Choosing A New Delta Kitchen Faucet

Our old faucet broke a few weeks ago, and we didn't really want to rush out and buy another one. We were able to glue down the base so it wouldn't leak and would shut off, but we knew it was a short term solution. It was time to hunt for a new kitchen faucet.

Delta was one of the top brands we looked at. Their website shows the kitchen line as having fourteen different main styles to choose from, and within that there are dozens more variations on the theme. That is a lot of choices.

The options include faucets with additional sprayer wands, some without, some have a high goose like swooping neck, others have a shorter faucet neck. There is even one that is at a complete 90 degree angle, it's appropriately named the Grail, and it does look like something from history that you'd see on an old hand pump. The old fashioned look is coming back into style I guess.

There are single handle options and those with separate knobs for hot and cold (not my personal favorite). From an ease of use standpoint I think it's much easier to have just one faucet to adjust instead of using both hands to adjust two knobs. When you have young ch2213ildren and are usually holding that wriggling child in one arm you only have one free hand to adjust water temperature.

Some of them come with soap and lotion dispensers, which I think is a waste of space and money. However some people do use them so if this is useful to know at least know it is an option.

More more details on delta kitchen faucets please visit our informative website.

5 Ideas Of How To Make A Small Bathroom Bigger And More Beautiful

There are so many designs of bathrooms, styles and materials. We usually admire those rooms which are big and impressive. But not all materials and designs are good for every bathroom - specially the small ones. So, how to make a small bathroom stunning and beautiful?

First, using the magic of illusion, we can concentrate on the floor. Looking for a floor covering it is best to choose such that could be in more than one room. When we will have the same floor covering at for example kitchen, bathroom and living room it will seem that 2238the bathroom is bigger than it really is.

Second, when we really want to have a floor made of artistic pawn it is worth to make it in a light colour and rather in the small patterns. Other side, timeless is making very delicate arrangements of the pawns - it won't be visible when we put furniture into the room. It's also easier to make one design.

Third, in a very small spaces there is always not enough mirrors! They are visibly giving the room more space. And even if we choose dark colours for our floor covering the mirror will save the whole room. We can also buy some small mirrors in the shape of tiles and put them on the walls or floor next to the regular tiles.

Fourth, if we really like dark or very intense colours we don't have to totally forget about them. Just instead of putting them on the whole floor or on the walls decide to put them in the decorating items like colorful rugs. And even if we decide on having the floor dark, we should make light walls and conversely.

Fifth, putting a small anti slip bath mats can also make a bathroom look bigger. You can make such 'small rug' design on the floor from the tiles but putting the bathroom rug will make a floor also safer and bring a warmer touch to the room.

And last, we have to remember that in small apartments and houses bathroom will usually have some more appliances inside like washing machine, cupboards for towels etc. and it's worth to decide before planning the decoration when we put everything. It's useful cause it will make our work visible.

If you need help with decorating your bathroom we will help you in finding mats and bathroom rug for your home.

Tips for Any Home Renovation Project

Any person who has decided to renovate a home no matter how large or how small will tell you that this is not in easy task. Even if you hire a professional contractor to complete the work for you, you will have to live with strange people coming in and out of your house until the project is complete. That is not to mention the expense that it will cost you. It is hardly different even when you do the project yourself. You will find that your place is in complete disarray, with tools, table saws, and suppl5B4ies scattered about until the project is finished. There are ways that you can live with renovating projects, if you follow the following home renovation tips.

Finding the Best Renovating Tips:
The first thing that you will want to do before you begin any home renovation project is to carefully plan ahead. For example, if you will be renovating your kitchen, then you know that there are many things that you will not be able to use until the project is complete. A complete kitchen renovation will put you and your family at a standstill when it comes to cooking and preparing meals in your kitchen. For this reason, plan ahead and know that you will not be able to eat at home for some time. The same is true for any other room in your home. However, if you take the time to plan your project well in advance, you will be for prepared for these inconveniences.

