Safeguarding Windows and Doors

San Diego is one of the safest large cities in the country. However, home invasions do occur in the area, and homeowners should take steps to safeguard their homes from being robbed. Many homes are robbed because owners don't take into consideration basic safety measures for their windows and doors. Burglars will often move to the next target if they have any difficulty getting into the home through a door or window with an extra safety feature.

Leaving your doors and windows unlocked or open is an invitation to burglars to come into your home. Ensure that all doors and windows are locked before leaving home or going to bed. For those who enjoy leaving their windows or doors open at night, there are interesting options that will maintain your safety. For example, there are doors available that act as screen doors, but offer a much sturdier frame that is difficult to break through. These kinds of doors are one of the most convenient ways to ensure your family's safety without doing away with the enjoyment of fresh air in your home all night long.

Another common way that doors and windows are compromised is because of faulty or old locks. Many locks are simply outdated or are easy to open from the outside. New windows and doors offer many security features that will secure your home and allow you to live without worry.

Front doors are another weak point in the security of your home. Many homes are built with doors that allow people to see in without many problems, while others don't even have a peephole. Choose a front door that gives your family privacy and allows you to see who is at the door before you open it. Teach your children to ensure that they know the person at the door before answering.

Keep expensive electronic equipment away from doors and windows. If burglars are tempted by the sight of an expensive television or computer, they may try to get in your home even if you've added secure doors and windows. By removing these from plain sight, you make yourself less of a target for a break in.

San Diego is home to several companies that can remodel your home with the latest technology in doors and windows. Choosing a company that provides the best materials at the best price is an important part of remodeling your home and ensuring that your home is safe from burglars.

Don't settle for the company that offers the lowest price, as they may use inferior materials. Look for a company that ensures that your needs are met by using the best doors and windows on the market.

Need more on windows and doors? Cal Windows and Doors specializes in windows and doors in Irvine, CA and anywhere else in California. Learn how to prepare your home for sale with upgraded windows and doors and other great tips on how to get beautiful windows for your home.

Porch Rafter Beam Damage

Renovations That Give the Best Return on Investment

Renovations are excellent means of not only enhancing your quality of living but also boosting the project's return on investment by the time you decide to resell your New York home. Through these projects, you are recreating areas in your home to bring out the most welcoming, appealing, and functional results.

Your renovation project does not have to cost you an arm and a leg to yield success. An expensive project does not necessarily mean more payback. The key to make the most out of your allotted budget is spending it wisely. Whether you have a limited or sky-is-the-limit budget that can accommodate from surface-level to full-scale renovation, the most crucial factor to focus on are implementing designs that last as well as selecting quality products.

To appraise the value and get the most out of your hard-earned money, note that not all renovations are created equal. To maximize the benefits you will get out of the project, consider any of the smartest ideas to bring back the best return on investment.

The Kitchen

Since the kitchen is the most frequented area in any home with most of the waking hours of every family member spent here, kitchen renovation would surely create a great impact and difference. Considered as the heart of a home, most buyers tend to visit this area first to make sure that it does not only look and feel good but would efficiently accommodate every essential purpose.

The Bathroom

Stress is a common denominator that links most human beings today. What better way to soothe stress away than a luxuriating time to start as well as end the day? A beautiful and efficient bathroom renovation would surely make any homeowner anticipate the coming of each day, no matter how hectic it can be. A trend that is increasingly becoming very popular is creating a spa-like environment in your very own bathroom. A bathroom turned into your personal, everyday spa would surely be irresistible.

For larger homes, additional baths would also make up for extra appeal. For space estimate as well as deciding the new bath location, it is best to consult with your contractor.

Exterior Renovation

As the popular and proven clich goes, First impressions last. Renovating the surrounding grounds of your home through landscaping would give its curb appeal a great boost. A low maintenance garden with some attractive fountain fixtures could work well in creating an ambiance. And for a major facelift for less of the cost, have your walls repainted and new sidings installed.

An important key to the success of your renovation project and the eventual achievement of the anticipated return on investment, is hiring a qualified remodeling contractor. Quality is an important consideration that the buyer will critically be looking into. So if you are not a contractor yourself, the renovations are best done by skilled and experienced professionals.

Another thing to keep in mind is that modern buyers find home features that require less maintenance more attractive. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, you can have this removed and refinish the existing hardwood flooring. Swimming pools are also among the least appealing with the tedious and regular cleaning and maintenance it requires.

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 New York Contractor. For more Home Improvement information, Visit Best ROI Renovations.

Hard Water Deposits In Toilet

Remodeling Costs: How Do I Pay For It?

To keep remodeling costs under control, there are four key remodeling cost drivers: The design of the remodel, the materials you use, who manages the project, and how you pay for it.

Lets review common ways to pay for your remodel and the pros and cons of each.

1. Loan against retirement account (e.g. 401k)

Pros: You pay yourself the interest on a loan against your 401k.

Cons: You lose the interest you could be making if it was invested. If you lose your job, most loans require you to pay the loan back immediately, and there can be significant income tax consequences.

2. Home Equity Loan

Pros: Usually tax deductible. Lump sum is paid to you at the start so you have flexibility of what you do with the money.

Cons: A second loan to manage. Shorter term than a standard mortgage. Requires that you have sufficient equity in your home. You have to pay interest on the entire loan amount even though you may not need the money to pay for remodeling right away.

3. Home Equity Line of Credit

Pros: You only borrow the money you need at the time, so finance charges are lower at the beginning.

Cons: A second loan to manage. Shorter term than a standard mortgage. Requires that you have sufficient equity in your home.

4. Construction Loan

Pros: Good for larger remodel projects and if you don't have enough home equity to qualify for a loan to cover construction costs.

