Sunday, May 31, 2009

A Guide to Choosing a Residential Elevator

When you want to improve your home there are a lot of design changes you can do. One particularly popular change many families are looking into is adding a residential elevator. And no, this is not just a luxury for the rich and famous with huge homes. This is a luxury many families can afford no matter the size of their home. There are a lot of advantages to residential elevators especially for seniors and this is part of the reason why stair lifts and vertical lifts have become so popular as well.

As we age it becomes significantly more difficult to walk up and down stairs, especially if your bedroom is on a second story. So, instead of creating a bedroom downstairs just keep your home as you always have and install a residential elevator. This is great to do at any time in your life as it will help with moving large items up and down the stairs or even just taking the laundry up with your infant. Most moms know how impossible it is to carry an infant in one arm and a load of clothes in the other. Because of this residential elevators are useful for all stages of life. However, when you become incapable of walking up and down stairs having an elevator already installed is especially nice. There are just a few things you should keep in mind, however.

First of all, if your home was not built with an elevator to begin with you will need to make some design changes to add the elevator. Determine where in your home would be an appropriate place for the elevator and where you have enough room. This may take some time and you may need the help of an architect to make the proper changes. However, once you decide on the location you will be ready to have your elevator installed. It is important to decide on the proper size early on so that once you have an area in your house ready for installation it will be for the correct elevator. There are lots of different sizes of residential elevators and you need to determine which is right for you. Consider how often you will use the elevator, how many people it should accommodate, its speed, functions, and price. When you consider these elements up front you will be able to pick out the best residential elevator for your home.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Residential elevators are not just a luxury for the rich and famous with huge homes. This is a luxury many families can afford no matter the size of their home. There are a lot of advantages to residential elevators especially for seniors and this is part of the reason why stair lifts and vertical lifts have become so popular as well. As we age it becomes significantly more difficult to walk up and down stairs, especially if your bedroom is on a second story.

Toilet Paper Under The Bathroom

Build Your Own Pergola - Self Build Tips

To build your own pergola is a satisfying experience. Not only can you save substantial amounts of money, you can also design the pergola from scratch to make it exactly as you wish. Of course it is always wise to use an existing pergola design as a base and then work on it from there to form it into your dream pergola.

Building your own pergola is one of the easier building tasks you can take on, and it can also be one of the most inexpensive provided you do your research and planning correctly. The simplest pergola self build design is the dome shaped garden tent. This design has an umbrella like dome on top fit with a hook.

One of the most time consuming and detailed pergola self build designs would be the porch extension, particularly those which are made with quality wood and incorporate vines and other details into it. It is your choice how much you wish to spend when self building your pergola and how long you want the process to take.

There are many designs and instructions for building your own pergola online, in magazines and in home improvement books. There are so many possible designs and materials to use that the hardest part is often deciding what you want your pergola to look like. The first decision you need to make is about the size of the pergola. Will it be small or large? Map out the prospective position in your garden or backyard and ensure that it will easily fit there. Leave a little extra room just in case of mis-measurement, plant and tree growth and the covering which may stick out further than the pergola itself.

Before you start building, check with your local council whether you need a permit. Generally small pergolas will not but large ones attached to the house may. Ask around with friends if they would also like to build a pergola or similar structure and if so, pitch in together to buy materials in bulk and save.

It is entirely possible to build a small pergola in one weekend if you have a helping hand. It will take at least three, but preferably more, people to assist in the building and assembly process. A pergola self build project brings much satisfaction to the home owner as you can completely match the pergola to the existing look of your home and yard.

Eric Littleton is a carpenter, gardener and all-around handyman who enjoys helping people with their home improvement projects. A pergola is a beautiful addition to your garden and does not need to be difficult to build yourself. Find pergola plans in a variety of sizes to fit your space and budget at http://www.pergola-plans.org.

Problems With Black Mold

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Tin Roofing - More There Than You May Realize

Then you need to look at the other side of the tin coin. While it's true that tin roofing is one of the least expensive of all roofing materials, and that tin roofing shelters billions of people all over the globe, tin roofing has one very important feature which makes it more attractive than ever in a world facing a global climate change crisis. Tin roofing is completely recyclable.

Cheap Does Not Mean Worthless

Even if you run from cheap commodities because of your firm belief in the old saying, "You get what you pay for," you'll be missing out if you run from tin roofing. The reason why tin roofing is so inexpensive has nothing to do with its ability to provide shelter. Tin roofing is cheap because tin is one of the most abundant of all metals, and is therefore also cheap. Tin roofing will be available long, long after the last deposits of slate are carefully mined and shipped to their new homes, where they must be cut and installed as individual shingles.

None of that nonsense with tin roofing! You can, if your existing roof is in decent condition, install your tin roofing directly on top of it, saving yourself even more on cost of your new roof because your won't have to pay to have the old one torn up and hauled away.

Tin roofing is up to handling almost all kinds of weather except for tornadoes, and unlike steel roofing, tin roofing will never rust or crumble from exposure to acid rain, salt air, or industrial pollution. Its overall resistance to any kind of pollutants makes tin roofing exceptionally popular in highly industrialized environments.

The Noise Factor

Tin roofing is also really resistant to the weather (except tornadoes, but no roofing can protect you from that). Tin roofing doesn't rust or develop holes due to saltwater in the air, acid rain or pollution like other kinds of roofing may be prone to. Tin roofing is often popular near industrial areas because of its toughness.

That indifference to salt air and tropical deluges is the major reason why you'll find tin roofing in the world's wettest environments, like the Polynesian Islands, The coasts of South America, and the monsoon prone countries of Asia. The people living in those areas have simply learned to use sign language to communicate when the torrential rainstorms begin pounding on their tin roofing, and usually become oblivious to the noise at an early age.

But don't let the fear of noise steer you away from tin roofing. Any professional roofer will be able to recommend the underlay which can stifle the sound of rain falling on your new tin roofing, and as an added bonus an underlay will provide extra insulation to your home!

You can also find more info on roofing terms. Roofingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about roof.

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

The Advantages of Patio Awnings

A patio refers to an outdoor area adjoined to a residence which is often paved and typically used for dinning or entertainment. For many people across the world the patio is one of the most loved places, especially those living in hot climates. They are a place where good memories of their children playing and family or friends enjoying outdoor dining are formed. Many people invest significant amounts of money into buying patio furniture or accessories like barbecues so that they can enjoy the outdoors even more.

Patio awnings are one type accessories that can help you gain more enjoyment from your patio. During summer, an awning can help shield you from the sun as you cook or eat outside, or while your children are playing. They can also help protect you from the rain when the weather turns to stop it from ruining your enjoyment of the outdoors.

The addition of an awning can turn the patio in to what will essentially be another room of the house. This is one of their advantages. They can also help improve the look of your home. With a vast variety of different styles and colors available on the market you are sure find a patio that suits your needs and the appearance of your home.

An advantage that is not often thought about is the ability of the awning to provide shade and protection for inside the house. If you have a window that receives strong sunlight then installing a patio awning can help provide shade for that particular inside area. This will ensure that your furniture and carpets will not prematurely age because of the sunlight.

When choosing a new patio awning, you will need to distinguish between manual and electronic types. Manual-style means you will have to manually push and pull the awning to adjust the depth of the fabric. Electronic patio awnings are automatic and are operated by either a push of a button or a remote control. Both types allow you to have the awning either completely or partially open depending on the weather or your personal preference.

The Patio Awnings Guide can provide you with information on choosing and buying patio awnings that suit your home and budget. The home improvement guide can also provide you with information on patios and their accessories

What Kind Of Wood Rot

Remodeling Professionals Needed

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

Treat Others As You Would Like T
Awfulizing Creates Negativity

Corrugated Metal Roofing Can Give Protection

Corrugated metal roofing is rippled metal sheets used for roofing applications. It is commonly used in commercial, agricultural and industrial purposes though nowadays it is recognized as an excellent form of residential roofing. Corrugated metal roofing has been in use since the 1840s. Through technological developments, it is rust free and has other attributes that has enhanced its qualities.

The galvanizing of corrugated roofing protects it against corrosion in air and water. This has resulted in this roofing system to become one of the most durable roofing materials in the market. It has an expectant life span of over fifty years, is weather proof, non combustible, fire resistant and is the safest roofing option for lightning prone areas. It is completely recyclable and is environment friendly. As it is a good reflector of heat, it reduces energy charges. Being lightweight it puts less stress on the underlining walls and materials and does not require much frame work and allied support. This makes installing corrugated metal roofing simple and inexpensive.

