Monday, June 30, 2008

New Homes Georgetown Texas - Building A Better Home

Georgetown is a growing city that has the real estate to fit each residents needs. Located about twenty minutes from downtown Austin, Georgetown is a small city with developing real estate. Georgetown continues to benefit from the annual population increases in central Texas. This city has become popular for residents looking to avoid crowded town around the city like Pflugerville and Round Rock. Georgetown real estate ranges from apartments to ranch land to master planned communities. All of these home choices are available in and around the Georgetown area.

There are two master planned communities within Georgetown. One is a master planned active adult community that has strict age restrictions on home buyers in their community. This master planned community has private golf courses and fitness centers to make sure their residents are active adults. The other master planned community is a luxurious community with a private championship golf course and world class fitness facilities. Homes range well into the millions and can be as large as 7,000 sq. ft. This is a resort community that offers residents the best amenities to accompany their world class homes.

Town homes around downtown area of Georgetown are very popular. These homes located along Highway 29 and resemble a farm town community where mail men deliver mail to your doorstep each day. Most of the homes in this area were built in the 70s and 80s and provide home owners with a historic living situation. Many of these homes are owned or rented by Southwestern University students. Some of these town homes are smaller and college students benefit from the low cost, close to campus locations.

Apartments and condominiums have become popular in this area. The apartments in the area are located around the downtown area of Georgetown. Apartments in this area give residents a chance to live in a small town, and many tenants are college students. There is one condominium complex within Georgetown. This complex overlooks the San Gabriel River and gives residents the chance to enjoy the environment from their back landing.

Area neighborhoods give Georgetown residents the chance to live within communities and enjoy the communal atmosphere that neighborhoods have. There are many neighborhoods in the Georgetown area. All students are given the chance to attend the public school system and Georgetown High. Georgetown residents understand the history of the town, and the history of the people who built the town. This is why Georgetown has been able to keep its small town atmosphere as the city continues to grow.

For more information about new homes Georgetown Texas as well as new homes Austin Texas, please visit DR Horton.

Bathroom Decorating Ideas - 7 Tips To Inexpensively Improve Your Bathroom

Ideas as we know are subjective. My ideal bathroom is large. I like the design that incorporates a walk in shower and sunken bath.

Once again I like lots of space. In the case where you maybe buying a new home, or just looking to spice things up a little in your own home, you maybe looking for ways to make improvements without breaking the bank.

Inspiration is close at hand due to the fact that there are many publications out there that can get your creative juices flowing.

For the purpose of this article I am going to go through some tips to help you improve your bathroom on a shoe string budget.

As I mentioned I like a roomy bathroom. With that said to knock out the walls and extend it can be expensive. So how can you make the feel of your bathroom larger without hitting up the bank manager especially considering today's market.

Number 1 - The first thing you ought to consider is the floor. Just like the walls you need to have lighter colors on the floor. Light col1C5Fors help to make small spaces look larger.

Number 2 - From the floor you can go to the walls with the same notion. Take out darker colors and replace them with lighter colors. Colors that are softer in tone are better for bathrooms. You do not want dramatic colors that scream at you the minute you walk in the door.

Number 3 - Storage is another factor that can be overlooked. When your bathroom is neat and tidy you get the feeling of space. So organize your bathroom properly, this will prevent clutter.

Number 4 - The size of your tiles can also play a role in size perception. Smaller tiles can make the room look like it is shrinking whereas larger tiles have the opposite effect. Also do not cut your tiles off halfway up the wall - if you can extend them to the ceiling.

Number 5 - In a small bathroom you may want to avoid a pedestal sink. This limits your room. A wall hanging sink again allows for more space.

Number 6 - Glass shower doors that are clear give the perception of space. Couple this with just one mirror and locate it in a way that it can receive the most light. In terms of the shower door try and make sure it is a sliding door

Number 7 - The bathroom door itself if possible ought to be a pocket door that slides into the wall. Doors that hinge open can curtail on your space.

J HCI.inc is a construction company north of San Francisco California who sepcializes in home remodels. To learn more on how you can improve your home without blowing your budget select any of the following links.

Home Remodeling Contractor
Bathroom Decorating Ideas
Home Improvement Tips

Tips for Designing Your Sunroom Enclosure

Many worry about having a glass sunroom and whether it is gong to be an energy efficient choice. Thanks to the wonders of technology. glass sunrooms are wonderfully insulated rooms that provide an opportunity to not only add and improve the dimensions of your home. but to enjoy the changing world. day to night and s1C82eason to season. Technology. design and state of the art materials have resulted in a sunroom enclosure that uplifts the senses. creates focal points for family life and ultimately raises the value of a home. A multifunctional unit such as this is definitely worth every penny.

Key Designing Factors for Your Sunroom Enclosure

The design of your sunroom enclosure should include materials. thickness and height of the walls. total area space. thickness and width of the insulated glass panels. wind and live loads. aluminum alloy specifications and the type of wood that will be used.

Keep the color of your sunroom as light as possible. Light colors are energy efficient. They make a room look bigger and they also make it easier for you to match your sunroom furniture when the time comes. Sunrooms composed of soft shades of white. crme. pink. green and blue can be matched to the exterior of your home and create a carefully crafted look that incorporates itself right into the architectural scheme and color of your home. The sunroom enclosure will look and feel just like a natural extension of your home!

With so much natural light filtering into a sunroom. it is highly recommended that aquatic elements be placed in your sunroom to instill a sense of balance. Small fountains and aquariums provide a number of positive aspects; one of them being energy efficiency but also the musical sound of water which adds a calming effect to the sunroom itself. Water containers filled with duckweed. lilies and other aquatic plants also cater to the aquatic element and provide a nice texture to the dcor of the room.

Choosing wicker furniture to furnish your sunroom is a lovely way to continue the organic theme of your sunroom enclosure. Bamboo blinds or rugs made of natural fibers will help to balance out your sunroom and give it that relaxing back to nature ambience. Friends and family members are sure to enjoy gathering in this warm and relaxing area of your home during get-togethers. So much so. you may have trouble getting them to leave!

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on the subject for http://www.allsunrooms.com . A website with tips on house additions at sunroom enclosure

The Best Option for Above Ground Pool Decks

Once you have your above ground pool installed then the next task in line is to have some decking installed around it. You have the option of having the pool completely wrapped in decking or just having it partially wrapped, so there is room for a few chairs and for people to lay in the sun.

For many people the first thing that comes to mind when they think of decking is redwood. The fact is that redwood doesn't work well in alot of climates and is quite expensive. Secondly, if you have seen pictures i7F8n magazines of beautiful redwood decks you have to bear in mind that they were made from super pricey, premium, top grade redwood that is completely free of knot holes and color flaws.

For many people, one great option is to use premium grade Douglas Fir for their decking around their built in pool. Even less then premium grade will do if you want but the one huge benefit of this is substantial cost savings. It is more susceptible to decay then redwood but if it is treated and painted correctly it will easily last for a couple of decades.

Douglas Fir is the type of pine that is used for the framing of a building and it usually ends up covered up by siding and sheetrock on a house and isn't usually recommended for decking due to its vulnerability to warpage and decay.

However; if it is painted well with a high quality oil based primer that has a good dose of penetrating additive added to it and then given a good top coat of high grade exterior paint it will give years of service and because it is painted you can choose the color that matches your pool best.

Written by Chuck Tabla. Find the latest information on Above ground pool decks as well as Above ground pools

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Selecting The Right Bathroom Floor Design

There are lots of options for your bathroom floor design. Each has its own pros and cons. Picking the right bathroom floor surface for your design should however be based on factors such as safety, maintenance, and overall theme of the bathroom.

Learn about your different bathroom floor surfaces before choosing which one you should you pick for your bathroom design...

1. Hardwood.

Hardwood may be a quite expensive option but the mood and effect it sets to the entire bathroom design makes it worth the cost. Hardwood also creates a cohesive look if it is your choice flooring for your entire house. When you opt for hardwood floor, coat it with clear gloss sealant to keep it watertight.

2. Carpet.

Carpet not only provides warmth underfoot, it also softens the features of the room. Carpet as a bathroom floor surface, however, may not be a viable choice for potentially waterlogged bathroom. Consider it as an option as long as it is stain-, mildew- and water-resistant.

3. Stone.

Perhaps one of the most expensive flooring options is natural stone such as limestone and marble. If budget is not a problem, the natural beauty it creates (just like hardwood) is all worth the cost. Added to that, natural stone is very durable and requires less maintenance. However, stones in polished form can be slippery when wet. Unpolished form on the other hand (stones that are either sandblasted or ground flat but not polished) may require sealant to prevent stains.

4. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is the most common option since it is relatively cheap, easy to install and replace, very durable, hygienic, and has a vast variety of sizes, colors and patterns. There are several types of ceramic tile according to porosity classifications: non-vitreous (most absorbent), semi-vitreous, and vitreous (least absorbent).

