Great video on how to fix a hole in your wall .
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 looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.
Porch Rafter Beam DamageThe Xbox 360 is a video game console using which you can play high end graphics games whenever you wish. These devices are not like other ordinary gaming consoles where you cannot install games in them. Adding to this, there are few drawbacks in normal gaming consoles like the low storage space, poor graphics, etc which lead to the development of second generation of video gaming console. Xbox 360 was introduced by Microsoft and the notable thing is that the hardware for the console is developed by Microsoft and the code for the chip components in the motherboard was also written by Microsoft programmers.
PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW VERSION
Xbox and Xbox 360 are two entirely different versions. Xbox 360 came out in the year 2005 with advance technology than the normal Xbox version. Now, problems have aroused with the Xbox 360's hardware performance. Many have complained about the hardware failure in the latest version than its previous version. Majority have complained about the frequent red light blinking in the power ring area. Xbox 360 has a power button surrounding which you will able to see lights glowing in green and red. All together they are called as the power ring. This is somewhat similar to your PC like the lights blinking in green and red color when you start your PC. When the console starts it will glow in green and shows the user that it has started without any problem. But, if there is any problem within the device then even though it has started, the device lights will be glowing in red color.
ACTUAL CAUSE FOR THE ERROR
The error has aroused because of the overheating of the console. The heat sinks placed above the microprocessors have failed to absorb the heat developed in the area. Thus causing the GUI to fail to start because of the over heat. Though internal coolers have been provided to the processors in order to cool them the heat developed is extraordinary that the cooling becomes inadequate. Because of these problems, the hardware signals the user about the problem in the hardware by glowing red light. If your console had similar kind of problem then you will observe three red lights in the power ring. This error is called as 'The Red Ring of Death' or simply as RRoD.
METHOD TO SOLVE
The error occurred can be solved permanently. You can give your console to the Microsoft service centre to repair the console if you have a warranty for it. But, the drawback is that you have to wait up to 3 months till the repair work gets over and it is shipped back to your home.
Still there is an alternative solution for this. You can repair the console on your own by watching some video tutorials in the internet. These videos will help you to repair the console. They will suggest only the removal of the X clamp from the motherboard. There are also some video samples for better understanding. The advantage in this method is that the console gets ready within an hour or two hours and you can start playing on the same day. It is very easy to repair your console and you don't need to wait for months to get it back from Microsoft.
Xbox 360 Repair Videos
Repair your Xbox 360 by watching the videos online and fix your Xbox 360 now. This is the most recommended way of fixing your Xbox 360 by the Xbox gamers around the world. You can fix your Xbox in just one hour from now and start playing the games again. Save over $100 and also the valuable play time. Just by using your household tools you can fix your Xbox and it's pretty simple. Just give me ten minutes and I will show you how to fix your Xbox now. Watch the videos to Fix your Xbox 360 - Click Here.
10 Easy Steps to Fix Your Xbox
Checkout how easy it is to fix your Xbox 360 with 10 simple steps which can be done by anyone. This will definitely help you to get rid of Red Light Errors for sure. Check out Here: Xbox 360 Repair Procedure - Click Here.
When choosing the interior lighting for a home, the bathroom shower lighting usually gets the least amount of attention. Most people are more concerned about the lighting for the living rooms and kitchens because guests often visit these rooms. We actually spend more time in our bathrooms than we realize especially if we have Jacuzzi tubs and large shower stalls. Many bathrooms have only one light fixture in the ceiling no matter how large the bathroom. This one light fixture in the middle of the ceiling will not provide an adequate amount light to enjoy a bath in a Jacuzzi tub or a nice long hot shower. The bathroom is the first room you see in the morning and the last room you see at before you go to bed so it is important to create a relaxing experience in this room, which starts with a great lighting arrangement.
A great bathroom lighting arrangement consists of a pattern of layers. The places in the room where you shower, shave or put on your makeup need to have plenty of light. Vanity lighting is used to highlight your face and head for shaving and putting on make up. Avoid recessed lighting fixtures for vanity lighting because they tend to create shadows on your face which will make it hard to see what you are doing. Vertical fixtures placed on the sides of a mirror will eliminate the shadows on your face and create an overall even lighting making it easier to perform your daily grooming. Vanity lighting fixtures should be a minimum of 150 watts.
The shower lighting area should be illuminated with task lighting. If an average size bathroom has a shower stall that has a glass door instead of a curtain, an additional fixture may not be needed. If the bathroom is very large or has a thick shower curtain, an additional single recessed light about the shower stall will work well. Also, when creating your bathroom lighting arrangement, another recessed light over a toilet or tub will provide optimum lighting.
When choosing light bulbs for your shower lighting, a bright white bulb is the best choice because it creates the most natural skin tones. Halogen light bulbs are more expensive than traditional light bulbs, but they will give off the most natural type of lighting and are 10 times more energy efficient than traditional bulbs. It is important to remember that there is a lot of water in a bathroom and it can be dangerous if it mixes with electricity. All lighting fixtures should be a minimum of 6 feet away from any sinks, tubs and showers.
Please visit our website for additional information about Bathroom Light Fixtures.
Author Chris Smitts has many other bathroom light fixtures articles on his website. His website is a lighting resource guide, helping those who want to learn more about lighting styles. You can visit the website at Discount Lights. Copyright info: This article can be reproduced and duplicated only in its exact state with our website link attached.
Animal Dropping In AtticThough Brooklyn offers a distinctive cultural and artistic scene that marvelously intermingles with the usual New York bustle, stress is an inevitable factor in everyday living. With the economy, local and even international, in a muddle some changes can do some good in alleviating stress. By heightening the luxurious comfort you get out of your every intimate moments in the bath, getting ready to face the world each morning and retiring each night would surely be both refreshing and relaxing. It's high time to plan your Brooklyn bathroom remodeling project and enjoy the changes.
The plan plays a very crucial role in your Brooklyn bathroom remodeling project that may either make or break it. As what results out of your plan will be where you will spend a good deal of hours everyday, for a long time, it is essential that everything is done right.
The best area to start with, would be your budget. Though remodeling your bathroom can considerably increase the value of your Brooklyn home, making the project even pay for itself at resale time, it pays to draw up an honest budget. Splurging is fine, that is, if you can afford it. If not, make sure to bring the most value for every hard-earned dollar that you will be investing in the project. The key to do just this is through spending wisely, taking advantage of high quality with less cost.
Depending on your budget, you can choose to have a major and total renovation or just some minor changes to bring out desirable appeal and functionality. To achieve great impact for less of the cost, here are several minor Brooklyn bathroom remodeling projects to consider:
change in lighting fixtures;
bathroom cabinet reface;
refinish shelves and cabinets;
change flooring;
add backsplash;
paint or wallpaper;
create his and hers sections, or
update features like faucets, sinks, vanity, and others.
A professionally done Brooklyn bathroom remodeling project not only ensures utmost luxury and comfort for you and your family but also a maximized return on investment. Other than these reasons, hiring a qualified Brooklyn contractor would save you more time, money and effort and from the risks of any mistake which could blow your budget. And with the down economy, looking for discounted but excellent contractor services is not as hard and would surely be rewarding.
Before starting with the actual renovation, it would be best to already have a 'concrete' design and ideas that you have already discussed in details with your hired contractor. An emphasis is made on concrete as any changes while your bathroom remodeling project is ongoing can pose problems.
In your Brooklyn bathroom remodeling project there are also other things that you need to consider. The location of the bathroom and the nature of the tasks to undertake make this home improvement project an inconvenient and messy one. Construction arrangements with your hired qualified contractor should be made to minimize the hassles. Good communication and working relationship between homeowner and Brooklyn contractor should also be nourished to avoid escalation of arising problems.
Eugene Makeev uses his skills and expertise to help home owners in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island avoid the common New York bathroom remodeling pitfalls by matching their needs with prescreened Brooklyn Contractors.
Feel free to use our bathroom renovation estimator.
