Satisfaction guaranteed. Call us anytime at 323-731-8453.
Do It Yourself | Flooring Supply Shop Blog

Windows Not Just a Piece of Glass

Windows, Home remodeling, DIY, exterior remodeling, Flooring Supply, do it yourself, home improvement

It’s early in the morning and you’ve just opened the curtains to bring in the bright new day. Or perhaps the snow is falling softly outside as you snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa at your window seat and take in the view. Windows have been around for hundreds of years, and while their basic purpose has not changed, they have gone from being a necessary “hole in the wall” to a significant element of design.

What is the definition of a Window? According to Webster’s dictionary, a window is an opening, usually framed and spanned with glass, built into a wall for light and air. We still use windows for this fundamental purpose. Properly placed windows can provide cross ventilation and eliminate the need for artificial lighting during the day. Most people have at one time or another been in a dark, dreary room that simply needed the light of a window. Current national code requires that the glazed area of the windows (that is the glass itself) equal 8% or more of the square footage of a room.

Windows can range widely in style and cost. If you prefer contemporary styling, you may choose to go with a casement style window (a unit that either cranks out to the left or to the right). A more traditional style is the double hung unit (a unit that slides up and down). Other styles include horizontal sliders, awnings, and transom windows. A window manufacturer can provide detailed descriptions of the various styles available. The styles are as plentiful as the prices are varied. Of course, you can mix and match units. For example: in your kitchen you may desire a casement unit above the sink because they are easier to open reaching over the counter; however, adjacent to the kitchen, in a gazebo shaped breakfast area, there is no reason you should not consider using double-hung units.

Let’s take a closer look at the two most popular units, the casement and double hung window. There are pro’s and con’s to both. The casement offers full ventilation when opened where the double-hung only gives about half. However, if you have a group of casements units overlooking your deck or patio, be aware that casements take up exterior living space. So be careful at parties; open casements can be very painful when walked into. Probably the best part of double-hung units is many new models tilt in for easier cleaning, where as the casement does not offer a similar feature.

Whether you are building new, adding on additional space, or renovating a room in your home, the windows you choose should play a major role. When looking at windows for your new project, look carefully at the hardware, is it well manufactured? Plastic hardware may provide a more contemporary look, but also tend to break sooner. Open the windows at the showroom, do they operate easily? Do they offer a good warranty on the unit as a whole? Most manufactures should cover the windows for at least ten years. Check the energy efficiency (insulation value) of the particular units you are interested in. I recommend a minimum insulation value of R-3. Most units nowadays carry an insulation value of at least this, and very often it is higher. Overall, examine the quality of the unit on the interior as well as exterior.

You will find that the cost of windows is quite significant, but you get what you pay for. You want your windows to last 30 to 50 years, therefore they need to be constructed from good quality materials and made to last for long time. If you skimp on quality, you may have problems in as little as 5 years. Depending on the number of windows your project calls for, you should plan to spend approximately 5%-10% of your entire building budget if you are adding on or building a new home. This percentage is higher for smaller renovations.

Windows provide much more than light and air today. A properly designed window can make or break the mood of a room. Today’s windows should be treated as an integral part of the design and NOT JUST A PIECE OF GLASS.

Article provide by
designconnection.com

 

Don’t Fall Victim to the DIY Hype

Contractor Directory, Remodeling Contractor, contractor, subcontractors, contractors directory, construction directory

DIY home improvements are all the rage and many homeowners are choosing these instead of hiring professionals. Though it is an easy way to save a few bucks, one must ensure that the DIY task undertaken by you is successfully completed. A properly executed home improvement task will not only enhance the aesthetics of your house but will also add to its value.

You must realize that a DIY home improvement demands patience, perseverance, skill and tool. Hence, if you think that you have all of these you can surely complete any DIY task; but if you have even a slightest doubt about your capabilities, do not start the task. The most important thing that you need to have is time; because if you do not have adequate time to finish it then your house will be in a mess till the time you finish it.

The next thing that needs to be ensured is that you must know how to do the task, along with having all the necessary tools. With the increasing popularity of these tasks, more and more manufacturers are producing and marketing products for the DIYers. To get information about the task, you can take help of a friend who has done similar task as he will be able to guide you better as to what needs to be done. It is advisable to gather all the information about the project and then decide whether or not you have the abilities to complete the task. Moreover, something that may be cake walk for your friend may not easy for you; hence whatever you decide make sure you do not have to face incredibly difficult time while doing the task.

