43 She Shed & Woman Cave Ideas: The Ladies Answer to the Man Cave

43 She Shed & Woman Cave Ideas: The Ladies Answer to the Man Cave

September 15, 2021

Featured Image Source: Nicholas Haslam

Despite what may immediately come to mind, a woman cave is not filled with girly pink things. Furthermore, it is not the exact opposite of a man cave, in that it is obviously girly’ in design and style. Rather, it is a space where a woman can relax and have some me-time. A place where she can let her hair down, allowing her personality and creativity to run free.

Like a man cave, a woman cave can be located in various areas of the house, especially off-traffic spaces. A basement remodel is usually a time to add a spot for a woman cave, though it can also be located in an unused bedroom or any other secluded part of the house. But it is not always the case that women find their sanctuaries inside the house, sometimes it can be located outside the house. In such cases, it is more commonly referred to as a she-shed.

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CUTE & COMFY

Ella Claire

Cute and comfortable, I don’t think I’d ever leave this space.

GARDEN SHED

Dovetail Woodworks

Cute shed with lots of character.

READING RESPITE

Digs Design Company

Lovely soft color & a subtle beachy feel–just grab your favorite book and you are set!

POUR ANOTHER

41 West

The bar area in this Naples beach house defininitly has a feminine feel to it.

SHUT UP!

LUX Design

I could possibly live in here. The light fixture is dazzling. Love the dark gray velvet bench. Love that they included some dressing tables in this space too.

DRESSING

The Design Co.

WOW! Gorgeous dressing room/closet-stunning floors.

While the term she-shed’ conjures up an image of a lady surrounded by a large worktable with plenty of tools and a pile of timbre, a she-shed can be put to any use. The most important part is that it serves as a quite retreat from a busy life. For mothers who are looking for a place to escape the often-chaotic life that kids bring, it could also be called a mom cave or a mom shed.

We have a picture roundup of amazing woman cave and she shed ideas for you to use. The images will give you ideas on how to design and decorate your own sanctuary at home.

MUSIC LOVER

Lindsay Pennington Inc.

Great modern space for creating new music.

SEEING RED

Rikki Snyder

The chaise is so different. Interesting contemporary space.

COLORFUL CRAFT

California Closets of Louisville and Lexington

This room is so vibrant and cheerful!

CREATIVE WORDS

REFINED LLC

Love the word wall and he window seat.

Finding the Right Space

The first step to the perfect sanctuary is determining where you will locate it. If you want somewhere inside the house, there are several possible locations that could work.

Basement: The basement is one of the most common places to locate a woman cave. Even man caves tend to be located in the basement. This is one of the most ideal locations thanks to the secluded nature and space availability. You can design it the way you wish without getting in the way of your home décor. It is also naturally soundproof, creating a noise-free place to relax and do your stuff. The challenge with a basement finishing project is that it requires quite a bit of work before it ready to use.Spare Room: If you do not want the laborious and often expensive work of remodeling a room, a spare room makes for a quick woman cave. The only work remaining is decoration. If you are lucky, you might even get a spare bedroom with an attached bathroom. The only downside is the possible lack of seclusion.

VANITY & CHAISE

Orange Coast Interior Design

Restful, elegant and classic.

THE WINE SPOT

Smith Firestone Associates

Fun & loungy — great spot to dish with your girlfriends.

SUNNY DAYS

Digs Design Company

Love the bright accent colors!

BLUE BLISS

Jennifer Pacca Interiors

Beautiful tranquil blues help calm you and keep you focused.

Garage: This seems more like the location of a man cave than a woman cave. But with some remodeling and decorating, it could become quite the beautiful space. It could work even better for a she-shed, where you expect to do some rougher work. With the garage however, you might have to share space with the car.Walk-In Closet: This is quite a brilliant idea. A walk in closet could make for a quiet, secluded and cozy woman cave, especially if it is unused. One downside is the space. On the bright side though, having a small space to work with could spur your creativity.Attic: This is often not a great location for a woman cave, or any other room for that matter. This is due to numerous construction challenges the attic presents. If you have to use the attic, make sure you get a good contractor to remodel it properly.Outdoor Shed: An outdoor building such as workshop or a tool shed can also work as a woman cave or she-shed. If there is no existing building, you can get one built, though this comes with extra costs of heating, lighting and electrical wiring.

LILAC LIVING AREA

Karen B Wolf Interiors, Associate ASID

Who says a woman cave has to be in the basement? Beautiful soft serene colors, perfect for book club.

HARMONY

Sheila Rich Interiors, LLC

Such nice details–unique. What a nice space to be able to relax in.

ESCAPE & CREATE

Urban Ideas, Inc.

Looks like the perfect quiet area to help you get inspired.

COTTAGE CALM

12th Ave Homes, LLC

Nice use of space in a backyard cottage.

Choosing a Theme

With the right space chosen, what theme have you decided on? A woman cave gives you the freedom to be as creative and unique as possible. This is your space and it should express who you are and what you love. Unlike other rooms in the house where practical considerations have to be made during decorations, you are allowed to throw most practicality out of the window when deciding on a she-shed theme.

Most women base their themes on their hobbies. If you love photography, you could use printed images and photography paraphernalia to establish a theme. If your passion is flowers, you could fill your shed with all kinds of potted ones and surround the shed in a garden of them. Essentially, let your passions and personality direct the decorations.

LIGHT & AIRY

Lucy Interior Design

This sunroom is so light and airy–great place to forget the troubles of the day.

READING NOOK

Norman L Graham Inc

What a great reading nook. So cozy and classy.

BOLD BASEMENT

House of Jade Interiors

Bold and fun–a great space to chat and catch up.

GREAT ESCAPE

Inouye Design

What a fun basement space. Definitely makes you feel like you are somewhere else. Great place to have coffee and pasty.

HAPPY HOMEWORK

Green Basements & Remodeling

Another bright and happy space!

CHEERFUL COMFORT

Green Basements & Remodeling

What a cheerful space. How can you not be happy here.

As you set up your woman cave, do not forget a few other essentials. For instance, you need to ensure that you have enough storage space in your sanctuary. This is especially important if you are going to be doing some work there or are engaging in hobbies such as crafts and painting. Before you start anything, do some extensive planning. Plan a layout based on the space available and figure out where everything will go.

WHITE & WONDERFUL

Maple & Gray

Gorgeous walk in wardrobe. Who wouldn’t be happy in here?

DRESSING ROOM HEAVEN

Liz Light Interiors

This dressing room has everything. Beautiful decorative touches.

BALLET CAVE

Just Basements

Dance your heart away in this space.

CUTE CAVE

Ruth Richards, Allied ASID

So cute!

WOMAN’S SHED

dore Design & Landscape

Surrounded by beautiful lush landscaping. Looks like a cozy & tranquil place to get some work done.

COUNTRY CALM

Theresa Fine

Nice potting shed. Great place to hide.

Do you plan to have any entertainment? Will you include a private mini-gym? Maybe a kitchenette or bar? Think through all these questions during the planning phase. For an outdoor shed, consider things like electrical wiring and insulation. You do not want a dark cold shed as your personal sanctuary. But the most important thing is to create a space that is a perfect fit for you. This is one of the few times you are allowed to be positively narcissistic; think of no one else but you. Create a space that fits your objectives and makes you happy. Remember that this is where you will be coming to decompress, re-energize and cultivate your hobbies.

GARDEN STUDIO PART 2

JML Garden Rooms

This studio has just what you need!

GARDEN STUDIO PART 1

JML Garden Rooms

Great blend of indoor and outdoor space.

RT STUDIO

La Salvage

Get lost in your work in this great art studio shed.

SANCTUARY

Dovetail Woodworks

What a bright sunny space to relax in.

CRAFTY

Brickmoon Design

What a great space to bring out your creativity.

SWINGIN’

Vanessa DeLeon

On first thought–this is a perfect little girl escape, but on further thought could be a great big girl escape space too!

FURRY & FEMININE

Vanessa DeLeon

Feminine, fun, furry and dramatic.

COZY SEWING

Kelly Deck Design

Cozy and chic sewing space. Love the blast of orange color.

SAW THE LIGHT

Kelly Deck Design

The light fixture and floor lamp are so unique. Touches of retro are done well. Color combinations are different and would have not come to mind before seeing it–but I really like this room.

PURPLE PASSION

Urban Abode

Love the purple color and dark cabinets. Very comfortable space.

COTTAGE

12th Ave Homes, LLC

Cozy and restful bedroom in a backyard cottage.

RELAX IN STYLE

Provenance Builders

Ahhhhh, relax in style

Woman Cave She Shed Tips

It’s official: the she shed trend isn’t going away. Giving man caves a run for their money, these backyard hideaways are a nice little space for ladies to call their own, whether for gardening or just curling up with a good book. So, how does one go about claiming her own she shed, you may wonder? Whether you have a neglected potting shed in your backyard or want to build your own from the ground up (more power to you), we’ve gathered all the DIY design inspiration and advice you’ll need to bring your backyard retreat to life.

Make The Most of Your Available Space

First and foremost: It’s essential to understand the amount of space available in your she shed so that you can design correctly. Knowing how much area you have to deal with will also assist you in deciding on the theme of your shed and how much furnishings you can fit within!

Choose A Theme

When designing a she shed, choose a motif and stick to it throughout. It might be a place for gardening, meditation, entertaining, or working on crafts—the possibilities are endless! A unified design in your storage shed will make it feel more tidy and pleasant for daily use.

Paint The Exterior

Don’t become so preoccupied with the inside of your she shed that you overlook the outside. Give your woman cave a new coat of paint to make it appear fantastic! To make your shed stand out in your backyard, use bright colors like red, blue, or green. Alternatively, for a truly clean, ageless aesthetic, try a bright white! Keep in mind that you’ll need weather-resistant paint, such as an exterior wood stain or varnish.

As always, we are here to help in any way possible. If you are looking for skilled professionals to turn an unused space into a comfortable personal sanctuary, we are here to help. Feel free to send us a message any time with a question or comment.

This is an image roundup post, curated to showcase and promote other reputable contracting companies’ and their amazing work. To have any of the images removed, please reach out to us and we would be happy to do so.

83 Exciting Kitchen Backsplash Trends

September 14, 2021

Featured Image Source: Peninsula Modern

The primary purpose of a kitchen backsplash is to protect the wall from liquids, usually water. But it also serves as the decor focal point after your kitchen renovation. It defines the style of your work area, radiating your personality and reflecting the mood and feel of your cooking space.

From clean minimalist to chic vintage, there are countless design and style options to choose from. What is most important is to choose a style that makes you happy. This is what matters most after all. Do not be afraid to test out unique and even outrageous options. Remember that this is something that will be a central defining aspect to your overall theme.

Also important to remember is that your choice of backsplash has to blend in with the existing décor. You need to create a harmony from the work area, to the countertops, to the walls and even the floor. This collaboration of color and texture is essential to the function and aesthetics of your cooking space.

If choosing the right backsplash seems too difficult a task, worry not, we have some amazing inspirations for you. In this article, we have brought together amazing kitchen tile backsplash ideas to get you started.

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RTISAN

Fivecat Studio | Architecture

Matte and handmade heath ceramic tiles for the backsplash.

STACKED TILES

NNA CARIN Design

Black honed stacked tiles for the backsplash of this Scandinavian kitchen.

ECLECTIC

lison Besikof Custom Designs

The backsplash is a beautiful handmade tile from Mercury Mosaics.

