<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694</id><updated>2011-07-07T14:08:06.373-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Vista Building</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><link rel='next' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default?start-index=101&amp;max-results=100'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>389</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-8843928754090020015</id><published>2009-10-06T06:11:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-06T06:11:47.261-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Ordering Bathroom Mirrors Over the Web</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Today, most people make online purchases for various reasons. One of the home appliances that is commonly ordered over the web are bathroom mirrors. Let us learn how to order these mirrors and what to expect from an online purchase by reading the items found below.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Looking for the Perfect Online Seller&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bathroom mirrors are sold in many websites today. One will not have a difficult time searching for an online seller because of their availability over the web. However, one must look for a seller who can provide all the specifications you need. Here are some examples of the factors that you should look for in an online seller:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Safety in the Transaction Process&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The first thing that you should look for would be privacy and security in the transactions to be made. It is very important to look for a credible website which can provide optimum safety.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; The Availability of Supplies&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The bathroom mirrors that you are looking for should be available from a specific website. They should also provide several options so you can choose from among a wide selection of mirrors. There are many online sellers which provide a complete catalogue of their supplies.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; The Budget&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Some websites may sell more expensive mirrors compared to other online sellers. If you have a limit for the purchase, you can look for a seller based on the rate you can afford to pay.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Discounts and Promos&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many online sellers have promos on the mirrors they sell. There are various discount options especially if you make two or more item purchases from a store.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Online Transaction&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Once you are done looking for the perfect online seller, you can immediately secure your transactions through a number of ways.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;First, communicate with the seller so you can have a full grasp of the transaction process. You can also evaluate the credibility of the seller through communication.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Next, ask about several important things. You can ask about the insurance policy, shipping charges, and money-back guarantees. It is essential to ask about these things so problems in the transaction can be avoided.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lastly, close the deal with your online sellers. You can do this by filling out the order form found in the web. At times, the seller may ask you about the deliver preferences. Since you are ordering bathroom mirrors, it is best to have them delivered directly to your homes. You also have to ensure the quality of the item so you can fully enjoy what you have paid for.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://mhnshopping.com/"&gt;http://mhnshopping.com/&lt;/a&gt; -- Bathroom Mirror&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Vanessa A. Doctor from &lt;a target="_new" href="http://jump2top.com"&gt;Jump2Top - SEO Company&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-8843928754090020015?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/8843928754090020015/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=8843928754090020015' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8843928754090020015'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8843928754090020015'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/ordering-bathroom-mirrors-over-web.html' title='Ordering Bathroom Mirrors Over the Web'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-3852942384789469819</id><published>2009-10-05T14:48:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-05T14:48:44.341-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Get the Inside Story on Tuscan Style Bathroom Vanities</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If all things with a rustic charm fascinate you, then you are certain to fall madly, wholly and completely in love with Tuscan style bathroom vanities. I'm not surprised that a deluge of wonderful images have already suffused your mind. Pictures of lush rolling hills, the infinite scenic beauty of the countryside, luscious grape and olive gardens drenched lovingly by abundant sunshine and quaint little country houses soaked in a riot of dazzling and delightful hues. Pure, unadulterated idyllic bliss!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It's as if every single element of this spectacular vista is on a quixotic mission of its own. Such a pity that you cannot soak in this panorama every waking moment of your life. But don't despair, because bathroom vanities in true-blue Tuscan style help in taking you on flights of fantasy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Completely Natural&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One look at a Tuscan styled bathroom and the impact is absolutely soul-stirring. The natural essence of the place leaves you completely transfixed. Materials like marble, slate, terracotta and wrought iron ensure that there's no place for pretense. Bathroom vanities too display similar orientations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bathroom vanities in this much-sought after style display that old-world charm without any compunction. Like vessel sinks and ornate-framed mirrors, the stately wood vanities exude a regal disdain and celebrate simple, uncomplicated yet classic lines with aplomb.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Their warm and inviting tones radiate a seductively intense passion that manages to impress onlookers rather easily. They match the alacrity displayed by the vivid accent colors like azure, burgundy and olive green perfectly.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Enhance Their Appeal&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It's not enough just installing a stylish bathroom vanity. Tuscan-inspired accessories displayed with panache on the vanities only add to their sizzling smoldering presence. Metal urns, terracotta pots, glass apothecary jars, real or artificial plants, wrought iron candle holders or an Italian Murano style art glass vase provide more bangs for your bucks.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Finally, just throw in a floor mat or rug to add dollops of spunk and sizzle to the space. Watch the animated chatter that follows.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here's exactly how you can generate 100's or even 1000's of positively brilliant &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.trulylovelyhome.com/includes-trulylovelyhome/bathroom_remodeling_ideas.htm"&gt;Bathroom Remodeling Ideas&lt;/a&gt;... FAST ! And you could easily increase your home's value by several $1000s fast with these 25 street-smart tips for &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.trulylovelyhome.com/includes-trulylovelyhome/dirtcheaphomeimprovement_includes.htm"&gt;Dirt Cheap Home Improvement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-3852942384789469819?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/3852942384789469819/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=3852942384789469819' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/3852942384789469819'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/3852942384789469819'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/get-inside-story-on-tuscan-style.html' title='Get the Inside Story on Tuscan Style Bathroom Vanities'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7000364616020803766</id><published>2009-10-05T06:40:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-05T06:40:17.563-07:00</updated><title type='text'>10 Things a Homeowner Won't Tell a Contractor - Common Courtesy</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;I've been a contractor in the state of California for over 20 years and there are some things that a homeowner won't tell a contractor. These are a few things that a contractor might want to hear, but a reluctant homeowner, might have second thoughts telling their contractors how they really feel.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. We are happy with all of the work that you did in a timely manner and we appreciate your services.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. We are happy with the way you performed your construction tasks, efficiently and we appreciate your services.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. The work was done by a true professional and we would recommend you to any one of our friends.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. The payment plan that you created in the contract worked out perfectly and never made us feel uncomfortable. It never seemed like you had too much of our money or we were putting you in a bad spot financially.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. Thanks for keeping the job clean, it meant a lot to us, because we have seen other construction jobs that look like a tornado ran through them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;6. Thanks for helping us with our design. Working with your contractor on a daily, weekly or monthly basis can be frustrating or joyful. Let the contractor know either way how you are really feeling.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;7. You and your crew are extremely hard-working and we appreciate the simple fact that you didn't come to work late or leave early.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;8. Thanks for the reasonable priced estimate on our project. You helped us say a lot of money and we appreciate that sincerely.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;9. Thanks for doing the extra work at a reasonable price. You could have gouged us at certain times, but you chose to be fair and work things out, in a way that would benefit both of us.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;10. This one is the most important and often overlooked by homeowners and it's simple and easy to do. Thanks for doing what you said you were going to do and actually doing it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Just a simple thank you and paying them on time, for a service well done is enough for most contractors. However, a little common courtesy can go a long way, even in the construction industry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://gregvan.com/"&gt;Home Remodeling Contractor&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Click here if you're looking for additional &lt;a target="_new" href="http://books.gregvan.com/hiring_contractors_books.htm"&gt;Homeowner Contractor Advice&lt;/a&gt;. If you're interested in gathering more information on how to hire a good contractor, make sure that you visit our website.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7000364616020803766?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7000364616020803766/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7000364616020803766' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7000364616020803766'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7000364616020803766'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/10-things-homeowner-wont-tell.html' title='10 Things a Homeowner Won&apos;t Tell a Contractor - Common Courtesy'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-4876633812779160146</id><published>2009-10-04T23:32:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-04T23:32:52.950-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Bathroom Decorating For A Zen Like Spa Look</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Bathroom decorating can be fun and challenging but when it ends up giving you the relaxing feeling of a Zen like spa it is well worth the effort. Here are some tips on how you can get this relaxing feel in your bathroom&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You should use soft colors and neutral tones colors for your Zen bathroom. Matching colors with your wall paint, towels and shower curtains is key so get paint cards that have your paint colors on them and bring them shopping with you when you buy your bathroom accessories - that way you will get a perfect match.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the bathroom, consider accessorizing with artwork on the walls, as well as toiletry and toothbrush holders, towel racks, towels and decorative soaps. You want to end up with a minimalist look so don't put too much in. Consider sleek designs for the hamper and wastebasket.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If your bathroom is big enough it could include shoji screens, plants and furniture with simple lines as well as a table water fountain and some bamboo. Window treatments for the Zen bathroom decorating theme should be simple and plain. Try updating your windows with bamboo blinds. After you get the ideal look on your windows, you might realize the walls are drab by comparison. To overcome this, try hanging watercolors or oriental silks in frames around the room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;While you may not think about it much, flooring plays a vital role in your interior design style so putting in bath mats to compliment your Zen decorating theme can really improve it's style. The best type of flooring for the peaceful and serene style is organic woven mats which you will want to purchase in neutral tones.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For some decorative touches which will help tie together your Zen decor think about a lotus bowl with 1 flower, rice paper lamps, and Asian pottery to accent your room design. You could also add towels that match your wall colors rolled up and stacked in a bamboo basket just like you might find at the spa.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Your Zen bathroom decorating theme can be a snap if you take the time to plan it out adequately. Simply buy the pieces on your plan and put them in place - your room with have the feeling of a peaceful spa before you know it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://bathroomdecoratingguide.com"&gt;http://bathroomdecoratingguide.com&lt;/a&gt; for more great tips on decorating your bathroom in a variety of &lt;a target="_new" href="http://bathroomdecoratingguide.com/category/bathroom-styles"&gt;popular bathroom decorating styles&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-4876633812779160146?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/4876633812779160146/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=4876633812779160146' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4876633812779160146'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4876633812779160146'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/bathroom-decorating-for-zen-like-spa.html' title='Bathroom Decorating For A Zen Like Spa Look'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6320809189427008287</id><published>2009-10-04T15:07:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-04T15:07:04.158-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Searching For Your Dream Home - Buying Property</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;First things first when looking for your dream home. Make a list of all the things you're looking for. With today's computers and search engines on the Internet it makes home shopping by keywords very simple.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Most real estate websites have boxes you can check off, if you're looking for a three-bedroom house with two bathrooms and a swimming pool. You simply check these items off, select the area you would like to search for homes and and you now have a list of homes to look at.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Some of these homes have virtual tours on the Internet, which allows you to go through most of the home before you actually visit the house. Modern technology has made searching for your dream home a virtual reality.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can now look through the list and select the most appealing homes before you start driving around. Don't let the pictures of these homes deceive you on the Internet or MLS. Some of the descriptions of these homes can also be very deceptive.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When looking for your dream home, used every possible means available to you. This would include your real estate professionals, newspapers, magazines, search engines, internet websites, and don't forget about driving around your favorite neighborhoods. This is actually how we found one of the homes we bought.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our real estate salesman gave us a list of homes to look at, while we were driving around, we spotted a home that caught our attention and we pulled in the driveway. To our amazement, the real estate saleswoman who listed the home lived a couple of houses down the street and was right there asking if we wanted to see the inside of the house.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Your family, friends, neighbors and people you work with, can also help you with your homebuying quest. You would be surprised at how helpful some of these people can be. I knew someone who found a home they really liked, knocked on the door and told the homeowners, they would be very interested if their home was ever put on the market. Within a few weeks, he was buying the home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I'm not telling you to knock on everyone's door whose not selling their house, but you never know how or when you're going to run into the house of your dreams.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a &lt;a target="_new" href="http://houseinspectionhelp.com/homebuyersguide/index.htm"&gt;home buying checklist&lt;/a&gt; to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Don't buy a house without visiting, one of the best websites for home inspections. This website has thousands of pictures that deal with home inspection problems. If you're buying a house, check out this section on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://houseinspectionhelp.com/covering_up_problems.htm"&gt;home inspection cover ups&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6320809189427008287?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6320809189427008287/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6320809189427008287' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6320809189427008287'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6320809189427008287'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/searching-for-your-dream-home-buying.html' title='Searching For Your Dream Home - Buying Property'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1157044892095853041</id><published>2009-10-04T08:14:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-04T08:14:48.639-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Decorative Mirrors - Reflecting the Best You</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Aside from its huge help to man's personal grooming activities, a home decorative mirror illuminates the house by reflecting even the faintest light, and again by the virtue of reflection, virtually adds space to the room. From huge ones that reflect the whole body for trying dresses on or a simple small decorative mirror for checking your face out, from oval mirrors to rectangular ones, from mirrors with wooden frames to ones with metal frames, and from simple decorative mirrors to those that are of highly ornate designs-a decorative mirror seems to be a necessary part of the room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are lots of furniture shops offering a wide variety of decorative mirrors, and there are also specialty stores where you can even have your decorative mirror custom-made. But the thing is, with all these hassle and bustle in the world, when you can't always find the time to do other things because of your demanding job, it would be really hard for you to find the time to buy that much needed mirror on the stores. Well, since you can find almost anything on the internet, then why don't you try shopping for that decorative mirror online?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;First of all, by shopping online, you can effectively avoid (rush hour or not) traffic. You can do it on your break time, and by just browsing through the pages, shorten what should be hour-long canvassing in furniture shops to a few easy minutes. It would also be easier to compare their features and prices when one item (or shop) is practically only one click away from the other. And of course, your choices will be larger! Imagine "window shopping" from one shop to another in just a few seconds. With online shopping, finding the best decorative mirror would be "a piece of cake."&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Furthermore, you will have the choice of buying from an actual online shop or if you are operating on a tight budget, you might even try private homeowner's trying to sell second-hand decorative mirrors (who knows, you might even buy an antique for a good price). The price of course will depend on your budget, but you can always find discounted prices even on the internet. Just of course, do not forget about the quality, especially with the used ones, but of course you will only really scrutinize the quality of the decorative mirror (like crystal-clear reflection) once it has been shipped to you, which is of course an advantage for the more reputable online shopping companies, for you almost always be sure of the quality of their products. In addition, do not forget that the mirror's size and design should match that of the general ambiance of the room, so do not just buy a decorative mirror because it is beautiful and cheap, buy it because it also makes the whole room look good (like an added attraction) and of course, because it is of good quality.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Online shopping for mirrors should prove a fun experience, and you with a large selection of choices, you can almost never go wrong with your choice once you have chosen it. After all, if you want to look at your best image, then start by getting the best &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mhnshopping.com/decorative-mirrors/"&gt;decorative mirror&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.jump2top.com"&gt;SEO Company&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1157044892095853041?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1157044892095853041/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1157044892095853041' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1157044892095853041'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1157044892095853041'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/decorative-mirrors-reflecting-best-you.html' title='Decorative Mirrors - Reflecting the Best You'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2467382077397333954</id><published>2009-10-04T00:06:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-04T00:06:45.477-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I Can't Wash the Mold Off the Walls - Mold Repair</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you have mold growing on your bathroom walls, ceilings or any other walls in your home and can't seem to remove it, that's probably because it's underneath the paint. This might not make any sense, but if the mold continues to grow back, it's probably growing between the paint and the drywall or plaster.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is real common around moist areas like your bathroom or even behind your stove if you do a lot of cooking with pots that are releasing steam, you could have a moisture problem and moisture attracts mold and mildew. If the steam is condensing on the back wall, behind the kitchen stove, you could find yourself stripping the paint or even removing the drywall to fix the problem, correctly.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If the mold is growing behind the paint, the only way you will be able to fix this, right, is to remove the paint and treat the drywall for mold. This might sound like a lot of work, but there is a simpler way, but not a more effective way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can simply clean the wall with chlorine or bleach, leave the area that you treated alone for a few days for until its dried out thoroughly. Then you can simply paint over the area with a semi gloss or high gloss paint. Flat or satin paints could actually absorb enough moisture to start growing the mold again. A semi gloss or high gloss paint will act like a water resistant barrier and help to prevent moisture from soaking into the wall.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now here's the bad news, the mold hasn't gone away, you're just sealing it in the wall or ceiling. Eventually you could start to see a dark spot under your newly painted wall repair. This will tell you, that the mold is growing underneath the paint, that you just applied and probably even underneath the layer of paint, you painted over.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're having problems keeping the mold away, there's a good chance that it's growing underneath the paint. Clean it the best you can with bleach or chlorine, read the directions thoroughly before using these products and if the mold keeps coming back, you can paint over the mold or remove the drywall, re-plaster it and then paint over it. You have a couple of choices.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Always try cleaning the mold with bleach first and if the problem is in the bathroom, you could always leave the door open while you're showering to prevent moisture buildup in the bathroom. Open a window or turn a fan on, keep the moisture out until you know for sure mold is gone.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://gregvan.com/what_is_mold.htm"&gt;What is Mold&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a target="_new" href="http://houseinspectionhelp.com/toxic_mold.htm"&gt;Toxic Mold Pictures&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is a General Contractor, published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing and personal development.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2467382077397333954?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2467382077397333954/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2467382077397333954' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2467382077397333954'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2467382077397333954'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-cant-wash-mold-off-walls-mold-repair.html' title='I Can&apos;t Wash the Mold Off the Walls - Mold Repair'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2723373769071728148</id><published>2009-10-03T16:55:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-03T16:55:21.799-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Framing Your Wood Shower Pan</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Whether you live in a home that has a bathtub or a shower, there is a good chance that structural framing could be damaged if there was any water leaking around the plumbing fixtures. The damage should be repaired before framing your pan.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're replacing a bathtub and installing a new shower this is going to require constructing a wood shower pan. Now building a wood pan will require a level floor surface, shower damn and blocking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now let's start with building the shower damn. You're probably wondering what is a shower damn and what does it have to do with the wood shower pan. The shower damn is actually the area you climb over when entering into the shower. This part of the shower pan enables the water to flow off a shower curtain or door into the shower pan and down the drain.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The shower damn needs to be at the least 6 inches tall and would be best if it was at least 8 inches. You can use a 4 x 6 or a 4 x 8 for the wood shower damn.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Next we need to block the perimeter of the pan area in the wall framing that we will use for our shower walls also. These blocks should be at least 12 inches high. This would require using 2 x 12 lumber for blocking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After you block the perimeter of the shower pan and installed the shower damn you are ready to have to shower water proffed with a process known as hot mopping the shower pan or using a vinyl liner.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Well I hope this gives you a better idea of what's involved when &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://gregvan.com/framing/framing_shower_pan.htm"&gt;framing shower pans&lt;/a&gt; during the house framing process.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vanden Berge has been building and remodeling for over 30 years and his information has proven valuable to most contractors and homeowners all over the world. He usually tries to write at least two articles a day on home improvement or remodeling problems.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg is in the process right now of working on a home inspection website that will revolutionize the home inspection business. He is also working on a book to help homeowners and contractors as well as other home related professions in dealing with the home inspection process.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can visit the home inspection website currently under construction at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://houseinspectionhelp.com"&gt;Home Inspection Help&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2723373769071728148?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2723373769071728148/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2723373769071728148' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2723373769071728148'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2723373769071728148'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/framing-your-wood-shower-pan.html' title='Framing Your Wood Shower Pan'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5921820606409587868</id><published>2009-10-03T09:04:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-03T09:04:12.021-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Isn't tile grouting supposed to be simple, if you read the directions and watch a couple of videos? What could make tile grouting so difficult? Grouting your tile isn't that difficult, by the time you're done reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea how to grout your floors, bathrooms, kitchens and anything else that requires tile.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I used to have problems grouting tile, but after I read the directions, I became a grouting wizard. This sounds hard to believe, but after reading the directions on the tile grout bag, I became a grout master. I know, you the type of person who never read the directions, you simply add water, mix and start grouting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It's time to change your thinking about, whether or not the directions will be helpful. Whether it's about grouting your bathroom floor or putting together your home barbecued. I read one thing on the grout bag and it changed my entire grouting career.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The grout should slake. After you're done mixing the grout, you should wait between five and 10 minutes to let the moisture soak into the grout mix. Do this once, and you will never go back to mixing your grout and applying it, as quickly as possible after it has been mixed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For more information on grouting, remodeling or home repairs, I would recommend reading books on home improvement and home repairs. Some of these books can make a big difference in your home improvement abilities as a handyman. I would also recommend reading more articles, there's plenty of information about tile and grouting, all over the Internet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Click here if you are looking for some more &lt;a target="_new" href="http://books.gregvan.com/bathroom_books.htm"&gt;Bathroom Remodeling Ideas&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://homerepair.gregvan.com/"&gt;Home Repair Tips&lt;/a&gt;. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks for reading the article&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5921820606409587868?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5921820606409587868/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5921820606409587868' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5921820606409587868'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5921820606409587868'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/tile-grouting-tips-for-your-bathrooms.html' title='Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1602613999594914477</id><published>2009-10-03T01:43:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-03T01:43:46.564-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Small Bathroom Remodeling - Paint the Sink</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Small bathroom remodeling can be as simple as changing just a few items and maybe add a little bit of home dcor. This article will look at a couple of possible solutions at you might use and perhaps may have never even thought of before.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There is More to Painting Than Just the Canvas&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Several years ago I came across the lady who did the exquisite paintings. The unique thing about her paintings though was the fact that she painted on bathroom sinks, toilet lids and other types of fixtures.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You would be amazed at how much you can touch up a plain white sink just by painting some beautiful flowers or other types of scenery on them. Then you can add some decorative faucets, which may run a couple hundred dollars, but they're well worth the investment for the convenience of them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're lucky enough to live in an area that has a few large plumbing supply places they should have some displays and you may go and see if they have anything like this in their showroom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this simply adds some bathroom dcor items that might enhance the painting. Even if it's a simple is just integrating some of the colors in the room with some pictures or some towels will really catch up and save you a lot of money rather than having to completely remodel your bathroom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This may be a simple solution to one of the most dreaded problems of dealing with a &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://best-home-improvement-projects.com/small-bathroom-remodeling.php"&gt;small bathroom remodeling&lt;/a&gt; project. Obviously space is going to be the biggest concern. So you may want to consider finding a local artist in your area that may be able to do this type of work for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Find more helpful remodeling tips by visiting &lt;a target="_new" href="http://best-home-improvement-projects.com"&gt;http://best-home-improvement-projects.com&lt;/a&gt; where you will find helpful remodeling tips, advice and resources to include Small Bathroom Remodeling.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1602613999594914477?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1602613999594914477/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1602613999594914477' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1602613999594914477'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1602613999594914477'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/small-bathroom-remodeling-paint-sink.html' title='Small Bathroom Remodeling - Paint the Sink'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7502019009242445814</id><published>2009-10-02T18:45:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-02T18:45:24.503-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Plywood Roof Sheeting - Roof Framing Trade Secrets</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Most framing contractor's look at the building plans and order all of the material, according to those that are specified on the plans. This works out fine, and can often save you money, but rarely produces the best home that you could possibly frame.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As a professional framing contractor, I would like to share one of my house framing tips with you. Most plans require half-inch plywood or oriented strand board as their roof sheeting. This product is fine and if you're building a lot of homes, you're not going to have the choice. Ordering larger sized plywood could cost you thousands of dollars, especially if you're building a lot of homes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;However, if your framing or building a home for someone or even yourself, you might want to take my advice and think twice about it, before ordering the roof sheeting. Half-inch plywood, works okay for 16 inch on center roof rafters or engineered truss roofing systems. It doesn't work well on 24 inch on center roof rafters spacing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is usually flimsy and weak at the center point, directly in between the 24 inch roof rafter bays. If you're going to use the half-inch plywood, I would recommend using plywood clips that are relatively inexpensive and can be placed in the direct center of each roof rafter bay on each sheet of plywood. These can be purchased at most home improvement centers or lumber yards.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The other alternative, and this is what I recommend, would be to use 5/8 inch plywood. This plywood works great for 24 inch on center roof rafters and you will have a nice sturdy roof to walk on, while roofing your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I have actually seen people step through the flimsy plywood, while lifting heavy roof tiles and bundles of composition roof shingles. Experienced roofers try to walk directly on top of the roof rafters, when loading their roof shingles or even carrying them on the roof.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're a home builder and your concern is about making a profit, you will need to use the half-inch plywood. If you want to build a superior roof, use the 5/8 of an inch plywood.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://gregvan.com/"&gt;House Framing Contractors&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a &lt;a target="_new" href="http://houseinspectionhelp.com/homebuyersguide/index.htm"&gt;excellent home inspection checklist&lt;/a&gt; to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks For Reading My Articles&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7502019009242445814?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7502019009242445814/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7502019009242445814' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7502019009242445814'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7502019009242445814'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/plywood-roof-sheeting-roof-framing.html' title='Plywood Roof Sheeting - Roof Framing Trade Secrets'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-225194014990379819</id><published>2009-10-02T10:07:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-02T10:07:44.636-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Sales Marketing Tips For Small Plumbing and Heating Companies</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;In order for a small business to succeed it will need to have a regular supply of customers and clients. This is more important for the smaller, family owned plumbing and heating companies who rely solely upon just a few employees to make sure all of the day's work gets done and that the books are kept in order. In order to be competitive in the market and to reach as many potential customers as possible, small business owners need to be able to make the most out of a limited marketing budget.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;These are five useful tips that should help the small and independent business owners stay competitive in the UK plumbing and heating market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. Understand that marketing is about strategy and not a quick fix to a budget problem. It takes time and commitment. Your marketing strategy should be obvious in everything that you and your employees do (business cards, employee uniforms, logo on company transportation, letterhead, giveaways). The more your business gets seen, the more customers will be drawn to your services.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. Keeping your customers happy is your very first priority. If you keep your customers happy with you and your work, they will recommend your services to their friends and colleagues. Positive "word of mouth" is the most valuable business asset a small business can have. One of the best ways to make your customers happy is to "go the extra mile" with them-discounts, extra services, etc.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. Decide your price marks early and try to avoid raising your prices, especially when your doors haven't been open for very long. Sticking to the price you have quoted is one of the best ways to win your customer over. If extra charges might be incurred, let your customer know well ahead of time and let them decide if they want the extra work to be done.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. Pay attention to the company's business referral sources: advertisements, phone book listing, client referral, walk-ins, etc. Doing so can help small business owners avoid paying too much money for a marketing effort that is not working.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. Build a website for the business. Most plumbing and heating professionals are not aware of how beneficial a website can be to an independent business owner. The site does not need to be fancy. A simple (but good looking) list of services, prices and contact information should be all that is needed to put a small heating and plumbing business on the world wide web.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;These are five easy to implement tips that all heating and plumbing small business owners can take advantage of immediately and for very little overhead cost. It is no doubt one of the worst economic climates seen in the western world in decades. However, by being focused on marketing and on good service, any small company can still do well and sustain its growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.heatingcentral.com"&gt;efficient heating&lt;/a&gt;, plumbers, &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.heatingcentral.com/boilers/plumbers/uk/london/wandsworth"&gt;Wandsworth plumbers&lt;/a&gt;, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-225194014990379819?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/225194014990379819/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=225194014990379819' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/225194014990379819'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/225194014990379819'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/sales-marketing-tips-for-small-plumbing.html' title='Sales Marketing Tips For Small Plumbing and Heating Companies'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1241547351238148908</id><published>2009-10-01T19:11:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-01T19:11:34.087-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Don't Be Afraid to Hang Things Up</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;There is something to be said about being able to take advantage of overhead space if you have it available to you. When you are talking about available space in your kitchen, the best thing you can do to maximize your kitchen experience is to use the space wisely. Instead of breaking your back to bend down into your lower cabinets for your cooking utensils, hang them up by using lovely pot racks! They're a great choice for adding to your kitchen space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Reaching up for your favorite non-stick pan or a copper pot that you would like to use is obviously much easier than rummaging through drawers, pantries or cabinets. By having the pots and pans that you use the most hanging above your cooking space using pot racks, then you can simply reach up and grab for one whenever you may need it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Besides, some of the styles of pot racks are so incredible, you are pretty much adding to the beauty of your kitchen and cooking space at the same time! For instance, you can get one crafted from hammered steel with a simple and stunning design that is perfect addition to just about any kitchen. What will put this piece's look over the top though is the way that it can be finished and there are actually quite a few different choices to choose from including something that is polished with a bright look, something a little more on the subdued side with a brushed finish, and there are even ones that can have an antique like oil looking finish.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What's really nice about pot racks is that they are pretty easy to install since normally included with one is absolutely everything that you need in order to hang it up with very little assembly required. Before you know it, you will be picking out your favorite, most used pots and pans to hang them up on one of the twelve angled hooks that come with it so they will be right where you need them. And, if you want more spots to hang your pots and pans, you can always purchase more angled hooks to get the job done.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One great way to find just the right pot racks for your kitchen space is to simply flip on that computer of yours and do some online shopping. Once on the Internet, you will see how you can browse all the online stores and their product offerings with ease. When you do happen upon something that you like, it generally will be at a pretty reasonable price and it will be shipped right to your home. So, you don't even have to spend time and money by leaving your home, now that is pretty convenient.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the end, pot racks are just a practical selection that would be a great way to store your pots and pans in your kitchen. Plus, they'll add a decorative element to it as well. So, what are you waiting for? Get your's today so you can install it and start using it tomorrow.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops including &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.gourmetdecorstore.com"&gt;http://www.gourmetdecorstore.com&lt;/a&gt; that offer both items and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it's your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many tips you can use to make those spots both functional and beautiful. Today, she offers advice on how to create a fabulous indoor area by using luxurious &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.gourmetdecorstore.com"&gt;dining furniture&lt;/a&gt;. One is just the thing to cap off the look of your space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1241547351238148908?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1241547351238148908/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1241547351238148908' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1241547351238148908'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1241547351238148908'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/10/dont-be-afraid-to-hang-things-up.html' title='Don&apos;t Be Afraid to Hang Things Up'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1059114643692121240</id><published>2009-09-30T05:31:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-30T05:31:30.873-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Isn't tile grouting supposed to be simple, if you read the directions and watch a couple of videos? What could make tile grouting so difficult? Grouting your tile isn't that difficult, by the time you're done reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea how to grout your floors, bathrooms, kitchens and anything else that requires tile.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I used to have problems grouting tile, but after I read the directions, I became a grouting wizard. This sounds hard to believe, but after reading the directions on the tile grout bag, I became a grout master. I know, you the type of person who never read the directions, you simply add water, mix and start grouting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It's time to change your thinking about, whether or not the directions will be helpful. Whether it's about grouting your bathroom floor or putting together your home barbecued. I read one thing on the grout bag and it changed my entire grouting career.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The grout should slake. After you're done mixing the grout, you should wait between five and 10 minutes to let the moisture soak into the grout mix. Do this once, and you will never go back to mixing your grout and applying it, as quickly as possible after it has been mixed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For more information on grouting, remodeling or home repairs, I would recommend reading books on home improvement and home repairs. Some of these books can make a big difference in your home improvement abilities as a handyman. I would also recommend reading more articles, there's plenty of information about tile and grouting, all over the Internet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Click here if you are looking for some more &lt;a target="_new" href="http://books.gregvan.com/bathroom_books.htm"&gt;Bathroom Remodeling Ideas&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://homerepair.gregvan.com/"&gt;Home Repair Tips&lt;/a&gt;. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks for reading the article&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1059114643692121240?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1059114643692121240/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1059114643692121240' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1059114643692121240'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1059114643692121240'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/tile-grouting-tips-for-your-bathrooms.html' title='Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7281299441007516560</id><published>2009-09-29T23:11:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-29T23:11:45.446-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How to Protect Foundation Plumbing Pipes?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you install any underground plumbing pipes, in your concrete building foundation, you will need to protect them, from the concrete. You can use a variety of products and the most common of them will be a Styrofoam wrapping that can be purchased at most plumbing supply stores.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Let's start with the waste pipes, that are made out of plastic. The concrete could actually start to put pressure on the plastic pipes as the concrete starts to expand and this pressure could actually damage your new waste pipes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You don't need to wrap all of the plastic waste pipes, only the parts of the waste pipes that will be exposed or in direct contact any concrete, but you do need to protect every copper water supply line that will be buried under the ground or exposed to the concrete, with a plastic sleeve. These products can be purchased again at most building supply or plumbing supply stores.