Quick Tips on Home Remodeling

The major areas which you need to consider when you are selling your home are as follows: the curb appeal and kitchen. But there is no hard and fast rule that you need to remodel these areas once you are intending to sell your house. It is one of the most important criteria that you need to consider once you have decided to give one of the best looks to your house. This article will help you to provide some of the best tips that will help you to realize the best value for your house. There are 2 main areas which you need to look in driving the best efforts.

Curb Appeal

As the saying goes that the first impression is the best impression, so in case any prospective buyer who is intending to purchase your house can decide whether he wants to purchase your house or not as an attractive curb area will make him to think to purchase the house or not by just driving inside the house. However if he does not like the curb area then he will immediately make up the mind that he will not be a victim for the house however good the house looks from inside. So ensure that your home gives a rejoicing feel to the visitors. When you see your curb area ensure that your curb area is providing you a welcoming look. Even ensure that the place gives you such a feel that you should tend walk in to the place.

Some of the aspects that you need to consider in your curb area are as follows: Ensure that the siding is not out of date or not in a position that it is quite visible that it needs a repair. Even ensure that the roof is in good shape. Check if in case that the walk away or the driveway are not cracked or look very weary. Is the landscape in search a position that it reveals the date of your house? Be careful as to what feeling does the front door provide you with. In case you are in a position that you have the capacity to replace only one thing at a time then ensure that you replace your door. This will also save you from the aspect of saving the money from resizing the opening, and it will also provide you with a good look for the house.

Kitchen

The next aspect which you need to take into account is the kitchen as it is the first thing that the prospective homeowners look at just for the simple reason that the kitchen is considered to be the life of the home. Kitchen is often a place that serves as a place where the people gather, it also caters for some people as the dining area. Catering to so many important functions the kitchen should thereby be the most welcoming place in the home. Consider some of the facts like are your working appliances up to date and in good working condition. Will a fresh coat of paint help you in reviving the glory of the place? All these factors will surely help you to provide the look you are looking for.

Sarah Jose is a Copywriter of Whomestudio furniture stores in Kelowna. For more information visit quality area rugs

Four Quick Carpet Don'ts

Carpet is an expensive investment that must be taken care of. It is not that hard if you follow a few rules. In this article you will find four quick don'ts of carpet care.

The first don't is don't drag furniture across carpeting. Dragging furniture across carpet can leave burn marks from the friction. If you have Berber carpet you could also snag a fiber and cause a run. So lift furniture when you move it instead of dragging it.

The second don't is to don't use unapproved cleaners for carpet spotting. Use only chemicals that say they are approved for stain resistant caret. This means that they are safe for the carpet. Other chemicals can damage the carpet by setting the stains, bleaching the carpet or can chemically react with the carpet changing its color.

Another don't of carpet care is to don't scrub on your carpeting. Scrubbing the carpet can distort the carpet fibers and leave a noticeable spot. If you have to scrub to get a spot out then you are using the wrong chemical.

Number four on the list is to don't wait too long before having your carpets cleaned. Waiting too long will give stains longer to set and will allow the soil to wear down the fibers. Carpet is designed to hide soil so set yourself up on a regular cleaning schedule.

Taking care of your carpet will save you a lot of money. It is an expensive investment so follow these don'ts and your carpet will last much longer.

Learn about Charlotte carpet cleaners at the author's website. Carpet cleaning companies and upholstery cleaning companies in Charlotte.

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Asphalt versus Concrete Driveways Which is Best

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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In Search of Vintage Bathroom Vanities

Do all things with a nostalgic echo stir up some wonderful memories in you? Do you earnestly believe that classic pieces are defined by unparalleled elegance and charm, and that one must celebrate their timeless intrigue?

Thankfully, you are not alone in your attempts in taking a trip down memory lane. And before you are convinced that your dreams of recreating that magic of yesteryears will remain nothing but a black hole, take time off to admire some simply breathtaking vintage bathroom vanities.

They manage to infuse life into bathrooms that seem to be floundering for breath with impeccable refinement and unmatched sophistication.

That Unmistakable Regal Touch

Antique looking classy bathroom vanities are crafted from solid antique wood, with a detailed china top. That's really the secret to their intriguing, almost bewitching beauty. Modern-day advances ensure that the magnificence of exquisite, intricate carvings and etchings are protected with the help of chemicals.

If there's even an iota of doubt about the quality of these vanities, here's a pronouncement that is sure to gladden many hearts. The quality of these antiques is exemplar par excellence, as they are carved from high density fiber board that is further enhanced with a superb stain finish. Antique water faucets and antique brass and ceramic hardware only add to the ethereal appeal.

And before you make snap judgments about the functionality, or rather the lack of it, these vanities surprise you with an enormous amount of storage space.

Selecting One Could Take You Ages

You may find it rather hard to resist the exceptionally beautiful appearance of these bathroom vanities, but there's something else that you are sure to find more arduous. Just try your hand at picking your favorite, and you'll be able to comprehend the enormity of this decision.

There's the Antique Oak Record Cabinet for bathroom vanity that takes your breath away with its sawn oak construction, smoldering bronze faucets and pristine white sink. It is a spectacle that promises pure, unrestrained happiness. For those that believe in uninhibited opulence, the Marble Top French Dresser is both unique and rare.

Whatever you choose, you are sure to have a bathroom that will become the cynosure of all eyes.

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

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Looking for cheap Accommodation Hotels in Europe, choose Hotels with Your Budget Prices and Check Your Availability Dates for Your Accommodation.

Check Hotel Facilities and Book Your Room Reservations, Many Hotels Offering with Best Prices. You're staying with Your Family!! There are so many Hotels offering Budget Family Packages. The important thing is simply to do not forget to select the option to get more information, to look at availability, their services, what is included within the price, which conditions apply, how the price varies depending on the day of the week... And specially, do look for which kind of room you are booking.

The hotel discounts displayed will range from 2 star budget hotels to 5 star luxury hotels. These luxurious hotels have a lot to offer with their outstanding facilities and services, including all the basic amenities. One Star hotel all the basic amenities to guarantee a comfortable and relaxing trip when you visit Oslo.

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Home Improvement - Why You Should Hire An Expert To Do Your Bathroom Renovation

If you are thinking about doing your own bathroom renovation, you really should think twice about it unless of course you are an expert in that field. If you are new to DIY home projects, there are a few crucial issues to consider especially if you have absolutely no experience in doing any kind of bathroom renovation projects. There are reasons why bathroom renovation experts are very highly paid for their expertise.

If the question "How hard can it be?" is ringing in your head while you are thinking about undertaking your own bathroom renovation, you might be in for a nightmare. The toilet looks simple and easy enough to remove but are you very sure you know how to ensure that its properly sealed after it is installed? Can you imagine the mess if it leaks after installation and ever worst while using it? If you think that running a bead of caulk around the base of your toilet is the way to go, then you definitely need to hire an expert.

