Whether you’re redoing your kitchen, replacing your windows, or putting in a stone patio, one of the first and most important decisions you’ll have to make is what kind of materials you’re going to use. The question is: what are the right materials for the job?
Understanding the Costs
As with most products, building materials come in many options across many price points. Your budget, application, and expectations will go a long way in determining what materials you should buy. The biggest factor, of course, is your budget. It is generally advised that you buy the best materials you can afford. You might be tempted to save money up front, but you might end up spending more in the end, as cheaper materials tend to have a shorter lifespan than more expensive ones. Many pros refer to this as the “life-cycle” cost. It might sound complicated but it’s actually a pretty simple concept. For example, if the cost of a product cost twice as much as the alternative but lasts four times as long, the first product will ultimately prove to be the less expensive option. [click to continue…]
If you’ve got kids, you know how quickly your house can become an art gallery. And while you want to nurture your little Van Gough’s artistic spirit, if you’re like lots of parents, you’re running out of ideas on how to display their masterpieces. Here are a few solutions.
Magnetize!
Want to reclaim your fridge? With a little bit of magnetic paint you can turn any wall into a permanent art installation, allowing you to move their art from the fridge. The best part is you can customize the shape and color to fit the room.
You’re Framed
A great way to keep things fresh is to rotate out your kids’ art as they bring home new pieces. These nifty dynamic frames allow you to quickly swap out the old with the new so you can showcase their latest and greatest work.
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Warm Up the Mood With These Cool Outdoor Lighting Ideas
When it comes to a good time, everyone knows that when the sun goes down the party heats up. So, don’t let a lack of light drive the party indoors. With the right kind of lighting you’ll be able to add the ambiance and energy that will keep the party going till the break of dawn.
Recycled Wine Bottle Tiki Torch
Don’t toss all those empty wine bottles after your next get together. Repurpose them by making them into the coolest tiki-torches on the block. All it takes are some empty wine bottles (have your friends help you empty them), a few pieces of hardware, and tiki fuel. Start the project in the afternoon and you’ll be basking in their glow by sunset. Wine bottle tiki-torch.
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If you’ve got ten minutes, you’ve got time to get your sprinkler system fired up and ready for summer. In fact, it might take you longer to read this post than it will for you to get your system turned on and ready to go.
Step One
Grab a wrench and close the vacuum breaker located near the system’s manifold. Turn the knob clockwise until tight. [click to continue…]
Every gardener knows how important it is to prune trees and shrubs. From ensuring plant health to shaping growth, pruning is an essential part of proper plant care. However, most of us aren’t gardeners. Sure, we know how to grow veggies and keep our houseplants alive, but that doesn’t mean we know why, how, and when to prune a tree or shrub. At least we didn’t until now.
Why Prune?
The U.S. Forest Service suggests pruning for three primary reasons: safety, health, and aesthetics. Pruning for safety is pretty self-explanatory: getting rid of branches that could do damage to you and your property is a smart move. [click to continue…]
Like those of us who need to freshen up and “put on our faces” after a night’s sleep, your home occasionally needs a freshening up here and there – especially after spending the winter battling the elements. Whether your home’s due for a whole house painting or just a few touch ups, here are a few tips that’ll have you painting like a pro.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Paint doesn’t stick to dirty surfaces, so before you go spending all your time painting make sure you take the time to clean the surfaces that are getting painted.
Prep Not, Waste Lots
Ask any pro and they’ll tell you that the key to a successful paint job is doing the proper prep work before hand. That means cleaning the surfaces, scraping away flaking paint, sealing and treating bare wood, taping around windows and other areas you don’t want painted, and laying down drop cloths to ensure you don’t get paint on things not meant for painting. Prep work can be the most time consuming part of the whole process, but you’ll be glad you did it as it’ll save you from cleaning up and dealing with any mistakes you make.
Image Source: Homes.com
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Summer’s Almost Here – Time to Get the Lawn Ready
Woo boy, summer is almost here. Time to break out the gardening gloves and green thumbs and get to work getting that lawn of yours re-energized after its winter hibernation. Follow these easy steps to give your yard the head start it needs to be ready for summer.
Step One – Tune Up The Mower
For most of us this just means giving the mower a quick rinse, checking the oil, and filling it up with gas. However, if it’s been a while since you’ve checked the air filter, spark plug, and blade sharpness, now’s a good time to do so. Don’t worry; it’s not as difficult as it sounds. How To Tune Your Lawn Mower.
Image Source: Pinterest.com
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