Start Budgeting For Your Very Own Sunroom

It only takes a few weeks before you can enjoy in your very own sunroom. However, if not properly managed, the money you need to spend on the sunroom would go sky-high. Because of this you need to properly monitor the different expenses when it comes to building your very own sunroom. You also need to determine the materials and the quality of sunroom you want so you can create your budget and prevent overspending. In most cases, the cost of sunroom construction would go as low as $10,000 and as high as $70,000. And the do-it-yourself sunroom kit is applicable to those who want to trim down their expenses on sunroom construction. The figure on the sunroom costs mentioned above may still alter and this is due to the material cost, style, design, flooring system and the labor cost you will choose. If you have a bigger budget, then you can go for the more elaborate designs. But if you think that your budget is only at the minimum, there are still excellent sunroom designs and materials that can give you full satisfaction without having to break your bank account.

Sunrooms are getting more and more popular among homeowners today because of the practicality it offers. As compared to the traditional rooms, the cost of building a sunroom is a lot more economical. Read on, so you can have a clear idea on the expenses you need to shell out when planning to build a sunroom. In the labor charge aspect on constructing the stairs, you need to have an approximate of $300. Other expenses which would cover the labor charge also include the roofing and the flooring systems. If all these combined, you need to have at least $12,000 for the labor charge alone. The sunroom materials are also the determining factors on how much money you need to spend. For those on a limited budget, you can opt for the vinyl as it is more inexpensive as compared to the costs of aluminum sunroom. But if you have all the money to spend, then you can settle for the wood. Though wood is the most expensive, it is the one that needs regular care and maintenance to prevent premature damage.

Of course, a sunroom would never be complete without the furniture. As we all know, sunroom is also synonymous to wicker furniture. These two are the considered as the perfect combination. Wicker furniture is also economical but it also endows the entire room with an earthy and natural appeal.

If all the budgetary constraints are settled, then you can now start building your very own sunroom. Once finished, this place would serve as your haven for relaxation and a nice place to spend your quality time with your friends and loved ones. All these can be enjoyed if you properly plan the important aspects in building a very cozy sunroom. Don't let money hinder you from having a sunroom of your own. Choices are so varied so this gives you no excuse to not have one on your home.

Andrew Caxton is the author of many articles published online.Learn more about sunroom kits and diy sunroom kits at http://www.allsunrooms.com/kits.html

Laying Ceramic Tile - Important Details That Must Be Right

Laying ceramic tile is a simple process. Get the basics right and the project will be a success. Now there are quite a few tricks that you need to know for the project to turn out right. Overlook these few things and you may have problems. Actually some of the most important steps are before you lay the first tile.

Some tile projects fail because of the base over which the tile is set. That's because any movement of the finished tile surface will likely lead to cracks. You see a tile surface is brittle. Move the base around and the tile will crack either in the tiles themselves or in the grout. A cracked tile surface is because of movement of the base. You can easily prevent this.

Now on some surfaces you may need some bracing. But usually even if you have a bouncing mounting surface, covering the surface will solve the problem. Putting down a plywood base or a cement board base is often the solution. The cement board base is almost a standard professional first step. In any case, make sure your base is clean, smooth and solid.

Once you have a solid base, the next important step is to decide where that first tile goes. Get the first tile right and the project is well under way. You see the finished look of the tile surface depends on where the cut tiles are and how all the tile joints look. Usually most rooms aren't exactly square so it's a challenge to make the tile lines match best with the existing walls. Planning is the key to success.

You can often start a floor in the center and work out for the best look. Once you get started it's easy to keep joints even using regular tile spacers. Then you can check regularly with a carpenter square to keep all the tiles properly aligned.

Laying ceramic tile is a step by step process. No particular step is hard, but there are quite a few tricks that you need to know to have the best chance for success. Get off to the right start and you'll surely have a good looking finished project.

You can get access to video tutorials showing the professional tricks to laying ceramic tile on our tile website.

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

What Types of Doors Can Be Availed From the Market?

If you want to perfect the beginning as well as the end of your home improvement project, you need to focus on each and every installation. Choosing what suits your requirements is what you must keep in your mind while starting your home improvement projects. Among the few important factors that play an important role in a home improvement project, doors are what can either enhance or destroy the look of your house. Many of us are not aware of the types of doors and the qualities upon which these types are differentiated. We need to know all about it if we want to precede with efficient home improvement projects.

You can select the types of doors that sound good to your taste and most of the available door's types can also be customized. For example, if you need a panel door, which consists of wood panels, stiles and rails panels, you can either get a solid wood panel door, plywood panel door or a panel door made up of glass. However, you won't find all such types of doors for everywhere in the market unless you are savvy of such details. You can also ask the manufacturer for your requirements. Besides just panel doors, solid core doors, hollow mental insulated doors, hollow core wood door, stable doors, trap doors French doors can also be customized to set your requirements.

Therefore, if you are interested in exploring different types of doors that are not only feasible enough to provide your required facilities but also give your home a fine classy look. You must always perform a detailed research in the market before buying any types of doors. Pay visit to different door shops, collect ideas and order your desired type of doors. Qualities of all these types of doors, however, differ with money but you can be able to select the best out of the most by using your expertise.

For more details on door types and their qualities, visit http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/home_improvement_tips/doors/index.php

Where You Can Find Porch Ideas?