Moving To The Shower

As you have been warned about the difficulties one can expect by installing the toilet, let's move on now to the shower. It may look easy at first glance but if you are not familiar with plumbing and using torches for welding then you may want to stay clear of the shower. If a shower is not installed correctly, you can end up ruining not only your bathroom but also your whole house with water. The shower is the most expensive part of the bathroom to get installed due to the labor and involved. Do call and hire an expert if you do not want to encounter leaks around your house and ruining your bathroom. Though the cost might be a little steep, at least you will be able sleep at night and get to use your bathroom without any hassle.

It is so tempting to pick up your tools and start doing the bathroom renovation yourself but be smart and call in the experts to do the work for you. You will have peace of mind and the results you get will be well worth the price paid. You can plan your bathroom renovation but when it come to doing the actual work, you are advised to seriously consider calling in the experts.

Find out more about Bathroom Renovations by visiting http://allhomeideas.info a popular home improvement website for free home improvement tips, advice and resources.

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Makeover Your Small Bathroom Within a Budget

There are several ways to live your dull and tired bathrooms without spending huge money. As several things are available in the market for bathrooms makeover within your budget, so you can renovate your bathroom easily. Every day we use our bathroom, so it's a nice thing to give your bathroom a spacious and artistic look that will relax and invigorate your self in preparation for a day ahead. Let's have a discussion how we can make our bathroom more loving and caring.

Let's start the bathroom makeover with a theme so that it can be visualized easily with a proper direction. In bathrooms design trend the nautical and aquatic themes are most popular and you can use these themes. In case if you are having trouble in getting a better theme then you can use themes from other rooms in your house. Theme such as contemporary, rustic, period and country are few of the great ideas to start your bathroom makeover.

Now this is the time for improving the flooring of the bathroom. If your carpet is old enough and looking awkward then you should replace with inexpensive vinyl. If you already have a Vinyl flooring and you want it to have a make over then use a primer and paint it with a new color best match to theme of your bathroom. You also can cover the vinyl flooring with cheap vinyl tiles.

Paints and colors are the key vehicle in the journey bathroom s design and decoration. Paint on the walls and ceilings can make a big difference in your bathroom's look and feel. Few colors can work fine in the bathrooms such as Aquamarine, refreshing blue-greens, soothing blues and purples. These are the popular colors refresh and revitalize you bathrooms

Use fabrics such as shower curtains, bath mats and towels best match to the theme of your bathroom to add some extra feels to your bathrooms. Also don't forget to use some beautiful and decorative accessories such as: beautiful wall hanging pictures, candles, pot plants and many more according to the theme of your bathroom.

If you have a small bathroom, then you have to be very careful to wards the space of the bathroom. Storage space is is the major drawback of the small bathrooms. So before go for a small bathroom decoration just think what looks you want to give your bathroom whether it is modern looks or traditional looks. So this is is your first responsibility to think of the theme you would like to give your bathroom. If you are not able to think of a better theme or design of your bathroom, you should take the help of a professional bathroom designer or decorator.

If you don't want to take the help of professionals, try bathrooms design guide, laife style gallery and interior decoration magazine. These decorating sources will provide you a lot of information about the furniture to be used, excellent color schemes and accessories for your bathrooms according to the theme.

Bathroom Storage space:

Space saving furniture is the best way of creating a clutter free bathroom, especially if you have a small bathroom where it becomes mandatory for maximum use of the space. A space saving bathroom furniture is slim which can set in your bathroom easily and no need to compromise with design of the bathroom. Due to it's slim and reduce in depth size it can be fitted easily to a small bathroom. In your bathroom furniture you can store medicines, cosmetics, towels, cleaning products and many more.

This article was written by Mr. Rudradatta Rath provided courtesy of Pure Bathrooms, which is an online bathroom shop dealing with all range and brands of products for bathrooms. Purebathrooms.net sells bathrooms, taps, showers, whirlpool baths, radiators, bathroom accessories and furniture online throughout uk.

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Do You Crave a Luxurious Bathroom? Ten Guidelines to Get One

Starting the day in the bathroom with a stimulating shower or ending the day in a relaxing bathtub are essential supports to our lifestyle.When the important elements of our life are in harmony we feel confident, rested and relaxed.If you have endlessly studied magazines or watched countless episodes of HGTV, it is time to consider some fundamental elements that lead to a luxurious bathroom. A luxurious bathroom capitalizes on the space available and pays heed to the particulars.The result is a perfect environment for daily bathroom activities. It includes creature comforts suited to our individual tastes.
Color Scheme - Soft, pale colors offer a calm sensation while brighter tones invigorate and energize.
De-Clutter - Organize the vanity cabinet and use wall cabinets or newly styled medicine cabinets to keep the counter free.Towels, hand soap, and a candle are essential items for the counter but avoid piling on too many accessories.
Simplify Daily Tasks - Many men shave in the shower so consider a fogless mirror. Use an attractive shower organizer for shampoo, conditioner, razor, loofah and other personal grooming products.
Enhance the Ambiance - Scents like lavender are soothing and relaxing and when used in combination with reed diffusers, the scent lingers for months. If music either gets you going or calms you, a radio suited for a wet environment is an option.
Invest in Quality Plumbing Fixtures - Make sure your water heater supplies enough hot water for your shower or bath. A jetted tub or multiple shower heads are additional enhancements for a luxury bathing experience.
Avoid the Ordinary - Examine every purchase and consider how it adds to the visual, sensory impact of the bath. Whether a tissue holder, bath scale or waste container, all item need to contribute to the design.
Additional Luxury - Bathrooms are about warmth not cold.Heated towel warmers elevate our sensory experience as does a heated floor.
Luxury Hotel Lessons - Observe the bathrooms of hotels and note the thick, organic towels, linen shower curtains, and unique containers for holding bath fragrances and hand towels.
Accents - A piece of art with additional color will add sophistication and unify the color scheme.Hand painted tiles grouped on the wall are an option for personalization.
Safety - Consider who uses the bathroom. Perhaps a family member or frequent visitor requires a grab bar. Today there are stylish alternatives that can be placed to promote safety.

Visit http://faithsheridan.com/portfolio.html and learn more about Seattle based Faith Sheridan Interior Design.

For advice on all things design related for home decorating and remodeling read my blog, http://www.faithsheridan.com/mydesignblog

Please send your comments and questions. You can also subscribe on the website or blog to receive my twice monthly newsletter for helpful tips and resources.

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Green Home Remodeling

Americans are now spending up to 160 billion each year on remodeling their homes and businesses. A fraction of this money has been focused on what is known as "green construction". Green construction or remodeling is using energy saving, recycled products, and is experiencing nothing less than a renaissance or rebirth. You can help restore a significant portion of the world's ecosystems by using "green construction". Such a practice can also help create a healthier indoor environment for your family.

Green remodeling is simple, but many homeowners interested in green building and remodeling have no idea what it involves and are therefore confused and intimidated. They think it consists not only of excessive expenses, but difficulty in getting the appropriate green products. Some also have misconceptions about the aesthetics of a green house. Some concern themselves about the misconception that they will appear to be living like hippies of the 1970's. But it is merely a process through which you can redefine the way you live, a clean slate on which you can express your visions, dreams, and principles. The process offers a vehicle through which you can manifest and integrate your core values into your sacred space.