5. Laminate.

Laminate is made from layers of different materials that are compacted under pressure to bond together for strength. Example is wood fiber, resin, and Kraft paper. The top layer of the laminate plank is a photographic image that can simulate other materials such as ceramic tiles and wood grain. Laminate is a good choice if you want stylish, durable, easy to clean, and not very expensive floor design.

6. Pebble

Another viable option is pebble tile. Pebble tiles are actually made from smooth pebbles attached to a mesh backing. This makes it easy to cut depending on the shape and size of the bathroom floor.

For bathroom design ideas, visit http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.com

Remodeling Porches Can Add More Fun to Your Home

Homeowners in Atlanta, Georgia found a way to enjoy the spring and summer without being disturbed by mosquitoes. They turned a plain porch into a screened-in palace of enjoyment.

Of course, a screened-in stump is not attractive or appealing. Creating a screened in porch that is enjoyable and eye catching takes a little more effort and the right tools. The environment also needed to be taken into account. The humidity and high temperatures of Georgia and the exterior of the house had to be considered. The first task the homeowners knew was necessary was cutting the inside of the frame to accommodate a slope in the porch.

These are the steps they followed:

1. They started with sheets of pre-primed 4x8 foot beadboard ceiling paneling was trimmed to fit.

2. Next they installed the ceiling panel and fan. Instead of holding the paneling in place they used a nail gun. Next they wired the ceiling fan and panel. The light and fan made the porch even more accessible by providing illumination for night time and dropping the temperature by up to ten degrees. Two people will be needed to install the fan. One to hold it and one to connect the wires and make sure the it is in place.

3. The 2x4 frame of the porch was measured to fit the screens that were installed later on. The vertical braces were nailed to the crosspieces.

4. A staple gun was used to connect pine and plywood beadboard interior paneling. The panel was level across the top but trimmed at the bottom because it needed to slope to handle rain runoff.

5. The hardboard exterior panels were put up one at a time, beginning at the bottom and moving up. The first panel had to be custom-cut due to the shape of the ground. The homeowners worked hard to match a pale yellow paint with the weathered color of the house.

6. The final step of the project was finishing off the screen. The vinyl grids had channels in them that were screwed right into the wooden frames. Aluminum or fiberglass screens can be put in to create a seamless look. Use a mallet to close the caps on the vinyl channels.

For homeowners that are searching for ways to renovate their porch, there are plenty of different ways to do it. Porch renovations can spice up a dreary backyard. They can also add value to your home if they are done properly. Find out what other homeowners are doing to improve their porches.

Vince Paxton's news stories can be found on countless web pages linked to kobalt tool boxes and kobalt tool box. His publications on kobalt tools are found on http://www.insidewoodworking.com/topto/kobalttools.html.

The Best Option for Above Ground Pool Decks

Once you have your above ground pool installed then the next task in line is to have some decking installed around it. You have the option of having the pool completely wrapped in decking or just having it partially wrapped, so there is room for a few chairs and for people to lay in the sun.

For many people the first thing that comes to mind when they think of decking is redwood. The fact is that redwood doesn't work well in alot of climates and is quite expensive. Secondly, if you have seen pictures i7F8n magazines of beautiful redwood decks you have to bear in mind that they were made from super pricey, premium, top grade redwood that is completely free of knot holes and color flaws.

For many people, one great option is to use premium grade Douglas Fir for their decking around their built in pool. Even less then premium grade will do if you want but the one huge benefit of this is substantial cost savings. It is more susceptible to decay then redwood but if it is treated and painted correctly it will easily last for a couple of decades.

Douglas Fir is the type of pine that is used for the framing of a building and it usually ends up covered up by siding and sheetrock on a house and isn't usually recommended for decking due to its vulnerability to warpage and decay.

However; if it is painted well with a high quality oil based primer that has a good dose of penetrating additive added to it and then given a good top coat of high grade exterior paint it will give years of service and because it is painted you can choose the color that matches your pool best.

Written by Chuck Tabla. Find the latest information on Above ground pool decks as well as Above ground pools

House Mold Problems

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Remodeling Porches Can Add More Fun to Your Home

Homeowners in Atlanta, Georgia found a way to enjoy the spring and summer without being disturbed by mosquitoes. They turned a plain porch into a screened-in palace of enjoyment.

Of course, a screened-in stump is not attractive or appealing. Creating a screened in porch that is enjoyable and eye catching takes a little more effort and the right tools. The environment also needed to be taken into account. The humidity and high temperatures of Georgia and the exterior of the house had to be considered. The first task the homeowners knew was necessary was cutting the inside of the frame to accommodate a slope in the porch.

These are the steps they followed:

1. They started with sheets of pre-primed 4x8 foot beadboard ceiling paneling was trimmed to fit.

2. Next they installed the ceiling panel and fan. Instead of holding the paneling in place they used a nail gun. Next they wired the ceiling fan and panel. The light and fan made the porch even more accessible by providing illumination for night time and dropping the temperature by up to ten degrees. Two people will be needed to install the fan. One to hold it and one to connect the wires and make sure the it is in place.

3. The 2x4 frame of the porch was measured to fit the screens that were installed later on. The vertical braces were nailed to the crosspieces.

4. A staple gun was used to connect pine and plywood beadboard interior paneling. The panel was level across the top but trimmed at the bottom because it needed to slope to handle rain runoff.

5. The hardboard exterior panels were put up one at a time, beginning at the bottom and moving up. The first panel had to be custom-cut due to the shape of the ground. The homeowners worked hard to match a pale yellow paint with the weathered color of the house.

6. The final step of the project was finishing off the screen. The vinyl grids had channels in them that were screwed right into the wooden frames. Aluminum or fiberglass screens can be put in to create a seamless look. Use a mallet to close the caps on the vinyl channels.

For homeowners that are searching for ways to renovate their porch, there are plenty of different ways to do it. Porch renovations can spice up a dreary backyard. They can also add value to your home if they are done properly. Find out what other homeowners are doing to improve their porches.

Vince Paxton's news stories can be found on countless web pages linked to kobalt tool boxes and kobalt tool box. His publications on kobalt tools are found on http://www.insidewoodworking.com/topto/kobalttools.html.

Claypipesinstuccoroofdecoration

The Best Option for Above Ground Pool Decks

Once you have your above ground pool installed then the next task in line is to have some decking installed around it. You have the option of having the pool completely wrapped in decking or just having it partially wrapped, so there is room for a few chairs and for people to lay in the sun.

For many people the first thing that comes to mind when they think of decking is redwood. The fact is that redwood doesn't work well in alot of climates and is quite expensive. Secondly, if you have seen pictures i7F8n magazines of beautiful redwood decks you have to bear in mind that they were made from super pricey, premium, top grade redwood that is completely free of knot holes and color flaws.

For many people, one great option is to use premium grade Douglas Fir for their decking around their built in pool. Even less then premium grade will do if you want but the one huge benefit of this is substantial cost savings. It is more susceptible to decay then redwood but if it is treated and painted correctly it will easily last for a couple of decades.

Douglas Fir is the type of pine that is used for the framing of a building and it usually ends up covered up by siding and sheetrock on a house and isn't usually recommended for decking due to its vulnerability to warpage and decay.

However; if it is painted well with a high quality oil based primer that has a good dose of penetrating additive added to it and then given a good top coat of high grade exterior paint it will give years of service and because it is painted you can choose the color that matches your pool best.

Written by Chuck Tabla. Find the latest information on Above ground pool decks as well as Above ground pools

House Mold Problems

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Create A Spa Atmosphere In Your Master Bathroom With Accents And Accessories

People spend time at spas in order to feel better when they leave than they did when they arrived. Whether the point of the spa visit is getting a much needed massage to reduce muscle tension brought on by injury or the stresses of daily life, getting a facial that leaves your skin glowing or getting a manicure that makes the skin 1110on your hands feel unbelievably soft as it makes your nails look gorgeous, all spa visits leave you feeling relaxed and happy.

Though you probably don't employ a massage therapist, aesthetician or manicurist in your home, you can still create the soothing spa atmosphere of peaceful relaxation and well being in your master bath using accessories and dcor accents instead of major renovations. The towel racks, mirrors, soaps and sundries you choose can make a world of difference.

Here are a few design tips to help you get started in creating a spa ambience in your home's bathroom:

Choose graceful towel racks big enough to hold body sheet type bath towels without looking crowded. Wrought iron towel racks with a shelf on the top are particularly nice as you can use the shelf to hold and display scented aromatherapy candles and potpourri that add to the spa feeling.

Don't hide bath necessities such as soaps and body lotions under the sink or in the medicine cabinet. Instead, unwrap soaps and store them in a large, pretty, clear glass jar.

Instead of merely folding clean towels and washcloths and tucking them away, roll them and store them in a large, flattish basket.

