With the down economy, many people are taking on home improvement projects themselves rather than hiring someone to do it for them. This can save a lot of money if you know what you are doing. However, it requires some preparation and know-how. In this article, you’ll find many helpful tips for taking on your home improvement projects.
An easy and cost effective way to spruce up your home is by painting the interior. To estimate the amount of paint you need, you have to calculate the square footage of the walls. Simply multiply the length of the wall by its height. One gallon of paint will cover approximately 350 square feet. Bear in mind that you may need two coats of paint, depending on what color you are painting over.
An affordable and speedy way to upgrade the look of your bathrooms is to utilize coordinated metal fixtures. You can find items such as shower curtain rods, towel racks or knobs in different shapes and colors. Some home improvement stores sell these items as a package; this is a good way to save money.
Try to avoid using oil based paints for your walls. Painting your walls with oil paint creates a look that is reminiscent of cheap apartment complexes. Choose a nice matte color that is easy to paint over. Oil based paints usually require the application of several layers of primer before you can paint over them properly. Using simple matte wall paint can cut down the cost of supplies and annoyance when painting your walls.
It is possible to just replace a lock’s cylinder, rather than the entire lock. The cylinder will keep the lock in place at all times. Should you lose your key, a safe way to replace the lock and keep the original housing is by doing a cylinder replacement. If you need more security or you want to change the look, you should replace the entire thing.
Put exhaust fans in any area of your house where hot air is frequently present. These would includes areas like the kitchen and your bathrooms. Ventilation of moist air prevents the growth of mold indoors. Not only does this lower the chances for mildew, but the prevented condensation no longer poses a threat of rot along the foundation.
Don’t throw out your tub just because it has a few hard to remove stains. There is an easy solution that is sure to help your problem. Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda and a few teaspoons of cream of tartar. Squeeze enough juice out of a lemon to create a paste. Spread the paste with a cloth onto the stain. Leave it for about half an hour and go back and thoroughly rinse your tub out.
Using the home improvement tips described in this article, you will be capable of completing your home improvement projects in a cost-effective and timely manner. Keep these helpful tips in mind, and you will be on your way to creating the living space and home you have always desired.