3 Simple Ideas to Make Your Own Inexpensive Curtains
by: Charles Kassotis

When we decide to spruce up our house, one of the first things that come to mind is a curtain. There are many types of curtains on the market. Lots of fabrics, colors, designs and styles to chose from. But sometimes, regardless of the vast variety available, we simply can’t find what we’re looking for, and often times when we do, we can’t afford it.

The truth is, you don’t need anyone to do it for you; you are as capable as it takes, to do it yourself! Let’s see how we can become designers of our own space using basic tailoring techniques.

Let’s start by the most prominent, the material. The fabric. Choose a fabric that you like. Avoid quilted fabrics as they can stretch or shrink over time. Fibers like cotton and linen and especially those with polyester and micro fibers, hold up better than others. Also avoid silk or silk blends, because they tend to rot and fade very quickly. Make sure you buy enough fabric; you don’t want your curtains to look poor. Double height of the window and three times width, should be fine.

In this article, we will examine the three simplest sewing and hanging techniques for curtains.

For curtains with rings, you need to stitch an approximately 3-inch hem at the edge of the curtain panels that are going to be hung. Now, sew each ring to each curtain panel leaving small distances between the rings so that the curtain is pulled easily. You can also use clip-on rings that don’t need to be stitched and are easier to apply.

For tied tab curtains you will need to create the hangers. Simply stitch horizontal buttonholes at the top of the curtain panel. Now you can make the hangers using the same fabric as the curtains, or another but suitable fabric for a little diversity. Make threads and place through the buttonholes.

No Sew Curtains are also a smart and easy way to make curtains and decorate a window. In this case the fabric should be 3 inches more than double the height of the window and 2 inches more than the width of the window. Pull the fabric through the rod and fold evenly. Now stitch the two ends of the fabric at the bottom and at the sides together. When the curtain is ready, place a single fabric band in the center of the curtain or use two purchased tiebacks evenly spaced along the width of your window. Then adjust folds of fabric panel as desired.

Gather your supplies, fabric, scissors, screws, rings or ribbon, and use your imagination. In less than an hour you will manage to decorate that empty window effectively and inexpensively. But the most important thing is that you will have your own personal work to show off in your house.

About The Author

Charles Kassotis

Making Your Own Curtains Can Be Fun and Inexpensive! For More Information, Tips and Simple Step By Step Instructions, visit The Curtain Cart at www.curtaincart.com

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Refinish Your Hardwood Floor Like a Pro
by: Dan Farrell

This article is written by a pro of refinishing hardwood floors since I have done too many to count. Maybe 300 would be a good guess.

My father was in the business full time (as well as aluminum windows and doors (which I’ll write another article about that soon) and while I attended college, and for a short time after, I worked with him as well as on my own refinishing hardwood floors.

In fact, I just did my mother-in-law’s last summer and my back still hurts!

Before you even think of starting this DIY project, you need to be fairly good shape. There is a lot of bending, kneeling and scraping

Ok, you still are here reading so I guess you are serious )

Here are the easy? steps to a beautiful, shiny hardwood floor:

1. Determine what kind of finish you would like first. There are a couple choices, low gloss and high gloss. It’s strictly taste as they both wear the same. I prefer a polyurethane paint but some like varnishes. I found urethane to be a durable finish and won’t yellow over time. Look for ‘non-yellowing’ on the can.

2. Go to your local hardware store that carries floor sanders, edger sander, pain scrapers, sandpaper (medium) and the floor paint.

3. Prepare your floor by filling in any blemishes, depressions, cracks and nail holes.

4. Sweep and then vacuum floor. (at this point I would hang a plastic sheet over any door openings if the door has been removed (new construction etc).

5. Sand main floor being careful to keep sander going in same direction. Start with a coarse sandpaper and switch to finer for second sanding. The first sanding is to get to bare wood and the second for a finished look.

6. Sand the edges. The trick here is to use a fairly light touch and rotate the sander in semi-circle reducing sand marks.

7. Now the fun part. Take your scraper in scrape the corners and under heaters. Don’t worry about under heaters too much as it won’t be that noticeable.

8. Whew! The hard part is done. Now the fun part. Sweep and vacuum floor and if you see a swirl or sanding marks scrape the out.

9. Put the sealer down. Wait at least 2 hours, hand sand the whole floor, vacuum and apply the urethane. If you don’t have air conditioning, put a fan on the floor to dry it quicker.

10. I usually waited at least 4-5 hours for it dry, most of the time overnight. I recommend at least 2 coats of urethane for a durable, hard finish.

You’re done! Wow not so bad was it?

Oh yeah,

Email me for a chiropractor )

About The Author

Dan Farrell is the owner of www.closet-organizer-plan.com where you can get a free closet organizer plan and other home improvement ideas and articles.

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Truth About Refinancing
by: Brian ONeal

Let’s face it, not everybody needs to refinance. With all the hoopla about Low Rates and the Refinance Boom, you want to know the facts. You want to know when refinancing is right or wrong and why? Okay, I’ll tell you.

It is actually quite simple. You should refinance when you have credit card debt exceeding $10-15,000, depending on your situation. Because you will receive a tax credit at the end of the year on your mortgage. Also, there are programs designed to keep your rate low for one, two, or three years until you’ve saved money on your credit card debt.

You should also look into refinancing if you’ve been in your home for over one year and your interest rate is above 6.5% or if your loan-to-value ratio is at 80% or less. Call a mortgage professional about this. If you do not fit into either of those situations, they you shouldn’t refinance!

