What Bathroom Remodeling Can Do For You and Your Home
By: Illa maden
When we consider a home improvement project, such as bathroom remodeling, we often think in terms of what it will do for us. This is a valid consideration. Investing in a remodeling project can be somewhat costly, and bathrooms are among the home improvement projects which can cost the most.
Much is made of the value that a bathroom remodel can add to your home in terms of it's dollar value. This is an important consideration if you are planning to sell in the near future. But, even if you have no plans to sell at this time, you should keep an eye to dollar value as you are working through a bathroom remodel. Situations change. While you may have no immediate thoughts of relocating now, that could change in the future for one reason or another.
Increasing size of family is one frequent reason for selling a home and moving, and of course, there is also the possibility of your employment creating the need to sell and move elsewhere. So, it is wise to think ahead when you are planning on remodeling your bathroom. For instance, a black bathtub may work for you, but it probably does not have wide appeal and therefore would not add to the appeal of your home when selling to the average home buyer.
One positive aspect to a bathroom remodel is that if it is done well and finished it is one project that usually returns the majority of your investment if you should sell in the future, and it adds a lot of appeal which is important if you want a quick sell. Bathrooms and kitchens are the two rooms that really sell a home in most cases, and they will be the most heavily scrutinized by potential buyers.
But unless you are already in a mindset to sell your home, you will be remodeling your bathroom for the benefit of the members of your household.
What will a bathroom remodel do for you and the members of your household? That should be the immediate concern. If you have thoughts of undertaking a remodel, then obviously there are things that either displease you, don't function properly, or are drastically outdated. The first place to start might be to think of what you don't want then move on to consider what you do want.
A bathroom remodel can be full or partial. It just depends on your needs. If most of your big fixtures are in good condition, look good and function well, then there is no reason to add the expense of replacing them to your list. Toilets and bathtubs are very durable and if cared for will last many years.
Some folks who have the space want to remove their bathtub-shower combination and replace it with separate units. If you have the space and the desire this could add greatly to the functionality and pleasure of use your bathroom will give.
While toilet and bathtubs usually hold up very well and can often be kept, the vanity is one item in a bathroom that will show signs of wear and give your bathroom a dated look. While you are replacing the vanity, think about lighting. If your lighting is inadequate, the time to either update fixtures or improve wiring is during a remodel.
Each bathroom remodeling project is very different, and this is what makes estimating cost so difficult. The size of the bath is a big factor, along with which items you replace, and the quality of the items and materials you select.
You alone will determine the extent and needs for your bathroom remodel. Don't make the mistake, though, of saving a few dollars by trying to salvage an item such as a vanity that really looks sad and worn. The few extra dollars you spend will give the bathroom a renewed and finished look.
And, speaking of finishing, do finish you project in all respects. Make sure all the little details have been attended to when you are finished. Small details like not replacing molding or hardware can mar a remodeling project that would otherwise look very good. Few things will de-value your home more, or feed your ongoing dissatisfaction like a half finished remodeling project.
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Illa gives more bathroom remodeling ideas at her website. You'll also find information on making bathroom remodeling plans .
How To Build a Sauna - Tips For Making It Easy
By: Mike Hirn
Home saunas are becoming a favorite home additions for do-it-yourselfers. There are many reasons for this. Who wouldn't like a way to relax at home and improve your health all at the same time? The tremendous health benefits of using a sauna are a not so well kept secret among sauna lovers.
When researching what is required to build a sauna it quickly becomes obvious that the process is not as difficult as most people believe. There are just a few basic principles that you need to take into account. Beyond that, creativity and flexibility are the name of the game.
Just like any other how-to project it is important to start with a solid plan. When making your plan the two main components that you need to consider are: The structure and the heat source.
When designing the structure, you need to consider the function and unique environment of a sauna. Saunas are a place to relax. Platforms and benches need to be arranged with comfort in mind. The number of people that will be using the structure is important. You want to plan enough space but at the same time a smaller space is the more efficient. It is a bit of a balancing act between large enough for comfort and small enough to be efficient. When in doubt, don't skimp on space.
The heat and steam of saunas are what give you the health benefits. These can also create structural problems that need to be planned for. Insulation for the walls and some sort of vapor barrier should be included in your design. The idea is to keep the moisture and heat inside as effectively as possible. The basic requirement is to hold the climate within a comfortable place. All improvements beyond that are gravy.
The second crucial consideration for you to think about is the heat source. Steam saunas can be heated with gas, wood, or electric heaters. Electric heaters are a favorite choice for indoor saunas because of the convenience and lack of exhaust. For a traditional experience a wood stove is the best choice. Proper venting of wood and gas stoves is something do-it-yourself builders should get expert advice about before starting.
Using Infrared waves for your heat source is a modern alternative to traditional steam saunas. Infrared emitters produce waves that heat the solid objects in a sauna but not the air. One downside is that there is no steam in an Infrared sauna but there is evidence that the waves penetrate deeper into the skin when compare to traditional heat sources. This deeper penetration accelerates and increases the health benefits of a sauna experience. It is hard to beat an Infrared sauna for convenience. Warm-up time is very short and not much clean up is required afterward.
