Tile Ready Shower Pans For Fast Shower Construction

Tile ready shower pans are a modern alternative to traditionally built shower pan liners for ceramic tile showers. Traditional pans require masonry skills and some art for several of the construction steps. Tile ready pans require skill too, but not as much skill. Also the newer designs go in faster since there is no cure time for masonry liners.

The new design shower pans are ready for ceramic tile setting as soon as they are installed. The drain is built in to the base pan and the slope is built into the pan. Check local building codes for approval of whatever system you choose.

The traditional shower methods work great if done properly and are especially suited for custom sizes. But the newer systems are perfect for custom sizes too and are especially good for multi-unit installations like apartments or hospitals. The disadvantage of tile ready showers is cost. Installation is faster but cost is consistently higher. In most cases you can get a traditional shower pan built for just the cost of the ready made shower pan material. So look carefully at cost.

Consider these three systems.

The Tile Redi system includes a polyurethane pan with a built-in drain. Standard pan sizes come with built in curbs and side shields. The pan sets in a mortar base supplied by the builder. Level the unit and attach all the pieces and it's ready for tile installation. Check the prices!

The Schluter system has a pan with material for foam curbs and sealing material for the shower wall plus matching adhesives. The Schluter also includes a matching drain. This system is better suited for odd size locations and has the large advantage of sealing the entire wall. The pan sets in a mortar base and after installation is ready for tile.

Lastly, the Wedi system from Germany uses foam panels with adhesive to build any size shower. Foam boards make up the walls for a completely waterproof shower. The pan is set in a mortar base and is ready for tiling the morning after installation.

Conventional masonry construction of shower pans builds ceramic tile showers that will last for decades at a reasonable cost. Tile ready shower pans do have advantages in some situations.

Puzzled about shower pans? Need more information? Visit our site for ceramic tile tips.

We invite you to visit http://www.installingceramictile.net for free answers to your shower questions.

How Much Concrete Do I Need For My Project? Concrete Calculator

Calculating the amount of concrete you require for your project can be a very confusing exercise.

Pre-mix concrete comes in 60 lb. and 80 lb. Bags. A 60 lb. bag provides 0.45 cubic feet of cured concrete and an 80 lb. bag provides 0.6 cubic feet of cured concrete.

If you have mixed concrete delivered, it is sold by the yard (which is a cubic yard = 27 cubic feet).

Square or Rectangle Slab

Following are the formulas to calculate how much concrete you will require for a square or rectangular shaped pour:

L x W x T 12 = cubic feet of concrete (CF)

Number of bags of concrete needed
CF 0.45 = number of 60 lb. bags
CF 0.6 =BE2 number of 80 lb. bags

Number of cubic yards of concrete needed
CF 27 = cubic yards

L = Length in feet
W = Width in feet
T = Thickness in inches
CF = Cubic feet of concrete

Example
A patio 10' long by 8' wide - 6" thick
10 x 8 x 6 12 = 40 cubic feet of concrete
40 0.45 = 89 (88.8) 60 lb bags of concrete
40 0.6 = 67 (66.7) 80 lb. bags of concrete
40 27 = 1.5 cubic yards of concrete

Circular Slab

Following are the formulas to calculate how much concrete you will require for a circular slab:

3.14 x r x r x T 12 = cubic feet of concrete (CF)

Number of bags of concrete needed
CF 0.45 = number of 60 lb. bags
CF 0.6 = number of 80 lb. bags

Number of cubic yards of concrete needed
CF 27 = cubic yards

r = radius of the circle in feet (1/2 of the diameter)
T = Thickness in inches
CF = Cubic feet of concrete

Example
A circle 6" thick where the circle has a radius of 5.5' (11' diameter circle)
3.14 x 5.5 x 5.5 x 6 12 = 47.5 cubic feet of concrete
47.5 0.45 = 106 (105.6) 60 lb bags of concrete
47.5 0.6 = 80 (79.2) 80 lb. bags of concrete
47.5 27 = 1.8 cubic yards of concrete

