Chlorine Free Pool System

As more pool and spa operators look for non chemical alternatives, mineral ions are gaining popularity. Mineral ions are natural bactericidal and algaestatic agents from copper, silver or titanium used to kill microorganisms in the pool. Copper is the most commonly used mineral for ionization. The use of a mineral ion solution can reduce the need for caustic chemicals such as chlorine, thereby reducing the side effects caused by the presence of such chemicals. The use of metal ions results in less skin and eye irritation and less damage to pool and spa equipment. Ions are a natural process, harmless to bathers and the environment, which makes it a particularly attractive alternative to ecologically conscious pool operators.

Ion generators, such as the ECOSmarte Pool System or the Floatron can be installed with your pool equipment to generate ions using an electrical current. Inside the chamber are electrodes, usually made of copper, but silver and titanium are also used. When the electric current is applied to the mineral electrodes, ions are released. These ions are carried away by the water passing through the chamber, and subsequently enter the pool. These ions bind to microorganisms in the water, killing them. The process is natural, safe and effective.

If a pool operator is hesitant to install a new piece of equipment in his or her pool, and does not want to commit finances to the cost of such a piece of equipment, there is an ionic alternative to the ion generator. He or she can use the power of mineral ions in their pool or spa through the use of a liquid mineral solution. These solutions typically consist of copper-based ingredients, such as copper sulfate pentahydrate solution, bound with an environmentally safe carrier, which depends on the brand used. There are several brands of this mineral ion solution, marketed under such names as Pristine Blue, Rainforest Blue, and Simply Blue.

These products, like the ion generators, are bactericidal and algaecidal. Microorganisms in the water metabolize the copper and it interrupts their reproductive cycle, thereby preventing bacteria and algae from growing. Unlike chlorine and bromine sanitizers, these products are odorless and tasteless and will not irritate the skin or eyes of bathers.

Please visit us to learn how to have a chlorine free pool and to learn more about the problems with salt water generators.

Latest Bathroom Tile Designs - Trends in Tiles

Copper, Hardwood, Glass, Stainless - what's the connection?

Quite simply, these are some of the latest trends in bathroom tile designs! Want to make your bathroom the hippest one on the block? Feel like you're a do-it-yourselfer with a flair for the latest designs? Find out what today's coolest designers are saying about the use of these materials in your bathroom tile choices.

Metal Bathroom Tile Designs

Metals like stainless steal, brushed copper, and satin bronze are coming on strong in the race for the trendiest bathroom remodeling materials. The old days of using huge sheets of stainless or copper are out and now we're seeing the use of small tile squares of the same material being put together in very interesting patterns. With the new choices in form factors it's making it easier to choose metal as an accent pattern instead of having to use it for a whole wall.

Most often we're seeing metal bathroom tile designs in the backsplash area. If you're going for a traditional and timeless look, stick with bronze and copper as they have a nice antique feel. On the other hand if you are looking for a contemporary and polished look, there's no better choice than top quality stainless steel.

Glass Bathroom Tile Designs

Glass tiles have been around for a long time but they used to be quite expensive. Now with the multitude of glass tile manufactures these days, prices have come down and selection has gone through the roof. Now instead of simply tiling your backsplash we are seeing whole walls or shower stalls done quite elegantly with glass. There is a level of luxury that only glass can achieve. While it used to be reserved only for the fancy hotels and restaurants, now it's becoming the latest in tile design trends in modern homes.

Glass comes in so many finishes from glossy to flat and the color spectrum is endless. Sometimes the most challenging part of integrating glass tiles into your bathroom tile design is settling on a style from all the choices available.

Also, let's not forget that glass is probably the "greenest" material available since it can come from 100% recycled materials. Those people in the remodeling industry are always looking for ways to reuse old material and make it a fascinating part of your new decor.

Hardwood Bathroom Tile Designs

In some old houses we used to see shower stalls and bathtubs surrounded by beautiful wood. While it looks amazing, it's not very practical for the moist bathroom air. With new porcelain tile manufactured to look like hardwood, you can have that look again in an easy to install, clean, and maintain tile.

These tiles make a great addition to a country home or your house in the woods.

Chet has been building homes for over 20 years and is now a published author of do-it-yourself type projects. You can read his website http://www.bathroomtiledesigns.org is specifically geared towards bathroom tile designs and bathroom tile ideas.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sloping Floors in Your House - Home Repairing

If you've ever been in a building where you feel like you are getting pushed to one side and you can't seem to stand up. You have either been drinking too much alcohol or the floor could be sloping. I was just in a store the other day that was full of antiques and glass but I could hardly stand up because the floor was sloping enough to create what I would consider a liability issue to the store owner.

Sloping floors are not going to be that easy to fix and repair. Repairing these floors will require a little skill and it would be a good idea to hire a professional to repair the damage. This is not going to be a simple fix and this is probably the main reason most people never choose to fix their sloping floors.

Fixing these floors will require either pouring a new concrete slab, replacing the wood floor framing members or replacing the actual building foundation itself. No matter how you look at it the sloping floor is going to be a costly item to repair.

What causes a sloping floor? Termite damage or dry rot destroying the wood framing or it could be as simple as a water leak over a long period of time causing the building foundation to sink and become out of level. Poor soil conditions with either too sandy or an expansive clay soil could be the culprit also.

Sloping floors can be damaged from incorrect landscape drainage. This would involve water settling around the foundation of your home and over a period of time the weight of the house along with soil problems can create the building to start sloping to one side.

The number one contributor to a sloping floor again like most damage done to a house is going to be water. Do your best to keep the water away from the house using roof gutters and landscape drains. These items are relatively inexpensive compared to the costs involved in repairing sloping floors.

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

Find out more about Water Damage.

Bathroom Tiles - No More Colour Puzzles

Bathroom tiles of different textures like mosaic, porcelain, marble and travertine are available in the market to redecorate your bathroom for a better look. Purchasing them may not serve the purpose completely. Rather, you should pay a judicious attention to its colour and size to make your bathroom trendier. This article briefs you on basic information regarding the ideal colour combinations related to bathroom tiles and will help you to find one matching to your personality and taste.

Before purchasing bathroom tile first figure out the type of look you want to give your bathroom. Pink coloured marble floor tiles are suggested if a feminine look for your bathroom is desired. Newly weds while renovating their bathroom should go for pink, light green or light blue. These colours transform the look of bathroom to a romantic one. Maintaining a contrast of colours between flooring and walls create superb visual effects. If you are choosing deep bathroom tiles for flooring, buy the light coloured ones for border.

Space available at your bathroom also plays a vital role while taking the final decision on colour of bathroom tiles. If the bath room is a compact one, white or light coloured marble floor tiles are advised. For spacious bathrooms, you can choose deep colours. While going for mosaic tiles, white is a must among the colours. For better colour selection and decoration ideas, internet is a helping pal. With few clicks on computer you can access the views of bathroom decorating experts without any cost. Along with it, you can also buy bathroom tiles from online vendors at a competitive price.

Su.J. - is a retailer of bathroom fixtures describe about different types of the bathroom tiles like Marble floor tiles, Pebble tiles etc. Visit http://www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk before choosing tiles for your bathroom floor.

Where to Buy Replacement Windows

I have been asked several times about where to buy replacement windows. This question has come from people located in different parts of the country. Well I normally provide a simply way to find the best within a few miles from where they live. Read this article right to the end and you will learn some of the tips I usually provide.

You can purchase them from a variety of manufacturers. These include Amerimax, Simonton, Milgard, Pella, Andersons to name a few. These have different window options that they sell through distributors and retailers located in various parts of the country.

Let me quickly walk you through some of these companies and their resellers.

Amerimax

This is a manufacturer of various building products, which includes our product of interest. You can also buy their products from their sister company called Berger and if you are in Canada you can buy their products from Euaramax, which is also a sister company. They basically are found in most hardware stores and home centers around the country.

Simonton

You can buy these from almost anywhere in the US. For example if your zip code is 10001 then you can purchase them Park Avenue Building Supply, 2074 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn , NY 11233 or Richmond Aluminum Supply Inc. 26 Watchogue Road Staten Island , NY 10314

Milgard

This company has manufacturing facilities all over the country. These include service locations in Temecula and Dixon, California; Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona; Chicago, Illinois, Marysville, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Las Vegas, Nevada; Sacramento, Hollister, Simi Valley, and Fredericksburg, Virginia. If you can't find them anywhere you can call them and they can gladly direct you to a store near you.

