Archive for August, 2009


Wiring Your Home For Tomorrow’s Technology

Filed Under: Electrical
Aug.21, 2009

If you are considering doing custom wiring to your home, you should do your research and understand all your options. Many times home builders will not present all the options available to you. They will follow their list of options and be quick to say “no”. If you are building with a national builder, you may need to be more adamant and put up some cash up front. Just about any custom builder will go above and beyond your expectations.

With any home construction project you will have floor plans to review. I will assume you have already visually determined where your furniture will go and how you will design the interior. I highly suggest making a copy of the floor plan and use colored pencils to place your low voltage outlets and hardware. Use different colors for your speakers, satellite receivers and network cables as these all require different types of wires. The wires should all lead back to one central location. This is where you will put your control panel. Typically people like to have this located in a closet or even the laundry room.

Central control panels offer you the best possible solution for keeping everything organized. If you have the space to add some shelving beside it you can be even more flexible. You can put your network router as well as your DVD player and audio receiver on the shelves and control them through an infrared control from anywhere in the house (assuming you wire for one). This can allow you to send the DVD (or DVR) signal to each and every television that’s wired in so you don’t miss out when you are making a drink run or popping some pop corn.

Low voltage wiring in new home construction is quickly becoming a new standard in today’s high tech market. Although computer networks are quickly moving toward the wireless sector, certain electronic connections are still needed for full home audio, video and security. More and more homes are preparing their home not just for cable, but for the complete expansion of their home theater with the complete whole house video and audio capabilities.

Low voltage wiring is much more affordable to install once the house has been framed and before drywall goes up. Home builders are quickly adding in multiple satellite television lines leading up into the attic for easy installation of your dish. Lines for an additional satellite radio antenna are also becoming more abundant to boost the signal of this technology from within the home. It is now more affordable then ever for whole house audio to play music from a central control panel or direct from your living room receiver. Speakers with volume controls can be installed just about anywhere in your home during construction. If you wait to long, it may be impossible to wire additional rooms on separate floors without significant investments and renovations.

Theater rooms are the new craze these days. Home owners used to dream about turning that huge bonus room into a pool room with an eight foot table. Now they dream about their 60″ high definition plasma screens with 7.1 surround sound and plush theater seats. Their dreams of the pool hall are quickly turning into dreams of being the ultimate gamer or arm chair quarterback while watching their favorite team on NFL Sunday Ticket.

The options don’t stop there. We are now seeing an increase of home appliances and electronic components that are network ready. Many of these new products are not capable of wifi or receiving satellite signals. They require a hard line into your home network. Wiring your each room in your home with an additional cat-5 line will allow you the greatest amount of flexibility for future compatibility.

Never forget that you also need to protect this investment. While wiring your new “Smart Home” do not forget that the majority of home security wiring falls with the low voltage area. Most contractors who wire your home for audio and video will also represent your major security companies like ADT and will be able to wire your home accordingly. Wireless window and door connections are clearly visible. When the doors and windows are hard wired during construction, you cannot see the contacts stuck to the hardware. Now is the time to determine what to protect along with what detectors you would like installed (carbon monoxide, fire, flood, glass break). Always remember to get the battery backup and cellular options if they are available.

Put some thought into your floor plan and you will be pleased with the end result for years. Remember that your low voltage options expand well beyond a few satellite dish feeds and home security wires. You can expand it as far as your imagination and budget will allow. Never build for now. Build your home for tomorrow and you will be happy for years to come.

Whitney Alen is a Direct TV expert and has over 10 years experience in the satellite tv industry.

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Small Bathroom Shower Design Options

Filed Under: Bathrooms
Aug.20, 2009

How to fit a small bathroom shower

What do you do if you want to install a shower but you only have a very small bathroom?

While I love my bathtub for the rare occasions that I get to use it for a long relaxing soak, I don’t know what I would do without my shower. Showers are quick, refreshing and a lot more economical than taking baths. When I had the chance to redesign my small bathroom I jumped at the opportunity to improve the shower that was installed above the bathtub at the time.

The first thing to remember is that there usually is a way to do these things and you mustn’t give up before you’ve really thought about the problem. Don’t be put off by the fact that you don’t seem to have much room to play with in your bathroom design.

So what are the options?

Throw the bathtub away

Taking out the bathtub will give you more than enough room to fit a sizeable shower enclosure. Unfortunately you won’t have a bath anymore. While this might fit in well with your current lifestyle you might want to think about what you might have need of a few years down the line and when you come to sell your property.