Support Post For Valley BeamHave you ever taken a minute to evaluate how much woodwork you have in your home? If you are like most homeowners, your kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms and living rooms are most likely adorned with polished or stained wood for cabinets, tables, drawers and closets. During this slow housing market and continually downward spiraling economy, perhaps you should undertake a new do-it-yourself home improvement project. Refurbishing or replacing your existing cabinetry is a quick, easy project that will not only keep you busy but also increase the value of your home. What are you waiting for? Follow these guidelines to get started and you will be on your way to creating a fresh, new home style that will put extra dough in your pocket in the long run!
Dust off Your Tool Belt
Your home renovation project should most likely begin with your kitchen. After all, the cabinets and woodwork in this room are put through enough daily 'trauma' such as spills, nicks, and scrapes from the everyday rush of living. Before you decide to yank off any existing cabinet wood, knobs or pulls, however, you should gather all the necessary home hardware items to complete the project. These items include:
- Tape measure
- Level
- Pencils
- Stud finder
- Replacement wood
- Cabinet pulls, knobs, or handles
- Matching screws and hinges
- Screwdriver
Remove the Old Hardware
This is the fun part of your home improvement project! Get the whole family involved in this step. Be sure to wear protective goggles if you are going to be ripping wood to shreds! Proper removal entails unscrewing the hinges of all cabinets and gently prying the wood off the cabinet frame or wall.
Align & Assemble
Unless you are simply replacing the existing cabinet doors, you will need to use your stud finder to hang new cabinets and other wood work. Demark where you will be hanging the new cabinet with your pencils. Next, whether you are just replacing a cabinet door or installing a new one, you should utilize your level to make sure you are correctly hanging the new fixture! Screw in hinges partially while holding the level to ensure for an accurate, straight line.
Choose the Accessories
Now that your new woodwork is in place, it is time for fun! You can freshen up any tired kitchen, living room or bedroom look by re-staining the color of the wood or simply adding new cabinet pulls. For busy homes, easy-to-use kitchen cabinet handles and simple door knobs might be your best option. More contemporary kitchen designs are incorporating more unique cabinet pulls, including finger wells that are hidden in the top edge of cabinet drawers and shelves.
Get Creative
With the hardest, most inconvenient part of this project out of the way, now is the time to think outside of the wooden box! Adorning your newly hung cabinets with unique or interesting cabinet handles can totally transform any room almost instantly. For rooms that usually receive a high volume of traffic, choosing larger drawer handles might make things easier. However, the kitchen also has the most drawers in a small area of space, so having too large handles might create some clutter. Purchase and test out a variety of sizes to see what feels the most comfortable and looks the most pleasing to the eye.
In addition to trying out large sizes, consider installing cabinet hardware that features a unique design or polish. Newer handles and knobs feature knotted iron in a weathered or antiqued varnish to create the feeling of an aged, rustic home design. For newer styled rooms or rooms that include multiple stainless steel appliances, a bright polished chrome or satin nickel will add sparkle and shine, especially when it catches the sunlight. Viola! Your new or refreshed cabinets, drawers and shelves are complete!
Tori works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of cabinet pulls to help you refresh your cabinets. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com
Sure, that Italian marble and Viking gas range are ideal for any kitchen, but they may not be part of a conservative budget. Even if you cannot afford all of the best imports from around the world, you can still design a space that you will be proud to spend time in.
One of the best ways to spruce up any space is to add a bit of paint. Adding some new hues to the walls inside of your kitchen will brighten up the area, but those cabinets could use a new coat as well. Whether you decide to stain and varnish or use melamine paint, do not neglect your kitchen cabinets.
Another great, and inexpensive, renovation idea is to change up the backsplash a bit. There are numerous new products on the market that are simply a matter of peel and stick. Or, you could branch out into the ceramic subway tile idea, which is also relatively cost effective.
How are those kitchen curtains looking? If yours are grease stained and faded, it may be time for a bit of a curtain facelift. Add a few cafe inspired curtains to your room by mounting a simple panel across the bottom portion of the window. Try to leave the tops bare for a truly authentic look.
While we are on the subject of curtains, why not skip them altogether? Thin wooden blinds often present a cleaner look than any fabric panel can, and they are surprisingly cheap. If you love your current look, toss the existing panels into the wash to bring the color back into the fabric.
Aside from curtains, paint, and a new backsplash, the cabinet and drawer pulls inside of your kitchen may also need some attention. If you have a bit of extra cash to spare, check out some auction sites online for antique pulls. You will be pleasantly surprised at the difference that new hardware makes.
All of these sprucing up tricks and tips are well under that one hundred dollar mark. Yet, these small changes really make a huge difference inside of any kitchen. Replacing all of the cabinet and countertops is a great idea, but these larger projects can be done at a later time.
It does not have to cost a fortune to renovate your kitchen space. All you really need are a few great ideas, some elbow grease, and a bit of inspiration. As soon as you give your kitchen a new look, you will find that whipping up those nightly meals is a lot easier to do.
Zack Verde is with http://www.kitchendesignisland.com - your online resource for kitchen design ideas and inspiration.
After youve made the decision to build a new home the style of your home builder must be determined. Depending on your area the names and definitions of these styles of builders may be slightly different however the main points will be pretty similar. While most home builders will fall more or less into one of the categories below be aware that there will be niche builders in all categories. For example you may find a volume builder dedicated to green building practices, or a custom home builder specializing in homes over 8,000 square feet. Overall there are four main styles of home building...
Volume or Production Builder
A volume or big builder is one that often builds hundreds or thousands of homes per year either on a regional scale or nationwide. A typical scenario is the production builder will buy a large parcel of land, develop that land (put in place roads, services, amenities and so on), divide that land into saleable lots and build homes on those lots. The size of the home sites, homes and the price points will vary depending on location and the demographics of that area.
Semi-Custom or Track Builder
A track or semi-custom builder is in some ways similar to a volume builder however on a much smaller scale. Many will have several standard floor plans they offer on lots they own or they may build their plan on a home site you already own. Typically a home owner will have far more flexibility and options when it comes to the building of the home compared to a volume builder. Most semi-custom builders will offer their floor plans on their lots and some may also build their floor plans on land you own as well.
Custom Home builder
A custom home builder is one that builds a unique home for a specific client on a particular home site. Most often a custom home builder will build a home on land that you own rather than offering you a choice of lots in a planned community like a volume builder. If youve already got a home site youll probably be looking for the services of a custom home builder. Due to the nature of the one of a kind homes that this builder produces they typically will build a small number of homes per year, often less than 10. Typically you would have your own home site and your own floor plans drawn up by an architect or home designer. Custom home builders will, on occasion, build a home on speculation as well.
Building a Home Yourself (aka Acting as your own general contractor)
Many people looking to build a home consider acting as their own general contractor. The general feeling is that its not all that difficult and can save you some money on the project, perhaps 10% to 20%. The impression that some get is the general contractor shows up on a job site, looks around for an hour and leaves. Just what does that general contractor do anyway? Seems the other guys do all the work! What is not understood is the hours spent scheduling and negotiating, the understanding of the structural and acetic needs of a home, knowledge of which subcontractors to use for which jobs, the permitting and inspection process, ensuring that all insurance, workers compensation and licensing is in place for all suppliers and subcontractors (an uninsured worker being injured on a job can be financially devastating to the home owner). In most areas a land owner has the right to act as their own general contractor and completing a home can be a very satisfying experience. Check with your local town or county office to see the rules and regulations in your area.
No matter which style of home builder you choose the process will follow generally the same steps. The major differences will be the degree to which you can customize your home and the amount of involvement youll have along the way. The home building process can be very stressful and will typically take many months from start to completion. Be sure to employ a builder with whom you are comfortable, have confidence in and can deal with for many months! Best of luck!
After over 40 years in the custom home business Bill now maintains a website on New Construction Advice and enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences. Thanks for reading!
Half Round Dormer VentsStair building tips for installing lights and decking, handrail tips and some deck advice.
For more helpful home improvement information visit: http://www.gregvan.com
House Painting BooksHaving the right tools for a job is almost as important as having the skills necessary to complete the task. Yet, many construction companies fail to see the need for a construction accounting software package that captures payroll data in real time. No doubt they have the skills to complete the job, but this tool can help to make that job more profitable.
