An Introduction to Awnings

Awnings come in a variety of colors, styles and functions. You can find traditional retractable awnings, awnings for residential homes and even sleek and modern designed awnings. Awnings can serve as a way for a business to advertise locally, to provide shelter from heat or cold for energy efficiency, to simply make a home more beautiful, or a combination of all of these. Awnings have begun to gain more and more in popularity over the past decade or so, with many homeowners recognizing the benefits of having an awning installed.

Placing an awning over a window, terrace or balcony can add beauty and value to a home. Awnings can add curb appeal to nearly every home without blocking views from the windows. Awnings are even great for patios, decks and doorways. You can choose from either stationary or retractable awnings; whatever meets your design and efficiency needs.

Many people enjoy having awnings installed on their decks and patios. One of the most popular types of awnings to install in these places is the retractable awning. On hot days, the retractable awning can be opened to provide shade for those sitting outside as well as for the home itself; blocking out most of the direct sunlight from windows and doors can yield tremendous savings on utility costs.

Thousands of awning companies are doing business across the country. Because the competition is fierce, you can get great deals on multiple awnings or even deep discounts on a single awning. You can call around to local installers to find out what their specials are and compare the savings around town. Simply stated, awnings can make a wonderful addition to nearly any home and in many cases can increase the overall value of the home.

Awnings Info provides detailed information about retractable, canvas, window, RV, patio, aluminum, deck, and commercial awnings. Awnings Info is the sister site of Gazebos Web.

You Need Country House Plans If Building a Non City Home

Are country house plans for you? Most people love the city life because it offers so much excitement. However, there are times when they crave the tranquil surroundings of the countryside. Some people plan to move to the country after their retirement so they can enjoy the natural beauty and peace when they no longer are attracted by life in the fast lane.

Buying a country home is expensive and often you may not be able to find exactly what you want, so having a home custom built may be a good idea. If so, then you will need country house plans, perhaps even log style house plans, detailed house floor plans and a reputed builder.

Determining your budget is an important factor when you are deciding on what type of country home you would like to build, even before you look at house plans. Once you decide on this aspect, you will be able to look for appropriate plans that will suit both your taste and pocketbook. Perhaps building it in phases would be a good idea. This would help you keep the initial financial requirements low.

There are special software programs available that can help you work out the cost of building. Whatever style house plans you choose, it pays to keep in mind that the cost of building a two story home will be cheaper than following sprawling bungalow house plans, because the floor area, the foundation and the size of the roof will be less.

The one huge advantage of building your home in the countryside is that you can be as bold as you want with your design. In the city there is a basic need of conformity, which often stifles creativity. Not so with your country house plans, as you will have the space and more leeway to do as you please.

Before you start with your countryside estate home plans, take a look at what is available both on and offline. There are plenty of websites and books that offer exceptionally beautiful and cost efficient home plans, which you could use as you find them or have them modified to your liking.

City life is great when you are young and on the go. You love the fast life it offers, you need the employment opportunities available and you enjoy being at the center of the action. At the same time the quiet and natural beauty of the countryside also beckons you. It is a great idea to build a home in the country. Use the country house plans available on and offline or draw your own for this purpose.

Discover more information about country house plans from Mike Selvon portal, and get more insider small house plans tips.

DIY Flooring - How to Install Carpet

One of the most daunting DIY flooring projects is installing carpet. Many people are intimidated by the thought of installing carpet, feeling that it is beyond their abilities. This is in large part due to the special tools required. However, installing carpet is actually a fairly easy DIY flooring project and by doing it yourself, you can save a great deal of money in installation costs.

Tools Installing carpet does require some specialty tools. These include a knee stretcher, power stretcher, seam iron, seam roller, wall trimmer, and stair tool. However these tools can be rented from your local rental store. This is much more cost effective than purchasing the tools.

You will also need a carpet knife, hammer, tack strips (also referred to as tackless strips), staple gun or hammer stapler, and carpet seam tape.

Preparing Floor It is very important to prepare the floor properly before installing carpet. Carpeting can be installed over cement, wood, or linoleum. However, if the flooring is damaged, it is best to remove or replace the damaged subfloor. Take this time to repair any squeaks in the floor due to loose boards.

