Home Improvement

Arkansas is one of the most affordable states in which to live. In general, homeowners in Arkansas who make additions to their homes find the projects affordable. The basic cost of an addition to an existing home in Arkansas falls between $77.80 and $118.57 per square foot. The average cost of home additions in Arkansas is approximately $14.139.

The purpose of light switches and dimmers is to open and close electrical circuits, which control the light fixture. Before installing or replacing a light switch, it’s important to ensure that the switch you choose matches the amperage rating and voltage of where it’s going to be mounted. For this reason, you may find yourself asking: What amp light switch do I need?

After binge-watching real estate shows, you might think you need to fix everything in your house before you can list it. But the truth is, you can overdo it. Some things just aren’t worth repairing or upgrading before you sell. However, there are undoubtedly home fixes you must complete before selling. 

If you have a pedestal sink that needs to be removed, you may be wondering where to even start. Pedestal sinks are not so different from regular sinks, but there are some key differences that you will need to know. With more advanced knowledge of pedestal sinks and their inner workings, you can ensure your objective is met. 

People form opinions about your home (and you) at first glance, just like they do when they see how someone is dressed. It doesn’t matter if you’re selling your house or not; it’s about wanting your home to look its best. It’s easy to boost curb appeal with a few quick changes, so your home makes the right first impression.

Water dripping into your bathroom from anywhere there isn’t supposed to be water is cause for concern.  This concern is especially true of bathroom vents, which typically lead through the roof to the outside.  A leak from a bathroom vent when it rains should be investigated and repaired as soon as possible.

Flooring is one of the most basic parts of your home’s build and design. Choosing the right kind of flooring can make or break you’re home’s look, feel, and durability. That’s why more people than ever before are getting picky about the wood they choose for their flooring. Pecan wood is one of the many flooring types available to you, but is it really worth the money you’d pay for it?

It might seem like an unnecessary hassle, but taking everything out of your bathroom is a great way to start organizing it. Not only do you get a clearer picture of what you have and your available space, but you also get to deep clean without any obstacles.

If you have a light switch that you hardly use, it might be more beneficial to convert it into an outlet. But can that even be done? The answer is a resounding yes!

A leaky faucet can throw a wrench in your plans and lead to an annoying, inconvenient mess. Many builder-owners replace the valve stems in hopes to stop the leak, but that doesn’t always help. If you’ve replaced your valve stems and the leak is still present, what could be the real cause?

There are a few things that homeowners never want to see. High up on that list is water damage. Leaks and invading water can make for a nightmare scenario for homeowners. The possibilities as it pertains to damage are seemingly endless.

Many people in recent years shifted toward a significant lifestyle change when they drastically downsized to 400 sqft or less. Undoubtedly, living tiny has its pros and cons, but is it for you? 

Are you creating a DIY lamp, repurposing an amazing flea market find, or needing to make adjustments to an existing lamp? If you’re fixing, making, or buying a lamp, the right size harp makes all the difference. The harp hides the things you don’t want to see, but how do you know what size to get for a lamp?

With houses that span every conceivable form, there’s one shape that deserves its chance in the architectural spotlight: the octagon. Octagon houses have existed since the Greeks constructed the Tower of Winds back in 300 BCE. However, America didn’t catch wind of this trend until Orson Fowler released his trendsetting novel in 1848.

There are skinny margaritas, skinny jeans, and yes, even skinny houses, typically 15 to 20 feet wide. You might think a 20-foot wide house would be challenging to live in, but it actually is quite workable. Some 20-foot wide houses can be over 100 feet deep, giving you 2,000 square feet of living space.

Anyone who has ever done a home renovation project knows how overwhelming the decision-making process can be. In regards to exterior treatment options, these can be particularly difficult. So, should you use dutch lap or traditional siding? What’s the difference?

Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent way to get the look of hardwood floors at an affordable price. They’re also durable, many types of vinyl floors are waterproof, and they’re easy to maintain. But if you don’t take care of them, they can get dull over time. Luckily, it’s easy to make vinyl plank floors shine like new.

To build a floating shower bench you will need to follow the steps below:

Painting your home yourself is a great DIY project to help you save some money. But even when you take all the precautions, it is still possible to get paint on places where you don’t want it. In many cases, paint is easy to wipe up without leaving a trace. But when you notice paint on your laminate floor that won’t come out, you will want to find an easy way to make the paint disappear.

Trough sinks in bathrooms have come into their own in recent times. The popularity of trough-style bathroom sinks has grown. In many new homes, a trough sink has replaced the double sink installation in master bathrooms. What is the best option for a trough sink in your home?

