Fiber-Cement Siding Compared to Vinyl Siding

In the world of remodeling the exterior of your home, there are several things to consider when comparing fiber-cement siding to vinyl siding.

Disguising the Problem

Vinyl siding is sometimes used as a cover-up to be placed over the old damaged cladding. The current problems may still exist. Sometimes it may be improperly installed. This invites insects and moisture to build up behind the panels, and may even go through the structure of the home.

Flammable

Vinyl facing may melt or burn if it too close to a heat source such as your grill or a close by fire. The flammability of the cladding is such a concern that some counties/districts are starting to educate homeowners about its natural flammability.

Fiber-cement facing is non-combustible when exposed to significant amount of heat or flame. It has been appreciated for this safety feature. It is also approved for fire-rated structure.
Fading

All colors fade from the sun and there are several options that you can do to replace vinyl cladding. You can install a replacement piece and try to find the matching color of your original siding. You can also replace all the cladding again if you can't find the matching color. You may also paint the facing, but keep in mind this type of facing is made to expand and contract which will cause the paint to chip and peel over time.

Fiber-cement facing can be painted any color that you desire. It will also remain longer than with wood. It won't crack and peel as quickly as vinyl.

Warranty

Always look at the warranty before your purchase. Look closely at the "Life-Time" to see how many years the warranty really covers and also what is covered. Check the "Normal Weathering" section to see what their definition is of normal weathering.

Fiber-cement facing may be found to have a 50 year transferable limited product warranty, and a 15 year finish warranty. This warranty is good for even the most sever climates.

Poor Quality and Aesthetics

Vinyl siding may not look as natural as wood. It has overlapping seams and fake wood grains that try to copy the appearance of wood.

Fiber-cement siding has the beauty of real wood with the ability to be painted any color and not have the chipping and peeling of vinyl or wood. There are no overlapping seams to take away from the natural appearance it will lend to the home.

Weather Resistant

Fiber-cement cladding is a very durable product that can even withstand the most severe climates. It will not go brittle in the cold or be damaged by flying debris like the other type of cladding is known to do.
Thickness

The great amount of thickness that accompanies fiber-cement cladding adds to the products strength that provides impact resistance from wind or hail.

The finest vinyl siding is only 5/100th inch thick.

These are several things you need to consider when investing in the exterior of your home. In the long run, having fiber-cement siding is aesthetically and financially more sound than having vinyl siding which is an inferior product.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Blue Ridge Exteriors. The siding contractor provides James Hardie Siding throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on their James Hardie Siding please visit their website.

Choosing Decorative Towels and Bathroom Accessories

Choosing ornamental towels is not easy nowadays, since today you have a wide array of fabrics to choose from. To help you choose however, we can consider the binds made of satin and appliques combined with bands, and over locked finished edges. Lace trim makes up the towels. Terry cloth is a popular brand, which you can add Satin to offset the towels.

How to choose Satin upshot?
When selecting the Satin upshots you may want to purchase your own, or else handcraft the material. Use your towels, such as the toweling, or purchase a set and stitch reversing you course. To start, tie the cloth using edges (Scallop) and then use your polyester textiles of satin at the hem, start binding, followed by accenting the fabric by serger binding. Once you finish, you can put in bands, which will detail your towels.

How do I choose materials for locks on my machine?
You will need to mingle the monograms, which you can purchase at any craft shop. Once you have the monograms, iron it onto the material, and in place. Raise the flat naps on the towel by brushing it lightly.

It is easy to invent your own towels. Otherwise, you can purchase a wide array of bath towels online, or at any department store. Keep in mind however, that creating your own towels is fun, and you get what you want. Once you finish handcrafting your towel, you can add trim to your fabric. Use lace textile, since it will make a picture design.

Now let's get to sewing:
You want to start out with a basic towel. Purchase fabrics, which are easy to wash. Consider taffeta, or you can choose polyesters or satin. Once you have the towel, get rid of the stabilizer, and choose a selection of stitching threads that match your shades, as well as your cotton.

(1) Trim the image of your textile sewn onto the fabric to make a mirror.

(2) Confiscate the extra model and use a craft pencil/pen to spot your selected areas to sew.

(3) Once you have cut the pattern, you want to place the other pattern (Stabilizer) should be smaller and glued to the other patterns.

Use the extra model and put it on the left surface of the textile.

(4) Stitch the textile, and begin cutting the material. You will need your first section, which you want to learn room for the shape to fit its margin. Use craft pins to hold the material in place, starting at the right. On the left side add pins and pin it extra textile. Make your first pattern, i.e. begin stitching.

(5) Stitch in a straight line and unfasten your pins.

(6) If you have access fabric, trim it. Avoid slicing your loops.

You are almost finished; all you need to do now is to repeat the steps three through five.
In step seven and eight you will need to prepare your machine, or needle and thread.
It is your choice whether you want to use a sewing machine, or hand materials. If you want a zigzag effect, move your space closer. You want the tension of your needle thread loose, and position the bobbin to the left.

How to choose thread:
When you handcraft any materials, it is wise to coordinate your thread. If you purchased a plain white towel, then use white threads. Also, sew the satin, appliqu, using coordinated threads. Once you choose your threads remove the stabilizer by tearing it away and removing it from the left side. Avoid pulling your loops. Now you are ready to bind and scallop your new towels, adding the materials to the edge.

Professional Plumber in Bellevue, I've completed all Plumbing courses offered by Trade Qualified and I've been working as a professional plumber for 3 years now.

Plumber in Seattle, Gas Line Repairs Seattle.

Building a New Home Basics

Building

Building a house is a complicated project and utilizes dozens of subcontractors, workers and suppliers. Building or supervising a construction project requires a minimum of knowledge, but equally important, a tried-and-true method. Keep in mind that home design, plans and homebuilding can be quite time consuming, and may be quite a strain on you and your family if you try to do too much yourself. It is a big job in itself just to do the new home plans, oversee construction and deal with the numerous, sometimes complex, situations involved in home designs and housebuilding. Plans for every aspect of building your home is the key to a successful project.

Project

Plans for every aspect of building your home is the key to a successful project. With good blue prints, by the time construction begins, you should be able to supervise the project from in front of your TV. You want to be very clear about the overall costs to ensure that you can afford to finish and maintain your project.

Finding Contractors

Unless you are buying a house that is already standing or in a subdivision tract, you will most likely need to choose and employ the services of an architect and/or builder. Individuals who perform the function of a builder are often referred to as Owner Builders. Here are the things you must know in order to be on equal footing with your home builder: How to avoid the model home trap used by every big builder. How to prevent your builder's assembly line construction techniques from getting in the way of the quality and craftsmanship you deserve. How to discover if your new home builder is telling the truth about claims of superior quality and customer satisfaction. How to prevent damaging mold growth that has become common in new homes. The tactics used by new home sales people to "up-sell" and persuade you to unnecessarily spend thousands of extra dollars. How your builderys attorneys are working overtime to make sure they have the upper hand.

Cost

By acting as your own general contractor you can expect to save from 15 to 40percent on the cost homebuilding. How much a house costs, how it looks, how comfortable it is, how energy-efficient it is--all these things occur on paper before you pick up even one tool. The result is houses end up being more costly and less energy-efficient than they should be. It is important to estimate how much it is going to cost you to buy the land and build the house.

As mentioned in order to build a new home you need to be organized and patient. Make sure you look at the Building Home Checklist. This is a must have tool considering building a new home.

Wishing you the best

http://CBMalls.BlogSpot.Com
The leading iMall for all of your informational needs.

Sean McAlister is a leading marketing and sales professional with over 15 years in the industry. A leading and trusted resource for product reviews and product research.

Buying Your New Bathroom

Buying your new bathroom is probably one of the largest and most demanding expenses you will face. The bathroom market is very diverse and you will need to make decisions about where to buy, how much to spend, and what bathroom style to choose. I will clarify some of your choices.

Your first decision is to decide upon a bathroom budget and how to raise the money. A new bathroom will increase the value of your home, so it is akin to an investment.

Your home has a maximum potential value according to its location. To prove that to yourself, just look at a flat in London, and then look at the same style and size flat in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The London flat will cost much more. So spend according to the potential marketability of your home. Estate Agents often say a 5-10% expenditure on interior upgrades is a reasonable cost. So a 100K flat could warrant a 5-10K expenditure on upgrades. Much of that could be for your new bathroom.

After fixing your budget, you need a bathroom design done. There are key decisions to about product types to make. You may want a steam unit, a whirlpool, a sauna, rainbars, bodyjets, a walk-in enclosure, a shallow tray, or many other bathroom fittings.

A bathroom showroom is a good place to start and ask the sales manager to do a design. He may need to visit your home. Designs are done using CAD (computer aided design) software or graph paper. After his design, you will have a good idea of what can be done. The sales manager will offer normally an installation service and provide a total price for supply and installation.

Giving your purchase to the showroom is the safest and easiest route. He has premises and is easily accessible and you will have just one contact. However, using the services and products from a showroom is probably the most expensive route to take. It is safe, but that safety has a cost.

