Sheer Curtains

To highlight big windows and soften the sun's rays, a sheer curtain is your best option. Sheers have been used for many years. Besides their practical use, sheers will also add character to your room.

This lightweight curtain can be used alone or with another heavier fabric. The usage depends on the amount of sunlight you want to let into the room, for instance, if you want a warm room with lots of sunlight flooding in, you would use only the sheer curtain. If you decided to go only with sheer, you could make them three times the width of your window. The gathers will give you your privacy.

You could also get a little creative and leave the top part of your window open. You will still have your privacy but at the same time, the sunlight entering from the top of the window will brighten up your room dramatically.

Sheer curtains are the perfect choice if you have indoor plants, especially orchids. This curtain will protect your plants from the sun's rays yet give them enough sunlight to keep them alive.

Sheers are cheap to buy and relatively easy to maintain. Most of them are made of synthetic materials and unless otherwise stated, you can wash them just as you would wash lace curtains.

If your sheers are dirty, soak them overnight (not more than 12 hours) in warm soap water with a couple of spoonfuls of borax or ammonia. After this, rinse them thoroughly to get rid of the soap and hang them out to dry. If you have organdy sheers don not wash them at home. They are very delicate and detergents will harm them. You will have to dry-clean them.

Curtains provides detailed information about curtains, window curtains, kitchen curtains, beaded curtains and more. Curtains is the sister site of Candle Chandeliers.

How Natural Rust Removers Can Work For Any Home Pool

Many homes have pools but after a long winter it can be tough to get these pools to be moved back to their best qualities. Many of them will have developed rust over the long season. A natural rust remover can be used to clear these problems with safety. Natural rust removers work to help with removing rust stains so that the pool can be at its best condition possible for the new season.

The way pool cleaning materials like this work is simple. A proper rust remover that is organic in nature is applied onto a brush that can be used for scrubbing hard surfaces. After this the remover is then brushed onto the rust stain so that everything will be properly removed. After this is done the remaining parts of the stain that have fallen off will need to be cleared out before the pool can be filled up with water again. De-chlorination is needed after this process too as a means of getting the entire area properly cleaned off.

In some cases products that are available for removing rust are ones that do not require wiping. They can easily cause the rust to dissolve over time. Some additional time is going to be required for this type of option though.

A variety of different options can be used for these natural rust removers. These pool cleaning materials can come in spray forms, mixing tubs and in liquids for pouring or wiping.

The reason why natural rust removers are needed as pool cleaning materials is that many artificially made rust removers can be harmful to the people who use the pool. Chemicals that can stick onto the surfaces in the cleaning process can easily harm the quality of the surfaces. As a result they can easily get into the water for when the pool is actually filled up for the new season. This can be a major health concern. With a natural remover it will be easier to get everyone to stay safe because all ingredients used are non-toxic and safe for everyone.

What's more is that rust can be dangerous to a pool in that if rust continues to build up it can easily get into the water over time and can become even harder to clear off. As a result it is always best to use these products before each season.

When looking to get a pool at the home ready for the new season it is best to consider one of the various types of natural rust removers available. These materials are ones that can be used to help with clearing off difficult rust stains that can build up during the winter and can help to make the pool safer for everyone. These can come in many forms and can be easy to apply too.

Tanya is a mother concerned about her childrens well being. She has searched high and low for natural products that will not harm her young ones. Now you can tap into her research and find out which products she uses to protect her family from nasty chemicals. Visit natural rust remover

Where You Can Find Porch Ideas?

Porch ideas can come from anywhere. With the many online sites offering pictures and information about porches, you can easily get an idea for building a porch or remodeling your existing porch. Home improvement magazines are also another source you can use in your search. While there may be many different kinds of porches that catch your eye, you have to really look into each one of them to make sure that the design will complement that of the exterior of your home. You also have to ensure that you have the required amount of space to use one of these ideas.

One of the main thing that will determine which of the many ideas you have for building a porch is the amount of money you have available for such a project. It is a good idea to purchase all your materials first so that you have everything you need. There is nothing worse than thinking you have enough materials only to find that you run out halfway through the project and have to wait until you can afford it to buy the rest of what you need. This will make your home look unsightly during the waiting period.

