Home improvements - questions and answers

When considering home improvements, it is important to ask family members for their opinions. So, how do you evaluate the answers?

Typical Discoveries

Talking with family members about home improvements will lead to surprising answers. You and your husband each have times you need to be alone (computer work, business planning), and times you need to be alone together (initial discussions about family plans, a new job, the budget, travel, etc.). This varies by age of course, but children have similar needs for being alone, alone with friends and with the family. There are times you and your husband will decide the children need your supervision no matter what their preferences.

Decisions

After discussions and interviews with family members, you are ready to map out a plan for how the various areas of the house are to be used. Do the initial plan and then discuss it with your husband or wife. Don’t discuss it with the children until the two of you are pretty much in agreement.

Obviously, tastes are specific to individual people. You and your husband must come to an agreement based on the following considerations:

1. Theme – Are you going with a particular atmosphere or style?

2. Costs – What do you want to do versus what can you afford?

3. Value – How much will the improvements impact the value of your home?

Once you’ve hashed through these issues, you’ll be ready to move forward with your plans. Then it’s time for the two of you to go over it with the children.

Children obviously can have some outlandish ideas about what would look “cool” in a home. While you may balk at such suggestions, it is important to include your kids in the process. A happy medium can be allowing children a lot of latitude when it comes to their rooms. In reality, their rooms are “homes within homes” and they feel comfortably in them. Don’t worry, you can paint them after the kids leave home or before you sell it.

Planning home improvements can be a bit bewildering. Make sure to include your family in the discussion so you get a result everyone feels good about.

Security shutters improve your home security

In today’s society home security is a more important issue than ever before and more and more people are considering security shutters for their home to provided added protection against vandals and burglaries. Many people invest large amounts of money in complex security systems and alarms without addressing the physical security of windows and doors. Security shutters offer an ideal solution to this problem.

Such security shutters need not be intrusive or spoil the look of you home with various designs and colour variations on offer.

There are 2 main types of security shutter on the market today;

1) Built In

These shutters are effectively built into the window frame mounted behind the exterior wall normally when building is constructed. These blinds offer maximum security.

2) Built On

Built on security shutters are normally a ‘’after fit’’ and blind extends from a box mounted above opening via high strength runners mounted vertically.

Built on security shutters are fitted with compact boxes and minimize visual impact. Built in security shutters offer the benefit of easy operation and can be stored out of sight.

Security shutters are used most frequently on doors and windows that are hidden from view, especially those on or below ground level. Such measure can dramatically increase the security of a home and provide peace of mind when away from your property.

Security shutters also have excellent insulation properties against the cold and outside noise and are often used by home owners in exposed rural locations as well as those in inner city.

Demolition - where do you start

Why should you demolish that old building, it is doing no harm to anyone? There are many reasons why you should do something about old buildings that have fallen into disrepair.

·Is it dangerous? Could a child playing there be hurt or killed by falling masonry?

·Is it insured? Would you be personally liable for any injuries that happened, or would the insurance company pay? Are you sure the policy covers derelict buildings in a dangerous condition? Very few do.

·It is an eyesore.

·You have ideas for replacing it

How do you go about getting rid of it?

Sure, a handyman can take apart an old building stone by stone, timber by timber. Are you going to do it yourself? Are you positive that you can work out the order of safe dismantling?

Have you someone to work alongside you, because this kind of work should never be done alone? Would you do the job by hand or hire machinery to help?

If you hire an odd job man to do it, he is unlikely to have any special training, and is likely to be a hazard to himself, you and the general public. Unless he has insurance, you may be liable for any injuries during the demolition process.

Knocking down a building can be a hazardous task, unless you are a qualified and experienced demolition contractor.

Demolition contractors can recognize asbestos when they find it. They know where to find a licensed asbestos removal contractor and to seal off the site until the asbestos has been removed.

The legal consequences of not employing a demolition contractor are very scary. What would happen if a child wandered onto the site and legally required health and safety notices were not posted? Demolition contractors will have insurance to cover this sort of eventuality.

Demolition contractors have the heavy equipment required as well as the experienced operators who can make the job safe for themselves as well as the public.

5 ways to brighten up your bedroom for free

The bedroom is the place we spend most of our time, yet also tends to be the most neglected when it comes to decorating. Nowadays, money may be a significant factor! Here are some great tips for brightening up your space with no money at all!

1.Rearrange! A new fresh arrangement always makes a room feel new. Don’t be afraid to try new angles for your furniture…place your bed on a diagonal, or even right in the middle of the room!