Building your dream home is equally exciting and stressful, as many risks are involved. It’s easy to make mistakes, even if you have gone through the process before. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the most common home construction mistakes.

We don’t give much thought to toilet paper. We give even less thought to the toilet tissue holder in the bathroom. For the most part, we accept what the home builder installed and go on about our business. However, for some people finding the right recessed toilet tissue holder is a focus.

Every house seems to have that one light switch that controls nothing. I have several in my house. It can be quite frustrating, but fear not! There are a few ways to hunt down what your mystery switch controls.

When a building is being constructed, it goes through many phases before the finished product is reached. Also, of utmost importance, is using the appropriate materials to ensure a strong build. The first phase is constructing the frame, but should you use 12d or 16d nails for framing?

Concrete is a remarkably durable material, but it’s still not immune to different types of damage. Over time, the concrete you installed may start to look worn down and its outermost layer may become uneven as well. Demolishing and replacing that old concrete may seem like your only option, but it’s worth noting that you can resurface it.

Living spaces in the United States vary greatly based on your budget and where you live. For many singles and couples who rent, a one-bedroom apartment often offers sufficient space. However, a one-bedroom can get tricky for families or multiple roommates.

When it comes to cooking, especially grilling and frying, you inevitably release a lot of greases, smoke, and lingering food odors. In order to obtain proper circulation and keep the air in your kitchen clean, it’s necessary to install a range hood.

When looking for ways to protect your home, there are a lot of different things to think about. Your driveway is something that gets used every day but isn’t often taken into consideration with regards to protection. By covering your asphalt driveway with a seal coating, you can help keep it in good condition.

With every single year that passes, it seems like a new type of siding is being made. The newest type of siding to hit stores is Liquid Vinyl Siding. This sounds a bit sci-fi at first. (Like, can you have a liquid part of a house exterior?!) Though it sounds futuristic, the future is now. All you need to do is know what liquid vinyl siding really is and what it means for your home.

When it comes to plumbing problems around the home, fixing them usually involves disassembling mostly everything, including the bathroom fixtures. While a large majority of them can be removed easily, the tub spout is one such fixture that gets stuck often and can be very frustrating to release.

In America today, the average home is roughly 2,600 sqft., compared to an average household size of 2.6. About three people living in 2,600 sqft might seem rather comfortable, yet many people opt for much larger homes. It could be they need the space, or it could be they want to show off a lavish home.

You might think it’s a ridiculously simple question. Who cares what direction you choose? Is there a wrong way? (Unfortunately, there is…)

The most common causes of  electrical surges come from internal sources within your home, which can send hundreds of thousands of volts through your system at once. When the voltage goes up throughout your house at this velocity, all sorts of things can happen- including fires from overheated wires to tripped breakers and short-circuiting outlets.

It costs between $200 and $3,000 to set up a basic podcast studio at home. Your setup will be cheap if you already have a computer. Of course, you can spend more once you expand, especially if you add a video element to your podcast. The cheapest route is to simply use a USB microphone that plugs into a laptop.

When building a home from the ground up or adding an addition to your existing home, you have to jump through a lot of hoops. Each town or county has its own set of zoning laws put in place by the local government. Oftentimes, the contractors will take measures to ensure they’re adhering to the proper laws. Whether you’re employing a contractor or building a structure yourself, it is important to understand the zoning laws in your area.

The chimney serves a vital role in your home as it provides an exit for the harmful gases produced during combustion. Instead of those gases lingering inside your home and potentially causing problems, they are just carried out by the chimney. Your chimney has an important job to do and you need to keep it protected.

Building a swimming pool at home means taking on additional responsibilities. You shouldn’t build a swimming pool if you’re not willing to invest in its maintenance. Thankfully, pool pumps make the job of keeping swimming pools clean remarkably easy.

Realty terms can be confusing, especially when it comes to terms like partial, raised, walkout, and English basements. Yes, even basements have enough variety that their function, cost, style, and layout dignify unique names. With all of the types of basements that appear on home listings, what is an English basement?

The cost of buying a home is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to affordability. Maintenance costs are often unexpected, and they can leave many homeowners stressed and overwhelmed. So, how much should you spend per year on home maintenance?

If you want to install a chain-link fence, concrete is an easy way to ensure that your wall will stay there forever. However, you may want to avoid putting your fence in concrete, as it takes a great deal of time and money. It begs the question: do you need to use concrete to install a chain-link fence?

