Remodeling Porches

Fixing up a porch is a great idea that will extend the use of your home considerably. Using just some paint, stain and basic carpentry skills, you can make your porch a pleasure to spend time on.

An example shown on DoItYourself.com shows a couple from Georgia who wanted enjoy their extended warm seasons of spring, summer and fall, but avoid the problems of mosquitoes and decided to take their slab concrete patio and make it into a screened in area they could enjoy almost all year long.

The patio was just concrete square under a roof overhang. They wanted the porch to blend in with the home, as well as protect the family from the heat, humidity and insects of the Georgia summers. The concrete slab declined slightly to allow for runoff, so there had to be some adjustments made to accommodate this feature.

Here is their step by step solution:

Step One. Cut pre-primed 4X8 sheets of beadboard ceiling paneling.

Step Two. Install the celing paneling and the ceiling fan. They used a nail gun to make the installation of the ceiling panels faster and easier than trying to swing a hammer upward. Before all of the panelling was installed, the ceiling was wired for the fan and light. This will allow the porch to remain cool and the light will allow the room to be used at night. This was a two person job, with one person holding the fan and the other connecting the wires and screwing the fan in place. The finish trim hid the seams in the paneling.

Step Three. Frame out the porch. Using 2X4 boards, they spaced them to allow for standard width screen to be installed. The crosspieces were nailed directly through the vertical braces.

Step Four. Install the interior panelling. Pine and plywood bead board paneling was secured by staple gun. These had to be trimmed along the bottom to accommodate the uneven floor.

Step Five. Install and level the exterior paneling. The harbor ad exterior panels wear put into place, from the bottom up. The first one had to be custom cut to allow for the uneven ground line and then the rest followed. These panels were painted to match the existing exterior of the house, so there was a lot of trial and error to match the aged yellow paint exactly. But weather resistant exterior paint was used so that it can be easily kept clean by rinsing Wit soap and water.

Step Six. Do the screening. Vinyl grids had to be screwed directly into the wooden frames. Then the screens were attached to the channels in the grids, so the fiberglass or aluminum screens could be slid in without using staples. When the screens were rolled into the grids with a spline, the extra screening material was cut off. With a mallet, the caps over the vinyl channels were banged into place.

Being really passionate about tree trimming and saw sharpening, Ray Walberg wrote plenty of detailed articles in this specific field. Sharing his passion in detailed publications, the author improved his experience on topics like chain saws and saw sharpening.

Corner Stair Entry

Simple Bathtub Remodeling Tips - How To Give Your Bathtub A New Look For Less

A bathtub is a major structure in your bathroom that can be very expensive to replace. But there are some simple things you can do to update your bathtub without breaking your wallet.

Consider replacing bathtub accessories. Would your bathtub look better by changing the shower curtain to a more modern and updated design? And what about changing the shower rod as well? What about adding a new bath rug to soften the appearance of the bathtub? Purchasing new accessories for your bathtub area can go a long way in giving you a remodeled bathtub look. This is by far the cheapest way to spruce up the area.

Consider replacing bathtub fixtures. Is your shower head, faucet, knobs, or handle worn and dated? Consider replacing only these fixtures if your bathtub is still in good condition. Often, adding new shiny fixtures will give your bathtub a new appearance since these are the areas of the bathtub that your eye is drawn to first.

Consider having a bathtub liner installed. If your bathtub has a lot of wear and tear on the actual tub, this is a cheaper solution than removing the old bathtub and putting in a new one. A bathtub liner is simply installed over an existing tub for a clean, new look at less than half the price it would cost to purchase a new tub.

Consider changing the look of the walls around the bathtub. Fresh, new paint or adding tile to the walls around the bathtub can give the bathtub area a new look.

Create the perfect indoor living area with simple bathroom remodeling. Learn more about bathroom remodeling and bath tub types including sauna steam showers, walk in bath tubs, claw foot tubs, and more. Click on the link to get all the facts and info today at http://www.bathtub-depot.com.

Do It Yourself Home Help

Shelving Creates Space In Your Bathroom

One of the biggest problems most people face in their bathrooms is clutter. Shelving is one way to get organized and create some space.

Bathrooms are very hard to keep organized especially when they are shared by a family. When each family member has their own favorite shampoo or particular brand of body wash, storage becomes a nightmare of clutter. Even in cases where the bathroom has ample storage space, and this is extremely rare, there is the additional problem of accessibility. When you suddenly realize that you need that bottle of conditioner in the middle of your shower, the fact that it is safely tucked away under the sink is little comfort. Bathroom tier shelves off a good solution.

The tier shelf is simply a series of shelving units on different levels much like a book shelf. The shelves can be one above the other or they can be offset. The two different types of bathroom tier shelves are the free standing and the wall mounted. A free standing tier shelf unit is designed to sit against the wall of the bathroom and provide an open storage area for bathroom personal items and towels and washcloths. If the tier shelf unit can be placed within arms reach of the shower or tub, the accessibility problem is solved.