Cons: Higher interest rate than home equity loans. Not tax deductible. Usually short term until construction is complete and then is replaced with a new first mortgage, which may have processing fees or closing costs.

5. Loan from the contractor

Pros: Available to most homeowners.

Cons: High interest rates. Not the best terms. Can lock you into working with a specific contractor. Not recommended.

6. Refinance and cash out

Pros: You only have a single loan for your home. Usually tax deductible interest. A single larger loan will usually have the lowest interest rate.

Cons: Requires that you have sufficient equity in your home. You have to pay interest on the entire loan amount even though you may not need the money to pay for remodeling right away. May have significant closing costs.

7. Credit Cards

Pros: Most homeowners have this as an alternative.

Cons: High interest rate, not tax deductible.

8. Your savings

Pros: The least expensive way to pay for your remodel.

Cons: Make sure you don't use all of your savings. Always have some available for emergencies.

For free expert advice on the best way to pay for a remodel based on your specific situation simply complete the form at http://www.remodelormove.com/forms/goapply.cfm. Or you can visit http://www.remodelestimates.com to find out how much a remodel project may cost.

About the Author
Dan Fritschen, founder of www.remodelormove.com, a homeowner advocacy organization, speaker at Home and Garden shows Nationwide, author of the award winning, best selling book Remodel or Move? and The Complete Remodeling Workbook and Organizer (available at www.remodelingorganizer.com) has recently been interviewed on CNN, in Better Homes and Garden Magazine and in Newsweek.

Do you have remodeling or moving questions? Email Dan directly at dan@remodelormove.com.

Copyright 2005 ABCD Publishing LLC

Building Your Lake Home

You might have a dream of building a lake home for retirement, for enjoying summers at the lake or for an investment. No matter what your reason for owning a lake home by starting out with a good builder and knowing some of the basics about home building, you will be able to have a positive experience during the home building process.

Start by looking in your area for a builder that suits your needs and has a good reputation in the area. Make sure that the builder is sensitive to your needs and will listen to what you want in a lake home. Notice whether promises are kept or broken. Some contractors are skilled at giving good impressions early but lack the character to do what they say. You can save yourself many headaches by learning to spot this deficiency early on.

Ask your builder the following questions:

1. How many years of experience do you have in building lake homes?
2. What special skills and qualifications do you have to offer?
3. What happens if the project goes over-budget?
4. What type of homes do you normally build?
5. How much input will we have into the design of the home?
6. Are you licensed and insured?
7. Who is responsible to get building permits?

Take your time when looking for a builder. Some of the best builders in the area may be booked up several months in advance, but they also may be able to fit you in as many times builders work on several homes at one time. For instance, as the concrete is drying and setting up at one location, they may be doing the framing on another home.

Have a one-on-one meeting with the builder and see if he/she is open to your ideas and suggestions. Does the builder give you his/her complete attention? Or is he busy taking phone calls during your meeting? If so, the builder might not devote his/her full attention to your project. Then ask to meet some of the key staff who will be working on the home. Do the employees seem professional and interested in their work?

By taking your time when looking for a builder, you will go a long way in the process of having what you want in your lake home. Make your dream home a reality by taking things one step at a time - and starting with a qualified builder.

For more information about what to look for when building your lake home go www.bluestoneconst.com.

Jim Raboin and Larry McCulley are co-owners of BlueStone Construction (http://www.bluestoneconst.com) and have over 20 years of experience in the building industry. Jim has been in the building industry since the early 1990's and is a visionary who has built BlueStone on the idea of giving more than is expected. Jim has close to 15 years of residential construction experience and is fast becoming known as a new kind of developer/construction leader in the Brainerd Lakes region. Larry McCulley has been in the building industry since 2000. He has built BlueStone by taking what he has learned from our clients and creating truly unique lakehomes that reflect their lifestyles. Achieving excellence through relationship building is his passion. Larry has 7 years of commercial and residential construction experience and received his bachelors degree in construction management from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Home Selling Books - Real Estate Tips

I was talking to a friend of mine, who had just purchased a new home about two months ago and he was practically yelling at me as he was talking about all the problems that he had with his realtor and previous homeowner. He was so mad, he had forgot about the problems he had with the home inspection. My friend was usually a very easy going and calm individual but this had upset him and almost turned him into an irrational person.

As I was calming him down and trying to get to the core of the problem, it seem like he didn't have enough information about buying or selling homes. He was confused with all the paperwork that was involved during the entire process. His real estate salesperson had him sign a contract that wouldn't let him use another realtor for a specific period of time. He really didn't know what he was signing and according to him, it wasn't explained properly to him.

After a couple of weeks of shopping for a new home, he became irritated with the realtor and wanted to end the relationship. Think again, said the realtor as he explained to my friend that they had a binding contract and his current realtor would get a percentage of the transaction, no matter what for that specific period of time. Was my friend mad, he was practically foaming at the mouth as he was telling me about the real estate professional.

It didn't stop here and they don't want to go into a long story about the real estate transaction from purgatory. My friends pain had come from the fact, that he had purchased a home 15 years ago and it was a smooth transaction and he was under the impression that buying and selling homes was a simple process.

I handed my friend a book called "The Consumer's Guide to Home Buying" and asked him if this book would have been helpful, before he started shopping for a home. I was curious because I build websites and do a lot are writing on the Internet. I told him to take the book home and I would get back with him, in a few weeks.

He contacted me the next day and couldn't believe the information he gained, just by scanning through the book in a few hours. He started to get mad at me for not giving him this book, before all the home buying problems occurred. I informed him quite simply that he had never even told me, he was looking for a home.