The subfloor should be cleaned thoroughly before installing your carpet. You don't want any dirt or debris underneath which can damage the padding and carpet. You should remove any floor registers and if you have doors which swing into the room, it is easier to remove the doors rather than try to work around them.

Installing the Padding Before installing the padding, you will need to install tack strips along the edges of the walls and around floor register openings. Do not install the tack strips in front of door openings. These strips should be installed about 1/4" from the wall with the tacks leaning towards the wall. Most tack strips will already have nails in them for nailing to the flooring. If you have a cement floor, you may need to glue the strips down using a masonry adhesive.

The next step is to roll out your padding, starting along one wall. Overlap the tack strips by approximately 3-4 inches, making sure the padding remains smooth and straight without bunching. Use a staple gun or hammer stapler to staple the padding to the carpet, placing a staple every 6 inches or so. If you have a cement floor or do not want to damage the underlying floor, you can use adhesive to installing the padding.

You can use duct tape along the seams to help keep them from bunching when you install the carpet. When you have completed the padding installation, use a utility or carpet knife to cut the padding along the tack strips, making sure that the padding does not overlap the strips. Cut out any floor register openings along the tack strips as well.

Installing Carpet Roll the carpet out in the room, again starting along one wall and leaving 3-4 inches of overlap along the walls. Make sure to keep the carpet straight and be careful not to allow any of the padding to bunch up under the carpet. Cut out the floor register openings, also leaving a couple inches of overlap over the tack strips.

If you have more than one section of carpet, you will have to create a seam. Place seam tape beneath the seam with the adhesive side up. Heat your seam iron and then starting at on wall, place the iron directly onto the seam tape until the adhesive melts and press both edges of carpet onto the tape. Use a seam roller or other smooth heavy object to press the seam together and into the adhesive. Follow this process along the entire seam, doing a small section at a time.

Starting in one corner, use the knee stretcher to install the carpet to the tack strip. Place the head of the kicker a few inches from the wall and kick the pad sharply with your knee. Repeat this process every 6-8 inches along the wall. Once that is complete, we will use the power stretcher to install the carpet along the other walls. Place one end of the power stretcher along the wall you just completed and the head of the stretcher along the opposite wall, about 4-6 inches from the wall. When you push the lever down, the carpet is stretched over the tack strips. Repeat this along the entire wall as well as the remaining walls. Use the knee kicker to stretch the carpet over the tacks along any floor register openings.

When the carpet has been attached to all of the tack strips, use the wall trimmer to cut the excess carpeting along the wall. This will keep the edges straight and gives us a close cut. Using a stair tool or stiff putty knife, tuck the edges of the carpet underneath the baseboard along the wall.

Finally, install door edge strip in doorways to cover the carpet edge and make a transition into the next room. Replace your register covers and you are done!

As you can see, installing your own carpeting can be fairly easy if you have the right tools and instructions. So when you are getting ready for your next DIY flooring project, don't shy away from carpeting due to installation costs. Install it yourself and save some money!

Kristin J. Yates

DIY Flooring Blog

Ranch House - Renovation Best

What is the common dream which motivates people to boost income? Undoubtedly, to live a comfortable life in a lavish house with an aura of opulence all around. So they aim at furnishing their nest in a manner that would set it apart from the rests. A ranch house could be the ultimate image make-over of a house. A ranch house is simplicity at its best. It is a one-storey building in a picturesque backdrop. This particular type of house serves two purposes at the same time: it adds up to the beauty of the house and looks after the utility aspect as well. But before setting up a house, one needs to know why he or she needs a ranch house and if it is necessary or not.

Before going deep into the details, the basic idea of ranch house and its renovation should be apparent enough. The mandatory components of a ranch house are several bedrooms, cooking area, washroom, a drawing area and rooms for guests. Cellar and conjoined parking area with an entrance into kitchen are other basic features of this kind. So, if you want to renovate a ranch house, fence the terrace, add a gallery or erect a partition to divide a big room and you are sorted.

Before venturing you must be focused about your demand from this remodeling. Its sole intention should not be only to beautify the house but also to utilize the area properly and enhancing it. A little planning beforehand helps a lot. You can start with tracking down the drawbacks of the prevailing house and correct it as soon as possible. A wooden deck or something unique can be added to complement the rest of the decoration. Even a new and extra structure can be added to the main one. But it must be in accordance with the design of the rest of the house and serve the purpose of spending free time.

