TR Selecting A Hardwood Floor For Your Home

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Hardwood floor styles come in strips, planks and parquet, and are available with numerous edge treatments such as square, micro, and beveled edges. The state-of-the-art technology and almost limitless choices of today’s stains, finishes, styles and designs makes hardwood flooring one of the most practical and versatile floor coverings available.

The shade of hardwood flooring you choose can dramatically change the look of your room. You can compliment the other design aspe…


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Build Your Own Garage Workbench

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A garage workbench is an essential piece of equipment in any home workshop. A workbench will allow you to complete projects easily and with greater accuracy. A variety of pre made workbenches are available to fit your needs. If you prefer, you can make your own workbench, either with a kit or from a plan.

Choosing a garage workbench

Workbenches are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Benches are great for woodworking, crafts and other household projects. …


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A garage workbench is an essential piece of equipment in any home workshop. A workbench will allow you to complete projects easily and with greater accuracy. A variety of pre made workbenches are available to fit your needs. If you prefer, you can make your own workbench, either with a kit or from a plan.

Choosing a garage workbench

Workbenches are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Benches are great for woodworking, crafts and other household projects. You can purchase a bench at most home improvement stores. Another option is to build your own bench. You can find plans in books and on the internet with instructions to create the perfect bench to suit your needs.

A table style workbench is made of heavy duty materials to stand up to regular use. Most models have a hardwood top with metal legs. Table tops can also be made of steel. These resemble a typical table shape with nothing underneath.

Cabinet style benches have drawers or cabinets in the space under the table top. This is great for utilizing otherwise wasted space. This method allows for additional storage space. Some have a pegboard backing that is perfect for hanging hand tools. You won’t need to dig through drawers or a tool box to find what you need.

A power strip bench is a good choice if you use power tools often. These come with up to nine outlets in a strip with a heavy duty power cord. They also have current protection to prevent overload. These can be either six or eight foot benches. Some have a tool caddy to hold smaller tools.

Build Your Own Workbench

Consider building your own bench to get exactly what you want. Kits are available with everything you need to create your bench. Instructions and materials are included with the kit. With this method, you will be limited to the kit’s design. The benefit is that all pieces are pre cut. You won’t need to worry about uneven cuts.

You can build your own bench and purchase all the materials. This method is a bit more complicated, but you have more control about the final outcome. Free workbench plans are available on the internet with detailed instructions for you to follow. Cut the plywood according to the directions and be sure to make your cuts straight.

For best results, choose good quality wood, oak or a hardwood plywood is an excellent choice. Use several coats of polyurethane to protect the top of the bench. Be sure to sand between each coat. A good urethane coating makes messes easier to clean up when working on projects later.

Organizing and Making Room in your Garage

You will need to organize your garage and create storage space to make room for workbenches. Determine what you need to store. Start with a good clean out and get rid of things you don’t need. Throw away old paint and other junk. Give away or donate old items, tools or other things that are too good to throw away, but that you don’t need any more.

The walls of your garage offer great opportunities for storage space. Cabinets are great for organizing clutter. High cabinets are good for storing chemicals and paints. Sharp items can be put up high to keep them away from children. Consider locks if you have young children. Locker cabinets are perfect for larger items. Drawers are good for organizing tools, fishing equipment and other small items.

Add Some Extra With Laminate Floors

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Laminate floors add a touch of class and sophistication to a room. Laminate floors are available in innumerable designs and finishes. Any room of the house can have laminate floors, it’s very easy to maintain.

These floors have three layers, the backing layer, the core layer, and the wear layer. The first layer, that is, the backing layer allows the other layers to have strength and durability. The core layer has high density fiber board and the last layer, that is, the we…


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Laminate floors add a touch of class and sophistication to a room. Laminate floors are available in innumerable designs and finishes. Any room of the house can have laminate floors, it’s very easy to maintain.

These floors have three layers, the backing layer, the core layer, and the wear layer. The first layer, that is, the backing layer allows the other layers to have strength and durability. The core layer has high density fiber board and the last layer, that is, the wear layer provides surface protection with aluminum oxide. This ingredient provides the protection to the outer layer.

Nowadays, most of the designs are computer generated, and some of the most stylish, modern designs have come in the market this way. Laminate floors are available in different plank widths. Various square tile sizes are available too.

