At the moment’s Home-owner Radio Podcast | January 21, 2023

Hour 1

Study what developments are sizzling in kitchen transforming, how one can forestall inside frost on home windows, the distinction between refacing and refinishing cupboards and extra.

Massive-Image Kitchen Transforming Traits for 2023

As a house enchancment skilled, I’m at all times trying to be taught concerning the newest design developments. I not too long ago got here throughout the 2023 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, and I’ve to say, the findings are fairly fascinating. 

The examine surveyed greater than 2,000 U.S. householders who’re within the midst of, are planning, or not too long ago accomplished a kitchen renovation venture, and the outcomes present a beneficial glimpse into what’s trending in kitchen design. Right here’s what stood out probably the most to me:

Renovation Spending Rises: The median spend on a minor transform elevated $4,000 yr over yr to $14,000 by mid-2022. Owners spent $15,000 on a minor transform of a bigger kitchen and $13,000 on a smaller kitchen.

Sustainability Influences Selections: 92 p.c of house owners incorporate sustainable options throughout a kitchen transform. These embrace LED lightbulbs, energy-efficient home equipment and water-efficient fixtures.

Open Layouts are Right here to Keep: Following a dip within the development of open kitchens final yr, this yr renovators are as soon as once more extra more likely to open their kitchens to different inside areas and outside areas. The most well-liked alternative for kitchens newly open to inside areas nonetheless is to haven’t any wall separation. For the transition between the kitchen and outside areas, the most typical alternative is double doorways or a row of doorways.

Wooden Cupboards Acquire Recognition: White cupboards aren’t going out of fashion anytime quickly. The colour stays the most well-liked alternative, however wooden tones are a robust contender. Practically 1 / 4 of house owners select wood-tone cupboards.

Colourful Islands: 46 p.c of house owners chosen an island cupboard coloration that contrasts the colour of the primary cupboards. The recognition of blue and grey declined barely, whereas black, medium-tone wooden and darkish wooden noticed will increase.

Learn the total report: 2023 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study

Why is Frost Forming on the Inside My Home windows? 

A home-owner in Wyoming says over the past chilly snap, temperatures dropped to round 36 levels beneath zero! She seen frost build up on the within of all of her home windows and doorways. 

“Is there something we will do to stop this from occurring?” she asks. 

Frost build up on the within of home windows and doorways throughout extraordinarily chilly temperatures might be brought on by a variety of components.

Our first thought is that the doorways and home windows are older and faulty. Nevertheless, the house owner says the home is new, so the doorways and home windows are very vitality environment friendly. Due to this, much less humidity is escaping from the house by the home windows and doorways. So, as soon as the moisture within the air makes contact with these chilly surfaces, it freezes.  

So what’s inflicting this excessive humidity? Some potential explanations embrace:

• Lack of air flow: Inadequate air flow could cause humidity to construct up in a house, particularly in bogs and kitchens the place moisture is generated from cooking, bathing and showering. 
• Houseplants: Giant numbers of houseplants can launch moisture into the air, contributing to excessive humidity.
• Excessive occupancy: Excessive occupancy in a home can enhance humidity ranges due to the many individuals dwelling and inhaling the identical house.

The options to excessive humidity are including air flow and insulation, and in excessive circumstances putting in a whole-house dehumidifier. Be sure to’re venting any moisture out of the home, like utilizing a variety hood and toilet vent fan. 

To keep watch over humidity ranges in your house, and deal with the underlying causes, get a hygrometer to measure the quantity of humidity in your house. It shouldn’t exceed 50 p.c. 

Refacing vs. Refinishing Cupboards

We’re renovating our kitchen, however the price range doesn’t enable for all new cupboards. So, we had been planning on refinishing them by sanding after which repainting. However then I learn an article about refacing the cupboards. What’s the distinction between refinishing and refacing, and which might you suggest?

Refinishing and refacing are two completely different strategies used to replace the look of kitchen cupboards.

Refinishing includes sanding down the present end on the cupboards and making use of a brand new end, similar to paint or stain. This methodology is often inexpensive than refacing and is an efficient choice for these trying to change the colour of their cupboards. Nevertheless, it doesn’t change the general design of the cupboards and might be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Refacing, however, includes protecting the present cupboard doorways and drawer fronts with new supplies, similar to veneer, laminate or strong wooden. This may change the general design of the cupboards and can be utilized to replace the look of your kitchen. It’s additionally a costlier choice than refinishing, nevertheless it’s a fast strategy to change the looks of your cupboards, and it’s much less disruptive to your kitchen.

