Home Purchasing Checklists Provide Protection

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for consumers with useful information for future home repairs or current home repairs that will need to be done before the home is sold. Home inspectors often use checklists like these, while they're inspecting the home.

If more home shoppers used home inspection checklist while shopping for houses, we would probably have more satisfied homebuyers than dissatisfied ones. Recently just purchasing a home, we had our real estate professional, the previous homeowner's real estate professional and a mortgage lender, involved in the purchase of the property.

There was a home inspection report from the current homeowners, available for us to look at. It provided us with the damaged parts of the home that were repaired or replaced. Some of these repairs were from termite damage and it was stated so on the report. This was helpful information for us as we walked around the home inspecting it for damage.

The work that was repaired to look satisfactory and the rest of the home had minor damage. Listening to one of the real estate sales people that were involved in the transaction, you would've thought we would get in the deal of a lifetime and they had nothing but good news to say about the product they were representing. I easily understood that, this person could have influenced some one into believing that the home was in great shape, if they didn't have a home inspection checklist with them.

The home had been re-carpeted, painted and was in generally good shape. The problems with the home, were the old windows that were hard to open, the heating unit leaked gas, the tile flooring that ran through the kitchen and a large room addition looked great, except for one thing, they installed the tile over linoleum.

This eventually will have to be replaced as the tile starts to separate from the linoleum. While I'm writing this article, there's about 40 square feet of tile that needs to be replaced, because it's popping up and cracking.

A home purchasing checklist does not guarantee that you will find everything but can't eliminate some of the things that homeowners have the biggest problems with. If you could just eliminate one of these problems, the small price of purchasing, one of these checklists would be worth it.

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for the shopper and I would recommend, never shopping for a home without one.

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

By Greg Vanden Berge

The Value of Concrete Countertops

Customization Increases Aesthetic Appeal and Real Estate Investment for Homeowners

From top-dollar homes in the San Francisco Bay Area to sprawling mountain homes in the Colorado Rockies, discriminating homeowners are demanding custom designs and finishes in their kitchens. In particular, they are looking to express their individuality and distinct design preferences with the fast-growing design material of choice concrete.

In fact, concrete countertops have become somewhat of a
status symbol for kitchens, rivaling granite and other high-
end countertop surface options. Consumer Reports Magazine
(August 2004) ranked concrete highest for its customization and exclusivity among high-end kitchen countertops.

As a custom product, the amount of time and craftsmanship required to produce concrete countertops places them as the most labor-intensive and priciest among leading countertop materials.
However, concrete countertops are becoming more accessible for those on a modest budget. The latest do-it-yourself (DIY) trend to captivate homeowners and builders is building your own concrete countertop. This phenomenon has gained popularity largely due to Chengs best-selling book Concrete Countertops: Design, Forms, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath (Taunton Press, 2002). According to Cheng, there is little monetary investment in making concrete countertops, yet the creative gains of working with concrete are plentiful.

THE SHOWSTOPPER

Increasingly, homeowners are moving away from the monotonous, manufactured look of traditional countertop surfaces and choosing concrete for its earthy, timeless appeal. Plus, the options for personalizing concrete countertops are endless: one can color, polish, stamp and stain concrete or imbed personal objects like stones, seashells and fossils into the countertops surface, adding sentiment and character. Functional features such as drain boards, soap dishes, and trivets can also be incorporated to suit the homeowners own needs and lifestyle.

Concrete is slowly becoming demystified as characteristically cold and industrial. In contrary, this age-old material is warm and surprisingly tactile; people cannot help but touch their smooth, polished surfaces. Real estate agent Joy Rasmussen, who has recently sold her mountain home a short-term investment property in Steamboat Springs, CO recounts her visitors experiences with concrete: When I had open houses, visitors gravitated to the concrete countertops many people around here have never seen them.

Joys 2,265 sq. ft. mountain home was custom build by her husband, Ken Otterman, along with KJ Otterman, president of Classic Special Custom Homes. They built pour-in-place concrete counters for the homes kitchen and three bathrooms by using Concrete Countertops as their guide. The sand-colored concrete countertops were polished smooth, then paired with natural slate of varying colors like charcoal, rust and gold tones that forms the backsplashes in the kitchen and baths. As a design accent, small rectangular slate tiles were added to
the rim of the bathroom sinks, which provided a unique detail to the custom vanities.

When Joy and Ken decided to sell their house, their investment in concrete countertops proved its value. We were able to list the house $20,000 over market value, and had no problems selling it, comments Joy, while discussing the long list of upgrades throughout their house, including knotty pine solid doors, natural slate wall accents and hardwood floors. The concrete countertops were easily the most unique and impressive of all the finishes. I believe they were a huge part in

adding value to the home. Around here, all you see in homes are granite countertops and I really think homebuyers are getting quite numb with granite.

Concrete countertops are a unique offering to homebuyers who see the same finishes used in house after house they visit, explains Joy, offering her observation as a seasoned realtor. Having concrete countertops almost gives you bragging rights you have something different from your neighbors.

BREAKING THE MOLD

Another advantage of concrete is its adaptability in either modern or traditional settings, especially when coupled with other materials like varied metals, wood or stone. Concrete adds so many [possibilities] to stone, and the combination with slate, which is hugely popular here, gives the mountain homes an overall warm, natural touch, says Joy.

Joy and Ken have since built a much larger home (4,000 sq. ft.) that offers expansive views of the Steamboat Ski Resort and is meant to serve as a long-term investment for the couple. Theyve also expanded their list of custom finishes, including hand-troweled walls, elegant oil-rubbed bronze hardware, knotty pine doors that arch at the top, cabinets in a natural, knotty alder, and their favorite concrete kitchen countertops.

Unlike in their previous home, KJ and his specialty crew poured charcoal-colored countertops using the pre-cast method in the unfinished basement of the new home. Before pouring the concrete, they sprinkled an array of semi-precious stones in the mold including Leopardskin, Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl and Turquoise. After the surface was ground and lightly polished, the finished result was an impressive blend of colors, By far, the Mother-of-Pearl was the most incredible, says Joy.

The L-shaped concrete countertop has a rough, rustic stone appearance, complementing its rugged country surroundings. An integral drain board and trivets provides function and added interest to the concrete countertop. Natural slate backsplashes, distinct wall accents, and a butcher block countertop at the kitchen island all resonate with the traditional warmth and earthiness of the concrete countertops.

Joy and Kens respective backgrounds in real estate and custom homebuilding, and as investment homebuyers, have helped them realize that concrete countertops can add tremendous aesthetic and financial value to a home. Concretes customization and show-stopping appeal is like no other countertop surface. Cheng is a proponent of emotional aesthetics and building homes that capture these emotions, as in the case of Joy and Ken Otterman. Cheng concludes: People really want differentiation, something personal, something custom and concrete can do that for them.

For more information about concrete countertops please visit: http://www.ConcreteExchange.com/

Deborah Meyer works as Marketing Assistant for Cheng Design, a Berkeley-based interior design company headed by award-winning designer and author Fu-Tung Cheng. Deborah's work includes writing press releases for Cheng Design and Cheng Concrete Exchange, with a focus on do-it-yourself stories of the companys customers.

What To Do If Your Home Floods

Modular Building Costs

Cost is the bottom line for any construction project. Modular buildings are cost effective because of less labor and material cost. Labor effort is maximized by factory construction and material waste is minimized.

Costs for modular buildings can differ quite radically from $35 to $200 per square foot. The factors that affect price include the size of the building, quality of material and complexity of the construction. Though certain regions have low cost of modular buildings, it is not possible to take advantage of that as the shipping costs turn out to be more.

Transportable classrooms, offices and simple buildings are inexpensive building options. Medical offices are more expensive. Sophisticated buildings with extensive wiring or high quality building material result in building costs that turn out to be quite expensive.

On a typical job site, overhead expenses due to bad weather and in the form of construction delays and damages to building products take place. It is seen that constructors waste valuable time traveling between multiple jobs and running out of supplies. Carpenters, electricians and plumbers who are very necessary in building homes, typically get more work done working on an assembly line than the typical subcontractor doing the same work at the job site. Thus, they become more cost effective in a modular construction.

In terms of financing, the buyer can choose to buy or lease a modular building according to his personal preference. Before making a final decision, the buyer needs to weigh all the pros and cons. It is critical that the buyer ensures that bids are truly competitive before choosing solely on price factor. It is advisable that the buyer checks the quality of fixtures, doors, walls and carpeting before finalizing the contract. The buyer should also ensure that the total cost includes all costs including installation.

Modular Buildings provides detailed information on Modular Buildings, Modular Office Buildings, Concrete Modular Buildings, Modular School Buildings and more. Modular Buildings is affiliated with Modular Home Manufacturers.

Bathroom Remodeling Problems

How to Maintain an Electric Shower

Installing electric showers to add beauty and comfort to a bathroom are few reasons why most homes have showers installed. Aside from these reasons, it can also make daily showers luxurious and enjoyable. However, to enjoy these things, one must acquire the right knowledge on how to do basic maintenance for the shower.

