Living in an older home means enjoying plenty of charm and stylish details that you just don’t see in new construction anymore. However, it also means living with items that can create potential problems if they start to break down or simply aren’t as efficient as what we have today. If you have an older home, consider replacing the following items.

Windows and Doors

Even though they don’t build houses like they used to, when it comes to the windows and doors on your house, what you can get today is vastly more efficient. The glass in old windows and doors is single-pane, which doesn’t retain the heat like today’s dual-pane windows do. In fact, modern dual-pane windows are about twice as effective at holding in air conditioning and heat as single-pane windows from just a few decades ago. Additionally, there are often leaks around the old panes and sills.

[Photo courtesy of Tiana/pexels.com]

Electrical Wiring

Old electrical wiring in a home has two main issues: safety and convenience. Electrical wiring lasts as long as the wire’s insulation. Once that goes, the wire becomes exposed and the risk of short circuits, shocks, and electrical fire increases. Wiring installed before 1960 will last around 70 years, while new wiring installed today can go at least 100 years. Additionally, homes with older electrical wiring often don’t have enough outlets to handle all the electronics we use today.

[Photo courtesy of ready made/pexels.com]

Plumbing

Your biggest risk with old or substandard plumbing is having the pipes burst and dealing with water damage in your home. A serious flood could mean thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, leaving your home uninhabitable for weeks. There’s also the risk of mold problems that form because of leaks. While copper and brass pipes can last around 50 years, steel pipes sometimes don’t make it 20 years. If you know the pipes in your home are old, you might want to upgrade to plastic pipes that can give you another 40 or 50 years.

HVAC Unit

Depending on the age of your home, you might not even have a HVAC system or central air conditioning. If you do, keep in mind that the average life span of a furnace is 15 to 30 years, and the average life span of a central air conditioning unit is around 20 years. If you still have some years left on this equipment, don’t forget about the ducts. Most experts recommend a duct cleaning every three to five years to improve air quality inside a home.

[Photo courtesy of Daniel Wander/pexels.com]

Roof

It’s a given that older homes have older roofs. The problem with an older roof is that you could have issues with water damage, pest damage, and inefficient insulation. Once leaks begin to occur, it could cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair the damage. If the problems are in one area, you could repair that section. However, if the roof is widely damaged, it could make more sense to replace the entire thing.

As you continue to enjoy the charm and character of your older home, make sure you’re prepared for the things you might need to replace down the road.

Wardrobe doors can be one of the most frustrating parts of home décor. In most cases if the doors are not installed correctly they stop working, or worse still fall off. The secret to having functioning and good looking wardrobe doors is in the hardware used to set them up. Many DIY enthusiasts and carpenters make the mistake of cutting corners by using low quality wardrobe hardware.

There are a number of different types of door that are commonly used, and all come in high and low quality varieties. Depending on the type of door different hardware needs to be used to make them function properly. If the unit is a stand alone wardrobe it will need to use cabinet hinges instead of traditional door or wardrobe door hinges for folding or sliding doors.

[Photo courtesy of Max Vakhtbovych/pexels.com]

Folding Wardrobe Doors

One of the most popular and cost effective types of doors installed in houses these days is folding wardrobe doors. When high quality versions of these doors are closed they not only cover up the clothes and anything else in the wardrobe they look like real doors consistent with those found in the rest of the house. It is important to choose a heavy bi fold door and use high quality Stanley hinges on both the folding portion of the door, and to link the doors into the track. These doors will take an afternoon and a few hundred dollars for a do it yourself carpenter to install.

 Standard Doors for a Wardrobe

Putting standard hinged doors on a wardrobe is one of the best ways to make that wardrobe look great. The doors look like the doors to the various rooms in the house; you can match up perfectly. Since they are hung with high quality hinges these doors open and close like a regular door as well. The only draw back to hanging a regular door in your wardrobe is the amount of space they take up when they are opened, so the rooms must be larger in order to allow the doors to swing.

[Photo courtesy of Max Vakhtbovych/pexels.com]

 Sliding Doors

A popular modern alternative is to install sliding doors. These sliding doors use track hardware to open and close. They have the disadvantage of being more difficult to install than a conventional door and the advantage of being much better looking than folding closet doors. Though they look good it is important to caution that if they fall off the track they can be quite dangerous, so it may be best to leave their installation to a professional.  

