Buying Discount Laminate Flooring

Hardwood floors are beautiful, but, as everyone knows, expensive. A lovely and less expensive alternative is laminate flooring. Laminate comes in a wide variety of both colors and styles, and you can find a laminate to suit any budget. They look just like hardwood floors and are now manufactured by such reliable forums as Mohawk and Shaw, so you know you Will have good quality.

There is a wide range of choices in laminate flooring, something to suit every room in the house and every house in the neighborhood. No matter what the style of the room, there is a laminate that will suit it. There are floorings that resemble Early American plank boarding and there is flooring that is super modern in look.

Most of the laminates today are made to look like wood, but there are other options as well. Laminates are available in styles that resemble tile, stone or marble as well. Using all laminate floorings througout your home, you can have the look of ceramic tile in kitchens and bathrooms, the look of wood in living room and family room and the look of marble in the foyer.

When you begin to shop for laminates, measure the area you want to cover. Then allow 10% for waste and pattern matching. With these numbers in hand, you will be able to price your flooring project realistically.

There are many sites on the Internet where you can shop for discount flooring. These sites have excellent pictures so that you can see exactly what you are going to get. The most important thing when you order on line is that you get all the material from the same lot, so there will be no differences in the material. If all of the material is not from the same lot, you will notice variations in color and textures once the flooring is laid.

Make sure you check the flooring immediately upon arrival for any damage or faults. Make sure there is no chipping or other damage along the edges. Insist on an exchange if there is any damage that cannot be trimmed away without affecting the use of the flooring.

It is a fairly easy project to install laminate flooring, and most handy do it yourselfers can do it. The prep is easy, since laminate can be installed right over existing flooring, whether that flooring is vinyl, hardwood, wood or concretes. Laminate has been successfully installed over concrete in basements.

Laminate flooring comes in pieces that are fitted together in a tongue and groove method. It is not glued or nailed in place the way hardwood floors are, but rather "floats" with the pieces glued to each other rather than to the under flooring. If you are doing one room in laminate flooring, you can easily complete it as a weekend project.

Kurt Schefken's papers can be encountered on countless websites with reference to discount floors. From his detailed writings, the author proofed his deep knowledge on topics like discount laminate flooring.

How to Understand Your Horoscope

As you probably know, a horoscope is a map of the heavens at the time you were born. Your horoscope shows the astrologer what signs your planets are in. It reveals all your tendencies, attitudes, frustrations, talents and life purpose. And a lot more!

But you don't need to figure this out to find out what your Mars means. Just ask an
astrologer.

Let's say I looked at your horoscope and found out that your Mars is in the sign of
Cancer. Here's an easy way to understand this:

Mars= passion and desire to take action

Cancer= a sign that relates to food, baking, bread, real estate, home,
family, stomach, mothering and nurturing

Now, put some of these meanings together with Mars and you will come up with
some things you really have a passion for. Then you simply ask "Which one of these
things, that relate to my passion, do I feel the strongest about?"

You might say that you have a strong passion for cabinetmaking, which relates to
building homes. Or you could have a strong passion for real estate or running a
bakery. In any case, your Mars in Cancer shows that your passion is strongly related
to the areas of life that relate to that sign.

Here's another example:

Your Mercury is in Aquarius. Mercury= thinking and communications.
Aquarius= relates to advanced technology, computers, aircraft, space
travel, astrology, engineering, musical composition and friendships.

If you have your Mercury in Aquarius, you will always approach information from a
technical or advanced level of awareness. The Aquarian signs imparts a keen ability
to look beyond the obvious and seek out radical forms of expression. Some of our
greatest pioneers, inventors, and composers had Mercury in Aquarius.

If your Mercury is in Aquarius, all of this will make sense to you.

Don't you find it quite remarkable that the heavens can reveal so much information
about you?

Let's take one more example.

Your Venus is in Leo. Venus= appreciation, attraction, what you like.
Leo= sign of the arts, creativity in all forms, love, romance, sports,
theater, painting music, the heart, and children.

If your Venus is in Leo, you are truly a romantic. You love the game of love, playing
the field, and expressing yourself creatively. You have a loving heart and you want
to impart that feeling to others.

When you combine the planets with the signs, think of the planet as desire and the
sign as an attitude. Then your horoscope will begin to make sense to you.

Obviously, your horoscope is far more complex than this, but I have shown you in a
very simple way how the planets and signs reveal who you are.

2006 Randall Curtis

Randall Curtis is a professional astrologer with world-wide clients. Click on this link to gain quick and valuable insights into your horoscope and get free lessons in astrology.

Problems With Black Mold

Common Contractor Shortcuts That Cost You More Than Just Migraines

When you hire a contractor, you want to know that you're going to get the job done and that it's going to be done right. If not, you would never invest the money in the project, right? Unfortunately, some contractors don't look at things this way. They are ready to cut corners in any way they can so that they have to do less work and still receive your money. They don't care if it costs you more money in the long run or more heartache. All they care about is themselves. The goal of this article is to inform you of these common contractor shortcuts which will end up costing you more than just migraines.

Scams

One of the things you need to watch out for is contractor scams. You may be approached by a contractor who claims to have just enough asphalt left over to pave your driveway from another job and offer to repave it for an extremely low price. Of course, this looks like a great deal to you so you go ahead and pay the money. Unfortunately, either the contractor disappears with the money and you have no brand new repaved driveway or they do repave it, but they do a terrible job. By the time you figure out that something is wrong, they are long gone. Never trust someone who approaches you and offers to pave your driveway. Call contractors on your own and make sure the company is legitimate.

Overcharging

Another thing you may encounter is contractors who overcharge to repave your driveway. There are many different materials which go into paving your driveway, like the stone and the asphalt. There are also different grades of stone and asphalt. You could end up paying for the highest grade and getting the lowest grade. Take your contractor through each step of the paving process and find out exactly what materials you're getting and what you are paying for them. If you are suspicious of a company, call another company and compare the materials with the price of the job. This comparison should help you determine what is standard and what is not.

Down Payments

Another thing you may want to watch out for is a company that requires a down payment. They may tell you they need your down payment to take care of the materials. It should make you wonder what sort of company can't purchase the materials without you pre-paying. Make sure you get a free estimate before the contractor begins the work too. The price they estimate should be very, very close to the actual price you pay. Small overages may be understandable but if you're asked to pay a completely different price, things are not right.

By watching out for common shortcuts that contractors take, you can avoid paying more money than you should have, getting swindled or taken advantage of and receiving poorly done work.

The only company which does not charge a down payment in the greater Toronto area is Ludwig Paving (http://www.LudwigPaving.com).

Ludwig Paving is a full service paving and asphalt company. Handling all of your paving needs, from driveways, parking lots, and maintenance, they are Toronto's most trusted asphalt company. Having been in business for more than 25 years, they are the top choice for any kind of paving. For more information, visit http://www.LudwigPaving.com today.

Getting Rid Of Horrible Attic Sm

Bathroom Decorating Ideas - Spruce Up Your Dull Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the places where you can relax with pleasure or where you can have a quiet time for yourself alone or just simply pamper yourself. Naturally, decorating your bathroom to make it more comfy is one way to create a quick fix for your home. Here are a few, quick bathroom decorating ideas to create bathroom pleasures:

1.Simple hygiene to make your bathroom brighter and sparkle like new is to clean and sanitize clogged places and remove grime and stain. A simple application of disinfectant will instantly clear your bathroom of unpleasant stains and dirt stuck in between crevices under your toilet, tubs and sinks. Put decorative fragrant bathroom sanitizers.

2.Instant bathroom decorating ideas is usually composed of solutions which require no minimal effort or none at all. So, decorating is accessorizing. A little accessory will do. Like sleek and simple towel hangers, colorful soap dishes, water proof figurines and even framed pictures or paintings will create good vibes in your bathroom.

