Don't Forget the Landscaping

Summertime is the season for exterior home renovations. It's the time of year when people start planning picnics and backyard parties. They begin to think about how nice a deck would look coming off into the backyard. They think about swimming pools, hot tubs and a variety of other outdoor enhancements. At the same time, you will wan to consider your landscaping options with these enhancements as well. What's a new backyard if there is no nature around?

Exterior home renovations range from new siding to lawn irrigation systems. Landscaping can add that extra special look to just about any project you can think of. How about a new outdoor pond with water plants and a waterfall that gently flows on one side of your new backyard deck? What about a beautiful bed of roses around the perimeter of your home that features new siding? While you're working in the yard, you might as well add an automatic sprinkler system as well.

Landscaping designs can be as simple or as complicated as you want. You can go with simple flowerbeds along the front of your home or you could start a new hedge line as well. If you are looking for a more luscious, floral look consider ornamental grasses, ivy, ferns and flowering shrubs. These plants will provide you with a lot of lush green as well as a little color. These types of plants can add that lush look you are looking for either in your front or back yard. They also make great backdrops to a nice, green backyard or around that new deck.

If you need a little more shade in your yard, trees are your answer. There are a variety of trees from ornamental flowering trees to fruit trees. You can even choose trees that will produce beautiful fall foliage as well. Trees are also a great addition to the value of your home, as homes with trees and shady backyards tend to sell very well. A great tree selection is nice as well. This allows you to have beautiful trees that produce nice foliage in the spring as well as fall foliage in autumn. If you want beautiful spring trees, magnolias will produce beautiful flowers. For the fall, you can't go wrong with maple trees. They are beautiful in the fall and provide excellent summer shade.

To ensure that all of your landscaping work receives adequate care and water, landscaping is the perfect time to add an automatic water sprinkler system. These systems ensure that you plants, grass and trees are receiving adequate water, even when you're traveling. They help in water conservation and allow you to water so that the roots of your plants are target. They can also be programmed to discharge specific amounts of water in certain areas of your yard. They just make lawn care and landscaping that much easier.

Bill Doane is a regular contributor to modern-japanese-gardens.com and is currently landscaping his gardens. Visit Modern Japanese Gardens, Home Remodeling Center, and Garden and Lawn Sprinklers where you can find information on creating a magnificent garden.

Hand Painted Shower Curtains

Ever wondered why shower curtains are so boring? Its because the manufacturers of mass produced shower curtains are limited to how they can print. Generally a roller type printing is employed which means each design is repeated every 33 inches. On a 6 ft. x 6 ft. shower curtain the same design is repeated three times. That is why there is an endless stock of odd flower and geometric designs.

There used to be large silk screen operations available in the USA , but they have long ago faded from use. Last I checked one machine was down and the other was rarely operated . Large silk screen printing offers more design options but is extremely costly, wasteful and has become a dinosaur in this high technology age. Overseas productions can out source this work for far more reasonable costs to the manufacturers but often the quality grows less and less.

As consumer tastes reflect current styles and colors, often commercial designs are "in" today is "out" tomorrow . No matter what is available the end result feels common and often plain boring. The first house I renovated I became obsessed with finding the right shower curtain for my much agonized over , brand new bathroom. After gutting the entire room down to the dirt filled crawl space I grew increasingly frustrated because nothing I found fit the bill.

As an artist, I decided to paint my own. That produced even more anxiety. This would not be an easy task. What materials do I use? What sort of paint would allow multiple washings? After spending all that time painting something I did not want it to fade or peel off.........and mostly where would I paint something so huge??? Eleven months later I had experimented on everything I could get my hands on and had come up with something that was worthy of my much adored new bathroom. I never dreamt it would turn into a business. Soon people were asking me to paint a shower curtain for their home and suddenly it hit me........If I was bored with commercial designs there must be others that are bored too !

In March 2008, I will celebrate my twentieth year hand painting shower curtains. I have since moved on and renovated other homes but that first bathroom still has a special place in my heart. Especially since the 10 year old shower curtain designed for the space helped sell the house !! It just goes to show, if you want it done right, do it yourself and do it the best you can..... you never know where it might lead.

I call my work "Functional Art" . As an artist , I specialize in 6ft x 6ft hand-painted , machine washable paintings that are used as shower curtains, quilts and wall hangings. In my opinion, regardless of the size of your home, you live in three rooms---the bedroom, kitchen and bath. "Isn't this where your art should be?"

Now in my 20th year, my work is easily recognized . Styles range from big busted BEACH BABIES to dramatic abstracts. I'm a great colorists. I've always found it interesting to put unusual colors together. That's what keeps it fun for me. Working with dyes on canvas and a method I invented the end result is soft to the touch and extremely durable. I have painted thousands of shower curtains and hear from my clients all the time how they have used the same curtain for 8-10-12 years.

I welcome custom orders, sizes and colors and I will also personalize your order. All work is guaranteed. Most curtains run between $95 -$165 and there are over 120 to choose from on my website.

b.mclane
http://showercurtainart.com

Patio Heater

When it comes to patio heaters, there are several efficient models that come in a variety of sizes and fuel sources, you can even get a patio heater that is a radiant heat system that will warm the people, not the air, for greater and better comfort. Because there are a lot of varieties to choose from and each model has a different feature to offer there are some things you need to know and decide:

1. The first decision you need to make when you are choosing patio heaters is to decide whether you want a patio heater that is permanent or not. If you have an existing gas grill hook up, then a permanent heater would be easy to install, and a wise choice. So, if this is the case for you, then natural gas heaters are perfect. If you do not want to have a permanent heater, then look for one that runs off bottled fuels as it makes it easier to put the heat right where you want it.

