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Laying tile is a skilled task so it’s very important to plan out your project. Make sure you calculate the square footage of the area you are planning to lay tile in order to purchase the correct quantity of tile you will need for the project.

When we start to lay tile, we always want to start in the center of the area you are tiling and then we will work our way to each corner, one at a time. Make sure you leave space to enter and exit the room without walking on freshly laid tile. Make sure you plan ahead! One tip we highly recommend, if the are you are tiling has high foot traffic, start by tiling one half and let it dry before tiling the second half. This process takes a little bit longer as there is a waiting period in the middle of the project, but it will allow the tile to adhere properly before finishing out the project.

Step 1

Starting in the middle of the area you are planning to tile, pour enough adhesive to cover 1 square meter. Using a notched trowel, spread the adhesive evening around, making sure you can still see your starting marks. Spread the adhesive with the flat side first, then head back over the adhesive with the notched side of the trowl, creating ridges in the adhesive. This will allow the tiles to lay even as the adhesive dries.

Step 2

Now that you have some adhesive spread, place your first tile giving it a little twist to secure it into the adhesive. Using plastic tile spacers, work outwards placing tiles in a row. Tile spacers will give you an even space between each tile. Make sure you place the tile spacers well below the level of the tile so they can be covered when it’s time to grout your tile.

Step 3

Continue laying tile, always working outward from the center into one corner at a time. Lay as many whole tiles as you can until there is not more space that can fit a whole tile. Most likely you will have to cut some tiles to finish along the edges, but we can get to that later. As you are laying the tile, make sure you are continuously wiping the tiles with a damp sponge to remove any adhesive from the top of the tiles before it dries.

Step 4

Now that you have finished laying all of your whole tiles, it’s time to let it set. This needs to happen before we can get to cutting the finishing pieces and grouting. Letting the adhesive setup and dry can take anywhere from a few hours to 2 whole days. This depends on the type of adhesive you are using. Make sure you read the instructions on the adhesive that you are using.

In the next post, we will cover cutting and laying the finishing pieces and then finish with how to grout the tile floors. Please follow along as we are always publishing new content on how you can improve your home. As always, if DIY is not your thing, you can always give us a call to come out for a free estimate on your next home project.

 

Yes, it’s popular. And it can look amazing, especially to show off a stunning collection of cookware, and to make your kitchen look unique. But give some serious thought to which shelves should be open. Open shelves for items you use often, such as plates and coffee cups, are a good idea because you use them often so they’ll stay clean. But if you use open shelves to store things you use infrequently, they’ll quickly become dust collectors. You’ll also want to avoid making your lowest cabinets open. They’re harder to clean and tend to fill with dust faster.

Still debating? Edie, the blogger behind “Life In Grace,” found the open shelves on her kitchen island impractical and dusty, but loved their look when installed above the countertops. “All the dust floating in the air will land on the lower open shelves and threaten to drive you to the brink of insanity,” she writes.

Today’s families store about 47% of their kitchen stuff outside the kitchen — in laundry rooms, basements, even sheds — according to data released at the 2013 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show.

We blame it on the fact that kitchens have evolved from a tucked-away place at the back of the house into a multiple-chef, multi-tasking space that’s the hub of family life. Plus, our love of open kitchens and stocking up at warehouse stores means less wall space and more stuff, kitchen design expert Robinson says.

The solution: smart storage. Cabinet manufacturers have you covered with nearly unlimited storage options — shelves and compartments that unfold, turn, extend, and slide.

But it’s not just about having storage, it’s about designing it smartly. Follow these guidelines to make your storage timeless:

Create a primary storage zone. This is an area 30 to 60 inches high and within two feet on either side of your body. Store your most-used items here — your favorite work knives, measuring cups, salt and pepper for cooking, your trusty pots and pans. With one easy motion, you can grab what you use all the time.

Plan for the unknown. A truly timeless kitchen anticipates and adapts to future needs, such as:

A space that can easily convert to an office, wine storage, or a closet.

Lower cabinet spaces that can accommodate a wine cooler, under-counter refrigerator, a second dishwasher, or new must-have kitchen appliances on the horizon. (Remember when microwaves didn’t exist?)

An open space that fits a freestanding desk or favorite antique that can personalize the kitchen — no matter who owns the home.

Here’s a good place to practice balancing durability and cost: Get the right tools for the job.

“You can buy a brush for 98 cents, but you won’t get good results,” says Les Lieser, who recently retired as owner of a painting company and now runs Front Range Coating Consultants in Greeley, Colo. “Good brushes cost more for a reason.”

Lieser says cheap brushes are like straw, flaring out and not holding their shape. A good quality nylon or bristle brush, on the other hand, will allow for nice, straight lines. For a few dollars more, you’ll save a lot of hassle and get a more professional-looking result.

