Upgrading Your Cabinets

Many homes these days still have outdated cabinets in the kitchen. Since the kitchen is the most important room in the house and since home design is trending more modern, this necessitates kitchen renovations. However, kitchen renovations can be very expensive. A very easy way to update your kitchen is through an inexpensive cabinet upgrade.

You can upgrade your cabinets with a few materials and a little extra time. You will only need a Rust-Oleum (or other brand) cabinet transformation coat, some painter’s materials, and a deglosser.

First, remove all the doors from your cabinets and take off the hinges. Set the hinges aside. Next, use painter’s tape to tape off the cabinets so you avoid getting the bond coat on your walls. You should also place a drop cloth on the floor and countertops underneath.

Use the deglosser to strip the cabinets bare, taking care to remove all of the gloss. Next, apply the bond coat of your choice to all the surfaces you are wanting to paint. Once this is dry, apply the top coat to protect the look of your cabinets. Put the hinges back on your cabinet doors, screw the doors back into place, and enjoy your updated kitchen.

Which Flooring Should You Buy

When starting a renovation project, you want to make sure the time, energy, and money are worth it. What I mean is that you are going to want to love the final product. This is even more true when doing a kitchen renovation. You will spend a lot of time in your kitchen and kitchen renovations are expensive. One aspect of these renovations is the floor. So, how should you go about picking the right floor for your kitchen?

The most common flooring choices today are hardwood, laminate, tile, and vinyl. Each of these meet different needs and come with different price tags.

Go to the store and look at samples of each flooring. You can take these samples to your house and see how each material would look in your kitchen. This will give you an idea of what you should have installed.

The next thing you will want to keep in mind when choosing a flooring material is your budget. Hardwood and tile floors are more premium, while laminate and vinyl floors can be installed on a budget.

Ultimately, you want to choose a floor that you will be happy with for years to come. Evaluate the look, durability, and life expectancy of each flooring option and find which one fits within your budget.

Your Home’s Chimney Maintenance

As a homeowner, you should take great care of the chimney on your home, which includes regular maintenance. Not only can poorly maintained chimneys cause house fires, but they can also cause negative health defects in the home’s occupants. One good way to start on chimney maintenance is by scheduling an inspection.

For most homeowners, one chimney inspection per year is sufficient. This will allow the homeowner to evaluate if the chimney is in good shape and see if it needs to be cleaned. One exception is with new homeowners. If your chimney is in its first year of life, have it inspected about halfway through the winter to make sure everything is functioning properly.

Once the residue in your chimney reaches 1/8” in thickness, a cleaning should be scheduled. It can be very tempting to try to save money by inspecting and cleaning your chimney on your own, but it is not very wise. The consequences of a dirty chimney can be life-altering. Since making sure your chimney is working properly and is clean, leave this job up to the professionals and save money elsewhere.

The Use of Rocks in Landscaping

Not all rocks are created equal. Small stones in your yard can look extremely unattractive, can be annoying, and they provide little functionality if any at all. However, the use of large rocks can be very effective. Not only do they look great and give a natural feel to your property, but they are also very functional.

Large rocks can provide a pop of natural color. They come in many different colors, letting you customize your landscape. Additionally, they look great when contrasted with moss or flowers. Additionally, since they are completely natural, they are environmentally-friendly and will not harm your property.

Another benefit of large rocks is that they are heavy. Large rocks can be used as retaining walls to hold up portions of property and to prevent landslides. Additionally, large slabs of rock can be used as walkways.

Large rocks should never be used without careful planning. They should never just be thrown down. There should be careful planning as to where the rocks will be placed, how they will be positioned, and how they should fit together. This is why it is important to hire a professional when you are thinking about using large rocks for landscaping.

What Grows on a Garden Roof?

Garden roofs, or green roofs, are great at spicing up flat roof spaces. These roofs are especially useful in urban environments as they provide a bit of an escape from endless concrete. Instead of just a flat, white surface, they are roofs that grow and support vegetation, bringing a natural element to the city and essentially giving you extra living space. Not only are they natural, but they aid the roof in storm drainage and reflect UV rays, saving you on energy costs. But what kind of plant life do these roofs actually support?

Most garden roofs only support about 3 to 4 inches of soil. Not only does this help keep maintenance down, but it makes your roof lighter than if you had enough soil to support vegetation with deep roots. Since the soil is relatively shallow, garden roofs should be used to grow plants that have shallow roots and do not require much water.

Sea thrift and sedge are too great options for garden roofs, but this does not provide much variety. Many wildflowers will fair well on garden roofs and they provide a pop of color. Finally, herbs are great options for garden roofs. Not only can you use these herbs for cooking, but they will provide a nice aroma when you are out on your roof.

It is not recommended to plant trees on your roof.

If you have any further questions regarding our ideas for your home, you can contact us at 918-404-5996.

Outdoor Creations Roofing is located at 1924 W Albany Street in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.