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You can change the whole atmosphere of a room in one simple step.  Install a new ceiling!  WoodTrac ceilings make that easy and affordable.  Call Adams for a free estimate on an easy upgrade!  214-783-7948

A good place to start before tackling problem areas in your home is a home energy audit. This will pinpoint specific places in your house where heat escapes. The U.S. Department of Energy has a do-it-yourself energy assessment, or you can hire someone to do the audit for you.


Ready for winter? Not until you've worked your way through the home-winterization checklist. Here's the rest of your big chill checklist:

Weatherstripping
Cold air can seep in through those little gaps between your door and the door frame, quickly reversing any effort you take to heat your home. Weatherstripping covers the sides and top of the door and a sweep fills the space between the threshold and door bottom. Hardware stores and home centers sell numerous products in metal, foam, rubber and plastic for this purpose and many can be installed in an afternoon.

Windows
This may be another area where additional weatherstripping or caulk is needed to fill any visible gaps, though that still might not be enough remediation to prevent drafts. While windows add much-needed winter light, they can let out a lot of heat -- up to 12 times more than a wall if they're single pane. Blinds can keep a little heat in, but heavier shades or curtains will minimize heat loss.

Fireplace
Fantasizing about a cozy evening in front of the fire? Your romantic night might be cut short if your fireplace hasn't been serviced. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys are swept at least once a year.

Furnace
It's also recommended that furnaces be serviced once a year. A heating system can break down at the most inopportune time if it's not serviced. Worse, it can pump carbon monoxide into a home or eventually stop working. While a furnace service can run up to $100, the cost benefits are undeniable, considering the cost of a major fix or replacement.

Ducts
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose between 10% and 30% of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated, or if it must travel through unheated spaces.

Pipes
Frozen pipes are a royal nuisance, but with a little effort, many instances can be prevented. The best way to tackle these is to wrap pipes that run the exterior of the home with heating tape. Turn off the water and drain the remaining water at the inside valves. You can also buy insulated covers for additional prevention.

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CleanCoat® Technology Technology made beautiful.  CleanCoat is a special glass surface treatment that creates a barrier between water and the glass, allowing the user to keep their bath or shower door looking like new. With untreated glass, water droplets can calcify, creating unsightly residue. But with CleanCoat, water and dirt run off in droplets, making these doors easier to clean. Tired of using harsh cleansers? With CleanCoat, just wipe down regularly with a soft cloth and water to keep glass looking clean. CleanCoat technology from Sterling - technology made beautiful.

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Look what they’ve cooked up in a lab: the best flooring science can deliver. The current crop of resilient flooring is proof that flooring science is continually evolving. Today’s advanced floors are easier than ever to install, maintain and live with through the years.

Exhibit A is Congoleum’s latest flexible resilient sheet flooring, called AirStep Evolution SDS. The characteristics of this flooring shows how fast floor science is advancing:

• Design. As with so many flooring lines today, Evolution offers a number of desirable design choices. They have the look you want.
• Comfort. There’s a reason this material is called AirStep. Leg fatigue is a thing of the past when you walk on this cushioned surface. It’s also warm and quiet.
• UltraTec™ Premium Construction assures that the floor will lay flat—no curling at the ends as with some other resilient flooring. Evolution is so stable that it lay loose. That is, it can be simply set in place in some situations, rather than installed with adhesives. It’s a great choice for do-it-yourselfers.
• Stain resistance. The SDS in the name stands for Stain Defense System. Silver, nature’s own antibacterial protection, guards against bacteria, mold, and mildew. No chemical cleaners, detergents or polish are needed for cleanups. Simply wipe up messes or use a damp mop.
• Environmentally friendly. The material has been certified compliant with national and state standards for off-gassing by FloorScore, a third-party certifier. Breathe easy.
• Lifetime warranty. Evolution is backed for life against material defects and wear.

So what are the average costs of bathroom remodeling? This is a hard question to answer as prices range anywhere from $5,000 up to $30,000 depending on the amount of work and change you want to implement into your bathroom remodeling project. Even with your basic small bathroom, a full bathroom remodel can run to up to $8000 in expenses.

Do It Yourself Costs
A do it yourself bathroom remodeling project within the $5,000 range could include new drywall, upgrade of all the bathroom fixtures and tiles for the shower (use porcelain ones and the cost goes up); upgraded shower enclosure and or / bathtub re-touching and new trims or wood-stain around your bathroom windows and bathroom doors. This bathroom remodeling estimate does not include labor which is your own so if you must, do it when you have a good amount of time to spare.

Hire a contractor cost
When you hire contractors the costs range between $7,000 to $10,000 – you supply bathroom fixtures and bathroom tile (tiling labor is extra so add a couple more $$). Electric and painting are extra as well.  If your bathroom remodeling involves changing plumbing bathroom fixtures, this ranges between $1,000 and up if the job is more complicated (for example if you have to change and / or move the plumbing around).

The Average cost really depends on how much you want done and how much you are going to do yourself!

What's a quick, easy way to add to the value of your home?  Replace your old, out-dated, worn counter tops!  There are so many options available today with price ranges to fit any budget.  Let Adams give you an estimate on laminate, solid surface, quartz or granite counter tops for your kitchen and bathrooms.  You will be surprised how a new counter top can change and update a whole room.