3.Create a clutter-free zone in your bathroom. Installing glass or wooden shelves to organize bathroom stuff is one of the highlight of great bathroom decorating ideas. The idea is to keep things simple and minimal in a small to regular cramped space. Large cabinets will only take up more space, constricting the already limited space you have. One way to add style to your shelves is to have a carved hardwood with ornate design. Aside from being attractive, the wood is durable so it will not rot if splashed with a little water.

4.The illusion of space is not really a hard trick to pull-off. Space usage and minimalist-thinking are the secrets of successful bathroom decorating ideas. The use of mirrors to reflect light positioned in a strategic way like opposite a window to create an illusion of having another window or opposite each other to make a small room much larger is a surefire trick to revitalize your dull bathroom.

5.Of course, the rainbow connection should always be remembered. A splash of color in your bathroom will instantly jazz up the small space of an otherwise insignificant part of the house. Put up a bright shower curtain and match it with your window curtains. Or to even go bolder, repaint your all the walls or just one wall with a solid color to create contrast or focus on a single part of the bathroom like the tub area.

These are just simple bathroom decorating ideas in which one can easily accomplish for an instant perk up for the bathroom. Bathroom moments will surely be more comfortable and relaxing as well as pleasing to the eye as well.

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

Bow In Basement Wall

Bathroom Wall Paneling - A Fresh New Look

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cut Hip Rafter Damage

Choosing Your Ideal Bath

If you are choosing a new bath it helps to be informed about what is on the market. The range of shapes, sizes and materials modern baths are available in is huge. The most common material used in bath manufacturing is cast iron which is then coated in porcelain enamel or sometimes acrylic and steel, although the latter is less common. Bath sizes can vary from 30-34" wide and 14-20" deep. Designs vary too from traditional to freestanding corner baths to whirlpool baths even sunken baths which are positioned in plinths which are custom made.

Cast Iron Baths

The weight of a cast iron bath is approximately 350lbs. Depending on where you live they can be difficult to transport, especially if your bathroom is upstairs or if there are any tight corners and doorways in your property. They do have their benefits however. When compared to acrylic baths, for example, they are quieter when filling up with water, retain the heat of the water for longer and are much more durable. They have a more robust feel to them and don't feel as "spongy" as their acrylic counterparts.

Plastic (Acrylic, Fibreglass) Baths

Although it is common knowledge that fibreglass is used in boat manufacturing it is also used for making baths. Fibreglass baths have a gel coating which provides strength while keeping them light in weight. Partly because they are easy to manufacture they are cheaper than cast iron baths. However, because of their thinness they are easily scratched, especially if strong abrasive cleaning solutions are used. Stronger cleaning solutions also affect the colour of the bath which, over time, would appear faded.

How Baths Are Made

In the manufacturing process several layers of fibreglass are moulded together as a support layer then it is given a spray coating of a special gel. To give improved strength other materials such as foam, wood or corrugated paper are used. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is sometimes used as a more cost effective alternative to acrylic. The downside to this is that it is softer than acrylic. On a more positive note however, scratches can be eliminated by sanding. Also it not prone to colour fading.

Another process in bath manufacturing it is also worth being aware of is injection moulding. Here liquid plastic is injected into the bath mould. Once it has cooled down it is withdrawn. Injection moulded baths do not have the same rigidity as, for example, cast iron baths and they dull rapidly.

Plastic baths have the problem of being "spongy" and flexible. This is the case whether they are injection moulded or laminated (gel coated). Obviously the more layers of fibreglass or reinforcing used bumps up the price. A good idea when installing a plastic bath is to position a small amount of cement under the bath to give more stability.

Harry Young is Internet Marketing Project Manager for Tapsnbaths.

TapsnBaths offer quality affordable baths, shower enclosures, and bath screens to the UK consumer market.

Bathtub Building Code Problem

Cheap Hotels - Find Discount Hotel Deals Online

When traveling one of the most important things you will do is to book a hotel and finding the best price possible can really benefit you. To find a great hotel room at a discount price you need to use the internet to search for the best deals. There are a lot of major websites to search such as hotels.com and Expedia but it is important that you extent your search beyond these sites because hotels that do not sell out want to fill rooms and this is when you can get a bargain. It is also a good idea to check with the hotel that you are wanting to stay with and see if they have any specials through them as well.

You can also save a lot of money with discount cards such as AAA, Automobile Card, etc. These organizations allow you to save on some of the most popular hotel chains that are out there. You might want to call them and ask if they have any additional discounts that are not on there website because in some cases they will run a special of the month. There are also many discount travel websites that you can sign up for and they will alert you when there is a discount in the area that you are looking.

Remember that finding a discount on a hotel room is not hard to do but you need to do your homework so that you can get the best room possible at the best price. You also want to make sure that if you find a site you like then bookmark it for future use.

Find : Cheap Hotel Rooms

Get the: Best Discount Hotels

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Discount Airfares and Cheap Vacations

Mold From Dryer Vent On Joist

Miami Airport Hotels

If you are a traveler who is short on time, you could choose to stay in one of the Miami airport hotels. There are several good airport hotels in Miami where you can book your rooms directly through the website of the hotel or through their toll-free numbers. Famous airport hotels in Miami include Holiday Inn Miami, Crown Plaza Airport, and Holiday Inn Express Airport.

You can also collect more detailed information on Miami airport hotels from the Airport Hotel Guide. The guide is a popular information source, and it has been recognized by news organizations including USA Today and TSI International.

Rates for the hotels are available on a nightly basis. While searching for a good airport hotel, you might find hotels offering you a good discount. Roughly, the normal charges of the airport hotels can range from $300 upwards. For example, Hampton Inn and Suites charge an average rate of $208, while Mandarin Oriental Miamis average price is $561.

Miami airport hotels offer everything that you might need for a perfect stay. Hotels like Hilton advertise their services on their websites. For example, Hilton claims to provide in-room movies, mini-bar, hair dryer, coffeemaker, state-of-the-art alarm clock, and cable television with premium channels. It also talks of an ergonomic chair and business-friendly desk, wireless high-speed Internet access and dual-line telephones with speakerphones.

While you seek to make that business trip and lodge in one of the Miami airport hotels, you will usually experience a good ambience for business discussions and a personal serenity. And it wont be an exaggeration to say that Miami airport hotels can offer you the best mix of a business as well as a vacation trip.

Miami Hotels provides detailed information on Miami Hotels, Miami Beach Hotels, Discount Miami Hotels, Miami Airport Hotels and more. Miami Hotels is affiliated with Miami Beach Real Estate.

Behind Wood Lath Plater

Booking Phuket Hotels For a Vacation

Phuket is consistently one of the most visited parts of Thailand. Some people go to Phuket because of its fantastic beaches, while others enjoy the lively nightlife scene. Whether you are looking for a quiet, romantic getaway or something with a bit more bite, Phuket is a worthy destination. As a result of Phuket's popularity, you have a diverse range of Phuket hotels and resorts to choose from.

There is a Phuket hotel for everyone. The first thing you will need to think about is your budget. Are you looking to splash out on a luxurious pad for a week or will you be backpacking on a shoestring budget? Phuket is a large island and all budgets are catered to, from 500-baht guesthouses to $5,000 luxury villas.

Once you a fair idea of your budget, it's time to choose the location of your Phuket hotel. The location you choose will go a long way to determining what impression of Phuket you leave the island with. It all comes down to preference. Some parts of the island are geared towards partying, while others are geared towards lazing around in peace.

If you're traveling with friends or you want to sample the bars and clubs of the island, the best place to book your Phuket hotel is in Patong. Patong is a simple beach destination that has been developed into a kind of tourist Mecca. It's the most popular place for travelers to stay in Phuket.

In Patong, there are rows of market stalls, lines of beer bars and a large number of clubs and discos. The beach in Patong is reasonable, although nothing to write home about. Families and some other travelers may find Phuket a little much to deal with as there are throngs of travelers all over the place, even during low season.

Phuket Town is a popular spot for backpackers looking for Phuket hotels. There are some cheap places to stay dotted around the area, while close by there are some chilled-out bars and a few points of cultural interest.