You also have to make sure that the ideas for porches that you really like are practical for the area in which you live. Some porches are well suited for windy areas, whereas others are not. If you live on the coast and het frequent high winds and rain, then a porch that consists mainly of glass may not be a good idea unless it is an enclosure between two offsets on your home.

The purpose for which you want to use the porch will also affect your ideas. If you want this to be a space where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine, then you may want to look for an open design. If you want to have it as a protection for the entrance to your home, you may want to consider having closet space inside so that it serves as a mudroom.

For more information onfront porch designs, different types of porches and related topics, visit AboutPorches.com

Laminate Flooring For the Bathroom

The flooring that you choose not only makes an impact upon the dcor of your room, but it can also affect the budget and your maintenance needs. Laminate flooring is one flooring choice that is wonderful for bathroom renovations. It comes in many different colors and styles, to allow you to find just the right look for your bathroom to turn it from boring and dull to extravagant and inviting. It is not just beautiful, however. It is also easy to clean and take care of, which is why many homeowners turn to laminate flooring for their homes. There are other benefits to adding laminate flooring, too.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, then you will be happy to know that laminate flooring can easily be installed by you. Laminate can be installed over most existing flooring or over a concrete subfloor, which will save you time and energy in the installation process as well. It is a floating floor, which means that no glue or nail is needed because the pieces "float" on top of the existing flooring. The pieces lock together to create a cohesive and strong floor that will withstand wear and tear, giving you a durable and beautiful floor that you will enjoy and be satisfied with for many years. All you need to do is click and lock the pieces together and you will have a beautiful, inexpensive floor for your bathroom renovation or other room's renovation.

You want to take the health needs of your family into consideration when choosing your flooring, too. If you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, you will be happy to know that laminate is one of the easiest floorings to keep clean and healthy for you. It only needs to be vacuumed and/or damp mopped to help keep it dust and dirt free. It stays shiny without time consuming waxing and if you happen to scratch it, you can easily repair it. Most laminate flooring manufacturers include directions for caring for your laminate floors to keep it looking as beautiful as possible. Laminate is dust resistant and does not harbor any bugs that could cause an allergic reaction as well.

You can use laminate flooring in any room in your home. This is what makes it such a great choice. Kitchen and bathroom renovations are excellent choices for laminate flooring, simply because laminate holds up well to the activity that takes place in these much loved rooms. It stays looking beautiful and shiny with very little effort, too, which makes it great for any home. Laminate flooring will also work well in the living or family room. Adding the warmth of a wood grained laminate flooring can help to add just the right touch of welcomeness and warmness that you have been looking for.

No matter what color or type of flooring that you have been considering, you will want to check out laminate flooring. It comes in many different styles and designs from casual to extravagant to allow you to create the perfect look and feel for your room and your home.

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Understanding More About Home Improvement Contractors

Home improvement contractors cannot legally take up projects and otherwise work as contractors unless they are licensed. There is one license issuing authority in every state of the USA. Note the following points:

- The license is proof of the competence and capability of the license holder to work as a home improvement contractor.

- If you employ an unlicensed home improvement contractor, the work carried out shall be considered illegal.

- If such a person is utilized to install a product, the owner of the product faces the risk of losing the advantages of all warranties and insurance policies on the product. If something goes wrong during the installation, the owner shall have no protection whatsoever.

- Any person desirous of starting a home improvement business should contact the proper authorities to obtain the licenses and registrations.

The process is a time consuming one and should be commenced at least six months prior to the planned date of commencement of business. So plan ahead.

Home Improvement Is Not As Easy As It Seems

It is dangerous to think that home improvement is an easy task with no further specializations in the field. The truth is that each home improvement contractor, sooner or later, chooses to specialize in a particular aspect of his work.

