What You Need to Know When You Design a Screened Porch

Respected scientists have, through painstaking research, discovered that a single mosquito can lift 10 times its own weight. This means of course, that it takes a mere 11,253,534 mosquitoes to grab, lift, and fly away with an average-sized toy poodle.

Alarming as that may seem, it is not nearly as scary as the fact that 11,253,534 is also the exact number of mosquitoes contained within a cubic meter of mid-summer air found in the typical Midwestern backyard. Which is precisely why those same respected scientists invented the screened porch.

In temperate climates, flying insects can make the enjoyment of warm summer nights very difficult. Americans spend a great deal on money on various methods of repelling the buzzing vampires. We spend even more money on decks and patios only to find their use limited by the local bug population. And that's exactly why so many homeowners make a screened porch an indispensable part of their house.

My clients often ask me whether a screened porch or a "Florida" or "three-season" room is more appropriate for outdoor living in the Midwest. They're very different kinds of spaces; a three-season room is much more than just a screened porch with windows.

Building codes typically require any enclosed space that is capable of being heated and cooled to meet all of the requirements of indoor living space. That means going beyond basic structural stability: a room enclosed with walls and glass must be insulated, heated, provided with adequate natural and/or artificial lighting, fitted with the proper number of electrical outlets, and meet mechanical energy codes.

A screened porch, however, is considered to be outdoor living space and need only be structurally sound. As long as it isn't high enough off of the ground to require a railing, few other code demands are made. There's a cost difference, too, since a screened porch requires fewer trades and far less material to build. It's a relatively cheap way to add living space and extend the enjoyment of your yard and garden into the spring and fall.

But the true delight of a screened porch is the feeling of being outside, without the rain, blazing sun, or bugs. That's an experience that isn't felt in even the most highly glazed "Florida rooms". It's a common mistake to overdo a screened porch, to add more columns than necessary or to install a half-height wall around the perimeter. Anything that creates physical or visual separation between the inside and outside erodes the illusion. The best screened porches are as transparent as possible.

Finding just the right location for a screened porch can be tough, especially on narrow suburban lots. In most cases, the screened porch should be connected to another family gathering area and close to the kitchen, with views of a yard or garden. But how to do that without blocking the views from other rooms? Again, transparency is the key. Make the screens as big as possible and the ceiling high, add a skylight or two, and you'll still have a good view from inside the house.

Materials for a screened porch should be chosen first for architectural compatibility with the house, and second for durability. If the porch is to be painted, make sure to choose a species and grade of wood that will hold paint well. Cedar, redwood, and other Western softwoods are excellent for paint adhesion. Cedar and redwood are also known for their natural resistance to insects and rot.

Other options for the porch's frame include pressure-treated lumber and several recently introduced simulated wood products made from varying proportions of post-consumer recycled plastics and waste wood fibers. These "polymer-lumber" materials offer excellent rot and insect resistance, and eventually weather to a pleasing gray color.

The screens themselves can be made of metal or plastic screening. Plastic screening is usually the best choice, offering rust resistance, light weight, and durability. And although the screens can be attached directly to the porch frame, a "pre-framed" screen system allows for easy replacement and cleaning by simply removing the entire screen and frame as a single unit. A local screen contractor will measure the existing openings and build the pre-framed screens to fit.

A well-designed and well-built screened porch adds value, function, character, and enjoyment to a home. It can get you a little more in touch with the outdoors, and give you another reason to keep the garden weeded. It can also get the bug zapper out of your yard -- and save you a small fortune on citronella.

Richard L. Taylor, AIA is a published author and recognized expert in Residential Architecture. He is President of Richard Taylor Architects, a 5-person firm in Historic Dublin, Ohio. Residential Architect | Luxury Home Plans

Bathroom Mirror - As Important As Personal Grooming Itself

You wake up very late in the morning. You're late! You have a big meeting that will start in a few minutes and you have not even washed your face first. Of course you will skip breakfast, you're late. Of course you will not sit and read the morning newspaper, you're late. The very thing that you want to do now is to get in your office and be ready to face a crowd of colleagues, superiors, and prospective clients. You want to be in there, right there and then. But not just yet, not just yet...

