Kitchen Remodeling Ideas for Your Home

A very easy way to improve your home is to remodel your kitchen and bathroom. Upgrading your bathroom will not only improve your house but it will also add value to your house. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling can be very expensive due to the specialist plumbing and electrical wiring skills required.

There are ways to update your kitchen and bathroom without lots of expense. You can simply replace the cabinets in your bathroom and kitchen. Cabinets are the main part of your kitchen and bathroom, by replacing or even updating the cabinets in your room you will be5B4 able to breathe extra life into this room.

Any bathroom or kitchen project can be complicated and take a lot of time to finish. You should carefully look at the cabinets that you want to install. You want to make sure you replace your cabinets with great looking cabinets so you don't have to change them for a very long time!

IT is possible to do really easy and simple bath remodeling projects. Even something as simple as painting the room can change how it looks and feels. You need to make sure that the time that you spend on your bathroom and kitchen are time well spent. Take a careful look at your existing cabinets so that you can check no problems already exist.

If there are any gaps between the cabinets and the wall then these need to be filled. Also check that doors are hung properly, and all drawers open properly. Any of these problems could mean that you require a much more extensive remodel rather than just repainting. If your cabinet is too old then even repainting probably wouldn't be enough. If you have decided that your cabinets are suitable for a quick remodeling project then you should start looking at the different options that are available.

Different Refinishing Techniques

There are a number of different ways that you can remodel a bath room or kitchen by redoing your cabinets. However not all are as simple as just slapping some paint on your units.

If your cabinets are greasy or dir5B4ty then you will need to bleach them in order to clean them down. This is particularly important for kitchen cabinets as they can get very greasy. After this you should clean them down by mixing up a solution of linseed oil, boiling water and bleach.

If they still need cleaning then you can strip the old paint or finish off your existing cabinets. After you have prepared your surfaces you then need to apply the new finish. If you have natural solid wood units then you can stain the wood after stripping. Otherwise you can paint the wood.

If you want a much newer fresher look then you can paint the units. Choose a color that goes well with the rest of the bathroom color schemes. You can use specialist techniques such as sponging or rag rolling to apply the paint to give them a much more unique look.

Redoing your kitchen and bathroom cabinets can be a great way to change the look of your kitchen very cheaply. It's great value for money, why not give it a go?

The magazine writer Leroy Calstard is especially interested in ideas associated to kitchen sinks and home repair. Through his documents on wall mount sinks the reviewer confirmed his experience on the topicB65.

Home Remodeling Books

Attic Ladders

An attic ladder is a set of folding steps that can be accessed easily, and folded up when not in use. For homes, garages and warehouses, it is preferred to use this ladder rather than a staircase since it frees up ground space when not in use. Attic ladders are used for entering an overhead area of storage, called an attic. To open an attic ladder that is folded up, a pull cord or a ring is provided for pulling it down. Once opened, the ladder should touch the ground at an angle so that it is easy to climb up. It is better if attic ladders are fitted with 3 to 5 inches rungs that should be slip resistant.

An attic ladder is a set of folding steps t5B4hat can be accessed easily, and folded up when not in use. For homes, garages and warehouses, it is preferred to use this ladder rather than a staircase since it frees up ground space when not in use. Attic ladders are used for entering an overhead area of storage, called an attic. To open an attic ladder that is folded up, a pull cord or a ring is provided for pulling it down. Once opened, the ladder should touch the ground at an angle so that it is easy to climb up. It is better if attic ladders are fitted with 3 to 5 inches rungs that should be slip resistant.

The traditional wooden attic ladders are still very popular, although aluminum, steel and fiberglass are the more durable and sturdy. For very limited storage space, telescoping attic ladders can be purchased. Attic ladders can take loads up to 300 lbs depending on the model you buy. Attic ladders are commonly designed to reach 9 feet high attics. They are also available in different heights per your requirement. One must measure the attic opening size properly, since the ladder top needs to be fitted there. The attic ladder top comes attached with a frame installed at the attic opening, and the ladder folds up into this frame. Most of attic ladders have a door attached to the ladder that closes once the ladder is folded up inside the frame. Thus, you do not see a gaping hole.

Make sure that once the ladder is folded up, it is locked properly; otherwise it could ope49En up by itself and injure someone. Most attic ladders need to be assembled before installing. The supplier, manufacturer or service person can provide instructions. Check your local building material supplier, hardware shop or order your attic ladder on the Internet.

Ladders provides detailed information about ladders, pool ladders, boat ladders, step ladders and more. Ladders is the sister site of School Playground Equipment.

