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    Breakdown of 7 Materials for Driveway Surface

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    Breakdown of 7 materials for driveway surface
    What type of driveway material is better for your home.

    Each building has some sort of driveway or at least should have. The main reason is for vehicles to come closer without need to walk all the way. Some homes are residential with small driveway for their car to come in and park before garage or front entrance, and others can be large commercial buildings with loading docks, delivery entrances and casual parking entrances.

    On Point Remodeling was asked for suggestions on residential driveway for new home construction, and we decided to write detailed article for all our readers. Using this guide you can select the material for your driveway and see what works for your budget.

    Here are the materials for driveway we will be discussing in our guide:

    • Asphalt
    • Concrete
    • Paver Stone
    • Crushed Stone
    • Brick
    • Seashell
    • Gravel

    To find good contractor for your driveway, you can either ask our team by email or try to find someone local that worked with neighbors or nearby buildings.

    Installation process of any material surface on your driveway

    a) Demolition and Excavation – Before anything is done, your contractor will get heavy machinery and scratch off old layer of driveway. They need to go down at least 5-6 inches to insure proper layering before your final layer of material is installed.

    b) Material Purchase and Delivery – At this point your contract is signed and you already know how the surface will look. Contracting company purchases necessary materials and delivers them to site. Double check if material is correct and not damaged.

    c) Preparation of Sublevel – Whatever you place as final material, it cannot just be installed directly on top soil. Gravel is the first choice of material that goes down at this stage. Other preferred material is screen sand that can go on top of gravel and works better with stone and bricks.

    d) Compaction of Ground – To prevent your driveway from moving and changing shapes, all the layers from bottom up have to be properly compacted. Do not leave any spot untouched while doing this or you can get small holes and cracks in driveway after installation.

    E) Final Installation – This is when all the magic happens. After all preparations and dirty work the final installation is made literally within hours and you can enjoy new driveway. Stone and brick is set up by hand, while other materials for driveway require some sort of machinery with manual labor to even out surface.

    1. Asphalt

    Probably the most used material for road top surfaces as well as driveways is asphalt. This is a mix of gravel and sand that is mixed in and combined by asphalt cement with crude oil.

    Pros of Asphalt Driveway

    • Very popular and easy to find materials/contractor
    • Completed in 1 day and you can drive on it after
    • Patches and small holes can be fixed fast

    Cons of Asphalt Driveway

    • Easy to damage and cracks appear in few years
    • Almost everyone else has same surface
    • Oily surface and chemicals used in mix

    Prepared for asphalt driveway will cost you around $5 per square foot to finish. The contractors that take care of entire process from taking out old driveway surface, install subsurface and compact the ground with new asphalt on top, will charge on average $5500 per regular size driveway at single home property.

    2. Concrete Materials for Driveway

    What we call concrete is a mixture of Portland cement, aggregate as well as sand with gravel. Suggested thickness of concrete for driveway is 6 inches. The mixture needs to cure without being touched or driven on top for several days.

    Pros of Concrete Driveway

    • Durable material for large weights
    • Long lifespan if installed properly
    • Winter and summer friendly

    Cons of Concrete Driveway

    • Has marks and stains over time
    • Hard to repair without replacement
    • Super hard to DIY

    To hire contractors for concrete driveway materials it will cost around $7-$9 per square foot. This will include site preparation with gravel spread and new concrete installation. They will order full truck of concrete (or several for larger driveways) to pour inside forming. Smoothening and curing is required after installation.

    3. Paver Stone Driveway Materials

    Paver stone driveway pros and cons
    Level line for installation of paver driveway.

    The most luxurious material that you can use to create driveway path with is paver stone. It is made out of natural stone with uneven rough shapes that have different line patterns. Paver stones are very heavy and are perfect for weights on top of them. Almost every city in Europe has roads and walks made out of stone that were installed centuries ago.

    Pros of Paver Stone Driveway

    • Creative designs can be done
    • Personal looks, can match the house
    • Can replace single stone in minutes

    Cons of Paver Stone Driveway

    • Weeds growing through
    • Stone can move over time
    • Most expensive material

    There is wide selection of stone that can be purchased for your driveway. On average we recommend settling with $17-$20 per square foot for stone with installation included. Working with this material is very intense labor and we recommend hiring professionals that do this type of work every day.

    4. Crushed Stone Driveway and Walkway

    Our readers sometimes mistake crushed stone with gravel, but this is not the same material. Crushed stone material is achieved when machine is mechanically crushing larger pieces of unused stone for this specific purpose. It is larger than gravel and can have smooth finish. Crushed stone can also have a mix of colors, which is much pleasant to eyes than gravel.

    Pros of Crushed Stone Driveway

    • Low maintenance required
    • Fits rural area style
    • Can be reused for other purposes

    Cons of Crushed Stone Driveway

    • Gets very hot during summer
    • Can be messy after many drives
    • Hard to remove snow and ice

    Buying crushed stone and installing it on your driveway is as easy as it gets. Similar to other rough materials for Driveway discussed in this post, only small tools like shovels, dolly and buckets are required to spread it on the road. The cost of crushed stone driveway is between $4 and $6 per square foot from professional local contractors that can finish the job in several days.

    5. Brick

    The same brick we see being used in wall construction can be installed as top driveway surface. Brick is manufactured by compressing clay with plastic mass. It is heated to extreme temperature and dried up to become as solid as you know it.

    Pros of Brick Driveway

    • Variety of selections in shapes and shades
    • Bricks are recyclable
    • Slip resistant with rough top part

    Cons of Brick Driveway

    • Needs regular maintenance
    • Change color over time
    • Old fashion looking

    Installing brick on driveway costs $10 per square foot, which is not too far from masonry brick laying as part of the wall. To save money you can use or purchase old brick, that was part of a wall before. Do not mix these two jobs and contact landscaping professionals instead of masonry contractors that work with bricks.

    6. Seashell

    Rare seashell drivway surface
    House walkway and care driveway with seashells.

    This material is popular on the coast line where shells can be found near the water. Construction companies use seashells to add in other materials as well as spread them on driveway in rough condition, without adding anything else. It usually comes in white or pearl color and darkens within year because of mixing with sand and dirt.

    Pros of Seashell Driveway

    • Environmentally friendly
    • Has natural drainage
    • Creates worm vibe of beach house

    Cons of Seashell Driveway

    • Break and crack under light weight
    • Sharp and very hard to walk on
    • Gets stuck in shoes and tires

    To deliver and spread seashells on driveways costs below $4, which is only slightly more expensive than rough gravel. As you go further from coast line, cost of material increases due to delivery. This material is elegant and very soft. We recommend adding edge lines with darker color landscape material to create visual path.

    7. Gravel

    Rough gravel driveway for home
    Simple gravel driveway in rural home.

    This material is used in other construction mixes and underlayment systems. It’s literally fragments and small crushed stones that are put on top of soil. It is easily spread out by hands and anyone can do it.

    Pros of Gravel Driveway

    • Cheapest of them all
    • Easy DIY Job
    • Can install another material on top

    Cons of Gravel Driveway

    • Needs to be graded very often
    • Will mix with dirt and leaves
    • Washes up with heavy rains

    It is rough material and can be purchased in bulk (by metric tons or cubic meters). The cost of driveway with gravel should not exceed $3 per square foot, but you can save tons of money by purchasing materials for driveway and doings installation by yourself. You do not require specific tools or heavy equipment for the job and delivery of gravel can be arranged directly to your project.

    Conclusion – Materials for Driveway Surface

    To properly finish any and all of these driveways requires skills and experience. There is no way you can complete any of these projects without heavy equipment and tools that regular home owner’s just store in their garages.

    Most of those who will read this post will prefer to install asphalt driveway, because of its popularity and low costs. We want to encourage home owners to go for personal preference and what matches your house, rather than getting the most affordable and popular items.

    Driveway jobs have to be completed fast; otherwise you will need to park elsewhere while the project is running. To not overpay, ask us for quotation sample on material you prefer in specific region where the work need to be done and our team can provide some numbers.

    11 Steps in Adding a Garage to a House with Costs

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    11 steps in adding a garage to a house with costs
    For home owners who want to add garage to home.

    Many older homes were built without garage. While some areas in parts of cities become more expensive and attractive for living, home owners of older houses may be interested in upgrades and addition of new garage for their cars.

    It may be any size and style of garage, but the process is relatively similar. On Point Remodeling will share past experience on how to add garage for your home with relative costs associated. We base everything on national average and some regions may not match the costs or even materials used in process.

    Here are the steps in adding a garage to a house:

    • Demolition of Anything on the Way
    • Excavation of the Area
    • Footings and Concrete Slab
    • Foundation/Structural Walls
    • Roof and Gutters
    • Doors/windows with Hardware
    • Electrical Connections and Wiring
    • Plumbing Lines
    • Insulation for Walls and Ceiling
    • Finishing details
    • Outside finishes

    On Point Remodeling can suggest contractors in your area for building new garage and share where you can purchase all materials with discounts.