Showrooms are given special pricing on certain lines, and they will recommend those lines. Also, the showroom has a limited supply line; maybe only 10% of supply lines. So you choice is limited. Labour via a showroom is marked up, so the installation will be expensive.

If you decide against using a showrooms services, you can try shopping at a plumbers merchants.

Plumbers Merchants have limited customer service and they rarely do bathroom designs. They are in business to serve plumbers, but they also do retail. Plumbers merchants are cheap, and the large nationally based ones can get almost any product.

You will need to have all your facts available to yourself. Buying that route will save you money. They will not install for you, so you will need to find your own plumber.

Plumbers advertise in their local papers and that shows they are looking for work. That will normally mean a far better price for you. Advertisements in the Yellow Pages for plumbers, especially with 0800 numbers, rarely advertise low cost services. Use a local paper if possible. Always use the services of a Corgi registered plumber whenever possible.

The Internet is another source and one that is growing very rapidly for bathroom supply. Bathstore.com embraced the web and it sells via the Web and its stores. There are countless showrooms also on the Web.

Buying via the Web will widen your choice dramatically and also open up deals to you for great prices. You will need to know the products well, and be careful about deliveries. Under the law, when you sign for something as received and in good condition, you have no legal recourse if the goods are damaged.

Phone the web retailer to put a human voice to the website. That will increase your confidence in the companys services.

Happy Shopping.

This article is written by Trevor Oakley. He is the managing director of Merrows Bathrooms. Merrows has traded for four years selling hundreds of thousands of pounds of quality goods. He also manages the Sayworth website. That site is about consumer advice and it has buying tips.

Avoid Contractor Scams - Home Remodeling Tips

You might think you have to live in Florida, California or a state where natural weather disasters or wildfires create a cycle of home rebuilding to be targeted by contractor scams. But in fact, anyone who owns a home is at risk for falling victim to unscrupulous contractors. It only takes one bad experience to sour a homeowner, and this is unfortunate for the majority of contractors who take pride in their work and do a good job. To avoid experiencing what can end up being a home repair nightmare, all you need to do is be aware of some common scams and don't be afraid to ask questions, require references, make the effort to check those references, never sign anything that looks suspicious or without reading thoroughly and never agree to anything in haste.

In the springtime everything starts to gear up again. Many potential buyers are shopping for a new home and there are real estate agents hosting open houses. There is new grass, leaves, flower buds, families barbequing and shady contractors cruising the neighborhoods looking for an easy mark. Unfortunately, a sad fact is that older home owners are often targeted the most, but really anyone can be duped by a convincing pitch.

One of the most frequently used lines is that the contractor was in the neighborhood doing work and just happened to drive by and see something wrong with your home. Being the kind-hearted person that he is, he took time off from his busy schedule and wanted to stop and alert you to the problem you have. And even more convenient for you, he and his crew can work you in while they are in the area. Most legitimate builders and contractors do not go door to door like salesmen. Be wary of anyone showing up unscheduled and offering to do work right away with the pitch that they'll cut you a deal because they are already doing a project close by.

The most often used pitch for this scenario is roof repair. Dishonest contractors may tell a homeowner that their roof is in bad shape, not visible to the naked or untrained eye, and by hiring them to replace it now you'll save money in the long run by avoiding water damage from leakage. This is often perpetrated on older residents who cannot keep a watchful on the repair work actually being done. The homeowner will usually end up with substandard roofing materials or shingles that are a lower grade than the ones you originally had on the roof.

Getting your driveway repaved is another common scam. Even if someone two houses down from you just had it done and it looks fantastic, don't assume the guy who shows up at your door offering to do yours is the one who did the other. Most of the time it isn't the same contractor, but another one shadowing the reputable one. This other guy will do a sub par job and you'll be left with cracks in both your bank account and driveway.

Any contractor who approaches you suggesting that with your help they can do repairs for you for free by turning it into your insurance company isn't doing you any favors. What they are doing is making you a partner in crime by having you commit insurance fraud if there isn't any real basis for the claim. And don't think the insurance company won't prosecute, because they will.

Never, ever agree to pay cash, especially up front. You may be tempted by a big discount offered for a cash payment or advance, but those savings and your money will be as gone as the contractor who just left to go get supplies and will supposedly be back tomorrow.

Never sign the deed to your home over to finance repairs. Chances are if you do this, you won't have to worry about repairs because you won't have a home to repair.

Be suspicious of a contractor who claims he has extra or leftover lumber or supplies and can give you a great quote on a project. You should wonder and ask where those materials came from and realize that somebody, even if it wasn't you, paid for those supplies.

Always ask to see identification, especially if a so-called inspector shows up claiming you need work done to meet a code and tries to fine you or make you sign an agreement to have it done. This is not standard procedure and always check with authorities to see if the person actually is who he or she claims to be. You should always ask to see a contractor's license and ask for references, then check those references. Unhappy previous customers or a complete lack of customers is a sure warning sign. And speaking of signs, never sign anything without reading it or having your lawyer check it over. There are a lot of helpful sites out there where you can find more tips, such as About Chicago Real Estate.

If you do find yourself in hot tar, shoddy shingles or crummy carpentry, contact your Better Business Bureau or State's Attorney office to file a complaint and seek help. An old builder's rule is measure twice, cut once. Remember to double check everything and always get more than one quote.

Paula Cherrist writes articles about Chicago condos for sale, home trends and new homes for About Chicago Real Estate.

Build Your Own Wind Turbine - House Ideas

As one of the greatest sources of inexhaustible energies available, wind power is the best available source for generating electricity while reducing pollution. This very reason is why people are opting to install windmills for their individual household electricity needs. For building a wind turbine, you don't need any advanced construction or engineering skills. In fact practically any person can do this task with ease. When the blades spin they generate power and it is converted into electricity by the turbine. This is done by an electrical motor present inside the turbine. The first and foremost thing about installation is finding the appropriate location for placing the unit. The location should be free of obstacles and should have wind speeds above 5 MPH. The roof tops are an excellent place for installing a windmill. There are some basic materials that you will need, which include: a tower to give support to your system, a generator, blades, mounting and batteries. These parts are available in nearly any hardware store across the country.

Benefits of building a wind turbine for yourself:

- Can save about 80% of your monthly electrical bills, or even eliminate them completely.

EX: If monthly power bill is around $200, you can cut it down to $40. By this around $1000 can be saved every year. You can even produce excess electricity to eliminate your bill and sell left over electricity back to your local power company.

- Get tax credits for using green energy, this is part of the government's environmental plan.

- Protect your environment by reducing global warming and your dependence on expensive fossil fuels.

- The value of your house is increased.

On average, a self-made windmill doesn't cost more than 200 dollars. This can be easily paid back by savings on electricity in a fairly short period of time. Rather than buying an expensive commercial one it's better to opt for a homemade model, which only takes a day or so to assemble, even with limited skills. It's wise to choose many smaller systems than a bigger one. Through this method, even when one system is shut down for maintenance, the other systems can generate power and you don't have to supplement your wind power with electricity from your power company.

The cheapest option for installing wind turbines is to go with DIY Wind Turbine Instructions which includes detailed instructions, step-by-step video walk-throughs and even locations to get all of your materials as cheap as possible.

With DIY wind turbine instructions you can be living off the grid, on free wind energy, for as little as a $200 start up cost.

Start saving money and the environment today, what are you waiting for?

Framing Plain Bathroom Mirrors in Your Homes

Bathroom mirrors are essential parts of a home. Although used mostly for vanity purposes, these mirrors contribute much to your day-to-day routine. Usually, the mirrors you have in your bathrooms look so plain. They sometimes need a bit more decoration so they can liven up your place. Let us learn how to frame your mirrors so they can look more appealing to you and your guests.

The Step-By-Step Process

1.) The first step is to measure the height and width of your bathroom mirrors. This is an essential and crucial step since you need the proper sizes for the framing. If you find the measurements hard to get, you can ask the help of a professional or read some tips in the internet to get the right dimensions.

2.) Buy all the needed items before starting to frame the bathroom mirror. You need to purchase the frame itself and the PVC molding from a hardware or home improvement store. You can also use wood for the moldings of the mirror. However, PVC's offer much advantage since they are lighter and they do not distort when exposed to moisture. Once you purchase the frame, you can have it cut in the store to obtain the proper measurement. But if you have a miter saw at home, you can perform the process all by yourself.

3.) Use a semi-gloss paint for the moldings. Be sure to use your favorite color for it. You can also choose the shades based on the colors of your bathrooms.

4.) Mark about 2 inches to all four sides of your bathroom mirrors. Make use of double sided tapes or Velcro on each side. Connect the bottom molding first and add each side before attaching the topmost part. Be sure that each of the moldings snuggly fit into the desired place.

5.) The connection between moldings should be applied with caulking.

6.) Lastly, cover the seams and caulk by applying paint on it.

Some Tips and Warnings

Consider the following tips and warnings in framing your bathroom mirrors:

Aside from double sided tape or Velcro, you can use nail glue to attach the frames. You can easily take the frames off the mirrors if you decide to move to another place. You can instantly reuse the frames in such case.

