Plywood Roof Sheeting - Roof Framing Trade Secrets

Most framing contractor's look at the building plans and order all of the material, according to those that are specified on the plans. This works out fine, and can often save you money, but rarely produces the best home that you could possibly frame.

As a professional framing contractor, I would like to share one of my house framing tips with you. Most plans require half-inch plywood or oriented strand board as their roof sheeting. This product is fine and if you're building a lot of homes, you're not going to have the choice. Ordering larger sized plywood could cost you thousands of dollars, especially if you're building a lot of homes.

However, if your framing or building a home for someone or even yourself, you might want to take my advice and think twice about it, before ordering the roof sheeting. Half-inch plywood, works okay for 16 inch on center roof rafters or engineered truss roofing systems. It doesn't work well on 24 inch on center roof rafters spacing.

It is usually flimsy and weak at the center point, directly in between the 24 inch roof rafter bays. If you're going to use the half-inch plywood, I would recommend using plywood clips that are relatively inexpensive and can be placed in the direct center of each roof rafter bay on each sheet of plywood. These can be purchased at most home improvement centers or lumber yards.

The other alternative, and this is what I recommend, would be to use 5/8 inch plywood. This plywood works great for 24 inch on center roof rafters and you will have a nice sturdy roof to walk on, while roofing your home.

I have actually seen people step through the flimsy plywood, while lifting heavy roof tiles and bundles of composition roof shingles. Experienced roofers try to walk directly on top of the roof rafters, when loading their roof shingles or even carrying them on the roof.

If you're a home builder and your concern is about making a profit, you will need to use the half-inch plywood. If you want to build a superior roof, use the 5/8 of an inch plywood.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link House Framing Contractors.

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a excellent home inspection checklist to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Subfloor Damage From Poor Bathtub Installation - Read Bath Tub Fixture Manuals

You should never under estimate the amount of damage that water can do to your wood subfloor. Especially if this wood is underneath your bathtub. If the bathtub is not installed properly, you could find yourself replacing the wood underneath, within a short period of time. This repair is not uncommon and as more homeowners and handyman seemed to be doing projects like these, without the proper experience, it's becoming even more common.

I wish I had a solution to the problem, however, I don't. The best advice I could give anyone who is going to be involved in any home remodeling project, would be to get some books on what ever task you are about to undertake and read all of the information that you possibly can about the products you are going to be installing. This is extremely helpful for anyone who has never installed a bathtub or any bathtub fixtures.

If the product fails and was installed properly, the manufacturer should be responsible for the water damage. I have been reading the manufacturer's installation manuals for quite some time now and every once in a while, I find something that is of great value to me and I get to pass it on to my readers. That's what I'm doing right now.

Whether you want to remodel your bathroom to save money or you want to accomplish a task that you haven't done yet. I would recommend, taking the time to understand, exactly how the water flows off of and on to another section of the bath tub or shower on its way to the drain. Understanding the basics of bathroom remodeling can save you big money in the future.

Save yourself some money and make sure that you install your bathtubs properly. Taking a little time before you start to read the bath tub fixture manuals, can save you some money and grief in the future.

Find More Facts On Home Water Damage.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Check out These Amazing Home Damage Videos.

Five Things That a Termite Inspection Company Might Not Ever Say

I don't think that I've ever heard of a termite inspector, ever go to a home and not find any termites. Even if the home doesn't have any damage that is visible from the termites, it seems like it's always a good idea, to tent the home, just in case, for protection. Anyway, here's five things that you might not ever hear a termite inspector ever say.

1. Your house is free of termites. This means that there isn't, one termite on your property and the termite inspector isn't going to make any money. Let's face it, termite damage, whether it's visible or invisible, keeps these guys working.

2. Your house isn't going to fall down, if I don't do anything to stop the termites. I have seen homes, where termites have been working on them for quite some time and they still seem to stand up and function properly.

3. Termites don't eat much and I wouldn't worry about the damage. Most termite inspectors will tell you how much a termite in Hawaii or Africa will eat in a day, but doesn't seem to have an honest idea, how much damage they are doing to your home, if they can't actually see it.

4. Every one that works for our company, has at least 30 years experience, repairing any termite damage. Don't even get me started with this one.

5. We will replace all of the termite damage wood, back to its original condition. What they might say, is that they will replace the wood that is damaged by termites, that you can actually see.

There are plenty of great termite companies out there and this article was meant just to have fun with most of them. Termite damage can be a serious problem with some homes and I would suggest that you contact at least three termite inspectors, before proceeding ahead with any home repairs or use of chemicals.

Try not to forget, the only way that a termite inspection company will make any money, looking at your house, will be to find something wrong with it.

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

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

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

What If My Contractor Does Not Return My Call

This is one of the biggest problems in business today. You have some work done on your home in good faith that the contractor knows what he is doing. When all is said and done you have a problem that needs to be resolved as soon as possible. I really don't care how long it has been since the work was done. If you have a problem the least that your contractor can do is answer the telephone.

Some companies go out of business and others get to busy to respond to your problem. You will hear the old excuse "That's not my problem" or the ever popular " I didn't do that". I have been in business for over twenty years and had very few problems. Of course I built things to last as long as possible.

Keep in mind that some contractors are a one man operation and they might be on vacation. Some contractors do not answer their phones over the week ends or after business hours. So don't sink the ship to fast.

Do not call the Contractors Licensing Board or the Better Business Bureau unless it has been at least a few working days. I would give it at least a week or so. Oh yeah don't assume that the contractor got your message. Call a few times at the least.

It has always made me mad when I have to fix someone else's problems. I get the call when the other contractors won't respond. I listen to the home owner with regret for being in a business where I am considered a crook. This is one of the reasons why contractors in my business get out of it.

If you have the contractors address and they aren't responding by phone you can always send them a letter by certified mail. Request a return receipt. That's your proof that the company received your letter. Keep a copy for your files.

The good news for a home owner when a contractor will not respond to your calling them is the Department of Consumer Affairs. Most states have a complaint department of some sort that will listen to your complaints. Does this mean it will get resolved? NO there are no guarantees here.

If your state has a licensing board for contractors, this will be your next step.

This will get your contractors attention and there is a great chance they will respond now. If there are enough complaints against the contractor and they do nothing about them the contractors board will take their license away.

If your contractor does not respond after all of this. There is very little you can do about it. Hire someone to fix the problem and look at it as a very important lesson learned.

If your state doesn't have a contractors licensing board contact the Better Business Bureau or your local government for their recommendation. Ask some of your friends if they have had any problems like this and how they handled them.

For some more tips about hiring contractors go to
http://gregvan.com/library/homeowner_checklists.htm

Greg Vandenberge has been in the home building and remodeling business for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information.

His website http://gregvan.com provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book.

Plumbing Problems and Solutions - Repair Manuals

If you've owned a home for over 20 years, there's a very good chance, that you've had a water pipe break, a drainpipe clogged, a toilet that wouldn't flush right, or a water leak that damaged part of the home. If you don't know, what you're looking for and you have no idea what damage can be done, over time, this could mean trouble for the homeowner.

Plumbing problems like these have been around and will be around for many years. Knowing what to do about them, how to repair them and what materials will be needed, can be found in plumbing repair manuals for books. How would you like to have a professional plumber to advise you on your plumbing repairs. What if I told you that you could have a plumbing professional on hand at all times. Is this something that you might be interested in.

Well I can't guarantee that, so let's forget about what I just said and go to the next best thing. Plumbing repair manuals are full of tips and advice that when needed can sometimes be priceless. If water is leaking from the ceiling in your home and you have no idea, where the water is coming from or how to stop it from leaking, any information could be priceless and I mean priceless.

Plumbers, usually charge over $100 an hour for emergency service. I've seen plumbers come to peoples homes, turn the water off to the house, stop the water from leaking and now it is no longer an emergency. The plumber quickly pulls out an invoice for the plumbing repairs and it could be over $1000, if you decide that this is ridiculous and choose not to pay it, the plumber can hand you a bill for stopping the water leak. Some of these bills are what I would consider quite ridiculous, for just shutting the water off.

You're not paying the plumber for the amount of time it took him, you're paying him for his knowledge. If you knew where to shut the water off, you wouldn't have an emergency situation and could contact a plumber during normal hours. This could save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

With a simple home repair manual or a home plumbing book, you could prepare yourself for a situation like this and other plumbing problems. Most home repair manuals have general solutions and advice and can solve most of the problems around your home. If they can't solve all of the problems, they can probably save you from major catastrophes like a water leak.