So call a mortgage professional now and see if you can save a buck or two! I promise it won’t cost you a penny to call and ask. Happy Hunting!

About The Author

Brian ONeal is a senior Mortgage Broker with www.scapmortgage.com/ . If you need a home loan or just need to speak with a specialist to make sure your getting the best deal please visit www.scapmortgage.com.

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Popular Faux Painting Techniques Explained
by: Julie Lohmeier

In the last 10 years, faux painting techniques have gone from obscure to popular, from the realm of professionals to do-it-yourself projects. These techniques are not difficult although they can be time consuming (what decorating or remodeling project isn’t though) and require quick hands.

Called “faux” painting because these techniques mimic or create a false look of stone, texture, leather, and more, you will find that the styles fall into one of two types: additive or subtractive. Additive (also called positive) techniques simply mean that you add color onto the wall. Sponging is the most common of this type. Conversely, subtractive (also referred to as negative) techniques means you take paint off after it has been applied. Ragging is a common subtractive technique. Most negative techniques use glazes and require that you move quickly before the glaze dries.

When it comes to glazes, there are two types: latex (water based) or oil based. Latex is by far easier since it cleans up with soap and water, but oil based glazes provide longer working times and generally provide a harder, more durable finish. However, for do-it-yourselfers, I recommend latex glazes and working in small areas at a time. I have also seen solutions that you can add to the glaze to lengthen the working time. For your first glazing job, you may well want to consider using this additive available at finer paint supply stores.

Here are the various type of faux painting techniques:

Sponging: Probably the easiest method, you apply paint to a wall with a natural sea sponge. It provides a richly textured look. In addition to good looks, it’s a simple way to camouflage an uneven or repaired crack wall. Use a couple of colors over the base paint to add greater depth. Be bold or subtle; it’s up to you. You can use glaze or paint just as easily with this technique. I’ve seen this done in a negative manner, but it is most commonly performed as a positive method.

Ragging/Rag rolling: Typically a negative technique, you paint a tinted glaze over the base painted walls. The glaze should be tinted darker than the base coat, keeping in the same color family as the glaze allows some color through it as well. Either use a wadded up dry rag or twist a rag into a cylinder. Then dab or roll the rags to remove the glaze. You can use one or two colors over the base coat. You may also do this in a positive method like sponging for a softer look and texture.

Color Washing: In this additive technique, you apply the tinted glaze mixture over the base coat using a circular motion as if you were washing the wall. Use rags for a very soft look or a natural sea sponge for a more textured appearance.

Strié: Create a historical and aged texture to the wall, with this negative method. Roll tinted glaze over the base coat, then use a wall paper brush to make fine lines from top to bottom. The glaze should be darker than the base coat to allow the lighter base to show through the fine lines.

Striping: The only difficult part of this positive technique is getting your stripes straight. Be sure to use a level or drop a plumb line. Tape off your stripes, then paint every other one with glaze. If you use a bold color, you do not need to tint the glaze to get a delightful two-tone effect. For softer colors, you may wish to slightly darken the glaze although it is not necessary. This technique may also be combined with color washing as you color wash the stripes for more interest and texture. Of course, for a more dramatic look, you can use paint in complementary or various colors.

Dry Brushing: This is a positive method in which you use a small amount of paint on a brush in herringbone patterns to create the texture. You will need tow or three colors to achieve the best results.

Frottage: Using plastic sheets for this negative method, tinted glaze is applied over the base coat and then plastic sheets are applied and smoothed over the glaze. Once the wall is done, the plastic sheets are removed for a marbling effect.

Faux finishes can provide interest and texture to your rooms – and less expensively than wall paper. While you may need to block out a full day to do the work, by the end of the day, you can sit back and admire the rich, luxurious look of your new room.

About The Author

Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling and building projects. From working hands on and doing much of the work herself to hiring contractors and construction managers, she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement. She shares her remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and other various rants at www.myhomeredux.com.

@copyright 2005, Julie Lohmeier, www.myhomeredux.com

Use this report in its entirety with proper acknowledgement and copyright.

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Decorating Ideas for your Attic
by: Charles Kassotis

Do you have an attic in your house? Lucky You! You can decorate your attic however you like and create your own favorite corner in the house, or even an extra place for your children or your guests. Depending on your attics’ space and on your own personal taste, you can finally have an attic that fulfils your needs.

Need an extra bedroom? The attic can turn into a beautiful private bedroom for a friend that stays the night, a visiting couple, or a relative from out of town. Use light shades and soft fabric materials; you don’t want your guest to get tired and dizzy from the lively colors. Instead, create a pleasant, romantic atmosphere. You will need a single or, if there is enough space, a double bed, a small closet with drawers and one or two small bedside tables. A big, elegantly shaped mirror will add several points and will make the room seem spacious. If the room is already spacious enough, you can place a bedroom chair facing the window. Add a dreamcatcher or a wind chime and enjoy the results!

How about a playroom for your children? They would love to have their own, “No Moms Allowed!” space for their toys, their games and their imagination. You will need a soft, warm carpet to keep the room cozy during wintertime. Don’t carpet the corners though, as you will need some room to swap out for a lighter, cooler carpet for the summer days. You will also need large pillows or soft inflatable chairs. When opting for a playroom, use lively colors that will keep the children excited and happy. This room could have a small TV and DVD play set, videogames, board games, many toys, and puzzles, whatever a kid needs! Don’t place sporting material such as bouncers, trampolines and swings because the roof is too low in attics and the children might get hurt while playing.

