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April is a great month to tackle home maintenance projects. It’s the perfect time of year to take on the many home projects you may have been putting off all winter. Get started with these April home improvement projects this spring!

April is the perfect month to repair peeling paint. Walk around both the exterior and interior of your home. Consider retouching any cracking and peeling paint. Painting your home will give your home a new and tidy feel, perfect for the spring!

April is the month when people start getting outdoors more often. Want to install a deck this spring? Or is your current deck ready to be re-stained or cleaned? How about your patio? Does it need an upgrade? Maintaining your deck and patio is the perfect home maintenance project for April because in most places temperatures in most places are finally perfect for having dinner outside with friends and family.

April is a great month to clean and repair windows and gutters. Make sure all your windows are clean and usable this April. Also, consider cleaning and repairing any damaged gutters. You will want to make sure your gutters are clean and ready for any spring showers!

April is a great time of year to get organized. Ready to organize your home this spring? Consider adding home shelving and storage to your closets, garage or other areas of your home. Don’t let clutter keep you down, the spring is the best time to start getting your home organized and clutter-free!

Ready to Tackle Home Maintenance Projects this April?

When you are ready to tackle either, small or large maintenance projects, call Handyman Connection. We specialize in painting, deck repairing, window, and gutter cleaning and other general home maintenance services. We are prepared to help you while you are staying home and are continuing to take safety precautions. Call us to get started!  

The post Why April is the Best Month to Tackle Home Maintenance Projects appeared first on Handyman Connection.

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Spending time outdoors is enjoyable, and something most Canadians look forward to as spring and summer approach. By adding a functional, beautiful outdoor living space to your yard, you can take advantage of those outdoor benefits whenever you feel like it. A firepit area, dining space, patio set up for lounging, and even an outdoor kitchen can all add to your quality of life at home.

Prelude Landscaping in Winnipeg shares some reasons why outdoor living spaces are so important:

You can extend your home’s living space.

Investing in professional landscaping can help you greatly extend your home’s living space. You can create a space for dining and cooking on the deck, a space for relaxing on a patio, and/or a hub for socializing around a fireplace. Your family will love having that extension of the home, and you can have it without an expensive home addition.

Being outside is good for us.

Spending time outdoors and in nature has widespread health benefits. Studies show it can improve memory, reduce stress, battle depression, lower blood pressure, boost your immune system, and even decrease your risk of cancer. Instead of going inside to watch television after a long week of work, spend that time in your own nature oasis, designed perfectly to give you a rejuvenating space close to home. It can include colourful flower beds, shrubs and trees, and even a relaxing water feature. Read more about why spending more time outside is healthy.

Landscaping will improve your home’s resale value.

A professional landscape design and installation can boost your home’s property value. According to HomeGuides, a well-landscaped home will be priced on the market higher compared to a home with no landscaping. The advantage, according to their data, ranges from 5.5 to 12.7% depending on the type of landscaping, the current market, and home’s value. What are buyers looking for? A manicured design with functional living spaces.

You’ll utilize your entire property, more often.

Sadly, most homeowners don’t use their yard as much as they could – or even at all. Adding an outdoor living space will get you outside. This means you’ll reap the health benefits and will spend more quality time with your family as well. For those who like to garden, adding flower beds or garden boxes to your landscape design will give you more opportunities to do what you enjoy during the warmer months. You can even put a putting green in the yard and practice your golf game! As a homeowner, you own more than just what’s inside the four walls of your house. Extend your living space and start making enjoyable use of your entire property.

Landscapers in Winnipeg

If you are ready to start designing your new landscape, connect with Prelude Landscaping. They specialize in landscape design, creating curb appeal, custom patios, walkways, driveways outdoor kitchens and water features. Prelude is one of Winnipeg’s finest professional landscaping companies, offering services to Winnipeg, rural Manitoba and Lake of the Woods. They recently won the 2019 MBNLA Award of Excellence and take pride in every project they work on.

Start planning your outdoor living space!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Countertops are one of the main components of a kitchen renovation. They are the primary workspace, but also serve as a design focal point as well. If you’re trying to decide what type of countertop to choose for your upcoming kitchen renovation, PF Custom Countertops in Edmonton shares some things to consider:

Are you planning on selling your house any time soon?