 The door style you choose and the hinges you use are important decisions. Don’t settle for a look that doesn’t fit your room, or poor quality fittings that are going to be falling off within a couple of years of use. Fit for the future by investing a bit more and getting high quality products; products into which you have put a little thought.

Spring cleaning is something that needs to be done in everyone’s house. For some people it seems as though they actually look forward to this time and being able to get their house back in order and things cleaned up. For others it seems like an impossible task to get everything done with the busy life that they live. Regardless of how you feel about spring cleaning you will be happy to learn some great green tips to help you reduce your environmental impact.

Make Your Own Cleaners

Did you know that it is really possible to make your own cleaners? Simple ingredients that you already have around your home like distilled vinegar, Borax, olive oil, baking soda, liquid castile soap, and essential oils are all that you need to replace nearly every single cleaner in your home.

[Photo courtesy of Nathan Cowley/pexels.com]

Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaners

Thankfully, for those who do not want to make their own cleaners, there is a huge selection of eco-friendly cleaners on the market today. These can guarantee you the clean that you are looking for without the harsh chemicals that are dangerous for your family and harmful to the environment.

Line Dry Laundry

One of the biggest things about spring cleaning is that you are going to be doing a lot of additional laundry. This is the time when you should be washing curtains, blankets, and other linens that you might not wash all of the time. Line drying these items will save a lot of energy and will give them the wonderful scent of spring.

[Photo courtesy of PNW Production/pexels.com]

Use House Plants

Did you know that house plants can work like your own air filter? That’s right, having plants in your home can really help you to have cleaner air to breathe for your whole family.

Get Rid of Things You Do Not Use

De-cluttering not only helps you to feel better and more refreshed but it can also help you to have a more efficient home. When you are getting rid of things like clothes consider which ones you can cut up and reuse as things like cleaning rags. Also decide which ones you can sell or donate.

Invest in Reusable Mop Pads

[Photo courtesy of Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels.com]

There are many great companies on the market today (or you can shop handmade marketplaces) where you can find reusable mop pads. This is much better for the environment than the ones that you use once and throw away.

Have Your Attic Professionally Cleaned

Did you know that animal feces and contamination in your attic can make you sick? It is important that you clean up and remove potentially harmful contamination when you are spring cleaning. Make sure that no surface is left untouched during this time of deep cleaning. Just make sure that you pick a company that will work with you for green cleaning and will not be using harmful chemicals to get rid of these contaminates.

Resist the Urge to Use Paper Towels

While paper towels can be handy, they mainly just contribute to landfills and cause there to be a need to cut down more trees. Resist the urge to use paper towels in your spring cleaning and if you must choose environmentally friendly options.

Open Your Windows

Fresh air is a great way to make your whole house smell better. It is also a great way to make your green spring cleaning go easier.

If you really dread spring cleaning you can try some fun spring cleaning activities like these. You might even find that you are more motivated than before and able to get things done quicker.

High costs of electricity have already forced many people to rethink their approach to energy consumption. Refrigerators and dishwashers are among the biggest users of electricity in any house. A wide range of green household appliances are able to help you save money on energy consumption and boost your eco-friendliness.

Energy Star rated household appliances will save you about $500 annually. Such household equipment use less energy and water. Even though Energy Star appliances are a bit more expensive, you will appreciate their value on the long run. After all, being earth-friendly doesn’t require a lot of effort. You need to adjust your habits a little to make a significant difference. There is no need to grow all your food or get a giant solar pane. There are other ways to be eco-friendly at home.

[Photo courtesy of Skitterphoto/pexels.com]

Green it up!

If your fridge is more than ten years old, it is time to replace it with a greener alternative. Energy Star refrigerators use 15% less electricity due to better insulation and energy efficiency.

You can get a dishwasher and use it only when it is fully loaded. Otherwise, you won’t save any water or electricity. If you think that washing the dishes by hand will save some water, you may be mistaken. The new generation of dishwashers uses significantly less water now. Before you decide to make a hasty new purchase, you need to do your research and choose the most energy efficient appliance.

When the time comes to buy a new fridge or a washing machine, don’t forget to recycle your old appliances. Most of the household appliances contain chemical materials hazardous for the nature. That is why you need to find a company that utilizes old equipment.