Get Advice from Others:
Other tips that can prove to be very useful during any home renovation project is to talk to others that you know that have been through the process themselves. Your family members and friends who have completed home renovation projects in their own home may be able to offer you useful tips on how to live with your renovation project while it is in the process. If you do not know anyone that has been through this process before, then renovating and home decorating magazines and books are all great sources for tips and ideas about home ren56Dovation projects from start to finish. Don't forget to check the Internet as well. You will find that the Internet is a wonderful source of information that you may not find anywhere else. Your home is very important to you and home renovation projects come at a price, both financially and emotionally. Take the time to plan ahead before completing any home renovation project.

The author Vince Paxton is very interested in ideas associated with delta table saw ts350 and best table saws. You might find out more about his work on table saws reviews and delta table saw ts350 at http://www.insidewoodworking.com .

Cleaning Your Home's Exterior

Whatever your homes exterior is finished with, paint, vinyl, brick, stucco or anything else, chances are that it will need a little lift sometime in it's life. Short of completely re-doing it, there are a few options for cleaning and brightening up your home's exterior.

Pressure washing is an option for many homes. As well as your home, it can clean your driveway and walkways as well. However, it does take skill. The high water pressure can make pressure washing equipment hard to handle and also destructive if the handler isn't careful. Spending too much time in a delicate area can result in erosion or even more serious damage to your home. But take heart, a bit of research and practice can help you become a skilled pressure washer. On the other hand, for the time it takes to perfect your skill, it might be worth paying a professional to wash your home.

Pressure washing w5B4orks for almost any finish as long as the surface is not damaged. Chipped paint may flake off and loose bricks may get worse. However, going over your home for a thorough cleaning is a great way to assess any damage that needs repairing. Often, water is enough to clean a home. If you have stubborn areas, most pressure washers come with a detergent attachment. Some people find a need for bleach to clean their home. For a more environmentally sound approach, use vinegar instead of bleach. It doesn't have the same whitening power, but it does deter mold and algae growth. Chances are you don't have a real stain that needs bleaching, but some organic growth that just needs to be removed, (for which the pressure washer should suffice) and further growth prevented (that's where the vinegar's handy).

If you have wood or vinyl panels, be careful when pressure washing not to spray water at an angle that gets moisture under and between your siding. Trapped moisture that doesn't have an easy way to evaporate can really cause problems inside your walls.

If your home's paint is fading or peeling, or is a bit cheaper, pressure washing can damage it. In this case, a fresh paint-job just might be a necessity.

Keep in mind some of the other details that make your home look fresh. I already mentioned driveways and walkways, but don't forget washing the windows. Also, keep gutters clean, as leaking gutters can contribute to stained exteri48Dors. Landscaping is the final frontier of your home's exterior. Planting some bulbs and doing pruning will assure your home is bright and beautiful come spring-time.

ThinkLouise.com, the website for experienced Atlanta Georgia real estate agent, Louise Scoggins. Visit her for information on the North Fulton County real estate area, or any other Atlanta area real estate needs.

Tiles are the Foundation Stone for Your Stylish Bathroom!

Tiles can increase the value of any home. Ceramic tiles, mosaic tile, floor tile all add an extra quality to your home. Tile can be found throughout a home from the kitchen, bathrooms, and even the flooring. Tiles are widely available in most home improvement stores and also in specialty stores throughout the company. Finding the right tile for a home with the right color, design, and even pattern can seem overwhelming. But, the results of this project can be beneficial for years to come.

Ceramic tile is one of the strongest that can be purchased. It comes in many colors and textures as well as designs and patterns. Mosaic tiles, or tiles that form a pattern once laid properly are an elegant element that can be added to a home. Mosaic tiles also offer a wide range of selection.

Bathroom tiles add quality as well as extra security. They can protect drywall and paint from water damage if properly installed. Floor tiles provide the same level of protection. These tiles are usually easy to clean and maintain. While no16CCrmal mopping and washing can be effective, often an extra measure to keep them up to standard is to scrub the grout and edges with a brush. Elbow grease being the best cleaning product. While this does not have to be done each time the tile is cleaned, doing it regularly will improve the look of the tile overall.

