We have a fair idea on what sweet dreams are made of; we don’t on what turns the humble basement to a ravishing beauty. So read on:
Brilliant Basements
Transforming a storage area to a neatly organized chill out place requires more than moving the shelves and those odd carpets and old rugs. Though complete overhauls differ according to the basement types, but the vision towards basement remodeling stays more or less the same – to turn it to a second home. So, onwards to the right kind of planning and some out of this world ideas.
Now, what you got to decide first is the purpose for which you want to remodel your basement. Is it for the weekend parties? Or do you need a nest for nurturing your hobbies? Perhaps you want it to be your cellar? Whatever it is, you also need to consider the size of your basement; if it’s of the right size for the purpose you want it to serve, the signal is to glow a steady green! But you also need to understand that the level of work is going to resemble almost building a house; therefore appointing a builder specializing in basement remodeling remains the sanest option. For you need to install a water supply system, heating/cooling arrangements and all the electrical work; it’s not possible to do it single-handedly.
One of the brilliant ideas that you can incorporate is to turn your basement to a movie hall! Done the right way, it can outgrow your local movie house and provide to be a constant source of personal enjoyment. And movie parties being the latest fad, it’s your chance to get appreciated more among your friends and relatives.
So choose your speakers, the display and also the cabling options before the rest of the things get done; you need to channel-wire the cables through the floor and the walls. Speakers work best in this case when integrated into the walls; you also need to fix the cabinets for holding the equipment before the paint is applied.
So refer to your plans, re-assess them with your builder and you are on track. And while they get down to work, embark upon finding a new word that would describe your prized basement without hiding even a single aspect!
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Tags: basement remodeling, basements, brilliant basements
Removing Ceramic Bathroom Tiles
Getting started
A permanent installation otherwise, removal or replacements of bathroom tiles become inevitable when an
Ceramic Tiles
ugly spot stares stark on your face. But there are ways to repair a loose or a broken bathroom tile without taking an entire wall down; with skills, persistence, muscles and some tools, you shall be all set for removing those worn out ceramic bathroom tiles. That would also save you the money you would have spent otherwise on a bathroom remodeling agency.
But taking down the ceramic bathroom tiles is just the first step; if there’s a need for replacing/repairing the wallboard under, you shall require a little more of the four above mentioned; while skills, persistence and muscles vary from individual to individual, the tools must not.
The tool list:
- One stiff-bladed knife for applying putty (2 inches to 3 inches in length).
- One rotary grout-/mortar-removal tool.
- One power drill with carbide-tipped drill-bits.
- One flat-head screwdriver, a hammer, a utility knife and masking tape.
- Protective gears for the eye.
The Procedure:
i. A broken tile needs no concern about preservation; therefore, it must pried-off. Slide the stiff-bladed knife under the bathroom tile(s). The angle of application of the knife must be almost parallel to the others.
Ceramic Tiles Installation
Once the tip is in, further pressure shall drive it deeper. Move it around and break away the tile from the material holding it in place.
ii. If grout surrounds the tile(s), the grout removal tool must be used to loosen the tile from its place. Else, the flat-head screwdriver and the hammer should do.
iii. Apply the masking tape to form an X shape. The tile then must be broken into smaller pieces by using the power drill. Create a series of holes along the diagonal marking. Remove the tape and pry off the pieces with the stiff-bladed knife/screwdriver.
iv. Remove any flexible caulking holding the tile(s) to the bottom paper backing on the dry wall lying under.
v. Repair the drywall if required, apply the gluing material and leave it for sometime to dry up partially. Put the new bathroom ceramic tile in place and press it against the glue. Your new bathroom tile shall hold on.
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Tags: bathroom remodeling, bathroom tiles installation, ceramic tiles, ceramic tiles installation
Latest Kitchen Design
Kitchen designs of late have crossed the preset barrier of being a place only meant for cooking; today, innovative inputs are shaping them into a hub that can support, serve and shape a lot of household activities; even entertainment. Primarily, it’s because kitchens are no more the dingy, poorly-lit spaces where smoke hangs heavy from the ceiling; on the contrary, today’s kitchens are well lit, open places with sizes and designs complimenting and addressing a family’s lifestyle.
The rudimentary function of a kitchen still remains the same, but besides cooking, it also provides for additional dining spaces as well as a place for entertainment -thanks to the idea that made possible the creation of open-faced kitchens. That way, today’s kitchens converge an entire dining area, a family room and a great room, the bottom line being functionality and style in a single package. In case you are thinking about getting a kitchen remodeling done, try to emphasize on a kitchen design that offers plenty of space within a fixed area.