Use antiques to create charming storage: An old three-drawer chest or freestanding repurposed jam cupboard-especially when painted the same color as the bathroom walls can hold a lot of hair dryers, curlers, cosmetics and whatever else you need. The overall effect is supposed to be charismatic and personal.

Include some greenery to increase a sense of well being. A dark green plant looks great anywhere, and pictures of flowers and landscapes contribute additional notes of serenity. Ferns love steam and moisture and they thrive in a bathroom setting, as long as you have ample natural light to allow them to grow.

Use candles lavishly-nothing says "elegant spa" more than candles! Set candles of all sizes along the edges of your tub. Light them while bathing for a relaxing bath experience.

Listen carefully. Invest in a small CD player and several CDs of soft music and natural sounds such as gentle rain or ocean waves. Listening to soothing music while getting ready for work can help to start a day that runs smoothly; listening to soothing music during an evening bath can take the edge off one that didn't. Many specialty retailers sell "Spa Sounds" music on compact disc.

Use bath salts and body oils every day. Why deny yourself these pleasures except when you go to a day spa? You deserve the feel good benefits that scented bath salts, botanical bath soaks, body lotions and oils provide on an everyday basis, not just once in a while! Many spas now sell the same products you enjoy during spa treatments for home use as well, and buying them for home use will truly make you feel your bath is a luxurious spa!

As with any spa you visit, it is the personal touches and ambiance that make it special and memorable. The same rules apply in your own master bathroom. Choose items you love, and pieces of furniture that add to that spa feeling and you cannot go too far wrong.

Jessica Ackerman is the head author at Wall Dcor and Home Accents - visit to explore exceptional metal wall hangings and research modern wall candle sconces.

For more of her articles on EzineArticles.com, see this interesting article on how to decorate and maximize work space.

Jessica Ackerman is a popular contributor at http://www.walldecorandhomeaccents.com

Brown 2 X 2 Stair Handrail

Accessorize Your Bathroom For an Inviting Experience

For most people the critical aspect of a bathroom is really just does it have a toilet? While we agree this is important, theres more to it when youre talking about that private sanctuary in your home. Women are typically more interested in the look and feel of a bathroom than are men. This is proven in my household where my husbands bathroom can be buried in dirty clothes and dust and he doesnt care as long as theres a good stack of magazines. My bathroom, of course, must be more inviting, less scary.

Accessories can add that perfect inviting touch to any room in your home, including the bathroom. I love walking into bathrooms that have a warm glow, gentle lighting, and they must smell great. This is often difficult to overcome by its very nature, but there are so many good smelling accessories on the market today. Candles, scented oils, room sprays, various soaps; the list really is endless.

More physical accessories are also important. Tower racks, towel warmers, pretty baskets to hold your big fluffy colorful towels, magazine racks with an interesting variety of reading material (critical for those long visits), and of course PLENTY of toilet paper within easy reach.

How about eye appeal? Your bathroom needs to look clean and fresh. Sweep the floor, have a shower curtain or door that is free from stains and mildew, clean the tile grout and cracks. Is your ceiling falling in? Patch it up. Is the floor warping from water damage? Repair it. Are the walls boring and blah? Dress it up with family photos, wall art, cute bathroom decorations (found at any Hobby Lobby or decorator store), even think about repainting or re-wallpapering to give it a fresh look.

For your own personal needs the absolute basics are really all you require, but think of your guests entering the bathroom. This is the scariest thought for me. What will they find? Hair? Dirtiness? Will they think Im a slob? Prepare an inviting space for them and youll naturally benefit.

Kristen Easton is a versatile writer on a variety of consumer topics including the bathroom vanity and hot tubs.

Fallbrook Home Builders

82745

76445

Thursday, June 12, 2008

How Can A Home Loan Bring The Most Value To My Home

It is true that you can use the equity in your home as a way to get a secured loan for home improvement. In fact, it is being used now as a common way for people to get money to make their home improvements and fill some of their dreams. In order to get the best value out of your equity, not every home project will work. Here is how you can get the home equity you need and make those improvements that make a valuable addition to your home.

If you have lived in your home for a few years, then you most likely have some equity in it. Two of the most common ways to get to that money, is by either refinancing your first mortgage and getting a cash out mortgage, or by getting a second mortgage with a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit.

Your circumstances will determine what is the best for you. The interest rate, though, on a first mortgage is usually lower than a second mortgage, and if you have an adjustable rate mortgage now, you may be looking to refinance and getting into a stable fixed rate mortgage. On the other hand, you may only want to get enough money for your project, and can afford an additional payment from a second mortgage. You will certainly then want to consider a home equity line of credit in which you can draw out only as much as you need, and will only pay interest on that amount.

The best thing about a home loan that increases the value of your home is that the money used for that purpose is also tax deductible. This means that you are actually paying less for it than the interest rate you are given. Plus, your home is gaining in value - if you do the right projects.

Although, you certainly can do anything you want with the cash out of your home's equity, putting at least some of it back into your home is your best possible move. Currently, there also are some specific things that will give your home the best return in increased value. It is possible that they may not be what you think. These things include hi-tech renovations to your kitchen or bathroom, adding siding to your home, or adding an addition - such as a bedroom.

Before you go and sign up for the first home loan that you can find, you should do some homework first. There are some scams out there, and it will take some knowledge on your part to avoid them. Use mortgage calculators to determine the actual cost over the long term, and get several comparison quotes. Watch out for any early payoff penalties.

Another thing that you want to avoid is private mortgage insurance. This can be avoided by not borrowing more than 80% of your home's value - if you are refinancing a first mortgage.

Finally, you should check - before you get a secured home loan, if the value of homes in your area is going up or down. This will let you know whether or not you can expect to recover some of your investment when you sell the house. You can find this out by talking to a Realtor in you neighborhood. If homes are losing their value around you, you may want to reconsider.

Joe Kenny writes for the Loans Store, offering homeowner loans, or view the latest bad credit secured loans at NationsFinance.co.uk.
Visit today: Loans UK

Cuttingstairstringer

Be Your Own General Contractor and Save Money

If you are like most people your home is probably your greatest asset. With this said, it is natural that you would want to increase its value, keep it appealing and enhance its livability. Most homeowners would also like to be able to save themselves thousands of dollars by doing work on their own home and not having to hire a professional trades person. The value you add to your home by improving it yourself is called "Sweat Equity." The idea is that the less you pay to improve or enhance your home, the more profitable your home will be at resale time. Before attempting any project yourself always consider the scope of the project and what your real skills are.

What is a General Contractor?

Homeowners are sometimes not skilled enough to do their own projects so in order to save money some take on the role of general contractor when they are faced with a large project. By doing this they can often save 10-20 % of their total project cost.

So what does a general contractor do? They are usually hired to manage and oversee large home improvement projects, act as the main contact for the homeowner, help to ensure that the project goes smoothly and that the work is completed on schedule to the homeowner's satisfaction. Many homeowners feel that they could handle the role of a general contractor - and some of them have.

Let's find out more about the typical responsibilities placed on the general contractor's shoulders.

Responsibilities of the General Contractor

The general contractor is in charge of the home project start to finish-and everything in between! Here are some key elements of a project that a general contractor needs to be trained or skilled in.

- Ability to Get the Required Permits for the Project - local permits are required before any structural work can take place. A good general contractor knows which parts of the project will need a permit. He will also know how to apply for them and how to properly complete the paperwork. CF2Some projects may require approval from the local Board of Appeals and/or Planning Board. Be prepared to attend some meetings.

- Communicates With the Project Designer - the general contractor and project designer will normally work together reviewing the homeowners' ideas and final plans before work begins. If problems arise, the general contractor is the one who will normally be looked upon for suggestions by the designer.

- Receives and Evaluates Project Estimates - most general contractors have a network of quality sub contractors they rely on. For each trade needed good general contractors will get at least 2 bids to compare pricing. This can be the most time-consuming part of the general contractors' job. What he may be able to do in a few days could take the homeowner many weeks.

- Schedules the Different Trades - this can be very confusing and extremely frustrating for the homeowner. The general contractor knows what is happening all the time and what needs to be scheduled next. Like they say, "Timing is everything". This is so true in the construction industry.

- Responds to Questions and Problems - even with the best general contractors something is bound to go astray. Major delays can occur if issues cannot be resolved in a timely manner.

- Ability to Arrange for Inspections - throughout the project inspections will be needed in order to proceed to the next phase. The electrical and plumbing parts of the project need to be inspected at specific points. A good general contractor will anticipate when an inspection will be needed and plan accordingly.

Do You Have What It Takes?

If you feel confident that you have the SKILLS and TIME to be your own general contractor - go for it! Maybe you know someone who has been his or her own general contractor before. Ask them about their experience and learn from them. Most importantly, be honest with yourself - if you have ANY doubts, call a professional!

Paul Lawrence has owned and operated Home Project Partners, a free Maine-based contractor referral service, since 2002. He helps bring homeowners together with reliable, quality-conscious, pre-screened home contractors skilled in numerous trades.

