Friday, 28 September 2012

Oakville Family Lawyers

If you are searching for Oakville lawyers, contact the office of Kyle & van der Steen LLP to learn more about what we have to offer. Whether you need a family law Oakville lawyer, a divorce lawyer Oakville or you are involved in a business dispute, we can help. Our law office has been established in Oakville, Ontario for the past 20 years. The firm consists of two lawyers and two partners who have more than 40 years of combined experience serving the needs of the Oakville community.

We Handle All of Your Oakville Family Law Concerns

As family law Oakville lawyers, we understand that you are experiencing a difficult time in your life. While we can't take away the pain of your situation, we can help you get through it as stress-free as possible. Because we know every situation is different, our attorneys take the time to meet with you to learn more about what you are facing. Some of the common areas that our divorce lawyers Oakville deal with are divorce, child custody, child support, asset division and more. If you are facing a divorce that is simple and uncontested, we can prepare and file a motion and obtain the final certificate of divorce on your behalf.

Other areas of Oakville family law that you may need help with include writing a will, estate planning and appointing a power of attorney for mentally incompetent loved ones. The experienced attorneys at Kyle & van der Steen LLP are prepared to help you through this often cumbersome process. Even if you have already written your will, there are some areas you may have neglected to cover. Our lawyers will ensure that you address every area in order to ensure that your wishes are followed after you have passed away.

Business Law

Our Oakville lawyers are available to assist you with business incorporation, buying or selling a business, establishing shareholder agreements, handling employment issues and more. One of our partners, Ronald van der Steen, previously worked in the construction field for 10 years before studying law. This gives him a unique advantage and understanding of contractor disputes. We also specialize in real estate law for both corporate and private clients.

Repairing Stucco

Many historic Toronto homes have stucco as the exterior moulding. While it is a beautiful addition to any building, it can be hard to maintain. Homeowners with stucco must keep the material in good condition with regular inspection. Advanced damage can be expensive. A homeowner must be prepared to have any damage repaired early.

Inspect for damage

Homeowners should routinely check the stucco to assess its condition. Areas of stucco which are missing or which have layers missing will be easy to see. Other areas such as bulges or cracks may be more difficult to inspect, especially if they are in a hard-to-reach or high area. Portions of stucco that sound hollow or areas which give an echo when gently tapped with a wooden mallet are unsound and should be repaired or replaced. Depending on the degree of damage, a local stucco contractor will recommend repair or replacement.

Water is the primary cause of most stucco damage. On the roof, water that enters through damaged shingles or penetrates the flashing around chimneys or ventilation pipes will often find its way to the wood lath under the stucco. This moisture causes the wood to rot, the support metal and nails to oxidize and the stucco to separate from its base material.

Ground level damage to stucco can also occur. Excess ground water or rain water that splashes up from the ground can soak the stucco and its foundation. Continuous wetness will cause stucco to lose its adherence.

Once the homeowner locates an area of damage, it should be easy to determine its cause. It is important to repair any cause of stucco damage before repairing or replacing the stucco. This helps avoid repeat damage.

Hire an expert

Stucco repair is extremely difficult to do properly and should be handled by a qualified stucco contractor. This is especially true with historical stucco. Homeowners who are seeking expert stucco repair should look for a local stucco contractor Toronto residents trust. A stucco contractor who knows the historical style and the type of stucco Toronto homes have will be able to provide the best repair service.

After the repairs

After the stucco contractor has made repairs, homeowners should take steps to ensure the stucco does not dry too quickly. Stucco that dries at too fast a pace will crack. The homeowner should provide shade or a covering for the next two to three days. It is especially important if the stucco contractor made the repairs in hot, dry weather.

Most stucco is finished with a coating of paint. Limewash paint is the traditionally favored top coat for stucco. It actually bonds with the stucco to create an extremely strong finish.

If it is necessary to repaint with a finish other than cement-based limewash after stucco repairs have been completed, the homeowner must take certain precautions. Latex paint can be applied to damp stucco, but homeowners should wait for one year before painting the stucco with oil-based finishes. Also, all peeling or flaking paint on original stucco should be removed with hand scrapers or animal-hair bristle brushes before applying paint.

Mouldex Mouldings

Moulding serves an important purpose in your home. Hiding the transition between walls and floor, it protects areas and creates visual interest. Added to areas of the home for visual appeal, moulding will increase home value and make your property stand out from others in the area. When it comes to dressing your home up with elegant mouldings, Mouldex can help you achieve the perfect look.

Envision it Ahead of Time
The addition of moulding can make a drastic difference in how your home looks. Crown moulding makes any room more sophisticated, and beautiful decorative moulding and trim pieces around the exterior of your home will greatly enhance curb appeal. You may have a good idea of how certain moulding will look on your home, but the reality could prove to be a little different. With free custom three-dimensional renderings, you can take the guesswork out of improving your home with moulding. Using pictures of your home and the free program, you can easily find the perfect combination for your needs.

Improve the Exterior of Your Home
Standard brick moldings serve their purpose of keeping water out of your windows, but they are bland and boring. Dull and lifeless, they don’t add anything to the home visually. Stunning exterior window trim and moldings will draw attention to your fabulous windows, add interest to the home and make a basic exterior more dramatic. Enhance the home with pilasters, columns and impressive mid-bands that look like crown moulding. Add decorative accents like Quoins on the corners and keystones above windows to create a dramatic and sophisticated look.