You can skip breakfast and you can skip your normal morning routine of reading the newspaper. But you cannot skip a bathroom routine. You can even skip bathing, but not that one, you have to, you just have to, check yourself in the bathroom mirror. Especially now that you are about to be in a very important meeting, you have to be presentable, and that includes your physical image. You just can't look presentable when you have all the marks of an (apparently a very) good night sleep. And the only way you'll know if you are fine to go out now and run to your office or if you still need a little (but much needed) grooming is by looking at your trusty bathroom mirror. Your bathroom mirror will tell you what needs to be done, and from it you'll know if you can now run. That's how important, personal grooming is, that's how important a bathroom mirror is.

So, you can always buy meals at take-out counters outside your place, and you can always read the newspaper supply of your office, and you can always (although hopefully not) postpone taking a bath, but you can never, not have a bathroom mirror. It seems to be as necessary as the bathroom itself.

The bathroom mirror comes with wide range of designs, shapes, sizes, and of course colors. There are the simple but beautiful frames made of wood or metal, among others. There are the frames with intricate designs. You can have a bathroom mirror that is big enough for you to check your whole body, and there is also of course a bathroom mirror which is just large enough for you to check your face. Most bathroom mirrors are designed to hand on the bathroom wall, but if you have a bigger space, you can have a bathroom mirror that reclines at a desired angle. There are of course special mirrors, like the common bathroom mirror which is also a medicine or toiletries cabinet. And since a bathroom is almost always wet, there is the fog-free bathroom mirror which as the name suggests, eliminates the problem of precipitations on the mirror when the bathroom gets extra humid. The important thing is, you have to find the one that suits your taste, your bathroom (space), and of course, the always important budget.

A bathroom mirror is so important that you just have to look at it (and to yourself of course) even though every second that goes by means you are getting more late for work or school. But then again, you can always wake up early and not curse every second while you are in front of your bathroom mirror.

For more information about bathroom mirror http://www.mhnshopping.com/bathroom-mirrors

Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company

Your Royal Stairway - How to Achieve One

More often than not, most items found in your home serve primarily the purpose of decoration. Take your vases, paintings, and carvings, among others, as examples. However, some items serve for particular functions but may also serve as a decoration. Take your crystal chandelier (it is primarily to give light to your home but also serves as dcor to your ceilings) and your antique mirror for instance.

One thing that is not actually furniture which can be both useful and decorative in function is the stairway. Oftentimes, they serve as pathways from one level of our house to the next. Obviously, this is really a great help in houses with two or more floors. There are also houses which opt to put a stairway's platform in direct vision of a person entering the house from a front door. It gives out this appealing impression. Given this, it is therefore necessary that a stairway is not only sturdy and secure (for purposes of safety) but also must demonstrate "grandiosity" in its own right. Usually, this is attributed to the entire design of the stairway, but can also be tracked down to the specific stair parts, too. You have to remember that even the smallest detail, in this case part, can affect the totality of a whole structure to function and serve its purpose. This goes the same for the stairway and its stair parts.

A stairway may be built in different fashions. It can be helical, straight, or sectioned with a balcony. These final structures usually depend more or less on the materials used for the stair parts. Colossal mansions and castles usually have marble staircases of regal grace and elegance. Suburban homes have staircases of wood. For high buildings and skyscrapers, they have cemented or stone-made staircases. There are also some which have more than two or more materials mixed.

Some stair parts may be made of wood, while the others with cement or steel or other materials. For example, the steps are made of cement, the balusters from steel and the handrail from wood. However, when a staircase is made of marble, it is almost always the only material used for its stair parts, too. Oftentimes, the color of these stairways is usually the same with the rest of the house. This is because a stairway is a part of the entirety of the structure of the house.

