Monday, August 31, 2009

Sheer Curtains

To highlight big windows and soften the sun's rays, a sheer curtain is your best option. Sheers have been used for many years. Besides their practical use, sheers will also add character to your room.

This lightweight curtain can be used alone or with another heavier fabric. The usage depends on the amount of sunlight you want to let into the room, for instance, if you want a warm room with lots of sunlight flooding in, you would use only the sheer curtain. If you decided to go only with sheer, you could make them three times the width of your window. The gathers will give you your privacy.

You could also get a little creative and leave the top part of your window open. You will still have your privacy but at the same time, the sunlight entering from the top of the window will brighten up your room dramatically.

Sheer curtains are the perfect choice if you have indoor plants, especially orchids. This curtain will protect your plants from the sun's rays yet give them enough sunlight to keep them alive.

Sheers are cheap to buy and relatively easy to maintain. Most of them are made of synthetic materials and unless otherwise stated, you can wash them just as you would wash lace curtains.

If your sheers are dirty, soak them overnight (not more than 12 hours) in warm soap water with a couple of spoonfuls of borax or ammonia. After this, rinse them thoroughly to get rid of the soap and hang them out to dry. If you have organdy sheers don not wash them at home. They are very delicate and detergents will harm them. You will have to dry-clean them.

Curtains provides detailed information about curtains, window curtains, kitchen curtains, beaded curtains and more. Curtains is the sister site of Candle Chandeliers.

Bathroom Decorating Tips For When You're Selling Your Home

Even in this tight economy and marked decrease in home sales, it may be possible to sell your home for a reasonable price. If you are considering putting your home on the market, you will want to keep remodeling costs to an absolute minimum. Mainly, you should only consider necessary expenses; do the things that need to be done. The reality is that you might have to sell your house for less than the original value. Therefore, you do not want to put more money into it than is necessary.

There are a few bathroom decorating tips that you can consider. Firstly, you will want to have an idea of what the average home buyer is looking for. Do not make any changes based solely on your taste and style. Remember, you are selling your home for someone else to live there. What you find attractive another person could find horrible.

Surprisingly, one of the top home selling elements for potential buyers is the look of the bathroom. Opulence and customization can deter rather than attract a sale. The average cost of upgrading can give you as much as 90% more than the original cost at the time you sell your home.

This is an important factor to keep in mind when looking at bathroom decorating. You want what will work best for your ultimate goal. The following are just a few simple bathroom decorating tips to consider as you make plans for the decorating project itself.

* Consider upgrading your fixtures and windows to give better heat economy and usability for the next owner. These simple changes add a lot of sales appeal to your home.

* Your spend should never exceed what is typical for the sales price range of your home. Spending more than 10% is not recommended by experts. Having a palatial bathroom in your small house will have the opposite effect on a potential buyer. Simply put, the bathroom should match the house.

* Consider adding an additional full or half bathroom if you have a large master bedroom or a small utility room that can be converted.

* You can get flooring, countertops and other products to install in many different colors and patterns. Do not try to make a fashion statement. Get what is practical. You want the potential buyer to visualize themselves in the bathroom, not you.

* When it comes to installing sinks, faucets and other types of fixtures and fittings, keep it simple.

* Neutral colors are best, especially if you're not installing luxury grade fixtures or accessories. Mid tone neutral colors are least likely to show wear and tear. Light colored neutrals present a bright, spacious feeling. Darker colors might disguise dirt, but will show scum, hard-water stains and some marring.

These tips are an excellent way to prepare your home for the market.

Do you want to learn how to design a bathroom? It's not as complicated as you might think and just following some simple tips can make your design and decorating project so much easier. You can find more great bathroom decorating tips at bathroomcentral dot com.

Small Basement Remodeling

Space is a common housing issue especially in big city living. As the song popularized by Frank Sinatra goes, I want to be a part of it... New York, New York. Most everybody still wants to experience and live through the action of the never-sleeping city. So if you do live in New York, there is still another option to consider other than just learning to live with how things are. The answer to your space crunch lies through looking into the possibilities unused areas has to offer. This makes small basement remodeling one of the best home improvement projects to undertake.

Why small basement remodeling?

- When thinking of adding square footage to your home's living area, this is a more cost-effective alternative than having a home addition where you would need to extend. This would cost you only a fraction of what you will be spending on the later with most or all of the same features. One of the reasons for the great savings is that the structural necessities are already there like the ceiling, flooring, and walls.

- Another benefit for undertaking a small basement remodeling is the ideal location of the area that promotes fewer hassles posed by home improvement works to the family's daily living.

- Since the nature of the space is underground; it is typically warm during colder months and cooler on summer. This factor helps you enjoy the small basement remodeling project results with less energy costs.

There are many ways that you could come up with a finish your small basement remodeling and this depends on your personal needs and preferences. The isolation and originally compact masonry of the place makes it ideal to be turned into a home office, playroom for the younger children, game or recreational room, home theatre or an exercise area. Because plumbing is readily available and easily accessible, the area can also excellently make up for a sauna, additional bathroom, or large custom shower. Other popular small basement remodeling ideas include: a wet bar, kitchenette, and additional room for guests.

When we think about our small basements, the most natural thing to come into out minds is their dungeon-like features. To bring out the most in our remodeling project, you can play with certain elements to make the space as inviting, comfortable and more spacious to look at.

- This area would naturally require heavy lighting compared to most areas in the house. You can provide fixtures promoting intense light as well as maximize the use of windows to let in more natural light.

- Carpets have been a popular choice but are you aware that tiles could do better as flooring? Aside from the durability that it offers, it is also low maintenance. As your small basement is prone to moisture and water problems, this would serve as the better alternative. To make up for the hardness and help with the over-all room design, you can also put beautiful area rugs.

- Light paint colors, horizontal designs and diagonal patterns are great in making the small basement remodeling finish seem much wider.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Basement Contractor New York. For more, visit New York Contractors

Helpful Information on Bathroom Decor

The perception of people about the bathroom is changing. The place is no longer seen as a place to have your bath in the morning to get ready for the day's activities and in the night to get rid of all the sweats that have accumulated during the day. It is now regarded by many as a safe haven that demands a lot of attention. Lots of people are now seeing it as part of the home. So, they are making effort to infuse their personality and style into it. There are so many things you can do to make this sacred place beautiful. One of the things you can do is to place lights in strategic positions in your bathroom.

Before the modern way of using light, bathroom light fixtures were merely regarded as functional. In other words, the lights were merely used as a tool to help you move around in the room. Back then, a single light is placed over the bathroom sink or cabinet to illuminate the whole room. But these days, bathroom lighting has taken a new dimension. It is now both aesthetic and functional in nature. The light can be placed in a way that the whole room becomes a reflection of your personality.

There are many bathroom fixtures out there in the market for you. You can get one for the ceiling, wall and also the shower. You can buy flush and semi-flush ceiling mounts and add a wonderful aura to your bathroom. The lights also come in various shades and sizes; there is red, green, blue and the traditional yellow bulb lights. The proper placement of lights in your bathroom cannot be stressed enough.

Apart from using lights aesthetically, you can decide to use it for activities such as shaving or applying make up. Bathroom lighting is highly necessary for you in order to locate stuff in the cabinets or around the bathroom. Also, the lights can function as mood enhancers. So, with the right set of lights in your bathroom, you can experience an uplifting of drooping spirits each time you step in to have your bath.

Ras Reed provides you with more interesting and useful bathroom decor information such as Contemporary Bathroom Vanity as well as Corner Bathroom Sink on his resourceful website.

Working With a Contracted Painter - Homeowner Tips

Help with home improvement work should always be welcome with open arms by homeowners with no real experience in the matter. Going at it alone is usually not a wise decision for homeowners when it comes to the more complicated tasks such as painting the house or other complex projects. With a professional approach and help from contractors, homeowners can rest assured that their projects will turn out looking magnificent and the process will go much more smoothly than if the homeowner had hired an amateur or done the work themselves.

A contracted painter is a valuable addition to any remodeling project. With a very important aspect of the project taken care of, homeowners should rest easy knowing that they can now focus their attention on other areas of the remodel. Knowing exactly what they are doing, a contracted painter will take on a project efficiently and with little problems. Knowing how to deal with problems when they arise and hopefully avoid them before they even come up, these professionals prove their worth each time they are hired by homeowners looking for a good paint job. With a well-painted house, homeowners are usually happy they went with a professional.

The value a contracted painter holds often goes beyond physically painting the house. Helping with the planning aspect of the project is widely accepted as a big plus if the contractor is able to do so. With their experience and training, contractors are usually able to offer advice and lend a hand when planning these expansive remodeling projects. This often proves to be one of the most valuable resources a homeowner can hope for when taking on large remodeling projects.

More information on College Works Painting is just a click away.

Log Cabin Vinyl Siding

This article talks in grat depths about the advantages of vinyl over normal wood. It talks about the fact that it looks just as good, but is cheap, has low maintenance and is eco-fiendly.If thought of building a log cabin siding but never took it seriously because of heavy work load and cost then you no longer have any excuses.