The general areas of specialization are:

a. designing
b. plumbing
c. electrical work
d. engineering work
e. joining work
f. interior designing

You may notice that your home improvement plans stretch over multiple areas. Hence, simply employing one home improvement contractor to do the entire job irrespective of his specialization may lead to shoddy work. Rather, it makes sense to employ different contractors for doing different works so that you get the best quality work done. At the end of the day, quality matters.

The worst mistake that you can make is to presume that anybody can do the work of a home improvement contractor. That is not true. Pulling down parts of your home and rebuilding it or adding new parts to it is a specialist's job.

Do not be penny wise and pound foolish!

Avoid undertaking home improvement works on your own. Search for efficient and reliable contractors. Spread the work among your friends and relatives.

Get them to recommend a contractor they know. You can get good quality work done at very affordable prices. Your house will look good and your wallet will not end up empty. Many people employ specialists to build or modify their houses but choose to do the interior designing on their own. All your efforts at home improvement will go waste if your house looks ugly from the inside.

If you know nothing about interior designing, get a specialist to do it. These specialists will do a good job in making your house look pretty from the inside as well. However, they tend to be expensive and the cost of the consultation, materials and labor can weigh down your budget. Prefer specialists only if you can afford them.

When a home improvement chore comes up, honestly appraise your abilities and ask whether you can do the job yourself. Unless you are totally certain, do not do it yourself. If you decide to employ home improvement contractors, make sure you choose licensed contractors only. Irrespective of whether the job is big or small, quick or lengthy, cheap or expensive, never choose an unlicensed contractor.

For more free information on interior designing and to sign up for a great newsletter visit http://myhomeimprovementtips.com for your home improvement projects! Save on the latest home improvement products.

Tuckpointing

Tuck pointing is a growing industry. It has been around for thousands of years, but has become much more popular in the past ten years. This has spawned a number of innovations.

Originally, brick/stone masons would hammer and chisel out the mortar as needed. Then rinse away their dust allowing the new mortar to stick. After preparing the cracks for re-pointing, these masons would mix up new mortar to replace the old cracked mortar. At this point, they used a hopper or a trowel to hold their mortar, and a pointing trowel or a tuck-pointing trowel to push the mortar into the chiseled mortar-joint. After allowing the mortar to dry to a proper texture, these mortar-joints are tooled and brushed clean.

In todays market, tuck pointing is considerably different. We no longer have to hammer and chisel the mortar-joints to open the cracks up for repair. Most companies use an angle grinder fitted with a diamond-carbide blade prepared for the purpose of removal of the mortar. This innovation allows us to cut the mortar-joints out deeper and faster than had typically been done prior. This depth is about to of an inch deep, and allows for a better bond into the wall. This still requires the dust to be rinsed away to improve the ability to stick or bond in. In recent years, the new mortars are blended to match the original mortar of the masonry work. Note that not all companies are offering Custom Color Matched Mortars. (For companies that offer the Custom Color Matched Mortar System copy and paste this in your search bar). We also no longer need to use the pointing-trowel or tuck pointer to install the new mortar. This industry has adopted a tool used for grouting tile. It is called a grout bag, and it allows for more speed and accuracy when injecting the new mortars/grout into the mortar-joints. The mortar is still allowed to dry to a desired texture, then tooled and brushed clean.

Each of these new tools and processes has made this service faster, stronger, and more desirable.
There are books and other reports available at http://alamomasonryrepair.com/products.htm which will help you to locate quality contractors in your area or guide you through the process of doing the project yourself.

James Nech is a Masonry Repair Contractor in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. His company has repaired thousands of homes restoring them to their original beauty. When he is not repairing Brickwork or other masonry he can be found talking or writing about it. For more articles on brick repair visit his website at http://www.alamomasonryrepair.com

Facts About Dampwood Termites

Termites that feed on wood are part of a group with three different types of termite species. The dampwood termites feed on damp wood, rotting wood or timber and any other wood that has moisture. Protecting yourself and your home or building requires a few simple steps, on of which is clearing your property of any wood with moisture, which will attract the dampwood termites.

