Choosing Your New Bathtub

Are you a homeowner? If so, if you are given the option to change one thing about your bathroom, what would you choose? If you are similar to many other homeowners, there is a high possibility that the bathtub was your answer. In the United States, there are a rather large number of homeowners who wish that they had a new bathtub. If you are among those individuals, the good news is you don't have to wish any longer? If you want a new bathtub, you should get one. Making a new bathtub part of your bathroom remodeling project isn't as hard as it may appear.

Perhaps, the first step in selecting your new bathtub is deciding on the amount of money set aside for your budget. In addition, if you are remodeling your entire bathroom, it is important that you not make the cost of a new bathtub your only focus, but also the cost of your other supplies. If you mistakenly overspent on a new bathtub, it could affect the rest of your bathroom remodeling plans. Furthermore, you will probably discover that setting a bathtub limit or budget is the best method to cut down on shopping time. Having in mind the amount of money that would be consider overspent will prevent you from wasting your time, by examining bathtubs that you are unable to afford.

It is also a fine idea to decide, ahead of time, how you would like to have your new bathtub installed. If you have plans to hire a professional to install your new bathtub, you will need to be aware of the extra costs. Even though you might want to avoid paying a professional contractor, you may need to. There are several bathroom contractors who specialize in replacing bathtubs. In fact, some, literally, just place a new bathtub right over the old one. It may be feasible for you to do this yourself, but, in most cases, you will discover that a professional contractor would take as little as a few hours to install your new bathtub.

Regardless of whether your choice is to install your own bathtub or hire a professional to do it for you, you will have to find a new bathtub to purchase. If you are planning to have your old bathtub completely removed, you will probably discover that you have more options. When a new bathtub replaces an old bathtub, the tubs need to be somewhat similar in size or style. Hence, if you are remodeling your bathroom with the expectations of getting a "new," bathroom, you may be searching for something different. Fortunately for you, you still have a limitless number of options.

In the United States, the most regularly installed bathtubs types consist of traditional ones, which are also known as standard tubs. These bathtubs are frequently connected directly to the wall, positioned in a corner, and sit right on the floor. One of the good points about the majority of traditional bathtubs is the comparatively affordable price. You can buy a traditional bathtub for as low as two hundred dollars. If comfort is your concern, instead of price, you may want to consider spa-like bathtubs or even massage bathtubs. These bathtubs, as you may guess, are more expensive than most others. Several massage bathtubs or spa-like bath tubs go for around one or two thousand dollars. If you are searching for a trendy, stylish bathtub, you may fancy owning a freestanding bathtub. You can get a freestanding bathtub from as low as five hundred dollars, but it can also reach into the thousands.

Once you have made the decision of purchasing a bathtub that suits your preference, you will need to settle on on a particular tub. Perhaps, shopping is the greatest way to accomplish this. You may find it simpler to decide when you are able to view the bathtub displays set up. For an extensive range of bathtubs, consisting of displays, you are recommended to checkout one of your local home improvement stores.

Did you find those tips on bathroom remodeling useful? You can learn a lot more about bathroom remodeling by visiting http://home-remodeling.homeimprovementnewbie.com/.

The author of this article is Shin who is the webmaster of the site http://www.homeimprovementnewbie.com/ where he provides tips on home improvement.

Asphalt versus Concrete Driveways Which is Best

Asphalt and concrete are the most popular types of material for paving driveways. Asphalt driveways and concrete driveways both have their unique advantages. If you live in a cold climate and are considering a concrete driveway you need to make sure the base for the driveway is heavily laid with gravel and it is compacted first. Otherwise the driveway will run the risk of cracking due to frost heaves. In addition, concrete is susceptible to salt damage, a material frequently used on roads in cold weather parts of the country. On the other hand, if you live in a warm or hot climate and are considering asphalt paving, then you need to consider the fact that asphalt can become soft in the hot sun and is therefore susceptible to ruts.

Asphalt paved driveways are typically cheaper to install than concrete paved driveways. However, asphalt paved driveways need significant more care over time to protect them. Asphalt paved driveways need to be sealed at least once every 3-5 years. Each sealing, though easily completed by a do it yourself homeowner, costs money and time. In addition, the sealer needs typically 2-3 days to dry before you can park a vehicle on it. Also, a newly asphalt paved driveway should not be sealed for at least 6-9 months, as the light oils associated with the asphalt need to evaporate first. If an asphalt driveway is sealed too soon it will remain soft forever.

Asphalt driveways do not need to be always black and concrete driveways do not always need to be off-white. Both asphalt and concrete driveways can be tinted to various colors. Check with your prospective paving contractors first to see what color options there are for your driveway project.

Asphalt driveways, if maintained can typically last 25-30 years. Concrete driveways can last even longer. However, both require a solid foundation to be laid on. If not laid on a solid foundation both will crack over time, especially in colder weather climates. Asphalt cracks are easier to repair than concrete driveway cracks.

Consideration for the slope of the driveway should also be considered when contemplating concrete driveways. Over time, concrete driveways can shear off of the foundation they are poured on which can lead to unwanted cracks.

If you are planning a new asphalt driveway and need help on how to hire an Asphalt Driveway Paving Contractor, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's Asphalt Driveway Paving Bid sheet. The Asphalt Driveway Paving Bid Sheet will help ensure that your hire the right contractor so that your driveway is paved correctly and you get the finished driveway you are looking for. In addition, it will help to ensure that the installation of your driveway will be accomplished on time and on budget!

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

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The Not So Big House

Is the title of a book by renowned architect Sarah Susanka. Most people mistake the title to mean that she wants you build little house only. What she proposes is that you build homes for the way you really live. That you build a home with spaces you use every day. She has been called a cultural visionary for her notions of build better, not bigger.

Often you will find a home for sale that is advertised as expansive, formal and spacious, with soaring ceilings. Those terms seem to me to be the opposite of comfortable, cozy and inviting; or big and cold vs. warm and cheery. Hear her words, ...a Not So Big House favors the quality of its space over the quantity. Part of her philosophy is that a home should nurture you not be built just to impress.

Ms. Susanka built a home for her own family using her principles and had this to say, The Not So Big House isnt just a small house. Rather its a smaller house filled with special details and designed to accommodate the lifestyle of its occupants. Ive discovered living in my own Not So Big House that the quality of life has improved. Im surrounded in my home by beautiful forms, lots of daylight, natural materials, and the things that I love. My house feeds my spirit

Her book and the subsequent ones authored by her are filled with ideas to make a home better, more livable. I think it would be must reading for anyone considering building a new home.

That being said, how do you get from the floor plan drawn on the kitchen table on notebook paper to a set of working drawings suitable to construct your new house? You could purchase floor plans from the internet ready to use or from plan books from a bookstore or the home improvement stores. I have built many houses where this is just what the customer did and it worked fine for them. And while these are good solutions, it doesnt get you the customized house that reflects you every desire.

It may be that you need your plans drawn from scratch. An example of how we would do this in a builders office would be to use software that is capable of drafting floor plans. There are advantages to doing this. The most significant is your input and the ability to make quick changes until you get it like you want. The drawing is worked up from your sketches and displayed on a duplicate computer monitor across the desk facing you. Move that wall you say. I click, drag and presto! The wall is moved. With this software you can push and pull until you get the floor plan just to your liking. But wait thats not all. If you give us the dimensions of your furniture, we can digitally place them in the rooms and you will be able to see how well they fit.

One of the most impressive features of this software is its ability to display your new home in 3D and color. You can view the rooms as though you were standing in them or see the home as you fly around over it with the roof removed looking down into the various rooms. I can even give it a background scene. What would you like, a mountain, a lake, or a forest? We can apply colors to interior and exterior walls, cabinets, floors, etcWe can experiment with window sizes, bath arrangements, kitchen arrangements, closets, door swings, porch rails and so on.

Another advantage to this type of floor plan development is that we can email these back and forth as we strive to get it like you want and you can send them to friends and relatives the same way. You could even send a video of a digital walkthrough or flyover. Then when you feel it is complete, we print them and distribute to the various engineers, suppliers and tradesmen. The end result is a home that reflects your personal desires and meets you specific family needs.

Books by Sarah Susanka: The Not So Big House, Not So Big Solutions For Your Home, and Home By Design. And her web site is www.sarahsusanka.com/

For comments about this article contact Ronnie Godfrey at RGodfreyHomes.com or call 817 988 0149.

Ronnie Godfrey, Certified Graduate Builder For more information about this article and other energy saving tips , visit out website http://www.RGodfreyHomes.com

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Bed Bugs - Traveling Without Getting Stung

With the rash of reports from travelers around the world getting stung by bedbugs and bringing them home it is no wonder people are in fear every time they leave home. Whether you are hiking in a remote area staying in a flophouse or traveling first class staying at a five star resort you are in danger of an attack of these blood thirsty vermin. Here are a few things you can do to dramatically reduce your chance of bed bug bites though.

