Why Wainscot?

Are you remodeling your home or redecorating a room? Wainscoting can add the decorative and protective quality you're looking for. What is wainscoting and why should you consider it? Here is a brief history and some reasons why it is so popular.

Wainscoting is a material that is attached to the bottom portion of a wall throughout a room. The traditional material is wood (or faux wood) but today it comes in a variety of materials and textures. These include marble, stone, tile, fabric and plastic that is meant to look like other materials, e.g. stone, wood and marble. Some have even gotten creative and used old door and window frames. The panels are installed between the baseboard and the chair rail which is at the approximate height of the back of a chair (between 48 and 54 inches from the floor).

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Installing a wainscot got its popularity in the mid nineteenth century and was commonly made from the wood of wagons. These panels were installed vertically in a tongue and groove fashion and were originally meant to hide wall joints. In the 1900's, higher (about 60 inches) fabric wainscoting was popular in formal areas such as dining rooms. The fabric used varied but they were generally rich in color and some had intricate patterns. The panels were separated by thick molding to add elegance and show craftsmanship.

Due to wainscoting's rich history, using it adds an element of the past and touches of elegance to any room. In a new home that can appear sterile, it can add warmth and beauty.

Wainscoting isn't just for aesthetic purposes but is also durable and can help protect your walls. Children and pets can easily leave marks on walls but with wainscoting, those marks will easily wash off. When chairs and tables slide and hit the wall they usually leave a mark over time but with wainscot the wall is protected. If you have an older home then moisture can build on your walls due to lower standards of constructions. Wainscoting will help protect your walls.

It can also serve to flatten a warped wall or uneven drywall. Wainscoting can also cover up a water stain or other damage. If you have plaster walls then it can hide cracks and prevent new ones from forming.

Wainscoting is surprisingly inexpensive. Depending on the material you use, it should only set you back a few hundred dollars. The installation is not too difficult either. Tongue and grove makes it easy and the finished project looks professional. Some even come precut so there is no guesswork involved.

So if you're planning on redecorating or remodeling, consider using wainscoting. It's not only decorative and protects your walls but it's inexpensive and easy to install.

Why Wainscot?

The columnist Jack Blacksmith is really interested in things associated to table router and router table basics. You might discover his writings on routers and tables over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com/rout/routertabl.html and different sources for routers and tables information.

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Soundproofing Techniques - Home Improvements With Big Payoffs

You can find soundproofing techniques both for individual rooms and for your entire house, and the selections of which ones are most suitable for you situation will depend on three factors: where your home is located: what sort of noise you want to eliminate: and how much you can afford to spend.

Soundproofing Techniques For New Homes

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If you are having your home built, you can get an early start on soundproofing it by having your doorways staggered so that none of them is directly across from another one. In doing so, you'll prevent the noise from one room from being transmitted across a hallway and echoing around the home's interior. You should also request that your contractor design each room so that at least 25% of it will be taken up with sound-absorbing materials like draperies, carpeting, or furniture. If you can afford it, also request that your walls and ceilings have soundproofing mats installed.

Soundproofing Techniques For Existing Homes

If you are trying to make an existing home quieter, and are bothered by noisy floors on the upper stories, you can remove the ceilings beneath them and add triangular wooden strips to both the floor joists and the floors themselves. You can also consider using a liquid adhesive to secure the squeaky floorboards so they move around less.

Another of the commonly used soundproofing techniques is to frame back-to-back walls with a double set of disconnected wall studs, and add some fiberglass insulation to deaden sounds. If you live in a traditionally framed home, your wall framing and drywall will allow sound to pass through your walls from one room to another. The wall studs attached on one side of the drywall will transmit the sounds from one room through it into the drywall of the other room to which they are attached.

You can dampen the sound transmitted in this fashion by installing fiberglass batts, but in order to eliminate it completely, you'll have to put up a separate set of studs for both the walls, so that the noise from one room can't be transmitted to the drywall of the other.

Soundproofing Techniques For Windows

In addition those you use on your walls, ceilings, and floors, you should find some Soundproofing techniques to employ on your windows. Think about using both vinyl window frames and double-paned glass, because although you'll pay more for double panes, you'll be rewarded with both quieter and a more energy-efficient house.

Finally, one of the soundproofing techniques which will not only make your home less noisy, but add an attractive privacy accent to its interior, is to install shutters on the insides of your windows.

Soundproofing Techniques - Home Improvements With Big Payoffs

You can also find more info on Soundproofing. Soundproofingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about sound proofing item.

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Husqvarna Chainsaw Prices - How To Find The Right Chainsaw

Price is a big consideration when purchasing a chainsaw. Spending a small fortune on a saw and then letting it sit in your tool shed without using it is a little extravagant. Many will obviously look towards the main brands such as Husqvarna and Stihl to purchase their saws.

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This article is intended for first time or home users and we'll use chainsaw giant Husqvarna as a guide to purchasing the right sized machine for your needs. The following Husqvarna chainsaw prices should only be regarded as a guide.

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Small Chainsaws

For upwards of 0, a homeowner can purchase a good quality saw which will perform most of the tough jobs around the house. For example, the Husqvarna 137 is an ideal saw for part time users. It is extremely easy to start with enhanced safety features such as a double acting chain brake.

For a couple of hundred bucks, this is the type of machine a part time user should consider. Husqvarna chainsaw prices are pretty hard to compete with but it will pay to scan some of the forestry forums and ask whether there are cheaper priced options available.

Electric Chainsaws

These are a great alternative to the gas-powered models because of their lightweight and low noise factor. This makes them particularly ideal in major cities or suburban areas.

You'll obviously be restricted by freedom of movement because of the power chord attached to the machine but for jobs such as pruning and trimming, these make more economical sense.

Gas And Electric

Alternatively, if you live on a large block of land, either suburban or country, why not consider having the best of both worlds. Many chainsaw owners have both gas and electric machines which gives them plenty of options. For example, if wet weather is hampering the use of your electric chainsaw, then the gas-powered model can be used.

Price consideration becomes a factor here because Husqvarna chainsaw prices can be a little pricey in the electric range. This is a good time to consider the alternatives. Brands such as Craftsman, McCulloch and Remington offer some excellent alternatives for and above.

The main drawback with the cheaper models when comparing them to brands such as Husqvarna is you'll be missing some of the components associated with the gas versions however, by following good safety protocol, this shouldn't be a reason for not buying.

Husqvarna Chainsaw Prices - How To Find The Right Chainsaw

Want more chainsaw tips and advice including chainsaw reviews from the experts? Plus get tips on the best chainsaw brands to buy.

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Chinese Drywall and the Resale Problem

Chinese drywall is a problem. It is a big problem. It appears that it causes health issues and it has been conclusively linked to property damage.

In addition to affecting the homes that actually contain defective drywall, the stigma and fear has extended to homes in the same neighborhood. Although the majority of the surrounding homes to not contain defective drywall, the fear prevents potential buyers from even considering the neighborhood.

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Homes in many areas have not begun to show signs of corrosion, so potential buyers are not comforted by the absence of corrosion. Humidity has been show to cause a significant increase in the production of the corrosive gases. Homes that are not exposed to high levels of heat and humidity, therefore, are less likely to show signs of corrosion. This uncertainty, combined with the huge financial risk, prevents many potential buyers from considering homes that are related to Chinese drywall.

The decision to buy a home is the most significant purchase most people will make. The idea of potentially moving one's family into a toxic environment and exposing themselves to huge financial risk - remediation can cost in excess of 0,000 - paralyzes potential buyers.

Homes that are in the same neighborhood as another home that has been confirmed to have Chinese drywall as well as those built by builders who have confirmed that they used Chinese drywall are not selling. Without a guaranteed testing protocol, it is likely that these homes will not sell. Some home owners, desperate to sell their home, have drastically reduced the price. Some have paid for visual inspections. Some have paid for material testing. Some have done all three and still not been able to sell their home.

How can someone interested in selling their home overcome this fear?

Potential buyers are looking for a guaranteed testing protocol. Negative results based on this protocol not only give buyers the peace of mind they are looking for, but can also be insured. This insurance policy removes any risk associated with defective drywall and allows potential buyers to move forward with confidence.

Chinese Drywall and the Resale Problem

Read more about Chinese drywall.

Certified Chinese Drywall Testing, LLC
http://www.certified-chinese-drywall-testing.com

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Lean to Conservatory Roof

Building a conservatory can be a fun and exciting process that will add a lot of value to your home. There can be varying degrees of cost based on different factors and you should do your homework and shop around before starting the project. Some manufacturers of products as well as providers of labor may quote cheap prices, however you should make sure what you are buying is up to standards in the industry. This structure that you are building will, after all be a part of your home and as such, affect the overall function and efficiency of the home as well.

One of the first things to think about is the quality of the materials that you will be purchasing. Many people may think that this is a temporary or simply an add-on onto their homes. A conservatory is much more than that and inferior materials should not be used. Factors such as the retainment of heat and air flow should be considered if the extra space on the home is to be energy efficient. If these factors are overlooked or disregarded by using inferior materials, the overall energy efficiency of the home will be compromised.

