How to Paint Like a Pro: Tips for Amateurs

If you're a typical DIYer, you've probably decided, at some point in your life, that some room in your house could do with a new paint job. If you decide to leave the paint color the same, all you have to worry about are things like taping and moldings and windowpanes. You know, the easy stuff. But what if you want to change the color? Then what? Now you're getting into the murky realm of Interior Decorating, where people get degrees to tell them when, if ever, it's okay to put blue and purple in the same room. (True blue and royal purple, for example, should never go in the same room. But powder blue or baby blue look very nice with a soft lavendar...) First off, it's important to know the basics. There are four basic color groups that you'll want to worry about when painting; neutrals, brights, pastels, and earth tones. (Arguably, there are other color groups as well, such as Neons or Metallics. But we're hoping you won't be using those to paint your walls...)

Neutrals are colors like tan, camel, brown, coffee, bone, ivory, etc.; colors that go with almost everything and that can be used as a backdrop when you don't want something to stand out. Neutrals are good choices for rooms that have a lot of interest in the decor or the furnishings. Museums, for example, generally choose neutrals for their walls; the point is to showcase the paintings, not the walls. Similarly, rooms that have collections in them, or rooms where the furnishings or some other aspect of the room is meant to be the focal point, neutrals are a good, safe color. If you're not entirely sure what you're doing, pick a nice neutral and run with it. It's very hard to come out wrong with a neutral.

Brights are the opposite. Where neutrals practically create their own background and fade into it, brights stand up and scream "Look at me!". Brights are used VERY rarely as a wall color, no matter what you might see on Trading Spaces, and when you do use them, you have to be absolutely positive that the rest of the room--right down to the shape and size of the room--are going to harmonize with them. Brights include colors like true red, lemon yellow, orange of almost any shade (there is one exception; we'll get to that in a moment), royal purple, and deep blue. Brights should never be used together unless you have a specific look you're going for, usually one of dissonance or discordance, and you really know what you're doing. This is the reason, for example, people say "You should never use red and pink together" or "you should never use blue and purple together." In their true form, these colors are brights, and their natural inclination is to clash.



The Importance of Professionally-Installed Electrical Upgrades

1. Wiring
A home's wiring is at the heart of the electrical system. The wiring provides electricity to appliances and other household items that require electricity to function. Old wiring wears out, leading to potential shorts in the system and creating a fire hazard. Wiring that is too old can also fail to deliver the correct amount of energy to appliances, resulting in sub-par performance of any device drawing on the home's supply of electricity. The failure of old wiring to deliver electricity efficiently also leads to an increased energy consumption, and an increased cost to the homeowner. A professional electrician will evaluate a home's existing wiring, looking for any deficiencies in performance or capacity. The professional licensed contractor will upgrade the home's wiring safely, ensuring that the new wiring is sufficient to meets the needs of the home, is installed in a safe manner, and is in compliance with all safety codes and regulations.

2. Plugs
Electrical outlets or plugs provide a source for the homeowner to tap into the home's electrical system. Because the plug is the point of user contact, safe, up-to-date plugs are of the utmost importance. Old plugs become worn and loose, resulting in a poor fit between the cord and the plug. This poor fit can leave a gap between the cord and the wall that is dangerous, especially in homes with small children. The metal between the cord and the wall plug should never be exposed. Plugs that are old or not properly installed are also inefficient, and can produce heat as a result of poorly-used electricity, creating a fire hazard. A professional electrician can evaluate the existing plugs in a home and replace those that have become dangerous. The professional electrician will upgrade the existing plugs in a skilled manner, ensuring that each plug is properly installed and presents no danger to the occupants of the home.

3. Electrical Panels
An electrical panel distributes electricity to the circuits within a home. Older panels may not be able to meet the home's needs, particularly if renovations or new additions have been made. Signs that an electrical panel may be insufficient include flickering lights, repeated tripping of breakers, and a frequent need for new fuses in older-style panels. Many existing homes have 60 or 100 amp panels. The demands of the modern home, however, often require state-of-the-art 200 amp electrical panels. A professional electrician can determine a home's electrical needs and ensure that a suitable panel upgrade is made. If a new panel is needed, the electrician will install one safely, and in compliance with applicable codes and regulations. A professional electrician should be consulted before making major renovations or additions to a home, so that an appropriate electrical panel can be put in place before the work begins.

