Where is the best TV placement for you? In many home remodeling projects, the TV ends up in the living room.

But maybe you frequently entertain guests in your living room while your TV stays dark. If you play board games or host a sewing circle more than watch TV, perhaps you should consider another room.

Regardless of which room in your home you put the TV, make sure you keep the following items in mind.

Position in room

If watching TV is the primary activity in your TV room, take care to find the best place for it. And when deciding the best position, consider the viewers—not the TV­—first.

Position relative to seating

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers recommends that the TV screen fill at least 30 degrees of your horizontal field of view.

Product ratings website, Rtings.com, features a TV size-to-distance calculator to help determine the best seating distance. For your convenience, a sampling of its calculations are below:

Position relative to lighting

Ideally, your TV screen will be untouched by direct light or a significant reflection. That means a window on the opposite wall from the TV would be problematic.

Also, placing the TV directly in front of a window could aim two competing light sources at your eyes. This would cause eye strain and a compromised view of the screen.

The window in your TV room should be perpendicular to the screen and somewhat far from it. Letting your TV light itself will ensure you get the best picture possible.

But it’s also important to have sufficient ambient light. Many viewers’ preference for complete darkness is a poor choice for eye health.

How to mount your TV

Do you want to mount your TV or put it on a media stand? Mounting a TV looks cleaner and frees up surface space for gaming consoles or Wi-Fi routers. A traditional media stand is more straightforward and won’t require any drilling. Then you will have more flexibility to rearrange your living room.

Directly on the wall

If everyone agrees on the TV placement, mounting it like a picture on the wall may be the tidiest option. In addition to freeing surfaces, it leaves the most square footage for non-TV activities.

A swivel mount

If different viewers have different preferences, of you have a wide seating area with a varying number of viewers, a swivel mount lets you angle the screen in any direction. This customizes the viewing experience for whomever is watching. Depending on the model, you can position the TV a few feet away from the wall. Or fold it in to keep the TV out of the way.

What’s the right height?

In addition to the distance between your TV and seating, it’s important to have your TV at the right height to avoid neck strain.

Experts recommend that the middle of your TV be at eye-level while seated. This is generally about 42 inches from the floor.

Feng Shui

The Bagua map is the Feng Shui energy map that helps determine positions and directions of objects, furniture, and other inanimate objects in a home. According to Fengshuitricks.com, the Bagua map can instruct us on TV placement:

According to the Bagua map, the north side supports a person’s career and professional goals, and the powerful Yang energy of the TV can support this if you place it on the north side of the room.

You can also put your TV on the south side of the room, which supports fame and recognition according to the Bagua map in the corner.”

If your focus is more on career and success, you can place the TV in the north to bring you luck.

However, if you’re looking for fame, want more followers on social media, or just need some recognition, you can place the television on the south end of the room.

Other Feng Shui TV tips:

Consider the position of the sofa. It must be placed in a commanding position, ideally in the center of the room. Also:

• The entry to the living room must not be behind the sofa.
• There shouldn’t be any windows, mirrors, or walkways behind the sofa.
• The sofa shouldn’t face heavy furniture or staircases.

Cover the screen when not in use. Ideally, store the TV in a cabinet that can be closed when the TV is off. Alternately, you can use a sheet, blanket, or a purpose-built TV cover. Covering the screen prevents the reflection of negative energy into the room.

Avoid clutter around the TV. According to Feng Shui, eliminating clutter ensures the clear flow of energy within the home. This applies to the area around the TV—particularly for any wires connecting to video games or home theater components.

The Best TV Placement For Your Milwaukee Home Remodel

Regardless of your space or needs, contacting a qualified remodeling contractor like LaBonte Construction should be your first order of business after taking inventory.

Contact us today to set up a consultation for your next project.

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As a condo owner, you enjoy most of the same freedoms as an owner of a traditional house. But when remodeling a condo, you may realize that certain parts of your home don’t belong to you.

Your homeowner’s association (HOA) may respect the privacy and autonomy of each condo and its occupants. But it also must ensure the integrity of the entire structure, for the benefit of all residents.

So some items within your unit—like plumbing and electrical systems—are shared among multiple units, and considered common property.

