Pebble Tile For the Bathroom - How to Work Around Them

Would you like to know the purposes of the pebble tiles? There are actually plenty of them. For one, you can have them in your pond or garden. They can add that Japanese Zen touch, which always denote peace and calmness. You can also utilize them into your walls, especially when you want to achieve texture. There are a lot of them that are very smooth to touch, so they will always feel good into your hands. There will also be a pebble tile for bathroom.

Here are some guidelines in choosing pebble tile for bathroom:

1. Determine what kind of look you want to achieve in your bathroom. There are countless designs of bathroom tile for bathroom that you can pick, and each of them will have a completely different effect than the others. If you want to achieve a more natural look, it would be best if you stick with natural or unpolished pebble tiles. You can also go for polished or glass pebble tiles when you want something that looks completely different. There are also multicolored ones, which are just perfect when you want to be more creative and liberal when it comes to your designs. If you do not have any idea of what to choose, you can try to skim through home magazines and online bathroom designs.

2. Identify where you are going to attach the pebble tile for bathroom. You can use the pebble tiles right into your walls or into your floor. You can place them all over the area or in a specific location. You need to have a clear idea of its placement, since the size of the pebble tile that you are going to select will be dependent on the size of the area. Normally, though, these pebble tiles are measured at 12 inches by 12 inches. You can purchase them by piece or by bulk. Of course, you can definitely save more money when you settle for the latter.

3. Know if you want a professional to work on it or not. Just like any home project, you have two choices. You can have someone work on the pebble tile for bathroom, or you can complete the project on your own. There are advantages and disadvantages for each. If you want to minimize errors or if you do not have any idea on the equipment or additional materials that you are going to need, you should hire a professional. It will cost you hundreds of dollars, but you are assured that they will be perfectly done.

You can also work on the pebble tile for bathroom without any professional help, but you have to rely on your quick learning. There are some guidelines that you can read both online and offline, such as in magazines and books. The pebble tile manufacturer may also have their own instructions on how to install them properly into your bathroom. You have to follow them to a T to avoid committing mistakes along the way.

Kyle Tyler Helps you get creative! - Learn more about how you can easily decorate any surface at home or in the office with pebble tile for the bathroom

Visit Kyle's website at: http://www.PebbleTile.Info

Home Construction With Steel Framing

Home building with light gauge steel framing is a recent development in the history of construction. The use of light gauge steel framing is very nearly identical to framing a home with wood. The main difference is in the way the steel is fastened together. The majority of steel framing is screwed together with specially hardened screws that are engineered to handle the different stresses that joining steel framing together produces. Some training is required to understand the importance of how the steel is put together to get the structural integrity necessary for a sturdy structure.

Light gauge steel framing consists mainly of two kinds of pre-bent steel pieces. One kind is used to be the upright piece that is the replacement for the traditional wood stud. The other one is designed to be the horizontal piece that holds the stud in place. There are other kinds of steel, such as flat pieces, that are used for bracing and stiffening the wall structure, but the two pieces used as stud and track are the most prevalent. The stud is pre-bent into a shape that, if looked at in section, would resemble the letter "c". The two opposing sides of the "c" hold the drywall and sheathing of the wall structure. The other piece is called the track. It's purpose is to hold the stud in place at the proper intervals to distribute the load placed on top of the wall. It is also bent, but in the shape of a "u". The opposing sides of the "u" are used to steady the stud which is inserted in the track. When the proper spacing is achieved, the stud is clamped in place and screwed to the track on both sides. When the upper and lower track hold all the studs in position, the basic wall is complete. Then, a decision is made, whether any further bracing is required. Depending on the amount of load-bearing the wall was designed to support, long, flat pieces of steel may be installed on the surface of the wall to keep it square and rigid. There is another kind of steel that is designed to fit inside pre-cut holes in the studs that will lend rigidity. It is a narrow channel of steel inserted in the pre-cut holes to keep the studs aligned in a flat plane. The variety of different ways these pieces can go together is not the subject of this article. Suffice to say that just about every way to make a frame structure of wood for home construction can be duplicated with steel framing.

There are advantages to using steel framing that make it more attractive as a building material. It will not burn like wood. There is no danger of termite damage. The structure is stronger and more resistant to destructive forces such as high winds and impacts from various sources. The pre-punched holes save a lot of time with plumbing and wiring concerns.

There is one slight disadvantage of using this structural material. It is a little more expensive when compared to the equivalent wood framing. However, as more people choose this material, that price will come down to a competitive level. Also, the use of steel will significantly reduce the large demand on our national forests for building materials. These advantages, in my view, far outweigh the disadvantages. It is the material of choice for our future homes.

Complete Bathroom Remodel Guide

Your bathroom is one place where you are very truthfully yourself and thus you want it to be the most comfortable zone that speaks of your individual style. Bathroom remodel plans are the best way to ensure that your bathroom is what you want it to be. If you want a house that is in-sync with the latest home dcor trend but do not have the budget to go for complete home remodeling, you can get the bathroom remodeling done. Bathroom remodeling incorporates the elements of a modern and latest dcor trends in your house without weighing too much on your pocket.

There are several bathroom trends that are in vogue these days. Hire a bathroom remodel contractor to remodel your bathroom. The contractors are more experienced and better aware of the latest inclinations of the market and the styles. Some popular inclinations for bathroom these days include two sinks, tub-cum-shower and more. In the two-sink bathroom remodel plan there are two sinks in the bathroom so that the toilet area is completely separated from the bath area. Then in the tub-cum-shower bathroom remodel style the shower area is fast being replaced by bathtub that doubles up as the shower area.

Your bathroom remodel plan should take care of the safety and comfort as much as it does of the style. There are several electric gadgets that are used in the bathroom so the bathroom remodel should include appropriate safety measures installation such as:

Non-slip flooring

Ground-fault circuit interrupter electrical controls

No electrical switches around the tub or shower

Water control valves in the shower are pressure balanced and temperature regulating

Make sure that your bathroom remodel contractor has considered the ventilation and lighting fixtures thoughtfully. An efficient and comfortable bathroom is the one that is well lit and well ventilated.

There is no limit to how much you can spend on your bathroom remodel project. However, hiring a contractor will ensure good work that moves within your specified budget, as per your requirements. Moreover, the contractors work within predefined time frame.

Natasha
For more tips and details visit: http://www.allremodel.com

Fireplace Safety Tips

Proper fireplace safety is extremely important. Even if you have been using your fireplace for years, it is important to brush up on your fire safety rules.

Here are some fireplace safety rules for both wood burning and gas fireplaces:

Open the damper before starting a wood burning fire

Leave flue open, even if fire is only smoldering

Teach children about dangers of fire

Use a chimney cap

Do not use lighter fluid to start a fire

Use long matches

For gas fireplaces, light as soon as gas is turned on

Have your chimney inspected annually

Keep decorations and flammables away from the fire

Never leave a wood burning fire burning while you are not there to watch after it

Use a mesh screen with your wood burning fire, and leave glass doors open

Do not burn trash in your fireplace

Keep the top of your chimney and roof clear of debris like pine needles and even low hanging branches.

Realize that artificial logs are not the same as real wood make sure you read the instructions on an artificial log before you use it, and do not add one to a wood fire already burning.

When done with a wood burning fire, and once the ashes have cooled, clean them out in preparation for the next fire.

Do not use charcoal in your fireplace doing so puts you at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you have children, make sure that you have a guard around your gas fireplace children can get burned not just by the fire but by the glass and metal doors surrounding the fire.

If you have a gas fireplace, make sure that you have at least two places in which you can turn off the flow of gas, just in case one of them malfunctions for some reason.

With a gas fireplace, you should stay aware of any unusual smells or flames they could be a sign that your fireplace is not working properly.

Again, realize that fireplace safety is extremely important. Realize that not properly following fireplace safety guidelines could end with harm to all that you hold most dear yourself, your children, your possessions, your home, etc.

It is most definitely worth brushing up on your fireplace safety.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on fireplaces and fireplace safety, please visit Fireplace Doors

Developing Wealth Building Habits

If you want to be successful, you need mentors or in other words find people that have succeeded. These people can include the ultra rich like Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, but don't forget about the people around you that have created good wealth building habits.

Some of the people have great advice and will need to be listened to very intently, while others need to be put on a list and never spoken to again. If you're going to be developing wealth building habits, you're going to need some advice from wealthy people. Let me make myself clear, when I'm talking about developing wealth building habits, I'm not talking about spiritual, knowledge, Biblical or religious wealth. I'm talking about making money, as much money as you desire or feel you need.

