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Plan an Energy Efficient Whole Home Remodel

The advantages of an energy efficient home are straightforward and easy to understand. If you are planning to start a home remodel project, then energy efficiency should be one of your primary goals.

You’ll benefit from:

  • Reduced heating and cooling costs.
  • Improved comfort in your home.
  • Higher marketability and resale value if you plan to sell in the future.

It’s not just about the money and comfort. You’ll also reduce your carbon footprint and lessen your impact on the environment. There are some smart and relatively simple strategies that you can follow during home remodeling, leaving you with a house that is eco-friendly and less expensive to maintain.

Start with Windows When Planning an Energy Efficient Home Remodel

Windows are a major cause of energy inefficiency in older homes.Windows that are poorly installed or located can increase your energy bills and compromise comfort in your home. Windows that lack modern glass could be a problem, even when installed properly.

For your next home remodel or renovation, insist on Low-E glass windows. This special glass can reflect light and heat during the summer, keeping your home cooler. By filtering UV radiation, Low-E glass can also protect your furniture and floors from fading in areas that receive regular sunlight.

Low-E glass also makes a difference during the winter. It prevents heat from escaping through windows, so your home will be warmer and more comfortable. Your furnace or heat pump will operate more efficiently, significantly reducing those costly winter heating bills.

You can choose Low-E glass for all your home windows, with designer frames available for beautiful home remodeling.

Fix Cracks and Gaps to Keep Your Home Sealed

Cracks and gaps around your siding, windows, and entry ways could be costing you hundreds in heating and cooling bills every year. If your home isn’t properly sealed, energy efficiency will drop significantly.

During remodeling, you could replace older siding, window frames, and doors that are poorly sealed. Sometimes replacement won’t be necessary, and you could even seal many of the smaller cracks and gaps using a DIY foam or caulking sealer.

When planning a home remodel, talk to Des Moines contractors about a complete inspection to identify areas of concern. This will give you complete peace of mind, knowing that nothing has been overlooked at the end of the project.

Replace or Coat Your Roofing and Insulate Your Attic

Modern roofing materials are more energy efficient. They can help to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Even if your roof is in good condition, you can add new coating to increase thermal efficiency.

Insulative coatings can block up to 95% of heat absorption and transfer. During sunlight hours, UV radiation will be reflected away from your home. At night or in the winter, insulative coating will keep warm air inside.

You’ll lower your energy costs by recoating your roof, while also improving the overall aesthetic and curbside appeal of your home. If you plan to sell within the next five years, an insulated roof coating could make your listing more competitive on the market.

Insulating or even finishing your attic space can also help to create another protective barrier between your home and the elements.

Insulate All Exterior Facing Walls and Your Floors

Home insulation in walls and floors is essential. Most homes in Iowa, new and old, do have insulation. However, time can degrade materials, decreasing thermal and energy efficiency. A complete home remodel creates an excellent opportunity to inspect insulation and replace any that has degraded. New home additions and extensions can be insulated using foam that will expand in place for a perfect seal.

Modern insulation can last for decades, providing you with a long return on your investment.

Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances, Fixtures, and HVAC

Look beyond materials when designing a more energy efficient home. Inefficient kitchen appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators could be costing you hundreds in unnecessary energy spending every year. Replacing your appliances is an investment in the future of your home, where you will pay less to enjoy modern conveniences. Look for appliances that carry a high energy star rating.

Your fixtures can also be replaced during a home remodel. Faucets, showerheads, toilets etc. are all available in energy efficient designs that use less water. You’ll cut down costs while also reducing your impact on the environment.

With all the improvements that you can make in a whole home remodel, your HVAC system is something that should never be overlooked. An older central air system with degraded ducting could be operating at just 70% efficiency or less. Consider replacing ducts and your air conditioner / heat pump. A complete inspection will reveal where energy (and money) is being lost.

Alternatively, you could opt to install a modern ductless HVAC system using split units. These are low profile and more energy efficient than traditional central systems.

Start Home Remodeling with Contractors Who Understand Energy Efficiency

There’s a lot to think about when creating a more energy efficient home, but the process becomes simple when you work with the best contractors in Des Moines.

Plan a whole home remodel that adds beauty and comfort. Make it even better with energy efficient features that save money over time. HomeWorx Iowa can provide modern solutions that add long-term value.

Create your best home yet with a team that designs eco-friendly homes without compromises.

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Simple Improvements Before a Home Renovation

Home renovation is the best way to modernize if your living spaces are seriously outdated or even run down. However, you might not have the budget for a full renovation today, or, you may simply want to make some changes that will create an immediate impact. The changes you make could still be incorporated into your complete home renovation later.