In many cases, the free standing tier shelf unit can not be easily placed within reach of the tub and this is where the wall mounted units can be used. The wall mounted tier shelf can be hung right inside the shower enclosure. Different units are two tier, three tier, and even four tier design. The most popular is the three tier design which is usually sufficient to handle the various bottles and tubes needed in the shower.

Of course, the important thing about a bathroom wall mounted tier unit is that the materials be stainless steel or other non-rusting material as they will be exposed to water in the shower. Many people are concerned with the idea of mounting the units in existing showers. This is especially true in tiled or enameled shower enclosures. This should not be a worry as the hardware and mounting instructions for the units take into consideration all of the common mounting conditions.

The bathroom tier shelf unit can be a decorative accessory as well as a functional one. Although many plain and inexpensive types are available including models designed to hang over the shower head, they can also be purchased in more elaborate models designed to complement just about any decor theme.

Aazdak Alisimo writes about bathroom design ideas for http://www.BathroomDesignSupply.com

Techniques For Framing Partition
Building Codes And Remodeling

Home Improvement Contractor Is He Qualified

I am a general contractor in the state of Michigan. In other words I fix, build, or remodel anything pertaining to residential homes. The purpose of this article is to inform home owners about a growing problem in the construction/remodeling industry. That problem is the increasing numbers of unqualified individuals that are entering the field.

Due to the struggling economy and recent lay offs, many conversations around the kitchen table go something like this: What are we going to do now Jane? Well John, you helped my brother roof his house that one time and you fixed the door on our shed and you like working around the house...why dont you put an ad in the paper as a roofer or a carpenter? Hey Jane, thats a great idea. I can get business by offering a really low price. Yea, that's what Ill do!

Now I feel for a guy that is out of work. I really do. But when an unqualified individual decides "hey I'll be a contractor", all to often this results in nothing but trouble for the customer. What happens if John falls off the roof or drops his hammer on the hood of your brand new car? Is he insured?

What about warranties? If he says I will guarantee this roof wont leak for 5 years, and then it does, will he still be in business? Statistics say no. As a matter of fact, most of the people entering into business today will not be in business 1 year from now, much less 5 years from now.

Of course there is the most important question: does he know what hes doing? Does the fact that John helped his brother roof a house make him a qualified roofer?

There are insurance considerations as well. For example, lets say a home owner hires an individual that is not licensed to install a new furnace in his home. If the furnace starts a fire and burns the house down, some insurance companies will deny the claim. The reason is since there is no record of a permit(which there would not be as an unlicensed individual can not obtain a permit) they assume that the furnace could have been installed incorrectly. Now a home owner is left with a huge loss and all because they wanted to save a few bucks on the installation.

Do yourself a favor and stick with a pro. If you conduct a proper contractor interview, then you know that you are going to get a quality job by a licensed and insured individual who offers a warranty..and honors it. If you are not sure how to conduct a proper contractor interview, you can find information on this and other subjects at my web site.

My name is R. Paul Phillips. I am a co owner of Tanner-Phillips Properties, which is a new construction/remodeling business in Lansing, Mi. I have a free home improvement information website located at http://www.greater-lansing-home-improvement.com While my site is tailored for the Lansing area, the majority of the information is useful to anyone interested in home improvement tips, product reviews, how to screen contractors......etc. I also have a contact page so you can ask questions specific to your project.

Frontyard Stairs

What A Remodeling Job Will Actually Cost You

Unless you moved into a custom designed a13BBnd built home, like you, most California homeowners have thought about putting an addition on their home, or having their kitchen or bathroom remodeled. Having a dream kitchen or bathroom, is a natural thought that, believe it or not, isnt just for the rich and famous. Most anyone can make their remodeling dream a reality, with the right planning that is.

There are many factors to take into account when planning for your new home renovation or addition. If thought through thoroughly, and planned for correctly you can keep your home improvement project on your desired budget and running smoothly. The last thing any homeowner wants is to have to spend thousands of extra dollars to complete a project they had a limited budget for.

Here is a list of things to keep in mind when creating your budget:

• Design Costs Before you even think about what materials or hardware you are going to need, your new bathroom/kitchen/addition needs to have blueprints drawn. Some contractors do this for free and some charge extra for this initial step. Make sure you pick a contractor that is reputable, and knows what they are doing. Stay clear of contractors that tell you they dont need blueprints, or who dont go through the design process with you step-by-step.

• Materials This will be the most substantial part of your budget. Your choice in materials can change the cost of your remodel by thousands of dollars. Keep different options in mind when deciding between all your various materials. There can be big differences between hard wood, laminate, tile, stone, oak, granite, pine, etc. Try to find a good balance between style and affordability.

• Size Will walls need to be taken down or built for your new room? Will you keep existing cabinet framing and reface the rest, or do you plan on completely new custom cabinetry? Plan on whether or not you will be demolishing the old room completely or using existing framing, piping and electrical.

