Category: Projects

Whether you’re the kind of person who goes into a renovation excited or filled with anxiety, you should give yourself the time to carefully think through all the important decisions you’ll have to make throughout the process. To avoid spending money on choices you’ll regret, here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider your next home update.

How and when will you use the space?

Think carefully about why you want to renovate in the first place and be realistic about how much use the room will get. How often will you use the home gym, or how much use will the kids’ playroom get?

How are you going to pay for this?

No one should have to regret their reno, but spending can easily get out of hand. Be sure to set out a budget beforehand and consider expenses. Having a plan and a solid idea of what you can afford is always best, even if you deviate from it during the project.

Does return on investment really matter to you?

Some updates are better than others for resale value and securing more equity in your home. For resale, a fresh coat of paint is the best reno you can invest in for ROI. Updating the kitchen or bathrooms is costlier, but can add that wow-factor when trying to sell in a challenging market. While you shouldn’t base your reno plans based on ROI alone, it’s worth considering so you go into the project with a realistic mindset.

If you are planning any home improvement projects and renovations, come in and talk to our design experts today. We are ready to help you choose the right products to create your dream home. Cabinets, faucets, flooring, paint and more, we have everything you need at all three of our locations – RONA Dutton, Rodney and Springfield.

https://greatlakesrona.com
Your Local Lumber and Hardware Store

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Before heading outside for holiday decorating, have a plan in mind so you’ll be prepared to deck the halls safely. Here are some tips to consider:

Look up and around

When installing lights, be mindful of your surroundings and locate overhead powerlines. They may be hidden within trees. Always keep your decorating tools such as ladders and extension poles three metres away from powerlines. Electricity can arc and direct contact is not required for serious injury.
https://www.rona.ca/en/tools/ladders-stools-and-scaffolding

Add colour
Lights come in all shapes and colours. Consider a palette that goes with the outside of your home, and even the neighbourhood. Think gold and red to add warmth or blues and whites for drama. You can collaborate with your family and neighbours on a fun look this year.
https://www.rona.ca/en/christmas-decorations/decorative-lights

Plug in safely
Make sure that your electrical décor, such as lights or an inflatable Santa, is approved or certified and for outdoor use. It’s always best to plug electrical decorations into GFCI-protected outlets. The number of hazards outdoors increases and GFCI-protected outlets help to keep you safe when plugging in decorations. If you don’t have GFCIs, you can use a portable one or hire a licensed electrical contracting business to install one permanently. While it is fun to brighten up outside, be mindful of energy use. Set reminder or use an approved automatic timer to turn décor on and off.
https://www.rona.ca/en/electrical/cords-and-timers

You will find everything you need to decorate the outside of your home this holiday season at all three of our locations – RONA Dutton, Rodney and Springfield.

http://greatlakesrona.com
Your Local Lumber and Hardware Store

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As Canadians, the routine of preparing ourselves for the winter months is one that is all too familiar. Well before the first snow fall, we make sure our fleeced jackets, gloves, and boots are ready to go. But when it comes to prepping the house for those cold and snowy months ahead – well that’s a different story. To help get your home winter-ready, we’ve rounded up some useful tips. 

Cut the draft

Keeping the heat in and the cold out should be at the top of your list when winter-proofing your house. The best way to do this is by making sure your windows and doors are properly sealed. If you feel a draft around a door or window frame, you may want to replace the weather-stripping to ensure a tight seal. 

Empty exterior pipes

To avoid having your water pipes freeze and burst, shut off the water supply to all outdoor taps and faucets until next spring. It’s also important to open the taps and drain them completely once you’ve turned them off. 

Inspect gutters, roof, and exterior walls

Emptying gutters of clogged leaves, dirt and debris can help ensure proper drainage of any rain or melting snow. You’ll also want to make sure your gutters are firmly attached. While you’re up there, inspect your roof for any broken, loose, or missing shingles. Replacing damaged shingles will help avoid any leaks that could happen if the temperature drops with a pile of snow on the roof. If you have a metal roof you may want to consider installing snow jacks. Snow jacks help prevent snow and ice from falling off your roof all at once which can cause damage to your gutters and other objects or people below your roof.

Have your furnace professionally serviced

It’s a good idea to schedule a maintenance check each year to ensure your furnace is in good working order. Doing this not only ensures you’ll stay warm inside, but regular maintenance can also help prevent major problems down the road, saving you more money in the long run. 

While these activities may seem tedious, prepping your home for the winter should be a routine that becomes familiar with time. You will find everything you need to get your home winter ready at all three of our RONA locations – Dutton, Rodney and Springfield.

http://greatlakesrona.com
Your Local Lumber and Hardware Store

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When it comes to home improvement on a budget, the kitchen can feel like a non-starter. Appliances, flooring and countertops are all expensive to switch out, and the amount of work is basically a renovation. But take a second look—you have kitchen DIY options that won’t break your back or your budget. Try wallet- and work-friendly updates to these areas:

Cabinet Colour

Replacing your cabinets is pricey and messy. But you’ll amaze yourself with how much personality a fresh coat of paint can add to your kitchen. Brighten up dark doors to create a bright, clean and airy feel. Take plain white cabinets and drawers, and paint on a layer of mahogany sophistication. Feeling bold? Paint with a bright accent colour like red or blue to really let that part of your kitchen pop. Switch out the hardware to a new metal and you’ll end up with completely new cabinetry.

https://www.rona.ca/en/paint/furniture-and-cabinet-paint

The Lighting

The great thing about swapping your lighting setup is that it will enhance all your other DIY choices. Go with a central hanging light for a classic feel, or a set of track lights to put the spotlight exactly where you want it. Many kitchens have an unused light fixture in the ceiling, so you can even add a second set of lights without having to worry about rewiring or tearing into the ceiling.