Can home selling books save you money, you bet they can.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas

Country Farm Style House Plans For Simple, Enjoyable Living

Simple living means minimizing stress by minimizing the pursuit of conspicuous consumption and wealth for its own sake. The decision for voluntary simplicity is often made for health reasons; as a philosophical or spiritual path; or to increase the amount of quality time which a person has to spend with friends and family. Often the decision is motivated by a desire to save the earth; or by considerations of social justice. As Duane Elgin put it, the decision for voluntary simplicity means being outwardly more frugal but inwardly richer - the exact opposite of how our society trains us to be. The choice of simple living, for example, means choice of country farm style house plans rather than luxury building. It means growing at least some of your own food, even if all this means is a few pots of herbs or jars of sprouts growing on a windowsill. It means relying on public transportation whenever possible rather than driving one's own car. It means generating as little non-recyclable waste as possible.

The beginnings of the philosophy of simple living go back to the Athenian philosopher Epicurus, who taught that the problems and worries inherent in living a sumptious lifestyle outweigh the pleasures. Epicurus believed that anything beyond what is really necessary for life and simple comfort should be avoided. In more recent times, movements such as the Shakers, Amish, and Mennonites have deliberately sought a style of life excluding wealth and technology. Henry David Thoreau's classic Walden was a statement against the non-sustainable lifestyle of mid-nineteenth century America. Thoreau's log home house plan life was an inspiration to Henry Stephens Salt in England, who popularized the Simplification idea in Victorian Britain; and to George Lorenzo Noyes in New England, who wrote about sustainable lifestyle and spiritual communion with nature. In the early twentieth century the Vanderbilt Agrarian movement advocated sustainability and traditional agrarian values.

The simplicity movement grew in the twentieth century, inspired by such authors as Richard Gregg, Gary Snyder, Ralph Borsodi, and Helen and Scott Nearing, who wrote about leaving the city with their bungalow craftsman house plans and their vision of a better life. The hippie movement of the 1960's was the first mass movement which advocated leaving the cities to return to the land. The main spokesperson for simple living today is Duane Elgin, whose Voluntary Simplicity was published in 1981 and remains the bible of the voluntary simplicity movement. Nowadays voluntary simplicity means reducing one's need for bought items and services, and reducing correspondingly the amount of time sold for money. Simple living means seeing that freedom results from giving up worrying about money, rather than accumulating more and more of it. It means understanding that our society is headed for a fall. Jared Diamond's Collapse, which explains the historic reasons why previous civilizations perished and makes it plain that our own society is making the same errors, was a nationwide bestseller. Clearly, simple living is an idea whose time has come.

When considering your own move out of the city, you can choose from a variety of simplicity options, from a log home house plan to more grandiose country farm style house plans. Part of simple living is taking responsibility for doing one's own work oneself, such as bungalow craftsman house plans. The important thing is the decision to become master of your own life.

Dealing With Condensation

Last winter I had a major problem with condensation which was especially prominent under the bay window in the living room and the built in wardrobes in the front bedroom. I spent some time researching the causes of condensation and found that ventilation is key. The built in wardrobes were especially bad because they were located on a North facing external wall. They were also full of clothes and the when the doors were closed there was no ventilation.

Last winter I stripped the wallpaper in the built in wardrobes because it was covered in black mould and smelt musty. I bleached the walls and painted them with an anti-condensation paint. This did get rid of the smell but the walls were so cold that the anti-condensation paint didn't make any difference. When the warm air in the bedroom hit the cold wall within the wardrobe there was no stopping the water vapour from appearing.

Last week I thought to myself - "I need to do something about this condensation before winter arrives". Not knowing what the solution was I took a trip to B&Q and had a look around for anything that might have helped and there it was - 'Warmaline wall lining', basically a roll of polystyrene that you use just like wallpaper which provides an amazing insulation from the coldness of the wall. I added three layers in all just to ensure that it worked and to my amazement the walls have been consistantly warm. Not only does Warmaline insulate the wardrobe it also stops your clothes getting cold which in turn stops and damp and mould growth on the clothes.

http://victorianproperty.blogspot.com

Swimming Pool Winterizing

With summer ending and the start of fall approaching rapidly we look forward to the coolness of winter and getting the swimming pool winterizing into effect.

For all those fortunate enough to have the luxury of a swimming pool it is important to take the proper steps to winterizing our pools till next summers approach.

Begin by monitoring the PH level to assure the water is around 7.5, If the ph level is not in this area you can adjust by adding dry acid according to manufacture specs. Second you need to check the chlorine and use a product to insure your swimming pool will be protected from algae during winter months.

This is a good time to check for leaks in you pools equipment and repair so it will be ready for next summer then turn off the skimmer valve and let the swimming pool water drain to just around 5-6 inches below the bottom of the skimmer to assure that the proper water level is attained.

Swimming pool winterizing may sound like a lot of work at this point, but the fact is your investment warrants the costs and labor. You can hire a professional swimming pool service to do the winterizing for what ever reason, but must be done,

It is a good idea to run your swimming pools pump each day for about 4-6 hours to keep water circulating to help maintain water levels and keep algae from settling.

It is now time to put on the pool cover to protect from debris entering the swimming pool and the evaporation of water.
You should check the tightness of the pool cover every few days keeping it secure from the elements.

Now that the cover is in place we can concentrate on draining water from the pump, heater and filters by locating the drain plugs usually located at the bottom of the equipment. This will insure that damage from freezing will not create permanent damage to the equipment.

That is about it for proper swimming pool winterizing and if done correctly your pool will be in tip top shape for next summer.