Make sure that the frame is snug so it doesn't come off easily.

Ensure that the bathroom mirrors are securely hanged on the wall so you can prevent damages while attaching the frames.

http://mhnshopping.com/bathroom-mirrors/ -- Bathroom Mirror

Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company

Benefits of Underpinning - Construction Tips

In the construction world, underpinning is a process in which you strengthen and also stabilise a foundation of a building which could be potentially dangerous if no action was taken. What are the benefits of underpinning a building or structure the building really need the work doing to it? These maybe a few of the question you may ask yourself if a surveyor tells you that your building needs underpinning. A few of the reasons and benefits you should consider are as follows...

1) The existing foundations are not strong / stable enough - underpinning will correct these problems.

2) The use of the building has changed - Possibly you have changed the purpose of a building, maybe from a house to a shop - underpinning will allow the building to take more pressure.

3) The soil properties that the building lies upon have changes - there could have been some movement in the ground, perhaps through subsidence - underpinning will help strengthen the building in this case.

4) New buildings or structures added to the surrounding area. If a new house is build next to an existing property, then underpinning maybe needed to strengthen the first property.

5) Land cost has increased. If the price of land increases by a great deal, it maybe cheaper to use underpinning with a view to improving the existing property (perhaps adding a new floor) rather than purchasing more land.

As you can see, there are many different reasons why you should consider underpinning rather than neglecting the reasons for using it.

Underpinning foundation Engineers
Underpinning foundation

Looking For Decorative Bathroom Mirrors?

Nowadays, there are a lot of varieties of decorative bathroom mirrors suitable for your taste, whether it has a frame or it is frameless. Many people can't live without mirrors in their houses, because only the mirror can tell on how they look like as they go to schools, respective offices or to any gathering.

You might ask where you can find the best decorative mirrors in your place. With the help of the modern technology nowadays, internet surfing is the answer for your query. Yes, it is true that mirrors can be bought from a variety of online stores found in internet.

It is best to seek for advice to bathroom expert before purchasing any accessories and stylish furnishings for your bathroom. Seeking a professional can give you a lot of ideas to ponder and most of the time people who are not convinced with their own taste hire for an interior designer so to help them to choose the best premise of their bathroom. Beforehand, consider the needs of your family first before buying any type of accessories.

If you desire to beautify your bathroom, it is a good start to have a mirror. You can have washrooms mirrors if you desire, and it is available in any sizes and shapes you wanted. The first thing you should consider in buying a decorative bathroom mirror is that, you'll be supposed to know the measurements of your washroom. Be familiar with the measurement of your washroom so that you will exactly buy the mirror that is best fitted in your bathroom. Second thing is planning your budget upon purchasing one, and it is best to save money before planning to buy. Most of the time, there are some people who desire to hire a construction freelancer to help them in every aspects as they desire everything for the outcome.

Upon buying the accessories for your bathroom, you should be cautious enough and never just give a take with the quality of the items. It is better to grab those expensive ones because they are guaranteed to last long than the cheap ones. World Wide Web offers a lot of web stores for you to surf the best accessory that you will put in your bathroom, and it comes from many affordable prices that would surely gratify your needs. With the variety of designs to choose from, there are also discounts that you would enjoy. Just remember that it is not that complex to surf one in the web if and only if you follow some tips and procedure.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company

Interior Decorating Ideas

It's happening again. The styles and fashions that we thought we'd seen the last of a decade ago are re-emerging as the latest thing in chic design and people are going mad for it. In fact, one of interior furnishings mainstays throughout the eras has been the humble lamp and while bench surfaces, chairs, lounges and most other room items have gone through drastic changes, many of the retro lamps that emerged in the 1950s and 60s are still preferred today.

The great thing about decorating in retro style is that almost anything goes, as long as it is fun, combines shapes and colors and looks unique. Floor lamps such as the Arco lamp that reaches from one side of the reading chair to the other still looks appropriate, as does the square lampshade on a wooden pedestal base. From there it's up to your own discerning eye as to how funky you want to make the lamp shade with options of trimmings, tassels or prints to bring out your retro preference.

The great thing about deciding on a retro lamp is that if you don't particularly like the look of the traditional lamps from the era, you also have the more space-aged looking lamps that were inspired by the exuberance of the post-war optimism. New products such as melamine spattered with chrome and designs that were sleek and sophisticated combined to produce a very forward thinking look.

The great thing about using the vintage retro lamps that your parents loved is that the burnt orange lamp shades or the avocado ceramic lamp stand is now cool again because, well because it's retro.

An important part of putting together a retro room is adding furnishings that follow the retro style. Picking out a fun and funky retro lamp should be enjoyed. Visit Retro Lamps Galore to help put that new retro-style room together.

Bathroom Remodeling Costs and Concepts - Carlsbad Home Repairs

The economic crises, busy career driven lives and environmental impacts around us usually prevent us from tending to our own personal home needs. As the rising costs of products everywhere, clashing with our busy schedules, taking time off to redecorate much more remodel our own homes, especially the bathroom, might be a little bit more taxing. But still, the bathroom should be given attention it deserves as using it is a very essential part of our lives. One should give bathroom remodeling costs a thought and consider it a pleasant task to beautify your home.

Budget is the most important factor for bathroom remodeling costs. One should have a specific budget on how much you want to achieve. It depends on whether you want a small-scale or large-scale remodeling of your bathroom. Thus, mapping out the clear concept of the design should be made in order to determine the kind of budget you have to save.

When you have a clear idea of what you want your bathroom to be like, canvassing materials should be the next task. These materials and fixtures is the determinative element whether to cut-off or expand your budget for the bathroom remodeling costs. If you must, research first about the materials, its durability, prices, warranties and its performance. Additional information about its power or energy saving qualities to help cut cost of your bill and help in saving the environment will be a great advantage.

Also, considering the safety of your bathroom, electric wires and plumbing connections must be checked as part of bathroom remodeling costs. These connections must be double-checked to ensure maximum safety and convenience for all. It still depends if your bathroom is few years old or older than your grandmother. Then, it should be made sure that it shall meet the standard requirements for safety measures.

But as remodeling is not really limited to the confines within your bathroom, additional plans should be made whether extensions are going to be constructed in your bedroom, hallway or kitchen, depending where the proposed bathroom is located. So adjustments will be made to accommodate your plans and might actually balloon your bathroom remodeling costs. So it is good to really plan ahead for at least a period of time.

Thus, as this is not a simple task, services of contractors and designers will be needed. Give the complete details of what your concept should be so they can give you a correct and accurate amount of your bathroom remodeling costs. They can give you quotations about the prices, mark-downs, and other costs you need to know. Don't stick to one opinion, though. Compare their opinion with other contractors or designers or architects which will provide you with other options and perspectives to help you achieve the kind of bathroom you truly want and feel.

For more information on bathroom remodeling costs and bathroom lighting fixtures visit http://www.lightingbathroomfixtures.com for helpful insight.

Drag and Drop Bathroom Design - The Benefits and Advantages

Considering the fact that our appetite for hi-end, avant-garde technology is getting voracious by the day, the explosion of drag and drop bathroom design software is not really that mystifying. But what has really left several members of the interior design community completely in awe is the manner in which these user-friendly programs have managed to win the plaudits of every nifty homeowner.

No doubt, these downloadable, versatile, easy to work with programs are not just about having loads of fun, but also promise a uniquely insightful experience. It's your chance to give wings to the artistic genius in you.

Your Dream Bathroom- Just A Few Clicks Away

If you maintain that creating your dream bathroom takes more than just a few clicks, you better get ready to invert that absolutely absurd thinking. Here's what these software programs promise:

• Creating accurate, graphical representations of bathrooms is simpler than it actually sounds.
• It gives you the opportunity to customize existing designs or create something refreshingly different.
• Apart from drawing up the master plan, you can drag-and-drop all existing features, from the wash basin, shower and bath to the lighting, furniture, fixtures, cabinets and more.
• The breathtaking array of materials, textures and colors helps you enliven your plans like no other. From intricate floor tiles to ethereal wall papers, you are never hamstrung for lack of options. So you can be sure that your newly-designed bathroom is the stuff that Technicolor dreams are made of.
• There's a dizzying assortment of 3D bathroom symbols to choose from. So you can design and edit in 2D and 3D.
• The veritable mosaic of brilliant colors that display your dream bathroom from different angles is mind-blowing, giving you a spectacular sense of space and specifications.
• The virtual walkthrough experience enables you to make the necessary improvements in the design without moving an inch.

Well, I guess now you why not only homeowners, but also bathroom and tile manufacturers, interior design and retailers are completely in thrall to the magic of these software programs.

Here's exactly how you can generate 100's or even 1000's of positively brilliant Bathroom Remodeling Ideas ... FAST ! And you could easily increase your home's value by several $1000s fast with these 25 street-smart tips for Dirt Cheap Home Improvement

Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Systems

If you're like me, you're probably pretty weary of salesmen. They would lie and cheat just to get you to purchase their products. People that sell home water purifiers are one in the same. The example that really comes to mind here are companies that sell reverse osmosis systems. Sure, having a reverse osmosis water treatment system is better than having no water treatment system at all but there are far better options out there. Here are 5 ugly lies to watch out for so you understand why reverse osmosis systems are mediocre at best.