Proper installation is important when adding tile to a home. If done improperly, the tile can often break or chip away. Consider hiring a professional so that the tile lies smooth and even and looks its best. When choosing the tile, do not forget to choose a grout that will benefit it. Grout, or the substance that is used to fill in the cracks between tiles, comes in many different colors and qualities. Again, this item is widely available at home improvement stores.

Tile, whether mosaic tile or ceramic tile, can enhance the quality of a home. It is an added investment into a home and should be done so with the overall supervision of a professional.

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher

http://www.a1-bathroom-4u.com/

mjy610@hotmail.com

Kitchen Remodeling in NYC

Ever owned a New York City Apartment? What was one room that you wish you could have remodeled? Well for a lot of us the room we spend a lot of time in is the kitchen, and in New York City Apartments, kitchen sizes are on the small side!

A couple of years ago I renovated a tiny kitchen, it was literally 5 x 5 square meters, and throughout the project I was completely convinced that the finished product would come in well under budget - it didn't. When you take in to consideration cabinet construction, fitting, shelving, plumbing, tiling, painting and accessories - even if it is a DIY job, the dollars keep rising (as did my blood pressure at the time).

In New York City we are lucky to be surrounded by an enormous amount of well-designed, functional and relatively inexpensive home furnishing and design products. The only real problem to be figured out is what style will suit your budget and where to begin!

So let's begin in the kitchen! Making the best use of a small space is tough, but definitely achievable and well worth the initial planning you put into it. Smaller spaces ju5B4st mean that you need to think a little bit more creatively. Probably one of the main intentions behind redesigning a small space is to mystify the visitor with how big it looks post renovation, while of course improving the functionality of it.

One of the best designer tips for making a kitchen look larger is to think about choice of colour. Keeping walls and ceilings light and bright is always a top tip, especially if you have no windows. To enhance the feeling of floor space, sometimes it is better to replace those funky colored floor tiles with something simple and durable. You can get some pretty tough vinyl products these days if you're on a tight budget and don't think you need to necessarily choose white all the time, try other slightly neutral colors like wheat or cream. Sticking to the basics, choosing light cabinetry and opting for a darker bench top will create a flow between the walls, flooring and bench space and create an illusion of space. Of course there are always exceptions to the rules and in some instances if there is enough light created through your flooring, cabinetry and good lighting then a darker background on the walls can also look warm and expansive without feeling cluttered.

A well functioning small sized kitchen should not only make you happier, but a lot more efficient when preparing those special dinners. The essentials to a kitchen are sometimes minimal but without things like adequa58Ate bench space and the correct placement of appliances you can become fairly dissatisfied pretty quickly. A general rule in any small kitchen is to keep things simple and functional. Think about buying kitchen appliances, such as the fridge or dishwasher, that are streamlined and will fit well in to limited designated spots, choose open shelving instead of closed cabinetry and if you decide to install cabinetry, ensure it has multi leveled capabilities.

Living in a small space also requires you to become a bit of a neat freak. Keep your bench tops free of papers and other objects that take up space, remember that you are trying to create a space for cooking not writing a term paper!

Remodeling small kitchens can be really fun. Once you have decided on your budget, commit to it and design a space that will meet all your needs.

MyHome is a full service New York general contractor offering custom kitchen cabinets in New York and specializing at kitchen remodeling in NYC.

Building or Decorating Your Home Requires House Plans

There are some things to consider when creating plans for your home. There are two situations that call for plans or blue prints, either you are building a new home or decorating your present home. The types of plans required for either situation will vary depending on the extent of your project.

When building a new home, there are several things you will want to consider carefully. The most obvious is where you are going to build your house. The climate will affect where you build. You wouldnt build an icehouse in the middle of the desert. You will want to determine what material you will want to use. Brick, wood, and cement are popular. In the southern states clay adobe houses are the norm. In the north and other areas brick, wood, and stone are options. The climate will influence this choice as well. In areas where there is cold weather brick and cement are used because they absorb and retain heat. In the south wood frame houses are built. The size of your lot will determine the size and type of house you want. You couldnt build a mansion on say a quarter of an acre. On the other hand a one bedroom, single floor home would look strange on a lot that is two acres or bigger. Whether your home has a basement could be important and that would depend on where you live. If you are lucky to have a basement, it can house the laundry room and your gym equipment or be a playroom/guest room.