Even if you are happy with the look, space enhancement could be a necessity. In that case an additional library or bedroom can be spaced out. It will change the exterior look too. It will be good change in favor of the restoration. If the planning does not go down well with the present interior due space scarcity, the cellar can be divided to increase the area.

The general use of cellar is that of a storehouse, launderette and hot water reservoir. If you surrounded it with walls with enough room spared, the extra space can be transformed into children's recreation room or for relaxation of your entire family. So, the ranch house increases the value and utility of the house.

Harry Blackwell has been an avid design enthusiast for years. You can read his reviews on Curtains & Drapes, as well as tips on how to choose from high end as well as discount curtains...

How Garage Remodeling Will Fix Your Storage Problems

Garage remodeling is probably the quickest way to add much needed space to your home. If youre considering any sort of home repair this may just be the one that should be first on your list. If youre not using your garage for an area to park your car, then expanding the living space of your home can be quite easily achieved by making this change. As well, youll feel like your home and life are much more organized when you stop storing everything in this area.

If youre thinking of adding a studio, a home office, or a workshop to your home, then of course you need to look no further than the garage. You can even use this area as a home gym, or as an extra living room designated for special events or entertainment purposes. But, dont think that this means that you cannot still store things in this area, or even that you have to sacrifice your parking area. It all really depends on how you go about with your remodeling plans and what your household wants and needs might be.

Since a lot of garages are attached to the house, they can benefit from the exact comfort as the home, which include heating and cooling, phone wiring, as well as plumbing. Youll just need a little imagination, a set budget and a plan.

If you worry that by remodeling your garage, youre losing too much precious storage area, have no fear because you can always build a small storage space behind your garage which can be used to house your tools, sporting equipment, and other items.

Furthermore, when you remodel your garage you should think about adding an addition above your garage. You can add a room for work space and even for living space above the existing garage, which will give you more space as well as increase the your homes value without making major changes to your floor plan.

Do you feel the need to remodel your garage but dont know exactly what you need or want? Then you should consider the following ideas.

How about transforming your garage into a laundry room if youve been performing your laundry duties in the basement. By building a laundry in your garage youll do away with the need to go trounce up and down the stairs a million times a day.

Are you a musician, or just want to be one? A music studio can be a superb choice for your remodeling plans if you or your kids show some talent in this direction. After all, where do you think all of those garage bands got their start? Youll want to consider soundproofing your garage walls so as to avoid your neighbors complaints.

Heres an idea! Change it into a gym. If youve got equipment but you dont have enough space to use it in the house, simply move it into the garage where youll have plenty of space for your daily workouts and. An added benefit is that you wont be bothered by anyone. However you choose to use your new space, hopefully youll enjoy it.

The columnist Leroy Calstard is very excited about issues related to woodworking workbench. His observations on garage workbench can be discovered on http://www.insidewoodworking.com in addition to other websites.

Achieving Exterior Home Renovations Yourself

If you are focusing upon DIY renovations around the home then one place which you might be reluctant to touch is your home's exterior. However, when it comes to DIY exterior projects, they really don't have to be as challenging as you would first imagine. As long as you have the right tools and a good level of knowledge on the job in hand then that is all that matters.

It all really depends upon how much you know about exterior home improvements as to what you can actually do yourself. So it could be that you can install new guttering, do a window trim or add new sliding to the home. Or perhaps you would love to add a patio or a pool to the garden? Whatever you want to achieve you can do it yourself just as long as you take the time to learn how.

How to Remodel the Exterior of Your Home

The first step to getting any DIY project right is planning. You need to understand the task in hand and you also need to look at every angle of the project. Break it down into steps and ensure that you understand exactly what it is that you will be doing. Remember to get all of the tools that you will need. If you are not sure what tools to purchase then it would be a good idea to pop into your local DIY store and ask a member of staff. They will be able to give you advice on the job you are planning to complete and point you in the right direction with what you need. If you find that the equipment needed is a little on the expensive side then you could always rent the equipment instead of purchasing it.

Generally painting the outside of your home is one of the easiest jobs you can do. However before you can paint it you will first need to prepare by cleaning it. As long as you take the time to prepare the wall before you apply any paint, you will end up with a nice, smooth, even finish.