    1. Demo Before Adding a Garage to a House

    To start you need to clear off the area. If there is a shed or any structure on the way, you will need to demolish it. Most likely you can get away with demolishing it by yourself, unless it is a heave structure that requires machinery.

    Bin disposal is absolutely necessary for waste and garbage from demolition. Expect to spend several hundred dollars for demo bin and disposal charges.

    If you decided to do it by yourself, we recommend using right tools and all safety precautions. Demolition is one of the most dangerous types of work in construction and if you get injured at this stage you garage will not be build any time soon.

    2. Excavation of the area

    You will definitely need to do some digging for new garage to be added. The idea is to have the base of garage sit under ground for more stability. Footing or sometimes foundation is needed for garage structure to be built on.

    Depending on size of garage adding to a house you may choose to excavate it by hand with shower or by an excavator. If the addition is not huge and you have tons of time on weekend and evenings you may do it slowly but surely by yourself and saving some money.

    To rent an excavator it will cost you up to $500 for day and you do not need more than several hours if you know what you are doing. Now the dirt has to go somewhere, so the bin with dirt disposal cost $300-$500.

    3. Footings and concrete slab

    Entire load / weight of the garage will be based on concrete structure. Just like a house or commercial building, garage has the same idea of construction.

    Before concrete is poured, municipal inspector will be required and check the excavated or formed properly. Architect or engineer will usually create a plan for the size of footing to be able to hold garage structure. In some cases rebars may be needed to make the concrete stronger and withstand heavier garages.

    Concrete slab is poured either at the same time or after the footings. Make sure to tamper soil underneath slab and add few inches of crushed stone or gravel.

    The cost of concrete work with forming is approximately $10-$12 per square foot, but will obviously vary on size, region and complexity of work.

    4. Foundation/Structural Walls

    Just like the residential and commercial buildings, garages may be constructed from different materials. Usually you would match what your home is made of. If your house has wooden walls, than it makes sense to do garage from wood as well.

    The most popular and cheapest way of building or adding a garage to a house is with wood frame. If you are attaching it to existing house, you would have at least 1 shared wall already and just need to   about 3 others.

    Framing walls of garage addition
    Construction and framing of new garage to the house.

    With proper architectural drawings, lumber suppliers can provide take off with exact material and cost. We suggest saving money and time by going directly to lumber suppliers.

    Structure walls and framing will cost you somewhere from $15 to $20 per square foot of added garage.

    5. Roof and Gutters

    First thing to decide about roof on top of your new garage is if it will be flat or sloped. With flat roof the only option you have to finish roof is with layer of asphalt. Sloped roofs have many different material options.

    Gutters and downspouts are added to garage to collect and redirect water from rains. They are made of aluminum as basic selection material and can be made from luxury materials like cupper and steel.

    Flat roofs can be done for $7-8 per square foot. But don’t be surplice if the cost is higher, only because the overall size of the room is small and roofers charge a minimum amount for day of work.

    Shingles on sloped roof cost approximately $6-7 per square foot, and do not forget to measure sloped sides (not floor square footage) and overhang on sides.

    Luxury materials roofing like cedar and standing seam metal start from $15 per square foot and go up to $30 or even higher.

    6. Doors and Windows with Hardware

    First thing that comes to mind when you talk about garage is the automatic door for car. Besides that there may be a side entrance door when adding a garage to a house or walk in door in between.

    Windows may be added on side of garage or on top of roll up door for more lighting inside. If you choose to install a window we suggest doing it on higher level for safety reasons for others not to see what you store in your new garage. Same goes for the side door. Make it solid door without any glass.

    Simple exterior door in garage would cost you around $500-$1000 with installation. Single car garage door should cost between $2000 and $3000 with installation and mechanism. Double car garage door will cost around $5000.

    7. Electrical Connections and Wiring

    There are many features in new garages that require electrical connection. It can be simple light switch or connection to garage door mechanism or even electrical car charger station.

    It is much simpler to run power lines to garage that is added on the side or back of the house. For detached garage you may need to dig a trench or set up a pole for wire to run. Detached garage could also require sub panel for all the electricity away from the house.

    Electrical work in attached garage can cost up to thousand dollars, while in detached garage you are looking to spend several thousand dollars for connection and all extra work to run lines.

    8. Plumbing Lines

    You would not need plumbing lines in garage for most of the times, but when you do the cost will depend garage being attached or detached. Similar to electrical lines, water has to be run underground in a trench.

    Three reasons to add water lines in garage are: sprinkler system for fire; water hose for washing the car and other surfaces; sink with water faucet for washing hands or anything else inside the sink. If your garage is sloped properly you would not need a drain line, unless you install a sink.

    The cost of running the water and drain lines by professional company will be close to $500 – $700 per point and count extras for digging trench in detached garages.

    9. Insulation for Walls and Ceiling

    To keep your garage warm at all times, the addition process includes installing layer of insulation in the walls and ceiling. If the garage will be part of the building the bylaw may have different R value requirements than detached garage.

    There are methods to insulate and ever heat up the concrete floor in garage, but they are very costly and not being done in average garage addition.

    For batt and cellulose blown in insulation the costs to install will be between $1 and $2 per square foot of wall or ceiling.

    Spray foam insulation much more expensive and costs from $3 to $5 per square foot of wall.

    10. Interior Finishing

    You have several options of how to finish the garage walls and floor from inside. Often enough we see that builders of cheaper homes and subdivisions do not even finish inside of garage.

    On Point Remodeling strongly recommends completing inside walls for practical purposes and overall looks. This includes installing drywall on walls and ceiling, paining everything and adding touches like casings, proper lights or even polishing concrete floor.

    Interior finishes of new garage attached to home
    Complete and finished garage interior.

    For simple interior finishes in garage you will be spending up to $10 per square foot. See more of our articles on what can you add to garage to upgrade the looks.

    11. Exterior Finishes

    Just because the walls are up, it does not that garage is finished on the outside. The options are endless and can be done with similar materials as house exterior.

    The most obvious decision for exterior finish materials to use something you already have on the house to match the style or to use something cheap like stucco or siding panels. In different regions materials are selected as per weather conditions throughout the year.

    Suggested cost for exterior finishes of on garage addition is somewhere close to $8 for stucco or siding panels and $14-$17 for materials like brick and stone veneer.

    Conclusion for Adding Garage to a House Cost Guide

    Home owners are often surprised with total costs of adding a garage to their home. It has to do more with not knowing all the steps in the process of addition. The construct and finish new garage it can easily come up to $40,000 – $50,000, but some people are not ready to spend that much money.

    Be sure to hire professional and trusted contractor as the project can easily spiral downwards if one of the above mentioned stages goes wrong.

    10 Ways How Nature Can Affect Construction Project

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    10 ways nature can affect construciton project
    Nature earthquake destroys concrete bridge and road.

    Construction is extremely hard process to put plate and finish exactly what you wanted how you wanted. If you have found the perfect building that will complete your remodeling or new construction in time and within budget, there are still few things to consider.

    Besides process that you can control, we will be discussing situations that we can only prepare for to the best of our abilities. Nature cannot be controlled by humans and it can either help you with construction or make it all a nightmare.

    Here are few things that On Point Remodeling team wants to want home owners about:

    • Trees and roots
    • Bushes
    • Elevations
    • Animals
    • Underground waters
    • Floods
    • Earth shakes
    • Soft soil
    • Cold weather
    • Hot weather

    While there is no way to control weather and nature, it can be easier to predict certain obstacles with experience. Our writers with local builders can help you construct without running out of money due to incidents that involve nature.

    1. Trees and Roots Expanding Towards Construction

    No matter where you go, there will be trees or some sort of roots on your property. Maybe not exactly where your home remodeling or construction is, but nearby trees can still cause problems.

    One of the problems is trees can be on the way where you want to build something. While in some areas and cities you can just get rid of the tree, other regions will require permit for removal.

    Other problem with trees is their roots that can go under your driveway, into foundation and even drain pipes. To deal with the problem prior to planning we recommend inspecting the area and analyzing nearby trees with potential size of their roots.

    Different materials can be used to protect from roots penetrating surfaces. There are ways to live in contrast with nature and saving wildlife around you.

    2. Bushes That are on the Way

    Small or large bushes can be on your way as well as trees. They do not create much of damage, but rather inconvenience. If some bushes are on the property before you start remodeling or addition you can easily cut them down and remove from lot.

    In long process of construction that drags for months and sometimes years, bushes may grow during the process and trades that are on site do not want to deal with it. You just have to all the service or remove them by yourself. It should not cost a lot. With few hundred dollars bushes can be cut and processed.

    Very inconvenient situation when large bush is split in the middle by property line from your neighbor. What do you do in this situation? Your neighbor has been enjoying nicely cut leaves or flowers for many years and you want to get rid of it, but don’t want to compromise relationship with neighbor.

