Home Remodeling for the Elderly

Creating an elder friendly home environment is a choice many homeowners are using as against moving to the impersonal surroundings of assisted living. Many elders prefer to stay in their familiar surroundings at home as home renovations for seniors are designed to increase comfort and safety. Due to age related limitations seniors should have the ease to move around and use their home facilities without risk of falling or injury in their day-to-day life.

Remodeling and renovating homes to accommodate the elderly should be carefully thought out and executed according to the needs of the senior residents. Construction companies have now improved methods and designs due to the increased demand for elder related remodeling work. Families that have elder family members moving in with them choose home improvements that focus on the health and comfort of seniors.

These renovations can provide certain degree of independence, help avoid injuries and make the surroundings more accessible and improve the quality of life for the elderly.

Senior Residences

Ideally seniors should reside at ground level but if their homes are situated at a higher floor the elevators, hallways and lifts should be well lit, accessible, with handrails provided. Flooring should be made from slip resistant material, and closets and storage should be easy to use and access.

Lighting

Seniors require brighter lights but minus the glare so adding sufficient lighting including areas such as the stairs with additional flashlights provided during power cuts should be provided. Switches should be placed at lower levels and operate easily.

Bathroom

Bathrooms are among risk prone areas for slipping and falling so should ensure safety for the elderly. Faucets should be lever controlled; there should be thermostats for controlling water temperatures to prevent scalding, commodes should be at low levels and sinks and curbless showers or tubs should be easily accessible without any floor level differences. Grab bars should be provided and hand held showers should be installed. Flooring should be level and slip resistant and handrails should be installed at regular intervals.

Kitchen

Kitchen renovations for seniors should include modifications that make appliances, countertops, sinks, and cabinets easy to use and access. Cupboards should be easy to open and close or reach.

Exteriors

Home improvement for senior friendly residences should include easy maintaining vinyl materials for sidings and the deck and entry should be on the same level or just about half an inch lower. Landscape should have low maintenance plants and the access pathway should be even. Front door should have space for keeping packages and equipped with sensor lights, peepholes and no steps.

Windows and Doors

Senior friendly homes should be equipped with hardware and locking systems that are secure but easy to operate. The sills should be placed at a lower level and the windows should allow plenty of light during daytime. As dexterity decreases in the elderly and as some have painful arthritis it is worthwhile to change doorknobs and handles with lever types that are easier to handle and operate.

There are many additional ways to manage safety and comfort of senior living that can be included such as alarms, security switches to alert help for ambulance or police and so on. Including energy efficient methods in home renovations can also improve the health and comfort of the elderly and increase property value.

Home Improvements - Getting Financed

Renovations plans may make you feel good about how your home will look and feel after the work is complete but, can mean a lot of stress when you consider the expenses. But there is light at the end of the tunnel because of the many financing choices that homeowners have to manage home improvement projects. However, it is important to stay within your budget and not exceed the plan as a practical and sensible method of ensuring all round success for home remodeling.

There may be many areas of your home that need remodeling and if you don’t have enough funds there are options for financing your project. You should carefully research and consider finance options and realistically assess all aspects of borrowing funds before you dive into it. The aim should be not to exceed the interest expenses that you have to pay back over a specific time period and to remember that you will need to pay back your loan. The main benefit of home improvement financing is that you don’t have to spend the entire sum at once and you can have the surroundings you planned and dreamed about to make your home comfortable and beautiful.

Evaluate Plans

The first step in any home remodeling is to evaluate and consider all the options. This can mean:

• Actual plans for changes in your house
• Costs including labor and materials and extras
• Estimates of borrowing amount, monthly payments, time frame to pay back loan,

and interest rates

• How much do you earn
• Compare loan options
• Your credit history will be taken into account
• Equity or value of property
• Longer repayment periods mean higher interest rates

There are many choices for financing home improvement plans.

Contractor

When you hire reliable contracting companies for your refurbishing work, they provide options for financing the project. But it is wise to read the fine print and make sure there are no surprises later on through hidden fees.

Online Lenders

There are online lending companies that offer loans if borrowers meet their criteria to qualify for credit. They have specially designed loans that can be paid off according to your budget through monthly payment and interest rates.