There are various designs and materials of stair parts which when combined properly may produce a great look for the stairways. The general consideration is on the structure of your home. Also, consideration is also given to your budget to achieve the one which you like and is fit for your home. Most construction stores and depots offer various stair parts with affordable and reasonable prices.

Stairways, just like any general structures, rely greatly on their stair parts to achieve the final look to be visually stimulating to your guests and visitors and also for its solidity. Be certain that you only get what is best for your stairway to produce the effect of a royal pathway, to the next floor that is.

For more information about Stair Parts feel free to visit http://www.elegantstairsandwoodfloors.com

Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company

The Parable Of Faith

A man owned a farm with his wife and teenage son.

Shortly before picking season, his son hurt his back playing sports, thus not being able to pick the crops.

A friend said to the man, Isnt it terrible that your son hurt his back and cannot pick the crops?

Perhaps replied the farmer.

During picking season, the farmer had to hire someone to replace his son working the fields.

The friend said Isnt it terrible that you have to spend all this money to get the crops picked?

Perhaps

Shortly after crop season, the farmer lost his farm and had to move into a rented house.

Isnt it terrible that you lost your farm and had to move?

Perhaps

Then, the farmers wife left him for another man.

Isnt it terrible that your wife left you?

Perhaps

Next, his son lost his hand when it got caught in the machinery at the mill where he worked.

Isnt it terrible that your son lost his hand?

Perhaps

Lastly the man was diagnosed with a terminal illness which would certainly kill him.

Isnt it terrible that you have this illness and are going to die?

Perhaps

Finally, the friend asked the farmer, How come each time there is bad news, you simply respond by saying perhaps?

The farmer got quiet for a second and replied:

When my son hurt his back, I went and hired someone to work the fields. One day, there was a terrible accident in which the man was killed. Because of the bad news of my sons hurt back, he is alive today.

After his family sued me, the courts took my farm since I had no insurance. We moved into town and the following spring a tornado hit the old farmhouse, killing everyone inside. Because of the bad news of losing my farm, my family is alive today.

Then, my wife left me for another man. After I got over the grieving, I met and fell in love with a younger woman. After we were married, she blessed me with a daughter. Because of the bad news of my wife leaving, I have a child I otherwise would not have had.

Then my son lost his hand at the mill. At that time, all his friends were called up to the war. Of course, my son could not serve his country, much to his disappointment. However, the bus that was carrying his friends was involved in a horrible crash, killing all on board. Because of the bad news of him losing his hand, my son is still alive today.

And now, I am faced with the bad news of having an illness that will kill me. However, all through my life, what appeared to be bad news was actually a fantastic blessing. After time, I realized that each event was actually God helping me. Because of that, I have no reason to believe that this is any different. Is the fact that I have a disease that will kill me bad news?

Perhaps

Dennis Harting is the Head Coach at Your Rich Life. He is an acclaimed speaker, trainer, and best-selling author. His books include Your Easiest Million and The Ultimate Procrastination Handbook. His programs and more information can be found at http://www.yourrichlifeinc.com

Shopping Online For Your Bathroom Vanity

Shopping online for bathroom vanities and vanity cabinets can be a smart way to remodel your bathroom. Not only will you be able to find more choices than you might in a regular supply store, but you will also be able to compare prices to see if you're getting the best deal possible. However, with these benefits come responsibility on your part to know what you're choosing and whether it's the right fit for you. Here's a primer that will help you find the best cabinet or vanity for your needs - at a great price.

Know your size

The first thing you will want to do is measure the distance from the wall to where you want the front of your vanity to be. Most bathroom vanities can be found in widths of under thirty inches to up to six feet. While you might want bathroom vanities to be larger in order to store more things, this can also cause your bathroom to appear cramped and much smaller than it really is. To help you with your measurement, you may want to find a cardboard box that can simulate the various sizes of bathroom cabinets online in order to get a clear mental picture of what your bathroom might look like once it's installed.

