Tag Archives: reno

Fashion

How to Remove Popcorn Ceilings? A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

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Popcorn ceilings are a well-known finish that resembles a bubble-like textured surface. They were trendy from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. This is why homeowners who have had difficulty removing carpet and green tiles in the kitchen now want stucco removal.

Steps to Remove Popcorn Ceilings

The most effective way to remove a textured popcorn ceiling is to use a large paint scraper. However, if you do not follow the correct procedure and do not know the nuances, you can end up with a huge mess.

Here are some practical tips that you can use to remove popcorn ceilings from your home:

  1. Determine if your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. If you built your home before 1980, there is a chance that your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. This is a dangerous material that can cause serious health problems. To do this, buy a special test kit or hire a professional.
  2. Gather the right tools. To remove a popcorn ceiling, you will need a scraper, an aerosol can, a ladder, and safety equipment (goggles, gloves, and a respirator).
  3. Clear the space. Make sure the room is empty before removing a textured ceiling. Cover large items that you cannot take out with a heavy-duty tarp.
  4. Disconnect ceiling lights. This will reduce the risk of accidental damage. Secure electrical wires with special wire nuts to prevent electric shock while working.
  5. Protect electrical outlets and light fixtures. Cover them with plastic wrap and masking tape. This blockage will prevent water from entering the outlet and reduce the risk of short circuits.
  6. Protect floors, doors, and windows. Cover all surfaces with a heavy tarpaulin mat and secure it with masking tape.
  7. Wet the ceiling. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and a few drops of detergent and spray the ceiling.
  8. Scrape off the popcorn texture. You can use a wide putty knife for this. Use smooth, even movements to remove the material effectively. You can add more water to make the process easier. Wait 24 hours for the ceiling to dry before moving on to the next step.
  9. Apply a sanding coat and sand. This will help you fill in any gaps and provide a smooth surface. Let the mixture dry, and then sand again to remove uneven areas.

After this, you can prime and paint the ceiling as desired.

Finally, you can remove the mat, put the lamps and fans back, remove the socket covers, and arrange the furniture.

Removing the popcorn ceiling is quite problematic. This process requires special tools and skills. The main problem with removing popcorn texture is the colossal mess it creates. Only professionals can remove popcorn ceilings without dust and dirt. If you’re intimidated by cleaning or need more time, hiring professionals is a great way to solve the problem.

How to simplify the process of removing popcorn ceilings?

If you want to simplify removing popcorn ceiling as much as possible, use the services of professionals from Renovated-Home. Experienced craftsmen will help transform your home into the place of your dreams. Renovated-Home craftsmen use leading technologies to remove textured ceilings. The surface is removed without dust and mess.

The Renovated-Home team works in Toronto and provides the highest professional services. Сraftsmens have extensive experience leveling ceilings, so you will not have to wait long. They will perfectly level the surface and clean up everything after themselves, leaving a clean space in your home.

If you have questions about the cost, request a consultation. Managers will contact you and calculate the cost of work individually, considering the area, ceiling height, and the presence of furniture. Get a free consultation right now. For the Silo, Kristina Rigina.

Fashion

North America’s Most Famous Photographer Lists California Hideaway

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via our friends at toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Annie Leibovitz’s Picture-Perfect California Hideaway Is For Sale

Annie Leibovitz – Self-portrait, c.1990. Auction passed via Galerie Bassenge (Dec 2010).

North America’s most famous living photographer, Annie Leibovitz, had quite the surprise when she bought her 65-acre home and farm in 2019 and learned that North America’s most famous photographer of the 20th century, Ansel Adams, had photographed one of the farm’s barns a century ago. It was the perfect metaphor for her purchase of The Hideaway in Bolinas, California.

Annie Leibovitz – Queen Elizabeth II. Sold for $27,500 usd/ $37,600 cad via Phillips (April 2012).

Leibovitz is renowned for her intimate portraits of celebrities for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue. She did Mick Jagger, Adele, Linda Ronstadt, Queen Elizabeth II, Bruce Springsteen, The Blues Brothers, and the Barack Obama family.

Her snapshot of John Lennon wrapped around Yoko Ono, taken just a few hours before his death, is one of Rolling Stone’s most famous cover images. And her photos of then 15 year old Miley Cyrus sparked controversy and marked a turning point in the young singer’s career.