As mentioned earlier laminate floors are ideal for those who want the style and look of hard wood floors but cannot afford the price. Real wood floors are expensive and most will not be able to afford it. These floors are very durable, and they have a hard surface that is resistant to scratch or other types of damage. The laminated designs do not fade with usage and are resistant to burns as well.

Laminated floors are quite easy to install in the house. It does not take too much time either. These floors can simply be “glued” over the concrete or vinyl floor. Some laminate floors require very little or no glue. Most laminate floorings use the tongue and groove edges. This allows the installation to be a very easy process. The owner can do it himself, if he is handy with tools and measurements.

The planks have to be cut according to the size of the room, or according to the size required. A couple of tools like clamp straps, cut saw, tapping blocks, measuring tape is required. Measurement has to be accurate, other the laminated strip will be ruined apart from ending up with a very uneven and uncouth floor. Patience comes in handy when installing laminate floorings, as small details can test one’s patience.

Cleaning and maintenance of the laminated floors are not at all difficult. It can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth or mop. Vinegar and water solution is very effective for cleaning, one can also use the solution recommended by the manufacturer. Detergents are not recommended. Vacuum cleaning on a regular basis keeps the floors in a spick and span condition all round the year.

Things To Consider When Buying A Dishwasher

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The dishwasher has now been labeled as one of the most important appliances in an average-income and medium-sized household. It is usually used three to seven times a week in an average household.

Buying a dishwasher is not as easy as simply selecting the cheapest one that can do the task. There are several important things that should be considered before choosing a dishwasher.

* Size

Choose the dishwasher that has the right size for your household needs. Compact…


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The dishwasher has now been labeled as one of the most important appliances in an average-income and medium-sized household. It is usually used three to seven times a week in an average household.

Buying a dishwasher is not as easy as simply selecting the cheapest one that can do the task. There are several important things that should be considered before choosing a dishwasher.

* Size

Choose the dishwasher that has the right size for your household needs. Compact capacity models can contain eight place setting and six serving pieces, or less. Standard capacity models can hold more than eight place settings and six serving pieces. Most of the standard capacity models fit a twenty-four inch space under the countertop.

Before choosing the compact capacity model, consider how often you will be using the dishwasher. If you will be using the compact model frequently, it will consume more energy and water than if you have a standard capacity model.

There are also some dishwashers that have fold-down tines and adjustable racks, for differently-shaped serving pieces. Some dishwashers allow adjustments to have plates be cleaned on both layers at the same time. This is helpful if you are hosting large parties.

* Wash Cycles

The basic cycles usually are light, normal, and pots and pans. Some dishwashers have a rinse and hold setting to delay washing until the load is full.

Consider having a dishwasher that has multiple wash cycles so you can choose the cleaning level according to the dirt on the dishes. Check if there is an energy-saving or light cycle setting. Such a setting saves you money by operating in less time and consuming less water. Apart from these, other cycle settings may not be as important.

* Cycle Time

A dishwasher can take 80 to 150 minutes for the normal cycle time. Longer cycle times do not really affect the level of cleaning. So if choosing a dishwasher, the cycle time should only be within that range.

* EnergyGuide

Check the EnergyGuide stickers to know more about the power and water consumption of the dishwasher model.
A regular dishwasher can consume three and a half to twelve gallons of water per load. Energy costs can reach up to $65 a year. So always select an energy and water efficient model.

* Dirt Sensors

A little while ago, dirt sensors were only available as a premium feature. Most new dishwasher models now have dirt sensors to adjust the water consumption to the level of dirt of the dishes.

* Noise

Check the noise ratings of the dishwater. You may be able to get a good-functioning dishwasher for a low price but the noise may be one of its disadvantages.

* Design

Since having a dishwasher is now popular, several designs and colors are now available. The most common colors are white and black. Those with a stainless steel finish are popular but remember that these can show smudges and fingerprints.

Some dishwashers may also be fitted with a customized front panel, so it can blend with the design of your kitchen cabinets.

Most of the new models have one door, eliminating the bottom panel for the dirt trap. This design creates a clean look.

Some smoothly designed, costlier models have the controls along the top edge of the door. However, this makes the buttons difficult to operate and labels hard to read.

* Self-cleaning filters

Self-cleaning filters may provide ease of maintenance but it can add to the noise. A clogged filter degrades the dishwasher’s performance. Since filters can be easily cleaned by taking it out and rinsing it, you may just opt for those without self-cleaning filters.

* Price

The price for domestic brands ranges from $200 to $1300. Foreign-made brands can cost from $350 to $2000.