To elaborate, it’s combining the kitchen with a family room that’s adjacent by taking down the wall formerly separating the two. The other inputs should come in the form of kitchen cabinetry and countertops besides the appliances and small, light but good-to-look-at furniture in matching colors. If you are worried about the price, then don’t be; the additional costs shall be offset by your return on investment.
Of all the modern kitchen remodeling trends, it’s the furniture-style cabinetry that has become the most popular one. The furniture look is due to the legs (bun feet) the cabinets are given as well as for the corbels and moldings. Solid hardwoods like maple and cherry serves as the first preference of the crowd; with light/vibrant finishes like white, ivory-white, oyster or cranberry, they are outrunning the deep, rich browns and pastel shades. This is because everyone now wants their kitchens to be full of light.
Latest Kitchen Design
If you are looking for more individualistic kitchen designs, then you must concentrate more on the furniture that are freestanding instead of the usual cabinetry that are built-in. This shall provide for a more expanded view as a whole; unfitted kitchen design, as it is called, mostly incorporates glazed and antique finishes.
Sinks are an integral part of any kitchen. However, the new kitchen design ideas are putting more emphasis on under-mounted sinks to incorporate a cleaner look. Cast iron and stainless steel thus have become competitors; both of them deliver the clean, smooth appearance – a much needed part of the modern kitchen designs. These sinks are highly functional, looks good and most of all hide themselves underneath the countertops. That’s less hassle while cleaning.
Now all that’s left is speaking about the appliances. Built-in refrigerators are fast becoming popular as much as the European-style dishwashers, warming drawers as well as the convection microwave ovens. And for the smaller utensils, heavy-duty drawer glides are replacing cupboards faster than you can say – “How?”
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Tags: kitchen design, latest kitchen design, latest kitchen ideas, modern kitchen design
Fences
Ask people regarding their preference of fencing characteristics and most shall give containment of their toddlers and/or pets as their primary purpose. The moneyed consider wood fences and aluminum fences as their favorites; however, these materials have their own sets of pros and cons associated with their respective uniqueness. Wood fencing works out cheaper than everything else but is a maintenance guzzler; imagine the cost for a fence length if it runs for even a quarter of a mile. However, to get the feel of wood while cutting down on maintenance, a durable option remains the synthetic alternative i.e. vinyl fences with a wood finish.
For those preferring metal, chain-link fence type proves ideal though residential area fencing mars the scenic beauty a bit. The entire fence length comprises wire netting/chain-wire construction; the weave comprises galvanized/LLDPE-coated wires made of steel. The weave runs vertically and bends to provide a zigzag pattern. These are strong and long lasting no-doubt, but quite high-priced and lacks the elegance that of a wooden fence.
Fences
Wrought iron fence type is the choice if you have a fascination for strength and ornamentation. The look and feel of wrought iron fences last through decades; due to the absence of welding in premium quality fences, there won’t be any red rust problems detracting its overall beauty. Just be careful that the iron is galvanized first and then powder-coated throughout the fence length; it imparts protection against corrosion, adds durability and also a great appearance. Beauty and security in a complete package of great esthetics, that’s what wrought iron imparts in the fencing characteristics.
Now, we move on to the statistics of putting up a fence. For containment purposes, nothing less than a seven and a half feet fence shall do; for visual or esthetic purposes, residential fencing can go as low as 4 feet but no less than that. Regarding the fence posts, they must be between 6 and 8 feet apart. And if you are too keen to know about the expenses associated with the fence types right now, then, he material can range anything between $15.00 and $30.00 per/ft. Add to this the fencing installation charges and you shall have a complete picture regarding fencing. However, if you have an uneven fencing terrain, a NOBLE CONTOUR or CONTINUOUS FENCING (post and rail fence made from 1-5/8”, 15-gauge round galvanized steel tube) can serve as an ideal perimeter fence. These are 7’ to 8’ long modules with posts set in concrete; with tapping screws locking each rail of the fence in position, it can be considered fail-proof if not anything else.
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Tags: fences, fencing, fencing contractors
Bigger is better, right? Wrong; at least, not when room air conditioning units are concerned.