Leo DiCaprio with Swan 1997 by Annie Leibovitz

Declared a Living Legend by the Library of Congress, Annie is the first woman to have a feature exhibition at Washington’s National Portrait Gallery. Born in Connecticut and based in New York, the self-described “California Person” purchased a 65-acre home and farm, known as The Hideaway, in Bolinas, California in 2019, hoping to spend more time on the West Coast, where she had majored in photography at the San Francisco Art Institute. But with her three young adult children on the East Coast, Annie has decided to list the property for sale at $8.9 million usd/ $12.8 million cad.

With her new property dating back to the 1800s, Leibovitz spent over $2 million usd/ $ 2,736,000 cad on improvements, which included several structures: a home with four bedrooms, a guest house, a caretaker’s residence, and a converted garage.

The original, vintage rotary dial phone was retained in the renovation.

A previous owner, Hardly Strictly Blue Grass founder Warren Hellman, added a recording studio and a performance venue with a banquet hall to the property.

An equestrian’s dream, the complex has impressive horse facilities, including a 100′ x 200’ all-weather riding arena and a top-of-the-line, seven-stall barn with exposed beams and an attached office. Spectacular rolling hills and verdant pastures provide fodder for horses, cattle, or other livestock.

Last but definitely not least: gorgeous views of Bolinas Lagoon, Stinson Beach, Mount Tamalpais, the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco, and the surrounding countryside add even more allure to the picture.

What might be described as the perfect California location on Bolinas Bay, Bolinas has a small-town atmosphere but is only an hour’s drive north to San Francisco. Known for its reclusive residents, Bolinas is only accessible via unmarked roads. The Hideaway is close to bird and seal sanctuaries, botanical gardens, great spots for kayaking and surfing, and the charming Bolinas and Stinson Beach towns. Almare Falls, one of only two beach waterfalls in the continental United States, is accessible via the California Coastal Trail. Other celebrities hiding away in this uniquely beautiful, secluded area include director Joel Coen, actress Frances McDormand, chef and restaurateur Alice Waters, and Third-Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins.

The listing is held by Alexander Fromm Lurie at Compass. Photo credit: Jacob Elliott, courtesy of Compass.

Culture

How Improper Tiling Will Wreak Havoc On Home Value & Your Health

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ICYMI: Poorly installed tile can cause serious health issues due to mold, and significantly decrease  home values. Gregory Norman, founder of BathMasters, highlights the advantages of hiring a professional for tiling projects and encourages homeowners to resist cutting corners.

(Clearwater, FL) —The homeowner improvement and repair market reached $317 billion USD in 2017 alone and continued to hover around that mark right up to this year-even when factoring in Covid, (1) and the number of homeowners utilizing DIY and unlicensed contractors for renovations is also on the rise.

13% of all households undertook a bathroom remodel or replacement project in the past 5 years, and of those, 42% failed to use a licensed contractor.(2)

The risks associated with improper renovations—especially tiling—can not only slash a home’s value, but also prove hazardous for homeowners’ health, warns bathroom renovation company BathMasters.

When it comes to bathroom overhauls, homeowners are generally unprepared for surprises, such as mold or leaks that can be hiding inside walls and beneath floors.(3) Improper tiling performed by a homeowner or unlicensed contractor can inadvertently allow water to seep in, facilitating accumulation of mold spores and thereby causing serious damage to a homeowner’s house and personal health.(4) Per BathMasters founder, Greg Norman, statistics show that in all remodeling projects, tile showers are the number one botched renovation.

Norman says the room for error is vast; if the underside of the shower pan is not waterproofed, or the membrane going to the drain is improperly installed, costly leaks and mold can – and likely will – occur.

(3) And the risks are alarming: mold and water damage under shoddily-installed tiles can cause heightened asthma problems, skin rashes and even autoimmune diseases.(4) Per Norman, preserving health and the value of the home are invaluable to cutting corners on a renovation project.

“No home renovation project in the world is worth putting one’s health at risk,” said Norman. “Additionally, home renovations are intended to increase the value of a home; DIY projects or renovations done by unlicensed contractors run completely contrary to that.”

