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.
Ice Damage From Broken PipesHere in America, we love our refrigerators.
We're big on stocking up on food and limiting the number of trips to the grocery store, so it's important that our fridges are the right size for our needs. (On the flip side, if our fridges are too big, they burn through energy trying to keep everything cool.) And if you don't choose the right style for your cooking regimen, you'll waste energy searching for food or rearranging groceries every chance you get.
This makes selecting a refrigerator one of the most important decisions when planning kitchen design. To make sure you invest in the right style, begin by determining how much space you have. Measure the width and depth of the area, and don't forget to factor in room for doors - or drawers, as is the case with some models - to open. (After all, what good is a fridge if you can't open it?)
When you go to the store, look for a model that fits the area with room to spare. Squeezing a fridge into a tight space just won't work! And consider what you actually need. According to Don Vandervort, two people need at least 10 cubic feet of refrigerator space, not including the freezer. For each additional family member, add one-and-a-half cubic feet.
You should also look for a style that matches your cooking routine.
Top-mount.
With these models, the freezer sits on top of the refrigerator. It's often smaller than what's available for other fridge styles, but it puts frozen items at eye level and makes storing horizontal foods like pizzas and cakes easy. (In a side-by-side fridge, the space is often too narrow to fit these items.) If you don't own a stand-alone freezer, this refrigerator type may be the best option for you because of the more diverse freezer storage options. Bonus: Top-mount refrigerators are often the cheapest variety, and because they've been around the longest and all the kinks have been worked out, they're also the least likely to need costly repairs.
Bottom-mount.
The freezer in this fridge variety rests on the bottom. It's basically a large drawer that can be pulled out for easy access to all freezer items. The refrigerator part of this model sits on top, making it easy to spot and reach more frequently used foods. Have back or knee trouble? You'll minimize bending and kneeling with this option. Plus, this fridge style is typically the most energy efficient.
Side-by-side.
The freezer and refrigerator in this model are of equal size and directly next to each other. If you commonly need access to both freezer and refrigerator items, or if you currently own a stand-alone freezer to store more bulky items, this fridge type may make the best use of your space.
Compact.
These smaller units are often used in dorm rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and home bars. If you're looking to fill a refrigerator need for only one room, a compact fridge should meet your desires. However, choosing a unit for a dorm room can get difficult because they have to take so much wear and tear and function for a variety of purposes.
Built-in.
Rather than being installed as a separate unit, built-in refrigerators are constructed to match the style of your kitchen or meet a particular cooking requirement. Although they're often narrower to match the depth of your cabinets, they're also often wider, and because they're custom made, they're also more expensive. Before choosing this option, consider the higher cost, wider space requirement, and necessity of a particular amenity.
From icemaker/water dispensers to alarms that sound when the door is left open, refrigerators also come with a variety of feature options. The price increases with each component, however, so it's important to choose which flashy items are necessary. You can choose from adjustable shelves, spill-proof shelves, in-door icemaker/water dispenser, in-door refreshment center, in-door television, separate controls for vegetable/fruit crispers, door or temperature alarms, child lock, quiet operation, or fast-cooling compartments - to name a few. Some features are only available on certain fridge models because of design constraints, so it's wise to choose features after you've chosen your model.
In addition to eyeing refrigerator amenities, you should also look for the ENERGY STAR (R) label. Considering that your fridge uses 14 percent of your home's electricity, this decision may be the best one you make when choosing a new refrigerator.
The Home Know-It-All: Your One-Stop Shop for Home Design, Improvement, and Repair
Site DirectoryWhen you find yourself in need of additional living space, consider your basement as the place to grow. You will be surprised at how easy it can be to claim that unused space for a remarkably small investment. Deciding to finish a basement can offer almost unlimited possibilities to meet the needs of a growing family or simply to enhance your lifestyle. You can also finish a basement in stages, as your budget permits additional work.
One of the joys of deciding to finish a basement is the discovery that the most difficult work and the most expensive is probably already done. You already have exterior walls and a floor. You probably also have some windows in place, as well as two points of access to the area: stairs from the first floor of your home and an external access door or window.
First, identify basic needs. Here are some basic initial questions to ask and answer:
1. Do you need to install plumbing?
2. Do you need to install or enhance electrical wiring to various parts of the basement?
3. Do you need to install a separate furnace and air conditioner? Or, can you simply connect new duct work to your existing furnace and air conditioner?