Porch ideas can come from anywhere. With the many online sites offering pictures and information about porches, you can easily get an idea for building a porch or remodeling your existing porch. Home improvement magazines are also another source you can use in your search. While there may be many different kinds of porches that catch your eye, you have to really look into each one of them to make sure that the design will complement that of the exterior of your home. You also have to ensure that you have the required amount of space to use one of these ideas.

One of the main thing that will determine which of the many ideas you have for building a porch is the amount of money you have available for such a project. It is a good idea to purchase all your materials first so that you have everything you need. There is nothing worse than thinking you have enough materials only to find that you run out halfway through the project and have to wait until you can afford it to buy the rest of what you need. This will make your home look unsightly during the waiting period.

You also have to make sure that the ideas for porches that you really like are practical for the area in which you live. Some porches are well suited for windy areas, whereas others are not. If you live on the coast and het frequent high winds and rain, then a porch that consists mainly of glass may not be a good idea unless it is an enclosure between two offsets on your home.

The purpose for which you want to use the porch will also affect your ideas. If you want this to be a space where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine, then you may want to look for an open design. If you want to have it as a protection for the entrance to your home, you may want to consider having closet space inside so that it serves as a mudroom.

For more information onfront porch designs, different types of porches and related topics, visit AboutPorches.com

Buy, Build, Renovate - Why Now is the Time

All of us know of the weakness in the global economy. For that reason I will not address those issues in this article. At the same time most people are cutting back on real-estate investment and construction projects, many of my clients are enjoying the availability of top notch contractors, the relative bargains for the homes they bought, and the over-all reduction in the finished price of their project.

I would never encourage anyone to spend money carelessly or to extend themselves beyond their means, but I don't recall a time in my 20 year career as an architect that the conditions have improved so dramatically for individuals who want to buy and build for their family. My sister-in-law who is a school teacher just purchased her first home well below the price she would have paid a year before. She bought an existing older home that needs extensive renovation and she will also be saving significantly on construction costs compared to just six months ago.

The following are 5 reasons I think this a great time to buy and build and renovate:

1. Home prices are down dramatically from their recent highs.
2. Commodity prices of many building materials are falling.
3. Energy surcharges have been eliminated from most building components.
4. Reliable high quality builders are available and are more competitive in their pricing than in recent memory.
5. There are more 'green' and energy efficient materials and systems on the market now than we have seen in 35 years.

As we move toward a recovery in the economy, the same elements that caused the spike in real estate and construction will return: limited supply of fossil fuels, competition for resources from emerging nations, the desire to live in communities with good school systems and bucolic settings. The price to buy, build and renovate will begin to rise on a daily basis as it did for the last 10 years.

http://www.crisparchitects.com

James M. Crisp, AIA is an architect working in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Achieving Exterior Home Renovations Yourself

If you are focusing upon DIY renovations around the home then one place which you might be reluctant to touch is your home's exterior. However, when it comes to DIY exterior projects, they really don't have to be as challenging as you would first imagine. As long as you have the right tools and a good level of knowledge on the job in hand then that is all that matters.

It all really depends upon how much you know about exterior home improvements as to what you can actually do yourself. So it could be that you can install new guttering, do a window trim or add new sliding to the home. Or perhaps you would love to add a patio or a pool to the garden? Whatever you want to achieve you can do it yourself just as long as you take the time to learn how.

How to Remodel the Exterior of Your Home

The first step to getting any DIY project right is planning. You need to understand the task in hand and you also need to look at every angle of the project. Break it down into steps and ensure that you understand exactly what it is that you will be doing. Remember to get all of the tools that you will need. If you are not sure what tools to purchase then it would be a good idea to pop into your local DIY store and ask a member of staff. They will be able to give you advice on the job you are planning to complete and point you in the right direction with what you need. If you find that the equipment needed is a little on the expensive side then you could always rent the equipment instead of purchasing it.

Generally painting the outside of your home is one of the easiest jobs you can do. However before you can paint it you will first need to prepare by cleaning it. As long as you take the time to prepare the wall before you apply any paint, you will end up with a nice, smooth, even finish.

One of the biggest mistakes which people tend to make with exterior home improvement projects is that they try and do far too much too soon. Ideally you will need to break everything down into small steps. That way the task will not seem impossible to finish and it will be a lot more enjoyable to complete. So set up everything well before you start and try and complete everything in baby steps. This will save you time in the long run and it will also be a lot less hassle.

Overall exterior home renovations really don't have to be overly difficult. Just as long as you do not try to attempt to do more than you can handle, you should easily be able to complete basic remodeling jobs by yourself.

Vince Paxton's long articles can be found on many online sites tied to information on vinyl garden windows. His comments on garden replacement windows can be encountered on his webpage and also different websites.

Basement Flood

The rain is coming down hard and it is not stopping. This is day three of constant rain. Your sump pump is working double time. In the midst of the rain your sump pump decides to break. It happens to be the middle of the night while you are sleeping. Little do you know you will be waking up to a basement flood.

You go downstairs to do your laundry and discover you have six inches of water in your basement. You see your sump pump stopped working. Now what do you do?

Whether this is the scenario of your basement flood or not, it must be taken care of quickly. You need to get it cleaned up fast before any possible sewage back up occurs. This could mainly happen if you live in the city. Sewage back up is very dangerous with all of the bacteria present. It is very harmful to humans and can cause severe illness and even death. Also, with a damp basement mold will start to set in.

Your first step is to eliminate the water from your basement. There are emergency businesses that will come to your house and take the water out of your basement for you. I highly recommend going this route to make sure all of your items and house are handled in the correct manner by a professional.

