WarmlyYours Blog

Trending Options For Spicing Up Your Kitchen

2013-05-21T09:07:31-05:00

The kitchen is and traditionally has been a space in the home where people spend a great deal of time. This is often the case whether they live in an apartment or a house, with a spouse or a family. As such, it's natural that you'll want to spice it up with various improvements from time to time, so as not to grow tired of it. Some will be for the sake of functionality, like expanding the amount of cabinet space you have. Others will be more along the line of aesthetic improvements, such as upgrading to granite countertops.

To get a sense of what you want to do with the cooking, eating and socializing space that is your kitchen, take a look at some of the renovations or additions that have been popular among homeowners of late.

LED lighting
Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting has become a notably popular lighting method in a variety of settings, and the kitchen is certainly one of them. John Petrie, president-elect of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, told Zillow about their rising prevalence.

"From recessed to accent and under-cabinet lighting, LEDs are hot," Petrie said. "At our industry trade show, one of our kitchen manufacturer members had integrated LED lighting into the cabinet that turned on and off as the cabinet was accessed. It was a show stopper and very popular."

Unlike incandescent or halogen lighting, LEDs don't produce heat. This makes them ideal for the kitchen because they won't in any way affect the food you're cooking, preparing and storing, according to Yale Appliance. Additionally, while they may be more expensive than their traditional lighting counterparts, LEDs are much more energy efficient - the U.S. Department of Energy states that they use 75 percent less energy than incandescents.

Countertop options
The most popular choices for kitchen countertops largely vary by price point. On the higher end of the spectrum are options such as travertine and granite, which are both notably tough. Granite is more stain-resistant when properly sealed, however, which may make it more ideal for the kitchen.

Those looking for something more affordable can consider laminate. According to the Toronto Star, this surface is resistant to stains and quite durable, and can often be found in many different colors and designs. Its primary drawbacks are visible seams, which may come off as tacky to some, as well as the fact that you can't cut directly on it.

Radiant floors
In a kitchen, the heating provided by radiant floors offers comfort as well as energy efficiency. The former stems from the simple fact that given how often you spend time there, it'll be ideal for it to be consistently warm. The latter, as clarified by the Department of Energy, is because it is more efficient than either baseboard or forced-air heating under most circumstances.

Seniors Living Independently Benefit From Age Related Home Improvements

2013-05-21T09:20:23-05:00

The number of senior citizens who choose to keep their own homes is expected to increase significantly as the aging population grows. The U.S. Administration on Aging estimates there will be about 72 million seniors in the United States by 2030, nearly one-fifth of the U.S. population.

With people living longer and healthier lives, there is a growing movement focused on "aging in place," which is living independently in their home for as long as seniors can keep up with the demands of maintaining their residences.

Staying safe
The day-to-day activities in the typical senior citizen's home requires the same energy and easy access needed in other households. But reduced mobility or health conditions may require changes in the home to allow for physical limitations and keep the home as safe as possible.

For instance, medications and necessities required on a daily basis have to be reached easily. If seniors must use a step stool to get something, they risk taking a fall that can cause an injury. Lowering shelves or relocating items to within arm's length will make life easier.

Keeping the home free of clutter that can be tripped over is another way to prevent accidents. Tight spaces such as hallways should be wide enough for seniors to get through easily.

Bathroom safety is particularly important. Installing a walk-in tub or using a removable shower seat can cut down on accidents.

Adding comforts
Accessibility for senior citizens also needs to take into account that they may not have the dexterity of a younger person. Having door handles and faucets that are easy to operate helps elderly people who have difficulty grasping fixtures.

Other ways to guarantee a senior's comfort in the bathroom, particularly for those who have arthritis or muscle problems, is to install radiant floor heating and towel warmers. Touching down on a warm floor after stepping out of the bath or shower and reaching for a towel that's been warmed is an extra benefit for seniors who choose to maintain their own residence.