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The second thing one should consider is security. This is another room in essence that will be added on to the home. Security should be just as tight as the rest of your home. Make sure that any locks used on doors and windows within the conservatory are up to code and of good quality. This is not the place to try and save a few dollars. Some manufacturers make doors with multi-point locks on them for added security. This combined with double glazed windows provides for excellent security.

Some other important factors that should be taken into account are the foundation and temperature control. Even if you purchase your conservatory from a manufacturer pre fabricated, this does not include site work and foundation preparation. Many people make the common mistake of skimping on the foundation because they think this is a lightweight structure not in need of proper support. This is completely wrong and the foundation for your sun room should be much the same as it is for the rest of your home. This room will be a part of your home and any structural problems down the road will affect the rest of the home. Temperature control can be just as important. If the room cannot retain heat then energy bills will soar and it will affect the flow of air in the rest of the home. Lean to conservatories that are too cold inside will affect the heat in the rest of the house. External or independent heating elements are a good solution for this.

There are a variety of factors to consider besides cost when looking to build a lean to conservatory roof. Make sure materials are up to snuff, that security is a priority and that foundations and means of temperature control are adequate. Do your research and shop around for the best price before you start buying or building.

Lean to Conservatory Roof

Ryan writes articles about lean to conservatories for several industry websites. He has a lot of specific lean to conservatory roof knowledge.

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Learn Drywall Texture Techniques the Fast and Easy Way

When decorating a home, there are many things that can be done to create a unique living space. As far as the walls are concerned, those that are drywalled can easily be turned into a masterpiece through a number of simple methods. Through the use of painting techniques or drywall texturing, the walls within any home can be transformed into something that will look wonderful for many years to come. By learning the different methods for drywall texturing made easy, anyone can beautify the walls within their home.

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While a large number of paint colors can be chosen to decorate a wall, there are also a large number of texturing styles that can be used as well. For the walls that have blemishes, such as taping that shows or floating that was done incorrectly, different texture techniques can easily hide the flaws. There are just a few tools and materials that are needed for the wide variety of texturing styles that can be done, which include sheetrock mud, drywall tools, paint rollers, and drop cloths.

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Taking a look at drywall texturing made easy will reveal that there are large number of different styles that anyone can do in their own home. Some of the more common methods are roller sheetrock texturing, slap brush texturing, Spanish drag wall texture, Venetian plaster texturing, orange-peel texturing, and popcorn texturing. The roller texture can be easily achieved by using a paint roller to roll the mud on the wall. The slap brush texture is done in the same manner, but the mud is stippled or swirled after it is applied by using a stipple brush. The Spanish drag wall texture is easily done by spraying on the texturing and then using a large trowel to drag the texture around the wall. To apply the Venetian plaster look, the mud is applied using a trowel and then glazed to give a marbled appearance. There are a number of different resources found online that will give step by step instructions for creating these different drywall textures.

With many different remodeling projects in the home, there is often a high cost of completion. However, drywall texturing can be as inexpensive as applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls. If you choose to do the texturing yourself, it can be a quick process that is very effective at giving a new look to a room for a very low cost. When you learn the process of drywall texturing made easy, you can provide a new look to the interior your home in a few easy steps.

Learn Drywall Texture Techniques the Fast and Easy Way

Jason Whitney writes about how to learn drywall texture techniques at http://drywalltexturepro.blogspot.com/

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How to Do The Perfect Drywall Finishing

f you plan on doing a drywall job, make sure you have the basic equipment handy. You need putty trial, a tray, sandpaper, joint putty and a scraper.

Start by sanding down the walls to remove any lumps or bumps. Then wipe down the walls to remove any of the sand left from sanding. You should be down to a base and see a clear white area. (This does apply to wood areas of the walls.)

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If there are any holes in the walls, use putty trial and a scraper to fill them in. This may take a few coats, so keep repeating the process until the hole is completely filled in . Scrape it down completely smooth.

Then sandpaper the wall once again and wash it down to remove all of the dust. Let it dry completely.

Once you have taken these steps, you are ready for drywalling. The drywall kit will have all of the steps that you need to follow. Make sure you follow them closely.

Once the drywalling is done, paint the surface for the look and finish you want. You will need a few coats since this is bare wall that you are dealing with. Then you can rearrange the furniture and reinstall the curtains and any wall accents in the room

Be careful that the paint is completely dry before you put anything against it. Make sure when you paint the base that you use a shield to prevent any paint going on the wall.

Once your painting is dry, you can add texture or some other feature if you like. New curtains to go with the new paint color are always a good idea, and yo may want to put around some vases with flowers to accent the new color.

Finishes such as twirling, popcorn effect and other textures can add a lot of interest to the room. You can make the twirl texture in the shape of flowers, leaves, etc. Just use your imagination.
The new curtains, or reorganizing the room will do a lot to bring out the new walls in the room. Improvements such as this bring a lot of additional value to your home. A home that has new looking walls instead of cracks and holes will be much more attractive, both to you and to potential home buyers.

It is very cost effective to drywall your wall and paint over a room. For less than a few hundred dollars, you can get a whole new look to a room TA will improve the value of your home.
It is worth the time and effort to put these kind of improvements into your home. If the walls need this kind of work, putting off the job will only make it worse and you will spend more time and money to get it done.

How to Do The Perfect Drywall Finishing

Focusing on the area of drywall equipment, the author is writing most often for http://www.insidewoodworking.com . Writing for writings like http://www.insidewoodworking.com/drywall/index.html ,the columnist proofed his expertise on things associated to drywall tools and air tools.

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Toxic Chinese Drywall and Sheetrock - How Did This Happen?

The Chinese drywall and sheetrock scandal has been in all the newspapers lately. However, many do not know how this horrible mess even got started. Hopefully this will get you the Chinese drywall and sheetrock info you've been searching for.

sheetrock anchors

To be able to make more profit many companies outsourced to China to manufacture drywall and sheetrock. Much of these materials were used in Southern Florida when many homes were rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina using Chinese drywall. After the hurricane, over ten thousand homes across the United States were built or repaired with this toxic sheet rock. The reports of toxic fumes and a rotten egg smell emitting from the walls began to resonate around 2001, increasing rapidly along with health problems.

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Finally, the HCC expanded their investigation across the entire nation. They have actually found it in 10 states, just to name a few; New Jersey, Ohio, and Texas. Many suspected Lowes as a leading culprit, but their dry wall was tested and found to be completely safe. Lowes never sold any of this toxic drywall.

The ramifications are staggering. It basically ruins everything with electrical wiring, copper tubing, and even heating and air conditioning units. It is causing many different problems, from head aches to breathing problems. Insurance companies and builders are now in litigation, trying to decide who's at fault here, but this could go on for years. Meanwhile, the homeowner is stuck with a house that's uninhabitable and a hefty bill for gutting and remodeling. This could actually be one of the largest environmental disasters ever.

If you suspect that your home may have drywall from China, it is highly recommended that you get as much Chinese drywall and sheetrock info you can find. Look for any wires or pipes that have turned black, or a toxic "rotten egg" smell. Then contact the Drywall Attorney Alliance. You can even go in and get a free lawsuit review.

Toxic Chinese Drywall and Sheetrock - How Did This Happen?

Jason Whitney writes about the latest Chinese drywall developments at http://www.chinesedrywallupdate.com/

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Knock Down Texture - For The Handyman

Knockdown Texture is growing in popularity, not only to the contractor, but also the Homeowner. There are several reasons for the desire of Knockdown Texture, one being the ease in application. Other features of applying Knockdown include the ability of the texture to hide imperfections in the Wall or Ceiling. This Texture saves the contractor the Labor and Material involved in achieving a "Smooth Wall" finish, while offering the Homeowner another option--other than replacing the existing wall because of the imperfections. Knockdown Texture can be sprayed or rolled onto the wall or ceiling, then "knocked down" to resemble a Low visible Stucco, hiding numerous flaws, and giving you a beautifull room. This Texture is easy to apply, takes little investment, and gives your rooms an appearance that few of your friends and neighbors will have---Best of all--You can do it.

What do you need? A Spray Hopper, you can rent one, or if you like--you can purchase one for around 60.00 at any building supply (I know--The contractor down the road said his cost ten times that), your cheap one will last for years and give you the same results (I know--I'm a Contractor and shoot alot of Knockdown--with my 60.00 sprayer). You need MUD ( Drywall Taping Compound), this is what you will be spraying--a 12 foot by 12 foot room will take roughly 2 gallons depending on how heavy you want the texture. A 12 inch Drywall Knife, I know--they sell a special Knockdown Blade (You do not need it). A compressor, the little one you have in the garage or your neighbors, or rent one. A drill with a Bit made for mixing is nice, you are going to be thinning the mixture before you spray.

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Here we go---Fill a clean bucket with compound appr. 4 inches from bottom, add water (Let's start with 4 cups), mix and add water until your mixture is that of a pancake batter, pour into hopper. Your compressor should be set to 25 to 30 p.s.i. Hold the sprayer 2 feet from wall and spray--starting from the top and working your way down, once at the bottom of the wall, shift over and work your way up, and move to the next wall. Make sure as you spray the other walls, that you keep an eye on the texture you have already applied. Once the Top of the texture turns dull--no more shine to it--it is ready to Knockdown--notice I said the TOP of the texture, not the entire texture.