When you sell a property you must have a bathroom with a bathtub even if it has a great shower instead. People expect to find a bath in the bathroom and the lack of one can seriously depress the value of your property.

Put your shower in your bathtub

If you have no other option you can install a showerhead above your bathtub together with a shower curtain or splashguard. This should be the easiest solution, as it will take up no additional floor space. Personally I’m not keen on this option.

Turn your bathroom into a wet room

This is an ambitious design that will involve turning the floor of your entire bathroom into a giant shower base and drain. It can be a very expensive option to convert a conventional bathroom into wet room but it has the advantage of allowing you to put your small bathroom shower anywhere you like. Even over the toilet if you want to although I wouldn’t advise it.

Install a curved quadrant shower cubicle

The option that I like best for any bathroom is to install a separate shower enclosure either free standing in the room or in a corner of the bathroom. This is a great solution if you can find the space to accommodate the shower enclosure.

The problem with this idea is finding the space in a small bathroom to fit the shower enclosure. Enclosures come in various sizes so you will need first of all to decide on the smallest size that you think you can live with. Even a very small shower enclosure is better than none at all.

To make the space available you should consider the whole small bathroom design. Find a smaller toilet and washbasin and even a smaller bathtub if you have to. Use squared paper and cut out shapes to try many different ways of arranging everything.

Finally look at curved quadrant shower enclosures as a space saving alternative to square or rectangular ones. Finding one of these was the turning point in my small bathroom shower design. Everything fell into place nicely after that.

Read the full article at Small Bathroom Shower

Small bathroom design ideas Small Bathroom Design at http://www.bathroomsremodeling.this-info.com

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Throw Out That Bathroom Carpet!

Filed Under: Bathrooms
Aug.19, 2009

When most people think of restyling their bathrooms they instantly think it will be an expensive job. New bathroom suites can cost a lot to purchase and even more to install by a registered plumber. Replacing wall tiles can quickly get messy, and blinds that can withstand a bathroom environment can be difficult to find.

Take a look in your bathroom, now look down at the flooring, the part of the bathroom that’s used the most. It gets stood on, dripped on, and spilled on all the time. Baths and showers can often soak parts of your bathroom flooring on a near daily basis, shampoos and other toiletries get spilled or leak over your flooring, and around the toilet area there could even be spills of another kind, especially in homes with younger children.

When did you last renew your bathroom flooring?

The average bathroom floor takes a lot of use so needs to be hard wearing and easily cleanable, it should be cleaned with disinfectants regularly to ensure a safe, hygienic environment in your bathroom. It should not be a carpet!

Carpets are made from fibres that by their very nature absorb liquids when spilled on them, they are very hard to clean and are almost impossible to disinfect. Repeated soaking by water quickly rots most carpets, and unless you spend money on expensive carpet protecting chemicals, the vast majority of stains will be very hard to remove.

Damp, rotting carpets are a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria and fungi, throw into the mix toiletry spills and you will quickly get a picture of a very unhealthy environment.

Change that bathroom carpet today!

Alternatives to carpeting a bathroom include natural stone such as limestone or granite, ceramic tiling, or vinyl flooring.

Natural stone flooring can have a dramatic effect to almost any type of bathroom large or small. Stone such as granite has natural waterproof properties to it and is extremely hard wearing, although it is one of the most expensive flooring options available.

Ceramic tiles are an ever popular option for bathrooms. They are relatively inexpensive and come in a wide range of styles and colours to match up with any existing bathroom colour scheme. Ceramic tiles are also hard wearing, easy to clean, and straight forward to install.

Vinyl flooring is the lowest priced option for renewing your bathroom flooring. However, it is water resistant, easy to look after, and also available in many designs and colours, making it a excellent option for many homes. Its low cost also allows you to replace this type of flooring on a more regular basis if required.

Update your bathroom today, replace that old, tired flooring and make your bathroom a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful feature of your home.

Bathroom Supplies Online offer bathroom and showering products direct to the consumer at low prices.

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Bathroom Makeover

Filed Under: Bathrooms
Aug.18, 2009

According to contractors, the room that is undergoing the greatest amount of transformation in new construction and remodeling is the bathroom. In fact, since the 1930s, the average master bath has tripled in size and the huge bathrooms build in houses today have even an oversized closet inside. The change in bathroom space is attributed to the fact that people are now spending more time in their bathrooms when they wish to relax while taking a bath. Experts point out, that the weekend spa mentality has developed into a new lifestyle trend with which Americans feel comfortable and want to experience on a daily basis without leaving the comfort of their own home.

