Sep 12, 2013

Buying Carpets at the Reliable Floor Store to Obtain Greatest Benefits



When it comes to a structure of a house, we’re talking about a floor, a roof and walls. As one important structure of your house, you should select home flooring that sturdy enough to hold up the activity of your kid and the repetitive usage every day. You face lots of flooring options to choose that can make you confused, but fortunately home owners who live in and near New Haven, CT can count on the big help from a reliable floor store in New Haven which offers the large selection from carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile to vinyl floor covers.

Floor store in New Haven

If you live in colder climate area, carpet flooring can be the right choice for your home flooring since this type of floor will provide the longer insulation capability against cold. Therefore though nowadays wooden floor may grow in popularity, carpets are still chosen to be installed in bedrooms and other upstairs space because of its ability to absorb more noise and sound.

You may enjoy benefits from carpet without spending a fortune since today’s wide collection -in the right floor store- is offered at best prices.  Nothing is perfect, as well as carpet floor. Carpet is not stain resistant as it can trap dirt; consequently it needs cleaning and maintenance such as vacuuming and steam cleaning regularly. Besides that, carpets may give many benefits that you shouldn’t overlook.

The available options of colors, types, styles, textures and designs of carpets are almost limitless; you surely find the right choice that suits your budget and any room as well as your home decor. For your home, you may apply wall-to-wall carpet, carpet tiles and area rugs; each will offer great advantages.

By placing carpets, you may create a cozy, warm atmosphere and add a wonderful touch into a room. For instance, a thick wall-to-wall carpet floor in a room will not only change the look of a room directly, but also insulate the entire room against cold and sound –gives you warm and peaceful feeling. This type of floor provides a warm, comfortable and soft surface; it would be ideal for the safety of younger kids or elderly who tend to fall.

The ability of carpet floor coverings as the heat insulators may also support you in energy savings.  The heat stays in the carpeted room and doesn’t flow away. It gives you longer warmness and thus, you are able to cut your home heating cost.  There’s no doubt that carpets have many things to offer; choosing your home carpet floor at the trusted store will give you opportunity to enjoy maximum benefits.

Sep 11, 2013

The Risks Associated with Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement Projects

Buying a new home is an exciting experience. After moving in, many homeowners start to think about the improvements they want to make to their house. While taking the do-it-yourself approach does have its advantages, like saving money, some home improvements can be dangerous. Here are a few common issues and the dangers that you need to be aware before beginning any project.


Demolition


It is not uncommon to see homeowners wanting to install new cabinets or decide to remove a wall. However, the inexperienced person may not be aware of the dangers that demolition can possess. There is a risk of exposure to lead paint dust and in older homes asbestos. If the walls are not properly checked, there is a chance of damaging a water line, gas pipe and encountering live electrical wires. Also, removing the wrong wall may affect the structural integrity of the home.

Plumbing


Undertaking a plumbing project may seem simple enough. However, there is a big difference between fixing a simple leak and starting a large plumbing project. The biggest problem with the unskilled homeowner deciding to replace a bathtub or plumbing fixtures is the potential for leaks. A small mistake may result in leaking faucet. A big mistake may cause damage to pipe, flooded floors and water-damaged walls.

Mold Removal


Household floods that are due to the weather or plumbing issues within the house can cause a situation where mold and mildew starts to form. Mildew and mold exposure can cause health issues like itchy skin, rashes and even respiratory issues. If there is mold that needs to be removed from the home, it should get removed as soon as possible. Homeowners that do not want to use a professional need to wear protective clothing, aspirators and gloves to limit the chances of exposure.

Electrical Work


Older homes or some types of other repairs may involve the home’s electrical system. It is a good idea to notice where the wiring is before deciding to do any structural changes to a wall. Make sure to turn the circuit breaker off before engaging in any repairs to or updating of the electrical wiring. It is also important to use power tools in an appropriate manner. Do not use the tools close to sources that produce an electrical current. Electrocution is a very real danger and accounts for many injuries and deaths each year.

The Use of Tools


Many home improvement tasks involve the use of power tools. It is important to be protected and have an understanding of how to use the tools before anyone attempts a project. Improper chainsaw use can result in loss of limb. Using loud power tools and hammers without using the proper protective earphones or plugs can cause ringing in the ears, tinnitus, or hearing loss. 
Doing your own home repairs can save tons of money. However, if homeowners do not pay attention or have experience, there repairs may cause bodily harm, result in more damage to the home and may result in spending more money than saved. Before starting any repairs, consider the risk involved and skill level required. Sometimes repairs are better left to professionals.


This post comes from Aware1, if you're worried about asbestos contamination to your home, get in touch with them via their website to learn more.

Sep 10, 2013

Adding Value to Your Home – Finishing the Basement



When you are adding value to your home, finishing your basement is a big step that will take some time and effort, but the end product will be well worth.

This should be a well-thought out project so that it is done properly, and so that you maximize the return on the investment of adding a finished basement to your home.

Here are some tips that will make your finished basement that much better, thus adding value to your home:

  • Before you start devising a plan for your basement, make sure to check for any moisture or condensation around the walls and base of the basement. You need to repair and fix all cracks with some sort of concrete compound or cement before moving forward. This will also determine whether or not you should lay carpet or use some other form of flooring in the event you will have moisture in the future.
  • If your walls are not framed out, you will need to do this before starting any portion of finishing the basement as well. You will need to have studs to hang the drywall (if that is the route you are going) as well as a frame for the type of ceiling you will install.
  • If you aren’t doing the dirty work yourself, then the carpeting and drywall and ceiling are all things that you will only have to pick out, rather than install. It may be worth your money to have a contractor do the work so that it looks professionally done.
  • Lighting is key for the basement so when you (or the contractor) is figuring out the layout, make sure to error on the side of adding more light than not. Energy star windows are a nice touch. A darker basement is a turnoff, so avoid this at all costs. Even if you have to bring in lamps – make sure the basement is properly lit.