Corrugated metal roofing insulation conserves energy as the insulation materials inhibit the flow of energy which influences heat loss or gain of the structure. The five main insulation materials are poly methane foam, blankets, rigid fibers or plastic foam boards and fiber pellets. Roof insulation should always be installed according to industry standards, safety requirements and optimal functional conditions. Professional services provide installation, repair, replacement, cleaning and maintenance. For this there are corrugated metal roofing contractors to ensure that roofing installation and restoration brings long lasting comfort of the highest quality within budget.

For metal roofing restoration, an acrylic binder is incorporated as a roof refurbishment application. Other roof restoration materials include specially formulated primers, sealers and top coats. At times, most technologically advanced roof coatings including Tileflex 2000, enhanced with Teflon, increases the longevity of the valued roof. The corrugated roofing repairs include locating sources of leakage and preventing further spread of water. The acrylic roof coating provides complete water proof protection to the roof.

Metal roofing and metal siding systems are the choice of building owners and architects since they offer a wide array of corrugated metal roofing design options. Metal roofing that is easy to work with and economical are available, both in standard and custom specification modules. For industrial roofing, the Type B Wide Rib is the preferred choice. The Wide Rib allows for a narrow top opening which is desirable when rigid insulation is to be used on top. The roofing contractors provide corrugated metal roofing instructions and corrugated metal roofing guide to the home owners. This ensures that optimization of performance of the roofing system can be adhered to depending on the location of the residence.

Advanced corrugated metal roofing shingles are specially designed to prevent hail damage and high wind uplift. Such design flexibility is inherent in this novel roofing shingle concept allowing the material properties to be used to its fullest capacity.

carl formby owns and operates http://www.roofingmarket.com - with information about Asphalt Rolled Roofing

Need Help Remodeling In Carlsbad

Friday, May 29, 2009

Repair Windows Problems Easily and Inexpensively and Save Your Sanity

The Windows registry is like a database within your operating system. It's basically the core of the operating system and possesses information that is critical to hardware and software that you have installed on the computer. It holds the data that allows your computer to operate the way you desire it to.

Problems with the Windows registry are a usual cause of Windows crashes, slow performance and error messages. Have you experienced any of these problems? If so, your registry needs some definite help. Does your PC take longer than it used to while loading? Is start-up not as fast as it used to be, or does it crash on start-up? Do you receive error messages that keep popping up and the programs not working? Is your system grievously slow? Does your computer crash and you have no idea why?

As hardware or software is deleted or removed from the system, some files don't get removed completely. When the registry becomes very large, your computer's performance will be decayed and unstable. Thus, your Windows operating system will slow down drastically and not perform to its full potential. Other problems that may be caused are crashes, pop ups, error messages, and other frustrating annoyances that occur when it does not have enough resources to continue running. A full database means that more memory is used up.

Warning: You can cause your PC to have critical, expensive problems if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or careless registry editing. Not only can this be a daunting task, it is also a risky one. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system or cause irreversible damage. Modify the registry at your own risk. Or better yet, spend the few dollars it takes to have the repairs done right!

Now that you know what the problem is, what's the next step to repair Windows registry? You can manually delete entries that you don't need--that is if you're a highly-trained technician. However, you can make the wrong deletions, and your computer will be worse than before you started. So I highly recommend using an inexpensive Windows registry cleaner software program to scan and locate invalid registry entries that are causing the problems. In most cases, the software will fix problems automatically. Most Windows registry cleaners provide a backup mechanism for any repaired files, so that you can easily recover any changes if required.

Absolutely nothing compares to a smoothly-running computer when you have important tasks to accomplish. If your computer gets bogged down, starts to act suspiciously, or is not responsive, before you pay a lot for computer repair, consider downloading a Windows register cleaner. It's a most necessary PC tool for efficient operation of your computer.

Jonathon Vegas is a retired Math and Computer Education teacher. Since retiring from teaching, he has started his own successful computer consultant business. What types of problems can a Windows Registry Cleaner fix? Get the details and a free download HERE

Wood Attic Vents

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Is Your Home Adequately Ventilated?

If you are a home building contractor, you already know everything you need to about ventilating a home to keep it insulated and safe. Yet, many homeowners want to ensure their homes are adequately ventilated without paying hefty consulting and contracting fees each time they have a question or make a repair. That is why it helps to understand something about your home's ventilation system and learn how to handle some of the minor adjustments yourself.

Every home needs to be adequately heated to protect family members from getting sick or developing hypothermia. But too much heat can feel uncomfortable during the warm season or in tropical climates and promote the growth of mold or other bacterial invasions that require a warm, moist environment to grow and thrive. A home's thermostat that is linked to the heating and cooling system provides much of the temperature control a family needs to be comfortable year-round. But attic space permitting air flow can increase your home's comfort level by preventing moisture buildup and promoting air exchange during temperature extremes outdoors.

An attic ventilator usually provides this needed service. Since the attic is separate from the sealed part of the house that receives warm and cold air from the furnace and air conditioner, it is the ideal place to circulate indoor air outside, and outdoor air inside, to break up air pockets that can nurture mold, bacteria, and other unwanted germs. If your attic ventilator, which is usually perched on the highest point of the attic, proves inadequate, you may want to consider adding soffit vents beneath the eaves and used with a continuous ridge vent for maximum airflow.

If you are not sure how to tackle the problem of installing soffit vents, ask someone whose home maintenance work you trust for advice or help. Alternatively, you can pick up a handyman's manual or a ventilation guide to learn how to do this procedure yourself. Check out part prices at local hardware stores for an idea of how to budget your ventilation adjustment. Also be sure you have all the needed tools beforehand, along with a few spare parts, if needed.

Venting your home appropriately can reduce the level of toxic emissions or fumes. It also may keep everyone from getting sick as often or passing around the current flu bug, since air that is circulating can make it difficult for germs to grow. Check out your attic to make sure there is good cross ventilation and that your current ventilation system is working properly. Then decide whether this would be a good time to consider adding soffit vents for increased airflow. Try to get it done in good weather so you won't have to work outdoors or in a chilly attic when it's rainy or cold outside.

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Cabinet Stain From Mopping

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

How To Decorate A Kitchen With A French Country Theme

A French country kitchen is casual and comfortable. It should be as welcoming for your guests as it is elegant. Furniture style cabinetry is a popular trend in French country style kitchens. These are cabinets that look more like stand alone furniture and can blend or stand alone in a kitchen. These cabinets are the ideal place to showcase your porcelain rooster figurines or art. Quite often they groupings of farm life figurines are displayed. Roosters are the most traditional.

Reds and yellows are the most common colors used in a French Country theme. These colors wake up a room and can take on many shades and hues. Look for buttery or dark mustard yellows and reds in a burgundy.

Contrasting elements such as wrought iron and terra cotta can live side by side. Look for ceiling racks made of wrought iron for pots and pans and terra cotta vases to be used to hold cooking utensils. Consider a material for the floor that offers texture, such as brick or tile. Tile is often used on countertops to complete the look.

Don't be afraid to incorporate a farmhouse-style table. Rough finishes on the table and woven rush seats will add a comfortable feeling to your kitchen. Use brightly colored fabrics on other furnishings or curtains. Mix some green or blue in with the yellow and red of the rest of the kitchen.

If you have the room, try using non-cooking related accessories in your kitchen. Add a bookshelf to hold vases, books and decorative serving dishes. They key is to make your kitchen as warm and welcoming as possible.

Lucy Dee is The Rooster Queen, a collector of rooster art, houseware and kitchenware. Visit her web site, http://www.roosterqueen.com to browse an enormous selection of rooster items that are available for sale.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Grants For Home Repair

How would you know if you are eligible for grants for home repair? Even more so if you want to buy the house but it need some repairs to be done before it is safe and secure to occupy. This is likely to turn into a common catch-22 situation. The bank will not lend you the money to buy the house unless the repairs are done and you can not do the repairs until you purchase and own the house.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help you with this lousy situation. You need to know beforehand that lavish projects such as a garden house or a pool will not be funded. One of the main factors involved in awarding grants for home repair is the inevitability and the urgency of the repairs to be done.

The importance of applying as soon as possible for your grant for home repair can not be stressed enough. The sooner you apply the better the chances are that you will be able in receiving a grant for home repair in the same budget year.In the event where you will not be able to receive a grant for the current year due to the budget being depleted you will need to wait until the new fiscal year.In such an event you can ask to be put on the waiting list for the next financial year's budget. Remember if you retract your application you might end up waiting longer, because someone els would have taken your place in the line.

