Home renovation projects start with knowledge. Our home remodeling articles and DIY tips can help you learn about any renovation process. If you’re unsure about how to complete the project, you can also browse our contractor directory to find a local home renovation professional who can help you with any of your projects.

• Basement Renovations • Bathroom Renovations • Carpentry • Closet Design • Closet Organization • Cottage Renovations	• Fireplaces • Drywall • Flooring • Games Room • Home Gym	• Home Improvements • Home Theaters • Insulation • Interior Restoration • Kitchen Renovations	• Laundry Rooms • Painting • Space Saving Tips & Ideas • Tiling • Wallpaper

Carpentry	TOP

	Finish Carpenter Staircase Installation Tips for the Home Handyman This 958-word article highlights the skills of trim and finish carpenters. It also includes time-saving DIY tips, new staircase installation techniques used by the pros, and more.

Closet Design & Organization	TOP

	Design Your Own Closet; Better Closet Organization Find out how to maximize closet space in this 1,000-word article. Whether using DIY modular systems, or custom designed features; for better organized storage, and to increase the real estate value of your home.

Cottage Renovations	TOP

Expert Renovation Ideas: Cute as a Button Cottage Design Cute, cozy, and charming; all words that describe cottage design. But as delightful as cottage style and living is most cottages lack ample space, and many persons struggle with what renovation designs works best. This article offers practical ideas for renovation projects that enhance cottage life and make full use of available space without compromising on the charm of country décor.

Drywall	TOP

	All the Basics of DIY Drywall Projects With the right set up, proper tools and enough supplies, your DIY drywall project will be straightforward. Fasten the sheets to straight studs and make sure they are level and butted tight together. Use a pencil and razor knife to cut out spaces for electrical outlets and switches. Mudding drywall can be a challenge, so take it slow. With patience and proper sanding between coats, your drywall mud will soon form a smooth surface ready to take primer and finally paint.
	Veneer Plaster Once thought to be a dead trade plastering is now coming back as skilled trade featuring ornamental interior work and a new process called veneer plastering. Instead of using the old lath technique a drywall contractor practices veneer plastering which uses a special gypsum board called “blueboard” as a base. Then instead of two course coats as a base the finishing layer is smoothed over the entire wall.

Drywall Contractors Drywall replaced plaster and lath walls in the 1950's as home building became less reliant on the skilled, plasterer's trade. With the new tools and techniques available today drywall contractors can complete a whole home in two days whereas it used to take a plastering team up to two weeks. In many instances small drywall jobs can be completed by a novice. However, it is worth the money to hire a professional drywalling contractor.

	Veneer Plastering vs. Drywall The veneer plaster method uses the best of plastering and drywalling to create a durable, age-old finish that is easy to paint. Thought to be a lost art in many areas veneer plaster creates a long, unblemished surface that is dent-proof like the old plaster walls but used a gypsum board as its base.

	Drywall Hanging Tips When a prospective home buyer enters the home one of the items that will stick in his or her memory is the kitchen. Even though bathrooms are important and the landscaping will add to the curb appeal the kitchen remains extremely high on the priority list.

Fireplaces

	Get Your Wood Stove or Fireplace Ready For Winter It is essential that your fireplace and wood stove be thoroughly inspected and cleaned by a certified technician. Let them look after the chimney sweeping and more technical task, while you can handle the minor details of servicing your alternative heating appliance.
	Stay Warm and Cozy By Installing a Fireplace Adding a fireplace to your living space is the best way to create a cozy, comfortable space. To ensure safety when installing a fireplace homeowners will need to call on the services of a professional. For natural gas models, a gas fitter can connect and test the gas lines. With a wood stove, the various clearances and safety features required are often best left to the professional installers. Fireplace inserts may work with a DIY installation, but only if the fire brick is in decent shape and the chimney is accessible and clean. Any way that it is done, installing a fireplace will instantly change your living space and create a homey, warm feeling no matter the weather.
	New Trends in Fireplaces There are few things more cozy and romantic than a crackling fireplace. These functional and beautiful features add dimension, style and old-fashioned charm to any room. While installing a fireplace can be a tough project to tackle, it can pay off immensely in enjoyment and in resale value. In this article, we'll examine the benefits of installing a fireplace, as well as the advantages of wood-burning, gas and electric versions. We'll also touch on fireplace décor, and review some tips for when and how to hire a professional to assist with your fireplace project.

