There are DIY home projects you can tackle to revamp your space no matter what your skill level. Keep reading to learn more about the DIY home projects you can start and finish while in self-isolation.

DIY Home Projects to Take on While Sheltering in Place

Sort Out Your Storage Area

Getting motivated to maintain and even improve your home can be difficult when you’re stuck in self-isolation for any length of time. That’s why starting with a project that’s not overly involved is a great way to get moving. What better way to start than with a little old-fashioned organizing?

Whether it’s your garage or a downstairs utility closet that’s packed to the brim, we’ve all got those spaces that we just try to avoid because they’re so full of clutter. Here are some tips to help you get those spaces under control while you’ve got the time at home:

• Take everything out of your space! Removing items from the garage, closet, attic or basement can help you start from scratch. Moving items to the other side of your work area can also help if you’re working in a large, more open space like a garage.
• Put aside any items that you don’t want anymore. Create different sections for donations, garage sale items and goods that are best recycled or discarded.
• Sweep and clean the area thoroughly. Make sure you check for mold if you’re working in a damp, dark space like an attic, basement or garage.
• Re-sort belongings that you want to keep if needed. For example, you might not want to keep those Halloween decorations mixed in with old family photo albums.
• Apply labels to boxes and containers before you put them back. Make sure your labeling is clear and legible so you won’t be confused later.

Tackle Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows

Air leaks can bring unwanted hot and cold outside air into your home. That can mean higher heating and cooling bills year round. Keep outdoor air at bay by patching up often overlooked areas around your home.

Here’s how you can make tackling air leaks one of your DIY home projects this year:

• Caulk vents and ducts to create a tight seal. Do this indoors and out.
• Apply weather stripping to windows and doors. Filling loose frames can also help reduce air leakage.
• Check skylights and other access points around your home for leaks. These often get overlooked.
• Don’t skip the attached garage. Cold and hot air can easily come in from your garage and get in your home if it is attached. Use weather stripping and ensure all windows are properly fitted.

Update Your Kitchen Cabinets

You spend a ton of time in your kitchen. When you’re isolated at home, you’re probably in there even more. Updating your kitchen cabinets can modernize your home and make your space feel fresh and bright again.

Here are a few ways to update your kitchen cabinets:

• Add new hardware. Replacement hardware can transform your kitchen in minutes, and all you need is a screwdriver in most cases. Go for a more modern look, shop for vintage-inspired hardware or mix and match for a truly eclectic style that shows off your personality. Keep the old hardware in case you want to switch back in a month or year.
• Sand and refinish natural wood cabinets. Wood cabinets can be brought back to life several times through sanding and refinishing. While this can be a complex job, it’s also a great project when you have time on your hands at home. Practice the process on finished scrap wood before working on your kitchen cabinets if you’ve never taken a project like this on before.
• Prime and paint. A little easier than sanding and refinishing your kitchen cabinets, priming and painting can be a fun process. Learning to use a paint sprayer can also give you more professional results and a better texture, particularly for more modern spaces.
• Give kitchen cabinets a deep cleaning. Not every kitchen project needs to be a major renovation. If you love your look, a serious deep cleaning can help you get rid of grime and make your kitchen look new again. Focus on areas around the stove first. These tend to have the most stuck-on gunk.
• Replace old cabinet liners and inserts. Cabinet liners and inserts can get worn, dirty and damaged in a hurry. Pull out the old paper or replace soft liners with new ones. You can do this in a day or even an afternoon.

Pro Tip:

Need another kitchen project after updating your cabinetry? Replacing old backsplash tile can have a dramatic impact in an aging kitchen. It’s one of the best DIY home projects for moderately experienced homeowners too.

Add an Accent Wall

Touching up your kitchen cabinets or going for an entirely new color scheme can breathe new life into your kitchen. It will also keep you busy for days, which is a major plus when you’re isolated at home. If you’re feeling handy with a paint brush, adding an accent wall next can help you spruce up your home even more.