Now that you know where and what type of climate you will be building in it is time to think about the plans. Blueprints are or have been used to draw a linear picture of the house as you see it. Now however there are computer programs that will allow you to build your house in 3-D. There are also web sites online that will also allow you to build your house and see it in 3-D. Not only that but some sites will allow you to place your furniture. There are several kinds of technical drawings that are used to create plans for a new home. There are site plans that address coding issues, landscaping, location specifics, drainage (land contours), trees, set backs, and property lines. A floor plan is a design plan of the house, the layout of the rooms, and where the windows and doors. Another type of plan is building sections, which is a cross section of the house. It helps determine any issues, visualize your finished house and floor plans using section marks. Wall sections show the construction of one exterior wall where sections are indicated with section marks. Exterior Elevations include such features as porches and decks. They also show furniture, window and door locations, eave heights and Roofing. Interior elevations show the lighting layout and ceiling conditions. Porches are another very interesting option; they can be enclosed, go all the way around the house. They can also be half-enclosed and half-open. They can be reminders of times past. A huge porch reminds me of my aunts farm years ago. Porches are great for extending family time and conversation while still being protected from the weather.

Decisions to be made are the size of each room, the number of rooms and the number of floors to be built. Will there be a basement or a fireplace, and where is the house going to sit on the lot. You could have a front yard or the house could be in the front of the lot with a yard in the back. You could also put it right in the center and have land all around. The next consideration is whether you will have a contractor draw up the plans which will be an expense, or you can do them yourself. To do them yourself you will need a pencil or pen, scissors, a measuring tape, and graph paper with 1/4-inch boxes.

You will draw rooms to scale; one box per foot is good. Measure your rooms, doors, windows, heat and air cooling appliances. Draw the outlines of the rooms according to scale. Measure your furniture (you only need to worry about length and width here) next and take another piece of graph paper. Draw out lines of your furniture, label them and cut them out. Use these pieces to set up the rooms. When you find an arrangement you like, you can make a more permanent drawing. On another sheet of graph paper draw a box for each wall. Scale your windows, doors, built-ins and other features.

Picking a floor plan is a process of answering some very important questions. Will this place be big enough or too big in a few years? Does your design fit in with the houses in the neighborhood? Does the design of the house fit in with the lot size and shape? Will the windows provide the best view and what windows will catch the sunlight in the morning and afternoon? Will changes need to be made or can changes even be considered? Are the rooms that will be used most of the time of adequate size? Expanding your house size could mean you need to sacrifice amenities or Storage space. Do you have specialty rooms such as a craft room, an office, or a gym? An office can double as a guestroom. The trend now is toward creating a family area where there is room for each to do his/her own hobby or to be together watching movies or playing games. When all the decisions are made and the plans are all drawn you will be ready to build.

Suppose now, that you are purchasing an already built home or renting an apartment. Plans can be done in these situations as well. Most places will offer a floor plan for you to look at with the measurements of the space in the rooms. If this is not available you can draw your own plan. You would need the same materials and the plan is fixed, you are limited to what is already there. Draw the outlines of each room according to scale. Take another sheet of graph paper and draw the outlines of your furniture. Label them and cut them out. You can move these pieces around till you find an arrangement you like. You might be limited with your television set because the outside antenna is in a certain spot.

Take another piece of graph paper and draw the wall sections of each room noting the windows, doors, and any heating or cooling appliance might be situated. You will have already placed your furniture so you will have a good idea of what your new home will look like. You can now decorate according to your tastes. In a rental home however, you might not be able to change wall colors or in rare cases hang photographs.