Are you an artist? Even if the answer is no, an attic can make you one! Make your own inspirational studio. Don’t use a carpet this time. Color and material chips will stain it. If you are a painter, equip your studio with painting knives, palettes, art pencils, drawing sticks, charcoal, paints, brushes and canvas, paper blocks and rolls. If you are a craftsman you can create a wood art studio. Equip it with a large working table, hole cutting templates, curving tools. Place furniture with shelves in the corner to place and admire your artwork.

An attic can be your gym! You’ll need adequate ventilation in there, or a large window. Dress the room with a soft carpet and buy your gym equipment. Don’t buy large fitness equipment. Prefer many smaller ones, or a few multi training machines. You can also have light exercise tools like fitness balls, tummy trimmers, weight sets, yoga mats. A small refrigerator filled with bottled water or energy drinks is necessary for the attic gym room so that you won’t need to run downstairs every time you get thirsty. A mini stereo will enhance your exercise with power music.

There is no limit to your imagination about the potential use of your attic space. Sure, it comes in handy as a storage place, but what moments of joy can you invest in a storage place? With creativity and a little money, the attic can be your favorite room.

About The Author

Charles Kassotis

From Just an Attic… to Your Favorite Room! Visit Ventinfo.com at www.ventinfo.com and Learn Some Simple Steps To Help Turn Your Dusty Old Attic Into Your Favorite Room In The House.

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“Home Security Systems Do Not Discriminate In Katrina Aftermath!”
by: Gaston Collins

Only a few weeks ago, most people never gave much thought about having a security system for their home or business. But, after the looting and violence during and after Hurricane Katrina, sales have grown tremendously. Electronic Home and Business Security sales around the country are estimated to be around $28 billion per year. That number is estimated to increase by nearly 20% by the end of 2005.

While the whole subject of looting has become a touchy (and even political) issue for most people, which is largely due to the medias portrayal of the situation, security systems show no descrimination to an individuals race, social status, age, or gender. They also do not subscribe to any political parties or even listen to talk radio.

But, home and business security systems continue to play a large role in the rebuilding of homes and businesses in the devastated communities along the Gulf Coast. More homeowners and business owners than ever are planning on installing security systems ranging in sophistication. Kathy Lott, a home owner in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, said, “I’ve never given it much thought before, but after watching all the looting and fighting on tv, I figured it was worth a hundred dollars just to have the securiy it provides.”

Although much of the spotlight has been on the local power and phone companies, local and online security retailers are busy trying to meet the demands of recent inquries in the aftermath of Katrina. Gaston Collins, owner of Home Security Superstore and online at www.Best-Home-Security.com, says that he has had more orders in the last 2 weeks, than the whole Christmas season last year.

“Because of the long re-building process for the damaged communities, we’re not expecting business to slow down until probably next spring, which is good news for us. We’ll probably need to hire a few more people on top of the two we hired this week,” he says. “As long as guys like Rush Limbaugh and other people in the media continue to push the subject of looting and violence, I’m sure we’ll continue to see an increase in sales,” says Gaston.

So it seems as though preparing for a disaster has consisted of gathering food, water, and batteries in the past - It will now include installing and checking your security system.

About The Author

Gaston Collins, owner of Home Security Superstore and online at www.Best-Home-Security.com lives in the devastated town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and is a regular contributor to the Security Industry.

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Selling your Property – How to Present to Potential Purchasers
by: Allison Thompson

When you are deciding to sell your property it is always an idea to make the property a potential purchase too as many buyers as possible. One of the best ways of doing this would be to present the property as if it were a blank canvas on to which a potential buyer can stamp their own individual tastes. Below are provided a few simple rules which should help you when to obtain that potential sale of your property without too much effort or cost to yourself.

1. De-Clutter

Wherever possible try and depersonalize the property as much as possible, such as putting away any photographs that you have of yourself and your family and try only to leave out a few essential items on show in each room, which will hopefully still show the property as a family home, but will give the illusion of space. Also if possible try only to have a select number of pictures/paintings on the walls; this will also help to give the illusion of space in a room.

2. Smells

An idea that some people say helps when they have people in to view their property is to make it smell homely. They suggest that you either have freshly baked bread or coffee that has just been brewed in the kitchen. However, if you don’t have time to do this then just ensure that you make the rooms smell as nice as possible, there are number of good quality plug in air fresheners on the market that will provide a pleasant smell to the potential purchaser when entering your home.

Also if you have pets then make sure that wherever possible you have been able to neutralize the smells that they produce. You should remove their bedding from the house before a viewing starts and purchase a good quality air freshener that will eliminate the smells.

Finally, if you are able to arrange for your carpets to be cleaned, either professionally or hire a carpet cleaner (these can be rented from most supermarkets and dry cleaners now day at a very reasonable cost).

3. Colours

If you are able to, keep the colours of the house as neutral as possible, this will help to make the rooms look both larger and brighter. Unfortunately bright colours and dark colours although may be too your taste may not be the preferred option of your potential buyer. Also by having a neutral colour scheme throughout the property you are able to provide your potential buyer with a blank canvas onto which they can stamp their own preferred styles.

4. Cleanliness

It is always good to ensure that your house looks and smells clean. People when viewing a property have a habit of sometimes looking everywhere in the property (this includes cupboards, drawers, toilets and baths). Always make sure that you toilet is clean and that if possible a toilet block has been placed in it, which will not only clean the toilet after each flush but also make the room, smell nice. If you find you have limescale around the taps, the bath and the toilet, make sure that this has been removed (there are a large number of products on the market which would be able to assist you with this matter). It also helps the potential buyer to see that you have maintained the property well.