Antique Store Patio
Architectural Roof Fascia

Replacement Windows and Double Glazing - Essential Buyers Tips

Welcome to my essential tips for replacemnent windows and double glazing buyers. Apart from the first tip (which I consider most important) the tips are not in any particular order. We hope they will assist you in coming to the correct buying decision. Please note a lot of these tips can be equally applied to selecting any contractor.

Replacing windows on your property can change the visual appearance of your home considerably. You should choose a style that matches your property and enhances its looks. This is particularly important with Vinyl / PVCu and Aluminium designs when they are fitted to older properties. Its a good idea to look at properties similar to yours in the area and compare the effect of various replacement window types. It is also a good idea to make sure you have adequate numbers of opening windows. Its been known for some salespeople to promote designs with very few openings and of a very simple nature. The simpler the design and the fewer the openings the cheaper the window. Whilst you may end up with a price you like its more likely you will regret this option in th111Ce end especially as badly designed windows can turn out to be a very bad investment and even lower the value of a property. We have known of buyers of properties negotiating a reduced price for a property just because of this. Whats even sadder is that the seller had only replaced these windows a few years earlier.

Always ask your supplier how long the delivery will be. Its also a good idea to have this stipulated on your contract. Additionally ask for an estimate of how long the work will take to complete once they are on site.

One major problem with the window, siding and roofing business is that anyone with a pickup truck and a ladder can easily call themselves a contractor. Many do not even bother to get a proper license. (Incidentally a licence can easily be obtained by filling out a simple application form and payment of less than $200.00 per year). These contractors are not required to have an office, they can work out of their basement, back yard or just out of their pickup truck. Its easy to get into the business and its even easier to get out of the business. For this reason in particular we only recommend you deal with established contractors who have a supporting infrastructure.

Ask your contractor / supplier for a written lien waiver. Employees, subcontractors, and suppliers have the right in most jurisdictions to file mechanics liens against your property if the contractor does not pay them. Even though you may have paid your contractor for those materials or work, if he doesn't meet his financial obligations, the workmen or suppliers can look to you for payment. After you pay the contractor, make sure to get copies of lien waivers to protect yourself from having to pay for the job twice.

Most window replacement projects do not require permits. However, in the instance of enlarging an opening and installing a new header permits are required. Another area to watch is if a bedroom window has a change of style, the building department will require the new style to conform to the egress code. Many contractors will arrange permits at an additional cost - since it consumes more of their time. Some will simply ask you to pay for permits, which they will arrange for on your behalf.

If permits are required for your work then make sure your contractor pulls the required building permits. This way you will know things will be done to "code". Note: many homeowners insurance policies require pulling a permit on any major remodelling to keep your home properly covered. Some contractors prefer not to pull permits because of the time involved and the "hassle" with the inspectors. Some contractors may even ask you to get the permits. This could be a warning sign that they are not able to pull the permits because they are unlicensed, or the work is outside of their license."

How do you handle job debris? Nothing can be more frustrating than a contractor that has no respect for your property. Make sure that the final price includes removal of all job debris from your property and full clean up. A clean work site is fundamental to a smooth remodelling project. Your contractor should clean up any debris at the end of each day, keep his tools neatly stowed, and neatly stack any excess materials.

Fitting insulated (double-glazed - two panes of glass instead of one) replacement windows will provide some sound insulation. However, if your primary motivation for fitting double-glazing is to reduce sound then secondary glazing where you fit a new single glazed frame in front of the existing (prime) window frame will be better. The greater the "air gap" the better the sound insulation. For an insulated replacement window we suggest you consider windows with a 7/8" air gap. Beware - there are some windows on the market with air gaps as little as 3/8".

Some industry professionals offer a guarantee of fuel savings on certain windows with added benefits. These cost a little more but offer a good long-term return on the additional investment.

If you chose Vinyl for your replacement windows make sure to use 100% virgin vinyl, as opposed to reprocessed or recycled vinyl (regrind) extruded from a variety of used vinyl products. Regrind will be cheaper but will not have the same colour fast guarantees etc.

Dont accept the first 5B4price you are quoted. Get at least two three estimates if you have the time. Research all of the alternatives in terms of product and style.

Where practical try to visit a showroom or view other work carried out by the contractor. Alternatively ask to speak to other customers on the telephone. Do bear in mind however that the company is going to give a reference that will be complimentary. Try and ask specific questions such as Did they turn up on time? Was any thing missing and how quickly was this rectified? Did they leave the site clean and tidy? Dont always expect perfect answers in fact be suspicious if they are. Any type of building work or remodelling can have its problems or unforeseen challenges. The point is how quickly was it sorted and was it to your satisfaction. Its often been said that the true test of a company is when there are problems not when everything goes perfectly.

