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