2. The next thing you need to decide is how much space you need to heat. You will want to pick a heater that has the ability to warm the area you use most. The amount of room around the heater that you want to have heated is going to depend on how big your patio is, and how many people you usually have out there at a time. A good general rule of thumb is you will want to heat a 20-foot circle around the unit. Make sure you know what the heat range of the unit is, just because it is bigger or more expensive does not always mean that it provides the most heat for your dollar, so know what you are getting yourself into.

3. The next feature of the patio heater you want to consider is the safety of it. Be sure the patio heater you choose is carefully engineered for safety so that you can comfortably have people of all ages on the patio without fear. Look for designs that have features like safety tilt switches, sealed burners, flame controls, electronic ignitions and emergency cut-off valves. The safer the heater, the better the purchase. Obviously the patio heater will get hot, because that is the point, but make sure there are protection measures.

4. The next thing to consider when choosing a patio heater is what fuel type will be most economical and available for you. While a kerosene heater may seem like the best option, if it is difficult or expensive for you to obtain kerosene, then you won't use the heater much. So, if you are not getting a permanent patio heater that hooks right into a fuel line, then be sure to choose a heater that uses a bottled fuel that is the most economical and available in your area. Your choices are basically as follows: kerosene, butane or propane as well as natural gas.

5. Next take a look at the heating unit, you want an infrared heater, look for elements with sturdy aluminum, this will mean that the reflectors will direct the radiating heat down and out. Basically be sure that the heating element is sufficient and sends the heat where it is most needed, and will be best used.

6. Last but not least, look for a heater that offers you the look that you want, whether that is cast iron, aluminum, etc. you may not mind a clunky heater, but why not shop around some and find an attractive patio heater that fits your needs and budget?

HomeBuildingRemodeling.com is your source for top quality home building, remodeling and home decorating information. For free articles delivered daily by email, visit http://www.HomeBuildingRemodeling.com and enter your name and email under the Free Home Building and Remodeling Updates section.

Window Coverings 101 - To Inside Mount or to Outside Mount, That Is The Question

After much thought this morning I have gathered thoughts on the best way to answer a question from a client that came to me yesterday. Specifically, their question was more about Window Coverings in general rather than a specific type of covering. This gives me a unique place to start which really should be the way I start all my articles. The question was: "What is the difference between "Inside Mount" and "Outside Mount" when it comes to Blinds, Shades & Shutters?" I have laid out the basics below so please read on...

The first thing to understand is when selected "mount type" in Window Coverings; you may not have a choice at all. If your home builder mounted the glass or window frames so that you do not have a Window Well (a recessed area which holds the Window frame and glass) you don't have a choice.

There simply is no "inside" to order a Blind or Shade made as an Inside Mount. That being said, I would like to address the large portion of readers who do have the choice of how their Blind are mounted.

Determine your goals -

Do you want the most privacy? The most light control? The lowest price? The least obtrusive style?

If so, you are describing Inside Mount Window Treatments. They fit neatly inside the home builder's window well and are by far the most popular way to mount Window Blinds. I have an illustration of Inside Mount Blinds applications which can be seen here.

Do you want to enlarge the look of your Window? Do you want to frame your view? Are you mounting to a door or to a window where there is no window well to allow an inside mount?

If so, you are in need of an Outside Mount Window Treatment. They mount onto the face of the wall surface and normally mount above the window header a few inches to allow for brackets. It is also important to order these Window Covers a few inches wider than the window to make certain you get privacy on both sides of your Blind or Shade. Again, I have assembled an illustration here to show the differences of the two styles and how to measure for each.

Next week, I will go over Window Covering Installation in detail.

Brad A. Hall, President
The Blind Factory
http://www.theblindfactory.com
19 Years of Window Coverings experience.

The Ups And Downs Of The Architectural World

History has not always been kind to the architectural world. Sometimes the greatest contributions architects have left have been destroyed. Great designs and examples of genius architectural engineering have been destroyed through natural catastrophes and through wars. But for every disaster and dest1C61ruction there have been some that have stood the test of time and have remained to remind us that history can prevail and have remained to serve as reminders that mankind can leave beauty and lasting contributions to history and culture.

The architectural significance of certain periods in history is not lost to us. We see the Wonders of the World and have to marvel at the incredible vision of these gifted draftsmen. The Sistine Chapel, Mount Rushmore, and the Taj Mahal are just three of the greatest examples in architecture that the world has ever seen. Each has stood the test of time and have remained so countless other architects could study the works.

But with the sweet comes the sour. Many incredible works of art have been lost over the years. Mankind is the greatest destructive force in the universe. The Library of Alexandria is a great example from ancient times.

It is believed that Julius Caesar helped bring about the destruction of the library when he set the Egyptian Fleet on fire in his conquest and pursuit of Pompey. While the fire did not destroy all of the structure, it did destroy over 40,000 scrolls and damaged the structural integrity of the building.

The World Trade Towers, for many years, stood as one of the tallest buildings in the world. Soaring to a height of 110 stories and designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the architecture of the twin towers was admired by students of the architectural world and for its inspiration in a plethora of other buildings. On September 11, 2001 the towers were brought down by an act of terrorism. The world of architecture lost one of its greatest examples in the Modern age of design.

The architectural world will forever face challenges. Designers will never know if their works will stand the test of time. Yamasaki never thought his towers would fall to terrorist's machinations and other architects will never plan intentionally for their great works to be destroyed by man or nature.

It happens and nothing can prevent that but they will never stop trying. Some will still last and those that do will be there for future generations, from which to gain inspiration and beauty.

A free architecture audio gift awaits you at our portal site, where you can enrich your knowldege further about the architectural world. Your comment is much appreciated at our modern architecture blog.