In abstract, refinishing is the method of making use of a brand new end on the present cupboards, whereas refacing is the method of protecting the present cupboards with new supplies to vary the general design.

Hour 2

Hear the key to eradicating vinyl wallpaper, ideas for staining a pressure-treated wooden fence, and extra. 

The Secret to Eradicating Vinyl Wallpaper

A home-owner desires to know — what’s the trick to eradicating vinyl wallpaper?

“I sprayed it down with DIF wallpaper remover, lined the wall with skinny plastic, after which waited an hour or so, however the wallpaper was nonetheless caught in place. I don’t need to injury the drywall by attempting to scrape it off. What do you recommend?” he asks. 

When eradicating vinyl wallpaper, you might want to rating the vinyl coating to ensure that the DIF wallpaper remover to work. To do that, use a device known as a paper tiger. Merely rub it over the face of vinyl to poke 1000’s of holes in it. This can enable the remover to penetrate to the wallpaper and deactivate it, so you possibly can simply take away it. 

To take away the wallpaper, combine in a 5-gallon bucket:

Stir the combination, then apply it to the wall utilizing a pump-up backyard sprayer. After completely soaking the wallpaper, cowl the wall with a layer of skinny (0.7 mil) plastic, utilizing a wallpaper brush to press the plastic onto the wall.

Let the wallpaper remover soak on the wall for no less than three hours, in a single day could be even higher. The combination will dissolve virtually all of the adhesive, permitting you to peel away the wallpaper with just about no effort!

Watch: The Straightforward Recipe to Take away Wallpaper

Suggestions for Staining a Fence

A home-owner desires to stain her newly put in pressure-treated wooden fence. She asks, “Are you able to give me some ideas or recommendation?”

Staining a pressure-treated wooden fence might be an effective way to guard the wooden and improve its pure magnificence. Nevertheless, there are some things to bear in mind to make sure that the stain is utilized correctly and adheres effectively to the wooden:

Look ahead to the wooden to dry: Stress-treated wooden is often moist when it’s first put in, so watch for it to dry fully earlier than staining. This may take a number of weeks and even months, relying on the climate and the wooden’s publicity to the weather. You may as well do that check.

Clear the wooden: Earlier than staining, clear the wooden to take away any dust, grime, or different contaminants that could be on the floor. An answer of water and a gentle detergent is often adequate, however you can even use a wooden cleaner particularly designed for pressure-treated wooden.

Select the precise stain: Not all stains are appropriate for pressure-treated wooden, so select a stain that’s particularly formulated to be used on pressure-treated wooden. Oil-based stains are the most suitable choice as a result of they’re more practical at penetrating the wooden.

Apply the stain evenly: Apply the stain evenly and within the course of the wooden grain. Work the stain into the wooden utilizing a brush, curler or pump-up, then back-brush it into the wooden to make sure it’s completely lined. 

Permit the stain to dry: After staining, enable the wooden to dry fully earlier than making use of a second coat or utilizing the fence. This may take a number of hours and even days, relying on the climate and what stain was used.

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Easy Options

Situation New Paint Curler — Earlier than utilizing a brand-new paint-roller sleeve, it’s vital to “situation” it, in order that it spreads paint evenly and easily. 

Place the brand new sleeve on the paint curler, fill a plant mister with water, then spin the sleeve as you spray it liberally with water. 

Dry-spin the sleeve to take away any extra water, then roll the sleeve onto a chunk of cardboard or different naked, clear floor. That can assist take away any loosened fibers from the curler sleeve — and forestall them from entering into the paint or onto the newly painted floor. 

Now use the dampened, conditioned sleeve to right away apply paint.

Watch: Learn how to Situation A New Paint Curler Cowl 

Additional Storage for Ventilated Shelving — You probably have ventilated metal-wire shelving in your closet or pantry, right here’s a fast, easy strategy to acquire a bit further storage. 

Purchase a number of metallic S-hooks and slip them onto the wire shelving. Use pliers to pinch closed the hooks to allow them to’t pop off. 

The hooks are nice for hanging all types of things that might ordinarily be taking on beneficial shelf house, together with mud brooms, hand towels, flashlights, belts, scarves, and so on.

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