Pella

Pella replacement windows are available at the The Pella Window & Door StoreSM, Lowe's Home Improvement Centers, or Lumberyards & Dealers - in your area.

The best solution on where to buy replacement windows:

Simply visit: http://www.findreplacementwindowcompanies.com and follow the easy step-by-step guide to help you find the best within your area

You can also click here - replacement windows for instant access to a list of pre-screened contractors that can recommend the most suitable window for your style of home, weather conditions in your area and based on other important factors that you may not be familiar with

Electric Shower Installation

Before going any further with this I need to point out that in some areas any work on electrical wiring needs to be done by a competent suitably qualified electrician. Check with your local authority if you are in any doubt about this.

The above being said there are things that you can do to make it cheaper and less time consuming. Or use the following advice to help you not get duped by some low life cow boy contractor.

For your new installation the new electric shower is going to need some thought and checking before proceeding.

If you already have a electric shower installed and the new one is the same power rating:

Check that the existing wiring is in good condition.

Check the area around where the shower will be fitted for condition of the walls and ceilings.

Check the condition of the pipework for your water supply.

Check the pressure of your water supply is adequate

Check the condition and the efficiency of your drain. Pour some water in there to make sure it drains out quickly as over time these can get partially blocked by hair and lime scale etc..

If you are upgrading a existing shower installation, all the above are relative plus:

Check that the existing wiring is rated for the amount of power that is needed.

Check that the water is flowing enough for the higher rated shower.

If this is a completely new install:

Where is the nearest drain?

Where is the nearest cold water supply?

Can you get enough fall from your selected place of the new shower to allow the drain/waste pipes to take the water away quickly enough. (The shower needs to be higher than the drain.)

Decide the easiest route for the new water pipes to supply the shower.

Do you have spare capacity to power the electric shower. they need their own supply of electricity. Preferably on a new circuit with a rcb in place to help protect you and your home.

Where is the new electrical cable going to run through your home?

All of the above need to be taken into account before deciding on the final position of the shower installation. If all of your needed sources of supply etc.. are at the other end of the house then it may be necessary due to costs to reconsider your original plan. Maybe to install a non electric shower instead.

Having gone through the above process you should have a good idea of what is needed so when you get in potential contractors you will know if they are giving you a good service or not. To make things a little cheaper you may consider doing some of the work yourself. However, please remember the safety aspects of the proposed project after all water and electricity do not mix too well.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms Ltd who supply electric shower products across the UK.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

Preventing Falls on the Stairs

There are a lot of areas of the home that are dangerous or present a risk. Often this depends on your age group. For instance, a child might be at risk when playing around the stove, while an elderly individual is likely to be more at risk when using the stairs. Identifying and dealing with these issues is paramount to staying healthy and injury free.

Among seniors, a fall can be a very serious thing. It is often harder for an elderly individual to catch themselves before they fall. The recovery time for a senior is also a lot longer and the process can be quite difficult. Many times, due to osteoporosis, even a small low impact fall can result in a broken hip or fractured wrist, so it is far better to prevent them before they happen.

One of the most common places for a fall is the stairs and other areas that change elevation. Sometimes a home will have a step down into the living room or perhaps even into the kitchen, so making sure all of these types of areas are clearly marked is a good idea. Using a piece of brightly colored textured tape is a good idea. On the stairs, you should use the same color tape for all of the steps, with the exception of the first and last step. On the first and last step, you should use a color that sharply contrasts the tape on the inside steps. This way it is easy to quickly pick out the top and bottom step.

Some people also choose to install a stair lift, which is a medical lifting aid. These devices are used to help a person up the stairs and are great for those who find it painful or otherwise difficult to use the stairs. Many accidents are caused by a lack of balance, so those that are at all unsteady should consider using some sort of lifting aid.

One of the great things about a stair lift is that it can be installed to most straight staircases quickly and easily. There is rarely a need to modify the home, with the exception of securing the stair lift track to the staircase. A curved staircase is not quite as easy to outfit with a stair lift though.

It is also a good idea to remove loose carpets, especially around the stairs. A loose throw rug not only can slip, but even if the rug has a non-skid backing, the corner can become turned up, making it possible to trip over it. Instead, carpets should be tacked to the floor and remain firmly in place and otherwise removed.

Having adequate lighting can also be very important to prevent falls. For outdoor use, installing motion sensor lights can be a good idea. These lights come on if they detect motion, but they can also be turned on like regular lights, usually by turning them off and back on again in rapid succession. You can also adjust how sensitive the motion detector is, so make sure you adjust it to turn on as soon as you drive up or come outside. For inside, having good light is important in all areas of the home.

For a senior, it can be difficult to recover from a fall. It is a good idea to take steps to make your home as safe as possible.

Sean Noughtly is a writer that is familiar with many types of mobility aids, such as stair lifts. The stair lift is a very popular device that can make using the stairs possible again. Many who thought they would have to completely avoid the stairs, have found that they are able to independently and safely use the stairs with a stair lift.

AmeriGlide is one company that offers many types of lifting aids, such as stair lifts and also dumbwaiters. A dumbwaiter is like an elevator, but is not used to carry people. Instead it carries items throughout a home or other building. This can make using the stairs much safer, because it is no longer necessary to carry heavy objects up the stairs. Instead, it is possible to simply place them on the dumbwaiter and let it do all the work.

Are Resistance Piers Right For Your Home?

The resistance pier belongs to a family of foundation repair products that are sometimes referred to as micro piles, push piers, or steel piers. These foundation repair products are driven hydraulically into the soil using the structural weight of the building as a reaction force.

A friction reduction collar is attached to the lead section of pier pipe. The purpose of the collar is to create an opening in the soil that has a larger diameter than the pier pipe. This dramatically reduces the skin friction on the pier pipe as it is driven into the soil and allows the installer to load test and verify that the pier encountered firm bearing stratum or rock that is suitable to support the design load.

Resistance piers like other steel piers are an end-bearing pier that does not rely upon nor requires skin friction to produce support. Each pier is field load tested after it is installed. The piers are able to develop a factor of safety because the piers are installed and load tested individually using the maximum weight of the structure as the reaction force. The ability of the system to develop significant factors of safety comes from the different methods used between pier installation and load transfer during restoration.

The piers are driven individually and the entire structure works as the reaction; but during load transfer hydraulic cylinders are placed at multiple locations thus reducing the load on each pier to only the design working load. A building with substantial construction and rigidity can develop greater pier factors of safety than a weaker structure. A quality resistance pier system, incorporating a synchronized lifting system, is the first step towards fixing your structures failing foundation.

About the Author:

Jeff Tully invites you to view his website http://www.myfoundationrepairs.com if you are having any foundation issues including bowing walls, cracks in your foundation or any type of settlement issue. On this website you will find the truth about foundation repair methods and what you should expect. There are many misconceptions about foundation piers or tie backs, get the straight answers here

This site was designed and built with the homeowner in mind is the only true source for foundation repair and waterproofing information. From determining if you really have a structural issue to hiring an engineer or foundation expert, you will find the answers on my site

Add Value to Your Home - Refurbish Your Kitchen Or Bathroom

TV's Phil Spencer has recently been urging homeowners to "do everything they can" to improve the saleability of their properties saying that improvements to kitchens and bathrooms are among the best ways of selling houses. A recent Lloyds TSB Tickbox.net and Opinion Matters survey found that 73% of people in Greater London claim that installing a new kitchen is the best way of adding value to a property. The Lloyds TSB poll showed that a high percentage of people thought that an energy efficient boiler was the environmentally friendly home improvement that added most value to a property.

In a Telegraph feature earlier in 2008, '50 ways to improve your home', upgrading your existing kitchen was at number 19 whilst 'banishing broken bathrooms' came in at number 20.

There are many things that can be done to improve the saleability of your home and increase its value where kitchens and bathrooms are concerned. Here are just a few ideas:

1. Fit a spacious walk in shower - far more convenient and practical than an over-bath shower.
2. Install under floor heating in a bathroom - this will remove the need for unsightly radiators thus saving space and creating a far more seamless design. What's more, under floor heating is far healthier as the heat is more evenly distributed throughout the room rather than staying at head height, and it also keeps nasty things like mould and damp at bay.
3. Update your kitchen so that it includes built in modern conveniences - this will really make an impact on potential buyers because it's a job they won't have to do themselves.
4. A modern eco-friendly condensing boiler will help tip the scales in your favour when selling a property because potential buyers will be able to enjoy the benefits of reduced fuel bills and increased energy efficiency.
5. Consider the installation of a solar hot water heating system which will offer considerable savings on fuel bills for your potential buyers.
6. If space allows, add a downstairs cloakroom. Modern WCs and basins come in the most compact of sizes and it is relatively straightforward to liberate some space and transform it into a very convenient feature.
7. If your bathroom does not need a complete overhaul but could do with a little 'something' then go for some new taps. Choosing attractive taps from a high quality range will miraculously transform the look of any bathroom, and it should be a relatively low cost exercise in terms of your potential return.

