What Two Words Will Double the Space in Your Home?
August 22, 2008
Just two words and a bit of explanation about them will help you to double, maybe even triple, the space in your home now. Those two words are “Go vertical.”
FUNCTION FIRST, LOOKS SECOND
That means that when you buy bookcases or other types of furnishing with shelves, make sure these items have five or six shelves. Two or three shelves per item are just wasted space. When it comes to home organization, you want to buy furnishings based on the criteria of function first and then looks second.
So if two items are both of acceptable appearance to you, always purchase the one that is most functional. If one item is slightly prettier than the other but the other item has more vertical shelving, cubby holes and nooks, choose that second item. The peace-of-mind you’ll get from having a more organized home will be much more valuable to you in the long-run.
DON’T FOLLOW YOUR EMOTIONS
Choosing a Vinyl Replacement Window Contractor
August 22, 2008
Whenever I write an article, it’s usually tailored to the do-it-yourself homeowner to help them save some money on the high cost of labor these days. This article is for the “not so handy” homeowner who wants to have new vinyl windows installed in their home. So, where do you begin? Well, the first step is to get estimates. You should always get 3 estimates. Keep in mind that the price you are quoted doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the product. For example, I used to wear the hat of Owner, Salesman, and Installer. So, when I would give an estimate, my only markup would be to pay my salary. On the other extreme, some companies have an inside sales staff who do telemarketing as well as mail solicitation. These people set up in-home estimates. Then, there is an outside sales staff who visit the customer for an in-home estimate. If the customer signs a contract, there is another employee who measures your windows. Then, the installation crew comes out and actually installs your windows. In many cases, you never even see or talk to the owner. Now, imagine if this company, let’s call them shears, was selling the exact same window that I was selling. After you got both estimates, you might be inclined to think that my product must be inferior if I’m able to sell it so much cheaper. The reality is, it’s cheaper because I pay two salaries; my salary and my other installer’s salary. The other owner has to pay his own salary plus Inside sales, outside sales, field measurer, and installation crew.
Dual Pane Window Glass Repair
August 21, 2008
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.
Powell Furniture - Make Your Kitchen A Gourmet Kitchen
August 20, 2008
Are you looking for that special something to turn your kitchen into a room that dreams are made of? Are you tired of the everyday hum drum, and envision a gourmet kitchen that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family? If so, you can make your dreams come true with Powell furniture.
The Powell brand name of furnishings is one of the most sought after brand of furnishings in the United States. Known for their superior quality and unsurpassed beauty, each piece of Powell furniture brings a little special something to the homes they grace.
First established in 1968, the Powell furniture company has grown to become the country’s leader of home accent furniture. In fact, Powell furniture can be found in 95% of the top 100 furniture retailers’ showrooms.
Powell furniture’s commitment to the stay in pace with the changing lifestyles of customers and continued commitment to customer satisfaction has led to the development of new and innovative products to meet the desire and needs of every customer.
Laminate Flooring - Cleaning & Maintenance
August 19, 2008
One of the biggest advantages of laminate floors is that they are made to look good for many years with a minimum of effort. Most laminates come with a 10 to 25 years residential warranty against staining, wearing and fading, depending on the brand. All you really need for cleaning are a vacuum cleaner, a dry mop and a damp towel for more difficult stains. Laminates are built to stand up to wear, but to keep them looking like new, here are a few recommendations.
Be aware that large pieces of sand or rock can cause visible scratching. These are usually easy to catch by having floor mats and foot brushes at outside doorway entrances. Dirt which gets pass the mats and brushes can cause invisible scratching that eventually leads to dullness. So, vacuum and mop regularly to keep grit off the floor. For dry cleaning, vacuuming is usually sufficient. Microfiber pads are also quite effective and, if available, lets you avoid involving fluids. Never clean with abrasives, scouring powder or steel wool.
How to Select the Best Laminate Flooring for You
August 18, 2008
Hardwood flooring - its’ traditional look is almost timeless, its’ beauty is unmatchable. However, it’s pretty hard to maintain a hardwood floor, not to mention the price you have to pay for it. Even with the most recent floor treatments they will still scratch, fade, dent and stain in a rather small amount of time. That’s why laminate flooring was invented. Because it’s machine made and its’ top layer is a hardwood photographic laminated surface, laminate has the look and appeal of real hardwood floors, but it’s more durable and it requires less maintenance.