Any wood surfaces should be either wiped down with a damp cloth or polished to remove any dust from the surface. Also the same should be done for any items such as TV’s and Entertainment centers including the stands that they are sat on.

Windows wherever possible should be cleaned and a good way of getting clean windows if you do not want to pay a window cleaner is to fill a bucket with warm water and vinegar. Use a cloth to wash the windows in the water and vinegar and then use newspaper to wipe the water off. You will find that this leaves your windows streak free.

5. Exterior of the Property

One of the first things that you should make sure always looks good is the front entrance to your property as this is the first thing that a potential purchaser will view when approaching the property. Therefore ensure that you keep the front of the property clean and well maintained. The more kerb appeal your property has the more likely a potential purchaser will be keen to enter the property to view it. If you have any plants at the front, ensure that any dead ones have been removed, the lawn is kept neat and tidy and if you should have a driveway make sure it is in good repair, potential purchasers will not want to be thinking about money they will need to spend on the property if they decide to purchase it. Many times problems like this could give your potential purchaser the chance to lower the asking price.

The rear of the property should also be shown in a clean and tidy state, make sure that the lawn is neat and well kept, and if you have a patio area keep it clean and tidy. Any pots that are broken should be removed and the same should be done with any dead plants. Make sure that any fencing is well maintained and if it is broken then replace it, a few pounds spent on keeping this in order could mean that extra money on the sale of the property.

I hope that you find the above to be of use to you when deciding to sell your property.

About The Author

Allison Thompson now living in Spain and the partner in a small and friendly real estate company. www.inlandpropertyservices.com.

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Carpet Cleaning Tips And Secrets
by: Steve Gillman

You can use all the carpet cleaning tips in the world, and guess what? You still probably can’t get your carpet as clean on your own as a professional carpet cleaner can. On the other hand, who needs perfection? The tips here will help you get that carpet clean enough.

Heat helps! Above 118 degrees fahrenheit, every 18 degrees higher changes chemical reactivity by 100%. Hot water extraction cleaning is done between 150 and 200 degrees. Is that too technical? The point is not only that hot water extraction, or “steam cleaning” is far superior to “dry cleaning,” but that if you do it yourself, use heat!

Actually, there are three inter-related factors at work when you clean carpet. Heat, Dwell Time, and Agitation. To some extent, if you can’t maximise one of them, you can make up for it with the others. In other words, if you can’t get the cleaning solution hot enough, let it “dwell” a bit longer in the carpet, and scrub harder.

Secret Carpet Cleaning Tips

Detergent attracts dirt. This is why it’s important to rinse out any cleaning solution thoroughly. This is another reason why hot water extraction gets carpet cleaner than the “dry” methods. The bottom line is that you need to rinse well when you clean carpet.

One way to clean stains is with the use of a shop-vac. No, you can’t just suck out the stain, but you can repeatedly wash and rinse the area, and suck out the solution each time. This is a more effective method than blotting up the water with cloth, mostly because you won’t have the patience to wash, rinse and extract enough times using paper towels or cloth.

Another little secret of the carpet cleaners is putting rugs outside and inside the front door. They can catch much of the dirt that people bring in on their feet. This isn’t just about less vaccuuming, though. Dirt is like thousands of little blades that cut carpet fibers. The damaged carpet stains more easily then, and it’s harder to remove the stains. An even better practice is to take off your shoes in the house.

Ready to clean? Vaccuum first. Then, if you use one of those portable machines, at least get the water as hot as you can. Dry the carpet quickly, using fans to move the air around. You can at least lengthen the time between expensive professional cleanings, by using these carpet cleaning tips.

About The Author

Steve Gillman has worked in the carpet cleaning industry for years. For more on carpet-care, carpet stains, and specific stain-by-stain removal instructions, visit www.HowToRemoveCarpetStains.com.

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Resurfacing an old Concrete Patio
by: Malcolm Kay

A porch or patio can be one of the most useful exterior areas of your home if its covered with an attractive surface material, cleared of all excess junk and with a little thought given to landscaping the area. Unfortunately these spaces are all too often covered with bland concrete which as well as looking rather dull and dreary, may have developed cracks or become stained with grease, oil etc over time. Restoring such areas to a place you would be proud to use for entertaining, outdoor dining or just relaxing may seem like a daunting task. And indeed if the concrete is badly cracked and the surface uneven, generally there is no satisfactory alternative but to rip the lot up and re-lay it.

However if the surface only has hairline cracks and you can be certain that reinforcing mesh was installed when the concrete was laid, it is probable that existing cracks will not open up further (unless your concrete pad is suffering from root damage due to nearby trees). In this case there are a number of alternatives that could be considered to enhance the appearance, including ceramic tiles, terracotta tiles, clay pavers, slate, natural stone pavers etc.

Perhaps one of the best and simplest options however is to use interlocking modular deck tiles. These are simply placed over the surface of the patio or porch and require no adhesives, nails, screws or special surface preparation. Not only are these tiles quite forgiving of small cracks and slight unevenness of the surface, but they can be laid both quickly and easily by anyone without any special skills or tools being required. And as they are not permanently fixed to the concrete base, they can be taken up, moved or added to at will. If you decide to move house you can simply take the tiles with you and lay them in your new location.

