How To Choose The Best Type Of Floor Tiles For Your Bathroom

There are many possible choices of tiles for your bathroom including vinyl, linoleum, ceramic, porcelain and stone. Tile should be chosen based on affordability and personal taste.

Before you start searching for the tile that is going to transform your bathroom, there are a few things you need to consider. Tile is created for its intended use, therefore material and texture really matter when choosing flooring. Learning a few things about your tiling choices will ensure you are getting the best product and will be happy for years to come.

The most popular choices for tile flooring are vinyl, linoleum, ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Each one has its benefits and drawbacks, yet all come in a variety of colors or patterns that can suit most decorative styles.

Vinyl tile is the most affordable option. Made from resins, plasticizers, and stabilizers, this flooring is durable, and coated to make cleanup simple. It is important to keep vinyl clean, because over time dirt can scratch the surface. Unlike some other flooring, the synthetic material of vinyl warms up easier, so it is less cold to the touch.

Linoleum is made of natural materials like powdered wood, limestone, and linseed oil; making it an environmentally sustainable option. Linoleum is considered a resilient product, and is more expensive than vinyl. Like vinyl it is easier to scratch than the harder tiles, but with frequent sweeping this can largely be avoided.

Ceramic tiles are made of clay and fired in a kiln. These tiles are almost always finished with a glaze containing a color or pattern. Ceramic tiles are very durable, but are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain. Because the color is only on the surface, some chips will show through the underlying color of the clay.

Porcelain tiles are also fired in a kiln and come glazed or unglazed. Because they are fired at a higher temperature than ceramic, they are harder and more durable. Glazed porcelain tiles don't need to be sealed, but unglazed do.

Stone tiles are likely the most expensive option. They are made from slate, granite, marble, or even limestone. Unlike the other tiles, stone needs to be resealed periodically to protect it from staining.

To prevent slipping in the bathroom, floor tiles need to be textured. For this reason, some glossy tiles won't work. If you aren't sure the style you like has the proper surface, speak with an in-store expert. Discuss what room the flooring will be installed in, so they can guide you to the safest choice.

Putting new tile in the bathroom will make it look fresh and renewed. For more information on a general contractor in San Diego, please visit this website.

10 Cheap Ways To Make Your Kitchen Look Expensive

1. Update hardware. Hardware can completely change the look of a piece of furniture and it can do the same for your cabinets. Replace drawer...read more

Plan A Successful Home Remodel

When preparing to remodel your home, making the right layout choices is crucial. From the materials that you use to the walking space that you leave, the trick to enjoying a successful remodel is to plan ahead.

Remodeling your house can change the functionality and personal enjoyment of the space that you call home. Whether it's the kitchen, the living room, or the bathroom that will be the target of your next remodel, it's important to pool all of your resources in order to make the most of the opportunity. Consider the materials, the space, future value, and how traffic will flow in the home as you start piecing your layout together.

Although it is not necessary to buy new appliances or furniture when remodeling, it tends to be one of the extra highlights of the experience. Making sure that you have the hooks ups for any new appliances, and that you plan ahead for their added (or reduced) size can help you avoid some headaches later on in the process.

Compare the materials that you plan on using. Natural pieces, such as wood, tend to offer a warmer, more welcoming feel to the space, while modern pieces that use a lot of metal can present the appearance of class and style. Using the materials to add to the layout of your remodel can make your efforts to reinvent your living space more effective.

The traffic patterns in your home may change after your remodel is complete, and knowing how that will happen can dramatically change the layout that is best for the space that you have available. The last thing that you want to have happen is for people to be squeezing in between appliances to enter or exit the room, or to be pumping into things on a daily basis. On average, you'll probably want almost three feet of room for free and relaxed movement.

The best way to make sure that you've got enough room to move around is to take precise measurements of each appliance and piece of furniture. Adding about three feet into your plan in areas that will experience high levels of traffic should make your layout more realistic to daily living.

A successful remodel can improve the market value of your home. However, simply remaking a room doesn't meant that buyers will like the changes that you've made. Considering the materials and types of layouts that are more in-line with the common preference can improve the likelihood that future buyers will be interested in investing in the future. For ideas and inspiration, check out picture galleries and remodels that your friends and family members have done.

The layout of your remodel should be fun and functional. Visit this website for more information on room additions in Poway.