1. Reverse osmosis water treatment systems are inexpensive. Using a reverse osmosis system may be cheaper than drinking bottled water but it is by no means inexpensive. Reverse osmosis costs 18 to 24 cents per gallon. In contrast, carbon filtration systems cost less than 10 cents per gallon. Which would you choose?

2. A reverse osmosis water treatment system removes all contaminants. Reverse osmosis systems are not capable of removing synthetic chemicals. It helps to understand how they work in order to see why that is. During reverse osmosis, water is exposed to a porous membrane under pressure. Contaminants such as minerals and organic chemicals, which are molecularly larger than water, are caught by the membrane. Synthetic chemicals are molecularly smaller than the membrane so they pass through. For that reason, reverse osmosis systems must be used in conjunction with a carbon filter. Why not just use a carbon filter in the first place? Carbon filters remove both organic and synthetic chemicals.

3. Reverse osmosis water treatment systems are convenient and easy to use. In comparison to other water treatment systems like carbon filtration, reverse osmosis systems are high-maintenance and complicated. Reverse osmosis systems require adequate water pressure and a diaphragmed storage tank and as such as very high-maintenance. They are also difficult to install. Carbon filters on the other hand can be installed in a matter of minutes without the help of a plumber.

4. A reverse osmosis water treatment system produces healthy, pure water. Having a reverse osmosis system is better than having no water treatment system at all but the water it produces actually isn't that healthy. The problem with reverse osmosis systems is that they produce de-mineralized water. Studies show that in order to maintain good health, we must drink water that contains natural trace minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Drinking de-mineralized water can lead to multiple mineral deficiencies and an increased risk for cancer. Comparatively, carbon filtration systems remove all the bad stuff while leaving in the good stuff.

5. Reverse osmosis water treatment systems are efficient. The truth is that reverse osmosis systems are wasteful. They waste 2 to 3 gallons for every gallon of clean water they produce. They are also notorious for being slow because they produce less than a gallon of water per hour. Carbon filtration systems can produce up to 30 gallons of water per hour without wasting a single drop.

Now that you are armed with this information, make your decision wisely and carefully. There are many water filters out there to choose from but when you consider cost, effectiveness, efficiency, and convenience, a reverse osmosis water treatment system simply isn't a good choice. Carbon filtration systems are the best option available when it comes to home water filters. So get out there and find a carbon filtration system for your home if you want the best water filter money can buy.

John Lim Cher Sern who is an avid proponent of natural health. To get more information about reverse osmosis water treatment systems make sure to visit our website at http://www.cleanhomewaterfilters.com

Cheapie Ways to Stretch Your Dollar in the Bathroom

Decorating or re-decorating your bathroom does not have to cost you your entire savings, or your whole paycheck. You can find creative ways to renovate one of your home's most-used rooms for a fraction of what you may think it would cost.

Useful Bathroom Re-Decoration Tips

You can find plenty of timeless decorative items at thrift stores, rummage sales, and online stores. Items people have found to accent their bathroom include one or more of the following: brass toilet paper holders, tissue holders, hanging shelves, towel racks, and shower curtains.

If you do not like the color of your bathroom tile you can find paint that is especially made for porcelain materials at your local hardware store. You might even be able to find out if you can repaint your toilet as well which would save you even more money.

Beware that you will need to sand it before you attempt to paint any porcelain fixture. You will also want to take precaution by testing the paint in an inconspicuous area of the fixture you want to change the color of. is advisable to test the paint in an inconspicuous area of the time you want to change.

If you want to somehow update your outdated bathroom color scheme you can do so without ripping the entire bathroom apart. For instance, sometimes if you add the smallest change, such as wallpaper border that blends with the two or more colors of your bathroom.

You can also accent the outdated color scheme by purchasing inexpensive modern bathroom decor. For instance, you can buy a toothbrush cover, soap dish, tissue holder, or framed picture to hang in this beloved room of your home.

Perhaps if you want a change paint the walls of your bathroom to compliment your cabinets, sink, or bathtub if they are a different color. Similarly, you can use colored rugs that coordinate or contrast with the rest of the colors of your fixtures.

One recommendation for painting in your bathroom that would not take much work or money would be the "in" color Terra Cotta. It is one that is more popular now. You could possibly use various texturing techniques to combine a new color over the top of the old color if your walls are still in prime condition.

If you have a very, very, old and ugly shade of green, yellow, gold, orange, or similar color you could try for a certain theme. For instance, you might want to try a tropical theme, and perhaps you can find a palm tree border.

You can take care of rust problems on fixtures such as towel bars with a special cleaner. Before you know it they will be like new again. Rust-o-leum paint is one of the most current recommendations, and they are coming out with brand new colors now.

Another easy way to add some life to your stale bathroom is to purchase stencils and special craft paints. In fact, one experience indicates certain craft paints are removable from tile just by applying a razor blade (something to try at your own risk, especially if you rent).

The use of Deco-Stix or cling plastic accents is also used to decorate tiles. These are also very easily removable if you want to change the theme for various holidays, seasons, or special occasions.

The easiest way to recover a mix-up bathroom that includes all kinds of mismatched colors is to add a multi-colored rug that includes all the same colors. It will cleverly look like your bathroom is supposed to be crazy like it is.

The above-mentioned ideas should get you started. If you are still cannot decide on what inexpensive measures you can take to re-decorate your bathroom take some time to view samples of bathroom themes.Home improvement websites and do-it-yourself magazines often feature various rooms of the home you are interested in changing. You can even find instructions on how to carry out the change you would like to implement in your bathroom interior theme.

Visit our website for more information on how to become happy and debt free . You can also download our free guide '7 Effective Ways To Control Your Debt'.

Good Exterior Home Improvement Tips

If your home has suffered from a fire or a flood, you can do some remodeling on it. All you need to do is go to the home There are many ways to fix up your house on the outside. You can put things on your house or you can fix something to make it look better. If you have a porch on your house or not, you can build one that wraps around the whole house. All you need is the lumber, nails, and all you need to know is how the lumber needs to be. You have to make sure it is level and if your yard has hills or goes downward, you need to make the boards longer than some of them. If there is a tree close to your house, cut the wood so that it will go around the tree. You don't have to knock it down. You can fix up the roof if it is getting old or if it needs it.

You can even change the roof by putting something over it like metal that will not make your house hot and so it protects it. It will not leak, rust, or bend, and it is a very good investment to put on your home. You can put shutters on your windows to match your roof, and this will also help keep your house cool or warm. When you put on shutters, it makes your house look better. You can make them or you can buy them at a store. You can build a screen porch in front of your front or back door so you can sit outside whether it is raining or to stay cool under it when it is hot outside.

If you have someone in your house that has to use a walker or a wheelchair, you can put a flat stairway for them to get in the house so it will be easier for them. You can put a fence around your yard so you can have some privacy. You can put up a small fence or a tall fence, whichever fits your style. You can also add a sidewalk that goes up to your porch or house, or you can have flowers lined up next to it to make it better. They can be any way or shape that you want to make your house look the way you want it to look and to make it stand out.

You can get any of these things at a home improvement store, and it may cost you a lot depending on what you are doing but it will be worth the money. You can also look around other home improvement store to see which ones are cheaper in price. Another thing you can do is put up new siding around the house to replace the old ones or to cover the wood and make your house look better. This also protects your house as well so the wood will not get damaged.

Visit Adyan Corkern's
Butler Flood Damage Cleanup and Calera Flood Damage Cleanup sites for fast help.

Iron Gates - As Good As It Gates

Gates are pretty simple they must allow anything that is worthy of passing through and must block anything that is not. And it can't get any simpler. That is why, today, we design gates that do just that or probably a bit more. Just the thing that must be kept in mind is - that they must be sturdy. So sturdy that a gate is a guard, all by itself, all the time.

When the matter comes to sturdiness, there is, probably, no element to match the goodwill of iron. Iron gates have been in use since ages. And they will be, until a better element is discovered. Iron gates are made, pretty obviously, of iron. The choice of iron is made because of its sturdiness, ability to resist weathers of any season, and its visual beauty. Iron gates stand all extreme conditions and come out as winners all the time.

Cast iron is obtained by melting pig iron, along with considerable amounts of scrap steel and scrap iron. Various steps are then taken to remove any unwanted contaminants like phosphorus and sulfur. Later on, other elements are mixed into the melt before finally obtaining a form that is a produce of casting. This process, as is obvious, provides iron of a very superior quality. Such superior quality reinforces the trust needed to build iron gates. Due to its low melting point, excellent match inability ,cast ability and good fluidity, cast irons are famous with a wide range of applications, that include gates pipes, car and machine parts. Nowadays, cast iron gates are a common sight everywhere.