Making a log cabin from actual wood will not only prove to be very costly, but it will also have an adverse effect on the environment. Today the world has reached an advanced stage of deforestation. Therefore, we must do our bit to save the planet. Understandably, log wood houses have a very rustic look. With the advent of log cabin vinyl siding, this rustic look can be maintained while the installation and maintenance of the log cabin vinyl siding is cheap and it is artificially made out of vinyl (a chemical), therefore it is eco-friendly since it doesnt involve cutting down tree.

Advantage Log Cabin Vinyl Siding

Besides simply looking authentic, there are a lot benefits that come with log cabin vinyl siding. It also provides many saving opportunities, both fiscally and physically. Vinyl siding is practically maintenance free and does not require insect preventing, staining, and sealing as well as any type of refinishing.

Vinyl log siding is one of the best methods of weatherproofing your structure as it provides complete protection from all types of climates.

Vinyl log siding is 100% man-made but still retains the look of natural wood. Log cabin vinyl siding is certainly cheaper than using full-logs because it's mass-produced. AS it can be easily installed Cost of labor is cheaper.

Parkers Midwest Distributing at www.vinyllogsiding.com offers a wide variety of log cabin vinyl sidings. They come in many different shades, and look almost natural. Whats more is that it doesnt need much maintenance. There will be no holes caused by pests. There will be no termite infestations or beds of fungi on this artificial replica of the real world wood.

An Eco-Friendly Way of Siding

Resource Materials Corp at www.resourcematerialscorp.com offers yet another wide range of log cabin vinyl siding products. They specialize in heat treatment technologies. Once you install their log cabin vinyl siding, you will realize that the amount of heat dissipated into the atmosphere reduces in winter and increases in summer. In short, winters will be warm and summers will be cool

Sisson Log Homes at www.sissonloghomes.com

Sisson Log Homes is renowned for bringing excellently crafted log cabin vinyl sidings complete with the accompanying accessories and fitting should you choose.

In summary, log cabin vinyl sidings are cheaper than their wooden counterparts, are more resistant to moth attacks, are available in all shades, fit perfectly into one another, are eco friendly and require way less maintenance.

You can also find more info on harsh weather conditions and siding products. Homesidingreview.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about home siding review.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Home Staging Tips - Number 1 - Bathrooms

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.

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."

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.

So, arm yourself with the following list of supplies and products and follow me to the bathroom:

- Gloves
- Sponges (I use three different ones: one for the sinks and surfaces; one for the toilets; and one for the tub/shower
- Scrub brush
- an old Toothbrush (great for corners, along baseboards, around the toilet base, and grout)
- Paper Towels
- Bathroom Cleanser (preferably one with bleach; a disinfectant - I like Soft Scrub)
- Glass Cleaner (e.g., Windex)
- Clorox Bleach Pen (great for cleaning grout)
- 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)
- Easy Off - BAM (for shower doors). Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to assist with tough spots.
- 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.)

CLEAN:

- Floors
- Walls
- Ceilings (knock down any cob webs)
- Door (both sides) Exhaust Vents
- Tub (make sure to run the jets in the tub to make sure there are no surprises)
- Shower (clean the grout)
- Shower Doors
- Sinks
- Faucets
- Toilets
- Vanity Drawers and Cabinets (inside and out)
- Mirrors
- Windows (inside and out)
- Screens
- Window Treatments (consider removing them altogether; or washing and ironing before putting them back up)
- Shelves/Built-ins
- Linen Closets (inside and out)

THE BATHROOM:

Complete any outstanding projects (improvement projects).

Wallpaper? Remove it! Why? Wallpaper is considered a custom decor choice; and, will rarely be the choice of the Buyer.

Patch all holes and cracks in the walls.

Paint walls a neutral color. Avoid white for the walls. Instead, choose a soft (universal) color.

Touch up any wood trim. Trim, ceilings and doors should be white. Using the same trim color throughout the home is preferable.

Wash all windows (inside and out, as applicable).

Replace outdated light fixtures.

Replace pitted or tarnished faucets.

Consider replacing the hardware on the cabinets for an inexpensive (but, effective) way to update the look of a bathroom.

Re-caulk, as necessary.

Remove all cleaning supplies from sight. If the next-best-place for them is under the Vanity (arrange them NEATLY in a container).

Vanity Cabinets should be neat and organized: Clutter-free.

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.

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.

Remove family or personal photos.

Put away all toilet brushes and plungers.

Remove all toilet and tank covers and take up all rugs.

Remove items typically found on the floor (e.g., scales, hampers).

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).

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.

Shower curtains should be fabric (preferably, white). No "busy" patterns. I've seen some striped patterns actually work nicely.

Place a full roll of toilet paper on the holder.

If candles are in the bathroom, then, they should be new candles (not ones that have been previously burned).

Place a fresh soap pump at each sink.

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.

Add a touch of green to the room (e.g., potted ivy).

Place all toilet seats in the "down" position.

PROPS FOR STAGING A BATHROOM:

- Plush, thirsty towels
- Greenery (Bamboo, ivy and palm frawns are a few to consider)
- Grasses/Reeds
- Art/Framed prints
- Soap pumps
- Fresh pillar candles (varying in height)
- Fabric shower curtains
- Roll of toilet papers
- Polished river stones
- Sea shells
- Wicker baskets (for functionality, as well as, staging purposes)

EXAMPLE: A clean, tidy, staged bathroom will create a "spa-like" experience for the Buyer.

Jenn Klarman, SRES, REALTOR
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis Sales
240-832-2486 cell
410-266-5505 office
410-956-8502 fax
jklarman@lnf.com
http://www.RealEstateAndBeyond.net

Six Ways to Save Energy

There are many areas where you can experience significant energy savings when you are building a green home.By working with an architect in the early design stages, many of these areas can be addressed in the design of your energy efficient home, helping you to save money in the future and enjoy a healthier home:

1)Footprint:Reduce the size of your home.Your home design should be limited to only as much space as your family needs.This will keep your energy usage to a minimum right from the start.

2) Windows:Windows are a break in the thermal insulating barrier of your home.The higher quality window you choose the better performance the entire home will achieve.

3)Insulation:Even if you do nothing else, by choosing a superior building envelope for your home like structural insulated panels (SIPs panels) and/or an insulated concrete form foundation system (ICF), you will enjoy huge savings in heating and cooling your home (up to 50%-60% over a home without SIPs).

4) Passive solar design:By incorporating sunlight for lighting and heat and natural ventilation into the basic home design, you can reduce the size of mechanical systems and lighting in the home.

5) Heating system:Consider a renewable energy system to heat and cool the space and tap water in your home (solar, wind, geothermal).

6) Ventilation:Incorporate an air-to-air exchanger, or heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system into your home. This will replace stale air with fresh outdoor air while maintaining the temperature inside the home and conserving energy.

There are many other areas of the home that can be addressed to increase energy efficiency and save money over the life of your home. In the beginning stages of the home design, your green architect will discuss your opportunities to save money while providing a healthy environment for your family.

About the Author: Jeremy Bonin, a principal partner of Bonin Architects & Associates http://www.boninarchitects.com, is an award-winning green architect and the author of TIMBER FRAMES: Designing Your Custom Home. With a special interest in sustainable design and green homes, structural insulated panels (SIPs), as well as timber frame construction, Jeremy incorporates renewable energy practices where possible, including geo-thermal, solar, radiant heat, and energy-efficient foundation systems.

Bathroom Shower Options in New Home Plans

Just when you think you have one simple choice to make to outfit your new home, think again. Today's showers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be outfitted with amazing features to provide the most luxurious shower imaginable.

Showers can be stand-alone bathroom fixtures or be a part of a tub combo. The two main factors determining the type is you available size and budget. If space is tight, all you may be able to fit is a stand-alone shower stall. With a little extra space, and the need for somewhere to soak your stresses away, the shower/tub combo is the right choice. For those new homes equipped with plush master suites and the ranch house plans with two master bedrooms that are becoming more common, a separate stand-alone shower is ideal because there is plenty of room for a soaking tub on its own.

Showers are either found as prefabricated units or completely custom built to fit your space and style. Prefabs are best suited for standard stalls that are either square or circular units. Custom built units sometimes become necessary when those country style house plans you have been working on need something more tailored to fit any nook and cranny available in your bathroom.

No matter what style you are looking for, showers are available in a multitude of materials. The most important thing to ensure is that the material chosen is waterproof and durable. Prefabricated units are typically made of fiberglass-reinforced acrylic, plastic laminate or synthetic marble. Custom shower stalls can be created using any number of materials, including ceramic tiles, stone, marble and granite. Using these materials takes a step further in aesthetics and offers the most flexibility in size and shape. Whatever type of shower you are building, it is important to take in the entire bathroom environment to ensure a relaxing and stress-free atmosphere.