35 Easter Decorating Ideas

Banish winter blahs and brighten up your home indoors and out with fresh flowers, cheery spring colors and whimsical...read more

Small Urban Apartment Makeover

Browse pictures of a 375-square-foot apartment makeover with savvy...read more

Differences Between Marble and Granite in Your Home

Granite and marble are both stones that look beautiful in the home as floor tiles, backsplashes, countertops, accents, or fireplace surrounds.  Both offer a feeling of sophistication to a room, but the similarities end there. These two stones are formed differently, and thus have different qualities. Choosing the right stone is easy once you learn about these differences.

Marble

This stone is formed in the bottom of bodies of water. Made largely from the remnants of calcium sediments like shells, animal skeletons, and silt, it takes millions of years and tons of pressure for the sediment to harden and become stone. Because marble is formed under pressure, it is porous. This makes it a poor choice for kitchen counter tops because it can stain. Despite its porosity, it is a durable product. Marble works great in bathrooms, as accents, or around a fireplace. Marble usually comes in black or white, with marbling throughout.

Granite

Granite is formed deep in the earth from molten lava. As the lava rises, it cools and hardens. Because granite is formed in an intense heat environment it is harder than marble and less porous. This makes it great for many applications including flooring, backsplashes, and countertops. Granite comes in two styles— consistent and variegated. Consistent has roughly the same pattern throughout the slab, whereas variegated has veining or swirling patterns of different colors.

No matter which stone you choose, you will love the elegant look at feel of the stone. To learn more about concrete slabs in San Diego for your home, visit this website.

Handy Remodeling Checklist

Before your contractor picks up a hammer you need to be clear on what your goals and budget are for a remodel. To stay on track, create a checklist of the following items and work through each one before moving on to the next.

1.       Make a list of needs

Write down a list of all the things that need to be done on the house. Then prioritize each item in order of importance. If you need to cut spending anywhere, start with the least important.

2.       Figure out your budget

Try to come up with a general figure you can spend. Most likely the remodel will exceed this amount, so cushion it by about 10 percent. Once you get an estimate from your contractor you’ll have a better idea of what your budget will allow.

3.  Research contractors

This is one of the most important details in your preparation. To start looking for a good company, ask your friends and co-workers for references. Make sure you interview any potential contractors before you sign paperwork. This company will be in your home, so you want to make sure you are comfortable with them!

4.Get clear

Make sure you know what you want before work starts. Each time you change your mind after the project begins, you delay the project and potentially increase costs. Your contractor can help with questions and concerns.

Working with a checklist like this will help any remodel go smoother and cost less. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing you made well-informed decisions in advance of the work being done.

For  more information on general contractor in San Diego, check out this website.

Annual Convention Highlights

Last week, more than a hundred California AGC members attended AGC of America's 96th Annual Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Themed “360° of Construction”, the Annual Convention...read more

3 Tips to Avoid Structural Damage From Water

Structural damage to your home can have devastating and costly effects. Luckily, you can avoid damage caused by water with a few simple prevention measures.

1.       Ensure good drainage

Clean your gutters each year. When gutters are full of plant debris like leaves and moss, water can’t travel down the spout and away from the house. Even areas that don’t experience a lot of rain can have problems. One inch of rain produces around 600 gallons of water from a roof measuring only 1,000 square feet.

•   Add extenders to your drain spouts so water is moved at least 10 feet away from the house.

•   If you have any areas near the foundation where water pools after it rains, install a simple French drain to move water to another area of the yard.

2.       Fix any water leaks

Inspect the roof each year for missing or damaged shingles. If you find any, replace immediately. Even if you don’t have any problems with your roof, look at your ceiling for any dark spots which indicate a leak. Lastly, check for dripping pipes under sinks, near laundry areas, and around all outdoor faucets.

3.       Make sure your soil slopes away from the house.

Soil that is flat or slopes toward the house encourages water to drain around the foundation. Coupled with poor soil drainage and you have all the ingredients for a problem. Re-grade your soil if necessary, sloping it away from the house for at least five feet.

Once water has damaged the foundation, many more problems can arise.

If you want more information on structural damage and a stucco contractorin Carlsbad visit this website.

5 Simple Ways To Refresh Your Home For Spring

1. Break Out The Color
Longer days and warmer temperatures make spring the best time to play with color. Bring in bright airy curtains and add little pops of color throughout...read more

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Building Your Home

Choosing to build new or to buy a pre-existing home can be a weighty and overwhelming decision. Make sure you understand the positives of building before you make up your mind.