You may consider doing the work yourself. In order to do it think safety first. Make sure all items are unplugged in your basement. To get the water drained from your basement you can hook a hose up to your sump pump to start draining water out of your basement immediately. When in your basement wear protective clothing on your head, body, hands and feet. Wear a hat, goggles, coveralls, gloves, and boots.

Secondly, you need to make sure you have killed all of the mold. Mold thrives on dampness. You can buy a chemical that kills mold or have a service come out to do it for you. If you decide to take this monumental chore on yourself be sure to save all of your receipts for your insurance company claim.

Companies will also make sure they leave your home smelling fresh. You don't want the smelly dampness of a basement seeping up into your main living area or any area of the house.

Get your sump pump fixed. Either call a handyman, take it back to the store, or perhaps you are able to buy the part for the sump pump and fix it yourself.

Having a basement flood can be a big hassle and mess but with the right company you can have your basement back to as good as new. Possibly even better.

Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about Water Damage Cleanup New York and Water Damage Restoration New York, visit RestorationSOS.com.

How Garage Remodeling Will Fix Your Storage Problems

Garage remodeling is probably the quickest way to add much needed space to your home. If youre considering any sort of home repair this may just be the one that should be first on your list. If youre not using your garage for an area to park your car, then expanding the living space of your home can be quite easily achieved by making this change. As well, youll feel like your home and life are much more organized when you stop storing everything in this area.

If youre thinking of adding a studio, a home office, or a workshop to your home, then of course you need to look no further than the garage. You can even use this area as a home gym, or as an extra living room designated for special events or entertainment purposes. But, dont think that this means that you cannot still store things in this area, or even that you have to sacrifice your parking area. It all really depends on how you go about with your remodeling plans and what your household wants and needs might be.

Since a lot of garages are attached to the house, they can benefit from the exact comfort as the home, which include heating and cooling, phone wiring, as well as plumbing. Youll just need a little imagination, a set budget and a plan.

If you worry that by remodeling your garage, youre losing too much precious storage area, have no fear because you can always build a small storage space behind your garage which can be used to house your tools, sporting equipment, and other items.

Furthermore, when you remodel your garage you should think about adding an addition above your garage. You can add a room for work space and even for living space above the existing garage, which will give you more space as well as increase the your homes value without making major changes to your floor plan.

Do you feel the need to remodel your garage but dont know exactly what you need or want? Then you should consider the following ideas.

How about transforming your garage into a laundry room if youve been performing your laundry duties in the basement. By building a laundry in your garage youll do away with the need to go trounce up and down the stairs a million times a day.

Are you a musician, or just want to be one? A music studio can be a superb choice for your remodeling plans if you or your kids show some talent in this direction. After all, where do you think all of those garage bands got their start? Youll want to consider soundproofing your garage walls so as to avoid your neighbors complaints.

Heres an idea! Change it into a gym. If youve got equipment but you dont have enough space to use it in the house, simply move it into the garage where youll have plenty of space for your daily workouts and. An added benefit is that you wont be bothered by anyone. However you choose to use your new space, hopefully youll enjoy it.

The columnist Leroy Calstard is very excited about issues related to woodworking workbench. His observations on garage workbench can be discovered on http://www.insidewoodworking.com in addition to other websites.

Do You Really Need to Get Building Permits?

When you are planning a home renovation project probably no other words form in your mind with a BIG dollar sign next to them as much as those two simple little words: Building Codes.

Depending upon your project you might find yourself dealing with inspections for foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, roofing, heating and air conditioning. Each of these could include inspections during the planning, rough in work, different stages during the actual work and of course the final inspections.

The minutia of items that an inspection can be failed for are seemingly never ending. And failing an inspection can easily result in unexpected extra costs or missed deadlines. If something gets done ahead of the inspection an Inspector can even require that the work be torn out.

Yet you can't blame a homeowner for being a little susceptible to the contractor who says, We'll just save you some money and do it on the sly without any inspections. (Wink, Wink)

In actuality, if any contractor suggests by-passing the required inspections, he should be politely shown off your property and never invited back.

Painful as they are, inspections are required for a reason. It may not always be apparent, but inspections are designed to protect your property and family. DO NOT ever try to skip by inspections.

Even if you aren't reported by a neighbor, or the work isn't seen by an Inspector driving by, not doing projects up to the local building codes can bite you in the *** when you try to sell your home down the road.

A lot of the mortgage companies require an inspection of a house before they will write the loan. Any decent inspector is going to notice work that was not completed up to code as a way to save money. You could end up spending thousands of dollars to have work redone to pass an inspection.

In truth, the only person who really benefits from avoiding the building codes is the contractor. That way he can cut corners that you can't see or don't know about. He also won't have to be as skilled or knowledgeable as the contractor who can make sure that everything passes building code inspectors.

So, it may cost you a little more initially, but it will pay of big time in the long run and potentially keep a disastrous accident from happening.

Bob Current writes on a number of his interests including home renovation. Check out his website at http://www.homeimprovementtips.info for ideas and resources.

An Introduction to Awnings

Awnings come in a variety of colors, styles and functions. You can find traditional retractable awnings, awnings for residential homes and even sleek and modern designed awnings. Awnings can serve as a way for a business to advertise locally, to provide shelter from heat or cold for energy efficiency, to simply make a home more beautiful, or a combination of all of these. Awnings have begun to gain more and more in popularity over the past decade or so, with many homeowners recognizing the benefits of having an awning installed.