4. Are there supports (posts, etc) that you need to incorporate into your floor plan?
5. Is additional natural lighting needed?
Second, develop a plan for how you will use the space. Identifying the uses you want to make of the space in your basement is the first step in planning your project. Make a list of the rooms or areas you want to create. Some very popular uses of basement space include:
* Select a style and roof line that is consistent with the style of your house
* A home theater
* A home office
* A suite of rooms for in-laws or teens
* A playroom for children
* A den
* A game room
* A wine cellar
* Guest bedrooms
* Storage rooms
* A spa
* An additional bathroom
* A computer or homework room
* A library
* A mud room
* A hobby or craft room
* A family room
* A party room
Third, after identifying the rooms or spaces you want to create, plan the location of each room or area within the space. Here are some things to consider in designing your floor plan:
* Since most basements have one to three "sides" that have no windows (because they are essentially underground), plan to place the rooms that do not require windows on that side of the basement. For example, a home theater would be a good choice for a room that will have no windows.
* Try to place bathrooms and/or a kitchenette near or under first floor rooms that already have plumbing. The shorter the distance you must travel with new plumbing, the more money you will save. An ideal spot for a home spa would be in a windowless part of the basement near existing plumbing.
* If your plan includes creating a teen suite or an in-law suite, carefully consider access to the remainder of the space. For example, do not place the bedroom of the suite at the bottom of the stairs from the first floor.
* Plan for access and privacy. For example, if you are finishing your basement in order to create both a playroom for children and an in-law suite for parents, you might want to put them at opposite ends of the basement area.
* Consider the noise from the rooms above. Either locate the rooms that will be used frequently in the basement under quieter rooms upstairs or consider adding sound insulating board on the ceiling in the basement.
The next thing to decide is how many walls you actually want to create. Do you want to create a single large area that has several semi-defined spaces, or do you want to create discrete rooms for each function? You might want some combination of effects, depending on how you will use each space.
Choose the style of decor and the materials you will use to finish your basement. For example, will the walls be drywall or paneling? Will the ceiling be drywall or a drop ceiling? How will you treat the floor? Will you use carpet or tile or hardwood, or some combination for different areas or rooms?
Finally, plan the work itself. Will you do all of the work at once? Or, will you finish part of the basement and delay additional work until a later time? If you plan to delay part of the work, you will want to consider either permanent or temporary closure of the finished area. If your plan is to leave the entire are open, you might need to do all of the walls and ceilings at once, gradually defining areas within the space.
Today, one of the most popular ideas for finished basements is an in-law or teen suite, consisting of a bedroom, a bathroom, and a sitting room. Home theaters are also very popular, with large-screen televisions or projection screens. A small kitchenette for snack preparation can make the home theater perfect. As more people telecommute or start home businesses, a home office can be very practical. Homework rooms are also quite popular today. These are relatively simple to create. All that is needed is computer connections, some bookshelves and a work area large enough to accommodate your childrens needs. A play room or a game room can provide great serenity on the first floor. You can even create your own home spa, complete with whirlpool tub, multi-head massaging shower, steam room, and a tanning bed.
The final question is whether you should do the renovation yourself or hire an expert. This will, of course, depend upon your skill level and the preparation that has already been done in your basement. Many builders today connect at least some electric and plumbing to the basement. Check the laws in your locality to learn what permits are required before you begin the work, and whether your State or locality requires that certain work be performed by licensed professionals. You may find that the best approach is to hire a professional to do the electrical, plumbing, and heat/air conditioning work. There is no reason you cannot hire professionals for the work you are not able to do and keep your project within your budget by doing things like installing drywall, wrapping support posts with decorative columns, painting, wallpapering, etc. Remember, plumbing and electrical work can be dangerous when attempted by people who dont know what they are doing.
Whatever your needs or dreams to accommodate a growing family or to enhance your lifestyle, the basement in your home offers limitless possibilities. By planning the use of space and the placement of the rooms or areas you will construct, you can maximize the space, fulfill many needs, and save some money on the renovation.
Dan Fritschen, the author of this article, is the founder of the websites http://www.remodelormove.com and http://www.remodelestimates.com and http://www.remodelingorganizer.com He is the author of three books on home remodeling.
Driveway Raised Creating ProblemChoosing antique bathroom vanity is a serious matter though. You simply do not go in a shop and but the first piece you see. Selection involves factors such as price, design, functionality, type of wood, age, and even the manufacturer.
Basically, when selecting the piece, you are caught between this question: "Should I go for the genuine vanity or should I buy antique design vanity? Unsuspecting buyers may think that every vanity, as long as they look "antique" is the same. The truth however is that both have different qualities.
So what's the difference between authentic antique vanity and antique-design vanity?