Once the Top of the texture has a dull finish, it is time to finish your masterpiece. Take the 12 inch drywall knife and LIGHTLY drag it across the Texture, do not apply alot of pressure, just a very easy drag will give you the look you are trying to achieve. You will notice that you have thinned out the texture and given it simewhat of a Stucco appearance. Alot of the books written on this suggest knocking the texture down from top to bottom. However I have found that on walls that are far from being Flat, going side to side seems to yield better results.

Clean up is easy---water, even if you got the texture on trim, a simple sponge and warm water will do the trick. Let your texture dry till the next day---you will be amazed at the flaws you have hidden, and the ease at which you applied it. You may even fancy yourself as a Pro. Chances are that anyone seeing the room that you did, will think you hired one

Knock Down Texture - For The Handyman

Author has spent several years developing and promoting Websites and Blogs. Shares Information related to Site promotion. His interest's include writing about his views and opinions on Internet Marketing Practices and Products. Visit his Website for further Information And to Subscribe to his Newsletter.

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Beware of Buying a Home With Mold!

I have been performing home inspection for 18 years and I found that sellers will paint over existing water stains on walls to hide them from buyers. I do nondestructive moisture readings on all exterior walls in house, my meter will ring when there above normal moisture trapped in wall, when the meter rings I then proceed to investigate the exterior of house to find the cause of the moisture entering the house and sure enough I will a small gap in siding or above window and doors missing chalking, could be an insect problem behind siding which caused damage to exterior sheathing which created an opening for moisture to enter walls.

sheetrock dolly

If I see a water stain on ceilings I will use the meter to see if there is high moisture present which I have found many times in my years of inspections. The most recent one was a water stain on ceiling in a dining room of a cape, no bathroom above stain or any water source, I went on roof and discovered a slight defect in dormer flashing install which caused water to enter home by riding the ceiling rafter and start to drip down. I advised buyer that repairs are needed on both dormer flashings and roof shingles next to dormer flashing. The flashing must go under shingles and up 8" on dormer sheathing and siding installed over metal flashing and roof shingles to go over metal flashing this will eliminate any leaks from dormers on roof it will be a tight seal. I then suggested to buyers that we want to make an opening in dining room ceiling to see if there was a Mold growth above ceiling.

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The seller agreed to open ceiling, we proceeded to make a 12" by 12" opening a water stain and discovered there was the start of mold growth on back side of sheetrock. The seller agreed to have both dormers repaired properly and have sheetrock ceiling repaired and paint ceiling, I suggested after the dormer flashings were Installed we would perform a water test using a hose on roof and water down the dormers on each side and then go into house at opening we made to see if any water was entering the home. The flashing on dormers was installed properly and no sign of any leaks in house. My buyers did buy the Home. If we never saw the tiny water stain on ceiling and tested it for high moisture the buyers would have had to spend 2,950.00 for repairs needed to flashings and ceiling repairs.

Beware of Buying a Home With Mold!

Tony D. Melandro Certified Home Inspector Servicing Connecticut. Certified by NACHI and AHIT. I am an Certified in Mold, Fire and Water Damaged by National Institute of Disaster.
Visit my Web Site http://www.melandroinspection.com for helpful information for Buyers, Sellers and Agents, also on my Web site is my Spring Newsletter, Getting Your Home Ready For Spring.
10% Discounts to all E-Zine Readers. Thank You, Tony D. Melandro Lic # 506 and Insured.

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Five Types of Insulation For Your Home

Because energy costs usually account for the majority of household expenses, choosing your insulation should be a careful consideration. There are five basic types of insulation that you can use in your home, depending what area you need to insulate. 

The first type of insulation is spray foam. It is sprayed on areas such as concrete slabs, unfinished walls, and into any holes in drywall. The foam expands, hardens, and blocks airflow caused by any leaks or gaps in the wall.                                                                 

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Unlike foam insulations, rigid insulation can be used throughout the entire house. It is usually produced in board-like forms and is most often used to insulate foundations and to sheath walls. 

Blown-in loose fill insulation is the third type of insulation and is made of a variety of materials, including rock wool, fiberglass, or cellulose and is in a free fibrous form. This type of insulation is usually used in wall cavities or to fill in other irregular spaces or holes. Loose fill insulation is also popular in insulating unfinished spaces, like attics.

Insulation in batts or blankets is one of the most popular types of insulation. It is usually made of fiberglass and is cut in order to fit the desired space and to fit around any obstructions. Batt or blanket insulation fits into standard spaces, typically walls, floors, or attics.  

The fifth type of insulation most commonly used in homes is reflective barrier insulation. It is made of aluminum foils and is most effective in reducing heat moving downward. It is used between roof rafters, wall joists, and wall studs. 

By understanding the different types of insulation available, you can make the best decision in choosing what insulation to use in your home.

Five Types of Insulation For Your Home

In states where weather can be on either extreme during the year, proper home insulation is crucial. For the best in New Hampshire insulation please contact MJW Drywall (http://www.nhfoam.com/) for help today. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

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DIY Interior Decor Upgrades - Big Impact With a Small Price

Ever since we were hit with a harsh economic environment we have taught ourselves how to truly save money and maintain a decent quality of life. We seek low interest rates, quantity discounts, only buy when on sale, look for private label products, and most importantly, DIY or "Do It Yourself" is a mainstay. Although there are other DIY opportunities out there that might already be in effect in your life, home renovation is an area where DIY can save you thousands.

We always strive to improve our quality of life and it starts within our own home. We invest our hard earned money into a monthly mortgage payments and continuous repairs and upgrades. I can only assume that over the last few years you have taken a closer look and your home improvement budget and due to cost, probably cut out some major projects and replaced them with minor fixes. For example, maybe instead of knocking down the family room wall to open up the space, you chose to simply paint the wall a lighter color to make the room feel larger. You saved two ways, your cost of material is significantly less, and chances are, you would've hired a contractor to do the work. Or, maybe instead of replace the interior doors and trim, you took the doors and trim off, brought it into the garage, sanded them down and stained them until they look brand new. I could give you many more examples, but my point is that we can save money while still improving the value of our home and the quality of our life.

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Tip of the day: Try to avoid doing it yourself if the project is honestly out of your realm of carpentry. How do you know it's not a DIY? Try this check list.

Have you done it before? Are you 100% confident you can do it? Do you have the necessary tools, or are you willing to spend the money needed to get them? Do you have a friend that has done this before and can help you in a jam? Do you have a plan from start to finish?

If you can't answer the majority of these questions with a YES, then maybe the job is cut out for a contractor. Remember, it is usually more expensive for a contractor to fix your work and complete the job rather than just start the job from scratch.

Ready to start your DIY interior decor upgrades?
I hope you had a fun summer staining the deck, repairing the fence and building your garden, but winter is approaching and it is time to look for interior decor upgrades projects. Walk around your home and find as many DIY upgrades as you can, choose the upgrade that you think will make the biggest impact, and then decide if it fits within your budget. If so, then good luck! Below you will find some DIY upgrade ideas that make a big impact without undergoing a major renovation!

Add decorative molding and trim
A little pricey, but fairly easy to do and can really make a big design impact on any room, especially the dining room and living room.

Add a tile backsplash in the kitchen
Moderately priced depending on the size of the area you want to cover. This is easier to do than you may think. It will require patience and attention to detail. You will be surprised what it can do to the look of a kitchen...amazing.

Replace plastic white switchplates with decorative brass, nickel, oil rubbed bronze switchplates
Cost around -0 a room, depending on the style you choose and the amount of switches and outlets in each room. What a difference this can make, and it's probably the easiest upgrade you will ever do. You might not notice your switchplates and outlet covers, but like a bad pair of shoes, everyone else does...and like a good pair of shoes, you will want to show them off.

Replace door hardware
Each door should cost around to depending on the hardware. Just follow how to instructions and this is an easy job. You might not think door hardware is a big deal, but similar to switchplates, it is seen and touched by everyone. It is noticeable and can really accent your decor.

By Richard Mariano

DIY Interior Decor Upgrades - Big Impact With a Small Price

Rick Mariano is a fan and promoter of decorative switchplate decor. Visit his blog at http://www.switchhits.com/blog.

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Marketing - Same Product, Different Prices

In the market place today, it is not strange to see the same product from the same organization with different prices and packages on the shelves of sales outlet. Due to high demand of a company's product or services, they do brand it differently for different classes of people to satisfy their desires, wants, needs and unfailingly personal ego.

prices of above ground pools

This double edged approach is on song in many products and services offered. A product offered online is cheaper than the same product when you go to pick it up from local stores. Many educational institutions have regular and part time students all studying the same course at different frequencies and prices, yet same certification at the end of the course. In automobile industry, Toyota motors built same product as Camry and Lexus. While Camry is for everybody, Lexus is exclusively made for Americans. It all looks like someone is fooling someone, yet both are aware yet happy and satisfied.

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A producer of goods and services can use this strategy to deal with both the high class and low class clients demand in a highly competitive scenario. It is best suitable for any product that has a high demand and wide acceptance. It keeps both the big and small clients glued to you.

As the price difference sets apart the upper from lower class, crafty branding of same quality product into high and low class regimes adds more magic to the business and cash flow indices of the organization.