General shower stalls come equipped with grab bars and soap dishes, while upgrades can include benches and multiple showerheads. Showerheads come in a dizzying array, and can take the shower experience from standard to pure luxury. Choose from multiple pressure options, handheld (also with various pressure options), and even full body showerheads that act similar to a car wash. And, growing in popularity is the waterfall showerhead that has the feeling of a gentle rain. Additional extras that can be incorporated into your shower experience include programmable preferred temperatures, natural light, steam rooms and units and smart home technology.

It's not hard to become overwhelmed with all the decisions involved in building your new home. Do you go with a traditional ranch house plan or indulge your post modern side? But with careful consideration and proper research, your dream home - right down to every bathroom - will be a pure joy for you and your family.

Be sure to visit House Plans and More for more house plan and bathroom resources. The planning stages of that traditional ranch house plan or more updated ranch house plans with two master bedrooms can seem daunting at times. But arm yourself with information and even country style house plans will be a breeze to tackle.

Learn How to Remove Wallpaper Easy

If you're attempting to remove wallpaper (W.P.) then you have come to the right place. Follow my simple tips and tricks. Not only will you save time and frustration, you will learn how to take it down the easy way. Wall-coverings can make a room look beautiful! However, when it becomes old, out dated, or torn, and your seams are coming apart, it's time to remove it. Most people go to their local hardware store to buy supplies and get some general advice. Most of the time, they purchase the wrong tools, the wrong wetting agent, and they get the wrong advice. Attempting to remove wall paper is a tricky matter. While you may find it a messy and time consuming job, don't try to avoid it by painting over it. This will worsen your removal project and is not an acceptable solution.

SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST
Safety is of the highest importance. Always turn off the electricity at the main panel or at the fuse box for the room that you will working in. Water and electricity don't mix. You will also be working with a bucket of water. Be very careful with young children and pets as they can easily fall into the bucket of water and get seriously injured. Keep all products and tools out of reach from young children and pets. We can't stress safety enough. Read all safety warnings on all products, before beginning your project.

1. HOME-MADE CONCOCTIONS "DON'T WORK"
With so many new W.P. removal products on the market today, how would you know which one to choose? Many of my customers have shown me the different products they've tried, all which have failed. They have damaged their walls, stained the ceiling and / or woodwork. The solution was as simple as trying a different wetting agent. Some people apply vinegar, or other household concoctions. If you use plain water, vinegar, or other homemade concoctions; the liquid will just drip down the wall and onto the floor. This is nothing but a waste of time. "dif liquid concentrate" is the product that i always use. It is a clear liquid. Removal wetting agents work by allowing the product to absorb into the wall paper. In order to remove paper successfully you have to use a wetting agent. The trick is, "LET THE WETTING AGENT DO THE WORK". Don't rush this process. Be sure to read the label carefully. Mix with water as directed on the label.

2.TRY PULLING W.P. IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
Finding the right direction to pull your paper off can make all the difference between hard and easy. Who knew that the direction you pull your paper, will make an incredible difference? When removing it dry or wet, try pulling from the baseboard up, if it does not remove easily, then try pulling from the ceiling down, if this does not work, try pulling sideways. Every job is different. Some remove easily dry, while others must be wet. To determine this, start at the bottom of the wall and lift a corner with a snap-off razor blade or the edge of your scraper. Many times the front of the paper removes easily dry. Most of the time the front removes dry, leaving the backing on the wall, this is normal. Remove the front dry and the backing wet. The backing will most always have to be wet. If pulling the front of the wall paper does not remove easily, or comes off in little pieces, then wet it. This includes all types of wallcoverings, vinyls, mylars, foils, grass cloths, embossed, textured, and many other types. Use your removal pump sprayer to wet the paper. Remember all papers removes differently. Therefore, if it isn't removing easily one way, always try pulling in another direction. This can make a big difference. And sometimes it is just a bear no matter what. If this method is not working, and you have tried everything, then you may want to try the scoring tool.

NOTE: To minimize wall damage, use in a circular motion, and do not apply too much pressure. The scoring tool should only be used after all the steps above have failed.

3.PUMP-ACTION SPRAYER IS A MUST-HAVE
Apply the wetting agent faster and cleaner by using a one gallon pump sprayer. Don't apply with a little hand held bottle sprayer. This will waste a lot of time and is also very painful to your hands. The pump sprayer is quicker, easier, and less painful trust me. The removal sprayer will allow you to wet a larger area at one time, speeding up the time needed for removing the paper. Spray the paper, then let it set for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Don't rush this process; the wetting agent requires time to work. If you do not wait for the recommended time, removal will be very hard. Now that the surface has been wet, try to remove with a W.P. scraper. If the wallcovering is not coming off it may have to be wet one more time. Spray once again, wait about ten to fifteen minutes. This is how to remove wallpaper easy Now that the wetting agents have had time to work, remove the wall paper. This sprayer will make an incredible difference on how this speeds up the process.

4. USE THE RIGHT SCRAPER
Broad knives and scrapers may look alike, but they are very different. Be sure to use a wall paper removal scraper. I have tried every scraper possible, expensive as well as very cheap. Believe it or not the cheaper scraper worked the best for me. The right removal scraper is designed with a sharp shaving edge for stripping paper. This is exactly what you need. With the sharp shaving edge, you can get under the paper, definitely speeding up the process. Each side of the removal scraper works differently, flip the scraper over to see which side works best for you.

5. REMOVE PASTE WITH EXTRA LARGE SCRUBBY SPONGE
Now that you have successfully removed your paper, you now need to know "how to remove wallpaper paste" off the walls. Use your sprayer filled with water and wetting agent, and spray your walls. The wetting agent will soften the glue. Wetting the walls with the sprayer will make in removing the paste mush easier. Now fill a bucket with warm water, and add a half cup of agent to about two gallons of water. Using a dual sided scrubby sponge, wash your walls. The textured side of the sponge is used to loosen the paste on the walls. The smooth side is used for cleaning the paste off.

6. OIL-BASE PRIME AFTER REMOVING WALLPAPER
To ensure that your new paper or paint will adhere to your walls correctly you must always apply oil-base primer. There are many reasons why you should use an oil-base primer. A good quality primer is designed to penetrate the existing wall surface and will seal up any left over adhesive residue, and any problem areas due to the removal. Primer will also block out and seal out anything that may come through the existing wall surface. It is crucial to let your walls dry before applying a primer to work properly. Some professionals as well as the do-it-yourselfer cut corners and don't prime after removing W.P. This is a very big mistake. Prime the walls as if you were painting, cutting in all areas, and don't skimp. After the primer has dried according to the manufacturers' directions, repair any damaged areas with spackle and then sand. Spot prime wherever you have patched the walls. You are now ready for paint. If you are re-hanging paper it is crucial to let the primer dry over night.

Join our community of Do-It-Yourselfers, that are here to help and share there knowledge with you.

ON THIS SITE YOU WILL FIND: How to hang and remove wallpaper videos, Discussion Forums, Articles, Calculators, Wallpaper Tools, Supplies, and much more.

Please Visit My website at http://www.wallpaperonwalls.com

Hiring a Contractor - Vista Handyman

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 bathroom remodeling.

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.

If your looking for some more House Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas.

How to Choose the Right Flooring For Your Home

Flooring for dining rooms

Follow these top tips to find the right flooring for your dining room.

Points to consider:
Keep it looking sophisticated with a smart floor covering. Dark tones add drama.

Opt for wood-effect laminate that's high in both the practicality and style stakes.

Go for an easy-clean finish so maintaining it is simple and fuss free.

Other style choices that will also work well in the dining room are natural floor coverings, such as sisal and Boucle. Their low pile and durable qualities make them ideal.

Flooring for kitchens

Follow these top tips to find the right flooring for your kitchen.

Points to consider:
In a hard-working room, such as a kitchen, the flooring must be ultra-practical.

Vinyl is the perfect choice - it's water resistant, warm underfoot and less likely to break a dropped glass.

Other brilliant buys include hard wearing slate tiles and easy-to-clean ceramic tiles.

Dark flooring is less likely to show up marks and will create a striking contrast when teamed with pale units.

Flooring for living rooms

Check out our top tips to help you choose the right style of flooring for your living room.

Points to consider:
Living rooms are high traffic areas so pick durable flooring that's heavy duty.

A patterned carpet will bring interest to neutral living rooms, but if it's staying power you're after, then a neutral carpet is the way to go.

Stripes are super-smart and on trend this season, and they won't show up marks either.

Choose a flooring that's soft under foot for comfort.

Flooring for hallways

Follow these top tips to find the right flooring for your hallway.

Points to consider:
Hallways are extremely high traffic areas so need tough, stain resistant floor.

A non-slip fibre such as sisal offers great durability, especially in a tight woven design.

Go for a design with a slight pattern which will help hide dirt trekked in from outside.

Choose flooring that's easy to maintain like laminate. A quick sweep over will keep it looking as good as new.