Wood tiles can be divided into two basic types. The earliest designs, which are still available today, are constructed of solid wood slats attached to wood bearers underneath. The top wood slats may be either screwed or nailed to the bearers or in some cases, metal staples have been used. Tiles with nailed or stapled slats should be used with caution as the fixings are likely to corrode and/or the slats can work loose from the bearers. Screwed slats are the much preferred system, but check that screws are corrosion resistant or better still, of stainless steel. Most wood tiles are supplied as single modules with no integral interconnecting devices. Some designs provide limited interconnectivity by means of offset bearers which fit under the adjacent tile. However these tiles are generally not held together with fixed connectors but tend to rely on the outside retaining walls to keep them from moving.

An important consideration with the all wood tile design is that the wood bearers could be subject to prolonged contact with water. Whilst most such tiles are constructed of durable timber, prolonged exposure to water may result in some premature rotting of the bearers, or at the very least, it is possible that the bearers could twist or warp under certain conditions. With no means of interconnection of the tiles, there is a potential for adjacent tile surfaces to be uneven in height, leading to the possibility of tripping.

In the latest, more advanced generation of wood tiles, the wood slats are attached to a plastic mesh base. This not only lifts the wood clear of the concrete which allows any water under the tiles to drain away quickly, but also provides a convenient means to interconnect the tiles. With some tile designs the wood slats have holes drilled in the underside which slot into pins moulded on the plastic base so the slats are a loose fit on the plastic base. In other designs the slats are “press fit” onto the base. The most secure design which is also the simplest to install has a multiple of pre-moulded screw holes in the plastic base through which screws are inserted to keep the slats securely fixed to the base.

Another advantage of the mesh based tiles compared with the solid wood tiles is that they can be easily cut with a saw or jigsaw to fit around pipes etc. The mesh base has numerous moulded “feet” which ensures the tile remain stable even if a section is removed. In this respect, the tiles with screwed slats probably have an advantage over the loose or press fit slat design as it may be necessary to install an extra screw or two through the pre-moulded holes in the base to fix any loose slats following any cutting of the tiles.

Whilst some designs use separate clips to connect the tiles, the majority of designs use inbuilt connectors which makes installation faster and easier. These tiles may have “pegs” on two sides and corresponding “loops” on the other two sides, so in certain cases a left hand and right hand version are required.

Probably the easiest and quickest tile to lay however is the type which has an identical set of connecting tabs on each side which mesh with corresponding tabs on adjacent tiles, irrespective of the orientation of the tile. (see for example www.swiftdeck.com) This has the added advantage of allowing more options for the tile maker to produce different tile designs and for the installer to be more creative in the overall patterns in which the tiles can be laid.

As tiles raise the surface level approx. 1 ¼” – 1 ½” care should be taken at the outer edge of the tiled area to avoid any danger of tripping over the tiles. The major manufacturers supply transition strips to overcome this potential problem which are generally designed to clip onto the outer row of tiles to provide a transition from the tile surface to floor level. These reducers will also successfully cover up the plastic tabs on the outer row of tiles.

The majority of the interlocking tiles are approx.12” x 12” which makes estimating the number of tiles required for a given area an easy task. Many of the all wood tiles and some plastic framed tiles with softwood slats may however be up to 20” x 20” in size, or even larger in some cases. Whilst these can be suitable for large areas or laying as landscape accessories, they are generally not so versatile for smaller areas or areas where tiles must be cut to fit inside confined areas or installed in irregular shaped areas.

All wood tiles designed for installation in exposed exterior situations should be constructed of timber species that are rated as naturally durable under normal conditions and not prone to warping or twisting or significant cracking. There are a number of alternative species with the above properties which are commonly used by wood tile manufacturers and indeed final selection may often be based on preferred colour of the tiles. Hardwood is normally the timber of choice although pressure treated softwood tiles are also available, particularly in larger 2’ x 2’ tiles. Hardwood species of the highest rated durability include Ipe, Jarrah, Bangkirai, Cumaru, Teak, Tallowwood Other species such as Kempas, Jatoba etc. are rated as slightly lower durability but can also be used in exposed outdoors applications in most circumstances.

Most tiles use wood slats approx.15mm (5/8’) thick. With highly durable and stable lumber species such as Ipe, tiles may be 10 or 12mm thick (approx.1/2”) with no significant disadvantages or apparent longevity issues.

About The Author

Malcolm Kay is the CEO of Intex Pacific Pty. Ltd. an international supplier of landscape materials including deck tiles. For more information see www.swiftdeck.net.

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Gas Fireplaces: Adding Warmth To Your Home
by: Kathryn Whittaker

No matter where you live, in a townhouse, a lakeside cottage, an urban loft, or a vintage Victorian mansion, there is always a place for a gas fireplace. Convenient and easy to use, gas fireplaces today offer an abundance of design ideas to suit both your lifestyle and the style of your home.

According to the recent statistics, a fireplace is one of the most commonly anticipated features in a modern home. Freestanding gas fireplaces deliver radiant heat to any room in your house – from kitchen to dining room and even bedroom, - or outdoors, warming your patio or a backyard. Classic terracotta finish or modern and minimalist brushed steel can give a whole new look to any of your rooms.

Modern fireplaces offer a variety of choices when in comes to fuelling. They may be wood burning, gas- or propane-fuelled, as well as liquid fuelled. The choice is totally up to you. Do you plan to chop wood, or you opt for a convenience of a gas? The kind of fuel you choose is a crucial factor in deciding what kind of fireplace to buy. Consider availability and cost, heat efficiency and your local air pollution standards. There are special regulations that concern the design, verification and labeling of gas fireplaces or imported into the North America.

