Archive for October, 2009

2 Faux Blinds – Practicable, Reasonable, and Hassle Free

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

2 faux blinds are great alternative to wood blinds that is affordable and similar in appearance too. There are many better reasons behind choosing faux blinds for your window decoration and light control purpose. The meaning of faux is ‘fake wood’ and so it apparently looks like the wood even though it is not real wood. In fact there are many other advantages besides just appearing similar to wood in looks. It is very durable, requires quite low maintenance and unforgettably it is affordable. They are versatile in nature and can stand very high moisture and temperature as well.

If you compare faux blinds with wood ones, you will feel that the luster of the blinds remain like the new one for years and is free from warp or splits which is very common with wood blinds and that too after only some time of exposure to rough weather. Wood blinds are besides very difficult and expensive to clean and maintain. With so many advantages why not opt for these so that you have a world of varieties open in front of you to add some spice to your life and perk up your mood too.

2 faux blinds will add that flavor to your interior that you wanted from a long time but could not fulfill your desire because of those highly expensive wood blinds. If you are looking for a complete makeover of your house you can easily go ahead with these faux blinds. This will give your interior a contemporary and trendy atmosphere in addition to saving some money too. They are long lasting and problem free in the case of maintenance and cleaning which is a very important part of keeping your home up to date. Faux blinds are made of PVC or are manmade with the help of wood particles and other raw materials. The cleaning of faux blinds can be done very easily with soap and water. These blinds are resistant to moisture and high temperature and so are not easily prone to normal wear and tear that is associated with wood blinds.

Home is the best place in the world where everyone relaxes and feels extremely comfortable. In addition to decorating the interior it becomes your duty to add as much comfort as you can to it. Here the requirement of window blinds are felt which should be affordable and of good quality and all this you get with these fake wood blinds.

For more information on cheap vertical blinds visit http://DiscountWindowBlindsInfo.net/

Stained Glass – You Too Can Have the Beauty of Colored Glass in Your Home

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Have you ever admired the beauty and craftsmanship of Stained glass in churches and cathedrals? Well its no surprise because such magnificent windows can be a truly stunning vision. Historically, colored glass was only ever seen in churches and cathedrals because it was so expensive to make and through the centuries western churches have been massively wealthy. In fact it was the influence of the church and its wealth which funded the development of stained glass, into ever larger and more elaborate windows and designs.

Whilst stained glass is still a relatively expensive art form, the costs have come down radically and it is no possible for the common man to own a piece of this tyoe of glass in one form or another.

For those wanting to capture a sense of those great church windows in their own homes, there are a number of options according to your budget.

1. A bespoke hand crafted stained glass window: This is the choice for those where money is of no concern. There are many crafts people today who can both design and create a unique colored glass window for you. The advantage of this is that you can start from scratch and it can be designed exactly to your taste.

2. Buy a second hand antique window: If you search thorough local architectural yards, antique shops and even E bay, you will find a range of old reclaimed windows. Because putting a price on this sort of antique is difficult, always haggle and you may well come away with a bargain

3. Use colored window film: This is a budget choice for those not quite willing to buy an actual window. It is a form of transparent colored film which you affix to your window. Various online sellers now sell the film in a wide variety of designs and style, which very effectively mimic traditional stained glass windows. The advantage of this is that You can fit the film cheaply and easily yourself. It will fit in with your standard double glazing. it can be replaced or removed at a later date.

4. Stained glass mosaic: The final option is not to get an actual stained glass window, but to buy a piece of artwork which captures some of the elements and essence of those glorious cathedral windows. colored glass mosaics are mosaics made from cut cathedral glass which is fixed onto clear glass with a clear glue. They allow the light to shine through, just like cathedral windows do. The advantage is they are much smaller, cheaper and portable. Yet place one in Front of , or hanging in a window and you really can capture some of the beautiful illuminating light effects of the traditional stained glass window

Pete J Gorman is an artist working in Stained Glass Mosaics.

