So You Think You Are Ready To Build That Dream Workshop?

If you are like me, at some point you ran out of room in the garage and started dreaming about your own workshop. Well, you are about to take an exciting ride. This is your dream, so make it count for all its worth.

Designing your dream shop can be exhilarating and frustrating all at the same time. I am sure you have this mental picture of what you want. The trick is to get it on paper. Take your time. Make 1/4 scale paper cutouts of all your current and proposed stationary tools. Using a 1/4 scale shop layout start arranging the tools in different patterns. When doing this, be sure to consider the area around each tool. You do not want to set a table saw in a position and then find out you cannot get a 4x8 sheet of plywood in position.

This process is probably going to tell you that your original estimate of the finished shop size just isn't big enough. I did not go through this step because I thought I was building a shop that I would never outgrow. Boy, was I surprised. With my addiction to buying new tools, I had a full shop in about 6 months. My shop kind of evolved instead of being designed properly.This is your final warning on size. Think carefully.

I believe that when it came to the actual construction I did it right. Two things were in my favor. I wasn't afraid to tackle the project, and I had a friend who was willing to help. Taking on a project like this is not that difficult once you realize that it's just basic construction. How difficult is it to build a box?

Before you buy the first piece of lumber, speak to your city's permit department. Rules and regulations differ. Luckily, in my city you are permitted to do all the work on your own property. A lot of people have had their dreams shutdown or postponed because they did not get the permit. Some cities may require architectural drawings while others will accept a sketch. I went the way of the sketch. If you are able to do your own work, costs will be greatly reduced, meaning more money for tools.. Next, contact the utility companies. The can find any underground utilities that may cause you a problem.

Now that you have the permit, and there are no utilities to worry about, let's start creating some cost estimates. I broke the building down to its parts. I went to our local big box store and created a cost sheet, the best I could. I next took this cost sheet to our locally owned hardware store. I told them what I wanted and showed them the estimate. The hardware store either outbid or met the cost from the big box store. I decided to use the local hardware store. I went with them just to keep the money in town, but other benefits arose during the process. When I was short on materials, the local hardware store delivered while I was at work and I would stop by on my way home and pay them. No big box store is going to do this.

Cement

Originally, I was going to pour my own slab. But, after estimating my cost, I determined that it would almost be as cheap to hire someone. Through my local hardware store I located a gentleman that gave me an excellent bid. Do not skimp on concrete, beams, or re-bar. Most of the money spent here will go into the ground, but this will be the foundation for everything else. After building the forms, digging for the beams, and laying the re-bar, the city inspector will probably want to put his stamp of approval on the project before the concrete is poured.

Basic wall construction

If you can use a framing square and a 4 foot level you can build this workshop. Once again you may want to talk to your city inspector concerning requirements for outside wall construction. In our area we use 16" centers on studs. How tall do you want the walls to be? I would suggest 10 foot. With 10 foot walls you will have plenty room to move plywood and long pieces of lumber with ease.

Attic and Roof Construction

There are several factors to consider when making a decision about attic and roof construction. Do you want storage upstairs? Are you going to have heat and A/C. Do you need to consider aesthetics or architecture? While looking for a truss type to use, I discovered one called an attic truss. This allows storage. One consideration, if thinking about an attic truss is the pitch of the roof. On the average sized home workshop a good attic truss will require at least a 6-12 pitch. This means that if your building is 24ft wide, the peak of the roof will be 6ft above the ceiling. Trusses are normally installed on 24inch centers. After the trusses are installed, the sheathing needs to be applied. This can be regular plywood or plywood with an application of some type of heat resistant material. If you are going to heat and air condition your shop, put some real thought into using the plywood with the heat resistant material.

Shingles Installation

Don't skimp when buying shingles and tar paper. These materials are what keep your shop dry. Please follow the manufacturer's recommendation when installing the shingles. If you are lucky like I was, I put up the walls, roof, and shingles during a 3 month period with no rain to deal with. The only problem we had was the heat. Applying shingles in the summer time is not fun. Do this chore early in the day or late evening.

Siding

There are too many different types of siding to consider that I cannot make any real suggestions on this one. I can tell you, we used a product called Hardiplank. This is a cement/fiber product that will virtually last forever or at least several lifetimes.