Placing an awning over a window, terrace or balcony can add beauty and value to a home. Awnings can add curb appeal to nearly every home without blocking views from the windows. Awnings are even great for patios, decks and doorways. You can choose from either stationary or retractable awnings; whatever meets your design and efficiency needs.

Many people enjoy having awnings installed on their decks and patios. One of the most popular types of awnings to install in these places is the retractable awning. On hot days, the retractable awning can be opened to provide shade for those sitting outside as well as for the home itself; blocking out most of the direct sunlight from windows and doors can yield tremendous savings on utility costs.

Thousands of awning companies are doing business across the country. Because the competition is fierce, you can get great deals on multiple awnings or even deep discounts on a single awning. You can call around to local installers to find out what their specials are and compare the savings around town. Simply stated, awnings can make a wonderful addition to nearly any home and in many cases can increase the overall value of the home.

Awnings Info provides detailed information about retractable, canvas, window, RV, patio, aluminum, deck, and commercial awnings. Awnings Info is the sister site of Gazebos Web.

11 Tips for Stripping Wallpaper: How to Get Rid of Ugly Wallpaper!

I broke my promise to myself and stripped wallpaper again. The only reason I did this is for $100,000 profit. My family and I did not have time to wait for professional help. We sold our investment property before finishing the work and needed the home ready for appraisal.

While stripping the wallpaper, I realized that many homemakers get wrong advice for this horrendous task. After years of experience on over 30 houses, I offer my tried and best tips:

1. Use a clothes steamer or rent a professional steamer

2. Soak a large section of the wall

3. Run a "Paper Tiger" scoring tool across the damp section

4. Steam the section again

5. Spray the section with fabric softener and hot water

6. Score the section with the paper tiger again

7. Steam again

8. Remove any curling edges (sometimes large areas peel off)

9. Scrape with a six inch sheetrock blade

10. Repeat the above steps on the section until most scrapes off easily

11. Scrub with hot water, TSP, and a sponge with a scratchy surface

Cautions: Use the Paper Tiger gingerly so you don't scratch or gouge the walls. Use gloves with the harsh chemical TSP.

Don't live with ugly wallpaper any longer!

P. S. Please email me if you have any additional tips on stripping wallpaper that would help others!

Copyright 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)

Jeanette Fisher loves to help home makers create homes for glorious living. For free ebook on Interior Design Psychology go to http://www.joytothehome.com

Notes on Building a Home on the Coast

For many people, the ideal place to live is in a home within a short drive to the beach. Coastal living provides for panoramic views of sea and land, fabulous sunrises and sunsets, and usually, a laid back lifestyle. A home on or near the beach might be a primary residence, or weekend getaway, or even a seasonal residence.

Everyone who considers building a new home in a coastal community expects that this major investment will last a lifetime, and that it will stand up to the elements and the aging process for generations to come. Coastal living presents certain challenges not present in inland communities. If you are considering building a new home, be sure to hire a builder experienced and qualified in the intricacies of coastal construction. Here are a few points to consider.

* A qualified builder, experienced in coastal conditions, selects construction materials that resist damage caused by water, flooding, high winds, corrosion, humidity and decay. He will study the site to determine its susceptibility to these elements and design a sturdy home that will withstand storms, hurricanes, floods and insect damage.

* Your builder will choose concrete mixtures that are specially blended to be able to withstand water damage.

* Wherever necessary pressure treated lumber is used in coastal home construction, as well as naturally strong woods such as cedar and redwood which are considered to be highly durable and flood resistant. Chemically treated lumber also helps prevent termite damage.

* Your builder will consider wind resistance as a factor when installing shingles, vinyl siding, glazing and framing.

* Homes built in coastal zones must be able to resist corrosion and moisture damage. It is important that your new home's hardware be resistant to this type of damage and your builder can recommend stainless steel and epoxy coated metals.

* Protective wood finishes are important for moisture resistance. Furthermore your builder will use construction techniques that assure that the wood elements do not come in contact with standing water.

* Interior flooring materials must be strong and moisture proof and your builder can guide you in your choices. Most frequently tile, marble and other stone products are the materials of choice and will resist moisture absorption and warping from excess humidity.

Enjoy your coastal home!

If you want a great Myrtle Beach Home Builders come and visit us at ameribuilt-homes.com

The Ten Most Frequent House Problems That Home Inspectors Find

A recent survey of home inspectors resulted in a list of the most frequently found problems in the homes they have inspected. It is significant that within this list of ten categories, at least four are directly related to the damaging effects of water. Thus, keeping water out - is the homeowner's most important and continually challenging objective.

1. Improper Surface Grading/Drainage
This was by far the most frequently found problem, reported by 35.8% of the survey respondents. It is responsible for the most common of household maladies: water penetration of the basement or crawl space.

2. Improper Electrical Wiring
A significant number (19.9%) chose this item as the most common home defect, which includes such situations as insufficient electrical service to the house, inadequate overload protection, and amateur, often dangerous, wiring connections.

3. Roof Damage
Although reported by only 8.5% of the respondents as the most common problem, roof leakage, caused by old or damaged shingles or improper flashing, was considered by CAHPI members to be a frequent problem.

4. Heating Systems
Problems in this category include broken or malfunctioning operation controls, blocked chimneys, and unsafe exhaust disposal.

5. Poor Overall Maintenance
Even the novice home buyer is usually aware of this situation, demonstrated by such signs as cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces, crumbling masonry, makeshift wiring or plumbing, and broken fixtures or appliances.

