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April 16th, 2010 by admin
If you’re looking for a new home, you know that home buying is exciting and stressful in equal measures. A property purchase might be the largest investment you ever make, so it is important to invest wisely. One advantage of buying a newly built property is that the wiring should meet the electrical, communication, and entertainment needs of today’s lifestyles, as well as being adaptable to future developments.
Before buying a new home, ask for details of the home wiring infrastructure.
- Wiring configuration. “Daisy-chain” wiring, where the wiring is run from one room to the next, is not appropriate for modern home wiring. All outlets should be wired directly from a centrally located structured wiring box.
- Electrical wiring coverage. Check how many electrical outlets the property has and where they are located.
- Surge protection. New homes should have a whole house surge protection network that includes transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) devices at the service entrance as well as point-of-use TVSS devices located behind major appliances, PCs, and entertainment centers. This is critical to prevent damage caused by surges in power such as those from lightning or from a faulty component on the circuit.
- Home telephone wiring. Each telephone outlet should be connected to the central panel by a unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable. All telephone wiring should be Category 5e (Cat5e) cable comprised of 4 twisted pairs of “solid” copper cable. The structured wiring panel inside the house should be connected to the Demarc box outside the property by a Cat5e cable. Each telephone outlet should be connected to the structured wiring panel with a 4-pair Cat5e cable.
- Home data wiring. A modern home needs a local area network (LAN), which enables all computers in the network to share other devices such as a printer, and allows data to be stored centrally so that each workstation does not necessarily need its own hard disk, and stored data and application packages can be retrieved from any workstation. Wireless offers convenience but does not have the same level of speed, security, or reliability offered by wired home data networks.
- Video distribution. Any TV source should be viewable in any room of the house. RG6 coaxial cable should connect all video sources to the central structured wiring panel and two RG6 cables should connect to each TV location. TV and Internet outlets should also be available at the video locations to allow for pay-per-view or other services.
Remember, even if you do not have a high-tech lifestyle, you may want to sell your home one day. Having a full structured wiring package makes your home much more marketable in the future because the home wiring can be adapted to incorporate new technologies with minimal disruption.
About the author: Karin has worked as a freelancer for over ten years, writing informatively about a wide range of subjects. She has a PhD and a background in education and research.
Easy Basement Renovations & Other Home Renovation Ideas
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Home Wiring: Top Tips on What to Look for In a New Home
April 14th, 2010 by admin
The 2008 Census found that 5.9 million Americans worked at home. That number is sure to rise with the 2010 tally of where we work, and millions more occasionally telecommute to offices. For tax purposes, most people create a separate room for a home office. If you haven’t finished the basement, why not create a basement office?
Obviously the first step is the make sure your basement is dry, free of mold, and has accessible plumbing and wiring to create a comfortable and functional work setting. Even if you design the office yourself, you may need to call in a basement remodeling contractor to ensure that your space is suitable. Moisture-proofing should be an integral part of any basement finishing scheme. This is one area where you don’t want to skimp–cheaper sealants and waterproofing agents may not hold up to the heat or humidity in your climate zone.
Basement Remodeling Ideas: Home Office Must-Haves
Not everyone wants to spend their working week underground. On the other hand, if you’ve worked in a cubicle, a basement office might be a terrific alternative. Make a list of features by necessity, then luxury. Start with a must-have list, then a nice-to-have list. Most people would insist on:
- Adequate heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation
- Computer, printer, telephone, and fax capability
- A bathroom and mini-kitchen (fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, etc.)
- Attractive table and chairs for meeting clients
- Shelves and hard file storage
Nice-to-have options include a couch, workout bike or treadmill, and a music system and/or television. Don’t forget curtains and shades.
If your basement is near your laundry room, consider putting up a wall to spare yourself the noise and spare your clients your dirty socks. You might also put soundproofing on your list if the rest of the house is busy during the day.
Air and lighting should also be a high priority. Do you want natural ventilation during fair-weather months? Do you have adequate entry and exit passage? Perhaps you want to install a set of steps and a door to head outside to clear your head during spring, summer, and fall. If it’s possible to add a few small windows for light, they can make longs days at your desk far more comfortable.
There’s really no need to go it alone in performing a start-to-end basement remodeling project. We’ve already done homework for you, from making a plan to finding the right basement remodeling contractor.
April 13th, 2010 by admin
People often assume that home room additions require lots of space and a large budget; however, adding a mudroom won’t eat up your yard or empty your yearly vacation budget. Creating mudrooms can be economical home room additions.
You can convert space you already have to build a mudroom, or add on a small additional room to create it. Then, after playing or working in your backyard, you can tidy up in your new mudroom. Keep in mind the following five elements as you make your room addition plans and while you interview remodeling contractors.
