home remodeling

Tax Deductible Energy Home Improvements

Many home improvements that improve the energy efficiency of a residential house qualify for tax deductions. Often, the improvements will be Energy Star-certified. Although a number of these residential improvement credits were originally set to expire in 2009, they were extended through at least 2010.

Cost of Remodeling a Bathroom

The costs of remodeling a bathroom vary from publication to publication. Old House Web, associated with the long-running series "This Old House," projects remodeling costs for a bathroom from $7,000 to $12,000.

How Do You Get a Home Improvement Loan?

There are a variety of different loan types, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Most loans are either classified as secured or unsecured. Unsecured loans are often known as personal loans and tend to be for smaller amounts.

How Much Would It Cost to Build a Home Addition?

A home addition can boost the value to your home, and you can customize the addition to fit your needs. Costs can vary anywhere from $2,000 to $100,000 or more. When asking how much it would cost to build a home addition, take into account what room you're adding and if you're using existing floor space or adding floor space.

How Do Home Improvement Loans Work?

Home improvement loans are loans specifically for the purpose of improving or adding on to a home. Many people will use the equity of their homes to secure a home equity loan or line of credit to make improvements to their homes, and this may be a great option.

What Is the Best Type of Kitchen Sink?

The best type of kitchen sink is the one that suits your needs the most. If you prefer that your sink match the color of your cabinets and countertops, then the enamel-coated cast iron sinks are the choice for you.

Remodeling a Galley Kitchen

Remodeling a galley kitchen requires a focus on the existing footprint of the kitchen, the location of existing plumbing, gas lines and electrical power and your lifestyle requirements. The advantage of a galley kitchen is the efficiency of movement within the design.

Kitchen Layout Ideas

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home because it's the family's center of daily life. From cooking and storing food to just gathering around the table for conversation, a kitchen sees a lot of activity.

Ideas for Remodeling a Kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen is a sound investment that will increase both value and efficiency of a home. Appliances are constantly being upgraded and redesigned to offer the latest in cutting edge technology.

How to Wire Outdoor Lights

Wiring your own outdoor lights is a project that will beautify your home's exterior. Following the proper wiring steps will ensure a successful installation of your lights. Be sure to follow all precautions before starting the work on your electrical system.

Replacement Windows Historic Homes

If you're fortunate enough to own a historic home, then you are well acquainted with the importance of maintaining the appropriate decorative aesthetic. Historically appropriate windows that are newly crafted can be a significant investment and a research adventure to find the proper craftspeople to build and install them.

How to Design Your Own Home Additions

A home addition is a great way to add square footage to your house. If you like your existing home but are feeling a little cramped, you should consider designing your own home addition.

How to Replace a Roof

Replacing a roof can be a dangerous job, especially if the roof has a steep peak. While the job is an easy job if you have the proper tools and equipment, it can be extremely time-consuming and difficult without the proper resources.

Living Room Lighting Home Decor

When decorating a room, we often don't pay as much attention to the lighting as we should. We end up with a beautiful room but then realize that we've skimped on lighting and the room is too dark. Or we've used the wrong kind of lights, and the glare from them is harsh and unattractive.

Steps to Take in Bathroom Remodeling

Remodeling a bathroom is a time-consuming project that many homeowners will undertake. Not only does remodeling the bathroom help to ensure that you have modern fixtures, it can also add equity to the home.

How High Should a Shower Head Be?

The height of your shower head can be difficult to plot. It seems like every book, magazine, and style guide recommends a different height. It is hard to find an answer because you are looking in the wrong place.

How Do You Know When to Replace Toilets Rather Then Repair Them?

People usually don't sit around and think about toilets, but it's a sure bet the toilet will be on your mind if it's not working properly. A large amount of toilet problems can be solved by repairs. Some are easy enough to be done yourself, or you can always call in a licensed professional.

How to Replace a Bath Tub Faucet

Replacing a bathtub faucet is as simple as unscrewing the old and screwing on the new. You can also remodel your bathroom and change out the faucet for a new look. When purchasing a replacement, always be sure to match the nipple size of the OD (outer diameter) to the faucet to ensure a correct fitting.

How to Refinish a Wooden Door

Your wooden doors can last the life of your home or beyond. As a natural material, they have become seasoned to your home's environment -- expanding with the heat and humidity and contracting with the cold.

How to Build a Bathroom

Adding a bathroom to your house will not only make it more livable, the new bathroom will add to its value as well. You can either pay a contractor to do the job for you at a considerable cost, or you can do the job yourself with the following suggestions and save a small fortune.

