Home Improvement Information


Can You Buy Luxury Home Brands Online and Save - Worry Free?


Are you frustrated with the high prices you've been quoted for luxury home decor?What if you could safely take advantage of the great selection and value of online shopping for home decor items that are normally $1,000, $5,000, even $10,000?Here's some great news for people who need to bring their new dream home or home renovation costs under control.Multitudes are making the most of their dollars by shopping for bathtubs, bath fixtures, fireplaces, and kitchen fixtures online with "customer first" outlet sites.

Acting As Your Own General Contractor When Building Your Dream Home


This article is intended for the DIY (Do It Yourself) home builder; however, it is very useful information for the new home buyer to understand what processes you can monitor even if you are not acting as the general contractor and hiring a general contractor. For the inexperienced DIY home builder, acting as a general contractor is one of the most stressful things anyone can undertake.

Home Improvement Projects That Really Pay Off


Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous transformation of homes and gardens by professionals and amateur do-it-yourselfers. Is it really that easy, we ask ourselves.

Home Floor Plan Designing For Your Future Home


Designing Your Own Dream Home for the New Home Builder:What is your dream home? Do you have an idea of what it will look like? Defining a dream home is very difficult, especially if you have a spouse or significant other that has tastes different than your own. Although you might be able to agree on a floor plan, do you both agree on what the purposes for each of the rooms? My solution to this matter is simple.

How To Buy Double Glazing In The UK


Double glazing reduces heat loss through your windows. You can save money on your heating bills.

How to Care for Laminate Flooring


It's hard to damage and easy to care for laminate floors. Here are some tips on how to properly maintain them:1.

Modern Rugs Add Color, Texture, Interest and Space Definition To Your Room


Modern Design is sleek, stark, and spacious with angular and geometric lines. As the look for contemporary design is escalating so is the demand for modern home décor accessories.

Planning Your DIY Project


Ready to start your first serious DIY project? Read through the checklist below to make sure you are well prepared to start - and finish! - the job:1. Do an overview of the project, making sure that you understand all its requirements.

How To Buy A Conservatory In The UK


The first question is, what is a conservatory?There is no standard definition of what constitutes a conservatory (apart from "greenhouse"). This is one reason why quotes vary so widely.

Hot Tubs: Without A Shadow Of A Doubt Guarantee Relaxation When You Dip Your Feet Into The Water!


A staple of healthy outdoor living, hot tubs equals to water therapy that pound our bodies with jaw dropping and heart stopping relaxation. Dating back to Roman times, baths served as a medical remedy in treating many maladies.

How To Choose The Perfect Granite Work Surface


My Grandmother used to say to me "Nothing cheap is good and nothing good is cheap". This ring true when dealing with the purchase especially on the internet of Granite Work Surfaces.

Spring Deck Prep Tips


It's finally spring! Time to move out the patio furniture and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors.But, before you do, make sure you clean, restore and protect your deck so you can get the most out of it during the spring and summer months ahead.

Home Air Filters: Knowing Which One to Choose


Since air filters are one of the bests tools for eradicating allergens from your home, more people are using them than ever before. The trick is to find the one that works best for you, depending upon your specific needs.

Building a Home Addition


Besides providing your home with more living space, a home addition can be a terrific investment. However, before embarking on such a project the homeowner should first consider several important items.

10 Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Kitchen


The words "spring cleaning" can make the neatest person cringe. They mean more work.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Home Theater - Without Spending a Fortune


So you've scraped and saved, now you've finally gotten together a semi-respectable home theater system. You want even more, but the idea of spending another few thousand on new front speakers doesn't cut it.

Hydrogen Cell Generator For The Home


A Hydrogen Cell generator in your house could power up all the appliances and components and even charge your car and at peak times sell energy back to the grid. Imagine being your own power company and getting a check in the mail, from someone other than Enron of course.

Housing and Smart Houses; Energy Self Sufficient Possibilities


Housing and smart houses. I believe that we could have avoided this upcoming Natural Gas Shortage by building smarter and more efficient homes.

The Science of Architecture


You're told to take vitamins, drink plenty of water, get a good night's sleep and exercise, but has anyone ever told you that the design of your home and office can impact your health? You wouldn't be alone in raising an eyebrow and questioning how this could be so, but thousands of years ago, the ancient seers of India spent entire lifetimes observing how man-made structures impact humans beings. Their findings were compiled into a body of knowledge called Vastu Shastra.

Fire Hazard Alert - Is Your Dryer Ready to Ignite


In recent years there has been many stories about dryers catching on fire. Should we be concerned? Yes of course.