Most of the time it's not the water leak that will cost the most money, it's the damage the water will do to your furniture, carpeting, wood flooring, walls or ceilings. A little information and preparation can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Home Plumbing Books

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Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Basic Home Electrical Wiring - For the Do it Yourself Home Electrician

The Green Bay Packers were one of the most successful football teams and Vince Lombardi said something to them that I will never forget," This is a football." All the football players laughed and he said that we're going to start with the basics and that's what I'm going to do, with this article.

Let's start with our electrical wire, the two most common electrical wire sizes, that will be used in most homes, will be 14 and 12 gauge electrical wire. Let's clear something up, right off the bat, the smaller the number, the larger the wire. In other words a 12 gauge electrical wire is a little bit larger and will carry more electricity, for longer distances than a 14 gauge wire.

What about electrical outlet plugs? These plugs are usually the same, except for the fact that they come in different colors. When I said that most electrical plugs are the same, I'm talking about your standard wall outlet plug. There are different electrical plugs that will be used for air conditioners and some kitchen appliances like 220 Volt electric stoves and ovens.

What about your home's light switches? Your standard two way light switch will usually turn a one light on or a group of lights on, from one location. A three way light switch will usually turn one light on or a group of lights on from two different locations. A four way light switch, will usually turn one light or a group of lights on from three different locations.

It doesn't get any more basic than that. I hope this gives you a better understanding about your home's electrical system.

If you're really interested in learning more about remodeling, new home construction, home maintenance, home repairs and really want to get the nuts and bolts of home improvement. Visit our web site and select from the best-selling home building books on the Internet.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more home inspection pictures or home building ideas.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors

Isn't tile grouting supposed to be simple, if you read the directions and watch a couple of videos? What could make tile grouting so difficult? Grouting your tile isn't that difficult, by the time you're done reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea how to grout your floors, bathrooms, kitchens and anything else that requires tile.

I used to have problems grouting tile, but after I read the directions, I became a grouting wizard. This sounds hard to believe, but after reading the directions on the tile grout bag, I became a grout master. I know, you the type of person who never read the directions, you simply add water, mix and start grouting.

It's time to change your thinking about, whether or not the directions will be helpful. Whether it's about grouting your bathroom floor or putting together your home barbecued. I read one thing on the grout bag and it changed my entire grouting career.

The grout should slake. After you're done mixing the grout, you should wait between five and 10 minutes to let the moisture soak into the grout mix. Do this once, and you will never go back to mixing your grout and applying it, as quickly as possible after it has been mixed.

For more information on grouting, remodeling or home repairs, I would recommend reading books on home improvement and home repairs. Some of these books can make a big difference in your home improvement abilities as a handyman. I would also recommend reading more articles, there's plenty of information about tile and grouting, all over the Internet.

Click here if you are looking for some more Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

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

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks for reading the article

How to Protect Foundation Plumbing Pipes?

If you install any underground plumbing pipes, in your concrete building foundation, you will need to protect them, from the concrete. You can use a variety of products and the most common of them will be a Styrofoam wrapping that can be purchased at most plumbing supply stores.

Let's start with the waste pipes, that are made out of plastic. The concrete could actually start to put pressure on the plastic pipes as the concrete starts to expand and this pressure could actually damage your new waste pipes.

You don't need to wrap all of the plastic waste pipes, only the parts of the waste pipes that will be exposed or in direct contact any concrete, but you do need to protect every copper water supply line that will be buried under the ground or exposed to the concrete, with a plastic sleeve. These products can be purchased again at most building supply or plumbing supply stores.

If these pipes aren't protected properly, you could find yourself within a short time, repairing the pipes that are either inside of your concrete foundation or buried underneath your concrete foundation. Either way, this isn't going to be a good thing.

You definitely need to wrap a plastic sleeve around the water supply pipes that are going to be buried or in direct contact with the concrete. This is a must and most building departments will require your plumbing pipes to be wrapped, before it they will sign off on your rough foundation plumbing inspection.

However, for the waste pipes, you can actually use cardboard to protect them. If you're short on funds, why not grab some cardboard boxes, dismantle them and start using cardboard to wrap the pipes, with a little duct tape.

There are plenty of ways to save money in the construction business, buy a few books, read a couple of articles, with a lot of pictures in this can provide you with lots of construction information, from experience building contractors.

Check out some of the best selling Home Building Plumbing Books all on one website

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

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks for reading our articles

Plywood Roof Sheeting - Roof Framing Trade Secrets

Most framing contractor's look at the building plans and order all of the material, according to those that are specified on the plans. This works out fine, and can often save you money, but rarely produces the best home that you could possibly frame.

As a professional framing contractor, I would like to share one of my house framing tips with you. Most plans require half-inch plywood or oriented strand board as their roof sheeting. This product is fine and if you're building a lot of homes, you're not going to have the choice. Ordering larger sized plywood could cost you thousands of dollars, especially if you're building a lot of homes.

However, if your framing or building a home for someone or even yourself, you might want to take my advice and think twice about it, before ordering the roof sheeting. Half-inch plywood, works okay for 16 inch on center roof rafters or engineered truss roofing systems. It doesn't work well on 24 inch on center roof rafters spacing.

It is usually flimsy and weak at the center point, directly in between the 24 inch roof rafter bays. If you're going to use the half-inch plywood, I would recommend using plywood clips that are relatively inexpensive and can be placed in the direct center of each roof rafter bay on each sheet of plywood. These can be purchased at most home improvement centers or lumber yards.

The other alternative, and this is what I recommend, would be to use 5/8 inch plywood. This plywood works great for 24 inch on center roof rafters and you will have a nice sturdy roof to walk on, while roofing your home.

I have actually seen people step through the flimsy plywood, while lifting heavy roof tiles and bundles of composition roof shingles. Experienced roofers try to walk directly on top of the roof rafters, when loading their roof shingles or even carrying them on the roof.

If you're a home builder and your concern is about making a profit, you will need to use the half-inch plywood. If you want to build a superior roof, use the 5/8 of an inch plywood.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link House Framing Contractors.

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a excellent home inspection checklist to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors

Isn't tile grouting supposed to be simple, if you read the directions and watch a couple of videos? What could make tile grouting so difficult? Grouting your tile isn't that difficult, by the time you're done reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea how to grout your floors, bathrooms, kitchens and anything else that requires tile.

I used to have problems grouting tile, but after I read the directions, I became a grouting wizard. This sounds hard to believe, but after reading the directions on the tile grout bag, I became a grout master. I know, you the type of person who never read the directions, you simply add water, mix and start grouting.

It's time to change your thinking about, whether or not the directions will be helpful. Whether it's about grouting your bathroom floor or putting together your home barbecued. I read one thing on the grout bag and it changed my entire grouting career.

The grout should slake. After you're done mixing the grout, you should wait between five and 10 minutes to let the moisture soak into the grout mix. Do this once, and you will never go back to mixing your grout and applying it, as quickly as possible after it has been mixed.

For more information on grouting, remodeling or home repairs, I would recommend reading books on home improvement and home repairs. Some of these books can make a big difference in your home improvement abilities as a handyman. I would also recommend reading more articles, there's plenty of information about tile and grouting, all over the Internet.

Click here if you are looking for some more Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

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

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks for reading the article

Getting the Right Contractor For Constructing Your Deck

When planning to build a deck, most people find it difficult to select a reliable contractor, more so when they have no past experience in this area. To overcome this hurdle, what you can do is to look around at the decks that seem attractive to you and then find out who the contractor of these decks are. In this way, it will be possible to build a list of contractors about whom you can be confident as to their expertise in the deck building arena. Another way to select a good contractor is to apply to your local chamber of commerce for suggestions. Whichever way you obtain a list, make sure to interview the potential candidates personally before you arrive at a decision. During the interview process, give a correct idea to the contractor of all the things you want him to build on the deck so that he can provide you an accurate estimate of the cost that you will incur for constructing your deck.

Hiring an experienced person is always a wise course to pursue. You should look for a minimum of three years' experience in your contractor as this will have provided him all the skills needed to do a satisfactory job with your deck. Apart from this, it is essential that you work with a licensed contractor to avoid legal problems that may occur later. It is also crucial that the firm you hire has a good insurance coverage which can come in very handy in case of accidents caused to the workers during construction or any harm to your property. Taking precautionary measures like checking up with the insurance company after having taken a copy of the insurance policy of the firm will further help you avoid future complications.