Gas fireplaces are very energy efficient and can even be used to heat a whole house. With a prefabricated duct system heat travels from one room to another, however, not many households allow for this unless installed during construction. Gas fireplaces, being very easy to use, can be even turned on with a remote control or by the Internet in the new smart home! Thermostats allow for an easy heat adjustment, and with many programmable features you can also change the flame length and intensity.

Gas fireplaces are fuelled by propane or natural gas. Propane can be stored in a reservoir on your property, however, it can be more expensive in the rural areas compared to the wood. But with this type of fireplaces, you don’t need a lot of logs to chop and store. In general, gas fireplaces require significantly less maintenance.

The firebox of the gas fireplace is lined with a refractory material that looks like bricks or stones. Instead of blue unappealing flame that most of us expect from the gas, the fireplaces emit completely natural-looking flames that spout from invisible holes in prefabricated ceramic logs. Often these logs form a realistic pile on the bottom of the firebox. Some people prefer the inserts that look like a coal in Victorian-styled fireplaces.

Gas fireplaces are becoming a more and more popular alternative to conventional built-in fireplaces. Gas fireplaces can be as individual as you are. They can be framed in wood, finished in stucco, stone, or tile, thus fitting into most landscapes and home design solutions. Gas fireplace can become a focal point of your backyard or patio, and as any room in your home, an outdoor space must bear the same design concept as indoors. That is why when choosing a fireplace you should think about the environment in which it will be placed and how it will fit with the existing decor. But no matter which technology or functionality you choose, it is largely a design and materials that give your new appliance it’s distinctive style and make a design statement.

About The Author

Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information about Fireplaces please visit www.fireplace-ideas.com and for additional fireplace and mantle articles please visit the following page www.fireplace-ideas.com/fireplace-articles/.

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How Do Home Furnishing Experts Study An Interior Space?
by: Shrinivas Vaidya

Dear friends, have you ever entered an empty room, without any furniture in it. Such a room always looks spacious, but lacks a “personality”.

The moment you start adding some furniture, the space starts to attract a face on itself. Depending upon the volume of the objects being put, the space gets altered in a dynamic fashion.

A typical home consists of a living room, bed room(s), kitchen, toilet blocks, family room, study room etc.. All these spaces have their own specific function from the user’s point of view. If you want to learn how bedrooms are designed visit my website Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com.

When these spaces get furnished the previous identity of an empty space get blocked by the objects being placed. The face of the furniture object, is the new face of the room. Whenever you enter these rooms, you see the new face first, since the furniture occupies quite a bit of floor and wall space.

Any habitual space also has one more important aspect attached to it. Every habitual space always has windows as a necessary functional arrangement. Depending upon the function of the room the space can have doors as well.

These openings in walls create a kind of attachment of the interior space with outside natural world. This is a very powerful aspect in any design project. If the outside flora and fauna is densely populated with natural elements such as trees, water, mountains, this reflects clearly and directly on the choice of furniture the designer would make in the inside spaces.

If the home is located in a crowd urban cityscape, the choice of design theme would be different. The choice of furniture is directly related to comfort level of every individual. Selecting furniture which goes with the entire theme as well as satisfies the person on the comfort scale can change the way the room feels.

So the personality of an interior space is largely dependant on what’s happening outside the space, rather than the space itself. The outside events such a presence of seashore, flowing river, mountain ranges, snow falls, or even a highway full of traffic can greatly alter the furnishing.

For example if your home is just next to a busy street, you might want to use cane curtains on windows which would cut-off all the noise easily. So the use of curtains has altered the face of the room to some extent and thus forces the designer to make appropriate choices for other objects in the room, which would easily merge with the texture, color, finish of the cane curtains.

On the other hand if your home is on a sea shore, you might go in for curtains which block the heavy wind, but don’t block the beautiful view. Here again the room would have a different face and the entire theme makes a shift on itself.

I hope this article was helpful for everyone.

Copyright 2005 Shrinivas Vaidya.

About The Author

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com. Visit today for great bedroom design tips and ideas.

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How To Find The Hottest Selling Items on eBay
by: Michael Sherriff

eBay, the worlds largest online shopping experience…………

There is no denying that eBay, love it or hate it, is one of the best known websites on the internet. Operating in over 33 international countries, it offers one of the, if not THE, widest choice of online shopping.

Yet with so many items to choose from one of the biggest and growing problems for eBay sellers is;

“What do I sell”?

There are currently 3 million items for sale at any one time on eBay so no wonder people ask themselves this question. It’s a competitive market place for sellers who strive to find the hottest selling items in an attempt to profit from selling them.

But with millions of sellers around the world, how do you hunt down the hottest selling items on eBay?

Well, if you have a specific interest in a field then you can benefit from your knowledge already. You already have an interest in a specific field so you have a head start on your market place. You should already know where to buy these items knowing their value on eBay.

But what happens if you want to move in to a different field or you don’t have an interest in a specific field?

You need to find a way of finding items that are in demand on eBay, items that are selling fast for a good price. But this is easier said than done………. until now………..

How much time do you think you’d be able to save if you could use a tool that shows you items on eBay that have a number of bids higher than 25?

How easy would you be able to find hot selling items if you could choose a category, select how many bids you consider it must have to be classed as a hot selling item and all of this in real time, NOT some data that is a couple of months old, not even a few weeks old!!!