The most scenic places to book Phuket hotels are in areas such as Mai Khao or Nai Yang, where you won't be confronted with a barrage of tourists from one day to the next. The hotels and resorts in these areas are pricey, but they are worth a little splurge now and then.

There are a variety of online booking agents ready to help you book the right Phuket hotel to meet your requirements. Do a bit of research and compare the prices, and don't forget to read those customer reviews before you book.

Find out more about Phuket hotels and Phuket holidays at these links.

Wet Insulation Paper

Realty Remodeling Rules

Thinking of remodeling or renovating? Make sure you do not 'improve' your home out of the neighborhood. It is okay to do this if you want to stay living in it, but if you are making improvements to sell your home at a higher value - beware!

Realtors accept that there is a ceiling in realty prices, no matter which location you live in. The catch-phrase 'location, location, location' is not just for fun; every location has a 'bottom price and a top price'. If you live in a top location area - the sky is the limit - but sadly most of us do not!

If you are living in a lower price area and put in a swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen before you list your house, it will most certainly bring the buyers to your home. It will no doubt bring in offers for your home and all this is good news.

However, while you will be able to sell at the top neighborhood price, the sale price may not reflect the total cost of your improvements.

In order to avoid this error of judgment, ask an expert in the field of neighborhood prices - your local realtor! He or she will be happy to come and advise you on which specific improvements may potentially add value to your specific home in your specific neighborhood.

This is the type of advice that you want if you are improving solely to make money. Many home improvements have been 'analyzed' to see which ones give the best returns on their initial outlay.

For instance, in the 'Money Magazine' they recommend adding a quality deck to bulk up the potential square footage of your property. It should be no larger than the one third the size of your home.

A deck can be transformed into a luxury class fairly inexpensively - outdoor lighting around the deck area, waterproof speakers and an entry via French doors will help. If you use 'cute' strings of outdoor lighting and decorate with potted trees, the deck will have an appealing ambiance.

A report from HomeGain.com suggests that the outlay for updating a kitchen can add double of the initial cost of the improvement to the value of your home. If you have a closet that you can turn into a pantry - go for it!

The pantry is a sought after feature in a kitchen at the moment. Islands are another wished-for feature, although preferably with a secondary function such as a sink or breakfast bar stools.

Once again, keep a ceiling on your prices. If your neighborhood is for the average family, it is not worth investing thousands of dollars in top of the line appliances if this will price your home out of the local market. The report suggests that looks and newness are the most important factors.

PorchLight Real Estate Group combines local market knowledge with cutting edge marketing skills. For more information on Denver CO real estate or to do a search for Aurora real estate, visit us online at PorchLightGroup.com.

Stair Landing Fire Block

New Ideas For Redecorating Your Old Bathroom

If you're in the process of remodeling your bathroom, or if you're just tired of it's old look, you need to start looking at new accessories to liven the place up. Just by changing a few of the accessories in the room, you can give it a totally new look and feel.

The ancient Chinese, in their practice of Feng Shui, believed that the bathroom needed to be decorated to create a certain feel, since this was one of the most important rooms in a home. Whether you believe it or not, you probably already realize that getting the right accessories for your bathroom can make a great deal of difference in the overall look of your home. Your bathroom is where you spend a lot of time getting ready in the mornings, and a cozy, happy looking room can make you feel calmer and more energized.

Maybe you've just moved into a home where the bathroom is done in the harvest gold and avocado green of the '70s, or maybe you're just sick of the present bathroom dcor. If these descriptions apply to you, then you're certainly due for a change. You may be surprised at how much a few new accessories can do in changing the whole look of the room.

One of the most important accessories in most bathrooms is the shower curtain. This is also one of the things too many homeowners ignore because they don't want to face the expense of a new one. It's time to get rid of that old, mildewed plastic curtain you've had since the '60s, and perk up your bath with a cozy cloth curtain or a colorful plastic one that will be great to use with kids. All you have to do is visit a bath accessories store to know how many beautiful curtains you'll have to choose from.

Consider tossing out all of the old accessories around your sink, such as your soap bottle and toothbrush holder, and replacing them with matching items. If you're fixing up a woman's bathroom, you can go with a floral look. For men, you can pick wood textured items or something with a wildlife theme. And if you're accessorizing with the entire family in mind, you might think about using geometric shapes, Americana, or abstract print.

Towels are another big item for the bathroom. Get rid of those old college towels and find something that will complement the colors in the room. You can hang towels that look good in the room from decorative towel bars where they'll add interest and color.

The accessories you choose to put into your bathroom can make a big difference on the overall look and feel of the room. By taking your time and choosing wisely, you'll have a lovely-looking bathroom with accessories you'll enjoy for many years to come.

Visit us today for more tips on lladro bathroom style guide and bathroom tile designs.

Bathroom Books
House Attic Books

Bathroom Moisture Problems - Home Repair

Right above my bathtub in my master bathroom the paint is peeling off the wall. The area is peeling above the tile in my bathtub and shower combination. I tried to glue the peeling paint back and only made the situation worst.

First things first. The paint is peeling because there is to much moisture in the bathroom while you are using it. Do you have any windows you can open or a ventilating bathroom fan. If you have a window crack it open part way while you are showering.

The water droplets will accumulate on the walls and drip into any cracks. Right above the tile grout is a great place for moisture to accumulate. Oh yeah moisture loves grout and drywall. If you have any unpainted areas or an area that has cracked. Guess what you have now.

Your paint is peeling because the bathroom gets hot and cold. Moist and dry. If you have the door and windows shut. You just created a moisture trap. Most people prefer their privacy and will closes the door when using the shower. Well then open the window and let some cold air in while you are taking a nice warn shower. I don't think so. Most showering fools don't like that idea either.

Ok one more idea keep the windows shut so you don't let the cold air in. Then lock the door so no on barges in on you. If you have a ventilation fan turn it on. This will at least pull fresh air in from under the door and send the moist air out of the house.

But the fan is so noisy and I can't enjoy my nice warm vapor producing shower that will eventually cause me to get sick from mold particles floating around in the air while I am using my bathroom.
Does this about sum it up for you and don't we all do this from time to time. We want to enjoy our shower time, so we close up everything and when we are in our bath sauna environment relaxing our house is getting some damaging moisture that could cause mold and mildew.

Open a window or door a little when you shower. Get some air circulating through the bathroom and prevent damage to your nice house.

Put up with a little inconvenience for you homes sake and your pocket book.

Greg Vanden Berge has been in the home building and remodeling business in California for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information.

His website provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building in North San Diego Home Remodeling Carlsbad Home Remodeling

Visit us now for Bathroom Ideas

Roof Fascia Section Repair

Four Solutions For Porch Roofs Cover With Old Metal Shingles

Owners of vintage homes usually want to preserve their embossed tin shingle roofs. Unfortunately there are no readily available metal shingles that will match the size, texture and shadowing of the embossed tin shingles dating from 1870 to 1930. But there are resolutions that can meet budget constraints as well as appearance expectations.

For these owners of homes with embossed metal shingles, the porch is usually the most challenging. The porch area tends to be the most trampled. Understandably, painters have placed ladders on the shingles. Or children have played on them. Damaged porch tin shingles are a common occurrence.

When maintenance is due on metal shingle roofs, the porch roof may be handled differently than upper roofs because of the excessive damage.

Here are four solutions:

1. For example, an historical district owner faced a real dilemma. The enclosed porch roof area leaked into her living room. The local historical society flatly rejected any plan to replace the roof unless the same metal shingles were used. Her budget could not afford to replace with new shingles at this point.

In this situation, the owner had to balance her priorities between satisfactory appearance, performance and budget.

Her strategy was to opt for 1) stopping the leakage into her living room and 2) avoiding a conflict with the local historical society. To accomplish this decision, the fully reinforced system with restoration green acrylic was applied. This system consists of four layers of acrylic with mesh between two of the coating layers.