There are certain tasks that may sound simple but in reality they are not. For example, painting a room is a simple task but painting the whole house on your own is not because it demands significant amount of time, stamina and skill. You need to judge whether a task is actually a DIY task or not; fence building may sound easy but in reality it may not be that easy. In contrast, painting a fence is an easy task and can be successfully done by almost everyone. However, task like deck building and dry walling are daunting and should be left for professionals because even after putting in all the efforts you may not be able to replicate what a pro can do.

Since you can judge yourself best, you will be able to make a wise decision whether or not you can complete the task and that too with perfection. In case you feel that certain home improvement task is not your cup of tea, you must avoid doing it. Moreover, doing a task that gives an impression that an amateur did it, takes away the value and appeal of your home. To avoid this, you must hire a pro who is skilled, experienced and have completed similar task with perfection.

Hence, do not fall victim to the DIY hype and do a DIY home improvement task only because your friend or neighbor did the same. Keep every aspect in perspective and then make a final decision whether or not you should do a particular DIY task.

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Proper Care for Your Sub Floor

subfloor, backer board, cement board, self leveling, plywood subfloor, DIY

Sub floor is one of the most important elements flooring. It is the immediate layer above the floor joists and beneath the flooring that you walk on. It is the base on which the finished flooring is laid, such as laminate, linoleum, hardwood or carpet. Sub-floors are made up of different material including concrete and plywood. The sub floor needs to be stable and leveled to ensure the longevity of the flooring laid upon it. However, like other things at home, sub flooring can also get damaged over period of time.

Sub floor is one of the most ignored areas of your home and you often do not pay enough attention unless the problem is serious. Fixing a big problem can be expensive as well as tedious; to avoid this, you need to pay attention to your sub floor from time to time. The problems may vary depending upon the age and type of your sub floor. There may be a problem with the sub floor if there is a persistent musty smell which does not go way even after you have tried everything. A dip or a gap in your flooring also suggests that there is something wrong with the sub floor. It is advisable that the moment you experience a problem try to resolve it as soon as possible.

subfloor, backer board, cement board, self leveling, plywood subfloor, DIY

Depending upon the extent and type of problem the solutions vary. In case of tile flooring over sub floor, you may be able to remove the tiles, resolve the problem, and reinstall the tiles back. However, if you have vinyl or laminate flooring, then you will have to rip out the old flooring and install new flooring after repairing the sub floor.

After you remove the finished flooring on the sub floor take a closer look to find out the cause of the problem. Most of the homeowners use plywood sub floor as it is cheap, light and easy to install. A common problem caused to plywood is rotting, which happens due to water or moisture damage. To overcome this problem you may either have to remove the damaged portion or the entire sheet of plywood; hence proving to be an expensive and taxing option. There may be certain types of damage which you can deal with on your own, but there would be certain problems for which you will need professional help. Therefore, it is highly recommended to keep a check on your sub floor from time to time in order to prevent any severe damage from even occurring.

subfloor, backer board, cement board, self leveling, plywood subfloor

Like every other part of the house, flooring too is a key part, which carries the weight of walls, roof, furniture and other interiors. In order to have a strong foundation which can withstand weight of everything inside your home, you need to take care of the sub floor as well. Along with providing the strong base to your home, proper care for your sub floor can help you save time, effort and money.

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Paint Your Tile Floor for a New Look

ceramic bathroom tiles, stainless steel tiles, mosaic tiles, Glass Tile, Metal Tile, Tile Trims, Ceramic tile, Shower Tile, Flooring Tile, Los Angeles Tile, stone, Porcelain, marble, Granite, install tile, Counter top tile, Bathroom Tile

Many homeowners choose tile flooring for their home as these are durable, attractive and available in an assortment of colors. However, over the years, tiles look dull and dated; hence, you need to change them. Instead of tearing them apart, an inexpensive and fast way of changing the look is to paint the tiles.

There are different types of tile paints available in the market, though the most commonly used ones are enamel and latex paints. Latex is a water soluble paint which is comparatively less dangerous than enamel. Enamel paint is soluble in thinner or alcohol which air dries to a hard and glossy finish. Though this paint lasts longer, one needs to be careful while using it because of its fume content.

An important factor to keep into perspective while choosing the paint is the area where the tile is installed. The wear and tear as well as the exposure to moisture the area is subjected to, plays a significant role is assessing whether a certain type of paint is right for a particular room or not. You cannot use latex-based paint in rooms which have high foot traffic because it tends to chip with the slightest impact. The tiles in such areas should be refinished, which not only make it long lasting but also enhances the look.