Imagine being able to generate the top 200 popular products divided in to separate top product categories for both eBay.com and eBay.co.uk !!!

Ever wondered what the top watched items are on eBay ? Find out instantly and in real time. From this list you will be able to see which items are generating the most interest even if they haven’t got any bids on them.

Apart from asking yourself, imagine having the ANSWERS to the following questions:

How do I find my niche?

How do I sign-up for an eBay™ account?

Where do I list my item?

What words should I put in my auction title?

What are the best words or phrases to put in my auction description to make people buy now?

What categories have the most listings?

And imagine being able to tap in to this information 24 hours a day, viewed in your web browser and all in real time?

Maybe you can see the potential of having a tool that does all of this at your finger tips?

If you think it’s impossible for one single tool to be able to do all of this and MORE then think again.

My friend David Guindon has released his incredible Hot Item Finder software which will simply blow your mind when you see all of it’s incredible features. I haven’t even scratched the service of the things that this “rocket in your tool box” can do.

I strongly suggest you delve deeper in to Hot Item Finders capabilities for yourself to see exactly why I fell off my chair when I saw what David had produced.

I promise you one thing here and now, you will be astounded by the features of Hot Item Finder but even more surprising is the price David is letting this MUST HAVE software for……….. In fact it’s such an incredible price right now, that I’m sure David will very soon realise that he’s priced it far too low and, quite rightly, raise the price to reflect it’s true value.

Find out for yourself before your too late and get right on over to David’s site and I’ll save you some more time, here’s the link for David’s site because I’d hate to think you didn’t get their in time before he raises the price.

hotitemfinder.com

Copyright 2005© auctionaffiliatesecrets.com
All Rights Reserved

About The Author

Renowned auther Michael Sherriff is responsible for dozens of best selling ebooks and reports on the “How To” subject of many topics. His latest release, “Auction Affiliate Secrets” has been received by the eBay sector as one of the most detailed and precise “How To” guides ever written on the subject of eBay and its affiliate program.

Finally anyone from beginer upwards now has a clear and easy to understand guide of exactly how eBay’s affiliate program works.

We wait with baited breath for the follow up which is rumoured to be in the making.

Copyright Michael Sherriff auctionaffiliatesecrets.com All Rights Reserved

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The Types of Vacuum Cleaners
by: Chris Vorelli

If you want to really clean your home, car, camper, business or job site, you will want to check out all of the many types of vacuum cleaners! There are many out there and they all offer special uses and features. The best thing to do is to make a list of your price range and what your vacuum will need to do. Then, you can start browsing and narrow down your list until you find the vacuum that you think will be best for you!

There are many vacuum cleaning machines on the market today. You can easily find one that will complete the tasks at hand with ease and durability. Vacuums are available in many colors, sizes and prices. There are basically two types of vacuums; the wet and the dry vacs. There are companies that have found a way to combine both features! There are cordless, handheld and even bagless models to choose from! And if you’re really lazy you can even buy a robot vacuuum cleaner, that actually vacuums your home for you while you watch!

Vacuum cleaners are generally made of either a durable plastic, or aluminum. They can be found in many of your favorite colors, from red to silver to blue. You can choose between: upright, canister, hand held, stick and shop vac models. Some are designed specifically to help get that debris from under your car seat and others are made to help you polish your hardwood floors! Other features can include: retractable power cords, extra detachable extension tools, HEPA filter and easy to reach power switch. You can even find a model that is perfect for picking up nails and glass and water!

Many companies produce vacuum cleaning machines, including: Oreck, Miele, Riccar, Kirby, Simplicity, Dyson, Hoover, Bosch, Sanyo, Shark, Eureka, Bissell and Shop Vac. If you are in the market, you even have a great selection of discounted and refurbished vacs out there waiting on you! If you need a vacuum, the sky’s the limit! Remember to compare prices, because vacuum cleaner range in price anywhere from $30 right up to $400.

About The Author

Chris Vorelli is a writer, providing articles on all types of vacuums, such as Kirby vacuum cleaners, Oreck vacuum models (www.best-vacuum-cleaners.net/oreck-vacuums.html) and Hoover vacuums. www.best-vacuum-cleaners.net/.

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Basement Remodeling Starts With Permanent Waterproofing
by: Robert Clarke

Basement remodeling can add lots of extra living space to your home but beware; basement water leakage could put a real damper on your hopes if not properly corrected.

There are two conditions you must address for a dry basement, actual water leakage and condensation. Water leakage is a pretty obvious concern to homeowners but many are unaware of the problems that high humidity can cause to a finished basement.

Humidity Problems

Because a basement is below ground, it will be naturally cooler than the floors above ground. When warmer air from upstairs or outside enters the basement, it shrinks in volume as it cools. This shrinking or “condensing” of the air volume results in higher humidity. Everything porous in your basement will absorb the extra moisture in the air and cause a foul odor. Dehumidifiers are appliances which mechanically remove the unwanted extra humidity from your basement. A good dehumidifier is a must if you plan on remodeling your basement. Even a basement that doesn’t leak will benefit from using a dehumidifier.

Water Leakage

Without doubt, water leakage into the basement must be permanently corrected before you start your remodeling project. Start by correcting obvious sources of the problem; broken or non-existent rain gutters, down spouts emptying next to the foundation, ground outside sloping toward the home, uncovered underground windows, etc.