Know the wood color and texture

Just as there are hundreds of bathroom vanities, there are dozens of colors that you can choose from in terms of vanities. Some of the more traditional colors include wood veneers like cherry, maple, oak, and walnut. You can also find natural woods that are merely covered with a shiny sealant. Or you may opt for a glass cabinet or shelving system. You might also want to choose a particular color that falls in line with a theme that you have picked out. No matter what color you choose, you will want to ask for a clear picture of the cabinet first before you actually purchase it. A computer screen can sometimes distort the color that you see on the website.

Know the type of cabinet you want

While it seems fairly obvious what vanity cabinets are, bathroom vanities can range in size, shape, and purpose so you will want to know what's out there before you start shopping. Some of the common types of cabinets include:

" Shelving - This can be open, recessed, surface mounted or be placed in a corner. Choosing shelving means that any items that are stored here will be in plain view of anyone in the bathroom.
" Cabinets - Just like the name, these bathroom cabinets will be fully enclosed with doors of wood, glass or another material.
" Countertops - What type of countertop do you want
" Sink - The vanity that you choose may be determined partly by the type of sink that you want. If you want a vessel sink, you must find a vanity that accommodates that type of sink. If you want an undermount sink, then you should narrow your search to those vanities that have that type of sink.

When you're online

Knowing what the descriptions mean when you're shopping online for websites will allow you to pick the best fit for your needs as well as receive the cabinets that you really wanted. Most online retailers of bathroom vanities and vanity cabinets will have a customer service phone number that you should utilize if you have any questions.

For a site that's as helpful as they are stocked with the cabinets you need and want, go to http://www.discountbathroomvanities.com

Dave Robert is a district sales manager 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

How to Build It Wood Shower Pan

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

Ideas To Make Your Bathroom Remodeling Feasible

You may wonder why, for such a small room, the bathroom is one of the significant rooms in the house. The bathroom is a room wherein you can entirely be yourself and express yourself as much as you like.

Since people are spending a lot of their time inside them, then it can be improved to make the time spent inside more pleasurable and not just tolerable. Here are some practical tips and remodeling ideas for your bathroom.

1. Identify the length and breadth of your bathroom. How much space does it have? By knowing exactly the space you have to work on, you can make out a plan on expansions and additions.

For example, do you want your shower area to be more spacey? Do you want to add a bathtub under you shower as a combo?

Meanwhile, if you think your bathroom area is already limited and cramped, then your remodeling may lean more on clearing out several spaces. You can make an otherwise small bathroom roomy if you just have the right ideas.

Installing overhead cabinets and accessory racks may serve to store stuff otherwise put in stand-in cabinets and racks or cluttered on the floor.

Once your bathroom is spacious enough, you can be more comfortable. It will also become big enough for uninhibited movement.

2. Transform the ambiance of your bathroom by remodeling it according to what is trendy but not gaudy.

You can focus on your bathroom's flooring to take away the drabness. If the tiles in your bathroom are plain and lifeless then you could be challenged to consider having more attractive floor tiles. Consider a tile pattern that would lend a cozier feel throughout the room.

Another ambiance-changing activity you can dwell on is the repainting of the bathroom. Choose a color that is soothing and at the same time would complement the lighting to brighten up your bathroom.

If there is still some space that would not interfere with your movement, putting up some ornaments like plants, bathroom accessories, aromatic candles and other decors is a good bathroom remodeling idea.

Home depot stores always have the latest implements for the bathrooms.

3. Remodel your bathroom according to your available financial resources.

If you have enough money for a remodel, then your only problem will be the design. Nevertheless, if you have limited budget then, your plans and ideas for remodeling the bathroom may be limited according to what your resources would allow.

To learn more bathroom remodeling ideas, visit http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.com