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	removing an old planting and putting in a new one or removing and replacing only part of a planting. In strawberry culture, this process involves ...
	Vinyl Vs Fiber-Cement Siding As a homeowner, you want a low maintenance siding that lasts a lifetime and will dramatically enhance the appearance of your home. Many new home builders are choosing fiber-cement siding over the more traditional vinyl siding. Here's why: Fiber-cement siding can be painted any color the homeowner desires without having to reside the house. It is more economical and versatile than having wood siding, simply because of color retention and doesn't have the long-term maintenance issues of sanding, scraping and priming. The color of vinyl siding can't be changed and is susceptible to fading over time. You can't paint vinyl because it was designed to expand and contract over time, causing the paint to peel and crack. Furthermore, if repairs need to be made to vinyl siding, finding a perfect color match can be difficult, especially if it is aged and faded. Fiber-cement siding is ideal for capturing the beauty of wood without the added work and cost. It offers beautiful, natural textures and realistic wood grains you would see on cedar siding. Fiber-cement siding comes in a wide array of colors and shapes, giving you the ability to create something unique and striking. Fiber-cement siding is durable and guaranteed to last for up to 50 years. It can sustain harsh climates, such as those found in the snowy northern states, or the sweltering heat and humidity of the southern states. It's long-term durability, due to a higher quality interlaminate bond strength, is one reason why most fiber-cement siding manufacturers offer it with a transferable 50-year limited warranty. On the other hand, vinyl siding becomes brittle when exposed to cold temperatures and can therefore be damaged by hail, tree limbs or other flying debris. The strength and thickness of fiber-cement siding provides resistance against hail and wind, protecting your home from damage, as well as being coated with a top of the line sealer for protection against impacts and moisture. Vinyl siding is thin and provides little resistance to airborne hazards. Fiber-cement siding is non-combustible, meaning it won't burn easily and is approved for fire-rated construction. Vinyl siding will melt or burn when exposed to a high source of heat or flame, and will also release toxic vapors when burnt. Fiber-cement siding is strong and durable. When painted, it is indistinguishable from the natural look of wood siding. It is extremely mildew resistant, making it a wise choice for those who live in high-humidity areas. It comes pre-primed from the manufacturer, so all the homeowner or contractor has to is decide on what color it should be painted - and it can be easily repainted years down the road with little prep-work. Furthermore, it not only locks out moisture, but it also avoids the damage caused by termites. It just may be the ideal and economical choice for your home. By: Budda Oliver Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Blue Ridge Exteriors. The vinyl siding contractor is a top leader in the market for siding and window replacement or update experience in the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on their Vinyl Siding Richmond Virginia please visit their website.]]> Glass Mosaic Tiles Bring Glamour to Your Home When looking for an unusual and dramatic way to refresh your home consider the magical abilities of glass mosaic tiles. Decades ago interior decorators learned secrets of catching the eye and moving it from the floor to the wall. Gamblers saw that concept first hand in Monaco. Home and business consultants can tell you when you enter a room, your eyes do not focus on the floor. Smart home decorators can put this concept into play by installing a bright, mesmerizing wall of these glass mosaic tiles instead of spending money replacing a floor. There is more good news. Because many of these tiles are made from recycled products, you will be doing your part to save the planet from landfill. Their 21st century look is not restricted to the inside of the home. An outdated kitchen backsplash can easily be replaced with a large square of these versatile glass tiles. Although they are gorgeous, they can resist water spots, are easy to clean and hard to break. Glass mosaic tiles never discolor and come in an array of rainbow-hued colors. You can consult an expert or plot out a do it yourself transformation. You night chose a solid, dramatic or comedic pattern to match your mood and your work space. If you want to take it slow for the first project, use these tiles as a border or think big with a countertop or kitchen wall. Your bathroom can be transformed into a Palm Springs spa with a little creativity and the use of glass mosaic tiles in the bathroom. You could afford a trip to the desert with the money you are saving. Create some glitter in this small space with the addition of a wall of glass mosaic tiles. These tiles can reflect other colors of the room, make the room seem larger and best of all these beauties are easy to maintain. Please yourself with a little pop to the tired look. Show off any room in your home with impact or flattering low lights paired with nicely placed tiles. Pull back the shower curtain and place glass tiles around the enclosure. Mildew and moisture are not a concern. The walls are your palate so sit down with an array of samples and create your own showroom. If you are a little timid about tackling a huge project, use these tiles to highlight small areas. Patio borders and garden areas can perk up the landscape of the entire yard with the use of some bright glass mosaic tiles. No need to worry about discoloration, sunlight, frost or heat damage, these tiles are as strong as they are beautiful. Treat yourself with the addition of glass mosaic tiles around a plain vanilla pool. These can add some spice and enhance the pleasure of your oasis from the noisy world. Or maybe select a few of these tiles to surround your hot tub on the deck. You can make a small space seem magical in the moonlight. By: Sam Lewis Take a tip from Las Vegas and "look up" to glass mosaic tiles when searching for innovative ways to re-decorate or give your home an updated look. To get more info on Glass Mosaic Tiles visit: http://hubpages.com/hub/Glass-Mosaic-Tiles.]]