Entries from August 2009 ↓

In summer or winter, an outdoor fire pit is a place where friends and family can gather to enjoy food, drink and each other. There are many different types of fire pits, ie, temporary, portable and permanent. If you have enough room to build one, the ideal is a permanent fire pit because once you enjoy it, it’s something you’re going to want to have around all the time.

Following are some frequently asked questions about permanent fire pits. The info here will help you decide how to go about getting this home addition you and your family will enjoy for years to come.

Is It Legal for Me to Have a Fire Pit In My Yard?

In almost all localities, yes. What you may be limited by is the type of fire pit you can have. Check with your local government to see which restrictions might apply. A local home remodeling contractor will be able to build yours to code.

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The size of your bathroom will dictate, to a large degree, the style of shower door you select. Here we will discuss three options: one for small baths, one for mid-size baths, and one for larger bathrooms. This will make your selection much easier.

For Larger Baths: Swinging Shower Doors

Swinging shower doors are ideal for larger bathrooms. They add a breezy, sophisticated look to any bath.

Swinging shower doors range in widths from 36 to 48 inches. Secured with a magnetic latch, swinging shower doors can be made to swing in only one direction or in both directions. And, they come as one panel or two fixed panels.

One thing to keep in mind if you select this type of shower door: consider the path of the swing of the door before installing. You want to leave enough room so that it doesn’t hit sinks, tissue racks or toilets.

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A leaky faucet can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in water bills. As the kitchen is probably the most used room in the house, one way to “drip” some dollars into your pocket is to install the right faucet. One stylish, water-saving option is the disc faucet.

Following is some general info about kitchen faucets and why the disc faucet stands out.

The Most Common Type of Kitchen Faucet

The compression faucet is the most common type of kitchen faucet. They have separate hot and cold water handles, which you turn off by tightly turning each handle. Compression faucets are the least expensive type of kitchen faucet. This may also explain why they are the most prone to leaks and require frequent maintenance. Compared to the disc faucet, they are highly inefficient.

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If you’re remodeling your bathroom and are looking for ways to be eco-friendly, an electric shower is one option. Never heard of an electric shower? Following is an overview of the benefits of having one installed in your bathroom.

How Electric Showers Differ from Traditional Showers

In most homes, all the water consumed is heated by one source – a water heater. Electric showers are different in that the water is heated by an electrical device in the shower head. This makes it possible to heat water immediately – and only – upon use.

You can purchase also purchase a shower head with an electrical device that allows you to store various temperature settings. This ensures perfect water temperature with every use.

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If you’re getting carpet installed in your home, like any contractor, there are certain things you should ask to make sure that they have the right skills for your type of job. Beyond asking for licensing, bonding, insurance and references, following are four questions you should ask a carpet installer.

What Is Your Experience?

And here, we mean not so much years of experience (although that’s important also) but types of dwellings worked on. For example, have they primarily worked with residential apartments, commercial instruction or new-home construction. You want someone who has the most experience with your type of property.

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When it comes to remodeling a bathroom for your personal use, the choices are easier in that you choose what reflects your personal style. However, guest bathrooms tend to be different. It’s like decorating to appeal to the masses to a certain degree. Following are some ideas on choosing a bathroom sink that will not only be functional, but stylish as well.

• Experiment with Shape: Bathroom sinks come in a variety of shapes. Select one that is not your standard oval shape for a shot of design flair. What a sink lacks in size, it can make up for with a snazzy shape.

• Colors: Here again is where you can make an unexpected choice that will pleasantly surprise guests. From lively tangerine, to soothing ocean greens, to modern speckled black – the color choices in bathroom sinks are as diverse as nature itself.

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If windows are the “eyes to the soul” of a house, then stained-glassed windows can be a peek into heaven – if the right ones are chosen.

Once you start looking, you’re probably going to be surprised at how many types of stained glass there are. The one you choose will probably have as much to do with privacy as beauty. Following is one extremely popular type for residential use.

The Most Popular Type of Stained-Glass Window: Beveled Glass

The reason this type of stained glass is favored by many homeowners is that it lets in natural light, while at the same time providing privacy.

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For many homeowners, the very idea of choosing carpet can be overwhelming. With so many different types to choose from, going into a store or showroom can be daunting. If you know what you’re looking for, it can be so much easier.

If you’re looking for economical, durable carpet for high-traffic areas in your home, carpet squares fit the bill.

3 Advantages of Installing Carpet Squares

1. Carpet squares are easy to clean
2. They are less likely to attract and pick up allergens
3. As they’re sectionalized, you don’t have to replace the whole thing if one area gets stained

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Picking a remodeler can be a scary process. Depending on the project, this person could be in your home for weeks or months, a part of your everyday life. You don’t want to make the wrong choice and end up being one of those horror stories of a remodel-gone-wrong on the local news.

Don’t get me wrong – I’ve met plenty of great remodelers over the years, but here are some tips to help you make sure you don’t pick the wrong one.

1.  Make sure the contractor is properly insured and licensed. Ask your contractor about liability and workers’ compensation insurance. If someone is injured at your home while an uninsured remodeler is working on it, you could potentially be liable. Most (but not all) states also now require licenses for any professional remodeler. If that applies in your area, be sure to work with a properly licensed one. Otherwise, you’ll find they have trouble getting the necessary permits and insurance.

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One often overlooked part of the yard is the driveway – until something happens that makes it hard to ignore (eg, a child’s injury while riding a bike or a punctured tire on the family vehicle). This brings us to the question, is it time to repair your driveway? Do a visual check. Following is what to look for.

Are there cracks, missing pavers, uneven swelling in places? These can grow into bigger problems if not addressed. As you conduct your visual inspection, make a list of the problems and divide them into two categories: repairs you can make yourself and repairs that require a professional.

One of the most common problems with driveways is cracks in the asphalt. This can be relatively easy to fix.

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