Upon selecting the dishwasher to fit your household needs, your last concern will be the installation and delivery costs. Installation usually costs within $100 and $200. If replacing an old unit, also check the company’s rates for removing your old unit and replacing it with the new one.

With this information, surely, you can confidently select the right dishwasher that will save you money over time.

My Front Porch

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I love my home. Every single room in it has provided me and my family with special memories. I love all of the funny conversations that have happened around the dining room table and the late night talks that have happened in each of my children’s bedrooms. I have enjoyed cooking great meals in my kitchen and watching my favorite movies in our family room. Perhaps my most favorite place, however, is our front porch.

When I was looking for houses to move my family to many y…


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I love my home. Every single room in it has provided me and my family with special memories. I love all of the funny conversations that have happened around the dining room table and the late night talks that have happened in each of my children’s bedrooms. I have enjoyed cooking great meals in my kitchen and watching my favorite movies in our family room. Perhaps my most favorite place, however, is our front porch.

When I was looking for houses to move my family to many years ago it didn’t even enter my mind to insist on a house with a front porch. Now I know better. I have grown to love having a front porch almost as much as I love having indoor plumbing. (Okay, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration!) I didn’t know when I bought this house the endless hours I would spend swinging or sitting on the porch. I didn’t know how many books would get read or how many blankets would be knit on the front porch. And I certainly couldn’t have guessed how many friendships would be started and strengnthened on my porch.

One of the biggest reasons that I have grown to love my front porch is that it has become a gathering place for the people I love the most. I have countless memories of summer nights spent talking with a close friend or one of my children on the porch. Hours of games have been played, tears have been shed, and laughter has been shared on our porch. When my oldest daughter decided to learn to play the guitar it was the front porch that heard her practice hour after hour. When my son got his first girlfriend it was the front porch that listened to their nightly telephone conversations. When my neighbors moved onto the street fifteen years ago our front porch was the spot for our first glass of lemonade together.

My front porch has also become my favorite place to be quiet and think. I love the morning hours on my porch after everyone has gone off to school and work. I have spent many mornings worrying about my children or dreaming about our next family vacation. Give me a cup of coffee, my journal, and a great book and I can spend entire days on the front porch. No where has been quite as inviting and serene as our porch. I honestly cannot imagine my home or the memories of the last twenty years without it.

How Soundproofing Material Works

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Sound vibrations are transmitted through the air, causing problems with noise entering and exiting your home studio. Many materials used in home construction, such as wood and drywall, are conductors of sound. Blocking out these sound waves is the purpose of a soundproof room. This is usually done for a home music studio.

For the highest quality, most complete soundproofing, you should hire a professional. The cost of a professional can be prohibitive for many people. You …


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Sound vibrations are transmitted through the air, causing problems with noise entering and exiting your home studio. Many materials used in home construction, such as wood and drywall, are conductors of sound. Blocking out these sound waves is the purpose of a soundproof room. This is usually done for a home music studio.

For the highest quality, most complete soundproofing, you should hire a professional. The cost of a professional can be prohibitive for many people. You can construct a soundproof room in your home with a little knowledge and the right soundproofing material.

How Soundproofing Material Works

Soundproofing material works by interrupting sound vibrations. This isolation must be complete, or you are wasting your time. One hole in the material will ruin the effect. Sound waves can travel through the smallest hole or gap in the material.

Fiberglass is the material preferred by many professionals. Lead barriers are often used in professional studios. These need to be installed by someone knowledgeable in both the material and the principles of sound waves. This understanding makes the professional the best choice if you want the job done as thoroughly as possible.

Sound Absorbing Techniques

Sound absorbing and soundproofing materials work differently. Each product has different purposes and the two are not interchangeable.

Acoustical foam is sometimes used by professionals and often used by the do it yourself person. This is not used for soundproofing, but for absorbing the sounds within the studio. Not all foam is created equal and these materials are rated for fire safety. The ratings are listed as class A, B, or C. Fatal fires have resulted from use of inferior materials. The class A material is the most expensive, but is the most fireproof. Your safety is worth the additional expense. When using foam, make sure there is a clear path out of the room in the event of a fire. Fire resistant materials release toxic fumes in a fire, which will kill you faster than the flames.

The purpose of soundproofing material is to reduce the sound waves being transmitted into your studio from the outside. This is generally done through material in the walls, ceiling, floors and windows of the studio. Most materials are rated for the number of decibels the sound is reduced. For the materials to be effective, they must be installed correctly without holes or gaps.