Maintenance can be as simple as precautionary measures for daily use and cleaning the parts of the shower which needs to be done at least once or twice a year.

Handset or shower head cleaning is done to prevent obstruction of water and maintain the force of shower spray by removing debris and scale. Cleaning can be done by washing the shower head with mild detergents or soap solutions. The shower plate must also be cleaned along with showerhead to avoid lowering the shower performance. After the process, the parts should be dried with soft clean cloth.

Before cleaning the inner parts of the shower, some safety information must be considered. First, is to switch off the electricity supplied to the shower and turn off the water supply by closing the isolated valve fitted along the main line. This measure should also be done when fixing the shower including:

1. Fitting the case correctly.
2. Changing damage casing.
3. Removing water inside the case.
4. When device emits smoke, undetermined odor, and odd noise.
5. When checking for changes with the performance of the device.

After turning off both the electrical connection and water supply, open the case carefully in such a way that the assembly of the case is not disrupted. Just in case doing these things may sound difficult or one is not competent in accomplishing the task, professional assistance is the only remedy.

One minor component that needs to be cleaned or renewed regularly is the filter. Debris or filtered materials from the water may hinder the normal flow of water. In some cases, devices are broken due to excessive dirt and debris causing water to leak.

After cleaning the filter and other inner parts, do not over tighten the screws of the filter and the case. Before reinstalling the device and electricity, make sure that the main water supply is sealed. Refit the case to its precise location. When reinstallation is done, turn on water connection and electricity supply to test the performance of shower. Testing should be done with cold water. Make sure that electrical connection is secured including the grounds. If any problem may arise during the maintenance, contact to the dealer of the shower or service centre to seek for assistance.

Precautions that should be considered for daily maintenance and use are following:

-Never put shampoo bottle or soap on the unit as it may slip into the device.
-After using the shower, turn off the isolating switch.
-Switch off the device immediately when water ceases to flow.
-Right after any use of the device, make sure to flush remaining water to wash away debris and waste.
-Always check the temperature of water by hand before stepping under the showerhead to prevent burns.
-Do not use abrasive or aggressive products when cleaning as it may damage the unit

These are simple precautionary measures that when properly taken can expand the lifespan of the device. Users must always remember that professional help is always the best solution when encountering issues with devices such as the shower.

If you are looking for more information then feel free to visit electric showers and electric power showers.

Missing Attic Insulation

Country Bathroom Remodeling - Ideas and Tips

Are you prepared for total relaxation and tranquility? Then switch to country bathrooms. They are simple, fresh and inviting.

When you say "country bathroom remodeling project", fresh, simple, antique, airy, pedestal sink, vintage, French, English cottage are the images that we invoke in our mind. This idea can be lot different from what an interior designer has in mind.

You can include elements from other rooms of the house, to give the bathroom an authentic country feeling. For example, chandeliers are generally placed in the dining room. You can incorporate small chandeliers with a vintage appearance in your bathroom. This will look great when it is hung just above a claw foot tub.

You can use items like checked curtains or mirrored cabinets to the country bathroom remodeling. You can also use bookshelf from the living room or .a dull cupboard from the bedroom for storage. Armchairs or bamboo chairs make great corner pieces in a bathroom. Wire baskets used in kitchen make perfect storage containers for towels or toiletries. These small changes make a country bathroom luxurious and relaxing. You can enjoy a long soak in the tub now.

Rustic accessories like wooden pegs and antique furnishers are great if you have a historic home. You can also use painted wooden shutters and wooden frames for bathroom remodeling. If you do not have antique furnishings, use look-alike knobs in existing furnishings and give them an impression of antique.

You can contact a contractor or an interior designer to put your thoughts into action. If you are hiring an interior designer or a contractor, make sure that they understand your plans on country bathroom remodeling. Country means different things for different people, as this is just an art of being creative, and creativity varies from person to person. Make sure your contractor understands your requirements, and put your plans on paper. Communication is vital in country bathroom remodeling and time will be wasted if communication is not effective.

If you're looking for more information about bathroom renovation or are looking for bathroom remodeling ideas come visit me at my bathroom remodeling blog.

You will find lots of information about bathroom tile design, shower and tub installation, bathroom remodeling tools, bathroom renovation ideas, bathroom remodeling pictures and even specific information about the topic of this article: country bathroom remodeling.

Ceramic Tile Shower Corner Damag

Atlanta Hotels

Studded with beautiful monuments and lots of happening places and events, Atlanta is truly an amazing place to be, either for business meetings, conferences, or simply for enjoyment and leisure. And to help us in enjoying this beautiful city, luxurious and beautiful hotels are sprawled all over the city.

Downtown hotels, midtown hotels, airport hotels, and even luxury hotels are all available in plenty, providing high-quality amenities and services.

Downtown hotels are usually situated in the middle or heart of the vibrant and happening city, and surrounded by business and entertainment centers. Some truly amazing downtown hotels are Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hilton Atlanta, Ritz Carlton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree Plaza, Omni Hotel at CNN Centre, Wyndham Atlanta, Courtyard Atlanta Downtown, Renaissance Atlanta Downtown Hotel, Quality Hotel Downtown, Marriot Marquis Atlanta, Amerisuites Downtown Atlanta, and Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel Atlanta Suite Underground.

The aforementioned hotels are an amalgamation of beauty, luxury, convenience, and comfort. Situated in downtown Atlanta, such hotels are minutes away from all the major attractions of the place like Georgia Dome, Georgia State Capital, Underground Atlanta, CNN Center, Turner Field, Golf Course, Stone Mountain, Georgia Gift Mart, Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca-Cola, High Museum of Art, historical mansions besides others.

Airport hotels, on the other hand, are located quite close to the airport and most of them offer free shuttle service to and from the airport. They are constructed in unique ways so as to reduce the impact of sound. Some truly fabulous airport hotels include the following: Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel, Sheraton Gateway Atlanta Airport Hotel, Renaissance Concourse Hotel Atlanta, Courtyard by Marriot Atlanta Hotel Airport North, Amerisuites Atlanta Airport North, Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta Airport, Best Western Atlanta Airport, Westin Atlanta Airport, Marriot Atlanta Airport, and Peachtree Hotel Atlanta Airport.

Luxury hotels found in Atlanta have the combination of beauty, dreamy comfort, and convenience to the utmost level. Ritz Carlton, Atlanta; Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta; Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead; The Georgian Terrace Hotel; Westin Peachtree Plaza; Ritz Carlton, Buckhead; Intercontinental Buckhead Hotels and Restaurants; Hyatt Regency Hotel; Omni Hotel at CNN Center; and Sheraton Gateway Atlanta Airport Hotel are some examples of luxury hotels in Atlanta.

The aforementioned hotels usually offer a wide array of amenities such as data ports, internet services, complimentary newspapers, a coffee maker, irons and ironing boards, cable television, hair dryer, handicapped rooms, restaurants, indoor or outdoor swimming pools, spa or fitness centers, business center, and many more services and are ideal for business meetings, conferences, weddings, and other occasions.

Atlanta Hotels provides detailed information on Atlanta Hotels, Atlanta Luxury Hotels, Atlanta Airport Hotels, Downtown Atlanta Hotels and more. Atlanta Hotels is affiliated with Boston Luxury Hotels.

Raised Door Threshold

Tub Refinishing - Tub Reglazing Care Instructions

Tub Refinishing also known as Tub Reglazing is a process of applying a polyurethane coating in order to enhance or renew the appearance of your fixture. Tub Refinishing is somewhat the same as the finish on a vehicle and must be cared for in the same manner to prolong the life of the finish.

There are a number of things one must do in order for the reglazed finish to last. If you do not follow these basic care steps the lifespan of your finish may be cut down drastically as well as possibly void any warranty given to you.

These are the steps one must take to care for your refinished tub / reglazed tub:

• Don't use the surface for the specified number of days or hours indicated by the company.
• Don't lay soap, sponges, cloths, bottles or any objects on the finish at any time! Use a shower rack instead.
• Don't let leaky faucets go unrepaired!
• Don't use abrasive cleansers. No S-O-S pads. No Comet. No razors. NO ABRASIVES AT ALL! The tub will clean easily with spray cleaners and a soft sponge.
• Don't use bath mats with suction cups underneath. They may pull at finish and trap moisture.
• Don't pick surface dust off with your finger. Any surface dust will likely dissipate in 3-4 weeks with normal cleaning and usage. Waxing also helps.
• Don't use bathtub or other glazed surface to clean brushes or any painting related chemicals or materials. Keep harsh chemicals away from tub. Don't clean or store sharp or abrasive items on surface.
• Don't let workers stand in a reglazed tub with their shoes on. Have them remove shoes & put a soft towel down.
• Don't put or store any items in a tub or finished surface that might damage or cut the surface.
• Do make sure the room is well ventilated &read all manufacturers cautions and instructions. ALWAYS use your common sense, be safe and smart.
• Do make sure there are no holes or gaps in any grout or caulking in your shower. This can lead to wall damage and a costly repair bill.
• Do use Tilex - Lysol Tile Cleaner - Mr. Clean - Fantastic. NO POWDERS, NO ABRASIVES, just a soft sponge.
• Do keep your tub clean and wipe it down with a towel after each use. You don't have to wipe it dry.
• Do maintain caulking around the tub.
• Do WAX your reglazed tub two weeks after it is done, then once every 1-3 months thereafter. Use regular auto wax and DO NOT OVER BUFF. Start by first thoroughly cleaning the surface then gently wiping dry. Then apply a light thin light coat of wax with a damp cloth using light circular motions. Wipe excess wax with a soft dry cotton towel.

