You enter a narrow corridor. Flanking the walls are two glass-paneled cabinets. The air is still. The path is stark. You perceive a wider space at the end of the hall. The effect is almost ethereal. But something must be changed, according to the request of the owner of the house.
The architect found it amusing that he was essentially remodeling his own work. Just as well, he contended, because this was a project he had done years before, and he candidly admits that as the years go by, aside from the fading of colors, tastes change, and trends evolve, too. He said that it is natural to find what we once thought as cutting edge to be outdated years later.
That is what remodeling is all about. People do not just merely want to remodel their house just because they have to. There are instances wherein remodeling is deemed necessary because some people thought that they wanted something new, something that would create a new aura around the house.
Surveys show that the average American households are inclined to remodel their houses after 10 to 20 years has elapsed. There are times that the house still looks good as new but because the house owners wanted remodeling, everything was changed.
So when people want to modify. Rectify, enhance, or simply replace, or correct anything that is wrong with the house, they could always seek the help of a person who knows what remodeling is all about.
The Impression it Creates
In remodeling, there are times that people wanted to make use of neglected space on the ground floor. With this process, you can even extend the living area up to the outside garden.
Remodeling can also add cleaner lines and illusion of space. And if you want to structurally place the house in a complete change, the walls has to be knocked down, alter the layout, and modify the roof and façade. Even the location of the stairs can be changed.
Here is a list of the things that you can change while on the process of remodeling:
1. Windows
Opting for bigger windows is a good idea. If you think that your house needs remodeling, try to consider changing your windows into bigger outlines that would enable the entry of more light and establish picturesque sights.
2. Roof
Create an illusion of a bigger space by lifting the roof.
3. Add-ons
Remodel the whole house by adding some embellishments at the front. You can even add an obscured entrance for a more dramatic effect.
4. Landscaping
Through this process, you can inevitably create a more panoramic view by adding some trees on the pathway. Landscaping is usually taken into account if you want to create an illusion of nature’s touch or simply to alter the “focal point” of the house.
5. Façade
You can change the look of your house’s façade by changing the height of your deck, porch, or veranda. If your house lacks some of it at the front, try to build one. The look will be very enticing to look at.
All of these things are boiled down to the fact that the designer or the architect’s attention to the details should not be lost all throughout the house. With remodeling, the theme of the house should go with the furnitures to be used and the colors to be embedded at every wall, adding richness and opulence to an otherwise subdued modern home.
The point here is that remodeling should bring back the pieces of the house in such a way that it creates new dimensions and disciplined illusions of artistic and creative construction. That is simply the beauty of remodeling.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Essential Tools
Most, if not all, homeowners have a toolbox, and DIY (do-it-yourself) junkies can’t live without one. However, because tools can be so cheap and varied nowadays, there’s a very strong temptation to just grab one of everything at the hardware store and then say that you’re getting ready for any eventuality. This results in a cluttered garage or tool area and, in many cases, wasted money. Below are some of the bare necessities that your tool box should contain. While they may not prepare you for post-tornado house rebuilding, they will certainly suffice for fixing that noisy door in the kitchen or for the regular maintenance jobs around the house.
The Usual Stuff
These are the things that everyone has in their sets, the contents of the usual toolbox. That’s another way of saying “if you don’t have the following, get one now.” These are tools that even your grandfather had, so you’d probably be familiar with them already. Screwdrivers are absolutely necessary tools. They come in two general variations (the minus and the plus, formally known as the flat or straight and the Philips, respectively), but can come in a wide range of sizes. Just get the usual, fixed-blade, no-frills models unless you’re expecting to do some specialized work. The teeny tiny versions of screwdrivers are called precision sets and are handy to have around.
Hammers, like screwdrivers, come in a variety of sizes for different jobs. Two should probably be enough for your needs. You could get a medium size (usually 16 oz.) for regular jobs and a larger size (usually 32 oz.) for the heavy duty work. For plumbing and working with fasteners, you’re going to need pliers and wrenches. Usually, a couple of each (one of each type, snub-nose and long-nose, for the pliers) will do. You can even go the extra mile and get a wrench set, which has about 10 to 15 pieces.
