The wood care experts who make Murphy Oil Soap have some advice on how to keep your floors looking shiny and beautiful.

The first key to maintaining your wood floors is to know what type of finish you have.

Most wood floors installed after the 1960s are finished with polyurethane, which hardens into layers of solid plastic sheets on the surface of the wood.

To find out, scratch the surface of the wood with a coin in an inconspicuous area. If the finish flakes off, a finish like varnish or shellac was probably used. If you think you have wax floors, apply a few drops of water and wait 10 minutes. If white spots appear under the droplets, then your floor has a wax finish. A polyurethane finish will not flake after being scratched with a coin, and white spots will not appear after exposure to water droplets.

A finish with a dull and lifeless appearance can usually be revived with a good cleaning to remove accumulated dirt. For polyurethane-finished floors, use a cleaner like Murphy Oil Soap for cleaning. To give your floors the best shine, make sure you follow diluting directions properly when using the concentrated version of Murphy Oil Soap.

Other ways to help preserve your wood floor shine include regularly sweeping and vacuuming your floors weekly; placing area rugs in high traffic locations; using floor protector pads or soft felt on the bottoms of furniture legs; setting a humidifier or dehumidifier to maintain a level of 30 to 50 percent humidity in the home; and protecting your floors from direct sunlight.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Even some so-called natural cleansers can contain these same or similar nasty ingredients. And you would know this only if the manufacturer practices full disclosure of ingredients on their labels, which is not required on home care products. Think about it – when was the last time you saw a full ingredient listing on your spray cleaner?

The best way to make sure your living space is clean and healthy is to use safe, natural cleaning products you create yourself, using natural and inexpensive ingredients you can pick up at any natural grocery store. It’s cost-effective, not difficult and, like the task of spring cleaning itself, it’s satisfying and rewarding. You can craft your own, home-spun versions of everything from carpet cleaner to furniture dusting polish – and have the satisfying assurance that you really are keeping your home clean and green.

Whether you’re shopping for prepared natural cleaning solutions or making your own, keep in mind that the word “aromatherapy” is now being applied to everything scented – from dishwashing liquid to laundry detergent. The true practice of aromatherapy relies on using pure essential oils extracted from plants. These natural plant essences nurture us on mental, emotional, physical and even spiritual levels. House cleaning isn’t exactly a spiritual exercise, but adding the effects and properties of essential oils to your homemade household products can enhance the experience and the effectiveness of your task.

Essential oils have potent antimicrobial effects along with their clean, pleasant natural aromas. Here are a few “classic” homecare essential oils suggested by the experts at the leading aromatherapy company, Aura Cacia: lemon (clean, sweet, uplifting scent; deodorizing), peppermint (minty, fresh; air purifier; mild pest repellent), eucalyptus and tea tree (air and surface sanitizers; fresh, therapeutic aromas).

Here’s a shopping list of key ingredients for making your own homecare products:

* Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) – Gently abrasive scouring powder, odor absorber and an excellent base for making your own cleaning preparations.
* Washing soda (Sodium Carbonate)
* Borax (Sodium Borate) – Natural mineral compound, laundry booster, multipurpose cleanser, fungicide/insecticide.
* White distilled vinegar (Acetic Acid)
* Liquid soap (Sodium Hydroxide) – Choose from vegetable oil-based soaps such as olive oil or sweet almond.
* Distilled water – Clean, distilled water acts as a better carrier and dirt solvent. Tap water will often contain salts and minerals that can lead to spotting and build-up.
* Essential oils
* Spray bottles
* Natural bristle scrubbing brushes
* Squeeze bottles
* Cotton dusting cloth
* Hemp or jute fiber scrubbing cloth
* Tote to put it all in

Follow these simple recipes for making your own basic homecare products:

Basic Spray Cleaner

2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon sodium borate
1/4 teaspoon liquid soap
36 drops essential oil*

*Cleansing and purifying essential oils: lemon, tea tree, eucalyptus, spike lavender.

Gentle Scouring Cream

1/2 cup baking soda
Liquid soap
18 drops essential oil*

*Oils that brighten: lemon, lemongrass, grapefruit.

Add essential oils to baking soda and blend. Next, incorporate the liquid soap, several drops at a time, until a creamy paste forms.

