home improvements - good and bad

[Ohiogirl]

what have you done to your house that you think was well worth it? And what have you (or the previous owner) done that you wish you hadn't and feel was maybe a waste of money?

For myself, I like the solar sun shade we had installed on the east side of the lanai (but wish I'd bought the heavier one that blocks more sun). I also like the tinted windows on the east and south sides (only have a very small laundry room window on the west side).

We changed out our bi-fold pantry door to a regular door, and hung a full length wire shelf unit - gives me room in the pantry for all my small appliances at an easy height, so I don't have to stoop and peer into the depths of the lower cabinets.

We had the closets all customized before we moved our clothes down - a world of difference IMO.

I like the indoor/outdoor carpet on our lanai - now I want to stain the concrete underneath so it looks nicer on the edges.

We put a double towel rack in the master bath, and now want to move it to the other side and put back the original single bar - should have thought that one out a little further before we did it.

Can someone explain what's so nice about coating the garage floor? Is it worth it if you are not going to be doing laundry or do-it-yourself projects out there?

[l2ridehd]

My lanai faces West. So installed a remote controlled awning that extended out 10 feet. Makes lanai much more comfortable in the afternoons in the summer. Granite counters and an island in the kitchen. Pictures in another thread on contractors. Also plan to do the custom closets and the garage floor. Might do the driveway. Still debating between paint and pavers. Thinking about a few others, but those are down the road.

[Sherman931]

If you have energy efficient e-windows why is it necessary to tint the glass?

[Ohiogirl]

Because the sun still poured in. You can feel the difference just by putting your hand in front of the closed blinds. Plus, maybe depending on the orientation of my villa, the neighbor's vinyl siding seemed to reflect right back into the windows, making it really glare if you opened the blinds. Now we can get natural light that doesn't make you blink.

We keep the blinds closed in the am when the sun is pouring in the east side. Believe, me the tinted windows really make a difference, at least to me.

Also, I should have said "outdoor rug" not indoor/outdoor carpet.

I'm also not going to be in any hurry to do more landscaping until I learn more and attend a few sessions at Truman and/or the extension service. I've wasted money planting things and not being here to get them established or keep them covered during freezes.

We plan granite countertops and an under-mount sink, plus a new French door fridge once we settle in. I actually like to shop for that stuff, so don't want to rush and pick the wrong (for me) color.

[K9-Lovers]

We've done a lot to our little CYV since we moved here as full-time residents in May. Best remodeling decisions were:
- install Solatubes in our master bath, guest bath, garage and 2 in kitchen. Love that natural light.
- install tinted windows throughout
- tile floors throughout
- wood plank ceiling in LR and tin-look ceiling in Kit, installed over popcorn

Now we'll be working on the countertops,landscaping, and installing a small pool. (Can't wait for the pool!!!)

[Sherman931]

Thanks for the reply OhioGirl. As to landscaping I am under construction with a house already occupied on one side, one under construction on the other side and vacant lots to the rear. If I am lucky, all my neighbors will want privacy and surround me with lush landscaping :D

[jebartle]

l. New refrig., dishwasher, stove, washer & dryer, all energy efficient
2. Front courtyard wrought-iron gates replaced double-screen door
3. granite countertops, bath and kitchen
4. removed "privacy plywood" from bird-cage
5. new hardware on all cabinets, so simple, but makes a huge change
6. floor to ceiling mirror in dining room wall, and wrought iron chandelier
7. paint, paint, paint, cheapest change and most dramatic
8. black/white stick & peel floor tile in garage, soooo easy! what a difference
9. wall fountain added, love the sound

Yipsters!....No wonder we are pooped!...giggle

[swrinfla]

l2:

An observation about pavers vs paint on your driveway. There are at least a half-dozen "paved" drives on my street. All owners have begun to complain about the cost of annual sealing, repairs, etc. The one neighbor with a painted drive is only now thinking about having it re-done, as it's beginning to fade. It cost him a lot less when installed and virtually nothing, since.

The oldest house on the street is still under 6 years, the youngest just over 5 years.

Me? So far, I've stuck with the original concrete. But I am thinking about fancying things up! If I decide to do so, it will definitely be paint.

As far as other things done - remember that I built when I could choose virtually everything. I had an extra window added in my Gardenia Master; while the blinds are down 99.9% of the time, I like the extra morning light. I'm also very, very glad that I had pull-drawer 'shelves,' top and bottom of all my under-counter kitchen cabinets. Never have to get down on my hands and knees to find something hidden away on the bottom shelf!

SWR
:beer3:

[2newyorkers]

I agree with jebartle that painting makes such a big change and is the best bang for your buck. We have done many improvements inside and out but the ones I am happiest with are the laminate floors, tinting the windows and due to the lack of storage space we had shelving put around all the walls in the garage.

[brostholder]

What a great bunch of posts for those of us that are "decoratively challenged". I plan on stealing a bunch of these ideas.

[Larryandlinda]

Because the sun still poured in. You can feel the difference just by putting your hand in front of the closed blinds. Plus, maybe depending on the orientation of my villa, the neighbor's vinyl siding seemed to reflect right back into the windows, making it really glare if you opened the blinds. Now we can get natural light that doesn't make you blink.

We keep the blinds closed in the am when the sun is pouring in the east side. Believe, me the tinted windows really make a difference, at least to me.

Also, I should have said "outdoor rug" not indoor/outdoor carpet.

I'm also not going to be in any hurry to do more landscaping until I learn more and attend a few sessions at Truman and/or the extension service. I've wasted money planting things and not being here to get them established or keep them covered during freezes.

We plan granite countertops and an under-mount sink, plus a new French door fridge once we settle in. I actually like to shop for that stuff, so don't want to rush and pick the wrong (for me) color.


We have a Florida room on the back directly east, lots of windows but by no means a 'glass room'
and same thing, even with the light-filtering shades, the heat pours in mornings
We control temps with opening windows at night (we are adding a couple quiet-kool 'whole house fans' soon) and seldom use heat or AC, unless showing to renters , and of course they use it .

did you change the whole windows or have someone add film?



L and L

[Ohiogirl]

glad you're learning some stuff, brostholder. I am too. L and L - I had someone do the window film. I heard from my handyman, who changed out the pantry door and helped with the closets, that it was harder than it looked.

He did his and his son's house, (remember - he's also handy) and said it was not all that easy. You can buy the stuff at Lowe's or Home Depot and do it yourself, but I think most of us would be doing it 2 or 3 times. Some things are worth paying for, IMO. And I'm pretty frugal (my children would say that is a real understatement).

My next project will likely be a rainbarrel in the out of sight corner of my CYV backyard, hooked up to a soaker hose for some of the backyard landscape beds (which aren't all there yet). I put one in our Ohio backyard this spring and love it, love it, love it. I feel so green when I look at it :) Sumter County Extension has info down here.