How to Install Kitchen Cabinets in Windsor

Whether you are doing home improvement projects to prepare your home for sale, or you are just trying to give your home a more updated look, new cabinets in your kitchen are a great way to create the look you desire. It does not always mean that you have to hire a professional to install your cabinets, but it does take some special tools and skills in the remodeling field.

If the cabinets that you are replacing are outdated you will want to remove them very carefully so that wall damage can be minimized and exact measurements can be made. The best way to remove these old cabinets is to take off all the doors, followed by the drawers and shelves, then remove the body of the cabinets from the walls.

The first thing you need to do is measure the space carefully and get some brochures from several manufacturers so that you can decide exactly what you want your finished kitchen to look like. These pamphlets will also tell you what sizes and finishes are available in the various designs. Then you need to draw some plans of what you want your finished space to look like so that you know how it should all fit when the project is complete.

The next thing that you need to do when replacing your kitchen cabinets is to make sure that you have all the supplies that you need. You will need to list all screws, nails, a level, and whatever else the project may require. A home improvement store can help you find the tools that you need for your cabinet project.

Once you have your measurements and supplies, you can begin the process of cabinet removal. Make sure that they are completely empty before removing them from the wall as it will make the project easier to accomplish when things aren’t bouncing off your head. Once the cabinets have been removed, you will want to replace the tile and paint if that is part of your remodel plans.

Once your cabinets have been removed, and any painting and floor refinishing have been done, it is time to put in the new cabinets. Usually you start with the upper ones as it is easier to install them first without the lower ones getting in the way. Before you can hang them, however, you will need to find the studs, so that you can fasten the cabinets directly to them and NOT the drywall or plaster. You will want to hang them on the wall before putting the doors on them. Once your uppers are on, you can then install the lower cabinets in much the same way, making sure the floor is level first.

Once your cabinets are in place, you can then fit in the countertops, sink, and appliances. Now your kitchen remodel is complete. If you don't feel as though you are qualified to do this project yourself, however , you can simply contact us at Lakeside Interiors and we will take you through the planning step by step and then do the installation and remodeling for you.


This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-946-9651 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

Interior Decorating for Winter in Windsor

Everybody wants to decorate the inside of their home in a modern and trendy manner and transform their interior area while planning for every season. Applying trendy interior planning ideas based on the months is an invaluable option for keeping your home’s interior up-to-date. House decor which looks trendy and classy in the summer time is probably not appropriate for that winter months. Applying season appropriate design ideas can be a useful method of improving the overall appearance of your home. If you are looking at changing your interior for the winter months, here are a couple of interior planning tips and concepts which will certainly warm your interior space up and produce a comfortable, welcoming feel in your home.

Choosing warmer and more dark color tones is fantastic for winter, developing a warm and welcoming feel to your interior space. Use warm and vibrant colors like Brown, red-tones, beige, gold, dark green, burgundy and ochre for upholsteries, mattress covers, sheets, pillow covers, and curtains along with other textiles. Choosing from these palettes for wall coverings or draperies may also transform the whole look of your home and produce a warm feel throughout the winter season.

Carpet is a superb design element for warming your home up as opposed to hard flooring, as carpets and area rugs are not only seen to be visually appealing but are good insulators as well. In addition, a soft, tufted or plush rug on wooden or other hard flooring material will certainly produce a cozy, warmer feel to your home.

Another trendy method for improving your interior specifically for the cold months is to alter the lighting system. Replace your overhead lights with tungsten lights which will warm your room and give a summer time touch throughout winter. Small candles and lamps may also be used to create a warmer atmosphere. Candles and lamps of red or orange shades won’t increase your budget too much but could also help your home feel warmer in winter.

Setting up an electric fire place in your family or living room is yet another prudent option to warm you up all through the cold months . A fire place won’t keep the entire house warm but can help you save money by only heating the area you’re using while you reduce the temperature in the rest of the home. Purchasing a fire place is initially a bit pricey but will go on saving you money year after year. Indeed , it’s a valuable investment that can create a warm atmosphere during the winter season.