Electricity

This is one area where I am not going to make any suggestion that you perform this part of the project. You are going to have to decide if you have sufficient knowledge. Electricity is dangerous and it will KILL you if you make a mistake.

Windows and doors

Deciding on door locations needs to be done before the cement is poured. Let the contractor know where and what type doors are to be used. This will allow him to pour the cement so that there will be a depression in the cement at the door locations. This is required in order keep out the weather. I built my main entry door. It is a double door setup that is 6ft wide and 8ft high. I have no problem moving things in and out. I also installed a 12ftx8ft aluminum garage door on the opposite end. I should have used a normal one car width door. Too much space was wasted. Do you want natural light? If so, plan for a lot of windows on the north and south sides. Of course, the more windows used, the less wall space will be available for storage. I do not like having to look through drawers to find things. All my available wall space is peg board. I can see everything.

Interior

Setup of the interior is probably the most enjoyable part of this whole project. This is where you put your personal stamp on things. Make yourself comfortable because you are going to spend a lot time in your shop. Mine is equipped with central air and heat, running hot and cold water, cable television and internet access.

Now go and enjoy. If you have questions or comments, I am just an e-mail away. You can contact me through my website.

Skip Evans
Our goal is to reach the new woodworker that needs that extra push to realize that, Yes it can be done.
http://www.my-wooden-creations.com

Tile

Plastic Pipe for Construction

Today across North America, the use of plastic pipe for a wide variety of applications is becoming increasingly common. This paper wishes to summarize some of the basic facts about plastic pipe to give a better understanding of where, how and why it should be considered for usage. Several aspects concerning construction issues of today will be addressed.

Types of Plastic

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) -- PVC, also commonly referred to as Vinyl, is perhaps the most well-known and widely used of all plastics for pipe and fittings in construction today. It offers users one of the best balances of tensile strength versus economics being used for several pressure and non-pressure applications in both above-ground and under-ground applications.

PVC resin is derived from 2 natural resources of the earth, namely natural gas and salt. The natural gas derivative ethylene is combined with the chlorine component of salt to form the resin building block. The chlorine component is actually a by-product of a process whereby the sodium is being extracted from natural salt for use in caustic soda for soaps, detergents and other applications.

PVC is perhaps one of the oldest plastics being used for pressure pipe as far back as Post-WW1 Germany. Being one of the more rigid plastics, PVC is popular for usage as electrical conduit, process piping, commercial drains, irrigation piping and underground municipal piping such as water mains and sewers. It is commonly joined by means of solvent welding or gasketed bell and spigot.

Other uses of PVC in our daily lives include flooring, patio furniture, siding, medical tubing and small items such as credit cards.

Chlorinated Polyvinyl-Chloride (CPVC) -- CPVC is a second member of the vinyl family and is essentially a modified version of PVC. CPVC contains some extra chlorine in its molecule for enhanced resistance to chemicals and higher temperatures. Thus, the pipe is used for hot water supply, higher temperature applications in industrial facilities or for fire sprinkler piping in residential or light commercial applications.

Its properties are very similar to that of PVC by having rigidity and high tensile strength however, it is typically 3-4 times more expensive than PVC. Many times, CPVC will remain competitive with metals or other specialty plastics for specialized chemical applications. It is normally joined using either solvent welding or by use of flanged joints.

Polyethylene (PE) -- This is perhaps the most common plastic for everyday usage and certainly growing in popularity for many piping applications. PE is derived from 100% ethylene and its lack of chlorine is what gives it higher flexibility than the vinyls but at the expense of a reduced tensile strength. Thus, its popularity for piping has been mainly on applications where flexibility is desired such as marine intakes or outfalls, tubing for rural water wells, underground irrigation, road culverts and landscaping or farm drainage.

It is resistant to most solvents and thus cannot be joined using solvent welding. Thus, it is mainly joined by mechanical couplings or through heat fusion.

PE pipe is typically supplied in coils or straight lengths.