> Laminate Floors - How to Install and Maintain This Attractive Alternative to Hardwood When installed and maintained properly, your laminate flooring will give you many years of service. In fact, one of the best features of laminate is how easy and inexpensive it is to care for. Anyone considering laminate floors should be aware of the differences between them, as these differences often determine installation methods and care requirements. Laminate Floors- How to Install for the Best Results Before you install your laminate floor, keep in mind that most of the problems that arise later with laminate floors are due to improper installation. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular flooring. In general, there are three basic types of installation for laminate- standard, pre-glued and snap-and-lock. The one you choose will depend on your budget, skill level and the kind of design you desire. Standard installation requires that you glue the laminate directly to the subfloor using laminate adhesive. This method is not appropriate for floating floors, but keeps the flooring securely attached in much the same way as tile flooring. Pre-glued laminate installation is for floors that come with adhesive already applied to the back. You simply wet the glue with water and secure to the subfloor. Snap-and-lock installation is probably the most popular method of laminate floor installation. It allows the do-it-yourselfer to easily lay down the floor without the use of adhesives. Snap-and-lock floors snap together using a locking tongue and groove mechanism. All methods of installation require a flat, level surface, and don't forget to acclimatize your flooring to your home for at least 48 hours prior to installation to prevent buckling. Proper Maintenance of Laminate Floors for Years of Lasting Beauty Once your floor is properly installed, you need to keep it looking good. Like hardwood, a clean laminate floor is a happy floor. Unlike hardwood, however, laminate requires no sanding, sealing or refinishing. A simple damp mopping with mild detergent will maintain the good looks of your laminate floor for years. Another tip is to keep the room temperature at about 72 degrees and monitor the humidity to prevent warping. Always lift furniture when moving it or you may scratch your laminate. Use felt pads whenever possible. Other common sense measures include removing dirt and oil from the edges of the floor and around area rugs, and avoiding abrasive cleaners. Follow these guidelines for the installation and care of your laminate floor and you will get to enjoy its beauty for many years. By: Elizabeth Hrusch For more information about laminate floors visit http://www.bestlaminate.net.]]> An Overview of Insulation Types Figuring out which type of insulation to use is so much easier when you have an idea of what the different types are, how effective they are, and where they are used. You want to make sure that you get the best product for the job that you can afford. One of the slightly more expensive options out there is residential foam insulation. However, you will recoup your costs over time with the additional savings in energy costs that you will get through using expanding foam. Because it expands to fill any spaces where air and moisture might enter the home, it is one of the best types available. It is easily applied through a spray nozzle. For something more affordable, you could get one of the forms of blow in insulation. Commonly used types include fiberglass (the most effective), mineral wool, and cellulose. You will need a thicker layer than you would if you used fiberglass or mineral wool batts, but this will save you some money and make it easier to insulate hard to reach areas. More common in the UK, foam roof insulation is now becoming more popular in the US. In the past it wasn't used since it was believed that roofs needed to be vented. If your roof is vented you can still use it for your attic floor, however, it won't control the temperature of the attic as well. One of the places you should be sure to insulate is your attic. Attic ceiling insulation is especially important since heat rises and you don't want all your heat in the winter to go right out through your roof. You want it to be trapped in the house and keeping your warm. Although many people do not use garage door insulation, it can really help to regulate the temperature of your garage and make it a more useful place. You might also find that you save on your energy bill if you use it and have an attached garage. It is very easy to install yourself with kits available on the internet. Anyone with a steam or hot water based heating system should also be sure that they are properly insulating their pipes with steam pipe insulation. Other types cannot withstand the temperatures of these pipes, and without the correct product you will lose heat quickly and it won't reach the farthest areas of your house. Finally, cellular glass is a fire resistant, strong type of commercial insulation that is used for insulating roofs and special types of pipes and equipment, especially when there are either very hot or very cold temperatures involved or when it is important that the product be waterproof. By: Simon Harris Simon Harris writes about insulation at http://www.insulationanswers.com]]> 4 Common Types of Air Purification Systems In-home air purification may not be on the top of your priority list, but it should be. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that "indoor air pollution is one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to the public." In fact, numerous studies have concluded that indoor air quality can be up to 5 times more harmful than outdoor air. For this reason, it is imperative to at least consider the possibility of using an air purification system in your home. While there are many types, all air purification systems can dramatically decrease the amount of allergens, dust, pollen, dust mite feces, and other harmful irritants in your home. Media Filters This is the simplest and most commonly found type of purification device. This type of system forces air through a filter, which can be made from various types of materials, such as paper, cotton, or other fibers. The filter then traps particles through size exclusion, removing them from the atmosphere inside your home. Electronic Filters Sometimes called Ionizers, these filters use charged electrical surfaces to generate electrically charged ions. The ions attach themselves to particles, which are then elecrostatically attracted to a charged collector plate, effectively removing the particle form the airstream. These systems can usually be found either with or without a fan. Humidification These systems are pretty self-explanatory. A filter is