Home improvments

maintenance

Not all home improvement projects need to be a significant investment of time and resources. No matter how old your home is, a few little updates can result in a new and improved appearance. Whether you opt to do it yourself or hire a handyman, paying attention to a couple of details around the house can make a difference.

Sprucing up your home, even in seemingly small ways, can add significant value to your property. Even if you’re not putting your home on the market, little projects that can be completed in less than a day can improve the look of your home and give you tremendous satisfaction."

What’s up?

Check out the overhead lighting fixtures around the house. Many styles and options are available to put the room in a new light. Old, worn-out ceiling fans can be replaced with newer, more efficient models.
Noticeable accents

Interior design elements such as crown molding, trim, or a chair rail can add decorative accents to a room with a minimal amount of effort and investment. Small shelves can provide space to display items and complement the décor in the rest of the room.
Bathroom options

Replacing the sink or faucet can provide a completely new look for a bathroom. Even simple changes like a new showerhead or cabinet hardware can give you a sense of satisfaction.
Look out

The outside of your home may need some attention. A new front door or storm door can increase energy efficiency and provide an upgraded look. Replacement windows are a more expensive consideration, but many products can offer significant energy savings to counter-balance the cost.

These kinds of projects are a good fit for homeowners who have to do their home repairs over the weekend. Once you’ve done some planning and obtained the materials, projects like these can often be finished in a day or less. Or, consult with a local professionall handyman to discuss details and receive an estimate.

As the summer season turns into fall, you can count on a few things, school will be in session, football games will be played, and your home will need a few fix-ups before the cold weather sets in.

As the weather turns colder, you can anticipate spending more time indoors. However, you still can keep an upbeat "summer attitude" by introducing vibrant colors to your home's interior.

paint

for areas where people gather, such as living or family rooms, warm colors such as reds and yellows promote sociability. To create a feeling of calmness and serenity, bedrooms should feature blues or greens. A different color on one wall, known as an accent wall, can make a design statement without dominating the room. Lighter colors will make a room seem larger, while using complementary colors can add dimension and additional depth.

Wallpaper

wallpaper offers the advantage of multiple colors in a single pattern, which allows you more options in choosing your furnishings and accent pieces. Dark colours can seem confining in smaller rooms, so be sure to obtain a wallpaper sample and see how it looks in the room before you decide.

Tile

although generally associated with the bathroom or kitchen, tile has become a more popular design element for introducing color into other rooms as well. Patterned tiles can be an especially effective complement to dining or transitional rooms.

Depending on your skill level, you may be able to tackle these projects yourself, or you can consult with a local professionally licensed handyman to discuss details and receive a cost estimate.

So keep the "blues" at bay during these chilly months by looking on the bright side & adding some colour to your home.

Decking

Warm weather and sunshine are just around the corner. For many homeowners, the early weeks of summer are an invitation to take the party out to the backyard patio or deck. Before you haul out the barbeque, however take some time to do a little preventive maintenance.

Spring is the perfect time to do a few simple things that will make your deck last for years.Plus, you'll have your outdoor environment looking great before you and your friends head outside for those backyard get-togethers."

The first step is a thorough inspection of the entire structure to ensure that it is safe and secure. Check for loose nails and screws, and either replace them or re-tighten them. Tighten any railings that have become loose during the winter. Then, look beneath the deck to confirm that beams and support poles remain in good working order.

As an additional safety precaution, replace broken or rotten deck boards before they break through completely. Boards that have become bowed or warped will also need to be replaced because they hold water and make the deck surface uneven, and create another potential safety hazard. If you're replacing those boards with pressure treated lumber, maximize the life of your deck by using stainless steel or galvanized fixings designed to combat the effects of modern lumber treatment chemicals.

Once everything is secure, clean the deck boards with a biodegradable deck cleaner to remove dirt, mildew and algae. These environmentally friendly solvents are now commonly available and actually perform better than previously popular outdoor wood cleaners such as bleach. Even if your deck is made from a composite material, most manufacturers still recommend a thorough annual cleaning. During the cleaning process, also take a little time to sand down any spots that have become rough or splintered.

Finally, ensure your deck looks great all summer by protecting it from mildew and water damage with a high-quality finish and preservative. There are many good products on the market.