In relation to home building, upgrading, and design, there are so many different terms and concepts that one needs to be aware of. While all this building jargon might seem overwhelming, getting the best result possible is often dependent upon having an inherent understanding of these terms.
Being able to distinguish between phrases such as renovating and remodelling is one such example. While they both involve working on an existing dwelling, renovating and remodelling are associated with different processes as well as different time and budget expectations.
Noting the distinction between these terms can help you to embark on the right project for your house. It can also go a long way towards helping you engage the right tools and support crew such as contractors and even architects.
Defining Renovation
When it comes to upgrading a home you can either choose to renovate or remodel. The exact process will depend on the individual home and how extensive work will need to be. In some cases, renovating will be enough.
Renovation is essentially a building glow-up. Rather than tearing things down, you are looking to refresh the home by fixing different issues, improving on things, or adding to what already exists.
With a predominant focus on aesthetics, renovation tasks involve everything from the installation of new appliances and fixtures in the kitchen to upgrading the lighting system and re-painting walls in common areas like the bedroom and living room.
At the heart of renovations is the notion of improving and updating what your home already boasts. With this in mind, renovation is often incredibly DIY-friendly as most amateur renovators can work their way around a paintbrush or set of new flooring.
Understanding Remodelling
Where renovation is focused on aesthetic improvements, remodelling looks to breathe new life into a home through structural improvements. As such, remodelling is often characterised as an extensive process that encompasses tasks ranging from adding or removing walls to changing to square footage of the existing home.
With such fundamental changes being made, a range of different professionals needs to be consulted on a remodelling project. Rather than a small DIY job, remodelling involves approvals from counsel and assistance from architects, engineers, and builders.
All of this added expertise is needed to safely change the functionality of the home through tasks such as digging footings for additions, reframing the house, or working to reroute any plumbing or electrical works in order to change room configurations.
Key Differences Between Renovation and Remodelling
While renovation and remodelling processes involve tasks that change the home in some way, shape, or form, there are fundamental differences to consider. Firstly, one method of home upgrades focuses on preservation while the other centres around significant change.
With renovation, homeowners are employing a tactic that preserves the heart of the home while providing aesthetic-based upgrades to make it look more in line with a certain style. With remodelling, significant changes are made to improve the home’s style and function.
In terms of differences, it’s also important to mention the notion of structural alterations. With remodelling, structural changes are made to make the home bigger or remove a wall in order to embrace open plan living. With renovation, changes are not rooted in structure but rather, in aesthetics.
It is also worth noting that renovation and remodelling have a different impact on your home’s layout and functionality. With renovation, functionality might improve because your new flooring allows for your dog to roam without fear of scratching. With remodelling, the home’s layout often changes and thus, the way you function within the home changes.
Factors Influencing the Choice Between Renovation and Remodelling
When choosing between renovating or remodelling a home, many different factors work to influence the eventual choice. One such factor is that of time and the associated schedule for completing work.
A renovation project
might encompass a whole weekend or perhaps a month in order to repaint the kitchen and install new cabinetry. With a remodelling project, it may take a month to organise the relevant permits and trades. As such, if time is of the essence, you might have to go with a renovation in order to meet a tighter deadline.
Budget considerations will also influence the final decision between remodelling or renovating. Put simply, remodelling often costs more than renovating. You are not only paying for materials to build that new wall, but you are also paying for the expertise to ensure that any such additions are structurally sound.
Finally, individualised desires will also factor into the decision-making process. If your heart is set on adding a level to your home in order to make more room for the kids, you will need to remodel. If you are looking to give the illusion of space, look to renovate by painting walls with a lighter, warmer colour palette.
Try These if You Are Planning a Renovation
With a renovation centering around improving the home’s aesthetics, there are many different DIY projects homeowners can employ. From quick and easy tasks to more involved projects, renovating can be as simple or as complex as you need.
A good way to enhance aesthetics is by looking to install retractable fly screens on doors ranging from bifold and sliding to French. Such a simple touch can improve aesthetics because it gives the impression of seamless indoor/outdoor living.
For those looking to refresh their home, a relatively simple renovation task such as refreshing the colour scheme can work wonders. By lightening up some of the colour palettes, you can give the illusion of space and imbue the home with a certain sense of warmth and style.
Another great renovation project is installing technology or fixtures that can help energy efficiency
.
For example,
using retractable fly screens
to facilitate indoor/outdoor living helps bring more light and warmth. This helps reduce the reliance on turning on lights or the heater in the colder months.
Top Ideas for Your Remodelling
A remodelling project looks at the whole house and how to change its structure in order to transform rooms, their purpose, and their functionality levels. With this in mind, a great remodelling project centres around creating an open floor plan
.
By changing the overall layout, you can eliminate the feeling of being boxed in. By removing walls that aren’t load-bearing, you can essentially open up your house, creating a certain sense of connection without compromising on space.
Another way to transform the home through remodelling is by adding an extra room such as a sunroom. By employing a technique to expand your home’s square footage, you can create a space that is unique and will be frequented throughout the year when relaxation beckons.
Along with the kitchen, the bathroom is one of the hubs of the home. Frequented multiple times a day by everyone in the house, functionality is key. Otherwise, you might find people banging on the door as they await their turn. To minimise wait times and arguments, you might look to undergo a bathroom remodel that separates out the toilet from the shower or bathroom.
Final Thoughts
Undergoing any work on a home is a major endeavour. Whether looking to change elements of functionality through a remodel or hoping to improve aesthetic appeal through a renovation, you need time, space, and the relevant background knowledge to make the right decision.
While renovating or remodelling is all down to personal preference, it’s often best to start either process by taking some time to think. Will improving a few key things like the flooring and installing retractable fly screens
fit your vision, or, is something more extensive required in order to meet your goals?
By asking this question at the beginning and understanding the difference between renovating and remodelling, you have the information needed to embark on the right path. Ensuring that the end result of the remodel or renovation meets your specific needs and preferences.
For help realising your renovation or remodelling goals,
contact the Artilux team
today.
