When Finishing Your Attic is the Best Choice, And When It Isn't

When trying to increase the amount of living space in a home, there are several options to consider. Remodeling or finishing an attic into needed living space is certainly one option. There are others, as well. These include finishing a basement or garage or adding onto your existing home.

The decision about how you will add living space must factor in such considerations as cost, available space to place an addition, the intended use of the space, and the ability to provide appropriate access to the new area. You will need to think through each of these considerations in making a decision.

In considering cost, the critical points to review are these:

If you work with an existing space (basement, attic, garage) you should not incur the expense of a roof, exterior walls, or foundation, unlike a traditional addition or 2nd story, which may need a foundation, several exterior walls, and a foor

You should consider the return on your investment. If you can add a room, bathroom or other living space that increases your home at a small expense, it is likely to give you one of the highest rates of return.

Is it reasonable to include an 1161additional bathroom? Adding a bathroom will increase the value of your home, but you must consider the costs incurred in building it. For example, will construction of a bathroom in an attic require reinforcement of the walls to support the weight?

If you wish to do the work yourself, are you better prepared to finish an existing space or build an addition? Do you know enough about insulating and wiring a attic or a basement?

What are the implications of your choice in terms of the adequacy of your current heating and cooling system? Will you need new ductwork or an auxiliary furnace or AC unit?

You can get an instant online estimate for finishing your attic at http://www.remodelestimates.com/calculators/intor.cfm?ver=21.

The next question is whether there is space for an addition to your home. Here are some questions to consider:

Will local building codes and zoning laws allow an addition?

How much yard will you have left after you build the addition?

Will local building codes and zoning laws allow the type of addition you are planning and the type of materials you plan to use?

How will you provide access from the existing structure into the new living space? How much change to the existing structure will be required?

The intended use of the new space might argue against a particular choice. For example, if you plan to use the new space as a home office, you might need to consider such things as:

Will you need external access to the space?

How much heavy equipment will be placed in the area? Will that weight require reinforcement of the floors or walls?

Alternatively, if the space is to be used as a bedroom or playroom, you should consider such things as:

Are there special accessibility issues (for example, someone with a disability or an aging parent)?

Do you need to add a bathroom, or is another bathroom close enough?

How will you provide adequate lighting (for example, adding a gable or a skylight)?

Does your basement offer a dry enough environment?

Finally, you will need to understand and accommodate access issues. A few of the more critical questions to consider are these:

Do local building codes require more than one means of access or egress from the room?

Can you plan for emergency escape?

How will you ensure adequate ventilation?

How much change to the existing home will be required in order to provide access to the new living space?

These are some of the major questions to consider when deciding whether finishing an attic is the best choice for your home and your family. By taking these factors into consideration you can evaluate whether finishing an attic is the best decision for your family and your current home. By calculating the cost, considering modifications to your existing home and yard, how the new space will be used, and what other changes are required to provide access, you can make a wise decision. If you are considering an attic remodel, I strongly recommend reviewing the Attic Remodeling Workbook available at www.amazon.com to ensure that you understand the complexities and challenges involved.

Attic Remodeling is very likely to be the solution to your need for additional space. These questions will help you ask the most important questions and make a wise decision.

Dan Fritschen, the author of this article, is the founder of the websites
http://www.remodelormove.com
http://www.remodelestimates.com and
http://www.remodelingorganizer.com

He is the author of three books on home remodeling.

New Bark House Stopping Traffic!

When my husband and I bought a vacant lot near Charlotte Street ten months ago, we only considered one material for the exterior as we got ready to build a house there: poplar bark shingles. We were used to seeing 100-year-old chestnut bark houses farther up in the mountains, and wanted that same kind of no-maintenance durability for our new Asheville home.

Apparently not many Asheville residents are used to seeing all-bark houses, though, because the construction site has been stopping traffic since the bark went up in the fall.

Today, chestnut bark is no longer available since a blight wiped out all the trees. However, poplar bark shingles are a worthy substitute, and because I was writing a book about poplar bark shingles, we felt no reservations about that material. My co-author, Chris McCurry, is one of the owners of Highland Craftsmen, the company in Spruce Pine, N.C., that produces the shingles.