Ridding Your Home of Geopathic Stress


Just as there are solar magnetic stresses that come from the sun and the galactic "soup" that supports the universe, there are geomagnetic stresses that come from within the earth. The field of geobiology, or geopathology, is a science that has its roots in Europe and has slowly gained popularity in the United States over the past 25 years.

Planning Permission Tips UK - Trees and How They Can Affect Development when Applying for Planning


Like most folk, I believe that more can be achieved in life by open & transparent negotiation - laying ones cards on the table for a reciprocal arrangement & courtesy. Unfortunately, like most things in life, there will be times when one side will try & gain the advantage at the detriment of the other party using this method.

Planning Permission Tips UK - Off Road Car Parking - What Value - Do You Need to Apply for Planning


Isn't it a shame that for most folk, taking a holiday means moving en-mass with millions of other people also doing the same thing! Long journeys, loads of bodies at airports & long traffic queues in humid conditions - why do we do it?Strange thing is, - do we ever notice any easier parking provision in our towns & cities while all these people are travelling away from home to these holiday locations? I haven't.For a great many of us (myself included), street parking outside ones own home is getting to be a bit of a luxury these days.

Planning Permission UK - Tactics if Appealing to the DOE for a Planning Refusal


Tactics of Appealing to the DOE - There will be times in any Design Agents career when a clients scheme will be refused Planning Permission. Fortunately, our experience is now at a point when we can normally forecast these schemes & steer the client away from that design solution.

Planning Permission Tips UK - Pre-application Enquiries to the Council - Is the Delay Worthwhile?


The holiday season is now in full swing & for about the next 6 weeks we tend to see a noticeable downturn in the level of new enquiries which I think is pretty much typical amongst most services. This, for us, is a time when we normally attend to the updating & improvement of our internal administration, so the forecasted lull over the coming weeks will be put to good use.

Planning Permission Tips UK - Loft Conversions in UK Properties - Do They Add Value?


We get a great many requests to view the potential of Loft conversions. This type of extension has remained fairly popular since I first started designing property & is perhaps even more in demand now than ever before - especially in dense urban areas where the alternative choices for that fourth bedroom are somewhat limited.

House Plans - Research Is Key


When you think about building your new home consider your needs and your lifestyle. If you are newlyweds your choices will be different from a couple who is ready to retire and is looking for a smaller home.

House Plans - Where To Start


You have found the perfect lot on which to build your new home. Now you have an abundance of decisions to make.

How to Use Do-It-Yourself Toxic Mold Test Kits


VANCOUVER, CANADA. Many homeowners, landlords, renters, property managers, business owners, and employees want to know, and need to know, the precise identities of the various toxic mold species inhabiting their home, rental property, or place of work, according to Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and author of the mold book Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, and Remediation.

Vacation Break for Electrical Machines


Are you overloaded? Have you become a part of the highly stressed modern working environment? You may need a break - a vacation, a change in environment, a change of pace..

Choosing Blinds For Damp Atmospheres


There are some important things to consider when choosing blinds for the kitchen and bathroom. The conditions in these rooms vary somewhat from the rest of the house, so it is important that care is taken to choose suitable blinds.

Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly--Early Detection Monitors Make It Easy to Protect Your Family


If you burn gas, kerosene, or wood in your home to produce heat for cooking or warmth, you need to monitor the level of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can easily build up to dangerous levels.

Spring Chores at the Cabin


Whether you live in your cabin year round or it's been closed up for the winter, it's time for spring cleaning. It's hard to get motivated.

How to Be Your Air Conditioner's Best Friend


There are a few things you can do to take care of your air conditioner and make its life a little longer and a little easier.How does your air conditioner work? Simply stated, an air conditioning unit removes heat from the air and blows it outside with an outdoor fan.

Choosing Your Builder: Cheapest Quote Wins?


You have your 3 quotes from each potential builder so choosing the one you are going to trust with your re-modelling, new garage, extension etc. should be easy, shouldn't it? Unfortunately most homeowners would consider this the end of their search for a builder when in fact what you should be doing next is the second most important if your home improvement project is to run smoothly (what's the most important? You will find the answer at the end of this article).