Another thing that will help you choose the right contractor is to ask for references and personally ensure that other people who have hired your contractor have a good opinion of him. In this way, you can also verify whether the contractor has a reputation of meeting deadlines and staying within the prescribed budget. When formulating the contract, make sure that the contractor specifies every aspect of the deck like the materials that will be used, how the payment will be made etc.

After having finalized on the correct person for the job, you should arrange a place in your yard for storing the lumber required for the job. You should also see to it that utilitarian aspects of your house like the gas lines, water lines, electrical wiring, drains etc. do not come to any harm when constructing the deck. Obtaining all the necessary permits that are required for the job so that the work can be carried out smoothly without any hindrances is a must. Finally, you should take care to periodically inspect the progress of work so that you end up having the deck that you have always dreamt of.

Adam Peters is an online entrepreneur and writes for many consumer magazines. Gather more information and resources on starburst deck railing at http://www.deck-porch-railings.com/starburst.html

Getting Rid Of Horrible Attic Sm

More Than a Garage

Today's garage, in some ways, is simply an update of the nineteenth century carriage house. Compared to today, those structures seemed more important and therefore more time was taken for planning both the look of the buildings and their relationship to the home. Often the carriage house was part of a barn or stable and occasionally included living quarters above.

I consider the character and placement of a freestanding garage as important as locating the house on the property since the addition of a garage begins to make an isolated house into a compound. A garage structure can be used to block winter winds, an unsightly view or to simply provide an attractive element in a landscape composition.

When a client asks us to design a garage for their home, one of the first questions we ask is: "Do you think you would ever need additional living or storage space?" and most of the time the answer is "Yes". Compared to building free standing guest quarters or studio space, the second floor of a garage is the best deal in town. Since you already have a roof and foundation, the additional costs include taller side walls, a stronger ceiling/floor, and a stair to create usable raw space for storage.

Once the building is framed, finishing off the space can be accomplished modestly or at great expense just like you would any room in your home. A living space over an unheated garage does present some unique challenges. First the floors as well as the roof must be very carefully insulated. Secondly the water and septic lines must be insulated until they are in the ground below frost line. The garage space must be separated from the living space by fire rated sheetrock and any door into the living space from the garage must also be fire rated.

As far as taking care of cars, we have designed garages with radiant heat in the slab as well as air conditioning. For one car collector we included lifts and an oil changing pit as well as a two story viewing gallery.

Whether you need a simple structure to cover a car, a place to display a valuable antique, or a multipurpose building for cars and guests, the architectural details and the relationship to existing structures is as important to consider when designing the garage as any building on your property.

http://www.crisparchitects.com/

James M. Crisp, AIA is an architect working in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. To see photos associated with this article go to: http://crisparchitects.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html

What To Do If Your Home Floods

Dual Pane Window Glass Repair

For the past few weeks, I have been explaining how to repair a broken window pane in your home. But, what if you have dual pane windows? Is the process the same? Well, pretty much, except for a couple of variations. So, let's review the single pane repair process, and I will point out the differences regarding dual pane windows.

When we start talking about dual pane windows, one of the first things that comes to mind is vinyl window frames instead of aluminum. When dealing with dual pane windows, you can have either aluminum or vinyl frames, depending on the year the house was built. Dual pane glass got popular in the 1980's, but vinyl frames didn't really catch on until the 1990's. So, if your house is less than 10 years old, chances are you have vinyl framed windows. In either case, I will discuss the differences. Let's say you have a sliding aluminum frame window with dual pane glass. The procedure for removing the frame from the opening and the glass from the sash is the same as with the single pane windows.

The differences are, first, the glass goes into the frame about twice as far as the single pane window. The single pane window glass went 1/4" into the surrounding rubber. The dual pane usually goes 1/2" into the rubber. So, if both pieces of glass have been broken, you are going to have to order a new IGU (Insulated Glass Unit) from the local glass shop. They are going to want to know the width, height, overall thickness, and possibly the individual glass thickness. The best way to get the dimensions is to measure the width and height from rubber to rubber, write those numbers down. Then, remove the panel from the opening and place it on a table like we did with the single pane window. Remove the screws from opposite corners and pull of the frame. You will be able to see how far the glass goes into the surrounding rubber. If it's 1/2", then you want to add 1" to the width and height that you measured previously (1/2" times two sides= 1"). Then, measure the overall thickness of the unit by removing the rubber from the glass edge.

Typically, this dimension is 1/2", but not always. There is a metal spacer that divides the two panes of glass. Make a note of the color so you can request the same color in the new IGU. It's either going to be silver or bronze. If you want to get the same size spacer you need to give the glass shop the thickness of each piece of glass in the IGU. If the old unit has 1/8" glass on both sides, and the overall thickness of the unit is 1/2", then they will use a 1/4" spacer. If the glass is 3/32" on both sides, they will use a 5/16" spacer. If you don't care about matching the spacer thickness, you can request the thicker 1/8" glass, and they will automatically use a 1/4" spacer.

When you get the new IGU home, the installation is the same as the single pane window. Now, what if only one side of the IGU has been broken? Many times the outer pane will break, but the inside pane is fine. You can order a whole new IGU Like we just did, or, if you're the adventurous type, you can order only the single pane of glass that was broken and replace it. I'm going to explain how to do it, then i'm going to tell you the things that can go wrong. After you have the window pane on the table with the surrounding frame removed, you will see a black rubber type substance around the edge where the spacer is applied. This is a butyl sealant, and you have to separate the broken glass from this butyl. The best way to do it is to take a utility knife with a new blade and break through the butyl where it meets the broken glass. Then, take a new hacksaw blade, and push it into the area where you sparated the butyl from the glass. You don't want the hacksaw blade to be attached to a hacksaw. Using your hand, saw back and forth as you work your way around the edge of the glass. This should allow you to remove the glass.

Once that's done, lay rags on top of the good piece of glass to catch any debris, and scrape the surface of the spacer that will be contacting the new glass. Use a putty knife. Then, remove the rags and debris. When you are ready to put the new glass on, clean the inside of the good piece of glass that you didn't remove. Remember, once you install the new glass, any debris or finger marks on the inside will be permanently sealed. So, clean it real good and check it from all angles. Do the same to the side of the new glass that will be going to the inside of the IGU. Then, run a thin bead of clear silicone around the entire perimeter of the spacer. Set your new glass on the spacer and use finger pressure to adhere the glass to the silicone all the way around.Then, come in from the side, and run silicone around the side where the glass and spacer meet. Cover the window opening with something for 24 hours. You do not want to touch the IGU for 24 hours. The silicone needs to cure. After 24 hours, you can assemble the unit and install it back into the opening.

There are a couple of things that can go wrong. The first one is leaving marks on the inside portion of the glass. Once you seal the glass, you cannot clean what's between the panes. The other thing involves condensation between the panes. If you have even the slightest break in the silicone seal around the glass, chances are you will beging to see moisture form as soon as the nights get cold and the days get warm. You are going to have to decide if you are confident enough in your ability to do the job right, or if it's better to pay the extra money to have it done for you. Just because you pay someone to do it, doesn't mean you still won't encounter the same problems. The difference is, they have to guarantee their IGU for a minimum of 1 year. I have received many units over the years that had marks in between the glass. The beauty of it is the manufacturer can't dispute it, because there's no way anyone else could have done it except them.

OK, what if the window frames are vinyl instead of aluminum? Well, the main difference is the glass in a vinyl window no longer has the rubber gasket around the edge. You dont remove the opposite corner screws and separate the frame from the glass. What they do is put either silicone or a two sided tape on the lip of the frame where the glass rests. That's what holds the glass in the frame, then they apply a snap in stop on all four sides of the glass. So, you have to remove the stops first, then turn over the panel and break the seal holding the glass to the frame using a utility knife. Wear gloves during this procedure. If only one side of the IGU is broken, don't even think about repairing just the one side. You will never get that IGU out of the frame without breaking the other piece of glass in the process. But, on the positive side, you can remove the stops without taking the panel out if it's a slider. You can then measure the dimensions of the glass, and order the new IGU. That way you eliminate any need to temporarily cover up your window. The same is true for the stationary portion of a slider, or a picture window. Before you install the new IGU, be sure and clean the lip that had the tape or silicone, and apply either silicone or tape. Either will work.

You will discover that replacing an IGU in an aluminum frame window is a whole lot easier than a vinyl window. But, in either case, you can do it yourself and save a few bucks.