Cross-Linked Polyethlyene (PEX) -- PEX is a modified form of PE that has its molecular bond strengthened to enhance physical properties such as heat, chemical and crack resistance. It is mainly joined by mechanical fitting connections and is used primarily today as small diameter (3/8 to 1 inch) tubing for potable water or hydronic (hot water) heating. PEX is also available with an external oxygen barrier layer for hydronic heating or as an integral part of composite tubing with an aluminum layer centered in the pipe wall for added rigidity and strength.

Polypropylene (PP) -- PP is again a common item for everyday plastics but a bit more specialized for piping. It is very similar to PE but offers better chemical and temperature resistance. As a result, its most common piping application is for corrosive waste drainage for laboratories. It may be joined by either mechanical joints or heat fusion. The heat fusion is preferred for acid waste to ensure 100% reliability of pipe joints. The second most popular application for PP today is high purity water such as deionized water for medical usage or ultra-sanitary manufacturing.

Acrylonitrile Butadienne Styrene (ABS) -- ABS is a softer plastic than PVC yet more rigid than PE or PP. It is dominant in usage for residential drain waste and vent piping offering both economics and ease of installation.

ABS is notorious for having better than average impact resistance in colder temperatures and thus is commonly used for car bumpers and other similar applications.

Only recently has an ABS pipe been available for pressure pipe applications acting as an alternative to PVC or CPVC by offering improved impact and abrasive strength yet reduced tensile strength and chemical resistance. Applications here include mining slurry transport, refrigerants and chilled water piping.

Benefits and Limits

Plastic pipe offers many benefits to users which have helped lead to its steady growth in North America over the last 50 years. These include having light weight, ease of assembly, excellent hydraulics, chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, low labor costs and rigid industry standards.

However, as with all piping materials, there are some factors which will limit the use of plastic pipe and of which designers should always be aware such as pressure capacity (typically OK to 250 psi), temperature limits (over 200F often a concern), and building code issues47A (caution for plenums, vertical shafts, and hi-rise).

In summary, plastic pipe has become a dominant player in mechanical piping across North America. A proper understanding of the different plastics as well as their advantages and limits will help to ensure trouble-free installations.

Gordon Lefort is a Professional Engineer (Mechanical) employed with IPEX Inc., Canada's largest plastic pipe manufacturer and has over 20 years experience with the design and installation of mechanical plastic pipelines.

Swimingpooldollars

A New Look To Your Bathroom

For giving a new look to your bathroom you have to add some modern accessories and furniture. Modern accessories and furniture is available in various sizes, shapes and colors. Modern accessories not only enhance the beauty of your bathroom but also increases it's functionality. A bathroom is considered as an important place as it reflects the life style of a family. Modern bathroom is changing into a comfort zone. You can have a spa like treatment at home if you install a luxury shower in your bathroom. One of the most important things which enhance the look of your bathroom is lightning. Your bathroom needs both artificial and natural light. Lightning enhances the look and makes the room look more elegant. Several types of lights which can be used in a bathroom are down lights, shower lights, spot lights, wall lights, mirror lights and shaving lights.

To finish the look of your bathroom you can install designer mirrors. Mirrors reflect the light and make your bathroom look more spacious. Nowadays people are installing designer furniture to change the look of their bathroom. You can buy some cabinets for storage of towels and other important things. Basic accessories of a bathroom are showers, wash basin, bathroom tubs and shelves.It 502is a good idea to set a budget before planning your bathroom. The bathroom is no longer just a space for cleaning yourself as it is changing into a relaxing spot.A skilled interior designer can help you a lot in giving an elegant look to your bathroom.

Jitesh Arora.
If you want to know more about Bathrooms then feel free to visit Bella Bathrooms.

Upper Handrail Problem

Workers Compensation for Todays California Contractor

Workers Compensation insurance is not an option for business owners - large or small - in the state of California. Even home-based businesses with a single employee must hold Workers Compensation insurance. This insurance covers employees who are injured on the job while on company property as well as off company property as long as the injury occurred while in the line of duty including automobile accidents. It also covers any illnesses that are work-related.

The insurance is used to pay the medical costs of the employee that are accrued from this injury or illness, as well as compensation for loss of pay due to the illness or injury. The medical costs can include the initial medical services as well as any recovery or rehabilitation costs that may be necessary. These policies should not be mistaken for medical coverage since they must be purchased as a separate policy from the medical insurance offered by the employer. The distinction is that Worker's Compensation insurance only covers employees while they are on the job.

