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Kitchen and Bath Safety Audit Makes Rooms Child-Friendly

February 21, 2011 by Synergy Guru

If you’re a parent, you’ve already thought about minimizing or eliminating safety hazards in your bathroom and kitchen. With new, recently developed products, you can easily remove much of the risk. Start by taking a fresh look at your home while conducting a safety audit. Does your bathroom and kitchen have the following safety features?

Bathrooms

slip-resistant strips in the tub and nearby to minimize the risk of slipping and falling
grab bars in tubs and showers
towels bars/rings close to the tub or shower
impact-resistant safety-glass or plastic tub/shower enclosure
shatter-resistant tub faucets that don’t have sharp edges
recessed soap dishes (those that stick out from the wall can cause injury if a person falls against them)
the new soft bathtub, which is made of impact-absorbing materials to reduce the risk of injury for young and old alike
non-slip tile to reduce the risk of falling on a wet surface
toilet latches to prevent children from opening the lid
electrical outlets designed to automatically cut off power in the presence of water contact or faulty circuitry
door hardware that can be unlocked from either side
temperature-controlled faucets to avoid serious skin burns (typical faucets can produce water that is more than 120 degrees F, which can scald a child’s tender skin).

Kitchens

a stove with difficult-to-reach top controls
appliances, sharp knives and other sharp objects kept out of sight and reach in appliance garages, in-drawer knife blocks, and built-in storage units
slip/impact resistant flooring to reduce injuries and lessen broken ceramic and glass
cabinet latches to keep children away from dangerous products

From Exterior Porch to Interior Space

February 1, 2011 by Synergy Guru

If you need additional living space and your home has a porch, you’re in luck! Enclosing that porch could be a simple, cost-effective way to gain the space you want. You can gain space without eliminating the yard and often, a portion of the structural work is already in place. Be sure that it will not detract from the style of your home. Enclosing a porch on some bungalows or Victorians could be a mistake if it destroys much of the home’s sought-after charm.

Side porches can be easily converted into home offices, playrooms, or den/family rooms. Rear porches are ideal for adding space to extend your kitchen. With energy efficient windows, any porch can be converted into a light-filled “Florida” room that’s enclosed for year-round enjoyment. Give us a call to talk about the work needed. The porch’s location, its wall and floor materials, and the condition of the existing foundation will influence the ease or difficulty of modifying a porch.

Your work may include:

Insulating walls and ceilings. How much and the type of insulation used depends in part on the existing structure and the room’s function.

Adding or replacing windows with energy-efficient models. A professional can determine if window frames can be salvaged to reduce replacement costs. Remember to match or complement your home’s existing window styles.

Plumbing. The proximity of the room to existing plumbing will greatly impact the difficulty and cost of installing plumbing.

Electrical wiring and fixtures. Build in all immediate and future electrical lines from the outset to avoid costly revisions later.

Drywall, flooring, and millwork.

Details such as door and window trim, chair railings, and moldings can make the difference between a room that looks finished—or one that simply looks like an enclosed porch.

An important consideration is the heating and cooling system. While some homes may have systems that can accommodate additional rooms others may need a supplement. Baseboard heating is an option. However, although it is easy to install, this type of heating is expensive to operate. Consider, also, a wood-burning stove. New models are efficient, attractive, and can heat a large room easily. We can help you decide how best to supply heating and cooling to your new space.

If you have a home with a porch and need additional space, you have all the ingredients you need to create a beautiful new room. What’s keeping you from getting started?

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