• First, never put your bags or clothes on the bed. This common mistake is a virtual invitation for the bugs to hitch a ride home with you. Never leave your clothes or bags on the hotel floor.
• Look behind the headboard and pull the bed out a foot or so look all around the bed for black specks. These creatures are very small if you see anything suspicious call the front desk. Leave the bed out from the wall during your stay. Bed bugs can not fly so if they have been coming from the nightstand they will have to get to you some other way.
• Take a roll of clear packing tape with you while you travel. Wrap the legs of the bed sticky side out to trap the bed bugs trying to get to you. I know this seems extreme but you would rather feel weird than get stung.
• Pull all of the bedding off the sides of the bed and look under the seams of the mattress. You are looking for something that looks like dirt smudges. This is the trail of blood and feces left by the bed bugs. If you find this leave the hotel once you find an infestation you should leave as fast as possible.
• If you are an avid traveler I suggest taking two new king-size sheets and sewing them together on the bottom and sides. Use this at night like a big sleeping bag. Make sure and inspect and fold in the morning. Place this in a garbage bag and seal it while returning home. Unpack this before anything else and wash with the hottest water you have before using again.

In my next article I will explain how to handle finding bed bugs after you have stayed at a hotel. Even if you find them you do not have to bring them home.

Tim Russell is an internet junkie. With more than 20 niche websites form coin collecting to bed bugs. Please take the time to visit http://www.bed-bug-bites.net for all your updated bedbug information. If you have any direct questions you can email Tim tlrussell@bed-bug-bites.net

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10 Tips For Cheap Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Are you set to remodel your bathroom but the cost is hindering your plans? This article on cheap bathroom remodeling ideas will help you to turn your bathroom into an enchanting delight from a dull one.

We often tend to visualize everything brand new and over look the fact that by simply replacing small fixtures can bring new life to an existing bathroom. Cheap bathroom remodeling ideas are a great for the do-it-yourselfer.

Cheap bathroom remodeling ideas

1. If you are a DIY person, you can save a lot of dollars by refurbishing items like cabinets, varnish, vanities with paint etc.

2. Space is an important factor. Try rearranging the bathroom layout.

3. Gather inspiring ideas from the internet.

4. Get creative and take a tip from your nearest bathroom shop.

5. Paint the wall instead of using wallpapers. Paper wallpapers cannot handle the moisture and will soon peel off.

6. Shower/Bath glass enclosures are easy to install and clean than cloth or plastic curtains. This is also a fashionable way of dressing up your bathroom.

7. Never touch any plumbing or electrical jobs as you may end up paying the plumber/electrician for repairing the damage.

8. Another cheap bathroom remodeling idea is that you can change the toilet seat or a toilet seat cover. With the help of couple of screwdrivers, a toilet seat can be easily changed. This is a very easy task compared to other fixtures in the home. Match the cover to a new rug. This will give a new and an elegant look to your bathroom.

9. Allow your children to display their creativity in the bathroom. Ask them to stick some fancy stickers in the walls. You will be amazed how it adds value to your bathroom. However, do not encourage children to stick them on the mirrors. This would take lot of time to clean and would be tough if you are planning to sell your house.

10. Consider some cheap posters .This will make the area look different and good. You can also cover the areas that are not appealing with posters, if you are not planning to paint currently.

Tips

Take advice from the experts and do some price comparison before purchasing. Remember to bring samples of the necessary items to avoid several trips to the store. Take a picture of your bathroom as this will give you a visual sense, and you will be able to select better. Carry the exact measurements and a floor plan when are you are shopping. Always balance your needs with your budget and try not to stray from your budget.

If you're looking for more information about bathroom renovation or are looking for bathroom remodeling ideas come visit me at my bathroom remodeling blog.

You will find lots of information about bathroom tile design, shower and tub installation, bathroom remodeling tools, bathroom renovation ideas, bathroom remodeling pictures and even specific information about the topic of this article: cheap bathroom remodeling ideas.

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How to Design a Timeless Bathroom

Designing a timeless bathroom is all about making subtle choices. From the right use of colors, to the type of furniture or the actual finishes and materials you use. Here are seven tips for designing a bathroom that will stand the test of time.

Choose neutral colours. Those electric blues, avocado greens, and bright pinks might have been all the rage at some point-but today, they date a bathroom pretty quickly.

Choose simple furniture. Stay away from richly embellished vanities, cabinets, and other bathroom furniture if you're going for a timeless look.

Choose natural finishes. Even the trendiest artificial countertop and tile materials may look worn and outdated in a decade.

Stay away from excessive embellishment. Today's opulent luxury is a trend that will fade-so choose simple elegance instead.

Choose subtlety. A subtle touch can look good for decades, while a more heavy-handed dcor might look outdated next year.

Choose metals that blend well. When choosing fixtures, look for sleek, simple designs that will blend in with your dcor-not something dramatic that will stand out.

Make a statement with accessories. Instead of redoing your tile in bright pink, add a few accents such as a vase of pink flowers or fluffy towels in the bold colours you love.

Today's perfect bathroom can easily become tomorrow's eyesore. But you can stop this from happening to your bathroom if you follow these principles. If you do, your bathroom will be beautiful no matter what decade you're in.

Ok that's it for now. Hope you enjoyed the article. If you have any ideas or suggestions for content you'd like us to present on this topic please feel free to contact us via email or via the website listed below.

R Dobson is a blogger and bathroom retail specialist for Bathroom Talk. For more information and articles on bathroom related news and views visit http://www.bathroomtalk.co.uk/

Damaged Composition Roof Shingle

Liverpool Airport Hotels - Why Should You Stay There?

Liverpool Airport Hotels are easy to find, as Liverpool Airport is ideally located just out side of Liverpool City Centre, and so is handy for all the facilities of a busy modern city such as Liverpool.

With passengers taking more city breaks, long weekends as well as longer holidays, there has never been a better time to enjoy your time off work, and travel.

If you fancy a long weekend exploring a European City, or visiting friends and family who live abroad, then perhaps you will want to extend your holiday by staying in a Liverpool Airport Hotel.

If you're considering arriving at, or departing from Liverpool Airport, you may be looking for a Liverpool Airport Hotel to stay in. As the airport is so close to the city centre, you can choose from any number of Liverpool Airport Hotels. With so much to do in Liverpool and Merseyside, you really will be spoilt for choice. And that's before you consider visiting places further afield such as North Wales, The Lake District and the Golf Coast. Why not stay in Liverpool for an extra day or two and make the most of your time here? From the tours of the Beatles landmarks, to the modern art at the Tate Gallery, other museums and art galleries, and the brand new exciting Liverpool One shopping environment, there really is plenty for everyone to do in Liverpool.

As well as Liverpool and Merseyside, the North West offers many places to visit and things to do. Sport is well represented in the North West. The North West coast is known as the Golf Coast, thanks the many golf courses, including Royal Liverpool, Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham. There are also 7 Premier League football clubs in the North West. Horse Racing is also popular, with the famous Haydock and Aintree race courses easy to get to. Blackpool, Southport and the Lake District are all worth a visit if you can make the time.

The picturesque North Wales coast line includes the popular destinations of Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Anglesey which are within easy reach, and there is always plenty to do, whatever the weather.

Whether you're flying to or from Liverpool Airport on a weekend city break or a summer or winter holiday, make sure that you consider a Liverpool Airport Hotel either before or after you travel.

With flights to and from many different European destinations, you can be sure that you can fly to where you want to be, or depart from where you are.

As the 2008 European Capital of Culture, Liverpool has become one of the most popular places to visit. Make sure you see what all the fuss is about, and either fly from, or to Liverpool Airport, and stay in one of the Liverpool Airport Hotels.

Find out more about Liverpool Airport Hotels, and book your Liverpool Airport Car Parking online at LiverpoolAirport.com

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Cheap Hotels in Milan to Serve People on a Budget

Milan is the place in Italy, which should be visited and not to be missed, while on the trip to Italy. The most beautiful and dazzling city leave the ever lasting imprints on the screen of a mind. Its architectural beauty, shopping malls, sleek skyscrapers, vibrant nightlife, historic monuments and parks have all collectively made it a top tourists' destination. Apart form it, several amusements parks, gardens and tourists' attractions have added their charismatic influence to the city. Milan hotels are also not lagging behind in catering to their accommodation needs.

