orylinksbelow.
Before
After
http://www.homerenovationguide.com/renovations/kitchen-transformation
Before
After
http://www.homerenovationguide.com/renovations/amazing-kitchen-and-family-room-makeo
From:http://blog.homerenovationguide.com/kitchen/before-after-by-aya-kitchens/|Author：Susan
As a replacement window shopper, you’re expected to be somewhat of an expert in the field in order to make a qualified, appropriate decision. But I happen to think this expectation is just a little unfair.
Have you ever talked to a salesman who promoted his product by telling you that his product was the best (fill in the blank) ever. And although you were pleased to find out that you were learning about an awesomely (fill in the blank) product, you had no clue what relevance that (fill in the blank) rating/fact/measurement really meant?
U-Factor, for example. This is one of those items that tends to confuse and clutter the decision making process for most consumers.
The U-Factor measures how well a window prevents heat from escaping. It is the inverse of the R-Value (1/R Value). U-Factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and 1.20.
The lower the U-Factor, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value will be.
In terms of energy efficiency, the U-Factor is included in the energy performance rating offered by the NFRC.
In short, the lower the U-Factor, the better.
You walk or look through them every single day. But how often do you really think about the impact your home”s doors and windows have on its value, beauty and livability? Home improvement experts agree that updating your windows and doors can help you save on energy bills, improve the look and infrastructure of your home and add long-lasting value.
“One of the most valuable investments you can make in your home is window and door replacement,” says Lou “Mr. Fix It” Manfredini, home improvement editor for the Today Show and “USA Today Weekend Magazine.”
Replacing your windows can mean making many decisions: Is it time to replace? And if so, how do you go about choosing the best replacement windows?
“There are four main reasons why a homeowner might need to replace windows or doors: performance, energy efficiency, maintenance and aesthetics,” Manfredini says. To receive information on window and door replacement in Florida, visit http://www.arttofimpactwindows.com
Performance
This is the most compelling reason to change a door or window, Manfredini says. On top of testing your patience, windows and doors that stick aren”t giving you the optimum benefit in terms of convenience and efficiency. Performance is also tied to safety-if doors are windows are not opening properly they can be a safety hazard.
Energy Efficiency
Check for drafts around doors and windows by moving a lit candle slowly around the edges. If the flame flickers, you have a draft — one of the biggest drains on the energy efficiency of your home. Drafts add up to real dollars on your heating and cooling bills, so this is, for many people, the impetus to replace their windows or doors.
Maintenance
How To Build Kitchen Cabinets
Saving money on kitchen remodeling/updating is important to majority of homeowners. Kitchen cabinets set the entire mood of a room, since they take up most of the kitchen space. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on custom made kitchen cabinets, one option is making your own. If you are handy and you enjoy home improvement projects this may be something you might want to look into.
Whenever taking on a home improvement project you will find that making a plan will help you envision the final product..
Start by measuring out your kitchen and drawing out what your new cabinets will look like as where as any appliances will be placed. Visit local home centers and cabinet showrooms will give you a lot of great ideas. It can also be a great resource to determine the wood and finish you will want. This will you decide what is best for your kitchen and your needs. Also you may want to find a local hardwood supplier where you can find lumber and sheet materials and a decent price. A lot of these places sell additional accessories such as hinges, drawer guides, lazy susans, etc. You will also want to make sure you have the right tools and equipment to cut and mill, fasten the materials for your new cabinets.
It does not matter how old or young you are the new range of steam showers available on today’s market accommodate us all.
The steam shower is a relatively new concept to the UK but within the last year or so it has become more and more popular with the homeowner. Not only does the steam shower provide excellent designer attributes to a bathroom but the facilities it offers are truly outstanding. You are provided with a wealth of technical features including hands free telephone, radio, stereo, iPod, television alongside a massive array of health giving attributes. This is all encompassed within a self contained pod that can be easily assembled on delivery. The systems are relatively cheap with prices ranging from £500 upwards. So why not transform your bathroom and invigorate your body with one of the latest steam showers from Indigo Showers.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Hello All,
My name is Tyler and I work for The RTA Store. For those of you who do not know, “RTA” stands for Ready to Assemble. The RTA Store sells RTA Kitchen Cabinets, RTA Dining Room Furniture, and RTA Living Room Tables (we are constantly looking for additional high quality RTA manufacturers to add).
For my first post I thought I would let you know my thoughts on RTA kitchen cabinets; from high quality to mid-grade to low quality.
I do not consider myself to be an absolute expert on RTA kitchen cabinets but from what I do know there is definietly a distinct difference between high quality and low quality RTA cabinets. Now a days, all RTA kitchen cabinets should come with easy installation directions, all pre-drilled, and really the only tool you should need is a screwdriver (for CAM lock systems*). If you are looking at RTA cabinets that do not have those features than you are wasting your time (in my opinion). People who buy RTA kitchen cabinets know that they will have to do work to assemble the product and should be looking for high quality easy to assemble kitchen cabinets.