Floors for bedrooms

Follow these top tips to find the right flooring for your bedroom

Points to consider:
It's important that bedroom floors are luxurious, warm and soothing so the room is a welcoming sanctuary. There's nothing worse than stepping out of bed onto a cold floor.

Go for comfort with a sensuous velvet-effect cut pile carpet.

There's less wear and tear in this room, so you can choose a paler shade - try soft green or blue.

Flooring for bathrooms

Follow these top tips to find the right flooring for your bathroom.

Points to consider:
Bathroom flooring needs to be waterproof, slip-resistant and easy to clean.

Pick flooring that won't get damaged or marked by water splashes.

Ceramic stone-effect tiles are cheaper than real stone and are non-porous making them ideal for bathroom floors.

Another alternative that would work well in bathrooms is rubber flooring. This is extremely hard wearing, totally waterproof and comes in bright colours for a modern look.

You can find more information on interior design and interior design ideas at Idealhome.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Builders Can Help With Bathroom Projects

Home improvement television shows are inspiring all of us to pick up a hammer or a glue gun and make our homes showplaces. After all, they make it look so easy on television. It can't be that hard, can it?

Well, in honesty, it can be hard. There's a reason why contractors charge so much. But, don't despair. you can learn how to do it yourself. What it takes is practice. By starting small and tackling smaller projects, you'll gain the confidence and knowledge to go after the bigger projects.

One great place to start is the bathroom. Bathroom renovations are often small projects that have big potential. In fact, the small size of the room will make it less intimidating for you. Replacing tile in a bathroom is less daunting than in the rest of the house.

Of course, many people want to increase their bathroom's size because it is too small. If that's the case in your home, it's okay. It is not all that hard to enlarge the space. Often you can do so by merely taking out a closet or dividing wall. This is not as intimidating as it sounds, as long as you plan for it. (For one thing, make sure it is not a load-bearing wall you are taking out.) Once that closet or wall is gone, you can redesign the space however you wish.

Before you start bashing out walls, do talk to builders and home improvement store staff. They can help you learn how to use various pieces of equipment or figure out an option you had not considered. Also look on the internet and check out community colleges for courses in what you need. There is a lot of information available to help you get the job done. By fulling preparing in advance, you will be more comfortable with what you are doing.

Don't be afraid to hire a builder. It's often better to hire a professional and get a quality job done than try to attempt it on your own. Doing it yourself may just mean more money spent down the road to fix mistakes.

You will also be aware of the costs involved in the project at hand. Home improvement professionals can help you budget the bathroom of your dreams while keeping costs down.

One thing to remember in any home improvement project: work always takes longer than you expect, especially if you work full-time. This is true whether replacing a bathtub or a kitchen island counter. Often a project will take up your nights and weekends, adding tension to your home. Don't worry, it will pass when the work is done, but be sure to be patient.

When you get to the end of your project, not only will you have a nicer bathroom. You may find you've also learning a thing or too: about bathrooms, about home improvement and about yourself.

Being particularly passionate about kitchen cabinet islands, Eric Slarkowski was editing plenty of short articles on this specific topic. You can find his articles on kitchen island counters at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com and various other sources for kitchen island counter knowledge.

Bathroom Design Ideas For Small Renovations

When you have a few good bathroom design ideas ready to go, you may find yourself running into some small projects along the way. With small bathroom renovations, you can find yourself with major headaches quickly when there are small problems that end up being larger problems including those with plumbing and electrical problems. The size of the bathroom itself is not necessary going to help you to stay within a budget, unless you plan ahead.

When Size Hurts

One of the many troubles people have with bathroom design ideas is handling problems around the small size. You may find that there is not enough space in the area and this will cause delays as well as problems getting started. More so, you will be limited to where things can be moved. Even the door may be too small to get large bathtubs into it. In some construction jobs, the final walls were not put in until all of the fixtures and tubs were in place, which means that your home could have been built around that tub!

Another problem with the small space is the floor covering and wall covering. While you will need less, you may find that the tight space limits the area where you can put it in, and makes the cutting and fitting job more difficult than it should be. You may need additional space in another section of the home to get the cutting done.

Floor Plan Changes

In some small bathroom designs, it may become impossible to change the layout of the bathroom. It may be that there is only one wall that is large enough to accommodate the bathtub in that area. If you try to move it to another area, you may not have enough room for something else. When considering your bathroom design ideas, keep in mind that you do need to consider how the layout can be changed successfully.

In most cases, small changes in the layout and bathroom design can happen in a small bathroom renovation. In other situations, they may need to stay, which may limit what you can do to updating fixtures and improving the overall appearance of the room. Still, it may not fit your overall goal. To make the room seem larger, brighten up the colors you select from the walls and the flooring. This gives it the appearance of looking larger and will improve the overall look.

Interested in small bathroom renovation?; Adam Peters is the editor of http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com More articles on bathroom design ideas and vanities at his web.

How Much Do Bamboo Blinds Cost?

Durable, beautiful and natural - these are all words that can be used to describe bamboo blinds. These types of blinds are inexpensive and a great choice if you want to use different shade of woods in a particular room. Many nature-lovers adore these types of blinds due to their ability to create a natural look and feel. They are also environmentally friendly and can act as excellent insulators for both the hot and cold days. Any type of house design or decor can fit bamboo blinds such as traditional, modern, tropical or Asian.

Bamboo blinds can be used for providing shade from the intense sun but they won't completely block out the light. This makes them ideal for those rooms that you want to shade but also keep bright. They come in two major styles. The first are Roman blinds which fold upwards. The second are roll ups - you roll the bamboo blind upwards and it is secured at the top with straps.

There are different blinds suitable for any budget. The larger the window the most expensive it will be. Smaller windows can cost as little as $20 with much larger ones costing over $500. This makes bamboo blinds very cheap when compared to the other types of blind that are available.

Price is also determined by whether you want custom or pre-made. Pre-made blinds are much cheaper but you run the risk of not finding a size that matches you window. Custom or made to order are more expensive but you are guaranteed to get correct style and size that you are after. The different colors and styles will also affect the price. The more popular styles are more expensive but can look fantastic when you make the right choices in terms of decor.

The Bamboo Blinds Guide has articles aimed to help you find a bargain on your next set of bamboo blinds. Discover the the cost of bamboo blinds and where to buy them online.

How To Buy Shutters And Window Dressings

Shutters and window treatments come in a range of shapes and sizes but, in recent years, they have been moving away from traditional country-style designs towards a more modern continental style.

Shutters come in many different forms including caf-style shutters (which cover the lower half of the window), tier-on-tier shutters (two separate layer of shutters), full height (covering the whole window), and shaped shutters (to fit difficult, or unusual windows).

Shutters can be painted, but those with exposed wood add texture and warm natural colour to an interior space.

For those with dust allergies, shutters are a great option; they don't harbour dust and dirt in the same way that curtains and blinds can.

If the normal shutter is not for you see our guide on how to buy alternative window dressings
If you don't fancy the conventional window dressing options, there are some alternatives available to you.

If the idea of blinds and curtains leaves you bored, you needn't worry. There are a number of other ways to maintain privacy in your home without blocking out light. Try giving windows an acid-etched glass look with plain or patterned designs, Brume do these. Alison White manufactures magnetic window coverings that can be cut to fit, and come in plain or perforated finishes. Beaded curtains can make an unusual statement and, if you want to be creative, you can make them yourself. Screens and panels can be adapted, or custom made, to fit window areas. Try Draks' Canto range for this.

You can find more information on window treatments and how to buy blinds at house to home, helping you create a look you'll love

Bathroom Tiling Ideas to Enhance the Look and Value of Your Home

A wide variety of bathroom tile is available.

While contemporary styles like the harlequin design, natural stone and marble tile designs are always desirable, it is the colorful designs that are often more affordable and as a result, fast becoming popular themselves.

The harlequin pattern is a true classic which is basically, a bathroom tiling design that boasts the harlequin motif which is arranged as diamonds rather than squares. If you can't picture the harlequin bathroom tiles, picture black and white squares turned on their side to resemble a diamond. The tiles tend to be a little longer and the pattern resembles a jesters costume in a way, although you can opt for this classic design in just about any combination of colors from earthy tones to bright reds.

Tile your bathroom with a traditional harlequin design, add shiny new fixtures and you'll have a beautiful shiny clean looking bathroom that will look like it cost a lot more than it does. Using chrome and other polished metal fixings looks great initially, but they mark easily and don't look so good when they are dirty. It's something to consider when you have young children that enjoy making patterns and marks with their hands on your tile and fixtures. Tile chips too. Cleaning tile can be a daunting task as well.

If you do not prefer something flamboyant, you can go for simple and elegant bathroom tile designs. If your budget is tight, you could use ceramic tiles which are cheaper and also are durable. There are also a huge variety of mosaic bathroom tile designs choose from.

Be creative with your bathroom tiling ideas

You can get creative with your tile design and convert your bathroom to a giant aquarium, or perhaps an oriental rock garden? Maybe a forest theme, or just about anything you can imagine, just get creative.