This act in business does two major things for its users. In the first place, it is an income spinner as it encourages its users to fit into the price regime that is suitable for them. Secondly, it guarantees high customer satisfaction as the product or services gets to many people who long for it.

More importantly, it shows resourcefulness of the management as the production process is same, with difference in branding.

Marketing - Same Product, Different Prices

Igwenazor Kingsley Chinaemerem.
An investment analyst and stockbroker with De-Canon Investment Limited, Lagos Nigeria.
An investor, Public speaker and Educator, with an interest in long term investment and building young entrepreneurs.

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Chinese Sheetrock - Knowing the Facts

There are a million products America with the label made in China on the back. Who would have guessed one of those products would be drywall. There is a lot of Chinese drywall and sheetrock info available online and it's a good idea to get familiar with what's happening in several states all over the country. Florida is one state that didn't sit still very long and has the ball rolling to get this problem taken care of. The really sad part in all of this is those living in New Orleans who had to re-build after Hurricane Katrina, now are facing health problems and other problems due to tainted sheetrock.

sheetrock joint compound

The problem was noticed after the big building boom during 2004-2007. In reading the Chinese drywall and sheetrock info you will find that there was a shortage of drywall and as a result, many pounds of the stuff was imported from China. The problem was that it had heavy amounts of gypsum in it and the effects are really starting to take hold of many Americans. Health related symptoms like bloody noses and respiratory problems are on the rise, while other issues inside the homes such as corrosion, wiring problems and even affected appliances are becoming more of an issue.

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Lawyers all over the country are working hard to get the problems taken care of. There does seem to be a company called Lennar Homes who are doing their best to get people out of their homes so they can be fixed. Many people according to the Chinese drywall and sheetrock info, are finding more frustration as their insurance company is finding loop holes to deny the claims. The recall has many people wondering what to do next, and hopefully help is on the way.

Anyone wondering how to get to be a part of any lawsuit needs to find a lawyer who is handling several of these cases. They can tell you how to detect the problem, the syndrome that results from the tainted drywall and they also have a lot of Chinese drywall and sheetrock info that can be very beneficial in finding out just how toxic this really is. It's hard to tell for sure how Harry Lee is involved, but given the outstanding sheriff he was in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina, he must have had a way of getting things rolling. If you feel your home has been tainted, it's important to report it right away before you have any further problems.

Chinese Sheetrock - Knowing the Facts

Jason Whitney writes about the latest Chinese drywall info at http://www.squidoo.com/chinesedrywallupdate

SHEETROCK

Repairing a Hole in a Sheetrocked Wall

It is quite simple to repair a hole in a Sheetrocked wall, however there are minor differences in methods of repair depending on how large the hole is.

sheetrock saw

Small size holes (1/4" or smaller)

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With small holes, simply apply a little joint compound or wall putty with a small putty knife or trowel. Let dry, then sand lightly and paint.

Medium size holes (Greater than ¼" in diameter and smaller than 2" in diameter)

First clean out the hole and surrounding area of any debris and loose sheetrock.
Then apply a mesh tape, specifically manufactured for sheetrock applications, across the hole. Use your putty knife to ensure that it is applied evenly on the wall surface.
Next apply a liberal amount of Joint Compound over the hole and mesh. Let this set for 1 to 2 days.

After the initial coat has been applied and has had time to fully dry, apply a second skim coat of Joint Compound over the area. However, this time spread the Joint Compound over an area that is 2-3 times the size of the original hole. Basically you want to flare out the area that you are repairing so that it will blend in nicely with the rest of the wall. Again let the area dry for a day.

Finally lightly sand the area and apply one last skim coat over the area. Again spreading the Joint Compound out a little further than the last application. Let the Joint Compound set up one more day, sand lightly and then paint.

Holes larger than 2 inches

With large holes, I recommend cutting out an area such that a new small piece of sheetrock can be applied to the 2"x4" studs. For example, I would consider putting in a new 16"x16" piece of sheetrock for a hole that is greater than 2" in diameter and less than 16" in diameter.

The best method to remove the piece of damage sheetrock is to use a Carpenters knife (razor blade) and score the area where you want to cut out. Repeatedly apply the knife until you have worked your way through the sheetrock. When complete, you should have about ½" to ¾" of the 2"x4" stud showing on each of the two exposed studs.

Note: Care should be taken to ensure no wires are cut behind the sheetrock when cutting out the damaged piece.

Next, cut a piece of new sheetrock to the size of the hole, and secure with sheetrock screws or ringed sheetrock nails.

Next, tape the cracks with the mesh tape material mentioned above. Then as described earlier, apply three skim coats of Joint Compound, with each successive coat getting flared out further. Make sure you wait for the Joint Compound to dry before applying the next coat. Perform a final light sand after the final coat has been applied and has had time to dry, and then paint.

Repairing a Hole in a Sheetrocked Wall

About the Author: Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more information about Home Improvement and Home Additions, and Home Remodeling and Repair visit homeadditionplus.com and homeaddition.blogspot.com

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Basement Bedroom Ideas to Fit Any Budget

Those with expanding families or who are looking to increase the overall value of their home often begin looking into a variety of basement bedroom ideas. The basement can be an excellent space for expansion and is generally less expensive to remodel than adding on to a home. Fortunately, great basement bedroom ideas are easy to come by and to create with just a little creativity and careful planning.

Drywall

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After sifting through a variety of great basement bedroom ideas, you will need to give your new space walls. Some homeowners choose to simply place paneling on the walls of the existing basement. While this is an option, it will result in walls that have a thin and flimsy feel to them. The best choice for putting walls up in the basement bedroom is to install drywall. These walls can then be wallpapered or painted any color to match the style and taste of the person who will be using the basement bedroom. Or, paneling can later be installed over the drywall if desired. Installing drywall as a base will result in sturdier walls that are also more capable of holding wall decorations or shelving to add that personal touch to the bedroom.

Carpeting

If the basement has not yet been finished, it most likely has a concrete floor. Concrete flooring has a tendency to be cold on the feet in the morning. To avoid this uncomfortable possibility, carpeting should be your final step in creating your fantastic basement bedroom ideas.

Carpet squares are a great choice for completing your basement bedroom ideas because they are easy to install and come complete with padding and a moisture barrier. To properly install carpet squares, you need to first measure the area carefully. You want to determine the layout of the carpet panels ahead of time so you avoid having small slivers of carpeting at the ends of the room. To cut carpet panels to size, use a utility knife and cut through all layers of the square. Be sure to butt the panels close to each other and prevent fibers from getting trapped between squares. When finished, vacuum the floor to help remove the lines between carpet panels and, voila!, your basement bedroom is finished.

Basement Bedroom Ideas to Fit Any Budget

Carlo Morelli writes for http://www.OnlineTips.org, where you can find tips on compound miter saws, tankless hot water heaters, and many other home and garden projects.

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DIY Outdoor Kitchens in High Demand During Recession and Low Gas Prices

Homeowners Are Building Their Own Outdoor Kitchens and Saving Thousands of Dollars.

With the current recession combined with the huge savings on gasoline prices many homeowners are going ahead with their Outdoor Kitchen projects. But unlike the good old days when they would take out an equity loan for ,000 and pay their contractor to build it. Homeowners are now more frugal and going with the DIY approach.

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"It's amazing how much money our family saved by building our own outdoor kitchen" says Jacqui Webb of Santa Barbara. We used a BBQ frame kit that screwed together. My husband was able to put the frame together in half a day. He then installed the cement board and finished it with a Travertine countertop and stucco siding.

We saved with a 5 burner Jenn Air grill from Lowes, a Firemagic access door, a Costco fridge and a bar sink form the Home Depot. This combination of appliances cost us under 00. This is very inexpensive for an outdoor kitchen. We are very happy with the results and it is something we use all the time.

The average homeowner can build an outdoor kitchen. Most homeowner have experience with projects such as tile, basic power tools, etc. However, many have no experience with steel framing. Homeowners find steel framing to be wobbly and difficult to make 90 degree angles because they have not been taught the professional techniques to avoid these common problems.

There is little information about framing BBQ islands at your local book store. The truth is that no one in the industry wants to teach people how to build their own BBQ islands. They much rather sell it to you for 20 or 30 times the price of materials as a luxury item. For most homeowners it is best to purchase a pre-cut steel frame kit. These kits assemble similar to Ikea furniture.

Make 2009 the year your family adds this wonderful amenity to your home. Stay home, invite the family and friends over and enjoy a great time with your new outdoor kitchen. And just thinking of all the money you saved in the process will really make you smile.

DIY Outdoor Kitchens in High Demand During Recession and Low Gas Prices

Willie The BBQ Coach
http://www.BbqCoach.com

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Choosing Amazing Bathroom Decor Ideas

Bathrooms can be a fairly expensive room to update, however it's still a very popular room to update. By changing the design in you bathroom you are able to make it an inviting and beautiful space rather than somewhere that you hate being in. The designs of bathrooms have changed in the past few years, new bathroom designs are now much more impressive and will impress anyone visiting your home. No longer are the walls simply drywall covered by laminate or tile. There are some important things that you must consider when looking into new bathroom design ideas.