When you are not sure whether your project will qualify for a grant for home repair, you can make contact with the HUD office. There you will obtain the latest first hand information on what is possible for your specific circumstances and they will assist you through the necessary process.

While on advice and guidance, take note that with the assistance of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, it is very much possible that you can be awarded a grant for home repair without the help of a grant company or consultant whom you need to compensate for their service and advice.The service provided by the HUD is free. With a little time to make contact your HUD office and time to complete their application form you can go through the whole process yourself.

In the event where you will be making use of a grant company of consultant, make sure how long does their application process take and what does it all entail. It is unlikely to wait 6 months for an answer. Further be cautious for 100% guarantees. There is no way that your application can be guaranteed before the relevant authority has submitted your application.

Do you want to build or improve the house of your dreams? Check the current top grant programs, and avoid scams at: http://www.1stGrant.com

Any Advice Will Be Helpful

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

House Foundation Books
Home Repair Books

Monday, May 25, 2009

Starting a Business, What I Learned From Flying

It was a beautiful spring morning in Oklahoma as I climbed into the small Cessna aircraft with my flight instructor.I was midway through getting a pilot's license and this lesson would be spent practicing stalls and turns around a point.After 45 minutes of grinding around the skies, I was instructed to return to the small suburban airport and land. I was anticipating, with a certain amount of excitement and fear, what was to come next. My instructor got out of the plane and stated, in a nonchalant manner, that he was going to get a Coke and I should complete a few touch-and-goes while he was relieving his thirst.I could tell he was trying to bolster my confidence by making it sound like it was no big deal.

This was it, the moment I had both anticipated and dreaded; my first solo! Taxiing the aircraft back to the start point with only me in the cabin was a new experience. After all, my destiny was truly in my hands.It occurred there was no one to bail me out if I did something really dumb.

Advancing the throttle, I executed a normal takeoff, proceeded around the pattern and made a textbook touch-and-go. I repeated this two more times before completing my final approach with a perfect landing. I have to admit I was aided by beautiful weather, no other aircraft traffic and no cross winds to distract me. Nevertheless, I couldn't hold back a sense of pride as I secured the plane and swaggered back to the office to meet up with my instructor and his congratulations.

It has been many years since that spring morning in Oklahoma. Many other successful flights followed as well as a career as an entrepreneur.Numbers of businesses were started, some more successful than others.I have always looked back on that first solo experience and appreciated the business lessons that it taught me.

Desire- I really wanted to fly an airplane and if you want to start up a successful business you have to have the desire and passion to do so. Be prepared to work and follow-through when the tough times come as they most certainly will.

Preparation- I didn't just jump in an airplane and decide to go for a flight on a whim. I spent months preparing, studying and developing the necessary skills. The same thing is true with business; whatever specialized knowledge or skill that is required for your area you will need to acquire.The truth is that the Internet allows you to do most of your preparation in front of your computer.

Planning and Market-research-I had to assess whether or not I stood a favorable chance of becoming a pilot.Did I possess what it took to succeed? You need to determine, in advance, if there is a need for your business. Does anybody want to buy what it is you want to sell? You find that out by asking questions; market-research.

Launch at 100%- When you start, give it your all; no dipping your toe in to test the water.You can cruise an airplane at 60% power but, it takes full throttle to get off the ground! You may go into autopilot later but for now it's "pedal to the metal".

Begin with the end in mind- When I took off on that first solo flight I had to believe that I was going to get the plane back on the ground in one piece.The same is true in business, have the end result in mind before you ever start.

Listen to your environment- When you fly an airplane you are more off course and you are on; you are constantly correcting. The same thing is true of business; the marketplace will dictate how you need to change. You just need to be attuned to it.

Be willing to take a risk- When I took off that day, I assumed a certain amount of risk, and after all, bad things could have happened.A startup business involves risk, but, it's not a crazy risk like taking a nap in the middle of the freeway! If you've done your preparation and have acquired the necessary skills then the risks you take are manageable.

A final note on the economy-Is now a good time to start a business? After all, it's pretty crazy out there! You can make a lot of money running a business when things are stable. When things are chaotic however, you can make a fortune! During the French Revolution, Robespierre stated, "I lived for the days when the blood flowed in the streets!"Translation; chaos breeds great opportunity in business if you have the right product or service. Find out what people need to have in a down market and give it to them; they will chase you down to buy!

Do your homework and have a great flight!

In addition to aviation, Dennis Whitlock has been a national sales director in a Fortune 500 company, a building contractor and owner and president of a medical services company for the past 18 years. Most recently, he and 2 partners have formed Verax,LLC, a marketing company using the social component of the internet to drive sales in a down market.

Affordable Homes in Houston Texas

Houston Texas, the fourth largest city in the country, is considered one of the best places to live in the United States and for those pursuing the American dream of owning a home, that dream is possible in Houston. If you're looking for some long term capital appreciation through real estate investment, then real property in Houston could certainly prove to be a good investment. The most stable property prices range from $250,000 to $650,000 and should bring the best long term appreciation.

If you tend to be more of a cautious investor, but still want to grab some of the best real estate for sale in Houston then you might want consider one of the new developments that are under construction. $200,000 or less can get you a pre-selling unit that can be turned into a very attractive property to rent out as a vacation home, or on a more permanent lease basis. These developments often provide relaxed and secluded living, surrounded by a natural outdoor setting, and at a much lower price than you might pay outside of such developments.

Whether you're looking for a new home of your own or a financial investment, these developments are some proving to be some of best real estate in Texas. They provide the advantage of living in a secure estate-like community, but with a spacious outdoor feel, since most of these properties have expansive back yard spaces allowing for privacy from nearby neighbors. Purchasing one of these development properties could prove to be a very wise property investment.

There are also some property investments available that can provide a slightly lower risk for some of the more cautious real estate investors. Most of these lower risk, but high potential homes come in under the $140,000 price range, making them easily affordable and represent a risk that even smaller private investors find acceptable. In some of the lower priced areas the average return on real estate can be as high as 20% yearly.

While the majority the better homes for sale in Houston are new construction, a lot of the older homes might be considered a fixer upper or need some significant renovations. This is probably one of the main contributing factors in the large price variations in the area, and while not all the lower priced homes are in need of repairs, it definitely pays to be cautious and thoroughly investigate each potential property. If you take the time to do some research and use the services of an informed real estate agent familiar with the area, you should find a safe investment that will bring some good returns down the road.

Whether you're a first time buyer in search of the perfect condo or a small two bedroom home, an established family looking for the big back yard and a good school district, or a property investor looking for long term capital growth, Houston Texas could end up being one of the safest and smartest real estate investments for the money.

Cherri Fox provides articles for a Houston realtors directory with focused on helping home buyers find the best Houston Realtor from a list of pre-screened real estate agents.

Problems While You Are Building With Contractors

Sometimes as contractors we get in a hurry and we just want to finish the job. We told the homeowner we would be done in three months, at the same time the homeowner keeps adding new work to the list.

I ran into a problem like this on one job where the contractor was in a hurry to finish the flooring and chose to go right over the existing floor that was out of level. He told the homeowner he didn't have time to repair that section of the floor. He was installing half-inch plywood over 1 x 6 diagonal floor sheeting to strengthen up the floor.

This floor was going to require quite a bit of attention from the contractor and his crew. The homeowner should have hired another contractor to repair the floor while the original contractor finished the house remodel. When your contractor gives you that much grief about any work, you need to start thinking about hiring another contractor or at least finding one to complete the task your original contractor has no interest in.

I felt sorry for the homeowner because this was not what he wanted and he was upset with the contractor but the job was done. This is my warning to any contractor, handyman or home repair specialists. When installing a new plywood floor over an existing floor to strengthen it up, use some common sense and repair the floor correctly or don't do the job at all.

I wrote this article for contractors to have a little more sympathy for the homeowners you are working for because sometimes they can't see the whole picture like you can. I also wrote this article for homeowners to listen to your contractor carefully when he is explaining a potential problem that you can't visualize further down the road. Any contractor with over 15 years experience remodeling homes has a pretty good idea what's going to happen next.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

What Does A Gfi Do

Your Home Improvement Project

Doing an home improvement project on your own is not to difficult. OK, lets say you want something repaired in your apartment, remodeling or maybe just a property improvement. So now its time to make the decision on if you going to do this home improvement project yourself or should you hire a professional contractor to do the repair or improvement, however you are finding budgeting a mental struggle. Chill out, there are lots of things you can plan that will enable you to start the project in a efficient way.