Flooring	TOP

	DIY Project: Installing Laminate Flooring Installing laminate flooring can be a great do-it-yourself project if you have the right laminate flooring tools for the job. Compared to a plank wood floor, laminate flooring is inexpensive to buy and easy to install for anyone who is handy. All it takes is planning and buying the right materials and a beautiful laminate floor can be ready in less than a weekend.
	Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring for your Home With so many wood choices, the hardest part about installing a hardwood floor is often making decisions at the home improvement store. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most popular species of wood used to make hardwood floors so you can kind the best option for your home.
	Tips for Maintaining Hardwood Floors Wooden Floors definitely look very attractive. If you are maintaining wooden floors with the right techniques, they can look attractive for. The article discussed few tips about the same.
	Tips to Clean Hardwood Floors Clean wooden floors keeps your house pretty and beautiful, and increases its property values. As long as you know what kind of hardwood flooring you have, you should have no problem cleaning and maintaining your wood flooring. This article provides a few tips on how to keep your wood flooring clean and shiny.
	Removing Scratches and Stains from Wood Floors Wooden floors get stains and starches often which make it look very undesirable. Now you can follow the tips for removing scratches and stains from wood floors to make your floor look newly installed.
	Sustainable Flooring Materials Sustainable flooring products are grown in ecologically-sustainable situations. Many raw materials, like bamboo and cork, are grown on plantations whereas oak and maple are harvested without clear-cutting the forest. After the mature trees are cut new trees or plants are planted and the stocks can be replenished. Natural rock can be milled in local quarries and ceramic tile is also manufactured on the continent so that the fuel to transport them is kept to a minimum.
	Best DIY Flooring Options for the Basement With the damp and sometimes cramped conditions of a basement, flooring options may be limited. Although carpet will work, vinyl and traditional hardwood are not good ideas. With tips on to install engineered hardwood and ceramic tiles you'll find out that these two particular options are number one for the area and also the best DIY flooring projects around.
	Top 4 Reasons to Choose Cork Flooring Find out why cork flooring is a good choice for your kitchen, bath and living areas. It delivers comfort, softness, warmth and natural beauty. Besides the green way this flooring is manufactured, cork is also easy to clean and simple to install. Available in a variety of DIY friendly styles, this is an ideal flooring choice for many homes.
	5 Design Tips for Your Flooring Project Flooring is a big investment that can change the entire look and atmosphere of your home. Design for the best quality flooring that suits your needs and choose wisely. With the ideal type of flooring, your investment will be worth it every time you enter the room.
	Learn How to Save Money When Hiring a Flooring Contractor Hiring a flooring contractor will result in the most durable, comfortable flooring possible. But you can save money by doing a few things yourself and choosing the optimum layout to reduce waste. Ask for a detailed quote from each flooring contractor you contact and use that information to make the best decision on where to save money. Your home’s fresh new look will be well worth the work when your flooring project is complete.
	Flooring Mistakes You Must Avoid In this article, we'll review the most common mistakes made by homeowners when installing new flooring. We'll also look at when DIY work is appropriate and when it's best to call in the professionals. In addition, we'll give you a few important tips on finding and hiring the best professionals. Installing new flooring is one of the most popular home improvement projects out there. However, just because it's popular doesn't mean that new flooring is without potential mistakes...it's full of them! Thankfully, all it takes to avoid these mistakes is a bit of general knowledge and common sense.
	Practical Tips on Hardwood Flooring Installing a hardwood floor is a very popular home improvement project. These floors have been beautifying homes for years, making them great for traditional houses as well as ultra-modern abodes. Regardless of your décor or personal style, there’s a species and finish of hardwood that's perfect for you. In this article, we'll look at hardwood floors in a few different ways. We'll clue you in to the hottest current trends, warn you of some common (and costly) mistakes, and even help you find the very best professionals in your local area. Hardwood Advantages We all know that a gleaming hardwood floor is beautiful. However, there are some other benefits to this traditional floor covering. A hardwood floor adds significantly to the value of your home, if selling is in your future. Hardwood is very easy to maintain and, in most cases, extremely durable. In addition, hardwood contributes to a healthy home! Allergens like pet hair and dust can easily become trapped in floor coverings like carpet. Hardwood allows these allergens to be easily cleaned away, leaving the air in your home much more comfortable to breathe.
	How to Avoid Laminate Flooring Mistakes Laminate flooring is one of the most popular flooring choices around, and with good reason. Laminate is attractive, durable and fairly easy to install. It gives the look of wood or stone, two beautiful and traditional but expensive flooring materials at a much lower cost. Although the packaging and some home improvement store employees would have you think that laminate flooring practically installs itself, this is not the case. Laminate is simple when compared to installing a solid hardwood floor, but there are still plenty of details which must be given the proper attention. Failing to pay attention to these smaller considerations can quickly add up to a warped, sagging, discolored floor. Here, we'll review some of the most common mistakes made when installing laminate flooring, whether you're tackling the job on a DIY basis or hiring the pros. We'll also give you a quick refresher on what laminate flooring actually is.
	Concrete Floor Refinishing with Overlays Concrete overlays look beautiful and are a great way to improve an existing concrete surface without removing it and starting from scratch. In this article, you’ll learn about overlays options, price, maintenance, and more.