How about tiling the floor? There are tiles for floors ranging from smooth, through grainy and even anti-skid tiles. A well designed tile floor can catch your guests attention like nothing else!

There are plenty of other ideas to choose from, such as natural stone. Natural stone is very good at soaking up water marks. If money isn't a concern there is always Italian marble as for your bathroom tile design. This can also be used for surrounds in addition to the wall and floor plus comes in a range of beautiful finishes.

Bathroom counter materials

The material used for bathroom counters can completely change the appearance of your bathroom. There are a great many varieties of bathroom counters to choose from. It all really depends on what kind of feel you have set your sights on. If you want a raw look, you could have a pre-cast building material made from concrete. There are also bathroom counter materials that use hardened mortar bonded with tile, crushed and many other types of unique materials you will find with a little research.

Tiling a bathroom isn't overly complicated; however it is not really a job for an inexperienced beginner. Cutting and installing tile requires special tools and a lot of practice. It's really a job for a professional.

Great Looking Tile, Now Get Faster Hot Water!

By installing a demand hot water system your bathroom will be equipped with the latest innovation in bathroom technology. Add the convenience of quick push-button hot water to your bathroom and save thousands of gallons of water, reduce the waiting time for your hot water, and add convenience to your life.

Hot water demand systems speed hot water from your water heater to your bathroom fixtures without running water down the drain. At the touch of a button the system begins pumping your hot water from your water heater through your hot water pipes to your fixtures returning the cooled off hot water left in the pipes from the last usage back to the inlet of the water heater.

When the hot water arrives at the sink an internal temperature sensor detects the hot water and automatically shuts the pump off.

You get your hot water faster and you don't waste any water.

Wow! You save time, you save water, AND you get to feel GOOD about conserving one our most precious resources while enjoying the great new look of your beautifully tiled bathroom.

For faster hot water to your kitchen or bath visit: Instant Hot Water Systems

For more about bathrooms visit: Bathroom Accessories Instant hot water systems

Friday, August 28, 2009

Affordable and Applicable Home Improvement Tips

Everyone wants to upgrade and renovate his/her house in affordable way. Budget is the major factor of consideration. If your budget does not allow you to start major renovation projects such as adding new room or changing floor or alteration in room dimensions you can also go for less expensive affordable home improvements. Minor changes may results in remarkable difference in your home. With less expensive improvement projects you can improve your home and also save money for major renovation project. There are various styles available you can chose such as Victorian, country and modern. Now day's modern style is most popular home dcor. Due to popularity modern home dcor has become expensive. But there are still some ways to upgrade your home in affordable way. You can take advantage of certain affordable home improvement tips for affordable home improvement.

Affordable Home Improvement Tips
Affordable home improvement tips allow you to upgrade your home in less expensive way. Following are some affordable home improvement tips.

Use of Inexpensive Home Decorating Items
Use of inexpensive objects to decorate your home is the most easy affordable home improvement tip. You can use inexpensive home decorating accessories to make your house look impressive. Such accessories include curtains, fancy cushions and table covers that look compatible with the pattern and main wall color. This will make your room warmer and modern. Even a good family photograph at suitable place can add character to your room.

Paint
Paint is also less expensive and easy way to give brand new look to your home. You can select any color of your choice. You can use paint on old furniture, walls and floors to give new look. You can also create different designs with paint.

Mirrors
Addition of mirror to any place can make your room look larger than its actual size. It is best for small rooms. In larger rooms you can also use mirrors. Mirrors look great above fireplaces, beds, dressers and in bathrooms. It gives instant fresh look without making complete changes in every thing. It is also a useful and affordable home improvement tip.

Fabrics
Fabric is easy to use in different ways. You can use it in lot of creative ways. It is not necessary that you must buy new fabric to use. You can even use old fabrics in your house. Normally everyone has old table cloths and scarves in their homes. You can change the look of old furniture by simply covering it with cloth. You can also make pictures by covering canvas boards with beautiful scarves or cloth. This is very cheap way to add look as compared to buying expensive show pieces from stores.

Old Furniture
Another affordable home improvement tips is simply change the setting of your old furniture and give a fresh look to your house. This can be done by simply putting same furniture in other room with different theme. You can make your furniture look different by painting it with different color or by covering it with fabrics.

Stenciling
It is also a simple home improvement tip to make your room alive. Stencils are easily available. It can easily paste on the walls. You need to paint them and remove them. It will leave a nice and clearly defined design to add character to your room. It can also used on fabrics and furniture.

Photographs
Beautifully framed photographs are also good option for adding value to your room. It is very affordable home improvement tip for those who have limited budget to renovate your room. The only cost is framing of photograph. Photographs can give pleasant effect to your room.

Working with what you already have
Utilizing all the things you already have is also an affordable home improvement tip. Most people purchased decorating items that does not match with furniture you have. To solve this issue you must try to purchase things that are compatible with other things you already have.

You can visit this site http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/home_improvement_tips/index.php to know more home improvement tips.

Ceramic Tiles Vs Natural Stone Tiles For Your Kitchen Or Bathroom

Tiles are a great way to give your bathroom or kitchen floor a great new look. New bathroom tiles or kitchen wall tiles can be used to give even the dowdiest rooms in your home some much needed revitalisation. There are a wide range of different tile materials available, each of which can be used to achieve different effects around the home. The trick is to work out the benefits of the different tile materials as well as the cost so then you can find the perfect bathroom tiles for your home.

Natural stone tiles are great tiles to use on a floor. The reason for this is because they are sturdy and can take a lot of abuse as well as being easy to clean and maintain. Limestone or marble tiles are great for floors and can have a polished or honed look to them depending on whether you want a shiny or matte look to the floor. Fitting natural stone tiles can be a difficult process so you may want to get some help from the professionals. When it comes to cutting stone such as marble tiles, you should always use an angle grinder with a diamond cutting wheel.

Ceramic tiles are available either glazed or unglazed. Ceramic tiles are normally the easiest sort of tile to cut and drill because they are not as hard as natural stone and porcelain tiles. Ceramic tiles can work well on floors and walls but are probably most suited as kitchen wall tiles.

If you are interested in finding high quality kitchen and Bathroom Tiles and natural stone and ceramic Floor Tiles then why not visit Dunkley Tiles.

How to Choose Vinyl Replacement Windows

I will provide a very useful answer on how to choose vinyl replacement windows. If you read the article right to the end you will gain a lot of information including examples of some of the companies to consider.

There are several factors that affect the choice on vinyl replacement windows. Let me provide this in list form below.

First of all you need to consider the price: If you can get more windows for a small price then go for it. Most of them cost between $350 and $ 600 when retrofit installed. You can try silverstone, which is made by Anderson - a reputable company.
Energy efficiency: This is another consideration to make. These can obviously save you a lot of money in the long-term. In addition they tend to make the house a lost quieter. I know that Amerimax vinyl windows are good for this.
Dissipation: This is another important issue to consider on how to choose vinyl replacement windows. Some people have had Argon dissipating from double-paned windows within five to seven years. In some forums people claim it dissipates faster in wood clad aluminum. I cannot be too sure I have never tested this theory.
Must pass the NFRC standards and must be approved by Energy star.
Must provide a warranty: The best company should not be afraid to offer a warranty. The longer the better - as it shows the confidence they have on their product. You can check out Alpha Windows to see the kind of warranty they offer.
Best quality: the windows must be sturdy and reliable. I can only mention Tri-State and Alpha as examples to check out here.
The supplier must be within vicinity - this will help you save a lot of money on transport costs as you call them over and as they frequent your house to do the job.

Find a replacement window company near your area at:

http://www.findreplacementwindowcompanies.com

All About Retaining Walls - Home Repair Advice

Introduction to Retaining Walls

First, a retaining wall is a structure that holds back, or retains, lateral faces of dirt, water, or other materials. Retaining walls are used to prevent erosion or collapse of higher level ground onto a certain building, structure, or general area. The earth that is retained is often referred to as backfill. The word backfill is also used as a verb to describe placing more dirt behind a retaining wall to make the ground more level.

Retaining walls can be the answer if you are blessed (or cursed) to a contoured lot. They can turn a steep slope into a terraced yard, creating a stair step effect instead of a slope.

Retaining walls can be constructed from many different materials using many different techniques. There are several factors that influence which choice will be the best choice for each situation, including cost, height of the wall, soil characteristics, and ground water conditions.

Generally, most municipalities require that any retaining wall over four feet in height be engineered or approved by a licensed engineer. It is important to check local building codes before starting any retaining wall projects, even if it is below four feet tall. After all, retaining walls should be structurally sound before there is any thought of aesthetic appeal. The retaining wall must be able to stand up to the pressure exerted by the backfill, also called lateral earth pressure. This lateral earth pressure is a majority of the force that the retaining wall will need to bear. Lateral earth pressure is determined by studying the weight of the soil unit, slope of the soil, soil type (for plasticity and adhesion purposes with clay soil types), and ground water levels. Engineers do many calculations with these factors to determine what design to implement with the wall. To homeowners and contractors that do not want to go through engineering steps, it is generally a good rule to overdo it. Many structural methods to build retaining walls with withhold earth, at least temporarily, with a height up to four feet, are adequate, which is why most local building codes require engineering if the wall will be over four feet tall.