The Pacific Coast area sees more dampwood termites then anywhere else. The states affected by this group of termites are Washington, California, Nevada, Oregon and Montana. Some less destructive dampwood termites also live in Florida and the southwestern part of the country.

Characteristics Of A Dampwood Termite

This group of termites has soldiers to protect the colony, workers to find food sources and the reproducers, a king and queen. The life stages of a termite are an egg, nymph and then the adult. The life cycle doe not include the pupal stage.

You notice more of a distinguishing difference between termite species with the adults rather than the younger termites. Dampwood termites are generally much larger than the other termites by about a half of an inch. With brownish-reddish heads with big mandibles, the worker dampwood termites are smaller than the soldiers are while the reproducers are an inch in length and they have wings.

Feeding Of The Dampwood Termites

These termites need no shelter as they travel from food source to the next. During the early infestation of the termite, you may not notice much activity, but as soon as the nest is set, they go to work and feed on the wood and moisture. These little pests hide while feeding on the wood in order to remain undetected.

Dampwood termites normally eat the wood from the inside out as they tunnel their way through the wood. These tunnel areas are smooth as if sandpaper was used to sand the surface.

Can You Avoid Dampwood Termites

If you no you have wood that contains a high moisture content you need to keep a watch on your wood areas to prevent heavy infestations of termites. If you have faucets that leak or any other areas of damp wood in the area, this will attract the dampwood termites. Clear up any areas that attract the termites to your area and then keep a close eye on you basement and other areas that may have wood with high moisture levels.

You can also find more information at Types Of Termites and American Termites. Termiteshelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about termites.

Turning Your Home Green

In recent years we can see more and more people switching to buying green homes. This is either because they are getting concern about the environment or that the standards and techniques for building green houses have improved tremendously over the past years. In addition, sellers can also get a higher price for these green homes as they tend to save more on maintenance costs and utility bills. As such, if you are keen in purchasing a green home in Texas, how do you know that it is worth the price that you are paying for the house? This article will give you some tips on how you can get yourself a good deal. Check to see if the following things are found in the house:

1. A passive solar design

This is useful for natural heating and cooling of the house. Make sure there are not any skylights or greenhouse rooms in the house because that would mean too much heat gain in the building and will be very hot.

2. Attic spaces ventilation

Attic spaces can also accumulate heat, especially in hot climates, thereby causing the house to become very hot. On the other hand, moisture will remain in these attic spaces which are not ventilated, causing the wood to rot and smell.

3. Use of recycled or renewable materials

Since you are getting a green home, you should ensure that the materials used to build the house are not damaging to the environment. Some examples are using waste wood to build decks, use materials that are locally produced and can be renewed easily or recycled wood for the flooring of the house.

4. Use of safe materials

Products that are water based, non-toxic and biodegradable are more environmentally friendly so these should be used to build the house. Ensure that there are no materials that contain ozone depleting chemicals which are detrimental to the environment.

5. Site protection

The surroundings of the house is equally important, thus, ensure that the natural vegetation and animal habitats are protected from any unnecessary harm, especially if you need to do any additional constructions to the estate.

Search Texas Home Builders and Green Home Builders today.

Soundproofing Makes Life A Little Better And Quieter

Air, water and land pollution are not the only pollutions that plague our planet nowadays. One major problem that our world is struggling to overcome at present is noise.

Noise doesnt only destroy your peace of mind, it also degrades performance, reduces efficiency, makes you lose your sleep thus affecting your health and sometimes, it even causes accidents. A noisy home creates chaos among family members just as noise in the office breaks down production and causes workers to misunderstand each other.

Because of noise, gap is created and the order of things is disturbed. Noise is truly detrimental not only psychologically and emotionally but almost in all aspects of every individual. This is why when it comes to noise, you have to shield yourself and your home.

Soundproofing Tips To Help Restore Peace And Quiet To Your Home

To effectively achieve soundproofing, you first have to understand the principle behind noise. Sound is actually produced from the reverberation of air; hence, in order to do soundproofing, you have to deaden the air or stop it from moving. If its not possible to do this, at least reduce the speed of air so as to moderate noise as well.