For this situation at that particular time, the approach made sense. From the driveway, the porch roof surface looks presentable. Since the back door is the main entrance, the appearance issue seemed resolved for the roof surface. Incidentally, the leakage situation was solved

2. The use of the standing seam panels has been a popular choice for a porch roof. The reasons are obvious: Both standing seam and shingles are traditional metal styles of roofing. Also, with the traditional standing seam panels, the metal shingles complement each other quite attractively. The cost of this approach is less expensive than new shingles,

3. If modern asphalt shingles have already been installed as a solution, every owner will agree the appearance is usually undesirable. On these porches, where tin shingles are visible on other roofs, the least expensive approach may be to coat the porch asphalt shingles with the same acrylic tint as the rest of the metal tin shingles. The color ties in the different roofs

4. Another inexpensive approach is to install a smooth, rolled roofing installation. Then coat the rubber or mineral surface roofing with the acrylic of the embossed tin shingles. One customer coated her porch roof with an acrylic tint that accented the trim of her stone house.

By working with an experienced contractor in this field, innovative solutions are possible.

http://www.roofmenders.com

Cast Iron Pipe In Top Plates

Remodeling Your Home For Resale

It is true that remodeled kitchens provide a good return when selling your home, but such a project is very involved, costly, and often a headache. Instead of a complete overhaul, give your kitchen a fresh appearance by installing new appliances and replacing outdated cabinet hardware with trendy pieces.

Another simple improvement to your kitchen includes changing faucets and light fixtures. Freshen up bathrooms in the same manner as the kitchen. Change hardware pieces such as faucets, towel bars, soap dishes, as well as light fixtures. Also think about updating your mirror and other accessories in the room such as shower curtain, wall hangings, and towels.

Fixing up the yard will add significant curb appeal and is one of the most worthwhile improvements you can do for your home. Curb appeal refers to the view of your home from the street. Because the outside of your house is the first thing the buyer sees, the yard and entry leave a strong impression and help the buyer decide whether they even want to see the rest of the house.

So go out to your curb and look at your house; does it look nice? Can you even see it? If you have large trees or shrubs that cover the majority of the house, cut them back or get rid of them to increase your curb appeal. Make sure the yard is neat and trimmed and for a small investment you can put together a beautiful flower bed or adorn the entry with beautiful potted arrangements.

Also, consider improving the entry way by installing new trendy porch lights and a new mailbox. If necessary, give your home a fresh coat of paint. All of these improvements are relatively inexpensive but make a big difference when it comes to selling your home.

When it comes to carpet, first check to see if there are hardwood floors underneath by lifting up a corner in a closet. If there are hardwood floors, just have the carpets well cleaned and advertise that there are original hardwood floors.

More buyers are attracted to wood floors these days. If there is not wood below and the carpets are old, have the carpets replaced. New carpets give your home both the smell and look of newness.

Seriously consider painting the entire interior of your home, especially if it hasn't been done in a while. When you are repainting, choose light neutral colors. Although dark or bright colors may be trendy and look nice, they limit the buyers' ability to picture the home as their own. A light and neutral color will clean up the walls without turning off any customer.

Although you may love your neon beer sign in your living room, some buyers may not and can be turned off by such personal items. Try to make your house more generic and hide your quirky belongings; try to make it look like a model home. It helps the buyer picture their own belongings on the wall.

Keep your house clean. This costs nothing but makes all the difference. No one wants to pay a good price for a cluttered and dirty house. If you are a pack rat, now is the time to change the habit and throw it all away or invest in a storage unit to place all your junk. Avoid a cluttered look and make sure everything has a place and is put away.

These small improvements will make a big difference and will give you the best opportunity to sell your home quickly and for the best price.

A good looking home can fetch you a good price. You could give your kitchen a fresh appearance by replacing outdated cabinet hardware without spending too much on complete kitchen remodeling Sarasota homes can look renovated with simple ideas too. Visit http://www.eurotechcabinetry.com.

Fireplace Books
Real Estate Books

Attic Odors and Strange Smells

If you've ever opened up your attic access hole, only to find one of the worst odors you have ever smelled in your whole life, I've been there too. What causes these horrible smells and what can you do about them?

Let's start with the cause of these smells, moisture, dirt, mold, mildew, dead animals, animals that make their home in your attic and the biggest problem of all is normally poor ventilation.

Poor ventilation is the biggest problem with musty smells in the attic. These smells are often caused from moisture accumulating in the building materials over time. If there is enough moisture in the attic, the wood will start to rot but this wouldn't be a normal situation, unless there was a roof or water leak.

Roof leaks can cause a constant supply of water to one part of the attic. This constant supply of water will eventually rot the wood and damage the ceiling. Water leaks from pipes can provide a steady supply of water and the situation can attracts termites and mold. Not a good thing.

One of the worst possible smells or odors in your attic would be a dead animal. Don't under estimate the size of some of these animals, they have found dead raccoons, cats, snakes, large birds, squirrels, rats and mice in some attics. These animals usually enter through damaged access holes or vent blocks, roof vents, large gaps, holes and even fireplace chimneys.

Once these animals die, their bodies start to decompose and produce one horrible odor. Once the body is completely decomposed, the smell usually goes away if the attic is ventilated properly. These smells can seep into the homes living area, often creating a room that no one wants to enter.

Home peststhat make their home in your attics, often create smells from urinating and defecating in the areas around their nest. Large birds like owls can become a problem over time.

Now that we've figured out some of the causes for attic odors and strange smells, what can we do to prevent this from happening and if it's already happened, how can we get rid of the smell.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your having problems in your attic, find out more at pest control books and home building ideas.

Acoustic Ceiling Water Damage

Log Home Preservation Methods - Borate Wood Preservatives

Log Home BorateTreatments - the options and how and when to use!

One of the most important ways to protect your investment, your home, is to use a wood preservative on your logs. There are only two times that you can effectively use these products on your logs. When the home is built, before it is stained, or after cob blasting a finish off of your logs, before you re-stain. The wood preservative must be applied to raw wood, so it can soak in and dry underneath the stain.

All wood faces the possibility of rot and insect infestation, even in dry climates. Fungi and insects actually consume the cells of dead wood, often causing severe structural damage that often requires log replacement-a costly repair. We use Penetreat to help protect your home from costly damage of rot and insect infestation. Penetreat is a borate based wood preservative. Borates are well known across the world for their protective qualities. Penetreat provides a protective "shell" coating which helps defend your home against dry, wet, and brown rot, as well as termites, house borers, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants, (to name a few).

Borate is not toxic to people and animals. It will not harm you or your pets. Borates do not affect the natural color or strength of wood. They are completely odorless, and are not corrosive to metal fasteners, nails or screws. When a "Penetreat" home is properly sealed against moisture, the borates can provide many years of effective protective.

Impel Rods are a highly concentrated solid form, water diffusible borate rod. They are ideal for both preventative treatments of high risk areas and remedial treatments in areas with existing decay. Because Impel Rods stop decay when properly used, there is no need to replace decay damaged, yet structurally sound logs! Decay prone and rot hot spot areas at greatest risk include: base logs, corner construction, exposed rafters or overhangs, and below windows, doors, and dormers.

Impel Rods depend on moisture to work. When moisture contents of wood reach levels suitable for decay attack, i.e. (around 25 percent) Impel Rods slowly dissolve and begin to diffuse throughout the moisture saturated wood. The preservative will migrate into the areas of highest moisture, which are at the highest risk from fungal decay. The diffused Impel Rod will adequately and effectively prevent the wood from rotting and decaying because it will not allow the fungus that causes rot to grow. When moisture levels drop below 25 percent, the preservative becomes dormant and provides a reserve, ready to reactivate should decay conducive conditions reoccur. We feel that Impel Rods are an essential part of the protection of your log home, and include them as part of our prevention and restoration system.

We hope this article has been helpful and look forward to giving you much more information in future articles to help you preserve your log home dream!

Jamie Fonder

Top-Coat Log Home Restoration LLC

http://topcoatloghomerestoration.com/

Anderson Ten Lite Door Installed

Open Or Closed Spaces?