This question might surprise you, but it’s important to think about it. If you’re remodeling and think a move is on the horizon, you might make different decisions so you can get the best return on investment. Choose a kitchen countertop that will suit your needs, but also one that is sought after by others too. Great choices would be engineered quartz or granite. They are popular and essentially timeless, meaning they’ll still be in style when you sell. Stone countertops can also increase the value of your property.

How committed are you to maintenance?

All countertop materials require some maintenance and cleaning, but some are more sensitive to wear and tear than others. If you don’t like the idea of having to oil or refinish a butcher block countertop, it might not be the right choice for you. Granite countertops are nearly maintenance-free. They just require sealing every few years to keep them resistant to stains and scratches. Marble, on the other hand, is more susceptible to chipping and cracking as it is not as hard as granite or quartz. Learn how to seal granite countertops.

Choose a countertop colour that can go with changing styles.

Whether you’re selling or not, having a countertop colour that can match a range of home design schemes is beneficial. You might repaint the kitchen or change backsplash but might not like the idea of replacing your countertop. With plenty of natural and neutral shades to choose from with natural stone countertops, you can essentially change the kitchen around it without it clashing with a new style.

Countertops in Edmonton: Get help from the professionals

Serving Edmonton and surrounding areas, PF Custom Countertops are the experts when it comes to countertops. They can help you choose the perfect countertop for your kitchen or bathroom renovation. From granite, quartz, marble, and other natural stone, to laminate, solid surface and butcher block countertops – they have the perfect fit for your lifestyle and design tastes.

Contact PF Custom Countertops today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

If you’re planning on remodeling the basement, you have quite a few decisions to make. This is especially true if you’re starting from scratch and developing an unfinished basement. Making some green choices from the start can help you reduce energy costs in the long run, and it’s good for the planet too.

Bond Contracting and Construction in Calgary shares some tips for an energy-efficient basement renovation:

Invest in good insulation.

A well-insulated basement can save you hundreds each year in heating costs. There are a few good insulation products on the market, including the standard R12 Fiberglass batt insulation and Spray foam. Spray foam is a superb insulator and acts as a moisture barrier as well. It can fill into every nook and cranny, including rim joist spaces, around windows, piping, and vents running into the wall. This eliminates air leaks. Not only will proper insulation help with energy loss, but it will also improve home comfort and create a safer environment by reducing or eliminating mould or mildew growth.

Purchase energy-efficient windows.

If you’re remodeling an older basement, you might be replacing tiny, aged, single-pane basement windows. When you’re shopping for replacements, purchase an ENERGY STAR rated, double-pane high-efficiency vinyl window. If you’re creating new bedrooms or replacing windows in a potential bedroom, you’ll have to enlarge the opening and install an egress window for it to be to code. Find the code requirements for basement bedroom windows here.

Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances.

If your basement renovation includes a bathroom, laundry room, or upgrading a wet bar or basement kitchen, consider installing new, energy-efficient appliances & fixtures like a low-flow shower, faucet, and toilet. ENERGY STAR certified washer and dryer set will save a lot of money in the long run.

Swap out all incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient lighting.

Lighting is essential in basement renovations, as the basement does not typically have a lot of natural light. You will want to get ambient, accent and task lighting fixtures throughout the living space. For the most energy-efficient way to illuminate the basement, use LED bulbs & fixtures. They could be a bit more expensive upfront but use a fraction of the energy and last way longer than traditional bulbs. It’s the easiest thing you can do to boost your basement’s efficiency.

Basement Renovations in Calgary

For over 20 years Bond Construction has been providing Calgary and area residents with premium renovations for their homes. They offer a full range of professional residential renovations including kitchen renovations, basement development, bathroom remodeling, whole home renovations, and decks.

Start planning your renovation. Contact Bond Construction today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Fibre cement siding is becoming one of the most popular siding choices in North America. In fact, HardiePlank fibre cement siding can be found on over 4 million homes. Estate Exteriors in Edmonton are siding contractors that offer fibre cement siding by HardiePlank. They share why you should choose this type of siding for your home:

It’s long-lasting, resistant to the elements, and easy to clean.  