Payroll is an inherent piece of any construction project budget and final cost. It reflects the manpower labor costs necessary to complete the job. As such, it is key to have this data at your fingertips at all times and it needs to be as accurate as possible. The most accurate way to collect this data is in real time. Having real time data allows decision makers to make sure the project is properly directed and helps them make better decisions before and after deviations are made from the plan.
Estimating up to date figures is inaccurate and takes time, which costs money. The amount of time it takes is often increased due to the pay structure of many construction companies - often workers with more diverse skill sets receive higher wages. Calculating the potential costs for 12 workers for varying time periods that have different wages can get confusing and will most certainly take time away from activities that a manager could be doing that add value to the project.
Real time data leaves no need to estimate or get confused about the financial impacts of using a different labor force. Even data that is only a day or two old can lead to ineffective monitoring of the project's bottom line, which can result in decisions being made a day or two later than they should have been. The impact of these 2-day-late decisions on the bottom line can be pretty big if you consider multiple decisions like this made over the life of a project that lasts for several months.
These factors have led construction software manufacturers to begin including as much real time data as possible, for good reason. Today's market moves faster than ever and new risks arise every day, requiring decisions to be made in the middle of the project that were not expected. Would you rather make those decisions with the most accurate data you can possibly have or with old data and some estimates?
Beware, however, that too much real time data can be overwhelming at first. If you're used to working with the old system of old data and projections, a wealth of real time data can be intimidating. However, after an initial getting used to period, you'll soon realize that real time data leads is simply the best tool you can have when it comes time to make those on-the-fly decisions.
In a perfect world, every construction project would be executed exactly according to plans and would finish exactly on budget. However, unexpected changes, weather, supply chain issues, and other common hiccups lead to projects that rarely (if ever) follow the initial plan.
For example, perhaps a big milestone is approaching for a particular project and the supervisor realizes that he does not have the personnel on hand that was planned to complete the task. As a result, the supervisor has a different group complete the task. Thus, the actual cost of that piece of the project will either be over or under the budgeted amount. With real time payroll data, decision makers will be able to see those different costs reflected in actual costs as they happen. With this data, they can make the best possible decision for how to make up for the overages and finish on budget or how to continue to operate under budget.
Construction software with real time payroll data gives companies an additional bit of flexibility when executing a project. Since deviation from the original plan is more of "the rule" versus the "exception," being able to move forward with the project with the most accurate data possible is a benefit that is most certainly worth having.
David Kraft is a freelance author that specializes in the field of construction accounting software. He writes articles that are aimed at helping construction professionals choose the right software for their business, which is often a difficult decision. Please check out his construction software site for more information.
Guard Rail Building Code ProblemConcern over energy consumption has grown greatly in recent years. Gas and electricity prices have been at record highs, hitting homeowners in their pockets. Plus there is a growing realisation amongst the general public that our energy consumption is causing global warming, which is leading to growing problems with our climate. In a recent Henley Centre survey, over 62% of respondents said that climate change is the biggest single problem facing the world today.
We use a great deal of energy in our homes. Our homes account for over a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in northern countries like the UK. However, reducing your homes energy consumption is in most cases quite easy. It can also be very lucrative: some of the major actions you can take to reduce your homes energy consumption pay back very quickly, and so you soon start saving a small fortune. There are 4 or 5 simple measures that almost every householder should focus on.
1.Insulate your home.
By keeping more of the warmth in your home in winter, you will save a small fortune on your heating bills. The most common types on insulation to install are in the loft and also in the gap between your external walls (called cavity wall insulation). You can also insulate your floors and walls. Not only will this save you money, but your home will be more comfortable in winter and cooler in summer. Plus in the UK, because the government subsidises insulation, the investment needed will normally payback in under 2 years. Moreover, on average you will be preventing 1 to 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted each year.
2.Upgrade to a super-efficient condensing boiler.
Your boiler is the main energy user in the house. Modern condensing boilers are far more efficient than some models made even 5 years ago. They use far less gas, and can save you up to 40% off your heating bills as a result. They last for around 15 years so the savings really add up over time. Plus by doing this you are saving an estimated 1.25 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
3.Replace your light bulbs with low energy bulbs.
These use up to 80% less electricity used by traditional incandescent bulbs, and are now indistinguishable in terms of the light they emit. Plus they last up to 10 times longer. So as well as cutting your electricity bills, you dont have to get the ladder out so often to replace bulbs that have blown. Now that these bulbs have come down in price, they can payback their extra cost in a very short time (only a couple of months) in terms of lower electricity bills.
4.Install energy efficient home appliances.
Replacing your old fridge with the most energy efficient models can save you a small fortune on your electricity bills. In fact with the most energy efficient models, the savings can actually add up to cover the entire cost of the new fridge! Plus you can also buy other energy efficient appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers. In the EU all appliances carry an energy efficiency rating, so it is easy to spot the most efficient.
5.Install a solar hot water system.
This is the most expensive of the measures mentioned in this article, but still worth doing, even in northern climates. A solar system can provide up to 70% of your hot water needs in a year, saving on your gas bills. Using solar panels mounted on the roof, solar hot water systems can be installed in most houses. This is a tried and tested technology, and you may qualify for a government grant to help with the cost of installation.
By taking these 5 measures, the average householder can save hundreds of pounds a year off their energy bills, and prevent several tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere. Even taking one or two of these steps has a big impact.
Plus for those who want to make an even bigger reduction in their homes energy use, there are also more advanced measures to be considered such as solar electricity and ground source heat pumps. These generally cost more, but can allow your home to lower even further its impact on Climate Change.
With energy prices set to stay high, and time running out to prevent harmful changes in the earths climate, it really does make sense to improve our homes as soon as possible to include these measures. Further information on how to get going is on http://www.downwithco2.co.uk
Alex Perry is a founder of DownwithCO2.co.uk, which helps people cut their personal contribution to climate change through providing information and contacts.
Tile ArticlesIt can be very difficult to decide which home security software would suit you the best, because there are many different options available. There are certain software products which would suit you better than others, but how can you work out which one you should buy?
AFP Easy Record Management
This is a piece of home security software produced by AFP. This software is so reliable it can be used to protect your family and your home. You can also use the software to create a list of everything you own in your house, this allows you to easily keep track of everything you own and work out what's missing.
i-Catcher
I-Catcher is also fantastic, using this software with a security camera can enable you to create a video surveillance camera system without spending a fortune. I-Catcher even allows you to view the video feed on the internet from anywhere in the world. To save space on your computer recording will only start if it senses movement in your home.
CyberPatrol
This is a very popular and very powerful piece of software which can be used to secure your property. There are number of different features that can be used to protect your internet connection. This can protect you from identity theft, phishing, and any other criminal activity which can affect the internet.
Alongside your home security software you will also need to install a reliable home security system. The software is only going to be of use if someone actually breaks into your house, ideally you don't want it getting that far. A home security system should be able to provide a suitable deterrent.
There are lots of different components that you may need to install as part of your home security system, including motion sensors, glass break detectors, infrared detectors, and ultrasonic detectors. Which devices you need to install will depend on your needs for the security system.
Normally the more sensors you use, the better protected your home will be. However there are also simple things that you must not forget to do. You should remember to leave outside security lights on at night for example, and make sure you lock all the windows.
Ken Morris published mainly for http://www.alicante-spain.com, an online publication on apts in benidorm, rental agents in benidorm and many different themes. You can find his abstracts on benidorm apartments at http://www.alicante-spain.com and various other sources for benidorm apartments tips.
Mold Allergy And Other MoldWhen my husband and I bought a vacant lot near Charlotte Street ten months ago, we only considered one material for the exterior as we got ready to build a house there: poplar bark shingles. We were used to seeing 100-year-old chestnut bark houses farther up in the mountains, and wanted that same kind of no-maintenance durability for our new Asheville home.
Apparently not many Asheville residents are used to seeing all-bark houses, though, because the construction site has been stopping traffic since the bark went up in the fall.