You also need to choose the right color which complements the decor of the room. The right color contrast can drastically change the look of the place, making it more appealing. You can even use two or more different colors to make beautiful patterns and designs. Only caution while doing this to have a proper layout and work accordingly. This requires certain amount of skill, hence do not do it on your own if you lack the artistic bent of mind. Instead take help of professionals to get beautiful floor designs and add uniqueness to your home.

Painting is not a daunting task and you can easily do it on your own. Before you start painting you need to thoroughly clean the tiles and grout, to remove the dirt and other buildup. You can use bleach or hydrogen peroxide for removing the molds and mildews on the grout. Once done, thoroughly rinse it with water. After cleansing, the next step involves sanding the tiles so that, the paint sticks to it. You can either use fine grit sandpaper or an electric sander. After sanding, remove all the dust.

Next apply primer on the tiles, use the one that is recommended for glossy surface. It is advisable to apply two coats and after it has dried sand it again. After this, clean the whole surface and once done, you can paint the tiles. Painting can be done by brush or spray paint. The spray paint offers better and faster results, in comparison to painting done by brush. Moreover, spray paint tends to dry quickly. Give enough time for the paint to dry before you step on the floor. Once painting and drying is over, your home will have a whole new look.

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Trend Setter in Home Furnishing

home remodeling, home furnishing, home design, flooring material, contractor directory, DIY, do it yourself, hardwood flooring, bathroom accessories

Home furnishing has always been thought off as the most tedious task in home management. The time consumption that takes place is something that has always been a hindrance in home furnishing. House owners these days have shifted focus to an all new concept of home furnishing. Popular trends in home furnishing include mixing old and new, classic and contemporary. Furniture has always been on prime radar of the house owners. They look for a mixed blend of beauty of the art and color in the furniture. But, choosing the right blend and in appropriate measures is the key. Furniture makers have been very responsive to this fashion, so now it’s easier than ever to purchase fine reproductions of vintage and modern collections. So here are some important trend setting aspects and designs that make your living area complete. You can either opt for singular collection or blend of many depending on your requirements and taste.

home remodeling, home furnishing, home design, flooring material, contractor directory, DIY, do it yourself, hardwood flooring, bathroom accessories

Gold Furniture: This is one of the major trend setters as far as home furnishing is concerned. Regarded as one of the oldest and royal home furnishing design, gold furniture types are no more luxurious and costly. Gold French furniture is nowadays usually finished in genuine gold leaf, and artisans make sure to give a distressing look to those areas where most natural wear would have occurred. The outcome is just awesome. This is a hard earned creation as it undergoes a multi tasking process of hand sanding, filling, sealing, painting and antique aging. Rich Rococo pieces, such as beds and chests of drawers are hand-carved, again, following the methods used hundreds of years ago.

The Vintage Style: Again a very effective and costumer centric furniture pattern. Vintage is generally a blend of Rococo furniture and chateau style. Versailles style is way over the top, but using a few rococo and baroque style items, such as a reproduction chateau de Versailles chandelier or a beautiful gilt mirror will give a glamorous look to your contemporary home. People with large dining rooms generally prefer this style of furniture.

home remodeling, home furnishing, home design, flooring material, contractor directory, DIY, do it yourself, hardwood flooring, bathroom accessories

The Mirrored Furniture: This is generally used when house owners want to bring some sanity to the house. Instead of glitter of artwork, many a times the mirror furniture is preferred by house owners. If you want something more exotic, choose a couple of items from a popular silver embossed range and mix them with white painted chateau furniture.

The Real Budget Design Ideas: If a budget based home furnishing is your cup of tea, then here are some important designing ideas for you. De Cluttering is always a good idea to start with. Minimizing accumulation is the key. This can be done by deciding which items must be retained and which can be thrown out or given away. Then be sure to maintain this system on an ongoing basis. Color management also plays a very vital role. Consulting a home furnishing expert also can be of great help. You’ll better understand how to incorporate color, lighting and texture into a room and also receive valuable tips on ensuring furnishings are in proportion with other things in a room for visual appeal.

With the wealth of information available, designing your first home or redesigning the interior of your existing home becomes a fun and exciting and cheap project rather than a stressful chore. By combining your creativity with tips gathered from various cheap or free publications, your home interior design project is sure to turn out to be a stunning success. As a final suggestion, surfing the internet and finding different combination’s and permutations that work can also provide relevant inputs.

home remodeling, home furnishing, home design, flooring material, contractor directory, DIY, do it yourself, hardwood flooring, bathroom accessories

I hope these inputs help you enhance some knowledge on catching the right trend in home furnishing.

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Do It Yourself | Flooring Supply Shop Blog