One of the biggest mistakes which people tend to make with exterior home improvement projects is that they try and do far too much too soon. Ideally you will need to break everything down into small steps. That way the task will not seem impossible to finish and it will be a lot more enjoyable to complete. So set up everything well before you start and try and complete everything in baby steps. This will save you time in the long run and it will also be a lot less hassle.

Overall exterior home renovations really don't have to be overly difficult. Just as long as you do not try to attempt to do more than you can handle, you should easily be able to complete basic remodeling jobs by yourself.

Vince Paxton's long articles can be found on many online sites tied to information on vinyl garden windows. His comments on garden replacement windows can be encountered on his webpage and also different websites.

Discussing the Construction Home Building Process For Houses

Construction home building is the "meat and potatoes" of erecting a home. There are several different stages that go into making one. Manufactured homes are made a lot quicker than custom homes, but they usually have cheaper materials and labor. The home plans that you choose will determine how long it takes to build your new building.

There are several different stages in constructing it from new home plans. First the ground has to be leveled. If the ground is not level, then the building will settle and the foundation will crack, or the building will sink into the ground. Then the base of the house has to be constructed.

This is usually pier and beam or a slab. Basic plumbing is added at this part of the building as well. Then they add some of the framework for the building. After the framework comes the walls and roof frame. The rest of the plumbing is added, and then the sheet rock and insulation.

They put the roof on, and then add the electrical work. The windows and doors are added, and then they put up the bricks or whatever will be the outside of the house. Once the outside is complete, then they move on to the inside of the house and add whatever is needed indoors. The last thing to be done is floors and painting, and then finally the yard. This process is used because it is the most efficient for following home floor plans.

Manufactured homes are made differently than custom homes. Construction home building for manufactured homes is usually accomplished all at once. If you are interested in buying one, then you look at the home floor plans that the company has available. Then it is possible to choose different features to customize the house. Paint colors and floor coverings are usually chosen at this time too.

The building company then finishes the house so the new owners can move in. There are many manufactured homes built in the ranch house plans style or in the Tudor house plans style. It is easy to build many of these kinds of houses. The home building industry has grown a lot in past years. This started in the 1950s and 1960s with the first manufactured homes. Now, most homes that are built are at least somewhat manufactured.

Construction home building has not changed much over the years. Home floor plans are built into 3-D homes. The main difference in new homes versus old seems to be the fact that manufactured homes are more popular now. While it is still possible to customize these homes, it is harder. However, the fact that the homes are cheaper keeps them popular.

Discover more information about construction home building from Mike Selvon portal, and get more insider small house plans tips.

Home Elevators - A Practical Solution For the Elderly

Home elevators are a practical solution for the elderly, who desire to lead an independent life even with their mobility challenges. These are convenient, quiet and easy-to-operate equipment which assist in easy movement up and down the floors of your home.

Home Elevators with Outstanding Safety Features

Home elevators, being a practical solution for the elderly, are available in a variety of models. Many of them are custom-made so as to meet the unique requirements of individual users. Well-known brands are built with gearless motors which enable the user to have a smooth ride. The safety measures incorporated in the different models include:

Slack chain
Emergency light
Emergency alarm
Interlocks for door and hoistway
Cable safety devices
Telephone system
Battery backups
Emergency stop buttons
Automatic controls

It is possible to customize the panels, lighting and other elements, so as to match with the interior decorations of your residence.

Select the Right Home Elevator that Best Suits Your Requirements

ThyssenKrupp Access, Federal Elevator, and Savaria Concord are the leading names in the manufacturing industry. They offer an exclusive range of residential elevators based on the requirements of the elderly and the physically challenged. Before buying an elevator, necessary planning will help you to choose the best one for your residence. Try to acquire as much details about the various models of home elevators including the features integrated in each model. It is also important to have a good assessment about the speed, loading capacity, and cost factor as these may vary according to the models and technology used.

Home elevators assist the elderly or physically challenged individuals and infuse in them a remarkable spirit of self confidence. In addition, home elevators can enhance the value of your residence.

By offering aesthetically appealing home elevators, DAY Elevator & Lift offers a new level of freedom for people with limited mobility. In addition to residential elevators, we offer home stair lift systems and wheelchair lifts.