If you are in the process of looking for a new house or flat, you have already thought about choosing between an open-plan versus the traditional layout. This is not only something to consider for those in the market, but also for those who feel they would like to renovate or change their living areas. In order to get to the answer to your question, you need to assess your lifestyle, needs and space. The plot unfortunately goes deeper than wanting that cool and modern open-plan house to impress the neighbors.

When you look at your lifestyle, you will notice the elements that will help you make the decision best suited to you. If you have children, they will require their own private space for their specific needs that often need to be in a defined space. Do you or the children have hobbies and if so, is it something that needs a closed room to minimize noise or will it have no effect on the rest of the house? A practical minimalist can organize their belongings into the living area, without having to worry about enough space for everything, and should be able to enjoy an open-plan layout. A hoarding nester might need that extra space and closing doors to hide their clutter and excess. Alternatively, they need to use space more effectively or use space-making techniques and solutions. Too much clutter in an open-plan will make it seem very busy and it may not have the result that you were looking for.

If all the answers to your questions point in the direction of closed or separate rooms there are still a few things that you can consider doing, if you prefer the spacious open-plan feel to a private and cozy feel of the latter. The following possible solutions are more related to architecture than to decorating. When considering a new house or flat, you can look for something that is only partly open-plan. Private spaces such as bedroom and the study can be in their own and closed, while social spaces such as the living room, kitchen, TV room, etc. can be opened to one another. Another consideration is removing doors from doorways to rooms that are never closed or create more doorways to selected rooms or spaces.

Something that can also be used to open up a room, by making it seem bigger and giving it more light, is glass. Most people only think of glass as something to use for windows or a vase. A pane of glass running from the ceiling to the floor can redefine the space of two rooms simultaneously, whether you prefer a clear, colored or sand blasted look. Glass bricks are equally effective to open up a space visually but can be used on a bigger scale, since it provides more support than that of a glass pane. With the variety of designs available these days, the sky is truly the limit.

Change and redefine the spaces in your home from closed spaces to open-plan living, or even the other way around that suits your lifestyle perfectly.

Find more decorating information guidance or product reviews at http://www.decorinfoguide.com
The author is a Decorator that enjoys finding new decorating tips and ideas to share with others to create the perfect room or home. She also writes decorating product reviews to help make the best decision on what products are best suitable. Find more decorating information guidance or product reviews at The Decorating Information Guide.

Home Security Books
Home Theater Books

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

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

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

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

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

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

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

This means less labor installing and finishing the drywall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moss Growing On Wood Siding

All About Home Improvement - Home Tips

Indeed, theres no better feeling than being at home. Here, you can enjoy doing the things you love while being comfortable at your own pace and space. But, how can you enjoy ultimate comfort in your own abode when your home needs fixing and improvement?

D-I-Y OR PRO?

If you would want to do some improvements in your home, the first thing you should consider is whether you can do the fixing all by yourself or you need the services of a professional home fixer.

If you are planning to do it on your own, there are actually many references you can use. Aside from magazines, websites are also available in the Internet that designed for those who prefer to the task by themselves.

But, better make sure that you are indeed prepared to these tasks of home improvement because it is hard to keep everything hanging when you no longer have the drive to finish what you have started. Before trying on any big projects like remodeling any part of the house, changing wall papers, buying a new set of appliances, or renovation of windows, rooms, and even gardens, ask yourself first if you can dedicated a lot of time because these changes will require many of it.

For you to know if you are ready in doing drastic home improvements, try repairing small things or do modest installations. If you think you and your partner can handle bigger projects than these modest tasks, then you can start doing major renovations. By doing the renovation yourself, you can save more money because you wont have to pay a pro.

Hiring the services of a professional is needed if you are the type of homeowner who is only interested in planning the project and doing the finishing touches afterwards. Usually, professionals charge high rates because they can assure you that the job can be finished faster, more accurate and more reliable. Since these people are experts in home improvement, they can guarantee you that the work will be done precisely.

But, before you hire a contractor, make sure that you have set all the records and terms straight. Make sure that the pro knows what you want them to do and when do you want them to finish. Also make sure that you established a clear division between your work and the contractors.

BASIC HOME IMPROVEMENT

If you are planning to do some home improvement, familiarize yourself what are the aspects that might need renovation or fixing.

1. Electrical safety. This is one of the basic concerns of any household. Double check if your electrical wirings are all intact and check if theres a need for a repair. To ensure safety, try developing a simple home electrical safety to minimize the possibility of accidents due to faulty wirings and the like.

2. Hardware. Maybe its now time to check if all your cabinets in the kitchen, bedroom, garage, and storage are all okay. Who knows, these cabinets need changing of nuts, bolts, nails, screening, etc? If you want to fix these yourself, you can look for the things you might need in home hardwares found at home centers.

3. Windows and doors. Windows and doors are indeed wonderful decorations to your home. If you want to recreate your windows, try adding flower boxes for a change.

4. Wallpaper and borders. Bored of your old wallpapers and borders? Then, you can now renovate these to turn your room into a unique room. You can find discounted wallpaper and borders almost anywhere but make sure they are high-quality so you can use them for a long period of time.

5. Outdoor projects. Look around your garden if it needs updating or repair. You may also want to change the theme of your garden to make it look more refreshing.

Home improvement may also include storage and garage, metal roofing, house plans, deck designs, patios, fences, appliances, craft projects, and bathroom fixtures and furniture.

Bob is the owner of http://homeimprovement.knowsmart.com/. Explore this home improvement web site and get the latest home improvement idea.

Living Room Rough Framing

Frameless Shower Enclosures Will Make Your Bathroom Look Like a Million Bucks

Do you watch much TV, specifically any house flipping shows or home improvement programs? How about the ones on MTV that show you homes of the ultra rich and famous? If you were to sit and watch 5 shows a week of any of those types you'd see at least 4 frameless shower enclosures. And for good reason, they're beautiful. They just look "new" and "modern" and "cool". The flowery descriptive words just don't end. I think they're awesome.

From what I can see, there are 4 main types.

In-Line - this one has just one side made out of glass, connecting to the surround solid walls which are usually made of a nice stone. It's the most basic and standard option.

Right Angle - This one has two sides made of glass while the other two sides are stone or some other surface. It's more open, invites more light than the in line version and the effect of the two glass sides coming together without a metal strip in the middle is really upscale.

Custom Made - If that's that good enough for you then there's the custom design. This option pretty much allows for anything. Curved, straight, a combination of both. If you have a really odd space to fit a shower into then a custom frameless shower would be your best bet. Granted they cost more, but the effect will be stunning and you won't have to sacrifice anything.

Neo Angle - Usually at least 3 sides made of glass, and often in unusual geometric shapes like half a hexagon. These are also quite stunning and again, the effect of those glass sides coming together without a metal frame is just incredible.

For more information on glass shower enclosures and corner shower enclosures please visit our website. http://www.a1showerenclosures.com

Home Basement Books
Fireplace Books

Inerrancy of the Bible - Are There Mistakes in the Bible

What does the word inerrancy main? Inerrancy would refer to text that is accurate and totally free of any errors or without any mistakes. Does this sound like any book that you have ever read or have knowledge of. Maybe there is a one sentence book that could fall into this category.

Most books however and even this article has mistakes. If I made a decision to base my life, my entire life and that of my children and grandchildren, I would want to make sure that it was accurate as possible.

Is the Bible, 100%, 90%, or even 50% accurate. Are these stories that were written by people many years ago and the lessons have been helpful but now need to be rewritten.

Does the Bible actually contain the will of God? Some scholars believe that certain sections of the Bible meet this criteria while others do not. How can these people judge if they are not God and how can we believe in this stuff is not true.

If the Bible was inspired by God but written by men, this could actually mean that God had complete control over writing the Bible or does this mean that the man wrote the Bible with gods inspiration. I'm inspired by God daily and often write about it, but don't seem to have enough followers to make it into the biblical Hall of Fame. I'm writing with inspired beliefs right now.

