At this time’s Home-owner Radio Podcast | January 21, 2023

Be taught the key to eradicating vinyl wallpaper and easy methods to forestall inside frost on home windows. (3 Echoes Content Studio)


Hour 1

Be taught what developments are sizzling in kitchen reworking, easy methods to forestall inside frost on home windows, the distinction between refacing and refinishing cupboards and extra.


Blue kitchen island
46 % of householders surveyed for Houzz’s 2023 Kitchen Trends Study selected an island cupboard shade that contrasts the colour of the principle cupboards. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

As a house enchancment skilled, I’m all the time trying to study in regards to the newest design developments. I just lately got here throughout the 2023 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, and I’ve to say, the findings are fairly attention-grabbing. 

The research surveyed greater than 2,000 U.S. householders who’re within the midst of, are planning, or just lately accomplished a kitchen renovation mission, and the outcomes present a precious glimpse into what’s trending in kitchen design. Right here’s what stood out essentially the most to me:

Renovation Spending Rises: The median spend on a minor rework elevated $4,000 yr over yr to $14,000 by mid-2022. Owners spent $15,000 on a minor rework of a bigger kitchen and $13,000 on a smaller kitchen.

Sustainability Influences Selections: 92 % of householders incorporate sustainable options throughout a kitchen rework. These embrace LED lightbulbs, energy-efficient home equipment and water-efficient fixtures.

Open Layouts are Right here to Keep: Following a dip within the pattern of open kitchens final yr, this yr renovators are as soon as once more extra prone to open their kitchens to different inside areas and outside areas. The preferred selection for kitchens newly open to inside areas nonetheless is to don’t have any wall separation. For the transition between the kitchen and outside areas, the most typical selection is double doorways or a row of doorways.

Wooden Cupboards Acquire Recognition: White cupboards aren’t going out of favor anytime quickly. The colour stays the most well-liked selection, however wooden tones are a powerful contender. Almost 1 / 4 of householders select wood-tone cupboards.

Colourful Islands: 46 % of householders chosen an island cupboard shade that contrasts the colour of the principle cupboards. The recognition of blue and grey declined barely, whereas black, medium-tone wooden and darkish wooden noticed will increase.

Learn the total report: 2023 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study


Why is Frost Forming on the Inside My Home windows? 

Split image of frost forming on the corners of a window and glass panels on a door window
Frost build up on the within of home windows and doorways throughout extraordinarily chilly temperatures may imply the humidity within the dwelling is just too excessive. (Julie Geving)

A home-owner in Wyoming says over the last chilly snap, temperatures dropped to round 36 levels beneath zero! She seen frost build up on the within of all of her home windows and doorways. 

“Is there something we will do to stop this from occurring?” she asks. 

Frost build up on the within of home windows and doorways throughout extraordinarily chilly temperatures might be brought on by a variety of elements.

Our first thought is that the doorways and home windows are older and faulty. Nevertheless, the home-owner says the home is new, so the doorways and home windows are very vitality environment friendly. Due to this, much less humidity is escaping from the house via the home windows and doorways. So, as soon as the moisture within the air makes contact with these chilly surfaces, it freezes.  

So what’s inflicting this excessive humidity? Some attainable explanations embrace:

  • Lack of air flow: Inadequate air flow may cause humidity to construct up in a house, particularly in bogs and kitchens the place moisture is generated from cooking, bathing and showering. 
  • Houseplants: Massive numbers of houseplants can launch moisture into the air, contributing to excessive humidity.
  • Excessive occupancy: Excessive occupancy in a home can improve humidity ranges due to the many individuals residing and inhaling the identical area.

The options to excessive humidity are including air flow and insulation, and in excessive instances putting in a whole-house dehumidifier. Be sure to’re venting any moisture out of the home, like utilizing a spread hood and loo vent fan. 

To regulate humidity ranges in your house, and tackle the underlying causes, get a hygrometer to measure the quantity of humidity in your house. It shouldn’t exceed 50 %. 


Refacing vs. Refinishing Cupboards

Split image showing refaced cabinets and Chelsea Lipford Wolf spray painting a kitchen cabinet door
Refacing is the method of overlaying the prevailing cupboards with new supplies to alter the general design whereas refinishing is the method of making use of a brand new end on the prevailing cupboards. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

We’re renovating our kitchen, however the funds doesn’t permit for all new cupboards. So, we have been planning on refinishing them by sanding after which repainting. However then I learn an article about refacing the cupboards. What’s the distinction between refinishing and refacing, and which might you suggest?

Refinishing and refacing are two totally different strategies used to replace the look of kitchen cupboards.

Refinishing includes sanding down the prevailing end on the cupboards and making use of a brand new end, reminiscent of paint or stain. This methodology is usually cheaper than refacing and is an effective possibility for these trying to change the colour of their cupboards. Nevertheless, it doesn’t change the general design of the cupboards and might be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Refacing, alternatively, includes overlaying the prevailing cupboard doorways and drawer fronts with new supplies, reminiscent of veneer, laminate or strong wooden. This may change the general design of the cupboards and can be utilized to replace the look of your kitchen. It’s additionally a costlier possibility than refinishing, however it’s a fast method to change the looks of your cupboards, and it’s much less disruptive to your kitchen.

