Five Tips To Help Choose The Proper Hardwood Floor

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Ageless beauty, durability, and ease of installation and maintenance make hardwood floors the perfect choice for remodeling your home floors.

There are a multitude of choices when it comes to floor replacements. Hardwood and laminate floors come in an overwhelming variety of shades, sizes and installation methods. Here are some pointers to help you make a decision.

First and foremost, always set a budget for your project. With the wide variety of designs and materials a…


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Ageless beauty, durability, and ease of installation and maintenance make hardwood floors the perfect choice for remodeling your home floors.

There are a multitude of choices when it comes to floor replacements. Hardwood and laminate floors come in an overwhelming variety of shades, sizes and installation methods. Here are some pointers to help you make a decision.

First and foremost, always set a budget for your project. With the wide variety of designs and materials available, spending beyond your budget is very easily done.

1.Style and color should be your first criteria for the area in which you are updating. Is this an elegant area, like a living room, or is this the family room where the kids and pets might be present? You might want a laminate substitute in the family room, and luscious cherry finished rosewood in the living area.

2.Selecting the shades of the room is important as well. The setting of the design will dictate what shades you will use. A dark shade for the entertainment area to help hide dirt and keep the light level down for the big screen TV might be what you’re looking for.

3.Don’t try to put hardwood flooring in the powder room or bathroom. A laminate substitute can be used, but it must be impervious to moisture.

4.Proper installation of the floor must be your highest priority. Even if you’re a great “do-it-yourselfer”, hardwood floor installation requires professional tools and knowledge of angle cutting that most home owners don’t have. If you decide to try it, be sure to do the research first. Take a look at the angles and corners that might be required to cut.

5.Be sure the area, on which you will be installing your new floor on top of, is smooth and even. You will want to select an underlayment that will provide cushioning, soundproofing and additional insulation for your new floor.

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MV Introduction To Hot Tub

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In strict and most common usage there is no genuine difference between a hot tub and a Jacuzzi. Both are used to explain tubs of hot water which use jets of forced air to produce currents and bubbles, either for therapeutic or strictly pleasurable purposes. Jacuzzi is a brand name, and so strictly speaking it portrays only those hot tubs and spas manufactured by the Jacuzzi Company.


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Interior Shutters Buying Basics

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Window shutters add a nice touch to a home’s exterior. In other parts of the world, especially Europe and the Caribbean, shutters serve a functional purpose. They cover windows by night or in bad weather to keep out bad weather or cold air. By day they are pushed open from the inside and secured in place to let daylight and the sun’s warmth into a home. This is especially important in communities where the majority of residents lack central heating or air conditioning.

But…


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Window shutters add a nice touch to a home’s exterior. In other parts of the world, especially Europe and the Caribbean, shutters serve a functional purpose. They cover windows by night or in bad weather to keep out bad weather or cold air. By day they are pushed open from the inside and secured in place to let daylight and the sun’s warmth into a home. This is especially important in communities where the majority of residents lack central heating or air conditioning.

But in many industrialized nations, housing includes shutters more as accent pieces or adornments than as functional window covers. Shutters may cover the home’s largest windows, the windows on the front side of the house, the windows on the sides as well as the front, or every window in the home.

Shutters typically coordinate with a home’s design to bring out a certain style in its appearance. For example, you can get shutters that are rectangular-shaped, or those that come in other forms. Here are some things to consider when selecting shutters for your home.

1. Does the home’s exterior paint or paneling come with matching shutters? If so, consider using these to match the existing design, even if you had the siding done first and now want to add shutters. If not, check with the home supply provider for suggestions about the type of shutters that will go well with your current outdoor siding. You may be able to look at a print or online catalog, or view samples at the store. Some stores provide references of previous customers who have purchased these shutters, and you may be able to talk with them about their level of satisfaction or drive by their homes to have a look.

2. Choose a coordinating design and color. If your home’s siding or finish does not come with matching shutters, check out several possible options before selecting one for your home. Popular styles are made of aluminum and vinyl, along with other materials that are weather-resistant, so find out what’s available, along with the merits of each.

3. Compare styles to find one that suits your home’s design and structure. Some shutters come with two matching panels, while others have four. You can get louvers, but keep in mind these can collect dust and may be difficult to clean. Even when operational shutters are not needed, some people choose to install them for special effect on their homes.

