Going Green? – Water Conservation Products
What is green plumbing? Well, green plumbing when applied to residential plumbing layouts, would mean plumbing that reduces your energy and or water wastage; an efficient plumbing system.
There are a variety of products out there that can save you water, but some are counter productive and some are a pain in the you-know-what. Others are certainly worthwhile and can even save you money. Read more
Is Now a Good Time to Remodel My Kitchen?
Well, Yes and No.
It may not be a good idea to remodel if you were just laid off or are starting a new job. It’s probably not a good idea if your adjustable rate mortgage went up and you are struggling to meet your house payments and it’s definitely not a good idea if you are living off of credit cards paying interest for everyday expenditures.
But let’s assume you’ve been on your job for awhile and your position is not in imminent danger. Let’s also assume you have chosen to live within your means and haven’t spent 6 cents for every nickel you’ve earned the last few years. And finally let’s assume that your credit is good and perhaps you even have some savings tucked away. Read more
Why Buying a KItchen or Bath Remodel from a Big Box Store May Not be a Good Idea
Have you ever went into a Lowes, Home Depot or Costco and asked to see the owner? Of course not; that’s ridiculous. It does however shed some light on why purchasing services from the big box stores frequently ends in disaster.
Let me say at the outset that I have nothing against the box stores. In fact I spend several thousand dollars there every year. If I need an item they carry I pick it up, take it home, plug it in and use it. If it doesn’t work properly I return it for a replacement or my money back. No problem. Read more
Cheap Imported Cabinets
The last 10 years have seen a tsunami of products from China washing up on the US market shore. One product that is having a noticeable impact on the western states is cabinetry. This article is intended to give some insight into the impact this has had on the cabinetry market as well as alert consumers regarding this products value and deficiencies.
First let me mention why I feel qualified to address the subject. I have been in the remodeling and construction industry for nearly 40 years. Currently my wife and I own and operate a kitchen and bath remodeling firm in southern California. We were involved indirectly with the importation and directly with the installation of hundreds of sets of Chinese cabinets in the past. We purchased, with others, from several manufacturing sources and have experience with over a dozen types of product. I also have numerous friends and contacts in the remodeling and construction industry across the country, who have shared their experiences with me. Also my wife is Chinese. Read more
Custom Cabinetry Pros and Cons
Working in the remodeling industry for the last 38 years, and exclusively in the kitchen and bath remodeling sector for the last 8 years, I have noticed a good deal of confusion and misunderstanding regarding custom cabinetry. This article is intended to shed some light on the subject.
The dictionary defines “custom” when used as an adjective as meaning “made for an individual”. It says nothing regarding the quality of what is made. This is an important distinction primarily because people make assumptions and decisions based on the meaning they associate with a word. Read more
Instant Hot Water! – Home Improvement Idea
There are a lot of home improvement ideas floating around out there, and every one has his own opinion of what a good home improvement idea is. Well I think instant hot water from your fixtures is a great idea! It will save you not only time, but thousands of gallons of water, and it can save you energy too.
Saving water and energy means you are reducing your carbon footprint and taking steps to going green. Help yourself and help our planet at the same time. Read more
Modern additions to your new kitchen
Kitchens are a popular room to renovate or redecorate in our homes, considering we spend most of our time when at home in the kitchen and invariably when it comes to parties crowds tend to gather in the kitchen for some unknown reason. The best part of redecorating your kitchen is that in recent years it has become an incredibly popular and there are lots of designs and styles to choose from.
There are kitchen fitters who can plan and design entire kitchens from the appliances to the cupboards all to a budget you set which is perfect for getting what you want at a price that isn’t too extravagant. Of course if you do have more money to spend on a new kitchen then there are plenty of innovative and useful additions you can make to your plans. Read more
Getting extensions or conservatories for more room in your home
Sometimes homeowners may want to increase the space in their homes but not want to necessarily move house in order to achieve it. There are a number of ways in which we can improve the appearance of space from simply changing the colour scheme to a lighter shade and introducing mirrors to more intensive actions like tearing down dividing walls and making our homes a bit more open plan.
Sometimes this can be the best option although considering that there is a whole big mess of different types of walls to contend with such as load bearing walls that are structurally vital to the building staying upright you may not be able to increase your home’s space this way. Read more
Hot Water Recirculation – Instant Hot Water Systems Explained
Hot water recirculation systems are often referred to by a variety of names, all meaning pretty much the same thing. Recirc pumps, recirculation pumps, recirculating pumps, and circulation pumps are all the same thing.
They all refer to the practice of circulating hot water through your plumbing so that you have quick hot water and don waste water running it down the drain while you are waiting. As with most good things there are trade offs with hot water recirculation systems. Read more