Since the bathroom space has increased, the new updated version calls for an addition of bathroom furniture, which can make any bathroom feel less sterilized and bring in the feeling of comfort that used to be associated with other rooms of the house, like the bedroom or living-room. Moreover, the additional furniture pieces provide extra storage space; something that is definitely needed nowadays by both women and men. To cover the demand, many bathroom cabinet manufacturers offer now sinks set in furniture pieces, which are designed specifically for bathroom use. Options now range from modern glass and steel pieces, to old renaissance dressers and armoires. Moreover, people tend to mix and match furniture and trim their uncovered surfaces in order to make them blend with the flooring, connecting the bathroom to the rest of the house.

But apart from the amount of space available and selecting the right type of furniture, today’s bathroom-users also want to create a bathroom in which they can relax and rejuvenate. These moments of relaxation can be enhanced with simple additions, like a bathroom stool near the tub or in the shower, or if the space permits it with an ottoman for some precious relaxing times. Furthermore, the right type of lighting can be installed quickly altering the feeling one has while taking a bath. Again candles, small regular lamps on the vanity or shelves can transform the bathroom and give it the feeling of tranquility.

Extremely important apart from the furniture selected is the bathroom’s flooring. Tile or wood can enhance the overall appearance of the bathroom and their designs can be matched to blend with the house’s other rooms. Also, the color of the walls or the wallpaper selected to be placed have to match the rest of the area, like the floor, the sink and the bathtub creating a unified outcome. If you decide to go with the wallpaper option, be extremely cautious as it has to be installed really well in order not to fall off the walls as you steam your bath.

Finally, keep your bathroom organized and clean. Numerous scattered items give a feeling of clutter and do not help you enjoy this room of your house. Furthermore, select towels and bathrobes that are soft and fluffy. It is better if their colors and design matches the rest of the bathroom, but most importantly they have to be replenished with new ones almost every year so you will continue feeling the same snugly sensation every time you exit the shower.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Home Improvement, Real Estate, and Home

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Solar Boilers – Have the Sun Pay Your Energy Bill

Filed Under: General Contracting
Aug.17, 2009

Residential hot water is a significant energy consumer for most households. In fact, hot water is sometimes the largest single energy cost. Using solar energy to provide at least some of the hot water in your household can result in significant savings.

There are several ways that solar energy can be integrated into a hot water system. Although solar boilers can be used on their own, they are most often used in conjunction with traditional water heaters which are powered by gas or electricity. In this kind of system, the water heated with solar energy can be used on its own (if it is hot enough) or as preheated water for the traditional water heater. Pre heated water will also dramatically decrease your energy bill.

Solar boilers can be used in any type of climate but are most practical in areas which don’t have freezing weather during the wintertime. Solar hot water systems in colder climates can use indirect heating systems which do not expose the water to the freezing temperatures. Instead, a fluid that resists freezing circulates through the solar panels and is used to heat the water. Southern climates can use direct heating systems where the water itself passes through the solar panels installed on the roof.

There are two basic types of solar hot water systems — active and passive. Passive systems rely on gravity and the natural flow of water from hot to cold. They are simple systems and require very little maintenance. They are durable and long-lasting. You can easely build simple systems yourself all you will need are parts that you can find in any hardware store.

Active systems make use of pumps to circulate the water. In some systems, the pumps can be powered with solar energy; otherwise they must be connected to the household electrical supply. In both systems a storage tank is needed to hold the heated water.

On hot days with plenty of direct sunlight solar systems can heat water with surprising efficiency. During this kind of weather, there may be no need to use electricity or gas as a backup. When the weather is colder, the solar heaters can preheat the water which passes into the traditional water heater. This preheated water requires much less energy to bring to proper temperatures which can result in significant savings on your energy bills.

As with all alternative energy systems there is a lot of room for your own imagination if you like that. If you don’t you don’t and just use the technology, but for those who like to play around with technology like myself these systems offer a myriad of possibilities to think about.

For example, a stirling engine converts changes in temperature into mechanical motion, for example to generate electricity. Mmm, that’s a nice thought. A change in temperature is something this system will provide, but it will also heat your water. A double benefit?

Hans is an off grid enthusiast and author at

http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/ Visit us for introductory and more advanced articles.

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Hardwood Floors 101

Filed Under: General Contracting
Aug.16, 2009

Nothing adds warmth and value to a home like wood floors. Over 90 percent of real estate agents in a national survey said that homes with wood floors sell more quickly and for higher prices than other homes without wood flooring.

