Fishing for a Better Remodel

Though a worm and bobber might be sufficient for those who are just fishing for fun, to land a whopper takes something a little more specialized. In much the same way as the best fishermen have their baits of choice, professional contractors know which materials make the best and most durable installations. Since there are as many building materials on the market as there are fishing lures, knowing the ones that will do the best job can be difficult. If you're looking to remodel in the near future, here are a few materials we think are well worth considering.

Fiber-Cement Siding
Also known by the brand name Hardie, fiber-cement is one of the most practical materials out there for homeowners fishing for a keeper. While not as classically appealing as brick or stone, fiber-cement is near as tough, and a whole lot cheaper, to boot! Impervious to moisture in all its forms, fiber-cement siding is also impact and insect resistant, as well as fireproof. It holds paint like nobody's business, and it performs well in both sweltering and freezing temperatures. Though a lot of folks get reeled into vinyl siding because of its low maintenance, easy installation, and relatively low cost, for a few dollars more, fiber-cement offers long-lasting protection for your home, and looks good doing it!

Faux Wood Flooring
Just as many people may have been turned off to fishing by dealing with live bait, many homeowners have a low opinion of faux wood flooring because of a cheap or old installation that just looked fake. However, while few advancements have been made in the world of minnows and night crawlers, faux wood today is a far cry from its predecessors.

When properly installed, high quality laminate flooring is an excellent replication of the real thing. Additionally, laminate flooring has some attributes that real hardwood can only dream of! High quality faux wood is far more moisture resistant than genuine hardwood, which means that it can be installed in places where hardwood would succumb to warping and other issues. Faux wood is easier to install, and it comes in so many different 'species' that you'll be sure to find one that suits your tastes. Though laminate flooring doesn't carry the same status as genuine hardwood, it doesn't carry the same high price tag, either! For a deep discount, you can afford floors that look just as good as hardwood, and actually function better in some ways.

Natural Stone Counters
When you speak of classic appeal in the realm of remodeling, it's hard to mention the natural beauty and uncommon quality of stone counters. Though certainly more expensive than laminate or tile, a good stone counter is likely the last counter you'll ever need to purchase. It is important, however, to make sure where you cast your line when dealing with materials like granite, quartz, and marble. Though each of these materials has an impressive ring to them, quality varies dramatically from one counter to another. While they might seem indestructible, some stone counters are vulnerable to pooled liquid, burns, and chips. The big problem is, once a stone slab is noticeably marked, it can be next to impossible to remove that mark without replacing the slab. Make sure you start out with high quality stone, and always make sure your natural stone counters are properly sealed.

In our esteem, each of these three materials is worth mounting, but just as you're unlikely to catch a catfish with a fly rod, none of these materials is infallible when installed poorly. If you plan on a do-it-yourself job (not recommended for fiber-cement installation), make sure you take the time to learn about your material and do the job right. If you're inexperienced, a good contractor (much like a deep sea fishing guide) can be the difference between a great project and one that's full of dead ends and wrong turns. Thankfully, either is just a click away!