combined with a humidifier, allowing you to add needed humidity to your home. The benefit of humidification is that many bacteria and viruses can only exist or thrive in low-humidity environments. By increasing the humidity level in your home, you can effectively decrease the levels of harmful illness-causing agents in your home. Increased humidity can also help with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Ultraviolet Filtration These systems are sometimes referred to as UVGI systems, which stand for Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. These systems are extremely effective at removing mold and bacteria. They work by neutralizing and destroying microorganisms found in the atmosphere, such as bacteria and viruses. Contact your local HVAC service technician to help find which type of home air purification will be best for you and your home. Other factors to consider when choosing an air purification system include noise level, filter replacement frequency, building size, and health conditions and history. By: Budda Oliver Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Arundel Cooing and Heating. The HVAC contracting company provides heating and cooling services throughout Maryland. For more information on their HVAC Contractor please visit their website.]]> Indoor Water Fountains Purify the Air and Create White Noise You can find indoor wall water fountains almost anywhere, be it in the home, at the office, or sometimes in public places like parks and schools. Thinking about fountains likely conjures up images of majestic stone structures, or perhaps beautiful yet small installations that complement any indoor decor with their delicate visual appeal. Imagine the sound of it: imagine the softly falling water trickling down into a tranquil pool. The sound is consistent, natural, and beautiful. You might even associate certain smells with your indoor water fountain, like the scent of the air after a fresh rain. But did you know that water fountains also serve health purposes, and may improve your home's environment? Yes, fountains are healthy. This was likely not the first thing you thought of when I asked you to think about water fountains, as the health benefits of these aquatic decorations are largely overlooked. But it's true: water fountains have been shown to have a number of modest physical and mental health benefits, from stress and pain relief to environmental temperature regulation. To start the sound of water flowing is more than just a nice noise to hear." The trickling, splashing sound of falling water actually produces a multi-frequency sound called "white noise" that muffles and sometimes completely cancels out other sounds within its frequency range. This means you will not have to put up with barking dogs, the hum of electric wires overhead, traffic jams, or noisy neighbors. Now you can site back, relax, and soak up the soothing sounds of water splashing over carved stone and rocks. Improve relaxation and release the everyday stress by muffling the obnoxious noises in your environment. The splashing action of water fountains also purifies the air you breathe, by breaking water molecules into negative ions. The negative ions use their negative polarity to attract and bond with positively charged particles in the air, dampening and neutralizing them. This means you no longer have to worry about breathing in unwanted dust particles, toxins, allergens, and bioaerosols every time you breathe, you wall fountain will take care of them for you. Another benefit of indoor wall fountains is humidity control. Installing such a fountain generally increases local humidity by a factor of two percent. That may not seem like much, but it may make all the difference between a cold and dry environment and a comfortable one. We as human beings must maintain a certain level of humidity in our environment to feel comfortable: roughly fifty percent. This humidity moisturizes the skin and makes the area around you feel a little warmer. A new indoor water fountain may help to improve you skins health and make your home more comfortable. A wall fountain is certainly not a cure-all but the effects are noticeable. Need a little more comfort in your home, maybe just a little more stress relief and relaxation, or if you like to breathe cleaner fresher air, and wall water fountain is what you have always needed. By: Wyatt Frisk Wyatt Fisk is an experienced freelance writer who specializes in articles on indoor fountains. He hopes to inform and help his readers make smart decisions on http://www.fountaincrafters.com/.]]> Ten Things For $50 Or Less That You Can Do to Dramatically Increase the Curb Appeal of Your Home Whether you are getting ready to sell your home, refinance or just want to make your home look the best on the block, these ten tips are sure to get your home noticed first by potential buyers, appraisers or even the Jones's next door and are guaranteed to pay for themselves ten fold. 1. Clean your driveway! You can buy a cement washing/cleaning kit at your local home center for about 20 bucks. With a little splash of cleaner and a whole lot of elbow grease you can dramatically improve the look of your driveway. If your driveway is of decent size be sure to clean out the expansion joints and grooves that can accumulate years of dirt and debris. 2. Wash your windows. No, I mean really wash them. Clean the tracks, take the screens out and wash them with soap and water. Clean out the weep holes and wipe down the frames as well. If you have vinyl windows, wash them with some acetone (about 4 dollars at your local home center) and wipe down the frames inside and out to make your windows look brand new. If they are white aluminum, buy some spray paint and touch up any areas that are scratched or worn. 3. Plant a few plants. At the local nursery they usually have what they call a "clearance rack" I guess you could say. You can pick up 5 or 6 plants for 3.99 to 8.99 that will beautify the front of your house for about 30 dollars. Remember a reputable nursery will give you a warranty on plants so don't be afraid of the clearance rack, those plants are fine, if they die, you get a new one for free. Try to pick colorful plants that compliment the color and style of your home. You won't believe how many times I've seen a cactus in front of a colonial style house. 