Wealth building habits start with you. Ask yourself this question "how bad do I want or desire wealth?" Really, really, really bad or are you the kind of person that would like to be rich, but that's as far as it goes. Developing any of these habits does not include sleeping in until 11 o'clock in the morning and then complaining the rest of the day about your finances.

Bill Gates used to work 16 hours a day. How many days a week did he do that? These are the questions you're going to find the answers to. If you're interested in making $50 million, you need to find someone who can teach you, how to make $50 million.

It won't be necessary to contact Warren Buffett but I would advise you to gather as much information about him as possible. Wealth building habits start with learning about wealthy people. If they get up at four o'clock in the morning and read the newspaper until six o'clock, then exercise for 30 minutes and start working at seven o'clock, you need to start doing this also. Developing good wealth building habits over time are what most successful businessman and women have been doing for years. Study their habits and start changing yours.

If you do something every day, it will usually become a habit within 30 days.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a self help video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Bathroom Interior Decoration

These days a bathroom interior design is even more important and attracts much more attention of the owners than kitchen design. In a modern design concept a bathroom is no longer just a functional zone but turned to be one of the main components of a stylish interior.

The role of a bathroom in our life has been misjudged for too long. Meanwhile, the way how our bathroom looks fundamentally influences our everyday mood. We don't simply accomplish essential hygienic procedure there - this is a place where we start and finish our day. And that is why its atmosphere is of a great importance: it can energize or prepare you for sleep, cheer up, generate necessary mood.

With changed attitude to a bathroom itself the main components, forming its space, remained the same. Yes, undoubtedly the bathroom fixtures selection is important, however the main element, appointing to the bathroom style stays tiles. It's impossible to be replaced.

The Art of Imitation.

It looks like couturieres' laurels keep on the run the bathrooms interior designers: in increasing frequency they use textiles in the most different projects and can't stop making various materials imitating it. So the ceramic tiles became a show-piece of a new art - there used to be collections where ceramic tiles were imitating natural stone, wood or metal, however nowadays designers moved to a new level. A new trend is ceramic tiles adroitly disguising into luxurious silk wallpaper or weightless French lacework impression.

Visual effect is awesome - you can recognize "fake" only at very short range, or even only after touching the tiles. Skillful leather imitations of different types are already common, but "ceramic leather" is an obvious new season hit.

Another trend - historical catchwords - can set wits to imitation. This is not just a new vintage - skillful, but still a fake, - that is a retrospect, reference to classics and traditions, to the warmth of a family estate in the midst of a noisy city, if you prefer. Here one can see not only designers' desire to create an outer effect, adding olden time imitation to surroundings, here aspiration of creating something historically veracious is absolutely clear. In addition to such surroundings designers offer already well-known trend, which is popular during several seasons, - vintage terra-cotta tiles with baroque ornament of cracks and attrition as if left after the hot Italian sun.

Ecological Rhetoric

Fortunately modern design fashion is far from being monotonous, it is various, contradictory, and there is always a counterbalance to every modern trend: so historical catchwords nostalgia and imitations flimsiness neighbors on bionic trend. Perhaps there is nothing new in it - well- known 60-70th yet again. This trend will no doubt find its fans among former school students and new intellectuals. In fact coming into this style designed bathroom one wants to think about sense of life as well as caducity and eternity of all existing... In this trend ergonomic forms and outrageous colors are not as important as up-to-date ecological rhetoric.

Art-Delicacy

The last in the list of new trends is one more bright direction. Both classical and mould-breaking art theme was always used with pleasure by the bathroom designers while creating new collections of ceramic tiles. From year to year craftsmen reproduce pictures of well-known artists, photos elements, sketches or children drawings on ceramics. These days art trend moved to a new level - with both selecting objects for reproducing and implementation of the design idea.

New Classics of Any Genre

Variety of new trends in ceramic tiles design amazes and gives full scope to art and selection of the only correct trend. Today fashion is good by being cosmopolite. However on closer look one can notice some similarity specific to all interior design in general.

One way or another, with all variety of themes, forms and colors - either it is ceramic tiles or sliding wardrobe model - art deco style rules the object design world these days, invisibly and subtly but skillfully and persistently. Don't the same imitations and paintings, luxurious leather and expensive species of wood imitations, painting of various flora and fauna objects refer exactly to it? Today's art-deco is different - it is based on nuances and touches, not showing up to the full extent. But because of it its presence isn't less visible. Using its motifs designers skillfully spice almost any bathroom interior - from high-tech to country. It is also used in design of luxurious hotels, as well as in gallery space, private inns and bathrooms... So imitation, bionics and art are samples of art-deco style implementation in its new interpretation. This style is expensive, intellectual, presentable - became a trend already. Art-deco elements usage demands professional skills and good taste, but result usually exceeds the best expectations.

Arthur Prudent is a developer of London builders - bathroom, kitchen installation - web site offering all aspects of builders services. London builders - Bathroom Interior Decoration.

A Simple Homemade Solar Air Heater - Home Tips

The use of solar energy from the sun is one of the ways where depletion of resources (especially that of consumable energy generators such as oil and coal) is lessened and conservation of energy is maximized. Knowing on how to build a simple and cheap diy homemade solar powered air conditioning heater to heat up a room or a house is one example of the application of solar energy for household use.

The basic principle in making a solar air heater lies in the behavior and movements of air, metals and colors. Inside the main body of the solar air heaters are pipes or tubings coated in black paint (using black paint enhances the ability of the pipes to absorb heat). These pipes are also made up of metals which have abilities to attract and absorb heat (some environmentalists use aluminum cans because this metal has a high thermal conductivity and at the same time by doing so recycling is done lessening the garbage and effect to land contamination).

Solar air heaters are usually situated in a vertical position where its body or at least a large portion of the whole apparatus is exposed to the sun's rays. As cool air enters the bottom portion of the tank, it passes through the black-coated pipes and it is in this process that transfer of heat from the pipes to the transient air happens (convection). The laws of heat transfer states that heat moves from the hotter body to a cooler one, following this law, the pipes which in this situation is the hotter object gives off its heat into the cooler body, the moving air.

Basic theories of science also states that one of the properties of air is that cooler air moves down and hotter air goes up. This is partly one of the hidden reasons why solar air heaters are suggested to be built vertically rather than horizontally, because without using any other equipments or devices cool air enters the bottom of the heater then as the temperature goes up due to the transfer of heat this air goes up into air vents or tubes which is connected to the room or house where increase in temperature is desired. No more compressor or pump is necessary for such movement.

The longer the pipings and tubings are and the more tubes the air passes through the higher the increase of temperature from the final output to the initial input are achieved. Designs such as loops and the "snake" piping configuration are sometimes suggested by literature for use as it requires slower rising of air to the outlet and having more heat transfer processes as it passes through. However by using these complex patterns it must also be taken into consideration that this also has a negative side because if insulation of heat is quite poor the longer the pipings are the more chances the initial heat acquired by the air is instead given off to the surroundings. Now you have a better idea on how to build a simple and cheap diy homemade solar powered air conditioning heater.

Want full help in making anything solar? Be eco-friendly and save on electricity.

Go now to http://www.fullearth4energyreview.com to know more on using renewable energy sources at your home, and to have the right guidance.

South West Shower Curtains

Privacy is key especially when having a bath. Curtains are very important in providing privacy in shared bathrooms. However, if you value the beauty of your bathroom, you should choose curtains carefully. South West shower curtains come in outstanding designs. They bring a sense of warmth and rejuvenation to the bathing place. It is best to add matching accessories so as to transform the whole place.

There are many colors in which the curtains come in. They include: green, red wine, gold, brown and purple. The Arapho type comes in warm earth tones. Some of these tones are: russet and ocher. It is an excellent choice for a casual expression. South West shower curtains are available in different materials. Polyester is one such material.

It is advisable to have very long curtains. They prevent water from seeping into other areas in the bathroom. The Silver ado type is loved by many. It is simply beautiful. The Se dona type of curtains are designed by Lawrence Home fashions. The curtains in colors such as brown, Se dona red, sage green gold and purple. As you bathe, the curtains create a view of the Se dona Red rocks.