Sinks

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This is one of the areas that have seen the most changes. Pedestal sinks are now more popular than they have ever been. Instead of having a vanity cabinet under the sink they rest on a rather pretty stand. This stand is designed to hide the pipes and make it look quite attractive. Although these do look very nice you will lose your cabinet, which could well mean you will have to find other places to store your towels.

The Bathtub

There are now many more different options available when you are looking into getting new bathtubs. You no longer have to put up with a standard rectangular shaped tub. There are many different sizes and shapes of tubs available which are much more comfortable than the older styles. Even if you don't really like baths it's a good idea to invest in a good tub!

If you really don't want a bathtub then you may decide to install a standalone shower cubical instead. These can save quite a lot of space, they are very well suited to small bathrooms. However these do limit your options, there is no chance you can take a bath if you wanted to.

Flooring

You must also carefully consider the types of floors which can be used in bathrooms. There are many different materials that can be used. You should also consider whether you want to install under floor heating as these can make a huge difference to the comfort and look of your bathroom. Heated flooring may seem like a small thing, however it's the small touches which will make your bathroom what it is.

There are a lot of changing trends in bathroom design and it can be difficult to stay up to date with what's in fashion. There is now more choice than there has ever been. You can install a beautiful sink to make your bathroom look more beautiful than you could ever imagine. You need to think about what you would like to achieve by remodeling your bathroom before starting.

Choosing Amazing Bathroom Decor Ideas

Greg Hansward regularly produces publications on ideas relating to installation price and price of drywall. You might come across his writings on drywall prices per sheet at http://www.insidewoodworking.com and other sources for drywall prices per sheet knowledge.

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Sheetrock - Hanging the Ceiling and Walls

Hanging Sheetrock for the Ceiling and Walls

sheetrock lifter

Hanging Sheetrock on the ceiling for your remodeling project does not have to be hard. It can be easy and fun. It just depends on you. Using the right materials for the project is what it's all about. Like the right length, thickness and kind of board.

SHEETROCK

Over the years, I have found that while doing Home Remodeling Projects, it is best to have 2-3 people to hang the ceiling; it's much easier than using a Drywall Jack. Drywall Board of 1/2" x 4x8 standard sheetrock is best for ceilings, depending on the area of the ceiling. If there is a large area then use size 4x10 or 4x12.

Have 2 people to put the piece of sheet rock in place and to hold it tight, while the other person screws it in place with 1-3/8 Drywall screws. Screw at least 3 screws in the middle of the piece of sheetrock about 12 inches apart in order to hold it in place before screwing the borders. This will prevent the sheetrock from spinning or moving while screwing everything in place. Next, screw around the whole boarder. Then, finish screwing the sheetrock on the ceiling. Always remember to stagger your joints like laying brick.

To hang the walls, do not stand the sheet rock upright; lay it flat across the walls. Start with the first piece up against the ceiling, and then place the next piece on the bottom of it. After screwing the perimeter, put 2, 1-3/8 screws in the middle of the sheetrock about 12 inches apart, it adds support. Remember again to stagger your joints.

This is your first step to your Home Remodeling Project Look for Our Next Edition on Installing the Corner Bead

Sheetrock - Hanging the Ceiling and Walls

Ask a Sheetrocker has been sheetrocking, metal framing, painting, pouring concrete, plumbing, hauling sheetrock at 24 ton per load and other constructional labour for over 23 years. During the course of time, life has caused a loss of limb due to a motorcycle accident. Being lack of a leg doesn't stop this sheetrocker from doing what he does best. Sheetrocking.
Ask A Sheetrocker

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Brand-New Mobile at Second-Hand Mobile Prices

Many users buy a mobile handset and want to replace it with better one, so they place an ad on the classified for good value for their mobile phone. However, the customer always bargains with the advertiser to get the mobile at lowest possible cost and cracks the deal somewhere in between. This way he/she purchases a brand-new mobile at second-hand mobile prices.

prices of above ground pools

Advertisers' view-point: The advertiser places a high value for the product. He knows that the buyer will surely bargain a bit with the price. So the prices are kept higher from the advertiser's end. Moreover, it's a brand-new mobile phone so the advertiser places a high sale-value for it.

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Buyer's view-point: Buyers always take a mobile as second-hand mobile and want to purchase it for at least half the listed price. The buyers' mentality is to get a brand-new mobile at the price of a used-mobile phone.

The advertisers' viewpoint is exactly the opposite of buyer's viewpoint, so both of them have a good bargaining session and eventually they settle for something that suits them both.

The advertiser is aware of the fact that he will not get the same price as demanded and buyer knows that seller will not succumb to the offered price. The deal matures at a compromise from both ends. If none is ready to compromise, then the deal gets over without finalization.

Second-hand mobiles like used samsung mobiles, used micromax mobiles, used nokia mobiles, etc are in high demand. All these mobiles are available in good condition and some even in perfect condition on the classified-ad sites. Buyers can look for the one which suits their pocket in terms of budget and also suffices the need. The quality of used-mobile should always be considered. Very old mobiles may have eroded battery. It's better to check before purchasing. Also check all the accessories of the mobile and anything missing should be asked-for. If possible get the bill also.

It is not so hard to get the mobile phone which fulfils both the conditions. And one can easily get the right deal within the range by searching through several classifieds. A thorough search yields good results - a brand new mobile at second-hand mobile price.

Brand-New Mobile at Second-Hand Mobile Prices

To get best deals on mobile store india, or to buy or sell spice mobile dual sim and get nokia mobile price visit khojle.in

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Basement Remodeling Materials to Purchase

Ever since I started remodeling basements way back in 1992, I have always relied on just 2 primary suppliers for better than 90% of ALL of my contracting supplies. Those 2 suppliers are 2 of the biggest SUPER STORES for building supplies on the planet and they are the Home Depot and Lowes.

And since I do not supply bathroom and wet bar fixtures and appliances for my clients jobs, my clients are asked to shop at these stores for their supplies as well. At these two stores my clients have a huge selection of bathroom fixtures, faucets, sinks, and even appliances. They also have a great selection of bar and vanity tops in solid surfaces (like granite and marble) and several brands of good old fashioned Formica tops!

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Just about the ONLY materials that I choose not to buy at these Super Stores are a few misc. special order plumbing and electric supplies. Occasionally I will purchase my drywall from a supplier who just sells drywall supplies, normally they can beat the "big box" stores prices because they buy in such volume.

If you did not watch the video I did about "How much will my basement remodeling project cost me to do?" In this video I give you a long list of materials EVERYTHING INCLUDED) that I use to finish a typical basement. I can get over 90% of everything on this huge list I talk about at either Home Depot or Lowes!

Most every town USA has at least one of these Super Stores close to home! Open up a contractor account and a lot of times they will give you a 10% discount on your 1st purchase! Get it all on one order and store it some place until it's needed on the job site and you could save hundreds of dollars if not a thousand or more!

As an additional service of my basement remodeling company I also offer basement designing and floor plans for my clients. This service is for clients that want to do the work themselves, but need a professional Designed Layout and a detailed Floor Plan from which to build from and use to order building permits.

When a client asks me for this service, I will also include a detailed materials list with an estimated material cost sheet for the home owners to shop from. This way no materials are missed and the client has an estimate for how much they need to spend on materials from the gate! I am getting ready to begin offering this service over the internet and will soon be adding this service (Basement Finishing 101) to my website

The plan also comes with 6 hours of video instruction and training that details a finished basement remodel from A-Z for the client to follow! It's like having a subcontractor from every trade standing beside you showing you exactly what to do next! The videos are extremely detailed and very technical. I will be offering this service over the internet for a limited time!

So there you have it! Home Depot and Lowes for almost all of your building materials shopping!

Basement Remodeling Materials to Purchase

For more information and ideas about basement finishing visit: [http://site.1basement.com/Free_Videos.html]

Here's to "Living Down Under"

Edward Case

Since 1992 Ed Case has remodeled 350+ basements in the Harrisburg, PA region. Ed is an expert in basement conversion projects and high-end basement interior design. Ed regularly holds training classes designed to teach local home owners in the Harrisburg PA region how to remodel their own basements successfully!

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Mold Inspection and Testing in Manhattan, New York

In Manhattan, New York, mold inspection and testing is important to a homeowner to ensure safety from health hazards. In order for a person to comprehend the full importance of this they would have to understand exactly what black mold is, where it comes from, how one can be exposed to it and what the symptoms are once a person is exposed to it. Once you understand that, you must understand what mold inspection and testing are all about. After you have gathered all that information, you will understand the opening statement. Mold is fungus and there are hundreds of different types of mold commonly found in the United States and Manhattan, New York. Mold can be many different colors and may also look furry, slimy, or powdery. Certain molds have a musty, stale, or earthy odor. Damp humid places like bathrooms and basements are where mold usually prefers to grow. In order to grow, mold needs food and water. Mold can grow anywhere there is water, high humidity, or damp conditions. The best temperature or climate for mold to grow is in warm temperatures and high humidity. Mold feeds on scum, leather, wood, paper, soap, wallpaper glue, fabric, sheetrock and many other surfaces. One way to become exposed is to breathe in tiny spores, which are similar to seeds, which mold releases into the air.
A Manhattan, New York mold inspection is the most important initial step in identifying a possible mold contamination problem. In a mold inspection, the extent of any mold growth and water damage should be visually assessed. The assessment is important in determining remedial strategies. Ventilation systems should also be visually checked for damp filters or damp conditions elsewhere in the system, and overall cleanliness. Sheetrock, ceiling tiles, cardboard, paper and other cellulosic surfaces should be inspected thoroughly. During a mold inspection, bulk samples should be collected from visibly moldy surfaces by scraping or cutting materials with a clean tool into a clean plastic bag or surface samples should be collected by wiping a measured area with a sterile swab or by stripping the suspect surface with clear tape and a laboratory specializing in mycology is then consulted for specific sampling and delivery instructions.

