Archive for the ‘Interior Remodeling’ Category

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In both new construction and home remodeling, wall-to-wall carpeting is losing ground as more and more homeowners opt for wood flooring.  Wood floors add charm and elegance that carpeting can’t match.  They also permit easy redecorating.  Changing out area and throw rugs is easier and less expensive than redoing carpet.  That’s why homeowners have mostly opted for neutral colors.  But when you choose wood floors and add accent rugs, your color options suddenly open up.

Until recently, the wood flooring market has been dominated by hardwoods, but bamboo is quickly growing in popularity.  If you’re planning a remodel of your kitchen or bath, or if you’re considering refinishing your basement, you might want to take a look at bamboo.  The benefits are numerous.

• Bamboo is an economical flooring choice.  Bamboo can be found as low as $1 per square foot, as compared with other hardwoods costing $3-$10.  The price is economical, but the look is definitely not ‘cheap.’
• Bamboo flooring is durable.  Some softer woods easily scratch and ding, but bamboo flooring will stand up well to heavy, daily use.  One type – decarbonized bamboo – is even more resistant.  While all wood floors will eventually need refinishing or replacement, you can expect bamboo to have a comparable wear time as hardwood flooring.
• Bamboo flooring is a good choice for those who want an eco-friendly flooring product.  Unlike hardwood flooring, which is produced from trees which take a long time to grow, bamboo flooring is made from a quickly-growing woody plant.  It matures in 3-5 years, and what’s more, new shoots spring out from the old plant once harvested.  Trees used for hardwood flooring typically take at least 10 years to grow, and trees need to be replanted once cut.
• Bamboo flooring is easy to care for.  Bamboo flooring is very stain- and water-resistant, which makes it an excellent choice for kitchens and baths.  And since it lacks the grain grooves of hardwoods, there are fewer little crevices in the wood to collect dust and dirty.  Simple sweeping and mopping are all that’s needed to keep it looking good.

Okay, so you’re sold on the idea of a wood floor, but you prefer the look of hardwoods?  Bamboo flooring comes in a variety of styles and profiles, some of which replicate the look of hardwoods.  Bamboo flooring is stylish, and it has a bright, clean look to it that can add a fresh, classy look to any room.  If you’re planning a remodeling project, consider opting for bamboo flooring instead of hardwood or carpeting.

Iron River Construction is a full-service home improvement contractor, offering interior and exterior remodeling services in the Twin Cities metro area and outlying Minnesota communities. 

Replacing the flooring is often part of a kitchen or bath remodel.  Wood flooring is still amongst the most beautiful and sought after, and there are a number of options. When debating on whether or not to go for prefabricated or traditional wood floors for your next remodeling project, there are pros and cons to think about.

Advantages of Pre-finished Flooring
There are quite a few advantages that pre-finished wood flooring has to offer.

No Curing Time
Because it’s polished and cured at the factory, you’ll be able tow walk on it right away.

No Health Concerns
One of the problems involved in traditional wood flooring is the fumes from polyurethane sealant. The chemicals in those fumes have been proven to be carcinogenic, but since the wood isn’t cured on site, there’s nothing to worry about.

No Dust Problems
Dust and errant hairs will mar the finish of a freshly laid floor during the curing process. Again, since the wood is processed at the factory, this isn’t a problem. However, you’ll want to put protection down in high traffic areas to preserve the surface.

Quick Installation
Since you only need to lay the underlayment and the wood surface, you can have a fresh new floor in just one session.

Tougher Finish
Many factory finishes come with a lifetime warranty because they’re so much tougher than what on-site finishing has to offer.

Less Expensive
Although the materials may cost more than unfinished wood at first, the savings add up in lack of labor and finishing expenses.

Disadvantages
Like all flooring options, pre-finished flooring comes with its share of disadvantages.

New Construction
For new construction, traditional options may be a better idea, because most contractors will save floor finishing for last for a polished look.  Many steps have to be completed after the flooring is in, such as trim and painting; both can mar a finished floor.

More Finishes
Although there are more choices of factory-applied finishes than before, there are still more options for traditional flooring.  For instance, since you’ll pick the finish color, you are more easily able to match existing trim.

Seamless
Pre-finished flooring always has tiny bevels to hide differences between board widths and heights. Traditional wood flooring, however, offers a seamless look that some people prefer to have every time.

Wood flooring offers class to any room, but the choice of which type you’d like to install depends on the look, cost and process you’d like to follow.

The biggest segment of the US population is the baby boomer generation, and are large number of them are either in – or are moving into – the “empty nester” stages of their lives.  Children are grown, have graduated from college and gotten jobs and now have homes and families of their own.  While many grown children are still living at home for economic or other reasons, many homeowners are now faced with multi-bedroom dwellings which they love and don’t want to leave, but have way more bedroom space than they have need of.  If you’re in that position, what do you do with your home to make it more amenable to your current life-style?