There are some South West shower curtains that are available in rare colors. Some of these include: rust, turquoise blue and earth brown. Your bathroom will surely be a place to refresh and relax. These curtains are available in shopping malls. They are also available online. You simply need to let your fingers do the walking. Whatever your choice will be, ensure that it suits your pocket and your home.

Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Shower Curtain. For More Information on South West Shower Curtains, Visit His Site at SOUTH WEST SHOWER CURTAINS

You Can Also Add Your Views About South West Shower Curtains At My Blog here SOUTH WEST SHOWER CURTAINS

If All You Have is a Hammer Everything Starts to Look Like a Nail

We were watching the film Mulholland Drive yesterday and it suddenly hit us like a bolt of lightening. How many times we misdiagnose a situation. How many times we carry on a path not knowing that our assumption have taken us miles off course.

Its like playing golf and only knowing how to use three clubs and having to use them in every situation.

Its like looking through a camera zoom lens instead of a wide angle.

Its like blindly following anothers opinion.

The fact is that most of our lives are spent reusing the information collected in our formative years. Thus, when anything new enters our arena we immediately go to the past to try to make sense of it.

The outcome is: we each live an illusion. We each see our world through some really heavily tinted spectacles. We each act as though we are a hammer and everything that comes in front of us is a nail.

The problem is. IT DOESNT WORK.

We were amazed how easily we fell into the trap. How easily we interpreted what was happening before our eyes and made it logical. How easily we searched for closure.

To make us comfortable we wanted to put things into a comfortable category. We wanted to place happenings in a box in the same way a librarian codes books for easy access. Ah! That goes in the family box. That is rude behaviour. That is unacceptable in public. That shows he is uneducated etc etc etc

Yes, you could argue that this form of coding is important in life because it helps us get through life quickly.
BUT!!!
Why do we like to put ourselves and others into psychological boxes? What is it about us that we like to say we are this type of person or that? Why do we want to limit ourselves? Why do we want to sell ourselves short?

Its like being a carpenter who only has a hammer in his toolbox. We are restricting ourselves beyond belief. Just imagine how restricting it would be if you only had a hammer in your toolbox? How can you get passionate about anything if all you are capable of is knocking the brains out of any information that comes your way?

How do you find out what you were brought onto this planet to do if all you can do is respond in the same way to whatever is put in front of you.

How do you develop and grow your children if all they see is the same behaviour irrespective of the problem posed.

How do you rise to the challenges of our society if all you do is apply the same reasoning even though it doesnt fit?

As Howard Schatz. The famous New York dance photographer stated in one of his books:

I told each dancer that when it was easy, it had probably been done
before, probably many times. I explained that only when it was so hard
that it was nearly impossible were we perhaps close to getting something
unique and extraordinary.

Is this why we like to categorise situations and people? We actually dont like hard work.

Is it that we dont like the pressure of being our true selves? Because to do that we have to stand out?

Is it that we cant cope with being unique and extraordinary, so we just want to be similar and ordinary?

Is it that we are afraid of who we might be? Are we afraid that we can be successful? Afraid that if we admit to ourselves that we have talent we might have to do something with our lives?

Is it that we dont really want to find out who we really are and what we are capable of?

We dont know about you but we want to be unique, we want to find out and use our uniqueness. We want to be fulfilled. We want to find our energy source that is released when we are doing what we are intended to do. We want to be in the flow, as some writers describe it.

We have come to realise that what stops us from being in the flow all the time. What stops us from releasing our passion. What stops us from behaving naturally. What makes us waste energy.

FEAR.

Fear keeps us placing people and situations into categories.

Fear stops us from leading ourselves.

Fear stops us from letting go of the past.

Fear keeps our habitual patterns in place.

Being frightened and feeling second best stop us from finding our true selves.

Fear buries the natural me.

A musician must make music, and artists must paint,
a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.
What a man can be, he must be
(Maslow)

What about you?

Good Luck

Graham and Julie

www.desktop-meditation.com

To improve your intuition, initiative and energy levels please go to: http://www.desktop-meditation.com Its free.

Cement Rendering And Building Plastering

The purpose of rendering is two-fold, namely to weatherproof the building wall and to provide pleasing finishes of various textures. Plastering is a skilled trade and an expert plasterer should be employed wherever possible, as there are many points that can only be learnt by experience. However, if skilled help is not available, it is necessary to know the elementary principles involved, that is, how to prepare the surface, choose the mix, proportion the materials and apply the plaster.

The proportions of cement, lime and sand to use depend upon the purpose of the plaster and the nature of the building surface to which it is to be applied. A pure lime plaster is comparatively soft and weak and is slow setting, so it is usually gauged with cement to increase its strength and hardness and to shorten the period of hardening. The strength increases and the period of hardening decreases as the amount of cement increases in proportion to the amount of lime, until with a pure cement plaster with no lime, the strength is a maximum and the hardening period the least. However, as the proportion of cement is increased the plaster becomes less workable and more difficult to apply. The proportion of sand should not exceed three times the combined proportions of lime and cement. A stronger plaster should not be applied to weak porous backing or a strong finish coat to a weak first coat.

For external building plastering or 'rendering' on a dense material such as concrete, dense concrete blocks and hard clay bricks of low porosity, the best proportions to use are 1 part cement, 1 part hydrated lime and 6 parts sand by volume. On exposed building walls subject to driving rains the proportion of lime may be decreased and the cement increased to say 1 :: 6 mix or a 1:4 cement plaster to which up to 10% of lime by weight of the cement is added to make it workable.

On external building walls of low strength and high porosity such as low quality breeze concrete blocks the external rendering should not be stronger than a 1:1:6 mix as above and a strong cement mix with little or no lime should not be used.

For internal plastering the best proportions are 1 cement, 1 lime and 6 sand; or 1 cement, 2 lime and 9 sand; or a lime mix only of 1:3 or 4 may be used, remembering that the cement increases the strength and hardness and reduces the period of hardening. For water containers such as fishponds only cement plasters should be used.

The weather during plastering and rendering may have considerable influence on the finished work. External rendering should be started on the shady side of the building to keep it unexposed to the sun as long as possible. No plastering should be done in frosty weather. In cold weather plaster hardens slowly and a longer period of time between coats should be allowed. In very hot weather the successive coats must be kept damp and protected from drying out for at least two days after application. Draughts and local sources of heat may cause too rapid drying out. Gentle heat and moderate ventilation are the best conditions for plastering.

Michael Russell Your Independent Building guide.

Cork Flooring Basics

Cork trees are a variety of the oak tree species. While most other wood or grass (bamboo) flooring materials are made by utilizing the stalk of the plant, cork is the outer layer of bark. Harvesting the bark of the cork tree is environmentally friendly, as it does not kill the plant. In fact, cork trees grow a fresh layer of harvestable bark every six years. The cork tree can continue to grow new bark for decades if not centuries. Very little of the harvested bark goes to waste.

No other material has the visual detail that is found in cork flooring. It is an excellent flooring material in both homes and offices. Cork has been used as a floor covering for many centuries because of its durability and appearance.

Durability and Resilience

Cork provides resilience and comfort. Unlike many of the ceramic flooring materials, standing on cork does not lead to sore and stained calf mussels. Many people believe that cork is soft, elastic, can be compressed, and hence should not be used if you want a long life floor. This not the correct and the proof is, that there are many century old European estates that still have their original cork floors. When cared for properly, as is necessary with any hardwood flooring, it is capable of providing decades of service.

An excellent flooring material for both kitchen and bathroom floors, cork is extremely resistant to any penetration by a liquid and it provides a non-slip surface (somewhat dependent on how it has been finished). Note: Cork should be sealed when installed as a kitchen or bathroom floor.

Health Benefits

Cork is naturally hypoallergenic and antistatic. Homeowners who are concerned about the allergenic effects of any building materials should consider cork as it resists the growth of mildew and mold and will not attract pollen or dust particles. Cork floors are easy to maintain and do not release fibers nor do they emit any toxins into the air making it an excellent flooring for individuals with respiratory ailments.

Insulating Properties

Cork has outstanding insulation characteristics. Its naturally low thermal conductivity provides a barrier to excessive heat or cold. It reduces energy costs in both heating and cooling. Its thermal properties make it an excellent flooring over above or below grade cement subfloors. Even without under floor heating a cork floor is warm to the touch. An excellent solution to cold, basement, family room floors.

For additional information on flooring products for your home or other renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.