John Rocco has been installing replacement windows since 1978. To learn more, visit How To Install Windows

Stud Spacing And Wall Framing

Tumultuous Twenties

You have always heard and assumed this would be the time of your life. From entering into college, college life, from graduating to living a new "adult life style" with new found freedom, responsibilities and relationships, what more could you want? Actually, it could be more than you bargained for.

Why are my friends doing so well? How come I feel stuck? Why did I choose this major? Should we break up or get married? Am I the only one married with kids? How am I going to pay off my debt? Wil I be able to buy a house? The questions keep coming and young adults today are feeling more out of touch than they expected to be at this stage of life. How can anyone expect you to make major life decisions when you are not sure of what you want or who you are?

Pondering decisions you need to make about school, careers, relationships and money might be enough to send you into a tailspin or at least many sleepless nights. It has for many other young adults in their twenties and into their thirties. These can be a time to start figuring out who you are and want to be, what you might want now and where you might be headed in the future. There is a great deal of pressure to feel completely grown-up overnight. You could still be enjoying college life, living with your parents and before you know it you are faced with pressures and expectations you were not prepared for.

Many young people in this generation have felt helpless, hopeless and have struggled with the post college blues. Symptoms can include feeling guilty or worthless, anxiety, depression, a sense of being overwhelmed, sadness, and varying degrees of other emotions. Today these twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings are hearing from previous generations, they are lucky to have all of these opportunities. Withall the options a state of confusion and many roadblocks can present during this journey.

Early adulthood can often be a tumultuous stage of life. This is a time in life where self awareness and honesty can become invaluable. Too much pressure and distorted thoughts can really make a tough time tougher. This is a time to discover what works and what doesn't at this time in life. Developing a plan of action for life that is reflective in ones beliefs and working towards them can help you feel more productive, as well as empowering. This is a great time for self exploration and a chance to answer provoking questions that present.

Ways to help you be Proactive in your life:

-Recognize others share these struggles and obstacles, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
-Make decisions based on good judgment, not because you were pressured
-Start to identify strengths and weaknesses
-Set realistic goals
-Seek support when needed
-Treat self with respect and care (Set a good routine:eat, sleep and exercise regularly)
-Be proud of your accomplishments, both big and small.
-Remember one day at a time.

As a therapist working with young adults and families who are experiencing transition in their life, I have found many struggle with the same questions that develop when life offers numerous roads to take and it often looks like the picture is too big. Watching people learn to trust in themselves and develop a healthier sense of self enables these individuals to feel more capable of making more confident decisions in their life. As well as helping them feel more present and active in their life.

I Have A Squeaky Floor

Choosing a Contractor and Comparing Bids

Whether you are doing a remodeling project in St. Paul or Minneapolis-or somewhere else in the world-one thing remains the same: choosing a contractor is one of the most important things that you will do. Having a great contractor on your side is extremely important and will make the difference between a mediocre remodel or one that is excellent. Of course while you are on the lookout for a top notch contractor, you are going to want to compare bids that contractors offer you along the way. You'll find that there is a lot of room for negotiation when it comes to the bids on the remodeling. So, when you do get a bit, you should learn to negotiate to make sure you get what you want. If you are ready to start comparing bids, here is a closer look at what to look for in bids, comparing them, the materials to consider, and the best tips for finding the best possible bid out there.

Things to Look for in a Bid
First of all, before you can really make a decision on contractor bids, you are going to have to know what you should be looking for in a bid. This is something that occurs before you sign a construction contract. So, here are the top things you need to look for in contractor bids on construction services for your home.

- Clear Definition of the Work - One thing that you should be looking for in a good bid is a clear definition of the work that you need to have done. The bid should be very specific about this. Having some plans included is a great idea, with the initials of the contractor at the bottom of the each page of the plans that have to do with their proposal.

- Dates of Starting and Completion - Another aspect to look for in a good bid is the dates when the contractor is going to state and when they propose to have the project completed.

- The Insurance Provisions - The insurance provisions should also be included in any bids from contractors. You will want to know what is covered and who is going to be providing that coverage.

- Price of the Bid - Of course the price of the bid should be included in the bid. Of course not just the price should be included. However, how the price will be paid should be included and when the money should be paid should also be a part of the bid. Here you should find how long the bid is going to hold as well.

- Responsibility of Cleanup - The responsibility of the cleanup is another thing that should be included in the bid that the contractors give to you. The last thing you want is to get left cleaning up everything on your own. So, make sure you see on the bid whether they will clean up after the work or if they are going leave it all up to you. This can definitely make a difference in the bid that you decide to choose, so read very carefully.

- Conditions that Can Lead to Withholding Payment - - Any conditions that can lead to you withholding payment is something else that should definitely be included on the bid.

Tips For Comparing the Bids
Once you have several different bids from various contractors, that include the construction services that will be offered and more, then you will need to start actually comparing these bids so you can go on to have a construction contract drawn up and signed. Carefully compare these contractor bids. You want to make sure that you go with the best possible option for your needs. A great way to compare is to come up with a comparison sheet so you can easily compare these bids. This will allow you to more easily see how the bids compare to each other. Remember, the price is not the only thing that you are going to want to consider. The quality of materials and amount of work is going to matter as well. Go for the best value for your money, not just the lowest price.

Keep the Quality of Materials in Mind
Product material quality is an important consideration when you are taking a look at the contractor bids that are offered to you. You need to realize that the lowest price that is offered to you may not be the best deal for you. Make sure that you look at the materials that are going to be used. Make sure that the materials used are going to be quality. Why pay less only to have lower grade materials used on the remodel? So, ensure that you keep this in mind when you are looking at the bids.

Top Tips for Finding the Best Bid
So, you may be wondering how you can find the best possible contractor bid. Well, there are several ways to do this. First of all, you need to go through the bids line by line. This way you get a good idea of the comparison. Go with the more experienced and quality contractor as well, even if they don't have the lower price. Consider trying to negotiate the price. Let them know you'd love to have them work with you, but you have a limited budget. They may be willing to come down a bit on the price quoted in the bid. If you never ask about a lower price, you'll never know if they will come down a bit. So, make sure that you get out there and do some negotiating so you and the Minnesota contractor can come to a good agreement.

Visit http://www.RemodelMinnesota.com to learn more about a the remodeling process as well as working with a contractor. John Mazzara is involved with financial services in the Twin Cities, MN. Officing out of Edina, Minnesota-John is centrally located within the 7 county MN metropolitan area. John owns three separate businesses-a licensed real estate broker associate selling Minnesota real estate since 1986-affiliated with RE/MAX Associates Plus http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com, an independent CFP-certified financial planner since 1989 with an independent Minnesota financial planning firm-Financial Planning Associates and the owner of a Minnesota mortgage broker firm-Venture Development Inc-specializing ins residential, commercial and investment mortgages If you are looking for someone to help you in the areas of real estate sales/purchase, mortgages, or and/or financial planning and insurance you should call John for a free 1 hour consultation to see if he can meet your needs. 952-929-2577. RE/MAX Associates Plus and Venture Development are located at 7300 France Ave S, Suite 410, Edina, MN 55435

I Have A Squeaky Floor

How to Seal a Concrete Driveway - House Help

Sealing a concrete driveway is a simple, inexpensive and fast way to maintain the value of a home. Your concrete driveway is one of the first things people see when they drive up to your home. That is why it is a good idea to keep the concrete driveway looking as good as the day it was installed. Sealing the concrete driveway with a penetrating siloxane concrete sealer will give years of protection to the driveway. Another name for them is siloxane water repellent.

How Concrete Driveways Deteriorate

Water that penetrates and expands from freezing does most of the damage to concrete driveways. That is because the water expands 9% in volume when it freezes. This expansion can physically break the concrete bonds and cause it to flake, pit, spall and crack. Sealing the concrete reduces the amount of water absorption.

De-icing salts do damage to the concrete also. The salts attack the surface layer of concrete and the steel reinforcement inside the concrete. When de-icing salts are applied, the melted water can enter the concrete and then refreeze as the temperature drops.

Sealing the concrete with a penetrating siloxane sealer, also called a siloxane water repellent will reduce water and salt uptake and the number of freeze-thaw cycles the concrete goes through.

Penetrating Concrete Sealers

Concrete driveways are high traffic areas, with cars entering and leaving and kids using them for basketball courts. That is why your concrete driveway needs to have a penetrating sealer as opposed to a surface sealer.

A surface sealer is just that, it is applied to the surface and does not penetrate. The surface sealer will wear away rapidly from use. Every time a car pulls in or someone bounces a ball on it, a little bit of the sealer is removed. Some surface sealers can make the driveway slick and dangerous when it rains because the rough texture is covered up.

