Repairing Scratches in Laminate Flooring

When I moved into my home, the floor in the living room had just been refinished with beautiful honey toned laminate flooring. It was beautiful and it fit my decor perfectly. The only problem was the fact that one of my chair had popped a cap, unbeknownst to everyone involved, and it wasn't until a few weeks later, when I went to rearrange a few pieces of furniture, that I noticed it. Much to my horror, the gleaming floor beneath the chair had become a scratched mess and I shuddered at the thought of having to fix them.

Now, I'm sure that I am not the only person who has had to deal with scratched laminate flooring. In fact, I'm almost positive that the problem is universally shared. The simple truth is, if you are going to own laminate flooring, at one time you will own scratched laminate flooring. Most people would simply sigh and shift the furniture around to cover the evidence, something that I actually did for a few months, but laminate flooring can be fixed without having to tear out pieces and replace them.

Most repairs in laminate flooring are pretty minor. A glass may have fallen and gouged a small hole or the kids may have scraped a toy car, minus wheels, across a small section. The scratches and holes are simply surface damage but they definitely detract from the once shiny beauty of your floors.

With minor damage, you will only need to do minor repairs to your laminate. Unfortunately, as with most repairs, there is nothing regularly stocked in your shelves that will fix the floors. You will need to make a run to the local home hardware or flooring store to pick up a repair kit. Some manufacturers will make repair kits for their flooring so the best place to start is the store where you purchased your flooring.

If you aren't sure of the manufacturer or the manufacturer does not have a repair product, simply purchase a generic repair kit. A repair kit usually consists of a tube of putty or wax. This is your actual filler. Some repair kits have colored putty while others have paint that you mix to create the matching floor color; this you mix with the putty before applying. Both are perfectly fine to purchase and you will usually run yourself about ten to twenty dollars.

Some repair kits come with putty knife and everything else you need but if it doesn't simply pick up a putty knife while you are at the store. Popsicle sticks work perfectly for applying the putty to the crack.

Before you start repairing your scratches and dents, make sure the area is clean of any debris and is dry. There is no sense repairing a spot if a patch of dog hair is going to be glued into the floor. Once the area is prepared, it's time to get mixing.

If you went with a colored putty that matches your floor, all you will need to do is spoon in the putty, but if you went with a mix, you will need to match and create the desired color. Once you have that, spoon in the putty and smooth with the putty knife. Remove any of the excess putty so you have a smooth surface. Lastly, wipe the area around the scratch, being careful to not touch the repaired scratch with a clean cloth to wash away any residue.

Once it dries, your laminate flooring should look as good as new.

Sometimes, you will find the occasional scratch that is too shallow for the putty to work properly. If this is the case, the best product on the market is ScratchAway. This is a spray on treatment for any small scratches on laminate and other wood flooring. All you need to do is spray the area and then buff until it is dry.

So with a few little tricks of the trade, there are very few reasons why you can't enjoy scratch free laminate flooring for years to come.

Sirena Van Schaik is a professional writer who provides information on wood flooring and laminate flooring for A1 Wood Flooring

Why Clean Energy Investments Are the Future

Clean Energy Investments

Henry David Thoreau once said that 'Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth.' This saying not only brings out the growing unrest in the minds of millions of people around the world, but it also emphasizes on the fact that we have vastly damaged the planet already and it is time we acted.

Cleantech is one of the steps that we have taken towards reducing our dependency on environmentally taxing technologies. Cleantech is a set of clean technologies that have a minimal impact on the environment. It focuses on harnessing natural resources like solar power, bio fuel and other renewable power technologies.

While large developed economies like US are readily investing in clean energy, developing nations are also pouring billions of dollars into cleantech. China is one of the forerunners in cleantech investments with several Chinese venture capitalists, capital funds and corporate investing big time in cleantech.

A development challenge

As the population continues to rise, there is immense dependency on fossil fuels for producing electricity and the need for newer energy supplies is increasing every moment especially in developing countries. The fact that about 1.6 billion people around the world have no access to electricity disdains. Energy is also an extremely crucial part of the climate change equation. Around 80% of global CO2 emissions come from energy production and utilization.