The hardest part for a homeowner is deciding just how "green" they want their rooms or homes to be. When it comes to green remodeling, you don't have to do everything green, but anything you do will help. Are you updating an antiquated home? Have you outlived the functionality of your current design? Are you adding more space because of a change in lifestyle? Are you simply tired of your interiors and want something new?

The most important thing to remember is to pick and choose among the many options; design features and green building products that will best serve your interests. If you are purchasing new materials you can choose organic, low-impact, and healthy products such as bamboo flooring, natural fiber carpeting, natural plasters, low VOC paints and stains, as well as non-synthetic, natural furnishings and accessories, such as bedding, linens, and cleaning products.

You can use products made with high levels of salvaged (natural stone, lumber), recycled (fly ash in concrete), or agricultural byproducts (wheatboard and linoleum) content. These types of products reduce resource demand and help keep waste out of landfills. Choose products that are durable and low-maintenance; these are desirable because they need to be refinished and replaced less often, they save you money and save energy.

Try to use products that are locally or regionally produced. Local products support the local economy and may have lower levels of embodied energy, meaning that they require less energy and fewer resources during the production process (including the acquisition of primary material, manufacturing and handling), and especially in transportation.

There is no such thing as a right or wrong set of products. Building green is a thinking process, not a contest to see how many green things you as a homeowner can incorporate into your home. Do what you can within your budget and motivation.

As for the cost of taking on green remodeling, some green building elements may cost more, but many eventually will cost less. You will benefit from their use in energy saving costs for a long time to come, therefore making them a savings to you over the years to come. When it is part of the initial process of setting goals for the project, it becomes matter-of-fact. Many have found that the real cost is in the learning curve, not in the actual implementation of the building process.

The outward and even interior appearances of most green buildings don't look any different than other conventional buildings. The majority of green element differences can be seen only as improved energy efficiency and air quality, which are all built within the structure of the home.

Most recycled products look the same as their conventional counterparts. Most materials have a high recycled content and are non-toxic. Some examples include: recycled red oak and bamboo floors (both consist of water base finish), recycled tile floors, recycled exterior doors, and natural plaster with integrated color. Paint manufacturers are now offering paints low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at typically less than .00 per gallon. For kitchens, you can also find Silestone countertops (which has a high recycled content and is anti-microbial), and you can even find formaldehyde-free cabinets.

Recycling as much material as possible from an existing house demolition and incorporating it into your remodeling project will also save you money. Green products are now becoming increasingly affordable as major manufacturers compete and develop new lines to meet the green-building demand.

You can help restore a significant portion of the world's ecosystems by using "green construction". Just think about changing the world - one room at a time.

About The Author:
Emerson Lockwood write on topics related to remodeling, Home Improvement and Home Financing. You can see more of his home remodeling articles at the Super Home Ideas website: http://www.SuperHomeIdeas.com

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How to Start Your Metal Building Project

You need to consider a number of issues before beginning any metal building project. Here are six essential aspects that need to be decided on before starting.

The first consideration is your budget and how much money you have available to fund your project. Many people make the mistake of having funding for the initial phase of their project but then not having the monetary resources for the completion. If your budget is limited you may want to consider a smaller building initially that can expand to a larger facility as additional funds become available.

The purchase of a cheap metal "economy" building is not advised. These buildings can quickly become money nightmares on maintenance issues. Purchase the highest quality metal building you can afford to minimize your maintenance expenses.

Most metal buildings do not come with components as a complete building package. If you will be needing doors, windows, vents, insulation, or any other components you should know that these are purchased separately from the base building package.
Do remember in many cases, the foundation base cost is usually extra and carried out by a separate contractor.

Figure the amount and pricing of the components you need to complete your building first before purchasing the building to see if your budget is in line.

Make sure you know the exact height of the metal building that you require. Add 3 or 4 feet in height more than your tallest door or entrance clearance requirement. You should check your local building regulation before deciding the height clearance required by law.
The erector for your metal building project will rarely offer preparation of your site. You have that responsibility and to make sure you budget accordingly for these improvements.

The site needs to be cleared of all foliage and in some cases leveled. Contact a local landscaping company that has done this type of work before if you do not have the time or manpower to do clear the land yourself.

You want to be sure that your new metal building has the space required for its use. Even though metal buildings are expandable do not cut size requirements initially and complicate your space requirements by growing "out of your building" quicker than expected. Budget for as much space as required by your design requirements.

The use of your metal building is important. You will probably need to go with clear-span metal frame construction if your needs are for a column-free interior environment such as a metal warehouses, metal office complex buildings or aircraft hangers.Clear-span accommodates up to 300 feet in width but is a more expensive system.

You can save money if the application of interior columns is not an issue in a manufacturing facility, for example. This is called a multi-span metal frame system.

Written by Jim 'G' Davidson - freelance writer for http://www.metal-building-sales.com

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Small Bathroom Remodeling - Paint the Sink

Small bathroom remodeling can be as simple as changing just a few items and maybe add a little bit of home dcor. This article will look at a couple of possible solutions at you might use and perhaps may have never even thought of before.

There is More to Painting Than Just the Canvas

Several years ago I came across the lady who did the exquisite paintings. The unique thing about her paintings though was the fact that she painted on bathroom sinks, toilet lids and other types of fixtures.

You would be amazed at how much you can touch up a plain white sink just by painting some beautiful flowers or other types of scenery on them. Then you can add some decorative faucets, which may run a couple hundred dollars, but they're well worth the investment for the convenience of them.

If you're lucky enough to live in an area that has a few large plumbing supply places they should have some displays and you may go and see if they have anything like this in their showroom.

In this simply adds some bathroom dcor items that might enhance the painting. Even if it's a simple is just integrating some of the colors in the room with some pictures or some towels will really catch up and save you a lot of money rather than having to completely remodel your bathroom.

This may be a simple solution to one of the most dreaded problems of dealing with a small bathroom remodeling project. Obviously space is going to be the biggest concern. So you may want to consider finding a local artist in your area that may be able to do this type of work for you.

Find more helpful remodeling tips by visiting http://best-home-improvement-projects.com where you will find helpful remodeling tips, advice and resources to include Small Bathroom Remodeling.

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Home Building Books

Dangers Using Wood Stair Cleats - New Stair Construction

I would imagine most people don't even know what it wood stair cleat is, in construction we have so many words that describe the same thing. A stair cleat is another word for a thread bracket. In other words it's the part of the stairway that connects the stair stringer to the stair step. These have been used for years and over time, most of them will develop the same problem.

Most wood stair cleats loosened up and create a safety hazard. If the stairs are located outside in extreme weather conditions, for example, if it rains or snows a lot, extremely humid humid weather, or extremely hot and dry temperatures, your staircase might not last that long, if it is or isn't maintained properly. It's not a bad idea to use steel or concrete for stairways in these climates.

