In the world of home improvement, there are three words that often are used interchangeably, as if they all meant the same thing: remodel, renovate, restore.
Well, spoiler alert, they’re not the same thing. For you to achieve the desired outcome at a price you find fair and reasonable, it’s important you understand how they differ.
Remodeling is the act of altering the structure or form of a room or building. Removing walls, raising ceilings, or expanding the square footage of a home all fall into the remodeling category. And while a remodel might be the best way for you to turn your home from a 3- to a 4-bedroom house, it’s almost always the most expensive of our three options. That’s because it typically requires the most materials and labor. Remodeling also usually takes longer than renovating or restoring.
Renovation is the process of fixing or improving, not starting over. Old elements might be taken out, new ones added, but the room’s footprint doesn’t change. Let’s say you’re tired of your 1980s kitchen and decide to paint or replace the cabinets, install a new counter-top and backsplash, and add new flooring. That’s a renovation. Deciding in mid-stream to knock down a wall between the kitchen and an adjacent room, however, elevates project status to remodeling.
Restoration involves restoring something once beautiful or perfect to its former glory. Common restoration projects encompass antiques, refinishing hardwood floors, stripping away layers of wallpaper until you reach the original plaster wall, and make the necessary repairs. If, however, you replace it with sheetrock, you’ve suddenly jumped into the renovation lane.
No matter which way you go, it takes time, effort, and money complete your mission. It also may take changes to your home heating and cooling systems to ensure you not only don’t sacrifice but gain greater comfort and convenience. Optimum Air can help ensure that happens, and it all starts with a free in-home comfort analysis. Contact us today and allow us to apply our best thinking and planning skills to the project at hand.