	Flooring Installation One of the first sights a home buyer will have of the interior of a home is the flooring and it will weigh heavily on the sale even though the rest of the home may be pristine. Good quality flooring already in place means that the home buyer will not have to put out more money after the sale for re-flooring.

	Vinyl Flooring and Carpeting Two of the most popular types of flooring are explored in this 1,325-word article; vinyl flooring, and carpeting. Both add aesthetic appeal to nearly any type room décor, and are cost-effective alternatives to other floor types.

	Hardwood Flooring Hardwood flooring does not simply refer to one type of flooring, but rather covers a group of floor covers including solid wood, engineered wood, laminates, and synthetic/plastic laminates. When choosing your hardwood flooring you need to understand these different types and where they are best suited.

	Kitchen Renovation – Replacing the Floor, one Step at a Time When considering installing a new kitchen floor, what about the old flooring; can it stay put, or should it be removed? Take the guess work out of your kitchen renovation flooring project by reading this helpful article.

	Laminate Flooring vs. Hardwood Flooring - Attractive and Durable; Quick and Easy to Install Homeowners today who are planning hardwood flooring face the decision of whether to choose traditional hardwood or laminated flooring. This 1,031-word article helps homeowners weigh the benefits of laminate, and includes installation guidelines.

Games Room	TOP

	Creating a Home Game Room Build the game room you’ve always dreamed of, but not before reading this 1,247-word article filled with helpful insight into game room features. And elements to incorporate for the type game room friends and family will rave about!

Home Gym	TOP

	Your Own Home Gym Incorporating an exercise room into your home floor plan can not only increase your health, but save hundreds of dollars in gym membership fees. This 935-word article provides helpful insight into the growing trend of home gyms, and offers helpful tips.

Home Theaters	TOP

	9 Tips on Building a Home Theatre Home theatre design has come a long way since the television was first introduced. Hi-fidelity, surround-sound reinforcement along with large, LCD or plasma television screens are the norm but now homeowners want to build a special room that mimics the best movie theatres. This includes materials that would enhance the sound experience.
	New Trends in Home Theaters In this article, we'll review the basics for creating a home entertainment space, as well as touch on some fun new extras you may not have considered. We'll also give you a few pointers for finding the very best professionals to help you with your project. One of the hottest trends these days in home improvement is creating a home which offers fun and enjoyment for its inhabitants. Since the economy has us all a bit nervous, homeowners are seeking out every possible way to maximize their time at home, instead of spending money on costly outings. Entertainment is one of the most expensive luxuries around. Even a weekly movie date with the family can add up quickly. Due to these costs, many homeowners are looking into creating a home theater. While the basic concept remains the same, there is a broad range of home theaters to choose from when remodeling. Depending on your tastes budget, you can create a cozy corner in your basement, or go all-out and create a full-scale home cinema experience! The choice is yours.
	Designing a Home theater This fact-filled article gives homeowners helpful insight for planning a home theater. Also included are diy tips for project success.