Set up a financial plan:

1) The first thing you need to think about before you start on any home improvement is a realistic budget. A budget includes setting aside an amount of money for any eventualities this includes mistakes, any accidental damage inflicted on your home and so on. If your project is on a somewhat bigger scale than most home renovations, you can save costs by purchasing materials in bulk from a supplier.

2) However low cost and good quality doesn't always go together. Compromising on price might also mean getting lower quality materials. Ensure that whatever you are buying is in good condition and long lasting, otherwise you may have to replace whatever you have bought thus doubling the cost.

To use a professional contractor or not:

Very often the best way to judge a contractor's quality of work is by word of mouth. People will recommend a contractor when they are satisfied with the work. So the best way to find the contractor for you, is to talk to friends who have had repair work done, or a home improvement project completed recently to see if they would recommended the contractor who did the job.

Sometimes whatever property improvement you have in mind can be easily done on your own. Supplies and tools can be bought at your local hardware store and you can cut down on the cost immensely. However if your project seems complicated and you don't have much experience with DIY projects, it's best to leave it to the professional house improvement contractors. Remember that although you think by going DIY you are saving money; a mistake might make things costlier later on.

Planning your project:

Timing is a significant factor when setting up your home improvement project. Deciding on the best time for your undertaking makes sure that it can be finished on time and if you have hired professional contractors, it's wise to keep in mind that this will mean strangers will be in and out of your home; this could lead to a very stressful situation for you and your family.

To reduce the stress aspect, it would be better to plan your home improvement around your life and not the other way around. Try to find a period when your work timetable isn't so hectic and none of your family have anything important scheduled such as an exam, presentation, or any important appointments.

It is also wise to realize that home improvement projects and remodeling can take more time than was planned for and there's not a great deal you can do about this. The tips in this article will hopefully help you start your project with very few problems.

Homeimprovementok.com for information, tips and articles about home improvement.

For more articles about home improvement

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Handyman Services Help

Handyman services are requested if you have those small jobs that need to be done immediately. Most of us do not worry about the small jobs and leave them unattended until they accumulate and become part of a bigger problem. It is better to fix them right away and prevent headaches in the future. Handyman services are provided by professional companies. These companies have a set of committed employees who work on the tasks given to them in a professional manner.

Residential and commercial services are available through these companies. The employees recruited by these companies are usually accepted only after they pass a rigorous interview. This procedure ensures that quality service is provided for clients. The lists of services that are done by these companies are never-ending. Residential services can be split into different categories like interiors, exteriors, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, floors and drips/leaks.

In the interior category works like drywall repair, trim carpentry, doors repair, installing and repairing ceiling fans, replacement of switches and power outlets, painting and installing windows are done by the handyman. Exterior category of work includes, brick work, install garage doors, repair cracks in concrete, siding repair, replacing gutters, and roof repairs. Kitchen work may include installation of new disposal, new appliances, countertops and replacement of cabinets and repairing the refrigerator. Installing bath exhaust systems, grout renewal, repairing showers, unplugging toilets and installing other fixtures in the bathroom are some of the work that can be done in the Bathrooms.

Charges for the handyman services are on an hourly basis. These are the service charges. The materials used for the repairs are charged separately. Usually, hourly charges are made; fees for work done after an hour are charged on an incremental basis of 15 minutes. Payments are usually made only after the work is done to your satisfaction.

Handyman provides detailed information on Handyman, Handyman Services, Starting A Handyman Business, Handyman Tips and more. Handyman is affiliated with Home Remodeling.

Building In The Refrigerator

Post Your Ideas Here On Deck Building

Do you have any ideas for building or repairing wood decks . We would love to hear from you in the comment area. Any useful comments that you can make on deck construction or deck building will help our blog readers.

Home Garage Books

Build Your Own Deck With the Right Power Tools

You'll have to start out with using a little imagination to picture what you want your end result to be. A complex deck may be out of your league, so leave that up to the professionals. You'll need only basic construction skills to build a simple deck.

There are many home and garden type magazine that will inspire you with some ideas, but you'll have to decide how large you want your deck to be. Try a few chairs and a small table around the area of your yard where you are planning to build it. This will give you a basic idea of how much space you will need. You might find a plan that already suits what you need.

The type of decking material you choose will depend on your budget. A wood deck is obviously going to be less expensive than a higher-end composite deck. However, remember to calculate on your costs how much you will have to pay for maintaining the deck if you decide to go with wood. It can be costly in the long run. The plan you follow will list all of the building materials and hardware you'll need. Definitely invest in the right power tools if you don't already have them. A cordless drill and a good "chop saw" saw will save you hours of labor.

Deck piers are also a must if you want to save time and strain on your back. These are pre-formed concrete footings with notches that accept standard sizes of wood. They are used in a "deck pier system" which saves you the trouble of digging holes and pouring your own footings.

Once you have calculated all of the materials you will need, have them delivered from your local building supply store if you don't have a vehicle to get them yourself. Before you begin construction, do an inventory of your materials and power tools. It will go smoothly if you have everything you need on hand.

For more information on Power Tools or visit http://www.directtools.com

Drywall Screwdriver

Friday, May 22, 2009

Working Alone - Five Tips For Dealing With Time Termites

When we are building a businesslife often becomes more and moreaboutstaying on track and staying ontime in our distraction packed world. This can be especially true when we are working alone in a home-based or direct marketing business without the luxury of having an on site assistant.There just are not enough hours in our work day to accommodate everyone and everything around us and still efficiently build our business.

Establishing Rules

When we work for ourselves, it may seem that those around us feel our time is limitless that we can somehow manifest more hours in the day than they can.After all, we are in charge of our own schedules and not bound by an employer's time clock. What can be especially troubling, however, are the sacrifices we find ourselves allowing to make up for lost work time.
We have to take responsibility for educating those around us.Likewise, we have to do what we can to quell the interruptions.

Time Termites

I often refer to these distractions as Time Termites.In other words, people and things that nibble away at our work time. We don't always know how dangerous termites can be until the damage is done. It is the same with Time Termites that may potentially harm your productivity.'

A few suggestions on how to best handle the Time Termites:

Hire a virtual assistant to screen telephone calls.

People generally prefer to hear a live voice on the other end of the call.Think a virtual assistant is too expensive?Look at it this way:For every fifteen minutes you spend on the phone, you have lost 25% of a productive hour you had available to work.

Shut the ringer off on your phone and send everything to voice mail

Yes, turn the ringer off. When we're truly working with focus, we cannot drop everything and chat. Change the voice mail message to let the caller know when you'll be returning calls.
This may help to alleviate those callers who telephone repeatedly hoping to catch you 'between things.'

Put an auto responder on your e-mail and create rules in your in box

Most of us have a tremendous number of e-mails to sift through and simply sorting and deleting these takes more time than most of us realize. Even scanning through 600 e-mails at a mere minute apiece is a great deal of time to sacrifice during a work day.

Lock your office door or otherwise establish that you are unavailable

A client of mine has a necktie that he places on his office door at home to let the family know that he is not to be disturbed."Daddy is working," is the message the tie conveys he says."I may not wear a tie to work, but my toddler understands that the tie on the door means business."

Kill the commercial radio

Having music in the background while you are working is one thing; it is quite another to have commercial radio stations interrupting your concentration and work flow.One of my clients insisted that he was not distracted by the radio, yet when I asked him what the latest five commercials were about, he fired off the answers without missing a beat.His productivity has increased immensely since he removed the radio from his office. Background noise is a Time Termite you may not consciously be aware of.

If we are to succeed in building our business, we obviously have to establish and enforce boundaries.This can be difficult, however, when those around us perceive that we are always available. Remember, the person ultimately responsible for you and for your business is you.

Hailed as a premiere Creativity and Wellness Instructor, Laura Garrison has been a business coach, consultant, artist and entrepreneur for many years. The focus of her core business is building referrals for businesses through networking. Please visit http://www.WorksofHearts.com for a free gift account and more information.

Homeowners with Good Contractor Stories

I would love to hear your good contractor stories. I'm so tired of hearing about contractor nightmares, is there anyone out there that has a good contractor story. Place it in the comment area underneath this question.

Home Garage Books

The 3 Vital Steps to Getting a Deck Permit

Many municipalities consider that a deck is a permanent addition to a home. Therefore there are rules that set out the depth of footings, prescribe choices in terms of materials and clearly indicate dimensional aspects involved with building a structure such as a deck. Thus it is a wise decision to visit your local municipal building department prior to the start of a deck building project. Individual homeowners who plan to construct a deck for themselves share the same responsibilities of following the local building codes as professional contractors and carpenters.

