DIY Painting Projects

If you are looking to improve your home without spending much money, one of the most efficient ways to do that is painting. Paints are affordable, and you don’t have to worry about the labor cost because you can do it yourself. All you need is a weekend and to know what you want to achieve. DIY painting even gives you more options and creative freedom, and of course, you get to have all the fun. Here, we list some of the painting projects you can handle yourself.

Makeover Old Furniture:

Old furniture such as wardrobe, shelves, cupboards, and cabinets can be an eyesore. Sometimes, you even begin to think they are no longer useful and should be discarded. Before you make such a decision, you should try painting the furniture. Painting is like a magical spell that can transform your dated furniture into something fresh and brilliant. The key to getting your makeover right is letting your creativity go as far as they want. Don’t just use the regular colors you are used to. Add a dash of the very unexpected, and you can always mix up the colors. For instance, if you paint a bookshelf, you can mix a bright color on the outside with a deep and dull one on the inside.

Paint Your Ceiling:

The ceiling is the fifth wall and, sadly, one that most homeowners fail to pay attention to. But you can correct that mistake as part of your DIY painting project. Instead of leaving your ceiling in that regular white color, retouch it a pop of bright and pretty color. All you have to do is to make sure it matches your home decor and other paintings. Dining rooms ceilings are an excellent place to start, and if you’re not sure how to go about it, you can always ask a professional painter to guide you.

Try A Chalkboard Project:

This is quite a simple and easy project. You can paint this anywhere from the walls to the cabinet doors. You don’t have to make many choices in terms of color, and you can easily map out the area you wish to paint. Within hours, you are done. A chalkboard can serve many purposes in your home; you just need to paint one first.

Add an Accent Wall:

An accent wall is quite straightforward to paint and transform any room. Change the look of things within your space with a new color that could also serve as a focal point. All you need to do is choose a color that works effectively with the palette you have already.

Paint Your Throw Pillow:

Yes, this is not a wall or furniture, but it is a great way to express your creativity and create your style. You can never go wrong with painting throw pillows because as much as we ordinarily ignore them, a pop of color will transform not only the pillows but any room they are in. Get fabric paints and stencils and get to work.

Conclusion

Working with paint is a great way to get in touch with your creative self, even if it doesn’t look like you have one.

Painting Companies in Oahu

When it comes to home improvements, painting is that activity that can make the most impact. With painting, homes that could pass for an eyesore in the past are suddenly transformed into a beautiful edifice. However, for this to happen, you will need to use the right painting contractor who will not only use the quality low to zero VOC paints but is a wizard at the job. If you are in Oahu and looking to paint your residential or commercial building, we have listed some painting companies on the island.

Oahu Pro Painters:

This is a professional painting contractor that handles interior and exterior painting for commercial and residential buildings. It is not restricted to Oahu as it provides painting services for at least 11 other areas in Hawaii, such as Diamond Head, Manoa, Pearl City, Hawaii Kai, Kapolei, etc. It has a team of trained professionals with decades of painting experience who can help you handle your painting and repair projects favorable costs.

Freshcoat Painting Hawaii:

When it comes to experience, this painting contractor ranks very high on the list. It has completed over 3000 projects in over 20 years. This shows how much it is trusted by both commercial and residential homeowners in Hawaii. It provides diligent and quality service through which it has established a reputation for itself. This painting company is EPA Lead-Safe certified, fully insured, licensed, and offers clients free consultation and estimates before the actual painting starts. It prides itself on providing quality services to locals with honesty and dignity. Its services include interior and exterior painting, touch-ups, wood and deck staining, restoration, pressure washing, lead-based remediation, and lots more.

Oahu Painting Contractors:

This painting company is located in the heart of Oahu. They have been in the painting business for a very long time and will help you paint your home in a way that leaves your neighbors and family astonished by the beauty of your home. Beyond handling paint and paintbrush, our painters know how to give your home a seamless finish on the exterior and interior. They provide different types of painting services such as murals, decorative works, removal of wallpaper and paints, textured applications, etc. They will help you with choosing colors and painting your home in the most suitable manner. Their services include commercial painting, residential painting, trim and ceiling, graphics and detailing, pressure washing, among many others.