If you're ever walking up a set of stairs with wood cleats and the stair steps feel a little loose or wiggly, make sure you examined the stair cleats for safety. It's not uncommon for someone to be walking up or down a set of wood stairs and having the stair step or tread giveaway because the wood cleats has loosened.

If the wood stair cleats are nailed to the stair stringer, the nails can loosen up, causing it to become loose, as you walk up and down the stairs applying pressure to the stair cleat, this will create movement in between the stair step and the stair stringer. This could cause the cleat to crack, break and separate the connection between the stair step in the stair stringer.

I would suggest using metal brackets instead of wood cleats. The metal brackets will not crack or disintegrate like some wood cleats. Stair building brackets of course can loosen up and should be maintained regularly.

If you decide to use wood stair cleats, I would suggest using screws instead of nails and drilling holes in the wood stair cleats, most of the time this will prevent cracking the cleat. Try to use a thicker material for the stair cleat, for example using a 2 x 4 with lag screws and washers would be better than using a 1 x 4 with nails.

If you're walking up a set of stairs and a stair step feels loose, contact the owner of the property and let them know, they have a problem with their staircase.

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

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Fiberglass Shower Pan Tips - Fallbrook Home Remodeling

Fiberglass shower pans are a quick and relatively cheap shower floor. The traditional way to install a shower floor is to build a masonry base and then set ceramic tile over the base. As you can see, the skill level for installing fiberglass pans is much lower.

You can find standard shower pans at your local building supply store. These pans will be standard sizes, but you can special order other sizes and sometimes even custom sizes. If you have an odd drain location or size, the price for your application will be much higher..

Often a fiberglass shower pan fits into an existing location without replacing the walls. For your older ceramic tile shower, you can replace just the floor and enough of the walls to get the replacement pan in place. That's assuming the walls are still in good shape. Often the walls are damaged if water has worked behind the walls. The walls will often break as the floor is removed.

If you are installing a new shower, fiberglass shower pans can be used with ceramic tile walls or with fiberglass walls that match the floor. Often the pans are used in handicapped access showers so there is little or no curb and a special non-skid surface.

Compared to traditional masonry shower pan construction, fiberglass options have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are: easier to install, quicker, cheaper, easy to keep clean. The traditional masonry and ceramic tile advantages are: lasts longer with proper care, looks better, less subject to wear and damage.

Note also that a fiberglass shower pan available at your local store is not suitable as a base for ceramic tile. There are tile ready shower pans, but they are different and more expensive.

Puzzled about fiberglass shower pans? Visit our site for fiberglass shower pan tips

We invite you to visit http://www.installingceramictile.net for free answers to your shower questions.

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The Truth About Rustic Bathroom Vanities

There is no denying the fact that bathroom vanities have indeed come of age. From the intricately designed, undeniably sophisticated Victorian bathroom vanities to ones with the simple and sophisticated look, they have evolved over the years and have managed to transform the look and feel of the bathroom.

But amid all this hype and hoopla, there's a certain bathroom vanity style with an ageless appeal that has transgressed barriers of time and space with remarkable ease. No prizes for guessing, it has to be rustic bathroom vanities.

From making an appearance at log cabins and country homes to making waves in both antique and contemporary styled bathrooms, these vanities have indeed come a long way. The fact that they have managed to charm just about everybody with their unique elegance is a telling tribute to their character. With a massive assortment of styles, designs and finishes to choose from, these vanities promise nothing but sheer bucolic bliss.

Consider Them Earnestly

Ever wondered how these much-feted vanities infuse so much warmth and elegance into the stolid environs of your personal space? Is it because they boast of the perfect fusion of both antique and modern elements? Or does the secret lie in the awe-inspiring quality of wood, ranging from alder, oak to maple, cherry and high-gloss lacquer?

It's really hard to resist surrendering to this uncontaminated spectacle, but be certain to ensure the following before you fall madly in love with this breathtaking work of art:

• The wood that you select must be perfectly in sync with the overall theme of the bathroom. The same holds true for the size, finish and the design of the piece.
• Some varieties of wood like mahogany, cherry and oak at are second to none when it comes to bringing the rustic aura of the bathroom to the fore. Just let a coat of wood sealant cover them, and they are sure to send your imagination soaring for generations to come.
• The finish on the vanities is another important factor that you just cannot be cavalier about. That's because the finish not only enhances the earthy charm, but also provides protection from damage. A finely layered hand-painted design looks as fetching as a sanded finish.
• While the vanities are carved passionately out of wood, the sinks and countertops are crafted from a plethora of materials, ranging from ceramic, porcelain and granite to stainless steel, copper and aluminum.

So if you are completely hung up about that absolutely glorious rustic style, it's time to celebrate its enduring mystique.

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

House Painting Books
Tile Setting Books

Structural Framing Beams

Let's start with the beams. They can be Glulam, Parallam, Microlam or even wood beams. What are all of these and why do I need them in my house. The beams are used to hold up parts of the house and are located in your walls, roofs and floors. Beams are used to transfer a load from one point to another.

Structural framing beams allow the architect to create large openings, floors and roofs in your house. The beams are also used to support the weight over the doors, windows and other openings in your home. These beams support massive amounts of weight in some cases and are even made of steel if needed.

Another growing problem is the lack of old growth trees in the forest. If we just used wood beams with out using the new engineered beams we would have to cut down a lot more of the bigger trees. So you can add these guys to your Christmas list. The lumber or wood engineers have come up with all sorts of alternatives for new building products. These new beams are just some of them. Keep up the good work guys...

Glulam is a engineered wood product comprised of wood laminations, or 2 x 4s that are bonded together with strong, waterproof adhesives. If you use a Glulam beam on the buildings exterior you will have to order a exterior Glulam beam. In this case the manufacture will use special exterior rated glues for the beam.

When ordering any wood engineered beams specify to the lumber yard what you are using the beam for. Exterior or Interior of the building. If you use a interior glulam over time there is a good chance of the beam delaminating or cracking apart.

Parallam is made from almost all of the wood on the log using veneer strands that are aligned parallel for maximum strength. The end product is a rectangular beam; which is longer, thicker, and stronger than solid-sawn lumber. They are often used as beams, headers, columns, and posts, among others uses.

Microllam is an engineered wood product that uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives. It offers several advantages over typical milled lumber: it is stronger, straighter, and more uniform. It is much less likely than conventional lumber to warp, twist, bow, or shrink due to its composite nature. Made in a factory under controlled specifications, Microllam products allow users to reduce the onsite labor. They are typically used for headers, beams, rim board, and edge-forming material.

These beams come in all sorts of different lengths, widths and heights. They are engineered to hold amazing amounts of weight. They really are great engineering marvels.

Tip: I have had to replace almost all of these types of beams over the years due to some form of damage. Like anything else in your home if it is used improperly there is a good chance your are going to have some sort of failure. I have seen people add weight to these structural beams with no thought of them ever failing.