The extensive network of hotels, ranging from star luxury hotels to cheap hotels in Milan, caters to the taste and need of every traveler. From the bedding to the recreation and cuisines, their service is superb. Milan is known all over the world for the perfection, it stretches in all fields. Here, the cuisines contain the distinct flavor. The most popular dish, Risotto, a popular dish, is made of rich meat stocks, which is prominent with all the menus. Beside, it there are many of Milan dishes that are popular among people on budget. Some of the cheap hotels Milan can be easily found in proximity to these tourists attractions:-

Duomo cathedral- one of the most fantastic and imposing structures in the world. This incredible structure has become the symbol of Milan. The golden statue inside it, known as La Madonnina, is one of the main attractions for the visitors to the city.
Castello Sforzesco- it is the main site for the historians and for those interested in knowing the history of the city. Situated in the Parco Sempione, the central tower of the building, it offers magnificent views over the city. It not only give it a beautiful picturesque to Milan but also give it a grand appearance.
Arco Della Pace- it lies opposite to the central tower, mentioned above. It is made up of granite, brought from the Lake Maggiore area. It remains as an impressive feature.
Teatro alla Scala- it is a large opera house built on the central site of the old church, Santa Maria della Scala. It includes the theater museum, a home to fine collection of painting, ceramics and sculpture. Generally the traditional opening night of the opera season takes place on the feast day of the patron saint of Milan.

Beside these, there are many tourists' attractions, to be explored by the tourists, which add fun and excitement to the trip of its visitors. Have a memorable trip to Mailn, Italy!

Nancy Eben is an associate editor of http://www.a1milanhotels.com/ The website offers exclusive information of Milan and Milan hotels. We also provide online hotel reservation of cheap hotels Milan. We appreciate your feedback and queries at megharyan@gmail.com

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Travel Hotel - For Worthy Vacations

If you are tired of overflowing inbox, unwanted calls and work pressure then it is the time to take a break. A break from your dull, mundane or routine schedule. Travel hotels play an important role in enjoying the vacations to some exotic place such as in the lap of nature. Believe it or not, location of travel hotel will be a perfect stress reliever with other things. So, while going for holidays, get the best hotel booked for you.

While selecting a travel hotel, mind it that every hotel is not geared for holiday travelers. As a matter of fact, some are simply meant for business travelers and others focus on leisure features. The destination place geared for travelers must be joyful. As a matter of fact, these travel hotels are designed to a certain theme to give their hotel guests a welcoming feeling. The travel hotels can be classified as mainstream, boutique and luxury.

The holidays are unique and unmatched experience which are filled with wonderful memories. The selection of the hotel plays an essential role. Therefore, it can be said that travel hotels can also be categorized on the basis of distinguishing features or service provided. Resort hotels for instance, offer luxurious surroundings with a variety of recreational facilities such as swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts, game rooms, and health spas. One can also look out for the planned social activities and entertainment in these hotels. Travel hotels are typically located in vacation destinations or near natural settings such as mountains, seashores, theme parks or other attractions. Moreover, some of the best travel hotels and motels provide additional convention and conference facilities to encourage customers to combine business with pleasure.

Casino hotels for instance, combine both lodging and legalized gaming on the same premises. Along with the typical services provided by most full-service hotels, these hotels also contain casinos where customer can wager at table games, play slot machines and make other bets.

Read more about Cheap Hotels and Holiday Packages

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Design Your Own Dream House

In the past, designing your own dream house meant grabbing a pen and pad of paper and spending hours meticulously drawing plans only to scrap them once you made a mistake. It was frustrating work. But, times have changed. Today, there are several house design software programs that can do the same work. Even better, it takes less time and allows for easy adjustments for mistakes along the way. Once a frustrating task, planning your dream house can be exciting again.

Using Software To Visualize Your Dream House

One of the most common problems people have when planning their dream home is trying to visualize how everything looks. House design software resolves this issue. It can provide a 3D interface through which you to view floor plans, walking areas, structural placements and more. But, some software programs are better than others.

Use a house design program that comes with preset floor plans and templates to get you started. Often, even if you have an idea of how your dream house should ultimately look, preset floor plans can get the creative juices flowing. The software you use should also be robust enough to allow you to modify the templates in any way you wish as you're designing the home.

Also, the software should allow you to plan the plumbing within your home as well as the electrical system. Some programs will even let you plan custom trims for your windows throughout your home. The more robust your software, the more flexibility you'll enjoy in designing your dream home to your preferences.

Designing Your Dream Home

If you're planning to design your dream house, using house design software can save time and make the process fun. Software shouldn't replace the skills and advice of a trained architect, but will allow you to create your home without the limitations of pen and paper. If you make a measurement error, adjusting your plans is easy and fast. When you're using software to design your home, the scope of your plans are limited only be your creativity (and physics).

Source: http://www.homedesignsoftwareinc.com

Get our free house design software guide for information about kitchen & bathroom remodeling, deck and garden design, floor plan drawing software.

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How to Shingle a Roof - Don't Rack Your Brain Or Your Shingles!

If you're looking for "how to shingle roof" information, you've come to the right place. One of your first decisions is which pattern to use. You basically have two choices...

How to Shingle Roof - The Racking Method

Running your shingles straight up the roof in columns, is called "racking". It has been around as long as there have been three-tabs, which were designed to be lined up nice and straight. When they're not, they look just awful and you don't have to be an expert to notice it. Even your neighbor, (who doesn't know anything about roofing), knows those tabs are supposed to be straight!

Racking is the best way to keep them straight. When a shingle is out of alignment, it is easy to spot and can be corrected on the very next column.

But manufacturers' don't like racking. This goes back to the days when quality control of the granule colors wasn't as good as it is now. Slight variations in shading were less apparent when the stair step method was used, so that is what they specified then, and they still do,

Although racking is a common trade practice, it occasionally becomes an issue. Since the manufacturers' installation instructions specify the stair step method, some inspectors demand that they be installed that way. That can be a real problem after the new roof is installed!

Your best bet is check first with your roofing inspector first to see if you can rack them, or just use the stair-step method.

How to Shingle Roof - The Stair Step Method

The problem is that it's tough to keep three-tabs in alignment using the stair step method. Perhaps the best solution is to upgrade to an architectural shingle. Sometimes called "dimensional" or "laminated", these were designed to be installed with the stair step method. There is no fussy vertical alignment to contend with.

And when you consider that architectural shingles are typically larger than the three-tab variety, they are much faster to install. They also last longer because they don't have the side gaps, which are the "Achilles Heal" of three-tabs. That's the first place they wear out.

But just because there is no fussy vertical alignment with the architectural type, it doesn't mean you can install them any which way. Follow the directions on the wrapper when creating the steps rather than making your cuts in a random manner. And be sure to watch your nail placement. You don't want any seams to fall within three inches of the nails in the course below.

Of course, there's a lot more "how to shingle roof" information you need to know. To make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

John C Bishop is the author of "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!"

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Green Bathroom Renovation on a Budget

As the global economy reels, and foreclosure rates continue to set new records across the country, more Americans are using green bathroom renovation to save water and energy use as well as a reduction in sewage and gas production. Contrary to the belief by some that green remodeling is expensive. The initial cost may be expensive, but the savings in water and energy bills are immediate and the benefits, lasting. Here are tips on how to create your next eco-friendly bathroom on a budget.

Save money by installing a low-flush toilet
Think of this this dirty estimate. According to the EPA, about 4.8 billion gallons of water are flushed down the toilet every day. To break it down for your share of the billions of water going down the drain everyday, American Water Works Association, an average household uses 20-28 gallons per day just to flush the toilet. Therefore, toilets are the singular and most important way that water goes down the drain. That's why in 1999 the Energy Act, mandated residential toilets to use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush compared to 3.5-5 gallons of water per flush toilets. Cut back by installing an ultra-low-flush toilet.

Dual-Flush Toilets save water bills
As the name implies dual flush toilets offer two types of flushing modes, one mode for number one and the other mode for number two. One of the modes uses only 0 .8 - 1.1 gallons of water per flush.

Save water bills by installing low-flow shower heads
The next water guzzler after toilets and washing machines, are showers heads. By installing new low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators homeowners are reducing their consumption by as much as 50%. In addition and equally important is that the cost of the energy that is used in heating the water is also reduced. Reduction in water use benefits the environment and puts quite some green in your wallet.

Be thankful for a tank-less water heater
Here are reasons to be thankful for tank-less water heater after your eco-friendly remodeling.
1. Tank-less water heaters never run out of hot water- you save energy because of not losing heat in the water tank.
2. Immediate and constant flow of hot water
3. Low energy use means low carbon emissions.
4. Besides energy efficiency, tank-less water heaters take up less space, are easy to maintain, and more convenient to operate.