Build Or Remodel - Constuction Tips

There are three possible scenarios involved in that question:

1. Stay where you are and renovate

2. Move to an existing house and renovate

3. Build a new house for you to move into

There are numerous considerations, not the least of which is how you feel about your existing location. That word - LOCATION - should be your primary focus. Do you prefer to remain where you are, or not? Is staying where you are an option, or are you forced to relocate due to a job change, or other issues?

If you wish to stay where you are, there's no reason to read this article. Remodeling and/or expanding the place where you now live is the least expensive alternative - by far.
Your aggravation levels will increase during the construction, but they will do that with either of the other choices as well. If it gets to be too much, you can move to a motel for 2 months, eat dinner out every night, and still come out cheaper than either option 2 or option 3. If you want to be in your present home, case closed.

So let's assume you have to move, and we'll concentrate on option 2 vs. option 3. There are two important aspects of this topic which apply to both.
In both cases you have to research the property with the building department to make sure you will be able to do what you wish. Verify zoning, lot size restrictions, and access to utilities.
You will have unknown costs (moving, insurance, taxes, financing costs, etc.) in either case.

Advantages of remodeling an existing house:
Fewer hidden (or unknown) costs. New homes often have impact fees, ground preparation fees, and higher permit fees than those imposed for remodeling.
Hard construction costs will be less (usually, but not always).
You can move into the house much sooner. If you have to leave your existing home quickly, you may not have the ability to wait for a new home to be built.

Advantages of building new:
Unrestricted design potential, allowing you to end up with a more modern, better insulated home, with better traffic flow than you would have in an older building. Also, older homes have less closet/storage space than new ones.
Your long term energy costs will be lower because all of your equipment will be running more efficiently.
Less disruption to family routine. While construction is happening, you're still living in your present house. Then you move into a finished product (possibly with some decorative items to complete).

I'm sure you noticed that I haven't listed costs in either list. The determining factor is going to be the extent of the renovation to the existing building. Depending upon the condition of the house, age, building codes and other factors, it can actually be more costly to remodel than to build new.

In either case, allow an extra 20% in your budget over and above any quoted costs you've obtained. 10% is for upgrades that you decide upon after initial pricing. The other 10% is for the rising costs of material and labor. If the price of oil goes through the roof again, 10% might not be enough.

If the older home was built between 1950 and 1978, there might be issues having to do with asbestos and lead paint. Make sure you get a professional inspection performed. You may also be required to bring the plumbing and electrical systems up to date.

In conclusion, renovating a home might be very rewarding, as well as the cheaper alternative. However, you have to do your homework before making the commitment, in order to insure that you're not stepping into a money pit. Every situation is different. Your decision will probably come down to what your sixth sense tells you. Regardless of how you choose, anticipate that moving into a new home will take more time and more money than expected.

Charles Gueli

Home Helper

http://www.continuous-home-improvement-help.com

In Search of Vintage Bathroom Vanities

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

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

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

That Unmistakable Regal Touch

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

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

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

Selecting One Could Take You Ages

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

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

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

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

Wise Buys For American Garage Door Consumers

Saving for the rainy days is one of the best values a homeowner should bear in mind. Especially in this time of crisis, consumer responsibility is vital. In purchasing an American garage door, consumers should not only consider affordability but quality as well. Even if garage door openers don't come cheap these days, buyers should not worry so much. There are many door manufacturers that offer discounted prices and promotional packages for their patrons.

Wise buys for American garage door consumers include those door openers bought from manufacturers that attach coupons for freebies or discounts up to 50% or even greater. There are also free home service and maintenance repairs for a year or longer, depending upon the manufacturers. For homeowners that purchase through credit cards, manufacturers and credit card companies offer sign-up bonuses and 0% promos on credit card transfer balance.

Consumers need not fret on getting a good quality American garage door opener in their homes. In fact, the more expensive it is, the more safety and security it brings. These door openers should be bought or custom-made at manufacturer companies already known for fine quality and services in producing garage doors. Remember that one of the reasons why a home can look outstandingly beautiful is its garage and having garage door openers that is all that splendid and affordable is definitely a wise investment.

During this time when the U.S. economy is very unstable, buying new American garage door openers is a wise investment. Aside from increasing your real estate's worth, it reduces the risk of damage.

Knowing what to look for in an American garage door is not enough. Find out WHERE and HOW you can grab the top deals on the best garage door online!

Renovating a Barn Home

Lovely old barns have great historic connotations that we may want to preserve. We can all imagine all of the activity that must have taken place there in days gone by. Old barns remind us of bygone days of hard work and dedication to the land and the fruits of the land. This is the reason many people like to keep and restore old barn homes.

Once the scope of the project has been outlined, there will surely be a lot to keep track of in order to make sure the necessary items are preserved. Old barns have many beautiful features, as well as equipment that should be preserved or restored to their original condition. This is one of the major problems with a barn home renovation: how to keep the old intact while at the same time introducing modern features that will make life more comfortable, even if it just means adding your own bathroom accessories. If you want to get the most out of your barn home renovation, use these tips to make the job easier for you to do and also ensure that you will have a very livable home.

The most important feature to be concerned about in an old barn is the flooring. Don't forget that this area of the barn got a lot of use over the years, and will probably will need the most renovating and maintenance. Barns are notorious for roof leaks, and water seeping in from such a leak may have damaged the floor. The first step is to clean up the flooring and do a thorough inspection for any damage of this kind.

The next step is to thoroughly check all electrical systems in the barn. An old building can be a real hazard if the electrical system is also old and probably unsafe. All too many barns have been destroyed by fires caused by faulty electrical systems. A thorough inspection should be carried out, and any defective electrical equipment should be immediately replaced.

Keeping track step by step of your barn renovation is an important task. You don't want to lose track of any of the historical items and you also want to make sure the building is safe and able to give you modern comforts. If you don't know enough about this kind of a project, you probably should hire a contractor to handle the job for you and make sure it gets done right.

Adam Peters is the consultant of some online magazines. Find at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/Bathroom_Accessorizing.html more articles on home interior accessories.

Importance of Bathroom Furniture

Building a new home always has some kind of excitement attached to it, as it is considered to be a status symbol. After the home has been renovated or your new home has been constructed it is obvious that many people visit the place. An integral part of your home is the bathroom and it is also called as rest room probably because you we do spend a lot of time there. It is good feeling when it has been well built. Although a good bathroom comes at a price and it is worthed to invest however there are many ways with which you can reduce the cost of building. These days' people are paying a lot of attention over the dcor and the furniture and fittings of the rest room so that it becomes a part of their lifestyle. Great care has to be taken while choosing the furniture and fittings of your bathroom; otherwise it can act as a pinch on your pocket. One of the hardest places to design is bathroom because there are many areas involved like the ceiling the taps, showers and many other things.

Firstly the main thing is the size and shape of your bathroom. Shape of your bathroom is important because that decides what kind of furniture is going to be used. Be careful while choosing your vanity and cabinets; ensure that you don't crowd the room. Overcrowding will ruin the feel of relaxation. When you're buying your furniture you should not look only for beauty but also its safety and finishes. Designer furniture gives complete new looks to your bathroom. Today people want there bathroom to be unique. A neat and tidy bathroom reflects the person's living style.

Before buying accessories think of your design and theme of your bathroom then list out the main things like: sinks, cabinets, showers, toilet, hutches and tubs. Modern accessories provide a dual benefit that is looks as well as good storage facilities. Bathroom designers are very keen on innovating new looks, new styles, new designs to give unique look. The material used in bathroom accessories are wood, glass, stone, porcelain and concrete. Wooden furniture is an apt choice and it suits both modern and traditional theme. All the materials are different in quality and design and cost depend upon quality of material.

The furniture should match your bathroom; lack of unity will spoil the whole concept of your bathroom, even if the material looks fancy but it needs to match the color of your restroom otherwise it would spoilt the coherence of the restroom and it would look messy. Good lighting, new style of windows give new looks to your bathroom. But one of the important things is that you should not overlook your budget. But it is essential that you should not compromise on the quality aspect, renovation is an one time investment and it would be incurred at the maximum once in five to six years so ensure that you buy good quality stuff , frequent changes may pose a pinch to your pocket.

Sharon Samraj is an expert author, who is presently working on the site Bathroom Vanities, Bathroom Furniture, Discount Bathroom Vanities. He has written many articles in various topics like Bathroom Cabinet, Wood Bathroom Vanities. For more information contact http://www.istockvanities.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.