“The same goes for roller covers and paint,” Lieser says. “Spend a little more money on a brand name or something of good quality.”

What if you need a costly tool? “We’ve rented a bunch of tools; it’s a great option,” Bunde says. In addition, many cities have tool lending libraries or a MakerSpace where you can borrow bigger items. “When you buy your materials, always ask what tools are going to aid in your success,” Bunde says.

Have you been thinking about putting up a new backsplash? Or maybe trying a new color in the living room. A lot of people get really excited for a new look and they skip to how much does it cost and then straight to purchasing.

Consider taking a step back and testing things out before you fully commit. If you are looking to do a backsplash, buy a sample box of the tile and put a few pieces in place. For paint, just put a sample on the wall along the trim or a window to live with it for a couple days. We can’t tell you how many times people have purchased all the materials for a project only to change their mind.

As exciting as it can be to start a new home improvement project, we always recommend not going all in right away, if you don’t have to. Give it a week and if you still like it, then press on and enjoy your new look.

1 – Get an inspection

Not all improvements need to be cosmetic. There are a lot of things that might need to be fixed that you might not see day to day. Hire an inspector to check out the places that you don’t normally see. They could uncover something that would negatively impact the value of your home.

2 – Paint Paint Paint

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to home. It gives everything a fresh and clean look. Make sure you are looking at neutral colors, as they appeal to the largest crowd.

3 – Landscaping

Spend some time in the yard and get everything cleaned up. Consider planting a new tree or a couple of shrubs to fill in some gaps around the yard. A new layer of mulch will also give you a fresh and clean look on the outside.

4 – Small Bathroom Updates

Bathrooms updates can be a big game changer when it comes increasing the value of your home. Even if you don’t have the cash for a full remodel, replacing the dated wall paper, or light fixture can make a big impact to the look and feel of the bathroom.

Remove the tongue.

For the first row along straight walls, use a table saw to cut off all of the long side joints and the short side of the first plank.

Trace and Cut

If you have uneven walls, trace contour with a compass on the tongue side of the plank, and cut with a jigsaw.

Assembling the first row

Assemble the first row with tongue side way from the wall. Insert the end tongue into the end groove and rotate downward to assemble.

Make sure you provide space for expansion

Using wooden spacers, provide a 3/8″ space for expansion (two wooden spacers equals 3/8″)

Making cuts for new rows

Cut the first piece at least 8” long and start new rows using pieces trimmed from the previous row, ensuring at least a 12” end joint offset.

Starting the second row

Insert the tongue of the second-row plank into the groove of the first-row plank at a slight angle until the laminate edges meet. Next, rotate down until the joints lock. For the next plank, join the short end of the plank first. You will see a gap on the long-side joints when the plank is rotated down. Raise the outside edge of the plank upward approximately 1”. Keep this angle as you push the plank in until the laminate edges meet. Rotate downward on the plank until the joint locks.  Repeat previous steps to complete installation.

Check for a gap

Use a tape measure to ensure there is a 3/8” gap from the wall to allow for expansion.

Installing the last row

Align the plank you’ll connect to the second to last row. Using a full-width plank as a spacer, trace the contour of the wall, and cut the plank to size. Install the long side tongue into the groove with the end joint aligned. Work evenly along the length of the plank, and lightly tap the joint closed using a pull bar and rubber mallet. After tapping the long side joint closed, tap the short side closed using a tapping block or pull bar. Remove all spacers.

We all have our eyes set on the next big upgrade we want to make in our home, but not all upgrades fit within our current budget. Whether you’re just looking to spruce things up a bit or prepping for a much bigger renovation in the future, these 5 tips can help you get started without breaking the bank.

1. Paint – Paint is a great, budget-friendly, way to spruce up any room in the home. Pick a vibrant, standout, color to go on the front door, Stick to a lighter hue to maximize natural light in the living room, or give a room a pop with a dark accent. Anything you decide to paint will give you that something new feeling when it’s done.
2. Lighting – There are plenty of great looking lighting options that won’t make you cringe when you look at the price tag. While you are changing the lights, go ahead and replace the outlet covers and switch plates. The details matter.
3. Kitchen and Bathroom updates – putting in a new sink with matching hardware can modernize the look of any kitchen.
4. Window Treatments – Not do window treatments make any room look 10 times better, they provide energy efficiency when it comes to keeping the heat in or out.
5. Efficiency Upgrades – Replacing old incandescent light bulbs and putting in a new smart thermostat is a great way to reduce energy costs.

These updates are quick and easy for almost any homeowner and can be done even when you are saving up for a bigger renovation or remodel around the house.