However, even methods that may seem adequate for retaining earth can fail if they are not built properly. Many times, it is elements below grade that can make (or break) a retaining wall. Problems including bowing, slanting, or cracking are evidence of retaining wall failure because it was not successful in retaining the dirt. Cutting costs with a bad contractor, insufficient materials, or neglecting the below grade elements can turn out to be more expensive over time if replacement or repair is necessary often or if collapse of earth causes damage to nearby structures. For example, erosion can cause foundation issues if dirt erodes from under the foundation. This is just one example how a retaining wall failure can cause expensive problems aside from the cost to repair or replace the retaining wall.

Another aspect that is often neglected or underestimated that can cause failure of a retaining wall is drainage. Inadequate drainage of retaining walls can mean that water is trapped behind the wall, adding to the weight that the wall must hold back. Usually weep holes and/or drainage pipes are used to flush rain water and ground water from behind the wall. It is important that the drainage system, whatever it be, have a filter barrier to keep dirt from clogging the drain or weep hole.

Options for Retaining Wall Materials

Railroad Crossties Railroad crossties, also shortened to railroad ties, can be used as a retaining wall material; however, as with most every retaining wall material, it must be installed correctly in order to be a solution. For example, most railroad tie retaining walls will need a substantial footer to tie the crossties to in order to keep the bottom from sliding out. Also, there needs to be perpendicular members placed into the ground behind the wall to keep the wall from overturning. These members, called deadmen, should be at least 1.5 times as long as the wall is high and should be placed at minimum every 6 feet or so. Because railroad ties are wood (even though they are treated most of the time), there is a risk that they may rot over time or be subject to termite infestation, which can lead to a weak wall likely to bulge or break. And, even though there are areas for water to slowly seep though, it is still a good idea to have a filtered drain or weep holes designed into the wall.

Treated Wood Treated wood retaining walls offer many of the same risks as retaining walls because over time it is susceptible to rot and termite infestation. It is a labor intensive construction, but it is usually lightweight and decently strong if built correctly. It is recommended to build a concrete footer to attach the wall to in order to keep it from shifting. Construction usually requires a clear area to be backfilled after the wall is built, so it is not always the best material to use if you are replacing an existing retaining wall. This wall still needs weep holes or drains designed into the wall. Standing water behind the wood will only increase risk of rot.

Concrete Concrete is a great material to use for retaining walls. Of course, there is a right and a wrong way to build a concrete retaining wall, which makes choosing your contractor a big job. There are many different designs that can lead to a successful concrete retaining wall, but one thing is for sure: there needs to be a footer beneath the wall to ensure success. Concrete is one of the most durable man-made products known to man. Most concrete poured today is engineered to last for over 50 years. Plus, concrete offers many decorative options as well. Aside from a plain, white concrete retaining wall, you can also pour a colored concrete retaining wall, stain a retaining wall after it has cured, pour into a patterned form, apply a vertical stamp material and pattern after poured, etc. Sealing the concrete wall can lead to an easy-to-maintain surface that rinses free of most dirt and grime.

Blocks or Paver Stones Engineered blocks that stack together to make a wall must be as simple as building with Legos, right? Nope. These retaining walls should also have a significant footer in order to support not only the weight of the dirt but also the weight of the wall. These blocks can be a unique look, but it may even be necessary to place a concrete retaining wall behind the blocks if there immense lateral earth pressure. In such a case, the concrete would be the structural element, using the blocks as a visual feature.

Rock or Brick One of the favorite looks for a retaining wall is natural stone or brick. These materials usually look more permanent and traditionally classy. However, just as we have seen with the other materials, it is necessary to have a concrete footer below grade to carry the weight and ensure success of the retaining wall. Like architectural blocks or paver systems, it may be necessary to back a masonry retaining wall with a concrete retaining wall for structural support.

Tasha Lucas
Monster Constructors - http://www.monsterconstructors.com
Retaining Walls - http://www.monsterconstructors.com/dfw-retaining-walls.htm

Small Basement Remodeling Ideas and Tips

Space is a common housing issue especially in big city living. As the song popularized by Frank Sinatra goes, I want to be a part of it... New York, New York. Most everybody still wants to experience and live through the action of the never-sleeping city. So if you do live in New York, there is still another option to consider other than just learning to live with how things are. The answer to your space crunch lies through looking into the possibilities unused areas has to offer. This makes small basement remodeling one of the best home improvement projects to undertake.

Why small basement remodeling?

- When thinking of adding square footage to your home's living area, this is a more cost-effective alternative than having a home addition where you would need to extend. This would cost you only a fraction of what you will be spending on the later with most or all of the same features. One of the reasons for the great savings is that the structural necessities are already there like the ceiling, flooring, and walls.

- Another benefit for undertaking a small basement remodeling is the ideal location of the area that promotes fewer hassles posed by home improvement works to the family's daily living.

- Since the nature of the space is underground; it is typically warm during colder months and cooler on summer. This factor helps you enjoy the small basement remodeling project results with less energy costs.

There are many ways that you could come up with a finish your small basement remodeling and this depends on your personal needs and preferences. The isolation and originally compact masonry of the place makes it ideal to be turned into a home office, playroom for the younger children, game or recreational room, home theatre or an exercise area. Because plumbing is readily available and easily accessible, the area can also excellently make up for a sauna, additional bathroom, or large custom shower. Other popular small basement remodeling ideas include: a wet bar, kitchenette, and additional room for guests.

When we think about our small basements, the most natural thing to come into out minds is their dungeon-like features. To bring out the most in our remodeling project, you can play with certain elements to make the space as inviting, comfortable and more spacious to look at.

- This area would naturally require heavy lighting compared to most areas in the house. You can provide fixtures promoting intense light as well as maximize the use of windows to let in more natural light.

- Carpets have been a popular choice but are you aware that tiles could do better as flooring? Aside from the durability that it offers, it is also low maintenance. As your small basement is prone to moisture and water problems, this would serve as the better alternative. To make up for the hardness and help with the over-all room design, you can also put beautiful area rugs.

- Light paint colors, horizontal designs and diagonal patterns are great in making the small basement remodeling finish seem much wider.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Basement Contractor New York. For more, visit New York Contractors

A Guide To Whole House Water Filter Replacement Cartridges

The vendors who carry whole house water filter replacement cartridges cater to those customers who have a whole house system. This is a filter system that connects to the main water line going into a home. The typical connection comes before the point where the line splits, sending part of the line to the hot water heater.

When a homeowner has a this type of water filter system then all the residents of the home can enjoy access to clean and pure water in the kitchen, the laundry and the bathroom. Of course that access remains a benefit of residence in the same home only one overriding condition-the homeowner takes the time to get replacement cartridges.

As any homeowner thinks about investing in a filter system for the entire house, he or she might have a few questions. Frequently homeowners ask this question: Can I use this filter to get pure water for the plants in my garden and the grass on my lawn?

The homeowner must examine the blueprint for the house, in order to obtain an answer to that question. The homeowner needs to learn where the city's main water line splits into a "house" line and a "yard" line. Of course, no garden or lawn can receive filtered water if a homeowner fails to purchase the needed whole house water filter replacement cartridges.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) applauds homeowners who invest in a whole house filter system and also make the effort to get the necessary filter replacement cartridges. A survey done by the EPA in 2001 showed that 82,655 city water systems in the U.S. had unsafe drinking water.

Water safety experts at in the EPA know how the drinking of unsafe water can affect the health of those who remain unaware of the dangerous substances in that water. Sometimes water contains radioactive contaminants. When the residents of a home drink water with those contaminants they increase the likelihood that they could develop cancer.

If city water contains antimony, and if that water enters a home unfiltered, then the residents of a home could have rising cholesterol levels or falling blood sugar levels. If city water contains arsenic, then it could cause the unsuspecting city residents who drink that water to have unexplained skin damage or circulatory problems.

If a city water system contains barium, then the physicians in that city might find that a number of patients have a rising blood pressure level. Were those same physicians to inquire about the use of water filters in the home, they could probably link those rising blood pressure levels to the absence of a whole house water filter.

Having emphasized the importance of a water filter for the whole house, this article needs to offer help to those who plan to purchase whole house water filter replacement cartridges. Those who go in search of such cartridges should know exactly what size they need. Cartridges have varied lengths. The most commonly used cartridges have lengths of 5 inches, 10 inches and 20 inches.

Those in search of replacement cartridges should also know that there are three basic types of filters. Some come with sediment pre-filter; some have a high flow carbon filter. Homeowners can also buy a house filter with both sediment pre-filter and a high flow carbon filter.