Using sound barrier is the most frequent solution for soundproofing any room or space. Those materials that block off or oppose noise are called sound barriers and they are mostly made from nonporous materials; thats why most of them are sturdy and solidly strong. Examples of sound barriers include acoustic panels, drywall, plaster board, wood and concrete.

Noise can also be eliminated or dampened through passive absorption. This method is the exact opposite of blocking sound using sound barriers. Here, sound wave passes through an absorbent material such as acoustical foam or mat and is forced to change direction multiple times or dissipate. The diffusion of noise reduces its energy or intensity thus when the sound reaches your ears after passing through an absorber, it wouldve been considerably regulated and usually accompanied by a transformation into heat energy.
Whether you live in a big house or dwells in a modest apartment in the city, the sound of peace and quiet is almost a luxury amidst the multitude of noise that beleaguers you. Soundproofing your home will get rid of all the noises that disturb you, not to mention that it will also please your neighbor with an ear-piercing squeal.

Aside from surrounding and sticking all types of soundproofing materials on the walls, ceilings, floor, windows and doors of your home, you can also soundproof your home in other simple yet innovative ways. For instance, having some trees or big plants in your front yard could dampen down noises that come from the road. Another small thing that you can do to minimize noise at home is by installing rubber pads on the edges of your doors. This will stop all that slamming sound and banging of doors which startle you out of your wits. You can also check your houses for inconspicuous airspaces and crevices where noise may enter your home. Seal these fissures with liquid type sealant to ward off noise from crossing the threshold of your home. If youre into art or imaginative enough to try off other atypical things, then you may set up fountains or put in a large aquarium into your living room to replace the noise with soothing sounds of gushing water.

Soundproofing doesnt need to be that complex and costly. With your own innovations and unique ideas, you can find ways to keep peace and quiet to your home.

Robert Banks is the owner of http://www.soundproofing-info.com Know the different soundproofing methods and solutions by checking http://www.soundproofing-info.com

Consider Basement Renovation to Increase Value to Your Home

You can increase the value of your home with a good basement renovation. When you consider renovating your basement you need to determine why you want to renovate it. Maybe you want to make a basement room into a work out center, convert it to a television room, and make it into a kid's playroom or any of a number of other things.

Your project may be as simple as a new coat of paint on the dull walls or as extensive as a complete makeover into a new room. In any case there are some basic things you will need to consider and think about before you begin.

You will need to decide if the renovation to your basement will be easy enough for you to do yourself or if it will require the services of a professional basement contractor. Either way, you will have to prepare a budget.

One aspect in basement renovation that is extremely important is evaluating the quality of the air flow in the existing basement area you want to renovate. If your basement is moist, it will be prone to mildew. You will need to focus on getting the basement dry so it will be a place that you to go instead of a smelly place you avoid.

If your primary goal is to make your home a more comfortable place with the addition of quality space or improving the existing space, you need to consider basement renovation to accomplish this goal and add value to your home.

Considering basement renovation? Discover practical basement remodeling ideas online and turn cheap basement ideas into dream basements at a budget.

Are Bathroom in Basement Remodels For You?

Are you thinking about expanding your home, but out of space on your main floors? If that's the case, it might be time to do something about your unfinished basement area. A small office, a guest room, a personal gym, or even an entertainment room might do the trick, but if you want to spend time down there, there's something else you'll need. A basement bathroom will keep you from having to run up and down stairs all the time, and it'll also add value to your home. End lines at the bathroom door by performing a bathroom in basement remodel.

There are a few things to keep in mind before you get that renovation started, however. You'll need a project plan with your intended schedule, budget, cost estimates, and work you want done. Keep this updated throughout the process of building your basement bathroom in order to get the best and most predictable results. Start by looking for ideas on your basement bathroom remodel. Home improvement stores, online articles and sites, and magazines are all a good place to start when you decide what you want your finished basement to look like. Think about color, lighting, space set up, and more. The better your plan is, the more likely you are to end up with a bathroom you love.