For information on Stained Glass history and uses. For information about Stained Glass and Tinted Window Film

2 Story Garage Plans

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Having a big family would definitely mean having all the articles of items and knickknacks that would eventually need to be stored away. Or better yet, a place where it can be made as a recreational room that would seem better than the basement. This can be done with the right 2-story garage plan.

A 2 story garage have been an invaluable way of creating a more secure space for personal belongings or the means of getting an extra room for something else. As it suggests, it may require remodeling or just simply constructing an entirely new garage in order to fit the homeowner’s needs.

The main garage area can be as big or as small, depending on the number of vehicle the owner has. Since most Americans may have at least two cars, the floor space would be more beneficial, considering the second floor should be equal to the floor space of the garage itself.

The advent of today’s 2 story garages have grown significantly, wanting to spend little when it comes to construction cost as well as the timeframe needed in order to complete the garage. Most 2 story garage plans are small, which the second floor can be turned into a studio-type room or a single bedroom with a floor space of 100 square meters. Construction of a 2 story garage are no longer the common materials, since the second floor can be occupied by a single person or a small family.

Some of the most interesting designs for a 2 story garage have been found mostly in Asia as well as several States in the US. These garages have been around since the 50’s, when the need for housing has far exceeded the supply, and the designs were similar to row houses like that of San Francisco.

When deciding to construct a 2 story garage, there is not much deliberation needed in this case. These garages are versatile in every way, when the need for an extra room is no longer required, it can be made as a simple storage area for most of the homeowner’s personal belongings. If not, the garage can be made into a small office for those who work at home, or literally work in their garages. Most of these contractors would sell the plans between $250 to $600, depending in the size, but not too large that the floor space of the garage area would be wasted on just one car, even if they managed to put in all their belongings for storage.

For ideas on garage design plans, visit http://www.garagedesignplans101.com

Self-Storage Locker Tips – Storing Your Possessions Safely

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Over the last few years I have purchased the contents of many foreclosed self-storage units at public auctions. I find a lot of useful and valuable goods in the units, but many times I find things have unfortunately become damaged and unusable because the renters didn’t take time to pack and store their possessions properly. For example, I love books, and it hurts me to have to dump box loads of books that have become mildewed! Happens all the time. So I am giving you the benefit of my experience and offering some valuable tips to ensure that what you put in your self-storage unit comes out in the same condition as it went in. Just remember to keep your rent paid, or I may end up with all your stuff!

Before we get started, let me encourage you to weed through your possessions and get rid of anything you don’t need, or is already junk, before renting the unit. Why pay for valuable space (larger units cost more, duh) to store junk that should be thrown out anyway? Stuff that is in good, usable condition that you don’t need can be donated to Goodwill or the local thrift shop and benefit someone else.

Some units are climate-controlled, but most aren’t, so you must remember that your possessions need to be protected from dust and moisture. Pack as many of your belongings as possible in cardboard boxes to keep dust from settling on them. Believe me, those units can get pretty dirty! Large pieces of furniture can be covered with old sheets or drop cloths.

Be sure that any books and other paper items you need to store are absolutely dry before packing them up, to avoid a mildew-laden mess later. Line the box with plastic before packing it, to protect the contents from absorbing moisture from the atmosphere.

Books should be placed flat in the box. Packing books on end can stress the spines and cause them to split. Record albums and CDs should be packed flat to avoid warping. Use several small boxes instead of a few large ones if you have a lot of books. Those boxes can get heavy fast when you’re lifting them, and heavy boxes will tend to split open.

Appliances are also vulnerable to mildew, especially washers, freezers, refrigerators and dishwashers. Clean and dry the inside of appliances before putting them in storage, and then prop the doors open once they are in the storage unit. I have seen some pretty disgusting refrigerators, and it’s a shame that a perfectly good appliance should be allowed to get in that condition.