Today, chestnut bark is no longer available since a blight wiped out all the trees. However, poplar bark shingles are a worthy substitute, and because I was writing a book about poplar bark shingles, we felt no reservations about that material. My co-author, Chris McCurry, is one of the owners of Highland Craftsmen, the company in Spruce Pine, N.C., that produces the shingles.
Poplar bark is a reclaimed forest material which would otherwise be mulched, burned as industrial fuel, or left to rot on the ground after commercial timber operations. Instead, squared by hand, then kiln-dried and carefully wrapped until installation, the shingles provide a hardy exterior cladding that never needs paint or stain.
Poplar bark shingles are being used not only for homes all over the United States, but also for commercial applications. The shingles range from " to 1 " thick, depending on grade, and come in various lengths and widths. They require careful installation over a plywood substrate and a layer of roofing felt, but once nailed in place according to manufacturer's guidelines they remain flat and stable for decades.
Our lot's small dimensions -- 3,900 square feet, or .09 acre -- dictated a small building footprint, in this case 30' X 32'. That includes a 24' X 24' two-story core of heated space linked by an 8' X 8' bump-out stairwell, with covered porches upstairs and downstairs in the Asheville bungalow style.
Builder Frank Wilson of Candler has overseen construction, with Asheville carpenter David McCaslin hand crafting stairway and porch railings from locust poles. Custom cabinetry by Carl Hankins, owner of Asheville's Kitchen Concepts (cabinet55@charter.net) looks like fine furniture instead of just cupboards.
The downstairs consists of a great room with kitchen and living/dining room, flanked by a guest suite with bathroom; upstairs there's an office and spacious master suite. The house has an energy-saving on-demand water heater and only an under-counter refrigerator, and the covered porches should diminish the need for air-conditioning.
One observer said, "It looks like it rose from the ground." That's exactly the feel that poplar bark shingles give a building. A squirrel took off running up the back of the house once the bark was on.
Nan Chase's first book, Asheville: A History, has just been published by McFarland, and her book Bark House Style: Sustainable Designs from Nature, with Chris McCurry, will be published in June 2008 by Gibbs Smith.
Author: Janet Marie http://www.abandre.com (This is one of the most popular articles that went out in our Christmas newsletter)
Highland Craftsmen (company who produces the bark shingle siding) http://www.barkhouse.com
Great video on how to repair a window screen.
If you're thinking about buying a home, check out this home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping. For under $15, you can save yourself a lot of frustration and money.
Basement Wall StainingBacksplash For Bathroom Tile remodeling is a great option for home-makers to easily redecorate any surface at home. When it comes to contemporary and easy DIY tiles, using this unique tiling technique is an alternative you should consider. Want to learn how it can help you redecorate your home? Read the following article.
Quick introduction
Backsplash For Bathroom Tile redecoration is made of a set of identical beach-stones fixed onto a sq/ft mesh backing. We may find that these panels are made of stones originated from various beaches and rivers from all over the world - mostly from S. East Asia. This tiling technique enables you to easily redecorate anywhere in the inside & the outside: Bathroom flooring and wall coating (including showers), kitchen surfaces such as countertops & backsplashes, patios, pools and even fireplaces.
Important benefits
Let's quickly summarize the main advantages and benefits of this unique technique:
* Can be used for virtually unlimited applications at home, in the office, in restaurants, hotels, etc.
* Can be used for dry surfaces as well as wet surfaces such as shower flooring or as a sink backsplash.
* Their surfaces are flush and in fact, are safer to walk on than most conventional hard flooring as they offer more traction to prevent slipping.
Valuable tips to go!
* Use a tile saw in order to cut stones to fit edges or corners.
* Most recommended grout is sanded grout - it is suitable for both internal and external use.
* Don't rush! - make a plan; make sure you know how to install these panels, even make a small trial first just to see that you can handle it with no problem.
We could easily find many other great benefits provided by this simple redesigning method simply because it provides virtually unlimited remodeling options to any space and surface at any size and location whether for interior or exterior uses.
Quick summary
It is considered as one of the best tiling choices for the average home-maker due to the fact that Backsplash For Bathroom Tile can be quickly installed with minimal required technical skills, and at low cost. If you wish to succeed with your first installation it is recommended to keep the above tips before you begin with installation.
Get creative! - Learn more about how you can easily decorate any surface at home or in the office with Backsplash For Bathroom Tiles.
Visit: http://www.homepebbletiles.com
Pest Control BooksSome things to consider regarding the usage of solar kits for the home include:
Decrease in your energy bills - some consumers report op to a 50% decrease in their energy bills when using solar for the home to supplement their energy consumption.
If you install a solar power kit, you will have at least some power in case of a power grid failure. Solar kits are not normally suited to fully power conventional homes: the average home consumes more energy a day that a routing solar panel set-up can provide; however some power harnessed from solar energy is preferable to none. If a home is built optimally to utilize solar energy, then the home can be better suited to using solar panels. However, after market solar kits are not optimized in the manner of home systems. These kits offer a great supplemental source of power, but not a primary source of power.
Most home solar kits do not include the array wiring between the modules and battery bank. These and other necessities will need to be purchased separately.
You get what you pay for. The wattage that you can harness generally increases with the amount you spend on your solar items. More expensive models have more solar panels. It is possible to use with the rising cost of energy prices, solar kits for the home have become increasingly popular. These kits provide the essentials needed for setting up your home to receive supplemental power from the sun. These relatively inexpensive kits can save you significant amounts of money on your energy bill. A solar home kit is a great investment to supply your home with supplemental power.
Chris Wright is the webmaster of Solar Kits at http://www.solar-kits.net and is a leading authority on saving money with alternative energy.
Concrete Pebble BenchBudgeting is one of the biggest pains in the neck in any business including the contractor business. But, any good successful long term contractor knows it is absolutely necessary for success. The mentioning of budgeting can make just about anyone's teeth hurt. This is especially the case with any contractor who loves his or her business because it is all about making something from your skills. Who wants to be sitting with a pencil, paper and calculator figuring out numbers? You want to be out there constructing something. Well, you can get to it right after you figure out your budget!
There are really two budgets you need to have as a contractor. Well, there are more than two but let's use the two major ones as an example. There is the yearly budget where you figure out how much it will cost to stay in business, how much you can generate in sales and how much you want to make in profit. Then there is the project by project budget which has to fit into their yearly budget at certain intervals. Each one has to be done with care with the numbers being as accurate as possible. This is important because too many times people fudge their budgets and then wonder later on why their business failed. Don't fall into that trap.
Anyone in the contractor business needs to be realistic in figuring out there yearly and project by project budgets. There is no sense in lying to yourself, be honest about what you feel you can and cannot do. A reasonable and conservative budget can always be adjusted later on if things go right. But, a sloppy and over optimistic budget can cause some serious financial damage to your company. Every contractor wants to succeed but it is the ones with an obtainable really budget that get ahead. And, in this economy that it is ever more important to have a budget and live by it.
So, yeah it stinks to have to come up with a budget but it is one of the single most important things you can do for your contractor business and you will be happy you did at the end of the year and at the end of each project. Being on budget or ahead of budget feels great! Going the other way can really bring you down, literally. So do your homework and make a budget that works.
Josh Macmichael
http://www.contractorblab.com
http://www.contractorblabblog.com
Medium density fiberboard, also known as MDF, is type of wood that is similar to particleboard. It is made out of wood waste fibers glued together with resin, heat, and pressure. Medium density fiberboard can be used for a variety of projects because of its characteristic it is smooth and uniform consistency. It also will not warp which makes it an ideal choice for cabinetry and molding projects. The MDF is often used in place of plank wood, particleboard or high density fiberboard because when sawed it produces a fine even edge. Because of how smooth the surface is, it takes well to painting and only needs a primer and two coats of paint to have an attractive finish unlike some other wood products that may require more sanding and additional coats of paint. Because it does not warp, it is also used quite a bit in bathrooms for cabinets or in other high humidity applications.