Until recently, it was a relatively common practice for small businesses to operate without Workers Compensation insurance since law enforcement was ill equipped to detect those businesses breaking this law. However, California has recently put into action a bill that will not only serve as a watchdog for California businesses and their Workers Compensation insurance, but it also penalizes any business without coverage. Though businesses will be given a grace period during which they may purchase Workers Compensation coverage without penalization, any business that does not comply within the ten-day time frame will be fined $1,000 per employee.

According to the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation the cost of cases dealing with non-compliant businesses to the Workers Compensation laws is well over $20 million per year, and the cases are so numerous that only 1 in 10 cases are actually cleared through the clogged system.

Of course the cost to you, the business owner, is far higher than the state when it comes to dealing with the woes of not carrying Workers Compensation insurance. State investigators can actually legally completely shut down a business in response to a complaint filed against them concerning Workers Compensation. Not only this, but an uninsured employer can be directly sued by an injured employee, and all legal costs of the lawsuit must come out of the employer's pocket whereas an insured employer would have these legal costs covered in their policy.

Penalties for not carrying Workers Compensation vary depending on the case and the size of the business. However, these penalties are always quite steep and never worth any money the company saves by not carrying insurance. Not only is it not worth the risk to skip being insured, new laws are being put into action to make sure all businesses comply with the Workers Compensation laws. To make sure you're not one of the unfortunate companies that must weather the storm of penalties due to non-compliance with these laws, you'll want to make sure you obtain some kind of Workers Compensation policy for your business. Not all insurance agents are informed of the newest regulations, so be sure to check with the California Department of Insurance for a list of registered insurance firms before settling on a policy.

Phil Cocciante is the only former California Contractors State License Board application technician in the licensing industry within California. He worked in the building trades for 6 years prior to working at the CSLB for 5 years. His current company, Affordable Contractors Information Services, Inc. just released its newest website, http://www.Contractor-University.com, which now offers their most popular study materials in a downloadable, easy access format. You can contact Phil at phil@contractorlicenseservice.com

Magnetsfortreatingwater

Efficient Insulation Options For Your Home

The question of insulating homes is a big one and brings a cost implication as well as a long term impact to individuals who are thinking of construction or planning extensions to their current dwelling. Using efficient and cost effective insulation solutions for buildings and custom homes becomes significant especially in places where climate conditions are such that insulation is not an option but an expense that one just has to bear. Getting this done can come at a heavy cost if one is not aware of the existing insulation options available in the market.

Her5B4e are two superior options for homeowners to look at while considering insulation for buildings and custom homes.

Insulated Concrete Forms or ICFs

Insulated Concrete Forms or ICFs as they are known are blocks of foam made up of Extruded Polystyrene (EPS or XPS). These are hollow blocks that are stacked to shape the walls of buildings. ICFs are reinforced with steel bars and filled up with industrial grade, reliable concrete. ICFs combine the insulating material XPS with one of the strongest building materials available, steel reinforced concrete.

Benefits of ICFs

The use of ICFs results in a wall system that provides several benefits as far as insulation goes. Some of the benefits include:

• Superior energy efficiency
• Almost unmatched strength
• Reduction of noise
• Reduced heating and cooling bills
• Safety to the occupants of a home as this wall system can be fire resistant for up to three hours and has a constant wind resistance of 200 miles per hour. This will offer some comfort for home owners in hurricane prone areas.

ICFs are ideal wall insulation solutions for architects and home owners in today's world.

Structural Insulating Panels or SIPs

Structural Insulating Panels (SIPs) are another type of highly efficient insulation for buildings. SIPs are multi-functional and can be used effecti5B4vely for sheathing, framing and insulation purposes. SIPs are made up of two layers of Orient Strand Board (OSB) consisting of flakes or wafers of chipped wood, also known as wafer board or particle board. The rigid insulating center of the SIP functions as a strong web, while the Orient Strand Board exterior shows similar characteristics as flanges. SIPs aim to do away with many conventional components involved in building like studs, insulation, joists and air and vapor barriers. Hence they have different applications such as making up the exterior layer of walls, roofs, and floorboards.