https://www.rona.ca/en/lighting-and-ceiling-fans

Your Faucet

DIY that makes an impact doesn’t have to mean everything but the kitchen sink. A new faucet is easy to install, and it can make a surprising difference to the feel of your kitchen. Look for one that matches form with function: a pull-down faucet will let you more easily keep the sink pristine. A timeless design with a modern feel can fit into just about any kitchen.

https://www.rona.ca/en/kitchen/kitchen-faucets

Ready to update your kitchen? Contact Clair, our kitchen and bath designer, at our Rodney location for your next project!

http://greatlakesrona.com
Your Local Lumber and Hardware Store

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If you’re going to put the time and money into updating your home, it would be nice to know that your efforts will also pay off when you decide to sell. Finding a project with a strong return on your investment, or ROI, isn’t as hard as it might seem. Here a few ideas to get you started.

A fresh coat of paint

A fresh coat of paint on the interior and exterior of your home is one of the simplest and most affordable home updates available. And you can recoup up to about 70 per cent of the cost – quite significant. We offer so many paint colours to choose from. Come in and let us help you find the perfect colour for your home.

https://www.rona.ca/en/paint

A fantastic new floor

If your home is covered in carpet and you’re planning to sell, it’s likely worth the money to replace it with luxury vinyl, laminate or hardwood flooring. Buyers are wary of carpets, as they assume they’ll need a serious (and expensive) deep clean upon move in. You’ll appreciate the fresh feel and contemporary look a new floor gives your home in addition to its attraction to sellers. Come in and talk to our flooring experts today! We can help you pick the right flooring option for your home.

https://www.rona.ca/en/flooring-and-ceramic-tile

A safe and cozy space

Back-to-basics renos like improving insulation or replacing knob-and-tube wiring go the furthest towards paying for themselves. Not only will you appreciate having a safer and more comfortable home, you’ll also be able to reassure any potential buyer that these factors are all up to code.

https://www.rona.ca/en/building-supplies/insulation-16660

An elegant exterior update

Curb appeal matters. The feeling of the outside of your home provides a first impression and can affect how much someone is willing to bid for your property. Whether it’s a new front door, windows, siding or just paint, we have everything you need to get the job done and update the curb appeal of your home.

https://www.rona.ca/en/exterior-siding

https://www.rona.ca/en/doors-and-windows

https://www.rona.ca/en/paint/exterior-paint

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With the change in season, it’s time to tackle your home maintenance checklist. From safety precautions to appliance upkeep, here are tips to help you breeze into fall.

Clean your furnace filter.

Dirty filters mean your furnace must work harder. Regularly changing the filters in your central air and heating system can significantly improve their efficiency and longevity. Change filters monthly throughout the heating and cooling seasons, and have your furnace serviced annually by a professional to ensure it’s working properly.
https://www.rona.ca/en/heating-cooling-and-ventilation/ventilation/filters-146515

Install home safety.

The Canadian National Fire Information Database reports that 80 per cent of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms, often due to missing batteries or expired alarms. Proper smoke alarm placement, regular maintenance and alarm replacement are essential to keeping everybody protected, so be sure to install alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and in every bedroom. Replace batteries at least every six months, or make maintenance easier with a 2-in-1 smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.

https://www.rona.ca/en/electrical/fire-safety

Check your roof and clean your gutters.

Rapidly changing temperatures and humidity can wreak havoc on roofs. Water damage can cause deterioration to insulation, wood and drywall, making electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems vulnerable to damage. Inspect for missing and loose shingles, replacing them as needed, or have a licensed, certified roofing professional check the condition of your roof. Clear your gutters of leaves and debris, flush them with water and make repairs if necessary. You may also consider replacing old or damaged gutters with new ones that have built-in leaf guards.

https://www.rona.ca/en/building-supplies/roofing-and-gutters

Test for radon.

Radon is an invisible, odourless gas that can seep from the soil through cracks in the foundation. After smoking, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, according to Statistics Canada. A simple DIY test kit can be purchased to determine if you have a safe radon level in your home.

https://www.rona.ca/en/electrical/fire-safety/radon-gas-detectors

We have everything you need to tackle all of your fall home maintenance checklist. Come in and talk to the experts at any of our three RONA locations – Dutton, Rodney and Springfield.

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While the warm summer nights and beautiful fall leaves are magical, there comes a time when the cottage has to be closed up until next spring.

Before leaving for another season, it pays to go over the condition of your property and make any repairs to avoid nasty surprises. Here are some key things to do before closing up for the winter:

• Drain your pipes and/or leave your heat on low.
• Examine the septic tank and sump pump; ensure the sump pump has backup battery power.
• Unplug appliances to avoid issues if flooding does occur.
• Inspect your roof and any precarious trees nearby.
• Clean out eavestroughs as they can lead to water damage if blocked.
• Clear space around the foundation, aiming downspouts away from it.
• Review your insurance policy and make sure you have the proper coverage.

Devastating weather events such as heavy rainstorms are increasingly common, so it’s also crucial to take steps to prevent damage to your property from extreme conditions. Be sure to secure outdoor furniture or bring it inside, sign up with your utility company for outage alerts, and have a plan in place for what you’ll do in the event of a storm. Looking after these concerns can help prevent damage over the winter.

If you need to make any repairs, stop in and see our team of experts. We carry a large selection of products you need to complete any job, big or small, and have three great locations to serve you – RONA Dutton, Rodney & Springfield.

www.http://greatlakesrona.com

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