Bathroom Decor - What You Should Know About Bathroom Showers

When it comes to remodeling the bathroom, one of the first items of interest usually concerns upgrading the shower to match a growing trend or add a different look to this commonly visited room in the house. As you approach the planning phase of remodeling the shower portion of your bathroom, the two most important factors to pay attention to include how much you can afford to spend on the project, as well as the space you have available for your intentions.

Since there are numerous bathroom shower designs and ideas to consider, it is suggested that you browse a couple of home improvement magazines. This will help to set your creative flair in motion, as you never know what will cause inspiration regarding this project. Another important part of planning bathroom-shower remodeling is to record accurate measurements, as this makes the difference in appropriately displaying your vision. It is also suggested to plan the placement of your new bathroom shower where plumbing already exists, as this can become a costly readjustment.

The features you are interested in for your new bathroom shower play an important role in making a final decision. It is recommended to create a list of characteristics and functions that you most desire. For example, do you want more than one jet or is there a need for a massaging jet showerhead? What sort of bathroom shower flooring and wall accompaniments will match your new shower? Do you want a shower that is also connected to a bathtub?

Bathroom Shower Remodeling Ideas

Depending on your budget, the new bathroom shower that replaces your old selection could deliver high-quality luxury that is similar to spa treatments. Offering a tower corner enclosure with eight jets, the Kohler BodySpa delivers a hydro-massage system that permits personalized settings. The angled jets cover all of the desired parts of the body, which provide a rejuvenating shower and massage at the same time.

To capture a bit of elegance, you should consider surrounding a walk-in shower with attractive marble flooring and a fireplace situated nearby. If you want to enjoy relaxation in the comforts of your own home, browse steam shower selections that transport you into a new dimension of calm.

Even the showerheads you install can elevate the experience you undergo when taking a shower. Some of the selections on the market that have been making waves with the public include hand-held showers with chromatherapy, as well as showerheads that offer low-flow rain qualities. An impressive design to mull over when remodeling the bathroom is to create a whole new environment with your shower, as you select modern frameless glass, stainless steel, and stone enclosures.

If you are not interested in revamping your entire shower, perhaps the installation of eye-catching additions to your previous arrangement will do. For instance, a spiral shower rod can become the envy of family and friends. Overall, the market is filled with plenty of upgrades that can make the bathroom your new favorite place to settle into.

If you are looking for additional bathroom decor tips and advice, visit http://www.bathroomdecortips.com for more information.

End Nailing Stair Landing
Remodeling Home Help

Cool Off Your Attic with Radiant Barrier

It is starting to get cooler outside, so now is the perfect time to talk about making your attic cooler all year long. How would you like to lower your attic temperature by 20 degrees in the summertime? This could be 30 degrees in the southern U.S.

Whether youre building a new home or have an existing home, Im going to tell you the benefits of an attic radiant barrier.

Let me ask you three questions.

1. In the summer, what is the hottest part of your house?

2. Where is your ductwork located? Attic or crawlspace?

3. Why would you put it in the attic?? (For 90% of you its in the attic, right?)

When consulting on new home construction we advise people not to put the ductwork in the attic. You can lower your cooling loads by as much as 20% just by getting the ductwork out of the attic. Now I know that isnt always possible so we recommend placing the ductwork directly on the ceiling joists and covering it with cellulose insulation. This along with an attic radiant barrier makes for a pretty efficient heating and cooling system.

For existing home construction we advise using an attic radiant barrier that either staples to the bottom of rafters or covers your attic insulation like a blanket.

Using attic radiant barriers is not a new concept. It has been around since 1960. In 1999 Doug Rye decided to use TechShield radiant barrier roof decking on a model home. The builder has his doubts but Doug insisted on using TechShield. After it was installed, the builder was sold on it. It was summertime and he found that it was much cooler working inside the unfinished house once the radiant barrier was installed than it was outside.

Since then we have heard story after story of how radiant barrier lowers the temperature of a house during construction. Weve heard stories from framers where they would rather eat lunch inside the house because its cooler than outside. Even the framers working next door eat lunch with them because its cooler.