DIY Flooring - How to Install Carpet

One of the most daunting DIY flooring projects is installing carpet. Many people are intimidated by the thought of installing carpet, feeling that it is beyond their abilities. This is in large part due to the special tools required. However, installing carpet is actually a fairly easy DIY flooring project and by doing it yourself, you can save a great deal of money in installation costs.

Tools Installing carpet does require some specialty tools. These include a knee stretcher, power stretcher, seam iron, seam roller, wall trimmer, and stair tool. However these tools can be rented from your local rental store. This is much more cost effective than purchasing the tools.

You will also need a carpet knife, hammer, tack strips (also referred to as tackless strips), staple gun or hammer stapler, and carpet seam tape.

Preparing Floor It is very important to prepare the floor properly before installing carpet. Carpeting can be installed over cement, wood, or linoleum. However, if the flooring is damaged, it is best to remove or replace the damaged subfloor. Take this time to repair any squeaks in the floor due to loose boards.

The subfloor should be cleaned thoroughly before installing your carpet. You don't want any dirt or debris underneath which can damage the padding and carpet. You should remove any floor registers and if you have doors which swing into the room, it is easier to remove the doors rather than try to work around them.

Installing the Padding Before installing the padding, you will need to install tack strips along the edges of the walls and around floor register openings. Do not install the tack strips in front of door openings. These strips should be installed about 1/4" from the wall with the tacks leaning towards the wall. Most tack strips will already have nails in them for nailing to the flooring. If you have a cement floor, you may need to glue the strips down using a masonry adhesive.

The next step is to roll out your padding, starting along one wall. Overlap the tack strips by approximately 3-4 inches, making sure the padding remains smooth and straight without bunching. Use a staple gun or hammer stapler to staple the padding to the carpet, placing a staple every 6 inches or so. If you have a cement floor or do not want to damage the underlying floor, you can use adhesive to installing the padding.

You can use duct tape along the seams to help keep them from bunching when you install the carpet. When you have completed the padding installation, use a utility or carpet knife to cut the padding along the tack strips, making sure that the padding does not overlap the strips. Cut out any floor register openings along the tack strips as well.

Installing Carpet Roll the carpet out in the room, again starting along one wall and leaving 3-4 inches of overlap along the walls. Make sure to keep the carpet straight and be careful not to allow any of the padding to bunch up under the carpet. Cut out the floor register openings, also leaving a couple inches of overlap over the tack strips.

If you have more than one section of carpet, you will have to create a seam. Place seam tape beneath the seam with the adhesive side up. Heat your seam iron and then starting at on wall, place the iron directly onto the seam tape until the adhesive melts and press both edges of carpet onto the tape. Use a seam roller or other smooth heavy object to press the seam together and into the adhesive. Follow this process along the entire seam, doing a small section at a time.

Starting in one corner, use the knee stretcher to install the carpet to the tack strip. Place the head of the kicker a few inches from the wall and kick the pad sharply with your knee. Repeat this process every 6-8 inches along the wall. Once that is complete, we will use the power stretcher to install the carpet along the other walls. Place one end of the power stretcher along the wall you just completed and the head of the stretcher along the opposite wall, about 4-6 inches from the wall. When you push the lever down, the carpet is stretched over the tack strips. Repeat this along the entire wall as well as the remaining walls. Use the knee kicker to stretch the carpet over the tacks along any floor register openings.

When the carpet has been attached to all of the tack strips, use the wall trimmer to cut the excess carpeting along the wall. This will keep the edges straight and gives us a close cut. Using a stair tool or stiff putty knife, tuck the edges of the carpet underneath the baseboard along the wall.

Finally, install door edge strip in doorways to cover the carpet edge and make a transition into the next room. Replace your register covers and you are done!

As you can see, installing your own carpeting can be fairly easy if you have the right tools and instructions. So when you are getting ready for your next DIY flooring project, don't shy away from carpeting due to installation costs. Install it yourself and save some money!

Kristin J. Yates

DIY Flooring Blog

ADA Compliant Commercial Elevators

Commercial elevators that have the features and safety standards specified by Americans with Disability Act (ADA) are referred to as ADA compliant commercial elevators. The law is enforced by the United States Department of Justice and defines the codes and specifications for all types of commercial elevators including stair lifts. This law was created for the comfort of physically disabled people and is mandatory for all types of commercial buildings. Most elevator manufacturers have now revised their elevator specifications to meet the standards of ADA.