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Mold testing and inspections may have to be conducted if the presence of mold is suspected but cannot be identified by a visual mold inspection. Mold testing may also be necessary if there is evidence from a mold inspection or sampling, that the air is contaminated. If mold testing is performed, for comparative purposes, outside samples should be collected as well. Mold inspections and testing are very important to any homeowner to ensure safety from any of the mold health hazards. No one wants to get sick from mold. For that simple reason it is certainly important to have a mold inspection and mold testing performed in the Manhattan, New York condo where you and your family reside. It makes no sense at all to take any risks when it comes to the safety and well being of you and your family.

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Mold Inspection and Testing in Manhattan, New York

Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspections (866) 476-2056 Copyright © 2008 Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspectors, 2008 All Rights Reserved

http://www.olympiancares.com

http://www.olympiancares.com/co-op_condo_flyer.htm

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Cheap Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Renovating a bathroom can be a pleasing experience. The end result of a bathroom can create a much more homely feel, which is why many people look for bathroom renovation ideas. The problem is, a lot of people want to renovate their bathroom, but on an extremely small budget. This can be difficult, as high quality products, usually have a high price tag attached. It is surprising how much a little touch can make in your bathroom, so take into account everything. For example, when selecting which type or size of mirror, make sure it fits in with the design of the bathroom. If the design is not inline with the bathroom, then it will ruin the whole feel. Of course, make sure the mirror can withstand the heat and damp from the bathroom. Small bathrooms are hard to renovate, luckily, a lot of bargains can be found.

Looking in antique stores and picking up used bathroom items can save people restoring their bathrooms a lot of money. Remember, make the most of a space, utilize the corners for whatever possible, such as corner sinks or cupboards for storage and the bathroom will feel a lot bigger than it is. The great thing is that the internet gives buyers the power to get the best deals. Search online and then compare in store for the likes of power units. A lot of stores will offer introductory offers such as 10-15% off for new customers, alongside deals like 20% of or more if a customer orders £200 or more worth of product.

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Obviously this can make a bathroom renovation a lot cheaper than they ever imagined. The same thing as above goes for the likes of taps and fittings for the toilet. A lot of bathroom suppliers online have close out deals on a regular basis, so it is wise to consult them before paying full price in a retail store. All of these little things can make a big difference to the overall price. Lighting is also similar, remember, do not get distracted by the higher priced items, because they can range into the hundreds and not be much better in terms of quality.

Cheap Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Need help choosing your over bath shower screens? Visit Taylors new site!

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Curved Shower Curtain Rods

Most shower curtain rods are the standard straight curtain rods; however now there is a new type of curtain rod that gives you more space in the shower. This is the curved shower curtain rods. These curved shower rods actually increase the shower space by 25 to 35 percent, hence making your bathroom look bigger than it really is. The curved shower curtain rods are also easy to install, and are normally available in packages that contain wood screws, tile anchors, sheetrock anchors, setscrews and Allen wrenches.

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There are certain special features that make up curved shower curtain rods. They are suitable for both oval and rectangular-shaped tubs, and they come in several types including rolling shower curtain rods, and 5' or 6' shower rods with brushed-nickel finishes. No matter what the type, they all create a sense of open space in the bathroom. The brackets used in curved shower curtain rods allow for adjustments to suit different lengths of the bath space. In fact, the curtain rods can be cut down in length, if necessary to make the installation process easier. Just because the curtain rods are curved does not mean that need to get a new set of shower curtains, as normal shower curtains fit nicely into curved rods.

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There are a few other advantages that come with curved shower curtain rods. Apart from the obvious space factor, these rods are very effective, efficient, durable and economical. They prevent water leakage because of the special 3' curve-in feature at the corners. This feature also prevents the shower curtains from coming out of the bathtub, which can be messy and troublesome. Because the rods are curved, you can be assured of more space for your hand and elbow movement, which is very important when you are bathing.

Curved Shower Curtain Rods

Curtain Rods provides detailed information on Curtain Rods, Shower Curtain Rods, Decorative Curtain Rods, Magnetic Curtain Rods and more. Curtain Rods is affiliated with Kitchen Curtains.

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Nothing Insulates Like Insulation - A Key Ingredient of A High Performance Home

In previous articles, we defined a High Performance Home and talked of the significance of energy saving windows and doors. Today we will explore insulation and its importance. As more evidence pours in to indicate the damage done by global warming, the need to build High Performance Homes becomes even greater.

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First a definition from Wikipedia on the internet: "Insulation resists the flow of heat. Heat is a form of energy - it always travels from hot to cold - flowing outward in winter and inward in summer. By reducing heat flow, a properly insulated home uses less energy in winter for heating and less in the summer for cooling." Here the operative term is "properly insulated". There are several good products out there and they must be correctly installed to meet their potential.

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Some of the different insulation materials common to our area (Texas) are: Fiberglass, Cellulose, Rockwool, and Foam. Exotics like earth berms, hay bales, used tires have yet to make their way into the mainstream of construction. For most applications they are not the best method to insulate your new home. For the insulation to function as it should, it needs to fill the voids in the wall cavity and provide coverage overhead as well.

Fiberglass may be installed stuffed into the wall cavity as a batt, either faced or unfaced. Imagine a thick blanket of spun glass fibers encapsulated in a paper bag that has a vapor retardant. Alternatively it could be that same thick blanket without the paper. Either way it is typically manually placed in the cavity by the installer, making sure to not crush the insulation, leaving it as fluffy as possible to maximize the dead air space that it contains. Another method of installing fiberglass is to blow it into the wall cavity with a glue to hold it together or placing a net over the studs in the wall to hold it in place until the wall receives sheetrock. Cellulose, made from recycled paper and treated with chemicals to retard burning and Rockwool made from fumed ceramic are similarly installed.

Foam is applied as a wet ingredient and expands to fill the cavity. It is interesting to watch the application as it looks as though the installer is spraying the wall cavity with paint and then it starts to grow several inches thick filling all cracks and voids in an extremely efficient manner. As you might guess it is my favorite type of insulation. Its only drawback is the cost which is considerably higher than the other types, but has impressive results and a quick payback due to lower utility bills.

The next consideration is how to insulate the area overhead. We can blow any of the above mentioned types of insulation on the top of the sheetrock that forms the ceiling. Or better yet, the latest method is to insulate the underside of the roof to make the entire attic space sealed from the environment and keeping the typically attic installed HVAC system in an insulated space. I have measured temperatures in the attic many times during the summer to try to get some idea of what is happening up there. The range during the hottest part of the day is around 160 degrees f. in an attic where the ceiling has been insulated. Surprisingly it is only 85f where the underside of the roof has been insulated. With a sealed attic space the HVAC systems just works better.

Now it's time for the myth busting. Ventilating your attic will lower your utility bills, right? Wrong! You would need a ventilation hole big enough to fly a Cessna aircraft through to get any relief from the heat that builds up in the attic space. So why not just insulate the underside of the roof and make the entire attic cooler? I bet I get some emails on that one. And you can too. Just use the address below.

In the thirty years that I have been building there have been a lot of changes. I'm disheartened when I see people building them like we did 15 years ago because they have not kept up with the technology. Here are some helpful links if you would like to know more:

For Joe's Top Ten list of the dumb things that builders do in the south go to [http://www.eeba.org/resources/dumbsouth/index.html]

For information about the Energy Star Program go to http://www.energystar.gov/

Demilec, a company that sells form insulation: http://www.sealection500.com/dem/s500/index.php

My next article "What do I mean by building Green".

Copyright 2007

Nothing Insulates Like Insulation - A Key Ingredient of A High Performance Home

Ronnie Godfrey, Certified Graduate Builder

For more information about this article and other energy saving tips, visit out website

http://www.RGodfreyHomes.com

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Log Home Kits - Comparing Materials Lists and Pricing

Log home kits are generally defined as a materials package that has been pre-cut and prepared to give you all the necessary logs and materials to enable you to build a defined amount of your log home. Unfortunately, there is no standard for defining the various levels of completeness among log home manufacturers. This oftentimes makes comparing the kits from manufacturer to manufacturer a difficult process. The process becomes even more complicated because the differences in type and quality of materials vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

For example, let's say you have kit materials lists from two different manufacturers that are identical down to the number of screws. One manufacturer's kit cost is 20% less than the other's. At face value it would seem the less expensive package is the better deal. But this is not necessarily the case, particularly if the lower-priced kit is comprised of green pine log and low-quality single pane windows and the other kit is made up of kiln-dried cedar logs and top of the line dual-pane windows with a 25-year warranty.

