Archives for September 2015

Improve Curb Appeal With Home Exterior Renovation

September 28, 2015 by ·

Improve Curb Appeal With Home Exterior Renovation

When you drive home after a long day at work and turn into your driveway, you want to be able to look at your house and feel a sense of pride and welcoming even before you get to the door. Having good curb appeal is important even if you don’t intend to sell your home anytime soon. After all, the front of your house and the entryway are the things everybody sees first when they come over to visit. Home renovation in College Station, TX can refresh the look of your home to make it the jewel of your neighborhood.

New Painting and Siding Comes First

If your budget is not that big, you can add new siding or repaint just the front of your house to increase curb appeal without painting the side and back walls as well. Of course the finish on the front walls should match or complement what is already installed in the back, but it does not have to be exact to look good.

Painting your existing siding is always a great, more affordable option for revitalizing the front façade of your home. Durable, weatherproof exterior paint comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes. Today’s paint is designed not to fade or chip in the sun or rain for many years to come. Instead of chasing trends in home color, choosing a timeless, neutral shade may be your best bet.

For fabulous style and easy maintenance, nothing beats Hardie-Plank siding. This cement fiber siding has been recommended by home renovators, handyman services, design crews and consumer groups for many years. It’s top-quality construction and attractive finishes are perfect in the hot Texas weather and suit many different styles of home. Multiple color options are available as well as simple primed siding that can be painted with regular house paint.

Windows and Skylights

Upgrading to new windows can also increase the curb appeal of your home. Painted trim that is flaking or wearing out, or is discolored by the sun or rain is a maintenance nightmare that necessitates hiring handyman services regularly to keep the windows looking like new. Buying and installing vinyl windows can get rid of this problem and keep the front of your home looking great for many years.

Windows are mainly used to allow light into the home and, while this factor has nothing to do with the exterior appearance, it is important for your overall impression of the entryway and front hall of the house. Another way to introduce beautiful sunlight into the home is with Sun Tunnel Skylights. These tubular lighting access points provide a great flash of sunlight to the interior without marring the exterior roof style with bulky mechanisms or large pop up fixtures.

Exterior home renovation in the College Station, TX and Bryan, TX area can encompass everything from replacing all the siding on your house to painting window trim and the porch railing. Depending upon budget and condition of the exterior fixtures, simple and effective things can be done to improve curb appeal and make your home something truly to be proud of.

Filed Under: Remodeling ·

Top 5 Remodeling Jobs to Increase Property Value

September 21, 2015 by ·

Top 5 Remodeling Jobs to Increase Property Value

Even if you do not plan to sell your house soon, increasing the value of your property can be very beneficial to the enjoyment of life and maintaining the neighborhood’s style and value. The best company for home remodeling in College Station, TX help you decide which projects undertake based on your properties particular needs and your budget.

When it comes to home remodeling in Brazos Valley, TX, the following list encompasses the top five jobs you should consider undertaking to improve your home:

1 – Revitalize and Refinish the Exterior

Curb appeal is a real estate catchphrase that describes the feeling a person gets when they look at your house from the street. It is always important to make a good first impression. Repainting, installing new siding or windows, buying a more attractive front door and adding things like flowerpots and porch lights go a long way to increasing the value of your property.

2 – Interior Floors, Walls and Ceilings

After formulating an opinion about your house from the exterior, people walk inside and want to see a fresh and clean interior as well. Get rid of out of date finishes like popcorn ceilings and flowered wallpaper. Instead, go for neutral walls, colorful or dark accent walls, stone, ceramic tile, natural wood and other quality materials.

3 – Increase Living Space

Besides having an addition built, there are other, less expensive ways to increase the living space of your home. On the inside, finishing an attic or a basement is a great idea. You could potentially add another bedroom and greatly affect your home value. To extend the living area outside, sunrooms, screened in porches, patios and decks work as well.

4 – Kitchen and Bathroom General Remodel

The two most important rooms in the house when it comes to remodeling and increasing property value are the kitchen and the bathrooms. They are also the two rooms where out dated materials and designs occur most often. While a flat a painted wall will never go out of style, a Formica countertop and linoleum floor can definitely affect other people’s impression of your kitchen. New tile, new countertops and new cabinetry can completely change the appearance, feel and value that these rooms bring to your house.

5 – Energy Efficiency

Any home remodeling in Bryan, TX should focus on not only looks and low maintenance, but also energy efficiency and environmentally friendly materials. With all the interest in going green these days, installing energy friendly appliances and utilities an increase home value. Using sustainable materials for siding, decks or other construction products can decrease maintenance costs in the future and thus make the property more attractive in the market.

Although you may intend to stay in your current home for many years to come, keeping it up-to-date and marketable can help in the long run and increase property values for the whole neighborhood. You do not need to have an excessively large budget to undertake some home remodeling projects that can improve the interior and exterior of your home.

Filed Under: Remodeling, Uncategorized ·

Extend Living Space With Porches, Decks and Pergolas in College Station, TX

September 14, 2015 by ·

Extend Living Space With Porches, Decks and Pergolas in College Station, TX

Homeowners in the College Station, TX area would miss out on all the fabulous weather if they relaxed and entertained inside their home all the time. Even if you have a large house, it can get boring staring at the same walls all the time. The backyard may be lovely with professional landscaping, but it does not become very useful without some help. Why not extend your living space with the addition of a sunroom, porch, deck and pergola?

Sunrooms/Screened Porches

These home additions create a zone that shares characteristics from both the inside and the outside. Sunrooms use many large windows to allow the sun and cool breezes into a comfortable space that is protected from the weather. A screened porch moves you closer to the outdoors. The walls of screening allow sun, wind and sometimes rain to come in while protecting you from biting insects. These rooms and porches will quickly become favorite spots for relaxation and entertaining.

Decks

With all the varieties offered in decking these days, a deck builder in College Station, TX can help you choose a design that is perfect for your home style, backyard size and the intended use. Decks are usually made from wood with a railing around them. Seating can be built in or they can be left flat for use with outdoor furniture. Many people enjoy grilling on the deck and having family and friends over for a fun cookout. They are one of the most common ways to extend living space of a home into the great outdoors.

Arbors/Pergolas

The Texas sun can be quite hot and protecting yourself from it can help prevent painful sunburns as well. If you have an existing deck or patio on the backside of your house, adding an arbor or pergola can be an excellent idea. Builders who design and install pergolas in College Station, TX understand the best options to get the most benefits in sun protection and cooling comfort.

Because arbors and pergolas are not solid like an actual roof, rain and some sun was still come down through the slatted boards. They do add architectural interest to the backyard and afford some measure of cooling to make it easier to enjoy the outside in this hot region. Additional sun protection can be had by installing overhead screens or allowing lush vines to climb up the arbor and over the top.

Decorating and maintaining a beautiful home provides ample space for a family to relax and entertain their family and friends, but nothing beats getting outside to enjoy the warm temperatures, a bit of sun and a great view of your landscaped backyard. Building sunrooms, porches, decks, arbors and pergolas can extend your living space and increase the value of your home with less cost and mess than a total renovation.

Filed Under: Porches Decks Pergolas ·