If there are errors in the Bible, how extensive or how many errors are there actually. There are actual stories that can be documented as historical facts. This doesn't mean the rest of the Bible is factual, nor does it mean it is historically inaccurate.

The Bible has some errors in it and some facts that we can prove but leaves us with the question, is this a book from the Creator of the universe or a book written by men, to make us believe, it was written by God and if so why are we still believe being in it. Why do some people read this book and other religious text daily? What motivates them to read holy Scripture regularly but doesn't seem to allow them enough time to find out if they are reading accurate information.

The biggest problem I have with the inerrancy of the Bible is the fact that most people tend to ignore certain truths and cling to their childhood beliefs about religion. If this is not the way or the truth, I would want to start looking for it, instead of following someone else's dreams or religious doctrine.

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

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

Waterproofing Basement Window

Build a Homemade Windmill - DIY Wind Generators For Under $100

Alternative energy options for homeowners are on the rise, just like the cost of conventional energy. You can build your own homemade windmill, also known as a wind generator and create your own free energy.

If you were to buy a commercial wind generator or solar array, it would cost you thousands of dollars. However, you can build your own wind generator for under $100 and generate over 1000 watts of power!

Homemade windmills are sprouting up all over the country and in areas with wind velocities as little as 6-8 mph. These wind generators create free electricity day and night, 365 days a year.
You can use this energy to power lights, computers, electronic equipment, pond pumps, night time lighting and for emergency power outages.

There is a ton of energy in the wind and the amazing thing is, power is proportional to the cube of speed. Meaning that if you double the speed of the wind, you actually quadruple the power output.
There are many good guides available to build your own homemade windmill, but a few of the things you want to look for are:

1. The homemade windmill plans have to be easy to read and follow.

2. The wind generator has to produce over 1000 watts of power.

3. It is possible to build the windmill for under $100 usd.

4. Not a copycat design of other wind generators.

5. Should be made from readily available materials.

6. It must be easy to build and assemble (even for us women).

7. It must be tough enough to endure heavy thunderstorms.

8. And the finished product has to look good. (Pesky neighbor approval).

If you keep these things in mind when looking for homemade windmill designs, you will not only have a better chance of completing your project successfully; you will also have a wind generator that packs a serious free energy punch.

Although wind generators do not have a huge foot print, they can have a pretty large sky print. The blades could reach nine feet or more from tip to tip and the tower reaches nearly twenty feet into the air. There are designs that reduce the blade diameter to six or seven feet and still produce the energy to make it worthwhile to build, so take your time looking for the homemade windmill best suited for your property.

Want to build your own wind powered generator? Of course you do! You can get a step by step guide at my website showing you how to build your own homemade windmill / wind generator and the greedy tax hungry government can't do a thing to stop you from enjoying FREE energy! Go to http://www.MylaMadson.com/offthegrid

Gluelam Hip In Ceiling Framing

Tips For Planning a Small Bathroom

Adding an additional bathroom can greatly increases the value of any home, and can be a huge advantage to a growing family. How do you proceed when you don't have much space to put a new bathroom in? Even the smallest bath can feel idyllic with careful planning. Whether you are building from scratch or re-modeling, a few helpful tips will get you on your way through the planning stage.

The first step is choosing where your new bathroom will be placed. Build as close as possible to the existing utility and plumbing lines, and you will save yourself major plumbing expenses. Consider who needs to use the room, and how accessible it will be to them in that location. If the bathroom will not have a window, you must be able to install one, or install a vent to the outside of the house to remove humidity and prevent mold and mildew. Check your local building regulations before you plan too far, so you won't have to go back and change plans later.

Next, decide exactly what needs the addition should fill. If you don't need a bathtub and a shower stall, don't install them both! If you do need both a bathtub and a shower, look into a combined unit that will fit both functions into one space. Look for furniture that multitasks, and personalize this bath to your households needs. A large family has different needs than a single person, and this is an excellent time to create an area to perfectly custom fit your life and your home. Maximizing the functionality of a small room increases its value to you beyond the financial value added to your home.

Take precise measurements of the space. You can create a template of your proposed bathroom using graph paper or a simple computer program. Try different arrangements for a bathroom suite and furniture using standard size measurements. If you are unsatisfied with how it comes together, check local suppliers for more unconventionally sized pieces. A smaller bath or shower enclosure may make a perfect fit. Likewise, corner units are available for bath, shower, basin and bidet that can make the most of the floor space in even the tiniest bathroom.

How's your hardware? Short spout taps in both bathtub and basin won't overwhelm a smaller unit or get in your way when you use it. Choose towel rails, wall sconces, and storage solutions that hug the walls and don't break up the visual space. Now add the elements that make this space "You" - color, texture and decorative accents.

Planning to make any area, most especially a small one, as functional as possible gives you a much greater chance to express your personal style in that space. With a little forethought and planning, the smallest of bathrooms can become a luxurious haven.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms Ltd who supply Small Bathrooms 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.

Bathroom Books
Kitchen Books

Relax in Luxury With Free Standing Bathtubs

Everyone deserves a wonderfully relaxing bubble bath once in awhile. After a long day of meetings, phone calls, and carpools, you need to soak away your worries in warm soapy water while you listen to one of your favorite CDs or read a great book. While most people decide to take a shower in the mornings because it is the most efficient way to clean up before work, a bath is by far the more luxurious of the two. This experience is the perfect way to relieve stress after a crazy week. If you are interested in purchasing a new bathtub, you will be surprised by the hundreds of options that are available today!

Free standing bathtubs are becoming more and more popular in remodeled bathrooms. Unlike the traditional bathtub that fits snugly as a drop-in style in the provided corner of your bathroom, the free standing tub can sit anywhere in the room. This setup requires you to be creative with your plumbing but, if you are remodeling, your contractor will be able to accommodate this request easily.

Traditionally, these bathtubs have been cradled on stylish claw feet and there are many bathtub manufacturers that are bringing this look back. There are also models that sit on a pedestal or completely on the floor, depending on the design that you choose. Another style of free standing tub is called "Bateau," because it is shaped like a small boat. This design is a very deep bathtub that is so large, it can usually accommodate two people. The benefit of freestanding bathtubs is that they can make a bold design statement, give a sense of elegance to the room, and do not require any caulking!

If you are interested in a bathtub that saves you space, I would recommend a corner tub. These tubs fit perfectly in a corner and give you a roomier bathing experience than you thought possible! You also have large shelf space with a corner tub so that you can easily lay out all your soaps and loofas.

If you are interested in a spa like experience, you can even purchase a whirlpool tub, complete with massage jets and hydrotherapy. There are so many luxurious choices that it will be difficult choosing just one!

If you would like more information on free standing bathtubs or clawfoot tubs, please visit the Simply Bathtubs website.

Plywood Draft Stop In Attic

Success Starting in Your 40s

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gregory Vanden Berge

Mold From Dryer Vent On Joist

How to Plan Your Next Bathroom Remodel

1. Do Your Homework: Gather ideas about what you want done to your bathroom. Best areas to look are the internet or Kitchen and Bath magazines. Consult a design professional if you are completely stuck on this one.

2. Home Improvement Contractors: Again, do your homework. Ask friends and family for referrals of home improvement contractors they have used in the past. It's worth the time spent finding a reliable contractor because than your project will stay on time and most importantly on budget. When ready, set up a payment schedule with your contractors this way everything is spelled out from the beginning. You are much better off dealing with professionals who will get it done right the first time. Your home improvement contractor can assist in picking out your fixtures and finishes also.

3. Plumbers/Electricians: Ask your home improvement contractor for more information. It's best to use who they deal with most often because your project tends to run a lot smoother.

4. Be creative: Now that you have your small team in place, it's time to get all your finishes in order. Possibilities are endless and this is where tip # 1 comes into play. All that homework you have completed should make this process a whole lot easier. Tiles, fixtures, mirrors, lighting, towel bars, paint etc. should all be on your checklist of items to pick out. Priority should be put on main fixtures such as toilet, sink, and tub/shower because this is what is most needed by your contractor in order to keep the project moving. Remember these items (especially tiles) may take up to a couple of weeks to order, so schedule accordingly with your home improvement contractor.