On the other hand, a siloxane sealer penetrates below the concrete surface. Siloxane sealers form a hydrophobic barrier against water and de-icing salt attack. They are commonly called siloxane water repellents. Because they are below the surface, they are protected from wear on the surface of the concrete. The natural texture of the concrete is maintained so traction and safety are not a concern. Finally, because the concrete sealer is below the surface, there is no shininess or gloss to the concrete.

Step 1. Let the Concrete Cure

Freshly poured concrete cannot be sealed. It must cure for 21-30 days prior to application of a penetrating sealer.

Step 2. Clean the Driveway

Broom off any loose debris such as dirt, mud and leaves off of the driveway. If there are any oil or grease stains, these should be removed to the best of your ability with a pressure washer.

Step 3. Allow the Concrete to Dry

Water-based siloxane sealers need to have the concrete dry for 24 hours prior to application. No rain should fall within this 24 hour time period. This will reduce the dilution of the siloxane sealer and ensure that the maximum amount gets into the concrete substrate itself.

Step 4. Spray, Roll or Brush on the Sealer

It doesn't really matter which method of application is used, but of course a roller is faster than a brush and a pump up garden sprayer is faster than a roller. No other special equipment is needed. You do not need to worry about getting it onto plants or grass. If any gets onto metal or windows, wash it off immediately with soapy water and a sponge.

Apply only enough concrete sealer that a slight whitish color is seen. Any ponding of material should be spread evenly prior to drying.

Step 5. Keep Rain and Traffic off of it for 24 hours

The sealer will dry in 1-4 hours but it is a good idea to keep cars and traffic off of the driveway for 24 hours. Application should occur when rain is not in the forecast for 24 hours after application to give the sealer plenty of time to penetrate and seal.

Once cured the siloxane sealer becomes a bonded component of the concrete driveway. A properly sealed concrete driveway will give years of protection from damage. The return on investment will be worth the time and expense of application.

This article is written by Aaron Kuertz who's with Applied Technologies. Aaron has been in the waterproofing industry since 1998. Applied Technologies is a manufacturer and supplier to professional waterproofing contractors and homeowners in the United States.

For more information about concrete siloxane water repellents, visit Applied Technologies.

Installing A 32 Inch Back Door

Learning About the Dumbwaiter

Dumbwaiters have been used for many years to make tasks around the home much easier. They are a type of small-scale elevator, which can usually support around a hundred pounds. Some lifts that are installed in businesses can support much more weight than this though. Often a commercial dumbwaiter will support over seven-hundred pounds. Dumbwaiters that are intended for use in homes are usually much smaller though. For the home, you can go with a manual or electric dumbwaiter.

The manual dumbwaiter has been used for thousands of years. At their simplest, they are just a platform and a rope. The rope is used to raise and lower the platform. While it would be possible to simply throw the rope over a rafter, most people use a pulley to help reduce the effort it takes to raise the platform. There are also several more advanced designs that move along tracks and use screws or gears. Most manual dumbwaiters will drop if you let go of the rope, but some are designed with safety stops so that you can let go of the rope if you become tired or need a break.

Some people still use manual dumbwaiters, but most choose to go with an electric dumbwaiter. These are much easier to use, because the only work you need to do is load it up and push a call button. These lifts usually move along a track that helps keep the track much more stable than most manual dumbwaiters.

They also have many safety features built in, that prevent damage to the lift, but also keep those that use it safe. The main safety feature these lifts have is automatically locking doors. The shaft of the dumbwaiter can sometimes be more than twenty feet long, which could prevent a fall risk. The doors on an electric lift are made so that as soon as the car moves away from the shaft opening, the doors lock. This means that it is not possible to open up the shaft way door, unless the dumbwaiter car is present.

The installation of an electric lift is usually able to be done in an afternoon, but it requires a good amount of technical understanding. Often a professional installation team will be used, but by purchasing a dumbwaiter kit that is easy to install, the process could be much easier, so in turn less expensive. One kit that is easy to install is the AmeriGlide Express. This comes with the drive system and lift already installed, so it drastically cuts down the time it takes to install the lift.

Aside from the obvious physical task of having to manually move a dumbwaiter, manual dumbwaiters also are not able to support anywhere near as much weight. Usually an electric dumbwaiter will support around a hundred pounds, but many support more than this, or can be upgraded to do so.

Installing one of these lifts in the home is an excellent way to increase productivity around the home. They will also often become something that helps to add value to the home after it is built, which is a very important consideration today.

Sean, a writer, knows much about lifting devices like the dumbwaiter. Around the home, these devices make it much easier to get the groceries to the kitchen or do laundry. They have countless applications and are also very popular commercially.

Learn more about these and other mobility aids at AmeriGlide.com, which is the leading distributor of stair lifts. A stair lift is a device that transports a person up the stairs. They usually attach directly to the staircase and can be installed easily by the homeowner. Cost wise, a stair lift will usually present a much more cost friendly solution to falls on the stairs.

Resolving Home Remodeling Anxiet

You Can't Afford That Garage - Home Tips

For those of us who have a home that did not come with an attached or detached garage but could use one to house our cars or need one for storage, it is overwhelming to find out how much it costs to build a standard garage.The foundation alone is more than most of us can afford right now.

There is also the hassle of the code process with the local building departments as well as hiring a good and competent contractor who can deliver the job for the quoted amount.It seems that, in the world today, very few jobs come in at the quoted price.It just does not make since when you break it all down into dollars and cents.

Now what to do?What you need costs more than you have but you still need a garage!Believe it or not, you do have a few choices.If you need some type of covering for your vehicles, a carport may work for you or a portable garage that is more like a plastic sheet structure that can go from place to place.

Even though you may think it crazy, you will need to check with your local codes or community boards to find out if you need any type of building permit to construct these structures. It is always better to find out before you purchase and install any of these than to find out you have to tear them down because you did not get the correct permit.

Another great and cheaper way to go is to put up a plastic garage, otherwise known as a vinyl garage.These garages have a great reputation for being sturdy and come in various sizes so you can customize whatever you need.The more extra storage you need for storage, the deeper the garage you can buy.

Another great garage that is a lot more inexpensive and comes in varying colors, shapes and sizes are the metal garages that can be put up over a weekend.These are economical for residential and commercial uses and are a good choice for many areas of the country.You can determine by your region the correct structure for snow load and wind speed.

The bottom line here is if you are in need of a garage, there are a lot more choices than you may realize.Find the one that works for you and go for it!

It's easy to construct a Duramax garage. There are other great outdoor products and structures for your home and garden to choose from.

Concrete Patio Gofer Damage

What Type of Safes Are Available Without Getting a Really Big One?

Often when I think of a safe, I think of a large, rectangular, reinforced metal "box" for placing valuable or firearms. Though these large types of safes are available, and there is a very good reason to have one, they are not the only options out there for protecting your valuables. We do not have any firearms in our house, so we do not need large. But we do have some valuables and important documents that we would like to keep safe, especially in case of a fire. After doing a bit of research, I decided that I really like Sentry safes, so I took a look to see what they offered, and was impressed with the large range of different types of Sentry safes.

One nifty type of safe is the in-floor safe. It is a cylinder tube that is about 15" high that is installed in the floor of your house. With the top flush with the floor, the safe is easily concealed under a rug. It comes with a combination lock and contoured handle. It says that it is easy to install in wood or concrete floors, and can be used in new or existing homes. It is not very big, but if you do not have a lot of items to protect, and have a desire to keep it hidden, an in-floor safe is a good option.

For a small family or single person, a great option from Sentry safes is a security chest or box. They are not very big, but are perfect for protecting basic documents such as birth certificates, wills, insurance papers, passports etc. Small external hard drives or thumb drives also easily fit, though you would want to make sure that the chest is classified to protect such data since electronic media is damaged at a lower temperature than paper. They are very compact and versatile and easy to grab and take with you in an emergency. Chests are also available with waterproof seals. I found out that these are some of the most popular Sentry safes in the world!

Most everybody has certain files that must be protected, and even all the documents that we have are sometimes nice just to keep better organized in a file type system. For those of you are are super organized, a security file may be for you! More than a file cabinet, it is an actual secure file box, with the same fire and security protection of any of the full sized Sentry safes. Also available with a waterproof seal.

If you have a business with a lot of keys for different buildings or vehicles, then Sentry safes offers keyboxes. It allows you to keep all of your keys organized and color coded, as well as secure from theft in one nice, safe location. Also great for small businesses which has to move cash around are Sentry's safeboxes. They come with removable cash trays. Both of these types of Sentry safes are key locked.