What needs to be done?

Apart from massive clean energy investments, there needs to be a gradual transformation of the existing energy supply infrastructure. There needs to be a collaborative effort on the part of the governments of all the countries to foster newer clean energy ventures and to help commercialize existing promising technologies. The focus should also shift to energy consumption. The end users need to be educated about possible conservation methods that will reduce the impact on energy production.

For more info visit : Clean Energy Investments

Granite, Quartz, and Stone Countertops

Have you been cooking on the same boring Formica countertops for 20 years? Are you considering putting your house on the market? Is your kitchen drab and tired-looking? If you're ready to give your kitchen a new lease on life, consider installing stone countertops. The renovations are relatively minor-quick and hassle-free-and the results are fabulous. You'll be amazed at how different your kitchen looks by simply switching to granite or quartz countertops!

The truth is that laminate countertops are a thing of the past. In the last decade or so, stone countertops have shifted from a luxury item available to the elite few to the industry standard. Laminate simply looks dowdy and old-fashioned when compared with the sleek, satiny look of stone. Having stone countertops installed in your kitchen is a great way to bring your home up to date and into the 21st century.

You may be surprised to learn that stone countertops are available in a wide variety of price ranges. You'll pay a premium for specialty natural stone like exotic marbles, but more common natural countertop materials such as granite and soapstone are less expensive. Also, consider that materials like quartz counters can easily last the lifetime of your house; even though such stone countertops are more expensive than laminate would be, they're a better value since they never need to be replaced!

And, speaking of value, investing in quality solid-surface countertops is a fantastic way to add value to your home. Regardless of whether you're planning to sell your house in the short term, stone countertops are an enduring investment in your home. Especially if you're planning to enjoy your home for years to come, now is the best time to install granite countertops; you'll have plenty of time to benefit from your attractive, functional stone counters before you eventually sell the house. And when you do sell, the purchase price will invariably be higher than if your kitchen had worn Formica counters. In fact, because the appearance of your kitchen is usually the single room that makes or breaks a sale, stone countertops may be the difference between selling your home or not.

With all of the great reasons to install stone counters in your kitchen, there's no point in waiting! Visit your local stone counter showroom to see samples and talk to knowledgeable sales staff about the various benefits provided by different types of stone. Regardless of what type of stone counter you select, you will be adding beauty, durability, and class to your home.

Matt Gallo is a home improvement hobbyist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leading online provider of local advertising solutions.

Renewable Energy Sources Primer

There are numerous renewable sources of energy available to power home and industry. These include, wind power, hydro-electric, biomass, and solar to name a few. Understanding which ones are best suited comes down to a question of geography and economics. Home and business owners are often presented with colorful options on the wide variety of alternative energy sources available, but can find themselves faced with a large up-front cost and only a vague idea of what the savings and payback period would be. Now, I want to point out that the savings and payback period should not be the only criteria for making a decision. I firmly believe that environmental responsibility should be a high priority, but am also sympathetic with anyone who refuses to pay tens of thousands of dollars to install a system in order to completely live off the grid. There should be serious effort on the part of industry and government to invest in the advancement of the technology, and to drive down the cost, in order to make it easier for homeowners and businesses to make a shift in their energy use.

Shifting global energy use towards cleaner sources is very possible, but it will require a utilization of all the renewable sources available worldwide. This will mean that the areas of the world that are rich in geothermal energy, would contribute to the energy "pot" along with those areas that are rich in say, wind energy or solar energy. There are few places in the world that will have all their energy needs satisfied by a single local and renewable source. This will mean that "sharing" of renewable energy must occur across all borders. It will take a keen understanding of what best applies to different areas and then proceeding forward. For the most part this must happen on the industry scale, where the economics of scale will make it most feasible. Individual home and business owners can certainly do their part as well, either in using less energy and/or reducing dependence on the grid by installing some solar panels, or maybe a wind turbine, which they can afford. Certainly those people with larger properties, such as farmers, can make the most of this. But most don't have this opportunity. So for the most part, renewable energy must come from large scale applications designed to power hundreds, if not thousands of homes, per installation.