TRANSITIONAL

Jennifer Worts Design

Honed calacatta subway tiles in multiple sizes for the backsplash.

MID-CENTURY

LA Dwelling

Multi-colored mosaic backsplash tiles for this mid-century modern kitchen.

BLUE OPAL

Howells Architecture + Design

The backsplash tile is Blue Opal by Heath Ceramics in Sausalito, CA.

COPPER

Group3

Oustanding copper backsplash made by a local metal shop fabricator.

PORCELAIN

Laura Burton Interiors

Stunning porcelain backsplash tile from Porcelanosa.

CONCRETE

Haus Concrete Surfaces

This contemporary kitchen features custom backsplash that matches the island countertop.

METAL

K+ARchitects

Stainless steel metal backsplash for this industrial kitchen.

How to Choose a Kitchen Backsplash

Choosing the right backsplash involves many decisions. First, you need to decide what types of tiles you want. Then, you still have to find a nice design that fits your needs while also creating the perfect décor for you. Here are some tips that you will find most helpful.

1. Picking the Right Tile

There are several tile materials to choose from; glass, ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite and even metal. One big factor in deciding which tile material to go for is cost. If you are on a budget, the best options include porcelain and ceramic. If you are able and willing to spend a bit more, you might want to consider more expensive options such as marble, granite, and glass.

The issue of style is not as important nowadays when choosing between various tile materials. Thanks to technology, even ceramic tiles can be designed to resemble marble or even a metal surface. This is beneficial when you want a specific look but at a cheaper price.

QUARTZITE

KSI Kitchen & Bath

Ledgestone quartzite in the backsplash for this transitional kitchen.

BRASS TILES

Woods of London ltd

Brass backsplash tiles are from a Chinese company.

HAND CRAFTED

Full Circle Construction Inc.

Warm and traditional hand made tile (North Prairie Tile) in this Arts & Craft kitchen.

SUBWAY

Eskuche Design

A nice balance of brown and gray so clean and comforting. The elongated subway tiles are a nice fit for this more modern space.

2. Tile Design

Tiles come in so many cuts, colors, and styles. Here are just a few examples;

Diagonal tile – tiles come in a diagonal cut, giving your backsplash a unique look. Note that you will require more tiles than usual when tiling kitchen backsplash. Additionally, diagonal tiles tend to cost more.Laser cut tiles – because of their intricate designs and patterns, these tiles are cut using laser technology. Different pieces are joined like a jigsaw puzzle, resulting in an elaborately designed backsplash. Laser cut tiles tend to be quite pricey.Subway tiles – these are some of the most popular backsplash tiles. They are named after the tiles used in most subway stations. They create a classic and clean cut look.

Other types of vintage tiles designs include hand-painted tiles, specialty-shaped tiles, herringbone tiles, and mosaic tiles. You can take a look at our project portfolio for more home remodeling inspiration.

With so many options to choose from, we recommend that you compare some before you make a decision. Start from our images of kitchen backsplashes. See what your local home store has to offer. In time, you will find a design that is perfect for your kitchen.

MID-CENTURY

Flavin Architects

Heath Ceramics Dimensional Tile — Oval. Very clean and crisp modern space.

DOVE GRAY

Designs of the Interior

Beautiful soft color–wonderful backsplash design.

PENNIES

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Pennies! You can get pre-made penny tile sheets from kvsmintcointile.com. OR there are companies that make metallic mosaic tiles. So fun and sparkly.

SHADES OF GREEN

Mary Ann Downey Interior Design

Various shades of one color makes it a little more interesting.

3. Mixing and Matching

As we mentioned before, achieving harmony is an important part of choosing your kitchen backsplash. You need to think of how your chosen tile design will go with your countertops, floor, walls and even appliances. In our article for example, you will find that kitchen backsplashes with white cabinets are quite common. A great example is from this kitchen remodel portfolio, take a look.

There are two things you can do when mixing and matching. One, you can choose a design that matches the surrounding décor. For instance, blue tiles would blend perfectly with grey cabinets. A white tiled backsplash would match up very well with black countertops and so on. Two, you could opt for a design that sharply contrasts the existing décor and acts as a standout style, stealing away most of the attention to itself. Mosaic and hand painted tiles tend to have this effect. You could also choose something like bright red tiles against a white wall and white countertops.

GRAY SUBWAY

Traci Connell Interiors

I absolutely LOVE this kitchen. The custom cabinets are nice and not overdone–makes the gray backsplash stand out. Love the choice of the turquoise and yellow accents and the lights are amazing! I wish I lived in Dallas and could afford to hire Traci!

FUN MOSAIC

Ventana Construction LLC

Fun and colorful mosaic kitchen–can’t help but make you happy.

HERRINGBONE

Verner Architects

Beautiful herringbone backsplash.

STAGGER GLASS

Molly Frey Design

Akdo glass tile backsplash–very clean and sleek looking.

LIMESTONE

llard & Roberts Interior Design, Inc.

Honed wooden white limestone from Topcu — Stunning!

HANDMADE CASA

House + House Architects

COLORFUL! How can you not want to grab a margarita and just unwind!! This is local HANDMADE tile on the backsplash, countertops and floor.

4. Backsplash Height

This is another important decision you need to make as it affects the overall style of your kitchen. While most homeowners opt for the standard countertop-to-cabinet height, you could decide to be more radical and go for a full height backsplash. This creates a more attention-gobbling focal point for the kitchen.

TINY BUBBLES

Jason Ball Interiors, LLC

Very whimsical, but in subdued colors.

BRILLIANT BLUE

Brio Interior Design

This Oceanside Glasstile backsplash brings in some great detail and color.

GEOMETRIC

Breathe Architecture

Fresh and different, I like how the yellow and white colored tiles are asymmetrical on the right side.

POLKA DOTS

Nerland Building & Restoration, Inc.

The “polka dot” tile’s dimension is so different and fun! Heritage Tile (Atomic)

WHITE WAVE

Build

Love the white wave tile in this Naples home. Dune Tile from Modulararts.com.

BLACK TILE

Rodolf Noel – Photo

I really like the small scale of this black tile backsplash.

5. Installing Kitchen Backsplash

If you decide to install kitchen backsplash yourself, here are some simple tips.

Plan your layout. This includes determining your preferred backsplash height and the total area to be covered. This will help you calculate the number of tile you will need.After making sure the wall is completely clean, apply thin set mortar or mastic adhesive according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Make sure to purchase a great tile saw, then measure and cut tiles. Be sure to place them carefully, making sure to hold them down to ensure they adhere. For larger or more complicated tile designs, we highly recommend you get a professional contractor.

BLUE ACCENT

mitzi Architects

The navy glass panels create a backdrop so the wood elements in the room capture your attention. Love the pops of orange against the navy also.

MURAL

Key Piece

This kitchen backsplash was made for a magazine expo. Calling all Urban Millennials–this kitchen is for you. What design would you come up with?

PEARL GLASS

Exquisite Kitchen Design

Ann Sacks Beau Monde glass in absolute white and pearl. So pretty.

CORK

CG&S Design-Build

Perfect for the wine lover!

WATER WAVE

McKinney York Architects

I already feel like I’m on vacation just looking at this handmade glass tile.

BACK IN BLACK

Elemental Design

Modern, simple and clean.

MULTICOLOR MANIA

2001 Interiors – General Contracting Firm

What a wonderful pop of color in this modern kitchen.

BROWN HERRINGBONE

Vintage Scout Interiors

The combination of the black color and large herringbone pattern really add interest to this kitchen.

TUMBLED

Twelve Stones Designs

Traditional and timeless travertine backsplash.

BEVELED SUBWAY

Maletz Design

Love how the white beveled subway tile adds some texture to this kitchen.

QUILTED COPPER

mazing Spaces

Quilted copper backsplash–luxurious!

STACKED SLATE

HomeTech Renovations, Inc.

Dry stack running bond slate backsplash. So rustic and warm.

CHOCTAW SANDSTONE

WA Design Architechts

The stone tile backsplash is the perfect focalpoint for this San Francisco kitchen.

FARMHOUSE KITCHEN

Rockridge Fine Homes

Oatmeal travertine is featured in this elegant farmhouse kitchen.

STAINLESS

lloy Solid Metal Tiles

Cool and contemporary brushed stainless steel tile makes a major impact as the accent wall in this white kitchen.

COHESIVE FORCE

Courthouse Design/Build

The marble is the cohesive force that ties everything together and brings this monochromatic color palette to life.

UNIQUE LAMINATE

Space Group Architects

Amazing–the plants were pressed by the clients children and then laid out at a glass design shop between two glass panes.

TINY TEXTURED

Heffel Balagno Design Consultants

Unique, Backsplash is Arctic Honed Textured Field Tile (Artistic Tile)

MARBLE HERRINGBONE

Croma Design, Inc.

Marble backsplash tile placed in a traditional herringbone pattern gives this modern kitchen a traditional twist.

MOROCCAN MARBLE

rtistic Tile

The marble adds elegance while the polished glass outline/design adds the zing to make this back wall pop. Plus, it ties in with all the poished metal surfaces of the range hood, cabinet hardware and faucet.

BRICK

Luis Jauregui

The brick is so warm, traditional and timeless.

STONE SLAB

Dana Benson Construction

Stone slab backsplash that matches the island.

SOFT & SOOTHING

Fiorella Design

I like that it goes all the way to the ceiling and around the entire window. The color of the tile is soft and soothing.

BEACH STYLE

Rachel Reider Interiors

The colors and translucency of the glass are perfect for that beach house feel. Looks like a water feature.

LEATHERED GRANITE

Hollywood Sierra Kitchen

What a great idea, “leathered” Absolute Black Granite for the backsplash along with the white glass panel.

CHEVRON PATTERN TILE

Romanelli & Hughes Custom Home Builders

This chevron tile pattern is so different and modern (Island Stone’s Palms Glass Series). Love this smoke color.

MODERN TAUPE

Space Harmony

No need to worry about picking a paint color when you have this pretty tile to rely on.

CUBAN INFLUENCE

Buckminster Green, LLC

The large Cuban influenced design/pattern of the tile gives this area instant character and charm. Plus it “fills” the space without having to add cabinetry.

GREEN WITH ENVY

Rob Bowen Design Group

So different–you can’t miss this green focal ceramic tile. Tile by Walker Zanger-Studio Moderne.

CCESSORIZED

New Mood Design LLC

I feel like the backsplash is the jewelry to this kitchen. Since everything is so neutral, the shiny colored mosaic gives it the panache it needs.

TIMELESS TEAL

L&M Interior Design

The backsplash design coordinates all the different colors used in this kitchen. Such a rich unique look.

METALLIC RUSTIC

pplegate Tran Interiors

A mix of rustic and modern elements. The metallic backsplash brings it all together beautifully.

BASKETWEAVE

tmosphere Interior Design Inc.

Subtle yet pretty basket weave backsplash.

BEACH HEAVEN

Noelle Interiors

This is just a beautiful beach kitchen! This tile is so pretty and almost mimics water.

OLD WORLD CHARM

Cameo Kitchens, Inc.

The mural over the range of the vinyard adds to the old world charm of this kitchen. The color within the mural blends the cabinetry and tile nicely.

ORANGE CRUSH STRIPE

Zinc Art + Interiors

The extension of the color from the range to the wall was nothing but ingenious. I am left wanting more.

QUA GLASS

QMA Architects & Planners

The Aqua glass subway tile adds such beautiful color to this space.

SEA FOAM GLASS

lloy Homes Incorporated

Pretty soft color adds to the crisp and clean look of this kitchen. Also really like the pattern of the tile.