Saws are obviously necessary tools if you plan to maintain any wood or metal. For cutting metal, a hacksaw and a couple of cold chisels will do. For wood, a chisel and a saw will suffice. To save on space, you could get one of those handles that have a base compatible with removable saw blades. The blades and the handles themselves are small, and it’s a great little multitool. Your testing and measuring instruments are critical for determining when you’ve done a good enough job. Make sure to always pack some measuring tape, measuring tape, a measuring square, a level, a voltage tester and an amp meter. Consumable items are also important, so you should always have a couple of pencils, electrical tape, sealant, lubricant, and an array of screws, nuts, nails, and bolts on stock.
Not-So-Usual Necessities
Now that we’ve gone through the usual contents of the toolbox, let’s cover some of the other tool necessities. These are the items your granddad probably didn’t think of putting in the toolbox, but are still ones you should have yourself. Of special mention here are multitools, which have recently become very popular and, more importantly, more affordable. They’re those multi-armed trinkets that have several attachments on them, hence, the name and their ability to do several tasks. Vise-grips and a utility knife automatically fall into this category. They’re great for any number of tasks and should be a staple in your toolbox. Have at least two vise-grips (plumbing jobs and clamping is usually easier with two), while a six-inch knife should be good enough. A right angle drive helps you get your fasteners into tight places and impossible spaces and, while not absolutely necessary, will be convenient to have around for several tasks.
Cleaning materials have recently become toolbox mainstays, and you should always have some, too. A bit of anti-rust agent (WD-40 works great) and a toothbrush are absolute necessities for cleaning and maintenance.
The Usual Stuff
These are the things that everyone has in their sets, the contents of the usual toolbox. That’s another way of saying “if you don’t have the following, get one now.” These are tools that even your grandfather had, so you’d probably be familiar with them already. Screwdrivers are absolutely necessary tools. They come in two general variations (the minus and the plus, formally known as the flat or straight and the Philips, respectively), but can come in a wide range of sizes. Just get the usual, fixed-blade, no-frills models unless you’re expecting to do some specialized work. The teeny tiny versions of screwdrivers are called precision sets and are handy to have around.
Hammers, like screwdrivers, come in a variety of sizes for different jobs. Two should probably be enough for your needs. You could get a medium size (usually 16 oz.) for regular jobs and a larger size (usually 32 oz.) for the heavy duty work. For plumbing and working with fasteners, you’re going to need pliers and wrenches. Usually, a couple of each (one of each type, snub-nose and long-nose, for the pliers) will do. You can even go the extra mile and get a wrench set, which has about 10 to 15 pieces.
Saws are obviously necessary tools if you plan to maintain any wood or metal. For cutting metal, a hacksaw and a couple of cold chisels will do. For wood, a chisel and a saw will suffice. To save on space, you could get one of those handles that have a base compatible with removable saw blades. The blades and the handles themselves are small, and it’s a great little multitool. Your testing and measuring instruments are critical for determining when you’ve done a good enough job. Make sure to always pack some measuring tape, measuring tape, a measuring square, a level, a voltage tester and an amp meter. Consumable items are also important, so you should always have a couple of pencils, electrical tape, sealant, lubricant, and an array of screws, nuts, nails, and bolts on stock.
Not-So-Usual Necessities
Now that we’ve gone through the usual contents of the toolbox, let’s cover some of the other tool necessities. These are the items your granddad probably didn’t think of putting in the toolbox, but are still ones you should have yourself. Of special mention here are multitools, which have recently become very popular and, more importantly, more affordable. They’re those multi-armed trinkets that have several attachments on them, hence, the name and their ability to do several tasks. Vise-grips and a utility knife automatically fall into this category. They’re great for any number of tasks and should be a staple in your toolbox. Have at least two vise-grips (plumbing jobs and clamping is usually easier with two), while a six-inch knife should be good enough. A right angle drive helps you get your fasteners into tight places and impossible spaces and, while not absolutely necessary, will be convenient to have around for several tasks.
Cleaning materials have recently become toolbox mainstays, and you should always have some, too. A bit of anti-rust agent (WD-40 works great) and a toothbrush are absolute necessities for cleaning and maintenance.
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