Essentials Of Metal Roofing And Metal Roofing Siding

There are literally many things that comprises of your metal roofing. They can give you a good and lasting protection against weathering. These days, metal roofing is gaining popularity once again.

Most roofing panels have its siding; there are the ones that are installed on the sides of your house. They are essentially almost made from the same materials that you choose for your roofing but there can be other materials used if you prefer other types.

Metal roofing siding is the part where the roof is exposed. They need to be closed to make the roof fuller and protected. If you want to invest on good roofing, the siding will also come in consideration as they are of the same material.

Commonly, only a few types of roofing are available that you might want to choose from. Here are some of their quick features and disadvantages:

1. As with siding components, one of the most common metal roofing materials is steel. They are prone to corrosion and rusting. However, that can be remedied with a nice coating of zinc. Additionally, you can also seal it to preserve its natural look. There is also stainless steel. They are a little expensive but share the same characteristics as plain steel.

2. There is also aluminum. They are often found on other lightweight materials in your home as well. They are light enough to handle and will never rust but a nice treatment will extend its nice looks.

3. Copper is also used for metal roofing. This is the metal for people with quite a lot of budget to spare because they are very expensive. Being the softest roofing material, they can be easily bended to gain more customization options for your metal roof sidin16CCg needs. This has a nice red appearance but it will soon wear out in a couple of years. Consider buying copper roofing that is already treated to let their nice sheen last longer.

Many stores have them. Usually the steel types are the ones you can easily spot. However, if you really want to customize your roofing, consider looking for them online. It would make your project planning easier as they can delivery it right to your home and you don't even need to go anywhere but your desktop.

For tips on using metal roofing, visit http://www.metalroofing101.com

Wallpapering

Understanding Gothic Revival Architecture

Some architectural styles should never change. That's likely what many builders thought in the early 1800s when Gothic architecture was re-discovered. With its tall, looming lines and intricate facades, the style was as relevant and attractive then as it was in its original period between the 12th and 16th century. Many Gothic Revival structures throughout the united states have been carefully preserved, and new examples are always celebrated.

Gothic and Gothic Revival architecture is alwD84ays easy to identify. Buildings of this style often have high pitched roofs or spires, tall, narrow windows coming to a point at the top, exposed wood structural beams, and cross hatched decorative patterns. Because of its defining characteristics many people have the misconception that all gothic buildings are tall and narrow. In fact, some of the best examples of the style are squared or rectangular structures such as the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and the Saint Clotilde Basilica in Paris - the Gothic tradition in these buildings is as apparent as anywhere else. Gothic skyscrapers built in the late 19th and early 20th century, particularly in New York City, may be responsible for the style's most common interpretation. The Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburg, is another beautiful example of tall, narrow Gothic architecture.

Gothic architecture is widely accepted to have begun in the 12th century with the Basilique Saint-Denis in Paris, where nearly all of the country's monarchs were buried. The style quickly spread across Europe, and was developed over several centuries, with the last high profile example being the Chapel at Westminister, built by Henry VII in the early 16th century.

Gothic architecture never died out completely, but resurfaced less frequently between the 16th and 19th centuries, while post renaissance styles were popularized. The literature of the 19th century helped as much as anything to revive interest in the middle ages, as authors like Horace Walpole began to celebrate the period in their works.

The Gothic Revival was in full swing by the early 19th century, and came to America in the 1830s. While the style re-emerged largely unchanged, it was now being applied to smaller structures like homes and commercial buildings, as well as in traditional settings. Gothic revival architecture remained popular in the U.S. until the 1870s, although, again, it never vanished completely. Aspects of the Art Nouveau style of the 1930s can be traced to Gothic and Gothic Revival architecture, and occasionally a gifted architect is able to channel the original style in all its unmistakable stark beauty.

Susan Zanzonico has a wealth of information for buyers, sellers, and investors in the Harding NJ real estate area. Visit her website for community profiles, property listings throughout the area, including homes in Madison NJ, and information on her extensive real estate services.

Shaped 3 X 6 Rafter Tails

Essentials Of Metal Roofing And Metal Roofing Siding

There are literally many things that comprises of your metal roofing. They can give you a good and lasting protection against weathering. These days, metal roofing is gaining popularity once again.

Most roofing panels have its siding; there are the ones that are installed on the sides of your house. They are essentially almost made from the same materials that you choose for your roofing but there can be other materials used if you prefer other types.

Metal roofing siding is the part where the roof is exposed. They need to be closed to make the roof fuller and protected. If you want to invest on good roofing, the siding will also come in consideration as they are of the same material.

Commonly, only a few types of roofing are available that you might want to choose from. Here are some of their quick features and disadvantages:

1. As with siding components, one of the most common metal roofing materials is steel. They are prone to corrosion and rusting. However, that can be remedied with a nice coating of zinc. Additionally, you can also seal it to preserve its natural look. There is also stainless steel. They are a little expensive but share the same characteristics as plain steel.

2. There is also aluminum. They are often found on other lightweight materials in your home as well. They are light enough to handle and will never rust but a nice treatment will extend its nice looks.

3. Copper is also used for metal roofing. This is the metal for people with quite a lot of budget to spare because they are very expensive. Being the softest roofing material, they can be easily bended to gain more customization options for your metal roof sidin16CCg needs. This has a nice red appearance but it will soon wear out in a couple of years. Consider buying copper roofing that is already treated to let their nice sheen last longer.

Many stores have them. Usually the steel types are the ones you can easily spot. However, if you really want to customize your roofing, consider looking for them online. It would make your project planning easier as they can delivery it right to your home and you don't even need to go anywhere but your desktop.