    3. Elevations from Flat to Steep

    Dangerous elevation to build on
    House built on rocks with complicated elevation.

    It’s obvious that perfect house lot for construction is flat with stable soil, but what happens when that is not the case.

    To hold the house you need the load to be spread out on points that are stable in the ground with appropriate footings. In other words your construction will have concrete foundation or footings that hold either walls or posts that support the home.

    Many cities in Europe and Asia are built on sloped hills or mountains with rocky and stone ground base. It’s not ideal, but there are ways to get it done in all types of elevations.

    4. Animals Coming Inside

    No matter where in the world you start your home construction, there will be some sort of wild life around.

    There will be animals that would love to move in with you into new home, and we assume that your family or workers that are in mid process of building are not going to be happy about that.

    In cold and moist areas you can get birds nesting, racoons and squirrels looking for shelter. Hotter areas can attract animals for shade and cooling down from hot sand. You can get snakes, scorpions, birds and other local animals.

    In situations with animals and birds ending up on your construction project, we recommend calling animal control for proper removal. It should not cost more than several hundred dollars.

    5. Underground Waters

    One of the most devastating situations in construction process is to find out you have underground water after excavation. You definitely do not want your base of home sitting on pile of water. It will penetrate and come inside through concrete, blocks, bricks and any other material.

    We strongly suggest doing geotechnical soil testing before you confirm all details of construction project. This will show the stability and type of soil as well as any underground water present.

    These soil tests can cost several thousand dollars for average home lot. There are ways to divert underground streams or to drill support piles deep down to support construction, but it may cost tens of thousand dollars.

    6. Floods from Rains and Overflows

    Floods from overflow of lake
    Large house destroyed by overflown lake.

    Natural disasters scare us the most as they are unpredictable and very dangerous. One of them that cause remodeling or construction problems is a flood. It can happen almost anywhere in the world if you are on flat surface. Obviously home that are built on top of hills can only get heavily rained on.

    The water can come from overflowing rivers and lakes, city water or drain lines, from mountains or elevated hills, and hurricanes with tons of rain.

    The only way to prevent floods is to choose most raised level of your property for construction and avoid building under a hill or very close to water line. We feel for those who are unfortunate with devastating losses due to natural disasters.

    7. Earthquakes

    This is one of the rarest construction disruptions that builders and home owners experience. Earthquakes are relatively small in America, but they do happen from time to time in some areas.

    Small earthquakes will not destroy your house, but rather cause damage to improperly secured materials and some parts of the building. For example vanity or kitchen may detach from the wall and fall down.

    Modern construction methods with reinforced concrete and proper metal used to bounce of the load has been progressing through the years to prevent houses from falling down.

    In areas that are known for earthquakes we recommend always putting extra support in load bearing walls, fastening all furniture and fixtures with tight screws and ties.

    8. Soft Soil at the Bottom of Construction

    Just like underground waters, the soft soil can be found during the excavation for the foundation of your new construction. Imagine how sandy ground is going to withstand the entire load of your construction home without moving or sinking through the ground.

    There are ways to work any type of soil, as you can imagine massive cities like Dubai are built on deserts with only sand. In softer soil you can drill holes very deep and pour concrete right down to hold the base of house like on big legs.

    On Point Remodeling recommends performing soil test before excavation to avoid surprises and unexpected expenses.

    9. Cold Weather Temperatures

    In states and regions with cold weather we have to be careful with timing and speed of construction. Most of the materials we use are sensitive to temperature and moisture.

    If your city has winter with snow and cold temperatures for at least few months per year, we recommend starting and finishing the outer box of the house before temperature drops.

    Extreme cold temperatures for cosntruciton project
    Workers trying to complete project in extreme cold.

    With core of home being done and enclosed with proper heating system, you can easily continue going at it through the winter, but be careful with temperature control and deliveries.

    We do not recommend framing or doing concrete work during the winter because it may ruin the materials and compromise the house structure.

    10. Hot Weather and Humidity

    Building home or any other construction in hot weather conditions is not a walk in a park. While most materials cannot be damaged, some definitely can. Be very careful with wood and MDF products.

    Everything that is made out of wood or manufactured wood looking materials can react to warm weather and humidity. This goes for floors, cabinets, doors, baseboards and even furniture.

    While materials can be damaged with expansion, the most significant cost related affect is actual work. It is very difficult and even dangerous to work when it gets hot. We recommend following local health and safety recommendations for all constructions. If you are involved in work outside, make sure to take breaks and always stay hydrated.

    Conclusion

    Nature is our friend but can cause serious damage and delays in construction process. We feel obligated to warn all our readers with potential issues that can be caused by nature and temperature.

    There are certain things and costly situations you can avoid with tests and professional experience, but some situations cannot be controlled and only carefully dealt with.

    For suggestions on who to use as a builder in your area contact On Point Remodeling team and we will be glad to help with the best candidate for the job.

    8 Types of Fences with Styles That are Popular Today

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    8 types of fences that are popular now
    Read about 8 types of fences with pros and cons.

    On Point Remodeling has decided to gather information on 8 types of fences you can install inside or outside of your home with comparison in prices, installation and other components.

    We had requests from our subscribed visitors to discuss options of fences for backyard separations and how much the costs area. After some research we came up with 8 most popular types of fences installed on backyard, in front of the house and inside.

    Here are the types of fences we will be discussing and comparing:

    • Wood Fence
    • Metal Fence
    • Glass Panel Fence
    • Concrete Fence
    • Aluminum Fence
    • PVC Fence
    • Vinyl Fence
    • Trees and bushes

    If you are looking for material supplier or contractor to install your new fence, our team can help you find reliable and cost effective solution in your area. Contact On Point Remodeling by email for more information or write to use through social media messaging.

    1. Wood Fence

    There are many types of wood you can use for fencing inside and outside of your home. It can be bamboo, hickory, maple or anything else that sells in your region but two most popular options are pressure treated wood and cedar.

    Pros:

    1. The most common type of material for fencing is wood because it is easy to work with. It does not require very tons of skills and the best material for DIY Project.
    2. Pressure treated wood is one of the most affordable materials to use for your fence. It will not break your pockets like different types of fences could.

    Cons:

    1. Wood has the smallest lifespan out of all materials. Expect your fence to be in good condition for 15 years. After that the weather will help it come closer to its serving time expectancy. Covering fence with exterior paint or stain will expend the time of use.
    2. Maintenance is needed when you make your fence with wood. Constant chip offs and fading in time can be maintained with new painting or staining.

    Cost: Pressure treated wood fence costs between $35 and $55 per linear foot. Cedar planks fence costs exactly the same for installation but materials will run 30% more.

    2. Metal/Iron Fence

    We see more and more popular exterior property fence made with iron. Luxury homes tend to customize their metal surrounding and top spikes. It is definitely not for everyone, but we definitely recommend exploring the option of metal fence if your budget allows.

    Pros:

    1. When you select metal as material for your new fence you think lifetime. If properly maintained with rustproof you can have it there literally for almost a century.
    2. The iron work can get very custom and unique. Yes we understand that any material can have different layouts and patterns but with metal you can make something extraordinary that no one else has.

    Cons:

    1. This types of fences is very delicate and custom work, therefore the biggest downside of it is the cost. It is one of the most expensive selections that are on our list of materials.
    2. Time of production and installation is very time consuming for metal fence. For average around the house metal fence you are looking at least 4-5 weeks manufacturing and several weeks to install.

    Cost: up to $40 per foot for chain link metal types of fence. Purchased metal fence is $60-$70 per linear foot with installation. Custom iron fence starts from $120-$160 per linear foot.

    3. Glass Panel Types of Fences

    Glass fence installed at home
    Sleek looking modern glass fence.

    Another popular material for fences in expensive homes is glass. There are fences that you can purchase and install by yourself with little effort, but in most situations it requires custom manufacturing and installation by professional contractor.

    Pros:

    1. Glass fence is very modern and stylish. It creates open concept look and makes the property look bigger than it actually is. If you want to modernize and remodel you place, than glass separation or fence will be on your list of upgrades.
    2. Another benefit of glass material being used in new fence is that it doesn’t block pretty views. There are homes with tremendous views that you just want to keep by all means. It includes homes by water, on top of hill and other properties with astonishing view.

    Cons:

    1. Even toughest glass is fragile. There is tempered glass that is much stronger, but it is still far away in strength comparing to metal or concrete fence. We suggest using it as separation within your property or inside home.
    2. Cleaning issues with glass has always been there. The main purpose of glass fence is to be see-through and with little dirt or dust it ruins entire look. Glass fence requires constant cleaning to make it look perfect all the time.

    Cost: Glass being very expensive in manufacturing for fence and installation has the cost of $200 per linear foot. It also depends on size of it and specific features added (tempered, blasted, frosted)

    4. Concrete Fence

    In southern regions On Point Remodeling team sees more home owners lean towards their fences being constructed from concrete. Mostly because everything else is made of concrete and it withstands temperatures similar to actual house next to the fence.