You'll also need to think about ceiling height, available space, moisture in the basement, basement temperature, and stability of the basement itself. Windows and lighting will be important if you don't want your bathroom in basement remodel to end up like a cave. You'll also have to consider ventilation to keep air moving in the house. An enclosed bathroom with no air movement could end up seeming musty and unpleasant. Remember to decide early on if you want a full or a half bath.

If you're thinking about doing the work yourself, you'll need to know a few things. Most people need basic carpentry and wiring skills to put up walls and get light fixtures working. You'll also have to have a good amount of plumbing experience if you plan on installing the toilet, sink, and tub or shower on your own. However, you don't have to do everything on your own. Calling a professional in for part or all of the work on your bathroom in basement remodel is a smart idea if you're not one yourself.

It may be a good idea to call a professional plumber for the piping, if you don't have the experience and knowledge to do it yourself. In some cases, you may also need to have a pro oversee or sign off on work that you've done yourself. That way, you'll be legal and up to local code. If you know how to frame, wire, and hang drywall (choose moisture resistant board for basements), but aren't sure about plumbing, calling a pro might be the best method you can use. It'll certainly save you some frustration and effort in the long run. Your bathroom in basement remodel can be a real success. All you have to do is have a good plan.

Thomas Johnsen is the Author and Leading Expert on Bathrooms in Basements and the creator of the publication Bathroom in Basement 101. Visit the site now to find the easy-to-understand step-by-step guides on basement bathroom construction available online today.

Residential Elevators Equipped With Safety Features

Life has become much more convenient to a number of customers in the United States because of the availability of residential elevators equipped with safety features. These accessibility systems offer convenient access to all levels of your home.

Exceptional Safety Features

Residential elevators are equipped with open platforms or fully enclosed cabins with safety gates. To avoid opening in between the floors, the doors and gates have a safety interlink. The area of the platforms and height of the cab are the two factors that limit its size. Most of the home elevators come with safety features such as:

Under-platform sensors
Backup power facility
A manual system in case of a power outage or mechanical malfunction
Handrails on platforms
An emergency telephone or communication system
Emergency stop buttons
Emergency lighting
Locked power cabinets
Alarms
Automatic controls

For a Comfortable Floor-to-Floor Transportation

Owing to the advanced safety features, the residential elevators are ideal and safe solutions for the users. These provide a quiet, comfortable and safe ride from floor to floor. Besides this, you can transport heavy items such as groceries, laundries or anything else between the floors. Besides adding convenience to your lifestyle, you can increase the value of your home. The elevators with the ability to climb steep angles and round corners make you free from various mobility barriers at your residence. Depending on the structure, the maximum traveling and load carrying capacity may vary.

Wide Range of Elevator Models

A variety of residential elevator models with standard and optional features are available in the market to suit your budget, taste and needs. From the roped hydraulic, electric winding drum and vacuum elevators, you can avail of the best quality models ranging from standard to custom designs. Most of the sleek and compactly designed elevators are perfect to fit in your spacious multistory or two-floor buildings.

Residential elevators equipped with excellent safety features are less complex and less expensive than commercial ones.

DAY Elevator & Lift offers high quality residential elevators with all safety features. We are a premier provider of residential accessibility solutions in the Tri-State area offering a wide selection of products and services, including stairlifts, wheelchairs lifts, and home modifications.

Basement Remodeling Finish - How to Use Your Basement

When you bought your pre-owned or new construction New York home, everything seemed to have fitted well. But as time goes by, you'll find your home more and more cramped with little to no space at all to accommodate your family's growing and changing needs. When faced with this issue, the most cost-effective solution would be to maximize your use of every square foot which is not optimally used within your house. This makes basement remodeling ideal.

The number of ideas on basement remodeling finish you could come up with is limited only to how creative you can get. In the planning stage, the total square footage of the area must be measured first. With this, you can opt to use the entire area for a specific purpose or have separating walls to create rooms for different functions. The measurement will also be used by your hired local contractor to estimate the materials and cost.