2. Search your drawers for scarves, tablecloths, or even pillowcases that compliment your color scheme. You can use things you already own to soften a dresser top or the edge of your nightstand, or perhaps lay a pretty shawl over the foot of the bed. If you already have throw pillows on your bed (if you don’t, it’s time to steal them from another room!) you can also wrap these fabrics around the pillows for a new look, and just safety pin it in back.

3. Add a plant to your room. Look around your house to see if one of your existing plants would be happier in your bedroom, then move it there! If you can’t find a plant ready for relocation, make one! Many plants can be grown from cuttings, either your existing houseplants, one a friend may let you cut, or even some outdoor plants. Ivy and many shade groundcovers are very good houseplants. You can even relive your childhood a bit and grow a cut potato, pineapple, or carrot tops in a pinch! For containers, look into your kitchen cupboards. Old teapots and cups, glass bowls, even baking dishes can make unique containers.

4. Add memorabilia to your room. I keep a photo of each one of my children when they were small next to my bedside, and it always makes me smile. How about hanging your wedding veil from the headboard, or framing your wedding invitation or old love letters?

5.Add scent. If you don’t have any potpourri or incense in the house, cut up some orange peels and allow to dry, then mix with whatever sweet spices you have in your cupboard. (It only takes a pinch, try cinnamon, ginger, or allspice.) Place your potpourri in an open bowl in your room to freshen and inspire! Later in the summer, make sure to include flowers in your room, if you don’t have roses or other scented flowers in your yard, roadside daisies can smell great too!

Just a few small changes, no money involved, and a better, more positive place for you to start and end each day!

Why use water filters

Are you a hundred percent sure that the water you drink is potable and safe and does not contain harmful substances? No one who uses water from the generally available water system can answer this question affirmatively except of course if he has devised a method to purify his water supply.

The United States Drinking Water Act provides for the issuance of reports on the quality of water in a certain area every year. The report must be provided to all consumers. These reports can be helpful in determining the current status of an area’s water system. However, most cities actually comply with the federal rules on water safety so nothing much can be gleamed form that report. While there is a low level of carcinogen in drinking water, experts believe that there may be a link to the low carcinogen level in water to the increasing number of people getting cancer.

Fear of the quality and contents of water being distributed by their own water systems has led to the growth of businesses related to water treatment. While water companies used to get their bread and butter from selling water equipment that can get rid of mineral contents, their business has grown to great proportions in the last twenty five years. Most of these companies are now selling systems specifically targeted and used for treating water and improving water taste. The demand for water treatment and improvement is expected to grow even rapidly in the next few years with water treatment facilities becoming a common household item.

Water can give life but it can also taste bad. With this realization, people are becoming more concerned about ways and means to improve their water supply to improve taste. Proof of this is the massive growth of the bottled water industry.

Most water systems rely on chlorinated water for both drinking and bathing use. However, there are sectors who believe that the use of chlorinated water can cause itching and loss of natural oils in the skin. It can also rid the body of useful bacteria that can defend the skin against skin diseases. Most drinking water shows a chlorine residue level of more than 1.5 ppm, the recommended chlorine level for swimming pools.

To make sure that their water is safe, people opt for water filter devices. Water filters can be expensive at first glance but it is really cost effective in the long term depending on the kind of water filter that you purchase. There are water filters that can be used without using electricity and without much need for parts replacement. There are portable water filter systems that can be easily attached to your home faucets.

If you have a budget, then opt for a centralized water filter system for the entire home. This type of water filter system filters all water that is being used in your home, whether for drinking or bathing.

Price can be an issue when choosing the best water filter device for your home use. However, when you think of the possible benefits your family can get from filtered water, it makes the cost of installing one the best option.

How to insulate a basement with safety in mind

Learning how to insulate a basement properly not only saves money on energy bills, but also provides a welcome degree of comfort in that area of your home. But learning how to insulate a basement safely leaves some of us in the dark. Here are some tips on how to do so.

One important lesson in learning how to insulate a basement should be to always wear safety goggles, a dust mask, and protective clothing. Otherwise, particles of insulation can get into your hair, eyes, and nose, as well as irritate the skin. Wear shirts with long sleeves, long pants, work gloves, and at least a jacket or pullover that sports an attached hood. If working in unfinished areas with construction going on, always wear a hardhat to guard against getting bonked on the head with wood, pipe, or other falling objects. Rubber-soled shoes make the smartest footwear choice to avoid slips on wet surfaces. Protecting yourself with the proper attire and gear can save you from discomfort or even a trip to the doctor.