Remodeling a condo: Know what you can and cannot do

The first step to renovating a condo is understanding the rules established by your HOA. Following their guidelines—usually called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs)—is essential during any remodeling project.

In addition to structural integrity, HOAs are sensitive to one of the most common owner complaints: noise. Minimizing noise guides many HOA policies.

For example, you may want to replace old carpeting with nice, new hardwood or laminate flooring. It’s a popular upgrade for improving quality of life and increasing resale value. But you may also have to install insulated padding beneath the floor to deaden the clicking of your high heels.

As home improvement website The Spruce points out, some municipalities require permits for renovating a condo. For example, the City of Minneapolis requires a permit for condo owners to replace carpet with any kind of hard flooring.

Projects requiring HOA approval

When remodeling a condo, the following items are structurally significant for the entire building, so any alterations generally require HOA approval.

• Interior or exterior walls
• Structural floor
• Ceilings
• Columns
• Finish flooring
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Aesthetic changes to the exterior

Projects not requiring HOA approval

Although you should always verify with your HOA, it is likely that the following items will not require approval.

• Interior painting
• Crown molding
• Replacing baseboards
• Replacing or repairing door and window casings
• Replacement of light fixtures, outlets, and switches
• Replacement of shower, bath, or sink fixtures
• New floors that are the same type as the old floor
• Built-in cabinets and new kitchen cabinets

The type of condominium you live in may influence what kind of updates you can make. If your home is considered a site condo, townhome, or planned unit development, you may have more freedom in renovating.

Some CC&Rs may require permits or formal approvals before any type of work can begin. If in doubt, find out!

Remodeling a condo: Know when and where you can do it

The CC&Rs may have specific guidelines for what days of the week and times of day renovation work can be done. Rules may also govern the hours during which materials can be delivered to the building. They may also specify certain entrances, elevators, and hallways.

Not checking on these logistical details in advance can cause massive headaches later when trying to schedule deliveries or appointments.

Measure first, move second

In addition to knowing which doors and elevators you can use, it’s important to measure their dimensions first. You don’t want to haul a large drywall panel to your condo’s elevator before you realize it doesn’t fit.

Stay in your neighbors’ good graces

Cultivate and maintain a good relationship with your neighbors before you begin your remodeling project. Asking them about their experience with remodeling may give you valuable insight while also building a rapport—and their trust.

That positive relationship may be valuable if the access panel for your bathtub’s plumbing is in your neighbor’s bedroom.

And even if the access panel is within your own condo, the plumber may need to shut off the water. Will that affect your neighbor’s water supply?

Remodeling a condo: Give yourself a long timeline

Given all the requirements your CC&Rs may have, and the time required to secure the approvals and permits, it’s important to have a flexible timeline. Carefully estimate how long you think everything will take—and then add at least two months.

Be flexible

Some owners enter a project with very specific ideas about the finished product. They may have their heart set on a particular fixture or a specific type of faucet.

However, being open to suggestions from experienced professionals—or a creative friend or neighbor—may guide your project in exciting, unexpected directions. A cost savings here may create a new opportunity there.

Also, if you’re planning extensive renovations, you may want to find a place for you and your family to stay during the process.

When to consider hiring a contractor

Even if you think you can renovate a condo yourself, the job presents some unique challenges that hiring a contractor can solve:

• Navigating your HOA’s regulations can be nerve-wracking. Let a professional contractor review your CC&Rs with you to ensure the renovations are within regulations.
• In a condo, the space is limited, finite, and shared. An experienced contractor specializes in maximizing space and working within the restrictions of multi-family housing.
• CC&Rs often limit renovation work to normal weekday business hours, to minimize noise on evenings and weekends. Rather than choose between your first-shift job and your renovation, you may want to hire a contractor instead.

When you’re ready to begin remodeling a condo, please contact us at LaBonte Construction.

We were voted Best of Milwaukee 2024 by Shepherd Express readers in the Home Remodeling, Basement/Rec Room Remodeler, Bathroom Remodeler, and Kitchen Remodeler categories.

Our home remodeling firm gets the most calls about building a home gym after the holidays. But seasonal weight-gain guilt and New Year’s resolutions are only part of the increasing popularity of home-based exercise spaces.