First and perhaps the best indicator of the authenticity of it is the price. Authentic antique vanity can go 10 times more expensive as its antique-design counterpart, or even more. And just like a good pair of jeans, it looks better through the years. Antique pieces are often made from mahogany, cherry and oak, types of hardwood that are known to last a lifetime, even more if it is treated properly with wood sealant. A good crafted one will not suffer any water damage.
Antique-design vanity on the other hand is relatively cheaper than its authentic counterpart but is still quite expensive. The price of a single piece can go from $400 to $2,000 depending on its size, design, and type of wood used. While it is not authentic antique, it is designed and crafted to appear very old and to reflect the age gone by using the same type of wood from which authentic vanities are made from. One of the advantages for choosing this type is that you can get it brand new. Meaning, they have the look of all the antique beauty and elaborate designs, but without the wear and tear. Also, your options are almost endless if you choose to buy brand new pieces without spending a lot of money.
Whether you buy an authentic or an imitation antique vanity, there are things that you have to make sure of. First, buy from a reputable manufacturer or antique store. Second, check the warranties that the company offers whether you buy it online or at your local antique or furniture store. And last, choose a vanity you really like.
For tips on choosing bathroom vanities, visit http://www.bathroomvanities101.com
Water Damaged Wood FloorEvery success story begins with kitchen. There is a noted quote that human beings dare to think something different just after acquiring security sense pertaining to hunger and shelter. It is obvious to understand that a hungry man can not do anything wholeheartedly. Thus, kitchen significantly determines your working efficiency. Even in commercial market, one can experience such stuffs. People are always looking for someone who can perfectly understand the basic needs of kitchen and provide exactly those materials. Here comes only a few names like J E S Restaurant Equipment.
This name has been intently used here. Point must be mentioned here that it has not been taken due to promotional purpose. It has been taken due to quality services. Basically, all ideal contents are being quoted here with the relevant example and in all examples, there is a common name and hence it has been prominently quoted in introductory paragraph.
Kitchen is a womb of healthy physic and healthy physic is womb of healthy mind and healthy mind means ultimate success. So, kitchen is a root for every success. The biggest misconception about kitchen is, "a place for pots, whisks, pans, cleavers, peelers, etc". Actually, it tells only ten percent facts about kitchen. There is sheer labor of cook, desperate efforts for cleanliness and off course heartily love/affection of the dearest one. Thus now; one can easily understand the fact why it takes months/years in making of perfect kitchen. How can you forget that just after the marriage in your new house, your first task was to manage kitchenware? It is really true that we have numerous fond memories with our kitchen.
Such affection and delicateness are the things which we find rarely in any kitchenware shops. This is the major region that the name J E S Restaurant Equipment is prominently quoted here. It understands that at different stage of our life, we have different needs. Kitchenware experts are always ready to assist us in determining the most suitable stuffs for our kitchen. Experts may ask about our family details just for the sake of idea and analyzing exact needs. Hence, in this circumstance; there is no need to be skeptical.
On the contrary, we must be very clear about our needs. We should initiate to provide details about our needs and requirements. Nowadays, there are a many online shops for kitchen utensils are available. Online search for kitchen utensils is certainly more convenient as we can compare prices just by few clicks of mouse.
Nowadays, lifestyle is dynamically changing in all around the world. Most of the places, cooking have become a hobby instead of regular task. So, needs and requirement of kitchen utensils also have changed. This article is a tiny effort to understand the aesthetic meaning and perception about kitchen and kitchenware.
Vivian and Eric Smith are Owners of JES Restaurant Equipment and have over 25 years experience in kitchen Restaurant Equipment supply, sales and service. For more information, Visit: http://www.jesrestaurantequipment.com
Concrete, tough and durable, is the hot new kitchen countertop material. Fabricated in just one to two weeks, this luxurious and completely customizable concrete surface enhances any design inspiration. As with other kitchen surface options, concrete requires a small amount of care and maintenance to ensure its longevity and beauty.
The concrete kitchen countertop is sealed to create an impervious surface that repels stains and is abrasion resistant. However, acidic liquids left on the surface for a long period of time may eat through the sealer. Thus, it is recommended to wipe up any spills as soon as possible.
Cutting directly on the concrete kitchen countertop is not recommended as it may damage the integrity of the sealer over time. An integral cutting board can be incorporated into the concrete, enhancing the functionality and uniqueness of the surface. Hot pans placed directly onto the surface are also a no-no. In this case, a trivet can be integrally placed in the concrete so the cook always has a place for hot pans to rest.
Cleaning a concrete kitchen counter is simple and inexpensive. Basic soap and water or a non - abrasive cleanser is the best option. To maintain the finish, waxing with beeswax every two months will protect the concrete.