4. Attic Fans
Attic fans can be a key component of a home's energy efficiency program. Attic fans pull air from within the house, pushing it outside. During warm parts of the year, this reduces the load on the air conditioner, reducing energy costs and maintaining a cooler environment. Upstairs temperatures may be reduced as much as ten degrees, and the load on the home's air conditioner may drop by thirty percent. During cold times, attic fans can help circulate warm air and also vent potentially dangerous gases from home heating appliances. Attic fans also keep the attic dry and increase the life span of the roof, framing, insulation, and other components of the home. A professional electrician can choose the right attic fan for a home and ensure that it is properly installed, both in terms of electrical safety and for creating efficient air flow in the home. The professional electrician will also make sure that the attic fan is well-supported within the attic, and that it vents properly to the outside environment.



Profitable Home Improvement Projects

1. Plumbing and Electrical Repairs Average Plumbing Cost per Leak: $175.78 Average Electrical Cost per Outlet: $209.51 ROI: 260%

A lot of homeowners tend to invest money on improvement projects that add aesthetic appeal to their homes. They tend to overlook that putting money into updating functionalities such as plumbing and electrical systems in the home can actually yield an average 260% ROI for American homes.

Think that a leak, no matter how small, has the power to pull your home's cost down when you put-off repairs. The same goes for faulty electrical wiring. It can put your family's life in danger too. Updating your plumbing and electrical systems will not only bolster your home’s equity, it also helps save on maintenance costs. For instance, repairing leaks helps conserve water. It also helps keep the home sanitary.

While plumbing repairs normally consist of fixing leaks and replacing pipes, they are actually done as part of landscaping, bathroom remodeling, and kitchen renovation projects. When pipe insulation wears off, it may also require plumbing services. Installation of mounted lighting fixtures, wiring for appliance updates, and installation of electrical systems in new rooms in the house typically count towards electrical repair and maintenance tasks.


2. Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling Average cost of Kitchen Remodeling: $27,000 Average cost of Bathroom Remodeling: $17,500 ROI: 168%

The value of a home has a lot to do with the condition of its bathrooms and kitchen. Whether you'll resell or put your home up for rent in the future, you can expect your prospects to scrutinize the condition of these areas.

Check these facets of these areas of your home: Electrical systems, lighting, and appliances (if any) Plumbing systems for sanitation Convenience and ergonomics especially in the kitchen

Here’s a tip: make the most of the home improvement crew for your renovation project. Grab this chance to have them check on the condition of your plumbing and electrical system. If any amount of repair is needed, you can be sure to have a discount in services fees if you'll have the same kitchen and/or bathroom renovation crew work on the plumbing and/or electrical repair. Kitchen remodeling is often undertaken to improve working space and storage. Re-flooring, countertop work, and upgrades or repairs of kitchen appliances are also included in the scope of the project. Bathroom remodeling normally entails bath tub scrubbing or re-coloring or replacement, installation of modern pedestal sinks and fixtures, repainting, re-installation of bathroom tiles and maintenance or repairs in plumbing and lighting.



Residential Membrane Roof Installation

In years past, having a flat roof on a home was a disaster waiting to happen. The chances of keeping a flat roof from leaking, especially in places where significant winter snow is common, was nil.

That all changed with the advent of residential membrane roofs.

A membrane is a large sheet of EPDM rubber (short for ethylene propylene diene monomer), formulated to be resistant to the sun's ultraviolet rays. A membrane roof is relatively simple to install and is impervious to water in ways that more typical residential applications, such as roll or selvage edge roofing, are not. This has lead to the resurgence of the flat roof as a viable design characteristic for residential construction.

The typical membrane used for residential applications is 45 mils thick, most commonly black, but also available in white.

A flat roof is actually not flat. There has to be some pitch,no matter how slight, or the water cannot drain. This pitch can be so slight as to be non-existent for all practical purposes. Pitch can either be built in when the roof is framed, which would be common in new residential construction, or can be added with a shaped insulating underlayment, as is done in commercial applications.

The first step in the installation of a membrane in a residential application involves applying some sort of cushioning base to the roof deck. This could be an insulation board or a fiberboard sheathing material. There should be a minimum slope of 1/2" in 12" to prevent water ponding. The underlayment board is fastened down with plastic or metal washer nails which are then covered with adhesive rubber patches to prevent damage to the rubber membrane.

The roof surface is swept clear and then a specially formulated contact cement is applied to both surfaces and allowed to dry to the touch. The next step may well be the trickiest of the application process. The membrane must be carefully applied to the surface. As with all contact cements, once the two surfaces have touched they are nearly impossible to reposition. A roller is then used to press the membrane to make sure that uniform contact is achieved.