With these instructions in mind you can rest assure that you are caring for your newly refinished tub or tile in the proper manner and avoiding the costly mistake of voiding any warranty given to you.

My name is George Piccot, owner and operator of Southern California's AB Ceramic Tile Regrout and Reglaze Systems http://www.regroutpros.com - I have been involved solely in the restoration industry since 1989 and if you have any questions on a particular project feel free to send an email and I will be there to help. Best, George Piccot services@regroutpros.com

AB Ceramic Tile Regrout and Reglaze Systems

Ceramic Tile Shower Corner Damag

Making Your Bathroom Part of Your Home

In the home, a "bathroom" literally means a room where you take a bath. In our country, a room must have four fixtures to be considered a full bathroom. These fixtures include a toilet, sink, shower, and a bathtub. A half bathroom, or a powder room, only needs to contain a sink and toilet, while a bathroom needs to include a toilet, sink, and shower. When you decide to change your bathroom, you will want to take these things in consideration, simply because it can make a difference in the value of your home. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional, you will want to carefully plan out your bathroom renovations and each activity, so that it meets your wants and needs.

Remodeling a bathroom in your home may include installing a new fixture or just updating the fixtures. Whether you choose to renovate the entire room or upgrade the colors and accessories, you will find that it can make a big difference in the look and feel of your bathroom. The bathroom is an often used room in the home, so it needs to be relaxing and welcoming.

Normally, when you remodel the bathroom in your home, you will want to install something new into the room. Some of the common plans for the bathroom include adding a new shower door, vanity, light fixture, and other fixtures. You can find step by step instructions to install anything that you can imagine in your bathroom to make it more efficient and functional on the internet. Most of these sites can also point you to other websites or stores that will offer you the pieces that you need to make your bathroom into that relaxing and welcoming space.

You may find that routine maintenance is an activity that you should consider in your bathroom renovations. This may include installing a new faucet, fixing your existing flooring, or changing your shower curtain or showerhead. Most of these things take very little time and money and they can help make your bathroom work better. Upgrading these fixtures can give your bathroom a new look and feel that you will enjoy and that will make your bathroom more inviting and welcoming.

Another improvement that you may want to make to your bathroom is making it safer and easier to use for the older or infirmed family members. You can make it safer and more functional for these family members by adding a toilet that has a higher seat, adding texture to your bathtub floor, installing safety bars to your bathtub, and/or changing the faucet handles. All bathrooms should have a ground fault circuit interrupter to make sure that the power will automatically be shut off in the case of short circuits. This is essential in a bathroom, due to the moisture.

It does not matter why you want to improve your bathroom. By making plans, you will find that you can make your bathroom into that special place that you will enjoy and love.

The magazine writer Johnathan Bakers is very excited about problems relating to woodworking bench and woodworkers workbench. You might come across his comments on how to build a articles bench at many different sources for how to build a abstracts bench news.

Toilet Tank Lid Cracked

Planning Your Bathroom Tile Design, Pattern & Installation

If you are planning to tile a bathroom by yourself, this article will help you plan your bathroom tiling installation in the best and cost effective way as well as giving you some tile design ideas. We will guide through your new bathroom tile design and installation planning step by step.

Attention - Note that planning your tiling installation properly is the most important step for smooth, easy going and problem free bathroom tile installation.

Remember a DIY bathroom tiling installation isn't a quick job, so don't miss the point and plan it right. All the time spent planning your tiling installation will save you money and headaches.

You have to plan your bathroom-tiling project carefully; choose the tile design and tile patterns, what materials you need and which tools you require.

Choose your Bathroom Tile design & Tile patterns

The tile patterns that you can create with different tiles are limited only by your own Tile design ideas. A large variety of standard tile designs, ideas and tile patterns are available. Some tile manufacturers may make special custom tile designs for you.

Choosing the tile design is obviously the first thing you need to do, with out deciding this you can not start planning your bathroom tile installation.

You can find a few basic bathroom tile design ideas & tile patterns, check it out.

For some Inspiration you can check Google pictures for some Bathroom Tile design ideas, there are over a million bathroom pictures here.

Tile suitability - Tiles are made in porous and non-porous varieties. When planning a bathroom tile installation, you should choose the non-porous ceramic tiles.

If your bathroom is small and the tiles have designs on them, you may have to go for smaller sized tiles as they have smaller designs. Too large tile designs may not suit small bathrooms so choose a smaller tile design for smaller bathrooms.

If you go for a plain color, the size isn't that important, however try to follow the rule above anyway.

A good tile design idea is to choose contrasting colors for the floor tiles and wall tiles. Then have a skirting line the same color as the floor tile.

Another tile design idea is changing color at chest level, which will change the look of your bathroom.

Try to choose bathroom accessories that compliment the color of the walls.

Materials - How much will you need? - To calculate the quantity of materials that you need, you must take precise measurements of the total area that you wish to tile.

From the total area and the size of each tile, you can calculate the number of tiles required (you must know the size of the tiles you have chosen).

You must also remember to take into account the gaps between tiles when calculating the number of tiles needed, so make sure you include spacers appropriate to the tile size chosen.

If this equation becomes a little complicated, you can always use the table "Calculating your Tile needs" (link here) on this page.

When calculating consider more than half a tile as a full tile and less than a half tile as a half tile. If you have chosen a multicolored bathroom, calculate each color separately and note down the tile requirements.

Ordering tiles - Order the tiles on the basis of the measurements taken. Note that tiles are packed in boxes and the supplier is unlikely to sell tiles individually.

Remember to order extra tiles as you can be sure that some tiles will break during installation (even the best professional breaks tiles). In addition some of these extra tiles could be used in the future if any tiles need replacing. This is not only good but an advisable practice.

Always order additional tiles since the tiles you have ordered may not be available in future, and if you require replacement tiles, you will have difficulty finding a match.

Best tools for a good job - Make sure you choose the right tool for the job. It'll make the job easier and safer too. You probably have a basic toolbox however for tiling installation you need special tiling tools.

Some of them are expensive but don't waste your money buying professional tools that you won't use enough to pay for themselves. Instead hire them. For some $$ you can have the best tools for a few days. And if you've done your planning properly you'll only need them for a few hours.

Remember, that planning your tiling installation properly is the most important step for smooth, easy going and problem free bathroom tile installation.

I hope it's been useful, happy tiling!

The best Tiling Video & DVD and Tiling books reviews at Tiling Tips.Get our FREE report "27 Insider Tiling Tips you want to know" and more by visiting us NOW at http://www.tiling-tips.com

45 Degree Door Header

Vista Del Valle - A Great Hotel in Costa Rica

Looking up a 300 foot waterfall wondering how I was going to get the whole thing into my shot without soaking my new high-definition video camera on day one of 35 day shoot had me feeling more like I was in the heart of the rainforest, not 20 minutes west of the international airport.

But that's exactly where I was. Vista del Valle is the perfect place to begin and end any Costa Rica vacation. Its location is perfect for accessing the rest of the country, and for being fairly close to San Jose, you can still experience the beauty that Costa Rica offers.

Vista del Valle lies at approximately 2,500 ft./ 762 meters. The restaurant is perched on a cliff and overlooks the Rio Grande Private Nature Reserve. At night, looking in the same direction, are the lights of San Jose. Which in my opinion, is the best way to see San Jose... at night and from a distance.

The food is Vista is like the food at all the lodges I'll be writing about, wonderful. The nice thing, when it comes to the food at ecolodges or small resorts, is the pride they take in food preparation. Because they're not cooking for big crowds, each dish is prepared with love and the freshest ingredients available at the time. Enjoying your meal while overlooking the Rio Grande will your first of many memories.

The pool has a shallow end for kids and there are lots of personal floatation devices to enjoy. There is also a Jacuzzi. My first thought when I saw it was 'wow, a hot tub in Costa Rica, isn't it a little hot in Costa Rica for a hot tub.' However, with the elevation, nights can get a little chilly making the hot tub option a good one. It's also a great way to enjoy the rain.

The suites, cottages and rooms are all very comfortable offering all the amenities one requires.

The gardens are a great way to introduce yourself to the botanical beauty of Costa Rica. I've spent many hours walking their gardens filming plants, butterflies and birds.

Vista del Valle is owned by Michael and Joanna Bresnan. They have been in Costa Rica for over 40 years. Their love and respect for Costa Rica is evident in the way they run their business and the respect they have garnered from their neighbors.