If you are planning on building a room addition, rebuilding your roof, adding a floor or any other type of construction where you are adding a addition load to your house. You might want to consult with a building contractor or structural engineer.

Thanks Greg For Another Super Article On Home Building. For more great articles visit Greg at http://gregvan.com/

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. Causes of Structural Failure

Attic Safety Handrail Framing

Building Your Own House

Most of us only dream of building your own home and living in it for the rest of our lives, well maybe not for the rest of our lives. My grandfather built his home when my father was nine years old and lived in it until he died. As a Carpenter and general contractor, I have always wanted to build my own home but never got the chance.

For anyone interested in building the home of your dreams, I found a few books on home building that seemed to be pretty helpful. I have been remodeling, building room additions, worked on track house framing for years and have done more home repairs than you could possibly imagine. I have found some of these books to be very resourceful and helpful, when it comes to solving some of the problems I run into.

When it comes to building the foundation, it's not just about pouring a concrete slab or footings. You need to run electrical conduit, plumbing supply and waste pipes, make sure the building foundation is square and level, and if you forget one thing, just one thing, you could find yourself in a world of hurt. I have worked on homes where the builder forgot to install electrical conduit and plumbing for a kitchen island. The contractor needed to saw cut the foundation and repair at it, during the home construction. This cost the building contractor around $4600.

Sometimes a checklist makes sense but where you get a checklist for building homes. Well maybe one day, I will try to make one. These home building books have been valuable resources to me for many years and have saved me grief and agony over simple things that often get overlooked.

It's a little overwhelming to even think about building your own home, if you don't have some construction skills. Construction knowledge can be gained through on-the-job training and by reading construction manuals. The best of both worlds would be to have both of these skills.

Construction knowledge can be gained or improved, over time with experience, combined with a couple of great books.

Home Building Books

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 House Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas.

Structural Post At Window Framing

How to Create a Stylish and Fully Functional Bathroom

An ultimate bathroom experience is easily accomplished. And it does not necessarily have to be a go-for-broke pricey initiative, nor does it need to have a flashy, pushbutton House of Tomorrow look. Whether redecorating, remodeling, or building, you can stick to well-recognized and appreciated traditions with efficient and effectivebathroom fixtures. Much of the room's dcor serves vital functions. From faucet to sink, tub and shower, to the toilet and accessories, decorative and functional fixtures will offer an optimal and effective bathroom experience that will improve the way you live.

You will find great bathroom sinks and faucets for your bathroom. These bathroom standards get a whole lot of attention, and with good reason. You can rinse and clean with sinks and faucets in a full range of styles - contemporary, Victorian, modern, or traditional, to name a few. You will discover many finishes and sizes for a perfect fit in your bathroom.

Your bathtub and shower are essential to making a complete bath. They can be your place to clean and freshen up, and also become an escape from the outside world. Many intelligently designed shower faucets and intricate shower kits reinvent the way we shower via massaging jets and pulses of water from various nozzles. Customer favorite brands such as American Standard, Jacuzzi, Kohler or Duravit offer excellent tubs and shower and tub faucets from which to choose. Whether you are looking for a standard soaking tub, clawfoot tub, whirlpool tub, or airbath, you will find the right style, size, and finish at the right price for your design budget.

Bathroom accessories are vital to bathroom design. Items as simple as shelves and hooks improve the efficiency of the bathroom by assisting in tasks. Toilet paper holders, soap dishes, and shower accessories come in great styles to match your bathroom's other fixtures. Typically, plumbing brands offer a line of accessories to go with their faucets and sinks so customers may create a coordinated look in the bathroom.

Vanity topsoffer cabinetry, counter top, and sometimes sink and faucet all in one. They are crafted in different sizes and styles to fit most any bathroom. You will also find mirrors and wall sconces to match your vanity top's style.

The toilet is a vital part of the room. This fixture needs to be dependable and function exceptionally without fail or fear of embarrassment. Toilet plumbing technology has improved greatly in recent years. You will discover advanced toilet equipment with incredible flushing capabilities. Because the toilet is the biggest culprit for water loss, intelligent and durable designs save water while flushing waste away better than any toilet has ever before. Once you discover the advanced water saving, flushing, and anti-clogging capabilities of the modern toilet, you will find the quality of your investment is well worth its price. Check out toilets from brands like Price Pfister, TOTO, St. Thomas, and American Standard.

Bathroom experts such as Delta, Whirlpool, Moen, Central Brass, Danze and Kohler are dedicated to providing high performance bathroom utilities, fixtures, and accessories.

FaucetOutlet.com carries a wide selection of high quality discount bathroom faucets and discount shower faucets in the styles you want at prices you can afford.

Solar House Books
Home Skylight Books

Boy's Room Paint Ideas - Have a Little Fun With It

Most children like their bedroom to reflect their own personality and interests. With a bit of imagination and a few pots of paint a plain boy's room can be turned into a place of their very own. By all means surprise him - but it won't harm to get some ideas and feedback from the intended resident.

Themed Boys' Rooms

A popular way of making over a boy's room is to theme it according to their interests and passions. Whatever the boy's favorite subject or activity there is likely to be a theme that can complement it. At the risk of gender stereotyping, popular choices involve cars, trains, cowboys, marine themes, outdoors, outer space and sport. Especially if you're on a budget, the important thing with choosing a theme is to make sure that the key features of the theme can be achieved in paint.

Expressing a room theme using paint can involve little more than choosing a suitable color scheme (perhaps a sports team's colors) and recreating motifs associated with the theme. At the other end of the spectrum is the creation of a full-on illusion. If your son is adamant he wants to live in a tree house, you can use paint on all four walls plus ceiling to create that fantasy, using accessories to provide the finishing touches. With faux brickwork (easy with stencils) you can fake a room in a castle or, with trompe l'oeil portholes, the appearance of a ship's cabin.

Imaginative ways to use paint in themed rooms are legion. A young car fanatic might be amused by road markings painted on the floor or faux tire tracks stenciled on the walls. You don't have to stick to murals or borders depicting cars. If the theme is the Wild West or a castle, you can use faux painting techniques to simulate a distressed or antique look. Metallic paints can be used to simulate chrome, bronze and metal features appropriate to a particular theme.

Bear in mind when choosing a theme for a boy's room that children's passions can be short-lived and you don't want to have to redecorate when the fad passes.

Color Schemes and Paints

Themed rooms often invite particular color schemes and treatments. If you're not going for a theme, consider a color scheme that doesn't show the dirt that many small boys seem to attract. Washable, scuff-resistant paints are recommended for active boy's rooms.

Special Paints

Special purpose paints can add humour and fun to a boy's room. A young astronomer might appreciate the constellations in luminous paint on the ceiling, for example. Chalkboard paint is a great idea for children's rooms and serves a practical purpose. It only comes in black and green though you can make your own in other colors. Painted on walls or doors, chalkboard paint allows kids to draw on the walls without doing permanent damage! Magnetic paint is another fun invention that will allow a boy to pin up his favorite pics using magnets.