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If these pipes aren't protected properly, you could find yourself within a short time, repairing the pipes that are either inside of your concrete foundation or buried underneath your concrete foundation. Either way, this isn't going to be a good thing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You definitely need to wrap a plastic sleeve around the water supply pipes that are going to be buried or in direct contact with the concrete. This is a must and most building departments will require your plumbing pipes to be wrapped, before it they will sign off on your rough foundation plumbing inspection.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;However, for the waste pipes, you can actually use cardboard to protect them. If you're short on funds, why not grab some cardboard boxes, dismantle them and start using cardboard to wrap the pipes, with a little duct tape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are plenty of ways to save money in the construction business, buy a few books, read a couple of articles, with a lot of pictures in this can provide you with lots of construction information, from experience building contractors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out some of the best selling &lt;a target="_new" href="http://books.gregvan.com/"&gt;Home Building Plumbing Books&lt;/a&gt; all on one website&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://homerepair.gregvan.com/"&gt;Home Repairs&lt;/a&gt;. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks for reading our articles&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7281299441007516560?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7281299441007516560/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7281299441007516560' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7281299441007516560'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7281299441007516560'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-protect-foundation-plumbing.html' title='How to Protect Foundation Plumbing Pipes?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-8976436621679822736</id><published>2009-09-29T16:46:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-29T16:46:51.374-07:00</updated><title type='text'>10 Things a Homeowner Won't Tell a Contractor - Common Courtesy</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;I've been a contractor in the state of California for over 20 years and there are some things that a homeowner won't tell a contractor. These are a few things that a contractor might want to hear, but a reluctant homeowner, might have second thoughts telling their contractors how they really feel.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. We are happy with all of the work that you did in a timely manner and we appreciate your services.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. We are happy with the way you performed your construction tasks, efficiently and we appreciate your services.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. The work was done by a true professional and we would recommend you to any one of our friends.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. The payment plan that you created in the contract worked out perfectly and never made us feel uncomfortable. It never seemed like you had too much of our money or we were putting you in a bad spot financially.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. Thanks for keeping the job clean, it meant a lot to us, because we have seen other construction jobs that look like a tornado ran through them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;6. Thanks for helping us with our design. Working with your contractor on a daily, weekly or monthly basis can be frustrating or joyful. Let the contractor know either way how you are really feeling.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;7. You and your crew are extremely hard-working and we appreciate the simple fact that you didn't come to work late or leave early.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;8. Thanks for the reasonable priced estimate on our project. You helped us say a lot of money and we appreciate that sincerely.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;9. Thanks for doing the extra work at a reasonable price. You could have gouged us at certain times, but you chose to be fair and work things out, in a way that would benefit both of us.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;10. This one is the most important and often overlooked by homeowners and it's simple and easy to do. Thanks for doing what you said you were going to do and actually doing it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Just a simple thank you and paying them on time, for a service well done is enough for most contractors. However, a little common courtesy can go a long way, even in the construction industry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://gregvan.com/"&gt;Home Remodeling Contractor&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Click here if you're looking for additional &lt;a target="_new" href="http://books.gregvan.com/hiring_contractors_books.htm"&gt;Homeowner Contractor Advice&lt;/a&gt;. If you're interested in gathering more information on how to hire a good contractor, make sure that you visit our website.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-8976436621679822736?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/8976436621679822736/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=8976436621679822736' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8976436621679822736'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8976436621679822736'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/10-things-homeowner-wont-tell.html' title='10 Things a Homeowner Won&apos;t Tell a Contractor - Common Courtesy'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5675271644717909605</id><published>2009-09-29T10:15:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-29T10:15:39.670-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Important Do-It-Yourself Home Remodeling Advice</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Often I'm asked by homeowners, if they think that they can build something on their own. Often I end up explaining the process to them and it's pretty confusing. I would like to give some homeowners and construction handyman some do-it-yourself home remodeling advice, about projects that I think they should avoid and the reason why.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. Working on Electrical Service Boxes&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I really don't recommend, anyone who lacks experience working with electrical, to be working on it at all. When it comes to the electrical service box repairs, if you don't have any experience working in this specific area, I am suggesting this to all homeowners and do-it-yourselfers, stay away from electrical service power boxes. Electricity can be extremely hazardous to your health, so take my advice, this is coming from an expert on the subject.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. Plumbing Water Supply Lines&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I don't recommend, anyone who doesn't have any experience working with plumbing water supply lines, because if they break, or if your repair, doesn't hold properly, you could destroy a large portion of your home. Picture this, you just got through putting a new faucet in, everything looks great, but it's time for you to go to your baseball game. You come home about four hours later and the entire house is flooded with water.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This kind of stuff does happen and you need to take the advice of an expert here. It has even happened to me and I understand the process, pretty good. If you plan on fixing any plumbing water supply lines, make sure that you can spend the time, keeping an eye on your new home repair. If you're going to have any problems with them, they will usually happen within the first few hours of use.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I hope this helps, sometimes it's better to pay a professional, but I can understand, every intelligent person, is interested in saving a few dollars and learning new skills.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://homerepair.gregvan.com/"&gt;Home Repair Pictures and Advice&lt;/a&gt;. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://gregvan.com/vista_remodeling.htm"&gt;Vista Home Repair Contractors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks For Reading My Articles&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5675271644717909605?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5675271644717909605/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5675271644717909605' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5675271644717909605'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5675271644717909605'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/important-do-it-yourself-home.html' title='Important Do-It-Yourself Home Remodeling Advice'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7200565390887410604</id><published>2009-09-29T03:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-29T03:37:00.618-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Home Purchasing Checklists Provide Protection</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Home purchasing checklists provide protection for consumers with useful information for future home repairs or current home repairs that will need to be done before the home is sold. Home inspectors often use checklists like these, while they're inspecting the home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If more home shoppers used home inspection checklist while shopping for houses, we would probably have more satisfied homebuyers than dissatisfied ones. Recently just purchasing a home, we had our real estate professional, the previous homeowner's real estate professional and a mortgage lender, involved in the purchase of the property.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There was a home inspection report from the current homeowners, available for us to look at. It provided us with the damaged parts of the home that were repaired or replaced. Some of these repairs were from termite damage and it was stated so on the report. This was helpful information for us as we walked around the home inspecting it for damage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The work that was repaired to look satisfactory and the rest of the home had minor damage. Listening to one of the real estate sales people that were involved in the transaction, you would've thought we would get in the deal of a lifetime and they had nothing but good news to say about the product they were representing. I easily understood that, this person could have influenced some one into believing that the home was in great shape, if they didn't have a home inspection checklist with them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The home had been re-carpeted, painted and was in generally good shape. The problems with the home, were the old windows that were hard to open, the heating unit leaked gas, the tile flooring that ran through the kitchen and a large room addition looked great, except for one thing, they installed the tile over linoleum.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This eventually will have to be replaced as the tile starts to separate from the linoleum. While I'm writing this article, there's about 40 square feet of tile that needs to be replaced, because it's popping up and cracking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A home purchasing checklist does not guarantee that you will find everything but can't eliminate some of the things that homeowners have the biggest problems with. If you could just eliminate one of these problems, the small price of purchasing, one of these checklists would be worth it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://houseinspectionhelp.com/homebuyersguide/index.htm"&gt;Home purchasing checklists&lt;/a&gt; provide protection for the shopper and I would recommend, never shopping for a home without one.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If your looking for some more &lt;a target="_new" href="http://houseinspectionhelp.com/"&gt;home inspection&lt;/a&gt; or home building ideas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;By Greg Vandenberge&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7200565390887410604?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7200565390887410604/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7200565390887410604' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7200565390887410604'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7200565390887410604'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/home-purchasing-checklists-provide.html' title='Home Purchasing Checklists Provide Protection'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-313275295162155918</id><published>2009-09-28T21:25:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-28T21:25:02.590-07:00</updated><title type='text'>What is a Three Way Home Electrical Light Switch?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;A three way home electrical light switch is a special light switch that can be used in your hallways, large rooms and stairways. These light switches are specially made to operate one light or a group of lights from two different locations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They are most commonly found in hallways and provide a homeowner with the option of turning the light on at one end of the hallway and turning it off, when they are finished walking through the hallway and are about to enter into another room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Before three way home electrical light switches were made, people would turn the hallway light on and leave it on or they wouldn't turn the hall light on at all, because they knew that after they walked down the dark hallway, they wouldn't be able to turn the light off at the other end.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Three-way light switches are also used in stairways. It makes a lot of sense, to be able to turn your stairway light on, at the bottom of the stairs and then after you have walked up the stairway safely, you can simply turn the stair lights system off.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As homes become larger, it's not going to be uncommon to find three way light switches being used at either end of large rooms. If your living room or family room was located within the center of your home and had an entrance at each end, it wouldn't be a bad idea to install a light switch at each end, for travelers who are simply walking through these room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Remember that three-way light switches, are used to operate lights from two different locations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://homerepair.gregvan.com/"&gt;Great Home Repair Advice&lt;/a&gt;. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link &lt;a target="_new" href="http://gregvan.com/"&gt;Encinitas Home Remodeling Contractors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks For Reading My Articles&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-313275295162155918?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/313275295162155918/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=313275295162155918' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/313275295162155918'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/313275295162155918'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-is-three-way-home-electrical-light.html' title='What is a Three Way Home Electrical Light Switch?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7203053396728078807</id><published>2009-09-28T15:02:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-28T15:02:17.646-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Building Codes - Stairway Construction</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The stair building code was created for building safety. Before the building code and local city enforcement (Building Inspectors), anyone could build a house. This meant Uncle Earl who had just watched a couple of his friends build a house down the street construct some sort of a dwelling. The next step for Earl would be to help these guys for a day and now he is a professional home builder. You get the point.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Stair Building Codes create the safety needed for one of the most hazardous areas of your home. You might know someone who has fallen down a stairway?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I lived in a house I built for 15 years and I redesigned the stairs from a winder design to a T shaped set of stairs. Both sets of stairs were built using the local stair building code for my city.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wow I could not believe how many times my family members fell down the stairs. I even fell down once. I was amazed. When I switched from the winder to the T shaped stairway there were less accidents. My point is that even using the stair building codes this is a dangerous part of your house.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Having a professional stair builder install your stairs is great advice. Take it. For example this happened to me on quite a few jobs. I get a set of plans from a architect who has been designing houses for over 40 years. I looked at the stairway to find out that he has designed a stairway that is too small for the length of this part of the home. If I build the stairs using the plans that by the way were approved from the local building department, I could have a problem.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You are probably asking yourself how does this happen. Aren't these people experienced professionals. Of course they are. They probably have the U.B.C. (Uniform Building Code) in their office somewhere. Everyone makes mistakes here and there but this is one area of the home where safety is a big concern.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Just look at it like this. The stair building code was designed to improve the safety and reduce the number of accidents while using the stairs. Over the years I have seen stairs poorly designed and constructed. These stairs create problems for the owners of the buildings not just the people that use them. Did I mention lawsuits. This is one area where a lawyer will have a field day.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As a building professional I advise you to use the stair building code first for safety and second to avoid lawsuits. Get an idea from some of the pictures I have taken over the years on problems with stair building.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Use common sense while building or remodeling your home. It goes a long way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more &lt;a target="_new" href="http://stairs4u.com/eimage/howtobuildstraightstairs.htm"&gt;building stairs books&lt;/a&gt; and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry. &lt;a target="_new" href="http://stairs4u.com/stairarticles.htm"&gt;Stair Building Articles&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7203053396728078807?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7203053396728078807/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7203053396728078807' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7203053396728078807'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7203053396728078807'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/building-codes-stairway-construction.html' title='Building Codes - Stairway Construction'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5879421235700346537</id><published>2009-09-14T12:15:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-14T12:15:54.468-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How to Fit a Shower</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you are looking to install a new shower in your home, the first steps will be to measure, prepare, and fit the shower. A shower kit will always come with installation instructions, which should be followed to get the best result. Here are a few basic, general guidelines that will help as well. As always when tackling any home improvement project, with or without professional help, ensure that all of your permits are in order before you begin. Shower fitting is not recommended for beginner do-it-yourselfers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The base of any shower is the shower tray. The shower tray holds the water before it drains, keeping it from spilling out on to the floor. Make absolutely certain that the area is level and that the shower tray will be properly supported. Many shower trays are made of acrylic or resin that can be prone to flexing when not adequately supported. Too much flexing can lead to a break in the seal between the tray and the shower enclosure, causing a leak. Avoid this difficult and expensive problem from the start by taking steps to make sure you have the right kind of supports in the right places.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Make sure you have enough room underneath the shower tray for the drainage pipe to run. Measure carefully to ensure you have enough space for this. If you don't, build your shower floor to be a bit higher to allow the correct amount of space for the drainage pipe and waste trap. Make sure you have access to these things as you install the shower tray, so you can check the seals between the drain of your shower tray and your drain pipe before you close it up.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Before installing anything else, make sure that all walls to be included in the showering area have been well water-proofed. You may choose to use tile or a shower kit with plastic wall panels. Which ever route you choose to take, this is a vital step both in beautifying the shower as well as preventing water damage to your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The shower screens will be installed last. A good fit is made from accurate measurements! The type and size of the shower screen panels will depend on the size and shape of the shower tray you've purchased. They should fit together without gaps.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The shower screens, whether purchased separately or as part of a kit, will also have instructions from the manufacturer which should be followed for a solid and lasting result. Check all of your caulking and seals to ensure that everything is watertight.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Written by James Chapman, a director of &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.bellabathrooms.co.uk"&gt;Bella Bathrooms&lt;/a&gt; who supply &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.bellabathrooms.co.uk/showers.html"&gt;Showers&lt;/a&gt; for the UK market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://hometips.gregvan.com/pocket_door_problems.htm&gt;Pocket Door Problems&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5879421235700346537?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5879421235700346537/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5879421235700346537' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5879421235700346537'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5879421235700346537'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-fit-shower.html' title='How to Fit a Shower'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2982730175838328391</id><published>2009-09-13T18:06:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-13T18:06:59.704-07:00</updated><title type='text'>What You Need To Know About Home Improvement Remodeling</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Have a specific plan of what you want done. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Before you even start, it's important to know what exactly it is you want to do. Do you want to completely redo the kitchen, or do you want to put in a new shower in a bathroom? Browse magazines for ideas, or ask friends whose homes you like what exactly they did. From there, you can know whether or not you can do it yourself or if you will have to hire someone.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In addition, planning thoroughly is important because it could affect the outcome of other projects. For example, let's say you want to add siding to your home. You will need to check if there are other repairs or things that could influence the siding, such as windows, paint, and so forth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You will also want to prioritize your projects. For example, if you only have the budget for one project, and you need a new roof but would also like to redo your master bathroom, the new roof should take priority.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It's also a good idea to check local laws and ordinances before you begin remodeling. Make sure your homeowner's association allows the project you would like to do, so you don't end up wasting money if they don't approve it and you're already halfway finished.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Create a budget. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;First, determine how much you want to spend. Then, you can determine whether you can tackle all the projects at once, or whether you will need to break them up and work on one this year, another next year, and so forth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When making a budget, make sure you take into account not just materials, but labor and clean-up too. Costs you may not think about, like renting industrial vaccums, carpet cleaning, or dumpsters can add up.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;That said, most experts will tell you it's a good idea to have a little extra set aside just in case, as many remodeling projects go over budget. Or, the home owners decide they would like to add something new; for example, if they originally planned on replacing countertops and then ended up putting in new cabinetry as well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Consider timing&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The time of year you decide to do remodeling will make a difference as well. Some things are obvious - you don't want to wait until summer is half over to install central air, nor do you want to put a swimming pool in in the dead of winter.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Spring is often an ideal time for remodeling for a number of reasons. The weather is usually ideal, and most people have recovered from the costs of the holiday season.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Home improvement remodeling is an exciting way to add not only value to your home, but to make it a more pleasant place to live. By careful planning and budgeting, you can make the most of your home improvement.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;HomeBuildingRemodeling.com is your source for top quality &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.homebuildingremodeling.com/"&gt;home building&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.homebuildingremodeling.com/preparing_to_build_or_remodel/"&gt;remodeling&lt;/a&gt; and home decorating information. For free articles delivered daily by email, visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.HomeBuildingRemodeling.com"&gt;http://www.HomeBuildingRemodeling.com&lt;/a&gt; and enter your name and email under the Free Home Building and Remodeling Updates section.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://hometips.gregvan.com/simple_light_switch_replacement.htm&gt;Simple Light Switch Replacement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2982730175838328391?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2982730175838328391/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2982730175838328391' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2982730175838328391'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2982730175838328391'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-you-need-to-know-about-home.html' title='What You Need To Know About Home Improvement Remodeling'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-4314997909099326538</id><published>2009-09-13T00:01:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-13T00:01:07.217-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How to Build It Wood Shower Pan</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Whether you live in a home that has a bathtub or a shower, there is a good chance that structural framing could be damaged if there was any water leaking around the plumbing fixtures. The damage should be repaired before framing your pan.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're replacing a bathtub and installing a new shower this is going to require constructing a wood shower pan. Now building a wood pan will require a level floor surface, shower damn and blocking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now let's start with building the shower damn. You're probably wondering what is a shower damn and what does it have to do with the wood shower pan. The shower damn is actually the area you climb over when entering into the shower. This part of the shower pan enables the water to flow off a shower curtain or door into the shower pan and down the drain.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The shower damn needs to be at the least 6 inches tall and would be best if it was at least 8 inches. You can use a 4 x 6 or a 4 x 8 for the wood shower damn.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Next we need to block the perimeter of the pan area in the wall framing that we will use for our shower walls also. These blocks should be at least 12 inches high. This would require using 2 x 12 lumber for blocking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After you block the perimeter of the shower pan and installed the shower damn you are ready to have to shower water proffed with a process known as hot mopping the shower pan or using a vinyl liner.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Well I hope this gives you a better idea of what's involved when &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://gregvan.com/framing/framing_shower_pan.htm"&gt;framing shower pans&lt;/a&gt; during the house framing process.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vanden Berge has been building and remodeling for over 30 years and his information has proven valuable to most contractors and homeowners all over the world. He usually tries to write at least two articles a day on home improvement or remodeling problems.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg is in the process right now of working on a home inspection website that will revolutionize the home inspection business. He is also working on a book to help homeowners and contractors as well as other home related professions in dealing with the home inspection process.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can visit the home inspection website currently under construction at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://houseinspectionhelp.com"&gt;Home Inspection Help&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://hometips.gregvan.com/surviving_as_a_contractor.htm&gt;Surviving As A Contractor&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-4314997909099326538?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/4314997909099326538/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=4314997909099326538' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4314997909099326538'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4314997909099326538'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-build-it-wood-shower-pan.html' title='How to Build It Wood Shower Pan'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7260167089133429432</id><published>2009-09-12T06:50:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-12T06:50:43.358-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Laying Ceramic Tile - Important Details That Must Be Right</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Laying ceramic tile is a simple process. Get the basics right and the project will be a success. Now there are quite a few tricks that you need to know for the project to turn out right. Overlook these few things and you may have problems. Actually some of the most important steps are before you lay the first tile.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Some tile projects fail because of the base over which the tile is set. That's because any movement of the finished tile surface will likely lead to cracks. You see a tile surface is brittle. Move the base around and the tile will crack either in the tiles themselves or in the grout. A cracked tile surface is because of movement of the base. You can easily prevent this.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now on some surfaces you may need some bracing. But usually even if you have a bouncing mounting surface, covering the surface will solve the problem. Putting down a plywood base or a cement board base is often the solution. The cement board base is almost a standard professional first step. In any case, make sure your base is clean, smooth and solid.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Once you have a solid base, the next important step is to decide where that first tile goes. Get the first tile right and the project is well under way. You see the finished look of the tile surface depends on where the cut tiles are and how all the tile joints look. Usually most rooms aren't exactly square so it's a challenge to make the tile lines match best with the existing walls. Planning is the key to success.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can often start a floor in the center and work out for the best look. Once you get started it's easy to keep joints even using regular tile spacers. Then you can check regularly with a carpenter square to keep all the tiles properly aligned.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Laying ceramic tile is a step by step process. No particular step is hard, but there are quite a few tricks that you need to know to have the best chance for success. Get off to the right start and you'll surely have a good looking finished project.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can get access to video tutorials showing the professional tricks to &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.installingceramictile.net/reviewtile.html"&gt;laying ceramic tile&lt;/A&gt; on our tile website.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Al Bullington invites you to visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.installingceramictile.net"&gt;http://InstallingCeramicTile.net&lt;/A&gt; for answers to your tile questions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://hometips.gregvan.com/window_header_framing_problems.htm&gt;Window Header Framing Problems&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7260167089133429432?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7260167089133429432/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7260167089133429432' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7260167089133429432'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7260167089133429432'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/laying-ceramic-tile-important-details.html' title='Laying Ceramic Tile - Important Details That Must Be Right'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6460066152606436625</id><published>2009-09-11T13:04:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-11T13:04:33.352-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How Hot is Your Kitchen</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The kitchen is a feisty place, a place of sizzling, burning, searing, and grilling, with the whistle of steam and the crackle of oil all combining to create a symphony that's so good you can taste it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But how hot is your kitchen in actuality? I'm not talking about temperature I am referring to excitement, to inspiration, to passion. Are the walls coated in bare and lonely wall paper, screaming for an accent? Or do they have style, and character, born from a thousand tiny details each expressing the inner you?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The energy in your kitchen may come from the cook, but the cook's energy has to come from inspiration. A kitchen devoid of character will not ignite new ideas, and it won't excite the imagination.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On the other hand however, it is quite possible to get too hot. You don't want to be sweating in the salsa. Over stimulation can lead to mistakes, and mistakes usually taste terrible.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So the kitchen ends up being a compromise. You balance hot against cold, energy against calculation, to form the perfect space for creation. And you judge this balance with the best scale available, your own body.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Everyone has an internal temperature, and a psychological temperament. Some people are always excited, always energetic, while others are calmer, and more calculating.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When you are the cook, it is your job to mold the kitchen to suit the emotional needs of your personality. This can be done by balancing your own heat, and energy, against the stimulus in the room. In this way you can invigorate your calm serenity with some exciting colors, or cool off a fiery temperament with some soothing art pieces.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Conclusion: How hot do you want your kitchen to be? Cool as a cucumber or hot as a tamale? The answer is simple, balance the space against your own personal flame.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Looking to add a unique flavor to your kitchen or bar ware set? Each and every &lt;a target="_new" href="http://coasters.pebblez.com/beverage-coasters.html"&gt;stone beverage coaster&lt;/a&gt; offered by PebbleArt is made one of a kind by the natural properties which occur within its surface. These features give each piece its own distinct personality and character.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://hometips.gregvan.com/structural_framing_beams.htm&gt;Structural Framing Beams&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6460066152606436625?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6460066152606436625/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6460066152606436625' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6460066152606436625'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6460066152606436625'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-hot-is-your-kitchen.html' title='How Hot is Your Kitchen'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6796580002777208631</id><published>2009-09-10T18:59:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-10T18:59:26.056-07:00</updated><title type='text'>In Search of Vintage Bathroom Vanities</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Do all things with a nostalgic echo stir up some wonderful memories in you? Do you earnestly believe that classic pieces are defined by unparalleled elegance and charm, and that one must celebrate their timeless intrigue?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thankfully, you are not alone in your attempts in taking a trip down memory lane. And before you are convinced that your dreams of recreating that magic of yesteryears will remain nothing but a black hole, take time off to admire some simply breathtaking vintage bathroom vanities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They manage to infuse life into bathrooms that seem to be floundering for breath with impeccable refinement and unmatched sophistication.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;That Unmistakable Regal Touch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Antique looking classy bathroom vanities are crafted from solid antique wood, with a detailed china top. That's really the secret to their intriguing, almost bewitching beauty. Modern-day advances ensure that the magnificence of exquisite, intricate carvings and etchings are protected with the help of chemicals.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If there's even an iota of doubt about the quality of these vanities, here's a pronouncement that is sure to gladden many hearts. The quality of these antiques is exemplar par excellence, as they are carved from high density fiber board that is further enhanced with a superb stain finish. Antique water faucets and antique brass and ceramic hardware only add to the ethereal appeal.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And before you make snap judgments about the functionality, or rather the lack of it, these vanities surprise you with an enormous amount of storage space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Selecting One Could Take You Ages&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You may find it rather hard to resist the exceptionally beautiful appearance of these bathroom vanities, but there's something else that you are sure to find more arduous. Just try your hand at picking your favorite, and you'll be able to comprehend the enormity of this decision.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There's the Antique Oak Record Cabinet for bathroom vanity that takes your breath away with its sawn oak construction, smoldering bronze faucets and pristine white sink. It is a spectacle that promises pure, unrestrained happiness. For those that believe in uninhibited opulence, the Marble Top French Dresser is both unique and rare.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whatever you choose, you are sure to have a bathroom that will become the cynosure of all eyes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here's exactly how you can generate 100's or even 1000's of positively brilliant &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.trulylovelyhome.com/includes-trulylovelyhome/bathroom_remodeling_ideas.htm"&gt;Bathroom Remodeling Ideas&lt;/a&gt;... FAST ! And you could easily increase your home's value by several $1000s fast with these 25 street-smart tips for &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.trulylovelyhome.com/includes-trulylovelyhome/dirtcheaphomeimprovement_includes.htm"&gt;Dirt Cheap Home Improvement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://hometips.gregvan.com/electrical_outlet_problems.htm&gt;Electrical Outlet Problems&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6796580002777208631?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6796580002777208631/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6796580002777208631' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6796580002777208631'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6796580002777208631'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-search-of-vintage-bathroom-vanities.html' title='In Search of Vintage Bathroom Vanities'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-4787421159804868664</id><published>2009-09-08T05:31:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-08T05:31:03.964-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Exterior House Painting - Homeowner Tips</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Fixing up your house can be a fun and exciting time, as you decide on a new look for your home. Designing and planning home projects is both complicated and time consuming, but if done right the results are very rewarding for you and your family.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Exterior house painting is one of the quickest and most surefire ways you can change the look of your home. Painting it a different color or just mixing up the color schemes can give your house a fresh new look. Be sure to consult experts, or do your own research, when deciding on color schemes, as certain colors do not mesh well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is better to do this research prior to painting, so time and money is not wasted learning the hard way that certain colors clash too hard for your home. Exterior house painting is not Chinese algebra, but doing your homework never hurts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Contractors' opinions are useful as well, as they have probably been in the business for some time and have experience with color schemes. Consulting a skilled contractor is a good idea before making a final decision on your exterior house painting choices.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hiring a contractor is wise as well because of the time and headaches you will save while getting a professional job at the same time. Many people take home projects lightly and end up paying the price later, whether it is a monetary price or just the hassle that comes from disappointment in your decision. Taking some time for planning and design will probably help you to avoid these messes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;More information on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.anti-aging.org/content/collegeworkspainting.asp"&gt;College Works Painting&lt;/a&gt; exterior house painting for your home is just a click away&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-4787421159804868664?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/4787421159804868664/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=4787421159804868664' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4787421159804868664'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4787421159804868664'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/exterior-house-painting-homeowner-tips.html' title='Exterior House Painting - Homeowner Tips'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-3874036045918586826</id><published>2009-09-08T00:16:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-08T00:16:48.320-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Create Your Solar Power House and Immediately Notice Beneficial Financial Savings &amp; Cleaner Living!</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Finding room-heating too expensive? Electric bills keeping you strained even in dreams? Forget all worries!! Just go for a solar power house. Or even easier, retrofit your home with solar power panels or passive solar power.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Imagine a side-walk, exposed directly to the sun on a blazing summer noon. Heat had reached the boiling point and if you try, the heated sidewalks can even cook an egg for you. This is what we call passive solar power! Passive solar homes have mechanisms like double glazed windows to store solar energy and then re-circulate the air through the house. Active solar power houses have elaborate devices like large solar panel cells, pumps and heat exchanges.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Get a combination of active and passive solar powers for your home soon. In a solar power house the sun's rays are trapped and via photovoltaic technology stored and converted into power to warm up your house and to provide you with good quality electricity. You'll be able to utilize this energy in running any kind of electric appliance. But attention please! Be careful in making your home as energy-efficient as possible before you switch to solar power. Always go for new and energy-efficient appliances because they consume low kilowatts to operate. Use older appliances and you run the risk of burning more kilowatts for the same work.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And what's more, depending upon the area in which you live you may jolly well be entitled to discounts and tax recessions when you purchase a new energy efficient appliance. So hurry up and reduce your costs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you really think that you cannot afford a solar power house at the moment, don't worry! There are loads of other options. If you have your bucks you can go for a solar heating system specifically designed for swimming pools. If you don't, you might decide to install a simple, inexpensive solar heating system to heat up your water for now. Once you realize how well it works and above all how much toy get to save, toy may finally take a step forward towards turning your home into a solar power house.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Live happier and for less money in a &lt;a target="_new" href="http://windpower-home.blogspot.com/"&gt;Solar Power House&lt;/a&gt;. All you have to do is &lt;a target="_new" href="http://windpower-home.blogspot.com/"&gt;Click Here&lt;/a&gt; to save hundreds of dollars per year!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-3874036045918586826?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/3874036045918586826/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=3874036045918586826' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/3874036045918586826'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/3874036045918586826'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/create-your-solar-power-house-and.html' title='Create Your Solar Power House and Immediately Notice Beneficial Financial Savings &amp; Cleaner Living!'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2415957665176771400</id><published>2009-09-07T22:39:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-07T22:39:35.513-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Facts About Radon</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Radon is a product of complex chemical processes that takes place in 14 stages. Facts about radon indicate that its presence in the atmosphere is harmless since the concentration level is quite low. However, if you're exposed in closed places radon can be harmful. Basically it results as a decay product of uranium into the soil.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If your basement have cracks or openings, you better think of repairing them fast. Facts about radon are quite shocking when it comes to how it can enter and accumulate in your house. The process is quite interesting. Actually what happens is that radon is present in the soil. Due to the difference in pressure between the soil and your house low areas such as basement, radon easily gets attracted by the basement's low pressure since it's under high pressure in the soil.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Interestingly, water from underground springs is also exposed to radon and thus can get in our houses through the water we use. However, it's in small amounts and actually harmless. So am I saying that radon is harmful? Well, facts about radon shows that it's particles remain attached to the lungs tissues and may trigger cancer. Basically what happens is that, it affects the DNA structure of lung cells causing cellular division impossible and thus the tissues die one by one.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Generally, it's advisable to make sure a radon test is done in any house that you might be thinking of buying. In addition, please make sure that the person who performs the test is qualified as per EPA Radon measurement proficiency program.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Radon. For More Information on Facts about Facts About Radon, Visit His Site at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.merpetsales.com/radon/index.php"&gt;FACTS ABOUT RADON&lt;/a&gt;. You Can Also Add Your Views About Facts about radon At My Blog here &lt;a target="_new" href="http://merpetsales.com/2008/04/09/radon-is-the-heaviest-of-its-kind-when-at-room-temperature/"&gt;FACTS ABOUT RADON&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2415957665176771400?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2415957665176771400/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2415957665176771400' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2415957665176771400'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2415957665176771400'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/facts-about-radon.html' title='Facts About Radon'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6754211826488082438</id><published>2009-09-07T15:33:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-07T15:33:07.741-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Problems With New Houses - Home Building</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The house you live in was probably a mass produced home built as part of a housing track. The track home is a rapidly built house in phases. These phases if possible will over lap the other home building trades. If possible you will have the plumbers working on the same house as the electricians and the framers. This is called fast tracking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Fast tracking a house is building a home as fast as humanly possible. So you can imagine the pressures put on all of the people involved in building a track home.&lt;br&gt;The pace is so fast sometimes that I have seen job superintendents and foremen look like they were actually going to blow up. I mean explode from the pressure they where under.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Framing the stairs on the job was the same experience for me most of the time. Sometimes I had three jobs going at once. Think about it. At the most, I could only go to each of the jobs twice each week. That involved working on Saturday of course. This made a lot of framing foremen extremely upset. They had full time crews on their jobs always working five days a week. If I missed one day of work. I was behind for the rest of the job.