If you are looking to improve the saleability of your property then a good place to start is by talking to your plumber who will be able to give you sound advice on your heating system options and energy efficiency for starters. A good plumber will work with reputable kitchen fitters and other professional craftsmen to provide a complete service and overall they will be able to provide you with space-saving and energy efficient solutions.

Ivor Bates is the director of Bates Heating and Plumbing Limited, a plumbing and heating company established in 2001 and covering all areas of London, Docklands and Essex. Bates Heating is CORGI registered. They can install, replace or refurbish bathrooms, kitchens and various types of heating system including energy efficient condensing boilers, under floor and solar heating. For more information visit http://www.batesheating.co.uk

Air Compressors - One Size Does NOT Fit All

Air compressors have been in use around our homes, on job sites, and in our factories and manufacturing businesses for many decades. Air compressors allow us to get jobs done in a safe, clean and efficient manner. They are reliable, convenient, and in many applications, indispensable.

There are many types of air compressors ranging in type and function from those used for simple tasks around the house, all the way up to those used in more industrial applications where the job just wouldn't get done without it. If you've ever tried to blow up one of those inflatable mattresses (you know, the kind you set up when your long lost uncle comes for a visit) without some sort of air compressor you know what a monumental task that can be. Even just a simple battery powered model saves tons of effort and lots of time. These simple little air compressors are ideal for filling toys, sporting goods, and other things that don't require a lot of pressure. Not only that, air compressors are also ideal for operating small air tools like staplers and nailers.

If you have a bigger job to do then you have to consider which one of the air compressor to use. Last summer I had the absolute pleasure of operating a power washer to clean twenty years of dirt off of a brick facade on a house. What a kick! I couldn't believe how powerful air compressors can be. The guy at the rental counter told me to be careful with it so that I didn't do any damage. Boy was he right. If I lingered to long on the brick it would literally blast it away. Without the power of the compressed air behind the water I would have just been spraying water from a nozzle and not made near as much progress as I did; or had near as much fun!

If you enjoy woodworking, auto-body work, or other hobbies or tasks where you have the option of using air-powered tools then you need something that can move the right amount of air. Since air compressors vary by how much air flow they produce, you need to choose one that will do the job. Let's face it, a sandblaster just isn't going to operate properly with a small battery powered model. Most power tools require 90 PSI to work right. The main thing to look for when considering air compressors is to get one that has plenty of air flow for the tool and job at hand. The air flow is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm). If your application needs more power then you need more cfm. Pretty simple stuff. But you may wonder, "how do I know?"

An air tool will give you the required or suggested cfm it needs. Generally speaking, air compressors for small tools like nailers need to move 1-4 cubic feet per minute, while tools like spray guns or impact wrenches need 2-5 cfm. Sandblasters and sanders will usually require from 6-13 cfm. Obviously, professional grade tools may require a higher cfm.

So, whether it is just a simple toy that you don't want to huff and puff on for hours trying to fill, or a brick house that needs a face lift, or doing a job on site, you are sure to find just the right compressor from the vast selection of available air compressors on the market. Good luck!

MJ writes for ClickShops Inc., which offers a great selection of air compressors at http://www.aircompressors.us.com.

Illuminated Bathroom Mirrors - Choosing the Best For Your Home

If the wide range of illuminated bathroom mirrors in the market is confusing the hell out of you, then we can help you. Given below are some reasons why people all over the world love light up mirrors. You can also read some tips on choosing the right kind of restroom mirrors for your homes in this article.

Benefits Of Illuminated Mirrors

The first reason why most people buy these mirrors is because these mirrors are extremely easy to use.

The mirror light can be lit when you are in a hurry and need to put on some makeup or even when you need to shave. This light acts as an activity light just like a reading lamp does for your study table.

The bathroom mirror light lets you enjoy some soft lighting while you take a relaxing shower. This way you needn't use harsh overhead lights.

It provides dedicated light to the restroom mirror besides providing some ambient lighting for the entire bathroom.

Lastly, these mirrors add style to the entire room.

Now that you are aware why these mirrors are such a hit, let us go on a understand how to choose the right kind of mirror.

How To Choose The Mirror?

Be very sure of the shape and the size of the mirror. It should blend with the style and the color scheme of your restroom

Ensure that your lavatory wall is spacious enough to carry the kind of bathroom wall mirrors you select. For example: if you go for a wall mirror that comes with a cabinet, it shouldn't look too large on the wall.

The wiring too has to be taken care of. So if you are choosing illuminated lavatory mirrors with integrated lighting then have them installed properly.

You can order your restroom mirror online, as well. Manufacturers guarantee safe delivery and you are able to select from a much wider range of illuminated bathroom mirrors, this way.

Visit CORE online to get free access to more information on buying illuminated bathroom mirrors.

Prevent Black Mold

Black mold doesn't care if your house is nice and new, or musty and old. It doesn't care where you live or how sensitive your sinuses are. It wants into your house any way it can!

Black mold happens to everyone, and it's a big headache. It's especially a pain to clean. That's why prevention is the key to keeping your home mold free.

Humidity

This is the number one condition for mold to grow. It loves the wet parts of your house. Keeping your home dry is the best way to keep the mold out.

Mold thrives best at around 55% relative humidity. Anything over that and mold can have a heyday in your home. The most surefire way to prevent black mold growth is to reduce humidity.

-Check your watery trouble spots. Especially keep your eye on the bathroom and kitchen, and look for places where water runs.

-If you have any area of standing water or water damage, get rid of it immediately. Clean it well and let it dry.

-Keep everything dry. After you wash the dishes, make sure you towel everything down. Don't leave standing water on any of your kitchen counters or around your sink.

-When you see mold, clean it up immediately. Don't let it go, or it will encourage more mold to grow.

-Buy a dehumidifier. This will help dry the house out a little and that will reduce mold. You can buy one at most department stores, and it doesn't have to be anything fancy.

-If you live in a humid or warm climate, you will definitely have to deal with the mold. Take that into account and keep your house dry before the mold gets in.

Air

-Make sure there is plenty of air flow in your house. Fresh air will clear out the mold spores that might be around. Open windows and get plenty of ventilation.

-In the bathroom, always turn on the exhaust fan during and just after showering. This will clear away some of the water before it has a chance to settle.

-Keep down the dust in your house. Dust can carry mold spores, and both can be major irritants.

-Routinely check and clean your air ducts. Mold can grow around your heating and air conditioning ducts, and this is especially bad because it circulates mold all over the house.

Inspections

-If you are suffering from any chronic sinus problems that might be mold related, get your house tested and inspected. Inspectors can check mold samples to see if they are toxic. They can also check and see how much airborne mold there is in your house.

-Routinely check around your house in the hidden places where Dangerous Toxic Black Mold likes to grow. This includes your attic, crawlspaces, basement and air ducts.

It's not enough just to clean up mold when you see it. To stay mold free, you have to prevent black mold from growing. Don't give it a chance!

Learn more about Black Mold Species on our site. You'll also find other information such as Black Mold On Onions ToxicBlackMoldHelp.org is a comprehensive resource to help individuals to test and inspect, identify health symptoms and removal of toxic black mold.

Foundation Waterproofing Sprayers

Foundation waterproofing spray equipment can be the biggest capital expenditure for a waterproofing contractor when they are starting out. It is important to purchase the right piece of spray equipment for your business. Too large of a piece of equipment and it may be difficult to stay above water. Too small and you may not be able to spray enough foundations in a day for your customers.

It is also important to purchase a foundation waterproofing sprayer that works for the type of material that you are spraying. The most common type of waterproofing used in residential new construction today is asphalt based products. Asphalt based products have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive and readily available. They are formulated to meet national and local building codes and in some cases have been on the market for decades.