    Pros:

    1. Unlike other fences, concrete structure creates complete privacy with possible safety features on top. There is no person that will be able to see through concrete fence and none should try to go over it.
    2. Benefit of concrete fence on your property is durability. You can literally hit it with a car and it will be somewhere intact. Concrete is very strong and you will have this fence standing for a very long time if it’s don’t properly.

    Cons:

    1. Making fence out of concrete is not cheap by any means. There are many stages in this process and they all cost tons of money. You need some sort of footing or foundation, concrete forming and pouring, finishing with details and painting
    2. Building and demolition complications definitely may have you rethink selecting this material. It is like a big construction process when building fence with concrete. If in future you will change your mind, taking it down will require tons of work and money.

    Cost: with all work that is required to build concrete fence the total costs can be as high as $150 per linear foot. This is based on fences and barriers that are at least 6-8 feet tall.

    5. Aluminum Fence

    Aluminum green fence structure
    Painted green – Aluminum fence example.

    We do not see much of custom fences with aluminum material. Usually its prebuilt sections of fence or standard pickets put together between posts. For those who want to build fence by yourself you can buy sections on amazon or at local home depot store.

    Pros:

    1. Good think about aluminum fence is rockability. This is what we call the ability to install such fence in many positions, ways and options that will be unique from similar product.
    2. On Point Remodeling team has done research on 8 types of fences and aluminum selection is very easy to install. Get the sections of aluminum fence with attached instructions for DIY projects at home.

    Cons:

    1. There will be no security or feeling of privacy with aluminum fence in your backyard. Even kids with ease can climb this fence. Aluminum pickets and posts are not thick and do not prevent from by walkers seeing through this barrier.
    2. This is definitely not your forever fence because it can be easily damaged. Aluminum bends without need of a lot of pressure. Just with your body weight you most likely can make dents on it.

    Cost: Aluminum material is known to be expensive, but because fences made of aluminum are hollow, the actual cost to install this types of fences is only $40 per linear foot

    6. Different PVC Types of Fence

    Just like few other fence materials, this comes in sections already premade or in parts to be assembled. They are available throughout the world and you can probably install it by yourself simply by watching youtube videos and following instructions. Many people confuse PVC fence with vinyl, but it actually is totally different material.

    Pros:

    1. We see PVC fencing everywhere. The benefit we wanted to underline is that it comes in many different styles, shapes and colors. Manufacturers have expended options they provide for home owners in most hardware stores.
    2. If you are trying to save money, but do need fence at home than PVC prebuilt fences are the right choice for you. Online stores should have options with free delivery to your door.

    Cons:

    1. Everyone knows that PVC is very weak material. You can damage it, scratch it, bend it or simply rip it apart if you really wanted to. Disadvantage of this type of fence is its durability.
    2. The looks of PVC fence are not the best and we put this as the biggest con for it. Simply because of its accessibility and affordable costs, you can spot PVC fence on properties that are on cheap side of the city.

    Cost: definitely the cheapest solution for building new fence with price tag of $10 – $15 per linear foot. Hardware stores that sell product can recommend installer for very low cost.

    7. Big Store Vinyl Types of Fences

    Vinyl fence set up at backyard
    Section built vinyl fence in white color.

    To satisfy the need of home owners to build different types of fences on budget, manufacturers came up with vinyl as the material to solve these problems. The material is not environmentally friendly by any means but it serves the purpose and does come with multiple options of styles and colors.

    Pros:

    1. Similar to wood material, vinyl fences are relatively cheap. For those home owners who are on tight budget, this fence may be a good match.
    2. Availability of this material is one of the greatest benefits. You can find prebuilt fences in almost every city now. You can buy it from Home Depot, Lowes or even online.

    Cons:

    1. Fences on the market with vinyl material are not the greatest for privacy purposes. They are more like separation barriers and railings.
    2. The appeal of this fence will look exactly for the money you spend. Vinyl fence is one of the least attractive from all the mentioned styles.

    Cost: similar to fence described above, vinyl products cost $20 – $30 per linear foot and can be purchased online as well. Hiring handyman or contractor to install vinyl fence will add several hundred dollars on top.

    8. Trees and bushes

    The cleverest and our suggested material to create a fence separation at your house is to build it with actual trees and bushes. If the purpose of fence for you is creating a barrier and separation that you cannot see through, it is easily achievable with large plants and trees.

    Pros:

    1. Instead of cutting trees to use for new fence, this method is the opposite and actually promotes helping our nature with planting more trees as parts of fence structure.
    2. Local bylaws could have restrictions on how high or wide your fence should be. When planting trees as a barrier or view separation on your backyard you will avoid all these restrictions and can do whatever you want.

    Cons:

    1. To make your entire fence or separation barrier from trees and bushes takes a long time. There are grown trees that you can purchase and plant as is, but in most situations they grow on your property into something larger to create fence like separation.
    2. In natural habitat ants and animals will be interested in your new fence. They may eat it; create nests there; casual visit from time to time for snacking on flowers or whatever grows on it.

    Cost: the range of fences made with actual trees and bushes is very high. It can be cheap bushes that cost to plan $50 – $100 ever 5 feet or so, or it can be expensive and exotic trees that cost few thousand dollars each.

    Conclusion

    Tons of different fences exist on market with selections to serve all purposes. All home owners have specific budgets in mind to spend on their fence projects. Some want the most expensive product there is to stand out or maybe increase the home value before sale; some just need some type of separation fence and are looking to build it themselves with most reliable material.

    If you have other suggestions for materials that can or should be used for fences, please contact our team by email and we will be happy to add your ideas.

    12 Styles of Kitchen Cabinets Installation in Your Home

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    12 Different styles for kitchen cabinets
    Kinds of kitchen cabinets styles.

    Before remodeling your kitchen, the actual style needs to be selected with exact details on doors and curves of the cabinets. Our team from On Point Remodeling discusses twelve different types and styles of kitchen cabinets that can be selected for your next project at home.

    The cabinets you select for upgrade or new installation should reflect your inspiration with details to underline mood or house overall design.

    Here are the types of kitchen cabinets we will be discussing in this post:

    • Traditional
    • Shaker
    • Modern
    • Rustic
    • Industrial
    • Farm/cottage
    • Craftsman
    • European
    • Transitional
    • Contemporary
    • Mediterranean
    • Asian

    To achieve desired look the remodeling process may consist of only refinishing cabinets with little decoration that can be achieved DIY method without spending too much, and some styles may require hiring Renovation Company for upgrades and changing good part of your house to accommodate necessary kitchen remodeling.

    You can browse through our list of recommended contractors for your kitchen remodeling project as well as suggested list of where you can purchase cabinets for your kitchen.

    1. Traditional Kitchen Cabinets

    Since the beginning of kitchen cabinet days, traditional curves and edges were the way to go. The more curves and lines, the better kitchen seemed to be.

    These types of cabinets are slowly getting out of production in new homes throughout all states. New generation prefers modern styles or pretty but economical shaker cabinets.

    The most common material for traditional cabinets is sold wood. It can be either oak or hickory.

    You can still order and manufacture traditional cabinets in custom shops, but will not likely see them in wholesale stores like Ikea, Lowes and home depot.

    2. Shaker Kitchen Cabinets

    The new and now all-time favourite style of kitchen cabinets in remodeling and new home construction is shaker. It goes in all sorts of colors and actually looks very good, despite being very cost effective.

    You can do shakers style cabinets literally from any materials that are used in kitchen manufacturing. This simple but stylish look of cabinets compliments all house remodeling projects and even new build condos.

    To shop for this type of cabinets you can literally go anywhere. Every kitchen place or even hardware store that sells kitchens will have shaker style cabinets.

    3. Modern Style of Kitchen Cabinets

    Modern style kitchen
    White cabinets in a modern style kitchen.

    Expensive remodeings tend to attract generation that likes modern kitchen cabinets. They look very neat and futuristic like from sci-fi movies.

    Modern cabinets are usually in white colors or have a mix of several colors with white being one of them. To mix the look we suggest adding a mix of stainless steel color and creative lighting system.

    To go next level upgrades of modern cabinets include electronic pull out cabinets and parts that move up and down from counter space to accommodate storage or electrical plugins.

    Modern cabinets tend to be one of the most expensive choices you can select for your kitchen.

    4. Rustic Kitchen Cabinets

    Rustic style kitchen
    Cozy rustic kitchen with comfortable cabinets.

    To experience unique design of your new kitchen you may consider selecting rustic cabinets finish. This is popular for cottage homes or houses made with logs. It gives very wooden look of old style but yet new kitchen.

    These cabinets are not easy to make, therefore expect to pay more than regular shaker style. Rustic style compliments homes with wooden attributes, beams and overall style of living.

    It is very hard to do it yourself or even find professional company that would come up with rustic design that will satisfy your needs. Ask On Point Remodeling for recommendations in your area.