Although it may seem like homeowners can save money by not using a licensed contractor, even a small defect can significantly devalue a property. Most cities require homeowners to tear out walls, along with any ceramic wall tiles, if the renovation project wasn’t inspected by the city beforehand. Also, a home appraiser may not include a non permitted addition in the square footage for the home value, which could cost homeowners thousands of dollars.

When considering home renovation projects that include electrical work, plumbing jobs, tiling or knocking down walls, hiring a licensed contractor is key.” Norman went on to say that when hiring a contractor, homeowners need to do their homework by checking reviews and ensuring that permits are being pulled consistently.

“BathMasters regularly replaces showers that have been done incorrectly by unlicensed contractors, generally within five years of installation.

The company is dedicated to providing the highest quality work; as such, its team is equipped with specialized training from the Tile Council of North America in South Carolina, enabling its contractors to offer customers the highest standard of work for all bathroom renovations. For the Silo, Ashley Richardson.

About BathMasters:

BathMasters is a Virginia plumbing, electrical and building contractor with showrooms and warehouses in Northern Virginia and the Tampa Bay Area (Florida). BathMasters is rapidly expanding to meet the demand of its customers for high-quality, full-service bathroom renovations and tub-to-shower conversions built to withstand the test of time. With thousands of custom bathroom remodel jobs under its belt, BathMasters has become the premier choice for all bathroom renovation needs.

Co-founders and brothers Gregory and David Norman grew up in a family of masters: their father was a master plumber, and their uncles worked as a master electrician, master carpenter, and class A home builder. The Norman family legacy has always been about high-quality work, never cutting corners, and an unparalleled commitment to communication, honesty and integrity in their dealings with homeowners. It is this legacy that Gregory and David carry forward at BathMasters. Their mission is to improve the skill level of bathroom installers through their extensive workforce training programs, to the benefit of homeowners and the industry itself. Visit BathMastersVirginia.com and BathMastersFlorida.com.

  1. Donahue, Kerry. “STRONG AND STABLE GROWTH PREDICTED FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIR MARKET IN 2017.” Joint Center for Housing Studies. N.p., 19 Jan. 2017. Web.
  2. Webb, Craig. “Homeowners Hired Pros to Remodel 66% of Kitchens, 58% of Baths, NKBA Survey Finds.” Remodeling. N.p., 11 Jan. 2017. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.
  3. LaPonsie, Maryalene. “7 Reasons to Back Away From DIY Home Improvement Projects.” Money Talks News. N.p., 22 Apr. 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.
  4. Is Your Home a Death Trap? How Mold Affects Your Health and Your Home’s Value. N.p., n.d. Web.
Culture

5 Home Renos That Add The Most Home Value

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Whether you wish to improve your living space or you are going to sell your home, a home renovation will add instant value to your property. 

Many home buyers are looking for homes that are ‘move in ready’ and don’t require much or any work prior to moving in. Because of this desirability, many homeowners are deciding to make upgrades to their home to increase the resale value. If you have a number of projects in mind that are on your ‘wish list’, but aren’t sure which one to start with, you might find these suggestions helpful. 

  1. Kitchen Remodel – This is probably the biggest project that you will undergo, but the one that has the most impact. The kitchen is the most used room in a house and the central hub for most activities. Thus, it makes sense to have a kitchen that is both functional and attractive. If the cabinets are old looking and the countertops are in poor condition, it is hard to overlook. For some, a major renovation might be out of reach, but there are smaller scale options that will also work to spruce up the appearance. You can add a fresh coat of paint or even just reface the cabinetry with new wood panels and hardware. Overall, you can likely recoup 60% to 80% of the cost of the kitchen remodel. 
     
  1. Garage Door Replacement – A garage door makes a great design element to your home as it is one of the first things people see when they come to your home. Although it doesn’t always top the list of most popular projects, it should not be overlooked in terms of overall home value and curb appeal. Over 80% of Realtors believe a new garage door can impact home value – all the more reason to take on this project. 
     
  1. Fiberglass Entry Door Replacement – Nothing makes a more impactful statement than the attractiveness of your front door. Replacing the standard fiberglass entry door to something more stylized to your home will add to the ‘first impression’ element of your home. There are many attractive alternatives for a front door and finding a suitable design that goes with the home will add value straight away without having to undergo a major renovation. According to a recent study, replacing your front door has an average ROI of 75%.   
     