Use skylights or compact fluorescent lighting
Indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. By installing skylights, you enjoy the twin benefits of fresh air and huge savings on energy bills. There are also available today, varieties of electric bulbs or compact fluorescent bulbs that save money and the environment.

Use recycled or recyclable materials
The complaint used to be that recycled and recyclable floor materials or even counter-tops are not available. Bathtub refinishing for instance, saves beautiful antiques, bathtubs and counter-tops from ending up at the landfills. Additionally, bathtub refinishing is about 20% of the cost of tub replacement.

Get greener cleaners
Now that you've taken the time to renovate your bathroom in the most eco-friendly way available, with the resources available to you, don't undermine your environmental gains by using cleaning products containing VOC's. We recommend that after your green remodeling, that your indoor-air quality by using non-toxic organic soaps and cleaners.

Wilson Uche Ukah, is the President of Refinishing Stars, a bathtub refinishing company serving the bathtub reglazing needs of homeowners in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville. Refinishing Stars, refinishes bathtubs, sinks, and countertops for hotels and motels nationwide. He writes regularly on green remodeling. Wilson can be reached at http://www.refinishingstars.com or sales@refinishingstars.com

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Installing a 32 Inch Back Door

In some older houses you will find a 30 inch back door. Have you ever tried to move a refrigerator or some large furniture through a 30 inch door? Keep in mind most bedroom doors are 30 inches wide and are in 36 inch hallways. 30 inch doors and bedrooms make it tough to move some furniture in too.

Let's start with the price difference between a 30 inch door and a 32 inch door. The cost difference is usually going to be around $20. If you are building a hundred homes this could become quite an additional expense. So we can understand why the home builder installed a 30 inch door in the back of our home.

He got the extra money in his pocket, you got a headache.

Here's the big problem. If you ever want to install a larger door you will need to replace the structural door framing. Now this is where you could run into a little bit of an expense. Changing the framing for a wider door could become quite costly. It could actually cost over $1000 in some cases.

Now if the homebuilder would have originally installed a 32 inch door in your house it might have ran him as high as an additional $45. How can this be? I will give you the first clue. There is a good chance the homebuilder will not be moving into any of these houses. If for some strange instance he did move into the house, he would learn the same lesson whenever he needed to move a large item into the house.

I'm a contactor and learned this lesson in a long time ago.

If you are building a new home you might even want to consider installing a 36 inch back door. This door will give you plenty of room when it comes to moving large items in or out of your house. The cost difference between a 36 inch door and a 32 inch door is usually around $20 also.

When building a new home most people don't give very much thought about their interior or exterior doors. Here's a simple chart I made to help with some basic door decisions.

Bathroom Doors Should Be 28 Inches Wide Minimum.
Bedroom Doors Should Be 30 Inches Wide Minimum.
Front Doors Should Be At Least 36 Inches Wide
Back Doors and Garage Doors Should Be At Least 32 Inches Wide

If you are a professional football or basketball player don't use these numbers above.

If you have large sliding glass doors or French doors throughout your home and can use them to move large items into the house you can install whatever size doors you choose that are comfortable to walk through.

Give some thought when installing a new door on your next project and keep some of the above tips in mind..

If you are designing a home give some thought to the stairways and hallways in the home as well.

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 and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Bay Window Ideas

Plant Attaches To Stucco

Using Fire Rated Glass Blocks to Create Safe and Stylish Windows and Walls

If you've got a 60 or 90 minute fire rating requirement and you're looking to enhance the looks of your building as well what product can you use? Answer - a stylish and contemporary option are 60 and 90 minute fire rated glass blocks. In this article you'll learn the following about these products:

The features and benefits of fire rated glass masonry units
Where to use fire rated blocks.

The features and benefits of using fire rated glass masonry units

The main reason to use a fire rated glass block vs. a standard block is to meet UL ratings of 60 and 90 minutes for window assemblies (a standard block has a 45 minute rating). The following are some additional benefits you'll get with these specialized glass units:

1. Transparency, looks, and light transmission - The blocks are available in Vue (see through) and higher privacy patterns (Endura and Decora from Pittsburgh Corning and Wave from Mulia) and provide 75% visible light transmission.

2. Noise reduction - Fire rated blocks have thicker faces of 3/8", " and 3" of solid glass. The thicker face result in an improved sound transmission class to reduce noise of 53 for Solid Vistabrik glass bricks, and 48 for the sixty and ninety minute rated blocks.

3. Added security- Since the fire rated assemblies are mortared together, and the blocks have thicker faces, they have increased impact resistance and are harder for vandals to break through. The faces on these blocks are 50% thicker for 60 minute blocks and 300% thicker for 90 minute blocks than a standard block.

4. Architectural design flexibility - Use one pattern or combine all 3 patterns to create unique designs with increased fire ratings.

5. Bullet and graffiti resistant - The Vistabrik 3" solid glass blocks and bricks can resist penetrations from high impact weapons with .357 magnum and 9 mm bullets. The non-stick glass surface makes it easier to remove graffiti as well.

Where to use fire rated blocks

Since fire rated glass block windows and walls will generally cost about 50 to 100% more than a standard glass block project (and will visually appear the same to someone looking at your building) they are generally used where the additional fire rating capabilities are either required or desired for additional safety. Here are some of the more popular places this product is used:

1. Limited lot line communities where the side walls of adjoining homes are close together - A project in Columbus Ohio is considering 90 minute fire rated Thickset Decora pattern block for condominium style homes that are 12 feet apart from each other. The fire department requires a 90 minute rated window product and the builder wants to make sure all the rooms are light filled and feel open for prospective buyers.

2. Stairwells in schools, hospitals, parking garages, libraries, and homes - Provides light and the feeling of safety.

3. Windows in gymnasiums, homes, factories and other commercial buildings - The blocks are hard to break with gym equipment or in a harsh industrial setting.

4. Building corridors.

5. Multi unit apartment and condominium complexes - more light gets into each unit without sacrificing the tenant or owners privacy.

As you can see fire rated glass blocks can do much more than simply increase fire safety in a building - they can enhance looks, increase privacy, and make a more secure and safe environment as well.

Mike Foti is President of Columbus Glass Block, Cleveland Glass Block, Mid America Glass Block Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron & Vice President of Eastern Glass Block New York & New Jersey - nationwide factory direct suppliers of fire rated glass block for security and safety. Mike's companies also professionally supply and install glass block windows, walls, and showers.

Nationwide 877-668-5888

http://www.columbusglassblock.com/products-security.aspx fire rated glass blocks for safety & security.

http://www.columbusglassblock.com/ - glass block windows, walls, showers, and colored glass block.

Hot Moped Wall View

How to Create a Home Spa Experience From What's Already in Your Bathroom Wall Cabinet

Your bathroom wall cabinet could hold everything you need for a spa-like experience at an affordable cost. With the economy failing and jobs in jeopardy, having an inexpensive place to relax and unwind is more import than ever. People are cutting back on expenses, but still looking for a way to deal with a stress level that is sharply increasing. In times of plenty, spending a day at the spa is one solution. But in lean times, stress relief must be found other ways making at-home spa treatments the ideal solution.

Stocking A Bathroom Wall Cabinet With Spa Ingredients

Take a look in your bathroom wall cabinets. Do you have Epsom salts, lotions, candles, fluffy towels? What about foot stones, loofahs, razors? Gather them all up and plan a bathing session that is sure to relieve some of that stress.

It's easy to create a recipe for a fragrant bath experience that rivals those offered by the best spa. In a glass bowl, mix a cup of Epsom salts and a half-cup of sea or kosher salt with eight drops of your favorite essential oil and four tablespoons of baking soda. When you make your own, you can adjust the strength of the scent by increasing or decreasing the amount of oil you use.

The salts help relieve aching muscles, and the baking soda softens your skin. Choices for essential oils that are soothing and relaxing include lavender, patchouli and sandalwood. Use a quarter of a cup of this mixture in your bathwater, stir until the salts dissolve, and it will feel like heaven.

Run a hot bath with the luxurious bath salts you just created. Look in your bathroom wall cabinets for some candles to light. Roll up a towel to put behind your head, and soak the day's stress away. Play some soothing music and close your eyes. You will find that you have created an experience that couldn't be achieved at even the most expensive spa. Don't forget to turn off your phone!

More Suggestions For a Home Spa Treat

Another simple ingredient from your bathroom wall cabinet can be used in conjunction with a kitchen ingredient to create an inexpensive skin exfoliate. Combine baby oil and sugar to the consistency of your preference, and scrub from head to toe. Not only will you get rid of dead skin cells, you will moisturize your whole body at the same time. Try using raw oats instead for a more gentle effect.

