You may not even think about it, but the front door to your home is the first impression people get – as they say you only have one opportunity to make a first impression! One of the benefits of a great front door, according to many real estate sites, is the return on value some say as much as 101%! 

Your front door needs to be functional, fit the aesthetic of your home and be able to withstand the elements.  So how do you go about choosing the perfect front door and installing it? 

Start by choosing the right material for your needs, the most common materials are wood, fiberglass composite, and steel. Wood is often the product of choice, going with a wood veneer over a wood core will help stave off warping while keeping the costs reasonable. If you decide to go with a wood door remember to keep up the finish and protect it as required. Fiberglass composite doors will offer you the luxury of little or no maintenance at a very affordable cost. Steel doors are the least expensive choice but often have a lesser life than wood or fiberglass as they are prone to rust. 

It is now a good idea to choose the design style, you wouldn’t want to put a colonial style door on your ultra-contemporary home. You will also want to consider whether or not you want any glass details, or perhaps a trim or panel feature. A great idea is to look at homes similar to your homes’ aesthetic and see what doors work well or perhaps not so well. 

Now that you have chosen the material and the physical look you want to use, you can have some real fun with the color! Do you want to make a statement with a bright color, or a more subdued statement with a luxurious stain? In some cultures red is considered to denote good fortune and as such many paint their front doors red. 

You have chosen the material, the look and even the color – now what! It is time to remove the old door and install the new one. Before you consider doing this yourself, remember this is the main entrance to your home not only does it beautify your home, it provides protection from the elements and safety to you and your loved ones. This is perhaps not the best time to DIY, instead call in a professional who will be able to properly fit, key and weather seal your new front door; providing you the peace of mind and protection you deserve. 

Have fun picking out your new door, and sit back and enjoy while the professionals install it! 

2015 was here before you knew it! Now as your holiday guests leave your lovely home, you look around and realize that it may be time for a little indoor project during the cold wintry months. A wonderful way to increase the value of your home, not to mention bring a smile to your face, is with a bathroom remodel. Most experts agree remodels in general will not pay for themselves, but they can come close with bathrooms coming in at about 70-78% noted in several publications. That said always do a little of your own research as demographics can play a large part in return on investment numbers.

If you decide that a bathroom remodel sounds like the perfect option, to bring a little warmth and sunshine to your home you may want to take into consideration some of the top design ideas for 2015. 

It seems statement floor tiles are still all the vogue, rolling over as one of the top design ideas from 2014.

Nature is big this year for several remodel projects including bathrooms. Adding a touch of natural beauty to any bathroom can warm the vibe and making it more inviting.

Just as a natural look and feel is in vogue so is sustainability. Many home owners are becoming much more aware of the products used throughout their homes and are leaning toward recycled and reclaimed products.

A vertical garden, don’t get nervous the bathroom is a perfect place to try it out; they add a textural element to the room and a natural beauty.

Open suite master bath; yes you heard right! Move the tub, sinks and vanities to the master suite, making for an all-inclusive retreat like atmosphere.

High tech comes in the form of water control; new options provide everything from touchscreens to thermostatic mixers for just the right temperature.

Freestanding bathtubs; a blast from the past is back with vigor. Now bath manufacturers are featuring these lovely tubs in forms to rival a true piece of art.

Vanities are getting more and more custom; everything from his and her heights to just a general look to match the rest of the home. 

Tiles are being used more and more to create a geometric allure to one wall or an entire bathroom. Mixing different patterns can subtly enhance the room.

Showers were starting to become all the rage in 2014, and the predictions are for even more emphasis on size. Large showers with oversize glass panes are replacing small tiny cubicle showers.

It seems gray is here to stay as the color for bathrooms; don’t worry about making your bathroom look cold or unwelcoming adding a splash of color can boost any tone of gray.

Finally, fitting the bathroom to the home rather than just making it a utilitarian room, many home owners from those moving the bathroom into the bedroom to create master suite to those looking to remodel a small parlor, are wanting the bathroom to match the style of the home. 

Bathroom remodels may not pay for themselves, but they can definitely enhance the home, and be called out as a selling point.

Contact your local contractor to help you chose just the right materials, and plan for your small winter project.

Over the years baseboards can take a beating; bangs from moving furniture, hits from rough housing teenagers or overly zealous vacuuming. Rather than replacing a baseboard you may be able to get that like new look with just a little effort, of course if you prefer an experienced carpenter can easily do the work.

Things you will need to do the job right:

Medium grain sandpaper

Rough grain sandpaper
Mild detergent or Murphy’s oil with water
Small piece of plywood
Putty Knife (1-1/2 in)
Wood putty (two part)
Paint or stain (to match existing)

Sand the area that you wish to repair with the medium grain sand paper. Wipe and wash the area thoroughly with a mild detergent to remove any dirt or dust.

Use the plywood as a mixing surface for the wood putty, use the putty knife and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Once the putty is ready, use the putty knife to scoop a small amount up and spread over the damaged area. Be sure to press firmly when applying the putty to ensure the mixture fills the damaged area; repeat as needed for all dings, dents and scratches.

Now wait until the putty is dry, normally at least 5 hours (be sure to read the manufacturers instructions to confirm dry times).

Use the rough grain sand paper on the dry putty to smooth the area to the same level as the surrounding baseboard. Wipe the area, then sand again with the medium grain sandpaper. Be sure to wipe and wash any dust or debris away from the area, once you are done sanding.

Now you can paint or stain to match the original.

Always work in a well ventilated area when working with any epoxy, stain or paint, and be sure to wear protective gear.

For full replacements of baseboard it is recommended you call a professional who can quickly and easily get the job done.