Local municipalities create these building codes to establish building standards for safety purposes, for aesthetic reasons and to ensure that what is constructed will last for extended periods of time. Working to Code means becoming acquainted with and understanding local building codes and making use of them during the construction process.

Step #1:

Do your homework ahead of time. Get as much information as possible in advance about local construction requirements and incorporate it into your deck planning process. Municipalities provide pamphlets, brochures and deck building guideline booklets for this purpose. And they are free! If you have questions phone or make an appointment to speak with staff members in the building department. They can readily answer your questions and clear up any misconceptions on your part.

Step #2:

Draw up your deck plan indicating its placement on your property in relation to your home, its dimensions and material types. Make sure that the different elevations are clearly drawn and labelled. Include a copy of your property site plan for reference if required or possible. Be prepared for changes to be made to your deck plan.

Step #3:

In the event that approval has been given to your project, pay for and obtain your deck permit. Once construction begins make sure that the municipal inspection personnel are notified when you have reached the various stages for construction inspection. Ensure that the work done is of a high quality to clearly demonstrate that you are closely following the approved plan and completing all construction work in the correct manner. Unfortunately, failure to comply with local building codes can in extreme situations result in a stop work order and/or demolition of what has been built.

In addition to building codes there are 2 other very important factors that homeowners must be aware of and comply with in the deck planning and construction process. Zoning ordinances govern property uses as well as the location of structures within its boundaries. They can set minimum setbacks from property lines and regulate the size of a deck. Some municipalities choose to follow deed restrictions to regulate the value of properties or architectural choices. These controls may limit the style of a deck or the material choices used in its construction.
Easements and rights of way are also factors to consider in the deck building process. They guarantee for example utilities access to their lines and may affect the specific location of a deck. Generally, utility companies welcome the opportunity to locate the path of underground lines through a property and will do it for no charge.

Building codes and the permit process are established safeguards for the proper construction of structures within the community. Following these building code standards will ensure that your deck will not only look aesthetically pleasing to those who use it but will last for many years and provide a safe environment for the present and future owners.

Richard Vande Sompel is a professional deck builder of 35 years and over 850 decks built and is the author of "How to Plan, Design and Build a Deck from Start to Finish". To learn more about the Deck Permit and Claim your 2 FREE Deck Plans, Insider Report, MP3 Audio and discover everything to know about building a deck visit: http://www.DeckBuildingRevealed.com

Hip Rafter And Ridge Connection

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Lean To Garages The Benefit of Concrete Garages

By erecting a lean to garage next to your home you can keep your vehicles safe and protected. These garages are available in many styles to match almost any home, and are easy to have installed or even to install yourself, with some effort. The styles also come with many options such as size and door type.

No matter what your personal style or the style and design of your home, you can likely find a lean to garage that will match it all. There are many colors and textures available to help you match your house as closely as possible, and make your lean to garage fit right in with the rest of your property. You will love the look and the convenience, and your car will thank you for taking it in out of the cold.

Lean to garages are usually made out of concrete, and are affixed to another building on one side. They vary in specifications like width, height, and depth, so that you can customize your lean to garage to fit what you need it to, and not have to worry about the lean to garage taking up extra room or not being large enough for your car and the workbench that you wanted to put in the back.

The versatility of the lean to garage makes it a great option for adding extra storage space to a home as well. The garage door will protect whatever you have locked away inside, and you can keep anything from extra storage to an extra office inside (although you may need a heater if youre planning on using the space as an office in the winter!)

The lean to garages need very little maintenance, and are fairly quick to install, as well. Most of these lean to garages are in some way prefabricated and assembled on site with interlocking pieces to keep your new lean to garage weather resistant for the safety and security of whatever you keep inside.

The style of garage door can also vary, with some styles opening straight up, others retracting, and others opening to the side. This difference helps adjust for personal taste as well as physical ability, since some people are not strong enough to lift a heavy door. The various door styles for the lean to garages may also affect space, so keep this in mind when you are making your selection.

As you can see, a lean to garage is a wonderful solution to the problem of the weathering of your car. The lean to garages are not unattractive, and can be assembled to match your home or to complement your property, and are not terribly expensive. You will absolutely love the easy solution that the lean to garages offer, as well as the wide variety of choices available to customize your lean to garage to your needs and specifications.

Henry Gale writes for Garage Quotes of of the UK's leading suppliers of Concrete Garages who pride themselves on creating great storage facilities for everyone.

If you are interested in Lean To Garages please visit garage quotes for more information.

Framed Door Opening Ready For Door

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Interior Decorating - Small Bathroom Decorating

Interior Decorating a small bathroom can be just as much fun as decorating a larger one. Just because it is small doesn't mean there isn't plenty you can do to give it your special personal touch. There are several things you can do to make it comfortable and inviting.

When the space is small, keep the floor and walls very plain to give a more spacious feel. Stripes and patterns can overwhelm a small space. By all means add color to the walls, but pastels or pale neutral tones will work better in a small space than deep or bright colors.

Since there is not much to work with in small bathroom decorating, use towels and rugs to create atmosphere. If you have a very small half-bath, instead of using separate rugs in front of the vanity and around the toilet, strategically position a single rug between them. Use a pop of color like bright blue or bright red in the rug and the towels to bring color to the room without overwhelming the small space. A multi-colored strip will also work well. Look for novelty towels to create atmosphere. Animal prints or embroidered towels with animal motifs can be fun too, but look for good quality ones to create the right look.

Decorate the wall with a single, small picture, or a three-dimensional textured resin wall hanging. Because space is at a premium in a small bathroom, consider leaving the walls bare and instead use a decorative shelf and beautiful framed vanity mirror. If you need storage space, small cubed shelves on the wall can create drama and storage space at the same time.

Only keep in the bathroom what you can store under the vanity and on the shelves. Keep the floor uncluttered and resist the temptation to set things on top of the toilet tank. Eliminate all but the bare essentials from the vanity area. Use a wall-mounted toothbrush holder if you want make the vanity look bigger. This is a good idea if your bathroom has a small standalone sink that does not have any counter space. Mounting the toothbrush holder low, close to the sink will at once avoid cluttering the walls and crowding the counter space. A clean, uncluttered look will aid in making a small bathroom appear bigger.

When doing small bathroom decorating, a good rule of thumb is to keep big surfaces like floors and walls, plain, and introduce bursts of color in the smaller surfaces like rugs and towels. The fewer things you place on the walls and on and around the vanity and other surfaces, the bigger the room will appear. Interior Decorating a small bathroom can be challenging but following these simple ideas will produce great results.

See our blog at 2 LEFT THUMBS for hints and tips on home improvement, remodeling, decorating and maintenance. We also have articles on home decorating, home remodeling, home maintenance and home improvement at 2 LEFT THUMBS DECORATING .

Checking The Level Floor Framing

A Guide to Tap Water Filtration Systems

Ever wondered what type of home water filter is best? When it comes to tap water filtration systems, there are many models and methods to choose from. It's important to realize that most products out there are mediocre so you can shop wisely and carefully. Here are some important factors to consider when you shop around for a home water filter.

When doing your shopping, you are going to come across three types of tap water filtration systems: distillation, reverse osmosis, and carbon filtration. It's important to compare all of these methods while taking cost, effectiveness, efficiency, and convenience into consideration.

When it comes to cost, carbon filtration comes out on top. Carbon filtration costs less than 10 cents per gallon. Comparatively, reverse osmosis costs 18 to 24 cents per gallon and distillation costs 20 to 26 cents per gallon.

As for effectiveness, reverse osmosis and distillation take the backseat because they are not effective in removing both organic and synthetic chemicals and must be used in conjunction with a carbon filter. Of all tap water filtration systems, carbon filters are the most effective because used alone they can remove all types of contaminants.

Carbon tap water filtration systems are also very fast and efficient. They can produce up to 30 gallons per hour and don't waste any water in the process. On the other hand, distillation and reverse osmosis are very slow and produce less than a gallon per hour. Reverse osmosis is also very wasteful; it wastes 2 to 3 gallons of water for every gallon of clean water it produces.

Carbon tap water filtration systems are very convenient. They can be installed easily in a matter of minutes and you can choose from whole house filters, shower head filters, countertop filters, and under-the-sink filters. You can even get a sports water bottle that has a carbon filter built in so you can have clean water anytime, anywhere.

Unlike carbon filtration systems, reverse osmosis and distillation systems are very complicated. They have to be installed by a plumber and are high-maintenance. For example, reverse osmosis systems require a diaphragmed storage tank and adequate water pressure in order to function properly.