For more information contact Paul at info@HomeProjectPartners.com or visit online at http://www.HomeProjectPartners.com

Basement Mold Problems

Install Outside Entries For Finished Basements

Finished basements are wonderful. In the sorry event that you live in a house that does not have an outside basement entrance, you can add the entry yourself. The job can be a tricky one, however. You have to punch through the foundation wall and dig out vast amounts of dirt. Each shovelful doesn't weigh very much but it takes an unbelievable number to fill a wheelbarrow. And the wheelbarrow loa1218ds that have to be removed? One shudders to tally.

So use a modicum of sense. Have a builder or architect - who's seen finished basements with outside basement entrances before - check over the foundation before you start chipping out blocks. Unless family finances are scraping bottom, hire out the excavation work. A man seated comfortably on a back hoe can do the job in a couple of hours. If not, buy a case of beer, make sandwiches and call up every friend you ever had. If they have finished basements, they will understand your plight.

Excavate an area about 5 ft. square to expose the foundation wall where the doorway will be placed. (assuming your basement is one of the average finished basements which is about six to nine steps below ground.) Play it safe and include a 45-degree slope around the sides to prevent a cave-in.

With a sledge hammer and a couple of mason's chisels, break through the basement wall. If you have the foresight to do this job from the inside, you can keep a firm footing instead of sloshing about in the muck outside, which is typical for all finished basements.

Undoubtedly you will be using one of those slanting hatchway doors to close off the opening. Check through the manufacturer's literature and get the exact dimensions. That hole you dug in the ground has to be lined with masonry block to make an extension of the foundation. Exact size here depends upon the door frame size; finished basements vary on this point so it is hard to give exact advice without seeing your specific case.

Build a rough wood form at the bottom of your pit and pour concrete footings. Then build up the wall, staggering the joints of the blocks for extra strength. Bond carefully where the new block meets the old house foundation. Carefully waterproof the outside of the masonry using the black, gucky foundation coating made for this purpose. If you have a severe water problem in the basement, which is not beyond possibility for any of the existing finished basements I know, apply a membrane of a number of layers of saturated asphalt paper and mastic. You can then shovel the dirt back against the new foundation walls.

Installing the hatchway door itself only takes about four hours in my experience with finished basements. If you have a set of exterior basement steps covered by a battered old wooden cover you might start listening at this point. The procedure, after you have ripped away the old mess, is the same.

Open up the package of the unit and assemble the frame. The gadget has to fit firmly against the side of the house, so position the frame on top of the masonry and mark where it meets the siding. Cut out the clapboard or shingles. You don't have to worry with this step if you have a masonry house; for some finished basements you don't need to worry about it. Attach the doors to the frame and joggle it slightly to make sure it's square and that the doors line up properly.

Very carefully, so you don't shift position of the frame, remove the doors. You'll notice a few holes in the bottom of the frame. Mark the position of these on the masonry underneath. Slide away the frame and drill holes in the masonry to take expanding plugs. Seat the lead plugs, replace the frame and tighten it down. Put back the doors and install any miscellaneous hardware. Finally, calk the framework to make it weather-tight and replace any needed house siding.

With the addition of some steps if needed, you now have the entry to your basement and you can compete with the best finished basements that have an outside entry!

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The Basics of House Painting

Your house is your lifetime asset. And it's a matter of time when you take a notice that your house needs renovation - not because it's getting old, but because you feel the need of vibrant colors in your house.

Repainting your house is a tricky business. Some rely on painting companies to do the job for you. Hiring the house painting service may also cost you. But if you are planning to paint it yourself, you might want to consider the basics; and consider the time and effort you will put on pain1C84ting your house.

PAINT

There are many types of paint available today, some giving different surface finishes, others are designed for a particular application. Choosing the correct paint type may appear to be confusing at first, but once you have projected which theme you would like to paint your house and sorted out which job and what finishes you want, the choice is rather easy.

There are two bases of paint for your house: solvent-based (oil or alkyd) and water-based (latex). Oil-based paints dry slow - usually taking up to 24 hours. The best clean up for an oil-based paint is turpentine or paint thinner. Latex paints' advantage is that it dries relatively fast, but it is not desirable in hot weather or direct sunshine. The best clean up for latex paints requires just soap and water. So if you are painting the inside of your house, it is recommended to use water-based paints, while solvent-based paints are suggested for painting the exterior of your house.

There are different types of paints that is either water-based or solvent-based that produces different finishes that is measured by its sheen factor. "Sheen" is a term used to describe the degree of light reflection the paint has. Lesser sheen for an interior or exterior paint means it has lesser stain resistance.

A Gloss paint is easy to clean and resists scuffs better. This is ideal for rooms that are constantly used. Most gloss paints are best recommended to use on woodworks, baseboards, kitchen and bathroom walls, doorjambs, and window casings. The downside of using gloss paints, however, is the noticeable imperfections in the wall surface.

A High-gloss paint is highly reflective and works well for highlighting details, such as trim and decorative molding. They are also the best choice for doors and cabinet - or any area that sees a high volume of abuse.

Semi-gloss paints are very similar to gloss plaints except it has lesser sheen. Semi-gloss is also suitable for rooms with high humidity (best used for children's room) and can be used for trim works and casings. These paints ensure maximum durability.

Eggshell paints provide a smooth and low-sheen finish. Paints that are smooth and low-sheen that is ideal for your living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and dens. It is washable and ideal for bedrooms, hallways, home offices and family rooms.

Satin paints offer a good combination of easy-clean and moderate sheen. These paints go a step above eggshell in scrubbing ability. They perform and look great in just about any room.

Flat paints (matte paints) are non-reflective and always a good choice for large walls and ceilings. Flat paints hides imperfections on wall surfaces and spatters well during application. Flat paints are the best choice for vinyl and aluminum siding that is scratched or dented because it hides imperfections and spatters less when applied. These paints are ideal for low-traffic areas such as formal dining rooms and master bedrooms.

Special paints have been innovated from different consumer insights and brilliant paint technology that allows specific paints for specific needs.

Ceiling flats are designed specially for ceilings. These are usually extra spatter-resistant.

Primer paints may be oil- or water-based and are used to seal unpainted surfaces to prevent covering coats of paint soaking in. The appropriate type of primer should be used for the surface being painted - wood, metal, plaster or tiles. There are some 'all purpose primers' available which are designed for two or more of these surfaces.

Anti-condensation paints are used for rooms with humid conditions such as kitchen and bathrooms. This paint is usually formulated to prevent condensation and often includes fungicide.

Fire-retardant paints do not resist fires completely but its fire-resistance formulation prevents it from fire in spreading fast.

It is also important that before painting your room, you use a primer. A primer will help paint adhere to the surface by providing a uniform appearance. It is a must to use a primer if you are painting over new wood, bare wood, drywall, or repainting over existing bright or dark colors.

But before doing this, you have to know the condition of the surface you wanted to paint. Regardless of whether the base coat is oil or latex, you must dull glossy paint by sanding or de-glossing it with a chemical de-glossing product. If you don't dull glossy paint, the second coat will streak and not stick to the base coat when drying.

INTERIOR PAINTING

If you want to alter your room's ambience, painting it is a great option. When interior painting, use paints that are quicker to dry and does not have a strong odor that lingers around where your kids can smell it.

Painting the interior of your house requires a thorough estimation, visualization and preparation. When you have chosen your theme for your rooms and have bought the job materials you need (paints, paint brushes and rollers, extension handles, paint tray, paint stirrer, drop clothes, step ladder, painter's tape, etc.), you simply follow these interior house painting tips:

BEFORE AND DURING HOUSE PAINTING

Always provide adequate ventilation when painting inside your house. If you cannot get enough ventilation in the work area, use a respirator or a mask.

Keep paint containers or solvent containers closed when not in use.

Keep paint products out of the reach of children.

Avoid direct contact with skin.

Always read packaging (label) instructions.

SURFACE PREPARATION TIPS

Remove as much as furniture as possible from the room or group the heavier fixtures and the delicate ones together and cover them with a drop cloth.

Provide adequate lightning to allow a good view of painting imperfections.

Remove switch plates.

Patch holes and cracks in the surfaces you wanted to paint with premixed spackling paste. After the paste dries, sand the patched the areas.

Dust and wash the ceilings, walls, baseboards, windows and door moldings.

Clean, sound wallpaper can be painted over, but in most cases it is better to strip it. Painting over a wallpaper may begin to peel.

PAINTING YOUR CEILING TIPS

If you are painting the entire room, it is best to paint the ceiling first!

If you are using a paint roller, maneuver your arms in series of diagonal swaths (forming a letter M). Fill in the open areas by cross rolling.

If you are using a paintbrush, apply the paint in short strokes towards the unpainted area, known as "wet to dry." Then brush back into the area you just painted for a smooth surface.

If you are painting your ceiling, remove light bulbs, chandeliers, fluorescent lights and fixture covers.