The Perfect Mudroom Location
A mudroom is all about location. Think about the most-used entryway in your house. This is where most people choose to place a mudroom. You can convert a small front porch into a mudroom or turn part of any existing room into a mudroom. It’s best to enclose the room–having four walls securely surround the area ensures less chance of tracking in outdoor messes to the rest of your house.
Ideal Mudroom Flooring Choices
Choose a slip-resistant, durable floor that can be exposed to the outdoor elements without showing wear and tear. Good options include textured rubber, ceramic tile, and unpolished stone tile. Choosing a dark floor color helps hide the dirt. The ultimate mudroom accessory is a floor drain, making cleaning an easy chore. Or, station your room addition near an outdoor hose, so people can wash off before coming into the mudroom.
Mudroom Storage Options
Who is likely to use the room and what do you plan to store in it? If you have children, make the storage area user-friendly for them, with coat and backpack pegs at kid-level and color-coded bins for each family member. If you want to store sports equipment, plan ahead to make sure it all fits. Think about designing custom-made storage bins and shelving, or peruse container stores for items that may fit your needs. Shoes and boots need a place to dry and be stored, as well.
Mudroom Furnishings and Wall Decor
Include a bench or a few sturdy stools in your room addition plans so you can sit down while you pull off your rain boots. When pondering wall coverings, think about easy-to-clean options, such as vinyl wall paper, high gloss paint, or wainscoting.
You get a lot of bang for your buck with a mudroom addition. The rest of your house can stay clean and perhaps your family can enjoy being more organized, too.
April 8th, 2010 by admin
If you’re thinking about a basement conversion, one of the biggest issues you are likely to face is how to heat the new area.
Although the basement is where your furnace is located, most cellars are not equipped with heat vents or registers. And that can make for a cold and clammy environment.
One way to make sure your basement renovation creates a cozy space for your home is to install radiant or hydronic floor heating. Radiant floor systems installed in a concrete basement floor can translate into warm winter nights and big-time fuel cost savings. This system is ideal for all types of slab construction, which is found in most basements.
Finishing a Basement With Radiant-Floor Heating
Radiant-floor heating comes in many forms–some circulate warm water through tubes under the floor, while others use solid-state electronics to distribute the heat. One thing they have in common is that they’re all more economical than central heat. And it doesn’t just keep your feet warm; radiant-floor heat keeps the whole room warm.
One of the advantages of installing radiant-floor heat during a basement renovation is that you won’t have to face the added cost that comes with retrofitting floor heat to another floor of your house. Basement tubing can be installed in a thin, new, concrete layer to your existing basement slab floor; however, in upper floors, many types of radiant heat have to be embedded in heavy mortar slabs that often require reinforced framing to support the extra weight.
With radiant-floor heating, your concrete basement floor becomes an asset rather than a liability because the concrete helps retain heat longer. It provides what the experts call a “thermal mass” that increases the efficiency of your heating system.
A Basement Remodeling Contractor Can Save You Money
It might also be cheaper to install. Tubing in concrete can be installed 12 inches apart, while heating tubes installed in the sub-floors of upper-floor rooms must be much closer together.
A large area of lower surface temperatures–such as a radiant heat floor in a basement renovation–transfers more heat into a room that a steam radiator or heating vent running at a much higher surface temperature.
Although some homeowners elect to install their own radiant-floor heating systems, others prefer to consult a basement remodeling contractor. In-floor heating systems–particularly if they are being installed beneath wood floors or into concrete–are not simple jobs. A basement remodeling contractor likely has experience installing these systems, and the necessary tools to do the job right.
Be sure to select a contractor who has references. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau and your state contractors’ board. A good contractor can save you time and money in the long run.
About the author: Jim Sloan is a freelance writer in Reno, Nevada.
Easy Basement Renovations & Other Home Renovation Ideas
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Turn a Cold Basement into a Cozy Living Area with Radiant-floor Heating
April 1st, 2010 by admin
How often have you seen a small repair problem around your house and made a mental note to do something about it, but never got around to it? The longer you hold off on those minor home repairs, the bigger they could become, and then you have a serious financial issue.
Small Repairs to Make Right Now!
Don’t fall into the trap of paying big bucks for a major repair that would have cost only a few dollars if you caught the problem in time. Here are a few repairs that require your quick attention:
- Dry and splintering wood floors. Over time, your wood floors can weather to a mellow patina–but without proper care, that handsome look can turn to splinters and dry, cracking wood. Avoid this with regular sanding and coats of polyurethane to protect the floor.
- Soft deck boards. Soft and bowed deck boards are a first sign of rot and instability. Inspect your deck by walking on every board, and if you feel one of them “give” a bit more than others, it’s time to replace it before the minor problem becomes a major hazard.
- Bowed or damaged clapboard. Clapboard that does not fit properly can let water in, leading to decay and insect damage. Inspect your clapboard regularly and replace any boards that are bowed or damaged.