Home builders, cabinet makers and carpenters use medium density fiberboard for furniture, shelving, flooring, molding and doors. The wood is very versatile and can be used for a number of applications. It is used often for doors because it insulates sound and heat very well. Taken in conjunction with its smooth surface and ability to take paint well, it is an ideal material for doors. The wood is also very flexible in the type of treatments that it can take such as nailing, gluing, screwing or stapling. The only drawback to medium density fiberboard is the resin that is used to strengthen the wood. This resin contains formaldehyde so care should be taken when cutting it to reduce the amount of dust that is airborne. Try to reduce exposure to MDF whenever possible.
When medium density fiberboard is used for cabinets and other wood working projects, it is very often covered in a veneer or laminate of real wood to disguise the MDF, especially along edges that may be visible. MDF is also a great wood to use for those who are environmentally conscious. Because it is made from scraps and other waste products it is friendlier to the environment. Instead of these items going to a land fill they are recycled.
Find out all of the numerous MDF or medium density fiberboard uses. Our article and link resources can help you now.
Drywall is considered the standard finishing material for interior walls. It consists of an inner core made out of gypsum plaster with a heavy paper cover. Attached to the framing of your walls, drywall covers the insulation, electrical wires, and plumbing. The seams are then covered with drywall tape and compound to create a seamless, smooth appearance. Drywall can be primed, textured, or finished with the design of your choice.
Standard Drywall
The most common variety of drywall is the regular fire-coded 4x8 ft. or 4x12 ft. sheet. It comes in in., 3/8 in., in., or 5/8 in. widths. The most commonly used board is in., regular fire-coded drywall. You can also use two layers of drywall for added privacy. However, when determining the size, thickness, and type of drywall to use, you're not restricted to standard drywall. There are specialty varieties available for areas with specific conditions. Here are 3 specialty types to choose from:
Greenboard
Greenboard has the same gypsum core as other varieties of drywall, but it is covered in a thicker, more water-resistant paper than standard drywall. The green paper is coated with wax to help control moisture absorption. While suitable for use in rooms with high moisture contents, greenboard is not waterproof and will not discourage mold growth. That said, use greenboard on walls that won't have direct contact with water; but avoid using it on floors or ceilings.
Paperless Drywall
Paperless drywall was developed to help prevent the spread of mold and mildew in the home. Paperless drywall still has the gypsum core, but is wrapped in fiberglass instead of paper. Unlike greenboard, paperless drywall is mold resistant. This is considered its greatest asset. In addition to the fiberglass being moisture resistant, the gypsum core is water resistant as well. As a result, the material works well in bathrooms, basements, and any other rooms with higher moisture content. If also works well in homes that are located in humid climates.
Soundproof Drywall
Soundproof drywall provides a sound barrier comparable to eight layers of standard drywall. Replacing the gypsum core are a combination of viscoelastic polymers, ceramics, and gypsum layered to produce amazing soundproof qualities.
The effectiveness of soundproof drywall is measured by sound transmission class levels (STC). Depending on how much you are willing to pay, the panels come as low as 40 STCs and reach up into the 70s. Use soundproof drywall can be used in any room throughout your home where you would like additional privacy, but keep in mind that it is about four times more expensive to purchase than standard drywall.
Dan Harding is a writer for Calfinder Remodeling's internet publications, writing on home improvement topics like painting drywall and many other remodeling topics. CalFinder remodeling contractors are the ones who give FREE remodeling estimates.
Sometimes as contractors we get in a hurry and we just want to finish the job. We told the homeowner we would be done in three months, at the same time the homeowner keeps adding new work to the list.
I ran into a problem like this on one job where the contractor was in a hurry to finish the flooring and chose to go right over the existing floor that was out of level. He told the homeowner he didn't have time to repair that section of the floor. He was installing half-inch plywood over 1 x 6 diagonal floor sheeting to strengthen up the floor.
This floor was going to require quite a bit of attention from the contractor and his crew. The homeowner should have hired another contractor to repair the floor while the original contractor finished the house remodel. When your contractor gives you that much grief about any work, you need to start thinking about hiring another contractor or at least finding one to complete the task your original contractor has no interest in.
I felt sorry for the homeowner because this was not what he wanted and he was upset with the contractor but the job was done. This is my warning to any contractor, handyman or home repair specialists. When installing a new plywood floor over an existing floor to strengthen it up, use some common sense and repair the floor correctly or don't do the job at all.
I wrote this article for contractors to have a little more sympathy for the homeowners you are working for because sometimes they can't see the whole picture like you can. I also wrote this article for homeowners to listen to your contractor carefully when he is explaining a potential problem that you can't visualize further down the road. Any contractor with over 15 years experience remodeling homes has a pretty good idea what's going to happen next.
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.
Home Building BooksBudgeting is one of the biggest pains in the neck in any business including the contractor business. But, any good successful long term contractor knows it is absolutely necessary for success. The mentioning of budgeting can make just about anyone's teeth hurt. This is especially the case with any contractor who loves his or her business because it is all about making something from your skills. Who wants to be sitting with a pencil, paper and calculator figuring out numbers? You want to be out there constructing something. Well, you can get to it right after you figure out your budget!
There are really two budgets you need to have as a contractor. Well, there are more than two but let's use the two major ones as an example. There is the yearly budget where you figure out how much it will cost to stay in business, how much you can generate in sales and how much you want to make in profit. Then there is the project by project budget which has to fit into their yearly budget at certain intervals. Each one has to be done with care with the numbers being as accurate as possible. This is important because too many times people fudge their budgets and then wonder later on why their business failed. Don't fall into that trap.
Anyone in the contractor business needs to be realistic in figuring out there yearly and project by project budgets. There is no sense in lying to yourself, be honest about what you feel you can and cannot do. A reasonable and conservative budget can always be adjusted later on if things go right. But, a sloppy and over optimistic budget can cause some serious financial damage to your company. Every contractor wants to succeed but it is the ones with an obtainable really budget that get ahead. And, in this economy that it is ever more important to have a budget and live by it.
So, yeah it stinks to have to come up with a budget but it is one of the single most important things you can do for your contractor business and you will be happy you did at the end of the year and at the end of each project. Being on budget or ahead of budget feels great! Going the other way can really bring you down, literally. So do your homework and make a budget that works.
Josh Macmichael
http://www.contractorblab.com
http://www.contractorblabblog.com
Today, hot tubs are more popular than ever and the number of hot tub owners is steadily rising. If you are ready to join this already large group of home owners, you must decide if you would prefer an indoor hot tub or an outdoor. Hot tubs are traditionally found outside, but more and more people are choosing modern indoor versions.
Indoor hot tubs offer many conveniences that cant be found with outdoor tubs. Extra privacy is one popular convenience. Indoor hot tubs eliminate the awkwardness of using the tub in front of neighbors or passersby. This type of hot tub is located in the privacy of your home so it is only viewable to people you are already comfortable with.
Another primary reason many homeowners are now opting for indoor hot tubs rather than outside is the weather. An indoor hot tub can be used year round, regardless of the weather conditions, making an indoor tub perfect for everyday use. The usage of an outdoor hot tub is influenced by the conditions, as well as the season, resulting in a typical loss of three to four months of possible use.
If you plan to purchase an indoor hot tub, you should consider where you will install it and the people who will use it most often. To get the most relaxation from your indoor hot tub, you should place it in an area that is typically calm with little distraction. You should also consider a location that will minimize the mess of water, because an indoor hot tub makes it easier to get out of the tub and walk through the rest of the house before drying off.
Another thing to remember if you are thinking of buying an indoor hot tub is that, although they are more convenient, indoor hot tubs require more complex installations than traditional outdoor ones. Hot tubs produce extreme heat as well as high humidity so your hot tub needs to be placed in a well ventilated area of your home. Too small of a space can cause structural damage to your home, including weakened plaster and condensation that leads to mold and window damage.
A typical hot tub can weigh more than two tons when it is filled, depending on its size, so it is imperative to check the foundation of your home for sturdiness before installing your tub, especially in the room where you plan to install the hot tub. Wherever you decide to install your indoor hot tub, you should reinforce the floor in that room. A standard floor is only designed to support a quarter of the weight of a full hot tub. To allow simple maintenance of your hot tub, you should also ensure that the room you choose can be easily connected to adequate drainage.
