Home Improvement Articles & News
The Truth About Honda Pressure Washers
"What they don't tell you about Honda Pressure Washers" I recently received the following e-mail regarding honda pressure washers: "I was unaware Honda made pressure washers. I can get one locally now that I have seen your web page". Thank You My response: Thank you for visiting our website. I would like to point out that HONDA "does not" manufacture pressure washers. Honda makes Engines, Autos, Motorcycles etc. When Pressure washers are referred to as ...
Deck Decorating
On my blog, I once wrote about life on the Veranda - a favorite Southern, summer pastime. Picture a Charleston side-porch house, facing the obligatory magnolia tree, refreshing gin and tonics or the standard mint julep. But Veranda living is more than just a sense of "place". What really makes it memorable is the company of friends and neighbors, sparkling conversation, or a languid repose with a loved one. A deck may not technically be a Veranda, but it can, ...
The Benefits of Radiant Heat, Comparison
What are the Benefits of Radiant Heating and how do they compare to other heating applications?
Tuscan Style Decorating For The Kitchen
A Tuscan decorating theme can put some old world charm into your kitchen and make it a warm homey room to gather in. The Tuscan style incorporates warm earth tones along with natural materials and architectural accents to create a time worn look. Although the look is of a centuries old kitchen you can achieve it without having to buy priceless antiques.
Decorating Ideas to Make Your Living Room more Livable
Above all else, the furniture in the living-room should make it livable. It should be grouped so that it offers centers of interest, convenience and comfort. Look for upholstered seating with homespun-type fabric, or toss a pieced quilt over plain fabric or leather. An old rocker is a great addition.
A Unique History Of The Light Bulb
A Unique History of the Light Bulb Most people assume that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. This is only partially true however. Historically speaking, many people helped developed the modern incandescent bulb. Though Thomas Edison's achievements were by far the most significant, there are several others that deserve some credit. Important People In The Life Of A Light Bulb Sir Humphrey Davy is the first person to create artificial light. While conducting experiments ...
10 Things To Consider Before Planning And Installing A New Bathroom
Whether you want to install a new bathroom or make improvements to an existing one there are some decisions you need to make and challenges to overcome. A bathroom must be tailored to your requirements and every plan will vary depending on the planner's needs.
Protecting Yourself From Miter Saw Hazards
A miter saw, also known as a "chop saw," is a circular saw that is mounted on a frame. It is designed to be portable and to make very accurate angled cuts between 45 and 90 degrees. The compound miter saw can cut at an additional angle in order to cut bevels. Miter saws are predominately used in cutting wood but can also be used to cut plastics and light metals. Like any power ...
What Does It Take To Design And Build Your Own Fire Pit?
There are many alternatives to creating a fire pit other than buying a firepit model that is ready-made and requires some simple assembly. If you are a do-it-yourselfer looking to design and build your own fire pit you don't need a fancy set of blueprints, just a vision of the type of pit you are looking to create. What does it take these days to build fire pits for outdoor campfires and barbequing? The answer is not a lot. In terms of cost, building a wood burning pit can cost next to ...
Deck Decoration
On my blog, I once wrote about life on the Veranda - a favorite Southern, summer pastime. Picture a Charleston side-porch house, facing the obligatory magnolia tree, refreshing gin and tonics or the standard mint julep. But Veranda living is more than just a sense of "place". What really makes it memorable is the company of friends and neighbors, sparkling conversation, or a languid repose with a loved one. A deck may not technically be a Veranda, but it can, nevertheless, be the perfect ...
Inspecting Your New Home - 17 Areas You Must Inspect Before Taking Possession
Congratulations! You've made your decision; you've chosen your new home and your builder. So what needs to happen next? Once you have a firm contract and you have selected the features that will go into your new home, it is time for the builder to turn your dream into reality.
Vintage Labels On Marble Tiles
"Everything Old is New Again" It's refreshing to note that gone are the days that countertops and backsplashes have to match. There are no decorating rules. The focal point in your kitchen, wine cellar, bathroom, etc evolves with adding the personal touches that are close to your heart. Nothing sets the stage for Vintage comfort like a vintage marble tile mural or marble tile wall display in images and labels borrowed from the past. A new and personalized way to showcase a collection of ...
Making The Most Of A Small Bathroom
In bathroom terms at least, bigger doesn't have to be better – It’s all just a case of making the most of the modest proportions you’re presented with! And what's more, designing a bathroom that’s small on space usage but big on style and functionality should be a lot more fun.
Tips For Taking Care Of Fine Wood Furniture
Now that you have purchased some fine wood furniture, it is important to take proper care of it. With some basic care, your fine furniture can last for years, and stay just as beautiful as the day you bought it. Below are some tips on taking proper care of wood furniture. 1. Wood Furniture Care Proper care of wood furniture is essential if you want it to last. Keeping it out of direct sunlight will keep the wood finish from fading out. Even though many pieces of new wood furniture come with ...