Wrought iron is commercially pure iron, with a tiny amount of carbon , but it generally contains some amount of slag. Wrought iron gates can be easily welded together and are very tough, malleable, and ductile. This however comes with a price. Wrought iron is quite soft, and hence, wrought iron gates are not a common sight today. Wrought iron is so called as it is wrought from a mixture of porous iron contaminated with slag. Wrought iron is not as strong as compared to its counterpart and is, hence, less used than cast iron. Although there may not be a visible difference between the two different types of irons, their differences in sustaining various conditions are obvious. Hence care must be taken in deciding upon the type of iron to be used for the iron gates. Generally, wrought iron scores a couple of brownie points over cast iron in terms of endurance.

Gate fences too are similar in nature they compliment the iron gates. Gate fences provide added security and more power to the iron gates. Generally gate fences are made out of iron, although whether to use cast iron or wrought iron solely depends upon the owner. Both cast iron and wrought iron gate fences are a common sight. These Iron Gate fences are generally barb-wire fences that are put around the iron gates to provide extra level of security.

Rob Hargreaves - An American Locksmith, living and working in New York City, for NYC Locksmith company - Mr-Locks Inc. To learn more about iron gates and other types of security gates - please visit: http://www.mr-locks.com and browse through our catalogue of iron work, call or email for additional inquiries about Iron Gates.

How to Do it Yourself Cabinet Refinishing

Cabinet refinishing will definitely give a new look to your kitchen or bathroom.These can be dressed up to give also a revitalized outlook.Highly skilled refinishers can give you the help to transform your outdated kitchen or bathroom cabinets with the new look you want.It can be done in less time than you would think of it.

You can definitely achieve the new look in your cabinets with no more scratches, marks or dents.You can also make your cabinet hardware pretty modern in look now.
With refinishing, you can have the option to copy the look of different types of wood even if your cabinets are made of oak, cherry, maple, pine or mahogany.A quality kitchen cabinet refinisher can do this at a factory finish costing you only around half the cost of replacing them with new ones.
There are also professional color consultants and designers to help you make a choice for color to paint or stain your cabinet and choosing the right ones.


Further, here are the necessary guides in doing refinishing cabinets for stain:

First, you have to remove all doors and hardware.
Choose to replace your current hardware or keep it.
Better to use Klean Strip 3 chemical paint and stain stripper to remove existing varnish and stain.In doing this, be sure to protect yourself with proper ventilation by wearinga respirator.

Surfaces must be sanded with appropriate sandpaper, then dust and sweep well.
All cabinets must be washed with appropriate cleaner and or slovenal.
Determine and select your stain color.
The process now involves stain, seal, sand, varnish, sand and varnish.
Finally, restore all doors and hardware.


A lot of decorative effects will evolve from cabinet refinishing, especially with paint.You can achieve a different color on the doors or a crackle finish if you wish to have that.
Here are some of the means to refinish your cabinets whether in the kitchen, bathroom or elsewhere like built-in cabinets:

Painting Cabinets brings new look and style to the once old look.You can use a tough scratch resistant finish for easy maintenance.This is cheaper than having a new set of wood cabinets or vanities.

Glaze Use for Decorative Effect
This is used to highlight details and evolve a unique look in the cabinet.It is used over paint and it can make a newly painted cabinetry an aged look.
Use of Crackle Finish to Cabinets
It can create a different kind of look to the cabinets.With the right choice of paint colors, it can create a bold statement or subtle change.You can also apply glazing and crackling for a perfectly new look to your cabinets.
Cabinet Refacing
This involves the replacement of all doors and drawer fronts with new ones and installing a veneer of new wood over the existing cabinets.

Jaworski Coatings, Inc,
41375 Oberlin Elyria Rd.
Eylria, Ohio 44035
Toll Free Office 1-866-87-2114
Fax (440) 328-4539

welovepainting@gmail.com
http://www.WeLovePainting.com
http://www.Cleveland-Ohio-Painting-Contractor.com

How to Create a Rustic Bathroom

These days, everything is so immediate, futuristic and ahead of the curve. We oftentimes find ourselves caught up amongst the whirlwind of advancing technologies and the endless battle to be fashion-forward and owning the right cars, appliances and gadgets. It's time to stop, take a deep, relaxing breathe, and calm down. Not everything in life needs to be constantly updated. If our past shapes who we are today, why cover it up? Now is the perfect time to "update" your bathroom with rustic style cabinet handles that bridges the gap of old to new.

Go Green
Everywhere you turn, there is a "go green" commercial, green grocery bags or eco-friendly appliances. Adding a bit of green to your bathroom might be the perfect option for you. While to some this means purchasing recycled toilet paper, to others, going green in your bathroom literally means going outside and incorporating your available landscape.

For homeowners with access to lumber, creating more storage space with your local hardware is a great solution. Not only will this limit the resources needed to purchase wood from a store (such as gas money and cost of production), but also, this do-it-yourself project can involve your entire family in a creativity exercise. By utilizing what you have around you, you are literally using your bucolic countryside to redesign your bathroom.

Look To Your Roots
America is known as a melting pot, rich with culture, heritage and tradition. Why not incorporate your ancestors in your new "old style" bathroom? Whether Irish, Italian, Native American, Polish or English or a mixture of everything, you should include a little piece of "you" in your bathroom. For many, a code of arms signifies you and your families' past; by pairing this with a bit of the present, you can create a comfort zone of history.

Get Wild in Style
If you have always wanted to get a little bit wild or exotic when it comes to decorating, your bathroom is the ideal place to express yourself. Using small elements, such as cabinet pulls or cabinet door knobs, you can express yourself in a unique way without overpowering the entire room with conflicting stripes, polka dots or too bold paint colors. Bathroom cabinet knobs nowadays can come in a variety of metals such as copper, iron, chrome and nickel. Additionally, these small elements also come in interesting shapes and sizes. For the outdoorsman, adding fish knobs on your towel rack or shower curtain will certainly compliment any room. Pair this with a soft blue or green paint, and you've got yourself a rustic interior almost instantly!

Be Safe and Secure
Like any good home design, safety and security should always trump design and aesthetic appeal. Be sure to install proper cabinet handles and locks to keep hazardous materials away from children, pets or guests. Ideally, harmful chemicals, prescription medications, sharp items and should be stored in a high storage area, secured with drop latch locks or other child-proof mechanisms. Additionally, hand-held electronic appliances should also be removed from plain view. Not only will this help keep you organizes, but also keeping hair dryers, radios and other items away from water should always be a priority.

Scents Make Sense
What's a bathroom without a fresh scent? If you live in the countryside, the fresh scent of cotton, lavender or chamomile will work perfectly. For the more woodsy or earthy homes, pine needles or cinnamon is a great choice to stimulate your olfactory sensors. If you just simply want a clean, crisp room, light citrus scented candles or soaps help cut through tough odors. Remember, when it comes to the smells in your bathroom, you want to help clear the air, not compete with too many fragrances. If you cannot decide what works best, just use the tried by true method: cracking open.

Jim Richardson is Vice President of Your Home Supply (YHS), the definitive website for Home and Garden products and information on a variety of home improvement products. Your Home Supply offer selections on rustic antique cabinet knobs to help customers design and create their own rustic bathroom. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Bathroom Accessories of All Kinds - Explore the Possibilities!

There are a huge variety of bathroom accessories available for your every need or desire. You can obtain anything from towel warmers to radios that play in the shower. There is seemingly no end to the handy little accessories and big ones too.

Just a partial list would include shower curtains of many kinds towel holders and towel warmers, wastebaskets, soap dispensers of all kinds, shower heads, toilet brush holders, toilet tissue dispensers, toothbrush holders, bathroom fans, hampers, fast hot water pumps and heated floor mats. There are more, I'm just out of breath.

Bathroom storage comes in a multitude of sizes and shapes to accommodate the smallest and the largest bathrooms. If you're looking for extra storage, then there are cabinets, shelves, vanities and hampers. Vanities can combine contemporary design and provide storage space to create style and function for your bathroom. Floor mats can add comfort and be decorative at the same time. Keep your towels in your bathroom cabinets. Maximize space in the bathroom with space savers and tank toppers. Add freestanding or wall-mounted shelving. Wall-mounted jewelry cabinets can keep necklaces, bracelets and rings in order and out of site.

A Heated Floor System uses electric radiant heat mats or wires to generate heat under tile, hardwood and carpeted floors in bathrooms or any room. You can lower the air temperature in the room and by keeping the floor warm under your feet, you stay comfortable. Perfect for wood or concrete sub-floors, these heated floor systems are great when you are replacing your existing floor covering or working on a new construction. Thermostat accessories allow you to time the temperature of your floors to your liking.

Heated floor mats are available in many different widths and lengths to fit rooms of any size. The mats bond easily to underlying floor materials and are easy to install. First, tape the mats in place with special tape. Then connect the mats to the thermostat. Once the thermostat is installed, put tile adhesive over the heating mat and then lay your floor.

The heating wire system is ideal for irregular shaped rooms and comes in a variety of lengths. The wires use a single-point connection and are grounded from end to end. A metal jacket protects the wires. Installation is easy. First, the wires are laid out and fastened to the sub-floor. The thermostat is connected, the tile adhesive is put over the floor and wires, and then the floor can be installed. Be sure to use a certified electrician for the wiring.