Dampproofing vs Waterproofing

The first thing a waterproofing contract must know is the difference between dampproofing and waterproofing. They are not the same thing. Traditionally, foundations have been coated with asphalt-based dampproofing. Dampproofing does an excellent job of keeping the dampness out of a basement. That is it stops water vapor from penetrating from the soil around the basement and into the living area of the basement. It must be noted that dampproofing does not stop water under hydrostatic pressure or cover cracks that develop in a foundation.

According to national building codes, foundation waterproofing has to do three things to be considered a true waterprofoing material.

1. It must stop water vapor from penetrating to the interior
2. It must span shrinkage cracks that develop in a foundation wall
3. It must prevent water under hydrostatic pressure from penetrating into the basement

The most common foundation waterproofing material used today in new residential construction is polymer-modified asphalt. This is the basic asphalt that is used for dampproofing with the addition of polymers that allow it to stretch and withstand hydrostatic pressure.

Emulsion Vs. Solvent-Base Materials

Foundation waterproofing and dampproofing comes in two varieties, emulsion (water-base) and solvent-base. Emulsion materials require little or no heating of the material to spray. Solvent-base materials usually must be heated to 130-150 degrees F in order to spray. It is therefore extremely important to choose the right spray equipment for the material you are using.

Foundation Waterproofing Sprayer

A basement waterproofing contractor needs a sprayer that will do the job reliably and quickly. The best method of spraying a solvent-based material is to have a heated tank system. The tank is filled with the waterproofing material. The tank will have a pipe inside it that is surrounded by waterproofing material. This pipe is connected to the truck engine cooling system. The heat from the truck heats the material in the tank.

A solvent-based material waterproofing sprayer will also have a heat exchanger. A heat exchanger rapidly heats the waterproofing material to the final spray temperature. It is also connected to the truck engine's cooling system.

Emulsion-based waterproofing spray equipment can be used with a tank, tote or simply suck straight out of a drum. This is because the emulsion-based waterproofing needs less heating to spray. A smaller heat exchanger than one used on a solvent-based waterproofing sprayer is all that is needed to get the material to the proper temperature.

It is recommended that emulsion waterproofing sprayers be an enclosed unit or one that is mounted inside a box van bodied truck. This is because the waterproofing material can freeze in cold temperatures and prevent the unit from working properly.

Additional Features

For ease of use a foundation waterproofing sprayer should have an electric hose reel. This will allow a contractor to quickly finish a job and continue to another. Also, the spray hose should be insulated and covered with an abrasion protection sleeve. This will both keep the waterproofing material at the proper spray temperature and protect the hose from damage.

Temperature gauges should be on both the tank and the spray hose so that the contractor knows the temperature of the waterproofing material. A pressure gauge is useful for both correct spraying and in diagnosing any problems that may occur with the pump.

This article is written by Aaron Kuertz who's with Applied Technologies. Aaron has been in the waterproofing industry since 1998. Applied Technologies is a manufacturer and supplier to professional waterproofing contractors and homeowners in the United States. To learn more about foundation waterproofing sprayers visit Applied Technologies on the web

Are Marble Tiles Better Than Ceramic Tiles?

The wet rooms of your home kitchen and bathroom, are also one of the main selling factors when people come to look around your home with a view to buying it. This fact is more relevant today than ever with the falling house prices that we are all faced with. Any advantage that you can get over the other homes that are being sold that are similar to yours is needed to help with a speedy sale with a good price. Remodeling your bathroom or kitchen if done well has also been shown to be one very good way to give your home more value.

Besides putting in new cupboards or fittings it is necessary to give the walls a makeover as well. With these areas being prone to condensation and water related problems it makes good sense to use a water proof wall covering, not just paint or paper. One of the popular choices for such rooms is using wall tiles. Using wall tiles can have a dramatic effect on the overall appearance of the room and if chosen well will give the room a luxurious feel.

There are so many choices available to prospective buyer that it can be really hard to decide which ones to go for. There are a number of materials used in the manufacture of wall tile nowadays such as ceramic, porcelain and glass. The most common materials due to there manufacturing costs are porcelain and ceramics these are available in a huge array of designs, colors, patterns and textures. This is why it can be very hard to choose which tile to use in the particular room.

There are other option available other than the man made wall tiles there are the natural products that are available these are things like slate, stone and marble and give a room a feel of nature and the great outdoors. There are a number of made made tiles that have been designed to look like the more natural products, but some how they just don't look and feel the same with depth of color and feeling of warmth. Although the natural type of wall tiles are a little more costly but you could potentially get the cost back from using them in the value that they would add to your home.

Marble in particular is a great finish for your walls due to it's overall appearance and the effect it can have on the area. With it's wide array of patterns and colours the possibilities are endless. The reason for the visual aspects of marble are due to how it is formed. Starting out as limestone which is as you know is a soft material it undergoes a chemical change which make it harder while still remaining flexible to a point.

Looking for bathroom tiles? Check out complete guide to bathroom tiles.

Solar DIY Kits and DIY Wind Power

The increase in popularity of the solar DIY kits and wind turbines for homes has brought about a radical change in the way that most people view this technology. For many years, it was ludicrously expensive to install and would take years before you starting to make your initial investment back. There was no such thing as cheap solar panels, but that has all changed. Do it yourself solar panels are not just easy to manufacture in your back yard, but will cost a fraction of the price of the already made models.

Even without any experience in building home solar systems, just about anyone can follow the novice video instructions and build an 80watt panel in their own garage. Just by popping down to the local hardware store, you'll find everything you need. The solar panels cost no more than $200 to manufacture and because you built it, you know how to fix it. A roof solar panel can be used to run a refrigerator, or a television or even a washing machine. At a cost of just a few hundred dollars, you can turn these cheap solar panels into a lucrative income by building them and maintaining them for people you know.

You don't have to stop there, household wind turbines are just as easy to manufacture and at half the cost of a solar panel, you can harvest a breeze into extra power for your home. Wind generators for sale are usually of the marine kind and do an excellent job, but due to the cost involved, they are not often used as wind turbines for homes. The home wind generator can be built in hours and can be a great addition to your alternative energy plan.

With your very own solar wind generator system, you can save money, earn money and in the event that there is a power cut, you don't have to miss that vital sports game. In fact, you can still watch and have a cold beer while the neighbours watch on jealously and all this while doing your bit for the planet.

Stove Smith has lived off grid for a few years on a remote island in Central America and discovered that with the aid of new techology, going green doesn't have to mean going hippy. A tech savvie guy with a passion for saving money and saving the planet. Take a look at how you can cut your bills without spending a fortune and do your bit for the planet while you're at it - http://www.no9to5ers.com

Enameled Lava Stone Counter Tops For Kitchens and Bathrooms

Enameled lava stone is a highly luxurious product extracted from volcanic lava stone and glazed with enamel. This product is fired in a kiln at 1300 degrees to create a beautiful, smooth crackled finish. It is a relatively new product to market and is quite durable; it is highly resistant to stains and scratching.

Cost

Enameled lava stone is mostly produced in France by a limited amount of suppliers and due to the lack of manufacturers involved in glazing this stone, it is a very expensive product, well over $200 a sq. ft installed. If you can afford it, consider this option because it can be opulent.

Color/ Design

As this stone is enameled, it can be available in a range of colors. Some draw backs are its glossy finish. If you are not looking for that shiny, glossy look, enameled lava stone is available in matte finishes however they are limited. Because it can look very similar to glass, it will reflect light beautifully over large surface areas. Many wash basins, bathroom counter tops and sinks are being designed from an enameled lava stone perspective.

Durability

Enameled lava stone is a highly durable and low maintenance product. It is extremely stain and heat resistant and does not require a sealant. It has also been known to be used in outdoor areas because of its resistance to extremely cold temperatures. Its glossy finish can lead to some scratching on the surface, but, with proper use and some diligence on your part, you can enjoy enameled lava stone for a life time.

Construction/Installation

We always recommend that installation be done by professionals especially when working with stone. This particular product is pre-fabricated and shipped pre-cut by a laser saw. Manufacturers can work with your personal bathroom designs to custom make any enameled lava stone counter top you desire. Visit a sanctioned installer to get the best results. One of the primary manufacturers of enameled lava stone is Pyrolave, a company out of France that specializes in this beautiful product.

Environment/Health

Enameled stone is obviously created using enamels and therefore does have an impact on the environment due to waste by products. It is not particularly recyclable, but pre-fabricated pieces or designs can be re-used in other homes, kitchens or bathrooms if you have a good salvage source and are not restricted by color.

Since this product is enameled it becomes a wonderfully hygienic material rejecting mold and mildew easily.

