4 Remodels Not To Do Yourself

Attic Weatherproofing and Sealing
Most attic insulation and air sealing jobs are better left to the professionals. If your house has frequent ice or condensation buildup at the top of the house you should contact a contractor to design a system to insulate the main floors and vent the attic. Homes with recessed lighting may need the assistance of a professional to insulate without creating a fire hazard.

Bring More Sunlight Into Your Home
Installing skylights and newfangled light pipes can instantly bring natural light to your home and save money on your electric bill. Unskilled homeowners should not attempt the difficult roofing and structural issues involved in installing these fixtures. Contractors typically charge from $1,000 per skylight, and many guarantee their work against leaks and air gaps.

Change Your Water Heater
Heating household water accounts for more than 15 percent of the energy costs for a typical family. You can lower your utility bills by as much as half by choosing tankless on-demand units and heaters that work on propane or natural gas. Unfortunately, switching to a whole new water heating system requires a professional.

Seal Your Ducts
For homeowners with forced air heating and cooling systems, there are a few options for sealing up leaky ducts. One of the most effective ways to fix leaky ducts is a unique service called Aeroseal, which sprays an adhesive coating on the interior of all your ducts. According to Aeroseal, it makes areas 90 percent airtight. Aeroseal contractors are nationwide and costs for a typical house range from $500 to $900.

4 Tips to Remodeling a Nursery

Decorating a nursery for the new addition to your family can be overwhelming at first. Luckily, all you need is a bit of creativity and a plan. Every nursery will need three main areas: a place for the child to sleep, a place to change the baby and finally a place to feed and hold the newborn.

1. Color
Many times nurseries are painted in pastels, blues, pinks, yellows or greens. There are also a wide variety of themes to choose from, such as princess, fairy tale, sports, pirate or jungle. You can also use stencils to add some variety to the room. Stencils are easy to use and find in a variety of styles and shapes. Finally, you can also use wall decals which are easy to peel and stick to the wall.

2. Sleeping Area
A child's sleeping area will need a crib. Ideally the crib will be close to the door of the room but a distance away from windows to avoid sunlight and breeze. For safety, keep the crib area as simple as possible. To block out the lights when the baby is napping, add curtains or blinds to the windows. You can use colors in the window fixture to further brighten the room.

3. Changing Table
In the changing area you will have your changing table. To avoid overcrowding your room, consider using a changing table that is also a dresser. These come in a variety of colors and prints and can be matched to your chosen colors and themes. White changing tables can be decorated with stencils or decals as well.

4. Feeding Area
The feeding and holding zone will need comfortable seating for you and a small side table, for resting the baby's bottle on. You can match your chair and side table with the changing table and crib. Consider buying a rocking chair that will be ideal when holding the baby and trying to put it to sleep. The motion of the rocking chair will be a perfect movement for you and child to bond in a peaceful way.

5. Fun Mobiles
This can be another way to complement the ongoing theme of your room. Many are reasonably priced and come in many different shapes and colors. This room is all about the fun and care of the child, mobiles will ensure they enjoy it.