September 2010 Renovation Newsletter
In this issue of reVISION’s Renovation Newsletter:
- A Kitchen for the Modern Renaissance Man
- Don’t Let your Basement Bring you Down
- Asbestos and Your Renovation
- Return on Investment
[divider]
A Kitchen for the Modern Renaissance Man
2007 National SAM Award Finalist
If 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.
 |
 |
To follow the progress of our projects and/or to view reVISION’s gallery, please join us on Facebook.
[divider_top]
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
[divider_top]
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%