Home gyms are common home remodeling projects for fitness enthusiasts and large homes year-round.

The safety concerns of the last few years made working out at home even more commonplace. This trend was on public display during the meteoric rise of Peloton’s stock while gyms were forced to close.

Home gyms are often further down the remodeling list than adding a powder room or remodeling a kitchen. But they are often less expensive than a wine cellar or home theater.

In Milwaukee, home exercise rooms are often part of a basement remodeling project. In order to make your new home gym a place you want to use, it is important to:

• Find the perfect space.
• Adequately plan space based on your equipment.
• Consider the lighting.
• Make sure there are entertainment options.
• Choose the best materials.

Location

Choosing the right room can affect the home gym’s aesthetic, and how often you use the space. It will also determine how extensive the remodeling process is going to be.

Choosing a room close to a bathroom means you can avoid walking through the house full of sweat.

Picking a room with natural light can make you feel more energetic and motivated during dark winter months.

Depending on the types of exercises you do, you may want to select an isolated location so your workout does not interrupt your housemates’ sleep or work.

If budget is a concern, avoid an area of the house without existing walls, and pick a spare bedroom or attic instead.

In addition to the size of the room, also consider the height of the room depending on what exercises you want to be able to do.

Remember, depending on your equipment, your room does not have to be huge!

Equipment

Take an inventory of the exercise equipment you own or will need for your workout before calling a remodeling contractor.

Doing some online research about the required clearances around each piece of equipment will give you an idea of how much space your remodeling project will need.

Don’t forget to consider the height of the machines! If you find you do not have a ton of space, consider products from companies like Mirror, Tonal, or Forme, which offer a comprehensive workout without taking up much floor space.

Lighting

While we encourage all our home remodeling clients to incorporate as much natural light into their projects as they can, most of our clients build a home gym in the basement, where natural light is hard to come by.

Instead of excessive LED lights seen in warehouse-style commercial gyms, we can work with a lighting designer to install layers of lighting that create a less sterile mood and be customized to your family.

Having a unique fixture not seen in commercial applications can be a really fun way to create a unique space and a sense of luxury.

By making a lighting plan before we start the remodeling project, we can make sure all your workout zones are well lit.

Incorporating mirrors can also help brighten the space as well as provide a visual component to your workout.

As with all rooms, consider the paint color and sheen. A light color can help reflect light and make a space feel brighter. A dark color with accent lights can make a room feel more industrial.

See also: Our post, Paint Sheens Explained.

If you can’t get all of the lighting you want in your space, adding glass doors or walls can brighten up a dark space and allow in natural or made light from an adjoining room.

Entertainment

Maybe you have a Peloton with an integrated screen. Or you might think the mental image of a trimmer you is all you need to stay focused. But you should probably still mount a television.

Adding a smart TV can allow you to access workout videos on YouTube, from streaming services, or even a private training session over Zoom or Skype.

In addition to a TV, adding a set of speakers from your distributed audio system will allow you the same control over your music and podcasts as you have in the rest of your home.

OK, so if haven’t installed a whole-home audio system yet, Wi-Fi speakers from Bluesound or Sonos would be great too. Both options are discrete and provide access to lots of music or other audio formats from your phone.

Many of these speakers can be wall or ceiling mounted so they won’t occupy valuable floor space—or get karate kicked or body checked in the heat of the moment.

Materials

Flooring

The most common materials are vinyl, rubber, foam and turf. Weightlifters may also want a dedicated lifting platform, which is often made of sturdy wood.

Commercial gyms most commonly use rubber flooring for its durability and ease of cleaning. Athletic training facilities or sports performance centers often use turf.

Foam is a popular home-gym flooring choice, but foam floors are not as durable, are less resistant to moisture, and provide less traction.

Horse stall mats are also popular options for home gyms.

Soundproofing

Clanging, banging, and grunting are fine at Planet Fitness or the South Shore Athletic Club. But you might want to keep those noises inside your home gym.

If you have the luxury of building new walls for your home gym, you can use products specifically designed for sound reduction, such as QuietRock drywall and ROCKWOOL Safe’n’Sound insulation. There’s even soundproofing paint. On existing walls, you could add soundproofing tiles.