  1. Window Replacement – Having old windows with cracked or chipped frames greatly affects the look of your home. Potential buyers will notice them and so do appraisers. If you’ve got questions about buying new windows, get the answer from a reputable company before you buy. Replacing the windows in your home can add thousands of dollars to its market value, and with an average  ROI of up to 85%, so it makes sense to consider it as a priority upgrade option, especially if you are planning on selling in the near future.  
     
  1. Deck Addition – A wood deck addition falls on the inexpensive side of remodeling projects, but it’s one of the more valuable. In fact, some experts claim that installing a deck can increase the value of your home significantly more than if you were to add another bathroom or living room at a fraction of the cost. The overall cost of installing a deck will largely depend on the size of the deck and material you use. However, most homeowners will recoup nearly 70% of the build cost after they have sold their home.  

If you want to take on any of these home improvement projects, but don’t have the immediate cash on hand to make them a reality, then a home improvement loan might be something to consider.  

3 Best Steps To Find The Best Home Renovation Contractor For Your House | listofinformation

What is a home improvement loan? 

A home improvement loan can be a home equity loan, a HELOC loan, or any loan using home equity used for home improvement purposes. Borrowers will typically use these types of loans to access the capital they need to build on their investment. 

According to a recent study, the value of residential mortgage loans from alternative lenders is steadily growing. Canadians are choosing to opt-out of traditional lenders’ extended waiting periods and paperwork and are finding that working with a mortgage broker is an easier, more streamlined process that saves time, effort and money. If you are a homeowner considering a renovation to your home, a reputable broker such as Burke Financial can help you with every stage of the process.  

Finance

How to Use Your Home Equity to Deal with Unexpected Housing Costs

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If you don’t have any available savings, your home equity can provide an immediate source of funds. 

Even the most responsible homeowners can find themselves faced with an unexpected home emergency repair or maintenance issue without the cash on hand to deal with it. If this is you, you are not alone. There are solutions available that can help you tap into your home equity to fund those projects without having to take out an expensive loan with the bank. 

Consider a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) 

A Home Equity Line of Credit enables homeowners to access up to 85% of the value of their home for what they need. If you have owned your home for a number of years, then you have built up equity that can be used as collateral.  

A Home Equity Line of Credit is designed specifically to help homeowners cover these unexpected costs without worrying about their level of savings or credit score. Taking out a HELOC is a fast and convenient borrowing option because you can access the funds you need, pay it off and borrow again if needed. 

To calculate your home equity, simply follow this equation: 

The value of your property – the balance remaining on your mortgage = your home equity 

In many cases, you will pay less to borrow against your home equity than if you were to get an unsecured loan or line of credit. When you choose to work with a mortgage broker instead of the bank, you can get access to more lending options and at a lower interest rate.  

Take Out a Second Mortgage 

Many homeowners are aware of HELOCs but haven’t considered that second mortgages are also an available option. Essentially, a second mortgage functions as an additional mortgage loan. Both mortgages will need to eventually be paid off but because they normally come with much lower interest rates than unsecured loans, they can be an appealing option to borrow much needed funds. 

With the value of Ontario homes increasing due to the booming real estate market, many homeowners are using this opportunity to access the value of their home.  

You can use your second mortgage for anything as long as you continue to make your repayments. So, if you have a home maintenance or renovation project in mind, then it’s a good idea to consider a second mortgage now instead of waiting until it becomes an emergency situation. 

Work with a Trusted Mortgage Broker 

A mortgage broker acts as the intermediary between the financial institution offering the loan and the individual seeking the loan to buy real estate. The mortgage broker works with both parties to ensure the loan gets approved. The main benefit of working with an experienced mortgage broker is that he or she can work with a wide variety of lenders to find the best terms and rates. 

For those who are self-employed or don’t have stellar credit, working with a mortgage broker is advantageous because they are experienced at working with complex situations. This is especially critical for anyone who requires fast funding and has been turned down for a loan by the bank. 

A mortgage broker like Burke Financial specializes in handing challenging applications and works with people who have varying needs and circumstances.  

Regardless of whatever life problem you are facing, a mortgage broker can help you explore your options and find a solution to your problem so you can get back to other life tasks. For the Silo by our friends at Burke Financial.