Window Cleaner

2 cups water
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon liquid soap
36 drops essential oil

Wooden Furniture Polishing Oil

3 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
10 drops lemon essential oil

Carpet Deodorizing Powder

1 cup baking soda
18 drops essential oil*

*Deodorizing essential oils: bergamot, coriander seed, lavandin.

Carpet Cleaner

1 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon liquid soap
18 drops essential oil

For more information and eco-friendly cleaning tips, visit www.auracacia.com.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Take a look around your garage, and you probably see snow shovels, bikes, baseball bats and a spare fridge — the only motor vehicle in sight is your lawn mower. The fact that garages are meant to house cars seems downright bizarre, like a factoid from a “strange news” column.

People have used garages for almost 100 years. In the beginning, garages were detached from houses and held nothing but cars. Today, most garages are attached to houses and contain enough space for two to four cars, at least theoretically. In reality, garages often store heaps of mismatched and disorganized clutter, which quickly invades every inch of space and leaves no room for parking vehicles.

But restoring your garage to its original purpose doesn’t have to be some Herculean task — free-standing or wall-mounted wire shelving should do the trick.

With wire shelving your shelves won’t collect dust, dirt and grimes. Use pentagon-shaped wire shelves in corners to get the most out of every inch of space. Create more shelf space with shelving units that are seven to eight feet high.

For seasonal storage, consider ceiling-mounted shelving solutions. Install casters on free-standing wire shelving units or raise wall-mounted shelving one foot above the floor. Mobile shelving units or wall-mounted units will make cleaning your garage floor easy.

Shelving.com and its sister site, TheShelvingStore.com, have been making space work better since 1960. They help their customers make the best use of their space by utilizing the proper sized shelving unit for the allotted space.

When it comes to maximizing existing space, one size does not fit all. Shelves are available in seven depths and ten widths so you can use every cubic foot of your space. If you need assistance with designing an efficient storage system, contact the professionals. When you are done with your project, you will finally be able to park your car in your garage — where it belongs.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

“Like any other meaningful and valuable item in our life, cars need protection,” said Alan Taylor of Car & Driver Radio. “I’m often asked how people can make their cars last longer, and it’s not always just about the mechanics, it is also about protection and shelter. I tell them to get their car in their garage.”

Whether its colors are fading or it’s taking even longer to “warm” the car on those chilly winter mornings, Mother Nature’s elements take their toll on your car. As the mercury drops, now is the time to get the car back in the garage.

Rakes and shovels, gardening pots, tools, golf clubs, basketballs, footballs and other sporting equipment litter most garages, leaving little to no space to move within, let alone park a car.

“Getting the car in the garage starts with getting the garage in order,” says do-it-yourself expert Karl Champley. Champley points out that the first step to organizing the garage and getting the car back inside requires lifting the junk up off the floor and organizing it on the walls. The walls are storage space too often left unused. Plus, many people leave items on the floor, loosely stacked against the walls with no support, leaving the chance that if you bump them getting in or out of the car, they may fall onto the car and scratch it or cause other damage.

To clear the mess, get the car inside, and avoid damaging the car when it’s in its proper home — the garage — Champley suggests the following tips:

From Garage Floor Sprawl to On the Wall

Clear every inch of floor space to make it clutter-free. Products are available from companies like Gladiator GarageWorks, which offers modular hooks, shelving and storage cabinets that allow you to organize what you have on the wall. You can even hang your bike, wheel barrow and ladders to clear additional floor space and prevent damage to the car when parked in the garage.

Organize the Place with Tailored Space

Once you know what needs to go up on the wall, it’s time to create zones for your sports equipment, your workshop projects, your gardening center or other hobbies you’re passionate about. Items are not only off the floor but in a familiar place every time you need something.

To Keep It Straight, You Must Create

As you accumulate more and more keepsakes or other materials that need a home in the garage, get creative. Use organization tools like Gladiator GarageWorks blueprint estimator (www.gladiatorgw.com/blueprint/blueprint.jsp) which allows you to virtually organize your space online and then print out a plan to expand.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

Mirror, mirror on the wall

With 30 percent of homes having at least one plate glass bathroom mirror, why not create a focal point in the bath by adding a mirror frame? For approximately $250, products such as Mirrorscapes Mirror Frames from Moen offer a variety of five styles of customizable frames ranging from classic elegance to modern sophistication and come in a wide variety of metallic and wood finishes. The innovative system is available for purchase online (www.buymirrorscapes.com) to help even a novice do-it-yourselfer order the correct pieces with the mirror’s dimensions. In just 30 minutes your bath can have a striking, picture-perfect look.