Another part of understanding how to insulate a basement includes learning about electricity. All power tools should be appropriately grounded and, when using them, make absolutely sure cords do not interfere with their operation. Watch out for frayed wiring in older homes and keep everything – including insulating materials – well away from the wiring until you’ve had a chance to repair it.

Do not smoke while you are learning how to insulate a basement. Many types of insulation materials are highly flammable. Smoking in an enclosed area, like a basement, also traps the smoke and causes even more damage to your lungs than smoking in a ventilated area. You are, in essence, re-inhaling secondhand smoke.

These are just a few ideas to keep in mind while learning how to insulate a basement. Plain old common sense goes a long way, however, and you should make sure yours is in top form. It’s not that difficult to learn how to insulate a basement, but don’t forget to keep your safety in mind, too!

Gain extra seating with bar stools

Today’s kitchen can become a complete entertainment center thanks to a sleek kitchen and bar furniture, including a breakfast area with a stylist breakfast bar and bar stools. Many people remodel their kitchens to accommodate a small bar area where they can grab a bite to eat before work or entertain friends with cocktails at a dinner party.

The kitchen has become more than a place to cook due to new technologically advanced appliances and less traditional furniture. Space-saving appliances such as ovens and microwaves combined not only reduce cooking time but save a lot of space too.

With more space, smart homeowners have more space to accommodate an additional seating area to satisfy their entertaining style. It could be another table, a counter with stylish bar stools, or even a couple of lounge chairs.

If you decide to create a little bar area in your kitchen, you need to find the best location for it. Many people disassemble one wall and install a bar counter instead, or leave two pillars and a four-foot riser to be used as a counter. The bar area should not block the traffic in the kitchen. That’s why the best location for it is near the wall, or if that’s not possible, then on an island in the middle of the kitchen.

A bar counter in the middle of the kitchen requires some space around it for comfortable seating and allow the kitchen to function properly. Don’t fall prey for tricky salespeople who may try to sell you a counter with cabinets bigger than your kitchen can accommodate! The access corridor around the bar area should not be less than 3 ft wide.

Luckily, contemporary bar stools require much less space than their traditional counterparts usually seen in restaurants and pubs. Bar stools for home use are much lighter and more artistic in color and style. Since people spend less time at their home bar than behind a table, contemporary bar stools are usually backless or have a very low ergonomically designed back. The most popular ones are swivel, with sturdy legs. Contemporary bar stools can be made of aluminum, fiberglass, or metal.

There are many bar stool options available on the internet. Customers can choose specific heights, colors, wood color and type and seating fabrics for bar stools creating full custom sets. Customers can also choose from free samples of fabrics and other upholstery types, finishes and wood samples. This way, you can have a set of bar stools to perfectly match your current home style. There are web sites that allow you to send in your own fabric to be used as upholstery for the bar stool set.

A great finishing touch to your bar area is to install a radio or small TV in to watch while you cook, eat a quick meal or relax over drinks.

Tips in shopping shower curtains online

When decorating the bathroom, there’s no doubt that special attention gets paid to the sink, toilet, towels, and shower. After all, these are the main staples of the bathroom, and they serve as the main focus (both in function and aesthetics). However, the shower curtain is one accessory that can change the whole look and feel of a bathroom, depending on several factors. Furthermore, the internet has changed the whole experience when looking for a shower curtain by adding limitless options. In this article, we’ll give you some easy tips in shopping shower curtains online that may help to makeover the mundane look of your bathroom.

The first consideration when shopping for a shower curtain should be color and design. The days of solid or clear shower curtains that lack personality are definitely a thing of the past. Today, there are hundreds of shower curtain options available online. These range from basic colors to fun, bold colors dressed up with characters and images. While many of the images featured on shower curtains tend to be water-themed (penguins, fish, boats, rubber ducks, etc.) there are others that know no boundaries. Shower curtains can feature sports teams, animals, or cartoon characters – basically, if you can imagine it, there is a shower curtain for you. However, it is important to choose a shower curtain with the colors of your bathroom in mind. It might be fun to buy a hot pink shower curtain, but it is sure to stick out like a sore thumb if your bathroom is designed in blue and white.

Another factor when shopping for a shower curtain online is choosing the right material for you. You may be thinking that all shower curtains are alike, but that is not the case. Shower curtains come in a variety of materials including vinyl, plastic, cloth, and earth-friendly hemp. It is important to decide which look and feel is right for your family before making a purchase.

It is also important to buy a shower curtain online from only the most reputable web sites. How can you ensure that you are making a safe purchase? For starters, you should only buy from sites that have security measures in place to protect your personal financial information. Encryption services such as VeriSign make it impossible for your information to be hacked into by an outside source. This peace of mind is invaluable when shopping online. It is also best to buy from reputable online merchants that you have either dealt with before, or have knowledge of. Many retail and discount stores offer online shopping that is safe and trusted.