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now it rarely happened but if I did miss a day of work I had to make it up some how. The only way to make it up was by working late or on Sunday. Well most of the time I worked six days a week from 7:00 in the mourning until 5:00 at night. So working late meant sunrise to sunset. Oh did I mention that I did have a family. This wasn't easy for them either.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One time I got so far behind on a job that I was putting stairs in while they were roofing the houses. Talk about one unhappy foreman. I think you get the idea about the pressure I was under to install these stairs on time. My experience building stairs on track built homes taught me to build homes extremely fast while being proficient.&lt;br&gt;I'm not interested in working like that anymore. My life is simple now and I want to keep it that way. The next time you see a construction worker working late on a Saturday show some compassion. Maybe by reading this article you will understand some of the pressure he is under.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Building tract homes is hard on you mentally and physically.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Happy Home building.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more &lt;a target="_new" href="http://stairs4u.com/eimage/howtobuildstraightstairs.htm"&gt;building stairs books&lt;/a&gt; and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry. &lt;a target="_new" href="http://stairs4u.com/stairwaysafety.htm"&gt;Stairway Safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6754211826488082438?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6754211826488082438/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6754211826488082438' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6754211826488082438'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6754211826488082438'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/problems-with-new-houses-home-building.html' title='Problems With New Houses - Home Building'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6837706531951118291</id><published>2009-09-07T13:52:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-07T13:52:36.455-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How Can I Benefit From Solar Panels?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The use of solar panels has become increasingly popular due to the financial savings they offer. Yet this is just one good reason why you should look into adding them. They also help to reduce the depletion of those resources we can't replace. As our society continues to move forward with technology we find we are using more and more electricity every day.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You will find there are plenty of well qualified contractors out there willing to install home solar panels for you. It is a good idea to contact at least two of them to see what they have to offer. Compare the solar panels they will install as well as the price. You also want to check their reputation and find out what type of warranty they offer on the work they will complete for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you want to save money on the installation though you need to look at solar home kits. These allow you go put everything into place on your own. You can use them for your home or your business if you want to create your own electricity. Make a deal with a friend that they will help you install your solar panels and you will do the same for them. That way you can both benefit and the work will be completed in less time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There really isn't too much to the process of installing your own solar panels Yet what it offers you in return is a very effective way to save money and to protect the environment in which you live.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Some individuals worry that they won't collect enough energy with home solar panels to meet their needs. It is true that households can vary when it comes to the amount of energy they consume each day. Likewise, the sun doesn't always shine as brightly in the sky each day either. Yet you don't have to worry because if you use all of the solar energy you create the back up system will be immediately accessed. That is the only time you will end up paying for the use of electricity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The cost of installing solar panels is extremely affordable. In fact, it costs much less than most people happen to think. Therefore you should seriously look into the matter. You also want to find out if there are tax breaks and incentives offered in your area for installing solar panels California is one of the best states out there offering such initiatives to their residents. You will also find many new homes and businesses being built with solar panels This is due to the construction companies taking advantage of those incentives as well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Study more useful information on the benefits of &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.greenearth4energy.com/benefits-solar-panels.html"&gt;Home Solar Panels&lt;/a&gt; and find out how these great system can benefit your households. Visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.greenearth4energy.com"&gt;Earth For Energy&lt;/a&gt; today; Your guide to understand solar panels.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6837706531951118291?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6837706531951118291/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6837706531951118291' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6837706531951118291'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6837706531951118291'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-can-i-benefit-from-solar-panels.html' title='How Can I Benefit From Solar Panels?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-4510467163493565188</id><published>2009-09-07T08:30:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-07T08:30:33.973-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Home Improvement Tips - Renovating So You Can Age at Home</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;When remodeling your home you should think to the future. Do you have an elderly relative that might be moving in at some point or should you be planning for your own future?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A recently released a study that found 75% of the people who currently own homes planned on retiring in them. Its even got a term. Aging in place.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Try to think with the future ahead in mind. Here is some ideas to keep in mind when you are renovating your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;Consider a more open more wheelchair friendly layout for your design.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Remodel your home so that you can live on the ground level if necessary.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Avoid steps on the main floor if possible.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Widen doorways to make them wheelchair accessible.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Try to plan the front entry as low as possible to the ground and eliminate stairs with sloping walks.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;In a bathroom remodel, install extra reinforcement for grab bars and make them handicap accessible.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Use lever type faucet handles in bathrooms and the kitchen.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Plan for a lot of storage within easy reach - the area from 20 to 44 inches above the floor and no more than 20 deep.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;When installing cabinets use drawers where possible.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Make sure that drawers have pulls that are easy to grasp.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Install lever handles on doors throughout the house.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Consider hard flooring or choose an attractive, low-pile commercial carpet.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Place your electric outlets higher than normal and switches lower.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Consider a shelf outside the front door so you can put down packages while looking for keys and bringing bags in from a car. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Not only will these upgrades to your home benefit you if you choose to retire in your home, it will also likely make it more appealing should you choose to sell it at some point later.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bob Current writes about a variety of subjects including home renovations. You can download his free report on Choosing The Best Contractor For Your Renovation at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.homeimprovementtips.info"&gt;http://www.homeimprovementtips.info&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-4510467163493565188?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/4510467163493565188/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=4510467163493565188' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4510467163493565188'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4510467163493565188'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/home-improvement-tips-renovating-so-you.html' title='Home Improvement Tips - Renovating So You Can Age at Home'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7700593740063763652</id><published>2009-09-07T03:35:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-07T03:35:40.159-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Propane Fittings</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;It is a known fact that greenhouse emissions and global warming are on top of list amongst the major issues of today. With deterioration of 'Arctic ice caps' and 'frenzy' for obtaining more quantity of crude oil, alternative fuels need to be thought of. One amongst the high-class alternative fuels has been 'propane', i.e. a by-product of refining of crude oil and processing of natural gas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Propane Education and Research Council says 'propane' goes on to provide great value as it tends to burn hotter as well as in a more efficient manner in comparison with the other sources of energy. If gone by statistics, you would get to know that a 'propane furnace' is capable of heating air up to around 25 degrees hotter. Propane emits  of greenhouse gases in comparison with electricity. Propane appliances tend to have a short time-span; as far as energy savings payback is concerned.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Several household appliances have already stated making use of propane, inclusive of generators, grills, space heaters, pool heaters, clothes dryers, and many more. The life of a propane furnace is around 20 years. On the other hand, electric pumps last for around 12 years. Moreover, repairing propane gas furnaces is easier as compared to electric heaters. Space heaters fueled by propane are efficient up to 99.9%. In addition to that, they have 'oxygen depletion sensors' which shut off the unit if levels of oxygen become extremely low. This creates a much safer environment within the household.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In your life span, making use of propane gas water heaters ought to save you around $2000 more in comparison with electric water heaters. This money can be used for overcoming the other hardships on the economic front. Fireplaces fueled by propane emit around forty times lesser emissions as compared to wood-burning fireplaces. The cost of operation is also less.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now, with all these advantages, using propane would definitely prove to be a wise decision. Right now, around 1.8 million households utilize propane, thereby creating more cost-effective uses for day-to-day appliances. Just give a thought to advantages of having turned to propane: All you would get is a finer environment for children from the futuristic point of view. Besides, more money can be saved. It is the time to have started taking up responsibility of future of the environment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Vehicle emissions have been amongst the leading sources of carbon dioxide in to the atmosphere. It's also one of the prime factors with regards to global warming. Individuals have been pushing for solutions. Electric cars are also being created for people to switch over. Now, the problem lies in the fact that solutions designed for helping with emissions are, in virtual sense, not affordable by majority of people. Gas-to-propane conversions are quite affordable as compared to having bought a 'hybrid car'. Such an alternative is the best solution as propane burns completely clean. There are little or, you can say, no emissions (in to the atmosphere) with propane.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I am John James from home-fixing.com and I am an expert on fittings. I hope this article gives you a good start to choose the right fuel, I have written a lot more advice on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.home-fixing.com/2009/01/15/propane-fittings/"&gt;fittings&lt;/a&gt; and tips on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.home-fixing.com"&gt;home improvements&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7700593740063763652?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7700593740063763652/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7700593740063763652' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7700593740063763652'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7700593740063763652'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/propane-fittings.html' title='Propane Fittings'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1509113348454258430</id><published>2009-09-07T01:17:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-07T01:17:33.831-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Room Acoustics &amp; Home Cinema Rooms</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Room acoustics play a huge role in creating a successful home cinema. The best home cinema hardware in the world will fail to perform at its best in a badly designed room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The main issue in a home cinema tends to be excessive reverberation time - this is the time taken for a sound from a speaker to decay by 60dB below its original level - i.e. the amount of time it takes for a sound to dissipate in the room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you can imagine standing in a completely empty room with hard floors and ceilings and clapping your hands, the sound will echo for quite some time and therefore take a long time to decay (it reflects off the walls and floor). Now imagine standing in a carpeted bedroom and clapping your hands, the sound would not echo as much and disappear quite quickly (the bed and the carpet would absorb some of the sound). The bedroom has a lower reverberation time than the original room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a home cinema it is generally good to have a shorter reverberation time as if the reverberation time of one syllable overlaps the other it can be difficult to make out speech. The same thing happens with sound from the surround sound speakers - one effect overlaps another resulting in a muddle of sound.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;u&gt;Home Cinema Treatments&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are several ways to treat excessive reverberation time - changing the shape of the room is one. Imagine a square box, a wave comes out of the speaker hits the back wall and comes back 180 degrees on itself - muddled sound. Now imagine a complex shape like Octagon, some waves will still bounce back at 180 degrees but the majority will bounce off in different directions - the sound still exists but all the bouncing will reduce its energy quite quickly (and therefore volume) and keep the sounds distinct.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The other way to treat excessive reverberation is to absorb the wave - acoustic panels consist of acoustic substrate finished in fabric. This tends to be the most practical way to improve the sound in your room and the finishing fabric can be almost any design - improving aesthetics at the same time as the sound. Manufacturers such as &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.customcontrols.co.uk/CineakAcousticDesignPanels.asp"&gt;Cineak&lt;/a&gt; and Cinematech have products available in a variety of sizes and shapes to cater for most situations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Written by: Dave Chester&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Custom Controls&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.CustomControls.co.uk"&gt;http://www.CustomControls.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Custom Control &amp; Entertainment Solutions - Home Cinema, Multi-Room Audio Video, Home Automation &amp; Lighting Control. Premier Dealers for Crestron, Kaleidescape, Lutron and Bowers &amp; Wilkins.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1509113348454258430?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1509113348454258430/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1509113348454258430' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1509113348454258430'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1509113348454258430'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/room-acoustics-home-cinema-rooms.html' title='Room Acoustics &amp; Home Cinema Rooms'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-3164226887772993657</id><published>2009-09-06T18:16:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-06T18:16:20.806-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Going Green in the Bathroom Benefits - Poway Home Tips</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The tough housing market, tight lending practices by commercial institutions and across the board depressed economy is forcing more and more homeowners to be more frugal. Going green in the bathroom is one way many have found to save money in their energy and water bills. Many are still under the old idea that environmentally sustainable practices are expensive while in reality it is the opposite. The centerpiece of green bathroom remodeling is to save water and energy resources, while saving you money and us, the environment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As consumers demand for products that have the twin advantages of saving money and natural resources increase, companies respond by making products that address these needs. Today, more and more companies are jumping into the bandwagon of making green products. The result is that the cost of these materials that are environmentally sustainable have gone down while their benefits have been appreciated more.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With bathrooms, it is much easier to go green than the other rooms in the house. By just following the 1994 water conservation mandates, many homeowners have simply replaced outdated fixtures and reaping the savings in utility bills immediately.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Going green in the bathroom benefits:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;According to Mike Nagel of the National Association of Home Builders and Remodelers Council, "Americans spent over $230 billion last year on home remodeling, with energy efficient and sustainable products representing an increasing share of the market."&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Low flow shower heads can dramatically reduce the amount of water used while taking shower.&lt;br&gt;Toilets that use less water than the standard toilets are becoming more popular. Dual flush toilets save water and have become the darling of some in the bathroom renovation business.&lt;br&gt;Bathtub and sink refinishing are lees expensive than total tear out. Reglazing a bathtub saves money, time and the environment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Take for instance, a bathtub. It costs about $300 to buy a new one, but when the price of tear out, plumbing, tile setting and disposal of the fixtures, the price adds up pretty quickly. The price for total bathtub replacement can go from $1500 to $2500, depending on the part of the country the work is done. Bathtub refinishing is done in the bathroom, takes about four hours to complete, can be used the next day and costs about $450. Restoring a bathtub while in the bathroom, saves the energy that could have been used in manufacturing, and transporting the tub to the warehouse, store and to your bathroom. It also saves the landfills.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Going from the standard bulb to a low energy bulb saves money on utility bills. Using recycled or re-manufactured flooring materials saves valuable assets. Paints that are low in VOC have health and green benefits. Reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), will reduce health problems, from asthma to cancer. Be careful to use building materials like cabinetry, adhesives, caulks and paints that are VOC free.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because the bathroom is affected by heat, humidity and chemicals from cleaning, hygiene and cosmetic products, ventilation, therefore becomes very important. Outside air is less polluted than the air inside. If it feasible to have a window that recycles the air in the bathroom, go ahead and enjoy your fresh air. Going green in the bathroom saves money, time, the environment and is a healthy thing to do.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wilson Uche Ukah, is the President of Refinishing Stars, a bathtub refinishing company serving homeowners in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville. Refinishing Stars, refinishes bathtubs, sinks, and countertops for hotels and motels nationwide. He writes regularly on green remodeling. Wilson can be reached at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.refinishingstars.com"&gt;http://www.refinishingstars.com&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="mailto:sales@refinishingstars.com"&gt;sales@refinishingstars.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-3164226887772993657?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/3164226887772993657/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=3164226887772993657' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/3164226887772993657'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/3164226887772993657'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/going-green-in-bathroom-benefits-poway.html' title='Going Green in the Bathroom Benefits - Poway Home Tips'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-138955481753184365</id><published>2009-09-06T17:11:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-06T17:11:01.842-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Does Solar Renewable Energy Work?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;You've probably heard a lot from the "go green" movement which has swept the country into an environmental craze. While some people who are eager to see green renewable energy sources implemented on a wider scale would stretch the truth as to just how much you can benefit from it, it's important to be able to separate the myths from the truth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The answer is yes, you can use solar renewable energy to power your home. Using solar cells which you can easily create in your own backyard over a weekend using a do it yourself guide which work just as well as solar cells which you could have professionally installed for a much greater price, you can convert sunlight into natural electricity. The process is simple enough to grasp. As photons on the rays of sunlight come down and are absorbed by the silicon in the cell. The electrons are shaken free from their atoms and are then dispersed through the cell to form usable natural electricity. The addition of a generator allows you to store this natural electricity so that you can keep power supplied to your home, even during lulls in service such as the middle of the night.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many people not only run their homes on this natural electricity, but they also create surplus amounts of it to sell back to the power company for a profit. If they've got some free land to devote towards it, they make a nice second income this way. You can do this, as well, just on a smaller scale. It's really up to you as to how many solar cells you create and how much space you have on your home or in your yard to implement it. Using a do it yourself guide you can make as many as you want, you can even build some for your friends or family, or even sell them to other people.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The average family spends roughly $2500 on electricity each year. If you'd like to save that much by easily tapping solar renewable energy and creating your own natural electricity, visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.renewableenergyreviewed.com"&gt;http://www.renewableenergyreviewed.com&lt;/a&gt; to learn more about the leading do it yourself guides on the market and start saving today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-138955481753184365?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/138955481753184365/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=138955481753184365' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/138955481753184365'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/138955481753184365'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/does-solar-renewable-energy-work.html' title='Does Solar Renewable Energy Work?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2086911723893321805</id><published>2009-09-06T11:00:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-06T11:00:45.645-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Build New Or Remodel?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;There are three possible scenarios involved in that question:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. Stay where you are and renovate&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. Move to an existing house and renovate&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. Build a new house for you to move into&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are numerous considerations, not the least of which is how you feel about your existing location. That word - LOCATION - should be your primary focus. Do you prefer to remain where you are, or not? Is staying where you are an option, or are you forced to relocate due to a job change, or other issues?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you wish to stay where you are, there's no reason to read this article. Remodeling and/or expanding the place where you now live is the least expensive alternative - by far.&lt;br&gt;Your aggravation levels will increase during the construction, but they will do that with either of the other choices as well. If it gets to be too much, you can move to a motel for 2 months, eat dinner out every night, and still come out cheaper than either option 2 or option 3. If you want to be in your present home, case closed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So let's assume you have to move, and we'll concentrate on option 2 vs. option 3. There are two important aspects of this topic which apply to both. &lt;br&gt; In both cases you have to research the property with the building department to make sure you will be able to do what you wish. Verify zoning, lot size restrictions, and access to utilities.&lt;br&gt; You will have unknown costs (moving, insurance, taxes, financing costs, etc.) in either case.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Advantages of remodeling an existing house:&lt;br&gt; Fewer hidden (or unknown) costs. New homes often have impact fees, ground preparation fees, and higher permit fees than those imposed for remodeling.&lt;br&gt; Hard construction costs will be less (usually, but not always).&lt;br&gt; You can move into the house much sooner. If you have to leave your existing home quickly, you may not have the ability to wait for a new home to be built.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Advantages of building new:&lt;br&gt; Unrestricted design potential, allowing you to end up with a more modern, better insulated home, with better traffic flow than you would have in an older building. Also, older homes have less closet/storage space than new ones.&lt;br&gt; Your long term energy costs will be lower because all of your equipment will be running more efficiently.&lt;br&gt; Less disruption to family routine. While construction is happening, you're still living in your present house. Then you move into a finished product (possibly with some decorative items to complete).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I'm sure you noticed that I haven't listed costs in either list. The determining factor is going to be the extent of the renovation to the existing building. Depending upon the condition of the house, age, building codes and other factors, it can actually be more costly to remodel than to build new.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In either case, allow an extra 20% in your budget over and above any quoted costs you've obtained. 10% is for upgrades that you decide upon after initial pricing. The other 10% is for the rising costs of material and labor. If the price of oil goes through the roof again, 10% might not be enough.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If the older home was built between 1950 and 1978, there might be issues having to do with asbestos and lead paint. Make sure you get a professional inspection performed. You may also be required to bring the plumbing and electrical systems up to date.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In conclusion, renovating a home might be very rewarding, as well as the cheaper alternative. However, you have to do your homework before making the commitment, in order to insure that you're not stepping into a money pit. Every situation is different. Your decision will probably come down to what your sixth sense tells you. Regardless of how you choose, anticipate that moving into a new home will take more time and more money than expected.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Charles Gueli&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Home Helper&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.continuous-home-improvement-help.com"&gt;http://www.continuous-home-improvement-help.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2086911723893321805?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2086911723893321805/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2086911723893321805' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2086911723893321805'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2086911723893321805'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/build-new-or-remodel.html' title='Build New Or Remodel?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-759670478567852844</id><published>2009-09-06T06:48:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-06T06:48:18.419-07:00</updated><title type='text'>DIY Solar Power - Getting Started the Cheapest Way</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Over the past two decades, solar panels have enjoyed widespread use and many more homes are beginning to realize the huge cost savings associated with the sun's renewable energy source.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Most people still think that solar energy is something only the rich can afford for their renewable energy supply. This may have been true 15 years ago but certainly not with today's savvy do it yourself (DIY) society.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here's how you can build your own solar panels without having to spend thousands of dollars on installation charges and expensive equipment all the while saving yourself up to 80% on your electricity bill.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;You'll need a cheap solar panel (find it on eBay)&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;You'll need a battery and battery holder&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;You'll need a DC input and/or an AC inverter&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The trick you need to learn is how to put it all together and how to connect numerous solar panels together. For the majority of homes, more than one solar panel is required.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each solar cell produces a small amount of electricity but when combined together, they can generate enough electricity for most household needs. Before starting, you should check that you have the right tools for the job such as a soldering gun, spanner and a screwdriver.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The easiest way to get started to producing your own solar energy is to follow a simple plan. Earth4Energy is such a plan which shows you how to find all of the above mentioned parts for less than $200! With this inexpensive guide, you can get the job done quicker and you'll also be able to build wind turbines for additional renewable energy sources around the home too. Either way, this guide shows you everything you need to know to be able to generate enough power for your entire home and can have your own solar energy generators installed within a couple of days.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For more tips on how to harness the power of the sun and reviews of the best do it yourself solar power kits, please visit the web site, &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.diysolarpowernow.com"&gt;DIY Solar Power Now&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.diysolarpowernow.com"&gt;Solar energy&lt;/a&gt; is just one of many renewable energy alternative to fossil fuels. Help save our environment by converting your home to solar energy little by little.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-759670478567852844?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/759670478567852844/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=759670478567852844' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/759670478567852844'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/759670478567852844'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/diy-solar-power-getting-started.html' title='DIY Solar Power - Getting Started the Cheapest Way'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1895074948939756712</id><published>2009-09-06T04:14:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-06T04:14:07.128-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Mistakes in New Kitchen Design</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Every designer and contractor experiences them, a kitchen that they wish would just go away. One small mistake snowballs into a full blown catastrophe, leaving everyone involved yelling at everyone else or maybe only speaking through lawyers. But most of the mistakes that cause such disasters are completely preventable. What follows in this two part article are some mistakes we've seen that you'd do well to avoid.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cabinet Glazing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is a process subject to varying results, and not everyone understands that. Basically what happens is this: cabinet manufacturers wipe an already stained door with a darker color paint, filling in all the cracks and crevices. Then they wipe this off, leaving the paint in the gaps and low spots. Sometimes, depending on how heavy the wiping hand was, there are traces of the paint left on the flat parts and each door or cabinet ends up being unique. Even though a set will consist of all the same colors, each cabinet will look a little different from the others. Some people don't understand this. Nowadays cabinet manufacturers make customers and designers sign a disclaimer stating that they understand things will look a little different than the door sample they saw.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Accurate Floor Plan Measurements&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is imperative that these are spot on. Many projects crash and burn because whoever took the measurements was just "pretty close." If measurements are underestimated, things may be ok; there are always filler strips. But if the designer thinks he's working with 6'-3" and there is really only 6'-1 1/2" available, there may be a problem. A workaround might be one smaller cabinet and a filler strip. Replacing a lazy susan corner cabinet farther up the line with a blind corner cabinet, and bumping it out the correct difference, is another idea. It all depends on how creative the designer is with the space kitchen area, and what sort of changes the homeowner can live with.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Remember the Ceiling&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Utility cabinets are usually available in 84", 90", and 96". If someone has an 86" ceiling, they're all set, right? Not necessarily. How are they going to tip it into place? More than one screaming match has started over the best way to fit such a monster in a low ceilinged room. Is there another room with higher ceilings you can tip it up in? From there, it might be carried upright to the final resting place somehow, provided there are no low doorways on the way. Some manufacturers let you ship the toe space loose, effectively making it a 91 1/2" (in the case of a 96") cabinets. Once in place you can slip blocks underneath the cabinet up to attach the toe space and toe kick.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So far, I've shown you three problems that can lead to disasters in new kitchens and kitchen remodeling projects. While there are workarounds for each problem, it's best not having them in the first place. Stay tuned for Part II.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Craig Parker is a kitchen designer and performs Linux sysadmin duties at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.thecabinetfolks.com"&gt;http://www.thecabinetfolks.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt; The Cabinet Folks strive to provide quality kitchen and bath cabinets and stellar customer service at fair prices.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1895074948939756712?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1895074948939756712/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1895074948939756712' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1895074948939756712'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1895074948939756712'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/mistakes-in-new-kitchen-design.html' title='Mistakes in New Kitchen Design'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-8298942598845529625</id><published>2009-09-05T21:10:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-05T21:10:07.392-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Dangers of Walking on a House Roof</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Here's some things to think about before walking on the roof of a house. If you slip and fall off the roof you could get hurt seriously. For your own safety if you have no experience walking on a roof use extreme caution. I would even suggest using a ladder and moving the latter around the perimeter of the house if you are inspecting the roof for damage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here's some things to keep in mind before walking on a house roof.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. If the building is above two stories hire a contractor especially if you think the roof has building damage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. If the roof is too steep stay off. This could be extremely hazardous to your health.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. If the roof is severely damaged and has loose shingles or tiles, this could create a safety hazard as you slip on one of these loose shingles and possibly fall off the roof.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. You should stay off the roof at all costs if there is snow or ice. Ice obviously is extremely slippery and would be difficult to walk on. The difficulty would be increased if the roof has a steep slope.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. Now last but not least if the roof is wet you should avoid walking on it until it is dry. I have been on wet roofs before and personally slipped myself losing my balance but not falling off of the roof.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Climbing up on a roof and walking around is not child's play and should be left to an &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://gregvan.com/"&gt;experienced professional&lt;/a&gt; . If you feel comfortable walking around on any roof please use caution. If you slip in the middle of the roof there is a good chance you will be able to regain your balance or have time to stop yourself before falling off.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I would suggest using caution near the edges of the roof. If the roof is too steep or you don't feel comfortable, why risk serious injury. Use common sense along with the proper ladders to ensure your safety and "Think before walking on a house roof."&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more &lt;a target="_new" href="http://stairs4u.com/eimage/howtobuildstraightstairs.htm"&gt;building stairs books&lt;/a&gt; and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-8298942598845529625?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/8298942598845529625/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=8298942598845529625' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8298942598845529625'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8298942598845529625'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/dangers-of-walking-on-house-roof.html' title='Dangers of Walking on a House Roof'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5892320854931275697</id><published>2009-09-05T20:36:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-05T20:36:42.110-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How to Make a Wind Power Generator at Home</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Wind power is the cheapest source of energy and you can make and install a wind power generator at your home and can start generating electricity for your own consumption. The electricity produced by wind generator is not only much cheaper than what you are getting today, but also the whole process is pollution free.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wind is the renewable source of energy and we need a small kit, which is also called as wind power generator so that we can get additional electricity for our home. The kit is readily available in the market; however there are many varieties of it and some are very costly. We need to ensure that we get a good quality product at minimum price so that we can cut down huge electricity bill instantaneously.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A wind power generator converts the kinetic energy of wind to the electrical energy and which is then supplied to our house through the connecting wires and thus we start saving on electricity bills, once the unit starts generating electricity. A wind power generator has many parts and the major parts of it are the gearbox and large rotor blades. You might have seen large rotor blades at many places. Although these occupy some space, however you can install these in your backyards or garden.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are many places where wind flow is heavy and thus there is a potential to generate good amount of electricity through wind power generators. Even in other places also, you can generate electricity and can reduce your electricity bill by 50 to 70 percent.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, you can install a wind power generator at your home with an initial investment of around $200 and can start generating electricity. The advantage of the technique is that it is totally pollution free and the repair and maintenance cost of the wind power generator is negligible. So, try a suitable wind power generator today itself and start cutting down your huge electricity bill by as much as 70 percent.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Solar energy and wind energy are two most famous renewable sources of energy and nothing additional is required to generate electricity except a small initial investment.If you are thinking how can you generate electricity in your backyard so that you can reduce your electricity bill.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.earth4energy-review.info"&gt;Earth4energy&lt;/a&gt; is a guide that teaches you how to create electricity in your backyard. This is worth spending a few bucks to save thousands in your electricity bills. &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.getreviewed.org/2008/07/15/generate-free-electricity-in-your-backyard"&gt;Earth4Energy Review&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5892320854931275697?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5892320854931275697/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5892320854931275697' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5892320854931275697'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5892320854931275697'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-make-wind-power-generator-at_05.html' title='How to Make a Wind Power Generator at Home'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2316281127808816791</id><published>2009-09-05T14:03:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-05T14:03:05.188-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Does Home Improvement Still Make Sense In A Housing Slump?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Last night I watched a home improvement show in which a Florida couple had spent $50,000 updating their home. Now they were asking their realtor for a home appraisal. Amazingly, the realtor told them their renovation had increased the value of their home by $120,000 - more than a two-to-one return on their investment!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cable TV is filled with shows like this that inspire homeowners to take on kitchen remodeling, bedroom makeovers or similar projects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But many of these shows were filmed two or three years ago during the height of the housing boom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As we enter 2008 we face a very different housing market in which nationwide home prices are stagnant and even declining in some markets.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this sort of environment, does home improvement still make sense? The answer depends on what sort of home improvement you want to tackle.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Avoid Style Makeovers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;First, it's time for a reality check. Even during the peak of the housing boom, the idea that remodeling your home produced a high return on investment was simply a myth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;According to &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.remodeling.hw.net/industry-news.asp?articleID=79166"&gt;2004 survey&lt;/a&gt; by Remodeling Magazine, the average home renovation returned only 80% of its value at the time of resale.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So for every dollar you invested in a major renovation, you could expect $0.80 back in your pocket. And that was in 2004, when home values across the country were climbing at an unprecedented rate.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you want a style makeover to make yourself happy, by all means you should do it. But you shouldn't expect it to dramatically increase the resale value of your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In fact, your taste could well end up driving away potential buyers. Personal tastes can be tricky. You may love red and gold walls in your living room, but some buyers will see this as a liability that needs to be fixed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Even if your tastes are in step with current tastes, styles will change over time. Your choice of kitchen tile and countertops may be in line with current fashion, but if you don't plan to sell your home for another ten years, the style may well be dated when you sell.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Keep in Step with Your Neighborhood&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Your home's location is still the biggest factor determining its value. With that in mind, renovations make the most sense if they bring your house up to the norm for the neighborhood.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If your 3,000 square foot home has only two bathrooms, adding a third bathroom makes sense. If all other homes in your neighborhood have a deck, then adding one to your home makes sense as well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But this rule only applies to major items. Just because your neighbor added solid gold faucets and a sunken marble bathtub doesn't mean you should remodel your master bath to keep pace.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And if you are already the biggest house on the block, further home upgrades will do little to increase the value of your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Invest in Home Maintenance.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Home repairs and preventative maintenance are the best investment you can make in your house, and they make sense regardless of whether the housing market is in a boom or a bust. They won't necessarily raise the value of your home, but they can prevent your home from loosing far more value due to damage and wear.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Putting off repairs simply means they will cost more when you do get around to fixing them. A crack from a settling foundation will expand over time. Water damage from a leaky gutter will only cause further wear to your exterior walls.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When you sell your house these issues will almost certainly come up in the home inspection, and you may need to discount your home's price to allow the buyer to make repairs. Worse, too large a repair bill may simply scare a buyer away.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Bottom Line: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Overall, the best advice is to invest in sound home improvements that keep your house in good shape and up to the standard of your neighborhood.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you still want to make a style upgrade, that's fine. But do it for aesthetic reasons, not financial ones.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2316281127808816791?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2316281127808816791/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2316281127808816791' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2316281127808816791'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2316281127808816791'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/does-home-improvement-still-make-sense.html' title='Does Home Improvement Still Make Sense In A Housing Slump?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-603960514111896597</id><published>2009-09-05T10:24:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-05T10:24:31.636-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Home Design Ideas to Create a Home of Energy Saving "Green" Beauty</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;We live in a new world. The time for paying attention to our natural resources is now. We have woken to the realization that our world is not the inexhaustible support system we believed it to be.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thankfully "going green" does not require extreme and costly changes. Making a significant difference in the worlds natural resources, only takes small decisions made one step at a time. We can decide to:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recycle&lt;br&gt;Reuse&lt;br&gt;Restore&lt;br&gt;Reduce&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With these 4 words in mind we have a few of the most wonderful ideas, tips and secrets to present. Simple and affordable going green ideas. And, if you choose to implement any or all of these suggestions you can be assured you are contributing to the over all health of the earth now and toward a more sustainable living environment for our future generations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;1. Going Green by Changing Your Lights.