Air Conditioning Unit
Contrary to the popular belief, bigger air conditioning units do not help you to maintain your cool if the area it’s supposed to cool is smaller than the area the unit is meant for. Therefore, you must stick to the recommended size for the area you are buying it and must run it for relatively long periods to maintain a consistency in the room temperature. That way, you shall be keeping a large amount of moisture out, thus lowering humidity and increasing comfort. However, a suggestion: DON’T determine the size of an air conditioning unit yourself; always let professional air conditioning contractors handle that part.
Now, installing air conditioning units is not where the game ends; it’s where things start. That said, we’re talking about the cooling tips; these are certain tricks that do wonders and bring out the maximum efficacy out of the air conditioning units.
Cooling tips #1: If it’s a central air conditioning unit, shutting the fan off along with the compressor is recommended. Using individual circulating fans in individual rooms shall provide a better circulation; still better, if you can use a whole house fan. They exhaust the warm air through attic
Central Air Conditioning
Cooling tips #2: Whole-house fans help in cooling your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic.
Cooling tips #3: Setting the thermostat higher (but not as much that you’ll get pneumonia) during the summer shall lower the energy bills. But this should be done gradually and not when you are turning on your air conditioning unit.
Cooling tips #4: The fan speed must be set on high if the weather is not very humid; in the case of a humid weather, the fan speed should be low. Together with an interior fan, an air conditioning unit shall spread the cool air evenly, decreasing greatly the power bills.
Cooling tips #5: If lamps or TV sets are placed close to air conditioning units, the thermostats sense more heat and can make the air-conditioning units to run longer than it’s necessary. But keeping trees/shrubs near air-conditioning units shall lower electricity consumption by as much as 10% without you compromising on the cooling effect.
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Tags: air conditioning, air conditioning unit, central air conditioning
Benefits of Triple Pane Windows
Introduction
All you family men, you must know how tough it is nowadays to make both ends meet. So here we bring you a remedy though we don’t promise that it shall turn you to a millionaire overnight, but it can be the wonderful beginning towards an enviable financial future.
Triple Pane Windows: Points to ponder
Window replacement requires major commitments. A significant investment beyond any doubts, expect a vinyl replacement window to last for a lifetime if appropriate care and maintenance are never overlooked. Comfort and security is what triple pane windows bring to a homeowner.
Triple Pane Windows: The frameworks to an enhanced efficacy
Frankly speaking, if you are not a person to whom money comes free, you dread wastage. Wait, we are not talking about recycling; rather, it’s about a product that reduces unnecessary expenditures. Triple pane windows, as the industry terms it, are low cost, good-looking solutions that have a proven track record of preserving energy and enhancing home security.
Triple Pane Windows: The name that saves it all
Install one and in no time shall you notice your energy bills going down. Vinyl replacement windows (yes, it’s the same thing), apart from their esthetics and durability factors, can add quite a bit to the savings column in your monthly budget. And it’s not only because triple pane windows help to conserve energy (85 – 90% of the traditional, aluminum frame, single-pane windows); the material used for manufacturing triple pane windows also demand the minimum of attention and still keep going for years.
Triple Pane Windows: From Window Replacement to a heightened security
Even that’s preventing an unnecessary wastage in terms of replacing heisted goods. The cam lock devices; the continuous interlock and exterior glazes are what you shall receive with every window replacement, provided they are Forced Entry Certified; not only for the locking devices but also for the entire unit. Extra protections offered are against the weather and sunlight (UV rays) on the outside; as for sound, triple pane windows offer the protection both ways. That translated, is getting rid of condensation related problems, fading of the furniture and saving the home furnishings from cracking and peeling off.
Triple Pane Windows: The Cost Factor
Now, all these might make you think about a huge investment, but is it really so? Calculate the amount you spend otherwise every five years on upgrading the interiors and tally it with the cost of window replacement. It’s going to come up much lesser, adding more to your long-term wealth-building dream. That is what we call breathing a relief; with the triple pane windows, you are going to experience it all the more.
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Tags: triple pane windows, window replacement
Window Replacement Tips
First of all, why replace your home’s windows? We understand if it has undergone damage, but otherwise? Well, let’s speak of benefits that just might sound accolades to you.
It’s as plain as a window replacement increases the value of a home. Now, that is something you should find as your greatest interest. But alongside, a replacement window improves energy efficiency (ref: US News & World Report). However, the job of window replacement is not that tough though substantial. Done the right way, it can turn out to be less expensive than you can think.
Firstly, it’s doing the necessary homework about the dollars you need to shell out. That requires taking into account the replacement window types and the labor charges. But then again, window replacement requires knowing when it’s a must.