This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-946-9651 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

How to Survive a Renovation in Windsor Ontario

Despair and misery are oftentimes the common emotions that surface when partners begin a home renovation project. She wants a cozy living space, similar to a cottage in the countryside while he wishes for a recreation room with futuristic furnishings. Both refuse to give in to the other.

A full-blown domestic disturbance can develop anywhere between the time that the building materials are delivered and the moment that the final wallpaper is in place in its destined location. Below are some tips that can help ease the brewing tension when partners decide to go for a major home renovation.

Tip # 1: You and your partner should agree what type of renovation is needed. Couples often fail to draw up a master plan before a major home renovation starts. Usually, they take it for granted that they know which areas around the house call for fixing up. Then, when the renovation is already underway, they discover that certain areas also require repair or remodeling; however, their money has already been used up for another renovation going on at another part of the home. This causes tension. So, to avoid this, the simplest thing to do is to take time to sit down, talk about, and agree as to what parts of the house need to be fixed or spruced up.

Tip # 2: You must never forget what is most important in your life. Can you really squander away a bond that you’ve forged with your better half over the color of the bathroom tiles, kitchen counters, or the bedroom walls? Some couples lose sight of the most important thing when they are so caught up with their crusade in home renovation. Always remember the most important thing whenever things begin to get out of hand and tempers are running short. Never sacrifice the relationship because you and your spouse cannot agree on whether to use granite or Formica for the new kitchen countertops.

Tip # 3: Never forget that you and your better half must work as a team. Never, ever argue in front of the home renovation contractors. Because of this, the people you hire to renovate your home might lose their respect for both of you; as a result, they might give you substandard results since they figure that you would not mind anyway since you are both busy taking each other down. Always remember that you and your spouse are in this together. Show those around you that you and your spouse support each other, that way, you will earn their respect.

If you require assistance in crafting your plan for the upcoming renovation, we will be glad to assist you, just ask us.


This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor, Kitchener & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-787-5835 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com
lakesidekitchener@gmail.com

Epoxy Floor Paint- Why Is It a Better Flooring Option For Basements in Windsor?

Basement flooring has always raised great concern in the minds of homeowners considering home improvement and renovation. One can alter anything in their home with ease but not the concrete surfaces in your basement.Not only has changing the surface been difficult but also it has been quite expensive as well. The traditional surfacing options like the granite, marble, slate etc are very difficult to maintain, while ceramic tile is somewhat difficult to install.
So such things gave rise to a new concept of flooring. It was thought that something should be developed that could alter floors just like we change wall paint colours.
The solution was epoxy floor coating paint. The epoxy resin paint completely changed the whole scene of basement improvements. Changing floors has now become exceptionally easy. You just have to apply the epoxy floor paint just like you paint your walls and you’ll see a completely transformed basement. Epoxy is a resin material that can be applied over the concrete flooring surfaces which after being dried, becomes extremely durable and gives an entirely new look to your basement or garage.
Epoxy floor paint is widely recommended due to the number of properties that it possesses. It’s easy to apply and maintain. You just have to apply it like you paint your wall. It’s resistant to water, dust, chemicals and grease, which makes it easy to maintain. Epoxy resin is a very affordable concrete flooring option. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to cover the concrete flooring as you would with traditional flooring options.
With epoxy floor paint you can alter the surfaces any time and in any way you want. The epoxy floor paint can be customized, to give it the desired durability and strength required, which makes epoxy floor paint a very nice option for home renovation. This concrete floor paint is highly durable and can withstand high pressure and weight. This property makes it ideal for concrete garage floors since it can bear the continuous movement of vehicles over it.
If you are considering home improvement and want to change the look of your basement or garage floors, but you aren’t the DIY type, but still want to save money, then you can simply hire professionals who are experienced with epoxy floor paint application. A professional can help you have the desired colors and textures using  epoxy floor paint.
They can also help you gain the customized durability with your epoxy garage flooring. Moreover the epoxy floor coating can be altered any time the homeowner desires. So if you are looking for more insight into whether epoxy floor covering would be the right choice for your home, write us at lakesidewindsor@gmail.com.


This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor, Kitchener & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-787-5835 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com
lakesidekitchener@gmail.com

Should Your Windsor Bathtub Be Replaced?