The radiant barrier roof decking product is made using a process that laminates a thin, yet durable, sheet of aluminum foil to the surface of OSB board. When the sun strikes a roof, the radiant energy from the sun heats the roof and that heat radiates into the attic.

50%-75% - Radiant Heat Loss

Radiant barrier prevents up to 97 percent of that radiant heat in the roof from radiating in to the attic. As a result, it can lower the attic temperature by 30 degrees. And in the southern U.S. where temperatures easily reach 95 degrees and above, thats a huge difference!

For years, weve been telling homeowners not to put the ductwork in the attic and thats still good advice. But if your ductwork is in the attic, I recommend installing an attic radiant barrier which is available at most home centers.

By reducing temperatures in the attic, you are taking a lot of heat off the ductwork, which means your air conditioner wont have to work as hard and youll save money on your electric bill. And, of course, you also need plenty of cellulose insulation in the attic to keep the heat from radiating into the living areas of the home. Ill cover cellulose insulation in a future issue.

The most common concern people have regarding attic radiant barrier has to do with the temperature of the shingles of the roof. They want to know if it will damage the roof shingles by allowing them to get too hot. Well, the answer is no.

Attic radiant barrier won't melt the shingles. A study in Florida measured the temperatures of roof shingles above radiant barriers and found that the peak temperatures are only 2 to 5 degrees higher than the temperature of shingles on roofs without radiant barriers.

For existing home construction a thin, light weight radiant barrier can be installed. This radiant barrier is either stapled to the underside of the rafters or is laid over the ceiling insulation. This radiant barrier is clean, easy to handle, and requires no special tools or clothing.

A radiant barrier is available at most home improvement centers for around 60 cents per square foot.

Until next month, be safe and God Bless!

Phillip Rye www.philliprye.com

Doug Rye is a nationally recognized energy consultant and licensed architect. Doug also host the "Home Remedies" radio talk show that is broadcast in 15 states.

Phillip Rye is a licensed engineer and has spent the past 15 years studying energy efficiency and energy conservation.

Discover how you can have lower utility bills guaranteed! Visit http://www.dougrye.com

Terracotta Stair Landing

Planning A Bathroom Remodel Project

Some people approach any home renovation project as a bit of a hobby. This is a good approach if you are learning DIY or want a stress free activity to do when you're not at work. Invariably they do little planning of the project and it develops organically. For example, if they have a bathroom remodel project they will not set any deadline to have it completed. They may search around for the ideal bath, to the extent that it could take months to find it. They may purchase all their materials from auctions to save money. They may see it as a learning process and thus are not really worried about a perfect finish. If however you want to a more structured approach here are some things to consider when planning a bathroom remodel project.

Any remodeling project should follow the same process. Do some initial planning. How many people will be using the bathroom. This might determine whether you should add a separate toilet or an ensuite. Make a list of all the items you will need to store in your bathroom. This will indicate the size of the cabinets you will need and whether there is enough space in the room. Consider what you don't like about the existing bathroom. If the layout is not practical then you will be looking at redesigning the room. This will be a considerable expense. If you simply don't like the colors in the room or feel that some of the fixtures are a bit dated then 5B4this will be less expensive.

This brings us onto the budget. After the initial planning, you need to set a budget. The planning will give you some idea of what you want in your new bathroom. You will have decided if the job is big or small. You will have decided on a realistic time line. You will have decided if you want to do the job yourself or will leave it to tradespeople. Get costings for all the new fixtures you will be adding. Get some quotes for plumbing and any restructuring work. Above all try to stick to this budget as it could impact the completion date if the money dries up. Work out what you can do yourself and what to leave to the professionals. For instance, you could do the initial clearing out. You could strip the wall paper or tiling.

Before finalizing your decision over which professionals you are going to hire make sure you check that they are licensed and insured. Check any references that they give. Be sure to communicate what you require from the professional and ensure that they are clear about this. Keep an eye on their work to be sure it is not deviating from the initial plan. Ensure that the quality is what you expect. You don't have to be on their back every few minutes but asses the work at the end of each day. Never pay more than 10% of their costs up front.