Tube or Column

Following are the formulas to calculate how much concrete you will require for a circle, tube or column shaped pour:

3.14 x r x r x H 1728 = cubic feet of concrete (CF)

Number of bags of concrete needed
CF 0.45 = number of 60 lb. bags
CF 0.6 = number of 80 lb. bags

Number of cubic yards of concrete needed
CF 27 = cubic yards

r = radius of the circle in inches (1/2 of the diameter)
H = Height in inches
CF = Cubic feet of concrete

Example
A column 8' high where the column has a radius of 5" (10" diameter tube)
3.14 x 5 x 5 x 96 1728 = 4.4 cubic feet of concrete
4.4 0.45 = 10 (9.8) 60 lb bags of concrete
4.4 0.6 = 8 (7.3) 80 lb. bags of concrete
4.4 27 = 0.16 cubic yards of concrete

Download a free, automatic concrete calculator!

For additional information on home renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.

Bathroom Accessories

Bathroom is the main area in a home which is to be kept very hygienic. If the bathroom is not kept hygienic, it can cause several diseases. For keeping it hygienic, the accessories used should be of good quality. You should be very serious regarding the selection of accessories for the bathroom. Various varieties of resources are available for this purpose.

Nowadays people are thinking very seriously about the design and about the accessories used. Each of the small things like brushes, soap bowls are available in different design, which is according to the design and the color of the bathroom. Today many people are spending lots of money for their bathroom. For a most modern bathroom the accessories used should be designed perfectly and attractively. It includes taps, power showers, bathroom sink, shower doors, heated towel rails, thermostatic showers, shower mixer taps, bath tub, bathroom mirror, towel warmer, bathroom taps, bathroom cabinets and much more.

Above all these things, main thing to be considered is the lighting. With the help of proper lighting arrangement the bathroom will be become more attractive. Above all these things it should be properly cleaned and kept hygienic because many diseases can spread from bathroom which is not kept hygienic. Every thing should be properly cleaned even the soap bowl. Thus you and your family can lead a healthy life.

There are various online resources available for buying these high quality bathroom accessories, which can make your bathroom the most modern one and attractive.

We are the online resources for bathroom accessories, bathroom cabinets, bathroom fixtures

You Can Remodel Your Closet In One Day - Part 2

Now that you have got a plan you are ready for action. Solicit some help from a few choice friends you can work well and have a good time. If you know anyone who is project oriented that can be a huge plus. These people know how to get things done. They are used to taking large projects and breaking them into smaller tasks that can be tackled efficiently.

Meet at the hardware or home store as soon as it opens. Usually this is a quieter time for stores. If you wait till mid morning, especially on a Saturday, it can be hectic and you won't be back with your materials till after lunch and may run out of time in the day to finish your project. Take your categorized shopping list and delegate part of it to each person. Stick to your list and don't get side tracked looking at other interesting things. You are there to pick up your closet materials, not to plan a future project. Designate a meeting time at the checkout. Double check the materials to for size and quantity. When organizing your materials at the worksite they should be out of the way, but each item should be easily accessible. Putting everything in one pile can be frustrating when trying to find a specific item. You should now be ready to for the first phase, demolition.

Demolition: Put on your gloves and safety glasses. Be judicious with your use of force. The idea is to deconstruct your closet so that the surrounding walls are left in the best condition possible. Swinging wildly with a sledgehammer is likely to put a hole in a door or send debris flying through the window. Have one person do the demolition and the others form a bucket brigade to pass the wreckage out of the house. Remove all nails and screws that might be sticking out of the wall and thoroughly clean the area before starting to build.

Layout: Referring to your plans detail the closet layout on the closet walls. Measure off the floor where each shelf will go and use your level to scribe a line across the wall. Do this for the entire plan before starting any rebuilding. Draw vertical lines at the edges of each cabinet. At this time you may be able to make limited adjustments with shelving heights if you are unhappy with the layout. Next use the stud finder to locate and mark the center of each stud wherever you have layout lines. Studs will typically be found every 16".