Most storage unit facilities will offer boxes specially made to store dishes and glassware. This adds to your expense, but if they are something you truly value, it may be worth it. Otherwise, wrap them in ink-free paper (to avoid ink stains) and place them carefully in small boxes. Use more paper to fill any empty space in the box. Mirrors and pictures need extra protection also, and should be cushioned with bubble wrap and stacked on their ends inside the box. Delicate knick knacks should be wrapped individually in bubble wrap, and any empty space filled with paper. Mark the boxes as “fragile.”

When storing clothing, draperies, linens, or other fabric goods, be sure they are clean and dry. Woolen items should be dry-cleaned before storing them to make sure that no moth larvae decide to make a meal of them. You can get wardrobe boxes that allow you to hang the items, but in my opinion they probably aren’t necessary. Fold these items neatly and pack them in plastic-lined boxes. I’ve even found fabric goods stored in plastic trash bags, and they don’t seem any worse for wear, just wrinkled.

Wipe down any metal items (such as lawn mowers, bicycles, or tools) with machine oil before storing them to discourage rust. Any gas-powered equipment should have the tank drained. Most self-storage facilities have rules against storing gasoline, paints, cleaning fluids, or other flammable liquids. No explosives either, please.

You can save space by removing the legs from large tables, and stacking dining room chairs seat to seat. It’s tempting to stand the sofa on end to save space, but it can warp the frame, especially if it is a hide-a-bed, and the end of the sofa that is resting on the concrete may mildew from the dampness the concrete draws. Use old blankets to pad wooden furniture if you stack one piece on top of another.

Once you’ve got everything boxed up safely, it’s time to start filling your storage unit. I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but put the heavier boxes at the bottom of the stack; boxes with fragile items go on top! As the boxes settle over time, any box that is not filled to capacity will become compressed. Your nice neat stack will begin to look like the leaning tower of Pisa. Don’t pile your boxes so high that it becomes an avalanche waiting to happen. I have lived through this experience when cleaning out a unit. Fortunately, the only fatality was a blender and a few glasses; no human injuries were sustained, but it was touch-and-go there for a while.

Don’t store opened food products that will attract insects and rodents. Pet foods, bird seed, sugar, flour and other grains, biscuit mixes, and cereals will invite pests into your self-storage locker. If you don’t need these right away and have no where else to store them, give them to someone that can use them.

Please don’t store one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable objects in your storage locker. Legal documents, pictures, valuable antiques, or anything with sentimental value may be lost to you forever if your unit gets foreclosed. I doubt if anybody rents a unit with the idea that they don’t want their stuff back, but sometimes we meet with misfortune and just can’t keep all the bills paid.

Which brings me to my last point: many units are filled with so much junk that I’m not surprised they get foreclosed. I suppose the renter just gets tired of paying to store useless stuff they don’t need and lets the unit go. Consider whether you really need all that excess stuff in the first place. If not, donate the usable items and take the rest to the dump, and you’ll save me the trouble of doing it for you!

More about self-storage

Overhead Garage Storage Solutions

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Many people use their garage for storing their belongings. So much so, that in time there is no room for the family car. If it has gotten to this point for you or you feel that things are heading this way, then it is time to invest in some overhead garage storage to help tidy up the mess.

Using this type of storage system can also be used in other areas of your home including the basement and attic. Regardless of which room you install it in; it helps clear up the floor. Many homes just do not have the storage space available, so people need to utilize what they have in different ways, which is why overhead garage storage is such a great idea.

The best items to store suspended from the ceiling are things that are not used all too often. Items like canoes, kayaks, camping gear, patio furniture, holiday decorations and any other thing that is seasonal in nature. You will need a sturdy ladder and someone to help you.

Another good item to store in your overhead garage storage is bicycles. However, this is only a good idea if you live in a more northern climate that experiences a cold snowy winter. Otherwise, you will be climbing that ladder far too frequently. As you can see, this type of storage system can help organize your life and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Smaller items can be stored in clear plastic containers so that the contents are visible to whoever is searching through them.