Credit Card Payment

If the total amount is approximately hundreds or a few thousand dollars, homeowners can pay with their credit cards but should be aware that they should be able to pay the amount and interest rate in the stipulated time frame.

Refinance

Homeowners can use one loan to refinance their mortgage and conduct repair or renovation work according to the FHA203(k) loan and this has a fixed rate or can be adjusted rates. This financing option works through hiring a contractor. It may be possible to take a higher amount than your current principal but there are surcharges and associated fees and you will have to pay out your mortgage from the start so you need to be careful about this type of loan.

Home Equity Line of Credit

The equity or value of your property is gauged by appraisal of your home and how much mortgage is paid off.  The actual amount you can borrow varies with each lender and their regulations.

Loans can be paid with smaller amounts over a longer period but it’s important to remember that your interest rates will be higher. If you are taking contractor loans ensure there they are not getting extra from lending agency which you will be paying. You can also apply for loans through credit unions, banks, or mortgage companies but the basic rule is adhering to your budget, to avoid problems and ensure financial safety.

5 Practical Tips to Maintain Your Doors and Windows

A major part of home maintenance includes taking care of doors and windows and checking for damage and repair work. Doors and windows are opened and closed regularly and are affected by weather conditions, so they need to be preserved for optimum performance and durability. Door and window material is the deciding factor for the type of maintenance and care that is needed as each type differs.

Proper care and maintenance can mean that your doors and windows will last for many years. There is a long list when it is about preservation techniques for doors and windows and includes fixing minor or major problems, cleaning, painting, and other related tasks. The process of maintenance includes the entire structure of the door and window and the hardware and locking systems. 

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Regular Checks

The first step to maintaining and preserving doors and windows of your home is by conducting regular checks for any type of deterioration:

• Locking mechanism and operating hardware
• Peeling, blistering, chipping of paint
• Soil and debris on window sills or door track
• Window glass condition and loose putty around panes and signs of moisture
• Weather stripping is sealed tight
• Frames both internal and external
• Examine trim, signs of warping, mildew or decay

Regular checking of doors and windows will ensure that they remain in good condition and last for years.

Cleaning

If you want your doors and windows to endure, regular cleaning is advised. Hardware can be cleaned using mild soap solutions and wiping with a soft cloth. Use a small brush to remove any blocked soil or debris and the window or door tracks, weep holes and sills should be free of any obstructive dirt. Following manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning is a safe bet as harsh cleaning solutions may damage doors and windows. Both exteriors and interiors of glass should be cleaned regularly as dirt should not be allowed to accumulate.

Doors have thresholds or tracks but they need to be cleaned by using methods that are prescribed according to the material that they are constructed from. If you are using mild soapy solutions make sure you dry thoroughly after all the scrubbing work. Never use strong cleaning liquids or sharp knives and pressure hoses to clean. Check Champion window reviews before choosing for one.

Condensation, Air Leaks and Insulation

Insulation checks and maintenance is of prime importance to protect your doors and windows from condensation and air leakage. Proper insulation can save expenses on your power bills and can increase the value of your home. Seal all your windows and doors tight to prevent condensation and replace faulty weather stripping which will serve as a moisture and heat barrier. Any chips or cracks in window frames should be sealed. Any gaps between the wall and window frame should be sealed with caulking. 

Take Care of the Hardware and Hinges

All moving parts of hardware, hinges, tracks and rollers should be kept in optimal condition so that they are easy to operate and last for years. Rollers can be adjusted, tracks can be vacuumed, and lock strike should be repaired if it does not work smoothly. The metal mechanism should be sprayed with light lubricants for smooth operation. Clean track wheels of sliding doors regularly and adjust sagging doors. Check and repair locking mechanism to prevent any burglary attempts and to ensure security of your property.

No Delays in Repair Work

Doors and windows can make a difference to the energy efficiency of your home and save costs in utility bills. Along with annual or bi-annual maintenance it is advisable to fix any damage without delays. This is essential as air or heat leakage can send your power usage soaring and increase your household expenses a great deal. If the windows or doors have serious damage, consider investing in energy rated and efficient replacement doors and windows to get the best out of your investment and up your property value.