Building strength
MatureLifestyles.com recommends that seniors stay in shape by using the environment that's readily at hand. Chair exercises can provide physical movement to keep arms and legs strong while sitting on a stable piece of furniture.

Staying in good physical condition not only is part of a heart-healthy regimen, but it also builds confidence for seniors who want to manage their own homes for as long as possible.

05/20/13: WarmlyYours Radiant & Remodeling News

2013-05-16T09:17:25-05:00

Your latest news from the WarmlyYours Weekly Radiant News for this week has arrived. We are your one-stop source for all things radiant and the home remodeling industry.

Many Canadian Homeowners Planning Renovation Projects

2013-05-09T08:47:04-05:00

Whether they plan on remodeling an entire kitchen or bathroom, or embarking on a different type of home improvement project like purchasing new windows or installing electric radiant heating in one or more rooms, many homeowners are planning renovations for 2013.

A new study conducted by CIBC of more than 1,000 Canadians revealed that nearly 40 percent plan to renovate their homes in the next 12 months.

"Home renovations can help you get more out of your property, but you do need to consider how the costs will fit with your overall financial plan," said CIBC's Colette Delaney. "Most people taking on a renovation have a clear vision of how they want their home to look when it's done. Our message is you need the same clear plan for repaying any debt you might incur along the way."

The poll revealed that the average amount of money Canadians plan on spending on their home improvement projects is $15,300.

American comparison
Similarly, a recent survey in the U.S. revealed that more homeowners are planning improvements this year. The poll, conducted by the website CouponCabin.com, revealed that 64 percent of Americans are likely to embark on a project within the next year.

Overall, home improvement spending in the U.S. is expected to increase more than 20 percent over last year. Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies estimates that homeowners will spend $151 billion on different projects in 2013.

Ensuring success
Whether you live in Canada or the U.S., experts say there are a few things homeowners can do to ensure a positive outcome to projects of any scope.

"The most important part of a renovation is the planning," said HGTV's Scott McGillivray. "It sounds cliché, but planning really is half the battle. In my experience, the homeowners who plan ahead are also more likely to be happy with the end result, and are better at sticking to their budget."

McGillivray also suggests getting quotes from contractors up front and ensuring you have a signed contract.

Additionally, he says that expecting the unexpected is good advice for anyone planning a home improvement project.

Consider value
Homeowners who want to complete renovations that will increase the value of the home may want to focus on their kitchen and bathrooms. Data shows individuals who renovate these rooms are likely to recoup a good portion of the cost of the project when they sell the home.

"Kitchens and bathrooms are always value-adds, so if you're prioritizing your renovations and looking to make your dollars go further, plan on doing those rooms first," advised McGillivray.

Share Your Story: Adding Value to Home with Heated Floors

2013-05-17T09:50:32-05:00

RADIATE Positivity is the WarmlyYours mantra. It’s all about being a positive force and influence in both life and work. Here at WarmlyYours, we believe that the word radiant goes beyond our heating products. It is who we are.

Our most recent “Share Your Story” winner is from Calgary, AB, Kevin Moorman, who installed WarmlyYours TempZone™ Cut & Turn Rolls in his bathroom.

Take a moment to read their story:

“The WarmlyYours heated floor is terrific; it was really useful all last winter. The reason I chose the WarmlyYours product was because I saw a bargain at the Home Depot website on Red Flag Deals, it was an incredible buy and it just so happened at exactly the moment I was preparing to lay tile.

So I bought the heated floor system and the heated floors really made the bathroom a lot more livable. I know that a system like this can add lots of value to the home, so I thought that I should make the effort to install it.

I was just speaking to a new friend about living in a home with heated flooring. I had only installed this in the upstairs bathroom, but it makes me think how great it would be downstairs in the basement where the bare cement really gets cold and uncomfortable.”

At WarmlyYours, we offer a radiant solution for any room in the home and every area of life indoors and out. From our radiant electric floor heating to our snow melting and gutter de-icing systems, we improve your quality of life with radiant warmth and comfort.