Poplar bark is a reclaimed forest material which would otherwise be mulched, burned as industrial fuel, or left to rot on the ground after commercial timber operations. Instead, squared by hand, then kiln-dried and carefully wrapped until installation, the shingles provide a hardy exterior cladding that never needs paint or stain.

Poplar bark shingles are being used not only for homes all over the United States, but also for commercial applications. The shingles range from " to 1 " thick, depending on grade, and come in various lengths and widths. They require careful installation over a plywood substrate and a layer of roofing felt, but once nailed in place according to manufacturer's guidelines they remain flat and stable for decades.

Our lot's small dimensions -- 3,900 square feet, or .09 acre -- dictated a small building footprint, in this case 30' X 32'. That includes a 24' X 24' two-story core of heated space linked by an 8' X 8' bump-out stairwell, with covered porches upstairs and downstairs in the Asheville bungalow style.

Builder Frank Wilson of Candler has overseen construction, with Asheville carpenter David McCaslin hand crafting stairway and porch railings from locust poles. Custom cabinetry by Carl Hankins, owner of Asheville's Kitchen Concepts (cabinet55@charter.net) looks like fine furniture instead of just cupboards.

The downstairs consists of a great room with kitchen and living/dining room, flanked by a guest suite with bathroom; upstairs there's an office and spacious master suite. The house has an energy-saving on-demand water heater and only an under-counter refrigerator, and the covered porches should diminish the need for air-conditioning.

One observer said, "It looks like it rose from the ground." That's exactly the feel that poplar bark shingles give a building. A squirrel took off running up the back of the house once the bark was on.

Nan Chase's first book, Asheville: A History, has just been published by McFarland, and her book Bark House Style: Sustainable Designs from Nature, with Chris McCurry, will be published in June 2008 by Gibbs Smith.

Author: Janet Marie http://www.abandre.com (This is one of the most popular articles that went out in our Christmas newsletter)

Highland Craftsmen (company who produces the bark shingle siding) http://www.barkhouse.com

Stone Fire Pit

There is one thing that can make a very big difference between having something that you use and that can help you from time to time and thee is a completely other thing which can be used from time to time but just having it will make your guests and yourself gaze and admire it, one such thing is a stone fire pit.

A stone fire pit is one of the most impressive things you can have in your garden, or in your outdoor kitchen, this unique idea has not been around for many years, but in the last few years people are more and more interested in having a stone fire pit in their garden or backyard. The 5B4stone fire pit looks like it is connected to the past, maybe a few hundreds of years ago almost every family in town had one but today it is truly a unique thing to have.

One of the great things in having a stone fire pit outside is that you will get a lot of freedom in deciding how it is going to look, and its looks is all what it’s about, the stone fire pit will be impressive no matter what why you make it when it is lit and the fire is on, the question is how would you like it to look when its off, and how would you like the stone of the fire pit to relate to your garden and garden features.

The important things to remember when looking for a stone fire pit are that you will need someone who knows how to design those, so that the fire is solid and that there is enough air flow to feed the fire so it is balanced on all sides of the stone structure, that it is safe and that you can approach the fire if you wish, some people like to get close to the fire pit in order to get warm or to fry marshmallows, either way you will need to make sure that the person in charge of building it knows what he is doing.

The basic design of a stone fire pit is almost always the same, and it is a very good opportunity for you to go wild and get whatever you had in mind, the only things you will need to consider are safety and usability of the stone structure, but other than that the stone fire pit is really about having something v590ery impressive in your garden and that it will generate enough heat in the winter to keep you warm while you sit outside.

For those of you who are interested in something even more unique is the option to experiment with different stones and try and get all kinds of stones for the fire pit construction, this may cost a little more but it will guarantee that this will be one stone fire pit people will not forget, nevertheless, even a regular stone fire pit is something to be proud of.

Stone fire pits can be a great alternative to any major fire element in your garden or backyard, learn about Fire Pit at the firepits site http://firepit.zupatips.com

Different Types of Carpet Fibers

Carpeting can be a major purchase for your home. You want it to have a long life, look good, and be comfortable to walk on. Before you choose your carpet, it is important to understand the different types of carpet fibers that are available and their advantages and disadvantages.