4. Find out all you can about the product’s quality. Ask the sales associate about each product’s durability and lifetime expectancy. Also ask about how to clean various shutter types, and what type of special cleaning substances will be needed, if any. You might also want to know about any particular conditions that afflict certain products. Wood shutters, for instance, may tend to get dry rot, termites, or other wood-associated conditions. Any type of shutter might attract insect nests, and aluminum shutters may be prone to rusting.

What are the best shutters? The best kind are those that are affordable, are easy to install, and offer the greatest protection. Which of these properties is most important depends on individual circumstances. For a disabled or elderly person it may be ease of installation with either an automatic closing mechanism or accordion type shutters. For those with limited incomes plywood shutters may be the only affordable option. For most people the best compromise would be steel panels, which offer good protection, but are certainly more expensive than plywood. The most worthless type of protection is the often employed use of various types of tape over the windows. This practice does little or nothing to prevent breakage, may result in large, more dangerous pieces of flying glass, and is extremely difficult to remove after the storm.

With today’s changing global climate, and the increase of tropical storms frequency, some regions of the world will need to equip themselves with window shutters to prevent damage to their properties.

Benefits Of Round Hot Tub

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From hydrotherapy, to family bonding, to tax benefits and amplify in home value, the benefits of owning a hot tub are plentiful. Simple bathing in water is one of the most ancient methods of enjoying its curative benefits. Today we are able to mingle fresh, heated water with our bodies to produce a result that is sheer magic. This union permits the alchemy of water to wield its full power in healing our bodies on many levels, namely, physical, emotional, and spiritual.


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From hydrotherapy, to family bonding, to tax benefits and amplify in home value, the benefits of owning a hot tub are plentiful. Simple bathing in water is one of the most ancient methods of enjoying its curative benefits. Today we are able to mingle fresh, heated water with our bodies to produce a result that is sheer magic. This union permits the alchemy of water to wield its full power in healing our bodies on many levels, namely, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Thanks to hot tubs, we have the comfort of benefiting from hydrotherapy in our own home and backyard, all year long. Water massage and hydrotherapy are helpful in many cases of physical ailments. Soaking in a Thermo Spas hot tub let you and your body to relax and loosens muscles. The hot, swirling water embraces you i.e. massaging your neck, shoulders, arms, back, thighs, calves, and feet. Medical or physical conditions that can help from hydrotherapy comprise Arthritis, Insomnia, Diabetes, and Headaches to name just a few.

More about the round hot tub

Many doctors recommend hydrotherapy for a variety of ailments, injuries, and pain. As a result, there are numerous ways of tax incentives available when purchasing a hot tub as a result of a doctor’s recommendation. The health advantages of hydrotherapy go well beyond helping those with physical ailments. Soaking in the warm, soothing waters of a Thermo Spas hot tub is also proven to be therapeutic for those who are simply stressed out or in need of some providing relaxation! Numerous independent studies have proven that a warm water massage stimulates the produce of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemical. A soothing and relaxing soak in a hot tub can assist counteract stress and its effects on the human body. It is the ideal antidote to a hectic and stressful lifestyle.

Benefits from round hot tub

Thermo Spas hot tubs also give your family and friends with a great place to re-connect and it becomes the gathering place in your home. A hot tub can be an outstanding communication tool between parents and children. The neutral environment removes barriers and stimulates discussion with teens. And the joy of owning a Thermo Spas hot tub not only brings smile to one’s face, but also adds sparkle to any relationship. Whether it’s to relax from the complexities of everyday life or to rejuvenate sore muscles and joints caused by sports or everyday activity, hydrotherapy can help you feel better and that too natural.

A short installation guide of solid wood countertops and kitchen islands.

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Solid wood countertops are natural products made of wood from trees approximately 120 years old. Wood is a living material and the more moisture receives, the more the wood countertop will expand.


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Solid wood countertops are natural products made of wood from trees approximately 120 years old. Wood is a living material and the more moisture receives, the more the wood countertop will expand. The wood we used in solid wood worktops has been previously kiln dried to a humidity level of 6%, and it is therefore important that the worktop is not exposed to a constantly high level of humidity. Normally the humidity level in kitchens is approximately 50-70%.