Glass Block Window Prices - 9 Cost Saving Ideas For Basement & Bathroom Windows

Getting the best price and value in your glass block window purchase may never be as important as it is today. The cheapest price sometimes comes with the worst service and poorest product quality. How do you ensure you get an excellent value with the features and benefits you want in a new block window purchase? Use the 9 ideas presented in this article to stretch your dollars and exceed your expectations with this purchase.

General Glass Block Window Cost Saving Ideas

Here are 3 general cost saving ideas to consider:

1. Buy Prefabricated Window Panels Factory Direct - Since a large percentage of block windows are made to order due to sizing differences with the existing windows being replaced, why invest unnecessary time going to supply yards and retailers who rarely sell custom sized block windows? As long as you have your opening sizes the windows can be prefabricated and shipped directly to you anywhere in the United States. There is generally a substantial price saving to you versus having to find a skilled mason to put the windows together and the quality is higher since the windows are built in the factory, not at the project site. Consumers in states like North & South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, and Louisiana where masons are harder to find have found this service beneficial.

2. Compare Installation Guarantees to Years in Business - Did you ever buy from someone who gave you a "lifetime guarantee" only to call them one year later for service and find a disconnected phone number? If you're looking to have your block windows professionally installed by a contractor ask them how many years they have been in business and how many glass block window projects they've completed. If you're not comfortable asking these questions consider joining a consumer rating service like Angie's list to get the straight scoop on your potential contractor.

3. Beware of discounters selling metric sizes or off color blocks - Remember the Latin phrase - caveat emptor (which means let the buyer beware). Although metric sizes can work in openings you are creating new the standard metric sizes usually do not fit existing masonry and rough openings in the United States market. Another trick some "discounters" will use is to sell off color glass blocks. These are blocks where the shading or hue of the blocks may be inconsistent from size to size or from block to block. Evaluate the quality of your potential supplier starting with their web site, to the staff that answers your questions on the phone, to the manufacturers they use - Pittsburgh Corning and Mulia are two of the highest quality manufacturers in the market today. If the pricing seems too good to be true it just might be.

Basement Glass Block Window Cost Saving Ideas

Here are 3 cost saving ideas specifically related to block basement windows:

1. Buy air vents for your block windows with the initial purchase - An extremely popular feature with block basement windows are air vents to allow fresh air in the lower level and to minimize mold concerns. Air vents usually cost anywhere from $30 to $60 per window opening if you do it with the original installation and 3 to 4 times as much if old blocks have to be removed and an air vent added at a later date.

2. Add a dryer vent through the glass block basement window - Dryer vents with standard 4" holes can be incorporated into your block window at a much lower cost than having to create a hole in your concrete block or poured wall foundation. These dryer vents usually have flaps that open when the dryer is working and are closed when it is off.

3. Find a specialty block window installer - In some areas of the country there are companies who specialize in the installation of glass brick windows, walls, and showers. Since they do this work every day the finished quality and value is usually better than a contractor that may dabble in block window installations.

Bathroom Glass Block Window & Upper Floor Window Cost Saving Ideas

Consider these 3 ideas if you're looking to get the best value in a bathroom, garage, or other upper floor block window project:

1. Consider a vinyl framed glass block bathroom window - To make block window installations easier and more cost effective you can now purchase a block window with a vinyl frame (either with nailing fins for new construction or without the nailing fins for replacement window projects). These windows can be made with different sizes (8" x 8" and 6" x 6" are the most popular) and are available in a 2" thick series that reduces the weight of the glass window by about 1/3 in comparison to the 3" thick size. Higher quality Vinyl Wrap brand windows are manufactured with an integral vinyl spacer on the inside of the window and a specialized sealant for block. The windows are installed like a standard replacement or new construction vinyl window which allows an owner a wider variation of choices of contractors that should be qualified to install this window.

2. Use color glass block vs. fiber optic lighting systems - If you're looking to jazz up your block bathroom or upper floor windows consider using block that is colored. Coloring the block is usually less expensive than trying to light the block window with a fiber optic system and more vibrant than rope lighting strung behind the window. A church in Virginia used a variety of colored blocks in their window openings to create a stained glass effect at a substantially lower cost.

3. Use acrylic block windows for more air flow combined with the looks and privacy of block - Although acrylic block windows are generally more expensive than glass, they are an excellent choice if you need a fully operable window with the privacy of block and a tempered glass rating. In the market today there are casement, awning, double hung, and slider windows made of acrylic to choose from.

Now that you're equipped with these 9 price and cost saving block window ideas you should be ready to start your project.

Mike Foti is President of Columbus Glass Block, Cleveland Glass Block, Mid America Glass Block Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron & Vice President of Eastern Glass Block New York & New Jersey - nationwide factory direct suppliers & installers of glass block basement and upper floor Vinyl Wrap bathroom windows, walls, showers and bars. Nationwide 877-668-5888

http://www.columbusglassblock.com/windows.aspx basement & bathroom glass block windows prices & products

http://www.columbusglassblock.com/ - Nationwide and factory direct glass block windows, wall, and shower suppliers and installers of clear & color glass blocks.

Choosing a Brick Paving Company

Adding brick pavers to your patio, driveway, or pool deck can be a great investment for your home. However, your dream patio may turn into a long, tiring, money-losing nightmare if the wrong company is chosen for your project. When choosing a Brick Paving company, you should follow some guidelines in order to have a stress-free process.

1. - Testimonials... and lots of them - When in doubt, you should look for a company that has a bunch of positive testimonials and references. Testimonials say that a person loved their work so much, he/she would write a letter or make a video saying how great their job was. Check for diverse testimonials, like for big (+1,500 sq/ft) jobs and small (-1,500 sq/ft) jobs. Videos are your best friend.

2. - ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) certified - This shows that the company knows what he's doing. The last thing you want is an amateur doing your patio, driveway, or pool deck. For something that you have to look at every day, you want an expert doing it. Saving one-hundred dollars isn't worth possibly months of stress and headaches. You want your investment to be done right.

3. - Year of Experience/Showroom - You want a company that has 'been there' and has 'done that'. Being that nothing is perfect and all humans make mistakes, you want a company that can solve any problem that you or he might face during your project. Also, a company with experience can also assist you in any question you may have. A showroom is one thing that will show you that the company is successful, professional business.

One company that incorporates all these things in his business is N. Ricardo's Brick Pavers, Inc. They do jobs around South Florida and are exactly what you need to get your project started. http://www.brickpaversflorida.com

http://www.brickpaversflorida.com

10 Steps to a New Bathroom

Is your bathroom is desperate need of a facelift? Considering what an important room in the house this is, it seems odd that a lot of people tend to overlook the bathrooms when they are busy keeping the rest of their homes updated and looking fresh. If this sounds like you, and you are ready to give your bathroom a makeover, we have a simple 10 step guide that you can use to make your project easy. So let's get started!

1.) First things first: what do you want your new bathroom to look like? What you decide on will be partly based on where the bathroom is in the house and who will be using it. For a downstairs half bath that will get a lot of traffic, you don't want to go for anything too fancy - it can still look great, of course, but you don't want anything delicate or hard to keep clean in there if it is going to get a lot of use. If it's for the upstairs master bath, then maybe you'd like to go with a soothing spa-like motif, or the kids' bathroom could be done in bright, fun colors.

2.) Now take those ideas and think about your budget. How much you can afford will affect what you can do, of course, since installing a whirlpool tub is not cheap, but even those of us without a big bank balance can give our bathrooms a great makeover without going broke.

3.) Assess the situation in the room and see how it matches up with your ideas from Step 1, because this will help you with sticking to the budget you set in Step 2. It is not always necessary to rip everything out and start over from scratch to get a new look, which is going to be useful if you are on limited funds. So, if your bathroom cabinetry is in good shape structurally, then all you really need to do to make it look brand new is change the hardware and perhaps apply a new coat of paint or stain - for example, for that more utilitarian downstairs bath, we like satin nickel cabinet knobs, and other satin nickel cabinet hardware. It's durable and bright, and matches well with many different color palettes. When you swap out that hardware and change other cabinet handles and doorknobs in the room to match, you'll get great details that really help pull the whole room together, and it's much less expensive than buying and installing brand new cabinets.

4.) Does the room have any flaws you can't easily change? If you feel like your bathroom is too narrow and want a more spacious feel, it's certainly not easy to just move a few walls around, but you can create the illusion of more space by adding strategically placed mirrors on the walls. A lack of storage space can be corrected with the addition of more towel racks (that match your new hardware!), baskets, decorative bins, and more - be creative!