A nifty little safe that I had not seen before are Sentry safes for autos. It seems that more and more people have valuable in their cars, especially with all of the electronic gadgets available today. The auto safe is compact and fits easily underneath a seat so it is out of sight from quick hit thieves. It has a key lock and a steel cable that allows you to anchor the safe to a seat or in the trunk, so the thief cannot just grab the safe to quietly break into somewhere else.

Last but not least, and one of the coolest and innovative things to hit the market, is the fireproof and waterproof external hard drives by Sentry safes. They have direct USB connectivity to your computer so that you can keep all of your files safely backed-up. The concept of keeping your files backed-up is not new, but the extra peace of mind to know that your external hard drive is also safe from fire and water damage as well as dust and dirt is truly peace of mind that cannot be found in a regular thumb drive or hard drive. You can also just keep it on your desk, and do not have to remember to back up your files and then put your hard drive back into a regular safe, so very convenient! Developed with Maxtor, this is probably just the first of this type of product to hit the market.

After doing this research, I think that I need more than one type of safe! I like the chest safe for basic documents, the fireproof hard drive for all of our electronic media (especially since we have so many digital family photos that I would hate to lose), and an auto safe for the valuable items we seem to often have with us in the car. So, of all the Sentry safes, which ones are best for you?

MJ writes for ClickShops Inc, which offers a great selection of Sentry safes at http://www.gunsafes.com

I Have A Squeaky Floor

Mosaic Tile Fireplace - Read Before You Install!

Mosaic Tile Fireplace gained immense popularity in recent years by home-makers. If you look for a quick way to redecorate any surface at home, you should try these natural stone panels. Want to learn how it can help you redecorate your home? Read the following article.

Some background

Mosaic Tile Fireplace is about collecting identical natural stones that are attached onto a 12" mesh backing, thus providing that seamless desired tile. Whatever the reason is, one thing is obvious - most of these natural panels are originated from the same part of the world, and indeed most of them are originated from S.E. Asian islands. Decoration ideas provided by this easy tiling technique are countless: Flooring (including patios), bathrooms, backsplashes, kitchen walls, and much more.

Main advantages

When we examine the advantages and benefits provided by this tiling technique, we find the following:

* Easily installed over existing surfaces such as old ceramics or plain concrete.

* It can easily be adjusted to very small / narrow surfaces where other fixed size tiles such as conventional ceramic tiles can't.

* Provide unique atmosphere and contemporary look and feel to any room setting.

Important advices!

* Avoid using any ready-made grout on wet areas like showers floor or showers backsplashes - use any other standard dry powder based cement.

* Measure the designated area first, and then add 5%-7% more to your order just as a backup for future use and in case you may need to repair or cut small tile pieces in order to tile small /narrow spaces.

* Don't rush! - make a plan; make sure you know how to install these panels, even make a small trial first just to see that you can handle it with no problem.

Summarizing this article

Mosaic Tile Fireplace installation is very simple as you simply lay the panels next to each other and they inter-lock, creating a totally seamless, hand-crafted mosaics appearance. We could easily find many other great benefits provided by this quick redecoration option, simply because most people find it extremely easy to install and maintain. It is recommended to keep the above advices before installation.

Get creative! - Learn more about how you can easily decorate any surface at home with Mosaic Tile Fireplace.

Wood Flooring Problems In Bath

Framing Basement Walls Can Provide Warmth and Comfort

If you have any experience at carpentry working with framing basement walls can be fun and save you a lot of money. If you have no or very little experience with carpentry you can still learn with the right desire.

So you have an unfinished basement in your home and would like to create another room like a recreation room or laundry room or basement study you can do it. The first thing you need to do is know there are two areas that you will be framing, the outside walls of your basement and the inside walls to create the rooms within.

The outside walls or perimeter walls are the walls that you can either construct to provide warmth and added comfort or just construct as walls to provide added pleasantness to the basement. Framing Basement Walls to provide warmth and comfort is the best way to go if you plan to use the rooms in the basement as part of your living area.

If you want the basement room to be warm and comfortable, you will need to use 2 X 4 wooded studs for your framing around the perimeter. This will let you use insulation between the studs to provide the warmth required between the outside foundation and the inside wall.

The interior walls will also be constructed of wooden 2 X 4 studs, but normally don't require insulation between the studs. If you want added noise protection adding insulation to the inner walls can help deaden sound.

When you spend time framing basement walls correctly you will have a more functional basement area to add value and comfort to your home.

Looking for ways to have an artful and creative basement wall? Discover practical basement remodeling ideas online and turn cheap basement ideas into dream basements at a budget.

Homemade Wind Turbine - Can it Really Be Done?

A homemade wind turbine is an easy and economical way to make your own energy. Wind Turbines convert renewable wind energy into electricity for you to use in powering most anything (or everything) in your home. Clean and efficient, wind power will allow you to stop paying thousands of dollars to the electric company.

If you have been looking into alternative energy for any length of time, you have already discovered the one big drawback. It is very expensive to purchase a system. But, it doesn't need to be. You can very easily and cheaply build your own... a homemade wind turbine.

Having your own wind power will give you:

• Clean and reliable energy for years to come.
• Allows you to reduce or eliminate your electricity bills.
• You may be able to sell your unused energy to the electric company.
• Receive valuable tax credits on your taxes.
• It is available day and night, when solar power is unavailable.

This energy can be used to power anything in your home. Kitchen appliances, computer, lights, hot water heater, washer and dryer... What ever you can run with electricity. Couple your energy production with some electricity reducing ideas and you will be on your way to self sufficiency. You will be able to easily produce a unit for $100-$200 and see immediate results in savings.

There are numerous ways to go about building a homemade wind turbine. Anyone can do this. The easiest way is to purchase a quality manual with step by step illustrated instructions.

See http://www.makerenewableenergy.weebly.com for a detailed list and review of some quality manuals that will have you using your own homemade wind turbine in no time at all.

Retractable Awnings Make Backyard Deck a Great Place For Resting In Summer

Backyard deck, patio and terrace are great places for resting. You can relax there at the end of an exhausting day. You can also take your friends, relatives, family and guests there for a perfect entertaining session as well.

However, being open the places become too hot during summer. Even when cold evening breeze starts flowing, the places remain hot because the floor radiates accumulated heat of the day after sunset. The only way to keep the places cool is to protect them from direct exposure to sunlight.

Awnings come really handy for sun control and element protection. By providing shade awnings make your deck, patio and terrace the perfect place for relaxing even in the summer.

Common types of Awnings:

Awnings come in different shape, size and types. Fixed and Retractable awnings are quite popular. Retractable sunshades are added with a lot more functionality over fixed awning. That is why retractable sun protection shades are becoming so popular these days.

The main advantage of a retractable awning is that it can be folded off when you do not need it. You can keep the deck covered through out the day when the sun is too harsh and remove the shade in the evening. Since the area was covered, the floor would not have absorbed much heat. Hence, the place would be comfortable in the evening.

You can also pull it back when the weather is not calm and protect the awning from possible damages. Fixed canopies often suffer damages due to sustained wind or heavy downpour. Thus retractable sunshades are more durable and cost-effective.

How the awning is retracted?

Retractable awning can be folded manually or automatically. Modern awnings are motorized and can be folded simply without any hard work. Manually retractable awnings need human involvement. It depends on the size of the awning to decide whether or not a single person would be able to control it.

And those extra square feet.

Covering the deck with awning is equivalent to expanding your home. You get an outdoor room without spending a single penny on construction. Now, it is up to you how you would use this extra room. It can be just a sitting room, or a space for relaxing or waiting room for visitors.

Classifying Retractable Awnings based on the raw materials used:

Canvas and aluminum are widely used by awning manufacturers. Aluminum has the ability to reflect sunlight away from the awning surface and thus can keep the covered space cooler. In case of canvas, some portion of light and heat can still penetrate. The thickness and the quality of the material regulate what amount of heat and light can enter into the deck, patio, or terrace.
Canvas retractable awnings are better-looking than aluminum awning generally. Canvas awnings come in different styles and looks; hence it is easy to find a canvas awning that suits the aesthetic of your home. On contrast, aluminum awnings last longer and do not fade. Homeowners buy both types of awnings depending on their specific requirements.

If you finally decide to install retractable sunshades on your home, deal with a local awning manufacturer. Local companies understand the weather and craft the awning accordingly. If you are a resident of Florida, work with Tampa Bay Awnings to make utmost use of your awnings.