    5. Industrial Kitchen Cabinets

    For lofts and downtown modern living, some home owners prefer industrial remodeling with kitchen cabinets in the same colors and materials.

    Finished kitchen in industrial style will look somewhere similar to luxury bar that you can find in downtown district. Your friends and family will love spending time there while you serve them drinks like in real pub.

    To come up with industrial cabinet design and install them in your home you will pay premium amount, that’s why most of home owners stick to traditional and modern kitchens. Designer is recommended for industrial kitchen concept.

    6. Farm/cottage Kitchen Cabinets

    Cottage kitchen cabinets
    Cute white cabinets in the cottage style kitchen

    It all depends on quality of cottage and may range a lot in specific details and costs of cabinets and several million dollar farm homes may have very different and unique kitchens. Today we are discussing very regular cottage home kitchen that you can install for seasonal days off.

    Usually cottage cabinets are very cheap and owners of such homes try not to overspend. Solid wood cabinets are recommended with literally any or no style for farm homes to serve the purpose of some cooking.

    You can make, buy slightly damaged or used cabinets for your farm home or cottage, assuming this is not your primary residence.

    7. Craftsman Kitchen Cabinets

    One of the cabinet styles that is also done as custom job and cannot be found in large production stores or prefabricated kitchens are craftsman cabinets. It is relatively simple looking with straight lines and not many details to it.

    The idea of craftsman style cabinets is to use natural materials and have wooden finish on the outside. It is definitely not one of the popular styles but lets us warn you about costs that come with it. Because most of the manufacturing is manual and materials being solid wood, you should expect to pay top dollars for craftsman cabinets.

    Out of all 12 styles of kitchen cabinets we are describing in this article, craftsman style is probably the most rare and unique these days for remodeling.

    8. European Kitchen Cabinets

    In comparison to North America, Europe has very small homes and even smaller kitchens. The cabinets that are made for homes in Europe are very compact and designed to serve as functional kitchen within limited space.

    Materials used for European cabinets are different throughout. Obviously with hot weather climates cabinets must be made from real wood to avoid damage and expansion. Glossy and light color finishes are used to trick the eye and make it look slightly bigger.

    The kitchen may have more depth inside cabinets to compensate for length and width from wall to wall. Very creative designs are popular in Europe to personalize kitchen space.

    9. Transitional Kitchen Cabinets

    Transitional kitchen cabinets are exactly what you think they are from first time you hear the name. They transition in style usually from traditional to modern or contemporary.

    This style of cabinets came out only to mix up something that already existed with a slight twist. Your kitchen may have changes in style as well as colors to show the difference from other kitchens.

    The cost to purchase or make transitional kitchen cabinets is on somewhere in the middle between shaker style and modern cabinets.

    10. Contemporary Kitchen Cabinets

    Cabinets in contemporary style

    To summarize all flat kitchen cabinets of all designs and colors we use the word contemporary. It’s a very popular style for remodeling in North America and can range in costs. While some materials will be on cheaper side of finishes, other contemporary choices can be expensive.

    There are tenth of looks to select from. The texture of flat kitchen can be glossy, simply flat, matt, veneer or even metallic.

    You can find contemporary style of kitchen cabinets almost at any supplier and manufacturer. Wholesalers manufacture and distribute them as well.

    11. Mediterranean Kitchen Cabinets

    For those who are inspired by eastern designs and culture Mediterranean kitchen cabinets. It has specific round curves and light tones.

    Mediterranean cabinets are usually surrounded with natural looking stone on counter and floor. This style is not very popular and rarely used in urban areas. Because of natural materials used in production, Mediterranean cabinets are usually installed in hotter environments or at the beach houses.

    The costs are for manufacturing these cabinets are slightly higher than average due to lack of demand in North America.

    12. Asian Kitchen Cabinets

    Kitchen in Asian style
    Kitchen with Asian style elements.

    When we talk about compact and tiny kitchens, the only style that beats European style is Asian cabinets.

    Homes in Asia are very small comparing to US or even Europe, that’s why the thought of having a kitchen is already a luxury.

    An Asian kitchen style has very straight forward design with wooden finishes. It is very similar to contemporary look but with unique touch.

    It’s all about functionality and comfort, without adding anything luxurious. Despite simplicity the cost of these cabinets can be higher than you expect.

    Conclusion

    Each kitchen style is very specific in details, colors and finishes, that should match home owner’s specific appearance preferences. There is no right or wrong as we all like different things and our homes may be already built with a style that can have limits on what style cabinets should be considered.

    On Point Remodeling provides services in kitchen design for renovations and new constructions. Lets us help you save money on process and design perfect kitchen.

    What are Typical and Standard Bathroom Sizes at Home?

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    Standard bathroom sizes at home
    Different types of bathroom sizes in homes

    Bathroom sizes range from very tine rooms that you can barely fit in to spacious areas with several rooms. Knowing standard bathroom sizes before remodeling can help you estimate how much materials you will require or discuss with contractor overall costs.

    Bathrooms are in everywhere residence and they are all different. There are small houses that were built over 100 years ago and there are huge houses that rise up every day in luxury lots with huge bathrooms that you may get lost in.

    We wanted to list bathrooms in different residences and discuss their sizes:

    • Powder Room
    • Condo Typical Bathrooms
    • Minimum Standard House Bathroom
    • Standard Bathroom Sizes
    • Master Bathroom
    • Extra Large Bathrooms
    • Commercial Bathrooms

    Keep in mind that every region can have different regulation. Because of that, bathrooms are built with different sizes.

    1. Powder Room

    So before we talk about typical bathroom size, we might want to explain what powder room actually is. The actual definition says that it is either bathroom for women or main – living area small bathrooms.

    In reality it is a room in a house or condo where there is only a toilet and a vanity for washing hands. Powder room does not have shower or a tub and has a purpose of quick use. They are usually located on main floor of the house for convenience of guests to use toilet or wash hands without going upstairs into bedroom space.

    The size for powder room is usually 3 to 4 feet in width and 6 to 8 feet in length. So this makes 25 sq ft as the standard size for powder room.

    2. Condo Typical Bathroom Size

    Condo bathrooms size
    Bathroom in a condo with a compact layout.

    Each condo is projected differently by architect and engineer. Bathroom in condo buildings are designed to use all given space to maximum potential. That means that bathrooms in these situations are as small as they can get.

    There are luxury units or lofts that have not standard bathroom sizes but regularly what we see in fast-expanding states bathrooms that can only fit standard bathtub, small toilet, and single vanity.

    While rich and wealthy enjoy condos with luxury size, others usually get around 40 sq ft in their bathrooms.

    3. Minimum house size Bathrooms

    Minimum house size bathrooms
    Small bathroom with shower in the house.

    What does minimum houses size mean in remodeling world. Every state has regulations for adding or rebuilding bathroom. In regulation it states what exactly minimum bathroom you can have in your home.

    It does not mean that smaller bathrooms have to be changed in size. This rule is only for bathrooms that are remodeled with permit and inspection. Old seizes are what we called “get grandfathered”.

    These sizes vary a little but usually they match condo bathroom sizes of 8 ft by 5 ft what makes overall space 40 sq ft.

    4. Standard Bathroom Sizes

    If you have extra room at home and don’t have to settle for minimum size bathroom you can go for something more comfortable with extra space. Let’s not talk about going overboard and making half of your house into bathrooms.

    On Point Remodeling has done surveys in houses that have median value in states with average overall size of 2000 sq ft.

    Bathroom sizes there were between 45 sq ft and 72 sq ft. We will mark average size bathroom at 59 sq ft.

    5. Master – In suite

    Master bathroom in the house
    Master bathroom with stand-alone tub.

    Every wife wants to have master bathroom that is attached to bedroom. It creates so much comfort to have your personal shower space literally few steps away from bed.

    Master bathrooms are usually more spacious than all other bathrooms throughout the house. The idea is to have what’s called four piece bathroom. Each plumbing fixture is considered a piece. Insuite in best case scenario has toilet, larger vanity, shower and a separate tub.

    To fit all that master bathroom’s average size in houses throughout US is 105 square feet.

    6. Extra Large Bathrooms

    Now it’s time to discuss bathrooms that stand out with their looks and sizes. Typically they are in very luxurious houses that costs millions of dollars and average American can only see them pictures, while some enjoy them to fullest.

    Celebrities and other wealthy people design their bathrooms in unique style with extra room to put extra features like fireplace or steam sauna or even a closet.

    Extra large bathrooms can be well above 200 square feet in size. They tend to have tons of natural light with huge windows and a skylight.

    7. Commercial size bathrooms

    Commercial properties are different in size and functionality. Places like small repair shops, warehouses and small private stores tend to have very tiny bathroom or washrooms that are much smaller than you would see one in average house.

    The simple explanation for that is commercial bathrooms do not have shower or tub. They are built for purpose of having a toilet and washing hands. Some stores have wheelchair accessibility that increase overall size.