Standard Features Required by ADA

ADA compliant elevators need to be automatic and the elevator car should have self-leveling features. For hall call buttons certain standards are specified; all lanterns, raised and Braille characters should be provided for the convenience of blind people. Reopening and door protection devices, door and signal timing for hall calls, floor plan of elevator calls, switch control for lights, indicator to know the position of the car, door delay for car calls, provision for communication during emergency are some other standards. In addition to that elevators should be on an accessible route and follow 4.10 and the ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.

Exemptions in the ADA Standard

As per the act, elevator exemption is given for buildings having less than 3 stories, or those having less than 3000 square feet per storey. However, for such business buildings, installing low cost elevators will be a great service they can provide for their customers.

Best Companion for Your Clients

As ADA compliant commercial elevators are provided with all required features and safety measures, they are ideal for regular day to day use. These elevators are affordable for small and medium enterprises including schools, lodges, hospitals and other commercial buildings.

Established companies including Savaria Concord, ThyssenKrupp Access and Federal Elevator provide different models of ADA compliant commercial elevators. These dealers provide all assistance for quality installation and maintenance of the elevators. On analyzing the features of ADA compliant commercial elevators, it is evident that they are the best suited models for modern commercial needs.

DAY Elevator & Lift is a leading supplier of ADA compliant commercial elevators manufactured by top companies. Commercial LULA elevators, or Limited Use Limited Access elevators, are of great utility value in commercial facilities where there is no existing vertical transportation.

Provide Protection For Your Entrance With a Porch Enclosure

A porch enclosure is usually an enclosure built around the main entrance of the home to protect it from the elements of weather. It usually has one or two entrances and a square or curved top. Quite often such an enclosure is built between two offsets on the front of the house, but it can also be a bay extending out from the house. The size of the enclosed porch depends on how you plan to use it. You will need to have a larger porch if you want to place chairs there so you can enjoy the outdoor scenery without having to go outdoors.

Generally an enclosed porch is a fabricated unit made of glass panels. The doors are specially made to fit in the aluminum rails. There are many different designs in shapes and sizes of these on the market and you can have one custom designed to meet your needs.

Some of the benefits of using such an enclosure for a porch include:

* keeping snow and ice away from the direct entrance to your home, which will in turn keep moisture from seeping in
* preventing water from leaking in through the door in times of heavy rain
* added security for the home
* serving as a buffer that prevents heat from escaping during the winter
* offering ventilation during the summer

When you have an enclosure around the entrance, you can have a wooden door instead of having to opt for a steel door. If you do have a steel door, the protection of such a porch will ease your concerns about the warranty on the door. The addition of a porch will add a touch of class to the home and increase its resale value.

It is not hard to install such an enclosure after you have the exterior of the home complete. The glass panels are designed so that they fasten together to form a wall and the doors are mounted to this base. Some of the enclosures also have the ability to adjust to uneven walls and floors so that nothing will look out of place.

For more information on porch railings, screened porches and related topics, visit AboutPorches.com

Basement Design - Finding Furniture That Fits

Imagine this: the colors are just right for your basement design; the lights are on and the floor rugs are in place. In short, everything seems perfect except that there are no equipment or things yet in place. Naturally, this should be the next thing on your mind once you're done with designing your basement. After all, you want to hang around in your basement so you need things to entertain yourself with. You can't just choose items in random though. There are some tips you might want to follow when you pick what goes into your basement.

Weight of Objects

It would be great if you could put some tables, chairs and couches in your basement. You would naturally need all of these so you can relax, play games or work on a hobby. Some basement owners may also consider adding some audio-visual equipment and perhaps some musical instruments. Do remember though that basements could be prone to flooding. If you think your basement isn't going to be spared in the next wet season then it would be best if you had basement equipment and furniture that you can quickly move out in case of emergencies.

Value of Things

You might want to have an expensive flat screen TV in your basement. You might also want to have an expensive or rare painting on the wall to complement your basement design. Other valuable things that may find their way into your basement include family heirlooms and sports memorabilia. Again, you should think twice about putting valuable items in your basement. Moisture and flood could destroy priceless items.