Impact Painting:

If you are looking for eco-friendly and top-quality painting services in Oahu, this is the company to try out. It has a team of professional painters that have worked with builders, general contractors, homeowners, and businesses. They use low VOC paints to achieve outstanding results on various buildings and provide their services all over Hawaii, focusing on Oahu, North Shore, and Diamond Head. Their painting process is a detailed step-by-step one that includes a free estimate, color consultation, paint preparation, the actual painting, cleanup, and walkthrough to ascertain their work results.

Conclusion

There are countless other painting contractors based in Oahu that will provide you with excellent painting services. In picking one, you should consider several factors, such as the reviews of previous customers, the budget, and the contractor’s past works, among other basic details. You can count on recommendations of friends and family too in choosing the right painting company.

Most Expensive Pools to Install

A swimming pool is a great facility to have in your home. It is a nice relaxation spot any day, a good place to cool off during summer, and swimming has physical and mental health benefits. That is why it is not surprising that many homeowners consider a swimming pool as one of their top home improvement projects. The one thing that discourages most people is the cost of owning a swimming pool. This cost includes the initial cost of installation and subsequent maintenance costs. Here, we examine different swimming pools based on how expensive it costs to install them.

When it comes to pools, many things determine how expensive they will be. There is the size, the materials, and the cost of installation. The installation cost is influenced by materials used to build the swimming pool and the type of pool in question.

Installation Cost By Swimming Pool Type

Above Ground Pool: An above ground swimming pool is constructed with its base on the ground level. It is cheaper to install these types of pools, depending on the type and size you need to install. For instance, a 4 foot above ground pool for kids would be easy to install and cost much less than a bigger category. However, the usual thing is that the cheaper the pool, the less durable it would be. An above-ground pool could cost as low as $700, and you could also find one that costs as much as $10,000. In installing an above ground pool, there are some that you just place on the deck or wherever you wish to install it, and they are good to go, but for the actual swimming pools, there are usually reinforcements to keep the pool attached to the group. A wrap-around deck is constructed to protect the pool and make it durable.

In-ground Swimming Pool: The cost of installing an in-ground swimming pool may vary based on several factors, but it is generally costlier than above-ground installation. Labor cost contributes a sizable part of the cost because an in-ground swimming pool usually means a lot of work for the contractor. Even for prefabricated pools like fiberglass, there is still a need to excavate the soil before it can be installed.

Installation Cost Based on Material Used

The material used to build the swimming pool also affects the cost of installation significantly. This is because the material will determine the extent of labor necessary for the installation and what type of pool it would be. Here is a detailed explanation of cost based on the material used.

Concrete Pool: Concrete pools are the most versatile when it comes to variety in design, shape, and size. They are also the most expensive to install and maintain. The average cost of installation for a concrete pool is between $20,000 to $30,000, and the overall cost can go as high as about $100,000 on a custom job. The installation cost for concrete is this high mainly because it is built on-site, from the ground up. Thus, it takes weeks and sometimes months to complete the construction of a concrete pool.

Fiberglass Pool: This pool is prefabricated, so the cost of installation is less than that of concrete. In fact, installation can be done in a matter of days, thus reducing the labor cost. The cost of owning a Fiberglass pool plus the installation is between $20,000 to $60,000. The features of the pool will determine the actual cost of installation.

Vinyl Liner Pool: This is the cheapest of pool types in terms of material and installation. The overall cost for this pool is between $20,000 to $50,000.

Bottom line

When it comes to the most expensive pool to install, an in-ground concrete pool costs the most. However, it is very durable, and with proper maintenance, you will enjoy your moneys worth. Make sure on your journey to finding the right pool builder for you that you look at all the options. Then, pick whoever gives you the best feeling and works best with your design!

Swimming pool

Different Types Of Pools To Install

Like everything else, swimming pools come in different shapes, sizes, and styles depending on personal taste and purpose. When constructing a swimming pool, factors such as budget, building permits, materials, and available space would determine the type and style of pool, you will build or install on your property. Here, we look at the various styles of pools available so you can see the options you have when building one.

Above Ground Pool:

The type of pool has the advantage of being less costly than most swimming pools. It is installed above ground level and portable enough to be transferred from one location to another, so you can get it even for the house you’re living in as a tenant.

