It is often said that “your home is your castle”. Every homeowner can attest to this belief, but when your castle is being remodeled, it can feel like your beloved kingdom is under attack. Walls suddenly disappear, strange people making loud noises and your sacred room becomes unrecognizable as it just disappeared. A plumber calls for the fourth time to say he can’t make it and your contractor casually informs you that you’re $5,000 over budget.
A sad feeling of despair descends upon your castle – which now feels more like a dark dungeon of misery. You want to throw in the towel, cry endlessly and head for a frappuccino and a massage. According to Michael Jones, an NYC therapist, these feelings are understandable and normal. “Anger is a natural reaction, managing it is the key in any situation” he explains. Many of the team at Celtic Building Supplies, have been in your shoes, felt that frustration and learned the hard way! But rest assured – there are solutions – trust Celtic.
The Big Picture
No pain, no gain – unfortunately its often true when you remodel, however that pain can be dramatically reduced by following some simple steps and guidelines. Planning is the key – “protect early and protect everything” says Caroline Devino, who recently upgraded her New England colonial outside Danbury from 2000 sq ft to 3000 sq ft.
Outside Matters
Catch dirt and debris before it even enters the home. Anti-slipper runners are great for pathways and steps. They can provide extra grip and reduce dirt from attaching to shoes & boots. Adhesive mats are a must for construction, large or small. These mats, often known as ‘sticky mats’ catch dirt from the soles of shoes and boots – eliminating dirt before it enters the house.
Clean Feet = Clean Floors
Say good-bye to scuffs, footprints and heel marks with shoe covers. Designed to slip on easily, they’re extremely affordable and convenient.
My Beloved CarpetsThankfully when it comes to protecting your precious rugs and carpets numerous options abound. Due to the nature of carpet material, a film solution may be the most viable option. Think of it like cling-film for your carpets. This special eco-friendly adhesive ensures that your Carpet Film stays in place and is durable enough for the heaviest of foot traffic. Carpet Film comes in a diverse range of widths and lengths, ranging from 12” to 48” wide. Application is quick and easy – simply roll your film over your carpet in rows until your carpet is completely covered. You should overlap by 2” to be safe. For even easier application and no bending over – try a multi-use applicator which can greatly speed up application in large areas.
From Tile To Oak
Anyone with wooden or ceramic floors – knows that horrible sinking feeling when you first discover a scratch! Wooden surfaces, in particular, are highly prone to surface damage but thankfully numerous solutions are available. The most economical solution would be paper-based. Construction Kraft Paper is another affordable option that offers slightly more strength, it’s naturally biodegradable and is non-abrasive. If it’s durability and strength-you seek then say hello to Reinforced Construction Paper. This acid-free paper is lined with poly thread for extreme durability – resisting tearing and curling. Not strong enough – then Builder Board is the solution. This heavy-duty board comes in 38” rolls and is even strong enough to drive trucks on.
Get Specific
Zipwall is an amazing range of products that many homeowners may not be aware of. It can dramatically take the pain or anxiety out of remodeling by allowing you to create barrier systems. Assembly is quick and simple, allowing you to partition a room or isolate an area in just minutes. Dust and debris are contained in the work zone, sparing your fragile surrounds from the vigors of construction. “Zipwall is a must have for every home remodeling job – large or small,” says Bobby Rodriguez from Sacramento Custom Remodeling.
A Stairway To Somewhere
Due to the physical nature of stairs, protecting them can often be tricky. Suitable for pro’s and homeowners alike, this Flex & Form Conformable Runner it’s an affordable solution for an age-old problem.
When Dreams Become Reality
Slowly your years of dreaming begin to unfold from the layers of Plastic Sheeting and Construction paper. The remaining dust and debris reside in a Shop-Vac tucked away in your garage or basement. No more washing dishes in the basement sink, cooking for 6 on a camp stove or screaming at a plumber called Tom. Congratulations – you’ve survived and hopefully by following some basic protective procedures your beloved castle and kingdom did too.