4 Hot Home Upgrades for DIYers
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Everyone loves to save money. So when it comes time to improve or repair your home, it’s natural to ask, “Can I DIY that?” Looking online, it seems like homeowners can DIY just about anything. Yet reality often turns out differently. What was pitched as a simple DIY project can easily end in wasted hours and even higher costs when you need a professional to fix a botched job. Before you decide to tackle that next DIY project, learn from American Kitchen Stones about what it really takes to pull off these popular home improvements.
Kitchen Remodeling
Kitchens are one of the most expensive rooms in the house to remodel. It’s not hard to see why: Kitchens contain a ton of wiring, plumbing, and even gas lines that complicate even the simplest of projects. That’s why so many families trust the experience of American Kitchen & Stones to help them upgrade to the kitchen of their dreams.
Installing cabinets
Take installing cabinets for example. Hanging pre-made cabinets seems simple enough until you end up with misaligned cabinets and doors that swing in the wrong direction. If you choose DIY cabinet installation, arm yourself with a good level and a weekend with nothing else on your calendar. This is a finicky project that takes patience. However, we recommend hiring an experienced cabinet installer that will design the space with you, like American Kitchen & Stones. When you’re paying $40,000 to $60,000 for a kitchen remodel, you want to be confident it’s done right.
Bathroom Upgrades
Bathrooms are another place where homeowners are eager to save money but think twice before attempting major bathroom construction on your own. It’s wiser to hire experts at American Kitchen & Stones to help you create your bathroom oasis.
Vanity makeovers
Simple changes like installing a new medicine cabinet, replacing the bathroom light fixture, and updating bathroom cabinets with new paint and hardware are the exception. These minor bathroom renovations require minimal know-how and only a few tools.
Tile work
Retiling bathroom floors is where people go wrong. What seems like a fun project quickly turns into a nightmare that pushes homeowners’ patience to its limits. Paying $10 to $25 per square foot to install tile flooring is worth sparing the frustration. If you are attempting DIY tile work, Tile Shop says not to skimp on preparation and plan tile placement to avoid sliver cuts or getting tiled in.
Outdoor Living
Outdoor living spaces are trending as homeowners search for space to stretch their legs. the backyard is full of fun projects for DIYers with a green thumb, but some outdoor improvements call for an expert.
Raised garden beds
Building raised garden beds is a great weekend project that even beginners can do. You can build raised beds from scratch using cedar or redwood (avoid pressure-treated or stained wood) or buy a prefabricated garden bed kit for even easier assembly.
Building a deck
Decks take outdoor living to the next level — literally and figuratively. Floating decks are a DIY- friendly option for the experienced, but a traditional deck attached to the house requires a contractor. An expert deck builder will also accommodate slopes and other property features to make the most of your outdoor living space. To save money on a new deck, hire a builder in the off-season when costs trend lower.
Fence installation
Whether you have kids, pets, or just want more privacy, a fence is an ideal solution. Fences can be expensive — the average cost for a new fence is $3,000 according to Inch Calculator — but don’t attempt to save money by installing a fence yourself. Proper fence installation requires permitting and careful attention to post depth and placement, grade, and underground utility lines. You’re better off hiring a licensed fence installer near you to build a fence that looks great and lasts for years.
Home Office Addition
Creating a dedicated space in the home for an office is a wise investment, and not just for the convenience and practicality of working out of the house. It’s also a coveted amenity for many homebuyers, adding value to the home. When setting up your home office, choose a space that allows in plenty of natural light, and ensures you’re outfitted with a fast internet connection. And don’t skimp on ergonomics, including your choice of desk and chair. We all know that it’s important to consult experts like American Kitchen & Stones when doing any kind of electrical, plumbing, or structural repairs. But too often, homeowners assume that as long as a project is safe, it’s safe to DIY. As noted, it depends on the size and scope of the project, as well as your abilities. In reality, there’s a lot that can go wrong with DIY renovations. While you might not get hurt, you may end up unhappy with the results. Rather than investing your hard earned money and time into larger-scale DIY projects that don’t pan out, call on professionals to lend a hand with your next home improvement.
Granite or Quartz
Quartz samples.
Where to begin?