- Peeling paint. Blistered or peeling paint can cause the wood underneath it to rot. Remedy this situation by putting a fresh coat of paint on all the areas that seem to be deteriorating.
- Gutter clogs. Clogged gutters can’t channel water away from your home like they should, and the result is often water damage to your foundation and exterior walls. Empty out your gutters every year during the spring and fall.
- Old caulking and grout. Old caulking might allow water in to the area around your tub and shower, leading to serious mold problems. Old grout can lead to water damage under your carefully-laid tiles. Avoid this by keeping your grout and caulk fresh and new.
- Unruly trees. If tree branches hang over your home, they can lead to significant damage during a storm. They also provide ample opportunity for squirrels, rats, and the like to invade your home. Avoid this major problem by trimming the trees that are a potential hazard.
Check every spring and fall for these minor repairs, and make them as quickly as you can. The sooner you follow up, the easier it is to keep your home looking beautiful.
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March 18th, 2010 by admin
If you’re like most people, your basement does double or even triple duty. It might be a laundry room as well as a workshop, and there’s probably an area used for storage, too.
So, what if you want a basement renovation that carves out an area for some living space? Will you have to move all the other types of areas to another part of the house?
Not at all. The secret is to utilize space-economizing methods to create a multi-use basement that serves many needs.
Analyze Your Needs for the Basement
The first step in this type of basement conversion is to analyze the current uses in the area and look for ways to make them more efficient so they can take up less space. Consider:
- Investing in a stackable washer and dryer and a hinged table that you can fold up when you’re not doing laundry. Remodeling contractors can help you determine where and how to incorporate this, and make sure your laundry area is plumbed correctly.
- Including movable floor-to-ceiling shelves for all those storage boxes and bins. Organize and consolidate the contents so you have fewer containers to store.
- Using shelves or work tables mounted on rolling bases to organize tools, crafting supplies, or household equipment. You can roll it out of the way when it’s not in use.
Creating a Multi-Use Basement
After your areas are well-separated, use curtains, folding partitions, or interior walls to delineate them. This helps make sure things like lint, dust, and wood chips don’t find their way into your living space. Try to put push these “work areas” to one side of your basement so the area closest to the stairs or exterior door contains the new living area.
The basement renovation area can be walled off from the rest of the basement and even have a different flooring from the rest of the basement. You can add heat, recessed lighting, and new ceiling coverings to improve the warmth and appeal of the new space.
Consider using a remodeling contractor to finish off the new living area. Experienced contractors can design the project in a way that lets you eventually expand the room, if you choose. They know which types of flooring work best on basement concrete, and can help you get proper permits for the renovation, as well. A home with increased square footage of living space has an increased market value.
Be sure to select a basement remodeling contractor with references. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau and your state contractors’ board. A good contractor can give you all you were hoping for, and more, in a basement remodel.
March 15th, 2010 by admin
You have already decided on the flooring and waterproof walls, but what kind of basement ceiling will you choose–a drop ceiling or a drywall ceiling? Your final choice depends on several factors, from style preferences to practical considerations such as access to wiring, pipes, and heating ducts. Read on to learn the pros and cons of each basic basement ceiling type. Be sure to discuss each option with your basement remodeling contractor.
Drop Basement Ceiling Details
Drop ceilings are also known as suspended ceilings. To create a drop ceiling, basement ceiling tiles or panels are placed in a grid of metal bars; these bars are then tethered to overhead joists via wires. Basement remodeling contractors may advocate drop ceilings for the following reasons:
- You will have easy access to the inner working of your home, including plumbing, wiring, and ventilation systems. When you need to fix a faulty pipe or install cable TV, you can simply drop out a few ceiling panels.
- Drop ceilings can function as sound insulators. Your basement remodeling contractor can easily install a layer of insulation between your drop ceiling and your basement joists. The panels themselves can also muffle noise, so sleeping children won’t be bothered by movie-night sounds.
- Drop ceiling panel choices can fit any style. Wood planks, painted tiles, vintage tin, faux metal, or wood are just a few of the numerous options available.
- Installation is usually cheaper than the labor costs of putting in a drywall ceiling.
Drywall Basement Ceiling Facts
Your basement remodeling contractor may point out the benefits of a drywall ceiling, including:
- Some people prefer the finished look of a drywall ceiling, or they want their basement ceiling to look like the rest of the ceilings in their house.
- Your basement may have more finished space and a higher ceiling. Drop ceilings take up a minimum of eight inches of overhead space.
- The materials costs are usually not as high as the supplies needed for a drop ceiling.
- You can add style to your finished look with a drywall texture finish, such as a drywall ceiling swirl texture.
