes on October 27

With the holidays and winter quickly approaching, a lot of homeowners are preparing their homes for this season. This includes many things from making sure your heating system is working properly, to checking that your windows are properly sealed and insulated. Projects also come up in the middle of the winter such as clearing snow from your roof. While most home improvement projects are quite safe, there are a few that can be dangerous without proper knowledge, skills and tools. Here is a review of the most dangerous winter home improvement projects.

Gas Furnace Repairs
Because gas is the most efficient type of furnace, many of us choose to use a gas furnace to heat our home. While it’s great to save money on heat, a gas furnace does come with its drawbacks. The biggest being that gas can leak and cause very dangerous conditions for your family. Do not try to repair your furnace on your own. You can very easily cause a leak. If you smell gas coming from your furnace, do not hesitate to evacuate your home and immediately call the gas company. Always hire a professional to maintain your furnace.

Gas furnaces can also emit Carbon Monoxide. This type of leak is even more dangerous as it is odorless. It’s very important to have a Carbon Monoxide detector in your home. You should have your furnace checked by a professional yearly for leaks. [click to continue…]

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