Freshen up

Don’t underestimate the power of a good coat of paint for your bathroom. A gallon of quality paint costs approximately $20 and is a great way to add some color, freshen up the walls or help pull the room together. And today, most paint manufacturers offer non-toxic paints with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like Glidden’s Evermore interior paint, to reduce gaseous pollutants in your home. These paints are not only healthier for you, your family and the environment, but they are vibrant and durable as well.

Eco-fabulous faucets

Until now, eco-friendly options have been less than trendy. Fortunately for environmentally-conscious homeowners, you can inexpensively swap your faucet to save water and update the look of your bathroom with the latest designs.

Installing a new lavatory faucet with a water-saving aerator, such as one from the Banbury bathroom collection from Moen, allows water to flow at 1.5 gallons per minute and reduces water usage by up to 32 percent. This traditionally styled collection, available at The Home Depot, also offers matching bath accessories including a tank lever, robe hook, 18- and 24-inch towel bars, paper holder and towel ring for a completely coordinated and beautiful look.

Maximize shower space

Most homeowners want to make their bathroom larger and enhance their shower. By installing a curved shower rod you can accomplish both goals and feel like you have an oversized, lavish shower without adding any square footage. Plus, it’s an affordable solution that provides up to seven and a half inches of elbow room while adding terrific style and visual appeal.

Curved shower rods are available in both fixed and adjustable lengths that offer easy installation and adjust to fit enclosures from 54- to 72-inches wide. To help complete the look, add shower curtain roller rings that are corrosion-resistant. Most are offered in today’s most popular finishes to complement any bathroom decor.

Quick fixes

Wish you could replace your bathroom cabinets but don’t have the extra funds? One budget-friendly, quick fix is to replace the hardware on your cabinets and doors. Not only is it a simple, yet effective, bathroom remodeling update, but it will make a huge difference in giving your space a new look. You can find the latest styles and finishes at home improvement stores such as The Home Depot, but be sure you update to a style that will match your other new accessories and paint color.

Final finishes

To help complete your budget-friendly bathroom renovation, bring in the finishing touches that make all the difference in a small space. Adorn your new accessories and curved shower rod with high-quality linens, such as a new shower curtain and towel sets. Add fresh flowers; framed, personal pictures; candles; or a lamp for a decorative touch.

You can get a new look for less. These simple projects can be accomplished with very little time or expense so you can start enjoying your renovated bath. For more information on the Banbury collection, Mirrorscapes Mirror Frames or other accessory products available from Moen, visit moen.com.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Maximizing livable space is how the American Institute of Architects (AIA) describes this new trend, a by-product of a down new-housing and real estate market. Smaller remodel projects – finishing attics and basements – readily achieve that goal, making the home more enjoyable today while increasing its resale value tomorrow.

Nearly 130 million homes are currently in need of work, including adjustments to meet “changing preferences and lifestyles,” such as family members returning home to live, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.

As the owner of a smaller home, you should know that adding even a small bathroom is among the best investments you can make, typically returning 65 percent or more of the cost on resale. In the attic or the basement, you can save money on a bath addition by using macerating plumbing, which requires no digging for under-floor drainage piping.

For this same reason, you can also convert an existing room or even a closet into a new small bathroom to better accommodate guests or even family members moving into your home. No digging for drainage means a quicker, less messy and cheaper installation experience. Macerating plumbing systems can handle the waste from a toilet as well as a sink and a tub/shower. As a result, you can create not just a powder room, but a full bath with all the decorative accessories.

Install an Up Toilet

Known as an up toilet or above-floor plumbing, macerating technology is the way to go, says East Taunton, Mass., plumber Mike Sikorski, who installs Saniflo brand products. Plumbing waste and water are pumped through small-diameter piping, which can be located inside the wall, right into the sewer or septic tank. Sikorski estimates that this type of system saves his customers $1,000 on average, “and that’s on the low side,” he says.