Paint trim first, including edging around the ceiling, molding, and trim.

WALL PAINTING TIPS

Paint around the trim first, including edging around the ceiling.

When painting with a gloss finish, make the final brush strokes away from the light source of the room. The tiny ridges that a brush leaves won't be as pronounced. Use the same "wet5B4 to dry" method of painting.

WOODWORK

Check woodwork for damage. if there is one, patch it with a wood filler, dry it overnight and sand it for any rough spots and apply a sealer before painting.

If you'll be using the same paint on the walls and woodwork, paint the woodwork as you come to it. If it is another color of higher in gloss, wait until the walls are done.

Paint double-hung windows from the wood between the panes then outward. On casement windows, us the same technique, but keep the windows slightly open until the paint dries.

For panel doors, paint the decorative molded edges first, then the individual panels. Paint from the center out. When the panels are completed, paint the vertical and horizontal flat panels.

Use a painter's tape or painter's shield to keep paint off windowpanes. Do not use a masking tape or a duct tape. Using a painter's tape or painter's shield allows you to keep areas covered for up to 3 days.

Paint the top edge baseboards first, then the bottom along the floor. Paint the middle section last.

Remove cabinet doors and drawers and paint the flat surfaces first. Paint inside the edges, then move to the outer surfaces.

CLEAN-UP and STORAGE or DISPOSAL TIPS

If there are paint drops on your floor, don't let it stay there. As the paint sets longer, the harder it will be cleared. Use a cloth with soap and water or a solvent for5B4 cleaning.

Use a razor-blade scraper or a putty knife to chip off bigger paint droplets that have dried.

Use a scraper to trim around windowpanes.

Wash and dry paintbrushes and rollers. Store them according to the brand's recommendation not all paintbrushes have the same type of bristles nor the rollers have the same material.

Clean the paint from the rim of the can. Tap container lids tight with a hammer and block of wood.

Store solvent-based paint cans upside down to prevent a skin from forming.

Store your paints in normal or room temperature. Never put the paints in extreme hot or cold rooms.

Each states in the U.S. or every community/ county differs on paint can disposal methods. Check your local environmental, health, and safety laws.

EXTERIOR PAINTING

In buying paints that you are going to use for your exterior house, you have to pick a brand that has essential characteristics: hiding power, color retention, chalk-resistance, and blister resistance.

Hiding power comes from the paint's pigment and is affected by the manner and thickness of the application. Color retention is the ability to maintain its original color during exposure to sunlight, etc. Chalking resistance prevents the white chalky powder from forming on the surface and lightening the color of the paint. Chalking occur over a period of time. Blister resistance keeps excessive moisture fro5B4m coming through the substrate and affecting the paint layer. Tip: if paint is applied over a damp or wet surface, blistering is imminent.

Painting the exterior of your house requires a thorough estimation, visualization and preparation. When you have chosen your theme for your rooms and have bought the job materials you need.

You will need any of these tools in painting your exterior: caulk, sandpaper, rags and/or paper towels, painter's tape, garden hose, power washer, or hose brush attachment, sponges & buckets for wash water, spray nozzle, stepladder, extension ladder, paint scraper, wire brush, putty knives, heat gun, rotary paint removing tool and electric drill, caulk gun, sanding block, and work gloves.

When you have all the tools at hand, examine your exterior. You might find exterior painting problems, which could be any of the following: alligatoring, blistering, chalking, chalk run down, crackling, dirt pickup, efflorescence, fading, frosting, lapping, mildew, nail head rusting, paint incompatibility, peeling, poor alkali resistance, poor adhesion, poor gloss retention, surfacent leaching, staining, vinyl siding wrap, wax bleed, or wrinkling.

If you already know what your house exterior's problem is or just for repainting it, simply follow some of these tips. You can also refer to INTERIOR PAINTING for brush or roller strokes, etc.:

Start by thoroughly cleaning the outside of your home. Start5A8 at the top and work your way down the sides of the house. If your siding has areas of mold, mildew or discoloration, wash it with an anti-fungal cleaner.

Mask off areas that are not to be painted. You may want to place masking tape along the edge of house trim, and around window and door frames and trim, since this is likely to be painted in a different color or with a higher sheen paint. You can also tape newspaper or plastic drop cloth material over windows and doors, including sliding glass doors, to protect them from drips.

Place plastic drop cloths over plants and shrubs, or where paint may drip on porches, roof sections, sidewalks, driveways or other surfaces.

House painting takes time, house painting costs a big chunk on your budget, but the end-result is always great.

Charlie Angeles is a web copywriter and PR writer for US Website Builder, a web design company that builds websites and increases web visibility through optimization and promotion.

House Mold Problems

Environmentally Friendly Plans

The eB5Anvironment has become a concern in all areas of life including our choice of home design. Taking this into account with your next home is fairly simple and can actually save you money.

The Green Movement is the term given to a greater awareness of the environmental impact of many different areas in daily life. Our choice of dwelling is one of the important things that can have a great impact on the environment. This has often been overlooked in the past as we have looked for environmental culprits further from home. Eco Friendly Home Plans are design concepts for homes that recognize how much the individual home can help or harm the environment.

Energy consumption is one of the major issues of the Green movement. The ever increasing demand for energy has created environmental problems associated with the burning of coal and oil and the transport and storage of these fossil fuels. The eco friendly home will be designed as energy efficient as possible. The use of alternative cooling and heating methods such as solar panels will most certainly be a part of the design. Energy efficient windows and doors and insulation will be used.

The emphasis on energy efficiency in the eco friendly home plan is a win/win kind of a deal for the homeowner. The home that is energy efficient is contributing to the environmental well being of the planet, but it is also keeping money in your pocket through savings in energy costs.

Energy considerations are not the only ones in an eco friendly home plan. The choices of building materials and the landscaping of the area around the home are other considerations that can be done more or less environmentally sound. True eco friendly home plans would pay close attention to the source and content of all building materials from the actual building materials to the paint used to cover them.

In many areas, some of the ideas that have began as eco friendly plans have been moving closer to actual codes and laws. There have also been substantial tax credits offered for following Green guidelines in design and building. It makes a lot of sense, for a number of reasons, to make sure that your new home plan is an eco friendly home plan. It is one of those decisions that helps us now and does a little bit for the future as well.

Aazdak Alisimo writes home articles for http://www.HomePlansPlanet.com

Upper View Of Brown Exterior Stair

Waterproofing Brick Veneer

There's nothing quite as attractive as brick for bringing a classic look to a house. Brick veneer has become an oft-used option for modern homebuilders to reduce costs, while still retaining the look that brick offers. This construction method uses standard stick-framed walls, while placing a veneer layer of brick over the outside walls. This results in quicker (and cheaper) construction, while still giving the appearance of a full brick house. Unfortunately, this method presents inherent problems- namely, moisture entering the bricks. Therefore, waterproofing brick veneer is a necessity for all aspects of upkeep, appearance and structural stability.

When a brick veneer wall is left untreated, moisture will seep into the interior walls, especially around window frames. Additionally, the moisture will begin to degrade both the appearance and performance of the brick veneer. White stains (known as "Efflorescence") may appear on the brick; they are the result of water dissolving the natural substances in the brick. More importantly, this moisture will freeze within the brick and expand. This causes a condition known as "Spalling" and will cause the brick to crumble and flake. Waterproofing brick veneer prevents both of these conditions by preventing the buildup of moisture.

While it is true that brick veneer walls will (under the best conditions only) tend to absorb and evaporate liquid on their own- that is, without any waterproof coating- homeowners cannot ensure that their brick veneer can always handle the demands that the environment places on it. The smart and sensible solution is to take steps to prevent this moisture as much as possible, in the best manner available.

There are a countless number of products that can be found for waterproofing brick veneer. However, some of these products can do far more harm than good; all-purpose surface sealers may seem like a good idea, but they are commonly acrylic or silicone based. These materials (when applied for the purpose of waterproofing brick veneer) will prevent water vapor from escaping from the interior of the house, and will therefore cause spalling.

So what's the solution? The best waterproofing tips for brick all recommended the use of a penetrating siloxane based sealer. Siloxane is a waterproofing material for brick that allows the sealant to chemically bond itself to the brick. This process allows the brick to be impenetrable against liquid water, while still allowing it to breath- and therefore greatly reduces the chances of spalling or any other damage to your brick veneer.

By following these guidelines, you can be sure that your brick veneer is safe for years to come, and that it will provide long-lasting performance. Your house's beautiful exterior can be easily preserved by following these tips for waterproofing brick veneer.

Visit us for more information on basement waterproofing materials and waterproofing basement tips.

Remodeled House Exterior With Siding

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

A Stair Lift Guide

There are three ways of providing access between floors for the handicapped or disabled; residential elevators, stair lifts and platform lifts. By far the most popular method of residential lift is the home chair stair lift.