Ten Tips For Hiring A Contractor
A very smart attorney I know paid $7,000 for a roof repair, only to have the roof leak the next time it rained. The contractor stalled, made excuses, but never did a thing about it. Anyone can have these kinds of problems when having repairs or improvements done, but to make it less likely, avoid the folowing mistakes when hiring a contractor.
Building A Pair Of Heavy Duty Saw Horses
Start out by measuring and cutting all your stock according to the cutting list and set it aside. Take the legs and mark out the tapers. The taper starts 20" up from the bottom. The leg tapers to 3-1/2" at the bottom. Repeat for all the legs and cut out.
Outdoor Decks Understanding Seven Elements of Good Deck Design
You’re all comfortable in your favorite lounge chair, reading your latest novel with a cool beverage nearby...the aroma of your favorite BBQ drifting from the grill teases everyone...catching a few rays of sunshine never felt better. Warm weather calls us outdoors, and what better place to enjoy life than your deck!
The Next Revolution in Home Entertainment IP Based Multi Room Distribution
The Holy Grail of distributed audio; unlimited zones and unlimited sources, cost effectively. That milestone will be achieved, and soon, through the combination of digital amplification and IP based distribution systems. There are systems available today that use one or both of these technologies, such as Oxmoor's Zon system and Netlinks' Netstreams product line. The trend will only continue to grow.
Faux Fireplace, on the Cheap!
Does the coming winter chill remind you how much you miss the basic element of fire to warm those long nights? Unfortunately, your home's builder wasn't the romantic you are, and you have no fireplace. Never fear, The Budget Decorator is here! Ok, so that's corny, but this project sure isn't!
Building a Backyard Play Structure
A child’s dream backyard includes a play structure complete with a slide and swings just like the one at the neighborhood park. Once you have made the decision to make your child’s dream come true then you have several avenues from which to select depending on the amount of money and time you can invest.
Repairing Your Faulty uPVC Double Glazed Windows And Doors
It is an amazing fact that uPVC double glazing was sold by the industry as a maintenance free product. While it is true the uPVC frame will last approximately 10,000 years before degrading, the mild steal and cast Zink moving hardware parts will last an average of 10 years before they start to fail.
Replacing Steel Casement Windows (Part 2)
Last week, I explained how to remove your old steel casement windows as you prepare each opening for the new Vinyl windows. In most of the country, you are limited to a replacement style frame, which is a new construction frame with the nail fin removed. Remember, when you removed the old casement window, you left the perimeter frame in place. So, you have a lip protruding into the opening that is approximately 1/2" wide. You need to order your replacement style frame to fit inside of this ...
Planning Permission Tips UK What To Show And What Not To Show On Your application Drawings
Many successful business deals are the result of being a bit canny with the information that you already know - keeping a tight lip when needed and only letting the other side know just the bare minimum requirement of information and never laying all your cards onto the table. Successful negotiators use this tactic all the time. I expect all of us can remember a time when we have left a meeting wishing that 'I hadn't of said that!' Well presenting a Planning Application can ...
Log Homes What's 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?
Planning Permission Tips UK How to Avoid Boundary Disputes when Extending or Redeveloping a Site
The quest for more living space these days means making more efficient use of the sites available space in which to extend or develop. This invariably means building right up to the properties boundary line in many cases.
Planning Permission Tips UK Permitted Development Allowances Not the Golden Goose You Imagine
There is a perception amongst most folk that every house is allowed a certain percentage of extension development without the need for formal Planning Permission. People seem to think that it applies to them even when they purchase an already extended property.
Planning Permission Tips UK Understanding Your Local Planning Officer They are Only Human
This time of year often sees an explosion in new enquiries for development schemes but the irony of this fact is that most people think that they are in time for a Spring/early summer build if they start the Planning & design process now through the Local Authority?? Sorry but this thinking should have been at the end of last summer - September at the latest. In most cases people do not seem to realise the time scales involved ....... 1 month for survey & design build up, another 2 weeks ...
Planning Permission Tips UK Rights of Light to Adjoining Neighbours Windows What You Should Know
Rights of light - What a minefield this topic is when developing or extending a property. This is potentially one of the most subjective Planning issues their is. Most Planning Departments will have guidance but I guarantee it will be specific in parts & definitely woolly or non specific in other areas leaving the subject wide open to interpretation.
Planning Permission Tips UK Illegal Building Works Is there an Upside?
Many times throughout the year we are called in to assist people who have got into trouble by completing building works without Council permission. This can be either Planning or Building Regulations - often both. Guess when this 'illegal' building works is usually exposed - Right at the time when the home owner is under the most pressure & exposure to other abortive fees - you guessed it - WHEN THEY ARE ABOUT TO MOVE HOME!
Refinishing A Hardwood Floor
Want to bring your hardwood floors back to their former beauty, but don’t have the money? Then read on for some tips on how you can refinish the floor yourself.