One area you will want to pay special attention to is your feet. The extra special attention is well deserved and important. Why not mix up a foot scrub that you can keep in your bathroom wall cabinets for those days when your feet need the attention.

To make a low-cost foot scrub, simply mix together is four tablespoons of ground coffee along with three tablespoons each of almond or olive oil, ground cornmeal, and Epsom salts. Add drops of your favorite essential oil, and place the mixture in a jar that you can keep in your bathroom wall cabinets.

Your bathroom wall cabinet can be the source of hours of enjoyment. With these simple tips, you might never want to go back to the spa again!

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on advanced excel course, visit http://www.WGWoodProducts.com/.

Home Stucco Books
Home Remodeling Books

Dog Creates Remodeling Nightmare

How many homeowners normally leave their dog in the backyard or they have full time access to the backyard through a doggie door. You're probably wondering how can a little dog create a remodeling nightmare for any contractor.

This wasn't the case this dog was a large Labrador retriever and tore up everything in the backyard constantly. The house remodel we were working on was a two story room addition over a single story house. This job lasted around six months and the dog was a daily reminder of how much attention a large dog actually needs.

Let's start with the first item of value the dog actually destroyed. It was my favorite tool bags of course that I have taken care of for over five years and deeply appreciated the fact that they were broke in just the way I wanted them to be. Kind of like a baseball mitt that doesn't quite fit right because of how stiff it is until you break it in.

While the homeowner of course apologized and never even offered to replace them. Oh but after that he did mention never to leave anything lying around in the backyard. Lesson learned of course and never forgotten. Well to make a long story short this large dog could chew up tools, lumber, plumbing pipes, electrical wire and was even able to destroyed the plywood fencing we would use to keep him away.

I'm going to stop right there with the remodeling nightmare created from this dog in hopes that other contractors can learn from my valuable lesson. As a contractor you should never assume that a homeowner will replace any damaged or broken tools and materials.

As a homeowner with a dog reading this article, think about having a place to enclose the dog if necessary while remodeling work is done on your home.

I love being around dogs and other animals but sometimes a problem like this can make life extremely miserable for both parties.

Greg Vanden Berge has been building and remodeling for over 30 years and his information has proven valuable to most contractors and homeowners all over the world. He usually tries to write at least two articles a day on home improvement or remodeling problems.

Greg is in the process right now of working on a home inspection website that will revolutionize the home inspection business. He is also working on a book to help homeowners and contractors as well as other home related professions in dealing with the home inspection process.

You can visit the home inspection website currently under construction at Home Inspection Help

Bad Termite Damage To Window

6 Tips For Renovating Older Houses - Poway Home Tips

Tip 1.
Do engage an architect for any structural changes. It is important to find one who will take the time to understand your property. This will ensure a sympathetic renovation. Many city councils that have heritage listed houses will have architects on their books, who specialise in renovating period houses. Some will even provide a free concept sketch.

Tip 2.
Do let the building talk to you. For example, if the old light fittings are gone then you can choose a completely new style rather than commissioning a copy. Often old houses will have already undergone several renovations in their lifetime. Peeling back the layers may reveal a decorating treasure.

Tip 3.
Do use recycled products when restoring an old house. They are more likely to fit in with the rest of your house. This is also the green option. Otherwise go for completely new so that the contrast between old and new is exaggerated.

Tip 4.
Don't be tempted to seal the house up. If possible, steer clear of double glazing. An old house needs to breathe. Don't use cement over old stone. The old stone may crumble away leaving you with an unsound structure.

Tip 5.
You don't need to include every period fitting that you can discover. Not everything from your houses period was in your house originally. Better to stick closely to what your house is telling you. But if you really love it, get it. It will always be a talking point. It just may not increase your resale value. Be sensible about the things you love. An open air Balinese bathroom works well in Bali, not so well in Connecticut, and probably not very well in a period house, unless that house is in the tropics.

Tip 6.
Remember a renovation is always going to cost more that your original quote. It is best to budget for at least 50% more and then aim to stay under the original price. Old houses have a way of throwing up surprises.

For information about Historic house, go to http://www.hht.net.au For help with getting the money for your next renovation try http://www.MavMoneyNow.com

Rolling Scaffold

Get a Bathroom Vanity Set For Your Home

During the old times, you will seldom see a bathroom that was elegantly designed and equipped with beautiful installations. This is due to the fact that bathroom fixtures in the past were quite ordinary. But as time passed, with manufacturers coming up with better designs and styles, you will be able to find bathroom vanity pieces that are elegant and charming. When you want aesthetic beauty and functionality in your bathroom and fixtures, there are several new designs to choose from. With the help of an interior designer, you will be able to turn your simple bathroom into an elegant area for bathing and washing. What is more, an interior designer will help you look for appropriate and affordable bathroom vanity sets.

Choosing from Stylish Traditional or Modern-Style Vanities

A bathroom vanity set is usually comprised of faucets, cabinets, sink basins, and mirrors. There are times when the cabinet or storage space is attached with a mirror to its door. On the other hand, these fixtures come in one unit wherein everything else is attached to one another. The modern styles of bathroom vanities vary from one manufacturer to another. For that elegant and contemporary look, you can opt for a bathroom sink that is molded from glass. This bathroom fixture is recently the trend in some homes and commercial establishments. Not only does it provide the bathroom a modern appearance, they are also very beautiful to look at. On the other hand, you can go for a bathroom vanity sink that is made from ceramic or stainless steel.

While there are modern styles of bathroom fixtures, you can also go for the traditional styles. For example, you can have your bathroom installed with a ceramic sink that is connected to a wooden cabinet. The doors of the storage cabinet may be attached with mirrors on both sides or on one side only. This kind of bathroom vanity unit is perfect for country-style or old-style bathrooms. Traditional vanity units are not just for making your bathroom look livelier, they also make convenient wash units.

The Broad Selections of Bathroom Vanity Units

If you want to install your bathroom with a vanity unit, you can choose from several styles and designs in the market. A bathroom vanity unit also varies in price. If you are doing a renovation on your bathroom according to a budget, you can opt for an affordable vanity unit. But if you have lots of cash to spare, there are many units that will make your bathroom a very comfortable area in your home.

One of the most preferred styles is a twin unit, wherein there are two sink basins. This is appropriate for a wide-spaced bathroom. A vanity unit is great for bathrooms with limited spaces since the faucet, sink, mirror, and cabinet are attached to one another. What is more, the cost of a vanity unit is lesser compared to shopping the pieces individually. You will be able to save space and money, when you buy a vanity unit for your bathroom.

There are lots of manufacturers that are coming up with new designs and styles of bathroom vanities. If you want to search for the best bathroom vanity unit, you can search online. ind more information about the same at http://www.vigoindustries.com.

House Lighting Books
Stair Building Books

Luck is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity

You must be ready when an opportunity comes before you, opportunity often comes in the form of work and that's why most people seem to miss it. Most people are too busy looking for the easy path through life. They seem to lay around waiting for the opportunity of a lifetime,... to simply fall at your feet.

Why would you want to spend so much time complaining about something, or someone? Other people can help you along the way, if you let them, but it's up to you, ultimately, to become the most you can possibly be. I have had plenty of opportunities in my life and have took advantage of some, while letting most of them pass by.

I'm no different than most people but now seem to be aware of my surrounding opportunities, all the time.

How many times do you wish for an opportunity to come along? It's probably one that you missed already, at some point during your life. Are you going to be prepared for the next opportunity when it comes along? These opportunities seem to repeat themselves throughout our lives and if we're not in the right state of mind, we often overlook them and let them pass by, time and time again.

You need to prepare yourself in advance for the next opportunity. If you are prepared and have your eyes open, you will be able to see the next opportunity that comes your way. Preparation will increase your chances for success and good fortune always.

Opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. Be on the lookout, when you're walking to the grocery store, taking a break at work, reading the newspaper, talking to your neighbor, walking down the street or even while you are sitting alone, letting your mind wander away. Your chances for success could come while your in your quiet places, or relaxing. Be prepared.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Water Heater Inside And Clean Up

Home Improvement Tips - Renovating So You Can Age at Home

When remodeling your home you should think to the future. Do you have an elderly relative that might be moving in at some point or should you be planning for your own future?

A recently released a study that found 75% of the people who currently own homes planned on retiring in them. Its even got a term. Aging in place.

Try to think with the future ahead in mind. Here is some ideas to keep in mind when you are renovating your home.