On a limited budget, hanging blankets or quilts on the walls can make a difference as well. But many websites, such as Soundproof Nation, list some other relatively inexpensive methods that are somewhat less tacky.

You can also replace regular, hollow doors with solid-core doors.

Other considerations

Our motto, “Home is in the Details,” applies to a home gym as much as the rest of your house.

After the major design is tackled, it is important to think about smaller items that make working out at home as enjoyable as a club and encourage you to stay with your fitness goals.

Storage

Storage solutions will help you keep the floor free from clutter. Consider hooks for resistance bands or your boxing gloves and racks for your foam rollers or yoga mats.

Cabinets

Installing custom cabinetry or a bar is a great idea for storing clean towels, a hamper for dirty towels, or house a beverage center (internal link) to keep you hydrated.

Seating

It’s nice to have a chair to sit down and tie your shoes, or a bench to relax on between sets.

Create the Best Fitness Room for Your Home

Regardless of your space or needs, contacting a qualified remodeling contractor like LaBonte Construction should be your first order of business after taking inventory of your wants and needs.

LaBonte Construction was voted Best of Milwaukee 2024 by Shepherd Express readers in Basement/Rec Room Remodeling. We were also voted best in Home Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, and Kitchen Remodeling, and were finalists in Home Builder.

In this post, we explain the different types of plumbing pipe frequently found in your home and where they are used. In our bathroom remodeling or kitchen remodeling projects, we end up tying into the existing plumbing in the house.

Plumbing pipes perform two basic functions in your home:

• Supply lines, which are pressurized and distribute potable water from the main water utility service line to your faucets, showers, toilets, and appliances.
• Waste or sewer lines, which carry used water out of the home.

We work primarily on older homes. They were typically built with copper or galvanized steel pipe for the pressurized lines and cast iron for the waste lines.

Types of Plumbing Pipe: Supply Lines

Metal

Metal piping owes its popularity to its longevity and durability. The primary disadvantage of some types of metal piping is that they corrode over time and can flake off rust.

The following metals contain negligible amounts of iron, so iron oxide, or rust, does not form.

Copper

While copper can be used as both supply and waste lines, it is most commonly used in supply lines. There are four major types of copper pipes:

• Type M: The most common, used to carry domestic water. Type M pipe commonly supplies toilets, sinks, and faucets.
• Type L: Thicker and more frequently seen as boiler piping and in commercial fire protection applications.
• Type K: The thickest pipe, and overkill for our home remodeling projects. It can be used for main water lines and underground.
• DWV (drain, waste, and vent): Used for waste, drains, and vents in some midcentury and older homes. When we encounter this type of plumbing during a home remodeling project, we usually replace it with a more modern pipe to save on cost.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is generally not used in remodeling projects.

But some stainless-steel alloys—a nickel-steel alloy, for example—offer even more corrosion resistance than stainless steel alone.

Other materials—such as molybdenum—strengthen steel, which reduces the amount of material used and yields a lighter-weight finished product.

Brass

Brass is most commonly used between two dissimilar metals to stop a dielectric reaction. An example would be transitioning from old galvanized pipe in the wall to copper stub outs when remodeling a bathroom.

Brass costs less than other metals such as stainless steel or copper. But it can be difficult to work with because of its high melting point. In addition, it’s susceptible to tarnishing over time if exposed to certain elements.

Galvanized

Galvanized steel pipes have been dipped in a protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion and rust. Commonly installed in homes built before 1960, galvanized pipe was an alternative to lead pipe for water supply lines.

Galvanized steel is not often used for water anymore because the galvanizing process is not as good as it used to be, and the pipes do not hold up. We use it only for small repairs of existing galvanized plumbing.

Long-term exposure to water causes galvanized pipes to corrode and rust on the inside.

However, galvanized steel is much more resistant than copper to freeze damage.

Plastic

Plastic pipes are generally lighter, easier to work with, and less expensive to install. They are also easier to cut and fit into tight areas. In addition, it’s generally easier to find odd or unusual plastic pieces.

On the downside, plastics are not as heat resistant and require more frequent replacement than metal piping. Also, use of some plastic pipes is restricted in some municipalities.

PEX

PEX—declared by Family Handyman magazine as the “biggest revolution since the flush toilet”—has been a game changer for us as remodeling contractors.