Using and Installing Soundproofing Materials

A double wall is the ideal sound barrier that can be built by the do it yourself handyman. When building a second wall, it’s important to use floor insulation. This prevents the sound waves from being transmitted between the two walls via the flooring. Flooring carries acoustical energy and once the vibrations start, it can be nearly impossible to stop them. Thick carpeting is used because it absorbs these vibrations. There is no sound when walking on thick carpet.

To be effective, don’t just nail sheets of drywall to the existing wall surface. Sound will travel through the wall to the drywall. You need to create two completely independent wall sections. Make sure the studs aren’t directly across from each other. For best results, studs should be staggered across the length of the wall. A concrete surface at the bottom of the wall helps prevent sound from reaching the other wall and ultimately, your room.

The space in between is filled with sound proof material. Insulation can be used and is usually sprayed or blown into the area between the sections. You could also use foam insulating material or wool. Be sure to leave several inches of space between the two walls for absorbing the noise adequately.

MV Modern Electric Blankets – New Styles of Electric Blankets

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Not like the ones belonging to your grandmother, the new styles of electric blanket have really changed to enhance your sleeping comfort. New electric blankets now come with heat sensors that turn the blanket on and off to keep a desired temperature in the bed while you sleep. No longer just a matter of setting the temperature and plugging it in, these blankets are designed to keep your sleep as comfortable and cozy as possible.


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Decorate The Outdoors

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You don’t have to limit yourself to decorating the inside of your home. Your patio and yard are extensions of your home, and have unique opportunities to allow you to express yourself and your sense of style.

Of course, they present unique challenges as well. Much of your outside decor will be seasonal. The furniture may have to be stored indoors in winter in some climates, and plants may die back.

Start out by thinking of what you would like to do in your patio and yar…


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You don’t have to limit yourself to decorating the inside of your home. Your patio and yard are extensions of your home, and have unique opportunities to allow you to express yourself and your sense of style.

Of course, they present unique challenges as well. Much of your outside decor will be seasonal. The furniture may have to be stored indoors in winter in some climates, and plants may die back.

Start out by thinking of what you would like to do in your patio and yard. Perhaps you enjoy barbequing, or maybe you have pool parties with friends. Maybe you just want a quiet sanctuary.

Start out by figuring out what will require the most space. If you love to have friends over, you may need a great deal of seating. Or, if you prefer to barbeque, maybe that dream grill will be the focal point. Perhaps you would like to install a fountain. In any case, whatever the focus will be you will likely want to place first, to ensure that other elements do not get in the way.

There are great options these days in outdoor furniture. Many are pretty much weatherproof, so you may not need to be quite so concerned with bringing it indoors in poor weather. Style is important too, and if you haven’t shopped for outdoor furnishings recently, the selection available, in terms of comfort and quality, may pleasantly surprise you.

Outdoor lighting has become easier to install and quite functional. It used to be that in order to light up your yard you would have to install wiring, a tedious process, or hire an electrician. Now, however, solar lighting has become quite functional and affordable. All you have to do is put the light where you want it, and let the sun charge it up for use. Not all solar powered outdoor lights will last all night; it depends on the brightness, time of year and so forth, but they are sufficient for many needs.

One of the most difficult parts of planning your outdoor decor is figuring out what to plant. A basic green lawn works with just about anything, of course, but it doesn’t express your style very well… unless basic is your style. You will want to learn how to pick appropriate plants for your yard and garden.

You can plant both in the ground and in containers. Most often you will grow flowers in decorative planters, or perhaps a decorative shrub. The containers themselves can be a part of your decor.

As you plan the natural parts of your yard, consider whether you would like to have any seating out there. A stone bench makes a lovely and durable addition, for example. Statuary might also fit your style.

Fountains are very popular right now, and very relaxing to listen to. As with lighting, solar powered fountains are available and quite practical. They can be as simple as an urn spilling water into a container below to a series of small waterfalls. The sound of water splashing is a great way to mask noise from the outside world and most people find it very relaxing.

Whatever you do, don’t skip decorating your yard as you decorate your home. It’s a great place for entertaining or relaxing in good weather, or it can be a quiet sanctuary.

Build a Redwood Fence In Five Easy Steps

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Fences are built for many reasons. Fences keep children or animals in the yard and define property lines. Fences also provide security and privacy, and complement other backyard amenities, like pools, spas and decks.