6. Structurally Related Problems
Many houses, as a result of problems in one or more of the other categories, sustain damage to such structural components as foundation walls, floor joists, rafters, and window and door headers.

7. Plumbing
Though never ranked by the respondents as a Number One problem, plumbing defects still rank high among the house problems encountered, and include the existence of old or incompatible piping materials, as well as faulty fixtures and waste lines.

8. Exteriors
Flaws in a home's exterior, including windows, doors, and wall surfaces, are responsible for the discomfort of water and air penetration, but rarely have structural significance. Inadequate caulking and/or weather-stripping are the most common culprits.

9. Poor Ventilation
Perhaps due to overly ambitious efforts to save energy, many home owners have "over-sealed" their homes, resulting in excessive interior moisture. This can cause rotting and premature failure of both structural and non-structural elements.

10. Miscellaneous
This category includes primarily interior components, often cosmetic in nature, which were not found frequently enough to rank individually in our survey.

Obviously the age of a home plays a significant role in these findings. In older, urban houses, problems such as heating system failure, inadequate electrical service, and worn plumbing can be found with much greater frequency than reflected in this survey.

The survey response percentages were given only for the first three categories because they were so high and statistically meaningful. Items 4 through 10 were ranked significantly lower than the top three, and vary regionally.

Peter Ottowitz
http://www.newworldenergyaudits.com
http://www.masshomeinspect.com

A Few Pointers on Doing Your Own Residential Construction

If you are like a lot of other homeowners out there you may have lost some, if not all of the equity in your home due to the current recession. The plans to build a new home haven't disappeared, just the money to pay a private contractor.

One Set of Residential Construction Blueprints

The fact is that you can build you own home just as many people used to commonly do generations back but it will take some planning. Thus the first thing you will need is a set of plans.

One Good Tip on Building Plans

One real good tip if it is to be your first home building project is to get a hold a set of plans for a home of someone you know that is already built. In this way you can use the built home for references as you build.

Go Climb in the Attic for a Look

For instance, if you have never cut in a conventional roof before, being able to climb up in the attic and see how it is actually cut and put in place will be a great help.

Residential Construction Work to Sub Out

If you have never done cement work, plumbing, electrical and roofing you would be well advised to sub these projects out to an experienced professional. These are all crucial areas where even one mistake can bring disaster.

Have You Ever Hung Doors?

You are going to make your labor savings on your residential construction job on framing, insulation, sheetrock, texture and paint as well as all of the finish work including cabinets and appliance installation. Try to buy your doors from a door company that will also hang them if you have never hung doors.

Doing Your Own Trim and Crown Molding

Buy a compound miter saw and then look online for information material on doing trim work. It will be time consuming but with patients, a steady hand a compound miter saw and a nail gun anyone can learn to install trim by trial and error and lots of sandable caulk.

Written by Marta Dreamheisen. Visit my internet site for the freshest articles on Bathroom renovations edgewater and even some about Edgewater home remodeling

Storage Rentals Make Remodeling Easier

A person may need storage rentals for a variety of different reasons. They can make many unpleasant tasks a lot easier. It isn't just individuals renting these storage containers. In fact, a number of retail businesses and even sports teams rent them for temporary storage of equipment and inventory. For the homeowner, some of the most common reasons to rent a storage container are when one is remodeling the house. From tearing down walls to adding a new bathroom, a remodel can become a messy affair. It is good to have a safe place in which to put all of your valuables.

It is just as handy for other, smaller jobs you are doing on the house. If you are going to take out the carpet and replace it with hardwood floors, or if you are repainting, you may want to use storage rentals to secure your belongings while you work. You will need to call the storage company and tell them the date on which you want the container delivered. Depending on the amount of material that you need to move into the container, you may want to have it delivered a few days ahead of time. This ensures that you won't have to rush the procedure.

Although there are many companies that offer storage equipment on the Internet, you should find one that has been in business for a while and has a professional staff. These professionals will listen to your needs and can help you with the proper storage container solutions. Learn more about a professional storage rental company by visiting ABRichards.com.

A.B. Richards, Inc., is a company that offers great storage rentals. To look at the available storage options, visit http://www.abrichards.com.

A Conservatory and How to Enhance Your Home's Value

A conservatory can be an extended living space for the home, but it can also be an often used area in the summer. The real problem is that when you install a conservatory, the space for your lawns or garden becomes constricted. This may be a case of compromise much like living in a glass room to enjoy beauty of nature in summer.

Some important factors, which are to be kept in mind while setting up conservatories, are direction in which it faces sunlight. For example, conservatories that face north fall short of getting ample sunlight. The extra heat accumulated also effects household items present in rooms like furniture and may lead to extra cost replacing them. Some of the mechanisms to get cooling effect in conservatories are tapestries and Conservatory blinds.

Nowadays, there are many offline dealers and online websites, which can supply or can even install conservatories. They make the supplied conservatory a perfect extension of your home. However, you can opt to make your conservatory in your own unique way. These are popularly known as DIY projects that you can enjoy in your spare time. This will give you an opportunity to experience the thrill of constructing your own conservatories and can help you save some money in these tight economic times.

Conservatories are also available in ready to use format where you just need small alignment adjustments to get it done. If you are thinking to assemble your own conservatory then keep the following, things in mind so avoid any further issues:-

1) If there are manholes in path of your proposed conservatory fill it up completely with a cover that is sealed tight

2) To amass rainwater by the wall, some conservatories like Edwardian or Victorian come with a roof that is boxed in

3) Height restriction should be assessed carefully, through hipped-back or low-pitched modulations

A conservatory provides you with extra yards of covered spaces where you can relax and spend some time. You can entertain your guests or visitors and it acts as great place to relax during summer days. Take care to include right furniture, right blinds and right utility objects to enjoy these to maximum.