After all of the hard labor is done, this is when the fun starts of spicing up the basement. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are prepared to finish the project:

  • If you don’t end up laying carpet and you go with the hardwood floor, I would still advise to place an area rug in the middle of the room. Not only does it add a little bit more warmth to the basement, but it also adds a nice welcoming touch to it.
  • A good way to maximize the space in the basement is to hang your TV on a wall mount rather than taking up space with an entertainment center. Wall mounts are available at any entertainment or hardware store, and it will be a great touch for you and your family.
  • If you are planning on adding a bar – even if it is a portable bar – you will need at least some sort of fridge. It doesn’t have to be a larger fridge, but you should have at least a ‘dorm fridge’ under the bar for refreshments. This will alleviate the time of going up and down the stairs to the kitchen time and time again.
  • When you are considering putting a bar in the basement in comparison to a possible pool table or poker table, the bar outweighs the other two in terms of usage. So if you are crammed for space, my suggestion would be to go with the bar rather than taking up so much space for the other entertainment activities.
  • Make sure you make good use of the walls, not only with new paint but also with pictures or sports memorabilia. This is the space where you can afford to hang things that might not actually be a good fit for a living room. If this is in fact a ‘man cave’, then feel free to hang your framed jersey, signed photos or whatever else you deem appropriate. If you don’t have anything, make sure you sprinkle the walls with some sort of art.
  • If you are taking the time to finish your basement, don’t use it as a storage place. Make sure you have storage in a separate room or the garage, and don’t just use this area for clutter or your kids’ toys. If that were the case, skip all of the tips here and save your money!

About the Author:  Doug Chapman is a staff writer for Home Daddys, a stay-at-home dad blog.  He specializes in diapers and Sippy cups by day, but is a successful real estate investor by night. 

Sep 9, 2013

Yellow Swing


My husband and youngest nephew. Azman loves to swing!

Is a Cow Hide Rug Right for Your Home?



People sometimes envision a cow hide rug being used in a specific way. This product may make people think of a log cabin somewhere in the Wild West. The fact is that these products can be used in a wide range of different settings that include contemporary homes.


A natural hide or one that has been changed slightly?

There are many different products that are made from this material. The traditional “cow” shaped rugs are some of the best recognized and loved. These have four “legs” and a “neck” and follow the natural contours of the animal’s body. These can vary in size depending on the original size of the animal, with bulls providing the largest options.

The patterns to the natural hides can be white, tan, beige, brown, brindle, black or gray. Some coat colors are a mix of different shade or have white areas. The patterns can be spotted, speckled, random blotches of color, brindle or a somewhat stripped pattern, or a mostly solid color. Some coats are similar to dappled coats of horses. People that like specific breeds of horses such as Paints, Pintos or Appaloosas often like to get a cowhide that is similar to their horse’s coat color.

There are also hides that have been treated or stenciled to give a unique pattern. Leopard skin and zebra are two of the most popular ones. A real zebra or leopard skin rug might cost many thousands of dollars and some wildlife products like this can no longer be imported. Having a cowhide imitation can provide a good look at a favorable price.

People will sometimes find the hides have natural irregularities. If the cow had a scar, usually obtained from a tangle with fencing material, it is possible to have a white line in the hair or a raised spot on the hide itself.

Other shapes and options

There are also options to obtain rugs in traditional shapes such as squares and rectangles. People that like a multicolored effect or a pattern may want to explore the world of patchwork rugs. These can be found in shapes like a compass rose or traditional patchwork shapes.

People can also find other home products made from cowhide. Some of the most popular are wall hangings and pillows. People often find that pillows can be the perfect complement if they have a leather sofa. These can be chosen to match a color in the sofa or provide a contrasting color.


Use a Fence Topper for Finishing Touches to Landscaping



Using a fence topper can be an easy way to add visual appeal to landscaping. These products are in the family of post cap products and are available in a wide range of sizes and styles. These kinds of details help people to get a customized look for yards and are very appealing in areas where homes seem to look very much the same.

Good looks aren’t everything

These products look great but actually serve a purpose beyond beautification. The upright posts for many kinds of fences have raw edges that hold water when it rains or snows. After a while, this can cause the post to rot or decay and makes it vulnerable as a support system for the fencing. In some parts of the country, this kind of damage also encourages pests like termites, carpenter bees or other insects to make a home in the wood. With the cost of lumber plus labor, most people are not anxious to have to replace fencing.

Design choices

There are styles that work with all kinds of houses ranging from the contemporary to the vintage. People will find peaked top pyramid shapes, globes or rounded shapes, oval orbs, pineapples, or even lantern styles with window grids. While these are manufactured in different materials such as wood and laminate, the best choices may be ones made of metal. These kinds are superior for several reasons. Wood and laminate can be damaged from extreme weather, moisture or sun damage making them split and cracks over time. Metal has none of these hazards. At the very worst metal like copper will turn a lovely green patina over time called verdigris. But that only happens with untreated copper. People that want to retain an orange shade to copper can buy ones that have been treated with a coating. Stainless steel is also another good metal choice. These kinds sometimes have a brushed finish that retains a good look for decades. An added bonus to using metals is that these never have to be painted.

Some products also have lights. These are almost always solar powered so there is no need to add wiring. These can be used on all post caps or merely the ones adjacent to the gates or other endings of the fence line. Many of these models look like old style lanterns and have window style grids.

These products are very easy to install. Many use only regular screws to hold these in place making it an easy project.

Visit Copper Top USA for more details.

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