If you are looking for some inspiration for a new look in the bathroom, then furniture or DIY stores generally have demonstration ba59Athrooms that can give you ideas. You can look at their brochures too. Lifestyle magazines always have features on remodeling so browse through these types of magazines.

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 selecting the best bathroom sinks and choosing bathroom rugs. Adrian Whittle gives inspiration and ideas on how to make your home special.

Roof Weather Vane

Door Hardware - An Overview Of Door Hardware In The 21 Century

The faade of your house is your image to the rest of the world. From the color of the paint to your style of siding, how your lawn is kept or the door hardware you use. When someone comes to the door they can be greeted by a myriad of entry possibilities.

Be it your exterior door hardware or your interior it counts toward style points with your guests and shows your taste and what kind of person you are. From pocket door hardware and sliding door hardware to garage door hardware. The one key exception is in regards to pocket door hardware.

Pocket door hardware is functional and has no bearing on physical appearance. The pocket door hardware includes rails of metal or plastic with rollers or casters that allows the door to glide into and out of an extended wall on either side to seal off a room. The pocket door hardware can be cheap or expensive. The expensive side allows your doors to remain steady and glide shut easily whereas the cheaper will have you seeing your door sag and be tougher to pull shut.

The inlay handles are the one part of pocket door hardware that is decorative. You can get them in silver, gold and plastic. The metal pocket door hardware is able to be etched or engraved which is recommended if you want some style.

Sliding door hardware is slightly less hard to get hold of than that of pocket doors. Their located near the back of the house, leading out to the pool or the deck. The sliding door hardware is primarily a sturdy plastic but it doesnt have to be. It can be replaced with metal of aluminum or you can go high hog and get silver or gold.

Does the sliding door hardware keep the door snug to frame or away from it? Does it hang, suspended or firmly attached? Does the sliding door hardware allow your door to glide softly or squeak in pain when you close it? Choose sliding door hardware based on these thoughts as well as money you wish to spend.

Garage door hardware is often times overlooked, but depending on your style of house its one of the first things people see when coming to visit. Besides the usual garage door hardware we have to have such as a motor, metal beams and the sort. Theyre useful to shop for when you need your door to close smoothly but the look doesnt matter as long as it functions.

The exterior garage door hardware, like the sliding door or pocket door is overlooked. Choosing from handles of aluminum, gold or silver or simple twist knobs to turn and pull open the door also in the styled metals.

The real style points come from the exterior door hardware. Choosing from gold or silver, from knobs to push unlocks. The choices are varied and can sometimes be hard to decide on. Besides the regular door hardware you can select to have knockers affixed along with your door knobs for added flare. This door hardware is not only fun but classical. The lions head is a popular favorite but your regular etched door hardware as a knocker will work just as well and be eye-catching.

Rob Hargreaves - An American Locksmith working for NYC Locksmith Company, Mr-Locks Inc. For more information on installation and repairs of security doors, interior doors, exterior doors, call Mr-Locks now.

Wood Shutters for Your Home

Here in Edmonton, Alberta, as the days get shorter and the sun sinks lower in the sky, sunlight streaming through the windows can become an annoying distraction. wood shutters could be your answer. Not to mention the neighbors who have more evening hours to look into your brightly lit living room. Once again, wood shutters could be your answer. You could put up shades to foil prying eyes, but a pair of swinging shutters would definitely be more interesting.

Wood shutters are a great way to add architectural and historical detail. Shutters help windows do their job better, keeping out the elements, whether it's winter's chilly winds or summer's oppressive heat. And easy to install on any window because they attach to a thin frame that either sits inside the window opening or around the outside of the casing. As long as the frame is positioned correctly, the wood shutters will swing freely - and close out the day's distractions with a satisfying click. Are these your answer?