Here are a few ways to create a lively accent wall in any room:

• Go for a bold, bright paint color that really makes a statement. Look to pick up other colors already in your home décor items like rugs, window treatments and art. Your existing flooring can also help you choose the right wall color for your room.
• Opt for a uniquely textured wall. A herringbone wood wall can add excitement and depth to your room. Tile and other hard materials can also add color and texture to spaces throughout your house.
• Include a new piece of art on your accent wall. Adding shelving can also help make a family space more functional.
• Create a chalkboard wall so your kids can add some color. You can go for a full chalkboard wall or just a section for drawing and writing messages.

Say Goodbye to Squeaky Floors

Everybody has a floor board or two that they step over because they know it squeaks. That stops today! Here are some tips to help you banish squeaky floor boards for good:

• Take note of where you are within your home. First floor squeaks are best addressed from below if you have access.
• Have somebody walk on the floor while you are below the floor boards. This can help you pinpoint the squeak so you can address it with minimal effort.
• Use a shim if there’s a gap between the subfloor and joist that is causing squeaking. Wood shims work well and can be put in place quickly and easily.
• Use a short wood screw to secure the squeaky wood plank to the subfloor. Ensure that the screw won’t go through the wood or cause a split at the top.
• Get rid of squeaks under carpet by cutting through the webbing and padding to access the subfloor. Use a screw to secure the subfloor to the joist below.

Get Your Outdoor Spaces Ready for Summer

You’ve been trapped inside a lot, but summer is on the horizon. Here are a few tips to help you get your deck, patio or backyard ready for summer weather that can’t come soon enough:

• Inspect your outdoor spaces for damaged wood boards or tile that needs to be replaced. Order materials to tackle repairs now.
• Clean off mold, moss and weeds around decks, patio and outdoor dining areas.
• Check for sunken patio pavers and walkway steps. Repair these in dry weather.
• Condition furniture made from materials like wood. Now is a great time to refinish older pieces that need a little TLC as well.
• Locate all of your outdoor cushions and furniture pieces. Give them a thorough cleaning so you’re ready to spend time outside as soon as it is warm.

The Perfect Time for DIY Home Projects

Self-isolation doesn’t have to be boring. With the right DIY home projects, staying at home with your family can actually be quite productive.

Need a little help with your DIY home projects? Reach out to the trained professionals at BuildDirect today. We can help you track down all of the materials you need and answer any questions about how to complete your project.

There’s no time like the present to dive in and get started! After all, you’re already at home, right?

The post Doable DIY Home Projects for Self-Isolation appeared first on Learning Center.

Older homes with suspended floors are most susceptible to heat loss. Even newer homes with solid concrete floors aren’t necessarily as efficient as they should be. If you’re considering a home renovation and your goal is efficiency, floor insulation can be a smart place to start.

New building projects can benefit from floor insulation as well. In fact, adding insulation during the building process is by far the most efficient time to do it. Compared to the other costs associated with building a home, it’s also quite cost-effective.

Keep reading to learn more why installing floor insulation is so important when you’re building a new home or taking on a renovation project. You’ll also learn about R-value, different insulation styles and the basics of installation.

Why Install New Floor Insulation?

Floor insulation is all about efficiency and making smart choices for your home or building project. Here are six main reasons to install new floor insulation:

1. Floor insulation helps prevent heat loss through the floors.

While insulation won’t make your floors actually feel warmer – that’s typically the job of radiant heat – less warm air will escape through the floors with insulation properly installed.

2. Insulation can help keep you cool in the summer months.

It’s well-known that hot air rises. By putting a barrier between the ground beneath you and your floors, you can help keep your home comfortable even when heat loss is the last thing on your mind.

3. Insulation can help dramatically reduce drafts.

This is most important for homes that have a crawlspace or are built above the ground. By filling potential air gaps, insulation can keep air from outside from entering your home.