About The Author

Chet Holcomb of Home Improvement Handyman is an accomplished carpenter, cabinet maker and building contractor and provides the public with home improvement tips, ideas for the home owner handyman. http://www.homeimprovementhandyman.com

You may reprint this article freely if the content is not altered and the author's resource box is displayed.

Your Options on Concrete Slab Repair

Concrete has to be the most versatile building substance available! You can use it for floors or decks, you can build walls, you can mold it, shape it, even grind and polish it. But when it does start to show its age, it may also be expensive to fix or replace. If at all possible, it's cheaper to simply repair the existing slab. This article will cover some of your options on the subject of concrete slab repair.

To begin with, how can you tell when the damage has gone beyond repair? A visual examination should be enough to answer your question. If the cracking is deep and widespread, then look how even the matching surfaces are. If it's obvious there's been a good bit of settling, then any attempt at concrete slab repair would only be temporary. Significant settling is usually caused by heavily loaded trucks, erosion, or poor installment of the sub-grade, or maybe a combination. In colder climates you also have to consider the possibility of "frost heave", where freezing and thawing in the ground below the slab causes the slab to break and heave upward. If any of these is true, then it's just time to replace your slab.

But if the slab only has surface cracking, or if the broken edges are still close together and even (indicating no settling or heave) then you still have a good chance of a lasting repair. In that case, you should certainly consider concrete slab repair as a viable option. Unless you're already a "pro" at this sort of job, it might be a good idea to call a professional. But if you'd like to try to do it yourself, we can give you the basic steps right here.

Concrete slab repair step one: cleaning. It would be best to rent a power washer to thoroughly clean the surface of your slab. It's vital that all dirt and loose residue be removed in order for the repair compound to properly bond to the old concrete, producing a lasting repair.

Concrete slab repair step two: prepare the edges. Using a chisel and hammer, cut the edges of the cracks to a backward angle. Clean dust and debris using a good stiff brush, either by hand or with a drill. If the crack is a deep one, then you must fill it with sand up to within 1/2 inch of the surface.

Concrete slab repair step three: apply the bonding solution. You may be tempted to skip this step, but that would be a mistake. The bonding solution helps the repair compound to chemically bond with the old concrete. Without it, your careful work might simply dry and pop out. So use a paint brush and apply a thin layer to the entire inside of the crack.

Concrete slab repair step four: apply the repair compound. Mix your repair compound according to directions, then use a trowel to fill in the cracks. Initially, you should fill the hole above the surface, then feather and smooth it until it's even with the surface.

After you've repaired the cracks in your concrete, there are some concrete resurfacing options you can also consider, such as paint, sealer, texture, stamping, and others. Whatever you decide, though, you should wait at least 72 hours after the concrete slab repair is finished before using the concrete or applying any treatments.

So take a look at your slab with these options in mind. Concrete slab repair might save you a bundle!

For more options on cement uses visit http://cementfacts.com/

Upgrade To a Wet Bar In Your Rec Room

The den, the rec room, the family room...no matter what you call it, there should be one place in the home where the entire family can relax after a long day. If you are especially sociable, the room should be inviting and spacious, perfect for receiving guests, and equipped to entertain. Most definitely, a wet bar is needed for all your planned activities.

If you're not familiar with the term, a wet bar is simply a counter area or bar, recessed within the room or situated like a kitchen island, that features a working sink with running water. Unlike the standard kitchen sink, a bar sink is usually a small single bowl, often stainless steel, used for rinsing glasses and flatware or adding water to mixed drinks. Wet bars may also features miniature refrigerators for storage of wine and beer, and cabinets for glassware and other items needed for entertaining. For families who host gatherings on a regular basis, be they club meetings or a weekly football game viewing, having a wet bar offers a great advantage.

A wet bar takes some pressure away from the kitchen by allowing drinks to be stored and served where the party is, plus the host can save time using this service area rather than having to run to different parts of the house. Using a stainless steel sink for the bar allows for an attractive, sanitary workspace for your parties as well.

Regardless of the layout of your home, wet bars are usually simple to install. Hiring the proper plumber and contractor for the job is one step in the right direction, and an attractive countertop and accessories will enhance the look of your entertaining area. So if you plan to receive friends, family, or co-workers into your home, why not consider making them more comfortable with the luxury of a wet bar? This is one investment guaranteed to enhance the value of your home.

Kate Lively is a freelance SEO writer specializing in tips for home improvement, from buying the right stainless steel sinks to new carpeting.

Missing Attic Insulation

Sunroom Decorating Ideas - House Remodeling Ideas

Once you have your sunroom completed, then the hard part of the job starts the decorating. You may have some sunroom decorating ideas in mind but once you start looking in magazines for sample colors and types of furniture, you will realize that the decisions are not as easy as you first thought. If you don't put a lot of thought into your decorating you may not be able to achieve the exact effect you want the sunroom to have.

If the sunroom is straight across the back or the front of the house, then you can make it look like a patio in the way you choose the decorations. A sunroom with an interior done in wood is well suited to rattan furniture or even wicker so that it gives the room an outdoorsy look. You can choose vintage cushions and pillows to give your sunroom a rustic or country feel. Showpieces placed on shelves, plants in standing and hanging planters and colourful mats on the floor will all add to the ambiance of the sunroom being a place where you can relax.

There is a range of designs in wall coverings that will really enhance the sunroom as well. You can have the interior done totally in wood with pine walls and ceilings or you can have drywall that you paint in bright colors. Wallpaper in floral or other designs will give a nice cozy feel to the room. You may like the paintable wallpaper which shows out a design through the color you choose or one that has mosaics or tiles on the wall.