Unlike real hardwood floors, laminate flooring is more resistant to scratching, staining, fading and denting. Laminates warranty range from 10 years to lifetime and it covers all of the bad things mentioned above, while entry level laminates come with a 10 to 15 years one. But they are designed for light traffic areas. I mentioned this because many people mistake and think that they will remain the same if used in a high traffic area during the warranty period. This is not true. Used in a high traffic area, they will begin to show wear and tear rather quick (usually within 3 to 5 years).
Save Time & Money Doing Your Own Basic Electric Wiring
August 17, 2008
Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is often the reason why people try doing their own basic electric wiring themselves.
I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly results of these efforts and I have come to the conclusion that basic electrical wiring is not something anyone should do without proper guidance, tools and confidence.
It is so important that before attempting any of these basic electrical wiring projects that people are aware of how dangerous electricity is and how important safety is for you and for your family and family home.
90 percent of the time I recommend hiring a licensed electrician over doing your basic electrical wiring yourself. Not doing this will usually end up costing even more money than before and increase the risk of bringing your family into danger without even knowing your doing it.
But doing your own basic electric wiring really isn’t that hard to do if you "educate" yourself on the topic.
Licensed electricians had to learn the stuff themselves too. So as a ‘do it yourself person’ this isn’t different. There is no escape possible.
A Kitchen Cart To Spruce Up Any Kitchen
August 17, 2008
Contrary to popular belief, the addition of a center island to your kitchen does not have to be permanent or a huge investment. By using portable kitchen carts or kitchen islands, you can achieve the sophisticated look that is associated with a center island without having to do a major remodel or take out a loan.
In kitchens of yesterday, the kitchen table served as the center of activity in the kitchen. This is where people prepared the evening meal, socialized and dined. Today that trend has shifted to the use of a kitchen cart or kitchen island.
In addition to providing extra workspace, today’s kitchen carts and islands offer practical solutions to storage and design issues. They can be either small or large, and can range in design from simple to elaborate. Use them to prepare foods, serve buffet style dinners, or to provide extra cupboard space. Need extra counter space? Kitchen carts are available in a wide range of sizes to give you that added space you need.
The design options associated with portable kitchen carts and center kitchen islands are endless, which means that kitchen carts can be incorporated into any style of kitchen. Whether your style is contemporary, country or formal, you can find the perfect kitchen cart to complement your particular sense of style.
Single hung aluminum window glass repair
August 16, 2008
Let’s talk about repairing broken glass in an aluminum frame single hung window. If it’s the lower sash pane that is broken, it must be removed from the inside. You are going to have one of three different mechanisms that hold the lower sash up when you slide it open. If you can’t see any mechanisms on the sides, then you have a block and tackle system consisting of a string and spring assembly. Find the thin metal clips in the side jambs just above the sash. Pull the bottom of the clip out using a screwdriver or your fingernail. Do that on both sides. Then remove any rubber stops at the very top of the window. Raise the window as high as it will go. The block and tackle assemblies will get snagged in the metal clips, allowing you to remove the window sash. You would replace the glass using the same method described in our article about sliding window repairs. Once you have the new glass installed, install the window panel in the reverse order that you removed it. Close the window and push the metal clips back. Install the rubber stops at the top.
The Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for a Mattress
August 15, 2008
Buying a new mattress is a daunting task that few relish. The range of prices, features, and stores can make your head spin. It doesn’t have to be this difficult. Bearing a few things in mind while you try and find that perfect place to sleep can ease that big purchase tension.
1. Don’t limit your mattress search to innerspring mattresses. Innersprings mattresses have long been the standard and for that reason many people are inclined to shop accordingly. Recently that trend has been changing as more and more people are realizing the benefits of getting-edge sleep systems. Latex and memory foam beds are superior to innersprings in comfort, support, and price.
2. Explore what will best suit your needs. It is easy to be swept up in advertising and form opinions about products without ever having tried them or done any further research. This is one of the biggest mistakes to be made when shopping for a mattress. Being dead set on having a memory foam bed can blind you to the possibility that latex, with its antimicrobial properties and breathability may be a better mattress for you. You may find that memory foam is what you needed, but it is important to keep your mind open.