Let's look at the key areas of renewable energy potential.

Solar Energy

Photovoltaics

Photovoltaics (solar panels) can generate electricity year round but their output can vary depending on if it is sunny or cloudy. Their output efficiency is 10-15%, meaning that 10-15% of the solar energy that reaches the solar panel is converted into electricity, which is somewhat low. Furthermore, their cost is high, around $10/Watt if you're looking at a home installation. The cost per Watt tends to be lower for large utility-scale installations.

Solar panels utilize the "photoelectric effect" to produce electricity. The sun's photons excites the electrons in the photosensitive panel material to produce electricity. The technological hurdle in constructing solar panels is that the photosensitive material made out of high-purity silicon, has to be "grown", which is a slow process. Because of this the economics of scale don't benefit large-scale production of solar panels as much as say, wind turbines which can be produced at a faster rate. Nonetheless, in certain applications solar panels are valuable since they are a consistent source of power as long as there is regular daylight intervals, which is true almost everywhere. If budget is not an issue and you want steady reliable power from one single source that is almost entirely independent of geographic location, then solar panels are for you.

A further advantage of solar panels is that they require little maintenance once they are installed. There are no moving parts. All that is required is to keep the surface clean so that sunlight can get through.

Solar Thermal Energy

This source of power is most suitable in areas where there is little cloud cover year round. It relies on the unimpeded intensity of the sun, just like a magnifying glass will only focus sunlight when there are no clouds blocking the sun. The energy efficiency achieved by solar thermal can be twice that of photovoltaics.

There are two main methods to capture the sun's thermal energy. The first is with flat-plate solar collectors. These are collectors with a clear glass plate on top to help "trap" the sun's heat, much like a "greenhouse" effect. This causes the interior of the collector to heat up. On the interior of the collector there is tubing which is painted black in order to better absorb the sun's heat energy. This, combined with the "greenhouse" effect, will result in the tube temperature reaching 80-90 degrees Celsius.

Inside the tubes there flows a coolant that heats up and then flows out of the collector and exchanges heat with another device, such as a water heater. This helps reduce water heating costs. This heat can also be used for space heating, reducing costs there as well.

Flat-plate solar collectors can also be "evacuated". A vacuum is created between the collector tubes and an outer glass tube. This allows the collector temperature to become even hotter, over 100 degrees Celsius. The reason it gets hotter is because, in the absence of air, there is no heat loss due to convection, which is basically the transfer of heat to the glass tube, with air as the transfer path. With this heat loss medium removed, the collector heats up more.

Solar collectors are among the least expensive of all solar installations, costing only a few thousand dollars for a typical home installation.

The other way to collect the sun's thermal energy is by focusing the sun's energy on to a small area, much like a magnifying glass, resulting in localized very high heat. This high heat can be utilized for electricity generation.

One application for concentrated solar heat is in "power towers". Using many heliostats (mirrors), the sun is focused onto a central tower using tracking mechanisms. The power tower receives this concentrated energy to heat up water and run a steam turbine to generate electricity. Heat from the power tower is initially stored in a salt compound which becomes liquid at high temperature, and its heat is then used to turn water to steam. Because of the ability of salt to act as an efficient thermal storage at high temperatures and low pressure, it can be easily transported through piping and into a storage tank for subsequent use in the steam generator. It can store sufficient heat energy to provide electricity generation well into the night, well after the sun goes down.

The efficiency of a power tower can be around 20%, which means that 20% of the sun's energy falling on the mirrors can be converted into electricity. Efficiency as high as 25% can be achieved with larger installations. Efficiency is somewhat proportional to the size of the installation.

Another means to utilize the sun's thermal energy is with a solar concentrator, such as a SunCatcher system. A Stirling engine is placed near the focal point of a large parabolic dish, around 11 m in diameter. The dish is pointed directly at the sun by using a tracking mechanism. This allows the sun's energy to be focused onto a receiver placed at the focal point. This receiver channels the heat energy into the Stirling engine which then generates electricity.