By following these tips in shopping shower curtains online, you are sure to find the perfect shower curtain for the bathroom(s) in your home. A shower curtain can be the first step towards renovating a bathroom look that may be stale, or it can help to enhance an already wonderful environment. Either way, shopping for shower curtains online can be a fun experience that will help bring out the best in your bathroom.

Garage doors

When designing your new house you will need to decide what type of garage door will be suitable.

The garage door will have to follow in the style of the whole house and this can also determine the materials that your door will be constructed with.

There are various types of garage doors than can be constructed from wood, aluminium, steel, glass and other materials.

The materials can also determine what type of door you will be buying.

There are overhead doors, bi-folding doors and doors that roll back against empty wall space.

Obviously the roll back doors will take up quite a lot of room in the garage where you won't be able to use the wall space.

If space is limited then an overhead door might be a better alternative.

If you are living in a particularly wet climate, then the overhead door can create problems as the water runs off the door when it rests up against the ceiling of your garage.

A roller door doesn't create quite so much of a problem as the water is limited to the area of the roll at the entrance of the garage.

Overhead doors generally need to be constructed with lighter weight materials although there are many overhead wooden doors due to the advanced track and roller construction that has been designed in modern doors.

Garage doors can cost a lot of money but they can also make or break the whole visual effect of your finished house so cost alone shouldn't be the deciding factor when buying your door.

There are several excellent websites on the internet that offer information and price comparisons for garage doors but you will probably need a door professional to give you specialist advice at your property to ensure you make the right decision.

Buying the right garage door can add thousands of dollars to the value of your house.

Wallpaper mural tricks how to choose and install

You can personalize any interior space and make it your own with custom wallpaper murals. There are many companies that specialize in this unique service. They will let you send in any photograph, artwork, illustration, or anything you can imagine, and make it into a wallpaper mural just for you. Slides, digital photos, high-resolution computer graphics files, original paintings or drawings, all work great. Most of these companies will send you a small sample of what the finished mural will look like, so you can see if it is going to match your room dйcor and ensure it is the quality you expect.

The most popular use for the wallpaper mural is to decorate children’s rooms. Crafting a fun and lively environment that both kids and parent's love is easy. Fairy tales, animals, fish, ballet and sports are some typical themes, but the best way to choose a wallpaper mural is to involve your child in the decision – you may be surprised by what you learn about his or her tastes, and the whole family will have fun looking through the sample books in the store or online. Don’t forget if you can’t find a design that your child and you can agree on, you can always create a custom wallpaper mural.

Once you’ve settled on a design, you’ll want to measure the wall area’s height and width with a tape measure to get a good idea what size wallpaper mural will work in your room. To get a clearer picture of how the mural will look in the room, you can temporarily outline the prospective destination of your wallpaper mural using masking tape.

Once your wallpaper mural is delivered, it is time to hang it. Take your time and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. There are four steps to hanging your mural: Preparing the Wall Surface, Preparing the Adhesive, Application or Hanging, and Drying. Since adhesive types vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, these steps will be detailed in the instructions that come with your mural.

Your wallpaper mural will come in panels. We recommend you lay out the panels on the floor in the proper order before you start, but make sure to do this well away from the mounting surface to avoid any paste spillage. Since the placement of the first panel determines the overall look of the finished mural, take extra time and care to place it accurately.

A few more tips to keep in mind: Dampen the paper with the adhesive, do not soak or saturate it. Don’t fold the mural paper. Make sure the wall is clean and grease-free. Overlap each panel slightly to prevent the seams from showing when dry.

When installed correctly and chosen well, wallpaper murals will enhance the warmth and appearance of any room, make a small room look bigger, and add a personal touch to your home. Whether you want a wall to stand out dramatically or blend into a backdrop to highlight your furnishings, a wallpaper mural can do the trick.

How to choose new kitchen countertops when kitchen remodeling

Have you recently made the decision to remodel your kitchen? If so, what would you like to have remodeled? There are some homeowners who only choose to have a specific part of their kitchen remodeled, but then there are others who want everything changed.

Whether you want to only improve a small part of your kitchen or if you want a completely different kitchen, there is a good chance that you may be looking for a new kitchen countertop. If so, have you decided on which type of countertop you would like?