Electrical Gadgets

Television sets, music players and game consoles are great additions to a basement. Do make sure though that there is sufficient protection against possible electrocution just in case these gadgets come in contact with water or moisture.

Organized Themes

You would want the basement to welcome everybody in the family. You would however also want to make sure that you don't end up with cluttered space. You could prevent this by creating a theme for your basement. You can opt for a sports or hobby theme and include items that conform to the theme.

Basement design is one of the most enjoyable things you can get yourself into. Just make sure that you follow good tips for decorating and designing to ensure that your basement will truly become the haven you envisioned.

Want to learn how to improve your basement design? Discover practical basement remodeling ideas online and turn cheap basement ideas into dream basements at a budget.

How Steel Buildings Cost Less Than Conventional Buildings

Anyone who is considering the construction of a building usually has two concerns: cost and durability. While traditional lumber buildings are usually the norm, metal buildings are quickly gaining popularity for many reasons.

Metal buildings are available in many shapes and sizes to fit even the choosiest consumers. The first step should be to determine your budget. You will quickly find that you can have a larger, better equipped building if you choose a steel building as your primary building material. If you are expecting your new building to be warm in the winter, then ensure that insulation is included in the cost.

Ensure that when you are purchasing a metal building that the exterior panels and trim are coated with a protective paint, otherwise you will have to add the cost of the paint into your budget as well. Items such as doors and windows are typically not included either.

Before you go with the lowest cost steel building, check to see what the total costs are. Here at Absolute Steel, we will always figure out what your total costs are or at least estimate them for you. Many companies will give you a low price but when they add in freight and other costs you will find that you are paying more. Furthermore, most companies engineered plans do not include the foundation and concrete which you'll need to include to obtain a building permit. Also check the thickness of the metal and try to get the thickest metal you can afford, as this will ensure that your new building can stand up to the elements.

No matter what type of building you choose the cost of laying the foundation is not included, unless you are purchasing through a construction company, in which case it should be included in the cost (along with labor). Absolute Steel metal buildings are easy to assemble yourself, so you can save on labor costs with a metal building after your foundation is laid.

Freight costs also need to be considered when you are choosing your building type, and again a metal building is a better choice. Most all our building quotes include shipping so at Absolute Steel this is not a concern. Pre-fabricated metal buildings come pre-cut and packaged, so you are only shipped what you need and there is very little waste. Since metal buildings weight much less than lumber the freight costs are typically much less.

Even if the cost of a lumber versus metal building were exactly the same, you would still save money by choosing metal. You will likely never have to spend a dime on maintenance on a metal building as it comes coated with a protective paint that means it won't rust. There is also no chance of your metal building being susceptible to insects, rot or other common lumber problems.

The lifespan of a metal building is much longer than other materials since it stands up to all types of weather conditions. When a metal building is finally demolished, it is 100% recyclable so you don't even have to pay for disposal. From start to finish a metal building is easier to assemble, less costly to ship and put together, requires less maintenance, and lasts longer than lumber. It is easy to see why metal makes a great choice for building material when you want a strong, durable building that is easy on the pocketbook.

For more information on steel buildings, visit AbsoluteRV.com.

ICF - Insulated Concrete Forms - Method of Building Walls

There are several different methods used to build walls. This article will discuss the ICF method. We will look at the materials used in this method and then list the conclusions reached based on these materials. If you are standing inside the house, we will talk about the materials from the inside of the house to the outside of the house.

Gypsum Wall Board - this material absorbs water. The moist Gypsum wallboard can contribute to mold and mildew.

EPS foam - very good insulation properties. It is 'continuous and touching' which provides excellent energy savings.

Concrete - this material is poured in what is known as a 'continuous pour'. Even if the concrete is poured in lifts, the adhesive properties of concrete to itself allow the pour to be considered continuous. This material that goes from free flowing to rock solid is what provides the best-sealed envelope of a home.

EPS foam - very good insulation properties. It is 'continuous and touching' which provides excellent energy savings.

Cementious Finish - typically a fiber mesh wrap is applied to the walls and synthetic stucco materials are installed in two applications to get the requested look by the homebuyer.