Getting your boy's room ready? Visit ThatPainterLady.com for tons of decorating ideas and find popular nursery theme ideas for boys too.

Pipe Protector On 2 X 4

Bathroom Decorating Ideas - Spruce Up Your Dull Bathroom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Swimming Pool Books
Deck Building Books

Moisture Against Gravity - Destroying Walls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit us and get more information on House Water Damage

Home Mold Repairs

Backsplash For Bathroom Tile - Easy Remodeling Technique!

Backsplash 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

Installed Skylight In Framing

Success Starting in Your 40s

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gregory Vanden Berge

Bottom Of Wall Damaged From Water

Myriad of Dubai Hotels Contribute to the Economy of the Country

Dubai, known as one of the fastest growing cities, has been given the epithet of 'Pearl of the Arabian gulf'. Augmenting number of visitors and travelers to Dubai have caused economic growth and in turn, responsible for set up of several international hotels. Multitudes of hotels are found in boundaries of the city blended with modernity and history. Statistics have recorded increase in the growth of Dubai hotel industry. The increase of approximately 6.5 million guests in 2006 in Dubai has been one of the key factors for increasing number of hotels in Dubai. Establishment of Dubai hotels score the world record with highest number oft tourist and revenue in January 2007, more than the occupancy level of Sydney, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Hotels in Dubai offer superb facilities and amenities with wide variety ranging from luxurious ones to cheap hotels in Dubai. Many of the cheap hotels are spread across Bur Dubai and Deira. Dubai marina is well renowned place of tourist attraction and business connection, which has engendered the development of hotels around it. There are many 1 to 3 star hotels that offer highly concessional rates and good room services as per Dubai's status. One can come across many budget hotels around Ibn Battuta and Mall of Emirates. It offers services like gym, kids club, aerobics, health club, and steam room etc... all these facilities can be availed in these cheap hotels in Dubai at the low rates of $43 per night stay.

Jumeirah beach hotels are luxurious hotels that possess unique traits of authenticity, exceptionality and luxury. It is one of the premier life style destinations of Dubai that gives the visitors the pleasure of life. It introduced a new lifestyle that integrates all the exhilaration and excitement designed for families, couples and friends. Award winning Jumeirah beach Hotel, located on the shore of Arabian Gulf, is built in marvelous shape and has its private beach. Wild Water Park in proximity to it brings exhilaration for young people. The massive cooling plant is not intruded in the main building to avoid engineering requirement within the hotel. The most specialized feature of this 5 star hotel is Arabian style beach villa and its designing to reflect Dubai's seafaring heritage.

There are many tourist attractions in Dubai and shopping is one of them. One can shop the article of Africa and Eastern Europe, as Dubai is an open port. Moreover it have low import duties, which resulted in low prices of brand items and hence, have attracted tourist for shopping. Dubai is therefore called the 'Shopping capital of the Middle east'. It has many malls stuffed with high fashion clothing, gold, jewellary, carpets, electronics, sporting equipments and handicrafts.

For Dubai Hotels and Jumeirah Beach Hotels, Please visit http://www.stayresdubai.com

By Author- Nancy Eben

Home Security Books
House Window Books

Now is the Time to Invest in House Foreclosures

Right now we are experiencing one of the most prevalent times for house foreclosures, so right now is the time to invest. Over the past year the number of house foreclosures has been steadily increasing and we are certainly experiencing peak levels at the moment. If you have been thinking of starting a business by investing in these properties, the time is definitely right.

Home owners who have defaulted on their mortgage loans for longer than a certain period of time are definitely going to be going through the foreclosure process before very long. This is often due to unemployment or increases in the interest rates making the house unaffordable.

There are number of ways of tackling the owner of a home who knows they are going into foreclosure. Bear in mind that in the pre-foreclosure stage, the home owner does not really want to go into foreclosure, but they don't have the money to do otherwise, so running an ad in a local news paper or real estate magazine could be a way of attracting them to you. It is not easy to approach a home owner who knows they are being foreclosed upon, so rather let them come to you.

It is possible in some instances to offer the home owner 50% of the value of the equity in the home, be sure that they provide you with all relevant information including the mortgage documents and any liens. In this way you can negotiate with lien holders, and make them an offer. These liens can usually be paid at greatly discounted rates in the pre-foreclosure phase as once the house foreclosure has taken place; the liens are generally dissolved by the major lien holder.

Make sure that you have financial pre-approval; waiting for approval could mean that you lose out on a really good bargain. If you haven't got the finances available and the foreclosure date is close then you might lose the property. Pre-approval will accelerate the process considerably.

Before every making an offer to a home owner, do your homework. The equity on the home is used to establish a market value. Other similar homes in that area will also give you a good idea of the potential market value of the house foreclosure you wish to invest in. Presently it is a buyers market so bear this in mind also, you might have to hold onto the property for a while before you can make a profit on it.

Ensure that you take a look at all repairs that have to be made on the house foreclosure; chances are that if the home owner couldn't afford to pay the mortgage, then he couldn't afford to make any necessary repairs. These repair costs have to factor into your offer. Never make the mistake of offering too much money without considering all the factors that play a role in the amount of your offer, this could lead to losses rather than profits.

Search foreclosures by state or get more information on foreclosure houses at ForeclosureRepos.com.

Kevin Simpson, GM Sales & Marketing

Fireplace And Hearth Framing

New Versus Old Lumber - Structural Failure

During my 30 years of remodeling and building new homes. I have ran across quite a bit of structural framing failures. I find myself answering this question a lot when explaining to a homeowner about the structural failure I am repairing on their home, "Why Didn't They Use Better Lumber" or " Why Didn't They Use Larger Lumber." I really have a hard time answering these questions because I honestly don't know the answer.

However I can try to use some logic and reason to give these people an answer that seems to make sense to both of us. Why didn't they use better lumber, quite simply because, with most older homes that were built before the 1970s they actually do have better lumber. Now you're probably thinking how can these homes have better lumber when the lumber is old versus the new lumber used in a brand new house.

Most of the structural repairs I have made over the years has nothing to do with the lumber and whether it was new or old. A large number of these repairs were caused by neglect and poor maintenance.

The lumber in most older houses are from older growth trees. Some of these trees were extremely large and only the premium parts of the trees were used. The premium lumber is cut farthest away from the center of the tree. Now the larger the tree it makes sense that there will be more premium lumber.

A large majority of the newer lumber used in home construction comes from trees about 6 inches in diameter. Now you're probably wondering how can they cut a 2 x 8 piece of lumber out of a 6 inch tree. Of course they cannot, the larger lumber comes from larger trees.

Most 2 x 4's that are less than 8 foot long can be cut from these trees. This scrap or waste that comes from cutting these two by fours will now go into engineered building materials like particleboard, oriented strand board and engineered beams. Another name for an engineered been would be a paralam.

I hope you're starting to get the picture now when it comes to using new or old lumber. There are companies that are going into old logging rivers and retrieving old growth lumber. These were logs that sank to the bottom of the river's and were never retrieved because it was too costly.