Mike Vines of Lake Orion, Mich., recently improved his home with a basement upgrade using an up-toilet system. “I couldn’t be happier,” he says of the half bath he added to the family home. “In these tough times, anything you can do to increase the value of your house, the better off you’re going to be.”

Saving money is key

Cost-saving projects like these are among the ways homeowners will most likely focus their future remodeling dollars, according to the 2009 Remodeling Market in Transition report prepared by the Joint Center.

“I believe that the struggling economy has actually helped the smaller profile repair/remodel market,” says Steve Norton, president of M & N Plumbing Supply in Denver. “People are staying the course, and macerating plumbing offers a lower-cost option to breaking up cement.”

If you’re staying put in your smaller home, but want to improve its livability and long-term value, consider adding a bathroom with macerating plumbing.

Tips for a better bath

Here are some tips to make the most of your bathroom addition, even if it’s a small one:

• Maximize space by placing a pedestal sink in the corner along with a mirrored medicine cabinet designed for in-corner installation.
• Plan your new bath so the door won’t bump into anything when it is opened. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (www.nkba.org) is a good resource for planning dimensions.
• Must you have a tub, or will a shower suffice? Putting in an enclosed stall shower saves a lot of space.
• Install grab bars to prevent falls. They’re not just for the elderly. The Home Safety Council (www.homesafetycouncil.org) recommends grab bars in every bath.
• No window? Good lighting can make a room look and feel larger. Recessed lighting is a smart choice for small spaces. Task lighting over the sink is a welcome feature.
• Don’t forget the fan. Installing a fan can help prevent moisture problems, such as mold and mildew.

Learn more about low-cost, above-floor bathroom and grey water pumping systems by visiting www.saniflo.com or calling (800) 571-8191.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

When homeowners are faced with the challenge of how to make their homes stand out, manufactured stone is a solid solution. StoneCraft manufactured stone veneer comes in several options which look like natural stone, but is easier to install and more affordable.

Manufactured stone adds limitless potential to outdoor living areas. Picture a patio lined with inspired Fieldstone, which projects a warm strength, with an adjacent outdoor fireplace, barbecue pit and waterfall hewn from gorgeous River Rock, whose rounded edges and earth tones impart both country charm and a sense of permanence. Surrounding this elegant setting could be a privacy wall built from stunning Lake Stone, Quartz or Monarch styles.

Inside, nothing adds a homey, rustic charm to a family room or den like the rugged look of stone. Imagine a fireplace and even interior walls crafted of Heritage stone, for a warm, classic feel. Envision a kitchen boasting walls of bold, beautiful Ledgestone, with its clean linear appearance with varying heights and depths.

Back outside, manufactured stone provides curb appeal unlikely to be matched by any other home in the neighborhood. Measured against ordinary brick or siding exteriors, a home graced by traditional Fieldstone brings additional substance and strength. This stone imparts an eye-catching European charm to even the most contemporary construction.

Nine styles with a variety of colors are available from StoneCraft. “These products provide a distinctive ‘Texture for Living’ to your home’s exterior, and come with a limited lifetime warranty,” says Jonathan Wierengo, director of marketing for The Tapco Group, maker of StoneCraft.

“In a world of cookie cutter houses with siding or brick facades, manufactured stone brings a customized beauty to any home, and it’s a smart investment that pays nice dividends in the years to come,” Wierengo adds.

StoneCraft is a division of The Tapco Group, which is a U.S. Green Building Council Member. For more information, visit www.stonecraft.com or call (888) 580-6448.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Watch this video if you have water leaks in your basement creating cracks in your basement’s floor and walls and want to learn how to fix them the right way.

Courtesy: www.green-house.tv

Hanging a mirror is easy, removing a mirror that has been glued onto a bathroom wall can be tricky. Watch and learn how to install a mirror in a bathroom.

Courtesy: www.green-house.tv

Though the basement is often viewed as a rugged recreational room, it still deserves the same decorative and functional attention as the rest of the home; and the winter months provide the perfect opportunity to tackle some of those projects.

These simple tips will help renew and rejuvenate your basement by making it more usable, durable and inviting for your family and friends. Plus, each project is affordable and won’t require excessive work to accomplish. Most can be completed in one weekend, or a few evenings after work.