The way in which you decorate the sunroom also depends on the way in which you intend to use the room. You may want to have small tables and chairs where you can sit and enjoy your coffee in the morning with the newspaper or it may be a place where you want to have comfortable soft chairs for entertaining guests. It may even be a place where you want to work out and so you will need a place for your exercise equipment.

Soft light colors in the sunroom will give it a relaxed atmosphere. Large windows to let the sun in should also have appropriate window coverings so that the UV rays won't cause your furniture or pillow coverings to fade. These lighter colors will give the room the appearance of being larger than it actually is. Coordinate the colors of the blinds and the cushions with that of the walls and the floor mats. If the sunroom is attached to the house, you should also think about coordinating the decor with that of the rest of your house so that all the rooms seem to have the same background.

Whether you have a small or large sunroom, you need to place the furniture so that there is plenty of room to move about. If the door to your home is in the middle of the room arrange the furniture at both ends so that you won't block the access to this door. Make sure that when you are seated you won't have to stand to let someone else in or out.

For more information on decorating sunrooms, including lots of sunroom decorating ideas, as well as information on porch flooring, visit http://www.DIYHomeAdvice.com

I Have A Squeaky Floor

Rustic Teak Furniture

If you are an outdoor furniture enthusiast and want to give your furniture a rustic and natural look you must go for outdoor teak furniture. This type of furniture brings natural ambiance around you so that you feel yourself so close with nature.

Today, this Outdoor teak furniture is gaining in popularity day by day because of its fine quality and rustic hue. By having outdoor teak furniture, you can get a number of benefits such as its environment friendly character, durability; comfort, all weather proof nature. You can find a large variety of teak wood furniture such as Adirondack furniture and Adirondack chairs, log swings and porch glider swings, rustic chairs, wagon wheel benches, wagon wheel furniture and garden tables. All these types of furniture are available in different sizes, styles and colours.

Outdoor teak furniture is considered an appropriate choice for lawn and patio furniture. It looks both modern and indigenous. The elegant environment that one finds by having this furniture is unique. If you want your furniture to have a long life, you should go for cedar, which is one of the most famous types of teak. Cedar is pretty thick, and has solid wood. Therefore, you don't have to worry about weather aspects. The smell of cedar is quite aromatic.

The colour of Teak furniture is not subject to being faded as happens in the case of metal furniture. That is why this teak furniture doesn't require painting and merely a simple finishing coat will be enough. Most of the varieties of teak such as cedar, aspen and pine go through the process of checking, which is one of the features of these woods. This process happens when moisture is released by wood. But, the structural process of integrity of the wood remains unaffected with the process. This process of checking is only done so as to enhance the style of outdoor teak furniture.

You can find some other varieties of outdoor furniture and accessories as well like porch swings, gliders, bridges, etc. All these outdoor furniture and accessories are formed of materials of superior quality. Outdoor teak furniture can be used for various other purposes such as patio furniture groupings and deck furniture.

So, if you want to have the feeling of comfort, relaxation besides so many other advantages such elegance, durability and nearer to nature then Outdoor teak furniture is the best option for you.

Dave Clark has many years experience writing articles, he has also written many books, and is well known in the industry. Dave currently has many projects he is working on, he is also on the board of directors for Cushy Sofa a manufacturer and online retailer of Memory Foam Pillows, Memory Foam Toppers, Memory Foam Sofas, Divans, Buy your Sofa and Memory Foam Mattress direct from the manufacturer.

Tile Roof Stucco Damage

Hiring a Contractor For Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling Contractors

Well here's the age old question, how do we go about finding a decent bathroom remodeling contractor.

Here's some things you will be looking for in a contractor.

1. Is Your Contractor Fair and Honest?

2. Does Your Contractor Have Experience Remodeling and Designing Bathrooms?

3. Can You Actually Find a Contractor Who Will Complete the Job in a Timely Manner?

4. Do You Think the Workers Will Be Able to Clean the Job up Daily?

5. Will the Contractor Show up on Time?

6. Is the Contractor Going to Work At Least Eight Hours a Day?

7. Does the Contractor's Crew Have Experience?

8. Is Your Contractor and His Crew Courteous?

If you find a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project that has answered yes to all questions above, hire that person immediately. Most contractors can sincerely answer yes to half of the questions above. If you're looking for the ultimate bathroom remodeling contractor, you could be searching for quite a while, you're looking for some one that is competent and you feel comfortable with.

When hiring a contractor, look for someone who has your interest in mind first and not theirs. Find someone who is willing to help with the designed process of your bathroom and the remodeling. If you find a contractor to be arrogant or controlling, there is a good chance, your bathroom might not turn out the way you envision it.

When hiring a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project or any home improvement project, the most important thing to keep in mind is, whether or not you feel comfortable with this person or not. Never hire a contractor you're not comfortable with.

If a contractor is referred to you by someone you trust, this does not guarantee you will be happy with the bathroom remodel. Most referrals that I have gotten over the years are like rolling the dice, I believe I would have done just as good picking a name out of a hat.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Wood Rot From Stucco

Building a Deck Steps Home Building Video

Stair building tips for installing lights and decking, handrail tips and some deck advice.

For more helpful home improvement information visit: http://www.gregvan.com

Stair Building Help

Gregvan

The Bible's Power Over One Child

I mentioned Sean in another one of my articles, the story of a young foster boy that we were taking care of. Sean's father was my ex-wife's uncle, and they were going through some tough times for a while and their three children ended up as wards of the state. We eventually ended up taking the oldest child because he was the hardest one to place and another home. His brother and sister ended up with a family that wanted to adopt them and eventually Sean went to live with them and I believe all three of them were adopted by this family. I don't know this for a fact though.

Sean was a emotionally damaged child. His parents would punish him with some strange and bizarre punishments. They weren't really physical punishments but seemed to leave the emotional scars on him and I often think about where he is and what he is doing.