Are you remodeling your shower and looking for a beautiful and functional product? Kohler and Swan are both reputable brands with sleek and durable shower wall kits. Both of their proprietary products would be great additions to your bathroom. To help you choose, we have completed an in-depth comparison of the two options.

Having your own sauna at home sounds like a dream doesn’t it? Staying inside a sauna helps you sit back and relax. The experience is invigorating and it can also serve as the perfect pick-me-up during the middle of the work week.

Leaking is not a strange phenomenon in any home. Faucets, pipes, and water tanks are among the household fixtures that are prone to leaking.

Light switch covers are wall plates that cover the switch mechanism and electrical wiring that operate the installed electrical fixtures. Their primary function is to protect the wiring and prevent electrocution, and most have a plain design that blends in. However, there are lots of different designs, types, and combinations that combine form, function, and even fashion.

Preparations need to be made before the start of winter each year. The winter season can be harsh in certain parts of the country and your household must be ready to handle it. As part of your preparations, you may need to get some firewood, and buying by the cord is commonplace.

Adding insulation can be a task depending on the size of your rooms or attics. Try applying the same logic to a vaulted ceiling, and you’ve got the potential of having a pretty big headache. Because of this, we’ve produced a short guide to help you out with insulation in vaulted ceilings.

Depending on how long you’ve owned a house, you may remember that bathroom fans did what they were designed to do seamlessly. Now, several things could be wrong with a device designed for something so simple. A common occurrence is when a bathroom exhaust fan is making a knocking noise.

When you’re taking a shower, you pay more attention to the shower’s dimensions than you probably realize. Every time you turn around and bump your elbow, you might think about how your shower is too small. On the contrary, if you love taking long showers, it might be because you have enough room to be comfortable. 

Steel beams are known for their strength, and for being used in major construction projects like skyscrapers and large-scale housing. They seem to be incredibly versatile and endlessly tall. However, there’s got to be a limit to everything, and that includes the size of steel beams. Steel I-beams, for example, are some of the most common beams you’ll find. Knowing how far you can go before you need another beam matters. So, how far can a steel I-beam span?

For many homeowners, a two car garage is not only highly sought after, but it is also a necessary part of their home. Not all houses come with 2 car garages, of course, so often homeowners will have one built to accommodate their needs.

Choosing the right finish can ultimately determine how good a particular surface looks. A finish can make floors, cabinets, and crafts look better than before, but only if you choose the right one. So, what is the difference between polycrylic and polyurethane?

Bathroom renovations can be some of the most transformational projects to upgrade your home. But they can also cause the most headaches, such as unexpected plumbing issues and tile jobs that go awry. One way to simplify this renovation process is to use a prefabricated shower pan. 

Are you planning to build or renovate your home shower? In that case, you may be looking for some suggestions regarding what to put in there. Perhaps you’re wondering about which tiles to use.

If you own a grandfather clock, it’s likely something that has been passed down in your family through the generations. To ensure that the clock stays in good working order, it should be cleaned and serviced regularly. Oftentimes, some form of clock repair work may be required for a number of reasons.

Whether you’re building a new house or remodeling an old one, your bathrooms are some of the most essential rooms in your home. Having a lovely bathroom vanity is crucial to getting the most enjoyment from your home. It’s also necessary to have a beautiful vanity if you ever hope to sell your house.

A leaking toilet can be a real pain, causing a wet, smelly, unhealthy mess in your bathroom. Plus, once your toilet’s leaking, it’s pretty much unusable till you fix the issue. A common cause for a toilet leaking around the base is a worn-out or damaged wax ring. 

Electrical wiring is not a pursuit usually undertaken by homeowner do-it-yourselfers. However, some people undertake minor electrical repairs and additions to the electrical systems in the homes. One of the most perplexing portions of proper electrical wiring installation is understanding when wiring is required to be enclosed in conduit. Many people wonder if THHN wire must be in conduit to be installed properly.

What kind of flooring do you want to install inside your home? It can be tough to pinpoint a standout candidate given the sheer number of options available. While browsing your options, you cannot forget to take a closer look at marble flooring because it presents some terrific qualities.

Gaslight fireplaces are a very nice feature to have in the home. They can provide an ambiance that sometimes can not be achieved with an electric fireplace. They also have benefits for those that might live in areas that are at risk for power outages.

Many people install barn doors in their houses to save space. No matter the door’s width, these flush against the wall taking up zero space in a room. You can install them anywhere in the house without worrying about opening and closing them. However, barn doors do have a problem. They usually end up with gaps between the door and the baseboard, as these doors need to slide over the board.