&lt;/b&gt; If every household in the U.S. replaced just one light bulb from the standard incandescent to the highly energy efficient luminescent bulbs being promoted today we would&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Save A national average of $600,000,000. a year in energy costs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Save Enough energy to light more than 3,000,000 homes for one year.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Save Green house gases equivalent to the emissions given off from over 800,000 cars.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Save Significant amounts on your energy bill. My husband spent one day replacing all the bulbs in our home. Not totally convinced it would make that much of a difference on our bill I supported his efforts more for the conservation aspects (and because he had turned off the TV) rather than the money saving pitch.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Boy was I surprised when the next electric bill came,&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;it dropped approximately 20%! or about 10 cents per&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;hour!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This change in bulb has one characteristic that may take some time getting used to. When you first turn on the lights - they appear dingy due to the fact they need to warm up a bit before they are at peak - light up the room - performance. They also initially cost a bit more but the standard life span far outlasts the basic bulb - from months to years.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another energy saving tip is to install dimmer switches. Years ago these dimmers did not provide any benefit other than creating ambient light in a room. Today they are designed to minimize your electric consumption as well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;2. Going Green by Choosing an Eco Friendly Floor.&lt;/b&gt; If you are planning to replace your floor with hard wood there are two options that are delightfully green, look beautiful, perform well, and cost less than most hard woods. &lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cork &lt;/b&gt;- Cork has come a long way from its original purpose of wine stopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It comes from the bark of a tree that can be harvested once every 10 years and does no damage to the tree at all. Like sheering a sheep! It's typically sold in tile or sheet form and is easy to install. Because cork contains millions of air bubbles - it is comfortable to walk on and easier on the feet when standing for long periods of time in the kitchen. It is also hypoallergenic, absorbs sounds, and acts as a thermal insulator which means warmth on the feet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are fabulous color and grain options available today so be sure to shop around!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are a few drawbacks to consider. Cork does need to be sealed to moisture protect and is not very resistant to fading or punctures however, it does bounce back well when a heavy blunt object is dropped on it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The other floor covering option is Bamboo&lt;/b&gt; - bamboo is definitely more competitive if you need a harder wood floor. Harder than oak yet it is made from a fast growing Asian grass that matures in about 6 years. It can be refinished numerous times with dye-based stains. Very eco-friendly.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bamboo also offers a wonderful variety of color, grain and style. Have fun looking for the color and grain of this beautiful hard wood option. Did I mention it's priced lower than most oak options?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;3. Going Green by Recycling or Restoring Your Furniture.&lt;/b&gt; Must you buy new furniture or can you refinish, restore, repaint or recycle?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wonderful design projects can result from painting, restaining or reupholstering that piece that &lt;br&gt;is dated or worn. The most exciting aspect of recycling furniture is the money saved.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sandpaper, paint and associated supplies are relatively inexpensive. Door knobs, drawer pulls can&lt;br&gt;really change up the look of that tired piece of furniture also with minimum expense. A picture says a thousand words especially in this case. Visit the web site listed below to see some fantastic examples of these furniture restoring options.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Design applications usually last about 10 years. The neutral - earthy colors we have been seeing so often has been around since the late 90's so it's on its way out. This year you will start seeing bold, bright colors being applied to accent walls, furniture and textures. So, don't be afraid to experiment with color, fabric textures and brush techniques. This is the year for bold, bright and beautiful! Go for it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another idea you may want to entertain is a fantastic option to buy "slightly used" from your local Good Will or Salvation Army. With a bit of frugal redesign "know how" you can create remarkable results.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;4. Going Green by Buying Energy Star Appliances.&lt;/b&gt; Energy Star is the U.S. Governments Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy Seal of approval system to confirm a products ability to avoid/limit greenhouse gases without sacrificing quality.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When you purchase an Energy Star item you can be assured you have a product that will reduce energy consumption and save you money when used in your home, guaranteed through the entire life span of the appliance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2007 stats from www.energystar.gov reports that consumers "saved enough energy in 2007 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars - all while saving $16,000,000,000. (16 Billion) on their utility bills.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wow - Good Job! Let's keep up the good work!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sue Krippner is a Free Lance Artist, Home Staging and Redesign Professional. She is attracted to "all things beautiful, especially as it relates to interior decorating and design. Visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://frugalhomedesign.com"&gt;http://frugalhomedesign.com&lt;/a&gt; to see samples of her art and find plenty of professional design, tips hints and secrets to help facilitate your personal interior design goals with money saving frugal flair.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-603960514111896597?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/603960514111896597/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=603960514111896597' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/603960514111896597'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/603960514111896597'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/home-design-ideas-to-create-home-of.html' title='Home Design Ideas to Create a Home of Energy Saving &quot;Green&quot; Beauty'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7360155413168396728</id><published>2009-09-05T06:48:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-05T06:48:03.903-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Build Your Own Deck With the Right Power Tools</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;You'll have to start out with using a little imagination to picture what you want your end result to be. A complex deck may be out of your league, so leave that up to the professionals. You'll need only basic construction skills to build a simple deck.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are many home and garden type magazine that will inspire you with some ideas, but you'll have to decide how large you want your deck to be. Try a few chairs and a small table around the area of your yard where you are planning to build it. This will give you a basic idea of how much space you will need. You might find a plan that already suits what you need.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The type of decking material you choose will depend on your budget. A wood deck is obviously going to be less expensive than a higher-end composite deck. However, remember to calculate on your costs how much you will have to pay for maintaining the deck if you decide to go with wood. It can be costly in the long run. The plan you follow will list all of the building materials and hardware you'll need. Definitely invest in the right power tools if you don't already have them. A cordless drill and a good "chop saw" saw will save you hours of labor.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Deck piers are also a must if you want to save time and strain on your back. These are pre-formed concrete footings with notches that accept standard sizes of wood. They are used in a "deck pier system" which saves you the trouble of digging holes and pouring your own footings.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Once you have calculated all of the materials you will need, have them delivered from your local building supply store if you don't have a vehicle to get them yourself. Before you begin construction, do an inventory of your materials and power tools. It will go smoothly if you have everything you need on hand.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For more information on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.directtools.com"&gt;Power Tools&lt;/a&gt; or visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.directtools.com"&gt;http://www.directtools.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7360155413168396728?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7360155413168396728/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7360155413168396728' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7360155413168396728'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7360155413168396728'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/build-your-own-deck-with-right-power.html' title='Build Your Own Deck With the Right Power Tools'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-4154624626459509231</id><published>2009-09-05T00:07:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-05T00:07:58.267-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Shopping Online For Your Bathroom Vanity</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Shopping online for bathroom vanities and vanity cabinets can be a smart way to remodel your bathroom. Not only will you be able to find more choices than you might in a regular supply store, but you will also be able to compare prices to see if you're getting the best deal possible. However, with these benefits come responsibility on your part to know what you're choosing and whether it's the right fit for you. Here's a primer that will help you find the best cabinet or vanity for your needs - at a great price.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Know your size&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The first thing you will want to do is measure the distance from the wall to where you want the front of your vanity to be. Most bathroom vanities can be found in widths of under thirty inches to up to six feet. While you might want bathroom vanities to be larger in order to store more things, this can also cause your bathroom to appear cramped and much smaller than it really is. To help you with your measurement, you may want to find a cardboard box that can simulate the various sizes of bathroom cabinets online in order to get a clear mental picture of what your bathroom might look like once it's installed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Know the wood color and texture&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Just as there are hundreds of bathroom vanities, there are dozens of colors that you can choose from in terms of vanities. Some of the more traditional colors include wood veneers like cherry, maple, oak, and walnut. You can also find natural woods that are merely covered with a shiny sealant. Or you may opt for a glass cabinet or shelving system. You might also want to choose a particular color that falls in line with a theme that you have picked out. No matter what color you choose, you will want to ask for a clear picture of the cabinet first before you actually purchase it. A computer screen can sometimes distort the color that you see on the website.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Know the type of cabinet you want&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;While it seems fairly obvious what vanity cabinets are, bathroom vanities can range in size, shape, and purpose so you will want to know what's out there before you start shopping. Some of the common types of cabinets include:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;" Shelving - This can be open, recessed, surface mounted or be placed in a corner. Choosing shelving means that any items that are stored here will be in plain view of anyone in the bathroom.&lt;br&gt;" Cabinets - Just like the name, these bathroom cabinets will be fully enclosed with doors of wood, glass or another material.&lt;br&gt;" Countertops - What type of countertop do you want&lt;br&gt;" Sink - The vanity that you choose may be determined partly by the type of sink that you want. If you want a vessel sink, you must find a vanity that accommodates that type of sink. If you want an undermount sink, then you should narrow your search to those vanities that have that type of sink.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When you're online&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Knowing what the descriptions mean when you're shopping online for websites will allow you to pick the best fit for your needs as well as receive the cabinets that you really wanted. Most online retailers of bathroom vanities and vanity cabinets will have a customer service phone number that you should utilize if you have any questions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For a site that's as helpful as they are stocked with the cabinets you need and want, go to &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.discountbathroomvanities.com"&gt;http://www.discountbathroomvanities.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dave Robert is a district sales manager at Discount Bathroom Vanities Publishing, and an avid fixer-upper who's been restoring old houses for more than twenty years. Readers can tap into Dave's knowledge about home remodeling, and kitchen and bathroom design, at: &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.DiscountBathroomVanities.com"&gt;http://www.DiscountBathroomVanities.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-4154624626459509231?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/4154624626459509231/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=4154624626459509231' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4154624626459509231'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4154624626459509231'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/shopping-online-for-your-bathroom.html' title='Shopping Online For Your Bathroom Vanity'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-8595609456642504606</id><published>2009-09-04T23:52:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-04T23:52:22.623-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Easy Money Saving Tips For Today's Economy</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Whether or not you make $20,000 a year or a six figure income every one wants to save money.Especially these days, due to the economic crisis saving money has become paramount.Bills, children and those unexpected expenses can easily become overwhelming and we might feel that it is impossible to put anything into savings or worse pay our bills month to month.We examine our bills and every penny that we spend and can not find away that we can make a difference, and it continues to be a downward slope from there.&lt;br&gt;This may be your life, or maybe you can just some costs on the luxuries that you enjoy.The first step is to recognize it, because you can not fix what you do not acknowledge.The second step is to take action.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here are some useful tips to cut cost without making major life changes:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Install surge protector - Sure we turn of the television when we go to bed at night, but simply because it is plugged into the wall it is drawing power, which in turn will cost money on your electric bill.That is just the television, think of all the other appliances that are plugged in around your house.Unplug the coffee pot from the wall after your morning coffee, or toaster, blender, you get the idea.For big items like your televisions, stereo, computer, plug them into a surge protector, when you go to bed or off to work for the day, turn the switch to off to cut off complete energy supply.You will truly be surprised how much money you will save on your energy bill.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Heat/Air-conditioning-Just turning it down by 2 degrees when you go to bed or off to work will save you tons of money.Turn it down by 5-10 degrees when you areoff to work, and this little thing can add up to big savings.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Blinds-Common sense, open them in the winter to allow the sun to warm your house vice the heater.In the summer close you blinds to reflect the suns rays to keep your house cooler.&lt;br&gt;Appliances-If you need a new refrigerator, dish washer, washer whatever it might be, invest in an energy efficient one.If it isnot time to get a new appliance, install energy saver light bulbs, they cost more but will greatly reduce your monthly bill.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Keep the change-Put a change bucket on your kitchen counter and next to the washing machine.Turn the change in for cash; I usually rack up about $50 in change a month.&lt;br&gt;Meal Planning-Plan out you weekly meals before you will go shopping.Not only will you save money at the grocery store by only buying what you need, you will also save money on fast food.If you know there is something to made when you get home, you are less likely to hit the local fast food drive-thru.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Put a timer on the shower-My kids always linger in the shower.I now give them a 10 minute shower time.I put a kitchen timer in their bathroom, they soap up first and then play, when the timer goes off it is time to get out.This tip has greatly reduced my water bill.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bulk you plans-First look at your bills.How often do you use those 400 channels or movie package you subscribe to, if the answer is rarely get rid of them.If you have a ton of extras on your phone service that you do not use, say goodbye to those as well.A lot of companies offer package deals, I have my cable, phone and internet bundled together on one bill for a savings of $150 a month.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The point is if you just look there are hundreds of ways to cut costs, to help you save for a rainy day or an emergency fund or just be able to pay your bills each month.Acknowledge the problem and fix it, which is all we truly can do.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Here is to your savings!&lt;br&gt;&lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thepennypincher.weebly.com"&gt;The Penny Pincher&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn even more ways to save money, on everything from grocery shopping, to saving while raising children at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.thepennypincher.weebly.com"&gt;http://www.thepennypincher.weebly.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-8595609456642504606?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/8595609456642504606/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=8595609456642504606' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8595609456642504606'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8595609456642504606'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/easy-money-saving-tips-for-todays.html' title='Easy Money Saving Tips For Today&apos;s Economy'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1151597108069822037</id><published>2009-09-04T16:52:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-04T16:53:00.888-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Outdoor Shed Foundations - Home Building Tips</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;When looking to build your own outdoor shed the first place to start is with the shed foundation. Your storage shed needs to be built on a strong foundation. Whether it is wood or concrete your slab needs to be a firm base that your outdoor shed will be built on. If you don't have a good shed foundation then your shed will not last as long as it should.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wondering when to use a concrete slab or wood for a shed foundation? Here are the two main reasons for choosing one or the other. A wood foundation for your outdoor shed will allow you to move it if you ever decide that your original spot is not right. If you use a concrete slap then you will not be able to move it at all.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After you figured out what type of foundation you want you need to start to assemble it. If you're going to use the wood foundation, make sure you use pressure treated wood. Any home improvement store will have it just make sure to ask for help if you're unsure of the type and size you need. Tell them you're building an outdoor shed and they will be able to point you in the right direction.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;An easy way to build a nice strong shed foundation is to get a couple of skids. These can be found at just about any store and usually they are in the back and free. Lay the skids out and placing your pressure treated wood around the outside nail then together. Using 3/4" plywood for the floor will give your &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.outdoorsstoragesheds.com"&gt;outdoor shed&lt;/a&gt; a very strong foundation. Using bricks under the skids will help level the shed floor off and also keep any moisture from getting into our wood foundation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you decide to use the concrete slab make sure you have picked out the correct location, as this will be a permanent structure on your property. If you need your outdoor shed to support a lot of heavy equipment then you want to use the concrete slab foundation. It will be able to hold a lot more weight than the wood foundation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It's always best to have a plan of attack before starting any home improvement project: it can save you time and money. Think about what you plan to keep inside your outdoor shed, if its going to be heavy equipment and you know that the wood foundation is going to be raised up off the ground 5-8" you may need a ramp to get stuff in and out. A concrete foundation can be made to be ground level. Keeping all these things in mind before you start building your outdoor shed will make this go so much faster and give you less headaches.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more about &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.outdoorsstoragesheds.com/"&gt;outdoor storage sheds &amp; buildings&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1151597108069822037?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1151597108069822037/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1151597108069822037' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1151597108069822037'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1151597108069822037'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/outdoor-shed-foundations-home-building.html' title='Outdoor Shed Foundations - Home Building Tips'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-8439249329245097372</id><published>2009-09-04T13:40:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-04T13:40:44.669-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How Can Going Back to School Be Green?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Pupils and teachers alike are probably trying not to think about going back to school as the long summer holidays have only just begun, but as it is actually only a matter of weeks away, we have been thinking about how you can stay green as the new academic year approaches.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Firstly there is the equipment and kit that is invariably required whether you are teaching or learning. Many of these requirements are similar from primary school up until university so keep reading whichever type of educational establishment you work or study in. Stationery is a good start, much of which can be bought made from recycled materials. And when it comes to paper, remember to use both sides whether writing or printing. Also plan ahead with regards to lunches and invest in a lunch box rather than using plastic bags every day. If you need new school uniform check whether your school offers second hand clothes and donate your old good quality ones.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With regards to getting to your school or college, try to walk or cycle whenever possible, or use public transport if it is too far. Alternatively, set up a car sharing pool to reduce car use and save money.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Once you are there, you could think about how to make your school or college greener. Why not set up some eco-iniatives with colleagues or peers? You could become a Fairtrade school, set up a recycling scheme or move towards using renewable energy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ultimately, going back to school is just one more part of our lives where we can easily make a difference to our carbon footprint by making small changes to the purchases we make and actions we take. So as you start making plans for the next school year, think about how these could be a little greener.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hayley Jones is the Web Marketing Director of UK Energy Saving, &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.uk-energy-saving.com"&gt;http://www.uk-energy-saving.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-8439249329245097372?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/8439249329245097372/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=8439249329245097372' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8439249329245097372'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8439249329245097372'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-can-going-back-to-school-be-green.html' title='How Can Going Back to School Be Green?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2070292024209854098</id><published>2009-09-04T09:52:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-04T09:52:19.138-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Home Insulation - Should You 'Do It Yourself' Or Use A Professional Contractor?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The Energy Saving Trust in the UK estimates that the average home can save several hundred pounds off its annual heating bills, and prevent the emission of over two tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, by installing insulation throughout. Insulation is the single biggest measure you can take to cut the amount of energy you use in the home. Plus this will also make the average home more comfortable by making it warmer in winter, and cooler in summer. It's no wonder that hundreds of thousands of people a year in the UK are getting their homes insulated.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When thinking about insulating your home you are immediately faced with the choice of employing a professional contractor to do it, or attempting a bit of DIY. At first the DIY option can appear tempting. For example, some types of insulation, such as loft insulation, are not normally technically difficult to fit. The materials are readily available in most DIY stores. Plus many people automatically think that DIY is going to be cheaper than employing a professional contractor, because with a contractor you are paying for their labour.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;However, in many cases they will be wrong because using a professional contractor is either cheaper or roughly the same cost as DIY. This is because installing insulation in the UK is now heavily subsidised by gas and electricity suppliers, in order that they can meet their carbon emission targets set by the government. These subsidies are funded by the power companies regardless of household income, and currently amount to between 50 and 70% of the cost of having the insulation installed. This usually means that using a contractor becomes price competitive, or in many cases even cheaper, than DIY.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus if you receive certain benefits from the government in the UK, you can get your insulation installed by a professional contractor completely free. This is because the government tops up the grants from the energy companies with its own subsidies to cover the entire cost of the work.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As well as financial considerations, there are other reasons why employing a professional contractor can be attractive. Firstly, some types of insulation do require special technical expertise. For example, to install cavity wall insulation - filling the space between your outer walls with insulation material - requires special machinery, as well as training. You should always use a reputable contractor for this. Although not technically difficult, installing loft insulation is often still a challenging DIY job. The working conditions in a loft are often cramped and unpleasant. Employing someone else to go up there is in many cases a much more attractive option!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As well as the technical challenges, DIY can also have a number of safety issues. For example, the mineral wool that is commonly used to insulate lofts can be hazardous. It is extremely important to handle it with care, as it can severely irritate the throat and skin. You need to wear protective clothing, including face mask, safety goggles and gloves. You also need to make sure that you do not expose the living areas of the house to the material, either when you unpack it, or dispose of any waste material.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you use a reputable contractor, you can be sure that these issues will be taken care of, with much less hassle for you. You also know that the job will be done to a good standard, because of their training and experience. In fact, cavity wall insulation carried out by professionals in the UK comes with a 25 year guarantee if they are registered with the Cavity Wall Guarantee Agency, which most reputable firms are.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Given all of these advantages, we recommend that most people use a professional contractor to get their home insulated. It's generally competitive on cost or cheaper than DIY, safer, less hassle, and will be done to a high standard if you choose the right contractor. There are many reputable firms who can be accessed through the Internet They will offer you a free no-obligation survey, after which you get a quotation. They also give you access to the attractive grants and subsidies mentioned above. If you like what they tell you, then you can simply go ahead and get a date booked for the work, and look forward to a warmer home and lower heating bills.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alex Perry is a founder of &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.DownwithCO2.co.uk"&gt;http://www.DownwithCO2.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;, which helps people &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.downwithco2.co.uk"&gt;cut their personal contribution to climate change&lt;/a&gt; through providing information and contacts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2070292024209854098?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2070292024209854098/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2070292024209854098' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2070292024209854098'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2070292024209854098'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/home-insulation-should-you-do-it.html' title='Home Insulation - Should You &apos;Do It Yourself&apos; Or Use A Professional Contractor?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7961917982697839790</id><published>2009-09-04T03:21:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-04T03:21:59.301-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Why Solar Energy? - 5 Reasons to Use Solar Energy</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Many of us are aware of the changes being made to our climate causing weather patterns to severely alter around the globe but what are the major factors attributed to this anomaly? One of the major factors to Global warming as it's called is the emissions of Carbon Dioxide from power stations still burning fossil fuels.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Relying on coal oil and natural gas endangers our future. Toxic pollution global climate changes and the knowledge of diminishing fuel supplies is causing social unrest but we are adding to all this every time we use electricity. Instead of continually using fossil fuels that are unsustainable we should be looking to transform our world economy and global warming by using the alternative renewable energy that's so abundant on our planet, namely solar energy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Here are 5 reasons why we should be using Solar Energy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. All over the States people have been left without power. In California alone over the past few years Millions have constantly experiencing power cuts. Experts tell us this is just the begriming.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. The Earth's population is estimated to reach 10 billion over the next 40 years so with energy sources depleting rapidly now is the time to make more use of Solar Energy for our power electricity needs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. Solar energy is clean, easy to use and solar panels and solar installation kits are constantly being improved upon while coming down in price.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. Cost Effective: Using Solar energy to run electrical item in our homes was once thought of as too expensive but after the initial installation has been paid for there are no ongoing cost's so it's more cost effective in the long run.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Just think, the cost of electricity on the Grid is constantly increasing so by installing your own solar power you could pay off the installation fees in a few years easily from the amount you will be saving.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. It may surprise you to learn that just a small fraction of the solar radiation that hits the earth could in fact replace the worlds energy consumption. Take into account that sunlight is a free commodity and you have another reason to use Solar Energy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So to recap on why we should be using Solar Energy to replace fossil fuels. It's cleaner, it's not toxic, homes do not have to be connected to a national grid allowing remote places the luxury of electricity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The earths population is increasing rapidly while our natural resources are depleting making it imperative that we use an alternative energy supply. And lastly it's a free resource that's in constant abundance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Saving money is great but saving the planet is something we should all be doing our part in. By installing &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.solarpowerenergysaving.com/"&gt;solar panels&lt;/a&gt; you will save money on electricity bills and help save the planet. To find out more about how solar power energy works and how easy it is to install visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.solarpowerenergysaving.com"&gt;http://www.solarpowerenergysaving.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7961917982697839790?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7961917982697839790/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7961917982697839790' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7961917982697839790'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7961917982697839790'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-solar-energy-5-reasons-to-use-solar.html' title='Why Solar Energy? - 5 Reasons to Use Solar Energy'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7997818467515447895</id><published>2009-09-04T02:50:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-04T02:50:45.650-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Upgrade To a Wet Bar In Your Rec Room</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The den, the rec room, the family room...no matter what you call it, there should be one place in the home where the entire family can relax after a long day. If you are especially sociable, the room should be inviting and spacious, perfect for receiving guests, and equipped to entertain. Most definitely, a wet bar is needed for all your planned activities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're not familiar with the term, a wet bar is simply a counter area or bar, recessed within the room or situated like a kitchen island, that features a working sink with running water. Unlike the standard kitchen sink, a bar sink is usually a small single bowl, often stainless steel, used for rinsing glasses and flatware or adding water to mixed drinks. Wet bars may also features miniature refrigerators for storage of wine and beer, and cabinets for glassware and other items needed for entertaining. For families who host gatherings on a regular basis, be they club meetings or a weekly football game viewing, having a wet bar offers a great advantage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A wet bar takes some pressure away from the kitchen by allowing drinks to be stored and served where the party is, plus the host can save time using this service area rather than having to run to different parts of the house. Using a stainless steel sink for the bar allows for an attractive, sanitary workspace for your parties as well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Regardless of the layout of your home, wet bars are usually simple to install. Hiring the proper plumber and contractor for the job is one step in the right direction, and an attractive countertop and accessories will enhance the look of your entertaining area. So if you plan to receive friends, family, or co-workers into your home, why not consider making them more comfortable with the luxury of a wet bar? This is one investment guaranteed to enhance the value of your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kate Lively is a freelance &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.ciniva.com"&gt;SEO writer&lt;/a&gt; specializing in tips for home improvement, from buying the right &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.tangentdirect.com"&gt;stainless steel sinks&lt;/a&gt; to new carpeting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7997818467515447895?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7997818467515447895/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7997818467515447895' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7997818467515447895'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7997818467515447895'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/upgrade-to-wet-bar-in-your-rec-room.html' title='Upgrade To a Wet Bar In Your Rec Room'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1483927717217505750</id><published>2009-09-03T19:49:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-03T19:49:06.970-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Resolving Home Remodeling Problems - Remodeling Contractors</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Your thinking about remodeling your home. You have asked everyone you know if they have a good contractor they trust or do they know anyone who does. You might have read a few articles like this or visited a couple of web sites to get as much information as you can about dealing with contractors during a house remodel.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now the time has come for you to take the first step and call one of the contractors. You have spent some time looking through books and magazines to find just what you want done to your house. You have a idea of how much money you are going to spend if the job can be done exactly how you envision it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You have called the city or county building department in your area to find out what is required from them in the way of building permits. If you have done some of these things you are ahead of most homeowners. There are a few of you that do know what can be done with a rough idea of how much the project will cost. A ball park figure lets say.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Most of the home remodeling Anxiety is caused from the miscommunication or no communication. The biggest problems I have had are from some sort of communication misunderstanding. I have been very lucky with having less than a handful of what I would consider a major home remodeling problem.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Do your best to explain what it is that you want done to your home. This also means understanding what it is exactly in writing what you are going to have done to your house. If you or the contractor do not understand this could lead to a possible anxiety attack and a problem.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Once you hire a home remodeling contractor the next step is to let them do their job. This doesn't mean. If you are watching them tear into a wall and the picture on the other side is about to fall off. Don't bother them. Of course stop them and remove the picture. We all make mistakes. If you see something isn't working out, talk to your contractor about it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Don't be afraid of your contractor. If you see that what you had in mind isn't working out to your satisfaction. Explain the problem calmly and be to the point. I don't like it when someone beats around the bush and I never get to the problem. I would rather have them yelling at me, telling me what a jerk I am than taking two hours to make a point I have to drag out of them anyway.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you do come to a problem that neither one of you can solve or you think the other one is at fault for whatever reason. You can contact the Department of Consumer Affairs and explain your situation to them. There is a good chance if you need a arbitrator they will set up a time and day for you and your contractor to meet. The arbitrator will come to a final decision for the both of you and that will be final. Of course their is always the Supreme Court... Well we don't want to go that far do we.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Most of the time if you have everything in writing in the form of a contract you shouldn't have any problems. If you do there is a great chance they will be able to be resolved quickly. &lt;br&gt;Doing major remodeling to your home can be extremely stressful at some points. Listen to your contractor when he is giving you advice on how to deal with the stress. He is a good source of wisdom especially if he had been doing it for years.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Resolving home remodeling anxiety will be a little more difficult during the construction process. It is very important to think the remodeling project through all the way to the end if you can. Try to think about worst case scenarios and figure out the best possible solutions before they happen.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Flying off the handle sometimes causes hammers and humans to lose their heads, as well as their effectiveness. William Arthur Ward&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For more helpful home improvement information visit: &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.gregvan.com"&gt;http://www.gregvan.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://gregvandenberge.com/"&gt;Greg Vanden Berge&lt;/a&gt; has been in the home building and remodeling business for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;His website &lt;a target="_new" href="http://gregvan.com"&gt;http://gregvan.com&lt;/a&gt; provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Visit us now for Home Improvement Tips&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1483927717217505750?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1483927717217505750/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1483927717217505750' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1483927717217505750'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1483927717217505750'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/resolving-home-remodeling-problems.html' title='Resolving Home Remodeling Problems - Remodeling Contractors'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7393164241521477533</id><published>2009-09-03T16:43:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-03T16:43:33.746-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Green Living Design That You Can Adopt</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Interior Design is the single best experience in my life that has allowed me to experience fantastic creative energy each and every day. I must admit, however, that the move towards "Green Living Design" sometimes has me pulling my hair out.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Don't get me wrong, I've written many an article about the coming boon in Green Living Design and how we, as Designers, must be at the forefront of the movement. With that being said, I find that many of my clients often look at me with that "Deer in the headlight" look when I even casually mention the Green aspect of a Design element for their new home or addition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is not that most folks don't care; They do. It is that most feel that they are being handed a bill of goods because something is trendy or fashionable at the moment and can not have any direct implications on their lives in the present. "Going Green" is something that the Hollywood crowd does, not the average consumer.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;That used to be true and, yes, in some quarters of "Green Design, " it still is. However, I have found that there are common elements that, if mentioned correctly, everybody can get behind from a Green standpoint.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, what are the basic elements of some solid Green Living Design that most can see using in their lives? I will touch on four that if you are remodeling or building, can be done in that part of the design; Heating/Air units, HVAC, Wall design, Insulation elements and, finally, Door and Window design elements.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There has been an emergence of systems that use a "Forced Air" feature known as radiant space heaters. Many builders like the aspect of forced heating in that it eliminates a huge chunk of the duct work that must be used in a home design. Some builders, and many fire departments, like the aspect of a lower amount of duct work as it sometimes can aid in the spread of fires in a home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wall design has become something of interest, as of late, with the rising cost in energy prices. A lot of builders are liking the idea of walls that are a bit thicker in an exterior build. Many are looking at 12-inch-thick exterior walls with a high R value, which is the rating given a substance's thermal resistance. That gives you better energy values, and combined with better Green materials that go inside the walls, this could save a homeowner substantial money in overall energy cost.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Insulation elements continue to increase in the "Green" factor with some great cellulose insulation options available to consumers. Some of these ratings are as high as R-60, in some cases, and can greatly reduce the cost of running your home when it comes to energy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Finally, doors and windows. This category is the one that seems to get the lease resistance from homeowners looking at new design elements. It seems that the industry has really taken the lead in this category by just explaining to the consumer, in terms that make total sense, that these design features can and will save them money. It seems that most homeowners have had a face-to-face confrontation with the dastardly windows and doors in their homes and immediately "Get it" when it comes to dealing with them. Still, some of the better energy saving features come at a price and can make many a home owner grimace when handed the bill.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, there you are. Four design elements that are loaded with "Green Value," as I like to call it. Excellent ways to be a little more conscious about the environment in any Interior Design elements that you are considering and will help you move towards that ever elusive Green Living Design.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you want more information on Wedding Savings, click here: &lt;a target="_new" href="http://weddingsavings.massivefundraisingsuccess.com/"&gt;http://weddingsavings.massivefundraisingsuccess.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;DA Southern has been involved in Wedding/Party Planning Industry for over 18 years and has developed a valuable Wedding/Party Planning Course that will give you insights on running your own Party Planning or Wedding Planning Business: &lt;a target="_new" href="http://itsyourshowitsyourlife.com/"&gt;http://itsyourshowitsyourlife.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7393164241521477533?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7393164241521477533/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7393164241521477533' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7393164241521477533'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7393164241521477533'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/green-living-design-that-you-can-adopt.html' title='Green Living Design That You Can Adopt'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-4826240614729539467</id><published>2009-09-03T12:45:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-03T12:45:04.435-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Hiring a Contractor For Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling Contractors</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Well here's the age old question, how do we go about finding a decent bathroom remodeling contractor.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here's some things you will be looking for in a contractor.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. Is Your Contractor Fair and Honest?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. Does Your Contractor Have Experience Remodeling and Designing Bathrooms?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. Can You Actually Find a Contractor Who Will Complete the Job in a Timely Manner?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. Do You Think the Workers Will Be Able to Clean the Job up Daily?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. Will the Contractor Show up on Time?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;6. Is the Contractor Going to Work At Least Eight Hours a Day?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;7. Does the Contractor's Crew Have Experience?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;8. Is Your Contractor and His Crew Courteous?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you find a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project that has answered yes to all questions above, hire that person immediately. Most contractors can sincerely answer yes to half of the questions above. If you're looking for the ultimate bathroom remodeling contractor, you could be searching for quite a while, you're looking for some one that is competent and you feel comfortable with.