    Commercial spaces with large capacities have washrooms that have enough space and functionality for several people at the same time. The larger the building the larger the washroom will be.

    To summarize sizes for commercial washrooms we can say that single person use washrooms in commercial spaces are similar to house powder rooms with size of 25 square feet, wheelchair accessible single washrooms are around 85 square feet, and multiple person use bathrooms can be as big as 600 square feet.

    Conclusion

    To conclusion of this article we want to say that there are minimum standards and regulations to have certain size of bathroom and with extra space and luxury you can explore different options of increasing your bathroom.

    Kitchen Renovation Steps in Order from Start to Finish

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    Kitchen remodeling order of steps
    All the steps that are carried out when renovating a kitchen.

    Kitchen remodeling is a major task that requires careful planning. A remodeled kitchen makes your home more livable and also helps to boost the value of your home as other remodeling projects can do.  Kitchen remodeling is a project worth the money effort, and time. One can easily get carried away or overwhelmed while sourcing for ideas online. Below are some kitchen renovation steps in order.

    • Understand What You Want
    • Design
    • Permits/Drawings
    • Demolition
    • Framing
    • Rough ins
    • Drywall
    • Flooring
    • Kitchen Cabinets
    • Countertops / Backsplash
    • Appliances
    • Lights
    • Paint

    Understanding the steps that make up the process before you begin saves you from being overwhelmed. It is essential to look at the bigger picture before embarking on the journey. You need to put into consideration the space you’re working with, the workability of your existing layout, and the cost of the overall remodeling to map out a plan that you can adhere to.

    1.Understand What You Want

    You need to know what you want. You can start by asking yourself what your current kitchen lack, or the problems you are experiencing. It might be too little space to cook effectively, too little space to store food and dishes, lack dining areas, too old appliances, or maybe the kitchen just makes you wince because it is so outdated and so ugly.

    The most overwhelming task in the project is weighing out the expenses of a remodel. Therefore, it’s the one you should handle first. Remodeling a kitchen can be a major expense, therefore, the first concern is to consider your budget when deciding how big you want to go.

    Employ the assistance of a local real estate professional for counsel on the additional worth your endeavor will add to your home. Conduct a study on your favorite kitchen and remodeling magazines and websites for hints on budgeting.

    2.Kitchen Design Creation

    Drawing kitchen design
    The designer creates the look of the future kitchen.

    When remodeling a kitchen, updating appliances, countertops, and cabinets mostly comes to the mind first. To get to the very core and essence of a kitchen, there is a need for you and your contractor to map out the entire plan and flow of the kitchen. On point remodeling, experts can design layouts that will suit your taste. A major kitchen remodeling often involves revamping the entire layout. When discussing floor-plan options for kitchen remodels, design layouts come into the context. Some of the commonly used design layouts include One-Wall Kitchen Layout, Corridor (Galley-Style) Kitchen Layout, L-Shaped Kitchen Layout, Double-L Design Kitchen Layout, and more.

    3.Confirmation of Drawings and Obtaining Permits

    Permits must be gotten from various organizations. Your city or county may administer the electrical, plumbing, and building permits. Your water company may also need to permit any work relating to water supply and drainage. A general contractor will obtain all the necessary permits if he is handling the remodeling. If you are doing it yourself, start by contacting your local permitting agency.

    4.Demolition Old Kitchen

    Step by step kitchen remodel starts from demolition. That’s the first stage in the repair where manual labor is involved. During this process, old renovations are dismantled, old furniture, appliances, floors, and walls are disposed of. All this is done to clear up space for a new project.

    This is hard physical work, but if you want, you can do it yourself. While doing this work, you should take care of several things, such as temporary power outages and plumbing, to avoid problems. You should also agree in advance with a company that carries out the removal of construction waste, which will not be enough.

    5.Framing Instalation

    After the completion of demolition, remodeling begins with the installation of the necessary framing work needed for the project. This stage may involve some very major construction tasks depending on your new kitchen’s configuration. Tasks may include adding or replacing windows, increasing cabinet space, taking down walls, and so on.

    6.Rough ins

    After the framing work, the next stage has to do with rerouting or installing new plumbing pipes, wiring, and HVAC duct-work. This process is known as the mechanical rough-in stage, and it is normally done by professionally licensed plumbers, electricians, and HVAC hired either by a general contractor or by the homeowner serving that role.

    7.Drywall

    Drywall installation stage

    The next stage is sheathing the metal frame with drywall. After installation, your room will acquire the walls and outlines of the future room, and you will be able to assess the future space live.

    Attaching drywall sheets to a metal frame seems to be an easy process and sometimes it seems that you can do it yourself. But at the same time, the sheets are very heavy and fragile to break. Without proper work experience, the drywall may not be installed evenly, and during the installation process a significant part of the material will be damaged, so it is better to entrust this work to your contractor.

    8.Choose Flooring Coating

    Installing the floor covering is the final part before installing the kitchen furniture. The complexity of this work will not allow you to make the floor yourself and renting the necessary tools will cost a lot. Entrust this to professionals who will cope with the task in a few days.

    The various types of flooring include ceramic tiles, laminate flooring, engineering wood, solid hardwood, sheet vinyl, rubber flooring, etc. Choose which type of flooring to use based on your budget and overall kitchen style.

    9.Kitchen Cabinets

    Kitchen cabinets are the first item people see in a kitchen. There are far more kitchen cabinets than anything else and they set the standard. It is a norm for guests to expect the cooker, sink, and every other appliance in the space to match, therefore, it would be nice to do beyond their expectation by carefully choosing the type and color of wood to use.

    The cabinet door’s style is the most important decision when remodeling a kitchen. You could opt for self-closing drawers that quietly closes when they are about an inch from closing.

    10.Countertops / Backsplash

    Installation of the kitchen countertop being one of the most important parts of the kitchen is harder than it looks. Countertops are mostly best installed by professionals because countertops must be perfectly level and flat.

    There are various choices of kitchen countertop material. They include granite, marble, soapstone, ceramic tiles, laminates, quartz, and more. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Some of the materials are very strong while others can be scratched or marred. And some materials cost a lot more than others.

    11.New Kitchen Appliances

    After installation of the cabinets and plumbing fixtures, the setting up of new appliances comes up next. These appliances may include items such as microwave, dishwasher, sinks, stove, refrigerator, water filtration system, and more. This is also the time to complete these installations, as well.

    12.Lights

    Employing an incredible lighting plan can differentiate between an ordinary and a spectacular kitchen remodel. Step by step kitchen remodel includes installing recessed ceiling lighting, new pendant lights, or breakfast nook lighting, and so on.

    13.Finishing Paint

    Painting the walls in the kitchen
    A worker paints the walls in the remodeled kitchen.

    Painting is easy and enjoyable if you do it the right way. There is a need to first choose a color. Working with a kitchen designer makes your work easier because they’ll help you deliberate and find the right color for your home. If you decide to do the painting yourself, a quality semi-gloss paint will make the work easier for you because it is cleanable and does not retain moisture.

    Conclusion

    After kitchen renovation steps in order, we would advise you to employ the services of a kitchen designer. He can help to draw a design to scale, purchase your cabinets, appliances, flooring, lighting fixtures, sink, faucet, tiles, baseboards, paint, and then obtain building permits if required.

    A remodeled kitchen will increase the equity value of your real estate like few other remodeling projects can do. It will make your home more livable. A great new kitchen will be the focus of family life and can be the center of social gatherings. A completely remodeled kitchen is most certainly a project worth the time, money, and effort, and you can avoid being overwhelmed if you fully understand the steps that go into the process before you begin.

    Types of Kitchen Lights Ideas Used for Upgrades

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    Varieties of lighting for the kitchen
    What types of lighting can be used in the kitchen.

    Lighting is a very important part of every room. How to organize types of kitchen lights, the most common lighting mistakes in the kitchen, how to choose the right lamps, and save on electricity, you can find answers to such questions in this article.

    The main secret of good kitchen lighting is layering. Each functional zone, where you wash dishes, cut food, eat food should have its light sources.

    • Pendant Lights
    • Chandelier
    • Pot Lights
    • LED Lights
    • Rack Lights

    Let us consider in more detail these types of lamps, with their advantages and disadvantages.

    1.Pendant Lights

    Pendant lights for a kitchen
    Pendant lights are placed above the school table in the kitchen.

    Pendant lights are very common in kitchens because they are great for kitchens of various sizes and styles. Well-chosen pendant lights can provide the right amount of light for kitchens of any size, and a wide variety of designs will allow you to match the fixture to any style of the room.

    To provide the right amount of light in a room, you may need several pendant lights, which makes it difficult to install them yourself. On Point Remodeling recommends seeking professional contractors for this. Having correctly measured all the distances, contractors will be able to arrange them, observing the correct geometry of your room, and reliable fixings to the ceiling will not allow the lamps to fall to the floor.