Thomas Oak writes articles for http://www.a1hottub.com if you are intrested in some addition information on a Hot Tub or are just looking for Spa Filters follow the links.
CAUTION: Most electric dryers use 220 volts to power the heating element. Always disconnect the dryer power cord from the wall receptacle before doing any tests or repair work.
Here are some tips.
Check the fuses
If you have an electric dryer, the first thing to check are the fuses or breakers in your homes fuse box. If this fuse is blown, it is possible for your dryer to spin but not produce heat. If you've checked the fuses and they are not blown, the next possible cause is the heating element.
Check the heating element
To check the heating element, move the back panel of the dryer. You'll need a volt/ohmmeter to check the element terminal. Locate the element and set the volt/ohmmeter on the RX-1 scale. Remove one lead from the element and then place one probe of the volt/ohmmeter on the terminal of the element. Place the other probe of the volt/ohmmeter on the remaining terminal of the element. Look for a continuity reading of the volt/ohmmeter of approximately 2-5 ohms. If there is no continuity reading, the heating element is defective and should be replaced.
LINT- Your dryer's greatest enemy
To extend the life of your dryer, clean the lint filter every time you use the dryer. Even if the lint filter is cleaned after every load, lint will still accumulate around the dryer's moving parts, the exhaust duct and vent.
Each year inspect the vent pipe and vent cover operation. Disconnect the exhaust duct and remove lint from the internal exhaust pipe, the duct and the vent. Make sure the duct has no kinks, where lint and moisture can build-up.
Turn off the power, remove the front and rear panels and vacuum out the lint from around the motor and idler.Poor air flow uses more energy and can cause lint build-up in the internal ducting, leading to a fire hazard.
When in doubt, don't hesitate to call for help. We are open 7 days a week, including holidays, and offer same day service on most repairs.
My Appliance Tech
866.740.2258
At My Appliance Tech, you'll receive superior service, professional technicians and a unique customer service experience. Our factory trained technicians undergo a thorough background check, including drug testing. Our goal is to build a strong and long-lasting relationship with you. We are reliable, honest and insured. Let us be your appliance tech!
We offer Same-Day Service 7 days per week and serve customers from West Palm Beach to Miami. You can trust our expertise as we repair all makes and models with a generous warranty on parts and labor. We also offer installation services where available.
Give us a call today or make an online appointment. We're ready to serve you!
Interior Window FramingDrywalls are common finishes used in the interior of homes whether in New York, or other cities in the U.S. No modern home could ever have been built without it. Though the building material has been manufactured to be tough, it is still not totally safe from any damage. Different levels of finishing, thickness and treatments that come with it offer various levels of soundproofing, fire resistance as well as impact tolerance. The extent of the drywall repair will be dependent on the degree of damage.
Also known as gypsum board, any damage to it is commonly remedied through homeowners doing the drywall repair themselves or hiring a pro. Though both options do have their benefits, they also have drawbacks. So when faced with any damage, it pays to carefully consider which alternative is best for your circumstance.
DIY Drywall Repair
Other than saving on the overall cost of the project, what drives many homeowners to do things themselves is the feeling of satisfaction upon finishing off the task successfully. Resources on the topic are abundant and you can easily look up helpful articles ad instructional videos about it in the World Wide Web, and even offline through magazines and books. The task is fairly easy if you are dealing with minor drywall repair involving slight dents, or small holes.
Just like other home improvement and maintenance project, the problem you would have to face if you try to handle the drywall repair on your own is the risk. Without any experience and skill, the risk of committing any mistake and thus sacrificing the quality of the result is huge, especially in cases where the damage is extensive. So if you think you are not up to the job, then better let the pros handle the work.
Drywall Repair Specialist
The factor that makes many homeowners cringe at the thought of acquiring professional help is the cost of labor, making up for the considerable difference when you think about how much the materials would cost. A hired drywall repair specialist, though, would save you time which you could choose to spend doing more important things. Equipped with the right tools and quality materials, you would not have to bother rummaging through the shed to look for tools.
In areas where guests are entertained like the living area or the kitchen, it pays to maintain their attractiveness. The smallest flaw could really take a toll in the area's appearance, and what more if there is a gaping hole on the wall? With a drywall repair specialist to do the job for you, the project results would be seamless and noticeably better; and a lot faster letting you enjoy the results in the shortest wait.
Drywall repair takes some practice and ample skills to produce results wherein the damage would seem to not even have existed. So when faced with any drywall damage, you have to weight your options carefully. The thing that you think might save you more could even cost you more.
Eugene Makeev of Craftsmen Network helps New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls with Brooklyn, NY drywall installers by matching their needs with prescreened drywall contractors NYC.
Please feel free to use our drywall estimator.
One of the most important factors to consider when pouring, forming and placing concrete is what kind reinforcement is needed, if any is needed at all. Recent technologies in concrete mix designs have made many more available and cost effective solutions to your reinforcement needs. Some times all that is needed is an engineered mix for simple floors, patios, driveways, porches and slabs. However, larger structures that support greater weights require more reinforcement and are required by general building codes.
Depending on the structure you are making will be what determines the type of reinforcement needed. Concrete walls require the use of steel rebar. Usually the sticks of rebar are tied together based on an engineered plan. Building codes, structural design and an engineer usually determine how much is needed and how it should be placed in the concrete. The larger the area to support usually means the higher amount of rebar as well as the grade (diameter of rebar or rebar size). Smaller flatwork pieces like residential flat work usually only require an engineered bag mix of concrete, or simple wire mesh. Wire mesh concrete reinforcement is often used when placing a boiler heat system in a driveway for example. This wire mesh must be set just right so as not to puncture the tubes when pouring concrete and to eliminate protruding wire from the concrete slab.
Thicker walls and floors will almost always require mats of rebar (rebar sticks tied together vertically and horizontally in specific lengths and spaced properly based on what it supports). This reinforcement is usually tied to footings that have been poured with sticks of rebar placed into and protruding upward or leaning into the floor to connect the mats together. Reinforcement can be bought pre-bent or bent on site based on need. The reinforcement is usually throughout the entire structure including columns. The higher up and the more to support the more reinforcement and concrete is needed, both in quantity and grade size. Improper placement of reinforcement, lack of reinforcement, incorrect type of reinforcement and inadequate sizing causes weakness, structural damage and protrusion from the structure. Most buildings require an a building inspector to pass off whether or not the proper amount, size, type and placement is correct. Hiring a contractor who is qualified to do it right is very important.
Once the size of the reinforcement is determined how much of it is needed to support the structure you are building? These requirements usually come in the form of an engineered plan stating the bare minimum needed. If you are not sure, hire an engineer to review your needs. They usually state the type that is needed as well. Structures that are exposed to water elements usually require that they be epoxy coated. This epoxy coating is usually a thin layer of epoxy that the rebar is coated with to protect the bar or mats from rusting and give it longevity.
Because reinforcement can get expensive, modern technology is trying to focus on ways to place reinforcement directly into concrete mixes, by the use of engineering mix designs. Engineers are researching the use of graphite in the mix to bond it together and provide reinforcement as well as other chemicals. Progress is advancing at a rapid pace and many different mix types are available. Some builders and engineers require these mixes on jobs in addition to steel reinforcement. They usually require testing of the strength of the mix by pouring core samples to test at a later date to make sure it is not defective. If the strength test is not met to the required standard, it must be removed and replaced until it passes. If reinforcement is not inspected by a building inspector prior to pouring concrete, the building inspector can require you to remove the entire structure and start all over, or bring an imaging device to the job site and ex-ray the structure to see if it was properly placed. Usually great costs are associated with both of these. Concrete is expensive to do over, so it is important to follow building codes and requirements when installing rebar to make sure it is done right the first time.
Concrete reinforcement is an important step when considering the longevity of a structure. In my experience I haven't met a single person or company who wanted to waste their money on buildings or structures that aren't going to last. Too little reinforcement can cause severe structural failure and damage that can be expensive and dangerous. Which, is not worth it in the long run.