MASCULINE METALLIC

Jordan Iverson Signature Homes

This very masculine porcelain metallic backsplash adds so much personality to this unique kitchen.

FEMININE TOUCH

Ficarra Design Associates, Inc.

The backsplash in this casual coastal kitchen just screams feminine and pretty.

JADE BEAD

Sarah Greenman/New Leaf Construction

Love how the Jade Bead glass tile from Dal-Tile goes all the way up the focal wall. Pretty color.

ORANGE POP

Dyna Contracting

What a fun burst of orange color in this bright kitchen.

EDGY UPDATE

Tom Stringer Design Partners

This traditional kitchen cabinet layout gets an edgy twist by using an updated gray glass subway tile.

TEXTURED

Segreti Design

Beautiful textured tiled wall with glass mosaic tile insert. The tile is made with a square cut out–they used silicone to secure the glass mosaic piece in place.

TRADITIONAL WARMTH

Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd

Beautiful stone backsplash. This is such a well-done traditional kitchen, so welcoming.

DEEP GLOSSY PURPLE

NWI Contracting Ltd

A deep pop of purple color!

DIAMOND

Lucvaa Ltd

Gorgeous Arabesque tile in this WHITE kitchen. What is nice–you can add any pop of color to change up the look.

NTIQUED MIRROR

Danconia Interiors

Large 6’x6′ sheets of mirror were treated with an acid-wash treatment to create an antique effect.

RED HOT

Shannon Pepper Design

I think red can be trick and a little severe, but in this kitchen just enough red to do what it needs to do.

YELLOW DIAMOND

Rich Mathers Construction, Inc.

Love the shape of this tile land the softer yellow color.

GREY HERRINGBONE

Cornerstone Architects

Landing I love the recessed channel of the herringbone pattern tile just behind the range to the ceiling–with none on either side. Perfection!

VERTICAL STAGGERED TILE

LKID

The vertical direction of this tile is so different–pretty color too. Great for this Turks & Caicos contemporary kitchen.

Our photos showcase common backsplash ideas, kitchen backsplash trends, creative designs, and so much more. Hopefully, you have been inspired with some great ideas for your own kitchen. As you choose your preferred type of tile and tile design, remember that what matters most is choosing a style that will make you happy.

Too often, homeowners see the backsplash for just its practical benefits. But it can be so much more than that and the images above are proof. So what are you waiting for? Transform your drab and boring work area into a beautiful and unique space. For any help on choosing and installing kitchen backsplash, do not hesitate to leave a comment below.

The post 83 Exciting Kitchen Backsplash Trends appeared first on Luxury Home Remodeling | Sebring Design Build.

49 Amazing Luxury Finished Basement Ideas

September 11, 2021

Featured Image: Sebring Design Build

Getting Your Basement Finishing Project Underway

So you have decided to turn your musty junk-filled basement into a warm liveable space. Or maybe you are already using the basement but want to style it up a notch. Basement design ideas are limitless. Whether you want a cool chic look or a more dramatic themed basement, the choices are endless. But before you decide on the style you want for your new finished basement, here are a few things to consider.

Whonsetler Photography

Lots of light in this basement–definitely more feminine in style. The round conversation area is nice.

Let Your Creativity Fly

Do not be bound so much by functionality and practicality that you forget about making the basement a fun place to be in. While playing it safe with the rooms above is understandable, let the space below be your own personal canvas. Try out a crazy theme, a cool wall art, a unique color pattern, or anything else that comes to mind.

Check out some cool basement ideas we have compiled below, in addition, you can take a look at our own Before & After Finished Basement Remodeling Ideas portfolio. Included below is everything from themed finished basement ideas to small finished basement ideas.

On to the planning phase. Planning is essential to achieving the right finish for your basement. A good idea is to use one of the many online tools to create a cad drawing of the room. Put in the wall color, seat arrangements, and anything else you want to have an idea of how the basement will look.

Even if you do not use an online tool, plan extensively beforehand as to exactly what you plan to do. What color will the wall be? Will you put in any art? What flooring style will you go for? If your budget allows, you can consult an interior designer for recommendations. One advantage of such planning is that it allows you to set out a budget that you can work within, ensuring that you are not caught short of cash in the middle of your project.

POOL SPA

Birdseye Design

Love the small pool and the lighting. It is also nice that the workout area has that large window area that keeps it open.

SLEEK SANCTUARY

Urban Abode

This space is so contemporary and sleek while at the same time feeling very comfortable.

BRIGHT BASEMENT

Leslie Goodwin Photography

This basement space is cozy & inviting without being too dark. Love the color choices.

EXPOSED INDUSTRIAL

Ryan Duebber Architect, LLC

Very industrial looking basement–the ductwork is exposed as a design element.

FUNKY FIREPLACE

Moss Building and Design

A very contemporary twist–awesome fireplace. Love the pop of blue color in the furniture pieces.

TRADITIONAL ARCHES

Gonyea Homes & Remodeling

What a nice cozy area to retreat to. Very traditional basement entertainment area.

PUB BASEMENT BAR

M.J. Whelan Construction

The wood counter & curved door are charming design elements. Great pub-like elements.

OFFICE NOOK

Leslie Goodwin Photography

Great use of space. Love this basement office area.

COLORFUL GYM

Sebring Design Build

Love the floor and how bright the space is.

PRETTY BASEMENT

Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.

Pretty, fresh & bright–doesn’t feel like a “typical” basement.

WET BAR

Sebring Design Build

Nice wet bar area. Beautiful warm finishes.

TRADITIONAL BAR

NVS Remodeling & Design

Wonderful traditional basement, great for a parties and get-together’s.

LIGHTED CELLAR

Brandon Architects, Inc.

A bright and light wine cellar. Love the lighting in the cellar.

MAZING CELLAR

Sebring Design Build

Amazing basement wine cellar.

MAN CAVE THEATER

CHC Creative Remodeling

This just screams man cave! What a great space to host a sporting event.

EXPANSIVE PLAYROOM

Peregrine Design Build

Great open play area for the kids. Love all the storage cubbies.

BASEMENT SPORTS BAR

CHC Creative Remodeling

This space has the feeling of being at a really nice neighborhood bar–but you are in the comfort of your own home.

BASEMENT COURT

Kaufman Construction Design and Build

Basement basketball court–Wow! Must be so nice for a sports lover to have enough space to have an indoor sports court.

COZY LAUNDRY

Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.

Probably the coziest and cutest basement laundry area that I’ve ever seen. Nice office and sitting nook too!

TRADITIONAL BAR

Gonyea Homes & Remodeling

Nice basement bar/kitchen area. Lots of great counter space.

TOP THEATER

Sebring Design Build

No doubt that this is a top of the line basement theater.

WOW WINE CELLAR

Sebring Design Build

This wine cellar will certainly wow all of your guests.

BUNK BED BASEMENT

Titus Built, LLC

What a fun place for kids and/or teens to have sleepovers or like the picture indicates, read a good book.

LIGHT AND BRIGHT

Kastler Construction, Inc.

It’s so bright and light in this traditional basement. The ceiling lighting is really nice.

CHEERY CUTOUT

Green Basements & Remodeling

So bright, cheery and different. The wall with the cutout design is so cute.

OLD-FASHIONED FUN

Shiloh Homes Construction Remodeling

Looks like you can just enjoy some good old-fashioned fun in this room.

SIT AND SIP

Sebring Design Build

Nice basement wine tasting and sitting area.

HOME SPA

Finished Basement

This space boasts an impressive basement home spa.

BASEMENT BARN DOOR

Hill Custom Homes

Always nice to have an extra bedroom in the basement and this barn door adds a fun design element.

WARM WESTERN

Porter Construction

I like the warm western feel to this basement space.

BRIGHT & FEMININE

Melyssa Robert Designer

A bright & feminine spin on a basement remodel.

MODERN BASEMENT

Sebring Design Build

Modern and sleek basement.

FOCAL FIREPLACE

Sebring Design Build

This beautiful fireplace is definitely the focal point of this great space.

CREATIVE CRAFTS

Brickmoon Design

Such a nice bright spacious and clever craft room!

GOALTENDER

Morris & Woodhouse Interiors, Inc.

Awesome idea for that little hockey player.

INDUSTRIAL BASEMENT

Weaver Custom Homes

Very contemporary and industrial looking basement.

CLASSY BAR

Sebring Design Build

A great space in the basement to entertain.

ROCK STAR BASEMENT

Sebring Design Build

A stage area is a great idea in a basement. Love the lighting.

Tips For Nailing Finished Basements Ideas

When most people envision their basement, they envision an unfinished place filled with cobwebs, odd trash, and cold concrete. Many homeowners fail to recognize the potential. Consider a fully realized area, tailored to fit into your ideal home, an extension of the quality and personality you instill in the rest of the house.

Designing Finished Basement Ideas

It’s a big step from an underutilized unfinished basement to a completely restored and finished basement. Before beginning building, there are numerous options to consider. One of the most enjoyable aspects of renovating is creating your unique vision. Whether you want to use modern basement ideas or functional basement ideas, the new room will reflect your unique creative touch. If you give yourself a few hours, you might be astonished at how many innovative basement designs you can come up with.

Home Theater System

When it comes to basement design, nothing beats the classics. This classic feature enhances the luxury and value of your home. Consider a cozy night in with friends and family to watch the latest blockbuster in the comfort of your own home theater.

Workout Room

This is the ideal complement for the multi-functional individual. With this function, you’ll never have to pay for another monthly gym membership. Make the most of your healthy living by investing in a fully equipped home gym perfectly suited to your workout requirements.

Recreational Area

In this relaxing area, recline in your favorite chair. Consider a room that has been specifically designed for technology-free leisure. There’s a pool table, a foosball table, a dartboard, a handmade board game table, a pingpong table, and more just down the stairs.

Dry Or Wet Bar

What better way to relax after work than with a refreshing beverage from the comfort of a personalized bar? This area can also serve as a terrific entertainment component for a lively get-together with friends and family for any occasion.

n At-Home Office

This practical basement design is ideal for those who have L-shaped basement floor plans. While optimizing productivity, enclose your workspace in a personalized home office. Go upstairs to leave your work at home.

Craft Shop

A multi-purpose craft room is a terrific little finished basement concept if you need extra space for hobbies. Building storage features and installing useful fixtures are wonderful methods to personalize your home makeover for this type of redesign.

dditional Living Area

As a family grows, the room becomes increasingly scarce. Creating a completely new area with new rooms and living areas ensures that your family will fit, no matter how large it becomes. Even modest basements can contain one or two additional rooms.

Basement Essentials

Whatever your creative orientation, there are certain elements that every basement redesign must include in order to improve the area. When planning your redesign, make sure you don’t overlook any of the following important details:

• An abundance of high-quality lighting fixtures.

• A bathroom, either full or half.

• Additional storage for unused furniture and objects; and

• An open concept design.

Basement remodeling can be stressful, and understandably so. But the styling aspect will provide some much-needed fun. Seeing your newly finished basement take shape as the flooring is installed and the walls painted will be exciting and there is no feeling like seeing it come to life as furniture is put into place and light fixtures are installed.

Take a look at Pinterest for Basement Design Ideas.

If you are currently doing a basement finishing project or planning to start one, we are here to help, whether you need styling advice, someone to bounce your ideas off, or expert recommendations, do not hesitate to reach out in our comments section below.