For tips on using metal roofing, visit http://www.metalroofing101.com

Wallpapering

Renovations and Home Appraisals - How Do They Connect?

Home styles can come and go and sometimes come back again just like wardrobe fashion. Renovating / remodeling one's home can improve the value of the house. You can use different styles and layouts for remodeling a 100 year old house and make it look brand new depending on the structure. One can also restore the home's original design by carefully reproducing the exact qualities and materials used like hard wood, mouldings, glass, and the like. These changes can affect even the hundred year old home's appraised value.

Appraisals are usually used for a variety of purposes. Every year the county estimates the value of a person's house to determine the amount of taxes that individual must pay. Renovations affect the value of the appraised amount. The appraisers take i16CCnto consideration the amount of renovation done as this increases a property's value. So generally it follows that with the increase in amount is an increase in the house's value thereby, increasing the property tax.

In real estate, appraisals are very important, it helps buyers, sellers, and lenders correlate their prices and in determining the value of the house. A buyer wants to insure that he is getting his money's worth. You see despite visible renovations there might be other property discrepancies. A seller also has to have an appraiser, especially for a newly renovated property. When the seller renovates his property's value changes, so he must be able to determine the value at which he can sell his asset.

Sometimes, renovations can become a bargaining chip when determining a house's appraised value. The magnitude of a certain renovation can make or break the appraised price. A renovation cannot just be considered as just that; value and quality of the materials used also becomes a considering factor. The amount of renovations done is also very important, as it affects the labor intensive factor of the renovation.

But not all renovation are positive, it can also bring about the probability that the appraised value may go down. There are after all unnecessary renovations as deemed by a certain transacting party. Also, there is the fact that the renovation may have been "at the wrong place"; the "wrong place" in a sense that there were more urgent aspects of the house that needed attention but was not given the needed care. The renovation then becomes useless and does not change the house's appraised value or bring it down.

A home in repair or undergoing renovations can still be appraised. Banks or independent appraisers, need only be given the renovation plans and shown that the owner is financially capable to undertake such plans then they provide a ball park appraised value. It should however be kept in mind, that a person's taste differ from one to the other. Renovations done by a certain home owner may not be to the liking of another. And this does affect the appraised value.

One must also take not that an appraised value is just an assumption of the price of the property and not the actual price; it may or may not be close to the selling price. So it must not be taken to heart, but merely used as another piece of information.

http://realestatepress.org - Real Estate Press

Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company

Roofing Chicken Ladder

Bathroom Storage - Maximizing Your Minimal Space

When it comes to finding extra storage space, the bathroom isn't usually at the top of the list. We tend to think about storage in other parts of the home, but not the bathroom. There are things that people like to store or display in bathrooms, though, and many times bathroom cabinetry or shelving comes as an afterthought.

Since bathrooms are limited in space, you have to consider very carefully what you want to store in there, and what the best way to store it is.

If you have the available floor space, a floor-standing bathroom cabinet might answer all your needs in one unit. This of course takes up the most space, but in the one unit you'll have display shelves, storage shelves and also an enclosed cabinet, depending on the model you choose. A very clever idea is a unit that is designed to stand on the floor, but straddle the water tank of the toilet. This way, it doesn't take up unused and precious floor space, and different units provide storage area plus display shelves for knick-knacks, houseplants or extra towels above the toilet

If you don't have the room for a floor-standing unit, there are a few alternatives available to you. One is replacing the vanity with a larger one. Many bathrooms, however, are not designed for a larger unit and unless you plan on moving the toilet as well this won't work for you.

Another option is wall-mounted bathroom shelves. There are many, many types of shelves available, made of wood, chrome, and also glass. You can see a wide variety of these shelves through links on The Home Shelving Guide to Bathroom Shelving. The trick is to find shelves that firstly provide you with enough shelf space. Even if you find shelves that you love the look of, if they aren't big enough you'll regret it.

What to do when you hardly have any space at all? Consider floating glass shelves. These shelves have no frame, no extra pieces whatsoever. They are only pieces of glass, triangle, square or rectangular with wall-mounting brackets. They have a very small "footprint" and can fit in almost any tiny area on the wall. Many of them are surprisingly strong, too.

When deciding which shelves are good for you, keep in mind how many things you want to store in your bathroom discreetly. Hygiene products and extra rolls of toilet paper (even the snazziest pastel 3-ply stuff) are probably best hidden inside a cabinet. There are certainly units that have both enclosed cabinets and open shelves.

Match the shelves to the dcor of the bathroom. Modern chrome and glass angled shelves would look out of place in a bathroom with wood tones and a fancy-framed oval mirror, for example.

Take a good look at the spaces available in your bathroom, particularly the space above the toilet and in the corners. A combination of shelves in these 2 locations in particular will look nice and it will efficiently take advantage of otherwise empty spaces. Another possible location is above the vanity. Most people place mirrors above the sink, but often there's enough room next to the mirror to put a set of narrow shelves. This is a perfect location for light, glass shelves for displaying a few small trinkets or holding a nice tissue box.

All of the shelves available online have their measurements posted. I recommend that you take the time to measure the spaces you were thinking of before you purchase the shelves. "Eyeballing" the space isn't always as accurate as you might think.

Finally, think about how your bathroom looks now, and how nice it'll look with the addition of some small, but nice shelves. Installing some extra shelving in your bathroom will help to keep it organized, while at the same time spruce it up and allow you to decorate it nicely.

Joel Benstein is a Do-It-Yourself enthusiast. Over the years he has taught himself basic plumbing, electrical repair, window screen construction, gardening and landscaping. He is also an avid woodworker. You can see examples of some of his projects and get ideas and information for shelving in your home at http://www.home-shelving-guide.com

Home Heating Tips

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Increase the Value and Comfort of Your Home

Home remodeling improvements can provide a significant boost in improving both your living space as well as the value of your home. It can often make your home more energy efficient while making it more comfortable and attractive.