More often than not, most items found in your home serve primarily the purpose of decoration. Take your vases, paintings, and carvings, among others, as examples. However, some items serve for particular functions but may also serve as a decoration. Take your crystal chandelier (it is primarily to give light to your home but also serves as dcor to your ceilings) and your antique mirror for instance.
One thing that is not actually furniture which can be both useful and decorative in function is the stairway. Oftentimes, they serve as pathways from one level of our house to the next. Obviously, this is really a great help in houses with two or more floors. There are also houses which opt to put a stairway's platform in direct vision of a person entering the house from a front door. It gives out this appealing impression. Given this, it is therefore necessary that a stairway is not only sturdy and secure (for purposes of safety) but also must demonstrate "grandiosity" in its own right. Usually, this is attributed to the entire design of the stairway, but can also be tracked down to the specific stair parts, too. You have to remember that even the smallest detail, in this case part, can affect the totality of a whole structure to function and serve its purpose. This goes the same for the stairway and its stair parts.
A stairway may be built in different fashions. It can be helical, straight, or sectioned with a balcony. These final structures usually depend more or less on the materials used for the stair parts. Colossal mansions and castles usually have marble staircases of regal grace and elegance. Suburban homes have staircases of wood. For high buildings and skyscrapers, they have cemented or stone-made staircases. There are also some which have more than two or more materials mixed.
Some stair parts may be made of wood, while the others with cement or steel or other materials. For example, the steps are made of cement, the balusters from steel and the handrail from wood. However, when a staircase is made of marble, it is almost always the only material used for its stair parts, too. Oftentimes, the color of these stairways is usually the same with the rest of the house. This is because a stairway is a part of the entirety of the structure of the house.
There are various designs and materials of stair parts which when combined properly may produce a great look for the stairways. The general consideration is on the structure of your home. Also, consideration is also given to your budget to achieve the one which you like and is fit for your home. Most construction stores and depots offer various stair parts with affordable and reasonable prices.
Stairways, just like any general structures, rely greatly on their stair parts to achieve the final look to be visually stimulating to your guests and visitors and also for its solidity. Be certain that you only get what is best for your stairway to produce the effect of a royal pathway, to the next floor that is.
For more information about Stair Parts feel free to visit http://www.elegantstairsandwoodfloors.com
Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company
If you're a do it yourself or or a homeowner who every once in a while, once to tackle a small or large project but doesn't know where to begin, can gather useful information from home building books. I have been using these books for years and may have been worth their weight in gold.
I started my career working for my father and my father worked for his father as a Carpenter. Our job was to frame the house and we built a Lotta homes. I learned how to frame and developed some great carpentry skills from my father and working with other skilled carpenters. Over the years, if you're paying attention, even a monkey can figure out, how to assemble almost anything.
The only problem that I faced, was learning how to build the rest of the home. I would often ask questions to other building trades like plumbers, electricians, roofers and construction superintendents. Some of these people were helpful and others were not. When I was in my early 30s, I purchased my first book on home building. This book lead to other books and soon I found myself with more home building knowledge that my father.
I had about 50 books on home building and soon found myself doing large home remodels, with no formal education. I would attribute almost everything that I learned outside of house framing to books. These books have proven invaluable to me over the years and with a relatively small investment. I couldn't have spent over $200 purchasing these books but have used the knowledge from them to save myself thousands of dollars.
One $20 home building books or home repairs, can save you lots of money, if you're willing to do a little research and the labor to complete almost any home building project.
By the way, if you're interested in learning how to repair a roof, build your own house, interior decorating, structural engineering, building a deck, gathering some more information about home painting or even remodeling your bathroom. An online home building bookstore can save you money if you're willing to do the work.
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 looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.
Bird Poop On Concrete PorchI would think that every American would want to know where their genealogy lies. Do you ever wonder who you're related to? Because America is a land of immigrants, everyone's roots lie somewhere else. Are you curious where your genealogy lies?
I encourage you make the decision to start looking into your families' past. Once you begin, you'll discover a world you never knew existed and find yourself on a fascinating journey. And, better yet, maybe you'll be able to travel to the land of your family's history and see everything you've learned for yourself.
I made that decision several years ago. I knew 2 of my great grandmothers, both of whom arrived at Ellis Island in the 1880's. I've always been inquisitive and interested in history, so I remember asking lots of questions. I learned that my genealogy was of Irish and French descent.
Fast forward 3 decades and now I'm interested again. So I spoke with my Grandmother about my genealogy. She just happened to have an old newspaper article she saved from her mother about new immigrants arriving in New York. This article was over 100 years old and happened to list my descendants, their age, who they were married to and where they came from. This was my best clue where to start.
The newspaper article was like a goldmine for me. I made the decision to travel to Europe tightly clutching a copy of the article. It was like having a map pulling me in the right direction. I started out in Dublin where I found myself at the Office of Genealogy. I found my family crest and coat of arms. I brought them home as a gift to my Grandmother. When she died she willed it back to me
From Dublin I drove down to south eastern Ireland. I finally found the tiny town of Cappaquin in the County of Cork. This is where the 100 year old newspaper article said I should be. I started asking people if they knew of anyone with my last name. To my surprise, I found several people I was directly related to.
The most interesting part was going to the graveyard and seeing the grave stones marked with names of people in my family history dating back several hundred years. I also went to the town Vicker where I found the city's book of births, deaths and marriages. Most European countries have some type of priest who keeps such books.
But, you can go even further. Genealogy is a hot topic today. Finding out where you really come from makes you feel more at peace with yourself. I don't know why but it just does. Unless you're an American Indian, you will have to look outside the United States to know your true genealogy.
Hi, my name is April. Hope you enjoyed the story of my roots search. It felt unreal to actually be standing where my ancestors once stood. I'll never forget those moments. If you would like more information on how to start your own search, please check out my webstie at http://www.savemoneysavetimenow.com/genealogy - Good luck on your own journey!
Here's a word of advice for any contractor, Carpenter, handyman or homeowner that is planning to remove an interior wall from your home or someone else's. Beware of removing interior walls, to eliminate your fears of the house collapsing. Some of the interior walls inside of the house are important structural components of the building.
Some of these walls hold up floors, roofs and other loadbearing sections that could create safety problems within the structure of the house itself. This is an area where an expert with framing skills should be consulted. What is the definition of someone with excellent framing skills? Some one with at least 10 years as a master framing carpenter.
My home building experience consists of three decades for over 30 years of assembling some of the most difficult sections of a home. During these years I have seen damage done to houses from removing structural interior walls. Most of this damage could be repaired with a little structural engineering. Some of the damage could not be repaired and caused other damage to different sections of the house. The damage caused in some cases to the floor and the roof framing had to be completely rebuilt.
I'm not telling you about every single thing I have ran into but you would be surprised if I started to make a list of all the homeowners and professionals in the building industry or home selling and buying business that contacted me to remove a structural component of a building. There have even been a few of these people that told me everything was going to be okay just go ahead and remove the structural building component.
Needless to say I would leave these people very irritated but I'm sure they found someone to do the job. The bad news is I was normally the person they would hire to go back and repair the damaged building after these people were gone and out of business. There have been cases where people have removed an interior walls against my better judgment and over the years of driving by in these homes I personally got to witness the structural damage that was occurring on the outside of the house.
I have no idea what the inside of the house looked like but could only imagine. My advice again when removing interior walls is to hire an experienced contractor or at least get some advice from an experienced framing carpenter. This does not include your basic know it all that has basic construction experience like your father in law, parents, friends, golfing associates or people you work with that tell you not to worry about it, just do it, everything will work out just fine.
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.
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Water Stains On 1x6 Roof SheathiThere are three main categories for flooding risk that Houston residents should insure for.
The first is for flood damage that happens due to plumbing problems. The two main causes of this type of damage are leaks or bursting of water pipes, and overflows such as air conditioning drain pans. Some homeowner's insurance policies will cover this type of damage and others don't. I suggest checking your policy or asking your agent about your coverage. If your policy doesn't cover this you should consider changing to a better policy.