Most companies will require a deposit with order. Try and make the deposit as low a percentage as possible generally speaking 10% is normal. Avoid paying larger deposits than this unless your work is particularly unique / bespoke such as one off timber window designs. Its likely in these circumstances that suppliers will require higher holding deposits. You should also make sure that a fair percentage is withheld until such times as the work is completed to your entire sa5B4tisfaction.

Check out the Guarantee and what it covers. Its always best to ask a potential supplier to be specific (in writing) about these issues.

Always enquire about the type of locks and security features being fitted. Most modern insulated replacement windows feature security locks and often for a little extra you can have even better security.

With PVCU (Vinyl) windows in particular you will often hear a lot of arguments in favour of using an internally beaded window instead of an externally beaded window. Clearly if the beads holding in the glass are on the inside of the window it will be more difficult for a burglar to remove the glass and enter your home. Do note however that some suppliers of externally beaded windows will fit special glazing gaskets and double-sided tape to the frame and sealed unit in order to improve on the security and some even claim security as good as internal beading.

Rarely will the cheapest price be the best for you in the long run. When comparing like with like please also take into comparison how long the company has been established and the quality of their guarantees.

Ask your supplier if you will be responsible for making good around the new frames when they are fitted. Most suppliers will include this as part of their work but you should check.

Whilst PVCu/Vinyl and Aluminium frames are virtually maintenance free943 please note that the hinges and mechanical parts such as locks will need regular lubrication etc. The frames will also benefit from an occasional wipe down. Special Vinyl frame cleaners are available.

For timber frames you will need to paint every 3-5 years or, if you are using hardwood, oil or varnish as appropriate. I recommend an annual spring clean for all windows and doors no matter whether they are PVCU/Vinyl, Aluminium or Hardwood.

My final tip in this section and perhaps one of the most important. Do not be the Customer from Hell. To get the best out of any Replacement Window Supplier or Contractor maintain a friendly but professional rapport. Do not assume that they will always be trying to get "one over" on you. Their advice may be in your best interests. If you appear defensive and untrusting - always assuming the worst of your supplier - the whole experience will be unpleasant for both you and the supplier. Be vigilant - but always prepared to listen to their advice - especially if problems occur.

Whilst most trades will come prepared with their own food and drinks - do take the time to offer them hospitality. A cold drink on a warm summer day or hot soup in the winter will build on your relationship - resulting in a better job for you.

Barry Dunlop is the Founder of WindowsToday.co.uk - a top online resource for buyers of replacement windows, double glazing, doors, porches, conservatories and secondary glazing. Find out more at http://www.windowstoday.co.uk

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Whole House Remodel Problems

A Review Of Alcoa Home Siding

Every home owner takes pride in how their home looks when they are new and after some time has passed. To help protect our homes from the elements there are different types of siding that can be used. These sidings can include wood, fiber cement, steel, masonite, aluminum and vinyl siding. One of the newer siding materials that has been introduced is that of Alcoa siding.

Alcoa siding was first made by the Alcoa Home Exteriors company. This siding is durable due to its construction to resist heat, high winds, various weather condition changes and it is also maintenance and worry free. Unlike the other sidings Alcoa siding is made from a special compound that is combined with Styrofoam insulation.

This factor alone can make a day and night difference in homes today. So, when looking for home siding there are many factors that you want to take into consideration before you purchase.

As a result of this bonding process the Alcoa siding can provide the entire home with a solid insulation. You can even place this siding over wood panels. This is very useful as the wood has the propensity to lose heat. Since this siding has been combined with Styrofoam insulation the product will increase the resistance to heat release a house by about Twenty-five percent.

While the Alcoa siding is a good product to use for home insulation protection it has other great features that home owners will appreciate. These advantages can be seen as the Alcoa siding has the ability to cut down external noise and wind sounds by 50%.

Now, depending on where you live in the country, this factor alone is one that is appealing to many. This noise reduction is also due to the sidings construction.

This allows you to relax in your home without having to try and hear what is happening in your home because the diverse outside sounds are proving to be bothersome. The other reward that you can see with Alcoa siding is that you will have a home that seems to have a wooden exterior look.

This wood siding look can easily be achieved by the different types of Alcoa siding. One of the best types of wood siding that Alcoa siding can copy is that of Cedarwood siding. Since this type of siding is less expensive than real wood this siding is an attractive option for homeowners who want a Cedarwood wood look to their home without the high maintenance costs.