5.) Think about the lighting - an easy way to make a master bathroom more of a place to relax is to have two different light sources. The bright overhead light you already have is fine to keep (but, by all means, change the fixture so it matches the rest of what you're doing, if you want), but also think about adding a secondary, softer light source situated near the bathtub so you can relax and read a book in a cozier atmosphere - even a small table lamp will do a great job at this.

6.) Figure out the remainder of the supplies you'll need to apply your new design, from the new blue towels to match the penguin theme in the kids' bathroom and the new rugs to any paint, nails, lightbulbs and soap dishes, and make a list to take shopping with you.

7.) WAIT! Before you go shopping, get rid of the stuff that you are not keeping. Throw away what can't be reused and donate or give away the stuff that's still in good shape, but get rid of it - this is a new start, so don't let the old things sit around and clutter the place up!

8.) Okay, NOW go shopping. Take your list, and STICK to it so you stay within your financial means. You won't enjoy a bathroom you overspent on, so shop online for great hardware at great prices, visit local thrift shops for interesting mirrors and artwork to put on the walls, hit up Target for nice towels at a good price, and if you have a store like Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, or Tuesday Morning in your area, then you will find tons of unique home dcor items you can use - many of them designer - at rock bottom prices.

9.) Haul your goodies home and get to work to putting it together. Depending on what you're doing, it may not take long at all to get the project finished, but take your time and be careful when installing your new cabinet handles and if you are changing the lighting, check to make sure all electricity is OFF before you touch. Enlist the help of any passing children or spouses, and you'll be done in no time.

10.) Sit back, relax, and enjoy your updated bathroom - you deserve it!

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

Add Unique Style to Your Room With Cabinet Drawer Handles

Looking to bring something different to your room without huge costs or large home improvement renovations? The most successful home remodeling projects are those that utilize small budgets through smart purchases on small, detailed pieces of a room that often go unnoticed. So, you may be wondering exactly how this can be done? Simple! Through upgrading of the cabinet drawer handles! Whether it is kitchen or bathroom cabinets, by replacing the knobs and pulls of cabinets, you add new life and unique style to your room!

As to specifically how to start this home improvement, begin by determining what cabinet pieces you want to replace, and how you will make that upgrade. Common replacements involve drawer handles, as cabinet drawers are the cheapest renovations, rather than completely remodeling an entire kitchen counter, bathroom sink, etc.

Some tips to remember when going into this type of home remodeling project is to match the styles of your new replacements to the overall room, but the replacements should have something unique to it. For example, purchase cabinet drawers or handles that are detailed woodworks. Individual pieces that create action will give the whole room a little more buzz and eye appeal.

Another tip to cabinet drawer handles is to give a stand-out color to them. Think of how your outside house works, typically the shutters are a color of focus, where the main color is typically a standard off-white or cream. By doing such a simple paint job, you add depth to the room, while not completely changing the room drastically!

As well, if you want to make a truly unique style to your room, think about creating custom-made drawer handles. Yes, this is the more expensive route, but having a professional craft some unique pieces will give your kitchen or bathroom a look and style that no one else can have!

So, hopefully you are now better prepared for your next home remodeling project, and remember to always have fun with your home improvement! It is all about creating your own style, and gives your room something appealing without making you broke!

Tori works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of drawer handles to help you bring unique style to any room. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Shower Head Sale Tips and Advice

Taking a shower is one of the most invigorating exercises one can engage in. We wake up in the morning and almost instinctively make a dash for the shower. For some, a cold or hot shower actually helps them wake up. A cold or hot shower in the evening after a long day at work is also extremely reviving and much report being engulfed with a sense of freshness and new vitality.

Man has come a long way to arrive where we are with showers. Rivers, lakes, waterfalls and also primitive wells used to be the showers back in the 1st century. Today we have high pressure showers and someone can get cleaner and feel fresher than when not using a shower.

A major component of showers is the shower head. While many people don't know this, there are many types shower heads. We are all accustomed to just getting into a shower and turning the faucet on and out comes the water jet. But different shower heads mean different things. A right shower head can save you money in form of water and can even boost your health. The wrong shower head is a drain to energy and can also be expensive as far as your water bill is concerned.

There are literally hundreds of different shower heads in the market costing anywhere from $100 to close to a few thousands (there are those which cost more depending on the material used to make them). The best shower heads are those have in-built energy-saving components. In the market today, you will find two predominant shower heads, the manual mixer and the thermo mixer. The manual mixer is the most common but unknown to most people, this shower head is a huge energy and water waster. A good shower head should be able to restrict the flow of water to 2.5 gallons per minute. This is good for water conservation and comes easy on your water bill. The thermo mixer mixes water and oxygen and then warms the water before it allows it out.

Mixing water with oxygen bubbles means that the water will be highly oxygen-saturated which is good for your skin. It also means that you can have a very invigorating shower without using a lot of water yet get the needed cleanliness just as it would have been with twice the amount of water. Thermo-mixer shower heads are also time savers. Instead of standing in the shower waiting for the water to warm up, you can do something else like warm coffee, brush your teeth, shave or check your email quickly. Then in a few minutes you can get into the shower and the water will be exactly the right temperature.

It is therefore essential to get the right shower head. If you want to switch from the regular manual mixer to the energy-saving shower heads, the best place to start is your local home improvement store such as Home Depot.

Theodore provides information about the best shower heads and recommends the best shower heads that save energy.

Tips in Remodeling a Small Bathroom

Being among the top players world-wide in the financial, commercial, entertainment and cultural industries, New York City has become the most densely populated city in the country. With such reputation, the cost of housing soars leaving smaller living spaces a more popular option. Making a home out of these amply-spaced to smaller units is a challenge to many. This includes making important features of the home seem much cozier such as remodeling a small bathroom.

When remodeling a small bathroom, a complete focus on space fused with the right amount of creativity is key to the success of the project. Another important thing to ponder on is that quality does not come cheap. But it does not mean that you would have to always stick with the most expensive service or product, it only means that you should take careful considerations before letting go of your hard-earned cash to be able to give the most value to the money that you spend.

There are various ways to make less space appear much bigger. Enlisted are helpful tips in remodeling a small bathroom:

First off, unless you have significant skills and experience in plumbing, carpentry and electrical works, or the project is not a major one; you should seek the expertise of a competent NYC contractor to help you. Following this first tip in remodeling a small bathroom would save you a whole of time and money in the long run.

Instead of having a tub, maximize the space by having a shower instead. Rather than the traditional shower pan construction, a simple one-piece pan would serve as a much sleeker option as well as a leakproof solution. But if you still prefer a tub over a spacious shower, then go for the soaking bathtubs that are smaller but deeper designs.

In remodeling a small bathroom, choose a lighter and cooler hue for the walls and delicate patters for wallpapers or tiles. Light colors have an airy feel to them creating an illusion of more space. To create a better impact out of these designs, install fixtures offering heavy lighting. Another way to better illuminate the small bathroom is through skylight features. A bay window is a good choice as its alcove may also offer additional storage space.

Two elements have long since been known to give an illusion of more space. Reflection
and vertical objects and designs such as unframed mirrors and tall bathroom products that have shiny surfaces can be used in remodeling a small bathroom. You can have two mirrors installed opposite each other or facing the window. And when shopping, choose a tall but compact model of toilet and either a wall-mounted or sleek sink.

Important considerations when remodeling a small bathroom are the storage of toiletries and room for decorative items. Choose to have spaces cut out into the walls to serves as additional storage or display area rather than having free-standing cabinets or shelves installed into the walls. Lesser things protruding from the walls would help make the space seem larger.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened NYC contractor. To know more about remodeling a small bathroom, visit Contractors New York

Booking Your Hotel Rooms Through Online Marketing

In the hotel business it is well known that reserved rooms are preferred rooms and while the walk up business definitely helps the bottom line it is the pre determined revenue of the reserved rooms that hotels use to make their living. That means that getting as many rooms reserved as possible and tied down with credit card confirmations and that means marketing the hotel to get that extra business.

People are always traveling for various reasons and the only reason they do not choose your hotel over another hotel is because they have seen something on the other hotel and they have seen nothing in regards to yours. The key is to not just get the marketing machine cranked up and working in your favor but to identify the key areas where your marketing efforts, and dollars, will see the most return.