When brainstorming on which basement remodeling finish is best, you have to consider:

Will the planned finish be well accommodated given the measurements?
Is this the best way to take advantage of the privacy and isolation the space offers?
Would this give you and your family the greatest increase in quality of living?
And, is the return on the investment well worth it?

Whatever your way of living, personality, style and preferences are; there is a perfect basement remodeling finish for you. If you have teens in the house, a game room would be the best way to help you keep track of them as you would know exactly where they hangout and that is in your very own home. Home-based moms would now have the privacy and organization they need with their very own home office. Exercise buffs need not throw away cash on costly monthly memberships and gas as they can enjoy working out at their very own gym. Movies can be enjoyed with friends and family at the comforts of your home theatre. You would not have to deal with complaining neighbors as you can do your band's practices in your soundproofed music room. And the possibilities go on and on.

A great tip would be taking advantage of the ready and easy access to plumbing. You could add up another bathroom, or a kitchenette into whatever your basement remodeling finish is. This would not only make things more convenient but could also help boost the value of your homes as well. Or you could even turn the whole area into your personal luxury spa.

But whatever basement remodeling finish you choose for the project, it is crucial to have your basement waterproofed first. Evaluate the area for issues that could affect the functionality and level of comfort the finish would provide. The methods and measures to be applied depends on the extent of water and moisture problems that the area experiences. You should also make sure to protect your investment. To do so, ensure proper insulation, ventilation and dehumidification; and provide monitoring devices and emergency power supply.

Eugene Makeev of Craftsmen Network has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in basement remodeling Brooklyn by matching their needs with prescreened basement contractors. Feel free to use our basement remodeling calculator.

How to Adapt a House and Bathroom For an Elderly or Disabled Person

You may find that as someone gets into their most senior years and/or has a disability that you are now in a position where you need to make some alternations around the home to accommodate them. There are some common alterations that will need to be done around the home in general which we will address first. Then we will look at how to adapt a bathroom for a disabled person or a less-able person; and lastly we will look at who might be able to give you some help and support in the way of planning and financial support.

General & Common Alternations

In order to make the home more suitable and manageable for someone with a disability or someone who is less able, such as an older person, then there are a few general alterations you can make to their home as addressed below:

1. The first thing you need to consider if the person is in a wheelchair is that the corridors and doorways are wide enough to let a wheelchair pass through with ease.
2. All facilities should be at a reachable height. This will include door handles, telephones and most importantly light switches.
3. If the disabled or elderly person can walk a little to reach certain amenities, then a support or grab rail will need to be put in place.
4. If you are living in a two-story building, then there is the stair issue. You may need to consider installing a stair lift. If you can, put the bedroom and bathroom downstairs for easy access, but this is not always feasible.
5. Ramps and general access to and from the home. This could be in the form of ramps and side handles into doorways.

Adapting Bathroom Facilities

1. As mentioned above, if you can, have a bathroom on the ground floor
2. You definitely need grab rails in the bathroom especially beside the toilet and bath-tub / shower area.
3. Basin at a reachable level with taps that are easy to turn on and off.
4. Would a walk-in bath tub or shower unit be the best solution for you? This is the important factor in a bathroom suited to a disabled or less-able person.
5. Think about having a higher than normal toilet
6. A back-rest against the toilet cistern
7. Light switches and all facilities at a reachable level so no distress is necessary

As you can see from the above that adapting a home for a disabled or less-able elderly person is no minor conquest.

It might be better suited if you could find a home that already has all these modifications in place. If not, then this will give you an idea of what might have to be done.

I know what you are thinking now - you are thinking how much will all of this cost?

Yes, it will cost a few thousand $/ but don't despair as there is help at hand.

Help And Assistance

You can get advice and financial help from:

• Occupational Therapist
• Community Care
• Local GP
• Public Health
• Local Government for Planning Permission and Grants
• Care For The Elderly
• Mobility Aids and Grants

I sincerely hope you found the above of some use to you. I had a close Aunt who became wheelchair bound through to illness, and these are most the of the alternations that my family had to accommodate for her illness.