The Stirling engine is unique among engines in that all it needs to run is a hot and cold source. In this case the hot source is the sun's heat and the cold source is the ambient air. The concentrated heat energy of the sun hitting the receiver can be as much as 800 degrees Celsius! The higher the temperature, the more efficient a Stirling engine will be, which is why a parabolic dish is much more effective than a solar collector as a source of heat. It generates more power per unit area of sun exposure. In the SunCatcher, the efficiency is around 30%, which means that 30% of the energy that reaches the parabolic dish is converted into electricity. This is the highest efficiency of any device that converts solar energy to electricity. It is comparable to coal generating stations which can operate with an efficiency of 35-40%. Each SunCatcher can generate an average of 25 kW of power. That is enough power for a dozen homes.

The SunCatcher is ideal for scalability in that it is modular, meaning that to get more power you simply add more units. This type of scalability is not as easy to implement for a power tower.

Areas such as the southwestern United States are ideal for solar thermal energy. Any areas that have ample sun and little cloud cover year round, are suitable. The outdoor temperature does not have to be hot year round. As long as the sun is shining the receiver can reach a high temperature. In fact, the efficiency record for a SunCatcher was set on a cold and sunny winter day. This is because the cold "source" temperature, which is the ambient air, is colder than in summer months. And since the efficiency of a Stirling engine increases with increasing temperature difference between the hot and cold source, it resulted in a higher than normal power output.

The disadvantage of a SunCatcher power plant is that it can only output power during the day. There is no overnight storage capacity as is the case with a power tower. However, it is still valuable as it can help reduce grid load by offsetting some of the peak power use which is generally during the day.

Currently, these SunCatcher units are very expensive, around $250,000 per unit. However, this is the cost of making prototypes. Economics of scale can greatly reduce the cost, since these are essentially mechanical devices which can be manufactured at high volume, the same way as automobiles. And indeed, they are not as technologically complex as many of the cars produced today.

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines have little environmental impact and in high volume can greatly contribute to grid quality electricity. For large installations (on the order of MW), the rated power output is 1 Watt per 1-3 dollars of installation cost. Compare this to large installations of photovoltaics that have a rated power output of 1 Watt per 4-7 dollars of installation cost. Wind is (currently) a better return.

Wind turbines are one of the largest sources of renewable energy production in the world. In Germany they supply nearly ten times as much energy as photovoltaics. The same can be said of the European union, which leads the way in renewable energy development.

As said before, it's easier to produce wind turbines in large volume than photovoltaics, since they are basically mechanical devices. This no doubt contributes to their much larger numbers.

Wind turbines work best on a large scale in large open areas, where one can install towers tall enough to capture the full brunt of the wind energy available. Coastal areas and areas near large bodies of water are often best suited for wind power.

Wind turbines can be very large, up to 200 meters tall, with 125 meter blade diameter, providing up to 6 MW capacity. One such turbine can power thousands of homes.

To have the best chance of producing steady output power, it is necessary to install wind turbines in numerous locations, spread out across large regions. This way, even if one area has insufficient wind speed, statistically speaking there is enough wind blowing in different areas such that the wind turbines will produce steady output on average. Wind speed varies much more with respect to local regions than does other sources of energy such as solar, so multiple installations covering a large area is essential.

Geothermal Power

This is heat energy that is captured from underground, which is escaping from the earth's core and venting close enough to the earth's surface to be accessible. Certain areas of the world are rich in geothermal energy, such as Iceland. This energy can be used to heat water and create steam to power turbines that generate electricity. It can also be utilized to heat homes.

The technology is progressing so that areas that were previously considered "too deep" to access geothermal energy can now be drilled and tapped. This will contribute to the number of areas that can be harvested for geothermal power.

Wave and Tidal Power

Wave power is generated by using the "up and down" motion of waves to drive a generator using an actuator such as a hydraulic ram.

Tidal power is generated by placing turbines underwater that rotate due to the bulk motion of the water. This is similar to how wind turbines rotate in the presence of wind.