Wood shutters can be an expensive alternative to your design theme. There didn't used to be as many choices there are today. Some were either made of wood, metal or stone. Materials had to be harvested or mined and then fashioned into whatever shape needed to construct the finished product your wood shutters. Today it is much different. New, synthetic and composite materials are cropping up everywhere and are proving to be not only a viable alternative to natural materials, but one that makes life a bit easier when choosing your wood shutters.

The shutters are constructed by stapling the slats with tiny staples to the frame of the wood. This can cause a problem over time with the staples working their way out of the wood shutters. Then the slats to the wood shutters start to fall out. The slats on faux wood shutters are able to be attached with strong adhesives that don't become detached with time.

With faux shutters, there is no change in size or shape just because of the weather. Faux wood shutters can also maintain a bright finished look without frequent painting. Your shutters can be washed with mild detergents and look as new as the day they were installed. Many are treated with dust repellents too. This causes dust in the air to flutter on by instead of sticking to the wood's surface. This makes housekeeping chores much lighter. Wood shutters can require very frequent dusting to keep them clean.

The best thing about faux wood shutters is that they can be used inside and outside the window. These resist fading in the sunlight too. Also can be used alone in interior decorating, or in place of a shade or sheers as a backdrop to draperies or valances.

Exterior

What is the best wood to use for exterior shutters? The best wood for exterior use is cedar because of its outstanding durability and resistance to decay. Cedar gives long service with little maintenance in applications such as mud sills, window sashes, sheathing under stucco or brick veneer construction, wood shutters, greenhouse benches, fencing, poles, trellises, and exterior shutters. Cedar is also used extensively for exterior siding because it is dimensionally stable and holds paint well, in addition to being a deterrent to bugs.

Installing exterior wood shutters is a relatively quick way to add style and color to the outside of a house. Historical and modern houses alike benefit from the timeless style of wood shutters. As with any home improvements, the quality and longevity of an addition should be evaluated before proceeding. Exterior shutters are available in many shapes and materials as are interior shutters.

Kelly Kramer owns a plumbing company and buy and sells real estate, if you liked this article you can learn more at http://www.edmontons-business-directory.com/Window_Coverings.html

Windows
Termite Damage

Why Wear A Safety Hard Hat

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The safety of a human life is of utmost priority in every field of work. Certain jobs are prone to more dangerous environment than others. Working at a Construction site is one such job, which involves high level of safety measures. Any kind of injury can prove fatal depending on the gravity of it. But head injuries prove to be the most fatal of all. Injuries to the head our very serious business, that is why construction companies ensure the usage of hard hats at all work sites.

Safety Hard Hats protects the workers from various hazards. Falling objects, electric shocks, severe weather conditions and debris are a few to name. Among all the various PPE's (Personal Protective Equipment) like goggles, protective cl5B4othing and steel-toe boots, hard hats are the most widely used protective gear. They used to be made out of metal and then fiberglass but these days they are made from rigid plastic. The rigid plastic is nothing but HDPE (High Density Polyethylene).

But most workers still prefer Safety hard hats made from brown fiberglass. They are more balanced on the head along with being lighter in weight and immensely resistant to scrapes and stains. They also help in shedding the rain water without allowing drops to form on the edge. Another reason why fibreglass is still preferred over plastic is that they tend to stay on when the worker tilts the head at extreme angles for doing the job.

Safety hard hats are designed in a way to give some spacing between the shell and the head. So when an object falls on the head a safety distance cushion lessens the blow by approximately 3cm. There are two types. Type one provides protection against objects falling vertically. It protects the head from the impact these objects might have on landing on the head. Whereas a type two hat protects from both vertical and horizontal threats. It also has a foam inner liner of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene).

The hard hats are made following electrical standards which protects the wearer from electrical current. They are also checked for combustibility and flammability. With proper inspection and care, a Safety hard hat can be used for 5 years, after which 5AAit should be replaced. They come in different colors. These colors signify different roles performed by workers at construction sites. For example a white hat for workmen, blue for supervisors, red for safety inspectors and yellow for technical advisor's. They can be fitted with accessories depending on the nature of the job.