What is Shiplap | 31 Ideas For Your Home

September 10, 2021

Featured image: Celtic Custom Homes

Kitchen Shiplap Options

Kitchen remodeling can get a little bit complicated when it comes to installing shiplap. For one, there are plenty of tight spaces and corners to work around including cabinets, outlets and other appliances. There are also issues of heat and water that must be considered.

For those who opt to go the DIY route, precision measurements are crucial in the kitchen. You might also want to think about a waterproof finish for shiplap that is likely to be in contact with water. Additionally, consider using tile for the backsplash as it is much better at repelling water and is easier to clean.

Like the living room, you can decide to use the shiplap on a specific part of the wall, making it the focal point. For example, you can use it on backside of the breakfast bar, the side where family members and guests sit. You can also install shiplap vertically in the spaces between upper cabinets.

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CLASSY VANITY

Celtic Custom Homes

What a view to get ready to every morning.

WHITE STAIRS

Leighanne LaMarre Interiors

Nice Bright Stairway.

BUNK BED

Living Stone Design

My kids would love to sleep in those!

POWDER ROOM

Opulent Design Build

Love the vintage powder room.

BEAMS & SHIPLAP

Sophie Metz Design

Nice touch with the exposed beams!

FOCAL FIREPLACE

Highmark Builders

Beautiful fireplace that warms the room!

DINING WITH SHIPLAP

Dillard-Jones Builders, LLC

Beautiful dinning room for entertaining and gathering.

KITCHEN BACKSPLASH

New England Design Works

Great kitchen with large windows to make the space brighter.

SHIPLAP

HEADBOARD

Woodmeister Master Builders

Love the use of shiplap in the bedroom. It gives the space character.

SHIP SHAPE

BUNKS

Brian Watford ID

Tons of work done in this bedroom to make the space stand out.

Where Can You Use Shiplap?

Essentially, anywhere in your house. From the bathroom, to the stairs, to the hallway; the options are endless. One of the advantages of shiplap siding is that it can be customized to fit any space, big or small. We have listed some great spaces you can use shiplap below.

Shiplap in Your Living Room

If your living room walls feel a bit lacking in warmth and style, shiplap is the perfect addition. You can choose to accent a single wall or install on all the walls in the room. Considering that this is the center of your home, it makes sense to make it as warm and cozy as possible.

Note that some areas such as the place around the fireplace may require another material (such as tiles or stone) that can withstand the heat and is easier to clean. While the traditional style is to lay out the planks or boards horizontally, you can decide to put them up vertically for a more unique style. You can leave the wood exposed with all its spots and pockmarks for a realistic cottage look. Bonus tip: exposed shiplap really goes well with exposed beams for a nice quaint look. Works great for a living room, home library, or home office.

To enhance its effect, you can finish shiplap with white paint. This looks especially good in homes with large windows where plenty of natural light streams in. It almost feels like you are sitting outside a farmhouse somewhere in the countryside.

MASTER SHIPLAP

Palmer & Assoc. Interiors

Love the use of shiplap in this bedroom.

RECLAIMED

VOH Architects

Reclaimed wood adds the look and feel of a historic home.

GREEN SHIPLAP

VOH Architects

Shiplap does not need to be white, it can be any color. Like this bathroom.

SHIPLAP BATH

Structures Building Company

It seems that the trend of white and grey are changing and people are now wanting color in their space. Love it!

Have you ever seen one of those cozy cottages in movies and wished you could live in one? Well, you would have to build your own cottage, but there is a cheaper and quicker way to create a similar effect in your home by using shiplap cladding. In recent years, there has been increased interest in shiplap-focused interior décor. Shiplap has appeared on HGTV shows, filled up interior décor blogs, and appeared in numerous magazine pages. In our latest home improvement guide, we take a look at Shiplap cladding, what it is and how you can use it in your home. It is one of those home improvement projects that should take you a single weekend and not too much money to complete.

What is Shiplap?

Shiplap is a type of wooden board traditionally used on the exterior of buildings. It is an effective and inexpensive way to clad a building and protect it against weather elements, especially water. Homeowners have recognized the beauty of shiplap and over time, it has found a place in the warm interiors of many homes.

When used inside, it creates a cottage-like, farmhouse or shabby chic effect. It is especially good at turning a dull and cold space into a warm, cozy and welcoming interior. You can use it to accent a specific part of a room such as the wall around the hearth, the space above the tub or the area above your bed. Alternatively, it can be used more extensively to panel entire rooms such as the bathroom, living area, or bedroom. There are numerous creative ways you can use shiplap in your home. We will go through them shortly.

If by the end of this guide you area leaning toward some shiplap for your own home, you have two installation options; you could DIY it or call in a professional. As a DIY project, it’s difficulty is moderate and you will need an extra hand or two to help. But if you are not sure, we always recommend letting a professional handle it.

DEEP & RICH

Romanelli & Hughes Custom Home Builders

Love the dark colors in the bathroom.

COOL SHOWER

Jonathan Raith Inc.

Cool idea of putting shiplap in the maser shower.

SHIPLAP BAR

Kemp Hall Studio

Nice bar with amazing use of details.

SHIPLAP FOYER

Markalunas Architecture Group

Beautiful staircase with gorgeous use of wood planks.

Bedroom Shiplap Designs

Here the options are numerous. One common style that we see as a favorite for many homeowners is using shiplap to accent the wall behind the bed. By contrasting it with the other walls, it almost feels like a large headboard.

Related: 5 Reasons to Convert Your Basement Into a Bedroom For Your Teen.

A dull bedroom can be instantly transformed by installing shiplap all-round and painting them in a warm relaxing color. A unique style that can also be applied to shiplap in other rooms is to use more than one plank along a single row. The seams created where two planks join come together to create a stylish masonry effect.

Trendy Shiplap Bathroom Ideas

While shiplap tends to result in a countryside/cottage look in other spaces, it creates a trendy beach effect in the bathroom.

You could fill up the entire bathroom with shiplap paneling or use it on specific areas. For instance, shiplap installed just above the bathtub creates a cozy space to take a bath in. You can also install it on a single wall, above the cabinet area, and wherever else you see fit.

Because of moisture issues, it is highly recommended that you buy shiplap that has already been primed. This reduces moisture absorption by the boards ensuring that they last. It is also a good idea to skip shiplap in the shower, where running water can easily cause damage, although if chosen in that space, it is quite an amazing look.

Woman/Man Cave or She-Shed Shiplap Options

The versatility in style of shiplap allows you to choose a design that fits your man/woman cave theme. If you are going for the chic-look, watch for wood that has been aged distressed by wind and water.

BASEMENT STAIRS

llard Ward Architects

Amazing stairs with black planks.

WARM & COZY

Wright Design

beautiful shiplap around the staircase.

VAULTED SHIPLAP

Redo

Amazing entry way and use of shiplap on the walls.

SHIPLAP SUITE

Woodmeister Master Builders

You can’t go wrong with a white and blue bathroom.

RUSTIC TV WALL

Reclaimed DesignWorks

wood shiplap for wall mounted TV’s are becoming more and more popular.

GAMEROOM

Dream House Studios

Stunning Basement with full bar and pool table for entertaining and gathering.

Types of Shiplap

Traditionally, cheap wood such as pine was used in making shiplap boards. Today, homeowners have a range of material options to choose from. The most common is real wood, where your planks of wood are installed stack-style along the height of a wall. Real wood is especially ideal if you are planning to leave it exposed but it can also be a bit pricey.

Other less expensive options include plywood, MDF or hardboards. With these, you might have to apply a nice finish on top, such as painting, to create the full cottage effect. You can find these materials at most home stores including Home Depot. Shiplap can also be categorized depending on their design. Some types of shiplap consist simply of planks of wood, MDF or plywood. Other types come with a design that allows them to fit snugly into each other. They are referred to as tongue and groove shiplap.

If you are doing a DIY installation, it is important that you understand the different types of shiplap and how installation varies among them.

RUSTIC SIDING

rkin Tilt Architects

Great looking cabin with stunning details.

SHIPLAP COTTAGE

Urrutia Design

Beautiful patio with plenty of plants to make a green space.

RELAXING BATH

Celtic Custom Homes

What a great addition to this bathroom!

SWEET BARN DOOR

Enhaced Renovation

Barn Doors & Shiplap… what a great combo!

FIREPLACE WRAP

Laura Design Company

What a great family Room!

FANCY FOYER

The Guest House Studio

What a great place to greet your guests.

Shiplap Wainscoting Works Everywhere

Instead of the traditional wood paneling for your wainscoting, why not try using shiplap? It creates a nice decorative effect, with unique detailing. Shiplap can work on all kinds of wainscoting from one that stretches to just a few inches above the crown molding to one that goes past half the wall height. Instead of the usual horizontal stack-style shiplap, you can also put the planks in a vertical design.

Shiplap in the Basement

One of the challenges of basement remodeling is turning it into an adequately warm and comfortable space. Shiplap is a perfect solution. If the basement is well insulated, you do not have to worry about moisture damaging the shiplap boards.

Whatever you decide to turn the basement into, whether a bedroom, family room, kitchenette, bar, or home cinema, shiplap makes for a perfect addition to the walls and ceiling or both.

Ceilings With Shiplap Installed

Shiplap is not just for the walls, you can also use it for the ceiling. Just as shiplap walls give a room the perception of more space, shiplap ceiling creates the feeling of more depth. For an even more spacey effect, extend the shiplap on the walls to the ceiling.

There are plenty of things you can do with ceiling shiplap. Painting it white spreads light around, enhancing the depth feeling. Leaving the shiplap exposed creates a spacious farmhouse style. Giving it an aged finish adds a vintage air to the home. A blue-painted shiplap ceiling brings a clear blue sky right into your home.

Of course the mechanics of installing shiplap on the ceiling are a bit different and can be more challenging than installing shiplap on the walls. If you are not sure of your handy skills, it is best to hire a professional.

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Pros and Cons of Shiplap

Shiplap Advantages

One of the best things about shiplap is that it brings dramatic change without requiring a big investment in money and time. You can spend a single weekend putting up shiplap siding on a wall and less than $500 but the effect will be priceless. It changes the room drastically; producing a look that, using other methods, would have cost thousands of dollars.

Another advantage is the simple installation. Whether you are using plain planks, MDF, or tongue and groove shiplap, the installation process is fairly simple and straightforward. If you have someone to help you that has the right tools, you can do a quick and easy installation. There is no ripping out walls or messing around with utilities. Additionally, as many homeowners would agree, it is a pretty fun home improvement project to fill up your weekend.

Even if you opt to call a professional, the installation cost will not be too much. The décor benefits of shiplap are very worthwhile and with just several planks, a plain room transforms into a magazine-worthy space full of character. A cold bedroom suddenly overflows with warmth. A dull bathroom instantly feels like it has been built on a beach. A boring home office turns into a dreamy workspace that spurs your creativity.

Another advantage is its flexibility. It can be used in a wide range of applications both inside and outside the home. Just to mention a few that we have already shown above, it can be used for the ceiling, wainscoting, full wall paneling, creating a wall accents and so on.

Overall, shiplap is an efficient, highly effective, and inexpensive way to renovate your home.

Exterior Shiplap Cladding

While shiplap is better known for its use in interior décor, it was first used in exterior cladding. With a light finishing, you can also use shiplap on the outside of the house. In some climates you can include it in the porch, an outdoor sitting area, an outdoor kitchen, and exterior wall cladding.

Disadvantages of Shiplap

There are a few downsides and concerns we must make note of. One, shiplap in certain areas like the bathroom and kitchen are at a bigger risk of damage because of the moisture. Without proper finishing, the wood will start to warp or even rot.