Do you have a new home or RV vehicle and you are looking for a commerical awnings company to customize an awning for you? There are some great Commercial retractable awnings distribution centers that will give you the best deal possible.

House Drywall Application - Home Building Tips

Let's start with the basic eight-foot sheet of drywall. Most drywall contractors apply drywall horizontally however I have seen some contractors working with metal stud framing install 10 foot sheets of drywall vertically.

The reasons for installing the 10 foot sheets of drywall up and down or vertically in this situation are quite simple. There is no structural strength required in these walls because they are simply partitions dividing rooms and usually the drywall only needs to be finished up to 9 feet. This is the only time I have seen drywall ran vertically.

In a wood framed house the drywall actually adds a little sheer value to the home itself.

The manufacturer suggests installing eight-foot sheets of drywall horizontally. The horizontal application of drywall means installing the 4 foot side of the drywall up and down and the eight-foot side of the drywall side to side.

What is the reason for installing the 4 x 8 sheets horizontally?

When it comes to finishing the drywall the 4 foot seams that run up and down or vertical will not be as noticeable as a seam running up and down the entire wall. If you haven't read one of my last articles on eye level window setting then let me give you a brief eye level education.

A person 5'8" in height will be more apt to notice things between 4'6" off the ground and 6'6" off the ground. If we ran the drywall vertical there is a good chance the eyes would be able to pick up any finishing flaws in the drywall. Running the drywall horizontally will just put us a little out of range from the lower eye level of 4 foot six with our finish.

Another reason for installing the drywall horizontally is there is a good chance your eyes would be able to pick up four foot lines in the wall going from floor to ceiling quite easily. On older homes you will see lines in the ceilings about every 24 inches. This is because the plaster or drywall ceilings is starting to sag in between the ceiling joist.

These lines are difficult to do anything about once the drywall is finished. The only alternative you would have is to remove the ceiling and re-drywall and finish it.

Drywall ran vertically will tend to crack easier than staggered drywall ran horizontally. The four foot section of drywall is stronger than the 8 foot section. If you stagger your drywall breaks every four feet this will increase the strength of your wall as well.

Try not to break the drywall at any door openings. The door openings seem to crack easily from the corners working their way towards the ceiling. Let the drywall run over the doorway and then cut the doorway out leaving the rough door opening during wallboard installation.

If you have ever seen a house that was drywalled by a professional crew the waste is unbelievable. The reason for this is simply that the drywall contractor does not want to come back and patch cracks in the walls three or four years after he is done. It can be quite labor intensive installing scrap pieces of drywall versus using larger sheets to cover the same area.

Don't forget and always remember that. Horizontal installation of drywall is recommended by the manufacturer.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Residential Lighting - Aesthetics & Function For Home Improvement

It has often been said that the right kind of lighting has the potential to raise property values, and in general enhance living spaces and office aesthetics. Thanks to the continuous evolving and revolution of style and function, residential lighting can be beautiful and something to admire while still remaining functional and cost effective. You'll easily find many different styles of residential lights to meet your design needs.

Grow lights on the other hand, are not so much about being pleasing to the eye, as they are more geared towards being a functional form of lighting. A grow light is used to promote growth in a plant by emitting the same electromagnetic spectrum that photosynthesis needs to take place. There are many different types of grow lights available, with each giving off certain colors, spectrums, temperatures and light waves. Grow lighting is desired by those who are interested in growing plants because they give off the same daytime rays, tones and color temperatures that natural sunlight does. You can pick the right grow light for your growing needs by looking over a color rendering index and choosing the appropriate solution.

Then there is commercial lighting. Commercial lighting blends contemporary style with the need to provide appropriate lighting in a functional manner. You'll find commercial lighting in use in just about any non-residential setting you can think of. These settings include stadiums, stores, outdoor arenas and even the streets and roads that are lined with street lights. Commercial lighting solutions are available based on form, function, energy savings and cost effectiveness. Mix and match commercial lighting options for the desired result and attributes.

All of these types of lighting - residential lights, commercial lights, grow lights - can be used as an application to make living more enjoyable and more functional. Without lighting, we'd have a pretty hard time of it once the sun set.

If you would like to shop for these types of lighting, any hardware store or discount retailer will have their own selection of them. But for the greatest overall selection and best prices, look to the internet as your source.

Many websites, such as http://www.accessdiscounts.us - have a large selection of lighting solutions available.

Sam Brown is a personal shopper, avid gardener and home improvement specialist with tips and solutions for residential lighting, Grow lights and commercial lights.

How to Make a Coffee Table

Recently I decided I wanted to update my family room with a new coffee table. However, rather than spend hundreds of dollars, I chose to make a coffee table from inexpensive items I picked up from a home improvement store. The same coffee table could also be made from recycled items. Here's how to make a coffee table!

Step One: Choose the top of your table. I picked up an unfinished pine round at the home improvement store for $30. You could also use old shutters or a small antique door, or even an old ladder topped with glass. Use your imagination for a creative coffee table!

Step Two: Choose legs for the table and the appropriate hardware to attach them. Again, I just picked up screw in turned legs you can buy at the home improvement store, and attached them with simple and inexpensive brackets sold right next to the legs. The brackets are attached to the bottom of the table top with screws, and then just screw the legs into the brackets. Make sure you measure and mark where you want each leg to go before you attach the brackets. Also, take care to screw the legs in straight.

Step Three: Finish the table as desired. I painted my coffee table black enamel, and then finished with several coats of water based polyurethane for durability.

Designer look coffee table at a fraction of the price! No power tools required. If you wanted to use a precut wood round from the home improvement store like I did, but would like to cut costs, here's an idea. Instead of the finished piece I bought, pick up a pressboard round and then decoupage it with pretty paper to cover. Paint the legs, and then seal the entire piece with polyurethane to protect.

There you go, great directions on how to make a coffee table easily, quickly and cheaply! Remember, no matter how tight your budget, you can decorate your home with The Budget Decorator!

A photo of this project can be found at http://www.thebudgetdecorator.com/how-to-make-a-coffee-table.html

Want free home decorating ideas? Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating columnist for LifetimeTv.com, and editor of several popular home and garden websites. For hundreds of free do it yourself home and garden ideas, please visit her websites now at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com

Why Solar Energy? - 5 Reasons to Use Solar Energy

Many of us are aware of the changes being made to our climate causing weather patterns to severely alter around the globe but what are the major factors attributed to this anomaly? One of the major factors to Global warming as it's called is the emissions of Carbon Dioxide from power stations still burning fossil fuels.

Relying on coal oil and natural gas endangers our future. Toxic pollution global climate changes and the knowledge of diminishing fuel supplies is causing social unrest but we are adding to all this every time we use electricity. Instead of continually using fossil fuels that are unsustainable we should be looking to transform our world economy and global warming by using the alternative renewable energy that's so abundant on our planet, namely solar energy.

Here are 5 reasons why we should be using Solar Energy

1. All over the States people have been left without power. In California alone over the past few years Millions have constantly experiencing power cuts. Experts tell us this is just the begriming.

2. The Earth's population is estimated to reach 10 billion over the next 40 years so with energy sources depleting rapidly now is the time to make more use of Solar Energy for our power electricity needs.

3. Solar energy is clean, easy to use and solar panels and solar installation kits are constantly being improved upon while coming down in price.

4. Cost Effective: Using Solar energy to run electrical item in our homes was once thought of as too expensive but after the initial installation has been paid for there are no ongoing cost's so it's more cost effective in the long run.

Just think, the cost of electricity on the Grid is constantly increasing so by installing your own solar power you could pay off the installation fees in a few years easily from the amount you will be saving.

5. It may surprise you to learn that just a small fraction of the solar radiation that hits the earth could in fact replace the worlds energy consumption. Take into account that sunlight is a free commodity and you have another reason to use Solar Energy.

So to recap on why we should be using Solar Energy to replace fossil fuels. It's cleaner, it's not toxic, homes do not have to be connected to a national grid allowing remote places the luxury of electricity.

The earths population is increasing rapidly while our natural resources are depleting making it imperative that we use an alternative energy supply. And lastly it's a free resource that's in constant abundance.