1. Get Exactly What You Want.

Choosing to build your home means that you get to pick nearly everything, from the layout, to the faucets in your sinks, to the paint colors on the walls. When building a new home, the choice is yours in almost all aspects of the house.

2. Fewer Harmful Toxins.

Older homes are more likely to harbor health concerns, such as asbestos, lead paint, or mold hiding in walls. With advances in home construction materials, newly built homes are unlikely to have the same problems.

3. Fewer Safety Issues.

Older home can have faulty wiring hiding in walls or unexposed leaks that are rotting floorboards. With a newer home, electrical wiring and plumbing systems shouldbe up to code from the moment they are built.

4. Brand New Appliances and Heating/Cooling Systems.

New appliances will be covered under warranty, andthey are also typically safer than older models. Innovative heating/cooling systems and new appliances are also more energy efficient, saving you money on your monthly utility bills.

5. A Strong Emotional Connection to Your Home.

All the time and energy spent deciding on everything for your home can create a bond to your house that is unlikely to be matched from a pre-existing structure.

The flexibility of building your home and the pride from seeing it to completion can be a great experience. Best of all, the only limits when building your home are your budget and your creativity.

Home Of The Year

Each year, a panel of building industry professionals is selected to judge new homes and communities in the Mid-Atlantic region and to choose their nominees for the Great American Living Awards..read more

The Dos And Don'ts Of Home Construction

Home construction is a fulfilling experience as you customize your perfect house. Learn some things to do as well as avoid and you'll make the journey more enjoyable.

For first time home builders, the entirety of the complicated building process can be daunting. If you take it one step at a time and avoid a few key errors, it will be smooth sailing for you and everyone involved. Planning is going to be your first and most important step. Think in the long-term. Houses take time to build and afterwards, you will be living in them for years to come. Consider what you will need as your children become teenagers and young adults. As you rise thorough your career, will you entertain often? Will the length of your commute be satisfactory in the long run? Is this a home you plan to retire in? These are all important questions to ask in the very beginning of this process because they will shape future building decisions.

Once you've made a list of your needs and wants, plan your space well. Spatial planning is crucial when developing a home. Even if you propose to build a 30-room mansion, you do not want to have random, unnecessary or unused areas. For instance, do you live in a warmer climate? If so, you probably do not need a coat closet in the foyer. However, if your region experiences harsh winters, you will most likely have plenty of occasions to use such an area. Everyone wants a large walk-in closet, but storage space detracts from living space. Design for what you will use.

Bedroom placement can be a point of contention in pre-built homes. Masters that are off of the living room or next to a nursery don't usually receive much appreciation. For your customized home, put the bedrooms far away from the main traffic regions. You'll also want to put a distance between sleeping areas and living areas. When sleeping, you don't want to be disturbed by other family members. Ideally, there aren't walls shared between sleeping and living zones.

Dream Home for Entertaining

From the magnificent exterior greeting guests to its welcoming backyard oasis, this dream home would be perfect for entertaining. The neutral colors are carried throughout the interior and exterior, creating an elegant yet welcoming space…learn more

How To Determine If a House Has Structural Damage

Structural damage can be devastating as a homeowner. Foundation issues can be very costly, inconvenient, and extensive. As a potential homebuyer, knowing what to look for can help you avoid costly renovations to a newly purchased home. As a homeowner, knowing what to watch for in your home can help to ease your mind or remind you to fix problems before they get worse.

Inside The House

The following could all be warning signs that your home may be experiencing some structural problems:

• Cracks appearing on walls or floors, especially over doorways and window frames

• Doors that are stuck or don’t close correctly

• Water seeping into the attic or basement

• Windows that stick or won’t close properly

• Uneven, sloping floors

While it is typical of most homes to settle over time, any of these issues seeming to appear out of nowhere or these problems getting worse are a sign that something may be wrong.

Outside The House

Flaking and chipping concrete foundation walls can be a sign of structural damage that is possibly caused by drainage issues. You should also look for any signs that pieces of the house are drifting apart, such as brick work opening up cracks more than 1/8” or a crack along a chimney that shows it beginning to separate from an outside wall. It is usually considered that the bigger the cracks in walls or foundations, the bigger the structural problem.

More to Come

A mixed-story home rises up to take shape among trees and hills in a quiet suburban neighborhood. The right contractor can take your ideas and concepts of a dream home and build them into a tangible, inhabitable reality for you and your family....read more