The type of fiber used to make a carpet determines its visual appearance, overall durability, feel, resistance to stains - and the cost.

Synthetic materials are the most popular of the fibers used in today’s carpets accounting for about 97% of all fiber used. Synthetic materials are adaptable into a variety of styles and applications. They are generally easier to maintain than natural fibers.

Common materials used for carpet fibers are:

Nylon

Extremely durable, stain and mildew resistant and static free, Nylon is an excellent choice for all levels of traffic and applications. It maintains its fiber height allowing it to withstand the weight of heavy furniture and people. Nylon is dyed during the production of the fiber thereby avoiding any color run after it is produced

Nylon accounts for approximately 90% of all residential carpeting. Expect square yard prices from $10 for Cut Piles increasing to $30 for Multi-Level Loops.

Olefin (polypropylene)

Controlling the commercial market with an 80% share, Olefin is the least expensive of the man made fibers. A very strong fiber, Olefin is resistant to moisture and mildew and is easy to clean and maintain. It is an indoor and outdoor fiber and is the common fiber used for artificial turf.

Polyester

Less expensive than nylon or wool, Polyester fiber creates a very attractive carpet.

Commonly used in soft loop or Berber loop carpets, Polyester is a fiber that is used to make a luxury product. Crush resistant, available in a vast array of dynamic colors and its resistance to fading provides Polyester fibers with a lot of advantages. Polyester fibers are easy to clean and are resistant to water based stains.

Acrylic

Acrylic is the closest synthetic fiber to wool. Because of its wool like attributes, it is used extensively in Velvet and Plush Level Loop carpets. Acrylic fibers offer the appearance and feel of wool at a much lower cost and has the advantage over wool of being moisture and mildew resistant. The Acrylic fiber resists crushing, stains and will not fade from sunlight.

Acrylic fibers are not suitable for high traffic areas, such as hallways, family rooms, and stairs as they are a high wear product. Hence, they provide a perfect carpet in master and guest bedrooms.

Wool

When it comes to luxury and performance, no other fiber compares to Wool. Wool carpets maintain their height; they are ultra soft with a feel that is incomparable.

Wool fibers are easily died or you can choose natural colors of off white to black, and they repel water. They are very easy to clean and have an exceptionally long life. Wool fibers are usually used in cut pile and textured carpets.

Wool is one of the most expensive of the natural fibers and much more than synthetic fiber carpets. Wool carpets are also less resistant to moisture than synthetic fiber carpets.

Blends

The aforementioned four fiber types are often combined in a many variations to produce carpets that take the best qualities of each fiber type to produce a group of exceptional finished products.

For the luxurious look and comfort of wool with the durability of nylon, consider a Wool/Nylon blend.

Other common blends include Acrylic/Olefin and Nylon/Olefin. Although less expensive these blends are usually subject to staining.

PET

If a “green” environment is part of your criteria then you may want to consider the purchase of a carpet made of PET fibers.

Recycled plastics, primarily soda containers, are the basis for polyethylene terephthalate or as it is more commonly known in the industry PET. Fibers made from PET are not as plush or soft to the feel as other synthetic fibers but they are very durable, water and static resistant and offers extremely good value.

For additional information on flooring products for your home or other renovation projects including landscaping and gardening, visit Renovation Headquarters.

Bathroom Decor Ideas - Tips For Colors And Material

Your bathroom does not need to be a plain, drab area focused only on its practical aspect. There are plenty of bathroom decor ideas which you can consider, to make it uniquely your own.

When you are thinking about the specific types of dcor that you would like for your bathroom, the key point to keep in mind is that its style can reflect your own personal tastes. You can find an almost limitless selection of items to furnish and decorate your bathroom in a way that will make it one of the nicest rooms in your home.

Colors And Material

Although choosing a color-scheme that will reflect your individuality is essential, there are a number of other factors to think about which will highlight the specialness of your bathroom. The first step is to assess your own preferences. The types of materials you like the most can then be the basis for the products you choose.

For example, some people absolutely love wicker. If this describes you, you can easily find products to furnish your entire bathroom with this material, in both natural styles and those which are color-enhanced. If you are a fan of wicker, it can be your choice for everything from towel racks to wastepaper baskets to mirror frames.