Short for cross-linked polyethylene, PEX is much cheaper and freeze-resistant than copper pipe. It also installs faster, and Its flexibility can sometimes save us from having to open walls during remodeling.

PEX comes in rolls, 20’ sticks, and 10’ sticks. Because PEX has a “memory”—it tends to return to its original shape—the sticks can be easier to work with in a wall cavity.

The rolls are superior for long runs because there are no joints that could be potential failure points.

PEX pipe is available in three main colors for indoor plumbing: red (for hot water), blue (for cold water), and white. While the chemical structure is the same between the colors, color coding makes it easier to trace a line for repair or make the final connections to a kitchen sink or a shower valve during a bathroom remodeling project.

CPVC

An upgrade from PVC, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) can withstand higher temperatures—up to 200°F—than PVC.

Also, it is more durable than PEX and less susceptible to damage from hazardous materials or extreme heat.

Downsides of CPVC: It is not resistant to UV rays; it has to be glued at every joint (more potential failure points); it can become brittle.

Types of Plumbing Pipe: Waste Lines

If you have an older home, you may see a mix of pipes manufactured from cast iron, plastic, copper and galvanized pipe. Here are the general kinds of waste line piping you can choose from.

PVC

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is generally the go-to material for waste lines. It’s highly resistant to chemicals, it’s easy to cut, and it resists heat.

Using a chemical solvent and plastic fittings, your plumber can create a lasting seal where cuts need to be made.

Cast iron

Cast iron is a very durable and highly sanitary material for use in the home. The reason to use it: it is quiet; PVC is loud.

The reasons to not use it: it is heavy and expensive, can corrode over time, and is harder to work with. Today, most plumbers use PVC to replace waste line piping.

Chromed brass

Chromed brass is an effective alternative to PVC piping in areas where the pipes are exposed or in municipalities where PVC is not allowed. Its enhanced visual appeal makes it popular for exposed drains.

Types of Plumbing Pipe: Conclusion

As you can see, there are many different options for replacing the plumbing in your home.

If you are still unsure about what plumbing options are right for your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project, feel free to contact us at LaBonte Construction—voted Best of Milwaukee 2024 by Shepherd Express readers.

If you’re considering a new roof or building an addition, you may first want to learn about the most common roof types in home remodeling, and how they impact your choice of roofing materials.

Depending on a home’s architecture, a roof can potentially make up 40% of the exterior, often playing a big role in its overall look and curb appeal.

So, when the time comes to install a new roof, you’ll want to pick roofing materials and shingle colors that work well with the shape and slope of your roof, as well as complement your home’s exterior design.

Beyond the aesthetic considerations, adding a new roof is also a great opportunity to integrate energy-saving or “green” elements into your house, such as solar panels, a green roof, or a design that collects rainwater or melted snow that you can repurpose for your lawn or garden.

Also, adding a new roof style can increase the amount of living space in your home, which may justify the cost of a more expensive roof.

Moreover, while you may want to make a unique statement with your new roof, remember to make sure it complements your home’s existing design features—and blends in well with the surrounding neighborhood.

Common Roof Types

Gable roof

A gable roof is the most common type of roof in the United States: the classic triangle shape is used across many styles and geographic regions.

The gable roof is very versatile, and its simple design is easy to install and offers a timeless look. The high pitch of a gable roof allows for easy water and snow runoff into gutters and downspouts.

One possible drawback for gable roofs is that they are susceptible to damage by very strong winds.

Hip roof

A traditional hip roof consists of four equal-length slopes that meet to form a simple ridge. There are variations, such as a half-hip that features two shorter sides with eaves.

Although it is slightly more difficult to build than a gable style, the hip roof is a popular choice. All four sides can have gutters and downspouts, improving water and snow runoff.

They also perform better in high-wind areas. However, it may require extra ventilation efforts in the attic.

Also, most of a hip roof is visible when looking at your house, so the type and color of roofing shingles you choose for a hip roof will greatly influence your home’s overall exterior appearance.

Dutch roof

Dutch roof is basically a hip roof with a small gable at either end. The result is easier access to the lower portion of the roof with the added benefits of natural light, extra space, and added interest to your home’s architecture.