Paint in the Winter? Yes, You Can

One of the best ways to make your basement look brand new is to repaint. A fresh coat of paint will re-energize the room and provide a whole new feel. And, with newer paints having very low VOC (volatile organic compound) content, it’s safe to paint even with the windows closed.

Additionally, many of today’s low-VOC paints, like Pratt & Lambert’s RedSeal Porcelain, are also extremely durable, which is essential in a basement. This green-certified latex interior paint is actually scrubbable. Tiny porcelain beads in the paint don’t allow stains to penetrate the wall surface, making it simple to clean up. So whether your 2-year-old splashes his grape juice on the wall, or a Sunday football game ends in a celebration of flung nacho cheese, wall cleanup will be quick and easy.

Light it Up, or Down

Basement lighting can be tricky. Trying to balance the volume of light emitted from fixtures ranging from a single pull-chain bulb to fully-integrated recessed canister lights is no easy task. Simple dimmer switches are one of the easiest ways to make sure you can balance a basement lighting scheme at any point in the day.

Dimmer switches allow for a multitude of lighting options, whether you have a windowless basement that is completely lit by artificial lighting, or even if you have a fully finished walk-out basement with large windows and sliding glass doors. Dimmers can be purchased at any hardware store and are quickly and easily installed even by novice electricians and homeowners.

What’s Under Foot

Generally, because basement flooring is set on top of concrete slabs, most people opt for heavily padded carpet so they won’t feel the rigidity and hardness of the slab. The problem, however, is basement carpeting can become very dirty, worn and outdated rather quickly. The good news is that even if you already have carpet installed, you can update the flooring to a more modern, sophisticated pattern relatively simply and inexpensively.

Tarkett’s FiberFloor resilient flooring offers what homeowners desire most in their basements: resistance to water and moisture, scratches, scuffs, stains and indentations. And, it’s easy to clean – a basement must. Resilient sheet flooring offers an attractive option for a high-end appearance with the latest styles and patterns in a wide array of colors, designs and textures. Plus, after tearing up the existing carpet, all you need to do is roll out the sub-floor padding and then lay the floor.

The Good Kind of Mold-ing

Decorative architectural elements such as baseboards and crown molding can add dramatic effects to a basement, but many homeowners are concerned that using these molding pieces will shrink the appearance of the room. Though it is true that most basements have lower ceilings than the rest of the home, some simple, thin, crown molding creates a very polished look in a basement.

Accenting the crown molding with color-matched baseboards easily turns the basement from a modest recreational area to a coveted destination area for your family and guests.

Each of these basement remodeling options is easily accomplished, no matter how cold it might be outside. The basement is most often a multi-use room, and these simple projects will certainly improve the room’s usability, quality and appearance.

For more information about Pratt & Lambert’s RedSeal Porcelain visit www.prattandlambert.com. For more information about Tarkett flooring, visit www.tarkett.com.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Home Design Software

A Floor Plan is a view of a house that would be seen if you were to take a knife and slice the house to see the walls, windows, doors, etc. from the top about mid ways down the walls. This is also called the dimensional plan. Depending on how much detail your builder or local building inspector requires, the minimum set of plans should include the floor plan, exterior elevations, foundation or basement plan, and a roof plan drawn to scale.

Just so you’ll know, a scale is nothing more than a shrunken ruler so that 1′ -0″ (12 inches) is now 1/4 inch long as far as your drawing is concerned. So here then is an example. If we use a scale to draw an 8′ line. in reality the line is only 2 inches long on the paper in real life.

So let’s see what’s included in a set of plans:

Floor Plans

Most floor plans are drawn at the scale of 1/4″ = 1′- 0″. It should include all the dimensions (measurements) of the wall, window, and door locations, door and window sizes, stair locations, room labels, locations of exposed beams, cased opening sizes and locations, bathroom layout showing sink vanity, tub, and toilet, kitchen cabinets with appliances & sink fixtures, and construction notes.

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Some floor plans include the electrical symbols showing the receptacles, light switches, light fixtures, ceiling fans, cable connections, telephone jacks, and meter base locations. These can be included in the dimensional plan but many opt to have it on a separate drawing.