When remodeling your kitchen choosing the countertop is one of the toughest parts. With so many options out there, which one should be the centerpiece of your kitchen? The main contenders nowadays are granite and quartz. Granite is a natural stone, and Quartz is an engineered stone. Here are some things to consider when choosing between granite or quartz: maintenance, durability, cost, and design.
Maintenance
In light of crazy times, we live in, being able to maintain a clean and sanitized home is vital. Regardless of whether you pick Granite or Quartz, how you would keep them is the same. Warm soapy water, with mild detergent. This will help maintain the seal on the granite. With the quartz doing this is a good way to keep it clean, without risk of staining the stone.
Quartz is a harder stone to stain than granite but it is possible. Something else that is great thing about quartz, it's less susceptible to harboring bacteria. Since it is an engineered stone it is denser which means there is less space for germs and bacteria to make it home. This means less work for you.
Durability
It is tough to know which one, granite or quartz, which is more durable. I will say, granite has been around much longer. Coming right out of mountains from all over the globe. Granite was used throughout monuments, throughout history a lot of them are still standing. When putting together the monument that is your kitchen, quartz is still a great option. Since granite is a natural stone it is prone to having air pockets that can break and leave little dimples on your countertops. We call these little things beauty marks because they are beautiful and natural. They happen regards to how often you seal it or how often you clean it, it happens.
Cost
Now we are at the meat of the matter. Cost of each. The general rule here is, Man-made is more expensive. How much more expensive, it depends on your kitchen and your imagination. The price of quartz has come down dramatically in the last few years. Because it is more popular now, but it is still a premium product and will be priced accordingly.
If you are thinking or doing some investing, and want to know which one is best as an investment. Go with granite. It is more popular, people are already familiar with the product will be more inclined to spend a little extra to not have to update their kitchen. Be advised we are not realtors, we are kitchen and bathroom remodelers. The best thing to do is check with a local realtor and get their opinion on it, ask them what your market is like, is it a granite market or a quartz market.
Kitchen with Granite countertop and metallic backsplash.
Design
What is the point of all this if your kitchen isn't the most beautiful it can be? When deciding between granite or quartz, the question to ask is, what do I want? Unique patterns throughout, or uniform look? Quartz has always been a sweetheart for interior designers because of how uniform the slabs can be. With minor variations between each slab, it is no wonder designers use it so often to achieve the look they want.
With granite, the thing to remember is that each slab is unique and there will never be one like it again. There can be some that are similar but it will not be the same. Granite has various variations and when you find the one slab you like, go with it. Because if you lose that slab there will never be one like it again. On the bright side, no one can copy your kitchen, it is yours alone.
Final Thoughts
It all comes down to what you are looking to do. If you want a very specific look for your kitchen, quartz is a good option. If you want more natural movements in the stone, with more earthy colors than granite is what you want. I would say, follow what you want, and what your wallet allows.
If you would like a free estimate contact us at 772-335-2558. Here at American Kitchen and Stones, we offer free estimates. Give us a call and ask us what we think, granite or quartz?
A Clean Home is a Safe Home
With everything that is going on, there is no reason why we should sacrifice cleanliness or the beautiful. When it comes to Granite countertops it's no different, a clean countertop is a beautiful countertop. But how do you clean that which comes from the ground and was forged in the earth? Warm water and mild dish soap, if you want to keep it simple.
If you want a "WOW" factor, use isopropyl alcohol. One part water, and one part IA. Using this little mixture will give your tops a beautiful shine and help keep everything safe. This is what my family use since I was a young boy in Brazil. This is the best and most cost-effective way to keep our countertops clean, and safe. With everything that is going on it doesn't hurt to keep your beloved countertops clean.
You might be asking, "isn't there anything a little stronger, and that will make everything cleaner?" Honestly, no. If you use an abrasive substance, you will damage the seal on your stone and remove the beautiful shine it has. Without a seal, the stone is open susceptible to staining. Abrasive substances are bleach, ammonia, Windex, even vinegar will be rough on the seal and weaken it.
In review, there are two preferred ways of beautifying and sanitizing your kitchen. One is warm water with a mild detergent and; the other is one part isopropyl alcohol and one part water. Place the IA and water mix in a spray bottle and spray away the nastiness, and leave behind a beautiful shine.