Another problem arises when you need to repair damage to the shiplap or the wall underneath. Usually, it becomes necessary to remove a large chunk of the shiplap even for simple damage repair.

The world of interior design never stays still; new ideas and innovations keep coming. Shiplap is one of the best interior décor ideas you can use in your home. If not for any other reason, just the fact that it creates the exact style you want without draining your bank account.

To get the best out of shiplap our best advice is to be creative. There are many more ideas and ways to use shiplap at home than those we have highlighted above. Using this inspiration, find a design and style that is perfect for your home and go for it.

5 Questions to Ask Every Home Remodeling Contractor Before You Meet

September 8, 2021

Creative Boom

We receive 900 to 1000 new customer calls a year here at Sebring. These calls can range from adding extra space in a basement to redesigning a dated kitchen into a chef’s dream.

Our process begins with a 15 to 20 minute conversation. During this initial conversation we ask 5 key questions of our clients:

When do you want the renovation to start and end the project.Why are you renovating (more space, aesthetics…).Where are you renovating (kitchen, bathroom, entire house…).What changes do you want to make (change cabinets, new flooring…).How much are you planning to spend on the remodeling.

From there, we end up scheduling an in-home consultation with the 300 to 350 qualified clients. Approximately 70% of the people that call us are not the right fit for our project niche.

So what makes a client “qualified” or a project “not the right fit”? These are great questions and things you should be focused on when interviewing contractors. The days when any contractor was good at doing any type of remodeling to your home are gone. The Jack of all trades tends to be the master of none. You will end up paying a lot of your hard earned money for a sub-par job. Hopefully, you won’t have to spend even more when you need repairs later on to fix the issues from the first time.

Hiring the best contractor for your project takes time to research and ask the right questions. But meeting with contractors can be a significant time commitment for both you and all involved. So before you set up an appointment, it’s best for you to ask a few key questions over the phone to help ensure that an in-person meeting will be time well spent.

1. Am I Located in Your Service Area?

Pixabay

Not every contractor will travel across the entire Chicago Metro area. Most have restrictions based on travel time. Here at Sebring Design Build we try to keep our service area within a 40 minute driving radius around Naperville. This covers areas like Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Elmhurst and most of Batavia.

We have found that keeping projects to a limited geographical area typically means a faster response time, which you should consider a plus. Being close to your house means better customer service and you do not have to wait hours for us to arrive after making a call.

If you are located outside a remodeling contractor’s service area, consider asking them for a recommendation of another company that is closer. You can also do some research on your own before you start contacting contractors. Using Google (or other apps, such as Yelp), you can easily locate home remodeling contractors near you. But do not be afraid to contact your preferred contractor if they are located further away than is recommended. They just might make an exception for you depending on your type of project.

2. Is My Project Something You Specialize In?

Many contractors restrict the type of projects they will do. Keep in mind, this is a good thing! The Jack of all trades with his fingers on everything is a bad idea for your home and your pocket. Before you call any contractors, write down on paper a short description of your project. For example “I want to remodel our small kitchen and it will involve removing some structural walls.” Not every home remodeling contractor has experience dealing with relocating of load bearing walls.

So ask the question and make sure your project is something they are interested in working on and that they are setup to handle as well. While a phone call is not the place to elaborate on the details, be careful not to leave out something that can help the contractor decide whether they can take on your project. Try to provide a short but exhaustive summary of what the project entails.

It is also worth asking whether the contractor has completed many such projects in the past. Knowing that a contractor is skilled and experienced in your specific type of renovation will give you peace of mind.

3. Can You Complete My Project by My Deadline?

Canva

This can be a difficult question for a contractor to answer because it involves how quickly the client can make decisions and not just how fast the contractor works. Some homeowners are really good at making selection and design decisions quickly, while other homeowners need time to think about these things. There is also the issue of plans and permits, which may take several months before they are ready, especially for extensive renovations.

While a contractor may be able to give you a rough range of time, a more certain timetable can only be prepared after a full in-person consultation at your home. And even then, adjustments to the timetable may need to be made in the course of the project.

Remember two things:

A good home remodeling contractor should be in demand and typically carry a backlog of work.Rushing through the design process can ruin a project, so take your time. If you need the project completed quickly, you can talk with your contractor and see whether there are ways things can be speeded up without compromising the quality and integrity of the work done

4. Why are You a Home Remodeling Contractor?

Canva

This may sound like a weird question, but the more you get to know “each company’s why”, the more you will connect with the right company to hire. I tell our clients all the time, in the beginning, treat the meetings and phone calls with contractors like a first date. Would you want to see this person and their staff every day for 2-6 months? They will be ‘invading’ your personal space every day and things can get a bit testy over time, if you do not have a good relationship.

Find out why they love doing what they do, find out their mission statement, and their beliefs. Make sure their beliefs line up with yours, because when you sign that agreement, you enter into a marriage of sorts. This marriage can be a long term trusting relationship or it can end in a nasty divorce. And the only ones that are happy in a divorce are the lawyers.

5. My Budget Range for this Project is in a Range of $X to $Y. Is this Realistic?

We use budget ranges to help our customers down a path of less frustration, almost like a restriction plate on a race car. Good designers have a lot of great ideas, but if you can’t afford these exotic materials or designs, why waste your time.

Talking about money can be uncomfortable, but it’s important, particularly if you have a specific amount you want to spend. So do your research on approximate remodeling pricing, so that you that you feel more confident in your discussions. Find out how much similar remodels in your area cost and then decide what budget range you are most comfortable with.

Be honest with your contractor! If you don’t trust the contractor with this important information, you shouldn’t move forward with them. Do not be shy about discussing the possibility of lowering the budget range. A good contractor will work with you to see what can be realistically achieved with less cost.

If you are looking for a great website that can help with budgeting check out: Remodeling Magazine: Remodeling Magazine: Cost vs. Value.

One last tip

Make sure to have a phone conversation, not an email. You really need to get an idea if your personalities will fit. Email doesn’t give you an idea of how they will be in person. So make sure to have a frank, honest conversation. By the end of the call you should be able to answer these two questions:

Is this contractor qualified to do my project.Will the company be the right fit.

For more help on finding the right remodeling contractor, check out our Free E-book

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You Need To Know These Tankless Hot Water Heater Pros And Cons

September 3, 2021

Featured Image: Fresh Water Systems

Tankless water heaters are becoming popular across the globe thanks to their advantages. No system is perfect though, and when it comes time for you to upgrade to a new water heater, you need to weigh up the pros and cons.

We’ve spoken to some hot water experts and collected the pros and cons of tankless water heaters that you need to know before you commit.

Pro: Only Pay for the Hot Water You Use

One of the biggest tankless water heater advantages is that their running costs are cheaper. This is because you only pay for the water you heat.

Traditional water heaters heat up a whole tank of water and keep it warm, regardless of how much hot water you actually use. This is why it’s so important to get the right-sized tank so you’re not heating more water than you need.

Tankless water heaters, however, only heat water when you turn the hot water tap on. You could save between 8 and 34 per cent of your water heating energy with a tankless water heater depending on your hot water usage.

With water heating accounting for 18% of your home’s energy use, your energy bill could be 6.12% cheaper with an instant hot water system.

Con: More Costly Upfront

Compared to traditional storage tank hot water systems, tankless units are more costly to purchase upfront. A tankless water heater tends to be almost twice as expensive to purchase as conventional water heaters. That’s not including installation!

Choate’s HVAC

Pro: Never Run Out Of Hot Water Again

Are you tired of having to wait for your storage tank to reheat the whole tank after everyone in the house has had a shower except you? You won’t have that problem with a tankless water heater.

Tankless water heaters heat water as it is passed through the unit. So long as the hot water tap is turned on, water will continue to be heated by your tankless water heater. It’s essentially an endless supply of hot water!

Con: Tankless Water Heaters Are Limited By Their Flow Rate

While you don’t have a finite amount of hot water with tankless systems as you do with storage types, you are limited by a maximum flow rate. This can range from four to eight gallons per minute (GPM).

If you use your shower, washing machine and dishwasher all at once, you might exceed your unit’s flow rate. Instead of your shower suddenly running cold, the hot water will be spread out between all the appliances and fixtures. This results in only lukewarm water, with an inconsistent temperature.

The solution to this problem is to spread out your hot water use, rather than using all your hot water appliances at once. Alternatively, you could have more than one water heater if water demand is so high.

Pro: More Energy-Efficient And Environmentally Friendly

Because you’re only heating the water that you use, a tankless water heater is more energy-efficient than a traditional water heater. It takes a lot of energy to keep a tank full of water hot!

Alongside energy efficiency, you’ll usually find increased environmental friendliness. Water heating is the largest contributor to residential greenhouse gas emissions. An electric storage tank hot water system releases 16 to 27 per cent more greenhouse gases than a tankless type in a three-person house. Gas instant hot water systems are even better.

Upgrading to a tankless system will not only help save you money, but you’ll be doing the environment a favour too.

Con: Hot Water Isn’t Instant

Despite the name, instant hot water system, you don’t actually get hot water instantly. Because you don’t have any stored hot water, it takes some time for your water heater to heat your water from cold to the set temperature.

The cold water you feel is what was left in the pipes from the last time you turned the hot water on. It doesn’t take long for your water to become hot, thankfully. This does mean you’ll waste a small amount of water waiting for it to heat up, however.

Off Grid Permaculture

Pro: Less Risk Of Leaks And No Chances Of Explosions

Storing hot water isn’t as simple as just keeping it in a sealed tank. A storage tank can leak water as it corrodes and a faulty pressure relief valve puts you at risk of it exploding.

These risks are eliminated from tankless water heaters, as they don’t have the challenge of storing water.

Con: Inconsistent Temperatures

You’ll often experience inconsistent temperatures if your tankless water heater’s flow rate is too small. For reference, here are some common flow rates of plumbing fixtures and appliances:

faucets – 0.5-1.5 GPMbathtub faucet – 4-7 GPMshower head – 1.5-2.5 GPMdishwasher – 1-1.5 GPMwashing machine – 1.5-3 GPM

Given that you’ll find tankless systems with flow rates between four and eight GPM, you need to consider how much hot water your home uses at once.

Pro: Saves Space

One of the pros of tankless water heaters is their compact size. Unlike traditional water heaters which have a bulky storage tank, tankless water heaters are only a small, wall-mounted unit. This makes them a great option for homes with only a small amount of land or apartments.

Not only that, but you no longer need to look at an ugly storage tank!

Con: Tankless Water Heater Installation Is More Specialised

All the benefits of tankless water heaters are thanks to their advanced design and features. This all comes with a more specialised installation, however.

If you’re installing a tankless water heater where a storage tank once was for the first time, you’ll likely need new wiring, piping or gas lines. Some manufacturers also require that a water softener is installed to prevent mineral buildup in the system. Your warranty could be voided if this isn’t installed.

Storage tank systems have been around for much longer too, so more plumbers are familiar with these systems too. This means it’s even more important to ensure the plumber who is installing your tankless water heater is fully licensed and has plenty of industry experience.

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Pro: Longer Lifespan

While there are measures in place to prolong the lifespan of a storage tank, storing water in a metal tank only works for so long. Eventually, the tank will corrode and you won’t be able to use it to heat water anymore. More often than not, this is the reason why your hot water system needs to be replaced.

The benefit of not having to store water in the first place means this isn’t a problem for tankless water heaters. A tankless water heater will have a longer lifespan than a storage hot water heater.