Another reason why carbon tap water filtration systems are the best is the fact that they don't remove the beneficial trace minerals from tap water. Trace minerals in tap water such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are essential to maintaining good health. Reverse osmosis and distillation produce de-mineralized water. Drinking de-mineralized water can lead to multiple mineral deficiencies and even cancer in the long run.

Make no mistake about it. When it comes to tap water filtration systems, carbon block or granular filters are far superior to any other method out there. Carbon filters are affordable, effective, fast, and efficient, and produce healthy water rich in essential minerals. So get out there and get a carbon tap water filter if you want 24/7 access to fresh, clean water, the foundation to good health.

John Lim Cher Sern who is an avid proponent of natural health. To get more information and recommendations on tap water filtration systems visit our website at http://www.cleanhomewaterfilters.com

Monday, May 18, 2009

Shower Stall Curtains

Most people prefer to relax in bathtubs. However, some people have other equipment that allows them to have a quick bath. The equipment is built in the bathroom to prevent the seeping out of water as you bathe. The equipment is available in different colors and designs. Besides, there are different sizes and prices to suit you.

Some types are door less and they make the bathroom look different and neat. The equipment can be beautified using shower stall curtains. These curtains are a cheap way of providing a refreshing relaxing environment. The curtains make the place appear elegant and stylish. They are available in different colors and patterns. You should choose according to your taste.

Shower stall curtains are available in various materials. Most are made from vinyl. The curtains can be customized to suit your needs. You simply need to consult the concerned company. For the door less type, the curtains must very long. This is to prevent water from splashing onto the toilet and messing up the floor. It prevents accidents that can occur when water is on the floor.

To obtain shower stall curtains, visit the household department of a nearby mall. You can also order from the Internet. Different companies showcase their designs from which you can choose from. You can easily compare prices and choose your that suits your pocket. If however you are not satisfied with what the companies offer, make your own curtains. You can get ideas from various web sites on how to make the curtains.

Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Shower Curtain. For More Information on Shower Stall Curtains, Visit His Site at SHOWER STALL CURTAINS

You Can Also Add Your Views About Shower Stall Curtains At My Blog here SHOWER STALL CURTAINS

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Mosaic Pool Tiles - Important Tips Before Installation!

Mosaic Pool Tiles - Why do they get so popular in recent years? One of the best advantages of using these nature-made tiles is the fact that anyone can use them: from home-makers to professional interior designers. Learn about the latest tiling techniques and how they are about to change the way you decorate and remodel your home's interior and exterior.

Basic introduction

Mosaic Pool Tiles are actually a collection of similar looking small flat stones that are selected by hand and then fixed onto a sq/ft mesh backing seamless tile. It is probably about the unique natural conditions that made the Indonesian beach pebbles the leading source of these nature-made tiles. This is an excellent solution if you plan or redecorating in the following areas: 1) Kitchens 2) Bathrooms 3) Floors and Walls 4) Patio flooring 5) Countertops etc.

What is in it for us?

Finally, when looking at the bottom line, there are several important advantages:

+ Easily installed over existing surfaces such as old ceramics or plain concrete.

+ Installation process is quick and takes only a few hours.

+ Easy to be cleaned and maintained.

Tips!

+ Epoxy based grouts are considered stronger than conventional grout, however take in mind that they are less forgiving to the ignorant installer.

+ Using grout should be handled carefully so it is recommended to grout a small area at a time.

+ Use a tile saw in order to cut stones to fit edges or corners.

Summary

Mosaic Pool Tiles remodeling offers countless options as these nature-made panels come in many shapes and colors to easily match the decor of any home or office setting. We could list many other important benefits provided by this quick redecoration option, simply because it provides numerous opportunities whether for the average or professional home-makers. It is recommended to bear in mind the above tips just as you decide on using these natural panels.

Get creative! - Learn more about how you can easily decorate with Mosaic Pool Tiles

Drywall Books

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Choosing the Right Home Building Style For You

After youve made the decision to build a new home the style of your home builder must be determined. Depending on your area the names and definitions of these styles of builders may be slightly different however the main points will be pretty similar. While most home builders will fall more or less into one of the categories below be aware that there will be niche builders in all categories. For example you may find a volume builder dedicated to green building practices, or a custom home builder specializing in homes over 8,000 square feet. Overall there are four main styles of home building...

Volume or Production Builder

A volume or big builder is one that often builds hundreds or thousands of homes per year either on a regional scale or nationwide. A typical scenario is the production builder will buy a large parcel of land, develop that land (put in place roads, services, amenities and so on), divide that land into saleable lots and build homes on those lots. The size of the home sites, homes and the price points will vary depending on location and the demographics of that area.

Semi-Custom or Track Builder

A track or semi-custom builder is in some ways similar to a volume builder however on a much smaller scale. Many will have several standard floor plans they offer on lots they own or they may build their plan on a home site you already own. Typically a home owner will have far more flexibility and options when it comes to the building of the home compared to a volume builder. Most semi-custom builders will offer their floor plans on their lots and some may also build their floor plans on land you own as well.

Custom Home builder

A custom home builder is one that builds a unique home for a specific client on a particular home site. Most often a custom home builder will build a home on land that you own rather than offering you a choice of lots in a planned community like a volume builder. If youve already got a home site youll probably be looking for the services of a custom home builder. Due to the nature of the one of a kind homes that this builder produces they typically will build a small number of homes per year, often less than 10. Typically you would have your own home site and your own floor plans drawn up by an architect or home designer. Custom home builders will, on occasion, build a home on speculation as well.

Building a Home Yourself (aka Acting as your own general contractor)

Many people looking to build a home consider acting as their own general contractor. The general feeling is that its not all that difficult and can save you some money on the project, perhaps 10% to 20%. The impression that some get is the general contractor shows up on a job site, looks around for an hour and leaves. Just what does that general contractor do anyway? Seems the other guys do all the work! What is not understood is the hours spent scheduling and negotiating, the understanding of the structural and acetic needs of a home, knowledge of which subcontractors to use for which jobs, the permitting and inspection process, ensuring that all insurance, workers compensation and licensing is in place for all suppliers and subcontractors (an uninsured worker being injured on a job can be financially devastating to the home owner). In most areas a land owner has the right to act as their own general contractor and completing a home can be a very satisfying experience. Check with your local town or county office to see the rules and regulations in your area.

No matter which style of home builder you choose the process will follow generally the same steps. The major differences will be the degree to which you can customize your home and the amount of involvement youll have along the way. The home building process can be very stressful and will typically take many months from start to completion. Be sure to employ a builder with whom you are comfortable, have confidence in and can deal with for many months! Best of luck!

After over 40 years in the custom home business Bill now maintains a website on New Construction Advice and enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences. Thanks for reading!

Concrete Patio Gofer Damage

How to Build Solar Panels - Building a Solar Panel at Home

Building your own solar panel can be a fun project and it is very possible too. There are a number of good sites online detailing exactly how to go about building one, from e-books to other electronic resources. This article is intended to give a good overview of the principles involved when you build solar panels.

How Does Solar Power Panels Work?

To put it in simple terms, a solar panel uses photovoltaic process whereby light cases an electrical charge to flow in a material. If you are going to build homemade solar panels, there are 2 routes by which you are going to achieve a photovoltaic reaction. These are as follows:

First, the half-way house approach.

Here, building a solar panel at home involves purchasing the constituent parts from a suitable supplier. You can buy solar cells or premanufactured solar cells from solar equipment suppliers. Solar cells will convert just the actual sunlight, while the photovoltaic cell will convert light from more sources than the sun. With the components that you get from the supplier, you then assemble the remaining electronic parts required to produce your solar panel of choice. This will enable you to generate your own electricity with the solar power panels.

Second, you make your own solar cells project.

This is the approach you would want to do if you really want to explore how it all works and be able to say that you built a solar panel to your colleagues and friends. The difference with this method is that rather than buying the premade cells, you make them on your own. This home-grown approach relies on the superconducting/semiconducting photovoltaic properties of cuprous oxide, rather than going for the silicon-based solution. The finished cell will form a red oxidized powder. This oxidization process will also produce a black powder oxide which will be of no use. Copper oxide has a very dense polariton level so it does what it does, produce electricity. Polaritons are the results of photons going together with a conductive material, and the energy from this mixing is what produces the electricity.

So in order to build solar panels, you first need to produce your copper oxide, and this can be done through heating copper. Also, take all relevant safety precautions when doing this and reading up on exactly what you should be doing. The copper is heated for good amount of time so that the unwanted black colored copper will flake out, leaving only red portions of the copper. Then after cooling it, your solar cell will then consist of this oxidized panel in salty water with a fresh, non-oxidized copper panel of the same size. Tiny charges will be produced, but it's electricity and proof that you know how to build solar panels.