Alcoa siding is also a good material to be used in places where there is a strong wind factor. As this type of siding is designed to hold out wind speeds that are 160mph. Now, just image if you live in an area with high winds, say like Oregon, being able to not hear as much of the wind noise. In addition to these facts there are dissimilar varieties of Alcoa siding that you can buy.

These varieties include Quest 3 Alcoa siding, Carvedwood Series 2 and you will also find Silhouette Classic. Inside these different forms of Alcoa siding you are sure to find the type of siding that will make your home look attractive and protect it from nature's elements. Let's face it, we all want siding that not only looks attractive, but can provide noise reduction and heat loss reduction.

Bowe Packer provides free online information to over 40 different websites. Visit just one of his sites and learn all about home siding for free.

Custom Home Builders

Soundproofing On a Budget

Soundproofing your home does not have to cost a fortune. If you are under new construction we all know that money it tight. There are many common hardware store items that can be used for soundproofing that won’t break the bank. Most people don’t think of sand as a1762 soundproofing material, but it actually a very good for soundproofing. If your walls are re-enforced, you can use sand in the stud cavities as a soundproofing material. You must be sure that your walls can withstand the weight of the sand. Always use refined or purified sand, not common beach sand that could cause mold or have other bacterial in it that will cause you problems down the line.

Let’s say you are in the middle of new construction on your new home and you know that one of the rooms is going to be your new home theater. You want that room soundproofed but you budget is already stretched to its limits. Did you know that you can use common rolled roofing material from Home Depot or Lowe’s? Rolled roofing is what is generally used on buildings like chicken coops and other roofs where aesthetics is not an issue but stopping leaks is. Rolled roofing generally comes in 30’ long rolls and is 3’ wide. I hear the little wheels in your brain spinning at a hundred miles and hour. What am I going to do with all this rolled roofing material? Well, I’m glad you asked. One of the best soundproofing agents on the market today is mass loaded vinyl, (MLV for short) Mass loaded vinyl is a high grade vinyl material that is impregnated with barium salts and silica to give it the same soundproofing properties as lead sheeting without the hazards associated with lead.

Now MLV can cost from $1.25 to $2.00 per sq ft and when you are building your new dream home that just might be beyond your budget. So now enters the rolled roofing material. I am suggesting that you stretch the rolled roofing material across the studs or the joists if you are soundproofing your ceiling. You will staple or nail the rolled roofing directly to the stud structure like a membrane across the face of the studs. The next section of rolled roofing should overlap the first piece by at least 1”. It is essential to caulk the over lap with an acoustical caulk (hey you have to buy something from the soundproofing guy for giving you all this free advice, right?). The acoustical caulk can be purchased from any reputable soundproofing company like Acoustical Solutions, Sound Isolation Company, or Soundproofing America. Any of these companies will carry a good quality acoustical caulk and can ship it to you. Now back to our soundproofed walls. Once you have the rolled roofing in place and you have caulked the 1” over lap, you will also need to caulk around the entire perimeter of the newly installed rolled roofing membrane. There is a little saying we have in the soundproofing industry, “Caulk is cheap”. I think you get the pun. The point is, use as much caulk as you need to seal every seam gap or crack in your soundproof membrane. You want this roofing material to be as sealed and air tight as possible. Now seeing as the rolled roofing does not have the same soundproofing horsepower as MLV, I would strongly suggest a second layer of the rolled roofing be applied to each wall and to the ceiling area that you that you are soundproofing. Stagger the seams wherever possible This is a small investment to have a soundproof room for your home theater or simply a quiet place to study.

Once you have your 2 layers of rolled roofing installed on your walls and ceiling and everything is caulked liberally, it is time for the finished layer of drywall. I would suggest installing a layer of 5/8” fire code drywall to finish off your soundproofing project. Don’t forget to tape mud and paint the finished drywall.

Now finally I would like to say a little bit about the acoustical caulk. Acoustical caulk is a cheap commodity when compared to the cost of other soundproofing agents, but it is one of the most essential parts of any soundproofing endeavor. Buy a good acoustical caulk and not some cheap silicone caulk. We are already being frugal with the soundproofing material; lets not skimp on the caulk. A good acoustical caulk is OSI-175 SC caulk or Tremco Smoke and Sound caulk. Both of these caulking compounds possess superb acoustical properties. If you have questions about acoustical caulk call one of the online soundproofing companies, they will be glad to help you.