Con: Requires More Maintenance

All kinds of water heaters require regular servicing to work efficiently and prevent costly hot water system repairs. Because of how tankless hot water heaters work, they tend to require more maintenance than a traditional water heater.

The system should be flushed annually to remove any mineral buildups which can cause blockages and stop internal parts from working. The filters, fans and other components also need to be checked to ensure they are working as they should.

This is no DIY job and so one of the cons of tankless water heaters is that you’ll need to hire a licensed plumber for this. If you don’t follow the service requirements as specified by the manufacturer, your warranty might be voided too.

Pro: Longer Warranties

Remember how we said tankless water heaters tend to last longer? This often means manufacturers provide longer warranties on these systems too.

Provided you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, some warranties last up to 20 years! So if anything goes wrong, you won’t be the one to foot the bill.

Con: No Power, No Hot Water

A major con of tankless water heaters is that if the power goes out, you’ve got no hot water. Even gas-powered tankless water heaters require electricity to operate a control panel.

This is one area where conventional water heaters have a major advantage over tankless systems. In the event of a power outage, a gas water heater will continue to heat water and an electric system will at least store whatever hot water is left in the tank.

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Pro: Clean Hot Water

A big challenge for storage water heaters is the cleanliness and safety of the stored water. If the tank corrodes, your water will end up rusty and have a brown-red colour. This is due to the iron content in the water.

Thankfully, rusty water isn’t harmful to you but isn’t pleasant to look at. It’s best not to consume this water though, in case the cause is not a corroding water heater but something else.

The major concern with stored water is the risk of bacterial growth. Storage tanks should be set to 140°F (60°C) to stop this. Else, you run the risk of bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila growing in the tank. This can cause Legionnaires’ Disease and other health problems.

Because a tankless water heater doesn’t store any water, this risk of rust or bacteria is eliminated. You can rest knowing your hot water is clean from a tankless water heater.

Con: Difficult to Get Lukewarm Water

For a tankless hot water heater to turn on, a set minimum volume of water needs to flow from a faucet. This means there’s a bit of a jump between cold and the coolest warm water where the system turns on. Those of us with extremely low-flow faucets and shower heads can struggle to trigger the water heater to turn on too.

So if you’re someone who enjoys a barely warm shower, you might find it difficult to get this with a tankless water heater. For the vast majority of us who enjoy a searing hot shower, this isn’t a problem.

Pro: Gas, Electric and Solar Models Available

Instant water heaters can be powered by gas, electricity and even solar, so no matter where you are in the world, there’s an option for you. Gas models tend to be the most efficient of the three power sources, but not everyone has access to natural gas.

Solar models harness the power of the sun to heat your water, so you can recoup the additional installation costs more quickly too. When the sun’s not out and there’s not enough energy to heat your water, these systems can have gas or electric boosters to take over the heating power. This means you’re never left without hot water.

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The Verdict – Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth It?

Tankless water heaters have a range of benefits that make them attractive options for the modern homeowner. They aren’t without their faults, though, and it’s up to you to weigh up all the pros and cons to make the right decision.

Installing a tankless water heater means you get great energy savings, unlimited clean hot water, a longer-lasting unit and so much more. This is at the price of a higher upfront cost, more specialised installation and no hot water during power outages, to name a few cons.

Most homes will get more benefits from a tankless water heater than disadvantages. There are limited circumstances where you might experience more cons than pros with this system, including:

large homes with big hot water demandspeople who like cool/lukewarm showersextremely low flow fixtures are installed that stop the system from turning onupfront installation costs are too much

If you don’t fall into any of these categories, then your home can experience some major benefits by upgrading to a tankless water heater.

The post You Need To Know These Tankless Hot Water Heater Pros And Cons appeared first on Luxury Home Remodeling | Sebring Design Build.

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7 Best Fish Tapes [2021 Reviews]

August 31, 2021

Featured Image: Electrical School

Are you looking for a new fish tape?

In the electrical profession, fish tapes are a must-have item. They make it possible to pull wire through walls, ceilings, and floors without cutting holes or creating their own path.

The best fish tapes should be lightweight, with a smooth draw and a sturdy, impact-resistant case.

On the other hand, a shoddy fish tape is constructed of flimsy plastic and is hard to pull in and out.

So, to assist you in distinguishing between the good and the bad, we’ve put up a roundup of the seven best fish tapes in 2021.

You can buy with confidence, knowing you’re getting one of the best fish tapes available.

Let’s get into the reviews right away!

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Southwire FISH TAPE, 1/8″ STEEL 50′ Southwire’s 1/8″-wide tempered spring steel Fish tapes provide excellent fishing performance and are the perfect addition to your other electrical toolsEASIER PULLING: High quality steel for longer life and easier pullingLONG LASTING DURABILITY: High impact case and carrying handle ensures it will be durable enough for the worksiteEFFICIENT DESIGN: The fish tape conveniently unwinds and rewinds easily for fast and efficient storageEASY UNWINDS AND REWINDS: To pay out the fish tape, pull on the actual fish tape itself (gloves are recommended). To reel it back in, rotate the case in reverse while holding the handleCheck Price Below

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Upgrade Fish Tape Wire Puller Through Wall Wire Threader Fish plus Fish Cable Fastener with Steel rope 40FT(12M) ⭐【Perfect Flexibility and Rigidity】Unlike fiberglass wire, it will not break if you bend too much, unlike other steel fish tape, it will not curl a lot. Our Plastic-Coated Steel Fish Tape has strong traction, good flexibility, Anti-aging and high temperature.⭐【Plastic-Coated Steel】With non-conductive plastic-coated construction, the versatile fish cable is applicable for telecom, electrical, wall, floor conduit and other wiring installation. It is the perfect tool to assist you in pulling cables through occupied duct and panel boxes.⭐【Fish Tape Fastener】Fish tape fastener is used to help fish tape more convenient to use. One side is connected with wire, the red line cap can prevent wire disconnect when pull it. Another side is connected with fish tape, which makes the wire and fish tape connect firmly.⭐【360°Available Head Wheel】The Head wheel at the end of steel wire is 360° available, much easy to across through the bends. And the unique connection method makes it durable and convenient life.⭐【Attention】The Fish Cable works great in smaller conduit, but not thicker cables or large pipe. Old style and upgrade new style will be shipped randomly.Check Price Below

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RamPro 100 Foot Reach, Spring-Steel Fish Tape Reel, with High Impact Case, for Electric or Communication Wire Puller Vanitek 100 foot Flat Flexible Spring-Steel Fish Tape with high impact plastic case and durable comfortable grip easy carry handle with built-in Thumb Lock for pulling electrical or communication wires. This reel winds up and stores excess tape as wire is pulled. Handle lever Assists on rolling the cable back in. The tape is 1/8” x 1/16” x 100’ long with a pulling loop at the end.Perfect for Snaking/Thread or Pulling Cables and Wires through or Behind Ceiling, Walls/Drywall, Conduit, PVC, Pipe, Vent, Duct, Hose, Under Carpet or Insulation and more.Use for your interior and exterior Electrical Site Wiring like, Outlet, Plug, Socket, light fixture, Ceiling Fan, Dimmer, Switch, short runs installing electrical box, Electrical Panel, Subwoofer Box, Switch Box, Junction Box, CPU, Breaker Box, Receptacle box, Transformer, Doorbell, Intercom, Surveillance Camera, DCC, Security systems, Smoke detector, Thermostat, Appliances, Hot Tub, Telephone/Internet Line or Cable TV Coax.Also great for your vehicle’s Wiring like for Alarm, Remote starter, Keyless entry, OnStar, Dash/Rear view Backup camera, Radar detector, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Entertainment system, Stereo, Horn, Audio speakers, Radio/cassette/Cd/MP3/DVD player units, USB port, GPS navigation, Fog lights, Headlights, And more for your Home, House, Car, Truck, SUV, Boat, Camper RV, ATV, UTV, Golf Car, and so.A must for any wire and cable installationCheck Price Below

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11′ Fiberglass Running Wire Cable Coaxial Electrical Fish Tape Pull Push Kit For running wire through walls, attics, crawl spaces, sub-floors and suspended ceilings Great for installing cableIncludes (1.1FT) 10 rods with threaded brass connectors, 3/16″ flexible acrylic connection, brass push and pull rodsRods connect for extension up to 11FT.Comes with plastic storage caseFiberglass rod diameter is 3/16″Check Price Below

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Gardner Bender EFT-15 Mini Cable Snake, 15 Ft Steel Fish Tape, Electrical Wire Fishing Tape, Red & Black Compact, rugged design can be easily carried and stored15 foot flat steel wire tape fishes under carpets, down walls and over ceilingsLow-memory tape does not curl during extension – perfect for non-conduit situationsDurable. High-impact housing resists breakingCheck Price Below

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FTS1/8-25 Flat Steel Fish Tape, 1/8-Inch Wide, 25-Feet FUNCTIONALITY: Our 1/8-Inch wide tempered spring steel fish tapes provide excellent fishing performance. The rugged case is impact resistant and jobsite tough.DURABLE DESIGN: The flat fish tape is made from high quality blued steel for longer life and easier pulling.ERGONOMICS: The fish tape reel is constructed from a high impact case and convenient carrying handle.EASY TO USE: The flat steel fish tape neatly unwinds and rewinds with ease.CONVENIENT DESIGN: Laser etched in 12-Inch increments to provide instant conduit length.Check Price Below

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The tape is made of high-quality blued steel that is meant to last and pull easily. Bluing increases the steel’s corrosion resistance, making it more durable. The tape also contains laser-etched markers to indicate the length of the pull. You’ll get precise measurements and an accurate wire length this way.

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7. Swanlake Fish Tape Pull Push Kit

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Pros:

It comes with a variety of head parts suitable for the intended purposeTen fiberglass rods that can be connected to create a custom lengthInstallation is simpleComes with a plastic storage case

Cons:

Fragile and incompatible with curved spaces

Sebring Tip:

Depending on your purpose and the type of wire you want to pull, the Swanlake Fish Tape Pull Push Kit comes with a variety of head tips. It has a search head, an eyelet ring, and a magnetic brass head that connects to the fastener tool on the fish tape.

This set includes ten 13-inch fiberglass rods that can stretch up to ten feet when used together. This tool comes in handy when I’m estimating the amount of cable I’ll need for my ducts and panel boxes. You can also change the whole range of the rods at any time.

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Buying The Best Fish Tape

The finest fish tape should be durable, easy to insert and remove, portable, and come with an impact-resistant case. These are the major factors we considered while determining the best tape available.

There’s no reason to deal with shoddy fish tape when there are so many high-quality solutions available. However, they can be difficult to come by, which is where we come in.

We review the seven best fish tape brands of 2021 in our quest to find the perfect pair of electrical fish tape. If you follow our advice, you can get a good deal on a good reel of fish tape.

Still not sure what to get? Don’t worry! Check out the buyer’s FAQs below to make sure you are getting the best fish tape for your needs.

Fish Tape’s Frequently Asked Questions

Steel or fiberglass fish tape: which is better?

Steel fish tapes and fiberglass fish tapes are two of the most effective choices on the market. Both of these solutions, on the other hand, have their own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Steel fish tapes, for example, are known for their improved tensile strength and heavy-duty. You can utilize the product without difficulty in difficult settings. Wire fishing tools are ideal for dealing with empty conduits when there are no existing wires to contend with. If there are many wires in the conduit, using steel fish tape may make things more difficult.