Do you know that an essential guide is needed when you plan to build solar panels?

Go to http://www.FullEarth4EnergyReview.com for the guide.

What Does A Gfi Do

Friday, May 15, 2009

The Top Ten Ways to Keep Your Metal Building Cool

Every year, the summer gets hotter, which means we desperately seek for a place to stay cool. However, some individuals have to work in very hot environments during the summer months. Amongst those hot environments are metal buildings. Metal buildings can become very hot, especially if measures are not put in place to keep them cool. Just imagine working in a metal building on a 100 degree day. It may be 100 degrees outside, but it is going to be even hotter in that building, so it is very important to do what can be done to keep it cool.

So what can be done?

1. Using asphalt shingles is a good first step. They work best if they are of a light color because light colors reflect the sunlight rather than absorb it. One color that tends to be favored is white. It is the lightest you can get; therefore it will reflect sunlight the best.

2. Air conditioning is another great way. Of course it depends on the size of the building as to what kind of air conditioning is needed. A small building may suffice with a window unit, whereas a large building may need a central air unit. This can be used in addition to a cool roof system to keep the air conditioning from working too hard.

3. If the steel building has windows, putting in window fans can pull in cooler air while sucking out the hot air. That is if the environment is one that doesn't need an air conditioner.

4. A cool storage system that is more environmentally friendly. This system makes ice at night and uses that ice to cool the building during the day through radiators placed throughout the building.

5. Roof tiles are also great to place on the roof to reflect sunlight. White is the best color.

6. Insulation and sheet rock can be placed within the building in order to try and keep heat out and cool air in. This in addition to air conditioning or window fan units and cool roofing can cool things off.

7. An insulated ceiling can keep the hot air where it belongs. By doing this, any heat that enters through the roof can be trapped. You can also use a cool roofing system to keep the hot air to a minimum. If this isn't enough, you can use fans In your windows.

8. A "cool coating" can be applied to the building. Basically, this means a different color coating on the building that reflects sunlight. This coating is also idea for not allowing much heat to accumulate in the walls.

9. Placing your building in an area that doesn't receive a lot of sunlight can also make it feel cool. If it is possible to place your building in a shaded area, try to do so. Minimal sunlight means minimal heat accumulation.

10. You can also keep windows and doors open while using large fans throughout. This may circulate hot air if there are not window fans in place. It depends on if the working environment will allow for such air circulation since these fans are strong.

These are ten methods that you can use to keep your metal buildings cool. It is important to do so, especially if there will be people working inside for long periods of time. Since the buildings can be hotter than the outside, it is important to make sure everyone stays cool enough to avoid heat stroke and other issues that can come about due to the heat. You'll certainly be glad you took the measures to keep everyone safe.

Leader in the Steel building manufacturer industry. Our prefab metal buildings are ideal for commercial, agricultural, military and residential purposes. Some of the products include pre-built storage shed buildings, prefab garage, portable garages and more.

Stucco Paint Water Damage

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Success Starting in Your 40s

You're going to find it hard to believe, but very seldom does an individual peak with creativity until they reach the age of 40. The average individual usually makes the most money between the age of 40 and 60. This doesn't have anything to do with retirement. Most highly creative people keep producing until they die.

If you're 55 years old and looking for a new career or can't seem to find a job in the profession you have worked at your whole life, don't be alarmed or fearful. Do you think you could start your own business? Is there something, you have always wanted to do but have put it off until retirement, or until you had enough time to do it?

Why wait, if you can't find a job in a business you never truly enjoyed, maybe you can find a new job doing something you love.

I have worked in construction for 30 years and at 44 years old started to pursue a career in writing and plan to create award winning websites and best selling books, for the rest of my life. This doesn't mean, I won't work in construction ever again, but I will become a best selling author within the next 20 years.

Most people don't take the time required to learn a new profession. If you're sincerely interested in another career, and you're 50 years old, there is plenty of people out there to give you hope and inspiration.

If you would like some proof, here's a couple successful American businessman who succeeded after the age of 40. Henry Ford is probably one of the most popular and became extremely successful after the age of 40. Andrew Carnegie, an American industrialists who transformed the steel business and did not start reaping the rewards of his efforts until he was well past the age of 40.

I gathered this information from the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. There is a section in the book where he talks about people after the age of 40 with phenomenal success. Anyone who's interested in gaining wealth through spirituality or finances should read this book.

I've often heard the statement, "People Often Over Estimate What They Can Do in a Year and Often Underestimate What They Can Do in a Decade." If you want to accomplish something after the age of 40, I would advise you to start with a plan and then put that plan and the action. Your plan could take five to 15 years to achieve or longer but think about the rewards, whether spiritual or financial.

Gregory Vanden Berge is working to promote personal development ideas and spiritual reform. He has started a web site for videos and articles based on current information about subject he is very familiar with.

"Education has freed me, to pursue other ideas and release me from the bondage and fear of organized religion."

Gregory Vanden Berge

Bath Vanities at an Affordable Price

Many homeowners across the nation are stuck in their homes do to the tightening of the Credit Industry and the dropping of house prices. However, I have always been taught to look at the bright side of everything and what better way to do this then remodeling. Remodeling is a great way to increase the value of your property and what better place to start the renovations than in the bathroom.

I have been searching high and low for great deals on Bath Vanities that offer quality product with very affordable pricing. There are many places on the internet to buy Bath Vanities, however BasinsAndBathMirrors.com has grabbed my attention for several reasons:

  • quality craftsmanship
  • great pricing
  • unbelievable customer service
  • user friendly website
  • secure transactions

Most of the selection you will find on their site consists of a very sophisticated look. These vanities will give your bathroom a uniquestyle that you have always dreamed of. I just purchased the Mia bath vanity with mirror and not only does my wife love it, but all of our house guests are constantly complimenting us on it's gorgeous style.I have to agree,adding thiseloquent piece of furniture truly made our bathroom one of a kind. I can'twait to see the return we get onour house withthis wonderful upgrade. It'ssure to bea profitable renovation andeye appealing one as well.

I surely hope you are now giving thought to doing some renovations to your bathroom. I promise you will not be disappointed with this vanity selection. These are truly one of a kind fixtures that will add the charm you have always been looking for to your otherwise boring bathroom.

Eric Liddic
LB Trading Company
Bath Vanities

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Use Door Handles For a Stylish First Impression

When you think of impressing new guests to your home, what do you think of replacing? Maybe your furniture? Or maybe you've even considered adding new, costly appliances to your kitchen? Although these are sure fire ways to add aesthetic features to your space, these are not the first elements of your home that guests see. We all know how important first impressions are, so wouldn't it make sense to impress your visitors the instant the step to the door? Door handles are the perfect way to add detail to your doors and give guests something to talk about the minute they walk into the door. Before they've even spotted your fancy new couch, or checked out your high tech appliances, they are already impressed with your home.

Many people overlook door hardware as a decorative element in their home. Doors are blank canvases. Just as you wouldn't leave a bookshelf completely empty or place nothing decorative on your coffee table, you shouldn't neglect your doors either. Decorative elements come in more forms than knickknacks on the bookshelf or interesting centerpieces on the coffee table. Necessary elements in your home, like door hardware, offer the perfect opportunity to add an interesting design element to vital features of your home. Decorative door hardware is the ideal way to add a pop of color to the entry ways in your home, or enhance the theme you have already established. You can even hint towards a room's dcor through the use of decorative door hardware on the entrance to the space. The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to choosing what kind of door hardware you would like to install.

For many looking to update or change the look of their home, door handles are certainly not what comes to mind first. Instead of spending huge amounts of money replacing the large elements of your home, pay close attention to detail. Small aspects of rooms are what brings them together and complete the dcor of the space. Replacing door handles is a great home improvement project, especially if you're a beginner. With the use of minimal tools and virtually no set up or clean up time, home owners can add decorative detail into their home without having to call upon costly outside labor. It's just one of the many home remodeling projects that can be accomplished by just about anyone.

There are no rules when it comes to choosing the door hardware you'd like to use in your home improvement project. Whether you're going for a classic and sophisticated feel, or you'd like to add a modern and funky element into your home - the sky is the limit. Adding bright red door handles to accent a black and white theme is a quick way to add a modern feel to your space. Adding elegant, bronze door handles is the perfect way to add an interesting design element into a classic home. Regardless of what style you choose to go with, both you and your guests will definitely notice the difference that new door hardware gives your home.