4. Replace the porch light. You can also find these on the clearance rack at the local home center. Nothing gives away the age of your home than the porch light. People will paint the house, replace the windows and re shingle the roof, but leave that same 20 year old porch light with faded glass panels and rusty frames. While you're at it, replace the doorbell as well. Little things make a huge difference. Many things the prospective buyer may not even consciously notice the little things but they add up quick and give the buyer that feeling of "ok I think this is the one, I don't know what it is, but this house is really speaking to me!" 5. Have a garage sale. Get rid of all extra items in your home, garage and backyard. If you can't sell it, and you aren't going to use it in the next few months, consider putting it in storage or keeping it at a relative's house. Any debris, clutter and "stuff" you can remove from your yard and garage will make it look bigger and more pleasing to the eye. I even recommend removing the garden hose and reel so the yard has a cleaner, crisper look. This isn't an article about removing clutter, there have been books written on that subject, but if you aren't going to use it in the near future, sell it. If it doesn't sell at a garage sale, try ebay, anything to get rid of all the junk. When your house/garage/sheds/closets are full to the top with junk and clutter, it really creates an eyesore and many people will judge how you took care of and maintained the house by this sight alone. 6. Help a neighbor. If your yard blends with the neighbors along one or both sides, offer to clean up his yard a little bit. Offer to mow his lawn for being such a great neighbor or tell him you have some extra plants that you can't find a place for and offer to plant them for him. 7. Shutters. From time to time home centers have the faux wood shutters on sale. I've seen 4 footers for as low as $9.99 for a pair of 4 footers. One of these on either side of your front window, painted with some left over paint from when you last painted your eaves will set your home apart from the others on your street. 8. Curb Appeal. Don't' forget about the actual curb! Your house doesn't start at the driveway; it includes the sidewalk, the curb, even the asphalt or street in front of your home. Are there large oil spots, is your house number painted clearly on the curb. Get your curb in order. 9. Re-screen your window screens. For about 20 dollars in mesh and a 4 dollar re-screening roller you can make your dusty, dirty, hole ridden, cat shredded screens look brand new. There is nothing like showing your home with a few windows open (weather permitting). It gives the prospective buyer a feel of what it will be like living there. You can open the windows on a nice day, they work, look clean and best of all it has screens and they keep the bugs out. 10. Trim all foliage. Trees, bushes, the grass. Trimming foliage makes it look brand new, bright and green and healthy. Any dead or burnt plants should be trimmed down to allow it to grow back faster. By: Craig Osterhoudt http://www.youcandoit.typepad.com]]> Inexpensive Changes Can Increase Your Home's Value In today's flat real estate market, many home sellers are looking for inexpensive ways to boost their home's value before listing it for sale. Here, in no particular order, are a few surprisingly simple - and relatively affordable - ways to make your property more attractive to buyers. Nothing spruces up a house like a fresh coat of paint. If the exterior paint is in good condition but the overall appearance is dull, consider painting just the eaves and trim in a shade which complements the main color. Similarly, interiors painted in light, neutral, conventional shades will command a higher price. Similarly, it's amazing how much a just a neglected front door can negatively impact the perceived value of your house. If your front door is peeling or in poor condition, repaint it in a durable gloss. While you're at it, repaint or replace that battered old mailbox too. Excessive clutter can make rooms appear smaller and detract from your home's overall appearance. Eliminate as much as you can, up to and including the removal of any furniture which impedes the natural flow of traffic. If light is an issue, replace interior light bulbs with bulbs of a higher wattage. Trim any low-hanging tree branches and shrubs which block the windows. Remember, you want visitors to see your home as open and inviting - never cramped or dimly-lit. Hang a large mirror or two in the living room or bedrooms. As any decorator worth his or her salt can tell you, mirrors create the illusion of more space, opening up rooms and providing additional (reflected) illumination. Replace damaged or worn vinyl floors in your kitchen and bathrooms. If possible, upgrade to tile or another more upscale flooring material. However, even fresh sheet vinyl beats the dingy old stuff. If you're fortunate enough to have hardwood floors lurking beneath old wall-to-wall carpeting, consider pulling up the carpet and having the wood floors professionally refinished. This isn't cheap, but it can pay off handsomely in the form of a higher sales price. If your carpets have localized stains and new carpets are out of the question, consider concealing them with area rugs (of course, this doesn't relieve you of your duty to disclose such defects to interested buyers). Replace all non-working window latches and bolts with new hardware, and oil squeaky door and cabinet hinges. While you're at it, test all light switches and electrical outlets and repair any that don't work. As a finishing touch, replace all outlet and switch plates with new ones. Be sure to choose something nicer than the old ivory-colored plastic that came with the house. In the kitchen, degrease your oven and clean out your refrigerator. Scratched appliances can often be refreshed with a careful application of touch-up paint. More serious paint issues can be resolved with a complete re-spray, either by a skilled homeowner or professional appliance repair person. If you have a green thumb, consider installing planter boxes outside your windows and filling them with cheery, colorful flowers. Not every house lends itself to this treatment, but those that do can benefit immensely. Finally, remember that clutter is as much a problem outdoors as it is in. Dilapidated garden sheds, rusting swing-sets, and non-working "project" cars are among the worst things you can have on display when a prospective buyer tours your house. Get rid of them! By: Ian Marks With dozens of articles appearing in print and online, Ian Marks writes about anything and everything, including entertainment, the economy, and the environment. He is a regular contributor to http://www.hardtimesherald.com and offers money-saving tips and advice at http://www.mommysownmoney.com]]>

