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Home Renovation can be a costly affair but it can be done within the stipulated budget by applying some tried & tested ideas.

Research your Renovation & Set a Realistic Renovation Budget

Before starting, do a thorough research & make sure that you have checked with the local building authority regarding all the rules & regulations. Also check with your insurance company before any major work is carried out.

Setting a realistic budget is one of the most important things one can start with as budgets can easily spiral out of control in home renovation projects if one is inexperienced. Talk to the experienced vendors & compare their quotes. Also consult other experienced renovators & ask their experiences and their costs.

Create Atmosphere & Improve the Street Appeal

Enhance your rooms by using neutral colors on walls & ceilings. Dump the outdated curtains and replace with modern venetians. Update or paint the front face of the property to create the perfect frame & atmosphere. One can also install a new letterbox. Also make sure that you have removed all clutter and outdated materials which don’t add value to your property.

Renovate the Kitchen

The kitchen can be one of the most expensive & complex rooms to renovate. Update kitchen cupboards by repainting with laminate paint, replace old door handles with new one, update kitchen cupboards & give tiles a fresh look by painting with tile paint.

Renovate the Bathroom

While going for the bathroom renovation your purpose should be make it look “Bigger, Brighter & Cleaner”. Replace old tap handles, shower head, towel rails with new ones. Paint the walls white & repaint the old tiles with tile paint.

Renovate the Bedrooms

Bedroom is one of the most important part of a home which requires attention. Add new carpet & touches of color from bed linen in shades to compliment the room. Also invest in innovative storage ideas like side tables & built in robes.

Create an Inside Outside Look

Create an indoor outdoor look by adding bi-fold doors which lead out onto a verandah and bring the outdoors in. Also add well maintained plants in tall pots just outside the doors.

Home Renovation Projects are usually costly affairs but it can be achieved without breaking your budget, by smart planning & following some tried and tested ideas.

Setting a Realistic Renovation Budget

• Setting a realistic budget is one of the first basic things you can start with. Budgets can easily spiral out of control in home renovation projects. So, one should talk with other experienced renovators about their experiences, their costs & also ask the tradesmen for quotes on jobs & materials. 5% of the purchase price of the property is a good guide to start with.

For eg:-$400k property =$20k Renovation Budget

Some common things to remember when doing the Renovation:

• The inside of your apartment or house should set the right mood.
• The cheapest and most effective way one can give their rooms a lift is with paint. Simply add, update or paint the front fence to create the perfect frame for the property.
• Use Neutral colours on walls and ceilings.
• Add a new door or simply do the door repaint and replace the locks and handles
• For Floors, the best & easiest way is polished floors. One can also contact a flooring (carpet /vinyl) consultant to pick the right style for your individual situation.
• The kitchen can be one of the most expensive things to renovate. One can update kitchen cupboards by repainting with laminate paint. Replace old door handles with new one.
• Your main aim in the bathroom should be to make them look Bigger, Brighter and Cleaner.
• Paint bathroom walls white and repaint ugly tiles with Tub and Tile paint.
• One can throw away the shower curtain and add a glass shower screen as this will give a lighter bigger feel to the room.
• For Bedrooms, add new carpet to match the decor. Also one can add touches of color from bed linen in shades to compliment the room.
• One can add easy maintained plants in tall pots just outside the doors to create a feeling of their own private garden.

By keeping in mind above mentioned points, one can do the home renovation within their specified budget & time frame. If you get into some trouble, have the Plan ‘B’ ready to finish in time. Also One needs to do more DIY (Do it yourself) to save funds & scout for cheaper materials.

EnviroSLAB countertop is a good choice if one wants to go for environmentally friendly product to use in his bathroom. EnviroSLAB countertops are made from 100% recycled glass and mixed with Porcelain and custom colored resin to form a very durable surface.

EnviroSLAB is manufactured in Standard nominal size (27″ x 84″ x 1″).

Color & Design Capabilities

Design possibilities with EnviroSLAB countertop for your bathroom are endless. Hundreds of customizable color and design options are available. All one needs to do is to decide on an EnviroRESIN Color, an EnviroSCAPE aggregate color and size mix & whether one would like high gloss or a matte finish.

Cost Factor

EnviroSLAB is comparable to most solid surfaces in regards to cost at approximately $80 per square foot.

Durability Factor

EnviroSLAB is a very durable product & stain resistant & is as strong as solid surface countertops as they both share similar manufacturing techniques. EnviroSLAB does not need to be sealed over time and can last a life time if cared properly.

Environment & Health Impact

EnviroSLAB is an extremely environmental friendly & green product as it uses 100% recycled glass and recycled porcelain chips.

With its principles of recycling, diversity of design options and multitude of applications, Glossy and slick looks, EnviroSLAB countertops are great product option if you are looking for something unique for your bathroom countertops.

Soapstone is extremely durable and can lend a beautiful touch to the bathroom. It is used widely in wash basins, sinks, laboratories, countertops as it can be easily shaped with stone cutting tools.

Soapstone is made up of magnesite, dolomite, chlorite & talc & is expensive in cost.
It has a soapy texture to it hence its name. The texture is derived from the talc in the stone.

The Cost Factor

Soapstone counters are quite expensive having price range from $75 sq ft to $100 sq ft depending on thickness and prefabricated inlaid design.

Color & Design opportunities

Soapstone is generally dark gray in color. Left untreated it will take on a natural patina and develop a rich, dark hue over time.

Soapstone counters generally dark in color come in varying thickness from ¾” to 2 ¾” slabs. It is easily shaped to any design & can have drain boards installed.

Durability factor

Soapstone is extremely durable and heat resistant. Soapstone is very soft though and will scratch. Scratches are easily removed with another coat of mineral oil and deeper cuts can be sanded away.

Construction & Installation

We recommend that the installation of a soapstone countertop be done by professionals only, although it is possible to install on your own, because it is easily shaped with stone cutting tools

Environment & Health impact

Soapstone is not as harmful as other quarried stones as it is mined from the surface. Since soapstone is non-porous it is an excellent hygienic material for the bathroom & very easy to clean with simple soap and water.

Soapstone’s dark, rich color having different versatile design features, sets this product apart from the rest.

Although a relatively new product in the bathroom countertops market, Enameled Lavastone has emerged as a popular option for bathroom renovations as it is extremely customizable, unique in texture and design & is available in range of colors.

Enameled lava stone is extracted from volcanic lava stone and glazed with enamel, then fired in a kiln at 1300 degrees to create a beautiful, smooth crackled finish.

The Cost Factor

LavaStone Bathroom countertops are expensive product as these are produced by limited no. of suppliers. Also very few manufacturers are available who are involved in glazing this stone. The price ranges well over $200 a sq. ft installed.

Color & Design opportunities

LavaStone Bathroom countertopsare available in a range of colors. Nowadays many wash basins, bathroom countertops and sinks are being designed from enameled lava stone and integrated directly into the design of your bathroom countertops. Although it’s glossy finish can be a drawback.

Durability

Enameled lava stone is a highly durable & low maintenance product. It is extremely stain, heat & scratch resistant & it does not require a sealant.

Construction & Installation

Enameled lava stone is pre-fabricated and shipped pre-cut by a laser saw. It is always recommend that installation be done by professionals.

Environment & Health impact

Enameled Lava stone is manufactured using enamels and therefore does have an impact on the environment due to waste by products. It is not particularly recyclable, but pre-fabricated pieces or designs can be re-used in other homes or bathrooms.

Homeowners looking for the opulent & luxurious look should go for the Enameled Lava stone countertops.