Before you start to worry about an extensive budget, a savings plan, or even financing, consider the home improvements that you could make before calling contractors Des Moines.

Add Light to Your Living Spaces

Does your home feel small and cramped? It might not be your living spaces, but how you’re lighting them.

Modern homes are typically open plan where kitchen, dining, and the main living area are all closely integrated with each other. This might be something on your wish list for a complete home renovation later. In the meantime, you can create the illusion of space by lighting up your living areas.

You could replace light fixtures with modern options, and even splash out a little for designer fixtures that will add class and distinction. If you don’t want to book a contractor for some quick rewiring, then you could make an enormous difference with freestanding and table lamps.

If lighting isn’t doing the trick, then it could be your furniture. Dark and bulky furniture can feel imposing in a room. Consider repainting/recovering existing furniture, replacing rugs for lighter colors, or changing your minor decorative elements for features that use neutral textiles.

Replace Hardware on Cabinets and Drawers

Even older cabinets can be drastically improved with some new hardware. Replacing door handles and drawer pulls could make a surprising amount of difference in your kitchen. Best of all, cabinet hardware is relatively inexpensive, even if you go for some premium choices.

Keep in mind that you’ll eventually want to replace your cabinets, so you could aim for hardware that will work with a newer modern aesthetic once you book your complete home renovation.

Consider Adding Some Removable Wallpaper

Removable wallpaper is a new trend in interior design. It’s incredibly easy to work with and the results can be outstanding if you take the time to carefully install your wallpaper.

This option would be perfect for covering tired walls in living rooms and bedrooms. You could also use removable wallpaper to create a dramatic feature wall without needing to repaint. Consider adding a bold color behind your TV and media center, or on the headboard wall of a bedroom.

Remember to keep a consistent color theme in mind. A dramatic bold color like red, blue, or green could work well in a room that is otherwise neutrally shaded. If you’re adding wallpaper to a room that is already rich in color, then follow the ‘shade-on-shade’ approach. Use a similar color to the main theme but increase the saturation so that it stands out.

Removable wallpaper doesn’t cost a lot, and if you get tired of the look, it’s easy to change it. This is a great stopgap until you’re ready for a professional home renovation Des Moines.

Treat Your Windows to Something New

Window replacement is something that you can achieve with a complete home renovation. As you continue planning or saving, you could simply dress up your windows with new coverings. Whether you prefer drapes, curtains, or blinds, you can get great results by modernizing with something fresh and clean.

Modern styling doesn’t shy away from color on window coverings. Choosing rich colored curtains could work especially well in a room that is otherwise mostly white or beige.

Create an Outdoor Living Space

Sometimes you don’t even need to change your interior when you want a better and more modern home. If you have a covered patio or deck area, then you could create an outdoor ‘room’ following the latest trends.

Shop for some quality weatherproof furniture, maybe add a portable firepit, and decorate with potted plants or young trees. You can add outdoor lighting for a welcoming and intimate space that can be used for entertaining year-round.

If you fall in love with a cost-effective outdoor living space, then you could even improve it once you book your complete home renovation. Contractors can create a designer deck that incorporates all the features and space to turn your home into an entertainer’s dream.

Know When It’s Time to Book a Complete Home Renovation

Minor changes can make a big difference today, but you’ll eventually need to think about a complete home renovation to modernize and refresh your home. Renovation doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive. You can enjoy competitive quotes and the best workmanship when you choose the team at HomeWorx Iowa.

Talk to us if your home is beyond rehabilitation or if you just want the complete makeover that only contractors Des Moines can provide. Our comprehensive remodeling service can bring your home up to date with the latest trends that will add lasting value and comfort.

With a complete design and installation service, you’ll work with a single project management team from concept to completion. HomeWorx is standing by to help you turn your home into one you’ll love for years to come.

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Flooring for Whole Home Renovation

Flooring is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning a whole home renovation. Your choice of material will set the aesthetic in every room. Durability will be a major factor, with varied materials suiting different areas of the home depending on traffic and purpose. Get your choices right and you could enjoy a fresh look that lasts for years.

You’ll need to explore all the available options before settling on a material that suits your home. Take the time to learn about the most popular choices and you’ll be better prepared when you kick off your next project.

Hardwood Flooring for a Luxurious Home Renovation

This material is usually the first to come to mind when you are looking for luxury and distinction. Hardwood flooring can turn the ordinary home into a work of true beauty. Natural timber is also long lasting and can be refinished many times over to keep up with the demands of your household.