The Oops Factor

Outstanding!! Enameled lava is very durable, shiny and stain repellent. a great choice if hygiene is a concern in your home

In Conclusion, Lava stone is sexy to look at, wicked to the touch and a beauty to use in any sexy room. It works great as a bar top, sink, kitchen counter top and of course as a bathroom counter top. Since it resembles glass with its glossy finish, it reflects light beautifully naturally bringing your kitchen and Bathroom to life! If you can afford it, do it!!

Michael Kyle is Co-founder of The Sexy Bathroom.Com and The Sexy Kitchen.com Two great web sites dedicated to Kitchen & Bathroom Design, Planning and Materials as well as a great resource for design photo's and entertaining.

Overcoming Internal Barriers to Your Goals

If you're like I am, you don't see yourself as having any fear of success. In fact, it's likely that you actively strive for success.

So despite this confidence, why do you find yourself plagued with self-doubt sometimes? Or, occasionally, you just don't feel motivated to work on your goal. Worse yet, sometimes you do things that actually impede the achievement of your goal. Are these signs that you'll never achieve that goal or is something else going on?

One way to solve this puzzle is to ask yourself some key questions:

Are you taking on too big a goal?
Sometimes when there's too much to do to attain a goal, we can't focus on what needs to be done and we become overwhelmed. Rather than focusing on the big goal, focus on the smaller steps that need to be accomplished one at a time in order to accomplish the big goal.

Are there signs that you are progressing toward your goal?
It can be discouraging to feel as though you're not getting closer to your goal. It's easy to lose the initial enthusiasm and motivation once the work gets going. It's especially easy to lose the initial excitement and anticipation if you don't see any results from your efforts. If the steps toward your goal don't provide rewards, build your own. Treat yourself to a special dinner, a night out, or whatever you want, after making a significant step toward your goal.

Are you having to make too many sacrifices to achieve your goal?
If you're a single parent holding down a full-time job, you may be sacrificing sleep or time with your children to get that Ph. D. Most goals demand some kind of investment of scarce resources (i.e. time, energy, money). For some, these resources are a small investment and for others they are major investments. Make sure your investment is worth your goal.

Now that you've started working on your goal, is this something you can accomplish?
Some self-doubts are realistic and some aren't. Make an assessment of the skills and resources needed to accomplish this goal. Next, assess your skills and resources. It may be helpful to ask a friend who can be objective and honest with you to help you with these assessments. If your skills and resources are less than what is needed and will never be enough to reach your goals, then your self-doubt is an inner sign of reality (like wanting to be the next "American Idol" despite being only an adequate singer). However, if your skills and resources match or will match the skills and resources needed to accomplish your goal, this exercise should help eliminate some of your self-doubt.

Is accomplishing your goal too far out in the future?
When goals take a long time to accomplish, we can find ourselves working on things that have nothing to do with our goals, and in effect, wasting our time and making the achievement of our goals take that much longer. In this case, it may be helpful to make the halfway point to your goal the new goal instead. For example, if your goal is to lose 40 pounds in 40 weeks, make a new goal of 20 pounds in 20 weeks. At the end of 20 weeks, when you've lost 20 pounds, create a new goal of 20 pounds in 20 weeks. Break up your goal whichever way works best for you and keeps you focused on the end result.

You may not always be able to handle external obstacles toward your goals, but you do have control over your internal obstacles!

I have been helping people reach their personal and professional goals for the past 14 years. There's nothing more satisfying than helping someone reach their potential for success. I would like the opportunity to help you reach your goals. I am a Professional Coach with a Ph.D. in Psychology and a specialty in Goal Achievement and Transitions. Check out my website: http://www.ParamountTransitions.com then call me for a free consultation.

How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?

How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?

I am asked this question at least ten times a day, answer, what do you want? What materials do you want to use? Most people do not know what is available and what the options are;therefore they don't know what they want so I can not give them an answer. Are you looking for a permanent solution? Or a quick fix? All the problems in the bathroom are caused by water, if you cannot control the water you cannot control the problems, you control the water, you control the problems. When it comes to remodeling a bathroom most homeowners think that there are a million ways you can do, there are only a 5 ways you can remodel a bathroom. The first question you must answer is how long do you want it to last? Remember, you get what you pay for

The Most expensive Bathroom is the one you have to do over and over again!!!!!!

5 Ways to Remodel a Bathroom The firstfour solutions are a quick fix.

1. The first option is to re-glaze, painting over, usually done for tubs; I have seen it on tiles as well. The tub cost $400-$600, walls are about the same.Most companies will give a 3- 5year warranty, but if you leave anything that is wet, like a shampoo bottle or wet towel, it will crack, chip and peel sooner, it can last from 3 months to 3 years. New tubs are baked after painting, this cannot be done in the house. 2. Wall system only, vinyl walls from the home center, cost $400-$800, if you do it yourself it will cost you nothing, if you hire a contractor it will be double the cost. It is adhered with liquid nail. Liquid nail dry's after a period of time, it cracks, pull away from the wall. It can last 1-3 years.Hiring a contractor will cost $800-$1,200.00

2. Fiberglass costs to purchase from $1,200- $2,000, 1 piece tub and wall, this is still a porous material, it has a jell-coat on it, it will wear away in about 3-5years. Ounce it wears away it will expose the nooks and crannies in the fiberglass, and when that dirt gets inside, it will become difficult to clean. It cannot be installed in most homes due to existing framing; generally they are installed in new homes before the walls are framed. First remove existing tiles, tub. To install a fiberglass unit you must remove everything including sheet rock, this unit installs into the wall studs. You need a plumber to install drain and valve, after installation the walls need to be repaired. The total time to install is 3-4 days, the warranty on the fiberglass is 1year, from the contractor none. Total cost with a contractor approximately $4,500.00. This will last approximately 5-7 years.

3. Total Remodel in Tile, this is the traditional way of remodeling. Update an existing 9-by-6-foot bathroom. Replace all fixtures to include 30-by-60-inch porcelain-on-steel tub with 4x4-inch ceramic tile surround; new single-lever temperature and pressure-balanced shower control; standard white toilet; solid-surface vanity counter with integral sink; recessed medicine cabinet with light; ceramic tile floor; vinyl wallpaper. Tile is a good material, the problem is not the tile it is the grout. The grout is sand and cement, it is porous, water will penetrate it sooner or later.This will take up to 2 weeks, According to Remodel Magazine Mid-Range in 2007 cost is $16,830.00. Now the most important question after spending all that money, what is the warranty? lifetime? I don't think so.

Ask your tile contractor how long is the warranty? If he is a good contractor he will give you about 1- year, for labor, no warranty on tile, that's it!

Luxury Bath solution is aPermanent Solution- do it right the first time and Never do it Again. Acrylic tub,walls and shower systemswill control the water, because it is non-porousmaterial, water will not penetrate it, mold and mildew will not grow on it., easy to clean and maintain.

5. Luxury Bath acrylic tub, this is the only material that is non-porous, the wall and tubsystem comes with a lifetime warranty, you will never do it again. The Acrylic system will cost less than the total remodeling, from 1/3 to 1/2 of thetraditional remodeling.Price will depends how much work needs to be done before we can put up the system, colors and styles you choose from. The estimate is free of charge, we will measure, and you pick and choose, then we will give you a quote. visit our website http://www.luxurybathremodeling.com

Illia Kornea http://www.luxuryathemodeling.com

How to Build Your Own Solar Panels

DIY solar panels can convert solar energy into electricity. The sun provides us with free energy everyday. All we have to do is to collect it and turn it into a more usable form and after that we can stop paying thousand of dollars on electricity. Building your own solar panels can help you do just that. Many people believe that installing an alternative power source is expensive, but the truth is that if you decide to do it yourself it will cost as much as one month's supply from your utility company. This way it will practically pay for itself after a few weeks.

Here are the advantages of generating your own electricity:

1. Reduce or even completely eliminate you power bill and save $1000s in the long-term.
2. Create more power than use and sell it to your utility company.
3. Increase your efficiency and never worry about power outages.
4. Reduce dependability on exhaustible resources.
5. Help build a greener, healthier world.
6. Get tax deductions for using environmentally-friendly resources.
7. By installing this system you can increase the value of your home.
8. You can involve your whole family and have fun in the building process.