    The cost of fixtures can vary from various factors, but on average it is $ 300 – $ 400. The price depends on what material they are made of, it can be various metal alloys, wood, or glass. Pendant lamps have an average price compared to other types of kitchen lights but do not forget that there is more than one required for a room.

    The maintenance of pendant lamps is not very laborious, they are not cumbersome, which makes it easy to wipe off dust without even removing them. Most of the lamps of this type use incandescent lamps, the replacement of which is quite simple because you can access the light bulb without disassembling the lamp. But do not forget that electricity must be handled carefully.

    2.Classic Kitchen Chandelier

    Chandelier in the classic kitchen
    Installing a beautiful chandelier in a classic style kitchen.

    Chandeliers are one of the oldest types of chandeliers used in the beautiful halls of palaces and luxury homes. They vary in size and can add elegance to any room. Most often they are used in luxury and traditional styles, but the modern variety allows them to be used in almost any room.

    Due to their impressive size, chandeliers are quite difficult to install, for example, a luxurious crystal chandelier with many details and lamps can be installed by professionals for a couple of days. Since the chandeliers connect directly to wires in the ceiling, you cannot do without a qualified electrician.

    The complexity of the design and details make the chandeliers quite expensive, the average price of which varies in the aisles of $ 400 – $ 700. The price is influenced by many factors, its size, the complexity of the design, the materials used, and much more. If you want to make a custom-made chandelier so that it is exclusive and emphasizes your interior, then the price can exceed $ 1000.

    Replacing burned-out bulbs and cleaning dust will take much longer than conventional lamps. The difficulty lies in the fact that the chandelier is attached to the ceiling and it is more difficult to get to it. Cleaning should be done with care, as it is done by weight and for this I use a ladder or chair, depending on the height of your room.

    3.Pot Lights

    Pot lights for kitchen
    Pot lights as the main light source in the kitchen.

    Pot lights have grown in popularity over the past decades. Small lamps recessed into the ceiling provide the necessary amount of light for your kitchen without being noticed. They are great for small kitchens with low ceilings, where space is important, and are used in many styles to create primary or secondary lighting.

    Accurate counting and correct placement are key in installing pot lights. For each lamp, wires are carried out and the installation of this type of lighting is carried out only during the repair of the room and only by professional electricians.

    The small size of the pot lights and the rather simple design keep them at $ 20-40 apiece. It sounds very cheap, but do not forget that one lamp will not be enough for you to create the necessary lighting, the number depends on the project and the room, there may be 5, maybe 15, which significantly increases the cost.

    Daily maintenance of pot lights is one of the easiest, as they are ceiling mounted and virtually dust-free, and the lamps used in them can last up to 10 years depending on their quality.

    4.LED Lights for Work Space

    Kitchen with LED lights
    LED lights for the kitchen countertops

    LED Lights can be called an innovative type of kitchen lighting. The light is emitted by a variety of miniature bulbs located on a diode strip. Distinctive features of such lighting are soft light, with a variety of colors. LED lights can be placed in the curves of the ceiling or installed in kitchen furniture, used in modern styles, or by combining innovative technologies with luxury style.

    Installing LED lights is easier than installing chandeliers, but it requires precise design calculations for your kitchen to be filled with enough light. This type of lighting is often combined with pot lights and you will not see the tape itself, but only the soft light emitted by it. Due to these difficulties, it is not recommended to try to install this type of lighting yourself.

    The cost of the used LED lights directly depends on their number used in the room and only a contractor can make a detailed calculation, but you should also know that they use a very small amount of electricity, which will significantly reduce your electricity costs.

    Like pot lights, this type of lighting is very easy to maintain, because a high-quality tape will serve you for many years, but if some of the bulbs fail, then you will have to replace the entire tape and this work can only be performed by a qualified electrician.

    5.Rack Lights

    The main difference between Rack lights and other types of kitchen lights is that they are mounted on vertical surfaces. They can be made in a variety of styles and complement any design. Rack lights are rarely used as the main lighting, in most cases, they provide additional light in the necessary areas, or to create a pleasant semi-darkness atmosphere.

    The wide variety of this type of lighting creates a significant range of prices. The price is influenced by the number of lamps, decorative parts, materials used, and the size of the lamp. On average, the price ranges from $ 100 – $ 250, but there are also exquisite pieces, the price of which significantly exceeds these amounts.

    Installation of this type of lighting is quite simple if you already have an electrician and sockets installed. You just need to choose the right place for the location of the lamp and connect it to the electrical network, but if the lighting option you have chosen is connected directly to the wires, then you cannot do without the help of a specialist.

    Rack lights are easy to maintain. In most cases, they are not mounted high and you can easily wipe off the dust from them, or replace out-of-order lamps, the duration of which depends on the type used. It is enough to make sure that the luminaire is disconnected from the electricity before replacing it.

    Conclusion

    A combination of different types of kitchen lights, great for new remodeling. The balance between cooking convenience and a beautiful ambiance is essential for every homeowner. A huge selection of fixtures will allow you to find the right lighting for any style and size of the kitchen.

    Since you need to choose lighting for the kitchen not only beautiful and convenient but also reliable, you should focus on proven brands, only they guarantee you the durability of products in difficult operating conditions: with an abundance of steam, drops of fat, and other contaminants.

    Kitchen Design Mistakes that Everyone Should Avoid

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    Kitchen design and planning mistakes
    Mistakes to avoid when planning kitchen renovations.

    The kitchen is an essential place in the house, needs adequate and realistic planning that will not jeopardize the functionality of kitchen remodeling and interior decoration. All interiors and aesthetics of the kitchen must not be void of the remote intension of making it conformable, hence to avoid having a good intension while execution is bad then you need to put some basic elements in mind when planning to as to prevent or forestall double spend and rework.

    It is important to put this in mind since the kitchen is of the home. While designing basic things like space, measurement among others that will be discussed in these helpful tips will guide. That all that you need to know about effective and productive kitchen design mistakes to avoid.

    • Nonrealistic Budgeting
    • A Poorly Design Kitchen Island
    • Bad Lighting
    • Inconsistency or Inadequate Measurement
    • Not Employing the Service of Professional Kitchen Designer
    • Wrong Sized of Appliance
    • Workflow Issue
    • Ignoring Handle
    • The Wrong Placing of Plumbing and Electrical Terminals
    • Not Buying Good Quality Cabinet Hardware
    • Island too Big
    • Poor Ventilation
    • Ignoring Recycling

    These tips outline some basic kitchen design mistakes that you should look watch out for when planning for your kitchen.

    1.Nonrealistic Budgeting as Kitchen Design Mistakes

    The number one factor that may lead to an inefficient or planning mistake is when there is no real budget to actualize the potential kitchen design that you have in mind to its full actuality, this can frustrate your dream kitchen remodeling vision, as well as the possibility of, have a result.

    It also good not to under budget the cost of cash you need to execute the project. It is good to overestimate the cost than underestimate it. This is the first thing you need to watch out for. Remember, an unrealistic budget can be one of the roughest kitchen design mistakes.

    2.A Poorly Design Kitchen Island

    Inappropriate kitchen island design
    The kitchen island must match the overall design.

    Kitchen islands are advantageous from a design perspective but if it is not properly executed to fit into fit space then an error is inevitable. The kitchen island is a way to increase the preparation area or section and doing a kitchen island is a very small place that will be channelizing thereby making the kitchen to be stuffy. Thus, since there is quite a lot of thing to add to your kitchen make sure there is enough bench space to accommodate them.

    3.Bad Lighting

    Lighting the kitchen should anything that would badly or poorly design. Proper kitchen lighting is safety is important when it comes to handling sharp knives and other kitchen tools. The lighter you have in the room, the better you can show off your design elements, hence it is advisable to evaluate the work area and add lighting directly above the main area.

    The use of pendants like in the work area will be the best thing to do. Rooms generally need three types of lighting that is general lighting for overall illumination, task lighting for comfortable cooking, and accent lighting to enhance the aesthetic appearance of your kitchen.

    4.Inconsistency or Inadequate Measurement

    Correct measurements when renovating a kitchen
    Accurate renovation measurements affect quality.

    It is advisable to before you start executing your plans and ideas for your kitchen design, it is very important to known the size of your kitchen. This is because if there is the cause of inadequate measurement and you have ordered or purchase kitchen tools or equipment that does not fit in into the kitchen space a big mistake has been committed and the organization of your kitchen is gradual going to error.

    When you are doing your planning make sure your measurement is correct to prevent difficulties of distorting the aesthetic, comfortability, and functionality which your kitchen ought to give your home.

    5.Not Employing the Service of Professional Kitchen Designer

    Trying to save money by not employing a professional designer is one common mistake that people make which can lead to a waste of time, recourses, and energy if it is not properly done. Employing the service of professional designers helps you to translate your ideas effectively to fit into your taste as well as your budget.