HardiePlank siding is built tough. It can stand up to wind, hail, rain, and snow and is an investment you can count on. Fibre cement siding will not rot and is resistant to mould and mildew. It is also resistant to insects and other pests, unlike wood siding. Fibre cement siding is also fire resistant, which means it won’t contribute to combustion in the case of a house fire. Vinyl siding, for example, essentially feeds the flames because it’s made of petroleum products and wood is highly combustible.

To keep your siding looking like new, simply wash it annually with a garden hose or pressure washer. While the paint can fade in the sun after many years, you won’t have to worry about the same maintenance commitment you would with wood siding.

It looks like real wood.

One of the main reasons why fibre cement siding is so popular is because it looks like real wood. It is manufactured using embossed texturing, to give it an authentic wood grain look. This wood grain breaks up the flat surface to give it a rich look that you can’t achieve with vinyl or aluminum siding. Like wood planks, it is thicker than other siding choices. A HardiePlank is close to half an inch thick, where a plank of vinyl siding can be as thin as 0.035 inches thick.

It is available in a range of colours and designs.  

You can get your siding in virtually any colour you can imagine, but most homeowners stick with neutral or natural tones. If you change your mind, HardiePlank siding can be painted easily to the colour of your choice. Vinyl siding cannot be painted so easily.

You can also get a variety of different siding types with fibre cement siding. Choose from regular planks, shakes, shingles, and a range of exterior decorative trims, gables, fascia, and other architectural elements. Designing your home’s exterior will be fun, and Estate Exteriors is there to help.

It has a good ROI.

Fibre cement siding, according to this cost vs. value report, has a 77.6% return on investment. According to the statistics, you can spend $17,000 on your siding replacement and expect to get over $13,000 back at resale, or added to the overall value of your home. Add that to a more attractive curb appeal, and you’ll see that HardiePlank siding is a good choice for investment savvy homeowners.

Siding Contractors in Edmonton

Estate Exteriors provides high-quality siding installation services to the Edmonton area and beyond. They provide honest and reliable service to both homeowners, builders and commercial customers. Their main goal is to ensure you’re happy with the exterior of your residential or commercial project.

If you’re thinking about a siding replacement, contact Estate Exteriors today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Now more than ever, homeowners are concerned about the air quality in their homes. Dry air combined with dust, dander, and other allergens can make symptoms worse for those with asthma or allergies. There are some things Acclaimed! Heating, Cooling and Furnace Cleaning in Edmonton can help you with that will improve indoor air quality. Here are four:

Install a Humidifier

We have dry air in Alberta, and it gets dryer depending on the season. Dry air can cause dry skin, irritate eyes, nose bleeds, and chapped lips. It can also be responsible for snoring! Most important of all, eliminating dry air will help you combat infections and their symptoms. This is because our nose and lungs do a better job of blocking dust and bacteria when they are moist. If you’re fighting a cold or respiratory infection, a humidifier can help speed up your recovery by improving your lung’s elasticity and keeping your nasal passages healthy and moist.

Excessive humidity in your home can become a big issue if you have it for too long. In our challenging climate where temperatures regularly fall or increase by 20 degrees, we must “listen to the house”.  Assessing the amount of condensation on your windows will be your best way of telling you that there is too much humidity in the home.  The amount of humidity each house can handle is impacted by several variables:

– The amount of air flow by the window
– The thermal efficiency of your windows
– The insulation type between the indoor window frame and studs
– The insulation value of the wall the window is in
– And finally, whether the drapes and blinds being closed regularly (drapes trap the humidity and can impact air flow).

Acclaimed! Heating, Cooling and Furnace Cleaning offers a range of efficient home humidifiers that are low maintenance with no mold or bacteria build-up.  When used properly installed on your furnace, you will enjoy consistent humidity in your home and alleviate many any quality issues.