You can use this panel for all your home appliances (stove, fridge, dishwasher, laundry room facilities and more). Some of the materials you are going to need are: copper wires, an electric stove, a micro-meter, 2 alligator clip leads, sandpaper, table salt and tap water. It will cost you less than $200 to build the system yourself, which would be a better alternative than paying up to $3000 for a ready made panel. Make sure to place the cells where they can receive the largest amount of sunlight available, like on the roof. If that is not possible you can also place them in your garden or backyard. It will only take you a couple of days to complete the project, especially if you follow the instructions of a reliable diy manual. In general, the instructions are very easy to understand and you will be able to build your own solar energy system in no time.

Everyday thousands of people all over the world are learning how to take advantage of the power of the sun and slash their power bills for good.

Do you want to join them?

All you have to do is: Click Here and find out everything you need to know about DIY Solar Panels!

Remodeling Books Save Time and Money

The other day, I was surfing the Internet and came upon an online home building bookstore that put together a website with the best-selling home building books on the market today. These books range from basic carpentry to advanced structural engineering and everything else you could possibly think of that could be related to the home building, selling, remodeling and construction process.

I couldn't believe the simple and easy to use. Here's a list of some of their books selections.

Photo Guide to Home Repair - The most up-to-date, complete, and useful guide to home repair a homeowner can have. With more than 350 projects and 2300 photos, virtually every home repair challenge.

Exterior Siding, Trim & Finishes - This first ever compilation by Fine Homebuilding on the popular subject provides builders with ideas for choosing the correct finishes for home exteriors, plus solid how-to information.

Flipping Houses - This book is designed for realty investors who want to profit from buying below market, making cosmetic improvements to add value, and then quickly reselling.

Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling a bathroom is a challenge - it's action-oriented and requires extra energy and stamina. But you, undoubtedly, realize it's a challenge you want to take on.

One $20 house building books or home repairs book, can save you lots of money, if you're willing to do a little research and the labor to complete almost any home building project.

By the way, if you're interested in learning how to repair a roof, build your own house, interior decorating, structural engineering, building a deck, gathering some more information about home painting or even remodeling your bathroom. Our online home building bookstore can save you money if you're willing to do the work.

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

If your looking for some more Home Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas

Drywall Texture - A Long Term Investment

Drywall texture is a compound that is rolled, sprayed, or troweled onto the sheetrock after the taping and floating of joints is complete. It is the same material as the joint compound, but thinned down with water and applied to the wall surface. There is a lot of variation in styles of texture, and some are more appropriate for certain styles of homes. Here are seven basic types:

Skip Trowel - For this style, texture is applied to the walls with a trowel. Trowel marks may be left on the surface to give a rustic, hand crafted look. It is often seen on Tuscan or old world style homes.

Stamped - The texture may be troweled on first, and then stamped with a tool. The result can be anything - leaves, bird's feet, windmills, etc. Or, a flat brush may be dipped in the texture and stomped on the walls, creating a texture with swirl patterns.

Knock down - Texture is first sprayed on, and allowed to partly dry. Then, a variety of tools may be used to scrape the texture and flatten it down. It is possible to use trowels, sponges, brooms or other tools to scrape or smooth down the texture and create patterns. Monterrey Drag is a type of knock down that imitates an exterior plaster look. In this approach, a thick coating of texture is dragged over with a trowel. This style may be a dust catcher due to the high relief of the mud.

Orange Peel - This is a sprayed texture that leaves a light to heavy splatter on the walls. It resembles the peel of an orange. If done with a fine spray, it can be one of the lightest, least noticeable of the texture styles.

Sand - Sand can added to the texture for a grainy, sandy look. The sandy texture may be sprayed or rolled on. Sand may also be added to paint.

Acoustic - In the 1970's it was common to save the labor cost of floating the ceiling by spraying a heavy texture over the area. This is sometimes referred to as a popcorn ceiling. This style is not in favor today, and frequently homeowners grapple with removal of this heavy texture. This should be done carefully, since some acoustic textures may contain lead or asbestos. Certainly, if these toxic chemical are found, the job should be turned over to professionals. After the texture is removed, the ceiling will need to be re-textured to match the walls.

Smooth - This is a smooth application of texture over the sheetrock wall. It feathers out the sheetrock joints, and creates an even, non-textured wall. This is one of the most expensive and exacting styles. Minor variations will show up as defects, so several stages of sanding and application are needed to create a good job.

Regardless of the wall finish you use, keep in mind that flat paint tends to hide defects and minimize patterns. It gives a matt finish with less emphasis on the wall texture. Reflective paint enhances textures because the light catches the raised surfaces.

Before having wall texture done by professionals, ask to see a sample. The workman's idea of light texture may not be what you had in mind. This is an area where miscommunication often happens. Texture covers a lot of area, and is difficult to remove if you are not happy with the job. Treat it as a long term investment.

Roselind Hejl is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker United in Austin, Texas. Her website - Austin Texas Real Estate - http://www.weloveaustin.com - offers homes for sale, market trends, buyer and seller guides. Let Roselind help you make your move to Austin, Texas. Austin Real Estate Guide

5 Ways to Add Luxury to Your Bathroom (Without Spending a Fortune Remodeling)

In ye olden days (you know, fifty years ago), the bathroom was a strictly business sort of place. You went in, did... (well, you know what you do in there!), and then you were done.

Today, though, the bathroom has become a sanctuary for many. If you have a big family with kids, friends of kids, spouses, pets, etc. running up and down the halls or constantly demanding your attention, the bathroom may be the last place in the house you can escape and remain unmolested for a while. (Three cheers for the person who decided to put locks on bathroom doors!)

As long as you're hiding in the bathroom, you might as well make it a pleasant place to hang out.

In the luxury remodeling world, it's all the rage to put in jetted bathtubs, steam showers with multiple spray heads, saunas, and other high-end spa-like features. Most of us, however, live in the real world, and can't afford these luxuries. Fortunately, there are ways you can lux up the bathroom without spending thousands of dollars. Below I've listed five ways you can get started.

1. Towel Warmer

If you have to get up early, before anyone has been up to turn on the heat in the house, getting out of the shower in the morning can be a chilly experience (especially if your door doesn't shut all the way, and the dog or the cat is always pushing its way in to check on what you're doing and leaving the door wide open in the process... not that I'd know anything about this myself, mind you).

A towel warmer is a simple way to make stepping out of the shower a pleasant experience, and prices start below $100 for simple electric models that hang on the wall and plug into an outlet (for a bit more, you can get a warming rack that can be hardwired so there won't be any cords showing).

2. A Good Showerhead

While we may drool over those jetted bathtubs, the truth is that most of us spend a lot more time in the shower than in the bath. Maybe once a week, you hop in the tub for a luxurious soak, but chances are you use the shower every day. Why not upgrade that leaky, low-pressure showerhead?

For less than $100, you can get a pretty darned nice showerhead. What's your fancy? An overhead rain shower? A double-head model? A hand-held shower? A unit that comes with a filter to get rid of unwanted minerals and chlorine?

A good showerhead doesn't cost a fortune, and it can vastly improve your shower experience. You don't have to be a DIY expert to install one either.

3. Plush Towels

If you've got a collection of mismatched, threadbare towels that were purchased sometime last millennia, maybe it's time to invest in towels that will feel good wrapped around you (especially after you've heated them up with that towel warmer!)

Visit a store that specializes in affordable luxury (i.e. Costco) and invest in a good set of towels, and then throw those old thin ones away (or turn them into car washing rags or some such). Towels last a long time, so it's worth investing in good ones.

4. Fog Free Mirror

Tired of getting out of the shower and having to use your towel to wipe a circle in the mirror so you can see yourself (and even then, it doesn't work that well)? For about $70, you can get a heater that installs in the back of your mirror. This simple device is all it takes to keep your mirror fog-free, and remove that ongoing daily annoyance from your life forever.

5. Add Seating

If you've got a tiny bathroom, this may not be viable, but if there's a bit of space, you could add a bench or chair to sit upon. Whether you're looking to take a load off or just have somewhere to plant your rump while you take off shoes and socks, a seat (besides the toilet!) can be nice to have. Make it a comfortable one if you can.

To further your comfort experience, you can even add a television or radio to the bathroom if you like to get a head start on the morning news or listen to music.

There you have it: five ways to create a bit of luxury in that last private sanctuary in the house. Good luck, and enjoy your bathroom!

Visit the author's blog for more bathroom remodeling ideas, or check out her page on towel warmers for more on that fun invention.

Bathroom Tile Installation - 5 Tips For Success

Bathroom tile installation is a great upgrade for any bathroom. Many homeowners tackle this job themselves. It's really not that hard provided you learn about the tricks that you must get right. For example think about these five tricks for bathroom floor tile installing.