The reasons why they are preferred by the majority is because of ease of installation and price. Residential elevators and platform lifts start at around 10k to 16k. The price of a home stair lift will depend on its type. A straight type will range in price from 2.5k - 4k, whereas a curved model is custom made and will cost anything between 5k to 20k. The complexity of the installation ultimately dictates the cost of installing a curved lift. The cost is impossible to know before the supplier carries out an onsite inspection.

Drive Type

There are four types of drive types. However, the vast majority of new stair lifts use the rack and pinion system.

Most cable drive systems use a strong steel cable - aircraft cable is the norm. The main disadvantage of this type of drive system is that the ride can be less than p5B4erfectly smooth. However, technology has moved on and those companies that still use this drive system say that the ride is as smooth as any other type. Summit and Ameriglide stair lifts both use this drive type.

Chain drive systems are used only for heavy duty models. They are loud and not really used in residential stair lifts.

The screw drive uses a lifting mechanism with a screw driven actuator. This is powered by a rechargeable battery. Again, this type is not used in home models.

The rack and pinion drive system is by far the most popular type for residential stair lifts. Rack and pinion systems - meaning gear and teeth - used to have to require regular cleaning and replacement of gear oil. However today's home units have sealed drive systems that require no maintenance at all.

The Track or Rail

This is the base along which the carriage travels. The track is always fitted to the stairs and never to the wall. This means that a track can be fitted to either side of the stairs. Tracks used in straight stair lifts are made of extruded aluminum whereas curved ones usually use a mixture of both steel and aluminum.

Power

With early designs the power source was AC mains. But today, most stair chair lifts are powered by DC 12 volt rechargeable batteries. Batteries are preferred because a trailing cable is used with AC mains powered stairlifts. The cable is reeled out and reeled back in each and eve5B4ry time the chair travels up and down the stairway, which causes wear and tear. Also, battery powered units can still be used during power outages. Some states prohibit the installation of any appliance unless it is installed by a qualified technician.

Swivel Seats

All makes of stair chair lifts offer this option. There are two types; 90 degree and 180 degree swivel seats. A 90 degree swivel seat is mounted on the upstairs side of the chassis and fold in one direction. A 180 degree swivel seat folds in both directions. One manufacturer, Stannah, makes a motorized swivel seat.

Self Diagnosing

Many brands like the Acorn Superglide and the Stannah stair lift have integrated circuit boards that can help diagnose problems with your lift and decrease maintenance costs.

Accessories

All manufacturers offer a mixture of accessories either as standard or optional. What you choose will affect the cost of the stair lift.

Perch stair lifts allow the passenger to remain standing. This is excellent for those who have problems bending at the knee. The Acorn Superglide Perch is one such example.

Just about all home units come with safety belts. Some brands come with retractable lap inertia belts, while others offer 3-point fixed shoulder belts.

Installation

Installation of today's straight models is quite easy. Many manufacturers and dealers encourage customers to self-install. However, a custo516mer should never self install and the Accessibility Equipment Manufacturer's Association strongly advises against it.

The installation of a residential lift really can allow someone to regain their home and independence. The chair stair lift that is best for a customer will depend on their requirements and budget.

Follow the links for more information on a stair chair lift, wheelchair stair lift and the handicap stair lift.

6 X 6 Post Six Inches From Dirt

Country Kitchen Themes And Colors

Designing a charming and romantic Country Kitchen with a warm, inviting atmosphere entails more than just "setting the table" with some quality decorative accessories. Whether you have a tiny kitchen or a spacious one big enough for a big maple table, you can give the space a country flavor with the right color and themed accents.

Color is a key ingredient because it makes the first impression of a room on our senses, so setting the mood is your primary concern. If you can paint the walls, you may choose a very light yellow to give a sunny glow to the kitchen. A primitive design wallpaper or stencil border will further the country look. Combining yellow and a French blue, which is a blue-purple hue, is a traditional use of Country French colors. Add accessories such blB37ue glass and amber glass, blue canister sets, potholders, oven mitts, dishtowels and blue and white check table linens and curtains. Use accents like blue tiles and framed sunflower prints or tin signs.

If your walls have to stay white and your appliances are also white, as in most apartments, you will have to rely on well-chosen splashes of color in your design accents to do the trick. You can start by finding a line of accessories featuring one bold color like red or bright blue or a theme such as roosters, berries, sunflowers or country store. Then add accents that complement the color or the theme.

Let's say, for example, that you choose a line of accessories featuring red, like apples, cherries or strawberries. A set of bold red canisters and a red cookie jar will add panache to the countertop. Your kitchen table can sport a red check or red and white stripe tablecloth and red napkins. You could use a centerpiece of fresh flowers in a red glass bowl. For a party, complete the picture with red candlesticks in white ceramic candleholders. Also consider decorative red glass bottles for a windowsill and red chair cushions. Framed prints of red fruits and vegetables dress up neutral walls.

If you choose blue for your basic color scheme, this color, particularly when combined with accents of yellow, typifies old-world charm. European kitchens feature rich, strong blues in tiles, curtains and glass dishes. At Claude Monet's country estate in Giverny (about an hour north of Paris) the huge, black stove is backed by multi-patterned blue and white tiles, a striking as well as practical design statement. (See "Monet's Table by Claire Joyes.) In the adjacent dining room, a dining table has 12-14 yellow-painted chairs and is laid with blue and white dishes on a yellow tablecloth, set off by blue flowers in tiny vases by the place settings. Another set of Monet's everyday dishes was bright yellow edged in deep blue. Stunning!

You can use green as an accent in the form of lush, leafy potted plants. Plants serve several functions: they make your kitchen beautiful by bringing nature indoors, they give off oxygen and they'll fit right in with your color scheme. If red is your main accent or theme, the green in plants will intensify this color because green is opposite red on the color wheel. They are "complementary" colors. Green is also the combination of two primary colors, yellow and blue, so it harmonizes with that color scheme also.

Match and complement your country kitchen's featured colors when you choose your cooking/serving apron as well as potholders and oven mitts. You are the star of the room and you should dress the part!

Country Kitchen decorative accents and a Free Gift at: 311http://www.CountryKitchenCountry.com

Home Help and Ideas

DIY Deck Building

When planning your deck building, you will want to look carefully at the deck railing choices that are available. Many people choose to build a deck themselves as a project, because a deck can make a big difference in the look and feel of your home. It also adds value to your home and may even be a focal point of your home. A deck will also give you a great place to entertain during the warmer months.

Deck railing comes in many different styles, sizes, and designs. You will want to make sure that the deck railing that you choose blends with the deck pattern that you have chosen. Planning and preparation is an essential part of your deck planning and building. If you prepare and plan carefully, you will find that a deck can give you years of fun and enjoyment.

Things to Consider

Here are some things that you need to consider when choosing which deck and railing pattern that you are going to us:

Location You first need to determine where you are going to build your deck. The size of your home and how it is located on your land will have a big impact upon your deck placement. You need to remember that you may have several options for your deck, including enclosing the deck for privacy or making a walkway to your deck.

Climate The climate of the area that you live in is also very important. A moist environment will dictate what kind of material that will work best for your deck railings and deck.

Style You want to choose a deck that will enhance the look of your home. For example, you will not want to put a traditional, colonial railing on a home with a contemporary style. Be certain that you keep the style of your home in mind when looking at patterns for your deck and rails.

Size The rails that you choose will be dependent upon the size and shape of your deck. You want to check with your local government, neighborhood covenant, or homeowners association because there may be limits on the size of deck and the design of the deck that you can build in your yard. If you build against their wishes, then you could be looking at steep fines or you may have to tear down your deck and rebuild it according to their specifications.

Shape Consider the shape of your desired deck when you are looking for a deck plan. You can usually find plans for almost any shape of deck, but you will want to carefully look at the plans to make sure that it meets your desires.

Preparation is the key to finding the best deck and railing pattern for your particular yard and desires. By simply doing some preparation and planning, you will find that your deck choice can give you years of fun and enjoyment.

Andrew Caxton contributes adding long articles on deck plans for http://www.deck-porch-railings.com A website with tips on deck railing plans

Traced Stair Stringer

Building Self Confidence

Standing tall, taking a deep breath, and being generally proud of one's own behavior and stature are a very pleasing and comforting trait to have. To smile about who you are, what you've done, and what you're capable of doing is no small feat, however. Building self confidence is an important part of any person's life, and it means becoming a generally stronger and more mature person. There are many reasons someone might want to build self confidence, such as wanting to shake that timid feeling, or perhaps just to be a generally better person and feel more capable of one.

Poor self esteem is more than just a personal issue for many people. Having poor self esteem is a very detrimental condition, as it prevents someone from taking as many risks as he or she should, which, in turn, can lead to lost opportunities and overall sense of stagnation. A person like this is typically heavily interested in building self confidence, but doesn't always know where or how to begin. It's really a vicious cycle because even if a person does have a few ideas on building self confidence, if they have low self esteem the individual is usually plagued with thoughts along the lines of "...but it'll never work for me."