On a monetary aspect, a conservatory can add a great value to a house. On average, this can give up to 11000 pounds for owners in UK. Another good aspect is that a conservatory seldom changes a home's structure. This is something aside but an integral part of a home.

Vince Samios writes about Conservatory Furniture, including Cane Conservatory Furniture, Wicker Conservatory Furniture, and Rattan Conservatory Furniture.

Laying Ceramic Tile - Important Details That Must Be Right

Laying ceramic tile is a simple process. Get the basics right and the project will be a success. Now there are quite a few tricks that you need to know for the project to turn out right. Overlook these few things and you may have problems. Actually some of the most important steps are before you lay the first tile.

Some tile projects fail because of the base over which the tile is set. That's because any movement of the finished tile surface will likely lead to cracks. You see a tile surface is brittle. Move the base around and the tile will crack either in the tiles themselves or in the grout. A cracked tile surface is because of movement of the base. You can easily prevent this.

Now on some surfaces you may need some bracing. But usually even if you have a bouncing mounting surface, covering the surface will solve the problem. Putting down a plywood base or a cement board base is often the solution. The cement board base is almost a standard professional first step. In any case, make sure your base is clean, smooth and solid.

Once you have a solid base, the next important step is to decide where that first tile goes. Get the first tile right and the project is well under way. You see the finished look of the tile surface depends on where the cut tiles are and how all the tile joints look. Usually most rooms aren't exactly square so it's a challenge to make the tile lines match best with the existing walls. Planning is the key to success.

You can often start a floor in the center and work out for the best look. Once you get started it's easy to keep joints even using regular tile spacers. Then you can check regularly with a carpenter square to keep all the tiles properly aligned.

Laying ceramic tile is a step by step process. No particular step is hard, but there are quite a few tricks that you need to know to have the best chance for success. Get off to the right start and you'll surely have a good looking finished project.

You can get access to video tutorials showing the professional tricks to laying ceramic tile on our tile website.

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

How to Shingle a Roof - Don't Rack Your Brain Or Your Shingles!

If you're looking for "how to shingle roof" information, you've come to the right place. One of your first decisions is which pattern to use. You basically have two choices...

How to Shingle Roof - The Racking Method

Running your shingles straight up the roof in columns, is called "racking". It has been around as long as there have been three-tabs, which were designed to be lined up nice and straight. When they're not, they look just awful and you don't have to be an expert to notice it. Even your neighbor, (who doesn't know anything about roofing), knows those tabs are supposed to be straight!

Racking is the best way to keep them straight. When a shingle is out of alignment, it is easy to spot and can be corrected on the very next column.

But manufacturers' don't like racking. This goes back to the days when quality control of the granule colors wasn't as good as it is now. Slight variations in shading were less apparent when the stair step method was used, so that is what they specified then, and they still do,

Although racking is a common trade practice, it occasionally becomes an issue. Since the manufacturers' installation instructions specify the stair step method, some inspectors demand that they be installed that way. That can be a real problem after the new roof is installed!

Your best bet is check first with your roofing inspector first to see if you can rack them, or just use the stair-step method.

How to Shingle Roof - The Stair Step Method

The problem is that it's tough to keep three-tabs in alignment using the stair step method. Perhaps the best solution is to upgrade to an architectural shingle. Sometimes called "dimensional" or "laminated", these were designed to be installed with the stair step method. There is no fussy vertical alignment to contend with.

And when you consider that architectural shingles are typically larger than the three-tab variety, they are much faster to install. They also last longer because they don't have the side gaps, which are the "Achilles Heal" of three-tabs. That's the first place they wear out.

But just because there is no fussy vertical alignment with the architectural type, it doesn't mean you can install them any which way. Follow the directions on the wrapper when creating the steps rather than making your cuts in a random manner. And be sure to watch your nail placement. You don't want any seams to fall within three inches of the nails in the course below.

Of course, there's a lot more "how to shingle roof" information you need to know. To make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

John C Bishop is the author of "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!"

Log Homes As Eco-Friendly Homes

While a log home may not be the first type of home you think of when you think of a green home, the fact is log homes are naturally more eco-friendly than traditionally built homes.

The Logs and Wood

The first consideration for any log home to be eco-friendly is the logs that are used. The main factor for logs to be considered eco-friendly is that the logs should be from a sustainable source. Sustainable sources would include reclaimed wood from other homes and buildings that have been demolished or remodeled, logs that come from a tree farm or other managed forest, logs from burnt out or diseased trees and wood reclaimed from rivers such as old pilings and piers. These types of wood are excellent choices to use in building a log home. The idea is to make sure that your source of logs is sustainable and definitely not from old growth forests or sensitive forest lands.

Size and Layout

Another consideration is the size and layout of a log home. The larger the home, the more logs and materials that will be required. In addition, the layout is crucial to a log home's eco-friendliness. The layout should minimize energy usage for heating and cooling, maximize outdoor sources of light with strategic placement of windows and maximize the sun's rays at different times of the day. The layout and placement of the home should also be in harmony with the existing land and environment.