	Planning a Successful Home Theater Addition With the increasing popularity of home theaters, improvements in technology have made the addition of a home theater affordable for nearly anyone. With more equipment types and styles from which to select than ever before.

Insulation	TOP

Do-It-Yourself Attic Insulation Projects Insulating a home can be a do-it-yourself project that can save you hundreds of dollars. For either fiberglass insulation or blown insulation the insulation costs can pay for themselves in a one season of heating.  For either type of insulation two people are required proper protective equipment should be worn. Both fiberglass and cellulose can be purchased at local building supply stores.

	Insulating Your Home Here, we'll review some popular types of insulation, as well as areas which are commonly in need of insulation. We'll also give you a few hints for finding the right contractor, should you require a type of insulation which needs a professional touch.
	Insulation Guarantees Energy Savings Insulation contractors can install a wide variety of products to increase the R-value of an older home. This includes blown-in cellulose insulation, spray-in-place foams, rigid foams and the traditional fiberglass batts which all prevent heat loss by blocking it from leaving the home. New homes in Canada have at a least r-19 for the walls and R-40 for the attic.

	Adequate Home Insulation - Save Up to 50% in Heating Costs This article helps educate homeowners about different types of insulation and important areas of the home to adequately insulate Also included are handy DIY insulation installation tips.

Interior Restoration	TOP

	10 Top Canadian Home Improvement Trends in 2010 Home improvement trends for 2010 point toward homeowners staying in their homes for longer. This means they like their location and want to do light renovations in order to stay there. This could mean replacing siding or a front entryway, or increasing the energy-efficiency of the home. Increasing the space can be accomplished by adding a deck or renovating the basement. In Canada many grants and rebates are being offered for new windows and solar-assist systems for hot water.
	Fire and Water Damage Restoration – Tricky Business When it comes to something like possible fire and water damage to your home, learn all you can. Why wait until disaster strikes to educate yourself about safety steps you should take. And what professional restoration efforts are required to effectively take care of the crisis, to avoid health-threatening problems from developing.

Laundry Rooms	TOP

	Ground Floor Laundry Rooms; More Sanitary, and Easier to Access The word in the world of home renovations is that Canadian homeowners are paying more attention to laundry room facilities. Moving them out of musty-smelling basements and up onto the ground floor. Where sanitary conditions are better and laundry room access more convenient; as this article illustrates.