The next type of flooding damage is driven rain that gets in after windstorm damage. This is usually covered on homeowner's policies. An exception would be in costal areas where this coverage is excluded. Then you would need a separate windstorm policy with the driven rain option for this.
The most destructive flooding is the type that results from rising water. Houston has suffered flooding frequently in the past so it is advisable to insure for this risk. Homeowner's policy almost always rising water flooding so a separate flood insurance policy is required. The least expensive way to get flood insurance is usually with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA requlates this program and the federal government makes payments for covered losses. You can get coverage for just contents, or the home and contents. This insurance is also available for businesses. You get NFIP flood insurance at a regulated rate from private companys or agents that participate in the program.
NFIP flood insurance rates depend mostly on what flood zone you are in, how much coverage you want, and what deductable you select. The areas of least risk is in the B or X zones. These areas usually qualify for the "preferred" rate with a $500 deductable.
Here are some examples of preferred rates:
CONTENTS ONLY:
$8,000 for $58 per year
$20,000 for $113 per year
$40,000 for $147 per year
$100,000 for $221 per year
HOME PLUS CONTENTS:
$20,000 home plus $8,000 contents for $119 per year
$30,000 / $12,000 for $149 per year
$50,0000 / $20,000 for $196 per year
$100,000 / $40,000 for $257 per year
$200,000 / $80,000 for $326 per year
Texas residents can call my office at 281-537-2700 for more information. Or visit our Texas flood insurance website.
Also visit our homeowners insurance site Homeowners Insurance Houston website.
Budgeting is one of the biggest pains in the neck in any business including the contractor business. But, any good successful long term contractor knows it is absolutely necessary for success. The mentioning of budgeting can make just about anyone's teeth hurt. This is especially the case with any contractor who loves his or her business because it is all about making something from your skills. Who wants to be sitting with a pencil, paper and calculator figuring out numbers? You want to be out there constructing something. Well, you can get to it right after you figure out your budget!
There are really two budgets you need to have as a contractor. Well, there are more than two but let's use the two major ones as an example. There is the yearly budget where you figure out how much it will cost to stay in business, how much you can generate in sales and how much you want to make in profit. Then there is the project by project budget which has to fit into their yearly budget at certain intervals. Each one has to be done with care with the numbers being as accurate as possible. This is important because too many times people fudge their budgets and then wonder later on why their business failed. Don't fall into that trap.
Anyone in the contractor business needs to be realistic in figuring out there yearly and project by project budgets. There is no sense in lying to yourself, be honest about what you feel you can and cannot do. A reasonable and conservative budget can always be adjusted later on if things go right. But, a sloppy and over optimistic budget can cause some serious financial damage to your company. Every contractor wants to succeed but it is the ones with an obtainable really budget that get ahead. And, in this economy that it is ever more important to have a budget and live by it.
So, yeah it stinks to have to come up with a budget but it is one of the single most important things you can do for your contractor business and you will be happy you did at the end of the year and at the end of each project. Being on budget or ahead of budget feels great! Going the other way can really bring you down, literally. So do your homework and make a budget that works.
Josh Macmichael
http://www.contractorblab.com
http://www.contractorblabblog.com
Manufactured roof trusses are used in nearly 80 percent of all new homes constructed in America. The trusses are designed by structural engineers to ensure they meet roof load and building code requirements using a minimal amount of lumber, as opposed to conventional roof framing where choosing the size of rafters is often left to the builder. The result is often wasted lumber due to over building, if a 2 X 8 is good then a 2 X 10 would surely be better!
Ask anyone framing new homes today which is better and the answer will most certainly be trusses. Modern truss manufacturers can design and build trusses for the most complex roof and ceiling plans available in custom built homes.
Disadvantages of Conventional Roof Framing
Advantages of Stick Framing
Advantages of Trusses
Types of Roof Trusses
Ceiling Styles
These lists of roof truss type and ceiling styles is by no means exhaustive, consult with your builder and local truss manufacturer for more complete details.
The author of this article has 29 years experience building custom homes in the west and southwest suburbs of Chicago. He has been a Master Roof Cutter for the past eighteen, with even more experience setting roof trusses. More information on Conventional Roof Framing and Roof Trusses is available on his website.
Rodent ProblemsBathroom remodeling, no doubt, is among the most rewarding home improvement project that you could ever take. Aside from making every waking day and just every personal minute in your bathroom more luxurious, the job would greatly add up to the value of your New York home. And the fact that an average bathroom remodeling project could yield up to 80-90% on return on investment, homeowners are not as much bothered with how much it squeezes out from their budget.
As with any other home improvement project that could be undertaken, a good plan is crucial in the success of your bathroom remodeling. And if you are not a handyman yourself, nothing beats having to work with a qualified NYC contractor as a top priority. With the expertise and skills of one, going through the steps in achieving your dream bath could be made much easier, giving the most value for your money and with the least risk of remodeling problems.
If you do not have any idea yet on the design you want to take on, you can find inspirations through scouring through bathroom design websites, magazines and even showrooms in your nearest home improvement store. With a design at hand, you can discuss with your contractor estimates on budget and time. The extent of your bathroom remodeling depends on how much you are willing to spend on the project and how long you could put up with the remodeling works.
Your bathroom remodeling can be done as a surface-level project, change in layout or a total renovation which involves both. If everything seems to be in great condition and the existing layout is fine with you, a facelift can be best. A change in layout or a total bathroom renovation should be considered carefully. This involves so much more like the underlying electrical and plumbing systems. But whichever is your choice, make sure to apply for necessary permits early.
The essential keys to the success of your bathroom remodeling project are excellent workmanship as well as product selection. When choosing for materials to integrate into your project, do not stop at the cost alone. If you really need to save up, then shop for discounts but never sacrifice the quality of the products. Your aim should be set for long-term benefits. Find products and materials that offer the style of your choice, durability and less maintenance.
Clutter can easily make a disaster zone out of your bathroom no matter how good looking it is. Depending on its total area, you can implement clever storage solutions. For bigger bathrooms, you can have as elaborate cabinetry and shelving as the space can accommodate. But if space is an issue, there are also lots of innovative products you can choose from that are designed to be compact but functional.
If you can afford it, maximize every single element to make the most stylish, functional and comfortable bathroom remodeling result. If you are doing the master bathroom, a great idea is to have a his and her sink to cutback on the early morning chaos. You can even create a personal, everyday spa.
Eugene Makeev helps New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Bathroom Contractor NYC. Feel free to use our Bathroom Calculator.
Mold On Oak Door JambHandyman can be described as a person who undertakes different types of jobs such as small construction works, electrical works, plumbing, painting, and garden maintenance. All these activities are completed with the help of tools and equipment, which are normally referred to as handyman hardware. Handyman hardware does not consist of specially designed tools and equipment; it is just a collection of tools and equipment used by electricians, plumbers, and construction workers.
Many handyman tools are coated with insulation material that provides insulation against electric shocks. Insulation material is made from specially formulated materials and is scientifically tested before being used to coat handyman tools. Insulated handyman tools are rated according to the level of voltage they can withstand which is usually in the range of 1000 volts to 1500 volts.
A number of manufacturers produce handyman hardware tools based on current national standards defined by American society for testing and materials (ASTM). Handyman hardware tools may include pliers, screwdrivers, knives, scissors, bolt cutters, cable cutters, and hammers. Bags that carry these accessories are made from a combination of cotton cloth, leather, and other strong material to make it long lasting. Household users should make sure that the handyman hardware tools they are buying are manufactured according to standard quality specifications.
Handyman hardware tools need to be replaced after one or two years as they are subjected to heavy wear and tear while rendering handyman services. The cost of replacing or maintaining such type of hardware can be unaffordable for many handymen. The best option for them is to work for an organization that provides all the necessary hardware needed for performing their services.
It is necessary to use handyman hardware tools in a technically correct way, as improper handling can damage the equipment being handled as well as the tool. People can take help from handyman guidebooks or magazines for learning the correct use of handyman hardware tools.
Handyman provides detailed information on Handyman, Handyman Services, Starting A Handyman Business, Handyman Tips and more. Handyman is affiliated with Home Remodeling.
Attic Sheeting Water Damage