I became instant friends with Michael and Joanna and consider them to be some of the truest people I have ever met.

Current projects include making the hotel a model of sustainability. They have an impressive, organic garden and hope to build a 'center for sustainability' where people can learn about and practice the concepts of sustainability.

Please visit them at http://vistadelvalle.com.

For more information on this hotel as well more great places to stay in Costa Rica, please visit http://www.ecotourismtravelguides.com or contact me personally at redwoodmitch@yahoo.com

Mitch Popa is an independent video producer working on promoting Costa Rica's Ecotourism Industry.

Mold From Dryer Vent On Joist

Make Your Home Handicapped Accessible

Whether you have a family member or a close friend who is handicapped, you need to make sure your home is handicapped accessible. Stairs and small hallways are impossible for those who need wheelchairs to move around, but there are a few easy changes you can make or a few features you can look for in order to make sure it is wheelchair friendly.

Safety is the most important feature of any home, but additional measures need to be taken into consideration if one your family members uses a wheelchair. Their bedroom needs to be on the ground floor and needs to have an easy exit. In most cases, this means that there is a door to the outdoors in the room so if there is a fire, this individual can escape quickly. Along the same lines, every room needs to have a large enough space for a wheelchair to rotate 360 degrees, which is approximately 5 feet in diameter. Doorways need to be at least 36 inches wide and hallways need to be anywhere from four and a half to five feet wide. Ideally, your home will have a minimal number of hallways. These precautions make it much easier for handicapped individuals to move from room to room.

The bathroom is the room that needs the most attention. Elderly or handicapped individuals often need the most help in the bathroom but it is very embarrassing to need assistance in this room. Therefore, you should design the bathroom so that these individuals can be as independent as possible. One of the best investments is a walk in bathtub. These tubs are designed in order to make bathing a safer and easier experience for those who have limited mobility. The convenient door opens up so you do not have to swing your legs up and over and the seat inside means you do not need to lower yourself to the bottom of the tub. Grip bars are an extra safety feature and should be installed around the entire bathroom.

Lower tables and keeping important or handy items at a convenient height is also an important consideration. It is not difficult to find a home that is already handicapped friendly or could easily be remodeled to be so. Remember that safety is the most important consideration so this factor needs to be top priority! With accessible emergency exits and a walk in bathtub, you are making the right choices!

If you would like more information on walk in bathtubs or would like more information about handicapped bathtubs, please visit the Simply Bathtubs website.

Water Heater Vent Through Plywood

Tuscan Bathroom Design

Tuscan bathroom design is said to be a perfect combination of sheer indulgence and timeless beauty. When designing a bathroom, it is important to keep the style consistent with the rest of your house. It is a fabulous idea to decorate your bathroom in a luxurious Tuscan design with scrolled ironwork, ceramic tiles and marble if you have Mediterranean or Tuscan elements as your home decor. A Tuscan master bath would be beautiful, to accent your Tuscan style bedroom.

For a Tuscan bathroom design, choosing the right wall color will set the feel for your Tuscan bath. Just as with standard Tuscan decor , warm colors are ideal. Selecting colors with a yellow base will give you a solid platform to work with. Terracotta and gold colors are common in Tuscan design. A useful tip to remember is choose the light color as the base, and think of adding a darker shade on top with sponge or stucco texture. Consider color washing and applying faux wall techniques. This adds a rustic, Old World charm to your space.

An easy way to put together a color palette that makes sense with your Tuscan bathroom design is by looking for an Italian piece that catches your eye. Often a beautiful painting or piece of Italian tile will have a great combination of color. Pull out the colors to accent around your space. Integrating darker colors such as burgundy, olive green or deep blue are perfect choice for creating a Tuscany spa.

Again, look for these types of colors in your tile piece when selecting your palette. More than likely, they will be there. A beautiful picture from your trip to Tuscany is a wonderful addition of Tuscan Art to your bath. Have a couple blown up in a copy shop to canvas. This can also assist you greatly in choosing your color palette.

The key to a beautiful Tuscan bath is how you accessorize. Keep in mind the Old World style when choosing your Tuscan decor accessories and you will achieve the look and feel you are after. Your bathroom vanity, sink and accessories will set the tone of your Tuscan space.

Choose items like Metal urns, lots of greenery, Terracotta pots, wrought iron sconces and candle holders, and glass apothecary jars. You can just imagine how much you will be able to find. Consider hanging a wrought iron shelf as well. Open bathroom shelving is consistent with Tuscan design. Carefully select your Tuscany faucet. There's so much that can work in this type of bathroom. You want the style you prefer, and the price you can afford. Keep that in mind.

You can get creative by placing a baroque towel stand next to your bathtub, or a wrought iron vanity if you have space. There are stores that you can shop online that carry Tuscan decor, where you can find terrific things like a beautiful Tuscan fabric shower curtain. Products like these are great if you have only a shower in your bathroom.

If you have a budget to work with, choose some marble or tile for flooring. A beautiful rich color on the floor with take your Tuscany spa to a much higher level! If marble or stone flooring is too pricey, you definitely can bring out stone by adding stone details like a travertine soap dish and dispensers. Even marble candlesticks will introduce rustic materials appropriately.

Patrice D. Walker is an Architect student who specializes in Tuscan Decorating. She is the owner of Tuscan-Home-101. Visit: http://www.Tuscan-Home-101.com/tuscan_decor.html to access the largest amount of Tuscan interior design tips and information.

Patio Books
Tile Setting Books

What Does a GFI Do? - Electrical Problems

In your bathroom you should have a GFI electrical outlet. Most new homes or newly remodeled homes require you to have GFI electrical outlets in the kitchen. Most older kitchens do not have GFI electrical outlets. GFI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.

Why not call it a GFCI instead of a GFI electrical outlet? Well it is called a GFCI in some instances. GFI is short and is the most common name used by most electricians and builders for this type of outlet.

GFI 's come in 15 amp and 20 amperage outlets. GFI outlets must be wired properly. Make sure you're using the proper wire size when hooking up the GFI outlet.

How do I know which size wire to use? This all depends on how far away you are running it from the electrical panel. There are charts you can use to figure this out. If you are not running the electrical wire more than 80 feet from the electrical panel you can use 12 gauge electrical wires for a 20 amp GFI. This is a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

If you're going to be using a 15 amp GFI and you are going to be less than 80 feet away from the electrical panel you can use 14 gauge electrical wires. Again this is just a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

A GFI is a light duty electrical plug used in bathrooms, kitchens and the exterior of your house. The sole purpose of the GFI is to shut the breaker off faster if there is any moisture or light load problems.

Let's say for instance you have your hair dryer plugged into the GFI outlet. The hair dryer somehow falls into the sink while it is on or plugged in. The GFI outlet will instantly shut off because of the sensitivity of the breaker inside of the plug it self.

The GFI plug has a test button and a reset button on it. If you are continually resetting the GFI you will wear it out eventually. I have had GFI plugs after resetting the button about 10 times break and no longer able to use them.

The GFI electrical plug is a great idea and if you don't have them in your bathroom or outside of your home it would be a great idea to have an electrician install them for you.

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 Home Building Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

San Diego Termite Damage

Drywall Repair For Damaged Walls

Pick a Good Air-Conditioning Repair Company

If your home has an air conditioning unit, you need to stay prepared if it breaks down someday. It is never a pleasant feeling when your air conditioning unit breaks down on a hot and humid afternoon. Therefore it is important for you to know who to call in case it breaks down.

Usually when the air conditioning unit breaks down, you will most likely call up the first air conditioning repair company in the listing of your local directory. However, picking a good air conditioning repair company is very important. Even if your air conditioning unit is repaired temporarily, there is no guarantee that it will not break down again. In this article, let me highlight some of the things to consider when picking someone to repair your air conditioning unit.

The company that you choose to service your air conditioning unit must have fast response time. The company should be able to respond to your need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will never know when your unit will break down; therefore this is a very important criteria when choosing a service company. Usually, such a company has their own customer service officers and will send a technician to your home after you have enquired about their service.

Next, you need to find a competent service company to repair your air conditioning unit. You will want a professional technician to show up and repair the unit. Therefore, make sure that the service company has all the necessary professional certifications to show for. This is very important because you do not want a person with no technical know-how to meddle with your air conditioning unit.

You also need to be comfortable letting the technician into your home. The technician should arrive ready for work, with all the necessary equipments ready. Before you let him or her into your house, be sure to check his identification. Some service company only service commercial units, so be sure to check with the company whether they provide servicing to residential units.

Last but not least, the service company should offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for the work done.

So spend some time on research to pick the right air conditioning service company for your home. You should shortlist a few companies and compare their prices, credentials and competency. There is no hard and fast rule on choosing the best company for the job. If a company suits the criteria that you are looking for and you have a good feeling about them, go ahead and appoint them for the job.

To seek professional aircon services, visit EricoolAircon.com now.