Many folks plan remodeling projects for their homes to raise the comfort level but it is also a popular choice if you plan to sell your home and wish to increase the market value. Remodeling your home may be an overwhelming task if you are not quite sure where to begin. We will point out some tips here to start you in the right direction.

Planning Your Home Remodeling Budget

When considering making any major improvements to your home, you should first think of your budget. Even before you decide what you wish to change, you should decide how much you can afford to spend. Next you can choose how you plan to finan5B4ce the project. Home improvements may be quite an endeavor for the average home owner, but if your have budget in mind, it will at least give you some guidelines for maintaining costs. In my experience both as a builder and end user, unexpected costs may arise and you must be equipped financially for these possible delays.

Where to Start

The kitchen and bathroom areas are the two main parts of the house that usually reveal the age of a house more than the areas do. For this reason, they are among the most popular home remodeling projects. Many advances in comfort and energy efficiency have come in recent years. Taking advantage of these can increases the value and overall look of your home whether you are renovating for your own comfort or selling your home.

Kitchens have become more of a gathering area for entertaining and the shift has been for people to spend more time in the kitchen. It has been found that most people choose to move into a house that does not require renovating. This is an important consideration if you are planning to sell your home in the coming months. A recently remodeled home can be easier to sell and the increased value will generally return more than the cost of renovations.

Renovating Your Kitchen

A kitchen renovation can make the most striking impact on the general appearance of your house but often involves many decisions because of all the various components. Mo594st projects of this type usually require electrical and plumbing work, so it may not be an ideal do-it-yourself project, without extensive knowledge and experience. Kitchen remodeling can be a large undertaking, consisting of choosing cabinetry and flooring as well as finding the right appliances and fixtures that will match your lifestyle and financial budget.

Bathroom Remodeling

Bathrooms are another popular home remodeling project, but like kitchens, they usually involve decisions on new cabinetry, fixtures, and flooring. Bathrooms are usually easier to estimate, providing you are not getting into complicated changes that affect the water pipes or sewage lines. Bathroom remodeling or kitchen remodeling can add to your home's comfort and enjoyment, as well as raise the value of the house.

Is it Worth Remodeling?

It has been my experience that dollar for dollar, a well remodeled kitchen or bathroom will often yield two to three times the increase in value relative to what was spent on the project. These two areas of the house in particular seem to reflect the increase in value more than other areas. That is why I usually recommend your remodeling dollars should be spent there first. Even if you are not planning to sell your home anytime soon, you will most certainly reap the benefits from additional comfort, energy savings and a general sense of pride.

About the author: Camron Millsap has been a home builder for many years and provides useful tips and hints for Home Remodeling. Visit bathroom remodeling tips for the latest advice and tips for your next home remodeling project.

Bottom Window Moiststop

Several Ways of Renovating Your House

If you want to renovate your house, then you must acquire a good knowledge about renovation. There are lots of fine ideas about renovation. If you know them, then you will be able to work better. You will even have a better idea on how you can start doing it. For your help, we are providing you some tips on renovation. This will help you getting good ideas.

Bathroom is the best place to start with. Renovating a bathroom is not very easy. You need to follow some basic steps. People try to renovate their bathroom, but they are not aware of the procedure. And this lack of information prevents them from doing as proper renovation. First look at your bathroom and try to understand the exact state of your bathroom. If it is in a bad shape then make your mind about how much money you can spend on the bathroom. Do your budget first.

After this, be sure about what exactly you want to do with your bathroom. That means how the bathroom will look like after the renovation. Now, if your bathroom is too small, at least that is what you think, and then just expand the space by breaking one adjoining wall. You will find a specious bathroom immediately.

If you want to change the color of the wall or the flooring, then think a lot. Do not go for this instantly. Give it some serious thought. Think how you will do this.

Bedrooms are the most interesting part of house renovation. This is a place where most of the visitors will not peep in. So you are free to do any kind of experiment with it. You can simply feel free and let your imagination and creativity fly higher.

It will be good for you, if you settle down with a specific theme. It is due to the fact that a good theme can make your bedroom look good and interesting. And it will also give you some sort of sense of satisfaction. Now choose a specific color for your bedroom. Remember; choose a color that will suit your room and also your mentality. Actually bedroom is a place where you always look for a peaceful atmosphere. So, it is better to choose a color, which is calm and soft. And always choose the color you like most. It is not worth getting bored after using the bedroom for 2 months.

You can use power tools or DIY for Home improvement. Your idea of renovating your house can totally be yours. But if you get confused and want to be sure about the consequences, then you can talk to some professional and ask for ideas. A professional can help you to reconstruct your ideas as well as your home. The professional can also help you to stop from being spending a lot of money on a wrong track.

This is the plan that can help you during the time of your renovation. So read it, have faith on yourself and try your hand in it.

The magazine writer Peter Mason is interested in areas relating with rigid woodworking tools. Recording his experience in detailed writings on rigid power tools the reviewer showed his know-how on the subject.

Repaired Handrail

Tips and Tricks for Home Renovations

Home renovations are sometimes challenging. When tackling a home renovation task it can help to find out some tips, tricks and secrets to make your projB5Aects easier. Finding this information can be a valuable tool to use in your project that can help you save time, money and energy without compromising quality.

Helpful Advice for Outside Work

Working on home renovations on the outside of your home can be one of the most helpful tasks you can undertake. There are quite a few tips and tricks you can learn to make outside improvements simple.