Meanwhile, fiberglass fish tape is known for being non-conductive. It implies you don’t have to be concerned about any potential electrical hazards. It’s also worth noting that fiberglass fish tapes are more pliable. As a result, these tapes could easily pass through the conduits.

What is the purpose of the fish tape?

Fish tapes can be used to smooth the cables via an electrical conduit, as we described in the introduction. Since you do not have complete control over the procedure, it usually takes a long time. The method becomes streamlined when the different portions of the fish tape are attached at both ends.

A fish tape enables you to finish the process by simply pulling the fish tape after both ends are firmly secured. You can pick between 50m and 100m long fish tapes, depending on your needs. Other factors to consider include the housing’s tensile strength and usefulness.

Is there anything else I can utilize instead of fish tape?

As previously stated, a fish tape can be used to smooth out cable routing. If you don’t have access to this handy device, there are a few alternatives to consider. Here are some of the possibilities available to you, but you’ll have to give up a lot of control and freedom.

A measuring tape is among the most useful tools available. Most electricians, moreover, would have this equipment in their toolboxes. Because this wire is so long, it’s simple to connect the ends to the electrical lines and finish the task.

Other materials like plastic tubing and stiff cables can also be used. Regardless of which choice you choose, you will have to make some compromises in terms of usability. As a result, you should apply the proper adhesive. Due to these difficulties, we recommend obtaining a fish tape if you can afford one. You won’t be disappointed with your decision.

When the fish tape becomes stuck, what do you do?

It might be aggravating to have the fish tape trapped on the pipe. It could be caused by issues with the fish tape or conduit. However, there are a number of choices available to you for resolving the matter.

The first approach involves flipping the fish tape around a few times, as you might expect. It will free the tape from its stuck position, allowing you to move it around easily. You can also use something else to get the fish tape out of its stuck position. It might work if it gets trapped closer to one of the ends.

Conclusion:

An excellent fish tape will make your task a whole lot easier. A bad one can be a pain to work with because it’s challenging to pull in & out, the metal is thin and wears out quickly, or it just doesn’t feel right in your hand when you grip the reel tightly. But Southwire has created an incredible product that solves all of these issues at once: their new 1/8-inch tempered spring steel fish tape won’t wear out as you wind (and unwind) through flooring layers; it provides even tension for easy pulling action, and it feels sturdy enough not to slip from between fingers while gripping firmly on both handles. There are no justifications for not purchasing this fantastic tool!

During a pull, laser-etched footage markings in 12-inch intervals make determining the conduit length incredibly simple. The fish tape itself is available in five different lengths, ranging from 25 to 240 feet.

I was disappointed when I went to buy fish tape and discovered that the one size wasn’t large enough. This is, in my opinion, a complete rip-off! That’s why I’m glad Southwire offers five various wire lengths; there’s a better possibility that my ideal length will be available – so go ahead and order without fear!

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7 Best Roofing Nail Guns [2021 Reviews]

August 27, 2021

Featured Image: Amazon

You want to ensure you have the proper tool when it comes to repairing a roof. Ideally, if you’re fixing your roof, this isn’t something you’ll have to do frequently. Nevertheless, having a roofing nail gun may make the task a lot simpler. When a storm hits and you need to replace some tiles, you’ll be glad you have this powerful tool in your toolbox.

If you’re looking to buy a roofing nailer but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the perfect spot. We will discuss all you need to know about roofing nail guns before you purchase one, and look at some of the finest roofing nail guns on the market right now.

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BOSTITCH Coil Roofing Nailer, 1-3/4-Inch to 1-3/4-Inch (RN46) The sliding nail gun has lightweight aluminum housing for job site durabilityZero nail lockout feature of the siding nailer eliminates dry firing and indicates when to reload the magazineNosepiece of the coil siding nailer features carbide inserts for long-life performanceAggressive wear guards and skid pads protect the tool from damage on abrasive surfacesQuick-set adjustable depth guide sets nails to desire depths quickly and convenientlyCheck Price Below

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Hitachi NV45AB2 7/8-Inch to 1-3/4-Inch Coil Roofing Nailer (Side Load) (Discontinued by the Manufacturer) Hitachi Power Tools has renamed to Metabo HPT; Same great tools, with only a new nameCheck Price Below

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Senco Roof Pro 455XP Nailer With Sequential Actuation Trigger 3D0101N This product is easy to use.This product is highly durableThis product is manufactured in ChinaDrives 11 gauge (.120″) , full round head roofing nails 3/4″ 1-3/4″ smooth shank.360 degree adjustable exhaustCheck Price Below

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PORTER-CABLE RN175B Roofing Nailer The product is Coil Roofing NailerEasy to useThe product is manufactured in ChinaCompact body design is 5-percent lighter for improved balance and control compared to previous modelTool-free adjustable shingle guide for accurate shingle placementCheck Price Below

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WEN 61782 3/4-Inch to 1-3/4-Inch Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer with Carrying Case Fire 11-gauge nails (.12 inches) anywhere from 3/4 to 1-3/4 of an inchAdjustable shingle guide and depth control makes for easy shingle spacing during jobsHolds up to 120 nails at a time with a quick release for easily fixing jamsUses pneumatic operating pressure anywhere from 70 to 120 PSINOTE: unit may arrive in one of two color schemes; yellow and blue or orange and blackCheck Price Below

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MAX USA CORP SuperRoofer CN445R3 Roofing Coil Nailer up to 1-3/4″ REDUCED TAR BUILD UP: Tar resistant nose is designed to resist tar 8x longer than conventional tools. When necessary, the SuperRoofer’s contact foot is easy to remove, clean and is also inexpensive to replace.SELF-CLEANING FILTER FOR RELIABLE OPERATIONS: The patented, self-cleaning maintenance free end cap filter, captures foreign substances before they can enter the tool and automatically safely ejects them when the air hose is disconnected.SIMPLE TOOL MAINTENANCE: A removable contact foot allows roofers to safely maintain and clean components of the tool without having to submerge the tool in corrosive cleaning agents.NO NAIL WASTE OR JAMS: A nose magnet holds the last nail in place, allowing contractors to use every nail in the coil; it also prevents the tool from jamming.CONSISTENTLY AND ACCURATELY SHOOTS NAILS: The depth adjustment dial allows operators to effortlessly drive nails into hard materials, and also control depth of drive when fastening soft materials, for a consistently polished finish.Check Price Below

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HBT HBCN45P 3/4” to 1-3/4” Coil Roofing Nailer with Magnesium Housing Drives 11 gauge full head coil roofing nails ranging from 7/8” To 1-3/4”Selective actuation switch allows for either sequential or contact modeTool-free adjustable depth control helps set nails properly; adjustable shingle guide allows for quick and consistent shingle spacingDurable and lightweight magnesium housing helps reduce user fatigueSkid-resistant pads/wear guards for safety and tool protection; contact safety With Carbide inserts for less wear and tearCheck Price Below

The MAX CN445R3 SuperRoofer nailer is a tool that is often overlooked. People who adore it rave about it. Therefore, we’ve included it in our reviews. Thanks to the rubber grip, this lightweight roofing nailer weighs just 5.2 pounds and is simple to grasp. The tangle-free swivel fitting allows the air hose to rotate, allowing you to move the nailer around more easily. All of these factors help to make lengthy tasks more pleasant. You can work for longer periods of time and finish more quickly.

7. HBT HBCN45P Coil Roofing Nailer

Pros:

Skid-resistant cushioningAdjustment without the need of any toolsThe shingle guide is adjustableIt’s really lightAllows for a variety of nail sizes

Cons:

Jam downtime and may not load properly at times

Sebring Tip:

The HBT roofing nail gun is designed to drive 11-gauge coil nails with sizes ranging from 7/8 inch to 1-3/4 inch, offering you additional options. The built-in actuation choices allow you to switch between sequential and contact modes at any time, and the easy changeable shingle guide system allows you to modify the customizable depth without any additional equipment. In addition, the tool’s front was designed with skid-resistant materials and a wear guard for greater protection, as well as a lightweight magnesium housing to decrease weight and enhance mobility.

Roofing Nail Gun Buying Guide

It’s critical to know what you’ll be utilizing a roofing nailer for before purchasing one. Obviously, you’ll use it for roofing, but how will you use it? Is it simply the roof of your shed or an extension to your home that you’re working on? Or are you a roofing contractor who will be using your nailer on a slew of jobs? While a low-cost roofing nailer may get you through one or two minor tasks, it’s unlikely to be adequate to do job after job. With that in mind, here are a few more things to think about.

Durability

If you’re a contractor, this is particularly essential since you want a tool that will endure.

Most roof nailers are intended to survive some exposure to the weather since they are meant to be used outside. They’re usually made of aluminum and steel, and they’re very sturdy.

Construction

It may seem ridiculous, but the way a roofing nailer feels may tell you a lot about its quality. You should feel like you’re carrying a tough piece of equipment when you take it up, despite how light it is. The higher the quality of your roofing nailer, the longer it will endure.

Versatility

When it comes to flexibility, there are two factors to consider. First and foremost, can the nailer be used for purposes other than roofing? Some will come with accessories that enable you to use them for other outside chores, such as siding installation.

Second, what kind of materials can you nail with your roofing nailer? Some are extremely adaptable and may be used on waterproof tar paper, asphalt and fiberglass shingles, vinyl and aluminum siding, and so forth.

Another item to consider is weatherproofing. It would be ideal if all roofing work could be completed during the warm, dry months, but this isn’t always possible. While you should never work on a roof while it’s raining, your roofing nailer will almost certainly be exposed to moisture. During the colder months, you’re even more likely to require it. Check to see whether your nailer can take a little water and won’t freeze in the cold.

Obviously, the more functions a roofing nailer has, the better purchase it will be. This is important to remember, particularly if you are spending a significant amount of money on your purchase.

Safety

Safety is always a priority, but utilizing this specific equipment on a roof adds an additional layer of risk and necessitates extra caution.

Rubber grips are a little detail that makes a huge impact. Not only will this make it simpler to grip and manage the nailer, but it will also offer some friction on a sloping roof. The grips really prevent the nailer from slipping and potentially tumbling away from you. A fall may damage your tool permanently, but it also poses a significant safety danger to anybody in the area below.

Injuries to the feet and hands are unfortunately frequent while using nail guns. When possible, use sequential mode and always use protective gear, particularly safety glasses.

Useful Accessories To Have In A Roofing Nail Gun

There are a few items that are great to have but don’t actually impact the performance of your coil nailer:

A case. It’s a good idea to have a sturdy plastic storage box on hand. It provides you someplace to store your gun when you’re not using it, even if it’s only to keep it dry at the end of the day until you need it again the following day.

Directional Exhaust. This is one of the things that you don’t know how useful until you put it to use. It’s a lot more pleasant to work if you can keep the trash and air out of your face.

Tool-less depth adjustment. It’s as simple as turning a dial. While you won’t achieve the same precision as a manual adjustment, some of the best nailers have created tool-free adjustments that are fairly close.

Jam clearing. While excellent firearms shouldn’t jam all that frequently, it’s unavoidable that you’ll have to deal with one at some point. Having a simple method to break out of a jam may help you feel less frustrated and get back to work faster.

Other Factors To Consider When Buying A Roofing Nail Gun

Because there are so many various roofing nailers to choose from, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each before making a purchase. We’ll go over some of the differences in roofing nailers in our purchasing guide so you can determine which one is perfect for you.

Pneumatic or Cordless Power Supply?