We watched him for about a year and I learned quite a bit from this young man. He was in the third grade but was still at the first grade level for reading and math. I would spend a couple of hours each night during the week helping him with his schoolwork, I seem to have created some sort of allusion that I would be able to bring him up to the third grade level within a short period of time. Wrong. He must've had learning disabilities and of course I don't think I was that good teacher.

Sean was easy going, polite and extremely obedient. He would do anything to avoid getting in trouble and often blamed others for his mistakes. His punishments must have been more than he could bear before he arrived at our home. I think you're getting the picture about what kind of a child Sean was.

One day I found myself in a dilemma with Sean, I couldn't get him to tell me the truth, even though I knew he was lying. I forget what the problem was but I remember a hollow look in his face. It was almost like he wasn't really there. It was almost like he was just doing time, sitting on the bed, listening to me asking the same question over and over again, "Sean are you lying", but he wasn't even paying attention.

I normally would not punish my children for accidents, and never tolerated lying. I was trying to explain to him that he wasn't going to get in trouble, I just wanted to know the truth. He wasn't budging at all and stuck to his story. I remembered that his mother and father were Catholics and feared the church, almost as much as they loved it.

That's what I came up with my evil plan. I don't know where I come up with these ideas, but every once in a while one pops up in my head and I run with it.

I told Sean that I was going to bring the Holy Bible in, and if he could swear on the Bible that he was telling the truth, I would accept that and this would be the end of our conversation. I couldn't believe my eyes, as he started crying and screaming, frantically and excitedly as a yelled out, I did it, I did it, don't bring the Bible in, I won't do it again.

I couldn't believe that was all it took to get information from him. I have always been a pretty good interrogator and found myself gathering information from those people easily, but this was amazing. His fear of the Holy Bible got me thinking about how powerful this book actually is to some people. I remember when I looked upon this book, pretty much the same as Sean did.

It's just a book, like any other book. It's not made at a holy factory or a secret monastery in the Swiss Alps somewhere, it's made from paper and ink and can be damaged and destroyed like other books. I would be surprised if I threw the Bible into the fire, that it wouldn't burn. I would be even more surprised, if I seen three men standing in the fire, wait a minute that's another story in the Bible.

Is it possible for this book to actually control the lives of people. It seemed to control Sean, I wonder if I, could have actually been driving a nail home that his parents started. Could I have added to his belief, that the Bible is a book from God the creator of everything.

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 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. Simple Words Create Powerful Beliefs.

Pleasure Based Motivation

Create an Exotic Look With European Bathroom Vanities

If you are looking for a simple and inexpensive way to add some excitement to your bathroom, or if you are a contractor looking for ideas for a client, you may want to look into European bathroom vanities. The vanity is a main focal point to decorate around. European vanities give you an exciting element to work with when decorating, building, or remodeling a bathroom. These vanities come in multiple styles, here we will look at the four most common.

Traditional

The traditional European bathroom vanities are made of hardwoods. These solid woods can be either Cherry, Oak, Teak, or Redwood. This traditional style usually goes well with a country look or an old school cozy setting. These vanities go well with other styles and are easy to decorate around or to incorporate in existing designs.

Classic

The classic European vanity uses the rich, elegant look of marble to pull off a beautifully exotic look. Classic cabinetry showcases dark wood including mahogany or cherry. Antique accessories accent this look, as do antique handles and faucets. These vanities are often stand alone pieces of furniture that would look great in any room, although they logically belong in the bathroom.

Shaker

This style's beauty is in its simplicity. European shaker style bathroom vanities are lacking ornamental detailing, but they do not need the addition of accents to make them beautiful. Usually made of pine or other light colored woods with a plain white sink these cabinets are gorgeous additions to any bathroom.

Modern

The modern European vanity ties together the sleek look of metal, stone, glass, stainless steel, and other materials not usually seen in the other styles listed. The vanity is given a new, sleek look that adds beauty as well as a high tech look. Often these pieces offer a smooth surface and smooth doors without knobs or handles.

There are many different styles of European vanities available, these are just a few of the most common. Whatever style you choose, a new European bathroom vanity brings excitement and beauty with it to your home. Matching your new vanity to the rest of your bathroom decor so that it compliments your home's beauty can be an exciting and rewarding task.

You owe it to yourself to get a bathroom vanity. What type will match your home? Looking for a corner bathroom vanity? Visit http://www.bathroomvanitybuzz.com for more ideas

Family Room Pop Out Ceiling

Moisture Against Gravity - Destroying Walls

Well I'm going to start this article with a little information on a job I did once.

I had been repairing a rental house for one particular homeowner for about three years when all of a sudden I got a phone call from him telling me the rental house was destroyed and he had never seen nothing like this. He sounded so upset over the phone I told him I would meet with him immediately.

On my way to the house I was trying to get an idea in my head what the house was going to actually look like. Since I have been repairing rental properties for over 20 years at this point of my career, nothing really shocked me. I had pretty much seen everything that could possibly be done to rental property by the tenants that lived there. There is a lot to be said about taking care of it as if it were your own.

He was waiting for me at the front door and he looked thoroughly disgusted. As I approached him he was shaking his head and yelling at the same time can you believe these people, can you believe what they did to my house. I was expecting to see the front door ripped off and all the windows broken out of the house but this wasn't the case.

As he led me through the home and I could see the usual clothing on the floor, broken cabinets, a few holes in the walls and of course that awful smell of mold and mildew. All of this stuff was nothing new to me because I'm the guy they call to fix it when a renter moves out of the property.