So whether you're considering undergoing a big home remodeling project, or you're just looking for small and unique ways to improve the look and feel of your home, don't let door hardware get lost in the process. Doors give the first impression to not only your home, but to every room inside of it. Before guests even see what a room has to offer, they notice the door itself. Give your blank canvas some extra pizzazz and consider adding decorative door hardware to every door in your home. Although it may seem like a small detail, you will be amazed with the big impression it will leave.

Jonathan works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of door handles and door knobs to help you use door handles for a stylish first impression.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Wood Range Hoods

While cooking, at home, we need to eliminate grease, smoke, odors, and steam that rise from the cook top. This is accomplished with a range hood and a power driven exhaust fan. Range hoods can be made of metal, heat-resistant plastics, and more, however wood range hoods complement the cabinets that surround it.

A wood range hood is one of the most eye-catching parts of the kitchen; it should be designed with this in mind. They can be as simple as a square cabinet with a power pack mounted beneath it, to an elaborate work of art trimmed with tile, wood panels, or stainless steel.

Wall-mount range hoods are made to fit the cabinets surrounding it, often attached on each side so the crown molding is continuous across the top. However, an unattached range hood, where the cabinets end on each side can be picturesque as well. An island or peninsula range hood extends down from the ceiling and is often bell shaped and finished on all four sides.

A mantel or shelf can be incorporated into ornate range hoods, which is perfect for displaying fancy plates or decorative nick knacks. Corbels, onlays, and wood panels add even more detail, personalizing a custom wood range hood to the homeowner's style.

Keep in mind the range hood will need to be vented outside the home to work properly. If the vent pipe extends out the top of the range hood, more cabinetry might be needed to cover the pipe. Other options include; back wall ventilation, or re-circulating. In a re-circulating application, a filter is used to remove particles from the air, before releasing it back into the kitchen.

The homeowner and the cabinetmaker should design the wood range hood together. The cabinetmaker will have many ideas available, so ask questions, and do a little research.

Visit us at Hardwood Technology to learn more about Cabinets and Woodworking

Home Buyer Incentives - It Doesn't Hurt to Ask

In a seller's market, a prospective home buyer needs to be a little more cautious when negotiating a purchase; however, in today's buyer's market, incentives are an accepted part of the deal. It certainly never hurts to ask. It's not uncommon for a seller to wait for three months or longer to sell their home, especially during this time when the market is saturated with homes for sale. They need to make their home stand out amongst the rest, and often times, offering sales incentives is the easiest way to accomplish this.

Here are a few of the more common closing requests that never would have been considered a few years ago in our previous seller's market.

House Price & Closing Costs

It's quite acceptable to negotiate 5 percent off the price of the house and then request another 3 percent for the closing costs associated with the purchase of the home.

Inspections

Home Inspection: Everyone asks for a house inspection these days. It's the most sensible way to avoid costly surprise that may result from rotten beams, water damage, faulty wiring or cracked foundations to name a few. Once the inspection is completed, the buyer can take his list of deficiencies, associate costs with them, and either request that they be fixed or deducted from the purchase price. It is also common practice to request the seller to arrange and pay for the inspection.

Radon Inspection: This used to be a common inspection in the 1980's and 1990's. There are approximately 20,000 deaths in the U.S. each year as a result of this cancer causing, odorless gas. A test to determine radon levels in a house costs less than $50, and if the levels are high, repairing the problems cost about $1,000.

Well Inspection: When purchasing a home with a well, the seller should be responsible for a thorough inspection of the system including:

  • Functionality of the pump and overall well system.
  • The well quantity, or the amount of water drawn per minute, to ensure an adequate flow and water pressure.
  • The water quality has to be tested to ensure that it doesn't pose a health risk.

Septic Inspection: In rural areas with no connection to sewer lines, the seller also has to provide proof of a certified inspection of the septic system.

Home Warranty

Including a home warranty can go a long way to providing peace of mind in a home negotiation. At an average cost of $250 - $400, it is a reasonable request to make of a seller.

Decorative Improvements

Sometimes a carpet or paint job may be in dire need of upgrading and a buyer can either request replacement of these items or deduct the cost from the offer.

Non-Fixed Items

Generally, any fixed items stay with the house, but often times it is to a buyer's advantage to request certain things to be included, such as:

  • Drapery
  • Appliances
  • Lighting fixtures
  • Decorative items
  • Lawn tractors or snow blowers
  • Vehicles

New Home Buyer Incentives

When purchasing a new home from a builder, the incentives are almost endless, and range from new appliances, landscaping, big screen TV's and even swimming pools.

This buyer's market won't be here forever. Right now you've got an edge; be sure to take advantage of it.

Go to http://www.coloradoshomes.com for your complete guide to Colorado real estate. Acquaint yourself with the many communities including the listings for Boulder CO real estate.

Upside Down Electrical Outlet

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Installing Laminate Flooring - Dos and Don'ts!

Every manufacturer of laminate flooring provides very specific instructions on the proper method of installing their product.

There are however, some common dos and donts that apply to the installation of any laminate floor. Surprisingly many people ignore these instructions, believing that they know better than the manufacturers.

  • Laminate flooring must acclimatize to your home. This is done by placing the boxes in the room where you are going to install the laminate for a minimum period of 48 to 72 hours. Failure to do this will cause floors to buckle. This is the number one mistake made by most people including contractors.
  • There must be a gap between walls and any other obstacle, (columns, stair risers, heat vents, etc.) of between 5/16" and 1/2" depending on the manufacturer. This allows for the expansion of the floor. If a gap is not left, the floor will buckle.
  • If the laminate flooring is going to be installed on a concrete slab floor where there is earth below the concrete, a vapor barrier must be placed between the concrete and the laminate. The seams should be taped with a moisture resistant tape. Laminate flooring should not be installed on any floor that has a drain.
  • Some manufacturers will allow the installation of laminate flooring on carpet. The carpet should be a hard twist (Berber), or a very low pile (commercial carpet). If the underlayment is spongy, the flooring will separate when walked on.
  • The smallest piece of flooring should never be less than 8 inches long and the width should never be less than 2 inches. Measure your room before you start the installation as it may be necessary to cut the first board in length and the first row of boards in width to avoid having small pieces.
  • Joints should be staggered a minimum of 16 inches apart and a minimum of 3 rows for repeating of the joint.
  • If installing base board or quarter round on top of the laminate, do not nail through the laminate. A laminate floor must be allowed to expand and contract.
  • Repair any and all squeaks and soft spots in the sub-floor before installing the laminate. Laminate flooring will not correct squeak or soft spot problems.
  • Do not continue the installation of laminate flooring through a doorway that is less than 48 inches in width, use a transition molding.
  • Do not hammer on the groove end on the board ever!
  • Always start the installation of the laminate flooring with the groove side and end towards the walls.
  • Always use a tapping block to help tighten joints, but do not over hammer or you will damage the surface of the laminate at the joints.
  • Floors must be level, no more than 3/16 slope over a ten foot span.
  • Floors must be flat. Any dips in the floor should be filled in with self-leveling compound and left to dry at least 72 hours.

Read and follow the manufacturers instructions and you will end up with a quality floor that will last for years.

For additional information on flooring products for your home or other renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.

Fascia Damage From Metal Flashin

Friday, May 8, 2009

Exterior House Painting - Home Repair Advice

If the exterior of your home is beginning to look a little faded and weathered, it may be time for a paint job. It is never good to put a badly needed paint job on hold because you are risking a great deal of damage to the outside of your home.

If you are unfamiliar with exterior house painting and aren't comfortable with the steps involved in the process, it is probably a good idea to bring in a contracted painter for the job. There is a great deal of prep work and other procedures involved in an exterior house painting and a professional contracted painter will make sure that those procedures are completed to keep your home painting looking the best that it can and to ensure that your home's exterior is being protected.

One example of the prep work needed during an exterior house painting is pressure washing your home before applying the new home painting. Pressure washing will help clear your home's exterior of any debris and anything else that can negatively affect the exterior house painting. Any mildew and loose paint will also need to be taken care of before the painting is completed. These are just a few examples of the procedures involved in the project.

A home is a major investment and you probably don't want to do anything that would damage that investment. If you have been putting off a badly needed paint job however, you may be unknowingly risking damage to your home's exterior that could be easily avoided. So, when you notice that your exterior house painting is looking faded and weathered, it is probably a good idea to call your contracted painter to schedule that home painting.

More information on exterior house painting safety and College Works Painting in your area is just a click away.

Corner Hold Down In Wall Framing