The first choice you’ll have to make is whether you want a pneumatic or cordless roofing nailer. A rechargeable battery & a butane gas canister are placed inside a cordless roofing nail gun. With an electric roofing nailer, you have more freedom since all you have to do is make sure the battery is charged beforehand, and you can work on your roof without having to worry about cables getting your way. You may also buy extra backup batteries to put on the roof with you in case your main battery dies.

Nail Type: Can all nail sizes be accommodated by roofing nail guns?

When purchasing coil roofing nails for a nail gun, be sure to verify the size of nails that the roofing nailer can handle. If you’re a professional, you should get a roofing nailer that can accept a wide variety of roofing nails so you can utilize it for any project. A decent nailer should be able to handle a variety of thicknesses ranging from 7/8″ to 1.75″. It’s possible that a roofing nailer isn’t the best equipment for the task and that a roofing staple gun is required.

Drive Depth: Is it simple to adjust?

The roofing nail gun must be able to vary the depth of drive with which the nail is placed since roofs are constructed of a range of materials. It’s beneficial if your roofing nailer offers a simple method to modify this to make nail gun repair work go more smoothly and efficiently. Some tools feature a scrolling wheel for adjusting the depth of drive, while others have a trigger system for doing so. It’s ideal to choose a nail gun with a tool-free adjustment feature like the Dewalt roofing nailer, since otherwise, it may be time-consuming and difficult.

Conclusion:

Choosing a decent roofing nailer may be challenging due to the fact that there are some powerful ones on the market with impressive promises. Our top seven picks demonstrate this, and they’re all reliable and capable of completing even the most challenging roofing projects. Because of how many tasks it may be used for, we believe the Bostitch Coil Roofing Nailer is the most flexible option and a favorite among homeowners.

This Bostitch roofing nailer is solid and fast, capable of driving 100 nails per minute. When the magazine runs empty, zero nail lockout prevents the nailer from firing. Then, for quick loading, utilize the unique single-action side canister. Open it, replace the coil of nails, and you’re good to go.

This nailer is unique in that it utilizes contact tip automatic firing. This is an excellent method for big projects because it allows you to cover a wide area by bouncing over the surface and firing the nail when the tip strikes the substance. To ensure that the nose is robust enough to survive this technique, it includes a carbide inlay.

You also get tool-free depth of drive adjustments with five pre-sets so you can make your choice fast and simply get back to work.

It doesn’t come with an air hose connection, but if you have a toolbox, you’re likely to have one on hand. It also doesn’t include a carrying case, which is cumbersome after you’ve completed the task. However, they are minor flaws.

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7 Best Sheet Metal Shears [2021 Reviews]

August 24, 2021

Featured Image: Best Reviews

When it comes to making clean, straight cuts, electric metal shears are a must-have item in your toolkit. Because there are so many electric metal shears on the market nowadays, you may be confused about which one to purchase. Allow us to guide you on the proper path, beginning with our suggestions for the finest metal shears available.

Below are the top seven best sheet metal shears in the market today.

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DEWALT Metal Shear, Swivel Head, 18GA (DW890) , Yellow The metal shear has powerful, 5 amp, all ball bearing motor for long lifeThe electric metal shear head swivels 360 degree for cutting convenienceThe electric metal shear cuts 7/32-inch strip, which continuously curls out of cutting area for clear line of sightVariable speed dial allows user to vary speed for specific materials and various applications (100-350 spm)Cuts radius of 5-1/2-inch and largerCheck Price Below

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Milwaukee 6852-20 18-Gauge Shear Mpn: 6852-20Country of manufacture: ChinaManufacturer: Milwaukee6.8 amp Milwaukee motorHex WrenchCheck Price Below

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WEN 3650 4.0-Amp Corded Variable Speed Swivel Head Electric Metal Cutter Shear Pressure sensitive trigger cuts anywhere from 0 to 2500 strokes per minuteAttack up to 20 gauge stainless steel and 18 gauge sheet metalLightweight design limits fatigue during operationUtilizes a powerful 4-amp motor, curling the metal as it cutsSwiveling head rotates a full 360 degrees to meet the needs of any projectCheck Price Below

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Genesis GES40 4.0 Amp Corded Swivel Head Variable Speed Electric Power Metal Shear, original version Quickly cuts metal roofing, flashing, and other sheet metal up to 14 gauge – Compare the Genesis metal shear to other drill attachment Shears that can only cut 20 gauge Sheet metal!Powerful 4.0 amp motor360° swiveling head for cutting control and convenience -cut circles and curves with the Genesis electric metal shearVariable speed (0-2500) SPM for versatility in cutting a variety of materials – cuts through sheet metal up to 14 gauge in thickness!Three blade cutting system reduces metal deformation – experience smooth cuts EVERYTIME!Check Price Below

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Gino Development 01-0101 TruePower 18 Gauge Heavy Duty Electric Sheet Metal Shear Tin Snips Cutter Nibbler Country Of Origin: ChinaModel Number: 01-0101Item Package Dimension: 14.0″ L x 3.0″ W x 7.0″ HItem Package Weight: 6.0 lbCheck Price Below

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Wild Edge Electric Metal Shear, 5.0 Amp Variable Speed Swivel Head 14 Gauge Electric Metal Shear Variable speed: (0-2700) strokes per minute in cutting a variety of materialsCuts up to 15 gauge stainless steel and 14 gauge sheet metalPowerful 5. 0 amp motor360 Degree swiveling head for cutting control and convenienceTwo finger trigger and lock-on buttonCheck Price Below

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Makita JS1602 16 Gauge Shear Powerful 3.3 AMP motor delivers 4,000 SPM for the most demanding applicationsSmaller circumference barrel grip (only 2-1/4”) for added comfortRefined design at only 3.4 lbs. for increased controlLock-on slide switch for continuous operationBuilt-in thickness gauge for added convenienceCheck Price Below

You can get the Wild Edge SEMS5A Electric Metal Shear for about the same price as the Genesis. It features a more powerful 5-amp motor that can achieve a cutting speed of 2,700 spm, but this won’t make a significant difference while cutting. It can cut 15-gauge stainless steel and 14-gauge sheet metal, and it features a 360-degree swiveling head to enable for some movement & curve in your cut.

7. Makita JS1602 16 Gauge Shear

Pros:

Can cut shapes and curvesComfortable and lightweight

Cons:

The 4-amp motor isn’t as powerful as it should beNo variable speed

Sebring Tip:

The Makita JS1602 12 Gauge Shear is a single-blade model with a high price tag. It features a 3.4-amp motor with a single cutting speed of 4,000 spm and low power consumption. When you first turn it on, it would seem too strong, and even when fully functioning, it will feel too powerful.

The Makita, on the other hand, is light and pleasant to operate, so it cuts sheet and stainless steel up to 16 gauge with little user fatigue. Because this is a single-blade cutting model, there is no waste, but one-half of the cut material will be distorted and possibly unusable.

The Best Metal Shears Buying Guide

You’re probably familiar with a metal shear if you deal with sheet metal or metal components in general. With this tool, you can swiftly cut through metal components without exerting too much effort. Working with sheet metal becomes very difficult, if not impossible, without this equipment.

If you want to be productive in the workshop, you need to choose the finest electric metal shear. However, if you aren’t well-versed in the subject, finding the appropriate product may be difficult. That’s where we can help.

As previously said, we have included some of the finest metal cutting shears in this post. You will differentiate them easily now that we’ve discussed their main features and choices. You should have a good understanding of metal shears in general after this.

However, if you want to learn more about metal shears, we’ve put up a comprehensive purchasing guide especially for you. This buying guide covers a wide variety of metal shears-related topics and considerations. In other words, if you read this buying guide all the way to the conclusion, you’ll be able to choose the ideal metal scissors for you:

Type of Tool

Metal shears come in various sizes and shapes since they are so helpful for cutting metal sheets and items. As a result, the different models available vary in terms of capability. Various metal shears are suitable for distinct purposes, in addition to having other characteristics.

Some are stand-alone power tools with built-in electric motors, while others are accessories for your current power tools. You may choose one of them based on your needs for simplicity of use and power.

Type of Power

If you choose freestanding power shears with an integrated electric motor, you may choose from various power types. Even though all powered metal shears are powered by electricity, the energy source varies depending on the model.

Some are corded versions that connect directly into a power outlet, while others are cordless and run on battery power. Corded versions are usually more powerful, while cordless ones are more convenient for portable use.

Power Rating

Whether you’re purchasing a corded or cordless power tool, it’s critical to be sure it’s strong enough. If you wish to cut thick metal sheets, this is particularly true for metal shears. As a result, the power rating for the majority of metal shears models may be found.

This power rating is expressed in amps for corded versions and is either four amps or five amps. Cordless metal shears, on the other hand, have a power rating of 12 or 20 volts. In each of these instances, the greater the rating, the better the performance.

Rating of the Gauge

Checking the gauge rating of your metal shears is another method to get a sense of their performance. This informs you what metal sheet thicknesses are supported or compatible with the metal shears you’re using. Some metal shears have a 14-gauge gauge rating, whereas others have a 20-gauge gauge rating.

When comparing the two gauge ratings, the 14-gauge grade is superior for cutting thick metal sheets. In other words, thinner metal sheets come from a higher gauge rating, whereas thinner metal sheets result from a lower gauge value.

Warranty

Any particular metal shears model’s guarantee length is just as essential as any other element or detail discussed in our purchasing guide. This is because if you want to use your metal shears for a long time, you should get metal shears with a lengthy guarantee period.

Almost every metal shear on the market comes with a two-year guarantee. However, in certain instances, you may get somewhat better versions with a 5-year warranty.

What To Look For When Buying the Best Metal Shears

Metal shears aren’t designed for a single task. Nonetheless, depending on the speed controls, their performance and function change.

The blade material: Make sure you get a metal shear with a sturdy blade that can withstand the materials you’ll be cutting. This will save you money by keeping you from having to replace the blade frequently. Furthermore, a metal shear with a powerful blade will allow you to cut quickly and smoothly without becoming fatigued.

The metal shear’s speed controls are the next item you should think about. It is suggested that you use a high-speed shear to avoid any unnecessary slowdowns while operating. High-speed shears improve cutting and finishing by increasing stroke speed.

Safety: If the tool you’re using doesn’t have the appropriate safeguards and safety features, shearing may cause damage or injury. Look for warning labels or point-of-operation guards on the metal shear you’re going to buy to keep you safe when shearing. To increase your safety even further, it’s a good idea to get some instruction before using the machine, particularly if it’s your first time.

Conclusion:

During our testing, we discovered that the DeWalt DW890 Metal Shear is reasonably priced, powerful, and has all of the features you need from a tool of this kind. If you’re on a budget and require a set of shears with variable power settings and a high power output, the WEN 3650 Electric Metal Cutter Shear is a great choice.

The DeWalt metal shear would be ideal for basic shearing at home. It has a strong 5.0 Amp motor with a ball bearing for added longevity. This metal shear then cuts a 7/32 inch strip that bends out from the cutting region, giving you a clean line of sight. This product is very long-lasting and simple to use. It can cut a radius of up to 5-1/2 inches, and its head swivels 360 degrees for easy cutting.

Because this device is lightweight (weighing just 5.0 lbs), you may use it for longer periods with less hand fatigue. It can cut through 20-gauge stainless steel and 18-gauge mild steel, among other materials. Its variable speed dial allows you to adjust the speed for different applications and materials.

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The post 7 Best Sheet Metal Shears [2021 Reviews] appeared first on Luxury Home Remodeling | Sebring Design Build.

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