4. You’ll effectively create a moisture barrier between the outside world and your floors.

This is especially important if you have natural hardwood floors in your home since they’re highly susceptible to moisture changes. Adding a layer of insulation can help prevent floor boards from warping or staining your wood.

5. Insulation can help keep pipes from freezing on those ultra-cold winter days and nights.

If your home has plumbing beneath the floors, insulation can provide a little bit of extra protection against the cold.

6. Floor insulation is an improvement in uninsulated spaces like your basement or garage.

While installing full insulation and ductwork will be most effective, making major upgrades in utility spaces that you don’t spend a ton of time in may not be a wise financial choice. Adding floor insulation can help without breaking the bank in the process.

When Should I Install New Floor Insulation?

Adding new floor insulation to your home is a wise idea. Many homeowners want to know if this type of project should be undertaken at a certain time of year. The answer is yes and no.

In general, the best time to add insulation to your home is when the weather is moderate. In many regions, this time of year is the end of summer and the beginning of fall, though this may be different in your area.  Installing insulation at the most moderate time of year has a few main benefits:

•   You’ll be comfortable in your home while the insulation is being installed.

•   You’ll have insulation ready to keep your home comfortable when the cold winter weather arrives.

•   This time of year is often best for contractors and installation professionals. Sweltering mid-summer heat and cold winters can make the job harder, longer, and therefore more expensive. Even if you’re planning to do some or all of the work yourself, this time of year poses the fewest weather-related challenges.

Installing floor insulation during your region’s most moderate season makes sense if it’s the only renovation you’re taking on. If your home is currently undergoing a larger remodel or you’re mid-way through a building project, this timeframe may not apply to you.

That’s because installing floor insulation right before your finished floors go down is always the most efficient option. Many spaces require that the flooring material be removed for insulation installation if in place. This adds to the overall cost of your project, so if it’s possible, always add insulation before your flooring material is installed.

Understanding R-Value and Your Region

R-Value is a term you’ve likely seen or heard before when reading about or discussing insulation materials. In layman’s terms, R-Value pertains to resistance to heat flow. With higher R-Value comes more insulating power and reduced heat loss.

Determining what R-Value is needed for floor insulation in your home depends on your region’s climate. As of 2019, Energy Star uses a seven-zone system to help homeowners and builders determine which R-Value is correct for their project.

Here’s a quick breakdown of R-Value recommendations for floor insulation by zone:

• Zones 1 and 2: R-13
• Zone 3: R-25
• Zones 4 and 5: R-25 to R-30
• Zones 6 and 7: R-25 to R-30

It’s important to note that zones four and five and six and seven have similar R-Value recommendations. However, zones six and seven are colder locales with frigid winters. Many builders and homeowners choose the top end of the R-Value recommendations in this area.

Homeowners and builders in zone four and five experience cold winter weather, but lower R-Values are often an ideal balance of insulation cost and efficiency.

Need a little more help understanding R-Values for your home? Use this region map provided by Energy Star.

Should I Choose Underfloor or Under Floor-Covering Insulation?

You’ve decided that floor insulation might be helpful in your home. Now you need to figure where to put it, right? In most homes, underfloor or under floor-covering insulation is the ideal method. While these two methods are designed to achieve the same goal, how they’re installed is quite different.

Underfloor Installation

Underfloor installation is a term commonly used when insulation can be placed beneath your floor without pulling up wood planks or any type of floor covering you may have. For this installation style to work, you’ll generally need access to a crawlspace under your floors. If you do have this access, installing insulation is a relatively simple process.

Under Floor-Covering Installation

Homes that don’t have access to a crawlspace under the floors often utilize under floor-covering insulation. For this method, you’ll need to remove your existing flooring to place your insulation. Typically, mineral wool or glass fiber insulation is held in place by mesh netting is placed before your finished floors go back down. Foam insulation may be used in some cases.