[Photo courtesy of Milly Eaton/pexels.com]

Eco-friendly kitchens

Modern technology uses sustainable materials to create better kitchen appliances. There was no Energy Efficiency ranking fifty years ago because people didn’t care much about the environment. Now you can purchase a solar oven for your kitchen and enjoy eco-friendly food every day. A transparent lid of a solar oven allows sun rays to warm it up from the inside. Some solar ovens even collect and store solar energy to increase the cooking temperature. Sun-powered cooking is not as fast as gas cooking, yet the food from a solar stove has more flavor.

Energy efficiency will become a key element of the most appliances sooner than you think. Technological upgrades have already affected the modern cooking industry. Your new eco-friendly appliances should be sturdy and reliable. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t forget about your green habits. Green appliances mean green lifestyle and cooking preferences. If you start buying local veggies and fruit from the nearest farmer’s market, you will support the local entrepreneurs and spend less money on transportation costs, thus reducing the energy emissions in the atmosphere. Energy Star appliances help you save the planet and reduce the cost of your next electricity bill. If you don’t know how to revolutionize your kitchen and turn it into something green and ultra-efficient, check out what specialists from Environmental Data Resources have to offer.

The expensive looking designs of sheer curtains make you wonder what their actual price really is. There are hundreds of styles and color combinations for sheer curtains available in retail shops and online stores today. Their price is not as expensive as you think as there are affordable pinch pleat sheer curtains retailed everywhere.

Sheers are one of the most sought after window adornment because they cover the window without actually causing darkness to your room. The translucent fabric allows the fresh air and light to enter the room without inviting the dust inside. They are ideal window embellishments for patients with contagious diseases so they can inhale much fresh air at night where most people in the neighborhood are asleep.

[Photo courtesy of Victoria Borodinova/pexels.com]

The pinch pleat sheer curtain is an inexpensive way to ventilate the room in hospital wards and minimizes the risk of contamination for other patients, their families, caregivers and hospital employees. During daytime, patients are exposed to sunlight because sheers have the ability to diffuse the eastern sun through its fine textures. Patients can also see the view outside without actually opening the entire window.

Pinch pleat sheer curtain panels are ideal for all types of room occupants because they block the sunlight without closing the window. The curtains provide the occupants with the needed privacy and with its translucence; they will be able to see if somebody is watching them through the window. The pinch pleat sheer curtains are dainty, elegant and immaculate.

[Photo courtesy of Milly Eaton/pexels.com]

Since they are machine washable, they are suited for busy people as they don’t have to tire their muscles during rinsing. The sheers come in a variety of soft cloth with various colors and designs. Manufacturers are selling the sheer curtains at low prices where you can save 50% to 77% which is really a big deal for low budget home improvement.

Now that the winter is finally leaving us, many people are starting to think about projects they can do in the home. You may fancy getting your hands dirty in the garden, ripping out the bathroom or simply painting the walls a fresh new colour.

With it being the first few months of the year it can be difficult for us to afford larger home projects without having to take out signature loans or dip into the holiday fund. However you can still make some fresh changes to your home without having to spend the earth.

Reshuffle

Rather than going out to the furniture store and buying a ton of new items for your home, why not have think of what you already have? Take a look at the way your living room is currently set out. Is there any way that you can move things around to create more space and light? Sometimes, simply moving the TV to the other side of the room can have a massive impact on the way your living space feels.

Lighting Is Key

The right lighting can instantly make a dull room feel so much brighter and modern. If you have an old fashioned light fitting with yellow light beaming into the space, your home will look dull and old. However simply by changing to a modern fitting such as a spotlight and using a cool toned light bulb, you will add a sense of light and space into the room.

Soft Furnishings

If you can’t afford to buy a whole new sofa for your space, don’t fret. You can update your living room easily by covering up your sofa cleverly with soft furnishings. By investing in a soft fleece throw and some brightly coloured cushions you will immediately be able to make the space feel put together.

Mirrors

Mirrors are your absolute best friend when it comes to decorating your home. A mirror can make a huge impact on the look and feel of your living space. No matter how small your living room is, a well placed mirror can add length and depth to your living space. It won’t cost you the earth and can add that missing element to your living room.