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When hiring a contractor, look for someone who has your interest in mind first and not theirs. Find someone who is willing to help with the designed process of your bathroom and the remodeling. If you find a contractor to be arrogant or controlling, there is a good chance, your bathroom might not turn out the way you envision it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When hiring a contractor for your &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://gregvan.com/bath/bathroom_remodeling.htm"&gt;bathroom remodeling&lt;/a&gt; project or any home improvement project, the most important thing to keep in mind is, whether or not you feel comfortable with this person or not. Never hire a contractor you're not comfortable with.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If a contractor is referred to you by someone you trust, this does not guarantee you will be happy with the bathroom remodel. Most referrals that I have gotten over the years are like rolling the dice, I believe I would have done just as good picking a name out of a hat.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more &lt;a target="_new" href="http://stairs4u.com/eimage/howtobuildstraightstairs.htm"&gt;building stairs&lt;/a&gt; and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-4826240614729539467?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/4826240614729539467/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=4826240614729539467' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4826240614729539467'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4826240614729539467'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/hiring-contractor-for-bathroom.html' title='Hiring a Contractor For Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling Contractors'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6010767718130036057</id><published>2009-09-03T06:10:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-03T06:10:35.968-07:00</updated><title type='text'>15 Green Tips to Save Money and the Planet</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Unless you're Superman, it's unlikely you'll be able to single-handedly save the planet from global warming. But that's not to say you can't do your bit. Making even the smallest changes will have a positive effect, not only on the environment, but on your pocket too.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here are my top fifteen energy saving tips that could also save you money...&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. Super power!&lt;br&gt;Switch energy supplier to one that generates renewable electricity through wind, water or solar power. The more people who do so, the cheaper it will become.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. No sweat&lt;br&gt;Turn your thermostat down by just ONE degree and you can cut your heating bills by up to four per cent.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. Turn off&lt;br&gt;Switch appliances off properly. Left on standby, appliances such as TVs can sap up to 85 per cent of the power they do while in use.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. Free of charge&lt;br&gt;Once you've powered up your iPod or mobile, unplug them. Most gadget chargers eat up electricity even when they're not in use.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. See the light&lt;br&gt;Switch off all the lights in rooms you're not using - even the Queen does this!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;6. Flash bulbs&lt;br&gt;Use low energy light bulbs. They're more expensive but can last up to 12 years. It is reckoned that if every household in the UK used just one energy saving bulb, enough juice would be saved to shut down a whole power station.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;7. Perfect protection&lt;br&gt;Cut your gas and electricity bills by properly insulating your loft space, cavity walls, hot water pipes and boiler. Eco friendly options include insulation blown in cellulose, sheep's wool, recycled cotton fibres and foams like Icynene. You will notice a difference in your energy bills in no time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;8. Third degree&lt;br&gt;Wash clothes at a lower temperature - ideally 30 degrees and air-dry them whenever possible.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;9. Pull the plug&lt;br&gt;Take a shower rather than a bath. You'll save almost half the water and by cutting your shower time by just one minute you could save more than 2,000 litres of water each year.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;10. Drink up&lt;br&gt;Enjoy a carbon-friendly cuppa. Kettles love guzzling energy as much as you love drinking tea or coffee. So, boil a cup's worth and no more.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;11. Whizz-kid&lt;br&gt;Pay your energy bills online. Some estimates reckon that around 81,000 trees are felled annually just to make the paper required to send everyone in the UK their phone bills. Energy companies often give a discount for paperless billing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;12. Bag it&lt;br&gt;Use your own carrier bag. Each year, supermarkets hand out 13 billion plastic bags.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;13. Go public&lt;br&gt;One bus can carry the same number of people as fifty cars. Tube carriages and trains hold even more.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;14. Great outdoors&lt;br&gt;Or even better...cycle or walk whenever you can. Not only will you save money and have trimmer thighs, you'll give the planet a much-needed break from CO2 emissions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;15. Eco drive&lt;br&gt;If you are going to drive and want to use as little fuel as possible, take a look at Drive down your motoring costs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To compare &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.confused.com/gas-electricity"&gt;Energy Prices&lt;/a&gt; check out &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.confused.com/gas-electricity"&gt;http://www.confused.com/gas-electricity&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6010767718130036057?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6010767718130036057/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6010767718130036057' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6010767718130036057'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6010767718130036057'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/15-green-tips-to-save-money-and-planet.html' title='15 Green Tips to Save Money and the Planet'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1942906409054545678</id><published>2009-09-03T05:34:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-03T05:34:33.741-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Major Causes of Home Damage - Home Tips</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;You were very proud when you first got your house. After several years of renting, you finally own a house. Thanks to the online ad of homes for sale. Do you think you will still have the same kind of emotion after five years?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Most family find themselves living at a cluttered home with busted doors or windows. Aside from the portions of their house, their furniture does not look too good as well, drawers will not close and cabinets have broken mirrors. How did the house get to such a bad shape? It is difficult to believe that their dream house once became so chaotic.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To help you prevent this from happening from your house, let us identify the major cause of the damages at home. Here are five reasons why there are damaged houses:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. Natural calamity is one major cause of damages in the house. The damage it gives depends on its intensity. It can be as minor as your paint fading and as disastrous as wiping out your entire house. Make sure that you apply for property insurance. This will protect your property from other risks like burglary and fire.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. Another cause of serious damage at home are the not repaired minor damages. When they accumulate, the homeowner will find it impossible to repair. If you spot small damages in the house, repair it immediately, if not you will find yourself incurring more cost because you have to hire a professional to do it especially when the damage has grown.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. Clutter can also cause deterioration in parts of your house. There are many houses bombarded with stuff that the owners do not even use. Clutter also invites pests like termites and cockroaches. Spilled liquid products can cause stain on the appliances, floors, furniture, and wall.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. The people living in it are other factors of home deterioration. An example is letting the kids scribble on the wall. Another is the scratches on the floor due to dragging of the furniture. If the people living in the house are careless, the home will surely end up a disaster. Like any object you own, your house needs to be cared for. It is the responsibility of the people living in it to look after the items in the house.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. The misuse of some parts and furniture of the house is another reason. Instead of using a chair, some would sit on the table. The cause of damage is usually because of improper use. Be an example to your kids and stop putting your feet on the coffee table. Teach your children to use the items in the house accordingly.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Finding out the major reasons why damages in the house occur will help you avoid it. As much as possible, you would want to make sure that you preserve the quality of the house you got time ago. To avoid damages due to calamity, assess the location of the house you are going to buy. On the other hand, you can avoid the other reasons for home damage through responsiveness to the needs of your house.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chris Turley is an expert and professional real estate agent that will help you to find the perfect home that better fits your needs. For more information on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.ourbestrealestate.com/Gilbert_Real_Estate/city.html"&gt;Gilbert homes for sale&lt;/a&gt;, please go to &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.ourbestrealestate.com"&gt;http://www.ourbestrealestate.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1942906409054545678?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1942906409054545678/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1942906409054545678' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1942906409054545678'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1942906409054545678'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/major-causes-of-home-damage-home-tips.html' title='Major Causes of Home Damage - Home Tips'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-830273953993046897</id><published>2009-09-02T22:33:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-02T22:33:51.231-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Estimating Building Construction Costs - Building Advice</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The practice of estimating building construction costs is as important a step as the construction itself. In building a home, a facility or any other structure, it is important to approximate the amount that will be used on the project or come up with an estimate as close as possible to the actual costs. Most construction project failures, be it domestic or commercial, are caused by lack of balance in the anticipated cost of the project and the actual expenses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Elements of a building construction cost estimate&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A building cost estimate should take into consideration a lot of factors. First is the time-frame of the project and the type and size of the building or structure that will be built. Another is labor cost or the wages that will be paid to the workers who will be doing the job. Third is the price of the materials like cement, metal, wood and whatever building supplies that will be used in the structure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another important concern is the equipment cost or the cost of the machinery that will be used in building the house or the facility. Subcontractor costs are also significant. And so are indirect costs, which are extras that will be spent outside the primary cost concerns. Aside from these, other expenses such as taxes, compliance costs and certification should be included in the estimate.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tools of cost estimates&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are a number of tools and services that a building or home owner can consider to come up with an estimate for the project. One is the free online building estimate tool. These free online tools can be easily accessed and can provide a useful estimate for the project. Take note, though, that such tools are very basic and are good only for the start of the project.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another option is hiring a professional cost estimator. There are a number of these professionals who will be more than willing to lend their services for a certain fee. Check for certification or choose the ones recommended by someone who has already tried the estimator's services. Software programs are also another option. These software packages are used by architects and builders when they make their own estimates and are deemed reliable. However, one might need an expert who knows how to use these programs and how to interpret the data they provide for them to be effective.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is important to have an estimate of building construction costs before a homeowner or facility builder proceeds with the project. Unless the project will have unlimited budget and the owner can afford to throw a lot of money away, then estimates might not be needed. But then, we all know there is no one in the world who would risk wasting his money on an unplanned construction project, particularly the richest among us.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more about using &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.construction--estimating.com/construction-cost-data.php"&gt;Construction Cost Data&lt;/a&gt; to make accurate project estimates and software that can assist you at =&gt; &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.construction--estimating.com"&gt;http://www.construction--estimating.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-830273953993046897?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/830273953993046897/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=830273953993046897' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/830273953993046897'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/830273953993046897'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/estimating-building-construction-costs.html' title='Estimating Building Construction Costs - Building Advice'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6223742715116325352</id><published>2009-09-02T19:42:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-02T19:42:27.917-07:00</updated><title type='text'>What to Watch For If You Buy a New Furnace</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you receive month after month of high energy bills, your first instinct might be to panic. Actually, it might be to search for energy saving tips. If your bills are still high, the next logical step many homeowners take is to assume the furnace may need to be serviced, or worse, replaced.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Replacing a furnace with a newer model is always expensive. There's the cost of the unit, then the cost of the installation to consider. It requires an HVAC contractor or technician to install and setup for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chances are you might not even need a new furnace. If a contractor inspects your house and tells you that you need a new furnace, I would definitely get a second or third opinion. If nothing else, you can choose from the best price and service offering.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Be aware that when a furnace is updated, there are several not-so-obvious additional costs you are most likely to incur.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;First, there's the thermostat. Different furnace brands and models may require certain thermostats. If your thermostat has to be replaced, that is extra. There may be additional wiring as well from the furnace to the thermostat. So be prepared to possibly have to repaint a wall or two. Additionally, the electrical supply line may have to be updated so the furnace gets the proper power. Again, that is extra.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also, be aware that the ducts might need to be repaired or replaced, depending on the furnace. It makes no sense to have a high efficiency furnace if the ductwork is bad or in need of repair. Once again, that is extra.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When the contractor walks through your home and gives you an estimate for a new furnace plus installation, ask for a breakdown of the costs. Ask what he plans to do. And definitely ask about the efficiency. I would definitely get more than one opinion as mentioned before.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Furnaces are usually installed rather quickly, especially in the colder months. Most of the time, for a straight forward installation, the technician can have the unit installed in as little as a day, possibly with a return visit to tidy up, tune up, or perform related work. Of course, if ducts have to be replaced or wiring has to be done, the estimate increases from there.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now that said, a new furnace / any HVAC work done recently (the last 7-8 years) will add value to your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers, as well as more comfortable for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;David Anderson continues to be so completely obsessed with home energy and finding ways to reduce energy bills that he's now losing sleep over it. He is a regular contributor to the Utility Bill Busters Blog, a site updated (almost) daily with a ton of free tips and resourced for helping homeowners save money on their energy bills. It can be found at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.utilitybillbusters.com"&gt;http://www.utilitybillbusters.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6223742715116325352?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6223742715116325352/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6223742715116325352' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6223742715116325352'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6223742715116325352'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-to-watch-for-if-you-buy-new.html' title='What to Watch For If You Buy a New Furnace'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7834408224133714166</id><published>2009-09-02T15:38:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-02T15:38:04.392-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Sauna Or Steam Bath Which Is Healthier?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;A Sauna is a Finnish hot air bath. The word sauna is derived from the Finnish word for dry heat bath. The terms steam bath, steam shower and steam sauna often get confused with one another, yet they do not mean the same thing. The first difference begins with how they are heated.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The traditional sauna uses electric, wood or gas-fired heaters. The second type of sauna is the infrared sauna. The infrared sauna uses radiant heat which heats the occupants rather than the air. In the traditional sauna the air is heated but it is a dry heat. This is why the sauna is also called a dry hot-air bath.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a steam bath it is moist heat. The steam bath uses a steam generator. The sauna has very low humidity, whereas the steam bath has high humidity. In a steam bath the steam builds up to create a humidity level of around 100%. Because of the humidity factor the heat in the sauna is far higher than that of the steam bath. The difference in temperature can be anywhere from 40C to 60C.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The health benefits of either depend upon what you want. Both steam baths and sauna are good to unwind and relax. They both help to cleanse by sweating. They are both good for blood circulation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The dry heat of the sauna can make it uncomfortable for some people to breathe. Those with respiratory problems may prefer the moist heat of the steam bath. The inhalation of steam is often used for treating bronchitis and allergies. Therefore those who wish to treat respiratory problems will benefit more from steam baths.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A sauna detoxifies but it also refreshes and revitalizes your body. In general saunas are easier to build and require less material and labor than a steam bath. Both can be affordable and may add monetary value to your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Paul Hegarty is the owner of All-About-Saunas.com your guide to &lt;a target="_new" href="http://all-about-saunas.com"&gt;Saunas&lt;/A&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more about the difference between &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.all-about-saunas.com/Steam+Bath+or+Sauna.html"&gt;Steam Bath or Sauna&lt;/A&gt;. Read more about the &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.all-about-saunas.com/Infrared+Saunas.html"&gt;infrared sauna&lt;/A&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7834408224133714166?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7834408224133714166/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7834408224133714166' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7834408224133714166'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7834408224133714166'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/sauna-or-steam-bath-which-is-healthier.html' title='Sauna Or Steam Bath Which Is Healthier?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7507648553662055258</id><published>2009-09-02T09:00:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-02T09:00:38.147-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Get the Info on Trane Gas Furnace Reviews</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;When it comes to purchasing a new heating unit, there are a few basic things to take into consideration. The two primary sources of information that a customer should consider are: Customer Reviews, and Efficiency Ratings. With the information gained from these sources, a customer with any level of experience or knowledge regarding residential gas heating, can become a customer armed with the most important of all things when looking to purchase the right heating unit for their home: real factual knowledge. In the following, you will discover why it is that Trane Gas Furnaces are the leaders in domestic gas heating, as well as seeing the impact of customer based Trane Gas Furnace Reviews.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With today's economic issues and the worlds demand for more energy efficient ways to heat our homes and businesses, it is no wonder that the Trane brand is a world leader on these fronts. By spending time and money in researching and developing the most efficient gas furnaces on the market, Trane has surpassed all others when it comes to their commitment to designing the greenest residential heating systems available today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Let us take a look at exactly what it means to build the most environmentally friendly and efficient gas heating systems in the world. This is achieved by manufacturing gas furnaces that waste the least amount of fuel possible, in order to heat your home. For example, your old furnace most likely has an efficiency rating of 60%, meaning 40% of the fuel burned to heat your home is wasted in the process. But Trane now makes furnaces that have an efficiency rating of up to 97%!! Only a tiny fraction, 3%, of the fuel you pay for to heat your home is used in the process, while the vast majority of it goes to actually providing heat. Now that we've covered the facts of Trane's high efficiency gas heating, let us take a deeper look into why Trane Gas Furnace Reviews are so important.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you've ever looked at a lot of customer reviews for products, you will notice that many reviews are rather negative in their view of a product. It seems that most often it is only when a customer has had a bad experience with a product that they feel it necessary to let the whole world know, while those that are happy with the product are a bit more content about it. However, while searching for Trane Gas Furnace Reviews, you will find almost no negative input from customers. This is no trick by Trane, but simply a testament to the quality and money saving effeciency of their gas furnaces.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Having now looked at the facts about Trane's world leading high efficiency gas furnaces, it is easy to understand why in 2007 they received the EPA's Best of the Best award. On top of that, with the knowledge that the vast majority of customers that own a Trane furnace are happy with them, as proven in their own words in Trane Gas Furnace Reviews, it is an easy choice to choose a Trane Gas Furnace for your home. As they say... Nobody Beats a Trane!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Carl Formby owns and operates furnacesmarket.com, a site with information about &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.furnacesmarket.com"&gt;furnaces for small homes&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.furnacesmarket.com/tranegasfurnace"&gt;Trane gas furnace reviews&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7507648553662055258?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7507648553662055258/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7507648553662055258' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7507648553662055258'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7507648553662055258'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/get-info-on-trane-gas-furnace-reviews.html' title='Get the Info on Trane Gas Furnace Reviews'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-706054351139279157</id><published>2009-09-02T08:25:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-02T08:25:56.569-07:00</updated><title type='text'>What to Avoid When Remodeling Your Home - Poway Home Tips</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;When remodeling or improving your home, you should stop and look at the future before you make any decisions. Some day, your investment will have to be sold. And you will want to get as much out of it as you have put in it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are things that just hurt a home when you are trying to sell it. These are items that really seem important to you, but the majority of buyers don't want.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The number one example is a swimming pool. I would love to have an in-ground swimming pool at my house. But I know that it would not be a good investment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is expensive to clean, maintain and buyers aren't looking for swimming pools. Buyers don't want the troubles or the energy bills that come with swimming pools. Lenders don't include pools in the mortgage appraisal, so it really has no value to your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another thing that can hurt you is overexpanding your home. Yes, buyers are looking for space, but you can have too much space. If you add on a family room, you are likely to see a 83% return on your investment. It costs you when you don't get back 100%. Adding a master suite to a home will grant you a recovery of only 80% of the cost of the addition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It gets even worse if your additions make your home much larger than those in your area. This hurts your appraisal value, as there are no other homes of your size to compare to.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You shouldn't go too crazy with your changes either. Yes, there are a lot of people that would find a basement that looks like an old-time western saloon quite charming. But would they want to buy it? What if the basement was extra storage and a family room instead?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You would think that a home office would be a good addition. So many people work from home. Yet, it probably isn't wise to totally outfit a room to be an office by installing a workstation and office storage. You will recoup an average of 73% of your investment, according to the National Association of Realtors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another thing to avoid is doing too much by yourself. Shoddy or handmade workmanship will not benefit you. I know a couple that painted their brand new home themselves. The job was not great, as you can see paint on the ceiling throughout the home. Plus, the colors are quite unusual. To sell their home, they may find that it would have been better to have a professional paint in a neutral color scheme.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Try to keep your decor in your personal belongings, not the home itself. Faux finishes are lovely, but if they are too unusual, they may be a sticking point. You may love unusual colors, but remember, hot pink walls are not for everyone.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When you know you will be selling your home, it helps to spend your time only on renovations that will pay you back. Do the most important projects first.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The projects that show the greatest return at resale are improvements to siding, windows, kitchens and bathrooms.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A midrange bathroom renovation can give you a 102% return on the investment. An upscale bathroom renovation can recoup 93% of the cost. A midrange kitchen improvement will recoup approximately 91% of the cost. Minor jobs return 99%.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Keep in mind that the most important improvements aren't those that add to your home, they are those that maintain the home. Make sure the paint is in good condition, the gutters are clean and the lawn is kept up. Keep track of annual checkups, such as the heating and air servicing, and make sure you include the info when you are trying to sell your home. A well-maintained home is always a good seller.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Martin Lukac represents RateTake &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.ratetake.com"&gt;Refinance Rate&lt;/A&gt; marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low rates. Got too much credit debt? Get &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.1debtmoney.com"&gt;Debt Help&lt;/A&gt; and you'd be surprised what we can do together.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-706054351139279157?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/706054351139279157/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=706054351139279157' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/706054351139279157'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/706054351139279157'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-to-avoid-when-remodeling-your-home.html' title='What to Avoid When Remodeling Your Home - Poway Home Tips'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-9119135785103825871</id><published>2009-09-02T01:19:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-02T01:19:49.859-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Pleasing, Perfect Patios</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Scope&lt;br&gt;A good starting point will be to undertake a site assessment and analysis of the client needs and user requirements. The adage 'don't fire a canon to kill a fly', comes to mind, therefore from the outset it is important to determine the scope, i.e., how will the area(s) be used, by whom, how many users and when do these needs arise. Scope can also influence patio layout/profile and indeed levels, and these aspects are important factors to be considered in developing a creative but distinctive patio layout.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Position&lt;br&gt;Some of the previous questions might be obvious, but how many times have we seen patios which are too small or worse are poorly positioned for the event? Too sunny or more likely too shaded and cold when being used? Put simply if the main activity and time of day is around 'lunch events' then it would be obvious that the patio position should reflect this need. It is important to note site characteristics, all level might be fine for many people but some might be challenged by variable levels. The latter can also be exploited in the design and layout. Site orientation including the direction of sun travel should be noted as well as the positions of the sunny but also the shaded areas and the relevant times. Again this will be important for planning the various patio areas for breakfast, lunch and evening/dinner activities. Frequently space availability (or lack of) and site orientation do frequently impinge on patio positioning options. Typically patios are used more in evenings and are therefore positioned away from the house so as to catch the evening sun. In order cases, some very fortunate users may have separate patios and thus optimum positioning options for sun and/or shade.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Size&lt;br&gt;An area to sit, read and eat will have different space needs. Small sites do limit options, access routes can also influence size. Too small and the area will appear cramp, unappealing and probably unusable. Too large and perhaps 'car park look' comes to mind. Getting the balance right will be influenced by a number of factors scope, space availability etc. As a general guide, we would recommend that the minimum airspace/footprint should be 3.0 metre/10 feet, but with space availability permitting a better layout would be in the range 4.5m-5.0m/15-16 feet. This area allows for adults to sit comfortably at tables or later stretch the legs without fear of running out of space. In smaller sites, which may necessitate the use of compact but round tables, typically minimum diameters would be 3.0m/10feet, but these are small spaces for 4-6 adults.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Therefore for groups comprising 4-6 adults, the practical size requirements for the main patio area would be approx 4.5m x 5.0m or 15ft x 16ft. Clearly reading areas or informal /alfresco areas will require much less space. Access routes should be a minimum of 1.2m-1.5m /4-5 feet wide. There is little point building pedestrian routes/pathways 3.0m/10feet wide? Better to reduce the paved space and space gained utilise for additional planting/lawn/features?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Transition&lt;br&gt;One frequently (very popular with designers/architects) comes across the expression 'seamless transition'. What does this expression mean? Essentially this refers to the physical extension of the interior area to the exterior space, in which one leads from the former to the latter. In otherwords the garden or 'outdoor room' appears as an integral part of the house. To exit the interior and enter the exterior space ideally on same level, continuity of colour and textures, no steps and an open aspect or view to the garden area. The traditional French-style patio doors opening out to a patio area with panoramic garden views comes to mind! Incorporating planted beds within the patio areas and also against the house walls not only contributes to achieving a seamless transition but also a much more attractive patio area that is more integrated within garden but probably a more cost effective utilisation of available space. What should be avoided at all costs, is where the patio area is simply a buffer zone stretching the width of the site and a simple division between house and garden.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Construction&lt;br&gt;There is an increasing but vast range of patio materials from which to choose. The unique characteristics and appeal of natural paving stone is very popular, with sandstone, granite, and limestone being the most popular. Colour, size and orientation should also be carefully considered within the overall preferred garden style. For example, warm earthy sandstone tones might appeal or be more compatible with traditional Victorian/Mixed Border style Herbaceous gardens, but the light or neutral tones of granite paving might be stunning in more contemporary or minimalist gardens. The paving patterns can also influence the overall look, small complex patterns might be ideal for 'townhouse gardens' but appear fussy in larger sites. Large rectangular slabs can be laid to emphasise the width or turned around to stretch the length. The slab size must also conform to design style, a traditional layout for a larger area might involve a random joint incorporating 4 or more sizes of paving slab. A contemporary layout might be one size laid in a staggered or 'soldier course'.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Texture&lt;br&gt;Where possible try and introduce texture, ideally in various forms of the primary material. For example, if you are planning on constructing a patio with sandstone, do consider using sandstone risers for steps but also sandstone setts for lawn edging and sandstone chippings for borders and trims. Not only will this provide interesting textural contrasts but a more coordinated effect. Whereas some might prefer the visual contrast of mixing apples with oranges, I would much prefer a more coherent appearance of one material and use layout to reflect functionality but also visual contrast.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Obstacles&lt;br&gt;In many cases there is no scope to reposition/remove unsightly utilities such as rainwater downpipes, gulleys, manholes, inspection chambers etc. But the presence of many of these unsightly necessities can be disguised or concealed by design. Recess frames are excellent to conceal covers but provide easy access to waste water, and integrated planted beds can be positioned to conceal pipework etc.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Finally the perfect patio is an integrated space that requires careful and creative planning but must also be well constructed if maximum enjoyment is to be realised.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The author is Director of OWEN CHUBB GARDEN LANDSCAPES LIMITED, an established and award winning garden landscaping company based in Dublin, Ireland. The company offers clients a complete landscaping service including Garden Design, Construction &amp; Planting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For more information about company and inspiring aspects of landscaping, visit:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.owenchubblandscapers.com"&gt;http://www.owenchubblandscapers.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-9119135785103825871?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/9119135785103825871/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=9119135785103825871' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/9119135785103825871'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/9119135785103825871'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/pleasing-perfect-patios.html' title='Pleasing, Perfect Patios'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2832958047701656755</id><published>2009-09-01T22:29:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-01T22:29:11.049-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Can You Green a Home on the Cheap For a Faster, Higher Sale?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Offering something unique and timely can always help sell a home more quickly and possibly closer to the listing price. Aside from the usual home staging techniques, implementing some easy, but key energy and water saving options too might just do the trick! Savvy buyers will ask what utility costs are or to see actual bills, especially in older homes, and be impressed at measures taken to reduce those costs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here are some easy, yet smaller projects that can increase a home's appeal in a time of high energy costs and an extraordinary focus on being green. Oh, make sure you of course market the home with these positive, new features.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;Replace regular light bulbs in permanent fixtures with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs use about one-fifth as much energy as regular bulbs, and last about 12 times longer).&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Install low-flow showerheads, which will save on water heating and use.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Install an ENERGY STAR qualified, programmable thermostat&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Close the damper on the fireplace. It sounds simple, but is often forgotten season to season and causes drafts and high energy loss.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Add insulation to an attic.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Seal basement rim joists. This is along the top of the basement wall where the cement or block comes in contact with the wood frame. This is a common area of air leakage.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Insulate water heater tanks for energy savings.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Repair water leaks in tubs, showers and sinks. Not only are they big water wasters, but a leak really shows the home is not cared for anymore.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Perform duct sealing or hire a contractor. 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Other visible changes that may attract a buyer are using renewable sources in any flooring you might replace prior to listing such as recycled carpeting, bamboo, cork or other flooring from fast-growing wood sources.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can also recommend a home energy audit to help your clients identify other easy, but important fixes and also demonstrate to potential buyers the sellers are serious about home maintenance and improvement. It will give buyers a fun jump start too on accomplishing more efficiency improvements in their new home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Being willing to partner a bit with the buyers creates an air of security that the home is still cared about and all parties want them to have as great an experience in it with their family as the previous family did.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2832958047701656755?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2832958047701656755/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2832958047701656755' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2832958047701656755'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2832958047701656755'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/can-you-green-home-on-cheap-for-faster.html' title='Can You Green a Home on the Cheap For a Faster, Higher Sale?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-4199073270881443920</id><published>2009-09-01T18:03:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-01T18:03:13.576-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How Garage Remodeling Will Fix Your Storage Problems</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Garage remodeling is probably the quickest way to add much needed space to your home. If youre considering any sort of home repair this may just be the one that should be first on your list. If youre not using your garage for an area to park your car, then expanding the living space of your home can be quite easily achieved by making this change. As well, youll feel like your home and life are much more organized when you stop storing everything in this area.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If youre thinking of adding a studio, a home office, or a workshop to your home, then of course you need to look no further than the garage. You can even use this area as a home gym, or as an extra living room designated for special events or entertainment purposes. But, dont think that this means that you cannot still store things in this area, or even that you have to sacrifice your parking area. It all really depends on how you go about with your remodeling plans and what your household wants and needs might be.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Since a lot of garages are attached to the house, they can benefit from the exact comfort as the home, which include heating and cooling, phone wiring, as well as plumbing. Youll just need a little imagination, a set budget and a plan.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you worry that by remodeling your garage, youre losing too much precious storage area, have no fear because you can always build a small storage space behind your garage which can be used to house your tools, sporting equipment, and other items.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Furthermore, when you remodel your garage you should think about adding an addition above your garage. You can add a room for work space and even for living space above the existing garage, which will give you more space as well as increase the your homes value without making major changes to your floor plan.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Do you feel the need to remodel your garage but dont know exactly what you need or want? Then you should consider the following ideas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;How about transforming your garage into a laundry room if youve been performing your laundry duties in the basement. By building a laundry in your garage youll do away with the need to go trounce up and down the stairs a million times a day.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Are you a musician, or just want to be one? A music studio can be a superb choice for your remodeling plans if you or your kids show some talent in this direction. After all, where do you think all of those garage bands got their start? Youll want to consider soundproofing your garage walls so as to avoid your neighbors complaints.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Heres an idea! Change it into a gym. If youve got equipment but you dont have enough space to use it in the house, simply move it into the garage where youll have plenty of space for your daily workouts and. An added benefit is that you wont be bothered by anyone. However you choose to use your new space, hopefully youll enjoy it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The columnist Leroy Calstard is very excited about issues related to woodworking workbench. His observations on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.insidewoodworking.com/workclam/garageworkbench.html"&gt;garage workbench&lt;/a&gt; can be discovered on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.insidewoodworking.com"&gt;http://www.insidewoodworking.com&lt;/a&gt; in addition to other websites.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-4199073270881443920?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/4199073270881443920/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=4199073270881443920' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4199073270881443920'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4199073270881443920'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-garage-remodeling-will-fix-your.html' title='How Garage Remodeling Will Fix Your Storage Problems'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-4807303436665185917</id><published>2009-09-01T11:57:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-01T11:57:40.886-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How to Make a Wind Power Generator at Home</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Wind power is the cheapest source of energy and you can make and install a wind power generator at your home and can start generating electricity for your own consumption. The electricity produced by wind generator is not only much cheaper than what you are getting today, but also the whole process is pollution free.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wind is the renewable source of energy and we need a small kit, which is also called as wind power generator so that we can get additional electricity for our home. The kit is readily available in the market; however there are many varieties of it and some are very costly. We need to ensure that we get a good quality product at minimum price so that we can cut down huge electricity bill instantaneously.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A wind power generator converts the kinetic energy of wind to the electrical energy and which is then supplied to our house through the connecting wires and thus we start saving on electricity bills, once the unit starts generating electricity. A wind power generator has many parts and the major parts of it are the gearbox and large rotor blades. You might have seen large rotor blades at many places. Although these occupy some space, however you can install these in your backyards or garden.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are many places where wind flow is heavy and thus there is a potential to generate good amount of electricity through wind power generators. Even in other places also, you can generate electricity and can reduce your electricity bill by 50 to 70 percent.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, you can install a wind power generator at your home with an initial investment of around $200 and can start generating electricity. The advantage of the technique is that it is totally pollution free and the repair and maintenance cost of the wind power generator is negligible. So, try a suitable wind power generator today itself and start cutting down your huge electricity bill by as much as 70 percent.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Solar energy and wind energy are two most famous renewable sources of energy and nothing additional is required to generate electricity except a small initial investment.If you are thinking how can you generate electricity in your backyard so that you can reduce your electricity bill.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.earth4energy-review.info"&gt;Earth4energy&lt;/a&gt; is a guide that teaches you how to create electricity in your backyard. This is worth spending a few bucks to save thousands in your electricity bills. &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.getreviewed.org/2008/07/15/generate-free-electricity-in-your-backyard"&gt;Earth4Energy Review&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-4807303436665185917?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/4807303436665185917/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=4807303436665185917' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4807303436665185917'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4807303436665185917'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-make-wind-power-generator-at.html' title='How to Make a Wind Power Generator at Home'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-376552706719143227</id><published>2009-09-01T10:32:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-01T10:32:12.465-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Asphalt Shingle Roofing - Poway Home Remodeling</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Is it any wonder why almost 80% of homes in North America use asphalt shingles as the roofing material of choice. The prevalence of asphalt shingles has created a vast assortment of fittings and fixtures designed to work with them. Items such as a multitude of flashing configurations, edge products, and almost every skylight manufactured has an appropriate base configuration for a weatherproof connection with asphalt shingles. All of the material that you need for a proper installation, such as the shingles, tarpaper, nails, vent boots and chimney flashing are available at any home improvement retailer.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The primary attributes of asphalt tiles are:&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;reasonably priced (economical), &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;require very little maintenance, &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;versatile, &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;provide excellent protection on steep sloped roofs, &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;are weather and sunlight resistant, &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;easy to cut, &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;can be nailed by hand or with powered nailers. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are two different types of asphalt shingle base material construction - composition and fiberglass. Composition shingles use a base material termed organic felt, which is a blend of paper and wood fibers. Fiberglass, on the other hand, uses a base that is comprised of a fiberglass mat. In both cases, once the base material is produced it is soaked in an asphalt compound. In numbers sold, fiberglass leads the market. They are less expensive, weigh less because they are thinner, have a longer wear life and have a better fire rating than the composition base shingles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Average cost of a shingle roof is $50 to $150 per square, installed. Removal of old shingles will cost between $30 and $50 per square.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Both types of asphalt shingles are manufactured with embedded mineral granules. Seeing the granules in your eaves trough (after the initial installation) is a sure sign that you need to repair or replace the shingles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Where just a few years ago asphalt shingles were only available in simple tab configurations in blacks, grays and browns, the manufacturers have expanded their product lines to include a vast array of colors, profiles and with the use of laminate coatings have created as assortment of eye pleasing textures. Special chemicals are also being blended into the shingles to make them mold and algae resistant. Although these additional features do increase the price per square, asphalt shingles are still the most economical roofing material available.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drawbacks: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The serviceable life of asphalt shingles is the lowest of all the roofing materials. Although they are available in numerous grades designated by the expected life, from 15 to 50 years they often need repair or replacement long before their supposed life has expired. The hotter the climate, the shorter the life of asphalt shingles. Many of the asphalt shingle problems that are encountered by homeowners are a direct result of two factors:&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;poor initial installation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;damage due to sever weather&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Poor installation usually occurs in the area of deck preparation, and not providing adequate flashing around items that are protruding through the roof such as vent pipes and chimneys. Other poor installation methods are not using the required amount of nails per shingle and nailing in the wrong area of the shingle. There are many fly-by-night roofing companies that will quote low prices, because they won't be around to stand behind the workmanship. Choose a roofing contractor carefully.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Roof Repairs: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You should inspect your shingled roof and all the flashing at least once a year and after any major storm such as a hurricane. Hurricane winds will remove entire shingles and lift others. Sun and rain can cause asphalt shingles to crack. You should also go into the attic and look up, any sign of daylight means that there is a hole. When inspecting the roof look for shingles that have lost the granule minerals - bald spots, cracked and/or curled.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you have to make a roof repair, choose a warm day so that the shingles will be flexible and unlikely to crack when lifted. The roofing cements also spread easier in warmer temperatures.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You will know when you have a roofing problem when you see beige spots appearing on ceilings and walls close to the ceiling. Beige spots are a sign of water damage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Maintenance: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Roofing cement is the equivalent of duct tape for roofs. It will repair most leaks, cracked or torn shingles, patch flashing around vent pipes and chimneys. You can also use the roofing cement to cover nail heads that have been exposed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Shingles fade with age so any replacement shingles used will most likely be visually obvious. Shingle over damaged ridge shingles, by nailing down all the corners of the old shingle first - do not remove them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you have to replace an entire shingle, lift each of the tabs and pry the nails out of the shingle of the one that needs to be replaced. Remove the top corners of the replacement shingle and very carefully, without damaging the tarpaper, slip it under the existing shingles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Use roofing nails (large head, galvanized) to fix the new shingle to the roof decking. Use roofing cement to cover the nail heads.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Planning and knowledge are the keys to any successful home improvement, remodel or landscaping project!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For additional information on roofing materials for your home or other renovation projects, including landscaping, visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.renovation-headquarters.com"&gt;Renovation Headquarters&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-376552706719143227?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/376552706719143227/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=376552706719143227' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/376552706719143227'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/376552706719143227'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/asphalt-shingle-roofing-poway-home.html' title='Asphalt Shingle Roofing - Poway Home Remodeling'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1540194514457157449</id><published>2009-09-01T03:26:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-01T03:26:54.042-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Increasing the Appeal of Your House by Means of Home Renovation</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;They say a man's home is his castle and since it's where we spend most of our hours away from work, it should be one that we're always looking forward to come home to. Whether it is a two-story Victorian, a hillside hideaway or a cozy beachfront bungalow, our homes should be a reflection of ourselves and our character. Also, it should be an embodiment of what we perceive to be the ideal hideout from the pressures and chaos of the outside world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A person's home should be a place of relaxation and bliss, relatively free of the stresses of day to day living. It is where we spend our time unwinding and meditating and it is where we wake-up to the light of a new day- gathering energy for the activities that await us.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There comes a time when people get bored with the appearance of their homes. Maybe the paint starts to peel, or the plumbing starts to drip. In any case, when our haven from the pressures of the outside world ceases to be a place of Zen and becomes a source of angst in itself, it might be time to consider a few changes and doing a home renovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Renovation is the most practical thing to do for homeowners who've had their dwellings for quite a few years. Times are harder nowadays and unless you're one of the lucky few who have extra dough, it doesn't really make sense to sell the home you've become attached to and purchase a new one.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If what's bugging you is just a drippy faucet or a few stains on a wall, you can certainly grab a monkey-wrench or a paintbrush and save yourself some money. If it's something bigger like a new all-around color scheme, an overhaul on the plumbing or actual remodeling, you might still be able to do it considering you've had experience in those things. Otherwise, it's wiser to hire the services of a contractor to avoid making costly mistakes and irreversible damage to your castle.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Contractors have years of experience and expertise on anything you might want to have done. There are general contractors and there are those that do specific tasks: roofing contractors, plumbing contractors, painting, etc. All that you need to do is sit down with one recommended by someone you trust and tell them what you have in mind and how much you're willing to spend.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are several things folks should look into when having major home renovation done. The first thing obviously, is your budget. It wouldn't make sense to start a major remodeling project only to stop halfway because you've run out of funds. Have a realistic figure on how much you can spend and how much you want done.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When it comes to remodeling and renovation, it's also important to know exactly what you want from the beginning. It's ultimately better to have a clear picture of what your goals are and do your planning from there rather than decide on what you want along the way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Having a timeframe on how much the project is going to take will also help you manage the adjustments your family has to make. Timing is a big issue when it comes to construction and it's best to plan around holidays, celebrations and family gatherings to avoid unnecessary headaches.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During these tough financial times, home renovation is the better way to go if you want to address problems of wear and tear, increase the value of your home, or just change the appearance of your dwelling and make it more pleasurable to live in.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jo is a writer for 'EBL Group Limited' (&lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.eblgroup.co.uk"&gt;http://www.eblgroup.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;), a family managed, established and recommended house insurance repairs outworker stationed in Runcorn Cheshire. If you need insurance &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.eblgroup.co.uk/refurb.asp"&gt;building repairs&lt;/a&gt; as a result of storm, flood, fire, malicious or fortuitous damage or any other reasons or if you have home and buildings improvement requirements then you should check out EBL Group.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1540194514457157449?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1540194514457157449/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1540194514457157449' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1540194514457157449'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1540194514457157449'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/increasing-appeal-of-your-house-by.html' title='Increasing the Appeal of Your House by Means of Home Renovation'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-8551837336042934403</id><published>2009-09-01T01:17:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-01T01:17:16.197-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Bathrooms Going Green</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;With more and more people being concerned about our environmental impact, we find our selves asking - "How can I 'Go Green'?" One easy, high impact way to begin is in the bathroom of your very own home. Why the bathroom? We use a lot of water and power in the bathroom, as well as hygiene and chemical cleaning products. By making a few changes and following a few simple tips, you can go green without getting stressed out.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A great deal of your homes water consumption takes place in the bathroom. You can dramatically reduce your household water use by taking a few simple steps. There are many earth friendly bathroom suites and accessories available to help you use less water, power, and employ more recycled and earth friendly items in your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A new shower head can go a long ways tired making your bathroom green without costing you a bundle. These new shower heads put much less water down the drain. If you're concerned that you'll feel like you're soaping up under a trickle, look for those shower heads that aerate the water, making less water feel like more while maintaining a good water pressure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can find the same qualities in your bathroom basin faucets. A lower flow, aerated water tap will use significantly less water without making you feel as if you are getting significantly less out of your tap. Remembering to turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth, or any time you are not actually using the water will also save on this valuable natural resource.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Organic cotton linens are becoming more readily available, as are the easily renewable and sustainable linens made from bamboo and hemp. Don't think that by buying an organic or renewable resource product you'll be skimping on luxury. Many of the organic, bamboo and hemp towels and washcloths are of the highest quality. You can also find shower curtains and bathroom rugs made of these same fibers and fabrics, in many colors and styles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We all need our bathrooms to be clean, but how do you achieve that without using hard chemicals that end up going down your drainpipes? There are a lot of 'green cleaners' available on the market. Look for those that are biodegradable, contain natural ingredients and come in containers made from recycled materials. You can also simply make your own. White vinegar, soda crystals and borax will eliminate bathroom dirt, mildew and lime scale without putting harmful chemicals in your home or your waste water. These old fashioned cleaning methods not only work well, but cost much less than what you can buy at the store.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Having a green bathroom in no way means sacrificing comfort and style. With more options available all the time, going green has never been easier or more fashionable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Written by James Chapman, a director of &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.bellabathrooms.co.uk"&gt;Bella Bathrooms&lt;/a&gt; who supply &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.bellabathrooms.co.uk/bathrooms.html"&gt;Bathrooms&lt;/a&gt; for the UK market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-8551837336042934403?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/8551837336042934403/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=8551837336042934403' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8551837336042934403'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8551837336042934403'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/09/bathrooms-going-green.html' title='Bathrooms Going Green'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-831439853059834668</id><published>2009-08-31T20:16:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-31T20:16:12.252-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Motorized Shades Primary Benefits</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;1. Convenience. Raising and lowering a manual shade is easy enough if it is not too big. But if the shade is very large or there are 2, 3, 4 or more shades then it becomes more difficult and more time consuming. The convenience factors of motorized shades are important for several other reasons listed below.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;a. Maximizing Views. Having motorized shades mean the difference between seeing a beautiful sunrise/sunset or missing it. Stunning vistas are rarely missed when opening or closing shades is as simple as pressing a button.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;b. Security. Motorized shades can easily be set on a timer so that when guests are away from home for an extended period of time, shades are raised and lowered at various preset times. This gives the impression that someone is living in the house which deters would be thieves.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;c. Conserving Energy. The heat gain from sunlight through windows during summer months is a major burden on air conditioning. The convenience of motorized shades makes saving energy much simpler. Preset timers obviate the need to remember to raise or lower shades for energy saving purposes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;d. Protecting Furniture, artwork and flooring. The sun's rays can do damage to interior furnishings, causing fading, cracking or warping. The convenience of motorized shades makes protecting furniture, artwork and flooring much simpler. Preset timers are also useful in this regard.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;e. Many Windows and/or Large Windows. As the number and size of windows increases, the case for motorization becomes increasingly compelling. Some walls of windows are 20, 30 or even 60 feet in length which makes motorization a practical necessity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;f. Hard to reach windows. These skylight windows, second story openings or windows blocked by furniture or other obstructions are why motorized shades were first conceived. Obviously, these factors are still relevant today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. Child Safety. A shocking number of injuries and deaths result each year due to cords from manual window shades. The window shade industry's "Child Safety Month" is intended to address these hazards with safety clips and consumer awareness. The best solution is no cords at all, which is possible with motorized shades.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. Unsightly Cords. Aesthetically, cords detract from the clean look of a window opening. Multiple shades mean multiple cords, pooling on the floor when fully open. Motorized window shades means no more unsightly control cords and open, clear views through windows.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. Less Wear and Tear. Tangling and unfamiliar 'user abuse' to shades are the most common causes of service calls. The control mechanisms on manual shades, if used frequently (see convenience factor above), will break and can be costly to repair or replace.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. They are cool! Functionally, motorized shades make a lot of sense and aesthetically, they are definitely preferable to manual shades. Let's not forget that they also have an impressive WOW Factor!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The author, Gavin Sword, is an owner of &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.automatedshading.com/motorized%20shades%20%7C%20new%20york"&gt;Automated Shading - New York Motorized Shades&lt;/a&gt; The company offers &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.automatedshading.com/motorized%20shades%20%7C%20new%20york"&gt;Motorized Shades in New York&lt;/a&gt;, Florida, (Miami, Naples, Tampa, Orlando), New Jersey and Pennsylvania.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-831439853059834668?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/831439853059834668/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=831439853059834668' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/831439853059834668'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/831439853059834668'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/motorized-shades-primary-benefits_31.html' title='Motorized Shades Primary Benefits'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5035668250339571150</id><published>2009-08-31T14:32:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-31T14:32:34.793-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Ideas To Make Your Bathroom Remodeling Feasible</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;You may wonder why, for such a small room, the bathroom is one of the significant rooms in the house. The bathroom is a room wherein you can entirely be yourself and express yourself as much as you like.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Since people are spending a lot of their time inside them, then it can be improved to make the time spent inside more pleasurable and not just tolerable. Here are some practical tips and remodeling ideas for your bathroom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. Identify the length and breadth of your bathroom. How much space does it have? By knowing exactly the space you have to work on, you can make out a plan on expansions and additions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For example, do you want your shower area to be more spacey? Do you want to add a bathtub under you shower as a combo?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Meanwhile, if you think your bathroom area is already limited and cramped, then your remodeling may lean more on clearing out several spaces. You can make an otherwise small bathroom roomy if you just have the right ideas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Installing overhead cabinets and accessory racks may serve to store stuff otherwise put in stand-in cabinets and racks or cluttered on the floor.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Once your bathroom is spacious enough, you can be more comfortable. It will also become big enough for uninhibited movement.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. Transform the ambiance of your bathroom by remodeling it according to what is trendy but not gaudy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can focus on your bathroom's flooring to take away the drabness. If the tiles in your bathroom are plain and lifeless then you could be challenged to consider having more attractive floor tiles. Consider a tile pattern that would lend a cozier feel throughout the room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another ambiance-changing activity you can dwell on is the repainting of the bathroom. Choose a color that is soothing and at the same time would complement the lighting to brighten up your bathroom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If there is still some space that would not interfere with your movement, putting up some ornaments like plants, bathroom accessories, aromatic candles and other decors is a good bathroom remodeling idea.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Home depot stores always have the latest implements for the bathrooms.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. Remodel your bathroom according to your available financial resources.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you have enough money for a remodel, then your only problem will be the design. Nevertheless, if you have limited budget then, your plans and ideas for remodeling the bathroom may be limited according to what your resources would allow.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To learn more &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.com/"&gt;bathroom remodeling ideas&lt;/a&gt;, visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.com/"&gt;http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5035668250339571150?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5035668250339571150/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5035668250339571150' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5035668250339571150'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5035668250339571150'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/ideas-to-make-your-bathroom-remodeling.html' title='Ideas To Make Your Bathroom Remodeling Feasible'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7013297304785951909</id><published>2009-08-31T13:00:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-31T13:00:17.583-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Ceiling Fan Parts - How To Choose The Right Parts For Your Ceiling Fan</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you have an interest in adding an element of elegance and function to a room in your house, one feature that you will automatically look to is the ceiling fan. To better understand the workings of your ceiling fan, however, you should be familiar with the various and essential ceiling fan parts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This will make future repair and replacement a great deal easier, as well as help you maintain the integrity of this device. Listed below, you'll find five of the essential parts that make your ceiling fan run smoothly.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Blades&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The blades of your ceiling fan are the most recognizable part, and luckily, due to the fact that they can wear out and even break, are often easily replaced. Even if your fan is of foreign construction or is simply less common, replacement blades can always be drilled to fit.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Replacement kits, which contain only the blades themselves, can be easily acquired. Similarly, you'll find that the blade arms, which hold the blades on to the turning mechanism, can be found in generic replacement sets, though these are more generalized. If you have an older fan whose appearance you want to preserve, contact the original retailer&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Capacitors&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The capacitor is the part of your fan that controls the speed and movement and fortunately, it can often easily be replaced as well. Make sure that before you go to buy a new capacitor that you check the rating o the model, due to the fact that your fan should only use a capacitor that spins at the appropriate power.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Motors&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The motor, as the power source, might be the part of the fan that is the most difficult to replace. Motors these days are are built to last, though, and it is considered a fairly rare problem if it is the motor itself that fails. Replacement might be necessary if the motor fails, although if you are attached to the ceiling fan itself, you can always check with a specialist.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Pullchain Switches&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Pullchain switches are the most common part of a ceiling fan to require repair, most likely due to the fact that they are the part that is most often handled. You'll find that the chain can be pulled out of the socket if yanked too hard, but luckily they are easily taken care of.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When you go to the hardware store to replace the pullchain and socket, make sure you match it up with the fan you have. Find out how many wires are used in your pullchain and how many speeds your fan has, and make sure that the chain you buy is identical.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mounting Bracket&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The mounting bracket is the part of your ceiling fan that holds it to the ceiling, and failure of this part is extremely unlikely. However, water damage or loss during a move can occur, an the mounting bracket can easily be replaced.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If your ceiling fan utilizes a downrod, you'll be able to replace the mounting bracket at just about any hardware store or home center. If you have a different arrangement, you will need to get in contact with the manufacturer.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Copyright 2008 Ceiling-fan-wizard.com, all rights reserved.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mark is the editor Ceiling-fan-wizard.com which Provides you with the best ceiling fan reviews and ratings. To Find More &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.ceiling-fan-wizard.com/ceiling-fan-parts.html"&gt;Ceiling Fan Parts&lt;/a&gt; ratings and reviews for your home visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.ceiling-fan-wizard.com"&gt;http://www.ceiling-fan-wizard.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7013297304785951909?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7013297304785951909/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7013297304785951909' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7013297304785951909'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7013297304785951909'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/ceiling-fan-parts-how-to-choose-right.html' title='Ceiling Fan Parts - How To Choose The Right Parts For Your Ceiling Fan'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2103571860116592487</id><published>2009-08-31T05:42:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-31T05:42:37.020-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Glass Blocks Give a House Or Office a Special Touch</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;With new home construction on the rise, there is no shortage of new and innovative designs. When we drive around some neighborhoods we cannot but help noticing how the builders of these structures have gone all out in making their homes unique and competitive. We now have homes in almost all shapes and sizes. Even people with existing homes have joined the fray. Since they cannot outright demolish their homes and reconstruct, they make a spirited attempt to modify their homes using innovative techniques. One of those techniques is using glass blocks.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Glass blocks as building blocks have been around for some time but they have become more prevalent in recent times as more and more people discover their inherent advantages. Glass blocks are not made of regular glass as there are many types of glass. Rather, they are made out of what is called tempered glass which is a specially made to specially-treated glass that is heated to certain degrees and then left to dry. This produces a type of glass that is more resilient than regular glass and can even be as hard as marble. This makes this a very attractive building material. Glass blocks have several advantages that make them an attractive building option.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One of their advantages is that they are obviously attractive. Having a section of a wall or building wing made entirely of glass is extremely attractive and is becoming popular. Hardly can we visit a number of offices than we see glass blocks adorning sections of the offices. This has translated to people's homes who prefer glass blocks in some patios and even entire walls of the homes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What makes glass blocks attractive is the fact that they allow light in without necessarily being brittle. We normally associate glass with being brittle and delicate as with drinking glass. The same is not the case with glass blocks. These can be set to allow light while at the same time be as hard as marble. They can even be set to allow some light and not all, meaning that they become translucent rather than totally transparent. This can allow light to enter into the building without necessarily compromising privacy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another reason that makes glass blocks attractive is their resilience. We mentioned this before; that they are made out of treated glass which is enhanced with the addition of increased chemicals and moderated heat levels to create a glass substance that is hundreds of times stronger than regular glass. In the event that is cracks and breaks, it does not shatter the way regular glass does. Who would not want a strong glass block to form part of their walls at home or at the office which is very beautiful to look at and also very strong?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Glass blocks, because they allow a lot of light into the room, contribute to reduced power bills. This is because with the block, there is less artificial light required since the room can now be lit with natural outdoors light.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Need information about about &lt;a target="_new" href="http://glassblocksale.com/"&gt;glass blocks&lt;/a&gt;? Theodor Cartman recommends &lt;a target="_new" href="http://glassblocksale.com/category/glass-blocks/"&gt;the best glass blocks&lt;/a&gt; when buying.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2103571860116592487?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2103571860116592487/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2103571860116592487' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2103571860116592487'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2103571860116592487'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/glass-blocks-give-house-or-office.html' title='Glass Blocks Give a House Or Office a Special Touch'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-8077228867722920448</id><published>2009-08-31T04:11:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-31T04:11:59.844-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Home Staging Tips - Number 1 - Bathrooms</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The Bathroom has to be one of the least glamorous rooms of a house; but, the potential impact it can have on a prospective Buyers' decision to buy can be huge.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In response to a recent study where Buyers were asked what conveys cleanliness to them when looking at a potential new home, their response: "The Kitchen Sink, the Laundry Room and the Bathrooms."&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You will notice a recurring theme throughout these tips: CLEAN! And, I'm not talking your once-a-week surface cleaning...I'm talking DETAILED CLEANING.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, arm yourself with the following list of supplies and products and follow me to the bathroom:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;- Gloves &lt;br&gt;- Sponges (I use three different ones: one for the sinks and surfaces; one for the toilets; and one for the tub/shower &lt;br&gt;- Scrub brush &lt;br&gt;- an old Toothbrush (great for corners, along baseboards, around the toilet base, and grout) &lt;br&gt;- Paper Towels &lt;br&gt;- Bathroom Cleanser (preferably one with bleach; a disinfectant - I like Soft Scrub) &lt;br&gt;- Glass Cleaner (e.g., Windex) &lt;br&gt;- Clorox Bleach Pen (great for cleaning grout) &lt;br&gt;- Zap Restorer and Cleaner (removes rust, iron stains, calcium deposits, hard water stains, lime scale, soap scum, mold and mildew, and ground-in dirt on porcelain, fiberglass, tile and grout) &lt;br&gt;- Easy Off - BAM (for shower doors). Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to assist with tough spots. &lt;br&gt;- Gonzo Odor Eliminator (Absorbs smoke odors, eliminates musty odors caused by mold and mildew, and, helps with pet odors, too! All-natural, odorless, non-toxic volcanic crystals are environmentally safe for pets.)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;CLEAN:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;- Floors &lt;br&gt;- Walls &lt;br&gt;- Ceilings (knock down any cob webs) &lt;br&gt;- Door (both sides) Exhaust Vents &lt;br&gt;- Tub (make sure to run the jets in the tub to make sure there are no surprises) &lt;br&gt;- Shower (clean the grout) &lt;br&gt;- Shower Doors &lt;br&gt;- Sinks &lt;br&gt;- Faucets &lt;br&gt;- Toilets &lt;br&gt;- Vanity Drawers and Cabinets (inside and out) &lt;br&gt;- Mirrors &lt;br&gt;- Windows (inside and out) &lt;br&gt;- Screens &lt;br&gt;- Window Treatments (consider removing them altogether; or washing and ironing before putting them back up) &lt;br&gt;- Shelves/Built-ins &lt;br&gt;- Linen Closets (inside and out)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;THE BATHROOM:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Complete any outstanding projects (improvement projects).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wallpaper? Remove it! Why? Wallpaper is considered a custom decor choice; and, will rarely be the choice of the Buyer.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Patch all holes and cracks in the walls.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Paint walls a neutral color. Avoid white for the walls. Instead, choose a soft (universal) color.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Touch up any wood trim. Trim, ceilings and doors should be white. Using the same trim color throughout the home is preferable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wash all windows (inside and out, as applicable).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Replace outdated light fixtures.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Replace pitted or tarnished faucets.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Consider replacing the hardware on the cabinets for an inexpensive (but, effective) way to update the look of a bathroom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Re-caulk, as necessary.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Remove all cleaning supplies from sight. If the next-best-place for them is under the Vanity (arrange them NEATLY in a container).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Vanity Cabinets should be neat and organized: Clutter-free.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Linen Closets should be tidy: Make sure the contents are appropriate to what should be in a linen closet. APPROPRIATE: Bath Linens (towels, washcloths); Bed Linens (sheets, pillow cases); Bar soap. INAPPROPRIATE: Clothes; Food; Craft supplies.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tuck all wastebaskets away (place under the Vanity, if possible). When the house is shown, the wastebaskets should be emptied of all debris and lined with waste liners that "fit" the size of the wastebasket.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Remove family or personal photos.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Put away all toilet brushes and plungers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Remove all toilet and tank covers and take up all rugs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Remove items typically found on the floor (e.g., scales, hampers).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;No personal items should be in plain view. These items should be collected and placed in a basket that fits easily under the sink (inside the Vanity).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you have a "Kid's Bathroom" - I strongly recommend you change it into an "Adult Bathroom." Themed-rooms are a turn-off for Buyers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Shower curtains should be fabric (preferably, white). No "busy" patterns. I've seen some striped patterns actually work nicely.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Place a full roll of toilet paper on the holder.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If candles are in the bathroom, then, they should be new candles (not ones that have been previously burned).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Place a fresh soap pump at each sink.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Place clean, fresh towels in on every towel bar. Rule of thumb: If the walls are white, the towels should be a color. If the walls have color or a pattern the towels should always be white. My preference: white ones.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Add a touch of green to the room (e.g., potted ivy).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Place all toilet seats in the "down" position.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;PROPS FOR STAGING A BATHROOM:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;- Plush, thirsty towels &lt;br&gt;- Greenery (Bamboo, ivy and palm frawns are a few to consider) &lt;br&gt;- Grasses/Reeds &lt;br&gt;- Art/Framed prints &lt;br&gt;- Soap pumps &lt;br&gt;- Fresh pillar candles (varying in height) &lt;br&gt;- Fabric shower curtains &lt;br&gt;- Roll of toilet papers &lt;br&gt;- Polished river stones &lt;br&gt;- Sea shells &lt;br&gt;- Wicker baskets (for functionality, as well as, staging purposes)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;EXAMPLE: A clean, tidy, staged bathroom will create a "spa-like" experience for the Buyer.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jenn Klarman, SRES, REALTOR&lt;br&gt; Long &amp; Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis Sales&lt;br&gt; 240-832-2486 cell&lt;br&gt; 410-266-5505 office&lt;br&gt; 410-956-8502 fax&lt;br&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:jklarman@lnf.com"&gt;jklarman@lnf.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt; &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.RealEstateAndBeyond.net"&gt;http://www.RealEstateAndBeyond.net&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-8077228867722920448?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/8077228867722920448/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=8077228867722920448' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8077228867722920448'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8077228867722920448'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/home-staging-tips-number-1-bathrooms.html' title='Home Staging Tips - Number 1 - Bathrooms'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5436202312417288733</id><published>2009-08-30T22:26:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-30T22:26:33.132-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Need Help Remodeling Your Living Room?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you are thinking of remodeling your living room, then you may be overwhelmed. What types of designs should you pick? What themes should you focus on? What color schemes should you choose? What design period should you emphasize?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The questions are endless. And the options are so plentiful they can make your head swim. But, there are ways to keep the process less challenging and more enjoyable. When you remember that your home is an extension of who you are, then you can relax and just let the ideas flow from your own creativity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Think about the clothes that you wear. Consider your favorite designers for a moment. All of this will tell you your style. Do you like clean, tailored lines? Or do you prefer styles that flow and are made out of natural fabrics? Could it be that you are eclectic, and maybe even a little bit eccentric in your style choices opting for bright colors and bold patterns?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Either way you look at it, you should take cues from what's in your closet when deciding what direction to go when you are remodeling your living room. Keeping your choices in line with your tastes, as opposed to design trends, should ensure that you have an area that is comfortable and inviting to you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another great way to decide what you want from your new living room remodel is to watch some of the design shows on television. They are a great way to see what really inspires you. As you watch these shows, you should definitely take notes, jotting down the concepts and ideas that you find the most interesting. Once you have an idea of the room that you think you would like, you will have made major strides toward creating the room that you want.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Interior and architectural design magazines are great for finding ideas as well. Allowing these two media tools to help you really learn what brings you joy can be both educational and helpful to the overall success of your home remodeling makeover project.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.rapiddispatchplumbing.com"&gt;Jacksonville Plumbing Contractor&lt;/a&gt; Rapid Dispatch Plumbing offers &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.rapiddispatchplumbing.com"&gt;professional plumbing in Jacksonville&lt;/a&gt; for residences and businesses. For more information visit our website at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.rapiddispatchplumbing.com"&gt;http://www.RapidDispatchPlumbing.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5436202312417288733?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5436202312417288733/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5436202312417288733' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5436202312417288733'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5436202312417288733'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/need-help-remodeling-your-living-room.html' title='Need Help Remodeling Your Living Room?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5616209442856063490</id><published>2009-08-30T17:42:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-30T17:42:21.287-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Why a Successful Bathroom Remodeling Plan is Necessary?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If anyone of you is interested in bathroom remodeling, he must also be interested in saving his money, which gets spent without letting you know if you are unaware of depths and heights of bathroom remodeling strategies. The most essential thing you would need for remodeling is a proper plan. If your plan has been perfectly made, taking in notice all the problems that might occur, there is rarely a chance that you would come across any kind of troubles. Besides, your project would be adored.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you follow the step-to-step guide for bathroom remodeling, the very first thing to reckon is the purpose of doing such a project? The whole remodeling plan would be made upon your choice that whether the purpose of remodeling is to enhance the resale value of your property or your own convenience and taste. If you have a clear-cut idea about this, your bathroom remodeling plan is going to be very successful. This is what majority of people don't pay attention to. They just start planning a bathroom remodeling plan without going through several minor but important points.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;However, just knowing and realizing the purpose of your bathroom remodeling plan is not going to help you in all the cases. Sometimes, your desired plan exceeds your budget; and making a budget is a whole different story. It includes costs of materials, contractors, plumbers, electricians and several other things that become the basic constituents of a bathroom remodel. You need to align your plan with your budget. Asking a local home improvement store's owner would be helpful for you if you are not market savvy. However, compromising on bad quality with a low cost is the most rejected idea. It will keep your pockets heavy for a while but later, you would always be in trouble until you plan a new remodel.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Besides, you need to keep extra money available for your budget. There are cases when something unexpected happens. Costs may increase and your project may get delayed. In such cases, you need money the most. You can also come up with new ideas in between the project. Making them possible won't just be a theory; it would only work with money.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You need to keep these basic things in your mind when making a bathroom remodeling plan. You can do some of the remodeling projects yourself but not all of them. In case you don't know anything about carrying out any such operation, don't make false assumptions that you would be able to do it because it won't be a time of experiments. Saving money and brilliantly completing a bathroom remodeling project must be your basic motto.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For knowing more about bathroom remodeling, you can visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/remodeling/index.php"&gt;http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/remodeling/index.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5616209442856063490?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5616209442856063490/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5616209442856063490' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5616209442856063490'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5616209442856063490'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-successful-bathroom-remodeling-plan.html' title='Why a Successful Bathroom Remodeling Plan is Necessary?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5531736042472638027</id><published>2009-08-30T15:02:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-30T15:02:47.387-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Taking Advantage of the Extra Space in Your Home - Home Tips</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you intend to remodel your home, instead of just improving the decor and fixtures of your home, you could consider taking advantage of any extra space you have in your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This means that if you need an extra room, you could convert your basement and attic into additional rooms or game rooms that your family will really like and enjoy spending time in. many a times, this is a much better alternative than keeping these areas as dark and gloomy storage areas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you intend to remodel your basement, you have to first repair any water problems you have. This may take some time to get into operation; this is why it is better to get the help of a home inspector in solving water proofing problems. This way, you are sure that your new room will not have any water problems on completion.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Use the help of a professional designer&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You have to decide what you intend to use your basement for depending on the conditions of the basement. Poor lighting suggests a dark room or home theater and an isolated atmosphere suggests a cushion for noisy stuff like a game room or hangout.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is up to you to decide and make the right choice with the help of a professional designer. This way you will be able to make maximum use of the basements natural light with perhaps using large windows and glass bricks for added safety from thieves.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Remember that the basement may have few vents in it; so when remodeling, remember the need of good air circulation and place openings where needed. You could also install a carbon monoxide detector for safety reasons in picking up warnings of problems with venting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Decide what you want to use your attic for&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Besides remodeling the basement, you can remodel the attic for extra space. In doing so, once again, you have to consider what you intend to remodel the attic into. You can get ideas for this by thinking what you are in deficit of in the house; perhaps a bedroom, study room or a bathroom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can then get the help of a designer to design the place, and to give an estimate of remodeling costs; this way you will be able to decide if it is worth remodeling or not. Like if you intend to make a bathroom, consider if the costs incurred in building it like reinforcement in walls is worth the remodeling.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also find out if local building codes and zoning laws permit an addition, your type of addition, the materials you intend to use, how you intend to provide access to the new structure and if reinforcement of walls and floor is required to hold any heavy equipment you intend to place in the additional space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With all this covered, you should have no problems in remodeling your home, to use that extra spots in your home wisely.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;James Tyler is the owner of Ace Builders, a residential remodeling company serving the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Tyler writes about issues relating to all types of remodeling and home improvement projects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For more information, tips and advice visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.acebuilders.net"&gt;http://www.acebuilders.net&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5531736042472638027?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5531736042472638027/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5531736042472638027' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5531736042472638027'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5531736042472638027'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/taking-advantage-of-extra-space-in-your.html' title='Taking Advantage of the Extra Space in Your Home - Home Tips'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1403531134424039296</id><published>2009-08-30T07:51:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-30T07:51:37.308-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Exterior House Painting Projects - Remodeling Tips</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Fixing up your house can be a fun and exciting time, as you decide on a new look for your home. Designing and planning home projects is both complicated and time consuming, but if done right the results are very rewarding for you and your family.