One of the best times of the year to work on outside projects is during the fall. This is a good time to do such things as, weather proofing. You will find it is more enjoyable to work during the cool fall weather then any other time of the year.

When weatherproofing you can cut the costs of hiring a professional by finding the things that you can do on your own. You can caulk joints and seams, clean and repair gutters and do the little tasks that require little experience or professional knowledge.

When you are choosing the caulk you will use there are some helpful things to keep in mind. Make sure you choose a caulk that is specifically made for outdoor use. If you choose a caulk that is not made for outdoor use then it will peel away, and, basically, be useless for its intended purpose. For larger projects you will want to choose a foam caulk that will expand to fit the area.

The best caulks to use on outside projects are acrylic latex, butyl rubber and copolymer. These types of caulk are made to last against the wear and tear that happens to the exterior of your home. Additionally, it comes in a range of color choices, so you should be able to choose the type that matches your home.

Another common task for exterior home renovations is care of the shingles. This is something that you should be able to do yourself. It is also something important that you should routinely do to extend the life of your roof and protect the interior of your home. Shingles should be repaired or replaced as needed.

You can make home renovations easier by learning the small secrets, like choosing the right caulk that will allow you to complete projects yourself, ensure the repair is going to last and help you make the project simple.

Guy Morris continually pens news stories on news associated with cnc machines and tools. With his reports on wood cnc the author confirmed his deep knowledge in the field.

Plant Growing From Stairs

Creating A Bathroom Wall Design

Whether you are making a new bathroom or remodeling the existing one, a good wall design should be one of your top priorities. Deciding what materials to be used for your bathroom walls is not an easy task though. You have lots of materials to choose from and virtually endless possibilities of design and pattern combination. The question now is: where to start?

Start by knowing your options for wall design. Tile has long been a popular choice for bathroom wall. It can be made of marble, limestone, vinyl, ceramic porcelain, granite, terrazzo, terra cotta, slate, stone, and glass among others. Take note of the advantages and disadvantages of each and the different effects each type of tile creates to your bathroom.

For example, terra cotta tile achieves a wall that looks weathered and rustic. It is also said to last for lifetime.

Marble tiles, like any other stone tiles must be sealed and require frequent cleaning. But marbles create a unique look when installed on specific areas of the wall.

Glass tiles are best if used as decorative accent but are often expensive and difficult to install.

Vinyl tiles are affordable compared to stone, porcelain, or ceramic. It is easy to install and easy to replace. However, vinyl tiles create several seams that can breed mold, mildew and bacteria. Aesthetic wise, vinyl tiles are not your best option.

Granite is often used as kitchen countertops but it is also good for bathroom wall accent especially if you want highlight a particular wall. Granite is durable and can last for a very long time.

Terrazzo tiles give unique beauty, elegance and longevity. However, it is quite expensive to use as wall design.

Concrete is another option you can take. The material is cheap but installation is not for the do-it-yourselfers. Concrete can be painted with different colors of your choice to match the mood you want to attain to your design.

Choose one or two materials above as the main wall and blend one or two more. The key is blending the right textures, color tones, and shades. For example, you can use natural stones such as marble, granite and limestone together. Glass with marble and limestone can also work.

There is nothing worst than a bathroom with 4 empty walls. Create a wall design according to your preference.

For bathroom design ideas, visit http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.com

How Much Will My New House Cost

SEO Tips: Link Building

This article is a follow-up to an article I wrote about On-Page Optimization . On-Page optimization enables each of your web pages to make the most out of the mojo that they have -- but you need inbound links to create that mojo in the first place.

I use the term "mojo" as a generic descriptor for the importance given to a web page or a web site based upon inbound links. Similar terms include page rank, site rank, trust rank, and authority. Those terms tend to carry too much linguistic baggage, so I use the term "mojo" for simplicity unless another term is specifically required.

Mojo is created by getting inbound links to your web site and to your web pages.

Getting inbound links is one of the most important, and time consuming, tasks involved in SEO.

Here are a few tips to generate inbound links. Each of these tips are appropriate for some web sites, but none are appropriate for all web sites. Select the link building strategies which are most appropriate for your specific web site.

Submit to Web Directories

Start with big slow directories like the Yahoo Directory and the DMOZ Open Directory Project, but don't stop there.

Search out the small directories which are dedicated to topics relevant to your web site.

For more suggestions on finding directories to submit to, read How can I find web directories?

Reciprocal Linking

Write individual e-mails to specific webmasters whose web pages compliment your own and tell them that you would like to trade links with them.

Make sure to personalize each e-mail, or your e-mails will be quickly deleted as spam.

To achieve the best results from your e-mail, include the following in your initial e-mail:

* Mention two positive items about their web site, so that they know that your e-mail is not a generic spam.

* Include directions to the specific web page where you have added the link to their web site.

* Mention the Page Rank of the page where you have added a link to their web site.

These web sites exist to help you search for reciprocal link partners in the same market niche' as your web site:

* Find Link Partners

* Link Partner Finder

* Themes Reciprocal Link Finder

Write Articles for Other Web Sites

One method for getting inbound links is to write quality articles and submit them to other web sites for publication.

Each article should include a link back to your web site.

These links are better than links from link pages, because there tend to be very few outbound links on the article page.

Write a brief article on some topic related to the topic of your web site. Do not write an article about your web site, but write an article that would be interesting to people who would also be interested in your web site.

Send this article to webmasters who maintain web sites on topics similar to the topic of your article. Explain to them that they can post your article for free on their web sites, in return for a link to your web site.

To find web sites to submit articles for publication, visit Where can I submit an article for publication?

Create and Submit Press Releases

Write press releases about your web site and submit them to press release distribution services.

To find places to submit press releases for publication, visit Where can I submit my press release?