5. Check in with your contractor: Ask your contractor how the project is progressing and if they need anything (i.e. materials, lighting fixtures). If tip #2 was fulfilled, everything should be in order. Put your trust in the professionals you hired to get it completed.

6. Walk through: While your home improvement contractor is at his final stages. Have them go over the project with you and make sure everything is the way it was as discussed.

7. Most Importantly, Enjoy your new bathroom!!

These are just a few helpful tips to use while thinking of a bath remodel. It seems simple because it is. This process does not have to be overwhelming. With a solid team in place and all finishes/fixtures decided on, there is no reason your project should not be completed in a timely manner.

For more helpful information regarding your next home improvement, visit us online at http://www.travisrobertrenovations.com

Visit our photos section at http://www.travisrobertrenovations.com/photos for helpful design ideas. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

House Foundation Books
House Foundation Books

Drywall Texture Tips and Ideas

Drywall texture is a compound that is rolled, sprayed, or troweled onto the sheetrock after the taping and floating of joints is complete. It is the same material as the joint compound, but thinned down with water and applied to the wall surface. There is a lot of variation in styles of texture, and some are more appropriate for certain styles of homes. Here are seven basic types:

Skip Trowel - For this style, texture is applied to the walls with a trowel. Trowel marks may be left on the surface to give a rustic, hand crafted look. It is often seen on Tuscan or old world style homes.

Stamped - The texture may be troweled on first, and then stamped with a tool. The result can be anything - leaves, bird's feet, windmills, etc. Or, a flat brush may be dipped in the texture and stomped on the walls, creating a texture with swirl patterns.

Knock down - Texture is first sprayed on, and allowed to partly dry. Then, a variety of tools may be used to scrape the texture and flatten it down. It is possible to use trowels, sponges, brooms or other tools to scrape or smooth down the texture and create patterns. Monterrey Drag is a type of knock down that imitates an exterior plaster look. In this approach, a thick coating of texture is dragged over with a trowel. This style may be a dust catcher due to the high relief of the mud.

Orange Peel - This is a sprayed texture that leaves a light to heavy splatter on the walls. It resembles the peel of an orange. If done with a fine spray, it can be one of the lightest, least noticeable of the texture styles.

Sand - Sand can added to the texture for a grainy, sandy look. The sandy texture may be sprayed or rolled on. Sand may also be added to paint.

Acoustic - In the 1970's it was common to save the labor cost of floating the ceiling by spraying a heavy texture over the area. This is sometimes referred to as a popcorn ceiling. This style is not in favor today, and frequently homeowners grapple with removal of this heavy texture. This should be done carefully, since some acoustic textures may contain lead or asbestos. Certainly, if these toxic chemical are found, the job should be turned over to professionals. After the texture is removed, the ceiling will need to be re-textured to match the walls.

Smooth - This is a smooth application of texture over the sheetrock wall. It feathers out the sheetrock joints, and creates an even, non-textured wall. This is one of the most expensive and exacting styles. Minor variations will show up as defects, so several stages of sanding and application are needed to create a good job.

Regardless of the wall finish you use, keep in mind that flat paint tends to hide defects and minimize patterns. It gives a matt finish with less emphasis on the wall texture. Reflective paint enhances textures because the light catches the raised surfaces.

Before having wall texture done by professionals, ask to see a sample. The workman's idea of light texture may not be what you had in mind. This is an area where miscommunication often happens. Texture covers a lot of area, and is difficult to remove if you are not happy with the job. Treat it as a long term investment.

Roselind Hejl is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker United in Austin, Texas. Her website - Austin Texas Real Estate - http://www.weloveaustin.com - offers homes for sale, market trends, buyer and seller guides. Let Roselind help you make your move to Austin, Texas. Austin Real Estate Guide

Shower Window Installed

Moisture Against Gravity - Destroying Walls

Well I'm going to start this article with a little information on a job I did once.

I had been repairing a rental house for one particular homeowner for about three years when all of a sudden I got a phone call from him telling me the rental house was destroyed and he had never seen nothing like this. He sounded so upset over the phone I told him I would meet with him immediately.

On my way to the house I was trying to get an idea in my head what the house was going to actually look like. Since I have been repairing rental properties for over 20 years at this point of my career, nothing really shocked me. I had pretty much seen everything that could possibly be done to rental property by the tenants that lived there. There is a lot to be said about taking care of it as if it were your own.

He was waiting for me at the front door and he looked thoroughly disgusted. As I approached him he was shaking his head and yelling at the same time can you believe these people, can you believe what they did to my house. I was expecting to see the front door ripped off and all the windows broken out of the house but this wasn't the case.

As he led me through the home and I could see the usual clothing on the floor, broken cabinets, a few holes in the walls and of course that awful smell of mold and mildew. All of this stuff was nothing new to me because I'm the guy they call to fix it when a renter moves out of the property.

As I entered one of the bedrooms I got my first glimpse of something I had never seen before but heard stories about and could not believe my eyes. Looking at the walls in the bedroom about 3 feet from the floor all the way around the room, the plaster was soft. It actually looks like someone shoved popcorn into the wall somehow.

The homeowner wasn't even looking at this because of the rest of the damage in the home. I started to explain to him I'd never seen nothing like this but I could guess it was water damage somehow since the plaster was soft. I could actually stick my finger into the wall, that's how soft the plaster was.

My first thought was to examine the carpeting a little closer to see if it was wet. Well it was damp but it wasn't as wet as I would've expected it to be with the amount of water in the walls. With a little more home inspecting I had found the culprit, it was a broken water bed. The water bed was now in the backyard looking innocent.

I couldn't believe a broken water bed could do this much damage so I looked around for broken or leaking water pipes and could not find any. The other bad news I had to inform the homeowner was that the water had damage the bathroom and closet walls also. These walls of course were on the other side of the bathroom walls that were damaged.

Well the point of this story is that water will actually wick its way up or worked its way up into a wall. I had to remove 4 feet of drywall all the way around the room. The plaster or drywall actually acts like a sponge pulling the water into the walls. Hard to imagine that gravity in this case seems to reverse. I would've never thought that water would've traveled so far up the walls creating that much damage.

To repair the rental property I had to remove the damaged drywall, remove the carpeting, dry the wood framing out and put the whole thing back together.

I'm still amazed and will remember that project for as long as I live.

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

Visit us and get more information on House Water Damage

Stair Tread Carpet Stain

Making Old Walls New

Long, narrow strips of cedar that were nailed horizontally across 2x4 studs were known as lath. A building material known as plaster was then applied as a mortar or, cement. This common process had been used for all interior walls prior to 1950 when drywall finally came into play.

Most experts will tell you that restoring these old walls will prove not only timely but, expensive at best since the availability of experts are very limited. However, if minor blemishes and cracks are only visible, it could prove a job you could well do all by yourself.

Take a look at the six simple steps noted below before you decide to call in a contractor:

1. Obviously you have remove all switch plates/fixtures, nails, hooks and door/window trim

2. More than likely there is layers of wallpaper so use a putty knife to lightly scrape away any peeling/loose paper

3. Paint the entire wall with a pigmented shellac that will act as a great base primer

4. Patch any holes with plaster and cracks with latex caulking

5. Repaint with the shellac. If there is wallpaper and it bubbled on you ... cut it out, patch and repaint.

6. Use a latex paint for your final coat. It might also be necessary to use a little texture in your paint because the surface isn't as smooth as you would like it to be. This product can provide a highly textured finish that can create exceptional dramatic effects such as swirl patterns, the look of suede, sandstone and a crackling effect.

The Girlz Korner

"Where women come together as family to learn, share their experiences and talents & support each other."

http://www.thegirlzkorner.com

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Kitchen Tables - There Are Environmentally Friendly Options

The trend today is to be as green as possible when decorating your house. A few years ago if you were trying to go that route, you may have found yourself struggling to find enough furniture to do the job. But, not anymore.