Build a Redwood Fence In Five Easy Steps

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Fences are built for many reasons. Fences keep children or animals in the yard and define property lines. Fences also provide security and privacy, and complement other backyard amenities, like pools, spas and decks.

Redwood is often the material of choice for fences because it is durable, looks good, and resists warping, splitting and checking.

Many homeowners save money by building their own redwood fence. Fence building isn’t difficult. Here are some tips for successful fence building from the California Redwood Association:

1. Designing the fence: Most redwood fences are variations of a simple post, rail and board design. The post and rail support structure is made of standard dimension lumber, while fence boards of different shapes and sizes give a fence its individual style.

2. Choosing quality materials: Most redwood fences are built with knot-textured “garden grades” of redwood. These rugged grades are economical and provide the best combination of performance and value. It is important to use noncorrosive nails and hardware to avoid unsightly stains.

3. Setting redwood posts: Setting posts is the most critical part of the job. They must be straight and evenly spaced, which requires patience and lots of measuring. Construction Heart grade redwood is the right choice for fence posts because it resists decay and insects.

4. Attaching redwood railings: Two or three horizontal rails run between the posts, depending on the fence height. Upper rails should rest on the tops of the posts for support. Bottom rails can be toenailed into place, but the preferred method is to place a block underneath the joint for extra support. Use metal hardware, such as “L” brackets, to secure rails to posts.

5. Nailing redwood fence boards: Nailing the fence boards in place is the easiest and most satisfying part of building a fence. Near the ends of the board, predrill holes before nailing to avoid splitting. For fence boards four inches wide or less, use one nail per bearing. For wider fence boards, use two nails.

It’s Spring Cleaning Time. Don’t Forget Your Luxury Down Bedding & Sofa Cushions.

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Spring time is here and as we enthusiastically open up our windows, begin cleaning or redecorating, let’s not forget our down comforters, down pillows and featherbeds. They should be cleaned professionally every 3 – 4 years and renovated every 7 – 10 years. Proper care keeps them fresh and beautiful ensuring they will last for years. It is also a good time to plump them back up with extra filling if they have become flat.


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Never wash or dry-clean down. Harmful chemicals and soap will rob the down of its oils leaving you with a flat pillow, comforter or featherbed. It will also cause pieces of the down cluster to break off interfering with its ability to trap body heat. There will also be a bad odor from dry-cleaning fluids. Drying can be problematic due to the size of comforters and featherbeds. If down is not dried properly, mildew will set in, leaving you with a bad odor and a problem for allergy sufferers. Dry-cleaners do not have equipment large enough for featherbeds.

Down bedding purchased within the last 3 or 4 years should be hung over a line on a warm, sunny, breezy day. Let nature refresh and rejuvenate them. If this is not possible hang them over a couple of chairs near an open window. Placing comforters and pillows in a dryer will fluff up the filling if it has flattened or you may wish to add some filling when you get them cleaned. If your down comforters, pillows and featherbeds are over 4 or 5 years old, take them to a down care specialist. They will be expertly cleaned and reconditioned using an all natural method which will plump up the filling and deodorize it. Possibly they need a complete renovation which includes cleaning, reconditioning and a new outer shell. If you wish to plump up your comforter, pillows and featherbed (which will reduce annoying shifting, and add extra warmth), additional filling can be added at this time.

If you purchased a high quality down comforter, most can be used year round. If you do store your comforter because you have a summer down comforter or prefer to use only a sheet, store the comforter in a cotton bag, not a plastic bag.

Take care of your down bedding by having it cleaned by a professional. Luxury quality down comforters, pillows and featherbeds deserve the proper care to protect your investment so you can enjoy your down luxuries for life.

When your down bedding is returned from being cleaned or renovated, remember to always use pillow protectors on pillows, a high threadcount lightweight duvet cover to protect your down comforter, and a featherbed cover preferably with a baffle wall to allow your newly cleaned featherbed to loft up to its full potential especially if you have added extra filling.

Did you receive an heirloom down comforter from your grandmother? After it is cleaned and renovated you can decide whether to keep the same size or upgrade to a larger size.

Don’t forget your down and feather sofa cushions and throw cushions. These too can be cleaned/reconditioned, have extra filling added to plump up a sagging chair or sofa and new ticking to prevent loss of feathers and down. Look for baffling in your new ticking if you are having your sofa cushions renovated. This prevents the filling from moving out to the sides when you sit on the sofa or lean back on the back cushions. Baffling will keep it all in place.