Planning for your home can be very exciting. You could be buying new furniture but you might want to consider the color of the carpets or the floors when you are choosing your pieces. A blue couch on a brown carpet does not exactly match. When planning for your home whether you buy or rent should be done carefully. Keep in mind your preferences, your limitations and if you are building, local zoning ordinances.

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for home buyers and consumers on purchasing a variety of unique house plans which includes cottage plans, beach house plans, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information

Granite Tile: Stone Cold Beauty

Granite is a decorative natural st1C84one that is truly eye-catching, delivering a unique, classy look to any interior or exterior. Granite is as durable as it is beautiful, being one of the hardest substances on earth. Also, to the question of usage and longevity, with proper care, your granite tile project can last a lifetime, transforming a foyer, a kitchen, or even in an outdoor installation (provided youve chosen a non-slip, unpolished finish) into a key feature of a property. Granite tile flooring is, in many cases, the obvious choice for those interested in any kind of natural stone tile flooring or countertops material.

The origins of granite

Granite tile is often a feature in a residence or a commercial building, not only because it is visually impressive, but because of the auspiciousness of having a flooring material which literally took ages to create! Formed deep in the earth, granite is the end result of tremendous heat and pressure applied over thousands of years. Granite is an igneous rock that is described as intrusive. That is, granite is formed when liquid magma is forced between other layers of rock, where it eventually cools and forms a layer of its own. Here, it is fused with elements such as quartz, feldspar and mica among other trace elements. The cooling process is slow, the new layer of rock being shielded by the layers above and below where the molten magma had been forced. The mineral elements which have become suspended in the cooling magma define the crystalline appearance of this unique natural stone. Due to its harsh origins and the lengthy process that suspends so many stabilizing elements within it, granite is an incredibly hard surface. This is material you can trust for durability!

Granite at the Quarry

Once the raw granite has been removed from its bed, first stage in processing granite for the purposes of flooring or countertop slabs is cutting the larger chunks of granite into manageable blocks. These blocks of granite are then further cut to size for use as both slabs and tiles by means of wire saws which are treated with various kinds of durable abrasives, such as sand, aluminum oxide, and diamond. These saws are most commonly used with water as a coolant. Sometimes, high-pressure water jets are used to cut the granite in tandem with the more traditional wire saws. Once the cutting process has been completed, the granite undergoes three processes that make them recognizable as tile flooring or countertop slabs. They are polished on one side, calibrated and gauged. These latter two terms refer to the process of making the back of each tile or slab as even as possible, and the edges as square as possible respectively. Once completed, the granite tile or slab is ready to be shipped to site, ready for your installation.

Popular uses for granite tile for flooring and countertops

Granite tile, being a very versatile material, can be installed in a great many locations in a residential or commercial project. Some of the more popular uses of granite are halls and foyers. Because of their decorative appearance, the popularity of granite tile in these areas is far from surprising. Granite tile helps to create an ambience of professionalism, strength, and permanence when placed in the foyers and halls of an office building. In the home, a granite tile floor can make all the difference in creating a space that is characterized by a singular, refined beauty that complements the surrounding dcor.

Further to this, granite tiles and slabs make a great countertop surfaces. Granite tiles are commonly used as highly suitable backsplashes that can add just the right accent to a kitchen installation. For an outdoor installation, on a terrace for instance, or a walkway, unpolished granite tile can add similar visual accent to a property as well as overall value. If you have leftover granite tile pieces after your installation is complete, granite tile can be cut to size and serve as cutting boards, coasters, fireplace surrounds, and a number of other uses limited only be your imagination and sense of practicality.

Caring for granite tile flooring and countertops

Given the hardness of granite, and the harsh origins that make it extremely resistant to certain types of wear, many of the things you would have to worry about with a lesser material is simply not an issue. For instance, many people choose granite for kitchen countertops and flooring because granite tile and slabs are highly resistant to abrasion caused by cutlery. Granite is also extremely heat-resistant, making it a worry-free countertop solution when it comes to hot pots and plates placed directly on its surface.