Join a Reciprocal Link Program

Reciprocal linking programs exist to help webmasters share links with similar web sites.

Some of the reciprocal link programs are:

* Link Market

* Info Wizards

* LinkExchanged

* Link Partners

* Links-Pal

* Linkateer

* Webmaster Link Exchange

* GoTop Link Exchange ($19.95 fee to join)

* LinkLeads

* Link Traders

* LinkExchangeIt

* SiteSell

* 123ExchangeLinks

* Ads4Links

* Spocka

* Links For You

If you have a blog, try blogLinker, the automatic link swapper for blogs.

These link networks can generate a lot of e-mail. You will probably want to create a new e-mail account just for these networks.

Join the DigitalPoint Ad Network

The DigitalPoint Coop Advertising Network enables you to automatically trade links with thousands of web sites across the Internet.

Join a Reciprocal Linking Forum

Several web forums exist for the purpose of sharing and trading reciprocal links. These linking forums include:

LinkRequests Link Trade Forum

Start a Reciprocal Linking Program on Your Web Site

You can also setup a reciprocal linking program on your own web site.

For more information on setting up a reciprocal linking program on your site, read How can I add a reciprocal link manager to my web site?

Start or Join a Web Ring

You can use an existing web ring service such as WebRing, or you can create your own web ring using the PHP-Ring webring script.

Join or Create a Top Site List

Search for top site lists which are relevant to your web site.

Add yourself to the existing lists. If no relevant top site lists exist, create one.

Provide a Useful Service

Create dynamic content on your web site which other web masters can include on their web sites by linking to it.

Every webmaster who uses your content automatically adds a link to your site.

Firearm News is an excellent example of this. If you add a small bit of JavaScript to your web page, your users will receive up-to-date news on firearms.

Of course, you will also have to contact other webmasters to let them know about your service -- perhaps even with a press release.

Buy Links

If all else fails, you can always buy links to your web site.

Will Spencer is the webmaster of The Internet Search Engines FAQ, SAN Security, and Enterprise Storage Management.

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Building Teamwork: Helping Your Team Take Responsibility for Their Results

The end of the year in an organization is often a time of reflection and evaluation. As I look back over the decisions I have made over the past 12 months, I evaluate them to see how they have affected our company and what I might do differently. As I reflect, I am paying attention to that voice in my head that is tempted to blame our failures on other people (or organizations) while taking complete credit for our successes. If I want my team to work together effectively, I have to resist this impulse to assign blame or credit.

I recall an incident that occurred in my life several years ago that is emblematic of this tendency to blame other people for the unfortunate events that happen in our lives. I was in my car at a green light waiting for a pedestrian to pass so that I could turn right at a street corner. Suddenly a truck hit the back of my car. It was a US Post Office truck driven by an employee who proceeded to back up and drive away from the scene of the accident. Given that those trucks have a large identifying number on the back, this was not such a great idea. I wrote that number down and followed him straight to the post office where I told a supervisor what happened. The supervisor left to get the official paperwork. As the two of us stood looking at the back end of my car, he actually said to me in a accusing tone of voice: "Well, I hope you're happy. You just made me lose my job."

I remember that situation and his comment whenever I am tempted to blame someone else for the consequences of my own actions. To avoid that, I find it useful to ask myself: How have I contributed to this outcome? What would I do differently if I could do this over? The next time I face this problem what will I do?

When we lead teams, we can help them develop this habit of taking personal responsibility for their part in a difficult outcome. The trick is to do it without blaming them or ourselves. We can lay the foundation by talking through the issue or challenge with phrases such as:

• As I think about what happened, I can see that I contributed by....
• We all share responsibility for this outcome. For instance, I wish that I had....
• The next time we handle this challenge, I plan to....

And we can also help our employees and co-workers take ownership of their part by asking questions such as:

• Looking back, how do you think you played a part in this?
• If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?
• What steps do you plan to take the next time you face this situation?

When people make clear statements that demonstrate that they are taking at least partial ownership of a challenging situation, we can reinforce their positive behavior by making statements such as:

• I really appreciate your ability to look at this challenge objectively.
• I think your assessment of this situation is right on target.
• I trust that you will succeed next time. These are great ideas.
• Thank you for talking this problem through so that we can work together to get better results.

As we model taking ownership and responsibility and as we recognize this same level of personal responsibility demonstrated by others, we reinforce a positive cycle that paves the way to healthy, collaborative teamwork.

So what will it be? A team that is at the mercy of lunkheads in other departments? Or a team that is confident in its ability to meet any challenge? It's your choice.

Cynthia Clay is the President/CEO of NetSpeed Leadership: http://netspeedleadership.com We meet the learning needs of managers, supervisors, and individual contributors in small to mid-sized organizations. Our programs blend interactive instruction techniques with online reinforcement tools to extend learning beyond the classroom. With this holistic approach, our clients quickly launch programs, train participants, reinforce skills, and measure the impact. To learn more about developing a high-performance team, look at Building the Total Team, one of 23 modules in the Netspeed Leadership training system.

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A Team Building Seminar Can Work For Any Business

It amazes me how popular team building seminars have become. Most major companies and organizations have turned to team building professionals at one time or another to get greater results from their employees. But, team building is not just for large companies, it works just as well for the small business entrepreneur. Id like to focus on a couple of key points that will help you decide, as a big or small business, if team building seminars are right for you.

One of the first questions I always ask in my own team building seminar is; whats the number one thing you need to do in business to be successful. And, you wouldnt believe the mixed responses I get like; having a good product, having a good marketing strategy or having good management. While these things are important theyre certainly not number one! The most important thing you need to do as a company, whether you like it or not is; SELL. In fact, if youre not selling is a hobby, not a business.