Figuring out exactly at which point a bathtub needs to be replaced is the million-dollar question. Here, we’ll break down the basics of how frequently bathtubs should be replaced.
These days, while many people prefer to use stand-alone showers, they still want to keep the bathtubs in their houses. When it comes to the lifespan of bathtubs, unfortunately, there is no scientific or sure-fire way to know when it is absolutely time to replace a tub, and when you could get away with using it for a couple more months or years.
General Thinking
Usually, how much you use a tub will have a lot to do with how long you can keep it looking good. If, for example, you have a bathtub in a guest bathroom that’s seldom used, then that tub could theoretically last forever. But at the same time, if you have a bathtub that you use daily, then I would say you could probably expect to get about 10 to 12 years of use out of it. Unfortunately there is no exact answer as to when a bathtub should be replaced, generally speaking, it should be done once the paint and finish starts wearing thin. By the time a bathtub's finish has started wearing thin, and when it gets to the point where you can see that it is worn through the paint in certain areas, it is probably past time for you to replace it with a new tub.
Signs of Deterioration
You should also look for any sign of deterioration to determine whether your bathtub needs work. Anything like cracks or that sort of thing is a sign that you need to call in an expert for help.
Cost Comparison
Just because the paint is wearing down on a tub or it is starting to show signs of age does not necessarily mean you need to replace it entirely.
Many people out there specialize in bathtub repair and refinishing. With a lot of these refinishing techniques, they can actually make the tub look like new.
Additionally, you could even have the tile around your bathtub refinished by a professional rather than replace it. If you do decide to go this route, take into account that you will get nowhere near the life out of the job that you would with a replacement tub and/or tiles.
Whether you have a basic tub or hot tub, the above tips are suitable for use with all.
As always, if you have any problems or concerns that I may be able to help you with, please don't hesitate to contact us.


This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor, Kitchener & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-787-5835 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com
lakesidekitchener@gmail.com

My Windsor Basement Flooded! What do I do next?

The first thing you should do is call your insurance company! They will immediately assign an adjuster to your case, who will guide you through the steps required by your insurer.

A word here about coverage and how it’s determined. If you have a broken water line or water heater and it floods your basement, your insurer will usually cover the damage but not what caused it. In other words, They will pay for anything in the basement which is damaged by the water but not for repairing the broken pipe or water heater.

Contact a restoration contractor, your adjuster will likely supply you with a list of possible options with whom they normally have dealings. Remember, when you are selecting a contractor, it’s your home and you are in charge of who comes in to do work there. NOBODY has the right to tell you which contractor to use, you’re in charge. Use whichever qualified contractor you’re comfortable with.

Eventually everything damaged must be removed, but not until it’s been documented! That means a detailed inventory must be written (by your contractor) and supported with photographic evidence of damage. The thing to remember here is that if damage can’t be proven, the insurer doesn’t have to replace it. So don’t think you’re helping by throwing everything outside!

The insurance company will break your claim down into two sections:

The Emergency Response:
Your selected contractor will arrive at your home with the intent of assessing the damage which has been caused. They will determine their personnel and equipment requirements and then dispatch a crew with the required equipment.

Their intent during the emergency response is to mitigate the damage. Anything wet will be documented and removed, including carpet, flooring, doors, drywall, furniture, personal belongings etc. If possible, some items may be cleaned, dried and returned later.

During this time your contractor should spray a mouldicide / fungicide on the areas which are not being removed. This is for your protection. Since mould spores are everywhere, you just need to add water and time and you have mould growing. This could constitute a health hazard for anyone living in the home. Remember, water + time = mould.

A word to the avid do-it-yourselfers in the crowd – Bleach does NOT kill most mould, it makes it white! Don’t try to clean up by yourself with bleach, the chlorine gas released from the bleach could be more harmful than the mould, especially if inadvertently mixed with something else!

Once everything damaged has been removed, your contractor will set up drying equipment. This will usually consist of air movers (fans) and large de-humidifiers. Simply put, the objective here is to evaporate all the residual moisture into the air and then suck it out of the air with the de-humidifiers, then drain it into the sewer system of your home.