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Exterior house painting is one of the quickest and most surefire ways you can change the look of your home. Painting it a different color or just mixing up the color schemes can give your house a fresh new look. Be sure to consult experts, or do your own research, when deciding on color schemes, as certain colors do not mesh well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is better to do this research prior to painting, so time and money is not wasted learning the hard way that certain colors clash too hard for your home. Exterior house painting is not Chinese algebra, but doing your homework never hurts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Contractors' opinions are useful as well, as they have probably been in the business for some time and have experience with color schemes. Consulting a skilled contractor is a good idea before making a final decision on your exterior house painting choices.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hiring a contractor is wise as well because of the time and headaches you will save while getting a professional job at the same time. Many people take home projects lightly and end up paying the price later, whether it is a monetary price or just the hassle that comes from disappointment in your decision. Taking some time for planning and design will probably help you to avoid these messes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;More information on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.anti-aging.org/content/collegeworkspainting.asp"&gt;College Works Painting&lt;/a&gt; exterior house painting for your home is just a click away.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1403531134424039296?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1403531134424039296/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1403531134424039296' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1403531134424039296'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1403531134424039296'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/exterior-house-painting-projects.html' title='Exterior House Painting Projects - Remodeling Tips'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-9194256503524836141</id><published>2009-08-30T07:22:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-30T07:22:30.592-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Shower Heads - Tips For Buying the Right Shower Heads</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Most of us do not bother to find out how much our morning shower is costing us. We feel that as long as the shower head is able to provide a pleasant shower, even an old one will do. What people do not realize is that with dwindling water resources and rising energy costs, they could face inflated energy and water bills. Depending on the type of shower head, you could either pay or save plenty of dollars every year on heating and water costs. Hence, you must first find out about the benefits of a shower head before proceeding to purchase one.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Choose The Right Type Of Shower Head&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Shower heads are available in different sizes and styles depending upon make and model. They are made to suit requirements of a wide variety of customers. Most houses and apartments come with cheap pre-installed ones. Shower head costs actually depend on the make and type and vary from as low as $100 to even greater than $1000. Another factor to consider while choosing a shower head is the built-in technological features such as thermal energy features provided in the model. Of course, better features also mean increased costs!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Avoid Shower Heads Having Complex Installation&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Before buying that attractive shower head, you need to make sure you are aware of its installation procedure. Different shower heads have different installation procedures. Shower heads with complex installation procedures may require you to make various modifications to the plumbing in your house. This can increase the burden on your pocket!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Choose The Model According To Your Requirements&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;While purchasing a shower head, one must look at the different water spraying ways that are offered by the shower head. Generally those with adjustable spray settings are more popular. Shower heads are available as hand-held and wall-mounted models in the market. You should choose one depending upon the space you have as well as the ease with which it can be used. To enjoy spa-like features you can also avail of vertical showers. Ultimately, the best shower heads are those that have some energy and water saving mechanism and also match the dcor of your home!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Visit CORE online to get free access to tips for buying &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.coreshowerheads.com/shower-heads/"&gt;shower heads&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-9194256503524836141?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/9194256503524836141/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=9194256503524836141' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/9194256503524836141'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/9194256503524836141'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/shower-heads-tips-for-buying-right.html' title='Shower Heads - Tips For Buying the Right Shower Heads'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1799508227488233700</id><published>2009-08-30T00:37:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-30T00:37:40.620-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Prevent Black Mold</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Black mold doesn't care if your house is nice and new, or musty and old. It doesn't care where you live or how sensitive your sinuses are. It wants into your house any way it can!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Black mold happens to everyone, and it's a big headache. It's especially a pain to clean. That's why prevention is the key to keeping your home mold free.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Humidity&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is the number one condition for mold to grow. It loves the wet parts of your house. Keeping your home dry is the best way to keep the mold out.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mold thrives best at around 55% relative humidity. Anything over that and mold can have a heyday in your home. The most surefire way to prevent black mold growth is to reduce humidity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-Check your watery trouble spots. Especially keep your eye on the bathroom and kitchen, and look for places where water runs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-If you have any area of standing water or water damage, get rid of it immediately. Clean it well and let it dry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-Keep everything dry. After you wash the dishes, make sure you towel everything down. Don't leave standing water on any of your kitchen counters or around your sink.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-When you see mold, clean it up immediately. Don't let it go, or it will encourage more mold to grow.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-Buy a dehumidifier. This will help dry the house out a little and that will reduce mold. You can buy one at most department stores, and it doesn't have to be anything fancy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-If you live in a humid or warm climate, you will definitely have to deal with the mold. Take that into account and keep your house dry before the mold gets in.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Air&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-Make sure there is plenty of air flow in your house. Fresh air will clear out the mold spores that might be around. Open windows and get plenty of ventilation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-In the bathroom, always turn on the exhaust fan during and just after showering. This will clear away some of the water before it has a chance to settle.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-Keep down the dust in your house. Dust can carry mold spores, and both can be major irritants.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-Routinely check and clean your air ducts. Mold can grow around your heating and air conditioning ducts, and this is especially bad because it circulates mold all over the house.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Inspections&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-If you are suffering from any chronic sinus problems that might be mold related, get your house tested and inspected. Inspectors can check mold samples to see if they are toxic. They can also check and see how much airborne mold there is in your house.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-Routinely check around your house in the hidden places where &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.toxicblackmoldhelp.org/symptoms/danger_Black_Mold.html"&gt;Dangerous Toxic Black Mold&lt;/a&gt; likes to grow. This includes your attic, crawlspaces, basement and air ducts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It's not enough just to clean up mold when you see it. To stay mold free, you have to prevent black mold from growing. Don't give it a chance!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more about &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.toxicblackmoldhelp.org/species/black_Mold_Species.html"&gt;Black Mold Species&lt;/a&gt; on our site. You'll also find other information such as &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.toxicblackmoldhelp.org/species/allium_Aspergillus_Black_Mold_On_Onions.html"&gt;Black Mold On Onions&lt;/a&gt; ToxicBlackMoldHelp.org is a comprehensive resource to help individuals to test and inspect, identify health symptoms and removal of toxic black mold.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1799508227488233700?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1799508227488233700/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1799508227488233700' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1799508227488233700'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1799508227488233700'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/prevent-black-mold.html' title='Prevent Black Mold'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7014046844650988885</id><published>2009-08-29T20:42:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-29T20:42:40.531-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Getting the Most Out of Your Bathroom Design Project</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;In many new homes and in plenty of remodels, the bathrooms are no longer just spaces of functionality but are becoming personal relaxation spas, especially master bathrooms. People want a room where they can linger luxuriously in hot, bubbling tubs, and groom themselves for the day in the most pleasant and pampering ways possible.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With that said, there are still plenty of opinions on the matter as to what exactly transforms this particular space into that showering and primping paradise. The most important thing is to create a design that suits both your functional and aesthetic desires.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can start by making a plan. Analyze the space you have available. How would you like to better utilize it? For some, a huge, jacuzzi tub is the main feature of their dream decor. For others, beautiful wall-to-wall tile with custom design work is most important.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For others still, the cabinetry is what they would most like to change. While you might want to consider a trained professional, a designer, to help you get the most out of your remodel, you will still need to have a clear idea of what you would like to be able to do in that space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're not sure about the options and style trends available to you, you might do well to visit your local drug store and pick up a home improvement or remodeling magazine and look for ideas. You might discover that there are so many more ways to customize your "day spa" than you thought possible. For instance, you can have a linen tower bathroom cabinet positioned in such a way that you can hide a television inside to watch when soaking for exorbitant amounts of time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another good way to find out what amenities and features are available is by visiting a local showroom, especially one that lets you get in and have a hands-on experience. It's nice to be able to actually visualize what certain spaces could look like and how certain bathroom cabinetry will work with specific counter tops and other fixtures. Plus, the designer there will be able to give you all sorts of useful information about style and color.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Once you have surveyed your options and determined your plan, the best place to start may be to choose the exact bathroom cabinets you want and build the rest of the style around them. The cabinets are often one of the most striking features of the bathroom and certainly they set the tone for the entire room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are several types of bathroom cabinetry that you may need to decide on. First and foremost, there is the vanity. This is typically one of the centerpieces of the bathroom. After you have pinpointed the style and color you want, you can then decide if and where you need other bathroom cabinets like linen towers for storage, built-in hampers and storage units above the toilet.&lt;br&gt;In many new homes and in plenty of remodels, the bathrooms are no longer just spaces of functionality but are becoming personal relaxation spas, especially master bathrooms. People want a room where they can linger luxuriously in hot, bubbling tubs, and groom themselves for the day in the most pleasant and pampering ways possible.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With that said, there are still plenty of opinions on the matter as to what exactly transforms this particular space into that showering and primping paradise. The most important thing is to create a design that suits both your functional and aesthetic desires.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can start by making a plan. Analyze the space you have available. How would you like to better utilize it? For some, a huge, jacuzzi tub is the main feature of their dream decor. For others, beautiful wall-to-wall tile with custom design work is most important.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For others still, the cabinetry is what they would most like to change. While you might want to consider a trained professional, a designer, to help you get the most out of your remodel, you will still need to have a clear idea of what you would like to be able to do in that space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're not sure about the options and style trends available to you, you might do well to visit your local drug store and pick up a home improvement or remodeling magazine and look for ideas. You might discover that there are so many more ways to customize your "day spa" than you thought possible. For instance, you can have a linen tower bathroom cabinet positioned in such a way that you can hide a television inside to watch when soaking for exorbitant amounts of time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another good way to find out what amenities and features are available is by visiting a local showroom, especially one that lets you get in and have a hands-on experience. It's nice to be able to actually visualize what certain spaces could look like and how certain bathroom cabinetry will work with specific counter tops and other fixtures. Plus, the designer there will be able to give you all sorts of useful information about style and color.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Once you have surveyed your options and determined your plan, the best place to start may be to choose the exact bathroom cabinets you want and build the rest of the style around them. The cabinets are often one of the most striking features of the bathroom and certainly they set the tone for the entire room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are several types of bathroom cabinetry that you may need to decide on. First and foremost, there is the vanity. This is typically one of the centerpieces of the bathroom. After you have pinpointed the style and color you want, you can then decide if and where you need other bathroom cabinets like linen towers for storage, built-in hampers and storage units above the toilet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And then of course, you can narrow down the details and the organization of the design, like built-in dividers inside the drawers, cabinets to easily store and hide your commonly used grooming appliances, and cosmetic slide-out trays.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With all the choices today, you can put together a princely bathroom suite complete with all the beauty and practicality your hope for.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And then of course, you can narrow down the details and the organization of the design, like built-in dividers inside the drawers, cabinets to easily store and hide your commonly used grooming appliances, and cosmetic slide-out trays.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With all the choices today, you can put together a princely bathroom suite complete with all the beauty and practicality your hope for.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Once you decide on the look your want for your bathroom, you can look for a firm that makes show-stopping &lt;a target="_new" href="http://eurotechcabinetry.com/bathrooms.htm"&gt;bathroom cabinetry. Tampa&lt;/a&gt; remodeling company is an award-winning cabinetry firm that can exceed your expectations. Visit them here &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.eurotechcabinetry.com"&gt;http://www.eurotechcabinetry.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7014046844650988885?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7014046844650988885/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7014046844650988885' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7014046844650988885'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7014046844650988885'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/getting-most-out-of-your-bathroom.html' title='Getting the Most Out of Your Bathroom Design Project'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-8163682900370609732</id><published>2009-08-29T17:35:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-29T17:35:14.920-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Hiring a Great Pool Removal Contractor</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;For some, removing a swimming pool may seem like removing a house. Once you realize it can be done, you may be thinking...but how? How can a huge, concrete based pool that takes up my entire yard be removed safely and efficiently? All kinds of questions may be going through your mind: Will we disrupt the neighbors? How will they get a bulldozer into my yard? What if they hit a gas or water line? Lets face it, fear and anxiety are the emotions we feel when faced with the unknown. These are the emotions that make scary movies, giant roller coasters and haunted houses so compelling, but when you are hiring a pool removal contractor the last thing you want to feel is fear. So how do you handle this process? How do you hire a pool removal contractor in the bay area or anywhere else? The best way to do it is to simply eliminate the unknowns.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When it comes to hiring a swimming pool removal company here is the best advice I can give you: Hire a company that has removed a lot of pools. That's it. It's just that simple. Practice really does make perfect. Plus, there's a reason why a particular contractor has done a lot of work. People trust them - they have a track record. It's no different than if you needed brain surgery and you were interviewing surgeons. If the doctor told you it would be his first, but another other one had done a hundred procedures, who would you pick? You'd probably be concerned about the outcome if you chose the first doctor. Same goes for pool removal. Pick a contractor that knows their stuff!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, you have started the search. You are calling contractors and talking to friends. How much experience should your pool demolition contractor have? One hundred pools or more certainly would be a high benchmark. If a company has removed that many swimming pools, they understand all the pitfalls and problems that can arise. That makes it much more likely your job will get done right and in a timely manner. It's an important job, one you want done right. Going with the right contractor could mean the difference between getting it done cleanly and simply in just a few days versus it taking weeks and potential legal hassles. Keep it simple.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here's another bit of advice: Always check the references of pool removal contractors. People have been getting burned by contractors of all types for years because of not following this step. You especially want to do this if you live in an area where there aren't a lot of in-ground swimming pools. The chances of any one contractor having a great deal of pool removal experience won't be high. The important thing is that you can verify the jobs they have done, and see if their customers were satisfied with the contractors work. Do yourself a favor, check them once and check them twice - call at least 3-5 of their former customers. See what they thought of the work performed. It could save you a huge headache later.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The other thing I always tell people concerns money: Be very leery about giving a contractor money in advance. Did you know that most states have laws about how much money a contractor can ask for up front? Its true. It seems that people have been getting burned by contractors for so long, that the government finally had to step in. If you are serious about your pool removal and want to do it right, you might make it a point to know what your state law is regarding this. Generally, it's a very small percentage of the contract price. In cases where permit fees are high and it takes a long time to get approval, contractors may want the customers to cover those costs. Bottom line: If a contractor asks for a lot of money up front, do yourself a favor: don't do it!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The main point I want to get across is this: do a little home work before hiring a contractor. A pool removal is a big deal. It can be expensive. You really need to ensure that it is done professionally, and at the right price. Whatever you do, don't go with the first bid that comes your way. And if a particular contractor seemed a little shady - trust your instincts, they probably are. Keep looking! When you have confidence that your contractor can deliver, then you can relax and actually enjoy the process. Think about it: your new backyard and new lifestyle are waiting!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you need help finding a pool removal contractor contact me at &lt;a href="mailto:verdell@poolitout.com"&gt;verdell@poolitout.com&lt;/a&gt;. I would love to help you!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.poolitout.com/"&gt;http://www.poolitout.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-8163682900370609732?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/8163682900370609732/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=8163682900370609732' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8163682900370609732'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8163682900370609732'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/hiring-great-pool-removal-contractor.html' title='Hiring a Great Pool Removal Contractor'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6045860610228634092</id><published>2009-08-29T10:28:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-29T10:28:47.897-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Motorized Shades - Primary Benefits</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;1. Convenience. Raising and lowering a manual shade is easy enough if it is not too big. But if the shade is very large or there are 2, 3, 4 or more shades then it becomes more difficult and more time consuming. The convenience factors of motorized shades are important for several other reasons listed below.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;a. Maximizing Views. Having motorized shades mean the difference between seeing a beautiful sunrise/sunset or missing it. Stunning vistas are rarely missed when opening or closing shades is as simple as pressing a button.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;b. Security. Motorized shades can easily be set on a timer so that when guests are away from home for an extended period of time, shades are raised and lowered at various preset times. This gives the impression that someone is living in the house which deters would be thieves.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;c. Conserving Energy. The heat gain from sunlight through windows during summer months is a major burden on air conditioning. The convenience of motorized shades makes saving energy much simpler. Preset timers obviate the need to remember to raise or lower shades for energy saving purposes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;d. Protecting Furniture, artwork and flooring. The sun's rays can do damage to interior furnishings, causing fading, cracking or warping. The convenience of motorized shades makes protecting furniture, artwork and flooring much simpler. Preset timers are also useful in this regard.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;e. Many Windows and/or Large Windows. As the number and size of windows increases, the case for motorization becomes increasingly compelling. Some walls of windows are 20, 30 or even 60 feet in length which makes motorization a practical necessity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;f. Hard to reach windows. These skylight windows, second story openings or windows blocked by furniture or other obstructions are why motorized shades were first conceived. Obviously, these factors are still relevant today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. Child Safety. A shocking number of injuries and deaths result each year due to cords from manual window shades. The window shade industry's "Child Safety Month" is intended to address these hazards with safety clips and consumer awareness. The best solution is no cords at all, which is possible with motorized shades.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. Unsightly Cords. Aesthetically, cords detract from the clean look of a window opening. Multiple shades mean multiple cords, pooling on the floor when fully open. Motorized window shades means no more unsightly control cords and open, clear views through windows.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. Less Wear and Tear. Tangling and unfamiliar 'user abuse' to shades are the most common causes of service calls. The control mechanisms on manual shades, if used frequently (see convenience factor above), will break and can be costly to repair or replace.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. They are cool! Functionally, motorized shades make a lot of sense and aesthetically, they are definitely preferable to manual shades. Let's not forget that they also have an impressive WOW Factor!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The author, Gavin Sword, is an owner of &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.automatedshading.com/motorized%20shades%20%7C%20new%20york"&gt;Automated Shading - New York Motorized Shades&lt;/a&gt; The company offers &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.automatedshading.com/motorized%20shades%20%7C%20new%20york"&gt;Motorized Shades in New York&lt;/a&gt;, Florida, (Miami, Naples, Tampa, Orlando), New Jersey and Pennsylvania.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6045860610228634092?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6045860610228634092/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6045860610228634092' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6045860610228634092'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6045860610228634092'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/motorized-shades-primary-benefits.html' title='Motorized Shades - Primary Benefits'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-402927871029007123</id><published>2009-08-29T10:12:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-29T10:12:24.147-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Improving Your Health with a Steam Shower</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The evolution of bathroom design has taken on a new dimension with all technological advances in both &lt;b&gt;bath and shower&lt;/b&gt; innovations. Not until the last decade daily showers were a quick means of cleansing the body, spending mere minutes in the shower feeling more like a chore rather than an enjoyable and relaxing experience.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;According to health and wellness experts finding comfort in the shower by taking the time to unwind and relieve the body and mind of everyday stresses allows the body to replenish and re-energize. With more people living and leading hectic lifestyles in trying to find a balance between full-time work and raising a family often lends itself to insurmountable levels of stress causing physical and emotional fatigue. Until recently the only way to escape and relax was to take a trip to the spa where you could enjoy the soothing comfort of a &lt;b&gt;steam shower&lt;/b&gt; or &lt;b&gt;whirlpool bath&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With so many new shower designs available in todays market, bathroom suppliers have seen an increase in shower purchases from electric showers to steam showers. Modern day trends depicts that more homeowners are transforming their existing bathrooms into home spa retreats, but not only for the sole purpose to repose. For centuries steam has been used for medicinal purposes to heal a number of ailments. Since the use of heat and steam helps to soothe and relax tense muscles, arthritis suffers benefit from the use of steam showers by providing relief to sore joints.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Along with the many other added benefits of steam showers, medical professionals say that steam stimulates the lymphatic system increasing blood circulation and speeds up the metabolism which can aid in weight loss and improve the overall look of the body. Among the positive therapeutic affects that a steam shower has is on the immune system causing the body to produce more white blood cells. The increase in cell count is the first defense in fighting off the common cold as well as other diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, influenza, allergies and pneumonia. Similar to a small vaporizer that emits steam into the air, steam showers serve up the same home-based solutions in order to relieve a sore throat, excessive coughing, nasal congestion, and for clearing up fluid in the lungs. Steam showers are also known to flush out the toxins and other impurities from the body through sweat glands which can have a positive affect on the skins appearance; making it appear more youthful and by adds moisture to dry skin.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unlike conventional showers, one of the great features of a steam shower is that they are one compact unit and can installed wherever there is a water supply making them much more versatile and are leak proof. The two-fold benefits of a luxurious steam shower provide therapeutic relief on the body and can add a modern elegant look to your bathroom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, whirlpool spa baths and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Shelley Murphy brings with her over 10 years of Search Engine Optimization and e-marketing strategies to web based businesses. Holding two BAs in English and Journalism Communications her writing skills have been a great asset for both onsite writing and monthly newsletters publications.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-402927871029007123?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/402927871029007123/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=402927871029007123' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/402927871029007123'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/402927871029007123'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/improving-your-health-with-steam-shower.html' title='Improving Your Health with a Steam Shower'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-926889981370350432</id><published>2009-08-29T03:11:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-29T03:11:50.163-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Picking a Remodeling Contractor</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you live in the state of Minnesota and you plan on having some remodeling done, you may need a good home remodeling contractor to help you out with your needs. No doubt you'll find that there are many different contractors to choose from in the Twin Cities area, but you don't want just any contractor working on your home. There are many different considerations that should be kept in mind when it comes to choose from all the remodeling contractors out there. So, here's you simple checklist to keep in mind when you are trying to make sure that you get the best contractor possible for your remodeling needs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ask Family and Friends for Referrals&lt;br&gt;The first thing you'll want to do is to make sure that you ask family and friends for referrals when you are trying to come up with a contractor. Getting contractor references from your friends and family members is a wonderful way that you can make sure you end up with an excellent contractor. This way you actually know someone that has had a great experience with the contractor. It helps you to be sure that you'll get a great contractor.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ensure They are Licensed by the State&lt;br&gt;When you are trying to pick out the best remodeling contractor, you'll find that it is important to make sure that they are licensed by the state. They should have a state of MN contractors license that they can show you. You definitely don't want to go with a contractor that has no license. Also, when you are looking at their license, you'll want to make sure that there have been no complaints filed against them or any type of disciplinary actions taken against them in the past. This insures you get the best possible contractor for your remodeling project.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check for the Contractor's Insurance Certificates&lt;br&gt;Make sure that you check for insurance certificates when you are trying to find the best remodel contractor. They should have General Liability as well as Workman's Compensation. If they have no insurance, you'll definitely want to avoid going with their services, although just having General Liability is okay.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Find Out About Their Business Longevity&lt;br&gt;Take the time to find out about their business longevity before you decide that you want to go with a particular contractor. The best option is to go with a contractor who has been in the same business with the same name for over 10 years. Five years is excellent as well. However, if they have only been in business for a year, you may want to be a bit wary of going with a brand new business when you need help with contracting. Experience is a definitely bonus when choosing remodeling contractors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Make Sure the Business is Stable&lt;br&gt;You should also take a look at the business that the contractor is running. Is the business one that is both permanent and stable? If there is no office at all and you only get a cell phone number, this is a Minnesota contractor to reject. The best option is to find someone that has an office as well as an address. A working phone number is very important as well when it comes to making sure that the business is a stable one.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check Out Their References&lt;br&gt;Ask for a list of client references when you are trying to find the best home remodeling contractor. If they cannot offer you any references at all, you probably will want to choose someone else. The same applies for if you call references and get negative comments. It's best to make sure that you get at least several positive references from people who have used the same contractor in the past. This way you know what kind of a job that they are going to do.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Find Out About Their Experience&lt;br&gt;Experience is another important consideration when you are considering what type of contractor to go with. Going with a contractor that specializes in the work you need done is the best option. If the contractor doesn't have any type of experience in the type of work that you will need to have done. Having the experience necessary is very important. You really don't want a contractor with no experience at all working on your bathroom or kitchen. So, make sure that you choose carefully.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Take a Look at Their Bids on the Work You Need Done&lt;br&gt;Before you make your final decision on the best home remodeling contractor, you should take a look at their bids on the work you need done. Make sure that the bids have a good description of the work to be done and that they will guarantee the work that gets done. You'll also want a contractor that only asks for about a  of the money up front and then final payment when the remodeling work is finally complete.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you live in MN, get your construction and remodeling financing loan from Venture Development &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.VentureLoanApp.com"&gt;http://www.VentureLoanApp.com&lt;/a&gt; John Mazzara is involved with financial services in the Twin Cities, MN. Officing out of Edina, Minnesota-John is centrally located within the 7 county MN metropolitan area. John owns three separate businesses-a licensed real estate broker associate selling Minnesota real estate since 1986-affiliated with RE/MAX Associates Plus &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com"&gt;http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com&lt;/a&gt;, an independent CFP-certified financial planner since 1989 with an independent Minnesota financial planning firm-Financial Planning Associates and the owner of a Minnesota mortgage broker firm-Venture Development Inc-specializing ins residential, commercial and investment mortgages.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you are looking for someone to help you in the areas of real estate sales/purchase, mortgages, or and/or financial planning and insurance you should call John for a free 1 hour consultation to see if he can meet your needs. 952-929-2577. RE/MAX Associates Plus and Venture Development are located at 7300 France Ave S, Suite 410, Edina, MN 55435&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-926889981370350432?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/926889981370350432/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=926889981370350432' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/926889981370350432'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/926889981370350432'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/picking-remodeling-contractor.html' title='Picking a Remodeling Contractor'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6135406311132187007</id><published>2009-08-28T23:49:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-28T23:49:39.337-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Add Value to Your Home - Refurbish Your Kitchen Or Bathroom</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;TV's Phil Spencer has recently been urging homeowners to "do everything they can" to improve the saleability of their properties saying that improvements to kitchens and bathrooms are among the best ways of selling houses. A recent Lloyds TSB Tickbox.net and Opinion Matters survey found that 73% of people in Greater London claim that installing a new kitchen is the best way of adding value to a property. The Lloyds TSB poll showed that a high percentage of people thought that an energy efficient boiler was the environmentally friendly home improvement that added most value to a property.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a Telegraph feature earlier in 2008, '50 ways to improve your home', upgrading your existing kitchen was at number 19 whilst 'banishing broken bathrooms' came in at number 20.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are many things that can be done to improve the saleability of your home and increase its value where kitchens and bathrooms are concerned. Here are just a few ideas:&lt;br&gt;&lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;Fit a spacious walk in shower - far more convenient and practical than an over-bath shower.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Install under floor heating in a bathroom - this will remove the need for unsightly radiators thus saving space and creating a far more seamless design. What's more, under floor heating is far healthier as the heat is more evenly distributed throughout the room rather than staying at head height, and it also keeps nasty things like mould and damp at bay.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Update your kitchen so that it includes built in modern conveniences - this will really make an impact on potential buyers because it's a job they won't have to do themselves.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;A modern eco-friendly condensing boiler will help tip the scales in your favour when selling a property because potential buyers will be able to enjoy the benefits of reduced fuel bills and increased energy efficiency.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Consider the installation of a solar hot water heating system which will offer considerable savings on fuel bills for your potential buyers.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;If space allows, add a downstairs cloakroom. Modern WCs and basins come in the most compact of sizes and it is relatively straightforward to liberate some space and transform it into a very convenient feature.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;If your bathroom does not need a complete overhaul but could do with a little 'something' then go for some new taps. Choosing attractive taps from a high quality range will miraculously transform the look of any bathroom, and it should be a relatively low cost exercise in terms of your potential return.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you are looking to improve the saleability of your property then a good place to start is by talking to your plumber who will be able to give you sound advice on your heating system options and energy efficiency for starters. A good plumber will work with reputable kitchen fitters and other professional craftsmen to provide a complete service and overall they will be able to provide you with space-saving and energy efficient solutions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ivor Bates is the director of Bates Heating and Plumbing Limited, a plumbing and heating company established in 2001 and covering all areas of London, Docklands and Essex. Bates Heating is CORGI registered. They can install, replace or refurbish bathrooms, kitchens and various types of heating system including energy efficient condensing boilers, under floor and solar heating. For more information visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.batesheating.co.uk"&gt;http://www.batesheating.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6135406311132187007?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6135406311132187007/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6135406311132187007' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6135406311132187007'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6135406311132187007'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/add-value-to-your-home-refurbish-your.html' title='Add Value to Your Home - Refurbish Your Kitchen Or Bathroom'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5097333960005750971</id><published>2009-08-28T19:46:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-28T19:46:42.157-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Stair Handrailing Or Guard Rail</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Before the 1980s most stairways had a handrail and to this day, most stair handrails are not considered guard rails. Well things have changed and now most stairways require a guard rail and it gripable handrail.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What's the difference between a stair handrailing and a stair guard rail, quite frankly about 6 inches. Your stair guard rails have a minimum requirement of 42 inches where stair handrails built before the 1980s had a handrailing for protection with a minimum requirement of 36 inches.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This does not mean that older stair handrails that are 36 inches tall will need to be removed and replaced, because the new building codes have changed. If you were to rebuild the stair handrail or do any work on the stairway that required a building permit, they could have you change your stair handrailing to meet current building codes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I was helping another guy frame a new house in 2005 and while I was on the job I would mention to the owner, certain concerns of mine with other parts of the job. After a while he realized, that I knew what I'll was talking about and started to pay attention when ever I mentioned anything related to home building.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He asked me if I would be interested in building the stair handrailing system and at the time I was too busy. I reminded him of the minimum requirements for the stair guard rail, it was no longer referred to as a stair handrail and would need to be at least 42 inches in height and include a gripable handrail.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Well as you guessed it, the next time I walked into the home, I noticed a 36 inch high stair handrail. I reminded him and he wasn't too concerned, because he hired someone that knew all about building stair handrails.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The building inspector made him remove and replace the stair handrail, before he would approve the home for final inspection. Don't make the same mistakes, learn a little more about &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://stairs4u.com/images/stairguardrailing.htm"&gt;stair handrail safety&lt;/a&gt; and don't become another statistic in the home building industry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Always check with your local building department, whether you're reading articles like this or asking questions to experienced contractors. Everybody makes mistakes and sometimes their information is out of date, according to new home building practices or building codes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're interested in building stairs, whether you're a professional or a do it yourself homeowner, you should make your stair building and other construction projects as simple as possible. Check out the latest &lt;a target="_new" href="http://stairs4u.com/best_selling_stair_building_tool.htm"&gt;stair building tools&lt;/a&gt;, some of these tools can make even the average homeowner look like a building professional&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5097333960005750971?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5097333960005750971/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5097333960005750971' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5097333960005750971'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5097333960005750971'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/stair-handrailing-or-guard-rail.html' title='Stair Handrailing Or Guard Rail'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-4686918589771841312</id><published>2009-08-28T13:09:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-28T13:09:10.575-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Accessorize Your Home With Modern Bathroom Mirrors</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;One of the strategies used in home improvement by modern interior designers is to install decorative accessories to give it a whole new look. Instead of purchasing expensive furniture or to add new dimensions to your home, a cheaper and simpler method is to purchase some well-planned accessories that will bring out your homes true beauty. Homeowner might want to give some thought in purchasing bathroom mirrors as a modern home decor if you don't know where to start.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Giving Your Bathroom A Whole New Style&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One of the most widely used area of your home, aside from you living room and bedroom, is your bathroom. Family members and guest is never complete without visiting your bathroom and using its aesthetic environment and facilities for their basic rituals.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Let's face it; our eyes will normally fix on the mirror upon entering the bathroom. We always start our rituals with checking our appearance and ends in the same way. This is one reason why bathroom mirrors are perfect accessories to install in your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The style of your bathroom mirror design will most likely determine the overall look of the room. If you purchase a vintage or classic-themed mirror, your bathroom will certainly give out the same feel. If you want to avoid a slapdash look gracing this area of your home, then you might want to give some thoughts on planning ahead of time for the design that will fit perfectly with its current feel.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Picking Out The Perfect Bathroom Mirror Design&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are certain factors you need to consider before picking out a mirror design for your bathroom -- and the first one on the list is the style. Bathroom mirror styles available in the market range from traditional to modern, and there's quite a lot of selection to choose from.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Aside from specific styles, bathroom mirrors also vary according to the material used for its frame. Common materials used include wood, stainless steel, chrome or aluminum, and leather. You can also pick out those with no frames at all for a more futuristic look.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The most stylish bathroom mirrors around are the ones sporting a contemporary design. You have the leisure to pick out the best shapes that fits your bathroom, such as oval, circle, square, or rectangle, along with exotic artistic shapes for a more elegant look or a simple-wooden frame for a simple ambience.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Avoid picking the first bathroom mirror you see on display to avoid possible regrets after you install it in your home. It is a sound advice to list down selections that fit perfectly with your taste and budget, and compare them out according to your requirement.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://mhnshopping.com/bathroom-mirrors/"&gt;http://mhnshopping.com/bathroom-mirrors/&lt;/a&gt; -- Bathroom Mirrors&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Vanessa A. Doctor from &lt;a target="_new" href="http://jump2top.com"&gt;Jump2Top - SEO Company&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-4686918589771841312?