The solid wood top must be attached to the cabinet box using only wood screws and washers. It is not recommended at all to glue the top on the cabinet box; the top and the box expand and contract at different rates, therefore cracks might eventually appear, most probably on the cabinets’ surface.

The proper way of installing a solid wood top is using metal fixings along the cabinet box (see our web page).
The metal fixings must be uniformly distributed throughout the length of the top, spaced at a 1′ – 1.5′ distance from each other. Across the width, the top is usually fixed to each metal support with three screws, one in the middle, one toward the front edge and one toward the rear edge. The supports must be perfectly leveled; otherwise tensions can develop in the wood, leading to warping, cupping, or cracks.
We recommend pre-drilling the screw holes into the wood countertop, in order to avoid cracks and splits. For the same reason, it is a good idea not to over tighten the screws. The finishing will considerably diminish the extent of such movements, but will not eliminate them altogether. Due to the panel’s laminated structure, the lengthwise movements are insignificant, so the installer should pay attention to the movements occurring across the panel’s width. In order to prevent the development of inner tensions, the holes in the metal fixings should be elongated in the direction of the movements (see our web page ).

When exposed to normal humidity levels – i.e. 50-60% – the worktop’s width will expand by 1/12″-1/24″, but when exposed to a level of 80-90%, this measurement may expand by up to 1/2″ or even more for some species. Therefore, when the rear edge of the counter top is installed against a wall, the wall might restrict the top’s natural movements, leading to undesired tensions in the wood. To avoid this, you can allow a 1/4″-1/2″ joint between the wall and the countertop edge and caulk it with a thin bid of acid-free silicone.
Additionally, you can firmly fix the rear edge to the metal supports underneath and thus, allow the natural movements to occur at the expense of the opposite edge.
In this case, the holes in the metal fixings corresponding to the rear edge will be no larger than the screws diameter, while the holes corresponding to the middle section and the front edge will be elongated.

For additional information regarding the installation of wood countertops, bar tops and kitchen islands, please visit our web page.

How A Filterless Air Purifier Works

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If you watch television late at night, you are probably familiar with a filterless air purifier called the Ionic Breeze. These systems have benefits and drawbacks. Lately, there has been some controversy over their safety. Some consider them to be unsafe, while others swear by the results.

How a Filterless Air Purifiers Work

A filterless purifier works by giving the incoming air an electrostatic charge. This charge also charges particles in the air. The air is then mo…


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If you watch television late at night, you are probably familiar with a filterless air purifier called the Ionic Breeze. These systems have benefits and drawbacks. Lately, there has been some controversy over their safety. Some consider them to be unsafe, while others swear by the results.

How a Filterless Air Purifiers Work

A filterless purifier works by giving the incoming air an electrostatic charge. This charge also charges particles in the air. The air is then moved past an oppositely charged collection grid. The impurities in the air are attracted to the grid, like a magnet. The grid must be removed periodically and cleaned of the impurities. This is easily done with a damp cloth. Once the grid is completely dry, replace it and turn the machine back on. These systems can be installed on a forced air heating system to treat the whole house, or can be purchased in portable units.

This process creates ozone in the air. If you have been outside after a thunderstorm, you have smelled natural ozone in the air. These systems clean the air the way nature cleans the outdoor air.

However, some feel the ozone that is created can be a health hazard, particularly if it is highly concentrated. If you are using a portable air cleaner, be sure it isn’t too big for the room in which it is being used. The square footage is listed on the box and in the owner’s manual. Another option is to run it for a while and then turn it off before using the room.

Benefits of a Filterless Air Purifier

There are no filters to change with this type of purification system. Replacement filters can be expensive and not having one saves money in the long run.

They use a collection grid to collect impurities, rather than a filter. The impurities stick to the grid and are wiped off with a damp cloth. Once the grid is clean and dry, place it back in the machine and turn it on.

The filtration process leaves a fresh smsell in the air that many people find vitalizing. You won’t need to use air fresheners with these systems.

They are nearly silent when running. This is great for night time use. Some air purification systems can be very noisy and may need to be turned off at night.