Benefits of SIPs

SIPs are a cost effective solution and tend to more than pay for themselves over the years.

• Home owners will feel the real cost savings derived through efficient heating and cooling of homes over the long term. SIPs are about 40% more efficient than conventional flooring, roofing and wall paneling.
• The wood used is environment friendly as it uses wafer chips that are a by-product of other uses of wood.
• SIPs are usually termite free and anti fungal.
• Long term durability is another benefit of SIPs. SIP users need not worry about degradation of their insulated panels for as long as 2000 years.

ICFs and SIPs as insulation - versatility in mainstream usage

Extruded Polystyrene has been used as insulation for over 50 yea595rs. Since then, the technology has advanced and innovations in construction have led to the engineering of new building materials that take better advantage of XPS's properties. SIPs and ICFs are two expanded polystyrene systems that are widely used in North America. Though these assemblies have been around for over 30 years, increased energy costs and recognized benefits of their design have only now firmly brought them into mainstream use.

Initially, when introduced into the market, these assemblies were looked at and marketed as totally separate systems - even competitors - acting as alternatives to traditional construction. Later, however, designers were constantly finding new ways to use both ICFs and SIPs in the same project, fully utilizing the best property of each. ICF construction gives good thermal performance and sustainability for erecting or constructing walls, while roofs that are made from SIPs offer excellent thermal resistance and other distinct advantages.

Apart from their inherent benefits, these two insulated concrete forms are available in various sizes and shapes for both interior and exterior insulated walls. They work to form structurally sound structures that can bear vertical and horizontal loads equally well. The usage of ICFs and SIPs in custom homes, as well as commercial buildings, in foundations, walls, basements, etc is therefore growing rapidly.

Bill Weber is the President of Weber Design Group, Inc., a custom architectural design and home plan resource firm that has been in business for more than two decades. His homes feature designs of award winning grace that are seamless in their setting and fluid in their design. The design team at Weber will work to create a custom home unique to your lifestyle.

Contact Weber Design Group to begin the process of bringing your dream to reality.

Phone: Toll Free (888) 4WeberDesign (493-2373) | Email: info@WeberDesignGroup.com

Homeinspectionmisconceptions

Sound Advice For First-Time Home Buyers

Located offshore of the Southwest Florida city of Sarasota,and only a short drive over the connecting North Bridge, lies an eight-mile- long barrier island, a sub-tropical paradise known as Siesta Key.

Settled in the clear, warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, This world-famous Key has everything one would imagine a perfect vacation getaway would be, or even better, and is also considered a perfect place to live and enjoy year-round.

The Enchanting Natural Environment Is A Magnet For Home Buyers

For first-time visitors and prospective home buyers, a barefoot stroll along the powdery white beach, a soothing dip or swim on the calm waters of the Gulf, and a visit to either of the area's two main shopping centers where one can find fashion ranging from souvenir T-shirts to the best designer clothes, or an evening of fine dining or relaxing at an intimate *censored*tail lounge, leaves one with a much stronger conviction to return, or probably never to leave the place.

Most visitors feel the reluctance to leave this wonderful tropical environment, and this is what motivates many tourists to buy homes here , either as vacation homes or for full-time residences.

Retiring baby boomers, business executives, and individuals who have the flexibility to operate from anywhere, are the most likely candidates in making these home purchases. According to property market analysts, a large chunk of the real estate purchases on this area also involves second-homes, for vacation and eventually for retirement.

The Key Offers A Healthy Array Of Home-Purchase Options

Siesta Key real estate offers a wide range of housing options, from upscale hi-rise condos that offer gorgeous views of surf and sand, to palatial estates set in lush tropical surroundings, or even a more modest but cozy bungalow. Come to Siesta Key and see for yourself. You'll never want to leave. For first-time home buyers here, getting the best loan deal is pertinent, and all you need to do is to do a lot of research on the available mortgage options available.

Today, there are lots of loan types and mortgage lenders on the market, therefore it would be best to try contacting a few of these lenders and asking several questions on what you need to be cleared for a loan. I would also be great to ask for quotes, and together with these quotes you should be able to know the fees and charges of each lender. Verify each loan quote and determine which one best suits your financial standing as well as your needs.