Paint Everything

Sometimes all you need to make your room feel brand new is a lick of paint. This weekend try buying a tin of white or pastel coloured paint and using this to revamp your walls and the ceiling. You can even paint wooden floors to add a new design feature to the room. If you have an old or tired bookshelf in your living room, a great way to change things up would be to paint the bookshelf white and then add colour to the back of the shelves. This will make the room feel instantly bigger but also give you a new design features that you will love.

Plants

Every room looks better with a plant in it. If you have some space in the living room which feels as if it is missing something, a great idea would be to add a houseplant. It will make your home feel much more lively and add some texture to your design.

One of the things that a lot of people struggle with is being able to turn their home into the kind of stylish environment that they see in magazines and online. It can often feel as though, no matter what you do, you can never make your home into the kind of place that you want it to be. However, the solution to this problem might be much simpler and more straightforward than you think. The truth is that the way to make your home feel more stylish can be summed up with a single word: simplicity. Most homes are simply too complicated when it comes to the way that they’re designed and decorated, and by stripping much of that away, you’re able to make the things that you want to stand out really pop. Here are a few things that you can do to bring a sense of simplicity into your home.

Get rid of the clutter

The truth is that most of us simply have too much junk in our homes. It’s a natural part of being a human being to want to hang on to things because of sentimental value, but there is a point where that can go too far, and when you start holding onto absolutely everything, no matter how insignificant, it can start to cause a problem. Having every single surface covered in knick-knacks and junk can make any home feel cluttered and cramped. If you really want things like decorations and ornaments to stand out, it’s best to contrast them against the simplicity of the rest of your home.

[Photo courtesy of Skitterphoto/pexels.com]

Pick the right furniture

If you don’t have a sense of consistency among your furniture at home, you’re never going to be able to give it a distinctive sense of style. This is a trap that a lot of people fall into, but it’s easy to get out of. Picking the right furniture and coordinating different pieces together can make a huge difference. Things like Stag furniture bring a stylish simplicity to any home and being able to use that throughout the house can immediately make the place more effective in terms of design. Sure, you don’t want your home to be totally uniform, but having a consistent throughline can give it a much stronger identity than it would otherwise have.

Learn how to coordinate colours

Colour theory is something that everyone should have at least a decent understanding of. If you don’t, you’re going to end up falling into the trap of using colours that aren’t right for each room and that clash with each other in an ugly and overbearing way. Don’t try to use too many different colours throughout your home. Pick a specific palate and then work from that as much as possible to create a sense of consistency.

Of course, it’s always possible to go too far. The last thing you want is to end up with your home looking like a bare prison cell or a showroom. Striking the right balance between simplicity and personality isn’t easy, but when you do, you’re really going to be able to feel the difference in your home.

If you are keen to learn a little about DIY, then you are not alone. This is the kind of activity that many people all over the world decide to get into every day, and it’s for a very good reason. After all, learning a little DIY can radically transform the way you think about your home, and it can equip you with much more understanding of how to make use of the space you have. In this article, we are going to try and get you started with the process of learning DIy by taking a look at a few of the basic projects you can begin with. Learn these, and you will develop a set of skills which you can then use to carry out more complex DIY tasks in the future.

[Photo courtesy of Pixabay/pexels/com]

Make A Shelf

It doesn’t really get much simpler than this, and yet it will be a great way to learn some of the absolute basics of DIY. If you have never made a shelf before, you might actually be struck by how easy it is to do, and you might find yourself wondering why you have left it so long to begin learning some basic DIY. To build a normal shelf, you only need three pieces of wood, a decent set of glue gun spray adhesives or a similar adhesive, and sometimes – if you prefer – nails instead. You should find that putting a shelf together is relatively straightforward and simple, but if necessary don’t be afraid to look online for a little advice. It is a simple beginning, but one which will build your DIY confidence quickly.

Install Some Outdoor Lighting

We mention this particular project because it often appears to be an especially popular one. If you have often thought it would be good to have a little outdoor lighting – or a little more of it – then the good news is that this is pretty easy to do. The good news about this is that there are so many ways in which you can do it too, so you can really begin to use your own creativity with this one and so develop even more confidence and understanding with the practices of DIY. You can make candle lanterns, tiki torches from bottles, or anything that you think will be good for your own home. Use your imagination, and create whatever you think most appropriate. That is the joy of DIY.