The old growth lumber is quite expensive. Who's to say what problems we will happen in the future from the newer products created with modern day technology. When it comes to building houses it is not an exact science and as contractors we have been repairing the damage from poor engineering for years.

When I use the word poor engineering I am not pointing fingers at engineers. We now have more knowledge about home construction then we had years ago.

New versus old lumber, who wins the battle. Only time will tell.

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

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Structural Repairs.

Attic Repairs

Getting the Whole Family Involved in Bathroom Remodeling

Too often, we shut our families out of our modern bathroom remodeling projects. While they might use the bathroom everyday, we think that it's only our ideas that matter and our work that counts because we're the one in there slaving away at the design. By involving your family and letting them be a part of the process, not only can you lighten the workload, but you can also help create a room that everyone was a part of creating from the bathroom walls to the bathroom vanities. Get everyone to buy into the design and you will have a family who not only enjoys your new bathroom, but will take pride in ownership.

Drawing out the plans together

To begin, everyone should sit down and come up with a plan for the new bathroom remodeling project. If you have a lot of family members, you can make this simpler by having options already available to everyone - like pictures or catalogs that you will shop from. Let everyone come up with their ideas for the bathroom and then discuss what compromises everyone can make in order to come up with a final design. When you already have certain bathroom vanities in mind, maybe some of the family can choose what goes on the bathroom walls or what tiles might look good. Let everyone have a say in the process and you might have a better plan than you could have even come up with on your own.

Shopping together lets everyone help

Of course, when you're doing any bathroom remodeling project, you will need to go shopping to get the things that you have picked out. During this trip, have everyone come along to help with carrying things and transporting them back home. Just being able to see what bathroom vanities area available and what other accessories can be picked will help old and young children feel like a part of the process. You can also look at other bathroom designs to get more ideas as to what you can do.

Have the younger children click the mouse when you shop online
Have your children 'pay' for the things you've bought
Have older children lift things and carry them into the house

Heavy lifting for the older children, easy tasks for the younger ones

While you will have to leave the major tasks of modern bathroom remodeling to the adults in the family - like installing bathroom vanities - you can let the younger children take part too. Have them sponge paint designs onto the walls, for example, or paint the cabinets of the bathroom vanities. If they are older, they can help with the caulking of the tiles or with the installation of the toilet or the sink. Younger children can also help by cleaning up after the mess or by wiping down the floor so that no one slips during the remodel.

Younger children can also help arrange things when you are done with the heavy labor
Older children can organize the cabinets

Safety for everyone

And because you will have a lot of people in a small space for this modern bathroom remodeling project, you will need to make sure everyone is staying safe with safety goggles, face masks, and sturdy shoes.

Remodeling your bathroom doesn't have to be a solitary affair. By getting everyone involved, you can spend more time together and finish a great modern bathroom remodeling project.

For more ideas for bathroom remodeling as well as plenty of supplies, head to www.discountbathroomvanities.com.

Dave Robert is a VP at Discount Bathroom Vanities Publishing, and an avid fixer-upper who's been restoring old houses for more than twenty years. Readers can tap into Dave's knowledge about home remodeling, and kitchen and bathroom design, at: http://www.DiscountBathroomVanities.com

Wood Stoves Books
Bathroom Books

Elements of Green Building - "Steel Framing"

What is Steel Framing? -

Imagine the wood framing of a traditionally built home, but where there are 2x4s, 2x6s, etc., there are steel studs. The studs themselves start out as large steel sheets. These sheets are passed through a series or rollers, none of which use heat, to bend the steel to make more useful shapes for buildings, like the flanges, web, and lips of a stud or C-shape. Steel studs come in various shapes and sizes, much like those that builders are accustomed to seeing in dimensional lumber, including 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, etc. The lengths are custom cut in the steel plant. And, since there is no heat used to shape the steel, no integrity or strength is lost. The shape makes the studs stronger than the original steel sheet. The steel studs can either be sold as is or placed into configurations to be sold as wall panels.

Applications -

Since steel is so strong, durable, versatile, and affordable, it can be used as framing for a great variety of situations, from superstructures like skyscrapers, bridges, and high-rises to lower-scale building projects like commercial shopping centers and residential homes. Since steel's strength-to-weight ratio is so high, it is ideal for situations that require long spans. For example, steel opens up possibilities for wide, open living spaces in residences.

Advantages -

* Steel framing's higher strength-to-weight ratio gives designers and engineers more options to use less framing material, allowing longer spans and wider on-center spacing schedules. In other words, fewer studs need to be used in the erection of a house or building, and larger open spaces are available in a home or building.

* Steel studs and joists are strong, light-weight, and made from uniform-quality material.

* Galvanized steel is noncombustible, unsusceptible to rot, and resistant to corrosion. It does not shrink, warp, twist, crack, split, or swell. This means your walls are straight and square for the life of the house, which will be a long life at that. Steel framing contributes to better drywall and exterior appearance, as well as the fit of doors and windows.

* Steel is insect and termite resistant. It is also mold resistant.

* Steel performs well in high wind and seismic areas.

* Steel provides a more reliable supply of framing materials for the building industry. It isn't affected by the shortages and sharp price increases of the lumber industry.

* Remodeling and additions are no issue with steel framing since, just like wood framing, non-load-bearing walls can be removed.

* It is at least partly made of recycled materials and is 100 percent recyclable after use.

* Since steel is fire retardant, withstands high winds, and is more durable in hurricanes and earthquakes, homeowners may enjoy lower insurance premiums.

Disadvantages -

"Thermal bridging" occurs when hot or cold air is drawn to a stud, resulting in heat loss or gain. In cold climates, thermal bridging could result in increased heating costs and in hot climates, heat gain could result in moisture damage. When we build with steel, we use thermal barrier insulating materials to provide exceptional heat and cooling loss protection to steel-built homes.

What makes it "green"?

* Steel is completely recyclable. In fact, steel is North America's most recycled material. More than 65 million tons of steel scrap is recycled each year. More steel is recycled than paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic combined. As an end result, recycling steel scrap also saves landfill space and natural resources. When the steel framing of a home has outlived its useful life, it can be recycled into new steel.

* An average 2,000 square foot steel framed house can generate as little as a cubic yard of recyclable scrap, diverting material for local landfills. This is partly because steel studs are cut to exact lengths from steel stud machines so there are no wastes at the construction site. The wastes in the steel plant are recycled to make more steel.

* Steel framing contains at least 28 percent recycled steel and is completely recyclable. Using recycled steel takes the pressure off renewable resources. For example, a typical 2,000-square-foot home requires about 40 to 50 trees, about an acre's worth. With steel, only the equivalent of about six scrapped automobiles is needed.

* When used with thermal barrier materials, there is minimal heating and cooling loss. Steel framing also results in less loss around windows and doors as well as foundation and roofing connections because the steel will not warp and move, ridding concern of gaps and accompanies energy loss created over the life of the house.

* Steel framing means less need for lumber. Today, more than 90 percent of North America's old-growth forests are already being harvested. This eases the strain on these dwindling forests, saving the wildlife that lives in those forests, as well.