More Resources


I Need What Part?
One of the first things you learn as a homeowner is that you may own your home, but you don't actually live in it full time. You get to spend the rest of your time living in the hardware store or hardware dept of your local retail store.
5 Steps for Creating a Garage You Can Love - and Use
A major US corporation recently launched a new line of products it hopes will create a $650 million retail business - appliances and storage devices designed to appeal to the 65 million garage owners in the U.S! According to a 1994 study by the U.
5 Questions To Ask Before Starting Any Home Improvement Project
1. What experience does your contractor have with this type of project?How much experience does the home improvement contractor have in doing projects like yours? Does s/he specialize in this type of project, or will s/he be using your home as a learning project? Typically, contractors who have done several projects like yours will have a better idea of the actual costs and production issues involved in your project.
Bathroom Wall Cabinets - Create Extra Space with a Touch of Style!
Is your bathroom looking cluttered? How about fitting new bathroom wall cabinets to store all your toiletries and appliances? These days we all tend to have a myriad of lotions and potions to keep us looking our best, but the result of having so many bottles in our bathrooms is that our bathroom vanity surfaces can become untidy and crowded. Adding more bathroom storage cabinets can give you welcome space to store all your accessories, leaving your surfaces tidy and clutter free!The traditional bathroom medicine cabinet fitted above the sink is no long used just for storing medicines.
Choosing Color Schemes: Colors and Physiological Response
Because colors have tremendous emotional impact, understanding how color affects human beings can help you create a harmonious, joyful home. But studies have also shown that color elicits physiological responses, as well.
Replacing Your Sliding Glass Door Rollers
If the sliding glass doors in your home are more than 10 years old, you might notice that they are becoming harder to slide open. This problem is even more common on aluminum frame dual pane doors.
Seeing the Light
Lighting"Light has illuminated the path of humanity" - While Einstein was probably referring to one of his mind-blowing theories, lighting has also revolutionized the home. Before incandescent and fluorescent lighting, most activities stopped after dusk.
Kitchen Remodeling Guide
A kitchen can make or ruin a family life. A badly designed, ill-equipped and cluttered kitchen is likely to affect the peace of mind of an otherwise happy couple.
Transform Your Home with Decorative Country Lighting
As we become more of a home-based society, many more of us are pouring money into our houses with DIY renovations.Do it yourself home improvement projects are both rewarding and usually will give you a good return on investment should you decide to sell or refinance your home.
A Guide to Home Dehumidifiers
It can be difficult to choose from among the countless home dehumidifiers out there. First, determine the square footage of the largest room you plan to dehumidify.
Seven Interior Design Psychology Ideas for Dining Pleasure
A separate dining room adds glamour, elegance, and excitement to a shared meal. Celebratory, sociable space, apart from the confusion of the kitchen, makes every dinner more meaningful.
Removing Your Old Wood Double Hung Windows
Last week I told you how to measure your wood window openings to properly order your new vinyl replacement windows. This week I'm going to explain how to remove your old windows.
5 Easy Steps to Protect Your Hardwood Floor From Disaster
Common knowledge states that hardwood floors are a great investment for a homeowner. They add a certain charm and character to a home that can't be replicated by laminates, carpeting, or any other type of flooring.
Save Time & Money Doing Your Own Basic Electric Wiring
Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is often the reason why people try doing their own basic electric wiring themselves.I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly results of these efforts and I have come to the conclusion that basic electrical wiring is not something anyone should do without proper guidance, tools and confidence.
Work From Home and Make Money from On-line Rewards and Incentives Programs
You'll be amazed at how much free money you can make when you work from home answering surveys, accepting offers, and reading e-mails. Simple tasks like these can help you earn cash without leaving the house.
Are Showers Harmful to Your Health?
The last thing you would think about when you are taking a nice, refreshing shower is, "Am I jeopardizing my health"?Chlorine is used by many municipalities to disinfect their water supply.Unfortunalely, according to many health experts, chlorine has been linked to breast, bladder and colon cancer.
The Right Shower Curtain For Your Bathroom!
A shower curtain can add the perfect touch to any bathroom. Whether you like simple pastel colors or more elegant designs, be sure to choose the shower curtain that compliments the look of the rest of the bathroom.
Home Improvement Projects That Really Pay Off
Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous transformation of homes and gardens by professionals and amateur do-it-yourselfers. Is it really that easy, we ask ourselves.
Building or Decorating Your Home Requires House Plans
There are some things to consider when creating plans for your home. There are two situations that call for plans or blue prints, either you are building a new home or decorating your present home.
Soy Candles? What Will They Think of Next?
Quick: What comes to mind when you think of soy candles? Before my formal introduction to soy candles, I thought organic (read expensive) and BEIGE! And not just the color beige, but beige as an overall description for soy candles-blah like baby food, ground chick peas, and a pale winter pallor. I had no idea why it would even occur to anyone to purchase a soy candle.