Remodeling Houses guide

Remodeling Houses
By Jayme Hanson

Remodeling houses can be expensive depending on the type of remodel you are going to do and whether you are planning on doing the work yourself or hiring a contractor. You should always consider the return on your investment prior to any remodeling project. You’ll want to make sure that the remodeling is going to increase the overall value of the house.

When remodeling houses you can have small projects such as painting where the amount of the investment is low or you can have large projects where the investment could be substantial. The mistake most people make when remodeling houses is they spend so much money on changing structure or adding additions that after the project is complete, the house is no longer in the same price range as the rest of the houses in the neighborhood.

Before remodeling houses , look at the market value of the other houses in the neighborhood. If the value of the current neighborhood is going up than

you will add value to your house by remodeling. On the other hand, if the values in the current neighborhood are decreasing, you are not going to add any value to your house with remodeling.

Other things you might want to take into consideration when remodeling houses is the quality of the local school systems. Is the house located near a good elementary school? Are the secondary schools considered high quality within the school district the house is located? If the quality of education is good in the neighborhood, then the returns you receive from remodeling houses will be high.

If the house is located in an area that has easy access to shops, grocery stores, restaurants and shopping centers then remodeling the house will increase the value. However, if the taxes and the crime rate are high in the area where you plan to remodel houses, the value of the house will decrease and remodeling would be a waste of time and money.

Here are some articles to start with..

Remodeling Houses
By Jayme Hanson
Remodeling houses can be expensive depending on the type of remodel you are going to do and whether you are planning on doing the work yourself or hiring a contractor. You should always consider Read more...

Home Remodeling Software
By Jayme Hanson
Today you can purchase or download home remodeling software that covers everything from room design to landscape and garden designs. Home remodeling software can replace the expensive time Read more...