Drawbacks of Filterless Air Purifiers

The safety of these filtration systems was called into question a few years ago when Consumer Reports gave the Ionic Breeze a bad review and called it hazardous. The reason is the ozone that is a by product of the purification process. Ozone is a pollutant and can be irritating to people with asthma or other respiratory disorders. Sharper Image responded by adding a component called “Ozone Guard” which is said to convert most of the ozone into oxygen. On a later review, Consumer Reports still gave the machine low marks, but said the ozone output is now in acceptable levels.

These systems are more expensive than other air purifiers. However, when you add in the cost of replacement filters, this price difference diminishes over time.

The collection grid must be cleaned frequently. If it isn’t clean, it won’t work. The frequency depends on the number of impurities in the air. Homes with pets, smokers, a lot of dust, etc, will need more frequent cleaning.

Sump Pump Installation

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What a Sump Pump does:
A sump pump is used to dewater basements and crawl spaces. There are six different types of sump pumps, each with advantages and disadvantages. Determine what you require from a sump pump and then decide on a specific type.


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What a Sump Pump does:

A sump pump is used to dewater basements and crawl spaces. There are six different types of sump pumps, each with advantages and disadvantages. Determine what you require from a sump pump and then decide on a specific type.

Sump Pump Installation Directions:

Before performing a sump pump installation, ALWAYS disconnect the pump from the power source before handling.

Clear any debris from pit and place the pump inside. A solid bottom is required to prevent dirt from clogging the pump.

Make sure the pump is centered so that it will not come into contact with the sides of the pit which might cause operational problems.

Pipe the sump pump discharge into the house drainage system, a dry well or a storm drain.

Install a swing type check valve on the discharge piping to prevent backflow of water into the sump pump.

Drill a relief hole in the discharge pipe to ensure that the pump will not “air lock”, which would allow the pump to run but not pump water.

Secure the pump cord to the discharge pipe.

Connect the pump to an electrical outlet. Run water into the sump to test it.

Do not attempt to operate the pump without water.

Fill sump pump with water to the normal turn on level

After the sump pump installation is completed, you may wish to install a sump pump cover. This will help eliminate odors and keep debris from falling on top of the pump.

Sump Pump Installation – Should you do it yourself?
To avoid problems and dangerous situations related to sump pump installation, it is highly recommended that only technically qualified personnel install and/or repair sump pumps.

MV Materials for Kitchen Backsplash Designs

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Your kitchen backsplash can accent your kitchen and it can be both functional as well as beautiful. Whether you are changing the look of the backsplash or adding one this can be a quick and easy way to brighten up an existing kitchen.


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Your kitchen backsplash can accent your kitchen and it can be both functional as well as beautiful since it can be crafted from such easy to clean materials as ceramic and stainless steel which are two of the most popular types of kitchen backsplashes.. Whether you are changing the look of the backsplash or adding one this can be a quick and easy way to brighten up an existing kitchen

When selecting a backsplash, it is important to have it match the fixtures in your kitchen, but not the appliances, since they will change over time. The fixtures however are more permanent items in the kitchen.

The most popular materials for kitchen backsplashes are ceramic or porcelain tiles, natural stone tiles, glass or metal tiles, and faux painting or wall paper.

Kitchen Backsplash Materials to Consider

When you are creating a kitchen backsplash consider these materials:

Ceramic or porcelain tiles
Natural stone tiles
Glass tiles
Metal tiles
Faux painting or durable wall paper
Stainless Steel

Tile Backsplashes

The nice thing about using tile as a backspash is that it comes is a huge variety of sizes, colors, textures and shapes. It is even possible to have custom painted tiles to match any theme of design. In addition a tile backsplash can be easy to install, as well as easy to clean. Many design experts say that you should consider keeping it simple by choosing the same tile for your kitchen backsplash as you’ve chosen for the floor – just in a smaller size.

Natural Stone Tiles

The most popular natural stone tiles are marble and granite. Of the natural stones marble captures more detail than granite and since it is a softer stone it is good for applications like kitchen backsplashes.

Metal Tiles

This material can work very well for use in country kitchen style backsplashes. The tiles can be installed as the entire surface from counter to the bottom of the cabinets. Brushed aluminum tiles are good for modern or 1950’s retro design kitchens. Metal tiles should match the color of the faucets and lighting.

Glass Tiles

A new design trend in kitchen backspashes is glass. Textured glass tiles are usually installed between the cabinets and counters. Glass is easy to clean and scratch resistant.

