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    <link>https://www.airdrierealestate.ca/blog/renovating-pick-the-right-flooring-material-for-your-lifestyle.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Renovating? Pick the Right Flooring Material for Your Lifestyle</title>
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Flooring affects the way a home looks and how it is maintained. When a homeowner changes the type of flooring materials in their house, it's important to consider factors like appearance, comfort, maintenance and value. Performing research about the various types of flooring and considering lifestyle factors can help homeowners choose a type of flooring that they can enjoy for many years to come.


Carpeting: Comfortable and High Maintenance


Carpeting is plush, soft and warm. For Windsong homeowners who don't like to have cold feet, carpeting can be ideal. Because it's padded, carpeting is comfortable under foot and safer in a fall. For this reason, carpeting is often the preferred flooring material for homes with household members not particularly steady on their feet.


Some downsides to carpeting must be considered. Carpeting can show wear and tear faster than many other types of flooring material. This is especially true of light carpeting, which can show dirt easily if it's not shampooed on a regular basis. Some homeowners cover their carpeting with rugs and protective runners to keep it looking nice for many years.


Hardwood Flooring: Beautiful and Long-Lasting


The timeless beauty of hardwood flooring is undeniable. For homeowners seeking perfect floors with a touch of class, hardwood stands out above the rest. It's also long-lasting. While it can show scratches and scuffs with time, hardwood can be refinished multiple times. Each time hardwood is refinished, it looks and performs like new.


Despite this flooring being among the most popular home improvements, homeowners seeking low-maintenance living room flooring may find that hardwood is not optimal. Hardwood must be protected by homeowners to avoid cosmetic damage. Removing shoes, trimming pet claws and installing furniture pads are some easy ways that homeowners can protect their floors and avoid scratches. Hardwood floors can also be damaged by water. Homeowners must clean with a dry mop to avoid stains and damage. Even with this level of care, hardwood floors will eventually become worn and need to be refinished. However, good maintenance habits can lengthen the time between refinishings.


How much does it cost to install hardwood floors? This depends on the type of wood you decide to use, with soft woods being the cheapest and exotic woods such as mahogany being the most expensive.


Laminate: Durable and Attractive


For homeowners who want the beauty of hardwood without the maintenance, laminate is it. This durable material is easy to maintain. Homeowners with young children often prefer laminate because it is very difficult to scratch and never shows wear. Like hardwood, laminate is cleaned through regular dry mopping instead of wet mopping.


How much does it cost to install laminate flooring? Laminate is less expensive than hardwood, which makes it an ideal choice for homeowners on a budget. For homeowners who are concerned about slips and falls, rugs can help soften high traffic areas.


Consider Resale Value


The type of flooring that is installed in a house can have a big impact on it's value. Many home buyers are willing to offer more for a home with hardwood floors, especially if the hardwood is in good condition.


Homeowners who are hoping to sell their home soon and who would like to get the most money for their investment can sometimes boost their property value by installing hardwood or refinishing their existing hardwood. In fact, some studies show that over 50 of homebuyers are willing to pay more for a home with hardwood. It's important to consult with a real estate professional before making the decision to install new hardwood or refinish existing hardwood floors. A good real estate professional can help a homeowner decide exactly what improvements to make to improve a home's property value.


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    <pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2018 10:51:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.airdrierealestate.ca/blog/the-value-of-residential-solar-panels-for-homeowners.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.airdrierealestate.ca/blog/the-value-of-residential-solar-panels-for-homeowners.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>The Value of Residential Solar Panels for Homeowners</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 





Many homeowners have decided that it is time to reduce their energy costs and have turned to a clean energy source to meet their energy needs. Solar panels for houses are an affordable option that many homeowners now use. The technology has advanced to a level for homeowners to produce and store enough energy to become completely self-reliant when it comes to generating sufficient energy for their home. Is solar power worth it? There are many reasons why homeowners are adding residential solar panels to their home.


It has become a common sight for homeowners to see residential solar panel systems on homes in communities. Canadians are in good company as this technology is widely implemented in many first-world nations. Germany, China, Japan, the United States and France are among the countries making solar energy a priority in their development of a clean energy solution. Learn more about relevant Canadian programs to make going solar more affordable.


Solar Has Become More Affordable


Homeowners will have to pay money to purchase and install a residential system, but solar panels have become much more affordable. How much does it cost to install solar panels? The solar installation cost and the cost of the system itself has dropped significantly as the technology has matured. Plus, homeowners in areas like Ontario may be able to take advantage of subsidies to reduce some of those initial costs. How much do solar panels save? Homeowners who decide to purchase a residential solar system may be able to pay themselves back in the form of significantly reduced energy bills in only five years.


Reduced Energy Bills


Homeowners understand that costs of energy from traditional sources will only rise based on the historic trend in the area, but going solar can lead to reduced energy bills. Those that want the ability to slash energy bills in the future and better predict energy costs are turning to residential solar panels. Those who decide to safely generate and store their own clean energy may not need to pay a local utility company for their energy. Do solar panels increase home value? The answer is yes, and residential solar panels often complement other energy-efficient upgrades that can reduce energy consumption and boost home value.


Make Money Generating Clean Energy


There are money-generating opportunities for some who go solar. There are cases of homeowners selling energy back to utility companies through Ontario's MicroFit program. Comparable programs are available in New Brunswick, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. This may prove an additional incentive for homeowners to learn more about residential solar panels and applicable programs in their area. Income produced through such means may be subject to taxation.


Become More Self-Reliant with Solar Energy


Those that have been subject to power outages, blackouts and increasing energy costs from being hooked to the grid want a way to have a more consistent and reliable source of affordable energy. Homeowners living in areas that may experience freezing temperatures do not want to suffer a power outage or blackout that may endanger their health or those of their family. New solar energy storage batteries make it possible to generate clean energy and store it for later use. In this way, homeowners may avoid the issues that may occur to those who continue to rely upon traditional sources of energy provided by utility companies.


More Ways to Start Generating Solar Energy


There are initial costs to be considered when deciding to go solar for those who decide to purchase a system. However, purchasing is not the only way to have a residential solar panel system installed on one's Luxstone home. Do note that subsidies and incentives are often only available to those who purchase such a system. Another alternative is to lease a system. This makes it possible to enjoy reduced energy bills and to allow a third-party to tend to any maintenance needs of a system. Lenders may make financing a solar panel system possible.


Take Steps to Support the Environment


Homeowners often appreciate that generating solar energy supports the environment, as it does not demand the same type and level of resources which is needed to produce energy from traditional sources. This allows homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint and support their local communities and the environment. The more homeowners that switch to clean sources of energy, the less communities will rely on nonrenewable resources and the creation of additional utility companies to meet the local demand.


Not every homeowner will be able to have a solar panel system installed on their home. This may be due to the location of a home, the type of roof, or other factors. Those interested in purchasing or leasing a residential solar panel system can have a free assessment of their property performed. Those who purchase a high-quality system may generate clean energy for as long as 30 years. Systems should be professionally installed for warranties to continue to remain valid.


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    <pubDate>Fri, 06 Apr 2018 09:40:00 -0600</pubDate>
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