• Consider a more open more wheelchair friendly layout for your design.
• Remodel your home so that you can live on the ground level if necessary.
• Avoid steps on the main floor if possible.
• Widen doorways to make them wheelchair accessible.
• Try to plan the front entry as low as possible to the ground and eliminate stairs with sloping walks.
• In a bathroom remodel, install extra reinforcement for grab bars and make them handicap accessible.
• Use lever type faucet handles in bathrooms and the kitchen.
• Plan for a lot of storage within easy reach - the area from 20 to 44 inches above the floor and no more than 20 deep.
• When installing cabinets use drawers where possible.
• Make sure that drawers have pulls that are easy to grasp.
• Install lever handles on doors throughout the house.
• Consider hard flooring or choose an attractive, low-pile commercial carpet.
• Place your electric outlets higher than normal and switches lower.
• Consider a shelf outside the front door so you can put down packages while looking for keys and bringing bags in from a car.

Not only will these upgrades to your home benefit you if you choose to retire in your home, it will also likely make it more appealing should you choose to sell it at some point later.

Bob Current writes about a variety of subjects including home renovations. You can download his free report on Choosing The Best Contractor For Your Renovation at http://www.homeimprovementtips.info.

Framing Plate With Copper Pipe

Improving Your Bathroom

Is your bathroom feeling blah? Are you thinking of remodeling but don't know where to begin? This is a problem for most people. They want something new, but can't figure out what it is. Why not go for the whole kitten caboodle?

Think about it. The bathroom is one of the most private spots in your house. It's the one place you can go where nobody will follow. Such a citadel as this should not be neglected as it usually is when home improvement projects are undertaken.

Bathroom cabinets are often tattered, bathroom vanities missing light bulbs, and the bathroom sink is chipped and mildewed. Don't even get me started on the toilet.

There are bathrooms of all different sizes. Big ones are nice, because you have more to work with, but small ones have their own cozy charms as well. Before starting any kind of work, you need to take accurate measurements or your bathroom, and get an idea of your limits.

For those of you lucky enough to have a large bathroom, there are hot tubs for sale that are built into floors. With a hot tub, your house could be your own personal swim spa.

The only drawback to this is that maybe you won't want to leave your bathroom. But that is a small price to pay for all the benefits of a Jacuzzi, especially an indoor model. You won't need to worry so much about hot tub covers, or super strong chemicals, and they are much easier to keep clean.

If your bathroom is too small to accommodate such an appliance, don't despair. For a more traditionally sized bathroom, there are sauna showers. These type of bathroom steam showers are basically the same as the steam room showers you find at high class spas. They're just smaller, meant for one or two people at a time instead of a group.

Now about your filthy sink. Who wants to brush their teeth over a sink looking like that? It's not even fit for spitting in. But it's not entirely your fault. Porcelain seems to have a tendency to collect filth and become chipped. Luckily for us, there are glass sinks that hold up much better to the daily abuse, and won't become stained.

Shower curtains are notorious for collecting mildew, and they're difficult to clean. They are also an expense that adds up; they don't last forever after all. Investing in a quality set of shower doors is really a smart move; they are simple to clean because they are a hard, sturdy surface, and because they are made out of glass it is easy to slough scum off of them.

Anything in the bathroom is liable to collect mildew and mold. Keep that in mind when picking out tiles! White ones will quickly become yellowed and ugly, and they're just so boring anyway. Try picking out fun colors like hot pink, or maybe patterned tiles if your budget will allow.

Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from San Diego, CA. She specializes in do-it-yourself home improvement, remodeling, and interior design. For a wide selection of bathroom vanities and steam showers, please visit http://www.mybath.biz/.

Fireplace Books
Real Estate Books

What Does a GFI Do? - Electrical Problems

In your bathroom you should have a GFI electrical outlet. Most new homes or newly remodeled homes require you to have GFI electrical outlets in the kitchen. Most older kitchens do not have GFI electrical outlets. GFI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.

Why not call it a GFCI instead of a GFI electrical outlet? Well it is called a GFCI in some instances. GFI is short and is the most common name used by most electricians and builders for this type of outlet.

GFI 's come in 15 amp and 20 amperage outlets. GFI outlets must be wired properly. Make sure you're using the proper wire size when hooking up the GFI outlet.

How do I know which size wire to use? This all depends on how far away you are running it from the electrical panel. There are charts you can use to figure this out. If you are not running the electrical wire more than 80 feet from the electrical panel you can use 12 gauge electrical wires for a 20 amp GFI. This is a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

If you're going to be using a 15 amp GFI and you are going to be less than 80 feet away from the electrical panel you can use 14 gauge electrical wires. Again this is just a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

A GFI is a light duty electrical plug used in bathrooms, kitchens and the exterior of your house. The sole purpose of the GFI is to shut the breaker off faster if there is any moisture or light load problems.

Let's say for instance you have your hair dryer plugged into the GFI outlet. The hair dryer somehow falls into the sink while it is on or plugged in. The GFI outlet will instantly shut off because of the sensitivity of the breaker inside of the plug it self.

The GFI plug has a test button and a reset button on it. If you are continually resetting the GFI you will wear it out eventually. I have had GFI plugs after resetting the button about 10 times break and no longer able to use them.

The GFI electrical plug is a great idea and if you don't have them in your bathroom or outside of your home it would be a great idea to have an electrician install them for you.

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 Home Building Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

San Diego Termite Damage

Stucco Stain From Roof Leak

Tricky Home Improvement Projects - Poway Remodels

As homeowners, we have all gotten in over our heads and found ourselves overwhelmed by those tricky home repairs and improvement projects. Deciding we are fully capable of accomplishing a project, we often find ourselves wishing we had hired more capable hands. Contractors are skilled and experienced in their respective fields and are always on hand to provide excellent service to those in need.

Home improvement is often riddled with unforeseen problems that an inexperienced homeowner cannot anticipate. Contractors, with their abundance of experience, can often anticipate problems before they occur and find solutions to any problem that may arise. This is the difference that many homeowners do not consider before making the decision of whether or not to hire a professional.

With a great deal of problems that may arise, more complex projects such as home exterior painting should always be left to professional contractors. Sometimes, a homeowner will be skilled and experienced in a certain field, such as home painting, and in these cases, doing the work oneself may prove to be a better option. However, these skilled homeowners are few and far between, so for the majority of you homeowners, hiring a professional to do the home improvement work on your house will pay dividends in the end. Not only will the project look much better upon completion, but having a professional do the work will allow you to relax and trust that your project is in excellent hands. With so much experience and training in the field, contractors are valuable assets to any project.

More information on College Works Painting home improvement for your home is just a click away.

Shower Window Installed

Dog Creates Remodeling Nightmare

How many homeowners normally leave their dog in the backyard or they have full time access to the backyard through a doggie door. You're probably wondering how can a little dog create a remodeling nightmare for any contractor.

This wasn't the case this dog was a large Labrador retriever and tore up everything in the backyard constantly. The house remodel we were working on was a two story room addition over a single story house. This job lasted around six months and the dog was a daily reminder of how much attention a large dog actually needs.

Let's start with the first item of value the dog actually destroyed. It was my favorite tool bags of course that I have taken care of for over five years and deeply appreciated the fact that they were broke in just the way I wanted them to be. Kind of like a baseball mitt that doesn't quite fit right because of how stiff it is until you break it in.

While the homeowner of course apologized and never even offered to replace them. Oh but after that he did mention never to leave anything lying around in the backyard. Lesson learned of course and never forgotten. Well to make a long story short this large dog could chew up tools, lumber, plumbing pipes, electrical wire and was even able to destroyed the plywood fencing we would use to keep him away.

I'm going to stop right there with the remodeling nightmare created from this dog in hopes that other contractors can learn from my valuable lesson. As a contractor you should never assume that a homeowner will replace any damaged or broken tools and materials.

As a homeowner with a dog reading this article, think about having a place to enclose the dog if necessary while remodeling work is done on your home.

I love being around dogs and other animals but sometimes a problem like this can make life extremely miserable for both parties.

Greg Vanden Berge has been building and remodeling for over 30 years and his information has proven valuable to most contractors and homeowners all over the world. He usually tries to write at least two articles a day on home improvement or remodeling problems.

Greg is in the process right now of working on a home inspection website that will revolutionize the home inspection business. He is also working on a book to help homeowners and contractors as well as other home related professions in dealing with the home inspection process.

You can visit the home inspection website currently under construction at Home Inspection Help

Plaster Wall Moisture Problem

Bathroom Wall Paneling - A Fresh New Look

The room that is most often used in my house especially when company arrives is the basement. There is a large flat screen television, pool table and pin ball machines. It has one gigantically enormous flaw and that is the bathroom. Remember the bathroom is constantly visited by my guests. The privacy afforded there allows my guests to have close examination of the room. Keep in mind I have a beautiful vanity and wall mirror, but the problem is my walls. They are in disastrous condition. Parts are peeling and some of the tile is cracking. It gives the entire bathroom a drab and unappealing vision. I need a type of wall covering that will change the entire look and feel of the room.