Thankfully, the furniture market has caught on to the fact that people are trying to make less of an environmental impact when they are decorating their homes. For this reason, there is a whole new arena of options out there.

Recycled Kitchen Tables

The key to being able to go green with furniture like kitchen tables is to avoid using new wood metal or plastic. Most new items are made from new resources. That means more trees are being chopped down, and other virgin resources expended to make the new piece.

But, what about all those old pieces of furniture? Why are they going to the landfill when they could just as easily be used to create something new. That is exactly what the recycled kitchen tables market has realized.

Wood

There are two possible ways to be green when purchasing wooden kitchen tables. The first is to have tables that are made out of recycled wood. This is wood that is literally taken from something else and turned into a new piece of furniture. This could be from old barn wood or an old piece of furniture that was saved from a landfill. The other type of furniture out there is that made of sustainable woods. These pieces are made from trees that are quickly and easily replenished so there is not a major environmental impact to their being used.

Plastic

There is a lot of plastic in our world. There doesn't seem to be a carton or container that isn't made of this hard to biodegrade material. Thankfully, there are some people who are keeping a lot of that plastic out of the landfill and instead turning it into new furniture like kitchen tables. Think of how great it would be to have fashionable kitchen tables in your home and know that not only are they great looking but they were the reason many pounds of plastic was spared a trip to the landfill.

Metal

Even metal can be recycled and often to make magnificent kitchen tables. Wrought iron that has been used for a gate or other accent in a home or yard may live out its life as that particular item, but may be able to be cut down and used again to create new items, like kitchen tables. These pieces will not only make you feel good for recovering them and keeping them from becoming trash, but also because they will have a unique character that will make your tables one of a kind masterpieces.

While you may not think your choosing to go green with your kitchen tables is a big step in the grand scheme of things, think about what would happen if more and more people were to do the same thing. Each of those purchases compounds to use less new resources and to keep more of the old out of the landfill in the future.

Author Jennifer Akre is a proprietor of a different online specialty shops that provide both items and information on how to effortlessly furnish and decorate your space. Whether it is your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many useful tips you to make those spots functional and beautiful. Today, she offers advice on how to create a indoor area with luxurious kitchen furniture and grand dining tables. Each would be a wonderful purchase.

Floor Framing With Toilet Pipe

Creating Your Electricity

Creating your own electricity and generating your own power has always been one of my dreams. Having a self sufficient home, not only a house that takes care of itself by generating its own electricity through windmills or solar panels but the satisfaction knowing that no matter what happens to the electrical companies you will always have electricity at your home.

What a wonderful feeling it would be to get a check back from the utility company instead of paying them every single month. I don't know about you but my utility bills are ridiculous and seemed to be going up in price constantly. I can't believe all the fees they have been charging for years to all of their customers. If you add all the fees for every person in the city or county this comes to a large, a very large number and it's getting worse not better.

Generating your own electricity with solar or wind power is definitely green thinking. This is going to be the wave of the future as fuel used to create electricity continues to rise in price. I really can't imagine what the price of electricity is going to be like in 10 years as the mass consumption continues to rise in developing countries.

We have got to start taking care of our own needs through solar or wind power. We have got to start creating our own electricity to become self reliant. The more self reliant we become as a nation the less dependent we will be on major corporations, especially large power conglomerates.

Creating our own electricity can also be used for electrical cars that can be purchased in the future. Think of the money you will say in fuel costs as the price of gasoline continues to increase as well as less pollution into our environment.

This is definitely the wave of the future and common sense tells us this. I suggest you read this article again if you haven't figured out some of the problems coming our way in the future.

Think green and together we can start saving the planet.

While searching for new alternatives and trying to get some advice on creating your own electricity I came across a book you can purchase in digital format. This book seems to have quite a bit of information on creating your own electricity for a totally self sufficient home.

This book has been created in digital format to reduce the consumption of trees and the waste involved in creating a regular book. What a wonderful idea for helping our environment in quite a few ways.

While searching for new alternatives and trying to get some advice on creating your own electricity I came across a book you can purchase in digital format. This book seems to have quite a bit of information on creating your own electricity for a totally self sufficient home.

This book has been created in digital format to reduce the consumption of trees and the waste involved in creating a regular book. What a wonderful idea for helping our environment in quite a few ways.

For more information visit http://www.gregvan.com and look for Get Earth4Energy Here Create your own electricity! Save 1000's with Earth4Energy

Floor Framing Plumbing Problem

How to Create a More Luxurious Master Bathroom

Your bathroom is your sanctuary, a place for you to escape from the children, the laundry, the dishes, or the guests that just won't seem to leave. Shouldn't you consider upgrading your home and spending a few hours dedicated toward bathroom remodeling? If there's little to no difference between the bathroom you use and the one the children use, then your bathroom is in definite need of a makeover. Follow these steps and you'll transform your boring bathroom in to a luxurious, spa-like getaway.

Color Says It All

Most bathrooms are adorned in blindingly white fixtures. From white tiled floors and walls, to too bright lights and even white cabinets and sinks, the word "sterile" comes to mind. Color sets the mood and feel of the room. A deep, richly colored paint such as a calming blue or green will give off a sense of relaxation and serenity, as opposed to the stark, harsh neutral white tones.

Soften It Up

Just as most bathrooms are decorated in white fixtures, so too are most bathrooms covered wall to wall in hard surfaces. To give off the feeling of "luxury", add soft touches. Plush area rugs and hang towels are ideal purchases to create a lavish feel.

Also, instead of typical white or neutral colored cabinet hardware, opt for a trendy marbled pattern that rivals even the priciest hotels in the nation.

Fancy Faucets & Fixtures

What's a fancy master bathroom without top-of-the-line tubs, faucets and showers? Upgrade your current tub with a jetted bath tub. For the ultimate relaxing soak, purchase a spa pillow. If you've got a standing-only shower, purchase a detachable showerhead.

Newer sink models offer electronic faucets; these high-tech fixtures will avoid overflow as well as diminish the amount of water wasted while you're brushing your teeth, or washing your hands. Additional sink models also feature designer ceramic, stone or marble vessel sinks. These sinks can be mounted above, partially above or even below the cabinet fixture.

Another way to transform your bathroom is by installing a new, advanced toilet. Some models come with automatic flush sensors, heated seats and lids, rear and front washing fixtures, air dryers and even deodorizers. When replacing or updating your toilet, also purchase new toilet paper holders in dark finishes to complete your bathroom's inviting look and feel.

Warm & Cozy

Many master bathrooms have cold hard-tiled floors. In addition to plush rugs, consider purchasing heated floor maps placed below your flooring to keep your toes toasty warm. These heated mats work with tile, stone, laminate and even wood surfaces. If this option seems a little too luxurious, consider purchasing heated towel bars instead. This way, you can enjoy the pre-heated towel immediately after soaking in the tub or shower.

Illuminate the Room

Any bathroom needs good light fixtures. Install new light fixtures above or to the sides of your vanity and mirror. This way, you'll reduce the amount of shadows on your face so you can properly apply makeup or shave your chin. Also, choose the right wattage of bulb. Avoid harsh overly strong bulbs as they may just look scary! By installing a light fixture with a dimmer switch, you can control how much you can or cannot see-and is ideal for setting a relaxing tone for a bath!

Cool Gadgets

Hotel master bathrooms feature nifty gadgets and tools that most homes do not have. Why not add these items to your bathroom as well? Fog-free mirrors are ideal for the on-the-go individual or family that needs to shower, dress and get ready quickly. Instead of airing out the bathroom or waiting for fog to clear, these fog-free mirrors eliminate waiting time, getting you out the door faster. Another bathroom gadget is a tooth brush sanitizing unit. These compact, decorative units eliminate germs and grim typically found on everyday toothbrushes.

Tori Spade works for Your Home Supply (YHS), the definitive website for Home and Garden products and information on a variety of home improvement products.

http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

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