A firm foundation.

Floor tile can be installed over all kinds of surfaces. But the one essential needed for a good installation is stability. Often bathroom floors have some water damage and are a little bit spongy. If a floor has any give to it at all, that's a floor that will have cracked tile. There is one sure way to have a solid floor and that's to use cement board as an underlayment for your floor. Be sure to learn about cement board.

Start at the right spot.

Bathrooms are often smaller rooms. You'll be cutting tile to fit on at least two walls. Make sure you start in the center or at one of the walls so the cut tiles are least visible. Nothing looks worse than tile grout lines that are running off at an angle from a wall right in plain sight!

Plumbing done right.

The toilet will have to come up for floor installation. Make sure you're ready to reset the toilet. Have all the hardware on hand. Be sure the mounting bolts are long enough for the new toilet height.

Lots of cuts.

In a small room like a bathroom, you'll get to do quite a few bathroom tile trimming cuts. You'll need your nippers for any curve cuts, like around the toilet. Plus you'll need at least a small tile saw and a tile cutter board is helpful too. None of these tools has to be very expensive. Even light duty tile saws aren't very expensive.

Grout is key.

Grout isn't waterproof. Water slowly seeps through regular masonry grout. So it's a good idea to keep bathroom tile grout well sealed. Also consider using an epoxy grout in a bathroom tile installation. This grout solves the grout leaking problem. But epoxy is highly toxic and not safe to breathe. Get a good mask.

Ceramic bathroom tile is practical and beautiful. With the right information, most anyone can install tile and produce a professional looking job. Just get the few key tricks right and you'll have a great addition to a bathroom.

Get more tips for bathroom tile installation at our site.

Al Bullington invites you to visit http://installingceramictile.net for answers to your tile questions.

Low Maintenance Showering

These are the days of inventions and innovations. Vast changes are visible in the way people design their bathrooms - the indispensable part of every home. Nowadays the bathroom is divided into many parts depending on their functions. The shower enclosure is an important part of the bathroom, which prevents other parts of the bathroom getting wet by spilling water from the shower area.

Mainly three parts are there for a shower cubicle - the shower cabinet including its attached faucet and spray, the enclosure along with the door and the water tray beneath to collect and dispose off the waste water. If somebody prefers to install this enclosure in the corner of a bedroom, he can do so since there is no spill over. However, ordinary shower screens installed alongside baths cannot fully meet this purpose. Shower cubicles are available in manifold colors and have captured the attention of both rich and middle class alike. The appearance of the bathroom undergoes a sea change with the fittings like shower cubicles apart from its utility. People prefer to tuck them away at a corner of the room or a recess specially made for the purpose even though they can be conveniently installed anywhere in the bath room. But if it is installed at the corner of a room or a recess, space and installation costs can be saved. It can be fitted along a flat wall also. In this case it will be easier for the owner to shift the shower cubicle to another part of the room. For the same purpose 'D' shaped and 'U' shaped cubicles are available and are sold in plenty. Water proof and easy to clean materials is used for making he walls of the cubicle. Shower doors are also equally important. Customers have the option of choosing from Framed and Frameless forms of Shower doors. It is very easy to install shower cubicles. Also they are easy to maintain. Inbuilt sauna facility is an added advantage of some cubicles. Shower cubicles are more expensive than conventional mode of bathing. Then also they are worth installing considering the impact they make in bathrooms and the low maintenance cost they offer.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms Ltd who supply Luxury Shower Enclosures across the UK.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

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Motels Bathtub Refinishing - Motels Bathtub Reglazing Saves Money

Motels bathtub refinishing is known by the hospitality industry as the best alternative to getting their outdated and worn out tubs looking like brand new without breaking the bank. This is possible because bathtub refinishing saves money, it also saves time. And importantly, it lowers carbon foot print and saves our earth. Equally important is that bathroom remodeling in general is saving the hospitality industry money and time nationwide.

In a depressed economy, many are forced to find new money saving ways to stay competitive. That is why the most important bathroom remodeling consideration for some is not the environment, but money. Money savings in a sluggish economy is forcing many property owners to reconsider their bathroom remodeling options carefully.

Happily, bathroom remodeling saves motels money in the form of water and energy bills. It also benefits the environment.

Here are the facts: It costs a little over two hundred dollars to buy a new bathtub, but then when the cost of tearing down walls and removing the old bathtub are added, the cost of renovation goes up pretty quickly. Additionally, tearing down wall involves sheet rock and a lot of mess.

Bathtub refinishing takes about four hours for a standard bathtub and propert owners can use that same bathtub in about 24 hours. The average price of a bathtub refinishing is $350.00. It costs up to $2500 to tear out an old bathtub and replace it with a new one. Bathtub refinishing saves you up to 80% the cost of replacement.
Tubs can be refinished in a variety of colors and they can last up to 10 years or more, saving the landfills.

Advantages of bathtub refinishing instead of replacement

On site convenience
* Professional workers who consider their schedules and guests.
* Consideration for their time-table and occupancy patterns.

Discounted prices for the following volume services:
* Bathtubs reglazing
* Color changes, get rid of outdated tubs and tile colors
* Sinks refinishing
* Ceramic Tile
* Showers
* Partitions
* Countertops
* Antique Bathtubs in old motels
* Expert caulking grouting and paint removal
* Pedestal Sinks
* Appliances
* Fiberglass surrounds
* Acrylic Tubs
* Chip Repairs
* Liner removal solutions and more
* High traffic kitchen and bath area

Bathtub refinishing helps motels keep a professional appearance. This makes their staff and guests happy and is good for the bottom line. With a depressed economy, bathtub refinishing is what is saves money, time and the environment.

Wilson Ukah, owns Refinishing Stars, a bathtub refinishing company serving homeowners in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville. Refinishing Stars, refinishes bathtubs, sinks, and countertops for hotels and motels nationwide. Wilson can be reached at http://www.refinishingstars.com or sales@refinishingstars.com.

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Modern Bathroom Lighting - Get A Contemporary Look In Your Bathroom

Lighting is more important in rooms like the bathroom and kitchen because of the practical nature of each room. For instance, the bathroom is the principal room for grooming, be it applying makeup, shaving, dealing with scratches and cuts or generally examining the body. However the bathroom also has to be a retreat to some extent, where you can shut the door on the outside world and have a bit of down time. You want to have a relaxing bath and maybe read a book or meditate on the day just gone. In this case you need lighting that is not too harsh and can be seen as soothing light. Modern bathroom lighting is a balance between these two approaches. In fact the styles of lighting are defined by their applications. There is task lighting, ambient and accent lighting. This article will explain what these terms mean and how they are used in the bathroom.

Task Lighting

Task lighting used to be about a florescent tube above the vanity mirror. This was harsh but effective in showing up the area of your face that you missed when shaving. Modern bathroom lighting has come a long way from there. Task lighting focuses on the vanity area or mirror, the bath and shower areas and even the toilet area.

In terms of the vanity area, having a light above the mirror and face will cause shadows under the eyes, nose and chin. This makes it hard to apply makeup or get that close shave because these parts of the face may be obscured. It is much better to have even lighting so adding vertical lighting on the vanity mirror or cabinet will help to an even lighting. Even better is adding a light source under the mirror.

Shower areas are normally compact and enclosed so good lighting is necessary to ensure that you can see what you are doing. This is from a safety point of view as a wet surface can cause you to slip. It is also helpful to be able to see what you are washing and even read labels on things like shampoo bottles. You may also shave in the shower so you have to be able to see what you are doing. Popular lighting for this is a recessed down lighter. This can be one light or a number of smaller lights. The light should be recessed so that it doesn't get in the way and helps to protect it from water and dampness.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is the background lighting. This is needed to fill the entire room with light so that you can move around in the room, clean it, see into storage areas and things like that. The most common form of ambient lighting is the ceiling based lighting. This has come on from the single bulb light in the center of the ceiling. Popular alternatives are the series of small down lighters that can act as ambient lighting and even task lighting, as in the shower. In terms of bathroom design, ambient lighting can also be natural sunlight that comes through a window or skylight. It is important if you are redesigning the bathroom or making a new bathroom that you take account of the where the natural light comes from so that you can place the windows in the correct position.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is more for creating a theme. It is used to highlight features of the room that you feel sum up it's character or style. So if you have ornaments, statues or architectural features that are original you can train a light onto it. Thus you could turn the ambient lighting off and switch the accented lighting on to create a more relaxing atmosphere. Accent lighting is useful when it has a dimmer control. The dimmer can dial the light up or down depending on your mood.