I started searching for a fresh new look that would infuse my select tastes and personality while still remaining functional. I first started looking at all the different wall tiles available. I was unhappy with what I found since the tiles in my present room were cracking. I also wanted something that was easy to maintain. I had images of myself scrubbing the mould that had accumulated between the grout and the excising tiles.

There must be other options that I had not come across. To my delight there is an option which offers everything that I imagined. Through my search I had discovered waterproof bathroom wall paneling. It comes in a variety of designs, materials, styles and formats. It is quite easy to install there is no grouting needed and once installed you can use the room immediately. This paneling can be purchased as a complete kit. These panels come with all the necessary installation supplies. Some of the items included in these kits are side and back wall paneling, corner molding strips, corner soap dishes, adhesive caulk, pressure tape and accessories. Kits come cut to size so no trimming is necessary.

Bathroom wall paneling can be fitted over most walls. This includes brick, concrete, plaster board and ceramic tiles. It is a must that the walls are even and provide a suitable fixing for screws, plugs and adhesive. All are made by bonding a decorative high performance laminate to them. This makes the surface one hundred percent water proof. There are some panels that clip together tightly allowing no water through. This creates a seamless water tight joint.

The moist and humid conditions of the bathroom produce ideal atmosphere for mould and mildew to grow. The wall paneling solution has overcome this problem for all of us. We need never again to be bending over the walls scrubbing and almost passing out from the harsh odors of the detergents needed to get them clean. Wall paneling adds character to the room while protecting the walls from moisture.

These panels are made to withstand the rigorous demands of a busy household while maintaining its finish. It is very durable and is unlikely to suffer any damage. Also, after several years it will still look like new. You can use your typical cleaning products that you have around the house. You will not need to purchase anything special to keep its beauty.

You can find bathroom wall paneling in many different materials. I chose a PVC material with a mosaic tile effect. Another good choice would be bead boarding or wainscoting. This is excellent for the bathroom and runs vertically from the floor to one third or one half the height of the wall. This adds texture to the wall and makes it become the focal point of the room. This texture adds a rich vitality and vibrancy to the room.

In general when you add a new look or change the decor to a room it becomes a great mood enhancer. I know your bathroom may be small, but take a look around. It may be screaming for a design make over.

Author Bio: Barbara Tobiasz resides with her husband (Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: http://www.wall-decor-concepts.com) in the Chicago area, studied at the Art Institute and taught for the Chicago Public Schools. She has volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. Her hobbies include reading, taking long walks with her dog and working her magic turning ordinary rooms into creative works of art.

Home Siding Books
House Painting Books

Are Indoor Humidity Levels Affecting Your Health?

The ideal indoor humidity level is either 35% to 45% or 40% to 50% depending on who you ask. Thankfully, the human body is quite flexible and you do not have too aim at an exact figure. The important thing is to avoid extremes. Living indoors is not entirely natural. The artificial environments that we create for ourselves can sometimes cause extremes of humidity to occur. For short periods of time this is nothing to worry about, but the long term effects can be quite unpleasant.

If the humidity level regularly exceeds 50% you are likely to experience a rapidly increasing dust mite population, which will affect allergy sufferers. Permanently damp rooms tend to have a musty smell. The damp air is a perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew and fungus, which can cause serious health problems. Where ever possible the cause of such conditions should be removed, but it is not always that simple and a dehumidifier may be required. A modern dehumidifier with built in humidistat can be programmed to maintain a humidity level below 50%. There are a wide variety available, so it is important to find the correct type for your situation. A useful guide to dehumidifiers can be found at DehumidifierTips.com

Consistently low humidity levels are also bad. This tends to occur when the weather is cold outside and we turn up the heat in our homes. The most noticeable effects are a sore throat and sinus pain, symptoms that are common in modern society at certain times of year. You can also get dry skin and itchy eyes. The solution is to buy a humidifier that will put moisture back into the air. Like dehumidifiers, these can be programmed to operate automatically, and there is a huge range available that make the most of a variety of different humidification techniques. These techniques are explored in detail at HumidifierInformation.com together with everything else you need to know on the subject.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, maybe you should buy a hygrometer (humidity meter) and take some readings to find out if humidity is the cause. With modern technology at your disposal there is no need for your health to suffer.

You can find out more about optimum indoor humidity levels at http://www.humidifierinformation.com

2 X 6 Wood Framed Ceiling

Cost Effective Stair Building

What is the most cost effective way of building stairs? Why do the tract homes use on site methods of construction? When you think of a factory assembling a product on a assembly line you think why not a home. Why do they still build homes on lots or residential home sites?

If homes could be built in a factory cheaper than on site that is exactly what every home builder would be doing. They just haven't quite figured it out yet. When dealing with the large amounts of materials required to build a house and of course the expense of shipping. It is not cost effective to build a conventional home in a factory and ship it over long distances.

This is the biggest problem with cost effective stair construction. Most prefabricated stairs you will notice are spiral stairs. These stairs are smaller than most stairs that are used for multi level construction.

Spiral stairs are hard for your average carpenter to build. These stairs can be purchased from a factory easily and quite inexpensive.

The stairs in your average two story house are going to weigh about 3 times the amount of a spiral set of stairs that could be shipped in a cost effective way. Spiral stairs are not going to be the main stairway in a home and normally go up to a loft or an attic. Most spiral stairs don't meet the minimum building requirements for the main stairway in your home.

When building tract homes the lumber is shipped in bulk directly to the house site where it will be assembled. The lumber and other building materials will be shipped once. If it went to a factory and then assembled it would also have to be sent to the site on which the house was to be built. This added expense in shipping the materials twice is the problem for such a large and heavy item such as a set of stairs.

There are other prefabricated types of stairs that are built locally and the shipping usually is not a major expense. If you are building a stairway that is not to difficult to build for the average carpenter it will normally be cost effective to build the stairs on site. This would require having the carpenter build the stairs as part of the rough framing and then after drywall have the finish carpenter build the stair handrail system.

Visit us now for easy Home Constuction Help

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.

Porch Rafter Beam Damage

The Only 7 Star Hotel in the World Has Competition

The Burj Al Arab, shaped like a sail and towering above the ocean on it's man-made island, may be quaking on its sand foundation as there are many projects claiming to be equal to or better than the best and most hotel in the world currently in the process of construction.

Firstly, the Burj Al Arab has possibly been dealt a blow in terms of the most famous hotels in Dubai. The Atlantis the Palm Dubai just opened with the most expensive fireworks show ever in the world and sits at the head of the Palm Jumeirah Islands, the latest man-made island network off Dubai's coast which was a much more ambitious project than even the island that now supports the Burj Al Arab. However, it is not classified as a seven star hotel but a mere five stars. You wouldn't know it from it's extremely hyped opening ceremonies, though. Also, the Burj Al Arab soars to the title of world's tallest operating hotel, but the Rose Tower in the same city, once complete, should take over that title. Although, it may not reach the opulence of 7 stars.

There are several other projects set to seriously rival the Burj Al Arab, however.

• Royalties Castle in the Philippines
• Morgan Plaza in Beijing
• Laucala Island in Fiji
• Flower of the East in Kish, Iran
• Grand Chola in Chennai, India
• The Centaurus in the somewhat surprising location of Islamabad, Pakistan

Ever since the Burj Al Arab came to be known as the only 7 star hotel in the world and now (as it has competition in this category) one of the most famous hotels in Dubai, others in the world dreamed of creating something similar. Nobody has yet claimed to be an 8 star hotel project but can that be too far behind? When and if that comes to pass, it surely would have to be something special to authentically hold that title. Until then, we will just have to make do with 7 star hotels as the penultimate level for luxury.

Jeremiah Iverson is a world traveler and has made it his passion to find cheap accommodation for any budget. Search http://asianahotels.net/ to book the Burj Al Arab and cheap Dubai hotel deals at the best possible price available on the internet. You will get the best deal is asianahotels.net has over 900,000 hotel deals allowing you to get the best price. Is that enough for you?

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Finding a Good Deck Builder

An outdoor deck is becoming an increasingly important asset to the homeowner and family because it provides a perfect space to enjoy the good life in the outdoors day or night. So it's important to find a qualified deck builder who can construct this new outdoor living space for you.

The search involves five simple steps.

Step one involves asking relatives, friends and neighbors about contractors who have worked for them. Try talking to staff at the home improvement retail outlets for deck builder contractors that they recommend.Try contacting your local home builder association for a list of recommended deck building contractors. And finally, look in the Yellow Pages for companies that specialize in deck building.

