Two Important Home Improvement Projects To Take On In 2015

The new year is almost here -- and, for most Americans, that means it's finally time to stop putting things off and make a point of actually doing them. For that reason, it is the perfect time to take on new home improvement and remodeling projects. The best remodeling projects are practical, profitable, and often give you something to look forward to. Here are a few ideas. 

Get A New Floor 

A new floor is a worthwhile investment. It can have a sizable return on investment (ROI), and -- in fact -- buyers reveal that they will pay up to $2,000 extra for quality wood inlay flooring. Remember, you do have different types of floor designs and materials to choose from. You may choose to replace floors with hardwood, carpeting, clean laminate floors, radiant flooring, and more. Keep in mind that each material may require different floor installation tools and have specific advantages and disadvantages. Wood, for example, may vary from soft woods (pine and spruce) to hard woods (oak, walnut, and maple), and installing a hardwood floor can improve air quality, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

In 2015, It'll Be All About Decks 

"Adding a tiny 16 x 20-foot wood deck with a bench, planter, and a few steps leading to the yard creates a natural transition from indoor to outdoor spaces," HGTV explains. And it's in high demand. Outdoor spaces, including functional patios and decks, are ever-growing in popularity. More and more Americans entertain, cook, and relax outside. Right now, homeowners can easily earn a 72.8% ROI by installing a new deck, and that return is only likely to increase in the future. 

Make one of your new years resolutions to finally start that home improvement project. Research floor installation tools, designs, and materials and/or install a new deck for the most practical and profitable projects.

DIY or Pay a Pro: 4 Factors to Consider When Installing Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are an asset to any home. They are timeless, low-maintenance, long-lasting, environmentally- and health-friendly. Not to mention, when it comes time to sell your home, buyers are likely to spend more for a home with hardwood floors (for all those same reasons listed above!). When you've decided to replace floors in your home with hardwoods, your next big decision is how this flooring installation is going to happen. Are you going to take it on yourself, or turn over the reins to the flooring company? Here are a few factors to consider before making your decision. Site finished vs. Prefinished Floors - Prefinished hardwood floors are finished by the manufacturer before they are packaged and sold. These are usually the best bet for DIY-ers, because there's no need to worry about having to sand and finish the floors. Site-finished floors are more difficult to install than prefinished wood floors, because they need to be nailed down, sanded, and finished by hand, a process which takes several days. Installing prefinished hardwood floors is fine for a DIY-er, but the site-finished floors are best left to the professionals. Type of Hardwood Floor - There are different types of hardwood floors that determine the ease with which the floors are installed. Nail down floors have the most appealing appearance, but it is a difficult method best left to the flooring company. Glue-down floors are much the same, because of the potential mess. The lock-and-fold method is the simplest method of installation, and many homeowners find it within the realm of their capabilities. The Room - The room in which the installation will take place is a big consideration. If it's just a big square or rectangle, then it shouldn't be much of a problem. But if it is a complexly-shaped room that will require a lot of planning and cuts, then you might be better off letting the flooring company handle the job. The Budget - If the project does not have a very large budget, you might be better off doing the installation yourself, rather than paying to have the pros do it. You'll have to measure how much it will be worth it to you to have your floors professionally done. The most important point to consider when making the decision of who will install your hardwood flooring, is whether you have the time to dedicate to learning the proper way to install your floors, and taking the time to be sure it's done correctly. If this isn't possible? A professional might be the safest option for ensuring longterm value.

What Type of Flooring is Best for Pets?

If you are a pet owner, you want the very best for your pets. While many people consider different types of floor designs for their new home from an aesthetic point of view, they often don't consider how their pets will fare in a home with those flooring designs. We've compiled a few questions for you to ask yourself about your pet, when choosing the flooring designs for your new home. Dog Does your dog shed? If so, you're going to want flooring that's easy to clean. In which case, hardwood floors or laminate hardwood floors are probably your best option. Does your dog have trimmed nails? If not, you might want to consider hardwoods. Laminate wood floors are softer than hardwoods, and your dog's nails might scratch the finish. Verdict: Hardwood flooring Cat The same concerns that apply to dogs apply to cats as well. If they shed, you'll want flooring that's easy to clean, and if their nails aren't trimmed, and you don't want scratched floors, you'll want to go with something durable like hardwood. Verdict: Hardwood flooring Rodent Does your rodent have a 'hamster ball'? If not, you're definitely going to want a hardwood floor, that will be easy for the animal to walk on. If you do have a 'hamster ball' for your rodent to roll around in, short carpeting would also be okay. Verdict: Hardwood floors or short carpeting Bird Is your bird loud? If so, you may want to consider carpeting to absorb some of the sound. Hardwood or wood laminate floors can still be an option, as long as you make sure the room has plenty or throw rugs, furniture, and drapes to absorb the sound. Verdict: Carpeting, possibly hardwood or laminate wood floors Reptile Do you let your reptile crawl on the floor? If not, flooring choice obviously doesn't matter. If you do, they would be better off on a hardwood or laminate surface. Verdict: Hardwood or laminate wood floors Fish Do you allow your fish to crawl on the floor? Really? Verdict: Pet ownership may not be for you. There are many other things to consider when choosing flooring for a home with pets, such as the environmental friendliness, air quality, and comfort, etc. This will give you a starting point to make sure you consider the needs of all the residents of your home before looking at new flooring options.

Keeping Your Beautiful Hardwood Inlay Flooring Clean

Your hardwood inlay flooring looks beautiful, but over time, it's easy to collect dust and track dirt, so it does need to be regularly cleaned. But you want to protect the quality of your floors and keep them looking beautiful forever, so there are certain steps you can take to carefully clean your hardwood floors. Hardwood flooring is generally more durable than soft woods, and typically more expensive. This doesn't mean that they can't be harmed, however, only that you want to try particularly hard to avoid any damage. After all, it costs an average of $5,800 to add hardwood flooring to a home in the U.S., and home buyers are inclined to spend an extra $2,000 for a home with hardwood floors. Tips for Safely Cleaning Hardwood Inlay Flooring When moving heavy furniture, make sure you slip a piece of cloth under the legs, or cover each leg with a heavy sock, in order to protect your floors. Put plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching. Remember that cleats, sports shoes, and high heels can dent any floor surface. Never wet-mop a wood floor. Standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood, and leave a discoloring residue. Wipe up food and other spills immediately with a dry or slightly dampened towel. Place mats and throw rugs at doorways, exteriors, and interiors to help prevent the tracking of grit, dirt, and sand. Sweep or vacuum wood floors regularly. Hardwood floor inlay designs can be difficult to replicate if the floor is damaged, so it's important to avoid doing so. If you're getting a new floor installed, be sure to ask the flooring company if they have any recommendations for keeping your wood inlay flooring safe from damage.