Biomass

This entails the burning of plant matter for energy. It is carbon-neutral because during the life of a plant, it captures carbon dioxide from the air, using photosynthesis. This carbon is stored in the plant tissue. When the plant is burned it releases its stored energy as heat and the carbon dioxide returns to the atmosphere. So there is no net gain or loss of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Therefore it is carbon-neutral. Sources of biomass can be wood or plant husks. Ethanol derived from sugarcane is another example.

Hydro Electric Power

Many are familiar with this mode of power generation. It is the kind of power that uses the gravitational potential of falling water to rotate large turbines. Niagara Falls is an example, along with the Three Gorges Dam in China, which will produce 22 GW of power when completed. That is enough power to supply almost the entire province of Ontario.

Hydro-power is an excellent source of power when used from natural sources. It can become an environmental problem when large stretches of land are deliberately flooded to achieve it. Notwithstanding, it remains one of the largest sources of renewable energy.

Looking at all these options, it becomes clear that the solution is not a single one, but all of them put together. Different areas of the planet would lend themselves to different renewables. Some areas would be best suited to solar energy. Others may be better suited to wind power. While others may be best suited for geothermal or even tidal power. Combinations are certainly possible if the natural conditions favor it.

It's also clear that mechanical means of extracting energy from nature will form the bulk of clean, non-polluting, energy sources. It is a fact that the motion of wind and water lends itself more easily to power generation in more areas of the world than does solar. And it's fairly easy to scale up these sources. You just "add" more units.

The job of government and industry is to push for large scale installations where they are feasible, as they will supply the bulk of the electricity needed by society. Economics is not the only hurdle here. There has to be a willingness to invest in something which cannot have a price tag on it. Maintaining a habitable planet should be a priority no matter what.

The role of the home and business owner is to participate in the effort to use less energy, and conserve more. This could be by driving less, using public transit more, installing more energy efficient appliances even if it costs more, and being more cognizant of where energy use in general can be reduced. Doing this and making this part of a way of life need not be perceived as a sacrifice, but a responsible way of living harmoniously with our surroundings.

http://newenergydirection.com/blog/

Shower Stall Curtains

Most people prefer to relax in bathtubs. However, some people have other equipment that allows them to have a quick bath. The equipment is built in the bathroom to prevent the seeping out of water as you bathe. The equipment is available in different colors and designs. Besides, there are different sizes and prices to suit you.

Some types are door less and they make the bathroom look different and neat. The equipment can be beautified using shower stall curtains. These curtains are a cheap way of providing a refreshing relaxing environment. The curtains make the place appear elegant and stylish. They are available in different colors and patterns. You should choose according to your taste.

Shower stall curtains are available in various materials. Most are made from vinyl. The curtains can be customized to suit your needs. You simply need to consult the concerned company. For the door less type, the curtains must very long. This is to prevent water from splashing onto the toilet and messing up the floor. It prevents accidents that can occur when water is on the floor.

To obtain shower stall curtains, visit the household department of a nearby mall. You can also order from the Internet. Different companies showcase their designs from which you can choose from. You can easily compare prices and choose your that suits your pocket. If however you are not satisfied with what the companies offer, make your own curtains. You can get ideas from various web sites on how to make the curtains.

Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Shower Curtain. For More Information on Shower Stall Curtains, Visit His Site at SHOWER STALL CURTAINS

You Can Also Add Your Views About Shower Stall Curtains At My Blog here SHOWER STALL CURTAINS

How to Replace an Old Window in Your Home

A Guide to Installing a New Window in Your Home

If your old wooden window is drafty, does not open or close well, or is showing signs of water damage and decay, it is probably time to think about replacing it with a new state-of-the-art Low-E glass, vinyl clad window.

Also, if the glass pane associated with your existing old wooden window is foggy or you can feel cold drafts during the winter months emanating out from around it, or you need to hold it open during the summer months with a prop of some sort then it is definitely time to replace it.

Replacing an old window is something a Do It Yourself homeowner can tackle with some basic carpenters knowledge and a few basic carpentry tools that you probably already have in your home.