Concrete countertop guru, Buddy Rhodes, said it best, "Concrete is high touch. Handmade and tactile...regular use imparts a warm patina to the surface over time."
Enjoy your concrete kitchen countertops! Revel in the fact that you have chosen a product which only gets better with age. Continued use, enhancing subtle variations of texture and color, adds richness and depth to the concrete surface over the years.
Joy Brown is the owner of Artisan Concrete, Ltd., a decorative concrete company specializing in the creation of concrete countertops, floors and elements.
If you found this article on decorative concrete informative and would like to learn more, please visit http://www.artisanconcreteltd.com to receive a FREE consultation or call Joy directly at 719-207-0486.
Perhaps you are aware that ceramics are very good at deflecting heat, but did you know they also can be used to help keep things cooler for much longer than other materials, it is true? This new information may assist you in maintaining a very efficient air conditioning unit in your home or at your office. How so you ask?
Well first you let's consider the guts of your current air conditioning unit. The condenser, the flanges, or fins used for cooling and the piping inside the unit. These are often made out of steel, copper, aluminum, and other alloys. Next, let's look at the box or housing of the air-conditioning unit itself. Often these are made of galvanized steel or stainless steel. This means they can heat up on the outside and that raises the temperature inside.
To combat this problem there are now coatings that harden to ceramic or glass coatings. The chemicals must be applied at room temperature and go on at a few mils to 10-mils thick. This seals the surface with a glass-like coating. By coating both the inside and outside housing of the unit, it will keep it cool inside.
And when you coat the flanges, condenser, and piping as well, this will keep the mechanism cooler and that means your airconditioning system will run less time, as it does not need to kick in as often to keep the air inside the system cool. This is one very simple thing you can do to promote efficiency in your energy usage. It's smart, saves money, and clearly it's the right thing to do. Think on this.
Lance Winslow - Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/.
RoughframingWith the way things are looking, there might not be much real estate moving these days. But, it's not always going to be this way. So if you are hunkering down and planning to stay in your house for another year or two, why not try to make the best of it?
For only a few dollars out of your pocket at a time, you can make the changes on your home that it needs. You can actually get your house ready for when the upturn takes place and you're back into a seller's market. Just look around your house and take some notes. Then, use your imagination like I always urge everyone.
You would be surprised how easy it is to make most of your home improvements. There are only a handful of things you shouldn't attempt without a qualified contractor. For everything else, all you need is a passion to do it yourself and the desire to have a little fun.
For instance, faux finishes are fun ways to put texture on the walls. You can make them look like stone, metallic, cloud, marble, old leather or crackle and aging. Some of the simplest techniques make all the difference. Sponges, rags and crumpled paper are great applicators that produce the beautiful texture. Two different shades or completely opposite colors can be mixed to create the illusion. Get artistic and start painting your walls.
You don't have to do it all at once. Remember that. You can do a room at a time or even a wall at a time if you want. You'll have enough time to make it around the house, so just get enough paint for a small project and leave it at that. Go week by week or month by month and you'll have it all finished before your house goes on the market.
Another good example for rather inexpensive improvements on the home is to walk around and take a look at your fixtures. Light fixtures, door knobs, faucets and the like can all be changed for very little if you know where to look for great deals. Light fixtures and door knobs for the most part are relatively cheaper than faucets. Door knobs are definitely less expensive.
However, light fixtures can be rather appealing. You can find yourself losing sight of the mission and buying very expensive light fixtures if you aren't careful. Yet if you look around, you can even find some nice chandelier selections that won't dent the bank account too much. And the other light fixtures around the house are far less expensive. Once you finish work on the light fixtures and the door knobs, focus on the faucets.
Every few months, pick a different room starting with the kitchen, then the bathrooms and then other sinks throughout the house. Handles and inserts can be bought for less than a happy meal. But, the faucets themselves are quite a bit more expensive. If you are aggressively looking, you can have every faucet around your house replaced in style for less than a few nights eating dinner out in a nice restaurant. Some people don't think about the small things. But, they are just as important as fixing a hole in the wall.
Home improvement efforts aren't always about knocking out walls and taking months to finish. I fixed a sidewalk in a day one time. I've put some of the most complex landscaping together in a day's time as well. It doesn't take long if you focus and put your back into it. When the work is done and you get to see the finished project, you could not feel prouder of yourself. Well, at least that's the way it makes me feel.