It used to be that one of the secret weapons of the more successful hotels was the use of travel agents. The hotels would invite travel agents to stay for free in their hotel to see what the hotel has to offer and in return the agents would use the hotels as part of package deals for vacationing travelers.

The hotels would give discounted rates to the travel agents and the agents would fill the rooms for the hotels months in advance. Today there are still traditional travel agents that are experts at filling hotels and keeping those relationships with hotels all over the world alive but the average traveler has moved away from using traditional travel agents and has moved to booking their vacations on the internet.

A smart hotel is going to hunt down the more successful internet travel agencies and work out package deals and discounts with those internet travel agencies to help book rooms in advance. Your exposure with one large internet travel agency is going to exceed the exposure you would get from any local traditional travel agent.

The internet has become the medium of choice for people looking to book vacations and even more popular than the internet travel agents are the internet discount travel sites that allow people to piece together their own vacations with discounts from various hotels, airlines, and car rental companies.

In order to find success with internet marketing you will need to make sure the information being offered travelers via these discount travel sites is accurate and that all of the processes these sites have in place to book rooms in your hotel are also correctly set up. Keep the channel of communication open with these websites and offer them excellent discounts as well.

Some of these sites try and get discounts out of your hotel by helping you fill rooms you cannot fill at full price and offering them at a negotiated discount with the traveler. Any prebooked room you can get is revenue you can count on and a prebooked room at a discount is always better than hoping that someone walks up and pays full price.

Reaching out to travelers through the internet is a full time job and working beyond the traditional travel sites will help get you more exposure. The larger search engine websites offer advertising spaces that are seen by millions of people a day and the rates are not so expensive for exposure like that. Get your hotel's name and link on those major search engines to make sure you are maximizing your exposure.

The final piece to the internet marketing puzzle is making sure your website is clean, easy to use, updated, and helpful to any potential customer that tries to use it. People want as much luxury as possible out of a hotel for as little money as possible so make sure you create a website with a luxurious appearance that gives the impression that you have a hotel worth spending the money on.

Make your website easy to get information from and easy to book a room with and make certain that all room booking information is updated in real time from all of your room booking sources. You will have angry customers and bad referrals if you constantly have double bookings due to a lag in updating the website booking information. Create a desirable and functional website and people will use it to book rooms in your hotel and make you revenue.

Check here Greece hotels and Greece Apartments.

Finding the Cheapest Hotels in San Antonio

Being an atmospheric and beautiful city, San Antonio offers a great blend of various ethnic groups and mixed language. There's Spanish and English. San Antonio has excellent aquariums and zoos. Most visitors usually gather by the River Walk or the Paso del Rio. This is where you can locate the most common large hotels as well as the smaller accommodations and lodging facilities, cafs and shops along the sidewalk.

During your stay in the country you can explore the beautiful attraction of San Antonio. If you are sightseeing lover, there are some beautiful attractions located near the hotels in San Antonio such as Alamo Plaza, Children museum, Plaza Theater of Wax and San Antonio Mission National Historical Park. The county is also the home of the NBA team San Antonio Spurs.

When planning to visit San Antonio, you will surely need a place to stay. You will find here a wide range of hotels, lodges and inns. It will not be very difficult to choose one as many hotels here offer affordable rates to their clients.

The Red Roof Inn Downtown Hotel is a good example. It is situated in the heart of downtown San Antonio. It is conveniently accessible to area attractions like historic Alamo, Alamo dome, and the Market Square, along with the wonderful River walk and Center and Tower of the Americas.

It has several outdoor pools. Rooms are quite large with complete basic amenities. Although the hotel has no restaurant onsite, a coffee shop is easily accessible at the hotel lobby. A lot of restaurants are situated within short distances outside, such as Hard Rock Caf, The Tower of the Americas Restaurant, Morton's of Chicago and a lot of other famous places along the River Walk.

You can also try the Homestead San Antonio-Airport Hotel, located about 3 miles away from the San Antonio International Airport. It is also about 15 miles away from downtown San Antonio. it is also within 15 miles away from fiesta Texas, Market Square, and the San Antonio Zoo, along with the Alamo River Center, the River walk, and the Southwestern Bell Stadium.

Housekeeping services are provided twice a week, for guests staying for seven nights at least. But if you want privacy, you may opt to drop the housekeeping service. All their guest rooms have full kitchen equipments, stovetops, microwaves, refrigerators and cooking utensils. Pets are allowed in the hotel but they are strict with their "one pet per room" policy.

Also worth trying is the Drury Inn and Suites San Antonio. This hotel serves hot and quick complimentary breakfast daily. Complementary night beverages and hot snacks are also being offered daily. There is free wireless internet access in the lobby. There is a laundry facility and an exercise room.

And last but not the least is Econo Lodge Inn and Suites Coliseum. It provides wireless high-speed internet access and outdoor pools. The hotel is just 8.3 miles away from the airport. It is also 3 miles away from downtown San Antonio. This hotel serves one of the best continental breakfasts.

For more information on San Antonio Cheap Hotel and San Antonio Luxury Hotels please visit our website.

Accessibility in Bathroom Remodels

If someone in your family has a disability or is aging, your bathroom remodel design will either make the remodeled bathroom more comfortable and accessible or inaccessible. Your design can easily incorporate the features and space recommendations that will make the bathroom more accessible for everyone.

The housing industry has outlined several levels of accessibility standards in bathroom design and construction ranging from barrier free to accessible to industry standard housing. The main difference is in how accessible it is for everyone with special needs. Over the last few decades, bathroom designers, architects and manufacturers of fixtures and other bathroom safety products have begun to respond to the need for greater accessibility (and safety) in bathrooms. The result is a set of standards known as universal design.

Many of these features are nice to have in any home and can be added with little or no cost when you remodel a bathroom. Regardless of your current situation, you might want to review the list and see if some of these recommendations can work in your new bathroom for the comfort of your family.

The universal design recommendations for bathrooms include:

• Place electrical receptacles at 15 or 18 inches above the floor
• Allow a door opening width of 34 - 36 inches
• Leave a minimum of 18 inches of clear floor space beside all doors on the "pull side" to allow space to get out of the way when opening doors
• Leave a turning space in the bathroom of 5 feet in diameter (for wheelchair)
• Use contrasting colors between floor surfaces and trim to make them easier to see
• Choose easy-to-use hardware: lever door handles, push electrical plates, loop handle pulls on drawers and cabinet doors, lever faucet handles, touch latches, keyless locks
• Position light switches 35-44 inches above the floor, maximum
• Pressure balanced anti-scald valves at tubs and showers
• Hand-held showerheads at all tubs and showers in addition to fixed heads.
• Bathing fixture requirement: minimum 5 feet long by 3 feet deep (4 feet preferred) curbless shower or tub with integral seat, waterproof floor and a floor drain
• 30" by 48" clear floor spaces at each fixture (spaces may overlap)
• Clear space of 3 feet in front and to one side of toilet
• Toilet centered 18 inches from any side wall, cabinet or tub
• Broad blocking between studs in walls around toilet, tub and shower for placement and location of grab bars
• Minimum lavatory counter height of 32 inches
• Clear knee space 29" high under sink (may be accomplished with fold-back self-storing doors)
• No pedestal sinks
• Mount sink as close to front of countertop as possible.

These are the primary elements of "universal design" in bathrooms. You might, however, choose to install grab bars in tub and shower and beside and in front of the toilet simply because it is helpful for people of all ages and physical ability.

Aaron O'Hanlon has been helping contractors increase profits through exclusive website marketing and search engine optimization at Footbridge Media. See his companies latest creation: Virginia Bathroom Remodeling or contact him directly at Contractor Marketing

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Bathroom Showers 101 - Choosing the Right Shower For the Bathroom

Are you looking for a replacement for your outdated bathroom showers? Here are 7 bathroom shower options along with a brief explanation of their features to make choosing your showers for the bathroom an easier task.

1. Manual shower valves

Manual shower valves are the most basic of all bathroom showers. Usually, they only have one lever control to manage the flow of water and water temperature. They are fairly simple to use and are inexpensive.

2. Thermostatic shower valves

One advantage of having a thermostatic shower valve is that it provides a constant, even temperature and can easily cope with fluctuations in the flow and temperature of the cold and hot water feeds.

Most of this kind of bathroom showers sport extra anti-scald safety features. Most also cut off the flow of water ever tapping into the cold water supply seem near-impossible.