If the paint on your inside walls is peeling off, you are in need of a window replacement. The same applies if the wood on the wall becomes warped or damaged by water or the carpets and furniture have lost their former charm. If there’s a draught despite closed windows or if nothing stops the outside noise from entering your home, it indicates your home in need of a window replacement.
Now, once you know when and why-s, it’s time to learn the how-s next. So now we are to make the choice on replacement windows.
Replacement windows come with two types of gases: Argon and Krypton, acting as the insulators. You must find out first if they are a part of the unit. It’s better if a reflective glass coating is there; they prevent radiant heat (i.e. direct sunlight) from invading your home. There are certain manufacturers who offer a limited labor warranty on their products and also a free installation service. If you want to get things done yourself for saving the charges, this option can be a suitable alternative.
Taking into account that you know carpentry well, we just want to remind that the fit is an important aspect for the window replacement process. If the sealing is not right, then flashing a light around the replacement windows’ seals at night shall send the beams through. The seal failure results in energy loss and there shall go half of the cause for the window replacement. In case of double/ triple-glazed windows, condensation in the glass is also indicative of a seal failure. And if you are not comfortable replacing windows yourself, it’s best to get the help for an installation service from the manufacturer. Else, hiring a window replacement contractor or professional would stay the only sane choice.
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Tags: replacement windows, window replacement
Guide to remodel a bathroom
We can’t blame you much if you think bathroom remodeling to be equivalent of designing a shopping cart that runs on high-octane fuel. A room all right, but often overlooked due to the general mindset, a bathroom is the place where ideas grow (remember Eureka?). And with a little bit of touch up – if we follow logic – the ideas shall not only grow but skyrocket; in fact, the fact that you finally thought about giving your bathroom a facelift depicts the truth in the statement. Therefore, we proceed now towards the details of how to remodel a bathroom.
Being a room, the first aspect of bathroom remodeling we would like to bring under your attention are the furniture. Bathroom furniture are the in-thing today; alongside, you also need to consider the lights and the cabinets. However, an improper selection of bathroom remodeling components may make an already small place appear overcrowded. Therefore, delivering a proper relaxed feel is subjected to both artistic sense and a logical approach.
If you are not into the synthetic bathroom remodeling materials, then wood should stay your foremost choice. Durable and can be given any desired shape, wood fits everything between traditional and post-modern. Welcoming, warm and with a lot of oomph, we suggest that you keep aside a moderately large sum if wood is your natural choice. But if you want more in terms of durability for the price you are paying for wood, man-made finishes of composite, high-density materials should be your choice. They are available in wood finishes as well. Match them up with a light paint for the walls and if budget permits, a mirror covering an entire wall. It’s bound to make your bathroom appear larger and brighter.
Next comes the lights. If you can’t afford a smoked glass roof for your bathroom, then artificial vanity lights put together with the general bathroom lights can deliver an immensely natural effect. But then again, you need to install a mirror to install the vanity lights. Therefore, with a wall-to-wall mirror, ambient and task lighting seems to be a saner choice. A controllable intensity being their prime forte, the surface mounted lights and chandeliers stand as the favourites to people. But if direct beams of light are required at some specific areas, the task lights are the answers to it. For visual pleasures and a pleasant atmosphere, one should consider getting installed accent and decorative lights. E.g. Electric candlelight fixtures, low- voltage pendants etc. The only thing that applies to all the lights is – they should be visible even in the natural daylight.
How about adding some sweet nothings to your bathroom? Well, they can be just mere showpieces or holders in antique and most-contemporary designs. Choose from a vast array of Gothic and Victorian fineries if you trust the olde worlde charms; to prefer the rounds and the ovals, you should have a fascination towards the more contemporary styles. Stainless steel, glass or porcelain should be your choice while replacing the bathtubs as well, but if you are thinking about proper bathroom storage units, what you need is a sharp, casual yet sophisticated look. So whether it is a linear pattern or an eight-drawer roller, bathroom remodeling receives an optimum flexibility with the storage units. If you are still perplexed about it, take a look at the clutter made by the toiletries.
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Tags: bathroom remodeling, bathroom remodeling guide
Market surveys show home prices shooting up to 1.5 to 2 times after the kitchens were given a facelift! That’s kitchen cabinet replacement, folks; cabinet refacing not only stops a buyer deducting from the price offered but also stops them from giving a negative response.
