Archive for April, 2009
Getting Patios, Porches and Decks Ready for Summer
Posted by Francine in Home Design, Home Improvement, Lawn and Garden on April 30th, 2009
Once you have your patio, porch or deck installed by a contractor, your work is not done. There are things you can do as a homeowner each season to keep decks, porches and patios looking like new and ready for summertime. Regular maintenance will keep your Connecticut outdoor living areas in good shape for years to come and add a great incentive for potential buyers if you plan to sell.
One thing you can do to prepare your outdoor space for outdoor activities in the spring and summer is to do some cleaning. Martha Stewart recommends that you frequently sweep deck floors with a broom to remove leaves and other debris. You should also be sure to shovel your deck after a snowstorm as the moisture and weight of snow can damage the wood.
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.besthomeimprovementcontractors.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.besthomeimprovementcontractors.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.besthomeimprovementcontractors.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Google]](http://www.besthomeimprovementcontractors.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[Propeller]](http://www.besthomeimprovementcontractors.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/propeller.png)
![[Reddit]](http://www.besthomeimprovementcontractors.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/reddit.png)
![[Technorati]](http://www.besthomeimprovementcontractors.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Twitter]](http://www.besthomeimprovementcontractors.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.besthomeimprovementcontractors.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
Going Green: Does it pay off?
Posted by Cynthia in Going Green, Home Improvement on April 24th, 2009
Not too long ago, “green” homes were pretty much a trend followed by the few people who actually had the time and money to research and implement “green” technologies in the name of environmental responsibility.
While newer homes were being built more and more eco-friendly, retrofitting an existing home just to make it more energy efficient was something very few would consider. Environmentally responsible technologies were scarce, and not exactly cost effective.
But, all of that has changed. Today, there is a myriad of green remodeling solutions for just about every application. From home finishes, insulation and sealing to energy-efficient appliances, and green heating and cooling technologies.
Federal Tax Credits for “Green” Home Improvements
Posted by Cynthia in Going Green, Home Improvement on April 24th, 2009
The recent stimulus package, approved in February by the Congress, includes tax credits of up to $1,500 dollars for homeowners willing to improve their home’s energy efficiency.
Improvements such as replacement windows, insulation and sealing, as well as upgrades on heating and cooling systems are eligible for the tax credit. The adoption of energy-saving technologies such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heating, small wind generators and photovoltaic systems is also eligible.
If you are planning an energy-efficient remodel, this New York Times interview with Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit group that advocated some of these credits, will help answer many of your questions you might have and show you the ways in which you can take advantage of these incentives.
Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Options
Posted by Francine in Home Improvement, Home Improvement Contractors, Home Remodeling on April 24th, 2009
Cabinets and countertops are typically the main focal points of your Connecticut kitchen. They are what add the color, theme, style and interest to a room otherwise filled with appliances and furniture. There are a number of different options for kitchen cabinets and kitchen countertops, and depending on your taste and budget, some options are better for your kitchen than others.
Kitchen Cabinets
There are many different types of kitchen cabinets available to homeowners in Connecticut. Depending on the kitchen, some cabinets may work better than others. HGTV writes that custom cabinets are an expensive option, but they are built to the exact specifications of a kitchen, and have a wider range of options for materials, designs, finishes and accessories.
There are also semi-custom cabinets that are made to a homeowner’s size requirements but are produced in predetermined steps. Stock cabinets are the cheapest option as they are already made and only come in standard sizes. There are also framed cabinets and frameless cabinets available.
Landscaping Tips for your Lawn and Garden
Posted by Francine in Home Improvement, Lawn and Garden on April 20th, 2009
With May looming on the horizon and temperatures finally starting to hit spring levels in some areas of the country, now is a good time to make sure your lawn and garden are prepared for the spring and summer. Make your house stand out from all the rest by getting the help of a local certified landscaping contractor, as well, to ensure that the work is being done correctly and as beautifully as it can!
First things first: figure out a design for your lawn and garden. What do you want it to look like? What are your favorite types of flowers and plants? Are you allergic to anything? If you figure out a color scheme, your lawn could look perfectly organized and coordinated.
Danny Lipford has this great list of landscaping tips to prepare your lawn and garden for the spring:
-
-
You are currently browsing the archives for April, 2009
Follow us on Twitter!- besthomepros: Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas Targets #Mold http://ow.ly/1gKOU
- besthomepros: RT @HRACT: "Virtual" Green Building Expo 2010 - http://ow.ly/1gzhT - Event happens 100% online, attendance is Free.
- besthomepros: RT @basementsystems: Basement Waterproofing Creates New Living Space W/o Building an Addition - Bob Vila Latest Episode http://ow.ly/1gyWH
Yahoo Answers