The idea for using a ceiling for storage is actually a very good one, especially a room with a high ceiling like a garage. The garage is meant to store your car or cars not serve as a catch all for your belongings. It may be a good idea to hire a professional to help plan the installation. You want to make sure that your ceiling is structurally sound to be able to suspend things from it. Go to your local hardware and big box stores and price the total cost of the overhead garage storage system. It may be a good idea to get a price on labor as well, just in case you decide not to do it yourself.

You will also need to plan what type of overhead storage solution will be installed. A common style is the heavy-duty metal frame rack. This type can hold light to moderate loads. One final thing to consider is that it may not be a good idea to store dangerous objects like axes or anything else that could cause serious injury if it fell off the overhead rack.

Our site provides information on overhead garage storage, bedroom closet organizers, wardrobe closets and various other types of closet designs and storage systems. Let us provide all your storage information

by T.D. Houser

Decorating Your Kid’s Playroom

Monday, October 26th, 2009

With a playroom, your child can have his or her own room in the house to have fun in. Not only that, but it allows you to get your child’s toys out of sight and into one room. However, this doesn’t mean that the playroom should not have functional decorating. By following these great ideas, you can create a playroom that’s both perfect for your children and functional for you.

Have Plenty of Storage Options
In order to keep the playroom as neat as possible, you need to provide plenty of storage options. It’s decidedly easier for kids to keep things clean when everything in the room has a proper place. Without organization and storage, your child’s playroom might end up looking like a tornado blew through it every day.

You might find pieces of furniture such as oak chests that also provide extra storage, or storage items such as plastic bins and shelving units.

Items with small pieces such as puzzles, art supplies, and other small toys, should be stored in individual baskets or bins.

Make the Playroom Durable
A child’s playroom is no place for your favorite piece of furniture, unless you want to get it broken. Whether they’re boys or girls, children tend to be rough on furniture and other decorating items. By keeping décor items simple, you can keep the room much more durable and kid-friendly.

Plastic bins and baskets can double up as storage and decorations for the room. Find a rug with darker colors and patterns to hide any stains that might come. Also be sure that rug is easy to clean.

Keep Play Areas Safe for Your Kids
Bolt any dressers, bookshelves, or oak desks to the wall to prevent them from falling on a climbing child. It’s not a bad idea to use only children’s size furniture, as furniture that’s too tall can be unsafe for younger children. Keep all small toys and art supplies out of reach of small children by storing them up high. Be sure to baby-proof the room if you have a baby or toddler. Covers should be placed on all the outlets and any hanging blind cords from the windows should be put out of reach.

Let Your Child Have a Say in the Playroom
Your child is going to enjoy his or her playroom so much more if he or she has a say in its décor. Your child probably has an opinion on what color walls or carpet he or she wants. Even if your child wants a themed playroom, this is relatively easy to accomplish. Just find some stencils or stick-ons to add to the walls.

When your child likes the look of the playroom, he or she is going to be more likely to want to play in the room and keep it clean. Allowing your child to have some say in the décor and items in the room to a certain degree will make things far easier for everyone.

Your child’s favorite place in the house should be his or her playroom. It gives then their own space in which they can be creative and independent, and have fun. By following these decorating ideas, you’ll find that decorating a playroom can be a simple and inexpensive process.

Installing Metal Roofing – The Details Behind the Steps

Monday, October 26th, 2009

If you are currently preparing yourself for replacing your old roof on your own, you might already know that the steps of installing metal roofing are fairly easy, which is true. However, there are some people who might not know the reasons why these steps need to be taken. That is why we will be explaining them right now.

The first step in installing roofing is to remove the old roof and clear the surface of all leftover nails and rubble. This is important so that there are no bumps or barbs that can become obstacles to installing roofing.

It is also necessary to check the old wood for signs of termites. Before installing, you have to make sure that the frame of the roof is able to withstand the weight of the new material and the pressures during construction. If not, you should consider replacing the wood first.

Another vital step in roofing is the drawing of guidelines for the laying down of the sheets. This will ensure that the sheets are all laid down straight. This particular step in installing is more crucial when using flat sheets where it is very hard to see if the sheets are laid at the right angle or distance from the previous sheet.