The solution to this problem for most people is to start very small. Begin building self confidence by smiling more often. Smiling, even if it's forced, sets off emotional flags in the body and the more of those tiny flags that get set off will help in building self confidence. People around someone who smiles a lot tend to take on a lighter mood and react well to that person. If a smile is a character trait for someone, others are more likely to be amiable with him or her. A tougher element, but a necessary one for building self confidence, is to learn to shrug of criticism that doesn't matter. People naturally want to be liked and feel needed, and some individuals find one way of helping themselves feel better about them is to put down those around them. Rather than climbing to the top by their own merits, they seek to push everyone else down. If that sounds like a pathetic way to manage yourself, that's because it is, and you should not pay attention to these people.

Jerry Mathers is a personal coach who focuses on helping clients build their self confidence. Find more of Jerry's work at http://www.BuildSelfConfidence.net Start with these elements of building self confidence and get started on your own road. To find out more about how to building your self confidence, visit BuildSelfConfidence.net

Right Drywall Finishing Tool

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Great Teams - The Three Building Blocks

Google team building. On the day of writing this article I got the response, "302,000,000 for team building. (0.08 seconds)". Over 300 million web pages and articles devoted to team building.

My observation is that the more pages Google gives you, the more complex is a topic. Many more people have different ideas and hence they publish them.

Is it really that complex? I have no doubt that the execution of building a team is complex as it involves the gamut of human emotions. What I do not see as complex though are the building blocks.

My observation is that there are only three major building blocks.

Common Goal:

Teams develop around a common goal. They do not grow because we want them to. We cannot instruct a team to form and expect it to be so. Groups of people, who individually pursue their own agendas whilst paying lip service to the declared goal, do not form teams.

If the goal is prescribed for a group of people and they neither were part of its development, nor understand their part in delivering it, they will not form a team. The forcefulness of their leader may still deliver the goal but less efficiently and less effectively than if the group of people believed it was their goal.

Respect for Difference:

Teams develop as people get to know one another and develop respect for their differences. The best way to develop the respect for differences is to experience a journey together. The obvious journey to use is the one required to reach a challenging goal.

However, at times, it is necessary to short cut the journey to build a team early in the timeline to reach the goal. Team building activities such as outward-bound programmes, hiking the Kokoda trail, week-long mental and physical team challenges can and do work in helping to build a team. Properly constructed, they not only discover the differences between people but also the value that the different characteristics bring.

What also works in short circuiting the team building cycle are assessments that help us understand our differences. I do not mean assessments such as Myers Briggs which people tend to use to pigeon hole themselves and others. I mean assessments, such as thinking styles, which help understand how others think and why that may be valuable to us. Or some EQ profiles which help us understand how people interact with others without putting a label upon them.

What I find rarely works, even on the surface, are team building activities which last for a day or so. One type of these include low level introspection which discover issues but rarely give enough time for people to work through them and learn. Another type include "fun" activities which give a short term lift to morale which then disappears within two days of being back at work.

In either case, the team building effort has to eventually centre on the component parts of achieving the goal. Otherwise, the team building activity becomes a distraction from which myths and stories are told, reinforcing personal rather than team agendas.

Respecting difference is, in my experience, the strongest correlation with a strong team. People who cannot respect difference should be removed from groups of people that need to develop into a team. This is true even if they bring great technical expertise to the group.

Competence, Information and Authority

Groups of people with a common goal and respect for difference can become great teams. However, without the proper tools, they are still likely to fail due to unnecessary frustrations being put in their way of achieving the goal.

Any single person needs the right level of behaviour skills and knowledge (competence), the right information and the right authority to execute their job well. So do teams.

If a group does not have required collective competence they will fail to form a team. They will not respect the difference of a group member who is assigned tasks but not competent to do them, even when no-one in the team is competent to do the task and, therefore, could not do any better.

For example, putting a group together and affixing the title of project manager to one of them without providing them the appropriate training to manage a project will restrict the development of a team and is just downright dumb. In many cases, training is not enough. It is experience that is required, even from an external source.

Having insufficient information to make decisions holds back all but the best teams, as too many people are not comfortable working in ambiguity. Information may be insufficient in many ways. One that is often overlooked however is that whilst copious amounts of data is available, it is without context. In those situations whilst data is available, information is sadly lacking. Group members will add their own context and thereby create unnecessary difference of opinion.

Groups of people without authority to act to reach the goal, even if it is a common goal, will struggle to form a team. Not having the necessary authority to act to reach a goal is no different in its impact on people than not having a common goal in the first place. Goals must be real and achievable by the team. They must have the necessary authority.

Team building exercises which concentrate on fun and frivolity are just that, frivolous. They do not build teams. They may raise morale for a moment but they do not build teams. Spend your money on building competence, creating a common goal and building respect for people's differences.

Kevin Dwyer is the founder of Change Factory. Change Factory helps organisations who do not like their business outcomes to get better outcomes by changing people's behaviour. Businesses we help have greater clarity of purpose and ability to achieve their desired business outcomes. To learn more or see more articles visit http://www.changefactory.com.au or email kevin.dwyer@changefactory.com.au 2007 Change Factory

Stairtreadminimum

List Building Logic

List building is a prime component of networking.

Networking is a prime component of ecommerce.

Ecommerce is a prime component of a home-based business.

Home-based businesses are a prime component in dream fulfillment.

Dream fulfillment if s primary component in experiencing lifes purpose.

If you follow a trail of logic back far enough it should lead either to an answer that enhances your life or complicates it.

In this series of events we start with a marketing tool that many may overlook list building. By following the cause and effect motion begun by list building we see that it ultimately aids in the fulfilling lifes purpose as relates to business and personal passion.

A wise man once told me that I should find a way to make my hobbies pay for themselves.

For instance if I enjoy fishing I should try to find some way to make that pay for itself. Maybe my love of fishing becomes a catalyst for a business that escorts tourists to special fishing locations that may not show up on a map. Maybe it means conducting boat tours for fishing.

If my hobby is writing then I should try to find a way to use my writing to pay for itself and maybe make a little profit too.

Hobbies are often the best expression of our personal passions. Those personal passions may ultimately find voice in an online business. From that point there are natural branches that extend out to ecommerce, networking and, of course, list building.

List building is the process of seeking out (or welcoming) individuals who are passionate about the same thing you are. The end result is building a list that you can share not only your enthusiasm, but also knowledge and ideas for using the product or service you are passionate about.

Some people may view list building as either exceptionally hard work on one hand and intimidating on the other. Look at it this way, when you have good news you dont really think about whether you SHOULD share it, you wonder how many people you can share it with.

If its something you are passionate about the chances are pretty good you will want to share it with anyone willing to listen.

This is why list building is important. You should work to find ways to welcome new visitors to your website and then give them the opportunity to sign up for information that will help spread good news about a shared passion.

Follow your passion to a logical conclusion. You might find it leads to a business that relies on list building to identify motivated consumers.

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites.com at: http://www.highpowersites.com Start your own ebook business with BooksWealth at: http://www.bookswealth.com

Remodeling Home Help

List Building: Why Build An Opt In List Anyway?

Why build an opt in list anyway? This question may seem quite obvious but lets answer it anyway and set a good list building foundation.

Time was when the internet marketer developed a product to sell online and left his great sales page to sell the product to a large amount of traffic, convert a percentage of them, and make lots of money.

That was then. In as much as you can send a lot of traffic to a website sales page and expect to convert many, the reality is that the average surfer moves through sites much faster, spending less time on any web sales page. Whats this got to do with list building? Well, it has been shown that it takes a potential buyer between 7 to 10 exposures to the product before a purchase is made. Think about it, there are lots and lots of products out there.

So how can we use this information to our advantage? For starters it opens up options. Let's look at them. We could continue to drive visitors aka traffic to our websites and hope that our sales pages will do a great job in getting them to buy first time round in other words rely on the powerful copywriting with all the psychological triggers. The challenge here however, is that we have to come up with fresh traffic each time. Traffic costs money. We must look for a way to maximise the traffic that has already arrived at our website before we lose them for good.

Now, what if we could by some means capture the name and email addresses of our fast surfing visitors so we can follow them up later? Makes sense. We could send them friendly reminders to re-visit our site, perhaps once every few days, thus giving them the opportunity to make the all important 7-10 or more visits to our site that can lead to a purchase. Sounds like a great idea!

But how do we set about capturing our visitors details?

First of all we must design a lead capture page to capture the name and address of each visitor. The visitors to this page shall have no other option but to give their details or leave.

We must give them a compelling reason to leave their details a free gift worth having.

Once they accept our free gift, they are now subscribers. We now have permission to send them reminder messages via our autoresponder (you need to subscribe to one). The beauty of the autoresponder is that we get to send reminder emails to them that go out automatically at preset intervals.