Getting the balance right between the three forms of lighting is a personal choice based on how you view your bathroom. Is it merely a place where you prepare for the day ahead, a place that you use to wind down after a hard day at work, or both.

If you want to breathe new life into your home or are simply looking for a bit of inspiration then visit http://www.finehomeideas.com. The site gives tips and advice for home renovation and interior design, including choosing bathroom furniture and rustic stone flooring for your home. Adrian Whittle gives ideas on how to make your home special.

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Goal Planning is Not Just a Work Thing

We all set goals whether deliberately or not. At work your boss may set you targets to achieve, or you may look at the pile of work on your desk and set your goals by deciding what you will complete that day.

That promotion at work could be you prime motivator. However many people only set goals which are work or career related, where your goal planning is easy to measure success or otherwise.

There is also a need to set goals in your personal and social life. What sort of goals? How about one goal to achieve is to make sure that your family immediate and distant know how much you love and appreciate them before it is too late and they or you are gone forever.

A goal to wake up every morning with a smile and determined to make the life of someone else better because they know you.

Why is it that 'Gurus' and self improvement teachers only believe that by setting mighty goals you will have a sense of achievement. This is just not true and many people do not set goals because they feel they should only set lofty goals, and when you do not achieve your goals you feel a sense of frustration and failure and believe you will never make anything of yourself.

Your goals to achieve could be to learn to play golf, the piano or any other thing that you have been putting off through lack of time. Goal objectives do not need to be massive or complicated; Your daily goals should be ones that keep you involved with what is going on around you every day but gradually change your life for the better.

Just try writing down one thing that you would like to do today, regardless of where it is at, work or home. A goal to do something today has to be simple or you will not do it. It could be simply to write or to visit someone you have not see or heard of in a long time.

How many times do you look at your 'To Do' list and wonder where you should start, so you decide tomorrow is a better day for looking at it. If you find writing a 'To Do' list frightening because you have so much 'To Do', try writing a 'Have Done' list at the end of the day, you will be surprised at what you really achieve each day, from making another person smile to clearing out your garage.

Giving yourself a reward for getting something on your list done today is a great motivator in making tomorrow better. When you have compiled your 'Have Done' list for a number of days or weeks, whenever you feel a little down with yourself get it out, you will feel lifted again just reading through your achievements, large and small, without the need to read a book by a 'Famous Guru' that can make you feel inferior.

In order to achieve your goals, large or small, there are techniques to help you achieve all of them. These are techniques that have been used by successful people throughout the ages and the beauty is that once you have been told what they are you can use these same techniques to achieve what you want no matter what it is.

You do not have to study a Masters Degree or belong to the intelligence, you have to be you, just what you are, what you know and what you can do now. Goal planning, goal setting and achievement are pleasurable things that give your life value.

A dreamer has a dream and takes action one who fantasises has a dream and then another one. Turn your dreams to reality by creating your own future history. David Dutch has helped hundreds to achieve their life time goals now he want to reach out and help you through his books; articles; website and Blog

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Eco-friendly Interior Design

Interior design is all about creating aesthetically pleasing spaces that are safe, practical and in harmony with the rest of the surroundings. In order to carry this out effectively we must source the best materials, furniture and fixtures and fittings for the job, and in doing so, we inevitably have an impact on the environment albeit inadvertently.

These days with so much emphasis being placed on global climate change, reducing consumption, and recycling, interior design can be a bit daunting if we want to limit our carbon footprint and still get the effect we want. However, armed with the right information, it needn't be a big challenge and we can still create beautiful rooms that are stylish, healthy and that are environmentally friendly too. So where do we begin?

First of all it's important to note that every single thing we buy has an impact on the environment somewhere along the line either, from the way they are extracted, manufactured and processed, or from the distances they have to travel to end up in our home. Take for example paint, wood, glass, metal, textiles and furniture, each of which can have a negative impact if we don't know what to look out for but with a little effort and forethought, we are able to find eco friendly alternatives.

Paint

Conventional paint contains solvents and lot of other harsh chemicals and toxins but it is possible to source paints that have a reduced effect on the environment and that don't contain solvents, which are not only a much healthier option as they won't release harmful gases into your home and the atmosphere, they can be just as effective.

Wood

If possible, try to buy wood that is grown in a local forest so it doesn't have to travel long distances to end up in your home. Also, choose woods that don't have a negative effect on the environment. Look out for the FSC symbol which stands for Forestry Stewardship Council, an international non-profit organisation that will ensure that when you buy you will not be contributing to global forest destruction and threatening the livelihoods of people who depend on the forest or timber to survive.

Glass and Metal

Glass and metal are fairly easy to recycle and one of the advantages of both is that in most cases they can be recycled over and over again without losing any quality. Using recycled glass and metal helps reduce the amount of resources needed to produce these materials from scratch, also the process of recycling uses a lot less energy than what is required to make new glass and metal.

Textiles

Textile production can include processes like dying and bleaching which uses a lot of energy and will produce toxic gases which are then released into the environment not to mention the harmful pesticides that are often used whilst growing the raw materials. The main things to consider when choosing an eco friendly option is how renewable the product is, in other words, can it be replenished quickly, whether the product is dyed or if natural dyes are used, and whether a lot of chemicals are required to produce it. Some of the more eco friendly choices include organic cotton, wool and hemp although there are many others available too.

Furniture

How eco friendly your furniture is will depend on the material it is made from, how it is processed and what finishes have been used, so choose carefully. Consider buying second hand furniture or items made from recycled or reclaimed materials and doing them up as this helps to keep existing items in circulation and reduces the amount of perfectly useful items ending up in landfill.

When sourcing eco friendly materials for your interior design project, try to stick to the following guidelines:

- Buy from local producers and suppliers as much as possible as the less distance an item has to travel, the lower the impact on the environment

- Consider the type of materials you choose and whether they come from renewable and sustainable energy sources

- Avoid materials that contain chemical additives or that use a lot of energy during manufacturing processes

- When buying new items, try as much as possible to choose products that can be readily recycled after use or that can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner

- Consider low energy or energy saving devices and buy as much as you can from recycled or reclaimed materials

Finally, as a result of the massive amount of publicity given to global warming and the need for conservation of energy, many producers make claims about their products that are misleading or even false so check out the credentials of any suppliers claiming that their products are certified as natural, organic or eco friendly.

David McEvoy is an expert in interior design. If you are looking for a leather sofa to give the finishing touches to a newly decorated room then please come and visit our site.

Discussing the Construction Home Building Process

Construction home building is the "meat and potatoes" of erecting a home. There are several different stages that go into making one. Manufactured homes are made a lot quicker than custom homes, but they usually have cheaper materials and labor. The home plans that you choose will determine how long it takes to build your new building.

There are several different stages in constructing it from new home plans. First the ground has to be leveled. If the ground is not level, then the building will settle and the foundation will crack, or the building will sink into the ground. Then the base of the house has to be constructed.

This is usually pier and beam or a slab. Basic plumbing is added at this part of the building as well. Then they add some of the framework for the building. After the framework comes the walls and roof frame. The rest of the plumbing is added, and then the sheet rock and insulation.

They put the roof on, and then add the electrical work. The windows and doors are added, and then they put up the bricks or whatever will be the outside of the house. Once the outside is complete, then they move on to the inside of the house and add whatever is needed indoors. The last thing to be done is floors and painting, and then finally the yard. This process is used because it is the most efficient for following home floor plans.

Manufactured homes are made differently than custom homes. Construction home building for manufactured homes is usually accomplished all at once. If you are interested in buying one, then you look at the home floor plans that the company has available. Then it is possible to choose different features to customize the house. Paint colors and floor coverings are usually chosen at this time too.

The building company then finishes the house so the new owners can move in. There are many manufactured homes built in the ranch house plans style or in the Tudor house plans style. It is easy to build many of these kinds of houses. The home building industry has grown a lot in past years. This started in the 1950s and 1960s with the first manufactured homes. Now, most homes that are built are at least somewhat manufactured.

Construction home building has not changed much over the years. Home floor plans are built into 3-D homes. The main difference in new homes versus old seems to be the fact that manufactured homes are more popular now. While it is still possible to customize these homes, it is harder. However, the fact that the homes are cheaper keeps them popular.

Discover more information about construction home building from Mike Selvon portal, and get more insider small house plans tips

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