Some people shy away from hardwood flooring because they believe that they’re high maintenance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Today’s specially formulated finishes are as tough as they are beautiful. Only occasionally will you want to do a thorough cleaning with a recommended wood floor cleaning solvent, and it’s well worth it to keep your wood floors in glowing good health.

Another concern many people have is that wood floors are somehow bad for the environment. Actually, wood floors are ecologically friendly. Recycled wood from old ships, barns and even old wood floors is highly prized for its “distressed” characteristics. Wood is also a good choice for allergy sufferers since its surface doesn’t collect dust, dander and other allergens.

There are many types and styles of wood floors and many types of wood can be used in them. The most common styles are:

· Strip – A floor made up of wood strips averaging 2″ in width. Strip flooring is ideal for small rooms as it makes the room seem larger than it actually is.

· Plank – Plank flooring uses larger wood boards ranging from 3″ to 6″ in width.

· Parquet – This popular style is made up of wooden pieces that combine to create an attractive pattern. The simplest parquet pattern is a 6″ x 6″ checkerboard design, but there is really no limit to how complex a parquet floor pattern can become.

Wood floors can be protected by a transparent varnish that lets the wood’s natural tint show through or they can be stained any color you like to complement any décor scheme. Over 50 different species of woods are used in wood flooring, including familiar domestic woods such as Pine, Oak, and Maple as well as more exotic woods like Bamboo, Mesquite and Teak. All of these woods vary in hardness and wear resistance, so consider the traffic patterns where they will be installed.

With all the flooring options available to the homeowner to consider, wood flooring remains a very popular choice. They’re more affordable than you might think, and they maintain their beauty and value as time goes by. As the expression goes, “It’s the wood that makes it good!”

Liz Smith writes about hardwood floors and other flooring for homedoctor.net
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Freshen Up Your Bedroom

Filed Under: General Contracting
Aug.15, 2009

Fresh air is good for you, but how much time do you spend outdoors?

Since many of us spend most of our lives indoors, we should be aware of what is called “sick-house” syndrome. This sick house syndrome is a byproduct of keeping your house closed up against outside elements. We all want to block out noise, pollution and cold or hot air but this also prevents toxic fumes from getting out of our house!

Harmful fumes can come from paints, cleaning products, air fresheners and even wood smoke if you have a fireplace. Believe it or not, even your furniture and carper can emit dangerous pollutants. Keeping your house “sealed up” to keep out the elements can also keep these fumes inside. Studies show that the air in our homes should be changed ten times per day – anything less causes build up of dangerous pollutants.

Since you spend most of your time in the bedroom, here’s where you should start to freshen up your air. You’ll be healthier and your bedroom will smell better too!

First, open the windows (just a crack is sufficient) when possible, and check to make sure that all vents are unblocked.

Another problem that lack of ventilation can cause is mold and mildew. This is found to be a danger not only to your health, but it can also damage the structure of your house. Especially in rooms such as the master and guest bathrooms, where humidity is likely to be high, proper ventilation is essential. The use of fans in these areas are helpful.

Also, check areas such as the attic, and underneath floors for proper air circulation. If you have a humidity problem upstairs, it probably means that the attic or roof space needs more ventilation. Be aware that some types of flooring can cause structural damage if there is not adequate ventilation beneath it.

Everyone wants a clean smelling bedroom but icky smells happen and you should not overdo it with room air fresheners. Aerosols should especially be avoided as they are not eco friendly and have chemical additives. You won’t be able to create a fresh smell in your bedroom by adding more scent to the air – instead open a window and let the real fresh air in!

A great way to make a safe air freshener and deodorizer for your bedroom is to sprinkle a few drops of vanilla or scented essential oil on a cotton ball. Put the ball in a pretty dresser tray or other open container that you will not mind if the oil touches it. Other ways to freshen up your bedroom naturally include using baking soda, white vinegar or dried herbs. Try putting a bouquet of fresh flowers on your dressing table for a great smell and a great look!

One other thing to be careful about in the bedroom is perfumes and hair sprays. You should keep the use of these to a minimum and try using only natural products if you can.

If you or your loved ones suffer from unexplained drowsiness, headaches or a general malaise, try getting fresher air through the house. Your family and your home will breath easier and avoid the “sick-house” syndrome.

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs and Decorations where you can learn more about designing your dream bedroom.