Under floor-covering insulation is typically a more expensive and time-consuming process than underfloor insulation. However, if it is your only option, it can greatly improve heat loss in your home while remaining cost-effective for homeowners and builders.

Insulation Materials Used for Flooring

Insulating your floor generally means you’ll be working with one of two materials: fiberglass or rigid foam insulation. These two materials have unique benefits and drawbacks when used as flooring insulation material.

Unless you’ve got years of DIY experience, having a professional install flooring insulation is typically recommended. A contractor may also be able to guide your DIY installation and supervise or help with the more complicated elements of your project.

Even if you do hire a pro, you’ll still need to know about the different installation materials used so you can make the right choice for your home. Here’s a quick primer on the two commonly-used floor insulation materials:

Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass is a popular pick for homeowners and builders when it comes to floor insulation. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Fiberglass is cost-effective. It can cost half as much as rigid foam.
• Fiberglass is lightweight. If you’re taking on a DIY renovation, this can be an important factor.
• Cutting fiberglass is a relatively easy process, making it a material that’s easy to work with.

Cons:

• Fiberglass material can compress over time, making it less effective.
• This material won’t protect against moisture particularly well. This is a consideration if you live in a very wet climate, having piping in your floors or are installing insulation above a basement. Fiberglass may not be best option under materials like hardwood that can easily warp, either.
• Working with fiberglass requires protective equipment. Made up of many glass fibers, you’ll need a respirator, protective clothing and safety goggles to use fiberglass.

Rigid Foam Insulation

Rigid foam insulation is another popular choice for floors. Here are the main pros and cons to consider before installing rigid foam insulation:

Pros:

• Rigid foam insulation won’t compress or warp over time like fiberglass.
• Rigid foam is rejects moisture, making it an ideal choice for floors like natural hardwood that could warp, mold or stain.
• You can use rigid foam insulation with a radiant heat flooring system. This can help give you the warmest flooring possible under-foot.

Cons:

• Rigid foam is more expensive than fiberglass and can cost up to 50% more.
• Rigid foam is difficult to work with compared to fiberglass since it is much less flexible.

Insulating your floors is an ideal way to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. In the case of hardwood and other materials that can stain or warp due to moisture, insulation can also provide protection. That same protection extends to plumbing beneath your floors.

Want to learn more about installing fiberglass or rigid foam floor insulation as part of your building or renovation project? Reach out to us today so we can learn more about your specific needs.

Our trained advisors can guide you toward the right insulation style and help you get the materials you need to start your project whether you’re doing the job yourself or hiring outside help.

The post The BuildDirect Guide to Floor Insulation appeared first on Learning Center.

Here, we look at why insulating concrete floors is so important and offer tips on choosing and installing concrete floor insulation.

Why It’s Important to Insulate a Concrete Floor in the Basement

Three key benefits of insulating the concrete floors in the basement are heat loss prevention, moisture prevention, and a higher level of comfort.

Heat Loss Prevention

An uninsulated or under-insulated basement floor is a major source of heat loss in the home. The basement walls and floors of older homes are generally uninsulated. In these homes, the basement accounts for one-third of the home’s heat loss. Adequate basement floor insulation can reduce this heat loss, improving comfort, conserving energy, and lowering your utility bill.

Modern basements built to code are generally insulated, but more often than not, inadequately so. Although building codes differ by region, builders typically use R5 and R10 insulation under the concrete slab, but floors insulated with R20 contain the heat in your basement far better than those insulated with lower R-values.

However, even a newer slab insulated with R-20 may not be adequate, depending on a few factors, including the type of ground your home is built on. For example, if your home is built on rock, heat will be drawn from your home more quickly and easily than if it’s built on clay. Heat will move out of your home more quickly through clay than it will through soil. Consider what your home is built on when choosing insulation for the basement floor.