Wallpapering Kitchen Backsplashes

Wallpapering kitchen backslashes can dress up a kitchen with very little work especially with pre-pasted wallpaper this will be a lot easier to apply. You will find that with a small area for the backsplash the job shouldn’t take very much time to complete. Just make sure that you choose wallpaper that is washable so that spattering from cooking and splashes can be removed
Stainless steel backsplashes are coming back in style because they can create a modern streamlined look to your kitchen. These types of kitchen backsplashes are able to blend in well with stainless steel kitchen appliances like the stove, refrigerator and dishwasher. Other advantages to stainless steel kitchen backsplashes include being easy to clean and durability.

Mistakes You’ll Want to Avoid When Laying Tile in Your Bathroom

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One thing that many people decide to do when they are remodeling a bathroom is to lay some new tile for a whole new look. There are many people who decide to have someone else do the job for them,


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but there are some people who decide to actually install the tile on their own. If you happen to decide to put down the new tile for your bathroom remodeling project, then you’ll have a bit job to do. When you get started, there are a few mistakes that you should definitely avoid, including the following ones.

Preparing the Easy Way
One thing that you need to avoid is doing the preparation the easy way. When you go the easy route, it can make the whole job harder. Before you lay the tile, it is imperative that you make sure that the surface is both clean and smooth. You can use a sander to help get the surface smooth enough to work with. If you don’t do this, it is going to be more difficult to install your tile.

Not Getting Enough of the Tile
Not getting enough of the tile you have chosen is another mistake you really need to avoid. You see, you never know when you may need a bit more tile. Your measurements could have been off, you may make a mistake or even crack a tile, then you’ll need a new one. So, it’s a good rule of thumb to get about 15% more than you plan on needed, just in case there is a problem. Then, if you do have a bit left over, you can keep it in case there is a tile that gets cracked or damaged at a later date.

Not Using a Waterproof Adhesive
Not using waterproof adhesive is another big mistake to avoid. Since you are laying tile in the bathroom, where there is a lot of water and moisture, you need to make sure that you use an adhesive that is waterproof. If you don’t use a waterproof adhesive, it can later crumble or rot away and cause problems with your tile. So, make sure that you go with the right adhesive for the tile in the bathroom.

Uneven Spacing of the Tiles
You’ll also want to avoid the mistake of getting uneven spacing between the tiles you are installing. If the spacing is off, in the future your tiles may come loose. So, it is best to measure the gaps that are between the tiles, so you know that they are spaced correctly and you don’t have problems in the future that could have been prevented.

Grouting Before the Tile is Ready
Grouting the tile before it is read is another problem to avoid. Many people try to grout right away, but you should really wait a whole 24 hours before you decide to do the grout work. This way you’ll be sure that the adhesive on the tile has really set and they won’t move around while you are adding the grout to the tiling.

Curing Squeaking Floor Boards

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Do you suffer from squeaking floorboards? – this article helps users understand the best solutions to cure this annoying noise!


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I’ll start by explaining how squeaking floorboards starts.

Quite often, over a period of time, the flexing of the floor or expansion and contraction of the timber may loosen floorboard nails.

It is the resulting movement of the wood against the nails or against the neighbouring boards that produces the typical irritating squeak.

The simplest cure is to drive the floorboard nails in deeper with a nail punch, which allows the tapered edges of the nails to grip the wood more securely.

We have found that sometimes, however, this may not be a lasting solution.

If the problem persists, use either a larger or ring-shank nails. The latter are designed to give a better grip however they need to have clearance holes drilled through the boards. Use a normal electric or hand-drill to do this. The clearance holes must be slightly larger than the diameter of the nail to ensure that they grip the bottom of the board securely.

After you have put the nails in make sure that you fill any redundant holes with a matching wood filler – the closer the colour match the better. You can almost completely disguise the nail heads this way.

If the boards can’t be renailed satisfactorily (for example, because of twisting or bowing), use countersunk stainless-steel woodscrews.

Remember that you need to bury the heads of the screws deep enough to cover them with filler or with matching wooden plugs. I also recommend that you dampen the wood thoroughly before fixing – this makes the wood ‘give’ and allows the screw heads to essentially be countersunk as the boards are screwed down.