Exterior Elevations

The  exterior elevatons include all four (4) views of the home which are front, left, rear, & right drawn also at 1/4″ = 1′ – 0″ scale. The are some plans that have the front elevation drawn at 1/4″ scale and then the left, rear & right at 1/8″ = 1′ – 0″ On these views are notes about what type of siding or veneer, the roof pitches (angles), grade locations, finished floor & ceiling locations, and a roof plan showing the house from the top view. The roof plan is usually drawn at 1/8″ = 1′ – 0″ scale or 1/16″ = 1′ – 0″.

Foundation or Basement Plan

The foundation or basement plan  is the same type as the floor plan showing wall types, footing sizes, floor joist or truss locations, support beams, pilasters or piers, and ventilation vents & openings. The foundation or basement plan is also a dimensional type drawing. Most of these plans are drawn at the scale of 1/4″ = 1′- 0″.

If the plan is more detailed, then we would see sectional details showing the wall and roof construction of the home, HVAC plan, plumbing plan, and cabinet elevations. Even more involved plans would show the types of mouldings, pediments, & trims in greater detail.

About the author: Tim Davis is a veteran Architectural Designer who teaches a full course in Residential Drafting with his new Ebook, “Learning to Draw House Plans in a No Nonsense Way” at http://homedesign.8m.com/101ebook He also has several ebooks out on similar subjects that can be found at http://receivedtext.org including a free ebook on Drawing a Simple Floor Plan on the Drafting Board.

Courtesy: EzineArticles

A cluttered garage becomes an elegant but kid-friendly family room.

Keep a high traffic floor evergreen using replaceable carpet tiles.

It makes sense to think about the efficiency of your home. As you do, take some time to consider your windows. Windows are one of the leading sources of air leakage, allowing hot air to creep indoors during the summer and warm, heated air to work its way outside in the colder months. By taking the appropriate steps, you can effectively boost window insulation and better maintain the overall comfort level of your home.

Here are five window insulation tips, provided by Comfortex BlindCrafter Centers, to help you conserve energy this winter:

• Caulk cracks or holes in your windows or install weather stripping around the window sash and frame to seal off the areas prone to air flow.
• Install either interior or exterior storm windows. Storm windows can easily reduce the heat loss through your windows by 25 percent to 50 percent while limiting drafts and condensation. Be sure the storm windows have sufficient weather stripping and interlocking or overlapping joints to maximize their effectiveness.
• Insulate your home with energy-efficient window treatments, such as cellular shades, that provide an insulating barrier on your windows to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.
• Keep window treatments closed at night. Open them during the day to take advantage of the sun’s rays for natural solar heating.
• Clean your windows, especially on the southern side of your home. This allows for maximum solar gain throughout the day and clean glass allows this to happen more readily.

If you’d like to add new window treatments to help save energy in your home, you may be able to get them for free.

Comfortex BlindCrafter has launched a nationwide Ultimate Window Shade Makeover Contest. The grand prize winner will receive Comfortex custom window shades for every window in his or her home – a $25,000 value. For more information about the contest or to learn how to enhance your home’s energy efficiency with window treatments, stop by your local Comfortex BlindCrafter Center or log on to Blindcrafter.com.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

Redwood is often the material of choice for fences because it is durable, looks good, and resists warping, splitting and checking.

Many homeowners save money by building their own redwood fence. Fence building isn’t difficult. Here are some tips for successful fence building from the California Redwood Association:

1. Designing the fence

Most redwood fences are variations of a simple post, rail and board design. The post and rail support structure is made of standard dimension lumber, while fence boards of different shapes and sizes give a fence its individual style.

2. Choosing quality materials

Most redwood fences are built with knot-textured “garden grades” of redwood. These rugged grades are economical and provide the best combination of performance and value. It is important to use noncorrosive nails and hardware to avoid unsightly stains.

3. Setting redwood posts

Setting posts is the most critical part of the job. They must be straight and evenly spaced, which requires patience and lots of measuring. Construction Heart grade redwood is the right choice for fence posts because it resists decay and insects.

4. Attaching redwood railings

Two or three horizontal rails run between the posts, depending on the fence height. Upper rails should rest on the tops of the posts for support. Bottom rails can be toenailed into place, but the preferred method is to place a block underneath the joint for extra support. Use metal hardware, such as “L” brackets, to secure rails to posts.