Moisture Prevention

Although concrete appears to be pretty solid, it’s actually quite porous, and moisture from the ground easily permeates it. Any flooring laid directly on top of the concrete, whether carpet, laminate, or vinyl, will be affected by moisture that seeps through. This may manifest in mold, mildew, or water damage. Insulating the basement floor starts with laying a vapor barrier, which is a sheet of 6-millimeter polyethylene designed to keep moisture at bay. Some concrete insulation panels are made with a vapor barrier already attached, which makes a DIY job easier.

Greater Comfort

Insulating the basement floor before installing finished flooring dramatically improves the comfort of a basement living space. Hard flooring laid directly on concrete is often very cold and tends to suck up the heat around it, making the basement feel cold even when you’ve got the space heater on or the fireplace going. For the highest possible level of comfort, consider installing radiant heating mats before putting down your finished floors. 

How to Choose the Right Basement Floor Insulation

The type of insulation you use in the basement will depend on a number of factors. The most important is ceiling clearance. Most building codes require a basement ceiling height of six to seven feet, and some types of concrete floor insulation add more height than others. 

When Ceiling Height Isn’t an Issue

If you have enough clearance in the basement to add a few inches of height to the floor, one of the most effective ways to insulate the floor is to first install a sheet of polyethylene as a vapor barrier over the concrete, extending it about three inches up the walls. Then, lay down a layer of rigid foam insulation and seal the seams with Tyvek tape or something similar. Install 3/4-inch pressure-treated sleepers, which are long, evenly-spaced planks of wood to which the sub-floor will be nailed. Glue the sleepers down with foam board adhesive, and use masonry nails to attach them to the concrete below the insulation. Finally, install a sub-floor of 3/4- or 5/8-inch exterior-grade plywood or OSB panels, nailing them to the sleepers. Install your finished flooring of choice on top.

When Ceiling Height is an Issue

If your basement has low ceilings and you can’t afford three or four inches, or if you want to simplify the insulating job, opt for an insulated subfloor panel system. Specialty subfloor systems consist of rigid foam insulation sandwiched between a vapor barrier on the bottom and a sub-floor material like plywood or OSB on top. This all-in-one product comes in tongue-and-groove panels that snap together over the concrete. Different types of specialty subfloor systems have different height profiles, but they’re all generally much lower than the height of an insulated subfloor installed on sleepers.

Installing Radiant Heating in the Basement

A radiant heating system installed on top of the subfloor will send heat up through your floor, keeping you toasty during the cold months of the year. Electric heating mats can be used with laminate and vinyl plank flooring, carpet, and tile, which are installed directly over the mats as a floating floor or glued down with adhesive. Wires from the mats connect to a wall thermostat that controls the heat.

Flooring Options for the Basement

Although concrete floor insulation helps reduce water and moisture damage, they don’t completely eliminate the risk. This makes carpet a less-than-ideal flooring for the basement. But if you’re looking for a cozy family room vibe, hard flooring topped with thick, comfy rugs provides versatility and comfort.

Flooring options for the basement include luxury vinyl planks and laminate flooring, both of which are extremely durable and water-resistant. Vinyl plank flooring closely mimics the look of wood or stone, but it’s less expensive and easier to install. Laminate flooring offers a more authentic hardwood look than vinyl planks, and it’s very easy to install and maintain. Both of these flooring options are installed as floating floors, which means they’re not glued down but rather snap together directly on top of the substrate.

Insulating the basement floor is a fairly straightforward DIY project. Once you adequately and properly insulate a concrete floor, your comfort level will go up while your heating bills go down. As always, using high quality materials will produce the best results. Follow the manufacturer’s directions, and have everything you need at hand before you begin. 

The post How (and Why) to Insulate a Concrete Floor appeared first on Learning Center.