Painting	TOP

	Safety when Painting Painting is a common project for homeowners interest in DIY home improvement projects. However, in some instances, this type of project can be dangerous. If you're planning to paint one of the ones in your home, it is important to be cautious by learning about the dangers of some kinds of paint and how you can make this process as safe as possible.
	How to Paint a Vinyl Fence Now you can get rid of the old boring colour of your vinyl fence. The process of starting and completing your fence painting project is detailed in the article.
	DIY Painting Tips For a More Professional Finish Painting your walls is a popular DIY project. For the best finish follow the path of the professionals and take care of three main areas. Provide consistent coverage on your walls with quality paints. Paint clean edges that are fine and straight. And always leave your job pristine and clean. With these areas taken care of your DIY painting project will be a work of art.
	Top 8 Tips on Prepping for Painting Projects Inside Your Home When you're painting an interior wall, preparation is an essential step. Get the room ready by moving out what you can and covering what you can't. Mask off the trim and molding and clean the wall thoroughly. Repair any holes and re-caulk the windows for a smooth edge. Although these vital steps will take some time, not doing them creates more problems. Aim for the smoothest finish possible by beginning your project with paint preparation.
	How to Save Money When Hiring a Contractor for Your Painting Project When your painting project is beyond the scope of do-it-yourselfers, hire a professional painting contractor to get the work done right. Be sure to start off your project by hiring the right painter. Once you’ve chosen them ask whether it’s possible buy the paint directly and then plan to do all of the initial preparation you can, including moving furniture and cleaning stains from the walls. These steps will allow you to save money when hiring a painting contractor and help you end up with a top quality painting job.
	Top 5 Design Tips for Your Painting Project When you're headed into a painting project, spend time on the design stage. Look at the big picture, invest in quality paint and don't shy away from patterns and textures. Think about tone differences and bring a color wheel home to find the best scheme for your space. All of these will help you capture the ultimate design for your painting project.
	Things to Consider Before Starting Your Painting Project Planning and prep work are essential for any painting project. You need to think about color schemes, create a clean surface to work with and protect all other items within the working area. Deciding whether to handle this paint job yourself or hire a professional painter is another major consideration. By spending some time beforehand to think over the details and overall plan, your home will end up with a much higher quality paint job.
	Top 6 Staining and Finishing Mistakes Whether you're working on a piece of furniture or the woodwork surrounding a doorway, staining and finishing can bring a beautiful touch to any area. While the basic principles sound (and are) rather simple, staining and finishing is a project which presents many potential mistakes. Depending on the particular error, these mistakes can be annoying, costly and even hazardous to your health. Here, we'll review the most common mistakes made by homeowners when tackling staining and finishing projects. We'll also let you know how to avoid these mistakes, saving yourself headaches and excess costs.
	Most Common Mistakes in Painting This article covers the most common mistakes homeowners make when approaching a painting project, whether on a DIY basis or with the help of professionals. We'll also give you some tips on when a professional touch is needed, as well as help you find the best painting pros in your area. Painting is one of the most popular home improvement projects out there, and with good reason. There are few projects which can so dramatically change the appearance of your home, and when compared to most other projects, painting is relatively inexpensive. Even better, paint can be changed whenever you want to redecorate! While it's obvious why painting is so popular, it's important to remember that even the simplest-sounding projects can turn into nightmares if done improperly. Painting isn't just about loading a brush or roller...many details must be taken into account if you want your new paint job to look good.
	Painting Your Home Painting is not rocket science but to do a good job there has to be careful preparation before the job. This includes cleaning and filling blemishes in the wall and choosing the right paint according to the furnishings, draperies and the style of the room. In addition, carefully covering furniture and fixtures and masking doors and windows will assure a good paint job.

	Why Hiring a Painting Contractor Makes Good Sense When it comes to painting the interior or exterior of a house, many homeowners rely upon the expertise of a painting contractor. Here’s why!

Space Saving Tips & Ideas	TOP

	Handy Ideas to Organize Kitchen Space - an Alternative to Costly Kitchen Renovation This article offers handy tips for organizing any kitchen to eliminate unsightly clutter, and the need for costly kitchen renovation. Transform your kitchen with these handy tips!

	How to Create More Storage Space in Small Living Areas Ample storage is a problem for nearly everybody. But especially for those who live in a tiny house, apartment, or kitchenette. This handy article offers tips and ideas to make use of every available space in even the smallest of dwellings.

	Turn Your Messy Home Renovation Workstation into a Handy Work Shop Area Unless work area is kept organized, home project do-it-yourselfers can become frustrated when trying to find a missing tool, or when a larger work space is needed. The helpful tips in this article can help. Organize limited work space for greater convenience and mobility quickly and affordably.

Tiling	TOP

	DIY Tips for Installing Wall Tiles Installing tile on walls is difficult for a non-professional. With these great tips, though, any homeowner can save some money and create a beautiful tiled wall in their bathroom or kitchen.

Wallpaper	TOP

	DIY Installation Tips for Wood Paneling A basic guide to installing wood paneling in your home, this covers tips and tricks to a smooth and attractive finish.
	Wallpaper Yesterday and Today - Common Problems and Solutions An informative article providing insight on the history and new innovations in wallpaper. Included are common problems with preparation and installation, as well as cures.

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