Add the benefit of warming and drying your towels without having to run the dryer. With a wide range of products to choose from, there's a towel warmer for every bathroom.

Add the convenience of quick push-button hot water and save thousands of gallons of water, reduce the waiting time for your hot water, and add convenience to your life. A hot water demand pump speeds hot water from your water heater to your fixtures without running water down the drain. You get your hot water faster and you don't waste any water.

In many one of these pumps can provide quick hot water to several or even all of the hot water fixtures in your home. If your home has one main hot water run from the water heater that loops from location to location, then a single pump will provide quick hot water for your entire home. Just place it at the location furthest from the water heater.

If you want some really big accessories, check out the new environmental chambers where you can experience anything from a light rain to the equivalent of an automated car wash. Multiple shower heads, steam generators, and even chroma-therapy are available for your bathroom. There are a lot more goodies out there, go check them out before you accessorize your bathroom.

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Filtered Water Through Your Entire House

Water coming into your home is not always fit to drink. Shower and laundry water is also affected. Whole house filtration systems are being acquired to solve this problem. Once this is installed you can start getting filtered water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water.

There is a considerable amount of improvement in the home's air quality, overall, since the chemicals that are present in the water as contaminants, such as chlorine, are removed from it by the filters and, therefore, are not let out into the household. Clothing is protected against being embedded with contaminants contained in tap water, while laundry is being done, since clean and fresh water is provided for the entire family.

In the long run, the amount of cleaning that has to be done in the house gets reduced considerably after the installation of a house filter. This also includes the work required to clean deposits left behind by unclean water in the kitchen, the bathroom as well as on the dishes and utensils used for eating or for food storage.

The shower can also have a supply of clean filtered water, when a whole house filter is in use. The risk of water borne illnesses can can be reduced considerably when water free of harmful contaminants are used for bathing. Water coming out of your shower may contain chlorine which is harmful and can turn into chlorine gas and may enter the blood-stream through the skin, on account of absorption, when unfiltered is used for taking showers. Cancer may be caused, in addition to respiratory diseases like bronchitis and asthma, because of that.

Since protective oils of the natural kind are removed from the skin by chlorine, the softness of the hair and skin can be retained if the water used for bathing is sourced from filtered source. Similarly, while washing dishes or while bathing, one is protected against the air being filled with harsh chemicals that may irritate the respiratory system, through the use of such filters. Those suffering from allergies stand to benefit in a major way from that.

House water filters can prove to be effective protection against contaminants in the water supply, if the facility for treatment of water in the local area develops a fault. In addition to harmful contaminants, bacteria that could be harmful are also removed from the water by such filters. The plumbing system of the house is likely to remain completely free of such chemicals and bacteria, if a whole house water filter is in place.

Not only is pure and safe water provided by a outside filter, but the kind of clutter that there may be caused in a kitchen where a countertop filter is installed is also not there in the case of such a filter. The whole house water filter performs its functions effectively while remaining largely unseen. The taste of the water provided by it after filtration is also much better than that of tap water, since chlorine and other such chemicals that may affect taste are removed.

The advantages as well as disadvantages of installing a filter can be gauged from the evaluation of information such as the facts that have been discussed here. There is, obviously, a lot of benefits and convenience that the use of house water filtration can provide. Each and every source of water in the house can dispense clean and pure water, once such a filtration system is in operation.

Assisting you with your house water filter needs, the staff at Better Water Store is here to help achieve your clean water goals at an reasonable price. Whole house filters are also available.

Tips on How to Finish a Basement Wall

The walls are something you should take account of when you finish a basement. Finishing a basement is very important if you want your basement not only to look good. The walls in the basement are very important because they provide the structure for your basement and carry the weight of your home above it.

Tip 1: Make sure your walls are dry enough to work with.

Check how much moisture content your wall has. If it has too much moisture, there are probably leaks either on the walls itself or on the floor.

Tip 2: Install drywall.

Installing drywall to your concrete walls does not take a genius. It is also more time efficient as compared to applying plaster instead. Drywall is also made out of gypsum that helps prevent the spread of fire. When attaching your drywall, make sure that nothing is protruding on its surface (ex. nails).

Tip 3: Add furring strips

Furring strips will prevent water from leaking in your basement and will provide a more leveled wall to work with. A leveled working surface is very important when you finish a basement.

Tip 4: Insulation and Vapor Barriers

Attaching both of them, will aid in possible heat-related problems in your basement .Insulation is important or less heat loss. It is needed to help maintain a suitable room temperature especially during the cold months.

Tip 5: Design your walls.

The design of your walls is really up to you. You can paint over the surface of the drywall or create a textured finish with the use of wooden boards and other similar materials.
To finish a basement wall is one of the few things you should remember if you want to be able to enjoy your basement longer.

Want to learn how to decorate your basement wall a little more creatively? Discover practical basement remodeling ideas online and turn cheap basement ideas into dream basements at a budget.

Bathrooms Going Green

With more and more people being concerned about our environmental impact, we find our selves asking - "How can I 'Go Green'?" One easy, high impact way to begin is in the bathroom of your very own home. Why the bathroom? We use a lot of water and power in the bathroom, as well as hygiene and chemical cleaning products. By making a few changes and following a few simple tips, you can go green without getting stressed out.

A great deal of your homes water consumption takes place in the bathroom. You can dramatically reduce your household water use by taking a few simple steps. There are many earth friendly bathroom suites and accessories available to help you use less water, power, and employ more recycled and earth friendly items in your home.

A new shower head can go a long ways tired making your bathroom green without costing you a bundle. These new shower heads put much less water down the drain. If you're concerned that you'll feel like you're soaping up under a trickle, look for those shower heads that aerate the water, making less water feel like more while maintaining a good water pressure.

You can find the same qualities in your bathroom basin faucets. A lower flow, aerated water tap will use significantly less water without making you feel as if you are getting significantly less out of your tap. Remembering to turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth, or any time you are not actually using the water will also save on this valuable natural resource.

Organic cotton linens are becoming more readily available, as are the easily renewable and sustainable linens made from bamboo and hemp. Don't think that by buying an organic or renewable resource product you'll be skimping on luxury. Many of the organic, bamboo and hemp towels and washcloths are of the highest quality. You can also find shower curtains and bathroom rugs made of these same fibers and fabrics, in many colors and styles.

We all need our bathrooms to be clean, but how do you achieve that without using hard chemicals that end up going down your drainpipes? There are a lot of 'green cleaners' available on the market. Look for those that are biodegradable, contain natural ingredients and come in containers made from recycled materials. You can also simply make your own. White vinegar, soda crystals and borax will eliminate bathroom dirt, mildew and lime scale without putting harmful chemicals in your home or your waste water. These old fashioned cleaning methods not only work well, but cost much less than what you can buy at the store.

Having a green bathroom in no way means sacrificing comfort and style. With more options available all the time, going green has never been easier or more fashionable.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms who supply Bathrooms for the UK market.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

Roofing Options Continued

We previously explored roofing options such as asphalt shingle and ceramic tile, weighing the pros and cons of each. Considering the importance of a well-functioning roof, we will continue the discussion of roofing options here.

Wood shingle is a relatively inexpensive option for roofing. First it might be helpful to distinguish the difference between shakes and shingles.

A shingle is cut with a saw, and has a smoother finish than a shake. Shakes are split, and the wood is more rippled. The rippling in shakes actually encourages water to run down them quickly.

Most often, cedar is the wood of choice for shakes or shingles. This is due to a naturally occurring oil in the wood that discourages rot and bugs, making it far longer lasting than other woods. Shingles and shakes can both be applied over old asphalt or cedar shingles. Shakes require an open sheathing underneath them, so that air can flow and dry any dampness in the shakes themselves. Because of their irregular surface, it is recommended that shakes be layered with a course of felt material, and on solid sheathing, which will fill in any gaps and completely weather-proof.

The only major con to shakes or shingles is that they are not fire-proof. Also, the water collected off them is undrinkable for up to 6 years because of the same volatile oil that deters bugs and rot. After six years, however, it is usable water. Cedar shakes or shingles can last up to 25 years.

Slate is another interesting, and very attractive, option for roofing. Slate's biggest downfall is its high expense. However it is extremely long lasting-a 100 year old slate roof is not uncommon. It is also fire-proof, rot-proof, and a very low maintenance roofing material in general, resistant to acid rain and fading. Also, because it is also all natural, collecting water from your slate roof is very viable.

Metal roofing is probably the most light-weight roofing option. The cost of metal roofing is moderate, about mid-range compared to the other options discussed. It can easily be installed on top of older roofing, and is known for being very low maintenance. Modern metal roofing is usually made of aluminum or a steel alloy. It is then coated with a rust-resistant coating, available in a variety of nice colors. The biggest caution is that this coating is not scraped off during the installation of your metal roof.

Written on behalf of the Orlando real estate team at OrlandoMLS.com. Visit them if you are looking for an Orlando Realtor, or want to search the Orlando MLS listings.