Developing your own custom design and list of materials from scratch is not the only option for homeowners. With our increased understanding of the health benefits of saunas there has been a corresponding increase in interest for this ancient custom. The result has been dramatic progress in the development of home sauna options.
You can now choose from a growing number of prepackaged designs and styles. The great thing is that they can be delivered right to your home and set up in no time at all. You can choose a modular unit that can literally be put together in under an hour or get a sauna kit that requires more assembly but gives you more of that "I did it myself" satisfaction. Almost all kits come with complete written instructions. Many also go beyond written manuals and have video tutorials, making it east to follow their step-by-step instructions.
Getting a home sauna has never been easier or more affordable. Don't you think it's time you started enjoying life to the fullest too?
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Did you know that home saunas can improve your health significantly and at the same time add value to your home? Find out exactly how to easily get your own home sauna and how it will improve your health at www.the-home-sauna-center.com
Aluminum Venetian Blinds - The Right Thing For Your Windows
By: Low Jeremy
Enough of your old window blinds. Make way for the stylish aluminum venetian blinds. If you really want durability in your window coverings, aluminum venetian blinds is the one that will suit it best. Aluminum blinds will give you the special ambiance you always desire. For having aluminum venetian blinds in every room, the kitchen, in the receiving area of your home, you can also color coordinate the blinds in every decoration you want.
Aluminum venetian blinds are manufactured to the fact that people always wanted something that will surely last. In deciding to buy aluminum venetian blinds, you can choose for different types whether you like vertical or mini blinds. Specifically, aluminum venetian blinds look good if you put in a formal dining area.
Although aluminum venetian blinds are more expensive than vinyl blinds, it is much cheaper than wood blinds. If you prefer an aluminum mini blind, you can have it with 1 inch slat or much more with slats 2 to 3 inches wide. If you're shopping for your aluminum venetian blinds, there are lots of colors to choose from as well as to a number of different levels of confidentiality.
If you preferred to reduce the light coming from the outside, then you can have your aluminum venetian blinds that will only allow reduced light to enter while in blocking the glow. Certainly, you can have your styled aluminum blinds that can provide you complete privacy when lowered.
Worrying your aluminum venetian blinds will not fit to some of your specialty cut windows is not a problem anymore. You can now order aluminum blinds to some reputable dealers that will fit your cornered, arched, or even rounded windows. By using the standard cord to lower and raise the aluminum blind, you can opt to have battery operated feature to the blind. In having this kind of wireless feature, installing it is quite easy. Relatively, the motor is silent in operation, yet it's powerful. The 6 channel control can be operated to at least 6 aluminum blinds as long the distance is within 50 feet.
Also, aluminum blinds can offer energy efficiency. Window blinds with this kind of action can resist every heat loss through the window in time of cold seasons. If you like to cover your large window, aluminum blinds with larger slats are recommended. In keeping you preferred color of the aluminum blinds, there are lines that include metallic, solids, and matte, which can result to low gloss finish.
Venetian blinds are thin sheets of any material that are connected together by a string. Mostly of the venetian blinds are made up of hard plastics. There are also versions of venetian blinds that are made up of aluminum or any plastic combinations. Since blinds have very thin blades that shut and open, the strength and durability of the blades is a top priority of the manufacturers. Because of that, they do not simply use materials that do not pass their quality check.
There are two parts in the venetian blinds that are used to open and close it. One is the hanging stick that is being turned to open and close the blades of the blinds and the other one is the excess hanging string that is used to raise or pull the blinds up together. These two have special mechanisms that are placed on the upper portion of the blinds set. Basically, the one that lets the blind close, open and raise is the string that joins it together.
When blinds are always used everyday, the mechanism embodied in it may lower its function. This may be caused by the dust that can form on the small portion where the mechanism is located. When things like this occur you do not repair your venetian blind rather what you are going to do is to simply clean it.
Venetian blinds usually have warranties. The warranty may include miscarriage if delivered or mechanism failure before a certain date covered by the warranty. The very common wreck that may occur in a venetian blind is on the blades. Most of the time, plastic when over-exposed to sun becomes brittle and later on will corrode. That is too difficult to repair since you cannot find any spare to change for several affected blades.
The next common trouble in the venetian blinds is the string failure. Most of the time, because of the tension on the string during lifting, the string after some time might break. You can easily repair this by connecting the broken string together by tying it up or by using a strong adhesive. When the hanging rod does no longer turn smoothly, the problem maybe on the gear on the upper portion of the blinds set. Just simply apply a little of lubricant in it so it will again turn smoothly.
Always make sure that your blind is free of dust. Dust is the number one factor why the gears and other mechanism in your venetian blinds do not function. Make sure that when you repair the blind by yourself you do not void the warranty.
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Low Jeremy maintains blinds.articlekeep.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy.
