insight

September 2010 Renovation Newsletter

September 2010 Renovation Newsletter - Read this home renovation insight now.

In this issue of reVISION's Renovation Newsletter:

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A Kitchen for the Modern Renaissance Man

2007 National SAM Award FinalistIf you have a love for entertaining, a kitchen design such as this could be perfect for you.This is great place to bring people together, complete with a large open entertainment space, stainless steel appliances, large 6-burner Wolfe gas stove and a deep commercial style sink. The stone-pebble backsplash, Wenga wood flooring, surround system hidden in the ceiling and the ingenious lighting system add mood to the functionality.

Project photo
Project photo

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Don't Let your Basement Bring you Down

In many homes the basement is an area of untapped potential. By planning carefully with a professional renovator your basement renovation can be a very cost effective approach to adding a comfortable, attractive and useable space.Let there be light: Enlarge existing windows or add new ones. Push the window sizes to their limit and add mirrors to create the illusion of a larger, brighter space.Provide comfort to your whole house by improving the energy efficiency: Your renovator will inspect and provide recommendations for insulation, caulking, and draft proofing.The heating system: Your renovator may suggest moving the heat outlets or registers and adding a cold-air return in order to create a more even distribution of heat.Air Quality: It's important to correct any moisture problems before the renovation begins to avoid problems associated with mold. Also remember that proper ventilation is key to healthy air in your basement.Soundproofing: This will minimize the sound from travelling from one area to another. An intercom system may be an option for easy communication between levels.Things to think about: Set aside enough room for storage and include a floor to ceiling shelving unit; Rough-in all the connections during the renovation for later installations, ex. Fireplace; Install the wiring during the renovation for any future needs, ex. Cable, alarm system, sounds system, etc.[divider_top]

Asbestos and Your Renovation

Asbestos is a strong fire-resistant mineral fibre that can cause very serious illnesses. If your house was built during or before the late 1980's, you may want to consider renovating. Your renovator will have a qualified person come inspect and safely remove Asbestos from your home. Some potential sources of Asbestos include but are not limited to the following:

  • Duct insulation and tape
  • Textured of stipple-coated walls and ceilings
  • Acoustical tiles and stipple or popcorn ceiling
  • Gypsum board filling compound and patching and joint compound for walls and ceilings
  • Soundproofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings
  • Batt insulation
  • Loose blown-in insulation such as vermiculite

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Return on Investment

If you are thinking of renovating, it's important to not eliminate options for potential future buyers. Plan your project carefully to ensure you are making a wise financial decision. Below are some renovations that will give you the most bang for your buck:

  • An outdoor kitchen addition, if you do it right, is between 150-200%
  • A kitchen renovation - 72%
  • Bathroom renovation - 68%
  • Basement renovation - 49%
  • Construct a garage - 70%