Once the drywall is up and the rolled roofing is completely covered, you will discover that you have a well-soundproofed room and you did it a half the cost of using the professional soundproofing agents. That being said, today’s modern soundproofing products are extremely effective and I feel very reasonably priced compared to other specialized building materials. In this article I just wanted to show that there are other ways to soundproof a wall or ceiling with out using the more costly professional soundproofing agents. I hope this narrative has been informative; it was a pleasure writing it, as there is so little information out on the net about soundproofing. Once again, this is Dr. Bob…Out!

Dr. Bob O. Soundproofing America, Inc. Senior Technical Director Soundproofing Expert to The New York Times, The San Francisco Herald Examiner, The San Diego Union Tribune, and the Charlotte Observer Ph (877) 530-0139 Toll free Fax (347) 721-9079 E-mail: Dr.bob@soundproofingamerica.com Website: http://www.soundproofingamerica.com

Mold And It's EffectsBy

: Yvonne Volante
Perhaps you may have found the dreaded mold lurking in your dwelling recently. Perhaps you even had to recondition it up. To be sure, it's ugly, inconvenient, possibly destructive and possibly a hazard to good health. Unfortunately, mold can form anywhere circumstances exist to foster its advance. It regularly evolves in cool damp places. Usually in locations where temperatures range between 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with a relative humidity level of 70% or higher. Though it is possible for certain molds to grow in lower humidity levels, they are not a common occurrence and rarely a concern over the more common types of mold. Read more about your home and other home care issues at http://www.fhhome.com/ Typical spaces in a domicile where mold tends to take hold are zones such as bathrooms, basements, ceiling tiles, paneling, refrigerators, air circumstanceers, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, trash cans, heating ducts, windowsills, carpeting and other enclosures where wetness may be captured. Mold appears in different ways, each with varying levels of risk to health. In low levels mold is pretty much harmless, but in greater levels the person who comes in contact may suffer allergic symptoms from the spores, as well as more harmful effects. There are two forms of mold called Stachybotrys and Memnoniella which are considered toxic and can have a no-nonsense effect on a persons health. Smaller symptoms of exposure to these toxic molds may include a rash, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, respiratory difficulties, eye irritations, difficulty breathing, sinus inflammation, headaches, fatigue and sore throat.

More austere symptoms of exposure to toxic mold may include ear inflammation, nose bleeds, bleeding of the lungs, memory loss and arthralgia (joint pain). Exposure to any type of mold can always have the possibility of bringing on negative health effects, so it is wise to remove mold when it is found and to foster contingencys, which can help minimize the chances of mold appearing again in the future. First of all, if you find mold in your domicile, purify it right away. For mold advancing on solid material like metal, basic soap and detergent should do the trick. Be sure to dry them immediately afterward. For materials more porous, where mold has sunk in, such as mattresses or other furnishings, the material should be replaced, as it is impossible to remove mold completely from these materials.

To prevent mold from forming in the future, check for any and all sources of wetness. In bathrooms check for leaky faucets or pipes which are no-nonsense culprits for fostering the incidents for mold raiseth. Once you have finished, lower the humidity level of your dwelling to between 30 and 60%. Since most mold advances in circumstances of 70% relative humidity of higher, keeping humidity low in your home will greatly reduce the risk of mold forming again in the future. The steps set forth above are very urgent to follow, especially for those who may suffer from allergies. An ounce of deterrence now could save you inconvenience, discomfort, as well as funds in the years ahead.

Storage Sheds

Storage sheds can either be portable or permanent. Common materials are wood, metal, and concrete. They are actually very easy to build even if you have never built one before. You can purchase shed plans, or buy shed kits at hardware stores such as Lowes. This is usually cheaper than hiring someone to build one for you. The kits can be purchased with windows and doors already pre-cut, which will save you time and hassle.

Storage shed kits will include the wood and other building materials you will need, precut to the exact sizes. Materials include floor joists, floor plates, floor deck, roof panels, wall studs, wall plates, angle brackets, stud brackets, prefabricated siding, and more. Also, there are doors, windows, with detailed assembly instructions. To build a storage shed, all one has to do is to assemble the pieces according to the instructions included in the kit.

Here are some things to consider when choosing your material. Wood has to be good quality such as cedar; or else you may have problems with cockroaches. Also, you have to be careful with wood as it rots after exposure to moisture for prolonged periods of time. An alternative to wood is Poly vinyl carbonate because it resists corrosion, is not affected by heat and insects, and is very durable and inexpensive.

Its up to you how you would like to go about building your shed. Storage shed kits save time and hassle, and you can also purchase storage shed plans online.