As I entered one of the bedrooms I got my first glimpse of something I had never seen before but heard stories about and could not believe my eyes. Looking at the walls in the bedroom about 3 feet from the floor all the way around the room, the plaster was soft. It actually looks like someone shoved popcorn into the wall somehow.

The homeowner wasn't even looking at this because of the rest of the damage in the home. I started to explain to him I'd never seen nothing like this but I could guess it was water damage somehow since the plaster was soft. I could actually stick my finger into the wall, that's how soft the plaster was.

My first thought was to examine the carpeting a little closer to see if it was wet. Well it was damp but it wasn't as wet as I would've expected it to be with the amount of water in the walls. With a little more home inspecting I had found the culprit, it was a broken water bed. The water bed was now in the backyard looking innocent.

I couldn't believe a broken water bed could do this much damage so I looked around for broken or leaking water pipes and could not find any. The other bad news I had to inform the homeowner was that the water had damage the bathroom and closet walls also. These walls of course were on the other side of the bathroom walls that were damaged.

Well the point of this story is that water will actually wick its way up or worked its way up into a wall. I had to remove 4 feet of drywall all the way around the room. The plaster or drywall actually acts like a sponge pulling the water into the walls. Hard to imagine that gravity in this case seems to reverse. I would've never thought that water would've traveled so far up the walls creating that much damage.

To repair the rental property I had to remove the damaged drywall, remove the carpeting, dry the wood framing out and put the whole thing back together.

I'm still amazed and will remember that project for as long as I live.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on House Water Damage

Stop Feeling Guilty Part 1

4 Ways SMART Repair Services Can Benefit You

If you're not familiar with SMART repairs, they use special techniques to perform small and medium repairs without replacing or repairing large areas of the vehicle. This can save you both time and money. Even if you are familiar with these services, you might not be aware of the many ways they could be beneficial to you. Below you will find several times when the average person can benefit from SMART repairs.

Restoring your personal vehicle. Most people like driving new vehicles. They are completely unblemished. However, no vehicle stays new forever. No matter how well you take care of your vehicle, over time you might start to notice a little wear and tear. Maybe there are a few small scratches, or you have a couple of tears in your seats. A SMART repair service can quickly and easily take care of these repairs and many more, restoring your car to its original glory.

Getting a vehicle ready to sell. While you can try to sell your vehicle "as is" with all of the little dents, dings, and other imperfections, you may not get the ideal price you're looking for. Now, if you were to repair all of those small imperfections, you would be able to sell your vehicle for significantly more than if you leave it "as is". SMART repairs are very cost effective, making them a great option when you need to boost the value of your vehicle for little money.

Returning your leased vehicle. When you lease a vehicle, you have to be extra careful about what happens to that vehicle. The company you lease the vehicle from will more than likely charge you an outrageous fee for any damage they find, even minor dents and scratches. Since you can't keep your vehicle in an impenetrable bubble, you might want to consider using a SMART repair service before you bring your vehicle back at the end of the lease. They should be able to repair the small damages and will charge a lot less than you will pay to the leasing company.

Repairing company vehicles. If your company relies on one or several vehicles for its business needs, SMART repairs are a great way to keep the vehicles in the best shape possible. As a company, you want to make sure that your vehicles go along with the professional image you're trying to project. This means making sure they always look their best. As a bonus, SMART repairs are more cost and time effective, meaning that you'll have more money and time to spend on your actual business needs.

As you can see, there are many ways that SMART repairs can benefit you. Just make sure that you choose an experienced and reputable company to perform the repairs. There are many companies that specialize in SMART repairs.

Check out our review of Smart car repair specialists http://www.bestdentrepaircardiff.co.uk/index.html Who are located in South Wales.Covering Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bridgend and surrounding areas.

http://www.bestdentrepaircardiff.co.uk/4-ways-smart-repair-services-can-benefit-you.html

Wood Post Bottom With Filler

Where to Find Obsolete Appliance Parts

As the economic recession deepens, more and more people are becoming reluctant to buy new appliances. They would rather have their old ones repaired and re-done than by replacing them with new and more expensive units. During this trying time, any suggestion to save money will be most welcome. For broken home appliances, submitting it to necessary repairs will come to mind. However, the option to repair broken home appliances poses some problems. Of course, having sufficient skills in doing repair is an advantage; it certainly yields huge savings by becoming free from repair costs and for being able to paid repair services for other people. But sometimes, broken appliances would need its worn, blown and damaged parts replaced. This is actually not a problem for more recent appliance models. However, whatever happens if the replacement parts needed are already obsolete?

In many cases, broken down appliances are caused by a single blown or damaged part. Naturally, that part will be discovered as the repairman thoroughly examine how far the damage has got into the appliance. Although he is skilled enough to salvage that appliance, he will need to have the damaged part replaced to fully restore its mechanisms. Without a replacement part, any repair attempt will be like a 'house of cards going down'. Unless that part is supplied, the appliance will be rendered beyond salvage. And the problem triples if that single part is found to be obsolete.

So what exactly is an obsolete part? What makes a part obsolete?

For a specific model of a home appliance, such as refrigerators, televisions and washing machines, is usually assembled from a unique set of parts and system of mechanisms. These components are the secret to its powerful cooling, cleaning and other functional mechanisms; claiming advantage over its competition. Appliance manufacturers normally put their appliances under a series of performance tests, which help determine or estimate service life of their appliances. That span of time also allows them to determine for how long they will need to manufacture spare parts for those appliance models. Once the manufacturers stop producing spare parts for a particular model of appliance, its parts will be rendered as obsolete.

In some cases, a well maintained appliance outlives its estimated service life. With that, certain problems will be faces once they start stalling. Very old appliances usually have obsolete parts. This makes it harder for a handy man or repair man to locate an exact part replacement for the damaged parts. Unless an exact part replacement is found, the repairs needed by a broken appliance will never be completed.