Making each sheet overlap with the next while installing is also very important. This move makes water leakages practically impossible. It will also prevent snow from being blown in during torrential storms. An overlap of at least 5 inches is recommended.

After installing sheets, you now have to attach the metal edging around the perimeter of the roof. Besides giving a completed look to the roof, the edging also serves to seal off the holes between the sheets and the base of the roof.

In order to really make sure that the gaps are all sealed, you can also apply some rubber strips under the edges of the roof. This will prevent the propagation of insects and other small critters inside your roof.

Finally, it is time for the metal cap. This is the very last step in installing roofing. A metal cap is attached to the crown of the roof by using screws. The gaps formed between the edge of the roofing cap and the actual roof surface can also be sealed off using caulk or rubber strips.

As mentioned earlier, the installation of metal roofing is very easy. In fact, we are certain that you will be able to do a terrific job with your own roof.

But now that you clearly understand the reasons behind each of the steps in installing, we hope that you will pay even more attention to the tiny details of your installation process and be even more thorough in doing all the steps. After all, the more successful you are in installing roofing, the better protected your house will be in the years to come.

You can also find more info on corrugated roofing and copper roofing. http://www.Homeimprovementbliss.com is a comprehensive resource to get help about home improvement.

Roofs and Gutters 101

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

A solid roof and sturdy gutter are perhaps the top two features of any home, business or type of building. Without a roof, the rest of the structure would be right in the middle of the elements. Since a sturdy roof is what protects you from the outside, keeping the rain, sleet, snow and sun off of you and your possession, when you are choosing the roof and gutter for your building, you need to take your time and make sure you get them strong enough to stand up to what Mother Nature dishes out.

You need to make sure they will be water proof as well as fire resistant. They need to be strong and durable to handle harsh elements such as sleet, hail, as well as the sun’s bright light and intense heat. As most roofs that are installed today are dark in color, which makes them get hotter with the suns light then say a light concrete sidewalk. Heat can play a major role in breaking down the materials that hold a roof together.

There are many different materials and styles of gutters and roofs that you can choose from. Materials such as: slate, asphalt, metal or even concrete tiles can be used for your roof. You can also add optional items such as a chimney to help take the heat from the inside out. Gutters have become a standard part of roofing as they help to protect the roof from water damage from water or snow that can collect and sit on top of the roof.

One of the top choices in roofing material you may see is slate. Slate is both attractive and it is very long lasting. This is also one of the best fire resistant choices on the market today. If you choose a slate roof, be prepared to pay a higher price as they are harder to install.

If you opt for a concrete roof, then you will have the option to have the roof molded to what ever size or shape you need it to be. The downfall of a concrete roof is that it can be damaged by hail and snow. Hence these types of roofs are best used in areas that are not likely to have hail.

So if you are planning on installing a roof and gutter to your home or business, then make sure you do a bit of homework. You want to make sure you get the roof that is right for your needs as well as one that is within your personal budget.

Visit, subscribe to and bookmark: http://myhomeimprovementtips.com and sign up for our free newsletter at: Clean Up Stuff for your home improvement projects & tips.

What to Do About Clogged Gutters

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

As seasons change from one to the other, gutters can clog all too quickly. With rain, wind, sleet, heavy spring and winter storms, area animals like birds building nests and scattering debris around, it’s no wonder that your gutters get clogged. But now you can say, “Good bye!” to all that and clean them up yourself.

Get your gutters in shape with these tips that focus on how to get safely topside your home to clean your gutters. Please read them thoroughly before starting that climb up the ladder to your roof.

Equipment Safety

Check for equipment safety before heading up your ladder. Make sure your ladder is securely in place: the foot pads need to be snug, firmly in place with the ground and the ladder frame needs to be free of bent areas.

Also before you go up on the roof hook, you need to hook up your water hose plus check for possible leaks in the hose. Make sure any and all attachments and spray nozzles work well. You also want to make sure you have enough water pressure at full power in your line so that you can effectively clear or spray out debris from your gutters.