A Dramatic Interior
Plain ceilings don’t have to be ignored. You can add drama to any room by adding interior ceiling beams to dress up any room. Plaster ceiling beams are available in four different shapes, so you can create a stunning look for your family room or formal living room. A row of lights circling the room just below the ceiling creates a soft, welcoming glow. Encase and hide the lights with plastic light coves, so you can enjoy the gentle glow and the sophisticated look of moulding. We also offer traditional crown mouldings and impressive plaster columns to dress up any space.

The Benefits of Foam
Whether you are looking for stucco mouldings or magnificent crown moulding, Mouldex has the pieces you have been searching for. We offer foam options that are actually superior to traditional wood products. Made from inorganic materials, they will not rot or fall prey to insects. They are not harmed by the UV rays of the sun and they are not subject to mold. Requiring less maintenance, foam moulding only needs to be repainted when you are ready to change the color. A fraction of the weight of wood, it’s also easier to install and does not require additional bracing.

If you are been longing to add something wonderful to your home, consider the beauty of decorative mouldings. Your home will benefit from the old world charm of century homes, and your home value will increase. Foam mouldings are high quality, durable and more affordable than wood, so you can easily add them throughout your home.

Thursday, 27 September 2012

Mouldex Mouldings

Moulding serves an important purpose in your home. Hiding the transition between walls and floor, it protects areas and creates visual interest. Added to areas of the home for visual appeal, moulding will increase home value and make your property stand out from others in the area. When it comes to dressing your home up with elegant mouldings, Mouldex can help you achieve the perfect look.

Envision it Ahead of Time
The addition of moulding can make a drastic difference in how your home looks. Crown moulding makes any room more sophisticated, and beautiful decorative moulding and trim pieces around the exterior of your home will greatly enhance curb appeal. You may have a good idea of how certain moulding will look on your home, but the reality could prove to be a little different. With free custom three-dimensional renderings, you can take the guesswork out of improving your home with moulding. Using pictures of your home and the free program, you can easily find the perfect combination for your needs.

Improve the Exterior of Your Home
Standard brick moldings serve their purpose of keeping water out of your windows, but they are bland and boring. Dull and lifeless, they don’t add anything to the home visually. Stunning exterior window trim and moldings will draw attention to your fabulous windows, add interest to the home and make a basic exterior more dramatic. Enhance the home with pilasters, columns and impressive mid-bands that look like crown moulding. Add decorative accents like Quoins on the corners and keystones above windows to create a dramatic and sophisticated look.

A Dramatic Interior
Plain ceilings don’t have to be ignored. You can add drama to any room by adding interior ceiling beams to dress up any room. Plaster ceiling beams are available in four different shapes, so you can create a stunning look for your family room or formal living room. A row of lights circling the room just below the ceiling creates a soft, welcoming glow. Encase and hide the lights with plastic light coves, so you can enjoy the gentle glow and the sophisticated look of moulding. We also offer traditional crown mouldings and impressive plaster columns to dress up any space.

The Benefits of Foam
Whether you are looking for stucco mouldings or magnificent crown moulding, Mouldex has the pieces you have been searching for. We offer foam options that are actually superior to traditional wood products. Made from inorganic materials, they will not rot or fall prey to insects. They are not harmed by the UV rays of the sun and they are not subject to mold. Requiring less maintenance, foam moulding only needs to be repainted when you are ready to change the color. A fraction of the weight of wood, it’s also easier to install and does not require additional bracing.

If you are been longing to add something wonderful to your home, consider the beauty of decorative mouldings. Your home will benefit from the old world charm of century homes, and your home value will increase. Foam mouldings are high quality, durable and more affordable than wood, so you can easily add them throughout your home.

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Staging Your Home

If you happen to live in the Toronto area and you are trying to sell your home, you have more than likely realized how challenging the housing market can be. That’s why you need to look at every possible advantage you can when it comes to marketing and selling your home. Whether you’re trying to sell a condo or a detached home, Home Staging is a vital part of successfully completing the sale of your home or condo in a timely manner.

The first aspect to Toronto condo staging or home staging Toronto in general is to make sure that your home is clean. This is perhaps the biggest inhibitor to selling a home quickly. Unfortunately, it's also an aspect that many people trying to sell a home overlook. If you can’t do anything else, make sure that when you market your home that it's as clean as you can possibly make it.

Also, you want to make a point of removing any unnecessary clutter. Having too much stuff crammed into a home can inhibit people from seeing the home for what it is. You want enough stuff to get their attention but not so much stuff that overshadows the home itself.

You may also want to remove personal items during home viewings. One example of this is if you have a large collection of family photos; you might do well to remove those when the house is being shown to potential buyers. You can either replace them with various pieces of art or simply leave the space empty.

Another consideration when you’re home staging Toronto is to remember that research suggests that the more neutral your color palette, the easier it is to sell. While vibrant colors may be your style in home décor, those colors don’t always translate well into a space that potential buyers could envision themselves in. It may be quite a task to tone down your decorative style, if selling your house quickly is important to you, then you need to take this step.

You’ll also want to consider the outside of your home. While you don’t have to go all out to create a masterpiece landscaping scheme, making sure that there is no overgrowth and that the landscaping is adequately managed will go a long way in improving the curb appeal of your home and attracting motivated buyers.

If you want to stage your home but you have little idea as to what to do, a good suggestion is to go to a new home community and check out the furnished model homes. This will give you a very clear idea of how professionals stage a home that appeals to a large group of potential buyers.

Whether you’re looking to sell a condo or home, making it as appealing as possible is an excellent way to sell your home in quick order. Whether you’re looking at minor changes or major changes when it comes to staging your home, these changes can be extremely effective in helping people to see themselves in the home you’re selling.