The Myths and Realities of Home Renovations

A home renovation can be a great way to improve your home and increase its value, but it can also be a lot of work. There are many misconceptions that homeowners may have about the renovation process. No matter what section of the house you are going to have renovated, it is a good idea to keep some of the following things in mind to ensure the best outcome.

Prepare for Debris

Though the contractors will do their best to keep trash contained within the designated areas, the fact of the matter is that there is no telling what the procedures may entail. Sometimes debris may be generated in an unexpected way or a water line may have excess water in it, even after being turned off. Though messes are ideally avoided, being prepared for them can reduce stress.

The House Will be Noisy

As a general rule, repairs and renovations can be noisy and disruptive. Depending on the size of the renovation being performed, it can be a good idea to prepare for getting out of the house for a bit. You will not want to be around the noise and the dust for the entire time a lengthy renovation is being performed. Ask about what kind of timeframe to expect and prepare accordingly.

Prepare for Sudden Changes

Though capable contractors will strive to be as accurate as possible when they are giving you a timeframe, they are only human. Some projects can prove to be too big, or unexpected issues may arise. The human element can be difficult to prepare for, and the best way to anticipate problems is to allow for a small window of error for the potential project’s completion.

Be Ready to Move Furniture

The best way to limit the amount of damage to your property during sustainable home renovations is to make sure that as little of your fixtures are around during the renovation as possible. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but other times it will be necessary for the success of the process itself. Collaborate with the professionals, and take the time to ask about what you can do to make the project easier and more successful.

No two home renovations are ever the same. Contractors are prepared to deal with unexpected problems, and it is a good idea to foster open communications to know what is going on with the project. Try to keep an open mind about deadlines, and be ready to work with additional contractors should the need arise.

How To Make Your University Room More Cozy

If you’re moving away to University, congratulations! This is a really exciting time and if you’re moving into student accommodation, we are here to give you a few hints and tips about how to make your university room more cozy. Whilst living in student accommodation is really fun, the rooms aren’t always the cosiest, but you can transform them with these few affordable changes!

Soft Furnishings

The first thing you should do to make your room feel more cozy is to get yourself soft furnishings. You’d be surprised at what a difference some cheap bedding sets, a rug, blankets and pillows make to your room! You can choose your own colour scheme to make your neutral room more exciting and get it to feel super cozy. For around £30 you will be able to get everything you need to feel more at home in your university room. 

Photo Wall

Next up, to bring all of the memories from home with you, print off lots of photos and create a photo wall. It is likely that you’ll have a cork board in your room, so you can simply pin up the photos. If not, use removable hooks and create a line at the top of the wall. Then, attach your photos onto a pretty rope with small pegs and add fairy lights too if you’d like. You will be reminded of your loved ones every day and it will add some real character to your home. 

Get A Few House Plants

Another really simple thing you can do to add some life to your room is to invest in a few houseplants. Buying big houseplants can be really expensive, so the best thing to do is buy them when they are smaller and watch them grow during your time at university. This way, it will be really affordable and also rewarding. 

House plants not only look great but they can also have a positive effect on your wellbeing, helping to improve your mood, reduce stress and improve your attention span. If you are a beginner, succulents, Chinese money plants, yucca’s, spider plants and peace lilies are all very low maintenance. If you water them once every 1-2 weeks in the summer, once every 2-3 weeks in the winter and make sure they have some indirect sunlight, they should be good to go! 

Change Up Your Lighting

Usually the lighting can be a bit drab in student accommodation, so adding your own warm lighting can transform the room. Adding things like a bedside lamp, warm fairy lights and a reading light can completely change the look of any room! 

Add Your Own Scent

Last but not least, you should add your own scent to the room. You probably won’t be allowed to use candles, but things like oil diffusers and plug in scent diffusers work really well. Choose your own scent or replicate the scents that are familiar from home to help you relax instantly. You will soon associate the scent with feeling relaxed and cozy in your university room! 

