http://www.househacker.com/ househacker/tags/renovations
Link: CNN Money: 4 renovations that kill a home's value

Previously: Best Bang for the Buck Home Remodelling Jobs, Best Return on Investment Home Improvement Tips

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Renovations-that-Kill-Home-Value this one) it's easy to see why. Concrete combines solid, chunky beauty with a lot of flexibility-through-moldability, enabling designers to create some stunning countertops in both kitchen and bathrooms.

The site does a nice job of describing a concrete countertop's personal value to its owner:

But remember, don't fall too deeply in love with anyone else's piece. You can have the exact same design and color as they have, but yours will be yours alone. Because as the mixture of sand, stone, water and cement cures, it captures a moment in time that's unique. The pattern of stone will always be different. The color will always vary slightly. And that's what makes it uniquely yours.

See also: Concrete Countertop HowTos]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Gorgeous-Concrete-Countertops videos here.

Amazon.com page - unfortunately they are currently unavailable.

Manufacturer's order page.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Blind-Mark-Drywall-Cutout-Tool video (Windows media) from the Free Hand site.

Available from Amazon.com.

Via the always interesting Smart Stuff.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Clever-Hands-Free-Drywall-Installation-Tool arch kits we've seen, this one by Creative Corners looks like it may be the easiest to install, at least judging by the quick four step process outlined on their site. The company lists four arch sets, three of which come in two corner pieces, and the forth being a full, one piece arch. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Another-Doorway-Arch-Kit home theatre, you may want to think about soundproofing the area. A quality soundproofing job will both prevent outside noises from entering your listening room/theatre and, conversely, give you the freedom to listen to whatever you like without having to disturb your house mates. Here's a drywall option, called QuietRock, that claims to be able to deliver that level of soundproofing. From the site:

• A single layer of QR-530 is equivalent to 8 layers of standard drywall (acoustically)
• QR-525 requires no power saw
• QR-545 is the only THX Certified soundproofing solution in the world
• 10x more reliable than resilient channel with no resilient channel liability risks
• Use like standard drywall (installs without special training)
• Fire rated. Environmentally friendly. Lab tested. Available in X, anti-mold, greenboard, blueboard, high impact and others

Installation video from the website available here (direct link to wmv video).]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/QuietRock-Sound-Proof-Drywall home theatre room, created by someone who obviously had a vision of what they wanted, and saw it through to completion. It's probably safe to say that the homeowner enjoys his cinema, no? The homeowner, Steve Jenkins, has posted galleries of the entire construction job, from sketch to finished room. Granted, it's definitely not the most subtle home theatre room in the world, but what a cool in-home movie experience it must create. It certainly looks like it would be easy to forget that you're still at home while enjoying your favourite Michael Douglas film.


]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Another-Amazing-Home-Theatre home theatre seriously. This is one of the more grandiose home theatres on the web (in recent memory, anyway). The owner obviously aimed for a true theatre experience, and given what must have been a sizable budget to play with, it's safe to say that he's achieved his goal.

Here's a nice touch, from the site:

One of the things I wanted to do is to provide a true cinema experience for movie showing parties. So I have three DVD players. One is used to show the theater intro (Welcome to the Regency Theater, etc.) which was done by Digital Forge, the other DVD player is used to show a movie trailer as a preview of an upcoming movie, and then the third DVD player shows a DVD if we're playing a DVD that night (alternatively, we show movies on the JVC 400 D-VHS player).

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Amazing-Home-Theatre here.

From the videos available on Homegain.com:

...thoroughly cleaning and removing clutter from your home can be worth up to five times what it cost you to do it."]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Best-Return-on-Investment-Home-Improvement-Tips bathroom gallery available for your viewing pleasure, and it's filled with some seriously nice bathrooms. The gallery is divided into three categories: contemporary, traditional and eclectic.

Of course if you were looking for something classy, like LED toilet seats, you'd want to go here.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Kohler-Bathroom-Design-Gallery basement floor. The video illustrates DRIcore's tongue and groove system as well as the clever levelling squares that DRIcore utilizes to allow the product to be installed on a standard, non-level basement floor.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Quick-DRIcore-Subfloor-Video DRIcore - It looks like you've got some competition that looks a heck of a lot like you. The resemblance is uncanny, really. Anyway, the SubFlor system uses a tongue and groove system that requires only the tap of a hammer to install, and is, like the DRIcore system, suitable for laminate, carpet or hardwood. Vinyl tiles are also possible with an additional underlay of quarter inch thick plywood. Ceramic tiles require an additional "cement board underlayment to ensure absolute sturdiness". The SubFlor site has a Flash based Interactive Installation Guide available.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/SubFlor-SubFloor-System-DriCore-Competitor before, doorway arch kits seem like an easy way to make a doorway look a lot less cookie cutter while adding some extra character to your home. Although, as easy as the Insta Arch kit may be to install, the 15 minutes that the company is claiming it takes to do the job seems like a bit of a stretch, especially if you've seen their pictorial step-by-step instructions. That's not to imply that the installation would be difficult, but for a first time installer, 15 minutes seems a little optimistic, to say the least. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Doorway-Arch-Kit-by-Insta-Arch
DRIcore is an ideal product to use on basement floors - or workshops. The plastic cleats raise the panels off the floor, allowing moisture to pass underneath. The DRIcore that Brigitte chooses for her workshop is perfect for so many reasons. It’s ideal for moist conditions, it’s attractive and it’s super easy to install.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DRIcore-Subfloor-System-Installation-HowTo Doityourself.com has many useful step by step articles for home renovations and repairs, including this one on waterproofing your basement which may be useful to anyone with a leaky basement and looking to save some money by attempting to do the repairs themselves. The site also has a large, active forum with over 40,000 members.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Basement-Waterproofing-Howto jasongraphix.com went through to achieve a clean, popcorn free look. Also, something interesting - and scary, as Jason notes:

Asbestos was used in some sprayed coatings for ceilings from 1935-1978 and can cause Mesothelioma & Asbestosis. It's a good idea to have a sample tested by an NVLAP approved testing center before getting started.