3. Concealed and exposed valves

Concealed or exposed valves are those shower valves mounted on the wall. While a concealed shower valve may be mounted on the wall like the exposed valves, they usually only have the control levers visible so that the entire mechanism is unexposed. Many valves of bathroom showers that can be mounted on the bathroom walls are either exposed or unexposed.

4. Twin shower valves

A twin shower valve has two levers compared to that of the simple manual and single-levered basic shower valves. One control is designed to manage the rate of the flow of water while the other control is for the purpose of controlling water temperature.

5. Triple shower valves

As the name suggests, a triple shower valve has three control levers. One control lever is for the water flow while another is for the water temperature. The third lever, however, is usually a diverter. A diverter is useful if you're using two-headed showers.

6. Sequential shower valves

Sequential showers have only one lever. Rotating the lever at one time can already increase or decrease the water pressure and increase or decrease the water temperature.

7. Shower panels

Shower panels are very much like the triple shower valves in that they have three control levers: one for the water pressure, the other for the temperature and finally, a diverter. The only difference is that the levers are arranged resembling that of panel controls.

Specifications of shower panels vary widely but they most of the time sport the three control levers. The only drawback with shower panels is that there may be a need to regulate water pressure by installing a shower pump.

Bathroom showers are aplenty in the market and each may have added features different from that of another.

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

Finishing And Installing W Heater
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Copper Chimney Caps Are an Aesthetically Pleasing Addition to Chimneys

Not only is a copper top a useful feature for homes and buildings in any climate, it is also a distinctive and beautiful adornment for any roofline. The beauty of copper is obvious regardless of how it is taken care of and care and look are actually based on the personal preference of the property owner or resident. Some homeowners and property owners love the look that a shiny copper chimney cap has to offer. On the other hand some people prefer the natural look of copper as an aesthetically pleasing addition to their roof and chimney.

Natural copper chimney caps do not require any maintenance to maintain their appearance. On the other hand, shiny copper, unlike natural, requires a great deal of maintenance. It needs frequently cleaning and shining to retain its glory, otherwise the copper patina into a green color that some people may not enjoy.

There are several benefits to copper chimney tops. Some of these benefits include keeping unwanted items and creatures out of a chimney, preventing water damage and lessening a chimney draft. In fact, a copper cap is often the least expensive way to fix and prevent problems in a chimney.

A copper cap has many uses because a chimney itself is a multi-functional item. One of the most popular reasons that chimneys are used in a home or building is as an accessory for a heating device, like a fireplace, a palette stove or a wood stove. The smoke from these heat sources escapes out of the chimney and keeps the house or commercial building clean and smoke free.

A copper chimney top works well when installed by a professional. While these caps are best when installed by a professional; they can be installed by a homeowner with the right precautions, especially if the homeowner is experienced or knowledgeable in the area of roofs and chimney care.

There are a few things that should happen prior to purchasing a copper chimney cap it is imperative that a chimney is measured properly and the flues are accurately counted. These measurements and counts are essential in obtaining the correct chimney cap for a specific chimney. The wrong measurements can result in the inappropriate size of a chimney cap. The wrong size will result in a poor functioning cap or top.

The measuring and description process require a trip up to the roof to examine the chimney closely. This trip requires the proper safety precautions for walking on the roof. Roofs can be steep and therefore are easy to fall off of. If a homeowner is unenthusiastic about traipsing around the roof and chimney, a chimney sweep or other chimney professional should be called out to take accurate measurements for copper chimney caps.

There are many sizes for copper chimney caps. Different sizes fit different types of chimneys and is important for them to fit properly. Proper fit ensures the right functions and uses for the chimney caps.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, biking, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes running, yoga, and tattoos. For more of her useful information on chimney tops visit Copper Chimney Caps.

Gluelam Hip In Ceiling Framing

Construction Cleanup Contractors

Working a construction job is a lot of work, with a lot of materials coming to and from the job. Metal pipes, nails, rebar, cuttings from two by fours, and worse all accumulate at a construction site. Getting them cleaned up is the job of a Construction Cleanup Contractor.

It used to be that you could clean up a construction site by showing up with a pickup truck and drive everything to the landfill. In today's more environmentally conscious age, that's no longer an easily attainable option. Construction cleanup contractors are well versed in the environmental, recycling and disposal requirements of construction materials in their jurisdiction.

In particular, a number of construction materials need special disposal. Copper pipe, and anything with lead in it (such as solder) need to be carefully policed to avoid contaminating any groundwater near the area. Likewise, fiberglass stocks (in particular, fiberglass insulation) and treated and tempered glass need special disposal permits to meet with environmental regulations. Your construction cleanup contractor will know how to do this.

A well run construction site has several phases of a project, from laying the foundation, all the way to finishing the interior walls. At each phase of the construction process are waste materials that need to be removed and placed off site for recycling or disposal. A construction cleanup contractor will help you with this critical part of the job, including improving your worksite safety and reducing the environmental impact of your construction job.

If you're considering becoming a construction cleanup contractor, the definitive book on the market to help you get started is Construction Cleanup: A Guide to an Exciting & Profitable Cleaning Specialty (Paperback), by Don Aslett. It's available from Amazon, and goes into great depth, covering what to clean, how to clean it, what stages of a project require which items of cleaning equipment, where to find construction cleanup jobs, how to bid on them, and over 16 pages of checklists for each phase of a construction job, so that when you do it, you leave no stone unturned, and turn your customers into repeat customers. Aslett is also the author of the Cleaning Encyclopedia, which is an alphabetical listing of how to clean just about anything - from industrial spills to getting cat urine out of carpet; in the final phases of a construction cleanup contractor's job, you'll want to know how to get the smells of paint and the like out of a job site, and the Cleaning Encyclopedia will help considerably.

In conclusion, whether you're building a home, or are looking to be a contractor constructing homes, knowing the phone number of a good construction cleanup contractor is an important part of managing any large project. Even better, if you're looking for a job with lifetime earning potential and the ability to be your own boss, working as a contractor, becoming a construction cleanup contractor is a pretty lucrative business to get into.

For more options on construction cleanup visit http://constructionfactsrus.com/

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Latest Bathroom Tile Designs - Trends in Tiles

Copper, Hardwood, Glass, Stainless - what's the connection?

Quite simply, these are some of the latest trends in bathroom tile designs! Want to make your bathroom the hippest one on the block? Feel like you're a do-it-yourselfer with a flair for the latest designs? Find out what today's coolest designers are saying about the use of these materials in your bathroom tile choices.

Metal Bathroom Tile Designs

Metals like stainless steal, brushed copper, and satin bronze are coming on strong in the race for the trendiest bathroom remodeling materials. The old days of using huge sheets of stainless or copper are out and now we're seeing the use of small tile squares of the same material being put together in very interesting patterns. With the new choices in form factors it's making it easier to choose metal as an accent pattern instead of having to use it for a whole wall.

Most often we're seeing metal bathroom tile designs in the backsplash area. If you're going for a traditional and timeless look, stick with bronze and copper as they have a nice antique feel. On the other hand if you are looking for a contemporary and polished look, there's no better choice than top quality stainless steel.

Glass Bathroom Tile Designs

Glass tiles have been around for a long time but they used to be quite expensive. Now with the multitude of glass tile manufactures these days, prices have come down and selection has gone through the roof. Now instead of simply tiling your backsplash we are seeing whole walls or shower stalls done quite elegantly with glass. There is a level of luxury that only glass can achieve. While it used to be reserved only for the fancy hotels and restaurants, now it's becoming the latest in tile design trends in modern homes.

Glass comes in so many finishes from glossy to flat and the color spectrum is endless. Sometimes the most challenging part of integrating glass tiles into your bathroom tile design is settling on a style from all the choices available.

Also, let's not forget that glass is probably the "greenest" material available since it can come from 100% recycled materials. Those people in the remodeling industry are always looking for ways to reuse old material and make it a fascinating part of your new decor.

Hardwood Bathroom Tile Designs

In some old houses we used to see shower stalls and bathtubs surrounded by beautiful wood. While it looks amazing, it's not very practical for the moist bathroom air. With new porcelain tile manufactured to look like hardwood, you can have that look again in an easy to install, clean, and maintain tile.

These tiles make a great addition to a country home or your house in the woods.

Chet has been building homes for over 20 years and is now a published author of do-it-yourself type projects. You can read his website http://www.bathroomtiledesigns.org is specifically geared towards bathroom tile designs and bathroom tile ideas.