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/4686918589771841312/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=4686918589771841312' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4686918589771841312'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/4686918589771841312'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/accessorize-your-home-with-modern.html' title='Accessorize Your Home With Modern Bathroom Mirrors'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6178959718470646343</id><published>2009-08-28T12:49:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-28T12:49:52.065-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Tuscan Decor in the Guest Room</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you have a guest room in your home, then it's there for one main reason - to make your guest feel at home while they are visiting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Of course, any visitor will be spending most of their time with you, in the living room or traveling about the local area, but they'll want a place where they can retreat during the day to rest, as well as a place to retire in the evening - a little slice of home away from home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In order to give your guest room that Tuscan look, there are a few items to consider.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lighting&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The lighting fixtures are important. Remove those shiny, modern fixtures of aluminum, and replace them with rustic designs - wall sconces of wrought iron, for example, or other types of metal with a distressed look to simulate age, with the decoration as scrollwork simulating grape vines.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Windows&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Direct sunlight, over the course of time, will fade and damage fabrics and furniture, nevertheless it's always nice to be able to spread open the draperies to allow sunlight to flow into a room. For the Tuscan look, don't use a lot frills. Use plain draperies, with plenty of fabric gathered today, in shades of beige or brown or gold, so that their hues can be enhanced by the sunlight.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Walls&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Wall color is important as it gives the overall tone of the entire room. Golds and browns are popular colors, but what particularly evokes the feel of Tuscany is to give the walls an aged patina by using faux paint to make them resemble old, crumbling brick or plaster.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Floor&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;For a true Tuscan look, aged hardwood floors, marble or tiled floors are a must. However, these types of floor can be expensive, and for a guest room that is only used once or twice a year, it may be an expense you don't want to incur. However, plenty of throw rugs with Tuscan designs scattered around the floor can give the appropriate feel as well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tuscan designs? Where are you going to get those? Easy - surf the web for Tuscan rugs and you'll find a vast array of authentic Tuscan designs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Furniture&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The bed, of course, is the main piece of furniture in the guest-room. No modern bedsteads with gleaming metal - choose wooden bedframes, ornately carved with bunches of grapes, for example, The blankets, bedspreads and pillows on the guest bed should be of dull colors invoking the earth or sky  tans, browns, golds or blues.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If possible, the bookcases, bureaus and wardrobes and other furniture in the room should be of wood as well, very light or very dark-colored woods to give a sturdy, aged look. Antique furniture will give the appropriate look.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Accessories&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The look of Tuscany is the look of the land - a land with rolling hills, vineyards, a vast blue bowl-like sky, and farmhouses that have been there for centuries. Accessories should call out this atmosphere of permanence - majolica or ceramic pottery, wrought iron candle holders, and so on.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Adam Peters is the author and editor of many wooden shutters articles and newsletters published at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com"&gt;http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com&lt;/a&gt; Find more publications about &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/1106tuscan_design.html"&gt;tuscan decor&lt;/a&gt; at his website.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6178959718470646343?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6178959718470646343/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6178959718470646343' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6178959718470646343'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6178959718470646343'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/tuscan-decor-in-guest-room.html' title='Tuscan Decor in the Guest Room'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2879916696592382744</id><published>2009-08-28T05:44:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-28T05:44:48.196-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Remodeling in a Recession - A Wise Investment?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;It's true that right nowmay not be the best time to sell your home. With real estate values dropping, many homeowners who want to sell won't be able to sell their home for what they thought theymay have been able to a few years ago.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;However, if you aren't trying to sell your home right now, and have been putting off a remodeling job this might just be the best time to tackle the project. Why you ask?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Just as the cost of homes is dropping, the cost of remodeling is dropping- including building materials and contractor's fees. And while it may be difficult to think about spending money on your home when the values are falling- taking advantage of lower remodeling costs could be a great investment if you are not planning on selling your home anytime soon.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As disclosed in a study by HousingEconomics.com, the number of building permits in the United States has decreased in 2008 by 41% from 2007.This means less people are building, which can be good for a consumer trying to get competitive pricing from a contractor.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Not only can your contractor charge less for materials (because they are paying less) but they are also willing to charge less for labor in order to secure more work.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Even DIYers can save money on renovations right now just by saving on materials. For example, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), framing lumber prices are the lowest they have been in 4 years.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The trick, of course, if you do have a home sale anywhere in your future, is to assess the current value of your home and the value that your remodel will add to your home. When you sell, you will only recoup some of the value in your resale so you want to make sure you are not investing too much more than what you may get in return. For a good idea of national remodeling costs and recouped costs, visit Remodeling magazine's cost vs. recoup report. Note: If you do hire a contractor, make sure they have insurance to cover them incase they are injured on your property, otherwise, check your &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://homeinsurance.com/"&gt;homeowners insurance policy&lt;/a&gt; to see if you have enough.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Carrie VanBrunt&lt;Br&gt; &lt;a target="_new" href="http://HomeInsurance.com"&gt;http://HomeInsurance.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2879916696592382744?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2879916696592382744/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2879916696592382744' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2879916696592382744'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2879916696592382744'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/remodeling-in-recession-wise-investment.html' title='Remodeling in a Recession - A Wise Investment?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-8731898577962253448</id><published>2009-08-27T06:58:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-27T06:58:20.508-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Bathroom Remodeling - Steps and Considerations to Take</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Bathroom remodeling, no doubt, is among the most rewarding home improvement project that you could ever take. Aside from making every waking day and just every personal minute in your bathroom more luxurious, the job would greatly add up to the value of your New York home. And the fact that an average bathroom remodeling project could yield up to 80-90% on return on investment, homeowners are not as much bothered with how much it squeezes out from their budget.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As with any other home improvement project that could be undertaken, a good plan is crucial in the success of your bathroom remodeling. And if you are not a handyman yourself, nothing beats having to work with a qualified NYC contractor as a top priority. With the expertise and skills of one, going through the steps in achieving your dream bath could be made much easier, giving the most value for your money and with the least risk of remodeling problems.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you do not have any idea yet on the design you want to take on, you can find inspirations through scouring through bathroom design websites, magazines and even showrooms in your nearest home improvement store. With a design at hand, you can discuss with your contractor estimates on budget and time. The extent of your bathroom remodeling depends on how much you are willing to spend on the project and how long you could put up with the remodeling works.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Your bathroom remodeling can be done as a surface-level project, change in layout or a total renovation which involves both. If everything seems to be in great condition and the existing layout is fine with you, a facelift can be best. A change in layout or a total bathroom renovation should be considered carefully. This involves so much more like the underlying electrical and plumbing systems. But whichever is your choice, make sure to apply for necessary permits early.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The essential keys to the success of your bathroom remodeling project are excellent workmanship as well as product selection. When choosing for materials to integrate into your project, do not stop at the cost alone. If you really need to save up, then shop for discounts but never sacrifice the quality of the products. Your aim should be set for long-term benefits. Find products and materials that offer the style of your choice, durability and less maintenance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Clutter can easily make a disaster zone out of your bathroom no matter how good looking it is. Depending on its total area, you can implement clever storage solutions. For bigger bathrooms, you can have as elaborate cabinetry and shelving as the space can accommodate. But if space is an issue, there are also lots of innovative products you can choose from that are designed to be compact but functional.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you can afford it, maximize every single element to make the most stylish, functional and comfortable bathroom remodeling result. If you are doing the master bathroom, a great idea is to have a his and her sink to cutback on the early morning chaos. You can even create a personal, everyday spa.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Eugene Makeev helps New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.craftsmennetwork.com/New-York.contractors-project-bathroom_remodel.html"&gt;Bathroom Contractor NYC&lt;/a&gt;. Feel free to use our &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.craftsmennetwork.com/calculators-bathroom.html"&gt;Bathroom Calculator&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-8731898577962253448?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/8731898577962253448/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=8731898577962253448' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8731898577962253448'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/8731898577962253448'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/bathroom-remodeling-steps-and.html' title='Bathroom Remodeling - Steps and Considerations to Take'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-5474871700258119667</id><published>2009-08-26T16:00:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-26T16:00:44.433-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Should I Update My Bathroom With a Medicine Cabinet, Or Do the Full Enchilada?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;It's the last major room in our house that needs an update. The main upstairs bathroom, the primary for the entire house. It's not really a master bath since it's down the hall from the main bedroom, but it does have the only bathtub and is definitely the biggest bathroom we have. When we bought the house it was reasonably well decorated except for the striped wallpaper that played with your eyes. I think I made it worse when I added mirrored closet doors to a wall opposite a mirror already in place so now the stripes are truly everywhere and seem to disappear into infinity through the mirrors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Regardless, it may be time to redo that room completely. We won't sell the house for another 10-15 years, but as it is perhaps it isn't meeting our needs anymore. I'd love to have a large whirlpool tub with a separate shower, something opulent like you'd see in a posh hotel. I'd want to keep my three way medicine cabinet and vanity mirror, and I'd want to enlarge the sink area so I have more room for my beauty supplies. As the children get older they'll be taking over more space than now and I don't think this bathroom accounts for that.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I could just replace the medicine cabinet and gain mirror space as well as storage space for hair products. It seems that I never have enough room for those. It would be nice to have room to put real medicine in there so we don't have it scattered all over the house in places impossible to uncover when you really need it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I could just upgrade the bathroom vanity and the medicine cabinet together, but then I think to myself, "why stop there? If you're going to do that then replace the floor, the falling ceiling, the older tub and shower and put that toilet somewhere other than the middle of the room." As you can see I have big dreams and lots of options, but I just don't know how to start small without turning it into a major project.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Perhaps I'll just stick with the medicine cabinet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For more information on various bathroom remodeling projects you can do please visit our sites on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.topmedicinecabinets.com/bathroom-medicine-cabinets.html"&gt;bathroom medicine cabinets&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.bestbathroomvanities.info"&gt;bathroom vanities&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-5474871700258119667?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/5474871700258119667/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=5474871700258119667' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5474871700258119667'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/5474871700258119667'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/should-i-update-my-bathroom-with.html' title='Should I Update My Bathroom With a Medicine Cabinet, Or Do the Full Enchilada?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-3391549008298902638</id><published>2009-08-26T00:55:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-26T00:55:41.151-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Remodeling a Laundry Room - An Easy Five Step Plan</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Remodeling a laundry room is fairly easy. This room is often the most overlooked room in the house but in a few simple steps, you can turn it into a functional, organized masterpiece you will be proud to show off.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here are the five steps to an easy Laundry Room Remodel:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1. &lt;b&gt;Flooring&lt;/b&gt; - If you are doing a full remodeling project, you might as well start from the floor up! Tile or vinyl are the best options although laminate or wood floors can be used as well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. &lt;b&gt;Cabinets&lt;/b&gt; - If you don't already have cabinets in your laundry room, you may want to consider adding them if you have room. Not only will they add storage to your home, but they should increase your home's value.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. &lt;b&gt;Walls and Dcor&lt;/b&gt; - Cute laundry themed art work, whimsical sayings stenciled on the walls, vintage prints, black and whites of your favorite family photographs...just about anything works well as laundry room dcor!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As for paint colors, for smaller rooms you may want to go with soft, light, or neutral colors. Darker colors can make an already small room seem smaller. If you have a large laundry room that is well lit, you could go with a bolder color if you want.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. &lt;b&gt;Storage/Organization&lt;/b&gt; - Make the most of your space and plan your laundry room for optimal storage and organization. If you don't have room for cabinets, at least install a shelf over the washing machine and dryer. A slide out cart that fits between the two appliances is another way to squeeze every bit of available storage space out of the room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. &lt;b&gt;Finishing Touches&lt;/b&gt; - Window treatments and a nice laundry room rug will help to put the finishing touches on the room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Remember to look at the overall picture when remodeling your laundry room. All the items you choose for the room should compliment each other.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Visit Laundry-Room-Decor.com for more ideas and tips for &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.laundry-room-decor.com/"&gt;remodeling a laundry room&lt;/a&gt; including information about great &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.laundry-room-decor.com/laundry-room-organizers.html"&gt;laundry room organizers&lt;/a&gt;, cabinets, flooring, dcor ideas, and much more!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-3391549008298902638?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/3391549008298902638/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=3391549008298902638' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/3391549008298902638'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/3391549008298902638'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/remodeling-laundry-room-easy-five-step.html' title='Remodeling a Laundry Room - An Easy Five Step Plan'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7981382495403001300</id><published>2009-08-19T20:20:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-19T20:20:24.616-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How to Find a Good Benidorm Apartment</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The coastal town of Benidorm is located in the province of Alicante in Spain. A lot of tourists visit the place since it offers a wide variety of exciting activities to take pleasure in. It is because of this that there is no wonder why a lot of visitors have considered renting an apartment for them while in Benidorm.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Benidorm Apartments are like every other apartment. Before renting one for you, there are many things to consider. The things that you are looking for in an apartment should be well thought of. The price that you are willing to pay is also important. The services and facilities that you are looking for in and apartment should also coincide with the amount of money you are willing to spend.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The price of an apartment in Alicante depends on a lot of things like location, views, services offered and many more. If the apartment that you want to rent is located in the heart of Benidorm and have a scenic view, you can expect that it will cost you more than the usual. Apartments also offer discounts from 5% to 10% even more, especially during peak season.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The amenities that the apartments offer also affect its renting price. Many prefer their apartments to have access to pools, bars, restaurants and laundry services. These services are made available to make the guests feel comfortable and enjoy their vacation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As most of the apartments there are regulations to be followed. If you break any equipment you are expected to pay extra to cover the damages that you have caused. A good advice for every visitor is to know the regulations of the apartment building to know what are allowed and not allowed and to avoid unnecessary problems to occur.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A Benidorm apartment comes in different sizes. There is the single apartment, twin or double apartment and for family. The size of the place you want to rent can also affect its price. Some apartments allow two people to sleep in a single room. That is one person on the bed and the other one in the sofa. Please remember that the administrator of the place can only allow a number of people that can stay in one room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Spain is a tourist magnet especially the province of Alicante. It is no wonder that there is a surge in the number of hotels. You might have second thoughts about renting an apartment or going for a hotel. Selecting an apartment over a hotel gives you several advantages. Apartments usually are closer to the place where most visitors likely to visit. Also, it's not only cheap but you get to have your own space and can invite your friends over. Many apartments are in close proximity of restaurants and markets, so there will be no problem finding a place to eat out or go shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There will be no problem getting to Spain but you might want to know how to get to Benidorm if it is your first time to go there. You can take a taxi from the airport to take you to Benidorm. Buses are also available to take you from the airport to your hotel or apartment. Some travelers have their tourist guide with them so there should be no problem with that. You can also ask the people working in the airport where to take a bus or taxi going to your place. The airport personnel are willing to help you in any way that they can.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Being especially interested in apts in benidorm and apartments for rent benidorm, Ken Morris published quite some news stories on this particular subject. You can have a look at his publications on &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.alicante-spain.com/benidorm-apartments.html"&gt;benidorm apartment&lt;/a&gt; at &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.alicante-spain.com"&gt;http://www.alicante-spain.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://homerepair.gregvan.com/crawlspace_repair/moisture_barrier_on_crawlspace.htm&gt;Moisture Barrier On Crawlspace&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href=http://homerepair.gregvan.com/bathroom_repair/toilet_seat_damage.htm&gt;Toilet Seat Damage&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7981382495403001300?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7981382495403001300/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7981382495403001300' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7981382495403001300'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7981382495403001300'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-find-good-benidorm-apartment.html' title='How to Find a Good Benidorm Apartment'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6611040584982388436</id><published>2009-08-19T02:40:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-19T02:40:07.617-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Plan Your Bathroom With Space</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;While the bathroom is one of the smallest rooms in your home, it is also a room that sees a lot of use. A bathroom that is both functional and attractive adds value to your home in two ways - it is more pleasant to live with such a space, and it adds a tremendous amount of financial value when the time comes to sell. Whether you are building from scratch, re-modeling, or adding on an en suite bathroom, you need to plan for maximizing the space you have available.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Make a scale model of the space you have. A scale of 10 cm to 1 meter is recommended. Using graphed paper is convenient, but you can also crate a graph using a ruler, paper and a pencil. Accurate measurements are essential, so take your time. Check the length and height of the walls, floor, widows and walls, as well as any existing service points and furniture. Make sure you measure where your access to plumbing and electrical are as well, and note it on your model.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can easily find the common measurements for a bath, shower stall, toilet, basin, bidet and cabinets online or in design magazines. Cut out the basic shapes of these things to scale, and label them. Try moving them around your bathroom space, to see what arrangements you like, taking into consideration how you will need to move through the room. If you can't fit everything you'd like to have in and still have ample room to move, consider either removing an element, or finding one that can do double duty.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A corner bath and shower combination may save a lot of space without having to sacrifice one for the other. You can also find a corner unit for a basin, toilet or bidet. You can use corner units to make a bathroom feel larger by freeing up both floor and wall space. Sometimes, a corner unit will also allow greater freedom of movement within the room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many manufacturers are making bathtubs, shower, basins, toilets and bidets in smaller sizes. Look into which of these space saving designs may suit your needs. A smaller unit serves the same purpose in less space, allowing you a roomier, more luxurious feeling space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Consider your storage needs in planning for a new bathroom as well. What kind of furniture will you need to hold towels and toiletries? Plan for towel racks, whether simple bars or a heated towel rack unit, as part of your design so they will fit well in the room, and be convenient to use. It is best to keep all items as close to their first point of use as possible - toilet rolls within reach of the toilet, bathing supplies close to the bath, and so on. Keeping things close to where they are used makes them both easier to access and easier to put away, keeping down clutter in a small room.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Written by James Chapman, a director of &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.bellabathrooms.co.uk"&gt;Bella Bathrooms&lt;/a&gt; who supply &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.bellabathrooms.co.uk/small_baths.html"&gt;Small Baths&lt;/a&gt; for the UK market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://homerepair.gregvan.com/building_code_problems/holes_in_floor_joist.htm&gt;Holes In Floor Joist&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href=http://homerepair.gregvan.com/stucco/moss_growing_on_stucco.htm&gt;Moss Growing On Stucco&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6611040584982388436?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6611040584982388436/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6611040584982388436' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6611040584982388436'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6611040584982388436'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/plan-your-bathroom-with-space.html' title='Plan Your Bathroom With Space'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-1450101577884661450</id><published>2009-08-15T00:32:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-15T00:32:29.885-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Storm Windows Companies</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;There are a number if storm windows companies country wide - The big ones have a representation in each county or state. They come in different sizes from conglomerates to small family run businesses. Don't worry this is not a lecturer about the different type of window companies but I was just making note of an important, which you may need later on.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I can simply give you a list of more than a hundred storm window companies to choose from and justify my reasoning for picking each one of them. But I do not want to go that route because I want you to make you choice. Later on I will give you a top list of companies to consider but for now let me give you the following factors to consider before you pick a company you need to consider the following:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; The size: the bigger the better - usually. However I have come across a few that have intentionally remained small in order to provide a more personalized service.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; The location of the company: I usually prefer one that is located within your area so it could be easy to go to their show room or have a consultant come over for a free consultation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; The age of the business: the more experienced businesses are more trustworthy especially because you can rely on their warranty. I mean I know someone who bought windows from a new company with a 5 year warranty. When the windows developed some faults 6 months later - the company was no where to be found.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Okay, now that I have given you those few tips let me look at a few storm window companies I can recommend.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; You can consider Winstrom Storm windows - if you go to your nearest supply place, you will most likely see a winstrom demo model. You will pay something like $180 for a triple track 36 by 50 window and about $50 for the low-e coating.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Alternatively you can try out the award winning Simonton StormBreaker Plus windows.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Click here &gt; &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.findreplacementwindowcompanies.com"&gt;storm window companies&lt;/a&gt; to find more within your area&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Click here &gt; &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.findreplacementwindowcompanies.com"&gt;replacement window companies&lt;/a&gt; to find a list of pre-screened replacement window companies that are willing to send a consultant for an obligation free consultation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://gregvan.com/picb/concrete_colum_base.htm&gt;Concrete Colum Base&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-1450101577884661450?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/1450101577884661450/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=1450101577884661450' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1450101577884661450'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/1450101577884661450'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/storm-windows-companies.html' title='Storm Windows Companies'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-6227329366673291350</id><published>2009-08-13T11:49:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-13T11:49:50.213-07:00</updated><title type='text'>DIY Bathroom Remodeling - Home Remodels</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;The first question you need to ask yourself when remodeling a bathroom is can you actually do the work yourself or do you have someone that can help you with the remodeling. If you don't know anyone and can't do the work yourself, I would suggest hiring a contractor with experience remodeling bathrooms.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you can do the work yourself or think you could do the work yourself, why not give it a shot. Any experience you have in construction or home remodeling, is going to be beneficial to your bathroom remodeling project. There is plenty of information on the internet or in your local libraries on bathroom remodeling and these often prove to be great resources for do it yourselfers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As an experienced contractor I have gathered a great deal of information through books, at work and watching local home improvement shows. The biggest problem with the show's and quite a few of these books, is they don't provide enough information. Most of the time they provide you with the basics of bathroom remodeling and you could soon find yourself in trouble or seeking the advice from a home improvement professional.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The largest benefit for doing the bathroom remodeling project yourself, could be the money you save, along with the satisfaction of completing the project. It makes homeowners feel good when they've completed a large home remodeling project, like a bathroom remodel.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you don't have the time, lack the experience or a combination of both, I would suggest hiring a contractor to relieve you from the stress and frustration of your bath remodeling project. The more complex your bathroom remodeling project is, the greater the degree of difficulty, the longer it will take to complete the project. Some of these projects can take up a lot of your time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you're working on galvanized water supply pipes or old cast iron waste pipes, you could find yourself hiring a plumber to install your bathtub and fixtures. These old pipes create problems for most do it yourselfers and I would suggest hiring a professional, whenever you run into a problem you don't feel comfortable with.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Choosing to tackle some of these difficult problems yourself, could lead to water leaks and more damage to the home eventually costing you even more money than the original cost of hiring an experienced plumber in the first place. When it comes to water, structural framing and electricity, think twice, especially if you're not experienced in these areas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;My advice to do it yourselfers is to hire a professional if you're not comfortable or seek the advice from a contractor or someone with considerable experience &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://gregvan.com/bath/bathroom_remodeling.htm"&gt;bathroom remodeling&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If your looking for some more &lt;a target="_new" href="http://1.gregvan.com/sitemap.htm"&gt;House Remodeling Pictures&lt;/a&gt; or home building ideas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://gregvan.com/picb/double_2_x_6_ceiling_beam.htm&gt;Double 2 X 6 Ceiling Beam&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-6227329366673291350?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/6227329366673291350/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=6227329366673291350' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6227329366673291350'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/6227329366673291350'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/diy-bathroom-remodeling-home-remodels.html' title='DIY Bathroom Remodeling - Home Remodels'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7920366679899719196</id><published>2009-08-11T22:54:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-11T22:54:26.513-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Why Energy Efficient And System Built Homes Thrive In This Economy?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Today's energy efficient homes are built to meet or exceed the government's 5 STAR requirements for energy efficiency. Consider the following: when gas prices are higher, people will drive by several stations looking for a cheaper price or bargain- instead simply stooping at the first station that is most convenient.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Real estate, new home purchasers seem to follow the same trend. There are many first time home buyers who are still looking building homes all over the country. But not as many as in the recent years. Those buyers are just scrutinizing their investment more. They are shopping multiple builders, researching energy efficient house and system built homes on the internet, etc. at much more higher rate then before. The inflation, which is increased cost of land, building materials and labor have slowed the market, but have also created a great opportunity for builders of energy efficient house building systems. Those builders who stand the scrutiny of being compared to many other possibilities have much better chance to stay in business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A slowdown can spell doom to many builders using traditional construction methods, as it is nearly impossible to price much less than other builders without offering less quality/features. However, is stark contrast, energy efficient house with System Built Homes thrive in this market as we able to offer homes that match (or often exceed) quality/feature standards while offering a much competitive price than houses are built with regular stick building. While the slower market dictates less and more scrutinies buyers, an &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://energyefficienthouse.com"&gt;energy efficient house&lt;/a&gt; with System Built Homes have the ability to attract more of these buyers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can find more information by visiting &lt;a target="_new" href="http://energyefficienthouse.com"&gt; energy efficient home&lt;/a&gt; website for more data on the latest energy efficient house construction trend. If you're interested to find out how you can have your energy efficient System Built Home designed, please contact us at Residential Design.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7920366679899719196?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7920366679899719196/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7920366679899719196' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7920366679899719196'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7920366679899719196'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-energy-efficient-and-system-built.html' title='Why Energy Efficient And System Built Homes Thrive In This Economy?'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-7812591519801710542</id><published>2009-08-11T19:50:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-11T19:50:09.919-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Metal and Slate Roofing Benefits</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;You have known for a while that your house could use a bit of a makeover and it makes sense to start at the top and work your way down. Plus, fair weather is approaching and the rainy season is coming up quick. It makes sense to move towards a new roof.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;While the most popular choice in roofing material has always been shingles, more and more homeowners are considering metal roofing and the many benefits of slate roofing materials.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Before you make an important decision about the cost of this kind of roofing, as well as its pros and cons, you have to be sure to let the experts weigh in.Your contractor will be an invaluable source of information as you go about making your choices.He or she can give a pretty good picture of the benefits of a slate roof.In fact, many roofers can now offer you all of their green friendly roofing options and outline the cost and energy savings structures of each type of material.  Metal and slate roofing are popular green friendly roofing materials for many reasons. One main reason is that they are completely natural and abundant. As a roofing material choice slate and metal are popular because they canhave a classic, elegantand beautiful appearance. These materials can be formed, styled, printed, colored and stamped to provide your roof with the look that matches your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In fact, it doesn't really matter if you are trying to live in a more green fashion or not, no one can dispute that one of the advantages of metal and slate roofing is energy efficiency.Studies have been done that suggest homeowners with this type of roofing can save up to 40 percent on their energy cooling bills.That fact alone pretty much makes up for the initial higher costs of slate tile or metal roofing. In terms of drawbacks, the higher price tag is about the only con there is to picking either of these options. However, if you plan on staying in your home for more than just a couple of years, you will more than make up for the initial cost in energy savings.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another benefit of slate and metal roofing you can't overlook is its ability to stand up to the elements. Naturally, roofs with shingles are designed to last as well.The biggest difference is that shingles last between 10 and 15 years, while &lt;a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.roofing-directory.com/slate/"&gt;slate roofing&lt;/a&gt; can last more than 17 and metal can last up to 40 years.Durability is another feature that makes the slightly higher cost of slate and metal roofing worth the investment.Talk to your contractor about the many ways slate roofing materials can benefit you, your energy bills, and your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this upcoming roofing season be sure to evaluate the options that your local &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.roofing-directory.com"&gt;roofing companies&lt;/a&gt; will provide. Ask about the green friendly materials and install processes. It will save you money in the long run and save the environment as well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Contact Information:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Aaron Klimchuk&lt;br&gt; Director of Operations&lt;br&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:aaron@leadstormmedia.com"&gt;aaron@leadstormmedia.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://homerepair.gregvan.com/foundation_repair/hole_drilled_through_footing.htm&gt;Hole Drilled Through Footing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-7812591519801710542?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/7812591519801710542/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=7812591519801710542' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7812591519801710542'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/7812591519801710542'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/metal-and-slate-roofing-benefits.html' title='Metal and Slate Roofing Benefits'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-2094591929523863226</id><published>2009-08-10T09:01:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-10T09:01:40.473-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Gas Leaf Blower Etiquette</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If I was asked to put together a top 10 list of the worst inventions, a gas leaf blower would be near the top of my list.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is an extremely annoying and loud machine that provides little to no value to anyone, including the person running it. Yes, it can quickly push a few leaves around, which may help in a few hard to reach locations, but overall it is an extremely ineffective and inefficient way to deal with fall foliage. As soon as a leaf pile or row begins to form, the blower becomes ineffective in quickly moving the leaves.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Even the more commercial grade blowers typically become impractical in moving large piles of leaves.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Gas leaf blowers, which are the type most homeowners purchase, are two stroke engines that require the mixing of oil and gas. Two stroke gas engines are great for being light weight, however they are notoriously loud and heavy air pollutants.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This all said, if you are still of the persuasion to purchase and use a leaf blower, you should at least follow a few basic rules of leaf blower etiquette.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;First, unless you live in a rural setting where you're closest neighbor is no closer than a quarter mile away, refrain from starting it up until 9:30 am. Nothing can turn neighbor against neighbor more quickly, than the sound of a blower at 7:30am on an otherwise peaceful and tranquil weekend morning.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Second, know your gas leaf blower's limitations. It is not going to move a mountain of leaves, particularly if they are wet, in any quick manner. Once you have created a pile of leaves of moderate proportions, turn the blower off and employ your old fashion yard rake.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Third, blowing leaves off to one side of your property in hopes that they will stay put is just pure fantasy. As soon as the first wind picks up, the leaves will begin to all over your yard again. Collect your leaves and store them in bags or in a fenced in compost pile.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Finally, do not blow the leaves from your yard into your neighbor's yard, even though the offending trees may be on your neighbor's yard. Again, this is a quick way to turn neighbor against neighbor.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;By following these basic rules of blower etiquette you should at least keep your neighbors from hating you too much during the fall foliage. However, before you decide to purchase or use a gas leaf blower you should also ask yourself what real value does it provide to you. Will it really save you time? Will you enjoy the fall outdoors even more? If your answer is still yes, then consider an electric blower. Though dragging a cord around is somewhat of a pain, they are quieter than than the alternative blower and do not pollute the environment. There are also cordless electric blowers as well to choose from, though there is always the hassle of having to recharge them. If the answer is no, or I don't know, then hold off on buying or using a blower. Instead, pull out the yard rake and enjoy a fall afternoon raking leaves. You might actually find the task of raking leaves to be peaceful and cathartic as you enjoy the peace and quite and fresh air.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About the Author:&lt;/b&gt; Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more information about &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.homeadditionplus.com"&gt;Home Improvement and Home Additions&lt;/a&gt;, and &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com"&gt;Home Remodeling and Repair&lt;/a&gt; visit homeadditionplus.com and homeaddition.blogspot.com.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-2094591929523863226?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/2094591929523863226/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=2094591929523863226' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2094591929523863226'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/2094591929523863226'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/gas-leaf-blower-etiquette.html' title='Gas Leaf Blower Etiquette'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473602272002636694.post-9068976862643281705</id><published>2009-08-10T06:24:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-10T06:24:52.276-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Proper Stair Parts For a Good Stairway</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;If you grew up in a home that has stairs you will most probably have the memory of playing in the railings of the stairs and sliding down the handrail.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This memory might not be possible if your staircase is not sturdy enough to support your weight. With this, you know that you will have to be careful in finding the right stair parts that you will use to create the proper staircase in your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you have a home and it has two or more floors, then you should start considering the stair parts that you will need for your stairs. The stairs are present in your home for practical reasons. You will have to use the stairs to go to one floor to the other. For other homeowners, they use the stairs to add dcor in their home. This is also an important aspect especially if your staircase is big and visible in your home. If this is the case, then you will have to ensure that your staircase is not only safe but it should also be pleasing to the eyes of your visitors. In achieving this, you will have to ensure that you will get the right pieces that will help you get a sturdy staircase and also one that has interesting designs to match the look of your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The stair parts that you need are easy to find but this does not mean that you will already stop searching once you find one that you like. It is possible that you can easily find one type that you think fits your home but it will be better if you will continue searching and compare the pieces that you see in the market. If you are able to compare the stair parts, you will have a bigger chance of getting the one that you will really like. This will also be a good way to avoid future problems.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can start thinking of the design that you like and get a professional help when it comes to constructing it. The carpenters will do their job this time but you can instruct them on the kind of outcome that you want from your own staircase.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now, your home will only get the right staircase if you will invest on the stair parts that you will use. It would be best to start the search now and continue with it so that you can cover more types in the market and really get the kind that you can enjoy having. You should remember that the staircase is not only important because you want to play with its railings. The safety of your family will depend on it and it will also have a big impact in the look of your home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For more information about Stair Parts feel free to visit &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.elegantstairsandwoodfloors.com/"&gt;http://www.elegantstairsandwoodfloors.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt; Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - &lt;a target="_new" href="http://www.jump2top.com"&gt;SEO Company&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href=http://homerepair.gregvan.com/drywall_termite_damage.htm&gt;Drywall Termite Damage&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2473602272002636694-9068976862643281705?l=vistabuilding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/feeds/9068976862643281705/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2473602272002636694&amp;postID=9068976862643281705' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/9068976862643281705'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2473602272002636694/posts/default/9068976862643281705'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://vistabuilding.blogspot.com/2009/08/proper-stair-parts-for-good-stairway.html' title='Proper Stair Parts For a Good Stairway'/><author><name>Ryan Wood</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08548128103186744782</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ke-O0Qq-7ZE/SegUpUTh-9I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L7EVEt-iyYk/S220/ryan-hope-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