Weigh your options carefully and talk with your basement remodeling contractor before you pick either a drop ceiling or a drywall ceiling for your basement renovation. You should be happy with your wise choice every time you look up.
About the author: Nancy Schatz Alton writes and edits in Seattle, Washington. Her circa 1925 home just underwent an extensive remodel.
Easy Basement Renovations & Other Home Renovation Ideas
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Basement Remodeling: Choosing Between a Drop Ceiling and Drywall Ceiling
March 1st, 2010 by admin
If you are adding new living space to your house by finishing a basement, you should consider soundproofing the new rooms to ensure that unwanted noise doesn’t echo throughout your home. Whether you are adding an extra bedroom, a home gym, or even a state-of-the-art home theater in your basement, soundproofing the walls and ceiling is a simple and effective way to create comfortable and quiet rooms.
Most unwanted sounds coming from your basement are transferred through the basement ceiling, making it an important place to soundproof. One way to stop the noise from traveling between the lower and main levels of your house is to install sound-insulating batts between the wood joists, which can be done if the basement ceiling is exposed. Sound-insulating batts are made from materials like fiberglass and recycled cotton, and are similar to those used to insulate walls. To keep sound from also traveling through the joists themselves, you can stick a layer of foam tape to the underside of the joists before attaching the finished ceiling. This technique will minimize the noise transference between the above room and the basement below.
If your basement renovation is already underway and the overhead joist space is inaccessible, then it may not be possible to insulate the ceiling cavity. In this instance, you can reduce unwanted noise transference by covering the existing ceiling with a layer of sound-dampening drywall. This specialized drywall is installed and finished just like traditional drywall, but it offers a better acoustical barrier.
For rooms that require serious sound insulation, like a recording studio or shop, you can use spray-in foam insulation or sound-deadening panels that are attached to the walls and ceiling with metal channeling. Both of these specialized products are effective at reducing unwanted noise, but they can be expensive, and they most often need to be installed by a professional contractor.
Steps to Soundproofing a Basement
When soundproofing a basement, no matter how many rooms it may be, you should consider the following steps:
- Wrap all pipes and vents with sound dampening insulation
- Use solid core interior doors
- Don’t use hard flooring materials like tile or wood; consider installing carpet with a heavy weight pad instead
- Isolate any noisy HVAC equipment in a sound-insulated room
Soundproofing and finishing a basement may require professional expertise and specialized tools, so consult a local contractor if you need help getting started.
About the author: Marshall McCauley is a builder and freelance writer. He writes from his farm on the Bitterroot River in Montana.
Easy Basement Renovations & Other Home Renovation Ideas
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Soundproofing a Basement Helps Create Comfortable Rooms
January 5th, 2010 by admin
Have you always wanted a gorgeous gameroom, but never knew quite how to design it? Keep in mind these essential elements for gamerooms and you can play to your heart’s content in no time!
- A separate decor. Make your gameroom distinctive from the rest of the house. When you walk through the door of your gameroom, it should immediately relax you–that’s the whole point of gamerooms! Use a light, fun decor that is very different from the rest of the house.
- Lots of space. Your gameroom should have plenty of room for the family to move around. If you choose to put a pool table or other large gaming equipment in the room, make sure you have ample room on all sides.
- Games for everyone. The appeal of gamerooms easily transcends age. Make sure the activities in your gameroom offer something for everyone. For instance, a casino poker table might be great for the adults, nestled right beside a cute checkers table for the kids.
- Sporting spirit! Part of the appeal of gamerooms is showing your sporting spirit, so consider decor that reflects your favorite teams. Everything from team logos and colors to framed jerseys makes for an interesting look.
- Soundproofing. Want to yell at the top of your lungs when you see your favorite team score that touchdown on your bigscreen television? Good insulation or soundproofing material on the walls of your gameroom ensures you can cheer as enthusiastically as you like–no matter the volume.
- Comfy furniture. If you’re going to play a video game for hours on end, you need a comfortable chair to rest in. Bean bag furniture, recliners, long couches, and other lounging furniture are essential pieces of any gameroom’s decor. If you want to save money and get furniture that is already broken-in, hit up thrift stores and yard sales.
- Keepsakes. Gamerooms are meant to reflect fun and enthusiasm, so they are the perfect place for those vintage keepsakes. Vintage posters, neon signs, clocks with team logos, and even an old jukebox are the perfect accessories for your gameroom.
- Visuals and sound. No gameroom is complete without a television for watching the big game. A surround-sound system can bring the action even closer, and also works well for those times when only great music on the stereo will do.
Are you ready to create a gameroom that is the envy of all your neighbors? Let the games begin!
About the Author: Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer based near Nashville, Tennessee. Her house was built in 1901, so home repair and renovation have become her hobbies.
Easy Basement Renovations & Other Home Renovation Ideas
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8 Essential Elements for Perfect Gamerooms
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