Any homeowner with a water filter system for their residence should become familiar with the available sources for these replacement cartridges. Only the regular replacement of such cartridges can insure the purity and the good taste of water in a home. Only necessary replacements can guarantee the functionality of carbon filters with an ion exchange and of micron filtration.

The homeowner who has purchased a whole house water filter system has made a safe choice. The homeowner who, in addition, regularly takes the time to get whole house water filter replacement cartridges has made the safest choice.

Discover why you need whole house water filter replacement cartridges in your home.

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

5 Big Reasons Why You Should Get a Shower Filter

Let's face it.Tap water is full of contaminants and there is no excuse for you not to have a drinking water filter.However, is tap water safe for bathing and showering?Studies show that bathing and showering in tap water is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous than drinking it.Here are 5 big reasons why you should consider getting a shower filter.

1. Chlorine has a very drying effect.It strips your skin and hair of its natural protective oils.If you've ever gone to a swimming pool, you know how drying chlorinated water can be on your skin.You may not realize that tap water has just as much or often more chlorine than swimming pool water.If you use a shower filter, you will notice that your skin and hair feel much softer within days.Furthermore, the chemicals in tap water are known to cause skin irritation and allergies so people who suffer from these problems would benefit greatly from a shower filter.

2. Ever feel really tired and fatigued?That is probably because you've been breathing chloroform.When chlorine vaporizes and combines with organic compounds, it becomes chloroform steam.Breathing chloroform can cause fatigue and it is a respiratory irritant.So is tap water safe for bathing and showering?It is not because breathing chloroform can lead to allergies, asthma, and bronchitis as well.

3. When you shower with tap water, more than double the amount of chemicals in tap water are inhaled and absorbed through your skin than when you drink it.Your pores open up when you take a warm shower so you absorb a high level of chemicals.Over one-fourth of the US Olympic Swim Team suffers from asthma due to the fact that they inhale so much chlorine.The easiest way to reduce the amount of chemicals you are exposed to daily is through using a shower filter.

4. Is tap water safe for bathing and showering?Not if you want to have good air quality in your home.Homes that don't have shower filters have a detectable level of chloroform in the air.If you take showers with chlorinated water, the chlorine will get released in the air and eventually cause respiratory problems.

5. In a ten-minute shower, you are exposed to the same amount of chloroform as you would be if you drank 2 liters of tap water.So is tap water safe for bathing and showering?It's easy to see that it's actually more dangerous to bathe in tap water than to drink it so your best option is to use a shower filter along with your drinking filter.

Do yourself a favor and get a shower filter for your home.Bathing and showering in tap water is very dangerous and a drinking water filter alone is not enough to protect you and your family from the harmful contaminants in tap water.Within days of using a shower water filter, you will notice that your skin and hair feel softer, your energy levels are higher, and your respiratory system refreshed.Is tap water safe for bathing and showering?No, it is more dangerous than drinking tap water so get a shower filter before it's too late.

William Lin is an avid proponent of optimum health through high quality water sources. See his groundbreaking new research for free by visiting William's site at Pure Filtered Safe Water to learn about his research on health through cleaner, healthier water.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Glass Bathroom Tiles

Still in their relative infancy, glass bathroom tiles can bring a sparkle to your bathroom. Though previously expensive, they are now a very affordable solution to bathroom tiling.

As the name suggests, glass tiles are made from glass, there are 6 main types of glass tiles, named for the methods and surface treatments used to make them. Smalti, Slumped, etched, Cast, Fused and Gintered.

Opaque and able to hold intense colour, Smalti tiles are generally cut small to be used in mosaics. Smalti is an Italian word which is simply a glass glaze made from sodium/potassium carbonate melted together with silica.

A Slumped tile is a 'pillow' shaped tile. The glass starts life as a flat piece of glass and is curved during the firing process.

Available in a multitude of sizes and shapes, Fused bathroom tiles are created from a flat piece of glass cut into shape and fired in a furnace. The colour is added to these tiles by adding colour either on top or below the glass before firing. This creates a clear tile with a layer of opaque colour visible through the tile.

Etched glass tiles are similar to Fused tiles. The only difference being that they are given a thin translucent surface layer. This is commonly achieved by applying a cloudy glass layer to the top of the tile.

Cast tiles are very interesting tiles. They can have many different colours and can sometimes take on the appearance of a precious stone. They are created by placing small pieces of different glass together in a mould and firing them until they start to melt and fuse. This is a common look for recycled tiles.

Finally, Sintered glass tiles are a good all rounder. They are very durable and scratch proof. They are created by placing glass powder in a mould and heating until the powder fuses. Colour particles can be added before firing, alternatively, colour can be given to these bathroom tiles by applying after the firing process.

Because they are so hard and brittle, glass bathroom tiles need to be handled differently to ceramic or porcelain bathroom tiles. Before doing any work with glass tiles, make sure that you are wearing appropriate eye protection. I don't know about you, but the last thing I want when I am decorating my bathroom is a glass tile in my eye!

Glass tiles are impervious. This is great news when you are installing them in your bathroom, although, a downside of this is that if water can't get in, neither can adhesive! This can make them very tricky to install unless you know what you are doing. If you plan on installing your tiles yourself then you will need to make sure that you have the correct tool set and adhesives.

It should be noted also that, as glass tiles are still a new phenomenon, many professionals shy away from these jobs opting for the more comfortable ground of ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tile installations.

See a large selection of Bathroom Tiles

Bangalore Hotels and City Guide

Bangalore is the city of gardens and the IT industry. Its year-round pleasant weather makes it a delight for the tourists. For a business traveler, newer areas like Koramangala are ideal as they are located close to White fields - the heart of the IT industry in Bangalore. Here is a list of a few business class hotels in Bangalore:

Orchard Suites, 5, Intermediate Ring Road, Koramangala

This 3-star business class hotel is located 4 km from MG Road (the shopping district in the city) and 10 km from the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Station. The hotel has 25 rooms in the Deluxe and Standard categories. Each room is a suite and has a dining area, kitchen and bedroom, telephone, television and A/C. Orchard Suites serves has a multi-cuisine restaurant. There is a coffee shop at the lobby level which usually hosts the breakfast buffet.

Bougainvillea Guesthouse, 1548, 10th main, 1st cross, HAL 3rd stage, Indranagar

The Bougainvillea Guesthouse is another conveniently located (Indiranagar, close to Koramangala) hotel for the business traveler. Styled as a service apartment, the guesthouse offers well-appointed A/C and non A/C rooms with 24 hrs room service, satellite TV, local/STD/ISD phone facility, executive study table and high speed broad band internet accessibility in all rooms.

Tranzell Court Hotel, 38 Linden Street, Austin Town

Located at a distance of 7 km from the Bangalore City Railway Station and Majestic Bus Stand, Hotel Tranzell Court is ideal for those who have business within the main Bangalore city. Hotel Tranzell Court is at a short distance from most of the tourist attractions (like Vidhan Souda, Cubbon Park) and shopping districts (MG Roa, Brigade Road) within Bangalore city. The hotel has 27 well-furnished rooms and you can choose from AC, non-AC rooms and suites. The Bangalore hotels also offer facilities like a spa, restaurant, car rental, gym, doctor on call, swimming pool, airport transfers, power back up, credit card acceptance and 24 hour check out.

Garima Gupta is writer and member of Oktatabyebye.com, writes about travel and hotels. Get reviews of Bangalore city.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Ten Places to Stay in Washington DC For President-Elect Barack Obama's Historical Inauguration

January 20, 2009 will be a date that will be indelibly written in American history and the memories of everyone alive today. It is the day America gets its first non-white president. As a result of the historic nature of this inauguration, there is already a flood of people who are planning on being in Washington DC to witness the event personally.

Hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts are filling up very quickly so if you want to be an eyewitness to history, it's time to start looking for somewhere to stay. Here is a list of places, some of which are reasonably priced, where you can stay while you're in Washington D.C.

1) Hotel Harrington
11th St. NW & E. St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Phone: (202)-628-8140

Rates: $95 and up
Location: Downtown Washington D.C. near the U.S. Capitol

2) Renaissance-Washington D.C.
999 Ninth St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202)-898-9000

Rates: $159 and up.
Location: Only a 10-minute drive from the White House

3) Red Roof Inn-Washington D.C.
500 H. St. NW
Washington D.C. 20001
Phone: (202)-289-5959

Rates: $200 and up
Location: Downtown, close the White House and the U.S. Capitol

4) Marriott Hotels Resorts & Suites
2660 Woodley Road
Washington, D.C. 20008
(202)-328-2000

Rates: $170 and up
Location: A 16-minute drive from the White House

5) Lombardy Hotel
2019 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone: (202)-828-2600

Rates: $119 and up
Location: Four blocks from the White House

6) State Plaza Hotel
2117 E. St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Phone: (202)-861-8200

Rates: $116 and up
Location: Close to the State Dept and the downtown business district

7) The Melrose Hotel, Washington
2430 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Phone: (202)-955-6400

Rates: $109 and up
Location: Between the White House and Georgetown

8) Best Western Georgetown Hotel & Suites
1121 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Phone: (202)-457-3777

Rates: $109 and up
Location: Within 5 miles of the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument

9) The Embassy Inn
1627 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Phone: (202)-234-3309

Rates: $99 and up
Location: Thirteen blocks from the White House

10) Comfort Inn & Suites
1600 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: (202)-832-3200

Rates: $99 and up
Location: Within 5 miles of the White House

There is not much time left to book your reservation for this historic occasion; but you have a headstart with this list. Use it well.

