renovating

Spring is a good moment for renewal. Your home might need an entire new look, maybe a bit of modernizing. Before you start to make a seriously out-of-your-budget renovation plan, we advise you to start with the details.

Classy and modern are concepts that start with the little things. For example, windows. You might have not known what are the trends for windows this year.

Photo source: Builder Online https://bit.ly/2BEIaLA

We searched for inspiration and we really liked these top 7 window trends for 2018 in this article on Builder Online:

  • Black hues. Because nothing says ‘minimalism’ better that a clean white-black combo.
  • Clean lines.
  • Squares over arches. Unless you’re living in a castle.
  • Expansive glass. More light and outdoor inside your living space improves the quality of the time spent inside.
  • Pass-through windows.
  • Energy efficient windows.
  • High-end woods.

We agree with high-end woods even more since we found this DIY trick to make your windows look high-end. It doesn’t seem too much of a hustle and is guaranteed to make your windows be trendy this year.

How To Fake Expensive Windows

This trick will give your windows a high-end look, without the huge price tag!

Posted by DIY with Hometalk on Monday, 23 April 2018

The basic rule for 2018’s windows is simple: the more light… the lighter! Sorry… the modern-er. 🙂

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The biggest risks from cowboy builders, and what to do if things go wrong.

More than 40,000 people contacted Citizens Advice last year about a home improvement nightmare. Two thirds of them were about cowboy traders – who did a terrible job, took far longer than they said they would, or never finished at all.

The figures are an alarming wake-up call that we all need to be on our guard against the cowboys.

 

What can you do?

The best approach is to reduce the risk of falling victim in the first place – by taking a number of steps when you first contact a trader.

 

  1. Start with recommendations from people you know. This is the best way to be sure you are getting the full picture. You can also use a website where customers rate traders.

 

  1. Get references. If you can’t get a recommendation, make sure you get references from people they have worked for previously. Ideally go round and see the work yourself.

 

  1. Check they are a member of a trade body. Citizens Advice points out that trade bodies have codes of practice and can help resolve problems if things go wrong.

 

  1. Get a written quote – not an estimate, and be clear about what the quote covers. A quote is legally binding and the builder can’t change it without a good reason. An estimate is just a guess at how much the work will cost, and so it could change. You can compare quotes from a number of contractors to make sure you’re getting a fair price.

 

  1. Don’t go for the cheapest option. If something is a bargain, it’s tempting to take that option, but if they’re quoting for exactly the same work, there’s a risk they will cut corners in order to do a cheaper job – or bump up the price as they go along.

 

  1. Get a written contract. This should cover timing, payments, who will pay for materials and subcontractors, and what exactly is being done. If you can, you should pay in stages rather than upfront.

 

  1. Keep copies of receipts and your written contract as evidence, as well as photos of any problems which arise.If you run into problems, there are a number of steps that can help.

    1. Don’t pay until the job is done. If you are paying in stages, don’t bow to demands for a final payment until you are happy with the work.

    2. Make a list of the work that’s not up to scratch or is unfinished, and ask them to return to complete it. Don’t let politeness stop you, and don’t be afraid of what they may say or do. They promised something, if they didn’t deliver, then you have every right to expect them to return and finish the job.

    3. Ask for some money back. If you’ve lost faith in them, or they claim to be too busy to rectify things, ask for compensation. You tell them the refund you expect, and explain why it is reasonable – for example, you may have to pay to have the work fixed.

    4. Complain to the company in writing. If it’s a larger organisation, bypassing the individual and going to the firm itself can be useful. Include your list of outstanding problems, and your expectations for a solution – whether that’s them returning to finish the work or a refund.

    5. Check to see if they are a member of a trade association, and get in touch with them to see if they can help.

 

  1. If they still refuse to comply, you can consider taking them to county court or the small claims court. There will be a cost associated with this, and some traders are a nightmare to track down, but if you are significantly out of pocket, and they are part of a larger organisation, it may be your best option.
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Photo source: Ficklr http://bit.ly/2wtCBwL

Original reclaimed timber flooring has a truly authentic appearance, which celebrates the marks, dents and scuffs of its age and radiates the richness of its historic past to add a layer of depth and warmth to the home. It also works exceptionally well with under-floor heating or in kitchens with range cookers, as the age of the wood means that it is stable and has already been acclimatized for centuries.

Reclaimed timber can also be a good choice if you need to match existing floorboards to extend flooring into other rooms, or replace damaged original boards. Go for the thickest boards you can accommodate and then maintain them with a light sanding every 15 years or so, to bring the floor back to how it was when you installed it.

Unique history

Reclaimed flooring is often rescued from historic houses that are beyond repair, industrial buildings, factories or dockyards. The majority of available boards are Victorian, made from timber originally used as floorboards, joists, beams or close boarded roofs, but the wood can be more than 400 years old, sourced from anywhere in the world. The planks must be dried in racks to ensure they will not shrink, split or expand when fitted. They should be moisture tested before being installed, but with already so many years’ drying out, the wood is usually dry enough. In order to retain the patina of the reclaimed floor, the wood is passed through a drum sander and lightly brushed, leaving the aged marks undamaged.

Care and attention

Personally, I love the look of a waxed floor but it does need more regular attention than other finishes. A fresh wax every year would be ideal. Water-based varnishes are a close second choice, and will last up to five years without doing anything other than sweeping.

Creative uses

I’ve noticed an emerging trend over the past few years of people getting more creative with reclaimed wood. Such examples are cladding walls to create an alternative focal point, or using it to custom-make a rustic-looking headboard.

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