In abstract, refinishing is the method of making use of a brand new end on the prevailing cupboards, whereas refacing is the method of overlaying the prevailing cupboards with new supplies to alter the general design.


Hour 2

Hear the key to eradicating vinyl wallpaper, ideas for staining a pressure-treated wooden fence, and extra. 


The Secret Eradicating Vinyl Wallpaper

Hands removing vinyl wallpaper from drywall
Eradicating wallpaper could seem daunting, however with the best instruments and strategies, it’s a manageable job. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

A home-owner needs to know — what’s the trick to eradicating vinyl wallpaper?

“I sprayed it down with DIF wallpaper remover, coated the wall with skinny plastic, after which waited an hour or so, however the wallpaper was nonetheless caught in place. I don’t need to injury the drywall by making an attempt to scrape it off. What do you counsel?” he asks. 

When eradicating vinyl wallpaper, it is advisable to rating the vinyl coating to ensure that the DIF wallpaper remover to work. To do that, use a software referred to as a paper tiger. Merely rub it over the face of vinyl to poke hundreds of holes in it. This may permit the remover to penetrate to the wallpaper and deactivate it, so you may simply take away it. 

To take away the wallpaper, combine in a 5-gallon bucket:

Stir the combination, then apply it to the wall utilizing a pump-up backyard sprayer. After totally soaking the wallpaper, cowl the wall with a layer of skinny (0.7 mil) plastic, utilizing a wallpaper brush to press the plastic onto the wall.

Let the wallpaper remover soak on the wall for at the very least three hours, in a single day could be even higher. The combination will dissolve nearly all of the adhesive, permitting you to peel away the wallpaper with nearly no effort!

Watch: The Simple Recipe to Take away Wallpaper


Ideas for Staining a Fence

Staining wood with a staining pad
Oil-based stains are the best choice for pressure-treated wooden as a result of they’re simpler at penetrating the wooden. (IcemanJ, Getty Pictures)

A home-owner needs to stain her newly put in pressure-treated wooden fence. She asks, “Are you able to give me some ideas or recommendation?”

Staining a pressure-treated wooden fence might be a good way to guard the wooden and improve its pure magnificence. Nevertheless, there are some things to bear in mind to make sure that the stain is utilized correctly and adheres nicely to the wooden:

Look ahead to the wooden to dry: Stress-treated wooden is usually moist when it’s first put in, so await it to dry utterly earlier than staining. This may take a number of weeks and even months, relying on the climate and the wooden’s publicity to the weather. It’s also possible to do that check.

Clear the wooden: Earlier than staining, clear the wooden to take away any filth, grime, or different contaminants that could be on the floor. An answer of water and a gentle detergent is normally ample, however you too can use a wooden cleaner particularly designed for pressure-treated wooden.

Select the best stain: Not all stains are appropriate for pressure-treated wooden, so select a stain that’s particularly formulated to be used on pressure-treated wooden. Oil-based stains are the best choice as a result of they’re simpler at penetrating the wooden.

Apply the stain evenly: Apply the stain evenly and within the course of the wooden grain. Work the stain into the wooden utilizing a brush, curler or pump-up, then back-brush it into the wooden to make sure it’s totally coated. 

Enable the stain to dry: After staining, permit the wooden to dry utterly earlier than making use of a second coat or utilizing the fence. This may take a number of hours and even days, relying on the climate and what stain was used.


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Easy Options

Breaking in a new paint roller cover
Conditioning a paint curler prevents unfastened fibers from shedding into the paint. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

Situation New Paint Curler — Earlier than utilizing a brand-new paint-roller sleeve, it’s necessary to “situation” it, in order that it spreads paint evenly and easily. 

Place the brand new sleeve on the paint curler, fill a plant mister with water, then spin the sleeve as you spray it liberally with water. 

Dry-spin the sleeve to take away any extra water, then roll the sleeve onto a bit of cardboard or different naked, clear floor. That can assist take away any loosened fibers from the curler sleeve — and stop them from entering into the paint or onto the newly painted floor. 

Now use the dampened, conditioned sleeve to instantly apply paint.

Watch: Easy methods to Situation A New Paint Curler Cowl 

Builder grade wire shelving with an s hook overlayed on top
Hanging S-hooks from ventilated metal-wire shelving is a straightforward method so as to add additional storage. (Photograph illustration: ABBPhoto, Getty Pictures/Adobe Inventory)

Additional Storage for Ventilated Shelving — In case you have ventilated metal-wire shelving in your closet or pantry, right here’s a fast, easy method to achieve slightly additional storage. 

Purchase a number of metallic S-hooks and slip them onto the wire shelving. Use pliers to pinch closed the hooks to allow them to’t pop off. 

The hooks are nice for hanging all kinds of things that may ordinarily be taking on precious shelf area, together with mud brooms, hand towels, flashlights, belts, scarves, and many others.


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