They can work great for attic spaces on your home or garage.

Mansard roof

It is a French design and is more difficult to build than the hip or gable roof. The mansard roof actually features two slopes within one on each side.

The bottom part of the roof slope is steeper so that the pitch of the roof barely starts. This allows more room on the inside and in most cases creates an extra space.

It offers a beautiful, elegant aesthetic, but the mansard may require structural changes to your existing house to accommodate.

Perhaps the biggest downside for the mansard roof in the Midwest is drainage.

Flat roof

Flat roofs are not really 100% flat. They must have a slight slope of at least 2% to allow for water and snow run-off.

Used most often in commercial structures like apartment buildings, malls, and office buildings, flat roofs became widely used on residential homes in the 1950s and ‘60s.

The simple design and construction of a flat roof tends to reduce building costs, but especially in Wisconsin, it is essential to hire a quality contractor. A qualified builder will ensure that your flat roof is properly sealed.

A quality flat roof offers many benefits:

• Distinctive design that separates your property from your neighbors’.
• Use as a deck or patio in the spring and summer.
• Potential for adding levels to your home.
• Adding heating and cooling units that won’t obscure the architecture of your home.
• Ease of installing PV solar panels, which will improve energy efficiency and make the roof more eco-friendly.

Shed roof

A shed roof is kind of like a flat roof, but it’s at a much steeper incline.

With just a single slope, you will commonly find shed roofs utilized on cabins, barns, and of course, sheds. But It has gained favor on many ultra-modern builds.

Shed roofs allow for interesting window placements, from small rows of glass panes directly beneath the roof to large picture windows across the front of the house.

A shed roof offers many of the same benefits as a flat roof—including lower cost—without the risk of leaking.

But the single slope does require a strong gutter and downspouts system to handle double the water of a more traditional build.

Butterfly roof

In this very modern design, the two roof slopes meet in a trough in the middle rather than a peak.

The crease where the two sides meet creates a natural channel for directing rainwater into a reservoir—which is usually part of the butterfly design.

This eco-friendly feature can be a challenge for Wisconsin winters, but there are materials available—EPDM rubber, TPO, PVC, or some metal and other organic materials—that can work to keep a butterfly roof watertight.

A butterfly roof can greatly reduce water usage for lawn irrigation or gardening.

Also, the high walls on the edge of the roof provide a great opportunity to increase natural light in the home. Finally, a butterfly roof is very aerodynamic and can withstand strong winds.

Gambrel roof

Also called barn roof because of its most common use, a gambrel roof’s main benefit is providing additional headroom in a house’s top level, due to the low slope of the top two of the roof’s four panels.

The design also allows for installation of windows.

Looking a bit like the top half of an octagon shape, the gambrel roof works perfectly for barns with upper-level lofts to hold stacked hay.

Gambrel roofs are relatively easy to install, and can work with just about any roofing material.

On the downside, the high sloping bottom panels can create poor ventilation, are difficult to install on existing structures, and are susceptible to damage from strong winds.

Dormer roof

A dormer is more an addition to an existent roof. It is a window and a roof (gabled, hipped, flat, among others) protruding from the slope of an existing roof.

A functional dormer creates usable space out of the roof, adding natural light and headroom.

A dormer can also increase ventilation in your upper floor living area, and add unique design elements—both interior and exterior.

As with many other roof additions, a properly installed dormer requires a skilled contractor who will ensure the work is done right and not susceptible to leaks.

M-shaped roof

An M-shaped roof could basically be considered a ‘double gable’. It features two sloped sides that meet in the middle with corresponding slopes on each side. This pattern could be repeated multiple times, especially in condominiums or a strip mall.

The obvious downfall of this design would be snow and rain building up in the center where the two slopes meet but this is alleviated by a central gutter running from front to back, perpendicular to the front of the building. Even so, the pitch of M-framed roofs is generally steeper to assist in runoff and to ‘catch’ less rain and snow.

The Right Roofing Material for Your Home

Replacing or enhancing your home’s roof is one of the most important investments you can make. Choosing the best remodeling contractor is essential, but it is also important to understand the different roofing styles and material options so you can have an informed discussion.

If you are ready to discuss a new roof for your home, please feel free to contact us at LaBonte Construction.