The initial cost to install a central unit is significantly more expensive than a window unit. Although each area varies, it can cost up to $6000 to install a central HVAC system. Because it must cool the whole house at one time, a central unit has to work harder and will consume more energy. The pros are that the whole house will be comfortable for you instead of just one room, and you don’t have the eye-sore of a window unit. (more…)

Pens, markers, and crayons are favorites for wall destruction. A preventative step would be to paint your walls with at least a satin sheen, which will be easier to wash. Baby wipes, fabric softener, or a baking soda and water paste will all remove these stains. Harsher treatments that have also been known to work are WD-40 and lighter fluid. If none of these work, check out these 21 Crayon Busters, posted on Tipnut.com. If all else fails, you can always apply an all-purpose primer to seal-in the stains, and then tackle that paint job you’ve been putting off. (more…)

Most of us are quite familiar with interior design options. Stenciling can be used to add elegant touches to painted walls. Use it to dress-up a piece of furniture, or how about your cabinets? Stenciling can also be used on wood floors. Add a decorative pattern or a solid border to separate rooms, or use it to imitate a rug. Try stenciling when finishing interior cement floors. The list is endless; basically, you can use stenciling pretty much anywhere your heart desires. (more…)

Be sure you always have proper ventilation. Most paints, especially oil-based paints, primers, and paint thinners, all contain harmful chemicals, or VOCs. If you are using a paint sprayer, be sure to wear a ventilator. Always work in a well-ventilated area, and keep pets and children away from the area. If working outside, be sure there isn’t a wind that can blow unwanted fumes at you. Wear protective clothing to keep as much of the material as possible off of your skin. (more…)

As displayed in this article “Kitchen and Bath: Stainless Steel Tile,” stainless steel now comes in striking wall tiles. Choose between brick shapes, round mosaics, or columned squares and rectangles. The tiles have a porcelain core wrapped in stainless steel. The tiles can be used on the wall and are waterproof so they can also be used in showers. Just as you would use in the kitchen, you can also install stainless countertopping in bathrooms. (more…)

It is important to mount all hardware onto studs. You can purchase a stud-finder inexpensively to easily locate the studs behind the drywall. Most of your hardware should come with the appropriate anchoring systems. If this component is missing, you can purchase various anchor bolts or flush-mount hangers. These hangers attach to the stud and then the hardware fixture attaches to the hanger. (more…)

Recycled glass tiles are made from crushing old glass bottles and other glass items and then re-forming them into glass tiles. The glass is crushed into a powder, color is added, and then the tile is pressed into a mold. The tiles are then baked at high temperatures. Most glass tiles offered by manufacturers are made from 100% recycled glass. As this article “6 manufacturers of eco-friendly recycled glass tiles” posted on GetwithGreen.com demonstrates, recycled glass tiles are simply beautiful. (more…)

In the past couple of months, Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (G.R.E.E.N.), an organization committed to furthering the green effort, presented bills to Congress that offer incentives to lenders and financial institutions to encourage them to offer lower interest rates to homeowners that strive to improve energy efficiency within their homes. (more…)

From a renter’s perspective, what could inspire you to invest your own time and money into someone else’s home? As this S.F. Gate article “Renters who Remodel” discusses, many renters would rather make their current conditions more comfortable and conducive to their lifestyle than change locations or pay more for a different space.

As a landlord, if you do happen across the ideal tenant that loves your home and intends to stay and complete renovations, be sure to consider the following tips. (more…)

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