5. Nailing redwood fence boards

Nailing the fence boards in place is the easiest and most satisfying part of building a fence. Near the ends of the board, predrill holes before nailing to avoid splitting. For fence boards four inches wide or less, use one nail per bearing. For wider fence boards, use two nails.

For more help, send $2.50 for “Fences for All Reasons,” a 16-page color booklet that includes construction drawings for dozens of fence designs and step-by-step building instructions, to California Redwood Association, Dept. FNU-04, 405 Enfrente Drive, Suite 200, Novato, CA 94949.

For other project plans and redwood information, log on to Calredwood.org.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

According to Consumer Reports, replacing inefficient windows can cut heating and cooling bills up to 25 percent. But replacing all of a home’s windows can set homeowners back $7,000 to $20,000 – energy-efficient windows might take 20 years to pay for themselves. If old windows cannot be repaired through weather stripping or caulking, homeowners should consider an upgrade, but if windows still function, homeowners should look to make their existing windows more energy-efficient.

Here are some tips to keep heat inside your home this winter:

• Weatherstrip your windows and doors. Airtight windows and doors will do wonders for your heating bills. If you notice cold drafts by doors or windows, you need weatherstripping. If you’re unsure, ask a volunteer to stand on the other side of the wall, then blow hot hair from a hand dryer at the window or door.
• If you find drafts, make sure that the window or door fits properly in its frame. If the door or window is crooked, weather stripping won’t fit on every side and may make the door or window impossible to close. If the window fits but still proves drafty, look into buying a weatherstripping kit. Weatherstripping comes in many forms, so you might want to ask a professional for recommendations.
• Add insulating blinds. In using energy-efficient blinds, homeowners help control light and will save money. One company, Comfortex Window Fashions (www.comfortex.com), makes Odysee Insulating Blinds, which work like wooden blinds but boast high-energy-efficient performance. Odysee Insulating Blinds provide year-round insulation up to 71 percent more than an uncovered window. Odysee also provides complete privacy and decorating options, including 800 colors in two fabric options.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

Unbeatable Performance

Today’s laminates feature the realistic characteristics of wood in both texture and grain while providing durability that is unmatched by real wood. Laminate wears much better than wood and requires far less maintenance, so homeowners can enjoy living their active lifestyles without worrying about how their floors are going to hold up to everyday wear and tear.

Scratching and indentations can easily mar the beauty of real wood, but laminate resists scratches and nicks. Because it’s so durable, laminate flooring requires no waxing or varnishing and is much easier to clean than traditional wood floors. In addition, laminate doesn’t need costly and time-consuming refinishing like real wood does. As an example of this exceptional durability, all products in Tarkett Residential’s new North American Laminate Collection feature a high-performance layering system and offer a lifetime warranty against wear, fading and staining.

Up-to-Date Designs

The newest laminates offer both traditional and contemporary designs, from natural oaks to exotic wood patterns. Colors range from dark wood grains to warm and light tones that will complement any room of the house in need of a fashion update. Tarkett’s Laminates, like its New Frontiers collection, also feature high-gloss finishes to lend the look of exceptional elegance. In addition to a wide assortment of colors, grain designs and textures, it’s available in realistic 6-inch wide planks. Other laminate products are also available in a variety of plank widths – from narrow four-inch boards to wide 8-inch planks.

Today’s laminate flooring not only comes in wood grain patterns but can also replicate the look of tile, natural stone and metallic. The tile and stone laminates provide an upscale appearance but without all the fuss – cold floors, grout to scrub and cracking tiles.

Do-It-Yourself

You don’t need to be a pro to install a new laminate floor. Laminate floors come in easy-to-install planks that snap together, with no need for messy glue or nails to pound. Laminate can also be used over many types of existing flooring, including concrete and real wood, so often new subfloor installation is not necessary.

Cost Benefit

In nearly every case, laminate flooring simply costs less than traditional wood flooring. Today’s laminates have the realistic look of authentic wood, but without the high price tag. Laminate flooring can cost less than half the expense of real wood products. Because it’s so simple to install you can do it yourself, or if you use a contractor, typical installation costs should run far less than installing real wood planks.

So for the great look and warmth of wood, the strength to stand up to most anything your home dishes out, and a great price, consider laminate for your next flooring choice.