For information on storage sheds, please visit http://www.howtobuildastorageshed.com

Holly Stewart is a 23 year old entrepreneur. Visit her website at http://www.howtobuildastorageshed.com http://gregvan.com/garage.htm

Umbrellas For Private Uses

You may ask, what has outdoor umbrellas got to do with you? All you would probably ever need in your life would be just a small single or two-person umbrella that will keep you dry when it is raining cats and dogs. If you are thinking this way, then you may have to change your thinking slightly. Outdoor umbrellas may and may not have anything to with you. It is purely your decision whether you have anything to do with them or not. It is only fair then that you make your decision after you have read this article for it is not right to think that you have been forced to believe that you need to own an huge umbrella before you even know what you are getting yourself into.

For those who love parties and planning for more parties all the time, garden parties should not be far off your list of parties. If this is the case, then umbrellas will undoubtedly come in handy. Both patio umbrellas and market umbrellas are great choices for garden parties as they are big and can easily provide a wider range of shade to more people at one time. Their flexibility also allows you to move and set up at angles that you intended. However, if you feel that buying these umbrellas just for a few outdoor parties are just way too costly for you as you are definitely to need more than one umbrella, you can easily rent them from your local outdoor facilities supplier. These suppliers usually cater shades for large outdoor functions and events. Therefore, renting out some outdoor umbrellas for a private garden party such as yours will not be a problem to them. They will usually have more than enough to supply you.

Besides the use of outdoor umbrellas at private garden parties, they are also highly useful for the backyard. However, you do not need to have a few in your backyards unless you have a very large one. One will do nicely for most yards. You can have either a patio umbrella or a market umbrella that is of your taste and preference put up there complete with a set of garden tables and chairs for your leisure. With these, you can always have a5B4 romantic outdoor dinner with your beloved whenever you want or just on special occasions such as anniversaries. It can also be a place for your family to hang out on weekends and public holidays without having to drive all the way to a park and having to have the trouble of hunting out a parking space. It can be an alternative for you and save you a lot of trouble from driving to parking to sharing with plenty other people. This way, you are definitely going to relax and unwind more after a stressful day or week at work.

In addition to setting up outdoor umbrellas at garden parties and having one in your backyard, they are also useful for family trips to the beach and road trips. Most of the outdoor umbrellas sold are flexible in a sense that they can be easily dismantled and assembled again in another place. Dismantling here does not mean you take the umbrella down to pieces. It usually means that you close the umbrella and detached it from its base. Once at your destination, all you need to do is probe the umbrella back into its base and open it up once more. And hey presto, your outdoor umbrella is just as it is when it was at home! Therefore, you will have no more worries about yourself or your family getting sunburn while lying down on the beach and risk getting skin cancer.

Kenny Leichester is a2D2 leading expert in outdoor furniture design. Get more information regarding patio umbrella. Pillars of Personal Power

Clean Air in One Step

Air Purifier -

Being in a closed room doesn't mean you're free from air pollutions. Airborne particles such as dust, bacteria or fungus are still spreading in the air, unknowingly causing health disorder, especially in respiratory tract. Other than diligently maintain the room's sanitation, the same problem can also be strategically outwitted by using air purifier.

Air purifier main function is to clean the air by using two filters, namely HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) and carbon filter that comes with ion plasmacluster generator. Thus the air purifier could work efficiently in active and/or passive mode. In active mode, the ion plasmacluster will spread around the room, hunting for odor, bacteria, fungi and virus particles. Passively, air purifier will siphon air and filter it in its filter unit.

Air purifier could work automatically when checking air quality in a room. If it finds that the room air is dirty, it will spread out ion plasmacluster to filter the air. If it finds the air to be clean, it will automatically spread out only the negative ion. This filtering processes are the one maintaining a good and fresh oxygen level in a room.

Apart from that, air purifier also features an indicator sensor of air quality. If it sniffes the air to be dirty and smelly, the sensor will show red light. After awhile, and after the air has become somewhat fresher, the light will turn white, and when the air is deemed clean, it will turn green. This way, the user could be positive of the air quality in a room that he/she breaths.

Thus the air purifier becomes one among many solutions to minimize the threat of air pollutions in a room. With recent designs which brings a more compact and elegant looks, it must be beautifully suitable to be placed with the rest of the furnitures.

Setiadi, webmaster and writer for Best-In-Home-Improvement.com the excellent resources on Interior Decorating and Home Improvement including Home Electronics and Home Accessories.

How to Create a "Green Nursery" for Your New Baby

A child's arrival can be one of life's most joyous occasions, and if you're expecting a baby, you may be focused on planning the baby shower or decorating the nursery. While finding interesting color schemes and baby furniture can be exciting, you may be unaware that many of the products commonly found in nurseries such as paint, furniture, and carpeting can emit harmful pollutants such as particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your baby's air.