Learning to sell is by far the most important skill you could ever acquire. Thats why I teach it in my team building seminars. Everyone on the team needs to know how to sell, not just the sales people. Why? Because that way, everyone understands, not only how important it is to the success of any business but how learning to sell can increase everyones awareness of what it takes to be successful.

So, if selling is the most important skill whats the second most important? Team! The team is what gives life and energy to your ideas and what propels your company forward. Imagine how hard it would be to push a car up a hill if you didnt have a team. A team makes everything easier if, and only if, people know how to work together. Which, brings me to the third most important thing; Teach!

As part of a team, your responsibility is to teach everyone around you what you know that can help them do their job better. How do you know when and when not to teach? When youve done something and had success doing it, then its time to pass on that information. So often when people learn something thats worked for them they keep it to themselves because somehow they think it gives them an advantage within the company. Thats what you dont want. You dont want a bunch of individuals all competing with each other. Thats not a team, thats a contest!

Finally, the glue that holds Sell, Team and Teach together is; Accountability. When you become accountable for the success of others then you realize that your responsibility is to share the information youve learned that can help them. Then, and only then, can you be truly successful as a team. Becoming accountable for each other is truly the magic potion of successful businesses.

So, how can this work for a small business person that doesnt have a team? Exactly the same way! If youre in small business you still need a team in order to sell a lot of products and services. If you cant afford to hire a big team then all you need to do is offer to teach what you know that will help others. In the process, a team will form around you and the energy that you put into teaching will bring you greater success than you ever thought possible.

Paul Tobey offers group led training with team building seminar, Business Training Seminars, Creative Training Seminars, and Internet Marketing seminars for corporations, not-for-profits, and educational institutions. Paul is a Peak Potentials Certified Trainer.

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Branded! How To Build Brand Identity

You've heard the saying, "Image is everything." It's not only true, it's also a commanly-used slogan in advertising. Businesses like McDonalds ("I'm lovin' it") and AllState Insurance ("You're in good hands") use slogans, or tag lines, to help build brand identity. It's part of a bigger-picture marketing strategy and it's important that businesses, no matter what size, implement such a strategy to carve out their own niche in the marketplace.

Even if you're a solo entrepreneur, you want your customers to identify you as the "go-to" person in your field. That's what brand identity does: It helps differentiate you from the competition--it tells your customers, "This is who I am and what I stand for, and this is my approach to business."

But how do you, the small business owner, go about building your brand? Do you have to spend big bucks on an image consulting firm or a public relations company? The short answer is: no. What you basically have to do is figure out exactly what your core product or service is, and then decide what direction to go in order to achieve the maximum profit potential from it.

According to expert Vickie Sullivan (www.sullivanspeaker.com), you need to:

1. Determine your business model (what do you do--what do you have to offer--what are your strengths?)
2. Identify revenue streams (what are the different ways you can make money from your expertise)
3. Establish your manifesto ("put your flag in the ground": This is what I do and this is my approach)
4. Plan strategies for executing your business model

She calls this strategic planning "Marketing Intelligence"--plotting your course by looking at the marketplace to see which segment you should target to make the most money from what you do. After all, you deserve to make top dollar for your services, so it only makes sense to approach the customers who can afford to pay what you're worth, right? This method emphasizes your approach rather than the tools you'll use to implement your plan. In other words, identifying the highest paying segment of your market will help you determine what product or service to offer, and what marketing methods you should use to reach that segment.

When you think about it, this is a great way to figure out how to build brand identity. You'll use only those marketing methods that target the kind of customers you want to sell to, and you can customize your "brand" using the tools best suited for attracting those particular people.

Marketing tools can include:

• The media (local, national, or international)
• A website
• Publications (books you've written, articles written about you)
• Promotional materials (company brochure, trade show giveaways, direct mail)

Regardless of the tools you use, your message, or signature style, will remain consistent--it's your platform, or brand identity, expressed in your slogan, logo, elevator speech, sales pitch, etc. When you develop your style that says: "This is who I am and this is my approach," you've established your brand identity.

Angel Brown is the Founder and President of the Women's Business Gallery (http://www.womens-business-gallery.com), the ART of business specialists, providing women entrepreneurs and small business owners with the information you need to succeed.

Big Mold Problems

Burj Dubai - World's Tallest Free Standing Structure

Burj Dubai, well-known as the worlds tallest building, developed by the Dubai-based property giant, Emaar Properties, has now surpassed the earlier record of CN Tower in Toronto, Canada as worlds tallest free-standing structure.

Burj Dubai has currently touched a height of 555.3m, with 150 livable levels, which is the largest number of storeys for any building in the world. The tower already holds the credit of being taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which was the tallest building in the world, since its launch in 2004 at 508m.

The Chairman of Emaar Properties, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, said Burj Dubai is in the process of setting new world records in construction of skyscrapers. The accomplishment of being the tallest free-standing structure in the world is another defining moment for the team of over 5000 people, who are collectively using their intelligence towards construction of the iconic structure, which is a symbol of human achievement. This architectural and constructional master-piece is truly an inspirational human achievement that depicts the can do mindset of Dubai.

On completion, Burj Dubai is bound to be the tallest structure in the world based on all 4 criteria listed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The council takes into consideration the measurement of height to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, the top of the roof and till the tip of pinnacle, spire, antenna, and flag pole.

Burj Dubai will be at the center of Downtown Burj Dubai real estate development, a 500-acre downtown development, worth $20 billion, known as the most prestigious square kilometer on earth comprising retail, commercial and residential components.

Dubai Real Estate Blog, UAE's complete website for real estate, homes for sale and freeholds. Search for Dubai property news and trends.

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