If you weren't thinking of going and would rather watch the event on TV from the comfort of your living room, you can do that as well; but I should tell you that there is absolutely no substitute to witnessing such an historical event in person. Go, be a part of history and don't forget to take a lot of pictures!

Zander Smith

Business Rankings Rep, grayboxx.com

http://www.grayboxx.com - Businesses ordered by Popularity

Thursday, August 20, 2009

What You Should Think About When Installing Basement Bathroom Fixtures

Your basement could become a useful wing of your home. A simple renovation can turn any basement into an entertainment room, guest room, and more. However, every new basement space will be a lot more useful if you include a bathroom in it. After all, running upstairs every time you need to visit the bathroom can become extremely frustrating. A new bathroom is an important part of your basement renovation project. There are a few things you should take into account when installing basement bathroom elements, however. Here are some tips.

Planning is vital! If you don't have a good plan for your bathroom, including all fixtures, visual elements, and storage spaces, you'll have a much harder time creating a functional and pleasant space. After all, there are a number of concerns for installing basement bathroom fixtures and other elements that don't apply to normal bathroom renovations. From special toilets and sewage concerns to moisture and lighting, you'll need to think about everything if you want to succeed.

Basements are often chilly, damp locations - not the first place you think about putting a living space. So, if you're going to be installing basement bathroom space or putting in any kind of finished, livable room, you'll need to address these problems. Proper insulation of basement windows, a quality heating system with good ventilation, and a well sealed basement are all important to making sure that yours is a space you can live with, not just tolerate. This is particularly important for places where you'll be using carpet. That's not usually wise in bathrooms, which are better off with tile, but excess moisture can still be a problem in your basement bathroom installation.

Toilets and baths installed below your sewage line won't drain or flush properly unless you have the right type of setup. Macerating systems are one option that allows you to put in your basement bathroom without worry about excavating the floor. Slightly less expensive are expeller systems that push waste water up and out of the basement. No matter which you choose, some system will be needed in order to get water and other waste out of the basement and into the sewer system or your septic tank.

Other considerations in addition to basement bathroom plumbing include the amount of space you'll need, the lighting conditions for the room, and storage. It's important to plan carefully, and pay attention to detail if you want to create a space that does more than just work. Basement bathrooms should also be pleasant to use, after all. Fortunately, it's not really all that hard. If you're working with a contractor, talk to him or her about any problems you may have. If you're doing it yourself, be sure to plan carefully and consider every eventuality. Your chances of success will go way up.

Thomas Johnsen is the Author and Leading Expert on Installing Basement Bathrooms and the creator of the publication Installing a Basement Bathroom. Visit the site now to find the easy-to-understand step-by-step guides on basement bathroom construction available online today.

Water Heater Damage
Fascia Board Fell Off Wood Rot

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Adelaide Hotels

Adelaide is the South Australia's seat of government and houses many government and financial institutions. The city is a beautiful laid out place on the either sides of Torrens River with extensive green cover for a refreshing stay. Adelaide is also called the festival city and is known for its splendid architecture, beautiful gardens, and the churches that make it a vibrant modern city. The city is located amongst the popular wine regions and is known for its many festivals, arts and sports.

Here in Adelaide the traveler can enjoy the festivals and feast on the variety of cuisines and visit shopping centers, the nightlife areas where always something is going on. One might go to the sporting venues like the Oval or to the seaside suburbs of Glenelg and Brighton. The North Terrace has many attractions to explore like the museums and the libraries. In other words the city has got something for everyone to make the vacation memorable.

The Adelaide Hotels offers the travelers a host of choices for a comfortable stay. The hotels in Adelaide are located in the popular areas and near to the tourist attractions of the city. The hotels are found in areas like Adelaide City, Central City, Glenelg, North Adelaide, North Terrace, South Terrace, Victoria Square and others.

The Adelaide Hotels cater to the needs of the guests according to their requirements to suit their style and budget. Some of the popular hotel groups include Hilton, Hyatt, Holiday Inn, All Seasons, Mercure, Quality Inns, etc. that range from the 5 star to discount or budget hotels.

The Adelaide Hotels caters to the needs of the business, leisure and back packer travelers. The 5 star hotels offer the state of the art facilities and strategic location for a memorable vacation. On the other hand the budget hotel offers good value for money for the travelers. The hotels cater to the needs of the guests and offer warm services for a unique vacation.

The Adelaide has got to offer the adventure lovers, the leisure travelers, the food lovers, the business travelers, the cultural searchers with what they are looking for. The hotels offer accommodation according to their needs and offers warm services to make their stay memorable.

The Adelaide Hotels suite the style and budget of the travelers. The hotels offer modern amenities and services to make the stay comfortable. But on the other hand the services and facilities would range according to the budget of the travelers. All this would make the vacation a unique experience along with the many attractions to explore.

To get more information on Hotels in Adelaide and secure online reservation facility visit AsiaRooms.

Wood Post In Dirt
Car Runs Into Garage Damage

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

New York Hotels

Traveling in to New York doesn't necessarily mean you are heading to New York City. There are many fabulous places scattered throughout the state of New York that are just waiting to be discovered and plenty of great hotels to stay in. You can head for the Catskills or travel to the Finger Lakes or go upstate and enjoy a ski vacation. Of course, one favorite destination is Niagara Falls where you will witness the most spectacular falls in the world.

If you're traveling to the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York to the Olympic village of Lake Placid, consider staying at the beautiful Mirror Lake Inn. This treasure is quaint and traditional and offers all the amenities you would find in a huge hotel. The atmosphere is cozy with marble and stone fireplaces, antiques and polished wooden floors. The rooms are cozy to luxurious, and there is a wonderful health spa and exercise room located on the premises

For the more budget minded families who are traveling to Niagara Falls, The Quality Inn located about a block from the Falls offers all the amenities of a luxurious hotel including an indoor pool, whirlpool, cocktail lounge, safe deposit boxes, free coffee, gift shop and free parking. The rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with an alarm clock radio, cable TV, coffeemaker, data ports, iron, and telephones. It's the perfect place for families because there is a family room and pets are allowed (with restrictions).

The Catskill Mountains offers affordable family fun at the Pollace's Resort. This resort offers true family vacations at fabulous, affordable rates. It is a traditional Italian resort with a restaurant that serves delicious Italian meals. Located in Greene Country's Northern Catskill Mountains, the resort is open from mid June to Labor Day and Columbus Day Weekend. Included in your stay are tons of activities and entertainment, as well as three meals a day. There are weekend, mid-week and weekly vacation packages available that include admission to local festivals and trolley rides in the village of Catskill.

New York City Hotels

If you?re traveling to New York City for business or pleasure, you'll need a place to stay. Aside from the traditional well-known hotels, there are hostels, cheap city hotels, as well as luxurious and boutique-style hotels to fit every budget.

The 70 Park Avenue Hotel is truly an urban delight. It is a New York City boutique hotel that is beautifully decorated and offers unique amenities including 42" flat screen televisions with surround sound, DVD/CD players in all guestrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access. Services include the Mind, Body & Spa program, as well as a wine reception that is held nightly. It is located near Grand Central Station, Fifth Avenue shopping and the United Nations.

The Amsterdam Court Hotel is located on 226 W 50th Street in the heart of the City. It is a great place for theater lovers as it is located in the midtown Manhattan's theater district. Amenities include a private lounge and an espresso and tea bar. There is a front desk safe and concierge, complimentary wireless Internet, two telephone lines, CD players and video games. The rooms face the streets of Manhattan and are warm and cozy.

An affordable Manhattan stay is the Comfort Inn Midtown. It is the only smoke-free hotel in Manhattan and is located on 46th street and Seventh Avenue. Its services include free Internet, complimentary continental breakfast, daily newspapers, reduced parking rates and a safe located at the front desk. All rooms are equipped with irons, coffee and coffee makers, hairdryers, Movies on Demand and video games. There are a few larger rooms offered for family stays. This hotel has some great specials during holidays including a four of July stay for two that includes breakfast and a cruise on the harbor to view the spectacular fireworks.

New York Hotels provides detailed information on New York Hotels, New York City Hotels, Discount New York Hotel, Cheap New York Hotels and more. New York Hotels is affiliated with Boutique NYC Hotels.

Water Damaged Wood Floor
Bottom Of Wall Damaged From Water