Construction of ready to assemble kitchen cabinets should be the most important thing to consider when purchasing your new kitchen. For starters, do not ever buy anything that has particle board or ‘fake’ wood in its construction, you are asking for a problem if you do. Particle board is constructed of wood chips, saw dust, and other wood particles and is less dense. It can mold, warp, break, and is a huge no-no when considering what RTA cabinets to purchase. Solid wood cabinets are your best bet. Now, if you want complete solid wood cabinets you may have to get them custom built and as far as I know they are not available as RTA. You should be looking to purchase 100% solid wood fronts and sides (door frames) with plywood backs and bottoms. The thicker the plywood, the better. A good thickness is about 1/2″ for both.
We abuse them – We clutter them – We sometimes sit on them … sometimes.
Think of countertops as little workbenches of life. They are probably one of the most necessary items in a kitchen or bathroom – and if you don’t have an adequate amount of them, you’ll really feel it.
Standard kitchen countertops run 24″ deep and 36″ from the floor.
Bathroom counters are typically shorter. They tend to run 18″ deep and 30″ from the floor.
Some countertops have backsplashes but some do not. All countertops are made with (or, are supposed to be made with) durable, long-lasting materials.
Most are made of a combination of plywood, particle board, mastic, glue, mortar and grout. This combination of materials not only provides durability, but they also keep the countertops protected from water and stains.
The most common surfaces are ceramic tile, wood, high-pressure laminate, solid surfacing and natural stone. These surfaces range very wide in price.
Stone and Granite countertops are all the rave right now. They’re very sexy and sleek. But they’re also very pricey. The going rate around my neck of the woods STARTS at about $39 /ft. I’m not sure how up to par you are on countertop pricing – But that’s a good 3 times the price of a “regular” countertop.
Another differential to consider is edging. Depending upon the materials used to make your countertops, you may have several options to choose from.
Does your asphalt driveway need sealcoating? Why does it need sealcoating?
The value of your asphalt pavement has skyrocketed right along with the price of oil.
It makes sense now, more than ever, to protect your pavement from the elements that will destroy it over time.
What does sealcoating do?
1. STOPS WEATHER DAMAGE
Sealcoating prevents the damaging effects of oxidation and water penetration.
2. PREVENTS OXIDATION
The sun’s ultraviolet rays harden and dry out the asphalt pavement surface. This accelerates raveling and erosion and can reduce asphalt thickness in just a few years. Sealcoating helps prevent this.
3. BEAUTIFIES PAVEMENT
Sealcoating restores original black color to asphalt and greatly enhances the overall appearance of property. The smooth even surface of sealed pavement makes sweeping, snow removal, and maintenance easier and less costly.
4. RESISTS GAS, OIL, AND SALT
Sealcoating resists the highly damaging effects of gas and oil seepage and all other road chemicals including alkalies and winter salt.
You have two ways to do this. You can do it yourself or hire a professional.
Doing it yourself:
1. Clean all debris from your driveway.
2. Treat all oil or gas stains
3. Repair all Cracks
4. Apply Coal Tar by brush and squeegee
5. Allow to dry for 24 hours.
Sounds easy….. maybe not. You have to buy the Coal tar. To be honest. The 5 gallon buckets you buy at your local home improvement store doesn’t work. Why? It is watered down and doesn’t have sand in it. It will not protect your driveway the way professional coal tar will. My advice is go to a Sealcoating manufacturer. (www.sealmaster.net). It might cost more but it works.
Hire a professional:
1. Look for local Sealcoating companies (Internet, Ads, Signs, and Newspaper).
2. Get 2 or 3 quotes.
3. Ask questions
It should only cost around $20 to $30 more to hire a professional to do the job.
You may be well aware that the Guttering situation at your house is far from ideal – But do you have the first clue how to go about remedying the situation? I read a blog entry the other day whereabouts a lady stated, “I was hoping I could just call Lowe’s and ask them to send over one of their installation guys to install new gutters for me, but I just talked to Lowe’s and they don’t do gutter installation unless they are also installing a new roof.” This poor gal tackled this predicament completely bass-ackwards. Calling in the little, red aprons?!? Come on, now!
Here is a list of common homeowner questions, associated with Gutter replacement:
How do I know if my gutters are bad?
If your gutters are falling off of the house, they’re probably in need of attention. Other suspicious signs of guttering malfunction include: leaky gutters, rusty gutters, water in the basement or a funny dirt line around house (from poor drainage/runoff).
What size guttering will I need for my house?
This depends on the pitch of your roof and the type of shingles you have. 5″ used to be the most common of the two residential sizes. But more and more, 6″ gutters are used on homes with steeper roofs, shake shingles, slate roofs or tile roofs. Your estimator will be able to professionally advise you on this one.
Do I need to purchase some sort of leaf cover?
Well, if you’re sick of cleaning your gutters out, then yes. The market offers a variety of leaf barriers that can be added to your new guttering system. Your estimator can assist you with this selection, as well. These, I highly recommend. (And special note, when purchasing at the time of new gutter replacement- the price is really not bad – Go for it. You’ll thank me in the long run).
Do I have to be home for my estimate?
Nope.
Do I have to be home for my installation?
Nope.
Does it cost more money for a color other than white?
Nope.
For the do it your self homeowners i found this and my husband and i are trying this out will keep u up dated