If you want further advice on adapting bathrooms and specialty bath-tubs, then visit Walk-In Bath Tubs and Showers at http://www.guideitcom.com/bathtubs

Replacing Rotten Logs - A DIY Guide

What causes logs to rot?

The rotten log dilemma

Wood only rots between a moisture content of 30 to 60%. Thus if you find a log that is rotten, it is due to the wood/log getting too wet. Generally this results from a few basic causes of water reaching the logs in fairly large amounts. Many times I have talked with people over the telephone and told them their problem without them telling me much about their home.

There are many reasons or wood to rot:

• The roof is the umbrella that protects the home from the elements. Thus minimal overhangs results in rain drenching the logs.
• The lack of rain gutters and down spouts allows the water to run off of the roof and be blown onto the logs by the wind. In many cases rain running off of the roof will hit the open deck and splash water against the logs.
• Finally bushes planted too close to the home can also divert rain water against the logs and this will leave the logs damp for some time as the bushes keep the sun from hitting the logs and drying them.

Repairing Rotten Logs:
If you have logs which are rotting (generally the lower courses of logs), then you must repair or replace them and then be prepared to take care of the root cause of water saturating the logs.

• If the logs have some surface rot, you can chisel out the rotten part of the log down to good solid wood.
• Then drench the problem area with a wood preservative such as Penetreat. This wood preservative would be the water soluble type which is a borate compound.
• Then use wood epoxy to cover the area in need of repair.

Replacing Rotten Logs:

• First obtain a suitable replacement from a supplier that handles the same log type as found in you home.
• Then cut out the offending log using a saber saw with a blade made for cutting metal. This will cut through the spikes or log screws holding the logs together. You will then need to remove the rotten logs using a chain saw and wrecking bar. If the log is badly rotten then this job should not be hard to do.
• If the logs are tongue and groove type then the new logs will have to have the tongue removed on top of the new log so that it can slipped into the space left by the old log. It can be attached to the solid logs of the home with the use of plated deck screws.
• The final touch is to use a good grade of chinking to seal the joints between the new logs and the existing logs in the log home.
• Now apply a wood preservative to the affected area (preferably the whole home) and then refinish the home.

As was mentioned earlier, now take care of the problem that resulted in the logs getting wet in the first place!

For more information about replacing rotten logs, chinking material, stain or log cabin kits contact Clyde at http://www.Westernloghomesupply.com toll free at 719-547-2135. Western Log Home Supply is a distributor of log home chinking, cabin caulking, log stains, wood finishes, knotty pine log cabin siding, replacement house logs & complete log home kits.

Home Decorating - DIY Garden Style Bathroom

You should think about remodeling your bathroom so it resembles a garden theme if you want to create a more peaceful type of oasis. The neglected space in your bathroom can be filled with a theme. In this article, we will focus specifically on garden style themes.

Depending on the severity of your bathroom remodeling, the project could take only a few hours, or up to a few days. Some individuals choose to remodel the entire bathroom, appliances and all; while others prefer to only accessorize. Keep in mind that accessories go a long way and can really boost your room's atmosphere.

A bathroom with a garden theme requires several specific colors. Since the theme revolves around flowers, appropriate choices include green, red, yellow, and pink. The decorating process includes many simple options. You can either start by choosing your base color and then purchasing corresponding accessories or the exact opposite. Any way is perfectly fine. When choosing a color, keep in mind that you want the theme to resemble a relaxed environment. Simple borders are an inexpensive, yet great way to do this.

After the walls are painted the color you desire, you can then add some accessories. There are many design options since garden themes are very popular. You can get bath ensembles inexpensively which include a soap dish, tissue holder, and lotion holder. You can also purchase garden theme accessories in solid colors.

Some other choices include a shower curtain, waste basket, towel set, and wall decorations. Bath sets are very convenient and can skyrocket the results of the colors in the room. They also harmonize the bathroom. Also remember to place a plant either somewhere on the vanity or alongside the tub. Photographs and scented candles are also creative touches. If you don't like these ideas, at least fill the spaces with images of outdoor plants, butterflies, or even - you guessed it, a garden.

Public Designs: Home Decorating