[Photo courtesy of Skitterphoto/pexels/com]

 Fix A Tap

Of course, much of DIY is all about fixing the pre-existing, rather than creating the new. If you want to learn how to fix things, it is best to start with something relatively minor, where it won’t matter too much if you can’t do it. Fixing a leaky tap is a great one to start with for this very reason, and because it tends to be quite easy to do. Look online for an in-depth guide on how to do this and then get to work. You might find that it is much easier than you had ever thought, and it will mean you no longer have to rely on the plumber quite as often.

Home improvements are great to add value to your property, but they can be a pain to finance. In fact, most homeowners tend to focus on personal loans or an FHA 203k loan – they can be used for refinancing and repairs instead of buying a new home – when they look for financing options. But, believe it or not, there is more than one way to finance your home improvement project without taking a personal loan. Below, you’ll find 5 ways that should do the trick for you.

Build an eco house

#1. Let the home raise money for the improvement

If you already have a first mortgage on your home, homeequitylineof.credit can be a valuable option for you. You can draw out money as it fits and choose to pay it back when you can, as long as you keep the minimum monthly payment. You don’t even have to pay interest either until you use the money. But beware, though: If you can’t make the payment, you could end up homeless.

#2. Go green and get funded

If you decide to go green and add eco-friendly transformations to your home, you might not even have to pay for it by yourself. According to archive.epa.gov you can find funding opportunities for green buildings, including grants and tax-credits. There is a variety of national and local programs available. For an updated list, you may want to get in touch with your local authorities.

#3. Find a construction loan

Construction loans are rare and they are difficult to obtain. But this short-term loan option allows you to pay for the construction or extension work. You will need to need to make major renovations to be eligible for this kind of loan. At the end of the construction process, you will need to get the end loan, which is a loan to pay off the first loan. However, construction loans are very cumbersome in terms of application and funding, as the money is only released at specific stages of the project. Finally, if the work can’t be completed within the agreed scheduled, you might have to pay additional costs until you can move in.

#4. Borrow your 401(k)

It’s common for 401(k) programs to let you borrow from your account and pay back the loan over a number of years – generally five – via payroll deduction. However, you can only borrow up to 50% of your account balance, which limits the amount you can get. Additionally, if you leave your job or change company, you will need to repay the loan earlier. In that case, the loan becomes a withdrawal on which you owe taxes and penalties.

#5 Reverse mortgage for 62+

If you are 62 or older, you can get a reverse mortgage on the percentage of equity that you own in your property. While a reverse mortgage is expensive, you don’t have to repay it until the home is sold or you’ve changed address.

Each way of funding your home improvements presents specific advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunately, unless you inherit a bunch load of money from a rich aunt, you will need to pick the most suitable borrowing option for your situation.

The rod pocket curtain is a variation of tailored curtain giving each window the best covering treatment to protect the entire home from the prying eyes of Peeping Toms. It is designed to enhance the appearance of your home no matter how large or small your windows are. Rod pocket curtains are manufactured with different sizes of pockets enough to insert the rod for easy installation. You can have a header to turn your window look elegant and fabulous.

These curtains are available in floral, geometric figures, plaids, checks, or stripes. You can pick a width of 68 inches to as much as 84 inches depending on the size of your window frame. Bold colors are perfect for the living room where most family members gather for their bonding moments. The polyester rod pocket curtain is the best option for your home office so that the light cannot distract your working mood. Striking colors in nylon or taffeta could add more inspiration to your kid’s study room.

[Photo courtesy of Markus Spiske /pexels.com]

Before you purchase the curtains, decide which size is suitable to your window length and size. Most notable lengths for curtains range from 84”, 96’’ and 108.” If you want elegant looking windows, the 108 inches is suitable for your home. A large window and sliding door need 120 inches length rod pocket curtain. If your house has Mediterranean or European features, try to have faux silk or silk curtains. They give your window the best treatment.

Stripes are a big no if your window is too tall while checkered is discouraged for short windows because it makes the window look stouter. Rod pocket curtains are effective in giving an illusion of width so be careful when you hang them on the window. If your window is short, you need to hang the curtain rod very close to the ceiling while the hemline should be floor length. Wide windows need curtains rods to be extended in few inches from the window frame while the entire curtain could cover them.