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However, as a general rule of thumb, most log home manufacturers offer some variation of three packages: log and timber shell, weather-tight shell and a complete turn-key materials package.

The Log & Timber Package (LTP) is best suited for developers, builders and/or general contractors who have experience building log homes and also have access to wholesale building materials. LTPs typically include the precut, fitted and numbered logs for the exterior walls and timber for joists, beams, posts and trusses (sealant/caulking tape, lag bolts, splines, nails, screws, nuts, bolts and washers are included). Windows, doors, flooring, interior studding, sheetrock/drywall, moldings, roof decking, roofing or other finished materials are not included. When purchasing a LTP, understand that the total cost of materials can be more than double the LTP kit cost, so plan accordingly.

The Weather-Tight Shell Package (WTS) is the most popular for log home enthusiasts who are building their first log home. As its name suggest, this package typically contains all the material necessary to erect a weather-tight shell that allows a new home-owner to seal the home off from the elements and continue working on the interior at whatever pace or budget that suits them best. Like the LTP, the WST kit includes all the exterior logs and timer to frame the house. Also included in most WTS kits are the windows and exterior doors (including bucks and trim), roofing materials, interior framing materials (2X4 / 2X6), second story floor joists and sub-flooring (as applicable) and all porch/decking material. Sealant/caulking tape, lag bolts, splines, nails, screws, nuts, bolts and washers are also included. A WTS package typically gets builders to 70% completion. Finished flooring, interior walls and appliances are not included.

Turn-Key Packages (TKP) are typically more expensive, but they include everything you will need to build your new log home so that you just turn the key and move into your new home. A TKP offers some advantages: by sourcing all the materials from a single supplier, most buyers can save money compared to buying smaller quantities of materials from several different vendors, plus there are fewer invoices and payments to manage. If there happens to be a problem with any of the materials, supplies or appliances, you have one point of contact to call to get things resolved. Because of the volume of kits produced, some of the larger log home manufacturing companies, like Cedar Knoll Log Homes, get wholesale pricing on non-log materials and pass that savings on to their customers.

At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference and budgetary constraints. The best advice I can offer is to work with a log home company that makes you feel at ease and comfortable; one that is willing to work with you to give you what you want, not one that tries hard to push on you what they want to sell because it is the most profitable (for them). Lastly, while I still believe that a handshake means a deal, get everything in writing: a signed contract by both parties protects everyone.

Log Home Kits - Comparing Materials Lists and Pricing

Ron Marx is president of Cedar Knoll Log Homes, a leading log home and log cabin manufacturer. Ron has more than 25 years of log home building experience. Cedar Knoll Log Homes has been designing and manufacturing custom log home kits and log cabin kits since 1980. Cedar Knoll Log Homes' corporate headquarters and 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art milling facility, along with a 1680 square foot beautifully appointed log home model, are situated just off the shores of Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, NY. Cedar Knoll Log Homes uses only the finest Adirondack cedar and pine available and dries logs at the company's onsite kiln. Prospective log home / log cabin buyers, builders, contractors, wholesalers or dealers are encouraged to call 800-315-0626 for additional information or visit loghomeslogcabins.com

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Dry Wall Patching - 5 Steps to Successfully Repairing a Hole in the Wall

Drywall patching requires patience and persistence. I am going to break the process down easily so you will be more informed before you start your next dry wall patch.One thing you must consider when working with drywall is the DUST. If you are sensitive to the drywall dust or gypsum you may want to get a particle mask, safety goggles or gloves and wear a long sleeve shirt for protection. Don't forget to protect any home furnishings that you want to keep dust free, too!

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Step1: prep the hole or area to be patched.

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If the hole or area to be patched has loose wall board paper you will need to remove the loose paper and gypsum. Now if the wall board paper wants to continue tearing up the side of the wall, a way to stop this is the take a razor knife and cut back from the loose area about an inch or so. What you are doing is scoring the wall so when you tear of the loose paper it will come to the scored line and not tear further causing a larger area to need patch work. If after you have removed the loose paper and the gypsum board underneath is crumbled and barely hanging to the wall, you need to knock out all the loose gypsum. Loose paper and gypsum will cause the drywall compound to not bond strongly and may create a bubble you will see only after coating with compound. As part of the prep, you may want to square up the hole so you can more easily cut the piece of sheetrock that will fill the void.

OK so the area is prepped and now we will need to move to step 2, which will instruct you on how to properly attach a piece of sheetrock cut to fill the hole in your wall or ceiling.

Step 2: back framing the hole to attach the sheetrock you will cut to fill the void.

Just like with new construction you will need to have wood framing to screw the sheetrock into. To explain, I will use an example patch area of one foot by one foot. You will need to cut a 2x4 into two 16" lengths. You will need to gather a cordless or electric drill and about a dozen 1¼ " wood screws. Take one of the 2x4's you have cut and slide it in the hole and behind the existing sheetrock, along one side of the hole. The reason the 2x4 is longer (16") than the 12" hole is because we will extend it a couple of inches beyond the top and bottom. So now you have a 2x4 inside the wall on one side, the 2x4 needs to be laying flat against the inside of the wall, it will not be turned so the 4" width of the 2x4 is flat against the inside, this will give us a larger surface for attachment as apposed to the standard way of framing which would be with the 2" width facing the sheetrock. You will want to eyeball, best as possible the 2x4 and split the difference of the board width between the existing sheetrock and where you will attach the piece of sheetrock you will cut for the patch. Now that the 2x4 is held in the correct position you will need to screw the 2x4 into the existing drywall by holding tightly to the board and screwing into it through the face of the existing sheetrock. You will put two screws along the edge and one on the top and bottom of the existing sheetrock to strongly secure the 2x4 to accept piece of sheetrock you will cut. Once you have completed one side, repeat the same procedure on the other side. So when you have finished back framing you now have a strong frame to attach the patch piece of sheetrock. * Note - if you have a hole to patch where there are framing, electric or mechanical issues in the way that keep you from sliding the 2x4 behind the wall to screw down the side, you can screw in the top and bottom of the 2x4 and this will be sufficient. You may also consider attaching the 2x4 back framing across the top and bottom of the hole as apposed to attaching the 2x4's on the sides, just use the same instructions of attachment for the sides or top and bottom.

Now that the prep and framing are complete next we will cut a piece of sheetrock to insert into the framed hole in step 3.

Step 3: take a measurement of the hole and cut a piece of sheetrock to fit and secure it.

It does not have to fit super tight but it will need to fit and be screwed to the back framing you installed. You should put 2-3 screws down each side attaching the piece of sheetrock you cut to the framing. * Note- all the screws will need to be "set" below the surface of the sheetrock but not deep enough that the screw head tears the paper face on the sheetrock, unset screws will show and interfere with the next step. **Note sheetrock comes in two thicknesses for most residential construction -1/2" and 5/8". ½" is normally on the interior walls/ceilings and 5/8" is used on underside of stairs and in the garage.

Well you're making progress and you have filled the void with sheetrock, now we will move on to the coating or finishing phase of the dry wall compound (mud) explained in step 4.

Step 4: coating the patch with drywall compound (mud).

As I was saying in step 3 the piece of sheetrock you cut to fill the hole does not have to fit super tight. If the sheetrock you cut has a gap around the border/joint of it and where it meets the existing wall board, you should pre fill the area before applying the drywall tape. So just take a little compound and fill in the edges and smooth the excess flat wit the wall, allow to dry. Next is to apply the drywall tape so that after we are all finished there will not be a crack around the joint of the patched hole. For patch work I like to use a "mesh" or "fiber" tape, it provides a stronger hold and the mesh tape is much more forgiving than regular drywall tape, in the since you do not have to pre mud the wall to adhere the tape. The mash tape has a sticky backing, so all you do is cut the mesh tape to the length you need, stick it on the wall with the middle of the mesh tape running right in line with the joint or crack. The mesh tape should always run past the joint at least an inch. Repeat this process for all four sides of the patch. Next apply a coat of compound around the perimeter of the patch, over the mesh tape. The mesh will be slightly visible after only one coat. * Note - If you apply to much compound (mud) you will have a hump in the surface. Allow this coat to dry, sand lightly, mostly to knock of any knife edges that dried in the compound and could cause the next coat to build up to much. You do not want to try and mud the patch in just 1 coat, it is better to apply a moderate/thin coat allow to dry, sand and coat again. After all the coats (at least two) have dried and you are satisfied that the surface is coated evenly, sand the mud to even the surface. * Note - a less than perfect coating job can be smoothed out with sanding. Sanding along the outside edge of the mud too, will blend the patched area better into the existing surface. A really neat trick is after you have sanded the patch, take a wet sponge or rag and "wash" the outside mud of the patch blending it even better into the existing surface, this trick will help you avoid seeing a mud line around the patch when it is completed. If your home has a smooth texture, this is the last step, your ready to paint. If you do not have a smooth texture you will need to read on.

Only one more step and the drywall part of your patch will be complete, texture. We will discuss various textures and how to apply the in step 5.

Step 5: there are many textures and you must first know how to identify your existing texture before going forward.