How to Paint Walls and Ceilings

Painting is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to make a dramatic change to a room. It takes only one or two days to paint most rooms, and the results are sure to please. One mistake that many beginners make, however, is forgetting to paint the ceiling.

How to Paint Walls With a Roller

Painting a wall with a roller is an easy thing to do. However, there are a few techniques that can improve the quality of your paint job and reduce the waste of expensive paint.

How to Replace a House Window

Replacing a window on a house is a job for two people. Homes will need a window replaced when it is broken or there is a lot of decay around the window. Windows can be changed when there is a decision to change the appearance of the windows around the house as well.

The Best Way to Insulate a Basement Foundation

One of the best ways to save money on the cost of heating your home is to install insulation. However, many homeowners fail to insulate their basements. Unlike insulating an entire home, especially an existing older home, you can insulate your basement yourself.

Glass Tile Kitchen Backsplash

A glass tile backsplash is both an attractive and a durable option for updating a kitchen. Glass tiles come in a multitude of colors, patterns and shapes. They are available in solid and metallic finishes, which can be used in combination with each other for a more intriguing look.

Choosing Cost Efficient Replacement Windows

Windows are one of the most significant investments we make in our homes. Choosing the right window means energy efficiency, durability, aesthetic appeal and functionality. Here's a primer on the process of choosing what's best for you.

Installing Siding on Your House

If you're thinking of installing siding on your house yourself instead of hiring a contractor to do it for you, remember to put an emphasis on safety. Always have a friend there to help you, even if his or her job is just to hold the extension ladder.

Installing Batt Insulation in Crawl Space

Having insulation in your crawl space under your floor will improve energy efficiency. You will notice winter being warmer and summer being cooler. Your floor will have an even temperature and will not swing with the outdoor temperate changes.

Replacing a Sliding Glass Door

Removing a sliding glass door may seem somewhat complicated, but it's pretty simple. Whether you need to repair the rollers to your existing slider or replace it with a brand new door, it's merely a matter of a few screws and some slightly heavy lifting.

Installing Light Fixtures in an Older House

Installing light fixtures is a great project to add light to the needed dark areas of your home, or for remodeling to make the interior of your home more beautiful. In an older home, installing light fixtures is no different from a newer home, but you do need to be careful when cutting the drywall that it does not crack or crumble.

How Many Recessed Lights Should Be in a Room?

Recessed lighting is a great choice for lighting your home. It's relatively inexpensive and will stand the test of time, looking just as good five years later as it did the day you installed it. To keep costs down and ensure your design lasts for years, you'll simply need to figure out how many recessed lights should be in a room.

How to Wire an Electrical Ceiling Light

Wiring indoor lights is a simple and fast process. You can do it in a few hours and save money by not hiring an electrician to do the work. Whether you are adding accent lighting to the dim areas of your home or changing your fixture to match your decor, you will be happy knowing that you did it yourself.

How to Wire a Switch to a Ceiling Light

A switch is vital for the proper on and off operation of your ceiling light. Wiring a switch can be simple and fast. There are different types of switches you can install such as dimmer switches, lighted switches and regular switches.

Height to Hang a Light Over Table

Unless you enjoy eating in the dark, a light is essential to have over your dining room table. However, you don't want to sit down and have the light at eye level, nor do you want it touching the ceiling.

Installing Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is a versatile and durable flooring option. It is available in a wide range of colors and texture options. Linoleum flooring is created by using a combination of linseed oil and wood fibers, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional flooring choices.

How to Paint a Wood Floor Fast & Easy

If your wood floor has seen better days, but a refinishing project just isn't in the cards, paint your wood floor fast and easy. With a few items from your local hardware or home and garden store, plus a day's worth of work, your wood floor will look upgraded and fresh.

Flooring Options for the Home

When remodeling your home, one of the most important decisions that you can make will be how to change your home's flooring. The floor in your home is arguably the most noticeable part of the design, and it definitely has to stand up to regular wear and tear.

Installing Vinyl Floor Tiles

Vinyl tile is an easy way to update your flooring. Just about anyone can install vinyl flooring. It is a simple process, but proper care must be taken to ensure that the surface is prepared, the correct number of tiles are ordered, and the proper tools are used.

How to Square a Room for Tile Installation

Installing a new tile floor in any room is one way to help add value to your home as well as update your decor. Before you can start to lay the tile, however, it is highly recommended to square the room to get a sense of how the tiles will look.