Cheow Yu Yuan is the co-founder of OOm, an online marketing agency that provides professional SEO Services.

Feel free to publish this article on your website, or send it to your friends, as long as you keep the resource box and the content of the article intact.

Roof Framing Drywall Backing

Bathroom Cabinets For a Clutter Free Bathroom

Bathroom clutter is not only unsightly but can also be in the way. We all need quick and easy access to our things when bathing and getting ready in the morning, but with space in most bathrooms at a premium, how do you find room for everything you need to be at your fingertips without tripping over it?

The answer could be with bathroom cabinets. If you have existing cabinets, you may want to install an extra shelf within to hold more, more efficiently. You can also freshen the look of your existing cabinets with a new coat of paint and some new handles and drawer pulls. You can also mount a towel rack to the side of one, creating more space to hold fresh towels or dry damp ones without using up wall space.

If you do not have cabinets in your bathroom, or simply do not have enough, your options are near limitless. There is a wide variety of pre-made cabinetry that will fit into almost any room, dcor and budget. A cabinet installed under the basin will conveniently hold toilet rolls, towels, makeup and toiletries for getting ready in the mornings, and even a few cleaning supplies. Another very attractive way to accomplish under basin storage is a bathroom vanity cabinet. These can also be found in any style, from traditional wood to contemporary glass and metal, and can house many kinds of basins.

A floor to ceiling shelf, with or without doors, can be tucked in between the basin and toilet or bidet to hold towels, washcloths and other necessities out of sight while keeping your bathroom counters and surfaces free of clutter. Don't forget behind the bathroom door as well! Instead of this area gathering dust, you can install a slim cabinet to gather your daily supplies together, out of sight but not out of reach.

There are also many custom cabinet makers out there. You can find a reliable contractor to build you the bathroom storage of your dreams, in both functionality as well as style. A custom job will ensure that everything fits perfectly, even in an oddly shaped or hard to fit room. You will also be able to pick and choose each element with your carpenter, from materials to color to how many shelves you'd like to have in each piece.

If you can't afford custom cabinetry, you can still get a custom look by adding fancy handles or drawer pulls, or painted accents to a pre-made cabinet. No matter how you get there, adding new cabinets to your bathroom is a stylish and efficient way to reduce clutter and add beauty.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms who supply Bathroom Cabinets for the UK market.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

Structural Engineering Books
Home Selling Books

Inerrancy of the Bible - Are There Mistakes in the Bible

What does the word inerrancy main? Inerrancy would refer to text that is accurate and totally free of any errors or without any mistakes. Does this sound like any book that you have ever read or have knowledge of. Maybe there is a one sentence book that could fall into this category.

Most books however and even this article has mistakes. If I made a decision to base my life, my entire life and that of my children and grandchildren, I would want to make sure that it was accurate as possible.

Is the Bible, 100%, 90%, or even 50% accurate. Are these stories that were written by people many years ago and the lessons have been helpful but now need to be rewritten.

Does the Bible actually contain the will of God? Some scholars believe that certain sections of the Bible meet this criteria while others do not. How can these people judge if they are not God and how can we believe in this stuff is not true.

If the Bible was inspired by God but written by men, this could actually mean that God had complete control over writing the Bible or does this mean that the man wrote the Bible with gods inspiration. I'm inspired by God daily and often write about it, but don't seem to have enough followers to make it into the biblical Hall of Fame. I'm writing with inspired beliefs right now.

If there are errors in the Bible, how extensive or how many errors are there actually. There are actual stories that can be documented as historical facts. This doesn't mean the rest of the Bible is factual, nor does it mean it is historically inaccurate.

The Bible has some errors in it and some facts that we can prove but leaves us with the question, is this a book from the Creator of the universe or a book written by men, to make us believe, it was written by God and if so why are we still believe being in it. Why do some people read this book and other religious text daily? What motivates them to read holy Scripture regularly but doesn't seem to allow them enough time to find out if they are reading accurate information.

The biggest problem I have with the inerrancy of the Bible is the fact that most people tend to ignore certain truths and cling to their childhood beliefs about religion. If this is not the way or the truth, I would want to start looking for it, instead of following someone else's dreams or religious doctrine.

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. Religious Education And Fear

Corrosive Metal Conduit

When Plumbing Problems Require Professional Help

Most homeowners who have lived in their house for more than a few years develop the rudimentary plumbing and repair skills necessary to take care of small maintenance jobs. If the toilet clogs or a small leak develops in a pipe, you may take pride in your ability to fix things without the help of a professional plumber. And that's a good thing, too; by taking care of your own small plumbing repairs, you save your family hundreds of dollars, add to the value of your home, and get a sense of satisfaction in knowing that you can maintain your own home.

While completing your own repairs may be a good idea for small plumbing problems, it can actually turn out to be a very bad thing to attempt on significant, serious maintenance jobs in your home. Take, for example, replacing a hot water heater. While some homeowners might have the experience to do this themselves, the vast majority should only rely on a professional plumber to take care of a job this big. For time consuming, in-depth plumbing repair jobs, trying to teach yourself just to save a few bucks could actually end up costing you more in the long run.

The most dangerous situation that could arise from attempting your own large plumbing projects is a possibility of physically harming yourself or a member of your family. While the chances are remote, you should never risk hurting yourselves or your loved ones by attempting to repair or replace a hot water heater, gas line, water line or other large units. Without the proper tools, training and manpower, some of these jobs can end up being much more dangerous than you might think. If there is any doubt in your mind about the safety of a plumbing project, pull out the phone book and call an expert.

A second, less devastating consequence of performing your own plumbing repairs is expensive damage to your property. There are plenty of examples of overzealous homeowners who caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to their property because they didn't want to pay a plumber to fix the problem. Especially when dealing with gas lines, water lines and sewer lines, do not attempt any significant repairs or replacements without first contacting a professional plumbing company.

You should be proud of your ability to repair small plumbing problems that may occur in your home, but don't let stubbornness keep you from calling in a professional for jobs you can't handle alone. No matter how new or well maintained your home is, it will eventually experience a maintenance problem that will require an expert plumber to make a visit. By spending a few dollars now, you could save hundreds or even thousands with a repair job that is much less likely to fail or cause damage to your home.

Cuyahoga County/Lorain County Sewer and Drain makes Cleveland Ohio Plumbing simple and affordable. Visit our site today to see our plumbing forum.

Hold Down Screwed To 3 X 6

Shop Online For Your Decorative Mirror

The installation of a decorative mirror on the interior of your home can bring about a new atmosphere if you want to do away with the lifeless look that lingers in your dwelling like a fog.

Because there can be hundreds of a variety of decorative mirrors in furniture shops in your area, finding and selecting the right one might require time unless you are able to find alternative ways to simplify and speed up the process. Thanks to technology and the online shops, your dilemma is solved.

Online shopping for a decorative mirror for you home can bring about certain benefits and advantages than by going from one furniture shop to another on foot. For starters, you can shop for that mirror without leaving the portals of your home or even while you are at work in your office. What you just need is a credit card to purchase the item. You can have it delivered right to your doorstep. Simple, isn't it?

When looking for a decorative mirror, you need not spend much of your time looking for the designs that will fit your home. Many of these items are put on display and showcased in numerous furniture shops on the net. You can easily view one design to another without leaving where you are. Also, through this, you can easily make comparisons in terms of price and quality.

Quality should always be the prime consideration when shopping for a decorative mirror on the net. In fact, there are many of these which are discounted already and are on showcase on the internet. However, the procurement of one basing only the price would not necessarily mean a flourishing makeover for your home.

Window shopping can also work when you plan to purchase a decorative mirror online. You need to have an idea on the design, shape, size and the theme of the mirror you find on the net. Then, visualize it as part of your home's interior. Does it fit well? Does it bring out the best of your home? Consider the interior design of your home as well as the other furniture you have. Make sure they blend in with your new mirror. You might as well determine and plan out the theme of your home or what you want it to have. Make it as a reference for your purchase. Decorative mirrors can be sold in various designs and styles. Some can be contemporary and modern. Others can be traditional or are country-specific designed. Some decorative mirrors, even they sport a typical theme, may also suit well with any modern or antique abode.

You have to remember that planning is vital to the success of your decorative mirror purchase. Take time for your assessment. Check the current look of your home and picture how you would want it to look after the project. By this, you can already have an idea on what and how your decorative mirror looks like. Then, check it online to see if shops have what you have in mind.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company

Home Selling Books
Home Carpet Books

Dangers Using Wood Stair Cleats - New Stair Construction

I would imagine most people don't even know what it wood stair cleat is, in construction we have so many words that describe the same thing. A stair cleat is another word for a thread bracket. In other words it's the part of the stairway that connects the stair stringer to the stair step. These have been used for years and over time, most of them will develop the same problem.

Most wood stair cleats loosened up and create a safety hazard. If the stairs are located outside in extreme weather conditions, for example, if it rains or snows a lot, extremely humid humid weather, or extremely hot and dry temperatures, your staircase might not last that long, if it is or isn't maintained properly. It's not a bad idea to use steel or concrete for stairways in these climates.