How to Keep Remodeling Projects From Getting Out of Control

Two demons wait for unsuspecting homeowners, hoping for their chance to gobble up time and money on new home and remodeling projects.

The Ripple Effect lurks quietly in the background. Just like the movements on the pond surface for which it's named, The Ripple Effect starts out small and grows, expanding until it engulfs the entire project.

Pebble In The Pond

The Ripple Effect is the remodeling budget's worst enemy and can wreak havoc on small and large projects alike. A simple example is a window replacement project. At first glance, it's a simple, isolated project. But the interior and exterior trim must be replaced and painted and the exterior siding may have to be reworked, especially if the new window isn't the same size as the old one.

And that's just the beginning. Once that window is replaced and the new window trim painted, the rest of the trim in the room looks bad and so the homeowner decides to paint that, too. A pebble's been dropped in the pond, and the ripples have begun to spread.

What started out as a simple window replacement ends up as the refinishing of an entire room.

In new home projects, the ripple effect is more pronounced in open plan designs. With fewer walls to separate spaces, it's difficult to make flooring transitions from one room to another so more expensive floorings often cover more of the house. The lack of interior walls also requires a more expensive structural system and makes the placement of ductwork and plumbing more difficult.

Don't Make Waves

But the ripple effect can be controlled if you take a moment to consider the impact one project can have on other parts of the house. The root of the problem in the window replacement example is that a new standard sized window won't exactly fit the existing opening - necessitating the replacement of the trim.

But a custom sized window, carefully installed, might allow you to reinstall the existing trim inside and outside, and avoid the ripple effect entirely. Sure you'll spend more on the window but you'll save everywhere else, and avoid the ripple effect.

And in a new home project careful planning of the room layouts and space adjacencies allows flooring and other finishes to "break" where you want them to.

Project Creep

Project Creep is a close cousin to the Ripple Effect. Project Creep happens when the extent of the work begins to grow, creeping along at first, until no one seems able to control the spiraling costs.

Older homes, for example, often require building code upgrades when they're remodeled - upgrades that may have little to do with the project itself. When structural loads are changed in any way, for example, the existing structure must be rebuilt or retrofitted to meet updated code requirements. And moving structure usually means reworking the wiring, ductwork, and plumbing that's been routed through the area.

Project Creep can attack new home projects, too. Sometimes the causes are almost impossible to predict, such as when the excavation of the site uncovers poor soil conditions. Sometimes the cause is an outside force - an architectural review board, for example. But mostly, project creep is a result of a difference in expectations between homeowner, builder, and architect.

Plan To Avoid Creep

On any project, start with a clear idea of the level of finish and quality you expect. Don't assume that the architect and builder are in tune with your ideas about finishes - discuss your expectations in detail and whenever possible, see the actual finishes and fixtures. If you're not the detail-oriented type, hire a professional interior designer.

Poor quality drawings cause additional unplanned work during construction, and always end up costing homeowners money and time. My firm's been hired many times to correct drawings done elsewhere that contained glaring errors, omitted necessary structural steel, or just plain didn't work. Sloppy drawings are an open invitation to Project Creep.

On a remodeling or room addition project, evaluate the feasibility of the project in terms of the impact it will have on parts of the home that you're not intending to remodel. Often, room additions can easily be designed to minimize the effect on the existing structure.

Finally, always have realistic expectations about your project budget and communicate that budget to your architect and builder. When everyone understands the project's financial goals the chances for success are greatly increased.

Richard L. Taylor, AIA is a published author and recognized expert in Residential Architecture. He is President of Richard Taylor Architects, a 5-person firm in Historic Dublin, Ohio. Residential Architect | Luxury Home Plans

Green Remodeling - Small Ways to Go Green

Homeowners who are environmentally conscious are today concentrating mainly on green remodeling. By going 'green', you may experience reduced building and maintenance costs and in the process, improved health. So even if your home is not 'green' you can always think of 'green' remodeling to make it green.

- When venturing into 'green' remodeling, you have to choose amongst options, features and products that serve your interests the best. When buying materials, choose organic, healthy and low impact things like bamboo flooring, natural plasters, natural fiber carpeting, low VOC paints and stains and non-synthetic and natural finishing like bedding linens and cleaning products.

- Other options you have are products with high levels of salvage like natural stone and lumber, agricultural byproducts like linoleum and wheat board and recycled products like fly ash in concrete. As these products are durable and come with low maintenance, they don't have to be replaced or refinished often. This way money and energy is saved, while waste is kept out of landfills.

- You could also consider products produced locally or regionally when going into green remodeling. This is because these local products support the local economy and have lower levels of embodied energy. This means that less energy and resources is used during its production and transportation as everything is found and done locally.

- Besides using these ecologically safe products and materials for green remodeling, there are some tips you have to bear in mind for reduced consumption of energy in your home. Use more of solar power through solar water heaters, passive solar and photovoltaics, where electricity is generated from solar power.

- Have a long lasting metal roof or use light colored 40 year old shingles for your roof as it is reflective, thus absorbing less heat and lowering air conditioning bills.

- When you are re-siding the exteriors of your home, use oriented strand board or low formaldehyde material.

- Install water efficient fixtures like low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators and dual flush flush toilets to reduce your utility bills.

- When choosing tiles, re-use salvaged tiles with 50% or more of recycled content in them.

- Chose your windows while taking insulation, infiltration prevention and durability into consideration for better heating and cooling of the home, and thus reduced utility bills.

- Use LED bulbs instead of incandescent light bulbs, and make sure built in lighting fixtures can accommodate LED bulbs too.

- In addition to all this, you could have a home recycling center that will help ease the burden on local landfills.

- Also have rain barrels kept under the roof or gutter for prevention of contaminated runoff, with urban pollutants, from traveling into lakes and rivers by trapping this water. This water can later be use for watering the yard or garden.

- Even consider setting a rain garden on a low point of the garden to collect rainwater to be used later.

By bearing all these points in mind while green remodeling, you are sure to be proud pretty soon of your environmentally friendly house.

James Tyler is the owner of Ace Builders, a residential remodeling company serving the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Tyler writes about issues relating to all types of remodeling and home improvement projects.

For more information, tips and advice visit http://www.acebuilders.net

Your Royal Stairway - How to Achieve One

More often than not, most items found in your home serve primarily the purpose of decoration. Take your vases, paintings, and carvings, among others, as examples. However, some items serve for particular functions but may also serve as a decoration. Take your crystal chandelier (it is primarily to give light to your home but also serves as dcor to your ceilings) and your antique mirror for instance.

One thing that is not actually furniture which can be both useful and decorative in function is the stairway. Oftentimes, they serve as pathways from one level of our house to the next. Obviously, this is really a great help in houses with two or more floors. There are also houses which opt to put a stairway's platform in direct vision of a person entering the house from a front door. It gives out this appealing impression. Given this, it is therefore necessary that a stairway is not only sturdy and secure (for purposes of safety) but also must demonstrate "grandiosity" in its own right. Usually, this is attributed to the entire design of the stairway, but can also be tracked down to the specific stair parts, too. You have to remember that even the smallest detail, in this case part, can affect the totality of a whole structure to function and serve its purpose. This goes the same for the stairway and its stair parts.

A stairway may be built in different fashions. It can be helical, straight, or sectioned with a balcony. These final structures usually depend more or less on the materials used for the stair parts. Colossal mansions and castles usually have marble staircases of regal grace and elegance. Suburban homes have staircases of wood. For high buildings and skyscrapers, they have cemented or stone-made staircases. There are also some which have more than two or more materials mixed.

Some stair parts may be made of wood, while the others with cement or steel or other materials. For example, the steps are made of cement, the balusters from steel and the handrail from wood. However, when a staircase is made of marble, it is almost always the only material used for its stair parts, too. Oftentimes, the color of these stairways is usually the same with the rest of the house. This is because a stairway is a part of the entirety of the structure of the house.

There are various designs and materials of stair parts which when combined properly may produce a great look for the stairways. The general consideration is on the structure of your home. Also, consideration is also given to your budget to achieve the one which you like and is fit for your home. Most construction stores and depots offer various stair parts with affordable and reasonable prices.

Stairways, just like any general structures, rely greatly on their stair parts to achieve the final look to be visually stimulating to your guests and visitors and also for its solidity. Be certain that you only get what is best for your stairway to produce the effect of a royal pathway, to the next floor that is.

For more information about Stair Parts feel free to visit http://www.elegantstairsandwoodfloors.com

Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company

Bathroom Accessories For the Modern Bathroom

If you have a modern looking bathroom then it's a necessity to have small accessories scattered around the room to give it a livelier feel and mood. Having too many accessories can over do it so using them where necessary such as taking the eyes of visitors off a less attractive part of the bathroom is always a good idea.

Having accessories such as towel holders and bathroom mats extinguish the simplistic bathroom effect while still providing the space needed for other objects and accessories. It's essential to keep accessories and storage to a minimum size as it will cramp the bathroom size and it won't receive the style and fresh look your bathroom truly deserves! The main purpose of multiple accessories is the organisation of someone's bathroom - keeping your bathroom organised with less clutter will increase the bathrooms attractiveness and keep it clean.