* Steel is non-toxic and allergy free, which means healthier living for occupants.

Written by Tasha Lucas, Monster Constructors, L.L.C

You can also see this article on the Monster Constructors website:

http://www.monsterconstructors.com

http://www.monstergreenbuilding.com

Interior Roof Shaped Ceiling

What Does a GFI Do? - Electrical Problems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

San Diego Termite Damage

Basement Wall Staining

Bathroom Tile Installation - 5 Tips For Success

Bathroom tile installation is a great upgrade for any bathroom. Many homeowners tackle this job themselves. It's really not that hard provided you learn about the tricks that you must get right. For example think about these five tricks for bathroom floor tile installing.

A firm foundation.

Floor tile can be installed over all kinds of surfaces. But the one essential needed for a good installation is stability. Often bathroom floors have some water damage and are a little bit spongy. If a floor has any give to it at all, that's a floor that will have cracked tile. There is one sure way to have a solid floor and that's to use cement board as an underlayment for your floor. Be sure to learn about cement board.

Start at the right spot.

Bathrooms are often smaller rooms. You'll be cutting tile to fit on at least two walls. Make sure you start in the center or at one of the walls so the cut tiles are least visible. Nothing looks worse than tile grout lines that are running off at an angle from a wall right in plain sight!

Plumbing done right.

The toilet will have to come up for floor installation. Make sure you're ready to reset the toilet. Have all the hardware on hand. Be sure the mounting bolts are long enough for the new toilet height.

Lots of cuts.

In a small room like a bathroom, you'll get to do quite a few bathroom tile trimming cuts. You'll need your nippers for any curve cuts, like around the toilet. Plus you'll need at least a small tile saw and a tile cutter board is helpful too. None of these tools has to be very expensive. Even light duty tile saws aren't very expensive.

Grout is key.

Grout isn't waterproof. Water slowly seeps through regular masonry grout. So it's a good idea to keep bathroom tile grout well sealed. Also consider using an epoxy grout in a bathroom tile installation. This grout solves the grout leaking problem. But epoxy is highly toxic and not safe to breathe. Get a good mask.

Ceramic bathroom tile is practical and beautiful. With the right information, most anyone can install tile and produce a professional looking job. Just get the few key tricks right and you'll have a great addition to a bathroom.

Get more tips for bathroom tile installation at our site.

Al Bullington invites you to visit http://installingceramictile.net for answers to your tile questions.

Home Organization Books
Swimming Pool Books

Framing Wood Shower Pans - Bathroom Remodeling

Whether you live in a home that has a bathtub or a shower, there is a good chance that structural framing could be damaged if there was any water leaking around the plumbing fixtures. The damage should be repaired before framing your pan.

If you're replacing a bathtub and installing a new shower this is going to require constructing a wood shower pan. Now building a wood pan will require a level floor surface, shower damn and blocking.

Now let's start with building the shower damn. You're probably wondering what is a shower damn and what does it have to do with the wood shower pan. The shower damn is actually the area you climb over when entering into the shower. This part of the shower pan enables the water to flow off a shower curtain or door into the shower pan and down the drain.

The shower damn needs to be at the least 6 inches tall and would be best if it was at least 8 inches. You can use a 4 x 6 or a 4 x 8 for the wood shower damn.

Next we need to block the perimeter of the pan area in the wall framing that we will use for our shower walls also. These blocks should be at least 12 inches high. This would require using 2 x 12 lumber for blocking.

After you block the perimeter of the shower pan and installed the shower damn you are ready to have to shower water proffed with a process known as hot mopping the shower pan or using a vinyl liner.

Well I hope this gives you a better idea of what's involved when framing shower pans during the house framing process.

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

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

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

Interior Window Framing

Bathroom Faucet Leaks

Faucet leaks can waste more water than you think. Have you ever put a cup or bowl underneath a leaky faucet and actually seen how much water is wasted. Leaky faucets should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent the waste of water in your home. Water is a precious resource and should be used wisely.

One slow drip from the faucet can waste over 5 gallons of water per day. If you think that's not a big deal, let me put it in perspective for you. 5 gallons of water per day equals 35 gallons per week, times 52 weeks in a year, that equals over 1800 gallons of water, and that's a lot of water.

The problem with a faucet leak isn't just the amount of water it waste, it will soon start to deteriorate your sinks, bathtubs and showers and could damage other sections of the home, like the wood framing. I've seen a water drip in a steel kitchen sink, in just a few years, wear a hole right through it. Keep in mind water and wind formed the Grand Canyon, water can be extremely erosive.

Faucet leaks can attract house pests, like mice, flies, ants and a wide variety of other insects.

Most faucets can usually be repaired for under $20. Most of the time the problem will be in the valves or handles that turn the water on and on. If you're not familiar with plumbing parts, you could pick up a do-it-yourself home repair manual or go online and look up the manufacturer of your faucet, for more information.

Usually the manufacturer has a diagram of the faucet, broken down into sections and you could get a pretty good idea, what parts you will need to remove, in order to replace the damaged part or parts that are creating the water leak.

Calling a plumber seems to be most homeowners last resort. They only do it if they absolutely have to. If you don't understand how a faucet works and have no desire to learn how, I would suggest you call a plumber or contact someone who can help you with your faucet leak, but get the faucet leak fixed and quit wasting water.

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 bathroom remodeling or home building ideas.

Cut Electrical Wire

Hiring a Contractor For Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling Contractors

Well here's the age old question, how do we go about finding a decent bathroom remodeling contractor.

Here's some things you will be looking for in a contractor.

1. Is Your Contractor Fair and Honest?

2. Does Your Contractor Have Experience Remodeling and Designing Bathrooms?

3. Can You Actually Find a Contractor Who Will Complete the Job in a Timely Manner?

4. Do You Think the Workers Will Be Able to Clean the Job up Daily?

5. Will the Contractor Show up on Time?

6. Is the Contractor Going to Work At Least Eight Hours a Day?

7. Does the Contractor's Crew Have Experience?

8. Is Your Contractor and His Crew Courteous?

If you find a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project that has answered yes to all questions above, hire that person immediately. Most contractors can sincerely answer yes to half of the questions above. If you're looking for the ultimate bathroom remodeling contractor, you could be searching for quite a while, you're looking for some one that is competent and you feel comfortable with.

When hiring a contractor, look for someone who has your interest in mind first and not theirs. Find someone who is willing to help with the designed process of your bathroom and the remodeling. If you find a contractor to be arrogant or controlling, there is a good chance, your bathroom might not turn out the way you envision it.

When hiring a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project or any home improvement project, the most important thing to keep in mind is, whether or not you feel comfortable with this person or not. Never hire a contractor you're not comfortable with.

If a contractor is referred to you by someone you trust, this does not guarantee you will be happy with the bathroom remodel. Most referrals that I have gotten over the years are like rolling the dice, I believe I would have done just as good picking a name out of a hat.

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

Feng Shui Books
Home Security Books