• Hardware This refers to the finishing touches in your new room, and can really add a significant cost to your project. Take your time to look for the right faucets, shower heads, sinks, appliances (stove, microwave, oven, refrigerator), door handles, mirrors, etc. Again, you want to keep the style you are looking for, but also look for inexpensive alternatives and discounted products to save you money in the end.

• Timing Most, if not all, remodeling jobs are going to take a while. Be sure to schedule your project during a time when you will be able to occasionally leave work to go over progress, and be ready to answer any questions that might come up. No matter how well you plan in the beginning you will need and want to be involved at some point during the actual build.

These are the major aspects of a home remodeling, renovating or addition project, which all play a major part in the budget of your job. Try to account for every possible aspect of the project, keeping a list of various costs to ensure you know what to expect as a final price. There are a select few good online services, which will match you with contractors in your area. Two of which who use a very strict pre-screening service are All Around the Home and CalFinder. Both make it easy for their visitors to receive free estimates from the best contractors in their area.

These contractors will help you to plan your budget, and give you realistic costs for your next project. Be sure to compare contractors, prices and services to make sure you find the one just right for you. By making a realistic and accurate budget, almost anyone can afford to do their dream remodel or renovation!

Find all types of California home improvement services at national directory All Around the Home including general contracting, kitchen remodeling. Visit CalFinder, a contractor matching service, serving the San Francisco Bay Area in areas like general remodeling.

4 X 10 Patio Cover Beam Overhang

Metal Gazebo Roof - A Roof For Your Gazebo

When you choose to buy a custom gazebo kit, you are offered many options to complete the gazebo you have long been dreaming of. Do you want screens? Do you want windows? And more importantly, what kind of roof do you want for your gazebo?

You may want a double roof gazebo. A double roof will offer extra ventilation for your gazebo. It is really more of an aesthetic addition. From inside of the gazebo, it gives it more of a cathedral ceiling type of a look. When viewing the gazebo from the outside, the double roof offers a break in the roofline.

You may opt for what is called a regular, square, hip roof. It is called this because all four sides are pitched inward and all sides are equal. The peak of the roof is located exactly in the center of the building and this results in all four roof sides as having an equal slope.

You may want to construct a metal gazebo roof. The advantage of a metal roof is durability and they are lightweight. You can make metal to imitate the appearance of just about any other type of roofing. A metal roof gazebo will have a life expectancy of over thirty years. The downside is the cost. Metal roof gazebo will cost from $100-$600 per 100 square feet and the installation will cost more than a shingle roof as well.

A metal gazebo roof may be made of painted aluminum or steel. These are two of the most popular choices. Aluminum and steel are strong and they can be formed to look like a tile or slate roof. These can be very expensive.

The speed of installation is another factor to consider when you are thinking of a metal roof gazebo. You can often find a metal roof gazebo kit that will have everything you need in order to set up and enjoy your new gazebo in the shortest amount of time.

A metal roof gazebo will give you years of worry free use. You wont find holes, cracks or loose shingles when you choose a metal roof gazebo. The ease of maintenance and years of wear and tear can definitely tip the balance in favor of the more expensive metal roof gazebo, as it will be much easier to care for and last much longer.

Want to learn more about Metal Gazebo Roof?

Feel free to visit us at: http://www.gazebos-land.info/Articles/Metal_Gazebo.php

Sanding Hardwood Floors

There are certain hardwoods that are vulnerable to weather and climate changes. Some woods contract or shorten when it is hot. Others expand when there is moisture. When this happens, the floor becomes uneven. If left unchecked, it could ruin the look of the room and even become hazardous enough to cause accidents.

You1C26 do not have to take out the planks and replace them. The more practical solution is to sand them. Sanding your floor is a project that needs your dedication and time, whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor for it.

Sanding It All Away

For the initial sanding, you will need to use the coarsest sandpaper- the 20 grit. There is a sanding machine that you can use to make the whole ordeal easier and faster.

For efficiency, you will need to sand the floor at a 45 degree angle to the grain. It may take several rounds before the surface evens. It really depends on the precision of the tongue-and-grove milling of the hardwood.

Another technique is pushing and pulling the sander as it moves. The pressure is strong as it moves forward. You will need to lift the sander at an angle and apply pressure as it moves back. Continue this method until the diagonal scratches are not visible anymore. You must be careful that the traces of the sandpaper are eliminated. The slightest pattern will show after you apply a coating.

The process may take a long time. Be prepared to change the sandpaper form time to time. Stock up on 20, 36, 60, 80, and 100 grit sandpaper. For wood that is coated with aluminum oxide, use a commercially available softening solution before sanding. It may be hard to sand if you do not do this. Sandpaper also contains aluminum oxide so scratching the two surfaces against each other will take more force.

Hardwood Floors provides detailed information on Hardwood Floors, Engineered Hardwood Floors, Solid Hardwood Floors, Long-strip Hardwood Floors and more. Hardwood Floors is affiliated with Install Hardwood Flooring.

Framing Arches
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