Saving money is great but saving the planet is something we should all be doing our part in. By installing solar panels you will save money on electricity bills and help save the planet. To find out more about how solar power energy works and how easy it is to install visit http://www.solarpowerenergysaving.com

HVAC Home Improvement Tax Credits

HVAC home improvement tax credits are back by popular demand, or should I say, unpopular demand.In 2005, the Bush administration implemented the federal tax credit for energy efficiency.This tax credit covers a broad spectrum of home improvements, but for the sake of this writing,we are concentrating on the HVAC, home improvement tax credits that allow homeowners to take advantage of direct tax credits for replacing older inefficient heating and air conditioning systems with higher efficiency, Energy Star rated appliances.

The original 2005 program ran through and expired at the end of December, 2007.Home improvements made during 2008 were not eligible for this program, but, in light of the ever increasing economic downturn nearing the close of last year, on October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008."This bill extended tax credits for energy efficient Home Heating & Cooling System improvements. Tax credits for these residential products, which had expired at the end of 2007, will again be available for improvements made during 2009.

The following Tax Credits available for these HVAC improvements include:

$300- Split System Air Conditioning- 15 SEER Minimum
$300- Air Source Heat Pumps- 9HSPF or 15 SEER Minimum
$150-Gas, Oil, Propane Furnace or Hot Water Boiler- 95% AFUE Minimum
$50- Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan- < 2% furnace total energy use

What this means to you the taxpayer, by purchasing.For example, a qualifying air conditioning unit, along with a qualifying gas furnace, where the additional advanced Main Air circulating fan, which in layman's terms "variable speed drive", you would qualify for up to a $500 tax credit that you can apply to your 2009 federal income tax filing.

If you're considering upgrading you're heating and air-conditioning system, 2009 will be a great year for that, and these additional tax credits will allow you to upgrade your homes energy efficiency.It is important to note, that not all ENERGY STAR qualified homes and products qualify for a tax credit. Tax credits are available for a number of products at the highest efficiency levels, which can cost more than standard products.ENERGY STAR distinguishes energy efficient products which, although they may cost more to purchase than standard models, will pay you back in lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time, even without a tax credit.

These tax credits are not automatic.You must submit a form that authenticates your specific qualifying brand and model numbers.Your HVAC contractor or supplier should furnish these documents.Qualifying brands and models can be found at the U.S. Government Energy Star Website.

Jay Boyd owns his own heating and air conditioning store Home Air Direct where he helps the do-it-yourselfer save money. His blog site Ask Boyd contains numerous tips and stories involving the HVAC industry.

Remodeling Green Takes the Right Mindset

To a real estate investor remodeling green may mean the money they are going to make from renovating that ugly house they just bought for a SUCH A DEAL price. To others, it means they want to preserve the earth and not waste energy, building materials or resources when they remodel their home. Some homeowners and contractors look for and use only products that are advertised as being green, or being manufactured in a way that is as non-toxic as possible. They may put in new appliances and HVAC units that are energy efficient. And build new properties with an eye to energy efficiency in the construction methods applied. That's all good.

Another way to remodel green is to think about what may be thrown in landfills when it could be used again. Some demolitions are done too quickly and roughly to save much of anything. Taking some time there can keep hundreds of pounds of good building materials out of the waste stream. I once had someone tease me on a job site because I was taking some time to remove a few nails from lumber. I had found some 14 foot long hardwood 2x6s with no knotholes and two or three nails in each of them. Hey, I'll spend 15 minutes any day to save $100 worth of wood from being dumped. I doubt you could get lumber that good anymore in most places without paying a stiff premium price. Bring me a truckload, please. You woodworkers know what I'm talking about. Yes, there IS wood pretty enough to admire and remember. Think about each component that you are removing, or working on, during a renovation and decide on a way to remove it with the least damage. Someone may want it if you don't. Haste DOES make waste!

One of the tricks I've done is to keep the area of a countertop that has to be cutout for sinks, etc. I install legs using common items I may have recycled from somewhere else and add those little caster wheels that can be bought cheaply in most large home improvement stores. The ones with locking mechanisms are nice. All you have to worry about is smoothing the cut edges and installing edging or simply routing the edge into a nice shape. You can have a matching rolling portable countertop space without spending much time or money. Oh yeah, don't forget to see if someone can use the old countertop and sink for a garage parts washing basin, garden potting center or maybe a fish cleaning station for the outdoors folks.

If you cruise the tool aisles, I'm sure you know about the great numbers of handy dandy gadgety items for sale. Nail sets are nice, but if you don't have one, try using a nail with a slightly larger head than the one you are driving. A tap or two with the nails head to head and your nail is set. Ever seen one of those plastic nail holders that keeps you from banging your fingers and waking the neighborhood cats with your wailing? Try a small piece of cardboard instead. A little notch and your fingers can be protected. Or the plastic spreaders sold to apply many materials. You can use the plastic lids found on many food containers in the grocery store. You can cut a round lid in half and have a nifty spreader of a custom size. Or the plastic pans sold to hold a small amount of the liquid materials for outrageous prices. Try one of those plastic tops they use on bakery cakes, or the microwave convenience food plastic bowls instead . Instead of buying a sanding block, why not try using a small scrap piece of wood from your projects? Egg cartons can be used to organize small items. It's my mission not to let any plastic have only one use in my household. Only problem is, if it is a while before you need them, these saved treasures may change your nickname to pack rat, but multiple use recycling is remodeling green so who cares? You get the idea. Go for it!

For more interesting information and resources visit us at: http://www.mynetmagic.com

Why Your Refrigerator is Making Weird Noises

Are the sounds or noises from your new refrigerator driving you mad? Does your new refrigerator sound loud, noisy, weird, unusual, crazy, funny, or about to break? Then read on.

If you hear an unusual sound try to isolate the source. This alone may lead you to the culprit. It may also lead you to the realization that it is simply an idiosyncrasy of modern refrigeration systems.

Modern refrigerators can make a wide variety of unusual sounds. This is a result of both the new ozone friendly refrigerant being used, plus the complexity of some refrigerators.

The following are some sounds your refrigerator may be producing:

Ice Cracking -----

Probably ice being produced by the icemaker. Or the heating elements in the defrost system may be removing the ice buildup off the cooling coils.

Ice Cracking 2 -----

If you have an ice storage bucket you may be hearing the ice cracking or snapping as it expands. Primarily heard during the summer, and shortly after the freezer door has been opened. Warm air invaded the ice bucket and caused some of the ice cubes to crack or expand.

Water Running -----

Probably hearing the icemaker filling. Usually heard every four to six hours.

Water Bubbling -----

Some times described as the sound of a fountain. Primarily heard on refrigerators with a water dispenser. May be the water storage bladder inside the refrigerator section. Usually hidden behind a crisper or shelf. It pre-cools a small amount (one or two glasses) of water so the water dispensed is not warm. Could be caused by an air bubble within the bladder, or the sudden warming of the bladder itself. Sudden warming can cause the water to expand. Sometimes heard when standing with the refrigerator section door open for few minutes.

Water Dripping -----

The defrost system may be operating. If accompanied by hissing, youre hearing water hitting the defrosting elements. Water dripping sound often heard as the result of water flowing off the cooling coils during defrost, and down the drain tubing. Sometimes accompanied by a gurgling noise. These sounds are normal.

Gurgling --------------

Primarily the sound of refrigerant evaporating (boiling) as it enters the cooling coils. Usually heard just after the refrigerator starts or stops. This is a normal sound for modern refrigerators. In extreme cases may require the addition of a sound-adsorbing pad.

Whistling -------------

Air moves around the interior of many refrigerators even when the refrigerator appears to be off. The air is being moved from a cold area to a warmer area. This eliminates the need to start the compressor simply because one area needs more cooling.

Whirring --------------

Associated with the redistribution of cold air within the refrigerator. It is probably the door to an air chute being opened to allow air to pass through. Often described as a whirring or ticking noise, it is the sound produced by a small electrical motor used to open the damper.

Air Blowing ---------

As described above the fan has been turned on even though the refrigerator compressor is still off. The air heard is the fan motor moving air to another area. Often heard within the freezer section. Air noises are also more prevalent because fan motors are quieter. Air noise accompanied by a fan running sounds normal. An air noise by itself sounds weird.

Once you have isolated the source of the sound you can then decide whether you require service. Generally, the answer is, no. Consumers simply want to be assured that the noise is normal. Or at least that it not about to break down.

Modern refrigerators have become very complex. With this complexity have come some unusual sounds. But in the end you are the person who will be living with this refrigerator for the next ten years. It's your decision.

Copyright 2006 by Donald Grummett. All right reserved.

His website gives you access to many more articles and FAQuestions about household appliances. Plus a Recycling guide, Stain Guide, and Industry News. Let him help you via his always informative website at http://www.mgservices.ca