A lot depends on your budget as well as your needs.  Keep in mind that the average size of a family is somewhat less than when you were raising your children, and four-bedroom homes aren’t the standard anymore.  So in order to keep your home’s value up as well as preserve its resale appeal, there are renovations you can make which will result in more versatility in your home now as well as a home that’s more attractive to purchasers once you decide to sell.

Bob Vila has some good advice for remodeling that empty nest.  At the top of the list?  Turning some of that empty bedroom space into guest quarters.  And not your traditional guest room, which simply resembles an unused bedroom.  Guest suites – luxurious accommodations for your visitors – are growing in popularity.  Those children leave home, but they come back with spouses and children, and it’s nice to have something for them other than a hotel.

Home renovations which add to the value of your home are always a good idea, no matter what the housing market is.  You’ll enjoy your home more while you live in it, and enjoy more profit when you sell. 

Not all homes have the physical space to put in a big kitchen.  However, just because you have a small kitchen does not mean that it has to be cluttered. Through good organization, you can achieve results that make your kitchen a more workable space as well as a pleasant place to be in.

Make a Budget
One of the most important things to remember is your budget. Although it’s nice to have a fully functional and beautiful kitchen, you still need to be able to afford to pay for materials and potential labor. Once you get this established, you can start in on the fun part.

Sort
Before starting to establish your plan, go through what’s already in your kitchen and sort out what you need and what you do not. Unnecessary items can be thrown out, sold online, or given to charity. This benefits you by freeing up storage space and making it easier to organize what’s left over.  Then think about the remaining items – do you use them in the kitchen, or did they just end up there?  Perhaps there’s a better place for some items.  For instance, a turkey roaster you only use once or twice a year could be put in your garage storage area.  A basket for mail might work better on an entry table or shelf.

Plan
Once you cut down on what’s in the kitchen, you can now make a plan to maximize storage. These suggestions are good place to start.

• Kitchen Cart
  Using a cart to store things like mixers, microwaves and other small appliances will free up valuable counter and cabinet space.
• Hutch
  This type of furniture doubles as a display and storage for your porcelain and regular dinnerware.
• Storage Racks
  This type of shelving is handy for storing many different things. Specialty racks can store things like spices and cookware.
• Hooks
  Hooks installed behind the kitchen door or free wall space, can be used to store spoons, cups and frying pans.
• Kitchen Islands
  These islands are a little like the cart, but they are usually bigger. The types on wheels have the ability to conserve valuable floor space by being tucked away when not in use. They can also double as dining surfaces.

When you finish with your kitchen remodel, you’ll be able to enjoy your hard work and show it off to company.

Home remodeling projects don’t have to involve major renovations to produce results that help you enjoy your home more.

The saying “Eat, drink and be merry” holds special significance to the kitchen during the holiday season. Since a fair amount of entertaining takes place in that room, it’s important to weigh function with the feeling it gives. Updating the lighting is a great way to do this.

Pendant Lights
This style of lighting has become very popular for illuminating kitchen islands and peninsulas. Multiple hanging lights offer just as much brightness as a single fixture, but also add a more open, modern look to the area. The unique look of these lights further adds to their charm.

Work Surface
Being able to see what you’re doing clearly while working at the counter is equally important as the lighting over the center of the room. We’ve come a long way from the irritating flicker of the old fluorescent stand-bys installed under so many cabinets, though.

Check out rope lights, panels and LED options instead. While these all provide enough light to work by, they also provide the style needed for a beautiful kitchen environment, while saving energy at the same time.

Dimmer Switch
Bright lighting saves the eyes when you’re working, but it can detract from the casual feel of getting together with friends and family. One of the most ideal methods of doing this is to install a dimmer switch.

Dimmers work with both LED and traditional options, and they come in a broad variety of styles. There are also special fixtures that work with dimmers. Some of them boast of a nightlight feature with works on very low energy, while at the same time providing enough light for those who can’t resist a midnight snack to get around with.

One of the best gifts you can give yourself this holiday is a practical and great-looking update to your kitchen lighting.  Remember, any home remodeling you have done which either increases the space in your home or makes it more workable generally adds to its value.  Iron River Construction offers a wide range of home improvement services - call us if we can help you.

When decorating a room, furniture, fabric and wall color are all important ways of getting the look you want. Adding molding is not only another way to do the same thing, but also gives the room a polished look. This bit of interior architecture adds drama and depth to a room. It’s also easy to install during home remodeling.

Because this tool acts as a frame for existing structures built into the walls, there are three different types available.

Baseboard:  This type of molding underlines the rest of the décor of the room, since it runs along the floor. Different types of floors call for different types of detailing. Hardwood flooring, for example, is showcased more dramatically when shoe molding is added.

When choosing a baseboard, remember to take the height of the ceiling into account. Baseboards of about 8 or 10 inches are often the way to go.

