A Little Prep Can Go a Long Way
You've probably heard the saying, “Measure twice, cut once.” But when it comes to home improvement, another useful bit of advice—"try to learn from others' mistakes"—is just as pertinent. When planning a home improvement project, adequate preparation and research can save you loads of cash and stave off a serious case of remodeler's remorse.
请继续阅读,了解一些最常见的快速眼动odeling mistakes that homeowners make when DIYing their updates and repairs. With these lessons in mind, you'll be able to work smarter when it's your turn.
Roughing the “Rough-In”
Whenreplacing a toilet, make sure your new fixture fits the old space. One of the most common mistakes that rookie renovators make is forgetting to measure the “rough-in” size—that's the distance between the toilet’s bolt caps on the floor and the finished wall.
The standard measurement is 12 inches, but in some older homes it could be 10 or even 14 inches. Always measure beforehand so you can be sure to purchase a toilet that will fit, and save yourself a whole lot of trouble in the process.
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Neglecting the Work Triangle
One of the most hoped-for items in anykitchen renovationplan is an expansive island. Many homeowners, however, learn the hard way that not all spaces can accommodate this feature. In asmall kitchen, anislandmay prove an obstacle to prep and organization, not a boon.
There should be at least 42 inches of clearance from the island to the nearest countertop. Measure your space before planning your renovation. If there isn’t enough room for an island, or if it will interfere with the “work triangle” (the imaginary lines running from the sink to the stove to therefrigerator), consider making a new plan.
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Not Being Hard on Hardwood
Experience counts when it comes to good hardwoodfloor refinishing. That said, most weekend warriors can do a decent job on it as long as they avoid a common mistake many DIYers make: Some homeowners skimp on thesandingpart for fear of damaging the wood. The result is that when the wood is varnished, the refinished floors may appear uneven where the old finish remains. Instead, be sure to work conscientiously from coarse to medium to fine sandpaper for a thorough job that will yield floors with a pristine finish.
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Thin Drywall
After a renovation, the last thing anyone wants is paper-thin walls that provide no barrier to sound at all. To ensure that this never happens to you, choose the correct thickness ofdrywall. Most inexperienced DIYers choose a 1/4-inch thickness, but 3/8-inch is a wiser choice that offers moresoundproofing. The "thicker is better" principle also applies tosubflooring: There, choose a 3/4-inch thickness for added strength.
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Mismeasuring Cabinets and Appliances
If yourkitchen remodelinginvolves new cabinets and newappliances, take heed. If you're not careful, you may run into one problem that most homeowners never even consider.
After the cabinets have been installed, you may find that your new standard-depth refrigerator extends beyond the cabinet case, which can be a big inconvenience in an otherwise smartly designed kitchen. Be sure to take all of the proper measurements beforeordering your appliances, and consider choosing acounter-depth refrigerator对于一个更好的选择。
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Basement Flooring
Basements are naturally moist and poorly ventilated, and that means basement renovations require some special considerations. All too often, DIYers make poorflooring choices for the basement, opting for organic materials like wood, bamboo, and cork. Indamp conditions, these flooring types are subject to mold, buckling, and damage. Instead, consider ceramic, tile, vinyl, and linoleum, which can better stand up to moisture.
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Choosing Fiberglass Insulation
When insulating a basement ceiling, some homeowners make the mistake of installingfiberglass insulation, the same kind commonly used in upper-level floors. Because this material is not moisture resistant, it is a poor choice for most basements and could lead to mold behind the rim joists. If your next project includes insulating the basement, considerrockwoolorspray foaminstead.
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Forgetting to Prep
Any professional knows that a qualitypaint jobis 90 percent preparation. All too often, though, DIYers skip this important step because they are eager to see the new color on the walls.
To properly prepare for your next paint job, first clean and sand the walls, then patch any holes before applyingprimer. Primer hides imperfections and ensures you'll need less paint, particularly when you're covering up oil-based paint and darker colors. Before you start, double-check that the product you’re using is appropriate for the surface you’re covering.
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忽略原来的风格
One of the most costly remodeling mistakes that novice DIYers make is ignoring a home’s original design. If you bought aCraftsman-stylebungalow, amid-century modernremodel might look out of place. Many wouldn't renovate the interior of aVictorianPainted Lady to look like a Spanish Colonial.
Before making renovation plans, consider researching the house’s style and selecting colors, products, and finishes that go with that style. If the original style isn’t for you, keep in mind that if you veer away from it, you may affect the chance of fetching a higher sales price when the day comes to sell. A buyer who's in the market for a beautiful historic home usually wants the interior style to match the exterior.
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Inviting Stains
Before replacing your current countertops, be sure the new material suits your lifestyle. Porous stones likemarble, limestone, slate, andsoapstonerequire regular sealing to prevent stains, making them impractical choices for busy families and high-use kitchens.
If you're looking for a long-lasting natural surface, granite orengineered stonemay be a better choice. Harder stone isn’t as likely to chip, stain, or scratch, which means yourkitchen redowon't likely lead to costly renovation regrets.
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Not Fixing Underlying Problems First
One of the worst things a homeowner can do to the house is to start a dream renovation beforefixing serious problems. More urgent issues, such asstructural damage, electrical upgrades, andplumbing replacementsshould always be addressed first. At the end of the day, protecting the functional parts of a home comes before improving its appearance.
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Overlooking the Ceiling
When you're planning a remodel, don't forget to look up. Theceilingis one of the most overlooked areas in any renovation, and ignoring it can be a costly mistake for DIYers.
Keep in mind that allelectrical work开销照明必须在本月完成alling any ceiling tiles. Likewise, check with your locality before you begin any project that may affect theheight of your ceilings; many localities require that habitable ceiling heights meet a standard minimum.
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Backsplash Backlash
If you want tosave money on your kitchen renovation, tiling your ownbacksplashis a great move unless it's done improperly. Inexperienced DIYers often start tiling at one end of the wall and work toward the other side. When done this way by a novice worker, this can result in uneven or odd angles that look amateurish at best.
To ensure a straight line whenlaying your own tile, start from the center of the wall and work your way from each side. Using this method, you'll find that your cuts will be the same on all sides of your project.
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Using the Wrong Paint Roller
A paint roller is a paint roller, right? Not always. When painting rougher surfaces like stone or brick, it’s important to pick a roller that’s made forexterior painting. These rollers look a little fuzzier than those made for smooth surfaces like drywall. They have a ¼-inch or 3/16-inch nap that’s made forapplying paint to the nooks and cranniesof textured materials.
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Not Testing for Lead Before Demolition
If you are renovating a home built before 1978, there may be layers of paint that contain lead. Before scraping or sanding away at the trim around windows or along stair railings, use asimple lead testto determine if the paint is lead free. If it does contain lead, it’s best for your safety that a professional trained in lead remediation tackles the job.
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Using the Wrong Type of Caulk
Caulking seems to be part of every room makeover, from bathroom renovations to updating paint in the hallway. Whilethe right caulk can make baseboard and crown molding look crispand keep moisture from seeping between the tub and wall, using the wrong caulk can be a headache later. Make sure to select the right color, and选择一个paintable caulkif you plan to cut in later.
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Don't Miss!
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