If you're ever walking up a set of stairs with wood cleats and the stair steps feel a little loose or wiggly, make sure you examined the stair cleats for safety. It's not uncommon for someone to be walking up or down a set of wood stairs and having the stair step or tread giveaway because the wood cleats has loosened.

If the wood stair cleats are nailed to the stair stringer, the nails can loosen up, causing it to become loose, as you walk up and down the stairs applying pressure to the stair cleat, this will create movement in between the stair step and the stair stringer. This could cause the cleat to crack, break and separate the connection between the stair step in the stair stringer.

I would suggest using metal brackets instead of wood cleats. The metal brackets will not crack or disintegrate like some wood cleats. Stair building brackets of course can loosen up and should be maintained regularly.

If you decide to use wood stair cleats, I would suggest using screws instead of nails and drilling holes in the wood stair cleats, most of the time this will prevent cracking the cleat. Try to use a thicker material for the stair cleat, for example using a 2 x 4 with lag screws and washers would be better than using a 1 x 4 with nails.

If you're walking up a set of stairs and a stair step feels loose, contact the owner of the property and let them know, they have a problem with their staircase.

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 stair building books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Wet Insulation Paper

How to Remodel Your Home Without Demolishing Your Marriage

In the eleven years that my husband and I have been together we have moved five times; we have built four homes, and remodelled four others. I am very familiar with what a couple can expect 'under the influence' of construction. Beyond this, my husband is the founder and owner a very successful Design/Build firm in the San Francisco Bay Area, so we have a lateral view of what many, couples go through, over and over again.

The emotional tax during a remodel is very real, indeed. Yet because there is little available information about it we tend to take the hard rout. We think, "Oh, it's not as bad as other people make it out to be!" or "If we don't make a big deal about it, everything will be just fine." And, actually, what choice do we have?

Less than halfway into it, many couples realize that not only is there a huge emotional side to their project, but that it is far bigger than they had imagined it could be. We have all heard about couples who divorced, or nearly separated, after building their dream home. Answers to the question of "why" are limitless, but the bottom line is this: if they knew what to expect and/or had some guidance, they may have still liked each other once their home was finished. Remodelling is a huge deal, and it is not for the faint of heart or the uninformed. Even if you have a very strong marriage, there are likely to be emotional side-effects you would rather avoid, and could, if you exercise the care necessary ahead of time.

Because of my own challenges with this personal aspect to remodelling, I had searched everywhere including book stores under home-construction; home-remodelling, and even the self-help aisle. But I found little that paid the slightest attention to the emotional fallout of home-remodelling. It was just as frustrating to search on-line for any comprehensive guidance that could arm couples ahead of time. All I was looking for was something that would both confirm, and ease, the impact home-remodelling has on domestic life and -not least of all- on marriage.

Remodelling is a multi-layered entity to say the least. There is the physical project which is worth many, many layers all by itself, and then there is real-life before, during, and after the project. As involved as the project will be, your relationship needs equal care and consideration.

I sincerely hope that this article will aid in revealing some common (though not so strange) issues before they become problematic, and lessen the element of disappointment in those you can not foresee.

The sense of accomplishment that comes with witnessing your project to its completion can be very satisfying indeed. The greater reward of such projects, however, is the sense that the experience has brought you and your spouse closer together; that you can enjoy looking back on it ALL with more pleasure than pain; and that the great care you took of your relationship will fill your new home with the natural air of completion, and comfort. These are memories in the making for you both, so it is important to be aware of what is happening between you as you grow your new home together.

My goal is to help you position yourselves for offering greater kindness to one another throughout your entire building process.

Nine Essential Steps.

Essential Step #1

Decide together, that you need to decide how to communicate with each other

Revise your skills; explore new Skill-sets. Buy a book on effective communication for couples, and READ it together. Take a short workshop TOGETHER. But make it fun because fun is an important binder which makes learning something potentially 'ho-hum' much more... well FUN! The more intelligent you are the more you will need it, simple because you are more likely to reasonably talk yourselves out of it. But take my word for it, find a way to agree on your communication styles, and (I'll say it again) have FUN with it because you will need to be able to deal with potentially uncomfortable issues when neither of you feels like it, or when you are both exhausted.

Essential Step #2

Decide on what is true for you!

a. Do you really want that library? Is it essential that you buy your tile from Italy? Can I really live without a room of my own for my projects? When we remodelled our kitchen I hadn't thought about recycling. What a blunder on my part because I believe in recycling. I could kick myself because what's true for me is that I feel responsible for how I live on my planet. So, that is a value I neglected at the time. Why? Honestly, I just didn't want to argue with my husband over it. That's ridiculous! But I learned Essential Step #2 from it and have applied it elsewhere, thank goodness.

b. Champion your partner's truth. This is very important. It is a very engaged form of active-love that pays dividends. When your partner trusts that you not only know what they want, but that you will protect it, everyone relaxes. Remember that you have to ask them what they are not willing to give up; what they absolutely must have to feel satisfied with the design or handling of the job; and what they definitely do not want. Please do not forget to think of your own answers to these and other questions of your own. Once you are clear about what you want you must tell your partner. If they are to be on your side when you need them they must be informed. We generally can not be expected to support what we do not know about. Even when we are aware of our partners needs it is still sometimes difficult to keep it all together.

Essential Step #3

Make the commitment!

Yes, you are actually going to do this remodel. So often one person is on board completely with the project and the other one isn't that keen, but they tell themselves, "we need the room," or "It will make her happy," or "my husband decided ...so I had to go along!" Whatever your reasons and/or reservations, if you are moving forward with the project then do what ever you needed to do to get on board with the reality of it, and plan together how to make it work for you both. When one of you can not wait to begin, and the other is not enthusiastic at all, you will likely create deferred resentment. And for good reason I am afraid. Someone's feelings, opinions and needs, are not being taken care of. Both of you need to win, and both of you need to feel safe and supported if this is going to go as smoothly as possible.

Essential Step #4

Accept the idea of multiple choices!

1. Mono-Way

2. This or That Way

3. Sky-Way

This step provides flexibility. Think Bamboo verses Oak. When considering these nine steps, remember that you have as many choices as you can dream up. In other words, stay away from the mono-way attitude I call MWOTH (MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY). Remove the stifling air of a stale-mate as in the either/or (this or that way) choice. Brainstorm! The sky is the limit when it comes to ideas. That's sky-way. Make it a game. How many solutions can you each come up with in 60 seconds? Whoever has the most choices, wins. Let yourselves have fun with it; be silly and outrageous; be real and practical too. The point is not to edit yourself, or each other, when playing this game. You will be surprised at the very practical ideas you can build together from just one ridiculous notion.

Essential Step #5

Choose your POA!

a. What is a POA? Position Of Attitude means: adopt how you want to be with the larger picture. Do you want power-struggles? Do you want the culture of your relationship to continue to feel friendly and efficient? Do you want it to feel honourable, clear and unencumbered? Do you have realistic expectations? How do you want to behave when problems come up; personal disagreements; billing issues; budget concerns? The more you think about, discuss, and decide on ahead of time (in terms of how you will be with each other at such times) the better you will likely preserve intimacy. Intimacy and trust are the assets most often at risk during power-struggles and blaming.

b. Decide what out-come you want. This sounds simple enough but it is worth re-claiming. Do you want this to be a happy experience? Do you care more about the bottom-line than about how you treat one another? Is there a middle ground that has wiggle room for you both? Is there a way to view it all so that the budget remains sane AND you don't shatter your relationship over an inflexible iron will?

If you do actually care more about the bottom line, then you have a real challenge. Either you should admit it and deal with the consequences, or find some way to soften your approach so others don't turn on their heels and run away from you as fast as they can. You may really want to preserve your intimacy, and your partner's trust that you are always safe for them to problem solve with (or whatever). However, maybe you've been accused of being really controlling or perhaps even overbearing. In this case, you may feel it is important to find a way to get a grip on what drives you to the point of loosing your grip on the big picture. An active decision to deal with this part of yourself, is a huge act of love that your husband or wife will absolutely notice.

c. Accept the idea of multiple choices: Remember this from Essential Step #4? This is a great tool to bring into building your position of attitude. You can choose what ever attitude you want to have. Remember that the attitude you already have is one you are allowing yourself to have. I know that you didn't come by it accidentally. You earned it through time and experience. Yet, have you ever noticed that there are statistics to back up every point of view on just about anything you can dream up? It's the same with our attitude about anything. So, decide between a selection of attitudes you would most like to hold, and then find the evidence to back it up. It's there if you look for it.

d. From blame to game: The bottom line here is there is no room for blame. If you are creating this project together; championing one another; claiming and sharing your POA; brainstorming for fun and choices; if you are learning and declaring what is true for you... then there is no room for blame. You will find that you are both on the same team, and you're not just pretending to be. Your finished house will not give you back the love you laid at its foundation, nor can it replace the intimacy and trust you sacrifice to it for the sake of any part of it. And dollar equity alone feels very empty at the end of the day.