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Remove-your-Popcorn-Ceiling how to use a hammer) to intermediate (repairing cracked tile, repairing a defective light switch) to more advanced topics (basement foundation repair). They've also got a nice list of reference materials on topics ranging from the various nail and screw sizes to weights and measures and the metric system.

*Regarding PDFs: it's been said before, but Foxit Reader is a really fast and lightweight alternative to Acrobat Reader that deserves some attention. Give it a shot. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Nice-List-of-General-Home-Repair-Howtos here are some tips on making the most out of the space you have available to you, including things like where to place the toilet, amount of space required for sinks, showers and baths, as well as storage and safety ideas.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Good-List-of-Bathroom-Design-Tips unique "three dimensional, form pressed plywood element for modern interior decoration with wood."
The unique 3D style of the panels would look super cool in a recroom or bar. The brochure (PDF) indicates that the panels definitely aren't the most inexpensive ceiling option in the world, however...

Ceiling Scenes "utilizes state-of-the art technology to print images or patterns directly onto acoustic ceiling tiles, creating truly custom ceilings. Whether you desire bright, colourful scenery or a subtle and serene visual treatment, our capabilities offer limitless potential to create genuinely unique environments." These images seem suitable mostly for a child's bedroom or play area, but an adventurous decorator might be able to work them into other spaces as well.

These tin ceiling tiles offer a very elegant, sophisticated look that can also be mounted as a backsplash.

via metafilter]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/A-Few-Unique-Ceiling-Tile-Options basement floors require the installation of a subfloor to provide warmth by raising the basement floor up off of the cold concrete foundation. Installing a subfloor tends to be a fair amount of work, as a traditional subfloor system consists of, according to DRIcore:

2x4 sleepers, vapour barrier, 1"-2" rigid insulation, 5/8" plywood and a lot of fastening.

The DRIcore system looks to be a more elegant solution. DRIcore comes in 2'x2' tiles and utilizes a tongue and groove system for easy installation. Also, from their FAQ:

DRIcore subfloor panels are engineered specifically for cold, damp environments typically found in basements. DRIcore subfloor panels are manufactured with a high density polyethylene moisture barrier that raises the 5/8" random wafer board core a ¼" away from damp, cold concrete floors. Since the panels are raised off the surface, the concrete floor is allowed to breathe.

DRIcore claims to save some headroom as well:

The combined height [of a traditional subfloor] is between 2 ¼" and 5 ¼" compared to 7/8" for a DRIcore subfloor panel.

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DRIcore-Subfloor-Tile-System CurveMakers.com offers these clever doorway arch kits. Modern homes are rarely built with doorway arches, which were much more common in the past. Arches offer so much character but usually require some significant renovation dollars. These kits, which are reasonably priced, allow any standard doorway to be made to look more elegant and unique. Very nice.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Doorway-Arch-Kit diynetwork that covers template construction, mold making, pouring, and finishing up.

Here's another very detailed tutorial from NaturalHandyman.com. Both are good, but the diynetwork breaks down the materials needed in a nicer format.

For some inspiration, take a look at Cheng Design to see some amazing examples of what's possible to accomplish with concrete.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Concrete-Countertop-HowTos

Behr's ColorSmart
Probably the best paint selector. Paint simulation looks the most realistic. Behr allows searches by paint name or number and automatically coordinates colors to match. Program enables users to paint individual walls. Includes a nice 'Inspiration library'.

Benjamin Moore's Personal Color Viewer
Benjamin Moore's app presents the user with multiple rooms to choose from, as well as the unique selectable specialty finishes. Has a standard color slider selector, and is pre-loaded with some color combinations. Not bad, but not great.

Sherwin-Williams
Chose between interior and exterior paint jobs. Multiple room or home types to chose from. The automatic coordinating of color types is nice. Some drag and drop action.

Sico Not that dynamic. Allows the change of one entire wall (only) and trim. Gives a good idea of how a room's feel is altered with different paint colors, but could be more functional.

Debbie Travis
Multiple rooms to chose from, but clicking a color changes the one and only dynamic wall in the picture (i.e. user is not able to select individual walls). Very straightforward and too basic.

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Roundup-of-Online-Paint-Selector-Apps http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Useful-Flash-Room-Planner cost vs. value data which might prove handy if you're planning any remodelling work around the house. If resale is what you have in mind, wikiHow lists some great ways to inexpensively increase your home's value. Ditto for the Peacock. Some of these basements, on the other hand, probably weren't that inexpensive...]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Best-Bang-for-the-Buck-Home-Remodelling-Jobs