When it comes to choosing new kitchen countertops, for your kitchen remodeling project, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration. One of the most important things to keep in mind is your kitchen cabinets. Kitchen countertops are almost always placed on top of kitchen cabinets or cupboards. If you are looking to remodel your cabinets as well, it may be a good idea to pick out all of your supplies and materials at the same time. This will help to ensure that your new kitchen countertop not only looks nice, but that it also compliments the kitchen cabinets that you will have installed.

Perhaps, the most important thing to keep in mind, when choosing your new kitchen countertops is the cost. Laminate countertops are often considered the most affordable of all countertops. Despite being the most affordable, they are often considered plain. If you are looking to not only change your kitchen around, but improve the appearance of it, you may be looking for something better. A large number of homeowners choose to make their new kitchen countertops out of wood materials or marble.

Although it is important to focus on the beauty and overall appearance of a countertop, it is also important to make sure that you can afford it. If you are remodeling your entire kitchen, it may be a good idea to make a list of materials that you will need or wish to have, in addition to a budget. If you mistakenly spend too much money on kitchen countertop materials, you may find it difficult to afford to remodel the rest of your kitchen.

While there is a chance that you may already know what type of new kitchen countertop you would like to have installed, there is also a chance that you may not. If this is the case, you are advised to start shopping. Whether you look for kitchen countertop materials online or in one of your local home improvement stores, there is a good chance that you will come across a wide selection of materials, all with different designs and styles.

Shopping or at least browsing is one of the best ways to get ideas. In fact, doing your shopping and browsing at the place where you plan on buying your remodeling supplies from is a great way to get price estimates, which are essential when kitchen remodeling is being done a budget.

Once you have decided which type of materials you would like to use for your kitchen countertops, whether they be a traditional green laminate color or a beautiful marble color, you will need to decide how your kitchen countertop will be installed. If you desire, you can seek assistance from a professional kitchen remodeling expert or a general contractor; however, you may want to do your own countertop installation. With a set of directions, you will find that it is relative easy to install your own kitchen countertop, even if you do not have any home improvement experience. Many kitchen countertop materials come with directions, but if not, you could easily purchase a how-to book for a relatively affordable price.

London builders bathroom installation. part two

Tiling is made right after the pipes installation, mounting the bath and the door. If the bath panel is finished with tiles, this bath panel is sometimes equipped with a door for having access to the bath water drain. But it is more preferable to make a removable hatch, using magnetic nabs as fasteners (rather strong ones and not less than four pieces of them).

If there is bathroom equipment in the room already, it should be covered with covering sheets, carton etc. The bath is usually covered with plywood (10-15 mm thick) or a woodchip board, to preserve it from accidental fall of rubbish and for having support for a bucket with adhesive solution, tools, or tiles. If the floor is already tiled, it is necessary to cover it, too. It is better to have a wet duster with you for cleaning dirty tiles or hands.

Seam size (between the tiles) depends on the tile quality (edge roughness) and aesthetic needs. Seams are usually 1,5-3 mm wide, for ceramic large-size tiles - 5 mm. Using tile spacing pegs is helps you to maintain even spacing between the tiles. Do not tile the whole wall in one day, as it should have time to fasten strongly to the wall.

If you are planning to use various additional decorative details, such as borders or insertion of the tile with patterns, it is important to define its place on the wall. For finishing of outer and inner corners special plastic angle bars can be applied. They make corners look more attractive. Flexible bar insures perfect conformity with wall or floor tiles. When buying plastic angle bars, one should select them so that the groove size would exceed tile thickness.

Mounting of new walls: brick, moisture-resistant gypsum-plaster, or foam concrete. Arrangement of ventilation. Wire bonding, water and sewer pipes layout, replacement of the towel drier (it is recommended to make a parallel by-pass path to have the possibility of emergency shutoff from the hot water main and setting a ball lock valve in case of breakdown). Set separate valves on the hot water pipes, going to the flush tank and a washer. Mounting of the false ceiling with the built-in lighting fitting. Waterproof coating. Plastering. Walls tiling. Installation of the bath. Installation of the bathroom equipment. Floor tiling. That is all. At this point the bathroom remodeling is finished.

For a small bathroom it is possible to choose the specially developed programs, mini bathroom equipment, occupying less space. There is a special doll's house effect, when everything seems larger relative to the diminished objects.

Work quality criteria.

Tiles must be paved strictly vertically, all tile blocks should be situated at the same level. Overhanging or sinking down of one block edge comparatively with another is intolerable. There should be no hollow spaces under the tile blocks. Space between the tiles should be equal everywhere. The tile seams should fit one another and form a straight line (strictly on the level). Tile patterns should be matched. Space between the tiles should be properly grouted.