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Cheap Mini Blinds – Look For Quality and Efficiency

Filed Under: Windows
Aug.14, 2009

If you like practical and efficient window blinds, cheap mini blinds are the perfect choice for you. Actually when choosing a blind you consider privacy, appearance, light control, cost, its capability to insulate and ease of use. And all this you will find in affordable and inexpensive mini blinds. They are very easy to use and equally efficient too. You can use mini blinds along with other styles of window treatments and window coverings. Mini blinds are available in an astonishing array of colors. It is also very easy to install them as well as take care of them.

The most important thing before buying a window covering is the measurement of your window, which should be accurate and correct. Otherwise the window treatment will make the whole interior look odd and even spoil your home décor too even if you choose the best suitable color or pattern. While ordering the blinds it is important that you give the measurement of width first and then the height. After this you should look for the blinds that have perfect finishing, is assembled to spring back, durable and is helpful in resisting dust and above all is static as well as looks good too.

Cheap mini blinds are perfect when the question of look and style comes. With so many options in design, style, color and pattern you have lot of varieties to choose your favorite one. When you can get good quality window treatments at lower price then why waste your money on the expensive ones? Everyone today needs to save money but at the same time we cannot avoid our home and its decoration. So mini blinds are just right to fulfill all the requirements and not only beauty but it is equally efficient and has all the features that a window blind should possess.

If you are looking for affordable mini blinds you must find out companies that offer discount and in this way you will get superior quality blinds at affordable rate. But be sure that you choose a company that has good quality product because there are various companies that offer heavy discounts just to attract customers and sell inferior quality products to them. You must first check the authenticity of the site and then look for the high quality so that while searching for inexpensive window blinds you don’t have to compromise with the value of it.
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Three Questions You Should Ask Your Home Remodeling Contractors

Filed Under: Remodeling
Aug.13, 2009

If you are seriously thinking about hiring a home remodeling contractor, you should take the time to give each one of these three questions, some thought. These questions could save you a lot of money and frustration.

1. Are you going to be doing the work your self? Most of the time your contractor will sell you the job, but won’t be doing any of the work himself. Get some more info about the crew that he will be sending to your job. You might get along with the contractor, but could have problems with the workers.

2. Make sure that you have emergency telephone numbers, in case one of the workers gets hurt and make sure that you know where the nearest hospital is located. You could find your self in charge of the situation, especially if there’s only one worker on the job.

3. You should have direct access to your contractor, 24 hours a day, just in case something happened in the middle of the night. All sorts of things could happen, while your contractor or his crew isn’t on the job site. Ask your contractors, if they turn their cell phone off or don’t answer their phone, during certain hours. If this is the case, make sure that they give you an additional phone number, in case there is an emergency.

Each one of these questions might not really sound like they’re that big of a deal, until something happens. I’ve already had problems with each one of these questions and I’m speaking from experience.

Here’s a little heads up, for homeowners. There are plenty of books available on hiring contractors. If you bought one of these books for $20 and it’s saved you some frustration, money or even solved some of your problems, how much would this book actually be worth.

Don’t forget your local libraries, there is plenty of information on home improvement contractors and remodeling projects at larger libraries.

If you’re really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Good Home Repair Tips . Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You’re Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Bonsall Home Remodeling Contractors

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.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

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How to Repair a Faucet Spray Head and Hose

Filed Under: Bathrooms, Plumbing
Aug.12, 2009

Removing and repairing a faucet spray head is simple if you carefully follow a few steps.  First, if a hose leaks or blocks water, detach it for possible replacement, starting at the spray head.  Unscrew the head from its coupling, then free the coupling from the hose by prying off a retaining snap ring with the tip of a screwdriver or penknife.

Replace the hose washer if necessary, and try to clear a blocked hose by running water through it at full blast (with the spray head removed, opening a faucet will send water tothe hose rather than the sink spout).  If the hose still leaks or is permanently obstructed, then keep reading for the next step.

Only a single hex nut secures the hose to its attachment at the base of the spout, but this nut is often hard to get at.  If you cannot unscrew it with an ordinary wrench or a pair of locking pliers, use a basin wrench, a plumber’s tool especially designed for working in close quarters.  Lie on your back under the sink as you unscrew the nut, and illuminate the work area with a work light or a flashlight.

To work on the faucet diverter valve, you first must get into the spout itself.  In some sinks the spout is secured by a grooved ring, in others by a nut atop the spout.  These chrome-plated fasteners are easily scarred; remove them carefully with a tape-wrapped wrench or pliers.

Inside the faucet body you can now see the tip of the diverter valve, usually capped by a brass screw.  The screw is an integral part of the valve: turn it just enough to free the valve from the valve seat inside the faucet body, then pull out the screw and valve together.  A valve without a screw top can simply be pulled straight out with pliers.

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