While the current owner may land up in the doldrums thinking a lot about the cost of a complete cabinet replacement, they seem to think less about the time and the effort that stays associated, but it’s the same surveys that have shown the returns hop to twice or thrice the renovation cost. That’s good R.O.I. to be plain.
So we now take a close look at the stuff that makes for the best kitchen cabinet replacement; the list being a long one, we picked only the most economic and durable varieties.
- Veneer: Cabinet grade wood veneers, being pressure sensitive, makes a good choice for cabinet
replacement. The wood, the color and the finishes are as many as one’s imagination can take him/her; though it requires some time for getting done a job with precision, still, veneers are considered less time consuming than others; are labor intensive and less expensive than replacing an entire kitchen cabinet. But if versatility is in question, then wood veneers can cling to even fiberboard cabinetry. Along with an edge banding i.e. veneer strips for covering exposed edges, there is nothing that’s more budget-friendly than these.
- Trim/Crown Molding: Adding crown molding to the kitchen cabinet top shall add dimension and shall impart an overall high-end feel.
- Painting or Refinishing: The most traditional method, a paint-/refinishing-job to kitchen cabinets is the most economical way for cabinet replacement but involves a lot of mess, a good deal of time and high energy levels to acquire that professional touch.
But then again, something went unmentioned and that’s kitchen hardware; stained and rusty hardware would be a complete mismatch with a refurbished kitchen setup. But that’s another story, which I may like to narrate sometime soon.
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Tags: cabinet refacing, cabinet replacement
Moisture is a persistent trouble with the bathrooms that can’t be removed alone by heating and cooling the area with air conditioners; moisture, being responsible for peeling the paints; warping the doors and triggering the accumulation of mold spores needs to be removed first. More so, because it turns the area as damp as the garbage vat at the backyard and smelly too; getting rid if this moisture is as easy as putting to work a simple exhaust fan with the installation procedure carried out efficiently. The process is as simple as appointing a reliable one from all the HVAC contractors.
A bathroom ventilation fan usually comes in two forms: a. As a regular exhaust fan if you are on a shoestring budget, b. a full-fledged air conditioning unit with an in-built exhaust system. For the latter, there is no other way other than to appoint HVAC contractors to get the job done; for a regular, simple exhaust fan, irrespective of the type i.e. whether it is to be mounted on the ceiling or on the walls, the nitty-gritty are as follows:
Tools required
- Screwdriver with changeable bits and Electrical Tester
- Wire cutter/stripper.
- Jigsaw/drywall saw.
- Drill and markers.
Materials required
- 2-wire/3-wire electrical cable with ground NM.
- Wire nuts.
- Dryer-vent duct (flexible) and clamps.
- Exhaust fan unit.
The Procedure
- Install the unit: This requires putting the entire assembly up on the wall/ceiling and fixing it with the screws provided. Measure the length and the breadth of the unit and mark the areas where the screws shall go through.
- Wire the switch:
i. Turn the power off and test to ensure. It’s better if you can lock the panel box to prevent an accidental switching on of power and make sure it doesn’t overload the circuit.
ii. If it’s a double switch wiring, run a 3-wire cable between the unit and the local power-on switch after installing the double switch in the electrical box.
- Placing the fan housing: This is to be kept in mind that the position should allow a direct fastening to the supporting ceiling beam. Else, wooden braces should be installed between the beams to serve as a solid point of attachment for the fan housing. Mark around the housing for defining the perimeter of the cut, followed by drilling pilot holes at each corner. With the jigsaw, cut along the marked perimeter lines and secure the fan housing in place.
- Cabling: The cable should go from the local switch to the exhaust fan unit. In case of light, heater or timer functions, additional cable are required if there is not present an entire cable unit. For the other necessary electrical connections, there shall be wire nuts at the fan unit and must be done following the manufacturer-provided wiring diagram. The formula is: bare copper to bare copper, black-to-black and white-to-white. For grounding, there shall be present a grounding clip on the housing through which, the wires must be pushed into the wiring box area.
- Connecting the duct to the fan housing: This should be done following the recommendation of the manufacturer as well; the distance at which the insulation should be kept varies with the type of the exhaust fan.
- Venting the Fan: Do it wrongly and see moisture-related problems surfacing as a result of condensation. Therefore, it’s best to vent the fan to the home’s exterior through a flexible duct material made from weather-resistant plastic.
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Tags: bathroom remodeling, bathroom venitaltion