Paying close attention to your child's indoor air quality is extremely important, as prolonged exposure to airborne pollutants can result in adverse health effects such as asthma, allergies, hay fever, and breathing difficulties. In fact, studies conducted by the EPA have shown that asthma afflicts approximately 6.3 million children, with the biggest growth in asthma cases occurring in children under five. Asthma also tends to be interrelated to allergies, with a large number of asthmatic children also suffering from severe allergies. Therefore, with this in mind, creating a natural baby nursery should take precedence over many other baby-planning activities, as clean air and a baby's immune system are inextricably linked.

As mentioned, VOCs often plague baby nurseries, and they can be found in products such as gasoline, nail polish, and paint thinners. In addition to being hazardous to your baby's health, VOCs harms the environment by contributing to ground-level ozone. Look to these tips to make your nursery as safe as possible.

Paint

VOCs are found in many paints and are released in the air as the paint dries. Before painting your nursery, be sure to look for paints that are low in both VOCs and odor. After the nursery is painted, keep the room well-ventilated by keeping windows open and fans on until there is no remaining odor. Children and pregnant women should also avoid going inside newly painted rooms for at least 72 hours, and if you must paint after the baby comes home, keep the child in another bedroom for a few weeks or until there is no odor.

Floors

Because infants and young children spend the majority of their time on the floor, look for safe floor coverings such as cotton hand-loomed rugs, natural carpet, or even carpet tiles. Also look for area rugs made of natural fibers such as sea grass, sisal, coir, hemp, or jute, as these are stylish, extremely durable, often cost less than wool. If you choose to 591use conventional carpet or rug, air it out in a ventilated area for a week before installation, or ask the carpet retailer to have it aired out and unrolled a week prior to installation and/or delivery.

Furniture

Beware of cribs, changing tables, dressers, and shelves made of laminated wood, pressed wood, fiberboard, or particle board, as these can eliminate formaldehyde due to the glue in the products. Instead, opt for solid wood cribs and furniture and use natural or chemical-free bedding.

To further protect your baby from pollutants, consider purchasing a high quality air purifier with HEPA and Activated Carbon. Not only do these air purifiers offer a high level of protection from a variety of airborne contaminants, they also create a gentle hush that resembles the familiar sound your baby has enjoyed for nine months in the womb.

For more information on air purifiers, Click Here.

Jeanie Wong is a marketing writer with extensive knowledge of heating, cooling, and air purification systems.

Declutter Your Home

Wardrobe Closets Help De-Clutter Your Life

Is your bedroom a magnet for clutter of piles and piles of clothes? Many people think they clean up their clutter by moving it around from room to room. On the other hand, just burying it in a closet does not really help either. All this does is just make the clutter grow. Investing in a wardrobe closet will help to alleviate some of the clothes clutter in your bedroom.

Before you can invest in a wardrobe closet, you must take charge of your clutter. Take all your clothes out of the closet and wherever else they are kept and sort them into three piles. Start with your favorite clothes, these go into the first pile. The second pile should contain the items that you do not wear. The last pile will contain the clothes that you do not love but still wear.

The most important pile is the first pile. Match everything up, such as bottoms go with what particular tops and so on. You could have a pair of pants that goes with several different tops, that is a good thing. The idea of this exercise is to make sure that everything has something to match with it. If something doe not have a match, is there anything in one of the other two piles that is a match. If not, then you will have to set it aside and maybe find a spot for it in your closet. Once you have put together several outfits, these can be set aside for inclusion in your new wardrobe closet.

How many outfits or combos have you now? Do you have enough to last a week? This will be your core wardrobe and should be kept grouped together for easiest access in your wardrobe closet. Next, group together the items that do not have perfect matches or items that you will just not wear that often but still like.

You may find that you have quite a few items left over. Take these items to consignment store, donate them to a local charity or hold a yard sale. The idea is to downsize so that your home is not cluttered with clothes that no one wears. Also, you are trying to get organized so that a wardrobe closet will fit nicely in your bedroom and that it will contain your most wearable clothes.

If you just cannot part with some clothes and there is not any room in the wardrobe closet then pack them up in storage bins and store them out of the way in the basement, garage or storage rental space. This principle of downsizing can be applied to other items besides clothing. This can be also be done for large shoe collections as well. In addition, you can perform this function in any closet or room in your house to complete your entire home de-cluttering project.