Furnace and Duct Cleaning

Your HVAC system and ductwork can get dirty, dusty, musty and become a trap for germs and bacteria. Having your furnace and ducts cleaned at least once every two years can ensure the air blowing out of your registers is clean, healthy, and sanitized.  Every duct system is different, and so your furnace and duct cleaning from Acclaimed! will be customized to ensure the shape, size, and configuration of your ducts are considered, ensuring the freshest clean possible. Our clients consistently comment on how clean and fresh the air feels after a good duct cleaning.  Think of a full “Spring Cleaning” of your home where you clean and dust every surface.  Clean ducts will allow you to breathe easier and improve your home’s indoor air quality significantly.

Change the Furnace Filter

After your ducts are cleaned your furnace filter should be replaced. It’s important to commit to replacing your furnace filter in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Furnace filters range from low price and low Efficiency (stopping only very large particles), to systems that clean and scrub your air by removing the smallest dust particles including smoke!

To know how often you should change your air filter, all you must do is look at it every month. Change it when you can see any dust built up or when it turns a medium grey colour. A clean air filter will capture dust and particles before they are blown through your HVAC system which reduces the strain on your system, preventing break downs and improving its efficiency. Changing your furnace filter regularly is one of the simplest ways you can keep your home’s air clean.

Install a Central Air Conditioner

When you install a central air conditioner, you gain the ability to control the air quality in your home all year round. Since your windows will no longer need to stay open to cool down the house in the summer, this helps to prevent outdoor allergens from coming inside.

Running your air conditioner with a high-quality and highly efficient furnace filter will help keep dust and debris at bay, allowing you to breathe cleaner air.

HVAC Companies in Edmonton

Is your home too hot or too cold? Too dry or too dusty? Acclaimed! Heating, Cooling and Furnace Cleaning has a service or product that can help! They are a locally-owned, family-run, full-service heating, cooling and furnace cleaning company. They’ve been serving Edmonton and surrounding areas since 1995, and they look forward to serving you and your home soon.

Contact Acclaimed! Heating, Cooling and Furnace Cleaning!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Soffits and fascia are part of your roofing system. They assist with ventilation of the attic, help secure your gutter system, and add to your home’s exterior aesthetics. Immortal Exteriors in Calgary specialize in eavestrough, soffit and fascia installation. They share the purpose of these essential exterior components.

The purpose of soffits

Soffits are installed on the underside of your eaves. If your house doesn’t have a roof with eaves, like a house with a flat roof, you will not have soffits. Depending on the age of your home, the soffit board could be made up of wood, PVC, aluminum, fibre cement or steel. Soffit has air vents in it and allows your attic to properly circulate air. Without them, moisture could build up in the attic and cause mildew, mould and other damage. Mould is especially bad, as it is a health hazard and will require professional remediation.

The purpose of fascias

The fascia is the board that runs along the roofline, along the edge. This is where the gutters are attached, which is why they are so essential to your roof’s drainage system, running perpendicular with the soffits. Fascia boards are also on the roof edge where there are no gutters, attached directly to the beams of your roof. They close the roof’s construction, but also give the house an aesthetic finish and are typically the same colour as the rest of the exterior trim. Fascia can also be made of a range of materials including vinyl, wood, composite and aluminum.

How do you maintain soffits and fascias?

Like anything else, properly caring for your soffit and fascias will prevent premature repairs or replacements. A good way to do this is to make sure your soffits and fascia boards are kept clean. Mould and mildew can be a problem sometimes. Just use a little laundry detergent in water and scrub it with a mop. Afterward, you can give it a rinse with your garden hose.

If your soffits or fascia are in bad shape or look like they’re coming apart from the roofing system, contact Immortal Exteriors for a repair. As mentioned, these components of your home’s exterior are essential for your home’s ventilation and roof drainage. Without them, you can have a score of issues including mould and water damage.

Soffit, Fascia, and Eavestroughs in Calgary

Immortal Exteriors in Calgary will provide you with the best service and the best quality materials. They specialize in eavestrough, soffit, and fascia for some of the most popular home builders in Calgary. With over 11 years of experience in exterior construction, they do custom jobs, luxury homes, garages, large business buildings, and renovations. They take pride in their work and you will too!

Contact them today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com