After you exhaust all preventative measures outside, try to identify areas inside where you are experiencing the leakage. If a corner of the basement seems to be a particular problem, again, look outside at your rain gutter downspouts. If you see cracks in the walls leaking, some of these can be repaired with hydraulic cement or crack injection. If water seems to be coming in from an isolated area, installing a sump pump below floor level can lower the water table and underground hydrostatic pressure in that area. If you are unsure or your problems seem to be widespread, it might be best to call in a building inspector, engineer or other professional to help you identify and solve your problem. There are a variety of services available to solve your leakage problems. These include; outside excavating, re-parging your walls, interior or exterior drainage systems, interior cove systems, grout or epoxy injection and others. Most of these options will require a professional.

Basement Remodeling Begins

I like studding the walls out with 2X4s. If you can spare the extra space, 2X6s are even better because they allow room for more insulation. Never, under any circumstances, nail furring strips onto the walls. Penetrating the foundation will compromise its barrier against water.

Use construction adhesive rather than nails or screws to adhere your bottom wall plate to the floor. It’s ok to nail the upper wall plates into the upper floor joists.

Don’t glue down your basement carpet. Carpet is something that is going to wear out and eventually need to be replaced. Glued down carpeting creates a real problem later on when trying to remove it. Tell your carpet installer to use construction adhesive to install the carpet tack strips around the perimeter. Do not allow them to drive nails into the cement floor.

Summary

With some common sense construction techniques, a reliable waterproofing system and humidity control, you can enjoy a lot of extra living space by remodeling your basement.

About The Author

Robert Clarke has owned B-Dry System NEPA, a basement waterproofing company, for the last 20 years. Visit b-drybasementswaterproofingnepennsylvania.com/basement-remodeling.html for more information. He has also served as President of the B-Dry Owners Association, a nationally recognized group of basement waterproofing contractors. Visit www.basementleakage.com/basement-waterproofing.html for details.

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The total value of residential property in developed countries rose by more than $30 trillion over the past five years to more than $70 trillion, according to The Economist. That increase is equivalent to 100% of those countries’ combined gross domestic products (GDPs). Ponder the magnitude of that statement.

To be fair, it’s difficult to grasp exactly how amazing that is without historical context. Those numbers dwarf any previous housing boom, the global stock market bubble of the late 1990s (a GDP increase of 80% over five years), and America’s stock market bubble of the late 1920s (55% of GDP). We’re looking straight into the eyes of the biggest bubble in history.

Read the rest of the story at The Motley Fool

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Dining Chair Slipcovers – Add A Touch Of Style To Mealtimes!
by: Caroline Smith

Dining chair slipcovers offer a brilliant way to add a touch of style to your mealtimes or dinner parties. As well as looking good, most dining chair covers are easy to wash in the machine, so there’s no need to worry about those accidental food or drink spills. Ready made slipcovers are quick and easy to fit over your existing upholstery. If your upholstery is in good condition, a slipcover could help protect it from wear and tear. Alternatively, furniture covers are a good way to disguise worn or outdated fabric, giving your chairs a new lease of life.

If you like to entertain, you may like to have a spare set of elegant slipcovers to fit over your dining chairs on special occasions. This is an advantage of slipcovers over re-upholstery. They can be easily removed and replaced whenever you feel like changing the appearance of your room. Having a few sets of cheap slipcovers can be a good idea if you have small children that are likely to drop food on their chairs. If a dining chair slipcover gets dirty, it can simply be whipped off for a quick wash in the machine.

Slipcovers come in a range of designs and colors, so there should be something that goes well with the theme and decor of your dining room. Patterns include country check, floral prints and stripes. If you often eat in your kitchen, there are also loads of attractive kitchen chair covers to choose from. In fact, you could give other rooms in your home an instant makeover with the variety of chair and sofa slipcovers available. Furniture coverings can be found for seats of all shapes and sizes.

If you’re looking for an affordable but effective way of sprucing up your dining room, why not try slipcovers? Believe me, they work wonders!

About The Author

Caroline Smith is a successful home furnishings writer and regular contributor to www.a1-slipcovers.com - An online resource to help you find the very best dining chair slipcovers, sofa slipcovers, recliner slipcovers and more. Shop online and save!

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Home Elevators Invade Suburban Homes
by: Bob Harvey

Residential elevators continue to gain momentum in new home developments across North America. Baby boomers who are considering major renovations or who are looking towards buying their last home are considering home elevators as an important upgrade for the long term.

A good source for home elevator comparisons is available at www.silvercross-elevators.com

Five years ago, home elevators were mainly being considered for large custom homes as a status symbol. Today, builders are looking at residential elevators as the next appliance.

Home elevators are allowing the builder to differentiate themselves from their competitors and to attract home buyers with something unique.

Architects are building into new home designs the possibility of converting closet space on upper and lower floors to match a home elevator shaft size to allow for future installation.

Home elevator manufacturers are consolidating into a group of about 5 key suppliers in North America. Competition is expected to increase as the market size expands.

Some models require a machine room in addition to the shaft to enclose the elevator. Newer models are being designed to avoid the extra space requirements of a machine room by having the lifting device at the top of the shaft.

A vacuum elevator hit the market a few years ago and continues to gain market share in limited space and specialty site applications.

Elevator sales are expected to double in the next few years as the market place becomes more aware of the options and models available.

About The Author

Bob Harvey
Founder of SILVER CROSS
www.silvercross-elevators.com

Mandate:
Source lower cost alternatives to home accessibilty products.

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