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Used But Not Used Up
Some DIY Maintence will put Used tools back in Main Stream Operation:Professional grade tools are made to withstand long hours of use and abuse. Many home shops have a number of Professional grad tools but for the most part most home shops have tools that are some what less in quality.
Roller Blinds
What is behind the popularity of roller blinds. Is it because they are the value for money window treatment or is there anything else in it.
Reuse Works for the Workshop
The workshop is a great place for reusing items formally destined for the landfill. Even if you do not have a shop or craft area you can always donate the items mentioned in the following paragraphs to friends, schools, shops, youth centers? The concept of reusing is as limitless as your imagination.
Do-it-Yourself Roofing, Is It Advisable? Some Tips and Guidelines
Many do-it-yourselfers pride themselves in their handiwork, you can just see their garages filled to the brim with tools for those all around jobs. But ask any of them, installing roofs or repairing them is an unexciting and trying job, but someone has got to do it.
How To Choose Decorative, Recessed Locking Mailboxes
Do you need a decorative, quality, recessed locking mailboxfor your home? There is a large selection of mailboxes fromwhich to choose, and you may wonder which is the rightmailbox for you. A recessed locking mailbox is a perfectway to keep your mail safe from prying eyes, and can beinstalled on the exterior of your home or as part of afreestanding mailbox.
Removing Old Aluminum Windows
This week we are going to talk about the process of actually removing your aluminum windows in preparation for installing vinyl replacement windows. Let's start with a horizontal sliding window, which is pretty common nationwide.
Home Office: Identifying Your Needs
Not many years ago, the thought of working from home was considered a fantastic vision of the distant future. However,with more and more people setting up home offices every day,it is clear that future has arrived earlier that many expected.
Log Homes - Whats Different About Log Homes?
Newcomers to the world of log homes will notice that log homes look different than conventional "stick-built" homes. But are log homes really different, other than in appearance? If so, how?Let's take a look at some of the ways in which log homes differ from conventional homes.
10 Common Uses for Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great household cleaner. Here are ten ways to clean your home with baking soda:1) Make a paste of baking soda and water and rub on insect bites to relieve itching.
What is Injection Waterproofing?
Injection waterproofing is often used to fill and seal cracks and crevices. The material is most often made from a polyurethane compound.
Five Ways to Create a Healthy Home
Have you ever thought of your home as being healthy or unhealthy? While the concept of a healthy home may be new to some of us, it is steadily gaining popularity with homeowners. A healthy home can include a number of elements from building materials used to construct your home to using non-toxic cleaning products.
Cordless Impact Wrench - Not the Same Tool as Your Cordless Drill
The cordless impact wrench is quickly gaining in popularity among professional mechanics and the hobby mechanic as well. You may be thinking "I already have a cordless drill that I use for impact applications, why do I need a cordless impact wrench as well?".
Hardwood Floor Refinishing - For The Faint of Heart
Are your beautiful hardwood floors not so beautiful anymore? Maybe they just need a refinishing job. It can be a daunting task, but here are some ideas to make it a little easier.
How to Use Do-It-Yourself Toxic Mold Test Kits
VANCOUVER, CANADA. Many homeowners, landlords, renters, property managers, business owners, and employees want to know, and need to know, the precise identities of the various toxic mold species inhabiting their home, rental property, or place of work, according to Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and author of the mold book Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, and Remediation.
What To Look For In USPS Mailboxes
High quality residential and commercial mailboxes areavailable in styles that meet the new standards set by theUnites States Postal Service. Postal certified mailboxesare becoming a necessary addition to your home or business.
Where Did We Get Clocks From Anyway?
A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical clocks have faces and hands.
Single Pane Window Glass Repair in an Aluminum Frame
Let's suppose you still have those old aluminum single pane windows in your house,and one of the neighbor kids throws a ball through it. ( Your kid would never do that!) Depending on where you live in the country, you can pay anywhere from $75 to $150 to get it repaired.
The Versatile Reciprocating Saw: The Power Tool of Your Dreams
A reciprocating saw is simply one of the handiest tools you can own. These tools are great for applications in the home or the jobsite.
Avoiding Leaks When Installing Vinyl Retrofit Windows
These days a lot of homeowners are replacing their old windows with vinyl windows using the retrofit style of window frame. This is particularly true in the west, and specifically, in California.
How To Buy Double Glazing In The UK
Double glazing reduces heat loss through your windows. You can save money on your heating bills.