Construct: Start by installing any cabinets you have decided on. Transfer the stud layout to the cabinets and drill one hole towards the top of the box for each stud. While someone holds the cabinet on the layout lines screw it to the wall. Fasten adjacent cabinets together first with clamps then with shorter 1 " screws to avoid blowing through the other side. Shelving may be held up by angle brackets, wood cleats, or plastic hanger clips. Since there will be a lot of weight on shelves and closet poles make sure all fasteners are driven into studs. With brackets in place you can measure up and cut your shelving. Follow the carpenter's mantra, "measure twice, and cut once." Measure up the front and the back of shelves since walls may be out of square.

Spackle up any damaged walls or holes you may have created during construction and pickup some classy matching wooden hangers to finish the project off.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of clothes hangers and wooden hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Shutters Basics

Window shutters add a nice touch to a homes exterior. In other parts of the world, especially Europe and the Caribbean, shutters serve a functional purpose. They cover windows by night or in bad weather to keep out bad weather or cold air. By day they are pushed open from the inside and secured in place to let daylight and the suns warmth into a home. This is especially important in communities where the majority of residents lack central heating or air conditioning.

But in many industrialized nations, housing includes shutters more as accent pieces or adornments than as functional window covers. Shutte5B4rs may cover the homes largest windows, the windows on the front side of the house, the windows on the sides as well as the front, or every window in the home.

Shutters typically coordinate with a homes design to bring out a certain style in its appearance. For example, you can get shutters that are rectangular-shaped, or those that come in other forms. Here are some things to consider when selecting shutters for your home.

1. Does the homes exterior paint or paneling come with matching shutters? If so, consider using these to match the existing design, even if you had the siding done first and now want to add shutters. If not, check with the home supply provider for suggestions about the type of shutters that will go well with your current outdoor siding. You may be able to look at a print or online catalog, or view samples at the store. Some stores provide references of previous customers who have purchased these shutters, and you may be able to talk with them about their level of satisfaction or drive by their homes to have a look.

2. Choose a coordinating design and color. If your homes siding or finish does not come with matching shutters, check out several possible options before selecting one for your home. Popular styles are made of aluminum and vinyl, along with other materials that are weather-resistant, so find out whats available, along with the merits of each.

3. Compare styles to find5B4 one that suits your homes design and structure. Some shutters come with two matching panels, while others have four. You can get louvers, but keep in mind these can collect dust and may be difficult to clean. Even when operational shutters are not needed, some people choose to install them for special effect on their homes.

4. Find out all you can about the products quality. Ask the sales associate about each products durability and lifetime expectancy. Also ask about how to clean various shutter types, and what type of special cleaning substances will be needed, if any. You might also want to know about any particular conditions that afflict certain products. Wood shutters, for instance, may tend to get dry rot, termites, or other wood-associated conditions. Any type of shutter might attract insect nests, and aluminum shutters may be prone to rusting.

What are the best shutters? The best kind are those that are affordable, are easy to install, and offer the greatest protection. Which of these properties is most important depends on individual circumstances. For a disabled or elderly person it may be ease of installation with either an automatic closing mechanism or accordion type shutters. For those with limited incomes plywood shutters may be the only affordable option. For most people the best compromise would be steel panels, which offer good protection, but are certainly more expensive than plywood. The most w571orthless type of protection is the often employed use of various types of tape over the windows. This practice does little or nothing to prevent breakage, may result in large, more dangerous pieces of flying glass, and is extremely difficult to remove after the storm.

With todays changing global climate, and the increase of tropical storms frequency, some regions of the world will need to equip themselves with window shutters to prevent damage to their properties.

A house shutters can really make a big difference, learn how you can find the right kind of Shutters for your home, visit http://shutters.zupatips.com