This process takes 2 – 3 days, it may look dry the next day but there is still enough moisture to nurture mould growth. Your contractor will have special meters to check for moisture content. If sufficient moisture is not removed, there will be mould later.

The Repair:
After your basement has been sufficiently dried it will be time for your contractor to put it all back together.

This will normally be the contractor from the emergency response, but not necessarily so. Since the insurance claim is split into two distinct contracts, you may have the option to switch contractors for the repair segment, your adjuster will be able to inform you if this is an option in your case.

In this phase of the operation, your contractor will make sure there is no mould beginning to grow in spite of their best efforts. Then they will begin replacing the drywall that was removed.

The new drywall will be installed, taped and coated with drywall compound (plaster). Next, it’s time for paint, the insurer will usually cover painting the entire wall area because of the difficulty matching the colour. This is the time, if you were considering changing the colour before the flood, to do so. As long as it’s not a drastic colour change requiring additional coats of paint, your contractor won’t mind changing if for you.

Once all this is completed, it will be time for your new flooring to be installed. The insurer will cover the cost of replacing it with the exact flooring that you had originally. The rule they go by is to make it exactly the way it was 1 minute before the flood.

This being said however, if you would like to pay for the difference in cost, there is not usually any problem if you would like to have your contractor upgrade your choice of flooring at this time. The insurer will pay what it would have cost to restore the floor to it’s original condition & your contractor will charge you directly for the balance.

The next step is for all the baseboards, doors and trim to be replaced and painted.

Once all this has been completed, it will be time for your contractor to bring back all your belongings that were salvageable and restore them in the room(s) as they were.

I hope that this post helps anyone who has had the misfortune of being on the receiving end of Mother Nature’s sense of humour lately. It’s been a wet year so far and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight but I’m sure the sun will come out someday!

I should add at least one shameless plug here, Lakeside Interiors has IICRC trained and certified technicians on staff to handle your flood emergency.
We are fully equipped and can be reached by any of the following methods:


This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor, Kitchener & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-787-5835 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com
lakesidekitchener@gmail.com

Taps Causing You A Headache in Windsor?

Have you ever gone into your kitchen or bathroom to wash your hands, put the liquid soap on your hands and turned on the taps, only to find that nothing happens?

Many of us have and when you check the taps in another room only to find them to be working correctly you get that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, that this is not going to be good.

It dawns on you that there is a specific problem with your tap and that it needs to be fixed.

If you are not big on DIY, this can only ever mean one thing – it’s going to cost you money. The first port of call may be to look on the internet for a solution, or even to find out what course of action others have taken who suffered the same problem.

Usually, the upshot is that you need to take the inevitable step of picking up the phone directory and dialing the local plumber.

After deciding whether or not the problem warrants a same day call out charge, you arrange a suitable time.

The plumber arrives and you explain the problem, and he proceeds to investigate. After a little bit of tinkering your tap is miraculously fixed, all in about 10 minutes. For the privilege your plumber will relieve you of about the same cost as a full tank of fuel in your car. This is not to say that a plumber should not charge this amount for what is really a simple job. It is just worth noting that it may be useful and valuable to have a basic knowledge of how simple every-day items like taps actually work.

So, how do you go about finding out how your taps work? There are many options but perhaps one of the best comes from our modern friend, the internet. There are hundreds of websites out there offering help and advice to DIY enthusiasts so this is a great place to start. A word of warning here though, you must make absolutely sure you have fully understood the procedure before undertaking any kind of DIY, especially when it involves your water supply. The last thing you want to do is to create an even worse problem than the one you are trying to fix.

If you take your time, and take precautions, you should be fine. Make sure you turn off your main water supply if you are working on your taps. Failure to do so could result in you flooding your house.

Don’t let this put you off though. By carrying out a few simple tasks yourself over the course of a year you could save yourself hundreds of dollars. The next time something goes wrong with your taps, perhaps you’ll think twice before reaching for the phone book. Instead, get your tools out of the basement and try fixing the problem yourself. You’ll be glad you did, since you’ll be saving money and you will have learned a new DIY skill, which many of us would be proud of.


This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor, Kitchener & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-787-5835 or,
lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
lakesidebarrie@gmail.com
lakesidekitchener@gmail.com