Essential Step #6

Creating Memories!

Develop an attitude of adventure. This is so important. Get real! Let's face it; this project is not essential to survival. It will make life easier; your friends may be impressed; you will have more room and hopefully everyone will have the space to be who they are in the new digs, but it is not a question of survival. Don't make it about survival. Make it about the adventure and about the stories you get to tell together for years after. You want to shoot for the kind of stories you can safely tell your grandchildren.

Essential Step #7

There are several solutions to every 'unique' problem!

This goes along with the idea of multiple choices. You don't get to misbehave just because you think your issues are unique and this exempts you from: giving up your mono-way attitude; or from effective brainstorming; or from championing your partner; or for that matter, from honouring what is really true for you. Solutions come from Ideas, and good ideas come from you. Recognize the possibilities that are unique rather than the problems that are unique. Brainstorm ways that the unique possibilities may actually take care of the issues at hand.

Very Essential Step #8

Do NOT give up your tools of sanity!

This kind of temporary situation will always take too long. If you practice yoga; if you go to the gym; if you meditate; play soft-ball; go for long walks; play scrabble; see your friends... what ever keeps you sane when life is normal, it is even more important to do them now! Do not accept anything less at this time, and I encourage you to really support one another in absolutely making this happen.

The love you two have, the history, the kids, the pets, the sorrows and the pivotal moments you share together, are all far too precious to compromise even over a house. It doesn't matter how much the house is worth now, or how much it will be worth.

Extremely Essential Step #9

Making it Count!

This remodel will take several months of your lives. Make the shared experiences count toward the overall quality of your relationship and toward the tone of your individual lives. This is a growth experience anyway you slice it. Make it count personally, and in what you learn about being in relationship. Make it count spiritually if you have that persuasion. Make it count in the examples you will set for your children or friends who will go through the same challenges on similar projects.

This final step is by far and away the one that I care most deeply about. In the work I do with grief coaching, it is so clear to me that radical changes in our lives create great losses for us as well as great opportunities. The losses ask us to grow up a little more, and the opportunities as us to share what we've learned. Tearing down and rearranging our home is an experience that stirs our core sense of survival. This is why many people do fly into a survival-mode during a building project. It taunts ALL instincts of self-preservation; currency, shelter, and domestic and emotional safety, to name just four. But remember that this is an optional 'danger'. It is as it were, both perceived and self inflicted. We volunteer to hold onto the image of a better life for ourselves. If all goes south, you could suffer a financial loss, but you probably won't die. Not unless you make yourself, and others close to you, sick with worry or fright.

So make this whole experience count toward who you want to be personally, with your family, and in the world. This way, no matter what happens, you will feel more able to handle anything, simply because you chose; committed to; and preserved who you wanted to be long before the issues arose and it became too overwhelming.

Suffice to say during times of great change we are asked to address our core values. We must do this for the sake of your mutual success, both personally and as a team. We are also being asked to face up to what we want most. These are the essential agreements that we must cling to when we have extreme anxiety, worry and fear. Take care of your selves, and take care of each other. If you begin with these essential steps, you will go very far in achieving success at every level. Your sense of personal pride will extend beyond yourself, and years from now only the glow of fond memories will arise when you remember this time together.

Please rate this article. See below to click on the star rating of your choice.

With my warmest gratitude.

Petalyn Swart Albert is a Personal Success Coach. She brings the benefit of many years of personal experience with home-building in terms of close relationships "...under the influence of construction...". Her Step-father designed and built homes for many years, and she is now married to a man she affectionately refers to as a serial-remodeller. She is well positioned to grasp the enormous stresses, and personal power-struggles that arise out of personal construction projects. This Article is part of a larger book she is writing by the same title. One of Petalyn's goals as a personal success coach is to work with more couples who plan to remodel or build their home.

Your comments and questions are welcome.

You can email Petalyn directly at: Remodellingcouples@comcast.net

Her web address is: http://remodelingcouples.blogspot.com/

Extended Garage Door Header

Types of Shower Curtains

Imagine this: a warm tub, lit scented candles and relaxing music all in one room. One thing is a miss. Beautiful shower curtains. To be able to enjoy yourself in the bathroom as you have a bath, you need privacy. These curtains will ensure that. They prevent water from splashing all over. This prevents accidents that can occur when you slide. Most importantly, they bring good ambiance to the bathroom.

Shower curtains are the first to be seen when a person enters the bathroom. You should take your time and choose them wisely. There are different types that you can choose from. They can change the bathing experience to an exciting one. There are various types of curtains. Some of them include: the fabric types, the vinyl types, the plastic and the novelty types.

Some people use screens. However, shower curtains are cheaper better. They are in different colors and designs. The curtains must be positioned well to prevent them from falling as you have a bath. This can be very embarrassing especially in shared bathrooms. Rods or tracks can be used to fix the curtains. They may be made of plastic or metal with a powder finish.

If they are attached to the ceiling, a spring telescopic rod can be used. The curtain is then hung with cheap rings. You may use decorated hooks that are available as in different materials. The materials may be: glass, plastic, brass, silver and copper. The curtains should be protected from bacteria and fungi that thrive in wet environments. They should be dried and sterilized regularly.

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

You Can Also Add Your Views About Shower Curtains At My Blog here SHOWER CURTAINS

Home Fence Books
Green Home Building Books

Window Header Framing Problems

As a building contractor it is my job to assemble the house to meet the specifications from the architect and the structural engineer. I do this by looking at the building plans and installing the specified lumber sizes. I can take it upon myself to install a larger size wood beam or window header adding an additional cost to the job of course. I don't think so.

It's not uncommon for a framing contractor that has an additional 5 foot scrap piece of 4 x 8 left over that he now has no use for. He can then choose to use the 4 x 8 instead of a 4 x 6 for the window header. This type of building is common and acceptable.

If the structural engineer calls out for 4 x 6 window and door headers do not take it upon yourself to replace the 4 x 6 with a 4 x 4. I have seen too many framing contractors or carpenters make an on-the-job judgment like this.

A good example would be a single story house with 2 foot wide windows that require a 4 x 6 window header. As the carpenter builds homes over the years he can come to his own conclusion that a 4x4 will work fine for this application. Again keep this in mind as a framing contractor and a carpenter you are assembling the home not designing it.

Do not change the sizes of any headers or beams.

A long time ago carpenters used a standard rule of thumb, you could go up two sizes larger than the window opening for your header. Let me give you an example of what I'm trying to explain.

A 4 foot wide window opening would require a 4 x 6 window header. A 6 foot window opening would require a 4 x 8 window header. This should give you an idea of what I mean by going up two sizes larger than the window opening to figure out the lumber necessary to use for your window header.

This rule of thumb does not necessarily apply in today's building industry. The reason for this is structural changes from earthquake damage. The structural requirements that are required for building a home require a lot more metal bracing and strapping. Therefore some of the lumber requirements for beam sizes and window headers will be different.

This message is for general contractors, framing contractors and carpenters. When installing a window header and you take it upon yourself to change the size you also assume the responsibility if the building fails. This type of mistake is common and you guys know what I'm talking about.

It's not worth it. Keep in mind you are the assembler and not the designer of the building you are working on.

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 and House Framing Structural Repairs

Fireplace Drywall Ceiling Damage

How to Install Natural Stone Veneer

Natural stone veneer can be applied to retaining walls, indoor or outdoor fireplaces, wall facades, and pillars. Thin stone veneers are made from real stone so they resist warping, cracking, fading, and chipping. Additionally, if they do become chipped or cracked nobody will notice since, unlike fabricated fake stone veneers, the color and texture of the stone goes all the way through the stone. Stone veneer is also faster and easier to apply since it is lighter and easier to handle.

Natural thin stone veneers come in a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from. They are quarried in Arizona, Lannon, Fond Du Lac, Chilton, and Michigan. Thin stone veneer is the ideal stone application since it is superior in terms of being very durable and flexible in matching nearly every style, color, and design. Stone veneers are thinner and lighter than manufactured fake stone veneer and fiberglass stones.

The Basics

Stone veneer installation on any surface needs the same basic methods of application. First there needs to be a moisture barrier, a frame or structure for the mortar to grip, mortar, and then the stone of your choice. The moisture barrier and backbone frame are necessary components to ensure that your thin stone veneer will last a lifetime.

When installing stone Veneer to plywood, paneling, wall sheeting, wall board, or other non stone surface:

1. Cover the wall with a moisture barrier that is weather resistant and protects the underlying wood and the back of the stone veneer from moisture damage.

2. Apply a metal lath, mesh, or sheeting with galvanized nails or staples according to your local building code. This supplies rigid support for the mortar to stick to which provides a firm backbone for your stones to grip.

3. Apply your mortar, and on top of that apply your choice of stone veneer with mortar in between the "joints."

4. After your mortar has hardened, simply use a stiff brush and some water to scrape away any mortar that has found its way onto the face of your stones.