Remember, you can do all this. You do not need to hire a professional to de-clutter your home. Take your time and complete one room at a time. You may find that you need more than one wardrobe closet; however, you will be glad you took the time to de-clutter your life.

Our site provides information on wardrobe closets, PODs storage, bedroom closet organization and various other types of closet designs and storage systems. Let us provide all your storage information.

by David Karlson

Vista Room Addition Ideas

Tiny Room Converts to Big Profit!

lf you want to add some value to your property without pricing it out of the neighborhood, and with the least fuss to your household, think of changing your bathroom, or making an extra one.

According to Money Magazine, you can push up the value of your home by up to 20% if you splash out in the smallest room in the house. One of the interesting facts is that large financial output does not necessarily beget large returns on house prices. If you spend too much on a bathroom, y1C84ou will not reap the benefits, according to the CEO of Vision Remodeling.

The expenditure in the bathroom is dependent on the circumstances. For most of us, of course, the majority of the cash flow goes into the fixtures and materials. A faucet can cost as little as $50.00 or as much as $2,050.00 Likewise tiling, ranging from $1.00 per tile to $25.00 and up, per tile.

However, if you have to build a bathroom addition, then the actual foundation, walls and roof will probably be an equal concern. To avoid this, it would be quite acceptable to convert some extra space into a bathroom. Perhaps you can convert a walk in closet or an under-the-stair-cupboard.

Another way to keep costs down is to stay close to existing plumbing lines.

In choosing your bathroom, it is too difficult to second guess the market, but if you install exactly what you want, then you can enjoy the results all the while that the house is yours. If you wish to distinguish your house and bathroom from others on the realty market, then you could choose one luxury touch that is special.

This could be a Jacuzzi, or an antique-effect Victorian bath with legs, remember that both these additions will dictate the style of decor somewhat. Nowadays you can also buy the total toilet that does everything electronically, including wash and dry!!

Any of these ideas will make your house stand out, if you decide to put it on the realty market. With a little imagination you can convert your bathroom into a mini-haven that will bump up your property by 20%.

Written by Kevin Billberry, one of the nation's best resources for homes for sale by owner. Contact us for information on finding Montana homes for sale by owner.

Accessorize Your Kitchen

By: Lee Dobbins



Just like a nice outfit, your kitchen can benefit from accessories! If you are thinking about redecorating but don’t have a lot of dough to put into your kitchen, try simply adding some accessories in a matching theme or color and see how it transforms the room!

Now before you rush out to the store, you should probably decide what sort of theme you are going for. Do you want the look of old Italy? How about a cottage theme? Why not try a country style kitchen? You will want to buy different accessories depending on the theme you choose.

If you can’t quite put your finger on exactly what you want, look in magazines and decorating books or surf the internet to get a flavor of the accessories you would like to see in your kitchen. Once you have found a style you like, you can purchase accessories close to those you see in the magazine or book. Color choices, of course, should compliment the main color in the room.

Sometimes, you can just rearrange the accessories you already have to create a whole different look. It is recommended to group your accessories in odd numbers rather than even numbers. Different heights and textures are also attractive.

Hanging artwork or decorative plates, trays or other wall art in your kitchen can really add to the ambiance, but did you know that most people do not know how to hang wall décor properly? The rule of thumb is that a picture of piece of wall decor should be hung so that the middle of the piece is at eye level. Art work should be placed no more than seven to ten inches above a table. Grouping wall decor in geometric shapes such as rectangles, triangles or circles adds interest.

Bakers racks or open cupboards are too cluttered in most kitchens. If you are using it to store cookbooks, vary the heights of books with the tallest in the middle and avoid putting small books next to tall books. Removing the dust covers can often make the books look more appealing. You can also decorate the shelves with candles, family pictures, fancy bowls, baskets or pantry boxies in odd number groupings of 1, 3 or 5 pieces. Place a plant on the top shelf for balance.

Certain accessories can give your kitchen a gourmet feel. Hanging copper pots and pans from a wire rack attached to the ceiling can add warmth and color. Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Growing herbs in a decorative container on the windowsill can be a great way to add interest and improve your cooking. Accessorize your counter tops with canisters or cooking utensils. A large bowl of fruit on the kitchen table can be fresh or artificial.

Once you have decided on the look you want, don’t feel like you have to run out and buy everything that day. Take your time and shop around for those perfect pieces. Try antique stores, consignment shops or flea markets for ideas. Accessories can make or break the look of your kitchen so be creative and trust your instincts!

About The Author


Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com where you can find out more about decorating your kitchen. Learn more about how accents can enhance your kitchen at http://www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com/kitchen-design-idea.html