While one of the most popular flooring materials for a whole home renovation, hardwood is also the most expensive. The elegant natural look also comes with high maintenance requirements for polishing and refinishing. If you’re looking for exotic wood species that will make your home stand out, you could expect to pay up to $14 per square foot, or even more for the rarest species.

Hardwood is an excellent choice if you’re ready for the upkeep and willing to pay a little extra for something that’s truly luxurious. Do keep in mind that hardwood flooring is susceptible to moisture damage, so it’s not well suited to kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

Laminate Flooring for High Traffic Areas

Gone are the days when laminate flooring was the ‘second tier choice’ in home renovation. Older laminates were typically low in quality with aesthetics that always looked a little too artificial. Today, laminates are engineered to high standards, offering great looks, excellent durability, and affordable pricing.

Quality laminate flooring can range between $5 and $7 per square foot. Higher end products could cost a more, but you’ll benefit from a more realistic aesthetic.

Unless you’re on a very strict budget, laminate flooring isn’t recommended for every room in your home. Instead, use this material to complement your main flooring choice while keeping costs manageable. Secondary living areas, playrooms, hobby rooms, and home offices are all perfectly suited to this material.

Vinyl Flooring that is Durable and Cost Effective

Vinyl, like laminate flooring, is cost effective. You could spend as little as $5 per square foot in most cases. Vinyl is waterproof, resistant to damage, and some manufactures can closely replicate the aesthetic of wood. However, even the best examples still have a slight artificial appearance, especially when it comes to the precise uniformity of the planks.

Use this material in a Home Renovation for shared bathrooms, laundry room, or anywhere that you want good looks with high durability. The non-slip properties of vinyl are extremely desirable in areas that will be exposed to moisture. Vinyl is also ideal for basement finishing and garage conversion, so you’ll want to take a closer look at your options if you’ll be making changes in either of these spaces.

Tile Flooring for a Classic Aesthetic

Some of the most elegant buildings ever designed use tile flooring. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles can look great in your home, particularly if you’re aiming for a classic or transitional aesthetic. Of course, tiles are available in countless color and design options, so they’re also well suited to Home Renovation in a innovative modern decor.

Tiles repel water when carefully installed, so they are excellent for kitchens and bathrooms where moisture could be a problem. Tiles are easy to keep clean through regular sweeping or vacuuming with a soft brush attachment. You can mop spills from tiles with ease, and you won’t have to worry about discoloration.

Any room is suited to tiles, but you should think about comfort. Tiles are hard underfoot and are not the best option for kid’s bedrooms or playrooms. In living areas, you’ll want to incorporate rugs to create a varied aesthetic while offering comfort for your family and guests.

Cost can vary dramatically when using tiles. Some options will fall under $10 per square foot for installation. Some luxury, designer, and imported tiles could exceed $20 per square foot. Your costs will depend on the look and longevity that you want to achieve. The highest quality porcelain tiles could easily last the lifetime of your home if properly installed and cared for.

Engineered Wood Flooring for Luxury on a Budget

What if you love the look of hardwood but you want to keep your budget at a reasonable level? Engineered wood flooring could be the answer. This is a unique material that incorporates an engineered subsurface that is veneered with a layer of real wood. The aesthetic is fantastic and to most people is indistinguishable from solid hardwood.

Engineered wood panels are easy to install, especially when using slot-together systems. This will keep your whole home renovation costs down. You could even go for highly stylized flooring like parquet tiles, at just a fraction of the cost of solid wood.

Consider engineered wood panels for your kitchen or bathroom. They’re more stable when exposed to moisture, making them an alternative to hardwood in many situations. Quality engineered wood can usually be refinished at least once, so you’ll get decent longevity from this option.

Quality panels can cost around $7 per square foot. Costs can increase depending on the veneer material that you choose.

Plan a Whole Home Renovation with the Best Contractors in Des Moines

Flooring is critical, but it’s just one decision to make in your whole home renovation. Materials can inspire your overall design, helping you to create the home that you’ve always wanted.

You can design your best home yet with the team at HomeWorx Iowa. With extensive experience in home renovation and remodeling, we can talk you through all your options, while creating a design that reflects your wants and needs. More than just talk about it, we’ll even provide a complete 3D render before any work begins. You’ll be able to visualize changes and adjust as necessary. Our attention to detail in the planning stage will save you money, time, stress, and the disappointment that can come from a rushed renovation.

Your home is your biggest investment. Ensure that it continues to pay off for years to come by renovating with HomeWorx.