If instead your taste is toward durable yet delicate plastic, this can make a lovely basis for your bathroom decor. Also available in a wide range of colors, you can create the nicest bathroom which is both practical and beautiful in appearance.

Metal materials can also be used in bathroom decorating. Copper and stainless steel are two of the most popular; they are both lovely and functional.

Decorative Touches

When you are preparing to decorate your bathroom, the sky is the limit in what you can include to make it special. Little decorative touches will make your bathroom an enjoyable place for your guests, as well as for yourself. Depending on your own tastes and preferences, these decorative touches can be anything from specially-designed guest soaps in a variety of shapes and colors, filling your shelves with a display of small shells and other memorabilia, or small macrame baskets filled with ferns and other plants.

In decorating your bathroom, you may also decide that your basic bathroom necessities are too nice to simply put away in the closet, and put them on display instead. If you have colorful, pretty towels, they can add to the dcor. Your shampoo, colognes, and other personal items can provide a lovely touch, especially if their packaging is attractive.

Selecting A Theme

A good idea for decorating your bathroom is to think of a specific theme that reflects your individuality. Whether it is bright and colorful or muted pastel tones, whether you would like a beach atmosphere or something delicate and ladylike, you can build on the theme which best shows your own unique personality.

The nicest bathroom is one which conveys your own personal sense of style. To generate great bathroom decor ideas, you can begin by thinking about your tastes and preferences, and you will be ready to begin decorating the bathroom of your dreams.

Ernest Jarquio is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Bathrooms-And-Showers.com. He provides more resources on topics such as Premier bathrooms, ion foot bath and corner showers that you can research on his website even while lounging in your living room.

What Is This Blue Lumber

Sunday night I was sitting around watching the Simpsons, my favorite TV show when I get a call from my dad. He was watching that show Extreme Home Makeover and he notice that they where building the house out of blue lumber. He asked me "Why is this lumber blue?" Confused, I was like "blue lumber?" I asked him did it look blue or was it blue, and he told me it was BLUE, the whole house. Not knowing what he was talking about I did some research, on this blue wood he was talking about, and came across some interesting facts on it.

For Starters the wood is actually called Bluwood. Bluwood is a two part, preconstruction wood protection system. The lumber has a film on it that helps prevent moister from seaping into the wood and also protects against fungus and wood eating insects.

Any lumber can be treated. The film can be applied to any type of lumber from a 24 to OSB (Oriented strand board). That means sub floor, trusses and even beams can have this film put on it. It comes to the job site pre treated and can be sawed, nailed, and painted. Since the wood is pretreated it also protects the lumber while it sites outside in the elements while the house is being built unprotected (up to 6 months).

Termites. This lumber uses an Insecticidal and a fungicidal that prevents termites and fungus from attacking the wood and destroying is structural properties. The film attaches to the fibers that the termites like to eat, thus preventing them from eating it.

The system. The first part of the two part system is the vapor barrier. The wood is engulfed in a film that creates a vapor barrier on the wood. This vapor barrier controls the absorption properties of the wood not allowing the it to absorb moisture, but I also allows the wood to breath, letting the moister within it escape. Kind of like a Tyvek Home Wrap. The second part of the system is a proven DOT insecticide and fungicide.

How it works. The two part system is applied to all six sides of the lumber which they call the infusion process. Once the infusion process is over this prevents any moister from absorbing into the wood but allowing moister to escape from the wood. Then over time the "infusion ingredients" continue to migrate below the surface of the wood so in theory the inside of the wood is treated. I never used the wood so I don't really know. I guess that when you cut the wood it is still protected. Through this process the ingredients bind to the wood at a cellular level

Less cupping splitting and curling. Since the wood has this vapor barrier on it, the film controls the rate at which the moister in the wood esc111Capes. Preventing the wood from cupping, splitting, and/or curling, which we find more often today then before because of the quick milling process. So no more going to a large home improvement store and shifting through a stack of 24s to find the 2 that you need that are straight.

http://www.pshomehelp.com/2008/01/28/whats-this-blue-lumber/