Architectural Pool:

This is a pool usually built along with the house, and it reflects the home form in its construction. It is not just a pool but an architectural feature of the house with a geometric and sophisticated appearance.

Family Or Recreational Pool:

This is more of a small recreational water park than an ordinary swimming pool. A family pool has several features such as tunnels, slides, boulders, caves, etc. which makes them fun for people of all ages. It is the kind of pool that children would enjoy the most.

Infinity Pool:

This is also known as zero edge pool, negative edge, vanishing edge, among many other names. This pool style is special in the sense that they usually highlight a view and, when constructed properly, appears like the water is dropping off like a waterfall off the edge of the property. While this is an illusion, it is a very expensive illusion to create.

Indoor Pool:

An indoor swimming pool is built inside and protected from the natural elements with a roof and at least three walls. They are usually used for swimming for training and swimming in locations where the weather can be freezing cold at some point. 

Lap Pool:

This pool is purposely built for fitness or training. It is a narrow pool with about 50 feet in length and can be constructed on a long and narrow piece of land.

Plunge Pool: This a small cold-water pool that is usually built for use by those who have just finished a sauna or workout session. It originated from ancient China and Rome, where it is believed that doing so is therapeutic. While they look like a spa, they are opposite in terms of water temperature.

Spool: A spool combines a spa and a pool. This pool style is usually built on small lots where a full-size pool would take too much space, making a spool a pretty good idea for a relaxation spot, especially on hot days.

Natural Pool:

This is a self-cleaning pool that is a combination of a garden and a swimming area. The pool itself can be in a rustic form with natural features or can have a modern look. 

There you have the styles of pools you can build for your home. Depending on your budget or space, any of these pool styles provide room for relaxation and cooling off. There are an incredible amount of different custom style pools you can create and it is up to you to get creative with it.

How Concrete Skate Parks Are Made

Skate parks are now a common sight in most areas today. They allow you to skateboard, among other recreational activities. However, one beauty about skate parks is that they come in diverse forms. Even more, they reflect deep, undulating patterns that have blocky and geometric structures.

You’ll most likely see them every day in your community, from picnic tables to swimming pools and handrails. So, are you wondering just how they come to be?

Let’s find out about how concrete skate parks get made. We’ll also examine their significant elements.

Step by Step Approach to Making a Skate Park

Research: The first step towards building a skate park is to determine just how many people you intend to service with the park. As such, you’ll need to know the number of skaters within your community.
At this stage, it would be best also to examine the pricing relevant to each pack. This is because, thanks to location differences, this pricing is not similar. So, ensure you research the prices relative to your town size and location. You can always contact builders who worked around your area to gain more insight.


Build your team: the next step is to get yourself a skateboard association. This association will function as a non-profit organization and organize fundraisers on behalf of the park. It will also ensure that people are aware of the park through the various marketing mix.
However, it is necessary to ensure that you create a diverse team at this stage. This will ensure you present a stronger outlook. Ensure you satisfy other formal requirements such as registration and opening a bank account.


Fundraising and awareness: At this stage, the idea is to ensure that people understand the relevance of a skateboard in their town. You’ll achieve this by letting them know the benefits and positive effects that it brings.
You can then begin sourcing for funds by presenting why it’s an excellent investment. There are various options through which you can achieve this. It includes government grants, local investment, and corporate sponsorship deals.


Design and building: This stage involves the actual designing and construction of the whole operation. However, to ensure that this works well, you’ll need to do the following:

-Design the skate parks for the enjoyment of everyone
-Ensure it’s beautiful
-Pick a central and easily accessible location
-Ensure that it’s close to other public amenities
-Pay attention to usability concerns such as flow, traffic, speed, stylistic -discipline, and visibility inside the skating area
-Pay attention to functional concerns such as capacity, access, drainage and safety, security, operation, maintenance, and seating.

Elements of a Concrete Skate Park

Various components make up a concrete skate park. The primary elements include:

Quarter pipe: this involves a narrow rod, usually metal, that runs the whole length of your skate park’s top edge

Halfpipe: this involves a double quarter pipe that faces each other
Bowl: enclosed quarter pipes that form a curve around the corner

Feck: a flat and elevated area that functions as the staging area
Spine: this involves double quarter pipe that’s placed against each other.