However, despite how durable granite tile is, it does require your attention in terms of care. One of the first things to consider is the application of an appropriate sealant. The choice of sealant may be determined by the variety of granite tile youve chosen to install, and where youve chosen to install it. Generally, a sealant is required to protect your granite tile from moisture, which is the most insidious enemy of any building material. As to the specific brands and varieties, talk to your local retailer or flooring expert about which one is the most effective choice with regard to your specific choice in granite tile.

Many of the other approaches to caring for your granite tile come down to common sense; clean up spills right away, keep your granite tile free of dirt and grit that can scratch the polish, and see about which types of cleaners and polishes are most appropriate to granite tile. Also, consider what you are prepared to do to maintain your granite tile surface. A level of commitment is needed in order to keep the sheen of the polished granite tile the same as it is when you first lay it down.

Granite: All this and brains too!

Granite tile and slabs are both a decorative and practical choice, making your choice of granite both a stylish and smart one indeed! Due to its hardness, its resistance to heat and other forms of stress, as well as the versatility which is offered by granite tile, you are making an investment that will add value to your property and one which will be the source of a tremendous pride of ownership. The production of granite has been millions of years in the making, made by the greatest manufacturer there is the earth itself. For a lasting durability designed by nature that is stone cold gorgeous too, granite may be the best idea youve ever had!

Granite Tile Dos and Donts

Here are a few things to think about when you are considering granite tile for your project:

Do:

Consider the area where you intend to install granite tile. Make sure that factors such as moisture levels, foot traffic, and slip resistance are carefully considered. Consider what type of surface is the best polished, honed, or brushed (AKA flamed) are popular varieties in granite tile, each better suited to certain areas than others. Polished granite is great for countertops and low traffic areas, but often becomes slippery when wet. Honed flooring is more all-purpose, but may 5B4be considered less decorative by some. Brushed or flamed granite tile is most commonly used outdoors

Read all warranty information before purchase

Look into hiring a flooring tile professional to help you as working with granite can be very strenuous, due to its weight particularly. When in doubt, its always best to get experienced help

Inspect the whole batch before beginning an installation for possible breakage and any other issues, and consult your terms and conditions as to how to see about compensation, if any

Expect color variations in your batch of granite tile. Remember, granite is a natural material. Use these natural color variations found in your batch to your advantage. Get as creative with your layout as you can

Lay out all of your granite tiles in a dry run before applying mortar or other chosen adhesive agent.

Choose a sealant that best suits your choice in granite tile. Ask your sales rep or flooring professional about specific varieties and brand names

Initiate a cleaning and maintenance regimen; choose the appropriate cleaners and polishes based on experienced advice in order to make sure your granite tile retains all of its natural beauty

Dont:

Install granite tile on an uneven, dirty or wet subfloor

Leave spills to sit on your granite tile flooring or counter9ADtops. It is important to avoid excessive moisture as this is what contributes to the wear of any building material. Also, liquids with an acid base are often culprits of stubborn stains

Allow dirt and grit to remain on the surface of your granite tile. These elements can affect the finish over time and take away from the natural beauty of granite

Use acid-based cleaners or other agents on your granite tile. This can be a major source of wear on your tile, cause stains to become permanent, and dull the finish as well. Avoid using any product your no sure about

Forget to thoroughly rinse your granite tile once youve used a recommended cleaner, or forget to change dirty water or solution which you are using to clean the tile

Use scouring powders, steel wool, or other abrasive materials to remove stains from your granite tile

Obviously this is not a complete list. Once again, one of the best courses of action to take to ensure that granite tile is the right choice for a flooring or countertop solution is to consult with the experts. This way, you are benefiting from years of experience which will allow you to avoid costly mistakes. It will also help to make sure that your granite tile will be as attractive and long lasting as it is meant to be with you as its best ally!

Rob Jones is Communications Coordinator with BuildDirect, a leading online wholesaler of building products. Rob writes articles for commercial contractors and DIYers on features, installation, and maintenance of building materials used in commercial and residential projects. These articles focus on materials such as flooring, decking, roofing, and siding, and other related topics.