What Are Radiant Heat Systems

Radiant heat flooring is a thin floor underlayment that uses electrical wires or hydronic tubes to warm up the flooring installed over the electrical system, ensuring every step you take in the home is warm. Once you understand the basics, it is easier to select a flooring to use in every room. It is most frequently used in tandem with hard flooring that is van otherwise be very cold beneath the feet, such as ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles.

Flooring Options for Use with Radiant Heating

When it comes to selecting a material to use as flooring over your radiant flooring system, it is all about conductivity. Tile, natural stone, and even vinyl can be taken to the next level when featured over a radiant heat flooring systems. Browse these suitable types of flooring:

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile are a favorite for use with radiant flooring and are the most popular choice when radiant flooring is featured in a bathroom. For the best results, use radiant flooring with tile that measures three quarters of an inch thick or less. Thicker tiles will still work and conduct the heat effectively, they just take longer to warm up in the first place, which can be a challenge if you have a tight morning routine.

Both ceramic and stone tiles are excellent conductors, making it easy to achieve consistent temperatures across the entire floor. Tile isn’t just desired because it is ideal for use with radiant flooring, it is also incredibly durable and easy to maintain. This highly conductive material warms up almost the instant the radiant heating is turned on.

Stone

When you want to add a more natural element to your home, choosing stone tiles is another route to take. The different types of stones offer different levels of thermal conductivity. Marble is a good choice but it can take a while for marble floors to come to temperature. Choose slate or flagstone instead and you’ll have floors that warm up in a matter of minutes while remaining durable enough to look great for many years to come.  Because of the natural properties of stone, it continues to stay warm even after the system is turned off for far longer than ceramic or porcelain tiles.

Laminate and Engineered Hardwood

Laminate flooring and engineered hardwood have become popular alternatives to much more expensive wood floors because they offer a similar look at a fraction of the price. Because it is a man-made material and the manufacturing process can vary so greatly from one manufacturer to the next, it is recommended that you check the information about the individual product you are considering to see if it is suitable for use with radiant floor systems. Of course, if it just the look of wood you’re going for, wood-look tiles are also a fantastic option.

Wood

Wood is one of those materials that varies greatly from one species to another. If you are considering adding a radiant heat system under your hardwood floors, take the time to do your research on the various types to ensure you choose the best one for the job. Typically, the dense, kiln-dried woods are stronger and more conductive but make sure to choose a thinner design to allow it to warm up quickly. If you do use wood flooring in tandem with radiant heat, make sure to keep the surface temperature of the wood below 80 degrees as to prevent any damage to the wood. Bamboo, parquet floors, an soft woods are all options but make sure to check with the individual manufacturer for compatibility with radiant heating to be on the safe side.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring, like laminate, offers a much less costly alternative to expensive hardwood flooring. The main difference is that it is waterproof, making it a flooring that can run from the front door right through all the rooms of the home, including kitchens and bathrooms. Vinyl flooring is typically a suitable choice for use with radiant heat but it is still a good idea to check with the individual manufacturer for any information they provide on the topic. Most of the time, the surface temperature of the vinyl needs to stay between 70 and 85 degrees with radiant underlayment to maintain the integrity of the material.

Carpeting

You can enjoy softness under foot while still keeping your toes toasty if the proper installation process is used to install radiant heat beneath a carpet floor. The main consideration is to choose an underlayment that does not provide insulation properties. For the best results, make sure the total tog of all the materials and layers used in the installation process does not surpass 2.5 tog or you will not notice the full benefits of the radiant heat system.

Ceramic and porcelain tile will probably maintain their status as the most popular pairing for radiant floor systems, especially in bathrooms, but that doesn’t mean that the choices stop there. This toasty addition to many home construction and renovation projects can be used with a wide variety of flooring types, making it easy to achieve the look you want in the space while still keeping it warm, comfortable, and inviting. It is highly recommended that you leave the installation of one of these flooring systems up to the professionals, as much care must be taken to ensure the radiant underlayment is not damaged in the installation process and that all portions of the system are working when that last piece of flooring is laid.

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