When possible, keep someone extra at ground level in case you need help. A ground person can help clear away kinks and knots in your water hose, for example, that could severely limit your water pressure as you move about the house top.

Clothing Safety

Check for clothing safety before heading up, too. Grab a good pair of work gloves and wear a sturdy tool belt with plenty of pockets for your tools and make sure to tie it securely around your waist.

Also check your footwear. You don’t want to stub your toes or slip and fall wearing plastic flip-flops or other inappropriate work wear. Instead, opt for sturdy foot wear with laces that are tied firmly and tucked away so you won’t trip and get them caught.

Tools Needed

These tools can come in handy for the job:

• Bucket – for placing debris into for disposing of later.

• Screwdriver or Trowel – for scooping out thick debris like mud from your gutter.

• Straightened Wire Hanger – for poking debris from or through tight areas like clogged downspouts.

• Adjustment Items, Coating, Seal or Flush Fixtures – Items like these from local hardware stores can help you apply a coating inside gutters to help flush the debris, help prevent rust and damage, and help keep out debris in the future.

Take shop around and get your safety features in check first. Extend your gutters’ life and you own.

Visit, subscribe to and bookmark: http://myhomeimprovementtips.com and sign up for our free newsletter at: Clean Up Stuff for your home improvement projects & tips.

Easy Assemble Buildings – The Steel Building Kit

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

If you are in need of a new building, whether for work or home then you should certainly consider a steel building. Buildings that are constructed with steel are durable, long lasting and easy to put together, saving you in material and construction costs.

There are many steel building companies that offer steel buildings today but most of them are brokers, not the actual fabricator like Absolute Steel. While they all offer fairly concise kits that can be trucked to your location along with written instructions and or videos, only with Absolute Steel will you be talking to the “horse’s mouth”. If you have a question and have dealt with a broker, you’re going to be dealing with a salesman in a bullpen so be sure to check the company out you’re going to be dealing with to make sure they have an easy building to erect and that you have knowledgeable people to help you after the sale.

Absolute Steel fits the above criteria better than any other company in America!

Since you can assemble the entire building yourself, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars on labor. All you need to do is assemble the frame and attach the exterior panels and trim. Once completed your steel building is virtually maintenance free, and you will never have to worry about common lumber building issues such as insect infestation or rot.

Pre-fabricated steel buildings are more efficient to assemble and there is no construction waste as everything you need is pre-cut and welded. Steel buildings can be used for garages, sheds, workshops, warehouses and even airplane hangars and offices. The exterior of a steel building can take on the appearance of wood or stone so it can look as tasteful as the surrounding buildings to blend in.

There are hundreds of different shapes and styles of steel buildings to choose from, and nearly every layout imaginable. The building can even be designed so that additions can be easily made in the future as your office, work or family expands.

Since steel lasts much longer than conventional building materials it is a great choice for anyone who wants a building that will last a long time. Once erected the steel building is extremely durable and dependable, requiring very little upkeep. In fact, to say they are maintenance free would not be an exaggeration.

And for those of you who live in an area of heavy snowfall, with your new strong steel building you will never have to take your life into your hands while shoveling snow off your roof. Most often the snow will simply slide off with just a touch of midday temperature change.

When constructing your new steel building, you will find it is much easier to work with than lumber. Not only is steel lighter, there is no chance of warping or knots. All corners in your steel building will be perfectly square. All windows and doors can be installed easily in the pre-cut openings without a leak or faulty seal. Once completed, you can enjoy the use of the building without having concerning yourself with continual upkeep or maintenance.

It is not hard to see why steel buildings are becoming much more popular these days, with their easy installation, low maintenance and durability. A steel building can weather the test of time in even extreme conditions such as hot summers and cold winters, not to mention high winds and moist climates. Save yourself time and money with a pre-fabricated tough steel building that Absolute Steel can fabricate to your exact requirements.

For more information on steel buildings, visit AbsoluteRV.com