Purchasing the Proper New Window

Prior to installing a new window you first need to figure out what size window to purchase. The key parameter required when ordering a new window is its rough opening. This is specified by the window manufacturer and tells you how large of an opening you need for installing a specific window. Typically the rough opening is 1 to 2 inches taller and wider than the actual window itself.

You may need to remove the interior trim from around the old window to obtain the rough opening dimensions for your new window.

Make sure you purchase a new window that has rough opening requirements that are equal to or smaller than your measurements.

Removal of the Old Window

Once you have purchased your new window it is time to remove the old one. Using a hammer and a claw remove the old exterior trim and any nails that may be securing the window to the home. There may be a nailing flange around the perimeter of the old window. Simply use your hammer and claw to remove these nails.

With the nails removed the window should be able to be pulled out of the window frame opening.

Installation of the New Window

With the old window out, it is now time to install the new window. Before, installing the new window, make sure the rough window opening is clear of any debris and any old nails.

Place the new window into the window opening and center it within the window frame.

Use a level and a measuring tape to make sure the window is plumb and square, otherwise the window will not work properly. You may need to add some shims to plumb and square up the new window.

Once the window is plumb and square within the window frame, fasten it with a couple of nails. With most new windows they come with a nailing flange that makes nailing the window to the outside home exterior straightforward.

When nailing the window, start on the upper right hand side and work your way down with just a couple of nails. Check again with the level to make sure the window is level and plumb. Also take one more look on the inside of the window to make sure the window is square and centered.

If the window has remained square and plumb, go ahead and install a couple of additional nails on the other side of the window. Again, one at the top, and the other about halfway down the window.

Then go into the home and remove/cut away the retention bands that held the window square during the window installation. Slide the windows up a down and see if they operate smoothly.

If the window operates smoothly go ahead and add additional nails every 4-6 inches around the nailing flange of the window. If it does not, you may need to remove one or more of the initial nails installed and readjust the window to make sure it is plumb and square.

With the window now installed, add new trimboards around the window perimeter on both the inside and outside of the window and enjoy your new view.

For more information on installing a new window, see the Installing a New Window Ebook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing a New Window Ebook provides easy to understand, step-by-step instructions, on how to remove an old window and install a new one. Pictures are included for every key step in the process.

About the Author: Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Lighting Up Your Bathroom Mirror

When you are in a bathroom, you would want to feel comfortable with it. Thus, you should make sure that the design of this room is according to the kind that you want. There are many things that you can put in your bathroom so that it will look more inviting. Of course you should not forget to keep it clean and keep organized but you should also remember that you can make the aura of your bathroom better through adding different fixtures in it. It would also help if you have a theme followed or a color coordination so that your bathroom will look more organized and unified.

One of the things that you can put is a bathroom mirror. You should know that there are many kinds of mirrors that you can use and there are more kinds available in the market. Thus, you can easily look for the kind that you would need. If you have a theme followed in your bathroom, then you can make your choice of bathroom mirror suitable for the theme. Also, there are different sizes and shapes available, so no matter how big or small your bathroom is you can make choose the kind of mirror that would suit the space. Added to this, a bathroom would not be complete if you do not put a mirror.

The bathroom mirrors that you should buy will not only be used for decorative purposes. However, there are many kinds of mirrors that can play that part well because of their designs. The mirrors are also useful and it can reflect you and help you check your look.

However, you should remember that even if the bathroom mirror can be a big help, you can always augment its look through decorating it properly or by making sure that you put proper lighting in your bathroom. You should also check the position of the mirror relative to the height of the people who are going to use it and also based from the area where the lighting would be located. You should remember that light is important if you want to have properly reflected images in the mirror so you should be very careful in choosing the lighting material that you will use.

You should check the positioning of the materials like the bulbs and the mirror so that you will be able to get the proper lighting. The mirror is not only used as an accessory in the bathroom so you should make sure that it is properly used. This can be done if you are able to get rid of the unnecessary shadows reflected in your bathroom mirror With this importance, you should allot enough time searching for the kind of mirror that you will use and the lighting that would come with it.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company