Windows and Door openings - typically the openings are formed with 2x12's cut down to the width of the foam blocks and braced to accept the concrete pour. The 2x's are fastened with J-bolts that are placed prior to the concrete pour. An issue with the openings is that they have wood in the exterior walls in the areas where water has the highest possibility to enter the house. This creates the possibility, and likelihood, of water entering at these locations (the same as a wood framed house.) Remember, when the air is flowing thru the return air it is pressurizing the air which means 'additional air' has to come in the house. The window and door areas are where this air will come from, which allows water to get further into the wall, into the wood 2x bucks and farther away from the edges. This makes it take longer for the moisture to get out. When this occurs this will lead to the formation of mold and mildew.

Ease of construction - the trained skill level to build the walls of a custom home are similar to the skill level needed to build a concrete block home, or for a skilled carpenter to build a wood framed home.

Issues during construction - typical issues are proper bracing to minimize/eliminate concrete spills (blowouts) and bracing to keep the walls plumb (vertically aligned) and straight along the top of the forms.

The ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, contracted by the United States Department of Energy) after testing all 16 methods of construction proves the method of construction that Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) utilizes is the second best method of building a home (by approximately 9% less savings) in regards to energy savings. To confirm please view: http://www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/research/detailed_papers/thermal/index.html

The ICF method exceeds all building codes for high wind resistance due to the use of poured-in-place concrete in the forms.

This article has discussed the ICF method of building walls. It has described the various materials that are used. This article has also shown the problems and benefits that each of these materials can cause when building a house. The use of the ICF method of building walls only fails in 2 areas of building a home to prevent mold and mildew issues, which is the use of wood around openings and the use of a gypsum product (drywall) on the interior of the exterior wall. The 2 inches of foam and the drywall board on the interior is what accounts for the 9% higher use of energy than a wall with concrete in direct contact with the interior, such as the most energy efficient wall that utilizes the method referenced by the ORNL as concrete- insulation - concrete (CIC).

Are you getting ready to build a new home? Are you trying to build an energy efficient home? To get more information about building your next energy efficient home, visit http://www.allwallsystem.com, a "CIC" method of building.

Home Remodeling - Things to Ponder On

New York is well-reputed for being the city that never sleeps. The hustle and bustle goes on 24/7 and living it has been the life to all New Yorkers. The high density of the population has brought rise to the housing crunch that increased the popularity of smaller-spaced living units that prove far more affordable. But even with the limited space, you can make a home out of your NYC apartment, condo or townhouse no matter what neighborhood you are in. Home remodeling is the perfect solution to have a good dose of comfort and style injected into your everyday living.

When you come to the point when you are already unhappy about how everything in your living unit looks, moving into another is not very easy in New York City or just in any other big city. The most ideal thing to consider would be having your home remodeled. Home remodeling does not prove beneficial to the occupant alone by bringing out the beauty and functionality of any living space, it also boosts home value to considerable amounts.

The business clich, Fail to plan and plan to fail, may also be just as essential in home remodeling. A plan is vital to prevent future project mishaps throughout the job and unwanted results. First off, take ample time to look into your house to see which area you think mostly needs the facelift. Damages can be considered but you can also go for areas in the house that you often use whether the kitchen or the bathroom. You can also consider unused areas like the basement and attic to remodel into a more functional room. And if you can afford to fund a complete home makeover, then why not do so.

Clearly define a budget to allot into the home remodeling project. Depending on this, you can opt to do minor or major changes. You can always go for DIY kits but also be wary that results may not be the prettiest especially if you are not attuned to such tasks. If the result does turn out to be a disaster, then not only will money be wasted but your time and effort as well. If you are thinking about the costs, dwell on the long term results to be able to make the most value of the dollars that you are about to spend.

If you decide to go get some help from your local NYC contractor, then be sure to hire the best man or company for the job. If the home remodeling job to be done involves various tasks such as wiring, masonry, plumbing, painting and others; then you could find the best from the general contractors. By doing so, you will save yourself the time of finding other experts in certain field as the general contractor would do that for you. But if you have a specific job in mind that may need certain skills then look for experts in the said field.

Going through New York City life is sure to zap some energy out of you. And would not it be glorious to be coming home to comfort, luxury and beauty? So why not consider making a dream home out of your cramped space now?

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened General Contractor New York. For more, visit Home Contractors New York.