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