Building Materials

Other than the logs, the other materials used in a log home are also essential to the eco-friendliness of the space. Carpets, fixtures, flooring, cabinets, appliances, windows, every aspect is important to making a log home green. Some materials, such as carpeting, can give off what are called VOC's or Volatile Organic Compounds when they are installed. These compounds are from the manufacturing of the product and the use of various solvents and glues in the process. These compounds take time to dissipate and can be harmful to chemically sensitive people. This is why the selection of the materials for the home is so important. Nearly every element of a log home can be eco-friendly, you just need to opt for the more organic and eco-friendly choices available.

Energy and Electricity

Like other homes, a log home can be powered by alternative energies that can either comprise the entire energy system of the home or act as an adjunct to a traditional power supply. Solar panels are a popular accessory for log homes, especially those in an area with excellent sun exposure.

When taking these aspects into account, a log home can be one of the most environmentally sound choices when building a new home.

Log Home Exchange is your source for log homes for sale and log cabins for sale in the US and Canada. Visit us at: http://www.loghomeexchange.com/

Using Quality Materials to Build Kit Homes

Kit homes are growing in popularity as more and more prospective home owners realize the efficiency and simplicity of this type of building process. The materials used to build kit homes are based upon local council building requirements. As such, the materials used in kit homes are often state of the art materials on the cutting edge of fireproofing technology as well as wind resistance technology. Ultimately the choice is yours, but choosing a kit home made with quality materials makes great sense. It is the more cost effective way to maximize your benefits and ensure quality in every step of the home building process.

Choosing a Builder and Materials

When you choose a builder that has kit building as their area of expertise it will determine the quality of your home. All builders do not give the same concern to quality materials. Choosing a builder with a solid reputation can save you time, money and heart ache. You choose the correct builder and they will in turn show you how to choose the proper high quality materials you need to make your home building dream a reality.

Just as all builders are not created equal neither are all building materials made the same. Specific building materials that may be suitable for use in one area of the country may be completely unsuitable in another region. If you live in an area that is prone to bush fires for example, the material needed to build your home to the highest level of safety would not be the same materials needed for building in a flood plain.

Choosing a Design

The design style you choose when selecting your kit home will also play a large factor in determining the types of materials needed to build that home. Each kit home has predetermined specifications that cannot be altered structurally. However there is much room for negotiation in many aspects of home building, and you should feel welcome and involved every step of the way.

For example, you are naturally involved in choosing the colours for your homes walls, both interior and exterior. You may choose to let the builder select your light fixtures or you may prefer to select them yourself. Those decisions will be based on how involved you want to be. Talk to your builder, they want to please you.

Showing your Style

One has a multitude of choices in building material. The motivation behind choosing particular options should begin with safety, but it can extend to reflect your personal taste and end up as a display of your style. Once the initial building materials and design have been chosen for your kit home, you can then begin to accessorize. If you want to be involved in choosing your shutters or your water faucets just let your builder know in the beginning. You can hammer out an arrangement that suits both your budget and sense of style.

You can rest assured that in step one, if you choose a high quality kit home builder of sound reputation, it means you can trust that builder to guide you through the myriad of choices in safety and aesthetics as you build your dream home.

Oz Kit Homes are Australia 's premier kit home supplier. Oz Kit Homes have been providing quality kit homes for the owner-builder for over 10 years. For a free quote, visit Kit Homes.

3 Distinct Vanity Styles For Your Bathroom

Every homeowner has a desire to make each room of their home stand out in its own unique way. This is usually done by choosing a piece of furniture, a piece of art to hang on the wall or even a paint color of which the interior design of the room is based upon. This is generally very easy to do in rooms such as the family room or bedroom, but what about in a bathroom or powder room? These are rooms that are often over-looked when it comes to style and design, often due to the smaller scale of these rooms.

The easiest way to change up the bathroom and make it stand out is by add a unique piece of bathroom furniture or a decorative vanity. There are a wide range of styles and price points on the market, but the least expensive way to provide style to either of these two rooms is with an RTA (ready-to-assemble) vanity or Euro Vanity. The RTA vanities come in several different finishes and styles, and are simple to put together and install. You can even get matching mirrors to complete your bathroom transformation. Vanities such as these can be found online using simples search words such as: RTA vanities, RTA bathroom vanities, high-end vanities. These vanities could add style and flare to an often design-less room.

If you have a slightly larger budget, there are many unique Euro Vanities that can be found online. Though this type of vanity is a bit more expensive than the above mentioned RTA vanities, they are still offered at a spectacular price point. They are comparable to many custom-style bathroom fixtures found at high-end retailers, but for a fraction of the price. These vanities can either be found in the RTA form or fully assembled, and include a porcelain sink bowl. These pieces are truly unique and are a bold piece of art that instantly adds style to a bathroom or powder room. They come fully-assembled, thus leaving only installation to complete your bathroom transformation. To find vanities such as these online, you can use some of these key search words: high-end vanities, Euro Vanities.

Need more than just a vanity to complete your bathroom restoration? Have no fear, both types of vanities (RTA and Euro) offer an extensive line of accessories that can add further sophistication and style to your bathroom furniture. While these accessories are not included with your vanity, they too are offered at very reasonable price points, making a total room transformation fiscally achievable.

With easy design solutions such as these, your bathrooms and powder rooms no longer have to simply blend in with the rest of your house. They too can make a unique design statement that is as unique as its owner. As an avid do-it-yourself designer, I highly recommend trying out these two types of bathroom vanities. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much design and style you get for your dollar.