Casing:  When there’s an opening between rooms without a door, adding casing will separate the rooms but not disrupt the flow between the two. When picking a casing, it’s best to avoid an option that lies too flatly to the wall. Instead, opt for an option with a width that is a little smaller than normal and a little deeper in profile for an unexpected flare of drama.

In addition to looking good, casing also protects the corners of the wall against damage from every day accidents.

Crown Molding:  The counter to a baseboard, this type of molding runs just under the ceiling. A five inch crown molding with a comparable baseboard will strengthen the overall look of the room. Because it naturally draws the eye up, it will also frame the rest of the decoration into a more unified experience.

Color Matters:  The color the molding is painted also has an impact. The trick is usually to keep molding the same color as the walls, but to select a different finish. Semi gloss enamel is a good choice to make. However, darker color walls work well with lighter colored molding because it adds contrast and added interest.

Details are important where interior decorating is involved, and one detail never to miss is the use of molding.  Iron River Construction provides home remodeling services in the Minneapolis and greater Minnesota area, and we pay attention to the details. 

Is your home a safe haven for your family?  This is especially important if you have small children.  Watching children grow is a great joy for parents, but ensuring safety can be a challenge.  All households with small children should have a gate to prevent them from wandering into the kitchen. These gates can be painted or stained to match the existing décor.

Storage Areas:  Cabinets and drawers pinch little fingers when they close unexpectedly. Options are available to make a drawer close more slowly, like the Soft Action Drawer Close System by Merillat. Another option is to install automatic closing slides, which prevent a drawer from bouncing open again once it’s shut.

Both cabinet doors and drawers must be equipped with internal locking devices.

Electrocution:  According to the 911 Infobook, children between the ages of one and four make up 86 percent of electrocution injuries. These injuries usually happen at meal time, likely because the safety covers aren’t on electric sockets. Installing self-closing covers is a good choice, because they close automatically.

Other safety measures include:

• Keeping electric cords out of children’s reach
• Installing a slide-out drawer for appliances with recessed power strip

Cooking Safety:  Many burns happen when the child pulls hot food or liquid on top of themselves when tugging on a table cloth. Use skid resistant place mats small enough not to hang over the edge of the table instead.

When cooking on the stove, always turn the long handles of pots and pans toward a wall to prevent accidents.

Appliance Features:  Glass top stoves are an ideal option because the there’s no fire involved. Many also have warning lights for when the surface is hot. Use the stove guards as well to prevent your kids from reaching onto the stove.

Ovens with knobs toward the back of the unit are an ideal choice when shopping for appliances. If you can’t find one, purchase knob covers to use. Because oven doors can heat up during cooking, look for the Cool-Touch option. If your oven doesn’t already have a lock, buy a separate lock to keep kids from exploring.

An easily forgotten rule is to avoid keeping goodies by appliances or above the stove.

Through using these tips and common sense the kitchen will become safer for the entire family.  We at Iron River Construction want your home to be a safe and enjoyable retreat for you and your loved ones.   If you’ve got some home improvement ideas on your mind and need a little advice, give us a call. 

Bathroom remodels are one of the most popular home improvement projects.  If your budget doesn’t allow for a complete bathroom re-do this year, consider some redecorating to give it a fresh new look.  Although many people don’t think of  bathroom decoration as being quite as important as the places like the living room, it’s still one of the most used rooms in the home. Beautifying your bathroom can offer a guest with a better impression of your overall home.  Because the bathroom is usually small, redecorating can be easy and inexpensive.

Paint:  By adding a different color to the walls, you can change the entire mood of the room. Lighter colors can make a small space look bigger, while brighter colors add a shot of energy every time someone walks in.

Organization:  Clutter is often a problem in bathrooms, since they store so much of what we use for day-to-day hygiene, but there are many creative options available for storage. Serving trays can be used under the vanity for rarely-used toiletries, and baskets are great for storing spare towels, toilet paper, or cleaning supplies. Bath and hand towels can serve as decoration, too, through the use of strategically-placed hooks instead of the usual towel bars.

Style and Utility:  Small bathrooms can be a challenge to allow for both function and fashion. Shower curtains can provide a splash of color while keeping water splashes in the tub. Even fabric shower curtains are an option with the assistance of plastic liners. Bath mats come in a variety of colors and shapes, making it simple to spruce the floor up while providing water absorption and warmth for bare feet. Coordinated towels add a final touch, especially since they’ll be used almost every time someone uses the room.

Aroma:  The scent of a room goes a long way towards its overall feel.  A pleasant aroma will be a nice surprise for guests.  You have a wide range of choices, from pug-ins to scented crystals to diffused oils.

With a little extra effort, this small room can be a source of comfort or refreshment to guest and homeowner alike.  At Iron River Construction, we’re interested in helping Minnesota homeowners get more enjoyment out of their homes.