Where to shop

For years now, the internet has become extremely helpful in locating hard-to-find trinkets. With that, it has extended help in locating obsolete parts. There are a number of websites that feature stocks and listings of obsolete appliance parts. Collectively, these websites have created a helpful inventory on the surplus parts of very old appliance models. All you need to do is determine the part number of the replacement part that you needed to make the search easier. Antique parts are no exception. For very very old part models, replacements can be found on specialty online shopping stores or even in auction sites. Now, finding those obsolete switches, light bulbs, gears, and other machine pieces is made easier. You are only but a few mouse clicks away to finding the obsolete parts that you are looking for. All you need to do is mark your purchase's shipment date and wait for the package to be delivered right at your doorstep.

Eric Stein is the eCommerce manager for Midwest Appliance Parts, which specializes in helping people find the appliance parts they need to cost effectively repair their appliances by themselves. MAP has a huge inventory of new appliance parts for all the latest models and also obsolete appliance parts. So next time your machine has a problem, save time and money by starting your search for appliance parts at Midwest Appliance Parts! http://MidwestApplianceParts.com

Basement Wall Staining

Winterizing Your Home

Before the long, cold winter months, you may want to consider winterizing your home to keep it safe from the cold, especially if it is vacant and on the market. Even if you are not selling your home, winterizing your property can go a long way in preventing problems from the cold in the future and keeping your home healthy and in good repair. Here are some places in your home that you can check in order to make sure your property is properly winterized.

Inspect doors and windows for air flow and not only will you keep your home at a comfortable temperature, you'll also save money in energy bills. Check for cracks or chipped paint around the doors or windows, and caulk if necessary. If you feel a draft coming in from the bottom of your door, invest in a door stopper to run the length of it for further insulation.

Have your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system inspected. You do not want to have to worry about a broken HVAC system in the middle of the winter. Have it inspected before the cold months come and your home-heating professional will be able to tell if you need repairs or just a simple tune up.

You should also protect your plumbing from expensive pipe bursts by disconnecting hoses around the house and draining them properly. Make sure your sprinkler system is turned off, and you're sure to keep your home safe and in good repair all winter long.

RE/MAX of Alabama (http://www.remax-alabama.com/orange-beach-real-estate.aspx) is a real estate brokerage that specializes in Orange Beach real estate. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

Attic Sheeting Water Damage

Wall Spacing For Home Building

Remodeling and building homes over the years I have seen all sorts of stud spacing measurements in bearing and non-bearing walls.

How far should we space a framing stud in a bearing wall?

Most plans will give you this information. If you have a structural shear wall the plans will tell you what size of lumber to use at the plywood breaks. The normal spacing on a bearing wall will be 16 inches on center unless otherwise noted on the building plans. This is the most common spacing for studs in a wall.

How far can we space framing studs in a nonbearing wall?

I have seen studs spaced as far as 24 inches on center in a nonbearing wall. Over the years looking at the building code books I have found this to be acceptable for most framing applications. Do not confuse a nonbearing walls with a structural shear walls because there is no weight sitting on the shear wall.

Interior structural shear walls will require 16 inch on center spacing or less depending on the structural engineer and your local building department.

What are the disadvantages of spacing the studs 24 inches on center?

Using half-inch drywall with 24 inch on center stud spacing can give the wall a week or spongy feel. I have been in houses that have 24 inch on center's stud spacing and can actually push the wall and see it move. Using 5/8 drywall will solve this problem in your walls.

What are the advantages of spacing the studs 24 inches on center?

The only advantage in spacing the studs farther apart is the fact you will be able to save a few dollars on the overall cost of building or remodeling your house. I personally do not recommend this process because the savings is miniscule compared to the overall cost of building the entire house.

If you look on a measuring tape between 19 and 20 inches you will usually find a little diamond. This little diamond is another measurement for laying out eight-foot walls or floors. So instead of using 16 inch on center layout you can use 19 1/4 for stud spacing. This will save you an additional stud in your wall or floor joist every 8 feet.

I have been writing more articles on home construction problems trying to help contractors and homeowners build safer stronger houses.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as

well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes in San Marcos Home Building

Easy Wall Repair, Home Video

Great video on how to fix a hole in your wall .

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

Framing Basement Walls
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The Choices of Cellular Shade Blinds

Choosing a window covering can take a lot of thought, mainly because there are so many things to think about before a final decision is arrived at. One of the most popular choices of recent years is that of cellular shade blinds, which have the advantage of offering many of the advantages of other window coverings, but all rolled into one.

There are essentially two types of shade in this category, and that is the honeycomb variety and the room darkening shade variety. Which one should be chosen depends very much on the type of effect that is desired, and how much insulation one expects, such as that to be had from a decent set of curtains.

If you are looking for a shade that simply makes the place a more relaxing place to be, then honeycomb cellular shades could well be a good choice, since they provide excellent shading qualities and yet do not make the room totally dark, or at least so dark that the room looks gloomy. They also give total privacy, which is important for many people.

However, depending on the type of house you live in, keeping warm may also be a consideration. In this instance the choice of cellular room darkening blinds may be a more apt choice. These styles of shades will not only provide more room darkening ability but will also provide a great level of insulation, and that's something that many people would welcome.

These are the two basic choices in the cellular shade style, and to know them makes the job that much easier when it comes to choosing the type of window blinds that are right for you.

Carl Formby owns and operates http://www.bamboopatioblinds.com, a site dedicated to information about window blinds and especially Cordless Cellular Blinds.

Lower Basement Wall Staining