Home Improvement Blogs – Calgary

Window installation is a major home improvement project. Doing it right can improve your home's efficiency for years to come. If you're a homeowner who is thinking about installing new windows in your home, here's what you need to know.

Why Install New Windows

Often, homeowners install new windows to improve energy efficiency and boost the value of their home. Some homeowners install windows to make their home easier to sell. Other benefits of new windows include:

• Improved appearance.
• Improved comfort in the home.
• Ease of use.

Windows last for decades, but most windows need to be replaced once they're about 30 years old. Homeowners often decide to install new windows when their old windows are nearing the end of their

While much of Canada enjoys glorious weather in the summer, and spring and fall tend to be delightful in most provinces, winter can be precarious for outdoor activities, especially in one's own backyard.

The addition of a cozy fire pit or even an outdoor fireplace is sure the extend the season. Both would also be welcome even on chilly summer evenings. Other backyard improvements that a homeowner might consider include:

Simulate an Indoor Room

Adding a roof or attractive vine-covered lattice over a section of patio or deck creates functional and comfortable outdoor living space. With the addition of either built-in seating or all-weather furniture and some colourful cushions, the added square footage becomes a boon for entertaining as well

Little chores pop up around the house from time to time, such as hanging pictures, stabilizing loose screws, and hammering loose boards back into place. All of these tasks and more are easily accomplished with a few handy devices that should be in every homeowner's toolbox. These 10 essential basic homeowner tools are must-haves for anyone who wants to handle home improvement in their home.

Versatile Set of Screwdrivers

Flat head and Phillips head screwdrivers in a variety of sizes will likely be employed the most amid the essential toolbox. These tools often come in sets that are highly affordable, as there's no need to make a costly investment in screwdrivers unless one is a serious enthusiast. Those who know how to use a screwdriver with

Working at home, whether for convenience or out of necessity, should be a pleasant experience. Not only does a home office allow you to shorten your commute, but it allows you to make your own hours and cater to your own working style. However, rather than making do with a laptop in the midst of family activity, try to carve out a space that will provide both privacy and basic business necessities. Whether you work at home only on rare occasions, or you go to work every day, dedicated, clutter-free space that meets your specific needs is important.

Function

Having a separate room with a door is a luxury that might not be possible or affordable. But a folding screen, an alcove in a larger space, a little-used closet, or a corner of the attic

When you own your own South Calgary home, it helps to be handy. But even someone who is all thumbs may be able to navigate some plumbing issues without too much trouble with the help of a wrench and YouTube.

Plumbing is the most common cause of do-it-yourself disasters in the home so it pays to be careful at the first drip of errant water.

Do it Yourself or Dial a Pro?

There are minor problems that every Calgary homeowner should know how to fix. Just as you wouldn’t call an electrician to change a light bulb, there are some jobs that don’t require a lot of skill.

Examples of these kinds of situations include:

The Toilet is Running

If you constantly hear that noise of water running through pipes in your home, first make sure the

When you first begin shopping for items on your baby registry, you're likely to be overwhelmed in the presence of so many nursery decor themes. There are adorable zoo animals, beautiful butterflies, trucks and trains, and a whole slew of branded movie characters to choose from to personalize your baby's nursery.

Though going all out on a theme is very tempting, it may make the room more difficult to remodel or sell later on—exactly no one has a baby forever.

Instead, try these tips for designing a child's bedroom that will look great at all ages.

Choose a Sophisticated Colour Palette

If there's one thing your child will reject in in his or her second decade of life, it's likely a room awash in baby pink or powder blue. Try starting out

Homeowners have gotten on the home tech bandwagon. In addition to peoples homes, environmental concerns have driven many homeowners to purchase electric cars in the last few decades. While these vehicles are much better for the environment than cars that run on gasoline, they can present some logistical challenges. Charging in the home can become inconvenient if the homeowner doesn't own an electric car charging station. If you're a home owner with an electric vehicle, here's what you need to know about installing an electric car charging station in your garage.

Is It Possible to Charge Your Car Without a Dedicated Charger?

One of the first things that many homeowners want to know when the time comes to install a dedicated charger is whether

An outdoor living space can serve as an extension of a home. Friends and family can gather and relax on a well-planned space. It can also act as an oasis from every day cares and stress. Options exist for optimizing the function of a space and making it an ideal location to kick back or entertain.

An attractive outdoor living space is also known to boost home value and does not require a large budget to accomplish. Learn how to take the first steps in creating an outdoor living space to love for years to come, whether you build it yourself or hire a professional.

Ask Yourself This

Homeowners looking for some ideas to create or change up a neglected outdoor living space need to look no further. However, all designs begin with answering some

Homeowners can save money on improvement projects by doing some or all of the work themselves. Unfortunately, not all homeowners are able to safely take on complex projects. Knowing when you're able to make home improvements and when it's time to hire a professional can help you take care of your new home.

Consider Level Of Experience

When it comes to level of DIY experience, homeowners span a range. Some homeowners are able to work confidently with their hands, others have little or no experience. People who buy new homes having already fixed appliances and worked on construction projects have a significant advantage when it comes to completing home improvement projects.

For the inexperienced homeowner, it's important to take on do it

Siding boasts some of the highest returns of any home improvement project, with certain materials boasting an average of up to 89% returns. But home siding replacement isn't just a smart idea to improve the resale value of the home, it can also be a way to improve the safety of the people within it. Siding not only keeps out water and insects, it can also protect the interior of the home so it can stay strong against natural and man-made threats alike. Before getting started, consider the following basic facts about home siding replacement.

The Costs of Replacing Siding

For homeowners who have the flexibility to change the material of their siding, it helps to keep in mind not only the cost of the materials but also be costs of installation.