Having a modern bathroom really needs those stainless steel products such as bins, mirrors and cabinets - they give the modern look a fantastic fresh appeal and a clean atmosphere. A wider range of accessories such as shower curtains tend to be some of the easiest accessories to buy that give that straight look of attention in any bathroom - they often stand out with a one colour look or hold multiple patterns.

Stainless steel accessories such as bins and mirrors really stand out in a light modern bathroom and should be taken into account when modifying your bathroom. The reflections on the stainless steel create a lighter atmosphere and it just looks clean and attractive when in a bathroom. It shouldn't be used everywhere in the room as it can be some what of a boring modern standard - it's not a unique method to attract freshness in a bathroom as it's used widely across the world.

Depending on what sort of style you want to achieve in your modern bathroom this is just an example of what you can do with different accessories, you have your own tastes so you'll most likely have different preferred styles and methods.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms who supply Bathroom Accessories for the UK market.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

Exterior Remodeling - Fiber-Cement Siding Compared to Vinyl Siding

In the world of remodeling the exterior of your home, there are several things to consider when comparing fiber-cement siding to vinyl siding.

Disguising the Problem

Vinyl siding is sometimes used as a cover-up to be placed over the old damaged cladding. The current problems may still exist. Sometimes it may be improperly installed. This invites insects and moisture to build up behind the panels, and may even go through the structure of the home.

Flammable

Vinyl facing may melt or burn if it too close to a heat source such as your grill or a close by fire. The flammability of the cladding is such a concern that some counties/districts are starting to educate homeowners about its natural flammability.

Fiber-cement facing is non-combustible when exposed to significant amount of heat or flame. It has been appreciated for this safety feature. It is also approved for fire-rated structure.
Fading

All colors fade from the sun and there are several options that you can do to replace vinyl cladding. You can install a replacement piece and try to find the matching color of your original siding. You can also replace all the cladding again if you can't find the matching color. You may also paint the facing, but keep in mind this type of facing is made to expand and contract which will cause the paint to chip and peel over time.

Fiber-cement facing can be painted any color that you desire. It will also remain longer than with wood. It won't crack and peel as quickly as vinyl.

Warranty

Always look at the warranty before your purchase. Look closely at the "Life-Time" to see how many years the warranty really covers and also what is covered. Check the "Normal Weathering" section to see what their definition is of normal weathering.

Fiber-cement facing may be found to have a 50 year transferable limited product warranty, and a 15 year finish warranty. This warranty is good for even the most sever climates.

Poor Quality and Aesthetics

Vinyl siding may not look as natural as wood. It has overlapping seams and fake wood grains that try to copy the appearance of wood.

Fiber-cement siding has the beauty of real wood with the ability to be painted any color and not have the chipping and peeling of vinyl or wood. There are no overlapping seams to take away from the natural appearance it will lend to the home.

Weather Resistant

Fiber-cement cladding is a very durable product that can even withstand the most severe climates. It will not go brittle in the cold or be damaged by flying debris like the other type of cladding is known to do.
Thickness

The great amount of thickness that accompanies fiber-cement cladding adds to the products strength that provides impact resistance from wind or hail.

The finest vinyl siding is only 5/100th inch thick.

These are several things you need to consider when investing in the exterior of your home. In the long run, having fiber-cement siding is aesthetically and financially more sound than having vinyl siding which is an inferior product.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Blue Ridge Exteriors. The siding contractor provides James Hardie Siding throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on their James Hardie Siding please visit their website.

Bad Termite Damage To Window
Exposed Wall Wire Mesh

Installing a Walk in Shower

Installing a walk in Shower needn't be as big of a problem as it would first appear. With a little advanced planning and organising your self, it can be a fun and interesting project to work on. With a big sense of satisfaction in the end result. Done properly it will last for years to come and look great every single day.

The following is some helpful tips and advice to help make your project that little bit easier and more successful.

I am going to have to assume that you have already purchased a walk in shower , that you have enough space available to fit it in, that you are happy the cubicle and tray offers you enough space for your needs and that you have at least some basic diy skills.

Some forward planning and thinking about the job at hand will make the installation be a little less painful. Some of the things to consider are:

Water supply, is it easily accessible for installing and connecting the shower.

Walls, are they clear of old decoration and plaster/render in good condition.

Floor is it strong enough to take the extra weight or does it need strengthening?

Waste, Can you get to it? Is the drain able to run the water away from the shower?

Electricity, is there any electrical wiring under the shower area or in the wall where you are working? If so, consider moving it now as it will be much easier.

Is the general working area clean and clear of unnecessary clutter?

If any of the above need sorting get those done first. Taking time with the preparation stage will make a huge difference to the finished project.

Leave your new walk in shower in it's packaging so as not to loose or damage anything, of course check that everything is there in the first place.

After you have sorted all the above and that you are satisfied that the area is ready to install your walk-in shower. Get yourself a assistant as some of these cubicles can be very hard to assemble on your own.

Take your time with the whole process.

Read and understand the fitting instructions before starting and lay everything out, somewhere out of the way. You don't want to put your foot on the glass door and break it at this stage!

Things to remember with installing your walk in shower and tray.

Water, will over time destroy any porous materials it comes in to contact with.

Water, can be the cause of mildew and mould to build up

Water, running will find the path of least resistance. If there is a small whole water will make it bigger and bigger.

Water damage is one of the most common problems in modern homes.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms Ltd who supply walk in shower products across the UK.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

Water Damaged Wood Floor
Plaster Crack Wall Damage

Remodeling a Laundry Room - An Easy Five Step Plan

Remodeling a laundry room is fairly easy. This room is often the most overlooked room in the house but in a few simple steps, you can turn it into a functional, organized masterpiece you will be proud to show off.

Here are the five steps to an easy Laundry Room Remodel:

1. Flooring - If you are doing a full remodeling project, you might as well start from the floor up! Tile or vinyl are the best options although laminate or wood floors can be used as well.

2. Cabinets - If you don't already have cabinets in your laundry room, you may want to consider adding them if you have room. Not only will they add storage to your home, but they should increase your home's value.

3. Walls and Dcor - Cute laundry themed art work, whimsical sayings stenciled on the walls, vintage prints, black and whites of your favorite family photographs...just about anything works well as laundry room dcor!

As for paint colors, for smaller rooms you may want to go with soft, light, or neutral colors. Darker colors can make an already small room seem smaller. If you have a large laundry room that is well lit, you could go with a bolder color if you want.

4. Storage/Organization - Make the most of your space and plan your laundry room for optimal storage and organization. If you don't have room for cabinets, at least install a shelf over the washing machine and dryer. A slide out cart that fits between the two appliances is another way to squeeze every bit of available storage space out of the room.

5. Finishing Touches - Window treatments and a nice laundry room rug will help to put the finishing touches on the room.

Remember to look at the overall picture when remodeling your laundry room. All the items you choose for the room should compliment each other.

Visit Laundry-Room-Decor.com for more ideas and tips for remodeling a laundry room including information about great laundry room organizers, cabinets, flooring, dcor ideas, and much more!

Concrete Stained Sheathing
Carpet Damage From Cat

Budget Kitchen Remodeling All by Yourself

Everyone wants the best for their homes and one of the most important areas one's house is the kitchen, which is probably the most favorite place of bonding for families and friends alike. We only want what is best for our homes, which is why we fill them with beautiful interior decoration pieces and possibly, with the most modern equipments available in the market today.

Those of you wondering on how to remodel your kitchen on a budget, there are a lot of options available which can enhance the look and functionality of your home. Most home stores can help those who are on the lookout for remodeling their kitchen on a budget.

Do It Yourself

The best way to save money when while trying to remodel your kitchen on a low budget, is to try and do it by yourself. You could try to involve help from the members of the family or friends who you know might have similar interests and would enjoy the process. Involving yourself, friends and family in the whole thing, would give your kitchen the look you want, besides being a great opportunity to re-bond with those who are involved in the entire process

Once you have decided to remodel your kitchen on a budget, you should at first sit down and in details write down all the ideas and changes that you have in your mind for your new kitchen. You should be able to conceptualize the look and feel of the kitchen after completion. By doing this, you can decide on the appliances that would complement the ambience that you want. By this time you have to decide if you want to totally change your old kitchen cabinets or just upgrade them with a new color scheme and freshness more suitable to the new look of your kitchen.

Yet another great tip for remodeling your kitchen on a budget is that you can retain your old plumbing which means that you don't need professional services. In doing this, you will be saving on the cost of labor and new materials, apart from that it would save you a lot of time, energy and hassles for everyone.

Moreover, try to browse through the nearest Lowe's or Home Depot home store in your vicinity because they can help you and suggest ideas about the best options when you are trying to remodel your kitchen on a budget. For detailed information and to make a list of the materials that you might want, try visiting their website at www.homedepot.com and www.lowes.com.

The free-lance writer Carl Esonhouse is very passionate about topics related to saeco espresso maker. You might discover his observations on saeco coffee machines and saeco coffee maker over at http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com.

Bay Window Fascia And Soffit