For more information on laminate flooring, go to www.tarkett.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Architectural elements are the unique details that form the architectural style of houses and buildings. These include anything from stairways and fireplace mantels to columns and ornaments. Examples of architectural details are found in every design style from intricate Victorian gables to modern clean-lined ceiling domes.

Here are a few easy design tips that use architectural elements to bring your kitchen, bath or master bedroom from ordinary to extraordinary.

Kitchen – From Lackluster to Luxury

• Stock cabinets can be plain and boring. Add decorative corbels (an architectural support bracket), panel and crown mouldings to create a high-end, customized appearance.
• Add a ceiling medallion above the breakfast bar or table. Whether simple or elegantly embellished, a medallion will enhance any light fixture and create a focal point.
• Build an “oven nook.” Using a shelf or fireplace mantel and some decorative corbels, you can create the look of a custom built-in cooking station found in model homes.

Bathroom – From So-so to Spa

• Switch out the simple wood trim around doors for elegant casings and add a chair rail at mid-wall height. For a look featured in four-star hotels, paint the wall below the chair rail a muted, relaxing color and use a slightly lighter shade of the same color above the chair rail.
• Add a decorative shelf or mantel for display of art, plants or your favorite fragrance bottles.
• Add to the height of the bathroom by installing a round or elliptical dome. A dome will allow for a larger, more dramatic light fixture while adding depth like a tray ceiling.

Master Bedroom – From Routine to Relaxing

• Trimming the bedroom with crown moulding shows attention to detail and complements rooms of any style.
• Add a niche to your wall for dramatic display space. Highlight special photos, keepsakes or a piece of art.
• Create a custom headboard using architectural plaques, ornate corbels and decorative swags. A custom headboard allows you to show your style and offers an elegant space to frame the room’s largest piece of furniture.

Adding architectural elements to customize the spaces in your home doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Lightweight, decorative mouldings and other elements are available through companies like Focal Point Architectural Products, which specializes in closed-cell polyurethane products that won’t rot or mildew. The pieces look like plaster and wood, but offer a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to traditional materials.

For more information or design inspiration, visit www.FocalPointProducts.com or call (800) 662-5550 to find a dealer near you.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Remove stale air filled with grease, odors and moisture from the kitchen with the newest designs in range hoods that reflect the latest technology and kitchen decor trends.

Maybe you have a traditional decor and you want to make it feel more contemporary. Maybe your house is more of a bachelor pad and you feel the need for a more formal ambience. Whatever the case, study each of the rooms in your house and try to understand what is making your rooms look renovation worthy. Is your house too cluttered with many living room furniture pieces? Do you want your home to look formal? Would you prefer a soothing environment in your house or an energizing one? Once you have understood what is wrong with your current decorations and decided exactly how you want the newly decorated house to look, the process of refurnishing will get much easier.

Now you must think about the changes you need in the color settings. Often the simplest and cheapest way of changing the look of the house is to change the wall colors. A boring room can get an instant uplift with a pop of colors. These days you can even get wall colors with beautiful textures that make their own style statement. You may not even need wall decorations if you choose the wall color smartly. As you decide about your color choices and other arrangements for each room, keep a notepad and pen with you and jot down all your preferences. This will keep you from getting confused later. Normally, people get overwhelmed by the myriad choices available in the stores and end up over shooting their budgets while purchasing things they did not want in the first place. Thus, keeping a log of your choice will help you stay focused during your shopping trip.

If you are still short of ideas for decoration, look into the home decor magazines for inspiration. Clip out the looks that you like and think of how to duplicate that in your house. Naturally, if you try to copy everything shown in a photo, you may have to spend a lot in new purchases. It is best to be creative and use the available design for inspiration. Try changing the positioning of the sectional sofa or the recliners or other furniture items to change the look of the room. Once you have decided on inexpensive ways to decorate your room, you can make your move to the market.

Finally, do a little research to find the best bargains. Some window shopping and asking around can make a huge difference in the final cost of redecoration. You could visit local yard and garage sales or check out some estate auctions. You could also go to a good online furniture store that often offers very unique decorative items at throwaway prices.

About The Author: Sarika Kabra’is site offers great value for money deals on bedroom furniture, kids furniture, dining room furniture etc. They have a breathtaking collection of platform beds. You will find all kinds of discounted furniture for your home.

Source: EzineArticles.com