Jessica Brylan has been a student of construction all her life, under her father who retired in 2004. Her passion turned to interior design and strangely evolved into becoming a fireplace expert. Her latest fireplace report DIY Outdoor Fireplace demonstrates her knowledge and love of fireplaces. Read further details about the Ventless Gel Fireplace reports at The Ventless Gel Fireplace Reports and sign up for the newsletter so you can be updated whenever Jessica Brylan puts out a new one.
UsablepatioThe current real estate and housing market is witnessing its worst phase in recent years. The overall property sales figures continue to drop down. Economists foresee and expect further dip in the near future. The statistics also suggest that one out of every two hundred households in the country have received a foreclosure notice from banks or HUD.
The state department has decided to propose a house inspection norm in order to alleviate the poor status of the realty scenario. This positive measure could boost the morale and confidence of prospective homebuyers. Homeowners around the country are striving to push up the resale value of their property. Potential homebuyers are set to benefit from the slashed long term mortgage rates.
The marketability of homes for sale can be improved through construction and renovation works. Housing materials like granite and marble inculcate the luxury and beauty of the house or the apartment. The incorporation of natural granite and marble enhances the value of a property because people are willing to purchase houses which are beautified with marbles and granites. A kitchen and bathroom upgrade with granite and marble is a popular choice amongst a lot of new home buyers.
Granite slabs add elegance and natural beauty to living spaces. They have amazing textures in varied hues that emit a remarkable aesthetic appeal. Since the usages of such materials are economical, they are preferred by home builders and sellers alike. The maintenance of the Marble countertops is very less and they add to the comfort.
Granite and marble countertops blend along stark metallic appliances through their multiple shade patterns. They are seen to work at splendor irrespective of the shade of the kitchen cabinet and bathroom floor. Granite and marble are usually associated with royalty and they are available with abundance of decorative themes. These construction variants could provide a low cost and high value appeal to primary sections of the property.
Granite countertops are ideal for the necessary luxurious finishing to the construction works.
The high quality versions are used in the construction of wash basins, bath tubs and kitchen sinks. Granite countertops last for decades and are not prone to staining or damage due to their toughness. They can be resurfaced and sealed often with time while still maintaining their unique shine.
Granite slabs can be incorporated as borders in homes with marble flooring. Granite colors are fabricated to match with all forms of marble tiles. The above innovative home measures could protect against risk to further loss of property value. These local actions can rejuvenate the neighborhood housing market and you will surely benefit even in the battered economy.
Marble City is the leading granite countertops installation and fabrication company in the Bay Area, California.
Granite Countertop CleaningIf you live in a moist climate in the winter and a dry climate in the summer and you have exterior wood beams exposed to these elements. You could develop wood beam problems over time. If wood beams are properly maintained and painted often they could last for a long time. Wood beams can last many years if properly taken care of.
Exterior wood beams that are used to hold up roofs, patios and decking can suffer from wood rot if not taken care of. Let's take for example a wooden beam located in a patio holding up a section of a large roof. The span of the roof being is only 10 feet long. As we look at the exterior wood beam. We noticed the upper corner of the beam is soft and rotted.
The beam damage is roughly the size of a baseball. The wood beam itself is a 6 x 10. Do we need to replace this beam even though the damage is not real big. The answer to this question is yes, any amount of damage to a wood beam takes away from its structural strength.
If you have a wood beam holding up the roof and the beam fails you could end up replacing a large section of your roof as well as the damaged beam. Replacing the damaged beam is usually a difficult task. The beam is usually sandwiched between two walls and will have siding or stucco around it.
If you're lucky enough to have the wood beam sitting in a saddle or on top of a wood post this will make your job easier and will require less skill. If however the beam is located between two walls this will require shoring up the roof and removing the beam.
Beam replacement should be left to professionals. This is not often as easy as it looks and could create a safety hazard if not done properly. I have seen beams replaced by homeowners or handyman and the damage that was done after the repairs, was worse than just leaving the beam alone in the first place.
The biggest problem with exterior wood beams is that they are usually holding up large amounts of weight. If the beam is removed without the proper bracing and shoring of the roof or floor area you could have a larger problem than you started with.
Exterior beams over time seemed to develop large cracks or splits in dry weather. These large cracks and splits weaken the structural strength of the beam adding more stress to the beam itself leading to structural failure eventually.
Extreme climates where temperatures very over 40° in one day seem to suffer the most damage to exterior wood beams that are not properly maintained. Beam maintenance will require painting and keeping moisture away from them.
Be aware of structural beams in or around your house. A little painting now and then can save you thousands of dollars over the life time of your house.
Greg Vanden Berge has been in the home building and remodeling business 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 http://gregvan.com/ provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book
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