What Does a Full Roof Restoration Include?

Your home's roof is one of its most important components. In addition to providing a crucial layer of protection, a roof also contributes significantly to the aesthetic appeal of a home. Sometimes, though, that appeal diminishes when your roof's appearance degrades due to age and weather. Fortunately, there's a process called roof restoration that can bring your old roof back to life. Here's what's involved in the process.

Cleaning

One common problem affecting different roof types is dirty streaks resulting from trees, leaves, and other natural debris. Cleaning these streaks can quickly restore the appearance of a roof. In most cases, a pressure washer is enough to get the job done. However, if soap and scrubbing are needed, a good roof restorer will put in the extra effort to help your roof look great.

Painting

For some types of roofs, a fresh coat of paint is necessary to create a like-new appearance. For clay tile, metal, and even some types of wood shake roofs, putting on a new coat of paint will improve the appearance and add critical protection to help prolong the life of your roof. Another great benefit of roof painting is that you can change the appearance of your home if you opt for a new paint color.

Repairing

Constantly exposed to the elements, a roof can develop small issues that can eventually lead to leaks and lost shingles. During a roof restoration, a contractor such as Top Ridge Roofing & Restoration can fix all of these problems. Nail pops, broken shingles, missing flashing, and other issues are fairly straightforward fixes that will protect the integrity of your roof and your home. Even if you're not planning a roof restoration, it's still a good idea to inspect your roof every few years to check for any issues.

Inspecting

Another important part of roof restoration is assessing the overall condition of your roof. In some cases, the contractors may discover that your roof is beyond restoration and needs to be replaced. An inspection may also reveal significant issues from past leaks in the roof sheathing, meaning the contractors will need to remove some shingles to replace the support structure underneath. A thorough inspection can provide peace of mind that your roof is doing its job.

Lower Cost

Unaware of roof restorations, many people opt to replace their roof instead of repairing it. However, when done correctly, a roof restoration can save a lot of money and produce similar results to those you would achieve if you replaced your roof. Therefore, if you're having issues with your roof, see if a roof restoration is a viable option so that you can have money to put toward other home improvements.

Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation for Your Home

Spray foam insulation is one of the best modern options on the market for home insulation. But why is this material be so superior to other options? Discover some of the many key benefits of spray foam insulation for your home and the ways it can improve your home below.

Added Cooling & Heating

Spray foam is one of the best options for home insulation because of its added heating and cooling benefits. Spray foam is a heat-resistant material, meaning it effectively keeps out heat during the hot summer months and traps it indoors during the winter. With this heat resistance technology, you won’t need to rely on your thermostat as heavily, and you’ll save money on energy bills.

Prevents Mold Growth

Certain types of spray foam insulation, such as closed-cell foam, are excellent at preventing moisture from accumulating indoors. Moisture is the source of indoor mold and mildew growth, which is dangerous to your health and safety—especially when the mold or mildew grows in hard-to-notice spots such as your attic or crawl space. Spray foam insulation minimizes this threat and protects your home.

Long Life Span

Spray foam insulation has the potential to last a lifetime when applied correctly. With the right maintenance, it can last upwards of 100 years. This may include reapplications, due to some foams shrinking over time, but spray foam is incredibly easy to maintain and reapply in these cases. When well-applied, spray foam insulation should last for decades.

Adds Resale Value

If you plan to sell your house someday, adding spray foam insulation is a great way to invest in the resale value of your home. It adds resale value to any home or building due to all the above benefits. Potential homebuyers may be looking for a well-insulated home, especially in areas that experience hot summers or cold winters. Spray foam insulation is a great option for any modern home, and any home buyer who does their research will recognize this.

If your home is starting to feel drafty or overdue for new insulation, remember these benefits of spray foam insulation for your home. Spray foam insulation will keep your home comfortable and safe for decades to come. Plus, who doesn’t love saving money on energy bills?