Some of the common ones are a visor (welding visor or a riot squad helmet visor), helmet light mount, ear protectors and mirrors for increased rear field of view.

Are you looking to buy a hard hat or just looking for more information on hard hats going to this site will give you a better idea on which hard hat is the best suited for your job at hand More information on Safety Hard Hat

Installation of a Mirror Demister

The Benefits of Mirror Demisters:

There is a simple solution to those misted up mirrors in your bathroom so you no longer have to wait for the mist to clear before drying you hair, shaving or putting on make up. Mirror demisters are totally safe and resistant to moisture, vibration and dust. They are connected to your bathrooms lighting supply and keep your mirrors mist free by gently warming the mirror.

Installation Guidelines:

It is important that heaters are checked for damage before installation to ensure that the metallic filament has not been creased and that the protective film has not been pierced. The size must also be checked to ensure that it will fit on the mirror with a minimum 10mm gap between the film edge and the mirror edge. The demister must NOT be visible after installation. The mirror to be used in the application must be suitable for the purpose. The mirror must be completely flat and free of stress and crack lines. NO accessories or other materials should be adhered or fixed to mirror surface as this can create uneven temperatures and stress upon the mirror. The mirror demister must be mounted directly on to the reverse side of the mirror OR onto a surface which is in direct contact with the mirror.

The demister is self -adhesive, NO other adhesives should be used. The mirror must be installed on to a wall which is sound, has a flat and level surface, which is free of moisture. The wall must also be capable of bearing the weight of the mirror. The mirror must be fixed completely flat to the wall to prevent stress to the mirror and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, using suitable fixings.

Mechanical fixings must NOT pierce or touch the demister OR create undue stress on the mirror or demister due to over tightening. If the demister is to be adhered to the wall the complete surface of the mirror back and demister must be coated with the adhesive. ALL the installed components of the demister including the wiring must be protected and covered so as to be inaccessible after installation, in compliance with national safety standards. The demister comes with a power supply cable. This cable can be extended if required using suitable connectors and a correctly rated cable.

Fitting Instructions IMPORTANT: The film should be applied slowly in a constant motion as the adhesive protective cover is removed. The protective cover should NEVER be completely removed before applying the heater to the mirror. The heater should not be creased OR folded at any time. Ensure no air bubbles are trapped under the film surface.

1. Mark the location of the demister on the back of the mirror.
2. Peel the adhesive protective cover away from one corner and place at the corner of the area to be covered.
3. Continue to slowly peel the adhesive protective cover off the film surface, applying firm, even pressure to adhere the film to the surface as the adhesive protective cover is removed. (ensure no air bubbles are trapped at any time).
4. Once the heater is adhered to the mirror surface, locate the connector block adhered to the mirror and measure its position relative to the mirror edges.
5. Cut a recess in the wall where the measured location of the demister power cable connector will be sited, so as to allow the mirror to be adhered flush against the fall surface.
6. Feed or recess power cables to point of connection as required.
7. Affix mirror to wall using suitable fixings / adhesive as per the mirror manufacturer's guidelines, ensuring that no cables or connector are trapped behind the mirror which cause the mirror to be stressed or sit unevenly on the wall.

Final connections should be made by a Part P certified electrician.

Electrical Considerations:

As with all electrical projects governed by Part P regulations, all mains electrical connections must be undertaken by a certified electrician. All work must be carried out in accordance with the IEE wiring regulations to BS7671 or national regulations. The mirror demister must be connected to a lighting circuit, with a maximum 5 amp fuse of circuit breaker in the distribution board/consumer unit. The heater can either be connected directly to a switched light circuit, which will turn on the heater when the light is switched on OR via a separate switch connected to the main lighting circuit.

If more than one demister is to be installed, they edges MUST be at least 5mm apart and the wiring MUST be in parallel. Heaters must NOT be connected in series. The power rating of the circuit should also be checked to determine that the heaters will NOT overload the lighting circuit. Any metal parts which are accessible and are in contact with the mirror must be earthed / grounded in compliance with BS7671 or national regulations.

James S Jones
Warmup