Concrete Masonry Stucco

1. As long as the masonry contains no oils, surfactants, or other chemicals on its surface and is clean and dry then you can feel free to apply the stone veneers without any prep. Just make sure that the backside of the masonry will not be exposed to a water source such has those used for retaining walls, ponds, or garden beds.

2. If it does contain chemicals or oils simply etch the surface with muriatic acid and score with a stiff wire brush.

3. Apply your mortar and your stone as usual.

4. If your surface has been treated with paint or other chemicals, simply sand blast this surface away or follow directions above and apply a barrier material, metal lath, mesh, or sheeting and install stone as you would for a plywood wall.

Metal Buildings

1. Install paperbacked 3/8 inch expanded metal lath to metal cladding supports. Use metal cladding supports of at least 12 to 20 gage and using 1 inches -12 pancake head super tight screws. Make sure that the screws penetrate at least 3.8 inch beyond the inside of the metal surface and at least every 12 inches.

2. Apply a 1/2 inch to a 3/4 scratch coat of mortar and allow it to dry at least 48 hours.

3. Apply the mortar and install the stones.

4. After the mortar had been allowed to dry at least 24 hours simply clean any mortar stains form the face of the stones with a stiff brush and water.

Natural Thin Stone veneers

Natural stone veneers are durable and long lasting. In the long run, real stone is more economical since it requires nearly zero maintenance, should never need to be replaced under normal conditions, and resists cracking, fading, chipping, erosion, and weather conditions.

Thin stone is available in a wide variety of colors and styles because it is made from natural stone. Therefore you can choose from more colors and cuts than fabricated stone.

Halquist Stone, Wisconsin's premier supplier of thin stone veneer, offers thin stone veneer that is cut from quarries in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Looking for a supplier of Natural Stone Veneer? View the many different styles of Stone Veneer and granite countertops in Wisconsin that Halquist Stone has to offer. For more information, call (262) 246-9000 or visit HalquistStone.com to request a free brochure

Shear Panel 3 X 4 At Plywood

Home Selling Tips - Best Real Estate Advice Ever

One of the most important things to remember when selling your home is to keep it as clean as possible. If you need help or don't have the time to organize your stuff, you can hire a home staging professional in your area. Ask your real estate professional for more information.

1. Remove any clutter from the home and place it in storage. Do not store this stuff on the property if you don't have enough room. Storing clutter in closets or in your garage, will often make these areas look smaller. By removing clutter or even large pieces of furniture, the rooms will look larger.

2. Disconnect yourself emotionally from your home. This is a big problem for people who have lived in their house for long periods of time. If you've raised a family here, the children could have emotional ties also to the home. Some home sellers are looking for someone special to buy their home, if you've got the time and money to wait, you can be selective but be careful, because the longer you wait, the market could go up or down.

3. When your real estate professional is showing the house, it's always a good idea to leave the home until the potential homebuyers are gone. One example of this would be if you were in a bad mood or didn't have a good day and were a little upset at the world. Your mood could cause potential homebuyers to lose interest in the property. I've seen this more than once.

4. Make sure everything is operating properly. This would include doors, door knobs, windows, kitchen appliances, garage door openers, cabinet drawers, bathroom fixtures, toilets, faucets, lights, switches, electrical outlets and anything else that moves, slides, turns or rotates that is part of the home.

5. The Interior and exterior walls of the home should be in good shape. Make sure there's no termite damage, wood rot, peeling paint, broken windows or holes in the walls.

6. Make sure the flooring is in good shape. Some real estate professionals will suggest, replacing the carpeting with a neutral color. This method often works pretty good but I have seen plenty of homes that were re-carpeted and after the home was purchased the carpeting was replaced again, by the new owners. Just make sure the flooring is in good shape.

7. Here's a trick that definitely works a little magic when selling a home. Leave some cookies or a nice fruit bowl on the dining room table. There is no need to leave a sign that says "Eat Me". It gives the home a warm feeling, almost like a country atmosphere.

8. Even better than home selling tip number seven would be baking some cookies just before the perspective buyers arrive, it's not the cookies, it's the smell from the cookies that most people cannot resist.

These are just a few home selling tips but the most important is to keep the inside and outside of the home clean.

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.

Don't buyers sell a home without checking how the problems with poor home repairs.

Rusted Cabinet Door Hinge

Why Solid Oak Wood Flooring is North Americas Most Popular Hardwood

Oak flooring is the most popular hardwood in North America, due to its hardness (which translates to durability), availability, and affordability. A distressed oak will look quite a bit different than a factory new oak, so you may want to decide which look you're going for before you start to shop. Oak flooring is know for its high permeability which makes it easier to stain and as a result oak flooring can be purchased in a variety of colors to suit any room in your home. Oak flooring is not real stable and is subject to a considerable amount of movement due to the changing humidity level in the house. You may experience buckling or cupping if installing hardwood on top of existing hardwood.

Oak flooring is most versatile because it takes stains most evenly. If you choose an oak floor you can stain it anywhere from white to black and any brown in between. Oak flooring is a great choice for your den, bedroom or just a family room. Oak Flooring is renowned for its durability, and resistance to both insect and fungal attacks. Once cut, oak has an attractive grain which makes it ideal for flooring.

Pre-finished oak flooring is merely oak flooring that has been sanded and stained at the flooring mill prior to importation. All of the flooring in issue is tongued and grooved on all four sides. Pre-finished antique oak flooring can be chosen for its durability because the surface has been treated and protected with polyurethane. It can be fixed on top of the existing floor - similar to a laminated floor floating on top of a sub-floor.

When setting up the flooring of formal rooms like offices or parlors you may stain the white oak floors dark. This way you will be getting custom-colored white oak flooring installed. Aged wood flooring adds style to any part of the house, especially in older properties. Again, because the material is easy to handle and work with, many do-it-your-selfer's do a quality job.

Red oak for hardwood floors is a dense, beautiful wood that resists wear like no other wood. The color ranges from white cream color to exquisite warm, pale brown tinted with red. Red oak tends to be reddish brown in color. Both are known for their utility across all kinds of applications. Red oak flooring is soft and its grain pattern is open.

Red or white oak are the standard species used. Red and White oak hardwood flooring are very popular, as the red and white oak trees are the most abundant U.S. The qualities of the oak tree make it perfect for carpentry use and Oak hardwood floors are extremely strong and durable. Red Oak is widely used for wood flooring in North America where it is revered for its warm, pink hues and versatility. The tree grows along the entire east coast from the Southern States up into the wilds of Quebec.

Oak flooring can add value to your home, and is a well known thermal insulator. This means that heating your home will cost less. Oak flooring can add such beauty and value to your home. However; it should not be over done and put in too many rooms.

DiCicco Building Company has been doing Home Improvements Auburn Hills for over 20 years. We are also leaders in Bathroom Remodeling Auburn Hills along with being an award winning custom residential home builder. We also specialize in Finished Basements and home additions

Real Estate Books
Flipping Houses Books

Quick Tips on Home Remodeling

The major areas which you need to consider when you are selling your home are as follows: the curb appeal and kitchen. But there is no hard and fast rule that you need to remodel these areas once you are intending to sell your house. It is one of the most important criteria that you need to consider once you have decided to give one of the best looks to your house. This article will help you to provide some of the best tips that will help you to realize the best value for your house. There are 2 main areas which you need to look in driving the best efforts.

Curb Appeal

As the saying goes that the first impression is the best impression, so in case any prospective buyer who is intending to purchase your house can decide whether he wants to purchase your house or not as an attractive curb area will make him to think to purchase the house or not by just driving inside the house. However if he does not like the curb area then he will immediately make up the mind that he will not be a victim for the house however good the house looks from inside. So ensure that your home gives a rejoicing feel to the visitors. When you see your curb area ensure that your curb area is providing you a welcoming look. Even ensure that the place gives you such a feel that you should tend walk in to the place.

Some of the aspects that you need to consider in your curb area are as follows: Ensure that the siding is not out of date or not in a position that it is quite visible that it needs a repair. Even ensure that the roof is in good shape. Check if in case that the walk away or the driveway are not cracked or look very weary. Is the landscape in search a position that it reveals the date of your house? Be careful as to what feeling does the front door provide you with. In case you are in a position that you have the capacity to replace only one thing at a time then ensure that you replace your door. This will also save you from the aspect of saving the money from resizing the opening, and it will also provide you with a good look for the house.

Kitchen

The next aspect which you need to take into account is the kitchen as it is the first thing that the prospective homeowners look at just for the simple reason that the kitchen is considered to be the life of the home. Kitchen is often a place that serves as a place where the people gather, it also caters for some people as the dining area. Catering to so many important functions the kitchen should thereby be the most welcoming place in the home. Consider some of the facts like are your working appliances up to date and in good working condition. Will a fresh coat of paint help you in reviving the glory of the place? All these factors will surely help you to provide the look you are looking for.

Sarah Jose is a Copywriter of Whomestudio furniture stores in Kelowna. For more information visit quality area rugs

Column Framing And Roof Soffit