    6.Wrong Sized of Appliance

    In choosing an appliance for your new kitchen you need to be realistic and consider the numbers of the people living in that house to know the right type of appliance that is needed. Aside from the numbers of the family that much match with the appliance that is been purchased, space is very important to be put into consideration because buying a big fridge for a small kitchen will be improper and inadequate. Hence, the appliance been purchase for the kitchen must fit perfectly into your design and budget.

    7.Workflow Issue

    An excellent workflow planning should not be forgotten, because poor planning can make one kitchen to be impractical and subsequently turns cooking into chaos. By implication of their coherence in the arrangement of kitchen equipment. For instance, your cooker, sink, and fridge should be closer to each other and not several meters apart off.

    8.Ignoring Handle

    Installing cabinets handles
    Correctly selected cabinet handles enhance ease of use.

    There is a need to carefully select a handle that works for your family, that is selecting handles that are not difficult to access by everyone in the family. Handles pull or knobs that are too hard to use is prone to damage and replace it at all time will lead to incurring more expenses.

    9.The Wrong Placing of Plumbing and Electrical Terminals

    If the proper design is not being done before implementation through a draw of sketch and diagrams having a wrong placing or shortage of plumbing and electrical switch bus cannot be averted simply.

    To fix such a key mistake, you will have to dismantle the installed furniture, floors, and walls to get to the electrics or the pipeline. Such an oversight can almost double the cost of work.

    10.Not Buying Good Quality Cabinet Hardware

    Good quality cabinet hardware
    Cabinets hardware quality is very important.

    In other to maximize cost some people might decide to go for less expensive cabinet hardware, thus, good quality hardware lasts longer and they are durable. And it will not make sense to have other kitchen interiors being of high quality while the cabinet hardware will fall short of the standard.

    11.Island too Big

    Making an island too big for a nice-sized kitchen will make it cramped. The rule that applies to size is that you need at least 42 to 48 inches of open space for your island. Otherwise, it will be very inconvenient and you will get serious discomfort trying to squeeze between the installed kitchen furniture.

    12.Poor Ventilation

    It is very important when designing a kitchen plan adequate provision should be made for ventilation that is, the air that comes in and air that goes out as well as the cooking smoke in other to reduce heat in the kitchen and stuffiness. It makes your kitchen cleaner and extends life to your appliance.

    13.Ignoring Recycling

    How effective to manage waste determines neat your kitchen will be, thus, you shouldn’t neglect the adequate right positioning of your kitchen waste bin and. So, this should not be ignored when you are designing from scratch.

    Conclusion

    Not any kind of planning alone will do but effective working planning that brings about productive results is the type of planning that should be subscribed to. So the first thing to do is to consult or hire a professional to prevent kitchen design mistakes.

    Secondly, get a suitable design that fits into your kitchen area and make sure you have an adequate measurement of your kitchen.

    Thirdly, never think you can successfully execute a plan without adequate budgeting, if you don’t want your project to be half baked you need to adopt a good budgeting style. While budgeting always makes provision for miscellaneous and overestimation to make sure your kitchen design plan produces the expected result.

    Above all pay attention to details don’t try to cut corners in executing your plans in other to save cost, what you need to know is that your kitchen deserves the best as well as you do too.

    Preparing for Kitchen Remodel with Order of Steps

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    Preparing for Kitchen Remodel
    Order of steps for kitchen remodeling.

    You have conceived a renovation and the main question that arises is where to start, how to choose masters, what to buy, how to plan a budget. For a person who is faced with a repair for the first time, this is a really difficult question and people often make mistakes.

    It is often not very clear what is important and what is secondary, especially when it comes to the sequence of work.

    • Prepare Emotionally
    • Figure out What You Want
    • Find Contractors
    • Set Budgets
    • Agree on the Scope of Work
    • Protect House
    • Think of Moving out 

    Don’t panic, On Point Remodeling will tell you how to preparing for kitchen remodel.

    1.Prepare Emotionally

    Prepare emotionally for remodeling

    Emotionally preparing for kitchen remodel is very important in the renovation. At a minimum, you should be aware that this is not an idea that came to your head during an emotional state, but a deliberate and balanced decision.

    It is worth accepting that during the renovation you will experience some inconvenience in your usual stay at home or take care of finding a place to live for your family at the time of renovation.

    Another emotional aspect is that you will need to set aside enough time to plan this process. Meetings with designers and prospective contractors to plan work progress.

    Home renovation is a serious decision and if you prepare yourself emotionally well, you will not be nervous and unnecessarily worried from the beginning to the end of the renovation.

    2.Figure out What You Want

    To start repairing the kitchen, you should define the style and draw up a design project that will determine the future look of the room and avoid unnecessary expenses. Detailed planning of the kitchen space makes it possible to determine the color scheme and style of the room, create the correct “working triangle”, which includes the stove, sink, refrigerator, correctly position all household appliances, equipment, furniture, think over lighting options.

    At this stage, it is decided what type of repairs will be required – cosmetics, capital, or a complete redevelopment of the premises will be performed. You can draw up a design project yourself using a planning program or ask for the help of a professional designer who will help you with the choice and design the design of your future kitchen.

    Having a clear plan of what the kitchen will look like when the renovation is complete makes the subsequent work much easier.

    3.Find Kitchen Contractors

     
    Find renovation contractors
    Homeowners search for contractors on the internet.

    An important part of any renovation is to choose the right contractor company that will carry out all construction and renovation work.

    If you make the right choice, all the necessary work will be completed as soon as possible, and the quality of the result will be at a decent level, and the cost of work and building materials will be quite acceptable, and the repairs will be performed with a minimum of hassle on your part.

    Collect enough information about the company that you plan to entrust the work to. Find out how long the company has been in existence and how much work they do per year. Find information about them online and read reviews. If possible, ask to be taken to the place where this company is currently working.

    Based on the information received, conclude whether the contractor is right for you or not. An equally important factor is comfortable communication with a company representative.

    4.Set Budgets

    Budget planning can be done in two different ways. The first approach is based on the fact that you or with the help of a designer create a model of the kitchen that you want to see in your home, with all the smallest details that include everything from the location of the walls to the style of the kitchen table and calculate all the costs that may be needed for the stages works and materials.

    The second option is that you have an understanding of the amount that you are willing to spend on repairs and based on this amount, determine the type of repair that you can afford. Talk to the designer and contractor about what they will recommend based on your budget.

    A budget planner will help avoid unpredictable consequences and you will know exactly how much money you will spend and that the renovation will not stop due to lack of budget, but will be completed in full, allowing you to use the updated kitchen.

    5.Agree on the Scope of Work

    Drawing up the stages of remodeling works
    Agree on the scope of work for the kitchen remodeling.

    After you have decided on a budget, it is worth discussing a work plan. An experienced contractor knows how long each stage of work can take. Why is this done? Each stage of the repair is performed by different specialists dealing with this particular type of work. If all the stages take place on time, then the repair will not stand an idle while, for example, a team of electricians will be able to start working in this house.

    As in any work, the presence of a clear time frame allows you to correctly plan all stages and complete the work in the shortest possible time, which will be for both parties, the customer because he will be able to quickly enjoy all the benefits of the work done and a contractor who can start for the implementation of new projects.

    6.Protect House

    Protecting your home during kitchen renovations will keep it clean. It is also worth taking care that during dismantling work, part of the construction waste does not damage the repair or the furniture in other rooms does not absorb dust and dirt .. Cover the furniture with an airtight cloth for protection or, if possible, move it to rooms that are far from the repair.

    To protect your home, it is worth localizing the renovation whenever possible. After the walls in the kitchen are installed, install an airtight sheet of polyethylene or dense fabric on the doorway, this will allow dust to remain inside the kitchen under construction.

    It is also worth taking care of the flooring. During the renovation, workers will move around the house carrying a variety of building materials and tools. On Point Remodeling recommends covering floors with a protective material, from the front door to the room being renovated, to protect them from damage and stains.

    7.Think of Moving out Preparing for Kitchen Remodel

    Each contractor will advise you, if possible, to move out of the house where the renovation will be carried out, but why is it so important?

    There are several reasons, the first being concern for your family’s health. During the repair work, construction dust appears, which is very harmful if it is constantly breathed.

    The second reason is that it is much easier and more efficient to work when you do not constantly intersect with people not involved in the repair. Your presence will only interfere and work processes may take longer.

    The third reason is emotional, you will have a desire to constantly monitor or observe the process, you will get in the way on the aisle, or distract workers with your questions and advice, wasting them and your time. If you have entrusted the repair to professionals, then let them do the work that they understand.

    Conclusion

    Compliance with all preparing for kitchen remodel steps will greatly simplify preparations for the upcoming repair. Let’s sum up what should be done for the repair work to take place without curiosities.

    To complete the renovation of the kitchen on time, invest in the allotted budget, and ultimately get a stylish, comfortable and harmonious space, it is very important to be emotionally tuned, create a kitchen design project, clearly define every little thing in this room and follow the outlined plan. The work should be entrusted to professionals to obtain the guaranteed quality of work. In the end, clear planning will help you save time and create a flawless kitchen.

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