These reminder messages will have the singular purpose of building a meaningful relationship with our subscribers.

To maintain a meaningful relationship we must carefully craft each email (at least 7-10) to ensure it has what our list wants.

Once we establish that we can be trusted to deliver good quality information, then our list should immediately recognise our email address and be eager to read the content and act on our recommendations.

We are now in a strong position to send them to our product website and expect a better response. A much higher response and conversion rate than if we had sent them straight to our product website without building a relationship.

Build a list. Build a relationship and get the right response. Build an opt in list today.

Claim Your Free 10 Part eCourse How To Quickly Build A Profitable List From Scratch Without Spending A Fortune

At: http://www.ListBuildingMission.com

Willi D is an expert author and marketer specialising in list building and pre qualified traffic generation techniques.

You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included.

Newel Post Stair Backing

Learning The Basics About Green Building

Green building almost seems like a fad these days. With all of the emphasis on helping the environment, it seems like being as environmentally conscious as you can is the popular thing to do. But when it comes to green building, there are a lot of ways to change your current living or work environment into something more energy efficient. Here are three ways that you can add green building to your life as well as to your home.

Water conservation is the first step in green building. Because the heating and cooling of water is something that takes up a lot of energy, you need to find new ways to perform these tasks. There are a number of 'green' solutions for this problem. Some homes install systems that are solar powered in order to heat and cool water in this way. You can also choose to recycle your water through your home in order to limit the use of water each day. This kind of system will take the water from your daily showers, clean it, and then put it back into use in the home for washing dishes, for example. You can also create a system that catches water from the environment to help you get more water.

Green Building

Next in green building is to create energy efficient electricity. Though everyone would like to install solar panels on their home, it's not always cost effective for home owners. Solar panels are expensive and installing them to provide constant energy to your home is not always the best option when you don't live in a sunny environment. Talk with local solar energy providers to see if this is an option for you. If not, or if you're just not ready for solar power, you should look into changing your light bulbs to halogen bulbs and buy energy efficient appliances. These appliances will have energy efficiency stickers on them.

Another great way to add green building to your life is to consider the waste that you create each day. Instead of simply throwing out everything, you will want to create a recycling setup that collects recyclable items. You will also want to find a compost container that will allow your food waste and paper products to be turned into rich fertilizers.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

Outside Stairs

Monday, June 9, 2008

How Packaging Can Transform An Industry

Some industries are keeping current with innovative packaging technologies better than others. Packaging innovation can move your business from a commodity driven product into a premium product category. Not only that, it can build sales and create its own unique niche with little or no competition. Entire new categories of product have been created around a single niche market that may not have existed a few years ago.

Why are so many companies not paying attention to this? They rely on the old industry standbys or packaging campaigns that are "tired" and "trite." Businesses tend to stay with the tired campaign and then wonder why sales are in a slump, or at the best, a status quo. Competition is fierce in the retail environment whatever the product. Its not enough to just create a new product or revitalize an old one you have to get it to SELL too. That's where packaging comes into play. It is your best sales tool. It needs to capture the consumers attention while informing them about the contents.

A good example of creative thinking in packaging is how the wine industry is transforming packaging innovation into more sales. They have explored several options and created products based around an unfulfilled need. They have redesigned and created new packaging that satisfies the consumers wants and desires. This is creating a demand in previously untapped markets. They are creating brands with a synergistic approach, new bottles, new packaging materials, new shapes, new labels, new dispensing features, new closures, and consequently new customers.

Here are a few examples of how the wine industry is meeting consumers needs.

The Trend: Convenience and Portability
Wine packages that can go places glass packaging can't go. There are a lot of restrictions on glass packaging. Wine has created new packages made from paper and other materials that can be easily transported and are non breakable. They also have developed a whole new market of single serve package products.

The Trend: Marketing to Women
They are now marketing to largest consumer demographic. Women purchase more wine than men yet the packaging was never geared toward women. Many new offerings have appeared capitalizing on "feminine" appeal.

The Trend: Socialization
This approach takes wine out of the category of fine dining or serving only at a special occasion. The new packages are adding to wine drinking becoming a fun experience and a part of every day life by introducing funky labels and memorable characters. The array of wine labels with an animal theme is quite astounding.

The Trend: Luxury Market
The luxury market is booming while some brands are down scaling product packaging others are moving up to more luxurious packaging. The industry is working to keep wine equated with the luxury experience.

Whatever the trend in your industry, you can capitalize on it with your product packaging. Think about an unfulfilled need and how your product packaging can capture that consumer. Don't get caught with slumping sales by not staying on top of consumer trends. Pay attention to the consumer. They know your business and might be the driver in transforming sales into profits though product packaging.

If you have an example of packaging that created increased sales through a package design change, please let me know. I'm working on an article on the subject and would love your input. Email me at PackagingDiva@aol.com

Don't wait until its too late. Make packaging your first thought--not your last.

I get hundreds of inquiries a month asking how to package products. Most of the time, they are in crisis mode because they did not think about the package until crunch time. I just got a call from an entrepreneur whose packaging was a disaster. She never thought about the role packaging plays in her products success until her retailer said "NO WAY" to her product packaging. She had to start over. As a result, she lost a great deal of money in the process.

To help others learn that lesson before it is too late, I have come up with a basic workshop offering education on packaging products to sell. Whether you are an entrepreneur, inventor, work from home mom, or a small business person with an idea or product it is imperative to understand the role packaging plays in a successful product launch. Packaging 101it is simple and offers the basics of what you need to know.

The "Nuts and Bolts" of how product packaging works and "How To" of packaging. Visit http://www.packaginguniversity.com.

Home Remodeling Books

Highrises - Fact, Fiction, Fun, and For Sale

Unlike the term "skyscraper", the term "highrise" has a fairly widely accepted definition, though the definition DOES vary somewhat depending on the perspective of the definer. According to Emporis, a real estate data firm headquartered in Germany, a highrise is a multi-storied building with a minimum of 12 floors, OR reaching a height of at least 115 feet. While these are probably the most widely accepted requirements, there are others.

The International Conference on Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings defines a highrise as "any structure where the height can have a serious impact on evacuation", while many in the construction industry consider anything between 75 - 491 feet a highrise, and anything over 492 a skyscraper. Regardless of the minimum height, the maximum height is going UP all the time, so, if living above the city - or even above the clouds - is you thing, read on.

Highrise history goes back a long way, back at least to the Romans who had buildings up to 8 stories high, despite the fact that technology did not allow for water to be pumped up that far. Walled cities in the middle ages meant city space was limited, giving "rise" to highrises from 11 to 14 stories in 16th century Britain. One of the big drawbacks about these historic highrises was the obvious lack of elevators, forcing the unlucky residents to climb many, many steps. The 202 foot London Monument, completed in 1677 (and still standing!), has 311 steps winding up its spiral staircase, while Toronto's CN Tower, completed in 1976 boasts a ridiculous 2,579 stairs - the tallest metal staircase in the world! Not surprisingly, it was the invention of elevators, along with water pumps, steel, and steel-reinforced concrete that gave us the modern highrise.

Steel was very important in the development of the highrise. In 1884 Architect William Le Baron Jenney designed a building whose entire weight was supported by a steel frame. It was Chicago's Home Insurance Building, only ten stories high, but the first of its kind: the world's first skyscraper. At around this time, England was also building towers and highrises, including Shell Mex House which actually measured taller than the Home Insurance Building. A complaint from Queen Victoria soon put a stop to English highrises, however, but by this time Chicago's attention had turned eastward, to what would become the tallest city in America.

While Chicago has the tallest building in the U.S. (the Sears Tower - 1,729 ft) New York City has the most tall buildings - a whopping 195 buildings OVER 492 feet. And while New York will be challenging Chicago's tallest building title with the construction of Freedom Tower (1,776 ft), Chicago will trump that in 2010 with the construction of the Chicago Spire (2,000 ft.). And on it goes. While Chicago and New York have the tallest and the best, most North American cities have a couple of noteworthy skyscrapers. San Francisco has the regal Trans America Pyramid, Atlanta has the 1023 foot Bank of America Plaza, Philadelphia has the new deco style One Liberty Place, and Cleveland - yes, even Cleveland - has the lofty Key Tower.

While the bigger skyscrapers have traditionally been built as a combination of office space and a massive symbol of a city's economic power, today, many of the nation's tallest buildings offer condominium and loft space. Some, like Chicago's Spire, with 1,200 luxury condos, are completely residential, others, are a mix of condos, hotel suites, and retail space. Las Vegas's City Center is a prime example of the latter type of real estate development: four unique and spectacular towers, offering a range of luxurious condos atop 500,000 square feet of retail space, services and amenities. These are just some of the more extravagant examples of the types of amazing homes available today in America's highrises.

Brian Enright is a representative of Highrises.com your first stop for Chicago Condos and Las Vegas Condos. Highrises.com provides customers with all the information they could ever need to find the perfect highrise condo.

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