As a soon as you get approved for a home mortgage, you now can acquire the services of a professional real estate agent to assist you out in finding the best home options for you in Siesta Key. Ensure that you only hire the right real estate agent, who has the complete expertise and knowledge of the area's market.

Because in hiring a good real estate broker, he or she can lead you to the right direction and can assure that you have the best home option you ever wanted. Your real estate agent will take all the requirements you need. He/she will conduct searches in order to find your dream home. The agent will give you list of homes that you can view until you find the one you need and want.

http://siestakeyrealestate.com - Siesta Key Home

Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company

How To Create A House Buying 'Wish List' For Your Dream Home

Buying a house is one of the most exciting things you will ever do. But there are LOTS of little details involved details which can be very costly if they are overlooked.

Unfortunately, I made all 10 of these mistakes when buying my first house. Even though I thought I was very prepared. But with so much going on, I still missed them...and cost myself THOUSANDS of dollars!

Which is why I created www.HouseBuying-Tips.com. Now, you can learn ahead of time how to save yourself lots of money. So, here is the first mistake you should avoid when buying your next house:

#1: Know EXACTLY what you want before you start house hunting, AND put it in writing!

Owning your own home is a great feeling. Its the American dream. And its one of the biggest purchases you will ever make!

So the more time you spend preparing, the easier your life will be.

One of the most important things you can do to get ready to buy your first house is to decide EXACTLY what you want - and write it down on paper.

Sounds simple. But over the next few months youll see that the house buying process is one of the most intense, stressful, busy - and exciting - times of your life. So, BEFORE you start looking for a new house, its a good idea to have a very clear picture of the type of house you want.

Its certainly helpful to have a picture in your mind. But as you get further into the process, youll find it helpful to have a list you can refer to (especially when the files in your mind start getting overloaded!)

Of course, once you start looking at houses, your list can change:

...youll find things you never thought of
...things you thought were important but may not be any more
...things you thought you could afford but cant
...and things you didnt think you could afford, but you can.

So dont be afraid to make changes.

When writing your list, think of all the qualities you want in a house...and in a neighborhood...and in a town (or city). Include EVERYTHING you think is important. While this wont guarantee that you will get everything you want, it will help you be able to prioritize what you think is most important.

Here are some of the items you should include on your list:

• Town or city (which towns do you WANT to live in, which ones would you live in if you had to, which ones would you NOT live in no matter what!)
• Area of town
• School system
• Type of neighborhood (With kids, without kids, close to highway or main road, out in the country, etc)
• Type of house (Cape, Ranch, Colonial, etc)
• Size of house (Square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, etc.)
• Size of rooms
• Layout of house
• Yard (Landscaped nicely so you dont have to do any work getting it in good shape, not as nicely landscaped so you might get a better deal but need to put in more work, etc.)
• Price (Are you willing to pay less for an older house or one that needs more work?)
• Anything else that is important to you (For example, I knew I did not want a house on a hill. But our first offer was for a house on a hill. Which left me feeling very uncomfortable. Luckily, the deal fell through, but without a list I got caught up in the excitement.)

If youre not sure what to put on your list, take a walk through the house or apartment you are living in now. Take a walk through the neighborhood. Visit a friend or neighbor. The more information you have, the better!

(NOTE: If you are buying your house with someone else, make sure you ask your spouse, partner, or significant other what they think is important as well. If at all possible, try to combine your list so you can work together.)

Once your list is ready, put the items on your list in order of importance, so when you have a million other little details in your mind, you can look at your list and not have to rely on your memory.

So, do yourself a favor and find a quiet place, take a few moments to write out your list, put it in order of importance, and save yourself a bunch of stress!

Kris Bickell is the owner of HouseBuying-Tips.com, a site that helps first time home buyers avoid the costly mistakes that many new homebuyers make. For tips on buying a house, getting a mortgage, finding a realtor, and getting out of debt, visit: http://www.HouseBuying-Tips.com, or sign up for the free How To Avoid These 10 Costly Mistakes When Buying Your First Home email course at: http://www.HouseBuying-Tips.com/course.html 2005 HouseBuying-Tips.com