Bathroom cabinets come in a wide range of styles and finishes. If you are looking for a totally unique bathroom cabinet for your home. You have to check out these the latest addition to our vanity collection- High End Bathroom Furniture

Types of Flooring You Might Like to Install in Your Home

Your home reflects your personal traits, tastes and lifestyle. As you give importance to every aspect of your home like the furniture, furnishings, walls, doors, ceilings, so also your flooring needs special attention. You need to choose the right type of flooring for each room, for example tiles are the best flooring solutions for your bathroom as this area is wet all the time and tiles do not get spoilt. Similarly the flooring in your bedroom should be something which is attractive. The walls should also be in tandem with the flooring. Thus it is necessary to select the appropriate wall color to match those of your floor color.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is one amongst the various types of flooring. You can get several patterns to adorn your house with such as the zigzag style, square and circular ones and lots more.

Carpeting

This is a preferred type of flooring for cold climates. In cold places walking on the carpets gives warmth and adds comfort to the total ambience.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is very durable and eco-friendly. It also adds to the beauty of the environment. You can use beautiful patterns, natural or carbonized colors. Bamboo flooring is being widely used in offices, retail outlets and fashionable condominiums.

Wood Flooring

If you want to give a classy look to your house you can use wood flooring. This flooring is difficult to maintain as they could get ruined easily. Careful handling of your wood flooring will make it last longer. Keep water away and use wax to clean the floors. You specially need to wax generously the most frequented areas like the stair landings, the entrance of the rooms, the work areas and other parts.

Slate Flooring

Slate is becoming highly popular as one of the types of flooring because of its durable, slip-resistant, low-maintenance and stain free nature. These were used for offices previously but now are being used in homes as well. The various shapes and colors help in enhancing the beauty of your flooring. You can also create a wonderful combination of the ones having smooth finishes with those having rough finishes. Slate flooring is preferred for kitchens, bathrooms, driveways and pool walls. The Slate flooring is long lasting and does not peel off easily or look faded after some time like vinyl and linoleum.

Marble Flooring

Marble flooring is very easy to clean and does not require any maintenance. It is long lasting as well. This stone is stain free as well. Just use your mop and water to remove the dirty stains and see how they vanish to give you a sparkling floor.

Granite Flooring

Granite is a costly material and thus is used sparingly in commercial buildings but is used prevalently in homes. It is durable and scratch resistant and stain resistant as well. You should use a neutral detergent to clean granite flooring.

April Kerr owns website How to Install Flooring which has further details of flooring types such as natural cork flooring and rubber flooring.

How to Replace a Toilet Seat

Your toilet is one of, if not the most, important element to any bathroom. After all, everyone uses a toilet. Whether a seat is cracked, rusted or falling apart, toilet seat replacement can be, well, a dirty job. To make the job as easy as possible, follow these steps and you'll have a new 'throne' in no time!

Step #1: Gather the Tools
Like any good handyman or handywoman, it's always important to make sure you have all the tools you will need prior to beginning the task. Tools you will need are the following: an adjustable wrench, a standard screwdriver, pliers, an additional Phillips head screwdriver, a hacksaw, painters or masking tape and penetrating oil.

Step #2: Purchase a Replacement Seat
Before you go ahead and uninstall your current toilet lid, it's important to determine that your replacement seat actually fits. Be sure to measure the length, width and height. Most seats come in circles or elongated ovals; note which style your current seat is shaped.

When you are browsing for the ideal replacement seat, consider your current seat. If your seat matches the porcelain, you might want to keep the color scheme consistent. For a bolder style, choose a rich, dark color such as black, burgundy or hunter green.

Step #3: Remove the Current Seat
Now that you are equipped with all the proper tools and the replacement seat, it is time to remove the existing seat. Close the toilet seat. Loosen the nuts on the bolts with an adjustable wrench; they are typically located underneath the toilet rim. These bolts are usually covered with a plastic cap. To remove the cap, use a flathead screwdriver. If they are rusted or corroded, be careful.

If you are having difficulty loosening the nuts, use your pliers to hold the bolt steady as you loosen the nuts. Apply penetrating oil to help; for very difficult nuts, allow the oil solution soak over night. If you are concerned about stripping the porcelain, wrap tape (painter or masking) around the nut and then apply gentle pressure.

Before you call a professional to remove stubborn nuts, try using a saw. Before you use the saw, however, tape cardboard around the toilet bowel rim to protect the porcelain. Additionally, raise the lid (both the cover and the actual toilet bowel rim) and cover the top of the toilet bowel as well with cardboard. Now saw through the bolts with the saw.

Step #4: Clean the Area
Before you install your new seat, properly dispose of the old seat as it may be covered in germs. Additionally, examine the area to wipe away rust stains or other debris from the toilet area. Be sure to check under the toilet bowel rim to remove any rust stains.

Step #5: Install a New Seat
You're now ready to install your new toilet seat. Align the seat correctly and insert the two bolts that fasten the seat to the toilet; there should be two holes where the previous fasteners were located. To prevent a difficult removal process the next time, coat your existing bolts with petroleum jelly juts in case. Next, slip on the washers and then the nuts. First tighten the nuts with your fingers, and then tighten the nuts with your adjustable wrench. If you find that the nuts are turning the bolt as you are attempting to loosen, hold the bolt in place with a pair of pliers. Be sure to lift the seat up and down a few times to be sure the lid moves freely. If the unit seems too loose, continue to tighten. Finally, apply the plastic caps to cover the ends of the bolts.

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

http://www.YourHomeSupply.com