Older homes may have a swirl, crows foot, hand or smooth texture. Newer homes for the most part use smooth, orange peel, knockdown and hand textures. For a crows foot you will need a crows foot or stomp texture brush. For swirl texture you may have to consult a dry wall supplier store for the correct texture brush or experiment with a few different brushes. For a hand texture you can use a dry wall knife or trowel. All of the above mentioned textures require a tool or brush to apply drywall compound to achieve the texture. The next two textures can be purchased in a spray can, orange peel and knock down. * Note - with all textures it is good to get an old piece of plywood or cardboard and experiment first to find the right amount of pressure, thickness of mud, technique and set up time to create the right look to best conceal that a repair was ever made. As always if you texture the wall and are not happy with the results you can was the texture of immediately with a wet sponge of rag, allow to dry and try texturing again or sand of a bad texture if you are not happy with it after it has been allowed to dry. * Note - Knockdown texture size can be manipulated by letting the sprayed on texture set up or dry for less or more time depending on the desired look.

We have discussed the 5 steps needed to professionally repair a drywall patch. 1) properly prep the area to be patched. 2) back frame the opening. 3) size and cut the sheetrock to fill the opening. 4) apply mesh tape and mud to smooth the surface. 5) select and apply appropriate texture.

So go out and "get your drywall on". You can check out my article on painting walls if you need assistance with the painting. Feel free to leave a comment about any other subject you would like me to write on pertaining to drywall. Please check out our website, dennardbloss.com, it is all about our construction finishes.

Dry Wall Patching - 5 Steps to Successfully Repairing a Hole in the Wall

Shelby Dennard is a third generation Drywall/Paint Contractor operating in the Pikes Peak Region and all along the Front Range of Colorado doing business as Dennard Bloss, Inc. for 16+ years. He has completed projects ranging from tract home developments, remodel, million dollar homes, custom multi-million dollar homes that have been featured in magazines and commercial construction. He is currently pursuing government contracts and writing informative how-to articles drawing from his professional experience as a drywall/painting professional. Please visit the homepage on his website and read the information about 'The 9 most important thing to consider when hiring a Contractor' at http://dennardbloss.com/.

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DIY Drywall Projects

Drywall projects may seem intimidating, but with the right tools and skills, it is actually quite simple. The materials you need include a scraper, putty, sandpaper, and a putty trial.

The first step in any drywall project is to sand down your existing walls, in order to make them smooth and lacking of any roughness. Once the walls are sanded, wipe them down to ensure that any remaining dust is gone. When the surface is completely smooth, you have completed the initial function.

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Odds are that you may have a few holes in some places around your wall. Filling the holes is easy if you utilize your putty trial and scraper. You may not be able to fill the hole with only one coating, so be prepared to go over one hole multiple times.

After the holes are fixed, you should run over the wall with sandpaper and a wash once more to make sure everything is smooth. Now it is appropriate to put in the drywall, which should fit in perfectly against the non-rough walls.

With the drywall in place, you can paint it any color you like, unless you prefer the natural color of drywall. Like filling the holes, paint requires more than one coat for maximum visibility. Any fixtures that you implement into your rooms should complement the paint. Although you may be thinking in the now, you will probably eventually sell your home, and the better it looks, the more valuable it is.

The cost of a drywall project is surprisingly cheap, costing only around one hundred and fifty dollars. If you employ somebody to do the project for you, however, the cost would be many times higher. Do it yourself is not only a great way to increase your personal mechanical skills, but also a method to save money.

DIY Drywall Projects

Justin Kander works with http://www.thehardwarecity.com to provide home hardware supplies at low prices.

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I Think I've Got Chinese Drywall Syndrome - What Should I Do?

There have been many articles and newscast done about the Chinese drywall and sheetrock info. Wading through it all can take quite a bit of time and when you are finished you may still not quite understand everything that has and is happening with the litigation process, and what lawyers are doing to get the problem solved. Although the whole scenario may be complicated, we can give you a bit of understanding as to what the problem is, where it came from and what homeowners need to be about doing to protect their homes, and families from the effects left by this tainted drywall.

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The first thing you need to understand is exactly what this problem is. The Chinese drywall and sheetrock info really helps answer that question. This type of drywall was imported in large quantities during the years between 2004-2007 when there was a building boom and shortly after hurricane Katrina. There is also evidence that there was sheetrock being built into homes as early as 2001. The drywall has gypsum inside the materials and when it is exposed to humidity it emits toxic gasses that corrode copper wires and coils and it also leaks through the walls and causes problems with appliances and even air conditioners.

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The next thing you may need to know is how to detect the problem if your home is at risk. According to the Chinese drywall and sheetrock info, It appears that most people report that they smell rotten eggs upon entering their home. They also say that they experience nose bleeds and respiratory problems. Testing needs to be done to make sure it really is the Chinese drywall. In many homes, the drywall is only used in part of the house so detection is a little more difficult.

After you have made sure the problem is the drywall, you may want to check with your insurance. Most insurances are not wanting to pay out and are looking for loopholes. The best course of action is to find out how to get involved in the lawsuit that many lawyers are spending their time putting together for litigation. There are some who are going at it alone, and are finding the process very time consuming and expensive. Especially when it comes to taking time off work to take care of legal issues. In the long run it's better to have a professional helping you along. there is a lot of Chinese drywall and sheetrock info on the Internet and can be easily accessed.

I Think I've Got Chinese Drywall Syndrome - What Should I Do?

Jason Whitney writes about Chinese drywall syndrome at http://hubpages.com/hub/Critical-Information-About-The-Chinese-Sheetrock-Recall

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Prices for Do It Yourself Sunroom Kits

Once upon a time, if you wanted to build a sunroom onto your home, you would have to hire and pay a contractor to do it for you. But with the introduction of sunroom kits, that is no longer necessary. You can order a do it yourself sunroom kit from any number of sunroom manufacturing companies, who will then ship to you the elements that are necessary to put the room together. The idea behind sunroom kits is that you should be able to save money on getting your sunroom installed by putting it together yourself. Not only are you providing the labor, but you are also cutting out the 'middle man' in the process of building your sunroom. This allows you to save money on the materials as well. Plus, depending on the do it yourself sunroom kit that you choose, you can also save money on future energy and maintenance costs.

First, understand that the price of a do it yourself sunroom kit will vary depending on your home's particular situation. For example, if you are choosing to build a small, aluminum sunroom on top of an existing deck or cement slab, it will be much less expensive than building a block foundation sunroom with more windows and wood framing. If you have an existing deck or slab, then it makes sense to choose that location for the sunroom because it is already properly graded and prepared. In that case, you can measure the deck or slab and get the proper measurements for ordering your kit. But if you don't have a slab or deck already, then you will need to decide on the proper location for your sunroom. You will also need to grade and prepare the area before you can begin construction. This obviously changes the amount of work that you will be requiring of yourself when installing your do it yourself sunroom kit. Of course, you could always hire a contractor to put in the slab for a block foundation sunroom, and then build the rest of it yourself.

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Choosing the Type of Do It Yourself Sunroom Kit

When you are ordering a sunroom kit, realize that it is usually designed for a sunroom that is not going to be connected to your HVAC system. If you want your sunroom to be heated or cooled by your existing system, then that is likely not a project you will want to take on with your do it yourself sunroom kit. Otherwise, you'll be relying on fans and portable heaters or coolers to keep your sunroom comfortable. Depending on the climate where you live, this may be just fine for you.

Getting a Quote for Your Sunroom

Companies that provide do it yourself sunroom kits have a number of standard sizes and types that they are ready to provide for you. These are the least expensive options because they are able to mass produce them and package them at a savings to them, which they will then pass on to you. However, that doesn't mean that you can't find the right kit for you and the design that you have in mind. If you find that the standard kits you can find don't fit the sunroom that you are looking to create, then you can certainly get a custom kit created, but you need to realize that it will cost more to do so. In order to get a quote for the sunroom kit you want to order, you will have to provide them with the measurements that you have selected for the design. This doesn't just include the dimensions of the sunroom itself; it also includes knowing how many windows you will have and where they will be placed. You will then also have to choose the materials that you want the sunroom to be built from, and the types of windows that you want. Will they all be stationary or will they be movable? What kind of glaze will they have on them? If this seems like it's an overwhelming number of decisions to be made, don't worry; you can get a great deal of help from the sunroom manufacturers themselves. Many of them have online design pages that will walk you through all of the choices you will need to make for your custom sunroom kit. The final kit, based on the design that you created, will be shipped to your home and will include customized installation plans as well.

Possible Problems With Do It Yourself Sunroom Kits

Probably the most common problem with a do it yourself sunroom kit is that the person who ordered it is simply not prepared for the type and amount of work that is involved. If you are not absolutely certain that you have the time and know-how to install the kit, you should think twice before attempting it. Also, remember that if you are doing the installation yourself, the work is not going to be covered by a guarantee of some kind. The materials will be, but the actual construction itself will not be. Plus, if you do make an error, any damages to your home may not be covered. In fact, it is a good idea to check with your homeowner's insurance policy before deciding to install your own sunroom so that you know whether or not you are covered for accidents that damage your home or cause injury to yourself or others. Otherwise your 'savings' could quickly become extremely costly if you have an accident.

Prices for Do It Yourself Sunroom Kits

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters about the same subject. You can keep reading about sunroom prices, sunrooms cost or patio rooms topics in general at his website http://www.allsunrooms.com.

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