Once you have decided upon at least three companies to provide you with a deck estimate complete step two. This involves checking with the Better Business Bureau to discover if they are members. Arrange for a time when each of these deck builders can come to your home and discuss your project. Explain clearly when they arrive what you want in terms of deck shape, dimensions, materials to be used, railing type, stair type and placement as well as any special features that you wish built.

In step three ask the deck builder to provide customer references for projects similar to yours. Make a point to call these homeowners. Ask them if the work was done properly and if the work was completed on time. Ask if the project was completed on budget and find out if any follow-up work was required. Inquire if the follow-up work was done satisfactorily. Determine if these customers would hire the contractor again.

Most importantly, go and see for yourself the work done by this deck builder on projects that are similar to yours.

Step four deals with ensuring that you are protected from any risks:

1. Check to see that the deck builder has a registered, legitimate business license.

2. Ensure that the contractor has business liability insurance in case he or she damages your home or a neighbor's or causes an injury to a third party like your neighbor.

3. Make sure that the deck builder has worker compensation coverage to protect against the risk of claims or financial loss if a worker is injured on your project.

4. Ensure that the contractor's written warranty specifies what is covered and for how long.

5. Make sure that the contractor's name, address, telephone number and business license number are on the contract.

6. Check that the contract contains a full description of the work to be done as well as the materials and products to be used in the construction process.

7. Ensure that the contract states when the work will start and when it will be completed.

Step five involves making sure that a building permit is obtained for the project by the contractor. This will automatically guarantee that the local building codes are complied with and that a local building inspector will visit at required intervals to check on the progress and quality of your deck's construction.

Following these five steps will make the construction process stress free because you will have found a good deck builder qualified to do the job professionally and honestly and who will completed the project to your satisfaction.

So, save yourself a lot of headaches and follow the 5 step to finding a good deck builder.

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 a Good Deck Builder 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

Framing Three Interior Windows

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

Nails versus screws who will become the winner. When drywall first came out the installers used everything from regular steel nails to galvanized roofing nails. After a short amount of time they started to develop major problems from nails popping out of the finished drywall.

Nail popping results when the nail is driven into moist lumber and as the lumber shrinks the house settles and nail can actually pop out to the walls. Hard to imagine the nail could actually pop out of the drywall as the wood was drying out.

How far the nail would actually pop out was determined by how far it was driven in to the framing studs or ceiling joists. Well pretty soon drywall installers started to use ring shank nails to eliminate this problem. This worked great but these nails were hard to drive in and would often break.

As time went on the nails improved and were made out of galvanized metal with cupped shaped heads and came in a few different sizes. The size of the nail used was determined by the thickness of the drywall. These new nails worked great and had good holding power and eliminated a lot of nail popping.

Using nails means driving them in with a hammer. If you miss the nail you damage the drywall. This seemed to be a big problem and was virtually eliminated with the screws.

Well pretty soon people started using screws which had greater holding power and pretty much nail popping. Another advantage to using screws over nails is the simple fact you need less screws than you do nails to attach the drywall to the metal or wood framing.

This means less labor installing and finishing the drywall.

There is one problem with the screws and that is they have to be set perfectly. They can not break the paper surface on the drywall but have to be set enough into the drywall so that it can be finished properly. Most screw guns have an adjustable setting used to get just the right depth for the screws installed in the drywall. But this also was a problem when screwing into a hard piece of wood you can actually snapped the screw head off, strip the screw head or break the screw.

Nails on the other hand can bend while driving them into a hard surface.

Who wins the nails versus screws while installing drywall? I have got to give it to the screws. That doesn't mean the nails just got screwed or the screws just got nailed.

I couldn't resist. I actually preferred the screws over the nails except for when nailing the drywall corner bead on. Some drywall professionals use nails to hang the drywall and go back with a screw gun and some screws to finish the job. The nails sometimes seem handier than the screws when installing the drywall.

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 and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Carlsbad Home Improvement

Attic Safety Handrail Framing

Vinyl Log Siding - The Look Without the Maintenance

Log houses look really attractive. However, there is a lot of maintenance necessary in order to keep a log house looking that way. Log houses need to be cleaned multiple times per year, and are subject to damage from water and insects. This maintenance can take a lot of time and money each year, so many people forgo the look of a log house in order to save themselves from the trouble of the maintenance required for this kind of house. However, it is possible to get the look of a log house without the maintenance by using the various vinyl log siding options that are now available.

Any vinyl siding installation specialist should be able to install your vinyl log siding, there is no need to find a special contractor to do the installation. Although it looks like log siding once it is installed, this type of siding installs just like regular vinyl siding, so it is very easy to install. It is made with a foam layer behind the curve of the siding so that it resists denting and holds its shape. You can even get vinyl log siding door and window trims if you would like. As with regular vinyl siding, no maintenance is required for vinyl log siding except for a cleaning now and then with a power washer or hose.

Just like regular log houses come in a variety of wood types, you can get vinyl log siding to mimic the looks of different types of woods. There are companies that provide a variety of different finishes, including cedar or pine. One of the manufacturer's of vinyl log siding, Timbermill, offers Timber Wolf Gray, Warm Cedar, or Harvest Brown as options for the siding it sells. This company seems to be the one that most commonly supplies vinyl log siding.

Since painting vinyl siding is possible, if you wanted a bit less of a traditional log cabin look you could also paint your vinyl log siding, as long as you take the proper steps to do so. Your siding would have to be clean, mildew free, and you would have to paint it a color that is no darker than the original color of the siding.

Learn more about Vinyl Log Siding

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Roofing Problems and How to Prevent Them

"Out of sight, out of mind" is a popular saying that has been around for ages. Those who apply it to home maintenance, however, are asking for trouble. Just because you can't see the top of your house without using a ladder doesn't mean there isn't something happening that could be causing a major roof problem.

Although your roof is hard to view and even harder to monitor regularly, it is essential to a happy, healthy (and dry) home. Homeowners who don't take precautions against potential issues are quite often unpleasantly surprised by frustrating and expensive roofing problems. Here are 4 common roof dilemmas coupled with cost-effective ways to prevent them from affecting your family and wallet.

1. Lack of General Maintenance: One of the main elements causing roof damage is a lack of regular attention. It is suggested that homeowners have their roof inspected even when there is not a detected problem. Especially when considering purchasing a house or being unable to remember the last time anyone serviced the roof for any reason. Finding deterioration and correcting it in the early stages can prevent eventual larger problems. Elements such as missing or broken shingles, lower spots that attract debris and soft spots can be remedied before simple repairs spiral into disasters.

2. Natural Wear and Tear: Most roof building materials will gradually deteriorate over time due to normal exposure to everyday weather and pollutants. Hail tends to damage roof materials drastically and industrial or salt-laden atmospheres may increase the deterioration process due to harsher chemicals. There is no real way to stop the damaging effects from the environment or unpredictable occurrences such as storms and sunlight, but yearly inspections should help detect some of the issues that might be aggravated and accelerated by these natural factors.

3. Wind Damage: When high winds hit a house the roof tends to be one of the first and most damaged areas. Hurricanes and tornados up the ante even further and have a great intensity that most roofs are not designed to withstand. Damage is caused when wind blows over and around the edges of a roof while the existing air attempts to neutralize the low-pressure with a higher-pressure area. The resulting upward push can cause the roof frame to loosen and shingle adhesion to break away. To prevent this from happening the roofing and insulation should be securely attached to the roof deck and a fastened perimeter detail implemented. Ask your local roofing company about specific wind damage precautions you're probably missing.

4. Design Flaws: Roof problems are not always due to deterioration, weather or lack of maintenance, but rather to the inadequacies of the initial design. Costly roofing flaws may require an entire roof replacement but are thankfully rare. If existing design problems are not identified and addressed during a roof inspection serious problems may result. Faulty design issues may include drainage problems; an inadequate slope; weak construction materials that cause splitting and expansion and contraction difficulties which damage the membrane. Contractors have the ability to identify some of these design issues and offer solutions that may be short of an entire replacement. To prevent design flaws, be sure you are using a qualified contractor when building or have a credible inspector handy when purchasing a new home.

The key to a trouble-free roof is obviously doing your best to repair problems as soon as soon as they arise - but even more importantly taking steps to identify potential weaknesses before they result in disaster. Be sure to consult a qualified roofing company or inspector to put your mind at ease, and never be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Regular maintenance, inspection and weather-resistant additions should keep you and yours happy, warm and dry for many years to come.

Superior Roofing Industries, a leading Boston roofing company, specializes in roofing and a number of other commercial and residential services.

Rough Framing For Washer Plumbing